# Council Work Session - April 25, 2023 > Auto-transcribed civic record · April 25, 2023 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/5804 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/5804?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2023-04-25 - **Last revised**: April 25, 2023 - **Length**: 11,297 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 April 25, 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 six agenda items during the session, covering a range of municipal business including zoning matters, budget amendments, and ongoing city initiatives. The council took action on five motions during the meeting, approving requested rezonings and docket items, budget amendments, and new business items. One public comment was heard regarding issues on the agenda, providing community input on matters under consideration. The meeting also included informational presentations as part of continuing business items. Key accomplishments included the approval of zoning changes, budget modifications, and the advancement of new municipal business. The session concluded with presentations on ongoing city initiatives, ensuring council members remained informed about current projects and developments affecting Lexington-Fayette Urban County. ## Attendance All council members were present for the April 25, 2023 meeting. **Present:** • Mayor Linda Gorton • Vice Mayor Wu • Councilmember Baxter • Councilmember James Brown • Councilmember Fred Brown • Councilmember Ellinger II • Councilmember Fogle • Councilmember Gray • Councilmember LeGris • Councilmember Lynch • Councilmember Reynolds • Councilmember Sevigny • Councilmember Sheehan • Councilmember Worley **Absent:** None **Late:** None ## Votes and Decisions The council conducted five votes during the meeting, all of which passed by voice vote. **Approval of Minutes** [timestamp: 03:00] Councilmember Ellinger motioned to approve the April 18, 2023, Council Work Session minutes, with a second from Councilmember Plomin. The motion passed by voice vote. **Budget Amendments** [timestamp: 04:00] Councilmember Plomin made a motion to approve budget amendments, seconded by Councilmember Baxter. The motion passed by voice vote. **New Business Items** [timestamp: 05:00] Councilmember Baxter motioned for approval of new business items, with Councilmember Sheehan providing the second. The motion passed by voice vote. **Neighborhood Development Funds** [timestamp: 06:00] Councilmember LeGris moved to approve the Neighborhood Development Funds as amended, with a second from Councilmember Ellinger. The motion passed by voice vote. **Council Capital Projects** [timestamp: 07:00] Councilmember Reynolds made a motion to approve Council Capital Projects. This motion passed by voice vote without a recorded second. All votes were conducted as voice votes rather than roll call votes, so individual council member positions were not recorded. No opposition or abstentions were noted for any of the motions during the meeting. ## Budget and Financial Actions The council approved several significant financial agreements and contracts during the April 25, 2023 meeting, totaling over $4.5 million in commitments and grant funding. **Contracts and Amendments:** • Resolution 0387-23: Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Kentucky Association for Environmental Education for $16,570.80 • Resolution 0400-23: Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky State Police for Trunked Radio System (no dollar amount specified) • Resolution 0419-23: Agreement with Solar Energy Solutions, LLC for a solar photovoltaic system valued at $80,443.24 • Resolution 0420-23: Purchase of Service Agreement with Lexington Pride Center for $2,500 • Resolution 0425-23: Contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for a Sewer Capability Study totaling $337,702.00 • Resolution 0427-23: Establishment of IAPro as a sole source vendor for case management software at $45,500 **Grant Activities:** The council addressed two major grant items: • Resolution 0430-23: Submission of the 2023 Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for $3,994,940 in federal funding • Resolution 0431-23: Acceptance of a $23,600 grant award from the Trust for Public Land The largest single expenditure was the Sewer Capability Study contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. at $337,702.00, while the most significant funding opportunity was the nearly $4 million federal grant submission through HUD's Consolidated Plan process. The solar energy system contract represents the city's continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure. ## Public Comment One member of the public addressed the board during the public comment period. **Rick Day** spoke regarding the county's compensation system [timestamp: 09:00]. Day criticized the current state of the county government's compensation system, describing it as "a mess." He expressed skepticism about the recommendations from the MAC study, questioning the proposed changes to employee compensation structure. Day's comments focused specifically on concerns about how the county handles employee pay and benefits, though the specific details of his criticisms were not elaborated upon in the available summary. His remarks suggested dissatisfaction with both the current compensation practices and the proposed solutions being considered by the county. ## Public Comment - Issues on Agenda [timestamp: 00:30] The council opened the floor for public comments on issues listed on the agenda. This portion of the meeting provided an opportunity for community members to address the council regarding specific items scheduled for discussion during the session. No public speakers came forward during this comment period. The council waited for members of the public to approach the podium or indicate their desire to speak on any agenda items, but no one took advantage of this opportunity to provide input. This agenda item served as an informational period, allowing the council to fulfill its commitment to public participation in the governmental process. The absence of public comment does not indicate a lack of community interest, as public participation can vary from meeting to meeting based on the specific issues being addressed and community awareness of the agenda items. The council proceeded with the meeting after confirming that no members of the public wished to speak on any of the scheduled agenda items. ## Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval [timestamp: 01:00] The council reviewed and discussed requested rezonings and docket items during this agenda item. The discussion was led by key participants including Councilmember Sheehan and Councilmember LeGris. The council considered various rezoning requests and docket items that required approval. While specific details of individual rezoning cases were not provided in the available materials, the discussion involved the standard review process for such matters. Both Councilmember Sheehan and Councilmember LeGris participated in the deliberations regarding the rezoning requests and docket items under consideration. Following the discussion and review of the requested rezonings and docket items, the council voted to approve the measures. The resolution passed, allowing the requested rezonings and docket items to move forward in the municipal process. ## Approval of Summary [timestamp: 02:00] The council considered approval of the summary from their previous work session. Councilmember Ellinger participated in the discussion of this agenda item. The council voted to approve the summary of the previous work session without recorded debate or concerns raised during the meeting. **Outcome:** Approved ## Budget Amendments [timestamp: 03:00] The council considered budget amendments during the April 25, 2023 meeting. Councilmember Plomin served as the key speaker for this agenda item. The council discussed the proposed budget amendments, though specific details about the nature and scope of the amendments were not provided in the available materials. The item was presented as a resolution requiring council approval. Following discussion, the council approved the budget amendments. No concerns or objections were noted in the available records regarding this item. The budget amendments were successfully adopted by the council during this meeting. ## New Business [timestamp: 04:00] The council addressed new business items during this portion of the meeting. Councilmember Baxter served as the key speaker for this agenda item. The council discussed and took action on new business matters, though the specific details of the items presented were not detailed in the available materials. Following discussion, the council approved the new business items that were brought forward. The outcome was recorded as approved, indicating the council reached consensus on the matters presented during this segment of the meeting. ## Continuing Business/Presentations [timestamp: 05:00] The council addressed continuing business and presentations during this portion of the meeting. Mayor Linda Gorton served as the key speaker for this agenda item. The discussion included consideration of the SPOKE Award, though specific details about the award's purpose, recipients, or criteria were not provided in the available materials. This item was classified as informational in nature, indicating that no formal action or voting was required from the council members. The agenda item encompassed ongoing municipal business that required council attention or acknowledgment. As a presentation-style item, it likely involved updates on existing city initiatives, programs, or recognition ceremonies that fall under the council's purview. No specific concerns were raised during this discussion, and the item concluded without requiring any formal council action or decision-making. The informational nature of this agenda item suggests it served to keep council members informed about ongoing city business and ceremonial matters such as the SPOKE Award. --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the April 27, 2023 Council meeting docket - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket, a resolution of the Urban County Council, directing the Mayor, on behalf of the Urban County Council, to Execute a subordination agreement for the property at 161 N. Mill Street, which was transferred to LexArts, Inc. on December 14, 2021, acknowledging that the restrictions as imposed on the General Warranty Deed are subordinate to the mortgage of Republic Bank & Trust Company - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor or her designee, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to execute and submit an Opportunity Kentucky Grant application to LG&E/KU, to provide any additional information required in connection with this grant application, to accept this grant if it is awarded, which grant funds are in the amount of up to $200,000.00 and are for infrastructure development in the Legacy Business Park, the acceptance of which obligates the Urban County Government to the expenditure of a 100% local match to the funds awarded, and to take any further action necessary related to the grant; and further authorizing the Mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. I also request that this Resolution receive two readings at the Council Meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023 - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the April 18, 2023 work session summary - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve budget amendments - **Motion** — passed (0-0): postpone budget journal 140645-46 to the May 2. 2023 work session - **Motion** — passed (0-0): the remaining budget amendments on pages 6 and 7 (journals 140647-48, 140649, 140651, 140652, 140653, 140654, 140655) to the May 2, 2023 work session - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve new business - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve neighborhood development funds - **Motion** — passed (0-0): amend the NDF list to increase the amount to Arts Connect to $1,000 - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve council capital projects - **Motion** — passed (0-0): refer the Crown Act to the General Government and Planning 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 4:21pm --- ## Full transcript Music Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. ¶¶ ¶¶ Thank you. And the first item on our agenda is public comment for issues on the agenda. And it looks like we do not have any of those. So we'll move right along to requested rezonings and docket approval. If I could have a motion. Second. Thank you. Council Member Plowman moves. Council Member Baxter, did you second? Who seconded? Council Member Legree seconded. Okay, are there any questions, additions to the docket? Council Member Sheehan, did you have a motion for the docket? Thank you, Mayor. I don't have a motion, but I need to recuse from two of the items that would be in the approval list. Under second readings, there's items seven and eight. This is second reading of resolutions. They are both related to University of Kentucky, and because of my affiliation there, I need to recuse from those. Okay. Thank you. Councilmember Legree. Mayor, I have a walk on. Is this an appropriate time or should I wait? It is, absolutely. Okay, excellent. I moved to place on the docket for the Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 Council Work Session, a resolution of the Urban County Council directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Council to execute a subordination agreement for the property at 161 North Mill Street, which was transferred to LexArts Incorporated on December 14th, 2021, acknowledging that the restrictions as imposed on the general warranty deed are subordinate to the mortgage of Republic Bank and Trust Company. So moved. There's a second by Councilmember Reynolds. Any questions, comments? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. Motion to walk on. I move to place on the docket for today's work session a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor or her designee on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit an Opportunity Kentucky grant application to LG and E and KU slash KU to provide any additional information required in connection with this grant application. to accept this grant if it is awarded, which grant funds are in the amount of up to $200,000 and are for infrastructure development in the Legacy Business Park, the acceptance of which obligates the urban county government to the expenditure of a 100% local match to the funds awarded and to take any further action necessary related to the grant, and further authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. I also request that this resolution receives two readings at the council meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023. So moved. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Are there questions or comments? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Anything else for the docket? All right. All those in favor of approving the docket as amended, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Could I have a motion, please, to approve the April 18th Council Work Session motions? Council Member Gray moves. Second. Council Member Sevigny seconds. Are there any questions, corrections, additions? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Okay, that motion passes. Could I please have an amendment, a motion to approve budget amendments? Move to approve. Second. Council Member Ellinger moves. Council Member Sheehan seconds and log in, please, with your questions. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I'll make a motion to postpone journal entry 140645-46 to the May 2nd work session. So moved. Second. Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Hello. That motion passed. So that journal is part of the pre-funding, but the 647, 48, 49, all of those would also need to be postponed because the funding is being put place in that first one and then the rest of those as well. Okay. All right. So does everybody understand in order to do the one that's postponed, it takes the other, the next three? Is that correct, Melissa? Looks like maybe eight. The rest of the page, down to the budget amendment summary. Yeah, pages six and seven. They'll need to be postponed also. Thank you. Do we need to amend that motion to include those? How about a new motion? Okay. Since that one passed. All right, so may I make a motion to include those corresponding journal entries to be postponed to May 2nd as well? Second. All right, thank you. So that second by Council Member Ellinger. So that so everybody understands if you look at page six, that postpones the bottom two and then you go to page seven and it postpones to one, two, three, four, the next the final five. Okay, just so everybody's clear. All right, we have a motion and a second. Are there any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Does anyone else have anything about budget amendments? I see nothing. So all those in favor of approving budget amendments as amended, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. For your information only, council members, are the budget adjustments on pages 8 and 9. And then that takes us to new business. Could I have a motion? Moved it for a second. Thank you. Council Member Baxter moves. Council Member Legree seconds. If you have questions, please log in. Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. And this would be for the letter E. And Mr. Martin or Commissioner Albright? Welcome, Director Martin. Mr. Martin, I just had some questions for just a little clarification and some background on this for the public and also for our newer council members. But last time we did this, what year was this, the Cerability Study? And did we also use Stantec? The last study was done in 2006, and it was done by a different firm. A different firm? Yes. Okay, I wasn't clear on that. And do you have a projection on when this should be completed? I think the scope has six meetings in it starting in May. So we should be done by October, because I know that they need to have this in order to make other decisions regarding the comp plan by the end of this year. Okay. Okay, and my last question on this is, so why are we doing this? I mean, what is the intent of what we want to accomplish? I mean, I'm not necessarily the right person to ask that, but the Gulfport Workgroup had met all last year, as you know, regarding discussions about whether or not we needed to increase the urban service area. And a big underlying question of whether or not that can happen or not is the ability to be able to provide public sewers. It is basically the foundation of any other type of development that you would do in an urban area. And since the last study was done in 2006, a lot has changed, obviously, and especially because of the consent decree. So when I spoke to that group on a couple of different occasions last summer, it became very apparent that we needed to do the updated study so they could have current information in order to be able to make long-term decisions. Okay, so this study will assist in looking at the assessment moving forward on any expansion opportunities. As best as what six months will allow us to do. I mean, there's obviously layers that you'll have to pull back, but at least it'll give you, I think, a solid platform in order to be able to make future decisions. Great, thank you for your answers. I have one more, Mayor. Okay. And that's the next letter, and that's F. And that has to do with the software program that assists in monitoring and reporting on complaints, etc. I think Major LeMans is here to answer. And this is a new software program, is that correct? It's new for us, yes. Thank you for the question. Okay, and I just wanted to hear a little bit more about how it works and what its goals are. That software, it's called IAPro. It's also going to allow us to track any complaints that we have against staff, any complaints that we have from the public, as well as track any response to resistance that we may encounter in a way that's better than what we do now. That was one of the things identified in the NIC report for something for us to look at moving forward as far as how we track, how we review any response to resistance or use of force incidents. This is going to help us and be able to look at the bigger picture instead of just specific incidents by instance and try to predict behavior moving forward. And so this is something that other cities or institutions and cities use as a method to- Our city actually uses it with the police department. That's where we got the idea from it. I think I read that. Okay, I read that. Yes, ma'am. I applaud that. I think it sounds great. I just wanted to find out a little bit more about it, that scenario. I got a demo of it today, again, just to refresh myself on it, because we've been trying to get this program for a while. And I'm excited about it, if we're able to get this software. Good. Maybe we can even get a presentation on it. Absolutely. Interesting to see what it does. Super. Thank you so much for your answers. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Fred Brown. Thank you, Mayor. Director Martin, can you come back up? I want to follow up on Council Member Plowman. I had some questions there. the sewer study that was done in 2006 I guess that encompasses land outside of the urban services boundary is that correct? Right there was some areas that had been identified as far as back to the rural land management plan that was done like in 1999 or something like that so there were specific areas that are considered to be maybe tributary to the existing area because you know obviously want sewers to flow into a common area so we're using those areas as the launching point using the 2006 study as the basis but then modifying it to uh to basically reflect today's reality is there a map out there that shows the uh the land that is already sewer available because i understand there is outside of the urban services area especially along interstate there's there's already sewers available is that not correct if it's outside the urban service area it's typically not available anything that we service outside the boundary is typically happened because this body approved it such as the airport keeneland horse park what have you they are all very controlled about who can connect to those or not. So, you know, this study is to evaluate areas that are currently not in the urban service area, but that have the potential to have, be added to the urban service area so they can receive public services. But they already, some of them are sewered already. Some are, but like I said, that within the, we'll use Blue Sky as an example. Yeah, that's a good example. Yeah, is that within the confines of that rural activity center that you can connect to that. But if you're sitting adjacent to that boundary, my understanding has always been that you cannot connect to it unless that is approved via some type of resolution by the council. Okay. All right. Thank you. Council Member Gray. Thank you, Mayor. I have a question regarding letter H. So could Director Conrad? How'd you get yours? I would just like to have some more information about what the plans are for these $23,000 and some dollars. Yes, thank you, Council Member. So this was a grant given by the Trust for Public Land, and we are working with our partner Box to Box to expand programming for Congolese immigrants. children in middle and high school, as well as incorporating them into our therapeutic recreation and our community summer treatment program. So this will allow expansion of programs while also allowing different folks to integrate with each other on summer programming. That's so wonderful. It's great to hear about that. Thank you. That's all, ma'am. Thank you. Council Member LeGree. Thank you, Mayor. I have a question about item A. Director Carey, if you're here, especially as we're headed into Bike Month in May, I'm wondering if you can share with us a little bit more about this program. Sure, so these are lesson plans that are developed and taught by our KAEE, Kentucky Association for Environmental Educators, our contract employees. And one of those is focused on transportation related educational opportunities. And part of that is the bike month. And that involves continuing our partnership with Safety City, but then also in school bike safety lessons, loaning out our bike library that we've now got in place, and items along that line. Thank you. Can you tell me where the bike library is located? A little bit about that? We house it at our facility at the Old Furrows building on Versailles Road, but it's on a trailer, so it's mobile, and we can take it to various events or to schools. and loan out the bikes to the students. Great. Thank you. And while you're up here, and I think Mr. Bush is here as well, I have a question about C. I have a lot of residents who write in about fixing solar to city buildings as a really positive initiative. Is there anything else you'd like to share about this particular project? Is it part of a series? It is part of our energy improvement fund, funding that we have realized in savings on other energy efficiency products or projects that we've completed. And a lot of that in the past has gone to changes in lighting from incandescent to LED. But over the past year we've really started focusing on implementing solar at some of our facilities. And I'll let James specifically speak to the police west facility. You sensed he was back there. Good summary. Thank you. This particular project, a seed was planted when the roof was redone in 2019, working with a little more progressive consultant on that job. We incorporated a solar study just to demonstrate the opportunity, and we did some prefabrication to make this project easier. So I've been waiting for it for a while. Being an older facility, we were a little more cautious on the structural integrity of that roof, which did need some repairs. And then it being a flat roof, that was new to us as well. So this is a ballasted system rather than something you affix or screw into the roof membrane. and so we have we just proceed a little slower than normal. This will be the city's largest array at 30kw on the array system and I'm excited to start. We have a bid before you this week for approval. Thank you. I'm excited about this project. Thank you for sharing some more details. I appreciate that. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Sevigny. Thank you, Mayor. I have a question for you, too. It's also on C, and I'm excited that we're doing this. Is this building, though, like I believe in the mayor's budget, we're looking at a new training fire police conjunction facility, and I don't know if this building would be affected or not, and if it is, my guess is we can remove solar panels. and move them to someplace else? Correct. Panels themselves and inverters are relatively easy to move. Again, we just re-roofed this in 2019 with the intent that it has a future use lifespan compatible with the array we're installing. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Any other new business questions? All right, all those in favor? Oh, Council Member Worley just slipped in. Thank you, Mayor. Sorry for the late sign-in there. Director Martin, would you mind to come back up? I have one follow-up question. I want to make sure I understood what you told Council Member Fred Brown there. So as you're walking, so as I make sure I understand the answer, so there are, in fact, because of other projects that we've done throughout the years, there are in fact areas not within the urban services area that are sewered but the only reason they they are not serviced or that sewer been tapped into is because of regulations related to the urban services area or the rural services area is that what i understood my impression of always has been is that that in trying to maintain the integrity of the urban service boundary is that we prohibited the the extension of public sewers into those areas the exceptions are some of the ones i mentioned before all of them had packaged treatment plants individual treatment plants that serve those facilities and over the years they quit working they fell into disrepair and so rather than trying to build a new facility and deal with all the permitting and things that go along with that they approached the council how they do things to say please connect us to your system so since i've been here the big one was was the horse park they they what came to the council in early 2000 i believe it was they paid for the improvement and connected it to lexington system but the agree there's a master agreement that governs who can connect to it and who can't and all the rest of them are kind of set up the same way so similarly blue sky would be i think was the yeah we settled that one as part of the consent decree but yes that was an abandoned treatment plant that we operated on an interim basis for 11 years so just again there there are in fact sewer infrastructure in certain areas outside of the urban services area currently correct yes and so using blue sky as an example that is our infrastructure we own it we built it and so if it were decided that we wanted to sewer areas that are where that that pipeline is that's what the study is intended to do is decide how that could be done and at what cost I think he said this October six months yeah so I think that answered my question so to make sure I understood that there are in fact sewer infrastructure pump stations lines everything that extend beyond the urban service area currently yes sir in certain areas yeah thank you and Charlie are you mentioned blue sky are all of them rural activity centers um you know I don't think so I'm I'm not so sure I know always exactly the definition. So, you know, it's the airport, Keeneland, Spindletop, the Horse Park, Blue Sky, Boonesboro Manor, even Jesmond County. Well, there is that. Yeah, so not all of them, I think, fit that category, but they all had kind of unique circumstances. circumstances that goes back to they originally had an on-site treatment system that served the facility for decades, and when it fell in disrepair, we were the better option. Thank you. All right. Council Member James Brown. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Charlie? Since we're at it, might as well. So will this study, will it inform us or better inform us in regards to future treatment facilities where that may be located based off of gravity and where growth is taking place in this city? That would be my intention, is that it would be multi-purpose. First of all, is can areas be served that utilize our existing infrastructure, existing capacity? Secondly, is that if that can't be done, then how do you provide treatment, whether it be through a treatment system located serving that area or potentially other customers? You know, as you get to Georgetown or Winchester, that's on the table. Maybe you look at that to see whether or not they could serve those areas if that were so the desire to. But it's a question of how to do it and how much it costs in today's number, not how to pay for it. That's not part of the study. Yeah. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Anybody else? All right. All those in favor of approving new business, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. Thank you. We'll go on to continuing business. Council Member Legree, did you have something? I'm sorry. Okay, sure, did you want to make a motion to approve NDF? May I would, and I'd like to make an amendment to one of the NDF amounts. Okay, could I first, thank you. Move. Second. Sorry. We have a motion and a second to approve NDF, and then I'll call on Hannah Legree, Council Member Hannah, well, who has an amendment. Thank you, Mayor, sorry for any confusion on that. grace um i i'd like to make a motion to amend and change the ndf amount on page 22 for arts connect incorporated i would like to raise this amount to one thousand dollars for arts connect for their downtown plain air paint the town event so moved all right council member ellinger seconds are Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Any other amendments to the Neighborhood Development Fund list on page 22 and 23? All right. All those in favor of approving the NDFs as amended, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Could I have a motion, please, on the council capital projects? No. Council Member Reynolds moves. Council Member Plowman seconds. Are there questions, comments, anything about capital? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Now it's time for our annual spoke award. Okay, this is pretty exciting and this is an award for one of our urban county government employees. So I'd like to ask three people to join me at the podium. Kelly Farley, Jennifer Sutton, and Stacy Maynard. She just said I'm naughty, it's not me. Okay, good. This is a total surprise, and it always is, to whoever the employee is. And so I am really very proud right now to present this year's SPOKE Award. SPOKE stands for skilled, professional, outstanding, knowledgeable, and exceptional. It honors city employees who exhibit a high level of commitment, initiative, and dedication to their job responsibilities. And this award is selected by the employees. And this year's recipient is an individual who's an integral part of our government. Someone who knows what it means to be a great leader, supervisor, and public servant. And it is my honor this year to present the spoke award to our council administrator, Stacy Maynard. Thank you. Very good. I thought it was Chief Wells. That's what they told me. So as council administrator, Stacey serves as the liaison between the urban county council and the rest of government, meaning she has a lot on her plate. In 2011, when I was vice mayor, we interviewed several people for the position, and we hired Stacey as our council administrator. She has worked with seven different councils, three different mayors, and numerous employees. I think everybody in government knows you. I think so. Yes. And I have my cell phone number. And so it goes without saying that Stacey is committed to her job and her community. And she is always dedicated to moving our city forward. So, Stacy, I think you know this, but I, for one, and I know council members will want to chime in too, so appreciate your long, dedicated service to our government and to our community. And you make all of our jobs easier. And I want to thank you for that. Jennifer Sutton and Kelly Farley nominated Stacey for the Spoke Award, and I would like them to say a couple words about maybe why they nominated you. Okay. Okay? All right. Kelly? Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Stacey. Stacy demonstrates exactly what it means to be a great leader, supervisor, public servant, and the very best of LFUCG employees. She recognizes the work of government rarely rests, supporting council members and their aides on nights, weekends, during holidays. She gives council her very best every day and consistently looks for ways to improve our processes. Without Stacey's exceptional abilities, crucial government functions would not run as smoothly as they do. Stacey is also responsible for maintaining and passing along institutional knowledge to our new council members and staff through orientations, trainings, management, and relationship building. The successful transition of leadership every two to four years would not be possible without her ability to manage these tasks. This year, these skills have been more important than ever after welcoming five new council members and a vice mayor. Perfection, a characteristic she exemplifies, is a crucial element of her work and the policy and legislative functions of LFUCG. With the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, Stacey was an integral part of developing a way for council to meet via teleconference so government business could continue. She acted swiftly during those early stages of online public input and overcame those challenges and worked to provide alternatives to council so they could receive the valuable input from this community during an unprecedented time. Public engagement has also been at the forefront of Stacey's career with the city council, and she is constantly innovating ways for the public to productively interact with you guys. She has created a new council office newsletter that shares community-wide information and has revamped the LFUCG Council Facebook, reaching nearly 31,000 accounts since January of 23 as compared to only 9,000 accounts for the same period in 22. Even now, Stacey is working collaboratively with partners to improve public comment and the legislative tracking process. Beyond the functions of her role as a council administrator, Stacey exemplifies what it means to be an excellent manager and leader. She is highly supportive of her staff, both professionally and personally. She is quick to help us problem solve and ensure we are adequately supported and successful in our positions. She is also genuinely interested in our growth and development. Stacey's unique ability to combine her soft skills and her technical skills to propel LFUCG's governmental functions forward should be celebrated and recognized. She has been a constant force for LFUCG for over a decade, and her dedication to this position has made it easier for government employees and Lexington residents to interact with each other. Ultimately, due to Stacey's steadfast commitment to LFUCG, the residents of Lexington can engage efficiently and trust in the democratic integrity of their local government. We can think of no one more deserving of the Spoke Award. Congratulations, Stacey. Thank you. Thank you. Do you want to say a few words? We're going to ask Stacey if she wants to say a few words. so I can't say many words if you all know me you know I'm a crier so I'm totally shocked and surprised and I couldn't do it every day without you guys but especially these girls behind me and this one over here so thank you all Thank you. Do you want to get a picture? Sure. That's a baby boy. That's a baby. Thank you. Thank you. All right, thank you. And now we'll move on to council reports. Council members, I did see Vice Mayor Wu right at the top. What happened? Okay, well, can we put you back up there where I spoke? are you? Thank you, Mayor. I'm not usually in a hurry to jump on the mic, but I kind of am tonight. There are six of us up here that have been here for less than four months, and I'm going to speak for myself, but I think I echo a lot of our sentiments here. It is not an easy job to usher in a transition, first of all, every couple of years. It is not easy to usher in a transition for six brand new people five brand new council members and a brand new vice mayor um i think i text with you on an hourly basis for about the first two months and at some point i had to tell stacy if i text you at 10 at night you don't have to answer it and then at 10 05 she answers it um just the level of dedication and support to get us on our feet to literally answer every question we had, and we had a lot of questions. And it is not easy, I don't know how to put it another way, it's not easy having 15 different bosses and 15 different people who expect things out of you with different agendas, different working styles, different attitudes. It is not an easy job, and you do it really, really well with patience and with hustle and with creativity and figuring out ways around problems that sometimes don't feel like we can figure it out. I really, really appreciate you, and I couldn't say more good things about you, so thank you. Thank you. Very nice. Councilmember Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. First, I also want to extend my congratulations to Stacey. It has been a pleasure to work with you over the last few years and as someone who is detail oriented I appreciate all of your emails and all of the efforts that you put in to everything that you do so thank you for that. And then separate from that now that the weather is warming up I have concerned residents reaching out to my office because they are seeing golf carts operated on the road in unsafe ways particularly by children and teenagers that are under the driving age So I asked Commander Greathouse to come and speak with us quickly to clarify what the current laws are around golf cart use, but then also to correct some misinformation about a state law that's related. So go ahead. So KRS 189-286 actually outlines the provisions that are required for a golf cart, and the local government actually has to take action and regulate those by creating an ordinance or some kind of permitting process for those. So right now you cannot drive those in Fayette County on the roadway. Even if you could, you have to be over 16. So our current regulations do not allow for them on roads or sidewalks or in public areas like that? That is correct. Okay. And that KRS statute is really about allowing us to adopt an ordinance, but we have not done that at this time. That is correct. Okay. And then what would you suggest for folks if they do see an unsafe situation, like maybe younger folks driving them around a neighborhood or something, how would you suggest they? They can call our non-emergency line and report that, and we'll dispatch an officer out there. Okay. Thank you very much. I'll turn it back over to all the Stacey accolades. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member LaGree? Thank you, Mayor. Stacey, get ready. There are a lot of people signed in to talk. I want to add my voice to the appreciation and the congratulations that I know so many of our colleagues are going to share for this award. It's really well-deserved. You know, I have to say I am really appreciative to you on a daily level for the ways in which you're organized, you're focused, you're compassionate, And you're supportive of us and your staff and our community at large. It's difficult to stay curious and creative over such a long period of time and with so many issues that are vying for our attention all the time. And with our public input process and even just with my own transition onto council last term, It's been such a joy to get to work with you. So thank you for all of the ways in which you improve the work of council, and for the ways that you collaborate with us to make us more proficient at our jobs and within our processes. I know that it takes a lot of emotional intelligence and A lot of attention to detail and consideration to do the work that you do. I can't even imagine all of, like you said, all the people who have your phone number, the texts and the inquiries you get. So thank you for that. And like council member Sheehan, I'll add a little buffer in, a small announcement. I want to do a challenge for May to our colleagues. As I mentioned briefly earlier, May is National Bike Month. Council Member Ellinger, I think you're prepared for this. You have a couple of kits and a couple of bikes. But I would love it if people are game for this. If you're out on your bike in May and you're able to snap some pictures of yourself or people in your district biking and enjoying, or even if you're with children or family members who are biking, it would be wonderful to share some of those images of council members and their families and their friends out and about on bikes. I know not everybody rides a bike, but if you do and you want to partake, it's a fun part of May. So that's my small challenge. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Gray. Thank you, Mayor. Stacey, I'll start with you. Thank you. This is such a well-deserved award. You have been so welcoming and so patient with me. I thought it was just me texting you at all times, huh? Turns out it's everybody else. But I want to say thank you for every single thing that you've done for me in my office and the HR work that you've helped me with along the way and just the encouragement. You've made this right as a city councilwoman. thus far be extremely smooth. So thank you for all that you do, but you will do for us because it's going to keep going on. But carrying on to my council report, it's been an extremely busy time for me. First off, I would like to say thank you to the administrators and educators at William Wells Brown that invited me to speak to their students. And as many of you all know, I love speaking to our next generation of leaders. That's my favorite thing to do. And to the young man, to the little boy, third grader, who said that, you know, he wants to be a superhero. Son, little boy, leader, you are already a superhero. You have all the superpowers that you need within you. It's just the way that you think about the tasks ahead of you. Change the way you think, and you can achieve almost anything. Almost. So moving on, later on on Friday, it was a pleasure to meet with Mitzi and Aaron of the Andover Forest neighborhood, who invited me to learn about the wonderful environmental endeavors they've done in their neighborhood. They've done a great work there. Later on that day, or later on that day, it's not pictured there, I was able to go celebrate my colleague and friend, Shayla Lynch, at her performance in the play for the Children's Theater. Excellent job. But on Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Mayor's Neighborhood Summit, where I learned about the new, I guess, the FLOC system combined with the BUSIS program, along with parking recs and other items that were spoken about that day. Later on that afternoon, I swiftly left and I joined the residents of the Joyland Neighborhood Association to clean up their Mary Todd Park. Although Mary Todd is no longer in the 12th District, I felt it was my duty to join them to help clean up part of our district or part of our neighborhood there. And later on that same day, I had the joy, the pleasure to attend the Antonio Franklin Jr. Peace Walk. Anita Franklin is someone that I call friend, and she is missed every single day. But she left a footprint in Lexington to do good work and to speak up for those who have, like me, my family, haven't experienced gun violence. Losing a loved one to gun violence is one of the worst things to deal with. And it's especially hard when it has not been solved. So thank you, Sheriff Kathy Witt, Ricardo, and everyone else for your leadership in continuing Anita Franklin's dream, her work. Thank you. Thank you. Is that all that I have? That's everything. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. You had a very busy weekend. Every day. Yes. Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. Stacey, congratulations. I, like everyone, want to talk about how well deserved that award is. I think to a casual observer, they don't see the complexity of this government. They don't see the complexity of this council's work and how intense it can be. And to Vice Mayor Wu's point, they don't see the complexity of these 15 individuals. We're a complex bunch with a lot of different needs and demands. and you are always there, whether it be I can't log in to vote, I was registered absent because I was late, can you get me put back on the record, to I have a significant need in my district for a constituent or a neighborhood that needs something processed in a more timely fashion to make sure that we're able to help them. And without you, we wouldn't be able to do the complex work that we do and we wouldn't be able to help our constituents the way that we do. And speaking of constituents, I am very proud that you are one of mine. So from your council member particularly, congratulations. And then, Mayor, on a sadder note, but I feel it should be brought up because our former colleague, Bill Farmer, was always the first to be so eloquent in addressing when our community has experienced a loss. If you'll excuse me. And unfortunately, Bill lost his wife over the weekend. And so Kim was a wonderful and adorable person, and Council Member Farmer adored her. And so our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. So I think that should be noted. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, it was a busy weekend. I won't rehash every event. Well, maybe just a couple. But the Celebrity Curtain Call, you know, some of the events that I attended this weekend, they're fun events, but they support a great cause in our community. The Celebrity Curtain Call on Friday night, our very own Council Member Lynch did a great job in her performance, but they support the Lexington Children Theater and that cause. the next day the peace walk I think the sheriff and Anita Franklin's children son and daughter are doing a great job carrying on her legacy supporting the survivors of gun violence and continuing to be a beacon of light for folks that want to address that cause you know it was several council members there council member Fogle spoke at the podium representing the council council member Gray and Lynch council member Legree and also council member Reynolds was there Great event. Council Member Reynolds had to leave that event early because she was dancing later on that night, dancing with the Lexington Stars at that event. I don't have any pictures, so hopefully you got some more video. But needless to say, I think everybody knows she took home the title. She represented our council well, represented all her past dance professors well as she executed. But the cause that that event supported was surgery on Sunday that provides medical services for a lot of people in our community, which is also great. And on Sunday, I had the privilege or the opportunity to go to Keeneland with the Ed Brown Society. Ray Daniels, Greg Harbit have a nonprofit that creates entry points for minorities in the equine industry through scholarships and internships. That was just a great opportunity to experience Keeneland and the thoroughbred horse racing industry here in Lexington on Sunday. What a lot of good folks. Stacey, well deserved. You do a great job working with all of us, having 15 people pulling on you, having another 15 people pulling on you, and then coordinating and working between the administration and the council. Every time we meet, you and your team have a hand in it. Every time we don't meet or meet outside of this chamber, you have a hand in it and have to coordinate it. It was good to see your family here. I haven't seen your son in photos, but he looks just like he does in the photo. Good-looking family. So thank you for all you do, and congratulations on that. And then Councilmember Bill Farmer and what he's going through right now, and I appreciate Councilmember Worley bringing it up. He was the first to acknowledge others and what they did and making sure that we shared that they were in our thoughts and prayers. And right now him and his family are in our thoughts and prayers, and we'll be thinking about him as we move, as we go forward. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. I think there's so much going on right now that I could just keep going and going and going. So I'm going to just be brief with several different comments. First, I want to say thank you to Stacey for more than anything for your patience. You are extremely kind and patient with many different groups of elected officials. and we are not an easy bunch to deal with, and we all have big, different personalities, and you still find a way to help us every day and stay kind. And so I just want to thank you for that and congratulate you. And then we've been talking about domestic violence awareness, and you'll see that we have these ribbons on, and I know we might talk more about that later. But yesterday I was part of the campaign, and I know some of my colleagues were as well, to record a pledge about why it's time to stop domestic violence. And I just wanted to say from the heart that not all domestic violence looks like scars. And that some people are dealing with a lot of emotional trauma from other types of abuse. And so I hope that we will be sensitive to this and that when we're talking to our friends, we'll listen to what they have to say and take their words seriously and be there to help. And then on a lighter note, I think we've all been running around like crazy. I tried to clone myself, and it didn't work to go to so many amazing events happening in the city this Saturday. But in Valley Park, and I couldn't get a picture of the group because the massive group of people that were there were at the creek cleaning up. But a ton of people showed up for the clean sweep and Bluegrass Green Source and folks from Cardinal Valley Elementary and the park board were all there. And they did a fantastic job cleaning up the creek in Valley Park. And so it was good to see them. And then I did also stop by the Antonio Franklin Peace Walk. And I just would encourage community members who haven't gone to something like that to go, because it really is impactful to hear stories from people that have been directly affected by gun violence. Sometimes we just see it on TV and we don't understand its impact. So I love hanging out with my constituents there. and hearing people's stories, being challenged by that. Then I did have to run over to the Carrick House to participate with Dancing with the Lexington Stars. So this photo is with a professional, Anna Trebunskaia. She danced on the actual Dancing with the Stars multiple times, and she was one of the judges, and I got to take a lesson from her, And, you know, sometimes in life we get lucky. And I have just been so fortunate that throughout my entire life I have gotten to do things that I love. And being on council is my very favorite thing. And dancing is also my very favorite thing. And being able to help raise money for the Rotary Endowment Fund, which gives money to local charities and dance, was really amazing. um so uh i danced salsa with a professional there that's duncan and um we got the overall award for both raising money and dancing and so that was uh super exciting it was a beautiful wonderful night um that's my mom who i talked about a few weeks ago that i didn't have a picture of and that's hunter lyle who owns arthur murray which is located in the 11th district and um it was it It was really just a fabulous event. And there's Mary Diane Hanna, the judge executive. So there are two elected officials that danced that night. So thanks for Councilmember James Brown for being there and to my colleagues that were so supportive. I am not gonna show the video. So if you wanna watch the video, you can go to my personal Facebook page. And it's a public post, the video is there. I know some of you wanted me to perform tonight, but it's not happening. So thank you very much. Yeah. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. That was great. Council Member Lynch. Thank you, Mayor. I move to place into the General Government and Planning Committee a proposed ordinance known as the Crown Act relating to non-discrimination based on natural hair, texture, styles, and coverings. So moved. Second. Second by Council Member Gray. Any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. I also want to uplift yesterday the governor christened a new Kentucky Poet Laureate, and our new Kentucky Poet Laureate is a Lexingtonian. The outgoing woman, Crystal Wilkinson, was also Lexingtonian, and our new one is a Lexingtonian, Mr. Silas House. I'm very excited that he's going to represent not only Lexington, but the entire Commonwealth as he has his tenure as the Kentucky Poet Laureate. So I want to lift that up to you today. And then lastly, Stacy, you're just the bomb.com. You are the bomb. Not that I could say more, but you were very critical in my transition onto council. And same as vice mayor, I tend to work late hours. and every email that I sent after midnight, you somehow still responded, even though you didn't have to. So I just appreciate all that you do to help. You helped me and LaShawn to transition into these new roles, and just know that we super appreciate you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilmember Fred Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I will share also congratulations to Stacey. I've been around a little longer than some of the other council members, not all of them, but and Stacy's been here and been available, accessible, and I like that in a leader, and I like somebody that can help me do my job better. And I appreciate you and your staff. I don't always call on you personally because I've got a real good legislative aide that does a lot of work in that area, but anyway, you've always been accessible, So congratulations. Well deserved. And on a sadder note, Bill, Kim, was his partner. And Bill's a friend. I've served several years on the council with Bill and got to know him. And he really became family away from maybe his private family. But he was family to me. And so my thoughts and prayers are to you, Bill, your family, the loss of your partner in life. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. And, Stacey, you deserve all the credit you received. But, actually, the credit goes to the mayor and I because we were on the search committee back in 2011 that hired you. And we made a really good decision back then. and every day it's proved to be better and better. It's not an easy job that you do to keep 15 council members, aides, council staff, work administration, but you do a great job. And one of the best things I've ever done on this council is recommend you use the full council, and I'm so glad that you have been with us all these years. So thank you. Hannah, I'll try not to post too many pictures here because I've been told I have enough pictures in my bike kit outfits that nobody wants to see that, so I'll try to not post too many of those out there. Jennifer, congratulations on winning. You did a great job, and go look at the video. She is quite the dancer. You deserved it, and congratulations. Plus, you all raised a lot of money, so congratulations. And on a personal note, it is hard to talk about Bill and Kim because they were such a great couple. And Kim's going to be missed and my thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family. There's going to be a mass on Monday at 11 o'clock at Christ the King. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Fogle. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I would like to say thank you, Stacey. I knew I was going to be crazy the first 30 days, let alone 120, so I sent Tyler. You have been the best from a coffee pot to how do I do this pro card and paperwork. So the highest praise that I can give you is to rename you. little Sally Hamilton Jr. That's my praise to you. And CM will agree, if somebody was to drive past the Y and I'm on the stationary bike, will that count? Because I'm not going to get on the roadway. I think we can count that. Okay, can you count that? I can be the stationary bike. Do you want me to drive by and take a picture? At the Y, yeah. Loudon. Okay. I wanted to get that passed. And so I went to the black LGBTQ performances at the Lyric this weekend. They were raising money for AVOL, HIV, and AIDS, and that was spectacular. And also last night was BUILD. You can go past that picture. I sing with St. Peter Clavers, and that was the church. that sung the hymns in the opening. And I walked in, and Father Norman, I sat down, and Father Norman directed me to get up in the choir. So that's how I ended up in the choir before I took the stage. And that's all I want to say about that. But it was a great night. The council was there. We stood up. We represented. I believe it was 1,200 to 1,500 people were present. at this event. The people spoke. It was absolutely phenomenal. And that is what we are here for is to listen to our constituents, listen to the folks who showed up and everybody else around the community. And so I think in my last two minutes, I was going to ask Mr. Lantern a couple of questions just to put it on record. And I know you can't If you'll come to the podium in two minutes, I just want to get some of them out. So that, and I want to make this statement too. I'm not against a mediation that is being proposed to us, but I just needed some questions to be answered to the council. And that is, what does the request of the proposal look like? And can you send a final proposal highlighting how the final amount was established to pay the attorneys and the equal justice system? And can you send us data from the housing? Like, one question, if you have this answer, how many of the ten people were able to keep their homes? Like, it was four months, there was ten families. Did all ten folks, were they able to keep their homes after the mediation? I don't have that information in front of me, but I'll get it to you. Yes, sir. And the other thing was how did we get to the total of 1.9 million and how did we divide that up? I just want to put that, and you and I had a great meeting on Friday. So I'm looking forward to working with you. I'm just a little fuzzy on how the money is spent. I made the statement before. When you grow up poor and your mom says everything you take and you put on that plate, you have to eat. You cannot waste anything. I don't want our council to waste anything. And if it's for the betterment of the folks to keep their house, I'm all for it. but if people are going to be evicted anyway and we're paying a lot of money to council then i'm not for that but so i just wanted to put that um and i'm not going to put you on the spot right now unless you have something that you would like to say i think a couple of those questions i may have sent you answers to and i just need to highlight where that's at and what we sent you but we'll be be glad to get you the answers to any question you have. And I assure you this is not a waste of money. I assure you that this program prevents evictions, and in cases where it can't prevent evictions, it facilitates a better outcome. Yes, sir. And I just don't want to pay for, I just don't want us to pay for keeping an eviction off of someone's record. I hope that's not the, so what I read, that's what it looks like. It's not the only goal, but it is one of the goals of the program because that's important. If someone has an eviction on their record, nobody will rent to them. And so if we can keep an eviction off someone's record, that is a crucial intervention to be able to help them stay housed in the future. Yes, sir. And I'll check with Preston, my advisor on council. If the judge has that in her discretion, that she can already just say, we're going to extend this person's eviction to 30 days, and I am going to write in the order that the eviction not show up on the record. So if it's something that simple that she may be able to do, then we shouldn't pay a million dollars for the attorneys to tell us. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. Stacey, there's not a whole lot that can be said that hasn't already, so I'm going to just say a couple of things. Thank you, and I'm sorry. I feel like I'm one of the ones who texts you at all hours of the day and night. But seriously, I do want to thank you for your commitment to problem solving. There's not one thing that I've come to you with that you haven't thought about it hard and thought about alternative solutions or me throw a crazy idea at you and you not have a solution immediately. So I thank you for all of your hard work and support for us. And then I would also like to invite anyone in the community or anyone who has small children to come out to Joseph Beth Booksellers this Saturday to celebrate Independent Bookseller Day. I will be reading some picture books, so don't get too excited. They should be easy ones. From 11 to 1130 in the children's reading area. But I'll be reading some books that one of my dear friends wrote. So that should be fun and a good experience. And then finally, I do want to offer my condolences to Bill and his family. I just want him to know that he's in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. I'm just going to gang on you, Stacey, and just once again say great, great job. The first person that I heard from after I won the election was Stacey. and she gave me all my paperwork and she was like, get this in. And I was afraid. Like when I spoke to her, I was like, oh my, I better get this stuff in. So I got it in. And then I want to thank you for everything you do. And you also went an extra mile for the staff that are here. And you made a solid recommendation in Alicia to be my aide. And I can't thank you enough for that. It has made my transition tremendously easy. And I think that that's a great model behavior to promote your people and tell people how good they are and be supportive. So I truly appreciate that. And you deserve everything you got. Thank you so much. Thank you. Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. And I just looked at the screen. I thought I was bringing up the rear, but Council Member Worley. That's okay. But when I came into office seven years ago, I was an appointment. And so I was kind of like out there by myself. And Stacy, you just held my hand through all of that. When I think of you, I just think of somebody that's so, you do it so well, sometimes people don't even get to read into what you do because you never skip a beat. And I think that we're all very lucky to have you in your position. I can't tell you how many meetings I'm at and people will say, well, ask Stacy, call Stacy, email Stacy. Because you are that glue, and I started thinking about it, maybe you're not the glue, maybe you're the super glue. Maybe you're the concrete glue, but you are the glue that keeps us all together. So thank you and congratulations. And Jennifer, Councilmember Reynolds, congratulations. My husband and I had just gotten home that night and I said, my gosh, I've got to go online and see Jennifer. So I got to watch you and then I got to hear the judge's comments about professional dancer and you could tell. And just all your steps, but congratulations. And then last, as others have said, Bill and Kim Farmer. I actually got to know Kim before Bill and she were married. So I've known her a long time, and she was a joy. She had this enthusiasm and this interest in you that really was rare. And Bill also knew him before they got married. So a wonderful couple. I'm sorry things have ended this short, but we're all thinking of you, and we'll be celebrating your life on and remembering everything on Monday, Christ the King. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. One bit of business that I forgot. Following this meeting, 5 o'clock, there's a zone change hearing this evening, and due to some clients of my firm and to avoid a perception of any potential conflict of interest, I'll be recusing from that matter and will not be participating. So if the record would state that at the beginning of that meeting as well. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Any other council comments? All right, thank you. First, on the mayor's report, we have a written report. If I could have a motion to approve. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Second by Council Member Fogel. Are there any questions about it? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right. We have the price contract bid recommendations on page 25, if I could have a motion to approve. Thank you. Council Member Baxter. Who seconded? Council Member Gray. Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. And then I have a couple other items. First of all, I regret that my chief development officer had to leave, but I will stand in and introduce to you our new workforce director. And if, Amy, will you come to the podium? You don't have to speak, but I want everybody to, I'd like the council members to meet you because I know they'll be talking with you. This is Amy Glasscock, and some of you may already know her. She comes to us from the Bluegrass ad where she spent several years working with workforce. She's very experienced, and if you want to say a couple things about yourself, we're thrilled to have you. Sure. Well, thank you, Mayor. I'm happy to be a part of this team. I've been in workforce for 18 years, about 25 years in public service. So I will be contacting each of you, and I look forward to working with you and seeing how I can help each of your districts with workforce and business. So thank you all. Great. Thank you, Amy. Thank you. Welcome aboard. She's actually been here, what, two weeks? Two weeks. Stacey, Councilmember Fred Brown will remember this, and probably Council Member Ellinger, you have outlasted every other Council Member we had from in the last 20 years. We had about five, four or five Council Administrators between 1999 and the time we hired you. I mean, I think you all need to know how special this woman is because we really just went through them kind of one after the other. Remember that? We finally settled down and got a really good one. So anyway, it's not an easy job. and you have outlasted so many others, so thank you. And then finally, I wanted to add my voice to how much we'll miss Kim Farmer. And, you know, Bill Farmer was in all those, I'm looking at Fred Brown again and Chuck, all those heavy-duty debates about the fairness ordinance, the smoking ordinance, ordinance, the rural land management plan, the PDR, the water company. And Bill, I have sort of forgotten how many years we served with Bill. It was many. And I grew to know and love Kim. And when Bill became involved with Sister Cities, she also kind of came along and they made a couple of trips with sister cities and she was just a wonderful person. We will miss her very much and I know he will too. So with that, that takes us to public comment for issues not on the agenda and we have one person who'd like to speak and two people who would like to yield their three minutes so just to recognize the people who want to yield charles morrell okay and then howard rarden they they would like to give their three minutes to rick day so you'll be our only speaker and but you have nine minutes so uh if you'll state your name and council district for the record and you'll have nine minutes welcome my name is rick day i live in the third district and i have worked for the erin county government for 23 years stacy i don't know you but i have worked here as i said and i'm sure that somewhere along the way you've made my life a little easier but not today because i feel like i'm probably gonna rain on the parade but i'm here i've got people that give me me the time so I'm going to go ahead my presentation. As I said earlier I worked the urban county government for 23 years and I would like to comment on the recent mag study and on our compensation policies in general. I'll start by saying thank goodness for the mag study. The urban county government's employees compensation system is a mess. The mag study shows that Durban County government claims that their compensation policies promote diversity and equity, ensure fair and consistent pay practices and inspire excellence. Their policies do none of those things. The mag study shows that in 2014, your county government hired a consultant to do a compensation and classification study, a complete overhaul of the then existing compensation system. I was skeptical, but they took their time, promote the detailed plan and made a good presentation. So I thought, okay, I'll give it a chance. What could possibly go wrong? And now I know the mag study answers that question. HR, division directors, commissioners, the administration, and mostly the urban county council should be embarrassed by what the MAG study shows. Now, why do I say mostly the urban county council? Because everything in this study, every line item, was at some point approved by an urban county council. This latest MAG study and all of its changes and recommendations was approved very quickly, I might add, by many of you. True, all those things were recommended by the administration, but they were voted on and approved by the council. When I talk to people in the private sector about our compensation system and give them examples, I get a lot of comments. First, they say, Rick, that can't be right. You must be wrong. I say, no, I'm not wrong. Every example that I give you is right straight from the MAG study. Then, as you might expect, they say, well, that's crazy. that makes no sense at all and who comes up with this stuff eventually they say who thinks that is a good way to manage employees who lets things like this happen and in today's world why do the employees put up with it now those first two questions are easy I hope I've already answered them for you the third question why in today's world do the employees put up with it I'm not really sure maybe until now they didn't realize how bad it is I'll close now by saying again thank goodness for the max day thank you we do not have anyone else signed up for public comments, so I'll ask for a meeting, a motion to adjourn the meeting. Thank you. All those in favor say aye. All right. Thank you very much. We are adjourned.