# Urban County Council Meeting - December 9, 2014 > Auto-transcribed civic record · December 9, 2014 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/3531 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/3531?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2014-12-09 - **Last revised**: July 15, 2026 - **Length**: 11,180 words > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed with OpenAI's open-source Whisper large-v3-turbo model, run locally by The Lexington Times. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude. Verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Urban County Council met on December 9, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 200 E. Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, with Mayor Gray presiding. The council conducted a full legislative session that included 10 agenda items and resulted in 31 motions and votes. The meeting covered standard procedural items including roll call and invocation, followed by consideration of ordinances and resolutions at both first and second readings. The council approved ordinances on second reading, advanced ordinances on first reading, and approved resolutions at both first and second readings. Additionally, the council addressed communications from the mayor, heard announcements, and received 2 public comments from members of the community. ## Attendance **Present:** Bill Farmer, Diane Ford, Linda Gorton, Peggy Henson, Steve Kay, Ed Lane, George Myers, Linda Scutchfield, John Stinnett, Linda Akers, Julian Beard, Harry Clark, and Chuck Ellinger. **Absent:** Lawless and Mossotti. **Late arrivals:** None. ## Votes and Decisions **Ordinances Passed** [timestamp: 00:14:39] Eleven ordinances passed by roll-call vote with unanimous support (13 ayes, 0 nays): - **Ordinance 1318-14**: Amending budgets to reflect current municipal expenditures and re-appropriating funds, Schedule No. 30 - **Ordinance 1275-14**: Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 152-2013 to designate members of the Economic Development Investment Board - **Ordinance 1253-14**: Amending authorized strength in Waste Management by abolishing two positions and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 31 - **Ordinance 1264-14**: Establishing the Midland Avenue Development Area, approving Local Participation Agreement, Master Development Agreement, and designating oversight agency - **Ordinance 1267-14**: Amending authorized strength in Human Resources by abolishing one position and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 32 - **Ordinance 1268-14**: Amending authorized strength in the Office of the Mayor by abolishing one unclassified position and creating one new unclassified position, Schedule No. 33 - **Ordinance 1269-14**: Amending authorized strength in Computer Services and CIO by abolishing one position and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 33 - **Ordinance 1306-14**: Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 137-2014 to make Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee a standing committee and adding a Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting - **Ordinance 1317-14**: Amending Committee of the Whole appropriations and re-appropriating funds, Schedule No. 24 - **Ordinance 1319-14**: Amending budgets for Berry Hill Skate Park and budgeting a donation from Friends for Skateparks, Schedule No. 36 - **Ordinance 1320-14**: Amending budgets for Neighborhood Watch Signs for River Park Neighborhood Association, Schedule No. 35 All votes were moved by Ellinger and seconded by Gorton, with all 13 council members voting in favor: Bill Farmer, Diane Ford, Linda Gorton, Peggy Henson, Steve Kay, Ed Lane, George Myers, Linda Scutchfield, John Stinnett, Linda Akers, Julian Beard, Harry Clark, and Chuck Ellinger. **Ordinance 1342-14** [timestamp: 00:15:39] received first reading only and was not voted on at this meeting. **Resolutions and Other Matters Passed** Multiple resolutions passed by roll-call vote with unanimous support (13 ayes, 0 nays) [timestamp: 00:17:47 and 00:33:00], including cable franchise agreements, bid acceptances, contract authorizations, and civil service appointments. Communication 1339-14 regarding board and commission appointments was approved unanimously [timestamp: 00:34:06]. A disciplinary action approving a 40-hour suspension without pay for Officer Banford K. Hill for use of excessive force was approved unanimously [timestamp: 00:34:06]. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote [timestamp: 01:30:15]. ## Budget and Financial Actions The meeting approved the following financial actions: **Alfalfa's Restaurant Renovations** Resolution 1300-14 authorized a $38,000 purchase with FuelBand, LLC for renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant. **Public Safety Operations Center Renovation** Resolution 1337-14 approved a $6,109,000 contract with Churchill McCee, LLC for the Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) Renovation project. **Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program** Resolution 1322-14 allocated $65,000 in grant funding through the Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program to 12 neighborhood associations. **Office of the Urban County Council Agreements** Resolution 1328-14 authorized grant agreements totaling $10,000 with 16 organizations to support the Office of the Urban County Council. ## Public Comment Two members of the public addressed the council during this meeting. Bernard McCarthy spoke at [timestamp: 01:25:31] to praise the council's decorum. He expressed affection for all council members and reflected on the contrast between political and religious arguments. Henry Kenyon spoke at [timestamp: 01:26:40] to commend Vice Mayor Gorton. He highlighted her humility and calm leadership, and noted her tireless service to both the Georgetown Street area and the Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center. ## Appointments The following individuals were appointed or reappointed to city boards and commissions: **Affordable Housing Governing Board** - Bill Farmer — reappointed **Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board** - Joel L. Cowan — reappointed **City Employees Pension Fund Board** - Peggy Henson — reappointed **Commission on Citizens with Disabilities** - Tiffany Bryant — reappointed - Richard Curtis — reappointed - Kenzie Gleason — reappointed - Kristy Stambaugh — reappointed **Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors** - Michael Curd — appointed - Josiah D. Frey — appointed - Ronald Tritscher — reappointed - Paul Swoveland — reappointed **Domestic Violence Prevention Board** - Kelly Flood — reappointed **Greenspace Commission** - Ryan C. Koch — appointed **Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Board** - Peggy Henson — reappointed **Human Rights Commission** - Robert Orbach — reappointed **Internal Audit Board** - Ed Lane — reappointed - Gary W. Ludwick — reappointed - Bill O'Mara — reappointed **Parks and Recreation Advisory Board** - Alice Nelson — reappointed **Urban County Arts Review Board** - Michael McKay — appointed ## Contested Items **Resolution 1300-14 – Alfalfa's Restaurant Renovations** Council Member Lane raised questions about Resolution 1300-14, which concerned renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant with an associated cost of $38,000. Lane questioned the purpose and necessity of the renovation project. The Director of Facilities and Fleet Management responded to Lane's inquiry, explaining that the renovation was needed to address mold and structural issues at the facility. This response provided the justification for the expenditure that had prompted the council member's initial concerns. The discussion was characterized as heated, indicating substantive disagreement or tension during the exchange, though the specific details of the debate beyond the initial questioning and response were not documented. ## Roll Call Council clerk Meredith Nelson called the roll to confirm the presence of council members. [timestamp: 00:07:00] All members were present except for Lawless and Mossotti, who were absent from the meeting. ## Invocation Dr. Dan Hans delivered the invocation at the beginning of the meeting [timestamp: 00:08:48]. The prayer honored Vice Mayor Gorton and the council's service to the community. Dr. Hans's remarks emphasized themes of peace, hope, and gratitude as the council convened for its business. This agenda item was informational in nature and served as the opening ceremonial element of the meeting. ## Ordinances – Second Reading [timestamp: 00:10:58] Twelve ordinances were presented for second reading during this agenda item. The ordinances addressed multiple municipal matters, including budget amendments, personnel changes, development area establishment, and committee restructuring. Key speakers Ellinger and Gorton participated in the discussion of these ordinances. All twelve ordinances were read and approved unanimously by the body. The ordinances covered the following categories of business: - Budget amendments - Personnel changes - Development area establishment - Committee restructuring No specific concerns or objections were raised during the discussion, and the unanimous approval indicates consensus among the members present. ## Ordinances – First Reading [timestamp: 00:15:39] Ordinance 1342-14 was introduced for first reading during this agenda item. The ordinance was scheduled for public inspection until January 15, 2015. ## Resolutions – Second Reading [timestamp: 00:16:12] Six resolutions received second reading and were approved unanimously during this portion of the meeting. The resolutions addressed cable franchise awards, service agreements, and acceptance of a bid for PSOC renovation work. Key speakers during this agenda item included Gorton and Myers, who presented and discussed the resolutions with the body. All six resolutions moved forward without opposition, resulting in unanimous approval. The resolutions covered the following general categories: - Cable franchise awards - Service agreements - PSOC renovation bid acceptance No specific concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of these items. ## Resolutions – First Reading [timestamp: 00:23:58] Multiple resolutions were presented for first reading during this agenda item. The proceedings included the suspension of rules to allow for consideration of several matters, including traffic sign contracts, staff appointments, and grant agreements. Key speakers during this discussion included Ellinger, Akers, and Lane. The resolutions were read and subsequently approved following the suspension of standard procedural rules. The outcome of this agenda item was approval of the resolutions presented. ## Communications From the Mayor [timestamp: 00:34:06] During this agenda item, the Mayor presented recommendations for reappointments and appointments to various boards and commissions. Key speakers on this matter included Stinnett and Myers. The recommendations were brought forward for consideration by the council. The proposed reappointments and appointments were reviewed and discussed by the body. The council voted unanimously to approve all recommendations for reappointments and appointments to the various boards and commissions. ## Communications From the Mayor (For Information Only) This agenda item presented communications from the Mayor regarding personnel matters across various city departments and agencies. [timestamp: 00:34:06] The Mayor's communications listed resignations, reinstatements, and appointments affecting multiple departments and agencies. These personnel actions were presented for informational purposes to the council. No debate or discussion of concerns was recorded for this item. The outcome was informational, with no action required from the council. ## Announcements [timestamp: 00:35:16] Council Member Akers presented information about upcoming holiday events scheduled in her district. The announcement focused on neighborhood celebrations and dinners planned for the holiday season. This was an informational item with no formal action required. The purpose was to inform the council and public about community events taking place in the district. ## Public Comments Two members of the public addressed the council during this agenda item, offering personal reflections on the council's service and leadership. **Speakers and Remarks** Bernard McCarthy and Henry Kenyon each provided comments to the council. Both speakers offered praise for Vice Mayor Gorton and acknowledged the outgoing members of the council. **Outcome** This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The public comments were received by the council. *[Transcript timestamp: approximately 01:25:31]* --- ## Decisions - **Ordinance 1318-14** — passed (13-0): Amending budgets to reflect current municipal expenditures and re-appropriating funds, Schedule No. 30 - **Ordinance 1275-14** — passed (13-0): Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 152-2013 to designate members of the Economic Development Investment Board - **Ordinance 1253-14** — passed (13-0): Amending authorized strength in Waste Management by abolishing two positions and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 31 - **Ordinance 1264-14** — passed (13-0): Establishing the Midland Avenue Development Area, approving Local Participation Agreement, Master Development Agreement, and designating oversight agency - **Ordinance 1267-14** — passed (13-0): Amending authorized strength in Human Resources by abolishing one position and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 32 - **Ordinance 1268-14** — passed (13-0): Amending authorized strength in the Office of the Mayor by abolishing one unclassified position and creating one new unclassified position, Schedule No. 33 - **Ordinance 1269-14** — passed (13-0): Amending authorized strength in Computer Services and CIO by abolishing one position and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 33 - **Ordinance 1306-14** — passed (13-0): Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 137-2014 to make Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee a standing committee and adding a Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting - **Ordinance 1317-14** — passed (13-0): Amending Committee of the Whole appropriations and re-appropriating funds, Schedule No. 24 - **Ordinance 1319-14** — passed (13-0): Amending budgets for Berry Hill Skate Park and budgeting a donation from Friends for Skateparks, Schedule No. 36 - **Ordinance 1320-14** — passed (13-0): Amending budgets for Neighborhood Watch Signs for River Park Neighborhood Association, Schedule No. 35 - **Ordinance 1342-14** — first_reading: Amending budgets to reflect current municipal expenditures, Schedule No. 34 - **Resolution 1201-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing Amended Multi-Year Service Agreement with Time Warner Cable Enterprises, LLC, at no additional cost - **Resolution 1301-14** — passed (13-0): Awarding non-exclusive cable franchise to Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.L.P., for 10 years - **Resolution 1302-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing Mayor to sign Settlement Agreement with Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.L.P., and Assumption Agreements with Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc. - **Resolution 1303-14** — passed (13-0): Consenting to cable franchise transfer to Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications, Inc. - **Resolution 1337-14** — passed (13-0): Accepting bid of Churchill McCee, LLC, for PSOC Renovation, $6,109,000 - **Resolution 1336-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing loan agreement with MedSignals/VitalSignals, LLC, up to $250,000 for 11 new jobs - **Resolution 1219-14** — passed (13-0): Accepting bid of J & V Contracting, LLC, for Traffic Sign Installation - **Resolution 1300-14** — passed (13-0): Accepting bid of FuelBand, LLC, for renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant, $38,000 - **Resolution 1333-14** — passed (13-0): Ratifying probationary and permanent civil service appointments and sworn appointments - **Resolution 1334-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing conditional offers for probationary civil service appointments - **Resolution 1341-14** — passed (13-0): Ratifying unclassified civil service appointment of Ronnie Bastin, Commissioner of Public Safety - **Resolution 1294-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing contract amendment with Hill-N-Dale Neighborhood Association to extend project completion to June 30, 2015 - **Resolution 1299-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing acceptance of refrigerator donation from Pieratt's for Family Care Center - **Resolution 1314-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing First Amendment to Lease Termination Agreement with Sprint Spectrum L.P., extending termination to February 28, 2015 - **Resolution 1322-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program Contracts with 12 associations, up to $65,000 - **Resolution 1328-14** — passed (13-0): Authorizing agreements with 16 organizations for Office of the Urban County Council, up to $10,000 - **Communication 1339-14** — approved (13-0): Recommendations for reappointments and appointments to various boards and commissions - **Disciplinary Action** — approved (13-0): Approving 40-hour suspension without pay for Officer Banford K. Hill for use of excessive force - **Adjournment** — approved (13-0): Motion to adjourn meeting --- ## Full transcript The Thank you. The End Thank you. All right. Well, greetings. Hello, everyone. Hello, everyone, and welcome to the meeting of the council. First on our agenda tonight is a roll call, and I'll ask the council clerk, Meredith Nelson, please call the roll. Meredith. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Ford? Here. Ms. Gordon? Here. Ms. Henson? Here. Mr. Kay? Here. Mr. Lane? Here. Ms. Lawless? Ms. Massadi? Mr. Myers? My final time of signing on, yes, ma'am. Ms. Scutchfield? Yes. Mr. Stennett? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Akers? Yes. Mr. Beard? Present. Mr. Clark? For the last time, yes. And Mr. Ellinger? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. And next on our agenda is invocation. And tonight we are honored that Reverend Dr. Dan Hans with Second Presbyterian Church, I corrected myself quickly, Dan is here. And just as a point of information, Dr. Hans is also the pastor of our vice mayor's congregation. and conducted the marriage ceremony for not one, but both kids. Right. And Charlie's here tonight, too. Would you bow with me in prayer, please? Gracious God, in this season that celebrates joy and peace and hope, we call upon you to breathe your spirit of joyful and peaceful hope into the discussions, deliberations, decisions that this council undertakes. We seek no guiding star from above, but we do ask your illuminating light to be at work within each council member. And, O Lord, on this final meeting for Linda Gorton, we celebrate with gratitude how she has been a joyful presence amid conflicted situations, how she has given peaceful direction amid contentious impasses, and how she has brought hope for tomorrow amid roadblocks and obstacles today. We ask your blessing upon Linda as she shifts from important service to this grand city and county to more important service to her grandkids. And Lord, in this season of Christ's birth, May we all be humbled before the wisdom that promises that a little child shall lead them. Amen. Thank you, Dan. And next on our agenda is a second reading of ordinances. ordinances numbers 1 through 11 and I'll ask the clerk to please read the ordinances when you are ready Meredith ordinance number one 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 30 number two an ordinance amending the portion of section 1 of ordinance number 152 2013 described as section 7 to designate one the chairperson of the council's budget finance and economic Development Committee, two, one additional council member appointed by the mayor, three, a member of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce or of the Lexington Industrial Foundation, and four, two members from the financial investment or banking industry as members of the Economic Development Investment Board. Number three, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one unclassified civil service position of public service worker, grade 507N, and one classified civil service position of operations manager, grade 520E, and creating one classified civil service position of plant manager grade 524E in the division of waste management appropriating funds pursuant to schedule number 31. Number four, an ordinance of the Lexington Fayette urban county government making certain findings concerning and establishing a development area for economic development purposes within the Lexington Fayette urban county to be known as the Midland Avenue development area approving a local participation agreement between Lexington Fayette urban county government and the department of finance of the Lexington Fayette urban county government establishing an incremental tax special fund for payment of administrative costs, approved public infrastructure costs, and redevelopment assistance, designating the Department of Finance of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government as the agency responsible for oversight, administration, and implementation of the development area, approving a master development agreement between the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to the Urban County Government's Department of Finance and Administration and Urban Redevelopment, LLC, and authorizing the mayor and other officials to take such other appropriate actions as are necessary or required in connection with the establishment of the development area. Number five, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one classified civil service position of administrative specialist principal, grade 518E, and creating one classified civil service position of human resources analyst, grade 520E, in the Division of Human Resources, appropriating funds pursuant to schedule number 32. Number 6, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one unclassified civil service position of program specialist, grade 513E, and creating one unclassified civil service position of communications director, grade 527E, in the office of the mayor. Number 7, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one classified civil service position of software developer, grade 520E, in the division of computer services and creating one classified civil service position of administrative officer senior, grade 526E, in the Office of Chief Information Officer, CIO, appropriating funds pursuant to Schedule No. 33. Number 8, an ordinance amending Section 1 of Ordinance No. 137, 2014, which established the schedule of meetings for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council for the calendar year 2015 to make the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee a standing committee rather than a committee of the whole and to add a Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting on December 8, 2015. Number 9, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for Committee of the Whole Appropriations as approved at work session December 2, 2014 and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule No. 24. Number 10, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette-Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $3,500 for Berry Hill Skate Park and to budget a $17,530 donation from Friends for Skate Parks, Lexington, Kentucky Incorporated and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule No. 36. and number 11 and ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fayette urban county government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of 126 dollars and 65 cents for the division of police from neighborhood development funds for the purchase of eight neighborhood watch signs for the river park neighborhood association and appropriating and reappropriating funds of schedule number 35. Okay so it's a motion by council member Ellinger second by vice mayor gordon is there any discussion on the motion all right hearing none then we can take a vote madam clerk whenever you're ready please call the roll mr farmer yes ma'am mr ford yes miss gordon hi miss henson yes mr k yes mr lane yes mr myers yes ma'am miss scotchfield Yes. Mr. Stennett? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Akers? Yes. Mr. Beard? Aye. Mr. Clark? Yes. And Mr. Ellinger? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The vote reflects passage of the motion. It allows us to move on to ordinances for a first reading. Whenever you're ready. Ordinance number 12, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington-Fayette-Urba County government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 34. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Just a second. Do you want to move on to a second? It's a second rating of resolution. It's a schedule. It's a schedule. It can? No. No. Right. All right. Are there any walk-ons or suspensions? No. All right, then whenever you're ready, just proceed. Resolution number one for second reading, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an amended multi-year service agreement with Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC for the continuation of existing services for the Division of Computer Services at no additional cost to the urban county government. Number two, a resolution awarding a non-exclusive franchise to Insight Kentucky Partners 2 LLP for a term of 10 years for cable television system within the confines of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County government. Number three, a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a settlement agreement with Insight Kentucky Partners 2 LLP, an assumption agreement with Comcast Corporation, and an assumption agreement with Charter Communications Incorporated. Number four, a resolution consenting to a cable franchise transfer of control to Comcast corporation and consenting to a cable franchise transfer of control to Charter Communications Incorporated. Number five, a resolution accepting the bid of Churchill McGee LLC in the amount of $6,109,000 for the Public Safety Operations Center PSOC renovation for the Department of Public Safety and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Churchill McGee LLC related to the bid. Number six, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government and pursuant to the jobs fund program to negotiate and execute a loan agreement for up to 10 years with MedSignals VitalSignals LLC in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the creation and retention of 11 new jobs with an average hourly wage of at least $25.52 exclusive of benefits. Motion by Vice Mayor Gordon and a second by Council Member Myers. Is there any discussion? All right then, Madam Clerk, whenever you're ready. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Ford? Yes. Ms. Gorton? Aye. Ms. Henson? Yes. Mr. Kay? Yes. Mr. Lane? Yes. Mr. Myers? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Scotchfield? Yes. Mr. Stennett? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Akers? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Beard? Aye. Mr. Clark? Yes. Mr. Ellinger? Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The vote reflects passage of the motion. Allows us to move on to resolutions for first reading. Resolution number seven, a resolution accepting the bid of J&V Contracting LLC, establishing a price contract for traffic sign installation for the Division of Traffic Engineering. Number eight, a resolution accepting the bid of Fuel Band LLC in the amount of $38,000 for renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant for the Department of General Services. Number 9. Thank you. 2nd 2014 ratifying the permanent sworn appointment of Thomas Perkins police lieutenant grade 317 e 3044 point 37 biweekly in the division of police effective December 8th 2014 and ratifying the unclassified civil service appointments of Lori Houlihan administrative aide to mayor senior grade 524 e 2900 biweekly and Susan Straub communications director grade 5 27 e 308 15 point 39 biweekly both in the office of the mayor effective December 15, 2014. Number 10, a resolution authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary civil service appointments. Michael Miller, Staff Assistant Senior, Grade 510N, 15.498 hourly in the Division of Revenue and Phillip Bryant, Trades Worker Senior, Grade 511N, 16.018 hourly in the Division of Parks and Recreation, both effective upon passage of counsel. And Elizabeth Jefferson, Staff Assistant Senior, Grade 510N, 15.177 hourly in the Division of Aging and Disability Services, effective January 6, 2015. Number 11, a resolution ratifying the unclassified civil service appointment of Ronnie Bastin, Commissioner of Public Safety, Grade 538E, 4801.84 biweekly, effective January 19, 2015. Number 12, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute contract amendment number 3 with Hill and Dale Neighborhood Association for extension of the completion date of the Neighborhood Action Match Project to June 30, 2015. Number 13, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept the donation of one refrigerator valued at $1,500 from PRATS for the Family Care Center. Number 14, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute the First Amendment to Lease Termination Agreement with Sprint Spectrum LP for the telecommunications facility located at the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Center, extending the lease termination date from December 31, 2014 to February 28, 2015. Number 15. Residents Incorporated doing business as the Colony Neighborhood Association $2,433 Copperfield Neighborhood Association $5,000 Fairways at Lakeside Community Association Incorporated $1,500 Georgetown Street Neighborhood Association $5,000 Wyndham Downs Homeowners Association Incorporated $4,375 and Mentel Neighborhood Association $3,167 for carrying out various neighborhood activities and improvements for fiscal year 2015 at a cost not to exceed $65,000 And number 16. Army $1,750 friends of Raven run $825 sisters Road to Freedom incorporated $900 seed leave $850 YMCA of Central Kentucky $1,300 volunteers of America of Kentucky incorporated $500 16th District PTA incorporated steam Academy $500 Bluegrass Technology Center $375 Lexington Community Radio carry care of Bluegrass Community Foundation $2,625 and seven parks neighborhood association incorporated $575 for the office of the urban county council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated all right thank you madam clerk are there any motions for walk-ons oh wait just a second councilmember Myers thank you mayor I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to number 15 and 16 and And my reason is because this is the last time I can do it. So moved. Okay. Motion to suspend. So there are no walk-ons tonight, right? All right. So it was number what number? 15 and 16. Motion by Council Member Myers, second by Council Member Akers. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Hearing none, then we can vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any objections? All right, the motion carries. Council Member Lane. Thank you, Mayor. I have a question requesting a little bit of information on Resolution No. 8 regarding, excuse me, yes, yeah, that's correct, Resolution No. 8 regarding renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant. Okay. It looks like Mr. John Sheed Baradaran is coming to the podium. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Well, the first point is this is in the building that the city owns, which you didn't mention in the resolution, but for the average voter, they may not know that. But my question in addition to that was, what is $38,000 for? Is that some kind of emergency repair, or is this some kind of lease oil improvement for extending the lease? No, it's an item we've been monitoring. We've had some issues just due to the use of that facility as a restaurant. And as you all know, originally that facility was not designed as a restaurant. We've had some environmental issues, specifically mold and mildew, the moisture getting underneath the walls and so forth. And so the decision was made to take that. That's going to be probably two-thirds of the project itself, taking out all the damaged areas, studs and so forth, and then replacing that with appropriate material, and then also putting the finished material on it that is designed for that kind of application. So that's what it is. Okay. All right. Thank you, sir. Sure. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Thank you, Mr. Lane. Council Member Farmer. Thank you, Mayor. This is a point in the proceedings where Council Member Lawless wanted me to bring up a motion to walk something onto the docket. And it was a motion to make six different streets in the area of the new Kroger's to all have no through trucks on them. And I think she wanted that brought up and to have two readings on it. And after some consultation with some of the colleagues here and wanting to err on the side of true democracy, I'm not going to make that motion this evening so that there's time for the community to talk about it and for us to take it up in the new council year. And with respect to her, I would love to bring this, and it probably could be well-couched and well-moved, but I think it's something to bring something up tonight, walk it on, and give it two reads is something that kind of flies in the face of our usual procedure. And with apologies to her, I will not be bringing that motion tonight. Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you, Councilmember Farmer. Councilmember Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. It's my understanding that all these can be given second readings, And since this will be our last meeting before the new council, I make a motion that we spin the rules and give second reading to all of the resolutions from number 7 through 16. So moved. Second. Give that second to the vice mayor. Motion by Council Member Ellinger and second by Vice Mayor Gorton. 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. Are there any, well, that would mean there are no more, wouldn't it? Here we go. Here we go, all right. Madam Clerk, if you'll please give us a second reading, and then we'll vote. Resolution number seven, a resolution accepting the bid of J&V contracting LLC, establishing a price contract for traffic sign installation for the Division of Traffic Engineering. Number eight, a resolution accepting the bid of fuel band LLC in the amount of $38,000 for renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant for the Department of General Services. Number 9. Thank you. appointment of Thomas Perkins Police Lieutenant Grade 317 E 3044.37 biweekly in the Division of Police effective December 8th 2014 and ratifying the unclassified civil service appointments of Lori Houlihan administrative aid to mayor senior grade 524 E 2900 biweekly and Susan Straub communications director grade 527 E 308 15.39 biweekly both in the office of the mayor effective December 15, 2014. Number 10, a resolution authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make a conditional offer to the following probationary civil service appointments. Michael Miller, Staff Assistant Senior, Grade 510N, 15.498 hourly in the Division of Revenue and Phillip Bryant, Trades Worker Senior, Grade 511N, 16.018 hourly in the Division of Parks and Recreation, both effective upon passage of council. And Elizabeth Jefferson, Staff Assistant Senior, Grade 510N, 15.177 hourly in the Division of Aging and Disability Services effective January 6, 2015. Number 11, a resolution ratifying the unclassified civil service appointment of Ronnie Bastin, Commissioner of Public Safety, Grade 538E, 4801.84 biweekly, effective January 19, 2015. Number 12, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute contract amendment number 3 with Hill and Dale Neighborhood Association for extension of the completion date of the Neighborhood Action Match Project to June 30, 2015. Number 13, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept the donation of one refrigerator valued at $1,500 from PRATS for the Family Care Center. Number 14, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute the First Amendment to Lease Termination Agreement with Sprint Spectrum LP for the telecommunications facility located at the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Center, extending the lease termination date from December 31, 2014 to February 28, 2015. Number 15, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program contracts with Squire Oak Homeowners Association, $8,525. Walnut Ridge Homeowners Association, Inc. $9,598. Piccadone Neighborhood Association, $4,000. Kennedy Landing Homeowners Association, Inc. $9,617. Walnut Creek Homeowners Association, Inc. $6,500. Gulf Town Homes of Andover Homeowners Association Incorporated $5,285. Residents Incorporated Doing Business as the Colony Neighborhood Association $2,433. Copperfield Neighborhood Association $5,000. Fairways at Lakeside Community Association Incorporated $1,500. Georgetown Street Neighborhood Association $5,000. Wyndham Downs Homeowners Association Incorporated $4,375. And Mintel Neighborhood Association $3,167 for carrying out various neighborhood activities and improvements for fiscal year 2015 at a cost not to exceed $65,000. And number 16, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute agreements with the Southland Association, $1,500, Eastland Parkway Neighborhood Association, Inc., $1,000, Bryan Station High School Alumni Association, Inc. Technology Academy, $1,000, Bryan Station High School Alumni Association, Inc. Track Team, $500, Bryan Station High School Alumni Association, Inc. Archery Team, $500, Center for Women, Children, and Families, Incorporated, $470. Salvation Army, $1,750. Friends of Raven Run, $825. Sisters Road to Freedom, Incorporated, $900. Seed Leaf, $850. YMCA of Central Kentucky, $1,300. Volunteers of America of Kentucky, Incorporated, $500. 16th District, PTA Incorporated, Steam Academy, $500. Bluegrass Technology Center, $375. Lexington Community Radio, Care of Bluegrass Community Foundation, $2,625. and Seven Parks Neighborhood Association Incorporated $575 for the office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed the sums stated. Motion to approve. Council Member Ellinger second by. Second. Council Member Akers. We got one already though. I would have gone there. Is there any discussion? All right. If there is not any discussion, then I'll ask the clerk. Meredith, please call the roll. Mr. Farmer? Aye. Mr. Ford? Yes. Ms. Gorton? Aye. Ms. Henson? Yes. Mr. K? Yes. Mr. Lane? Yes. Mr. Myers? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Scutchfield? Yes. Mr. Stennett? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Akers? Yes. Mr. Beard? Aye. Mr. Clark? Yes. Mr. Elliger? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you madam clerk vote reflects passage of motion allows us to move on to communications from the mayor is there a is there a motion that our motion by councilmember stent it second by councilmember Myers is there any discussion on the motion all right if not we can vote then all in favor please say aye opposed no motion carries next is for information only communications from the mayor. That allows us to move to announcements. First, we have a disciplinary action, a disciplinary item before the council, and then I will open the floor to council members. It's a special night, and I'm sure there will be some special remarks. First, Commander Sedlicek. Thank you. On On September 6th of this year, an allegation was made that Officer Banford Hill violated General Order 73-2H, Section 1.23, Use of Force. At the conclusion of the investigation, the employee met with Chief Bastin, and a 40-hour suspension without pay has been issued. That recommended discipline has also been approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety, Clay Mason. Move, move, move, second. by Vice Mayor Gorton and a second by Council Member Henson to approve. Is there any discussion? All right. Hearing none, then we can take a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you, Commander. All right. I will now open the floor to Council Members, beginning with Council Member Akers. Thank you, Mayor. Before we have a lot of good byes, I wanted to just share my district announcements. So get your pen and paper ready. There's a lot of holiday parties coming up in the 2nd District. So beginning with tomorrow evening, December 10th, St. Martin's Neighborhood Christmas Fellowship Celebration will be held at 5 p.m. at the Golden Corral on New Circle Road. Saturday, December 13th, the Highlands Neighborhood Association will hold their Christmas dinner at 5 p.m. at the Community Center. next Monday, December 15th, Melrose Oak Park will host their holiday dinner at 7 p.m. at the Thompson Road Baptist Church. Then next Tuesday, I believe, the Masters and Station Neighborhood Association Homeowners Association meeting will be Tuesday, December 16th at 7 p.m. And lastly is the Tower Plaza Holiday Luncheon will be held December 19th at 2 p.m. And that's all I have for now. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Akers. All right. Council Member Kaye, then Council Member Farmer. Thank you, Mayor. I guess I'm going to have the honor and pleasure of kicking off a few remarks about the departing council members and I want to say that for council members Lawless, Beard, Myers and Clark it's been a pleasure to serve with you it's been a very good council we've had for one of you only two good years but for the rest of you four while I've been on council and I know that the community appreciates the time and the effort and the commitment that you've made to providing service and to thinking carefully about the issues before you and to making good judgments about what you need to do for this community. For Vice Mayor Gorton, who's also leaving, I feel a special obligation to say, I'm sorry you have such big shoes to fill. you have set a standard that as the rising vice mayor, I will have to work very hard to meet. But you've shown me a little bit of the way, and I appreciate that. And I hope that you know how much I appreciate all that you have done and how much the council and the community appreciate your work. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Thank you, Council Member Kay. Councilmember Clark. Thank you, Mayor. It's been a joy to serve. It's been a memorable experience and a great pleasure to serve the citizens of the 10th District. And for all of us, we serve not only our district but in many ways serve the city as a whole because so many of our decisions involve the entire city. and as Council Member Kay has said the rumors have been that this has been a very good council. I have no baseline for making that judgment but if I am any judge of good people who serve a good cause this has been and exceptional counsel. My thanks to my council colleagues for your friendship and support. It's meant a lot to me from the very beginning. You are special friends, and a special thanks to Vice Mayor Gordon for the fact that she has not only been a friend but a mentor. A special thanks to Mayor Gray, whose vision for Lexington is easy to support and emulate. Let me also express my appreciation for the mayor's staff, for CAO Sally Hamilton and CIO Adana Valicente, and for all the commissioners who have been so helpful and understanding. I've been very fortunate to have had not only one, but two outstanding legislative aides. Jonathan, who got me started and put up with my naivete, and Jamie Giles, who has been a rock in everything that we have done, taking initiative and seeing our projects through regardless. And then finally, thanks to my constituents who have been very supportive, and particularly the 10th District Citizens Advisory Committee who guided my thinking in so many critical decisions that I had to make. It has been a great pleasure serving you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilmember Clark. Councilmember Scotchfield. I won't make you cry, Linda. It has been an absolute pleasure and honor for myself and I think so many people up here on the horseshoe to serve with this group of people this last two years. Harry, it's been a pleasure to get to know you. Diana's not here, but I know that when I took office, I was told I can trust her, and that meant a lot. Chuck you've given 12 years and I looked at you earlier and I said really 12 years I'm sorry to see you go Julian it's been an amazing two years and I'm sorry I haven't been able to serve with you longer and finally Linda you've been a great mentor to me you have been an asset to the city of Lexington we are very lucky to have you And I honestly told you earlier this afternoon, take six months off. Decide where you're coming back, and then come back with gusto. Because I think everybody up here knows we're going to see you again. But thank you. Oh, and George, sorry. Sorry, the kids are right there. George, you also. We border, so there were so many projects that we were able to work with together. and I appreciate everything that you've helped me with since you were one of the veterans with us. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Good luck. Thank you, Council Members Cushfield. Council Member Chris Ford. Thank you, Mayor Gray and Council Members. Of course, I want to chime in with a few remarks on this last Council meeting of this calendar year. I do want to begin by reflecting back when I started Council four years ago. it was just a few of us coming on. It was myself, Councilmember Steve K. And then we had a returning and Councilmember Farmer. And so there was a lot of continuity at that time in 2011. And now we have several folks who will be changing, changing seasons. I've had the fortune to get to know many of the council members over the last four years. And I want to thank each of you for your support of me in the first district and allow me to serve with you on this council. Council Member Elliger and Council Member Beard and I served on budget links some years ago. Council Member Myers set a good example in regards to helping us to bring true reform to our social service partner agency process, so I'm appreciative of that. Council Member Lawless, in her absentia, has always been supportive and a good district neighbor next door in the third district. And to my horseshoe neighbor, to my left, Council Member Harry Clark has been a great addition and definitely fun to work with. And last but definitely not least, Vice Mayor Gordon has always been very supportive of me and my time in office. And so to all of our retirees, you guys have sacrificed, you guys have served, and you deserve all the success that's going to come to you in your new season as council retirees. But do be of comfort that I think, in my opinion, the city is heading in the right direction, in large part because of the labors that you guys have brought to this council process. So us returnees, new Vice Mayor Steve Kaye and Council Member Stenet, who's leaving but coming right back in a different role, we have a lot to carry forth. So again, to the retirees and to the returnees, we wish everybody the best in these holiday seasons and what's set to come in 2015. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Ford. Council Member Henson. Thank you, Mayor. I always have a hard time saying goodbye. I get maybe not really get close to people, but I get attached to people. And I like seeing the same faces, and sometimes I get anxious about getting to know new people, especially around this horseshoe. But I just want to thank Council Member Clark for his tremendously hard work over two years. And when the mayor was reading off your accomplishments, I'm like, wow, you did do those things. And time flies. But I really enjoyed working with you in the Southland Drive area and other areas that we share. There's so many streets where I have the odd numbers and he has the even numbers. And it just gets really, really crazy. So, but I wish you the best, Harry, and I know you're not going to retire completely. And Council Member Lawless, I always think about her and her wit. I think she has the funniest wit of anyone. She will fight like the devil for her district, and I admire her for that. And she will be missed. She was like one of the first persons that I met when I came on the council. She hadn't been elected yet, but we were on a chamber trip. And so we became friends right off. And then George or Chuck, let me do Chuck first. My superhero partner, I don't know who I'll get to step up to that. But I really would like to have a superhero partner to do the GTV3 time slots that will get dressed up in a costume, not be afraid. But, Chuck, you have such a calming effect on us. Because I know when I would be chairing public safety, you're sitting beside me, and I might get anxious over some controversial item. And he's just as calm as he can be. And so you do have a calming effect on people. And George, you're like my little brother. I just love you. You know, and we would argue just like a brother and sister. And I could make him so mad, and I just love him. But you have worked very, very hard, and Lexington should be very grateful. Your district, I mean, you have made remarkable changes to some of those areas. Don't make me cry. And Councilmember Beard, who's been my partner here for so long, served on the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities with me. And he's a man of reason. I think he has talked a lot with economic development and sometimes he would just make the funniest comments, but yet so true. And I should say a little on the sarcastic side. Sometimes. But for the most part, he's a gentleman. And he's quiet. And then to the vice mayor, I just can't say enough. It's hard for me to say. what you have meant to this city. And I just can't tell you nothing. So I've got to leave it at that. Look forward to working with the returning council members. I do think we have a great council. We have a great mayor. So thank you very much. Thank you, Council Member Henson. Council Member Bill Farmer, Jr. Thank you, Mayor. Mr. Edwards has started a little music for me here. This is Rosemary Clooney singing Here Comes Susie Snowflake. And this is my personal favorite Christmas song. A little bit. There you go. This is background. Okay. Not a little bit. Okay. Thank you. I'm going to make comments while this is my background music because this is my favorite Christmas song. Here it comes. Turn it up a little bit. Isn't it great? Okay. With that as a background. While leaf collection in the 5th District is completed, officials from the Lexington Division of Streets and Roads and Division of Police are warning citizens to beware of scammers posing as leaf collection, or city leaf collectors. Lexington leaf collection crews have encountered reports of someone, possibly more than one person, going door to door in a couple of council districts offering to rake leaves for a fee in advance of the city's vacuum leaf collection program. The police remind citizens that there's no charge for leaf collection. In addition, city leaf collection is limited to Fayette County, If you feel you have been the victim of a leaf collection scam, contact the police at 258-3600. Further, citizens can verify the location and schedule of city leaf collection program online at www.lexandky.gov forward slash leaves. Thank you. I need to move down there for a minute if you'll hold just for a moment. She's in town. Here comes a soup. You'll think so. You'll hear her say. Come out, everyone. Is that going to be good? Some will remember that in the past, I have serenaded previous council members when they were leaving service. It is not my personal practice to serenade gentlemen, so I'm sorry, gentlemen. I will not be serenading you this evening. And as it pertains to Councilmember Lawless, I could only come up with a limerick that rhymed with her last name, and I decided not to bring it to you this evening. But as it returns to the time that many of us, and certainly I've spent with Vice Mayor Gorton, Susie Snowflake can truly say it all. Here comes Linda Gorton. She's the vice mayor of our town. Tap, tap, tapping with her gavel when the mayor is not around. Here comes Vice Mayor Gorton. Soon you will hear her say, Come on, council members, and you'll see I haven't long to stay. If you want to make a smoking ban, I'll count the votes for you and me. If you want to stop Time Warner, you just ask me. She's our Vice Mayor Gorton. Soon she won't be around. She's done the job of every girl and boy to make Lexington world renowned. Thank you. That's all I'm sure. That concludes my report. Well, Mr. Lane, it's a tough act to follow. You're up. Yeah, I should have gone first. There you go, buddy. Well, here's my thought. I'm looking at this as a different picture. Play that music a little louder. I would like to extend my best wishes to council members Julian Beard, Diane Lawless, Harry Clark, George Myers, Chuck Ellinger, and to Vice Mayor Linda Gorton. Your service on the council is very appreciated, and I'm sure we're going to miss you next year. In order to sort of close out my thought process, I thought I would select three quotes from famous people to sort of make a statement about the character and the positions and the endeavors of our council members over the three years, over the more than ten years some of them have been on the council. So I would like to share quotes. And the first one is, quote, the only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. And that was Buddha. And I think that each of our council members have really been true to what they believed in while I've been on the council and taking a strong position for the best interest of our city, and I appreciated that very much. The second quote, quote, never look back unless you're planning to go that way. And that was Henry David Thoreau. So I don't want any of you guys running for council again, but maybe going on for mayor or somewhere higher office, okay? Okay, and my third quote was to be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. And I feel like our council members have done that. That was a quote from Abraham Lincoln. So, these are my little parting thoughts to sort of give you a macro overview of the quality of our council members that are departing. And I would like to wish each of you success in whatever your continuing endeavor may be. And thank you so much. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with you, council members. And good luck for 2015. Thank you. A little more music now. Okay. Council Member Stendon. Thank you for turning that off. I thought I was going to be sold a piece of jewelry, Bill Farmer, but I guess you didn't want to use that in your commercial. In fairness to Council Member Lane, I switched with him, so he would have to go after Council Member Farmer. Thank you for doing that. Usually I would do a nice parody on a nursery rhyme tonight, but with so many people leaving, it was hard to find the perfect one to incorporate everyone, So I'll just start with Council Member Clark. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for working hard because I think the public doesn't truly understand. And even though in this past election we had a record number of people turn out, I don't think a lot of people really want this job at the end of the day because it is a lot of hard work, a time away from your family. So thank you for showing up and your willingness to do the hard work behind the scenes because you really did that. And that's a credit to you, and thank you for doing that. Council Member Ellinger, you know, you and I have been on here 10 years. We fought for the perfect attendance record. I still have it on Thursday nights, by the way. So I know you've missed one meeting in 10 years. 12 years, I'm sorry, 12 years, but 10 with me. That's a credit to your dedication, too. And thank you for everything you did for our seniors. And I will try to take that tradition on for you so we won't lose that ability to have our seniors down here once a year. Council Member Myers, you and I came on together. We kind of grew up in this business together, so to speak. I know it's taken a toll on your family, but you have two young ones to lead forward now, and you set a great example not only for them, Councilman Myers, but for myself and for your district because you really took on a couple challenges, especially in our social service areas, and that won't be forgotten. And I know the old adage is saying as soon as we all leave, people forget us, but I think there are some people here tonight that we won't forget because they left an impact on all of us and our city. Councilman Beard, you were Economic Development Director when I first got elected, You taught me a lot about what our city was doing and how to move us forward through job creation. I'll never forget that. And thank you for being here and your willingness to serve because it's a tiresome duty, but you've done it admirably. And thank you for doing that. And then last but not least, Vice Mayor Gordon. You know, we've disagreed on different water issues, but we agreed on the big one. We've done a lot together. We've had a lot of great conversations. I'll never forget your wisdom and your mentoring me through this process because I've sort of grown up on council. I know it's taken a toll on your family. And Charlie, you're here tonight. I got to know you as well over the years. And Beth, you're here for George. It takes a toll on our families. So thank you for your all sacrifices to all of your families for allowing you to do this. But you won't be forgotten. We may name the caucus room after you. We'll see what we can do going forward. But you have served this city well, and you will be a tough act to follow going forward. And all of you, honest and sincere note, you will be missed. And I wish you all Godspeed, and I wish you the best. I don't like saying goodbyes. I'll just say I'll see you later because I'm sure all of you will be around our community and doing a lot of other good things to help us. And I know we'll hear from you a lot going forward. Thank you all. Thank you, Councilmember Stennett. Councilmember Akers. Thank you, Mayor. I wasn't going to speak because I was afraid of crying as I started to earlier in the night. So I had to wait until there was some humor brought by Councilmember Farmer, thankfully, to allow me to talk without crying. But like Councilmember Henson, I'm not good at goodbyes either. And so I just want to wish all of you the best. Councilmember Beard and Councilmember Ellinger, Councilmember Myers, Lawless, Clark, and Vice Mayor Gordon. I wish all of you the best. I know that you will do great things in whatever that you do next with your families or with careers. And it has been truly an honor to serve with each of you in different capacities, whether it was budget links or corridors commission or learning from you as a female mentor in politics. It has truly been an honor for me, and I'm just very grateful to learn from all of you. So best of luck. Thanks. Thank you, Councilmember Akers. All right. we can now shift gears a little bit to the retiring council members themselves council member ellinger thank you mayor i'll try to keep this short because i don't want to get too emotional here but it's it's certainly been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this group and to be with my colleagues here not just this this one but i've been here for 12 years so six different groups and it's really been a privilege and the staff that we have at the council has has been very helpful has very professional just like the staff and the employees here at the urban county government and one thing i said earlier it's about the professionalism that i've really enjoyed being a part of and i want to thank the employees for that i feel really honored to be a part of that the citizens who've given me the opportunity to represent them it's it's I can't say how much I've enjoyed it and how much an honor and a privilege it is. And then my family, I just want to thank them for what they've done to support me. And I just want to say thank you for allowing me to be here. Thank you. Am I going to be last? Council Member Beard. Thank you, Mayor. I figured that this was going to happen sooner or later, and I would have to say something. And with George on my right, are you going to talk? Are you going to speak? And I sat back and made him stew a little bit. that without a doubt, I can't imagine there being a better council in the state of Kentucky in a lot of places. And I've been very proud to be a part of it. There are occasions when we don't quite see eye to eye. but we work our way around it. And I have never seen a situation where maybe while we're discussing something, things get a little heated. But at the same time, as soon as the meeting is over, we walk out arm in arm. And it makes me feel very good about this group of people. Our mayor, of course our vice mayor, she had my district before I had it, and so she gave me, on several occasions, gave me advice about what kind of path I was going on with a stop sign or whatever. And I said to myself, well, you know, she's got to quit sometime. And anyway, there's a lot of things I can say, and I'd like to leave it light as opposed to getting too heavy about it. But I really appreciate the opportunity I've had to be here for eight years. The four years as economic development director kind of gave me a leg up on starting. And there's so many of you out there who are actually doing the work for us that it's just, we're just a good group of folks. And that's all I can say about it. Thank you all. Thanks Julian George Councilmember Myers. Thank you mayor. I like George better, but thank you mayor. I Want to start by saying my beautiful bride Beth is back here in the back and I just want to tell you I love you and thank you for supporting me for ten years and Sacrificing all that you've sacrificed for me to be able to be here many of you know we got married about two and a half weeks after the first election so this is kind of our family's just grown into this and so I first want to do that and thank my two beautiful children here also for allowing me to do this. I like, like Harry's had a couple of aides. Joe Shuler, who I went to college with and actually roomed together for a while and different Bible studies and things together, great friend, started out as my first aid and he continued to grow and did great things and he went on, left here, went on to law school and now he's got his own practice and so I'm very pleased about that and I have Elizabeth Chatterton is my current aide she's been phenomenal just done just a fantastic job for the district and represented the 8th district well and served them well and has been able to do some really great things in the government and so I appreciate you Elizabeth and all the work that you've done and continue to do and my colleagues I came in with Ed and Kevin we came in together and kind of cut our teeth on this thing together. It was a little different for me because I was on staff for three years with the council before I came on as a council member elected by the 8th District. But it's been fantastic working with both of you and growing in this process and learning from you guys. And Bill Farmer and Vice Mayor Gordon and Council Member Masati, who's not here right now, were all on the council when I was on staff. It was fantastic learning from you guys when I was on staff and mentoring me and helping me grow to help prepare me for this opportunity here. And then it's been fun working with you on the council as well. Mayor, you've done a fantastic job and I appreciate you and your leadership and what you've done for our city. And you've got a great staff. Commissioners are awesome. You've got some great directors. They've been a joy to work with. And I don't want to start naming names because I'll leave people out but you guys have done a fantastic job it's been a pleasure and a joy to work with you and to take issues from the 8th district to you guys and have you help us think through the best way of getting things done to make change and everybody else on the council that I served with Julian was on the staff before as a economic development director it was great serving with you and then serving on the council. Finally, I'll say, well, two things. One, my mom and dad, thank you for raising me the way you have and creating the person that you did to give me the opportunity or be in a position to take an opportunity like this. And then finally, the 8th District. It's been a pure honor and pleasure and joy working with you and serving you for the last decade. And we have done some really great things in the district. It's a lot different than when I started but that really goes back to the 15 that are sitting around here which includes the mayor and then previous council members and mayors that have worked with me to do the things that we've able to get done and I love the legislative branch of government because you have to work with people you have to get at least eight votes to get anything done and that's what really makes it fun to me is to take an idea and a vision and turn it into support from your colleagues to be able to get things done. And so it's just been a pleasure to be a part of this and to serve our city in the way that I've been able to. And I look forward to finding ways. One quick story. A couple weeks ago, I came home from a meeting and I was telling my wife that I was talking to people and they were saying, oh, we need to get you chairing a couple of boards. And some other people said, oh, we need to get you looking at doing this. And she kind of went off on me a little bit. And then we came back around a couple hours later and we were talking and she said, why don't you just get through with what you're doing, take some time, take some time off and just have one job and you know, be with your family and then down the road think about what you might do next and I think that's great wisdom and counsel and I appreciate that, sweetie. And with that, I say thank you. You guys got a great counsel, as everybody said, moving forward and you're going to get a lot of great things done. Thank you, Mayor. Thanks, George. Linda, Vice Mayor Gordon. Thank you, Mayor. So, you know, I want to write a book, so I've started here. No, it won't be the whole book. So, I want first to show you some of the reasons I'm going to retire. my grandson Thomas and my grand twins Nyla and Henry that's in my recliner at home watching tonight's council meeting. These are some of the reasons I chose to retire. Thank you Chris. and first I want to thank Charlie who really does not come to many council meetings but of course for those of you who have a significant other and you're serving in elected office you know that you cannot do it without the support of your significant other thank you So, I also want to thank council members who made comments here tonight. They were really wonderful, including your singing, Bill. I so appreciate you, each and every one of you. The thing I think about this whole thing is we have almost, I think, Mayor, 3,000 employees, almost, pretty close. Most of them never, ever see the podium. They just work quietly in their offices, doing their jobs, supporting our services throughout the community. And those folks I tip my hat to because they are not the people who get the accolades, and they hold us up every day. I want to thank our council staff. Council members know that we can't function without our core staff or our legislative aides. We would be dead in the water. And there are six council aides I want to personally mention, starting with Lena Campbell and J.T. Ice and Melinda Jamieson and Jen Wurrenma, Tyler Scott and Marion Zeitlin. They float our boat. Most council members have another job. job. I don't know that the public knows that, but a lot of us work another job, and we cannot do our jobs without our staff. To Stacy and her core staff who support council every day, I thank you. Mayor, it's been a privilege. I'll say more later. You and your staff are awesome. And I'm looking at many of them out here. From commissioners to directors, you have an awesome staff. Thank you. so the way I see it you know Lexington Fayette County is a really really special place and we here often don't realize it people from other places come here and they say oh my gosh you have a wonderful city and it's I've said this at other places it's like an intricate beautiful puzzle. It has all these pieces that fit together beautifully. It has a wonderful, nonpartisan, merged government. Think about that. It works beautifully. We have good small businesses. We have strong neighborhoods. We have an agricultural area that is the number one reason our out-of-town visitors come here. Visit Lex did a survey. That is the number one reason visitors come here is to see our beautiful farmland. Imagine that. This puzzle has universities in it. It has great health care in it. Good, strong, historic preservation. It is really special. And all these pieces allow us to have a place that is unlike any other. we're very forward thinking I believe we have good solid planning and those things haven't happened by themselves and think about back in 1958 when our leaders said we're going to have a growth boundary first one in the nation they decided this in 1958 that was an extraordinary decision And so we grew compactly. And we have all these plans that our councils along the way have passed, our rural land management plan, our smoking ordinance, the first comprehensive one in Kentucky, our fairness ordinance, the first comprehensive one in Kentucky. You could go on and on and on. And so what it has shown me is that we stand on the shoulders of our previous colleagues, if you will. None of us do any of this by ourselves. We are so strong because we had strong people before us. And that's the beauty of our community. so anyway this is the best job of my life and I thank the public for this honor thank you thank you applause applause applause applause applause This is a time when you really don't want to be mayor and pull up the rear. Are you all sure that after being so nice tonight you don't want to hang around a little longer? Well, it's all been said, really, so adding to it is really, really tough. But I'm going to try. You know, I suspect that each one of you all has had, not once, but more than once, someone come up to you, Linda, and say, well, I don't know why in the world you would do that job, but I'm glad you are. And haven't you then thought to yourself, well, I'm just not going to try to explain it. Because if someone really doesn't understand it, then it's really tough to explain it. But those who are here tonight, those around this, on this side of this horseshoe, on the other side, and those in our viewing audience and many, many, many citizens, so many citizens out in our community do know and they really do appreciate. So you're going to have to forgive me because I'm going to go down the row as well. Julian, you know, you said it pretty well earlier when you said something like this. You said we may not see eye to eye all the time, but we can work, and we have worked shoulder to shoulder. And, you know, you and I have had coffee a lot. We've had agreements, and we've had times when we didn't quite agree as much. But I tell you what I really want to thank you for is the great affection and support you have given bold initiatives, Things like the blue horse. You know that one, especially. And now I'm coming back to it. You've got it right there. And for those in the audience, that's kind of an inside. But you know what you really can, what all of us up here know, is that what you can really count on with Julian is that he will think it through. and that he will speak from the heart and he'll use his head. And George, I'm glad you got George III up here and Aubrey up here because you're really smiling a lot tonight, and that's great. And you, you know, everybody said it really so well already that Council Member Stennett said it so well earlier that all that you've done for your district, for social services, you know, for across the universe of the city, you have always been there taking up for citizens who may not have a voice. And that's been just a very big deal. And Chuck, you know, every time I go to a senior intern program banquet, You know, Chuck has been front and center because he took over an initiative that was in the family that his father had initiated early on, and Chuck has taken it on and picked it up. And it has a legacy and has influenced so, so many people. It's grown so much, as George just said. And you can always count on and always have counted on Chuck to take up for the taxpayer, the regular guy. and I'm going to come back to the vice mayor. Diane's not here tonight and Diane has been as good a friend as I've ever had and in good times and tough times and it's like somebody said earlier that she's got a wit that is amazing and she's got a charm about her that some may find irascible sometimes, but I'm telling you what, when she takes hold, like you said, Peggy, you know, she has represented her district and her citizens just as vigorously as anybody can imagine. And for that, we're all thankful. And Harry, you know, when I think of all that you've done, And just like Peggy said earlier and others have said, what all you've done in two years is just remarkable. And Tom Blues used to say, and I always somehow think of you and Tom, it may be that university connection. And the wisdom that perhaps comes from dealing with so many students. But I think of what Tom sometimes once said. He said, we don't make history, we just bend it a little. And thankfully, you've been it a lot. And Vice Mayor Linda, you know, we were on the council together, and we worked shoulder to shoulder. Most of the time, we'd see eye to eye as well. And so many projects, so many meaningful and progressive initiatives that you have led. that you have been at the forefront of, that you have been often going against the grain in order to support. You have led from the heart, and you have connected the head to the heart in a remarkable way. And you've done it often with good humor and with grace and with wisdom and with putting an arm around someone who sometimes would need it, often would need it, and encouraging us. And I think that speaks to this legacy that you just mentioned a minute ago, that this long legacy. And thankfully, Council Member Farmer has introduced some of that legacy around the room here. but you said it so well that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us that this 200 almost 240 year history of this city and your contribution each and every one of you has been remarkable and so as as I sort of close my remarks I think at this special time of the year and Charles Dickens in a Christmas Carol you all remember that little the little boy tiny Tim who said at the very last of the, very ending of the story, he said to all of those assembled, he said he was thanking everyone, his parents and others, and then he said, and this is what I would say to those of you who have contributed so much and so remarkably and are retiring from this council after having done so much, just what little tiny Tim said, and may God bless you each and every one. Thank you all tonight for being here with us. And as the chair, the next thing on our agenda, I was about to ask for a motion to adjourn, and that was premature. Thank you, Vice Mayor, for letting me remember that. What is now is the public comment. And Bernard, we're glad that you are here. tonight. Mayor. Be with us. Oh, I'm sorry. Before we go, I just wanted, I forgot to say something earlier that I intended to say is that our employee holiday celebration is Friday, correct? Yes, ma'am. And I'm going to have this minor surgery on Thursday. I'm not sure. It's not supposed to be any big deal, but I just feel like it's a good excuse if I can't come. But the employees are so important to us. And I mean, they do make my job much, much easier. They're fabulous. But I just wanted to wish them a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy holiday, whatever they celebrate. I wish them all the best, and we'll see them in the new year. All righty. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Your Honor and members of the council, I want to say tonight that, first of all, I can remember arguments I've had over religion and over personal things like my bungled and thus far unsuccessful attempts at recruiting a significant other. that were so fierce as to make the fiercest arguments in this chamber look very calm, civilized, and peaceful in comparison, that all of you, even when you're on the other side of an issue, are closer to being my brothers and sisters than some of the people who, when I was in college, claimed to be my brothers and sisters in Christ. I don't know if any of the guilty parties are watching us on cable channel 3 tonight. It doesn't really matter whether or not they are to me. So good luck to those of you who aren't coming back. And like I say, compared to some of the squabbles over religion, that politics is very peaceful in comparison. Thank you. Thank you, Bernard. And Mr. Henry Kenyon. Mr. Kenyon, thank you for coming tonight. Hello, Mayor and Vice Mayor and Council staff. My name is Henry Kenyon. I live at 467 Douglas Avenue in the Georgetown Street area neighborhood. I'm the area neighborhood vice president. I'm here tonight for two reasons. one to celebrate Vice Mayor Gorton's going away party. I have to characterize her as a, when she started out, as a person cast out in the sea in a small rowboat. Now, I don't know if you've all seen how the waves are. This person has been able to navigate into safe water and in so calming everything around her. This person is one of the most humblest persons you're ever going to meet. She worked tirelessly in the Georgetown Street area. She has never asked for any accolades. She quietly asked, not me, but what can I do for you? And, you know, this takes a very person with a great character. She is a very learned woman that has taught us the civility is the best way to go. You know, we can all argue about everything, but she has taught us it's okay to agree to disagree. And for her to come into this very cherished place that we have here in the council and to dedicate her life to doing the bidding for people that could not speak for themselves. She has tirelessly did this. I know her family went without her several times, but this lady has came in when we had very terrible times and calmed everybody down and showed them the way to reason. and I applaud her tonight for her tireless work for the council in the city. Secondly, I'm here to thank the council, the mayor, the vice mayor, for my 25 years on the Black and Williams board as the executive business manager. I spent 25 years and I really appreciate and I thank you all for that obligation and privilege of being able to do that. And I thank you and I thank Mayor and Vice Mayor Gordon. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Kenyon. Thanks so much. All right, that's all who've signed up tonight. Mr. Mundy, is that right? All right, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mundy. Well, then I will take a motion to adjourn. Move adjournment. Second. A motion by Vice Mayor Gordon and a second by Council Member Ellinger. All in favor, please say aye. Opposed? No. The motion regrettably carries. Thank you.