Music Welcome, everyone. I'd like to go ahead and call to order the Urban County Council meeting of April 27th, 2023. And we'll start right out, and I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. Council member Baxter? Yes. Council member Fogle? Here. Council member Gray? Present. Council member Legree? Here. Council member Lynch? Present. Council member Menares? Here. Council member Plowman? Here. Council member Reynolds? Here. Council member Sevigny? Here. Council member Sheehan? Here. Council member Worley? Yes, ma'am. Vice Mayor Wu? Here. Council Member Fred Brown? Here. Council Member James Brown? Here. And Council Member Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. We have a quorum. And with that, I'll ask Council Member Fred Brown to give our invocation. Here. Father God, we just thank you for this day. And it's been a busy day, busy week for this council. and we just pray that we'll continue to make the decisions that will be pleasing to you and the efforts that we make. And we just ask that you continue to bless this community and the government that we have and the ability to get out and make decisions that will really help this community to be a better community. And we just thank you for everything you've given us, each one of us, and we just ask that you continue to watch over us. These things I ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you. And now we'll move on to our presentation. Aldona Valicenti is going to join me at the podium. Okay. I got Kleenex. So tonight we are honoring our chief information officer, Aldona Valicenti. And how we love saying your name. I've loved it. She is an extraordinary woman who has really worked in a man's world for much of her professional life. And if you don't know her story sometime, well, you may tell us a little bit about it tonight. But it's quite extraordinary. And I thought she was impressive when I first learned she was a chemist. It's like, oh, my gosh, I didn't know if I'd ever met a real chemist. And she excels in so many ways. So we're going to miss you. Her last day is tomorrow, and I know for a fact she's working on cleaning out her office, and she's been very special to our government and our operations. And so there are two things tonight. The first thing is that the council would like you to have these beautiful flowers, and there's a card that goes with them. and so those are for you from the council members. Thank you very much. And I'm sure they'll have words to say. And the second thing is you may recall not too long ago I had issued a proclamation for Aldona and tonight I want to give her the Spirit of Lexington Award. You exemplify what the Spirit of Lexington means. And I'd like to read it and then ask you to say a few words. All right. Spirit of Lexington Award, Aldona Valicenti. In recognition of her substance and style, her intelligence and savvy, her elegance and grace and her kind and caring heart. I, Linda Gorton, Mayor of Lexington, do hereby recognize Aldona Valicenti with a Spirit of Lexington Award as she leaves her post as Chief Information Officer of our city and thank her for her leadership both inside and outside government, where she transformed our technological landscape, making our city safer and more efficient. Aldona, you are one of a kind, and we love you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. You know, I've stood before you so many times and usually told you about 5G or cybersecurity or talked to you about getting approval for another contract. But tonight I'm going to talk about me for a few minutes. First of all, I never expected this. I expect the Spirit Award to be given to heroes who've saved lives, and I do not consider myself in that same league at all. But thank you, Mayor. You know, I've moved from private sector, public sector, private sector, public sector. Some people say she can't make up her mind. The point was, though, is that in the private sector, one of the first big sort of conferences I went to, And one of the things that we had to learn is how to describe ourselves in one sentence that would embody what we meant, what we believed, etc. And I remember getting up and saying, I'm an immigrant. And that has defined my whole career. And why has that defined my career? And I'll tell you in just a couple of minutes. I'm glad this clock is not going. my parents picked up a baby boy and a tiny little girl packed their suitcases and fled Lithuania as the iron curtain was coming down we were to be deported to Siberia which meant instant death they got on a train and a cattle car and made their way to Germany and we were actually processed in the barracks in Germany in Bremen. And it was there that it took us six years to finally emigrate. My father and my mother both educated. My father was given a post to distribute relief funds to the Baltics to be headquartered in Austria. At that time, Austria was divided into three sectors. He worked in the American sector, we lived in the French sector, and then there was the British sector. And it was from there that my father had the opportunity to emigrate to a number of countries. Since both my parents were educated, we had opportunities in Canada, they had opportunities in Great Britain, opportunities in Australia, and actually Mexico offered him a professorship in economics. My mother had distant relatives in the United States, and they decided the best place for their children was the U.S. We came to the U.S. I was a little girl with braids down to my waist and a slight British accent, because I had learned English early on. That's my background. Going forward, we were taught at home that if we were successful, we had to give back. My brother served in Vietnam. My brother became an administrator of the courts. And I did my first tour of duty at the state, as I call it, as the first CIO for the Commonwealth. This is my second tour of duty, and it's been most enjoyable. And that's my background, and that's why I do what I do. So best wishes to the council and to Lexington. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Thank you. If seconded, I can talk to it or have Law talk to it. Second. All right. Council Member Ellinger seconds. Do you want to speak to it? Yeah, I can speak to it. I might need a little help from Law. But this particular zone change was disapproved by planning, and we put it on our docket without a hearing. And it's written in the positive. So if we're going to agree with the Planning Commission and their decision, this one we would vote no on. Are there questions before we go to the vote to separate? All right. All those in favor of separating out, number one, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. So I will go ahead and ask the clerk to give its second rating, please. Ordinance number one, an ordinance changing the zone from a professional office P1 zone to a neighborhood business B1 zone for 0.57 net 0.90 gross acres for property located at 1008 South Broadway, Dutch Brothers LLC, Council District 10. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Council Member Legree seconded. Now, when you're ready, will you take a roll call vote, please? Council Member Baxter? No. Council Member Fogle? No. Council Member Gray? No. Council Member Legree? No. Council Member Lynch? No. Councilmember Menares? No. Councilmember Plowman? No. Councilmember Reynolds? No. Councilmember Sevigny? No. Councilmember Sheehan? No. Councilmember Worley? No. Vice Mayor Wu? No. Councilmember Fred Brown? No. Councilmember James Brown? No. And Councilmember Ellinger? No. Thank you. That motion fails. All right. Now, Councilmember Legree? Thank you, Mayor. At the request of the petitioner, I move to amend item number two under ordinance's second reading pertaining to a zone change at 446 East High Street to include an additional zoning restriction under section 2, subsection A, to add funeral parlors as a prohibited use. This is a material change and will require a new first reading. So moved. Second. Council Member Reynolds seconds. All right. Any discussion before we go forward on this one? Yes, Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. And to Council Member, forgive me, I never want to dip my toe in the waters of another Council Member's business, business, but I want to make sure to add a conditional zoning restriction that was not recommended by the Planning Commission. Would that require the Council to hold another public hearing? Or can, by accepting the findings of fact of the Planning Commission, can this Council then still add those restrictions? My understanding is it's being done at the request of the petitioner, basically, so I don't think that's going to be necessary. Fine. No problem. Thank you very much. Good question. Thank you. Are there other questions about this? All right. All those in favor of the amendment, please, let's see. Is this a voice vote of the body? It is, isn't it? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. So that will require a new first reading. and I presume now is the time to do that. Okay. Ordinance number two, an ordinance changing the zone from a professional office P1 zone to a neighborhood business B1 zone for 1.23 net 1.37 gross acres for property located at 446 East High Street, Bread and Roses, LLC, Council District 3, as amended. Thank you. Thank you very much. Now, the rest of these are all second readings. So does anyone have any other motion about number two before we go into our second readings? Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules, give second reading to ordinance number two, ordinance changing the zone in the third district. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger seconds. to give it second reading. And so if you'll go ahead, please. Oh, all those in favor? Aye. Is anyone opposed? Excuse me. Now, that was presumptuous. We have a lot of differences tonight, so I'm just trying to work through them. All right. Is there a motion to approve this item? Thank you. Thank you. Now, will you give it second reading, please? Number two, an ordinance changing the zone from a professional office P1 zone to a neighborhood business B1 zone for 1.23 net, 1.37 gross acres for property located at 446 East High Street, Bread and Roses, LLC, Council District 3, as amended. Thank you. Now, if you will continue on with the rest of the second readings, please. Number three, an ordinance amending the unclassified civil service authorized strength by creating one unclassified position of behavioral health and wellness coordinator grade 523E for a term of two years ending August 31st, 2024 with potential of a six-year-month extension renewal in the division of police effective upon passage of council. Number four, an ordinance amending the classified civil service authorized strength by abolishing one classified position of fleet operations supervisor grade 520N and creating one classified position of heavy technician grade 519N in the division of fire and emergency services effective upon passage of council. Number five, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one classified position of skilled trade supervisor grade 522E and creating one classified position of skilled trade supervisor grade 522E and in the divisions of facilities and fleet management, parks and recreation, community corrections, and fire and emergency services, thereby changing the Fair Labor and Standard Act, FLSA, status of the positions from exempt to non-exempt and transferring all incumbents to the non-exempt position and converting the bi-weekly salary of all incumbents to the hourly rate of pay effective the first payroll Monday following passage of counsel. Number six, an ordinance amending chapter 17b of the Code of Ordinances of the Lexington Bay Urban County Government relating to street trees as follows. Amending subsections 17b1234 and 6 to amend the definitions of large tree, medium tree, small tree, and tree planting easements. Amending section 17b2 to designate the Division of Environmental Services as the authority responsible for issuing tree planting permits and to provide requirements for tree planting relative to regulatory signs and overhead utilities. Amending section 17b3 to designate the Division of Environmental Services as the authority responsible for issuing tree removal permits. Amending Section 17b-4 to prohibit the attachment of wire or nails to street trees. Amending Section 17b-5 to describe jurisdictions for appeals to the tree board and to the infrastructure hearing board. Amending Section 17b-6 relating to the composition, membership term, meetings, and duties of the tree board. Amending Section 17b-6 relating to the composition, 17b-7 to provide the tree topping shall be only permitted by the written approval of the urban forester or their designee. Amending section 17b9 to require replacement trees to meet street tree requirements. Repealing section 17b11 and amending section 17b10 to describe suggested tree species and unacceptable tree species. Renumbering section 17b12 as section 17b11. Renumbering section 17b13 as section 17b12. And amending section 17b12 to provide that appeals from the citations for violations of chapter 17b of the code shall be taken to the infrastructure hearing board with the enforcement procedures to conform to chapter 2b of the code and amending section 1676 of the Code of the Code to designate the Infrastructure Hearing Board as the Code Enforcement Board hearing matters relating to the enforcement of ordinances by the Division of Environmental Services. Number seven, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington-Fay or Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds fiscal year 2023, schedule number 33. And number eight, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington-Fay or Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $348,695.50 to provide funds for the Council capital projects in the Division of Parks and Recreation, Division of Environmental Services, and Division of Traffic Engineering in appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 34. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. All right. And Council Member Ellinger and Council Member Baxter seconded. And when you're ready, if you'll take a roll call vote, please. Council Member Baxter? Council Member Fogle? Yes. Councilmember Gray? Yes. Councilmember Legree? Yes. Councilmember Lynch? Yes. Councilmember Menares? Yes. Councilmember Plowman? Yes. Councilmember Reynolds? Yes. Councilmember Sevigny? Yes. Councilmember Sheehan? Yes. Councilmember Worley? Yes, ma'am. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Councilmember Fred Brown? Yes. Councilmember James Brown? Yes. And Councilmember Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Those all pass. And when you're ready, if you'll give first reading to ordinances, please. Number nine, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington, Fay, or Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds fiscal year 2023, Schedule number 35. Number ten, an ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington, Fay, or Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $36,650 to provide funds for council capital projects in the Division of Traffic Engineering and Division of Streets and Roads and appropriating and reappropriating funds, Schedule number 36. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any walk-ons? No? All right. Thank you. Those both have budget amendments scheduled, so they are not eligible for second reading. So when you're ready, if you'll give second reading to resolutions. Number one, a resolution establishing and authorizing a price contract for fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024 with Harp Enterprises, Inc., a sole source provider of voting machines and any related maintenance, equipment, supplies, and services for Fayette County Clerk's Office, and authorizing the Director of Central Purchasing on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute any necessary price contracts with Harp Enterprises, Inc. related to the procurement of these goods and services in an amount not to exceed $268,810 for fiscal year 2023 and $326,010 in fiscal year 2024, pending Council approval of the fiscal year 2024 annual budget. Number two, a resolution accepting the bid of Thoroughbred Aviation Maintenance, Inc. in the amount of $447,898 for camera system for helicopter for the Division of Police and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute an agreement with Thoroughbred Aviation Maintenance, Inc. related to the bid. Number three, a resolution ratifying the permanent classified civil service appointments of Dakota Farrington, Licensed Inspector, Grade 512N, 20.125 Hourly, Division of Revenue, effective April 10, 2023. Christian Peters, Skilled Trades Worker, Grade 515N, 20.187 Hourly, Division of Streets and Roads, effective December 6, 2022. Jacob Stevens, Municipal Engineer Senior, Grade 528E, $3,307.92 by weekly in the Division of Engineering, effective April 3, 2023. Dina Gross, Administrative Specialist, Grade 516N, 21.735 hourly in the Division of Police, effective March 12, 2023. Dale Meade, Administrative Specialist Principal, Grade 520N, 27.553 hourly in the Division of Emergency Management, effective April 17, 2023. Ashley Wallow, Emergency Planning Coordinator, Grade 516E, $1,741.60 by weekly division of emergency management effective March 1, 2023. Mark Herzberner, Fleets Parts Specialist, Grade 512N, 17.859, our only division of facilities and fleet management effective April 10, 2023. Number four, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with Meridian Management Corporation for facility management services at the Fayette County Courthouses for a five-year period at a cost not to exceed $1,220,448 annually for the first three years, subject to sufficient funds being appropriating in future fiscal years. Number five, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute change order number three, final to the agreement with Tribute Contracting and Consultants, LLC, for the Wolf Run Trunks D&E project for the Division of Water Quality and decreasing the contract price by the sum of $287,597.01 from $3,956,920.02 to $3,669,323.01. Number six, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement awarding a class B education incentive grant to the Living Arts and Sciences Center, Inc. for a stormwater quality project at a cost known to exceed $35,296. Number seven, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement awarding a class B infrastructure incentive grant to the University of Kentucky Research Foundation for the stormwater quality projects at a cost known to exceed $35,000. Number eight, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement awarding a class B infrastructure incentive grant to the University of Kentucky Research and Foundation for stormwater quality projects at a cost known to exceed $35,000. Number eight, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement awarding a class B infrastructure incentive grant to the University of Kentucky Research and Foundation for stormwater quality projects at a cost known to exceed $35,000. to exceed $360,000. Number nine, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute a one-year lease agreement with Bluegrass Community Health Center for approximately 4,788 square feet of premises located at 1306 for Sales Road and to provide an annual option to renew through June 30th, 2028. Number 10, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to accept an in-kind donation of 24 to 30 red mulberry trees from Julian Campbell to start an orchard at Heisel Park. Number 11, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to extend the current Police Academy lease contract number 91-2013 with Kentucky Community and Technical College System at BCTC Newtown Pike Campus for a period of one year beginning in July 1, 2023. It costs not to exceed $89,239 for fiscal year 2024 scheduled to appropriation by council. Number 12, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a site specific agreement with Jessamine South Elkhorn Water District and Long Ridge Development LLC to provide sanitary sewer conveyance and treatment capacity to the Drake's Landing Unit 3 property in Jessamine County. Number 13, a resolution authorizing the Division of Water Quality on behalf of the Urban County Government to purchase replacement pumps and related equipment as well as installation services thereof for the Keeneland Pump Station from Strafer Pump and Supply, Inc., a sole source provider, and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute any necessary agreement with Strafer Pump and Supply, Inc., related to procurement at a cost not to exceed $62,260. Number 14, a resident authorizing the Division of Water Quality on behalf of the Urban County Government to purchase replacement components for bar screens at the expansion area EA3 pump station from Huber Technology Inc., a sole source provider at a cost estimated not to exceed $58,103.63. Number 15, a resolution amending resolution number 460-2022 to increase the cost of easement acquisition and other property rights necessary for the Parker's Mill Trunk Sewer Project, a remedial measures project required by the consent decree from $38,540 from $19,800 to $58,340. Number 16, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a mutual aid agreement with Madison County, Kentucky, to establish guidelines for providing mutual aid during an emergency and further authorizing the mayor to enter into mutual aid agreements with the same material terms with any other local government that is contiguous to Lexington, Fayette County, or a member of the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team, BERT, at no cost to the urban county government. Number 17, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a professional services agreement with Dr. Ryan Stanton for service as medical director of EMS at a cost to exceed $23,625. Number 18, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an amendment to the agreement with Polo Club Apartments LLLP under the Home Investment Partnerships Program extending the period of performance through September 15, 2023, and further authorizing the mayor to execute any other necessary amendments related to this agreement. Number 19, a resolution authorizing and direct to the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute a conditional commitment letter and agreement with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to accept an award of $3,725,000 in federal funds under the Kentucky Cleaner Water Round 2 Grant, American Rescue Plans Act, for the Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant Dewatering Pump Station Rehabilitation Project, the acceptance which does not obligate the Irving County Government to the expenditure of funds, and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 20, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to accept a grant award of $23,804.70 in federal funds from the United States Department of Homeland Security under the 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, Fire Prevention and Safety, FP&S, for the purchase and installation of smoke alarms for households in high-risk neighborhoods, the acceptance of which obligates the Irving County Government to the expenditure of $1,190.24 as a local match and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 21, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute modifications to the agreement with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security in partnership with the State Board of Elections, SBE, for the purchase, installation, and servicing of cradle point devices to extend the performance period through December 31, 2023. Number 22, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with cabinet for health and family services accepting $149,475 in federal funds from the Kentucky opioid response effort in order to support the community paramedicine program, the excessive which does not obligate the urban county government to the expenditure of funds, and authorizing the mayor to execute any necessary amendments related to these funds, and also authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget established for this grant. Number 23, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit two grant applications seeking $544,277 in federal funds to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security under the State Homeland Security Grant Program for the Division of Police to purchase vehicles and assorted equipment for the hazardous device unit and to support training courses offered by the Air Support Unit authorizing the mayor to provide any additional information requested in connection with these grant applications authorizing the mayor to accept these awards if offered, the acceptance of which does not obligate the urban county government to the expenditure of funds and further authorizing the mayor to accept these awards. to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 24, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with Emergent for delivery of real-time data at no cost to the urban county government. Number 25, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with IMED for vision care insurance plans for all eligible Lexington Bay urban county government employees at no cost to the urban county government. Excuse me for interrupting, but I understand there may be some questions about number 26 before you read it. And so if there are Council members, will you please log in? Council member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I want to ask a question of maybe Commissioner Lanter or Law. I know there's been an amendment circulating in regards to this item, and I was just wondering or had some questions about what kind of liability adding the amendment that was shared could potentially add or put the city in a situation. in a situation? Is it something that we need to be concerned about? So my understanding, just so everyone's talking about the same thing, is that there might be a proposal to include a requirement that a tenant that receives the mediation services will agree not to damage the property in question. That's the law anyway. I mean, that's the Landlord-Tenant Act as well as, I believe, most lease agreement, so I don't know that it's really necessary to include something like that. I think the concern is that, although I don't know, I think we would try to structure this in a manner where it was clear there was no liability on the part of the urban county government. We've had instances with the rental assistance in the past where there's been some confusion both with the court system and with some of the landlords about what our role really is. So I think that's the concern, is that there may be a perception that if you specifically included something like this in there, that it would lead landlords to believe if their property got damaged, they could look for recourse from the urban county government. Okay. So, you know, with this policy, and I think what, or with these funds, and I think what we're trying to do is, is confusing enough. I don't think, you know, I'm concerned that I'd hate to set expectations about what we can actually enforce, what expectations we would put on the process going forward. I do understand the concern. I think trying to create a way to incentivize this to be beneficial to everyone is a thing. But I think there's, you know, I know there's a lot of people looking for this money to go forward to help with evictions and to help the process. So I'm just planning to support whatever happens tonight to go forward just so we can get this money out there in circulation and get these services provided to the folks that need them. So thanks for that clarity. Thank you, Mayor. You're welcome. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. I wanted to echo a little bit of what Council Member Brown said, and I want to kind of maybe ask a question. I don't know if this is Commissioner Lanter or not. The idea that if we put this particular provision in that it's to incentivize participation by landlords, is it my understanding that the judge orders the mediation and that's within their authority? Commissioner Lanter, welcome. Yes, sir. That's correct. the way this was set up and how we run it in the few cases we've done, Judge Gunther orders the mediation, and that's presumably how it would work with all the other courtrooms as well. Okay. So I have the same concerns about it being in some ways redundant, potentially unenforceable, and also potentially kind of roping LFUCG into a situation that we may or may not want to be in as well. I'm also in support of this underlying resolution. I'm really looking at it as, I don't know if it's appropriate to call it a pilot program, but it's at the scale that we're going to do it, I'm very interested to see what kind of results come out of it, six months, nine months, 12 months down the road, and see how many people we can help with it. So I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. And as a parliamentarian, it kind of took everything in me not to stop a discussion about something that's not on the floor. That being said, I understand the discussions we've all had amongst ourselves today, and I think this is an appropriate time since there is actually nothing on the floor for us just to have a little discussion if the mayor is willing to let us have it. I guess with related to a potential amendment like that, was there already a plan to have an agreement in place that this could be added to that would have a whole harmless, or would that all kind of be potentially whatever was agreed to amongst the parties? So each case is negotiated individually. And as part of each case, there will be a written agreement, an order. at the end of the mediation, at the end of the negotiation. It is very likely that in almost all of those cases that one of the provisions is going to be that the tenant not destroy the property. But it's not something I can sit here and say. It's that there's a template or a specific. Because each case, there's going to be counsel for the tenant, counsel for the landlord. They're going to negotiate that out. So it's whatever they come to. Sure. But as a part of you putting together the pilot program, I really shouldn't call it a pilot program. It's a full program, but it's our first time at it. As a part of you doing that, could you talk to these legal services that we're working with and make it a kind of a standard that that be one of the kind of default terms that's in there, that a tenant doesn't destroy the property? I think generally a tenant's not going to, and I think generally the law is that they shouldn't, particularly if there's already a lease in place that says they shouldn't. But there may be times that there's not a lease. And so I don't think the intent of, if we're going to work with a tenant, they should agree not to destroy the property. I think most people already agree with that. But I think if that's just something that you all could start to blend into the discussions, then I think it probably serves the purpose of what we're doing here, particularly since landlords are going to be a part of it anyway by order of the judge. I'm not directing you here or telling you what to do. I'm just saying. Any landlord and or their counsel who's come to a mediation table is going to insist on that. Right? Like, that's what they want out of the deal is they want their property back in good condition and to be paid. So, you know, it's incumbent upon them in a private civil matter to negotiate that for their clients. I agree with you 100%. So maybe what I'm saying is maybe the parties that could potentially be part of this are out there, are hearing this discussion. You, as the ultimate overseer of this program, are hearing the discussion, the lawyers involved, and they take all this into consideration is maybe what I'm saying, that that's something that ought to be discussed in those mediations. And then I see Judge Gunther is back there, and I'm not necessarily asking you to come up, Your Honor, But I think for some clarity of kind of how I see this being so beneficial, and this is because of a lot of time that I've spent representing parties in district court. Years ago, and maybe judge, we still do it, but there was a small claims mediation that was required. You would show up about 30 minutes, 45 minutes before your hearing was to be called, and there was a court-appointed mediator that would try to get the parties to come to an agreement beforehand. And then the first thing that that did was help clear up the court's docket, because when the case was called, there was an agreement in place. And the second thing that did was allow the parties to come to a better resolution than what the court's jurisdiction really authorized the court to do. So it ended up being better for the parties than what the court would ultimately have to decide of either you're right, you're wrong, you're in, you're out, you owe, you don't. Then the parties could come up with something that the judge could actually then put some teeth to by making an order of the court. And so is that, I think, how this is being envisioned, that instead of the judge who, by statute, if they hear a forcible detainer hearing, can only either say you are guilty of a forcible detainer or you are not. If you are guilty, you have seven days. And the statute hamstrings the judge there. Whereas this situation gives the court an opportunity to say the parties have agreed that the tenant you'll have longer to get out. Get your affairs in order. Find somewhere else to go. The landlord may have waived any back rent because you've agreed to this. And the parties have agreed that we don't have to come back to court if one of the parties breaches this. The judge will just then enter a judgment or enter an order directing a landlord to do something or a tenant to do something. Is that what we're envisioning here? Because that was a really successful program in the small claims era. You have described it more eloquently than I have been able to. So, yes, you've absolutely described the goal. In fact, I can't speak to that specific small claims court program, but I know it came up in some of our discussions, and there was some modeling associated with that. But, yes, you have, to a T, described how this works and the goal and the way it's supposed to operate. Thank you. And the timer's not been running. I know I'm probably well over my time. I'll just finish with this. Also, with the piece of this that allows access to counsel for a tenant, and we know that landlords are mostly represented by council because LLCs and corporations have to be represented by council. That's state law. That this puts two parties in a room that have then lawyers that can say, help advise, this is what's really best for both of you. And oftentimes that may be telling the landlord to accept a deal that they may not like or telling a tenant to go ahead and work on moving out even though that's not what they wanted. But you've got legal representation on both sides as part of this as well. Yeah, absolutely. I know the mediation piece of this has probably gotten the most attention. But perhaps the most important and the bigger piece is the access to counsel, which levels the playing field. There's a power imbalance in eviction court, where landlords at a 90%, 99% rate are represented by attorneys. Tenants at a 90%, 99% rate are not. Sure. Now, I will say, I know a lot of landlords that wish they didn't have to pay the attorney, but state law says they have to. Oh, sure. Yeah, they tell us that all the time. But, yes, this makes a little bit more equality. And, again, Judge, I see you back there, and thank you, Your Honor. You've been nodding your head to most of what I've said, so I hope I've got it right. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Fogle. Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, Mentor. So, first of all, I want to thank you for sending me every answer to the questions that I have given you for clarification. And then, Your Honor here just explained everything that I was going to say. Being a council member that has lived experience, that has gone through an eviction, and I know the hard process, And I know that when I was before Judge Tackett, I did not have an attorney. So I reflected on that. I looked at the answers to your questions. I saw the extra staff that you have given me that is going to be hired. And so everything is to my satisfaction. And I thank you for our one-on-one and this learning process. and he put it better than I could have ever said it. And I was going to call you up to the podium just to thank you for your hard work in answering the questions that I had asked you and sending it to me where I could understand it. And so Judge Gunther, I am so proud that you have brought this to the council. My only reservation is I thought it was so much money to be given the attorneys, But you have given me an outline of how many attorneys it will be when you spread this program across to the other judges. That people who are going to be, and we said that, there are going to be people who are going to be evicted. But we have a possibility that this will not appear on their record. And that is a big piece, too. So thank you. That's what I wanted to say. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, Commissioner Lanter. So I work with a lot of people that really struggle to pay their rent and to be able to have the resources that they need. So I'm very grateful for this program and all the work that's gone into it. And thank you, Judge Gunther, as well. So I'm very, very supportive of it. But when we had talked about the possibility of making it some sort of a stronger requirement to help bring everyone to the table in agreement about not destroying property, actually a lot of places in my district deal with this, and it's hard for waste management because a lot of times there's just trash and belongings and parts of apartments on the street. So it's a real problem in some areas. And I want to be supportive of renters and everybody involved. So I guess I'll just ask one more time, and I don't know if this is for Judge Gunther or whatever, is there a way to just reiterate that we're giving this service and we expect that nobody's going to put a bunch of belongings on the side of the road and destroy properties. I think what I would say is we've certainly heard that message tonight and we will incorporate that into our planning meetings with the providers to the extent that we can incorporate that into their day-to-day work in the program. One thing I would add is a lot of what you're seeing with the set outs, which is the trash and the furniture and stuff on the curbs, that's the result of an eviction. So to the extent we can prevent evictions, we'll actually reduce that. And because part of what we're doing here is buying people time to move, to relocate, so that they don't have their stuff put out on the curb because we don't want that. That hurts my heart when I see that. That's the worst. So hopefully that's sort of a dual answer to your question, but hopefully the added side benefit of this is that there are fewer of those situations. That makes sense. Okay, thank you, and thank you for hearing us and incorporating that into the program moving forward. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. I don't see any other questions, so if you'll continue with second readings with 26. Number 26, a resolution authorized in the mayor to execute subrecipient agreements, RFP number 12-2023, with the final form of which shall be subject to approval of the Department of Law with Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society, Inc., doing business as Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, $819,473, and the Office of the Kentucky Legal Services Program, Inc., doing business as Kentucky Equal Justice Center, $980,380, allocating $1,899,853 of emergency rental assistance grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, ARPA, for the provision of housing stabilization services through the housing stabilization program for tenants facing potential eviction and further authorizing the mayor to execute any other needed amendments or agreements related to the use of these funds. Number 27, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute and submit a grant application seeking $330,598.33 in federal funds to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security under the State Homeland Security Grant Program for the Division of Fire to purchase equipment and conduct training for the Special Operations Team, authorizing the mayor to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application, authorizing the mayor to accept this award if offered, the acceptance of which does not obligate the Urban County Government to the expenditure of funds and further authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. And number 28, a resolution authorizing and direct to the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute agreements related to neighborhood development funds with the 16th District PTA Inc., care of Deep Springs Elementary School PTA, $826.25, 16th District PTA Inc., of Dixie Magnet Elementary School, PTSA, $826.25, Bryan Station High School Alumni Association, $1,000, and Garden Springs Neighborhood Association, Inc., $500 for the Office of the Urban County Council to cost not to exceed the sum stated in authorizing approved neighborhood development funds allocations to the Division of Traffic Engineering, $525, and the Division of Aging and Disability Services, $500, pending completion and approval of any necessary budget amendments. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. Council Member Ellinger moves. Council Member Fogel seconds. And when you're ready for the roll call vote, please go ahead. Council Member Baxter? Council Member Fogel? Yes. Council Member Gray? Yes. Council Member Legree? Yes. Council Member Lynch? Yes. Council Member Menares? Yes. Council Member Plowman? Yes. Councilmember Reynolds? Yes. Councilmember Sevigny? Yes. Councilmember Sheehan? Recuse on 7 and 8. Yes to the rest. Councilmember Worley? Yes, ma'am. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Councilmember Fred Brown? Yes. Councilmember James Brown? Yes. And Councilmember Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Those all pass. And now we're ready for first reading of resolutions. Resolution number 29. A resolution accepting the bid of Lagco, Inc. in the amount of $1,289,489 for the Joyland Area Storm Drainage Project for the Division of Water Quality. And authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to exceed an agreement with Lagco, Inc. related to the bid pending completion and approval of any necessary budget amendments. Number 30, a resolution ratifying the permanent classified civil service appointments of Frederick Godfrey, Computer Analyst, Grade 520N, 35.135 Hourly, Division of Computer Services, effective April 10, 2023. Roderick Gray, Skilled Tradesburger, Grade 515N, 20.694 Hourly, Division of Streets and Roads, effective March 19, 2023. Number 31, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute the first amendment to the contract with the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education to expand the services provided for environmental education for the Division of Environmental Services and to execute the second renewal of the contract as amended at a cost to exceed $16,507.80 in fiscal year 2023 and $364,012.77 in fiscal year 2024. Number 32, a resolution authorizing and direct to the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute the memorandum of understanding with the Kentucky State Police for the use of 800MHZP25 trunk radio system at no cost to the urban county government. Number 33, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a professional services agreement awarded pursuant to RFP number 18-2023 with Solar Energy Solutions LLC for installation of a roof-mounted solar photovolactic system at the Police West Training Center at a cost not to exceed $80,443.24. Number 34, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Roman County Government to execute a purchase of service agreement with the Lexington Pride Center to support the annual LGBTQ Festival at a cost not to exceed $2,500. Number 35, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Roman County Government to execute the engineering services agreement awarded pursuant to RFP number 15-2023 with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for the completion of a rural service area sewer study capability, or capability study for the Division of Water Quality at a cost not to exceed $337,702. Number 36, a resolution authorizing the Division of Community Corrections to purchase internal affairs and professional standards unit software from CI Technologies, Inc., a soil solution provider, and authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute any necessary agreement with CI Technologies, Inc. related to the procurement at a cost not to exceed $45,500. Number 37, a resolution authorizing and direct to the Mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute and submit the 2023 consolidated plan grant application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application and to accept the grant if the application is approved, which grants the amount of $3,994,940 in federal funds for the fiscal year 2024 Community Development Block Grant CDBG program, $2,340,927 home program, $1,449,360 in emergency services grant ESG program, $204,653 for the acceptance of which obligates the Irving County Government to the expenditure of $359,611 from various funding sources as a local cash match and $145,042 as an in-kind match and authorizing the Mayor to execute agreements for the approved plan and authorizing the Mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 38, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to exceed an agreement to accept a grant of $23,600 from the Trust for Public Land through On Common Ground, activating community connections through parks For the Division of Parks and Recreation, the acceptance which does not obligate the Irving County Government to these miniature funds and authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 39, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to exceed an agreement with Lexington Community Land Trust, Inc. Allocating $2 million of federal grant funds awarded pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, ARPA, with the construction of the Davis Bottom Community Center and authorizing the mayor to exceed any other necessary agreements or amendments related to the use of these funds. Number 40, a resolution authorizing and direct the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to exceed agreements related to the neighborhood development funds with the Kentucky Center for Greeting Children and Families, Inc. $1,275. Southland Jamboree Association, Inc. $1,150. Lafayette High School Track and Field Booster Club, $550. Grin Grand, Inc. $2,500. Downtown Lexington Partnership, Inc. $2,500. Greater Garden Site Association, LLC, $2,475. Pine Meadows Cardinal Home Mason Headley Neighborhood Association, Inc. $1,225. Mennerthorpe Neighborhood Association, Inc. $1,325. Arts Connect, Inc. $1,000. Casa De La Cultura Hispana de Lexington Corporation, $1,650. Hill and Dale Neighborhood Association, Inc. $500. Lansdowne Merrick Neighborhood Association, Inc. $1,000. Corporation $750, Ashland Neighborhood Association, Inc., 1,000, Girls on the Run Lexington Corporation, $750, and Ashland Henry Clay Estate $1,000 for the Office of the Irving County Council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated. Excuse me. I believe Councilmember Plowman has a motion regarding number 41. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, I would like to make a motion to amend Resolution 41 under the first reading. Actually, there's two changes. The first has to do with the total for the Bluegrass Community Foundation to change that total from $100,000 to $105,000. And that has to do with an additional donation there to reflect that. And then the second one would be the name of the recipient of the, let's see here, it says Independence Homes, LLC. and that would be changed to the correct name would be Lexington Housing for the Handicapped INC. So moved. Second. Thank you. There's a second by Council Member James Brown. And is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Do you have the correct... Could you clarify the name of the new entity for the clerk? Thank you. Lexington Housing. Lexington Housing for the handicap and then INC. Okay, do you have the new first reading? All right, thank you. If you'll go ahead. Thank you. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement related to Council Capital Project's expenditures with Lexington Housing for the Handicapped, $1,500, and Bluegrass Community Foundation, Inc., $105,000 for the Office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated, and authorizing approved Council Capital Project Fund allocations to the Division of Traffic Engineering, $21,650, and the Division of Streets and Roads, $1,500 pending completion and approval of any necessary budget amendments. Should I repeat it? Number 42, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government, a public facilities corporation to execute a subordination agreement to the property located at 161 North Mill Street, declaring the deed restrictions as imposed and the general warranty deed as subordinate to the mortgage over public bank and trust. And number 43, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor or her designee on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute and submit an Opportunity Kentucky Grant application to KG&E, KU, to provide any additional information required in connection with the 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 Irving County Government to the expenditure of 100% local match to these funds awarded, and to take any further action necessary related to the grant, and further authorize the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any walk-ons? Are there any suspensions to give second reading? Councilmember Worley. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules to give second reading to Resolution 40. These are Neighborhood Development Funds. Thank you. Second. Thank you. Councilmember Ellinger seconds. Any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. Councilmember Legree. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number 42. This is at the request of the administration, so moved. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules on number 41. This is the amended resolution. And that's so moved. Thank you. Second by Council Member Sheehan. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Mayor, I have another one as well. Okay. Okay. This would suspend the rules and give second reading to number 43. And this was actually, I brought it Tuesday, and I mentioned we were going to do second reading, but wanted to have it motioned tonight. So moved. Thank you. Council Member Sheehan seconds. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Any other motions to suspend the rules? So we have 40, 41, 42, and 43. All right. If you'll please give those second reading. Number 40, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed agreements related to neighborhood development funds with the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, Inc. $1,275. Southland Jamboree Association, Inc. $1,150. Lafayette High School Track and Field Booster Club, $550. Grin Grand, Inc. $2,500. Downtown Lexington Partnership, $2,500. Greater Garden Sciences. LLC, $2,475. Pine Meadows, Cardinal Hill, Mason Headley, Neighborhood Association, Inc., $1,225. Meadowthorpe Neighborhood Association, Inc., $1,325. Arts Connect, Inc., $1,000. Casa de la Cultura, Hispana de Lexington Corporation, $1,650. Hillandale Neighborhood Association, Inc., $500. Lansdowne Merrick Neighborhood Association, Inc., $750. Ashland Neighborhood Association, Inc., $1,000. Girls on the Run, Lexington Corporation, $750. And Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, $1,000 for the Office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated. Number 41. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement related to the council capital project expenditures with Lexington Housing for the Homeless, $15,000, and Bluegrass Community Foundation, $105,000, for the office of the urban county council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated, and further authorizing approved council capital project fund allocations to the Division of Traffic Engineering, $21,650, and the Division of Streets and Roads, $15,000, pending completion and approval of any necessary budget amendments. Number 42, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government Public Facilities Corporation to execute a subordination agreement for the property located at 161 North Mill Street, declaring the deed restrictions as opposed in general warranty deed as subordinate to the mortgage of a public bank and trust. Number 43, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor or her designee on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute and submit an opportunity Kentucky grant application to LG and EKU to provide any additional information required in connection with the grant application and to accept this grant if it is awarded, which grant funds are in the amount of up to $200,000 for infrastructure development in the Legacy Business Park, the assessment which obligates the Irving County government to the expenditure of 100% local match to the funds awarded and to take any further action necessary to the grant and further authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? Council Member Ellinger moves. Council Member Fogle seconds. And when you're ready, if you'll take a roll call vote, please. Council Member Baxter. Councilmember Fogle Councilmember Gray Councilmember Legree Councilmember Lynch Councilmember Menares Councilmember Plowman Councilmember Reynolds Councilmember Sevigny Councilmember Sheehan Councilmember Worley Vice Mayor Wu Councilmember Fred Brown Councilmember James Brown Councilmember Ellinger Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Those all pass. Now, could I please have a motion for the communications from the mayor? Second. All right. Council Member Fogle moves. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Before we take the vote, I wanted to point out number three, which is a brand new commission. As you will remember, this is the Opioid Abatement Commission, which will be making recommendations for the expenditure of the opioid abatement monies that are coming from the lawsuits nationwide. They're from various pharmacies and drug producers. And these members are all members of the bigger body, which is my opioid advisory council, opioid and substance use advisory council. So I'll entertain any, since it's brand new, I'll entertain any questions about it. Council Member Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor, for giving an overall explanation for us and the public. I know we have talked about this with the opioid settlement. Could you talk just briefly about how Amy Baker's office will be involved with this group? Will they attend or advise or consult with this commission? Yes, because this literally is a smaller group of the advisory council. and so this, she will be involved just in an advisory capacity. As you will notice, the terms are staggered because it's a brand new commission. That way everyone doesn't go off at the same time and we think this commission will operate for about 20 years whenever the opioid settlement monies are finished And you'll also notice that I'm appointing, that's Stephanie, the N is missing, Stephanie Raglin is the new chair, and Tara Stanfield is the new vice chair. And then once they're up and running, they will, in the next iteration, select their own chair and vice chair. It's a little different with a new commission. Any other questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. I also will entertain a motion, please, for the price contracts. So moved. Second. All right. I heard Council Member Worley moved. Council Member Floman quickly seconded. Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next are the communications from the mayor for your information only. And we have a few of those. There is no fire discipline and no police discipline tonight. So now it's time for announcements, council members. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I'll try to chime in first just to be the first one to wish Ms. Aldona the best in her retirement. You know, Ms. Aldona, you've been here as long as I – well, you were here longer than I've been here. You've been here the whole time. I really appreciate your service to the city because I think a lot of us know what you're really worth and what you do. and that for you to be here as long as you have been and do what you have done for the city, it's really been a service to us. Thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you for your advice. Thank you for your friendship. And I'm conflicted. I really don't want you to leave, but then at the same time, I'm excited for you having the opportunity to go spend more time with your family and start the next chapter of your adventure. So I wish you nothing but the best. And I still have your phone number. And I think I know where you live at, so I can come find you when I see you. So, yeah, thank you for all you've done and just wish you the best in your retirement. So thank you. Council member. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Sorry, Mayor. And then I have one other thing. I just want to announce, I think most folks know it, the counterclocks. Opening day is tomorrow night, Friday, 645. You know, the new owner, I think, is working to bring some new synergy and some new energy and has invested some new money into that facility. I think they have made a lot of improvements to the field and just wish them the best of luck as they start a new era for professional baseball here in Lexington. Go clocks. Yeah, that rolls off the tongue easier than counterclockwise. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. I also want to add some comments about Aldona. And it's funny because I'm not the most tech person in the world, but somehow I just managed to jump my name from the bottom of the council list here to make comments. And so I'm now going first when I was going to be going last. So thank you for showing me how to do it and don't show it to anybody else here tonight. But Aldona, when I first got here seven years ago, I mean, I have the rural area. and there is no connectivity out there. Little or none. So I cannot tell you how many meetings and ongoing meetings we've talked, and she's taught me a lot. I mean, over and beyond just what I was able to do, but she has taught me so much. And what I like about what you do and how you do it is that you can take what I think is one of the most complex subjects and you bring it down to a level that is so understandable, and you're not throwing out all the words. You're just really communicating well, and it made it so much easier for me. I will miss you. I will miss you personally as someone, as a professional, that's made a big difference in what I do, but also as a friend. So thanks for being you. Good luck. Best wishes. Stay in touch. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Gray. Thank you, Mayor. Ms. Aldona, I would like to say it's been a pleasure. I guess working with you for a very extremely brief moment in time. But I'll never forget the meeting that we had when I was first elected and your history and how it is an amazing story. An amazing story. And right then and there I knew I mean how special you are and what you've done for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, not only just for us, and then your other ventures, your many other ventures in the private sector, and how you have basically changed the face of technology in ways that we should all be grateful for. So thank you for all that you have done, and you deserve a fourth retirement. And I would like to say welcome to residents of the 6th District who are here. I'm glad that you came after our conversation at the Pleasant Ridge dog lot. And I'm glad you've all listened to me and you showed up today to let the council members know what you've told me. And speaking of that, coming up in May, on May 19th at Pleasant Ridge Park, we're going to be having a community conversation about that park and how we can improve. and what I can do as your city council member to make sure I meet all your needs. And we will have representatives from parks and recreation there and possibly other organizations who can help all of us out with that park. That is all. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. I'll say something at the end. I have a few other announcements first. We had a great park walk last night at Hillandale Park. We probably had about 15, 20 folks with us. We've got another one on Monday at Cardinal Run South at 6 p.m. And Sunday, we had a great tall sound music festival to kick it off. Vice Mayor Wu and I were there with some friends and his wife and my sister and just had a great time. But mark your calendar for the next one. It's on May 28th at 6 p.m. And Aldona, I probably have known Aldona longer than anybody here. I remember I started a business in 1996, and Aldona became, I think, the CIO in 1997 over at COT. And I don't know if it was called GOT then or what it was. It changed its names. But I can just tell you that Aldona has an incredible presence. Like you were at conference. When you're at a conference and Aldona was there, it's like Mame was there. It's like everybody parted the Red Sea parts, and she kind of would walk down the aisle. And she just commanded a lot of respect, and it was well-deserved. So it's been fun knowing you all these years, and I look forward to hearing about your escapades, your next escapades. All right. Enjoy yourself. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. Aldone, I just want to wish you the best in your retirement. I don't know that I've ever met a woman who is so elegant and eloquent in your speaking, and truly a role model for all the women leaders in this room. So I want to thank you for your service to our state and our city and know that you still have friends and you can't get rid of me because you're my constituent. So I love the friendship that we have, and I'm so thankful for you. So best in your retirement, and good luck with your next chapter. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. Aldona, I haven't known you very long, so I'm going to keep this brief as well. Your successor is going to have a hard time living up to your iconic style, first of all, and I really appreciated you telling your story. Those of us who are not from here and have had long and sometimes treacherous journeys to this country and to be able to do what a lot of us can do. I mean, as they said in Hamilton, immigrants, we get the job done. So thank you. Can we pull up some slides? For the last ten weeks, three of my colleagues and me, Council Members Sheehan, Baxter, and Gray, we attended the ten-week-long Citizens Fire Academy, and I think I can speak for all of us. We had an absolute ball. Next slide. We got to learn a whole bunch of stuff from our really terrific fire department. Also, many of our aides were there. Rob, Tori, Tiffany, and Layton. Yes, and a couple of spouses as well. Here we are visiting the E911 Center. Got a really good look at kind of a lot of the work that they do. That is me in a hazmat suit. gives me brand new appreciation of what those hazmat folks do. Being in there was very uncomfortable, a little bit scary and claustrophobic, and you have these big thick gloves on that you can't do anything with, but then you have to do things. So that was really fun and interesting. This is us staunching a wound on a fake limb there with fake blood squirting out. So that was, you know, entertaining. We got to really, like a bunch of children, go around these fire trucks and just gander up and down. And it's kind of amazing how technical some of this equipment is and how impressive it is. And I can kind of understand now why they cost about a million dollars apiece and take three years to build. I'm going to play that video. So this is Firefighter Houston lighting up a little fire. That's my wife, Lauren, putting it out with a fire extinguisher. and then you'll see this particular fire extinguisher did not turn off. So if you go to the next video, Firefighter Houston will show you how to, actually that might not be the right one. Oh, this was when her, let's see. This was the one that didn't work. So let me see if there's another one. Let's see if we have one more. If not, we can go to the next slide. That's fine. It ended up, her fire extinguisher didn't turn off, so prior to Houston just tossed it into the wind. So that's how you dispose of a fire extinguisher. We got fitted for uniforms, and that also gave us an appreciation of how uncomfortable and hot and strange to move in they are. So this was a fire night where they lit up a little dollhouse, and we really got a great lesson on how fire works and physically, chemically, how it travels from room to room, where the smoke goes, how you introduce fire and fuel and heat. It was very, very interesting. The one takeaway we got from that is sleep with your door closed. It is amazing how fire won't travel to another room, at least for a long time, if you have your door closed because of oxygen. This is us going up in the tower. We went up about, I think, 65 feet up in the air and got a really great view of Lexington. This is Mr. Sheen hacking apart a windshield, which is not as easy as you can tell because modern windshields are laminated and they're very, very hard to shatter. and then we got to use the jaws of life and we also got to use this cutter and we literally cut this car to pieces this is the final product of us lifting the um the roof off of a car and that was uh an absolute blast and something you don't get to do every day and then we actually we went out to the airport and got to put out an actual fire and that is the graduating class class number 40 they've been doing this for years and it's one of the largest class i think the largest class they've had i think 24 students in here and that is all of our council members all of our aides and all of the firefighters that from the community fire who helped put cfa on and along with the chief i cannot recommend this program enough. It runs 10 weeks. It's a little bit of a time commitment, three hours a week. It's free. They feed you, and it's the most fun you'll have. So, thank you to our fire department. Thank you. Councilmember Fogel. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I would like to send out a get-will soon to our chief of police Weathers. I miss seeing them in the back. And so much prayers from St. Peter Claver's Catholic Church. And so I told you guys I was headed to, I represent the first district and I love being a servant for the first district. And so I have two phenomenal things going on and it's blowing me away with the counter clocks for one. It's located in the first district. and we are asked to attend a lot of folks call our office and say, can you come and take a tour, can you come and take a tour? Well, this particular day, today, I went to take a tour, and I also want to lift up what happened today with the mayor and the proclamation that she gave. But I went to this phenomenal place called Oak Street Health, and right in the first district, Mayor, council members, I have a health center and it is located in North Park, which is off of Broadway next to the Save-A-Lot. And of course they made me do karaoke. I didn't ask to, but they made me do it. So I did the midnight train to Georgia and I showed out. I represented. And they have a community corner. And here's what's the neatest part about this Oak Street Health. They pick up everyone who has Medicaid, Medicare, that has appointments with the doctors. They have a van, and they go out and pick up the patients, bring them to the health center. They're seen by the doctor, and they give them a ride home. That is in the 1st District. They service the underserved, and they have a great relationship. Mr. Trippier there, he is the director. He's also the son of my junior high coach, Bob Trippier, and it was a trip to see Mr. Trippier. But anyway, I wanted to uplift the folks in the 1st District. I am so honored to serve these people, and it was a great morning. It was a tough morning. But anyone that knows anyone, and they are centered on 55 and over, they also have a food bank, and they also have equipment like bedroom commodes and wheelchairs that they hand out to folks who come to seek their services. And so they accept people off the street. They can go to the community park, play checkers or whatever, watch television. It is an awesome discovery today. And so I am so honored to present Oak Street Health Center in the 1st District. Thanks. Thank you. Council Member Worley. Thank you, Mayor. And like Council Member Brown, I tried to log in really quick to speak about Aldona, but I got kicked to the end. But I'll take the honor of maybe bringing it home. Aldona, if you'll remember, when I first got on the council, my very first real fight to help constituents was with Metronet. And those that were here with me at the time, Fred, James, Kathy, remember, the 7th District was where the underground construction started, and it did not start well. And I got thrown pretty quickly into fighting with a utility to help my constituents. And had it not been, Aldona, for you and for Sally and your direction and your advice, those issues probably wouldn't have got resolved. and potentially the city as they moved into other districts would have experienced problems. But your leadership immediately helped constituents and get that construction project on the right way that has now made our city so much more wired and accessible for its constituents. And then I'll get to the mayor in her statement said that you've made the city safer and more efficient. And I would add that you have made this city more accessible to its people. All of the improvements that you've made to our forward-facing facilities, to 311, to all of our technology, in an era that technology is really taking over how people choose to interact, you have made this city keep up and be accessible to its people, and you deserve every accolade for that. You know, there are different types of people who choose to work in government and choose service. And you are the very best type and one of the best within that type. Some people, and not a criticism to them, choose process and policy and their decision making. You have always been first a results-oriented problem solver. And you've done it so well. how many times that I've seen you seek to help the council member, to help the department, and help the constituent. And what you really bring and have brought for all these years, very blunt, direct advice. And quite frankly, so blunt and direct that could only be delivered by someone as knowledgeable and experienced and usually always right as you were. and that was so appreciated because that's what it was needed to get through. Government is an otherwise slow process and the success that you've had for this city is because you made it a quick and efficient process with that blunt and direct advice and that drive and that problem solving. So thank you for your story tonight. Thank you for your service. And until your next tour of duty, enjoy your retirement. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Does anyone else wish to speak? I don't want to forget Aldona's work with our other counties and her regional efforts with the Bluegrass Act. I know that they appreciate you very much. I think Council Member Fogle wanted to add one more thing. Do you want to talk about this? Well, we are not really celebrating. We're honoring crime victims. And so many of us this morning were at the Crime Victims' Rights event. And so we were all wearing the kind of peach-colored ribbons. And it was really a nice event to uplift victims of crime who frequently are invisible or seem lost in the shuffle. And there were many people there and many victims, and a couple of them spoke very well and poignantly about their experience. So thank you for that reminder. Okay. Now we are to public comment. And we have four people who wish to speak. And the way it works is that I will call your name. And if you'll please approach the podium here. And for the record, you need to state your name and your council district. And you'll have three minutes. So the first speaker is Dottie Bean. Welcome. Council members, we attended our first links committee meeting today on the 2024 budget and were amazed at all of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for just the environmental quality and public works departments this coming year. We want to commend the Lynx Councilmen for their obviously thorough study of the proposed budgets for those two departments. Many questions we have had since the COVID shutdown were answered for us today. We only wish the larger public could have attended this online or in person or by watching GTV. We are requesting that the mayor's office provide us with a breakdown of the viewers or users of tonight's meeting online and those watching or participating online or on cable television to see how many citizens are getting their local government news on the web as opposed to television. I think this is especially important as possible tax increases are discussed. We believe the best way to have the public weigh in on some of these issues confronting the city in this budget would be to return to the pre-COVID practice of broadcasting links meetings on GTV3 and holding them here in the council chambers. An example of information we learned at this Lynx meeting is that after eight years of paying sewer taxes, only 84 of 111 overflowing sewers have been corrected. It seems to us that they should have been the very first problems corrected once the tax was imposed. since every sewer neighborhood must pay those taxes. We would like a list of all those overflows that have been corrected and maps showing their locations as well as a map of where the remaining overflows are occurring and estimates of when they will be fixed. We would also like to know how much of the sewer tax revenues were spent sewer in Keeneland and the Kentucky Horse Park. And all of this information, I believe, in the original consent agreement was promised to be told to the public in regular intervals. The sewer tax is projected to raise more than a half billion dollars. And we need a full accounting of what's been spent so far and what tax cost overruns have been. Sorry, I'll be back on this subject. Thank you. Next is Corrine O'Brien. Welcome. Hello. My name is Corrine O'Brien, and I live in District 1. Hi, Council Member Fogle. As you can probably tell, I am going to talk a little bit about housing tonight. As I said, my name is Corinne. I'm very privileged to have never had to experience an eviction. And I'm also very lucky to have family that can help support me if I ever run into a time of need. in June my rent will increase from $995 to $1,220 which will be a stretch but we can handle it unfortunately in this very community there are folks who have to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table I ask you if you've ever had to make that choice and I know that I have not but I do my best to empathize and understand. So that's why I'm here. And even though I have not been directly impacted by eviction or lack of affordable housing, I feel that it's my civic duty to come and represent fellow Lexingtonians. And it's also my duty because those facing eviction or in crisis do not need to come make comments at a city council meeting. They need to focus on themselves. I myself live downtown on the north side behind LTMS and during my walk to work down the street at Transylvania University I often see unhoused individuals sleeping in uncomfortable places because they have nowhere else to go. I see folks all over the city living out of grocery carts, sleeping in tents and in parks. The mental and physical toll of being unhoused is well documented. Homelessness is traumatic according to the substance abuse and mental health services administration and I see my fellow Lexingtonians living that trauma every day. I wonder what is being done to address the crisis and that I do see every single day walking around downtown. I've seen the slick smart growth webpage that advocates for responsible zoning and development. I see those words, your voice referenced on that webpage. Then I wonder whose voice that is. I have serious doubts that they're including the unhoused folks that sleep by the bus stop at 3rd and Elm in their responsible zoning conversations. I'm running out of time, but I did just want to point out that KY Tenants has created an excellent blueprint for becoming the affordable housing center of the country. These simple tenant protections could be the first step to changing our city. I urge you to pass these tenant protections. They are essential to protecting the rights of tenants and ensuring that everyone has a safe, affordable place to live. Thank you. Thank you. Next is Ed Hyden. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you, all of you. This, our concern, we've got about 130 dog owners that go to the Pleasant Ridge Dog Park. And that's on the intersection of Manowar and Pleasant Ridge Drive. The park is about, it's actually called a dog lot, I guess. But the closest one to us is Jacobson Park in this district. and it's actually too big for the size dogs that we have there. I've been going there for three years now and there has been very little maintenance done to the park. Very little. And it's important that it be a model for the state of Kentucky and for Lexington because we have so many people from out of state that stop there. Within a quarter of a mile of Manowar and Pleasant Ridge Park, there are seven hotels. Everybody that's traveling through the state usually stay there on that intersection. Well, they have their dogs. The closest is Pleasant Ridge Park. So they come and then the park is absolutely beautiful. It's used by many people, soccer, cross country. We've got a pavilion where they have family reunions, birthday parties. The immediate problem at the park right now is the parking spaces. We only have 40 parking spaces. And of a night from 530 to 7 o'clock, if you go up there, you want to get a parking place. And I think our councilwoman from the 6th District, she can witness that. So we need probably double that many parking spots. and we need for the dog park to be enlarged. It's about an acre and a half and it really needs to be at least three acres. And I'm not for sure. I know that we have a meeting on the 19th of next month and I really look forward to it and I'd just like to say I'd like to appreciate anything that you all can do to assist us in taking care of what we need. Not what we want, but what we need. Thank you. Thank you. Adrienne Williams. Welcome. Hi, council members. I'm Adrienne Williams, and I've been a renter in the 3rd District for three years because of my rent getting raised. As of next month, I'll be a renter in the 5th District. I'm a leader with Kentucky tenants, and so it goes without saying that I support the passing of the eviction diversion program here in Lexington. Thank you, council members. You have no idea how much approving this program will change so many lives here. I faced homelessness as a child. My mother was laid off from her job two months after moving our family to Atlanta and couldn't afford to keep us in our home. From that experience, I know firsthand how devastating, confusing, and maddening it is to suddenly have nowhere safe to call your own, to be terrified of forgetting one of my prized possessions somewhere and never seeing it again, to watch my mom struggle and fight just to get a roof back over our head. As an adult, I've been obsessed with financial stability, with making sure that I choose jobs that make it so that I never have to be in that situation ever again. But the thing is that it can still happen to more people than we as a city want to acknowledge. One missed paycheck, one medical emergency, one stroke of bad luck could lead to not being able to pay our rent and an eviction filing following soon after that. So again, thank you for passing this eviction diversion program. I hope and I trust that when the other parts of our tenants' bill of rights are brought to council, that they will be passed as well, and that Lexington's tenants will be one step closer to having safe, high-quality, affordable housing. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment. So thank you to those who came down to speak, and I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. All right. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. We are adjourned. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. When I was young, I never needed anyone And making love was just fun, those days are gone Living alone, I think of all the friends I've known But when I die, the telephone Nobody's home All by myself Don't wanna be All by myself anymore Hard to be sure Sometimes I feel so insecure