Special Committee of the Whole: UDAG
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Summary
Meeting Overview
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council held a Committee of the Whole meeting on October 9, 2012, presided over by the Vice Mayor. The committee heard 11 informational presentations covering various capital projects and funding initiatives across the city. No votes were taken during this meeting. The committee received five public comments from attendees. The presentations addressed a range of topics including improvements to city facilities and parks, such as the Senior Citizens Center, Berry Hill Park's Master Plan, the Gainesway Small Area Plan, the Old Courthouse Renovation, and the Chevy Chase Redesign Project. The committee also discussed funding allocations for trails, lacrosse fields, and the Living Arts and Science Center Capital Campaign, as well as considerations for dividing funds between council districts and 21C funding opportunities.
Attendance
The following individuals were present at the meeting on October 6, 2012:
Council Members: - Council Member Myers - Council Member Lane - Council Member McCord - Council Member Hanson - Council Member Lawless - Council Member Beard
Other Attendees: - Commissioner Driscoll - Jamie Millard - Kristy Stambaugh - George Myers - Doug Martin - Heather Lyons - Jeff Fugate - Janice Westland - Irene
No members were recorded as absent or late.
Budget and Financial Actions
The meeting on October 6, 2012 included approval of the following financial allocations:
Grants and Funding Approvals:
- Senior Citizens Center — $150,000 grant for facility funding
- Berry Hill Park — $100,000 grant for the Skatepark Master Plan
- Gainesway Community — $80,000 grant for the Small Area Plan
- Gainesway Community — $250,000 grant for Small Area Plan projects
- Lexington History Museum — $40,100 grant for Old Courthouse Renovation, including lead abatement and cleaning
- Trail System Projects — $500,000 in local match funding for trail grants
- Living Arts & Science Center — $400,000 capital campaign match funding
The total financial commitments approved during this meeting amounted to $1,520,100 across seven separate funding items supporting community centers, parks, planning initiatives, historic preservation, trail infrastructure, and arts and science programming.
Public Comment
Several council members and community representatives addressed the council on matters of public interest.
Berry Hill Skatepark
Council Member Myers spoke in support of the Berry Hill Skatepark project 33:23, emphasizing community backing for the facility. Myers cited youth testimonials and stressed the need for a larger, modern skatepark to attract major donors and accommodate growing demand.
Senior Center Expansion
Council Member Hanson advocated for a new senior center 31:10, highlighting the importance of establishing a centralized hub to consolidate services and address rising demand.
Gainesway Small Area Plan
Council Member Myers addressed the Gainesway Small Area Plan 43:55, underscoring its necessity to counteract negative development impacts in the district. Myers referenced concerns including a proposed ex-offender facility and food access disparities affecting the area.
Old Courthouse Renovation
Jamie Millard presented on the Old Courthouse renovation project 46:34, emphasizing the urgent need to reopen the Lexington History Museum. Millard noted that abating lead and asbestos in the building is critical, and identified the structure as both a historic landmark and an essential component of downtown programming.
Council Member Beard inquired about long-term restoration plans for the courthouse 53:13. In response, Jamie Millard outlined a vision for comprehensive restoration to the building's original condition, indicating that a $15 million renovation project and a $3 million endowment are being envisioned for this purpose.
Contested Items
Home Match Funding Source
A procedural dispute arose regarding the allocation of the $1,153,397 UDAG balance. Council members questioned whether this balance could be fully reallocated without jeopardizing the required HOME program match. The disagreement centered on identifying alternative funding sources to maintain the HOME program's matching requirements while potentially redirecting the UDAG funds elsewhere.
The dispute prompted discussion among council members about how to proceed with the reallocation while ensuring compliance with HOME program obligations. No specific outcome is documented in the available meeting materials.
Senior Citizens Center (K. Stambaugh)
Kristy Stambaugh presented information regarding the Senior Citizens Center and its current operational challenges.
Key Issues Presented:
- The current facility is operating at capacity with 148 daily attendees
- The center faces overcrowding and insufficient space for its user population
- Infrastructure is outdated and requires upgrades
- Safety and accessibility issues have been identified at the facility
- Demand for senior center services is increasing
Presentation Focus:
Ms. Stambaugh emphasized the urgent need for a new senior center to address these constraints. The presentation highlighted that the existing facility can no longer adequately serve the growing number of seniors utilizing the center's services.
Outcome:
This agenda item was presented as informational in nature, with no formal action or decision required at this time.
$100k for Berry Hill (Park's Master Plan) (CM Myers)
Council Member George Myers presented a proposal to allocate $100,000 for a master plan for a new skatepark at Berry Hill Park 32:21.
Presentation Overview
Myers outlined the rationale for the funding, emphasizing community demand for the skatepark project. He highlighted the importance of youth engagement and noted that a comprehensive master plan would be necessary to attract larger donors and support for a more ambitious design.
Key Points
The proposal centered on using the $100,000 allocation to develop a detailed master plan that would serve as a foundation for future fundraising and construction efforts. Rather than proceeding with a minimal design, Myers advocated for creating a more substantial vision that could generate greater community and financial support.
Outcome
This item was presented as informational, indicating that the presentation was delivered to the council for their information and consideration rather than requiring an immediate vote or formal action at this meeting.
$80k for Gainesway Small Area Plan (CM Myers)
Council Member George Myers presented a proposal for $80,000 to initiate a Small Area Plan for the Gainesway area 39:58.
Rationale for the Plan
Myers advocated for the funding based on several factors affecting the Gainesway community:
- Significant investment has been made in the area
- Food access disparities exist within the neighborhood
- A proposed ex-offender facility in the area necessitated a comprehensive planning response
Outcome
The agenda item was presented as informational in nature, with no formal vote or decision recorded at this time.
$250k towards Gainesway Small Area Plan Projects (CM Myers)
Council Member George Myers presented a request for $250,000 in funding to implement projects identified in the Gainesway Small Area Plan 44:58.
Request and Rationale
Myers emphasized the need to accelerate development and maintain momentum in the revitalized Gainesway neighborhood. The funding was intended to support specific projects that had been identified through the small area planning process.
Outcome
This item was presented as informational in nature, with no formal vote or decision recorded at this time.
Old Courthouse Renovation (CM Martin/VM Gorton)
Jamie Millard presented information regarding the reopening of the Lexington History Museum. The presentation focused on addressing environmental hazards in the building, specifically the abatement of lead and asbestos, as necessary steps to reopen the facility.
Millard emphasized the historical significance of the Old Courthouse building and its importance to the community. The presentation also highlighted the building's role in supporting downtown events and community programming, underscoring its value as a civic and cultural asset.
This was an informational presentation with no formal action taken at this time.
Chevy Chase Redesign Project (CM Farmer)
Council Member Bill Farmer presented proposed improvements to the Chevy Chase intersection 32:21. The presentation focused on enhancing both pedestrian safety and traffic flow at this location.
Proposed Improvements
The redesign project includes several key modifications:
- A wider median at the intersection
- Addition of left-turn lanes
- Signal timing adjustments to improve traffic movement
Outcome
This item was presented for informational purposes, with no formal action taken during the meeting.
10k Lacrosse Fields (CM Farmer)
Council Member Bill Farmer presented a proposal for funding new lacrosse fields during this agenda item 32:21. The presentation focused on youth sports development and the need for dedicated facilities to support growing interest in lacrosse.
Presentation Overview
CM Farmer emphasized the importance of expanding lacrosse infrastructure to meet the demands of the community's youth sports programs. The proposal centered on developing facilities that would provide adequate space for the sport's growing participation.
Key Points
The presentation highlighted: - Youth sports development as a priority - Growing community interest in lacrosse - The need for dedicated facilities to support the sport
Outcome
This agenda item was presented as informational in nature, with no formal action or decision recorded at this time.
$500k Local Match of Trail Grants (CM Martin)
Council Member Doug Martin presented a request for $500,000 in local matching funds to support federal trail grants 32:21. The proposed funding would enable the city to leverage federal resources for trail infrastructure projects.
Project Overview
The matching funds would support trail projects including a pedestrian bridge and trail connections designed to improve connectivity and safety across major roads. These improvements aim to enhance pedestrian access and create safer routes for residents.
Outcome
This item was presented as informational, with no formal action taken during the meeting.
Divide funds between Council Districts (CM Myers/CM Ford)
Council Members George Myers and CM Ford presented a proposal to distribute UDAG (Urban Development Action Grant) funds across council districts. The presentation was informational in nature, providing an overview of the fund distribution approach without detailing specific allocation amounts during the meeting.
Key Speakers: - George Myers - CM Ford
Presentation Summary:
The council members discussed the framework for dividing UDAG funds between council districts as a means of distributing resources across the city's various districts.
Outcome:
The item was presented for informational purposes. No specific allocation details were finalized or voted upon during this portion of the meeting.
21C Funding (Mayor Gray)
Jeff Fugate presented on 21C funding opportunities during this agenda item. The presentation was informational in nature, providing details on available funding mechanisms, though no specific project or funding request was detailed in the meeting transcript.
Key Speaker: - Jeff Fugate
Presentation Details: The discussion occurred approximately 32 minutes and 21 seconds into the meeting 32:21. Fugate's presentation focused on 21C funding opportunities available to the jurisdiction, though the specific details of which programs, eligibility requirements, or application processes were covered are not documented in the available transcript materials.
Outcome: The agenda item concluded as an informational presentation with no formal action or decision recorded.
Living Arts and Science Center Capital Campaign (CM Kay/VM Gorton/CM Ford)
Heather Lyons presented the Living Arts & Science Center's capital campaign to the council. The presentation highlighted the organization's growth and its impact on the community.
A key focus of the presentation was the center's need for funding to complete a major grant match. The Living Arts & Science Center has secured a $1 million grant but requires a $400,000 investment from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) to complete the matching requirement and finalize the grant.
The presentation emphasized the center's community contributions and the importance of this capital campaign in enabling the organization to continue and expand its work.
This agenda item was presented for informational purposes, with no formal action or vote required at this time.