Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a work session on February 18, 2014, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber, with Mayor Gray presiding. The meeting addressed 10 agenda items covering standard municipal business including requested rezonings, budget amendments, new business items, and various reports from council members and the mayor. The council took 16 votes during the session, with most agenda items receiving approval including the docket approval for requested rezonings, budget amendments, new business matters, continuing business and presentations, council reports, and the mayor's report. While the agenda included two opportunities for public comment - one for issues on the agenda and another for issues not on the agenda - no public comments were recorded during this work session. The meeting concluded with an approved motion for adjournment, completing the scheduled business items in what appeared to be a routine municipal government work session.

Attendance

The following members were present at the February 18, 2014 meeting:

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

Absent: • Lane

No members arrived late to the meeting.

A total of 14 members were present and 1 member was absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted 16 votes during the February 18, 2014 meeting, with 15 members participating. All but one motion passed unanimously.

Administrative Approvals The council unanimously approved several routine items: • February 13, 2014 council meeting docket (motion by Beard, second by Henson) • February 4, 2014 work session summary (motion by Gorton, second by Myers) • Budget amendments (motion by Gorton, second by Akers) • Amendment to Budget Amendment Request List adding Budget Journals 75660 and 75661 for additional salt (motion by Stinnett, second by Myers) • New business items (motion by Mossotti, second by Ellinger) • Neighborhood development funds (motion by Gorton, second by Akers) • Mayor's report (motion by Gorton, second by Scutchfield)

Policy and Development Matters Several policy-related items received unanimous approval: • Review and possible changes in code enforcement fines (motion by Lawless, second by Gorton) • Enforcement of local ordinances under building inspection (motion by Lawless, second by Kay) • Issue of off premises signage (motion by Lawless, second by Mossotti) • Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Commissioner of Finance to execute a Master Development Agreement with Bayer Properties, LLC (motion by Beard, second by Henson)

Committee Referrals The council unanimously referred several items to committees: • Snow plan to Planning & Public Works Committee (motion by Stinnett, second by Scutchfield) • Downtown Arts Center utilization to General Government Committee (motion by Farmer, second by Gorton) • Using the name 'Lexington' for branding and promotional purposes to General Government Committee (motion by Clarke, second by Gorton)

Split Vote The only non-unanimous vote concerned placing the taxi cab ordinance into the Public Safety Committee (motion by Lawless, second by Henson). This passed 9-5, with Ellinger, Ford, Akers, Lawless, Beard, Myers, Mossotti, Clarke, and Henson voting in favor. Gorton, Kay, Farmer, Stinnett, and Scutchfield voted against.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn (motion by Mossotti, second by Scutchfield).

Budget and Financial Actions

The council addressed several significant financial items totaling over $3.4 million in expenditures, grants, and budget amendments.

Budget Amendments and Infrastructure • The council approved $304,365 in additional funds for the Street and Roads department to purchase salt for winter weather operations • An amendment to the agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet increased funding by $555,776 for the Tates Creek Road Sidewalk Improvements Project (Resolution 0115-14)

Emergency Services Equipment Purchases The Division of Fire & Emergency Services received approval for specialized equipment purchases: • $18,370.90 for diving equipment from Interspiro Fire/Dive Rescue (Resolution 0123-14) • $48,000 for specialized boats from Rescue ONE Connector Boats (Resolution 0124-14)

Grant Awards and Applications The council accepted a substantial grant award and authorized a grant application: • $982,300 grant award from the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (Resolution 0135-14) • Authorization to apply for $1.474 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for renewal of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Grant (Resolution 0141-14)

Community Programs The council approved a $20,000 agreement with the Board of Education of Fayette County for a gang prevention program (Resolution 0134-14).

These financial actions demonstrate the council's focus on essential city services, emergency preparedness, infrastructure improvements, and community safety programs. The largest single item was the HUD grant application for housing assistance, while emergency services equipment and preparedness programs received significant attention with multiple allocations totaling over $1 million.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that resulted in a split vote among council members.

Taxi Cab Ordinance Committee Referral

The primary point of contention during the meeting involved the handling of a taxi cab ordinance. Council members disagreed on the procedural approach for addressing this legislation, specifically whether it should be referred to the Public Safety Committee for further review.

The debate culminated in a motion to place the taxi cab ordinance into the Public Safety Committee. This motion revealed a clear division among council members, with the final vote splitting 9-5 in favor of the referral.

The 9-5 vote indicates that while a majority of council members supported sending the ordinance to committee for additional consideration, a significant minority of five members opposed this approach. The nature of their opposition—whether they preferred immediate action on the ordinance, referral to a different committee, or another alternative—was not specified in the available records.

The successful motion means the taxi cab ordinance will undergo further review and discussion within the Public Safety Committee before potentially returning to the full council for final consideration. This committee referral process allows for more detailed examination of the ordinance's provisions and potential impacts before a final vote on its adoption.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

During the February 18, 2014 meeting, the public comment period for issues on the agenda was opened, but no members of the public came forward to speak. No comments, concerns, or input were provided regarding any of the items scheduled for discussion during the meeting.

The agenda item concluded with no public participation recorded.

Requested Rezonings/ Docket Approval

The council considered approval of the docket for the February 13, 2014 council meeting during this agenda item. The discussion involved key participation from council members Beard and Henson.

The item was presented as a resolution requiring council approval to move forward with the previously scheduled meeting docket. While specific details of the discussion content were not captured in the available materials, the agenda item focused on the procedural matter of formally approving the meeting agenda and associated items.

The council ultimately approved the docket for the February 13, 2014 meeting, allowing the scheduled business to proceed as planned. This type of docket approval is typically a routine procedural matter that ensures proper authorization for conducting official council business.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

Approval of Summary

The council considered approval of the summary from their February 4, 2014 work session. Council members Gorton and Myers participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The council voted to approve the summary of the February 4, 2014 work session without any recorded objections or concerns raised during the deliberation.

Outcome: Approved

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

Budget Amendments

The council considered and approved budget amendments during the February 18, 2014 meeting. The amendments included additional funding allocations, with salt purchases being specifically mentioned as one of the items requiring extra funds.

Key participants in the discussion included Council members Gorton, Akers, Stinnett, and Myers. The speakers addressed the need for budget adjustments to accommodate various municipal expenses that had exceeded original projections.

The budget amendments were presented as a resolution to the council for approval. While specific dollar amounts and detailed line items were not provided in the available summary, the amendments addressed operational needs that required additional funding beyond what was initially budgeted.

The council ultimately approved the budget amendments, allowing the municipality to proceed with the necessary expenditures, including the additional salt purchases mentioned in the discussion.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

New Business

The council addressed new business items during this portion of the meeting. Council members Mossotti and Ellinger were the key speakers who participated in the discussion of these matters.

The new business items were presented as resolutions for the council's consideration. While the specific details of the individual items were not provided in the available materials, the council proceeded to review and deliberate on the proposed matters.

Following discussion by the participating council members, the new business items were approved by the council. The approval indicates that the matters presented met the council's standards and requirements for adoption.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item. Detailed information about the individual new business items discussed was not included in the source materials.*

Continuing Business/ Presentations

During this agenda item, the council addressed neighborhood development funding matters. The discussion was led by key speakers Gorton and Akers, who presented information regarding the allocation of funds for neighborhood development initiatives.

The council ultimately approved the neighborhood development funds as presented. However, specific details about the funding amounts, targeted neighborhoods, or the scope of development projects were not provided in the available meeting materials.

The approval of these neighborhood development funds represents the council's commitment to supporting local community improvement initiatives, though the exact nature and scale of the approved funding remains unclear from the summary information available.

Outcome: The neighborhood development funds were approved by the council.

Key Participants: • Gorton • Akers

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available for this agenda item.*

Council Reports

During the Council Reports segment, several council members addressed various municipal issues and committee referrals.

Council members Lawless, Gorton, Kay, Mossotti, and Henson participated in discussions covering multiple topics that required committee review and action.

Key issues addressed during the reports included:

• Code enforcement fines - Discussion regarding the current structure and implementation of municipal code enforcement penalties
• Taxi cab ordinance - Review of existing regulations governing taxi cab operations within the city

The council members used this portion of the meeting to refer these matters to appropriate committees for further study and recommendation. This process allows for more detailed examination of complex issues before they return to the full council for formal consideration.

The various issues presented during the council reports were approved for referral to their respective committees, enabling the legislative process to move forward on these municipal matters.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available for this agenda item.*

Mayor's Report

The council considered and approved the Mayor's Report during the February 18, 2014 meeting. The presentation involved key speakers Gorton and Scutchfield, though specific details of their remarks and the content of the report were not detailed in the available meeting records.

The agenda item was categorized as a presentation-type item and received council approval following the discussion. No specific concerns or debate points were documented in the extracted meeting data.

The Mayor's Report was ultimately approved by the council as presented.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps and detailed discussion content were not available in the source materials for this agenda item.*

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

No members of the public came forward to speak on issues not included on the meeting agenda during this portion of the February 18, 2014 meeting.

This agenda item provides an opportunity for community members to address the governing body about matters of public concern that are not scheduled for discussion during the current meeting. The public comment period allows residents to bring issues to the attention of officials and request future consideration of topics not otherwise covered in the formal agenda.

With no speakers present for this segment, the meeting proceeded to the next scheduled agenda item without discussion.

Adjournment

The meeting was brought to a close with a motion to adjourn. The key speakers involved in the adjournment process were Mossotti and Scutchfield.

The adjournment motion was approved, officially ending the February 18, 2014 meeting.