Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on October 24, 2019, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The meeting focused on two primary agenda items, both of which received council approval. The council addressed a proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and received a presentation from the Junior Fire Chief program. During the course of the meeting, the council conducted three formal votes on various matters, with no public comments recorded for this session. Both agenda items were successfully approved, demonstrating the council's support for community awareness initiatives and youth engagement programs within the city's public safety services.

Attendance

All council members were present for the October 24, 2019 meeting.

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

Absent: None

Late: None

The meeting achieved full attendance with all 16 members present, including the Mayor and 15 council members.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took action on three items during the October 24, 2019 meeting.

Ordinance 1090-19 6:28 - Councilmember Farmer motioned to approve an ordinance amending certain budgets for municipal expenditures, Schedule No. 14, with a second by Councilmember Ellinger. The ordinance passed unanimously on a roll call vote of 15-0. All fifteen council members voted in favor: J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Bledsoe, and F. Brown.

Resolution 1027-19 6:28 - Councilmember Kay motioned to accept the bid of REM Co., Inc. for washers and dryers for Community Corrections, seconded by Councilmember Ellinger. The resolution passed unanimously on a roll call vote of 15-0. The same fifteen council members who supported the ordinance also voted in favor of this resolution: J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Bledsoe, and F. Brown.

Closed Session Motion 6:21 - Councilmember Mossotti motioned to enter closed session to discuss a personnel matter, with a second by Councilmember Lamb. The motion passed on a voice vote with the condition that the closed session would occur after presentations were completed.

All voting items on the agenda received unanimous support from the Council, with no dissenting votes or abstentions recorded on any of the measures considered.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two significant financial matters during the October 24, 2019 meeting, totaling over $716,000 in expenditures and grant funding.

Community Corrections Equipment Contract

The Council approved Resolution 1027-19, authorizing a contract with REM Co., Inc. for $216,950 to purchase, install, and maintain washers and dryers for the Community Corrections facility. This contract covers both the initial equipment procurement and ongoing maintenance services to ensure proper operation of laundry facilities within the corrections system.

Fire Department Grant Funding

The Council also addressed grant funding totaling $500,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. These funds are designated specifically for the evaluation of the Lexington Fire Department's Community Paramedicine Program. The Community Paramedicine Program represents an innovative approach to emergency medical services, extending paramedic care beyond traditional emergency response to include preventive and community-based health services.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant will enable a comprehensive assessment of the program's effectiveness, outcomes, and impact on community health. This evaluation will provide valuable data on how community paramedicine initiatives can improve healthcare delivery while potentially reducing costs and improving patient outcomes in the Lexington area.

These financial actions demonstrate the Council's commitment to both maintaining essential infrastructure for public safety facilities and supporting innovative healthcare delivery models through the fire department's expanded services.

Appointments

The Council approved several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions during the October 24, 2019 meeting.

Airport Board • Garyen Denning was reappointed to the Airport Board • Don Mosier was reappointed to the Airport Board

Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board • Lewis Brown was reappointed to the Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board • Anne Greene was reappointed to the Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board

Other Board Appointments • Melissa Sedlaczek was appointed to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers • Mamata Majmundar was reappointed to the Board of Health • Robert Rouse was appointed to the Vacant Property Review Commission • David Lowe was reappointed to the Water Quality Fees Board

The appointments included both new appointments and reappointments of existing board members to continue their service on various municipal boards and commissions that oversee city operations and community services.

Contested Items

The Council addressed one contested matter during the October 24, 2019 meeting involving personnel discipline within the fire department.

Firefighter Justin May's Discipline

The Council considered a disciplinary action concerning firefighter Justin May. The matter came before the Council as part of the personnel review process, though specific details of the underlying disciplinary issues were not disclosed in the public portion of the meeting.

The Council's vote on the disciplinary matter resulted in a failed motion, indicating a lack of consensus among Council members regarding the proposed discipline. As a result of the failed vote, the disciplinary decision was returned to the fire chief for further consideration.

The split vote demonstrates disagreement among Council members about the appropriate course of action in this personnel matter. The outcome means the fire chief will need to reassess the disciplinary action and potentially bring a revised recommendation back to the Council at a future meeting.

This type of personnel discipline review falls under the Council's oversight responsibilities for city department operations, though the specific nature of the disciplinary issues and the reasoning behind individual Council members' votes were not detailed in the public record of the meeting.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

6:10

Mayor Gorton proclaimed October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Lexington through agenda item 1095-19. The proclamation specifically highlighted the work of Greenhouse17, a local organization addressing domestic violence issues in the community.

During the presentation, Diane Fleet spoke about the importance of recognizing domestic violence awareness and the ongoing efforts to support survivors in Lexington. Council member Mossotti also participated in the discussion, emphasizing the significance of bringing attention to this critical community issue.

The proclamation was approved by the Council, formally designating October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city. This recognition serves to raise public awareness about domestic violence and acknowledge the vital services provided by organizations like Greenhouse17 in supporting victims and working to prevent domestic violence in the Lexington community.

Junior Fire Chief Presentation

6:15

Mayor Gorton and Fire Chief Kristin Chilton presented a special recognition during the meeting, honoring Abdul Alyafi as the 2019 Junior Fire Chief. The presentation included both a proclamation and an award ceremony acknowledging Alyafi's achievement in this youth leadership program.

The Junior Fire Chief program appears to be an initiative that recognizes outstanding young community members, though specific details about the selection criteria or program requirements were not detailed in the available meeting materials. Fire Chief Chilton participated in the presentation alongside Mayor Gorton, indicating the fire department's direct involvement in this recognition program.

Abdul Alyafi was present to receive the honor, participating in what was clearly a ceremonial moment during the council meeting. The presentation was categorized as an approved agenda item, suggesting it proceeded without opposition or significant discussion from council members.

This type of youth recognition program demonstrates the city's commitment to engaging with and celebrating young community members who show leadership potential or community involvement. The formal presentation during a city council meeting underscores the significance the city places on acknowledging youth achievements and encouraging civic engagement among younger residents.

The brief nature of this agenda item suggests it was primarily ceremonial, focusing on the positive recognition of a young community member rather than involving policy discussion or debate among council members.