Florence City Council June 9

3. ROLL CALL – Council Members Patricia Wingo, Gary Winn, Lesley Chambers, Dianne Whalen, and Angie Cable were present. Councilman David Schneider was not present. Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon chaired the business meeting.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes of May 12, 2026, Business Meeting. Approved 5-0

5. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-5-2026 – Reappointment of Jim Johnson to Code Enforcement Board (3 years).  Praised as a dedicated, long-serving member since the beginning. Approved 5-0.

6. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-6-2026 – Reappointment of Bill Sharp to Code Enforcement Board (3 years). Praised as a dedicated, long-serving member since the beginning. Approved 5-0.

7. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-7-2026 – Appointment of Amy Stewart (Representative) and Joseph Newton (Alternate) to OKI Intermodal Coordinating Committee. Approved 5-0. 

8. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-8-2026 – Reappointment of Linda Schaffer to Board of Adjustment and Zoning Appeals (4 years). Approved 5-0. 

9. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-12-2026 – Change of Concept for Bluegrass Backyard Recreations LLC (2.53 acres, 7544 Burlington Pike) for outdoor furniture/sheds/playsets display/sale. Items are confined behind the fence. Approved 5-0. 

10. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-13-2026 – Change of Concept for Drury (7.5 acres, 7911/7915 US 42). Parcel adjustments, intensity bonus increase, two out lots. Approved 5-0. 

11. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-14-2026 – Change of Concept for Planet Fitness (3.9 acres, Cavalry Drive). Two-story, 33K sq. ft. club, 233 parking spaces. Replaces prior plan; lower height, screening. Approved 5-0. 

12. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-15-2026 – Budget Amendment #2 (2025-26 FY). Covers temp staff, sales tax, health claims, etc. Approved 5-0. 

13. MAYOR’S ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY – Presented by Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon

• Introduction: privilege to present annual address after budget address; fourth year as mayor, reflects community progress, service, accountability. Lifelong resident. Honors council.
  • Department heads
    • City Administrator Josh Hunt
    • Finance Director Jason Lewis
    • Fire Department Chief Rodney Ren
    • Police Chief Jeff Mallory
    • Director Eric Hall

• State of the City
  • Strong; moving forward despite challenges; mission for highest quality of life
  • 268 employees
  • Strong finances
  • Economic engine of Northern Kentucky

• Finance
  • Strong position
  • $53.6M revenues
  • $46.7M operating costs (11.7% increase); capital down
  • 6 FT +1 PT staff; completed tax cycles
  • ClearGov software
  • Transparency page
  • Portfolio restructure (higher earnings)
  • Audits, 5-year plan
  • Key revenues stable/strong

• Policy updates (personnel, pay, zoning)
  • HR (top workplace, training); Clerk/PR (records, events);
  • Human Services (sheltering, outreach);
  • Mayor’s Academy; events/parks;
  • Risk management/IT (cyber, efficiency).
  • Economic development: business growth, investments.

• Public Services
  • $8.23M budget
  • Staffing additions
  • Academy contributions
  • Infrastructure (AI CCTV, leaks, LED upgrades, parks master plan)
  • Snow response
  • Beautification
  • Maintains desirable community

• Fire/EMS
  • $16.46M budget
  • 11,147 incidents (~930/month, 83% EMS)
  • 9,200+ medical/rescue
  • Upgrades (cardiac equipment)
  • Awards (Mission Lifeline Silver, stroke/heart)
  • Citizens Academy, education
  • Safe Haven Box
  • Community events
  • Mourns losses
  • Everyday heroes

• Police
  • $14.7M budget
  • 79 sworn officers
  • 56,895 calls
  • 82k+ vehicle responses
  • 12 new officers
  • 8 retirements
  • Promotions
  • Awards (Hero, Valor, Governor’s, etc.)
  • K-9 certs; accreditation; training; community programs
  • Citizen Academy
  • No Shave Nov $5k+)
  • Volunteers (Robert Nelson 23 yrs)
  • Safe community

• Conclusion
  • Steady progress, transparency, accountability
  • Personal milestone (son’s graduation)
  • Best days ahead
  • Thanks to all, “The state of the city of Florence is strong.”

14. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-16-2026 Adopting official budget for 2026-2027 FY. (Details read into record.) Passed 5-0 

15. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-17-2026 Amending Ordinance O-16-2025 re: job descriptions, positions, pay plan. Passed 5-0

16. FIRST READING ORDINANCE O-18-2026 Amending Ordinance O-17-2025 re: Personnel Policy Manual. Passed 5-0

17. MAYOR’S REPORT

• June 19: city offices closed for Juneteenth
• July 3 starting at 5 p.m.
  • Independence Day event at Thomas More Stadium (Florence Y’alls)
  • Rusty Griswold Band
  • Community band
  • Fireworks at 10 p.m. (rain date July 4)
• 9 July at 2-3 p.m. Cookies & Conversations with Mayor

18. OTHER

• Councilwoman Whalen: Steve Popovich, a drummer with the Florence Community Bank, will be inducted into the Northern Kentucky Music Legends Hall of Fame and, per Mayor  Metzger-Aubuchon, will be recognized at the next council meeting.
• Electric Bikes/Scooters: Councilwoman Cable requested draft language for safety regulations; staff to prepare for July public workshops (divisive topic). City Manager Hunt asked if that could be addressed in July due to busy agenda in June. Council agreed.
• Kentaboo at Ridgeway construction and intersection at Spicewood and Kentaboo: Councilwoman Cable raised safety concerns about turning onto Spicewood and asked whether that intersection could become part of the current construction, thus fixing two issues at the same time. Director Hall stated he is familiar with the problem there and would review the issue.
• City Manager Josh Hunt brought “Road Diet” (KYTC Terminology) for Dixie Hwy. Department head update: KYTC not proceeding; city repaving with original striping/curb fixes.

19. CLOSED SESSION: none

20. ADJOURNMENT

Mayoral candidate David Rose and council candidates Shari Kilmer, Jim Leach and Joe Berkshire were present.