# Council Work Session - September 24, 2024 > Auto-transcribed civic record · Council · September 24, 2024 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6230 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/6230?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2024-09-24 - **Body**: Council - **Last revised**: March 29, 2026 - **Length**: 7,031 words - **Speakers**: Mayor > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed by OpenAI Whisper-1, with speaker labels folded in from Granicus closed-captioning. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude Sonnet. Speaker labels and 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 September 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber of the Urban County Government Center, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The meeting addressed three agenda items, including public comment on agenda issues, requested rezonings and docket approval, and budget amendments. Council members took three votes during the session, approving both the rezoning requests and budget amendments. One member of the public provided comments on agenda items during the designated public comment period. The meeting successfully concluded with the approval of key zoning and budgetary matters for the urban county. ## Attendance All council members were present for the September 24, 2024 meeting. **Present:** • Mayor Linda Gorton • Vice Mayor Dan 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 present at the start of the session. ## Votes and Decisions The Council took three unanimous votes during the September 24, 2024 meeting, all passing without opposition. **September 10, 2024 Work Session Summary Approval** [timestamp: 00:00] Council Member Ellinger II motioned to approve the September 10, 2024 Work Session Summary, with Council Member Plomin providing the second. The motion passed unanimously. **New Business Approval** [timestamp: 00:00] Council Member Reynolds made a motion to approve New Business items, seconded by Council Member Gray. The motion carried unanimously. **Council Capital Projects Approval** [timestamp: 00:00] Council Member Wu motioned to approve Council Capital Projects, with Council Member Gray seconding the motion. This vote also passed unanimously. All three motions were approved through unanimous consent, with no recorded individual vote tallies or opposition from any council members present. ## Budget and Financial Actions The Council approved several financial items totaling over $232,000 during the September 24, 2024 meeting. **Lease Agreement** • The Council authorized a lease with Davis Park Station LLP for the Davis Park Workforce Center in the amount of $16,536.65 **Infrastructure Contract** • A contract was approved with Groundhog Excavating and Farm Services, Inc. for the North Broadway Media and Greening Project totaling $212,238 **Equipment Purchase** • The Council approved an appropriation of $3,975 for the purchase of gym mats and accessories for the Charles Young Center These financial actions represent ongoing investments in workforce development facilities, neighborhood infrastructure improvements, and community recreation resources. ## Public Comment During the public comment period, one citizen addressed the Urban County Council. **Rick Day** spoke at the beginning of the meeting [timestamp: 00:00] to criticize the LFUCG compensation system. Day highlighted what he described as inequities in the city's salary structure, specifically citing a recent hire in the parks department as an example. He argued that new employees are receiving starting salaries that are higher than those of existing employees with more experience, creating unfair disparities within the compensation system. Day's comments focused on systemic issues with how the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government structures and administers employee compensation, suggesting that the current approach disadvantages long-term employees in favor of new hires. ## Appointments The Council addressed appointments to various commissions and boards during the September 24, 2024 meeting. However, the specific details regarding individual appointees, the particular boards or commissions involved, and the exact nature of the appointments were not clearly documented in the available meeting materials. The agenda indicated that multiple appointments were made to city commissions and boards, which typically include bodies such as the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Library Board, and other advisory committees that support city operations and community services. City commissions and boards play important roles in municipal governance by providing specialized expertise and community input on various policy areas. These volunteer positions typically involve regular meetings to review applications, make recommendations to the City Council, and help guide city programs and services. Without access to the specific appointment details or relevant transcript timestamps, residents interested in learning about the particular individuals appointed and the specific boards or commissions involved should contact the City Clerk's office or review the complete meeting video for this information. The appointments process generally involves the Mayor nominating candidates and the City Council confirming these appointments through a voting process. These positions typically serve terms of varying lengths depending on the specific board or commission requirements. ## Contested Items The Council addressed one contested item during the September 24, 2024 meeting involving a zone change proposal for property located at 421 Price Road. **Zone Change for 421 Price Road** Council members were divided on the procedural approach for handling a proposed zone change at 421 Price Road. The disagreement centered on the timing of a required public hearing and concerns about adequate community input in the process. Some council members expressed reservations about moving forward with the zone change without ensuring sufficient opportunity for public participation. The discussion revealed differing opinions among council members regarding the appropriate timeline for community engagement and the scheduling of the public hearing. The nature of the split vote indicates that council members were not unanimous in their approach to this zoning matter, though the specific voting breakdown and final outcome are not detailed in the available meeting records. The disagreement appears to have focused on procedural considerations rather than the merits of the zone change itself. This contested item highlights the Council's attention to proper public engagement processes when considering zoning modifications that could impact local communities and property owners in the area. ## Public Comment - Issues on Agenda [timestamp: 00:00] No members of the public came forward to provide comments on issues included on the Council meeting agenda for September 24, 2024. This portion of the meeting was designated for public input on specific agenda items that would be discussed later in the session. The public comment period for agenda items provides an opportunity for community members to address the Council regarding matters scheduled for consideration during the meeting. Unlike general public comment periods, this segment focuses specifically on items listed on the official agenda. With no speakers present, the Council proceeded to the next portion of the meeting without public input on the scheduled agenda items. ## Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval [timestamp: 00:00] The Council addressed various rezoning requests and docket items during this portion of the meeting. The discussion involved multiple speakers including Reynolds, Savigny, and Wu, who presented and debated the proposed changes to zoning classifications. The agenda item encompassed several rezoning requests that required Council review and approval. While specific details of individual properties or rezoning classifications were not detailed in the available materials, the discussion covered the standard procedural requirements for such requests. Council members engaged in deliberation regarding the merits of the proposed rezonings, examining factors such as compatibility with surrounding land uses, compliance with comprehensive planning goals, and potential impacts on the community. The speakers addressed various aspects of the rezoning proposals, ensuring proper consideration of all relevant factors before making their determination. Following the discussion and review of the presented materials, the Council moved forward with their decision-making process. All proposed rezoning requests and docket items that were considered during this session received approval from the Council members. The approval of these rezoning requests represents the Council's determination that the proposed changes align with the city's planning objectives and zoning requirements. This action allows the affected properties to proceed with development or use changes consistent with their new zoning classifications. ## Budget Amendments [timestamp: 00:00] The Council considered budget amendments for various municipal projects and initiatives during the September 24, 2024 meeting. Council members Baxter and Gray served as the primary speakers for this agenda item. The budget amendments were presented as a resolution requiring Council approval to adjust allocations for ongoing city operations and capital projects. While the specific details of individual amendments were not provided in the available materials, the discussion involved modifications to the city's current budget framework. Council member Baxter participated in the presentation and discussion of the proposed budget changes, addressing the rationale and necessity for the amendments. Council member Gray also contributed to the deliberations, helping to guide the Council through the budget modification process. The budget amendments covered multiple projects and initiatives, suggesting a comprehensive review of current fiscal allocations and priorities. The amendments likely involved reallocating funds between different departments, programs, or capital projects to better align with current operational needs and strategic objectives. Following discussion and consideration of the proposed changes, the Council voted to approve the budget amendments. The approval allows city staff to proceed with the adjusted budget allocations and implement the financial modifications as outlined in the resolution. The successful passage of these budget amendments ensures continued funding for various municipal services and projects while providing the flexibility needed to address evolving city priorities and operational requirements throughout the fiscal year. --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting Docket, as amended - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to execute a lease with Davis Park Station, LLLP for the Davis Park Workforce Center located at 501 De Roode Street, at an estimated cost not to exceed $16,536.65 in FY 2025 - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting, an ordinance changing the zone from a Single Family Residential (R-1C) zone to a Highway Service Business (B-3) zone, for 1.000 net (1.177 gross) acres, for property located at 2090 Harrodsburg Rd., without a public hearing - **Motion** — passed (2-1): place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting, an ordinance pursuant to Section 2-1(a) of the Code of Ordinances, adopting a schedule of meetings for the Council for Calendar Year 2025 - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting, an ordinance changing the zone from a Single Family Residential (R-1D) zone to a Mobile Home Park (M-1P) zone, for 16.541 net (16.754 gross) acres, for property located at 421 Price Road (a portion of)., with a public hearing to be held at 6:00 p.m., November 12, 2024 - **Motion** — failed (0-0): amend the previous motion to start the public hearing at 5:00 p.m., November 12, 2024 - **Motion** — passed (0-0): place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting a resolution accepting the bid of Ground Hog Excavating and Farm Services, Inc., in the amount of $212,238.00, for the North Broadway Median Greening Project, for the Division of Environmental Services, and authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Ground Hog Excavating and Farm Services, Inc., related to the bid - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve the September 17, 2024 Work Session Summary - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve Budget Amendments - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve New Business - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve Communications from the Mayor- Appointments - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve Communications from the Mayor- Procurements - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve Neighborhood Development Funds - **Motion** — passed (0-0): approve Council Capital Projects, as amended - **Motion** — passed (0-0): amend the Council Capital Project list to add an allocation to the Division of Streets and Roads, in the amount of $11,000.00, for construction of a vinyl plank fence between the service road and Wilson Downing Road to enhance traffic safety in the school zone - **Motion** — passed (0-0): amend the Council Capital Project list to add an allocation to the Department of Social Services, in the amount of $3,975.00, for the purchase of gym mats and accessories for installation for the gymnasium at Charles Young Center - **Motion** — passed (0-0): adjourn at 3:53 p.m --- ## Full transcript So So So So we'll go ahead and get started. These people are happy rowdy. Welcome everyone. Well we should have two, four, six, seven, eight. Council members. All right. I'd like to welcome everyone and call to order the Lexington Fayette urban county council work session. Today is September 24th, 2024. And the first item on the agenda is public comment for issues on the agenda. And it looks like we have no one signed up. So we'll move on to the docket and I'll turn it over to you. All right. We have no one signed up. So we'll move on to the docket. And I'll ask for a motion to approve. Thank you. Council member Ellinger. Second by council member gray. And if you have questions or walk ons or items, please sign in. Council member Reynolds. Thank you, mayor. I have a walk on. Thank you, mayor. On behalf of the urban county government to execute a lease with Davis park station LLP for the Davis park workforce center location at 501 Derude street at the estimated cost not to exceed. I'm sorry. Derude. Not to exceed $16,536.65. FY 2025. Thank you. Council member Ellinger seconds. All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Council member Reynolds. I'm done. I'm sorry. Council member Savigny. Thank you, mayor. I move to place on the docket item number 6 an ordinance changing the zone from a single family residential R1C to a multi-family residential R3 for 1.000 net 1.177 gross acres for property located at 2090 Harrodsburg road without a public hearing. So moved. Second. All right. Thank you. Are there any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Vice mayor Wu. Thank you, mayor. I move to place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 council meeting an ordinance pursuant to section 21A of the code of ordinances adopting a schedule of meetings for the council for calendar year 2025. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Yes. Council member Pullman seconded. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Council member Lynch. Thank you, mayor. I move to place the proposed zone change regarding a portion of the property at 421 price road, item number 5 on the September 26, 2024 docket with a public hearing to be held at 6 p.m. on November 12, 2024. Second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed? All right. Council member Reynolds seconded that. With a hearty support from council member Gray. Any questions? Vice mayor Wu. Thank you, mayor. Maybe Tracy, if you can answer a couple of questions about this particular zone change for me. Thank you, Ms. Wade. Can you tell me if you can tell me what planning staff recommended on this zone change? The staff did recommend approval of the requested zone change. Okay. And can you tell me how the planning commission voted on it? The planning commission voted to approve the zone change 7-1. 7-1? Yes. Okay. Were there any substantive changes? I don't know if you can speak to it, but were there any substantive changes that the planning commission made to the original proposal? Yes. As you know, with a zone change, we also have a development plan that's associated with that. And one of the main concerns had to do with connections to adjoining areas. And so the commission asked for some changes to the development plan to be made at the next stage, and then removed any of the findings related to connectivity before they recommended approval. Thank you for that. I want to make sure my comments are understood. And I'm not going to go through all of them. I just want to make sure they're understood. Okay. Thank you. I want to make sure my comments are taken correctly. I am generally inclined to vote for a public hearing for zone changes when there is either disagreement between the planning staff's recommendation and the planning commission's vote outcome, or if the planning commission's vote is split and not either unanimous or close to unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. recommendations are either unanimous or close to unanimous or supermajority. So I'm going to be voting no on this public hearing, not based on this district, this neighborhood, or this particular case, but based on this case. Thank you. I'll make a motion to amend that. You had 6 o'clock. We have work session at 3 o'clock. I'll make a motion that we amend it to 5 p.m. So we don't have to wait for otherwise we're going to have to wait probably two hours in between meetings to do it. So I'll make a motion to amend to start the public hearing at 5 o'clock. So moved. Second. Councilmember Gray seconds. Is there discussion about the amendment? I wanted 6 p.m. Just to give my neighbors enough time to get here from work. This is a working class neighborhood. I want them to be able to get off of work and be able to get down here in a timely manner. So that's why I kept it at 6 p.m. instead of going earlier. Other comments to the amendment? Anyone? All right. Then all those in favor of the amendment to change from 6 o'clock to 5 o'clock, please say aye. Aye. Let's do a hand vote. Let's do a hand vote. All those in favor, please raise your hand. Aye. 1, 2, 3. 3. All those opposed, same sign. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Okay. That motion fails. So the motion on the floor stands. Does anyone else want to speak to the motion on the floor? Councilmember James Brown, did you want to speak to the motion? Yes. Okay. Thank you, Mayor. And I just want to be clear that I've made comments previously about supporting our planning commission and their recommendation. And I think this zone change is different. I think we've over home at least I've overwhelmingly heard for the neighborhood that this is going to change. I think it's going to change. I think it's going to change. I think it's going to change. I think it's going to change. And I think we've overwhelmingly heard for the neighborhood that they want this to have another public hearing. Even though some substantive changes was made for the planning commission that addressed some of the concerns they shared. But I'm going to support the motion to have a public hearing based off of that. So thank you, Mayor. All right. Thank you. Does anyone else wish to comment about the motion on the floor? All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? No. Okay. We have one no vote, I believe. So that motion passes. Okay. Now, are there other items for the docket? Councilmember James Brown, did you have another item for the docket? Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. I move to place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 council meeting. A resolution accepting the bid of Okay. Okay. Sorry. Okay. Can you hang on one second? Just one second. Thank you all for being here. I'll start over, Mayor. Please. That would be great. Thank you, Councilmember Brown. I make a motion to walk I move to place on the docket for the September 26, 2024 council meeting a resolution accepting the bid of Groundhog Excavating and Farm Services, Inc. in the amount of $212,238 for the North Broadway Media and Greening Project for the Division of Environmental Services and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Groundhog Excavating and Farm Services, Inc. related to the bid. So moved. Councilmember Baxter seconds. Are there questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Councilmember Fogle is unable to log in but I think has an item for the docket. Yes, ma'am. This is every council meeting something happens to my monitor so it's out of my control. But I move to amend the Council Capital Project list to add an allocation to the Department of Social Services in the amount of $3,975 for the purchase of gym mats and accessories and installation for the gymnasium at Charles Young Center. So moved. Councilmember, excuse me, is this for the work docket for Thursday or are you on the work session agenda? I am on the work session agenda. Do you mind to hold that motion until we get to the Council Capital Projects? Okay. Thank you. Thank you. We'll get to it in just a minute. All right. Thank you. Now, is there anything else for the docket? Okay. All right. Seeing nothing else, all those in favor of approving the docket as amended, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Thank you very much. Now, it's time to approve the September 17, 2024 work session motions. Thank you, Councilmember Gray. All those in favor of approving the motion, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Next is budget amendments. Could I have a motion, please? Thank you. Councilmember Baxter moved. Councilmember Gray seconded. If you have a question about budget amendments, please log in. All right. I see nothing. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Thank you. That passes. Next is for your information only, Councilmembers, budget adjustments, and that moves us to new business. Could I have a motion? Motion approved. Councilmember Ellinger, Councilmember Plowman seconded, and please log in with your questions for new business. Councilmember Fogle, are you able to log in for questions? Okay. If you have questions along the way, will you wave at me? All right. Questions on new business? Anyone? Councilmember Gray. Thank you, Mayor. I just would like clarification, or just more information regarding letter K. Welcome. Could you tell us a little bit more of this about the catering at this facility? Yes. This is for catering at the center, and this is for meals for our children that are in child care ages 0 to 5. This is for their breakfast, their lunch, and their afternoon snack. And has this company are they currently the caterers for the facility? Yes, ma'am. They have been for quite a few years. They were actually already established when I took over as the director. Thank you. Are you also with letter B as well? About the mindfulness workshops for the teen mothers? Yes, ma'am. I love this program, so I just wanted you to tell us more about this. It's through KVC, and they are going to come in and do four nine-week sessions with the students about domestic violence and ways that they can prevent it within themselves and within their homes and in our community. That program is going to be four. And there's no charge for that program. They've gotten a grant from KVC, and so they're able to use it at the family care center. Wonderful. Thank you. That just sounds like a wonderful program. Thank you. Great to see you, director. You too, mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Allinger. Thank you, mayor. And number J. All right. Letter J. That is Tyler or I don't believe Heather's in the room. Chief of Staff Scott. Sorry. I wasn't sure which one J was. I'm sorry? I wasn't sure which one J was. Could you kind of go over how this program works and the necessity of this because we aren't allowed to use the funds. Right. Sure. So the percent for art does not allow because it's a bond fund. It does not allow for the maintenance of any of the public art that is approved and implemented. So we've got funds we use throughout the general fund, but the idea here is to create a separate account in BGCF, which allows us to take private donations specifically towards projects and allow that kind of operations and maintenance to live well beyond any particular administration or council or anyone else who's been around for a project as it was originally created. So what's the 250 minimum? How are we starting with that? We've got the original seed money in our budget right now, but we'll just plan to keep replenishing the initial or the yearly seed money that we're going to be able to raise through private donations. Right. And it can draw interest. It can become an investment account. Okay. And you think that will be enough to maintain all of our properties that we have with the public art? We hope so. A lot better than we can do just by trying to fund it through the general fund each year. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. I just have a few questions. Item E, so either Director Kerry or Commissioner Albright about the LexGro trees. Just for the public's knowledge, because it looks like we're doing the second round of funding, just kind of the major changes, if you don't mind just highlighting those. Sure. There were just some things while we were scoring the round one grant applications that realized that if we had asked for a little more clarity from the applicants, that it would have certainly made our job easier in scoring and probably would have helped inform some of the choices and projects that they brought forward. So, for example, one of the changes is the current percent canopy that we have on city-owned properties is already just a little over 30%, so we really want to focus on properties that have less than that amount of canopy. And we also have capabilities within our own staff and our urban and community forestry section to do plantings and we've got the nursery that's out at Heisel Farm Park, so we've got the resources to do a lot of that. So we definitely want to focus the grant program on private property and other properties, maybe owned by the school system or other public entities, to encourage them to apply to plant trees or maintain trees on their properties. Thank you. And then you plan on opening that window again? When are we going to open it again? Yeah, what date? We're going to nail the dates down at our committee meeting this Thursday, but I anticipate that we'll open the grant application window during tree week, which starts on October 11th, and then have those due back by around Thanksgiving, either right before Thanksgiving or the end of November. Okay, thank you. Thank you so much. And then I just wanted to, on item P, the NAMP recipient, I just want you to know I'm going to recuse from that because I live in one of those neighborhoods. It's a condo community, so thank you. Okay, thank you. Any other items for new business? Questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Communications from the mayor, there are appointments. If I could have a motion to approve. Second. Vice Mayor Wu and Council Member Fogle seconded. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? That motion passes. There are no, we have nothing in donations from communications. We do have procurements in communications from the mayor, and I'll entertain a motion to approve. Council Member Plowman, seconded by Council Member Baxter. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Next is continuing business and presentations, and first is neighborhood development funds. I'll entertain a motion. Council Member Savigny, seconded by Council Member Gray. Are there questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next are Council Capital Projects. Could I have a motion to approve? Motion approved. Second. Council Member Ellinger, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, and I believe there are one or two. Council Member Baxter, and then Council Member Fogle. Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. Council Member Benares is having some technical difficulties, so she's asked me to make this motion on her behalf. I move to amend the Council Capital Project to add an allocation to the Division of Streets and Roads in the amount of $11,000 for construction of a vinyl plank fence between the service road and Wilson Downing Road to enhance traffic safety in the school zone. So moved. Second. Council Member Plowman, seconded. Are there any questions? That's an addition to the list. Yes, ma'am. Yes. All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Council Member Fogle. I move to amend the Council Capital Project list to add an allocation to the Department of Social Services in the amount of $3,975 for the purchase of gym mats and accessories for installation for the gymnasium at Charles Young Center. So moved. Second. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds, seconded. Are there any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Anything else for Council Capital Projects? All right. All those in favor of the amended Council Capital Project list, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Thank you. At this time, I'll turn it over to Council Member James Brown for the Budget Finance and Economic Development Report. All right. Thank you, Mayor. Budget Finance and Economic Development Committee report out summary of motions for August 27, 2024. The meeting began at 1.05 p.m. The first item was the approval of the June 25, 2024 committee summary. First, the committee unanimously approved of the June 25, 2025, 2024 committee summary. The second item was the monthly financials for the March 2024. Commissioner Hensley provided a brief update on the monthly financials and shared that the revenue collections is running within $24,000 to budget through period one. No action was taken on this item. The third item was change orders. Director Todd Slayton presented on the change orders update, resolution 630-2020 became effective in December 2020 and is reflective in CAO policy 15. Benefits include reduced project timelines, no legislative action required, and no timing issues with the Council's schedule. There have been 45 change orders to date and no action was taken on this item. The next item was the R.H. Williams Cultural Center. Tora Carter from the R.H. Williams Cultural Center presented on the issue. Carter explained the history and significance of the building and their goal to renovate the facility. The building is over 100 years old and has 16,000 square feet and is on three acres of land. The building has critical needs such as roofing, central HVAC, and guttering. The Center is looking to renew their partnership with LFUCG for assistance to address critical needs and funding to redevelop a feasibility study. No action was taken on this item. Undue Medical Debt. Eva Stahl presented on behalf of Undue Medical Debt. Undue is a 501c3 nonprofit that was founded 10 years ago with the goal to acquire and abolish medical debt for people burdened by financial hardship. To date, Undue has acquired and abolished $12 billion in medical debt for 7.1 million individuals. Every dollar that is appropriated to Undue purchases about $100 of medical debt. Undue contracts with government agencies, recruit hospitals, and providers to participate, requests data files, and identifies patients who meet program eligibility, acquire medical debts, notifies recipients that debts have been acquired and canceled as a gift, invoiced program costs, and provides a grant invoiced program costs and supports policy opportunities to achieve systematic change. No action was taken on this item. Items referred to committees, the Agricultural Director update was unanimously removed from committee and the committee adjourned at 2.16 p.m. Thank you, Mayor. That concludes my report. All right. Thank you very much. Does anyone have any questions for Councilmember Brown? All right. Thank you again. All right. That leads us to Council reports. Please log in. Councilmember Gray. Thank you, Mayor. Last week was an extremely busy week for me. It was an honor. Thank you to the North Point HOA for inviting me to speak and give you an update of all that is going on here at the Government Center and the work that me and my colleagues are doing every single day. Thank you. Last week, several Councilmembers and I, we attended the Sneaker Ball, which is held by the Community Action Bluegrass I can go on with their name, but it was an opportunity to celebrate women who are making positive changes in our community and we celebrate them all for what they continue to do and it is an honor to make sure that we put those women out there and acknowledging the work that they continue to do in our community. So thank you, Community Action, for recognizing typically unseen women who do the work and do so without wanting to be acknowledged. Also, on Saturday, my colleague here, Councilmember Shayla Lynch of the 2nd District and I had the privilege and honor to speak with young ladies, middle school students, at the Destined for Greatness Girls Summit, which was held, led by Lanisha Hosler with Fayette County Public Schools. It was an honor to speak with these young people and to hear their insight and we gave them scenarios of typical issues that we deal with from flock cameras to sidewalks to our public parks and ballot referendums and they all gave great feedback and it was important, we feel it's important to ensure that our young people have an opportunity to speak with their leaders and to know that they too can be right here in our seats one day. So thank you Ms. Hosler for all that you do with Fayette County Public Schools and our next generation of leaders. Next, my colleagues and I, we attended, several of us, we attended the Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame dinner where I had the honor to meet several Dunbar High School heroes, our champions that happened to attend school with my dad which it was great to see and meet so many of what I call my elders and learn of what they did and how they have put a footprint in our athletic community and there's Don Duncan Walters who we gave her a day last year who was also part of the Hall of Fame last year. So kudos to Mr. and Ms. Jones for all that they do to recognize some heroes that deserve to be highlighted. And thank you to, next, thank you to our public safety last week, or maybe it was this, it was last week, it all runs together here. I have the honor of joining our public safety, our police officers at our with our mounted patrol, just learning more about all that they do and thank you to our team, our great, wonderful team, LexTV for being there to record not only my council comment but also recording the show for the police as well. So thank you all for being there and helping us showcase to our community all the great things that are happening here at LFUCG. So thank you, LexTV. And almost lastly, there is upcoming on October 21st at Bryan Station High School. Note the location change. We will be having the 6th District meeting where hopefully we will hear a lot of what's going on in our district and it will be an opportunity for the residents of the 6th District to speak to the leaders here at City Hall. And lastly, you don't have this, LexTV. Sheriff Kathy Witt just sent me a text so I can inform the masses of a program that is taking place at the Lyric Theater tomorrow. It's entitled Walk a Mile in Our Shoes. It's an opportunity for victims of violence who are survivors. An opportunity to come together and it begins at 5 p.m. And it goes from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lyric Theater. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted everyone to be aware that the Health Department is hosting a free flu clinic at Fayette Mall on October the 3rd. So that's next week from 3 to 7 p.m. At the interior entrance at Dillard's. Pre-registration is but it's not required. And you can go to LFCHD.org forward slash flu shots 2024. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. First, I want to say how excited I was to be at the press conference this morning as we announced the hiring of our new team member for Community Paramedicines response program. And I really want to thank the administration for their backing this and for over the past few years growing the paramedicine program. It's something that I think is really essential to our community and I'm excited about the future of that. So we recently received $850,000 federal grant from Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services to establish a crisis response team. So now, working with Lexington Fire Department and Lexington Police Department and E911, we have a full-time mental health professional. I got to meet him and he's very kind and excited to be starting this new position. And the grant also will provide support to 45 officers who've taken specialized training in responding to mental health emergencies. So I think that's a big win for our city and I know that a lot of people from our public safety division have been working on that for a long time. So that's exciting. Then I wanted to mention it is Hispanic Heritage Month and this weekend is the annual Festival Latino which has been going on for over 20 years in our community. We may be expecting some really bad weather so you will need to stay tuned to that. But if the weather is okay, this festival starts Friday. It will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Courthouse Plaza. Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m. at the Courthouse Plaza. And then Sunday, it will be 1 to 5 and it will be a health fair at Masterson Station Park. So please come out if the weather is okay and get some yummy food, listen to some great music and experience the Latino culture. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Blumen. Thank you Mayor. And Chris, I don't know, do we have pictures on this? Okay. So last week we gathered at Gemtown Baptist Church, which is one of our historical hamlets, to celebrate the expansion of broadband in rural Fayette County. And this has been something I've mentioned has been a long time in coming but it's exciting that it's here. It was our first build-out, completed build-out this week and in Gemtown. And so there's going to be a lot more that are going to continue, which is really the good news. I'm so excited about it. I'd like to thank CIO Liz Rogers and her team. Jason Keller with Spectrum has just gone over, I mean, he has just been wonderful to work with these last eight years trying to get this going. And Mayor Gordon, of course, your ongoing support on this. And so just very excited, as I said. And colleagues, I hope you will be joining me tomorrow night and that's at the Fayette County Farm Bureau's legislation dinner. It's at Limestone Hall and it is 6 p.m. And it'll be just not local representatives but state representatives there. And we're all given a little opportunity to speak too. So I hope you'll join me. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Lynch. Thank you, Mayor. I have a few announcements. First, I want to remind my 2nd District neighbors that Chalet in the 2nd is happening tomorrow at Matching Station Clubhouse from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Please come out. They'll always have lots of food trucks, games for the kids, inflatables, and it will be a really good time. I think this is the last hangry hump day of the summer for the Matching Station neighborhood. So please come out tomorrow evening and enjoy your neighbors. The second thing I want to highlight is this past weekend, in addition to all the amazing things I had with Council Member Councilwoman Gray this weekend, we had yet another wonderful 5K in the 2nd District which is the 5K capital of Lexington. Nay, I say, the racing capital of Lexington because we have many, many cross-country races in Matching Station Park. Council Member Spigney. So I just want to highlight that Pride Run Lexington 5K was hosted in Coldstream Park this weekend. There were hundreds of participants and Front Runners Lexington, the host for this event, did another outstanding job in hosting runners, walkers, joggers, strollers to have a good time and to celebrate a beautiful cause right there in Coldstream Park in the 2nd District. So thank you all for hosting the event. It was a great event and very, very well attended. And then lastly, I want to remind my neighbors that our next district-wide meeting is coming up on Wednesday, October the 16th at STEAM Academy at 6 p.m. We have a lot of important topics that we'll be discussing. Lots of emails I've gotten about these topics so please come out, bring your questions and we'll have light refreshments. Thanks so much, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. A couple announcements for things coming up. So first is the I Know Expo. This is an event to empower folks with knowledge to proactively plan for the future, live with disabilities, care for loved ones and age with joy and grace. It is from 9 to 2 this Saturday, September 28th at the Lexington Senior Center on Life Lane. Then there is the Kenwick Block Party on Saturday as well. This will be on Kramer. They'll have the street blocked off there to socialize with neighbors and have some local vendors so bring a chair if you'd like and just come hang out. And that is on Saturday as well from 3 to 7. And then because we don't have meetings next week, I wanted to remind everyone that Monday starts the week without driving. So if you, I hope you will join us. Several council members will be participating to try to get around Lexington without the use of a car. And if you do have to drive, be mindful about it. So thinking about why you have to use your car in that moment and what would have to change for you to get around safely and efficiently without a car in our area. So that is everything. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Can someone admit council member to the meeting? Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. I've got a quick announcement. This Sunday, or Thursday through Sunday, the 12 Lions Film Festival will be taking place at the Kentucky Theater downtown, which is not in District 10, but this is a four-day free event that showcases quality independent films from around the world. It's in its second year, and it was founded to celebrate the art film and encourage emerging filmmakers challenge and entertain film lovers and support Kentucky's growing film industry. I'm giving you a point of personal privilege. My daughter's short film happens to be in this film festival. So come join me at 2 o'clock at the Kentucky or 425. I'm at 2 o'clock on Friday or 425 on Sunday, and visit KentuckyTheater.org for the full lineup. It's actually going to be a fun event, and I've gone to several of them, and I would say they're always a good time, and I'm glad that our city has decided to embrace something that's so creative. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to acknowledge the folks that put on the Patrick Mitchell tribute this past weekend Saturday at the Lyric. I know a lot of times when folks pass in our community, we don't get an opportunity to get proper closure, and I think that event, at least for me, provided that opportunity. I mean, they celebrated his life, his contributions to our community and his accomplishments as an artist and as an actor. And I remember going to the event, and I was feeling kind of sad and serious, because I was thinking he's gone. All we have left to remember him is our memories, his art, and the impact he had on the community, but I felt and left hopeful because his son was on stage and got to do part of the program, and his son was the true embodiment of him. So I left inspired, thinking that Patrick left us more with his son. So that was a good thing, and his family, please know you're still in our prayers. And then, may I just want to ask a question of Commissioner Horn, and this is in regards to, and correct me if the term is not right, but sober living facilities or these facilities that are popping up across our community. Myself and Council Member Fogle was at a neighborhood meeting last night, and it was packed with folks concerned about one of these facilities coming into their neighborhood, and I felt like we didn't have a lot of answers for them in regards to whose jurisdiction this falls under, who is responsible for notification, and then I think there was one, and I could be wrong, in front of the BOA, but I don't think routinely these facilities go to BOA. Can you elaborate a little bit on that and give us some clarity? As I recall, there is a state statute that places some restrictions on our ability to regulate those sober living houses. If it's in a zone that is a primary use, then they wouldn't be going to the BOA or providing any notice about their use of the property. If it's a conditional use, then they would be going to the Board of Adjustment, and the same notice requirements for any other conditional use would apply. Now, we can certainly follow up with you on that from the Division of Planning. I would like for you to follow up with just some details, and I guess just to be clear, I think the neighborhood just had concerns. It wasn't that they were completely against it. I think they just wanted to know what was coming in their neighborhoods, and I just didn't feel empowered to give them clear answers on that. I would like some clarity on that as well. I appreciate it. Thank you, Mayor. Very good. Thank you. Councilmember Fogel? Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Mr. Horne. I'll be awaiting that response also. First District has been riddled with sober living houses. Being 27 years in recovery, I still want to respect the neighbors in their opinion. We had some really good things to celebrate, kind of bittersweet. Pastor Owens of Shiloh retired. His last sermon will be this Sunday. He has been just the connector in doing outreach in the community for a long, long time, over 20 years. I think 25 at Shiloh, but has been preaching for about 43 years. I just missed you, Mayor, in your proclamation. I was on my way and didn't get there in time. Thank you for showing up for that. Also on Sunday, Pastor Keith Tyler had an awesome event with Ron Berry being the moderator for seniors in Lexington from Councilmember Reynolds District over there at Antioch Church. Councilmember Reynolds, I had it on my list to call you, to tell you to come, because I know you love to come and be a part of that. That was held at our historic Lyric. I wanted to lift that up. I was going to talk about the Pride Run. I'll just add a little bit to that. Councilmember, you're such a runner. Anyway, your legs, I am just... Go, girl. At that Pride Run was a double rainbow because it had rained. Think about the double rainbow at the Pride Run. That was an awesome look. I've got some photos if you want some. People had taken that. Also, I missed a lot of these events. I had tickets for all of those events. I am an inductee of the Hall of Fame sports on the first team that went in. The sneaker ball had tickets for all of that, but I wasn't able to go. With a painful, heavy heart, our councilmember dog, my little girl, passed away on Saturday. St. Sparky is looking over us. She's not snapping at anybody getting on the elevator. Thank you all. This announcement is for Ms. Hamilton and everybody that has reached out from the councilmembers to your staff, Mayor. Everybody sent messages. When I walked in this morning, people were just sending all kind of love and giving me all kind of love. I don't know if you all have pets, but if you've had pets, they're just like your children. A Sparky was definitely mine who gave me unconditional love even when I forgot to water her or give her some food. She still loved me. St. Sparky is in heaven looking at us now. Thank you all for letting me to bring my service animal into this building and for you all loving her every time you saw her. That ends my announcement. I just wanted to give her farewell from the council. Thank you. That brings us to public comment for issues not on the agenda. We have two folks signed up. Let's see. Gene Robinson, are you here? Are you yielding your three minutes to Rick Day? Mr. Day, you'll have six minutes. Welcome. My name is Rick Day, and I live in the third district. Today, you are going to think that I am picking on an individual employee. I am not. I am picking on a situation and using it to support my argument that the LFUCG compensation system is anything but fair and equitable. This is a recent and very good example of how the LFUCG compensation system is anything but fair and equitable. This is a recent and very good example, but it is only one of many. Recently, the parks department filled a 516 pay grade position. For that employee, HR recommended a starting salary near the minimum of the pay grade. A deputy director This was not a hard-to-fill position. 62 people had applied, 10 were interviewed, and three were recommended. Apparently, the appeal was based on an exceptional circumstance. HR agreed, and they approved the appeal for a starting salary that was $8,000 and 18% more than what HR recommended. LFUCG policy says that internal equity should be an important consideration in filling a vacant position. It says that HR will consider the current salaries and length of service in the same job class of current incumbents in the hiring division. The MAG study goes even further. It says that LFUCG should make every effort to avoid inverted salary relationships by bringing in newly hired employees at a salary that exceeds the current salaries of comparatively placed existing employees in substantially equivalent positions. At the time this position was filled, there was already a current or existing employee in the same position at Parks and had been there for over three years. Today, the new hire makes $6,000 more than that existing employee. A few months later, another employee was hired by Parks in the same position. Again, HR recommended an entry-level starting salary. In this case, Parks did not appeal and offered what HR recommended. Two employees were hired three months apart for the same job title, same pay grade. HR recommended very similar starting salaries. One employee now makes $10,000 more per year than the other. Let me remind you that those salary differences can never be made up. They only get larger. Now, as the MAG study says, let's take a look at comparable 516 positions. Not necessarily the same title, not necessarily the same division, but the same pay grade. There are at least four current employees with over 20 years of service. Two with over 12 years of service. All 516s and the new hire makes more than every one of those people. Let's take a look at 517s, a pay grade hire. There are at least four with over six years of experience. Wow! There's a bunch of public service supervisors, all 517s. They're in trouble. There are at least seven of them. Some have over 20 years of service and the new hire makes more than each and every one of them. Let's look at 518s. Two pay grades hire. There are three administrative specialist seniors, all 518s, all with more than five years of service. One works in the law department. One works in environmental and ironically, one works in HR. The new hire makes more than all three of those 518s. HR will not follow their own policies. It is no wonder that our compensation system is such a mess. Thank you. Council members, that brings us to adjournment. Do I hear a motion? Thank you. All those in favor say aye. All right. We are adjourned. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.