South Covington Community Action Association

SCCAA Meeting Minutes 4-12-07

Meeting Minutes 4-12-07

Meeting opened at 7:00 and introductions were made.

In attendance were:
Nancy Ray – Co Chair Andrea Holland – Co-Chair Karen Tichenor - Secretary
Belinda Bacovin Charlie Bunton Lil Eversole Paul Hensley James Hisle Lori Kuntz Hugh McQueary Octavia McQueary Jonna Parsons Ken Ray Brad Schultz Charleen Steinborn
Larry Tichenor Greg Waller Bill Wells Dennis Wesseler Sara Wesseler Thomas Withhorn Cassie Ruhlman – Guest Steve Megerle – Guest Suzann Gettys - Ombudsman

Secretary’s Report:
Minutes were accepted as written.

Cassie Ruhlman – Field Representative Fourth District

Ms. Ruhlman discussed how the 4th District office and personal can help the citizens with Federal Government issues, questions or concerns. The 4th District Office is at the following address: 277 Buttermilk Pike Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017 and their phone number is 859-426-0080.

A federal grant packet was given out to all in attendance and she explained that the money was out there for the getting that can be used for the betterment of the South Covington community. The 4th District office can help us through the grant process but will not complete the grant request for us.

If anyone is planning a trip to Washington D.C. call the office to get tickets for tours and such.

A photo was taken with the SCCAA attendees and Cassie Ruhlman to be published in the Cincinnati Enquirer & Recorder.

Steve Megerle – City of Covington Commissioner

Steve dropped by unannounced and asked to be added to the agenda. Mr. Megerle spoke about the following issues/topics which sparked a few new issues to discuss in the future.

- Litter abatement program was brought up but Suzann Gettys clarified that this new plan is not yet completed, waiting on ordinance changes from the Legal Dept. More to come soon.
- Jail issue was also brought up since Independence is fighting the location that was chosen. 4 of the 10 alternative sites are in Covington. Mr. Megerle is resolved to fight to keep the new jail out of Covington.
- The city has developed a committee to discuss the pros and cons of keeping the ward system in place. The commission would like a volunteer from each neighborhood association to be involved in this committee. Andrea Holland volunteered to represent South Covington.
- The merging of the Covington dispatch center with Kenton County was also discussed.
- The issue of the lakes, their responsibility, and the possibility of making them available as a public space (Comm. Megerle said for a “public wetland.”) for fishing access, etc.

Great American Cleanup

Nancy Ray signed the association up to participate in the Great American Cleanup being held on April 28, 2007 from 9:00 – 12:00. We will be concentrating on the main streets in our community. We will meet on April 28 at the Firehouse at 9:00 am. All supplies will be provided and your will receive a t-shirt for participating. There will be pizza (limit two slices per person) and drinks served in Goebel Park afterwards.

Family Safety Fair Planning - May 12, 2007 2:00 – 5:00 PM

- Confirmed City Departments Involved – Suzann Gettys
▪ Child ID Kits, Free Gun Locks, SWAT Van, Mounted Police – Covington Police Dept.
▪ Fire Safety Presentation for Kids - Covington Fire Department
▪ High Voltage Demonstration and Bucket Truck Rides – Duke Energy
▪ Tables and chairs – Recreation

- Refreshment Committee – Lil Eversole and Lori Kuntz
▪ The letter for the request of donations from local Covington business owners has been written approved by the group and sent out. We have received donations for the majority of the items we will need. We have also received a few gift cards which we can purchase whatever we need with.
▪ The menu will consist of the following: hot dogs, chips, cookies, water and Soft Drinks.

- Media/Communication – Nancy Ray
▪ Channel 19 has shown interest in covering our event.
▪ Contacting local newspapers to advertise the event.
▪ Flyers have been printed and need to go out about 1 ½ weeks prior to the fair.
▪ Looking into sending flyers to the schools to go home with the kids.

- Helium Balloons – Andrea Holland
Andrea received a quote for the balloons and we will be purchasing 500 for $129.00 We are asking the commissioners for donations to cover the expense. Andrea is also getting pricing for a large helium tank.

- Assigned Duties for SCCAA Members for Safety Fair

Assignment Name Time
Set Up for Fair (tables, chairs, grill etc...) Larry Tichenor Hugh McQueary Bill Wells
Andrea Holland 11:00 am until completed
Food Booth Lil Eversole Lori Kuntz 1:30 – 5:00
Drink Booth Mardi Fitch – Back Up 1:30 – 5:00
Giveaway Booth Andrea Holland 1:30 – 5:00
Tear Down after Fair Nancy Ray Ken Ray Karen Tichenor Larry Tichenor 5:00 until completed

** Nancy Ray and Karen Tichenor will be running around relieving people for breaks.

Comments from the Chair – Nancy Ray:

▪ The Covington Police Department has formed a “Community Relations Committee” and has requested that one representative from South Covington attend. Jonna Parsons has volunteered to represent our community at these important meetings.
▪ The State of Kentucky Transportation Department has been very responsive to any requests we have made.
▪ Jim Eggemeier, Covington Public Works Director has also been responsive to any request of help we have made.
▪ T-shirts for the Safety Fair will be $3.00 to $4.00 each depending on the size.

“Get it off your chest”:

▪ Hugh McQueary brought the issue of disturbance at 11 Juarez. Steve Megerle advised that
he will look into this.
▪ There is an abandoned house at 17 Jaurez that is not being kept up. Suzann Gettys is going
to follow-up on this issue with code enforcement.
▪ There are complaints of vandalism on Greenhill. We advised the citizen to call the police
and advise them there is an issue.


Next SCCAA Meeting:
May 10, 2007 – 6:30 pm Social ½ hour – Meeting at 7:00 pm at the Hands Pike Firehouse.

Meeting closed at 8:25 pm