Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on December 9, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 200 E. Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, with Mayor Gray presiding. The council conducted a full legislative session that included 10 agenda items and resulted in 31 motions and votes. The meeting covered standard procedural items including roll call and invocation, followed by consideration of ordinances and resolutions at both first and second readings. The council approved ordinances on second reading, advanced ordinances on first reading, and approved resolutions at both first and second readings. Additionally, the council addressed communications from the mayor, heard announcements, and received 2 public comments from members of the community.

Attendance

Present: Bill Farmer, Diane Ford, Linda Gorton, Peggy Henson, Steve Kay, Ed Lane, George Myers, Linda Scutchfield, John Stinnett, Linda Akers, Julian Beard, Harry Clark, and Chuck Ellinger.

Absent: Lawless and Mossotti.

Late arrivals: None.

Votes and Decisions

Ordinances Passed 14:39

Eleven ordinances passed by roll-call vote with unanimous support (13 ayes, 0 nays):

• Ordinance 1318-14: Amending budgets to reflect current municipal expenditures and re-appropriating funds, Schedule No. 30
• Ordinance 1275-14: Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 152-2013 to designate members of the Economic Development Investment Board
• Ordinance 1253-14: Amending authorized strength in Waste Management by abolishing two positions and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 31
• Ordinance 1264-14: Establishing the Midland Avenue Development Area, approving Local Participation Agreement, Master Development Agreement, and designating oversight agency
• Ordinance 1267-14: Amending authorized strength in Human Resources by abolishing one position and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 32
• Ordinance 1268-14: Amending authorized strength in the Office of the Mayor by abolishing one unclassified position and creating one new unclassified position, Schedule No. 33
• Ordinance 1269-14: Amending authorized strength in Computer Services and CIO by abolishing one position and creating one new classified position, Schedule No. 33
• Ordinance 1306-14: Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 137-2014 to make Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee a standing committee and adding a Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting
• Ordinance 1317-14: Amending Committee of the Whole appropriations and re-appropriating funds, Schedule No. 24
• Ordinance 1319-14: Amending budgets for Berry Hill Skate Park and budgeting a donation from Friends for Skateparks, Schedule No. 36
• Ordinance 1320-14: Amending budgets for Neighborhood Watch Signs for River Park Neighborhood Association, Schedule No. 35

All votes were moved by Ellinger and seconded by Gorton, with all 13 council members voting in favor: Bill Farmer, Diane Ford, Linda Gorton, Peggy Henson, Steve Kay, Ed Lane, George Myers, Linda Scutchfield, John Stinnett, Linda Akers, Julian Beard, Harry Clark, and Chuck Ellinger.

Ordinance 1342-14 15:39 received first reading only and was not voted on at this meeting.

Resolutions and Other Matters Passed

Multiple resolutions passed by roll-call vote with unanimous support (13 ayes, 0 nays) [timestamp: 00:17:47 and 00:33:00], including cable franchise agreements, bid acceptances, contract authorizations, and civil service appointments. Communication 1339-14 regarding board and commission appointments was approved unanimously 34:06. A disciplinary action approving a 40-hour suspension without pay for Officer Banford K. Hill for use of excessive force was approved unanimously 34:06. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote 1:30:15.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions:

Alfalfa's Restaurant Renovations Resolution 1300-14 authorized a $38,000 purchase with FuelBand, LLC for renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant.

Public Safety Operations Center Renovation Resolution 1337-14 approved a $6,109,000 contract with Churchill McCee, LLC for the Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) Renovation project.

Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program Resolution 1322-14 allocated $65,000 in grant funding through the Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program to 12 neighborhood associations.

Office of the Urban County Council Agreements Resolution 1328-14 authorized grant agreements totaling $10,000 with 16 organizations to support the Office of the Urban County Council.

Public Comment

Two members of the public addressed the council during this meeting.

Bernard McCarthy spoke at 1:25:31 to praise the council's decorum. He expressed affection for all council members and reflected on the contrast between political and religious arguments.

Henry Kenyon spoke at 1:26:40 to commend Vice Mayor Gorton. He highlighted her humility and calm leadership, and noted her tireless service to both the Georgetown Street area and the Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center.

Appointments

The following individuals were appointed or reappointed to city boards and commissions:

Affordable Housing Governing Board - Bill Farmer — reappointed

Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board - Joel L. Cowan — reappointed

City Employees Pension Fund Board - Peggy Henson — reappointed

Commission on Citizens with Disabilities - Tiffany Bryant — reappointed - Richard Curtis — reappointed - Kenzie Gleason — reappointed - Kristy Stambaugh — reappointed

Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors - Michael Curd — appointed - Josiah D. Frey — appointed - Ronald Tritscher — reappointed - Paul Swoveland — reappointed

Domestic Violence Prevention Board - Kelly Flood — reappointed

Greenspace Commission - Ryan C. Koch — appointed

Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Board - Peggy Henson — reappointed

Human Rights Commission - Robert Orbach — reappointed

Internal Audit Board - Ed Lane — reappointed - Gary W. Ludwick — reappointed - Bill O'Mara — reappointed

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Alice Nelson — reappointed

Urban County Arts Review Board - Michael McKay — appointed

Contested Items

Resolution 1300-14 – Alfalfa's Restaurant Renovations

Council Member Lane raised questions about Resolution 1300-14, which concerned renovations at Alfalfa's Restaurant with an associated cost of $38,000. Lane questioned the purpose and necessity of the renovation project.

The Director of Facilities and Fleet Management responded to Lane's inquiry, explaining that the renovation was needed to address mold and structural issues at the facility. This response provided the justification for the expenditure that had prompted the council member's initial concerns.

The discussion was characterized as heated, indicating substantive disagreement or tension during the exchange, though the specific details of the debate beyond the initial questioning and response were not documented.

Roll Call

Council clerk Meredith Nelson called the roll to confirm the presence of council members. 7:00

All members were present except for Lawless and Mossotti, who were absent from the meeting.

Invocation

Dr. Dan Hans delivered the invocation at the beginning of the meeting 8:48. The prayer honored Vice Mayor Gorton and the council's service to the community. Dr. Hans's remarks emphasized themes of peace, hope, and gratitude as the council convened for its business.

This agenda item was informational in nature and served as the opening ceremonial element of the meeting.

Ordinances – Second Reading

10:58

Twelve ordinances were presented for second reading during this agenda item. The ordinances addressed multiple municipal matters, including budget amendments, personnel changes, development area establishment, and committee restructuring.

Key speakers Ellinger and Gorton participated in the discussion of these ordinances. All twelve ordinances were read and approved unanimously by the body.

The ordinances covered the following categories of business: - Budget amendments - Personnel changes - Development area establishment - Committee restructuring

No specific concerns or objections were raised during the discussion, and the unanimous approval indicates consensus among the members present.

Ordinances – First Reading

15:39

Ordinance 1342-14 was introduced for first reading during this agenda item. The ordinance was scheduled for public inspection until January 15, 2015.

Resolutions – Second Reading

16:12

Six resolutions received second reading and were approved unanimously during this portion of the meeting. The resolutions addressed cable franchise awards, service agreements, and acceptance of a bid for PSOC renovation work.

Key speakers during this agenda item included Gorton and Myers, who presented and discussed the resolutions with the body. All six resolutions moved forward without opposition, resulting in unanimous approval.

The resolutions covered the following general categories: - Cable franchise awards - Service agreements - PSOC renovation bid acceptance

No specific concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of these items.

Resolutions – First Reading

23:58

Multiple resolutions were presented for first reading during this agenda item. The proceedings included the suspension of rules to allow for consideration of several matters, including traffic sign contracts, staff appointments, and grant agreements.

Key speakers during this discussion included Ellinger, Akers, and Lane. The resolutions were read and subsequently approved following the suspension of standard procedural rules.

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

Communications From the Mayor

34:06

During this agenda item, the Mayor presented recommendations for reappointments and appointments to various boards and commissions. Key speakers on this matter included Stinnett and Myers.

The recommendations were brought forward for consideration by the council. The proposed reappointments and appointments were reviewed and discussed by the body.

The council voted unanimously to approve all recommendations for reappointments and appointments to the various boards and commissions.

Communications From the Mayor (For Information Only)

This agenda item presented communications from the Mayor regarding personnel matters across various city departments and agencies. 34:06

The Mayor's communications listed resignations, reinstatements, and appointments affecting multiple departments and agencies. These personnel actions were presented for informational purposes to the council.

No debate or discussion of concerns was recorded for this item. The outcome was informational, with no action required from the council.

Announcements

35:16

Council Member Akers presented information about upcoming holiday events scheduled in her district. The announcement focused on neighborhood celebrations and dinners planned for the holiday season.

This was an informational item with no formal action required. The purpose was to inform the council and public about community events taking place in the district.

Public Comments

Two members of the public addressed the council during this agenda item, offering personal reflections on the council's service and leadership.

Speakers and Remarks

Bernard McCarthy and Henry Kenyon each provided comments to the council. Both speakers offered praise for Vice Mayor Gorton and acknowledged the outgoing members of the council.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The public comments were received by the council.

*[Transcript timestamp: approximately 01:25:31]*