Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on January 20, 2015, at 3:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Gray presiding. The council addressed 10 agenda items during the session, including public comment periods, rezoning requests, budget amendments, and various business matters. The council took 19 votes and heard 6 public comments from residents. Key actions included approval of a summary, budget amendments, new business items, and continuing business with presentations, while rezoning requests and council and mayor reports were presented for informational purposes.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on January 20, 2015:

• Kay
• Mossotti
• Lane
• Ford
• Scutchfield
• Gibbs
• Lamb
• Evans
• Henson
• Akers
• Brown
• Stinnett
• Farmer
• Bledsoe
• Moloney

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Motion to suspend the rules for an announcement 0:00 Moved by Kay, seconded by Mossotti. Passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the docket for the January 15, 2015 Council meeting 3:04 Moved by Kay, seconded by Lane. Passed unanimously.

Motion to schedule a special council meeting for a public hearing on March 9, 2015, regarding Ordinance 6 3:04 Moved by Ford, seconded by Scutchfield. Passed unanimously.

Ordinance 2: Motion to place on the docket without a public hearing 3:04 Moved by Gibbs, seconded by Mossotti. Passed unanimously.

Ordinance 3: Motion to place on the docket without a public hearing 3:04 Moved by Evans, seconded by Henson. Passed unanimously.

Ordinance 4: Motion to place on the docket without a public hearing 3:04 Moved by Lamb, seconded by Akers. Passed unanimously.

Ordinance 5: Motion to place on the docket without a public hearing 3:04 Moved by Evans, seconded by Henson. Passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the December 9, 2014 summary 3:04 Moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Farmer. Passed unanimously.

Motion to approve budget amendments 3:04 Moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Henson. Passed unanimously.

Motion to approve new business (Amended) 4:08 Moved by Mossotti, seconded by Farmer. Passed by roll call vote: 11 ayes, 3 nays. Voting in favor: Kay, Stinnett, Moloney, Ford, Gibbs, Farmer, Scutchfield, Brown, Mossotti, Bledsoe, Henson. Voting against: Akers, Lamb, Evans.

Motion to amend and refer item C to the Planning & Public Safety committee 4:08 Moved by Farmer, seconded by Scutchfield. Passed by roll call vote: 11 ayes, 3 nays. Voting in favor: Kay, Stinnett, Moloney, Ford, Gibbs, Farmer, Scutchfield, Brown, Mossotti, Bledsoe, Henson. Voting against: Akers, Lamb, Evans.

Motion to approve neighborhood development funds 4:08 Moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Henson. Passed unanimously.

Motion to refer to the Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee the designation of streets in Columbia Heights as prohibited to through trucks and authorizing traffic signage 4:08 Moved by Gibbs, seconded by Farmer. Passed unanimously.

Motion to place into the Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee setting the speed limit on West Second Street to 25 mph 4:08 Moved by Akers, seconded by Henson. Passed unanimously.

Motion to place into the Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee the installation of multi-way stop controls at Ferndale Pass and Buck Lane 4:08 Moved by Akers, seconded by Ford. Passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the Mayor's report 4:08 Moved by Stinnett, seconded by Mossotti. Passed unanimously.

Motion to enter into closed session under KRS 61.810(1)(f) for employee appointment/dismissal discussion 4:08 Moved by Kay, seconded by Scutchfield. Passed unanimously.

Motion to return from closed session 4:08 Moved by Scutchfield, seconded by Lane. Passed unanimously.

Motion to adjourn at 4:25pm 16:45 Moved by Farmer, seconded by Stinnett. Passed unanimously.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included authorization for the following financial actions:

Contract Change Order for Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Authorization was granted for a change order to the contract with Smith Contractors, Inc. for the Town Branch Waste Water Treatment Plant Vactor Truck Unloading Station project in the amount of $81,998 (Item 0012-15).

Donation of Ceramic Molds Authorization was approved to accept a donation of ceramic molds from Mr. and Mrs. James Adkins for use by the Division of Parks and Recreation (Item 0034-15).

Stormwater Quality Grant Authorization was granted to execute an agreement awarding a Class B Education Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant to Bluegrass Greensource, Inc. in the amount of $30,000.00 (Item 0035-15).

Right of Way Closure Authorization was approved to permanently close the Eldermere Road right of way adjacent to 760 Montclair Drive for driveway construction (Item 0037-15).

Public Comment

Council members raised several concerns and questions during the meeting.

Town Branch Project Change Order

Council Member Scotchfield questioned a 25% cost increase in a change order for the Town Branch project 4:08. He expressed concerns about the justification for the increase, particularly regarding the addition of site lighting and asphalt pavement.

Council Member Maloney sought clarification on whether the project involved transporting concrete to a landfill 7:25. He was informed that the cost increase resulted from a redesign of the Town Branch project.

Council Member Evans asked why lighting was not included in the original contract 8:59. Staff clarified that the lighting was tied to a later project phase that underwent redesign.

Eldermere Road Right-of-Way Closure

Council Member Gibbs expressed concern about the closure of Eldermere Road 6:20. He noted this was his first time reviewing the item and requested clarification on the advantages and disadvantages of blocking off the stub.

Recognition and Appreciation

Council Member Stinnett expressed gratitude to several departments and staff members, including Commissioner Reed and John Sheed 12:59. He also recognized the Family Care Center's four-star rating from the State Child Care Council.

Citizens Advocate Office Vacancy

Council Member Sadi raised concern about a vacancy in the Citizens Advocate Office 15:07. He inquired about how public calls were being handled during the vacancy, prompting a response from Vice Mayor Kay.

Appointments

The following appointments were made during the meeting:

• Farmer was appointed as Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee Chair
• Stinnett was appointed as Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee Vice Chair
• Ford was appointed as General Government & Social Services Committee Chair
• Akers was appointed as General Government & Social Services Committee Vice Chair

Contested Items

Two items generated divided votes during the January 20, 2015 meeting.

Change Order for Town Branch Project

Council Member Scotchfield raised concerns about a 25% cost increase associated with a change order for the Town Branch project. Charlie Martin provided detailed explanations regarding the project redesign and clarified that the change order was necessary to add concrete and lighting back into the contract. Despite these explanations, the item resulted in a split vote among council members.

Eldermere Road Right-of-Way Closure

Council Member Gibbs expressed concern about a proposed closure of the Eldermere Road right-of-way, noting that this was the first time he had encountered the item. His concern prompted a discussion about the internal review process and utility easements related to the closure. This item also resulted in a split vote.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

3:04

No members of the public signed up to provide comment on items appearing on the agenda. Mundy noted this absence of public comment, and the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

3:34

No zoning requests were submitted for consideration during this meeting period, and no docket approval was required for the week.

Approval of Summary

The summary of the previous work session was presented for approval. Key speakers on this agenda item included Scutchfield and Akers. 3:34

The summary was approved unanimously by the body.

Budget Amendments

No budget amendments were presented during this agenda item 3:34. Despite the absence of proposed amendments, the motion to approve was passed unanimously by the body.

Key speakers on this item included Scutchfield and Henson. The item was resolved without debate or concerns being raised, resulting in unanimous approval.

New Business

4:08

Four new business items were presented and discussed during this agenda item.

Items Addressed:

• A change order for a wastewater project
• A donation of ceramic molds
• A stormwater grant
• A right-of-way closure

Key Speakers:

The discussion involved Scotchfield, Gibbs, Maloney, and Evans.

Outcome:

A motion to approve the new business items was passed by roll call vote.

Continuing Business/Presentations

Two committee summaries were presented during this agenda item 10:46.

Presentations

Ford and Farmer presented summaries from two separate committees:

• Special General Government & Social Services Committee
• Special Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee

Outcome

Both committee summaries were approved without discussion.

Council Reports

Council Members Stinnett and Sadi provided reports during this agenda item 12:59.

Presentations and Recognition

The council members highlighted department achievements during their reports. Specific details regarding which departments were recognized and the nature of their accomplishments are not available in the provided materials.

Citizens Advocate Position

A status update was provided on the vacant Citizens Advocate position. Further details about the timeline, recruitment process, or next steps for filling this position are not included in the available information.

Outcome

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

Mayor's Report

No Mayor's report was presented during this agenda item 14:34.

Public Comment – Issues Not on Agenda

16:45

No members of the public signed up to provide comment on issues not on the agenda. Mundy noted this absence of public comment, and the meeting proceeded directly to adjournment.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Council Member Farmer and a second by Council Member Gibbs. 16:45 The motion to adjourn was approved.