Urban County Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on October 23, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council conducted business across 10 agenda items and took 19 votes during the session. The meeting included one public comment period for issues on the agenda and another for issues not on the agenda.

The council approved several significant items, including requested rezonings and docket approval, budget amendments, and new business items. The session also included continuing business and presentations, council reports, and the mayor's report. All agenda items proceeded to completion, with the meeting concluding in adjournment.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on October 23, 2012:

Jim Gray, Ellinger, Crosbie, Beard, Gorton, Kay, McChord, Henson, Martin, Lawless, Ford, Farmer, Myers, Stinnett, Lane, Blues, Basin, Moloney, Lucas, Mason, Maxwell, Graham, Hancock, Hamilton, Driskell, Paulsen, Bayert, Bastin, Sahli, Claunch, Toleman, Dugger, Gardner, Cruz, Paulson, Driscoll, O'Mara, Barrow, Fischer, Malcolm, Hoskins, Jordan, Case, Gerv, York, Baird, Grundwald, King, Curtis, and Bean.

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The council passed 20 resolutions and ordinances by voice vote during this meeting. All votes passed without opposition or abstentions.

Zoning and Urban Services [timestamp: 00:12:37–00:14:42]

Resolution 0073-26 approved the docket for requested rezonings and public hearings, moved by Council Member Lawless and seconded by Council Member Ellinger.

Resolution 0074-26 approved expansion of urban services district 5 to include Malvone Road, moved by Council Member Henson and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon.

Resolution 0075-26 approved expansion of urban services district 1 to include Glendova Road and Codell Drive, moved by Council Member Beard and seconded by Council Member Myers.

Ordinances and Administrative Matters [timestamp: 00:15:54–00:19:04]

Ordinance 0076-26 amended the Corridors Commission to add the Office of the Commissioner of Planning, Preservation, and Development as a non-voting member, moved by Council Member Blues and seconded by Council Member Beard.

Resolution 0077-26 amended Resolution 303-2012 to establish a residential parking permit program for the 1200 block of Castle Road, moved by Council Member Lawless and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon.

Resolution 0078-26 approved the docket, moved by Council Member Ellinger and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon.

Resolution 0079-26 approved the summary, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member Blues.

Resolution 0080-26 approved budget amendments, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member Beard.

Resolution 0081-26 approved new business items, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member K.

Funding and Development [timestamp: 00:25:38–00:39:45]

Resolution 0082-26 approved the Neighborhood Development Funds (NDF) allocation, moved by Council Member Ellinger and seconded by Vice Mayor Gorton.

Ordinance 0083-26 created Section 14-105 of the Code of Ordinances for civil enforcement of littering violations, moved by Council Member Blues and seconded by Council Member Henson.

Resolution 0084-26 approved bonding $13 million for road paving using MAP funds, moved by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon.

Resolution 0085-26 initiated a ZOTA text amendment for permitted signage in professional offices in mixed-use zones, moved by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon.

Personnel and Other Matters [timestamp: 00:42:26–00:59:33]

Resolution 0086-26 approved the collective bargaining agreement with the Lexington Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 526, on behalf of Fire Majors, moved by Council Member Graham and seconded by Council Member Maxwell.

Resolution 0087-26 approved the animal plan for disasters and outdoor warning siren system presentation, moved by Pat Dugger.

Resolution 0088-26 referred corporate sponsorship and naming rights in parks to the General Government Committee, moved by Council Member Lane and seconded by Council Member Beard.

Resolution 0089-26 amended the mayor's report to delay confirmation of the Board of Adjustment nominee until after the hearing, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member Luz.

Resolution 0090-26 approved the mayor's report, moved by Council Member Lane and seconded by Council Member Martin.

Resolution 0091-26 adjourned the meeting, moved by Vice Mayor Gorton and seconded by Council Member Myers 2:02:10.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included approval of multiple contracts, amendments, and appropriations:

Contracts and Professional Services

• Resolution 0073-26: Rental of meeting space at Crowne Plaza for Police Sergeants and Lieutenants promotional process, $2,500
• Resolution 0074-26: Professional human resource management consulting with Management Advisory Group International Inc. for compensation study, $34,050
• Resolution 0075-26: Occupational wellness and services contract with Urgent Treatment Clinics for three years beginning January 1, 2013 (budgeted)
• Resolution 0076-26: Professional services agreement with E. Clark Toleman Real Estate Appraisal Services for acquisition of sanitary sewer easements and real property (included in project budgets)
• Resolution 0079-26: Memorandum of Understanding with Fayette County Public Schools for Mobile Data Network use (no budgetary impact)
• Resolution 0080-26: Mutual Aid Agreement with Fayette County Public Schools for law enforcement assistance (no budgetary impact)
• Resolution 0082-26: Rental Agreement with Lexington Center Corporation for use of the Opera House for the Kiddie Kaper recital (paid by ticket sales)
• Resolution 0083-26: Collective Bargaining Agreement with IAFF Local 526 (Lexington Professional Firefighters, budgeted)

Amendments and Change Orders

• Resolution 0077-26: Third Supplemental Lease Agreement with Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board for refunding Series 2009 B & C bonds, $24,420,000
• Resolution 0078-26: Change Order No. 1 (Final) with Claunch Construction for Green Acres Storm Water Treatment Units, $2,800
• Resolution 0081-26: Authorization to purchase five IntegriLink User Licenses from Global Compliance, $1,500
• Resolution 0084-26: Budget amendment to abolish one Council Administrative Specialist and create one Council Staff Specialist, $17,798.42 savings

Appropriations and Fund Transfers

Multiple journal entries approved funding for park improvements, environmental compliance, community development, and infrastructure projects, including $8,240 for Jacobson Park entrance repairs, $550,000 for electrical enhancement related to SCADA project in the Sanitary Sewer Fund, and various community development block grant adjustments totaling over $130,000.

Public Comment

Vivian Collins addressed the meeting regarding the status of a floodplain study and engineering work for a project located at 1211 Manchester Street 2:03:19. Ms. Collins inquired about the progress of this project, which had been referred to the Environmental Quality Committee for further review.

Appointments

Rudy Cruz was appointed to serve as Parks Liaison.

Contested Items

Corporate Naming of Public Park Features

A heated discussion emerged regarding the naming of a skate park at Kirk Levington Park after Cricket Wireless. The controversy centered on the fact that this naming was completed without following proper protocol.

Council members engaged in debate over the need for establishing a formal policy governing corporate sponsorships and naming rights for public facilities. The core concerns raised included:

• Lack of transparency in the decision-making process
• Questions about employee conduct in handling the sponsorship arrangement
• Absence of established guidelines for corporate involvement in naming public park features

The discussion highlighted the need for clearer procedures and oversight when considering corporate partnerships that result in naming rights to public spaces.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

8:12

No members of the public signed up to speak on issues on the agenda. The meeting proceeded directly to the next agenda item.

Requested Rezonings / Docket Approval

8:46

Several rezoning requests were placed on the docket during this agenda item. The proposals included expansions of urban services districts and a residential parking permit program.

Council Members Lawless, Henson, and Beard participated in the discussion of these rezoning matters.

A public hearing was scheduled for November 27, 2012, to allow for community input on the proposed rezonings.

The agenda item was approved.

Approval of Summary

The council considered the approval of the summary from the work session. Vice Mayor Gordon and Council Member Blues participated in this agenda item.

The summary of the work session was presented for approval. There was no dissent expressed during the discussion, and the summary was approved by the council.

18:03

Budget Amendments

18:34

The council approved a series of budget amendments during this agenda item. Vice Mayor Gordon and Council Member Beard were the key speakers involved in the discussion.

The amendments addressed several operational and capital needs:

• Overtime transfers for staffing needs
• Temporary personnel funding
• Memorial benches for parks
• Park repairs and maintenance
• Revenue recognition from recycling programs
• Revenue recognition from donations

The outcome of the discussion was approval of all proposed budget amendments. No specific concerns or objections were documented during the debate on these items.

New Business

19:04

Several new business items were presented and approved during this portion of the meeting.

Items Approved

The following contracts and services were approved:

• Meeting space contract
• HR consulting services
• Wellness services
• Equipment upgrades

Corporate Sponsorship Policy

A motion was made to refer the corporate sponsorship policy to the General Government Committee for further review and consideration.

Key Participants

Council Member Stinnett, Council Member Lane, and Council Member Ford participated in the discussion of these new business items.

Outcome

All new business items were approved.

Continuing Business / Presentations

25:38

During this agenda item, the council received presentations on several key topics and committee summaries.

Presentations Made:

• Neighborhood Development Funds
• Budget & Finance Committee summary
• Environmental Quality Committee summary
• Public Safety Committee summary
• Planning and Public Works Committee summary

Key Speakers:

The presentations were delivered by Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Blues, Council Member Lawless, and Council Member Farmer.

Outcome:

The presentations were approved.

Council Reports

26:09

The Council received reports from four standing committees during this agenda item.

Committees Reporting:

• Budget & Finance Committee
• Environmental Quality Committee
• Public Safety Committee
• Planning and Public Works Committee

Key Presenters:

Council Members Ellinger, Blues, Lawless, and Farmer presented reports on behalf of their respective committees.

Environmental Quality Committee Recommendation:

The Environmental Quality Committee recommended adoption of a civil enforcement ordinance addressing littering violations.

Outcome:

The reports were approved.

Mayor's Report

The Mayor's Report was presented during the meeting, with Vice Mayor Gordon and Council Member Martin serving as key speakers on this agenda item. 58:32

The report included discussion of a Board of Adjustment nominee. Rather than proceeding with immediate confirmation, the council amended the report to delay the nominee's confirmation until after a hearing could be held. This modification ensured that the nomination would receive proper procedural review before final approval.

Following the amendment, the Mayor's Report was approved by the council.

Public Comment – Issues Not on the Agenda

2:03:19

During this portion of the meeting, Vivian Collins raised questions regarding the status of a floodplain study and an associated project on Manchester Street.

Collins did not receive a detailed response during the public comment period. Instead, she was directed to contact Derek Paulson from the engineering department for information about the floodplain study and Manchester Street project status.

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

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and approved 2:02:10. Vice Mayor Gorton and Council Member Myers were the key speakers involved in this closing motion. The motion to adjourn was successful, bringing the meeting to an end.