Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on October 21, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council addressed 10 agenda items during the session, including public comment periods, rezoning requests, budget matters, and various reports. The body took 16 motions and votes on the items before it and heard 3 public comments from citizens. Key actions included approval of requested rezonings and docket items, budget amendments, new business, and continuing business or presentations, while council reports and the mayor's report were presented for informational purposes.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on October 21, 2014:

• Mayor Jim Gray
• Vice Mayor Gordon
• Council Member Akers
• Council Member Beard
• Council Member Farmer
• Council Member Ford
• Council Member Gorton
• Council Member Henson
• Council Member Kay
• Council Member Lane
• Council Member Massadi
• Council Member Mossotti
• Council Member Scutchfield
• Council Member Stinnett
• Council Member Stennett

No council members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

All motions during this meeting were decided by voice vote and passed unanimously.

Procedural Motions

The council voted to go into closed session for discussion of potential litigation, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member Akers 5:01.

The council approved the October 7, 2014 summary, moved by Council Member Ellinger and seconded by Council Member Stinnett 14:07.

The council approved the docket, moved by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Council Member Lane 11:47.

The council voted to remove Ordinance 1079-14 from the docket, moved by Council Member Lane and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 13:03.

Budget and Financial Matters

The council approved budget amendments, moved by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Council Member Akers 14:39.

The council approved the Neighborhood Development Funds allocation of $500 to Aylesford Place Neighborhood Association, moved by Council Member Allinger and seconded by Council Member Farmer 17:56.

The council voted to reallocate older inactive bond proceeds to provide approximately $321,000 for capital equipment related to the reorganization of landscaping and forestry functions into the Division of Environmental Services, moved by Council Member Stennett and seconded by Council Member Clark 30:34.

Organizational Changes

The council voted to change the name of the Division of Environmental Policy to Division of Environmental Services, transfer three civil service positions, and initiate budget amendments for the reorganization of landscaping and forestry functions, moved by Council Member Stennett and seconded by Council Member Henson 31:06.

The council voted to include three professional service requests in future fund balance discussions related to the reorganization of landscaping and forestry functions, moved by Council Member Stennett and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 32:09.

Ordinances and Resolutions

The council approved new business, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member Ellinger 15:13.

The council voted to place on the docket a resolution recommending the mayor not sign the proposed amended interlocal cooperative agreement with the Bluegrass Area Development District, moved by Council Member Ford and seconded by Council Member Akers 11:16.

The council voted to place on the docket an ordinance adopting a schedule of meetings for the council for calendar year 2015, moved by Vice Mayor Gordon and seconded by Council Member Lane 9:35.

The council voted to place on the docket an ordinance amending section 14-97-6 of the Code of Ordinances to include e-cigarettes in the definition of smoke or smoking, moved by Council Member Kay and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 10:09.

Committee and Administrative Matters

The council voted to change the economic development committee meeting to 1:00–1:30 PM and add a special planning and public works committee meeting from 1:30–3:00 PM on November 11, 2014, moved by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Council Member Beard 38:31.

The council voted to place in the General Government Committee the examination of the political sign mechanism, moved by Council Member Farmer and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 41:54.

The council voted to adjourn, moved by Council Member Stennett and seconded by Vice Mayor Gordon 49:33.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included authorization for multiple grants, contracts, purchases, and budget amendments totaling significant financial commitments across various city departments.

Grants Accepted: The city authorized acceptance of $34,000 from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security under the 2014 State Homeland Security Grant Program for the Hazardous Devices Unit in the Division of Police (L1082-14). An additional $70,000 grant from the same source was accepted for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services for first responder equipment purchases (L1084-14). The city also authorized submission of a $391,424 grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the 2014 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for exhaust extraction system upgrades or replacement at all Lexington fire stations (L1055-14).

Contracts and Agreements: Authorization was granted to execute a contract with the Board of Education of Fayette County, Kentucky, for operation of preschool classrooms at the Family Care Center with no budgetary impact (L1066-14). A Professional Service Agreement with Victoria Nash to serve as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner on an on-call basis for forensic examinations in FY 2015 was authorized with no budgetary impact (L1085-14). The city also authorized amendment and acceptance of a final settlement to the sublease and management agreement with Lexarts, Inc. for the Downtown Arts Center with no budgetary impact (L1080-14).

Purchases and Appropriations: Bullard Thermal Imagers was approved as a sole source provider of thermal imaging cameras for Fire and Emergency Services in an amount not to exceed $31,500 (F1083-14). The city approved a $20,000 payment to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for sponsorship of the Kentucky Manufacturing and Innovation Conference, a BEAM initiative (L1077-14).

Property and Budget Amendments: Two parcels of land at 2602 and 2606 Mable Lane were declared surplus with no budgetary impact (L1087-14). Numerous budget amendments were approved, including $208,000 and $113,000 for Natural Resource Management equipment needs, $72,050 for software purchases, and various smaller amendments totaling thousands of dollars for personnel, equipment, and grant adjustments.

Public Comment

Three council members shared remarks during the public comment period.

Council Member Farmer 39:02 raised concerns about political signage regulation, noting the lack of controls on sign size and placement. He observed increased visibility of political signage and its potential impact on viewsheds. Farmer also addressed a public art installation in the distillery district, noting community debate surrounding the installation's content and concerns that it may be perceived as gang-related.

Council Member Henson 45:03 announced upcoming community events and commended public safety efforts. He informed the council of a Piccadone Neighborhood Association meeting and a fall festival scheduled at Valley Park. Henson also praised the police department's work on Safety City, highlighting the program's educational value for children.

Council Member Ford 47:19 discussed recent community planning activities and reflected on a significant community anniversary. He shared that the East End Small Area Plan's five-year anniversary update was well-attended and noted discussions of Legacy Trail Phase 3 and Midland Avenue TIF projects. Ford also marked the 20th anniversary of Tony Sullivan's death and called for community efforts to build common ground with Black youth.

Contested Items

Public Art Installation in the Distillery District

A public art installation by artist MTO in the distillery district became a point of contention during the meeting. The installation sparked debate over its content, with some community members questioning whether it was gang-related, while others defended it as an expression of free speech. Council Member Farmer raised the matter as a public discussion point, bringing the community disagreement into the formal council record.

Political Signage Regulation

Council Member Farmer also raised concerns about the lack of regulation governing political signage, specifically regarding size and placement standards. Farmer noted increased visibility of political signage and growing public concern about the issue. During discussion, the legal basis for the current policy was examined. The council responded by placing a motion to further examine the political signage regulation issue in the General Government Committee, indicating the matter would receive additional study and consideration before any potential policy changes.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

7:19

No members of the public signed up to speak during the public comment period for issues on the agenda.

Council Member Farmer raised concerns about two matters within the community. The first involved political signage, and the second concerned a public art installation in the distillery district. Council Member Farmer's remarks prompted discussion regarding free speech protections and how they balance with community values.

The discussion remained informational in nature, with no formal action taken during this agenda item.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

8:22

The council addressed the docket for requested rezonings and approved motions to place several items on the October 23, 2014 council meeting agenda. Council Member Farmer, Council Member Lane, and Vice Mayor Gordon participated in the discussion.

The council approved the docket as presented. In addition to placing items on the upcoming agenda, the council approved one motion to remove an ordinance from consideration.

The outcome of this agenda item was approval.

Approval of Summary

The Council approved the summary from the October 7, 2014 meeting without dissent. 14:07

During this agenda item, Council Member Lane provided clarification regarding the procedure for removing items from the meeting docket. Lane noted that a motion to remove an item from the docket must be made on the meeting day itself, rather than in advance of the meeting.

Council Members Ellinger and Stinnett were also present during this discussion.

Outcome: The October 7, 2014 summary was approved.

Budget Amendments

The council discussed and approved budget amendments affecting multiple city departments during this agenda item 14:39.

Departments Affected

The amendments addressed budget adjustments for the following departments:

• Family Services
• Parks and Recreation
• Environmental Services

Key Discussion

Council Member Farmer and Council Member Akers participated in the discussion of these amendments. Several of the proposed amendments were connected to a broader reorganization of natural resource management functions within the city.

Outcome

The council approved all budget amendments presented during this agenda item.

New Business

The council addressed new business items during this portion of the meeting, with Vice Mayor Gordon and Scott Shapiro serving as key speakers 15:13.

The council approved several new business matters, including grant applications, contracts, and funding for events. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a $20,000 payment to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the Manufacturing and Innovation Conference. This item received detailed consideration from council members before being approved.

All new business items presented were approved by the council.

Continuing Business/Presentations

Susan Plueger presented a proposal for reorganizing natural resource management 21:08. The proposal included several structural changes: renaming the Division of Environmental Policy to Environmental Services, transferring personnel, and reallocating funds.

Council Member Stennett and Council Member Clark participated in the discussion of the reorganization proposal.

Three motions were passed in support of the reorganization, resulting in approval of the proposal.

Council Reports

Council Member Ford reported on the Social Services & Community Development Committee's meeting 18:26. The report covered discussions on workforce development and partner agency funding.

Council Member Stennett reported on actions taken by the Environmental Quality Committee related to the natural resource reorganization.

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

Mayor's Report

Vice Mayor Gordon presented updates on recent recognitions and events for Lexington 33:14.

America in Bloom Recognition

Vice Mayor Gordon reported that Lexington received recognition from America in Bloom. The city earned a special award for best commercial landscape and achieved a four-out-of-five blooms ranking in the national competition.

American Farmland Trust Conference

Vice Mayor Gordon highlighted that the American Farmland Trust held its national conference in Lexington, bringing attention to the city on a national level.

Outcome

This item was presented as informational, with no formal action required.

Public Comment – Issues Not on Agenda

39:02

Council Member Farmer raised concerns during this public comment period regarding two issues not listed on the agenda: political signage and a controversial public art installation in the distillery district.

Council Member Farmer's remarks sparked a discussion touching on broader questions of free speech, public taste, and community values. The council member expressed concerns about the political signage and questioned the appropriateness of the public art installation in the distillery district.

The discussion that followed addressed the tension between protecting free speech rights and community standards regarding what is displayed in public spaces. The conversation reflected differing perspectives on how communities should balance individual expression with collective aesthetic and values concerns.

This agenda item concluded as informational, with no formal action or resolution reached. The matters raised were noted for the record but did not result in a specific council decision or directive during this meeting.

Adjournment

The council adjourned following a motion to adjourn that passed without opposition. 49:33

Council Member Stennett and Vice Mayor Gordon were involved in the adjournment proceedings. The motion was approved, concluding the meeting.