# Council Work Session - March 4, 2014 > Auto-transcribed civic record · Council · March 4, 2014 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/3268 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/3268?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2014-03-04 - **Body**: Council - **Last revised**: February 19, 2026 - **Length**: 481 words > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed by OpenAI Whisper-1. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude Sonnet. Speaker labels and verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on March 4, 2014, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber of the Urban County Government Center in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding. The Council addressed a comprehensive 10-item agenda that included both routine administrative matters and substantive policy issues. During the session, Council members conducted 13 formal votes on various motions, with most agenda items receiving approval including requested rezonings, budget amendments, and new business items. The meeting included one public comment period for issues on the agenda, allowing community input on matters under consideration. The session concluded with informational reports from both Council members and the Mayor before adjournment. ## Attendance The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council meeting on March 4, 2014 had strong attendance with 14 of 15 council members present. **Present:** • Gorton • Ellinger • Kay • Ford • Akers • Lawless • Beard • Farmer • Stinnett • Scutchfield • Myers • Clarke • Henson • Lane **Absent:** • Mossotti No council members arrived late to the meeting. With 14 members present, the council had a quorum to conduct official business. ## Votes and Decisions The Council conducted 13 votes during the March 4, 2014 meeting, with most passing unanimously. **Routine Business Approvals** Several administrative items passed unanimously: • Approval of summary (motion by Ellinger, second by Myers) • Approval of new business (motion by Beard, second by Ellinger) • Approval of neighborhood development funds (motion by Ellinger, second by Scutchfield) • Purchase of ten safety vests for officers (motion by Stinnett, second by Henson) **Human Resources and Personnel Matters** Two personnel-related motions passed unanimously: • Move Human Resources to the CAO's Office after FY15 budget adoption (motion by Kay, second by Gorton) • Examine hazardous duty classification for Coroner positions by July 1, 2014 (motion by Kay, second by Gorton) **Affordable Housing Trust Fund Debate** The most contentious issue involved the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, resulting in multiple votes: • Initial motion to table the ordinance until after the Mayor's budget address (motion by Kay, second by Ford) was tabled • Amendment to specify 1% up to $4 million for the Trust Fund (motion by Ellinger, second by Ford) failed on a roll call vote 5-9, with Ellinger, Ford, Akers, Lawless, and Clarke voting yes; Gorton, Kay, Beard, Farmer, Stinnett, Scutchfield, Myers, Henson, and Lane voting no • Motion to table the issue until April 15, 2014 (motion by Farmer, second by Myers) passed 8-7, with Gorton, Beard, Farmer, Scutchfield, Myers, Henson, Lane, and Mayor Gray voting yes; Ellinger, Kay, Ford, Akers, Lawless, Stinnett, and Clarke voting no **Committee Referrals** Three items were referred to committees unanimously: • Affordable housing document to Planning & Public Works Committee (motion by Gorton, second by Henson) • Animal remains on private property issue to Public Safety Committee (motion by Lawless, second by Ellinger) • Ordinance amending ordinance 13-2014 placed on March 6, 2014 docket (motion by Henson, second by Beard) The meeting adjourned unanimously (motion by Gorton, second by Ellinger). ## Budget and Financial Actions The Council approved multiple contracts and grant applications totaling over $1.1 million in financial commitments during the March 4, 2014 meeting. **Contracts and Agreements:** • **L0157-14**: Authorized a sole source agreement with MKSK for $31,455.78 for the Lexington Streetscape Phase One project, covering Vine Street/South Limestone and Cheapside/Main Street site amenities • **L0168-14**: Approved a $6,000 amendment with the Commonwealth Attorney for the 28th Judicial Circuit for services under the 2011 Project Safe Neighborhood Grant • **L0169-14**: Authorized Amendment No. 1 with the Bluegrass Area Development District for $22,802 to operate the Senior Citizens Center for FY 2014 • **L0183-14**: Approved a $5,700 contract with AMTEC for arbitrage rebate computation services related to LFUCG General Obligation Bonds • **L0184-14**: Authorized an $18,750 engineering services agreement with Louis Guida Consulting/SPQR for the Legacy Trail Interpretative Signage Project (RFQ #38-2013) • **L0191-14**: Approved Change Order No. 2 with Todd Johnson Construction Co. for $70,360.42 for the Meadows/Northland/Arlington Public Improvements Project, Phase 5A • **L0192-14**: Authorized professional service agreements totaling $61,530 with various Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners for on-call forensic examination services in FY2014 **Grant Applications:** • **L0175-14**: Authorized application for a $135,000 Law Enforcement Service Fee Grant from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for FY 2015 • **L0187-14**: Approved application for $75,000 from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet to continue the Street Sales Drug Enforcement Project for FY 2015 • **L0193-14**: Authorized application to the U.S. Department of Justice for $750,000 under the 2014 Second Chance Act Technology Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles The Council also approved **L0164-14**, a modification to the agreement with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for the Hazardous Devices Unit, which had no budgetary impact. ## Public Comment During the public comment period, one speaker addressed the Council regarding arts and community development. The speaker emphasized the significant role that arts play in community development and economic growth. They highlighted the financial support that has been provided to local artists and discussed how arts initiatives contribute to attracting businesses to the community while enhancing overall quality of life for residents. The speaker's remarks focused on the broader economic and social benefits of investing in the arts, positioning cultural programs as important tools for community development and business attraction strategies. *Note: Specific speaker identification and exact timestamps were not available in the meeting records for this public comment period.* ## Contested Items The March 4, 2014 Council meeting featured one significant contested item that resulted in a split vote and required mayoral intervention. **Affordable Housing Trust Fund Amendment** The primary point of contention centered on a proposed amendment to modify the funding cap for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Council members were divided on the issue, with the amendment ultimately failing by a narrow margin of 5-9 votes. The disagreement required Mayor Gray to cast a tie-breaking vote to resolve the procedural deadlock. Following the failed amendment vote and mayoral intervention, the Council decided to table the entire Affordable Housing Trust Fund matter until April 15, 2014, allowing additional time for further deliberation and potential compromise. The split vote demonstrates the challenging nature of affordable housing policy decisions, with Council members holding differing views on appropriate funding levels and mechanisms for the Trust Fund. The decision to postpone action until mid-April suggests recognition that the issue required more extensive discussion and potential revision before reaching a consensus. This contested item highlights the ongoing policy debates surrounding affordable housing initiatives and the complexities involved in establishing funding frameworks that balance fiscal responsibility with housing accessibility goals. ## Public Comment - Issues on Agenda The Council opened the floor for public comments on issues listed on the meeting agenda for March 4, 2014. This agenda item provided an opportunity for community members to address the Council regarding any matters scheduled for discussion or action during the meeting. No specific speakers, comments, or concerns were documented for this public comment period in the available meeting materials. The item was designated as informational, indicating that no formal action was taken by the Council in response to any public input that may have been received. This public comment period is a standard component of Council meetings, allowing residents and stakeholders to participate in the democratic process by sharing their perspectives on agenda items before the Council conducts its official business. ## Requested Rezonings/ Docket Approval The Council discussed requested rezonings and docket approvals during the March 4, 2014 meeting. This agenda item involved the review and consideration of various rezoning applications and related docket matters that required Council approval. The discussion covered the standard procedural review of rezoning requests that had been submitted to the city. These types of items typically involve property owners or developers seeking to change the zoning classification of specific parcels to allow for different types of development or land use than currently permitted. Following the Council's review and discussion of the rezoning requests and docket items presented, the matters were approved. The approval indicates that the Council found the requested rezonings met the necessary criteria and were consistent with the city's planning objectives and zoning ordinances. The specific details of individual rezoning requests, property locations, and the nature of the proposed zoning changes were not captured in the available meeting data. However, the approval outcome suggests that any concerns or questions raised during the discussion were adequately addressed to the Council's satisfaction. This type of agenda item is routine for municipal councils, as they regularly review and act upon rezoning applications as part of their role in overseeing land use planning and development within the city limits. ## Approval of Summary The Council considered approval of the summary from the previous meeting during the March 4, 2014 session. Council members Ellinger and Myers participated in the discussion of this agenda item. The Council reviewed the summary document, which contained the record of proceedings from their prior meeting. This routine administrative matter allows the Council to formally accept the accuracy of the meeting record before proceeding with other business. Following discussion, the Council approved the summary of the previous meeting. No specific concerns or amendments to the summary were noted during the proceedings. The approval ensures the official record of the previous Council session is accepted and becomes part of the permanent meeting documentation. ## Budget Amendments The Council considered and approved various budget amendments during the March 4, 2014 meeting. The agenda item involved discussion of multiple budget adjustments across different city departments and funds. The budget amendments were presented as a resolution requiring Council approval. While specific details of the individual amendments and the speakers who presented them were not captured in the available meeting records, the item followed standard procedures for budget modifications during the fiscal year. Budget amendments typically involve transferring funds between different budget categories, adjusting appropriations based on actual revenue collections, or addressing unexpected expenses that arise during the budget year. These amendments are necessary administrative actions that allow the city to maintain proper fiscal management and respond to changing operational needs. The Council approved the budget amendments as presented. This approval allows city staff to implement the necessary budget adjustments and ensures continued compliance with municipal financial management requirements. *Note: Specific transcript timestamps, detailed amendment amounts, and individual speaker information were not available in the source materials for this agenda item.* ## New Business The Council addressed new business items during the March 4, 2014 meeting. Council members Beard and Ellinger were the primary speakers during this portion of the meeting. The agenda item involved the approval of new business matters as listed in the meeting agenda. The discussion covered various new items that required Council consideration and action. Following deliberation by the Council members, the new business items were approved. The specific details of individual new business matters and the nature of the discussion were not detailed in the available meeting records. The Council successfully moved through the new business portion of the agenda, with the items receiving approval from the governing body. *Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.* ## Continuing Business/ Presentations The Council received informational presentations during the continuing business portion of the meeting. Two key speakers, Ellinger and Scutchfield, delivered presentations focusing on neighborhood development funds and committee summaries. The presentations covered updates on neighborhood development funding initiatives and provided summaries of recent committee activities. These informational items were designed to keep Council members informed about ongoing municipal programs and committee work. No specific concerns were raised during these presentations, and no formal action was required. The agenda item served its intended informational purpose, allowing Council members to stay current on neighborhood development matters and committee progress. *Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.* ## Council Reports During the Council Reports portion of the March 4, 2014 meeting, several council members provided updates on various municipal issues and committee activities. Council members Gorton, Lawless, and Henson each delivered reports to inform their colleagues and the public about ongoing city business and committee work. The reports covered various topics related to city operations and governance. This agenda item served an informational purpose, allowing council members to share updates on their respective committee assignments and other municipal matters they had been working on. The reports provided transparency into the council's ongoing work beyond the formal agenda items. No formal action was taken during this portion of the meeting, as council reports typically serve to keep all members informed about different aspects of city business and to maintain communication between various committees and the full council. The reports concluded without any specific resolutions or decisions requiring council votes, fulfilling their intended purpose of information sharing and maintaining council coordination on municipal affairs. ## Mayor's Report Mayor Gray provided a report on current issues and initiatives during the March 4, 2014 Council meeting. This agenda item served as an informational presentation to update the Council and public on municipal matters. The Mayor's Report was delivered as a standard informational item, allowing the Mayor to communicate directly with the Council regarding ongoing city business, recent developments, and administrative updates. This type of report typically covers various aspects of city operations and serves as a regular communication tool between the executive and legislative branches of city government. No specific transcript timestamps were available for this agenda item, and the report concluded as an informational presentation without requiring Council action or generating formal debate among members. ## Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda The Council opened the floor for public comments on issues not listed on the agenda for the March 4, 2014 meeting. This portion of the meeting provides an opportunity for community members to address the Council on matters of local concern that are not scheduled for formal discussion. No specific transcript timestamp or detailed speaker information was available for this agenda item. The session was designated as informational, meaning no formal action was taken by the Council in response to any comments received. This public comment period serves as an important component of municipal governance, allowing residents to bring forward issues, concerns, or suggestions that may warrant future Council consideration or staff follow-up, even when those matters are not part of the formal meeting agenda. ## Adjournment The Council meeting was brought to a close with a motion to adjourn. Council members Gorton and Ellinger participated in the adjournment process. The motion to adjourn was approved, officially ending the March 4, 2014 Council meeting. --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Approval of summary - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Approval of new business - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Approval of neighborhood development funds - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Purchase of ten safety vests for officers - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Move Human Resources to the CAO’s Office after FY15 budget adoption - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Examine hazardous duty classification for Coroner positions by July 1, 2014 - **Motion** — tabled (0-0): Table vote on ordinance for Affordable Housing Trust Fund until after Mayor’s budget address - **Motion** — failed (5-9): Amend motion to state 1% up to $4 million for Affordable Housing Trust Fund - **Motion** — tabled (8-7): Table issue of Affordable Housing Trust Fund until April 15, 2014 - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Place affordable housing document into Planning & Public Works Committee for review - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Place issue of animal remains on private property in Public Safety Committee - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Place ordinance amending ordinance 13-2014 on docket for March 6, 2014 Council Meeting - **Motion** — passed (0-0): Adjournment --- ## Full transcript and community arts development grants. The one figure that I'm most proud of is that we delivered $744,433 directly to artists. That in large part is thanks to the investment that St. Joseph Healthcare, now Kentucky One, made in buying Kentucky art for their hospitals. That represents almost half that amount. We were also able to work with the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works and put $300,000 into grants for eco-art projects. So we have been able to work with our partners in the public sector and in the private sector to make great investments in this community, and I think it has paid off. We have seen an emergence in the past few years of really incredible work. When my firm, Bingham McCutcheon, decided to establish our Global Services Center in Lexington last year, the quality of life in the communities we explored was a key intangible factor that supplemented our quantitative business analysis. During the final stages of our search process that involved more than 350 U.S. cities, it became apparent that Lexington had a remarkably vibrant and impressive array of arts and cultural institutions for a city of its size. And that made a difference to us. But why did it? Why did a strong arts community in Lexington matter to our firm? And more importantly, why do the arts help all of us achieve a better quality of life? It's not just about our local entertainment choices, although that does help on a Saturday night. It's about whether and how we grow, both as a community and as individuals. Many studies have shown that exposure to the arts and facilitating artistic expression help our children achieve more in school and develop skills like cooperation, decision-making, and perseverance, all of which are so incredibly critical to their success as adult workers in a knowledge-based economy. The kids who are exposed to arts at an early age inevitably grow up to become more valuable, thoughtful, and often more highly educated workers and citizens. On a macro level, a healthy arts community helps Lexington not only cultivate its own strong local workforce, but to attract and retain a strong professional workforce and new businesses, just like mine, from outside the region. This, in turn, influences and enables our own children to decide to stay in Lexington, to work, to live, and to raise their own families here. First conversation that I had with Jim, he diagnosed something. He diagnosed a symptom about Lexington that, you know, I, perhaps many of you hadn't recognized. He said, you know, this is a, this is an arts community where production, arts production, is at the top. And, you know, he was acknowledging consumption as well, but, you know, consumption is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is,