Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on February 19, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor Government Center in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. During the meeting, the Council addressed 10 agenda items, including public comment periods, zoning requests, budget matters, and various reports. The body took 23 votes and heard 4 public comments from members of the public. Key actions included approval of requested rezonings and docket items, approval of budget amendments, and approval of new and continuing business matters. The meeting concluded with adjournment following the standard agenda format that included informational reports from Council members and the Mayor.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on February 19, 2013:

• Linda Gorton
• Charles Ellinger
• Steve Kay
• Chris Ford
• Shevawn Akers
• Diane Lawless
• Julian Beard
• Bill Farmer
• Kevin Stinnett
• Jennifer Scutchfield
• Jennifer Mossotti
• George Myers
• Harry Clarke
• Peggy Henson
• Ed Lane

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Procedural Motions 6:03

The following motions passed unanimously:

• Motion to approve the docket of requested rezonings (moved by Linda Gorton, seconded by George Myers)
• Motion to add a resolution requesting the Kentucky General Assembly grant the LFUCG Ethics Commission authority to issue administrative subpoenas (moved by Jennifer Scutchfield, seconded by Chris Ford)
• Motion to approve the summary of the previous meeting (moved by Julian Beard, seconded by Harry Clarke)
• Motion to approve budget amendments (moved by Julian Beard, seconded by George Myers)
• Motion to approve new business items (moved by Linda Gorton, seconded by Julian Beard)
• Motion to approve option two for the Blue Sky Waste Water Treatment Plant (moved by Kevin Stinnett, seconded by Linda Gorton)
• Motion to develop a master agreement for the Blue Sky project (moved by Kevin Stinnett, seconded by Linda Gorton)
• Motion to refer fund balance discussion to Budget and Finance Committee (moved by Bill Farmer, seconded by Ed Lane)
• Motion to refer tenant transition and household disposal to Public Safety Committee (moved by Chris Ford, seconded by George Myers)
• Motion to approve the Mayor's Report (moved by Linda Gorton, seconded by George Myers)
• Motion to enter closed session under KRS 61.810 (1)(f) (moved by Jennifer Mossotti, seconded by George Myers)
• Motion to return from closed session (moved by Linda Gorton, seconded by Harry Clarke)
• Motion to adjourn (moved by Steve Kay, seconded by Shevawn Akers)

Roll Call Votes 6:03

Motion to transfer $15,000 from fund balance to the Office of the Mayor for consulting fees for the Bloomberg Challenge Grant (moved by Bill Farmer, seconded by Linda Gorton): Passed 10-5

Voting in favor: Linda Gorton, Charles Ellinger, Steve Kay, Chris Ford, Shevawn Akers, Diane Lawless, Kevin Stinnett, Jennifer Scutchfield, Jennifer Mossotti, George Myers

Voting against: Harry Clarke, Peggy Henson, Julian Beard, Shevawn Akers, Diane Lawless

Approved Items

The following items were unanimously approved: Authorization 0109-13 (Standard Software Maintenance Agreement with New World Systems Corporation); Authorization 0136-13 (agreement with First United Methodist Church BSA 1789 for Adopt-A-Spot Roadway Cleanup Program); Authorization 0141-13 (release of mortgage on 183 Walton Avenue); Authorization 0144-13 (creation of CSEPP Manager position); Authorization 0148-13 (renewal of agreement with OmniSource Integrated Supply, LLC); Authorization 0151-13 (Equipment Donation Agreement with Beaumont Centre Family YMCA); Authorization 0152-13 (purchase of Ques brand sanitary sewer video camera); Authorization 0153-13 (amendment to REACH, Inc. agreement).

Postponed Item 1:37:59

Resolution 0073-26, directing the Mayor, Commissioner of Public Safety, and Fire Chief to immediately end the practice of temporarily suspending fire equipment or stations (moved by Shevawn Akers, seconded by Jennifer Scutchfield): Postponed 10-5

Voting in favor: Linda Gorton, Charles Ellinger, Steve Kay, Chris Ford, Shevawn Akers, Diane Lawless, Kevin Stinnett, Jennifer Scutchfield, Jennifer Mossotti, George Myers

Voting against: Harry Clarke, Peggy Henson, Julian Beard, Bill Farmer, Ed Lane

The resolution was amended to refer to Budget and Finance Committee for consideration.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed five financial items totaling $211,024.33 in various budget actions:

Paramedic Training Support An amendment (L0109-13) allocated $152,500 to New World Systems Corporation for support of the paramedic class and overtime for training.

Roadway Cleanup Program A contract (L0136-13) provided $772 to First United Methodist Church BSA 1789 for funding the Adopt-A-Spot Roadway Cleanup Program under the Kentucky Pride Grant.

Metropolitan Medical Response System A grant (L0148-13) awarded $15,000 to OmniSource Integrated Supply, LLC for the Metropolitan Medical Response System–2012 grant.

Emergency Management Assistance A grant (L0148-13) allocated $15,000 to OmniSource Integrated Supply, LLC for the Emergency Management Assistance grant for Fiscal Year 2013.

Sanitary Sewer Equipment Purchase A purchase order (L0152-13) authorized $28,752.33 to Eye-Tronics for the purchase of a Ques brand sanitary sewer video camera and related adaptive equipment.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the council on various matters during the public comment period.

Citizens Advocate 2012 Annual Report 14:15

Penny McFadden presented the 2012 Annual Report from the Citizens Advocate Office. She reported a 53% increase in citizen contacts compared to 2011 and shared success stories, including the resolution of a wrongful vehicle tow case. McFadden recommended that the council establish a subcommittee to review the conditional access list and to improve processes related to Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and false alarm permits.

Conditional Access List 34:21

Linda Gorton raised concerns about the conditional access list, questioning the lack of transparency and the absence of an appeal process for individuals placed on the list. She suggested that a council subcommittee review the issue to establish clear policies and procedures governing the list.

False Alarm Ordinance 41:12

Diane Lawless criticized the current process for renewing false alarm permits, noting that alarm companies frequently fail to notify homeowners of renewal deadlines, resulting in fines. She recommended automating the renewal system and shifting responsibility to alarm companies to ensure homeowners receive proper notification.

Fire Department Brownouts 50:36

Chris Ford spoke in support of a resolution to end brownouts in the Fire Department immediately. He emphasized public safety concerns and urged the council to take decisive action on the matter despite fiscal constraints.

Contested Items

Resolution to End Fire Department Brownouts

A resolution to immediately end fire department brownouts generated significant debate among council members. The disagreement centered on the timing and approach to addressing the brownouts.

Supporters of the resolution advocated for immediate action, emphasizing public safety concerns. Opponents argued for a more measured approach to the issue, suggesting that further deliberation was necessary before implementation.

The contested nature of the proposal resulted in a split vote. Rather than approving or rejecting the resolution outright, the council voted to refer the matter to the Budget and Finance Committee for further review. This referral allowed for additional analysis and consideration before any final decision on ending the brownouts would be made.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

6:03

No public comments were made on issues on the agenda during this portion of the meeting.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

6:03

The docket was presented for approval during this agenda item. Linda Gorton and Jennifer Scutchfield were the key speakers on this matter.

The docket was approved without dissent.

Additionally, a motion to add a resolution requesting authority for the Ethics Commission to issue administrative subpoenas was presented and approved unanimously.

Approval of Summary

The summary of the previous meeting was presented for approval. Julian Beard and Harry Clarke were the key speakers on this agenda item. 6:03

The summary was approved unanimously by the body.

Budget Amendments

6:03

The council considered several budget amendments during this agenda item.

A budget amendment to transfer $15,000 from the fund balance to the Office of the Mayor for consulting fees was approved by a vote of 10-5. This amendment was the subject of discussion among council members, with Bill Farmer and Linda Gorton identified as key speakers on the matter.

Additional budget amendments were also considered and approved without dissent.

The overall outcome of the budget amendments discussion was approval.

New Business

6:03

The meeting addressed several new business items, with discussion led by Linda Gorton and Julian Beard. The agenda included software maintenance, equipment donations, and grant agreements.

All new business items presented were approved unanimously by the body.

Continuing Business / Presentations

8:10

This agenda item included several presentations and updates from various committees and initiatives.

Presentations and Updates

The following topics were presented during this section:

• Neighborhood Development Funds update
• General Government Committee report
• Public Safety Committee report
• Citizens Advocate 2012 Annual Report

Key Speakers

Jennifer Scutchfield, Peggy Henson, and Penny McFadden provided presentations during this agenda item.

Ordinance Actions

The Hazardous Materials and Public Nuisance Ordinances were moved to the full council for a vote.

Outcome

The agenda item was approved.

Council Reports

Reports from the General Government and Public Safety Committees were presented during this agenda item 8:10.

Presenters and Content

Jennifer Scutchfield and Peggy Henson delivered updates on committee activities. The reports covered three main areas:

• Lease agreements
• Website linking policy
• Ordinance revisions

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action required. The council received the committee reports for their information and awareness.

Mayor's Report

No mayor's report was presented at this meeting. 6:03

Public Comment – Issues Not on Agenda

6:03

No public comments were made on issues not on the agenda during this portion of the meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by motion of Vice Mayor Linda Gorton, seconded by Council Member Harry Clarke. 6:03

The motion to adjourn was approved.