Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on March 17, 2016, at 6:06 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding. This brief meeting focused entirely on recognizing two individuals for their contributions to the community. The council addressed two agenda items, both involving formal recognitions - one for Mr. Joseph Boggs and another for Dr. Rice Leach. The meeting included two motions and votes, with no public comments heard during the session. Both recognition items were informational in nature, serving to honor the achievements and service of the two recipients.

Attendance

The following members were present at the March 17, 2016 meeting:

Present: • Mayor Gray • Hensley • Henson • Kay • Lamb • Moloney • Stinnett • Bledsoe • F. Brown • J. Brown • Evans • Farmer • Akers

Absent: • Mossotti • Scutchfield • Gibbs

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 13 members were present and 3 members were absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on two items during the March 17, 2016 meeting, both of which passed with strong support.

Ordinance 0159-16 3:00 The council voted on an ordinance changing the zoning from Interchange Service Business (B-5P) to Light Industrial (I-1) for property located at 1973 Bryant Road. Council member Henson made the motion, which was seconded by Farmer. The ordinance passed unanimously on a roll call vote with 11 ayes and 0 nays. All council members present voted in favor: Hensley, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Moloney, Stinnett, Akers, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Farmer.

Resolution 0175-16 6:00 The council considered a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute Neighborhood Action Match Grant Program contracts. Stinnett made the motion, with Farmer providing the second. The resolution passed on a roll call vote with 10 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. Council members voting in favor were: Hensley, Henson, Lamb, Moloney, Stinnett, Akers, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Farmer. One council member abstained from the vote, though the specific member who abstained was not identified in the voting record.

Both items received broad council support, with the zoning ordinance achieving complete unanimity and the grant program resolution passing with only one abstention.

Budget and Financial Actions

The council addressed two significant financial matters during the meeting, totaling nearly $295,000 in expenditures for recreational facility improvements.

Kearney Hill Golf Course Repairs The council approved a $195,000 appropriation for repairs to the green at Kearney Hill Golf Course. This appropriation will fund necessary maintenance and restoration work to improve the playing conditions at the municipal golf facility.

Southland Park Tennis Court Renovation The council approved Resolution 0195-16, authorizing a $99,848 contract with Tennis Technology, Inc. for the Southland Park Tennis Court Renovation project. This contract will fund improvements to the existing tennis facilities at Southland Park, enhancing recreational opportunities for residents.

Both financial actions represent investments in the city's recreational infrastructure, with the golf course repairs and tennis court renovation aimed at maintaining and improving public amenities for community use.

Appointments

The meeting addressed two appointments to city commissions during the March 17, 2016 session.

Civil Service Commission • Dr. Margaret Verble was reappointed to the Civil Service Commission

Douglass Park Centennial Commission • Representative George Brown was appointed to the Douglass Park Centennial Commission

The appointments represent continued leadership on the Civil Service Commission with Dr. Verble's reappointment, while adding new representation to the Douglass Park Centennial Commission with Representative Brown's appointment. Both appointments were processed during the regular meeting proceedings.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that resulted in procedural action being deferred.

Appointment to the Transit Authority Board

A procedural dispute arose regarding the appointment of Ms. Tawanda Owsley to the Transit Authority Board. The disagreement centered on residency requirements, specifically whether appointees to the Transit Authority Board must reside within Fayette County boundaries.

Council members engaged in discussion about the appropriate qualifications and requirements for board appointments, with the residency question becoming a point of contention that prevented immediate action on Ms. Owsley's nomination.

As a result of the unresolved procedural dispute, the council decided to table Ms. Owsley's appointment rather than proceed with a potentially problematic vote. This deferral allows time for staff to research the specific residency requirements for Transit Authority Board positions and for council members to clarify the appropriate standards for such appointments.

The tabling of this appointment demonstrates the council's commitment to ensuring proper procedures are followed in board appointments, even when it means delaying personnel decisions to resolve questions about qualification requirements.

Recognizing Mr. Joseph Boggs

1:00

Mayor Gray presented a recognition for Mr. Joseph Boggs during the March 17, 2016 meeting, acknowledging his educational accomplishments. As part of this recognition, Mayor Gray proclaimed March 17, 2016, as Joseph Boggs Day in Lexington.

The presentation was ceremonial in nature, with Mayor Gray serving as the primary speaker to honor Mr. Boggs' achievements. Joseph Boggs was present to receive the recognition.

This agenda item was informational and required no formal action by the council. The proclamation represents the city's acknowledgment of Mr. Boggs' contributions in the field of education.

Recognizing Dr. Rice Leach

2:00

Mayor Gray presented a special recognition honoring Dr. Rice Leach for his significant contributions to the Lexington community. During the presentation, Mayor Gray officially proclaimed March 17, 2016, as Dr. Rice Leach Day in Lexington.

The recognition ceremony highlighted Dr. Leach's service and impact on the community, though specific details of his contributions were not detailed in the available materials. Dr. Rice Leach was present to receive the honor from Mayor Gray.

This agenda item was informational in nature, serving as a ceremonial recognition rather than requiring any formal action or vote from the council. The proclamation represents the city's formal acknowledgment of Dr. Leach's community service and establishes an official day of recognition in his honor.