Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on May 1, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor Government Center, presided over by Mayor Jim Gray. The meeting included 10 agenda items, during which the council took 21 motions and votes and heard 5 public comments from citizens.

The council addressed a range of business including the approval of meeting summaries, budget amendments, new business items, and continuing business with presentations. Several items were designated as informational, including public comments on agenda issues, requested rezonings and docket approvals, public comments on issues not on the agenda, and the Mayor's Report. The meeting concluded with adjournment following approval of the standard procedural items.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on May 1, 2012:

• Jay McChord
• Doug Martin
• Steve Kay
• Bill Farmer, Jr.
• Linda Gorton
• Tom Blues
• Chuck Ellinger
• George Myers
• Julian Beard
• Diane Lawless
• Ed Lane
• K.C. Crosbie
• Sally Hamilton
• Jerry Hancock
• Mike Fields
• Rocky Burke
• Charlie Martin
• Chris King
• David Lucas
• Jay Christian
• Deb Winograd
• Knox Van Ogle
• Ralph Rochelle
• Bruce Simpson
• John Sheed
• Jane
• Meredith

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included 21 motions, most of which passed by voice vote. The following summarizes the key votes and decisions:

Procedural Approvals 1:08 Motions to approve summaries from Work Sessions on April 10 and April 17, 2012 passed by voice vote, as did motions to approve Budget Amendments [00:01:38], New Business Items [00:02:09], and the NDF List [00:32:19].

Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Matters Three motions to place items on the docket for first reading all passed by voice vote: - 2012 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives [00:37:18] - 2012 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives Dashboard document [00:38:50] - Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment for the Adult Day Care Definition [00:58:05] - Fencing Ordinance Text Amendment [00:59:09]

Code Amendment 1:07:57 A motion to approve text changes amending section 7-2.1(a) of the Code of Ordinances passed by roll call vote with 8 ayes and 7 nays. Those voting in favor were Jay McChord, Steve Kay, Bill Farmer Jr., George Myers, Julian Beard, K.C. Crosbie, Ed Lane, and Diane Lawless. Those voting against were Doug Martin, Linda Gorton, Tom Blues, Chuck Ellinger, K.C. Crosbie, Sally Hamilton, and Jerry Hancock.

HUD Section 108 Loan Program 1:25:37 A motion to initiate the application to HUD to implement the Section 108 Loan Program passed by voice vote.

Committee and Meeting Scheduling The May 8th, 2012 Social Services and Community Development Standing Committee meeting was cancelled by voice vote [01:28:23]. A Special Council Meeting was scheduled for May 29th, 2012 for a Public Hearing on the Mayor's Proposed Budget [01:51:18].

Lextran Budget 1:38:50 A motion to place the Lextran budget on the docket for first reading passed by roll call with 10 ayes and 1 nay (Tom Blues voting against). A subsequent motion to table the Lextran Budget failed with 2 ayes and 9 nays.

Golf Program Subsidy 1:38:50 A motion to instruct Steve Kay to report the specific recommended subsidy number and rationale for the LFUCG Golf Program passed by roll call with 11 ayes and 1 nay (Sally Hamilton voting against).

Closed Session and Adjournment The council entered Closed Session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(f) [01:53:33] and returned [01:54:03]. The meeting adjourned at 6:01pm [01:54:33].

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions and expenditures:

Design Services Contract (L325-12) J.R. Miller Inc. was awarded a contract for $57,965 to provide design services for converting the current Vehicle Wash Facility on Byrd Thurman Drive into a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Downtown Revitalization Study (L417-12) Stantec Engineering Services, Inc. received a grant of $465,000 for the Downtown Lexington Traffic and Revitalization Study.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Services (L435-12) Bell Engineering was contracted for $157,495 to provide professional services for sanitary sewer detail design services at the Blue Sky Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Greenway Restoration Project (L429-12) Advanced Mulching, operating as Ecogrow, was awarded a contract modification (Change Order No. 2) valued at $4,511.05 for the McConnells Trace Greenway Restoration Project.

Social Services Accreditation (L431-12) The Council on Accreditation (COA) entered into an accreditation agreement with the Department of Social Services for $16,245.

LexTran Budget Appropriation LexTran received an appropriation of $23,000,000 for 2012-2013 operating and capital expenditures.

Public Comment

Five speakers addressed the board on May 1, 2012, raising concerns about the Comprehensive Plan, economic development, and addressing ordinances.

Comprehensive Plan and Economic Development

Bruce Simpson 44:47 advocated for flexibility in the Comprehensive Plan to allow for potential expansion of rural activity centers. He emphasized the need to consider future economic development opportunities while protecting adjacent properties.

Ralph Rochelle 45:51 stressed the need for large, shovel-ready tracts of land to attract high-paying manufacturing jobs. He cited Fayette County's competitive disadvantage due to lack of available industrial land.

Knox Van Ogle 52:59 supported the current plan's focus on inward growth and quality of life. He emphasized that strategic planning and existing land use can attract investment without sacrificing farmland.

Addressing Ordinance and Historical House Numbers

Jay Christian 1:18:39 argued for preserving unique historical house numbers on Richmond Avenue, stating they are charming and have worked safely for 100 years.

Deb Winograd 1:19:43 defended the current house number on her street, stating she has never had issues with emergency services and that the numbers are not unsafe.

Contested Items

Addressing Ordinance Text Amendment

The council voted to amend the addressing ordinance to allow non-whole numbers in limited cases. The motion passed 8-7, indicating significant division on the council. Council Members Blues, Martin, and Gorton voted against the amendment, expressing concerns about public safety and the precedent it would set. The narrow margin reflects the contentious nature of this decision.

Golf Subsidy and Enterprise Fund Discussion

Council members engaged in a heated debate regarding golf operations funding. The discussion centered on multiple interconnected issues: the appropriate level of subsidy for golf operations, whether bond debt should be included in financial calculations, and whether golf should be reclassified as an enterprise fund. The disagreement revealed differing philosophical positions among council members about the proper role of municipal government in funding recreation. Some members advocated for viewing golf as a public service worthy of subsidy, while others questioned the sustainability and appropriateness of ongoing public funding for what some considered a private recreation activity.

Blue Sky Wastewater Project Scope

Council members raised procedural and substantive concerns about the Blue Sky Wastewater Project. The dispute centered on whether the project's current scope was sufficient to accommodate future growth and industrial development. Some council members questioned whether the existing design would adequately support the community's long-term expansion needs. Despite these concerns about the project's adequacy, the technical memorandum served as the decision point for moving forward with the project scope as proposed.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

0:00

Several residents provided public comment on matters related to the Comprehensive Plan during this agenda item.

Key Speakers and Topics

The following residents spoke during this period: Bruce Simpson, Ralph Rochelle, Knox Van Ogle, Jay Christian, and Deb Winograd.

Issues Addressed

Speakers addressed multiple aspects of the Comprehensive Plan, including:

• Land use considerations
• Economic development
• Historical house numbers

Concerns Raised

Residents raised concerns about the need for flexibility in zoning regulations and expressed interest in the preservation of unique community features within the planning process.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

1:08

No docket items were presented during this session. The Council confirmed that there was no rezoning docket scheduled for this week.

Approval of Summary

1:08

The Council approved the summaries from the April 10 and April 17 Work Sessions without dissent. Julian Beard and Linda Gorton were the key speakers on this agenda item.

The summaries were approved by resolution as presented, with no objections raised during the discussion.

Budget Amendments

The Council considered budget amendments during this agenda item, with discussion led by Linda Gorton and Tom Blues. 1:38

The amendments addressed fiscal impacts related to police and computer services positions. The Council approved the budget amendments without dissent.

New Business

2:09

The Council addressed several new business items during this portion of the meeting.

Items Approved

The Council approved a series of new business items, including:

• Contracts for hazardous waste facility design
• Sewer studies
• Zoning amendments

Lextran Budget

A motion to approve the Lextran budget was brought before the Council. The motion passed following a roll call vote.

Key Participants

The discussion was led by Steve Kay, Doug Martin, and Rocky Burke.

Outcome

All new business items presented were approved by the Council.

Continuing Business/Presentations

During this agenda item, the Council addressed several matters brought forward by committee reports and presentations 32:19.

Approvals and Adoptions

The Council approved three significant items: - The NDF list - The 2012 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives - The Dashboard

Planning and Public Works Committee Report

The Planning and Public Works Committee provided updates on three ordinance-related matters: - Zoning ordinance updates - Fencing ordinance provisions - Addressing ordinance revisions

Social Services and Community Development Committee Report

The Social Services and Community Development Committee reported on two initiatives: - The Section 108 Loan Program - The Senior Citizen Center task force

Key Participants

The following individuals participated in this agenda item: Bill Farmer, Jr., George Myers, Chris King, and David Lucas.

Outcome

All matters presented during this continuing business and presentations segment were approved by the Council.

Council Report

During this agenda item, the Council addressed several administrative matters and scheduling decisions. 1:51:18

Key Actions

The Council approved the scheduling of a Special Council Meeting dedicated to the Mayor's Proposed Budget. Additionally, the Council received a presentation of the Fire and Emergency Medical Task Force Report.

A motion to enter closed session was approved by the Council.

Speakers

The following members participated in this discussion: - Steve Kay - Bill Farmer, Jr. - Ed Lane

Outcome

The agenda item was approved.

Public Comments – Issues Not on Agenda

1:18:39

During this portion of the meeting, residents provided feedback regarding the addressing ordinance. Two key speakers, Jay Christian and Deb Winograd, shared their perspectives on address-related matters.

The primary focus of the public comments centered on the addressing ordinance, with residents emphasizing several important considerations:

• Preservation of historical house numbers – Speakers highlighted the importance of maintaining historical address designations
• Consistency in address changes – Residents stressed the need for uniform standards when addresses are modified
• Safety concerns – The discussion included considerations about how address changes impact public safety and emergency services

The speakers advocated for a balanced approach that would protect the historical character of addresses while ensuring that any necessary changes maintain consistency and support community safety objectives.

Outcome: This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The comments were received as public input on the addressing ordinance matter.

Mayor's Report

No mayor's report was presented during this agenda item.

Adjournment

The Council adjourned at 6:01 PM following a motion by Chuck Ellinger. 1:54:33