Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on May 10, 2012, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding. During the meeting, the council addressed two agenda items: proposed amendments to the Scrap Metal Ordinance and the Empower Lexington Energy Plan. The council took three votes and heard two public comments. The Empower Lexington Energy Plan was approved, while the amendments to the Scrap Metal Ordinance advanced to first reading.

Attendance

Present: Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Gorton, Kay, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, and Blues

Absent: Crosbie and Henson

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

Ordinance 0311-12: Amendments to the Scrap Metal Ordinance 9:23

Motion by Stinnett, seconded by McChord. This ordinance passed unanimously with 13 ayes and 0 nays. All members voted in favor: Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Gorton, Kay, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, and Blues. Material changes required a new first reading.

Approval of Ordinances 1 Through 4 11:26

Motion by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger. This measure passed by roll call vote with 13 ayes and 0 nays. All members voted in favor: Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Gorton, Kay, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, and Blues.

Resolution 0439-12: Supporting the Empower Lexington Energy Plan 6:00

Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Stinnett. This resolution passed by roll call vote with 8 ayes and 5 nays.

Members voting in favor: Ellinger, Ford, Gorton, Kay, Lawless, Martin, Stinnett, and Blues.

Members voting against: Farmer, McChord, Myers, Lane, and Beard.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two bond issuances totaling up to $41,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

Taxable General Obligation Pension Funding Bonds, Series 2012A

Ordinance 0491-12 authorized the issuance of $31,000,000 in Taxable General Obligation Pension Funding Bonds, Series 2012A. These bonds were designated to fund pension obligations.

General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2012B

Ordinance 0494-12 authorized the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2012B in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000. This refunding bond issuance was structured to manage existing debt obligations.

Public Comment

Two members of the public spoke during the meeting to express opposition to a proposed change of one-way streets to two-way streets.

Bernard McCarthy 58:03

Mr. McCarthy argued against the proposed conversion of one-way streets to two-way streets. He contended that this change would not achieve the stated goals of making downtown more pedestrian or bicycle-friendly. Additionally, he expressed concern that the conversion would increase traffic congestion in the area.

Karen Woodrum 1:01:51

Ms. Woodrum also opposed the one-way to two-way street conversion. She raised concerns that the change would worsen traffic congestion. Ms. Woodrum further suggested that the funds allocated for this project could be better utilized for other infrastructure improvements.

Appointments

Terry M. Johnson resigned from the Lexington-Fayette-Urban County Government Parks Advisory Board.

Contested Items

Empower Lexington Energy Plan

The council voted on a resolution to support the Empower Lexington Energy Plan, which resulted in a split decision among members. The resolution passed with a vote of 8-5, indicating significant division on the measure. Five council members opposed the resolution, while eight voted in favor, demonstrating that the proposal was not unanimously supported by the council.

Amendments to Scrap Metal Ordinance

Agenda Item: 0311-12

The council considered amendments to the Scrap Metal Ordinance 9:23. Stinnett presented the proposed changes to the ordinance.

Key Changes

The amendments included deletion of references to the seller's license and other modifications designed to improve communication between scrap metal dealers and law enforcement.

Outcome

The ordinance passed first reading.

Empower Lexington Energy Plan

The council considered a resolution supporting the Empower Lexington Energy Plan, which aims to reduce Fayette County's energy use by 1% annually through voluntary measures 6:00.

Presentation and Discussion

Ellinger presented the energy plan to the council. The proposal focuses on achieving energy reductions through voluntary participation rather than mandatory requirements.

Outcome

The resolution was approved by the council.