Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on October 20, 2011, under the presiding of Mayor Gray. During the meeting, the Council took 7 motions and votes, heard 7 public comments, and addressed 11 agenda items. The Council approved several items including the docket, summary, budget amendments, and a correction to Item E regarding transit advertisements. The Council also held a first reading of Ordinance No. 4 and received informational presentations on the work session agenda, continuing business, and council reports. Public comment was heard on an Asbury zone change and on issues not on the agenda. One item—a discussion on the health insurance crisis—was deferred to a future meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on October 25, 2011:

• Mayor Gray
• Council Member Blues
• Council Member Farmer
• Council Member Martin
• Council Member Stenet
• Council Member Henson
• Council Member Beard
• Council Member Myers
• Council Member Lawless
• Council Member Kay
• Council Member Crosby
• Vice Mayor Gordon
• Council Member Ellinger
• Council Member McCord
• Council Member Fort Worth
• Council Member Kaye
• Council Member Cochran
• Council Member Mars

No council members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took the following actions during the October 25, 2011 meeting:

Motion to suspend Council reports 14:53 Council Member Farmer moved to suspend Council reports until later in the meeting. This motion was withdrawn.

Motion to approve NDF for the week 15:24 Council Member Beard moved to approve the NDF for the week, seconded by Council Member Ellinger. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion to place multi-way stop controls on docket 15:57 Council Member Beard moved to place on the docket a resolution authorizing multi-way stop controls at Belafonte Drive and East Laherty Lane, seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion to amend Masterson Station Park Advisory Board 20:45 Council Member Blues moved to place on the docket an ordinance amending the Masterson Station Park Advisory Board from 20 to 19 members and allowing reappointment, seconded by Vice Mayor Gorton. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion to grant Richmond Road Landscape Plan waiver 21:50 Council Member Blues moved to place on the docket an ordinance granting a waiver to the Richmond Road Landscape Plan for 3043 Richmond Road, seconded by Council Member Kay. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion to commit additional health insurance funding 2:53:04 Council Member Stenet moved to commit an additional $1.9 million to buy down health insurance rates based on 2011 Platinum plan rates, seconded by Council Member McCord. The motion passed by voice vote.

Motion to adjourn 3:06:21 Mayor Gray moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Crosby. The motion passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included consideration of an amendment to provide additional funding for health insurance premium buy-down purposes. The amendment allocated $1,900,000 to reduce health insurance premiums.

Public Comment

Seven speakers addressed the council regarding proposed health insurance changes and their financial impact on employees and retirees.

Employee Premium and Deductible Concerns

Wade Miracle, a fire captain [0:30:18], criticized the proposed health insurance plan for doubling employee premiums and imposing $5,000 deductibles. He called the plan irresponsible and unfair, urging the council to include employees in planning and emphasizing the need for education and collaboration.

Jonathan Bastian, a police employee [0:38:27], presented a spreadsheet demonstrating that proposed premiums would equate to a 22% pay cut for hourly workers. He noted that many employees would spend over 25% of their income on health care, raising concerns about employee retention and financial hardship.

Family Budget Impact

Charissa Crobo, a teacher and firefighter's spouse [0:49:29], shared a family budget showing a negative $50 monthly balance after the proposed health insurance changes. She raised concerns about the clinic's readiness, lack of pediatric services, and the financial burden on families with young children.

Health Clinic Capacity and Accessibility

Alice Bruner, a city employee's spouse [1:07:27], questioned whether a single doctor could adequately serve 6,000 employees. She criticized the plan as unaffordable and inaccessible, challenged whether the city had explored other insurance options, and expressed frustration over lack of communication.

Retiree Coverage

Rock Vance, a retired police officer [1:13:57], expressed concern that retirees would lose free health care and now face $280 monthly premiums. He urged the council to ensure continued single-coverage health insurance for retirees.

Additional Employee Concerns

Jeff Jones, an employee [1:18:50], emphasized that employees cannot afford the proposed changes and warned the plan would force them into second jobs or welfare. He urged the council to reconsider and support employees who serve the community.

Missy Norris, a police employee [1:20:57], shared her family's medical struggles and financial strain. She questioned why changes were finalized with little time for employees to understand and adjust, urging a more gradual, transparent process.

Contested Items

Health Insurance Plan Implementation

The proposed health insurance plan generated intense debate during the meeting. Public and council members expressed significant concerns about the financial impact on employees, citing fears of financial hardship and potential loss of health care access. A central point of contention was the lack of transparency surrounding the plan's details and implementation. Participants also objected to the compressed timeline for decision-making, arguing that insufficient time had been provided to adequately review and consider such a consequential policy change.

Council Member Involvement in Rate-Setting

A procedural dispute emerged regarding the role of council members in establishing insurance rates. Council members questioned whether they had been involved in the actual rate-setting process. Clarification was provided that council members were not involved in setting the rates themselves. This revelation raised broader concerns about accountability and the transparency of the decision-making process, as it became unclear who held responsibility for determining the rates that would directly affect employees' financial obligations.

Work Session Agenda

0:00

The meeting opened with discussion of the work session agenda. Mayor Gray, Council Member Blues, and Council Member Farmer participated in the opening remarks.

The council addressed a motion to extend public comment time related to the health insurance crisis. Council Member Blues raised this motion, which was subsequently withdrawn before proceeding to the work session agenda items.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, establishing the framework for the remainder of the work session.

Public Comment on Asbury Zone Change

2:21

The council considered public comment on a proposed planned neighborhood residential zone change at 564 Asbury Lane. Mayor Gray presided over this agenda item.

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period on this matter.

Following the absence of public comment, a motion to place the ordinance on the docket passed unanimously.

First Reading of Ordinance No. 4

2:51

A motion was made and seconded to place Ordinance No. 4 under first reading with or without a public hearing. Council Member Ellinger and Council Member Myers were the key speakers on this agenda item.

No discussion occurred following the motion. The motion passed unanimously, advancing Ordinance No. 4 to first reading.

Approval of Docket

3:22

The council considered the approval of the docket. No discussion was held on this item. The motion to approve the docket passed unanimously.

Approval of Summary

A motion to approve the meeting summary was made and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon and Council Member Crosby 3:52. No discussion followed the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Budget Amendments

A motion to approve budget amendments was presented during the meeting. Vice Mayor Gorton and Council Member Myers were the key speakers on this agenda item 3:52.

The motion was made and seconded by the council members present. No discussion or debate followed the presentation of the amendments.

The motion passed unanimously.

Correction to Item E (Transit Ads)

Council Member Blues brought forward a correction to a previously discussed transit advertising figure. 5:34

The correction addressed an error in the transit ad cost calculation. The original figure of $33.40 was found to be incomplete due to an overlooked installation fee. The corrected amount was $6,535.

Council Member Blues moved to amend the record with this correction. The motion passed unanimously, indicating full council agreement on the need to update the transit advertising cost to reflect the accurate total including installation fees.

Continuing Business Presentations

During this agenda item, reports were presented by three standing committees of the council 8:44.

Committee Reports

The General Government Committee, Social Services Committee, and Public Safety Committee each provided updates to the full council. Mr. Lane, Council Member Myers, and Council Member Lawless participated in presenting or discussing the committee reports.

Public Safety Committee Recommendation

The Public Safety Committee recommended forwarding the fireworks ordinance to the full council for consideration. This recommendation emerged from the committee's review and discussion of the proposed ordinance.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with the committees sharing their reports and recommendations with the broader council membership. The Public Safety Committee's recommendation regarding the fireworks ordinance was advanced for further action by the full council.

Council Reports

Council Member Farmer moved to suspend Council reports but subsequently withdrew the motion. 14:53

Council Member Beard then presented two motions, both of which passed unanimously.

Public Comment on Issues Not on Agenda

22:56

The council opened the floor for public comment on matters not included on the meeting agenda. Mayor Gray presided over this portion of the meeting.

No members of the public spoke regarding redistricting during this comment period. The discussion then shifted to the health insurance crisis, though the extracted data does not provide specific details about the comments made or positions expressed on this topic.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature.

Health Insurance Crisis Discussion

23:29

The council held a public hearing to discuss a proposed health insurance plan. Mayor Gray, Council Member Stenet, Council Member Kaye, and Council Member McCord participated in the discussion.

Concerns Raised

Employees and community members expressed several concerns about the proposed plan:

• Premium increases
• Deductible levels
• Clinic readiness to implement the plan
• Lack of transparency in the planning process

Outcome

The council committed to re-evaluating the health insurance plan in response to the concerns raised during the public hearing. The agenda item was deferred, indicating that further discussion and review would take place at a future meeting.