City Council

Florence City Council Business Meeting Notes Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:00 p.m. The City Council of the City of Florence, Kentucky, met in regular session on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6:00 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 regular meeting to order, but unfortunately, due to a lack of a quorum, no official action could be taken at the regularly scheduled business meeting. 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 three (3) members of council were registered present: Mel Carroll, Lesley Chambers, and Pat Wingo. Councilmembers Jenna Kemper, David A. Osborne and Gary Winn were absent. Staff members present were: City Attorney, Thomas R. Nienaber; CFO/HR, Linda Chapman; Fire/EMS Chief, Rodney Wren; Chief of Police, Jeff Mallery; Public Services Director, Eric Hall; Director of Administration/City Administrator, Joshua J. Hunt; City Engineer, Bill Viox; City Clerk, Melissa Kramer; Videographer, Perry Weber; and Police Lieutenant, Roger Allen. The following were also present in the audience: Police Captain Nathan Rettig; Police Captain Greg Rehkamp; Police Captain Eric Bowles; Police Lieutenant Mike Geis; Family and Friends of Police Captain Nathan Rettig; Family and Friends of Police Lieutenant Mike Geis; Police Sergeant Sam Riley; Police Administrative Clerk, Jackie Hart; Police Administrative Clerk, Sarah Hayden; Police Data Analyst, Leslie Runge; Members of the Florence Police Department; City of Florence Resident, Lana Brueggen; City of Florence Resident, Thomas Judd; NKY Tribune Reporter, Trisha Scheyer; and City of Florence Resident, Naomi Liebson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Due to lack of quorum, no action was taken. Florence City Council Notes: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 OATHS OF OFFICE: Chief of Police, Jeff Mallery, introduced the Florence Police Department members including Captain Nathan Rettig and Lieutenant Mike Geis. Mayor Aubuchon administered the oaths of office to the newly promoted members of the Florence Police Department and congratulated them. SECOND READING – ORDINANCE O-14-2024: Due to lack of quorum, no action was taken. FIRST READING – ORDINANCE O-15-2024: Due to lack of quorum, no action was taken. DISCUSSION - RESOLUTION R-5-2024: Mayor Aubuchon called upon Joshua Hunt, Director of Administration/City Administrator, to discuss the Resolution. Mr. Hunt explained that the Resolution adheres to the language stipulated in KRS 218B.130(3)(b) for medical cannabis and will be submitted to the county clerk to be submitted on the ballot to the voters of Florence in the upcoming election. No discussion or questions were necessitated and due to lack of quorum, no action was taken. MAYOR’S REPORT: • Mayor Aubuchon announced the City of Florence would host National Night Out on Thursday, August 1 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the 37th Annual Boone County Senior Picnic was scheduled for September 11. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the End of Summer Concert and Car Show would be held Saturday, August 3 at the Florence Government Center. The car show will be held from 12:00-5:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will feature the Naked Karate Girls. RECOGNITION: Mayor Aubuchon asked if any of the following desired recognition: Members of City Council: Councilmember Chambers acknowledged the tragic passing of the little boy on Weaver Road and reminded everyone to keep his family in their hearts. She expressed how the incident 2|Page Florence City Council Notes: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 highlighted how vulnerable children, especially those with autism, can be, and it served as a reminder of the importance of community support and vigilance in keeping our children safe. Mayor Aubuchon agreed and encouraged everyone to keep them in their prayers and thoughts. Department Heads: Fire/EMS Chief, Rodney Wren: Chief Wren did not desire recognition. Public Services Director, Eric Hall: Mr. Hall did not desire recognition. Chief of Police, Jeff Mallery: Chief Mallery did not desire recognition. Director of Administration/City Administrator, Joshua J. Hunt: Mr. Hunt did not desire recognition. Members of the Audience: Resident of Florence, Naomi Liebson, expressed her support for a community center in Florence. She grew up at a community center in Cincinnati that provided her with opportunities and benefits that she believes the youth, seniors and citizens are missing out on, such as youth organizations, athletics, games, and summer camps. She explained that establishing a community center is a long-term project and the first step would be to find accessible locations for all community members. She clarified that the community center would not have anything to do with opioid addiction. She contacted the Mayerson Jewish Community Center in Cincinnati and stated that they have offered to meet with city council and city representatives to provide guidance and support. She invited everyone to join her for this informative meeting. Mayor Aubuchon thanked Naomi for her comments and stated that one of her first actions as Mayor was to meet with community organizations, including the Boone County Extension Office, which is working on making their newly purchased building operational for programs that she described. Additionally, the city will have the Florence library which plans to expand to provide similar services until a new facility can be constructed. Councilmember Wingo mentioned that the Florence Senior Center, built with grant funding, is highly attended by seniors in our area. Resident of Florence, Lana Brueggen, expressed the issue with overgrown bushes in a neighboring yard. She expressed her frustration and requested assistance to address the issue and additional patrols by code enforcement in her neighborhood. She provided photos to Public Services Director, Eric Hall, of the overgrown bushes. 3|Page Florence City Council Notes: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Public Services Director, Eric Hall, encouraged her to meet with him after the meeting to discuss the matter. CLOSED SESSION: There was no need for Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Melissa Kramer Melissa Kramer, City Clerk 4|Page