REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 2, 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 February 2, 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 February 18, 2026, Caucus Meeting minutes. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Bine seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Bine read a proclamation prepared for Mr. Nathan Hatton Jr. a veteran of World War II. Mr. Hatton has lived and worked in Union for sixty-eight years. Mr. Hatton turned 100 on March 1, 2026, and Commissioner Bine asked the Commission for approval to present him with a proclamation declaring March 1, 2026, as Nathan Hatton Jr. at his birthday celebration March 14, 2026. The proclamation is to recognize Mr. Hatton for his service to our country and his many years of service to this community.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve the proclamation for Mr. Nathan Hatton Jr.
Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
Commissioner Tuyn mentioned that she has completed the Ohio Kentucky Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governance Board training. She is officially on the Board and will have four voting opportunities this year. Commissioner Tuyn will keep the Commission updated on OKI meetings and votes that take place.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Commissioner Mefford provided an update to the Commission on the month of February financial report which includes the “bills to be paid” and the balance sheet. He mentioned there was a payment made to Landscape Structures in the amount of $294,820.00 for playground equipment that has been paid in full. The first payment for the Union Town Square bond was made in the amount of $353,424.21. The sixth payment to Mark Spaulding Construction was made in the amount of $281,396.39.
Commissioner Mefford explained that the city is about two-thirds of the way through the current fiscal year, and everything looked like it was in order. He mentioned that the city budgeted $200,000.00 for snow and ice removal for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, and to date have spent just under $315,000.00. The expense will be discussed with the Finance Committee on Wednesday March 4, 2026. The Commission will decide where the additional money will come from after the end of the winter season.
Commissioner Tuyn asked about payroll tax revenues and if the city anticipates exceeding the budgeted amount.
City Administrator explained that the city should receive more in payroll tax revenue than what was budgeted. She mentioned that more businesses will be opening in the city, which will bring in more revenue. She also explained that a sizable portion of revenue comes from remote employees, which can fluctuate.
Mayor Solomon stated that payroll taxation goes into the City Growth fund that pays for the Union Town Square project. Union Town Square has an existing budget to fund the project. After the development is completed there will be ongoing maintenance and operations that will be funded by payroll taxes and business licenses.
Commissioner Mefford stated that the interest earned in the month of February was $46,500.00, the rate was 3.3%. The total interest earned for this fiscal year was approximately $352,000.00.
City Administrator Amy Safran explained to the Commission that the new Union Town Square financial report will make tracking of project costs clearer. She gave a review of the expenses listed on the spreadsheet.
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 February. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
UNION TOWN SQUARE UPDATES
CAO Safran explained that payment application number seven was distributed to the Commission for review. She mentioned that the payment applications are submitted to Summit Architects + Engineers for review from Mark Spaulding Construction with all the supporting documentation and receipts. Summit Architects + Engineers will review, approve, and sign off on the applications before they come to the city for payment. Payment application number seven has been approved for payment.
Public Works Director Paul Kremer mentioned that the anchor bolt issue at Union Town Square has been resolved. He explained that the foundation where the misplaced anchor bolts were placed has been removed and after all the prep work is completed the new foundation will be poured weather permitting.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT
Commissioner Bine mentioned that the city had a bid opening on February 24, 2026, for the 2026 Street Repair Program. The city received bids from nine concrete companies and four asphalt companies. He mentioned that Prime AE Engineers have been a great partner for the city to work with and assist with bid preparations and advertisements. Commissioner Bine mentioned that the Public Works Committee is recommending the approval of Riegler Blacktop, Inc. to perform the asphalt work, and Straight Edge Construction Company to perform the concrete curb and gutter work.
PWD Kremer mentioned that the current contract for snow and ice removal will expire April 30, 2026. He is asking the Commission to approve the advertisement for bids during the month of March, there will be a bid opening March 31, 2026, and a recommendation will be made to the Commission at the Commission Meeting on April 6, 2026.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve the advertisement of snow and ice removal bids.
Commissioner Tuyn made a motion and Commissioner Mefford seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
PWD Kremer reviewed with the Commission a software program from IWorQ that would provide a database management system for the Public Works Department. He explained that the initial cost of the software is $11,000.00 with an annual cost of $7,000.00. The recommendation is to implement the software this budget year using funds from the Public Works Department budget line item.
Commissioner Tuyn suggested adding to the contract tech support hours and more hours for integration and data conversion.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve spending up to $15,000.00 on IWorQ software for the City of Union Public Works Department.
Commissioner Bine made a motion and Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
PWD Kremer mentioned that expenditures for snow and ice removal will exceed the current fiscal year budget.
Mayor Solomon explained that the decision will be made after the winter season where to take funds from in the budget to pay for snow and ice removal.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
CAO Safran mentioned that she attended the Kentucky City County Management Association Conference last week. Sessions included cybersecurity, legislative updates, and historic preservation.
She discussed legislative updates that could potentially affect the City of Union. One item that is of concern is House bill (HB) 495 that has now been changed and resubmitted and filed as Senate Bill (SB) 237, HB 758 concerning the occupational tax. The proposed bill would change how local occupational license taxes are applied to remote workers. The revenue from employees of corporate offices of 1000 or more would go to the city where the office is located.
This could have a negative impact on smaller cities including the City of Union; approximately 15% of occupational taxes come from remote workers who tend to be higher paid employees.
CAO Safran mentioned that HB 276, the chicken bill, is another bill to watch. The proposed bill would allow a maximum of six chickens, no roosters per residency, and cities and counties could not regulate or restrict homeowners from having chickens. Currently, the City of Union Ordinance does not allow chickens unless they are in an agricultural zone.
Commissioner Tuyn stated that it was not so much about chickens, but her concern is that the state is taking away the local decision authority. She would like to see the Commission put together a Resolution either in favor or opposition of the bills being proposed by the state that could affect the city.
The full Commission agreed to work with Attorney Greg Voss to prepare Resolutions.
CAO Safran mentioned HB 392 is moving forward, it is one of the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) initiatives that would be in favor of the city, raising the threshold for small purchases. The procurement limit has been $40,000 for a long time, and the new proposed rate is $50,000. If the bill passes there will be recurring increases every five years of $10,000.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Commissioner Tuyn mentioned that the city received the first official draft of the Union Town Plan revision from Boone County. There is a meeting planned for Thursday March 5, 2026, with Kevin Costello, Boone County Planning Commission Executive Director, Mayor Solomon, Commissioner Tuyn, and CAO Safran to review and discuss comments and suggested edits. The plan is to present the revised plan to the Union Commission after the initial revisions are made.
Commissioner Tuyn mentioned that Taco Mama will have a preview party on Thursday March 5, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Commissioner Tuyn mentioned that the Fairway Room Golf and Lounge has agreed to host the next City of Union Business Mixer. She mentioned that the month of April is being considered for the business mixer.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
Commissioner Eldridge mentioned that the Easter Egg hunt will be on Saturday March 28, 2026, at Union Presbyterian Church from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Donors that have contributed to the event include.
- Peace Love and Little Donuts
- Card My Yard
- Union Kroger
- Biggby Coffee
- Florence Y’Alls
- McAlister’s Deli
- Graeter’s Ice Cream
Sponsors for the event include.
- St. Elizabeth
- Drees Homes
- Boone Union 264 Masonic Lodge
The City of Union will be hosting a Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday May 16, 2026. There are thirty-three confirmed vendors and several more that are still pending. All three medical partners in the city will be participating, The Christ Hospital, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, and Cincinnati Children’s.
LEGISLATION/ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Municipal Orders
MUNICIPAL ORDER 2026-05 A MUNICIPAL ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF STRAIGHT EDGE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE 2026 CONCRETE MAINTENANCE FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT WITH STRAIGHT EDGE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN SUPPORT OF SAID BID.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order 2026-05. Commissioner Bine made a motion and Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
MUNICIPAL ORDER 2026-06 A MUNICIPAL ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF RIEGLER BLACKTOP COMPANY FOR THE 2026 STREET RESURFACING FOR THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT WITH RIEGLER BLACKTOP COMPANY IN SUPPORT OF SAID BID.
Mayor Solomon explained that the bid is for next year’s budget. This gives the city the costs that are associated with the work to be performed. During the budget workshop on Wednesday this amount will be used as the anchor for the Street Repairs/Construction budget line so that it can be approved.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order 2026-06. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY APPROVING AND ADOPTING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE BOONE COUNTY ZONING REGULATIONS TO REGULATE AND DEFINE MANUFACTURED HOME; MANUFACTURED HOME, QUALIFIED; AND MOBILE HOME, AND IDENTIFY ZONING DISTRICTS WHERE SUCH USES ARE ALLOWED AS AUTHORIZED USES WITHIN THE BOONE COUNTY PLANNING UNIT FOR BOONE COUNTY, KENTUCKY, THESE TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE BOONE COUNTY ZONING REGULATIONS BEING -ARTICLE 40, SECTION 4000; ARTICLE 5, SECTION 505.1; ARTICLE 5, SECTION 505.2; ARTICLE 5, SECTION 505.3; ARTICLE 5, SECTION 505.4; ARTICLE 5,SECTION 505.5; AND ARTICLE 20, SECTION 2001, SUBJECT TO THE RECOMMENDED TERMS AND PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN THESE RECOMMENDED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS, SET FORTH IN THE TECHNICAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT. (FIRST READING)
VISITORS WISHING TO SPEAK
No one had any issues to address.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Solomon mentioned the Caucus Meeting will be on Monday March 16, 2026, at
6:00 PM. The next Regular Commission Meeting will be held on Monday April 6, 2026, at
6:00 PM. Both meetings will be at the Union City Building 1843 Bristow Drive Union, Kentucky.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to enter executive session at 7:17 PM citing reason KRS 61.810 (1) (c) Discussion of proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the public agency.
Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion
Motion approved 5-0
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to exit executive session at 7:59 PM.
Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded that motion.
Motion approved 5-0
Mayor Solomon stated no action was taken during executive session.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to extend the contract of Attorney Jeffrey J. Otis to oversee legal action of a lawsuit filed against the City of Union for an Open Records Violation.
Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mefford made a motion and Commissioner Bine seconded that motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Motion approved 5-0.
Approved:
_________________________
Hon. Larry Solomon, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Tammy Wilhoite, City Clerk
Recent Comments