CITY OF EDGEWOOD
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
March 2, 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 Ruechl, Bridget Grady Spears, Scott
Spille 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, General Services Director Rick Lunnemann, and Program Coordinator Lucas Elam. Council
member Jeff Schreiver was absent.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CITIZENS DESIRING RECOGNITION ON LEGISLATIVE MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA —None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA -—Mrs. Spears asked to add an update of the Charter Oak project as item #10.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES —February 2, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes ~ Mr. Barlage made a motion to
approve the February 2, 2026, minutes as written; second by Mr. Messmer. Motion passed: 6 ayes ~ 0 nays.
REPORT/PRESENTATIONS —Years of Service Presentation: Chief Dickman congratulated the following
members on their years of service to the Fire Department: An asterisk (*) appears next to the names of those who
were present at the council meeting. Asst. Chief Chris Amon- 35 years*, FF Greg Burk- 35 years*, FF/Medic Corey
Deye- 30 years, FF/EMT Doug Talbert- 30 years, Recruitment Coordinator Todd Wyatt- 30 years, FF/Medic Jason
Bowling- 25 years, FF/EMT Dan Richman- 20 years, FF/Medic Ben Meiners- 10 years*, FF/Medic Jacob Shafer- 10
years, FF/Medic Cole Deupree- 5 years, FE/EMT Kirby Eckel- 5years, FF/Medic Landon Meyer- 5 years and
FF/Medic Kevin Schutte- 5 years*.
Mayor’s Report ~ Karen Henson, 3072 Magnolia Court presented to council her request for a splash pad in the city
to provide children with a place to cool off in the summer and provide safe water play. Mrs. Henson commented that
there is no standing water therefore there is no need for a lifeguard. Mayor Link thanked Mrs. Henson for bringing
this idea to the city and council and stated that Mr, Dehner will gather more information on splash pads and the cost
and bring it back to council. City Day/ City Night was on Wednesday, February 25″ in Frankfort. Mayor Link
thanked Representative Stephanie Dietz for pushing through HB589 for the rehiring of retired firefighters. Mayor
Link thanked Mr. Dehner for his work on getting this bill passed in the House of Representatives. The bill is
currently waiting passage in the Senate. Tim Broering is retiring from TBNK and thanked him for his 25 years of
service. Mayor Link announced the Municipal Government League is meeting on March 30″ at NKADD at 6:00
pm.
Staff Reports ~- City Clerk, Fire, General Services, Police and Recreation —Mayor Link thanked the members of the
fire department for their years of service. Mayor Link thanked General Services for their hard work on the snow
removal in the city. Mr. Ruehl asked Chief Kreinest about the memorandum of agreement in regards to the Brent
Spence Bridge detail. Chief Kreinest stated that the Kenton County Sheriff is responsible for coordinating the filling
of the detail. Chief Kreinest stated that officers can download the app Rollcall to participate and sign up. Chief
Kreinest also stated that they are working on an interlocal agreement between counties for participation but it is still
very early in the planning stages. Mr. Ruehl congratulated the city and Chief Kreinest at being named the #1 safest
city in the State of Kentucky. Mr. Dehner stated that the #1 safest city designation is a team effort between General
Services, Fire and the Police Department. Mayor Link thanked Lucas Elam for doing a great job with recreation. Mr.
Dehner stated that the new playground in the back of Presidents Park was featured in the manufacturer’s sales
catalogue,
UNFINISHED BUSINESS —Charter Oak update —Mrs. Spears asked about the flags that have been put in the
yards on Charter Oak Road. They were placed there without notification to the residents. Mr. Lunnemann explained
that this is the first step in the design process to go out and survey the project area for possible easements, utility
relocations, etc. Mr. Lunnemann stated that at this stage of the project they do not communicate with the residents.
Mr. Lunnemann also stated that there will be a public meeting at Liberty Hall in the near future when the design
process is further along. Mrs. Spears asked that the website be updated with current information for the project.
NEW BUSINESS —The March 16″ council meeting is cancelled —Mayor Link and Brian Dehner are out of town
for the NLC Conference in Washington DC.
ORDINANCES, MUNICIPAL ORDERS, AND RESOLUTIONS -—Resolution 2026-01 —Authorizing Z21
Project Submission. Mr. Rueh! made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-01; second by Mrs. Spears. Motion
passed: 6 ayes —0 nays.
Resolution 2026-02 —Approving Mayor to sign NKY SWAT Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Messmer made a motion
to adopt Resolution 2026-02; second by Mr. Ruehl. Motion passed: 6 ayes —0 nays.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
e Annual Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 21 at 2:pm in Freedom Park
e Spring Canvas Painting, March 28″ from Noon —2:pm, $15 for residents, must pre-register
e Spring Chair Yoga on Wednesdays in April at Liberty Hall from 11:30 —12:30, classes are free and
space is limited, must pre-register
ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Spille made a motion to adjourn at 7:14 p.m.; second by Mr. Ruehl. Motion passed: 6 ayes —0 nays.
Mayor John D. Link
Attest: \ Belinda Nitschke, City Clerk
Original Copies can be viewed at the City Building.