A lot of street repair work is about to get underway in Newport.

The city commission on Monday unanimously - and enthusiastically - approved agreements with Eaton Asphalt to repair the following streets:

Riverboat Row

Thornton Street

Lindsey Street

Keturah Street

Hodge Street (from Brighton Street to Patterson Street, and from Patterson Street to Isabella Street)

Putnum Street (from Ninth Street to Twelfth Street

Kentucky Drive (1,900 feet of the road)

Forest Street

Eighth Street (parts)

Hamlet Street (parts)

Boone Street (parts)

New Linden Road

Adrian Drive

David Court

Wilson Road

Loraine Court

Pavilion Parkway (part)

"That infrastructure component is so important to the city and making sure we use those resources wisely is critical," said Commission Thomas Guidugli. The commissioner thanked the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and State Rep. Dennis Keene (D-Wilder) for his work in securing some of the necessary funds.

"It's exciting," Commissioner John Hayden said. "We have a very good cross-section of our city we're working on this year, street-wise. I'm very pleased with how (Community Services Director) Doug Roell and staff have done the work to make sure all parts of town are represented. Our commitment to infrastructure has gone a long way to improving development in the city. This hasn't happened by random chance."

"I'm happy to see some of these streets. They are very difficult to drive on," said Commissioner Beth Fennell. "Thought it will be an inconvenience to residents (during the work), I am sure they will be happy."

Other notes:

Mayor Jerry Peluso wants to explore the possibility of creating an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board in the city, similar to the one in Covington. Amid recent press about the successful transition of Mainstrasse Village from a bar and nightclub hotspot to a family-friendly culinary destination, Peluso gave some of the credit to Covington's ABC Board, which is made up of the city manager, the police chief, and an appointed citizen that has the authority to revoke liquor licenses if violations are documented.

"I just think it's good to have something in place," the mayor said. "I like it because the way it is now, we have one person and that person has a lot do: inspections, permits, licenses, investigations, festivals. It's really a lot for that person to do. What this independent board really does is create transparency and I think there is more accountability. And you have open meetings, the public can go to it." Peluso said that he has spoken with Covington Mayor Sherry Carran about the ABC Board process and that he has instructed City Solicitor Dan Braun to investigate further. The issue will likely be a topic at a forthcoming caucus meeting.