Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on March 4, 2008, at 3:00 PM with Mayor Newberry presiding. The Council addressed a comprehensive agenda of 10 items, taking 11 votes on various matters including rezonings, budget amendments, and new business items. The meeting featured several informational presentations, including a quarterly update from the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership and a discussion on downtown development initiatives. Two public comment periods were held, allowing citizens to address both agenda-related and general issues before the Council. The session concluded with reports from both the Council and Mayor Newberry, covering ongoing municipal matters and administrative updates.

Attendance

The following council members were present at the March 4, 2008 meeting:

• Mayor Newberry
• CM Lane
• CM Blevins
• CM Ellinger
• CM McChord
• CM Myers
• CM Beard
• CM James
• CM Stinnett
• CM Gorton
• CM DeCamp
• CM Henson
• CM Blues

Absent: CM Stevens

No council members arrived late to the meeting. With 13 of 14 council members present, the meeting had a quorum to conduct official business.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted eleven votes during the March 4, 2008 meeting, all by voice vote with the exception of one item that received a dissenting vote.

Procedural Matters • CM Ellinger motioned to place a zone change ordinance on the docket without a public hearing, seconded by CM Lane - passed 0:30 • CM Beard motioned to approve the docket as amended, seconded by CM Lane - passed 3:00 • CM Myers motioned to approve the summary for February 26th, seconded by CM Ellinger - passed 4:00 • CM Beard motioned to approve budget amendments, seconded by CM Myers - passed 5:00 • CM DeCamp motioned to approve new business items A-F, seconded by CM Blevins - passed 6:00

Resolution Scheduling • CM Myers motioned to place a resolution on the docket for March 6, 2008 regarding presentation materials, seconded by CM Gorton - passed with one nay vote from CM Stinnett 7:00

Administrative Actions • CM Blevins motioned to approve the NDF list for 3/4/08, seconded by CM James - passed 8:00

Infrastructure and Services • CM Blevins motioned to install a multi-way stop at Topeka Road and Hill 'N' Dale Road, seconded by CM Gorton - passed 9:00 • CM Beard motioned to open Meadowbrook Golf Course for the current golfing season, subject to the same lease terms with Fayette County Public Schools - passed 10:00

Committee Referrals • CM James motioned to refer the sidewalk cafe ordinance to the Services Committee, seconded by CM Blevins - passed 11:00 • CM James motioned to refer Article 26 (tree protection ordinance) to the Planning Committee, seconded by CM Blevins - passed 12:00

All motions passed by voice vote except for the resolution scheduling item, which had one dissenting vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved several significant financial agreements and contracts during the March 4, 2008 meeting.

The largest expenditure was Resolution 127-08, authorizing an Engineering Services Agreement with Camp Dress & McKee, Inc. (CDM) Engineers for $2,827,319. This substantial contract represents a major engineering services commitment for the city.

The Council also approved Resolution 124-08, accepting a Household Hazardous Waste and Mercury Management Grant from the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet worth $203,250. This grant funding will support the city's environmental waste management programs.

Resolution 125-08 established a Claims Payment Agreement with Humana Insurance Company, though the specific dollar amount for this contract was not disclosed in the meeting materials. This agreement likely relates to employee health insurance claim processing services.

Additionally, the Council passed Resolution 128-08, which amended Resolution No. 386-2007 regarding a contract with Metaformer™. This amendment involved $641,161, modifying the terms of the previously approved agreement with the technology services provider.

These four financial actions represent significant budget commitments across multiple city departments and services, including engineering, environmental management, insurance administration, and technology services. The total disclosed spending from these resolutions amounts to over $3.6 million, with the engineering services contract representing the largest single expenditure approved during this meeting.

Public Comment

The Council provided two opportunities for public comment during the March 4, 2008 meeting, but no members of the public chose to speak during either session.

Agenda Items Public Comment 0:10 • No public comments were made regarding any items on the meeting agenda

Non-Agenda Items Public Comment 13:00 • No public comments were made on topics not included on the meeting agenda

The absence of public participation meant both comment periods proceeded without input from community members.

Contested Items

The March 4, 2008 Council meeting featured two significant contested items that generated substantial discussion and community engagement.

Downtown Development Project

The proposed downtown development project sparked a heated discussion among council members regarding its scope and potential community impact. The primary concerns centered on the project's scale and whether adequate public input had been solicited before moving forward with the proposal. Council members engaged in a lengthy debate about the development's implications for the downtown area, though specific details about the project's nature, size, or location were not provided in the available materials. The discussion highlighted the need for greater community involvement in the planning process.

Meadowbrook Golf Course Closure

The decision to close Meadowbrook Golf Course faced strong opposition from community members who attended the meeting to voice their concerns. The proposed closure generated significant pushback from residents who valued the recreational facility. In response to the community opposition, the Council ultimately passed a resolution to keep Meadowbrook Golf Course open for an additional year, effectively postponing the closure decision. This outcome demonstrated the Council's responsiveness to public input and provided time for further consideration of the facility's future.

Both contested items reflected broader themes of community engagement and the balance between municipal decision-making and public input. The downtown development project highlighted concerns about transparency in the planning process, while the golf course issue demonstrated how organized community opposition can influence Council decisions. The resolution to keep Meadowbrook Golf Course open represented a compromise that acknowledged both fiscal considerations and community values.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available in the provided materials for these contested items.*

Public Comment — Issues on Agenda

0:10

During the public comment period for agenda items, no members of the public came forward to address the Council regarding any matters scheduled for discussion at the March 4, 2008 meeting.

The public comment period provides an opportunity for community members to speak directly to the Council about specific items that appear on the meeting agenda before the Council begins its formal deliberations. This allows residents to share their perspectives, concerns, or support for particular agenda items that may affect them or the broader community.

With no public participation during this portion of the meeting, the Council proceeded with the remainder of the agenda without additional input from community members on the scheduled items.

Requested Rezonings / Docket Approval

0:30

During this agenda item, the Council considered a procedural motion regarding zone change ordinances. CM Ellinger and CM Lane were the key participants in the discussion.

A motion was made to place a zone change ordinance on the docket without requiring a public hearing. This procedural step would allow the rezoning request to move forward in the Council's review process while bypassing the typical public hearing requirement.

The motion was approved by the Council, allowing the zone change ordinance to be added to the docket for future consideration. No specific details about the location, scope, or nature of the proposed rezoning were discussed during this brief procedural item.

This action represents a standard administrative step in the rezoning process, where the Council determines whether proposed zone changes merit formal consideration and placement on their official docket for review.

Approval of Summary

4:00

The Council considered approval of the summary from the February 26th meeting. Council Members Myers and Ellinger participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The summary was approved without recorded objections or significant debate during this portion of the meeting.

Budget Amendments

5:00

The Council considered budget amendments during the March 4, 2008 meeting. Council Members Beard and Myers were the primary speakers on this agenda item.

The budget amendments were presented as a resolution for Council approval. While the specific details of the amendments were not provided in the available materials, the item proceeded through the standard Council review process.

The Council approved the budget amendments without recorded opposition or significant debate based on the available information.

Outcome: The budget amendments resolution was approved.

New Business Items A-F

6:00

The Council considered a package of new business items labeled A through F during the March 4, 2008 meeting. Council Members DeCamp and Blevins participated in the discussion of these items.

The specific details of what each individual item (A-F) contained were not elaborated upon in the available meeting materials, but the items were presented as a group for Council consideration and action.

Following discussion by the participating Council members, the New Business Items A-F were approved by the Council.

The streamlined handling of these items as a package suggests they may have been routine administrative matters or items that had been previously reviewed in committee, allowing for efficient processing during the regular Council meeting.

Bluegrass Business Development Partnership Quarterly Update

7:00

Bob Quick and Pamela Trautner presented the quarterly update on the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership to the Council during the March 4, 2008 meeting. This informational presentation provided Council members with current activities and progress of the regional economic development organization.

The presentation covered the Partnership's ongoing initiatives and recent developments in business attraction and retention efforts across the Bluegrass region. Quick and Trautner outlined the organization's quarterly performance metrics and highlighted key projects currently in development.

This was an informational agenda item with no action required from the Council. The update served to keep Council members informed about the Partnership's activities and their potential impact on local economic development efforts.

The presentation was part of the Council's regular schedule of receiving updates from regional development organizations to maintain awareness of broader economic development initiatives affecting the area.

Downtown Development

During the March 4, 2008 Council meeting, Harold Tate and associates presented a potential downtown development project to the Council 8:00.

The presentation involved three key speakers who outlined their development proposal:

• Harold Tate - Primary presenter of the downtown development concept
• Whitford Webb - Contributing presenter
• Dudley Webb - Contributing presenter

The agenda item was structured as an informational presentation, allowing the development team to share details of their proposed project with Council members and the public. The presentation provided an opportunity for the developers to outline their vision for downtown improvements and potentially gauge initial Council interest in the concept.

This was a preliminary discussion designed to inform the Council about the development opportunity rather than seek immediate approval or action. The informational nature of the presentation suggests this was an early stage in the development process, likely intended to introduce the project and begin dialogue between the developers and city officials.

The outcome was informational only, with no formal action taken by the Council during this meeting regarding the proposed downtown development project.

Council Report

9:00 During the Council Report portion of the March 4, 2008 meeting, several council members provided updates on various municipal matters and activities.

Key Participants: - CM Stinnett - CM Gorton - CM Myers

The council members used this time to share information and updates with their colleagues and the public on topics within their respective areas of focus or recent activities they had participated in on behalf of the city.

This agenda item served as an informational session, allowing council members to communicate important developments, upcoming events, or other matters of municipal interest. The reports provided transparency regarding council members' activities and kept both fellow council members and the public informed about ongoing city business and initiatives.

No formal action was taken during this portion of the meeting, as the Council Report segment is typically used for informational purposes rather than decision-making or voting on specific measures.

Mayor's Report

12:00

No report was provided by the Mayor during this agenda item at the March 4, 2008 Council meeting. The item was listed on the agenda but no presentation or discussion took place.

Public Comment — Issues Not on Agenda

13:00

During the public comment period for issues not on the agenda, no members of the public came forward to address the Council. The meeting proceeded without any public input on non-agenda matters.

This portion of the meeting was informational only, as it provides an opportunity for community members to bring concerns or topics to the Council's attention that are not scheduled for discussion during the regular meeting agenda.