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, July 7, 2026.
Raul Maya with the Centro Cristiano Bethel Church 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, Renee Skidmore, and Renee Wilson. Council Member Rebecca Reckers was not present.
Also present were: Mayor Jessica Fette, City Administrator Mark Collier, City Clerk Sherry Hoffman, and City Attorney Jack Gatlin.
MEETING MINUTES – M/S, Farmer-Wilson, that the minutes from the regular council meeting held on June 2, 2026 be approved as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – M/S, Niceley-Farmer, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – Lauryn Groce introduced Bill Morgan with Stewart Ironworks as the City’s Business Spotlight. Mr. Collier presented a video highlighting their business.
CITIZENS/PUBLIC COMMENTS – The following addressed Mayor and City Council:
- Ralph Sydnor – As the Dixie Farmers Market Manager, he spoke on what was available at the Market and encouraged all to attend every Thursday from 2-6 p.m.
- Erin Clemens – She requested the City of Erlanger to recognize April 2, 2027 as Autism Awareness Day, April 2027 as Autism Acceptance Month, and to light up the City Building in blue to recognize these dates.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Fette reported on the following:
- Amber Run Dog Park – A ribbon cutting ceremony was to be held on July 9, 2027 from 4-6 p.m.; Tim Aubry created an irrigation system for the sod; Bob Martin created the Puppy Love banners.
- Eons Bike Park – Dave Huff with Innovative Dirt Solutions created a 1000 foot jump line; beginner, intermediate, and advance levels would be available in the park.
- Sherbourne Park Parking Lot – Six spots were completed.
- Fire/EMS Update- The Fire/EMS Department changed from 24/48 hour shifts to 24/72 hour shifts.
- Narrows Road/Sidewalk Improvement Project – The project had been completed with crosswalk additions and a speed limit change.
- Eons Park Potential Donor – There was a potential donor for Eons Park on Erlanger property; this would require a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Erlanger, the Eons Park Preserve, and the Horizons Fund; Mr. Gatlin had drafted 95% of the MOU but needed to finalize it; Mayor Fette would like to discuss the MOU at the next caucus meeting; this would require a municipal order with a formal agreement.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Mr. Collier reported on the following:
- Updates – These were provided in the Meeting Packet.
- Fraud Reporting Box- In reference to the box mentioned in the Accounting Policy, Mr. Collier reported he found the key, searched the box, and only found a candy wrapper.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Mr. Gatlin had nothing further to report.
REPORT ON CAPITAL PROJECTS AND REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS – Mr. Collier reported on the following:
- Locust Street Reconstruction Project – The project was completed
- Silverlake Park Fence Project – The project was completed.
- Silverlake Park Tennis Court Fence Project – The project was completed.
- Eons Dog Park Opening – The grand opening was scheduled for July 9, 2026 from 4-6 p.m.
- Eons Overlook – The opening would take place during the Wine and Food Festival.
REPORTS OF TASK FORCES – None
BIDS – Mr. Collier reported on the following:
- Surplus Property Online Auction – Erlanger received a total of $13,000 for the sale of two vehicles
- Road Salt – Two bids were received; the bid was awarded to IBG Magic of Kentuckiana.
- Cardiac Monitors – Two bids were received; the bid was awarded to Zoll Medical Corporation; it was the best bid because it offered a CPR feedback which allowed the department to conduct post incident critiques of full arrest incidents.
- Home Street and Graves Avenue Street Improvements – Three bids were received; the low bid was awarded to Eaton Asphalt.
- Locust Street Park Phase 1 – Two bids were received; the low bid was awarded to John Tumlin & Sons.
- Police Vehicles – One bid was received; the bid was awarded to Don Franklin Chevrolet.
- Police Vehicles Equipment and Installation – Two bids were received; the bid was awarded to Ridgenet; this was not the lowest bidder but was the best bid; Assistant Police Chief Michael Clark stated the police department felt that their familiarity with Ridgenet’s equipment outweighed the slightly lower bid received from the other company.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Front Yard Fencing Amendment
- Comment from Public – Melissa Purvis, grandmother of an autistic child, requested front yard fencing to be allowed for those who have autistic children.
- Current Process – Ms. Jasper-Lucas submitted a request for a front yard fence through the Planning Development Services of Kenton County (PDS) to determine the process.
- Other Options – Mr. Farmer discussed Swim Life who offers swim life lessons for those with autism; scholarships were available.
- Caucus Meeting – A caucus meeting was requested for July; Mr. Farmer to invite Swim Life to attend.
NEW BUSINESS – Ms. Jasper-Lucas discussed the following:
- July Caucus Meeting – She reminded the Mayor and City Council that someone would be attending the July caucus meeting to discuss a speed issue.
- Volunteers – She referenced a City of Erlanger social media post published on June 7, 2026, seeking volunteers. Ms. Jasper-Lucas had questions regarding the City’s training, insurance, and background checks for volunteers; she requested that responses to her questions be shared publicly at the next City Council meeting and that copies of the policies and procedures be emailed to the members of City Council.
- Street Signs and Poles – Ms. Jasper-Lucas asked if the poles were being replaced along with the street signs. Mayor Fette replied the poles are only being replaced at the locations where the state meets the city streets due to the cost.
Ms. Fields reported the curbs were crumbling in front of the City Building and the light fixtures were rusting. Mayor Fette advised the lights may be in the current budget and she would report the curbs to Kevin Quinn with Public Works.
LEGISLATION – Mr. Gatlin read the first reading of an ordinance approving and adopting a supplement to the Code of Ordinances of the City.
Mr. Gatlin read Municipal Order No. 07-07-26-01 amending the accounting policies and procedures manual. M/S, Hermes-Wilson, to adopt the municipal order as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
Mr. Gatlin read Municipal Order No. 07-07-26-02 adopting the investment policies. M/S, Jasper Lucas-Niceley, to adopt the municipal order as written. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
Mr. Gatlin read Resolution No. 07-07-26-01 authorizing the acceptance of state funding for the Eons Adventure Park project pursuant to House Bill 900. M/S, Farmer-Wilson, to adopt the resolution as read. Discussion followed. Seven ayes (Cahill, Farmer, Fields, Hermes, Niceley, Skidmore, Wilson), one nay (Jasper-Lucas), motion carried.
Mr. Gatlin read Resolution No. 07-07-26-02 authorizing the Master Municipal Lease Agreement # 17170, between the Lease Service Center, Inc. dba NCL government Capital (Lessor) and City of Erlanger (Lessee) and Schedule #001 thereto. M/S, Fields-Farmer, to adopt the resolution as read. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – None
ADJOURNMENT – M/S, Jasper Lucas-Farmer, to adjourn from the regular meeting at 7:55 P.M. All ayes, no nays, motion carried.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED AND ATTESTED: APPROVED:
_____________________________________ ______________________________
Sherry Hoffman Jessica Fette, City Clerk Mayor