By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
EDGEWOOD
Edgewood city council did not make a final decision on the Flock cameras in the city, although they remain inactive. Council member Jeff Schreiver said that he had some questions for Police Chief Jimmy Kreinest and all the questions that council members had were compiled and given to the chief. He, in turn, answered the questions to the best of his ability, and he talked to the company. The information he acquired was included in each council member’s packet, but council also decided they should put it on their website to let everyone in the city see the questions and answers.
In previous meetings with residents, council had been surprised to see that some people were actually for keeping the cameras. However, four residents came to say the city should get rid of them, and they all had reasons. One of the reasons was that license plate readers violate the fourth amendment, but Chief Administrative Officer Brian Dehner said that it does not violate the fourth amendment, which deals with privacy because the Supreme Court said that anything that is visibly viewable to the public is not a violation.
Several more issues were discussed, but council agreed to put the topic on the November agenda to see if they can come up with a decision on the cameras.
City Attorney Frank Wichmann held the first reading of the ordinance about ebikes and scooters, which is similar to other cities, and does have consequences that the police can enforce. The first reading was on last month’s agenda but council wanted to add the rule that children have to walk their bikes and scooters across most crosswalks. The second reading will be next month.
Marty Hellman from Verdantas gave a lengthy update on the progress of the Charter Oak repairs, dealing with the issues of stop signs, which council specified that they want installed immediately, to sidewalks, and sewer repairs. Hellman and CAO Dehner thought there will be three phases, and the first two should be accomplished in 2027.
INDEPENDENCE
Independence city council began their October meeting by having Mayor Chris Reinersman read a proclamation declaring November 1, 2026 to be Extra Mile day, a day celebrating volunteerism and going the extra mile for some cause. This is the 11th year that Independence has taken part in the event.
Attorney Jack Gatlin held the first reading of an ordinance amending the budget, due to several grants the city has received. One grant is a redevelopment grant for $1 million from Kenton County for the area of Cox road and Taylor Mill Road, which used to be a gas station.
Another grant was for the police firearms for $50,000, and another is for a virtual reality training aid for the police department, a grant for $270,000. No vote was needed for the first reading.
A resolution passed allowing CAO Chris Moriconi to apply for a text amendment to the zoning code so that a resident can build a home on his three acre lot.
A municipal Order passed which declares certain items found in the basement to be surplus and they will be sold on govdeals.com.
ERLANGER
Silverlake Family Place took the business spotlight at the regular Erlanger City Council meeting. They have been in business 30 years in Erlanger, and they are a great part of the city.
Gracie Kelly, Director of Government Affairs for the Kentucky League of Cities, came to the meeting to present State Representative Steve Doan with the ‘Friends of the Cities’ award. Doan started out as a council member at Erlanger, and he has been a help to the Northern Kentucky cities in particular with legislation he advocated for in Frankfort.
Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette read a proclamation declaring October 10 Arbor Day in the city. Erlanger is part of the Tree City USA, and Arbor Day raises awareness for the precious treasure that trees are in the community.
Resident Ed Millikin came to ask again why the Arlinghaus company is permitted to have a gravel parking lot for customers when no one else is allowed to have a gravel parking lot. He pointed out that he has brought the matter up before, and said nothing has been done even though gravel is not permitted as a parking lot in the city. He also noted that Mayor Fette called out council member Jennifer Jasper Lucas for causing employees to leave the city, and he wanted to make sure the mayor knew that he left employment at the city because of the mayor, not Jasper Lucas.
Former Council member Corine Pitts spoke about the Memorandum of Understanding that was supposed to be brought before council to be voted on, and hasn’t been forthcoming from Administration. The MOU is a document several council members have asked for so that affairs of the city and affairs of Eons Park can be carefully delineated.
She also asked about odors coming from the creek in parcels 2, 3, and 4 in Eons park, and she asked if there has been testing done on the water in those parcels to see if the water is contaminated. Mayor Fette said they haven’t started to build in that area, so they have not had the water tested. As far as the MOU, Fette did not have an answer.
Council members Rebecca Reckers and Jennifer Jasper Lucas both brought up the MOU as concern for transparency grows. At one meeting, the MOU was brought forward for a vote, but more discussion was requested on the document, and it was never brought forward again.
In the mayor’s report, Fette said due to comments on Linwood Avenue, the city has decided to fix the street but delete the sidewalks, because the residents don’t want them. She also said the city met with the businesses on Dolwick, and they were all in favor of lowering the speed limit on Dolwick from 55 MPH to 45 MPH.
FLORENCE
At a special meeting of Florence city council, council listened to the first reading of an ordinance approving rules and regulations for the use of sanitary sewers, public and private, within the city.
Another first reading approved the rules and regulations of the Water Service, pertaining
to the operation, extension and improvement of the Florence Water Service system.
A third first reading of an ordinance was held relating to the charges for the users of the City Waterworks system, the sanitary sewer system and the storm sewer system.
These clarify city and owner responsibility, and provide a much needed update on the systems and regulations, since most haven’t been updated for years. The changes to rates does not mean the rates will increase, and mostly deals with new construction.
Mayor Julie Aubuchon preceded Police Chief Jeff Mallery’s update on Flock cameras by saying there is a letter on the website saying the use of the city’s cameras were paused on September 16. Covers for the cameras are coming this week. Aubuchon said she thought the issue needed a transparent and thorough review before the city made the decision to take them out. She said she has talked to Boone County Sheriff Les Hill to form a committee to study this issue.
“I don’t believe public safety and individual privacy are competing values,” she stated. “We have an obligation to protect both. We have come together with Boone county to form a joint committee task force to study the issue. I assure you this is a process that will take every step to let the public be heard and it will be deliberate and thorough, and when it is finished it will be brought to council for citizen and council input.”
Chief Mallery said the cameras are off, and they checked with the Airport police, who still have active Flock cameras, and they confirmed that the Florence cameras are off. Once the committee is formed they will study all the issues and questions thoroughly and then come back to council with a presentation.
FORT WRIGHT
A public hearing preceded the regular Fort Wright Council meeting, where the public was able to comment on the tax rates. Mayor Dave Hatter said last year’s rate was $.199 per $1000 of assessed value for real property and $.385 per $1000 for personal property. Hatter proposed a 7 percent rate cut for this year, coming in at $.185 per $1000 for real property, and for the personal property rate to stay the same. He said they can more than make up for the loss of $113,000 engendered by the tax rate cut by business growth and new sources of revenue.
During the regular meeting the rate was approved by council on the first reading.
Traffic on Highland Pike and Kyles Lane was discussed, since changes have been made in the lanes. Of the two lanes coming up Highland Pike from Madison Pike, the right middle lane is designated for a turn lane onto Werner. Police are stationing themselves on Werner to catch people who do not turn and go straight instead of turning. If they do, they will get a warning the first time and will be cited the second time.
A middle two-way turn strip has been added to Highland Pike for access to side streets.
In the approach to the city building, there is a dedicated left turn lane as well as a right turn lane.
Council discussed the three acres along Banklick Creek behind the TANK garage which belong to Fort Wright. Council Member Margie Witt has assessed the property to see what the options are for the city to do with the property. Witt made several suggestions, and fellow council members voted for her to act on behalf of the city in this matter.
Mayor Hatter briefed council on the search for a new Chief Administrative Officer, saying that he and the city attorney have narrowed the field of 47 down to 2.
Council passed the second reading of an ordinance charging off delinquent tax debts.
They also passed the second reading of an ordinance regarding drone delivery service.