Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a regular meeting on January 14, 2014, at 3:00 p.m., presided over by Mayor Gray in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center. The meeting included nine agenda items, with the council taking 16 votes throughout the session. One member of the public provided comments during the meeting.

The council addressed a range of business matters, approving requested rezonings and docket items, a summary of previous proceedings, budget amendments, new business items, and continuing business with presentations. The Mayor's Report was also approved. In addition to these action items, the meeting included informational segments for public comment on both agenda and non-agenda issues, as well as council reports.

Attendance

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

Absent: Lane

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

All motions brought to a vote during this meeting passed unanimously.

Docket and Administrative Approvals

The December 10, 2013 docket was approved on motion by Ellinger, seconded by Myers 6:29. The December 3, 2013 work session summary was approved on motion by Beard, seconded by Mossotti 12:30. The docket was approved on motion by Ellinger, seconded by Gordon 12:30.

Ordinances

Ordinance 6 was placed on the docket with a public hearing on motion by Clark, seconded by Ford 7:35. The public hearing is scheduled for February 11, 2014, after the work session at 5:00 PM.

Ordinance 5 was placed on the docket without a public hearing on motion by Clark, seconded by Gordon 10:16.

Ordinance 4 was placed on the docket without a public hearing on motion by Beard, seconded by Farmer 11:59.

Budget and Committee Referrals

Budget amendments were approved on motion by Gorton, seconded by Akers 13:02.

The Jobs Fund Policies and Guidelines were referred to the Economic Development Committee on motion by Massadi, seconded by Gordon 17:27, to be reviewed before February 4, 2014.

Neighborhood development funds were approved on motion by Ellinger, seconded by Myers 46:32.

The leaf collection program was placed into the Planning and Public Works Committee on motion by Stenet, seconded by Farmer 47:03.

The Office of Economic Development quarterly report was placed into the Budget and Finance Committee on motion by Scotchfield, seconded by Hanson 54:54.

Other Business

New business was approved on motion by Farmer, seconded by Kaye 13:32.

The Mayor's report was approved on motion by Stennett, seconded by Sadi 1:14:46.

Closed Session and Adjournment

The body entered closed session on motion by Gordon, seconded by Henson 1:15:20, pursuant to KRS 61.8101C and KRS 61.810LF for pending litigation and employee appointment.

The body exited closed session on a unanimous vote 1:55:09.

The meeting was adjourned on motion by Stinnett, seconded by Ellinger 1:55:09.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included approval of multiple contracts and agreements totaling significant expenditures across various city services and initiatives.

Design and Construction Services

The city authorized execution of two major consultant services agreements for design work. Brandstetter Carroll, Inc. received a contract (L0009-14) valued at $64,880 for Phase A Design Services for Fire Station #2. EOP Architects, PSC was awarded a contract (L0010-14) for $158,965 to provide Senior Citizen Center Design Services.

Facility and Event Services

A Facility Usage Agreement (L0002-14) was executed with Lexington Center Corporation for $8,100 to support the Kiddie Kapers recital.

Community and Neighborhood Programs

The city approved execution of Neighborhood Action Match Program Contracts (L0004-14) with various neighborhood associations totaling $64,988. Additionally, agreements were executed with nonprofit organizations for the Adopt-A-Spot Roadway Cleanup Program (L0006-13) in the amount of $26,278.33. A Class A Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant (L0007-14) was awarded to Waterford II Neighborhood Association, Inc. for $46,640.48.

Public Safety and Emergency Services

Omnisource Integrated Supply, LLC received a contract (L0005-14) valued at $17,000 for CSEPP grant services. Corrisoft, LLC was awarded an agreement (L0016-14) for $25,000 to provide electronic monitoring services at Community Corrections. An agreement (L1376-13) was executed with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for extension of the Hazardous Devices Training Project with no budgetary impact.

Infrastructure and Environmental Projects

A modification to the Engineering Services Agreement (L0001-14) with URS Corporation for a traffic signal timing project was approved with no budgetary impact. The city submitted an application (L0008-14) to the Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant valued at $200,000 for the Fayette County Courthouse property.

Public Comment

Michael Walsh addressed the board regarding traffic concerns related to a proposed zone development 4:12. Mr. Walsh expressed concerns about the anticipated increase in traffic on Wellington Way that would result from the proposed project. He noted that the development would replace a single business with multiple businesses operating at different hours, which he indicated would compound traffic impacts in the area.

Mr. Walsh requested that a public hearing be held to properly evaluate the traffic impact of the proposed development.

Appointments

The following individuals were appointed to the Jobs Fund Board:

• Kevin Adkins
• Tyrone Tyra
• Laura Burson
• Drew Curtis
• Phil Hollaback
• William Howard
• Ann Tyler Morgan
• Nelson Maynard
• Eva Trout

Contested Items

Jobs Fund Policies and Guidelines

Council members were divided on whether to refer the Jobs Fund Policies and Guidelines to the Economic Development Committee for further review. The debate centered on competing priorities: some members emphasized the need for thorough due diligence in evaluating the policies, while others stressed the time-sensitive nature of the matter. Despite these concerns, the motion to refer the policies to the Economic Development Committee passed, though the discussion revealed underlying tension between the desire for comprehensive review and the pressure to move forward expeditiously.

Time Warner Cable Franchise

The Time Warner Cable franchise renewal generated significant community opposition and concern among council members. Multiple residents and council members criticized the company's service quality and called for a more competitive approach to the renewal process. Rather than proceeding with a standard renewal, council members expressed support for opening the franchise to competitive bidding. The matter was referred to the Planning and Public Works Committee for further review and consideration of how to structure the renewal process.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

4:12

Michael Walsh provided public comment during this portion of the meeting, raising concerns about traffic impacts related to a proposed zone development change. Walsh requested that a public hearing be held to further evaluate the potential effects of the proposed development on traffic conditions in the area.

The comment was recorded as informational, with no formal action taken during this agenda item.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

6:29

The council approved the December 10, 2013 docket and advanced several ordinances for consideration. The discussion involved council members Clark, Beard, Ellinger, and Ford.

The council moved the following ordinances to the docket:

• Ordinance 6 — approved with a public hearing
• Ordinance 5 — approved without a public hearing
• Ordinance 4 — approved without a public hearing

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

Approval of Summary

12:30

The council considered approval of the December 3, 2013 work session summary. Speakers Beard and Mossotti addressed this agenda item.

The summary was approved without discussion.

Outcome: The December 3, 2013 work session summary was approved.

Budget Amendments

13:02

The council considered and approved budget amendments during this agenda item. The amendments included adjustments across various funds through revenue recognition and sponsorships.

Key speakers on this matter were Gorton and Akers. The council approved the proposed budget amendments.

New Business

13:32

The council addressed several new business items during this portion of the meeting.

Items Approved

The council approved new business items that included:

• Contracts for fire station design
• Contracts for senior center design
• Facility use matters
• Neighborhood programs
• Grant applications

Jobs Fund Policies

A motion was made to refer the Jobs Fund Policies to committee. This motion passed.

Key Participants

The discussion involved council members Farmer, Clark, Akers, and Myers.

Outcome

The new business items were approved by the council.

Continuing Business/Presentations

46:32

During this agenda item, the council addressed two main topics: neighborhood development funds and the leaf collection program.

Neighborhood Development Funds

The council approved neighborhood development funds. Key speakers on this matter included Ellinger, Myers, Stenet, and Scotchfield.

Leaf Collection Program

The council discussed the leaf collection program. Rather than making a final decision during this meeting, the matter was referred to the Planning and Public Works Committee for further review and analysis.

Outcome

The neighborhood development funds were approved. The leaf collection program discussion resulted in a referral to committee for continued consideration.

Council Reports

During the Council Reports section, council members discussed concerns related to the Time Warner Cable franchise 48:22. Multiple council members participated in this discussion, including Gordon, Myers, Ford, Akers, Kay, Clark, and Beard.

The primary focus of the discussion centered on several issues with the current franchise arrangement:

• Public Dissatisfaction: Council members raised concerns about public dissatisfaction with Time Warner Cable's service.

• Service Quality: The quality of service provided by Time Warner Cable was identified as a concern requiring council attention.

• Competitive Bidding Process: Council members emphasized the need for a competitive bidding process regarding the franchise.

The discussion resulted in the matter being referred to the Planning and Public Works Committee for further review and action. This referral indicates that the council determined the issue warranted detailed committee-level examination before any formal council action would be taken.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, allowing council members to raise and discuss these franchise-related concerns on the public record.

Mayor's Report

The Mayor's Report was presented during the meeting 1:14:46. Key speakers on this agenda item included Stennett and Sadi.

The report was approved without discussion.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

1:14:46

No public comments were submitted for issues not on the agenda. Mundy noted this informational matter during the meeting.