Mike Radwanski is a newly elected Newport city commissioner.
This last month friends and constituents have asked what my experience has been serving on the City of Newport Board of Commissioners. If you’re intrigued, grab yourself a cup of coffee and settle into your favorite reading chair.
First, it was time to get some training:
Professionally I’ve always taken advantage of mentoring and trainings to get up to speed as fast as possible in new roles. It’s a practice that also applies to this role.
Shortly after our swearing in, I headed to Lexington for a two-and-a-half-day City Officials Academy offered by the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC). It came at no expense to the tax payers of Newport–KLC is a non-profit organization founded in 1927 to provide a full range of services from legislative advocacy to training on quality of municipal government. The event I attended was geared to first-time elected officials in all forms of Kentucky municipal government. Topics covered both uniformed and civilian services with a focus on navigating KRS (Kentucky Revised Statute).
I left with a better understanding of what I can legally do as Commissioner and improved situational awareness. KLS offered a unique opportunity to network with peers from every corner of our commonwealth. Everyone complimented our aquarium and Newport on the Levee.
Back in the City, I regularly meet with the Mayor and City Manager for bi-weekly one on ones to both coach and bring me up to speed on what we have in front of us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Guidugli and City Manager Tom Fromme as both have a wealth of institutional knowledge that is irreplaceable. Now that we are a team, I regularly meet with the other Commissioners individually.
Time to make decisions:
After returning from Lexington, we had our first full regular meeting. Right away I was able to follow through on aspects of my campaign such as advocating for cyclist safety via an order to execute a bicycle transportation plan agreement with Tri-State Trails, Devou Good Foundation and the City of Covington. I’m looking forward to discovering what the citizen-driven plan will yield. Other legislation passed included the replacement of a police cruiser totaled in an automobile accident, as well as advancing elevator-replacement at Grand Towers.
Our latest meeting covered an eight-plus-hour planning session on February 18th. Each department head provided the board with updates. We next revisited topics from the last administration such as outdoor dining and an entertainment district like Bellevue’s. We were also given an update to the Comprehensive plan–Newport’s five-year strategy–as set by citizen feedback and approved by the prior Board of Commissioners.
After lunch we settled into presentations regarding ongoing developments such as Ovation and Home 2 Suites – an exciting opportunity to develop the privately owned parking lot around the Peace Bell with a hotel, office area, retail space and a public parking garage. Additional topics discussed included completing the mural project, park equipment replacement, Victoria Square/affordable housing, a major update to our website and a new local historic district on the West Side similar to the East Row.
Look for informational/feedback sessions hosted by the citizen-board-driven Historic Preservation Commission via a mailer, signs in the right of way, and social media outlets. It’s noteworthy to point out that two of the HP Commission members in favor of a local district reside on the West Side.
In closing:
I believe I am acclimating to the role well. Good things are being said about our city and not just by the people who live here. There are a lot of exciting things to come for Newport as we continue to move forward with the goals set in our Comprehensive plan. I can share that once you’re in you see and think a little differently about the cause and effects of decisions with respect to what one can legally do. Thankfully I am surrounded by experienced peers, Mayor, and our City Manager.
Mike Radwanski can be reached at 859-444-4134 or mradwanski@newportky.gov
