General Government Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The General Government Committee met on November 11, 2014, at 11:00 AM under the direction of presiding officer Kay. The committee addressed five agenda items, all of which were approved, with a focus on downtown arts initiatives and cultural infrastructure projects. The meeting included 12 motions and votes, 9 public comments, and covered topics ranging from a Downtown Arts Center pilot project and its utilization to the sharing of artistic direction, box office, and technical services. Additionally, the committee received an update on the Kentucky Theater renovation, including plans and funding information. All items referred to the committee were also approved during the session.

Attendance

Present: Kay, Scutchfield, Gorton, Ford, Akers, Beard, Myers, Clarke, and Lane

Absent: Lawless

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The following motions were voted on and passed by voice vote:

Approval of September 9, 2014 Summary 5:16 Motion by Beard, seconded by Gorton. Passed.

Facilities & Fleet Management Item 6:00 Motion by Akers, seconded by Gorton, to move the Facilities & Fleet Management item back to Council docket for second reading. Passed.

E-Cigarette Ordinance 7:00 Motion by Gorton, seconded by Ford, to approve the draft E-Cigarette Ordinance and move it forward to Council. Passed.

Removal of Referral Items from Committee 8:00 The following referral items were removed from committee:

• Motion by Scutchfield, seconded by Akers: 'Coroner's Staff Salaries & Classification.' Passed.
• Motion by Scutchfield, seconded by Gorton: 'Grant Review Process.' Passed.
• Motion by Gorton, seconded by Akers: 'Amending the Lexington-Fayette County smoking ordinance to include e-cigarettes.' Passed.
• Motion by Gorton, seconded by Scutchfield: 'Procedure for Underwriting or Sponsoring one of our Facilities or Parks.' Passed.
• Motion by Clarke, seconded by Gorton: 'Corporate Branding: Using the Name 'Lexington'.' Passed.
• Motion by Ford, seconded by Clarke: 'Relationship with the BGADD.' Passed.
• Motion by Akers, seconded by Gorton: 'Facilities & Fleet Mgmt. – Abolishing Security Officer position and creating Admin. Officer Position.' Passed.

Restructuring Item 1:20:04 Motion by Gorton to remove the restructuring item to remove Division of Budgeting from Finance. Passed.

Adjournment 1:20:35 Motion to adjourn the meeting. Passed.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed multiple financial commitments for the Kentucky Theater renovation project and related improvements:

Kentucky Theater Renovation Purchases:

• Renovation of the concession area: $700,000 to Friends of Kentucky Theater
• Replacement of seats: $165,728 to Irwin Seat Co
• Installation of digital projectors: $149,556 to Sonic Equipment Co
• Electrical work: $219,424 to Fusion Systems
• Carpet installation: $37,203 to Carpet Decorators
• Scaffolding: $34,090 to Friends of Kentucky Theater
• Hearing loop system installation: $32,684 to Friends of Kentucky Theater
• Coordinator and project manager salaries: $57,000 to Friends of Kentucky Theater
• Seat and wall plaques: $2,542 to Friends of Kentucky Theater
• Lobby TV installation: $2,359 to Friends of Kentucky Theater

Additional Improvements:

• Hearing loop system installation: $15,000 to $20,000 to Friends of Kentucky Theater
• Painting and finishing work at Downtown Arts Center: $3,200 to Friends of Kentucky Theater

Grant Funding:

• Blue Grass Community Foundation contribution to Kentucky Theater renovation: $24,546

These financial actions represent a comprehensive investment in the Kentucky Theater's modernization and accessibility improvements, with the majority of funds directed toward facility upgrades and vendor services.

Public Comment

Several councilmembers and members of the public addressed the Downtown Arts Center and related city arts venues during this meeting.

Downtown Arts Center Operations and Expansion

Councilmember Farmer praised increased activity at the Downtown Arts Center and expressed interest in developing the third and fourth floors, emphasizing the need to animate the space and make it more welcoming to the public 36:18. Councilmember Lane asked about revenue generated from bookings and raised concerns about long-term financial sustainability as the facility grows 34:05. Councilmember Scratchfield commended the increased usage while emphasizing the importance of remaining fiscally responsible while improving services 41:03.

Resource Needs and Coordination

Councilmember Clark noted that the Downtown Arts Center is becoming a special asset and suggested the city may need to provide more resources to support its growth, while advocating for better coordination across city-owned arts venues 42:07. Councilmember Stinnett stressed the importance of coordinated marketing and shared services across city-owned arts venues, including the Kentucky Theater, Lyric, and Moondance, calling for a comprehensive strategy 51:35.

Concession Stand and Theater Concerns

Councilmember Hensley raised concerns about the city using taxpayer funds to renovate a concession stand that benefits a private tenant, questioning whether such actions could invite public criticism 1:02:23. Howard Stovall, representing the Kentucky Theater Management Group, expressed concern that recessing the concession stand could reduce foot traffic and revenue, and highlighted the need for equitable upgrades between the Kentucky and State theaters 1:05:26.

State Theater Maintenance

Councilmember Beard noted that the state theater seats appeared new and well-maintained but expressed concern about the outdated appearance of the marquee, suggesting it needed cleaning or replacement 1:12:51. Isabel Yates expressed willingness to support future upgrades to the state theater, including the hearing loop and seating, but emphasized the need for a gradual, process-driven approach 1:16:47.

Contested Items

City Underwriting of Private Business Improvements

Councilmember Hensley raised concerns about using taxpayer funds to renovate the Kentucky Theater's concession stand. Hensley worried that funding improvements to a facility that benefits a private tenant could invite public criticism and appear as an indirect subsidy to a private business rather than a legitimate public investment.

Redesign of Concession Stand and Impact on Revenue

Howard Stovall of the Kentucky Theater Management Group expressed concerns about proposed changes to the concession stand layout. Stovall emphasized that recessing the concession stand could reduce foot traffic and revenue. He noted that concessions account for approximately one-third of the theater's income and argued that the current layout is effective for generating this significant revenue stream.

Downtown Arts Center Pilot Project – Gen. Svcs. Link

5:49

Commissioner Reed, Amber Lowell, and Celeste Lewis presented on the Downtown Arts Center's transition from LexArts to Parks and Recreation management.

Improvements and Operations

The presentation detailed improvements made to the facility since the transition. The team reported increased bookings and implemented new rental rates as part of the operational changes.

Programming and Facility Development

The presenters outlined plans for expanded programming and gallery development at the center. They also discussed potential future use of the third and fourth floors of the facility, indicating plans for growth and enhanced utilization of the space.

Community Engagement

The team emphasized a commitment to community engagement and highlighted a focus on performing arts as a key component of the center's mission and programming direction.

Outcome

The agenda item was approved.

Downtown Arts Center Utilization -- Farmer

6:22

Councilmember Farmer raised questions about the Downtown Arts Center's utilization and potential during this discussion item. Farmer expressed interest in the facility's possibilities and specifically inquired about the use and development of the third and fourth floors of the building.

A key concern highlighted by Farmer was the need to animate the space and make it more welcoming to the public. This emphasis on activation and accessibility reflected a desire to ensure the facility serves as an engaging community resource rather than an underutilized structure.

The presenters responded to Farmer's questions by confirming that ongoing efforts are underway to improve the building. They also discussed future plans for the facility, indicating a commitment to addressing the concerns raised about the space's activation and overall appeal.

The agenda item concluded with an approved outcome, indicating that the council supported the direction and plans presented regarding the Downtown Arts Center's utilization and improvement.

Sharing of Artistic Direction, Box Office, Tech. Svcs -- Gorton

43:22

Vice Mayor Gorton raised the possibility of consolidating and sharing services across city-owned arts venues, including box office operations, technical support, and marketing functions.

Key Discussion Points

Presenters Lowell and Lewis addressed the proposal and outlined both opportunities and obstacles to service sharing. While the speakers expressed openness to increased collaboration among the venues, they identified specific challenges in implementing such consolidation.

Challenges Identified

The consolidation of ticketing systems and technical staff emerged as the primary concerns. Presenters noted the complexity of integrating box office operations across multiple venues and the logistical difficulties of coordinating technical personnel.

Outcome

The item was approved. The group committed to developing a follow-up report on coordination efforts, with the report scheduled for presentation in January.

Update: Kentucky Theater Renovation – Plans & Funding -- Lane

53:13

Isabel Yates and Harold Tate presented an update on the Kentucky Theater renovation project, focusing on Phase 1 improvements and plans for future phases.

Phase 1 Improvements

Phase 1 of the renovation included several upgrades to the theater:

• Installation of new digital projectors
• Replacement of seats
• Lighting system upgrades
• Concession area improvements

Funding

The presenters reported that Phase 1 had a total cost of approximately $700,000. The project was funded largely through private donations, demonstrating community support for the theater's restoration.

Phase 2 Plans

Yates and Tate discussed plans for Phase 2, which would include:

• A redesigned concession stand

They also mentioned potential future upgrades to the State Theater as part of longer-term planning for the theater facilities.

Outcome

The update was approved by the meeting body.

Items Referred

Multiple referral items were removed from the committee agenda during this discussion. The items addressed included Coroner's Staff Salaries, Grant Review Process, and other matters.

Key participants in this discussion included Scutchfield, Gorton, Akers, Clarke, and Ford.

A motion was made to remove the Division of Budgeting restructuring item from consideration. This motion passed, with committee members indicating no interest in moving the item forward at this time.

The outcome of this agenda item was approved. 8:00