On the agenda: Covington 20260908 BOC Minutes — Flock Camera (Sep 8)

MINUTES
LEGISLATIVE MEETING
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CITY OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026, 6:00 PM EST, 5:00 PM CST
20 WEST PIKE STREET, COVINGTON, KY 41011
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Covington, Kentucky met in regular session in
the Commission Chambers of City Hall, 20 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 at 6:02
p.m. EST, 5:02 p.m. CST on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Mayor Ronald L. Washington
called the meeting to order. City Clerk Susan Ellis called the roll, and the following
members were present: Mayor Ronald L. Washington, Commissioner Tim Acri,
Commissioner Tim Downing, Commissioner Shannon Smith, and Commissioner James
Toebbe. Quorum was met for the Board of Commissioners.
Following the Call to Order, without objection, Mayor Washington suspended the rules for
the Commission Meeting.
The following staff members attended in person: City Manager, Sharmili Reddy,
Communications Manager Dan Wohler, City Solicitor Frank Schultz, City Clerk Susan Ellis,
Systems Analyst/Project Manager Essam Elgusain, Interim Finance Director Jerome Heist,
Economic Development Director John Sadosky, Fire Chief Corey Deye, Assistant Fire Chief
Joe Vance, Police Chief Justin Wietholter, Assistant Police Chief Matt Winship, Director of
Special Projects and Intergovernmental Affairs Elizabeth Wetzel, Executive Director of
Community Development Brandon Holmes, Director of External Affairs & Senior Counsel
Sebastian Torres, CMVPA Executive Director Jack Monts de Oca, Community Liaison Chris
Brown, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Kim Strategier, and Code Enforcement Officer
Rob Farrell.
ACTION TAKEN ON LAST MEETING’S MINUTES
Minutes of the August 25, 2026 Regular Legislative Meeting were distributed to the Board
of Commissioners with the Agenda for review. Motion was made by Commissioner Acri
and seconded by Commissioner Toebbe to dispense with the reading of and approve the
minutes as corrected. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none,
a voice vote was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to dispense with the reading of and approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
August 25, 2026 as corrected was approved by unanimous vote.
Minutes of the September 1, 2026 Regular Caucus Meeting were distributed to the Board
of Commissioners with the Agenda for review. Motion was made by Commissioner Smith
and seconded by Commissioner Downing to dispense with the reading of and approve the
minutes. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote
was taken.
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Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to dispense with the reading of and approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
September 1, 2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
NEW BUSINESS: CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-221-2026
AN ORDER ISSUING A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF CITY OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY OF THE ISSUANCE OF
BONDS BY THE KENTUCKY BOND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE
BENEFIT OF SAINT ELIZABETH MEDICAL CENTER, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-221-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-221-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-222-2026
AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A SUBRECIPIENT GRANT
AGREEMENT WITH NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT PARTNERS (NIP), INC. TO
REHABILITATE BUILDINGS IN THE EMERY DRIVE APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-222-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-222-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-223-2026
AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE CONTRACT WITH HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY (HONK) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOME LOCATED AT 1323 RUSSELL STREET PAYABLE FROM
PROGRAM YEAR 2026 HOME CHDO DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FUNDS.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-223-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
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Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-223-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-224-2026
AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN A CONTRACT PEACE OFFICER
AGREEMENT WITH MARCUS JORDAN.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-224-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-224-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-225-2026
AN ORDER APPROVING THE HIRE OF BRANDON BOLTON AS PARTS SPECIALIST,
FLEET MANAGEMENT DIVISION, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-225-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-225-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-226-2026
AN ORDER APPROVING THE HIRE OF BRYCE GODSEY, MECHANIC, FLEET
MANAGEMENT DIVISION, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER
14, 2026.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-226-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-226-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.

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COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-227-2026
AN ORDER APPROVING THE HIRE OF JAMES WILLIAMS, LABOR & EMPLOYEE
RELATIONS MANAGER, PEOPLE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2026.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-227-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-227-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-228-2026
AN ORDER APPROVING THE HIRE OF MICHELLE REYNOSO AGUILAR,
RECEPTIONIST, PEOPLE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER
14, 2026.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-228-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Acri to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was
taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-228-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.
NEW BUSINESS: ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-229-2026
AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
LICENSE FEE AGREEMENT WITH THE COVINGTON MOTOR VEHICLE PARKING
AUTHORITY.
Title of Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-229-2026 was read by the City Clerk. Motion was
made by Commissioner Toebbe and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve the
Order. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and with none, a roll call vote
was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Commissioners’ Order No. ORD-229-2026 was approved by unanimous vote.

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NEW BUSINESS: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDINANCE NO. O-xx-2026
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE GENERAL REVENUE AND LEVYING AND
FIXING AN AD VALOREM TAX RATE ON ALL PROPERTY ASSESSED OR ASSESSABLE
SUBJECT TO TAXATION FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES IN THE CITY OF COVINGTON,
KENTUCKY, TO MEET THE GENERAL EXPENSES OF SAID CITY; PROVIDING A
SINKING FUND FOR PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON THE BONDED INDEBTEDNESS OF
THE CITY; AND TO REDEEM BONDS MATURING DURING THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2027
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The City Manager’s Report included a staff presentation with question and answer session
regarding the Axon contract.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Washington opened the floor to public comment which began at 6:33 p.m. EST /
5:33 p.m. CST.
The Commission recessed at 7:49 p.m. EST / 6:49 p.m. CST and reconvened at 8:21 p.m.
EST / 7:21 p.m. CST
Public comment resumed at 8:21 p.m. EST / 7:21 p.m. CST and concluded at 9:09 p.m. EST
/ 8:09 p.m. CST.
The Commission recessed at 9:09 p.m. EST / 8:09 p.m. CST and reconvened at 9:25 p.m.
EST / 8:25 p.m. CST.
The Commission engaged in an additional question and answer session with the City
Manager and staff regarding the Axon contract.
OLD BUSINESS: ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS
COMMISSIONERS’ ORDER NO. ORD-230-2026
AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH AXON
ENTERPRISE INC. TO PROVIDE AN UPDATED SUITE OF EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE,
AND LICENSING FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

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MOTION REGARDING AXON CONTRACT
AND PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY
The Motion previously made by Mayor Washington and seconded by Commissioner
Downing was read by the City Clerk.
Motion
I move to approve the Axon contract, subject to the following conditions and
safeguards governing the City's use of surveillance and public-safety technology:
1. Flock Cameras: The City shall not purchase, install, or deploy Flock cameras,
or participate in a Flock camera network, under this contract without separate
authorization by the Board of Commissioners.
2. License Plate Reader Data - Access and Sharing: Any license plate reader
technology operated by the Covington Police Department shall be used solely for
legitimate law-enforcement and public-safety purposes. Access to such data shall be
strictly limited to authorized Covington Police Department personnel.
Covington-generated license plate reader data shall not be routinely or broadly
shared, disseminated, or made accessible to outside law-enforcement agencies, third
parties, regional or national databases, or any general shared surveillance network.
Such data may be disclosed outside the Covington Police Department only when
required by law, pursuant to a valid court order or other lawful legal process, in
connection with a documented and legitimate law-enforcement investigation or
emergency, or by order of the Board of Commissioners.
3. License Plate Reader Searches and Data Retention: License plate reader
data that is not associated with an active investigation, criminal case, warrant, stolen
vehicle, missing or endangered person, or other documented law-enforcement
purpose shall be automatically deleted after 90 days.
Historical license plate reader data may be searched only with the approval of the
Chief of Police or the Chief's designee. Searches of historical license plate reader data
without prior approval of the Chief of Police or his/her designee shall be permitted
in special situations where time is of the essence or where other exigent
circumstances are present. Each approval or special use shall be documented, and
a report shall be generated identifying the date of the search, the person requesting
or making the search, the approving authority, and the legitimate law-enforcement
or public-safety reason for conducting the search.

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Data associated with a documented investigation, criminal proceeding, warrant,
missing-person investigation, or other legitimate law-enforcement purpose may be
retained beyond 90 days as permitted or required by law.
4. Drone Deployment: The Covington Police Department shall establish and
maintain a written general order governing the deployment and operation of any
unmanned aircraft system, or drone, acquired or operated by the Department.
A police drone shall not be used for routine, random, or indiscriminate surveillance
of residents, neighborhoods, lawful gatherings, or private property.
For purposes of this policy, an active criminal incident means an ongoing or
immediately developing event involving conduct constituting a felony offense in
which law-enforcement officers possess facts and circumstances sufficient to
establish probable cause that the offense has occurred, is occurring, or is imminent
or where the use of the drone can reasonably assist officers in protecting life, locating
or apprehending a suspect, assessing an immediate threat, securing an active scene,
or safely resolving the incident.
A drone may also be deployed to locate or assist in locating a missing, endangered,
vulnerable, or lost person, including a missing child; for disaster response, fire,
rescue, or other emergency operations where there is a threat to life or public safety;
and for legitimate City economic-development purposes, including site inspection,
mapping, planning, documentation, or promotional purposes, provided that such
use is not conducted for law-enforcement surveillance or criminal investigative
purposes.
5. Drone Deployment Reporting: Each deployment of a City or Police
Department drone shall be documented. Within five (5) days of each deployment, a
written report shall identify the date and time of that deployment, general location,
purpose and legal or policy justification for deployment, approving authority,
duration of the deployment, and whether photographs, video, or other data were
collected.
A report documenting each deployment shall be provided to the City Manager every
thirty (30) days.
6. Prohibited Drone Surveillance: Nothing in this authorization shall permit
the use of a drone for generalized surveillance, monitoring individuals without a
legitimate authorized purpose, or observing constitutionally protected activities
solely because individuals are exercising their lawful rights.
7. Drone Data Retention: Video, photographs, recordings, or other data collected
through drone deployment shall be deleted within 90 days unless the information
has evidentiary value or is connected to an ongoing, documented law-enforcement
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investigation, criminal proceeding, public-safety matter, legal requirement, or other
authorized City purpose requiring continued retention, or when such data is being
used by the City for economic development purposes.
Any data retained beyond 90 days shall have a documented basis for continued
retention.
8. Policy, Accountability, and Six-Month Reporting: The Police Department
shall maintain written policies addressing authorized use, supervisory approval,
access, searches, data retention, data sharing, security, auditing, and accountability
for license plate reader and drone technology consistent with applicable law and the
conditions established by this motion.
The Police Department shall provide the Board of Commissioners and City Manager
with a report every six months regarding the use of these technologies. The report
shall include, at a minimum, the number of license plate reader data searches
conducted, the general purposes for those searches, the number of drone
deployments, the general purposes for those deployments, and information
regarding data retained beyond the standard retention periods.
The report shall not disclose confidential investigative information or personally
identifiable information prohibited from public disclosure.
9. Chief of Police - Public Safety Exception: Notwithstanding any other
provision of this policy, the Chief of Police, and only the Chief of Police, may
authorize a temporary exception to the restrictions contained herein when, in the
Chief's professional judgment, extraordinary circumstances exist and the exception
is reasonably necessary to protect life, prevent serious bodily injury, address a
significant threat to public safety, or respond to an urgent and legitimate lawenforcement need.
The Chief shall have discretion to determine when such circumstances exist and
what actions are reasonably necessary to address them, consistent with applicable
federal and state law.
Any exception authorized under this provision shall be documented in writing by the
Chief, including the circumstances necessitating the exception, the action
authorized, and the public-safety justification. The Chief shall provide the City
Manager with a report of the exception as soon as reasonably practicable following
the incident.
Nothing in this provision authorizes an exception to any requirement imposed by
federal or state law, the United States Constitution, or the Kentucky Constitution.

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Intent: The intent of this motion is to provide the Covington Police Department
with appropriate technology necessary to protect the public and effectively perform
its duties while establishing clear safeguards governing privacy, surveillance, access,
data sharing, retention, transparency, and accountability.
Discussion followed.
Motion was made by Commissioner Toebbe and seconded by Commissioner Downing to
add to section 1 that no stationary ALPR are to be added. Mayor Washington asked for
additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to modify section 1 to add that no stationary ALPR are to be added was approved
by unanimous vote.
Motion was made by Commissioner Acri and seconded by Commissioner Toebbe to amend
the Mayor’s already amended motion to reduce the retention of ALPR data from 90 days to
7 days for non-hits. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion, and following
discussion, a voice vote was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to amend the Mayor’s already amended motion to reduce the retention of ALPR
data from 90 days to 7 days for non-hits was approved by unanimous vote.
Motion was made by Commissioner Acri and seconded by Commissioner Smith to amend
the Mayor’s previously amended motion to change section 8 to require the City Manager
and/or Commissioners to receive the report every 30 days. Mayor Washington asked for
additional discussion, and following discussion, a voice vote was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to amend the already amended motion to amend the Mayor’s previously amended
motion to change section 8 to require the City Manager and/or Commissioners to receive
the report every 30 days was approved by unanimous vote.
Motion was made by Commissioner Acri and seconded by Commissioner Toebbe to remove
the ALPR line item from the contract. Mayor Washington asked for additional discussion,
and following discussion, a voice vote was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: Smith
Motion to remove the ALPR line item from the contract was approved by a 4 to 1 vote.
With the main motion still on the floor, to approve the original motion as amended, a voice
vote was taken.
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
The original motion as amended was approved by unanimous vote.

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Motion was made by Commissioner Downing and seconded by Commissioner Smith to
approve the contract as amended subject to the modification of the agreement to change
the length of the contract to be a 1-year contract with autorenewal for 9 years thereby
preserving current rate structure as set forth in the contract. Mayor Washington asked for
additional discussion, and with none, a voice vote was taken
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to approve the contract as amended subject to the modification of the agreement to
change the length of the contract to be a 1-year contract with autorenewal for 9 years
thereby preserving current rate structure as set forth in the contract was approved by
unanimous vote.
Motion was made by Mayor Washington and seconded by Commissioner Downing to adopt
the staff recommendation on transparency. Mayor Washington asked for additional
discussion, and with none, a voice vote was taken
Voting Yea: Acri, Downing, Smith, Toebbe, and Washington
Voting Nay: None
Motion to adopt the staff recommendation on transparency was approved by unanimous
vote.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Washington adjourned the regular meeting at 10:10 p.m. EST / 9:10 p.m. CST.
_______________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED: _______________

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