Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on November 11, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Gray presiding. The council addressed ten agenda items during the session, including public comment periods, zoning requests, budget matters, and various reports. The body took 51 motions and votes throughout the meeting and heard 17 public comments from citizens on both agenda and non-agenda issues. Key actions included approval of requested rezonings and docket items, budget amendments, new business items, and continuing business presentations, along with the Mayor's Report.

Attendance

Present: Gorton, Ellinger, Kay, Ford, Akers, Beard, Farmer, Stinnett, Mossotti, Clarke, Henson, and Lane

Absent: Lawless, Scutchfield, and Myers

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

All motions brought before the meeting passed unanimously.

Procedural Motions

The body entered closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c) for potential litigation and KRS 61.810(1)(f) for employee appointment discussion, moved by Gorton and seconded by Akers 21:30. The motion to return from closed session, moved by Ellinger and seconded by Gorton, passed 1:08:57.

The docket was approved on motion by Gorton, seconded by Farmer 1:09:30. Several items were added to the docket: a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a quitclaim deed for property at 1747 Lakewood Lane (Farmer/Lane); an Ordinance adopting a schedule of meetings for 2015 (Gorton/Beard); an ordinance amending Section 14-97(6) of the Code of Ordinances to include e-cigarettes in the definition of smoke or smoking (Kay/Gorton); and a resolution recommending the Mayor not sign the Amended Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with Bluegrass ADD and to pursue Workforce Investment Area designation (Ford/Mossotti). Ordinance #4 was removed from the docket on motion by Lane, seconded by Gorton 1:09:30.

The summary was approved on motion by Beard, seconded by Ellinger 1:24:30. Budget amendments were approved on motion by Farmer, seconded by Akers 1:25:03. New business was approved on motion by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger 1:46:31.

Substantive Actions

A neighborhood development fund was approved (Ellinger/Farmer). Older inactive bond proceeds were reallocated to fund landscaping and forestry reorganization into the Division of Environmental Services (Stinnett/Mossotti). The Division of Environmental Policy was renamed to Division of Environmental Services with transfer of three civil service positions and budget amendments initiated (Stinnett/Henson). Three professional services requests were included in future Fund Balance discussions for the reorganization (Stinnett/Gorton). A Special Planning & Public Works Committee meeting was scheduled for November 11th with changes to Economic Development COW end time (Farmer/Beard). The examination of the sign mechanism was placed into the General Government Committee (Farmer/Gorton). The Mayor's Report was approved (Stinnett/Gorton).

The meeting adjourned at 4:15pm on motion by Stinnett, seconded by Gorton 1:47:01.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included sixteen budget amendments addressing various departmental needs and revenue recognitions:

Event and Program Reimbursements - Overtime reimbursement for the Fest-Of-Ales special event: $188.47 (JOURNAL 81653-54) - Reimbursement from Downtown Lexington Corporation for General Fund personnel budget related to Bluegrass 10,000: $14,206.78 (JOURNAL 81674-75) - Reimbursement for operating and equipment accounts from Woodland Arts Fair sponsorship revenue: $3,150.00 (JOURNAL 81780-81)

Departmental Transfers and Operating Funds - Transfer of $209,900.59 to Environmental Services-Natural Resource Management section by decreasing Parks and Recreation funds for Seasonal Salaries, Mowing, and other operating accounts (JOURNAL 81782) - Recovery of $111.50 refund for overpayment of advertising costs in Professional Services account (JOURNAL 81672-73) - Recognition of $200.00 in revenues received for Keep Lexington Beautiful (JOURNAL 81672-73) - Recognition of $5,000.00 in donated funds for Keep Lexington Beautiful operating expenses (JOURNAL 82005-06)

Donations and Grants - Donation from Kentucky State University to the William Wells Brown Community Center for healthy eating and physical fitness programming: $3,000.00 (JOURNAL 81769-70) - Budget grant match for Polo Club FY 2013 grant right of way phase: $63,112.50 (JOURNAL 81766) - Budget federal funds and grant match for Polo Club FY 2013 grant right of way phase: $315,562.50 (JOURNAL 81767-68)

Equipment and Infrastructure - Funds for ICMA software purchase for Performance Measurements by reducing Professional Services Other in the Urban Fund: $6,348.00 (JOURNAL 82070) - Funds for county road rejuvenation and crack-sealing by decreasing Construction-Bridges funds: $21,150.00 (JOURNAL 81655) - Funds for a new Police Canine to replace a retiring canine by decreasing Equipment Under $5000: $9,000.00 (JOURNAL 81765)

Grant and Program Amendments - Budget interest income for Justice Assistance FY 2012: $72.25 (JOURNAL 82065-66) - Amendment to Justice Assistance FY 2014 for equipment and training expenditures: $15,969.25 (JOURNAL 82067) - Amendment to Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) FY 2014 for connectivity to Kentucky expenditures: $9,100.00 (JOURNAL 81892)

Public Comment

Residential Parking Permit Program

David Tipton, representing 12 homeowners on Mount Vernon Drive, requested a residential parking permit (RPP) program for the area 1:16:35. He cited increased student parking from nearby streets with the same designation, which he stated has created safety concerns for children walking to school.

Council members expressed differing views on the proposal. Council Member Scotchfield raised procedural concerns, recommending that the RPP program be vetted through committee before approval to allow for public input and avoid future disputes 1:18:18. In contrast, Council Members Clark, Lawless, and Henson voiced support for the program, noting that proper procedures had been followed and emphasizing the importance of public input [timestamps: 1:20:43, 1:19:42, 1:20:43].

Other Council Member Questions and Concerns

Council Member Massadi questioned cost increases for the temporary kitchen project at the detention center 1:30:37 and raised safety concerns about missing smoke detectors and lack of sprinkler systems at the temporary Deem location 2:24:20.

Council Member Scotchfield inquired about the Town Branch floodplain analysis study, noting a significant cost reduction from the originally projected $500,000 to $109,770 1:35:08. She also proposed reviewing leaf collection timing to alternate districts annually, citing consistent complaints from her district 2:21:03.

Council Members Stinnett and Farmer asked about the floodplain study bond fund balance and requested a map of the study area [timestamps: 1:40:15, 1:43:24]. Council Member Farmer also inquired about contentions surrounding the proposed closure of Washington Avenue 1:43:54, and Council Member Stinnett asked about remaining budget allocation for the Stantec contract 1:42:22.

Recognitions and Announcements

Council Member Stinnett honored veterans, sharing a personal story about his 93-year-old grandmother, a World War II veteran 2:22:12. Council Member Clark also shared personal memories of World War II 2:25:52. Council Member Ford acknowledged the departure of Superintendent Dr. Tom Shelton 2:23:19, and Council Member Myers announced an upcoming neighborhood workshop for the Armstrong Mill West small area plan 2:27:02.

Contested Items

Residential Parking Permit Program for Mount Vernon Drive

Council Member Scotchfield raised procedural concerns about the approval of a Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program for Mount Vernon Drive. The dispute centered on the lack of public input and committee review before the program was brought forward for approval. Scotchfield's objection prompted debate among council members regarding the proper procedures that should be followed when implementing such initiatives. This disagreement highlighted questions about transparency and stakeholder engagement in the decision-making process.

Floodplain Study Cost

Council Member Scotchfield questioned the significant cost reduction for the Town Branch floodplain analysis project. The project budget had been reduced from $500,000 to $109,770, a substantial decrease that prompted discussion about the scope and justification for the revised cost. Scotchfield's inquiry led to a broader conversation among council members regarding whether the reduced budget adequately addressed the project's objectives and what factors had contributed to the dramatic change in estimated expenses.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

6:07

The council opened the meeting for public comment on issues listed on the agenda. Although no members of the public had formally signed up to speak, David Tipton addressed the council regarding residential parking concerns on Mount Vernon Drive.

Tipton spoke about the need for a residential parking permit program on Mount Vernon Drive. No additional details about the specific concerns or proposed solutions were provided in the available information.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational, with no formal action taken during this public comment period.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

1:09:30

The council approved the docket and several amendments during this agenda item. Key speakers included Gorton, Farmer, Kay, Ford, and Lane.

The council approved multiple motions to amend the docket, which included:

• Placing a resolution on the docket for a quitclaim deed
• Adding an ordinance for the 2015 meeting schedule
• Adding an ordinance to include e-cigarettes in the definition of smoking

The outcome of this agenda item was approval of the docket with the proposed amendments.

Approval of Summary

The council considered the summary of the previous meeting as agenda item III. 1:24:30

Key speakers on this item included Beard and Ellinger.

The summary was approved without dissent from the council members present.

Budget Amendments

The council discussed and approved a series of budget amendments during this agenda item 1:25:03. Key speakers on this matter included Farmer and Akers.

The amendments under consideration totaled over $600,000 and encompassed funds allocated for multiple purposes, including overtime costs, reimbursements, and various operational expenses across the organization.

The council voted to approve these budget amendments. The specific details of individual amendments, particular concerns raised during discussion, or the rationale provided by speakers for each line item are not available in the meeting record provided.

New Business

1:46:31

The council addressed several new business items during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers included Gorton, Ellinger, Stinnett, Farmer, and Beard.

The council approved the following items:

• Establishment of a new administrative division
• Approval of several contracts
• Authorization for various projects and agreements

All new business items presented were approved by the council.

Continuing Business/Presentations

1:47:01

The council heard several presentations during the Continuing Business/Presentations segment of the meeting.

Topics Presented

The council received presentations on the following matters:

• Urban Services District public hearing
• Neighborhood development funds
• Committee summaries
• Stormwater quality and MS4 permit report
• Corridors Commission updates
• Floodplain study status

Key Speakers

Presentations were delivered by Beard, Farmer, Gordon, Martin, and Henson.

Outcome

The agenda item was approved.

Council Reports

Council members provided reports on various topics during this agenda item. 2:11:30

The following council members participated in the reports: Gordon, Henson, Farmer, Scotchfield, Clark, and Myers.

Topics covered included:

• Veterans Day
• The history of Mayor James J. O'Brien
• Community events

The discussion was informational in nature, with no formal action or debate recorded. This agenda item concluded the meeting's scheduled business.

Mayor's Report

The council considered the Mayor's Report during this agenda item. 2:27:36

Key Speakers

Stinnett and Gorton participated in the discussion of the Mayor's Report.

Outcome

The council approved the Mayor's Report without dissent.

Public Comments – Issues Not on Agenda

2:27:36

No members of the public signed up to provide comments on issues not on the agenda during this portion of the meeting.

Adjournment

The council adjourned the meeting at 4:15 PM 2:27:36. Key speakers during the adjournment were Stinnett and Gorton. The adjournment was approved.