Mayor Jessica Fette called the regular meeting of the Erlanger City Council to order in the City of Erlanger Council Chambers at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Brian Nevins with the Calvary Chapel of Northern Kentucky gave the invocation.
Members of City Council and citizens pledged allegiance to the flag.
The following Members of City Council were present: Tom Cahill, Chris Farmer, Michele Fields, Tyson Hermes, Jennifer Jasper-Lucas, Diana Niceley, Rebecca Reckers, Renee Skidmore, and Renee Wilson.
Also present were: Mayor Jessica Fette, City Administrator Mark Collier, City Clerk Sherry Hoffman, Chief of Police Mike Leming, Director of Economic Development/Assistant City Administrator Nick Eads, and City Attorney Jack Gatlin.
MEETING MINUTES – M/S, Wilson-Reckers, that the minutes from the regular council meeting held on August 4, 2026 be approved as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Ms. Niceley made a motion to remove legislative item number one, the second reading of the Mayor and Council Pay ordinance, from the agenda. There was no second on the motion, therefore the motion failed.
M/S, Reckers-Jasper Lucas, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – Assistant Police Chief Michael Clark introduced Patrolman Clay Centers, K9 Officer Samo, and Nancy Haverkamp; he spoke about the Matt Haverkamp Foundation, who donated K9 Officer Samo to the City of Erlanger.
Mr. Eads recognized Premier Athletics of Northern Kentucky as the City’s Business Spotlight. Mr. Collier presented a video highlighting their business.
CITIZENS/PUBLIC COMMENTS – The following addressed Mayor and City Council:
- Richard Chalice -He spoke against the proposed Linwood Avenue sidewalk project.
- Joe Scheben – He had questions regarding the mayor raise legislation and the parks funding.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Fette reported on the following:
- Mayor Fette thanked Nancy Haverkamp and the Matt Haverkamp Foundation.
- The grand opening of the Flow Bike Park occurred the week prior.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Mr. Collier reported on the following:
- Locust Street – He recognized Public Works employee Joe Daugherty for the storm water project on Locust Street.
- Kenton County Planning Commission – They had a meeting that week with an agenda item regarding subdivision regulations that would include Erlanger.
- Depot Museum – The Fall Exhibits were Salute to Veterans, including a partnership with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Erlanger, and the Cincinnati Bengals, with a focus on local NFL athletes and cheerleaders.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Mr. Gatlin provided an update on legislative items numbers four and five on the agenda:
- Municipal Order T-Mobile Easement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – This was for an easement with T-Mobile to provide right-a-way access.
- Municipal Order Stonemor Kentucky, LLC Easement – This was an easement with Forest Lawn Cemetery to install a sidewalk adjacent to their property; this project was in the approved budget.
REPORT ON CAPITAL PROJECTS AND REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS – Mr. Collier reported on the following:
- McAlpin and Hope Street Project – The project would start the following week.
- Linwood Street Project – Public workshops would be held for this project.
- Eons Maintenance Building – The revised plans were finalized; completion expected in October.
- Locust Street Park Phase 1 Improvements Project – This project was in progress.
- Eons Multi-Use Trails – Two bids were received for this project; both bids were over budget; the project would be re-advertised.
- Firehouse Expansion – The City was exploring professional assistance to do a design-build.
Mr. Eads reported on the following for Economic Development:
- Past Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
- The Flow Bike Park – August 27th
- FitNKY – August 29th
- Auto Zone – The new Auto Zone would open in the same plaza as FitNKY
- Upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
- Nature Med Cultivation Facility – September 9th
- McDonalds – They would be opening their training facility on Cave Run this fall.
- Summer Sendoff – He praised Lauryn (Groce) Helton on her preparations for this year’s event and provided information.
REPORTS OF TASK FORCES – None
BIDS – None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Mr. Hermes requested a sound technology update for the Council Chambers. Mr. Collier responded that the initial issue had been resolved, however a storm caused further damage and IT was in the process of getting it repaired.
NEW BUSINESS – Ms. Fields reported she attended Play It Today Games’ anniversary event, where she won the $200.00 door prize. Pursuant to the City’s ethics ordinance, she said she was required to disclose this to City Council. No City Council member objected to Ms. Fields keeping the door prize or that she return it to Play It Today Games.
M/S, Jasper Lucas-Reckers, to adjourn the regular session and move into executive session at 7:42 p.m. pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(b) to discuss the future acquisitions or sale of real property. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
M/S, Niceley-Wilson, to adjourn the executive session at 8:00 p.m. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
M/S, Reckers-Jasper Lucas, to return to regular session at 8:02 p.m. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
Mr. Hermes reported that he would attend the Erlanger-Elsmere School Board meeting that week to address concerns regarding traffic at the stop signs on Bartlett Avenue and Garvey Avenue during school pick-up and drop-off times.
LEGISLATION – Mr. Gatlin read the second reading of Ordinance No. 2597 modifying section 31.02 of the Erlanger Code of Ordinances as related to compensation of elected officials. Discussion followed. M/S, Reckers-Wilson, to adopt the ordinance as written. Seven ayes (Cahill, Skidmore, Farmer, Jasper-Lucas, Wilson, Reckers, Fields), two nays (Hermes, Niceley), motion carried.
Mr. Gatlin read the first reading of an ordinance providing for the annual assessment of all real estate and personal property within the City of Erlanger, which is subject to taxation thereby, for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2027, and providing for the payment and collection of such taxes, and the penalties and interest thereon; and describing the purpose for which the taxes so collected shall be appropriated and used, and continuing to fund a special fund, called the park improvement fund to support the ongoing development of new and existing parks.
Mr. Gatlin read Municipal Order No. 09-01-26-01 making the written determinations required by KRS 82.083 for the sale or other disposition of property owned by the City. M/S, Reckers-Hermes, to adopt the municipal order as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
Mr. Gatlin read Municipal Order No. 09-01-26-02 authorizing the Mayor to execute an easement agreement and related memorandum of understanding with T-Mobile Central, LLC. M/S, Wilson-Farmer, to adopt the municipal order as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
Mr. Gatlin read Municipal Order No. 09-01-26-03 authorizing and directing the Mayor of the City to execute a deed of easement with Stonemor Kentucky, LLC for a permanent easement for sidewalk and fencing. Ms. Jasper-Lucas clarified the sidewalk would be along Hallam Avenue. M/S, Reckers-Hermes, to adopt the municipal order as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – None
ADJOURNMENT – M/S, Reckers-Farmer, to adjourn from the regular meeting at 8:15 P.M. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.