Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on July 1, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Newberry presiding over the session. The meeting addressed four agenda items in total, all of which were approved, reflecting a productive and largely uncontested session. Business conducted included the second reading of ordinances, approval of a resolution for a Wayfinding Sign System Project, approval of a resolution for the Sheriff's Settlement for the 2009 Property Tax Year, and approval of a resolution for a lease agreement with the Community Action Council. The Council took a total of four votes during the meeting, and no public comments were heard during the session.

Attendance

The following 14 members were present at the July 1, 2010 Council meeting:

• Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, and Crosbie

Absent: Lawless

No members were recorded as late.

Votes and Decisions

Four roll call votes were taken during the July 1, 2010 Council meeting.

• Approval of Ordinances (Second Reading) 6:07: Motioned by Blues, seconded by Myers. The ordinances passed unanimously, 14–0. All 14 members voted in favor: Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, and Crosbie.

• Wayfinding Sign System Project Resolution 28:37: Motioned by Stinnett, seconded by Henson. The resolution passed 13–1. Voting in favor: Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, and Crosbie. Voting against: Feigel.

• Sheriff's Settlement for 2009 Property Tax Year Resolution 29:07: Motioned by Stinnett, seconded by Henson. The resolution passed 13–1. Voting in favor: Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, and Blues. Voting against: Crosbie.

• Lease Agreement with Community Action Council Resolution 1:41:46: Motioned by Myers, seconded by Crosbie. The resolution passed 13–0, with 1 abstention. Voting in favor: Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, and Crosbie. Martin abstained.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed several financial and contractual matters during the July 1, 2010 meeting.

• Wayfinding Sign System Project: The Council considered a contract with Architectural Graphics, Inc. in the amount of $383,918 for the Wayfinding Sign System Project. This represented the largest single financial commitment on the agenda.

• Sheriff's Settlement for the 2009 Property Tax Year: A contract was taken up with Mountjoy Chilton Medley LLP in the amount of $12,240 related to the Sheriff's settlement for the 2009 property tax year.

• Lease of Space at Carver Community Center: The Council considered a lease agreement with the Community Action Council for the use of space at the Carver Community Center. No specific dollar amount was included in the available record for this item.

No resolution numbers were available in the source materials for any of the items above.

Appointments

The Council acted on several appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions during the July 1, 2010 meeting.

• Emma Gay-Lewis was reappointed to the Dunbar Community Center Advisory Board.
• Hollis Hilty was reappointed to the Emergency Medical Advisory Board.
• Marilyn Clark was reappointed to the Lexington Center Corporation Board of Directors.
• Ronda S. Beck, Lynda M. Thomas, and Kyle Whalen were each appointed to the Library Board of Trustees.
• Sally K. Lockhart was appointed to the Masterson Station Park Advisory Board, while Anita Britton was reappointed to the same board.
• Kevin W. Weaver was reappointed to the Picnic with the Pops Commission.

In total, the Council confirmed nine appointments across six boards and commissions, including three new appointments to the Library Board of Trustees and two actions — one new appointment and one reappointment — related to the Masterson Station Park Advisory Board.

Contested Items

Two items generated notable disagreement during the July 1, 2010 Council meeting.

Wayfinding Sign System Project

The resolution related to the Wayfinding Sign System Project resulted in a split vote, with Council Member Feigel casting a dissenting vote. Feigel's opposition centered on concerns about a change order associated with the project. The resolution ultimately passed despite this objection, though the specific nature of Feigel's concerns regarding the change order — such as its cost or scope — was a point of contention among Council members.

Distillery District Public Improvements Program

The Distillery District Public Improvements Program sparked a heated discussion among Council members, with debate focusing on the procurement process and the cost of an engineering services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. Council members raised questions about how the contract with Strand Associates was secured and whether the associated costs were appropriate. The discussion reflected broader concerns about transparency and due diligence in the awarding of professional services contracts. The outcome of this item was not noted as a split vote, but the level of debate indicated meaningful disagreement over the terms and process surrounding the Strand Associates agreement.

Ordinances entitled to second reading

6:07

Several ordinances came before the Council for their second reading during this portion of the meeting. The items included amendments to the Land Subdivision Regulations as well as updates to the Code of Ordinances addressing waste management and stopping on the street.

Council members Blues and Myers were among the key speakers during this agenda item. The ordinances were presented for their required second reading in accordance with standard legislative procedure before the Council.

The Council approved the ordinances as presented.

Resolution for Wayfinding Sign System Project

28:37

The Council took up a resolution to approve a change order related to the Wayfinding Sign System Project. Key speakers during this agenda item included Feigel, Crosbie, and Webb.

The resolution was presented and discussed by the identified speakers, though the available record does not detail the specific terms of the change order, the dollar amount involved, or the particular modifications to the project scope that prompted the change order request.

Following the discussion, the Council approved the resolution.

Resolution for Sheriff's Settlement for 2009 Property Tax Year

29:07

The Council took up a resolution to authorize a letter agreement for the preparation of the Sheriff's Settlement for the 2009 Property Tax Year. Stinnett and Henson were the key speakers during discussion of this item.

The resolution was approved by the Council.

Resolution for lease agreement with Community Action Council

1:41:46

The Council considered a resolution to authorize a lease agreement with the Community Action Council for space at the Carver Community Center.

Myers and Crosbie were the key speakers on this item. The resolution was brought forward to formally establish the lease arrangement between the city and the Community Action Council for use of space within the Carver Community Center facility.

The resolution was approved by the Council.