Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on September 12, 2019, at 6:03 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The meeting addressed three main agenda items, including a recognition presentation for Alzheimer's Awareness, consideration of a development ordinance, and a zoning matter that received its first reading. Council members conducted three formal votes during the session and heard from three members of the public during the comment period. The meeting resulted in the approval of an ordinance for The Fountains at Palomar Development Area, while a zone change request denial ordinance advanced to first reading status.

Attendance

All 15 Council members were present for the September 12, 2019 meeting.

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

Absent: None

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted three unanimous votes during the September 12, 2019 meeting, with all 15 members present participating in each decision.

Minutes Approval 4:00 Vice Mayor Kay motioned to approve the minutes from the August 15, 2019 and August 29, 2019 Council meetings, with Mr. Farmer providing the second. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 members voting in favor: Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, and Mossotti.

Ordinances - Second Reading 20:00 Mr. Farmer motioned for the second reading and approval of various ordinances, seconded by Mr. Ellinger. The roll call vote resulted in unanimous approval with 15 ayes and 0 nays. All Council members voted in favor: Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, and Mossotti.

Resolutions - Second Reading 40:00 Mr. Ellinger motioned for the second reading and approval of various resolutions, with Ms. Plomin seconding the motion. The roll call vote passed unanimously 15-0, with all members voting in favor: Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, and Mossotti.

All three votes demonstrated complete Council consensus, with no opposition or abstentions recorded on any matter brought before the body during this meeting.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved two significant financial measures during the September 12, 2019 meeting.

Federal Grant Acceptance

The Council authorized acceptance of a $510,594 grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services through Resolution 0830-19. This funding supports the First Responders - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Program Year 2 Continuation Grant, which provides resources for addressing addiction and substance abuse issues within the community's first responder services.

Fire Department Equipment Purchase

Resolution 0845-19 approved the purchase of a Mid-Mount Tower Ladder Truck from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC for $1,430,857. This major capital expenditure will enhance the fire department's emergency response capabilities with new specialized equipment designed for high-rise and complex rescue operations.

The two financial actions represent a combined total of $1,941,451 in approved funding, with the federal grant providing external revenue to support ongoing public health initiatives and the fire truck purchase representing a significant investment in public safety infrastructure.

Public Comment

Three community members addressed the Council during the public comment period on September 12, 2019.

Bernard McCarthy spoke about the Urban Services Boundary 2:00:00, expressing concerns about the scarcity of available land for development within the current boundary. Mr. McCarthy emphasized the need to expand the urban services boundary to better accommodate affordable housing development in the area.

Lily Miller-Johnson provided an update on the Soil and Water Conservation District 2:05:00. Ms. Miller-Johnson reported on the district's ongoing work and shared positive news about Dunbar High School's Envirothon team, announcing their recent success in the environmental competition.

Chris Eustace addressed the topic of short-term rental units 2:10:00. Mr. Eustace advocated for reforming the city's ordinances related to short-term rentals, arguing for the need for greater flexibility in regulations. He highlighted the economic benefits that short-term rental properties bring to the community and urged the Council to consider these advantages when reviewing current policies.

The public comments covered three distinct areas of community interest: land use and housing development, environmental education achievements, and tourism-related business regulations. Each speaker brought forward specific concerns and recommendations for Council consideration.

Appointments

The Council approved several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions during the September 12, 2019 meeting.

New Appointments: • Jake Gibbs was appointed to the Corridors Commission • Jamie Adams was appointed to the Explorium • David Lowe was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Reappointments: • Luther Andal was reappointed to the Courthouse Area Design Review Board • Chris Cooperrider was reappointed to the Greenspace Commission

These appointments fill vacant positions and continue existing service on boards that advise the Council on matters ranging from park planning and recreation services to design review and corridor development. The appointees will serve terms as specified in the city code for their respective boards and commissions.

Recognition of Alzheimer's Awareness

10:00

Mayor Gorton presented agenda item 0630-19, formally declaring September 21, 2019, as Alzheimer's Awareness Day in the City of Lexington. The proclamation was made to highlight the significant impact of Alzheimer's disease on individuals, families, and the broader community.

During the presentation, Mayor Gorton emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and its effects on those diagnosed with the condition as well as their caregivers. The recognition serves to acknowledge the challenges faced by families dealing with this progressive neurological disorder.

Courtney Kloske also participated in the presentation, contributing to the discussion about Alzheimer's awareness efforts in the community. The agenda item provided an opportunity to educate the public about the disease and promote understanding of its impact on local residents.

The proclamation aligns with national efforts to increase awareness about Alzheimer's disease, which affects millions of Americans and their families. By designating September 21st as Alzheimer's Awareness Day, the City of Lexington joined communities across the country in recognizing the need for continued research, support services, and public education about this condition.

This was an informational presentation with no action required from the Council. The recognition serves as a formal acknowledgment of the city's commitment to supporting residents affected by Alzheimer's disease and promoting greater community understanding of this health challenge.

Ordinance for The Fountains at Palomar Development Area

20:00

The Council considered Ordinance 0809-19, which establishes The Fountains at Palomar Development Area for economic development purposes within Fayette County.

Mr. Farmer and Mr. Ellinger served as the key speakers during the discussion of this ordinance. The proposed development area designation would provide a framework for economic development activities at the Fountains at Palomar location.

The ordinance was presented as part of the county's ongoing economic development initiatives, though specific details about the scope, timeline, or financial implications of the development area were not detailed in the available materials.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Council approved Ordinance 0809-19, formally establishing The Fountains at Palomar Development Area. This approval enables the county to move forward with economic development planning and activities within the designated area.

The ordinance represents another step in Fayette County's efforts to promote economic growth and development within its boundaries through the creation of designated development areas.

Ordinance Denying Zone Change Request

30:00 The Council considered Ordinance 0920-19, which would deny a zone change request for property located at 1709 North Broadway. The proposed ordinance addressed a request to modify conditional zoning restrictions in the Highway Service Business (B-3) Zone for this specific property.

The ordinance was presented for first reading during the meeting. The zone change request sought to alter existing conditional zoning restrictions that currently apply to the Highway Service Business zoned property on North Broadway.

No specific speakers were identified during the discussion of this agenda item, and the meeting materials did not detail the nature of the proposed modifications to the conditional zoning restrictions or the reasons for the recommended denial.

The Council completed the first reading of the ordinance during this meeting. As with all ordinances, this item would require additional readings before final adoption. The first reading represents the initial formal consideration of the proposed denial of the zone change request.

The property at 1709 North Broadway remains subject to its current Highway Service Business (B-3) zoning designation and existing conditional restrictions pending further Council action on this ordinance.