Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on March 6, 2014, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers with Mayor Gray presiding. The meeting included both ceremonial recognitions and legislative business, with the Council addressing four agenda items total. Two informational presentations honored local public service contributions, including recognition of Sgt. Berry for the "We Care Initiative" and Forest Hill Military Academy. The Council conducted four votes during the session, approving the minutes from three February 2014 meetings (February 11, 13, and 20) and passing an amendment to Section 21-5(2) of the Code of Ordinances. Three members of the public provided comments during the meeting's public comment period.

Attendance

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council meeting on March 6, 2014, had strong attendance with 15 members present and only one absence.

Present: • Mayor Gray • Lane • Lawless • Mossotti • Myers • Scutchfield • Stinnett • Akers • Beard • Clarke • Ellinger • Farmer • Gorton • Henson • Kay

Absent: • Ford

Late: • None

With 15 of 16 council members in attendance, the meeting had a quorum to conduct official business.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted four roll call votes during the March 6, 2014 meeting, with all measures passing unanimously.

Ordinance 0082-14 3:00 was motioned by Stinnett and seconded by Ellinger. This ordinance amended Section 21-5(2) of the Code of Ordinances, abolishing one position of Municipal Engineer Sr. and creating one position of Program Manager Sr. The measure passed 14-0 with all council members voting in favor: Lane, Lawless, Mossotti, Myers, Scutchfield, Stinnett, Akers, Beard, Clarke, Ellinger, Farmer, Gorton, Henson, and Kay.

Ordinance 0167-14 3:00 was also motioned by Stinnett and seconded by Ellinger. This ordinance amended certain budgets to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures. The vote was unanimous 14-0, with the same council members voting in favor.

Ordinance 0203-14 3:00 was motioned by Henson and seconded by Ellinger. This ordinance amended Section 2 of Ordinance 13-2014 related to parking violations. The measure passed unanimously 14-0, with all present council members supporting the ordinance.

Resolution 0151-14 6:00 was motioned by Henson and seconded by Scutchfield. This resolution accepted the bid of Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. for Phosphorous Reduction Chemicals. The resolution passed with a unanimous 14-0 vote, with all council members voting in favor.

All four measures received full council support with no opposition votes or abstentions recorded. The voting pattern demonstrates unanimous agreement among the 14 council members present for all items considered during this portion of the meeting.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved several contracts and accepted a grant during the March 6, 2014 meeting.

Contracts Approved:

• Resolution 0151-14 - Authorized a contract with Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. for phosphorous reduction chemicals used in water treatment operations.

• Resolution 0152-14 - Approved a contract with Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. for sulfur dioxide in liquid form, also for water treatment purposes.

• Resolution 0159-14 - Established contracts with Wooldridge Homes, Inc. and Solid Rock Construction Services, LLC for the demolition of residential structures under the Urban Policy and Community Development (UPC) program.

Grant Acceptance:

• Resolution 0115-14 - Accepted a $555,776 grant from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Tates Creek Road Sidewalk Improvements Project. This funding will support infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility along the Tates Creek Road corridor.

The chemical supply contracts with Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. represent ongoing operational needs for the city's water treatment facilities, ensuring continued compliance with water quality standards through phosphorous reduction and sulfur dioxide treatment processes. The residential demolition contracts support the city's urban renewal efforts by removing blighted structures in targeted neighborhoods.

Public Comment

Three community members addressed the Council during the public comment period, focusing on two key topics: the food truck program and the proposed skate park at Berry Hill Park.

Food Truck Program

10:00 Sean Tibbetts spoke in support of the food truck program, expressing gratitude for its continuation. He highlighted the program's positive impact on local business growth within the community.

Skate Park at Berry Hill Park

Two speakers advocated for the skate park project proposed for Berry Hill Park:

• 11:00 Steve Gwynn voiced his support for the skate park initiative, emphasizing its potential benefits for the community. He noted that the facility could attract events to the area and serve as a tool for strengthening community connections.

• 12:00 Ryan Weeks also spoke in favor of the skate park project, focusing on its role in youth development. He highlighted the importance of the facility for nurturing a community of athletes and fostering camaraderie among participants.

Both skate park supporters presented the project as having broader community benefits beyond just recreational use, with potential for event hosting and youth engagement. No opposition to either the food truck program or the skate park proposal was voiced during the public comment period.

Appointments

The Council approved several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions during the March 6, 2014 meeting.

Reappointments: • Kelley A. Sloane was reappointed to the Airport Board • Benjamin S. Allen was reappointed to the Dunbar Neighborhood Center Board • Connie J. Miller was reappointed to the Keep Lexington Beautiful Commission

New Appointments: • Theodore A. Thacker was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board • Thomas O. Blues was appointed to the Water Quality Fees Board • George M. Woolwine was appointed to the Water Quality Fees Board

The appointments cover a range of city functions, from airport operations and neighborhood services to environmental initiatives and water quality oversight. The Water Quality Fees Board received two new members, while the other boards each had one appointment or reappointment processed.

Recognizing Sgt. Berry for the 'We Care Initiative'

1:00

The Council recognized Sgt. Rahsaan Berry for his leadership role in the "We Care Initiative," a community-focused program aimed at building partnerships and reducing crime through collaborative efforts.

Key Participants: • Mayor Gray • Council members Akers and Ford • Police Chief Ronnie Bastin • Sgt. Rahsaan Berry

The presentation highlighted Sgt. Berry's contributions to the We Care Initiative, which emphasizes community partnerships as a strategy for crime reduction. Chief Bastin and other speakers praised Sgt. Berry's dedication to fostering relationships between law enforcement and community members.

The initiative represents the department's commitment to community-oriented policing approaches that go beyond traditional enforcement methods. By focusing on building trust and collaboration with residents, the program aims to address crime prevention through community engagement.

This agenda item (0225-14) served as an informational presentation to acknowledge Sgt. Berry's work and inform the Council about the ongoing community partnership efforts within the police department. No formal action was required, as this was a recognition ceremony highlighting successful community policing initiatives.

The recognition underscores the city's support for programs that strengthen police-community relations and take proactive approaches to public safety through collaborative partnerships with residents and community organizations.

Honoring Forest Hill Military Academy

2:00

The Council recognized Forest Hill Military Academy during agenda item 0226-14, a presentation honoring the institution for its educational contributions and commitment to excellence.

Mayor Gray led the presentation, acknowledging the academy's role in the community and its dedication to providing quality education. The recognition highlighted the school's ongoing commitment to academic and character development.

Farmer and Jay Whitehead also participated in the presentation, contributing to the formal acknowledgment of the military academy's achievements and service to students and the broader community.

This was an informational item with no action required from the Council. The presentation served as a formal recognition of Forest Hill Military Academy's educational mission and its positive impact on the community.

Minutes of the February 11, 13, and 20, 2014 Council Meetings

3:00

The Council reviewed and approved the minutes from three previous meetings held in February 2014. Agenda item 0232-14 covered the minutes from the February 11, 13, and 20, 2014 Council meetings.

Council members Ellinger and Gorton participated in the discussion of these meeting minutes. The review process allowed Council members to verify the accuracy of the recorded proceedings from the three February sessions before giving their formal approval.

The minutes were approved without significant debate or amendments, indicating that the recorded proceedings accurately reflected the discussions and actions taken during those February meetings. This routine administrative item ensures the official record of Council proceedings is properly maintained and formally adopted.

The approval of these minutes allows them to become part of the permanent public record of the City Council's activities during the specified February dates.

Amending Section 21-5(2) of the Code of Ordinances

3:00

The Council considered Ordinance 0082-14, which proposed amending Section 21-5(2) of the Code of Ordinances to restructure a city position. The ordinance called for abolishing one position of Municipal Engineer Sr. and creating one position of Program Manager Sr. in its place.

Key speakers during the discussion included Council members Stinnett and Ellinger, who addressed the proposed organizational change. The restructuring appears to reflect the city's evolving operational needs, shifting from a traditional engineering role to a broader program management position.

The ordinance was approved by the Council, allowing the city to move forward with the position restructuring outlined in the amendment to Section 21-5(2) of the Code of Ordinances.