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<\/a><\/p>\nThe first batch of funds, $17,957,065, came last June. The second is expected in June 2022. The deadline for the city\u2019s ARPA plan must be reported to the Treasury by Jan. 31, 2022. But, Smith said, the plan can still be modified after that.<\/p>\n
The city just had to get started \u2014 and that\u2019s what Smith\u2019s memo did Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the last five months, input was solicited from residents and businesses, as well as city staff and elected leaders about how to invest these funds over the coming years,\u201d he wrote. \u201cWe also evaluated options to make the most impact in city neighborhoods and to strengthen the city\u2019s finances for the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s their first recommendation at dividing the funds into 11 buckets:<\/strong><\/p>\nSummary of ARPA Funding Recommendations \u2028<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022 Affordable Housing Programs and Projects \u2013 $3,350,000
\u2022 Essential Worker Pay \u2013 $2,545,000
\u2022 City Operations \u2013 $1,455,000
\u2022 Replace Lost City Revenues- $12,500,000
\u2022 Community Outreach and Participation \u2013 $80,000
\u2022 Expand and Monetize Covington Connect Wi-Fi \u2013 $455,000
\u2022 Job Creation and Expansion \u2013 $375,000
\u2022 Neighborhood Projects in Qualified Neighborhoods \u2013 $2,379,130
\u2022 Improve Quality of Life and Public Health \u2013 $3,750,000
\u2022 Small Business Assistance \u2013 $7,600,000
\u2022 Social Services for Residents \u2013 $1,425,000 <\/p>\n
Total: $35,914,130<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the overall ARPA budget is approved by \u2018bucket\u2019 or category, staff will develop specific programs with the necessary guidelines for approval by the Board of Commissioners,\u201d Smith said. \u201cMany of the projects will require the city to follow its procurement process before contracts can be approved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next, the Commission, along with other \u201coutside stakeholders,\u201d will provide their feedback for programs and projects. <\/p>\n
But first, there had to be the buckets. They will be on the regular agenda at next week\u2019s legislative meeting.<\/p>\n
City Close to IRS Demo Agreement<\/strong><\/p>\nSmith, the City Manager, then told Commissioners that the city was close to coming to an agreement with O\u2019Rourke Wrecking Company for demolition of the IRS site.<\/p>\n
After releasing a request for proposals in late November, the city considered four proposals, Smith said.<\/p>\n
It was not certain when the demolition would begin, but the project is supposed to last eight months, and involve:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Removing environmental hazards.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Salvaging the site.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Demolition.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Site regrading and backfill.<\/p>\n
The city will then begin the process of selecting an engineering firm to draw up designs for the \u201chorizontal infrastructure\u201d on the site, including streets, sidewalks, and utilities.
Smith told Commissioners that he will try to finish up the deal in the next couple of days, and that if he can, it will be ready for next week\u2019s legislative meeting.<\/p>\n
If not, it would be ready for the following legislative meeting three weeks from now.<\/p>\n
Skillbridge Military Program<\/strong><\/p>\nHuman Resources Director Cindy Lewis presented a proposed agreement between the city, the state, the Department of Criminal Justice Training, and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council to participate in the Skillbridge Military to Law Enforcement Program.<\/p>\n
Skillbridge assists active duty military members to transition from military service to civilian careers, as military members in their last six months of active service can participate in attending the police training academy.<\/p>\n
Lewis said this will save the city up to six months training time and $18,000 per officer.<\/p>\n
The agreement will be on next week\u2019s consent agenda.<\/p>\n
Streetscape project extensions<\/strong><\/p>\nSteetscape project extensions were requested for:\u2028<\/p>\n
\u2022 7th Street project
\u2022 Madison Ave. project<\/p>\n
Both are to be extended to June 30, 2022, due to the KYTC needing to complete their final reviews. Both were put on next week\u2019s consent agenda.<\/p>\n
New hires<\/strong><\/p>\nNew hires were submitted for:
\u2022 Patrick Duffy, Business Retention and Expansion Specialist<\/p>\n
Resignations<\/strong><\/p>\nResignations were submitted for:
\u2022 Jeri Asher, Code Enforcement Inspector
\u2022 Kelly Olszewski, Housing Choice Voucher Representative<\/p>\n
Board appointment<\/strong><\/p>\nAn appointment was submitted for:
\u2022 Alicia Revely, Telecommunication Board of Northern Kentucky<\/p>\n
All were placed on the consent agenda for next week. \u2028<\/p>\n
Williams apologizes<\/strong><\/p>\nAt the end of the meeting, Commissioner Michelle Williams said she wanted to extend an apology \u2014 to the City Manager, Smith.<\/p>\n
She said she apologized for not voting to approve his being hired as full-time city manager. Last September, Smith was hired, after he served as interim city manager for nearly three months.<\/p>\n
At the time, Williams did not approve \u2014 not because of the candidate, but because of the process of the hiring, she said. She reiterated that Tuesday night, before praising Smith\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been weighing heavy on me,\u201d she said. \u201cAs city manager, I think you\u2019re doing an even better job. I wanted to tell you, personally, here \u2014 I made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith accepted and said he thought nothing of it.<\/p>\n
Next Meeting <\/strong><\/p>\nThe next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a legislative meeting held at 6 p.m., Jan. 25, at the City Building at 20 W. Pike St. in Covington. The meetings can be followed live on Fioptics channel 815, Spectrum channel 203, the\u00a0 Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky\u00a0 (TBNK) website, the TBNK Facebook page @TBNKonline, and the TBNK Roku channels.<\/p>\n
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