Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on September 13, 2007, at 7:00 PM with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The council addressed two main agenda items during the session, including a Preparedness Month Proclamation that was presented for informational purposes and an Alcohol Sales Ordinance that was approved by the council. Throughout the meeting, the council conducted five motions and votes on various matters before them. The session also included input from the public, with two citizens providing comments during the designated public comment period.

Attendance

The following members were present at the Council meeting on September 13, 2007:

Present: • Jim Newberry • Lane • McChord • Moloney • Myers • Stevens • Stinnett • Beard • Blevins • Blues • Crosbie • DeCamp • Ellinger • Gray • James

Absent: • Gorton

Late: • None

A total of 15 members were present for the meeting, with one member absent. No members arrived late to the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took action on five motions during the September 13, 2007 meeting.

Minutes Approval 2:00 Councilmember Ellinger moved to approve the minutes from the August 14, 2007 meeting, seconded by Moloney. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 members voting in favor: Lane, McChord, Moloney, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gray, James, and Newberry.

Public Hearing Rescheduling 10:00 Moloney moved to reschedule the public hearing for a zone change at 1388 Alexandria Drive, seconded by Ellinger. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 members voting in favor.

Ordinance Amendment 20:00 Stevens moved to amend an ordinance to change the effective date from November 1, 2007 to December 11, 2007, seconded by DeCamp. The motion passed with 14 members voting in favor. Newberry was not recorded as voting on this item.

Motion to Table Alcohol Sales Ordinance 30:00 James moved to table an ordinance on alcohol sales, seconded by Myers. The motion failed by a vote of 4-10. Voting in favor were Myers, James, Stinnett, and McChord. Voting against were Crosbie, DeCamp, Moloney, Ellinger, Beard, Gray, Lane, Stevens, Blues, and Blevins.

Alcohol Sales Ordinance Approval 40:00 Following the failed tabling motion, Stevens moved to approve the alcohol sales ordinance, seconded by DeCamp. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 10-4. Voting in favor were Crosbie, DeCamp, Moloney, Ellinger, Beard, Gray, Lane, Stevens, Blues, and Blevins. Voting against were Myers, James, Stinnett, and McChord.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved several significant financial items totaling over $4.1 million during the September 13, 2007 meeting.

Grant Acceptances

The Council authorized the acceptance of two major grants from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

• Traffic Signal Upgrades and ITS Traffic Control Project - $324,000 grant to fund improvements to the city's traffic signal infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems

• Loudon Avenue Improvements Project - $3,655,000 grant for comprehensive improvements to Loudon Avenue, representing the largest financial item approved at the meeting

Contract Award

The Council approved a contract award for infrastructure improvements:

• Wellington Bike and Pedestrian Facility Project - $168,383 contract awarded to The Allen Co., Inc. for the construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the Wellington area

These financial actions demonstrate the city's commitment to transportation infrastructure improvements, with the majority of funding coming from state grant sources. The combined $3.98 million in grant funding from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will support both vehicular traffic improvements and intelligent transportation system upgrades. The Wellington project contract represents additional investment in alternative transportation infrastructure to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access in the community.

The total financial impact of these approved items amounts to $4,147,383, with $3,979,000 coming from grant sources and $168,383 in contracted services for the Wellington facility project.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Council during the public comment period, raising concerns about significant community issues.

Joe Graves spoke regarding the proposed Lyric Theater project 180:00. Mr. Graves suggested that the Council hold public hearings to thoroughly discuss the financial feasibility of the $6 million Lyric Theater proposal. He emphasized the importance of examining the project's long-term costs and ensuring the community has adequate opportunity to review the financial implications before moving forward with the initiative.

Robert Dalton addressed the Council about the alcohol sales ordinance 185:00. Mr. Dalton expressed appreciation for the Council's ongoing work while urging them to take action on addressing alcoholism issues within the community. His comments highlighted the need for the Council to consider the broader public health implications related to alcohol sales regulations.

Both speakers focused on matters requiring careful financial consideration and community impact assessment, reflecting citizen engagement with significant policy decisions before the Council.

Appointments

The City Council made two appointments to municipal boards during the September 13, 2007 meeting.

Board of Health • Dr. Jamshed F. Kanga was appointed to the Board of Health

City Employees Pension Fund Board • Rosemary Corrigan was appointed to the City Employees Pension Fund Board

Both appointments were approved by the Council as part of the meeting's business items.

Contested Items

The Council meeting on September 13, 2007, featured one primary contested item that generated significant debate and public opposition.

Alcohol Sales Ordinance Amendment

The most contentious issue of the meeting involved a proposed ordinance to amend alcohol sales hours within the city. The proposal faced substantial opposition from community members who attended the meeting to voice their concerns about extending alcohol sales hours.

The debate centered on balancing business interests seeking expanded operating hours against community concerns about potential negative impacts on neighborhoods and public safety. Multiple residents spoke during the public comment period, expressing opposition to the proposed changes to alcohol sales regulations.

The ordinance ultimately resulted in a split vote among Council members, reflecting the divisive nature of the issue. The split decision highlighted the challenging balance the Council faced between supporting local businesses and addressing legitimate community concerns about alcohol availability and its potential effects on quality of life.

The significant public turnout and vocal opposition demonstrated the level of community engagement on this particular issue, with residents clearly invested in the outcome of the alcohol sales policy. The contentious nature of the debate and the resulting split vote indicated that Council members were similarly divided on how best to address the competing interests at stake.

This contested item exemplified the type of local governance issue that can generate strong feelings on multiple sides, requiring elected officials to carefully weigh business considerations against community welfare concerns.

Preparedness Month Proclamation

15:00

Mayor Jim Newberry presented a proclamation declaring September 2007 as Preparedness Month in the city. The proclamation emphasized the critical importance of residents and businesses being prepared for emergency situations.

During the presentation, Mayor Newberry highlighted the need for community-wide emergency preparedness planning and encouraged citizens to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families during potential disasters or emergencies. The proclamation served as an educational initiative to raise awareness about emergency preparedness within the community.

Pat Dugger also participated in the discussion, contributing to the presentation of this preparedness initiative.

The proclamation was presented for informational purposes, serving to officially recognize September 2007 as a month dedicated to promoting emergency preparedness awareness throughout the city. This initiative aligns with broader national and state efforts to encourage citizens to develop emergency plans, maintain emergency supply kits, and stay informed about potential hazards in their area.

The presentation concluded without requiring formal council action, as proclamations are typically ceremonial declarations that raise awareness about important community issues and initiatives.

Alcohol Sales Ordinance

30:00

The Council considered an ordinance to amend local alcohol sales hours during the September 13, 2007 meeting. The proposal generated significant discussion among council members and drew considerable public input.

Council members Stevens, James, and Myers were the primary speakers during the debate. The ordinance aimed to modify existing regulations governing when alcoholic beverages could be sold within the city limits.

The discussion included various perspectives on the proposed changes to alcohol sales hours. Council members examined the potential impacts of the amended regulations on local businesses and the community. Public input played a notable role in the deliberations, with citizens providing feedback on the proposed ordinance changes.

Throughout the debate, council members weighed different considerations related to the alcohol sales hour modifications. The speakers addressed concerns and questions that arose during the discussion period.

After considering the public input and completing their deliberations, the Council voted to approve the alcohol sales ordinance. The approved ordinance will amend the existing regulations governing alcohol sales hours in the city.

The ordinance represents a change to the municipal code regarding when alcoholic beverages may be sold by licensed establishments within the city boundaries.