ELSMERE, Ky. — The Elsmere City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to begin the removal process for councilwoman Serena Owen after she was absent at the majority of council meetings last year.
A previous analysis of public records, corroborated by the City of Elsmere, shows Owen missed 16 of 23 (69.6%) public meetings in 2024. The last meeting she attended took place in June 2024. Owen has also not attended any meetings this year.
Councilmember Gloria Grubbs introduced the motion at Tuesday's meeting to begin Owen’s removal due to "unlawful neglect of council duties, citing concerns from other council members and Elsmere residents."
Owen was offered the opportunity to attend Tuesday's meeting but did not show up. Owen was also offered a bulletproof vest and police escort to Tuesday's meeting due to her previous claims that her absenteeism was due to feelings of an unsafe work environment.
She requested the opportunity to attend meetings virtually but the council turned down Owen's request due to the costs of setting up virtual attendance.
According to the City of Elsmere ordinance, elected officials are allowed to be removed through a unanimous vote by city council members, excluding the council member who the removal vote is on in cases of “misconduct, inability or willful neglect in the performance of the duties,” of the official’s elected office.
Some city residents called for the removal of Owens earlier in March.
Owen will have 30 days to schedule a public hearing if she chooses to appeal the motion, according to Elsmere city attorney Greg Voss.
Watch our previous reporting on the absenteeism of Serena Owen in the player below:
