Union City Commission January 5
Regular Meeting
Welcome/Pledge of Allegiance. Meeting called to order at 6 p.m.
Present: Mayor Larry Solomon, commissioners John Mefford, Doug Bine and George Eldridge, City Administrator Amy Safran, Public Works Director Paul Kremer, City Attorney Greg Voss and City Clerk Tammy Wilhoite. Absent: Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn.
Minutes were approved for the November 24, 2025, Regular Meeting; December 1, 2025, Regular Meeting; and the December 15,2025 Caucus meeting.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Due to the absence of Kimberly Tuyn, the presentation by the developer seeking to build a storage facility on the northwest corner of Whispering Trails and US 42 was cancelled and initially rescheduled for the January 21 Caucus Meeting. A resident came forward to voice his concern that residents are not allowed to speak at caucus meetings and that he resented the presentation being moved because one commissioner is absent; the mayor conceded and said they would reschedule it to the February 2 Public Hearing.
Mayor Solomon requested that visitors wishing to speak come forward first to voice their concerns.
RESIDENTS SPEAKING
Karen F., a resident of Whispering Trails, spoke about the proposed new office building to be built on the southwest corner of US 42. She is worried that signage will cause a problem with safely pulling out onto US 42. She stated existing phone poles and electrical lines make it challenging to see the oncoming traffic and is already a safety concern for the residents. Also, a large culvert drains onto properties near the entrance, and she wondered if this will add more drainage to the problem. A traffic light was discussed and they may petition the state for approval if problems arise. She also added that residents are putting together an email list so they can stay informed of decisions being made for their street. They are hoping the city will not grant the zoning change needed for the storage facility to be built on the opposite corner.
Mr. Schrand, a lifelong resident, voiced his disagreement that the presentation was moved and that residents cannot participate in the discussion about the storage facility. As earlier stated, the meeting was rescheduled to February 2.
Several other residents came to speak but did not because the storage facility presentation was cancelled.
FINANCIAL REPORT (John Mefford)
Monthly bills to be paid. $58,870 was earned in interest to bring the total for 2025 to $250,000. Rumpke refunded $15,000 to the city for over charges.
UNION TOWN SQUARE UPDATES (Amy Safran)
Designs were approved for the garden wall and the lobby flooring for the 8,600 square foot building.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT (Doug Bine and Paul Kremer)
Preparations are being made to pour the foundation for the Town Square in the weeks ahead. Also plans are being made to spruce up the landscaping this spring in the roundabout on Mount Zion.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORT (Amy Safran)
By Golly’s Restaurant is now open. The City Employee Handbook is almost finished, adding uniform allowances.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT (George Eldridge)
Union Town Plan is still being reviewed.
BOONE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATE (Steve Harper)
Six projects have been approved by the Commission in recent months including a new hotel on Turfway Road and an expansion of the UDF on the corner of Mount Zion and US 25. A new Jaggers restaurant also has been approved. Two projects are being considered: a new car wash that would replace the Frisch’s on KY 18 in Burlington and a jewelry store moving from its current location.
A Quik Trip Convenience Store, a national chain that provides groceries and gas, is being considered to replace the Frisch’s restaurant on Turfway Road in Florence. The Ballyshannon project with 882 units on 78 acres is deferred at this time as well as a development on Weaver Road that includes 32 smaller, more affordable homes on 4.2 acres.
LEGISLATION/ATTORNEY’S REPORT (Greg Voss)
Ordinance No. 2025-18 approved for a zoning map amendment for Erpenbeck Consulting Engineers, Inc., to consolidate five plots of physically connected land under one zoning class.
Ordinance No. 2026-01 Approved text amendments to the Boone County Zoning Regulations distinguishing between Commercial Parking, Commercial Parking Freight, Freight Container, Semitrailer, Trailer, Truck and Truck Tractor and specifying which places each is allowed to park. It was passed by Boone County Fiscal Court, which in turn asked Union, Florence and Walton to pass as well. Union Commission approved but also noted none of those parking areas exist so far in the City of Union.
The meeting was adjourned and the Commission went to Executive Session. The gallery was dismissed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
KRS 61.810 (1) (b) Deliberations on the future acquisition or sale of real property by a public agency, but only when publicity would be likely to affect the value of a specific piece of property to be acquired for public use or sold by a public agency.
Next Caucus Meeting January 21, 2026. Next Regular Commission Meeting February 2, 2026.
Reporter’s note: with the involvement of Union city residents and residents of unincorporated Union as well, the Commission clearly showed they are willing to listen and value the concerns of the people. Decisions were made in our best interest. The more involved, the louder the voice. Stay connected so you know what is going on, what new things are planned and know who your commissioners are. We can make a difference. Our beautiful community is worth our attention!