City staff asked the finance committee whether council is prepared to reopen the municipal GROW grant application process for small-business façade and improvement grants; staff said the ordinance and budget are in place but wanted council direction on eligibility. One councilmember asked staff to return an explicit list of eligible uses because past amendments broadened the program beyond exterior work (examples cited during discussion included HVAC and interior upgrades) and some members want to limit funds to exterior, ADA, or signage improvements.

Staff also summarized potential capital projects to be prioritized for the next budget cycle and said staff will circulate a consolidated list for council feedback. Projects mentioned included an armory upgrade (funding and necessity to be reviewed) and a south-side development project. Staff specifically reported that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) completed an analysis for a roundabout at Highland Avenue and Grand Avenue and has state funding identified; staff and council discussed access and business impacts and agreed staff should gather more information from KYTC and local businesses before any decision. Staff noted the slide with a $1.6 million figure was from an older packet and said funding is reported as available in the KYTC program.

On pedestrian safety, staff presented an option to shorten long crosswalks at Grand Avenue and South Fort Thomas Avenue to improve sightlines and reduce crossing distance. Council asked staff to investigate whether flashing crosswalks or other protected-crossing features could be included, while noting that Grand Avenue is a state route and some state restrictions may apply. Council emphasized that this is an exploratory discussion and that community outreach would be required before staff advances design or construction.

Next steps: staff will circulate GROW-grant eligibility language and a project-prioritization list, seek input from KYTC and affected businesses on the Highland/Grand concept, and research grant opportunities and flashing-crosswalk options for the Grand/South Fort Thomas location.