Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Covington commissioners unanimously approve Duke Energy agreement, hires and several city orders
Summary
At the Dec. 2, 2025 meeting, the Covington Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a commercial agreement with Duke Energy for a gas main through the Central Riverfront, multiple hires in the police and public works departments, equipment purchase and other orders; a closed session on property and litigation followed with no action reported.
The City of Covington Board of Commissioners met Dec. 2, 2025, in Commission Chambers and unanimously approved a set of city orders that include a utilities agreement for the Central Riverfront, several personnel hires and equipment purchases. Mayor Ronald L. Washington presided; City Clerk Susan Ellis called the roll and confirmed a quorum.
The most consequential item approved on the consent agenda was Commissioners' Order No. ORD-307-2025, which authorizes the mayor to execute a commercial project agreement with Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. for installation of a Duke Energy gas main through the Covington Central Riverfront development. Commissioner Tim Downing moved to approve the order, Commissioner Shannon Smith seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote (Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, Washington).
The board approved three hires in the police department: Keegan Flaherty and Tristan Parsons were both approved as Covington police officers effective Dec. 7, 2025 (ORD-308-2025 and ORD-309-2025). The board also approved the hire of Steven Gripshover as Mechanic I in Public Works, effective Dec. 3, 2025 (ORD-310-2025). Each personnel order was moved by Commissioner Tim Downing, seconded by Commissioner Shannon Smith, and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Other consent items included authorization for the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Southbank Partners to further shared strategic goals between jurisdictions (ORD-311-2025); authorization to submit a text amendment application to the Kenton County Planning Commission (ORD-312-2025); and approval to purchase a 2025 FP5 Flameless All-In-One pothole patcher from Bergkamp (ORD-313-2025). The minutes record the approvals but do not list purchase price details.
The board reappointed Matthew Roetting to the Audit Committee for a three-year term effective Nov. 13, 2025, through Nov. 12, 2028 (ORD-314-2025). In new business, the commission authorized an agreement with Madison Design Group for planning and design of signage, wayfinding and environmental graphics for the new City Hall (ORD-315-2025); that order was approved by roll call vote and recorded as unanimous.
Near the close of the public meeting, Commissioner Tim Acri moved — and Commissioner James Toebbe seconded — a motion to hold a closed session under KRS 61.810(1)(b) (deliberations on the future acquisition or sale of real property) and KRS 61.810(1)(c) (discussions of proposed or pending litigation). The motion passed unanimously; the commission entered closed session after adjournment. The closed session adjourned at 6:53 p.m. with no further action reported.
The minutes record a public comment period from 6:02–6:04 p.m. but provide no details about speakers or the content of comments. The minutes also list a presentation item on the Community Liaison role by Sebastian Torres and Chris Brown and include a line for the City Manager’s report; the text provided contains no substantive detail for those items.
