Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on October 14, 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 addressed 10 agenda items during the session, including public comment periods, zoning matters, budget amendments, and various business items. The body took 28 motions and votes throughout the meeting and heard 4 public comments from members of the community. Several items were approved, including requested rezonings, budget amendments, new business, and continuing business matters, while other agenda items were informational in nature, including council reports and the mayor's report.

Attendance

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

Absent: Farmer

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

All motions during the October 14, 2014 meeting were decided by voice vote.

Docket and Procedural Motions 8:01

The meeting began with approval of the October 9, 2014 docket, moved by Scutchfield and seconded by Beard. Several items were added to the docket for the October 9, 2014 Council meeting:

• An ordinance amending Sections 2-458, 2-460, and 2-462 of the Code of Ordinances relating to membership requirements, election of officers, and meeting requirements for the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities (moved by Henson, seconded by Ellinger)
• A resolution to reduce the speed limit from 35mph to 30mph along Jouett Creek Drive (moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Mossotti)
• A resolution to reduce the speed limit from 30mph to 25mph along Ellerslie Park Boulevard (moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Myers)
• A resolution to install multi-way stop controls at Blazer Parkway and North Eagle Creek Drive (moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Lane)
• A resolution to install multi-way stop controls at Rio Dosa Drive and North Locust Hill Road (moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Henson)

The amended docket was approved by Beard and seconded by Myers. A public hearing for ordinance #7 was scheduled for November 17, 2014 at 5:00pm (moved by Lawless, seconded by Clarke).

Closed Session and Additional Items

The body voted to enter closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1)(c) for potential litigation and (1)(f) for discussion leading to employee appointment (moved by Gorton, seconded by Kay), and later returned from closed session (moved by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger).

Two resolutions regarding cable company transfers were added to the docket: denying the transfer of control of Time Warner Cable to Comcast Corporation and denying the transfer of control of Comcast Corporation to Charter Communications, Inc. (moved by Gorton, seconded by Myers).

Other Approvals

Additional motions passed included approval of the September 23, 2014 work session summary, budget amendments, new business items, and the Mayor's report. The meeting adjourned at 00:38:33 on a motion by Scutchfield, seconded by Mossotti.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included authorization for the following financial actions:

Apple iMac Desktop Computers Lease (L0998-14) Authorization was granted to execute a three-year lease agreement with VAR to provide Apple iMac Desktop Computers to the Coroner's office. The lease amount is $12,597.

Loudon Avenue Sidewalk Project Easements (L1041-14) Authorization was approved to accept permanent and temporary construction easements from owners of record for the Loudon Avenue Sidewalk Project, with an appropriation of $15,000.

Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Modifications (L1046-14) Authorization was granted to execute modifications to agreements with the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Division of Emergency Management for federal funds under the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). The modifications extend the performance period for FY 2011, FY 2012, and FY 2013 funding through September 30, 2015.

Materials Recovery Facility Memoranda of Agreements (L1050-14) Authorization was approved to execute standardized Memoranda of Agreements (MOAs) with recycling agencies who wish to have materials processed at LFUCG's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Emergency Generator Connections Change Order (L1056-14) Authorization was granted to approve change order #2 to the contract with T.E.M. Group, Inc., for Emergency Generator Connections. The change order increases the contract price by $6,309.50.

Public Comment

Council members raised several matters during the public comment period:

Recycling Center Agreements and Cost Transparency

9:06 Council Member Lane expressed concern about the city's lack of accurate cost data for processing recycled materials. He warned against entering into Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) that could result in taxpayer losses, particularly when processing materials from other counties. Lane urged the council to delay finalizing the MOAs until actual costs are determined.

Ethics Act Review

31:49 Council Member Ford moved to place the review of the Ethics Act (Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances) into the General Government Committee. Ford cited the need for updates after 20 years and noted the importance of responsiveness to public concerns about ethics and conduct.

Community Announcements

36:28 Council Member Scutchfield announced the upcoming fall carnival at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary, which will feature food trucks, a silent auction, games, and bouncy houses. Twenty percent of profits will go to the school PTA.

38:33 Council Member Clark announced a meeting of the Pasadena Neighborhood Association that will include a chili cook-off, business session, and political discussion.

Contested Items

Ethics Act Review

Council Member Ford initiated a motion to review the Ethics Act, which was supported by Council Member Lawless and others. The motion passed unanimously, indicating broad support across the council. However, the discussion surrounding the vote revealed underlying concerns about ethics and transparency within the organization, suggesting that while members agreed on the need for review, they held differing perspectives on the specific issues that needed to be addressed.

Recycling Center MOAs and Cost Transparency

Council Member Lane raised significant concerns about the Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) for recycling centers, specifically regarding the lack of accurate cost data for processing recycled materials. Lane warned that the city could face substantial financial losses if the MOAs were finalized before actual processing costs were determined and understood. This issue centered on the need for transparent financial information before committing to agreements that could have major budgetary implications.

Permanent Barricade of Agape Drive

The proposal to permanently barricade Agape Drive generated heated discussion between multiple stakeholders with competing priorities. Residents and neighborhood associations supported the barricade, arguing it was necessary for safety improvements and better traffic control in the area. In contrast, staff representatives from Traffic Engineering and Fire opposed the proposal, citing concerns about road connectivity and emergency access. The disagreement reflected a fundamental tension between neighborhood safety and traffic management goals on one side, and the operational needs of emergency services and traffic flow on the other.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

8:00

The public comment period for issues on the agenda was opened during the meeting. No members of the public signed up to speak during this portion of the meeting. The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item without any public comments being presented.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

8:01

No rezoning issues were presented during this agenda item. The docket was approved as amended without dissent.

Approval of Summary

The work session summary from September 23, 2014 was presented for approval. Ellinger addressed this agenda item 8:31.

The summary was approved without dissent.

Budget Amendments

Budget amendments were presented as agenda item IV during the meeting. The amendments were approved without dissent 8:01.

No specific details regarding the content of the amendments, individual line items, dollar amounts, or departmental impacts were documented in the meeting record. Similarly, no speakers were identified as presenting or discussing the amendments, and no concerns or questions from attendees were recorded.

The amendments passed with unanimous approval.

New Business

8:01

Several new business items were presented and discussed during this portion of the meeting.

Items Addressed:

• Lease agreement for computers
• Easements for sidewalk projects
• Street name changes for 9-1-1 compliance
• Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) for recycling

Key Speakers:

Lane and Thurman presented and discussed the new business items.

Outcome:

A motion to approve all items passed unanimously.

Continuing Business/Presentations

20:54

During this agenda item, reports were presented from three committees: Budget & Finance, General Government, and Planning & Public Works.

The Planning & Public Works Committee brought forward a recommendation to permanently barricade Agape Drive. This recommendation was approved by the body.

Additional matters discussed included the Municipal Aid Program and Todd's Road Widening project. Key speakers during this section included Farmer, Kay, and Ellinger.

The outcome of this agenda item was approval of the presented recommendations.

Council Reports

Council members provided updates on several community events and activities during this agenda item. 27:55

The following council members contributed to the reports:

• Farmer
• Henson
• Myers
• Ford
• Scutchfield
• Clark

Community Events Discussed

Council members highlighted three main community events:

• Safety City Grand Reopening — Council members announced and discussed the grand reopening of Safety City.

• Athens-Chilesburg Elementary Fall Carnival — An update was provided regarding the fall carnival at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary.

• Pasadena Neighborhood Association Meeting — Council members reported on a meeting held by the Pasadena Neighborhood Association.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with council members sharing updates about ongoing community activities and events with no formal action required.

Mayor's Report

No Mayor's Report was presented at this meeting 27:55.

Public Comment – Issues Not on Agenda

38:33

No members of the public signed up to speak during the public comment period for issues not on the agenda.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 38 minutes and 33 seconds 38:33 following a motion by Council Member Stinnett, which was seconded by Council Member Ellinger. The motion to adjourn was approved.