City Council

Florence City Council Business Meeting Tuesday, August 27, 2024 6:00 p.m. MINUTES The City Council of the City of Florence, Kentucky, met in regular session on Tuesday, August 27, 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 six (6) members of council were registered present: Mel Carroll, Lesley Chambers, Jenna Kemper, David A. Osborne, Patricia Wingo, and Gary Winn. Staff members present were: City Attorney, Thomas R. Nienaber; 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: Representatives of BBB Developers and KPD Holdings, LLC; City of Florence Resident, Thomas Judd; NKY Tribune Reporter, Trisha Scheyer; Former Florence Mayor, Diane E. Whalen; Resident of Florence, Shirley Pieper; and Resident of Florence, Angie Cable. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2024, business meeting. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve the minutes with a second from Councilmember Winn. All councilmembers present voted aye. Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 FIRST READING – ORDINANCE O-16-2024: Mayor Aubuchon read Ordinance O-16-2024. An Ordinance annexing certain territory consisting of a parcel of approximately 18.8473 acres located on the east side of Gunpowder Road, adjacent to the city limits. (BBB Developers, LLC/KPD Holdings, LLC Property) The effect of this Ordinance is to annex an approximately 18.8473-acre tract located on the east side of Gunpowder Road and to establish zoning for the parcel as Urban Residential One (UR-1). The full text of Ordinance O-16-2024, 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-16-2024. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Carroll, yes; Councilmember Chambers, yes; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Kemper, yes; Councilmember Osborne, yes; Councilmember Wingo, yes. Roll call recognized six yes votes approving the first reading of Ordinance O-16-2024 by unanimous vote. MAYOR’S REPORT: • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that the Florence Aquatic Center is open for the last weekend this weekend through Monday, Labor Day, from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that the Virtual Open House for the Parks Master Plan closes on August 31. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone the city’s Arbor Day Celebration would be held on Saturday, September 21 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Stringtown Park. • Mayor Aubuchon announced Neighborhood Night Out would be held on Tuesday, September 24 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Kentaboo Park. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone 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: None desired recognition. Department Heads: Fire/EMS Chief, Rodney Wren: Chief Wren did not desire recognition. 2|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Public Services Director, Eric Hall: Mr. Hall provided an update regarding the recent issue involving a resident’s complaints regarding bushes obstructing her driveway. He stated that after issuing a courtesy notice and three citations with no response, the bushes were removed and the resident is pleased with the outcome. Additionally, he wanted to clarify that no customer/residents’ names were visible on the app and they have taken steps to ensure that comments are now only visible to the person who filed the complaints. Mayor Aubuchon clarified that the resident wanted an amendment of the code but there was not a need. Mr. Hall reaffirmed that after they were able to remove the bushes in the right of way and the resident was happy. Councilmember Chambers inquired regarding the code that was violated to remove the bushes. Mr. Hall stated the city has the authority to act on obstructions such as bushes or trees within the right-of-way which typically extend 12.5 feet from the curb on each side of the street. In this case, he explained the bushes were obstructing the view and posing a safety issue. Therefore, the city was able to address the issue. 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, Angie Cable, stated she appreciated the process of issuing courtesy notices before enforcing code violations, as safety was crucial. However, she felt that some of the ordinances being passed were infringing on homeowners' rights. While she supports code enforcement for safety, she believes that some regulations overstep boundaries and do not align with the values she expected when she moved to Florence. Mrs. Cable expressed concern with the changes that have occurred since then. She stated she would continue to voice her concerns, as she believes the community's property rights are being misunderstood and misrepresented in the ordinances. Councilmember Winn requested recognition and stated that everyone first met Angie approximately eighteen months ago when she approached city council with a proposal to allow chickens in everyone’s yard, which was not approved. Since then, he stated that she has attended council meetings, recording the meetings and highlighting perceived wrongdoings editing the recordings portraying the city and its departments negatively; has made numerous open record 3|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 requests, consuming significant time and resources from various departments; and accused city council of dishonesty and lack of transparency. Additionally, he stated during the Memorial Day parade, despite rules against campaigning, she displayed a “vote for me” sign on her car. Councilmember Winn addressed the matter of canceling meetings and stated city council meets frequently, more than most cities in the state and explained meetings are canceled during holidays or when there are no pressing issues, but special meetings are called for time-sensitive matters. Councilmember Winn continued stating the councilmembers, referred to as “old fogeys,” strive to run the city without personal agendas, focusing on the best interests of citizens and departments. Despite the negative information being spread, Councilmember Winn praised the dedicated staff and department heads, emphasizing their competence. CLOSED SESSION: There was no need for Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Wingo so moved, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Councilmembers present voted aye, the time being 6:16 p.m. APPROVED: /s/ Julie M. Aubuchon Julie M. Aubuchon, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Melissa Kramer Melissa Kramer, City Clerk 4|Page