Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on September 9, 2010, at 7:00 PM in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Newberry presiding. The meeting included 3 agenda items, covering a range of business from a community presentation to legislative action on ordinances and a procedural resolution. Over the course of the meeting, the Council took 3 votes, heard 1 public comment, and received 1 presentation.

The agenda opened with an informational presentation from the Dance Attack Competition Team, followed by consideration of ordinances on their second reading, which were approved. The Council also approved a resolution postponing final action on the Special Investigative Committee's final report. Both the ordinances and the resolution received favorable outcomes from the Council.

Attendance

All members were present at the September 9, 2010 Council meeting. The following 16 individuals were in attendance:

• Mayor Newberry
• James
• Lane
• Lawless
• Martin
• McChord
• Myers
• Stinnett
• Beard
• Blues
• Crosbie
• Ellinger
• Feigel
• Gorton
• Gray
• Henson

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Three votes were taken during the September 9, 2010 Council meeting.

• Agenda Amendment – Special Investigative Committee Report: Moved by Mr. Myers and seconded by Ms. Crosbie, the Council voted to amend the agenda to include a report from the Special Investigative Committee. 11:34 The motion passed by voice vote, 15–0, with all members in favor: James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, and Henson.

• Approval of Ordinances Entitled to Second Reading: Moved by Mr. Ellinger and seconded by Ms. Feigel, the Council voted to approve ordinances entitled to second reading. 13:43 The motion passed by roll call vote, 15–0. All members voted in favor: James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, and Henson.

• Agenda Amendment – Resolution Postponing Final Action on Special Investigative Committee's Final Report: Moved by Mr. Lane and seconded by Ms. Feigel, the Council voted to amend the agenda to include a resolution postponing final action on the Special Investigative Committee's final report. 1:11:32 The motion passed by roll call vote, 11–3. Voting in favor were Lane, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, and Henson. Voting against were James, Lawless, and Blues.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed three financial items at the September 9, 2010 meeting, covering two contracts and one appropriation.

• Resolution 433-2010 authorized a contract with Gooch Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $94,422 for the 1036 Della Dr. Pipe Rerouting Project. This represented the largest single expenditure approved at the meeting.

• Resolution 434-2010 approved Change Order No. 1 to an existing contract with BCD, Inc. for the LFUCG MRF Renovation Project, in the amount of $30,746.15. As a change order, this action modified the terms of a previously established contract rather than initiating a new agreement.

• Ordinance 155-2010 authorized an appropriation of $25,000 to the Bluegrass Community Foundation for the Flight 5191 Memorial at the Arboretum. Unlike the two contract actions above, this item was structured as a direct appropriation to the foundation.

In total, the Council approved approximately $150,168 in financial commitments across these three actions.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period at the September 9, 2010 meeting. 1:58:54

• The speaker raised concerns related to traffic and road connectivity, suggesting that removing existing barriers and connecting roads in the area could help reduce traffic congestion and associated pollution.

No additional public comments were recorded for this meeting.

Appointments

At the September 9, 2010 Council meeting, the following appointment was made:

• Paula Campbell was appointed to serve as Acting Citizens' Advocate.

Contested Items

• Special Investigative Committee's Final Report: The council was divided over how to proceed with the Special Investigative Committee's final report. The central point of disagreement was whether the council should take final action on the report at this meeting or postpone action to allow additional time for further comments. The debate resulted in a split vote among council members, though the record does not specify the precise vote count or which individual members voted on each side. No further details regarding the ultimate outcome of the postponement question are available from the meeting record.

Presentation of Dance Attack Competition Team

2:09

Council Member Crosbie recognized the Dance Attack Competition Team during this agenda item, honoring the team for their achievements in regional and national competitions.

This was an informational presentation with no debate or vote required. The recognition served to acknowledge the team's competitive accomplishments before the full Council.

Ordinances entitled to second reading

13:43

The council took up several ordinances entitled to second reading during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers during this agenda item included Ellinger and Feigel.

Among the ordinances considered were:

• Closing of Hiltonia Park Frontage Road — The council addressed an ordinance related to the closing of Hiltonia Park Frontage Rd.
• Budget amendments — Additional ordinances covering budget amendments were also brought forward for second reading.

All ordinances presented under this agenda item were approved by the council.

Resolution Postponing Final Action on the Special Investigative Committee's Final Report

1:11:32

The Council took up a resolution to postpone final action on the Special Investigative Committee's final report. The stated purpose of the postponement was to allow additional time for further comments to be received and considered before the Council takes any definitive action on the report's findings.

Key speakers on this item included Lane and Myers, who participated in the discussion surrounding the resolution.

The Council ultimately approved the resolution to postpone final action, meaning no conclusive determination on the Special Investigative Committee's final report was made at this meeting. The postponement provides an opportunity for additional input before the matter is brought back before the Council for a final decision.