Florence City Council January 13

Council members present: Patricia Wingo, Lesley Chambers, David M. Schneider, Angie Cable, and Vice Mayor Diane Whalen. Absent: Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon and Councilman Gary Winn.

Watch on the Florence YouTube channel

Numbers correspond to the published agenda

#5 PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECOGNITION – ROADS SCHOLAR PROGRAM

• Recognition of three Public Services Department employees—Jeremiah Rice, Tyler Orling, and Landon Rouse—for completing the Advanced Road Master program, involving 16 courses and 95 hours of training through the Kentucky Road Scholar and Road Master program offered by the University of Kentucky Transportation Center. 
• This builds on the Road Scholar program, which includes 53 hours of mandatory and optional courses focused on maintenance, management, and leadership. 
• 20 staff members have completed the Road Scholar program, and 18 have completed the Road Master program. 
• Certificates were presented amid applause by the council and audience.

#6 FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-1-2026

• An Ordinance adopting and approving a Change of Concept Development Plan in a Commercial Two/Planned Development/Houston-Donaldson Overlay (C-2/PD/HDO) District for an approximately 1.1-acre site located at 7454 Turfway Road, Florence, Kentucky, to allow an approximately 675 square foot mural on one of the building façades and an approximately 603 square foot mural on another building façade (Spark by Hilton). 
• Conditions included: correction of mural dimensions (smaller than initially proposed) and change of roof shingles from red to gray (already completed). 
• The building is undergoing remodeling from Comfort Suites to Spark by Hilton. 
• Motion to approve was made by Patricia Wingo and seconded by Lesley Chambers. 
• Roll call vote: Patricia Wingo – yes; Lesley Chambers – yes; Diane Whalen – yes; David M. Schneider – yes; Angie Cable – yes. 
• Motion passed 5-0.

#7 MAYOR’S REPORT

• Christmas tree drop-off program at Stringtown Park continues through Thursday, January 15, 5 p.m.; trees must have ornaments removed; Christmas lights recycling available at Boone County libraries and Public Works. 
• Valentines for the Troops program: collecting handwritten Valentine cards until January 16 at the Government Center. Call 859-647-8177 for details.
• Government Center closed on Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 
• Applications now open for the inaugural Mayor’s Academy, a six-week program starting February 12. Call 859-647-8177 to apply.
• Books and Bottles Literacy Festival scheduled for February 27, 6-8:30 p.m., and February 28, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Florence Nature Park Event Center. $10 registration. Call Tina Benjamin at 859-647-5425 for more information.

#8 – OTHER

Department Head Updates

Eric Hall provided an update on traffic concerns in the Orleans Boulevard/Long Branch Road area, including a meeting with Bill Viox and team to study corridors considering future growth. 

• Short-term fix for the Long Branch intersection under design in collaboration with Judge Moore, expected to start this construction season. 
• Long-term plan to connect Long Branch to US 42, with details by end of February. 
• Exploring funding through Federal, State, and RTI partnerships. 

Council Comments

Patricia Wingo noted additional Christmas lights recycling at the conservation district (red bin off 18th Street) until February 1. Mentioned Public Services picked up 3,500 signs last year and urged residents to seek permission for signs in public right-of-way to reduce workload. 

Angie Cable inquired about Transportation Improvement District (TID) board status. Mr. Hall reported hiring of TID project manager Amy Stewart, draft bylaws in progress, board establishment ongoing, attending KBT conference, and continued planning. Question on budget audit timeline: expected by end of January. Suggestion to introduce Ms. Stewart at a future meeting. Update on adaptive traffic signals: $4.2 million project approved years ago; plans complete, awaiting state authorization to release funds and bid. 

Public Comments

Joe Clinton Berkshire: Praised Public Services for brush cutting on city property; encouraged addressing the homeless situation at the library (meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.) and attending the library board meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day; mentioned efforts to clean up the library parking lot (lights, benches). 

Jim Leach: Reviewed analysis of code enforcement letters issued (1,717 total: 489 for grass cutting, 333 for unlicensed vehicles, 323 for occupational licenses), noting that few parking tickets (58) compared to yard notices suggests limiting parking in one’s own yard is enforced more than parking illegally on the street. Criticized code enforcement frequency (claimed once every two months but provided evidence of more frequent inspections, e.g., multiple in November). Provided examples of notices, including at Councilwoman Cable’s residence and five notices in four consecutive weeks on Councilwoman Angie Cable’s street, and offered documentation to Councilwoman Lesley Chambers for review. Mr. Leach highlighted mistrust in government due to enforcement inconsistencies. Discussed challenges accessing ordinances (missing pages, vault storage) but obtained some via city assistance.

#9 CLOSED SESSION

No closed session was held; the meeting proceeded directly to adjournment.

Besides council incumbents, council candidates Joe Berkshire and Jim Leach and mayoral candidate David Rose were present.