Council Committee of the Whole Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington City Council met on June 9, 2011, at the Government Center, with the Vice Mayor presiding. The council addressed seven agenda items during the session, including public comment, approval of summary minutes, first and second readings of ordinances, items referred from councilmembers to committee, committee reports, and council reports. One member of the public provided comment during the meeting. The council took four motions and votes during the session. The second reading of ordinances was tabled for further consideration at a later date.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on June 7, 2011:

Councilmembers: - Councilmember McCord - Councilmember Crosby - Councilmember Lawless - Councilmember Henson - Councilmember Stennett - Councilmember Martin - Councilmember Ellinger - Councilmember Ford - Councilmember Lane - Councilmember Farmer - Councilmember Kay

Commissioners: - Commissioner Mason - Commissioner Mills - Commissioner Reed

Staff and Officials: - Director Bishop - Sheriff Witt - Deputy Chief Boggs - CAO Maloney - Mr. Horn - Mr. Curtis - Mr. Sabatini - Mr. Lucas - Mr. Jarvis - Mr. Reed - Ms. Darlene Thomas - Rhonda Henrich

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Motion to Waive Council Rules 1:11:57

Council Member Martin moved to waive council rules to allow Council Member Myers to make a motion at the end of Council Member's questions. Council Member Ellinger seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion on Sheriff Operating the Jail 1:26:16

Council Member Myers moved to place the issue of the sheriff operating the jail into public safety committee and best practices. Council Member Crosby seconded the motion. The motion passed by hand vote with 10 ayes and 4 nays.

Voting in favor: - Council Member Martin - Council Member Ellinger - Council Member Kay - Council Member Farmer - Council Member Crosby - Council Member Henson - Council Member Stennett - Council Member Lane - Council Member McCord - Council Member Ford

Voting against: - Council Member Lawless - Council Member Blues - Council Member Martin - Council Member Farmer

Motion to Table Item Number 12 1:46:38

Council Member Lawless moved to table item number 12 (change of addresses on Richmond Avenue) until June 21st. Council Member Ellinger seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion to Change Subject Line 1:54:04

Council Member Farmer moved to change the subject line from funding for tennis court repair at Acton Park to Bluegrass Community Foundation. Council Member Ellinger seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included the following financial actions and appropriations:

Compost Pond Discharge Improvements Resolution 0073-26 authorized a $100,000 contract with River Ranch LLC for compost pond discharge improvements.

Red Mount Property Sale The body approved the sale of the Red Mount property to the Fayette County Extension District. The sale amount was not specified in the meeting materials.

Neighborhood Association Appropriations The meeting approved NDF (Neighborhood Development Fund) appropriations to three neighborhood associations:

• Eastland Parkway Neighborhood Association: $3,000
• Laclede Farm Village Homeowners Association: $500
• Colleges of Liberty Woods Neighborhood Association: $500

Public Comment

4:15

Yolanda Bradford, Executive Director of Road to Home Ownership, addressed the council during the public comment period. Bradford requested that the council reconsider its decision to eliminate funding for the Road to Home Ownership program.

In her remarks, Bradford emphasized the program's track record of success and highlighted its important role in housing and development initiatives. She expressed concern about the impact of the funding elimination on the organization's ability to serve its clients and noted that the loss of funding could jeopardize the program's eligibility for future HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) funding.

Bradford asked the council to reinstate at least a portion of the program's funding to allow Road to Home Ownership to continue supporting its clients and maintain its capacity to pursue additional federal funding opportunities.

Contested Items

Sheriff Operating the Jail

The council debated whether to refer the issue of the sheriff operating the jail to the public safety committee. Council members were divided on the appropriate procedural path forward. The disagreement centered on whether the matter should be handled by the budget and finance committee or the public safety committee, and whether a motion should be made at the current meeting or deferred to a later date. The vote was split among council members on how to proceed with this issue.

Notification of Address Changes on Richmond Avenue

Council Member Lawless raised concerns regarding notification procedures for residents affected by address changes on Richmond Avenue. Lawless indicated that residents had not received proper notification of the upcoming changes. In response to these concerns, a motion was made to table the item until June 21st to allow adequate time for proper notice to be provided to affected residents before the council took further action.

Public Comment

4:15

Yolanda Bradford spoke during the public comment period on behalf of Road to Home Ownership. Bradford requested reinstatement of city funding for the organization, which had been eliminated for three years. She highlighted the organization's success and described Road to Home Ownership as playing an integral role in housing development efforts.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational, with no formal action taken during the meeting.

Approval of Summary

5:58

No summary was provided for this agenda item. Rather than delay proceedings, the council moved forward directly to the first report on the agenda.

Commissioner Mason presented on the Community Corrections response to Sheriff Witt's report.

The outcome of this item was informational in nature.

First Reading of Ordinances

The council proceeded with the first reading of ordinances, which included zone changes and related items 1:29:35.

During this agenda item, Council Member Stennett raised a procedural question regarding the placement of NDF (New Development Fund) funds within ordinances rather than as budget amendments. This concern highlighted a question about the appropriate mechanism for handling these funds during the legislative process.

The ordinances advanced to first reading status, which is the initial step in the council's ordinance adoption process.

Second Reading of Ordinances

During the second reading of ordinances, Council Member Lawless raised concerns about ordinance number 12, which involved address changes on Richmond Avenue. 1:46:38

Council Member Lawless moved to table ordinance number 12, citing insufficient notification to residents as the primary reason for the delay. The motion to table passed.

The ordinance was not advanced during this meeting and remains pending further action pending improved resident notification procedures.

Items Referred from Councilmembers to Committee

1:50:55

During this agenda item, three council members brought forward separate referrals for committee consideration.

Council Member Stennett's Referrals

Council Member Stennett added three NDF (Neighborhood Development Fund) requests to the docket for committee review.

Council Member Farmer's Budget Amendment

Council Member Farmer moved to amend a budget amendment related to Acton Park tennis court repairs. The proposed amendment would redirect the allocated funds to the Bluegrass Community Foundation instead of their original intended use.

Council Member Lane's Parking Ordinance Amendment

Council Member Lane proposed a motion to amend the residential parking ordinance. The proposed amendment would prohibit parking in backyards.

Outcome

These items were referred to committee for further consideration and review.

Committee Reports

Council Member Lawless reported on the Public Safety and Public Works Committee meeting 1:55:46.

The committee discussed a proposal regarding charitable solicitation in public right-of-way. This item failed to pass and did not advance from committee.

Additional items that had been scheduled for the committee agenda were removed prior to the meeting.

Council Reports

During this informational segment 2:03:04, three council members provided updates on various initiatives and events.

Core Staff Workgroup and Festival Relocation

Council Member Stennett reported on the core staff workgroup and provided an update regarding the relocation of the Red, White, and Boom festival.

Youth Safety and Crime Prevention

Council Member Ford announced an upcoming press conference focused on youth safety and crime prevention initiatives.

Second Sunday at the Airport Runway

Council Member McCord promoted Second Sunday, an event taking place at the airport runway.

The council reports segment served as an informational update with no formal action required.