[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6498700,"mediaKeyId","5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced","parentId",5607447,"title","Florence approves first-time Kenton County contribution to senior-center programming","audioSeconds",289,"startMs",1635000,"endMs",1924000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced&start=1635&end=1924","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced/thumbnail_1635000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6498700/Florence/Boone-County/Kentucky/Florence-approves-first-time-Kenton-County-contribution-to-senior-center-programming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498700-976c93fbd5c1668aa8e5b4f923514bf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181383&Signature=awo4X7XXDi6WZuknY8valcIrHoAInrmNdLMba8RNBdfkLiLmZr2BYiWkOSr4SlyqOhoBmvbA4-91yRE9MEic8za84NAb90ahAhO2Se8TiTl5aNoJrmzn-CLFloGVRdkFCTwaR8DlrvN8XP8lDl2jKHWlyOFHxJk5ihq2N8bFSFCj1lTwczX1RuckwLUr11x3HfDffaiePfIV3~TO1TxiWCfxPiHnrBldJuyaC1ejtlKJbEe3YVBJrceFX-Z3aiYnbx3LTdtpnI5-loK3sk8cEPfQ69sZSyD0eMJjIxs9367pAofRsauTQtN2WkivC4GaceMYJVL98QIRb0d54z8R5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Florence, KY","date","2025-08-20T12:05:10.707Z","article","The Florence City Council approved Resolution R5 20 25, authorizing an agreement between the Kenton County Fiscal Court and the City of Florence to support senior services at the Florence senior center.

Councilmember Miss Wingo moved to approve the resolution; Councilmember Miss Chambers seconded. A roll-call vote recorded “yes” from Miss Wingo, Miss Chambers, Miss Whelan, Mr. Schneider and Miss Cable. The motion passed 5-0.

City staff explained that the Florence senior center was constructed in part with Community Development Block Grant funds administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; that funding carries a requirement that the facility be open to all individuals without residency restrictions. The city contracts with the YMCA to manage daily operations, and the North Kentucky Area Development District provides roughly $40,000 annually for the center’s programming, staff said.

Staff noted that Boone County has historically contributed to the senior-center contract, and that Kenton County’s contribution is a first-time action based on attendance: staff said about 135 unique Kenton County residents used the Florence senior center in the relevant year, prompting the fiscal court contribution. Councilmembers confirmed that Kenton County’s payments and future adjustments would be evaluated annually based on participation records.

The resolution authorizes the intergovernmental agreement for the purpose of providing senior services; staff said the arrangement formalizes Kenton County’s financial contribution for residents who use the Florence facility. Council took the measure by formal vote at the special meeting.

No closed session was requested and the meeting adjourned after the vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Florence City Council Special Meeting - 2025.08.19","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution R5 20 25, authorizing an agreement with the Kenton County Fiscal Court for senior services at the Florence senior center; the center is managed by the YMCA and was built with Community Development Block Grant funding requiring open access to all individuals.","taxTitle","Florence, Boone County, Kentucky","taxId",64547,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6498705,"City staff outlines 20-year electric-franchise bidding plan; council hears rights-of-way, tree and reconstruction concerns",859,720000,1579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced&start=720&end=1579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6498705/Florence/Boone-County/Kentucky/City-staff-outlines-20-year-electric-franchise-bidding-plan-council-hears-rights-of-way-tree-and-reconstruction-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498705-bb80ddcf28d42864535fcc99eb8a9575/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181383&Signature=BdmaWIaeyfHxlat0lJut8YVVv-KtbTbnNWDtEnCJ9y4fmhfHgUYBYjNUqMa56PDNnApZRjpOLu31P04iTYYJS1BcT1Q7TqlDex7qvJ-k5~UTL4-uAvUl0oYgV9SGfE1Dzb0Q6L4-R5GhPbG92Kr4cXdE4-Vn1AiOJJ23zNY6f31D8J5uZnbd5YhEPz3D303pDS7kvkfmtNc2~un~qI~r9GOpU54mMD9I6hB3Goov0qi8dLyt8H8SrxAH9LmAS0aizSr4qG7c0JtgMfGEAVD47e1yFRZVt4-2byRRaH7gzZ6apOqp73Gm5D3Th9n3O1zvm90nYCgU419vsjm5tC1L5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an overview of a proposed 20-year electric franchise the city plans to advertise for bid, saying the agreement would define how an electric utility operates in Florence’s rights of way and set restoration and operational standards.

“To explain it, a franchise agreement is basically a contract between a city and a utility provider and it allows that utility provider to operate within the city's right of way,” said a staff presenter, describing the document’s role in authorizing utility work, protecting the city’s proprietary interests and establishing restoration requirements for sidewalks and streets.

Staff said the draft framework would permit Florence to reserve the right to impose a franchise fee of up to 5 percent during the 20-year term, but emphasized that council members have expressed no current desire to levy such a fee. The presenter said the fee would be optional and would be the subject of a public discussion and vote if future councils chose to adopt it.

Staff identified Duke Energy and Owen Electric as interested bidders for the nonexclusive franchise in the municipal district, and said the bid would be advertised after council passes an ordinance authorizing the city to solicit proposals; staff noted the ordinance text was still being finalized and would be provided to council before advertising.

Council members focused questions on technical and practical consequences for streets, water mains and tree canopy. The presenter explained that full or crowded rights of way can force water-main replacement into the street, increasing project costs because of different bedding and flowable-fill requirements. He said the city sought provisions requiring utilities to coordinate with the public-services department before trimming or removing trees, to avoid “decimating the trees” along rights of way.

No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the meeting; staff asked council to authorize sending the project to bid and to expect franchise agreements and responses to return to council for review and a later vote.

The discussion was informational. Staff said the city will circulate the draft ordinance and bidding documents to council members before any advertisement or formal action.","City staff explained a proposed 20-year electric franchise bid process and what a franchise agreement would cover, including rights-of-way use, potential franchise fees and provisions on tree maintenance; no ordinance or vote was taken at the meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6498710,"Fiesta of Northern Kentucky seeks volunteers, donations as Latino services grow in Florence",433,91000,524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced&start=91&end=524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607447-27a5bb4f1a9c7555fd6c783364f28ced/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6498710/Florence/Boone-County/Kentucky/Fiesta-of-Northern-Kentucky-seeks-volunteers-donations-as-Latino-services-grow-in-Florence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498710-cca901ceeb30177a5b5f03ba48770a25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181383&Signature=Khrztx0B9eAmFVJ2jktmRxhA2IhlbSeGXgZaSHafZfkuHmtjAu5d6ZrGR5YyXhcJo652kmBJ6gDcC5G2p3WfVmpxcL7nAWpUWzrfSw~1RZFTsCF1bpvlB4oMh0kPp5wEPknabvz8aRejKzz0AfNL6XuHz-m72NAZXrPh1YHDCUvwEtWocjUztqlcEQ3b168p7gSJH3WtDBrM3gWsEQe72npL4sanNsaQ8W2qUjVcq~Gvru2Fb4LgBwmLtSJcCbOG6KMnLXwMtQxYVhYnKxRdhhaPoIe~p7oYYKLbVvf5rp~VniF-88qe6dahP9U~p-6kcy7afR5xoHRmKzOfFOMx9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Teresa Cruz, founder and CEO of Fiesta of Northern Kentucky, told the Florence City Council that her Florence-based nonprofit has expanded services to meet growing needs in the area and is seeking volunteers, donations and publicity for its first major fundraiser.

Cruz said Fiesta officially opened Jan. 3, 2024, and focuses on culturally relevant food distribution, resource coordination and education and outreach. “We are the only culturally relevant food pantry in Northern Kentucky,” she said, adding that Fiesta supplies food items families know how to prepare to reduce waste and improve nutrition.

Fiesta provides emergency tote bags of rice, beans, Maseca flour and protein for newly arrived families and runs a monthly distribution event. Cruz said the nonprofit served 1,197 families through its monthly Latino food distribution last year, reached 1,438 people through outreach events, and counted 3,805 people served in 2024 across its programs. She said the food distribution has grown from 65 families to a capped 210 families per month as demand has risen.

Cruz described Fiesta’s resource-coordination work—helping families apply for rental assistance, LIHEAP and other programs—and noted partnerships with Gateway (ESL classes starting Sept. 3) and local employers. “We surveyed 144 of our clients and asked them what was the biggest barrier to employment. They said language,” she said. Cruz said Fiesta helped place eight people with L’Oreal last month through workforce connections.

Cruz also said Fiesta will launch a mental-health initiative in September and that many volunteers are themselves families who previously received services: “75% of our volunteers are families that we serve.” She gave the group the organization’s address (7536 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 8) and website (fiestanky.org).

To raise funds, Cruz asked the council to promote Fiesta’s Sept. 19, 2025, fundraiser at the Florence stadium; tickets are $40 and proceeds will support programming. The event will include food from five Latin American traditions, a salsa band and community activities, she said.

Councilmembers asked about the pantry’s location and volunteer operations; Cruz described a monthly volunteer-intensive distribution on the last Friday of each month and ongoing collection/packing work earlier in the week. She said Fiesta partners with Saint Vincent de Paul and with Turfway Park to deliver food to racetrack workers as a targeted outreach.

Cruz thanked the council for hosting her presentation and reiterated that Fiesta intends to remain based in Florence and expand local services.

The presentation was informational; no council action was taken at the meeting.","Teresa Cruz, founder and CEO of Fiesta of Northern Kentucky, briefed the Florence City Council on the nonprofit’s food, resource and education programs, reported growth in demand and asked for volunteers and community support for a Sept. 19 fundraiser.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Florence approves first-time Kenton County contribution to senior-center programming

City staff outlines 20-year electric-franchise bidding plan; council hears rights-of-way, tree and reconstruction concerns

Fiesta of Northern Kentucky seeks volunteers, donations as Latino services grow in Florence