# Urban County Council - August 14, 2025 > Auto-transcribed civic record · Council · August 14, 2025 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/6518 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/6518?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2025-08-14 - **Body**: Council - **Last revised**: February 14, 2026 - **Length**: 11,604 words - **Speakers**: Mayor > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed by OpenAI Whisper-1, with speaker labels folded in from Granicus closed-captioning. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude Sonnet. Speaker labels and verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Urban County Council met on August 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting covered five agenda items spanning ceremonial recognitions and legislative business. Two informational presentations were given, including a Public Health Hero Award and a Mayoral Proclamation. The Council also took up three ordinances on first reading, addressing budget amendments for grant closures, budget amendments for purchase orders, and the levying of ad valorem taxes for the Soil and Water Conservation District. Across the meeting, 10 motions and votes were taken and 1 public comment was heard. ## Attendance All 15 council members were present at the August 14, 2025 meeting, with no absences recorded. **Present:** Mayor Gorton, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, and Curtis. **Absent:** None. **Late:** Curtis arrived after the meeting began. ## Votes and Decisions The Council took up ten votes during the August 14, 2025 meeting, all of which passed without opposition. **Minutes Approval** [timestamp: 0:05:27] Vice Mayor Wu moved, and Curtis seconded, approval of the minutes from the June 26, July 1, and July 3, 2025 Council meetings. The motion passed unanimously, 15–0. **Consent Agenda Items** [timestamp: 6:06:00] Reynolds moved and Elliott Baxter seconded the following resolutions, each of which passed 14–0 on a roll call vote. All 14 members present — Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, and Brown — voted in favor on each item: - **Resolution 0698-25:** Execute a Release of Claims Agreement with Detective Eric Wilzbach for the care of retired Canine Rhea. - **Resolution 0700-25:** Purchase and Subscription Services Agreement with Raptor Technologies, LLC. - **Resolution 0704-25:** Change Order No. 1 to the Agreement with BMI Builds, LLC for the LFD Community Paramedicine Renovation Project. - **Resolution 0705-25:** Agreement with GreenHouse17, Inc. for emergency repairs of the fire sprinkler system. - **Resolution 0720-25:** Agreement with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for a bomb squad mission response vehicle. - **Resolution 0721-25:** Accept an award from the Community Action Council for the Early Head Start Program. - **Resolution 0725-25:** Change Order No. 3 to the Agreement with BMI Builds LLC for the Valley Park Building Renovation and Expansion Project. - **Resolution 0728-25:** Execute a Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification. **Resolution 0733-25** [timestamp: 6:06:00] Hale moved and Lynch seconded a resolution to execute agreements related to Council Capital Project Expenditure Funds. The motion passed 14–0 on a roll call vote, with the same 14 members voting in favor. There were no nays or abstentions recorded on any item during the meeting. ## Budget and Financial Actions The Council considered four financial items at the August 14, 2025 meeting, covering infrastructure improvements, stormwater work, a federal grant, and a building renovation. - **Meadows-Northland-Arlington Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 7 – Rosemary Ave (Resolution 0708-25):** The Council took action on a contract with DelMae LLC valued at **$1,557,318** for the latest phase of this ongoing neighborhood improvement project along Rosemary Avenue. - **Savannah Guilford Stormwater Improvements (Resolution 0746-25):** A contract with Lagco, Inc. in the amount of **$1,606,733** was considered for stormwater infrastructure improvements in the Savannah Guilford area. This was the largest single expenditure on the agenda. - **Early Head Start Program at the Family Care Center (Resolution 0721-25):** The Council addressed a grant of **$49,443.84** to the Community Action Council in support of the Early Head Start Program at the Family Care Center. - **Valley Park Building Renovation and Expansion Project (Resolution 0725-25):** A contract with BMI Builds LLC totaling **$198,320** was presented for renovation and expansion work at the Valley Park building. Combined, the four items represent approximately **$3.4 million** in financial commitments spanning public infrastructure, stormwater management, early childhood services, and parks facilities. ## Public Comment One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period at the August 14, 2025 meeting. - **Brittany Price** spoke about homelessness in Lexington [timestamp: 1:19:04]. Price drew on her own personal experience with homelessness to underscore the challenges faced by individuals in that situation. She called for the expansion of programs and the deployment of additional social workers to actively engage with Lexington's homeless population. ## Appointments The Council approved the following appointments and reappointments to city boards and advisory bodies at the August 14, 2025 meeting: - **Anthany Beatty, Jr.** was appointed to the **Alarm Advisory Board**. - **Ross Boggess** was appointed to the **Board of Adjustment**. - **Veda Stewart** was reappointed to the **Carnegie Center for Literacy Board of Directors**. - **Jill Leckner** was reappointed to the **Courthouse Area Design Review Board**. - **Eric Reid** was reappointed to the **Emergency Medical Advisory Board**. In total, the Council confirmed two new appointments and three reappointments across five separate boards and advisory bodies. The actions reflect both the addition of new members to city governance structures and the continuation of service by existing members whose terms were renewed. ## Public Health Hero Award [timestamp: 06:36] The Council recognized two recipients of the 2025 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award during a presentation led by Mayor Gorton and Dr. Crystal Miller. - **Recipients:** Dr. Abeni El-Amin and Dr. Lindsey Jasinski were honored with the award for their dedication to improving the health of Lexington residents. - **Award name:** The recognition is named the Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award. This item was informational in nature, with no vote or further action taken by the Council. ## Mayoral Proclamation **Agenda Item 0753-25** [timestamp: 17:06] Mayor Gorton declared August 14, 2025, as **Christopher Edwards Day** in Lexington, honoring Chris Edwards for his service as LexTV's video production supervisor. The proclamation was presented during the meeting, with both Mayor Gorton and Chris Edwards identified as key speakers for this item. The item was informational in nature and required no vote or further Council action. ## Ordinance amending Budgets for Grant closures [timestamp: 29:09] The Council took up agenda item **0765-25**, an ordinance to amend certain budgets to provide funds for preparing for grant closures, including the appropriation and re-appropriation of funds. The ordinance was introduced on **first reading** at this meeting. No key speakers or substantive debate were recorded in the available data for this item, and no concerns were noted in the meeting record. The measure will return for a second reading before final Council action. ## Ordinance Amending Budgets for Purchase Orders **Agenda Item 0766-25** [timestamp: 29:09] The Council took up an ordinance to amend certain budgets in order to provide funds for purchase orders and pre-paid expenses rolling over from fiscal year 2025 into fiscal year 2026. - The ordinance is a routine budget amendment measure designed to ensure continuity of funding for outstanding purchase orders and pre-paid expenses that were initiated in FY 2025 but carry forward into the new fiscal year, FY 2026. - No key speakers were identified in the record as having presented or debated the item during this meeting. - No concerns or notable discussion were recorded in connection with this agenda item. The ordinance received its **first reading** at this meeting. As is standard for ordinances, a second reading would be required before final adoption. ## Ordinance Levying Ad Valorem Taxes for Soil and Water Conservation District [timestamp: 29:09] The Council took up agenda item 0767-25, an ordinance to levy ad valorem taxes for the support of the Soil and Water Conservation District for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. No key speakers were recorded in connection with this item, and no notable debate or concerns were documented during the discussion. The ordinance received its first reading at this meeting. --- ## Decisions - **Motion** — passed (15-0): Approval of the Minutes of the June 26, 2025, July 1, 2025, & July 3, 2025 Council Meetings - **Resolution 0698-25** — passed (14-0): Execute a Release of Claims Agreement with Detective Eric Wilzbach for the care of retired Canine Rhea - **Resolution 0700-25** — passed (14-0): Purchase and Subscription Services Agreement with Raptor Technologies, LLC - **Resolution 0704-25** — passed (14-0): Change Order No. 1 to the Agreement with BMI Builds, LLC for the LFD Community Paramedicine Renovation Project - **Resolution 0705-25** — passed (14-0): Agreement with GreenHouse17, Inc. for emergency repairs of the fire sprinkler system - **Resolution 0720-25** — passed (14-0): Agreement with the Ky. Office of Homeland Security for a bomb squad mission response vehicle - **Resolution 0721-25** — passed (14-0): Accept an award from the Community Action Council for Early Head Start Program - **Resolution 0725-25** — passed (14-0): Change Order No. 3 to the Agreement with BMI Builds LLC for the Valley Park Building Renovation and Expansion Project - **Resolution 0728-25** — passed (14-0): Execute a Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification - **Resolution 0733-25** — passed (14-0): Execute Agreements related to Council Capital Project Expenditure Funds --- ## Full transcript Виктор Королёв Виктор Королёв Виктор Королёв I'd like to go ahead and call to order the Lexington-Fayette-Urban County Council meeting of August 14th, 2025. And our first item is to have the roll call. Councilmember Curtis. Oh, there she is. Councilmember Ellinger. Yes, ma'am. Councilmember Elliott Baxter. Councilmember Hale. Yes, ma'am. Councilmember Legree. Here. Councilmember Lynch. Present. Councilmember Morton. Yes, ma'am. Councilmember Reynolds. Here. Councilmember Savigny. Here. Councilmember Sheehan. Here. Vice-Mayor Wu. Here. Councilmember Beasley. Yes, ma'am. Councilmember Boone. Yes, ma'am. Councilmember James Brown. Here. Thank you. All right. We have a quorum. And it is my pleasure to welcome Rabbi Shani Abramowitz tonight to give our invocation. Welcome. Thank you. Senator Gorton, Vice-Mayor Wu, and members of the Lexington City Council, thank you for inviting me to join you this evening. Dear God of our foremothers and our forefathers, thank you for giving us this opportunity to be together, to work together toward a common goal with common purpose and common values for the residents of our beloved Lexington. In this week's Torah portion, which Jewish people around the world will read together on Saturday, we are posed with an important and enduring question. And now, O Israel, what does your God demand of you? Only this, to revere your God, to walk only in divine paths, to love and to serve your God with all your heart and all your soul. And we hear resonance of the prophet Micah's call so many years later, you have been told what is good and what God requires of you only to do justice and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God. What does God ask of us? What does God require of us? To love God and to walk humbly in God's ways. And the classical Jewish commentators have probed these verses time and time again, and they agree that to fully practice and make manifest these sacred words, we must love the stranger, we must feed the hungry, house the houseless, care for those who are incarcerated, protect the immigrant and the refugee, for we were once strangers in a strange land. In short, we must never forget any single human being. We are obligated to each and every person, regardless of how close we are to them or how proximate their challenges may be to our lives. Every human being created in the divine image is worthy of our love, of our support and of our care. So we ask you, God, as our council, our trusted leaders begin their sacred work tonight, help us answer this timeless question posed to us in Deuteronomy. Give each of us the strength to walk humbly in your ways. Give each of us the moral clarity to work not from a place of self-interest or fear, but rather from the depths of our humanity and grant us the ability to see each and every person as divine. Give us the foresight to consider how the work done here in this chamber will impact the lives of thousands of beloved people out there. We pray that you guide us through our work with patience, with focus and open-heartedness and help us in our pursuit to better the lives of each and every Lexingtonian. Please may it be your will and let us say amen. Thank you. Thank you so very much. We appreciate you. Council members, we have three meetings, June 26, 2025, July 1, 2025 and July 3, 2025 council meetings to approve. Thank you. Vice Mayor moves. Council member Curtis seconds. Are there questions about any of the three of these? All right. All those in favor of approving say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right. Thank you very much. That passes. Now it is time for presentations. All right. This is a special evening because every year we are honored to do the Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Awards and I'd like to ask Council Member Reynolds to join us. She serves on the Board of Health and I would like to invite our brand new Commissioner of Health, Dr. Crystal Miller, to join us. I'd also like Dr. Abeni El-Amin and Dr. Lindsay Jasinski, I apologize I probably massacred both your names, to join us at the podium. And I wanted to just say that I am first of all delighted to have Dr. Crystal Miller here. If you have not met her yet, she's a pretty awesome person with a wonderful resume and she and I first met when we were on the stage with Governor Beshear on March the 7th, 2020, that morning announcing the first case of COVID in Kentucky. And I saw her many times through that period and we're thrilled to have you here, Dr. Miller. Yes. Now, tonight we are honoring this year's recipients of the 2025 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award. This award is given annually from the Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health to individuals who have demonstrated their dedication to improving the health of Lexington residents. Dr. El-Amin is President of Project Ricochet and Dr. Jasinski is Chief Administrative Officer at Eastern State Hospital. Thank you both for your hard work in our community and your dedication to our people. Thank you so much. Now, I want us next to hear from Fayette County Health Department Commissioner, Dr. Crystal Miller. All right, the podium is yours. Do you want to say a few words before I do something? Yeah, absolutely. Do you want me to say a few words about Dr. Leach? Yeah, that's fine. That would be good. Okay, yeah. Thanks for having me and I am six weeks into my role and it's been exciting. I am looking so forward to coming back home. I was born and raised here in Lexington. I've spent about 20 years in Scott, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties doing public health work and so we collaborate a lot with Lexington. This is home for me and so I'm really excited to get started with the team and learn about all the fabulous things that they're doing. Six weeks, it feels both like yesterday and also like I've been here a lot longer than six weeks. So, that's a good sign. But I'm excited to be on board and I had the honor and privilege of being impacted in my professional role by Dr. Leach and so if you ever met him, he was just a wonderful man who impacted public health in Kentucky and across the state in such a big way. So, I have big shoes to fill because he was a commissioner of health and so I know that and do not take that lightly. I look forward to meeting each of you at some point and I'd love to grab coffee. I'm open for invite or however that happens, I'm learning. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you so much. Really appreciate you. Now, I first would like to present a proclamation to Dr. El-Amin. If you will join me right here. This is Dr. Ebeni El-Amin Day, whereas the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department's Board of Health has selected Dr. Ebeni El-Amin as a recipient of the 2025 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award. That's a mouthful, isn't it? And whereas the Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated their dedication to improving the health of Lexington residents and whereas Dr. El-Amin has been a tireless advocate for health equity and whereas she has pioneered initiatives that address chronic disease prevention, mental health awareness, and social determinants of health and whereas Dr. El-Amin has also been instrumental in fostering economic empowerment and involved in policy advocacy to address systemic barriers in health and education, now therefore our I, Linda Gorton, Mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare August 14th, 2025 Dr. Ebeni El-Amin Day in Lexington. Thank you for your good work. Yes. Would you like to say a word? Greetings all, and I'm going to be brief, and as you well know, when people say they're going to be brief, watch out. No, truly, I am so honored to be standing here with you and standing before you. For some of you, I've known you for quite a while, and you're my friends, and others I can't wait to be friends with. I will say that the work of Project Ricochet, our three-pronged focus is Titan Financial Legacy, PR Health, and our Be Well Leadership Academy, but it really, truly is the people that make up the organization and that also dovetail with me of receiving this award this evening. So to all of you and the service that you provide for Fayette County and the state of Kentucky, thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Now, at this time, I would like to present a proclamation to Dr. Lindsey Jasinski, if you'll join me here, and this is about Dr. Lindsey Jasinski Day, whereas the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department's Board of Health has selected Dr. Jasinski as a recipient of the 2025 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award, and whereas the Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award is given annually to individuals who've demonstrated their dedication to improving the health of Lexington residents, and whereas Dr. Jasinski serves as Chief Administrative Officer for Eastern State Hospital, and whereas in her role, she led the efforts to open the Commonwealth's first emergency psychiatric assessment, treating, and healing unit, fondly known as MPATH, and whereas Dr. Jasinski has helped meet a community need to address mental health in a compassionate, effective manner. And now, therefore, I, Linda Gorton, Mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare August 14th, 2025, Dr. Lindsey Jasinski Day in Lexington. Thank you so much. Thank you. I will also be brief. I want to thank you all for also being mental health champions. I'm truly honored to stand here today. This has been a passion project that we've been working on for several years, and to share this day with Dr. El-Amin, who's just doing incredible work, is truly an honor. Our MPATH unit continues to grow. We continue to make an impact in our community. I can't wait to see this model grow throughout the country. We're seeing more and more of them, and our team was actually honored to be the national MPATH unit of the year across the country. So right here in Lexington, we have amazing mental health work, and our staff are incredible. So thank you all for all you do to also be mental health champions. We cannot have health without mental health. So I'm very honored to be here. Thank you all so much. Council Member Reynolds, do you want to say a couple words? And then we'll get a photo. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to say I've been on the Board of Health for many years now, and I've gotten to see a lot of folks get this award, and everyone's been deserving. But you women are an inspiration. The work that you do is changing lives, and just hearing of what you're doing inspires me, and I know it inspires women all over Lexington. So thank you, and thank you for your contribution. Very well deserved. Thank you. Thank you. Now we'll get a photo with the Council. Thank you. Now, we have a surprise. And some surprise folks, and I'd like Chris Edwards to join me at the podium. Can I take it off already? Surprise! Excuse me. I don't know who's running the show, but we're good. Well, all of you know Chris Edwards. Don't do this. I think this is your last meeting, isn't it? My last Council meeting. Last Council meeting. I apologize. I've got a frog in my throat. Anyway, this is a surprise to Chris. I've got a fish in my throat. First of all, Chris, how does it feel to be on this side of the podium? Scary. Oh, forget it. As you all know, Chris is going to be retiring next week. Week after next. Week after next. And I think everybody in this room understands how much we'll miss him. So I want to talk a little bit about Chris, and then offer a proclamation and thank his staff for coming. That's a surprise to him. And his wife. He said, are you checking up on me? I heard that. Chris came to our city in 1998 to lead LexTV, then known as GTV3. Remember that? And from day one, he has been a critical part of our team. I have had the privilege of spending a lot of time with you, Chris, over the years. And I've had a real front row seat to your dedication and commitment to our local government. And I know so many others feel the same. From council meeting coverage, state of the city addresses, countless thousands of news conferences. Oh, yeah. Even transitioning our meetings to Zoom during the pandemic. Who remembers that? You remember that? Yes. We weren't in this room. Chris, we had never done meetings on Zoom for the council, and he figured it all out. And he made it work. And we will never forget those days. And I was reminiscing with Chris. I appointed Mark Swanson to fill Jake Gibbs' seat, and Mark never, ever was in a council meeting in this chamber. It was all during the pandemic. So he was on Zoom the whole time. And Chris remembered that. But our message to you tonight is very simple. It's a heartfelt thank you. And I say it from the bottom of my heart. And I know that Chris has been dedicated no matter what. And we have appreciated that. And we welcome you back. You only have three minutes to speak, but you can always come back to the podium. I bet you do. So we hope you have many wonderful years spending extra time with Mary, your wife, and plenty of fishing. His boat is broadcasting. You know. And so at this time I want to present you with a proclamation declaring this Chris Edwards Day in Lexington. Oh, look around. Look around. Thank you. Thank you all. Whereas Chris has served as Lex TV's video production supervisor since January of 1998. And whereas during his tenure Chris has served under five mayoral administrations and 14 different councils. And whereas Chris has covered seven inaugurations. Did you know that? I didn't. No. 27 state of the city county addresses. Yeah, I counted those. Okay. And thousands of public meetings throughout the years. And whereas under his leadership Chris was nominated for a regional Emmy. And oversaw Lex TV's production of four regional Emmy award nominations. And two regional Emmy wins. And whereas in his efforts to modernize Lex TV, Chris launched a drone program. What year was that? Do you remember? Three or four years ago. Three or four years ago. And he helped draft the appropriate CAO policy for the drones. While also leading critical upgrades to the Phoenix building meeting space and council chamber. As part of a continuous effort to modernize public meeting spaces. And whereas his forward thinking leadership has resulted in exceptional customer service across government divisions. And outstanding production quality. Both in the office and in the field. And whereas we thank Chris for his many years of service. And offer our very best wishes as he begins the next chapter of his life. Now, therefore, I, Linda Gorton, Mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare August 14th, 2025, Christopher Edwards Day in Lexington. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. You want to say a few words? Thank you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is very kind of you all. Thank you, Mayor. I guess I kind of feel like every day I've worked here since 1998 has been Christopher Edwards Day. Because I've gotten to work in a field of broadcast television that I love. I wanted to start working in television when I was like nine years old. And I toured a TV station when I was in the Cub Scouts in Detroit. And I thought this is really cool. That's what I wanted to do. So I've been able to spend my broadcasting career here with the urban county government. And I also feel very fortunate that I've been able to do my career for a city that I love very, very much. I moved here in 1983. I was 22 years old. Didn't know much about Lexington. But I've grown to love Lexington. And I plan on staying here. I love this town. I love this city. And I love working here. So every day for me has been Christopher Edwards Day since 1998. So thank you all very, very much. I appreciate it. And thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We're going to do one picture with the council and one picture with any urban county government employees. I would love it. Okay. We're going to do a little different tonight. The first picture is with me and Chris and the council and Mary, family. And then we're going to invite urban county government employees who would like to be in the picture with the council and Chris for the second one. Okay. Let's do it. Come on. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Now, urban county government employees, come on. Everybody. Everybody. Everybody. Come on, everybody. Now, urban county government employees, come on. Everybody. Let's just start there. Let's just start there. Any more? Come on, follow it. All right. Ready? One, two, three. That's nice. A little harder here. One, two, three. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. It's kind of too bad you have to go back to work right away, isn't it? Oh, my gosh. That thing's obnoxious, isn't it? All right. Now, we have public comment for issues on the agenda, and we have one person. No, this is not for an issue on the agenda, so we have no one signed up. So we'll move on to first reading of ordinances. One, unclassified position of crisis responder, grade 519N, expiring on September 30th, 2026, in division of enhanced 911, effective upon passage of council. Number five, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one classified position of internal auditor, grade 521E, and creating one classified position of associate internal auditor, grade 519N, all in the division of internal audit, effective upon passage of council. Number six, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing two unclassified positions of overdose prevention project coordinator, grade 519N, in the division of fire and emergency services, abolishing one unclassified position of equipment operator, part-time, grade 510N. In the division of youth services, abolishing one unclassified position of extended school program supervisor, grade 519E in the division of parks and recreation, abolishing one unclassified position of extended school program coordinator, grade 516E in the division of parks and recreation, abolishing three unclassified positions of custodial worker, grade 506N in the division of parks and recreation. And abolishing one unclassified position of accountant grade 518 and in the division of grants and special programs all effective as of July 1st, 2025. Number seven, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by transferring one classified position of human resources analyst grade 521E from the division of waste management to the division of human resources and transferring the incumbent. Transferring one unclassified position of program coordinator grade 525E from the office of the Mayor to the Department of Social Services transferring three. Transferring three classified positions of language access specialist grade 523E from the offices of the mayor to the Department of Social Services and transferring the incumbents. And transferring one classified position of administrator special to senior grade 516N from the office of the mayor to the Department of Social Services. And transferring the incumbent all effective as of July 1st, 2025. Number eight, an ordinance authorizing salary supplements for certain classifications in the division of water quality as follows. Treatment plant operator apprentices and treatment plant operators who were assigned to work second shift or third shift shall be eligible for $1 per hour shift differential calculated as additional compensation on an hourly basis. And treatment plant operator apprentices, treatment plant operators, and solid processing supervisors who hold wastewater treatment plant certifications from the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall be eligible for a salary supplement which shall be calculated as additional compensation on an hourly basis on the highest certification obtained as follows. $1 per hour for wastewater treatment operators, class one, $2 per hour for wastewater treatment operators, class two, $3 per hour for wastewater treatment operators, class three, and $4 per hour for wastewater treatment operators, class four. Such supplements being authorized pursuant to the authority granted by section 21-27D of the Code of Ordinances of the Lexington Fayette-Urban County Government in recognition of the employment market conditions that make it exceptionally difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees in these classifications, and further authorizing the payment of these supplements to eligible employees effective the first payroll Monday following council approval. Number nine, an ordinance in civil service authorized strength by abolishing one unclassified position of friend of the court, grade 523E, and creating one unclassified position of friend of the court, grade Z17, establishing the salary for grade Z17 with a minimum of $2,501.92 cent bi-weekly, and a grade maximum of $3,753.04 cents bi-weekly, and reallocating the incumbent and abolishing five unclassified positions of the family court services specialist, grade 516N, and creating five unclassified positions of the family court services specialist, grade Z85, establishing the salary range for Z85 with a grade minimum of 23.339 hourly per hour, and grade maximum of 35.007 per hour, and reallocating the incumbents all effective of the first pay period following the council approval. Number ten, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one classified position of attorney, grade 526E, and creating one classified position of attorney senior, grade 530E, on the Department of Law, effective upon passage of council. Number 11, an ordinance amending the authorized strength by creating one classified position of information security analyst, grade 527E, in the Department of Information Technology, creating one classified position of data engineer, grade 524E, in the Division of Police, creating one classified position of crisis responder, grade 519N, in the Division of Fire and Emergency Services, creating one classified position of recreation supervisor, grade 514N, in the Division of Community Residence Services, creating one classified position of administrative officer senior, grade 526E, in the Department of General Services, creating one classified position of recreation specialist, grade senior, grade 516N, in the Division of Parks and Recreation, and creating one classified position of planner senior, grade 523N, in the Division of Planning, all effective as of July 1st, 2025. Number 12, an ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for the fiscal year July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 on the assessed value of all taxable property within the tax interior sections of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government. All taxes on each $100 of assessed valuation as of January 1st, 2025 assessment date as follows. General services district, $0.075 on real property, including real property and public services. $0.0911 on personal property, including personal property of public service companies, non-commercial aircraft, and non-commercial watercraft. $0.1500 on insurance capital, $0.0150 on tobacco and storage, and $0.0450 on agricultural products and storage, full urban and personal service, urban services district based on urban services available on real property, including real property of public service companies. $0.137 for refuse collection, $0.027 for street lights, $0.009 for street cleaning, $0.0920 on insurance capital, $0.0150 on tobacco and storage, $0.0450 on agricultural products and storage, abandoned urban property, $1, and levying ad valorem tax for municipal purposes at a rate of $0.088 on each $100 of assessed value for all motor vehicles and watercraft within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government as of the January 1st, 2026 assessment date. Number 13, an ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for the purposes of support for the Soil and Water Conservation District for the fiscal year July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 on assessed value of all taxable real property within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government, including real property of public service companies at a rate of $0.001 on each $100 of assessed value. Nation of the January 1st, 2025 assessment date. And number 14, an ordinance adopting the request of Lexington Fair County Health Department under KRS 212.7. 5 and levying a special ad valorem public health tax for fiscal year July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 on assessed valuation of all taxable real and personal property within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government, including real and personal property of public service companies, non-commercial aircraft, non-commercial watercraft, and inventory and transit. And excluding insurance, capital, tobacco and storage, and agricultural products and storage at the rate of $0.0243 on each $100 of assessed value as of the January 1st, 2025 assessment date and levying a special ad valorem public health tax at the rate of $0.0243 on each $100 of assessed value on motor vehicles, on all motor vehicles and watercraft within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government as of the January 1st, 2026 assessment date. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any walk-ons, council members? How about motions to suspend the rules and give second reading? Any of those? No? Okay. We will go right on then to first reading of resolutions. Number one, a resolution accepting the bid of Delmay LLC in the amount of $1,557,318 for Meadows Northland Arlington Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 7, Rosemary Avenue for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Delmay LLC related to the bid. Number two, a resolution accepting the bid of LAGCO, Inc., in the amount of $1,606,733 for the Savannah-Gulford Stormwater Improvements for the Division of Water Quality and authorizing the mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with LAGCO, Inc., related to the bid. Number three, a resolution ratifying the permanent classified civil service appointments of Elizabeth Barrick Environmental Initiatives Specialist, grade 518 and 26.538 hourly in the Division of Environmental Services effective July 13th, 2025. Ernie Antonio Telecommunicator, grade 517 and 24.236 hourly in the Division of Enhanced 9-1-1 effective August 24th, 2025. Carrie Highland, Recreation Specialist, Senior, grade 516 and 29.307 hourly in the Division of Aging and Disability Services effective July 6th, 2025. Bobby Embry, Trades Worker, grade 510 and 18.011 hourly in the Division of Parks and Recreation effective July 13th, 2025. Marcy Zawatsky, Grants Administrative Aid, grade 518, 27.769 hourly in the Division of Grants and Special Programs effective July 6th, 2025. And ratifying the permanent sworn appointments of Brian Baker, Police Lieutenant, grade 317E, 4,363.66 bi-weekly in the Division of Police effective July 13th, 2025. Steve Wiggins, Police Lieutenant, grade 317E, $4,363.66 bi-weekly in the Division of Police effective July 13th, 2020. July 13th, 2025, Justin Gillian, Police Sergeant, grade 315N, 42.126 hourly in the Division of Police effective July 13th, 2025. Brian Hall, Police Sergeant, grade 513, 315N, 42.126 hourly in the Division of Police effective July 13th, 2025. Number four, a resolution authorizing the Director of the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a release releasing a portion of retention easement on the property located at 2262 Frankfurt Court. Number five, a resolution authorizing the Director of the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Blue Grass Chapter of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association to provide volunteer trail building maintenance and trail advertisement for a period of one year with no budgetary impact. Number six, a resolution authorizing the Director of the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a purchase of a service agreement with the Blue Grass Area Development District for fiscal year 2026 local dues payment to support aging services, workforce development, and regional planning at a cost not to exceed $61,288.30. Number seven, a resolution authorizing the Mayor and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a purchase of a service agreement with the Blue Grass Area Development District to provide a regional match to the state funded home care program at a cost not to exceed $48,610. Number eight, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a renewal of agreement with the Children's Advocacy Center of the Blue Grass to provide funding to assist with forensic interviews at a cost not to exceed $50,000 for 12 months period beginning July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Number nine, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a release of claims agreement with Detective Eric Willsbach for the care of retired canine Raya. Number ten, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a five year renewal agreement with Gray Television Licensee, LLC, DBA, WKYT for a radio tower lease for the public safety radio system at a cost not to exceed $10,069.08 for fiscal year 2026. With an increase of 2.4% annually subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds in the future fiscal years. Number 11, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a purchase and subscription services agreement with Raptor Technologies, Inc., LLC, for the purchase of visitor management software for the Department of Public Safety at a cost not to exceed $5,040 in fiscal year 2026, subject to an annual increase in price by the higher of the charge of CPI index of over 5%, contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funds in future fiscal years, and further authorizing the Mayor to execute any future documents, including annual renewals, necessary implementation, operation support, or maintenance of same. Number 12, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to give a concession agreement or to execute a concession agreement with the St. Martins Village Neighborhood Association for the management and operation of the Whitney Young Park Center at a cost estimated not to exceed $6,000 in fiscal year 2026, subject to sufficient funds being appropriated in future fiscal years. Number 13, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute change order number two to contract 147-2025 with Gresham Smith for an increase in the original design scope of Kelly's Landing in the increased amount of $5,950 for a new contract total of $71,850. Number 14, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute mutual aid agreement with Commonwealth of Kentucky at no cost to the Urban County Government. Number 15, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute change order number one to the agreement with BMI built LLC for LFD Community Paramedicine Renovation Project, increasing the contract price by the sum of $21,250 from $186,888 to $208,138, and no change in construction contract time. Number 16, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with Greenhouse 17 for emergency repairs for the fire sprinkler system at the organization's emergency shelter at a cost not to exceed the sum of $60,000. Number 17, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a forgivable loan agreement and documents with the Red Draw Liberty LLC, which shall replace these documents executed pursuant to resolution number 372-2024 pursuant to the public infrastructure program for sanitary sewer infrastructure improvements as well as creation of jobs at a cost not to exceed $489,613. Number 18, a resolution authorizing. the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a forgivable loan agreement and related documents with 1,000 Delaware LLC pursuant to the public infrastructure program for sidewalk and shared public parking and related infrastructure improvements as well as creation of jobs at a cost not to exceed $374,051. Number 19, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a renewal agreement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America effective January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2028 for the estimated cost not to exceed $10,000 effective upon passes of council. Number 20, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a test security agreement between Ergometrics Inc. and the Lexington-Fay Urban County Government for testing applicants applying for community corrections captain promotional processes at a cost not to exceed $750. Number 21, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an amendment to an agreement with Lexington-Fay Urban County Housing Authority, DBA, Lexington Housing Authority, extending the period of performance through June 30th, 2026 at no cost to the Urban County Government. Number 22, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute an agreement with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security under the 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program, extending the period of performance through August 31st, 2026 to utilize funds to purchase a bomb squad mission response vehicle for the Division of Police Hazardous Devices Unit. Number 23, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to accept an award from the Community Action Council for Lexington-Fay at Harris, Lexington-Fay at Bourbon-Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Inc., which grant funds in the amount of $49,443.84 in federal funds for the provision of early childhood care and education services from the Early Head Start Program at the Family Care Center for fiscal year 2026. The assessment of which obligates the Urban County Government to the expenditure of $12,360.96 as a local match and authorizing the Mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 24, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute Facilitron Procurements and Honorariums with Lexington County Board of Education for the Division of Parks and Recreation at a cost not to, for space to host the extended school program ESP for the 2025 summer camps at a cost not to exceed $3,500. Number 25, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute change order number one to the consultant services agreement with GRW for professional design services for the Division of Water Qualities Headquarters and Operation Building Project, increasing the contract by the sum of $144,845 from $299,120 to $443,965. Number 26, a resolution authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute change order number three to the agreement with BMI Builds, LLC for the Valley Park Building Renovation and Expansion Project, increasing the contract price by the sum of $198,320 from $1,795,001.26 to $1,993,321.26, and increasing the contract time by an additional 61 calendar days. Number 27, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a member understanding and accept award from Triangle Foundation for the Main and Vine Streetscape and Amenities Redesign Plan in the amount of $90,000 for the Division of Grants and Special Programs. No local matches required in authorizing the Mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 28, a resolution authorizing the Division of Waste Management to purchase electronic vehicle inspection and reporting software, hardware, data services, and professional services from Zonar Systems, LLC, a sole source provider at the cost not to exceed $85,000 and authorizing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute any necessary agreement with Zonar Systems, LLC related to the procurement. Number 29, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute a federal equitable sharing agreement and certification with the Department of Justice, Department of Treasury for participation in the federal equitable sharing program. Number 30, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute agreement with LinkedIn Corporation to promote open positions with Lexington-Fayette-Urban County Government on its platform for the office of the public information at a cost not to exceed $19,575. Number 31, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute third renewal agreement with Mackey Group, LLC, DBA, Wiser Strategies for continued services related to the bath marketing and advertisement placement services for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works at a cost not to exceed $400,000 for the period beginning July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Number 32, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government to execute first renewal agreement with the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, KAEE, for continued environmental education services for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works at a cost not to exceed $648,636.27 for the period beginning July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. And number 33, a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor on behalf of the Urban County Government related to council capital project expenditure funds with the Blacksville, Kentucky, is $7,500, LFUCG Division of Parks and Recreation, $28,795, LFUCG Division of Parks and Recreation, $5,000, Neighbors Immigration Clinic, Inc., $6,895, LFUCG Division of Traffic Engineering, $5,600, and LFUCG Division of General Services, $46,205 for the Office of the Urban County Council at a cost not to exceed the sum stated. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any walk-ons, council members? I think we have quite a few motions to suspend the rules, if you want to log in. Council Member Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to item 16. This is emergency repairs to the greenhouse 17 sprinkler system. So moved. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Did you have anything else? Sorry, Mayor, I need to recuse because I'm on the board. I'm sorry. You're recusing on, okay. Okay, Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. Bear with me because I have seven items. The first item is nine and it has to do with the release of claims agreement for a retired K-9. And Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Okay. Any questions? All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next is item 11. I move, I'm sorry, I move to suspend the rules and give a second reading at the request of the administration. To item 11, that is for government center software for visitor management. Is there a second? Second. Council Member Ellinger seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that passes. Next, I move to suspend the rules and give second reading on behalf of the administration to item 15. This is for the paramedicine facility renovation, giving BMI bills a contract. Vice Mayor Wu seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that passes. And next, I move to suspend the rules and give second reading on request of the administration to item 22. This is a purchase for bomb squad response vehicle for police. Is there a second? Council Member Sheehan. All the, I mean, are there questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading on behalf of the administration to item 23. This is an award from Community Action for the Early Head Start Program at the Family Care Center. Second. Council Member Ellinger seconded. Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? No. Okay, that passes. Thank you. I move to suspend the rules and give second reading on request of the administration to item 26. This is to give BMI builds a contract for Valley Park building renovation. All right, is there a second? Council Member Savigne seconds. Are there questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. And lastly, I move to suspend the rules and give second reading on item 29 on behalf of the administration. This is for participation of the Federal Equitable Sharing Program for Police. Is there a second? Council Member LaGree seconds. Any questions? All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you. Council Member Beasley. Thank you, Mayor. On behalf of the administration, I move to suspend the rules and give second reading to 21, which is the resolution to extend the agreement with the Lexington Urban County Housing Authority. So moved. Thank you. Council Member Morton seconds. Are there questions? All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone else? Opposed? All right, that passes. Is there anyone else who has a motion to suspend the rules? All right, I think we have 9, 11, 15, 16, 21- I got one, Mayor. 22. I got one. I'm so sorry. Let me finish this list and then we'll add yours. Okay. 23, 26, and 29, is that correct? All right, Council Member Hale. All right, sorry about that. Thank you, Mayor. I'll make a motion to suspend the rules for item number 33. This is a resolution authorizing to direct the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute agreements related to the council capital funds. Second. Council Member Lynch seconds. Are there any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Is there anything else? Anyone wants to make a motion on suspending? All right, I think we have our list plus 33. Thank you, when you're ready, if you'll give those second reading. Number nine, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a release of a claims agreement with Detective Eric Wilsbach for the care of retired canine Raya. Number 11, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a purchase and subscription services agreement with the Raptor Technologies LLC for the purchase of a visitor management software for the Department of Public Safety at a cost not to exceed $5,040 in fiscal year 2026, subject to an annual increase of price by the higher of the change in the CPI index of five years. Index or 5% contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funds in the future fiscal years and further authorizing the mayor to execute any future documents related, including annual renewals necessary for implementation, operation, support, or maintenance of the same. Number 15, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute change order number one to the agreement with BMI built LLC for the LFT Community Paramedicine Renovation Project, increasing the contract price by the sum of $21,250 from $186,888 to $208,138 and no change in the construction contract time. Number 16, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute agreement number, agreement with Greenhouse 17 Inc for emergency repairs of the fire sprinkler system at the organization's emergency shelter at a cost not to exceed the sum of $60,000. Number 21, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute the amendment to an agreement with Lexington Fayette Urban County Housing Authority, the BBA Lexington Housing Authority, extending the period of performance through June 30th, 2026 at no additional cost to the urban county government. Number 22, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute an agreement with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security under the 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program extending the period of performance through August 31st, 2026 to utilize funds to purchase a bomb squad mission response vehicle for the Division of Police Hazardous Devices Unit. Number 23, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to accept an award from the Community Action Council for Lexington Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties, Inc. Which grant funds are in the amount of $49,443.84 in federal funds for the provision of an early childhood care and education services under the Early Head Start Program at the Family Care Center for the first year of 2026, the exception of which obligates the urban county government to expenditure of $12,306.96 as a local match. And authorizing the mayor to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget. Number 26, a resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute change order number three to the agreement with BMI built LLC. For the Valley Park Building Renovation and Expansion Project, increasing the contract price by the sum of $198,320 from $1,795,001.26 to $1,993,321.26. And increasing the contract time by an additional 61 days, calendar days. Number 29, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute a federal equitable sharing agreement and certification with the Department of Justice, Department of Treasury for the participation in the federal equitable sharing program. And number 33, a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor on behalf of the urban county government to execute agreements related to the council capital project expenditures funds with Black Soil Kentucky. $7,500, LFUCG Division of Parks and Recreation, $28,795. LFUCG Division of Parks and Recreation, $5,000. Neighbors Immigration Clinic, Inc., $6,895. LFUCG Division of Traffic Engineering, $5,600. And LFUCG Division of General Services, $46,205 for the office of the Urban County Council at a cost to exceed the sum stated. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? Move to approve. Council Member Reynolds. I heard a second somewhere over there. Council Member Baxter. All right, when you're ready, if you'll take a roll call vote, please. Council Member Curtis. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Ellinger. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Elliot Baxter. Council Member Hale. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Legree. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Lynch. Yes. Council Member Morton. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Reynolds. Yes. Council Member Dave Savigne. Yes. Council Member Liz Sheehan. Yes. Vice Mayor Dan Wu. Yes. Council Member Beasley. Yes, ma'am. Council Member Boone. Yes, ma'am. Council Member James Brown. Yes. All right, thank you very much. Those all pass. Next, council members, communications from the mayor. First is appointments, and I'll entertain a motion to approve. Move to approve. Thank you. Council Member Reynolds. Council Member Curtis. Seconds. Are there questions? All right, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Next, communications from the mayor is donations, and I'll entertain a motion. Move to approve. Council Member Baxter moved, and Council Member Brown seconded, or did Vice Mayor second? Vice Mayor seconded. Any questions? All right, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, and the final communication is procurements. I'll entertain a motion. Move to approve. Thank you. Council Member Curtis seconded by Vice Mayor Wu. And are there questions? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Council Members, you have quite a few communications from the mayor for your information only. And then we have, after that, our disciplines. We do have a police discipline, which Chief Lawrence Weathers will present to you. Welcome, Chief. And good evening, Mayor and Council. It's been a long time. It's good to see you all again. So, I wish it was under better circumstances, though. All right, on May 20th, 2025, an internal formal complaint was made that Officer Brian Missick violated general order 1973-02L disciplinary procedures for sworn officers. Operational rule 1.11, unsatisfactory performance. At the conclusion of the investigation, the employee met with me and has accepted a demotion to the rank of officer from sergeant. It had been determined that Sergeant Missick's current performance as a supervisor has been unsatisfactory, due to ongoing issues observed since the beginning of this year. There have been failures to adequately supervise his assigned squad, to perform necessary supervisory responsibilities, and to make sound judgment when needed. Once the investigation had been completed by the public integrity unit, it was presented to the disciplinary review board, where the recommendation of demotion was unanimously agreed upon. This is Sergeant Missick's first sustained formal complaint, since his employment began December 10th, 2007. All right, thank you, Chief. Do you have questions for the Chief, before we have our motion? Is there a motion? We have two groups. Second. We have a motion and a second, and we have a question from Council Member Morton. I just had, I guess, two quick questions. I guess, first, other than just the demotion, is there any required training? Is there any probation, like what else? Is it just the demotion? Yeah, it'll be the motion, and he'll be going through retraining. Okay, and so, and then, just, I guess, your thoughts. Do you have full confidence that this officer can make sound judgment after that demotion, as a regular officer? I do. He'd been an officer for almost 17 years, and then he got promoted. And not everybody's suited for that position. And I think with some of the documentation, he realized that. Thank you. Council Member Curtis. Thank you, Chief. And I was just a quick follow up on that question from Council Member Morton, which was how long has the sergeant been in a supervisory role? Do you know how long he's been with the department? Since September of last year, I believe. Okay, so this is a recent promotion that he had received. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other questions for Chief Weathers? All right, there's a motion on the floor to approve the discipline. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Is anyone opposed? All right, that motion passes. Thank you very much. Thank you all. Thank you. Now it's time for announcements, council. Council Member Boone. Thank you, Mayor. I wanted to provide an update in response to the calls and emails that my office has received regarding the solar energy system ZOTA. This Tuesday, August 19th, during the council work session at 3 p.m., the full council will receive the report out from the July 1 GGP committee meeting. I'd encourage any constituents interested in the solar energy system ZOTA to attend Tuesday's work session. Additionally, many of you have also been asking about the solar work group. I'm eager to hear about an update from the group's formation and roster and look forward to serving on it alongside Council Member Sheehan, Savigny, and Morton. Now that we're back from summer recess, we can hit the ground running on this important work to consider key decisions, compromises, and innovative ways to help us reach our carbon neutrality goals. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Baxter. Thank you, Mayor. I think I do have an image. If our, thank you, Chris. So in this year's budget, it was approved for Higbee Middle Park to receive a playground, thanks to the Parks Fund. And we are currently in, we have started the public engagement process. So we have a survey open right now for residents who live or like to enjoy the park, and we would love to hear what you would like to see there. You can, on my socials and my newsletter will be the QR code and the link to the survey, and then there will be yard signs out in the park and throughout the neighborhoods as well, so I encourage all involvement. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Morton. Thank you. I just have three events that I would like to share that's taking place in the first district. The first being the East End Family Reunion. So this weekend, right in the heart of the city and heart of the first district in the East End, at Charles Young, there will be the East End Family Reunion, and that's the flyer. DJ Slob, DJ Gold, a lot of good music, a lot of good time, Tim Talbert Project. So a day of music, food trucks, community fellowship, featuring the DJs, featuring the Tim Talbert. And it will be a great day in the East End, so I invite all to come out. And then moving on to the Lexington Resilience in the Red Line documentary premiere. So that is going to be also in the East End at the Lyric Theater, August 23rd, 5.30 PM, all the way to 10 PM, long night. So it's presented by Black Yarn, the evening includes a reception, panel discussion, and the film premiere highlighting Lexington's history and resilience. And in the same tune, a free community show of the Resilience in the Red Line will be Tuesday, August 26th from 7 to 8.30, right next door at the Kentucky Theater. Free popcorn and drinks included, and tickets are available online. And you can just go to my Facebook page and get that link and get your free ticket. So I look forward to seeing the great constituents of the First District there. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Reynolds. Thank you, Mayor. I already did my announcements on Tuesday, so I'll be brief. But I did want to say congratulations, Chris Edwards, on your retirement. Now that I've been here for almost seven years, we've worked together on a lot of different things, including during COVID, as the mayor mentioned, which was a really challenging time and a lot of work for you. And I just wanted to take a second to say that I think you are one of the kindest, most calm, level-headed people that I have worked with. And I appreciate that you are willing to do anything for all of us and that you don't complain and you're always trying to find a way to make what we want work. And so I just really appreciate that about you, and there's not many people that have your temperament. I just want to thank you. So thank you for your service, for the many, many years of service. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Hale. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to give a special thank you to Director Rob Allen and his team at Streets and Roads for being willing to think outside the box, problem solve, and take the time and special care to help a District 7 constituent who reached out to our office with an issue in the back of his home that backs to Alumni Drive. Constituent services is central to everything we do as council members, but we could not do what we do without the dedication and support of the folks who go out and do the hard work every day around our city. We may not say it often enough, but we see you and we appreciate all that you do. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Legree. Thank you, Mayor. I just have two items. The first, well, I guess three, Chris, I'll write you a note about this, but I just want you to know what a positive impact you've had for me, just getting to see you every day and work with you. You're always friendly, you're welcoming, you're kind, and I think the energy that you radiate makes a huge difference in addition to all of the professionalism and hard work that you exhibit here, day in and day out. Even though some of our meetings are long, and you've probably seen it all. You're a really welcoming person for us, and I appreciate you. The second thing is I just want to remind everybody that this weekend, Lexington is going to welcome one of our most beloved community traditions, and that's the Woodland Art Fair. So on Saturday, August 16th, from 10 to 6, and Sunday, August 17th, from 10 to 5, artists from across the region are going to join local vendors, musicians, and thousands of visitors to celebrate creativity right in the heart of our city. And I want to thank our Parks and Recreation team for all of the hard work that they've been doing in order to prepare Woodland Park for this event. And then all of the work they're going to be doing all weekend to make sure it is successful, vibrant, happy, and fun. If you all are planning to attend, I would encourage you, and this is very on brand for me, I would encourage you to walk, bike, or take alternative transportation if you can, because it's going to be pretty congested. And for those of you who are driving, just be mindful that the neighborhoods around Woodland Park are going to be really busy with people making their way to the event. So just slow down, watch out for people who are crossing, and help keep everybody safe. I hope that I'll see a lot of you all out and about at the fair, supporting our local makers and our creative community. Mayor, I know that a little after five, and we've had a pretty busy evening, you all shared a press release about some pretty important updates for downtown, some in response to recent incidents and challenges. And I'm wondering if you or a member of your team would be able to share a little bit more with the council and those watching about some of the updates that were in that press release. I have it with me. Would you like me to read it? Sure. Okay. We sent this to the council members at 5.02 and this afternoon, and then at 5.05, we sent it to the media. And then we sent it to the DLP as well as the Lexpark folks and other downtown folks, and here's how it reads. I think you all have seen it. The public may not have yet, and I'll just read it. It's easier that way. Mayor Linda Gorton took immediate steps today to increase security downtown after an incident Wednesday in which a woman was assaulted. The suspect who was arrested yesterday in the case has had numerous interactions with the criminal justice community and with those who assist the unhoused. My quote is, this is a compassionate city. We prove that every day through the programs we provide for people in our community who need help. And we must also be a safe city, and we cannot tolerate criminal activity. We had what I would call an urgent scheduled meeting this morning with some key folks, and agreed that we will take the following steps. We are increasing our police presence downtown. We are expanding the hours of private security at the Robert F. Stevens Courthouse Plaza and in the soon to reopen Phoenix Park to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are hiring private security for Tandy Park between 2 AM and 5 AM every night. The police will be conducting joint operations with our street outreach team, which is contracted through our homeless office. The current street outreach team deploys throughout the city to address encampments. It will be refocused on the downtown core to work alongside police on providing relocation and other services aimed at discouraging congregation. We are putting out a request for proposals. We're working with the CAO and Commissioner Lanter, who should have that ready to go out next week for contracting with a second street outreach team. We are investigating the cost of additional security cameras downtown. There are already some, but we're looking at the cost of having some more. And then we are just encouraging people who may feel unsafe, or they may observe a situation in which others may appear not to be in a safe situation to call 911. So that is what went out today based on our meeting this morning. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for those updates. I'll make sure that if we get other questions or people need clarity, we're in communication. Thank you. Thank you. All right, next is Councilmember Beasley. Thank you, Mayor. I'll keep it brief. I move to place section 4-11 and 4-12 of the Lexington-Fayette-Urban County Code of Ordinance into the Social Services and Public Works Committee. So moved. Second. All right, Councilmember Brown. Seconds. Are there questions? Does everybody know what that is? You want to tell them what that is? What the sections are? 4-11 and 4-12. Yes, ma'am. It's keeping of animals and the nuisance ordinance. Sections of that. Okay, any other questions? All right, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed to putting it in committee? All right. That passes. Thank you. All right, Councilmember Brown. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, Councilmember LaGreve, for asking the question. And, Mayor, I appreciate your response to addressing some of the incidents downtown. I think the press release, how it speaks to services that we provide, I think does show and reinforces our compassion. But then at the same time, whenever safety is involved and folks feel unsafe, we need to respond. One of the things I think that all of us councilmembers, we tell our neighborhoods that when you see things happen, make sure you call the police because that's how they align resources. So I would just encourage folks downtown to do the same thing. I think our police department needs to know what they need to respond to and how they need to allocate resources. So you see something, call and I think we will be responsive. The other thing I'll say, too, today, I just want to say congratulations to Kroger's. I know we, myself, the mayor, Councilmember Lynch, and Councilmember Morton were at the ribbon cutting this morning. Early. Yeah, early, at 745. And I was on time. You were on time. I was on time. I think just having that additional resource in North Lexington, providing another access to fresh and healthy food to our residents is important. And I also want to give a recognition to our planning department. That's a big development. That's a piece of property that I know the owners have been trying to develop for years. And working through the process, I know there were several folks in our planning department that worked with that team at Kroger's to make sure that that development got done in a way that is going to be impactful to folks in North Lexington. So I just want to say congratulations to them. And then Chris Edwards. I've said time and time again that one of the things I don't like about this job is seeing folks go. And I really don't like to see you go. I think my councilmembers and I think in the mayor's proclamation acknowledged a lot of the characteristics that we all appreciate about you. You're very professional. I think you're one of the best problem solvers that we have. We come to you with a lot of issues, and you figure out a way to work around them and make sure that it happens. And I think you and your team work day in and day out to make sure that we're in the best light and presented well to the community. So thank you for your service. Enjoy your retirement. And if you get bored at home, I mean, it's some folks that have went home and come back, so you can do that as well. But just wish you the best in your retirement. So thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Vice Mayor Wu. Thank you, Mayor. First, this is how you know Councilmember Brown is from Lexington, because he says Kroger's. It's Kroger. It's just Kroger. That's okay. It's okay. It's all good. I wanted to also give Chris a shout out and admit something, that we are not the easiest bunch of people to work with or work for. We don't always hit our deadlines in terms of sending you media. We are very often last minute saying, can you just get this picture in? I know it's five minutes from my comments. But you exemplified something I learned from the restaurant industry is no matter what happens, we say make it work. And you always make it work. And I really appreciate that about you. Secondly, I never thought that I would be an Emmy nominee. And because of you and your team, I am an Emmy nominee, which is pretty wonderful. So I hope you enjoy your retirement and enjoy your broadcasting from your boat. Thank you, Chris. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Council Member Savigny. Thank you. And I'll just jump on the Chris bandwagon. Chris, great job. It's been fun working with you for just a few years that we've worked together. I always say that team leaders, you can tell that they're good if their people all stay and they want to be around them and they want to work hard. So the people that you work with are the ones that really show that you have been a fabulous leader. And a lot of fun to work with. And you've made a very fulfilling career here, I hope. So be careful when you retire. Sometimes you come back and you want to serve in public office. So maybe you'll be on this side of the fence when we see you next. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other council announcements? I will take just a quick moment of personal privilege and thank Mary, Chris's wife, who has put up with a lot. And it's all good. And I know that as a couple you've been in this together. Thank you both. All right. Next we have public comment for issues not on the agenda. And we have one person signed up. So we will refresh everyone on the rules, how this works when I call your name. You'll come to the podium. And you'll need to restate your name and say your council district for the record. And you'll have three minutes. Brittany Price, welcome. My name is Miss Brittany Christina Price. I live at 169 Dewey Street. When I was in London, United Kingdom, somehow I got lost and was away from my hotel. I was walking the streets literally for a day and a half. I did get close to my hotel by dead reckoning and knowing the different landmarks. Although a nice young couple said, Brittany, you need to go to the hospital because we see blood on your leg. And I didn't get to use the facilities because that was what created the issue and the problem. And I ended up in the hospital twice while I was in London. And I became somewhat homeless. But I did have cash flow. So I could stay at a cheap hostel. I finally was plugging in different resources that were available in London. I discovered a charity, Providence Road Charity, and they helped me to not be out on the street and be a rough sleeper. Basically, I've been homeless for a while, and now I'm staying at St. James Place. God is looking over me, and I haven't been walking the streets of Lexington. I believe that Lexington, the city of Lexington, or rather, the city of Lexington, we need to have more programs and social workers that can go out as a team and get to know the homeless people. Like me, but I have been lucky. Basically, I feel that there needs to be a task force that just goes out and talks to the homeless. Walks up to them and asks them a question. Are you doing okay? Do you have hypothermia? Do you need any assistance? Do you need help? I think that the issues and problems of homelessness here in Lexington, there's starting to be more programs and places where the homeless people can go to stay out of inclement weather. So we need to be aware of the issues about homelessness. And as we're walking through our travels in downtown area, just check in and see if they're doing okay. My name is Miss Brittany Christina Price. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, City Council. And thank you for the community of Lexington. For my social workers and healthcare providers and help me to stay having shelter. Thank you very much and have a great safe trip back home. Thank you very much. That takes us to the end of our agenda and I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. All those in favor say aye. Aye. We are adjourned. Thank you all for coming. Thank you. Yeah.