Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on February 10, 2015, at 3:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council addressed 10 agenda items during the meeting, which included public comment periods, zoning matters, budget considerations, and administrative reports. The body took 11 votes and heard 11 public comments from constituents. Key actions included approval of requested rezonings and docket items, a budget amendment, new business items, the mayor's report, and adjournment, while other agenda items such as continuing business presentations and council reports were handled on an informational basis.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on February 10, 2015:

• Mayor Jim Gray
• Council Member Akers
• Council Member Bledsoe
• Council Member Brown
• Council Member Farmer
• Council Member Ford
• Council Member Gibbs
• Council Member Henson
• Council Member Kay
• Council Member Lamb
• Council Member Maloney
• Council Member Mossotti
• Council Member Scutchfield
• Council Member Stinnett
• Council Member Evans

No council members were absent or late for this meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The council passed eleven motions by voice vote during this meeting, with no recorded opposition or abstentions on any item.

Docket and Administrative Approvals

The council approved the docket for requested rezonings 0:32, with Council Member Massati moving and Council Member Ford seconding. The January 27, 2015 work session summary was approved 1:04 on a motion by Council Member Farmer, seconded by Council Member Henson.

Budget and Business Items

Budget amendments were approved 7:14 on a motion by Council Member Massadi, seconded by Council Member Henson. New business items were approved 7:50 on a motion by Council Member Farmer, seconded by Council Member Henson. At the same time, Vice Mayor Kay moved to remove item H (transfer of Division of Grants and Special Programs) from new business and refer it to the General Government & Social Services Committee 7:50, with Council Member Ford seconding.

Funding and Resolutions

The council approved Neighborhood Development Funds (NDFs) for various community organizations 26:37 on a motion by Vice Mayor Kay, seconded by Council Member Scutchfield.

Resolution 0073-26, changing property address numbers and street names to conform to GIS and 911 system standards, passed 34:34 on a motion by Vice Mayor Kay, seconded by Council Member Scutchfield. This resolution becomes effective thirty days from passage.

Agenda Scheduling

The council approved a request to place a presentation on the University of Kentucky's Alumni Drive project on the February 24, 2015 work session agenda 34:34, on a motion by Vice Mayor Kay, seconded by Council Member Sadi.

A request to schedule a presentation on consent decree projects and funding options for the next Tuesday's work session passed 35:06 on a motion by Council Member Stinnett, seconded by Council Member Farmer.

Closing Actions

The Mayor's report was approved 37:20 on a motion by Council Member Farmer, seconded by Vice Mayor Kay. The meeting was adjourned 37:51 on a motion by Council Member Farmer, seconded by Council Member Henson.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved nine financial actions totaling approximately $3.08 million in expenditures and authorizations:

Property Purchase - L0106-15: Purchase of property at 2401 Richmond Road for a wet weather storage facility in accordance with the Consent Decree for $2,024,476.00

Grant Applications and Awards - L0114-15: Authorization to submit an application for federal funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase a mobile multi-media trailer for fire safety outreach, with a requested amount of $12,827 - L0157-15: Authorization to award a Class B Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant to the Transit Authority of LFUCG for $286,630.00

Contracts and Agreements - L0136-15: Authorization to enter into an agreement with Bluegrass Crime Stoppers to fund operations via a $1.00 fee on court costs - L0144-15: Authorization to enter into an agreement with the Southern Police Institute for an investigation course at a cost of $12,600 - L0151-15: Authorization to execute a three-year agreement with NAMI Lexington for Mental Health Court administration for $300,000 - L0156-15: Authorization to execute a contract modification with CDP Engineers, Inc. for the Loudon Avenue Sidewalk Project for $3,750 - L0158-15: Authorization to execute Supplemental Agreement No. 6 with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Todds/Liberty Road Improvement Project for $438,000 - L0160-15: Approval of Change Order Number 1 to the Pump Station Building Renovations contract with Wood Connection for $3,095

Public Comment

Council members raised questions and made announcements on various topics during the meeting.

Budget and Project Clarifications

Council Member Maloney requested clarification on budget amendment 84201-02 for the Old Frankfort Pike Scenic Byway Viewing Area [0:01:44], which was confirmed to be a visitor information center funded by a Transportation Alternatives Program grant with in-kind match from a nonprofit. She also asked about the purpose of donating a fire truck to the airport [0:08:23], with confirmation that it would be used for training purposes rather than emergency response. Additionally, Maloney inquired about the impact of an underground gas pipeline repair project on Picadome Golf Course [0:09:27], and received assurance that it would be less disruptive than previous projects and limited to one hole.

Council Member Evans requested clarification on a change order for utility relocation related to the Todds/Liberty Road Improvement Project [0:11:07], which was confirmed to be related to bridge and grade changes.

Wet Weather Storage Facility

Council Member Brown requested a map and details about the wet weather storage tank at 2401 Richmond Road [0:18:25], specifically regarding its height and visual impact. The response confirmed the tank would be designed to blend into the landscape and not exceed street level.

Council Member Henson asked about the lack of government property use for the facility [0:21:10], and received confirmation that limited options existed due to geographic constraints.

Council Member Massadi inquired about the $2 million cost and visual appearance of the wet weather storage facility [0:22:55]. The response confirmed it was a negotiated deal with landscaping planned to blend it into the environment.

Community Announcements

Council Member Scotchfield reminded residents to lock vehicles and homes and to report break-ins promptly [0:30:26].

Council Member Massadi encouraged women to learn about heart disease prevention, noting it is the leading cause of death among women [0:30:56].

Council Member Gibbs congratulated the Athens West theater company on their debut production and urged community support for the arts [0:31:58].

Council Member Akers invited council members and the public to view finalists' proposals for the Oliver Lewis Way Bridge Art Project and attend a public presentation the following day [0:33:02].

Appointments

The following appointments to the Internal Audit Board were made:

• Fred Brown was appointed to the Internal Audit Board
• Daniel King, CPA was appointed to the Internal Audit Board

Contested Items

Wet Weather Storage Facility at 2401 Richmond Road

A proposed wet weather storage facility at 2401 Richmond Road generated significant debate among council members, though the project ultimately received approval through a split vote.

The primary concerns raised centered on three main issues: project cost, visual impact on the surrounding area, and the appropriateness of the facility's location. Council members engaged in detailed discussion regarding the design and landscaping elements of the proposed facility, indicating disagreement about how to balance the project's functional requirements with aesthetic and financial considerations.

Despite the divisions expressed during deliberation, the project was approved, though the split nature of the vote reflects that council members remained divided on whether the benefits of the facility justified the concerns raised about its expense, appearance, and placement at this particular site.

Public Comment – Issues on Agenda

0:00

No members of the public signed up to provide comment on issues on the agenda during this portion of the meeting.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

0:32

The docket for requested rezonings was presented for approval. Council Member Massati and Council Member Ford were the key speakers on this agenda item.

The docket was approved without discussion.

Approval of Summary

The January 27, 2015 work session summary was presented for approval. 1:04

Council Member Farmer and Council Member Henson participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The summary was approved unanimously by the council.

Budget Amendment

The council discussed budget amendments during this agenda item, with Council Members Maloney and Akers and Commissioner Paulson participating in the discussion 1:44.

A key component of the discussion involved a $753,900 grant designated for the Old Frankfort Pike Scenic Byway Viewing Area. During the discussion, clarification was provided regarding the funding source for this grant and the timeline for its implementation.

The budget amendment was approved by the council.

New Business

7:50

The council discussed several new business items during this portion of the meeting.

Participants

Council Members Maloney, Brown, Henson, Massadi, and Scotchfield participated in the discussion of new business.

Items Discussed

Three main topics were addressed:

• Property acquisition for a wet weather storage tank
• Donation of a fire engine
• Utility easement agreements

Outcome

The new business items were approved.

Continuing Business/Presentations

27:09

This agenda item presented information from the Planning & Public Safety Committee meeting held on January 13, 2015. The presentation covered three main topic areas affecting city operations.

Presenters and Participants

Council Member Massadi and Council Member Henson participated in this informational presentation, along with staff members Glenda George, Aldona Valicenti, and Robert Stack.

Topics Covered

The presentation addressed updates in three areas:

• EMS Fees – Discussion of emergency medical services fee structures and related matters
• Ridesharing Regulations – Updates on policies and regulations governing ridesharing services
• IT Needs in Public Safety – Assessment of information technology requirements and infrastructure needs within public safety departments

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action required. The presentation served to update the council on committee activities and ongoing departmental matters from the January 13 meeting.

Council Reports

Council Members Scotchfield, Massadi, Gibbs, Akers, and Stinnett presented updates during this agenda item 30:26.

The reports covered several topics of community interest:

• Heart Health Awareness — An update was provided on heart health awareness initiatives.

• Local Theater Support — Council Members discussed support for local theater programs.

• Art Project Finalists — A report on finalists for an art project was presented.

• Neighborhood Safety — An update on neighborhood safety efforts was included in the reports.

Motion and Next Steps

A motion was made during this segment to schedule a presentation on consent decree projects for a future meeting.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal votes or binding decisions recorded.

Mayor's Report

The Mayor's Report was presented as Agenda Item VIII during the meeting. 37:20

Council Member Farmer and Vice Mayor Kay were the key speakers on this item.

The report was approved without discussion.

Public Comment – Issues Not on Agenda

30:26

During this agenda item, members of the public provided comments on various topics not included on the meeting agenda. Council members Scotchfield, Massadi, Gibbs, and Akers were present to receive the public input.

The comments addressed several distinct subject areas:

• Heart health – A topic of public concern was raised during the comment period
• Theater support – Members of the public spoke regarding support for theater initiatives
• Art projects – Comments were made concerning art-related projects

The session was designated as informational in nature, with council members listening to and receiving the public comments without formal action or debate being recorded. This portion of the meeting provided an opportunity for community members to bring matters of concern to the council's attention outside of the formal agenda items.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and carried without opposition 37:51. Council Member Farmer and Council Member Henson were involved in this agenda item. The motion was approved.