Urban County Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on April 30, 2013, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber at the Urban County Government Center. Mayor Jim Gray presided over the session. The meeting included two informational agenda items: a presentation on the LexTran Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget and an update on the Downtown Lexington Traffic Movement and Revitalization Study. The body took seven motions and votes during the meeting and heard one public comment.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on April 30, 2013:

• Jim Gray
• Henson
• Stinnett
• Gorton
• Ellinger
• Akers
• Lawless
• Beard
• Myers
• Clarke
• Kay
• Farmer
• Mossotti
• Ford

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included seven votes, all of which passed by voice vote.

Approval of the Docket 2:10 Motion by Stinnett, seconded by Gorton. Passed.

Resolution Authorizing Mayor to Execute Memorandum of Agreement with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 3:16 Motion by Ford, seconded by Beard. Passed.

Approval of the Summary 3:46 Motion by Gordon, seconded by Beard. Passed.

Approval of Budget Amendments 4:16 Motion by Gordon, seconded by Farmer. Passed.

Approval of New Business Items 11:00 Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Lane. Passed.

Approval of Neighborhood Development Funds 11:00 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger. Passed.

Approval of LexTran Budget 1:12:39 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Kay. Passed.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included authorization for three financial actions:

Lexington Traffic Movement and Revitalization Study Agreement

The city authorized execution of an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Lexington Traffic Movement and Revitalization Study (Resolution 0382-13). This contract carries no budgetary impact.

Donation from WLEX-TV and Downtown Lexington Corporation

The city accepted a donation totaling $1,740 from WLEX-TV and Downtown Lexington Corporation (Resolution 0363-13). The funds were designated for the Division of Police and Division of Fire.

Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant

The city authorized execution of an agreement awarding a Class B Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant to Embrace Church, Inc. in the amount of $215,745 (Resolution 0392-13).

Public Comment

Mayor Jim Gray addressed the meeting regarding concerns related to Health First and the involvement of the state auditor 0:00. The Mayor discussed the state auditor's role in reviewing documents associated with a transaction involving Health First.

Contested Items

Economic Contingency Fund Allocation

Council members engaged in a heated discussion regarding the allocation of additional funds to the economic contingency fund. The disagreement centered on whether to proceed with the funding decision or postpone it for further deliberation. Some council members advocated for tabling the decision to allow additional time for discussion and review before committing the funds.

The specific outcome of this contested item is not documented in the available meeting records.

LexTran Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget Presentation

Rocky Burke, LexTran General Manager, presented the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget for the public transit system 1:16:39. The presentation covered the agency's revenue sources, expenses, and strategic initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.

Key Topics Presented

The presentation highlighted LexTran's financial structure and operational plans. A significant component of the budget discussion focused on the agency's transition to compressed natural gas buses, representing a major capital investment and operational shift for the transit system.

Outcome

The presentation was informational in nature, providing the board and public with an overview of LexTran's financial planning and future direction. No formal action or vote was recorded as part of this agenda item.

Downtown Lexington Traffic Movement and Revitalization Study Update

Director King and Tom Creasey from Stantec presented an update on a study examining the conversion of one-way streets to two-way streets in downtown Lexington 13:15.

Presentation Overview

The presentation focused on traffic movement patterns and revitalization opportunities in the downtown area. Stantec, as the consulting firm leading the study, provided analysis and recommendations related to the feasibility and potential impacts of converting existing one-way street configurations to two-way traffic flow.

Key Speakers

• Director King
• Tom Creasey (Stantec representative)

Outcome

This agenda item was presented for informational purposes, with no formal action or decision required from the body at this time.