By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
PARK HILLS
Park Hills Mayor Kathy Zembrodt gave an update on events in the city just after the opening of the regular council meeting. She talked about the construction on Amsterdam road, and said that although it does seem slow, the project is moving forward, which is good, because they have at least $200,000 in engineering alone in the project.
Zembrodt said that at tax time the city has reduced the tax rate for the road tax from 1.55 to 1.20 percent and that is in effect this year. She reported that of the 37 streets that the city had on the agenda to fix, 33 have been completed, and they will continue to do more. She announced that seven new sidewalks have been established in the city for better walkability.
Council passed the second reading of the amendments for last year’s budget, and then passed the second reading of the new budget.
The first reading of an ordinance which amends the nuisance ordinance so that it now includes commercial properties was read. Mayor Zembrodt said that the city lost a good business because they could not fix the problems that the landlord would not fix, and she said they want to compel healthy decisions.
There was discussion about the traffic on various streets and what to do to try and protect the children on electric scooters, who weave in and out among the parked cars.
Police Chief Cody Stanley responded to a council member who said they saw a golf cart out on the roads, and he said right now golf carts cannot legally be on the streets of Park Hills.
INDEPENDENCE
Independence city council moved their regular meeting to the second Monday of the month. Council passed the second reading of an ordinance that finalizes the consensual annexation of 95.6 acres of the Mason Farm at 956 East Mt Zion Road.
Another second reading of an ordinance changed to zoning of the acreage to match that of the Park 536 project.
Council passed the second reading of the amended budget from last year, and then the second reading of the budget ordinance for this year’s budget.
Council passed the second reading of an ordinance that updates the employee pay classification. Mayor Chris Reinersman said that they have added a Police Officer Manager to that classification.
As the agenda moved to the last legislation, the second reading of an ordinance updating and overhauling the parking regulations, the forward motion of the meeting slowed as discussion commenced. Council member Greg Steffen had an entire list of questions and problems with this ordinance, and the final result was that the ordinance was tabled until the July meeting so that Attorney Jack Gatlin could put the discussed changes into another first reading of the ordinance.
A first reading of an ordinance raising the fines for door to door solicitors was read.
LAKESIDE PARK
Lakeside Park council members listened to a report on the annual audit by Karen Goodin, CPA, from Rankin, Rankin and Company. She did note that the city is small enough that some segregation of duties is virtually impossible, but she said that the procedures put in place by the city to counteract have been very effective.
Council approved the second reading of the annual budget.
Another ordinance had a first reading amending, with corrections, an addition to title streets designed with fire lanes.
Mayor Paul Markgraf asked council for their input on donating $500 to the Blessed Sacrament Corn Roast. He also asked if Council would like to legalize golf carts on the roads, but a council member said she would like to see regulations for scooters and bikes.
Markgraf explained that the city has been receiving opioid payments for three years, and the city has been referring those payments to Kenton County for the Navigator Program, and they will be filing all reports for the payments.
FLORENCE
Florence Mayor Julie Aubuchon gave a state of the union speech to acquaint people with the constant flow of achievements that the city keeps up. She thanked the council members, knowing that the goals could not have been the same without council keeping an eye on the will of the people.
She thanked the Administrative department, appreciating City Administrator Joshua Hunt’s leadership and vision, and moving to the Fire Department and the Police Department noting their indispensable and essential services to the people of Florence. She appreciated the Public Works department, singling out Director Eric Hall for accomplishing all the services needed in the city.
She finished by saying the state of the city of Florence is strong, and she said she appreciated the people of Florence for giving her and the council their trust, and she would not let them down.
Council passed the first readings of the three change of concept development plans which were discussed at the caucus meeting last week. The first reading of the new budget was read as was an ordinance concerning personnel and another for personnel policy.
BOONE COUNTY
A housing project for the Mineola Pike/Gap Way area that received a very rare non-recommendation from the Boone County Planning Commission was shot down by the Boone County Commission after a dual list of findings of fact, one for and one against, were presented at Tuesday’s regular meeting. At the previous meeting, Commissioners asked to have findings of fact presented to help them make a decision on the housing project. Commissioners Chet Hand and Jesse Brewer agreed that the findings of fact helped them to decide that the housing project was contraindicated, mostly due to the facts that explained that the project was basically not in accordance with either the 2040 land use plan or the 2045 land use plan. Judge Executive Gary Moore was in favor of the project, and explained his reasons, but both commissioners were against it. Commissioner Cathy Flaig was not present at this meeting.
A presentation was given by Lauren Elliott, Services Planner, on the request for a zoning map amendment for a 5.6 acre piece of land located along the southwest side of Verona Mudlick Road between Porter road and Glencoe Verona Road. The zoning is mostly A2/PD and they would like for it to be changed to RSE, but it is not in accord with the land use plan. Boone County Planning and Zoning approved it with three conditions, but Commissioners wanted the third condition to be defined more. The third condition said that ‘development of the site shall be strictly limited to the uses and building footprints outlined in the submitted Concept plan.’ The plan calls for a 13,300 square foot office or shop, and two 6,300 square foot barn type buildings. The business is a lawn care contracting business which does lawn care and snow removal. The first reading was held.
A second reading was held which approved the request of changing the zoning from RS to Industrial 1 for a 2.1 acre piece of land across from Chambers road. This is for the relocation of a plumbing business.
A first reading of an ordinance was held which adds holding a consent agenda, deletes delegations, adds holding presentations, and adds holding an executive session to the meeting.
A list of 14 board appointments and reappointments passed.
A resolution passed which approved an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation District for construction of the Camp Ernst Road/ Longbranch Road roundabout project. The original agreement waited too long and the construction company gave an estimate of $1.6 million, so the state approved an additional $93,108 to add to the original $531,080 from OKI and the KYTC to get the job done.
County Administrator Matthew Webster explained about another resolution that passed which approves an amended tower lease agreement with Insight Towers Development LLC for property located at Double Eagle Drive in Union.
KENTON COUNTY
Kenton County Commissioners approved a resolution of the budget adjustments to last fiscal year’s budget.
An ordinance was read for the second time and passed which approved the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
An approval was given for the Kentucky Department of Corrections grant for the Home Incarcerations program at the Kenton County Detention Center.
Commissioners approved a request to proceed with the solicitation of proposals for the replacement of the pedestrian bridge at Pioneer Park for the Kenton County Parks and Recreation Department.
TAYLOR MILL
Taylor Mill commissioners passed the second reading of an ordinance which updates the pay classification for the employees of the city.
Two other second readings were passed, the first one to amend the budget from last year and the second one to approve the new budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
A municipal order passed which approved the five year street plan, from 2027 to 2031.
A resolution passed which officially honors the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Commissioners accepted the retirement for the CAO Brian Haney.
Commissioners discussed the July 10 250th celebration that the city is hosting at Pride Park. Previously, the commissioners wanted to have donations of $20,000 in order to do fireworks at the celebration. Donations were about $3,000 short. They all voted to come up with the remaining money so that they could have the fireworks.
COVINGTON
Covington Commissioners listened to an ordinance which approved of the adjustments to last fiscal year’s budget.
Another ordinance was read which approved of the budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.
An order passed which approved the renewal of the city worker’s compensation insurance coverage with Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance effective July 1.
Mayor Ron Washington gave a statement concerning the closures made by the state for the new bridge project. He said he has heard from quite a lot of residents about the closures.
He said the city is taking all those concerns and complaints seriously and sending them on to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the operators of the project.
“Covington’s role is advocacy, not operations,” he stated. “But that doesn’t mean we’re standing still.”
He said they are doing what they can for the best outcomes for the residents and businesses in Covington. They have put signs up warning of the closures so that people would not be caught off guard.
Covington is still accessible, he said, from several different ways.
“Covington is still open for business,” said Mayor Washington. “Our restaurants, shops, offices, attractions and neighborhoods are the best in the region and they are ready to welcome visitors.”