Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on November 1, 2007, at 7:00 PM with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting included formal agenda items beginning with an invocation and a recognition ceremony for the UK Symphony Orchestra. During the session, the Council conducted 3 motions and votes on various matters before the body. The meeting also provided opportunities for public participation, with 2 public comments heard from community members. Overall, the meeting addressed both ceremonial business through the recognition of the university orchestra and substantive Council business through the voting procedures.

Attendance

All council members were present for the November 1, 2007 meeting.

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

Absent: None

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted three formal votes during the November 1, 2007 meeting.

Approval of September 27, 2007 Meeting Minutes 2:30 Ms. Gorton motioned to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2007 Council Meeting, with Mr. Beard providing the second. The motion was postponed by unanimous vote, with all 15 council members voting in favor of postponement: Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, James, Lane, McChord, Moloney, Myers, and Stevens.

Approval of Ordinances - Second Reading 25:00 Mr. Beard motioned to approve ordinances given second reading, seconded by Ms. Gorton. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote with 15 ayes and 0 nays. All council members voted in favor: Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, James, Lane, McChord, Moloney, Myers, and Stevens.

Approval of Resolutions - Second Reading 45:00 Mr. Stinnett motioned to approve resolutions given second reading, with Mr. McChord seconding the motion. The motion passed on a roll call vote with 14 ayes and 0 nays. The following council members voted in favor: Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, James, Lane, McChord, Moloney, Myers, and Stevens. Notably, Crosbie was not recorded as voting on this resolution, resulting in one fewer affirmative vote compared to the previous motions.

All three votes demonstrated strong council unity, with no opposition votes recorded on any motion. The only variation was the absence of one council member's vote on the final resolution approval.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two significant financial items during the November 1, 2007 meeting, totaling $547,932 in expenditures and loans.

Street Sales Enforcement Contract The Council approved a contract worth $47,932.00 with the Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney's Office for a Fast Track prosecutor position dedicated to the Street Sales Enforcement Project. This contract supports the city's ongoing efforts to combat illegal street sales activities through enhanced prosecution capabilities.

Transitional Housing Loan The Council authorized a substantial $500,000.00 loan to Hope Center, Inc. for the construction of an apartment building designated for transitional housing purposes. This loan represents a significant investment in the community's housing infrastructure and support services for individuals in transitional living situations.

These financial actions demonstrate the Council's commitment to both public safety enforcement and social services, allocating resources to address street-level crime while simultaneously investing in housing solutions for vulnerable populations. The combined financial commitment of nearly $548,000 reflects the city's dual approach to community improvement through law enforcement support and housing development initiatives.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Council during the public comment period.

Bernard McCarthy spoke about traffic concerns related to East Maxwell Street 120:00. Mr. McCarthy expressed concerns about the closure of East Maxwell Street and its impact on local traffic patterns. He suggested that implementing partial closures rather than complete street closures could help alleviate the resulting traffic congestion in the area.

Robert Dalton addressed veterans' issues during his remarks 123:00. Mr. Dalton highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by veterans in the community, with particular emphasis on difficulties accessing healthcare services. With Veterans Day approaching, he urged the community to remember and support local veterans who continue to face these challenges.

Both speakers used their allotted time to bring attention to specific community concerns affecting local residents and veterans.

Appointments

The City Council approved three appointments to various municipal boards and commissions during the November 1, 2007 meeting.

New Appointments: • Kimberly H. Bryant was appointed to the Address Enforcement Hearing Board • Lori K. Johnson was appointed to the Civil Service Commission

Reappointments: • Betty Boyd was reappointed to the Carver Neighborhood Center Board

These appointments fill vacant positions on important city boards that oversee various municipal functions, from address enforcement matters to civil service oversight and neighborhood center governance.

Invocation

1:00

The invocation for the November 1, 2007 Council meeting was delivered by Mr. Ked Frank, Care Associate Minister from Southland Christian Church. This ceremonial opening served as the traditional spiritual beginning to the meeting proceedings.

The invocation was presented as an informational item on the agenda, providing a moment of reflection before the Council conducted its official business for the evening.

Recognition of UK Symphony Orchestra

10:00 The Council recognized Mr. John Nardolillo and Mr. Arlo Guthrie for their significant contributions to the UK Symphony Orchestra during this presentation agenda item.

The recognition highlighted the orchestra's upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall, marking a notable achievement for the University of Kentucky's musical program. Both Mr. Nardolillo and Mr. Guthrie were acknowledged for their roles in advancing the orchestra's reputation and preparing for this prestigious venue performance.

This was an informational presentation with no formal action required by the Council. The recognition served to celebrate the accomplishments of the UK Symphony Orchestra and the individuals who have contributed to its success in reaching the level of performance quality suitable for Carnegie Hall.