Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on April 24, 2008, at 7:00 PM in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting addressed three main agenda items, including a Carnegie Medals presentation that served as an informational item, along with second readings of ordinances and resolutions that were both approved by the Council. During the session, Council members conducted three formal votes and heard one public comment from a community member. The meeting successfully completed its legislative business with the passage of the ordinances and resolutions on their second reading, while also recognizing recipients of Carnegie Medals for their distinguished service or heroism.

Attendance

All council members were present for the April 24, 2008 meeting.

Present: • Jim Newberry • Blevins • Blues • Crosbie • DeCamp • Ellinger • Gorton • Gray • Henson • James • Lane • McChord • Myers • Stevens • Stinnett • Beard

Absent: None

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted three votes during the April 24, 2008 meeting, all of which passed unanimously.

Ordinances Second Reading Approval 7:00 Dr. Stevens motioned to approve ordinances given second reading, with Ms. James providing the second. The motion passed by roll call vote with 15 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. All Council members voted in favor: Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, and Beard.

Amendment to Ordinances Language 7:00 Mr. Blues motioned to amend the ordinances by replacing the word "will" with "may" regarding cost of living increases, with Ms. Gorton seconding the motion. The amendment passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Resolutions Second Reading Approval 14:00 Mr. Blevins motioned to approve resolutions given second reading, seconded by Mr. Blues. This motion also passed unanimously by roll call vote with 15 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. The same 15 Council members who voted for the ordinances approval also voted in favor of the resolutions: Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, and Beard.

All three votes demonstrated complete Council unity, with no dissenting votes or abstentions recorded on any of the measures considered during this meeting.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved several significant financial actions during the April 24, 2008 meeting, totaling over $15 million in contracts, grants, and purchases.

Major Infrastructure Contract The largest expenditure was a $11,451,451 contract awarded to Garney Construction, Inc. for the North Elkhorn Force Main Project, representing a major infrastructure investment for the city's wastewater system.

Building Maintenance Contracts The Council approved boiler replacement contracts for multiple city facilities. HMC Service Co. received $33,895 for boiler replacements, while TP Mechanical Contractors was awarded $58,550 for similar work at the Phoenix Building, Government Center Annex, and Downtown Arts Center.

Grant Acceptances The Council accepted multiple federal and state grants totaling over $3.9 million:

• $3,508,372 for the Community Development Block Grant Program
• $173,458 for the M.A.S.H. Drop Inn Facility
• $155,580 for the 2008 Summer Food Service Program
• $83,980 for Senior Citizens Center operations
• $40,000 for the Traffic Safety Program
• $23,393 for a Rajant InstaMESH Breadcrumb deployable Wi-Fi system

Equipment Purchase The Council authorized the purchase of 9-1-1 routers and associated equipment from Solacom Technologies, Inc. for $195,835 to enhance emergency communication capabilities.

Private Donation Kentucky-American Water Company donated $5,000 to support the Reforest the Bluegrass Project, which the Council accepted to fund environmental restoration efforts.

These financial actions demonstrate the Council's focus on infrastructure improvements, public safety enhancements, social services, and environmental initiatives while leveraging external funding sources to maximize the city's investment capacity.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one resident addressed the Council regarding workplace conditions within city government.

David Hollingsworth spoke about concerns regarding the morale of government workers 17:00. He highlighted what he described as low morale among city employees and stressed the importance of valuing workers in accordance with existing city ordinance requirements. Hollingsworth's comments focused on the need for the city to better support its workforce and comply with established policies regarding employee treatment and recognition.

No other members of the public provided comments during this portion of the meeting.

Appointments

The Council approved multiple appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions during the April 24, 2008 meeting.

Bluegrass Crimestoppers Board received three new appointments: • Ronnie Bastin • Douglas L. Vowels • Charles T. Mateyoke

CASA Board gained four new members: • Cameron C. Shoaf • Armine P. Hutchens • Pamela L. Weeks • Annemarie M. Vandervort

Civil Service Commission appointed Elisa F. Smith as a new member.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Board welcomed three appointees: • Mary Wathen • Rich Johnston • Bradley J. Swales

Dunbar Neighborhood Center Board added two new members: • Deborah Majeed • George W. Wilson

Henry Clay Memorial Foundation Board reappointed Brenda Pettit to continue her service.

Human Rights Commission appointed Christopher Ford as a new member.

Infrastructure Hearing Board reappointed Francis (Sandy) X. Camargo to another term.

Masterson Station Park Advisory Board saw both new and continuing appointments: • Andres Cruz (appointed) • Janet Cowen (reappointed) • Mike Massey (reappointed) • Robert Russell-Tutty (reappointed)

Rural Land Management Board appointed two new members: • Don Robinson • Bill Thomason

These appointments fill vacancies and ensure continued representation across the various boards and commissions that advise the Urban County Government on specialized matters ranging from public safety and tourism to parks and rural development issues.

Carnegie Medals Presentation

3:00

Police Chief Ronnie Bastin and Walter Berkowski presented Carnegie Medals to Officer Bryan Jared and Deputy Jon R. Sallee during the Council meeting for their heroic actions in saving the co-pilot of Flight 5191.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission to individuals who risk their lives to save others. Officer Jared and Deputy Sallee received this prestigious recognition for their courageous response during the Flight 5191 emergency, where they successfully rescued the aircraft's co-pilot.

Chief Bastin and Berkowski highlighted the exceptional bravery demonstrated by both officers during this critical incident. The presentation served as a formal recognition of their life-saving efforts and dedication to public service.

This was an informational presentation with no action required by the Council. The ceremony honored the recipients' heroism and brought public recognition to their extraordinary service to the community.

Ordinances - Second Reading

7:00

The Council conducted second readings of various ordinances during the April 24, 2008 meeting, covering contracts and grants for infrastructure and community programs.

Dr. Stevens and Ms. James served as the primary speakers for this agenda item, presenting the ordinances that had previously received first readings at an earlier meeting.

The ordinances under consideration included provisions for infrastructure improvements and funding for community programs, though specific details of individual ordinances were not provided in the available materials. As part of the standard legislative process, these second readings allowed for final Council review before voting.

The ordinances were approved following the second reading presentations and any associated discussion.

*Note: Limited transcript details were available for this agenda item. Readers seeking more specific information about individual ordinances discussed may wish to review the complete meeting video or contact the city clerk's office for detailed ordinance texts.*

Resolutions - Second Reading

14:00

The Council conducted second readings of several resolutions during this portion of the meeting. The resolutions addressed contracts and agreements for community services and infrastructure projects.

Mr. Blevins and Mr. Blues served as the primary speakers during the discussion of these resolutions. The items had previously received first readings and were now being considered for final approval.

The resolutions covered various municipal contracts and agreements related to community services and infrastructure development projects. These types of resolutions typically involve formal approval of spending, contractor selections, or service agreements that require Council authorization.

Following the second reading process, the resolutions were approved by the Council. The approval allows the city to move forward with the contracts and agreements outlined in the resolutions.

The second reading process is a standard procedural requirement that provides Council members and the public with additional time to review proposed resolutions before final approval. This ensures proper deliberation on municipal spending and contractual commitments.