Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on June 21, 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, including a commemoration recognizing Ryne Combs as the 2012 Mr. Baseball and an ordinance amendment to Section 2-180 of the Code of Ordinances. The Council took two votes during the session and heard two public comments. The ordinance amendment was approved by the Council.

Attendance

Present: Mayor Gray, Henson, Kay, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, and Gorton

Absent: Lane

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

Ordinance 0669-12: FY 2013 Budget Appropriations 18:41

The body voted on Ordinance 0669-12, which appropriates revenues, expenditures/expenses, and interfund transfers for various funds for fiscal year 2013. Motioned by Stinnett and seconded by Henson, the ordinance passed by roll call vote with 10 ayes and 4 nays.

Voting in favor: Henson, Kay, Lawless, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, and Gorton

Voting against: Martin, McChord, Myers, and Crosbie

The ordinance was approved with a condition that the reference to the Spay and Neuter Fund was removed.

Resolution 0563-12: Collective Bargaining Agreement with Bluegrass Fraternal Order of Police 39:47

The body voted on Resolution 0563-12, accepting the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bluegrass Fraternal Order of Police. Motioned by Crosbie and seconded by Gorton, the resolution passed by roll call vote with 12 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 abstention.

Voting in favor: Henson, Kay, Lawless, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Farmer, and Gorton

Voting against: Martin

Abstaining: One member

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions:

Materials Recovery Facility and Waste Management Routing Project

Resolution 0517-12 authorized a final payment of $45,000 to Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. for completion of the Materials Recovery Facility Project and Waste Management Routing Project.

West Hickman Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant Improvements

Resolution 0521-12 approved a change order in the amount of $5,830.18 to Vanhook Enterprises, Inc. for odor-HVAC improvements to the solids building at the West Hickman Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Public Comment

Two members of the public addressed the meeting with concerns related to county jail operations and costs.

Janet Tucker spoke at 1:56:19 regarding increased fees at the county jail. She expressed concern that these fee increases unfairly burden individuals who are already struggling financially.

Brandon Dunn spoke at 2:00:08 about House Bill 463 and jail costs. He suggested that the city should discontinue incarcerating low-level offenders and instead issue citations as a cost-saving measure.

Contested Items

Increased Fees at the County Jail

A proposal to increase fees at the county jail generated community opposition during the meeting. 1:56:19

Several members of the public submitted comments expressing concerns about the fee increases for inmates. The primary objection centered on the financial burden that increased fees would place on families of incarcerated individuals. Commenters argued that higher fees would create hardship for families already struggling with the costs associated with having an incarcerated relative.

The meeting record does not indicate a specific outcome or resolution regarding this contested item.

Commemoration: Ryne Combs is '2012 Mr. Baseball'

Councilmember Stinnett and Mayor Gray presented a commemoration to Ryne Combs for being named Kentucky's Mr. Baseball for 2012. 5:04

This was an informational presentation recognizing Combs' achievement and honor in receiving the Mr. Baseball designation for the state of Kentucky in 2012.

Amending Section 2-180 of the Code of Ordinances

Ordinance 0570-12

This ordinance amended Section 2-180 of the Code of Ordinances to add the Commissioner of Finance as an ex-officio, voting member of the Board of Commissioners of the Lexington and Fayette County Parking Authority.

Gorton presented the item 12:21. The ordinance was approved.