Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on December 3, 2013, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber located at 200 E. Main St, Lexington, KY 40507. Mayor Gray presided over the session, which included eight agenda items and resulted in eight motions and votes. The meeting addressed a range of municipal business, including requested rezonings and docket approval, budget amendments, and the mayor's report. One public comment was heard during the meeting regarding issues on the agenda. The council approved multiple items including the rezoning docket, a summary, budget amendments, and new business, while also receiving informational presentations on continuing business and adjournment procedures.

Attendance

Present: Gorton, Ellinger, Kay, Ford, Akers, Beard, Farmer, Stinnett, Scutchfield, Myers, Mossotti, Henson, Clarke

Absent: Lawless, Lane

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The following motions were voted on and passed unanimously during the meeting:

• Approval of the docket for the November 21, 2013 council meeting — Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. Passed unanimously.

• Place on the docket for the November 21, 2013 council meeting an ordinance adopting a schedule of meetings for the Council for the calendar year 2014 — Motion by Gorton, seconded by Akers. Passed unanimously.

• Approval of the November 12, 2013 work session summary — Motion by Beard, seconded by Farmer. Passed unanimously.

• Approval of budget amendments — Motion by Farmer, seconded by Clarke. Passed unanimously.

• Approval of new business — Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. Passed unanimously.

• Approval of neighborhood development funds — Motion by Stinnett, seconded by Mossotti. Passed unanimously.

• Approval of the Mayor's report — Motion by Gorton, seconded by Clarke. Passed unanimously.

• Adjournment — Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Gorton. Passed unanimously.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions:

Contracts and Agreements

• Agreement with the Fayette County Sheriff for property tax collection services (L1238-13): $350,000
• Lease Agreement with Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, Inc. (L1246-13): $1,168.20
• Amendment to agreement with Greenhouse17 for services under the Arrest and Enforcement Project (L1254-13): $7,080

Grants

• Agreement with The University of Kentucky Research Foundation for Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant (L1241-13): $22,299
• Award from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for public safety dive team equipment (L1279-13): $30,000
• Award from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for water and dive operation boat (L1284-13): $48,000
• Award from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for the Hazardous Devices Unit (L1304-13): $86,000

Purchases

• Purchase of a replacement Bryan Boiler from TMI Sales (L1242-13): $31,947

Low-Interest Loans from Kentucky Infrastructure Authority

• Assistance Agreement for Bundle 1 - Trunk Sewer Replacement Projects (L1274-13): $10,194,421
• Assistance Agreement for Bundle 3 - Storm Water Improvement Projects (L1275-13): $4,657,640
• Assistance Agreement for Expansion Area 2A Pump Station and Force Main Project (L1277-13): $6,000,000

The infrastructure loans totaling $20,852,061 represent the largest financial commitments approved during the meeting, focused on sewer replacement and stormwater improvement projects. Combined grant awards from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security totaled $164,000 for public safety equipment and operations.

Public Comment

Farrell Alford spoke during the public comment period regarding the proposed Downtown Lexington Management District. Alford expressed opposition to the proposal, citing concerns that the tax district would result in a 10% tax increase for property owners.

Contested Items

Downtown Lexington Management District

The proposed Downtown Lexington Management District was the subject of significant community opposition during the meeting. The primary concern centered on the tax burden that would be imposed on property owners under the proposed tax district. Community members expressed concerns about the financial impact of the district on local property owners, though specific details about the structure of the proposed taxes or the projected costs were not documented in the available meeting materials.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

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

Requested Rezonings/ Docket Approval

The docket for the November 21, 2013 council meeting was approved during this agenda item. Key speakers on this matter included Farmer and Ellinger.

The item resulted in an approved outcome.

Approval of Summary

The summary of the November 12, 2013 work session was approved. Beard and Farmer participated in this agenda item. The summary was approved without noted objections or concerns.

Budget Amendments

Budget amendments were presented and approved during the meeting. The discussion involved key speakers Farmer and Clarke.

The amendments were approved by the body.

New Business

New business items were presented and approved during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers Farmer and Ellinger participated in the discussion of these items.

The specific details of the new business items discussed were not provided in the available meeting materials. However, the items that were brought forward were ultimately approved by the body.

Continuing Business/ Presentations

Various committee summaries and reports were presented during this portion of the meeting. The presentations were informational in nature and delivered by Stinnett and Mossotti.

The specific details of the committee summaries and reports presented were not documented in the available meeting materials. No transcript timestamps were available to identify the precise timing of these presentations within the meeting record.

Mayor's Report

The Mayor's Report was presented to the council, with Gorton and Clarke serving as key speakers on this agenda item. The report was reviewed by the council members present at the meeting.

The report was approved by the council without noted objections or amendments.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following remarks from Ellinger and Gorton. The adjournment was approved.