MINUTES KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT Kenton County Courthouse 5272 Madison Pike Independence, KY Tuesday, March 12, :00 A.M.

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1 MINUTES KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT Kenton County Courthouse 5272 Madison Pike Independence, KY Tuesday, March 12, :00 A.M. Call to Order Judge Steve Arlinghaus called to order the March 12, 2013 meeting of the Kenton County Fiscal Court and called upon Commissioner Knochelmann for the invocation and to lead in the pledge of allegiance. Present: Staff: Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus Commissioner Jon Draud, District 2 Commissioner Beth Sewell, District 1 Commissioner Kris Knochelmann, District 3 County Attorney Garry Edmondson Mark Kreimborg, Deputy Judge/Executive Joe Shriver, County Administrator Roy Cox, County Treasurer R. Brian Capps, Chief of Police Steve Hensley, Emergency Management Director Melanie Morris, Fiscal Court Clerk Approval of Minutes Minutes February 26, 2013 Judge Arlinghaus presented the minutes of the February 26, 2013 meeting for approval by the Court. Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Citizens Address Garth Kuhnhein addressed the court in opposition to the TIF District in the City of Covington. General Business 286

2 Claims List March 7, 2012 County Treasurer Roy Cox presented the claims list for March 7, 2012 and asked if the court had any questions. County Treasurer Roy Cox presented an additional claims list for March 11, 2013 for reimbursements. Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Proclamation National Safe Place Week in Kenton County Judge Arlinghaus presented a proclamation for National Safe Place Week in Kenton County, Kentucky. Commissioner Draud made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Resolution Resolution No F Judge Arlinghaus presented Resolution F A Resolution for the Kenton County Fiscal Court concerning fiscal year budget adjustments. Commissioner Draud made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Ordinances Second Reading Ordinance Judge Arlinghaus presented for second reading Ordinance No An Ordinance amending Ordinance No relating to the regulation of concealed weapons on government property. Judge Arlinghaus asked to table the second reading of Ordinance for further review. Second Reading Ordinance Judge Arlinghaus presented for second reading Ordinance No An Ordinance amending Ordinance No as amended relating to the regulation of concealed weapons on park property. 287

3 Judge Arlinghaus asked to table the second reading of Ordinance for further review. First Reading Ordinance Judge Arlinghaus presented for first reading Ordinance No An Ordinance amending Kenton County s Code of Ordinances placing traffic control devices and creating fire lanes on streets located in unincorporated Kenton County. Second Reading will be scheduled for March 26, Consent Agenda CDS Associates, Inc. Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to sign agreement for CDS Associates, Inc. to conduct a topographic survey for Ishmael Road Drainage. Surplus Kenton County Police Department Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to surplus various items in the Kenton County Police Department. Paving Parks Department Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to accept a bid from Westside Paving for resurfacing of basketball courts at Pioneer Park for Kenton County Parks Department. Bid Requests Kenton County Justice Center Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to seek bids for purchase and installation of carpet at the Kenton County Justice Center. Hut Athletic Club, Inc. Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to enter into a lease agreement between the Kenton County Fiscal Court and Hut Athletic Club, Inc. Carreara Construction, Inc. (Bid) - Clinic Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to accept a bid from Carreara Construction, Inc. for the Clinic remodeling at the Kenton County Courthouse in Covington. 288

4 Surplus Kenton County Clerk s Office Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to surplus various items in the Kenton County Clerk s Office. Change Orders KZF Design for K.C. Dispatch Center Exhibit Authorize County Judge/Executive Steve Arlinghaus to approve change orders with KZF Design for Kenton County Dispatch Center. Commissioner Draud made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Executive Orders Tiffany Blau (Resignation) Animal Shelter Judge Arlinghaus presented Executive Order An Executive Order relating to the Kenton County Fiscal Court approving the resignation of Tiffany Blau in the Kenton County Animal Shelter Department, effective March 5, Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Various Appointments Golf Courses Judge Arlinghaus presented Executive Order An Executive Order relating to the Kenton County Fiscal Court approving various appointments at the Kenton County Golf Courses. Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Draud. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. Lape Police Merit Board Judge Arlinghaus presented Executive Order An Executive Order relating to the Kenton County Fiscal Court approving the re-appointment of Raymond Lape to the Kenton County Police Merit Board with term expiring on March 21, Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. The motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote of Commissioner Draud, yes; Commissioner Sewell, yes, Commissioner Knochelmann, yes; and Judge Arlinghaus, yes. 289

5 Administrative Reporting Kenton County Dispatch Update Director Ed Butler addressed the court with an update on construction and four cities (Ft. Wright, Bromley, Ludlow and Park Hills) that have joined Kenton County Dispatch. County Attorney s Report Nothing to report to the court at this time. Commissioner s Report Commissioner Kris Knochelmann Commissioner Knochelmann addressed the court stating he and Commissioner Sewell attended NACo s Conference and a lot of stuff happened in few days, but two quick things that were very good and I want to touch on. One of which we were able to meet with staff from Senator Paul s office and it was very good. We also were able to meet with Senator McConnell himself, and a couple of his staffers, and especially when it comes to the discussion of federal funding and tolls. That discussion sometimes you know it is very good, whether you agree or disagree with people, it is important to hear from both state and federal legislators from their own mouths, so the discussion was good. He gave us his time and asked our opinions about the feeling about the Kentuckians, especially in Kenton County and that was very good and, of course, it s not as though he had his magic wand and could waive or Senator Paul s in terms of waiving their magic wands and saying how they would suspect that we get all of these issues resolved, but it was a very good discussion. Secondarily, the other thing I wanted to point out was one of the breakouts that we attended was talking about Sunshine Laws and wanting to make sure about transparency and about communication with public. I think that whether we do newsletters or we do web sites etc. I think that one of the things that popped in my head while we were gone and looking into, and what I would like to see us do moving forward, is that we kind of get our financial stuff, our reporting, and our new software up to date. I would like to see us were we post some more actual activities, the actual financial statement that we are reporting and get that on our web site as well. It s been difficult with our software and we are investing a lot of money down the road to get that updated, but I would like to see us do that, and one of the things that happens is there is a web site that an independent web site system that goes and evaluates counties across the country and rate counties in terms of overall performance and how they are disclosing stuff. As far as Kentucky goes, we are doing very well. We are not as good as we could be, but we are doing far better that probably 95% of the counties in the state. A lot of the counties have C and D ratings and I think our rating was a B or A-, something like that. Again, I think that we are good, we can be better and it s an independent web site. Those are two of quick things I wanted to report on that I think we can work on in the future as well as the discussion with our federal representatives. 290

6 To that point, getting back to Senator McConnell and Senator Paul is that I do believe the challenge is it seems as though there is not a lot of, and the term used is political will, to fix the federal trust fund system and it s unfortunate. I think Commissioner Draud said in the last meeting that you can tend to get a little angry, but I think it s very important to send the right message and we sent it, I think clearly, that long term this has got to get fixed and it s not even just four, five, ten or fifteen process, but this funding has got to get accomplished. They didn t disagree with the problem that there is a problem, but neither of them necessarily had the solution I was hoping to hear. Judge Arlinghaus replied one of my personal thoughts, and I think others have echoed this over well before me, we spend billions of dollars through our military for infrastructure projects in foreign countries and often foreign countries who are warring against us, anti-americans and we are giving away billions of dollars to help build their infrastructures while we suffer here in the United States and to me that atrocity in itself that just seems to be that tells me that the system is broken, when it comes back to the political will to do the right think. I think that our congressional leaders need to recognize that they need to take care of our own people here in the United States first before we take care of others that we cannot afford to help ourselves. I think that your message is well served. I m flying with the Chamber next week into Washington DC, their annual Fly-In, and that is one of the avenues that I want to continue to keep harping and try to get our legislators and congressional leaders to recognize that and make more of an issue of it in Washington. It seems like it doesn t get any traction and I don t understand why. It just doesn t make sense. On your issues on IT and more transparency with the web site, we ve been pushing that since this administration has been in place. I know we ve had Fred make a number of improvements to the web site and there is continually need for improvements. I would encourage you all to take some of that knowledge that you have learned about some of those transparencies with the financial records, for example, and meet with Fred yourselves and kind of give him an overview what you witnessed and went through in DC, and see if you can help lead him into showing him some ideas of what could be done and what web sites to go too or just where we need to go to. I know that we are in the process of improving a lot of things within the county. We are making additional upgrades within our technology already and we will continue to do that and there are some short term and long term plans, but the more people that puts input will always valuable, but thank you. Commissioner Beth Sewell Commissioner Sewell stated I don t want to add too much to what Kris said, but certainly worthwhile conference when we were together in DC. Of course, the common themes of the event was the difference that counties make, and I ve gave some information to you Judge and to you Commissioner Draud, about some of the statistics that they presented to us during the conference which were very interesting I think and certainly something that we even might want to put on our web site just to share with folks the economic impact that we make across this country as far as jobs and just all kinds of variety of things that was interesting to learn. Certainly there was quite a bit we set through a couple of economist that spoke. One was a private economist and one was bureaucrat from the government, both of them told the same 291

7 story, things are getting a little better about two to four percent growth expectancy over the next couple of years, which was hopeful and positive I guess the best they could be. Certainly a lot of talk about sequester while we were there. Some interesting things about American manufacturing on the rise, Community Colleges that was brought up and that certainly played to us here in this area and that will play a new role in improving economy by connecting more untrained folks in our communities to those jobs perhaps manufacturing jobs that will be coming to our community, so I thought that was positive something that we could share with you all. Also, this was an interesting thing that actually came from one Senator McConnell s staffers; federal grants are going to be something that is the way of the future, if you will, as far as funding since earmarks have disappeared. We are going to see more opportunity to be getting federal grants. As we have actually witnessed here in the last few weeks, whether you like that or not the power has shifted in Washington and monies are going to come through that way instead of through our legislators, so I encourage those that are good at writing grants, I see Mary Katherine in our audience. I think it s important for us to try and get those and I think were encouraged to do so and to keep our relationships with those folks and those offices tight so that we could see those monies come back to where we need them. I imagine it will be for rural areas and urban core issues, because that is where the administration seems to be focusing right now. As Kris mentioned we did have great conversations with both Senators offices and I think that one of the important things that we got to say to Senator McConnell, which I think that his staff was very encouraged about, was just the whole concept of sun setting. We talked about if we ve got to incur some cost with this bridge then why it has to go on forever, and I think that peeked his interest. He said tolls aren t forever if they have to come and all bridge situations. I don t like it and I don t think that the citizens of this community, but I think that the conversation that word needs to be used more if they ve got to come let s pay it off and be done with. So we ll see where that ends and were that goes, but it was a very good conference and I thank the tax payers for letting us go and help us be better public servants I think by learning some new things. Commissioner Draud asked what did they have to say with McConnell stressing bridge of national significance. I think they would want to hit on that point over, and over, and over with the other Congressman that this is not a state bridge. It s not like going from Bromley to Ludlow or to Indiana to Kentucky. Commissioner Sewell said we certainly did say that in so many words. I think that what you keep hearing back Jon, is that we have no money. Money is going elsewhere, as Kris mentioned, certainly entitlements are eating a huge chuck of federal dollars and until we fix that, and I asked him point blank what is the long term goal for infrastructure. As Kris said some of those answers come back very frustrated when you get back what they have to say about it. Senator Paul s office, certainly there new to all of this and certainly more energetic and open to trying different things, so we are left with hope maybe some of the new leadership there can come up some creative solutions. Commissioner Jon Draud 292

8 Commissioner Draud addressed the court stating he and the Judge had been to Frankfort several times and apparently as the session is drawing near a conclusion, all thought you never know, but at this point there doesn t seem to be anything really negative that is going to come out of the Kentucky General Assembly. Other than they didn t take any action on the pension plan, which I think they should and you would certainly hope that people could mustard up enough courage to do the right thing with this pension before it gets completely out of control and people don t have a pension anymore. At this stage, it doesn t seem like anything real negative overall, of course, you never know until. That s all I ve got. Judge/Executive s Report The court acknowledged the declaration of snow emergency (Executive Order 13-21) and rescinding snow emergency (Executive Order 13-22). Mark Hult addressed the court regarding Banklick Creek Acquisitions/Demolition Project grant. Judge Arlinghaus stated Kenton County was awarded a 2.2 million dollar grant for the mitigation issue with Banklick Watershed area. Judge Arlinghaus congratulated Covington Holmes Bulldogs and their alumni at the state playoffs. Judge Arlinghaus publicly thanked Amy Heeger for a job well done for coordinating the efforts for the celebration at Piner for the anniversary of the tornado. Also, I want to acknowledge the people he wanted to thank for their help for the after effects of the tornado. I want to thank Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn and his staff and his deputies for all the efforts they put forth out there in the southern end, because they were everywhere they needed to be and very helpful in the matter and it was an oversight on my part to omit the Sheriff and all the deputies and all the efforts that they put forth. I also wanted to thank Jailer Terry Carl also because his staff at the Detention Center did quite a bit of laundry for a lot of folks. Terry we just appreciate all the efforts you and your folks put together as well and everybody chipped in a lot of various ways, and I think that it s really hard to quantify how much effort was put forth by so many individuals and so many agencies. A lot of folks came together for the good of the community and it really worked out well. Also, at that same event we were very fortunate, as you know, even prior to me taking office one of the priorities that I had on my personal agenda I wanted to see an improvement to the waterlines in southern Kenton County. It was a major issue that I was involved in I know with the administration that I was a part of under Clyde Middleton. We worked very diligently to try to expand waterlines in the southern end of the county and for whatever reason that effort had tapered off over the years. I wanted to get back on board with that because recognizing that we have over 800 families in southern Kenton County that do not have public water. We are still waiting to hear how we rank in the state, because I think we are at the low end of the pole. We are one of the few counties in Kentucky that have so many residents that do not have public water and it is really embarrassing for a metropolitan region that we have. In that meeting, of course, we are also working very hard to try and expand those waterlines. We ve done a lot of the survey work, I ve met in Frankfort several times even prior to taking 293

9 office and I m happy to report that we were award a one million dollar grant by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the extension of waterlines in southern Kenton County. It is a real pleasure to have that happen similar to the projects here for the mitigation of Banklick Creek. You know we can t do some of these things without state or federal assistance, but it is a three in half million dollar project and a one million dollar grant is going to go a long way towards getting those waterlines. The project itself is going to contain 133 households and they are in the area of Little Crusise Creek, Rich Road, Fontana Road, KY-177 which is Decoursey Pike, Rouse Road, Camp Road, and Harvil Road and it also takes it another section on Lakeview Drive. Between the two projects in itself it s 6.74 miles of waterlines and that s quite a bit extension to waterlines to the southern end of the county. I m just very glad that we can be a part of it during this administration and look forward to moving that project forward. Adjournment Having completed all business before the Court, Commissioner Draud offered a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann. Judge Arlinghaus requested a voice vote whereupon all members present voted in the affirmative with a 4-0 vote. 294