Union filled two top leadership positions at its July 6 commission meeting, hiring Kelly Preston as public works director and formally promoting Paul Kremer from that role to city administrative officer.

Preston's hire passed unanimously. Commissioner Doug Bine, who oversees the Public Works Committee, told the commission the city advertised the position and received about 30 applications before recommending Preston. No other details about Preston's background were discussed in the meeting minutes.

Kremer's promotion to CAO passed 4-1, with Commissioner Kim Tuyn casting the lone no vote. Tuyn said "for key leadership positions the city should seek both internally and externally, and for the current position of City Administrator the city did not search externally."

It was the same objection Tuyn raised at a May 13 special meeting, when the commission first voted 4-1 to hire Kremer for the role. The July 6 vote formalized the hire through Municipal Order 2026-18. Kremer has served as Union's public works director since February 2023.

Duke Energy franchise renewed at 3%

The commission also voted 4-1 to renew its franchise agreement with Duke Energy at the existing 3% rate, with Commissioner Doug Bine the sole dissenter. Bine had pushed since at least April to lower the fee to 2%.

The franchise agreement, originally adopted in October 2023, was set to expire in October 2026. The renewal extends it for another three years under the same terms. City Administrator Amy Safran noted at the commission's April 6 meeting that the 3% rate is consistent with other Northern Kentucky cities.

Before 2023, Union did not collect a franchise fee from Duke Energy.

Town Square work, Braxton Brewery noise

The commission unanimously approved three Town Square change orders totaling $72,593: $15,280 for flagpole lighting, $38,536 for conduit connecting security cameras to fiber and $18,779 to set light pole bases deeper around the city building and park.

Union resident Ryan Turner addressed the commission about noise from Braxton Brewery events on Friday and Saturday evenings, saying the homeowners association had received multiple complaints and the Boone County Sheriff's Department logged 11 complaints in one month. Mayor Larry Solomon said CAO Kremer and Code Enforcement Officer Bobby McDonald would visit the brewery to measure noise levels. Commissioner Tuyn recommended collecting baseline data on non-event days first.

The commission's next caucus meeting is Aug. 17 at the Union City Building, 1843 Bristow Drive.