Reminder: The application portal for The 410 giving circle 2021 grant closes this Thursday, October 21st, at 5pm. The giving circle selected the focus area of "people living with disabilities" for this year's grant. I am pleased to share that due to additional members joining the giving circle in recent weeks, this year's grant will be in the amount of $20,000. You can access the grant portal here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=horizonfunds For more information on this year's grant process, please visit our website. We look forward to another round of strong applications! Nancy Grayson President Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Suite 431 Covington, KY 41011 859.757.1552 (office) 859.468.4665 (mobile) www.horizonfunds.org

President .....Chris Clark Vice- President.......Rob Neilson Treasurer.........Joan Morris Secretary ........Nancy Finley Member - at -Large .......Janet Tobler

RECENT EVENTS: - Officers responded to the area of 15th and Chesapeake for a known suspect striking the victim in the back of the head causing injury and then fleeing the scene. -Officers responded to Mac’s Pizza for an assault with a knife. The suspect and victim were in an altercation that led to the assault. The suspect was arrested. -Officers responded to the 2600 block of Madison in reference to shots being fired from a vehicle at a pedestrian. Investigation is ongoing and a possible suspect has been identified. -Officers responded to the area of City Heights in reference to shots fired. A victim was located at the hospital and then transported to UC with nonlife threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Officers have successfully located several stolen vehicles within the city and have made many warrant arrests. OTHER INFORMATION: -Our Officer’s responded to 5,449 calls in the month of September. They also wrote a total of 376 arrest citations. -Officers are participating in ‘Paint the Cov Pink’ by wearing pink badges the month of October for breast cancer awareness. -Officer Neil Boshoff was sworn in recently. Boshoff is lateral from Missouri and has over 10 years police experience. HELPFUL TIPS: \ October 23rd is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Benefits of proper medication and drug disposal: -reduces chances of accidental overdose or poisoning, especially in children, teens, and animals. -reduces medication and drug abuse. -keeps water systems clean and reduces pollution. Many pharmacies and Police Departments have drop boxes for safe medication disposal. In Covington there are drop boxes located at the Covington Police Department, CVS in Latonia and on Madison, Blanks Pharmacy, and Save Discount Drugs. October 2021 Newsletter This month’s newsletter topic is Halloween Safety. Some of our favorite Halloween decorations and activities can present fire/safety risks. Implementing basic fire/safety precautions can ensure a safe and happy holiday for everyone. Below you will find CFD response totals for September, NFPA statistics pertaining to Halloween, Halloween safety tips, and other news. September Responses • The fire department responded to 1037 fire and/or EMS calls in the month of September. National Fire Protection Association Statistics (NFPA)- Halloween Fire Facts • From 2014-2018, an average of 770 home structure fires began with decorations per year. • More than two of every five (44%) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment. • More than one-third (36%) of these fires were started by candles. • More than one-fifth (22%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen; 16% began in the living room. Safety • Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns • When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric • Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. • Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters • Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume. • Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working. • See Halloween Safety Tip Sheet Attached Other News • With your help, the Covington Professional Firefighters- Local 38 raised $12,882.50 for this year’s MDA Fill The Boot fundraiser • Daylight savings time ends November 7th at 2AM. • Fire Prevention Week is OCT 3-9th. Visit www.nfpa.org/fpw for more fire prevention information and activities. Westside Community Liaison Officers: Rachel White rwhite@covingtonky.gov Doug Haubner dhaubner@covingtonky.gov

Saturday October 23 9a-12p We are looking for site leaders to register a cleanup or beautification project for our last GAC event of the year! Leading a site is easy. You register your site and we'll provide trash bags, gloves, grabbers, trash bag removal, tools, hand sanitizer and disinfectants, snacks, a giveaway for every volunteer. Sites can also apply for up to $250 towards their beautification project. ​ Win $4000 for your neighborhood! The neighborhood picking up the most trash during one of the four GAC Saturdays in 2021 will be the recipient of our Perk Up the Neighborhood event! We're committing at least $4000, plus time, tools, and volunteers towards beautifying one neighborhood this year. We'll work with the winning neighborhood on how to use the investment, but the project might include tree plantings, neighborhood flower pots, public art, banners, or something else entirely. So register your GAC event and get your friends, family, and neighbors out to get that litter! Hurry! Deadline to register is this Friday, October 15! Ready to lead a site? Register now!

Meeting at 6:30 PM at Orchard Park, the weather should be beautiful! WAC monthly meeting 10/12/21 Agenda as follows: 1. Introductions and welcome 2. CPD update 3. Treasury Report a. CGN failure to respond to reimbursement request b. No fiscal agreement with CGN – what are our options? 4. Great American Cleanup - Saturday October 23 9a-12p a. Win $4000 for your neighborhood, register by Friday Oct. 15th 5. 2022 WAC Elections a. President – Chris Clark b. Vice-President – Rob Neilson c. Treasurer – Joan Morris d. Secretary – Nancy Finley e. Member-at-Large – Janet Tobler 6. Halloween Event Planning 2021 – Joan Morris a. Status of permits/insurance b. Hayrides c. Halloween inventory was moved to LGC (casket, cage remain) 7. Discuss WAC by-laws & amendments for consideration 8. Orchard Park Activities - current state of affairs w/ CGN's development 9. Other business & concerns Adjourn

Westside Action Coalition Meeting Notes 9/14/21 1. Police Updates - Rachel White, Community Liaison, email: rwhite@covingtonky.gov Dispatch 859-356-3191. Catalytic converter thefts have increased for the use of their platinum. 2. Treasury Report – Discussion on the use of WAC funds for meeting purposes. 3. Halloween – Children’s Halloween event planned for October 30 from 6-8pm. Candy, popcorn, hayride, games, costume contest. A Halloween committee is being led by Joan Morris. Reach out if you would like to volunteer. 4. Board Vacancy – Rick Ludlum shared that Linden Grove Cemetery has a Board vacancy. A main duty would fund raising. Contact Colin Perry. Cinema in the Cemetery has been canceled. 5. WAC Interim Position – In the absence of a member, Chris Clark will serve as Interim Vice President. 6. Nominations – Verbal nominations were given for 2022 Members. Elections to be held during the October WAC meeting. Adjourn

COVINGTON, Ky. – Need to do some fall cleaning? Two events in the coming weeks can help you not only make extra space in your basement and shed but also get rid of problematic items like oil, antifreeze, televisions, and tires. The first event, this Saturday at the Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub in Cincinnati, is an electronics drop-off event that accepts things like old TVs, phones, refrigerators, batteries, and lightbulbs. Details (and rules) can be found HERE, and note that there is a fee for many items. The organization is a non-profit. The second event, on Oct. 1 and 2, is the annual fall clean-up event hosted by Kenton County Public Works at its garage in Independence. Details can be found HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/576496790292720/ There are a few rules: It’s for Kenton County residents only, you must have an ID, you must unload the stuff yourself, and commercial ventures (junk haulers, construction removal companies etc.) are prohibited. But it accepts a wide variety of problematic stuff. Accepted: • Appliances (including those with Freon, but they need to be empty of food). • Yard debris. • Household trash. • Scrap metal. • Electronics (anything with a power cord; one TV per vehicle). • Motor and rechargeable batteries. • 20 lb. propane grill tank. • Oil and antifreeze (in labeled containers). • Tires (if more than 10, you must call (859) 392-1919 by close of business Thursday, Sept. 30, to get approval). • Recyclables (cardboard, aluminum, plastics #1 & #2). • Lawn equipment and power tools (remove all fluids like oil/gas). Not accepted: • Hazardous materials. • Pesticides. • Paint/stains. • Liquid waste. • Fire extinguishers. • Large tanks/cylinders. • Fluorescent bulbs. • Shingles. • Concrete, brick, and dirt. • Junk vehicles (including boats). “Many people want to do the right thing when it comes to getting rid of unwanted items that could harm the environment, and these events are tailor-made for them,” said Stephanie Bacher, the City’s Solid Waste and Recycling supervisor. “We know lots of people who hold on to items like these for months waiting for cleanup and recycling events. Now’s their chance.”

City employing next step to zero in on health concerns related to rain runoff woes COVINGTON, Ky. – Covington is employing the next step in figuring out whether some of its residents’ basement-flooding issues, particularly those with potential health impacts, can be solved. Property owners whose addresses are on a list where flooded basements have been reported in the past – a list the City continues to compile with residents’ help (see below) – should expect a phone call or an in-person visit in the coming weeks. The purpose? To discover more details about the type and degree of flooding, why it happens, when it happens, and whether there’s a fix that doesn’t cost a billion dollars or take 10 years to carry out. “Not everybody’s issue is the same, and we want to reach into our ‘toolbox of solutions’ and see if there’s something the City or property owner – or the City working with its regional partners -- can implement that will help address the problem,” said Rich Anthony, the City’s project engineer. “We’re looking for the best solution for any particular location.” The City took over parts of storm water management in Covington from Sanitation District No. 1 of Northern Kentucky (SD1) earlier this year and is trying to get a handle on the extent of the problem. What’s commonly known as “the sewer system” is actually two separate but related (and in some cases physically “combined”) systems: One that carries sanitary sewage from showers, sinks, and toilets to a sewage treatment plant, and one that carries away rain runoff. The City’s responsibility centers on the health-related aspects of flooding, but the issue – like the water that enters some basements during torrential rains – is murky. One reason for the follow-up visits and calls is to separate the surface-flooding issues from combined-sewer problems, Anthony said. In the former instance, water comes into a basement from the outside, via a door or a window. That’s primarily just rain. In the latter instance, the water backs up through a floor drain. That water can include sanitary sewage and can have health implications, which is what the City is most concerned about. The causes and solutions for the different kinds of flooding are, likewise, different for each, he said. The outreach will occur over the next four to six weeks, Anthony said. In some cases, it will involve members of the City’s Public Works Department, and in some cases staff from VS Engineering, a contractor for the City. The list Meanwhile, Covington continues to encourage anybody whose basement has flooded in the past to make sure the City knows about it. First, check to see whether your address is on this list that the City “inherited” from SD1: https://bit.ly/3nhRUFh The, if you’re not on the list and have not filled out a recent online questionnaire, do so: https://bit.ly/38VK4bU The City created the survey to fill in gaps in the database and build a more complete picture of flooding problems. Since Aug. 23, property owners have added 92 addresses to the list. “We weren’t expecting that big of a response,” Anthony said. “There’s a lot of good data in there.” Immediate concern Anthony, who oversees management of the City’s part of storm water maintenance, said the data accumulation will help focus the analysis of possible solutions. But he sounded a note of caution. “Our immediate concern and responsibility is our residents’ health, and that’s where we’re going to focus our efforts,” he said. The overall problem of flooding related to heavy rain, particularly storm water running off hills and sometimes overwhelming the infrastructure built to carry it away, is a much bigger problem that would require a whole lot of money and time to address. “However, as part of this immediate effort, Covington is going to try to determine whether there are areas where we can work with SD1 and federal agencies to move forward on finding solutions to that overall problem,” he added. # # #

RECENT EVENTS: - Officers responded to a report of a fire at the Holiday Inn Express, it was discovered that the fire was intentionally set to a hotel room. The suspect was located on scene. -Detectives and the DEA, through investigation, made multiple arrests, seized a large amount of currency and fentanyl in relation to fentanyl trafficking at several locations throughout the city. -Officers responded to burglary in progress on Sugar Camp Road. The homeowner found subjects in their home taking items. The suspects fled and were unable to be located. The investigation is ongoing. -Officers responded for a pedestrian (bicycle) struck in the 1800 Block of Holman. The suspect fled the scene however they turned themselves in the following day. -Officers responded to Rosina Avenue for subjects assaulted with a firearm. One victim was pronounced deceased on scene and the other was transported but expected to survive her injuries. The suspect was able to be located and taken into custody. The suspect has been charged with Murder and Assault 1st. OTHER INFORMATION: -We have had multiple catalytic converter thefts and thefts from vehicles during the overnight hours. If you see suspicious activity please call 911. -We have hired two new Officers, Nicollette Brown and Trent Webster. They were sworn in recently and are riding with Officers until they go to the Police Academy in October. To see a complete list of retirements and promotions at the Police Department visit https://www.covingtonky.gov/news/2021/09/01/police-fire-namenew-assistant-chiefs If you need anything at all please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Community Liaison Officers Rachel White rwhite@covingtonky.gov Doug Haubner dhaubner@covingtonky

Survey seeks guidance from public for COVID-19 stimulus funds COVINGTON, Ky. – The City of Covington has created a survey to pick the public’s brain on how to spend $35.9 million over the next 3 to 5 years. The money can’t be spent on just anything. Rather, it must be allocated within broad categories related to recovering from the economic and public health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By Oct. 31, the City must send the federal Treasury Department an outline of how it intends to spend the money, which was issued under the American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion stimulus package introduced by Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth, passed by Congress, and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year. Covington leaders say they want to maximize the impact of the funds by investing in infrastructure, services, and programs that not only help residents, businesses, and organizations survive the pandemic but also strengthen the community at its core and improve the quality of life within it. “The size of the program creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Joy Pierson, Covington’s assistant city manager. “We want to make decisions that create positive impact not only in the short term but also for the long haul, impact that can be felt for many generations.” The City’s online survey can be accessed HERE: Covington’s total award of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds is $35,914,130. It received half that amount in June and will receive the other half in June 2022. The funds must be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. A separate allocation of $2,044,421 was sent to the Northern Kentucky HOME Consortium, for which Covington is the lead agency. The organization – which also includes the Cities of Ludlow, Bellevue, Dayton, and Newport – focuses on improving the availability of affordable housing for low- and very low-income families. HOME funds must be spent on affordable housing, homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and/or related services. Final “rules” or guidance from the federal government is expected for both pots of money later this fall. General guidelines mandate the $39.5 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds be spent: • To support urgent response efforts aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 and bringing the pandemic under control. • To replace “lost” local government revenue used for vital public services and to retain jobs. • To support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses. • To address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic. The final plan for spending will go before the Covington Board of Commissioners for approval in October. Even after being presented to the federal government, however, the plan can be amended. “This process will be the start and not the end of deciding how these funds will be used,” Pierson said. “The ideas and suggestions that come from this public survey will help the City Commission decide where to focus these resources, and we encourage both residents and leaders of organizations to fill it out.” # # #

New assistant city manager ‘hooked’ on local government’s ability to improve people’s lives COVINGTON, Ky. – Joy Pierson’s mother always told her and her 14 siblings that, while they were not rich in money, they were rich in love. “We weren’t raised to believe that you just go make money; we were raised to believe that you go do something you love with your life and give back,” Pierson said. “You take care of your family, give back to your community, and be active in your church or the nonprofits you care about.” Pierson, Covington’s new assistant city manager and No. 11 in that jaw-dropping lineup of 15 children (and a twin at that), honored her mother’s wise counsel with a career serving the public. Now, she’s sharing her deep well of experience and passion for community with the City of Covington. Pierson replaces Bruce Applegate, who left the City of Covington this summer to take a job closer to family. Her appointment was approved by the Board of Commissioners in August. Why was Pierson chosen over the 138 other people who applied? “Joy is a high-energy person who brings a tremendous amount of experience working for local government in Greater Cincinnati and elsewhere,” interim City Manager Ken Smith said. “She’s had a particular focus on federal funding which will be of particular benefit as Covington looks to utilize its American Rescue Plan allocation.” Now, that “high energy” will be focused solely on Covington. “This is the community I want to work in,” Pierson said. “With this job opportunity – to give back to one community – I can see what I’m doing to make a difference day-to-day. There’s so much going on, and so many opportunities to help the City grow.” As for growth, one might say that Pierson has a touch for bumper crops. As Hamilton County Community Development Division Manager, Pierson leveraged $140 million with $6.3 million to create or preserve 625 affordable housing units with 13 partners; created an economic development program that leveraged $23 million from $2.8 million; and managed HUD grant programs with 42 local governments and 20 partner agencies, increasing participation and grant awards by 30 percent. ‘Hooked’ on city management Pierson’s interest in local government was first sparked by a class at her Cincinnati high school (“I thought, ‘you get to be so involved in so many pieces of people’s lives’ ”) and it was helped along in college by a push from a mentor with Covington ties. While studying communications and political science at the University of Dayton, she landed internships at the City of Dayton and the Seasongood Good Government Foundation, which placed her in the City of Cincinnati’s Budget and City Manager offices. There she met Greg Jarvis, who was Covington’s city manager from 1989 to 2005. “I was looking into graduate school and Greg told me to look at the University of Kansas because they had the first and only school that teaches city managers,” Pierson said. She heeded Jarvis’ counsel. Armed with a full scholarship and a monthly stipend for housing, Pierson fully immersed herself in the study of city management. “I was hooked,” Pierson said. She stayed the course and constructed a solid pedigree of efficient and effective government by creating and managing impactful programs. Management in action A grad school internship took Pierson to Lenexa, Kan., a “sleepy little suburb” where – at the height of the AIDS/HIV crisis – she put anti-discrimination policies and procedures in place with the city’s personnel policies. After graduation, Pierson was hired full-time with the City of Dayton as a senior management analyst. Then came the opportunity to work with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), a clearinghouse for local governments, enabling them to share information between each other. Pierson worked with ICMA’s Midwest affiliate chapters as well as international visitors. And, when the opportunity presented, she helped inform and inspire young minds. “I helped start the initiative for citizenship education for kids, to teach local government to first graders,” Pierson said. Pierson met her then-husband while at ICMA. When his work led to several relocations for the family – they had two daughters -- Pierson seized new opportunities to make her mark in local governments: In Westerville, Ohio, she prepared a $30 million citywide budget and managed OSHA compliance program for all departments. And as director of economic development in University City, Mo., she managed construction of a $2.4 million parking garage and retail tenant space. Committed to communities In 1999, Pierson returned to Cincinnati and worked with the city’s Housing Authority, where she managed the community relations hotline and worked with Section 8 housing. Later, she managed compliance with HUD grants and programs for the City of Cincinnati. In 2015, she joined Hamilton County. “The Hamilton County job was my favorite,” Pierson said. “We started with 36 communities – ended up with 42 – outside of Cincinnati, helping them plan to be more strategic and innovative. Every day was different, and it was fun.” Pierson knows a thing or two about fun, and she sets goals for that too. Ten years ago, she checked “publish a cookbook” off her bucket list. Her “Cincinnati’s Cookin’” cookbook features 135 recipes – mostly Pierson family favorites – and sold 850 copies. “I love to cook,” Pierson said. “Every recipe in the book has a story. Every sibling or their spouse donated a recipe.” (Pierson’s favorite is Lentil Cincinnati-Style Chili, but her brother’s Skyline® chili lasagna is a top contender. “It’s like a three-way meets a coney,” Pierson said.) Now Pierson’s ready to cook up some good things for Covington, with her blend of high energy, experience, and -- as Smith points out – positive attitude. “I have known Joy professionally for several years,” Smith said. “She’s a delightful person and – pardon the pun – a joy to work with. I have no doubt that she will be a great fit.” # # #

Agenda as follows: 1. Introductions and welcome 2. CPD update 3. Treasury Report 4. Halloween Event Planning 2021 a. Committee Volunteers b. Tent use & location c. Hayrides d. Cemetery Involvement/Approval e. Halloween inventory moved to LGC 5. Interim VP position and 2022 nominations 6. Announcement: New City Assistant Manager, Joy Pierson 7. Review & approve WAC by-laws & amendments for consideration 8. Orchard Park Activities - current state of affairs w/ CGN's development 9. Other business & concerns 10. Adjourn If you have anything you'd like to be placed on the agenda, please reach out to us or use the contact form on this site!

6PM at 20 West Pike St. Agenda item #8 is the awarding of the right to build on top of Orchard Park (our only community greenspace) to The Center for Great Neighborhoods and Orleans Development.

Tonight's meeting is being rescheduled due to the importance of attending the City Commissioner's Caucus meeting tonight (6PM 20 W. Pike Street) where they will be hand selecting those who will be offered the right to build over our community greenspace and gardens at Orchard Park. You are encouraged to attend and offer your thoughts.

Looks like rain for Tuesday night, so we're looking into having the WAC meeting at CGN on 12th St. We'll update here and on FB. Draft Agenda as follows: Introductions and welcome CPD update Treasury report Great American Cleanup Shakespeare in the Park 2021 Devou Park July 29 7PM Linden Grove Cemetery July 24 7PM Halloween Event at Orchard Park 2021 Haunted Tent volunteers Linden Grove Hayrides Other activities Orchard Park Activities Wood chips at swing update on City development process/proposals Citizen efforts to save Orchard Park Other Business Adjourn @8PM If there is anything you would like to add to the agenda, please reach out to us ASAP. Thanks!

Holly Young, President Fritz Kuhlmann, VP Mark Young, Treasurer Katrina Clark, Secretary Janet Tobler, MAL

Location: Orchard Park 6:30 PM On the Agenda: Finances Police updates Orchard Park Development -- opportunities for developers to present Great American Cleanup 2021 Halloween Stuff - storage Event Ideas - Westside Harvest? Other Business Adjourn

The weather should be good for an outdoor meeting, so let's meet at Orchard Park for tonight's monthly WAC meeting. (Please note that officers Doug Haubner and Rachel White are off tonight and won't be able to attend this evening's meeting.) Considering the recent announcement that the City is once again taking proposals to develop housing on over 60% of Orchard Park, that is likely to be the focus of the meeting. If you have additional agenda items, please let us know.

Kenton County is seeking feedback from residents for the new, 225 acre Kenton County Park located on Independence Station Road which neighbors Lincoln Ridge Park. The first opportunity for input will be at a public meeting on April 14th at 5:30 PM via Zoom. The meeting will be led by Human Nature, the organization hired by Kenton County using grant monies to create a Master Plan for the park. The Master Plan consists of three phases: awareness, exploration, and vision. The County is currently seeking feedback for the first phase which is information gathering from multiple sources on what the site currently has (inventory) and what it offers (analysis) and developing a program for the site that will inform the design. Meeting attendees will watch a short presentation and then be asked various questions regarding amenities and features. They will be able to ask questions and post comments in the chat feature of Zoom. The link for the meeting is: http://bit.ly/parkmeeting1 For those unable to attend the meeting, a copy of the presentation and survey can be found on the Kenton County website new park project page at: http://bit.ly/newkcpark. The survey will remain open until April 30th. Paper copies are available at the Parks & Recreation Office located at Lincoln Ridge Park. For questions about the public meeting, please contact Kenton County Parks & Recreation at (859) 525-7529 or Parks.Recreation@kentoncounty.org. There will be future opportunities for public feedback. Continue to check the Kenton County website (https://www.kentoncounty.org) for updates.