5-18-2026 CAUCUS MEETING MINUTES

CAUCUS/COMMISSION MEETING

MAY 18, 2026 – 6:00 PM
1843 BRISTOW DRIVE
UNION, KY 41091

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Solomon called the Caucus Meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Solomon led all attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

A quorum was present, and a roll call was taken. Mayor Larry Solomon,

Commissioner John Mefford, Commissioner Doug Bine, Commissioner George Eldridge,
and Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn.

MAYOR COMMENTS

Mayor Solomon mentioned that Paul Kremer, Public Works Director, has been selected for the position of City Administrator (CAO). He will begin his new position on July 1, 2026.

GUESTS
Volunteer Appreciation
Mayor Solomon presented a certificate to Vaughn Rappold in recognition of his volunteer services to the City of Union during city events.

Braxton Brewery
Mayor Solomon explained that the city has received a complaint from a resident who lives on Braxton Drive regarding noise coming from Braxton Brewery.

Commissioner Bine mentioned that a resident complained about the music being too loud coming from Baxton Brewery. He explained that there needs to be a balance between entertainment and gatherings and respect for the residents for peace and quiet and enjoyment of their own property.

Jake Rouse, Owner, Braxton Brewery, addressed the Commission to discuss the complaint about noise. He explained that they never have music played beyond 10:00 PM.  Mr. Rouse would like to take a decimal meter to measure the level of noise at the resident’s home.

After discussion, it was decided that Mr. Rouse, Mayor Solomon, and Commissioner Bine will meet at the resident’s home during a movie night at Braxton Brewery to measure the noise level with a decimal meter.

Primrose School Update
T.J. Ackermann, Developer of Union Promenade, and T.J. Schutte, Realtor with Keller Williams Commercial addressed the Commission seeking support and approval for a landscaping plan for a viewshed easement on lot number two in Union Promenade.

Mr. Ackerman explained that before Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center agreed to build a facility in the Promenade, they asked to have a specific line of sight from US Highway 42 back to their building. The viewshed agreement includes that any landscape in that area would be of a low nature, no tall trees or anything that would impact the view to their building. The Boone County Planning Commission rules and regulations for what landscaping should be in that area do not comply with those requirements. He explained that the City of Union has the right to accept or reject whatever landscaping plan proposed for this lot.

Mr. Ackermann explained that they have worked with the Primrose School representatives putting together a site plan and landscaping plan that they would approve, which also matches the viewshed agreement. Any landscape planted within the viewshed area would need to be three to six feet in height.

Primrose School, as the owner of lot number two, will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping and assuring that it does not grow taller than six feet in the view shed easement. Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center will maintain the right to object and ensure that they must stay within those height requirements.

Mr. Ackermann informed the Commission that Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center has seen the landscape plan and they approve of it.

Mr. Ackermann presented images of the Primrose School facility explaining it will be 15,600 square feet total, approximately 7,800 for each floor.

Mr. Schutte explained the code allows for a total square footage of 129,139 in the Union Promenade. The overall square footage will be 104,497, which is well below the approved total square footage for the development including the 15,600 square feet school.

Mr. Ackermann explained that the underlying zoning code minimum requires 4,000 square feet per lot and a maximum of 15,000 square feet per acre. Lot number two is 1.37 acres which would allow for a maximum square footage of 20,610 according to the underlying code.

After discussion, the Commission agreed they are in support of the landscape plan change to support the viewshed and agreed to have Mayor Solomon sign the application and waiver to be submitted to the Boone County Planning Commission.

Bella Vita Restaurant
Kevin Preston, Rob Trump, and John Daughtery, owners of Bella Vita Restaurant addressed the Commission to provide information on the new restaurant scheduled to open late June 2026. Mr. Preston explained the restaurant will be located at 9914 Old Union Road Union, the old Farmstand Restaurant location. The restaurant will serve traditional, authentic Italian food.  

DISCUSSION
Boy Scout Troops 702 & 1702 Request
City Administrator (CAO) Safran informed the Commission of an annual request from Boy Scout Troops 702 & 1702. The Scouts’ biggest fundraiser of the year is participating in the World’s Longest Yard Sale. They are asking for permission to use city property located at the corner of US Highway 42 and Old Union Road during the longest yard sale August 6, 7, 8, 2026. The scouts will provide insurance that is issued through the Boy Scouts of America.

The Commission agreed that Boy Scout Troop 702 & 1702 can use the property at the corner of US Highway 42 and Old Union Road for their yard sale.

Union Town Square Updates

CAO Safran reviewed payment application number nine, part of the approved construction contract, for $594,799.98. She also explained Change Order Request number thirteen. One of the direct purchase order vendors, 9Wood, has made a request to Mark Spaulding Construction asking to be removed from the direct purchase order list and added to the construction contract. The only difference will be that the payment will go directly to Mark Spalding Construction Company for the regular construction costs of $28,024.11, this amount has not changed and does not add tax to the city. Commission approval is requested to give authorization to Mayor Solomon to sign the change order request.

The Commission agreed to have Mayor Solomon sign change order number thirteen.

Public Works Director Paul Kremer gave updates on progress at Union Town Square. He mentioned that the city is still working through state requirements to receive a permit for the splash pad.

Union Town Plan Update
Commissioner Mefford referred to a map handout and asked if all the subdivisions shown on the map were included in the Union Town Plan.

Kevin Costello, Executive Director Boone County Planning Commission, explained that the boundary of the study did not change. He mentioned that all subdivisions are controlled by subdivision regulations.

Commissioner Eldridge asked for clarification on higher density definitions.

Mayor Solomon reviewed residential density levels in the updated plan. He explained that adhering to the proposed density levels are extremely important to manage growth.

• Low-Density Residential – single family detached dwelling units – Maximum 1 house per acre.
• Moderate Density Residential – Single Family detached dwelling units – Maximum – 1 house per 2.2 acres (4 houses per acre-neo-traditional style).
• Patio Homes Residential – Single Family detached dwelling units including patio homes –

Maximum – 6 houses per acre.

• Town Homes Residential – Single Family attached and detached dwelling units – Maximum – 8 units per acre.

Commissioner Bine mentioned that there needs to be language added to exclude crematoriums as permitted use.

Commission Tuyn gave a review for the next step for the Union Town Plan update. There will be a link provided on the city’s website so the community can view the plan and give feedback. There will also be an open house to give residents an opportunity to view the plan in person and ask questions. The projected date will be early June to have both these completed.

Nuisance Ordinance Review

CAO Safran reviewed the current City of Union Nuisance Ordinance 2026-07. She explained that there were several items in the ordinance that needed clarification so that staff will have a better understanding of how to address complaints.

CAO Safran asked the Commission to review the current nuisance ordinance and provide feedback back to her and she will work with City Attorney Greg Voss on preparing updated legislation.

LEGISLATION/ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Municipal Orders

MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2026-08 A MUNICIPAL ORDER FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY    OFFICIALLY APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY PERSONNEL POLICY

Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order No. 2026-08. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Bine seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0

MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2026-12 AN ORDER OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN ESTOPPEL AND NON-DISTURBANCE AGREEMENT TO EFFECTUATE THE DISPOSITION OF A LEASEHOLD INTEREST AND SPRINGING EXECUTORY INTEREST IN CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TO PRIMROSE SCHOOL FRANCHISING COMPANY, LLC.

Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order No. 2026-12. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Bine seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0

Ordinances

ORDINANCE NO. 2026-04 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY

ORDINANCE NO. 2017-19 SETTING FORTH THE PERSONNEL POLICY

FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY (SECOND READING)

Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-04. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0

ORDINANCE NO. 2026-07 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, BY ESTIMATING REVENUES AND RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF CITY GOVERNMENT FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY (FIRST READING)

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Solomon announced there will be a Regular Commission meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Solomon also stated the next Caucus/Commission meeting will be held on Monday June 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM; both meetings will be at the city building 1843 Bristow Drive Union, Kentucky.

ADJOURN

Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Bine made a motion, and Commissioner Mefford seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.
Motion approved 5-0

                                                                                    Approved:

                                                                                    _________________________
                                                                                    Hon. Larry Solomon, Mayor                                                                                          

Attest:

__________________________
Tammy Wilhoite, City Clerk