CAUCUS/COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 20, 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.
DISCUSSION
Union Town Square Updates
City Administrator Amy Safran mentioned that payment application number 8 in the amount of $137,747.70 was paid to Mark Spaulding Construction Company, this payment is part of the regular construction cost.
CAO Safran mentioned there were three change order requests for Commission consideration and approval. Change order number ten is for the terrazzo flooring that will be installed in the foyer of the new city building. Included in the contract is 120-grit finish (gray tones). The change order is for an 800-grit finish that would bring out a deeper dark terrazzo color. CAO Safran shared samples of both flooring samples with the Commission. The increased cost for the 800-grit terrazzo is $5,363.64.
After discussion, the Commission denied the Change Order request for the extra cost and agreed to move forward with the original approved 120-grit finish terrazzo flooring.
Public Works Director Paul Kremer discussed the reason for change order request number 12. He explained that when the trees were cleared along the south loop walking trail, storm water flows appeared across the future path. If a drainage plan is not installed, storm water will flow across the trail which could create a safety issue. PWD Kremer explained that the purpose for the change order is to add a drainage structure for water flowing off the southern edge of the park to pass under the paved south loop walking trail. This option also reduces the slope of the walking trail in the Southwest corner and will permit a safer pedestrian movement. The cost to add a drainage structure is $16,090.47.
After discussion, the Commission agreed to install the drainage structure requested and approve change order number 12.
PWD Kremer mentioned that change order request number 11 gives the city an option to add twenty-one additional parking spaces including one Americans with Disability Act (ADA) parking space. These parking spaces were originally planned for a future phase. If the additional parking is not approved, the area will be seeded with grass as written in the contract and there will be a gap in the concrete curb along the north end of the parking lot for future planning. PWD Kremer explained that the additional parking spaces would help with parking during Commission meetings with high attendance as well as other on-site events. If the work is completed later the cost would most likely be a lot higher. The cost to add additional parking spaces is $33,109.39.
After discussion, the Commission agreed to add an additional twenty-one parking spaces and approved change order number 11.
Personnel Handbook Presentation
Michael Simon, Employment Law Attorney, with Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) presented the revised City of Union Employee handbook to the Commission and answered questions.
There will be a day scheduled in May for Mr. Simon to come to the city building to conduct training for staff.
Commissioner Tuyn asked for unsafe acts and unsafe conditions to be added to Section 3 Workplace Safety. She also asked that an incident reporting form be added to request all standard information.
Commissioner Bine suggested a change in Section 3 Mobile Telephones instead of reading that “an employee will be responsible” to “may be responsible” in case an employee’s phone is lost, stolen, or is physically damaged beyond repair. The Commission agreed to make the change.
Commissioner Bine recommended that if a supervisor has reasonable suspicion that an employee is not using a city issued phone for its proper purpose, they can inspect the device.
When discussing vehicle use in Section 3, Mr. Simon suggested that the city should verify if everyone has an active driver’s license by going to Kentucky Drive online.
Mayor Solomon and the Commission directed PWD Kremer to begin the process of looking for a second vehicle to be used by city staff when conducting city business.
Commissioner Bine addressed paid holidays in Section 7, suggesting that all employees part-time and full-time should receive holiday pay if the holiday falls on the day they are scheduled to work. The Commission agreed to have further discussion on holiday and vacation time at the Special Meeting scheduled for April 21, 2026.
Mr. Simon will update the employee handbook to include amendments recommended by the Commission. The Commission will be given a final copy of the employee handbook before the next Regular Commission meeting on May 4, 2026.
Union Town Plan Update
Commissioner Tuyn updated the Commission on the status of the updated Union Town Plan (UTP). She explained that three revisions have been made to the plan so far. The next steps in updating the UTP are as follows.
- Kevin Costello, Boone County Executive Director, will be attending the Planning Commissions Long Range Planning Comp Plan Committee meeting next week where he will update the committee on the status of the UTP update.
- Mr. Costello will then present the UTP draft to the Union Commission at a Regular scheduled meeting to give an overview.
- Next will be public comments. The recommendation is an online mechanism for residents to have the ability to view and make comments. The city will then hold a public meeting either as a special meeting dedicated to the update or incorporate time into a regular scheduled meeting allowing residents the ability to attend in person to provide comments.
- The information will then be consolidated, and any necessary edits will be made.
- If there are any proposed changes, they will be communicated with the Union Commission and Boone County Fiscal Court.
- The Long-Range Planning Commission Committee will schedule a Planning Commission Public Hearing on the update.
- The Planning Commission will then adopt and recommend approval to the City of Union and Boone County Fiscal Court
- Then final adoption takes place.
Mayor Solomon explained the process for how new developments in the city are decided. He stated that the city’s emphasis is to improve the Union Town Plan to make sure that it is at the 2026 level as opposed to being at the 1999 level.
The Commission agreed to have Kevin Costello attend the May 4, 2026, Commission Meeting to present the UTP draft.
Union Promenade Final Plat Review Application
CAO Safran mentioned there was a final plat review application submitted by Drees Homes for lot number 13 in Union Promenade. The application is a request to subdivide a .542-acre parcel into three lots. The plat review application requires Mayor Solomon’s signature before going to the Boone County Planning Commission (BCPC) for the formal review process.
Mayor Solomon made a motion to approve him signing the plat review application and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0
Rice Pike/US 42
Commissioner Mefford mentioned that he has received a request from a Union resident asking if the city could install flexible delineator posts on US Highway and Rice Pike. He explained that prior to when the intersection was realigned there was a left turn lane onto Hicks Pike that was directly across from Rice Pike. The State of Kentucky realigned the roads for safety purposes which moved Hicks Pike further West on US Highway 42. Cross lines were painted on the existing turn lane to indicate you could not drive on it. The issue is that there is safety concern for drivers turning left onto US Highway from Rice Pike because drivers heading South on US Highway do not always wait behind the car turning and they attempt to drive around them.
Commissioner Mefford explained that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 was contacted by the concerned resident, and they informed him that the request for this process would need to be initiated through the city or county.
City Attorney Greg Voss recommends that the city work with Boone County to find a solution to the issue.
Commissioner Mefford mentioned his intention for bringing the issue to the Commission is to get input and discuss next steps for taking the issue to Boone County.
Commissioner Bine has concerns about the city being responsible for the maintenance of the flexible delineators on a county or state road.
Mayor Solomon mentioned that he will address the safety issue of US Highway 42 and Rice Pike at the Judge Executive/Three Mayors meeting on Friday April 25, 2026, and report back to the Commission at the next scheduled meeting.
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
Municipal Order 2026-08 was tabled, and will be read on May 4, 2026, at the Regular Commission Meeting.
MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 2026-09 AN ORDER OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN AMENDED AND RESTATED RECOGNITION AND ESTOPPEL AGREEMENT TO EFFECTUATE THE EXTENSION OF A COMMERCIAL LOAN BY WESTERN-SOUTHERN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY TO UNION PROMENADE CLUB APARTMENTS, LLC.
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order 2026-09. Commissioner Eldridge made a motion and Commissioner Tuyn seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
MUNICIPAL ORDER 2026-10 A MUNICIPAL ORDER ACCEPTING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF UNION, KENTUCKY AND GROUND SYSTEMS
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to approve Municipal Order 2026-10. Commissioner Bine made a motion and Commissioner Mefford seconded the motion.
Motion approved 5-0
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.
Municipal Order 2026-11 was tabled, and will be read on May 4, 2026, at the Regular Commission Meeting.
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 (FIRST READING)
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 (FIRST READING)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Solomon informed the Commission that Amy Safran will be resigning from her position as City Administrator sometime between July and September. Her husband has been transferred to Washington State, and she will be relocating with him. A hiring replacement process will begin immediately.
CAO Safran expressed her gratitude to the Mayor, Commission, Attorney Voss, and staff. She said it has been a pleasure serving the City of Union, residents, and community for the past five years.
Mayor Solomon thanked CAO Safran for all her hard work and stated that she has done an amazing job for the city. He mentioned that when CAO Safran is asked to do something she always gets it done the first time and he has always been proud of that.
All the Commissioners and City Attorney expressed their gratitude to CAO Safran for the excellent job she has done for the city.
Mayor Solomon announced there will be a Special Meeting on Tuesday April 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Solomon stated the next Regular Commission meeting on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM, and the next Caucus/Commission meeting will be held on Monday May 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM; all these meetings will be at the city building 1843 Bristow Drive Union, Kentucky.
ADJOURN
Mayor Solomon asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mefford made a motion, and Commissioner Bine seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.
Motion approved 5-0
Approved:
_________________________
Hon. Larry Solomon, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Tammy Wilhoite, City Clerk
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