Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on December 7, 2010, under the presiding officer of the Mayor. The council addressed 13 agenda items during the meeting, which included zoning changes, budget matters, resolutions, and informational presentations. The council took 12 motions and votes and heard 7 public comments during the session.

Key actions included approval of Ordinance 16 for a zone change, while Ordinance 17 for another zone change advanced to first reading. The council approved the November 23rd meeting summary, budget amendments, and new business items. Two resolutions received first reading: one to authorize an EPA Assistance Amendment and another to accept a donation from Radiant Network Services. The council also approved NDF approval and the Mayor's report on board appointments.

In addition to legislative business, the council received informational reports from the Budget and Finance Committee and heard a presentation on stormwater runoff. Council members provided reports, and the meeting concluded with a closed session.

Attendance

Present: Council Member McCord, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Crosby, Council Member Lawless, Council Member Gordon, Council Member Henson, Council Member Beard, Council Member Gorton, Council Member Blues, Council Member Stenet, Council Member Lane, Council Member Cowan, Council Member Mark, and Council Member Blaine.

Absent: Anna

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted eleven votes during this meeting, all of which passed. Most votes were conducted by voice vote, with one electronic vote.

Docket Amendments 1:32 Council Member Crosby moved to approve the docket with amendments to include a public hearing for Ordinance 17 and removal of the public hearing requirement for Ordinance 16. Council Member McCord seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Ordinance 17 was scheduled for a public hearing at a special council meeting on February 8 at 5 p.m.

Ordinance 17 Public Hearing Amendment 2:34 Council Member Lawless moved to amend the docket to include a public hearing for Ordinance 17 at the special council meeting on February 8 at 5 p.m. Council Member Crosby seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Docket Approval 5:19 Council Member McCord moved to approve the docket as amended. Council Member Ellinger seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

November 23rd Summary 5:51 Council Member Gordon moved to approve the November 23rd summary. Council Member Henson seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Budget Amendments 6:25 Council Member Beard moved to approve budget amendments. Council Member Gorton seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

New Business Items 6:25 Council Member Blues moved to approve new business items. Council Member Gorton seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

EPA South Elkhorn Hump Station Project 6:59 Council Member Lane moved to add a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an assistance amendment with the EPA for the South Elkhorn Hump Station project. Council Member Henson seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Radiant Network Services Donation 7:31 Council Member Stennett moved to add a resolution to accept a donation from Radiant Network Services for the public safety network. Council Member McCord seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

NDF Approval 28:12 Council Member Beard moved to approve the NDF for the week. Council Member Lane seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Metropolitan Medical Response System Extension 34:56 Council Member Gorton moved to place a resolution authorizing extension of the Metropolitan Medical Response System project on the docket. Council Member Lane seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, with the extension running through June 30, 2011.

Board and Commission Appointments 42:52 Council Member Lane moved to approve the mayor's report of board and commission appointments. Council Member Blues seconded. The motion passed by electronic vote with 6 ayes, 4 nays, and 3 abstentions. Voting in favor were Council Members McCord, Crosby, Gordon, Henson, Beard, and Stenet. Voting against were Council Members Lawless, Gorton, Blues, and Lane. The vote approved 27 board appointments despite incomplete forms and missing resumes.

Closed Session 43:23 The Mayor moved to go into closed session for pending litigation pursuant to KRS 61.8101C. Council Member Henson seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included two financial actions:

EPA Assistance Amendment An amendment to assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency was approved to reduce the cost share requirement for the South Elkhorn Hump Station project. Specific dollar amounts and resolution numbers were not provided in the meeting materials.

Public Safety Network Donation The body accepted a donation from Radiant Network Services, Incorporated for the public safety network. The specific donation amount and resolution identifier were not included in the available meeting documentation.

Public Comment

Several council members addressed the body on matters of community interest and governance.

Stormwater Management and Local Business Support

Council Member Lawless encouraged residents to help reduce stormwater pollution by sweeping leaves and debris from storm drains, particularly in the 3rd District 30:36. She also highlighted the economic benefits of supporting local independent businesses, noting that $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in the community compared to spending at chain establishments 31:10.

Traffic Safety

Council Member Crosby moved for the installation of a multi-way stop at Ridgeview Way and Steel Creek Way, based on a recommendation from the Division of Traffic Engineering 32:46.

Community Events and Recognition

Council Member Henson announced upcoming community events including Salvation Army bell ringing and neighborhood meetings 33:51. She also congratulated Ed Brady on his retirement from Red Cross Wheels.

Board Appointments Discussion

Council Member Gordon raised concerns about the quality of board appointment applications, noting that 14 of 27 nominees had incomplete applications and lacked resumes, emphasizing the need for proper vetting 38:29.

In response, Council Member Blaine defended the nominees' qualifications, stating they are well-qualified and that the mayor's final nominations should be honored 40:11. Council Member Mark also supported the appointments, noting that some nominees have strong credentials, including a professional engineer with expertise in environmental engineering 40:42.

Appointments

During this meeting, various individuals were appointed to Boards and Commissions.

Contested Items

Approval of Mayor's Board and Commission Appointments

The council experienced a split vote on the approval of the mayor's board and commission appointments. The primary disagreement centered on the completeness of the application materials submitted for the nominees.

Council members raised concerns about the lack of resumes provided with the applications. Some council members opposed approval, arguing that insufficient vetting had occurred and that the application materials were incomplete. They expressed concern about moving forward without more thorough documentation of the candidates' qualifications.

Other council members countered that despite the incomplete application materials, the nominees themselves possessed strong qualifications that warranted approval.

The split vote reflected this fundamental disagreement about whether the quality of the candidates' backgrounds could compensate for the gaps in the application process and documentation.

Ordinance 16 - Zone Change

1:32

The Council considered Ordinance 16 regarding a zone change. Council Member Crosby was the key speaker on this matter.

The Council voted to remove the requirement for a public hearing for Ordinance 16, allowing the ordinance to proceed without one. The ordinance was approved.

Ordinance 17 - Zone Change

2:34

The council addressed Ordinance 17, a zone change proposal, during this meeting. Council Members Lawless, Crosby, and Blues participated in the discussion.

The council approved a public hearing for Ordinance 17 to be held at a special council meeting scheduled for February 8 at 5 p.m. Prior to this approval, the council discussed procedural requirements related to the ordinance.

The ordinance received a first reading during this meeting.

November 23rd Summary

5:51

The Council considered the November 23rd summary report during this agenda item. Council Member Gordon and Council Member Henson were the key speakers on this matter.

The Council approved the November 23rd summary report without discussion. No concerns were raised, and no debate occurred regarding the contents of the summary.

Outcome: The November 23rd summary report was approved.

Budget Amendments

Council approved budget amendments without discussion during this portion of the meeting 6:25. Council Member Beard moved to approve the amendments, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Gorton. The amendments were approved by the council.

New Business Items

Council approved new business items without discussion. Council Member Blues moved to approve the new business items, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Gorton. The items were approved by the Council. 6:25

Resolution to Authorize EPA Assistance Amendment

Identifier: 581-10

Council considered a resolution to authorize the mayor to execute an assistance amendment with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the South Elkhorn Hump Station project. The amendment would reduce the cost share requirement for the project.

Key Speakers: - Council Member Lane - Council Member Henson

Discussion: The resolution was presented for consideration, with Council Members Lane and Henson participating in the discussion. The amendment addresses modifications to EPA assistance terms for the South Elkhorn Hump Station project, specifically reducing the local cost share obligation.

Outcome: The council approved adding the resolution to the docket. The item received a first reading 6:59.

Resolution to Accept Donation from Radiant Network Services

The council considered Resolution 587-10 to accept a donation of professional services and equipment for the public safety network from Radiant Network Services 7:31.

Key Speakers

Council Member Stennett and Council Member McCord participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Action Taken

The council approved moving forward with the resolution on first reading. This action allows the city to accept the donated professional services and equipment intended to support the public safety network infrastructure.

Budget and Finance Committee Report

Council Member Stenet presented the Budget and Finance Committee Report, providing an overview of economic indicators and budget performance for October 8:02.

Presentation Content

The report covered several key financial metrics, including:

• Employee withholdings
• Net profits
• Insurance costs
• Franchise fees

Outcome

This agenda item was presented for informational purposes only, with no formal action required.

Stormwater Runoff Presentation

Mr. Martin presented on stormwater runoff, land use, and watershed management during this agenda item 11:49.

The presentation covered several key topics related to stormwater management:

• Pollution sources associated with stormwater runoff
• Regulatory compliance requirements
• Low-impact development practices

The presentation was informational in nature, providing the meeting attendees with an overview of stormwater management principles and practices. Mr. Martin's discussion emphasized the connection between land use decisions and watershed health, as well as the importance of implementing practices designed to minimize environmental impact from stormwater runoff.

No specific outcome or action items were recorded from this presentation.

NDF Approval

The Council approved the NDF for the week without discussion 28:12. Council Member Beard moved for approval, and the measure passed without further debate or concerns being raised by Council members.

Outcome: Approved

Council Member Reports

Council members provided updates on neighborhood meetings, community events, and local business support during this informational segment of the meeting 28:43.

Speakers and Updates

The following council members shared reports:

• Council Member McCord
• Council Member Lawless
• Council Member Crosby
• Council Member Henson
• Council Member Gordon

Content of Reports

Council members discussed a range of local activities and initiatives, including:

• Neighborhood meetings and community engagement efforts
• Upcoming community events
• Local business support initiatives

Outcome

This agenda item was presented as informational, with no formal action or decision required. The reports provided the council and public with updates on ongoing community activities and council member activities in their respective areas.

Mayor's Report on Board Appointments

Council discussed agenda item 596-10 regarding the Mayor's Report on Board Appointments 35:59. The discussion centered on a significant administrative issue affecting the board appointment process.

Key Issue

The council identified a substantial problem with the board appointments that had been submitted: a large number of applications contained incomplete forms and were missing required resumes. This administrative deficiency became the focal point of the council's deliberation.

Council Members Involved

The following council members participated in the discussion: - Council Member Crosby - Council Member Lawless - Council Member Gordon - Council Member Blaine - Council Member Mark

Discussion and Concerns

The incomplete submissions and missing documentation raised concerns among council members about the quality and completeness of the appointment process. The discussion became contentious as council members grappled with how to proceed given these deficiencies.

Outcome

Despite the concerns raised about the incomplete applications and missing resumes, the council voted to approve the board appointments 35:59.

Closed Session

The Council entered closed session to discuss pending litigation, following a motion by the Mayor. 43:23

Key Participants

The Mayor and Council Member Henson were the key speakers during this agenda item.

Outcome

The Council proceeded into closed session as motioned.