Newport meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Newport board takes up $12.5M bond plan; tree, zoning items on recent agendas

Newport's Board of Commissioners held a first reading of an ordinance to authorize up to $12.5 million in general obligation bonds for public improvements, including Festival Park, Route 9 sidewalks, the Purple People Bridge, floodwall, parks, and roadways. The meeting, held Aug. 17, also included a purchase order for a playground upgrade at Mansion Hill Park. Minutes have not yet been published, so no votes or final decisions are available.

Board of Commissioners considers $12.5M bond issue

The ordinance (O-2026-08) would authorize $12,500,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026A. The board also considered a purchase order with DWA Recreation for the Mansion Hill Park playground, not to exceed $88,796.98. Personnel appointments were on the agenda: Kevin Fornash and Jason Landrum (Labor/Maintenance), Jacob Ripberger (Firefighter/EMT), Marcus Muench (Firefighter/Medic), and Ron Rawe (Board of Adjustment). The board also held a second reading of O-2026-07, a supplement to the Code of Ordinances, and entered an executive session on the future acquisition or sale of real property.

Board of Adjustments hears height variance request

On Aug. 13, the Board of Adjustments held a public hearing on a height variance request (BA-26-04) for a single-family home at 402 and 410 W. 13th Street. The board also approved minutes from a special call meeting held May 14, 2026. The meeting was open to the public and live-streamed.

Tree Board considers two removals

The Tree Board met Aug. 20 for a special meeting to hear two tree removal requests. One was from the city arborist for a red maple at 1030 Central Ave., a 14-inch-diameter tree whose roots were cut by the water department within the structural root zone. The other was from Park Euisuk for a tree at 500 Monmouth St. The board also approved minutes from its July 14 regular meeting.

Historic Preservation Commission to review three alterations

Upcoming on Aug. 26, the Historic Preservation Commission will review three Certificate of Appropriateness applications: vinyl window replacement at 726 Monroe St., wood siding replacement at 558 E. 4th St., and rear alterations including a pool, fencing, and retaining wall at 301 Overton St. The commission will also hear a presentation from Nicole Roth on Kentucky Heritage Council updates and the State Historic Preservation Plan. The public can attend in person or via live stream.

Coming up

• **Historic Preservation Commission** – Aug. 26, regular meeting to review three alteration requests and hear a heritage council presentation. Open to the public and live-streamed.

Newport commissions review zoning, historic district guidelines

Newport's Planning & Zoning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission held meetings in late July to review proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance and historic district guidelines. No decisions have been recorded, as minutes from these meetings have not yet been published.

Planning & Zoning Commission

The commission held a public hearing on July 28 to review proposed updates to the city's Zoning Ordinance. The agenda included discussion of the proposed changes and a recommendation to City Council. No vote was recorded.

Historic Preservation Commission

The commission held two special meetings on July 29. The first, at 4 p.m., considered multiple Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications for exterior work on historic properties. The agenda included the following applications:

• New single-family homes at 516 W 9th St., 208 W 12th St., 111 W 9th St., and 429 Hodge St., submitted by Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III.
• Replacement of sandstone steps with substitute materials at 628 Nelson Pl.
• Replacement of wood porch balustrades with concrete at 415 E 5th St.
• Rear second-story addition at 318 E 7th St.
• Replacement of wood windows with substitute at 542 E 3rd St.

The second meeting, at 5:30 p.m., reviewed proposed Design Review Guidelines and a local historic district overlay for the Monmouth Street district. No vote was taken on those guidelines or the district.

All meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks.

Newport Boards Tackle $3.8M Monmouth Street Purchase, Lighting Contract, and Historic District Review

Newport's city boards covered significant ground the week of July 20, with agendas spanning a proposed $3.8 million land acquisition on Monmouth Street, a $154,603.20 lighting agreement with Duke Energy, and a review of design guidelines for a potential Monmouth Street historic district. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so the items below reflect what was on each agenda rather than confirmed outcomes.

Board of Commissioners — July 20

The Board of Commissioners' agenda included the first reading of Ordinance O-2025-07, which would adopt the 2026 S-16 supplement to Newport's Code of Ordinances.

Also on the agenda:

• A surplus property declaration for a Stryker Model 6085 Performance Pro XT Manual Ambulance Cot, authorizing its disposal.
• A Kentucky Lighting Service Agreement with Duke Energy for Pavilion Parkway, carrying a one-time equipment charge of $154,603.20 and a monthly base charge of $1,494.64.
• An Exclusive Broker Services Agreement with Assured Partners, with broker compensation of $30 per employee per month, built into insurance premiums.
• A Sales Agreement with National Fitness Campaign for a Festival Park fitness court, totaling $154,050 — including a $60,000 grant — with $150,000 payable from the Capital Projects Fund.

Board of Commissioners — July 23

Commissioners were scheduled to consider Order R-2026-66, which would authorize the purchase of nine contiguous parcels in the 600 block of Monmouth Street for $3.8 million. The purchase price includes approximately $50,000 for survey, environmental due-diligence, and legal costs. The stated purpose is to create a single publicly controlled site for future redevelopment.

Board of Adjustments — July 23

The Board of Adjustments scheduled a special meeting to hold a public hearing on BA-26-01, reviewing a previously approved conditional use permit for a property at 335 E 3rd Street.

Planning & Zoning Commission — July 28

The Planning & Zoning Commission set a public hearing to review proposed changes to the city's Zoning Ordinance. The commission's role would be to discuss the proposed updates and make a recommendation to City Council.

Historic Preservation Commission — July 29

The Historic Preservation Commission held two special meetings.

The 4:00 p.m. meeting included public hearings on multiple Certificate of Appropriateness applications, covering:

• New single-family homes at 516 W 9th St., 208 W 12th St., 111 W 9th St., and 429 Hodge St., associated with Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III.
• Replacement of sandstone steps with substitute materials at 628 Nelson Pl.
• Replacement of non-original wood porch balustrades with concrete at 415 E 5th St.
• Replacement of wood windows with substitute materials at 542 E 3rd St.
• A rear second-story addition at 318 E 7th St.

The 5:30 p.m. meeting was set to review proposed Design Review Guidelines and a local historic district overlay for Monmouth Street. No vote was scheduled on the guidelines or the district overlay.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed on the city calendar for the next 14 days. Residents should watch the city's official postings for any newly scheduled sessions or for publication of minutes from the meetings above, which would confirm what was actually decided.

Newport meeting roundup: Tree removals, landmark hearing, and lighting contract on the agenda

Newport's recent boards and commissions met over the past week to weigh tree removals, a landmark designation, and a height variance — but minutes have not yet been published for any of those sessions, so no outcomes are confirmed. The most consequential item on the horizon is the Board of Commissioners meeting today, July 20, which includes a $154,603.20 lighting agreement with Duke Energy and a $154,050 fitness court purchase for Festival Park.

Tree Board — July 14

The Tree Board scheduled a public hearing on multiple tree removal requests submitted by the City Arborist. The applications cover dying or decaying trees in the public right-of-way at eight addresses:

• Hornbeam at 711 Liberty
• Red maple at 20 W 6th Street
• Sugar maple at 605 Oak
• Japanese tree lilac at 802 Ann
• Callery pear at 611 Patterson
• Dogwood at 118 Central
• Red maple at 828 Maple
• Red maple at 837 Maple

Minutes have not been published, so it is not yet known which removals were approved.

Historic Preservation Commission — July 15

The commission held a public hearing on designating the Southgate House at 24 E 3rd St. as a local landmark. The agenda also included an update on the Monmouth project. No minutes are available yet, so the commission's recommendation on the landmark designation is not confirmed.

Board of Adjustments — July 16

The board was set to hold a public hearing on variance request BA-26-03, filed by Sabo Design Associates for properties at 402 & 410 W 13th Street. The request seeks a 10-foot increase above the zoning height limit for a single-family home. The applicant's plan would re-divide the two existing lots into six new lots and argues the added height is needed to capture north-facing city views and is consistent with nearby buildings. The agenda also included approval of regular meeting minutes from May 14, 2026. No minutes from the July 16 meeting have been published.

Coming up

Board of Commissioners — July 20 (today): Commissioners will take the first reading of Ordinance O-2025-07, adopting the 2026 S-16 supplement to Newport's Code of Ordinances. Other items include declaring a Stryker Model 6085 Performance Pro XT Manual Ambulance Cot as surplus property; a Kentucky Lighting Service Agreement with Duke Energy for Pavilion Parkway with a one-time equipment charge of $154,603.20 and a monthly base charge of $1,494.64; an exclusive broker services agreement with Assured Partners at $30 per employee per month, built into insurance premiums; and a sales agreement with National Fitness Campaign for a Festival Park fitness court totaling $154,050, including a $60,000 grant, with $150,000 payable from the Capital Projects Fund.

Board of Adjustments — July 23: A special meeting will hold a public hearing on BA-26-01, reviewing a previously approved conditional use permit for 335 E 3rd Street.

Planning & Zoning Commission — July 28: A public hearing on proposed updates to the city's Zoning Ordinance, with a recommendation to follow for City Council.

Newport commissioners eyed $29.87M budget, $7M Ann Street bond in late June meetings

Newport's Board of Commissioners packed its late June schedule with major financial items — a new fiscal year budget, a $7 million bond authorization for Ann Street homes, and equipment purchases topping $1.1 million — though minutes from those meetings have not yet been published, so final outcomes are not confirmed.

Board of Commissioners — June 23

The Board scheduled a special meeting to adopt the FY 2026-27 operating budget, listing $29.87 million in revenues and $29.66 million in expenditures. Commissioners also were set to amend the current FY 2025-26 budget, increasing General Fund revenues to $30.74 million.

Equipment purchases on the agenda included a custom Pierce Pumper fire apparatus for up to $1,114,475 and a 2026 Tesla Model Y AWD for the police department for up to $44,695.

Personnel items included the appointment of Ryan Stevens as police recruit, with promotions for Connor Bleser and Adam Moeves.

Minutes had not been published as of this report, so it is not confirmed whether each item was approved as listed.

Board of Commissioners — June 29

Commissioners scheduled a vote on authorizing up to $7 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds for the Ann Street residential development. The project would finance 11 owner-occupied single-family homes in the 1000 block of Ann Street. The bonds are described as conduit financing with no city liability, with payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) payments set at $7 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The same meeting included a proposed order to renew the city's property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance through KLCIS, KEMI, and Hartford for a total premium of $790,584. Coverage includes property, auto, liability, workers' compensation, and theft and fraud.

Outcomes are not yet confirmed because minutes have not been published.

Historic Preservation Commission — June 24

The Historic Preservation Commission scheduled two special meetings on the same day.

The first included a certificate of appropriateness hearing on replacing sandstone steps with substitute materials at 628 Nelson Pl., requested by Braylen Chandler. A second hearing concerned painting of unpainted masonry in the Buena Vista Local Historic District at 914 Central Ave., requested by the City of Newport. Approval of minutes from the May 27, 2026 regular meeting was also listed.

The second meeting centered on a public hearing to consider designating the Southgate-Thompson House at 24 E. 3rd St. as a local landmark, along with an update from the Historic Preservation Officer and discussion of upcoming priorities.

Minutes have not been published, so commission rulings on these items are not confirmed.

Coming up

• **Historic Preservation Commission, July 15** — Public hearing on designating the Southgate House at 24 E. 3rd St. as a local landmark, plus an update on the Monmouth project.
• **Board of Adjustments, July 16** — Public hearing on variance request BA-26-03 from Sabo Design Associates for a 10-foot height increase at 402 and 410 W. 13th Street. The property would be re-divided from two lots into six new lots. The applicant says the added height is needed to capture north-facing city views and is consistent with nearby buildings. The board will also consider approving minutes from its May 14, 2026 regular meeting.

Newport Board Reviews $29.87M Budget, Police Hires; $7M Housing Bond Proposal Advanced

The Newport Board of Commissioners considered adoption of a $29.87 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and a separate proposal to issue up to $7 million in industrial revenue bonds for a new Ann Street home development during meetings in late June.

Other recent actions included appointments to the police department, approval of a custom fire pumper purchase, and historic preservation hearings on steps and masonry. Upcoming meetings will address a local landmark designation for the Southgate House and a height variance for a 13th Street home.

Budget and Public Safety Spending

At a special meeting on June 23, the board took up an order to adopt the FY 2026-27 budget with $29.87 million in revenues and $29.66 million in expenditures. A separate measure amended the current FY 2025-26 budget, raising General Fund revenues to $30.74 million.

Also on that agenda were police personnel actions: the appointment of Ryan Stevens as a police recruit and promotions for Connor Bleser and Adam Moeves. Equipment purchases included a custom Pierce Pumper fire apparatus for up to $1,114,475 and a 2026 Tesla Model Y AWD for the police department at a cost of up to $44,695. No vote tallies were immediately available as minutes from the meeting have not yet been published.

Ann Street Housing Bond

The board on June 29 considered an order authorizing up to $7 million in industrial revenue bonds to finance construction of 11 owner-occupied single-family homes in the 1000 block of Ann Street. The bonds would be conduit financing with no city liability. Under a proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, payments would be set at $7 per $1,000 of assessed value.

That same meeting included a vote to renew the city’s property, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance through KLCIS, KEMI, and Hartford for a total premium of $790,584. Minutes have not been published for this meeting.

Historic Preservation Hearings

The Historic Preservation Commission met in special session on June 24 to consider two public hearings. One addressed a certificate of appropriateness for replacement of sandstone steps with substitute materials at 628 Nelson Place, requested by Braylen Chandler. The second concerned painting of unpainted masonry in the Buena Vista Local Historic District at 914 Central Avenue, initiated by the city.

The commission also held a public hearing the same day on designating the Southgate-Thompson House at 24 E. 3rd Street as a local landmark. The agenda included updates from the historic preservation officer and discussion of upcoming priorities. Minutes from that meeting are not yet available.

Coming Up

The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on July 15 to consider designating the Southgate House at 24 E. 3rd Street as a local landmark and will receive an update on the Monmouth project.

The Board of Adjustments meets July 16 for a public hearing on a height variance requested by Sabo Design Associates for 402 and 410 W. 13th Street. The variance would allow a 10-foot increase above the zoning limit for a single-family home as part of a plan to redivided two lots into six new lots. The applicant argues the height is needed for north-facing city views and is consistent with nearby buildings. The board will also approve minutes from its May 14 meeting.