Urban County Council Work Session on 04/24/2012 3:00 PM - PACKET

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on April 24, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center. Mayor Jim Gray presided over the session, which included 14 motions and votes on various matters before the body. The council approved five substantive agenda items: Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval, Approval of Summary, Budget Amendments, New Business, and the NDF List. In addition to these votes, the meeting included five informational items: a COW Economic Development Committee Update, The Parks of Floyds Fork Presentation, a Council Report, Public Comments on Issues Not on Agenda, and the Mayor's Report. Two members of the public provided comments during the meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on April 24, 2012:

Mayor and Council Members: - Mayor Jim Gray - Vice Mayor Gordon - Council Member Blues - Council Member Ellinger - Council Member Farmer - Council Member Beard - Council Member Lawless - Council Member Henson - Council Member Stinnett - Council Member Kay - Council Member Crosby - Council Member Martin - Council Member Lane - Council Member Myers - Council Member Ford

Other Officials and Staff: - Commissioner Sally Hamilton - Commissioner Mason - Chief Jackson - Dan Jones - Bill Juckett - Derek Paulson - Jordan - Hoskins - Griffin - Littrell

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted fourteen votes during this meeting, all of which passed by voice vote.

Ordinance Placement

Council Member Bleu moved to place Ordinance 11 on the docket without a public hearing, seconded by Council Member Ellinger 9:20. The motion passed.

Council Member Lawless moved to place Ordinance 12 on the docket without a public hearing, seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 9:52. The motion passed.

Budget and Committee Approvals

Council Member Farmer moved to approve an Environmental Quality Committee meeting at a cost not to exceed $241,000, seconded by Council Member Beard 10:29. The motion passed.

Council Member Ellinger moved to approve budget amendments, seconded by Council Member Myers 12:34. The motion passed.

Docket and Work Session Approvals

Vice Mayor Gordon moved to approve the entire docket, seconded by Council Member Ellinger 10:59. The motion passed.

Council Member Beard moved to approve the summary for Work Session 410, seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 12:00. The motion passed.

Vice Mayor Gordon moved to approve the summary for Work Session 17th, seconded by Council Member Farmer 12:34. The motion passed.

Agenda Modifications

Council Member Beard moved to remove item O (Lexington Children's Theatre grant) from the agenda, seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 14:20. The motion passed.

Council Member Ellinger moved to approve new business items, seconded by Council Member Ellinger 25:35. The motion passed.

Council Member Ellinger moved to approve the NDF list, seconded by Council Member Blues 26:08. The motion passed.

Business District and Presentation

Council Member Lawless moved to place the pedestrian-oriented business district on the docket for first reading, seconded by Council Member Blues 32:32. The motion passed.

Council Member Lane moved to extend time for presentation by Dan Jones and Bill Juckett beyond 15 minutes, seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 36:46. The motion passed.

Golf Subsidy Referral

Council Member McCord moved to refer the public golf subsidy issue to the General Government Committee, seconded by Council Member Blues 32:05. The motion passed.

Council Member Myers moved to amend the previous motion to bring the golf issue to a work session instead, seconded by Council Member Lane 46:27. The motion passed.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved multiple budget amendments and financial authorizations:

Budget Amendments

Seven journal entries adjusted departmental funds:

• Journal 59680: $120.38 to correct account detail for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
• Journal 59681: $3,276.26 for Economic Development Loan legal fees related to the 500's on Main development project
• Journal 59682-83: $2,918.84 to repay Park Maintenance overtime expended during park facility rentals
• Journal 59686: $3,000.00 to cover landfill user fees by decreasing emergency financial assistance funds and creating a transfer to the Landfill Fund
• Journal 59687-88: $3,000.00 to cover landfill user fees through a General Fund transfer
• Journal 59690-91: $250.00 to recognize a donation from Sharon Donohue for CERT backpacks for the next training class
• Journal 59694: $17,012.00 to transfer lapsed graphics personnel funds to the operating account for the graphics program

Lease Agreements

The meeting authorized lease agreements with multiple organizations for space in city facilities:

• North Central Area Health Education Center (L354-12): $3,849.00 for space at Black & Williams Neighborhood Center
• Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass (L357-12): $3,386.00 for space at Senior Citizens Center
• Faith in Action: Elder Outreach (L358-12): $2,089.70 for space at Senior Citizens Center
• Meals on Wheels of Lexington, Inc. (L360-12): $893.67 for space at Senior Citizens Center
• Blue Grass Community Action Partnership (L362-12 and L364-12): No cost for space at Senior Citizens Center and Black & Williams Neighborhood Center
• Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (L366-12): $22,672.02 for space at Black & Williams Neighborhood Center

Grants and Donations

The meeting approved several grant-related actions:

• Sharon Donohue donation (L399-12): $250.00 for CERT backpacks
• Community Development Block Grant (L403-12): $252,000.00 from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (L413-12): $252,727.00 from U.S. Department of Justice for FY 2013
• Project Safe Neighborhood Grant (L415-12): $24,000.00 for agreements with Commonwealth Attorneys
• Lexington Children's Theatre (L418-12): $11,000.00 from Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works to support the play "Heap It On"

Contracts

The meeting authorized contracts with Bullhorn, LLC (L421-12) for graphic design services and approved an amendment to add McGee Springs Farm Inc. (L426-12) as a mowing contractor.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the meeting during the public comment period.

Ken Cohen – Metal Theft and Scrap Ordinance 3:42

Ken Cohen of Baker Iron and Metal presented an alternative proposal regarding the metal theft and scrap ordinance. He suggested that his company place a police officer on its scale to monitor transactions, which he argued would eliminate the need for a scrap ordinance. Cohen offered to pay for the officer and recommended that the Lexington ordinance be put on hold until the state ordinance takes effect.

Wendy Schaus – Bluegrass Community Action Partnership 8:48

Wendy Schaus, representing Bluegrass Community Action Partnership, stated that after reviewing the meeting packet, no comment was needed.

Appointments

The following individuals were appointed to the Task Force on Capacity Assurance Program:

• Council Member Blues
• Council Member Ellinger
• Council Member Kay
• Council Member Farmer
• Council Member Stinnett
• Vice Mayor Gordon
• Derek Paulson

Contested Items

Public Golf Subsidy Policy

A motion to refer the public golf subsidy issue to the General Government Committee passed, though not without significant debate. The primary disagreement centered on the procedural approach to addressing the issue: council members disputed whether the matter should be handled in a work session or through the regular budget process.

Council members raised concerns about the implications of singling out one program for this type of discussion, questioning whether doing so set a problematic precedent. There was also disagreement about the timing of the discussion, with some members expressing concerns that the current moment was not appropriate for this review.

Despite these procedural and substantive disagreements, the motion to refer the matter to the General Government Committee ultimately passed.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

9:20

Council members addressed requested rezonings and docket approval during this agenda item. Council Member Bleu, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Lawless, and Vice Mayor Gordon participated in the discussion.

The council moved to place Ordinance 11 and Ordinance 12 on the docket without public hearings. Following this action, the entire docket was brought forward for a vote.

The docket was approved unanimously by the council.

Approval of Summary

Two motions were made during this agenda item to approve summaries for Work Sessions 410 and 17th. Council Member Beard, Vice Mayor Gordon, and Council Member Farmer participated in this item.

Both motions to approve the summaries were approved without discussion. 12:00

The outcome of this agenda item was approval.

Budget Amendments

A motion to approve budget amendments was presented during the meeting 12:34. Council Member Ellinger and Council Member Myers were the key speakers on this agenda item.

The amendments included adjustments to multiple funds for various purposes: - Legal fees - Park maintenance - Landfill fees - CERT backpacks

The motion was approved without discussion. No concerns were raised during the consideration of these amendments.

New Business

During the New Business section of the meeting, the council discussed and approved a series of lease agreements for social service agencies operating in county facilities. 13:10

Key Participants

The discussion involved Council Members Beard, Farmer, Lane, Myers, Kay, and Crosby, as well as Commissioner Sally Hamilton.

Topics Discussed

The council addressed lease agreements for social service agencies, with particular focus on transparency, fair market value assessments, and the rationale behind proposed rent adjustments. The discussion examined how these lease terms were determined and their alignment with fair market practices.

Outcome

The council approved the lease agreements as presented. Additionally, the council approved a motion to remove item O (Lexington Children's Theatre grant) from the agenda.

NDF List

A motion to approve the NDF list was presented during the meeting. Council Member Ellinger and Council Member Blues were the key speakers on this agenda item. 26:08

The motion was approved without discussion. No concerns were raised or debated regarding the NDF list during this portion of the meeting.

COW Economic Development Committee Update

Council Member Beard presented a report on the Economic Development Committee's activities 26:44. The presentation covered several key initiatives and proposals.

Topics Covered

The report included updates on job creation efforts and the committee's work with minority business accelerator programs. Additionally, Council Member Beard discussed a proposed transfer of a parking garage to the Lexington Parking Authority.

Key Speakers

Council Member Beard led the presentation, with Commissioner Sally Hamilton also participating in the discussion.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, providing the council with an update on the Economic Development Committee's ongoing work and initiatives.

The Parks of Floyds Fork Presentation

Dan Jones and Bill Juckett from Louisville presented on the Parklands of Floyd's Fork project 35:11. The presentation detailed the project's vision, funding mechanisms, land acquisition strategy, and public-private partnership model.

The presentation was extended beyond its originally scheduled 15 minutes with unanimous approval from the body, indicating significant interest in the project details.

Mayor Jim Gray participated in the discussion alongside the primary presenters.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational, with no formal action or vote required. The presentation served to inform the body about the Parklands of Floyd's Fork initiative and its implementation approach.

Council Report

Council members provided updates on various initiatives and ongoing projects during this agenda item.

Speakers and Updates

Council Member Henson, Council Member McCord, Council Member Hanson, Vice Mayor Gordon, Council Member Martin, and Council Member Lawless each contributed to the discussion, sharing information about activities and programs within their areas of responsibility.

Topics Covered

The council addressed several key initiatives:

• Stream cleanups
• The Disability Expo
• Golf policy
• EPA consent decree task force activities

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with council members sharing updates rather than taking formal action or making decisions. The discussion allowed the council to keep the public and fellow members informed about ongoing work across multiple city initiatives and programs.

24:05

Public Comments - Issues Not on Agenda

3:42

Two members of the public provided comments on matters not listed on the meeting agenda.

Ken Cohen addressed the body regarding scrap metal theft.

Wendy Schaus spoke about the Bluegrass Community Action Partnership.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken.

Mayor's Report

18:27

Commissioner Mason and Chief Jackson provided an update on fire department staffing and the SAPA plan during this informational agenda item.

The discussion focused on two primary topics: current fire department staffing levels and the implementation of the SAPA plan. Chief Jackson and Commissioner Mason outlined how the SAPA plan would affect department operations, specifically addressing the impact of brownouts on fire department response times and service delivery.

Key speakers included Commissioner Mason, Chief Jackson, and Mayor Jim Gray, who participated in the discussion of these operational matters.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The presentation served to update the council on staffing considerations and the planned operational changes associated with the SAPA initiative.