01-20-2026 – Caucus Meeting Minutes

Mayor Jessica Fette called the caucus meeting of the Erlanger City Council to order in the City of Erlanger Council Chambers at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The following Members of City Council were present: Tom Cahill, Chris Farmer, Michele Fields, Tyson Hermes, Jennifer Jasper-Lucas, Diana Nicely, Rebecca Reckers, Renee Skidmore, and Renee Wilson.

Also present were: Mayor Jessica Fette, City Administrator Mark Collier, City Clerk Sherry Hoffman, Director of Economic Development/ACAO Nick Eads, and City Attorney Jack Gatlin.

CAUCUS DISCUSSIONS
Small Business Task Force Abatement Ordinance

  • Discussion
    • The abatement ordinance would be a property tax moratorium for residential and commercial properties where improvements were being made; the most current assessed value would be used.
    • The program would be reviewed annually.
  • Action Requested
    • The first reading of this ordinance to be placed on the February 3, 2026 regular council meeting agenda.

On-Street Parking and Abandoned Vehicles Review

    • Discussion
      • Mayor Fette reported that Police Chief Leming recommended the following:
        • Maintain the 24 hour on-street parking, not to extend 48-72 hours
        • Complaint received in November was a one time incident
        • Additional time can be granted case by case (i.e. vacation).
    • Action Requested
      • Mr. Hermes requested Mr. Gatlin to draft an ordinance to be discussed and voted on by City Council with the following:
        • Time limitation according to road type
          • Interstate: Tow after 24 hours
          • Local Roads: Increase to 72 hours
        • No towing stipulation for weekends and holidays
        • No towing during snow emergencies.

    Speed Humps

      • Discussion
        • Literature was distributed that contained a review of speed humps and traffic calming.
        • Public Works Director Kevin Quinn contacted the City of Edgewood regarding any issues they may have had with their speed humps; the below was reported to have been found:
          • Acceleration of vehicles between humps
          • Teenagers accelerating to go over the humps.
        • Speed Hump Analysis conducted by Public Works found:
          • They do reduce speed.
          • They do create a visual.
          • There are costs to maintain them.
          • They decrease property values.
          • They increase air pollution.
          • They decrease fuel efficiency.
        • Permanent speeding signs instead of speed humps
      • Actions Requested
        • Police Sergeant Justin Auton volunteered to create a list of streets that would be candidates for a permanent speeding sign. The following streets were recommended: Narrows Road, Concord Drive, and Riggs Avenue (before Hulbert Avenue and Kenton Lands Road).

      Insurance Premium Tax Reduction

      • Discussion:
        • The following past reductions occurred:
          • 10% tax was reduced to 9.75%.
          • 9.75% tax was reduced to 9.50%.
        • Mayor Fette recommended that the City should not make a change this year, but build a reduction from 9.50% to 9.25% in the next budget cycle with an ordinance confirming this reduction by March 2027.
      • Actions Requested
        • Ms. Jasper-Lucas requested the following:
          • To go with the recommendation and not make a change this year;
          • Place the topic of reduction on a council term rotation so that the City Council who is discussing the reduction is the same Council who would vote on the reduction.
        • Mr. Hermes requested a caucus meeting to discuss a franchise fee reduction. Mayor Fette stated she would get the numbers for that reduction.

      Task Force Review

      • Discussion
        • Annual review of current and future task forces
      • Actions Requested
        • Parks Master Planning – Mr. Hermes advised the task force would continue.
        • Council Size – New task force created by Mr. Hermes.
        • Modifying or Eliminating Unnecessary Funds – New task force created by Mr. Hermes.
        • Historical Society – New task force to document the City as it is now; created by Mr. Hermes.
        • Open Records – New task force created by Mr. Hermes.
        • Beautification – Ms. Nicely advised the task force would continue.
        • Small Business – Ms. Reckers advised the task force would continue.

      Mayor Pay

        • Discussion
          • A spreadsheet detailing the Mayor pay for Kentucky cities was distributed; it included a population range.
            • Cities with the population of 20,000+ had an average Mayor pay of $32,584/year; Mayor Fette makes $15,000/year.
            • Mr. Hermes would like to increase the mayor salary closer to the average; he suggested using the money saved from reducing council from twelve members to nine.
        • Actions Requested
          • Ms. Reckers requested that the spreadsheet be converted to Excel and submitted to the City Council for review; she requested data based on the 2020 population.
          • Mr. Hermes requested a caucus meeting in February 2026 for further discussion.

        ADJOURNMENT

        M/S, Reckers-Wilson, to adjourn from the caucus meeting at 8:44 P.M. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.