Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on May 13, 2008, at 3:00 PM with Mayor Newberry presiding over the session. The Council addressed six agenda items during the meeting, ranging from routine business approvals to informational updates and public recognition activities.

The meeting included one public comment period focused on agenda issues, allowing community input on matters before the Council. Council members conducted eight formal votes throughout the session, with items including approval of meeting summaries and new business matters receiving approval. The Council also received several informational presentations, including a Services Committee update, a Public Service Recognition Week proclamation, and an update on the LexTran Bus Shelter Taskforce initiative.

The session balanced both administrative functions and community engagement, with approved items moving forward while informational presentations kept Council members updated on ongoing municipal initiatives and recognition programs.

Attendance

All council members were present for the May 13, 2008 meeting.

Present: • Mayor Newberry • CM Myers • CM James • CM Blues • CM Beard • CM Lane • CM DeCamp • CM Ellinger • CM Gorton • CM McChord • CM Crosbie • CM Henson • VM Gray • CM Stevens

Absent: None

Late: None

The meeting achieved full attendance with all 14 members of the council present, including the Mayor and Vice Mayor.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted eight votes during the May 13, 2008 meeting, with seven items passing and one procedural motion to adjourn.

Meeting Summary Approval 0:30 CM Myers motioned to approve the summary of the May 6, 2008 meeting, seconded by CM James. The motion passed by voice vote.

New Business Items 3:00 CM Stevens motioned to approve new business items A through L, excluding item J, seconded by CM DeCamp. The motion passed by voice vote.

Committee Referral - Item J 2:30 CM Blues motioned to place item J into the Services Committee, seconded by CM Beard. This was the only roll call vote of the meeting, passing with 12 ayes and 3 nays.

Budget & Finance Committee Referral 5:00 CM Myers motioned to place the issue of abatement fund recaptured money into the Budget & Finance Committee, seconded by CM Lane. The motion passed by voice vote.

Planning Committee Referral - Electrical Inspector Fees 6:00 CM McChord motioned to refer the issue of electrical inspector's fees to the Planning Committee, seconded by CM Myers. The motion passed by voice vote.

NDF Approval 7:00 CM Crosby motioned to approve the NDF, seconded by CM Myers. The motion passed by voice vote.

Planning Committee Referral - Audits 8:00 CM Stevens motioned to refer the management audit and the upcoming audit of the Family Care Center to the Planning Committee, seconded by CM Myers. The motion passed by voice vote.

Adjournment 9:00 CM Myers motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by CM Stevens. The motion passed by voice vote.

All motions passed, with the majority of business involving committee referrals for further review and discussion.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved several financial items totaling over $229,000 in expenditures and grant awards during the May 13, 2008 meeting.

Grant Awards and Agreements: • Resolution 243-08 authorized acceptance of a $10,256.41 grant award from the Kentucky Community & Technical College for the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire & Emergency Services to purchase bicycles • Resolution 253-08 approved a $9,000 agreement with The Salvation Army for an Essential Services Project for Homeless Families • Resolution 246-08 authorized a $153,000 agreement with the Board of Education of Fayette County for the Summer Food Service Program

Technology and Infrastructure Purchases: • Resolution 249-08 approved an additional Software License Agreement with New World Systems Corporation for $31,780 • Resolution 244-08 authorized the purchase of a Temporary Construction Easement for the Twelfth Street Neighborhood Improvements Project for $1,550

Contract Modifications: • Resolution 254-08 approved Change Order No. 5 to the contract with Nesbitt Engineering, Inc., adding $23,500 to the existing agreement

The largest single expenditure was the $153,000 Summer Food Service Program agreement with Fayette County's Board of Education, while the smallest was the $1,550 construction easement purchase. The technology upgrade with New World Systems Corporation represented a significant investment in the city's software infrastructure at $31,780. Grant funding totaled $19,256.41, helping offset some of the city's direct expenditures for bicycle purchases and homeless services.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one community member addressed the Council regarding youth programming needs in the city.

Lewis Cobb spoke about youth programs and community support 10:00. Cobb emphasized the importance of expanding youth programming opportunities and urged the Council to prioritize community support initiatives. Specifically, he advocated for the allocation of municipal funds to support basketball camps and other youth activities, highlighting these programs as essential community investments.

The public comment period provided an opportunity for residents to directly engage with Council members on matters of local concern, with youth programming emerging as a key community priority during this meeting.

Contested Items

The Council encountered one contested item during the May 13, 2008 meeting that required additional deliberation beyond the regular agenda process.

Employee Automobile Usage and Reimbursement Ordinance

The primary point of contention centered on an ordinance addressing employee automobile usage and reimbursement policies. Council members engaged in debate over the proposed regulations, though the specific nature of their disagreements was not detailed in the available meeting records.

Rather than proceeding to a final vote on the ordinance, the Council ultimately decided to refer the matter to the Services Committee for further review and discussion. This motion to refer indicates that Council members felt the item required additional examination before reaching a final decision.

The referral to committee suggests that Council members may have had concerns about specific provisions within the ordinance, questions about implementation details, or desired more time to consider the financial implications of the proposed automobile usage and reimbursement policies for city employees. By sending the matter to the Services Committee, the Council ensured that the ordinance would receive more focused attention and allow for additional input before returning to the full Council for consideration.

This procedural outcome demonstrates the Council's commitment to thorough review of policy matters affecting city operations and employee benefits, particularly when initial discussion reveals the need for further deliberation among Council members.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

0:10

During the public comment period for issues on the agenda, no members of the public came forward to address the Council. This portion of the meeting was opened for community members to speak on any items scheduled for discussion or action during the May 13, 2008 Council meeting.

The public comment period serves as an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to provide input, raise concerns, or offer support regarding specific agenda items before the Council begins its formal deliberations. However, no speakers participated in this segment of the meeting.

The Council proceeded with the remainder of the meeting agenda following the conclusion of the public comment period.

Approval of Summary

0:30

The Council considered approval of the summary from their previous meeting held on May 6, 2008. Council Members Myers and James participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The Council approved the meeting summary without recorded debate or concerns raised during the proceedings.

Outcome: Approved

New Business Items

3:00

The Council addressed several new business items during this portion of the meeting, with CM Stevens and CM DeCamp serving as key speakers for the various proposals.

The new business items encompassed a range of municipal matters, including grants and agreements related to public safety and community services. These items represented ongoing efforts to secure funding and establish partnerships that would benefit city operations and residents.

During the discussion, Council members reviewed the details of each proposed item, examining the terms and potential impacts on city services and budgets. The items required Council approval to move forward with implementation.

Following deliberation on the various proposals, the Council voted to approve the new business items. This approval allows city staff to proceed with the implementation of the grants and agreements as outlined in the proposals.

The successful passage of these items demonstrates the Council's commitment to advancing public safety initiatives and community service programs through strategic partnerships and funding opportunities.

Services Committee Update

11:00

Chair CM Ellinger provided an informational update on recent Services Committee activities during the May 13, 2008 Council meeting.

The committee chair discussed two primary areas of focus for the Services Committee. First, CM Ellinger addressed solid waste enforcement matters, though specific details of enforcement actions or policy changes were not elaborated upon in the summary provided.

Second, the committee has been working on stormwater ditch projects. These infrastructure projects relate to the city's ongoing efforts to manage stormwater runoff and drainage systems, though the specific locations, scope, or timeline of these ditch projects were not detailed in the presentation summary.

The update served as an informational briefing to keep the full Council apprised of the Services Committee's current work and priorities. No action items or decisions were presented for Council consideration during this update.

The Services Committee typically handles matters related to public works, utilities, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance for the city. This regular reporting mechanism allows committee chairs to communicate ongoing work to Council members who may not serve on the specific committee.

Public Service Recognition Week Proclamation

12:00

Mayor Newberry presented a proclamation designating May 19-23, 2008, as Public Service Recognition Week. The proclamation formally acknowledged the contributions and service of public servants working in various government roles.

The Mayor read the proclamation, which recognized the dedication and commitment of public employees who serve the community in various capacities. The proclamation highlighted the important role that public servants play in maintaining essential services and supporting the needs of residents.

This was an informational item with no discussion or action required from the Council. The proclamation serves as an official recognition of the week-long observance honoring public service workers and their contributions to the community.

The proclamation was presented without debate or questions from Council members, representing the City's formal participation in the national Public Service Recognition Week observance.

LexTran Bus Shelter Taskforce Update

13:00

Kevin Wente provided an informational update to the Council regarding the LexTran Bus Shelter Taskforce and ongoing efforts to expedite the placement of bus shelters throughout the city.

The presentation focused on the taskforce's work to accelerate the installation process for new bus shelters, addressing the need for improved public transit infrastructure. Wente discussed the group's strategies and progress in streamlining shelter placement procedures.

This was an informational presentation with no action required from the Council. The update served to keep Council members informed about the taskforce's activities and the status of bus shelter expansion efforts within the LexTran system.