# Urban County Council Meeting - June 5, 2014 > Auto-transcribed civic record · June 5, 2014 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/3372 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/3372?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2014-06-05 - **Last revised**: June 5, 2014 - **Length**: 27,883 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 convened on June 5, 2014, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding over the session. The meeting focused primarily on recognizing community achievements and contributions, with the council addressing two agenda items that celebrated local organizations and athletic accomplishments. During the session, the council approved recognition for the Family Care Center and honored the Bryan Station Girls Track and Field Team for their achievements. Both recognition items received approval from the council members present. The meeting included two formal votes on these agenda items, demonstrating the council's commitment to acknowledging significant community contributions and student athletic excellence. The session also provided opportunities for public engagement, with two public comments heard during the proceedings, allowing community members to address the council directly on matters of local concern or interest. ## Attendance The following members were present at the June 5, 2014 meeting: • Ellinger • Farmer • Ford • Henson • Kay • Lane • Lawless • Myers • Scutchfield • Stinnett • Akers • Beard • Clarke **Absent:** Gorton, Mossotti No members arrived late to the meeting. ## Votes and Decisions The council conducted two roll call votes during the meeting, both related to housing and development funding initiatives. **Resolution 0468-14** [timestamp: 03:00] Mr. Farmer motioned for approval of a funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Section 108 Loan for the 21c Hotel Museum Project, with Mr. Kay providing the second. The resolution passed by a vote of 10 ayes to 3 nays with no abstentions. Council members voting in favor: Ellinger, Farmer, Henson, Kay, Lane, Lawless, Scutchfield, Akers, Beard, and Clarke. Council members voting against: Ford, Myers, and Stinnett. **Ordinance 0554-14** [timestamp: 04:00] Mr. Ellinger motioned to amend budgets for funds reserved in the General Fund for Lexington Downtown Housing Fund loans, seconded by Ms. Scutchfield. This ordinance passed with broader support, receiving 12 ayes to 1 nay with no abstentions. Council members voting in favor: Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Henson, Kay, Lane, Lawless, Scutchfield, Stinnett, Akers, Beard, and Clarke. Council member voting against: Myers. Both measures related to housing development funding passed, though the 21c Hotel Museum Project resolution faced more opposition than the Downtown Housing Fund budget amendment. Mr. Myers was the only council member to vote against both proposals, while Mr. Ford and Mr. Stinnett opposed only the 21c Hotel Museum Project funding. ## Budget and Financial Actions The meeting addressed two significant financial items requiring council approval. **Section 108 Loan Authorization** The council considered Resolution 0468-14, which would authorize a $6,000,000 Section 108 loan for the 21c Hotel Museum Project. The loan would be provided to 21c Lexington, LLC to support this development initiative. Section 108 loans are federally-backed financing instruments that allow communities to leverage their Community Development Block Grant funds for economic development projects. **Wastewater Treatment Plant Repairs** Resolution 0486-14 addressed a contract award of $235,155 to McNutt Construction Co. for exterior masonry repair work at buildings located at the West Hickman Waste Water Treatment Plant. This contract represents necessary infrastructure maintenance to preserve the operational facilities at the treatment plant. The two resolutions combined represent $6,235,155 in financial commitments, with the majority allocated toward economic development through the hotel museum project and a smaller portion dedicated to essential infrastructure maintenance at the wastewater treatment facility. ## Public Comment Two speakers addressed the board during the public comment period, both expressing support for the 21c project. **Mr. Jeff Fugate** [timestamp: 02:00] spoke in favor of the 21c project, highlighting its potential benefits for downtown development. He emphasized the positive impact the project could have on the local area. **Ms. Knox van Nagell** [timestamp: 02:30] also expressed support for the 21c project, focusing on its cultural and economic impact. She underscored the broader benefits the project would bring to the community. Both speakers were aligned in their support for the 21c project, with no opposing viewpoints presented during this public comment session. The comments focused on development, cultural, and economic aspects of the proposed project. ## Appointments The meeting included two personnel appointments to local boards and commissions. **New Appointments:** • Mr. Phillip S. Thompson was appointed to the Corridors Commission **Reappointments:** • Mr. Daryl W. Smith was reappointed to the Housing Authority Board These appointments represent the ongoing process of filling positions on various municipal boards and commissions that provide oversight and guidance for different aspects of local government operations. The Corridors Commission typically handles matters related to transportation corridors and related development issues, while the Housing Authority Board oversees public housing programs and policies within the jurisdiction. ## Contested Items The meeting featured one contentious item that resulted in a split vote among council members. **21c Hotel Museum Project Funding** The primary contested issue involved a resolution regarding funding for the 21c Hotel Museum Project. The proposal generated significant debate among council members, ultimately resulting in a divided vote rather than the unanimous approval typically seen for routine matters. The resolution passed with a vote of 10-3 in favor, indicating that while a majority of council members supported the funding measure, three members opposed the proposal. The split vote suggests there were substantive concerns or disagreements about aspects of the project funding, though the specific nature of the objections and the identities of the dissenting members are not detailed in the available meeting data. The 21c Hotel Museum Project funding represented the only item during this meeting that failed to achieve consensus among the governing body, making it the sole source of recorded contention during the proceedings. *Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this contested item discussion.* ## Recognizing the Family Care Center [timestamp: 00:30] The Lexington Urban County Council considered agenda item 0580-14, a proclamation recognizing the Family Care Center. Mayor Gray presented the proclamation and officially declared June 5, 2014, as Family Care Center Day in Lexington. The proclamation honored the Family Care Center's contributions to the community. Beth Mills participated in the recognition ceremony alongside Mayor Gray. The council approved the proclamation without debate, formally establishing the special designation for the organization. The Family Care Center received official recognition for its service to Lexington residents through this ceremonial proclamation. The agenda item was processed as a standard proclamation, requiring no further council action beyond the formal approval and presentation. ## Recognizing the Bryan Station Girls Track and Field Team [timestamp: 01:00] The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council recognized the Bryan Station Girls Track and Field Team through agenda item 0582-14, a proclamation honoring their championship achievement. Mayor Gray presented the recognition, declaring June 5, 2014, as Bryan Station Lady Defenders Day. The proclamation celebrated the team's outstanding performance and championship win. Key speakers included Mayor Gray, who led the presentation, Mr. Stinnett, and Coach Kathy Broadnax, who represented the team during the ceremony. The Bryan Station Lady Defenders track and field team was honored for their athletic excellence and dedication to their sport. The proclamation served to formally acknowledge their accomplishments and bring community recognition to their success. The agenda item was approved without debate, reflecting the council's unanimous support for recognizing the achievements of local student-athletes. The proclamation represents the city's commitment to celebrating educational and athletic excellence within the Lexington-Fayette community. Coach Kathy Broadnax was present to accept the recognition on behalf of the team, highlighting the collaborative effort between the school, coaching staff, and student-athletes that led to their championship victory. The designation of Bryan Station Lady Defenders Day provides lasting recognition of the team's contribution to local athletics and serves as an inspiration for future student-athletes in the community. --- ## Decisions - **Resolution 0468-14** — passed (10-3): Funding Approval/Agreement with the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development for a Section 108 Loan for the 21c Hotel Museum Project - **Ordinance 0554-14** — passed (12-1): Amending Budgets for funds reserved in General Fund for Lexington Downtown Housing Fund loans --- ## Full transcript We have a full house tonight. We have a lot on the agenda. And for those of you who have not been to a council meeting before, what we do is we start with a roll call. And that roll call is made by our council clerk. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Mr. Ellinger? Here. Mr. Farmer? Here. Mr. Ford? Here. Ms. Gorton? Ms. Henson? Here. Mr. Kay? Here. Mr. Lane? Here. Ms. Lawless? Here. Ms. Massadi? Mr. Myers? Here. Ms. Gutchfield? Here. Mr. Stinnett? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Akers? Yes. Mr. Beard? Present. Mr. Clark? I'm here. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next on our agenda is invocation. Regrettably, Reverend Greg McClellan of Trinity Baptist Church was not able to make it tonight, so we will stand for a moment of silence. All right. Thank you, everyone. I'm going to go around to the podium now. We have a couple of presentations. First, on our agenda now. Thank you. proud joining the council tonight to recognize the Family Care Center. As many of you know the Family Care Center has served Lexington well for 25 years now by providing support for young families. When the Family Care Center opened in 1989 there was nothing else like it in Lexington. We all know that you can often measure the values of a community by how it treats, how our community treats those who are greatest in need. The Family Care Center lifts up young mothers, empowering them to graduate high school. And the Family Care Center helps in so many other ways. Child care, health care, parenting classes. So before I ask Commissioner Beth Mills to speak, I am I'm going to read the proclamation honoring the Family Care Center. All right? It has a bunch of whereases in it. So you all just stay with me because this one is really important and relevant, and I want to share all of it. So this reads, a commemoration honoring the Family Care Center. Whereas the Family Care Center has served Lexington's young families for 25 years, helping them reach self-sufficiency. And whereas the care the Family Care Center provides for preschool-age children who are among the most vulnerable members of our community, has received a four-star ranking from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, one of only five such rankings in Lexington. And whereas the Family Care Center has helped 500 young mothers graduate from high school, even though teen pregnancy is a leading cause of dropping out of high school, and whereas the Family Care Center has a hands-home visitation program that offers valuable guidance to first-time parents, Now, therefore, I, Jim Gray, Mayor of Lexington, on behalf of our council and all Fayette Countians, do hereby proclaim June 5, 2014 as Family Care Center Day in Lexington. Thank you all. Thank you all. Okay, great, great. In 1989, Mayor Basler met with then-commissioner Barbara Curry and the head of the child care services, Gene Savarwal, at the time, and he said, I have all this land over on Cisco Road I want you all to dream. And they decided to build this beautiful center that works with women and young children. One fact I want you to know is that to graduate from high school when you're a teen mom, you have a 40% chance of getting a high school diploma. This center has graduated 500 young women from their program. And I wish everybody could have been at graduation Tuesday night. It will make you feel good about where your tax dollars are going. And so tonight, I want to introduce the managers. These women make the Family Care Center go. Our director is Joanna Rhodes. Joanna, come on up. Joanna's been with us for three years. She has quite a vision. She's done a lot of creative things, and we're so glad to have her with us. Tiffany Compton is the head of our high school. Tiffany is our newest member. Tiffany has been here with us one year and I know the mothers are enjoying Tiffany because she's getting ready to have her first child. And then we have the old timers. Very young, they started at 10. Karen Underwood, who's been the only director of our child care program and she came before the building was even built. And Karen Hacker, who started out as a teacher in the four year old room and is now the director of our HANS program. These women are so committed. Karen told me tonight she came for a three-year grant, and she's still there. So if you hadn't visited the Family Care Center, this is a real gem of our city. Our center has been visited by Colin Powell and Princess Anne, and it's gotten awards all over the country. It's a beautiful place. It's a great feeling, and I'm so proud of you all. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to say, the Family Care Center is going strong, and please do come visit if you haven't been there before. It is a pretty special place. And I want to thank the mayor for his support of our programs and also the council. We're so grateful for that, and our families that we serve are so grateful as well. So thank you for this. All right, let's get a picture. All right, y'all, let's gather for a picture. but I don't know who's going to take it. Have we got somebody? Wes, help. Is Ed here? Oh, Ed's here. Come on, Ed. You know how to choreograph this. Take over. Take over. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you all. Okay. Now, big recognition for the Bryan Station girls track and field. Now, I'm a big fan of crowding the winner's circle. All of us are. and recognizing those members of our community who distinguish themselves across the state or the nation, and we want to do that often. Well, the Bryan Station girls track and field team is a team of Lexingtonians that we are all proud to recognize tonight. They are Kentucky's 2014 girls track and field champions. Now, I don't know if, there we go, who was that? Aaron, that's right, there we go. It's a big deal when y'all get interrupted apprails. That's great. Okay, so as many of us know, winning as a team in track and field means that everyone has to excel in their individual areas. And according to their coaches, this is what these team members did. They did just that. They had the drive to push and succeed beyond what they had done before. And when everyone has that drive like you all did, like you guys did, it's hard to stop. So, even if you are not a graduate of Bryan Station, I hope you will join us in saying, go Defenders. There we go. All right. Okay. Council Member Stenet. Council Member Stenet, come on down here. We've got to do this commemoration. And it's got a bunch of where is's in it. Again, whereas the Bryan Station Lady Defenders won the 2014 State Track and Field Championships, and whereas Coach Kathy Broadnax says members of the team broke many personal records to bring home the title, and with each girl going above and beyond to win. And whereas in addition to Coach Broadmax, coaches are Donnie Catlett, Colin Broderick, and Rob Lyon. And one more whereas. Whereas, congratulations to the team members. Okay, y'all, if I don't get it right, forgive me. Noella Botaka. Right? Good. Manuela Botaka. Janice Boyd. Okay, good record so far. Catherine Bloomfield, Emma Guilfoyle, Crystal Irvin, Desiree Jones, Shania Livers, Tiara Patton, Rachel Roberts, Brooke Raglin, Dekisha Stewart, Taylor Wilkinson, Wilkerson, and Halima Williams. Okay, now. Good. So, now, therefore, I, Jim Gray, as mayor of Lexington, on behalf of all Fayette Countians and specialty council member Kevin Stennett, who's going to speak in just a minute, do hereby proclaim June 5, 2014 as Bryan Station Lady Defenders Day. There we go. All right. I just want to say two things. Congratulations, lady. You have set an example, not only for your school, not only for our district, but for the whole city. And thank you for showing character and as a former alumni. And there's some other alumni from Brown Station here in the room tonight. I know Senator Thomas. You're back here. Yeah, there we go. We've got other alumni in public office. But thank you all for the job you did. you should be commended for showing character on and off the track. I understand you are all very fine young ladies, and best of wishes to you going forward in the future. Thank you all. I'd just like to thank you all very much for this amazing honor. Two years ago, I was able to bring my boys team here when they won a state championship, and I'm so grateful that now these amazing ladies in front of you get the same experience. I'd also like to mention that not only are they the state champions, but we also have girls that smashed some state records at that meet too. So one of which that had been held for 26 years. So they're very young, and I imagine that we're going to be here hopefully for the next few years for this same honor. So I'm excited for this team, and I'm really proud of them. And Bryan Station High School is an amazing school. We have so many amazing things going on, and I'm just proud to work there and teach there and coach all of these fantastic ladies and gentlemen as well. So thank you. Okay, y'all, we got another picture. Picture time. Thank you. Right. Put this one over the top. Right. Good. Nice. Nice. And one more. Good one. Very good. And so, congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Looks like we've got a number of guests tonight and Mr. Monday, Mr. Monday, Mr. Monday, oops. We thought we would, Mr. Mundy. All right. Since we've got so many here that are, I suspect here to speak about, speak to the resolution that's on the agenda regarding 21C, that it would be appropriate to have the public comments up front, so that will allow folks to go ahead and move on if they wish to. So, as chair, I'll take a motion. So moved. Second. Second. All right. Motion by Council Member Farmer, seconded by Council Member Myers, to hold a public comment on the resolution up front here. So we will do that. Now, there are a number of people who have signed up, And so I will ask for those to begin. I'll just call you, and if you'll come up to the podium, please. And our protocol is to give your name and address where you live, and then three minutes for your public comment. All right. So I'll begin with Stephen Katz. Stephen Katz. My name is Stephen Katz, and I've lived in Lexington for 20 years. Earlier this year, I bought a house in Councilperson Acres, 2nd District, at 113 Clyde Street. I've stayed at the 21C Hotel in Louisville and I thought that it was great. I also enjoyed the art exhibit that I saw there in their basement and the meal that I ate in their restaurant. I think it would be good if there were such a hotel in Lexington. But I don't think that it would be right for HUD Section 108 loan guarantees to be used for such a project. For more than a decade, it has been apparent that there was a need for an Affordable Housing Trust Fund in Fayette County. and now, this year, thanks to Mayor Gray and the Council, $3 million have been budgeted to affordable housing. The homeless, the poor, the near poor, and those that care about them are very appreciative of that support. We await the plan to see how that money will be spent. Personally, I would like to see that plan try and leverage those funds together with funds that could be secured from HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program, as well as any other available sources to try and get closer to the more than $35 million that the recent CZB Consultants report said was needed annually to effectively address the affordable housing crisis in Lexington. In the new economy of which Lexington is certainly a part, we've seen an ever-increasing share of job growth come in low-wage sectors. In fact, the justification that is being used for 60% of the Section 108 loans to go to the 21C project is that more than half of the jobs at the hotel will be filled by low- and moderate-income citizens of Lexington. Can we be assured that the workers that fill those jobs will be paid a living wage, one that will allow them to pay 30% or less of their income for housing? It is not encouraging to see that two blocks away from this chamber, at the future site of the 21C hotel, there are workers protesting the fact that the construction company working on the project will not hire union labor. Meanwhile, an existing boutique hotel, the Gratz Park Inn, and the jobs that it provides the community is threatened by 21C. In light of all this, I'm hopeful that the Council will not approve the use of $6 million in HUD Section 108 loans, money that is meant to help poor people for this proposed luxury hotel. I'm also hopeful that the developers of the project will find an alternate source of funding. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mr. Katz. I had intended for the value of context. That's good. Everything's good. Thank you, sir. I intended for the value of context to ask Jeff Fugate to speak to basically where we is. Jeff here. Is Jeff here? To take just a few minutes to give us the context for where this project is and the HUD loan, the housing urban development loan that is being, that is on the docket tonight. All right. Be glad to, sir. And then we'll go back to public comment. Okay. Just as a reminder for those at home in the audience and around the horseshoe tonight, the Section 108 loan is a loan program offered by HUD, Housing and Urban Development. It's a federal loan program. The loan is generated from HUD. It is not lent by the city in question. It's actually generated from HUD. And it has to be paid back. And there are a lot of creative ways to pay it back, but it has to be paid back. And so that is really the driving factor as to what an appropriate use of it is for in terms of how you might apply the 108. To give you a reminder of where we're at and what is before you tonight is that in October of 2012, there was a proposal to modify what is known as the consolidated plan, which is your guiding document for what you spend your CDBG and home dollars on. There was a public hearing done at that time, and then there was a vote to amend the plan to start the application process. The application was filed with Louisville in January of 2013. They gave it a rigorous review from a program standpoint, did it meet their requirements for helping low to moderate income families. Then it was once they were convinced that it did meet the requirements of the program, It was then sent to Washington where it underwent rather rigorous underwriting, financial underwriting. In fact, so rigorous that it took them 12 months to get back to us. So it was actually out there for about 12 months, during which time third party looked at the financial feasibility of the project, looked at the program feasibility of the project, they looked at the operations budget and also the construction budget, and everything fit what they were seeing as being normal. So it was given a thorough risk analysis and underwriting process. Then in March, the city was notified that HUD had approved the loan after much work. And now it is back in front of you, I believe, and please correct me if I misstate this, that the resolution before you is to accept the $6 million as a loan from HUD for specifically for the 21C project. And that was the project that was underwritten. That was the project that HUD approved. thank you jeff all right so we'll go back now to those who have signed on for uh to offer a public comment uh daniel cooper does daniel cooper wish to speak hi dan um i'm yielding my time to nox van naugel oh okay all right um Knox I'll come to you in just a minute all right thank you Robert Cunningham also is okay thank you Robert Cunningham um 2136 Broadhead Place in Heartland um senior pastor of the church of Tate's Creek Presbyterian Church um in the corner of Rapid Run and Man of War um I have some talking for the communications director. And then this is the digital. Is this where it'll be? That's just where it'll be. Yes. Yes. One of the great ecumenical failures of our day is I think the church's silence on issues that impact the city where God has placed us. And I do recognize there was a time when a major public voice in the community was the community's clergy, where pastors with humility and respect would engage public discussion with their voice. And their voice was important and mattered to a community. And so as a local pastor, I do want to thank you, council members, for your service to our great city. We pray for you as a church. The vision statement of our church is very simple, that we exist for the glory of God and the good of the bluegrass. And we think those are inseparable. We can't claim to be all about God while not serving and loving the community where he has placed us. And this is why we have a heart for Lexington. We love this city, the institutions of this city. And we are very thankful for the development that is happening in Lexington and the progress that we're seeing. It's very exciting. But it's because of my love for the city and the people of the city that I do ask you to oppose the applicant's request for $6 million in HUD 108 funds. My heart is deeply burdened to see this money used for important projects that will benefit the people of Lexington, particularly the less fortunate is where we're coming from as a church. And I just don't see this project as a good use of these funds, particularly I'm concerned by what you have in front of you, the controversial explicit materials that will be on display at the 21C Museum that is free and open to the public. You have those samples of materials from other 21C museums that I think go beyond art into explicit, maybe even pornographic material. It could be labeled. And as a pastor concerned for this city, I want to I want to urge you to oppose the applicant's request. Once again, as a local pastor, thank you for your service to our city. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Cunningham. Mayor, I have a question. Yes, sir. Were you intending for all those pictures that you gave us to be shown or just the front cover? Yes. I apologize. Were they not showing? No, they just showed the front cover. Yes, that was my intention. Can we go through then and show them? He actually started about, his time started about 45 seconds before he actually got started. He had a little time left. You see the picture? Go ahead, roll through. Sure. Five seconds each? Yeah. You have 45 seconds, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Chris. Next is Malcolm Ratchford. Malcolm Ratchford, 4057 Moon Coin Way, 40515. I'm also Malcolm Ratchford, Executive Director for Community Action Council. And I'm here today to speak in support of the 21C Museum as far as the HUD 108 Section money and funds. And I want to preface that by saying we are an agency. Our mission is to prevent, reduce, eliminate poverty. And we've been working on this for, I would say, about 50 years. And so we have had the opportunity to look at numerous strategies firsthand. We've researched strategies, and we're part, of course, a national network as well. And that's what our history has been to combat poverty, but more than likely to eliminate poverty. And so it's interesting when folks ask the question, why would a Community Action Council support such a project in the use of Section 108 HUD funding? And the answer is pretty simple. One of the things we've learned over this 50 years is that it takes two things, basically. There are some other factors involved. But if you want to get out of poverty, you're going to need a job, a living wage job. At the end of the day, at the end of the continuum, after you address all the safety net issues, housing, shelter, food, electricity, all those types of things, clothing, once we do the food referrals to God's pantry, once we get your bus tokens to get to here and there and your medical and your health care needs are taken, at the end of the day, our major thing is we've got to get this person employed. with not only a low-wage job, but a living wage job, a job that pays competitive wages, a job that pays for benefits, and a job that invests in the community in regards to making sure that we're continually investing in our communities and doing job training. So it was kind of something that we looked at at Community Action Council, and we were saying this is about job creation. And there are multiple, when I say multiple, there are multiple means towards an end for empowering folks and creating economic opportunities for folks who are low income. We have to get away from trying to prioritize all the different means and trying to determine which one is the most important. Is it this situation here or is it that situation? They're all important, but the only thing that is needed is we have to create jobs. We keep speaking about affordable homes and affordable housing. I'm going to say this about affordable housing. I'm very supportive of affordable housing. But before you can afford a home, you need a job, a job that pays a living wage. what you're doing with affordable houses we keep saying build them based on income that means that you don't recognize the American dream someone's dreaming for you okay and that's how I look at that I need a job and that way I can afford a home that I want to live in where I want to live in I won't stay stagnant in affordable housing that is for low income which is a is a sort of an entrapment in a sense so Community Action stands here today as far as we look at this as education employment we want the hotel in order to invest in our community. And so we just, we're here to support the use of the Section 1A funding and just hope that we're able to encourage the private sector to continue supporting projects in the community. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Malcolm. Lee Greer. My name is Lee. I think I have a few others that may yield their minutes. Do you want to handle that now? Yeah. Brad Kirkhoff, I yield my time to Lee Greer. Brad Little, I yield my time to Lee Greer. All right. You all had signed up, right? Yes, sir. You guys have signed up. Okay. All right. Thank you. My name is Lee Greer, citizen of Lexington. That's 1711 Lakewood Lane, Lex, Kentucky, 40502. Thank you, council, for your service to Lexington. A lot of you, and I appreciate all you've done for over the years. I know it goes into it, so thank you for your time and your consideration. This is very difficult for me tonight because the applicant was a good friend and former business partner, and it's not a position I really want to be in, but I feel called and just very, very passionate about this subject and involved in many things directly related to this issue. And just really don't want to be here but feel compelled to speak out. I really have high regard for Craig Greenberg. That was a thank you for that. Hello, Craig. And again, this is no vote against Craig. I wish him the best. You know, first, I'd like to say, you know, everybody's very smart people. And I have the most respect for you all. And know that regarding the HUD money, the procedure's been followed. And you've looked into this and probably know the issues. And I'm sure by the letter of the law, you're probably allowed to do this, use HUD funds for the purpose we're here tonight for, for loan 108 money for this project. But I'd like to speak something bigger than that. And I think I originally planned to maybe talk more detail about the HUD money and why we're using this money. But really it comes down to this. We've got a lot of smart people in this room. can we not be a little bit more creative, a little bit more diligent, a little bit more wise in using these funds for the purposes that are meant to be used. The intent for this money is to help for affordable housing and low and middle income people create jobs. And I know that we put our heads together that we can find a better use of this money for people that don't have the money to use. And that's really the conversation we need to be having here. I am very much for historic preservation. I love that building, and I'm glad it's going to be preserved. And I'm for the tax credits for that building, and I think it's a great purpose. And I think $15.6 million in tax credits is a lot of money. And I think it would be a good use to rehabilitate that tower. And we should be having a healthy, good debate about that. And the $1 million loan from the city. What we're here to do is talk about the HUD money and excessive use of taxpayer funds. I just drove downtown two nights ago, and there was a man sleeping on the bench outside the library, a homeless man. And there was a man in the grass in a sleeping bag, and there were several others sitting around. We have a real crisis in this town, a real issue. And these funds were paid by taxpayers in this town to solve those problems. There's real problems. There's other great uses. We have a courthouse. It's an awesome historic building in Cheapside Park, an awesome building. It had a history museum, and one day it was closed. And from what I understand, it was closed because of an asbestos problem or plumbing or fire suppression. I don't know how much it would cost to repair that, but wouldn't that be a great use of these funds? There's creative ways we could do and create jobs and the jobs you want to create and the kind of jobs you want to create. So I just challenge us, if not for this day, if not for this project, in the future, please, let's exhaust all of our wisdom and work with each other to find creative uses for something that really, really needs the money. There's a lot of taxpayer money at stake here, a lot of taxpayer money at stake, and potentially 22.7, to be correct. And I'd really, in my heart, look at the numbers, and I don't believe that there's any way to spend $43 million on this project. If we do, at $190 room nights, on 88 rooms, 190 is the rate that the applicant quoted in the paper. An occupancy rate of 60% in Lexington, that's a high rate to achieve an average daily rate. We're looking at about $3.66 million in revenue. I don't know how many seats there are going to be in the restaurant, but let's just assume it's a very, very successful restaurant and beats the average of $4 million. I know what the profit on a $4 million restaurant is and a $3.66 million hotel, and it's not enough to cover and pay everybody back on a $43 million project. Not even close. If it's a $27 million project, so everybody involved in this is going to lose their money, including the applicant and the investors and the taxpayers. If it's a $27 or $30 million project, they don't spend all that money. It would probably be a successful project, but it will be funded 84% by taxpayers. Then we have a different issue, a different subject. I've seen the numbers. There's $27 million in hard costs and $4 million in soft costs. Those may be accurate. I think that with this kind of money involved in this project, we should see line item detail on the funds that are going to be used for that. and they're very smart people and they've been through this and they've done it and I think they probably have very good accurate numbers and I think it's just we'd like to see those and make sure this is going to be a successful project I think we should demand that as a council and a taxpayer that's all regarding the museum I am a I'm a protector of free speech I'm a believer in free speech if, you know, that's what we're doing here tonight. And I'd protect your right for freedom of speech, and I appreciate that. And I'm also a believer in opinions, in people's opinions. And I realize that art is seen by two people differently. What I view as art, you may view differently, and that's fine. And we may disagree, disagree. And if this was a private-funded project, I would really have, my opinion wouldn't matter, and it wouldn't really, we'd be having a different conversation. that private that private entrepreneur that private funder would have every right to show what they wanted and you either have the right to go in or not but this is public money it's an explicit and inappropriate and dangerous material and I just think it should be consideration, you can make up your own mind and your opinion may differ from mine and I understand that and I appreciate that and I'll fight for your right to have that right and I'll understand and I'll wrap up with this I think just recently, very recently actually in the last two weeks, we've learned from the Herald-Leader front page that over 70% of people, when polled, were against funding roughly 22% in taxpayer money for a Rupp Arena convention remodel proposal for arguably Kentucky's most beloved asset and passion, Kentucky basketball. I just wonder, what do you think they're going to say when they find out that 50 to 85 percent of our money is going towards a luxury hotel, getting on a non-blighted site in Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, creating no new public infrastructure, relatively few jobs for its size, and whose exhibits are controversial? What do you think they're going to say? what are they going to think I appreciate your time thank you very much thank you Mr. Greer Knox Van Ogle Knox are you get you you've yes sir I've got um I was I was yielded time from Dan Cooper Okay, so six minutes. Yes, sir. All right, okay. Thank you, Knox. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. As you know, my name is Knox Vinagal, and I am here on behalf of Fayette Alliance. As articulated in a letter we submitted to you last week, we support the $6 million Section 108 HUD loan for 21C. Without this loan, 21C will not go forward. and dedicating Section 108 funds to this project satisfies the requirements of the HUD program by providing employment opportunities to low-income applicants, many of whom live on the fringes of downtown, don't own cars, and who have historically been forced to look outside of the urban core for jobs. HUD has approved using the Section 108 funds for this use. And make no mistake, governments are in the business of growing business by responsibly using public monies to incentivize ventures in the private market, whether it's through investing in infrastructure and services that support economic development throughout the city or direct subsidies to specific projects. 21C is not a question of precedent, but of shifting focus and paradigms. While some argue we cannot afford to apply the Section 108 funds to 21C, Fayette Alliance believes we can't afford not to. Losing the 21C development will significantly impact Lexington from a quality of life and economic development standpoint. Today, 80% of educated workers pick city first and jobs second. Building a marketable city, rich in amenities such as the arts, green space, a unique brand, and a vibrant downtown are key to recruiting knowledge-based professionals, and where they go, the companies follow. This reality is especially true in Fayette County, where over 80% of local government revenues come from payroll tax. We live and die by the caliber of professionals and intern jobs we attract to Lexington. Given Lexington's economic pillars of health care, high tech, and agriculture, our competitive strengths and economic development potential lies in the urban-rural tension that defines us. It is what separates us from our neighbors in the region, the nation, and the world. We cannot compete with Anderson County, or for that matter, Atlanta, in terms of cheap land prices to attract factories or other industrial uses. But we do have a mid-southern landmark city located in the most beautiful and productive countryside in the world, and with it a quality of life that is incomparably unique and very attractive to an educated and talented workforce. We must embrace this identity and leverage it. And no doubt, 21C, its reputation and business model that seamlessly marry the arts, commerce, and hospitality will strengthen Lexington's competitive advantage in this arena. After assessing the short-term gains and long-term impacts of 21C, we respectfully ask you to honor your 2012 commitment and support this project. With it, we can welcome new investment in Lexington, raise the bar, and increase our cultural and economic currency as we build a vibrant city that is balanced with and connected to our iconic bluegrass farmland. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, Knox. Elizabeth Freeman I'm Elizabeth Freeman 677 Bishop Drive here in the city of Lexington also the pastor of the Church of God in Jesus name I'm not for sure how much of attention was given to the photos that were shown in relation to 21C but we need to consider the fact of our children. Is this what we really want our children exposed to? Do we want to sell the souls of our children and this young generation for the kind of money that may or may not be brought in by the hotel? Are our priorities really in the right place? Not only that, we see so much, we see enough of pornography around our city. To the council, to those that are here, we need to give extreme attention to what we are exposing our children to. Homosexuality has run rampant in our city, all kinds of sexual behaviors in the school. And if we want to have these things exposed to our children, what can we say to them? It's okay to walk around with no clothes on. It's okay to show yourself, to show your nakedness. And we all need to understand that the wrath of God is turned against wickedness and unrighteousness. So the real reality, not just looking at, oh, here's jobs. If the wrath of God come through the city of Lexington, and I often tell our congregation, Lexington have been blessed because there are people here in Lexington praying and trying to preserve the family and lift up a standard. But if we sell our souls for a few jobs, and the wrath of God comes through, what do we have? It's only momentarily for God to move and say, take that building down, take all that ungodly stuff down. And we know, you know, big easy, God sent the tornado and the wind and the rain and all of those things that changed the front. How much more would God do for us if we put these things on display and tell our children it's okay to go look at, to be a part of things like that. And while you're thinking and while you're voting, give deep consideration of what we're exposing our children to. Thank you, Elizabeth. Holly Wiedemann. Hello, Mayor and Council. Thank you so much for the opportunity of being here. My name is Holly Wiedemann, and I'm president of AU Associates. It's based here in Lexington. We are developers of affordable housing. That's what we do. And we have several developments in downtown Lexington. One, fortunately, in Councilmember Henson's area. That would be Parkside, which is affordable housing for families. I know Councilmember Kay has been through it. And we develop affordable housing. We have developed affordable housing for, I've been in business 25 years. I've been doing this for 30 years. The reason that I'm here today is to clear up some confusion that I think exists about what affordable housing is and what are the resources for it. A HUD 108 loan, the primary reason for that is economic development for low and moderate income people. job creation. The mechanisms that we use to create affordable housing in my 30 years of doing this, developing this, I've never used a Section 108 loan. What we do use to develop affordable housing, and I have done it three times here in Lexington, one on Market Street, which is First Presbyterian Apartments, Parkside over on Cross Keys. We're doing a groundbreaking for Davis Park View, which is the Newtown Pike extension, which I'd be delighted to invite you to at 10 o'clock on Monday morning. That's also affordable housing for families. How do we do this? What are the funding sources? The funding sources are low-income housing tax credits through Kentucky Housing Corporation, sometimes home funds through the city of Lexington, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is through, which exists currently, not the one of Lexington's, but through Kentucky Housing Corporation. So affordable housing can be developed. We're proof of it. I don't know how many other developers of affordable housing who are here, but I have to say that the opportunity that 21C has brought to Lexington is incredible. To save an iconic historic building, this is a gift to Lexington. It's not an allocation of resources. This is job creation of 150 jobs. I mean, that's huge. As hard as it is to develop here in this city, I think that this is an opportunity to embrace the saving of a fabulous building, create jobs, and create a terrific opportunity for Lexington. And I couldn't be more in favor of it, and we produce affordable housing. Thank you. Thank you, Holly. Tom Poskins. Hi, I'm Tom Poskins, and Catherine here is going to give me some time. I'm Kathleen Burke, and I'm yielding my time to Mr. Poskins. Okay, Catherine. Well, thank you. This is my second opportunity to visit the chamber and speak, so I'm only half as nervous as last time. With that said, the last time I was here, surprisingly, it was also about a actually low-income housing situation. At that time, I lived on Culpeper Road, and there was an apartment building that redeveloped an opportunity for an investor to tear it down and build three new homes. It was basically replacing them with $500,000 and above homes, and that was approved. So I guess I'm back on a similar kind of issue, but for a different topic, if you will. First off, there's always lots of confusion. The last time I was here, lots of things get talked about. Everybody gets confused. so I made sure before I came here I read the Section 108 HUD loan fact sheet and application. I just thought I'd brush up on what was really there. Two things are emphasized. The very first one is economic development and that it is a loan to be repaid and that there are strict guidances for the loan applicant that they need to be vetted out. The other item that's in there is revitalization, and the remark has been made, and I agree completely. We have a grand old gentleman in our downtown that if I just recently took the Chicago tour of architecture, if that building was in Chicago, we would have driven past it and we would have mentioned it as a historic building. It is our only historic building of that period. Bill, at a time when they started to put elevators in buildings and we could go to that elevation, it is a significant building. You have very rare opportunities to preserve a building. This is one of them. I think that's important. But it, again, is a sidebar. You know, the other is I learned from my last board meeting that the function of the board is not to decide whether an investor makes a good or bad decision. because I drove by the place that got torn down, and there's still one lot not developed, a house for sale that never sold, and one house that I think is rented. So that's not it. So we know that the function of this is not to make an investment decision. That's why I'm here. I'm an investment advisor with Meridian Wealth Management. On occasion, we have the opportunity to look at properties like 21C as an investment for our clients. What is difficult for us as advisors is a change to the rules. If we get an opportunity, it was mentioned before and it is exactly correct, investments are measured against the risk and the opportunity for return, and the opportunities on this investment are narrow. You have to have a bit, if you will, creative financing. I'm not saying that this is. This is perfectly correct. It's a perfectly good use of funds, and it's directed for economic development. And it's an opportunity for our clients to reinvest back into this community, into the preservation of a historic building, and the opportunity to make a nominal return. That nominal return is corrupted when you've looked at everything and you've got everything decided, and then at the final moment, the board decides whether a certain part of that financing will be withdrawn. It hurts our business, and it hurts the ability to advise people to invest in good projects. We would invest in others. We would look at this as an opportunity for local investors to invest in a local development. That's really kind of why I'm here, and I'm not here to discourage any of the others. I'm just saying that we maybe get a little confused on what's really going on here in the basic. It's the opportunity to preserve a building. We have investors to do that, and to do that, they need the ability to know what the financial situation is and not at the final hour have it changed in front of them on this decision because this is correct. I reread the facts just to make sure I wasn't duped or we weren't duped on this. It is a very and absolute and an ongoing pursuit of Section 108 of the HUD-Loading Program to provide economic development and revitalization. and this will do both. This will also create jobs, none of which we see as a bad investment for our clients in advising them if they make a nominal return. Thank you. Thanks, Tom. All right. All right. John Kemper. John Kemper is John here no alright Dave Harper Dave Mayor, Council, I'm Dave Harper. I live at 5400 Russell Cave Road, which is outside of Ironworks Pike. So if you're wondering why somebody in the rural area is here to speak in favor of 21C proposal, it's because I believe in this city. I believe in adaptive reuse of buildings, and I believe in preserving history. and that certainly qualifies on all of those fronts. And in thinking of my comments tonight, I thought that many times when we're dealing with a discussion, a dilemma, or any kind of issue, it can be boiled down in the simplest form, sometimes to a proverb, a parable, or even a nursery rhyme. So I'd like to share with you tonight one that I think really fits the issue that you have to decide tonight. It's very apropos for Lexington being the horse capital of the world. And it's entitled, For Want of a Nail. For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe, the horse was lost. For want of a horse, the rider was lost. For want of a rider, the message was lost. For want of the message, the battle was lost. For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. and in my way of thinking that really sums up the issue tonight you've already decided that this proposal should go forward two years ago HUD also approved of it and if you vote no on this initiative tonight in my way of thinking you send a very loud clear message to anyone or any business that ever wanted or ever hoped to invest in this city that you do not want their business, you do not want their jobs, you do not want the payroll taxes that those employees will put into the city's coffers, and you don't want the spending that those employees will make in the city, nor do you want the talent that they will bring here. In my way of thinking, that's like that horseshoe nail. And in another way, if you vote no on this initiative, you vote no on jobs, and you might as well use that nail and drive it into the coffin of any future development in downtown Lexington. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, Dave. Jason Sloan. Mayor Gray, members of the Urban County Council, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. I'm Jason Sloan. I'm the Historic Preservation Specialist for the Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation. We're located at 253 Market Street. The Bluegrass Trust has submitted a letter of support to you concerning the 21C Museum Hotel's application, and we believe that this project is both exciting and important to the city, particularly in our historic downtown. This museum hotel will adaptively reuse Lexington's first skyscraper, designed by the renowned firm of McKim, Mead & White. turning a long underutilized structure integral to our urban core into a hub for visitors and locals alike. This project will also demonstrate something we preservationists have long preached and that is that historic preservation equals economic development. Economist Donovan Ripkema opens Chapter 3 of his Economics of Historic Preservation by stating, quote, real economic development is about creating jobs, and historic preservation creates jobs. It begins by creating construction jobs. Dollar per dollar, historic preservation is one of the highest job-generating economic development options available. From the first day of construction, 21C will be contributing real dollars to the City of Lexington. Initially, it will come in the form of prevailing wage construction jobs and will be followed by over 100 predicted permanent jobs. Their timeline of completion by the end of 2015 shows just how focused, dedicated, and committed 21C is to this location. The Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation believes this project will be distinctly Lexington's, architecturally and historically representative of this wonderful city. We truly appreciate your time and dedication to bettering our city and respectfully ask that you approve 21C application for this HUD loan. Thank you. Thank you, Jason. Linda Carroll. Linda had an emergency and had to apologize. She's out. Thanks, Jason. Janet Tucker. good evening mayor and council appreciate the chance to speak here tonight there's there's a lot of talk on a lot of fronts of why we need to develop through this historic preservation and develop this historic our luxury hotel I'm not going to argue with that But we've also heard very compelling arguments in front of this council why we need affordable housing trust fund I commend the mayor and the council for Allocating the I think was three million dollars toward that, but we also know And it's been placed Before the council that we need a dedicated funding source at the same time that alone is not enough and that can keeps getting kicked on down the road and I think that's the important issue and I think that if the council could vote on a dedicated funding source for affordable housing trust fund then we could have this conversation but I think in my way of thinking it would just be absolutely shameful for the council to vote for this and not vote for a designated funding source for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Totally misguided priorities for what should be our city council that represents the vast majority of people in this city, a vast majority who will not benefit from this one project but would benefit from a larger project. developing affordable housing develops jobs. I mean, it has an economic development aspect of itself. So that's not an argument enough to pass this particular measure. But I think that it's important that the council take a stand and have a designated funding source for affordable housing before considering anything like this. Anything short of that I think is really shameful for our city. Thank you. All right. Ma'am, would you be kind enough to give us your address, please? Oh, I am so sorry. It's all right. Yeah, I'm Janet Tucker, and I live at 417 Johnson Avenue. All right. Thank you, Janet. Bill Johnston. Is Bill Johnston here? All right. He's coming up. I'm Bill Johnson. I live downtown and have been involved in a lot of activities concerning the development of downtown and the improvement of downtown for the last 14 years or so. So this project obviously is incredibly important to downtown, and to not approve this loan would be devastating to any future development that would occur downtown. It would just, you know, might as well write downtown off for another 15 or 20 years. that's been said already and i'm obviously for the for the loan i would also like to say that art is not pornography so thank you thank you uh the address is six six forty five west short street all right thank you bill um uh nathan dickerson my name is nathan dickerson i live at 120 east main street apartment 1508 just right down the Street, and I'm the executive director of Progress Lex, and that's an organization that works to improve quality of place in Lexington. We support the 21C project because it respects the design and unique character of Main Street. It also restores, as has been mentioned earlier, an iconic historic building in soar need of repair, and it also creates an art museum in the heart of Lexington. Furthermore, we believe 21C will create a ripple effect of economic growth, even beyond the direct jobs it creates. And this is because, and I believe the council went on a recent trip, so you may have heard a little bit about this, jobs and firms follow the talented people. And the talented people go to places where they love to live. And a project like this, for the reasons I mentioned earlier, really advanced that vision of quality of place. Again, that attracts talent. Talent attracts the next generation jobs. We also support this because we believe in affordable housing, and we think economic growth, which this project, again, will have a ripple effect to support, will help that issue. The CZB study recommended that the city increase its financial support for affordable housing over time, and a growing tax base and growing revenue will give council more options to address this growing need in the years ahead. Thank you again for your time. All right. Thank you, Nathan. foster pettit former mayor foster pettit mayor it's all right there's a picture there's a picture of you in here somewhere there's a painting i was corrected by council member k it's a portrait well i'm not going to read from this but i'm going to show it to you mr mayor and members of the council my name is foster parrot i live at 316 west 2nd street in downtown lexington near grads park i'm delighted to be here tonight to to endorse this council passing the resolution that will facilitate the loan from HUD to the project operators. It will be paid back, as has been said. I want to talk to you a little bit more about why this building is special. It was designed by McKim, Mead and White, which was the foremost architectural firm in the United States between 1875 and 1915. let me tell you something about what other, here's a book of things they've designed in the United States, all the famous buildings in New York, Boston, Washington, and elsewhere. Among those includes Columbia University in New York, the Brooklyn Museum, the Boston Public Library, the old Pennsylvania Station in New York City, the American Museum of History in Washington, D.C., and even part of the White House was renovated. Really a special firm of architects. It's the only building in Kentucky and maybe in the region designed by a McKim, Meadon, White. You know, when we go places, I'm thinking of Frank Lloyd Wright. People will go to see what he designed. I've been to Falling Waters. I haven't been to Tokyo to see the Imperial Palace. hotel, but it's special. And that's what people come to see. This project will be so notable, in my opinion, not only because of its facility for the community and the special use, but the adaptive reuse, which we recommend, but it will be there because people want to see what McKimby and White designed. I have a special connection to this building. My family and I bought it in 1970, and we sold it in 1999. I was the only family member that got to manage it and be responsible for it, and I felt like Quasimodo in Notre Dame, you know, ringing the bells. Charles Lawton played that part, Bill, and I feel so connected to it. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars improving it. And this is the one way to reserve something that's very special is to get a really good adaptive reuse and get some good people with a lot of money. And we have that situation here, and they want to spend it in Lexington. It will be wonderful. Not only have you heard about the jobs, and that's very important. I think they will develop a synergy around this hotel that will get other people to develop, not just the great big hole across the street the webs are working on, because that's going to be special too. But this, let's talk about economic development and jobs. This is a very, have I used my time up? Well, it looks like it. It looks like it. Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I've been... There's a motion and a second unless there's objection. You've been gifted two more minutes, Mayor. Well, thank you very much. Old mayors need those things. There we go. Occasionally. I did want to, you know, you all have made a commitment to this project earlier, which encouraged HUD and others to go with it. And I just don't think you can afford it. been talked about. You can't afford to turn it down now. It would be misunderstood totally. And let me say, this $6 million, while it's important and vital for the financing of this project, is 17%, I think 14% of the total amount being spent. I think it's a wonderful project. I think we need to jump on this train while it's moving and keep it going. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor. James Perkins. Mr. Perkins? Good evening, City Council. My name is James Perkins. I live at 1124 Tates Brook here in Lexington. and I came to say that I am in support of this project and that the project could bring in jobs, museum space, and a combination of mixed housing, that downtown Lexington is in dire need of and for economic development, that the state of Kentucky cannot continue on downturn economics in allowing losses of jobs, income, and economics to go to other states, particularly Indiana and Ohio, or funds from HUD to go to other states. City Council, I would like to ask you to support 21C in order to continue to build on the economic development of and in Lexington that is very much needed, and that all of Lexingtonians can have an opportunity to be a part of this much-needed economic development that would provide income to continue in this city, not only during the building stage, but for many years after we are all gone. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, James. Griffin Van Meter. hello griffin v meter 1201 north limestone street 40505 yes congratulations to the bryan station track team that was awesome i love that that's been up there the whole time north side pride i was actually joking when i walked in there that i've never been this far south south of Main Street. So it feels good. It's good to see you guys here. So I came tonight to speak. I am the president of the board of the North Limestone Community Development Corporation. We are actively engaged in improving the livability of the North Limestone Corridor. And we're working on an affordable housing project currently. And we support this 21C development. We support it because it hits all aspects of quality of life that Lexington holds special, and that creates economic development, such as infill redevelopment, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, job creation, creating pedestrian environments giving people the opportunity to experience art 24 hours a day, contemporary art there's a huge need for a contemporary art museum in Lexington this satisfies it and it's just an amazing project and I've had the opportunity to go to both their hotels 21 Seas hotels in Louisville and in Cincinnati and there is an amazing residual ripple effect that these projects have had in those communities and the neighborhoods around those communities. And this is a home-run project. There was so much excitement when 21C was announced coming to Lexington. I think it's been the most exciting announcement that has happened over the last two years, approximately, when they made it. So this is a great project. I was thinking I have a two-year-old son who will be a three-year-old next year when this project is complete. And so I'm sure he's highly impressionable. And the first thing I'm going to do is take him to the 21C Hotel because he needs to experience that culture. So thank you again. I hope you guys will support this project. It's a wonderful project for Lexington that will pay dividends forever. Thank you. Thank you, Griffin. Stephanie Harris. Eight or ten. Hello, Mayor, Council Members. My name is Stephanie Harris. I'm the Executive Director of the Lexington Art League. I live at 3824 Windsong Trail. in 40514, so I'm very far outside of downtown. However, my work keeps me very centered on all of the activity and growth that's possible here in the urban core. I just recently had the opportunity to travel to Charlotte, as did many of you, during the joint leadership expedition. So we studied this wonderful city and all of its attributes. And while we were there, you all enjoyed the museums. You experience public art. We had a wonderful presentation from Hugh McCall, the founder of Bank of America and also the McCall Center for Visual Art. And when he spoke about the arts and what that did for the economy and for economic development and for quality of life, he didn't speak about the arts for art's sake. He spoke about what the arts can do for the community and what they do for business and how a vibrant and global arts community can attract people from many different sectors that will enrich our community and make it really, I think, achieve a great potential. I think we have a wonderful opportunity with 21C coming to Lexington. As an arts professional in the community, it's probably one of the most exciting things that could happen for us. It will provide us with very meaningful infrastructure. It will bring resources to the heart of our community that we would not normally have had access to. And also, it will continue to provide an opportunity and a space for artists to grow and develop. We have two artists that are from and reside in Lexington who their careers were launched by 21C Hotel, Ben Durham and Ebony Patterson. They're both now recognized on a national level. And it's because of spaces like 21C, spaces that represent that creative space for discovery, the space where possibilities lead creative activity. And those places are not places that are meant to be confined or censored. That's a space for people that are professionals in the art to show the world what is possible, to explore to the farthest reaches of their imagination, to show people things that they cannot see themselves. So contemporary visual art, we stand behind it at the Lexington Art League. It's a reflection of our contemporary society. And we want our community to see a very global perspective of what that looks like, not a sense of perspective. I think 21C will be a great leader in that. And I fully support the passing of this. Thank you. Thank you, Stephanie. Jerry Nichols. I'm sorry. Okay, Jerry. All right. Kate Savage. Kate. Kate Savage. I live at, where do I live? 619 Columbia Avenue. I find myself in a position of being torn. I'm very excited about the idea of a boutique art museum hotel. I'm very invested in the art community here. I'm the docent chair at the UK Art Museum, and I've been involved with the arts almost 35 years that I've lived here. I also served on your commission, Mayor, for the homeless. So this is a really tough spot to be in because on the one hand, I want to make quite sure that the money you're committing from HUD is not taking from the people who need affordable housing. My, and no disrespect to the people who've spoken before me But I also pulled up the HUD website And yes, it does talk about economic development As one of the uses of the money But it also says housing rehabilitation And we have many, many vacant and abandoned houses in this town That need to be rehabilitated But then on the other hand, the idea of 21C in Lexington is exciting. I love art. I love edgy art. I love contemporary art. So I'm really, as I said, confused. I think that when we talk about creating jobs, I think 127 jobs will be created, of which 51% will go to low-income people. so that's okay, that's 50 some odd people but I'm also concerned that the Gratz Park Inn that has struggled for 30 years to make ends meet might go out of business and so on the other hand we might lose those 80 jobs I just want to be quite sure that before this commitment is made that every single other avenue for financing has been explored, has been thoroughly explored, and that the money, the $6 million that is coming from the HUD pot will not in any way steal from one to give to another. And as I said, I'm really torn. I love art. I love Steve Wilson's projects. I think 21C is exciting, but I don't want to see the homeless and the struggling people in this city cheated out of money they're entitled to. Thank you. Thank you, Kate. Michael Johnson, am I spelling that right? Oh, yeah, right. Good evening, Mayor and Councilors. My name is Michael Johnson. I'm usually quiet, but something urged me to say something tonight. I'm a resident of Kentucky. The address is 3705 Niagara Drive right here in Lexington. And one of the problems, I don't have a problem with economic development. The last four years, I have really understand, by traveling all over the state, speaking to different organizations, the importance of that to a city. But what has disturbed me, in which I'm speaking about tonight, is the fact that when it comes to economic development, I've seen all over the state people who are creating these things that has the appearance that is going to benefit the minority communities. And it's not until after the fact that that's not the story. And that disturbs me. And it's disturbed me so much that I have took it upon myself to not only understand how government works with partnership with the private sector and how this affects communities. But one of the tasks that I have taken on is educating our community, my communities, the minority communities, so they can hold people accountable who they vote for. And for those who don't have an understanding, have a place to understand and ask questions. You know, one of the things that really surprised me is that I can ask questions. I can ask questions. I can question until I understand. Okay. And there's things that's going on in my hometown, which is Lexington, Kentucky, that kind of disturbs me. It's not just the 21st century. It's not. It's the clinic on Southland Drive. It's the Bluegrass Ed. It's the education. these things have the appearance that they are helping the minority community. But as I drive through the minority communities, I don't see nothing being developed. It hurts me. I hear about affordable housing. I go down Ray Street and I see these beautiful homes and they're empty. Is that economic development? this create jobs but are those jobs really going to help individuals who work there to be able to buy a home this is not a cost code this is not and one of the things that I really would like to see is more of my communities asking questions and understanding what not only you all discuss but on the state level and on the federal level. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Michael. We've just got three or four more citizens who've signed up. And Bill Wheeler and then Margaret Harris. Bill. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. Yes, I signed up really for the purpose of addressing you after your meeting with public comments. However, when I read about the particulars of this subject, it occurred to me that maybe it would be wise to give you some words of caution. Now, I know it's a fine project. We've heard all the accolades, and they can be trusted. But I think you're being bullied when the proponents of this project put in the newspaper that if you don't approve a loan, that the project will fall. Now, if a project is as good as has been claimed tonight, the promoters who are certainly experts at doing their job could find funds elsewhere. But the words of wisdom I want to issue concern a project that the Webb Brothers created across from Victorian Square. Somebody help me. I've forgotten the name of that project. What was it? Yeah, Festival Market, right. Which was a fine project, and it went through the process of being approved by council. And council approved a loan from the federal government. And it so happened that that project fell on its face after a few years. And it so happened that that loan did not require personal assets to guarantee it. I'm suggesting to you that the loan you're willing or may be willing to give to this project should demand personal assets pledged to repay that loan. because the loan that the webs had did not require repayment and it went without repayment. Thank you. Thank you, Bill. Margaret Harris. Margaret. Margaret. Yes, my name is Margaret Harris. I live at 188 Colfax Street, which is across from the University Steps, which they want to call it their property, but it's not. But they're building a lot of new homes. I have no rejections about the hotel, and I realize it's going to bring a lot of business to Kentucky. That's not my problem. I don't have no problem with the low income housing because Hood let my son for his 40th birthday move into a brand new home. And we are low income. I raised them in the projects. I thank God that they was towed down. because I don't have to have that memory of being raped in the practice. And then that brings me to this right here. Y'all call this art. When I look at this, it reminds me of my 10-year-old granddaughter who was molested at the age of four years old. What kind of pedophiles are out here in Lexington, Kentucky? we don't know about. I am a victim of rape and incest. I raised three children, thought they were safe. I learned they weren't. This is not art to me. This is throwing this back up into my face. I don't need this memory. I don't think that other women who have been a victim are children that have been a victim. Need to look at this. This is not art to us. This is a reminder of our path. And the police never solved my problem. I don't know today if that man served one moment at a time but I live with that rape every day. I have to live with the fact that I was molested from the age of six. But I had to fight through that and raise my family. And I'm a proud mother of three grown children and ten grandchildren. And I don't need this. Nobody needs this. This is not art. This is not art. Birds, paintings that I cannot recognize, horses painted every different kind of color, pigs, wine, burls, dressed up, decorated and painted, that's art. This is not. Do not do this to the kids. Do not do this to our community. That's all I got to say. Thank you. Thank you, Margaret. Cam Sagan. Thank you. I'm Ken Sagan. I live at 1937 Hart Road and I work downtown. I'm currently serving as the 2014 Chair of Commerce Lexington. I'm here tonight on behalf of Commerce Lexington to express our continued support for the 21C Hotel Project. The 21C project presents a unique economic development opportunity for our downtown and our community at large. It is an opportunity to make a signature building even more special and to add to the growing revitalization of our downtown. As mentioned earlier, Commerce Lexington and Louisville's Chamber of Commerce, GLI, recently completed a visit to Charlotte, North Carolina. We saw there firsthand the ways that public-private partnerships can help transform a downtown into an energetic and vital center of a community. Commerce Lexington has supported this project since its inception. We continue to support it, and we ask that you continue to support it as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Ken. Bernard, do you want to speak now or do you want to speak at the end of the – do you want to speak to this or do you want to speak at the – Okay. And then Kelly Flood, Representative Kelly Flood. For the record, my name is Bernard McCarthy. I live at 515 Harry Street. Now, I may be mistakenly blaming them for one developer for another developer's actions, but if these guys are the reason why a block of Upper Street is currently closed, that disturbs me every bit as much as the gripes I've heard from previous speakers tonight. If, on the other hand, they're innocent and somebody else's development is responsible for the crane sitting in the middle of upper, ask yourself what course of action on this issue will at least prevent other construction related blockings of our streets I mean I know that there's some things that would be a hazard to the traveling public but we need to minimize closures of streets and that I think needs to be considered All right. Thank you, Bernard. Representative Kelly Flood. Good evening. Kelly Flood, 121 Arcadia Park, state representative from the 75th District, and also Minister Emerita at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington. I want to begin by thanking 21C's leadership for choosing Lexington. It's a unique business for one reason and one reason solely. They have put the expression of artists at the heart of their business plan. When that occurs, a rare thing still in our times, it causes this to happen. A deeper level of truth-telling, a deeper level of seeing and hearing one another, a recognition that we are a community often at odds with one another, but committed to one another. 21C understands that people build communities by telling the truth to one another. And we heard the truth told tonight painfully because of the expression of art by an artist who was a prophet in our time. Had someone had to face a very traumatic, devastating experience. One that I will hold with me as I leave here tonight in the days ahead. For that reason, I believe this project is exactly what this city needs, because Lexington is the nexus of economic and cultural vitality for Kentucky. and our willingness to invest in that mission for our city. To say that all of our people matter, heart centered in art that inspires us and takes us to a deeper place of truth-telling, that's how we're really going to get something done for everybody. This project is exactly what we need to keep ourselves honest, telling the truth, digging deeper, and finding a way to make sure we have homes, protection, and exquisite beauty that nurtures the soul and that I witnessed tonight. Thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward in the days ahead to helping this project become a reality. Thank you, Kelly. I think that's all that's signed up. Did we miss anyone? All right. then um council member council member farmer do you have a motion mayor i'd like to make a motion to give this item a second reading and go ahead and have debate on it out of order of our regular meeting second so motion by council member farmer to take this issue resolution number what is it 14. We have a second. So this will be resolution 13. We'll take it out of order. 14. 14. Take it out of order. Give it a second reading and discussion and a vote. We have a motion. We have a second. Is there any discussion on the motion to take this resolution out of order and have the discussion now? All right. No discussion, then we'll take a vote. All in favor of the motion, please say aye. Opposed, no. All right, the motion carries. All right, so, Madam Clerk, if you'll read the resolution. Mayor, can we have an electronic vote, please? Oh, this is just, Council Member Lane, this is just to take the resolution out of order and then have a discussion on it now. All right. So we'll read. So I'll ask the clerk to read the resolution, and then we'll have a motion to approve, and then discussion. Madam Clerk. Resolution number 14, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a funding approval agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Section 108 loan in the amount of $6 million for the 21C Hotel Museum project and authorizing the mayor to execute any necessary loan documents to provide the funds to 21c lexington llc for the project all right motion by councilmember farmer to approve second by councilmember kay is there any discussion on the motion if you'll please sign up for discussion on the motion oops all right councilmember councilmember kay Thank you, Mayor. I've heard many solid opinions about this project tonight. I've heard them for the last few weeks from constituents from all over the community. I believe there is a lot of difference of opinion about what to make, how to make sense out of the facts that we know. and a fairly wide range of issues have been raised tonight for us to consider whether this is the kind of project that the city ought to be supporting. And we may have differences of opinion in this body. But the way that I think about this issue, it really comes down to one question. And that question is, is there a better use for the 108 funds? Can those funds be used for affordable housing? I believe right now the answer to both those questions is no. I think we've heard from Holly Wiedemann, who has probably as much experience as anybody in the state, maybe in the region, in affordable housing development, and she has told us clearly these funds are not used typically, and the reason they're not used is because they are a loan and not a grant. And to make an affordable housing project work, you need a grant. There are many ways to work on making this a better community. What we have before us is one of those opportunities. To reject that because there might be sometime, somewhere, somehow, a better opportunity for the use of those funds, I think would be a mistake. People may see that differently. I understand that. But I hope that this council tonight will support this proposal and move this community forward on this project. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member K. Council Member Myers. Thank you, Mayor. I have a question, and I'm not sure if there's someone here from the project that can answer it. I think Mr. Greenberg is here. We've heard a lot tonight about jobs, job creation, and what type of jobs they're going to be. And my time's going to run out quickly, so I just need a quick answer from you, if you can provide one, please, sir. and that is when we talk about creating jobs, when you look at your restaurant and the hotel piece of this, do you have a way of not necessarily guaranteeing, but do you have a plan to try your best to ensure that the people that you hire are people who do not currently have a job? Because that's what all the conversation has been. This is going to create jobs for people who don't have one. Or it seems to me this is going to be the flashy new diamond in the city. And so if I'm working at a restaurant somewhere else in town, I want to come and work for you because you're the new one. People are going to be coming. It's going to be high end. Tips are going to be high. So do you have a plan for ensuring that new jobs are going to be created, or is this just going to be people leaving current serving jobs, hotel jobs, and coming to work for you? Thank you for the question. We do a significant amount of outreach in the community, in each community that we go into. For example, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where we opened a hotel in November of 2012, we worked with four local workforce development organizations in the urban core, Cincinnati Works, the Urban League of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Cooks, and the, I believe it was a YMCA city job development organization, to work with their clients that need training to get back into the workforce and to give them opportunities. So that is a significant portion of what we do. From those four efforts alone and the job fairs we held on site at those organizations, I think we hired over 22% of our opening workforce in Cincinnati just from that effort, in addition to the other job fairs and outreach that we did. Okay. Are people who don't have a job when they come to you, but they have the skills necessary to do the work you need done, get preferential treatment in the hiring process? I would say it depends on the position, but we certainly do try to provide as many job opportunities, not just job opportunities, but career opportunities for individuals that are not in the workforce today. Okay. Thank you, sir. One other question, there's an article in the newspaper about the loan, and I think there's a statement made about moving it up in the pecking order in terms of paying it back if something went south. I'm going to ask a question of somebody else and if you want to come up and respond you can Mary could we have somebody come up and share with us what number 8 is under ordinances of receiving first reading what's the question could you have somebody from the administration come up and tell us what that is what what is what number eight is under ordinances receiving um second reading number eight page three what is it sally can you help us all right bill thank you my time's almost up sir This is the ordinance to amend budgets so that the reserve that we put in to fund balance at the end of last year in case there were loans from a pool that we used from the Kentucky League of Cities through the downtown housing fund would need to be paid back. So were these loans that were thought to be guaranteed and we weren't going to have to use this money to pay these loans back? I mean, in other words, did the city take out the loan? The city did take out the loan through Kentucky League of Cities and contributed to the pool that was administered through the Lexington Downtown Housing Fund. So was it, when we took those out, did we think we were going to have to pay that back or do we think the development was going to work out so that they would pay that back? Well, this predates me. This was back, it might have been the Teresa Isaac administration or before that. And so I was not party to the details. It was multilayered. There were banks that put in equity as well as loans. There was the community through us that decided to do our money through a loan through the League of Cities. There was a pool of dollars. They were then invested in certain housing developments, condominiums, within the city. And this has to do with two of those. U.S. Bank, the lender to the League of Cities, has called the loans. And so we are paying those. Okay. So what guarantee do we have, and you're probably not the right person to ask this question, so I'm just asking it, and whoever can answer it can, that this project won't end up in that same situation? Well, I would defer to other people, but to me, it's an apple and orange. This was a local investment in the local housing in downtown condominiums. Condominiums went south in 2008. Equity and the leverage that you're able to borrow on condominiums totally shifted after the meltdown in 2008, and that was the space that these loans were made. It was local. It did not go through HUD. It did not go through the federal government review. and there were not personal guarantees. It's just totally different is my best way of answering you. Okay, my time's up, but I guess my question would be, are there personal guarantees on this loan? Yes. Yes, there are. One of the additions that was made from when City Council originally approved this to today was the addition of personal guarantees, and as you mentioned earlier in your comments, moving the security interest up higher in the capital stack so that the only thing in front of the HUD 108 loan is a $12 million first mortgage provided by Central Bank, and then this loan will come right after that. So in order for the city to lose any money on this loan, first, the project would have to have not enough income to pay it. The partners in the project would have to decide to not put in money to pay the loan. There would have to be a foreclosure of the building that $43 million was invested in, and it would have to sell for less than $18 million. Then the city could go after the personal guarantors, and only then, if those people did not make good on that, only then would the city have risk in this loan. Okay, thank you. Council Member Lawless. Actually, I'm glad you asked that because I was going to make a comment about that. The Festival Market Project was brought up, and at that time, they were not held responsible. They were not asked to be held responsible. to pay that back. So when it went belly up, the city was held, was holding the bag. And so some of these that we're seeing that have gone bankrupt were loans from many years ago. And we, I don't believe, have done any of that in the recent past. In other words, people haven't put their assets on the table that would more than cover the loan. Thank you. Council Member Scotchfield. I keep moving around on the list. I don't know where I am. Thank you, Mayor. I have Mr. Greenberg, if I can ask you a question. In the other cities that you have built your 21C hotel museum restaurants, percentage of, I guess, tax money funding that you've gotten approximate, can you give me any idea on that? We have, it is varied on each one of the projects that we have done. All of our projects have had some extent of public incentives. Most of them have used some combination of local, state, and federal incentives. One of our projects only used a particular state incentive, but it's really varied in size. About how much, and all tax dollars included, I'm not, you know, for funding, would you say 40 percent, 50? I believe I, and I'm sorry, I don't have that off the top of my head. I believe I answered that question at the last council meeting, but I can write it down here and get back to you, but I can't think of it. Okay. And, you know, I think everybody up here has kind of struggled with this decision, or at least I believe so. At the end of the day, I have to look at the council in 2012, which several of us here were not a part of, made a commitment to a business to come to town. If we don't do it now, we are risking economic development in the future. We are telling everybody Lexington is not good for businesses. We want jobs. Jobs, at the end of the day, create that economic development. They get people into houses. It's good for the population. I know that there's concern about the art in the hotels, but art is very subjective. I've been to MoMA in New York and walked around and not thought half of it was art. But my choice is not somebody else's choice. I wouldn't spend money on it necessarily. And at the end of the day, this project is shovel-ready. We don't have something else that's shovel-ready. it will impact our city in 18 months. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Scotchfield. Council Member Stennett. Thank you, Mayor. And thank you for those who had the courage tonight to come, especially those who spoke against a project that is highly supported throughout our community and on this council and administration. I know it was a difficult task to do so, but thank you for being here and to speak your piece. Two years ago, this council did have a shiny new penny called 21C brought for us. We were coming off one of the worst recessions, as everyone knows, of our lifetime. And it was a much-needed boost, a much-needed morale boost for our downtown to get hope back in downtown, that there will be something happen, positive downtown. And it did that. Two years later, we've seen changes to the project. We've seen a cost increase of 20 percent due to unforeseen issues with the building. We've seen a HUD loan that took 12 months to approve and now has been approved by the federal government. We've seen the state. They've approved their piece of the pie, so to speak. Craig, I could probably ask you a million more questions about your financing plan, and we can debate that all you want. You are obviously the masters at what you have to do financially to succeed in our community and other cities that you've built in, and we do appreciate you being here. I do think this will be a catalyst for downtown and will open up a block that needs to be reopened. As far as the jobs discussion, I think there's a big difference in our community about what type of jobs we want. I think a prevailing wage on construction is very good, but I think the quality of jobs that it creates afterwards, we'll see, time will tell if those help people afford houses or if those help people not have to work two jobs in order to make a living and survive. but I understand the hotel business. I understand you have to make a profit. I understand the restaurant business. I'm not sure we've ever supported publicly restaurants in Fayette County with tax incentives. You go to any banker in town, they're going to tell you no. We're not going to support a restaurant, at least every banker I know, because they're a very difficult business. We have two other new restaurants coming in the community here, high-end restaurants. Not to say this one won't succeed, but it'll be a tough playing field over the next couple years with everything coming online. You know, having said that, this project can be the right thing, but I think it's been done the wrong way. I think if we can go back two years ago and have this type of public outpour, we didn't have this two years ago. We had two people speak at the last public hearing, two people, and we want to talk about community and getting people engaged. That was the time to be engaged. That was the time that the council signed the downtown master agreement. That was the time the council said we will submit an application to HUD. Tonight's basically a formality. I know it has been said publicly that the project won't go unless they get this money. I'm not sure there's too many people who really come to that microphone and say, no, it will go. We don't need the money if you don't want to approve it. Yeah, they need the money, or they wouldn't come here and ask for us for it. I do have one troubling issue that I personally can't get past. I know economically this will help downtown. I know economically it will help people in the community. It will bring and attract people downtown. It will become a destination, which we need. But one issue that troubles me the most is the use of children, new children, and artwork. And I just can't get past that tonight. It's a very difficult thing for me working with so many children in our community. They're big brothers, big sisters, they're coaching youth baseball and sports. I would hate for children to go into an art museum that's publicly funded, and yes, it will be publicly funded. If it's a private museum, so be it. Go do that. But for a publicly funded art museum to include and allow that type of artwork in there, I have a lot of trouble with it. So I'd ask Mr. Greenberg tonight, would you be willing to amend your master agreement with the city that would preclude any type of artwork that depicts children in the nude in that museum going forward? Do we have that commitment? I think Representative Flood discussed the art issue the best. I would encourage you, Councilman Stenet, to reach out to some of the organizations, the children arts organizations that 21C supports in Louisville, and ask for their thoughts on this topic before you come to that conclusion. the Blue Apple Players, the Louisville Leopards, the West End Boys Choir, the Fun for the Arts, Actors Theater, the River City Drum Corps, the Louisville Visual Arts Association Kids Program, Mary Hearst, and numerous other elementary schools who have brought their children and their arts classes to 21C to experience the museum and all of the art. 21C shows leading works of contemporary art from artists from around the world. Since we opened, we've shown over 75 exhibits featuring several thousand pieces. Art might often be thought-provoking at 21C, but it's certainly never displayed simply to be provocative. And so I think focusing on just a couple of those pieces is certainly misguided. We will not support any amendment to our development agreement that regulates the art that will be shown at 21C. Well, I appreciate your response. And from this council member's seat and doing what I do for the kids in this community and standing up for them, that's why I was put in this seat, I'm going to have trouble supporting your project. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Councilmember Lane. Thank you, Mayor. Well, I've been sitting here and started watching the event this evening, and I think my first thought is I appreciate all the comments from a lot of different people with a lot of different opinions. I think that was very healthy. There was a broad range of opinions presented this evening. I was particularly impressed with the comments of Lee Greer. And I've known Lee and his father, Phil, for some time, and they are two of Lexington's top entrepreneurs. They may not be as high profile as some other companies here, but they have developed restaurants, hotels, and created hundreds of jobs here in Lexington and in the region. And the fact they would come down and speak out their opinion on this issue, I think, is very, very good. I supported, let me mention also in full candor that they also supported my campaign on several occasions when I ran for re-election. So I have a very good relationship with their company. But I supported the 21C Hotel because I thought it would save one of our historic buildings in downtown Lexington. And I thought that was important. It would also create jobs and create a buzz for the city. And that was also important. And the building, and I'm a real estate guy too, the building, in my judgment, was not very well suited to be an office building any longer because the floor plates are small, and the way offices are laid out today, they need a bigger floor plate for office design. So it needed a change of use, and the hotel was a very good application for that. The other aspect here is that I strongly continue to support this because I feel the city made a commitment to 21C when we approved the deal a couple of years ago and the reputation of our city really rests on the word of the city government. If we say we're going to do something, then we better do it because if we ever renege on our obligation, it's just like making a loan at the bank and not paying them back. They won't make you another loan again. Well, real estate developers are not going to come in here and make another deal again because we'd have a bad reputation. Also, a couple of comments on artwork. and I was thinking that Adam and Eve in the beginning were naked and then they started wearing clothes after there was the original sin. And then if you think about some of the greatest pieces of artwork in the world are nude statues. And thanks to Google, while I was sitting here, I Googled up and I mean, I think this is interesting. Of the top ten statues in the world, three of them are nudes. One of them is the Statue of David by Michelangelo. One is the Thinker by Rodin. And the other one is the Little Mermaid, which is in the Copenhagen harbor when you come in. It sits upon a rock. So I think in the art area, you know, I know pornography is hard to define. And the chief justice, or not the chief, but associate justice of the Supreme Court, Stuart Potter, said, I don't know how to define pornography, but I know it when I see it. Well, I guess you could turn that around and say, I don't know how to define good art, but I know it when I see it. So I think you have to be open-minded on the art issue. So that being said, you know, I am saying let's go forward with this, and that's my comment for the evening. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Thank you, Council Member Lane. Council Member Ford. Thank you, Mayor. I've had the opportunity the last two work sessions that we've had to ask some questions, and I'm appreciative of that. I'm also very appreciative of the folks who've come tonight to speak on both sides of the issue. I've been able to take down the name of everybody who's spoken and a summary of what their point was. As a council member, as council members, we have to delve in so many complex issues, and our tensions are called often. And at times, it's hard to keep up. There's been a lot of good points made on both sides tonight, but at issue is whether or not this funding source, and I'm speaking solely from my perspective, it's not whether or not we want 21C in Lexington. It's not whether or not their business model is proven in other areas, in other cities. It's not whether or not this is a great historic preservation opportunity, because that I'm convinced it is. The question is whether or not the funding source of HUD, Housing and Urban Development, which is a federal agency created in the 60s, I believe, to help low to moderate income poor people in urban areas. It's not a question of the better use, but the ultimate benefit it perhaps can have for low to moderate income people throughout Lexington, many of which will not be able to afford to stay in this hotel and dine in the restaurant. That is not a slight or a slam against the hotel. The hotel is serving in a particular market. It is a luxury hotel. While I wish the project well in its efforts to save an iconic building, And I'm very thankful for the supporters, some of which are my constituents who support the project because of some of the merits missing today. It's a good project, a great project, but this is the wrong funding source. If I were to explain this to a constituent in the street, it would be that we've approved a HUD-backed loan for a luxury exclusive project in Lexington. For that, I'll vote no. Just wanted to explain my vote. Thank you, Mayor. Councilman Myers. Oh, okay. Councilmember Clark, since Councilmember Myers has already spoken, he's yielding to you. Thank you. For some reason, I disappeared earlier in this list, but that's fine. Interesting that this discussion took on a conversation about affordable housing, and I just want to make sure everybody understands how I feel about that. If I thought approving this funding would affect our ability to fund affordable housing, I would not vote for it. Now, some of you know that I do support affordable housing, and I think it's very important that this government support it. But this is not going to affect, in the least, our ability to fund affordable housing if we have the will to do it. So I want to make that clear in the first place. And some of you know I feel that way. But it would be a travesty if this loan was not approved. It would be a serious, and I mean a serious blemish on this city, on our credibility as a growing, inviting, nationally recognized destination. this is an investment in our future this is an opportunity for a significant historical preservation a jewel in Lexington if you had the opportunity to look at the book that the mayor passed around I probably took more time than I should have it's amazing and it is significant that this building is part of that If we don't support this, this is going to be a very negative, a black eye for Lexington. We have to approve this. Yes, there was a cost increase, but 21C is still on board. They say, yeah, it's going to cost us more than we thought. They're still with us because they have confidence in Lexington. They have confidence in their ability to attract people and make a successful business here in the center of Lexington, Kentucky. It will bring people to Lexington that would not come for any other reason. And if I thought it would detract in any way our ability to serve all our constituents, I would not vote for it. but I'm totally in favor of it. I think it's very important that we do this, and I think the funding source, as Council Member Ford suggests, and I understand exactly how he feels about it, and I appreciate that, but I think the funding source is appropriate. I think it's clever. I think it's creative, very intelligent, and I think we ought to take advantage of that. I also should say that I probably can't afford to stay in the hotel either. So thank you very much, everybody. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Clark. Council Member Henson. Thank you, Mayor. First, I would like to thank everyone that took the time to come here tonight, no matter which side you're on for or against, But I think it just shows that we have so many people in our community that truly, truly care about our city. And they get very passionate about things. And I spent most of my adult life helping people find jobs. And I think when you look at jobs, you need diversity. You know, I've heard some people say, well, these are not the types of jobs we want. Not everybody is a technician. Not everybody goes to college. I think we need a variety of jobs. I know hotel brings housekeeping, restaurant, service workers. It also brings technicians for maintenance. you've got beverage managers and all different opportunities I know what I've looked at for 21C they promote from within they have a very very good reputation so I I support this project because I think that's a very good use of HUD funds is for economic development and to create jobs for people. There's no better way to empower anyone than to give them a job. And even if they already have a job, I think as Council Member Myers mentioned earlier, I think anyone looking to better themselves would end up at 21C. I do have to kind of agree with Council Member Stenet. And when it comes to my taste in art, I don't like what was passed around. And I just have to be honest about that. That's something I'm passionate about as children. and making sure that they grow and even though their experiences and their exposures benefit them greatly through their education, but I don't particularly like the artwork and I appreciate Mr. Greenberg. for your stance on that because i know you're passionate about the arts but we just have a difference of opinion on that but thank you very much and thank you all again for for being here thank you mayor council member byers thank you mayor um one of the things that's been said today is that um we approved this two years ago and that it's going to be this black eye for Lexington if we go back on that. And I will say that there are things that I didn't know about this project that if I'd known two years ago, I wouldn't have voted for it. And just having come back on the chamber trip from Charlotte, North Carolina, and we listened to them talk about what economic development is, and we listened to them talk about incentives and the fact that they do 10 to 15 year tax abatement for companies that were creating 55,000 banking jobs. And I think that we have a difference in understanding of what economic development is compared to what Charlotte does and what they see as economic development and the success they've had. So I would have had a hard time supporting this project. Like I said though, if I'd known what I know now, I wouldn't have voted for it last time. The last thing I'll say is that while someone might be able to find someone who supports what they do you know if i give uh it kind of reminds me of the gentleman that owned the basketball team that the ncc double or the uh nlacp was going to give him that award and uh then he made his comments that were made publicly and they took that back but you know you can you can donate money to somebody and they'll support you and what you're doing because you're donating money to them but let me tell you there's there's some organizations here in town like CASA that work with kids and the Child Advocates Center that work with kids. And I'm not sure that if you showed them some of the art that's displayed in this and it's called art. I don't believe it's art. I'm not sure they'd accept money. And I could be wrong. Maybe you've given money to them and they've accepted it and I'm wrong. But that's not art. And that's not Lexington. And so there's a lot of reasons not to support this project. I think It's getting way too much incentive from the taxpayers. I've talked to a lot of business owners that say if you've got a business plan that works, you don't need all that money from the government to make your business plan work. We talk about jobs. You said 22% on average is what you're hiring from those job fairs. I commend that. I commend your outreach and your efforts. But, again, I think at the end of the day, most of the people that are going to be hired already have a job, and they're just switching over there, and that's not creating new jobs. That's not helping. I don't think that most of the jobs created are going to help people out of poverty that's what that money is for as Councilmember Ford said so I'm not going to support this project and I don't think that this sends the wrong message to developers I think it sends a message to people that we have a standard here and I think it sends a message to people that we look hard and long at what we invest in and what we call investment and what we want depicted in our community. So I know there's a lot of people disagree with me and I'm probably going to hear some of that in just a second and that's okay but my vote's going to be no and I'll leave it at that. Thank you Mayor. Council Member Akers. Thank you Mayor. Yes Council Member Myers and I were both in Charlotte this weekend along with many people in this room and and we did have a discussion about this project and agreed to disagree, I guess you could say. Although my mind was not 100% made up over the weekend, I was a little more supportive, certainly, than he was. But it was fun nonetheless. First, I want to thank everybody who came tonight, too. And I know that it's been long, and I appreciate hearing from both sides, and I have heard from lots of my friends in the social work world over recent weeks as well as constituents in the district is and it's not easy as council member scutchfield says we've all i think been back and forth with this but at the end of the day there's a couple things that that moved me to support the project one of them is remembering the day that when it was announced that 21c would come here and thinking and remembering that that was one of the most exciting days and announcements that I can recall in recent years and thinking about and why it was so exciting was thinking about how great this will be for Lexington and our future and what this will mean 10 years from now and 20 years from now. And I have been to Louisville and I've stayed in the hotel in Louisville and I've visited the art gallery even when I didn't stay there. It's free so you can go anytime you're in Louisville, you can just stop by and see the art. And about the art, what we saw tonight, I didn't see there. It isn't always the exhibits change, and they're always changing. And so I don't think that any one presentation is a fair representation. However, I also would say that I think that we should all just keep our minds open when it comes to art and that everything is open for interpretation and subjectivity, I guess. But the number one reason that I want to support this project is, yes, it preserves and restores one of the oldest buildings in our downtown. And yes, it brings art, which I believe is transformative to communities. And yes, it's exciting. But it brings jobs. And it brings jobs to people who in my district need jobs. I represent an area of downtown Lexington that, according to the census of 2007 through 11, 32% of those living in and near the Georgetown Street Corridor are unemployed. 81% do not have college degrees. And to me, I mean, that's enough. I mean, I knew it anyway. I don't think that anyone is surprised by the numbers. But when the entire county has a 7% unemployment rate and the Georgetown Street corridors is almost five times that, and this hotel will be within walking distance, will be within the trolley, free trolley, transportation to the hotel, these are jobs that people need. And the hotel has told me and through Mr. Fugate's office that the minimum salary for staff at the hotel will be $10 an hour, thereabouts. And so to me, that's a good wage. For people that don't have a job, that's a start. And it's a way to get back into the workforce, to provide for your family. As a single person, you can afford affordable housing for $10 an hour. So for those reasons, and I also don't believe that it's going to take away from affordable housing investments, we have $3 million in that fund right now that we still don't have a proposal for or a plan for. And so I don't see how this is going to take away from future investments on the city's part for funding and investing in affordable housing. So I think that's all I have, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Farmer. Thank you, Mayor. As a duly elected legislative body, we're always appreciative when the legislative people are here with us. And to have you here tonight to express your opinions, to fill our chamber with conversation and debate, is one of the things that makes Lexington so very rich. The other side of that is the ability to serve, to sit here and make decisions for Lexington and its future. And this is one of those times where it's great to be an elected official in Lexington, to be part of a great council that works hard, respects each other's opinions, expresses them, disagrees, agrees, moves on. But what Lexington has at its core is a rich history of making great decisions on behalf of its community. The decision to merge our city and county government, the decision to have an urban service boundary, the decision to have a purchase of development rights, the decision to pass a smoking ordinance, the decision to pass a fairness ordinance. All great decisions, all well debated, all part of our history. Our chance tonight is to make more history. We've heard great conversation, and we've had good debate. Lexington's future will not hinge on this one decision, but the opportunity to make this decision and to move us forward is the point of our service. I've appreciated being part of the conversation and listening, and it's a great decision to say yes to this, because Lexington deserves the opportunity to see the building recaptured, to see the jobs created. and in the end, to see a successful business built around the exhibition of art and the conversation that includes the public when they think about art, when they see art, when they encounter art, something that our city does not do as well as it could. This is not a public museum, but it will be very much public used. and the ability to influence opinions, to see change, to understand expression and its form, is something that's very special. I appreciate the opportunity to speak, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Farmer. Council Member Stenet. Thank you, Mayor. I didn't get a chance to finish earlier in my time right now, but Mayor, you remember eight years ago when you and I had the conversation that a lot of times before you come into this room, it's hard to make a decision until you get in here and hear from the people and hear the debate. then you can make an honest decision. It's unfortunate that this has torn our business community apart. This decision tonight has torn our council apart. And while we may never agree on what's art, Mr. Greenberg, and you have every right to uphold what your beliefs are for your company, as I do I for my district and for my community, because as Council Member Farmer said, this is a special place. This building is a special building, as former Mayor Pettit alluded to, and thank you for donating the book, Mayor Pettit. We appreciate that. We'll hold on to it for safekeeping, but this is a special building, and this could be a special project transforming Lexington forever. And I said earlier, we made a promise two years ago, and we gave our word that we would support this project. If I believed any, as Councilman Clark said, any indication that affordable housing would be jeopardized and our future plan will be here in July, then I definitely wouldn't support it. But I think it's a promise that we made. I think Lexington always honors its promises to the citizens and to our business community. Thank you for coming here. And I know it's been a hot seat. I know it's not easy. You came two weeks ago and answered our questions. At the end of the day, it is about economic development. It's about saving that historic building. And, yes, it's about art, as we learned in Charlotte this past weekend. We even have our own debate going on in our budget about saving our downtown art center that we own, that we're going to take over and manage internally. I think it is important to a thriving city, even though we may disagree on the type. So thank you again for coming tonight, and thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Stennett. Council Member Lawless. Just quickly, it's making me crazy because I cannot remember the name of the woman who did the sculptures of the children that are depicted in here. And I've even had dinner with her, and I still can't remember her name. But I think that if you saw these in person, you would have a very different opinion of what they represent and whether or not it would ever be considered child pornography. I first saw her work in MoMA long before 21C in Louisville was built. And so I think it's not a fair depiction, and I think you have to see these pieces along with some of her other work to appreciate what it really is. and a lot of this is taken out of context. I appreciate the fact that you were asked, would you limit the work, the kind of artwork, and you said absolutely not, and thank you, because we certainly do not want to go there. So MoMA is a government building and is funded and the art is paid for that way. And like I say, I saw her work there way before 21C was built. And I think that it would be worth a trip to see this work. And I think you would view it quite differently. But I think we have quite the same taste in art. But I was also the director of the Bluegrass Rake Crisis Center for 30 years. I spent most of my adult life working to educate, support those that are exploited, victimized children and adults. And I certainly do not see that anywhere in this artwork. And I just had to say that. So thank you for letting me say that. And I hope that everybody will support this. And people that don't like the art don't have to buy it. All right. Okay. No one else has signed up. So we would be able then to call the question. Call the question. And, Madam Clerk, if you'll call the roll, please. Mr. Ellinger? Yes. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Ford? No. Ms. Henson? Yes. Mr. Kay? Yes. Mr. Lane? Yes. Ms. Lawless? Yes. Mr. Myers? No. Ms. Gutchfield? Yes. Mr. Stinnett? No, ma'am. Ms. Akers? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Beard? Aye. Mr. Clark. Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The vote reflects passage of the motion. All right. Thank you all for joining us tonight. It's been expressed to us several times. Thank you. We will now go back to our regular order of business. and I'll let the council members we'll let the chambers adjourn yeah it's been suggested that we take a five minute break so council members five minutes three minutes Thank you. How many, we got a quorum back? George? All right, here we go. Council Member Lane. Here we go. All right, Matt. So, Martha, you can get us going with the second reading of one, two, three, four. Okay. All right. Martha, when you're ready, if you'll just start with the second reading of ordinances, please. Sir, we haven't approved the minutes yet. Oh, we need to do that. Yes, ma'am. Motion by Councilmember Scutchfield. Second by Councilmember Ellinger. 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. Now, Martha, if you'll please give us a second reading of the ordinances. Ordinance number one. An ordinance expanding and extending partial urban services district number five for the urban county government for the provision of garbage and refuse collection and street lighting to include the areas defined as certain properties on the following street, 107 Arcadia Park through 209 Arcadia Park. Number two, an ordinance expanding and extending partial urban services district number three for the Irving County Government for the provision of garbage and refuse collection to include the area defined as certain properties on the following streets, 211 through 611 Arcadia Park. Number three, an ordinance declaring a private road located north of the Richmond Road Home Depot store, which starts at the west end of the Woodhill Drive extension and ends at the Southland Christian Church property line to have been dedicated to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government as a public way and accepting the dedication. Number four, an ordinance pursuant to Section 612 of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Charter transferring the Divisions of Computer Services and Enterprise Solutions from the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer to the Office of the Chief Information Officer, amending Section 2252 of the Code of Ordinances, abolishing one position of Chief Information Officer, Grade 212E, in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, and creating one position of the chief information officer, grade 212E, in the office of the chief information officer, transferring all incumbents and all vacant positions of their current job classification, pay grade, and salary, amending sections 2152 and 2252 of the code of ordinances to renumber the affected sections, effective upon passage. Number five, an ordinance closing Prospect Avenue and a portion of Simpson Avenue, determining that all property owners abutting the streets or portions thereof to be closed have been identified, provided with written notice of the proposed closing, and consented thereto in writing and authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute quitclaim deeds transferring the former right-of-way to the abutting owners subject to the reservation of easements for access and maintenance of existing utilities in the former right-of-way. Number six, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 65. Number seven, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $1,500 for the Division of Parks and Recreation from Neighborhood Development Funds for the purchase of exercise equipment for the Kenwick Community Center and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule No. 67. Number 8, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $1,008,000 reserved in the General Fund Fund Balance for outstanding Lexington Downtown Housing Fund Loans and appropriating and reappropriating funds schedule number 68. Motion by council motion by council mayor Ellinger second by council member Henson. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right, then Madam clerk, please call the roll. Mr. Ellinger. Mr. Farmer. Mr. Ford. Yes. Ms. Henson. Yes. Mr. Kay? Yes. Mr. Lane? Yes. Ms. Lawless? Yes. Mr. Myers? Yes. On the first seven, no on eight. Thank you. Ms. Gutchfield? Yes. Mr. Stinnett? It's not here, excuse me. Ms. Akers? Yes. On all. Thank you. Mr. Beard? Aye. And Mr. Clark? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The vote reflects passage of the motion. Allows us to move on to ordinances for a first reading. Madam Clerk, when you're ready. Okay, and we've got an amendment. Council Member Ellinger has an amendment on number 14, if you'll... Yes, sir. And a walk-on, too? Okay, all right. Ordinance number nine, an ordinance changing the zone from a high-density apartment R4 zone to a neighborhood business B1 zone for 0.441 net 0.515 gross acres for property located at 505 West 2nd Street, including dimensional variances, Collins-Wathen Properties, LLC, Council District 2. Number 10, an ordinance changing the zone from a single-family residential R1D zone to a high-density apartment R4 zone for 0.9 net 1.1 gross acres for properties located at 201 and 205 Burley Avenue, 1107, 1109, and 1111 Stillwell Avenue, including dimensional variances, Burley Partners, LLC, Council District 3. Number 11. shall serve as the treasurer and updated duties of the board. Number 12, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette-Irban County Government to reflect current requirements in the Division of Traffic Engineering for funds in the amount of $1,900 from neighborhood development funds for traffic improvements at Glendover Road and Valley Road and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 69. Number 13, ordinance of the Council of the Lexington Fayette-Irban County Government authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a fourth supplemental lease agreement between the Lexington Fayette Urban County Airport Board as the lessor and the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government as the lessee in connection with the issuance of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Airport Board General Airport Revenue Obligation 2014 Series A, revolving credit note, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government General Obligation, evidencing a line of credit agreement by and between the Lexington Fayette Urban County Airport Board and Branch Banking and Trust Company in a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10 million for the purpose of providing interim financing for certain airport facilities at the Bluegrass Airport in Fayette County, Kentucky. Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. Per the request of the administration, I hereby move to amend ordinance number 14 on tonight's docket to amend to add the items provided in the attached budget amendment request list addendum. So moved. Second. Motion by Council Member Ellinger, second by Council Member Lawless. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. hearing none then uh what goes here okay we can take a vote right sorry all in favor of the motion please say aye opposed no motion carries all right and arthur yeah she'll just read it please thank you number 14. in ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the lexington fayette urban county government to reflect current requirements for for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 66. All right, thank you. Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mary. I guess this will be number 15. I move to place on tonight's docket an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Ernie County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $1,700 from the Neighborhood Development Funds and the Department of Social Services for the Senior Intern Program and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 0070. So moved. Second. Motion by Council Member Ellinger, seconded by Council Member Myers. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Madam Clerk, when you're ready, please. Ordnance number 15. An ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette Irving County government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $1,700 from neighborhood development funds in the Department of Social Services for the Senior Intern Program in appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule Number 70. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right. Are there any further motions? All right. Hearing none, then, Madam Clerk, when you're ready, yep, take that sip of water. Resolution number one, a resolution accepting the bids of ADS LLC establishing a price contract for sewer monitoring and alarm equipment for the Division of Water Quality and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with ADS LLC related to the bid. Number two, a resolution accepting the bid of Quality Assurance Specialists Incorporated establishing a price contract for asbestos project monitoring services for the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Quality Assurance Specialists, Inc. related to the bid. Number three, a resolution accepting the bid of McNutt Construction Company in the amount of $235,155 for the exterior masonry repair of buildings 238, 10, 11, and 12 West Tickman Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with McNutt Construction Company related to the bid. Number four, a resolution accepting the bid of ZKB Services, LLC in the amount of $28,590.75 for handrail and anchoring system installation for the Division of Engineering. Number five, a resolution accepting the bid of Air Source Technology Incorporated, establishing a price contract for environmental consulting services for the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management, and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Air Source Technology Incorporated related to the bid. Number six, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute change order number one to the contract with E.C. Matthews Company, Inc. for replacement of the arch entryway at the Division of Community Corrections, increasing the contract price by the sum of $19,420 from $78,305 to $97,725. Number seven, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute a five-year agreement with Siemens Industry, Inc. for fire alarm maintenance for the Division of Community Corrections at a cost not to exceed $24,635 for the first year. Number eight, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an amended lease agreement with Alfalfa Restaurant LLC for tenants' future payment of natural gas use. Number nine, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a letter of agreement with God's Pantry Food Bank Incorporated for referral of clients to God's Pantry by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government at no cost to the urban county government. Number ten, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute supplemental agreement number two with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the acceptance of additional federal funds in the amount of $25,000 for the utility phase of the Rose Street Bike Lane Project, the acceptance of which obligates the Urban County Government for the expenditure of $6,250 as a local match. Number 11, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Kentucky American Water Company for the relocation of utilities for the Rose Street Bike Lane Project at a cost not to exceed $25,910. Number 12, a resolution amending Section 2 of Resolution No. 16-2013 relating to a supplemental environmental project at the police canine facility to increase the authorized funding for the project from $30,000 to an estimated cost not to exceed $47,037. Number 13, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute change order number one to the engineering services agreement with Hazen and Sawyer PSC for sanitary sewer capacity management operations and maintenance program deliverables for consent decree implementation increasing the price contract by the sum of $52,000 from $345,000 to $397,000 and extending the contract term from June 30th, 2014 to August 31st, 2014. 2014. And number 15, a resolution ratifying the probationary civil service appointments of Sonia Schlawn-LaRussi, administrative specialist, grade 110N, 20.413 hourly in the division of revenue, effective June 16, 2014. Albert Miller, director, grade 121E, 3,347.36 biweekly in the division of streets and roads, effective May 19, 2014. Deborah Griffin, efficiency analyst, grade 118E, 2,778.56 biweekly in the division of waste management, effective June 2, 2014. Jeffrey Clark, Enforcement Supervisor, Grade 113E, 22.566 hourly in the Division of Waste Management, effective June 2, 2014. Ratifying the permanent civil service appointments of Tara Robinson, Administrative Specialist, Grade 110N, 14.711 hourly in the Division of Waste Management, effective May 17, 2014. Rhonda Clark, Administrative Specialist, Grade 110N, 20.912 hourly in the Division of Waste Management, effective May 17, 2014. Tamoy Carter, Public Service Supervisor, Grade 111N, 16.207, hourly in the Division of Family Services, effective May 4, 2014. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. It's a motion by Council Member Henson to approve, second by Council Member Ellinger. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Hearing none, then, Madam Clerk, when you're ready, please call the roll. Mr. Ellinger? Mr. Farmer? Mr. Ford? Yes. Ms. Henson? Yes. Mr. Kay? Yes. Mr. Lane? Yes. Ms. Lawless? Excuse me. Mr. Myers? No on 14. Yes on the rest. Thank you. Ms. Gutchfield? Yes. Mr. Stinnett is absent. Ms. Akers? Yes ma'am. Mr. Beard? Aye. Mr. Clark? Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The vote reflects passage of the motion. It allows us to move on to, do you have something for this, Councilman K? Yes, thank you, Mayor. This is on item number 22. I move to remove from tonight's docket item number 22 under resolutions, first reading, which pertains to the acceptance of a bid from Bluegrass Business Services Incorporated doing business as Bluegrass Mailing Data and Fulfillment Services and the establishment of a price contract for mailing services. So move. Motion by Council Member Kaye, second by Council Member Farmer. Is there any discussion on the motion? What was the question? Council Member Henson? Yeah. Yeah. It's number 22, right? To remove from tonight's docket item number 22, and there's some there's some um something with the bid something with the bid wasn't quite right and they they want to redo it all right so we have a motion we have a second is there any further discussion on the motion all right hearing none then we can take a vote all in favor please say aye opposed no motion carries all right madam clerk when you're when you are ready uh please give us the first reading on the resolutions. Resolution number 16, a resolution accepting the bids of Clint Chemical and Janitorial Supplies, Incorporated, Hearst Office Suppliers, Bluegrass Towel and Tissue, Bauman Paper Company, Pyramid School Products, Central Poly Corporation, Unipack Corporation, and Southwest Jefferson Incorporated, establishing price contracts for janitorial chemicals and supplies for the Division of Community Corrections. Number 17, a resolution accepting the bid of Classic Clean Pro LLC, establishing a price contract for custodial services for sales road campus for the division of facilities and fleet management. Number 18, a resolution accepting the bid of DC Elevator Company Incorporated, establishing a price contract for elevator and lift maintenance for the division of facilities and fleet management. Number 19, a resolution accepting the bid of Tom Chestnut Excavation and Construction Services LLC, establishing a price contract for fencing for Manowar Boulevard for the division of streets and roads. Number 20, a resolution accepting the bid of Harrod Concrete and Stone Company Incorporated, establishing a price contract for wet mixed concrete for the Division of Streets and Roads. Number 21, a resolution accepting the bid of Classic Clean Pro LLC establishing a price contract for Custodial Services Central Kentucky Job Center for the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management. Number 23, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County government to execute agreements with Copperfield Neighborhood Association Incorporated, $590, Neighbors United for South Elkhorn Creek Incorporated, $510, Stonewall Community Association Incorporated, $350, the Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass Incorporated $1,000, Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council Incorporated $500, Willow Oak Homeowners Association $1,000, Robin Wood Neighbors Association Incorporated $500, MLK Neighborhood Association $300, and Food Chain $500 for the office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed this unstated. Number 24, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Pearson VUE for GED testing for the offender population at detention center at a cost not to exceed six thousand dollars annually number 25 a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a first amendment to agreement with granicus incorporated to enable the legislative suite software in fiscal year 15 at an additional cost not to exceed 37 200 number 26 a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a statement of compliance for bridge posting requirements number 27 a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute change order number four to the contract with H.W. Lochner for right-of-way services for the Newtown Pike Extension Project, increasing the contract price by the sum of $31,750 from $223,331.25 to $255,081.25. Number 28, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections, renewing the agreement for the acceptance of $1,125,000 for the purchase of voting equipment. Number 29, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to accept a grant from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which grants funds earning the amount of $120,000 federal funds, are for the Lex Tran five-year comprehensive operation analysis long-range transit system analysis project, the acceptance of which obligates the Irving County Government for the expenditure of $30,000 as a local match to be provided by Lex Tran, authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget, and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a subrecipient agreement with lextran for project development and implementation. Number 30, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a ninth amendment to agreement with AmeriNational Community Services Incorporated for loan servicing for the home and CDBG housing rehabilitation and home ownership programs to extend the agreement through June 30, 2016 at an additional cost not to exceed $75,000. Number 31, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept a grant from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, which grant funds are in the amount of $2,307,270 Commonwealth of Kentucky funds are for police training incentive funds, the acceptance of which does not obligate the urban county government for the expenditure of funds and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 32, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept a grant from the Commission on Fire Protection, Personnel, Standards, and Education, which grant funds are in the amount of $2,274,830 Commonwealth of Kentucky funds or for training incentive funds for firefighters, the acceptance of which does not obligate the urban county government for the expenditures of funds and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 33, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute Amendment No. 3 to the agreement with Bluegrass Area Development District to accept additional federal funds in the amount of $16,051 for operation of the Lexington Senior Citizen Center. Number 34. the grant budget. Number 35, a resolution authorizing Dean Dorton Allen Ford P LLC to conduct a financial audit of all Lexington Fayette Urban County Government funds for fiscal year 2014 for an amount not to exceed $149,000 fiscal year 2015 subject to sufficient funds being appropriated and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a letter agreement and any other necessary documents with Dean Dorton Allen Ford P LLC related to the audit. Number 36, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit a grant application to the kentucky department of education division of school and community nutrition to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application and to accept this grant if the application is approved which grant funds are in the amount of seventy nine thousand dollars federal funds and are for the participation in the child care food program at the family care center the acceptance of which does not obligate the urban county government for the expenditure of funds and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget number 37 a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of of the urban county government to execute an amendment to agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for extension of the Share the Road Media Campaign Project through December 31, 2014 at no cost to the urban county government. Number 38, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application, which grant funds are in the amount of $84,600 federal funds under the 2014 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and are for the purchase of training props for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services Training Academy. Number 39, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an engineering services agreement with GRW Engineers Incorporated for the design phase of the Manowar Boulevard and Pink Pigeon Parkway intersection project, the Manowar Boulevard and Alumni Drive intersection project, and the Manowar Boulevard and Richmond Road intersection project at a cost not to exceed $209,108. Number 40, a resolution accepting the response of EA Partners PLC to RFP number 22, 2014, Versailles Road Corridor Improvements Alternatives Analysis Study, and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with EA Partners PLC to provide services related to the RFP at a cost not to exceed $150,000 for the Department of Planning, Preservation, and Development. Number 41, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a memorandum of agreement with Eastern Kentucky University for operation of Safety City. Number 42, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit a grant application to the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application and to accept this grant if the application is approved, which grant funds are in the amount of $130,000 federal funds, and are for a workforce preparation project for the Division of Youth Services, the acceptance of which does not obligate the urban county government for the expenditure of funds, and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 43, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Lord Eck and Sargent Incorporated for a Cardinal Valley small area plan at a cost not to exceed $110,000. Number 44, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept a grant from the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs Division of Emergency Management, which grant funds are in the amount of $103,118.71 federal funds, are for the support of emergency preparedness activities in Lexington Fayette County, the acceptance of which obligates the urban county government for the expenditure of $103,118.71 as a local match and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 45, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for providing administrative services and stop-loss insurance coverage relative to health insurance plans PPO1, PPO2, HSA1, and HSA2 for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2015 for the urban county government. Number 46, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a statement of work agreement with cooperative personnel services doing business as CPSHR consulting for assessments to be used in the promotional process for the Division of Police at a cost not to exceed $52,500. And number 47, a resolution approving the creation and implementation of a barring policy by the Division of Parks and Recreation, which shall be applicable to all parks of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any motions for walk-ons? Well, there are, yes. Council Member Hanson? Thank you, Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I move to place on the docket a resolution authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make conditional offers of employment to various civil service appointments. So moved. Second. Motion by Council Member Hanson. Second by Council Member Beard. 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. And I have another one. Yes, ma'am. Move to place on the docket a resolution ratifying various probationary and permanent civil service appointments. Second. Motion by Council Member Henson. Second by Council Member Scotchfield. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Is that it, Peggy? Got another one? That's it. Okay. Council Member Myers. Thank you, Mayor. I move to place on a docket a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with the YMCA of Central Kentucky for $1,000 and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky for $1,000 for the office of Urban County Council. So moved. Motion by Council Member Myers, second by Council Member Farmer. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay, hearing none, then we take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, sir. Thank you. Council Member Ford. Thank you, Mayor. I move to place on the docket for the June 5th, 2014 Council meeting under first reading resolutions, a resolution to approve a change order with Economy Glass for replacement of 28 windows at the Dunbar Community Center. So moved. Thank you. Motion by Council Member Ford. Second by Council Member Farmer. Oh, Council Member Clark. Okay, Council Member Myers. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay, hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, sir. Thank you. Council Member Farmer. No, sir. No? It says you. Yes, sir. I move to place on tonight's docket a resolution accepting the response of MSK2LL to RFP No. 25-2014 commercial corridor study and authorizing the mayor to execute the consulting services agreement with MSK2LLC to provide urban planning and economic analysis of the Euclid Avenue, Avenue of Champions, and South Limestone corridors at a cost not to exceed $75,000. So moved. Second. Motion by Council Member Farmer and second by Council Member Myers. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Scotchfield. Thank you, Mayor. red system. Motion by Councilmember Scotchfield and second by Councilmember Henson. Is there any discussion on the motion? Alright, hearing none then we can take a vote. All in favor please say aye. Aye. Opposed no. Motion carries. Alright. Looks like that's all so if you'll give us those readings, those first readings, Madam Clerk, that'd be great. Thank you. Resolution number 48, a resolution authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary civil service appointment. Jason Martin, Engineering Technician, Grade 111N, 16.681, hourly in the Division of Engineering, effective June 16, 2014. Benny Begley, Engineering Technician, Grade 111N, 21.0, 36, hourly in the Division of Water Quality, effective June 30, 2014. Rachel Berry, Payroll Analyst, Grade 115E, 1,696.96 biweekly in the Division of Accounting, effective June 23, 2014. Peggy Floyd, Staff Assistant, Grade 107 and 15.428 hourly in the Division of Youth Services. Jesse Jones, Code Enforcement Officer, Grade 113 and 16.624 hourly in the Division of Code Enforcement, both effective upon passage of counsel. Authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary community corrections officer appointments. Samantha Adams, Brandon Bailey, Neil Buckaridge, Patrick Cornett, Kenneth Derrickson, Adam Downing, Jennifer Duff, Mitchell Dunn, Paul Ellis, Benjamin Ennis, Shelly Estes, Kimberly Fischster, Douglas Fry, Haley Garcia, Scott Harding, Ethan Helms, Tricia Holman, Brandon Hurst, David Jackson, Michael Jefferson, Melinda Kristoff, Ryan Parker, James Perry, Katrina Privet, Andrew Rivas, Jamal Simmons, Bruce Smith, Stephen Smith, Brittany Taylor, Joshua Wagner, Shanika Wally, Anthony Wilhoyt, Cleveland Willoughby, Paul Yezzo, All Community Corrections Officer, Grade 110 and 14.5, 36 hourly in the Division of Community Corrections, effective July 7, 2014. Authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary sworn appointments. Jeremy Adkins, Blake Andrews, Joseph Baker, Mary Blankenship, Jeffrey Chelf, James Costa, David Covell, Jacob Dalton, Ricardo Delgado, Aaron Evans, Brandon Hazelwood, Joseph Jasperson, Joshua Johnson, Matthew Caper, Jody Kizzes, Kristen Klingshern, David Lawson, Zachary Lusk, Brandon Miller, Kevin Morris, Eddie Murphy II, Ty Nguyen, Jason Paulson, Ethan Payne, Jennifer Foff, Robert Ward, Brandon Whitus, Daniel Raleigh, Chad Claggett, Nicholas Mudd, Brandon Ritchie, Corey Vinlove, Justin Ray, Stephen Hudak, Zachary Bowman, Derek Walton, John Ringe, Nathaniel Baker, All Police Officer, Grade 311N, 17.890 hourly in the Division of Police, effective July 14, 2014. Number 49, a resolution ratifying the probationary civil service appointment of Jonathan Sutton, evidence technician, Grade 112N, 23.554 hourly in the Division of Police, effective June 16, 2014. Ratifying the permanent civil service appointments of Michael Cravens, attorney, Grade 117E, 1,957.28 biweekly in the Department of Law effective May 18, 2014. Stephen Gaffer, nuisance control officer, grade 111N, 18.174 hourly in the Division of Code Enforcement effective May 4, 2014. Alicia Lyle, Administrative Specialist, grade 110N, 16.615 hourly in the Division of Human Resources effective May 18, 2014. Carrie Bradford, Financial Coordinator, grade 112N, 16.059 hourly in the Division of Grants and Special Programs effective April 21, 2014. 14. Aubrey Burton, Equipment Operator Senior, Grade 109N, 16.354, hourly in the Division of Waste Management, effective April 6, 2014. Larry Hall, Equipment Operator Senior, Grade 109N, 15.207, hourly in the Division of Waste Management, effective April 13, 2014. Eric Eason, Engineering Technician, Grade 111N, 14.596, hourly in the Division of Traffic Engineering, effective May 18, 2014. Number 50, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute agreements with YMCA of Central Kentucky $1,000 and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky $1,000 for the Office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed the sun stated. Number 51, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute change order number one to the contract with Economy Glass Service Incorporated for Dunbar Community Center window replacements, increasing the contract price by the sum of $45,388 from $99,876 to $145,264. Number 52, a resolution accepting the response of MSK2 LLC to RFP number 25, 2014, Commercial Corridor Study, and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute the Consulting Services Agreement with MSK2 LLC to provide urban planning and economic analysis of the Euclid Avenue, Avenue of Champions and South Limestone Corridors, pursuant to the RFP, at a cost not to exceed $75,000 for the Department of Planning, Preservation, and Development. At number 53, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Commonwealth of Kentucky of Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Highways, to reimburse the urban county government up to $330,000 for operation and maintenance of traffic signals and electrical traffic control devices on the state primary road system. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are there any motions to suspend the rules for a second reading? council member scutchfield i apologize but it will save us time in two weeks there we go um i'm i don't i move to suspend the rules and give second reading to number 23 thank you 43 23 23 number 23 second motion by council member scutchfield and second by council member henson Is there any discussion? All right. Hearing none, we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Council Member Henson. I have several mayors. Okay. Can I do them all at one time? Okay. Sure thing. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to number 40. Yep. Number 41. Okay. Number 43. and I believe it's number 48, the conditional employment. Oh, that's a long one. All right. That was numbers 40, 41, 43, and 48. Did you get those, Martha? And number 53. Oh, and 53. Okay. All right. Yes, thank you, Mayor. Ms. Henson, I have number 52 as the last ordinance number. Is that the one you... It was the one that Jennifer made. I apologize. You're correct. Okay. Thank you. All right. Okay. Council Member Clark. Thank you, Mayor. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. You're right. Thank you, Council Member Hanson. We need to vote on 40, 41, 43, 48, and 53. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second by Council Member Clark. All right. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Now, Council Member Clark. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules for a second reading for resolution number 28. Second. 28. 28. Okay. Motion by Council Member Clark, second by Council Member Ford. Is there any discussion on 28 on the motion? All right. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Council Member Myers. Council Member Myers. Council Member Ford. Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Council Members, I know that it is very rare for us to request a second read on a walk-on, but because of the budgetary requirements with us closing down the year, I want to request suspension of the rules to give second reading to Resolution 51 for the change order for the windows replacements at Dunbar Center. So moved. Sergeant. Motion by Council Member Ford and a second by Council Member Beard. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. We can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. That was number 51. Yes, sir. All right. Okay. All right. Is that all? Council Member Myers, do you have one? Okay. Number 49? Is that it? 49's probation. 50? 50. Kevin says it's number 50. All right. So a motion by Council Member Myers. Myers to suspend the rules and give second meeting to number 50? Was that my walk-on? yep that's it okay motion by council member myers on number 50. suspend on number 50. second by council member ellinger we can take a vote all in favor please say aye aye opposed no motion carries all right is that it all right that's it so madam clerk when you're ready i had 23 40 41 43 48 53 28 50 and 51. Thank you. Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council, Inc., $500, Willow Oak Homeowners Association, $1,000, Robin Wood Neighbors Association, Inc., $500, MLK Neighborhood Association, $300, and Food Chain, $500 for the office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated. Number 28. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections renewing the agreement for the acceptance of $1,125,000 for the purchase of voting equipment. Number 40, a resolution accepting the response of EA Partners PLC to RFP No. 22, 2014, Versailles Road Corridor Improvements Alternatives Analysis Study, and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County government to execute an agreement with EA Partners PLC to provide services related to the RFP at a cost net to exceed $150,000 for the Department of Planning, Preservation, and Development. Number 41, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a memorandum of agreement with Eastern Kentucky University for operation of Safety City. Number 43, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Lord Ick and Sargent Incorporated for a Cardinal Valley small area plan at a cost not to exceed $110,000. Number 48, a resolution authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary civil service appointment. Jason Martin, Engineering Technician, Grade 111N, 16.681 hourly in the Division of Engineering, effective June 16, 2014. Benny Begley, Engineering Technician, Grade 111N, 21.036 hourly in the Division of Water Quality, effective June 30, 2014. Rachel Berry, Payroll Analyst, Grade 115E, 1,696.96 biweekly in the Division of Accounting, effective June 23rd, 2014. Peggy Floyd, Staff Assistant, Grade 107N, 15.428 hourly in the Division of Youth Services. Jesse Jones, Code Enforcement Officer, Grade 113N, 16.624 hourly in the Division of Code Enforcement, both effective upon passage of counsel. Authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary community corrections officer appointments. Samantha Adams, Brandon Bailey, Neil Buckaridge, Patrick Hornett, Kenneth Derrickson, Adam Downing, Jennifer Duff, Mitchell Dunn, Paul Ellis, Benjamin Ennis, Shelly Estes, Kimberly Fischster, Douglas Fry, Haley Garcia, Scott Harding, Ethan Helms, Tricia Holman, Brandon Hurst, David Jackson, Michael Jefferson, Melinda Kristoff, Ryan Parker, James Perry, Katrina Privet, Andrew Rivas, Jamal Simmons, Bruce Smith, Stephen Smith, Brittany Taylor, Joshua Wagner, Schnecky Wally, Anthony Wilhoy, Excuse me. Cleveland Willoughby, Paul Yezzo, all community corrections officers, grade 110N, 14.5, 36 hourly in the Division of Community Corrections, effective July 7, 2014, authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary sworn appointments. Jeremy Adkins, Blake Andrews, Joseph Baker, Mary Blankenship, Jeffrey Chelf, James Costa, David Cavell, Jacob Dalton, Ricardo Delgado, Aaron Evans, Brandon Hazelwood, Joseph Jasperson, Joshua Johnson, Matthew Caper, Jody Kizzes, Kristen Klingshern, David Lawson, Zachary Lusk, Brandon Miller, Kevin Morris, Eddie Murphy II, Ty Nguyen, Jason Paulson, Ethan Payne, Jennifer Falk, Robert Ward, Brandon Whitus, Daniel Raleigh, Chad Claggett, Nicholas Mudd, Brandon Ritchie, Corey Vinlove, Justin Ray, Stephen Hudak, Zachary Bowman, Derek Walton, John Ringe, Nathaniel Baker. All Police Officers, Grade 311N, 17.890 hourly in the Division of Police, effective July 14, 2014. Okay. Number 50, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute agreements with YMCA of Central Kentucky $1,000 and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky $1,000 for the Office of the Irving County Council at a cost not to exceed this unstated. Number 51, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute change order number one to the contract with Economy Glass Service Incorporated for Dunbar Community Center window replacements, increasing the contract price by the sum of $45,388 from $99,870 to $145,264. And number 53, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways to reimburse the Urban County Government up to $330,000 for operation and maintenance of traffic signals and electrical traffic control devices on the state primary road system. Thank you. Second. Motion by Council Member Scutchfield and seconded by Council Member Ellinger to approve. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. Hearing none, then, Madam Clerk, whenever you are ready, please call the roll. Mr. Ellinger? Yes. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Ford? Yes. Ms. Henson? Yes. Mr. Kay? Yes. Mr. Lane? Yes. Ms. Lawless? Excuse me, she's absent. Mr. Myers? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Gutchfield? Yes. Ms. Akers? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Beard? Aye. Mr. Clark? Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk, and the vote reflects passage of the motion. That allows us to move on to communications from the mayor. Motion by Councilmember Farmer. Second by Councilmember Kaye. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. And next is for information only, communication, so no actions needed there. And next is announcements. Councilmember Farmer. Thank you, Mayor. With some of the calendar changes that we have given ourselves for budget work, it's pushed a couple of committee meetings back to the point where the Planning and Public Works and Social Services Committee would actually meet like two weeks apart. So rather than have that happen and to provide more opportunity for work to go on, I move that the Planning and Public Works Committee and Social Services Committee meetings scheduled for June 17th be canceled. So moved. Motion by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Council Member Myers. Is there any discussion on the motion? Okay. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Council Member Clark. Thank you, Mayor. Today we met in committee for discuss the TWC cable contract. And at the end of this meeting, we decided it was important to inform the council as much as possible about the contract that is being devised before we go on the summer break because we're going to have some deadlines after that fairly soon. So you should expect from Stacy a proposed amended contract that is going to be presented to the cable company. So we just wanted to let you know that. And we are proposing a closed meeting on either the 17th or 24th, I believe it is. We're going to make that recommendation to the vice mayor. And so we wanted you all to be informed about what was going on there because we think it's important that you know before we get too far into the negotiations. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Clark. All right, any other announcements? All right. There are none signed on, so that allows us to move on in our agenda. We have one police disciplinary item before the council. And I'll introduce Assistant Chief Lawrence Weathers for this action. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Council. I'll be brief and quick. This disciplinary recommendation for council approval on Monday, February 24, 2014, 2014 an allegation was made that sergeant franklin patrick violated general order 73-2-h operational rules section 1.02 misconduct at the conclusion of the investigation the employee met with chief ronnie baston and has accepted three days suspension of 30 hours without pay this recommended discipline has also been approved by the public safety commissioner clay mason It was a motion by Council Member Lane, seconded by Council Member Kaye. 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. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Mayor. Thank you, Chief. I'd just like to thank the Chief. I know he's been here since 6 o'clock, And so I just wanted to thank him for his patience for that little one minute at the mic there. So thank you. Part of the job, right? Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. Now the floor is available for open for public comments. Mr. Wheeler, you have returned or maybe you didn't leave. Yes. Pardon me. Thank you, Mayor and Council. So this is what I signed up for originally. I have an issue that's been on my agenda since last year. August 29th, last year, I appeared at a public hearing regarding the property tax issues. Pardon me, please. I pointed out that one of the tax increases would exceed the 4% limit prescribed by state law, whereby the publication of that increase, which was above 4%, in fact, it was 25%, The publication of that had to be in the newspaper within seven days. Now, that was the tax increase for the water and reclamation. Anyway, the district, that increase was four. So I have been attempting for months to find out what's the status within the government about that. The budget director assisted me for really for weeks. I called the I asked by M.O. M.O. What's M.O.? I asked by email to the office of our highest elected official the status, and I did not receive any response. I called the LRC, and they could not give me any solution. So I'm bringing it to you, putting it on your, in your laps to decide or to look at it and decide what to do. Shall that improper tax that was levied, should that be repaid to the property owners? but it's clearly not within the state law since it was not publicized within seven days. So I'll just leave that with you, and I'll wish you luck. Thank you, Mr. Wheeler. Thank you, Bill. All right. Is there... All right. Motion by Council Member Farmer to adjourn, and the second by Council Member Myers. Is there any objection? Unless there's an objection, we're adjourned. Aye. Thank you.