Florence City Council March 3

FLORENCE CITY COUNCIL  3Mar26

Caucus Meeting Video available

Presiding Officer: Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon. Council members present: Patricia Wingo, Gary Winn, Leslie Chambers, Diane Whalen, David Schneider, and Angie Cable.

DISCUSSION: Reimbursable Grant for Signal Improvements (US 42, Mall Road, Ewing Blvd. and related) 

• Presented by Eric Hall, Public Services Director. 
• Adaptive traffic signal system for 28 intersections; fiber optic, software for real-time adjustment; emergency vehicle preemption. 
• Total cost about $3.7M; 80/20 split (Boone County 80%, City 20%, $740K/$200K).
• Grant from about 5 years ago; design done, seeking construction funding agreement. 
• Timeline: mayor signs agreement, KYTC approval, bid about 21 days, aim for end-of-year completion. 
• Council questions on oversight, bidding, and contractor vetting. No opposition. 
• Hall: System to ease congestion; city oversees for both city and county.

DISCUSSION: Resolution R26001A – Boone County Planning Commission recommendation for Change in Approved Concept Plan (Dr. Michael K. Redman, 7276 Burlington Pike, ~0.47 acres, C2/PD/PO District)

• Presented by Todd Morgan, Director of Community Development. 
• Original 2002 approval limited to chiropractic/medical offices; request broadens to additional C2 uses (art gallery, financial services, personal services excluding liquor/vape, vet clinic, etc.) required for sale by owner (buyer: Class Jewelers needs more parking). 
• Site next to Stringtown Park; concerns from adjoining resident on drainage, security, parking visibility; requested fence extension. 
• Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions; committee edited. 
• Key conditions: Permitted/conditional/accessory uses listed; hours 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; sign limits; low-wattage inward lighting; no major building changes on north/rear/east; extend privacy fence in rear buffer to screen parking (agreed by owner and neighbor). 
• Consensus on additions for neighbor compatibility. No dissent noted.

MAYOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

• St. Patrick’s scavenger hunt: March 6-17; photograph nine Irish symbols, email for prize. 
• Police Citizens Academy: March 25-May 13, Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; apply online. 
• Easter Egg Hunt: March 28, 10 a.m., Thomas More Stadium; games, vendors, Easter Bunny. 
• Councilwoman Wingo praised the scavenger hunt (grandson enjoyed it prior).

OTHER / PUBLIC COMMENTS

• Roger Burger urged ordinance against city facilities being used for ICE/Homeland Security “internment/concentration camps”; cited federal concerns, polls. (Time 15:50 to 27:13 on the YouTube video.) Mr. Burger compared illegal alien law breaker arrests to internment of American-citizen Japanese during WWII by Democrat POTUS Franklin Roosevelt authorization via Executive Order 9066. (Note: 9066 was overturned in 1983.) 
• Councilman Gary Winn was asked by Mr. Burger for his opinion on the issue. Mr. Winn stated it was a hot, interesting topic, which he would leave at that.
• Councilwoman Angie Cable was asked by Mr. Burger for her opinion. Ms. Cable stated she agreed with Mr. Winn.
• Councilman David Schneider asked Mr. Burger if Mr. Burger realized the Florence City Council was a nonpartisan legislative body that has no jurisdiction over federal issues.  Mr. Burger stated he was aware of that.
• Councilwoman Whalen stated that all the council could do was contact their federal legislators as individuals, like any other citizen. Ms. Whalen’s professional advice to Mr. Burger was exactly that on issues such as this.
• Council overall: No jurisdiction on federal matters; nonpartisan; suggest contacting legislators. No action.