Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on August 18, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding. The council addressed four agenda items during the session, including an invocation, approval of minutes from a previous meeting, consideration of ad valorem tax rates, and a Richmond Avenue address change proposal. The council took seven motions and votes and heard four public comments during the meeting. Of the substantive items considered, the council approved the minutes and the ad valorem tax rates, while the Richmond Avenue address change was tabled for further consideration at a future date.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on August 18, 2011:

• Mayor Gray
• Lane
• Lawless
• Martin
• McChord
• Myers
• Stinnett
• Beard
• Blues
• Crosbie
• Ellinger
• Farmer
• Ford
• Gorton
• Henson
• Kay

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings 7:32 Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Gorton. The minutes from previous meetings were approved unanimously with 16 ayes and 0 nays.

Ad Valorem Tax Rates Option 1 for the General Services Fund 9:10 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Lane. This measure passed by roll call vote with 14 ayes and 1 nay. Voting in favor were Lane, Lawless, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Gorton, Henson, and Kay. Martin voted against.

Ad Valorem Tax Rate Option 1 for all Urban Service Funds 10:13 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Lane. This measure passed unanimously with 15 ayes and 0 nays.

Ad Valorem Tax Rate Continuing Current Rate for Special District Tax Rates 10:46 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Henson. This measure passed unanimously with 15 ayes and 0 nays.

Table Amendment to the Taxicab Ordinance 11:19 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Farmer. The amendment was tabled unanimously with 15 ayes and 0 nays.

Table Issue of Bike Lanes Between Woodland Ave. and Kentucky Ave. 14:03 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger. The issue was tabled unanimously with 15 ayes and 0 nays.

Table Resolution Changing Property Address Numbers on Richmond Ave. 1:02:57 Motion by Farmer, seconded by Lane. The resolution was tabled unanimously with 15 ayes and 0 nays.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included approval of three significant financial actions:

Dunbar Community Center Retrofit A contract valued at $465,200 was awarded to Disponette Service Co., Inc. for the Dunbar Community Center Retrofit project.

Newtown Pike Enhancement Project Environmental Landscape, LLC received a contract for $219,275 to undertake the Newtown Pike Enhancement Project.

Purchase of Service Agreements The body approved Purchase of Service Agreements totaling $1,749,240 with various organizations.

These three financial actions combined represent approximately $2.43 million in contractual commitments.

Public Comment

Four members of the public addressed the meeting on August 18, 2011, raising concerns about three separate matters.

Address Change on Richmond Avenue

Ralph Brown spoke first 28:48, opposing a proposed resolution to change his address. Mr. Brown stated that he had experienced no issues with emergency services or mail delivery, indicating that the change was unnecessary.

Lisa Cliggett followed 31:37 with similar concerns about the address change on Richmond Avenue. Ms. Cliggett echoed Mr. Brown's position that the change was unnecessary and added that the modification would incur costs for residents.

Taxi Ordinance 18A

Carmen Davis addressed the meeting 1:51:57 regarding Taxi Ordinance 18A. Ms. Davis supported lowering the vehicle limit for taxi companies, arguing that current companies do not guarantee safety.

Traffic and Street Changes

Bernard McCarthy spoke 1:55:54 in opposition to a proposal to change downtown streets from one-way to two-way traffic. Mr. McCarthy cited potential traffic issues as his primary concern with the proposed change.

Appointments

The following appointments and reappointments were made:

CASA Board - Pamela Weeks was reappointed to the CASA Board - Tom Kim was appointed to the CASA Board

Commission for Citizens with Disabilities - Arianna Jill Barnett was appointed to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities - Jerry Kersey was appointed to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities

Community Action Council - James Ziliak was appointed to the Community Action Council

Contested Items

Richmond Avenue Address Change

Residents opposed a proposed address change for Richmond Avenue. Community members argued against the change, citing that no problems existed with current emergency services response or mail delivery. Concerns were also raised about the potential costs associated with implementing the address change. The meeting record does not indicate a final resolution or outcome for this item.

Taxi Ordinance 18A

Opposition was raised regarding Taxi Ordinance 18A, which would have lowered the vehicle limit for taxi companies. Opponents expressed concerns that reducing the vehicle limit would negatively impact safety and service quality. The meeting record does not indicate a final resolution or outcome for this item.

Invocation

Carla Van Hoose and the Kentucky Travelers performed a musical invocation for the meeting 2:18.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from previous meetings were presented for approval. Key speakers Ellinger and Gorton participated in this agenda item 7:32.

The minutes were approved unanimously by the body.

Ad Valorem Tax Rates

The council considered and approved Ad Valorem Tax Rates Option 1 for the General Services Fund, Urban Service Funds, and Special District Tax Rates. 9:10

Key speakers on this matter included Gorton and Lane.

The council voted to approve Option 1 as presented, which established the ad valorem tax rates across the specified fund categories.

Richmond Avenue Address Change

A resolution to change property address numbers on Richmond Avenue was presented for consideration. 1:02:57

Key Speakers

Farmer and Lawless were the primary speakers on this agenda item.

Outcome

The resolution was tabled following public opposition to the proposed address changes.