Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on February 4, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council conducted business on 10 agenda items and took 24 votes during the session. The meeting included 2 public comment periods—one for issues on the agenda and one for issues not on the agenda—during which members of the public were heard.

The council approved several substantive matters, including requested rezonings and docket approval, budget amendments, and new business items. The council also heard continuing business and presentations. In addition to voting on these items, the council received informational reports from the Mayor and individual council members. The meeting concluded with adjournment following standard parliamentary procedure.

Attendance

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

Absent: Lawless, Mossotti, and Lane

Late: None reported

Votes and Decisions

All motions passed during the February 4, 2014 meeting. The majority of votes were unanimous.

Procedural Motions 3:00

The council approved the docket for the January 30, 2014 Council meeting (motion by Scutchfield, second by Akers). The January 21, 2014 work session summary was approved (motion by Beard, second by Myers). Budget amendments were approved (motion by Ellinger, second by Myers). New business was approved (motion by Gorton, second by Farmer). Neighborhood development funds were approved (motion by Akers, second by Kay). The Mayor's report was approved (motion by Stinnett, second by Ellinger). The council voted to adjourn (motion by Ellinger, second by Henson).

Committee Referrals 3:00

The Internal Audit report of the MRF collections process was referred to the Environmental Quality Committee to examine a correction plan (motion by Henson, second by Myers). The Coroner's office employee salaries and classification were placed into the General Government committee for examination (motion by Henson, second by Gorton). A review of the wellness center lease and options for Administration was placed into the Budget & Finance committee (motion by Stinnett, second by Gorton).

Resolutions and Agreements 3:00

A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a right of way agreement with Columbia Gas of Kentucky for a gas line at 699 and 669 Byrd Thurman Drive was approved (motion by Farmer, second by Gorton).

The council authorized several agreements: a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Marshals Service (L0061-14); an MOU with Transylvania University for radio system use (L0063-14); an agreement with Everbridge, Inc. for an Alert and Notification System (L0064-14); a Mutual Aid Agreement with The Transit Authority of Lexington (L0065-14); an agreement with Horizon Information Systems for Representative Payee Program maintenance through December 21, 2014 (L0067-14); a revision to the Master Service Agreement with Time Warner Cable for internet service upgrade at Police Headquarters (L0068-14); and Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Polo Club Boulevard Design Phase (L0079-14).

The council authorized the Division of Fire and Emergency Services to purchase a Lucas 2 CPR assist device from Physio Control Inc. (L0069-14).

Lease and Donation 3:00

A Lease Agreement with Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board for Central Kentucky Job Center space was authorized (L0045-14), with an annual rental rate set at $23,826.00. A donation of approximately 200 railroad cross-ties from Norfolk Southern Corporation, valued at $1,200, was accepted (L0059-14).

Handicap Parking Violations 7:23

A motion by Henson to set fines for handicap parking violations at a minimum of $150 up to $250 passed unanimously. A subsequent motion by Gorton to amend the fine to $250 passed on a roll call vote, 8-1, with Farmer voting against.

Signage 9:56

A motion by Farmer to approve signage as submitted in the presentation passed unanimously (second by Gorton).

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions:

Emergency Services Equipment The Division of Fire and Emergency Services received approval to purchase a Lucas 2 CPR assist device from Physio Control Inc. for $20,363.20 (L0069-14).

Emergency Management System An agreement with Everbridge, Inc. was authorized for an Alert and Notification System for Emergency Management in the amount of $107,468.85 (L0064-14). This contract utilizes funds awarded under the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

Representative Payee Program A maintenance contract with Horizon Information Systems for the Representative Payee Program was approved through December 21, 2014, for $586.50 (L0067-14).

Police Headquarters Infrastructure An amendment to upgrade high-speed internet service at Police Headquarters was approved with Time Warner Cable for $8,604.60 (L0068-14). The upgrade increases service from 20 megabits to 50 megabits and is related to the CJIS Project.

Workforce Development Space A lease agreement with the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board for space within the Central Kentucky Job Center was approved for $23,826.00 (L0045-14).

Transportation Project Funding The acceptance of additional federal funds from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Polo Club Boulevard Design Phase was approved in the amount of $28,000 (L0079-14).

Public Comment

Two council members provided remarks during the public comment period.

Handicap Parking Signage and Compliance

13:09 Council Member Henson raised concerns about handicap parking compliance at businesses. He noted that businesses with handicap parking spaces are not currently required to comply with signage and accessibility standards unless they undertake re-striping or resurfacing work. Council Member Henson requested that the law department explore options for requiring compliance within a reasonable timeframe.

Snow and Ice Removal Efforts

14:44 Council Member Massadi commended the Streets and Roads department and public safety crews for their work during severe winter weather conditions. He urged the public to exercise patience given the rapidly changing weather conditions and the ongoing nature of snow and ice removal operations.

Contested Items

Handicap Parking Fine Amount and Enforcement

The council was divided on a motion to set the handicap parking fine at $250. Council Member Farmer opposed the increase, raising concerns about the lack of distinction between different fine categories. Despite this opposition, the majority of the council voted in favor of the motion, establishing the $250 fine amount.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

No public comments were submitted during this session.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

3:00

No docket was required for this meeting. The motion to approve the docket for the January 30, 2014 Council meeting was presented and passed without dissent.

Key speakers on this item included Scutchfield and Akers.

The outcome of the vote was approval.

Approval of Summary

The January 21, 2014 work session summary was presented for approval. 3:00

Motion and Outcome

Beard made a motion to approve the summary, which was seconded by Myers. The summary was approved without dissent.

Budget Amendments

Budget amendments were presented and approved without dissent during this agenda item. 3:00

Ellinger made the motion to approve the budget amendments, which was seconded by Myers. The amendments were adopted unanimously with no opposing votes or concerns raised during the discussion.

New Business

New business items were presented and approved without dissent. 3:00

Gorton made the motion to approve the new business items, which was seconded by Farmer. The items were approved by the body.

Continuing Business/Presentations

During this agenda item, reports were presented from two committees.

General Government Committee

The General Government Committee presented reports on two topics: human resources reorganization and barrier-free parks.

Budget & Finance Committee

The Budget & Finance Committee discussed parking fines and handicap violations. This discussion resulted in a motion to establish a $250 fine for handicap parking violations.

Key Speakers

Kay and Ellinger presented during this section.

Outcome

The agenda item was approved. 4:01

Council Reports

Council Members Henson and Clark provided reports during this agenda item.

Henson's Report

Council Member Henson thanked the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities for their work on handicap parking regulations.

Clark's Report

Council Member Clark raised concerns about enforcement of signage compliance.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken.

Mayor's Report

No mayor's report was presented during this session. 15:00

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

13:09

During this portion of the meeting, public comments were received on matters not listed on the agenda. Two Council Members provided remarks on separate issues affecting the community.

Issues Raised:

Council Member Henson addressed concerns regarding handicap parking compliance. Council Member Massadi raised issues related to winter road conditions.

Outcome:

The comments were received on an informational basis, with no formal action taken during this agenda item.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by motion of Ellinger, seconded by Henson. The motion passed without dissent. 3:00