Florence City Council May 12

All City Council members and Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon were present. Video

Numbers below correspond to the agenda published by the City of Florence for the Business Meeting.

4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
Minutes from the April 28, 2026, business meeting and May 6, 2026, special meeting were approved unanimously.

5) FIRE/EMS PROMOTIONS
Captain Laster and Lieutenant Kyle Brandt were promoted to Fire EMS Captain. Sworn in with families present; badges pinned. Unanimous and well-deserved recognition.

6. ORDINANCE O-09-2026 – BUDGET AMENDMENT (SECOND READING)
Amends 2025-2026 fiscal year budget: general fund increases (attorney fees, audits, IT/HR, telecom, fire personnel); capital outlay carryovers; golf course/water/sewer audit fees; MARF snow removal; vision insurance. Passed 6-0 on roll call.

7. ORDINANCE O-01-2026 – POLICE DEPARTMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS (SECOND READING)
Updates rules (last revised 2002) to align with KRS 15.520 (Police Officers’ Bill of Rights). Passed 6-0 on roll call.

8. ORDINANCE O-01-112026 – MOTOR VEHICLE QUEUING (SECOND READING)
Adds Chapter 74 regulating vehicle queuing from commercial/industrial/non-residential properties, causing obstructions/safety hazards. Civil penalties via code enforcement.

Councilwoman Diane Whalen questioned how enforcement of the ordinance was supposed to work. Councilwoman Whalen used the TA Truck Stop on Burlington Pike as an example of how to fix the issue at hand. City Manager Josh Hunt explained it and Police Chief Mallory explained how the police department would enforce traffic obstruction by people’s cars on the street, while Code Enforcement would take pictures and issue a citation, which required the property owner in question to resolve the issue. Passed 6-0 on roll call.

9. MUNICIPAL ORDER MO-04-2026 – APPOINTMENT TO BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Appoint Robert Pagan for a three-year term. Passed 6-0 on roll call.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Aquatic Center memberships on sale; photo contest deadline May 15. 
• Public Services Night Out, May 19 at Florence Mall (no caucus). 
• Aquatic Center opens May 23. 
• Memorial Day Parade, May 25. 
• City offices closed on Memorial Day.

11. PROCLAMATION: ALS AWARENESS MONTH
Proclaims May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month. Presented to Mr. Ray Townsend and Ms. Marcia Townsend.

12. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Council Candidate Joe Berkshire raised Rumpke garbage service issues (trash can wheel replacement delay, billing). Director Eric Hall and Staff to follow up. Mr. Berkshire suggested relocating the Charley Fleet portrait to Petersburg, Ky.  Councilwoman Whalen suggested making duplicates for both sites. Staff to review.

14. MEETING ADJOURNED

Council candidates Joe Berkshire, Shari Kilmer, Jim Leach, and Jeff Whitaker were present for the meeting.