5-4-2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MAY 4, 2026 – 6:00 PM
1843 BRISTOW DRIVE
UNION, KY 41091
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Solomon called the Regular Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Solomon led all attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Solomon asked for approval of April 6, 2026, Regular Commission Meeting minutes. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
Mayor Solomon asked for approval of April 20, 2026, Caucus Meeting minutes. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Bine seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
Mayor Solomon asked for approval of April 21, 2026, Special Meeting minutes. Commissioner Tuyn made a motion and Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
GUESTS
Public Works Proclamation
Mayor Solomon presented a proclamation to Tyler Hill from Boone County Public Works Department. The proclamation is to declare the week of May 11 through May 23, 2026, as National Public Works Week in the City of Union.
Tyler Hill addressed the Commission and staff. He stated that he is the current President for the American Public Works Association (APWA). He thanked the Commission for presenting the proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week. He mentioned that the City of Union was the first city to present a proclamation to Boone County Public Works. He thanked the Commission for taking the time to recognize the Public Works Department for all the demanding work they do.
Union Town Plan UpdateKevin Costello, Executive Director of Boone County Planning Commission gave a review of the proposed updates to the Union Town Plan. Mr. Costello reviewed the proposed changes to date.
- Removed outdated language and updated road network within the city. Removed timing/phasing language.
- Reference Plan 2045 Comprehensive Plan versus the 1995 Comprehensive Plan.
- Recognized the Union Town Square project as a community centerpiece.
- Matched existing residential densities such as senior housing, condominiums, and patio homes. Continue to promote single family detached housing. In 2000, the City of Union population was 2,893. The current estimated population is 8,085. The updated plan estimates the city’s population will grow to over 10,000 residents.
- Continue to promote green/open space along with improved pedestrian access.
- Focused more on the small business district on Old Union Road.
- Identified six key development areas affecting the city’s future.
- Recommend better placemaking-wayfinding signs to promote local business, events, and recreational spaces.
- The review process will require that developers meet with city and county officials first. This is currently a recommendation in the old plan, and in the new plan this process will be mandatory.
- Kept the existing zoning districts including Union Commercial (UN), Union Neighborhood Office (UNO), and Union Business Town Center (UBTC), and made some slight changes to permitted uses.
- Building mounted sign height will go from twenty-four inches to thirty-six inches to accommodate multiple-tenant buildings as well as to allow better sight recognition.
- Recommend ways to assure street safety (speed) and expand sidewalk and multiple use paths.
- Evaluate the new plan in five years or in 2031. The city can initiate an earlier review if needed.
Mr. Costello mentioned that since the original plan was written in 2000, the city has grown by population and expanded its boundaries.
Mr. Costello mentioned that the city has purchased land for future growth of the city. Union Town Square is the centerpiece of the community offering green space, event space, park space, multiple use walking space. The area will also connect to the small business district on Old Union Road.
Mr. Costello mentioned there is a focus on what type of housing will be appropriate for current and future populations. He mentioned that apartments and condominiums were not included in the 2000 plan. The updated plan will address several types of housing that will support the population that is already in Union or wants to stay here as well as attract new people to the area.
Mayor Solomon mentioned that it is important to use density as a compass to better manage growth. He stated that the city wants to strongly enforce the density requirements because it manages growth better.
Commissioner Tuyn mentioned that there are four primary residential categories. The maximum allowing up to eight units for each acre down to four units.
Mr. Costello mentioned that the city has taken parcels of land that were otherwise unusable and turned them into pocket parks, developing more green space in the city.
Mr. Costello mentioned the new plan recognizes six undeveloped properties in the city and encourages the city and county to work with the landowners to develop properties that will benefit residents and the community.
The next steps for approving the Union Town Plan include.
- The Boone County Planning Commission (BCPC) will finalize the updated plan.
- The final draft to the public for review either by having a link on the city’s website or a public workshop held by the BCPC.
- A scheduled Public Hearing by the BCPC after receiving feedback from residents.
- BCPC will make a recommendation to Boone County Fiscal Court.
A copy of the final draft will be provided to the Union Commission prior to the May 18, 2026, Commission meeting. There will be a link of the final draft provided to residents in early June.
VISITORS WISHING TO SPEAK
Resident Joni Persinger addressed the Commission to say that she would like to see the City of Union hold a workshop for the proposed Union Town Plan updates. She feels this would be a good option for residents to see the proposed changes and to have interaction in person.
MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Mayor Solomon addressed a concern from a resident who lives on Braxton Drive who complained about noise when Braxton Brewery has live music events. Mayor Solomon spoke to the owner of Braxton Brewery and mentioned that he will attend the May Caucus meeting to address the complaint.
Commissioner Bine mentioned that other people have complained about the noise from Braxton Brewery to the Homeowners Association President. He mentioned that the Nuisance Ordinance needs to be reviewed so that the city can accommodate both residents and businesses.
After discussion it was decided by the Commission to review the current Nuisance Ordinance and discuss it at the May 18, 2026, Caucus meeting.
Commissioner Bine mentioned that he has received an email from the Homeowners Association at Fowlers Creek regarding the proposed funeral home at the intersection of US Highway 42 and Old Union Road. He mentioned that the residents of Fowlers Creek have a concern about a potential crematorium at the funeral home and how that can affect property values. Commissioner Bine suggested that the residents of the Fowlers Creek and the developer need to have a meeting to discuss the proposed funeral home and crematorium.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Commissioner Mefford provided an update to the Commission on the month of April financial report which includes the “bills to be paid” and the balance sheet. He mentioned that among bills to be paid included several payroll tax overpayment refunds. Most larger bills paid were for construction at Union Town Square. He mentioned that the rest of the bills paid were standard.
Commissioner Mefford mentioned that included in the profit and loss budget vs. budget report included revenue of $900,333.34 from the sale of the city building. The Payments in lieu of tax (Pilot) payments received will be less in the 2026/27 fiscal year budget because of $70,000 in residual payments made this fiscal year. The Engineering costs have decreased significantly since the city has contracted these services. The audit fees will increase in the next fiscal year. The city asked the auditors for an explanation of the increase in fees, and they provided a letter detailing the reason for the increased costs.
Commissioner Mefford mentioned that the interest earned for the year fiscal year is approximately $500,000.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve the financial report that includes the monthly bills, and the profit and loss versus actual report for the month of April. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
UNION TOWN SQUARE UPDATES
Commissioner Bine gave an update on progress to the new city building. He mentioned if anyone would like to take a tour of the new building, they can schedule that with Public Works Director Paul Kremer.
Public Works Director mentioned that all the structures should be vertical in the next three weeks, weather permitting. The picnic pavilions will be the last to go up.
Commissioner Mefford mentioned that a representative of Summit Architects + Engineers discussed with him the potential of removing a utility pole at the corner of US Highway 42 and Brilliance Avenue.
Public Works Director Kremer mentioned that the removal of the utility pole would be very costly, and the expense would be the city’s responsibility and for these reasons have not been taken into consideration.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT
Commissioner Bine mentioned that approval was given to PWD Kremer to have restriping work done on Braxton Drive, Richmond Road and Old Union Road. The cost for restriping is $4025.
Work has begun on the Union School Road culvert and should be completed in two to three days.
PWD Kremer discussed the purchase of a new Public Works vehicle. He is recommending the purchase of a Ford F-250 model. The recommendation is that if approved by the City Commission upon locating a vehicle to purchase meeting the criteria needed the City Administrator will have the authority to make the purchase with the approval of the Public Works Committee Superintendent.
Mayor Solomon is asking for approval to spend up to $55,000 in FY26/27 to purchase a second vehicle for the City of Union to be used by the Public Works Department. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
City Administrator Amy Safan mentioned that Kentucky League of Cities Attorney Michael Simon is making the final revisions to the revised Employee Handbook based on the comments from the Commission from the meeting on April 20, 2026. The plan will be to have the final copy to the Commission for the May 18, 2026, Caucus meeting for approval.
CAO Safran mentioned that the city will be adding accidental insurance to the city’s policy to include volunteers. Mayor Solomon approved the $300 annual increase to the insurance policy.
CAO Safran mentioned that the city will need to find new property tax software because the current property tax software company Pontem is making a change and will no longer offer those services after April 2028. She mentioned that the process of finding new property tax software is underway and after receiving quotes, the Commission will be consulted.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Commissioner Tuyn mentioned that the business mixer held last month was a success.
The Fairway Room in Union did an excellent job hosting the event, with about twenty-two people in attendance. The plan is to have one or two more business mixers this calendar year.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
Commissioner Eldridge mentioned that Communications Coordinator Jaime Lyons and Commissioner Tuyn have done an excellent job organizing the Health and Wellness Fair that will take place on May 16, 2026, at Storypoint in Union. There are forty-one vendors confirmed to participate in the event.
FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 BUDGET DISCUSSION
CAO Safran discussed updated budget projections for the 2026/27 annual budget. The proposed changes previously discussed include Mayor and Commission compensation, a subscription which includes new property tax software, and the purchase of a new city vehicle.
Mayor Solomon mentioned that elected officials cannot increase their own salaries while in office. When the Commission approves a salary increase it is for the next Commission that will be sworn in following an election. The market rate for salaries of Commissioners in a city comparable to the size of the City of Union has been identified as $9,085. The Commission agreed four to one to increase salaries to $8,100 for Commissioners and $9,000 for Mayor.
The Commission discussed salary increases, health benefits, and a vacation buyback option for city employees. They also discussed vacation and holiday pay for part-time city employees.
After discussion the Commission came to a consensus to include proposed option number three for employees’ salary increases and benefits. Attorney Greg Voss will prepare legislation for fiscal year 2026/27 budget for first reading at the May 18, 2026, Caucus Meeting. Employee vacation, health care, vacation, and holiday benefits will be included in the revised Employee Handbook, legislation will be read on May 18, 2026, Caucus Meeting.
LEGISLATION/ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Municipal Orders
MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2026 -11 A MUNICIPAL ORDER ADOPTING THE SPEED CONTROL POLICIES FOR THE STREETS AND ROADWAYS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order 2026-11. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
Ordinances
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-05 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING THE UNION CITY COMMISSION ORDINANCE TRAFFIC CALMING POLICIES FOR THE STREETS AND ROADWAYS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY (SECOND READING)
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-05. Commissioner Bine made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Mefford seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-06 AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE COMPENSATION FOR MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY (SECOND READING)
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-06. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion. Commissioner Tuyn voted yes, Commissioner Eldridge voted yes, Commissioner Bine voted no, Commissioner Mefford voted no, and Mayor Solomon voted yes.
Motion approved 4-1
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Solomon mentioned the Caucus Meeting will be on Monday May 18, 2026, at
6:00 PM. The next Regular Commission Meeting will be held on Monday June 1, 2026, at
6:00 PM. Both meetings will be at the Union City Building 1843 Bristow Drive Union, Kentucky.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
KRS 61.810 (1) (f) Discussions or hearings which might lead to the appointment, discipline, or dismissal of an individual employee, member, or student without restricting that employee’s, members, or students right to a public hearing if requested. This exception shall not be interpreted to permit discussion of general personnel matters in secret.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to enter executive session at 8:15 PM. Commissioner Bine made a motion and Commissioner Mefford seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to exit executive session at 8:55 PM. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Bine seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
Mayor Solomon stated no action was taken during executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Mefford seconded that motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 PM.
Motion approved 5-0.
Approved:
_________________________
Hon. Larry Solomon, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Tammy Wilhoite, City Clerk
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