Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on November 20, 2014, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Vice-Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting included two informational presentations and one public comment period. Council members took three votes during the session. The first presentation addressed National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week, while the second presentation covered the Firefighters, Lieutenants and Captains Collective Bargaining Agreement. Overall, the meeting focused on informational items rather than legislative action, with presentations designed to inform council members and the public on these two topics.

Attendance

Present: Clarke, Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Kay, Lawless, Mossotti, Myers, Scutchfield, Stinnett, Akers, and Beard

Absent: Henson and Lane

Late arrivals: None

Votes and Decisions

Approval of October 23, 2014 Council Meeting Minutes 2:08

Motion by Akers, seconded by Beard. The minutes were approved unanimously with 13 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions.

Ordinance 1138-14: Closing Washington Ave and Transferring Right-of-Way to the Abutting Owner 25:06

Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. This ordinance passed by roll call vote with 11 ayes and 2 nays.

Voting in favor: Clarke, Ellinger, Ford, Gorton, Kay, Mossotti, Myers, Scutchfield, Stinnett, Akers, and Beard.

Voting against: Farmer and Lawless.

Ordinance 1034-14: Changing Zone from Professional Office (P-1) to Neighborhood Business (B-1) for Property at 626-634 Euclid Avenue 28:17

Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. This ordinance passed by roll call vote with 11 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions.

Voting in favor: Clarke, Ellinger, Farmer, Ford, Gorton, Lawless, Mossotti, Myers, Scutchfield, Akers, and Beard.

Abstaining: Kay and Stinnett.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved three contracts for capital improvement projects:

Pump Station Building Renovation - Resolution 1125-14 - Vendor: Wood Connection, LLC - Amount: $37,200

Roofing and HVAC Renovations at Coroner's Office and Community Action Council - Resolution 1126-14 - Vendor: Riddell Construction, Inc. - Amount: $597,720

Walhampton Stormwater Improvements - Resolution 1146-14 - Vendor: Grant's Excavating, Inc. - Amount: $705,632.50

The three contracts totaled $1,340,552.50 in authorized expenditures for facility improvements and infrastructure projects.

Public Comment

Bernard McCarthy addressed the council regarding traffic and street connectivity 1:18:26. Mr. McCarthy criticized the council for implementing street barricades in response to neighborhood association requests, arguing that these measures worsen traffic conditions. He expressed concern that the council has prioritized neighborhood preferences over broader traffic management considerations.

Mr. McCarthy proposed a specific course of action: removing all neighborhood references from official plans and maps as a way to address what he views as an overemphasis on neighborhood-based decision-making in traffic and connectivity planning.

Appointments

Chris Ford resigned from the Infill and Redevelopment Steering Committee.

Contested Items

Closing Washington Avenue

The council considered an ordinance to close Washington Avenue and transfer the right-of-way to the University of Kentucky. The measure passed with a vote of 11-2, indicating significant but not unanimous support.

The primary disagreement centered on responsibility for paving. Some council members expressed concerns about who would bear the financial and maintenance obligations for the roadway following the transfer. Despite these concerns, the ordinance advanced and secured approval from the majority of council members present.

Presentation - National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week

Christine Leistner and Walter Brown from the University of Kentucky presented information about activities planned for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 4:33. The presentation highlighted the involvement of UK students in community service initiatives related to the awareness week.

Key Speakers

The presentation was delivered by: - Christine Leistner - Walter Brown - Charlie Lanter also participated in the discussion

Content

The presenters discussed activities that the University of Kentucky was organizing to participate in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The focus was on student involvement in community service efforts aimed at raising awareness and addressing issues related to homelessness and hunger in the community.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action or decision required. The presentation served to inform the body about UK's planned activities and student engagement in this national awareness initiative.

Presentation: Firefighters, Lieutenants and Captains Collective Bargaining Agreement

Joe Scholler and Chris Bartley presented information on the new collective bargaining agreement for firefighters, lieutenants, and captains 8:05.

The presentation highlighted several key changes included in the agreement:

• Changes to promotion policies
• Modifications to education requirements
• Updates to sick leave policies

The discussion was presented for informational purposes, with no formal action or vote required at this time. The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature.