8. iPod 8. iPod 9. iPod 10. iPod 11. iPod 12. iPod 13. iPod 14. iPod 15. iPod 6. iPod 7. iPod 5. iPod All right, that motion passes. Now we have a very special presentation. All right, at this time, I would like to ask our Social Services Commissioner, Casey Allen Bryant, as well as Director Sheila Horton Holt, to join me at the podium, please. Smile. She doesn't know why she's here. Well, okay. So at this time, I am very proud to present to Sheila Horton Holt this year's Spoke Award. Yes. The Spoke Award, short for Skilled, Professional, Outstanding, Knowledgeable, and Exceptional, honors city employees who exhibit a high level of commitment, initiative, and dedication to their jobs. Our own government employees nominate employees for this award. This year's recipient is a very important part of our government, someone who knows what it means to be a great leader and a great public servant. It is my honor to present this year's Spoke Award to Sheila Horton Holt, Director of the Family Care Center. Congratulations. As Director of the Family Care Center, Sheila stands on the front lines of serving Lexington's families and children each and every day. Sheila leads the team that provides wraparound support services to help families in need achieve greater stability and resilience. And under Sheila's leadership, the Family Care Center continues to be a wonderful asset to our community. Sheila, I know your work is difficult, and it's very important. And I so appreciate your dedication and the passion that you have for this kind of work. So at this time, I'd like to ask Commissioner Alan Bryant if she would like to say a few words. I'm so happy you made it a surprise. I have had to tell more white lies in the last couple of weeks. I know she was probably nervous. I said, I need you at work session. There's going to be a couple of walk-on items. I don't know. I just made it up. I'm going to get emotional because I absolutely just love this person. When we were interviewing for the new director, first of all, can I just say that everybody retired when I became commissioner. I had to hire a whole new team. But I'm thankful for it because this team is awesome, and she's one of the reasons why it makes it awesome. But her predecessor told me, she said, one of the people you're going to be interviewing tomorrow, she's special. She's very special. And I'm like, what are you talking about? You know, whatever. So she gets off the elevator, and I was like, it's you. Because I had been eating hot dogs with her and her grandkids at a family care center at another activity, I don't know, a few months before that. And I didn't really know who she was, but I recognized her as soon as she came in. Immediately, first question, I knew she was special. Sheila brought with her, I mean, she's owned her own daycare. I mean, she's just done everything. She's military police. Don't mess with her. She's a veteran. I mean, don't let that little smile fool you. She is definitely military police. But she is, like I said, truly special. She is innovative. She runs a type ship, but she gives love with it. Her staff absolutely love her. I mean, I cannot come into that center, even almost three years later, without someone commenting about how great she is, how loving she is, how much leadership she gives them. She has expanded the programs at Family Care Center more than I've ever imagined. She has welcomed everyone in. I mean, Chris, I'm sorry, Commissioner of General Services. She's tried to steal a couple of your staff because she just makes people feel so welcome when they come in the door. She's always saying, I learned so much from you. And I'm like, no, no, no, no. I learned from you. And I'm so thankful and so glad that she's part of our team. She's more than deserving of this award. Thank you. Thank you. Would you like to say a few words? I am shocked. When Commissioner said, I need you to come to council in case there are walk-ons, I'm like, that doesn't make any sense. But I did not question it. I came. But I am very honored to receive this award. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I love what I do every day. I am very blessed to be in my dream job. I tell Miss Sally all the time and the mayor, I'm like, I'm staying here until I retire. You're going to have to kick me out the door. So thank you all so much. Thank you to the staff who came to support me today. And thank you to my husband. I'm shocked. I just don't even know what to say. So thank you all so much. Okay. Sally is going to say a few words. If you really want to see how good she is, she has me wrapped totally around her little finger. She is the only one, she asked, and I said, we've got to find the money. So we take it from this one to give it to her. But what she does is just amazing and how she does it. And as I said, it's just a rewarding experience to deal with her. Yeah. Thank you. Let's get a photo. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Now it's time for council reports. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. First, I just wanted to echo my congratulations to Director Sheila Horton-Holt. She is amazing and she runs a center in my district, the Family Care Center, that is just so important to many, many families in our community. And it's not an easy job. It's a lot to coordinate. And so I just want to echo my congratulations for the Spoke Award to her. And then we had, many of us, had a very full weekend. I was running around from one thing to another. I wanted to mention the Lexington Children's Museum's night for the museum, which was in my district and also is located in my district. And I want to thank Council Member Baxter. She's on the board for all of her hard work that she has done with that organization and how they've really come around and have a beautiful plan for the future. And I'm excited and thankful to the mayor that we're going to be a part of that here at the city. So just wanted to first mention that. And then on Saturday, many of us attended the Antonio Franklin Jr. Peace Walk in Duncan Park. And that was nice to connect with folks. It's always a somber time, but a good time. And we kicked off the city's new community gun violence solution initiative, Count on Me. And many of us took pledges and showed our support for being a part of something bigger than just ourselves here in Lexington. And we're excited to grow that. So follow Count on Me on social media. And then on Saturday evening, I attended the celebration of Human Kindness Gala by the CHI St. Joseph Foundation. That's something that I've attended every year. We're really fortunate for the role that they play in the community and in healthcare. And there is artist Lennon working on his beautiful piece that was auctioned off. And council member James Brown was also there. And we had a great time supporting that foundation. And then on Sunday, I attended the Battle of the Badges at Legends Field. It was a wonderful game once again, like last year. A lot of fun, and I enjoyed supporting public safety. I think it was a wonderful night, and some of the proceeds went to charity. And I'm going to congratulate FIRE on bringing home the trophy, but I'm going to say that police put in an amazing effort. So it was a great game. Thanks for everybody that was able to turn out for that. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. First and foremost, I want to wish my legislative aide, Elizabeth Withers, a happy birthday today. I won't say how old she is, but she's a lot younger than me. So happy birthday to Elizabeth. And then second, I wanted to invite colleagues in the community to the very exciting new Tennis and Pickleball Complex ribbon-cutting that will be in Shiloh Toe Park next Thursday, the 8th at 10.15 a.m. That's at Shiloh Toe Park, and we will have the ribbon-cutting. And then I think a few of us will play the inaugural game for anyone who is interested in staying after. So it will be an awesome event. And then it will be followed Friday night by our first Food Truck Friday of the season, which is always the highlight of the 9th District. We, I guess, are the food capital. No, we're really not, but we have a really good time for Food Truck Fridays. So anyway, come on out to Shiloh Toe Park that evening as well, and it should be a fun-filled week. At Shiloh Toe. Thank you, Mayor. Very good. Thank you, Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. I'm excited to bring a pickleball paddle to a ribbon-cutting. That will be a first for, I think, any of us. I want to shine a light on an organization I got to attend over the weekend, the 38th Annual BIAACS Awards Banquet. BIAACS stands for Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society, a really terrific organization of the Indian American community here in Lexington. Every year they sponsor a number of scholarships for high school seniors around the state. So this is the BIAACS Youth Board, a bunch of really engaged high school students here in Lexington doing great community service. And I got to hand out just a few of the 29 awards that night. It went to students from all over the state. And in the 38 years that they've been handing out these awards, they have given out nearly half a million dollars worth of scholarships to Kentucky students. So that's very exciting. I also want to encourage you all to fill out the survey on Engage Lexington, on Lexington's Preservation and Growth Management Program. That survey is up for only just a couple more days until May 1st, because we really do want to hear from you on this important process. And thank you to my colleagues who have been helping get the word out to their district residents to increase engagement. And then on May 22nd, along with the same program at the Lexington Senior Center, we will be hosting, I think, do we have a picture of this, Chris? We will be hosting a public input and information session at the Lexington Senior Center, May 22nd, 4 to 7 p.m., where residents can learn more about Lexington's Preservation and Growth Management Program. Two weeks before this, in our General Government and Planning Committee, we will be seeing a first draft of the program from planning staff. And so two weeks after, we will have this event. It will be a great opportunity for the public to engage with the process, learn more from city staff, learn more from council members. So I really encourage everyone to attend, including my colleagues. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Morton. Thank you, Mayor. First, I want to give the same sentiments. Congratulations to Director Holt. You are truly special, and I'm glad that she got her flowers today. As many of you may know, well, first I want to start off. One of our great constituents gave us some good baggies, but she had to get out of here, so I told her that I would acknowledge the fact that we're ending the month of April between today and tomorrow, and you know it's Sexual Assault Awareness Month. So I just wanted to make sure that we're always paying attention to our victims, listening to our victims, and knowing that we must support the victims and survivors of sexual assault. So I just wanted to give a shout out. And she gave us these little hope bags, so I said I would. So there we go. Getting started. So yesterday I had a great time. I actually had three neighborhood association meetings, two of them at the same time, one of them at six. So one at six, one at seven. Those are very fun. But was able to make all of them, starting off with Marlboro Radcliffe Neighborhood Association at six, and then Joyland and Oakwood Neighborhood Association at 7 p.m. It's always great to hear thoughtful conversations and continued partnership across the district one. And just a heads up, so the first Monday, Georgetown Neighborhood Association meets, and I look forward to seeing you at Douglas Park. And then moving on, likewise, yesterday I had the opportunity to tour the food chain with Ms. Leandra Foreman. It was inspiring to see the work they're doing to address food insecurity through aquaponics and many other opportunities and resources, while also providing education to our youth. I even left with a mini aquaponics system and a betta fish. So as district one always tends to do, we are going to allow the community to name this great betta fish that's in my office. So go to our social, and that's the, yeah, I got this little system. It's cool. That plant is actually going to grow through just from the aquaponics center, and I can actually eat those plants as opposed to a Puerto Rican plant. We'll see what it tastes like. But either way, yeah, so go to social media, and you can help name our little fishy, our district one fish. And then a quick reminder, please join us for an event tomorrow. I'm honoring my aunt, Dr. Lula Morton-Drews, the first African American to graduate from the Transylvanian University. May 2nd, time 530, location Transylvania University in the William T. Young Center, William T. Young Building, and she will be having a center in that building named after her in honor of being the first African American to graduate from Transylvania, which is in the heart of the first district. And then lastly, I believe lastly, yes. So despite the coldness, what a beautiful day it was to be in Duncan Park in the heart of the first district among so many community members, community partners, community leaders, as we honor the lives affected by gun violence. A special shout out to my colleagues, a lot of, we had a quorum. So Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Beasley, Councilmember McGree, Councilmember Sheehan, Councilmember Curtis, Councilmember Reynolds, Councilmember Gray, and Councilmember Lentz for their attendance and their support. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Ricardo Franklin, the Sheriff, and everyone who has continued to make this event a success year after year. Caring for a mission rooted in love, hope, and justice. And I stated some of these remarks at the event, but I want to share them with those listening. So as stated at the event, I was not standing there speaking to them. I was speaking with them as someone who has been personally impacted by gun violence. To every family listening today, and to everyone who attended the Peace Walk, your pain, your resilience, your love is powerful. And it's a reminder that while lives have been taken, their stories, their dreams, and their life endure through all of you. Moments like Saturday reminded us that remembrance must be matched with action. An action that builds safer and stronger futures for every family in Lexington. As a city, we have the responsibility to strengthen our neighborhoods by addressing social determinants of health, economic stability, education and information. Health and well-being, neighborhood conditions, and a strong sense of community. From providing resources to creating meaningful youth engagement, to investing in initiatives that tackle poverty and inequity. Yes, some of this work has been started, but there's still much more to do. And I'm more than committed than ever to continue this work head on, side by side with colleagues, with the administration, with our community, until every person in our community can live, work, and play in a thriving neighborhood. So, that was a great event. It's always good to attend that Peace Walk. And like I said, a special shout out to Ricardo Franklin and the Sheriff for always hosting an amazing event in the heart of the first district at Duncan Park. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Hale. Thank you, Mayor. So, last week as part of my job as Information Technology Coordinator for the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch. I know that's a mouthful. I attended the 2025 ReadyUp Users Conference held in San Antonio, Texas. ReadyUp is an emergency management operations program used by many governments, organizations, and corporations for communications, mapping, and situational awareness. During any emergency or event that will affect public health. I was happy to see a couple of representatives from Lexington's Emergency Management there. Cameron Poe and Alexander Caron, that was a nice surprise. As administrator of that program, I actually do a lot of training all over the state. And this was the first time I actually seen representation from Lexington, which I've learned we've recently got this program. It's a great program to help during events that will affect public health. As you can see from the photo, we did find time to go watch the Dolphin Show as the event was held at Sea World, San Antonio. As it's one of the clients of ReadyUp. Next, I'm happy to announce my upcoming district-wide meeting being held on Monday, May 12th, 6 PM through 7 PM at Edith J. Hayes Middle School. I hope to see many of my neighbors there, as this meeting will be very informative. We are pleased to have representatives from our Division of Planning, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and one of our East Sector Neighborhood Resource Officers will be in attendance to provide updates regarding things going on around the district and to answer any questions constituents may have. I also look forward to hearing input from my neighbors about concerns and things that they may have or might want to be seen in the district, in District 7. So looking forward to that meeting on Monday, May 12th. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Curtis. Thank you, Mayor. So I just wanted to give my neighbors a heads up that we are going to be having a public meeting next Wednesday, May 7th, at Sayre Christian Village's Friendship Tower from 5.30 to 7 PM. With the Department of Engineering in my office to discuss some traffic improvements that are going to be coming down the pipeline for Wilson Downing Road. I'm sure as my colleagues are a little sick of hearing, I have a particular affinity for traffic reduction, pedestrian safety, and innovative multimodal intersection design. So I hope that we can make that excitement a little bit contagious and get you all engaged with this work. And so I want to invite everyone out to come and hear about that project and come with any questions, concerns, or suggestions that you might have. So looking forward to that. Thank you, Mayor. Good, thank you. Council Member LaGrie. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to remind everybody that Bike Month starts on Thursday, May 1st. So May is National Bike Month. And as you all can imagine, the whole point of Bike Month is to celebrate riding a bicycle, and it's a really beautiful month to do that. So it's all about connecting people with events and with each other as we talk about biking for transportation, for exercise, and for fun, while reminding everybody that the road is a shared space for all, and not just for drivers in a car. So this is a reminder for drivers to slow down and pay attention to their neighbors on the road. And you all can check out Bike Month activities and get connected to them with our Environmental Quality and Public Works Bike Month website. And that will include in-person, virtual, and self-paced events that are going to be hosted by us, with LFUCG, and also by community partners. And then I want to give a special shout out, and Mayor, I know you'll be there for this, about the Walk, Bike, and Roll to School event with Ashland Elementary. So Ashland, a big group of parents and volunteers and kids, they're all coming together to start a bike and walk bus. And these are all throughout the country, and so we're starting our own here in Lexington on Wednesday, May 7th. That'll be the first one, and then their goal is to do one every single Wednesday for the rest of school, so that would be for the rest of the month of May. So children and adults are going to get together around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking and biking on the National Day of Walk, Bike, and Roll to School, which is the 7th. And they're going to meet up at 7.20 AM for a 7.25 AM group departure at the following starting points, at Martins Bakery, at the Woodland Park parking lot, and then at Menifee and Holiday at the cul-de-sac there. And they have a safe route that's going to be led by volunteers, and I think it's going to be a wonderful event. And I'll be there on my bike. I heard the mayor's going to be there. I heard there are going to be lots of cool people there. So if you all want to join in, we would love to have other council members there. And I'll make sure next week to project the route up on the screen, just like we did with our week without driving. This is just a great way to get up and out in the community and show people that everyone can walk and roll to school and to make it a safer process for kids and families, so we're really excited about it. That's it. Thank you, Mayor. All right, thank you. There's no one signed up for public comment, so I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. All those in favor, say aye. We are adjourned. Thank you for being here.