Public Works
FAQs

City Administration:

Derick “Buck” Yelton is our Public Works Director and has been with the City for over 34 years.

Buck is very responsive to the needs of the community and often assists in areas where the City-owned property or City-run projects, such as road work or plowing, cause issues with privately owned property.

Buck can be contacted through his email or by calling the City Building (859) 341-1515.  Due to the nature of his work, Buck is often in the field and away from his office phone, but he will return messages and review concerns in a timely manner.

If you have an issue or concern, please note that due to their workload, Public Works does not respond to anonymous complaints.  It is recommended that you leave your name and number so that you can be contacted for more information/clarification, or to see if the issue was resolved between your message being left and someone contacting you.

The Public Works allows the City of Villa Hills to provide and sustain structures and services essential to the welfare and quality of life for the citizens.

Our Public Works Department handles everything from placing signage, roadway repairs, snow removal, maintaining the parks, and more.  Our Public Works Department manages the infrastructure of the City buildings and properties throughout Villa Hills.

Our staff works diligently to address potholes on City roads so that they can be repaired before anyone needs to report them as an issue. During wet weather, with changing temperatures, the potential for potholes increases as the constant freezing and thawing of the water between pavement layers weakens and causes cracks. Add constant traffic over those weakened areas, and potholes form. Potholes are typical in low spots, where water collects.

Often due to weather, construction, and other incidents there can be debris, roadkill, mud, standing water, low hanging wires, and any number of roadway issues.  If the issue is an immediate danger, contact the Police Department through 911 to report it and an Officer will handle contacting the appropriate authority and / or close down the roadway until the roadway is safe.

If the issue is not an immediate danger, contact the appropriate authority (Either Villa Hills, State, or County) for the issue.

The roads that make up Villa Hills consist of City streets, State Routes, and at least one County Road.
Please see the list below before calling to report a roadway issue in Villa Hills to determine the correct agency to report the issue to so that the response for repair can be expedited.

• HIGHWATER ROAD from Riverwatch Drive to Bromley City Limits,
  and AMSTERDAM ROAD from the intersection with Highwater to the intersection with Bromley Crescent Springs Road (Often called “Short Amsterdam”)
  These are County Roads
  Contact: Kenton County Public Works: 859-392-1920.
  Report an issue online form

   

• All of COLLINS ROAD,
  AMSTERDAM ROAD from Collins Road to  River Road,
  All of RIVER ROAD (Route 8)
  These are State Routes (SR 371 and SR 8, respectively), and are maintained, cleared, and repaired by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 
  Contact: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (District 6):
  Potholes specifically: 1-800-PATCH-IT
  Office Phone: (859) 341-2700  M-F
  Visit Report-a-Hazard 

Issues with the above roads, such as potholes, snow and ice, roadkill, low wires, standing water, etc., are not handled by the City of Villa Hills.  On occasion, during extreme bad weather, the State will contract with Villa Hills to provide snow plowing and salt services on the State Routes, but only these services.  If you observe an issue on these roads, the issue typically is resolved faster if you can contact the responsible entity directly.

Other areas of confusion for reporting roadway issues are roads that are split by City lines between Villa Hills and Crescent Sprints.  For these roads, if you are unsure which City you are in, you can report to either and we will determine which City will handle repairs.
Note that all of WESTERN RESERVE ROAD is part of Crescent Springs.

The roads that make up Villa Hills consist of City streets, State Routes, and Kenton County Roads.
Please see the list below before calling to report a roadway issue in Villa Hills to determine the correct agency to report the issue to so that the response for repair can be expedited.

• HIGHWATER ROAD from Riverwatch Drive to Bromley City Limits,
  and AMSTERDAM ROAD from the intersection with Highwater to the intersection with Bromley Crescent Springs Road (Often called “Short Amsterdam”)
  These are County Roads
  Contact: Kenton County Public Works: 859-392-1920.
  Report an issue online form

   

• All of COLLINS ROAD,
  and AMSTERDAM ROAD from Collins Road to  River Road,
  and all of RIVER ROAD (Route 8)
  These are State Routes (SR 371 and SR 8, respectively), and are maintained, cleared, and repaired by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (aka “State Department”)
  Contact: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (District 6):
  Potholes specifically: 1-800-PATCH-IT
  Office Phone: (859) 341-2700  M-F
  Visit Report-a-Hazard 

Issues with the above roads, such as potholes, snow and ice, roadkill, trash,  low wires, standing water, etc., are not handled by the City of Villa Hills.

Other areas of confusion for reporting roadway issues are roads that are split by City lines between Villa Hills and Crescent Springs.  For these roads, if you are unsure which City you are in, you can report to either and we will determine which City will handle repairs.
Note that all of WESTERN RESERVE ROAD is part of Crescent Springs. 

River Road, also known as Kentucky State Route 8 (SR 8), is a state route.

As such any issues with illegal dumping, the clean up of illegal dumping, trash, potholes, road slippage, ice, snow, mudslides, downed trees, etc. need to be reported directly to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Contact: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (District 6):
Potholes, specifically:  1-800-PATCH-IT
Office Phone: (859) 341-2700
Visit Report-a-Hazard 

If the issue you want to report posses a hazard to safe driving, is blocking the roadway, or is actively a danger, call 911 immediately to have a Police Officer respond to assess the situation and close the roadway if necessary.  The Officer and Kenton County Dispatch will notify State to respond so your involvement is complete upon reporting it to 911.

If the issue is not a danger, such as roadkill, please use the methods above to report it to the State Department directly.  

With respect to illegal dumping, if you witnessed the subject performing the action, and can supply a description and direction of travel, call 911 to involve an officer.  If the dumping is not witnessed, but you have observed the litter and it is not a hazard for drivers, please notify state as directed above.

If there is an issue with your street lighting, please be aware that the street lights are controlled and repaired by DUKE ENERGY, not Villa Hills.

You can report issues with street lamps directly to Duke via this website.
While we are happy to assist you in reporting the issue, often we find that the response is faster when the information is given from you, the observer, directly to Duke.

No.

Drainage issues on private property are the responsibility of the home owner and must adhere to specific regulations/ordinances to avoid undue harm to public right of way or other private property nearby. 

If you have questions or concerns regarding drainage repair or would like advice from Public Works, our staff is happy to assist.  You can contact the City Building at (859) 341.1515 to discuss the issue and schedule for Public Works to call you or make a visit to the site for review.    

Our staff does their best to carefully clear the roadways in inclimate weather, however due to the nature of snow emergencies and plowing equipment on residential streets, it is common that minor damages to mailboxes or yards can occur.

You can do your part to help our drivers by removing your vehicles from the public roadway when snow is predicted.  This helps to ensure that your property is less likely to be damaged, and helps create cleared space for parking on the street when snow emergency status is lifted.  Remember, it is illegal to park on the streets when a snow emergency is declared and you are liable to be fined or have your vehicle towed to clear the roadway at that time.

What should you do if your property has been damaged by City snow plows or other City-owned equipment?

• Contact the City immediately to notify Public Works of the damages.
• A representative of the Public Works Department will respond to your property to review the scene and determine if it was caused by the City or if something else (such as a vehicle collision or State Department of Transportation salt truck) caused the damages.
• If it is determined that a City truck was involved, the City will repair the damages – however, the damages will not be repaired until the spring, as winter conditions are not ideal to replant grass or set concrete, for example.
• If a City-owned vehicle is involved in a collision, it is policy that a Police Officer respond to handle a collision report to document the damages and investigate the collision.
  • If you are listed as the property owner on the report, you have a right to a copy of that report for your records and or insurance.
  • A copy of any Police report made can be obtained 7-14 days after the reported date.
  • Reports can be picked up at the City Building, 720 Rogers Road, Villa Hills, KY 41017.
  • You will need to bring your photo ID and the report number, if known.
  • Reports are offered at no charge to individuals listed on the report.

Note that Public Works is not responsible for irrigation or sprinkler heads when they are placed in the City easement / Right of Way portion of property.  These do not get replaced if they are damaged during snow removal.  

No.

Public Works does not pick up trash or other waste from private residences.  Please see the trash pick up tab for information about City contract for solid waste pickup and the contractor’s rules or guidelines.

Public Works will not collect dead animals or roadkill from private property.  

Annually, after the Christmas Holiday, the City designates a location for residents to drop off their xmas tress for mulching and reuse.  Public Works does not collect the items from your homes or curbs.  It is the responsibility of the resident to transport their tree to the designated location.  

The City provides waste collection once a week by private contract, currently held by Rumpke of Cincinnati, Ohio. To obtain a trash can, contact Rumpke directly.  Rumpke will drop off a trash can to your residence. We have recycling bins on hand at the Villa Hills Public Works garage, located next to the Police Department at 719 Rogers Rd, Villa Hills, KY, for you to pick up on your own.

Click this link for trash pick up schedules.

• Brush must be bundled and cut into section no longer than 4 feet and weigh less than 75 pounds.
• All containers must be so one man can handle them. If there are any large items or brush please call Rumpke at 877-786-7537 for a separate pickup.
• For residents of Prospect Pointe, check with the Prospect Pointe Management for trash and recycling collection information.

What items can I put into the trash?

• Plastic bags
• Styrofoam items including packing materials, containers, and cups
• Wearable items of clothing including shoes
• Non-recyclable food packaging including overly greasy pizza boxes, takeout food containers, multilayer bags, and candy wrappers
• Solid paint
• Broken glass or light bulbs (must be properly contained)

What items should I avoid placing in the trash?

Bulky materials including:

• Drywall
• Concrete
• Bricks
• Rocks
• Drums or barrels
• Motor oil or cooking oil

According to federal law, Rumpke is also not permitted to accept batteries, tires, liquids, combustible materials or any items identified as household hazardous waste.

Keep in mind that yard and household containers are not acceptable trash containers and will be assumed trash if placed at the curb.

What items and materials are recyclable?

• Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (remember to rinse them out first)
• Glass bottles and jars  (remember to rinse them out first)
• Aluminum cans
• Steel cans and lids
• Paperboard (like cereal boxes)
• Cardboard
• Office paper
• Envelopes and junk mail
• Newspapers, magazines and inserts
• Telephone books and catalogs
• Cartons

If you have issues with your trash or recycling pick up, you may contact the City at (859)341.1515, or you may call Rumpke directly at 877-786-7537.

The City of Villa Hills partners with the Villa Hills Longhorns for controlling field rentals and park information. Permits are required for field use, contact the Villa Hills Longhorns to obtain a permit.  Website link below.

Baseball/Softball Opportunities Available
Organized sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and football are offered for children 5 years through high school. Adult teams are also offered in softball. Please contact the leagues directly.

Instructional Baseball sign-up
Reds Kid Glove Game Tickets
Tom Braun Girls Softball Sign-up
Crosstown Baseball/Softball
District 30 Knothole
Northern Ky Baseball

See the linked sites for sign up availability and season information.

Longhorns website

Found items often get turned into the City or Public Works staff and are held at the City Building pending identification of the owner.  High-value items are often turned over to the Police Department to be securely held until the owner can claim it.  We will always post on Facebook about items turned into our office.  You can call our office and the Police Administration office to check if a missing item has been turned over to the City: 

City Admin:  (859) 341.1515
Police Admin: (859) 341.3535

What is a snow emergency?

• Snow emergencies are emergencies that can be declared at the State, County, and City levels and are based on the predicted or actual snow fall / dangerous weather conditions affecting travel and safety.  
• There are three levels of snow emergency:
  • Level I:
    • Conditions: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and/or drifting snow, roadways may be icy.
    • Advisory: Cautious driving is advised
  • Level II:
    • Conditions: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and roadways may be icy.
    • Advisory: Only motorists whose travel is necessary should be on the roadways. Residents are urged to contact their employer to see if they should report to work.
  • Level III:
    • Conditions: All roadways are restricted to emergency personnel, travel for work, provisions, medical supplies or medical treatment, and private snow removal operations.
    • Advisory: Essential travel only is advised. Violators are subject to prosecution. Residents are urged to contact their employer concerning work schedules

Can I park on the roads during a snow emergency?

• No.  
• In accordance with Villa Hills City Ordinance 74.24 and Crescent Springs Ordinance 74.01, it shall be unlawful to park a vehicle on a street for the duration of the emergency. If necessary, the Villa Hills Police Department will issue citations and remove vehicles from roadways once the Snow Emergency goes into effect.

How would I know if a snow emergency has been declared?

• Notice of snow emergency is dispersed to the public in a number of ways:  Via City and Police Facebook accounts, on the City website’s main page, and in serious situations, will be pushed out to your cell phones through an emergency alert system. Often news of the emergency status will be reported on by local news and radio stations as well.  
• The Cities will follow the lead of the County, so if you heard that there is a snow emergency called for Kenton County, there is going to be one in effect for the City.  
• It is important for your safety that you stay aware of weather conditions in the area and have plans in place for your workplace as well as your family for handling unsafe weather.  Check out the Kenton County Emergency Management page for advice on how to stay safe during winter storms and other disasters.    

What is a snow emergency for?

• The purpose of declaring snow emergencies is to limit unnecessary travel on the roads for the safety of the community, road crews, and first responders.  This limits the risk of damages to private property and makes it easier for road crews to clear the roads. 
• By opting to wait until the emergency has been lifted, you are making the roads safer for first responders and you are protecting yourself, your family, and your property.  Less traffic on the roadways also makes it easier for road crews to clear the roadways so that normal travel can resume sooner.  
• By parking off the streets, you protect your property as well as allow the roadway to become fully cleared to allow for safe travel and plenty of parking options for you and your neighbors, rather than contending for limited cleared parking spaces among snow mounds.  This also prevents your vehicle from being buried in snow by the plows, creating more work for you to unbury it.  

What do I do if I see an animal running loose in the City?

• If you see a loose dog or other animal, contact the owner if you know who they are.
• If you do not know who owns the animal, contact the Kenton County Dispatch Center at 859-356-3191 and they will contact Animal Control.
• Keep children inside. Wait for Animal Control to catch the animal before going outside.
• Do not pick up or touch injured animals. A bite from an animal may necessitate medical treatment for the injury and shots for rabies. This is especially true if the animal runs away before it can be caught and tested.
• If you know the animal and it is familiar with you, try to contain it to a fenced yard. Avoid pulling on it. If you scare or injure it, it may bite you.

What do I do if a neighbor’s dog is barking non-stop?

• Under the noise section of the ordinances, the City has defined, “The keeping of any animal or bird that causes frequent or long continued noise in excess of fifteen (15) minutes that disturbs the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity is prohibited.”
  With respect to enforcement, this is a highly subjective issue.  Dogs will bark for any number of reasons, and once addressed, tend to stop.  Many times when an Officer arrives in the area, the barking has already been resolved or they do not observe a continuous issue to address.

What are the laws about pets / animals in Villa Hills? 

• The City has a Leash Law, this requires the licensing of all dogs and cats in the city.
• Pet Licenses can be obtained at the Kenton County Animal Shelter. The cost is $5.00. The registration and license period shall be between January 1st and December 31st of each year.
• It is unlawful to keep any one residence, within the city limits, more than five dogs or cats or any combination thereof. The exception is that the owner or person’s), who has custody of a dog or cat, may obtain the puppies or kittens, for a period of twelve weeks after the birth of the animals.
• If you feel animals are being kept outdoors in inclement weather or in unsafe conditions, contact the Kenton County Animal Control either through the non-emergency dispatch number: 859.356.3191; Or through email: [email protected]

For more information:  Animal Control website