This week, in government meetings, Wilder will consider zoning for medical cannabis operations, while Independence will introduce its new police social worker.
Keep reading to find out what happened in local government over the past week and what you need to know for this week.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Kenton County School Board: Monday, Feb. 3
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 1045 Eaton Drive in Fort Wright.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Edgewood City Council to hear audit presentation
Edgewood City Council: Monday, Feb. 3
What you need to know: Jim Sparrow with Rankin, Rankin & Company
23/24 will give the audit presentation
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Edgewood City Building at 385 Dudley Road.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Fort Mitchell City Council: Monday, Feb. 3
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 2355 Dixie Highway.
The meeting agenda can be found here when it is available.
Newport to hear a presentation from Habitat for Humanity regarding veterans programs; followed by a special meeting
Newport Board of Commissioners Caucus meeting: Monday, Feb. 3
What you need to know: The commission will hear a presentation from Habitat for Humanity about veteran’s programs and grant opportunities for community involvement. After the caucus meeting, the commission will hold a special meeting to discuss personnel hires and an upcoming board action to oppose proposed legislation regarding a bill creating a statewide occupational license tax collection clearinghouse.
The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Newport City Building at 998 Monmouth Street.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Union Commission: Monday, Feb. 3
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 1843 Bristow Drive.
The meeting agenda can be found here when it is available.
Wilder to discuss medical cannabis zoning
Wilder City Council: Monday, Feb. 3
What you need to know: Wilder is holding a second reading of an ordinance to discuss restricting or permitting zoning for medical cannabis.
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 520 Licking Pike.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Highland Heights City Council: Tuesday, Feb. 4
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Boone County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Feb. 4
The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Covington will discuss multiple position appointments
Covington Board of Commissioners caucus meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 4
What you need to know: The Covington Commission is making multiple position appointments, including Lydia Northcutt, Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator and Kareem Simpson, Kenton County Planning Commission.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere Caucus meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 4
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 3921 Dixie Highway.
The agenda can be found here when it is available.
Erlanger City Council: Tuesday, Feb. 4
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
The agenda can be found here when it is available.
Florence City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 4
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here when it is available.
Walton caucus meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 4
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 40 N. Main St.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Campbell County Fiscal Court: Wednesday, Feb. 5
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at 8352 E. Main St. in Alexandria.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Fort Wright City Council: Wednesday, Feb. 5
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Southgate City Council: Wednesday, Feb. 5
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 122 Electric Avenue.
Independence to introduce new police social worker; reduce the size of vehicles on Stephenson Road
Independence City Council: Thursday, Feb. 6Â
What you need to know: The Independence Police Department will introduce its newly hired police social worker. The city council will discuss an ordinance to restrict the size of vehicles traveling on Stephenson Road to 11,000 pounds. Â
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 5409 Madison Pike.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Planning Commission: Thursday, Feb. 6Â
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at 1840 Simon Kenton Way.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Alexandria City Council: Thursday, Feb. 6
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main Street.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
What happened in NKY government last week?
What is the new Covington government going to look like?
Covington’s government transition committee held its first meeting to outline goals and expectations following the city’s vote to shift from a city manager system to a mayor-council form of government. Chaired by Covington Mayor Ron Washington, the committee will research best practices, engage the public, and develop recommendations on key governance aspects, including the number of city council seats, compensation, term limits, and the potential establishment of a vice mayor role. The committee will also assess city boards, election structures, administrative positions, and department restructuring while working with legal experts to update city codes. Public input will be encouraged through online feedback and scheduled forums in March. The committee must provide an initial report to the city commission by June 30 and will meet monthly, with the next session set for Feb. 27 at Covington City Hall.
Read more about the government change here.
Covington OKs zoning for 39-unit apartment
The Covington City Commission approved a zone change allowing Orleans Development to convert a historic warehouse at 1564 Banklick St. into a 39-unit apartment complex, despite concerns about affordability raised by resident Thurman Wenzl. The project, which includes 38 one-bedroom units and a studio with rents ranging from $1,150 to $1,495, was supported by the Kenton County Planning Commission and cited as addressing a local housing shortage. However, Wenzl argued that many Covington residents, particularly younger professionals earning under $46,000, would struggle to afford the rent. While 62% of residents in the development’s census tract are rent-burdened, developers pointed to a 2023 housing study indicating a need for smaller rental units. Orleans Development plans to use historic tax credits to help fund the renovation of the 130-year-old building, which was originally part of a cordage manufacturer before later becoming a warehouse.
Read more about the 39-unit apartment building here.
$2 million loan for SparkHaus project approved
SparkHaus, a $16.4 million development project transforming the historic Simms Furniture building in Covington’s urban core into an entrepreneurial hub, secured a key bridge loan from Kenton County to cover construction costs until state historic tax credits are received. The project, funded through a mix of tax credits, private donations, and state allocations, aims to create a collaborative space for Northern Kentucky-based founders, investors, and support organizations. The three-story facility will feature office spaces, meeting rooms, classrooms, a fitness center, and a café, ultimately serving 200 to 300 people daily. Construction is already underway, with completion anticipated once financing is fully secured.
Read more about SparkHaus here.
What’s up with Lakeside Park’s sidewalks?
A dispute over sidewalk maintenance responsibilities has divided the Lakeside Park City Council, with newly elected council member Cassi Schabell advocating for the city to cover more repair costs, challenging the ordinance that places the burden on property owners. A recent assessment identified 1,800 trip hazards, with repair estimates ranging from $87,400 to $131,000. While the city has occasionally funded sidewalk repairs, inconsistencies in its approach have sparked frustration among residents, including Schabell’s husband, who accused the council of mismanaging funds.
Mayor Paul Markgraf and other council members defended the policy, arguing that fully funding sidewalk maintenance would be too costly for the small city. Despite Schabell’s push to form a task force to review the ordinance, no immediate action was taken, and the city plans to move forward with the repairs, with bidding expected in the coming weeks. The debate is set to continue at the next council meeting on Feb. 13.
Read more about the sidewalk debate here.
Southgate moves ahead on new police evidence room
Southgate is moving forward with plans to build a new police evidence room, having allocated $150,000 for the project. At their Jan. 22 meeting, the city council approved hiring Cincinnati-based contractor Kramer and Feldman, Inc., which submitted the lowest bid of $87,000. The project, which aims to meet accreditation standards and accommodate growing evidence storage needs, was initially proposed by Police Chief John Christmann due to the current evidence room’s size limitations. The city hired Emboss Design for $28,100 to assist with the design and construction process. While the cost is nearing the budget, the city is considering shifting some items to next year’s budget if necessary, with plans to have the room ready by the 2026 police accreditation review.
Read more about the evidence room here.
