Union City Commission December 1

Welcome/Pledge of Allegiance | Call to Order at 6:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Larry Solomon, commissioners John Mefford, George Eldridge and Kimberly Tuyn, City Administrator Amy Safran, Public Works Director Paul Kremer, City Attorney Greg Voss and City Clerk Tammy Wilhoite. Absent: Doug Bine.

Minutes were approved for the November 3 Commission Meeting, the November 17 Caucus Commission Meeting, and the November 18 Special (Executive) Meeting.

MAYOR COMMENTS

• Acknowledged the amazing outpouring of community support and donations that were given to the Caudill family, who lost everything in a house fire on November 16. While the city is no longer accepting donations, the family does have a GO FUND ME page.
• The commissioners and their spouses are invited to attend the city funded Christmas party/lunch in December.

FINANCIAL REPORT (John Mefford)
Monthly bills are to be paid, and $52,000 was collected in interest for the month of November. 92% of the property taxes have been collected so far. APPROVED.

UNION TOWN SQUARE UPDATE (Paul Kremer)
A change order is needed for around $1,000 due to needed additional concrete pads and movement of some parking spaces. The curbs and gutters have been completed. More concrete will be poured as weather permits. Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn expressed a concern that 85% of the engineering budget has already been spent so early in the project. She was assured they are still hoping to stay on budget if at all possible. Mayor Solomon commented that the cost is being paid for by payroll taxes rather than residents having to foot the bill.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT (Amy Safran)
Several items are being reviewed for code enforcement; e.g., Rumpke pickup times starting too early in the day.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Kimberly Tuyn)

• The Toys for Tots event will take place at the Union Kroger Store in conjunction with the City of Union on Friday December 5. Mayor Solomon will give a speech and some commissioners will attend. Attendees can bring new toys for the kids or purchase them on-site at Kroger.
• The updated Union Town Center Plan is still being reviewed and will be updated early next year.
• This Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and event for Pure Barre in Union Square featuring local vendors, food, drinks, and special offers. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn will attend.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT (George Eldridge)

The 2025 “At Home in Union” Photo Contest winners were announced November 14. Congratulations to:

• 1st Place: Tina Grubbs (“Squirrel”)
• 2nd Place: Nora Turner (“Flower Dew”)
• 3rd Place: Lacie Baskins (“Blanket”)

Breakfast with Santa will take place December 6 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the Union Fire Station. Donations for the Boone County Animal Shelter will be solicited. Food, treats, collars, leashes, etc. are all needed. Merry Christmas for the sweet animals waiting for their forever family!

LEGISLATION/ATTORNEY’S REPORT (Greg Voss)  No report.

MUNICIPAL ORDERS

2025-48 A municipal order appointing James Liles to serve on the Union/Walton Joint Code Enforcement Board. APPROVED. Mr. Liles was sworn in.

2025-49 A municipal order appointing Richard Wilkinson to serve on the Union/Walton Joint Code Enforcement Board. APPROVED. Mr. Wilkinson was sworn in.

2025-50 A Municipal order appointing Bobby McDonald as part-time Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Union, Kentucky. He will work no more than 100 hours a month @ $27.50 per hour. APPROVED. Mr. McDonald was sworn in.

2025-51 A municipal order appointing Kimberly Tuyn, Commissioner of the City of Union, Kentucky, to serve as a representative on the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors 1-1-2026 through 12-31-2026. APPROVED

2025-52 A municipal order appointing George Eldridge to have superintendence over the Community Engagement / Communications Committee on behalf of the citizens of the City of Union, Kentucky, 1-1-26 through 12-31-2026. APPROVED.

2025-53 A municipal order appointing Doug Bine to have superintendence over the Public Works Department for the City of Union, Kentucky, 1-1-26 through 12-31-2026. APPROVED.

2025-54 A municipal order appointing John Mefford to have superintendence over the Fiscal Planning and the Finance Department for the City of Union, Kentucky. 1-1-26 through 12-31-2026. APPROVED.

2025-55 A municipal order appointing John Mefford Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Union, Kentucky, 1-1-2026 through 12-31-2026. APPROVED.

ORDINANCES

2025-14 (second reading) An ordinance annexing certain unincorporated territory adjacent to the present boundaries of the City of Union, Kentucky This is for two plots currently owned by Arlinghaus LLC, 6.16 acres and .915 acre. They are adjacent to land already in the City of Union.

2025-16 (second reading) An ordinance annexing certain unincorporated territory adjacent to the present boundaries of the City of Union, Kentucky. This involves land from the Robert Reeves Estate off Hathaway Road.

2025-17 (first reading) An ordinance amending 32.21 of the City of Union Code of Ordinances establishing a change in the monthly City Commission and Caucus Meetings for the City of Union, Kentucky.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

Erin Franxman, a resident of Whispering Trails, voiced her concerns about a proposed storage facility on the corner of Whispering Trails and US Highway 42. Previously, 28 residents from that street voiced their concerns at a special meeting November 12.  They are concerned it will be used as Industrial Property, right at the end of their street. She said it will do nothing for the residents of the city and ruin the looks of the city. Traffic is a huge concern.

Kevin S., also a resident of Whispering Trails, voiced his concerns that Union will continue to allow these kinds of businesses and soon Union will be full of Industrial type businesses. “If you allow this one, where does it stop?”

Editor’s Notes: The developer will be present at the January 5 Commission meeting to present the project to the Commission. Residents will be able to voice their opinion at that time. Come prepared, write your comments down to make the most of your time. There is a 3-minute allowance for each speaker. Make sure your neighbors are informed.

The January 5 meeting will include a presentation regarding construction of a 4,200 sf office building in that same vicinity.

Correction: The plaque for the new City Building was reported last month to include the names of the engineers and builder of the facility. In fact, the commissioners voted to include only the city logo and the date it was built.

Next Caucus/Commission Meeting is December 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.                                               

Next Commission Meeting January 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.