# Urban County Council - November 16, 2023 > Auto-transcribed civic record · November 16, 2023 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/5966 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/5966?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2023-11-16 - **Last revised**: November 16, 2023 - **Length**: 13,273 words > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed with OpenAI's open-source Whisper large-v3-turbo model, run locally by The Lexington Times. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude. Verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Urban County Council convened on November 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting focused primarily on recognizing outstanding athletic achievements by local high school cross country teams. The council took 2 votes during the session and heard 2 public comments from attendees. The council successfully approved both agenda items, which involved formal recognitions of the Lexington Catholic Girls Cross Country Team and the Lafayette Boys Cross Country team for their accomplishments. Both recognition items received approval from the council members present. The meeting demonstrated the council's commitment to acknowledging the achievements of young athletes in the Lexington community and celebrating their contributions to local high school athletics. ## Attendance The following members were present at the November 16, 2023 meeting: **Present:** • Mayor Gorton • Gray • LeGris • Lynch • Monarrez • Plomin • Reynolds • Sevigny • Sheehan • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Elliott Baxter • Fogle • Wu (arrived late) **Absent:** • Worley **Late Arrival:** • Wu A total of 15 members attended the meeting, with 14 present at the start and one member arriving late. One member was absent from the proceedings. ## Votes and Decisions The Council took action on two ordinances during the November 16, 2023 meeting, with both measures passing unanimously. **Ordinance 1145-23** - Adopting a schedule of meetings for the Council for the calendar year 2024 was brought forward by Vice Mayor Wu and seconded by Ellinger [timestamp: 01:30]. The ordinance passed by roll call vote with 14 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. All Council members voted in favor: Gray, LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Plomin, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, and Fogle. **Ordinance 1141-23** - Amending budgets for municipal expenditures, FY 2024 Schedule No. 22 was motioned by Wu and seconded by Fogle [timestamp: 02:30]. This budget amendment also passed unanimously by roll call vote with 14 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. The same 14 Council members voted in favor: Gray, LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Plomin, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, and Fogle. Both ordinances received full Council support with no opposition or abstentions recorded. The meeting demonstrated unanimous agreement on establishing the 2024 meeting schedule and approving the fiscal year 2024 budget amendments outlined in Schedule No. 22. ## Budget and Financial Actions The meeting addressed two significant financial resolutions involving infrastructure improvements and security enhancements. **Resolution 1142-23** authorized a $323,000 contract with Davis H. Elliot Construction Co., Inc. for electrical improvements at Masterson Station Park Fairground. This contract represents a substantial investment in upgrading the electrical infrastructure at the fairground facility. **Resolution 1144-23** approved a purchase agreement with Integrated Security Solutions for security cameras and software support. While the specific dollar amount for this security enhancement was not disclosed in the available materials, the resolution indicates the government's commitment to improving security infrastructure through technological upgrades. Both resolutions demonstrate the government's focus on infrastructure improvements, spanning recreational facilities and security systems. The Masterson Station Park project represents the larger identified expenditure, while the security camera initiative addresses ongoing safety and surveillance needs. ## Public Comment Two community members addressed the council during the public comment period. **Graham Wahler** [timestamp: 03:00] spoke in favor of allowing Sunday morning alcohol sales in the city. Wahler argued that current restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales should be modified to align with policies for other days of the week. He emphasized that expanding Sunday alcohol sales would provide benefits for local businesses and could help boost tourism in the area. **Ameri Ra Karashi** [timestamp: 04:00] addressed the council regarding international affairs, specifically calling for the adoption of a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza. Karashi highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region and urged the local government to take action by formally supporting ceasefire efforts. The speaker emphasized the importance of local government bodies taking positions on significant humanitarian issues. The public comment period covered two distinct topics: local alcohol sales policy and international humanitarian concerns. Both speakers presented their positions directly to the council without apparent opposition or additional discussion from other community members during this portion of the meeting. ## Appointments The meeting included two reappointments to city advisory boards. **Mary McCormac** was reappointed to the Arboretum Advisory Board. The board provides guidance and oversight for the city's arboretum operations and programs. **Richard Greene** was reappointed to the Dunbar Neighborhood Center Board. This board oversees the operations and programming at the Dunbar Neighborhood Center facility. Both reappointments were processed during the meeting, continuing these individuals' service on their respective advisory bodies. ## Contested Items The meeting featured significant community advocacy around a ceasefire resolution related to the conflict in Gaza. Multiple public speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, calling for the adoption of a resolution supporting a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. The speakers emphasized the humanitarian crisis occurring in Gaza and urged the local government to take a formal stance by passing a ceasefire resolution. Community members presented their concerns about the civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions, arguing that local government bodies have a role in advocating for peace and human rights on international issues. This item represented a form of community-driven advocacy rather than a formal agenda item brought by council members. The speakers were seeking to influence the council to consider future action on this international issue through local government channels. The nature of the disagreement centered on whether local government should engage with international conflicts through formal resolutions, with community members advocating for such action while the council's response and any formal outcome from these public comments was not specified in the available meeting materials. *Note: Specific timestamp information was not available in the provided meeting data for this contested item.* ## Recognition of Lexington Catholic Girls Cross Country Team [timestamp: 00:45] The Lexington Catholic Girls Cross Country Team was formally recognized for their outstanding achievement in winning the 2023 KHSAA Class 2A Cross Country Championship. This victory marked the team's third consecutive state title, demonstrating sustained excellence in the sport. Mayor Gorton presented the recognition to the team and acknowledged their remarkable accomplishment. The team's success represents not only athletic achievement but also dedication to training and competition at the highest level of high school cross country in Kentucky. Coach Bernadette Dugan was present to accept the recognition on behalf of the team. The coach's leadership has been instrumental in guiding the program to three straight state championships, establishing Lexington Catholic as a dominant force in Class 2A cross country competition. The recognition highlighted the team's consistent performance and ability to maintain championship-level competition year after year. Winning three consecutive KHSAA state titles demonstrates the program's depth, training quality, and competitive excellence. The agenda item was approved without discussion or opposition, reflecting the community's pride in the team's achievements and the straightforward nature of honoring their athletic success. ## Recognition of Lafayette Boys Cross Country [timestamp: 01:00] The city recognized the outstanding achievement of the Lafayette Boys Cross Country team for winning the 2023 Class 3A Region 6 Boys Cross Country Championship. Mayor Gorton presented the recognition to James Ndayishimiye and Coach Caleb Joy, who were present to accept the honor on behalf of the team. Coach Caleb Joy spoke about the team's accomplishment and the hard work that led to their regional championship victory. The recognition highlighted the athletic excellence demonstrated by the Lafayette cross country program and celebrated the dedication of both the student-athletes and coaching staff. The presentation was received positively by the council, acknowledging the team's representation of Lafayette at the regional level. This recognition serves to honor the achievement and show community support for local student-athletes who have excelled in their sport. The agenda item was approved without discussion or concerns raised by council members. --- ## Decisions - **Ordinance 1145-23** — passed (14-0): Adopting a schedule of meetings for the Council for the calendar year 2024 - **Ordinance 1141-23** — passed (14-0): Amending budgets for municipal expenditures, FY 2024 Schedule No. 22 --- ## Full transcript Whenever you meet me, you reach out, save me emotions I'm going to go across, I'm going to lay down I've been too long, standing still I will pick you up, whenever you stumble You reach out, save me emotions guitar solo I will take this moment to stumble Thank you. Thank you. Can I take the time to ask you to speak your mind? Tell me that you love me better. I really think you're groovy. Let's go out to a movie. What do you say now? And then I can't wait. They'll turn the lights way down low. Maybe we won't watch the show. I think I love you, Eleanor. Love me. Eleanor G, I think you're swell. And you really do me well. You're my pride and joy, et cetera. Eleanor, can I take the time To ask you to speak your mind Tell me that you love me better Eleanor, gee, I think you're swell Ha, ha, ha Eleanor, gee, I think you're swell Ha ha ha I'm tired of playing on the team It seems I don't get time out anymore What a change if we set the pace Face to face No one even tried to score And oh, oh I can feel the magic of your touch And when you move it close a little bit I mean so much. Oh yeah. You got to understand baby. Time out is what I'm here for. Oh. One on one. I want to play that game tonight. One on one. No. I want to play that. One on one. I want to play. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Welcome. I'd like to welcome you and call to order the meeting of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council for November 16th, 2023. And the first item on our agenda is the roll call. Council member Denise Gray. Present. Council member Hannah Legree. Here. Council member Shayla Lynch. Present. Council member Brenda Menares. Here. Council member Kathy Plowman. Here. Council member Jennifer Reynolds. Here. Council member Dave Savigny. Here. Council member Liz Sheehan. Here. Council member Preston Worley. Vice Mayor Dan Wu. Council Member Fred Brown. Here. Council Member James Brown. Here. Council Member Chuck Ellinger. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Whitney Elliott Baxter. Yes, ma'am. And Council Member Fogle. Here. Thank you very much. We have a quorum. So I'll ask Senior Pastor Mark Johnson of Central Baptist Church to give us our invocation tonight. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, City Council members, all staff and guests. As I begin, I ask that we will observe a moment of silence to recognize and respect the different faith traditions in our community and even here in this room. Let us pray. I thank you, God, for the work of this council offered for the good of Lexington and Fayette County. I thank you for the skill, excellence, dedication, and experience they bring for the task ahead. I thank you for our mayor, Linda Gordon, and pray your wisdom and guidance to be with her in the leadership and decisions she brings. I thank you for those who protect and serve this community, often at great personal risk to themselves. I thank you for those who teach our children and who lift up the broken. I thank you for those who tend to the needs of the sick, the elderly, and the impoverished. I thank you for those who bring peace to the troubled and counsel to the hurting. I thank you for those who strive for peace in a world full of conflict and understanding in a world full of division. I thank you for the rich tradition of our faiths and for the way in which they help us be the best kind of humans we can be. I pray for the good to be revealed, the breakthroughs yet to be experienced, and for the creative and innovative ideas yet to be birthed. I pray for these servants gathered here tonight who have come at the end of a day already filled with toil and labor with still more work to do. grant us all clarity of speech, certainty of conviction, and cooperation of spirit. May we be patient in trial, careful in deliberation, all so that the work of this community can flourish and prosper, all the while knowing we've done our best and we have done it together. We offer this prayer in the name of all that we hold to be holy and sacred and eternal. Amen. Thank you very much, Pastor Johnson. Council members, I'll entertain a motion to approve the September 28th, October 12th, October 26th, and November 2nd Council Meeting Minutes. So moved. Well, we have a motion from Council Member Gray and a second from Council Member Fogle. Are there any questions? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. At this time, we'll have two presentations. All right. All right, now first of all, I'd like coaches Bernadette Madigan Dugan and Wendy Mason to join me at the podium. Are you here? As well as council member Dave Savigny. Hi. How are you? Good. Which one are you? I'm going to. Okay. Nice to meet you. All right, so, come on up here, don't be shy. So Bernadette is the head coach of the Lexington Catholic High School Girls Cross Country Team, and Wendy is the assistant coach. The Lexington Catholic Girls Cross Country Team recently won the 2023 Kentucky High School Athletic Association Class IIA Cross Country Championship. They also won that same title in 2022 and 2021. They are officially three-peat champions. Throughout the competition, each runner demonstrated teamwork and determination. Our runners finished the competition with all state honors. Bernadette and Wendy, thank you so much for your dedication to our young people. Your hard work is represented here today. I congratulate each of you on these many accomplishments and am excited to cheer you on next season. So now it's my pleasure to present this proclamation. Are the girls watching downstairs or up here? Oh, you're all here. There they are. Okay. This one's for you. Whereas the Lexington Catholic High School Girls Cross Country Team has won the 2023 KHSAA Class 2A Cross Country Championship, and whereas this is the team's third straight consecutive championship title, also winning the championship title in 2021 and 2022. And whereas the team had a winning score of 38, the lowest winning score of the day. And whereas team members Kate Conklin, Anna Dawhair, Joanna Bryant, and Caroline Biting earned all state honors. and whereas each team member displayed hard work, determination, and dedication, and whereas we commend Coach Bernadette Madigan-Dugan and Assistant Coach Wendy Mason for their dedication and guidance, and whereas the City of Lexington congratulates the Lexington Catholic Girls Cross Country Team, Now, therefore, I, Linda Gorton, mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare November 16, 2023, Lexington Catholic High School Girls Cross Country Day in Lexington. Congratulations. Congratulations. May I give this to you? And then when we do a picture, we'll have an answer. Okay? All right. Bernadette, would you like to say a few words? I'll say a few words. Okay. Thank you so much for recognizing the girls here tonight. We, myself and Wendy Mason, are super proud of their accomplishments. And winning the third time and three-peating was a very exciting day. We went into the season with a few injuries, and we battled through. And I think the girls standing back there, our team, are some of the mentally toughest athletes I know, and we're super proud of them. So thank you for recognizing them tonight. Thank you so much. Council Member Sevigny. Yeah, I just wanted to thank you guys for being in District 10. And it's fun to watch people run around District 10 all the time, and that's what you guys do. And it's really amazing, like, three years in a row to win it as a team. that that is that's a lot of great athletes that are just performing well and continue to perform well and that is not easy to do so congratulations to you all you deserve it and I'm excited to be here next year at the same time and we're doing this again so let's get them done good job all right can i ask all the girls from the team and the coaches to come council member savigny we're going to take a photo come on in here with your with your trophies Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. At this time, we want to honor another fast person. I'd like to invite James and Coach Caleb Joy to please join me at the podium. You may have read about James in the paper or on Facebook or in a lot of other ways. So we have more cross-country victories, and James was recently named the 2023 KHSAA Class 3A Boys Cross-Country Individual Champion. That's in the whole state of Kentucky. He is the second runner in Lafayette history, male or female, to win a cross-country state title. It's pretty cool, right? This is James' first year on the cross-country team, and he's already setting records. He covered 3.1 hilly miles in just over 15 minutes. Wow. We have a couple runners up here, and they're all going, oh, my gosh. James, I want to congratulate you on this wonderful achievement. You're an inspiration for your peers as well as for younger runners. And I really thank you very much. Caleb, Coach Caleb, thank you for your dedication to our young people. Your hard work does not go unnoticed. And now in recognition of these achievements, I'm pleased to present James and Coach Joy with a Spirit of Lexington Award. So this is for you. Congratulations. Congratulations. Yes. Did you like to say it for you? No. No? James is going to pass on the words, but he can run circles around all of us, right? All right, Councilmember Sevigny, would you like to say a few words? Of course. James, I just want to say it's fantastic that your story is so passionate and it's so neat, And it's something that you will carry with you for the remainder of your life. And you're going to tell your kids and your grandkids about it. And I'm just thoroughly impressed. My best time, I think, is 31 minutes on that same run. So you would have laughed to me for sure. And congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Coach Joy. Sure. Just a quick recap of James' story for those that don't know. James came to America in 2015. His family are Congolese refugees that sought refuge in Uganda. And they are one of the millions that have sought refuge and came over to the United States. and James decided to come out for cross country, or yeah, for the very first time his senior year and was only a runner since January until now. He is a state champion and then he has also just committed to EKU yesterday and will be the very first person from his family to go to college. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Awesome. Congratulations. We'll get a photo. Thank you. Yes, Vice Mayor Wu has a motion. Thank you, Mayor. I move to amend item number four under ordinances, second reading relating to the adoption of a schedule of meetings for council for 2024 as follows. Removing council meetings scheduled for January 25th and February 8th, adding a council meeting on January 23rd at 5 p.m. And adding a council meeting on February 1st. Council members, you all got the most recent draft of the calendar today, and these changes reflect that. Since this is a material reading that will require a first reading, we are also pulling it out of second readings or separating it. We could leave it in since you made the motion to have first reading and just have first reading. Okay. And then it can go with all of them. Does that work? Second. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger seconded. Are there any questions? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. So I'll ask our clerk to give that first reading. Number four, an ordinance pursuant to section 2-1A of the Code of Ordinances of Lexington-Fay Urban County Government adopting a schedule of meetings for the council for the calendar year 2024 as amended. Thank you. All right, now, if you will please, let's see, that was first reading. So let's go ahead and see if there's anyone who would like to suspend the rules on number four. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number four. Thank you. Second. Thank you. Councilmember Fogle seconds. Now, the one, two, and three also require second reading. So all those in favor of the motion to give four a second reading, please say aye. Aye. Is there anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Now I think we're ready to give second reading to ordinances. Number one, an ordinance meeting certain of the budget says elected to favor urban county government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds fiscal year 2024, schedule number 22. Number two, an ordinance amending certain of the budget says Lexington Fay Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $62,360 to provide funds for council capital projects in the divisions of traffic engineering and parks and recreation. And appropriating and reappropriating funds, schedule number 24. Number three, an ordinance number 117-2023 amending the authorized by creating one classified civil service position of public supervisor, grade 517N in the division of waste management effective July 1st, 2023. And number four, an ordinance pursuant to section 2-1A of the code of ordinances of election to fair and county government adopting a schedule of meetings for the council for the county year of 2024 as amended. Thank you. Thank you, is there a motion to approve? Second. Thank you, council member Plumman moves, council member Sheehan seconds. And when you're ready, if you'll take a roll call vote please. Council member Gray? Yes. Council member LeGree? Yes. Council member Lynch. Yes. Council member Menares. Council member Plowman. Council member Reynolds. Yes. Council member Sevigny. Yes. Council member Sheehan. Yes. Vice Mayor Dan Wu. Yes. Council member Fred Brown. Yes. Council member James Brown. Yes. Council member Ellinger. Yes ma'am. Council member Elliott Baxter. And council member Fogle. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, those all pass and when you're ready, if you'll give first reading two ordinances please. Number five, an ordinance amending certain of the budget that's elected to favor urban county government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and reappropriating funds fiscal year 2024, schedule number 23. Number six, an ordinance amending certain of the budget that's elected to favor urban county government for various appropriations as approved during the October 31st, 2023 committee of the whole fund balance meeting and appropriating and reappropriating funds, schedule number 25. Number seven, an ordinance amending certain of the budget that's elected to favor urban county government to reflect current requirements for funds in the amount of $216,164 to write funds for council capital projects in the division of traffic, engineering, suites, and roads, and park recreation, and appropriating and reappropriating funds, schedule number 26. Number eight, an ordinance creating subsection 6-53B8 of the code of ordinances relating to pensions other than police and firemen. Specifically pensions on retirement to provide for an increase of 5% to each retiree's base annuity or the annuity paid to retirees, widows, or dependent children effective January 1st, 2024. Number nine, an ordinance of the council of the Lexington Urban County Government authorizing and approving the execution of a ninth supplemental lease agreement between Lexington Fayette Urban County Airport Board as the lesser and the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government as the lessee. In connection with the issuance of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Airport Board General Airport Revenue Obligation 2023 Series A, Credit Note, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government General Obligation, evidencing a line of credit agreement by and between Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Airport Board and Pinnacle Bank in a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $16 million for the purpose of providing interim financing for certain airport facilities at the Blue Cross Airport in Fay County, Kentucky. Number ten, an ordinance amending the civil service authorized strength by abolishing two classified civil service positions of administrative specialists, grade 516n, and creating one classified civil service position of administrative specialist senior, grade 518n. And creating one classified civil service position of staff assistant senior, grade 511n, and all in the division of revenue effective upon the passage of council. Number 11, an ordinance amending section 21-32d of the Lexington Fay Urban County Government Code of Ordinances to reflect new job classifications of heavy equipment technician, heavy equipment technician senior, heavy equipment technician principal, vehicle and equipment technician, Vehicle and Equipment Technician Senior, Vehicle and Equipment Technician Principal, and Fleet Operations Supervisor in Fleet Services to receive a tool maintenance and allowance of $600 at the beginning of each fiscal year. And number 12, an ordinance amending section 3-21A1 of the Code of Ordinances related to alcoholic beverages to amend business hours prohibition to between hours of 2.30 AM and 6 AM on any day from Monday through Sunday, deleting sections 3-21A2 and 3 of the Code of Ordinances related to alcoholic beverages amending section 3-21B1 of the Code of Ordinances related to alcoholic beverages to amend business hours prohibition to between hours of 2.30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on any day from Monday through Thursday. Deleting sections 3-21B2 and 3 of the code of ordinance related to alcoholic beverages. Thank you. Thank you very much. Are there any walk ons? Council members? All right, are there any suspensions to give second reading if you'll log in please? If you have any. All right, very good. We will go right on then with second reading of resolutions. Number one, a resolution is set in the bid of Campus Communications Group Inc. In accordance with the provisions of ordinance number 69-2016 creating and offering a sale for a short term franchise for the operations of a non-exclusive telecommunications or related non-cable system in DeVay County. And authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed a franchise agreement with Campus Communications Group Inc. Incorporating the terms and conditions of ordinance number 69-2016. Number two, a resolution ratifying the permanent classified civil service appointments of Jeffrey Smith Public Service Worker Grade 508N 16.932 hourly, the division of Parks and Recreation effective October 24, 2023. Number three, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the government to exceed the first amendment to the first renewal agreement with Mackie Group LLC, DBA, Wiser Strategies, increasing the contract price by an amount not to exceed $20,000 for an increase in advertising for the safe streets, messaging for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works, and raising the total contract price from $360,000 to $380,000. Number four, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the government to exceed an agreement with Lexington Christian Academy to host the annual Kitty Capers Holiday Show at a cost of $1,500. Number five, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a renewal agreement with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction to retain responsibility for commercial project permitting and inspections within Lexington Bay County. Number six, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a renewal contract with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction to retain. Number seven, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to, sorry. Okay, number six, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a renewal contract with the Kentucky Department of Housing, buildings and construction to retain responsibility for commercial and residential HVAC projects permitting inspections within Lexington Bay County. Number seven, a resolution authorizing and directly on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute change order number one to the final to the agreement with Herrick Company, Inc. For the Heartland Pump Station number three, replacement project and decreasing the contract price by $149,904.76. From $1,110,000 to $960,095.24. Number eight, a resolution authorizing and directly on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute an economic incentive agreement with Keeneland Association, Inc. With the reimbursement of up to $1 million of public infrastructure costs related to its multi-million expansion program. Project number nine, a resolution authorizing and direct to the mayor on behalf of the urban government. To execute an economic incentive agreement with LSC Stadium, LLC, related to the construction of a stadium for professional soccer to provide a 1% occupational license fee refund for certain employees with holdings for up to 10 years. Support for the future issuance of industrial revenue bond which shall not exceed 15 million or 15 years in length. And the reimbursement of up to $1 million of public infrastructure costs in the form of a forgivable loan and authorizing the mayor to execute any additional necessary documents related to the loan agreement. Number ten, a resolution authorizing and direct to the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute addendum number one to the agreement with University of Kentucky Research Foundation, UKRF, to the provisions of evaluation services for year two of the expanded first responders and community partners overdose prevention project. And it costs $99,997. And number 11, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute contract modification number five with Strand Associates Inc. Increasing the contract price by $9,800 for additional design services for town branch trail phase six. Using the total contract price from $1,194,174 to $1,203,974. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger, second by Council Member Baxter. And when you are ready, if you'll take a roll call vote, please. Council Member Gray? Yes. Council member Lagree? Yes. Council member Lynch? Yes. Council member Menares? Yes. Council member Plowman? Yes. Council member Reynolds? Yes. Council member Sevigny? Yes. Council member Sheehan? Yes. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Council member Fred Brown? Yes. Council member James Brown? Yes. Council member Ellinger? Yes ma'am. Council member Elliott Baxter? And council member Fogel? Yes. All right, thank you. Those all pass. And when you're ready, if you'll give first reading to resolutions. Number 12, a resolution accepting the bid of Davis H Elliott Construction Company, Inc. In the amount of $323,000 from Masterson Station Park Fairground Electrical Improvements for the Division of Parks and Recreation. Author is in the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with Davis H Elliott Construction Company, Inc. Related to the bid. Number 13, a resolution ratifying the permanent classified civil service appointments of Alicia Nichols, Accounts Payable Assistant Grade 510N 17.248 Hourly in the Division of Accounting effective November 8th, 2023. Matthew Henry, Fleets Parts Specialist Senior, Grade 514N 20.981 Hourly in the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management effective November 15th, 2023. Jennifer Muener, Recreation Specialist Senior, Grade 516N 26.250 Hourly in the Division of Parks and Recreation effective November 8th, 2023. Number 14, a resolution about authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Irving County Government to execute certificates of consideration and other necessary documents. Use of deeds with owners of record for property interest needed for the Floyd Drive Trunk Sewer Project, a remedial measures project required by the consent to create a cost not to exceed $51,000. Number 15, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the government to exceed a license agreement with the Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Texas Pacific Railway Company, Norfolk Southern Railroad Company to allow for the installation of a sanitary sewer infrastructure on a railroad property at a cost not to exceed $23,215. Number 16, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the government to exceed an agreement with the University of Kentucky College of Social Work to remain a practicum site for students. Number 17, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with UMatter Kentucky Inc. To maintain and support the juvenile treatment court program at a cost to exceed $100,000. Number 18, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to amend the plan documents with Mission Square retirement for the administration of a Roth 457 plan for the Lexington Bay urban county government employees at no cost of the urban county government. Number 19, a resolution authorizing the Department of Public Safety to purchase support for security cameras and software from Integrated Security Solutions with a sole source provider and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government. Exceed any necessary agreement with integrated security solutions related to the procurement. Number 20, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the government to execute a subrecipient agreement with the Community Action Council for Lexington Bay at Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas Counties Inc, CAC, allocating $48,500 of funds awarded pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act, ARPA, to CAC, to provide temporary emergency shelter and supportive services to homeless families caring for minor children and authorizing the mayor to execute any other needed agreements or amendments with CAC related to these funds. Number 21, a resolution approving and granting of an inducement to Vector Corrosion Technologies Inc. Or its successor or affiliate pursuant to the Kentucky Business Investment Act, KRS sub chapter 154.32, whereby the Lexington-Fayette urban county government agrees to rebate annually one half of 1.5% of the company's occupational license fees for a term of no longer than 10 years from the activation date. Subject to the limitations contained in the act and the agreement with the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority or the urban county government related to the project and taking other related actions. Number 22, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with the licensed Fayette County Health Department for the Expanded First Responders and Community Partners Overdose Prevention Program funded under the US Department of Health and Human Services First Responders Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Grant. Add a cost not to exceed $237,500. Number 23, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed change order number one to the agreement with LAGCO, Inc. For construction for the Meadows Northland Arlington Public Improvement Project, Phase 61A and B, Increasing the contract price by $1,680,425 raising the total contract price to $2,445,237. Number 24, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the government to execute the check of consideration and other necessary documents and to accept deeds for property interest. Needed for the main street Baptist church parking lot renovations project at no cost to the urban county government. Number 25, a resolution authorizing and direct to the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement related to neighborhood development funds with Salvation Army Inc, $1,000. International Book Project Inc, $500. Barrett Morgan Elementary PTI $2,950, Lady Veterans Connect Inc $955, and William Wells Brown Neighborhood Association Inc for the office of the Urban County Council to exceed the sum stated. Number 26, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute and submit a grant application to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community-based Services to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application. And to accept this grant if awarded, which is estimated to total $2,460 in federal funding ARPA for the child care expenses in the Family Care Center. The acceptance which does not obligate the urban county government to the expenditure of funds. And further authorizing the mayor to execute any agreements or amendments related to this grant award. And lastly, authorizing the mayor to transfer unaccomment funds within the grant budget. And number 27, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit a grant application to the cabinet for health and family services, department for community based services, to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application and to accept this grant if awarded, which is estimated to total $75,000 in federal funding ARPA for child care expenses in the extended school program. At the division of Parks and Recreation, the acceptance which does not obligate the urban county government to the expenditure of funds. Further authorizing the mayor to execute any agreements or amendments related to this grant award. And lastly authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Thank you. Thank you very much. Council members, do you have any walk-ons? All right, if you would like to suspend the rules on anything, if you'll log in please. Council member Reynolds. Yes, I move on behalf of the administration to suspend the rules and give second reading to item 19. That's about public safety for support for our security camera software. Second. All right, Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Council Member Lynch. Thank you, Mayor. I have two items. I move that we suspend the rules and give a second reading on behalf of the administration to Resolution 1142-23 regarding the electrical improvements at Madison Station Park. Which number is that? Item 12. Thank you. Is there a second? All right. Council Member Sheehan seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. And I also move that we suspend the rules and give a second reading to item 27 regarding the grant application to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Item 27, you said? Second. All right. There's a second by Council Member Ellinger. Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Council Member Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. On behalf of the administration, I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number 20. This is related to the agreement with Community Action Council to provide temporary emergency shelter and supportive services to homeless families caring for minor children. Second. All right. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Thank you. Councilmember Fogel. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Item number 25, on behalf of the administration, I move to suspend the rules. 1172-23 and give a second reading. All right. All right, Councilmember. I think that's number 24. Are you doing Main Street Baptist Church? I'm doing the development plans. Oh, okay, 25. Okay, all right. Council Member Ellinger seconded. Are there any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to suspend the rules. I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules and give second reading to number 24. That's the Main Street Baptist one. All right. Council Member Reynolds seconds. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. I have one more. Okay. Mayor, I'd like to suspend the rules and give second reading to number 26. This has to do with grant applications. So moved. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Are there questions? All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Are there any other motions to suspend the rules? All right. All right, we have number 12, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, and 27. Is that correct? All right. When you're ready, if you'll give those second reading, please. Number 12, a resolution accepting a bid of Davis H. Elliott Construction Company, Inc., in the amount of $323,000 for Masters and Station Park Fairground Electrical improvements for the Division of Parks and Recreation, authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to exceed an agreement with davis h elliot construction company inc related to the bid. Number 19, a resolution authorizing the department of public safety to purchase support for security cameras and software from integrated security solutions to sole source provider and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute any agreement, any necessary agreement with integrated security solutions related to the procurement. Number 20, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a subrecipient agreement with community action council for Lexington, Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas counties, Inc. allocating $48,500 of funds awarded pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act, ARPA, to CAC. To provide temporary emergency shelter and support services to homeless families caring for minor children, authorizing the mayor to execute any other needed agreements or amendments with CAC related to these funds. Number 24, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the American government to execute certificates of consideration and other necessary documents and to accept deeds for property interest needed for the Main Street Baptist Church parking lot renovation project. No cost to the urban county government. Number 25, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government tax agreement related to neighborhood development funds with the Salvation Army, Inc. $1,000 in the International Book Project, Inc. $500, Garrett Morgan Elementary PTA, $2,950. Lady Veterans Connect, Inc. $955. And William Wells Brown Neighborhood Association, Inc. $680.68 for the office of the urban county council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated. Number 26, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute and submit a grant application to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community-Based Services to provide any additional information in connection with this grant application and to accept this grant of award which is estimated to total $2,460 in federal funding ARPA for child care expenses in the family care center. The acceptance of which does not obligate the urban county government to the expenditure of funds and further authorizing the mayor to execute any agreements or amendments related to this grant award. And lastly authorizing the mayor to transfer unaccommoned funds from the grant budget. And number 27, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the government to submit a grant application to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community-based Services, provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application to accept this grant if awarded, which is estimated the total $75,000 in federal funding, ARPA, for child care expenses in the extended school program at the Division of Parks and Recreation, the subject of which does not obligate the urban county government to the expenditure of funds, and further authorizing the mayor to execute any agreements or amendments related to the grant award, and lastly authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. Council Member Ellinger moves. Council Member Plowman seconds. And when you're ready, if you'll take a roll call vote, please. Council Member Gray? Yes. Council Member Legree? Yes. Council Member Lynch? Yes. Council Member Menares? Council Member Plowman? Yes. Council Member Reynolds? Yes. Council Member Sevigny? Yes. Council Member Sheehan? Yes. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Council member Fred Brown? Yes. Council member James Brown? Yes. Council member Ellinger? Yes ma'am. Council member Elliott Baxter? Yes. And council member Fogle? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, those all pass. Council members, I'll entertain a motion to approve the communications from the mayor. So moved. Council member Fogle moves and council member Gray seconds. Are there any questions? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next, we have our price contracts. If I could have a motion. Second. Council Member Plowman moved. Council Member Sevigny seconded. Are there any questions? All right, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next are communications for your information only. and there are no police disciplines or fire disciplines tonight so council members that brings us to announcements council member lynch thank you mayor i just would like to remind all the residents of lexington especially my second district neighbors to come out to our last town the student hall of the month on November the 20th at the STEAM Academy regarding the code enforcement issue sharing venues that Councilwoman Gray and I have been offering throughout the month throughout the city. This will be your time to come and talk to us about your experiences with our division and cope with code enforcement and give us your feedback and ideas on solutions. So please come out on Monday, November the 20th at STEAM Academy at 6.30 PM. That's an invite to everyone, but especially my second district neighbors. And please know that this is not the last town hall. This is the last one this month, but we plan to have future ones where we will invite more feedback from our neighbors regarding revisioning of our Division of Code Enforcement. So please come out on Monday. Thanks. Thank you. Council Member Gray? Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I would like to say, I was waiting for the images to pop up. But I would like to say thank you to Deputy CAO Glenn Brown, even my colleague, Council Member James Brown, and always Lee Steele, Director of Code Enforcement, for showing up last night to be part of our team effort with the community to make positive change with our code enforcement. For those of you in the audience and those of you out there in TV land, like Councilmember Lynch mentioned, we need you to show up and give insight to make positive change in our community. We are holding our last of the month code enforcement meeting, and we hope to see you there. We also do have a survey that we have shared, and our colleagues will also share that survey with you. So we just need you to take that survey if you've had a personal experience with code enforcement. Also, if you have not, but you still want to give us insight on how to make positive change with code enforcement, just shoot us an email. We are all ears. We are all in, and we want to hear from you. Next, I would like to say that in the 6th District, we are home of two phenomenal football teams. One is from the great, can we say the great, Bryan Station Defenders, hey, who plays tomorrow night in Union, Kentucky for the district championship. So rooting on the defenders, actually, excuse me, this one's at home at Bryan Station here in Lexington. We hope to see you there to root on the defenders, the pride of the north side. Also, in Union, Kentucky, we have the five-time district winners of Frederick Douglas High School who are playing once again for the title or the playoffs. They are playing in Union, Kentucky. I just want to say good luck to you, young men and whomever else is part of the team. this is our time to thrive because in the sixth district all we do is win win win thank you council member elliott baxter thank you mayor um tomorrow the salvation army kicks off their annual their holiday season with the annual red kettle kickoff and this year it's called love beyond christmas and it's the salvation army's largest annual fundraiser this campaign raises funds for many of the year-round programs that the Salvation Army offers the Central Kentucky community, including their emergency shelter, food and clothing bank, and all of the money that's raised stays local, which is very important. In addition, the Fayette Mall in the 9th District is once again the home of the Angel Tree, where community members can come and support children and families during the holiday season. So there are a lot of volunteer opportunities as we round out the year, and as a Salvation army board member i would encourage the community to sign up to ring a bell at a red kettle or adopt a child from the angel tree and then also in our communications tonight we well we didn't approve it because it was for information only but i just wanted to note that current assistant chief rob larkin who'll be retiring at the end of the year was named the new director of emergency management and i just wanted to offer my congratulations to him and i'm so happy that he didn't get far so that's all i have thank you mayor me too council member fogel okay hopefully he didn't quit before he got far but anyway um i just want to give a shout out to williams wells brown really quick they always meet at the time of council meeting but i am honoring the LTMS students and if we have that video and if you'll cut it at five minutes it's a nine minute video but if you'll please uh gaze up on the screen and watch these young people as they heal through trauma trauma um and uh through dance and and arts and culture i see your east end with your historic homes and dewey street pride strutting from brewstown to brick city From gun town to good low town. Your stained glass churches and neighborhood schools all jockeying for position with your mean streets reputation and your sometimes racy past. Beneath the fresh baked aroma of pastries and donuts, I smell your peanuts roasting. Your tire marks from the burning rubber of king cobras nesting a gear change away from where Isaac Murphy once slept. I hear the trains hustling through, commuter traffic and silence racing by, the occasional searching copter overhead. You are our mid-land. You are the body, but not the waste. Between the feet of downtown and the big round head of New Circle Road, always a park full of family reunions, forever a beacon for the children you birthed. A refuge for those this town would reject. You are downtown Lexington's whole left ventricle. When the last shotgun house is gone, you will still be their heart. When I think about the East End Lexington community, what comes to my mind is always community, children, play, safety. I think about my moments right here in this school. I am a graduate of Lexington Junior Black Cats, which is now Lexington Traditional School here in the East Side. And I am so excited to be back in this school. I know when the new administration came into the school a couple years ago, they had their staff, the first staff meeting at the Lyric. So I think that blended a lot of elements. I think it blended. It got outside of the school building, went into the community, into one of the historic art facilities that we have in the East End. And I think it helped to bridge the gap between the community and the school. What I love most about LTMS is the students, the community partners, the dedicated parents, staff, administration. These students are talented, goal-oriented, bright, and I know that we're supposed to be teaching them, but they teach us. We're all going together. Every day, people stop me in the community and talk about their connection and relationships to our school. Some of the stories that those folks share date all the way back to Lexington Junior High days. And I'm amazed by just how much pride East End Lexington has in our school. One of the things that's wonderful about the East End is their connection to the arts in our community. It really is the cultural center of Lexington, Kentucky. And within walking distance of our school, we have community partners like Trans University, the Lyric Theater, the Lexington Living Arts and Science Center, the Lexington Children's Theater, the Opera House, so many resources that work with us to support our students and just enrich the experiences that our students get in this building every single day. We also think it's really, really important that we create avenues and opportunities for expression. It's a cliffhanger. Wait for part two. That allows students to express themselves emotions. Thank you so much. Who would allow themselves to process information in the world? Next up is Council Member Plowman. Thank you, Mayor. And we had two agriculture-related activities this week that I wanted to mention just because of the impact on the 12th District. And the first one was yesterday, and this had to do with the Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corps. And this is an incentive program that's going to come out from an Ag Tech collaboration that was formed two years ago, Mayor? Five years. Five years ago, but I know we gave them money through ARPA. And it's the University of Kentucky Ag. It's the city. It's the state out of the Department of Agriculture there. And Altec, you know, is universally recognized for all their work in food and ag and nutrition. So it was, I'm not speaking at that event that I'm mentioning here, but it'll come next. But it was a great announcement. And this whole initiative is very important to Kentucky. I mean, what better state than to be the home of ag tech with our college, with our university, I should say, our city, we're turnkey. And what's nice about that, too, is that the salaries that these folks have when they come in are much higher. And also the footprints are smaller. So that's really important to our state as we grow. And I'd like to give our mayor thank you and compliment your vision and your leadership on that. I think it's very important to our agricultural economy. The other thing I did actually this afternoon, it was a lot of fun, and it also was ag-related. And that was at the, let me see here, it was at Junior Achievement, and it had to do with the Carter G. Woodson Academy, and it was ag day. And so we talked about careers in ag and all the different things you can do, the importance of ag, agricultural impact, economic-wise. And then at the very end, we had a fun exercise where these young men, these were high school students as you can tell. They all put together, they were able to decide on budgets, which was a really interesting exercise to watch. They all got, each table got $300,000. And it reminded us a whole lot of what we go through too. So, but a fun day, a lot of things going on with AG and wanted to share with my colleagues and the community. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. Last weekend, Councilmember Lynch and I had a whole bunch of fun planting trees in her district, in District 2, in an apartment complex. And this week, Trees Lex is going to be added again on Saturday. They're going to be out at William Wells Brown. This is a very well-organized event. Last time, we planted about 25 trees. I want to say 30, 40 people turned out. They have kids' activities that keep the kids busy. And it was very educational, actually. We not only learned to plant trees, but we also learned how to plant trees and all the best practices. So it was very, very educational, a lot of fun. Hopefully the weather will be nice this weekend as well. So hopefully all can make it out. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. First, I wanted to wish our own Commissioner Albright a very happy birthday, as today is her birthday. and let her know that we're appreciative of all she does and taking our calls and texts at all times of the day and night. So thank you. And then I wanted to mention that on Sunday, November 26th, since we're not going to be here next week to give announcements, there are going to be activities downtown from 3 to 7 p.m. and before that you can even go to the ice rink which is now open uh and then there'll be live music there'll be vendors um at the um i want tacos at triangle park cafe um and then um let's see we have a menorah lighting and then we have the christmas tree lighting santa comes to triangle park at 6 p.m followed by christmas carols from the lexington singers. So if you're around that weekend, please check out those activities. And then on Saturday, December 2nd, is our Christmas parade downtown on Main Street, and that will be at 11 a.m. So I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about those activities. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. I have a couple things. As you saw today, not only are we the music capital of Lexington, but We're also the running and fastest capital of Lexington. So anyway, but we did, I failed to recognize the fact that the girls cross country head coach at Catholic Bernadette Madigan Dugan was also named the 2223 National Federation of State High School Associations Coach of the Year. So that is a fantastic honor. I regret that I didn't tell her that in person, but I'm hoping she's tuned in. So congratulations to her. And then the Y itself is celebrating 170 years in our community, of community impact tomorrow. From 11 to 1 at Beaumont's location, you can stop by for the festivities. There's cake, no music, just cake. So come join us. good banners. They are. They are. Thank you. Councilmember James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to take this opportunity to extend heartfelt condolences to Mr. Bobby Robinson's family. Mr. Bobby Robinson was a long time neighborhood member and officer in the St. Martin's Village neighborhood. He was council member robert jefferson's right hand man in that neighborhood done a lot of work in the community i think a lot of folks know him most recently he was real active with his classmates with encouraging fayette county public schools to rename or to name the new high school after the frederick douglas older high school that had been shut down so i just want to let his families know that uh they're in our thoughts and prayers So thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. All right. That ends our announcements. We have several people signed up for public comment. And the way this works is that when I state your name, you'll need to come to the podium and you'll need to restate your name and your council district for the record, the official record. And you'll each have three minutes. We do have a few people along the way who have are yielding their time. So I'll confirm that those who are yielding are here. And then that will add to the time of the person who's receiving those minutes. And I apologize straight out. I may mispronounce a name, but I'm hoping not to. First is Graham Waller. welcome graham wallard district 10. as owner of winchell's restaurant been there 33 years i bought it about 20 years ago and basically i've kind of spearheaded a move to just coordinate sunday morning alcohol sales with every other day of the week um there's never been a problem that we've had in 20 years of you know six days a week we can serve alcohol at 8 a.m but the most important day really in our industry and really one of the most important days for lexington we have to wait till 11. and so we just think it's the right time to go ahead and just not do anything special on sunday just make it the same as every other day um we don't see any reasons i mean i talked to a lot of customers the last few years and you know not one person has thought it it was a bad idea they just continually you know kind of question why they can't get an adult beverage if they want to when they come in for brunch we open at 8 a.m so brunch is big for us um you know football's on at 9 a.m now sunday soccer is on at 7 or 8 a.m keeneland's on sunday the bourbon trail is huge and and even more lately is these away crowds from uk football games so alabama last weekend just thousands and thousands of fans from other cities people from around the world. And we just want to show them our best. We want to show them our hospitality. You know, I think restaurants that are starting brunch at 10 may actually go to 8 a.m. if we can get this passed. More employees, you know, more taxes raised, more money for the city, more shifts, more sales, biggest day of the week, yet we can't serve the alcohol at 8 a.m. It doesn't really equate. So for someone like me in my industry, and particularly my restaurant that opens at 8 a.m. This is a huge thing. It's kind of a win for the customers. You know, people come in town, they want to hit the bourbon trail, they saw a UK game on Saturday, they want to come in on Sunday for breakfast. We have a farmer's market in front of us in the parking lot, which we love. So just a huge day and we want to support all those customers and treat them like we do every other day of the week. Not one person has ever said, you know, this is a bad idea. I haven't heard a reason why we shouldn't do it. I think Lexington can kind of lead the way if there's surrounding areas that do it at 10 or 11 why don't we kind of lead the way and make it just like every other day it makes perfect sense to us and um i think it's a win all the way around for the customers for the business for my employees for the city um i see no reasons why we shouldn't do it and i hope everyone can agree um and it's you know like i said it's a major game changer for me personally in the business because sunday is our biggest day of the week you know so we want want to be our best and we want to do our best for our customers and especially for tourism and people from out of town and you know any day is always the same so they don't have to question why it's kind of weird when they're there on a sunday and on saturday they had a drink at eight o'clock but on sunday they can't it doesn't doesn't make sense so appreciate your time hopefully i can get your support and um yeah this is huge for us so you know take it seriously and and um i appreciate you thank you very much um i meant to the council recently has passed its uh updated and uh renovated and remodeled council rules and i meant to say a couple of words about that before public comment uh the council does not permit uh booing or cheering or loud sentiments and um the council also does not permit people who call out other people by name for critical reasons and there were a whole bunch of other new things but i did want to mention some of those things because you and and the time has changed which i think everybody's complied with that the new the new way this works is that two people can give their time to a third person for a total of nine minutes. So that is a difference also. So thank you. Next we'll have Monty Price. Welcome. My name is former Environmental Commissioner, Mr. Carol Monty Price, Jr. I live at 650 Tower Plaza, 11th District. I would like to make some minor corrections about my family history. Names at the last council meeting during the public comment. My grandfather's name is Dr. Colonel Carol Porces Price, MD, U.S. Army from Harrisburg. I never got to meet my grandfather because he passed away before I was born. Also, he had his own doctor's practice and was very well known in Harrisburg. Also, my grandmother's name is Mary Shreve Waters Price of Harrisburg and was a devoted Christian and attended the Episcopal Church in Harrisburg. Also, she was a member of the DAR and the UDC and liked eating lunch at Beaumont Inn and visiting with my Aunt Mary at the gift shop. I am a college student in the process of learning the arts of public speaking. My word of advice is to speak before your time limit ends so you are not rushing over your words. Then make sure you have an introduction with thesis link with points, body and conclusion while speaking. I am all for joining boards commissions. Although do not get discouraged after your term ends. And remember that other community members need to have an opportunity to serve on a board or commission. And that you will be able to serve again. Thank you mayor, thank you vice mayor, thank you city council members, thank you Monti Jr. Thank you very much. Next up is Amira Qureshi. Welcome. Good evening, assalamu alaikum. My name is Amira Qureshi. I have been an active member and voter of the Lexington community for more than 32 years. I have mobilized friends in both my faith and broader community within my home to vote and support candidates for As a constituent, I expect the same amount of effort and care to be shown for my community. I am calling for my council member, Denise Graham, Mayor Linda Gordon, who I personally supported, and Mayor Dan Wu, who ran on a progressive campaign to make a progressive decision and to call for resolution for ceasefire. I'm here requesting and asking every one of you to look into this matter. It's not a matter of Jewish people, it's the government, it's the Israel. Everyone has seen what kind of atrocity has been taking place over. More than 12,000 innocent human, civilian, Children, women have been killed, butchered, and murdered. More than 2.1 million Palestinians are trapped in Gaza. This is the time for people we support it, people we have supported in the past, people we will support in the past to show up and support the Palestinian cause. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Next is Nadia Rashid. Welcome. My name is Dr. Nadia Rashid. I've been living in Lexington for 33 years. I am right now in district six. And I am here as a resident of Lexington and a resident of Kentucky. A practicing physician who pays taxes and votes every election. The first one there at 6 AM. I want you all to understand that what's going on is not a Jewish problem. There is no problem with the Jewish religion. And it's not a problem with the Muslims. What's going on is the state of Israel is a terrorist state. And the state of Israel is the one who is massacring the Palestinians. Now who are the Palestinians? They are your neighbors. They are Christians and they are Muslims. So you have many, many Christian Palestinians live in Lexington, okay? Who are affected because they have relatives in Gaza. So the whole problem that we're seeing right now, turn on the television, okay? It's a genocide, okay? It is ethnic cleansing, and it's a massacre. And I'll tell you, it all started not on October 7. It didn't start on October 7, all of a sudden, Hamas said, let me go into Israel and kill people. It started 75 years ago, okay, when Israel was established. And Israel was given to the Jews when it belonged to the Palestinians. You can't give a land to people when already people live there, okay? And their houses were demolished, 800,000 Palestinians were literally kicked out of their homes and became refugees. And these are the refugees in Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza and the West Bank are occupied territories. Who occupies them? The terrorist state of Israel occupies them. No water, no food goes in unless Israel says so. It's apartheid, and it's much worse than the apartheid that you saw in South Africa. And my job is to educate, to educate that we need to stand and say what's right. Israel is bombing hospitals, churches, mosques, residential areas. This is a war crime. It's a crime against humanity. And please open up your eyes. We need a ceasefire and we need to heal. Thank you very much. Thank you. I will have to ask you to leave the chamber if you're going to clap. This is council rules and I have to enforce the rules. and so if you want to clap or at the end of all the speakers i think we're happy if you want to clap at the end but not between speakers please thank you now i apologize for the next speaker i may not pronounce your last name properly but karam isa and please correct if i'm wrong welcome and you have before you start before we start your time is hannah here and you donated your three minutes to karam and then is sophia here and you donated your three minutes all right so you'll have nine minutes all right thank you hello my name is karam isa karam isa i'm from District 7 and I left Palestine a couple weeks ago because of recent events. I have two things I want to convey to the Council today. The first is what I believe to be a unique and valuable perspective as an American-born Arab-Israeli citizen of Palestinian descent. And secondly, I hope to convey from that perspective why we, as Americans especially, must call for an immediate ceasefire and demand a fair political solution for Arabs and Jews alike. Lexington has a special place in my heart. I grew up here. The city not only gave me an excellent high school education, but also a valuable chemical engineering degree from the University of Kentucky. In that, I learned the ideals of living a life of liberty and dignity. Lexington is where I shape my moral compass and worldviews. However, while Lexington feels like home, Palestine is my home. I spent formative childhood years there and chose to move there three years ago after college. Over those three years, I saw what I would describe as a juxtaposition, a beautiful coexistence in the face of a brutal, dehumanizing occupation. See, America taught me about the historical injustices Native Americans were subjected to. I learned about slavery, Jim Crow, and apartheid South Africa. Even though I paid attention, naively, I could never fully grasp how a serious society could wake up every day and allow that. As a child, these atrocities seemed like cartoonish realities in distant worlds. But going back to Israel, I realized that reality immediately. And I want to emphasize, immediately. It's as obvious as different license plates for different roads based on if you're Arab or Jewish. different ids identifying the town you're from based on if you're arab or jewish it's as obvious as being not being able to buy property in certain areas based on if you're arab or jewish coming from america where i grew accustomed to equal rights for everyone cemented in law seeing this in israel was shocking it was the exact opposite unnatural and unstable Any American who spends a couple hours in Israel can see that reality for themselves. On the other hand, I was privileged to live at the heart of coexistence. As an Arab-Israeli citizen, I lived inside of Israel proper, a privilege not allowed to the other 5 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. I saw Jewish people come to our town every day and enjoy our local hummus and shawarma. I saw Jewish people appreciate our local kanafin, baklava. We had Jewish friends who we cared for and attended each other's weddings. I've laughed and sang with my Jewish friends. We worked alongside Jewish people every day. And so while the occupation showed me the worst of humanity, in the midst of it and despite it, I also saw humanity's best. I saw the natural tendency for humans to yearn for a stable life of prosperity. And I realized the message of peace and love saw by MLK and Nelson Mandela. So in summary, peaceful coexistence is not only possible, but I saw it every day despite the occupation. We can live together, it's natural to live together. I grew up seeing that in the melting pot of the United States. And the laws of physics in Israel are no different. War is never the solution. Apartheid South Africa was not ended with bombs. Israel has tried to maintain the occupation for 56 years. When I was a child, checkpoints with armed soldiers terrified me. Today, 20 years later, they're still there, only more fortified, as apartheid requires ever-increasing violence in the face of ever-increasing resistance. This was shown on October 7th by the brutal, inhumane, and desperate acts of Hamas, and it was shown in Israel's reaction immediately after, killing 10,000 innocent people, mostly women and children, in less than a month. It shows that perhaps the occupier is even more dehumanized than the occupied. And that is why a ceasefire is needed immediately. Sadly, it seems that most politicians in America have forgotten the lessons of history. We seem to have forgotten that the ideals of liberal democracy call for a fair political solution where people are afforded equal rights, not more American bombs. As such, I'm calling on my council member, Preston Borling, and Mayor Linda Gorton, as well as Vice Mayor Dan Wu, to pass a resolution, as has been done in other city councils, condemning the indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians in Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and recognizing that a political solution is the only way to peace. Thank you. Thank you very much. um next up is karim hassan and i'd like to ask if there are two people who gave their time to you um and are they in the room wafa suleiman where are you okay thank you and hara koreshi oh there you are okay thank you so you will have nine minutes and if you some of you are taller If you need to press the button on the right, it'll raise the whole podium. That might be as tall as it goes. It's okay. Oh, well, maybe so. I'm used to it. Okay. Okay. I think you guys could all hear me well. Okay. Kareem Hassan, District 7. As-salamu alaykum. This means may peace and blessings be upon you. I want to address the council on a subject that is currently being broadcasted all over the world and right in front of our eyes, but yet we stand here blind to it. No, I'm not talking about religion. And no, I'm not talking about war. I'm talking about an ethnical cleansing of the Palestinian people and a genocide. America is yet again funding another genocide. Well, what's different? And before anyone asks, what can little old Kentucky do? Well, newsflash. Kentucky isn't little old anymore. As a matter of fact, Kentucky alone supplied to Israel over $1.5 billion in manufacturing goods since 1996. Over those 27 years, that 27 years is equating to around, or actually a little bit more than $55,555.56 annually. Just last year in 2022, Kentucky exported more than $112 million worth of manufacturing goods, making Kentucky Israel's 25th leading trading partner. I should add that this is separate from the federal tax money that us American citizens pay annually to Israel. USA sends at least $3.85 billion of taxpayers' money, our money, to Israel. Kentucky, bring it a little bit smaller, pays more than $28.5 million of federal tax money to Israel. Well, let's break that down to perspective. Lexington pays more than 4.9 million dollars of federal taxes to Israel yearly but what could that do for Kentuckians what can that do for our community that can for example fund 583 families with public housing every year that could get 1,708 children to have free or low-cost health care every year. We can provide 129 students every year to completely forgive their college debt. By the way, this is not or if. This is all together. So I want you guys to put this all together. We could also, additionally, on top of that, provide 13,981 houses yearly with solar clean powered energy. However, Kentucky officials seem that they would rather spend this money on another country rather than its own people. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kentucky has been the sixth highest in the nation in poverty rating between 2016 and 2020, and only knocked down until the 8th in 2021. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, corporations such as Lexile Imaging Systems, Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky, and SLY Defense and LYS International Inc., which are in Louisville, Kentucky, have received over $136 million in foreign, listen to these words, foreign military financing. So not Israel, but the IDF. In 2015 alone, Kentucky companies received nearly $17 million in FMF, foreign military contracts, to provide materials to the Israeli Defense Forces. So this is not we are supporting our Israeli counterparts. We are literally supporting the IDF. Okay. So my question to the city to the Lexington City Council. As Americans, as Kentuckians, as our leaders, what are you doing for your people? For your Lexington community here in Lexington? What is our mayor and vice mayor doing? Because all I see are funds that could be utilized to better our own community. Funds that I have seen on your presentation showing that you want to invest in your own community which is a great thing but these funds that can be utilized to better our community and use for our health care our economy our education all the projects that you want to do is yet preferred to be sent to another sovereign country to force your American taxpayers to pay taxes not only to the country of the United States of America but another sovereign country named Israel. If we can change Kentucky's funding it may just be a drop in the ocean that is US politics but that ripple that drop creates will change into waves of change and someone has to start caring about their community. We have to start somewhere. Someone has to put that first drop in the ocean. Why can't it be us? Why can't we be leaders for our U.S. politics and influence them to take care of your people, take care of your own constituents first, and then you can run and support genocide, military funding. How many homeless people are in Lexington, but yet we have enough money to send over to Israel, but we don't have enough money to feed our own people. We don't have enough money to house our own people. Last thing I want to say I know we're not allowed to do any applaud but I would like a moment of silence if everyone can stand for those that have lost their lives in the genocide in Palestine. Thank you. And I would like to close with this. We are Kentuckians, just like you. I was born here. I was raised here. I went to Ace Elementary, E.J. Hayes Middle School and Henry Clay High School. I was a blue devil through and through. But never did I think that my own people, the own people I share food at my table, would turn against me and turn a blind eye to my culture, to my people, to my history for the sake of another country. put your people first and let's start with kentucky so we can change u s as a whole as-salamu alaykum thank you uh... next up is jenna shall wash and i'd like to ask if sophia is here thank you and and really say that close thank you okay so jenna uh... when you start you'll have nine minutes senate a come peace be upon you my name is jenna shut us i'm with district twelve as best twenty second birthday approaches in just fourteen days the memories of being twenty one are etched in my mind of the time when i confronted the harsh realities of being palestinian witnessing the pain of mourning mothers, dead babies, and brutalized fathers. At 21, I experienced a profound disillusionment with the world, marking my transition into adulthood. Since October 7th, I have mourned the loss of 15,000 members of my family, because one thing no one outside of the Palestinian diaspora can understand is how we feel the prick and hurt of our fallen like picking the cactus fruit of northern Palestine. We have engaged with and implored our local and state representatives, those entrusted to protect and serve our community. We participated in marches, made calls, requested less than what we rightfully deserve as members of this community. I personally fell victim to what Palestinians have been forced to do for almost a century, which is to negate their needs and negotiate for what they are truthfully owned because for some reason our identity is negotiable. But to this we say no more. Your constituents are calling for a resolution affirming Lexington's support and solidarity with the people of Palestine in Gaza. Whereas the city of Lexington stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza who are currently facing a campaign of ethnic cleansing and collective punishment by the state of Israel, a war crime under international law. And whereas this collective punishment of the Palestinian people includes shutting off all access to electricity, fuel, drinking water, food, and humanitarian aid. And whereas the UN says approximately 2 million people in Gaza may soon run out of drinking water and all medical care. And whereas Israel is now engaged in an ethnic cleansing campaign by explicitly requiring two million Palestinians to leave Gaza immediately or risk being bombed in their homes by the Israeli army. And whereas Gaza is known as the world's largest open-air prison due to ongoing unbearable living conditions by the state of Israel, including a full air, land and sea blockade, enclosure of its borders by concrete walls and barbed wire fences, and the strict prohibition of Palestinians from leaving and entering the territory freely. And whereas, prior to the current water shortage, only 1% of Gaza population has access to safe drinking water, leaving Gaza's population, half whom are children, increasingly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, infections, and dehydration, and whereas the state of Israel would not be able to maintain an apartheid regime without enormous military aid provided by the United States and Kentucky specifically each year, thereby also depriving Americans of money for their own urgent needs. And therefore, be it resolved that the city of Lexington take seriously the entreaty of never again, and that historical memory of the Holocaust means fighting ethnic cleansing and apartheid everywhere. And be it resolved that the city of Lexington vows to combat Islamophobia and ethno-nationalism in all its forms. And be it resolved that the city of Lexington calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the safe passage of substantial humanitarian aid to Gaza. And be it resolved that the city of Lexington calls for an end to Israeli apartheid apartheid, and the occupation and blockade of Palestinian land by Israeli military forces. And be it resolved that the city of Lexington opposes all existing and any future military aid to Israel. And finally, be it resolved that the city of Lexington advocates for the dignity and safety of residents in every community, regardless of what crimes its leadership may commit. And that peaceful diplomacy is the only way to achieve this safety and dignity. You promise to represent your constituents. And while you infiltrate our inbox with pleasantries and prolonged promises, excuse us when we say we are no longer accepting your virtue signaling. I am almost four years older than the average age of someone living in Gaza, where over 5,000 children have been brutally murdered in the last month. I am no longer willing to tread lightly or fear taking up space because first and foremost, this space is mine as a voting member of this community. We refuse to dilute the plight of Gaza for convenience and negotiate our identity when Palestinians are at risk of having nothing left to negotiate. We're done pretending that we aren't on equal footing because the reality is you serve us, not the other way around. We as Palestinians, Muslims, and allies are no longer here to ask. We demand this revolution, this resolution. We also request that it not take another month because the people of Gaza don't have that luxury. And the safety of our community is not guaranteed for another month. City Council, you are facing a community whose resilience and resistance have endured for 75 years and counting. So whether it takes another month or not, we will be here because they can't be. We will come into our living room and continue with our demands. the demands of Gaza, the demands of basic humanity. As Anna Julia Cooper once said, when I enter, wherever I enter, the entire race enters with me. Thank you very much. That is the end of our sign-in sheet for public comment. So that's the last item on our agenda. And I appreciate all of you. Thank you all very much for being here, and I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Thank you, Council Member Fogel, Council Member Gray. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All right, we are adjourned. Thank you for being here. We'll be right back. Love me tomorrow, no lie today Love me tomorrow, really bad Can't you see