The Shadow
After an innovation by Wanda Moore, First Lady, Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, in the absence of Elder Pete Moore, and the pledge of allegiance to the flag, the Covington City Council called their regular meeting to order, Tuesday evening.
They heard the proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year budget and voted unanimously to abandon property between Wright Way Motors and Dewey’s Automotive, LLC. by a vote of 4/0. Councilman Raymond Hunter was not present and did not cast a vote. The vote to vacate caused quite an uproar with Dewey Perkins and some back and forth between he and Mayor Tom Sibold.
During the Manager’s comments, Allen Dressler, City Manager, reported on some of the ongoing services in the city, gave kudos to city employees, and highlighted some accomplishments from the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget, before presenting a proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. There are no real estate tax increases. However, there is a proposed increase to the water and sewer charges, in the amount of $2.00. He also proposed the purchase of a fire truck, improvements to the Jackson River Sports Complex, among a list of various other expenditures. Council moved to hold budget work sessions the next two Tuesdays at 5:30pm to meet the June 30th budget deadline.
During Citizen Comments, Perkins took to the podium to address Council’s unfinished business on the consideration to vacate the rate-of-way and disposition of public property with regards to a boundary adjustment survey.
“I say this with all due respect,” began Perkins. He went on to say that Dewey Automotive had been in business for over 50 years and had not seen “one single incident on S. Marion Ave in all that time. Sibold would later say, “I never fell out of bed and broke my leg, but it could happen tonight.” Sibold further explained that his “main concern is safety.”
Perkins reminded David Crosier, vice mayor, that he had even walked that road when he was in high school and there was never a problem. “We have gotten along with every owner of that building for years until Dressler talked about closing this road,” said Perkins. He further explained that closing the road would cause trucks to block traffic and it would land-lock seven of his properties. “I think the public road should stay as is, a public road,” added Perkins in conclusion. He backed up his comments by approaching Council to display photos he had taken.
“This is not to create bad blood with anyone,” began Brandon Wright as he took his turn at the podium, explaining they have always had good experiences with Dewey Automotive. However, he added that have changed from 30-40 years ago; the schools are consolidated and “we have much smaller children now.” Wright wants less chances for anybody to get hurt. “Let’s just eliminate it; give them property, give us property, in the end it makes everybody safer,” he added. “Maybe we haven’t had an accident but the one time we do, you are going to remember this conversation,” Wright said in conclusion.
Council later voted, unanimously, to abandon the S. Marion Ave. property, giving 30 ft. to Dewey Automotive and 30 ft. to Wright Way Motors. Before the vote was taken, Councilman Lance Carson confirmed that S. Marion Ave. was already listed as a no truck zone and his concern was for the safety of the children.
Perkins was not happy about the decision, explaining that this decision would adversely affect him. After some further discussions, Sibold called for a motion. Crosier made the motion to approve the vacating of S. Marion Ave and Carson seconded it. After Perkins continued to argue his point of view, Sibold explained the property was evenly divided and ended the discussion. “I’ve got to have a right of way, you will be hearing from my lawyer,” added Perkins as he exited the meeting. Sibold responded by welcoming hearing from the lawyer.
Council also heard a community planning presentation by Tucker Keener, after an introduction by Dressler. Keener explained that part of achieving his Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning required that he work with a client on a plan or project and he and Dressler came up with a downtown revitalization plan of Covington.
His study of the downtown structures found lots of vacancies. Interviews of citizens determined a need for retail businesses, apparel services, restaurants, and entertainment. Businesses reported limited parking for the elderly and a lack of foot traffic in downtown after five, due to businesses closing at 5:00
After compiling this information, Kenner’s conclusions were to: enhance downtown, increase foot traffic, present a design map of the downtown, and to mitigate vacant buildings and improve the downtown’s façade. To achieve these goals, Kenner recommended that Covington encourage businesses to get more involved with things going on downtown; maintain and expand the JRSC; leverage the Discovery Center to attract more visitors; make Covington a tourist destination; and promote Covington in the region and state-wide.
In other action, Council approved the consent agenda and minutes from their April 2nd work session and regular meeting on April 9th as presented; approved resolutions to adopt a private, flow through donation to the Alleghany Humane Society and Opioid Recovery Money; and to enforce the traffic laws regarding electric or motorized bicycles, scooters, and unicycles on sidewalks.
Sibold chuckled as he wondered out loud whether he would need protection as he exited the building, before adjourning the meeting.
