Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on April 11, 2019, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting focused primarily on informational presentations and recognition items, with the council addressing two main agenda items: a Public Health Hero Award presentation and recognition of Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. During the session, the council conducted three motions and votes, heard two public comments from citizens, and received two informational presentations. The meeting served as an opportunity for community recognition and public engagement rather than legislative action, with both agenda items being informational in nature rather than requiring formal policy decisions.

Attendance

The following members were present at the meeting on April 11, 2019:

• Worley
• Bledsoe
• F. Brown
• J. Brown
• Ellinger
• Evans
• Farmer
• Gibbs
• Kay
• Lamb
• McCurn
• Moloney
• Mossotti
• Plomin
• Reynolds

All fifteen members were in attendance. No members were reported as absent or late for the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on three items during the April 11, 2019 meeting, with all measures passing unanimously.

Motion 0367-19 - Approval of the Minutes of the March 21, 2019 Council Meeting 1:30 Councilmember Ellinger motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilmember Kay. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 council members voting in favor: Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, and Reynolds.

Motion 0330-19 - Amending Budgets for improvements to Douglass Park scoreboards 2:30 Councilmember Farmer made the motion to approve budget amendments for Douglass Park scoreboard improvements, with Councilmember Ellinger providing the second. The measure passed on a roll call vote of 15-0, with all council members voting in favor: Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, and Reynolds.

Motion 0346-19 - Amending Code of Ordinances related to the Commission of Veterans' Affairs 3:30 Councilmember Lamb motioned to approve amendments to the Code of Ordinances regarding the Commission of Veterans' Affairs, seconded by Councilmember J. Brown. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 council members voting in favor: Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, and Reynolds.

All three votes resulted in unanimous approval with no opposition or abstentions recorded. The council demonstrated consensus across all agenda items addressed during this portion of the meeting.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three significant financial items totaling over $1.6 million in expenditures and contracts.

Infrastructure and Utilities

The council approved Resolution 0246-19 authorizing a $208,090 contract with Kentucky Utilities for utility relocation work related to the Brighton Trail Pedestrian Bridge Project. This contract covers the necessary infrastructure adjustments to accommodate the new pedestrian bridge construction.

Parks and Recreation Development

Resolution 0247-19 approved a $19,600 contract with JRA Architects for the design of a new restroom building in Woodland Park. This represents the design phase for improving park facilities and visitor amenities.

Emergency Services Equipment

The largest expenditure involved Resolution 0222-19, approving the purchase of a Mid Mount Tower Apparatus for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services at a cost of $1,430,857 from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC. This specialized firefighting equipment represents a significant investment in the city's emergency response capabilities.

The three approved items demonstrate the city's commitment to infrastructure improvements, park enhancements, and public safety equipment upgrades, with the fire apparatus purchase representing the majority of the financial commitments made during this meeting.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the council during the public comment period.

Steven Kirkland spoke regarding Fleet Services compensation issues 10:00. Mr. Kirkland requested that the city reinstate the step program for Fleet Services employees and conduct a comprehensive review of salaries within the division. He emphasized the various challenges currently facing Fleet Services operations and highlighted the need for improved compensation structures to address these ongoing difficulties.

Sarah Williams addressed police accountability concerns 15:00. Ms. Williams criticized the city's handling of a police incident that involved an autistic teenager. She called for specific changes to be made to the collective bargaining agreement to ensure greater police accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Her comments focused on the need for systemic reforms to improve police interactions with vulnerable community members.

Both speakers raised concerns about different city departments and operations, with Kirkland focusing on employee compensation and retention issues in Fleet Services, while Williams emphasized the need for police reform and accountability measures.

Appointments

The meeting included three appointments to various municipal boards and commissions.

Board of Health • Lindsey Jasinski was appointed to the Board of Health

Charles Young Center Advisory Board • Dale Morgan was appointed to the Charles Young Center Advisory Board

Commission for People with Disabilities • Susan Reese was appointed to the Commission for People with Disabilities

All three individuals received appointments to their respective positions during the April 11, 2019 meeting.

Contested Items

The meeting featured significant community opposition regarding police accountability and collective bargaining processes. Community members raised concerns about how police misconduct cases are handled through the collective bargaining framework, with particular focus on a recent incident involving a police officer and an autistic teenager.

The disagreement centered on whether current collective bargaining agreements provide adequate mechanisms for police accountability when officers are involved in controversial incidents. Community members expressed frustration with what they perceived as insufficient oversight and consequences for police conduct, especially in cases involving vulnerable populations such as individuals with autism.

The specific incident involving the autistic teenager appeared to serve as a catalyst for broader concerns about police training, response protocols, and the disciplinary process outlined in collective bargaining agreements. Community members questioned whether existing labor contract provisions adequately protect public safety while ensuring appropriate accountability measures for law enforcement personnel.

The opposition reflected ongoing tensions between community expectations for police accountability and the protections afforded to officers through collective bargaining processes. Residents voiced concerns that current agreements may limit the city's ability to implement meaningful reforms or disciplinary actions in cases of alleged misconduct.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting data, though the community opposition suggests this issue may require further discussion and potential policy review regarding the balance between labor protections and public accountability in police collective bargaining agreements.

Public Health Hero Award

During agenda item 0316-19, Dr. Kraig Humbaugh and Ms. Kacy Allen-Bryant presented the Public Health Hero Award to Mark Johnson in recognition of his dedicated work with HIV/AIDS patients 5:00.

The presentation highlighted Johnson's contributions to public health through his service to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Dr. Humbaugh and Allen-Bryant outlined Johnson's efforts in supporting this vulnerable population, though specific details of his work and accomplishments were not provided in the available meeting materials.

This was an informational presentation with no action items or decisions required from the meeting participants. The award ceremony served to formally recognize Johnson's public health service and contributions to the community's HIV/AIDS response efforts.

The Public Health Hero Award appears to be part of the organization's ongoing recognition program to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to public health initiatives and community wellness.

Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week

7:00

Mayor Gorton presented Proclamation 0401-19, officially declaring April 14-20, 2019, as Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week in Lexington. The proclamation recognized the important contributions and dedicated service of animal control officers in the community.

The mayor highlighted the vital role that animal control officers play in protecting both animals and residents throughout Lexington. These officers work to ensure public safety while also providing care and protection for animals in need within the community.

This proclamation served as an informational item, with no discussion or debate required from the council. The declaration acknowledges the ongoing efforts of animal control professionals who serve the city and emphasizes the community's appreciation for their work in animal welfare and public safety.

The timing of the proclamation coincides with the nationally recognized Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week, demonstrating Lexington's participation in honoring these essential public servants during the designated week of recognition.