CITY OF EDGEWOOD
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 6, 2026
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER ~ Mayor Link called the meeting of the Edgewood City Council to order at 6:30 pm. The
following council members were present: Ben Barlage, Joe Messmer, W. Jamie Ruehl, Jeff Schreiver, and Rob
Thelen. Also, in attendance were City Administrator Brian Dehner, City Clerk Belinda Nitschke, and City Attorney
Frank Wichmann. Other staff members present: Fire Chief Tom Dickman, Police Chief James “Jimmy” Kreinest,
and General Services Director Rick Lunnemann. Council member Bridget Grady Spears arrived at 6:33pm and
Council member Scott Spille was absent.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CITIZENS DESIRING RECOGNITION ON LEGISLATIVE MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA -~ Approved
APPROVAL OF MINUTES —March 2, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes —- Mr. Ruehl made a motion to approve
the March 2, 2026, minutes as written; second by Mr. Thelen. Mr. Schreiver abstained. Motion passed: 5 ayes —1
abstention.
REPORT/PRESENTATIONS —Mayor’s Report —There were still a lot of issues being discussed during the
legislative session which concludes April 14″ and 15″. The issues still being discussed are SB 9 regarding Airbnb’s
and Mr. Dehner’s bill regarding rehiring contract firefighters is currently been sidelined due to CERS issues but will
hopefully be resubmitted next year. Mayor Link thanked Lucas, all the staff and volunteers who helped make the
Easter Egg Hunt a success, Mayor Link thanked the police chief and the department for helping keep all the
participants safe with the flow of traffic. The Municipal Government League met on March 30″, everyone is invited
to attend future meetings. Mayor Link thanked KLC for all their hard work during the legislative session fighting for
cities.
Staff Reports —CAO, City Clerk, Fire, General Services, Police and Recreation —Mr. Ruehl asked Mr. Dehner
about Dudley Phase IIT & IV and if the environmental review was complete. Mr. Dehner responded that the
historical preservation is complete and the environmental review is under way currently. We hope to get an update
next week that it is complete. Mr. Dehner stated that once the environmental review is complete the next step is to
make any changes to the plans, if there is any disruption to the environment and then to start the easement process.
All easements for the project are temporary, none are permanent. Chief Dickman stated that the fire department will
be conducting fire hydrant testing throughout the city for the next 2-3 weeks and residents may experience some
cloudy or discolored water. Northern Kentucky Water District will also be testing the hydrants the week of May
11″, Mr. Lunnemann informed council that Rob Begnoche participated in the NKYAPWA Skid Steer competition
and came in first place, he then competed at the state level KYAPWA Skid Steer competition and came in first place
again, This enabled Mr. Begnoche to compete in the APWA Southeast Regional Roadeo Competition in Knoxville,
TN, unfortunately they eliminated the Skid Steer competition but allowed Mr. Begnoche to compete in the backhoe
and excavator competition. Mr. Begnoche came in third place in the backhoe competition against participants from
Kentucky, Tennessee, W. Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mr, Lunnemann congratulated Mr,
Begnoche on his skill as an operator and representative of the City of Edgewood Public Works. Mayor Link
congratulated Mr. Begnoche on this outstanding accomplishment.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Street ID Sign Replacement Program Presentation —Rick Lunnemann, Director
General Services —Mr. Lunnemann presented to council the Street ID Sign Replacement program, Mr, Lunnemann
explained that this program is a “big ticket” item and would most likely not be feasible to complete in one budget
cycle, Our current signs are not up to Federal Highway standards meaning all signs need to be “break away”
signage. The new program would install new signs that would meet current standards, move signs to the outgoing
side of the street and combine them with the stop sign to reduce sign clutter within the city. The public works
department conducted a sign inventory and determined the city would need to be broken up into four quadrants. If
this program is approved by council, then each year over four years a quadrant would be replaced. The proposed
cost would be $50,000 for the coming budget year, the next year $73,000, following year $56,500 and final year cost
would be $45,500. Total cost over four years is $225,000. Council discussed the program.
KCPC Recommendation for Edgewood Text Amendment (PC-26-0004-TX) Z21 Zoning Update —Mr. Dehner
stated that the proposal went through the KCPC with a positive recommendation to adopt it. Mr. Dehner stated that
before council takes any action on this matter there are two additions to the text amendment for consideration. Mr.
Dehner proposed adding Barnwood Drive before the Text Amendments prior to passing the new Ordinance to
include Recreational Activity and Veterinarian Clinics. Mr. Schreiver made a motion to approve the KCPC Text
Amendment (PC-26-0004-TX) Z21 Zoning with the new changes; second by Mr. Ruehl. Motion passed: 6 ayes —0
nays.
NEW BUSINESS —None
ORDINANCES, MUNICIPAL ORDERS, AND RESOLUTIONS — None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
e Annual Health and Wellness Expo is April 16″ from 2-4 at Liberty Hall. All ages are welcome.
e The City-Wide Yard Sale has been moved to early August to coincide with the World’s Largest Yard
Sale.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Barlage made a motion to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.; second by Mr. Thelen. Motion passed: 6 ayes —0 nays.
Mayor John D. Link
Attest: \ Belinda Nitschke, City Clerk
Original Copies can be viewed at the City Building.