This week in NKY government meetings, Fort Thomas is expected to hold a second reading on an ordinance update that would ban electric bikes and high-speed scooters from city sidewalks.Â
Keep reading to find out what happened in local government over the past week and what you need to know for this week.
What happened last week in NKY government?
Newport to add four more Tesla Model Y vehicles to police fleet
The Newport Police Department is expanding its electric vehicle fleet by adding four more Tesla Model Y patrol vehicles after seeing success with its earlier Tesla purchases, which began with three Model 3s in 2023 and expanded in 2024 and 2025. City officials say the Model Y is large enough for patrol use, including transporting arrested individuals, while the Model 3s are used for administrative work. Newport estimates the four new Teslas will save the city more than $148,000 over five years thanks to lower purchase, fuel, maintenance and operating costs compared to traditional police vehicles like Dodge Durangos. Police Chief Chris Fangman said the program has attracted attention from other cities, including Covington, which recently approved its own electric vehicle purchases. Newport has also invested in Level 3 superchargers acquired at a steep discount from Duke Energy, allowing police vehicles to recharge quickly and efficiently.
Read more about the Tesla additions here.Â
Florence updates police policies to comply with Kentucky Police Officers’ Bill of Rights
The Florence City Council has approved updates to the Florence Police Department’s rules and regulations to better align with Kentucky’s Police Officers’ Bill of Rights and modern law enforcement standards. The amendments, approved unanimously on May 12, primarily reorganize and make minor corrections to existing ordinances dating back to 1983 and 2022, including policies on probationary periods for officers and emergency vehicle lighting requirements. Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery said the changes were driven in part by the department’s recent reaccreditation through the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, a rigorous review process that evaluates policies, training, evidence procedures and overall operations every four years to ensure compliance with best practices. Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon said the updates help keep the department’s policies current and accreditation-compliant.
Read more about the updated police policy here.Â
Kenton County Planning Commission treasurer retires unexpectedly
Park Hills Mayor Kathy Zembrodt requested the resignation of longtime Kenton County Planning Commission member and treasurer Phil Ryan, prompting surprise and criticism from fellow commissioners who viewed the move as short-sighted and politically motivated. Ryan, who served on the commission for decades, was replaced by Mike Conway after the Park Hills City Council approved the appointment Monday. Tensions appear tied to disagreements over the city’s use of the county’s Z21 zoning modernization project, particularly involving the controversial rezoning of the former Szechuan Garden property on Dixie Highway for potential redevelopment. Ryan and other planning commission members had criticized the city for using the Z21 process to advance a specific zoning change without a formal development plan, leading to disputes with city officials and a later demand from Zembrodt for an apology from commission members. While the mayor denied the zoning conflict influenced her request for Ryan’s resignation, Ryan and other commissioners argued planning commissioners are meant to serve the broader county rather than act solely in the interests of the cities that appoint them.
Read more about the treasurer retiring here.Â
FC Cincinnati to build mini soccer pitch in Newport
The city of Newport is partnering with FC Cincinnati to bring a new mini soccer pitch to Bernadette Watkins Park in West Newport, with construction expected to begin in early June and finish by the end of July. The turf-covered mini field is part of FC Cincinnati’s regional initiative to create safe, accessible places for children to learn and play soccer, and the club also plans to host clinics and community events there in collaboration with Newport Parks and Recreation and local schools. City leaders praised the project as an exciting addition for families and youth in Newport, with hopes that it could eventually support a youth soccer league in the future.
Read more about the mini pitch here.Â
M&P Logistics seeks approval for expanded truck parking facility in Florence
M&P Logistics, a growing nationwide transportation company headquartered in Florence, has proposed expanding its site on Tanner’s Gate Lane with a new parking area capable of accommodating 21 box trucks, 21 semi-tractors and 50 passenger vehicles. The project, which requires an amendment to the site’s development plan, also includes landscaping improvements such as a berm, evergreen vegetation and decorative fencing aimed at screening the trucks from Interstate 71/75. Company officials said the site would primarily serve as a secure parking area for its fleet and occasionally store high-value cargo, including AI-related equipment, but would not function as a freight terminal or loading facility. Founded in 2011, M&P Logistics has grown significantly in recent years and relocated to its current Florence headquarters in 2022 to support its expanding operations. The proposal will next be reviewed by the Boone County Planning Commission’s Zone Change Subcommittee on May 20.
Read more about the truck parking facility here.
Flock camera benefits touted in Newport; some residents express unease
The Newport Board of Commissioners is considering purchasing six Flock license plate reader cameras after a three-month pilot program, sparking debate over the balance between public safety and privacy. During a May 11 meeting, Newport police officials argued the cameras could help solve crimes more efficiently by capturing still images of license plates and vehicle details and connecting officers to a nationwide network of camera data, while emphasizing that facial recognition is not being used and data is deleted after 30 days. Police Chief Chris Fangman cited past investigations, including a fatal hit-and-run case, as examples of how the technology could have accelerated investigations. City officials also stressed safeguards such as audit trails, restrictions on immigration and reproductive health-related searches, and limits on data sharing with federal agencies. However, several residents raised concerns about government surveillance, data privacy and potential constitutional violations, questioning whether the city should rely on third-party technology instead of its own camera systems.
Read more about the flock cameras here.Â
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Campbell County Board of Education: Monday, May 18
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 101 Orchard Lane in Alexandria.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Edgewood City Council meeting: Monday, May 18
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 385 Dudley Road in Edgewood.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Fort Thomas City Council meeting: Monday, May 18Â
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 130 N Ft Thomas Ave.
What you need to know: Fort Thomas will continue its discussion on updating its bike ordinance that would ban electric bikes and high-speed scooters from city sidewalks. Read more about the initial discussion here.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Highland Heights City Council: Monday, May 18
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Union City Commission meeting: Monday, May 18
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1843 Bristow Drive.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Newport City Commission meeting: Monday, May 18
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
Covington Commission meeting: Tuesday, May 19
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike Street in Covington.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
Erlanger City Council special meeting: Tuesday, May 19
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave in Erlanger.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting: Wednesday, May 20
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport.
The agenda can be found here. Â
Southgate City Council meeting: Wednesday, May 20
The meeting starts at 122 Electric Ave. at 6:30 p.m.Â
Villa Hills City Council meeting: Wednesday, May 20
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 719 Rogers Road.
Alexandria City Council meeting: Thursday, May 21
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
