City Council

Florence City Council Business Meeting Tuesday, August 13, 2024 6:00 p.m. MINUTES The City Council of the City of Florence, Kentucky, met in regular session on Tuesday, August 13, 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 and declared the regular session open for the presentation of all city business. 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, Jenna Kemper, Pat Wingo, and Gary Winn. Councilmembers Mel Carroll and David A. Osborne 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 Greg Rehkamp; Police Lieutenant Jason Reed; Police Corporal Zac Eagler; Police Sergeant Thaddeus Ecklar; Police Sergeant Joshua Koors; Police Corporal Darry Hutcherson Jr.; Police Corporal Patrick Taylor; Police Corporal Ethan Manley; Police Officer Cole Rankin; Retired Police Data Analyst, Leslie Runge; Family and Friends of Police Sergeant Thaddeus Ecklar; Family and Friends of Police Sergeant Joshua Koors; Family and Friends of Police Corporal Darry Hutcherson Jr.; Family and Friends of Police Corporal Patrick Taylor; Family and Friends of Police Corporal Ethan Manley; Family and Friends of Police Officer Cole Rankin; City of Florence Resident, Thomas Judd; NKY Tribune Reporter, Trisha Scheyer; Former Florence Mayor, Diane E. Whalen; Resident of Boone County, Deborah Flowers; and City of Florence Resident, Lana Brueggen. Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve the minutes of the July 30, 2024, special meeting. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve the minutes with a second from Councilmember Chambers. All councilmembers present voted aye. OATHS OF OFFICE: Chief of Police, Jeff Mallery, introduced the Florence Police Department members including Police Corporal Zac Eagler; Police Sergeant Thaddeus Ecklar; Police Sergeant Joshua Koors; Police Corporal Darry Hutcherson Jr.; Police Corporal Patrick Taylor; Police Corporal Ethan Manley; and Police Officer Cole Rankin. Mayor Aubuchon administered the oaths of office to the newly promoted and new member of the Florence Police Department and congratulated them. SECOND READING – ORDINANCE O-15-2024: Mayor Aubuchon read Ordinance O-15-2024. An Ordinance Adopting and Approving a Concept Development Plan in a Commercial Services/Planned Development/Parkway Corridor Study (C- 3/PD/PO) District for an approximate 7 Acre Site located at 7915 US 42, Florence, Kentucky, to allow a density bonus for a previously approved Hotel, under the PD Regulations, and provide for an out lot for future development. (Drury Florence, LLC) The effect of this Ordinance is to allow a density bonus for a previously approved hotel, under the PD regulations, and provide for an outlot for future development on an approximate 7-acre site in a Commercial Services/Planned Development/Parkway Corridor Study (C-3/PD/PO) District. The full text of Ordinance O-15-2024 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 second reading of Ordinance O-15-2024. Councilmember Winn motioned to approve, with a second from Councilmember Wingo. Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Chambers, yes; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Kemper, yes; Councilmember Wingo, yes. Roll call recognized four yes votes approving the second reading of Ordinance O-15-2024 by unanimous vote. MAYOR’S REPORT: • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that the Florence Aquatic Center is open weekends, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day, from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. • Mayor Aubuchon informed everyone that the Virtual Open House for the Parks Master Plan is now open. The link is on our website and social media. 2|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Mayor Aubuchon called upon Public Services Director Eric Hall to provide additional information on the Parks Master Plan. Mr. Hall stated the first round of the Parks Master Plan occurred a few months ago with surveys that were completed by approximately a thousand residents. From the survey, the consultants created the Master Plan that is currently on the website. Citizens are able to view the Master Plan, make comments, and provide new ideas until August 31. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the city’s Arbor Day Celebration would be held on Saturday, September 21 beginning at 10:00 a.m. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the Florence Police Department would hold their Police Citizen’s Academy beginning October 9 through December 4. RECOGNITION: Mayor Aubuchon asked if any of the following desired recognition: Members of City Council: Councilmember Chambers recognized Mariah Dunning for her participation in the Paris Olympics and expressed appreciation for her visit to one of the Hammerhead swim meets where she served as an inspiration to the entire team. Councilmember Chambers also thanked the councilmembers who voted to keep the pool open. Councilmember Kemper mentioned working with Ms. Dunning’s family during her time in Paris and noted that the Hammerheads and the city received positive coverage from Channel 5 News. She also presented the city with a torch given this summer in honor of the Olympics. 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 Boone County, Deborah Flowers, stated she attended Jamison Beck’s funeral and mentioned that his family is very interested in having lighting installed on Weaver Road. A 3|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 member of Jamison’s family submitted a letter to City Council formally requesting additional lighting on Weaver Road. Mayor Aubuchon clarified that the accident occurred outside city limits and that the Kentucky Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining that road. She offered to send a letter requesting additional lighting for that stretch of road. Public Services Director Eric Hall advised Ms. Flowers to contact the Kentucky Department of Transportation Division 6 regarding the state roadway issue and mentioned that they could provide a letter to support. Resident of Florence, Lana Brueggen, expressed frustration at the July 23 council meeting requesting a zone change over bushes obstructing her driveway view and felt her concerns were not addressed. She was directed to the city’s app and discovered her complaints were publicly posted, including her and her neighbors’ identities, which she believed should remain confidential. She emphasized that code enforcement and HOAs are crucial for maintaining nice communities and requested the information be removed. Public Services Director Eric Hall stated he completely agrees that the information of persons making complaints should be kept confidential and should not have been published on the app. Mr. Hall stated he would investigate that as soon as possible and apologized. Ms. Brueggen believes the zoning regulations should limit bushes to a height of three feet, as the taller bushes obstruct her view. She clarified that the bush in the right-of-way was not the problem, but rather the other bushes are too high. Mr. Hall stated the issue with the neighbor has been addressed according to the code. Ms. Brueggen requested the zoning code be changed to limit bushes to a height of three feet. Councilmember Chambers thanked Ms. Brueggen for raising this issue and suggested city council review the zoning codes to determine if any changes could be made. Mayor Aubuchon agreed that code enforcement is essential for maintaining the high standards in the city, despite some community members advocating for fewer regulations under the guise of property rights. She expressed her appreciation with Ms. Brueggen for coming and stated that they would investigate the issue further and work with code enforcement to create regulations that apply equally to all properties. CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(b) acquisition/sale of real property- where publicity would likely to affect the value of property and to be acquired for public use or to be sold by the city; pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c) litigation – proposed or pending against or on behalf of the city; and pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(f) appointment, discipline, or dismissal of personnel. 4|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Councilmember Wingo so moved with a second from Councilmember Winn. All councilmembers present voted aye, the time being 6:34 p.m. Mayor Aubuchon advised they would return to the room to adjourn and did not anticipate any further business taking place following Closed Session. Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to come back into session after the Closed Session. Councilmember Winn so moved, with a second from Councilmember Wingo. All councilmembers present voted aye, the time being 7:05 p.m. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-9-2024: Mayor Aubuchon read Municipal Order MO-9-2024. 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 Settlement Agreement and Release with the Church of Scientology of Ohio, Inc. Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve Municipal Order MO-9-2024. Councilmember Wingo to approve Municipal Order MO-9-2024 with a second from Councilmember Winn. Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Chambers, yes; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Kemper, yes; Councilmember Wingo, yes. Roll call recognized four yes votes approving Municipal Order MO-9-2024 by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Winn so moved, with a second from Councilmember Kemper. Councilmembers present voted aye, the time being 7:08 p.m. APPROVED: /s/ Julie M. Aubuchon Julie M. Aubuchon, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Melissa Kramer Melissa Kramer, City Clerk 5|Page