Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on November 10, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Jim Gray presiding. The council addressed nine agenda items during the session, including public comment periods, rezoning requests, budget amendments, and various reports. The council took 21 votes and heard 4 public comments from members of the community. Among the items considered, the council approved the Summary and New Business, deferred action on Continuing Business/Presentations, and received informational reports on requested rezonings, budget amendments, council reports, and the Mayor's Report.

Attendance

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

Absent: J. Brown and Akers

Late arrivals: None

Votes and Decisions

All motions and measures brought before the meeting were passed by voice vote.

Authorizations and Contracts

L1354-15 authorized execution of a three-year ecological restoration maintenance services agreement with Advanced Mulching Technologies, Inc. DBA: EcoGro for the Green Acres Stream Corridor Vegetative Buffer. Motion by Martin, seconded by Holmes.

L1356-15 authorized acceptance of $100,000 in federal funds from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for a multi-purpose training prop for the Division of Police. Motion by Gooding, seconded by Bastin.

L1359-15 authorized establishment of a sole source provider contract with Pictometry International for oblique aerial photography and related services over six years. Motion by Nugent, seconded by Valicenti.

L1361-15 authorized acceptance of $7,000 in federal funds from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for anti-virus software and network firewall device for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services. Motion by Gooding, seconded by Bastin.

L1362-15 authorized acceptance of $34,000 in federal funds from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for key card entry systems and video monitoring at fire stations. Motion by Gooding, seconded by Bastin.

L1365-15 authorized acceptance of $7,750 in state funds from the Kentucky Fire Commission for a forcible door entry training prop for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services. Motion by Gooding, seconded by Bastin.

L1371-15 authorized acceptance and execution of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between LFUCG and Fraternal Order of Police, Town Branch Lodge #83, on behalf of Community Corrections Officers and Sergeants 32:29. Motion by Barberie, seconded by Graham.

L1383-15 authorized execution of an agreement with RubinBrown LLP for accounting services for the Historic Fayette County Courthouse Rehabilitation Project. Motion by Hamilton.

Administrative and Policy Motions

Additional motions passed included approval of the October 27, 2015 summary 17:00, budget amendments, new business, neighborhood development funds, and the vacation time carry over policy. Motions to place on docket resolutions authorizing change orders with Johnson Controls and Churchill McGee, LLC, and to name an unnamed street "Avenue of States" also passed. The Planning & Public Safety Committee summary from October 13, 2015 was approved 36:51. The Euclid Commercial Corridor Study was referred to the Planning Committee 1:09:43. A motion to suspend enforcement of local taxicab permit fees until amendments are passed was approved 57:52. The issue of electronic advertising devices was referred to the Planning & Public Safety Committee. The meeting adjourned by motion.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved eight financial actions totaling $1,054,794.50 in contracts, grants, and appropriations:

Environmental and Infrastructure Services

• L1354-15: Advanced Mulching Technologies, Inc. DBA: EcoGro received a contract for $20,075.00 for maintenance services for the Green Acres Stream Corridor Vegetative Buffer.

• L1359-15: Pictometry International was awarded a contract for $63,969.50 for the lease of oblique aerial photography, viewing software, hosting services, and maintenance for three flight deliverables.

• L1383-15: RubinBrown LLP received a contract for $36,000 for accounting services related to the Historic Fayette County Courthouse Rehabilitation Project.

Public Safety and Emergency Services

• L1356-15: The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security received a grant of $100,000 for the purchase and installation of a multi-purpose training prop for the Division of Police.

• L1361-15: The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security received a grant of $7,000 for the purchase of anti-virus software and network firewall device for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services.

• L1362-15: The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security received a grant of $34,000 for the purchase of key card entry systems and video monitoring system at selected fire stations.

• L1365-15: The Kentucky Fire Commission received a grant of $7,750 for the purchase of a forcible door entry training prop for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services.

Personnel and Labor

• L1371-15: An appropriation of $786,000 was approved for the cost of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Community Corrections Officers and Sergeants for FY16, with the Fraternal Order of Police, Town Branch Lodge #83 as the recipient.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the council during the public comment period on November 10, 2015.

Minimum Wage Increase

Kimberly Kaplan spoke at 6:05 in opposition to a proposed minimum wage increase. Kaplan, identified as co-owner of Parkette Drive-In Restaurant, raised concerns about increased food and labor costs resulting from the increase. She also noted potential wage stagnation and expressed that the increase would be unfair to long-term employees. Kaplan urged the council to vote against the proposed increase.

Urban Services District

Mary Koziak, a resident of Rabbit Run, addressed the council at 13:14 regarding the Urban Services District. Koziak expressed concern about her community's placement in Tax District 3, noting that Rabbit Run lacks full service compared to other areas within District 3. She requested that the council pursue a more equitable solution for her community.

Euclid Commercial Corridor Study

Amy Clark spoke at 37:55 regarding the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study. Clark urged the council to delay accepting the study pending public comment and review. She expressed concern that the study lacks community input and warned that it may promote unwelcome development in the area.

Council Member Comment

Council Member Gibbs addressed the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study at 1:09:43. While expressing enthusiasm about the study, Gibbs requested that it be referred to the Planning Committee for further review and discussion.

Contested Items

Presentation of Euclid Commercial Corridor Study

Council members disputed the procedural approach for presenting the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study. The disagreement centered on whether the presentation should be delivered to the full council or referred to the Planning Committee. Council members raised concerns about consistency in agenda procedures and the timing of the presentation. The specific outcome of this procedural dispute is not documented in the available meeting materials.

Public Comment on the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study

Community member Amy Clark voiced opposition to the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study during public comment. Clark expressed concerns that the study lacked adequate public input and could result in unwelcome development in the area. She urged the council to delay implementation of any recommendations stemming from the study. Her comments reflected broader community concerns about the development implications of the study and the adequacy of public engagement in the planning process.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

Two members of the public addressed the council during this portion of the meeting 6:05.

Speakers and Topics

Kimberly Kaplan spoke on the topic of minimum wage. Mary Koziak addressed the council regarding the Urban Services District.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, allowing community members to raise issues relevant to items under council consideration.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

17:00

No rezoning requests were presented during this agenda item. Additionally, there was no docket to approve, as no council meeting had been scheduled at the time of this meeting.

Approval of Summary

The council considered approval of the October 27, 2015 summary 17:00. Key speakers on this agenda item included Stinnett and Mossotti.

The October 27, 2015 summary was approved without dissent.

Budget Amendments

No budget amendments were presented during this session. 17:00

New Business

17:32

The council approved several new business items during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers on these matters included Scutchfield, Farmer, and Joe Schuller.

The approved items encompassed multiple authorizations for contracts and grants, as well as consideration of a collective bargaining agreement for Community Corrections Officers and Sergeants.

The council voted to approve all new business items presented.

Continuing Business/Presentations

During this agenda item, the council reviewed the Planning & Public Safety Committee summary and received a presentation on the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study. 35:12

Key speakers included Scutchfield, Jonathan Hollinger, Jeff Fugate, and George Ward.

The presentation focused on the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study. Following the presentation, the matter was referred to the Planning Committee for further consideration.

The outcome of this agenda item was deferred, indicating that final action or decision on the Euclid Commercial Corridor Study was postponed pending additional review by the Planning Committee.

Council Reports

1:12:25

Council members presented several reports during this agenda item, covering awards, community events, and upcoming activities.

Topics Presented:

• Emerging Leader Award for Angela Evans — Council members reported on this award recognition
• Upcoming tree events — Details were shared regarding scheduled tree-related activities
• Trip to Quebec City — Information was provided about a planned trip
• Jubilee Jobs event — Council members discussed this upcoming event

Key Speakers:

Reports were delivered by council members Massadi, Gibbs, Brown, Stinnett, and Lamb.

Outcome:

This agenda item was informational in nature, with council members sharing updates and information with no formal action required.

Mayor's Report

No mayor's report was presented at this meeting.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

1:26:22

No public comments were received on issues not on the agenda.