Union City Commission November 3

Welcome/Pledge of Allegiance. Call to order 6 p.m.

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

Minutes were approved for the October 6 Commission Meeting and October 20 Caucus Meeting

GUESTS

Representative Marianne Proctor provided an update to the Commission regarding her work in Frankfort.

• HB10 was passed and took effect in June 2025, allowing law enforcement to remove squatters from the owner’s property and also prosecute them for any damage or theft done to the property.
• She is working on an anti-grooming bill to be filed in January. She is working with the Boone County Police Department and Commonwealth Attorney Louis Kelly. The proposed measure would classify a first offense as a Class A misdemeanor if the perpetrator is 18 or older and the victim is less than 14 years old. However, if the perpetrator is in a position of authority such as a teacher or coach, it would be a Class D felony if the victim is under 14, or a Class C felony if the victim is under 12.
• She is still fighting to get rid of the Certificate of Need that keeps competition from coming into NKY’s current health care system. It is an old law that basically lets the government decide what our healthcare choices are in Kentucky. It allows large entities to monopolize and keep other providers out.

Commonwealth Attorney Louis Kelly provided an update of felony convictions that have taken place this year in Boone County.

• There have been 787 total convictions. 36% were for controlled substances. 44% were drug related. Methamphetamine is the most popular drug with cocaine on the rise.
• There were 61 drug trafficking convictions, 165 retail theft, mostly Mall Rd and Houston. There were 11 burglary, 5 robbery, 7 assault, 54 wanton endangerment, 8 sexual offender, 4 reckless homicide, 1 manslaughter, 2 child porn, 11 strangulation,1 rape, and 2 homicide convictions. Several cases are pending.

Paul Gallenstein, Gallenstein Company LLC presented the proposed Union Landing Project that was denied by the Boone County Planning Commission. It is off Hathaway Road near the roundabout. They abandoned the apartments that were planned and the Industrial Revenue Bonds. They want the Planning Commission the reconsider, which requires the Union Commission’s recommendation. The Fiscal Court sent a resolution packet to the city for approval or denial of their decision. The deadline is December 30, so a decision must be made quickly.

• Of the project’s 39.5 acres, less than one acre is presently in Union. They want Union to annex the entire property.
• There would be 319 units. Condos and family townhomes would be built, approximately 11 per acre. All would have to be owner occupied, no rentals.
• Project would include walking trails, a pickleball court, streetlights and a park by the existing lake. 30% would be open space.
• Project would target residents 55 years of age and older
• Mr. Gallenstein is asking for a Map Amendment. A public hearing will be held sometime in the next few weeks. (Reporter’s note: watch the Union City Website for exact details. This is your chance to express your concerns or have questions answered!)
• While traffic is a reality with 319 new homes, he said they have a survey that estimated only about 150 cars more each day. Mr. Gallenstein also noted (multiple times) there would be over $200,000 additional tax dollars in “the city coffer” each year.

MAYOR SOLOMON’S COMMENTS

• Mayor Solomon mentioned the proposed 882 units on the northwest side of the Ballyshannon Subdivision are not in the City of Union. Any complaints or concerns should be directed to Boone County Fiscal Court.
• He also stated that Union City residents would vote in only four precincts going forward. All affected residents will be notified.

FINANCIAL/ ADMINISTRATORS REPORT – Amy Safron

• Monthly bills approved for payment.
• 75% of property taxes have been paid. $55,000 in interest so far has accrued in 2025, with the interest rate dropping to 3.78% this month.
• She mentioned a resident wanted the commission to consider picking up leaves curbside. It would cost about $83,000 per year. The commission discussed and voted 4-0 to not implement because they already pay for garbage pickup that includes bagged leaves. It was noted that very few cities in Northern Kentucky provide garbage service at no cost to the residents
• Honor Banners must be picked up by December 31. Most have been returned to the families, but there are about 20 families they have been unable to reach. They are willing to help get them to the family if they call and leave contact information. They are unsure if that program will continue in the future.

UNION SQUARE UPDATE

• Jack from MKSK brought samples of the playground surface material for the commission to examine. Colors were voted on and will be beige, green and eggshell, all with black flecks in them 50/50.
• The dedication plaque was voted on to include the construction company (Mark Spaulding Construction), the engineers (Summit) and the city logo with the “Union Town Center” name.

Public Works Committee Report – Paul Kremer and Doug Bine

• Mark Griffith was welcomed as the new assistant to Paul Kremer for the Public Works Department. He will work part-time/as needed.
• Paul also expressed concern regarding snow removal in the proposed new development, Union Landing, saying that because of the parking and street layout it will be “tough.”
• Concrete work continues on the Union Town Square Project.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE – George Eldridge

• There is a request for the Circus Company and their sub-contractor to share in the cost of the water main break at the Union Celebrates America event. Total cost for repair was $1,100, and the city approved a motion to pay one-third of the cost.
• Breakfast with Santa will take place at the firehouse on December 6, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. 
• Photo Contest winners will be announced 11/14/2025. Accolades to all who entered; the commissioners were amazed at how good their photos were. “Really tough decision” choosing winners was their consensus.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Kimberly Tuyn

The Union Town Square Survey had a great response, with 479 residents in the city and in unincorporated Boone County with a Union mailing address participating.

• More than 50% of the respondents have lived in Union for 10+ years.
• Traffic and road safety was the #1 concern, followed by preserving small town character and growth and development.
• There was opposition to more housing developments, especially apartments. 78.78% said that only single-family houses should be added.
• 94.55% of the responders were homeowners.
• Many support adding parks, preserving green space, walking trails and biking paths. 86.64% said that they thought it was important to preserve green space.
• Overall, they mostly agreed they like living in Union and feel safe being here. They had many more constructive ideas that will certainly be considered in the future.

There is a climate-controlled storage facility hoping to build on the Neuman property at the corner of Whispering Trails and US Highway 42.

The promised Health Fair is now scheduled for May 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Storypoint is partnering with the city to help put this on.

LEGISLATION/ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Greg Voss

Municipal order 2025-47 
A municipal order hiring Prime AE as an independent contractor for city engineering services for the city of Union, Ky. Approved to begin November 1, 2025.

Ordinance No. 2025-13 
An ordinance of the city of Union , Ky, amending Ordinance No. 2015-12 (second reading). Instead of pro-rating on a six-month. basis, they will pro-rate on a monthly basis for Alcohol and Beverage Licenses. Approved 4-0.

Ordinance No. 2025-14
An ordinance annexing certain unincorporated territory adjacent to the present boundaries of the City of Union, Ky (first reading). This pertains to the 39.5 acres for the Union Landing project. This was put on hold.

Ordinance No. 2025-15
An ordinance of the City of Union, Ky, Amending Ordinance no. 2014-20 40.20 (B) first reading, that if you do not keep your business license current you will be denied an Alcohol and Beverage License. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The next Caucus Meeting is Monday November 17, 2025, at 6 p.m. The next Commission meeting is December 1, 2025, at 6 p.m.