By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
Back in the 1940s, when the airport first opened, it was common to look to the largest populated city for its call letters.
That large city was Covington. Thus, even though it was known as Cincinnati’s airport, and even though it was located in Hebron, Ky., the airport became CVG.
So it only made sense, then, that airport officials would come out to the city that bears its name and update those city officials on the past year’s success, as well as the goals for the next year.
And that’s exactly what happened at the city’s regularly scheduled legislative Commission meeting Tuesday night when Seth Cutter, manager of strategic planning and public policy for the Kenton County Airport Board, presented to the board.
“2018 was a banner year for us,” he told the commissioners. “We are now serving more local passengers than ever before.”
Cutter displayed a presentation that showed several bullet points, including:
*8.9 million passengers
*8th largest cargo airport in North America
*14,000-plus badged employees on campus (52 percent Kentucky residents)
*$4.4 billion economic impact to the region
*31,000-plus jobs supported
Cutter said the airport is looking to continue their “authentic, Midwestern, nice experience.”
Among the objectives for 2021, Cutter outlined five:
-Grow their air service to 9.4 million passengers
-Grow their campus to 350 acres of leased land
-Grow their economic impact to $5 billion
-Continue to demolish obsolete facilities and replace with new
-Continue to improve Airport Service Quality ratings
Cutter also pointed out that — unlike years past — the airport now ranks as No. 83 in the top 100 airports of average airfare, a drop of $255 in average airfare since 2014.
Finally, he showed how the airport fared in the latest Skytrax World’s Top 100 Airports 2019:
*No. 2 Best World Airport (serving 5-10 million passengers)
*No. 2 Best Regional Airport in North America
*No 37 World’s Top 100 Airport (No. 3 U.S. Airport)
*No. 9 World’s Best Regional Airport
*No. 6 Best Airport Staff in North America
Cutter spoke about the new Amazon hub along Aero Parkway that is currently under development, but added that the company is still looking for workers. That prompted Commissioner Tim Downing to ask how the airport would be trying to attract new workers — especially those from the Covington area.
Cutter explained that a new Strategic Workforce Collaborative will work to recruit and retain top-tier talent. One of the ways they hope to do so is by giving tours to local high schools, which provide some students with their first trips to the airport.
Holmes High was one of the recent schools to make a trip, Cutter said, adding that early on, they hope to get students exposed to the possibility of airport jobs.
The Commission seemed impressed with the presentation.
“This is a major turnaround from a few years ago,” praised Mayor Joseph U. Meyer. “You should be commended.”
New City-owned Property Guidelines Approved
Commissioners approved a proposal for a new set of guidelines for the purchase of city-owned property.
“The city currently owns nearly 150 parcels of land — 15 of which contain a structure,” city documents say. “These parcels were acquired for a variety of reasons over the years using both local and federal funds. While approximately 50 are being used for other purposes (parking lots, community gardens etc.) or are unsuitable for building, the vast majority could be put back into productive use for housing/economic development, side yards, parking or other uses that benefit the community while increasing the tax base for the city.”
Ken Smith, the city’s neighborhood services director, explained last week that the staff had agreed on a new process, which requires an application, a phone conversation with him, and a staff review. The Review Process would include:
Does the city have a use for the property?
Is the intended use appropriate?
Appraisal
Recommended Method of disposition
Request staff prepare documents and seek approval from Commission
Review proposals and make recommendation to Commission
Asst. City Manager Position Amended
Commissioners voted 5-0 to amend the job description for the open assistant city manager position, formerly held by Frank Warnock.
City Manager David Johnston requested the change last week.
“The city manager, under consultation with the department directors and others, felt that the primary focus of this position be in intergovernmental relations, policy analyses and labor relations,” the city request reads. “The CM envisions that this position is to support the work of the department directors and to work on strategic initiatives as directed by the CM. The salary range for this position has been reduced due to the fact that the position reflects market value for this position and that it does not have to be filled by an attorney.”
The salary was reduced from $103,000-$125,000 to $80,000-$120,000.
Commissioner Downing seemed to disagree with the idea, saying it was “elevating the role beyond what we need right now.” Still, he voted to approve it.
Also Tuesday …
Commissioners accepted the resignation of officer Tyler Tipton from the Covington Police Department.
Commissioners approved an agreement with Western Garage, LLC, for a $6,000 façade incentive for the property at 957 Western Ave.
Commissioners approved two contracts with Entryway, Inc., for the rehabilitation of single-family homes located at 71 Parkview Ave. and 715 Saratoga St.
The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting held at 6 p.m., May 7, at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.
Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com