Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on November 5, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council addressed 10 agenda items during the session, taking 18 motions and votes on various matters. The meeting included 12 public comments from residents, with opportunities for public input both on items listed in the agenda and on issues not included on the agenda.

The council approved several key items during the meeting, including requested rezonings and docket approval, a summary of prior proceedings, budget amendments, new business items, council reports, and the mayor's report. In addition to these approvals, the council heard informational presentations during the continuing business segment and received reports from council members. The meeting concluded with adjournment following the completion of all scheduled business.

Attendance

Present: Mayor Jim Gray, Vice Mayor Linda Gorton, Chuck Ellinger, Steve Kay, Chris Ford, Shevawn Akers, Diane Lawless, Julian Beard, Kevin Stinnett, Jennifer Scutchfield, George Myers, Jennifer Mossotti, Harry Clarke, Peggy Henson, Ed Lane, and Aldona Valicente.

Absent: Council Member Farmer.

Late: None.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included 18 votes, all of which passed by voice vote.

Resolution 0073-26 authorized execution of Change Order No. 4 with Churchill McGee, LLC, for the Carver Community Center renovation for the Newtown Pike Extension Project. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 1:04

Resolution 0074-26 authorized a memorandum of agreement with Farm and Garden Market Cooperative Association, Inc., doing business as Lexington Farmer's Market to extend use of the Cheapside Park Fifth Third Bank Pavilion and adjoining property for year-round farmer's market operations. Motion by Steve Kay, second by Council Member Clark. 2:40

Ordinance 0130-26 amended subsections 8C-13-1 and 3 of the Code of Ordinances to add members to the Emergency Medical Advisory Board. Motion by Vice Mayor Linda Gorton, second by Steve Kay. 4:23

Resolution 0075-26 authorized acceptance of an award from the U.S. Department of Justice under the 2013 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0076-26 authorized acceptance of a donation of four military conex shipping containers secured via Government Surplus through the Kentucky Fire Commission for use at the Division of Fire training academy. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0077-26 authorized acceptance of a donation of a military surplus M915 Line-Haul Tractor secured via Government Surplus through the Kentucky Fire Commission. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Ordinance 0131-26 authorized funding for the Idle Hour Trunk Sewer Remedial Measures Plan project. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0078-26 authorized execution of Change Order No. 1 (FINAL) with Walter Martin Excavating Inc. for Cardinal Lane Storm Water Improvements. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Ordinance 0132-26 amended Section 21-5 of the Code of Ordinances, abolishing one position of Public Service Worker (Grade 106) in the Division of Parks and Recreation. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0079-26 authorized execution of an agreement with Aramark Correctional Services, LLC to provide food services for the Division of Community Corrections. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0080-26 authorized approval of purchase of additional inventory specialist services by OmniSource Integrated Supply, LLC for the Division of Emergency Management/911 under the Metropolitan Medical Response System--2012 grant and the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) grant for FY 2013. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0081-26 authorized execution of an agreement with the Board of Education of Fayette County for operation of preschool programs at the Family Care Center. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0082-26 authorized execution of Revision No. 1 to Cost Sharing Agreement with Transylvania University for sidewalk reconstruction along a portion of West Fourth Street. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0083-26 authorized execution of an agreement with Berea College for a student placement program. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0084-26 authorized approval of an agreement with Delaney & Associates for purchase of Flowserve WWR Rotating Assembly replacement parts for No. 1 Dewater Pump at Town Branch WWTP. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0085-26 authorized execution of agreements with other jurisdictions to participate within the Central Kentucky 911 Network (CKy911net) managed by LFUCG in partnership with selected vendors. Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Resolution 0086-26 authorized the Department of Law to enter into necessary documents to settle PSC Case No. 2013-00167 (Columbia Gas Rate Case). Motion by Julian Beard, second by George Myers. 5:30

Ordinance 0133-26 amended Section 16-14 of the Code of Ordinances to clarify that special collections are in addition to regular pickup days. Motion by Chris Ford, second by Council Member Farmer. 1:00:30

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed six financial items involving amendments, contracts, and purchases:

Ordinance Amendments

• Idle Hour Trunk Sewer Remedial Measures Plan: Ordinance 0131-26 approved funding of $780,000 for this project.

• Parks and Recreation Position Abolishment: Ordinance 0132-26 authorized cost savings of $22,539.45 from abolishing one Public Service Worker position (Grade 106) in the Division of Parks and Recreation.

Contracts and Purchases

• Food Services Contract: Resolution 0079-26 approved a food services contract with Aramark Correctional Services, LLC for the Division of Community Corrections at a cost of $906,304.

• Inventory Specialist Services: Resolution 0080-26 authorized the purchase of additional inventory specialist services from OmniSource Integrated Supply, LLC for $12,000. These services support the Division of Emergency Management/911 and are funded through the Metropolitan Medical Response System–2012 grant and the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) grant for FY 2013.

• Carver Community Center Renovation: Resolution 0073-26 approved Change Order No. 4 with Churchill McGee, LLC for $163,959.83 related to the Carver Community Center renovation as part of the Newtown Pike Extension Project.

• Storm Water Improvements: Resolution 0078-26 approved Change Order No. 1 (FINAL) with Walter Martin Excavating Inc. for $9,094.97 for Cardinal Lane Storm Water Improvements.

Public Comment

Council members raised several topics during the meeting:

Idle Hour Trunk Sewer Project Funding

Council Member Stinnett sought clarification on the funding source for the Idle Hour Trunk Sewer Remedial Measures Plan project 7:05. He was informed that funding comes from the Sewer User Fee Fund balance rather than the general fund.

Food Services Contract with Aramark

Council Member Stinnett requested details on the food services contract with Aramark, including cost per meal and projected savings 8:09. Staff reported the contract would save $1.3 million over five years and reduce the cost per meal from $1.239 to $0.964.

Council Member Henson complimented the contract 11:57, noting it would achieve both cost savings and improved inmate health through a heart-healthy menu and increased meal calories.

Urban Services Property Tax Refund Policy

Council Member Stinnett moved to refer the issue of refunding urban services property taxes for garbage, street cleaning, and streetlights to the Budget and Finance Committee for policy review 47:19.

Council Member Scutchfield expressed concern about constituents paying for services they are not receiving, particularly in new development areas, and emphasized the need for timely installation 50:30.

Special Collections Ordinance Clarification

Council Member Ford moved to amend Section 16-14 of the Code of Ordinances to clarify that special collections are in addition to regular pickup days, not instead of 1:30.

Council Member Lane raised concerns that passing the ordinance without administrative input could burden Waste Management, given current staffing and transportation issues 1:01:41. Council Member Henson agreed clarification was needed but noted broader operational waste management issues remain unaddressed 1:01:06. Council Member Myers supported the motion as a legislative clarification without new operational burdens 1:02:42.

Announcements

Council Member Massadi announced a public safety crime prevention meeting at Southern Heights Church, open to the public, at 7 p.m. 1:03:14.

Council Member Kay reminded council members of a design standards workshop scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. 1:04:16.

Mayor Jim Gray welcomed Aldona Valicente, the newly appointed Chief Information Officer 1:04:47.

Appointments

Aldona Valicente was appointed to the position of Chief Information Officer.

Contested Items

Clarification of Section 16-14 on Special Collections

Council members engaged in a heated discussion regarding how to address changes to Section 16-14 concerning special collections. The core disagreement centered on the appropriate mechanism for implementing the ordinance change: whether it should be handled through the legislative process or addressed via operational review.

Concerns raised during the debate included the potential for significant administrative burden resulting from the proposed changes. Additionally, council members expressed concern about the lack of input from Waste Management leadership in the decision-making process, noting that those responsible for implementing any changes had not been adequately consulted.

The discussion reflected broader questions about the proper balance between legislative action and administrative implementation, as well as the importance of stakeholder engagement when changes affect operational departments.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

0:00

No members of the public signed up to provide comment on issues on the agenda. As a result, this portion of the meeting proceeded without public testimony, and the meeting moved forward to docket approval.

Requested Rezonings / Docket Approval

0:30

The Council addressed rezoning requests and docket approval during this agenda item. Key participants in the discussion included Chuck Ellinger, Steve Kay, Ed Lane, Jennifer Mossotti, and Harry Clarke.

The Council approved the docket and placed several items on it for consideration. The approved items included:

• Rezoning requests
• Resolutions for traffic control
• Grant applications

The outcome of this agenda item was approval of the docket as presented.

Approval of Summary

The Council considered the summary of the previous meeting as the third agenda item. 5:30

Julian Beard and George Myers participated in this agenda item. The summary was presented for approval without substantive discussion or debate.

The Council approved the summary of the previous meeting without raising concerns or objections.

Budget Amendments

6:00

The Council discussed and approved budget amendments during this agenda item. Julian Beard and Jennifer Henson were the key speakers presenting and discussing the proposed changes.

The amendments included adjustments to fund balances and allocations drawn from the fund balance. The Council approved these modifications to the budget.

The outcome of this agenda item was approval of the budget amendments as presented.

New Business

6:33

The council approved new business items during this portion of the meeting, with discussion centered on contracts, grants, and operational agreements.

Key Participants

The discussion involved Julian Beard, Kevin Stinnett, George Myers, and Chris Ford.

Topics Discussed

Council members reviewed and deliberated on several new business items, including contracts, grants, and operational agreements. The discussion included consideration of cost savings and operational impacts associated with these items.

Outcome

All new business items presented were approved by the council.

Continuing Business / Presentations

12:30

This agenda item consisted of informational presentations from multiple committees and a topic-specific presentation.

Committee Summaries

Peggy Henson, Julian Beard, Chuck Ellinger, and Susan Plueger provided summaries of recent committee meetings:

• Special Public Safety Committee
• Economic Development Committee
• Budget and Finance Committee

Land Use and Watershed Management Presentation

A presentation on Land Use and Watershed Management was also delivered during this segment.

Outcome

This section was informational in nature, with no formal action items or decisions required. The presentations provided updates to the full body on the work and discussions occurring within the respective committees and on the specified topic area.

Council Reports

During this agenda item, the Council reviewed and approved reports from various committees. 47:19

Key Speakers

The discussion involved Kevin Stinnett, Chris Ford, and Peggy Henson.

Topics Discussed

The Council addressed two primary policy matters:

• Urban services tax refunds
• Child care funding reductions

Outcome

The Council approved the committee reports presented during this session.

Mayor's Report

1:04:47

The Council reviewed and approved the Mayor's report during this agenda item. Vice Mayor Linda Gorton and George Myers were the key speakers on this matter.

The report included the welcome of the newly appointed Chief Information Officer to the city government.

The Council voted to approve the Mayor's report.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

1:05:50

No members of the public signed up to provide comment on issues not on the agenda. As a result, this portion of the meeting concluded without any public remarks being presented.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Kevin Stinnett and a second by Vice Mayor Linda Gorton. The motion was approved. 1:05:50