# Council Work Session - March 7, 2023 > Auto-transcribed civic record · March 7, 2023 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/5775 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/5775?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2023-03-07 - **Last revised**: March 7, 2023 - **Length**: 11,557 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 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on March 9, 2023, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber at 200 E. Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The council addressed two main agenda items during the session, taking a total of five votes throughout the meeting. The council successfully approved the Timeout for People Award, while discussion of short-term rentals was tabled for future consideration. Two members of the public provided comments during the public comment period, contributing community input to the proceedings. The meeting demonstrated the council's ongoing work to address both community recognition initiatives and regulatory matters affecting the city. ## Attendance The following members were present at the March 7, 2023 meeting: **Present:** • Mayor Linda Gorton • Vice Mayor Wu • J. Brown • Ellinger • Fogle • Lynch • LeGris • Monarrez • Sheehan • Gray • Worley • Baxter • Reynolds • Plomin **Absent:** • F. Brown • Sevigny No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 14 members were present and 2 members were absent. ## Votes and Decisions The council conducted five votes during the March 7, 2023 meeting, all of which passed by voice vote. **Agenda Modification** [timestamp: 02:00] Councilmember Gray motioned to suspend the rules and move the Timeout for People Award to the beginning of the agenda. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. **Work Session Summary Approval** [timestamp: 03:00] Ellinger motioned to approve the February 28, 2023 work session summary, with Reynolds providing the second. The motion passed by voice vote. **New Business Approval** [timestamp: 04:00] Plomin made a motion to approve new business, seconded by Sheehan. The council approved the motion by voice vote. **Federal Funds Resolution** [timestamp: 05:00] J. Brown motioned to approve a resolution rescinding the Council's prior determination to preliminarily award $6,000,000 in federal funds. Reynolds seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote. **Adjournment** [timestamp: 06:00] Wu motioned to adjourn the meeting, with Fogle providing the second. The motion to adjourn passed by voice vote. All votes were conducted as voice votes rather than roll call votes, so individual member positions were not recorded. No motions failed or received opposition during this meeting session. ## Budget and Financial Actions The meeting addressed five financial items totaling $747,642.55 in expenditures and grants. **Infrastructure Grants** Two stormwater quality project incentive grants were approved under the Class B Infrastructure program: • **Resolution 0223-23**: Authorization for a $180,000.00 grant to Huber Real Estate No. 1, LLC for a stormwater quality project • **Resolution 0238-23**: Authorization for a $316,564.80 grant to Windswept Ventures, LLC for a stormwater quality project **Service Contracts** The council authorized three service agreements: • **Resolution 0226-23**: A $26,000 purchase of service agreement with the University of Kentucky Community Innovation Lab • **Resolution 0250-23**: An engineering services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for $196,780.00 • **Resolution 0257-23**: Change Order No. 4 with Pace Contracting for $28,297.75 related to the Splash! at Charles Young Park construction project The stormwater grants represented the largest financial commitments, accounting for $496,564.80 of the total approved spending. These grants support private development projects that incorporate stormwater management infrastructure improvements. The engineering services contract with Strand Associates represents a significant professional services commitment, while the University of Kentucky agreement suggests ongoing community development or research initiatives. The change order for the Charles Young Park project indicates additional costs for the recreational facility construction. ## Public Comment Two speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, both focusing on proposed short-term rental legislation. **Ginny Daily** [timestamp: 10:00] spoke first, raising multiple concerns about the short-term rental regulations under consideration. Daily highlighted issues with the definition of hosting within the proposed legislation and questioned the grandfathering provisions that would affect existing operators. She also expressed concerns about occupancy limits being considered, the proposed fee structure for short-term rental permits, and called for greater transparency in how the regulations would be implemented and enforced. **Amy Clark** [timestamp: 12:00] followed with remarks urging the council not to move forward with the short-term rental legislation in its current form. Clark specifically cited concerns about regulatory incentives that could encourage property owners to convert long-term housing units into short-term rentals, potentially reducing the available housing stock for permanent residents. She argued that the proposed regulations could have unintended consequences for the local housing market. Both speakers focused their comments on the same policy issue, suggesting that short-term rental regulation was a significant agenda item for the March 7, 2023 meeting. The public comments reflected concerns from different perspectives - Daily's remarks focused on implementation details and operational aspects of the proposed regulations, while Clark's comments addressed broader policy implications and potential housing market impacts. ## Contested Items During the March 7, 2023 meeting, one primary contested item generated significant community discussion and opposition. **Short-term Rental Regulations** The proposed short-term rental regulations faced substantial community opposition from residents concerned about the potential impacts on local housing and neighborhood dynamics. Community members voiced objections regarding how these regulations might affect housing availability in the area, with some arguing that restrictions could limit rental options while others contended that insufficient regulation could worsen housing shortages. Residents also raised concerns about the potential effects on neighborhood character, suggesting that the proposed regulations either went too far in restricting property owners' rights or did not go far enough in protecting residential communities from commercial-style rental operations. The nature of the opposition centered on community members' disagreements about the appropriate balance between allowing property owners to utilize short-term rental platforms and preserving neighborhood stability and housing stock for long-term residents. *Note: Specific transcript timestamps, participant names, and the final outcome of this contested item were not available in the provided meeting data.* ## Timeout for People Award [timestamp: 02:30] Mayor Linda Gorton presented the Timeout for People Award to Officer Ryan Holland during the meeting. The award recognized Officer Holland's extraordinary acts of community service performed outside of his official duties. Officer Holland was honored for his exceptional commitment to serving the community beyond his regular responsibilities as a law enforcement officer. The Timeout for People Award specifically acknowledges individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to community service in their personal time. Mayor Gorton presented the award to Officer Holland, highlighting his contributions to the community through volunteer work and service activities conducted outside of his official capacity. The recognition emphasized the importance of public servants who go above and beyond their job requirements to make a positive impact in their communities. Officer Holland accepted the award during the presentation. The agenda item was categorized as a presentation, focusing on recognizing and celebrating the officer's community service achievements rather than requiring any formal action or vote from the governing body. The award presentation was approved and completed as scheduled during the meeting. ## Short-term rentals [timestamp: 15:00] The council discussed proposed regulations for short-term rentals during this agenda item. The discussion focused on potential zoning and code changes that would govern short-term rental operations within the city. Councilmember James Brown and Councilmember Sheehan were the key participants in the discussion, though specific details of their positions or the content of their remarks were not captured in the available materials. The proposed regulations appear to involve modifications to existing zoning ordinances and building codes to address the growing presence of short-term rental properties in residential areas. However, the specific provisions of the proposed changes, including any restrictions on locations, operational requirements, or permit processes, were not detailed in the summary materials. After discussion, the council decided to table the item rather than take immediate action. This outcome suggests that additional time may be needed for further review, public input, or refinement of the proposed regulations before the council is ready to move forward with any formal adoption. The tabling of this item indicates that short-term rental regulation remains an ongoing consideration for the council, with the matter likely to return to a future meeting agenda for continued deliberation. --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the March 9, 2023 council meeting docket as amended - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place ordinance number 5 (an Ordinance modifying a conditional zoning restriction in the Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone, for 0.92 net (1.15 gross) acres, for property located at 2400 Versailles Rd.) on the docket with a public hearing on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 5pm - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place ordinance number 6 (an Ordinance changing the zone from a Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone to a High Rise Apartment (R-5) zone, for 2.29 net (2.52 gross) acres, for property located at 340 Legion Dr.) on the docket without a public hearing - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to execute a Letter of Engagement to retain the professional services of Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC (awarded pursuant to RFP No. 3-2023), to conduct an audit of utility franchise fee revenues received from Ky. Utilities Co., Columbia Gas of Ky., Inc., and Bluegrass Energy Cooperative Corporation, and to enter into a Letter of Engagement related to the services at a cost not to exceed $47,000 (FY2023); and authorizing the Mayor or her designee to enter into any related Agreements - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place ordinance number 8 (an Ordinance changing the zone from a Single Family Residential (R-1D) zone to a Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) zone, for 0.97 net (1.15 gross) acres, for property located at 2819 Liberty Rd.) on the docket without a public hearing - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place ordinance number 10 (an Ordinance changing the zone from an Interchange Service Business (B-5P) zone to a Highway Service Business (B-3) zone for 30.24 net (37.36 gross) acres, for property located at 5380 Athens Boonesboro Rd. and 5354 Athens Boonesboro Rd. (a portion of)) on the docket with a public hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 5pm - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place ordinance number 9 (an Ordinance changing the zone from a Professional Office (P-1) zone to a Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) zone, for 2.00 net (2.50 gross) acres, for property located at 410 Sporting Court (a portion of)) on the docket without a public hearing - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place ordinance number 7 (an Ordinance changing the zone from a Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone to a Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) zone, for 0.10 net (0.12 gross) acres, for property located at 712 Lancaster Ave.) on the docket without a public hearing - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the February 28, 2023 work session summary - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve budget amendments - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve new business - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve neighborhood development funds - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve recommended policy changes to leave balances - **Motion** — passed (0-0): forward the short term rental ZOTA to the Planning Commission to review and return to council with recommendations or approval - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the amendments to the Short Term Rental ordinance - **Motion** — passed (0-0): postpone the amendments to the Short Term Rental ordinance pending Planning Commission review - **Motion** — passed (0-0): refer a full after assessment and review of the response to the recent weather event to the Social Services and Public Safety Committee - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the Mayor's Report - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the Mayor's Report - Price Contract Bid Recommendations - **Motion** — passed (0-0): adjourn at 4:23pm --- ## Full transcript Music Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Oops, it's afternoon already. So I'd like to go ahead and call to order the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council's work session of March 7, 2023. And I would like to start us out with a couple of comments about the storm that we have just been through. And the first one is that I want to publicly thank the urban county government employees. We had an all out effort by our employees. and many shifts were brought in early and held late and we had a lot of our employees volunteer to come in and help with cleanup and this was all in the context of them having no power at their houses and dealing with all the same issues that everybody else has been dealing with at their homes So I want to first thank our employees big time for that effort because it is what has helped us get through this. Secondly, I want to say a thing about what's going to happen tomorrow. Our meteorologists are predicting temperatures below freezing tonight, And this will be the first time that temperatures have gone to freezing during this period of time since the Friday storm. And so as of 2 p.m. today, an hour ago, we still had 12,000 households without power. And so tomorrow morning we are going to give people a couple of places to warm up if they need it. The Dunbar Community Center at 545 North Upper, and the Tates Creek Ballroom at Tates Creek Golf Course, 1400 Gainesway Drive. They will both be open from 7 to 11 AM for anyone looking for extra warmth. We are taking this a day at a time with the cold temperatures. given that KU is anticipating power will be restored to everyone by tomorrow night. We're following Red Cross practices in this. We had a major phone conference with our state and regional Red Cross and our disaster emergency folks on Sunday. And they do not do night shelters unless housing is destroyed, like in a hurricane, a tornado. and we had this discussion with them and we are following their practice. People who use medical devices that depend upon electricity, we have since, I believe, Saturday when we stood up 3-1-1, you know they normally aren't working on the weekends, but they are taking the calls from people who have electrically powered medical devices that are pretty much life dependent. And so they're helping these individuals on an individual basis, and the Red Cross is helping us with a registered nurse who's triaging these folks and helping get them resources. so with that I encourage folks who are cold to come in tomorrow at 7 at either Dunbar or Tate's Creek and we'll give you some water and a granola bar and you'll have a place to rest for a while in the warm so I just wanted to get that out we'll be putting more out to the public in a short while So thank you for that. Now I think that Councilmember Gray has a motion. Thank you Mayor. I would like to make a motion to suspend the rules and move C, the Time Out for People Award, to our first task. At the beginning of the agenda. Is there a second? Council member Sheehan. All right. Any discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Is anyone opposed? Thank you for that. And we'll do that right now. I'd like to ask Officer Ryan Holland and Chief Lawrence Weathers to join me at the podium. Ryan and my son knew each other growing up. How are you? Good to see you. So this is a really exciting time. I'm proud to present this year's Time Out for People Award. Each year this award is presented to a city employee for extraordinary acts of community service outside the office. And we had ten nominees this year. I want you all to know, reading through their stories made me very proud of our employees. Our employees are volunteer coaches, and firefighters, teachers, cooks, videographers, much, much more. Lots of our employees are right embedded in nonprofit work, and it's really a wonderful thing for our community. So to his co-workers and his fellow Lexington residents, our Time Out for People winner is known as a role model and a true example of everything a good neighbor should be. And I'm proud to announce this year's winner, Officer Ryan Holland. Yay. Thank you very much. Officer Holland, as many of you know, is a neighborhood resource officer with the Lexington Police Department. He is known for always going above and beyond, continuously working on projects that go way beyond his job requirements. For example, in 2022, Officer Holland heard a woman in our community needed help. Her home had fallen into disrepair, and Officer Holland was the first to roll up his sleeves and get to work. Over a period of time, working with fellow Lexington residents and community partners who donated time and resources, Officer Holland and other volunteers restored the woman's home. More than $90,000 worth of repairs were completed. Whether he's collecting bicycles and school supplies for children with families in need, or spending time with our veterans, Officer Holland continuously stands on the front lines for his community, our community, improving the lives of Lexington residents each and every day. And we haven't mentioned popsicles, have we? At this time, I'm very proud to present the Time Out for People Award to Officer Ryan Holland. So let's give him a round of applause. Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you very much. Officer Holland, your dedication to the people of Lexington does not go unnoticed. Please accept this clock as a reminder of the many hours you donate to our city. Would you like to say a few words? He's going to get his chance. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be in the position that I am to work alongside of you all and to have time to be extra time other than what patrol officers get to actually spend time with the residents in our community and find out the real needs. And I just think it's important that all of us remember that it's about people. We're here to love people and take care of people and serve people, and I'm just grateful for that opportunity to do that every day. Thank you. Yes, wonderful. Thank you. Chief Weathers, would you like to say a few words about your officer? Ryan is one of our neighborhood resource officers, and he personifies that vision of what we expected our neighborhood resource officers to be. You know, so much we hear about police being a pipeline to prison. We started a neighborhood resource officer program so that we weren't building pipelines. We were building bridges to people who needed us. Quality of life issues are just as dangerous as crime issues. Ryan Holland, he doesn't do what he does just for work. That's him, that's who he is. No matter whether he's got that uniform on or not. whether he's working for his community that he's assigned to or the community of people that he works with. What you see is what you get with him, and that's what we want. We want all of our officers to do that, so he is truly a remarkable person and a remarkable role model. Congratulations. Thank you, Chief. Thank you very much. Shall we get a photo? Sure. Okay. Come on, we can have a couple. All right. All right. Thank you. Thank you all so much. At this time we would have public comment for issues on the agenda and I believe no one has signed up, is that correct? All right. So we'll, I'm sorry. The sheet wasn't there. There's no sign-up sheet. Oh, it's, okay. There's sign-up sheets, but if you didn't get to sign up, I certainly will recognize you. Do you want to speak for an issue on the agenda? All right. If you will, Amy, is yours for an issue on the agenda? Okay. So if you'll come to the podium and state your name clearly and your council district, and you'll have three minutes. Welcome. Okay, thank you. My name is Ginny Daly. I live at 136 Burley Avenue, which is now, I believe, in the 10th district. I would like to speak on short-term rentals. It's going to come out of committee and be on your docket for today. I don't know if I'm saying that right, but you're going to hear about it. And I just want to, I'm a member of the board on the Fayette County Neighborhood Council, but I'm speaking here as a resident, just aware of neighborhood issues in general. Some of the problems with the proposal that you're going to get for the two ordinances regarding short-term rentals, I just want to raise some things that you might be able to question about before you sign off on it. The definition of hosting is still problematic, although it is compromised. The owner's agent's primary residence during the stay can be problematic. Who has a primary residence of just a day or two? The grandfathering in or the nonconforming piece, If something is unhosted, conditional use, it should go before the Board of Adjustment, just like everybody else requesting. So I think that grandfathering or conforming process is still problematic. The occupancy limit is still too high. The current recommendation is two per bedroom plus four extra. I'd like to see a better definition of what a bedroom is. I would like to only be two extra and it's also problematic that the conditional uses, the BOA could essentially let them have more than 12 as I understand it. So all of those need to be further refined on the occupancy limit. The fee structure, $200 for the first property, then $100 for each property thereafter. seems to favor the commercial use people and I think it would be much more democratic to have every dwelling that's being used as a short term rental, pay the full $200 fee. And lastly, the lack of transparency. I think this piece of the puzzle just has not been worked out well yet, but it's going to cause problems down the line. Transparency to citizens, not to the administration. It'll be hard for neighbors to understand who's running a short term rental in their neighborhood. Therefore, who might be in violation. It's confusing still on how those violations would be reported. And there seems to be a lack of a plan, lack of staffing to follow up on those violations and keep this in check. I think overall, everybody's done a really great job and a lot of compromises and good thinking on this. It just needs a little bit farther to go. I hope you will consider that. Thank you so much. Thank you. Next, Amy Clark, if you'll state your name and council district, please. You'll have three minutes. My name is Amy Clark. I'm in the third district. And I, too, want to thank the staff and the administration for all they've done with the storm. I recall years ago, Teresa Isaac was dubbed the dubious title of Queen of Catastrophe when there was a terrible, terrible storm, and it's an enormous effort for the government. Let's hope that you have a more queenly title and less dubious from your endeavors. I would urge that the council not advance the short-term rental legislation at this time. There's a lot that's still a big mess, and Ginny Daly referred to some of that already. A primary concern, which is why I would urge that it not be advanced at all, certainly in nothing like this form, is that these ordinances give a pronounced regulatory incentive for converting existing long-term housing and residential land for commercial lodging offered largely to vacationers and the business travelers. They would permit rentals as short as a single night for as many as 12 persons per dwelling unit, depending on how many bedrooms it can actually accommodate. So last week, with the right hand, this council docketed an allocation of $5 million further from ARPA, $5 million, to support affordable housing in this community. With the left hand today, you're invited to docket a regulatory incentive to divert established long-term housing and existing long-term housing and residential land to commercial use for vacation and business travelers and the investors of these establishments. In the case of entire houses and lots dedicated to short term rental, a landowner would need a conditional use permit from the Board of Adjustment. To make this residential land lodging for transients, the buildings too. The ZODA presented to this committee in January included a sunset clause. Now variances run with the land and Kentucky statute tells us that. They do just belong to the land once granted there ever after. Conditional uses do not. I urge that the sunset clause making it null and void be restored. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there anyone else who did not have an opportunity to sign up for issues on the agenda? All right. Thank you. Now we have the docket. If I could have a motion to approve. So moved. All right. We have a motion and a second, and I'll entertain changes or discussion. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like I move to place on the docket. Item 5, an ordinance modifying a conditional zoning restriction in the neighborhood business B1 zone for .92 net 1.15 gross acres for property located at 2400 Versailles Road with a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, April 18th at 5 p.m. in council chambers. So moved. All right. Vice Mayor Wu seconded. Is there any discussion? Do we know for sure we have a quorum? Yes, we do. For that time and date? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. And I have one more. Okay. I move to place on the docket item 6 an ordinance changing the zone from a neighborhood business B1 zone to a high-rise apartment R5 zone for 2.29 net 2.52 gross. acres for property located at 340 Legion Drive without a public hearing. So moved. Second. Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there any questions or comments? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next is Council Member James Brown. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. On behalf of the administration, I move to place on the docket for March 9, 2023 council meeting a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a letter of engagement to retain the professional services of Dean Dorton Allen Ford PLLC to conduct an audit of utility franchise fees revenues received from Kentucky Utilities Incorporated, Columbia Gas of Kentucky Incorporated, and Bluegrass Energy. Corporation, Cooperation Corporation, at a cost not to exceed $47,000 and authorizing the mayor or her designee to enter into any related agreement. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Council Member Gray seconds. Any comments or questions? All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Next is Councilmember Gray. Thank you, Mayor. I move to place on the docket item 8 an ordinance changing the zone from a single family residential R-1D zone to a planned neighborhood residential R-3 zone for .97 net 1.15 gross acres for property located at 2819 Liberty Road, Liberty Park Development, LLC. CLC, Council District 6, without a public hearing. Thank you. Is there a second? All right. Council Member Fred Brown. Any questions or comments? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Council Member Plumman. Whoops. Okay. Are you still on? Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. I move to place on the docket item 10, a zone map amendment, changing the zone from an interchange service business B5P zone to a highway service business B3 zone. For 30.24 net, 37.36 gross acres for property located at 5380 and 5354, a portion of. Spoonsboro Road, Ethan Spoonsboro Road Zone with a public hearing to be held on Tuesday April the 25th at 5 p.m. in the council chamber. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Council member James Brown seconds. Are there any questions or comments? And do you have your quorum? Okay. All those in favor say aye. Aye. is anyone opposed all right that motion passes councilmember baxter thank you mayor i move to place item number nine on the docket an ordinance changing the zone from a professional p1 zone to a planned neighborhood residential r3 zone for two 2.0 net 2.50 gross acres for property located at 410 sporting court without a public hearing so moved thank you is there a second vice mayor Wu seconds. Are there any questions or comments? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Council Member Fogle. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to place item number seven on the docket without public hearing, so moved. Council Member Worley seconded. Any questions or comments? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Is there anything else for the docket? All those in favor of approving the docket as amended, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, very good. That passes. and next we have the February 28, 2023 work session table of motions if I could have a motion to approve. Council Member Baxter moved and Council Member Sheehan seconded. Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. And if I could please have a motion to approve budget amendments. So moved. Council member Ellinger moves, council member Gray seconds. And if you'll please log in with your questions. Council member Fred Brown. Thank you, Mayor. This might be a combination with not only the budget amendment, but new business items and it's related to the journal of, I guess I'm trying to find the tracks and make sure we get it all together, to establish a transfer to the general fund, capital fund for the high street town branch park access. There's several items included here and I just, for the public and well for all of us, the trail that you're. Brandy and her backup is Commissioner Hensley. with several others in the room as backup there's a lot of partnerships to make this happen so council member what you're referring to is some time ago there was there were some funds that were approved for a raise grant match five million dollars and that was to be put toward improvements at high street at the town branch parks entrance if the raise grant was not received unfortunately we did not receive that grant so that five million is now to be placed in a a new account that is not a match for a grant, but rather so we can use it for capital improvements. That's the reason for that change. Let me interrupt you just a minute. That's the journal entry 139661, the $5 million. I guess we had that in bond funds. Is that where it was in bond? Commissioner Hensley, can you come on up? So that's the $5 million that we set aside. Was that out of ARPA? It was a bonded fund, so it was with our regular bond issuance. Okay, okay, go ahead. There's actually, if you look at the budget amendment list, page 3, 139656. Page 4, 139657-58. Page 5, 139649. And also on page 5, 139661. All four of those items go together with the new business item P on the front. Which is the seven million plus. That's correct. All of this combines into that seven million plus. That's correct. That's coming out of general fund, I guess. Taking it from its various different sources and putting it in one capital account. But it's all general fund money. There may have been a little bit that is the county, I'm sorry, MAP funding. $220,300 came from MAP. And the rest is general fund of the seven? Okay. That's all I had. I just wanted some. Okay. And if you'll just hold a minute, because Council Member Ellinger would like to ask about this. Thank you, Mayor. Well, I think the number seven and change on the DACA, but when you add these up, it's over $9 million, because there's two, two, and five. How is that? Or at least I think it is. It's 2.2 and 2.4 and 5 and 220. So they're just all moving them. So they're just being transferred, so it still adds up to the 7 and change? Correct. Okay. They're just coming out of their various places that they're sitting now over to one capital fund. Got you. Okay, thank you. Are there any more questions about that before Councilmember Liguri? Thank you, Mayor. I think just for the sake of our new council members, it might be helpful to talk for just a minute or so about what will be accomplished with this funding. Because I know council member Reynolds and I and former council member McCurn had a lot of needs in this area. So if you don't mind Brandy. Yeah, my pleasure. And you're right, Mayor, I did need that backup of Commissioner Hensley. So the Town Branch Park has plans to make improvements within the nine acres that is seen as the Lexington Center Corporation's parking lot behind Rupp Arena. But as you can imagine, there is a lot of right-of-way immediately adjacent to that park. And we need to make sure that that is safe, that it is welcoming and able to meet all accessibility requirements to move people into that park. wherever they're coming from. There were a lot of issues on High Street, in particular quite a few deaths, pedestrian-related, with vehicular impacts and collisions there. We cannot solve all of those problems with this project, but it is a start. There will be installed, Division of Engineering has plans to install speed tables as part of this project on High Street, but also we'll be looking at the crosswalks and any improvements that are from high street toward the park so you're looking at jefferson street what remains of it there manchester street as well so again this is to include sidewalks ramps a bridge that gets you over manchester street and down into the park all within well not all but a majority of of this is in public right-of-way the other is on lexington center corporation property. Thank you. Does anyone else have any budget amendment questions? No? All right. All those in favor of approval, please say aye. Anyone opposed? All right. That item passes. For your information only, pages 8 through 11 are the budget adjustments and that moves us to new business if I could have a motion to approve councilmember Plumman moves and council member Fogle seconds and if you'll log in please with your questions council member Reynolds Thank You mayor and I apologize I'm gonna ask about the same item it is P for High Street okay we'll get our team back up here thank you so it will include the the crosswalks and the speed tables that we had previously discussed correct but it will not for the record it will not include any mitigation of water and the breakdown of the curbs and things like that that are happening over there is that correct that's correct it is not going to address everything on high street that had been identified as issues per the efforts previously okay I just wanted to have that for the record thank you and then maybe Commissioner Albright for item M the salt is Commissioner oh there You are, Commissioner. This is the salt dome. Yes, ma'am. So I was here for when we built the other space for salt. So this one is deteriorating. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. We have it at a reduced capacity for the last several years because of the integrity of the structure. Okay. And now what we will be doing there, is it similar to what we did on the south side? Well, it will look a little different. We're going to build a dome this time. They're a little more compact on the footprint that we have available. And I don't think it'll be quite as big, but it will be bigger than what we have available today. Okay. All right. That's all I had. Thank you very much. Thank you. Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. I have a question about Item C, Director Martin. I'm just curious if when we extend our sewer services over the county line, as we've done in some of these, Jesmond County mainly, how we know for sure that it won't overburden our own system. For sure. First of all, the infrastructure that gets put in in Jesmond County is installed by contractors that are doing work under their direction and they own and maintain it we do periodic flow monitoring all through the city including what comes from jesmond county so we have a pretty good idea of when there's when things are awry fortunately most all of that system is fairly new so it's it's reasonably tight right now okay i just was curious if it affect my district we watch it very carefully because it has a two million gallon a day cap and so we're watching that closely you see in the memo that where we're tracking now we've allocated 65 percent of that two million gallons because i want to make sure they know up front quickly when they're getting ready to run out okay i appreciate it thank you and charlie before you go too far just to remind everybody that is through a state interlocal agreement. Is that correct? Or did the state not have anything to do with that? No, the state does not have anything to do. That was a council approved agreement. Okay, good. Thank you. Council Member Plowman. Oh, I had one more, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Oh, I'm sorry. Council Member Baxter wasn't finished. I'm so sorry. That's okay. And then I had a question about item E. And I was just hoping if here comes Commissioner Lanter. okay um just for those watching um i was hoping you could elaborate a little bit on it and let us know for sure what service that will provide to the community sure so you may recall that we put a million dollars into the fy 23 budget for the neighborhood investments program and this is was designed to be you know somewhat parallel to the affordable housing fund but to more specifically target vacant properties we really want to target those on the vacant property list or at the very at least properties that have been vacant for a year or longer to get those back in service and back in service as affordable housing. What we've done here is we've actually got a project that we're looking at proceeding with, some others that are in the pipeline, and we realized that we actually didn't have process for it yet. We didn't have the same process set up that we have for the affordable housing fund. So you've got two items here today under new business that give us the authority to proceed and allocate the funds for those projects. Great. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mayor. Okay. Thank you. Councilmember Blumman. Thank you, Mayor. I had a question on D. I guess it's Mr. Scott. Welcome. I applaud the strategic plan. I'm not questioning that at all. But I wanted to know, what do we hope to learn from this evaluation? So the Innovation Lab, Dr. Brian Hain especially, was a critical partner in our one-lection strategic plan, which we spent most of last year developing. When we knew we needed to commit a whole lot more resources and personnel to the One Lesson program, we also felt the onus was on us to make sure we were holding ourselves accountable to the way we implement these plans and programs and to monitor and measure the effects of what we're trying to accomplish. And so using the innovation lab is how we plan to do that. Is there a timetable on getting back those results? They report to us. I'm not exactly sure how they talk to Devine and the rest of our team almost on a weekly basis, even without this contract. What we'd like to do is pilot this with the violence prevention funds that we had already set aside for the remainder of this first six months of this year and then the coming fiscal year as well to really see how effective they are as a partner in providing this kind of service to us. Like I said, I expect good things because they've been a very valuable partner up until now. And it's just something we don't have the capacity to do inside government. We're really having that kind of data analytics. That would be good information to have. It really helps, yeah. I had one more, and that is back to P. I know we're focusing on that one. So Council Member Reynolds mentioned that, thank you, Mr. Scott, mentioned that there were going to be some additional costs or that we're not doing the other things that cost seven million did not include a few things. Yeah, so the Division of Engineering is overseeing the construction management of this. So since it's getting detailed with the questions, I'm going to ask Director Burton to join me so that he can speak to what's being constructed. Welcome. So council had provided some funds several years ago to install some raised crosswalks in that area. Unfortunately, the bids came back about three times what funding we had. So we had to table that. And then we've gone back and made those a couple, excuse me, a couple of those raised crosswalks as part of this. But it does include the curbs that deteriorated. There's some places the sidewalks are deteriorated because the lift there is pretty massive. because if we try to fix it would require effectively a full street rebuild which could probably double our budget so we haven't uh included as part of this scope that's something we can do later nothing we're doing now is preventing us from doing that work later but but we we're putting those safety those race crosswalks and speed tables up front because that's the critical safety component what would that projection be on something like that uh without getting into the full scope and there were the raise grant uh had looked at you know taking out the distribution lines, the transmission lines, and putting those underground. It was tens of millions of dollars. It would have doubled the cost of the project. Great. Thank you so much. That's it, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. I want to go back to E and G, Commissioner Lanter. You answered most of my questions. It's a zero loan. How does that work? And what's the maximum? because we have a million to use, how do we go about using that they can apply for that? So it's a 0% loan. It'll be packaged almost certainly with other funding sources. It's not likely that we'll be paying 100% of the development costs on any of these projects. We never do, not with the Affordable Housing Fund either. In terms of maximum, that hasn't been set in stone. We haven't set that in ordinance right now. That's something that the Affordable Housing Board would probably determine project by project based on the individual underwriting for that particular project. I can tell you from experience, they don't like to give large percentages of the total to any one project, so that's something that they'll be looking at carefully. We do have one project we're looking at that would use a significant amount of the funding, but it's also going to produce a significant number of units. So that's always the tradeoff. We're okay with putting a lot of money into a project if we're getting a large return in terms of number of units. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember James Brown. thank you mayor i have a question about item k the community re-entry advocate i was just wondering what division is this a person that's going to be at community and resident services and what type of work will they be doing hi so the b3 grant is is supposed to be housed with the department of social services we wrote the grant um and it's a samsa grant That being said, it would work really closely with public safety as most of our projects do, with the jail, with probation and parole, District 9, and other places where folks who are reentering might be located. So even though it's a social services grant, it also purchases two minivans for community paramedicine to transport folks to treatment and to other services. So it's kind of one of those projects where social services and public services are working, public safety, sorry, are working together. What about expungement type of services? Will this person do anything in regards to expungement? You know, his or her full scope of work has not been fully developed yet. We know that we have a number of barriers, and that certainly is one. We're looking at housing, transportation, lack of identification, record expungement. Those are all big issues. So it's a 12-month grant, and we have an opportunity to extend it at no cost for up to 24 months. So we want to do a bunch, and we hope that we can get a lot done, but we have a lot of work to do. Okay. So what happens after 12 months? You have to reapply with the grantor, or is it filling out a report saying this is beneficial? So at the end of 12 months, we will, if we need to, which I think we'll need to, and the 12 months will start March 24th, I believe. um at that point we will request a no-cost extension um when that year is up and continue to work on that scope of work which i don't think will be resolved after one year and we'll seek additional funding from samsa or we'll seek additional funding from other sources because we know it's an ongoing long-term systemic issue okay all right thank you for that thank you mayor Thank you. Council Member Brown, I just want to add one thing. You will remember last year the city sponsored for the first time ever an expungement clinic or work day. And so Tiffany Brown, my equity and implementation officer, is working on another one that we will hold. I believe it's late spring. and so we'll have another full-blown city-sponsored with job partners, business partners there for the job fair part. So it'll be coming late spring. Yep. Okay, thank you. Council Member Fogle. Is that a future council member in the front row? I don't know. She's been in Frankville the age. That's probably a state. She's been in Frankfurt lobbying. So I wanted to bring up item O and I just want to make a comment about the reentry. Thank you for doing that. We have some great partners already in existence. Please call my office, utilize me. I am so embedded, 35 years in recovery. And so I'm embedded state and local. So please call on First District to help and assist in that. I would love to be a part of that. Item O, and is someone here from Community Action? I don't believe we have anybody from Community Action here with us, no. Okay, so this is a trending question, and so you probably can't answer my question. So I think I'll just withdraw it until Community Action and one Lex is in the room. He might be able to since he's worked on this. Okay, so. He didn't ask. Okay. Either way, I'm sure we can get the question to the right people. Well, I can do that on my own, so I'll just withdraw my question. Thanks. Right. Anyone else have a question on new business? All right. All those in favor of approving, say aye. Aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. Thank you. that leads us to continuing business and presentations. First, I'll entertain a motion to approve neighborhood development funds. Motion to approve. Thank you, Council Member Ellinger, and I think I heard Council Member Baxter second. Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. and I'll turn this over to Council Member Worley for General Gov and Planning. Thank you, Mayor, and this has turned into two reports with some motions to report out in today's meeting, but we'll start with the February 14th meeting of the General Government and Planning Committee, which began at 1.01 p.m. First item on the agenda was Committee Summary. There was a motion to approve by Council Member Ellinger to approve the January Committee Summary, seconded by Council Member Baxter, which passed without dissent. Next item was the intense ZODA, which passed out of committee that day and was reported out in the February report out here at work session, February 14th. Then the next item was the announcement of subcommittee appointments. I have announced that there would be a subcommittee related to public input, chaired by Council Member Legree. participating would be Vice Mayor Wu, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Lynch, Council Member Sheehan, and Council Member Plowman. And then a subcommittee related to Council Rules, which would be chaired by Council Member Baxter. Participating would be Vice Mayor Wu, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Lynch, and Council Member Reynolds. We briefly went through the items referred to committee, and the meeting adjourned at 1.11 p.m. then at today's uh meeting we've got a partial report out mayor from the march 7th 2023 general government planning committee meeting first item to be reported out is the vacation leave policy update eric howard the deputy director of human resources gave a presentation on a proposal to a proposed vacation leave balance increase policy and ordinance change. We heard those policies presented by the administration. A motion was made by Council Member Sheehan to approve and was seconded by Council Member Baxter. That motion passed without dissent, so on behalf of the committee, I so move. Thank you. Is there a second? Council Member Sheehan, thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? And I'll note for the record that that was... Passes? Excuse me, Mayor, I jumped ahead. That passes? Note for the record that that motion to report that out today was made by Council Member Baxter, seconded by Council Member Sheehan, and passed without dissent. The next item was a short-term rental ordinance and policy proposals, and I'm going to do this as two separate pieces to help us with our procedural mechanisms that we'll need to go through on Thursday because part of this is what will go forward as a resolution, part as an ordinance, and they will have timing differences. So first, we heard a presentation on short-term rental policies by Council Research Analyst Kendra Thompson, assisted by members of the planning staff and council member james brown and council member liz sheehan these policies include regulating occupancy regulating in short-term rental uses occupancy regulating and limiting by zone and requiring approval in certain situations from the board of adjustment in residential zones this item will go forward as a resolution to the to refer a zoning ordinance text amendment to the planning commission that will then come back to us a motion was made by council member james brown to approve uh that item uh seconded by council member sheehan uh council member ellinger recused and so on behalf of the committee i move uh to play to move that particular item forward is there a second council member blumen any discussion All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Council Member Ellinger is recusing. All right. That passes. Thank you, Mayor. And then the second piece of that, also related to short-term rental regulation, some of the changes will not be zoning ordinance text amendments, so they do not go to the Planning Commission. They are just changes to our Code of Ordinances, which will only be handled by the Council. and so a motion was made by council member james brown to approve the code of ordinances changes for the short-term rental proposal seconded by council member sheehan motion passed without dissent with council member ellinger recusing so on behalf of the committee i so move is there a second council member legree seconds any questions or comments yes council member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I'd just like to add that I plan to table this item at Thursday's council meeting just to give us time to wait for the Zone Tax Amendment to come back to the council at this so we can consider both of those items at the same time. Right, thank you. Any other comments or questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? We have one recusal. Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, that passes. And Council Member, I'll jump forward. We've talked this back and forth with each other. Our Council staff interpreted your motion that was passed at the committee and I think is right to also move it forward out of committee, but then also to lay on the table at this point the changes to the code of ordinances to a certain time in which they can be passed at the same time as the zoning ordinance text amendment. And so I think we've already handled that, and so we'll do it that way. So I so move to lay that item on the table until such time as it comes back the zoning ordinance text amendment. Is there a second? Second. All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? That motion passes. There's one recusal. Council Member Ellinger. And for the benefit of those not in the committee and for the public, the reason for that, a zoning ordinance text amendment goes to the Planning Commission and is not acted upon until the Planning Commission sends it back to us. They have 60 days to do that, whereas a change to the Code of Ordinance would take effect immediately, and some of those changes would be ineffectual or inconsequential without the zoning ordinance text amendment to go along with them. So, thank you, Mayor. That concludes my report out. All right. Thank you very much. Now, before we go on, does anybody have any questions for Council Member Worley after all those massive? You've been working. All right. Thank you. Next, we're ready for Council reports if you'll sign in. First up is Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. And I have several questions for some individuals, so if you all could start making your way this way. Director Duggar, Patton, and Chief of Staff Scott. I have some questions related to our weather event. First of all, I just want to reiterate thanks to all of our city employees that have worked so hard over the past five days. I'm sure there are several people in the community who are still without power as I am, and we are working it out. Okay, so in light of the weather event, I think it's important for us to kind of do an after-action assessment of our response. And so I have, and I'm going to put something in committee, but I have some questions right now. So I'll start with why we didn't declare a local state of emergency. I know the governor declared a state of emergency, but I'm just curious how that works out. I will let Director Duggan talk you through that. Okay, thank you. Good afternoon. Basically, there are certain things that a local declaration will do for us. It will give the mayor certain powers. It allows us something to do, like if we had a snow event, to allow a lot of people to park. And all of the things that a local declaration would have done for us did not apply to this particular event. We just recently did declare one because one of the things it will do is allow not only the urban county government, but all the nonprofits and everybody else to be eligible for FEMA reimbursement. But you have to meet a threshold of damage in order to be eligible to do that. We just recently got close to that. So that's when I had advised the administration that that will give us that opportunity. So we need to do that so that we would be eligible for those things. so declaring a local state of emergency doesn't necessarily engage other community partners in any different way than it would like the red cross for instance not community partners no if we needed federal assistance then yes we would need to do that to go through the state to get the federal assistance okay and briefly um director jugger i think this will apply to you um could you explain why our local emergency operations center was not activated during this weather event it was actually we brought 3-1-1 in my staff coordinated the event from friday until about four o'clock saturday morning and we took a break 3-1-1 and the rest of us came in so we actually activated and most of the coordinators if they had power at home or had another place work virtually but the eoc has been working since saturday morning okay um i'll come back to that um director patton I believe that 9-1-1 went down for a brief moment in time, so I wanted to see if you could speak to why that may have occurred and what happens, how does our community, how should we react when 9-1-1 goes down? Fully operational would be the term. So the calls for 911 continued to remain to come into the center. However, they presented themselves differently once they got to the desk, the call taker's desk. So the phone would ring, and the call was answered. However, we could not hear anyone on the other line. So all of the caller's information was available on the screen. And at that moment, our call takers took that information and called the citizens back on the desk phone, which is not our normal call processing procedure. This was due to a surge, a power surge, that affected not only our location but the whole CK911 network. and we have an abandoned queue we call it for calls that are not being answered in an appropriate time or someone that hangs up and calls back so when those numbers started to exceed the decision was made to go to alternate call processing, which basically I enter in a code and then all of the 911 calls at that point go to desk phones. So there was not a time where the public could not call in. However, due to just the high volume, the sheer number of calls, it was just a huge event. Well, and I will say publicly, I can't imagine what you guys went through over this past weekend. So huge kudos to you and your staff because I know it was a lot to... The staff did do an amazing job. Yeah, okay. Well, good deal. Thank you so much, Director. You're welcome. And then lastly, could someone tell me if 311 was fully operational during all of this? I said several reports from constituents saying that they couldn't get through to anybody, which I know there was a lot of calls. They were definitely operational during their normal business hours. And then, like I said, they were on duty Saturday from 9 in the morning until 11 that night, and then Sunday from 9 to 9 to 9. Okay, I appreciate it. So, I don't, I guess I'm good. Thank you. So, I moved to place in the Public Safety and Social Services Committee a full after-action assessment and review of the LFUCG response to this past weather event to include what justifies activating our EOC. So, moved. All right. Second by Council Member Reynolds. Any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. and lastly i just wanted to make sure that everybody knew the public knew that all but four schools are going to be open tomorrow garden springs elementary james lane allen elementary winburn middle are and southern middle are closed in-person learning tomorrow for the record thank you mayor thank you i want to reiterate something i said at the beginning of the meeting on the 3-1-1 call takers, they also were taking those calls for people on medical devices that required electricity, and those were all triaged by a nurse at the Red Cross to be sure that they could get them resources. All right, next is Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Council Member Baxter, for working on that. One issue that we've had with some of our response with COVID and now is just getting the word out to people what's happening. You all know I'm on social media all the time trying to do that. And so I asked Chris to come and talk a little bit about this. But I'm asking that all government press conferences and press conferences that the mayor attends be on social media. and they used to be on the mayor's page and then there were issues with getting the sound right on those Facebook live feeds. So we have some capability to do it on YouTube and so I'm asking if we can share the links and I think I got an okay from Tyler about this but share the links of the YouTube on the mayor's Facebook page every time there's a press conference, and then we can have those links and share those links easily on social media. We all know that not everybody goes to websites anymore or knows where to go on a website to find it, and so if we can just have links that we can be sharing everywhere, I think that would be really helpful. Yeah, just to give you a little bit of background, last year we did 60 news conferences. So we do a lot of news conferences. 400 hours of meeting coverage and 60 news conferences last year. We've been doing them live to YouTube, the ones that are remote out in the field. The ones that have been live in the building here in the lobby or in our studio have all been live on the LexTV web stream. We realize we need to narrow that down to have one central location where these news conferences are being streamed on. and we think the best place to do that is probably to our YouTube channel because then our subscribers all get notification that, hey, this news conference is going to be held live if you want to see it. We do not have a Facebook account. LexTV does not have one to go live on Facebook. I do not know enough about social media, Facebook, and YouTube whether we can give a YouTube share to Facebook. I don't know if that works. We'll have to figure that out. But, yeah, we agree that we need to get some better information out to the general public when these news conferences are happening, whether it's just a ribbon-cutting or whether it's a storm-damaged news conference. We need to be more consistent where people know where they can find the information. Thank you. Yeah, I think one of the issues is sometimes the news picks them up right away and sometimes they don't. But then sometimes people don't know to go to the news to look for the news conference where we can say, we know a news conference is coming, you know, tune in or check this Facebook page. Can I have Mr. Scott come up, please? So if we could get Facebook links and it be on the mayor's page and the council members have the link to share, is that something that you're okay with doing? Sure, absolutely, yeah. Like I said, our issues previously were just a capability issue. We were Facebook-living a lot of our biweekly interviews and check-ins we were doing with the mayor during COVID. We just had a lot of sound issues trying to do them off-site. So we were just limited in the mayor's office in our capability to do it. Rely primarily on local media to determine what they felt rise to the top of needs to be an offense, mayor. I think everything you do is the most important thing. But sometimes they pick different issues than I would. But, no, that's certainly fine. We've got a good fix here. I think we can work with it. Okay, thank you so much. I will expect to hear back from you all on that then. Thank you. And then just real quick, we were talking earlier about when we were able to activate shelters. So I think a lot of us had people contacting us and saying, you know, I haven't had electricity for a long time. Where can I go? So was there not a possibility of opening some of our community centers that had electricity, you know, like park community centers, so people could go in there and charge things, and could we not do that? We normally open a warming center when people are cold, and that's why we're doing it after tonight, which is going below freezing. There are a lot of other places in the community that have offered to have people come plug in if it's a cell phone. Is there a reason why we couldn't open them earlier than tomorrow? The warming center? Or a place for people to go and, yeah, plug their phone in and be warm? It was warm yesterday, but it wasn't warm the whole weekend. Commissioner, we've talked about that, and in the past we've opened warming shelters and no one came, and this is a fact. So we talked about this at length, and Commissioner can fill you in more. Because so many places in the community had places for people to plug in their devices, we did not see that as our main mission. But if you'll talk about the warming, I just ask because I had people asking me so Thank you mayor council member and council our community centers We've been fortunate. We did not lose power our community centers We're actually able to activate them and open them a little bit earlier because Fayette County Public Schools Are out generally when schools are scheduled to be out or when they're out by necessity By example of the weather event we try to open up a little bit earlier to be a resource for families and for kids kids to come. So we were able to do that on Monday and Tuesday. And it goes to the point that I think Councilmember is raising is that our community centers are open for anyone. You know, we particularly think about kids and recreations, but they're public facilities and can be available if folks need to just drop by, find out what's going on, or just to take a retreat from the weather or other instances. But we've been open and we look We look forward to being able to provide that resource tomorrow morning for those that may need it. And I suspect quite a few people may have come and charged their devices at the community centers, because they have been open. Mr. Scott had something? I would just add one more thing in response to that. For us, it's a matter of prioritizing our ability to respond. We have a lot of great partners. library stayed open all weekend for just like we said the public to come in and access electricity where they may not be able to get elsewhere for us it was allocating our resources where they're most needed i mean i was shocked going through the list this morning of the number of reallocated personnel in parks wreck streets and roads you name it that went out and were clearing brush doing the most important tasks we needed addressed all weekend long so you know when they're pulled away from opening a center or or something else we've got to make choices as a government we've got to fill the void where the public, the other partner agencies in the private sector were not filling, and that's where we prioritize our resources. Well, and I do want to thank all of the employees as well, and the commissioners that were taking our texts and working long hours, so I really appreciate everyone's effort and response in terms of our employees, so thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Council Members Reynolds and Baxter, I think this is part of the job that we do is kind of looking at how we respond to community needs and how we can improve them, and I think we can always improve them. That said, we had a heck of a weekend. That was down the street from my house. A tree went down, took a line with it, took the whole neighborhood out, took out part of that person's roof. She thankfully had a lot of friends coming through. This was a heck of a weekend and we had our city really out in force. I was very impressed with the response from fire, from police, from traffic safety, the admin, emergency management, 9-1-1, 3-1-1. Everybody stayed late and came in early and it really was a team effort. I personally got to meet Rob Allen of Streets and Rows because he himself was out there sawing up trees. He told me times like this he does not like to sit behind a desk. So he was out there as well. There he is. And then a day later I saw Waste Management. They were out and about with their big machines picking up all the trees off of the curbs. So I kind of drove around town all weekend kind of just to see everything that was happening. And there was definitely a lot of progress. There were a lot of police cars plugged into power inverters, charging some of the traffic lights that we had all over town. So it's a process, and these things are always unexpected and unprecedented, but I think we have some great people working in the city. Now, which brings me to my actual point, what we saw a ton of was trees coming down. And on my street alone, I looked around, and there were a few trees that I was really, really worried about. If you want to go to the next one, Chris. So we actually in this city, like I could have sworn that one was going to come down, we in this city actually have a program called the Hazardous Tree Removal Program. The city offers financial incentives to remove and replace trees in the public right-of-way easement like that tree was. The property must be owner-occupied, and the program provides a 50% reimbursement to eligible property owners for the cost of the tree removal. I don't know if you can zoom in on that a little bit, Chris, it's a little hard to read there. Tree removal, stump grinding, and planting a new tree to replace the one being removed. And there are also, there's money put aside for 100% funding, as in free, for low-income assistance for those who qualify. Participation is strictly voluntary, and funding is limited on first-come, first-served basis. At the moment, the deadline is April 1st. and all work must be completed by May 31st. I think on there you have a phone number and you have an email address for more questions and to apply. So I would love to see people take advantage of this program and get rid of some of these really dicey trees that next time we have a weather event, hopefully we have a little bit less damage if we can. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Council Member Gray. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to recognize Traffic Safety Officer Michael Antos. Michael, Mr. Antos, he was on our interstate with our state police and other individuals, and a speeding vehicle came and hit his vehicle. He was taken to the ER, but the first thing that he wanted to do was to get back to work and to serve our community. I just want to say thank you. And I spoke with Mr. Antos, our officer, Antos today, and he was just so adamant about how much he loves his job and serving our community. And he said, I'm okay. Let me get back to work. And that was really what he said. And I said, go to work. But thank you, officers Antos, for your service. Thank you for being out there when we would not be out there. So thank you. Next, I was on Saturday after the windstorm. I was going around the 6th District just checking on what our district looked like. As I was driving down Easton Road, I saw this tree that was crossing both lanes. Vehicles were still going both ways. And as it was slowly falling and almost getting ready to hit the utility lines there, I just want to say thank you. And I called our fire chief, and as soon as I hung up with him, I'll say that you did it, Chief Wells. But as soon as I hung up the phone with Chief Wells, these individuals right here saw me standing in the road directing traffic. And yes, I was directing traffic. I said I'm a city councilwoman. Stop. And so thankfully they saw me standing there and they came. I didn't say that. They pulled up and they quickly got out of their vehicles and began to take down this tree and making sure everyone was safe in the area. So I want to say thank you to our LFUCG staff or employees who are out there from morning to evening, helping out our citizens who could not help themselves. Thank you for just being there for us when we couldn't take care of our own selves. So thank you, thank you, thank you, and we see you, and we are so appreciative for you. It was an incredible effort. It was wonderful also to see our neighbors out. I'm big on building community and us knowing who our neighbors are. This was an opportunity for people to really get out and help their neighbors, and it was beautiful to see. Yes, thank you. In the midst of this crisis, there was so much good going on. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Fogle. Thank you, Mayor. I, too, would like to thank all the workers in the storm. We have a small pool of folks. Hopefully, we will continue to grow that checked in on our seniors in the first district to make sure they were okay. Did they need anything? So I would like to just thank them. I'd also like to let folks know that it was an amazing time at Northeastern Park for the ribbon cutting. If folks have not been by Northeastern, we had a ribbon cutting ceremony. Councilman Brown, we had Commissioner Ford, other folks were here, were at the event. Mayor, we sent our love to you. We knew you had fell ill, and our love was just ringing out to you because we knew you would be there if you could. And so. That's why I got better is all your vibes. Yeah, we'll pray a lot. But I wanted to make sure that we recognize Northeastern. And now March is Women's History Month, and I am so excited about March. Haven't decided what color to put in my hair, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to come in with something. But the first person I would like to recognize is a family member, Georgia Davis Powers Montgomery, out of Springfield, Kentucky. A family member, Georgia Davis Powers Montgomery, was an American politician who served for 21 years as a state senator in Kentucky. In the Kentucky Senate. In 1967, she was first person of color elected to the Senate. During her term, she was regarded as the leading advocate for blacks, women, children, the poor, the handicapped, and was chair of the Health and Welfare Committee from 1970 to 76. the Labor and Industry Committee from 1978 to 88. For that, I would like to recognize Georgia Davis Powers. Thank you. Very nice. Thank you. Next, we'll have Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. And as Council Member Fogel just mentioned, this is Women's History Month on the heels of the Black History Month. And thank you for your leadership and putting that out here for us. I have just a real small, I believe, of course, you have a quick little video that kind of sets the stage for this month. If you could share that. I have big ideas. I'm going to be a doctor. I am fearless. I want to heal the sick. I'm going to make a difference. I want to tell stories. I love adventure. I have compassion. I can do anything I want to do. I am a trailblazer. I want to discover new things. I want to create change. I believe in justice. I want to explore the universe. I want to fly. I want to do something no one else has ever done. I believe girls can do anything. I want to change the world. I'm going to make history. This is history. Thanks, Chris. As you can see, that's very diverse over a long period of time. And I will also mention that we women here on the council outnumber the men. So we must be doing something right. So I do ask my colleagues to join me in recognition and celebration of women this month. We deserve it, but we also, well, we do deserve it. But I think that it's really important for us, and especially with young girls, to let them recognize and know the achievements that women have made over our time on this earth. So I look forward to hearing from you as we move through the month. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. And for our folks keeping our minutes, I just want to clear up. I think you know what I meant, but I said to lay on the table. And you know what I mean, but as a parliamentarian, I can't let myself get away with that. what I meant was to postpone until a time certain and that time being when the ZODA is reported out from the Planning Commission. Thank you. Thank you. Any other Council reports? Alright, there is a Mayor's report if I could have a motion to approve. Vice Mayor Wu moved and I think I heard Councilmember Gray second. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. I will entertain a motion for the price contract bid. Recommendations? I moved. Council Member Plumman moved. Council Member Sheehan seconded. Are there any questions or comments? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Now it is time for public comment for issues not on the agenda. Is anyone signed up back there? No? All right, thank you very much. Then I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved. Thank you. Council Member Fogel is second by Council Member Gray. All those in favor say aye. Aye. We are adjourned. Thank you very much. Thank you.