Florence City Council April 14
Business Meeting Presiding Officer: Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon; council members present: Angie Cable, Lesley Chambers, David Schneider, Dianne Whalen, Patricia Wingo, and Gary Winn.
Numbers match the published agenda. The presiding officer chose not to follow the order of the published agenda. The order presented matches the agenda items in the order they occurred. Note the meeting resumed after a short, closed session, when some attendees had left.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 17, 2026, Special Meeting. Minutes approved as presented with no corrections noted, unanimous 6-0.
6. ORDINANCE O-6-2026: Zoning Text Amendments (Manufactured/Mobile Homes)
- First reading of ordinance adopting Boone County text changes defining Manufactured Home, Qualified Manufactured Home, and Mobile Home and listing permitted districts.
- Complies with KY HB 160, treating qualified manufactured homes as single-family dwellings.
- Councilwoman Whalen moved to approve first reading and specifically noted the Planning Commission had thoroughly reviewed the amendments. Seconded by Councilman Winn.
- No opposition voiced. Approved unanimously on roll call 6-0.
7. RESOLUTION R-26-003-A: Quik Trip Concept Plan Change (6808 Burlington Pike)
- Resolution for concept plan change on the commercial site.
- Motion to approve made and seconded.
- Heavy discussion centered on traffic impacts/safety concerns
- Incomplete KYTC traffic study
- Potential strain on busy Remi Center/Burlington Pike area
- Fails to comply with Boone County 2040 and 2045 Comprehensive Plans.
- Director of Community Development Todd Morgan and Councilwoman Wingo highlighted these issues.
- Denied 6-0 on roll call.
8. RESOLUTION R-26-006-A: Village at the Mall / Dutch Bros Drive-Thru Concept
- Resolution for drive-thru concept plan.
- Item deferred for further review after brief discussion. No vote taken.
9. URBAN FOREST COMMISSION: Appointment of Susan Daniel (Mayor’s Academy graduate) discussed. No final action taken.
10. CLOSED SESSION
- Motion to enter closed session for pending litigation (KRS 61.810(1)(c)) made by Councilwoman Wingo; seconded by Councilman Schneider.
- Approved unanimously. Council entered closed session.
11. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-1-2026: Legal Services Approval
- Approval of legal services contract.
- Motion carried 6-0 after brief staff explanation.
12. MAYOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Aubuchon provided updates on Aquatic Center operations, current Public Works projects, upcoming citywide cleanup days, and several community events. She emphasized the importance of resident participation in the cleanup efforts.
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS / OTHER
- Councilwoman Whalen strongly pushed to repeal the pending mayor’s salary increase (O-5-2024), calling it unnecessary given the part-time nature of the position. Discussion followed, but no action was taken.
- The Mayor of Florence’s pay rate is currently set at $51,710.00 and will be raised to $86,937.00. This is effectively a 68% pay raise for the office of the mayor.
- While there was no official vote on the pay reduction, Council members Gary Winn,
- David Schneider, and Patricia Wingo stated they would vote no to any motion to decrease the mayor’s pay. With a likely 3-3 tie, any attempt at reducing the mayor’s salary would not pass
- On the video, this Ordinance Repeal discussion starts at 1:10:48 and ends at 1:40:00. Council Members Wingo, Winn, and Schneider emphatically stated they are not interested in voting for any change to the Ordinance at 1:24:56.
Additional comments from several council members on scooters in the city and ongoing traffic issues across Florence.
NOTE: The original vote as a First Reading on Ordinance O-5-2024 took place March 5, 2024. At that time, councilmembers Carroll, Wingo, and Winn voted for an ordinance raising the mayor’s pay by 68% and the city council’s pay by 17%. ($17,563 to $20,605 yearly, effective January 1, 2027.) Councilmembers Chambers and Kemper voted against the Ordinance.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayoral candidate David Rose and council candidates James Leach, Shari Kilmer, and Jeff Whitaker were present in the audience.