Kenton City Council holds final 2020 meeting

With only three days left in 2020, and although none of the seven voting members were physically in chambers, Kenton City Council made short work of the three items of old business presented at Monday night’s meeting.

Passed unanimously on their third reading were ordinances authorizing the fire protection contract with Buck and Pleasant Townships and the 2021 city budget, the latter receiving amendments which were approved upon their introduction Monday night.

On its second reading, Resolution Number 20-023, which authorizes Mayor Lynn Webb to apply to the District Public Works Integrating Committee and execute a project agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission for a citywide street resurfacing improvements project, was also adopted unanimously.

Introduced Monday night was an ordinance confirming the lease of space at the West Kohler Street water tower for telecommunications purposes. While Council President Joel Althauser noted the need of Parrot Communications, the only bidder on the space, to close the deal quickly, discussion on this matter will continue at council’s next meeting.

Other points of discussion included five streetlight installations: Those at the Smith/Levings and Robinson/Espy intersections and on West Franklin Street by the YMCA exit have been completed, while a lack of poles has led to plan changes at Hillcrest Lane, and the Factory/Goodin intersection will see installation in a few months following some tree trimming.

Prior to Monday night’s adjournment, Mayor Lynn Webb expressed gratitude to new fire captain Jason Conley and the three other passers of the captain’s test, and discussed extending the successful programs helping community members in need this holiday season to a more perennial basis, pointing out the effect Kroger’s closure has had on nearby residents with fewer means of mobility.

Kenton City Council’s next meeting is scheduled to be conducted in person and through Zoom seven p.m. Monday, January 11.