Music Thank you. Sleigh bells ring Are you listening In the land Snow is glistening A beautiful sight We're happy tonight Walking in the winter wonderland Gone away Is the bluebird Here to stay Is a new bird He sings a love song As we go along Walking in the winter wonderland In the meadow We can build a snowman Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say, are you married? We'll say, no, man But you can do the job when you're in town Later on, we'll conspire As we dream by the fire To face unafraid the plans that we made Walking in the winter wonderland Over the ground lies a mantle of white, a heaven of diamonds shine down through the night. Two hearts are thrilling in spite of the chilling weather. Love knows no season Love knows no climb Romance can blossom Any old time Here in the open We're walking and hoping Together, together, together, together Slave bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is listening. A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight. Walking in the winter wonderland. Gone away is the bluebird. Here to stay is a new bird. He's singing a love song as we go along. Walking in the winter wonderland. In the meadow we can build a snowman And pretend that he's a circus clown We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman Until the other kitties knock him down When it snows, ain't it thrilling Though your nose gets a-chillin' We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way Walking in the winter wonderland Walking in the winter wonderland Winter wonder, winter wonderland Winter, winter wonder, wonderland Singing carols, stringing popcorn, making footprints in the snow. Memories, Christmas memories They're the sweetest ones I know Cookies baking in the kitchen Cards in ribbons everywhere Frosty Christmas memories Float like snowflakes in the air You know the joy of waking Christmas morning The family round the tree We had a way of making Christmas morning As merry as can be I close my eyes and see shiny faces of all the children who now have children of their own. Funny, but comes December, and I remember every Christmas I've known. I'm sorry. I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer. Have a holly jolly Christmas, and when you walk down the street, say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet. Hey, hold the mistletoe on where you can see Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you did not hear Oh, by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year I'm a holly jolly Christmas It's the best time of year I don't know There'll be snow I look up with you at the holly jolly Christmas. And when you walk down the street, say hello. Friends you know, I'm out of everybody that you meet. Hey, hold the mistletoe. And pretend that he is Carson Brown. Somebody please you But you can use the job for your entire Have a holly jolly Christmas And in case you did not give As we dream about the fire Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas This year Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas This year You better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why. Why? Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list and checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. So be good for goodness sake. Okay. You better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. Little tin horns. Little toy drums. Rooty toot toots and rubby tum-tums. Curly head dolls that cuddle and coo. Elephants, boats and kitty cars. The kids in girl and boyland will have a jubilee They're gonna build a toilet town all around the Christmas tree So you better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town Yeah, the cause is coming to town Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. audience tonight or guests tonight, friends tonight. Thank you all for joining us. We will begin by calling asking the clerk to call the roll. Madam clerk please call the roll. Vice Mayor Kaye. Here. Ms. Lamb. Here. Mr. Maloney. Ms. Massadi. Here. Ms. Plowman. Here. Mr. Smith. Here. Mr. Sennett. Yes ma'am. Mr. Mr. Worley? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Bledsoe? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Fred Brown? Here. Mr. James Brown? Here. Ms. Evans? Here. Mr. Farmer? Oh, oh. Mr. Gibbs? Here. Ms. Henson? Here. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Our invocation tonight is being delivered by Dr. Joe Delph from Porter Memorial Baptist Church. And Joe is a special guest of Council Member Fred Brown. Thank you, sir. Thank you for this opportunity, and let's pray together. Father, we are thankful for this time, Lord, to be here. Lord, we're thankful for the time that we live in, Lord. We know in your infinite wisdom you have raised up leaders to lead this community, Father. and Lord you've also said in your word that if we ask for wisdom that you will grant it. Lord in these times we ask you to give wisdom to these leaders. Father help them to make appropriate decisions. Lord and continue to lead us well in this great city for it is in your name we pray. Amen. Thank you. Thank you Dr. Dill. I'm going to ask you for a motion. All right. Presentations is next and before we do the first one that's on the agenda on the docket I'm going to ask Council Member Farmer for a motion. Thank you, Mayor. I want to make a motion to move the recognition of Council Members Peggy Henson, Joseph Smith, and Kevin Sennett to the end of our agenda under announcements. Right. So moved. Second. Okay. Thank you, Council Member Farmer. And Council Member Evans is a second. Or Council Member Lamb. It'll work. It'll work. Angela Evans, yes. Okay. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. If not, we can vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, sir. I'm going to invite Council Member Gibbs to join me at the podium for the next presentation, Friends of the Library. All right. I would like to invite now Mr. Richard Freed and members of the Friends of the Library Board to join us at the podium. Okay. Okay. Are you going to do it? Yeah. Okay. All right. Okay. founded 222 years ago the lexington public library is the oldest public library west of the appalachian mountains back in 1968 50 years ago the friends of the library was formed through a community-wide effort to provide financial and physical and physical support and to help our public libraries become lively centers of community activity. Through programs like the Friends Bookseller, which offer a wide variety of used reading materials and other items for sale, the Friends of the Library have helped make our Lexington Public Libraries a great resource and great space for our citizens. We want to thank the many volunteers and the board members who serve Friends of the Library and in recognition of 50 great years of service to our libraries and our community, I'd like to read this proclamation. It says, 50th anniversary, Friends of the Public Library Day. I, Jim Gray, as mayor of Lexington, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Friends of the Public Library, do hereby declare December 12, 2018, as Friends of the Public Library Day in Lexington. That was an applause. Now I'm going to ask Lori Meister is going to speak now. Thank you. I am one of the board members of the Friends of the Lexington Public Library. We incorporated in 1968, as he said. We have some of our other board members here. There are probably five or six of us that couldn't come today. But just in case anybody doesn't know what it is that we do, we support the library through financial assistance, the money that we raise selling books. We also provide advocacy and volunteers for the library. We held our first book sale in 1971, and we opened our store in 1998. The store is in the basement of the library where we sell our used books, you can join the Friends of the Library for just a measly $10 for the year, and you will get 10% off of the already cheap books at the CIDOR every day. And then you will also get that on top of the other sales that we have, and you're also allowed to come to the preview sale on the first day of every book sale that we have. We hold two book sales every year in April and October, so everybody can remember from Keeneland. You can come down and get books before you go bet the horses. We have been able to give the library over the years who knows how much money. Last year we were able to give them $75,000 to go towards programming to go towards the summer reading program. We also purchased the new outreach vehicle that is being purchased right now to help spread the library cheer throughout this community especially to daycares and to other organizations like that. And we're thrilled that you guys have honored us today with this, and we're thrilled to be able to support the library for 50 more years or more. Thank you. I just want to say how pleased I am to be part of this presentation. I'm a past president of this organization. I spent many years on the board. I'm a major bibliophile as a lot of you folks know I buy a lot of books and I've bought a lot of them down there I also donated a lot down there and also as Laurie said you know this this year $75,000 there's been some years where they gave up well over a hundred thousand dollars to the library and so for someone who's a bibliophile like myself and also a librarian a past life this is the best organization going and I'm really pleased and if you haven't been to the Friends Bookseller get down there they also do a major like a monster sale each fall where you can really load up on books but I'm so pleased that this organization is being honored thank you Thank you. Thank you. All right. That allows us to move on now to the second reading of ordinances, and I'll ask the clerk to please give us a second reading of ordinances. Number one, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one vacant classified civil service position of life skills program specialist, grade 515N, and creating one classified civil service position of social warrior senior, grade 516E, in the division of family services effective upon passage of counsel two. An ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one vacant classified civil service position of golf pro supervisor, grade 522E, and creating one classified civil service position of public service manager, grade 521E, in the Division of Parks and Recreation, effective upon passage of council. Three. An ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one vacant classified civil service position of service rider, grade 510N, and abolishing one vacant classified position of fleet parts specialist, grade 510N, creating one classified civil service position of fleet operations supervisor with 519 in in the division of facilities and fleet management effective upon pass of counsel. Four an ordinance adding a neighborhood design character overlay in D1 zone for 4.21 plus or minus net and gross acres to preserve existing neighborhood character and for properties located at 101 to 175 and 201 to 222 Romney Road urban county planning commission council district five. Five an ordinance admitting section 12-1B of the code of ordinances related to the property maintenance code to revise the penalty schedule from 1,000 to 1,500 for 21 to 30 violations for four citations. Six, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one vacant classified civil service position of information system specialist, grade 514N, abolishing one vacant classified position of administrative officer, grade 523E, and creating one classified civil service position of Information Officer Supervisor Grade 522E, and one classified civil service position of Information Officer Grade 518 in the Division of Parks and Recreation, effective upon passage of counsel. Seven, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing two vacant classified civil service positions of Public Worker Senior Grade 509N in the Division of Streets and Roads, two vacant classified positions of Public Service Worker Senior Grade 509N in the Division of Water Quality, and one vacant classified position of Equipment Operator Senior Grade 512N in the Division of Waste Management in creating two unclassified positions of public worker apprentice, grade 504N in the division of water quality, and two unclassified positions of public works apprentice, grade 504N in the division of waste management, effective upon passage of counsel. Eight, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one vacant classified civil service position of commodity marketing manager, grade 519E, in creating one classified position of maintenance supervisor, grade 519E in the division of waste management, effective upon passage of counsel. Nine, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets that elect in Fayette, urban county governments reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and reappropriating and reappropriating funds. Schedule number 19. Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Second. Motion by Council Member Stennett. To approve. Second by Council Member Henson. Is there any discussion? You wanted to get that motion, didn't you, Peggy? Is there any discussion? All right. Hearing none, then we can vote. All in favor, please say aye. Opposed, no. Oh, that's right. Did it for the last time. Get it upbraided every time that happens. I hope Linda remembers that. I'm sure she will. All right. Let's give a roll call. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Vice Mayor Kay? Yes. Ms. Lamb? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Maloney? Yes. Ms. Massadi? Yes. Ms. Plowman? Yes. Mr. Smith? Yes. Mr. Sennett? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Worley? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Bledsoe? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Fred Brown? Yes. Mr. James Brown? Yes. Ms. Evans? Yes. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Gibbs? Yes. Ms. Henson? Yes. All right. The vote reflects the passage of the motion. It allows us to move on. The Vice Mayor has asked me to allow a motion at this time. Vice Mayor Kaye. Thank you, Mayor. This is a walk-on, and I'm going to deviate a little bit from the usual procedure. I'm going to read the heading of this resolution, then I'm going to make a remark or two, and then I'm going to read the full resolution. So I move to place on the dock at a resolution recognizing Jim Gray for his service to Lexington and wishing his continued success in the future. So moved. Second. Wait a minute. Let's see. This is taking me back a little bit. So who made that motion? Who made that motion? Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor made the motion. That's right. And there was a second. I'm not going to. I don't know. Who wants to second it? I'll happily take any second. Kels member Stennett, he's up. All right. Thank you all very much. Okay. And then if I might, just very briefly, it's been an honor for me to work with this mayor for four years in service to this community. And I can't say a whole lot more, so I'm going to read the resolution. And as Mayor Gray is fond of saying, this has a number of whereases in it, as these resolutions tend to do. I'm going to read them all. Whereas Jim Gray has served eight years as mayor of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, and whereas he also served four years as vice mayor of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, and whereas Mayor Jim Gray took term during the Great Recession, yet has been successful in his commitment to fairness, smart growth, economic sustainability, and making Lexington a great American city. And whereas Jim Gray has led many projects while mayor, including a groundbreaking update to the city's police and fire pensions, a reduction in health care costs for the city, linking our city through an extensive bike and pedestrian trail system, instituting the affordable housing trust fund, Creation of the Jobs Fund, moving Lexington to be the first largest gigabit connected city. Renovation and rededication of the historic courthouse. Expansion of our park system to include the innovative Town Branch Commons. Expansion of the Lexington Center Convention Space. And many more programs and initiatives to make Lexington an attractive city for business and residents. And whereas Mayor Jim Gray has given so much back to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government and the citizens of the city, earning him the respect and support of the council and residents of the city, now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government that the members of this council on behalf of the citizens of Lexington commend Jim Gray for his tenure as mayor and successes that have made the city prosperous and admirable, that Jim Graby wished success in his future endeavors, that this resolution shall become effective upon its passage and shall be spread upon the records of the Lexington Fayette-Bourbon County government. So moved. Thank you. I'm not going to let you all stand that much longer. Thank you all so much. Mayor. Vice Mayor, go right ahead. I believe that I would also move to suspend the rules for the second reading to this resolution. Well, I guess that was okay. We're going to do that first reading. I'm going to get this right now. This one we're going to get right. All right. Motion by Vice Mayor Kay in second. We've got the now. Is there any discussion on the motion? We're going to we got to read it. That's right. Madam Clerk can read the motion. A resolution recognizing Jim Gray for his service to the Lexington Fayette Urban County government and wishing his continued success in the future. Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Is there... So now I'll make a motion to suspend the rules and give a second reading. Second. Motion by Vice Mayor Kaye to suspend the rules and give a second reading. Is there... And is a second by Council Member Evans. All right. Is there... All right. Is there any discussion on the motion? All right. Then we can vote by roll call. Is that right? She's got to read it. Now, listen, you all, there's reason for my confusion tonight. Very good reason for it. Vote to suspend the rules. Vote to suspend the rules. All right. That's right. I'm just taken by this. You all forgive me. Thank you. Motion is to suspend the rules and give a second reading. All in favor, please say aye. Opposed, no. Motion carries. All right. Now, Madam Clerk, please give us a second reading. A resolution recognizing Jim Gray for his service to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government and wishing his continued success in the future. Thank you. All right. Motion to approve. Thank you. Council Member Henson. Second by Council Member Henson. Is there any discussion? All right, then. Roll call. Oh, we're in discussion. We're in discussion, right. All right. We're in discussion. Okay. I completely support this resolution. I would like to amend it, but if we amend it, she would have to read it again. But I just wanted to comment then. We left out the senior center. And I'm sure there are others, but those are my comments. Yeah. All right. Thank you, Peg. Thank you. All right. Any further discussion? All right. Then, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Vice Mayor Kaye? Yes. Ms. Lamb? Absolutely yes. Mr. Maloney? It's going to be hard, yes. Ms. Massadi? Yes. Ms. Plumman? Pathetically yes. Mr. Smith? Yes. Mr. Stenet? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Worley? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Bledsoe? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Fred Brown? Yes. Mr. James Brown? Yes. Ms. Evans? Of course. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Gibbs? Yes. And Ms. Henson? Yes. Well, thankfully, thankfully the vote reflects passage of the motion. Thank you all very much. I do have some comments that I'd like to make, but I will hold those until after we get through other announcements and recognitions to council members. So all right, now we can, now that I've gathered myself back here, maybe we can get through this. Next on our agenda is announcements. And I'm going to move to the podium first for a recognition of council members. All right. we are we're recognizing three of council members who who are departing uh the same time as i am and who have done remarkable work for our city i am so honored to be able to do this and i'm i'm going to make these proclamations and i would look i would like to ask that council member join me then up here we'll get some pictures made and then we'll have we will have open we'll be able to open open the floor for discussions first kevin stennett mr kevin stennett will you please join me up here sir thank you i'm going to read the proclamation but i'm going to first let him get up here It reads, this proclamation proudly reads, Kevin Stennett Day, whereas Kevin Stennett has served five terms as sixth district council member and currently is serving his first term as an at-large council member. And whereas he has led the council on issues concerning the budget and economic development, and Councilmember Stenet co-sponsored the ordinance creating the Rainy Day Fund and supported funding it each year. And whereas Councilmember Stenet worked to improve employee health care, importantly, worked so hard on that, and the city's police and fire pension fund. And, whereas, as a district council member, Council Member Stenet ensured stormwater and sewer projects in his district were underway before he left. And, just two more, whereas, Council Member Stenet successfully supported improvements on Liberty Road, Todd's Road, Winchester Road, and Manowar. and whereas council member stennett always knew what was going on in city hall way before i did actually that's not in there now therefore i jim gray as mayor of lexington do hereby thank kevin stennett for his service to our city and declare december 6th 2018 is kevin stennett day in lexington Thank you. Thank you. Okay, okay. Next is I would like to ask Councilmember Peggy Henson to join me. All right. All right. This proclamation reads, Peggy Henson Day. Whereas Peggy Henson is serving her fifth term as 11th District Councilmember. And whereas Councilmember Henson has focused on improving quality of life in the 11th District and all over Lexington. And whereas renaming the Day Treatment Center, now the Audrey Grievous Center, improving the Versailles Road Corridor, always, always advocating for that. New programs for Valley Park and assisting citizens who need a hand up from City Hall are initiatives that have been especially important to Councilmember Peggy Henson. Now, therefore, I, Jim Gray, as Mayor of Lexington, do hereby thank Peggy Henson for her service to our city and declare December 6, 2018, as Peggy Henson Day in Lexington. Now, you've got such a delegation here tonight. Yes, I'm going to come right up there, but I'm going to tell you, too, that there's three of your constituents that are going to represent everybody else that's here, and they're going to speak as soon as we get our pictures made, okay? Is that good? That's Raymond and Jennifer and Blaine, all right? Right? Okay. So now, Raymond and Jennifer and Blaine, you all want to speak now? Up here? Is that good? Come on then. Come on. Yeah, Raymond. Come on. Yeah. Yeah. This is the perfect time. Perfect time. Thank you, sir. Good evening, everybody. I'm Raymond Sexton with the Lexington Human Rights Commission, Vice Mayor Kay, Mayor Gray, Councilmembers. Good evening. Good to see you. We got the notice about this being Peggy Henson's last council meeting. We certainly wanted to be a part of it. She's been a very great ally over the years to the Human Rights Commission. She's always been a great supporter of ours. anything we've ever needed she's been there for us she's called me on several occasions and we've we've been able to correct some issues with regard to housing and national origin in her district so she's always in tune what's going on whether it be good or bad and and always there to right the wrong so at this past commission meeting that we had last monday our board passed a resolution so So I'd like to present that to Peggy Henson Knight and get ready for some more whereas's, I guess. So I'll read this. To all whom these presidents shall come, whereas we, the members of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission, gratefully acknowledge the service of Peggy Henson as a council member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County government, and whereas we wish to take this opportunity to recognize Peggy Henson for her valuable public service to the citizens of Lexington-Fayette County with her appointment to the Urban County Council in 2008, until her retirement in December of 2018. And whereas we, the members of the commission, wish to also acknowledge Peggy Henson's dedication to the citizens of the 11th district, during her tenure, Ms. Henson has always been an advocate for constituents, a voice for the voiceless, and a champion of the underserved. Now, therefore, be it resolved, the members of the commission and the staff do hereby express our gratitude to Peggy Henson for her many years of being a valuable ally, resource, and partner to the commission. We, the Lexington Fayette-Urban County Human Rights Commission, do hereby wish for Ms. Henson much happiness and success in all her future endeavors. And further be it resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Henson, and also spread upon the minute book of the commission and dated at Lexington, Kentucky, this 26th day of November 2018. On behalf of the commission, Vibert Forsyth, commission chair, and Teresa Parks, commission secretary. Thank you. Let's get a picture. Ed, where's Ed? Ed, let's get a picture. Right? Let's get a good picture, another picture. All right, Jennifer? You want to come? Oh, right here is Jennifer. Yes, right. How are you doing? Good to see you. Good evening. My name is Jennifer Reynolds and I'm the 11th District Council Member Elect. And tonight I feel like nothing I could say could really express how much the constituents of the 11th District care about Peggy Henson. could say to thank her for all that she's done so what I decided to do was to write a little something about what she has meant to me personally I met Councilwoman Henson after moving back from Mexico in 2013 at a partners for youth meeting in Lexington when I was looking for a place to hold my bilingual outreach program after the meeting she talked to me about the pros and cons of several places in the district and we talked about the program that I was starting. I have been since then in countless meetings and worked with her on various projects. One thing that I noticed right away was how kind she was to every single person. She is wise when she needs to be but also speaks up at the right moment and knows when she should listen in the spring of 2017 councilmember Henson approached me and talked to me about putting my hat in the race for the 11th district because she had decided to retire I was shocked and honored that she saw something in me that I did not see in myself time and Time again, she believes in others, and I could not ask for a better mentor. I would not have run for this office if it were not for Council Member Henson. She made me believe in politics and in politicians, teaching me that people in power can care about people, and they can be concerned, and they can work for the betterment of their community, and not for their own gain. and she showed me that anyone could be a council member and make a big impact on many people's lives. And she showed me the importance of working with everyone and has dedicated so much of her life to serve not just the 11th District but the whole city. This year, I knocked on thousands and thousands of doors, and I can honestly say that the majority of the 11th District loves and respects Councilwoman Henson. and we are all very sad that you will no longer be our council member. Your wisdom, dedication, and care have touched many beyond the 11th district and have deeply impacted my life. Thank you, Councilwoman Henson, for being there for me over the years, for supporting my endeavors, for answering every single question I had and every single question this year that I had about council and campaigning, and for believing in me and guiding me once I take office. Many people have told me that I have big shoes to fill, and I know that I could never begin to fill your shoes. That's why I plan to put on my own shoes, knowing that I will never be exactly like you, but I hope that I will be compassionate like you, and I will work hard to carry on your legacy and be wise and kind and dedicated like you are. My story is just one of so many that says thank you for the impact that you've made on our lives. Thank you for your work over the years, and we know that you will still be around to mentor us. Thank you very much. On behalf of the Environmental Commission, I would also like to present you an award. The Lexington Environmental Commission has made an award to present you, as Councilwoman Henson, the Environmental Award for supporting the Garden Springs Pollinator Garden. Thank you so much, gentlemen. Okay. I think Blaine Early wants to speak. Blaine? He's not? He couldn't make it. Okay. All right. All right. Well, we've got one more presentation, one more proclamation. And Joe, I'm going to ask you to come up. Joe Smith. thank you sir this uh this proclamation reads also it reads joe smith day and whereas joe smith has served as second district council member since may 2017 and whereas council member smith has focused on improving quality of life in the second district and whereas neighborhood preservation has also been an important priority for Councilmember Smith and whereas Councilmember Joe Smith has been a strong supporter of investments all throughout our community. Now therefore I, Jim Gray, as mayor of Lexington, do hereby thank Joe Smith for his service to our city and declare December 6, 2018 as Joe Smith Day in Lexington. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. We are continuing in our announcements, and I will open the floor for council members to sign on at this time, beginning with Council Member Maloney. Thank you, Mayor. I want to explain to you all why I thought it was hard for me to vote for this man to leave, because we met back 20 years ago at Metathorpe Neighborhood Association. It was the first time he ever ran for something, and I was a council member for that area at the time. We walked out, and we became real good friends after that day. I've watched him go through the ranks, and I hate to see him leave. He's really done a lot for this community. I don't think we've heard the last of him. I think we're going to see more of him, and I look forward to working with him. I don't think he'll be back. Now, over here at Joe Smith, I've known Joe for many years before he came on this council. I worked with him in affordable housing when I was a community venture, and Joe was my realtor, and we were able to bring a lot of low-income people in the homes. And he's always been, I followed him through affordable adjustment and planning, and you've been a great service, and I enjoy working with you for the last year here, and I look forward to you. This guy next to me, my buddy here, we've been working well together, And that's nothing I can repeat what the mayor said. He knows just about everything before anybody else knows, and I've learned that out. And he's also, before I got these hearing aids, fancy guests, I always had to listen to him. About 10% of us were correct, because when I went back and looked at the minutes, that's not what they were saying, Kevin. Oh. So I always remember that and all, but he will be. I don't think we've heard the last from this guy either. I think he's going to be back because a lot of us have come back, and I think you all got a lot of talent, and I can look forward to this. Now, this is the hardest part for me right here coming up now. It's my girl Peggy. It was on a night like tonight 30 years ago when I met Peggy, and it was at Cardinal Valley Neighborhood Park. And I just got on the council, and it was the first neighborhood meeting I went to. And I tell you, I learned a lot that night. And there's her brother out there, Mike Harris. They both come up to me, gave me an earful that the Cardinal Valley had never gotten anything before. So that was one of my first promises, that we would make sure, and I'd make sure that I would listen to that lady. And we followed each other for over the years when she became the president of Cardinal Valley Park and also the Neighborhood Association. And I was tickled to death that she got rid of that other council member for the 11th District and put somebody good in there for a change. Because the last person was just, oh, nothing. but we'll never find a bigger heart than this lady right here, and I mean that, and you all know that, and I'm going to miss the heck out of this woman, and she's my favorite, and you've got big shoes to fill, and I'll be there to help you out because you're going to be my council member now, so I look forward to working with you both. Oh, don't. Don't listen to them. Do not listen to any of them people. Do listen to me. but what i mean what i said i look for i think you we haven't heard the last of you two and peggy i'm going to miss the heck out of you and joe thank you again richard thank you uh councilmember orally thank you mayor uh first i'd like to say uh this has been an extraordinary year with the opportunity to serve my community and i want to thank all of my colleagues uh welcoming and i've been good to work with you um i look forward to working with you in the next session. To Councilmembers Stennett, Smith, and Henson, I want to particularly thank you for your friendship, for your mentoring, and for the opportunity to serve with you. I'll miss you, and it's certainly been a pleasure. Mayor Gray, I think the resolution that we just passed said, I think what many of us could say, and I know I wouldn't be the only one that could go on and on, but I will say that our city under your leadership has seen extraordinary growth, revitalized downtown, and is set to be ready to move on to the future, and you've turned over a great American city to us. There's no doubt that our city is in better shape for your vision and for your service. Thank you for that. And also I want to thank you for your confidence in me and the opportunity you gave me to serve. Your friendship and that confidence will always be appreciated. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mayor. Christian, thank you. Council Member Worley, thank you. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Worley said a lot, pretty much said it all. I'll repeat some of the remarks he's made. Thank you to the folks in your administration that we worked with this year. It's been a pleasure the whole time I've been on council. You've got a great team, put a great team together. I think it's wise of the new mayor to keep some of those folks in play. The same thing with city employees. It's been a pretty good, busy year. Thank you for the service that you provide to the city and all that you do. And then as far as Councilmembers Smith, Councilmember Henson, Councilmember Stinnett, thank you for your leadership, for your friendship, for your guidance. I remember when I got appointed the first day that I was downtown, and the first council person that came up to me was Councilmember Henson. and she welcomed me, asked me if I had any questions, needed any advice, come to her. And, you know, that means a lot in your first time in the building. To Mayor Gray, the same as Council Member Worley, thank you for the opportunity. You appointed me three years ago to fill this seat. I appreciate the opportunity and trust that you've given to me and the opportunity to serve the public. you've done a lot of great things for our city. Lexington is better because of your leadership. I think Maloney's right. I don't think we've seen the last of you. So I'm excited about what your future holds for you. I'm excited for all you've contributed to our city and thank you for the opportunity to allow me to serve. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Brown. Councilmember Susan Lamb. Well, I'm not going to go without saying some comments, too, because I've worked with each of you no matter how short time or how long of a time. But I will start with the mayor. And, you know, this mayor probably has had more opportunity to transform Lexington-Fayette County, Lexington-Fayette Urban County government, because I believe, and I haven't checked my record here, but I believe you have had to appoint more council members than any other, and you also have had to appoint more directors than any other mayor. And what people don't know about council, you see us. The directors, you don't think about the impact because the director is a civil service employee. And what this mayor has done is he has made some amazing choices in creating new directorships in Lexington-Faderman County government who are making great strides in this government and for this community and for the city. And so through things like that that most people probably don't even think about, I commend you for being thoughtful and proactive and progressive in who you have brought forward to this government. and I have learned a lot through you. I know when you first started as vice mayor, we had some interesting conversations, and then when you became on as mayor, you know, we continued to, and I believe when you were vice mayor, I called you Dude, and then when you became mayor, I was like, I can no further call you Dude, and so then I decided to call you Mayor Dude, and so then once I became a council member, I'm like, I can't even call him any of that now, So anyway, I appreciate everything that you have brought forward to this council, this government, and this community, and we will forever be moving forward because of that and your leadership. And as far as the council members, Council Member Smith and Stenet and Ms. Henson, you each bring such an amazing impact to this council and this community. Each of you have different wonderful qualities, and I think that that's what I love about this council as much as I do because each and every one of us are different around this dais, and we respect each other and we listen to one another, and through that we make really great decisions for this community. And I am proud to be a part of that, but more so even prouder to have served with all three of you and have grown as a person and a council member through your service. And so thank you very much. Appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Lamb. Council Member Bledsoe. Thank you, Mayor. I'll be short and sweet. Council Member Smith, it's been a pleasure to work with you, and I appreciate your service to your community on the Planning Commission. You've served a long time, and it's been very generous of your time. Council Member Henson, you are just such a joy. and I tell you, you have taught me so much about serving the people in your district and you have done so with a generous heart and spirit and passion and dedication to get your hands dirty and solve the problems and I just admire that so much and I want to thank you for it. Councilmember Sinnott, like a big brother over there and I adore you and the budget represents as big as your heart and people don't see that a whole lot but I do and you're exceptionally generous and sacrificial and you love this community and I thank you for your time. Mayor Gray you know four years ago I'm not sure which one of us was more apprehensive of working with the other but I will say it's been a pleasure and it's too short. Thank you for your time. Thank you Amanda. Thank you so much. Vice Mayor Kaye. Thank you Mayor. I'm not going to add a lot of detail, but I do want to recognize and thank the two commissioners who we know will not be returning, Commissioner Paulson and Commissioner Graham, for this service to the community. And then, just briefly, maybe a word or two about the mayor. I was asked to think about this earlier today, and the one sentence that I came up with is that Mayor Gray was the right man at the right time. for this community that all that we've heard that people have said and more it's just a reflection of the fact that the community had a certain set of needs and mayor gray filled those needs to a T and has just been a terrific mayor for all of us for the three council members councilmember Stinnett Henson and Smith I believe what we've heard about them tonight simply demonstrates I hope for everybody the fact that democracy works at this level in this community. The people, those three members, and I think everybody else, see this as a service, do their best to work hard, to think well, and to make the right decisions for this community. So this evening I think is just a demonstration of kind of how lucky we are in this community. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Council Member Plumman. Thank you, Mayor. I guess I'll put my two cents in as well. I was appointed a little bit over two years ago, and I remember having coffee with you, Mayor, and once you're inside and you watch this whole thing operate, how you surrounded yourself with just such wonderful staff, and that's a real talent. And everything that you, when I think of you, I think of the word visionary. And you have. You've had that vision. You've gone after it. And you've got all of us that have seen the vision as well. And to my council members that are leaving, it's bittersweet. I'm going to miss you. I've learned so much from each of you. And even though I've only been here a little bit over two years, I feel like we're a family and we are so stay in touch and Thank you Thank you, Kathy. Thank you Councilmember Gibbs, you all have noticed. I've sort of abandoned the Prefix of councilmember tonight. I'm just calling you about your first names. I get I can get away with it now Jake Thank you, Jim I will keep it short. I just want to say what a pleasure it's been to work with Mayor Gray. As people said before, he appoints great people, and that's been really, sitting around the horseshoe is not my favorite thing to do, by the way, wearing a coat and tie and all that, but he appointed such great people in meetings with directors and commissioners. It's been the greatest joy. We get stuff done, and it's really a lot of fun. and he has a real knack for hiring people and being a great manager, and I really appreciate that. And I've also always appreciated how he watches out for his council people. When I had a neighborhood that I was afraid was going to lynch me, he was always thinking about how he can, I don't say cover for me, but give me support. And it made me very, very happy, and I was very, very appreciative. And he didn't have to go as far as he did. I'll certainly miss, this is a wonderful council to work with. I'll certainly miss Council Member Stennett and Peggy with a huge heart. And I'll particularly miss my buddy over here in the quiet corner, Joe. And if everyone was as taciturn as Joe and I, the meetings would be a lot shorter. Thank you. Jake, thank you. Peggy. Thank you, Mayor Jim. I couldn't leave here tonight without saying a few words, but I know that Kevin, Council Member Stennett, and I have served together the entire time since I've been here, and you as well, Mayor. and I know he's like my younger son. But he won't have to listen to me say, now, council members, we have been through this time. But in all fairness, I love you. You know, council is really going to miss you when it comes budget time, especially. And I hope that you all, you know, hopefully our budget analyst will help with that. But I just think he has been so extremely valuable to this council. And Joe, I thank you for your years of service and stepping up in a time of need when we needed a council member in that district and you were willing to take it on. and your previous just volunteer service. And Mayor, you know I love you like you, my brother. Everybody said, she's just got a big heart. But you are fabulous. What you've done for this city is fabulous. and I I mean I think we're left in good hands I absolutely feel that I think when I look around the horseshoe my colleague I know we're in good hands and I know Jennifer who will sit here will fight for the 11th district just like I hopefully I have and I'm very thankful to Council Member Maloney for getting me on this journey because I think he was, when he stepped down in 08 and I was appointed, I think he played a strong role in getting me appointed to that seat. I knew him very well. We had worked together for many years. He probably would have appointed my brother, but he had moved out of the district. And he's a lot meaner than I am. But having some serious thoughts, I just want everyone, there's a lot of 11th District residents here that I've worked alongside, you do not find better people than they are. You got Susan Spaulding back there, who's with Gardenside, and Melinda Ryle-Smith with Picanham, and Jennifer with Cardinal Valley, and a lot of the other tribes is what I call them, or villages. But they all worked so very hard. I was just there to support them. But without them, the efforts that have been made in the 11th district would not have happened. And I'm very appreciative to you. And I do love you. And hopefully we'll be, I think we'll be friends for a lifetime. And we'll get hopefully some more neighborhood associations going. But I really, really am so honored to have had this experience and this, I call it an adventure. So thank you, Mayor. Peggy, thank you. Kevin Stennett. Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate it. I feel like I'm at a funeral, though. We're all saying our goodbyes. I hope mine's as nice as it is tonight. Really? Yeah, just go ahead and pack it up. It's hard to see you go sometimes. But on a serious note, there's so many people I want to thank, and I dare not say people individually, but I do want to thank all the current commissioners. Mayor, you have a great team behind you in your office as well, fabulous to work with, and all the government employees. I mean, we have so many wonderful employees that I've met the last 14 years, some of which have left already and retired, some of which haven't been here as long as I have, but they're all wonderful, from the folks that take care of our council floor and building maintenance on up to all of our police chiefs, fire chiefs, et cetera. So thank you to all of our wonderful employees. You all have made my job easy because I get the call, but you do the work. So thank you. I mean that. thank my council aide, Dina Melvin for being with me 14 years in that office it's hard to do, I know you're the longest serving council aide ever I think so thank you for that my colleagues up here council member Gibbs keep fighting for them trees and I want that sidewalk in my office on ransom done every time it snows but I appreciate your passion for bringing that issue, it's a big deal it's a big deal, council member Smith I wish a lot of us could have your calmness and your collectiveness up here because it's easy to get emotional up here but you keep us intact Councilmember Lamb keep asking questions that's what it's all about keep learning and keep being that record or steward of our records because that's important history is important Councilmember Bledsoe the hot mess on council that always has a a new crisis every meeting. No, I'm kidding. Thank you for your work on workforce. That's the key to this next administration's job. We need jobs, and I hope you can continue that effort on the Budget and Finance and Economic Development Committee. You have a bright future. You're now the baby on council. I was the baby four years ago. Now you are. So I was it for 10 years. Now Jennifer will be, that's right. Casper Brown, buddy, you sure love to get that money for that district, and you've done a great job at it. So you really helped your district a lot. It had a lot of need, and you've been able to really capitalize on getting funding, and that's what it takes. Keep doing the hard things, and good things are happening in your district. Councilman Plowman, keep spreading that love for all those out in the 12th, because that's really our symbol for our whole city. That's why we have a blue horse, right, Mayor? Keep fighting for it. That's right, and you're my new council member. Vice Mayor Kay, appreciate your leadership. I know this is not an easy bunch to lead and to coordinate and to schedule. Heck, we even fight over what we eat back there sometimes. So I understand it, but thank you for your leadership and your hard work, especially on the affordable housing and homelessness. You've taught me a lot in those areas, and I appreciate that. Councilmember Farmer. You know, I'm kind of waiting for a song or something, because usually you sing a song at Christmas time. But, you know, I'll miss your e-mails. that's an inside joke but i do i did save them all i have 14 years worth of you if we need to go back and look so but thank you for your mentorship when i first got on council 14 years ago and your leadership as well and you're a good advocate for your district peggy you're there everybody said it but i'll say it your heart's huge and i love it and uh never change never change keep spreading the love because that's that's what we need more of in this world council member took my spot on the 6th district. Evans, thank you for your work in there. You're doing great. Keep fighting for it. I need Liberty Road Phase 3 done so I can get to work faster. I've got all these demands now. Councilman Brown, it's been a pleasure having you back. I know we have some retreads as I call them come back every now and then. I don't know if I'll be one, but you can call me that if I come back ever. But thank you for your working with you. You've been a great advocate for the budget and debt. and I hope they listen to you next year because we need to make sure we reel that in. Mr. Worley, the rookie, thank you for your tenacity so far and your hard work and a pleasure to work with you the brief time I got to. And then last but not least, Council Member Maloney, you came on in 2004 when I did. You left us for a while, but then you keep coming back. And I'm just trying to figure out how that works. and make sure Councilman Henson gets her sidewalks fixed so when I push you down through there in a wheelchair, you won't have an accident, okay? Can't believe you all. But on a serious note, I ran 14 years ago because I was president of a youth baseball league in the north end of town, and I came down to City Hall, right-eyed, and I'm ready to help these kids, these 500 kids, get baseball lights for their field. We had three fields, no lights. If it rained, we were dead. You all have heard this story, some of you. But I came down to City Hall, sat up there on that fourth floor and said, what can I do to help these kids get lights? And I had a commissioner point his finger at me and say, you will never have lights in that field. Well, that's why I ran for council. I ran the next year, won, and the first thing I did was put lights on that field. And that's what I've kept with me all this time. You've got to do it for the right reasons so you can go to sleep at night, number one, because this is our community. Everyone up here does it for the right reason. I can truly say that. It's not an easy gig. It really isn't. But the last person I want to thank before I talk about the mayor, I want to thank my wife. We got married 30 days before my first election. So we've been married the whole time I've been on council. And to have someone stand by you through thick and thin through that is saying a lot about her and her determination and her character. And I thank her and I love her for being there for me for 14 years. So it'll be a change come January 1. She may see me a lot more on Tuesday nights and Thursday nights and a lot of nights. So that'll be an adjustment, I'm sure, for her, but I welcome it. I welcome it. So thank her, too, as well. And last but not least, Mayor Gray, you know, we've had a lot of good success together on these major projects. That seems to be when we worked the best. We fought a lot of good theater. But if we could publish a book about our conversations offline, we've done a lot of great conversations and a lot of great ideas. And we've both seen a lot out there. And I just appreciate the one thing that you've given this city. the hardest thing for any of us up here to give our districts or our city and the hardest thing for our mayor to do is to give the city hope and give hope to that one person who may have lost their job yesterday or give hope to that one person who has that grand idea for a new baseball park or give hope to that person who just wants to see their road paved and that's what you've done and that's been the biggest difference and the most i think the biggest mark you've left in this community gave us the ability to dream again and to invest in our future and not be afraid to do it Because you know how hard it is. You float an idea out there and you get your head bit off. You know, we went through that with the Rupp Arena the first time. So what? You came back and you fought for it again and we got it done. And that's what it takes. It takes determination and leadership. So thank you. You've been that kind of leader. I'm amazed at the ability you have to get through these big projects. You've taught me a lot about them and for that I always thank you. And then last but not least, CAO Hamilton, where are you? Are you hiding? She's right here. Thank you. I'm really gonna miss you. You've been the glue behind a lot of this and to my success. So thank you too, Sally. It means a lot. Thank you, Mayor. Kevin, thank you. Council Member Joe Smith. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I want to thank all my fellow councilmen for this opportunity I've had here, especially because you're so supportive and helpful. I still wouldn't be here today for the great support. I see you over there laughing. On the end over there. Even you, you were very helpful and I appreciate that very much. But also I want to thank this wonderful staff and administration because if you ever needed assistance or help, they would not hesitate to help you get the information that you are looking for. And then Mary Gray, the great vision, I thank you for that vision because you gave me the opportunity to serve on the Board of Adjustments the Planning Commission and you appointed me District 2 I appreciate that opportunity and I thank you for that opportunity thank you mayor Joe thank you councilmember Bill Farmer otherwise known as Lord Farmer of the Chevy Chase province yeah yeah that's right hashtag right thank you mayor thank all of you spent the last couple years sitting next to Peggy changed my whole well I can't tell you how many things have changed but somewhere between wife and mother because she could say things to me other people couldn't say and I would listen to it which is one of those things one of the best Abbott and Costellos I ever got into was the mayor called me to say he was going to appoint a gentleman by the name of Joe Smith he goes everybody knows Joe Smith I said yeah everybody knows Joe Smith I didn't know Joe Smith. And we went around and around for, I don't know, almost a minute. And he goes, no, no, there really is a guy named Joe Smith. This is great stuff, Mayor. Thank you. Which is only taught by way back when we decided we were going to meet to talk about something. He says, okay, we're going to meet at Starbucks. It's okay, I'll meet you at Starbucks, whatever the time was. So he goes to Starbucks downtown. I go to Starbucks, Chevy Chase. We never did meet. We never did meet. And, Brother Kevin, I will not disappoint you, but I will say that more than others here, we've been in the trenches a lot together. We've helped make some tough decisions and helped us all get through some tough times. But tonight we need to approach with a sense of joy and a sense of the future. And to that end, I need to take the podium just for a moment here. Yes, sir. So for those of you who are playing along in the home edition or streaming in perpetuity, you can, I've taken to this lectern for serenade duties twice before. when Gloria Martin was leaving the council. I found some way to rearrange the words to angels we have heard on high to have something to do with Gloria's service to the city at that time. Made that delivery and never had any copyright infringements or anything with ASCAP. And then when Vice Mayor Gorton left, I just discovered a song then that's still one of my very favorite Christmas songs, Rosemary Clooney, here comes Susie Snowflake. And I was able to rearrange that to befit some of Vice Mayor Gordon's fine work. So tonight I would just say to you that I've never actually serenaded a man or men in public. And we will absolutely leave that comment right where it is. But, But Good Christian Men Rejoice is a 14th century Latin carol, but I don't think they'll remember it after this. All right. For Kevin Stennett and Mare Gray, to each we must say farewell today. Strike the band and end the term in hopes that either could return. Give ye heed to what they said. The dream for Lexington is not dead We will miss their voice We will miss their voice Mayor Gray fixed our city well And many folks are glad to tell Connect the parks with trails, you say And pave the roads along the way Sewage gone and courthouse repaired Jefferson Street completely impaired eight great years is what they said don't let that go to your head great american city indeed great american city indeed on budget and finance kevin's our man finds us dollars when he can unspent balance he will find and keep your and your vote he'll keep in mind budgets are made of this budgets are made of this here in lexington on this great day we honor those who cannot stay now i find it hard to stay to say that their time here is done today for Lexington we rejoice for Lexington we rejoice. Thank you. You said that came out of the 14th century? Some parts. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. That's it. You understand why it's Lord Farmer. Yeah. All right. Council Member Henson, back up. Thank you, Mayor. And I did forget a couple of very important things. So one, most of my family was here. My sister is here. My brother is here. My other sister is over there. She's short like me. And then my children were here and some of my grandchildren. And I know that I was very, very busy while I was serving on council, and they put up with me a lot of saying, you know, why I can't do this or scheduling things around my schedule. but for the most part it was pretty smooth. But I think the most important thing I forgot was our city employees and how fabulous, and I told many of them they can run this city without us. I think we could probably meet every six months and they would be fine. If they wanted a raise, we would have to meet. or a change in their health care, but there's just so many incredible people that work for this government that keeps these wheels turning. I certainly couldn't do my job without them. And your staff mayor is always very supportive, commissioners and others. So Kevin said that, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, because the employees are just so, so valuable to this city. Thank you. Thank you. Peggy, thank you. I believe that's all who have signed on to speak. So that allows me to, perhaps. Let me start by saying it's been the honor of my life to serve as mayor of Lexington. So first, I want to thank the wonderful citizens of our city. And like several of you, I want to thank our city's wonderful employees. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Even on a bad day, it's been a great job. and I've enjoyed every single moment, appreciated every one, yes, some more and some less, while always reminding myself that if you have a deep need to be loved, do not run for mayor. I am fortunate to have served with all of you on the council, with all of you on the council, with some that aren't here today. And I have learned from every single one of you, from every single one of you. Thank you so much. Now I want to thank our CAO, our commissioners, and my staff. Each commissioner contributed mightily to our efforts, including those who served in the past. And I want to thank the current commissioners, each and every one. Derek Paulson, the city's first commissioner of planning, preservation, and development. An entrepreneurial and creative leader. Janet Graham, our law commissioner, a consummate professional and extraordinary attorney. Bill O'Mara, finance. Mr. Precision and Mr. Trust. Chris Ford, Social Services, doing an extraordinary job and helping those in our city who need it the most. Ken Armstrong, Public Safety, new in the job and already doing it really well. And Jeff Reed, General Services, more on Jeff later. In the mayor's office, not a lot, not going to wear it out. Where is he? Right over there. In the mayor's office, my gratitude and thanks everlastingly to Scott Shapiro, to Kenny Bishop, to Lori Houlihan, Laura Hatfield, Brandi Peacher, Kevin Atkins, Ashton Potter-Wright, Melissa McCart-Smith, and Elodie Dickinson. And in the CAO's office, Jennifer Warrenma. You each contributed in such meaningful ways to our success. Now, let me take a moment finally to acknowledge those who worked with me every day up close, who kept the trains running on time, and who often were long-suffering and struggled and abided me. Beginning with Maureen Watson. You were there at the beginning, 12 years ago when I was elected vice mayor. Thank you, Maureen, for your unflappable spirit, your smile and grace, your discipline and determination for routinely knowing what I was thinking before I did. And to Glenn Brown, who took every job assignment ever asked and who I would introduce often this way. If you need something in City Hall, do what the mayor does. Call Glenn Brown. Jamie Emmons, my former chief of staff. Jamie can see around corners. His problem-solving and project management skills are remarkable. Thanks to Susan Straub, whose press and journalism and writing credentials are the finest, and who is a daily example of grit and courage and determination. Thanks to Jeff Reed for taking the toughest job in City Hall twice. Chief of Staff. Jeff's wit and good humor regularly saved the day. And my you-know-what as well. So I am grateful for his political skills and his friendship. And last, but certainly at the top of all our lists, thanks to Sally Hamilton, whose extraordinary operational leadership allowed me as mayor to hang and glide at about 30,000 feet instead of the landing gear going down and getting too much in the weeds, which I am, believe it or not, inclined to do sometimes if things aren't going well. So thank you, Sally. I often say, let's crowd the winner's circle. And there's no I in teamwork. We were able to accomplish ambitious goals because of two things. One, a spirit of creative and aspirational thinking that was shared by the council. And two, a determination to get it done, to build a great American city. Now, I want to track back for just a second because I have been informed that I've already made a mistake before I finish what I'm going to say. A mistake was that one of my commissioners was not mentioned, and that's Aldona Valicenti, our Chief Information Officer. Aldona, thank you so much. Thank you so much for everything you have done for all of us. Now, I'm not one to offer a lot of advice to the next mayor or the council. Only this, because you are already doing it. Think big, start small, and move swiftly. We know we are passing along this precious place, this shining city on the hill, to good people who are aware of the great trust our citizens have placed in them and who are aware of their great responsibilities. Thank you. Thank you. And now, unless there is some other business, is there other business? There are public comments? All right. Okay. oh there is public comment beginning with Dan Graves I've been told to start out by saying I get six minutes because I have very little hair but actually someone else from the Martin Mary Todd Lincoln home signed up as well My name is Dan Graves. I'm a board member of the Mary Todd Lincoln Home. I want to start out by saying this evening I am not here for the short-term MOU that you all just passed for Main Street Baptist. I'm also not here to lambast anyone or any entity. We are a very small house in a very big city. I hesitated to even come up here. It's a night of a lot of love for our mayor, and rightfully so. As his brother Franklin Gray would say, this is a fortuitous event that I am standing here. because I worked for that man for 10 years, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a great company. It was not in a government setting, but it was in a construction setting. He's a get-it-done kind of guy, and I think the last eight years is proof positive of that. Thank you, Bill Farmer, for raising the concerns of our little house. to this council. And we, I am here on behalf of the board to put what we think we have and our concerns to record. The Mary Todd Lincoln House is the oldest structure in Lexington. In the 1970s, when most of the block's historic fabric was demolished, a nonprofit organization called Kentucky Mansion Preservation Foundation rescued the property and restored it. When the museum opened in 1977, it was the first historic site dedicated to the First Lady. Today, her childhood home is still recognized as one of the nation's few landmarks to women's history. For over 40 years, our nonprofit organization has been caring for and operating this historic site and working diligently to increase revenue and attendance. We host approximately 14,000 visitors each year. And according to TripAdvisor, we are ranked number three of the 90 things to do and see in Lexington. Those that outrank us are the James E. Pepper distillery in Keeneland. We're proud to preserve and honor an important part of our nations and our local history. We're also proud to say we accomplished this mission independent of government sub subsidy. Thank you, Miss Bula nun. The Mary Todd Lincoln House earns 84% of its annual operating income from visitors. Dan, excuse me, just a second. Because the time has expired, I'm going to ask for a motion to give you more time. All right? Council Member Farmer? Motion seconded by Vice Mayor Kaye, unless there's objection. You've got another three minutes, sir. Good deal. Let me just say, I could go through quite a bit more here. The Mary Todd Lincoln House basically runs and operates on donation from those that love the house and what it stands for, and also visitors. We currently have 19 spaces. What's getting ready to happen is those 19 spaces are getting ready to be taken down to nine. That's a 53% reduction in the parking. We need your help. We need your assistance. We already have a short-term solution. You all pass that. And with the Main Street Baptist Church, we are indeed grateful that they're going to help us continue. My job as a board member is to make sure Gwen Thompson and her crew do what it takes to stay in the black and not in the red. So, that said, again, it's been a great night. I've loved sitting out here. I don't want to overshadow the evening here. but I chose to come up here because it's fresh on your minds with what you just happened with the MOU with Main Street Baptist so if you've ever read that little book this little house it's an old children's book it's kind of what the Maritone Lincoln house is things are growing up around it I'm a lifelong Lexingtonian many generations here and plan to be here many generations more That house is an important part and piece of the history of this town, as we all know. To keep it alive, we need people to be able to drive up to it, park, come in. And if they can't, they won't. And if they don't, we won't exist. So thank you. And thank you, Jim. Thank you, Dan. Thanks, buddy. All right. Gwen Thompson has signed up to speak, or was Gwen earlier? Oh, okay, okay, gotcha, Gwen. And Ray Sexton already spoke. Okay, great. All right. All right, I think that is it then. So I'm going to say one more time, one more time, is there a motion to adjourn? And I got one from Council Member Stennett and a second from Council Member Henson. Can we get a third from Joe Smith? All right. Unless there's objection, we are adjourned. Thank you all for being here tonight.