By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
BOONE COUNTY
Boone County commissioners passed the second reading of an ordinance allowing a zone change from Suburban Residential 2 to Suburban Residential 3 for a 37-acre site along the west side of North Bend Road between Barbara Drive and Overlook Drive. It had been recommended by the Planning Commission 12 to 0. Three residents spoke up against it Tuesday evening.
Amy Stauffer said that the infrastructure was inadequate for the housing projects they keep putting up in Boone County, and she felt that they ought to get roads built before the housing projects. For this project, she considered it unbelievable that the state, which is responsible for Route 237, would not require a specialized turn left lane, and a traffic light, out of the subdivision for those who needed to access the expressway.
Barbara Jacobson said the traffic is already bad in that area during rush hours, making it difficult for people to get out onto 237. She suggested that they have a moratorium on zone changes for now until they can get all the apartments, condos and town houses built in all the projects that are currently half done. Once all the housing projects are built, they will be able to get a clearer picture of how bad traffic will be with the extra people in all the new housing.
“Safety of residents has to be a priority,” she stated. “Right now, traffic is outrageous. We need to put the safety of citizens over the profit of the builders.”
Brian Mauer also spoke, echoing Jacobson’s sentiments.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet told the court that they estimated that about 85 percent of the people coming out of the new subdivision would be turning left, and they do not believe any kind of dedicated lane or signalized left turn is needed.
Commissioner Chet Hand noted that now would be the time to put left turn restrictions in, because they could require the builders to do it, whereas if it turns out to be a problem down the road the state will have to foot the bill for the restrictions.
Nevertheless, it passed 4 to 0.
County Administrator Matthew Webster gave a comprehensive report on the ad valorem tax rates for the county and how his department arrived at the conclusions that they did. He said they have been working on it since July 9, and they were recommending a rate for personal property at $8.2 per $100 of assessed value, down from the current $8.5 per $100. For tangible property he recommended a $9.3 per $100 of assessed value instead of the current $9.5, which is the compensating rate. Commissioners passed it unanimously, but Commissioner Jesse Brewer added a stipulation that of the extra money the rate would bring in, $250,000 will be dedicated to the infrastructure fund.
A resolution passed which allows police officers who retired and then were rehired to be included in the health insurance for the county.
Another resolution was tabled which permits five vehicles to be surplused and put on govdeals.com. Commissioner Cathy Flaig was not happy with the resolution and said she wanted to see more about the condition of the vehicles before she would be satisfied that they were ready to be disposed of. The other commissioners agreed to table the issue until they could see further evidence of the decline of the vehicles.
A resolution passed which allows three vehicles to be purchased for the public works department, a purchase which apparently saves $30,000 per vehicle for the county.
A resolution passed which awards the RFP for co-mingling recycling to Rumpke. Administrator Webster explained that the machine they were using was no longer useful, and replacing it would cost over $600,000, whereas Rumpke’s bid was $39,213.
There will be a meeting on September 24 at 5 p.m. dealing with UTV’s.
FLORENCE
Florence City Council voted to approve a resolution which allows a memorandum of agreement between the city and JDV Ventures, LLC for the acquisition, construction, equipping and installation of a mixed use commercial development on Houston Road. It also agrees to undertake the issuance of Industrial Building Revenue Bonds at the appropriate time to pay the cost of the project, and agrees to a PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes.
City Administrator Josh Hunt reminded council that representatives of Athena Hospitality Group were at the meeting last week and presented a slide show depicting the development they hope to put up on the 13 acres just past Lowe’s but before Citibank. They want to build a headquarters building, along with two high end hotels, and a Class A restaurant pad. Florence’s bond representative, James Parsons, was also there last week to explain about the Industrial Bonds. Since it is a multi-million dollar project, Hunt said there are usually IRB bonds, and sometimes Tax Increment Financing, and Kentucky Development programs. He said there will probably be a KDI request down the line. He explained that the land was left over when the company that built Turfway Racing park had the land but didn’t develop it, and through the years, Hunt explained that they had several companies interested who had ideas about the land, but couldn’t quite make it work. This group is taking their development over the finish line and will make the area work.
Council also voted on a first reading of an ordinance setting the tax rates. The rate for real property is $2.14 per $1000 of assessed value, tangible property is $2.53 per $1000 of value, and $.27 per $1000 for the police retirement fund, although that is bundled in with the tangible property.
A resident, Joe Berkshire, came to the meeting with a few concerns. He talked about the doors to the Senior Center, and said that Public Works Director Eric Hall had promised to help with that problem. He also said he went to the Library board meeting recently, and he asked point blank if the library was going to build a new Florence branch. Director Carrie Herrmann apparently told him no, and when he asked if the library had money to build a Florence library, the answer was a very blunt no. City Administrator Hunt countered that claim, and said that he has been talking to Herrmann. He said they do want to build a new Florence branch but they don’t have a location picked yet, although Florence has a large parcel of empty land next to the Senior Center that would be perfect for a library. However, years have passed and the library does not seem to want to consider the land.
Naomi Liebson came to the meeting to ask if the large plates on Girard are going to go away any time soon, and Director Hall said Florence will be blacktopping the street after finishing a water project.
Spencer Carter had a complaint about a neighbor on Pheasant Drive who rents a house next to him but parks his work van in front of Carter’s house. He said he has asked the neighbor to please park the van in front of his house and the neighbor has refused. Director Hall said he would get Carter’s information and talk to the police to see what can be done.
KENTON COUNTY
Former Kenton County Sheriff Charles Korzenborn was officially presented with the Jon Draud Pioneer Award for his almost three decades of work for Kenton County as Sheriff. It was mentioned that he was married to Ruth for 62 years. He was offered a position to the FBI early in his life, but he was needed at his family’s business, so he didn’t take the opportunity. Only after that did he enter his life’s work of law enforcement.
Korzenborn told the court that ‘the Lord has blessed me,’ and thanked them for the distinctive award, especially to Jon Draud. He said he was humbly proud of the award. Draud was not present at the meeting due to medical issues.
The commissioners accepted the resignation of Spike Jones as Kenton County Police Force, and several commissioners, plus the County Administrator spoke regretfully about his resignation.
Judge Executive Kris Knochelmann administered the oath of office to Noah Bell as he became the latest police recruit for the county.
The first reading of the new ad valorem tax rates was held. The new rate for personal property is $11.3 per $100 of assessed value, down from $11.5 per $100, and the tangible rate is $15.6 per $100 of assessed value. The rate for motor vehicles is $15.8 per $100 of assessed value.
ERLANGER
The city of Erlanger held a special caucus meeting with three big item topics on the list to discuss. One of the hot button items was Flock cameras which the city had entered into via an agreement with MeetNKy, for a two year contract. The city paid nothing for the cameras. The subject was brought before council, but just in an informative manner, not for them to vote on.
City Administrator Mark Collier announced that the city had entered into the contract for two years, although they pushed for three years at the time, but the two years was up this year, and Collier told them they don’t want to renew the contract and please turn off and disassemble the cameras, which they are in the process of doing.
A second topic was the Memorandum of Understanding with Eons, and Mayor Jessica Fette immediately asked for the item to be removed from the agenda so that they could talk about it with the partners of Eons and make it a better MOU. Before it was taken off the agenda, Council member Jennifer Jasper-Lucas announced that she had several questions that they should consider to help make it a better MOU, and she proceeded to read the questions aloud. Council member Tyson Hermes interrupted after a few questions and asked if she could just email the questions to everybody instead of reading them out loud, and Jasper-Lucas told him she was speaking and it was not his turn. She finished the short list of questions and agreed to also email them to everybody.
The third item was the new tax rates. The ad valorem rate for personal property is $.241 per $1000 of assessed value, down from $.244, and the tangible property rate is .195 per $1000 of assessed value, up from $.178. This is the compensating rate. These rates will be voted on next week at the regular council meeting, and a special meeting on September 8.
CAMPBELL COUNTY
Campbell County commissioner Brian Painter was chosen to lead the August Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting since Judge Executive Steve Pendery was out of town.
The first reading of an ordinance was held which is the result of a citizen petition on Mallard Drive where the residents want to prohibit parking on the side of the street where the fire hydrant is located.
A resolution passed which declares the property at 901 Saratoga in Newport eligible for a moratorium on assessment for five years in order to encourage renovation.
The county will buy four marked police vehicles with no more than 132,000 miles for a unit price of $46,613.20, and a collective price of $186,452.80 from Paul Miller Ford. This money was in the budget and the price actually came in under budget.
Commissioners approved the acceptance of a proposal from Atkins, Elrod and Associates for Administrative Consultant services for a Community Development Block Grant from the state. The services will be $50,000 and will be deducted from the grant if the county gets the grant.
Painter announced that the Citizens’ Academy will be starting their classes soon so people can sign up for them by calling the county building. He also said the Senior Picnic will be Wednesday, September 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and tickets are $10.