# Council Work Session - February 4, 2014 > Auto-transcribed civic record · February 4, 2014 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/3227 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/3227?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2014-02-04 - **Last revised**: July 15, 2026 - **Length**: 2,157 words > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed with OpenAI's open-source Whisper large-v3-turbo model, run locally by The Lexington Times. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude. Verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Urban County Council met on February 4, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council conducted business on 10 agenda items and took 24 votes during the session. The meeting included 2 public comment periods—one for issues on the agenda and one for issues not on the agenda—during which members of the public were heard. The council approved several substantive matters, including requested rezonings and docket approval, budget amendments, and new business items. The council also heard continuing business and presentations. In addition to voting on these items, the council received informational reports from the Mayor and individual council members. The meeting concluded with adjournment following standard parliamentary procedure. ## Attendance **Present:** Gorton, Ellinger, Kay, Ford, Akers, Beard, Farmer, Stinnett, Scutchfield, Myers, Clarke, and Henson **Absent:** Lawless, Mossotti, and Lane **Late:** None reported ## Votes and Decisions All motions passed during the February 4, 2014 meeting. The majority of votes were unanimous. **Procedural Motions** [timestamp: 00:03:00] The council approved the docket for the January 30, 2014 Council meeting (motion by Scutchfield, second by Akers). The January 21, 2014 work session summary was approved (motion by Beard, second by Myers). Budget amendments were approved (motion by Ellinger, second by Myers). New business was approved (motion by Gorton, second by Farmer). Neighborhood development funds were approved (motion by Akers, second by Kay). The Mayor's report was approved (motion by Stinnett, second by Ellinger). The council voted to adjourn (motion by Ellinger, second by Henson). **Committee Referrals** [timestamp: 00:03:00] The Internal Audit report of the MRF collections process was referred to the Environmental Quality Committee to examine a correction plan (motion by Henson, second by Myers). The Coroner's office employee salaries and classification were placed into the General Government committee for examination (motion by Henson, second by Gorton). A review of the wellness center lease and options for Administration was placed into the Budget & Finance committee (motion by Stinnett, second by Gorton). **Resolutions and Agreements** [timestamp: 00:03:00] A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a right of way agreement with Columbia Gas of Kentucky for a gas line at 699 and 669 Byrd Thurman Drive was approved (motion by Farmer, second by Gorton). The council authorized several agreements: a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Marshals Service (L0061-14); an MOU with Transylvania University for radio system use (L0063-14); an agreement with Everbridge, Inc. for an Alert and Notification System (L0064-14); a Mutual Aid Agreement with The Transit Authority of Lexington (L0065-14); an agreement with Horizon Information Systems for Representative Payee Program maintenance through December 21, 2014 (L0067-14); a revision to the Master Service Agreement with Time Warner Cable for internet service upgrade at Police Headquarters (L0068-14); and Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Polo Club Boulevard Design Phase (L0079-14). The council authorized the Division of Fire and Emergency Services to purchase a Lucas 2 CPR assist device from Physio Control Inc. (L0069-14). **Lease and Donation** [timestamp: 00:03:00] A Lease Agreement with Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board for Central Kentucky Job Center space was authorized (L0045-14), with an annual rental rate set at $23,826.00. A donation of approximately 200 railroad cross-ties from Norfolk Southern Corporation, valued at $1,200, was accepted (L0059-14). **Handicap Parking Violations** [timestamp: 00:07:23] A motion by Henson to set fines for handicap parking violations at a minimum of $150 up to $250 passed unanimously. A subsequent motion by Gorton to amend the fine to $250 passed on a roll call vote, 8-1, with Farmer voting against. **Signage** [timestamp: 00:09:56] A motion by Farmer to approve signage as submitted in the presentation passed unanimously (second by Gorton). ## Budget and Financial Actions The meeting approved the following financial actions: **Emergency Services Equipment** The Division of Fire and Emergency Services received approval to purchase a Lucas 2 CPR assist device from Physio Control Inc. for $20,363.20 (L0069-14). **Emergency Management System** An agreement with Everbridge, Inc. was authorized for an Alert and Notification System for Emergency Management in the amount of $107,468.85 (L0064-14). This contract utilizes funds awarded under the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. **Representative Payee Program** A maintenance contract with Horizon Information Systems for the Representative Payee Program was approved through December 21, 2014, for $586.50 (L0067-14). **Police Headquarters Infrastructure** An amendment to upgrade high-speed internet service at Police Headquarters was approved with Time Warner Cable for $8,604.60 (L0068-14). The upgrade increases service from 20 megabits to 50 megabits and is related to the CJIS Project. **Workforce Development Space** A lease agreement with the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board for space within the Central Kentucky Job Center was approved for $23,826.00 (L0045-14). **Transportation Project Funding** The acceptance of additional federal funds from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Polo Club Boulevard Design Phase was approved in the amount of $28,000 (L0079-14). ## Public Comment Two council members provided remarks during the public comment period. **Handicap Parking Signage and Compliance** [timestamp: 00:13:09] Council Member Henson raised concerns about handicap parking compliance at businesses. He noted that businesses with handicap parking spaces are not currently required to comply with signage and accessibility standards unless they undertake re-striping or resurfacing work. Council Member Henson requested that the law department explore options for requiring compliance within a reasonable timeframe. **Snow and Ice Removal Efforts** [timestamp: 00:14:44] Council Member Massadi commended the Streets and Roads department and public safety crews for their work during severe winter weather conditions. He urged the public to exercise patience given the rapidly changing weather conditions and the ongoing nature of snow and ice removal operations. ## Contested Items **Handicap Parking Fine Amount and Enforcement** The council was divided on a motion to set the handicap parking fine at $250. Council Member Farmer opposed the increase, raising concerns about the lack of distinction between different fine categories. Despite this opposition, the majority of the council voted in favor of the motion, establishing the $250 fine amount. ## Public Comment - Issues on Agenda No public comments were submitted during this session. ## Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval [timestamp: 00:03:00] No docket was required for this meeting. The motion to approve the docket for the January 30, 2014 Council meeting was presented and passed without dissent. Key speakers on this item included Scutchfield and Akers. The outcome of the vote was approval. ## Approval of Summary The January 21, 2014 work session summary was presented for approval. [timestamp: 00:03:00] **Motion and Outcome** Beard made a motion to approve the summary, which was seconded by Myers. The summary was approved without dissent. ## Budget Amendments Budget amendments were presented and approved without dissent during this agenda item. [timestamp: 00:03:00] Ellinger made the motion to approve the budget amendments, which was seconded by Myers. The amendments were adopted unanimously with no opposing votes or concerns raised during the discussion. ## New Business New business items were presented and approved without dissent. [timestamp: 00:03:00] Gorton made the motion to approve the new business items, which was seconded by Farmer. The items were approved by the body. ## Continuing Business/Presentations During this agenda item, reports were presented from two committees. **General Government Committee** The General Government Committee presented reports on two topics: human resources reorganization and barrier-free parks. **Budget & Finance Committee** The Budget & Finance Committee discussed parking fines and handicap violations. This discussion resulted in a motion to establish a $250 fine for handicap parking violations. **Key Speakers** Kay and Ellinger presented during this section. **Outcome** The agenda item was approved. [timestamp: 00:04:01] ## Council Reports Council Members Henson and Clark provided reports during this agenda item. **Henson's Report** Council Member Henson thanked the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities for their work on handicap parking regulations. **Clark's Report** Council Member Clark raised concerns about enforcement of signage compliance. **Outcome** This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. ## Mayor's Report No mayor's report was presented during this session. [timestamp: 00:15:00] ## Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda [timestamp: 00:13:09] During this portion of the meeting, public comments were received on matters not listed on the agenda. Two Council Members provided remarks on separate issues affecting the community. **Issues Raised:** Council Member Henson addressed concerns regarding handicap parking compliance. Council Member Massadi raised issues related to winter road conditions. **Outcome:** The comments were received on an informational basis, with no formal action taken during this agenda item. ## Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by motion of Ellinger, seconded by Henson. The motion passed without dissent. [timestamp: 00:03:00] --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve summary - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve new business - **Motion** — passed (0-0): set the fine at $250 for handicap parking violations - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the handicap parking signage as presented by the Commission for Citizen’s with Disabilities - **Motion** — passed (0-0): adjourn --- ## Full transcript Music Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll call a meeting to order, and first on our agenda today for the work session is public comment for issues on the agenda. Donnie, has anybody signed up for issues on the agenda? Okay, thank you, sir. That allows us to go on to docket approval. There's no docket required this week to approve. That allows us to move on to summary approval. Is there a motion? Second. Motion to approve the summary by Council Member Stennett, second by Council Member Ellinger. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. All right. No budget amendments today on the agenda, which allows us to move to new business. Is there a motion? Second. Motion by Council Member Beard, second by Council Member Kay. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. If there is no discussion on the motion, then we can take a vote. All in favor of the motion, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. allows us to move on to continuing business and presentations. First on our agenda is a summary by Council Member Kay of the General Government Committee meeting from January 14th. Is that right, Steve? Okay. All right, sir. Council Member Kay. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, sir. First, this was the meeting of January 14th General Government Committee. The first item was approval of the summary. That was approved without objection. The second item on the agenda was to move human resources. That item had a brief discussion, and it will stay in committee, and we're going to get an estimate of costs and benefits of a new structure for human resources. The third item on the agenda was the barrier-free parks introduced by Vice Mayor Gorton. We got a report from Mr. Cooper Ryder about what has been done to make the parks more barrier-free. There were no motions related to that. On items referred to committee, we removed the issue of human resources on the agenda and the parks enterprise program to come back to the agenda, and the rest of the agenda stayed as they were on the packet to begin with. We had a motion to adjourn. That was approved without exception, and we adjourned. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Kaye. And next on our agenda is a report, a summary of the Budget and Finance Committee meeting from January 28th by Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor, and it's good to be here. I wouldn't recommend one of the successories, but I haven't felt well, so it's to your all's advantage that I'm wearing this. Anyway, the budget and finance summary we met on January 28th. The first item on the agenda was our committee summary approved for December 10th, 2013, which was approved unanimously. We postponed the police and fire pensions until February 25th. The next item was the parking fines and handicapped zones. Christy Stamball and Donnie Whitler present to the committee on the commission for assistance with disability recommendations for the issue of handicapped parking violations. They like to erect a sign that say no parking time for the wheelchair or loading area. They also would like to add no parking anytime language to paint to the striped area as well as change the striping to blue. They received a grant from Lex Park to assist with the cost for businesses that want to come into compliance prior to the language becoming law. Presently, the current citation is $15, and they proposed the fine to be raised to $150. And one of the issues where the grant money was going to come and Christy Stamball said $10,000 would be from this year's fiscal year and $10,000 would come from LexCol in July. And they anticipate going in half for the cost with interested businesses. We then had a discussion on towing and raising the fee to $250,000 at this time. And then also, I guess I'll go on, then Gary Means made some comments on the handicap parking fine issue requires an ordinance. The presentation of parking fines is just an update to Council on the brief discussion. It does not require an action by Council because they are not increasing anything more than $100. And the new fines will go in effect, Gary Means said, July 1st, and the rates of the parking have been approved by the parking authority. And his advice on the handicap violation should be the $250. And at this time, I'll ask Mike Saner if he would. He has sent a memo and also a couple of ordinance changes. And actually, let me go ahead and do the motions, and I'll come to you, and then you can talk about them. First, we had a motion by Council Member Henson to set the fine at $150 up to $250. And this passed without dissent. Then we had a motion to amend the setting to find it $250, and that passed. And I would move that forward to this committee. And I think before we vote on it, I think Mike Sander will explain about that. Well, you want to get a second on it and then go into discussion? Is that all right? Sure. Okay. You got a second? Motion by Councilman Allen. You're a second by Councilman Clark. Now the floor is available for discussion. And this one would be odd. The first issue was just moving it $250. Okay. That is in Section 18-166I. You can see the underlying portion there. There is not a range for the fine, and there is not a leeway for paying the fine early or late. It's a flat $250 fine for parking in a handicapped spot. And one of the issues that was brought up at the time was also could we do about towing that we conclude in with a fine. And could you describe that issue, please? The question was can you add the ability to tow to this ordinance right now. And you don't need to do that because the ability to tow from a handicapped parking place is already in place in the Code of Ordinances. Section 18.113.31 provides it's illegal to park in a handicapped spot. The same ordinance, Section 2, provides that any police officer, safety officer, or Lex Park officer may tow for a vehicle in violation of parking in a handicapped spot. So that's already in place. Thank you. And at this point, Mayor, if there's any discussion on this issue. All right. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Then take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Councilman Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. And the next one, we had a motion by Councilman Farmer to approve signage as submitted in the presentation and seconded by Vice Mayor Gorton, passed without dissent. And, Mr. Sainter, could you talk about that ordinance, please? This is Section 18-113 of the Code of Ordinances. Section 2A provides that the van accessible aisles between handicapped parking places, that that is to become a no parking zone. And Section A gives you the sign requirements to post in front of the handicapped parking aisle to identify it as a no parking zone. Section B of the ordinance is when the parking lots must come in compliance. All new parking lots must begin compliance right away, and existing parking lots don't have to come into compliance unless they re-stripe or resurface their parking lot. And I believe there was discussion that Lex Park is helping out these business owners with absorbing some of the costs. Thank you, Mary, and I'd move this motion forward. All right. There's a motion by Council Member Ellinger, second by Council Member Henson. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Hearing none, we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you, Mayor. And the last item on the agenda was our monthly finance report. Year-to-date budget is in line with the actual budget, and revenues are up $4.2 million year-to-date. And then Simon Keemer with Dean Dorton, Allen, and Ford walked the committee through the comprehensive annual financial report report and audit. And we adjourned. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Thank you, Council Member Ellinger. All right. Next on our agenda is Council Reports. The floor is available for Council Reports. If you'll just sign on, please, for Council Reports. Council Member Hanson and Council Member Clark. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to thank all of those on the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities for their work on the handicap parking fees. I know Rick Curtis is here, Christy Stamball, Roger Damon. There were several employees that worked very, very hard on this to get something that would benefit the citizens that live in our community that have limited mobility and also to educate people prior to this going into effect. So there was a lot of work that went into this, and I just wanted to thank them. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Henson. Council Member Clark. Thank you, Mayor. I have some concern about the fact that we can't affect the signage or the regulations in a parking place that is not revised in any way. And so I'd just like to express that and ask if we could look perhaps in a way to insist that businesses who have parking places that are for handicap could be required to do it within a reasonable amount of time. I don't have a suggestion for that, but I would like for the law department perhaps to look at that and see if that would be possible. All right. What do you say? If I can. I don't think it's going to be necessary, Mr. Clark. Okay. What we've got is we've got a certain amount of funds that have been mandated in the general fund for the Lexington Parking Authority. We're going to take that and actually purchase the signs and the posts for them so that whether they do it or not, we're going to ask them to voluntarily. We'll do it for them so it won't cost them anything. And the end result is I think that they'll be more than agreeable to get that done. And as far as the law goes, the way that it's written, 60 days after its passage, if they go to re-stripe or do anything, they're going to have to do it anyway. So the end result is that within two months, hopefully you'll see all of them already done already. So you're comfortable that's going to happen. That way it doesn't encumber you all to pass a new law, and it also doesn't encumber the businesses. We're going to use the fund that's generated from the actual fees themselves to actually complement what needs to be done. All right. I appreciate that. Thanks a lot. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilman Clark. Councilmember Massadi. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to say thank you to Streets and Roads. I know they've been working tirelessly around the clock. We've gotten a lot of phone calls today that some of the subdivisions still haven't been cleared, and I just want everyone to have some patience because, you know, we've had a lot of snow, we've had a lot of ice, and I think our crews are doing as best as they can, considering the conditions freeze and then change so drastically and so quickly. And I guess we're going to have some freezing rain tonight, from what I understand. So please, everyone, just be cautious and be patient. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Sadi. And thanks for that praise to those who have been working these roads for us, public safety as well, and especially the streets and roads crews and public safety as well. Thank you. Waste. you know there's a lot of our city employees once we start mentioning one division it's like you remember don't we yes i appreciate you talking about public safety and fire as well i mean the first responders are around the clock as well right all right thank you council member massadi and that's uh all all council members who have signed on for a council report, and that allows us to move to the mayor's report. There is no mayor's report this week, which allows us to move to the public comment for issues not on the agenda. Has anybody signed up, Donnie, for issues not on the agenda? Well, my goodness gracious, I think there's another record. A motion by Council Member Stennett and second by Council Remember, Ellinger, unless there's objection, we are.