Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on January 24, 2012, under the presiding leadership of Mayor Gray. During the meeting, the Council took 14 motions and votes on various matters and heard 5 public comments. The Council addressed 11 agenda items, including zoning requests, service agreements, budget matters, and informational updates.

The Council approved several key items, including Requested Rezonings and Docket Approval, a Resolution Authorizing Services Agreement with On-Site, Rx, Inc., Summary Approval, Budget Amendments, New Business, an NDF Motion, an On-Site Rx Presentation, the Council Report, and the Mayor's Report. The Committee of the Whole presented an Economic Development Update for informational purposes. One item—the Streetlight Presentation—was deferred to a future meeting.

Attendance

Present: - Mayor Gray - Vice Mayor Gorton - Council Member Stinnett - Council Member McCord - Council Member Crosby - Council Member Blues - Council Member Kay - Council Member Farmer - Council Member Ellinger - Council Member Lane - Council Member Martin - Council Member Henson - Council Member Beard - Council Member Myers - Council Member Mason - Council Member Gooding - Council Member Hancock - Council Member Hamilton - Council Member Bush - Council Member Moloney

Absent: - Council Member Lawless

Late: None reported

Votes and Decisions

All motions brought before the council on January 24, 2012, passed unanimously.

Docket and Administrative Matters

The council approved the docket 3:04, moved by CM Stinnett and seconded by CM McChord. The summary of the January 17, 2012, Work Session was approved 5:39, moved by CM Beard and seconded by CM Myers. Budget Amendments were approved 6:47, moved by CM Farmer and seconded by CM Myers. Journal entry #57575 was tabled until January 31, 2012 9:00, moved by CM Stinnett and seconded by VM Gorton.

Financial and Item Adjustments

An adjustment to item 'B' to read as $126,152.32 was approved 15:25, moved by CM Farmer and seconded by CM Lane. The amended new business items were approved 11:09, moved by CM Ellinger and seconded by CM Myers. The NDF list was approved 24:06, moved by CM Myers and seconded by CM Beard.

Zoning and Services

A motion to place on the docket without a hearing an ordinance changing zones for property located at 474, 497, and 498 Angliana Ave (Trinitas Ventures, LLC) passed 4:06. The ordinance would change 8.10 net (8.29 gross) acres to a High Rise Apartment (R-5) Zone and 2.03 net (2.4 gross) acres from a Wholesale & Warehouse Business (B-4) Zone to a High Rise Apartment (R-5) Zone. This motion was moved by CM Crosbie and seconded by CM Blues.

A motion to place on the docket for the January 26, 2012, Council Meeting a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Services Agreement with On-Site, Rx, Inc. to provide pharmacy services at the Dr. Samuel Brown Health Center passed 5:06, moved by CM Kay and seconded by VM Gorton.

Committee Referrals and Reports

The Streetlight Presentation was referred to the Budget & Finance Committee 1:05:49, moved by CM Lane and seconded by CM Martin. Activity-based accounting was moved into the Budget and Finance Committee 1:45:59, moved by CM Lane and seconded by CM Martin.

A resolution accepting the collective bargaining agreement with Fraternal Order of Police, Town Branch Lodge #83, on behalf of officers and sergeants in the Community Corrections division was placed on the docket 1:57:26, moved by CM Henson and seconded by CM Ellinger.

The Mayor's Report was approved 1:12:27, moved by CM Lane and seconded by VM Gorton.

The meeting adjourned 2:12:58, moved by VM Gorton and seconded by CM Ellinger.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting on January 24, 2012 included authorization for the following financial actions:

Amendments and Repairs - Authorization to approve necessary repairs to the police helicopter for $126,152.32 (L007-12)

Contracts and Agreements - Rental Agreement with The Lexington Center Corporation for use of the Opera House for the Kiddie Kapers Program for $126,152.32 (L033-12) - Purchase of Service Agreement with the Lexington Humane Society for animal control services provided by Lexington - Fayette Animal Care and Control and related Lease Agreement for $512,000 (L036-12) - Conditional Offer to lease property located at 913 Georgetown St. to HealthFirst Bluegrass, Inc. for the purpose of operating an outpatient ambulatory health care facility (L052-12)

Grant Awards - Class A Incentive Grant Award Agreement with Friends of Wolf Run Inc., funded by the Water Quality Management Fee, for $95,000 (L042-12) - Class A Incentive Grant Award Agreement with Andover Estates Homeowners Association, Inc., funded by the Water Quality Management Fee, for $95,000 (L043-12) - Authorization to execute agreements with various nonprofit organizations for participation in the Adopt-A-Spot Roadway Cleanup Program under the Kentucky Pride Grant for FY 2012 for $512,000 (L049-12)

Public Comment

Several council members and officials raised concerns during the public comment period.

Coyote Sighting in Hamburg

CM Stinnett reported a coyote spotted in Hamburg 1:43:51. Animal Care and Control is planning to trap the animal and relocate it to a safer habitat to prevent harm to both the animal and residents.

Quorum Concern for Rezoning Hearing

VM Gorton raised a concern about the possibility of not having a quorum for the 6:00 PM rezoning hearing 1:47:02. Several members have conflicts of interest, and VM Gorton noted the risk that the Planning Commission's decision could stand if a quorum is not present.

Redistricting Law Impact

Multiple council members expressed concerns about a recently passed redistricting law that was signed by the governor.

CM Kay urged the council to make a public statement opposing the law's impact on Lexington's representation 1:55:20.

CM Martin voiced strong disappointment in the legislature's actions, stating that the redistricting dilutes Lexington's representation and calling for legal action to challenge the decision 1:58:38.

CM Blues clarified that the Urban County Council had no role in the redistricting process 2:04:00. CM Blues emphasized the council's nonpartisan process as a model for fair redistricting.

Contested Items

Redistricting Law Impact

Council members engaged in a heated discussion regarding the state legislature's redistricting law. Members expressed strong disappointment and concern about the legislation, with calls for public opposition and potential legal challenges to the law. The debate included discussions on constitutional remedies available to address the redistricting law and emphasized the need for nonpartisan redistricting approaches.

Quorum for Rezoning Hearing

A procedural dispute arose concerning the scheduled 6:00 PM rezoning hearing. Concerns were raised about the possibility of not having a quorum, as several council members were unable to attend. Legal counsel advised that if a quorum could not be established, the Planning Commission's decision would stand without further council action.

Requested Rezonings / Docket Approval

3:04

The Council approved placing a zone change ordinance on the docket without a hearing for property located at 474, 497, and 498 Angliana Ave. The proposed rezoning would change the affected properties from B-4 (commercial) to R-5 (residential) zones.

Council members CM Crosbie, CM Blues, CM Stinnett, and CM McChord participated in the discussion of this agenda item. The Council voted to approve both the zone change ordinance placement on the docket and the docket itself.

The action was approved without scheduling a public hearing on the rezoning request.

Resolution Authorizing Services Agreement with On-Site, Rx, Inc.

Council approved placing a resolution on the docket for the January 26, 2012, meeting to authorize the Mayor to execute a services agreement with On-Site, Rx, Inc. for pharmacy services at the Dr. Samuel Brown Health Center. 5:06

The key speakers on this agenda item were CM Kay and VM Gorton. The council voted to advance this resolution to the full council meeting scheduled for January 26, 2012, where the Mayor would be authorized to finalize the services agreement with On-Site, Rx, Inc. for pharmacy operations at the health center.

The outcome of the discussion was approval to place the resolution on the January 26, 2012, docket.

Approval of Summary

The Council considered approval of the summary from the January 17, 2012, Work Session. 5:39

Council Members Beard and Myers participated in this agenda item. The summary was presented for the Council's review and approval.

The Council approved the summary with no discussion or objections raised.

Budget Amendments

6:47

The council addressed budget amendments during this agenda item. Council Members Farmer and Myers, along with Village Manager Gorton, participated in the discussion.

The council approved budget amendments and took action on journal entry #57575. Rather than finalizing the entry immediately, the council voted to table it until January 31, 2012, to allow for further review before final approval.

The outcome of this agenda item was approval of the budget amendments, with the journal entry deferred for additional consideration at a later date.

New Business

11:09

The Council reviewed and approved several new business items during this portion of the meeting. Council Members Ellinger, Lane, and Martin participated in the discussion.

The items presented for approval included:

• Authorizations for rental agreements
• Service contracts
• Grant awards
• Lease agreements

One item was amended during the discussion to reflect a revised cost before approval was granted.

All new business items were approved by the Council.

NDF Motion

The Council addressed the NDF Motion during this agenda item 24:06. Council Members Myers and Beard were the key speakers on this matter.

The Council approved the NDF list without discussion. No motions were brought forward during consideration of this item.

Outcome: The NDF list was approved.

Committee of the Whole (COW) Economic Development Update

24:36

Chair CM Beard presented an informational update on economic development activities during this agenda item. The presentation covered progress on the Bucks for Brains program and included information regarding the appointment of a new Downtown Development Authority executive.

This was a presentation-only item with no motions brought forward. The update served to inform the committee of ongoing economic development initiatives and personnel changes within the relevant authority.

Streetlight Presentation

Budget Director Ryan Barrow presented a detailed analysis of the streetlight fund's deficit, examining the financial challenges and potential solutions. The presentation included cost-saving options and funding alternatives for council consideration. 28:00

Susan Bush participated in the discussion of the streetlight fund matters.

The council referred the matter to the Budget & Finance Committee for further review rather than taking immediate action, deferring a final decision on how to address the streetlight fund's deficit.

On-Site Rx Presentation

Dan Dobler and Yelmore from On-Site Rx presented a proposal for establishing an on-site pharmacy at the Dr. Samuel Brown Health Center 1:14:15. The presentation outlined a comprehensive plan addressing cost savings, member benefits, and operational considerations for the facility.

The presenters highlighted the financial advantages of implementing an on-site pharmacy, demonstrating how the service would generate cost savings for the organization. They also emphasized the direct benefits to members, including improved access to pharmaceutical services and enhanced convenience through integrated care at the health center.

The presentation included operational details necessary for implementation, covering logistics and staffing requirements for the proposed pharmacy service.

The Council reviewed the proposal and voted to approve the on-site pharmacy initiative at the Dr. Samuel Brown Health Center.

Council Report

Council members reported on various matters during this agenda item. 1:43:51

Issues Discussed

Council members addressed several topics:

• A coyote sighting in Hamburg
• Redistricting concerns
• The need for legal action on an unspecified matter
• Activity-based accounting procedures

Key Speakers

The following council members participated in the discussion:

• CM Stinnett
• CM Lane
• VM Gorton
• CM Kay
• CM Henson
• CM Martin
• CM Beard
• CM Blues

Action Taken

The council approved moving the issue of activity-based accounting to the Budget & Finance Committee for further consideration.

Outcome

The agenda item was approved.

Mayor's Report

1:12:27

The Council considered the Mayor's Report as Agenda Item VIII. CM Lane and VM Gorton were the key speakers on this item.

The Council approved the Mayor's Report without discussion.