City Council

Florence City Council Special Meeting Tuesday, January 30, 2024 5:00 p.m. MINUTES The City Council of the City of Florence, Kentucky, met in special session on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, Florence, Kentucky, with Mayor Julie M. Aubuchon presiding as chair. CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME: Mayor Julie M. Aubuchon called the special meeting to order and declared the meeting open for the presentation of items on the special meeting agenda. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Aubuchon and Members of City Council recited the invocation. All attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: The roll was called, and the following four (4) members of council were registered present: Lesley Chambers, David A. Osborne, Patricia Wingo, and Gary Winn. Councilmembers Mel Carroll and Jenna Kemper were absent. Staff members present were: City Attorney, Thomas R. Nienaber; CFO/HR, Linda Chapman; Fire/EMS Chief, Rodney Wren; Police Chief, Tom Grau; Public Services Director, Eric Hall; Director of Administration/City Administrator, Joshua J. Hunt; City Clerk, Melissa Kramer; Videographer, Joel Clines; and Police Lieutenant, Roger Allen. The following were also present in the audience: Resident of Florence, Angie Cable; Resident of Florence, Stacey Arnett; Resident of Florence, Thomas Judd; Resident of Florence, Ed Arnold; Crosland Southeast Representative, Christopher Taft; Representatives of Farmview Commons LLC; WCPO Reporter; Local 12 News Reporter; WLWT Reporter; and Northern Kentucky Tribune Reporter, Trisha Scheyer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2024, business meeting. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve the minutes with a second from Councilmember Winn. All councilmembers present voted aye. Florence City Council (Special Meeting) Minutes: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-1-2024: Mayor Aubuchon read Ordinance O-1-2024. An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. O-30-94 and Adopting an Investment Policy to Govern Investment of Funds by the City of Florence, Kentucky. As required by KRS 66.480, this Ordinance adopts an official policy to govern investment of funds of the City of Florence. The policy designates the Designated Officials of the City authorized to oversee investments; lists permitted types of investments; establishes procedures for monitoring investments; establishes standards for diversification of investments; and requires periodic reporting of the status of invested funds. Ordinance O-1-2024 includes the changes to KRS 66.480 which outlines the types of investments which are permitted by municipalities and governmental entities. Ordinance O-1-2024 for the most part, follows the Model Investment Policy recommended by the Kentucky League of Cities. The full text of Ordinance O-1-2024, including its exhibits, is available for examination in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Florence, Kentucky, in the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, Kentucky, during regular office hours. Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance O-1-2024. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Chambers, yes; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Wingo, yes; Councilmember Osborne, yes. Roll call recognized four yes votes approving the first reading of Ordinance O-1-2024 by unanimous vote. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-2-2024: Mayor Aubuchon read Ordinance O-2-2024. An Ordinance Adopting and Approving a change of Concept Development Plan in a Commercial Two/Planned Development (C-2/PD) Zone for an approximate 11.82 acre site located on the northeast corner of the US 42/Farmview Drive Intersection and the southeast corner of the Old US 42/Farmview Drive Intersection, Florence and Union, Kentucky, to allow an approximate 56,000 square foot grocery store with an attached liquor store and drive-through pharmacy, along with two out lots for retail, service, and/or eating and drinking establishment uses. (Farmview Commons LLC) The effect of this Ordinance is to allow an approximate 56,000 square foot grocery store with an attached liquor store and drive-through pharmacy, along with two out lots for retail, service, and/or eating and drinking establishment uses on an approximately 11.82 acre site located on the northeast corner of the US 42/Farmview Drive Intersection and the southeast corner of the old US 42/Farmview Drive Intersection, Florence and Union, Kentucky, in a Commercial Two/Planned Development (C-2/PD) Zone. The full text of Ordinance O-2-2024, including its exhibits, is available for examination in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Florence, Kentucky, in the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, Kentucky, during regular office hours. 2|Page Florence City Council (Special Meeting) Minutes: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance O-2-2024. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Mayor Aubuchon called upon Joshua Hunt, Director of Administration/City Administrator, regarding the project. Mr. Hunt advised the project was reviewed at the last meeting and earlier today he spoke with Councilmember Chambers regarding traffic concerns she received. He addressed the concerns, provided a brief overview, and opened the floor for questions. No further discussion was necessitated and based on the motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance O-2-2024 by Councilmember Wingo and seconded by Councilmember Winn, Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Chambers, no; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Wingo, yes; Councilmember Osborne, yes. Roll call recognized three yes votes and one no vote approving the first reading of Ordinance O-2-2024 by 3-1 majority. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-1-2024: Mayor Aubuchon read Municipal Order MO-1-2024. A Municipal Order Approving and Authorizing Dr. Julie Metzger Aubuchon, as Mayor, to execute for and on behalf of the City of Florence, Kentucky a second amendment to Interlocal Cooperative Agreement and third amendment to Water Service Agreement for the purpose of extending those agreements to February 28, 2049, for the purpose of assuring water supply to generate sufficient revenue to cover debt service cost relating to financing for capital projects for the Boone-Florence Water Commission. Mayor Aubuchon called upon Eric Hall, Public Services Director, regarding the amendments to the agreements. Mr. Hall advised the city purchases water from Greater Cincinnati Water Works. There are planned capital projects of Boone Florence Water Commission and to ensure the projects can occur, it is necessary for the agreements to be amended and extended. Mr. Hall advised the projects will improve the efficiency of the water system and assure compliance with storage requirements. Councilmember Winn inquired as to the duration of the agreement with Cincinnati. Mr. Hall advised since 1999. No further questions or discussion was necessitated. Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve Municipal Order MO-1-2024. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve Municipal Order MO-1-2024 with a second from Councilmember Winn. Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Chambers, yes; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Wingo, yes; Councilmember Osborne, yes. Roll call recognized four yes votes approving Municipal Order MO-1-2024 by unanimous vote. MAYORS REPORT: • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone the City of Florence Parks Master Plan Survey is online on the website until February 9. In addition to the survey, Florence residents are 3|Page Florence City Council (Special Meeting) Minutes: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 invited to attend the public meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday, January 31 from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Florence Nature Park Event Center, 7200 Nature Park Drive in Florence. • Mayor Aubuchon announced, in conjunction with the Hoxworth Blood Center, the city is hosting a blood drive on February 8. The donor bus would be in the south parking lot of the Florence Government Center for appointments from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Register online through Hoxworth on the city website or contact Hoxworth at 513-451-0910. All donors will receive an FC Cincinnati Scarf. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the city would have a President’s Day display February 19- 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., in the lobby of the Florence Government Center. For more information, please contact Community Services Coordinator, Victoria Riley, 859- 647-5425. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the city would host a Book & Literacy Festival, February 23- 24. There will be children programing and adult programing on both Friday and Saturday. Friday evening, there will be a “Books & Bottles” event at the Florence Nature Park Event Center. Registration for both days is online on the city website through a QR code and on the Facebook page. The event will have a book fair, speakers, workshops, book swap and community resources. For more information, please contact Community Services Coordinator, Victoria Riley, 859-647-5425. CLOSED SESSION: There was no need for Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Councilmember Wingo so moved, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Councilmembers present voted aye, the time being 5:11 p.m. APPROVED: /s/ Julie M. Aubuchon Julie M. Aubuchon, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Melissa Kramer Melissa Kramer, City Clerk 4|Page