Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on June 11, 2015, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding. The council addressed 11 agenda items during the session, focusing primarily on administrative restructuring, budget amendments, and policy updates. The meeting included one informational presentation recognizing Speigel Heights Neighborhood Outreach efforts, while no public comments were heard during the session.

The council took 9 votes throughout the meeting, approving all actionable items on the agenda. Significant business included multiple organizational changes to city government structure, such as abolishing the Executive Assistant to Mayor position and creating a Chief of Staff role, eliminating Deputy Coroner positions in favor of Chief Deputy Coroner positions, and establishing a new Director of Enterprise Solutions position. The council also approved the transfer of the Arborist position from Streets and Roads to Environmental Services.

Policy matters addressed included prohibiting smoking electronic devices in retail tobacco stores and creating the Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission. Administrative items included incorporating the Downtown Lexington Management District Board into the Ethics Act and approving budget amendments for both Parks and Recreation and general municipal expenditures. The meeting concluded with the routine approval of minutes from the previous May 28, 2015 council meeting, demonstrating a productive session focused on governmental efficiency and policy refinement.

Attendance

All members were present for the June 11, 2015 meeting.

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

Absent: None

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted nine roll call votes during the June 11, 2015 meeting, with all measures passing unanimously 14-0. All motions were made by Ms. Henson and seconded by Mr. Kay.

Budget and Administrative Changes: • Ordinance 0686-15 - Amending budgets for Parks and Recreation - Passed 14-0 • Ordinance 0716-15 - Amending budgets for municipal expenditures - Passed 14-0

Personnel Position Changes: • Ordinance 0618-15 - Abolishing Executive Assistant to Mayor position and creating Chief of Staff - Passed 14-0 • Ordinance 0624-15 - Abolishing Deputy Coroner positions and creating Chief Deputy Coroner positions - Passed 14-0 • Ordinance 0654-15 - Transferring Arborist position from Streets and Roads to Environmental Services - Passed 14-0 • Ordinance 0661-15 - Creating Director of Enterprise Solutions position - Passed 14-0

Policy and Regulatory Measures: • Ordinance 0620-15 - Prohibiting smoking electronic devices in retail tobacco stores - Passed 14-0 • Ordinance 0621-15 - Including Downtown Lexington Management District Board in Ethics Act - Passed 14-0 • Ordinance 0684-15 - Creating the Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission - Passed 14-0

All 14 council members voted in favor of each ordinance: Scutchfield, Stinnett, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Lane, Moloney, and Mossotti. No members voted against any measure or abstained from voting.

The unanimous passage of all nine ordinances demonstrates broad council consensus on the budget amendments, organizational restructuring, and policy initiatives presented during this meeting.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed numerous financial contracts, grants, and budget amendments totaling several million dollars across various city departments and services.

Major Infrastructure Projects The largest single expenditure was a $1,109,906.00 amendment for the Newtown Pike Extension Project with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (Resolution 0579-15). Other significant infrastructure investments included $182,000 for a spray irrigation system at Haley Pike Landfill with Ohio Irrigation Lawn Sprinkler Systems, Inc. (Resolution 0703-15) and $179,000 for a maintenance building for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services with Kleinholter Construction Co., LLC (Resolution 0552-15).

Public Safety and Emergency Services Several contracts supported public safety operations, including $142,355 for security electronics systems maintenance at the Fayette County Detention Center with Unique Security, Inc. (Resolution 0505-15) and $72,510 for fire station alerting equipment from Zetron Corp. (Resolution 0585-15). The city also approved a $34,900 contract for a manufactured tornado safe room with Harbor Enterprises, LLC (Resolution 0689-15).

Healthcare and Social Services A substantial $3,260,504.16 amendment was approved for health services at the Detention Center with Corizon, Inc. (Resolution 0596-15). The city also accepted grants totaling $174,000, including $95,000 for a Local Food Coordinator Project from the Kentucky Agricultural Board (Resolution 0559-15) and $79,000 for participation in the Child Care Food Program from the Kentucky Department of Education (Resolution 0574-15).

Transportation and Technology The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet provided a $480,000 grant for Intelligent Transportation System projects (Resolution 0584-15). Technology upgrades included $54,332.23 for a new LexCall 311 phone system with Unified Technologies, LLC (Resolution 0594-15) and $19,500 for software services with OpenGov, Inc. (Resolution 0598-15).

Other Notable Actions The council approved the FY 2016 Budget for LexTran (Resolution 0668-15) and authorized various professional services contracts for bond issuance legal and financial services for fiscal years 2016-2019.

Appointments

The council took action on several appointments to various boards and organizations during the meeting.

Board of Health • Paula Anderson was reappointed to the Board of Health • Dr. James Cecil was appointed to the Board of Health

Community Organizations • Morgain Sprague was appointed to CASA of Lexington • John Burrell was appointed to the Dunbar Neighborhood Center Board

Tree Board • Harry Clarke was appointed to the Tree Board

These appointments fill various volunteer positions on municipal boards and community organizations that serve the city. The Board of Health oversees public health matters, while CASA of Lexington provides court-appointed special advocates for children. The Dunbar Neighborhood Center Board governs operations at the community center, and the Tree Board advises on urban forestry and tree preservation matters throughout the city.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that resulted in a split vote among council members.

Compensation System Salary Schedules

The primary point of contention involved an ordinance addressing salary schedules within the compensation system. During deliberations, an amendment was proposed to modify the pay increase percentage from the originally proposed 3% to 4%.

The amendment created a division among council members, with Mr. Farmer and Ms. Bledsoe voting against the proposed increase to 4%. The specific reasons for their opposition were not detailed in the available meeting materials, but their dissenting votes indicate disagreement with either the increased percentage or the amendment process itself.

Despite the opposition from these two members, the amendment to increase the pay adjustment to 4% ultimately passed, suggesting that a majority of the council supported the higher compensation increase. This split vote highlights differing perspectives among council members regarding appropriate salary adjustments and compensation policy.

The contested nature of this item demonstrates the careful consideration given to compensation matters and the varying viewpoints that can emerge when determining appropriate pay scales for municipal employees.

Minutes of the May 28, 2015 Council Meeting

Agenda item 0764-15 addressed the approval of minutes from the Council's previous meeting held on May 28, 2015.

The item was presented with participation from Ms. Lamb and Ms. Scutchfield as key speakers during the discussion. The minutes from the May 28th meeting were brought forward for the Council's review and formal approval as part of standard meeting procedures.

Following the presentation and any discussion that may have occurred, the Council proceeded to vote on the approval of the minutes. The item was approved by unanimous vote, with all Council members present supporting the motion to accept the minutes as presented.

This approval formally ratifies the record of proceedings from the May 28, 2015 Council meeting, making it part of the official municipal record.

Recognition - Speigel Heights Neighborhood Outreach

The Mayor and Ms. Akers presented a recognition for the Speigel Heights Neighborhood Outreach and various community groups for their cleanup efforts in the neighborhood. This agenda item (0787-15) served as an informational presentation to acknowledge the volunteer work conducted by local organizations.

Key speakers during the recognition included: • Mayor Gray • Ms. Akers • Mr. Matt Crawford • Pastor Sam Cirrincione

The recognition highlighted the collaborative efforts of multiple community groups who participated in neighborhood cleanup activities in the Speigel Heights area. The presentation acknowledged the volunteer contributions made by these organizations to improve the local community environment.

This was an informational item with no action required by the governing body. The recognition served to publicly acknowledge and thank the community volunteers for their service to the Speigel Heights neighborhood.

Amending budgets for Parks and Recreation

The council considered Ordinance 0686-15, which proposed amending certain budgets to reflect current requirements for the Division of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $1,750.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as the key speakers for this agenda item, presenting the budget amendment to the council for consideration.

The ordinance was designed to adjust existing budget allocations to meet current operational needs within the Parks and Recreation Division. The relatively modest amount of $1,750 suggests this was a minor budget adjustment rather than a major reallocation of funds.

The council approved the ordinance, allowing the Parks and Recreation Division to proceed with the budget amendment as requested. No significant concerns or extended debate were noted regarding this budget modification.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

Prohibiting smoking electronic devices in retail tobacco stores

The council considered Ordinance 0620-15, which would amend the Code of Ordinances to prohibit the use of electronic smoking devices in retail tobacco stores. This ordinance represents an expansion of existing smoking restrictions to include electronic devices such as e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as the key speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The ordinance specifically targets retail tobacco establishments, which had previously been exempt from certain smoking restrictions for traditional tobacco products.

The proposed amendment would close what appears to be a regulatory gap by extending smoking prohibitions to cover electronic smoking devices in these retail environments. This change would align the treatment of electronic smoking devices with existing tobacco regulations in retail tobacco stores.

The council approved the ordinance, indicating consensus that electronic smoking devices should be subject to the same restrictions as traditional tobacco products in retail tobacco establishments. This decision reflects growing municipal efforts to regulate electronic smoking devices similarly to conventional cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The approval of Ordinance 0620-15 means that customers and employees in retail tobacco stores will no longer be permitted to use electronic smoking devices on the premises, bringing these establishments in line with broader public smoking restrictions that have been extended to include electronic devices.

Creating the Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission

The council considered Ordinance 0684-15, which would establish the Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission. This ordinance creates a new advisory body to assist the mayor with international relations and affairs.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as the key speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The ordinance outlines the structure, purpose, and responsibilities of the proposed commission, though specific details about the commission's composition, meeting frequency, or specific duties were not detailed in the available materials.

The council ultimately approved the ordinance, formally establishing the Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission. This new commission will provide advisory support to the mayor on matters related to international affairs, potentially including sister city relationships, international trade opportunities, cultural exchanges, and other global initiatives that may benefit the city.

The approval of this ordinance represents the city's commitment to engaging with international partners and maintaining a global perspective in municipal governance. The commission will serve as a formal mechanism for coordinating and advising on the city's international activities and relationships.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

Including Downtown Lexington Management District Board in Ethics Act

The council considered Ordinance 0621-15, which would amend the Code of Ordinances to include the Downtown Lexington Management District Board as an agency subject to the Ethics Act.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as key speakers during the discussion of this ordinance. The proposed amendment would bring the Downtown Lexington Management District Board under the same ethical standards and oversight requirements that apply to other city agencies.

The ordinance represents an effort to ensure consistent ethical governance across all boards and agencies associated with the city. By including the Downtown Lexington Management District Board in the Ethics Act, the city would extend formal ethical oversight to this entity, which manages downtown development and business district activities.

The council approved the ordinance, establishing that the Downtown Lexington Management District Board will be subject to the same ethical standards, disclosure requirements, and oversight mechanisms as other city agencies. This action ensures transparency and accountability in the board's operations and decision-making processes.

The approval of this ordinance demonstrates the council's commitment to maintaining consistent ethical standards across all city-affiliated boards and agencies, regardless of their specific function or operational structure.

Abolishing Executive Assistant to Mayor position and creating Chief of Staff

The council considered Ordinance 0618-15, which would amend the city's authorized staffing structure by eliminating one Executive Assistant to Mayor position and creating one Chief of Staff position in its place.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as the key speakers during the discussion of this organizational restructuring proposal. The ordinance represents an administrative change that would maintain the same number of positions while updating the title and potentially the responsibilities of the role supporting the mayor's office.

The proposal involves a direct substitution - removing one Executive Assistant to Mayor position from the authorized strength and simultaneously adding one Chief of Staff position. This type of restructuring typically reflects evolving administrative needs and modernized organizational structures in municipal government.

The council ultimately approved the ordinance, allowing the city to proceed with implementing the new Chief of Staff position while eliminating the Executive Assistant to Mayor role. This change will take effect following the ordinance's passage and any required procedural steps.

The approval suggests the council found merit in the proposed restructuring, whether for operational efficiency, clearer role definition, or alignment with contemporary municipal management practices. The change maintains the same staffing level while potentially providing the mayor's office with a position that may carry different responsibilities or authority compared to the previous Executive Assistant role.

Abolishing Deputy Coroner positions and creating Chief Deputy Coroner positions

The council considered Ordinance 0624-15, which would amend the county's authorized staffing structure by abolishing two Deputy Coroner positions and creating two Chief Deputy Coroner positions in their place.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as key speakers during the discussion of this personnel restructuring proposal. The ordinance represents a reorganization within the coroner's office that would elevate the classification level of two existing positions while maintaining the same total number of staff members.

The proposed change would transform the current Deputy Coroner roles into Chief Deputy Coroner positions, suggesting an enhancement in responsibilities, authority, or supervisory duties for these roles within the coroner's office structure. This type of reclassification typically accompanies expanded job duties or the need for higher-level oversight within a department.

The council approved the ordinance, allowing the coroner's office to proceed with the position reclassifications. The approval enables the office to fill these newly created Chief Deputy Coroner positions and begin operating under the revised organizational structure.

This personnel action reflects the county's ongoing efforts to align job classifications with actual duties and responsibilities while ensuring appropriate staffing levels for essential public services like the coroner's office.

Transferring Arborist position from Streets and Roads to Environmental Services

The council considered Ordinance 0654-15, which would transfer one Arborist position from the Division of Streets and Roads to the Division of Environmental Services. This administrative change would amend the city's authorized staffing structure without affecting the total number of positions.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as key speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The ordinance represents an organizational restructuring to better align the arborist function with environmental services operations rather than traditional streets and roads maintenance activities.

The transfer appears to be part of a broader effort to optimize departmental responsibilities and ensure that tree-related services are housed within the most appropriate division. Moving the arborist position to Environmental Services would likely provide better coordination with other environmental and conservation programs.

The council approved the ordinance, allowing the city to proceed with the organizational change. This approval enables the formal transfer of the position and associated responsibilities between the two divisions, ensuring continued arborist services under the Environmental Services umbrella.

The measure passed without apparent controversy, suggesting council members viewed the reorganization as a logical administrative improvement that would enhance service delivery while maintaining existing staffing levels.

Creating Director of Enterprise Solutions position

The council considered Ordinance 0661-15, which would amend the city's authorized staffing strength by creating one new position of Director of Enterprise Solutions.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as the key speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The ordinance represents an expansion of the city's organizational structure to include a specialized leadership role focused on enterprise-wide technology solutions and systems management.

The proposed Director of Enterprise Solutions position would be a new addition to the city's workforce, requiring an amendment to the authorized personnel strength. This type of position typically oversees large-scale technology initiatives, enterprise software systems, and strategic technology planning across multiple city departments.

During the meeting, the council reviewed the details of the position creation, including its role within the city's organizational structure and the rationale for establishing this new leadership role. The discussion involved consideration of how this position would support the city's technology infrastructure and enterprise-wide solutions.

Following the presentation and any discussion among council members, the ordinance was approved. This approval authorizes the city to proceed with recruiting and hiring for the Director of Enterprise Solutions position, expanding the city's capacity to manage and oversee enterprise technology systems and solutions.

The creation of this position reflects the city's commitment to strengthening its technology leadership and ensuring effective management of enterprise-wide systems and solutions across city operations.

Amending budgets for municipal expenditures

The council considered Ordinance 0716-15, which proposed amendments to certain municipal budgets to reflect current expenditure requirements. The ordinance was designed to adjust existing budget allocations to better align with the city's current operational needs.

Ms. Henson and Mr. Kay served as the key speakers during the discussion of this budget amendment ordinance. The item focused on making necessary adjustments to municipal spending categories to ensure proper allocation of funds for ongoing city operations and services.

The ordinance was presented as a routine administrative measure to update budget figures and reflect actual expenditure patterns that had emerged since the original budget adoption. Such amendments are typically necessary during the fiscal year to account for changing circumstances, unexpected costs, or reallocation of resources between different municipal departments and programs.

Following the presentation and discussion by the key speakers, the council moved forward with the proposal. The ordinance was ultimately approved, allowing the city to proceed with the revised budget allocations as outlined in the amendment.

The approval of Ordinance 0716-15 enables the municipality to adjust its spending plans to better match current operational requirements and ensures that city departments have appropriate funding levels for their ongoing activities and responsibilities.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*