# Council Work Session - April 16, 2024 > Auto-transcribed civic record · April 16, 2024 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6092 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/6092?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2024-04-16 - **Last revised**: April 16, 2024 - **Length**: 3,630 words - **Speakers**: Mayor > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed with OpenAI's open-source Whisper large-v3-turbo model, run locally by The Lexington Times. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude. Verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on April 16, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber at the Government Center's second floor, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The meeting addressed four agenda items, including the approval of motions from the previous work session and consideration of new business items. Council members took three votes during the session, with two items receiving approval and two serving as informational reports. No public comments were received during the designated public comment period for agenda issues. The meeting focused primarily on routine council business, including the formal approval of work session motions from April 9 and the advancement of new business items through the legislative process. ## Attendance All council members were present for the April 16, 2024 meeting. **Present:** • Mayor Linda Gorton • Vice Mayor Wu • J. Brown • Ellinger II • Fogle • Lynch • LeGris • Monarrez • Sheehan • Gray • Worley • F. Brown • Baxter • Sevigny • Reynolds • Plomin **Absent:** None **Late:** None The meeting achieved full attendance with all 16 council members participating. ## Votes and Decisions The council conducted three voice votes during the meeting, all of which passed unanimously. **Approval of April 9 Work Session Motions** [timestamp: 00:30] The council voted to approve motions from the April 9 work session. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded. **Removal of Item K from New Business** [timestamp: 01:30] A motion was made to remove item k from the new business agenda. Council member Sevigny provided the second for this motion. The motion passed by voice vote with no dissenting votes. **Approval of New Business Items** [timestamp: 02:00] The council voted to approve the remaining new business items on the agenda. This motion also passed by voice vote without opposition. All three votes were conducted as voice votes rather than roll call votes, so individual council member positions were not recorded. No abstentions or opposing votes were noted for any of the motions during this meeting. ## Budget and Financial Actions The council addressed three significant financial items during the April 16, 2024 meeting, totaling over $317,000 in expenditures and grant funding. **Theatrical Equipment Purchase** The council approved Resolution 0338-24 for the purchase of new theatrical lighting equipment for the Lyric Theatre at a cost of $83,000. This investment will upgrade the venue's technical capabilities for performances and events. **Detention Center Recovery Program** A substantial contract worth $228,000 was authorized through Resolution 0364-24, establishing an agreement with Hope Center for the Detention Center Recovery Program. This represents the largest financial commitment of the meeting and will fund recovery services within the detention facility. **Senior Center Grant Award** The council accepted Resolution 0390-24, which formally receives a grant award of $6,292.51 from the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living. These funds will benefit the Lexington Senior Center's programming and services for older adults in the community. The three resolutions collectively demonstrate the city's commitment to cultural facilities, criminal justice reform, and senior services. The Hope Center contract represents the most significant expenditure, reflecting ongoing efforts to address rehabilitation and recovery needs within the detention system. The Lyric Theatre lighting upgrade supports the city's cultural infrastructure, while the senior center grant provides additional resources for aging services through federal and state partnership funding. ## Public Comment - Issues on Agenda [timestamp: 00:10] No members of the public provided comments on agenda items during this portion of the meeting. The public comment period for issues on the agenda was opened and closed without any speakers coming forward to address the governing body. This agenda item serves as a designated opportunity for community members to speak directly to elected officials about specific matters scheduled for discussion or action during the meeting. The absence of public participation during this segment indicates that no residents or stakeholders chose to exercise their right to provide input on the day's agenda items. The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item following the conclusion of this public comment period. ## Approval of April 9 Work Session Motions [timestamp: 00:30] The council addressed the approval of motions from their April 9 work session. The agenda item was presented as a routine procedural matter to formally ratify decisions made during the previous work session. No speakers were identified during the discussion of this item, suggesting it proceeded without significant debate or commentary from council members. The motions from the April 9 work session were approved without recorded opposition. The specific content and details of the motions being approved were not detailed in the available materials, as this appears to have been handled as a consent or routine approval item referencing the previous session's decisions. **Outcome:** The motions from the April 9 work session were approved by the council. ## New Business [timestamp: 02:00] The council addressed new business items during this portion of the meeting. Council member James Brown and Heather Lyons served as the key speakers for this agenda item. During the discussion, the council made a procedural decision to remove item k from the new business consideration, setting it aside for separate review at a later time. The specific nature of item k and the reasons for its removal were not detailed in the available materials. The remaining new business items were presented and discussed by the council members. Following their deliberations, the council voted to approve the new business items that remained under consideration. The agenda item was categorized as a discussion item and ultimately resulted in approval of the business matters presented, with the exception of the item that was removed for future consideration. ## Continuing Business - Committee Report [timestamp: 03:00] Council member Worley presented a report on the February 13 General Government and Planning Committee meeting during the continuing business portion of the meeting. The presentation served as an informational update to bring the full council up to date on matters discussed in the committee meeting. No specific details about the content of the February 13 committee meeting were provided in the available materials. This agenda item was classified as a presentation with an informational outcome, meaning no formal action was taken by the council following Worley's report. The item appears to have been included as part of the council's regular practice of having committee chairs or members report back to the full body on committee activities and discussions. --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the April 9, 2024 Work Session Summary - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve New Business as amended - **Motion** — passed (0-0): remove item k from New Business - **Motion** — passed (0-0): adjourn --- ## Full transcript Comment for issues on the agenda and we have no one signed up. So we'll go right to, there's no docket or rezoning. So we'll go right to the April 9th work session motions. If I could have a motion to approve. Council Member Plowman and then Vice Mayor Wu seconded. Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. There are no budget amendments, and there's nothing for your information only. We do have new business. If I could have a motion to approve, please. Thank you. Council Member Baxter and Council Member Gray seconded. Log in, please, if you have questions. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. I move to remove item K under new business to accept a memorandum of understanding with administrative officer of the courts for citation data transfer from the AOC to the Lexington Police Department. Thank you. Is there a second to remove item K? House member Savigny. 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 have a question about item A. This is in reference to purchasing new theatrical lighting and security cameras at the Lyric. But in the memo, it doesn't mention anything about cameras. It doesn't include cameras, Heather Lyons. The cameras were excluded. They were handled separately. So this is only for the theatrical lighting. Okay, and we don't need to take any action on this item. It's just fine as it is. Yes, yes, we got an opinion on that from law. All right, thanks for the clarification. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Any other questions about new business? All right, all those in favor of approving, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. and we have one item under continuing business and I'll call on this is Council Member Worley who has a committee report. Thank you, Mayor. The February 13th, the General Government Planning Committee, the first item was approval of the January summary. The motion was made by Council Member Ellinger, seconded by Council Member Baxter, passed unanimously. The second item was presented by Commissioner Lancer, was the homeless shelter needs feasibility study request for proposals. Council members will remember that we allocated $200,000 in the fund balance discussion last fall to finance a study to look at the different types of shelters and needs that we may have in Lexington for the potential of adding another shelter or other mechanisms to help our homeless population. That request for proposal has been released. Expect proposals to be incoming soon this spring and to sign a contract with a consultant to do that work in May of this year. The next item was the, excuse me, no action was needed or taken on that item. The master plan presentation was our next item. Chris Taylor with the Division of Planning gave an update for the urban growth master plan and expansion area master plans processes. The process developing the plan includes gathering information and input, building concepts and a draft plan and performing a review. Taylor shared the timeline of the project and expressed the planning staff is happy to join any of your meetings in your districts to discuss these items. And also, I believe Director Duncan stated that this expansionary master plan is well ahead of pace for the December 24 deadline, the goals and objectives imposed on that body. The next was the Urban Growth Management Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment, Hal Bailey with the Division of Planning presented on that item. The purpose of the text amendment is to ensure new development is developed equitably and sustainably, and to modernize the zoning ordinance while creating opportunities to implement the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan. that item will be presented again in May for action to be taken. At that meeting, no action was needed nor taken. The meeting adjourned at 2.48 p.m. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Are there any questions for Council Member Worley about his report? All right. Thank you, Council Member Worley. All right. That brings us to Council Reports. Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. I have a few announcements today. The first is to talk about Sunday, April the 28th. I think I have a video or some pictures. Our own Lexington Fire and Police will battle one another in a softball game, a battle of the badges as it's being coined. The Lexington Legends will play, and then after that 2 o'clock game, our public safety teams will battle it out. You can visit my Facebook page for a link to purchase tickets and raise funds for each of the chosen departments. Tickets are $12 and get you into two games. So hope to see everybody there. And then also, this is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. And I just wanted to take the opportunity to honor all of our hardworking telecommunications personnel and thank them for dedicating their career to serving the public. Public safety telecommunicators, including E911 operators and police and fire dispatchers, answer our emergency and non-emergency calls and provide invaluable resources to assist those in their time of need. And throughout this week and really any day, if you see a telecommunicator or connect with them on social media, join me in telling them thank you for your service, professionalism, and dedication. We appreciate you all. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. I just have a couple neighborhood meetings to announce briefly. Tonight, we have the Fairway Neighborhood Meeting at Pivot Brewing at 7 p.m. And next week, on Tuesday at 6 p.m., we have a meeting about the traffic at the intersection of Indian Mound and Romney Road. And that meeting will be held at the Acton Park Pavilion. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. I do want to give a shout out to all of our amazing employees that work in E911. And so thank you, Council Member Baxter, for bringing that up. So if you want a really good time, you should come out to the Lexington Children's Theater this Friday at 630 to see your own Chief Wells and myself perform in The Princess Bride. all for all for a good cause um so if you if you would like to see us um have some fun you know i'm i'm trying i'm i'm trying to to do it uh it's very different than dancing for me but i'm having a good time and it's all for a good cause for the lexington children's theater which is in my district so if you are looking for something to do tonight um come out and see us um because it'll be hilarious Then on Saturday, Cardinal Valley is having their annual park cleanup and creek cleanup there. So every year we clean up the creek and Valley Park from 9 to 12. So that will be this Saturday, and we'd love to have as many folks out as possible. That's it for now. Thank you. Pray tell, what role does the chief play? I don't know if he wants me to tell you, but he plays gramps. But you're going to get a bigger laugh out of it than I play in Nego Montoya. Okay, well, sounds like fun. Councilmember Lynch. Thank you, Mayor. I have three quick announcements. I'd like to remind my Kearney Ridge neighbors that tonight we're going to have a neighborhood meeting at the Oasis at Kearney Creek at the senior living facility in their multipurpose room. The meeting is at 630 this evening, so please come out this evening for that neighborhood meeting. This Saturday will be Kite Fest at Madison Station Park from 12 to 4. So I want to invite everyone to come out and bring your kites and have a good time. It was a lot of fun last year, so please come out. It's a great family event in District 2. So please come out to Kite Fest this Saturday from 12 to 4. And then lastly, our second district district-wide meeting will be a week from today on Tuesday, April 23rd at 6 p.m. at the STEAM Academy. We've got a great line of some phenomenal speakers, so I encourage everyone in District 2 to come on out. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for putting together this budget. You know, starting with you and Tyler Scott, CAO Hamilton, Commissioner Hensley and her team in the Finance Budget Department. And then all your commissioners and all the department's input and council members as well. I know it's a lot of work trying to balance this budget, especially with the one-time money falling out. And I just want to acknowledge you and appreciate your budget that's focused on public safety, community needs, city services, and economic development amongst other things. And now it's the council's- It's no longer my budget. Opportunity to get busy. And I think we're up to the challenge. I think the next thing on our agenda is the Cal coming up next Tuesday at 1 PM. It's an opportunity for us to get a better understanding of your budget and and how you funded certain things, and then we go into the links process. And I just wanted to announce and make the public aware that our new PIO position, Jillian, has a social media campaign going down to inform people about the city's budget, our time frames, and opportunity for public engagement. So if you haven't had an opportunity to get on social media, Instagram, Facebook, I would encourage you to take a look at it and follow along during this daunting process. So, thank you, Mayor. Thank you for your comments. Council Member Tana Fogle. Thank you, Mayor. I have to start off with a pre-said announcement. Last week we had two suicides in the first district, one a 12-year-old that attended Winburn Middle School. And thank you for the money that you have put in the mental health budget. Our children are suffering, and I don't want to keep the attention on the suicide, but it resulted from bullying in our school. The bullying has risen in our schools, in our Fayette County schools. So I wanted to start that off and get that out of the way with a heartfelt condolences to the mother, Miss Canada. And next, we have Neighborhood Association this evening at Gretz Park Neighborhood Association. They only meet twice a year, so we want to make sure we make that one. And Castlewood Park on 423 at 6 o'clock. So those are the neighborhood meetings that's going to meet this month. Also, I would like to have some photos of the Peace Walk that took place. Thank you, Sheriff Kathy Witt and council members and community that showed up. Miss Anita Franklin is truly Miss. It has been 10 years. I can't believe the time has gone so fast. But it was well attended, the chief was there, the police department was there. A lot of community and a lot of broken hearts and testimonies from mothers and dads who have lost their children to gun balance. So thank you for that increase in the budget with 1LACS and partners to curtail gun balance. So it was a really good day, had a pretty decent time and was able to, we have a new playground in Duncan Park, which I deemed it the Anita Franklin playground. It has not been official, but I just went on and said it anyway. So hopefully we can do something with that. So thanks to you, thanks to the council, they showed up and kept bumping in to Councilmember Shin and Councilmember Legree. Earlier that morning, we were at the LGBTQIA health fair, and they may say something about that. And so that's all I'm going to say. Thank you for allowing me to share this report. Thank you. Councilmember Gray. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I would like to say to the residents of the 6th District, this is just a friendly reminder that we have our spring district-wide meeting coming up on this upcoming Monday, April 22nd, at the Bryan Station High School at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. I hope to see you there. Hopefully, it will be very informative to you. Also, I would like to say congratulations to the University of Louisville All-Girl Cheer Squad for winning a national championship once again. And we've won 20 years out of the past 26 years. And I won the very first one, so that's awesome that the legend continues or the tradition continues of winning at the University of Louisville with our University of Louisville all-girl chair program. Next, I think I would like to say that I stopped over finally after many months of threats of my drop-ins to Chief Coleman. And I just want, Colvin, I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations to him for the great work that he and his staff are doing at our community corrections. He has really turned it around. We have the retention of the employees is high. I think how many, 30? We have 41 open positions at this moment, something around there, which is a major achievement from where he started. So kudos to you and great job and keep it up. And we're here to support you in the great work that you do. Next, I know that Council Member Fogle has spoke on this, but I, too, attended the Peace Walk. Anita Franklin was a friend of mine. And the loss of her son, Antonio Franklin, was a major loss, not just for her but for the community. And what you do with your heartache means everything. And what she did with her heartache and her sadness was turned it into a mission for our community that lives on even after her passing. And to her son and Kathy Witt, Sheriff Witt, who continue on the mission of Anita Franklin, thank you all for the work that you're doing in our community. And may it continue furthermore. May we have more peace. Peace is what we need. And lastly, I don't know if you all know this, but April is Autism Awareness Month. I don't have any children, but as an educator, working with young students who think differently, who are diagnosed with autism was some of the best experience of my educational, professional educational career. and all month long. It touches all of our community. It touches us. And just to learn more about how those who live with this disability and how they touch our community and how important they are to all of Lexington is just very important to me. So that is all. And also thank you to Council Member Hannah Legree for putting forth a proclamation to the mayor's office. And thank you to the mayor for recognizing this month of being April as being Autism Awareness Month. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Plumman. Thank you, Mayor. I wanted to mention this weekend is going to be a big deal for Central Baptist Hospital and for our community. It's going to open. We're been cutting on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. And then on Sunday at 5 o'clock is going to be a dedication. And they're going to be, they're a major employer and means a lot to our community. And also, Mayor, I want to thank you for the funding for the Blue Sky Industrial Park. People have wanted that for quite a while and it's definitely going to be a reality now, so appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Mary, that's it. Thank you. Councilmember Legree? Thank you, Mayor. I have some themed announcements to share with people. Number one, thank you to everybody who came out to plant trees and to volunteer and to be engaged. During our 25th annual Reforest the Bluegrass this weekend, I know a number of council members were there and we had a beautiful day. I know I saw council member Sheehan and council member Reynolds out planting some trees and our environmental services team worked so hard to make that another successful event. We know that we have many volunteers from across the community who were also at Reforest. So thank you all. You all work together to make every year better and better. I know that thousands of trees got in the ground this past weekend. Along that theme, just a reminder that this coming Saturday, April 20th, is Reforest at Home. So we all know that we have canopy needs on private properties and residents can help with that. And you all can stop by one of three locations to pick up tree seedlings to plant in your yard. And each household can take up to five seedlings. And just so you all know, there will be a variety of species, but there's some that are more popular than others. So if you have your eye on a certain tree, get there early. The event will be from 10 AM to 1 PM at Shileto, Jacobson, and then at the Living Arts and Science Center. And then finally, I would like to remind everybody that April 26th is the last day that Lex Grow Trees, which is what we're calling our tree planting initiative funded here by Council and by LFUCG. The April 26th is the day that applications close for grants. As a reminder, those are grants for up to $100,000 for organizations. And they can be for profit or non profit organizations, neighborhood associations, etc. To apply for these funds for this grant cycle. There will be an additional cycle. So if you're talking to your constituents, they're excited about it, but maybe their ideas aren't fully formed. Just let them know that another cycle will open in the fall. And if you all could continue to share that information out, that would mean a lot. The website is www.lexgrowtrees.com and also remind individuals in your neighborhoods that they can sign up to have a tree planted in their yards as well. So we'll make sure that's the right tree in the right place and we'll work with them so they have a successful planting whether they're with an organization or they're flying solo. All right, Mayor, that's it. All right, thank you. Councilmember Sevigny. Thank you, Mayor. I do want to echo the comments. I thought the budget team, like every budget presentation was great. They answered all of our questions. And thank you for putting together this. I find that budgets work the best when you follow a great process, and I kind of feel like this is a pretty solid process, so I appreciate that. I will say that I think our council reports have lasted three times longer than our meeting today, just as a note. but I'm going to keep going. I'll keep going. So join me this evening for the Pasadena semiannual meeting at Broadway Baptist Church. Starts at 6 o'clock. They'll have some food and time to get to know their neighbors. And then the meeting starts at 6.30. And I'll be there as well as Michelle Kassiniak with Parks. So join us there. Then I wanted to add a plug for SCAPA. They are having a magical adventure under the sea, running this Thursday through Saturday at the Lexington Opera House. SCAPA presents Disney's Little Mermaid. They asked me to play the role of Ursula, but I declined. For tickets and more information, enter go to central bank center slash events. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Any other council reports? All right, thank you. That brings us to Mayor's report. There's no official report, but I also want to add my voice to the thank yous to our telecommunicators who really are a backbone for our people when they want to call 911. There's got to be somebody there, right? And so thank you to them. And there is no price contract bid report, and no one signed up for public comment. So that brings us to adjournment. Thank you. All those in favor, say aye. We are adjourned. Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. I'm out. Oh, Jesse, and I will change the sheets for you. I'm not feeling like I usually do I think it might have something to do with you Every time you're near me My body gets hot Don't need a doctor I know what I've got I call the church of your love It came old overnight I must have held you to die Last night caught a touch of your love Your affection has affected me I'm feeling kind of dizzy and weak in the knee I've been in love before but never so bad. You in my system and it's driving me mad. Call the church of your love. It came on overnight. I must have held you too tight last night and call the church of your love. Fever from your kiss Tears me apart Starts from your lips And goes straight to my heart No use pretending Cause baby I'm sure There's no cure And I've just gotta have more Call the touch of your love It came on overnight I must have held you too tight Last night and called the church of your love Thank you.