Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on March 22, 2018, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gray presiding over the session. This meeting focused primarily on recognizing community members and organizations for their contributions to the city, featuring two informational agenda items dedicated to honoring local achievements.

The council conducted a brief session that included recognition ceremonies for Melynda Jamison and the Police Explorers program, both serving as informational presentations to acknowledge their service to the community. During the meeting, the council took 2 votes on various matters and heard from 2 members of the public who provided comments during the designated public comment period.

The meeting represented a lighter agenda focused on community recognition rather than legislative business, with the primary accomplishments being the formal acknowledgment of citizens and organizations that have made positive contributions to Lexington and Fayette County.

Attendance

The following members were present at the March 22, 2018 meeting:

• J. Brown
• Evans
• Farmer
• Gibbs
• Henson
• Kay
• Lamb
• Mossotti
• Plomin
• Smith
• Stinnett
• Bledsoe
• F. Brown

Absent: Moloney, Worley

Late arrivals: None

A total of 13 members were present and 2 members were absent from the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted two roll call votes during the meeting, both passing unanimously.

Ordinance 0189-18 3:00 Councilmember Farmer motioned to approve An Ordinance creating Section 5-31 of the Code of Ordinances related to bonding site improvements, with a second by Councilmember Henson. The ordinance passed by a vote of 13-0 with no abstentions.

Voting in favor: J. Brown, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Mossotti, Plomin, Smith, Stinnett, Bledsoe, and F. Brown.

Resolution 0220-18 5:00 Councilmember Kay motioned to approve A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a Grant from the Kentucky Fire Commission for $65,000, with a second by Councilmember Henson. The resolution passed by a vote of 12-0 with no abstentions.

Voting in favor: J. Brown, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Mossotti, Plomin, Smith, Stinnett, Bledsoe, and F. Brown.

Both measures received unanimous support from all council members present for each respective vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial contracts totaling $174,397 for county operations and infrastructure improvements.

Equipment Purchase The board considered contract 0238-18 for the purchase of a Terminal Tractor for the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management. The contract with American Commercial Equipment Leasing, LLC totals $126,497. This equipment acquisition represents the larger of the two financial items discussed during the session.

Facility Renovations Contract 0258-18 involves renovations at Old Todds Road for the Division of Grants and Special Programs. S and D Construction Management, Inc. will perform the renovation work under a $47,900 contract. These improvements support the operational needs of the grants and special programs division.

Both contracts represent routine operational expenditures for county departments, with the terminal tractor purchase supporting fleet management operations and the renovation project enhancing facilities used by the grants division.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the council during the public comment period of the March 22, 2018 meeting.

Henry Kenyan 2:00 spoke about a regional neighborhood conference scheduled for October. Mr. Kenyan requested that the city provide a scholarship to enable Lexington's participation in this regional event.

Diane Marshall 2:30 represented the Dunbar Alumni Association and addressed two matters. Ms. Marshall discussed the upcoming unveiling of a historical marker and requested the Council's monetary support for establishing a scholarship fund associated with the organization.

Both speakers made requests for financial support from the city - one for conference participation and another for educational scholarships through a local alumni association.

Appointments

The meeting included action on two reappointments to city advisory bodies.

Animal Care and Control Advisory Committee • Luke Mathis was reappointed to the Animal Care and Control Advisory Committee

Arboretum Advisory Board • Jessica Nicholson was reappointed to the Arboretum Advisory Board

Both appointments involved reappointing existing members to continue their service on their respective advisory committees.

Recognition of Melynda Jamison

1:00

Mayor Gray and Ms. Henson presented a special recognition to Melynda Jamison during the March 22, 2018 meeting. The recognition honored Jamison for her significant contributions to the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Program in Lexington.

As part of the recognition ceremony, Mayor Gray officially declared March 22, 2018, as "Melinda Jamison Day" in the city of Lexington. The proclamation acknowledged Jamison's dedicated service and impact on the CASA Program, which provides trained volunteers to advocate for children in the court system.

The agenda item was presented as an informational presentation, with Jamison present to receive the honor. The recognition highlighted her ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable children through her work with the CASA Program.

This ceremonial agenda item concluded without requiring any formal action from the council, serving as a public acknowledgment of Jamison's community service and contributions to child advocacy in Lexington.

Recognition of Police Explorers

1:30

Mayor Gray and Ms. Mossotti presented a recognition for Police Explorers Post 357 during this agenda item (0226-18). The recognition honored the group's achievements at Winterfest, though specific details about their accomplishments at the event were not elaborated upon in the available materials.

This was an informational presentation with no action required from the council. The agenda item served as a ceremonial recognition to acknowledge the Police Explorers' participation and success in the Winterfest activities.

The Police Explorers program typically involves youth participants who gain exposure to law enforcement careers and community service opportunities. Post 357's recognition suggests they demonstrated notable performance or service during the Winterfest event.

No concerns were raised during this brief recognition, and the item concluded as a standard acknowledgment of the group's contributions to the community.