South Covington Community Action Association

Minutes 1/11/07 Meeting

Routine Business

Meeting opened at 7:00

In attendance: Nancy Ray, Co-Chair, Karen Tichenor, Sec’y (had to leave before meeting officially began), Suzann Gettys, City of Covington Ombudsman/Neighborhood Services Coordinator, Jim Eggemeier, City of Covington Public Works Director, Greg Waller, Bill Wells, Ken Ray, Sheila Hess, Larry Tichenor, Charleen Steinborn, Hugh McQueary, Octavia McQueary, Lil Eversole, Linda Withorn, Belinda Bacovcin.

Introductions were made.

Introductory Comments:
- Andrea Holland (co-chair) is unavailable for the next couple months due to other commitments.
- Jonna Parsons had another meeting tonight so she will present on the Citizens Police Academy at the 2-8-07 meeting.
- Citizens Police Academy will start the next session on 2-22-07.
- Meeting was published in the Enquirer’s “Keep It Brief” column on the front of the NKY section of the newspaper

Secretary’s Report
There were no minutes taken at the Holiday Gathering event 12-14-06.

Photo of Group: Photo was taken of the group to submit to the Enquirer’s “Faces in the Community” weekly segment.

Jim Eggemeier, City of Covington Public Works Director

Mr. Eggemeier distributed an information sheet to all attendees with all the Public Works Divisions and their respective duties. Resident requested street cleaning in various areas of the Lakewood Hills subdivision. Mr. Eggemeier explained the difference of the commercial and residential street sweeping routes. He will arrange for street cleaning of the areas that were mentioned. Mr. Eggemeier talked briefly about the new Clean & Green litter abatement program that the City is working on and some different components of the program, like moving litter violations to the civil code vs. the criminal code and further explained why it is hard for the police to issue litter tickets. There was comment about the quantity of litter in South Covington. Mr. Eggemeier said in March he will have seasonal employees which will perform additional litter pick-up in South Covington. He said that Public Works would like to have “neighborhood days” when all the divisions of PW come to a particular neighborhood and do everything in a concentrated effort in 1-2 days (ex. Fill potholes, repair broken curbs, replace damaged/vandalized signs, straighten signs, litter pick-up, etc.). Comments were made about signs that were defaced/vandalized. Mr. Eggemeier will have them replaced. He told the group that if they saw a Stop Sign down to call PW immediately and that they treat this as an emergency. It was mentioned that near 33 Hideaway a speed limit sign was needed. Also at another location on Hideaway. Someone requested a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign. Mr. Eggemeier explained that such requests have to be approved by the Engineering Department according to certain standards. He asked Suzann Gettys to contact the Engineering Department for such an application. Someone mentioned a sewer lid that was causing a trip hazard. Mr. Eggemeier will send a crew out tomorrow and they’ll also get with Sanitation District #1 about it. He explained that the SD#1 took over sanitary sewers but not storm sewers and that PW could check and see about getting it repaired. It was asked who is responsible to clean the litter on Hands Pike. Mr. Eggemeier explained how Hands Pike is a State Route the State does not maintain their roads as frequently as we would like, and that they do periodic clean-ups in conjunction with the county and the city. Public Works does occasionally clean-ups of Hands Pike, and especially when residents call in obstructions or debris in the road. They have to block the road so that they can clean-up areas, due to the dangerousness of the road. He also explained the “tipping fee” paid to the state, which is partially returned to the county for clean-ups. He explained how Public Works does the snow removal and road treatments during snows on Hands Pike because they can get there faster than they State does. Mr. Eggemeier said he doesn’t want our residents to be having wrecks because the road isn’t cleared promptly. It was asked where to take paint cans. Mr. Eggemeier said that the County’s monthly clean-up event is the best place to take them. Someone asked about the dumpster in Pioneer Park. Someone from the group said that it was a special clean-up event and they had put the dumpster there temporarily. It was then asked what could they do with used motor oil? Mr. Eggemeier said that they could take that to the county’s monthly clean-up event as well. Others from the group said that various quick-lube type places will take your used motor oil. Mr. Eggemeier talked about his department’s Customer Service Program, and that if anyone sees something they have a question about, or is dissatisfied with a Public Works employee’s work or behavior to go up to the employee and ask for a green card. This will provide you with contact information for Mr. Eggemeier. If there is a problem – he wants to hear about it.

The issue of the lakes was brought up to Mr. Eggemeier by Suzann Gettys. He said that the legal department should be able to find out if there is a public easement on any of the lakes. A lake across from 10 Bluffside is a mess and kids hang out back there. Bad problem. How to get people to clean up their portion of the lakefront? Code Enforcement should be able to address this, if it is in fact private property (vs. public easement). Suzann Gettys will ask Code Enforcement to inspect the lake areas and issue any necessary orders / notices of violation.

Neighborhood clean-ups were mentioned again and there was discussion about coordinating with the Great American Clean-up this year. Suzann will have to find out dates for this. Hopefully it will be before the South Covington Family Safety Festival. Jim Eggemeier explained that last year when Public Works participated they picked up many dump truck loads of trash, debris and hundreds of tires.

Animal Issues were brought up. Barking dogs are a problem on Hawksridge, Juarez, and other areas of South Covington. Mr. Eggemeier explained that he added a 2nd shift to the Animal Control position to help address the issues after 4:00 pm. For any problems prior to 4:00 pm, call 292-2292, and after 4:00 call dispatch (police) at 292-2222. Do not get into conflict with your neighbors, let the City be the “bad guy” and enforce the laws. Keep a log of the times of day that the dog continually barks. This is very helpful if City has to take the offending party to Court, and also helps them to be able to witness the barking, which has to occur for Animal Control to be able to cite them. Call in any animal violations, or if you think a dog is being mistreated. City can check to see if they’ve been licensed, and if not, fine them accordingly. The Public Works Department and Animal Control officers have colored flyers to distribute to folks about various animal issues so that they can be advised of the particular ordinances relevant to the issue being discussed, i.e. Barking Dogs, Pit Bull & Vicious Dogs, Dog Licensing, etc.

Continuing Business

Family Safety Festival: Dates will be evaluated and decided by the next meeting. Suzann will contact the various city departments to set up their offerings for such an event. (Recreation Department: moonbouncer, petting zoo, wagon rides, games, face painting; Fire Dept.: pumper, ambulance, safe house, Fire Safety Presentation; Police Department: Child ID Program, cruiser) Lil Eversole volunteered to be in charge of the food/refreshments for the event.

Update on the Hands Pike – Dreambuilders situation. Suzann Gettys provided the KYTC response to the remaining concerns of the water run-off and potential freezing and anticipated ice hazard. (From Andy Yeager, Maintenance Supervisor, KYTC: I have talked to the developer and he has agreed to do some ditch work along side the entrance. At this time none of the hot mix plants are open, so a replacement pipe can not be installed until the spring. I will inspect the area to see if the work has been perform and to see what other improvements can be made.) Mr. Eggemeier explained how Public Works had to clean up the mud mess that this development caused, and often has to address the issues on Hands Pike to get them taken care of timely.

Problems on Bluffside were discussed again briefly. Juveniles still intimidating and threatening. Keep calling the Police.

Sidewalk Trip Hazards: Property owners are responsible for their sidewalks. If trip hazards are caused by a city tree, the Recreation Department may be able to help. 292-2151 Denny Bowman, Director

Someone mentioned that they were having trouble accessing the South Covington Community Action Association Website. It is:
SCCAA Website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/covingtonky/scov/

Next SCCAA Meeting: The next meeting will be on 2-8-07 at the Hands Pike Firehouse at 7:00.

Meeting closed at 8:45 pm