Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on April 21, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center. Vice Mayor Steve Kay presided over the meeting, which included 10 agenda items and 34 motions and votes. The council heard 3 public comments during the meeting, including remarks on both agenda and non-agenda issues. Several items were approved during the session, including the approval of a summary, new business, continuing business and presentations, council reports, and adjournment. Additional items were presented for informational purposes, including public comments on agenda issues, requested rezonings and docket approval, budget amendments, and the mayor's report.

Attendance

Present: Kay, Stinnett, Moloney, J. Brown, Gibbs, Lamb, Farmer, Evans, Scutchfield, F. Brown, Mossotti, Bledsoe, Henson, and Lane

Absent: Akers

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

Procedural Motions 9:51

The following motions passed unanimously: - Approval of the docket for April 16, 2015 - Place ordinance number 3 on the docket without a public hearing - Place ordinance number 4 on the docket without a public hearing - Place ordinance number 5 on the docket without a public hearing - Approve the April 7, 2015 work session summary - Approve budget amendments - Approve new business

Downtown Lexington Management District 10:26

A roll call vote was held on placing an ordinance creating the Downtown Lexington Management District on the docket. The motion passed 12-1, with the following voting in favor: Kay, Stinnett, Moloney, J. Brown, Gibbs, Lamb, Farmer, Evans, Scutchfield, F. Brown, Mossotti, Bledsoe, and Henson. Lane voted against. A motion to schedule a public hearing on the establishment of the district passed unanimously.

Additional Unanimous Approvals 10:26

The following motions passed unanimously: - Approve neighborhood development funds - Place neighborhood traffic management program into Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee - Direct Administration to use remaining paving funds for Man O' War and Beaver Creek project - Go into closed session for pending litigation - Return from closed session - Place resolution initiating text amendments for day shelters on docket

Legislation 10:26

The following items passed by voice vote: - L0446-15: Authorization to establish a sole source agreement with Sierra Monitor Corp. for $59,291.98 for hazardous gas monitoring equipment at West Hickman WWTP (funds fully budgeted) - L0449-15: Authorization to execute agreement with Cornerstone Environmental for landfill cap restoration at Haley Pike Landfill ($43,630; funds budgeted) - L0455-15: Authorization to accept donation of $2,317.90 from Meadows-Loudon Neighborhood Association for park bench and oak trees in Castlewood Park (budget amendment in process) - L0465-15: Authorization to approve modification to Accela Civic Platform Phase 2 contract with additional $35,000 for FY15 and $134,752 annual impact (budget amendment initiated for FY15) - L0470-15: Authorization to submit application to U.S. Department of Labor for employment training program for court-involved youth (no local match required; no budgetary impact) - L0474-15: Authorization to amend Neighborhood Action Match Agreements for Headley Green, Gratz Park, Northside, and Ashland Neighborhood Associations to extend deadline to December 31, 2015 (no budgetary impact) - L0479-15: Authorization to revise IBM BCRS disaster recovery services agreement, increasing by $51,660 to $136,020 (budgeted for FY15)

Resolutions 13:15

The following resolutions passed unanimously: - Resolution 00475111: Support for Safe Routes to School Program - Resolution 00470921: Designate speed limit on Cromwell Way between Clays Mill Road and Cornwall Drive as 25 mph - Resolution 00475144: Support and encourage establishment of Forest Health Research and Education Center at University of Kentucky

Additional Motions

• Move funding mechanism discussion for street lighting to Budget & Finance Committee (unanimous) 12:14
• Support creation of Safe Parks position in FY16 budget (unanimous; position not funded in mayor's proposed budget) 16:33
• Move proposed department reorganization of security to Department of Public Safety to Council (unanimous; 16 full-time employees; $825,000 FY16 budget) 17:39
• Move proposed department reorganization of Office of Chief Information Officer to Council (unanimous; no additional staff or budgetary impact) 18:48
• Schedule public hearing for industrial revenue bond issuance for Sayre School project (unanimous; hearing scheduled for May 7, 2015 at 6 p.m.) 19:49
• Place traffic study for Jewett Creek Drive (speed limit from 30 to 25 mph) into committee (unanimous) 24:32
• Place food truck fire safety inspection issue into Planning and Public Safety Committee (unanimous; no existing ordinance for propane tank inspections on food trucks) 25:09
• Place distribution of unsolicited advertisement supplements into Planning and Public Safety Committee (unanimous; law department advised on free speech implications) 27:13
• Adjourn meeting (unanimous) 34:15

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions:

Equipment Purchase - L0446-15: Purchase of stationary hazardous gas monitoring equipment for West Hickman WWTP from Sierra Monitor Corp. for $59,291.98

Design and Construction Services - L0449-15: Design, construction administration, and quality assurance for restoration of Haley Pike Landfill cap from Cornerstone Environmental for $43,630

Community Donation - L0455-15: Appropriation of $2,317.90 to Meadows-Loudon Neighborhood Association for a park bench and oak trees in Castlewood Park

Software Implementation Amendment - L0465-15: Modification to Accela Civic Platform Phase 2 implementation contract with Accela Inc., adding $35,000 for FY15

Disaster Recovery Services Agreement - L0479-15: Revised agreement with IBM BCRS for disaster recovery services for $136,020

Public Comment

Robert Osgood addressed the meeting with three separate concerns affecting Lexington residents and the community.

Cans and Bottles Fee 7:42 Osgood suggested implementing a nickel or dime fee on cans and bottles as a means to help keep Lexington and the state clean.

Sidewalk Repairs on Vine Street 8:16 Osgood requested repairs to sidewalks on Vine Street, noting that the current condition creates difficulty for wheelchair users navigating potholes in the area.

Snow Removal Incentives 8:50 Osgood proposed creating incentives for neighborhoods to hire lawn care services to clear sidewalks during snowfall, addressing winter maintenance challenges.

Appointments

Bledsoe was appointed to the Ethics Ordinance Review Subcommittee.

Contested Items

The council addressed two matters that resulted in divided votes among members.

Distribution of Unsolicited Advertisement Supplements

Council members debated the city's authority to regulate where unsolicited advertisements could be placed. The disagreement centered on the legal basis for such regulation. Some members questioned whether the city had the power to implement placement restrictions, while others supported moving the discussion to committee for further consideration. The split vote reflected uncertainty about both the legal framework and the appropriate regulatory approach.

Food Truck Fire Safety Inspections

The council discussed whether the city should establish regulations requiring propane tank inspections on food trucks. Members raised concerns about the existing authority of the fire marshal and whether new procedures would be necessary to implement such inspections. The split vote indicated disagreement over the scope of regulation needed and how to coordinate with existing fire safety oversight.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

6:56

Robert Osgood addressed the council on three matters of public concern.

Topics Raised:

• Can and bottle fee implementation — Osgood spoke on the proposed implementation of a fee on cans and bottles.

• Sidewalk repairs on Vine Street — Osgood raised concerns regarding sidewalk repairs needed on Vine Street.

• Snow removal incentives — Osgood discussed snow removal incentives for neighborhoods.

Outcome:

This item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken during the public comment period.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

9:51

No docket approval was requested during this agenda item. The meeting proceeded directly to the next item on the agenda without discussion or action on requested rezonings.

Approval of Summary

The April 7, 2015 work session summary was presented for approval 9:51. Mossotti presented this agenda item.

The summary was approved without dissent.

Budget Amendments

No budget amendments were presented during this agenda item. 9:51 The meeting proceeded directly to new business without discussion of any proposed budget modifications.

New Business

10:26

During the New Business section, a series of items were presented for approval. The agenda included sole source agreements, contract modifications, donations, and program authorizations.

Key speakers presenting and discussing these items included Martin/Holmes, Thurman/Holmes, Reed, Paulsen, Gooding/Ford, Gooding/Hamilton, and Nugent/Valicenti.

All new business items presented were approved by the body.

Continuing Business/Presentations

10:26

During this agenda item, summaries were presented from two committee meetings. Speakers Stinnett and Lamb provided updates on matters reviewed by the Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee and the General Government & Social Services Committee.

The presentations covered several key topics:

• Streetlight analysis — A review of streetlight-related matters was discussed
• Safe Routes to School — An initiative focused on improving safety for students traveling to and from school
• Speed reduction on Cromwell Way — A proposal to reduce vehicle speeds on this roadway
• UK Forest Health Research Center — Expression of support for this research facility

The outcome of this agenda item was approved.

Council Reports

Council members provided updates on several matters during this agenda item. 19:18

The following council members participated in the reports: Stinnett, Gibbs, Brown, Scutchfield, Hanson, and Lamb.

Topics addressed included:

• Committee reorganizations
• Safe Parks initiative
• Public safety concerns

A motion was brought forward to schedule a public hearing for an industrial revenue bond. This motion was approved.

The outcome of this agenda item was approved.

Mayor's Report

No report was delivered during this agenda item. The mayor was absent from the meeting, and therefore no presentation or discussion took place under this agenda section.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

33:40

No additional public comments were received during this portion of the meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Stinnett 34:15. The motion to adjourn was approved.