City Council

Florence City Council Business Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 6:00 p.m. MINUTES The City Council of the City of Florence, Kentucky, met in regular session on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 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: Angie Cable, Lesley Chambers, David M. Schneider, Diane E. Whalen (Vice Mayor), 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 Corporal, Ben Kolkmeier. The following were also present in the audience: Director of Community Development, Todd Morgan; Resident of Florence, Thomas Judd; Resident of Florence, James Leach; Resident of Florence, Naomi Liebson; Resident of Florence, Shirley Pieper; Resident of Florence, Nancy Corman; Resident of Florence, Brad Cable; NKY Tribune Reporter, Trisha Scheyer; and Representative of Dualite, Jonathan Brouwer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Aubuchon called for a motion to approve the minutes of the March 25, 2025, business meeting. Councilmember Whalen motioned to approve the minutes with a second from Councilmember Schneider. All councilmembers present voted aye. Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 SECOND READING ORDINANCE O-8-2025: Mayor Aubuchon read Ordinance O-8-2025. An Ordinance Adopting and Approving a Change of Concept Development Plan in a Commercial Two/ Planned Development (C-2/PD) District for an approximate 0.97 acre area located at 8534 US 42, Florence, Kentucky, to allow for alternative signage. (Mike’s Carwash) The effect of this Ordinance is to allow a change of concept development plan in a Commercial Two/Planned Development (C-2/PD) district for an approximate 0.97 acre area located at 8534 US 42, Florence, Kentucky, to allow for changes in signage currently located on the site. The full text of Ordinance O-8-2025 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-8-2025. Councilmember Wingo motioned to approve, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Mayor Aubuchon requested a Roll Call Vote. Councilmember Wingo, yes; Councilmember Chambers, yes; Councilmember Winn, yes; Councilmember Whalen, yes; Councilmember Schneider, yes; Councilmember Cable, yes. Roll call recognized six yes votes approving the second reading of Ordinance O-8-2025 by unanimous vote. MAYOR’S REPORT: • Mayor Aubuchon shared that the Coffee with the Mayor event on March 28 had a great turnout. She noted that she and the department heads had valuable conversations with residents covering a wide range of topics. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that applications were open for the second annual Florence Public Works Academy. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that Florence Aquatic Center memberships were on sale for a special pre-season discount. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that the Florence Police Department would host the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12 at Thomas More Stadium. • Mayor Aubuchon announced that the City of Florence would host the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 26. • Mayor Aubuchon announced the basketball courts at both Stringtown and Lincoln Woods are scheduled to be resurfaced beginning April 14. • Mayor Aubuchon announced Spring Clean Up week was scheduled for April 21-27 at the Public Services Facility on Tanners Lane. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone that the Community Photo Contest would run from May 1- May 15. • Mayor Aubuchon reminded everyone there would be a public hearing on Solar Energy on April 15 at 6:45 p.m. in Council Chambers. 2|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 RECOGNITION: Mayor Aubuchon asked if any of the following desired recognition: Members of City Council: Councilmember Cable commended Chief of Police Jeff Mallery for addressing the concerns she previously raised. Following their conversation, she expressed confidence in his leadership and praised the strong direction he is providing the police department. Councilmember Chambers expressed concern that Florence Aquatic Center memberships were only available for in-person purchase during the final week of April. She emphasized the importance of maximizing access to memberships, especially as the city aims to generate revenue to offset taxpayer funding. Councilmember Chambers recommended extending the membership sales period from as early as Christmas through two months before the pool opens and offering both online and in-person purchasing options. Mayor Aubuchon thanked Councilmember Chambers for her enthusiasm and noted that many residents share the excitement about the Aquatic Center. She highlighted improvements to this year’s sales process, including the addition of an in-person purchasing option not available last year when sales were exclusively online. Mayor Aubuchon added that enhancements were made to make the online system more user friendly. Mayor Aubuchon shared that first week membership sales reached roughly 25% of last year’s total. While Black Friday and Christmas promotions were not offered this past year, the idea has been proposed for future seasons. Mayor Aubuchon thanked Councilmember Chambers for her thoughtful suggestions. Department Heads: 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. Fire/EMS Chief, Rodney Wren: Chief Wren did not desire recognition. 3|Page Florence City Council Minutes: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Members of the Audience: No recognition requested from the audience. 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 Whalen so moved, with a second from Councilmember Winn. Councilmembers present voted aye, the time being 6:09 p.m. APPROVED: /s/ Julie M. Aubuchon Julie M. Aubuchon, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Melissa Kramer Melissa Kramer, City Clerk 4|Page