# Urban County Council - October 24, 2024 > Auto-transcribed civic record · Council · October 24, 2024 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6258 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/6258?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2024-10-24 - **Body**: Council - **Last revised**: March 29, 2026 - **Length**: 11,633 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 Urban County Council convened on October 24, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The council addressed two main agenda items during the meeting, both of which were successfully approved through the legislative process. The meeting included consideration of a proclamation for GreenHouse17 Day and amendments to the FY 2025 budget under Schedule No. 10, with both items receiving council approval. Four members of the public provided comments during the public input portion of the meeting, allowing community members to address the council on matters of local concern. The council conducted two formal votes during the session, resulting in the successful passage of both agenda items presented for consideration. ## Attendance The following Council members were present at the October 24, 2024 meeting: • Ellinger • Elliott Baxter • Fogle • LeGris • Lynch • Monarrez • Plomin • Reynolds • Sheehan • Worley • Wu • F. Brown • J. Brown • Gray (arrived late) **Absent:** • Sevigny **Late Arrival:** • Gray Fourteen Council members were in attendance, with one member absent and one member arriving late to the proceedings. ## Votes and Decisions The Council conducted two roll call votes during the October 24, 2024 meeting, with both measures passing unanimously. **Ordinance 1030-24** [timestamp: 01:00:00] Council member Ellinger motioned to approve Ordinance 1030-24, which amends certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for FY 2025 Schedule No. 10. The motion was seconded by Wu. The ordinance passed unanimously with a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays. Voting in favor were: Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, and J. Brown. **Resolution 0984-24** [timestamp: 01:30:00] Council member Plomin motioned to approve Resolution 0984-24, accepting the bid of Davis H. Elliot Construction Co. Inc. for the Fiber Optic Expansion Project. Elliott Baxter seconded the motion. The resolution passed unanimously with a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays. The same 14 council members voted in favor: Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, and J. Brown. Both votes demonstrated unanimous support from all present council members, with no abstentions recorded for either measure. The budget amendment and fiber optic project contract approval moved forward without opposition. ## Budget and Financial Actions The Council approved two significant financial expenditures during the October 24, 2024 meeting, totaling over $1.1 million in municipal investments. **Fiber Optic Infrastructure Investment** The Council authorized Resolution 0984-24, approving a contract worth $696,754 with Davis H. Elliot Construction Co. Inc. for the Fiber Optic Expansion Project. This substantial infrastructure investment represents the city's continued commitment to expanding broadband connectivity throughout the community. **Emergency Services Equipment Purchase** Resolution 0946-24 was approved, authorizing the purchase of a new emergency care apparatus from American Response Vehicle for $436,936. This acquisition will enhance the city's emergency medical response capabilities and ensure residents have access to modern emergency care equipment. The combined financial commitments of $1,133,690 reflect the Council's focus on critical infrastructure improvements and public safety enhancements. Both expenditures support essential city services - the fiber optic expansion addressing long-term connectivity needs and the emergency apparatus purchase ensuring adequate emergency medical response capacity for residents. ## Public Comment Four speakers addressed the Council during the public comment period, all focusing on Palestinian-related issues and urging Council action on a ceasefire resolution. **Alyssa Rigney** [timestamp: 03:00:00] spoke first, urging the Council to support a ceasefire resolution for Palestine. She emphasized the human toll of the ongoing conflict and called for the Council to take a stance on the issue. **Logan Robertson** [timestamp: 03:05:00] followed, highlighting the determination of pro-Palestinian activists in their advocacy efforts. Robertson also criticized what he described as the influence of wealthy donors on political decision-making processes. **Alaa Hassan** [timestamp: 03:10:00] provided a detailed account of violence in Gaza, describing the impact on civilian populations. Hassan shared what was characterized as a harrowing account of the situation and called on the Council to take action in response to the crisis. **Arsh Ansari** [timestamp: 03:15:00] concluded the public comment period by addressing the Council's responsibilities to their constituents. Ansari reminded Council members of their duty to listen to community members and criticized what he viewed as the Council's inaction on Palestinian issues. All four speakers focused their comments on urging the Council to consider or support measures related to the conflict in Palestine and Gaza, with particular emphasis on a ceasefire resolution. The speakers presented various perspectives on the Council's role and responsibility in addressing international issues that concern their constituents. ## Appointments The Council approved several reappointments to city boards and commissions during the October 24, 2024 meeting. **Airport Board of Directors** • Shirie Hawkins was reappointed to the Airport Board of Directors • Tonya Jackson was reappointed to the Airport Board of Directors **Arboretum Advisory Board** • Paige Smith was reappointed to the Arboretum Advisory Board All three reappointments were approved by the Council to continue these individuals' service on their respective boards. ## Contested Items The October 24, 2024 Council meeting featured one primary contested item that generated significant community engagement and discussion. **Ceasefire Resolution for Palestine** Multiple members of the public used the public comment period to urge the Council to support a ceasefire resolution regarding the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The commenters emphasized the humanitarian crisis and continuing violence in the region, calling on the Council to take a formal position supporting a ceasefire. The nature of the contention centered on community advocacy for the Council to address an international issue through local government action. Public commenters presented their case for why the Council should consider and potentially adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Palestine, framing it as a matter of humanitarian concern that warranted local government attention. The disagreement involved community members who felt strongly that the Council should take a public stance on this international conflict versus the typical scope of local municipal governance. The commenters appeared to be advocating for the Council to expand its role beyond traditional local issues to address what they viewed as an urgent humanitarian matter requiring broad governmental support at all levels. No immediate Council action or formal response to these public comments was recorded in the available meeting materials. The item remained at the public comment stage, with community members having presented their position but no indication of Council deliberation or decision-making on the proposed ceasefire resolution during this meeting. The contested nature of this item stemmed from the intersection of international affairs with local government responsibilities, as community members sought to engage their local elected officials on a matter of global significance that they felt required local governmental voice and support. ## GreenHouse17 Day [timestamp: 30:00] The Lexington City Council considered agenda item 1081-24, a proclamation declaring October 24, 2024, as GreenHouse17 Day in the city of Lexington. Mayor Gorton presented the proclamation, which formally recognized GreenHouse17's ongoing advocacy work supporting survivors of domestic violence. The proclamation highlighted the organization's commitment to providing resources and support services for individuals affected by domestic violence within the Lexington community. Mayor Gorton emphasized the importance of acknowledging local organizations that work to address critical social issues and support vulnerable populations. Darlene Thomas also spoke during the agenda item, though specific details of her remarks were not provided in the available materials. The proclamation represents the city's formal recognition of GreenHouse17's contributions to community welfare and domestic violence prevention efforts. The Council approved the proclamation without recorded opposition, officially establishing October 24, 2024, as GreenHouse17 Day in Lexington. This designation serves to raise awareness about domestic violence issues and publicly acknowledge the valuable work being done by local advocacy organizations. The proclamation follows the city's practice of recognizing community organizations and causes that contribute to public welfare and social justice initiatives within Lexington. ## Amending Budgets for FY 2025 Schedule No. 10 [timestamp: 01:00:00] The Council considered Ordinance 1030-24, which amends certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures for Fiscal Year 2025 Schedule No. 10. Council members Ellinger and Wu served as key speakers during the discussion of this budget amendment ordinance. The measure addresses adjustments needed to align the city's budget allocations with current operational requirements and expenditure needs. The ordinance follows the standard process for municipal budget amendments, allowing the Urban County Government to modify previously approved budget allocations to better reflect actual spending requirements and priorities that have emerged since the original FY 2025 budget was adopted. The Council approved the ordinance, enabling the necessary budget adjustments to move forward. This type of budget amendment is a routine part of municipal financial management, ensuring that departmental allocations remain aligned with operational needs throughout the fiscal year. The approval allows various city departments and programs to proceed with adjusted funding levels as outlined in Schedule No. 10 of the budget amendment process. --- ## Decisions - **Ordinance 1030-24** — passed (14-0): Amending certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for FY 2025 Schedule No. 10 - **Resolution 0984-24** — passed (14-0): Accepting the bid of Davis H. Elliot Construction Co. Inc. for the Fiber Optic Expansion Project --- ## Full transcript She's an easy lover, she'll get a hold on you, baby Two young people without a thing, say some vows and spread their wings And settle down with just what they need, livin' on love She don't care about what's in style, she just likes the way you smile It takes more than marble and tile, livin' on love Livin' on love, buyin' on time, without somebody nothin' ain't worth a dime Just like an old-fashioned storybook rhyme, livin' on love It sounds simple, that's what you're thinkin', but love can walk through fire without blinkin' It doesn't take much when you get enough . . . . . . . . . Welcome, everyone. Welcome. I'll go ahead and call to order the October 24, 2024 Urban County Council Meeting and ask our clerk to take the roll, please. Councilmember Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Councilmember Elliott-Baxter? Yes, ma'am. Councilmember Fogel? Yes. Councilmember Gray? Councilmember Legree? Here. Councilmember Lynch? Present. Councilmember Menarez? Here. Councilmember Plowman? Here. Councilmember Reynolds? Here. Councilmember Savigny? Councilmember Sheehan? Here. Councilmember Worley? Yes, ma'am. Vice-Mayor Wu? Here. Councilmember Fred Brown? Here. Councilmember James Brown? Here. Thank you. All right. Thank you. We have a quorum, and I'd like to welcome to the podium Pastor Jennifer Amidi, Destiny Community Church, and she's going to offer our invocation. Welcome. Oh, God, we come before you tonight with gratitude. We thank you for being a God of love who is with us now in this very room. You never leave us or forsake us. Your grace has brought us safe thus far, and your grace will lead us home, Lord. We thank you for making each of us in this room, every person we meet, every citizen of the city and every city in your own image with dignity and infinite worth. We thank you for the calling you have given every one of us to be good stewards of your creation. I thank you for the servants of the city, our mayor, our city manager, our city staff, and our city council members. I give thanks for the way of service they have chosen to take up on behalf of all of us. We all come to this room tonight as complex human beings, carrying burdens, carrying joy and hope, trusting that you alone can hold us together in your love and peace. Help us, Lord, to trust you more, more than our fears and our wounds and even our accomplishments. May we lean on your everlasting arms always. Lord, your word commands, I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God, our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Lord, in order that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness and that all people will be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, I pray for these leaders and all those in authority. Guide them in their decisions and actions that they might fulfill your purposes and give honor and glory to you. I ask you to give them wisdom from above that is, first of all, pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. And so we pray that you will be glorified tonight through the decisions of this sitting. We pray that we would have the eyes to see how our lives are all connected and how common good is upheld when we listen and respond to those most vulnerable amongst us. We pray that your kingdom would come in Lexington as it is in heaven through your power, working in each one of these, your servants. May your truth be revealed. May your light shine brighter. May the voices of those most silenced be heard loud and clear. We thank you again for this council, our mayor, our city staff, our first responders, our hospital staff, and all those who work to make this place we call home such a beautiful city. In the name of him whose perfect love sets us free from all our fears, amen. Thank you very much, Pastor Amidi. Next on our agenda is the minutes of the September 26th, 2024 and the October 10th, 2024 council meetings. Motion approved. Second. Thank you, Councilmember Ellinger and Councilmember Gray. And are there any questions, additions or corrections? All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Thank you. And at this time, it's my pleasure to present a proclamation. Proclamation. Councilmember Plowman, do you want to join us? You know, I brought information just in case. I don't have to do anything. Will you speak? I will. Okay, good. All right. This is Darlene Thomas, the Executive Director of Greenhouse 17 here in Lexington. And Greenhouse 17, as many of you know, is a local advocacy organization that works to end intimate partner abuse in families and individuals. Greenhouse 17 serves 17 counties across the state and is committed to changing the narrative of embarrassment to one of empowerment for its clients. The organization provides crisis intervention and stabilization services on a beautiful 40-acre farm in rural Fayette County. The land provides survivors nature-based healing, nutritious field-to-table produce, and job training. Darlene, we all know your job is not easy. And we want to thank you. The resources are essential for our community and many more communities whom you serve across the Commonwealth. Thank you for your dedication and leadership. I know you have been dedicated to this for quite some time. And it's my pleasure to present you with this proclamation. Whereas Greenhouse 17 has made significant strides in advocating for survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse by providing services to 17 counties across Kentucky, and whereas Greenhouse 17 has achieved remarkable progress in the last year, culminating in advocacy for the Crime Victim Paid Leave Policy, which was approved by our Urban County Council earlier this year, and whereas Executive Director Darlene Thomas represented Kentucky survivors and advocates at the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Violence Against Women Act, where she presented a panel concerning Greenhouse 17's economic justice work and met President Joe Biden, and whereas Greenhouse 17 was awarded a highly competitive three-year grant for Children's Visitation and Exchange, one of only seven new grantees nationwide, and whereas October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and call for an end to the violence, and whereas we celebrate the successes of Greenhouse 17 over the past year and recognize its continued positive impact on domestic violence, now, therefore, I, Linda Gorton, Mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare October 24th, 2024, Greenhouse 17 Day in Lexington. Thank you for all you do. Thank you. Yay. Thank you. Oh, it's so good to see you. Would you like to say a few words? I can always say a few words. You can always say a few words. I don't usually lack words. I will say it has been a while since I've been doing this work, and December 1st will be 20 years that I came to Lexington to start a new program, and I didn't know what I was walking into, and I was pretty, a lot younger then, and full of energy and idealism, and I have to say, 20 years later, I haven't lost a whole lot, well, energy I've lost a little bit of, but the idealism about what a community can achieve when we work together and create together and listen to each other still amazes me, and it resounds in the work that we do every day in Greenhouse 17, and we cannot do that without you all, the council. I do have to mention the It's Time campaign has done a lot to begin to spread the word and talk about and engage in communities to have dialogues and discussions, and the work that we're doing at Greenhouse 17 continues to expand through our farm and our services and how we're able to reach and meet needs and gaps such as housing gaps, which are critical for us, and then always making sure that children are aware and safe of their surroundings and have opportunity to have relationships with parents, even not in the best case scenarios through our visitation and exchange services, so we continue to grow and change and adapt and listen to survivors first and foremost, that's who drives us every day, and anything that you heard in this, which was wonderful, I have to admit, it was pretty cool going to the White House. I wasn't ready, and I did not, you know, I should have shopped a little differently, probably. You know, I just thought I was talking on a panel, but it was an amazing evening, and what was really amazing was to learn, and we should be proud here in Lexington, so four organizations across the country were invited to speak at Volvos 30th on the panel regarding economic justice work, two out of Washington, D.C., one out of L.A. in California, and one right here in Lexington, Kentucky, and I don't mean that in an arrogant way, I mean I hope you're proud of what we're doing, how we're able to serve victims. We are an imperfect organization, but we try with heart, and none of it would be possible without an amazing group of dedicated staff members who show up every day to make sure survivors' needs are met, and I'm just proud to be a part of this community, I'm proud to be a part of Greenhouse 17, it's a blessing, and I love the purple pumpkins, and let's not forget domestic violence, not just celebrated this month, where we talk about it a whole lot, but it's happening day in and day out in our homes, and our neighbors, our family, and our friends, and our colleagues, so we have to find a way to take care of them. Thank you. Thank you so much, and now Councilmember Kathy Plowman is a member of the Greenhouse 17 board, I'd like to ask her to say a few words. Thank you, Mayor, and I think some people in Washington must have seen or heard about her speaking ability, because when she speaks, she is so dynamic. I've known Darlene, I've been privileged to know her since the early, well, 20, when you came. Yeah, I was at United Way at the time, and we actually looked for a location together, and over the years, I've watched her at the leadership helm of Greenhouse 17, and just the growth and the strides that Greenhouse 17 has made in the 17 county service area, so I'm proud to call you my friend, and you look great in purple, and seriously, she is such a great speaker, she has just taken leaps and bounds over the years. Thank you for being here. It's easy to talk when you're passionate, so it's true. Shall we get a photo? Yes, we should get a photo, and thanks to the council, too, for your workplace policy. Yeah. I don't know that I got to thank all of you in person. Do you have other board members here? No. Any other board members? Okay, let's get a photo. I'll take my sticker off. Okay. Thank you. All right, that brings us to second reading of ordinances. Item one, an ordinance amending sort of the budgets of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating rebidding funds, FY 2025, schedule number 10. Item two, an ordinance of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government authorizing the issuance of its various purpose general obligation bonds, series 2024B, in one or more subseries in an aggregate principal amount of $46,250,000, which amount may be increased by an amount up to 10% or decreased by an unlimited amount, approving a form of series 2024B bonds, authorizing designated officers to execute and deliver the series 2024B bonds, authorizing and directing the filing of notice with the state local debt officer providing the payment and security of the series 2024B bonds, maintaining a sinking fund, creating a bond payment fund for the series 2024B bonds, authorizing acceptance of the bids of the bond purchaser of the series 2024B bonds, and repealing inconsistent ordinances. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? Motion approved. Second. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger, Vice Mayor Wu, seconded. And when you're ready, if you'll take a roll call vote, please. Council Member Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Council Member Elliot Baxter? Yes. Council Member Fogle? Yes. Council Member Gray? Yes. Council Member Legree? Yes. Council Member Lynch? Yes. Council Member Plowman? Yes. Council Member Reynolds? Yes. Council Member Hussain? Yes. Council Member Wherley? Yes, ma'am. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Council Member Fred Brown? Yes. Council Member James Brown? Yes. Council Member Menardez? Yes. Thank you. Thank you. All those items passed, and now it's time for first reading of ordinances. Item 3, an ordinance creating subsection 653B9 of the Code of Ordinances related to pensions other than the police and firemen, specifically pensions on retirement to provide for an increase of 3% to each retiree's base annuity or the annuity paid to the retiree's widow or dependent children affected January 1, 2025, item 4. An ordinance amending section 2137.3 of the Code of Ordinances still existing for urban county government relating to paid parental leave as follows. Amending section 2137.3A to define qualifying event to include placement for adoption of a newly adopted child with the employee amending section 2137.3B to authorize up to four weeks of paid parental leave for placement for adoption of a newly adopted child or for foster care placement or kinship placement of a child with the employee. Amending section 2137.3C to require appropriate documentation creating new section 2137.3D to authorize the director of human resources on recommendation to and with approval of the chief administrative officer to find that special circumstances exist to authorize the use of paid parental leave consistent with the goals and objectives of paid parental leave effective upon passage of council, item 5. An ordinance changing the zone from a planned neighborhood residential R3 zone to a neighborhood business B1 zone for a 0.60 net 0.913 gross acre for property located at 2094 and 2098 Harrisburg Road Brook Properties LLC Council District 10, item 6. An ordinance changing the zone from a planned neighborhood residential R3 zone to a neighborhood business B1 zone for a 0.16 net 0.28 gross acre for property located at 185 Eastern Avenue Shadeland Investment LLC Council District 1, item 7. An ordinance amending the civil service authorized by abolishing one classified position of staff assistant senior grade 511N and creating one classified position of administrative specialist grade 516N all in the division of planning effective upon passage of council, item 8. An ordinance amending the civil service authorized by creating one classified position of planner senior grade 523N in the division of planning effective upon passage of council, item 9. An ordinance creating chapter 8A of the code of ordinances related to the notice requirements for construction or demolition blasting operations creating section 8A1 of the code to define terms creating section 8A2 to the code to require blasters to provide notification to the director of the division of engineering before commencing blasting operations creating section 8A3 of the code regarding preemption creating section 848A4 of the code to set penalties for violation of chapter 8A of the code to amend section 414-10 of the code to include employees within the division of engineering as citation officers for the enforcement of chapter 8A of the code and directing the council clerk on behalf of the urban county government to provide a certified copy of this ordinance to the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources for its approval with section 8 of the ordinance effective upon passage of council and the remaining provisions effective upon receipt of approval thereof from the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources pursuant to KRS 351.335, item 10. An ordinance amending certain of the budgets of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating regrouping funds FY 2025, schedule number 11. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any walk-ons? Okay. Are there any motions to suspend the rules and give second reading? All right. Seeing none, that brings us to second reading of resolutions. Item 1. A resolution accepting the bid of Davis HLA Construction Company Incorporated in the amount of $696,754 for the fiber optic expansion project for the division of traffic engineering and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Davis HLA Construction Company Incorporated related to the bid, item 2. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a third amendment to the agreement awarded pursuant to RFP number 5-2023 with Mahan Multimedia LLC to revise the budget in the amount of $5,000 and to extend the period of performance through March 31, 2025 for the It's Time campaign and further authorizing the mayor to execute any other necessary amendments with Mahan Multimedia LLC related to the agreement, item 3. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with American Response Vehicle for purchase of a new emergency care apparatus at a cost not to exceed $436,936, item 4. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute certificates of consideration and other necessary documents and to accept deeds from owners of record for property interest needed for the St. Martins Village Pump Station Elimination Project at a cost not to exceed $30,000, item 5. A resolution of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government authorizing the advertisement for bids and the distribution of a preliminary official statement for the purchase of the principal amount of its one various purpose general obligation bond, series 2024B, and the aggregate principal amount of $46,250,000, which may be increased by an amount up to 10% or decreased by an unlimited amount, item 6. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a license agreement with OVG Facilities LLC as an agent for the Lexington Center to host the annual Kitty Capers Spring Recital at the Lexington Opera House at no cost to the urban county government, item 7. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with the Lexington Christian Academy to host the annual Kitty Capers Holiday Show at an estimated cost not to exceed $1,500, item 8. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with the Lexington Fair County Health Department for the expanded first responders and community partners overdose prevention project funded under the US Department of Health and Human Services First Responders Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act grant at a cost not to exceed $205,000, item 9. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Town Branch Park Incorporated, DBA, Gatton Park on the Town Branch and the Lexington Center Corporation for a stormwater quality project at a cost not to exceed $383,000, item 10. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept an award from the Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas Counties Incorporated for grant funds, which grant funds are in the amount of $49,443.84 in fertile funds for the provision of early childhood care and education services under the Early Head Start Program at the Family Care Center for FY 2025, the exception which obligates the urban county government to the expenditure of $12,360.96 as a local match and authorizing the mayor to transfer adequate funds with the grant budget, item 11. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a nondisclosure agreement with Nick Laughlin for information analysis and economic impacts, and item 12. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with Clear Span Fabric Structures for fabric replacement at a cost of $109,572.68. Is there a motion to approve? Council Member Plowman and seconded by Council Member Baxter and when you're ready if you'll do a roll call vote please. Council Member Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Council Member Elliott-Baxter? Yes, ma'am. Council Member Fogel? Yes. Council Member Gray? Yes. Council Member Legree? Yes. Council Member Lynch? Yes. Council Member Plowman? Yes. Council Member Reynolds? Yes. Council Member Sheehan? Yes. Council Member Worley? Yes, ma'am. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Council Member Fred Brown? Yes. Council Member James Brown? Yes. And Council Member Menardez? Yes. All right, thank you. All those items pass. Now it is time for first reading of resolutions. All right, thank you. All those items pass. Now it is time for first reading of resolutions. Item 13. A resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with a Seagrave Fire Apparatus LLC for purchase of two new rescue pumper apparatus that would cost our district $2,216,911. Item 14. A resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Fayette County Public Schools Southside Technical to establish a student emergency medical technician program. Item 15. A resolution authorizing the Division of Water Quality on behalf of the Urban County Government to purchase a replacement UTEC head cell grit concentrator for the West Tech Midwest Water Treatment Plant from Hydro International, a sole source provider, and authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute any necessary agreement with Hydro International related to the procurement at a cost not to exceed $189,840.24. Item 16. A resolution amending resolution number 629-2023 authorizing the acceptance of deeds for property's interest needed for the Floyd Drive Trunk Sewer Project increasing the cost of acquisition of easement by the sum of $6,000 from $51,000 to $57,000. Item 17. A resolution authorizing the Mayor or her designee to execute any and all agreements and other necessary documents related to the celebration of Lexington's 250th anniversary, the final form of which shall be subject to approval in form and content by the 250 Lex Commission, the Office of the Mayor, the Division of Procurement, and the Department of Law with all the associated costs and expenses to be paid directly by the Blue Grass Community Foundation. Item 18. A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute certificates of consideration and other necessary documents and to accept deeds for property interest located at 139 England Park needed for the Wolf Run Main Trunk G Sewer Project, a remedial measures project required by the consent decree at a cost not to exceed $10,000. Item 19. A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Standard and Associates Incorporated for the Police Officer Selection Test for LFUCG Police Recruit Candidates at a cost not to exceed $9,500. Item 20. A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a partial release of agreement releasing the property located at 900 Newtown Pike from a stormwater incentive grant maintenance agreement. Item 21. A resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government as the collaborative applicant to execute and submit the 2024 Continuum of Care grant application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD to provide any additional information requested in connection with this grant application which seeks up to $3,892,327 in federal funds for the operation of programs by community non-profit organizations to reduce homelessness in Lexington and Fayette County and to accept an amount up to $141,269 of grant funds if the application is approved, which project planning expense is related to the monitoring program funded by the grant, the exception of which obligates the Urban County Government to the expenditure of an amount up to $35,318 as a local match and authorizing the Mayor to transfer uncovered funds within the grant budget. Item 22. A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a professional services agreement with a law firm of Frost, Brown, Todd, LLC for collective bargaining negotiations with the divisions of fire and emergency services and police at an estimated cost not to exceed $120,000 in FY 2025. Item 23. A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a plan renewal agreement with Anthem for the Medicare Advantage plan for the police and fire retirement fund for the period beginning January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Thank you. We will pause a moment. Councilmember James Brown has a motion. Thank you, Mayor. I move to amend item number 24 under resolutions for first reading relating to the creation of the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority to remove any reference to the City of Richmond and to make the resolution contingent upon approval of the Authority's creation and execution of all necessary agreements by all parties to the interlocal cooperative agreement. So moved. Councilmember Baxter seconds. Are there any questions? Councilmembers I think you received an email from Kevin Adkins earlier today about this. Councilmember Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. Kevin, can you come to the podium there? Can you tell us how this, you sent the email just for the public, how this is going to change the way it's done, and we do have a couple others that are going to be voting after we vote. I think one is voting right now. We have one voting tomorrow, correct? That's right. So the way the agreement has been restructured, and I want to give credit to all our partners, Scott County, Madison County, Berea, Georgetown. We all had a few conversations yesterday and really made this project continue. So the way it will work, nothing changes for Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. Our financial commitment, our return on revenue are the same as they were before, $2.1 million and a 33% return on the net revenues. The other four partners have agreed to make up the $500,000 that the City of Richmond had been planning to put, had in their budget to put into the project. So they'll all be putting in $125,000 for that extra investment. Then the percentages that we sent you in that chart have gone up. I think it's 4% each, so 2% for each city, 2% for each county. So their net revenue percentage of collection will go up accordingly. Do you see any issues with the others that haven't voted? Are they in support of it and will vote for it? I can tell you the folks we were talking with yesterday are very supportive. Everybody is still excited about the jobs this will potentially bring to the region. The group is as strong as it ever was. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Are there other questions? All right. All those in favor of the amendment, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? That motion passes. Now it's time to give it its reading. Item 24, a resolution of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government Council approving the Economic Development Partnership with Madison County, Scott County, City of Berea, City of Georgetown, authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement, membership agreement, and other necessary and related documents forming the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority and authorizing payment in the amount of $2,125,000 to the authority for the purpose of carrying out the duties and powers of the authority as limited by the aforementioned agreements and relevant state law, all contingent upon approval of the authority's creation and execution of all necessary agreements by all parties to the interlocal cooperation agreement. Item 25, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a purchase of service agreement awarded pursuant to RFP number 46-2024 with Techconomy Partners, LLC to perform a local economic and workforce development opportunity study at a cost not to exceed $132,860, item 26. A resolution authorizing and approving the transfer of capital project funds to the Division of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $5,000 for a sense of place Hamlet initiative project, $50,000 for elevated signage for the Phoenix Park Reimagined Project, $2,000 for planting four memorial trees in the ninth district parks, and $50,000 for the Davis Park Basketball Courts Project, item 27. A resolution initiating zoning ordinance text amendments to articles 1, 3, and 8 for short term rentals in the rural service area, item 28. A resolution extending a bit of Calhoun Construction Company Incorporated in the amount of $14,959,000 for the new Senior and Therapeutic Center for the Department of General Services and Authorizing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Calhoun Construction Services Incorporated related to the bid, item 29. A resolution extending a bit of Cleary Construction Incorporated in the amount of $12,040,030 for the new Circle Road Trunks A and B for the Division of Water Quality and Authorizing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Cleary Construction Incorporated related to the bid, item 30. A resolution accepting a bit of Herrick Company Incorporated in the amount of $13,700,000 for the Town Branch and West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Disinfection Process Replacement for the Division of Water Quality and Authorizing Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Herrick Company Incorporated related to the bid, item 31. A resolution accepting a bit of Carbon Activated Corporation in the amount of $34,873.07 for the East Hickman Pump Station Activated Carbon Replacement for the Division of Water Quality, item 32. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Employment Solutions Incorporated DBA Fresh Approach, the final form of which shall be subject to the approval of the department of law to provide food service for the government's motel-based winter shelter for persons experiencing homelessness at a cost not to exceed $21,250 per week contingent upon approval of any necessary budget amendments and further authorizing Mayor to execute any necessary amendments related to these services, item 33. A resolution amending resolution number 506-2024 authorizing and directing Mayor to execute a memoranda of agreement with the Stonewall Equestrian Estates Association Incorporated and various property owners within said association for the Blenheim Sanitary Sewer Trunk Sewer Project reducing the cost to the Urban County Government to an amount not to exceed the collective amount of $32,250, item 34. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with CyTrade Systems Incorporated for three software licenses and database at a cost not to exceed $18,750, item 35. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Dr. Patricia Howard for EMS training coordinator at a cost not to exceed $28,900, item 36. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with the University of Kentucky Healthcare for paramedic students to get practical experience, item 37. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Fayette County Public Schools for use of 450 Park Place during a disaster event, item 38. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a purchase of service agreement award pursuant to RFP number 47, 2024 with Roadway Asset Services LLC for pavement condition survey and pavement management planning support services for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works at a cost not to exceed $235,888, item 39. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a consultant services agreement award pursuant to RFP number 48, 2024 with GRW for Professional Design Services for the Division of Water Quality Headquarters and Operations Building Renovation at a cost not to exceed $299,120, item 40. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a forgivable loan agreement and related documents with Turner Property for LLC pursuant to Public Infrastructure Program for sidewalk and public parking improvements at a cost not to exceed $366,680, item 41. A resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Federated Global Ventures LLC, the final form of which shall be subject to approval of the Department of Law, to provide security services for the government's motel-based winter shelter for persons experiencing homelessness at a cost not to exceed $220,320, and further authorizing Mayor to execute any necessary amendments related to these funds, item 42. A resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Hospice of the Bluegrass Incorporated, DBA Bluegrass Care Navigators for operation of motel-based winter shelter services for elderly, disabled persons experiencing homelessness at a cost not to exceed $201,023, and item 43, a resolution authorizing and directing Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement, the final form of which shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Law, with Arbor Youth Services Incorporated, 12,500, Aval Kentucky Incorporated, 12,000, Community Action Council for Lexington and Fairburn, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties Incorporated, 37,500, Greenhouse 17 Incorporated, 12,500, Hope Center Incorporated, 62,500, Lexington Rescue Mission Incorporated, 50,000, New Beginnings Bluegrass Incorporated, 12,500, to provide supportive services for participants of the government's motel-based winter shelter for persons experiencing homelessness at a total estimated cost of $212,500, and further authorizing the Mayor to execute any necessary amendments related to these services subject to sufficient funds being appropriated. Thank you. Thank you very much. Are there any walk-ons, Council? All right. Are there any motions to suspend the rules? Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number 28, accepting a bid for the new Senior Therapeutic Center. So moved. Second. Thank you. Council Member Lynch seconded. Any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That passes. That's all. Thank you, Mayor. Okay. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. I have two. The first one is item 36. I move on behalf of the Administration to suspend the rules and give second reading to item 36, which is an agreement with the University of Kentucky Health Care for paramedic students to get practical experience. Second. All right. Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. The second one is item 40. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a forgivable loan agreement and related documents with Turner Property. And this has to do with the public infrastructure program. All right. Second. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Thank you. Council Member Fogle. Thank you, Mayor. Item number 20, 1001-24. On behalf of the Administration, I move to suspend the rules and give a second reading for the resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a partial release agreement. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Vice Mayor Williams. Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Also Mayor, item 39, 1047-24, resolution authorizing the Mayor. I move to suspend the rules and give a second reading to number 39, authorizing the Mayor on behalf of Irving County Government to execute the consultant service. So moved. Second. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds seconds. Any questions about that one? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. Council Member Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. I have four items. They're all related to our winter weather response for shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The first is item number 32. So on behalf of the administration, I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number 32. All right, Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Mayor, on item number 32, I'm voting no just for the process, not that I don't want to feed folks. That's okay. All right, so we have one no vote. Thank you. All right, please continue. Item number 41, on behalf of the administration, I move to give second reading to item 41. This is for security. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Council Member Plowman seconds. Are there any questions? Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. Is Jeff here? Or Charlie? Commissioner Lanter is here. Commissioner, we talked about this one on Tuesday and there was some discussion about some other potential organizations or a company that might be able to do this. Will we still, even though we pass this, will you still be looking to see if there's others out there that might be able to do this? Yeah, we're drafting an RFP that will be released as soon as it's ready. This contract will be in place until that RFP process is complete. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Any other questions? All right, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. On behalf of the administration, I move to give second reading to item number 42. Second. All right, Council Member James Brown, did you second? All right, are there questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. And last one, on behalf of the administration, I move to give second reading to item number 43. Second. Thank you. That one's also the winter shelter Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Thank you very much. Council Member Menardez. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number 14. This is my committee item establishing an agreement with Valley County Public Schools Southside Technical Center allowing those EMS students to do ride-alongs with our fire department. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Council Member Baxter seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. And I just have one more, Mayor. Okay. I wanted to move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item number 15. This is with the Division of Water Quality for some work that needs to be done on the West Heckman Wastewater Treatment Plant. So moved. Second. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. And next is Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. Mine is number 17. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to expedite agreements relating to Lexington's 250th anniversary celebration. So moved. All right. Council Member Lynch seconds. Are there any questions, comments? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Council Member Fred Brown. Yes, thank you, Mayor. I've got two items. Number 31, I'd like to suspend the rules and give second reading to number 31. Thank you. That's East Hickman Pump Station. Is there a second? Council Member Sheehan seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Item 38, on behalf of the administration, I'd like to suspend the rules and give a second reading for item 38. Thank you. Council Member Sheehan seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Council Member Floman. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item 27, and this is in regards to the resolution initiating zoning ordinance text amendments for rural short-term rentals. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Council Member Worley seconds. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Council Member James Brown. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules and give second reading to item 24. That's the regional business park interlocal agreements. So moved. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Motion passes. And then, Mayor, I would also like to suspend the rules and give second reading to item 25. So moved. Thank you. Council Member Floman seconded. Any questions on that one? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Any other motions to suspend the rules? All right, let's go over these. We have items 14, 15, and 17, 20, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43. Is that correct? All right, when you're ready, if you'll give those second reading, please. Item 14. Item 14, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Fayette County Public Schools Southside Technical to establish a student emergency medical technician program. Item 15. A resolution authorizing the Division of Water Quality on behalf of Urban County Government to purchase a replacement UTEC head cell grit concentrator for the West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant from Hydro International, a source provider and authorizing mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute any necessary agreement with Hydro International related to the procurement at a cost not to exceed $189,840.24. Item 17. A resolution authorizing the mayor or her designee to execute any and all agreements and other necessary documents related to the celebration of Lexington's 250th anniversary, the final form of which shall be subject to the approval in form and contact by the 250 Lex Commission, the Office of the Mayor, Division of Procurement, and the Department of Law with all the associated costs and expenses to be paid directly by the Bluegrass Community Foundation. Item 20. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf the Urban County Government to execute a partial release of agreement releasing the property located at 900 Newtown Pike from form a stormwater incentive grant maintenance agreement. Item 24. A resolution of the Lexington Urban County Council approving the the economic development partnership with Madison County, Scott County City with Madison County, Scott County, City of Beretta and City of Georgetown authorizing directing the mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement membership agreement and other necessary and related documents forming the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority and authorizing payment in the amount of two million one hundred twenty five thousand dollars to the authority for the purpose of carrying out the duties and powers of the authority as limited by the aforementioned agreements and relevant state law all contingent upon approval of the authorities creation and execution of all necessary agreements by all parties to the interlocal cooperation agreement. Item 25. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf the Urban County Government to execute a purchase of service agreement or pursuant to number RFP number 46 2024 with Techonomy Partners LLC to perform a local economic and workforce development opportunity study at a cost not to exceed $132,860. Item 27. A resolution initiating zoning ordinance text amendments to articles 1 3 & 8 for short-term rentals in the rural service area. Item 28. A resolution accepting the bid of Calhoun Construction Services Incorporated in the amount of fourteen million nine hundred fifty nine thousand dollars for the new senior and therapeutic center for the Department of General Services and authorizing the mayor on behalf the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Calhoun Construction Services Incorporated related to the bid. Item 31. A resolution accepting a bit of carbon activated corporation in the amount of in the amount of thirty four thousand eight hundred seventy three dollars seventy three dollars and seven cents for the East Hickman pump station activated carbon replacement for the division water quality. Item 36. A resolution authorizing the director mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with the University of Kentucky Healthcare for paramedic students to get practical experience. Item 38. A resolution authorizing the director mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a purchase of service agreement or pursuant to number to RFP number 47 2024 with a roadway asset services LLC for pavement condition survey and pavement management planning support services for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works at a cost not to recede two hundred thirty five thousand eight hundred and eighty eight dollars. Item 39. A resolution authorizing the director mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute the consultant services agreement or awarded pursuant to RFP number 48 2024 with a GRW for professional design services for the division water quality headquarters and operation building renovations at a cost not to recede two hundred and ninety ten thousand one hundred twenty dollars. Item 40. A resolution authorizing and directing mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute a forgivable loan agreement and related documents with Turner property for LLC pursuant to the public infrastructure program for sidewalk and public parking improvements at a cost not to recede three hundred and sixty six thousand six hundred eighty dollars. Item 41. A resolution authorizing the director mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with the Federated Global Ventures LLC the final form of which shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Law to provide security services for the government's motel based a winter shelter and persons experiencing homelessness at a cost not to recede two hundred twenty thousand three hundred and twenty dollars and further authorizing the mayor to execute any necessary amendments related to these funds. Item 42. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Hospice of the Bluegrass Incorporated CBA Bluegrass Care Navigators for the operation of motel based winter services for elderly disabled persons experiencing homelessness at a cost not to recede two hundred and one thousand twenty three dollars. And item 43. A resolution authorizing and direct the mayor on behalf of Urban County Government to execute agreements the final form of which shall be subject to the approval by the Department of Law with Arbor Youth Services Incorporated twelve thousand five hundred, Aval Kentucky Incorporated twenty five thousand, Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon-Harrison and Nicholas Counties Incorporated thirty seven thousand five hundred, Greenhouse Seventeen Incorporated twelve thousand five hundred dollars, Hope Center Incorporated sixty two thousand five hundred dollars, Lexington Rescue Mission Incorporated fifty thousand dollars and New Beginnings Bluegrass Incorporated twelve thousand five hundred dollars to provide support services for participants of the government's motel based winter shelter for persons experiencing homelessness at a total estimated cost of two hundred and twelve thousand five hundred dollars and further authorizing the mayor to execute any necessary amendments related to these services subject to sufficient funds being appropriated. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? Councilmember Ellinger, second by Councilmember Fogle and when you're ready if you'll take a roll call vote please. Councilmember Ellinger? Councilmember Baxter? Councilmember Fogle? Yes ma'am. Councilmember Gray? Councilmember Legree? Yes. Councilmember Lynch? Yes. Councilmember Menard? Councilmember Plowman? Yes. Thank you. Councilmember Reynolds? Yes. Councilmember Ishii? Yes. Councilmember Worley? Yes ma'am. Vice Mayor Wu? Yes. Councilmember Fred Brown? Yes. Thank you. Councilmember James Brown? Yes. And Councilmember Menard? Yes. All right thank you those all pass. Councilmembers could I have a motion please to approve communications from the mayor. Councilmember Fogle, second by Vice Mayor Wu. Are there questions? All those in favor say aye. Is anyone opposed? All right that motion passes. Next we have communications from the mayor donations. I'll entertain a motion. Councilmember Baxter and then second by Councilmember Plowman. Any questions there? All those in favor please say aye. Is anyone opposed? All right next council members you have for information only communications and that brings us to disciplinary hearing and this is police. So I welcome Police Chief Lawrence Weathers. Good evening everybody. Let's see I'm just gonna read what I have here on the sheet for you. So on August 1st 2024 an internal formal complaint was made that Sergeant Gary Thurman violated general order 1973-02 K disciplinary procedures of sworn officers appendix B operational rule 1.02 misconduct. At the conclusion of the investigation the employee met with me and has accepted 30 hours of three-day suspension without pay. On July 29th 2024 Sergeant Gary Thurman was involved in a conversation with another police sergeant regarding motorcycle maintenance and training. The conversation quickly became heated and non-professional in nature. During this interaction Sergeant Thurman yelled and used profanity and broke a coffee mug. Thank You Chief. Do I hear a motion to approve? Thank You Councilmember Worley. Second by Councilmember Reynolds. Does anyone have a question for the Chief? Councilmember Fogle. Thank You Mayor. Chief Weathers just for public safety and for himself is he going through any kind of mental health training? You know actually that's kind of confidential but from my standpoint when anything like this happens I I will recommend that unless they seek it themselves. Well that should have been my question would you recommend some mental health support for this officer? Right. Okay thank you. That's it. Okay thank you. Are there other questions for Chief Weathers? All right all those in favor of approving the discipline please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right that motion passes. Thank you Chief. Thank you. And now it's time for council announcements. Do we have any? Councilmember Lynch. Thank You Mayor. I just have a few announcements to remind my neighbors that that's going on this weekend in the second district. The first event is Cold Stream Park is having a planting day this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. We're gonna meet at the big cement dome in Cold Stream Park. We're gonna do some park cleanup. We're gonna do some tree mulching and then we're gonna do some native planting and we need more volunteers this Saturday. So if you are available please come out to Cold Stream Park this Saturday to help us out and we're gonna give you breakfast while you're out there. It should be a really good time and if you've never been to Cold Stream Park this is a great time to come out and visit. It's a beautiful place. It's more than just the Legacy Trail. So please come out this Saturday. And then also happening this Saturday there are a couple of trunk-or-treats. McConnell's Trace and Madison Station are having a trunk-or-treat this Saturday. Both starting at 6 p.m. So come bring your kids, families, dogs, whatever you would like to come get some candy and have a great time this Saturday. And then another trunk-or-treat happening in the second district on Halloween. The Georgetown Street Area Neighborhood Association is having their trunk-or-treat on October 31st starting at 6 p.m. So please bring your kids, your youth there as well. Thank you so much. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you Mayor. This past week I had the privilege of being engaged in three different activities that were all kind of civic engagement related. Chris got photos. I'll start with our Transportation Expo this past weekend. Councilmember Legree and others have spoken more on it. I just wanted to show you all a picture of the attendance and all the different partners and folks who tabled. I think we all agree that it was a really good engagement effort. I am also a part of a group called the New Americans Action Initiative. It is dedicated to getting new Americans, immigrants, refugees, and asylees naturalized, registered to vote, and civically engaged. So we had our first of several canvassing events where we went out to neighborhoods in Lexington knocking on doors and basically just checking to make sure folks are registered to vote, have a plan to vote, particularly engaging new Americans. And then lastly I was a part of the Rural Urban Exchange's 10-year celebration conversation called the Golden Thread where I got to be a part of this really interesting format of a conversation. Instead of a regular panel it was kind of a chain link of conversations that we had with this really interesting panel of people from all over Kentucky. Next photo shows all the different changemakers from all over the state really and it was a really cool format. Next photo will show you it was essentially a series of one-on-one conversations where we got to interview each other and then the interviewee becomes the interviewer and then the next person comes on and we all basically talked about rural urban connectivity, the relationships that we all have, and what it means to be a Kentuckian. So three really interesting events that I got to be a part of this week. Thank you. Thank you Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Worley. Thank you Mayor. And Mayor I'd like to thank you and Councilmember Fogle who joined me in the 7th District today for an exciting announcement and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Richwood Bend Apartments, 80 plus units of affordable housing coming online at the corner of Codale and Old Todd's. This is really really an exciting project and it checks all the boxes. It's infill and redevelopment. It's using our city's affordable housing fund. It shows when private development, the city, Kentucky Housing Corporation at the state, a coalition of bankers and private lending all come together and work together that you can do a lot to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for people in our community. So it was very very exciting. Another wonderful project by AU Associates, Johan Graham and his team and all the great work that they do in our community. So thank you Mayor. I think it was a really special afternoon. It really was. Thank you. Councilmember Fogle. Thank you Mayor. Also to piggyback off of that, if my Marlboro Radcliffe community is watching, I am inviting you all to a tour at this fabulous affordable housing which is on the south side, kind of the south side, because it is the model that is coming to the Transylvania area, that park area, and people have been so afraid of different housing but I'm just saying, I'm just throwing that out because I was there and the apartments are beautiful and so and it will give an added flavor to the Marlboro Radcliffe area. So that was just a commercial. I'd like to talk about Trunk-A-Treaters and Total Grace is having a Trunk-A-Treat. I love this model. You must register your cars. We need more volunteers. You can go on Total Grace's line to register your car. We will be checking the tags. We know that human trafficking is real and so we want to make sure we protect our children even in Trunk-A-Treat. So come out and join the Windburn Broncos. We'll also be having a Trunk-A-Treat out in the Martin Luther King Park. So we've got a lot of Trunk-A-Treating going on. Also this morning, Common Good, which is located in the First District in the Embrace Church on Limestone, had their fundraising breakfast. If you have not bought, purchased pottery from them, I'm asking the council to please go over. Those children led the way this morning. It was such a wonderful breakfast and the fundraiser. So I'm just challenging all the council members in the city, please go and invest in these young people and their lives at Common Good on Limestone. I am so excited about that project and I think that's the end of my announcements for today. So I know it's at the end of Breast Council Awareness and that is the pink and the purple dictates the colors that we wear for the abuse. So I know we're at the end of the month and so I just wanted to continue to lift that up. Like Greenhouse 17 representatives said, it's every day all day that we should think about how people are abused and to please support. And if you see something, say something. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else have a council announcement? All right. Council members, you know we've been going really fast through a lot of items and we need to go back a minute. Council Member Sheehan moved and everybody accepted second reading of number 32 but we need to actually do that second reading. It got sort of missed in the shuffle. So if you'll go ahead please and do the second reading of number 32. Yes ma'am. Item 32. A resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Employment Solutions Incorporated DBA Fresh Approach, the final form of which shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Law to provide food service for the government's motel based winter shelter for persons experiencing homelessness at a cost not to exceed $21,250 per week contingent upon approval of any necessary budget amendments and further authorizing the mayor to execute any necessary agreements amendments related to these services. Thank you. Thank you very much. Now is there a motion to approve? Thank you. Council Member Sheehan and Council Member Plowman. Now when you're ready, if you'll take roll call that. Council Member Allenger. Ma'am. Council Member Elliott-Baxter. Yes. Council Member Fogel. Yes. Council Member Gray. Council Member LaGrie. Yes. Council Member Lynch. Yes. Council Member Plowman. Council Member Plowman. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds. Yes. Council Member Sheehan. Yes. Council Member Worley. Yes. Vice Mayor Wu. Yes. Council Member Fred Brown. Yes. Thank you. Council Member James Brown and Council Member Menardez. Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. That item passes and that brings us to public comment. We have four people signed up for public comment and the way this works is when I call your name you'll come to the podium please and you'll need to restate your name for the record as well as tell your council district. So first up is Alyssa Rigney and following Alyssa will be Logan Robertson. Welcome. You'll have three minutes. Hello council members. Alyssa Rigney, District 11. It's been a while, about five months since I've last seen you all. I've been out for work in Pennsylvania and Michigan and I'm really glad to be home but I'm home to a city who is still disappointing me and disappointing many of your constituents. It's been over a year. The Lancet, a trusted medical journal, has estimated almost 200,000 Palestinian deaths. Do you all see Palestinians as human? Please think for a second because it's easy to be disconnected from what's happening on the other side of the street, on the other side of the city, on the other side of the world, but you have Palestinian constituents here in Lexington who are urging you to help support the people that are on the other side of the world and it's not very difficult. With a year comes with a lot of reflection. I've been able to reflect on the many times that me and my peers have gotten up to talk to you all, have been able to reflect on all of the martyrs. Before I came here I re-listened to Hind Rajab's voice call. If you don't recall who she was, she was a child, a five-year-old child who was in a car. Her family was martyred and they found 335 bullets in her car. She called the Palestinian Red Crescent and they sat on the phone and she prayed with this little girl. Does that humanize you? Does that humanize them? Remember we are all humans here. I've watched videos of people walking with white flags, people with their hands up. Don't shoot. Don't shoot. And yet they are still shot. Palestinians are still being killed, bombed. All we ask is for a ceasefire resolution. I genuinely don't understand why it's so difficult. I don't want to have to come back here. So please, let's reflect as we come to the elections and understand that we will be back even after and we will keep pushing for a ceasefire resolution. Thanks. Next up is Logan Robertson followed by Alon Hassan. Welcome. Good evening. My name is Logan Robertson and I'm currently a student at UK and so I'm staying in an apartment here. But I like to say, I like to bring to y'all's attention the determination of anti-imperialist, pro-Palestinian American citizens. It's clear to us that in the same way the US government oppresses and exploits not only Palestine but also Africa, Latin America, Asia and our own people here. It is perpetuated by those rich people who donate to politicians and they make money off of this exploitation of course and that's how they keep their wealth and power in our society. And us pro-Palestinian American citizens, for a year now, we're one of the, we're the largest contingency in the in-person audience in here. But we're also probably one of the largest contingencies of voting people who keep up with council meetings perhaps. During the primary last, this presidential primary, we came out with the uncommitted movement and we took at least one-fifth, one-fifth from the Democratic Party, went towards the uncommitted vote and you know, this election, our working-class disenfranchisement has the Republican Party that disenfranchised us, the Democrat Party has, and so we're forced to look towards alternatives to put our organization efforts towards and you know we see the Green Party, the Party of Socialism and Liberation and the uncommitted movement as real alternatives and we'll continue to show out, demonstrating, protesting and voting. So I believe in these next couple decades we'll be looking back on this moment right now and those who only looked out for their own material interests will be forgotten and those who do what's right and what's progressive will be looked on in a very good and righteous, righteous light. Thank you. All right, next up is Alaa Hassan followed by Arsh Ansari. Welcome. As-salamu alaykum. May peace be upon all of you guys. My name is Alaa Hassan and I'm a constituent of District 12. I'm going to read to you an email that I received on October 14th because I receive emails, email updates about Palestine as well as on my feed on all my social media platforms so it's even to the point where I get these things on my emails and from texts from other people and so on and so forth so I never get a moment away from Palestine and what's going on there. I might not finish it all but I think you all will understand the gist of it. It's titled Israel is burning Palestinians alive again. Israeli occupation forces launched several air attacks on tens of displaced Palestinians inside a hospital complex in Gaza killing at least four people and wounding at least 70. Many of them critically injured in the early hours of Monday, October 14th. The bobbings resulted in a massive fire with gruesome videos and images circulating online depicting Palestinians being burned alive. The attack took place around 2 a.m. local time at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza's Deir el-Balah city. Quote, the occupation army burned human beings alive in their tents. These were patients with IVs still in their arms trapped and helpless in tents in front of the hospital. This is a holocaust. Quote, Palestinian journalist Hossam Shabat wrote on X, the person that you saw in the videos if you watch them being burned alive with the IV still in his arm, his name was Shaban and he was 19 years old. Videos showed rescuers scrambling to save people as they struggled to contain a major fire. Victims were patients at the hospital, some as young as infants and others as critical as those on IV. Here are some eyewitness testimonies. What happened was that we woke up to smoke, flames, fire, and burning pieces falling on the tents from every direction. The explosions terrified us in our tents and outside where we lived behind Al-Aqsa Hospital. Quote, Ahmed Rady, a survivor at the scene, told Al-Jazeera. Quote, I saw something burning inside the fire and thought it was a mattress but I then realized it was a woman. Quote, Mahal Sarsak, a displaced Palestinian from Gaza City sheltering at Al-Aqsa Hospital, told Middle East Eye. A year ago, Israel bombed a hospital. There was an international outcry so a bunch of media and political figures ran cover for them. Now they're just burning people alive in hospitals with zero pretext or effort to cover it up at all, one person wrote on X. As always, Israeli armed forces claimed the attack was conducted to prevent Hamas from carrying out attacks against Israel, claiming the complex was used as a command and control center as per other incidents. This claim was made without evidence. There are currently no hospitals or working ambulances in the north, leaving the injured and sick without any assistance from emergency services or doctors. Thank you. Next up is Arsh Ansari. Welcome. Arsh Ansari, District 3. Council Members, while I do not have much to say today, I want to keep my time brief and I stand before you today to remind you, more of a reminder today, about the duty that you hold. As leaders, you are to hold power, power and all that, power to make our community better, but also power to harm it by turning a deaf ear. With this power comes the responsibility of hearing your constituents, fun fact. And let me ask you something to each of you. For over a year, for over a year now, please tell me, please somebody tell me the people who have come to these meetings that you hold and telling their concerns. Please tell me out of this crowd who the majority of your audiences, please tell me who out of this crowd behind me has continuously pushed and will keep pushing for a ceasefire resolution. Please tell me, Council Members. I stand before you today in very much disbelief. You are put into these chairs, these seats of power, to do what? To hear your body, to listen to your constituents, which you have, you've given me my three minutes, but beyond that, to not only hear me, but to represent, represent them and to represent the concerns that they have. And I can surely, surely tell you that election day is coming. And whether you like it or not, the people that are behind me, the people that you've chosen to neglect, are a part of your voting body. So I'm going to ask you guys, what are you going to do? Are you going to keep twiddling your thumbs during our comments? Talk to your other Council Members and give no attention to us? Are you going to keep dozing off while there are legitimate concerns that we've been bringing to this stage for over a year now? Or are you going to listen to us and do your job and take a stand, take a stand for justice and take a stand for quote-unquote what you stand for? And I don't ask for much. Truly, I don't. I ask for the bare minimum. And I've said it more than once now, more than once now, I am aware that Lexington cannot directly impact the genocide in Gaza, but our community is hurting. And your silence and complicity is doing us much harm. So I stand before you today for those martyred across the globe. I stand before you today to remind you of your failure and your consistent failure and your continuous failure by not addressing the concerns that we have. And I stand before you today to let you know that from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. All right. Your time is up. Thank you. This concludes our meeting and I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. Thank you. All those in favor say aye. We are adjourned. Thank you for coming.