First item on the agenda. Is public comment for issues on the agenda. We have a few folks signed up. And the way we will do this is when I call your name, you'll come to the podium. And you'll need to restate your name and your council, say your council district. And then you'll have three minutes. And so the first person up is Jack Cavanaugh, followed by Zach Leonard. Jack, welcome. Hi there, Jack Cavanaugh with Subtext Living. I'm not really here for public comment. I was more told to sign up just in case I needed to speak in response to one of the possible zone changes on the docket. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Zach Leonard followed by Maureen Peters, welcome. Thank you, Zach Leonard, District 1. Was also looking for clarification if we are discussing the rezoning today. Okay, thank you very much. Next is Maureen Peters. Welcome. Maureen Peters, Council District 3. And I'm here to speak on the Subtext 2 zone change request. Did you want three minutes now? Yes, I can go ahead. Go right ahead. Okay. I'm here to request a hearing before the Urban County Council for the zone change for the Subtext 2 development along Lexington Avenue and East Maxwell. The Planning Commission's approval was not unanimous and therefore it is worth having a public hearing. I followed this zone change closely and attended subcommittee meetings or watched videos when I could not attend. I am very disappointed in the process. While the zone change notification letters went out in a timely fashion, all of the subsequent subcommittee meetings and staff recommendations were for postponement for the zone change until as late as 24 hours prior to the hearing. Neighbors who have concerns cannot change work plans at the last minute in order to attend the hearing. So I think it's worth having another public hearing. Thank you. Thank you very much. I do not have anyone else signed up for this public comment, so thank you. Next up is docket and rezonings. Is there a motion to approve? Motion approved. Second. Council Member Ellinger, seconded by Council Member Gray. If you have a motion or something to discuss about the docket, please log in. Council Member LaGrie. Mayor, we have a Planning Commission item on the docket that needs to be placed on the docket. Is now the time? Yes. Colleagues, this is a very difficult decision. And frankly, I feel conflicted about it. But I have a motion for an ordinance changing the zone from a professional office P1 zone and medium density residential R4 zone to a downtown frame business B2A zone. For 1.93 net, 2.34 gross acres for properties located at 169, 175, 179, 185 East Maxwell Street and 245, 251, 257, 261, 267, 271, and 275 through 277 Lexington Avenue. Approval 8-1 by the Planning Commission on the docket without a public hearing. So moved. Second. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Is there any discussion? All right. Council Member Brown, did you want to speak to the motion? Yes, ma'am. All right. Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member. I know this is tough for you. I'm conflicted as well. These zone changes are tough. I know it wasn't unanimous at the Planning Commission, but it was a majority of the Planning Commission. And I just recently experienced having a public hearing when it was pretty close to the same scenario. And it was tough, but I think we, I don't know. What I learned is no matter how much I try to explain to my neighbors why I didn't think they needed to put themselves through it and us through it, I don't think they understand or are even accepting of that. So I'm just going to take that into consideration as I vote. So thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member. All right. Are there any other comments to the motion? All right. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? Nay. Nay. All right. Let's do an electronic vote, why don't we? Please log in your vote. Do we have one more? There we go. No? All right. The vote is eight yay, seven nay. The vote passes. Is there anything else for the docket? Yes. Council Member Ellinger has a question about the docket. Thank you, Mayor. Under first reading ordinances, number four, can we discuss that now or do we have to wait until Thursday? Because there's been some changes since we had that put on from the Planning Commission. All right. Michael Cravens from our law is here. Welcome. You can discuss it now, but if you actually want to make an amendment, you need to wait until Thursday. Because when you put this on the docket at the last work session, you've already docketed it. Right. So it's already on there. Now, if you want to change it at this point, you'd have to change it at a regular council meeting, which would be Thursday. That's what I thought. I would like to ask, I think Director Duncan is here. If he could just give us an update on what happened at the last Planning Commission with this, because I think there was some changes. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you. On Thursday at the Planning Commission's public hearing for zoning items, at the end of the meeting, they introduced a resolution, which we shared with you all earlier today, in an effort to, in the title of the resolution, to increase public engagement. The Planning Commission discussed that. They made some changes at the recommendation of the law department, and then they have forwarded that on to you all for your consideration. It is not part of the final report packet that we sent to you earlier that contained the recommendations from the Planning Commission, which you all are deliberating on and have formed the basis for the ordinances before you on Thursday. But this was supplemental information that the Planning Commission felt was important to convey to the council. Is there anything that needs to be changed in respect to what this ordinance has as we go forward? Can you explain to what the Planning Commission did with the changes and how that affects this? Yes, Council Member Ellinger. In essence, what the Planning Commission is recommending is that you change the process. So they didn't address any of the standards, but they're recommending that you change the process so that now all of the development plan items that would be reviewed at the Technical Review Committee, all of them will now appear on the Planning Commission agenda as a consent item, meaning that if there were no questions about those or no one brought up any issues, then the Planning Commission would be the final authority and approve them, presumably, at that meeting. But the Planning Commission also left open the possibility that the community, anyone from the community, could come in, or the Planning Commission themselves, and decide that there was a public health, safety, or welfare concern associated with a development plan that had not been identified by the Technical Review Committee or the staff during its review process. And so they would then pull that plan, potentially, and discuss whether there is a public health, safety, or welfare issue, and then have that further discussion, perhaps even have a separate hearing on that issue, to decide whether that plan should be approved or modified based on that reported public health, safety, or welfare issue. Does that mean we have to do anything with this ordinance on Thursday, or is that going to be separate, if we wanted to stay in line with what they have presented? We believe, Council Member, that if you wanted to do what they recommended, that you would need to amend the Article 21, the process to state something different about what's going to happen with those plans as they go through the process. Right now, your version of it has the plans being approved at the Technical Review Committee. We would need to address that in the ordinance if we were going to make the Planning Commission the approving authority for all development plans, and put that process into the ordinance. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Is there anything else about the amendment? Council Member Brown, did you want to say something else? Yes, I did want to speak about items going to the docket. Was there an amendment to it? So, we're, let's see. I wanted to speak to Item 4. You were finished with 4 and didn't have a motion. All right. So, Council Member Brown. Yes, ma'am. So, I'm supportive of this going forward. I've been talking to Council Member Morton and Director Duncan about some potential changes to the notification amendments that were made at the last meeting. So, I think the plan is to come back Thursday and make some amendments to better clarify, I think, what our intent is in regards to enhanced notification on that item. So, thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Morton, did you want to speak to the docket? No. Does anyone else want to speak to the docket? Okay. All those in favor of approving the docket as amended, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. Thank you. That passes. Next, we have May 13th, 2025 work session motions. Could I have a motion to approve? Second. Council Member Sheehan, seconded by Council Member Baxter. Are there any questions, additions, corrections? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. We do have budget amendments. I'll ask for a motion. Second. Council Member Sheehan, seconded by Council Member Gray. Please log in if you have questions about budget amendments. No questions? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. We do have budget adjustments for your information only. And then that brings us to new business. If I could have a motion to approve. Move to approve. Council Member Reynolds, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu. And please log in if you have questions. Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. On item one, I was wondering if- A. I'm sorry, A. I'm sorry. Item A. If Director Martin could come and just give a brief update on this. And explain the order control master planning and program management services that had an increased cost. Hello. Hi. This was originally bid as a five-year contract with annual renewals. That's the way that I wrote the memo. Unfortunately, the resolution didn't get written that way as well. So this forces me to come back and do budget amendments as opposed to doing just renewals with us providing and approving the funding as part of the council budget process. Money is funded already in the open fund right now to be able to continue Webster's work for FY26. And we're in the process right now as far as building stuff at both treatment plants. I think you probably saw something from me a few weeks ago where we're going to be starting chemical testing in June. So this is basically just a continuation of Webster's work. As I originally had proposed it being a one year with annual renewals up to five annual renewals. So you might be before us every year? Yes. This will be back every year. Like I said, we'll probably next year during the budget process for FY27, we'll be talking about funding more money into it. Right now, I think we have enough to be able to get through next fiscal year in the open fund. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for agreeing to work on this. And then next item H. This is the money for the design for the sales road quarter improvement project. I don't know if there's Director Burton. We are so excited about this that it's finally happening. Could you give a little overview of what our next step is? So once we get this agreement through council to the state back from them and signed by the feds, then we'll be able to combine that with the bond funds that we have from a couple years ago in order to put out an RFQ for the design contract. So that's our next big step is starting design. But that's still obviously several months away because we'll have to get this agreement back and then put an RFQ, select a consultant, negotiate a fee, et cetera. So we're probably six months out from actually starting design. But this is the critical component to the next step. And this is taking state money and city money to come up with this design that will be from Mason Headley to Oliver Lewis. Right. To continue the rest of the sales road improvement project. Correct. Thank you. All right. We can't wait. Thanks. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Morton. Thank you, Mayor. Just a question for item N. Director Burton again. All right. Can you start off by just speaking a little bit about the history of the citation connection projects? And I guess just about each connection, starting with Windburn and moving inbound. Yep. So the critical connections are Windburn and Russell Cave. These were identified in the small area plan seven, eight years ago. And so those are broken into phases 3A and 3B. 3A is to make the Windburn connection. 3B is from Windburn over to Russell Cave. So those are the primary connections. Connections in the neighborhood are also important. But those are the primary connections. And essentially all those connections in the neighborhood won't be made until the primary connections are made so that we don't see that through traffic through the neighborhood. So the primary goal is Windburn and then Russell Cave. Those have slightly different funding sources. They'll happen on slightly different timelines. But those are the primary connections. Right, right. And then just more so for the history of it, when did all this originate from this standpoint? Oh, gosh. Before I was born. And I turned 50 this year, so it's been a minute. So, yes, this has been on the books with both KYTC and us forever. And then probably seven, eight years ago, Councilmember Brown was able to get bond funding for us to start the design right away and utility process and construction for the Windburn connection. And then we've seen additional funding through the MPO, Transportation Policy Committee. We've seen CRRSA funding. We've seen funding for the state for the 3B connections. So it's been a long and involved process. Okay. Can you just speak towards you mentioned priorities. Just like so, I guess, one through four, the priorities of the citation connections. So there's really only three connections. First connection is to Windburn. So effectively continuing citation where it is now, make a left, that will get you to Windburn. Next connection will be all the way to Russell Cave. And then, again, that Asbury connection may or may not be built at any point along that timeline. But it won't be open until the Russell Cave connection is open. Again, that's critical to prevent, again, the Asbury or the adjoining lanes becoming through traffic for the citation, which we don't want. And obviously, the neighborhood doesn't want. So the critical component will be before we open Asbury, we'll be getting the full connection. Basically, everything you see on this map will be built, but Asbury won't be open until everything is built. Right. So I guess it's fair to say that Asbury Lane is not a high priority. No. Okay. And then, so specifically related to this item that we're talking about, can you talk about what this item is? So it's really a drainage connection as well. It's not just the roadway connection. All of this area that you see on this map, kind of the northern side of the map, kind of from where the golf course lake is, drains towards to the south on this map. So it's critical that we pick up some of that flow, as well as the flow for the new roadway that we're creating, and get it to existing stormwater systems that are on and along and behind Asbury. So this item in will help us make those drainage connections, so that we don't worsen any existing drainage issues that might be happening in the neighborhood. Thank you. So, and I'll just make a comment related to this item. So in general, I believe in connectivity when it makes sense. But in this case, I have concerns specifically regarding the preservation of our historic African American neighborhood. And I say our because I actually live in Green Acres. But in the existing challenges and the fact that there has been no, I guess, recent within, you know, recent community engagement within at least my time. And myself and others were caught off guard by being in the neighborhood. And I see some of my great neighbors here as well. So with that being said, on the other hand, well, my bad, one question. If we, so, and if this item was to be postponed or removed, what does that effectively do to the citation? I mean, to the Windburn connection and to the citation connected? Does that postpone or hold up those connections? It does create a delay because, again, then we would have to change our design philosophy on what we're doing with that water. So if we don't take that water on this connection down Asbury, then we have to find another way to do it. And then re-survey, re-do a lot of work that we've already done in order to figure out what that solution would be. Right, right. So, yeah, on the other hand, Windburn, you know, I'm, as I've been saying, I'm a strong proponent of opening up Windburn now more than ever. It's been needed years in passing. And between the Northside Library, it makes sense. It's not coming through an existing neighborhood. It just makes sense. So when connectivity makes sense, I believe we should do so. I want to be clear that, to me, the opening is a detriment to the community. And the neighborhood does not want it. Neither, like, well, yeah, the neighborhood does not want it. Selfishly speaking, neither do I. But more specifically, this item is tied to the drainage and design. And it does not specifically sign off on the opening of Asbury, as mentioned by Mr. Doug. So, and I'll come back with that. My time's right out. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Council Member Curtis. Thank you, Mayor. I have a quick question on Item K. So that is Director Martin. Welcome back. Good to see you again. Just really quickly, just for the sake of transparency for my neighbors, who have been following closely along with the improvements to West Hickman, I was wondering if you could just talk for a second about what this item is and where it places us in the process for those improvements. This part of the treatment process was identified as one of the primary sources of odor. And so this is part of that overall improvement of that process. We're actually running it differently than when all of this started. And it's helped the situation, I feel like, considerably. But this will make it better. Thank you very much. I very much appreciate your continued work on this. And we'll see it through. So thank you so much. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. My question is on item number S about the summit TIF. And as you're coming up, I'm just wondering if this is kind of frequent, when someone is basically buying out a property, like is this something that we're responsible to make sure is assigned or does the state actually? I don't know how that works. And I've never done a TIF, so I'm just looking for some guidance. That's a great question because we didn't until this one either. It's the first one we've done out of the nine TIFs that we have. So we have to the way the flow works is the local entity, the urban county government, has to approve and then the state. This one is a little bit different because they have exhausted the state incentives that were on this project. So the only thing that remains is the local contribution. But the state will have to give the final approval on the assumption. Okay. So is there just a certain number of years that are left on this one? Yeah, that one was a 20-year. They vary depending on what kind of TIF it is. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor. That's all I have. Thank you. Council Member Brown. Thank you, Mayor. And, Doug, if you don't mind coming back up, I want to kind of piggyback off of the conversation that Council Member Morton got started with that Asbury Lane connection. I know a lot of work has been done. A lot of community engagement has been done. And I remember specifically Green Acres and Hollow Creek Neighborhood Association was involved with the small area plan because they had concerns about this connection. So just kind of reiterating what Council Member Morton said, there's still an opportunity to have community engagement. We can go back out to this neighborhood and have conversations about what they'd like for that connection to look like. Absolutely. There's always opportunity. And we're still working through design and right-of-way phase because we've had a particularly challenging right-of-way phase here. So we're not at a point where we can't make changes. Obviously, any of those changes impact right-of-way, then it's a different discussion. But we're definitely at the opportunity where we can still engage the public. Okay. Yeah, no, I think this is important to get out. I think most folks support connectivity and enhancing those connections whenever we can. I just think lately with all the development we've seen on the backside of Newtown Pike, you know, I think the concerns about additional traffic coming through that neighborhood is valid. But I think making those other connections can help address that. But I think, to Council Member Morton's point, I think it would be a good idea for us to get back out and connect with those neighbors and get that feedback. Sure. All right. Thank you on that. And then I've got a question for Craig, and it's about, I didn't have questions about the budget amendments, but I'll ask about the new business items. Craig, can you just kind of give us a short update about what's going on at the Legacy Business Park? It's a lot of money moving and hopefully a lot of dirt moving. Sure. Good afternoon. So there's several items that you'll see this week related to Legacy Business Park. And those are because we are finally nearing construction on the project. We have our clearances through the Army Corps of Engineers. We've crossed all the T's and dotted the I's we needed to for the HUD agreement. And so you'll see today item M on your new business is the contract modification with Gresham Smith. That's there because we are doing this project in a single phase now, rather than phasing it out like we thought we would need to originally. And that is due to the receipt of the HUD funds. We're able to complete this project in a single phase. And then, of course, item O under new business is acceptance of those HUD funds, the $10 million in HUD funds, as well as approving an agreement related to those funds. And then, as I understand it, Thursday evening you'll see on your docket that there will be the actual construction agreement contract with ATS to move forward with construction on this project. We are looking at breaking ground as soon as possible. We're looking at doing a groundbreaking later in June if possible. So we're working out the details on that now. Okay. And, Craig, I don't know if it's a secret, but the credit union, is that a secret? Are they relocating out there, Metro Credit Union? That ain't a secret, is it? Is it a secret? Sorry, can you? Was it a secret, Mr. Mayor? The Metro Credit Union. Okay. So it's not a secret. Are they moving out to this site, the Metro Credit Union? The credit union? The credit union had purchased. Oh, that's on the other side. Okay. Well, I guess it's not a secret. That's what I'm talking about. The Metro Employees Credit Union had purchased a lot in the 50-acre cold stream piece that's just southeast of Legacy. So, as I understand it, they're under construction at this time. Okay. My bad. I thought they were moving to this site. All right. Thank you, Craig. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. I'm going to go to Councilmember Ellinger, and then I'll come back to Councilmember Morton, who's already spoken. Thank you, Mayor. Number F, please. Last fall, I think we passed this resolution moving forward unanimously because we all, I think, support the medical debt relief. And my issue is, though, is with the contract. I think it was a sole source provider. And in that, when we look at, and I think it was actually Councilmember Savigna who asked the question on the administrative cost. And when they told us at the time it was in the standards like 8% to 10% normally when we're dealing with nonprofits. Could you go over what the contract is and where we stand on that? Because what I've been able to, excuse me, ascertain is that it's well above the 10% that we thought we were going to be getting. Yes. What the contract is is that the personnel cost for the contract is $182,457. And then you have program contractual services, which we're considering administrative again. For 23-412, an indirect cost for 130,435. Those total to be 336,304. And the grant is $1 million. So what our conversation was, and I think that Vice Mayor Wu can also amplify on this, is our conversation with Undue Medical was, we approached them and said we thought the administrative cost was too high. And they explained that what was happening was they have an administrative cost, which I just told you about personnel and other charges, plus they have an indirect cost. And they had separated those. And then we have gone back and forth about this, and they just felt that this was the cost, and Vice Mayor, you please correct me, this was the cost of their doing business. And we asked them to lower it, and they did not feel that they could. So that's where we were. So we're spending a third of the money that we have allocated on administrative costs, is that my understanding? The way we calculate it, yes. I mean, you're spending $336,000 on a million dollars. So $663,000 goes towards the program, and a third of it goes towards the administrative costs. I have a concern with that. And like I said, the concept I'm all for, but this just seems like a very high number that we're paying administratively. And I'm sure there's going to be others that will want to chime in on this, but I have some concerns. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Okay. I know Vice Mayor Wu would like to speak to the issue. Thank you, Mayor. When this item came to council, what this is, for those who don't know, is we are funding it out of last year's fund balance, a million dollar grant to an organization called Undue Medical Debt. And we're going to use that million dollars to purchase unpaid medical debt for members of our community that qualify and relieve up to $90 million of medical debt in Fayette County, potentially affecting up to 32,000 residents. What the 10% that they told us when we were in initial discussions turned out to be their indirect costs, which are now, I think, Ms. Hamilton said, was like 130, so 13%. The other associated costs are linked to the purchase of the debt. Ultimately, what we're doing is we're spending, for the actual purchase of the debt is a little bit over $600,000, is going to purchase $90 million worth of unpaid medical debt here in Fayette County. We're getting, I think, 149 to 1 on our money. So to me, we had some conversations with Undue Medical Debt, the organization. I was personally frustrated by the miscommunication between essentially their sales team and their finance team of how they broke down those costs. What ultimately gave me the comfort to continue with this project and to push it forward is the first number and the last number don't change. The first number is our million dollar investment. That's all we're putting in. If we don't end up purchasing and using all that money, we get the rest of it back at the end of the contract. And that last number is the $90 million that we're going to relieve. Those two numbers have not changed, and therefore, I still feel very comfortable with this particular project. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Savigny wishes to speak to this. Yeah, thank you, Mayor. And I, too, I think we all, everyone who was on the council at that point, we voted unanimously to do this, and I do think it's a good thing. I do have concerns over the administrative cost. I also have concerns over the sole sourcing of it. I used to be a salesperson, and I know how to work a deal. So I kind of feel like we got a little worked on. But I do believe the outcome will be good. I do question if it would be better for us to table this for one work session to basically, to allow one last negotiation. I don't really want to do that, but I just think it's a possible idea. So that's all I have, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Brown. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Vice Mayor and CAO and everybody for working on this and getting it to a point where we can have a conversation about it. What safeguards are in place? Are we just cutting a check for a million dollars and executing? Can somebody walk through what safeguards are in place and how money's going to be administered? And I know we have the right to cancel the contract at will, so can you speak to that a little bit, Michael? Yeah, this is when the lawyer comes in to speak. When I first got involved in this, and just kind of a little peek behind the veil in terms of how the law department works, our job is to take what you want to do and manage the risk, and manage how it looks and how it's administered. So in terms of the safeguards you speak of, and I think this is mentioned in the memo, this contract is terminable at will, which means we can terminate it any time we so choose to terminate it. Obviously, council should be directing us on that. Or it's terminable for cause, which means if we get into this a year in and something doesn't feel right, something doesn't smell right, we've caught some errors that give us pause about continuing the relationship. We can terminate for cause. So, and what ultimately happens if we terminate is, if we terminate at will, we have to settle up. And the settling up basically is, how much have they incurred costs prior to the termination date that they haven't invoiced us for? Because the way this will work is, they will invoice us quarterly for the cost that they've incurred themselves going out and working this contract. What we're basically doing, we're hiring them as our consultant to be the ones to go out and use their expertise and their experience to basically cut deals with either medical providers, third party debt collectors, to acquire eligible medical debt, which is defined in the contract for eligible Fayette County Lexington residents. So we're sending them out to do that. Them working that contract means they're going to incur certain personnel costs, certain costs related to like, they may have to, certain overhead, and that's kind of baked into this, what we call the administrative cost. So, we basically, they will be invoicing us quarterly. They should be documenting what they've expended, giving us the support documents so we know that they've expended it properly. And then we ultimately will be able to administer the contract that way. And the sales office has offered to administer the contract, should you approve it. If we terminate for cause, then there's still a settling up, but the settling up is a lot more negotiable. And that's where the lawyers get involved and talk about, hey, we're terminating for cause because we think something went awry here. So let's talk about what the cost of that for us should be and what the cost to you for that should be. So there are safeguards in terms of, we can walk away. And I took pains in negotiating this to preserve our ability to walk away. But we don't know what we don't know until we know it. So we can do this and we'll go into it. So does that answer your question in terms of kind of the guardrails in terms of- It does, because I think what would have given me more pause is if we were just writing a check and just expecting them to do it. But it sounds like with the quarterly draws, that we're going to have our eyes on it and that you have built in some outs for us in this contract. And this is going to be administered from the CAO's office? Okay. Yes. All right, thanks for that clarity. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Sheehan, did you want to discuss this item? Okay. Thank you, Mayor. I want to reiterate two points that the Vice Mayor highlighted. The amount that we have allocated has not changed, and the estimated amount of debt relief has not changed. And while I understand that this is a sole source provider, and that can be hard, this has been successfully used by other municipalities. And so, this has the potential to have a huge impact for our community. And it is coming at a particular time when pretty much everyone is talking about financial strain. So, I am in support of continuing with this contract. Thank you, Mayor. Council Member Curtis, did you want to discuss this item? Okay. Thank you, Mayor. And I want to echo Council Member Sheehan's comments and Vice Mayor Wu's comments as well. When I was coming to council meetings for about a year before getting sworn in, this was one of the items that I remember sitting in the audience, listening to the presentation, doing my homework on, and thinking that every now and again government has the ability to do some tangible good for people who are in need. And it's a very complicated process by which we have to get there when we're working between the restrictions that are placed on us by the federal level and the restrictions that are placed on us by the state level. It's a very rare opportunity that we have to do this type of direct aid to our community. I'm still on board with it, and I encourage my colleagues to support this as well. Thank you. Council Member Ellinger. Thank you, Mayor. And I appreciate the way that you have worked with the contract, with it at will or for cause. I'd like to make a motion to amend to include that we have a six month review to come back to the council. So moved. Is there, who's seconded? Council Member Gray, seconded. Now, let's discuss this. Is there any discussion? Council Member Lynch. Council Member Ellinger, who's going to give that review? When is it going to happen? All the, can I get some more, can you flesh that out? Since it's going to be coming to law, I think quarterly, is it not? Is that where it will be coming? It'll be coming to CAO. CAO, then I would ask the CAO, that would give us two, because it's coming quarterly, and I think if we did it in six months, that would give us two opportunities to see, give them time to get it going and seeing what our review looks like after six months. Now, one clarification I would throw in would be, one of the things that we negotiated in the contract was, in any quarter where they have not made an abolishment of qualifying medical debt, there will be no quarterly report. So just be aware that basically they want to tie the report to the abolishment. That's just more information we will have, and I think that keeps us informed of what's going on as they're spending the money. So you would rather hear from our staff instead of the organization itself? I think the organization has to give the information to the CAO, and the CAO is going to bring it to us. I don't know if they're available to come here or not. If they would, that'd be better yet, but I think they're going to be probably giving the information quarterly to the CAO. They Zoomed in before when they presented to us, so I'm assuming they could Zoom in again and do a presentation. I would like to hear from them, to be honest. That'd be better yet. I'm all for that, if we can get them to come. Then I'll include that in the motion. Okay, is there a second? I second. You seconded already. Okay, anybody else to the motion? Yes, Vice Mayor? Council Member Ellinger, with the review, are you looking for specifically a presentation before one of our bodies here? Yes, just as they said they were going to give a quarterly report, that gives them six months to be able to give a review on what they've done in the first six months, to see how the program's going as we're spending a third of the money on administrative costs. I want to make sure things are getting done so that we are getting our money's worth. Are you asking specifically for Undue Medical Debt, the organization, to do that presentation in six months? I was going to have the CAO, because I felt like the Undue was going to be sending the information then, but it seems like the council has preferred Undue to come here. I'm open for either, whatever's the easiest to do. I just think it's beneficial that we get some information after six months on how the program's going, because it's a three-year program, right? It's a three-year contract. A three-year contract, so this would let us know after six months how we're doing. So if we want to continue, I'm for the program and for the idea, I just want to make sure that it's working. I'm always for a review of processes and programs, as Michael Craven said, if there is no purchase by whatever quarter or by that six month mark, there isn't a quarterly report from the organization. These contracts are scheduled or they're framed for three years because sometimes these processes take a while. These are negotiations that they go and have with major hospital systems like Baptist, like St. Joe, like UK here, even with third party collectors and physicians groups and other organizations. So this process takes time, that's why it's a three-year contract instead of a one-year contract. I'm not opposed to a review, but I want to make sure that folks know that it is very possible if our CAO gives that report in six months, that they'll say there's nothing to report because they're still in negotiations. So I want to set expectations that six months from now, if CAO Hamilton says they're still talking to hospital systems, we haven't cut any deals, that that is not a reflection that this thing isn't working because this is a three-year contract. So I want to put that out there, but I'm not opposed to this amendment. Thank you. Is there any other discussion about the amendment? All right, Council Member Gray. Thank you, Mayor. So along with what Vice Mayor Wu just said, so I'm always up for a review, always. So if there is not any data for review in six months within this motion, can we then delay the presentation until we have data? Is that part of this motion or? It is not part of this motion. It would give us information to know if we want to make a further amendment to the resolution that we passed, or if we want to continue with it, or it just lets us know where we stand at that time. So regardless if there's data or not, you still want a presentation in six months? I think it lets us know where we stand with the process. We're paying $336,000 for them to do this, and they come back and say they haven't done anything. Then it makes pause that are we going to want to go forward as we progress? If not, if they have, then we move forward. Uh-oh. CAO. If I could say one thing. If you remember, we are also, the CAO's office is also administering the contract with the history center. And what we do there on a quarterly basis, we send you all an email that tells you how they're progressing. We always can do that plus have the contractor come in. But that way, I mean, I feel we need to let you know, period, on the contracts that we're doing. Whether they're undue medical debt, or Lexarts, or anything, how things are progressing. All right. Council Member Curtis, did you want to speak again? Vice Mayor Wu, did you want to speak one more time to the, or you've already spoken twice. Have you spoken twice? I'm not sure. I think you have. I just had some clarifying questions for Council Member Ellinger. Six month presentation, are you putting in your motion who's giving the presentation? Is it the CAO, or is it the organization? I think it's easier for the CAO to do it, and if we need to follow up with undue medical, we can do that. But I think she, I want to give the six months because that gives us two quarters, and she can give the presentation. If we have further information we need to follow up, we can always contact Undue Medical then. I just think it's easier probably for them to have to, instead of bringing Undue Medical in here, is just how I saw it. Okay, and what- But I'm also open to a friendly amendment to what I've gotten, with my motion. Where would that presentation take place? What version of this body? I think probably work session. Work session? Okay. Would you mind restating your amendment then? That in six months that we would have a review of Undue Medical at a work session from the CAO. So moved. Second. Actually, I think that was a restatement. We love your second, but I don't think we need it this time. All right, does anyone else want to speak? Okay, you've spoken once. Okay, this will be your second. Thank you, Mayor. And so, Council Member Ellinger, just for clarification, we're talking about one six month review, not a recurring six month review? Correct, I think that just lets us get started. If in that six months we can kind of see where we stand, and if we need to have it do it again, then we can. But at this point, I just want to have the very first one. She said she's going to be doing quarterly. This just gets us a start for the first six months and to see how things are going. Okay, and the other point that I just want to clarify is that there is the potential, as the Vice Mayor said, for those first two quarterly reports for negotiations to be ongoing. So, I just want to clarify that if we get to six months and there's nothing to report, it doesn't mean that they're not working and it doesn't mean that there's- I understand that, that just lets them tell us what they've done so far, so we know where we stand. Yeah, no, I agree with you. To be clear, I agree with you. I'm all for more reviews and oversight of that stuff. I'm just making sure that we know that if they don't have any specific numbers to report, it doesn't mean that nothing's happening. Thank you. Michael, did you have something else? No. Does anyone else wish to speak to the motion to amend? All right, all those in favor of the amendment, please say aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion- passes. So it is a new business item with the as amended. Thank you. Now I think Councilmember Morton has been waiting to speak to new business again. Thank you. So to get us back where we were, or where I was, so we're talking about connections, essentially connecting Russell Cave to citation of Newtown. And we're familiar that Windburn is a one way in, one way out, needs to be open, no questions asked. The connection between, there's a connection come between next to the Northside Library that's gonna butt up to Radcliffe Lane, makes sense. It's not going through an existing neighborhood. The third connection is already in existing neighborhood, Hollow Creek, and it's connected, it's complete, it's barricaded until what the plaque says, it cannot be open until one of the other existing connections is completed. So the connection I'm specifically speaking about is Asbury Lane, which is before us in item N. And it's not before us as to open it up, it's more so before us to set design phase regarding those connections that those connections I just mentioned. That's where we are. So with that being said, and I'll start over, in general I believe in connectivity when it makes sense. But in this case I have concerns specifically regarding the preservation of this historic African-American neighborhood, the existing challenges within the neighborhood, and the fact there has been no recent community engagement. Myself and the neighbors were caught off guard. With that being said, on the other hand, as emphasized by staff, tabling this motion or postponing this motion, which was possibly going to be my intent, would postpone and hold up Windburn Connection, which I do not want to do, knowing that that needs to be, that needs to move forward as soon as possible. So with that being said, and including the opening near the Northside Library, it makes sense. I want to be clear to me that this opening is a detriment to the community of Green Acres and the neighborhood does not want it. More specifically, this item, and specifically this item is tied to the design, like I said, not more so signing off on that opening. There are additional alternatives that this council could take regarding those concerns, whether they be including closing the street and closing the connection, not building the road in general, or creating a pedestrian-only access so cars can't come through. The engineering department has committed to taking community input, to coming out to the neighborhood, specifically to come talk with the neighborhood, explain the project, answer questions about the Asbury Lane, and I'll be scheduling that meeting in the near future, hopefully within the next two neighborhood associations, and keeping the finger on the pulse of this Asbury Lane connection. I believe this project will negatively impact Asbury Lane. I think it takes away from the integrity of that neighborhood, of Green Acres, by opening that up. And there's already an existing connection within the neighborhood, so to add two connections in one neighborhood, we know what challenges that can come with that, especially being that there's now commercial use abutting behind these these neighbors. So to think that trucks, Amazon vans at the rate probably 50 to 150 coming through these neighborhoods daily, that's a huge concern of mine. But with that being said, I don't see the urgent need to open this historic African-American neighborhood, and I look forward to having more conversations with staff, with our neighborhoods, getting community input. And the next steps, like I said, will be community engagement with the Green Acres neighborhood and surrounding communities, possibly amending this language in this letter in to show the intent of doing the design for drainage, but not the intent for opening Asbury Lane. And I look forward to having further discussions within that. Thank you. Thank you. Does anyone else wish to speak to new business? All right. All those in favor of new business as amended, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. All right. Next, we do have communications from the mayor on appointments, if I could have a motion. Vice Mayor Wu moved. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Are there any questions? All right. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. There are no donations, and we do have communications regarding procurements. Could I have a motion? Vice Mayor Wu moved. Councilmember Savigny seconded. Are there any comments, questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. And now, we'll go to continuing business, and I'll entertain a motion for council capital projects. Councilmember Gregg, Councilmember Sheehan seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. And next, we have neighborhood development funds. Could I have a motion? Councilmember Baxter moved. Councilmember Curtis seconded. Are there questions or comments? All right. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. That motion passes. That brings us to council reports. Councilmember Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. I have two community meetings to announce. First, there is a community meeting for the Alumni Road Shared Use Path Project tonight from 530 to 7 p.m. at Emanuel Baptist Church at 3100 Tate's Creek Road, and you should go to entrance one. This is an open house style meeting, so you can come and go as you please to learn about the new shared use path from Tate's Creek Road to New Circle Road. Second, a neighborhood meeting is being held on June 5th at 6 p.m. at the Lexington Senior Center about a sanitary sewer project for the Prather Road and Island neighborhoods. This project is near Lakeside Drive, Alumni Drive, and Island Drive, and it will start in June. So if you are interested in that project, you can attend that meeting. And then finally, I want to share a staffing update for my office. Leighton Garlington, who has been my legislative aide and came into office with me four and a half years ago, was recently promoted to our public information officer position for our council. Leighton is kind-hearted, sharp, and as most of our floor has experienced, always quick to lend a hand. His hard work and commitment have made a real difference in our district and our community as a whole, and I'm so grateful that he'll continue to use his talents to serve the public, ensuring that our community stays informed, engaged, and connected. And while I will personally miss him and his presence in the 5th District office, and so will the 5th District residents he has assisted over the years, please join me in congratulating him on this well-deserved new role. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Beasley. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to ask Chief Colvin and Director Allen to come up here, please. Last week we were invited to Mill Creek Elementary in front of their staff and the volunteers there, and we were given an award for going out there for our, for their Real Read program, and we did not go alone. The Department of Corrections and the Division of Streets and Roads went with us, and I have brought them their certificates, and I just wanted to give them to them. So if you guys want to come over here and get your awards, and the rest of y'all, if y'all need anybody to go read, they love them there. Jay Alexander is the favorite, but the rest of them will do as well. Thanks guys for going with us. Thank you, Mayor. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. In light of our budget chair's efficient running of meetings today, and we got through all the work of our budget CAL, so I move to cancel our budget committee of the whole meeting for May 29th, 2025. Second. Councilmember Brown seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that passes. I have two more items, Mayor. I want to thank everybody for coming out last week to the Lexington's Preservation and Growth Management Program's public engagement and input event. We got a lot of really great participation from the community. I really want to thank all the staff, and it's almost too many to name, that came out and supported, along with aides and council members. I think we had a super majority of council that were represented, along with almost all of the council aides. I especially want to thank council members Hannah Legree, Shayla Lynch, and Liz Sheehan, who are members of the public input subcommittee for tabling and engaging with our constituents throughout the entire event. This event was our first committee preview, which was an input format that we've been discussing in order to create more and better opportunities for meaningful engagement with our community. In terms of continuing engagement, our current LPGMP online survey will be up until June 23rd on Engage Lexington. I encourage everyone, including my colleagues and everyone in this room, to fill out that survey and help us shape this potentially transformative process. And lastly, it is still AAPI Heritage Month for a few more days. Tomorrow night at the Carnegie Center, we will be having a poetry reading and international tea tasting. It was a great event last year, and we expect it to be really terrific and fun this year. And then on Saturday, we are partnering with the public library. Their community reads book for this month is Happiness Falls by Angie Kim. And on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Central Library, they will be bringing the author herself, Angie Kim, to do a reading. So that should be really exciting. Thank you all, council members, for your support of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. And that's all. Thanks, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. First off, this is last week we had the opportunity to have our fire field day, which has become an annual event. Several of the council members and several aides were out there to learn more about what the fire department goes through every day, how we ourselves can protect ourselves and our households against fire. We did some repelling. We worked to put out a fire. We broke into a car. And then there was this to get people out of it. And there was actually somebody in it for real. So it was very lifelike. And then I really appreciated this demonstration of how fire and oxygen travel through a house when the doors are open or when they're closed. So this is a reminder to everyone to please close your bedroom doors at night. It's very important. And I just really want to thank the fire department and Chief Wells and everyone that was out there. There were a lot of people out there making this happen for us. And I know it takes a lot of manpower and planning. And so I just want to say a big thank you for that. And then we went to the Diversity Festival. A bunch of us were there. And I think this was their fifth year doing this festival. There should be several photos, I think. Yeah. There's the mayor's giving a proclamation. And I just thought that this year was especially amazing. There were so many great vendors, very diverse vendors. There were a lot of wonderful presentations, a lot of dance performances that were incredible. Music. The music was great. We had a lot of different things going on. The Count on Me booth was up and 88 people gave pledges. There was just so many beautiful people and things happening. And I was just really impressed. And the weather held off. So that was great. And then I wanted to mention that last week was also the Family Care Center's parent grad graduation. And I'm sad I didn't take any photos. But this is an event that I love every year. And this year was especially emotional. The young women that came up and spoke about their challenges and their families and what they've been through in order to graduate high school were particularly moving. And I just think that that program is incredible. And I'm so thankful that we have that partnership with Fayette County Public Schools and are doing that program. It really makes a difference in the lives of these young parents. And then exciting, this Saturday is Founders Day in Lexington. And so we are celebrating where and when Lexington was founded at McConnell Springs starting at 11 a.m. And we all know that this is the 250th anniversary of Lexington. And the mayor will be there and there'll be several speakers and that's going to be really exciting. So I want to invite all my colleagues to come out to Founders Day at McConnell Springs this Saturday. Thank you. Thank you Councilmember Baxter. Thank you Mayor. I think I have a few images. But last week we cut the ribbon on the new tennis and pickleball complex at Shiloh Toe Park. There are eight new tennis courts and 20 new pickleball courts that are lit until 11 o'clock at night. And they've already been a huge hit. This was Saturday morning that video was. But I wanted to thank Vice Mayor Wu, Councilmember Brown, Lynch, Legree, and Beasley for coming out to the ribbon-cutting. And a lot of community members. I swear there was probably a hundred people there. So it was a great event. And a big thank you goes to Parks for seeing that project through. Oh and I we dedicated a bench to former Councilmember Fred Brown's wife Judy Brown was a US Tennis Association official internationally known actually. So we dedicated a bench in her honor as well. So thank you. If Commissioner Barbary could come up. As you all may have heard, I'm sure you've heard, the school board will be considering an occupational tax increase this evening at 6 p.m. And so I just asked Commissioner Barbary if he would come and just tell us what it means. Because my office has been getting a lot of phone calls. I don't know how to explain it. So can you just give us a little bit of information about the statute and how they have. Sure. Good afternoon. I'll try to stay in my lane since we don't represent the fiscal quarter of the school board. This there's kind of a nuance in your charter where the fiscal court still does a couple things that the old government, the old county government used to do. And one of them, ironically enough, is if the school does a tax that has to get approved by them, it goes to the fiscal court, not you all. And so in this case, the school board has two different methods of raising taxes. One of them is the one that you all deal with on a regular basis, which is the the property taxes. In this case, they've had the same payroll rate for quite a few years. And they're discussing raising that rate. I believe they're talking about raising it to the statutory maximum, which is I think it's 0.75 from the 0.5 it is now. Our reading of the statute is that it would be subject to recall if they go ahead and do this. And that would be potentially recall of that entire amount. My understanding is what their proposal specifically does is it would it would put this in place if it goes forward on January 1st of next year. At that point in time. And I don't think it applies legally to people that don't live in Fayette County, even if they work here because they don't get any benefit from from the tax being applied. So. And is it your understanding that if the Board of Education votes to approve the resolution this evening that the fiscal court has to pass it? We don't represent the fiscal court, but our reading of the statute would be that their role is is merely to to, you know, to rubber stamp it. And they don't really have the the meaningful opportunity to push back on. OK, so I guess my the main reason that I wanted to speak up is because tonight at six o'clock at the John D. Price Administration Building at 450 Park Place, there will be a hearing. They will be considering this. Their budget is still in draft proposal mode, just like ours is. They haven't voted and they have a proposed deficit that they are trying to make up for with this measure. So I just think it's really important for our community to know what's going on and to know how their voice can be heard. If you can't make it in person, I'm sure your school board representative, who is also an elected official, would love to answer any questions that you may have. That is all. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you, Mayor. This is just as a follow-up from the EQPW recommendations from this afternoon's link. I move to place the design and location options of the Mint Hill Station expansion into the EQPW committee to be discussed and finalized at the August 12th committee meeting and shared in work session with recommendations prior to the commitment of design work. So moved. Second. Council Member Baxter seconded. Any discussion? All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Anything else? That's enough. All right, Council Member Gray. Thank you, Mayor. First of all, I move to place the MAG study into the General Government and Planning Committee. So moved. Thank you. Is there any discussion? Is this for a review or just what it is? Yes. Okay, thank you. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Thank you. And next, while we were away last week, I think, days move quickly and close together, I hosted or I attended, I hosted at Frederick Douglass High School the Winchester Road development meeting where we had over 150 residents within the 6th District. This is the most people we've ever had at a meeting. So residents who did attend, I hope to see you in October at our fall district meeting at Bryan Station High School. But I would like to thank the residents of the 6th District for showing up, voicing your concerns about the impending development of Kroger and the tentative apartment complex coming to Winchester Road. Please note residents of the 6th District, I have been in contact with the residential developers who plan, which is Ball Homes, who plans to have a residential, build homes in that same area. Hopefully we will have a another community meeting so that you can once again ask the questions that you would like to hear and about, since your neighbors Eastland Parkway neighborhood, also Patchin Wilkes, I know you have tons of questions you would like to ask those developers. So please stay tuned for another community meeting because I want to make sure the residents have the ability to ask the questions that are on their mind. And lastly, and lastly I would like to say congratulations to the students of Fayette County Public Schools on one completing your your school year. Congratulations also, I guess you don't have the other image. It's okay LexTV, it's okay. Oh there it is, boom. Congratulations to all of the seniors who are graduating this week. I am so proud of you. Great things are in store for you. Be ready to fall but always be ready to get up, get up, get up. And we are rooting for you every single step of the way. Congratulations seniors. Councilmember Legree. Thank you Mayor. I believe that we have a couple of images as well. Colleagues, I'm really interested to share with you and excited to share with you a project launching in early June that reflects the values that we all share. Community driven solutions, safer streets and a more connected Lexington. We're rolling out a pilot safety project along East High Street between Woodland Avenue and Rose. A stretch that neighbors have identified as unsafe for pedestrian cyclists and drivers alike. This pilot will introduce new parking spaces and a protected bike lane while reducing the number of travel lanes. And this is for the goal of improving traffic flow and making East High safer and more welcoming for everyone. So that you all are aware, installation is scheduled for June 2nd through 6th and it should be a pretty quick install process and we have a lot of signage up so that people will be aware. And of course all of this is weather permitting. This effort is grounded in community feedback. Residents have consistently raised concerns about speeding and the difficulty of crossing the street and navigating the area even on the sidewalk. With targeted quick build changes, we know that we can test solutions in real time and we can collect data and we can adjust based on what works. And I think that we all know that East High Street is a vital connecting street and this project hopefully will be a meaningful step toward a safer more accessible city. And so I just want to say thank you to our neighborhood champions who've been instrumental in shaping and supporting this work and to all of our folks across government who have given input and helped us as we've made it from an idea into a soon-to-be reality. Traffic engineering has been great to work with as has Brandy Peacher in our complete streets area. You all can learn more at lexingtonky.gov forward slash road pilot. And we also have a press release that we shared out last week so that you all know if you get any questions about it David Filiatro and myself are the contacts who are listed and we're glad to manage any responses and engage with people who are curious and want to learn more. And I'm really looking forward to seeing how this pilot helps move East High Street and Lexington forward. Thank you mayor. Thank you colleagues. Councilmember Brown. Thank you mayor. I'd like to just recognize my intern or my shadower and that's Parker Hall. She's in the back. She's a Spelman student Lexington native home from school this summer and I think she's shadowing me for a few weeks and then I think some other council members are going to steal her from me but um that's fine. The other thing I'll say mayor is I you know I just want to appreciate to say how much I appreciate working with your team on the budget the CAO's office your office and our folks in finance do a do a great job working with us and Kelly to to figure out ways to fund some of the prior council priorities and I've said it before and I'll say it again I think you did us a solid this year you got us off to a good starting point with the budget that you presented so that really helped us have these conversations and on that note I'll make a motion I move to place on the docket for the first reading at the special council meeting scheduled for June 10th 2025 at 3 p.m. the FYI 2026 budget ordinance for the Lexington Fayette Urban County government which is based upon the mayor's proposed budget for FYI 2026 as amended by the council at its committee of the whole meeting on May 27th 2025 so move second councilmember Morton seconded is there any discussion all those in favor say aye anyone opposed all right that motion passes and then mayor I also moved to place on the docket for the first reading at the special council meeting scheduled for June 10th 2025 at 3 p.m. the budget amendments related to pre-funding certain items of the FYI 2026 budget as amended by the council at its committee of the whole meeting on 20 on May 27 2025 so all right is there okay vice mayor Wu seconds is there any comment all those in favor say aye anyone opposed all right that passes all right thank you mayor okay thank you councilmember Lynch Thank You mayor I would just like to make a few announcements for my district to neighbors about some things happening this week and next week starting tomorrow Wednesday Madison Station is having their first hangry hump day of the summer so I'm inviting all my neighbors to come out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Madison Station Clubhouse parking lot there'll be lots of food trucks and games for the children as well so please come out tomorrow from 5 to 8 p.m. and then also this weekend on May 31st garden meadows is having their neighborhood celebration it'll be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. so I want to encourage all my garden meadows neighbors to come out for the cookout usually it's a lot of fun each year so come on out this Saturday also this Saturday partners for youth is having their festival a festival of neighborhoods in Madison Station Park it'll be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and I will be tabling there my Shailene the second table would be there so please come out and see all of us and there'll be vendors and food and games for the kids this is free and open to the public this is in celebration of partners for you 30th anniversary this year also happening I'm very very excited about this Sandersville Elementary School is partnering with black soil to have farm to school have to have a farm to school market I met with the Family Resource Center director Damon Sexton of Sandersville last year we were brainstorming ways to combat the food insecurity of the students at Sandersville Elementary School and so I'm so glad that he got connected with black soil and that we're gonna bring a market to Sandersville Elementary School once a month starting in June so to all my neighbors come out and shop you see the prices are very reasonable it's gonna be once a month starting June the 5th so please come out with this really cool initiative that Sandersville Elementary School is doing in partnership with black soil I'm very excited about this also speaking of black soil who's doing great things in our community they will be opening their pharmacy neighborhood market at 760 Florence Avenue on June the 7th at 1 p.m. the ribbon-cutting will be at once I want to invite everybody to come out for this awesome awesome thing that's happening in the second district a much-needed neighborhood in a food desert that exists in my district so I'm very excited that black soil is bringing fresh produce to the Georgetown area corridor so please come out on June the 7th for that ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. and then lastly happening the same day is West End Day West End Day is happening in Douglas Park June the 7th from noon until 9 p.m. free event open to the whole community bring your family bring your kids it's gonna be a really good time Thank You mayor Thank You councilmember Boone Thank You mayor I just wanted to share an exciting event happening tomorrow in the 12th district the ribbon-cutting for Kelly's landing will take place tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. rain or shine hope to see some of you there bring your rain jacket Thank You councilmember Hale Thank You mayor so today I'm honored to introduce to district 7 residents to me a green to Mia graduated from the Spanish immersion program at Bryan Station High School my alma mater yes and Denise's and Tyler's yes let's hear for Bryan Station this spring she was a member of the National Honor Society station arts for visual arts the Spanish Society Bryan Station High School black student union upward bound and sister keeper she was Miss debutante 2024 and was the recipient of the Woodson scholarship award and the 2024 partnership for partners for you Toyota scholarship Tamir recently won first prize in the Euphrates essay contest the contest is organized by partners for youth in collaboration with Euphrates International Investment Company and the Central Kentucky chapter of Jack and Jill of America Incorporated the contest is open to all seniors for public Fayette County high schools this approach aims to provide a broad platform for student voices across the entire county ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and ideas this year students responded to the prompt what makes a better Lexington I am pleased to welcome Tamir green to share her winning essay with all of us welcome good afternoon everyone I'm Tamiya green and I'm sorry so yes I'll be reading my my 500 word essay on what makes a better Lexington and I would like to start off by thanking Councilman Hale and staff partners for youth and Jack and Jill of American Central Region okay what makes a better Lexington when thinking of a better Lexington countless ideas come to mind Lexington Kentucky officially established in 1775 a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence has a deep and meaningful history known for its equestrian heritage scenic farms and world-class tracks like Keeneland Lexington is a city that blends southern charm with steady growth but even as it thrives in many areas there's always room for improvement especially when it comes to how we connect and care for the people who live here Lexington has done well in offering activities for its older population from blue from bluegrass concerts and art fairs to historical walking tours gardening exhibitions and farmers markets there are plenty of enriching experiences available however some groups especially youth between the ages of 13 and 20 don't have as many options for safe and affordable entertainment this age group often falls into a social gap too old for children's events yet too young for adult life a better Lexington means bridging the gaps between age groups neighborhoods and communities from every side of town one way to do that is by creating events in spaces where youth can engage express themselves and have fun and safe environment festivals featuring local youth talent fashion hair shows led by teens or open mic nights for poetry and music can showcase creativity and offer positive outlets businesses and community leaders could also partner like our local skating rinks movie theaters Malibu Jaxx or even Sky Zone especially if those events are monitored and curated with intention with recent uptake and violence at some venues giving teens safe spaces are designed by and are for them could make a real difference in reducing those issues before they start incentives like free entry for good grades or strong school attendance would not only encourage participation but also reward positive behavior beyond entertainment a better Lexington encourages civic engagement at every age offering easier ways to join city committees that reflect individual values or organizing youth led community service projects could give people a strong sense of purpose and pride in their neighborhoods community leaders like Devon Karama and many others have already made a huge impact by organizing events mentorship opportunities and outreach programs that uplift Lexington's youth their continued work proves that when you when young people are given the tools to lead they rise to the occasion community led events can also help neighbors connect neighborhood block parties cleanup days or cultural celebrations could bring people together who might not otherwise interact these moments of togetherness build trust and help create a Lexington where everyone feels seen heard and valued when residents take pride in their neighborhoods and feel a sense of ownership it creates stronger bonds lower crimes and builds a safer and more welcoming city for all encouraging encouraging a collaboration between residents local businesses and city officials concern simple ideas and some meaningful traditions that benefit generations to come ultimately what makes a better Lexington isn't just about adding more activities or building new places it's about including more people it's also about making sure no group no matter their age or background feels left out a better Lexington is more united Lexington that thrives not only because of its history but because of the people working to shape its future together. Thank you so much to me and congratulations. Thank you. Councilmember Curtis. Thank you mayor and I just want to say thank you right off the bat that was a wonderful speech and I think a lot of good reminders for those of us in government representing Lexington to have so thank you for coming before us today to share that so I have a motion that I'm gonna make here in a second regarding some of the stuff that we talked about in our GGS budget link one of the things that I think really demarcates how special Lexington is is that if I get a text about something related to the budget in Lexington I don't stress out that cannot be said of other branches of government at this moment in time and so when we look at what we are doing here in LFUCG we do our homework and we pride ourselves on basing our actions on what we know to benefit the people of Lexington to address the concerns that people actually have in their day-to-day lives. One of the things that I've heard repeatedly and a concern that I share is about the proliferation, rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence. This has come to me from folks who are worried about everything from data security to job security and considering that we have a proposal within our budget that we've voted on and approved to launch a pilot program for the usage of Microsoft Copilot for certain things within LFUCG. I think it's incredibly important that we stay on top of the technology and make sure that we're doing so, making sure that we have appropriate safeguards in place so that the public can feel comfortable with this and so with that in mind I move to place a review of the LFUCG artificial intelligence policy and implementation into the General Government and Planning Committee. So moved. Second. Okay, Councilmember Morton seconded. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right that passes. Anything else? Thank you Mayor. I also just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge everybody and thank everyone who came out to Aval's Kentucky AIDS Walk this past Saturday. Aval is an invaluable community partner that has done so much good in our city and across our commonwealth serving folks who are HIV positive, doing HIV prevention work, and doing really intersectional work that transcends any sort of identity or socioeconomic status and so I just wanted to give them a shout out because they deserve a lot of attention so that folks can get access to the resources that they need. So thank you to everyone who came out to participate in the Kentucky AIDS Walk. Thank you Mayor Gordon for your remarks at the Kentucky AIDS Walk and I'm deeply, deeply appreciative to Aval of Kentucky. Thank you. Thank you. All right we have some folks signed up for public comment for issues not on the agenda and this works the same way. When I call your name you'll come to the podium and you'll need to restate your name and your council district and you'll have three minutes. First is Rick Day followed by Amy Clark. My name is Rick Day and I live in the third district. Recently, but at different times, I told you how the MAG study treated Charlie Martin and Brenda Whittington. What it did for Charlie and what it did to Brenda. For Charlie, the dates were changed and numbers were manipulated resulting in a $9,000 unwarranted, unjustified, and still unexplained salary increase. To Brenda, HR withheld information from Brenda and allowed her to make a career decision that ultimately cost her an $8,000 salary increase. This increase would have been warranted, justified, and would need no explanation. Now I understand that some of you might think this is old news and why do I continue to bring these things up. It is not old news. The MAG study results have more impact on our employees today than when they were originally passed. As of today, Charlie Martin has been a Director of Water Quality for 17 years. His salary today is based on 23 years. Can someone please explain that? As of today, Brenda has been an Administrative Specialist for over 18 years. Her salary, I'm sorry, she was a Program Specialist for one year. Her salary today is based on that one year as a Program Specialist. Can anybody explain that? Over two years ago, when I first came here to talk about the MAG study, I told you that the study seemed to favor the higher pay grade and a disproportionate amount of money was going to them. That was even before I knew the dates and numbers were being manipulated and that not only Charlie Martin but other high pay grade employees were being given preferential treatment. So you know at the time of the MAG study, Charlie was a 535, Brenda was a 514. Glenda George considers the matter closed. She does not have an explanation, she does not have a good explanation, so she does not want to talk about it. Well how convenient is that? She does not want to talk about it, so she just deems the matter to be closed. Even against Glenda's declaration, I will continue to ask for an explanation. And I would like your help. To be fair, the Urban County Council helped create this problem. I think the Urban County Council should help fix it. Thank you. Next up is Amy Clark followed by Jock Wigginton. Welcome. Good afternoon Council Members, I'm Amy Clark and I live at 628 Kessler Road, that's the 3rd District. I welcome the resolution of the Planning Commission, which I believe is wending its way toward you, but was not on the agenda. The resolution of the Planning Commission is seeking an avenue for public testimony and for concerned citizens in plan review and decision. It would give us a foot in the door, perhaps. It targets only development plans and not subdivision plans, that's true of things in general. In terms of its reach, opportunity it opens for citizen involvement in land use decisions. It amounts to, just to use an analogy, leaving a dog in a hot car and knowing better and going back to crack a window. What I mean to say here is, it's terribly hard under the best of circumstances to participate in land use decisions. There may be 10 days notice for the public before final decision under a possible avenue urged by Planning Commission as a body. I want to suggest three ways we can make public involvement better and these are really broad, simple practical suggestions. The first, broad ZOTA, no matter how urgent, should develop slowly in a broadly based committee of the citizenry and our leadership. Only Mr. Ellinger, Council Member Ellinger and Mayor Gorton and possibly some of the other members of the City Council may remember the recreational ZOTA. I believe there was a year long committee. There were spreadsheets color coded by zone, by this and that, by activity, recreational activity. It took a lot of time and trouble to agree on a large urban county ZOTA. The ones that probably both Council Member Ellinger and Mayor Gorton will remember is the large bundle of fill and redevelopment ordinances, the ZOTA there. David Stephens chaired it magisterially. It was a miracle of compromise. It gave so many people the opportunity to participate in the ZOTA. It was a miracle of compromise. It gave something to both sides. Two more suggestions. Excella needs fixes to make it user friendly. I'm at your service. They would be easy. And we need a printer friendly version of the comp plan so we can use it and work with it. I did an estimate today with my greatest ingenuity. It would cost $178.88 to print it in color as thriftily as I could. There's no need for that. So I hope I can be of service in these practical suggestions to help public comment. Thank you very much. Jock Wiginton is next. Is he still here? Alright that concludes then our public comment. So I'll, Councilmember Hale did you have another item? Yeah I wanted to just request that we take a horseshoe picture with Tamia Green. Can we do that? Sure. I have a motion to adjourn. We are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.