Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on January 18, 2018, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding. The meeting focused primarily on recognitions and ceremonial presentations, with three agenda items addressed during the session. Council members heard two informational presentations recognizing local achievements - one honoring participants in the Firefighter Combat Challenge and another presenting Red Cross Awards to community members. The council also conducted the first reading of a zoning change proposal for 101 Dennis Drive. Two motions were voted on during the meeting, and no public comments were received during the public comment period.

Attendance

All members were present at the January 18, 2018 meeting.

Present: • Mayor Gray • Plomin • Smith • Stinnett • Worley • Bledsoe • F. Brown • J. Brown • Evans • Farmer • Gibbs • Henson • Kay • Lamb • Moloney • Mossotti

Absent: None

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted two votes during the January 18, 2018 meeting, both passing unanimously.

Approval of Meeting Minutes 2:00 Vice Mayor Kay motioned to approve the minutes from multiple previous council meetings held on October 12 and 26, November 9 and 16, and December 5 and 7, 2017. Ms. Plomin seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously with all 15 council members voting in favor: Plomin, Smith, Stinnett, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Moloney, and Mossotti.

Resolution 0057-18: Probationary Civil Service Appointments 12:00 Ms. Henson motioned to approve Resolution 0057-18 regarding conditional offers for probationary civil service appointments. Ms. Plomin seconded the motion. The resolution passed by roll call vote with 15 ayes and 0 nays. All council members voted in favor: Plomin, Smith, Stinnett, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Moloney, and Mossotti.

Both votes demonstrated full council consensus, with no opposition or abstentions recorded for either matter. The meeting proceeded efficiently through these administrative items with unanimous support from all 15 participating council members.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial contracts requiring board approval.

Temporary Flow Monitoring Contract The board considered Resolution 0012-18 for a temporary flow monitoring contract with Hydromax USA, LLC in the amount of $262,050. This contract covers monitoring services for the district's wastewater system operations.

Major Sewer Infrastructure Project Resolution 0015-18 involved a substantial infrastructure contract with Free Contracting, Inc. for $3,929,723.29. This contract covers Phase 1 construction of three major trunk sewer projects: the Shandon Park Trunk, Winburn Trunk, and Thoroughbred Acres Trunk Sewers. The multi-million dollar project represents a significant investment in the district's wastewater infrastructure capacity and reliability.

Combined, these two contracts totaled approximately $4.19 million in expenditures for infrastructure monitoring and construction projects. Both items required formal resolution approval as part of the district's standard procurement and contracting procedures.

Appointments

The council took action on several board and commission appointments during the meeting.

New Appointments: • Gerald Ross was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Board • Susan Lamb was appointed to the Corridors Commission • Jack Hillard was appointed to the Keep Lexington Beautiful Commission

Reappointments: • Coo-Ee Shelby was reappointed to the Keep Lexington Beautiful Commission

These appointments fill vacant positions and continue representation on various municipal boards and commissions that advise the city government on specialized matters within their respective areas of focus.

Firefighter Combat Challenge Recognition

4:00

Chief Kristin Chilton presented agenda item 0060-18 to recognize the Lexington Firefighters who won the National Firefighters' Combat Challenge. The presentation highlighted the team's achievements and efforts in this national competition.

The firefighters were formally recognized for their success in the combat challenge, which tests firefighters' physical abilities and skills in simulated emergency scenarios. Chief Chilton presented the winning team members and acknowledged their dedication and training that led to their national victory.

This was an informational presentation with no action required from the governing body. The recognition served to publicly honor the firefighters' accomplishments and highlight the high caliber of the Lexington Fire Department's personnel on a national stage.

Red Cross Awards

8:00

Ms. Bledsoe and Ms. Tawanda Owsley from the American Red Cross presented the Golden Smoke Alarm Award to the Lexington Fire Department during the meeting. The award recognized the fire department's efforts in installing smoke alarms throughout the community.

The presentation was informational in nature, highlighting the fire department's commitment to fire safety and prevention through their smoke alarm installation program. The Golden Smoke Alarm Award represents recognition from the American Red Cross for organizations that demonstrate exceptional dedication to fire safety initiatives.

No debate or concerns were raised during this agenda item, as it served as a ceremonial presentation to acknowledge the fire department's community service efforts. The item was designated as agenda item 0073-18 and concluded without requiring any formal action from the meeting participants.

Zoning Change for 101 Dennis Drive

15:00

The council considered Ordinance 0027-18, which proposes to rezone property at 101 Dennis Drive from Single Family Residential to Neighborhood Business. This represents the first reading of the ordinance.

The zoning change would allow the property owner to operate a business in what is currently designated as a residential area. The proposed Neighborhood Business zoning classification would permit commercial activities while maintaining compatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

During the first reading, the ordinance was presented to the council for initial consideration. As is standard procedure for zoning changes, this first reading allows council members and the public to review the proposal before a more detailed discussion and potential vote at a subsequent meeting.

The council completed the first reading of Ordinance 0027-18 without taking final action. The ordinance will require additional readings and public input before the council makes a final determination on whether to approve the zoning change for 101 Dennis Drive.