Council Work Session Virtual Meeting Agenda

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a virtual meeting on May 5, 2020, at 3:00 PM, presided over by the Mayor. The meeting addressed 10 agenda items covering a range of municipal business including zoning matters, budget amendments, and various reports. The council took 2 formal votes during the session and heard 2 public comments from residents. Key accomplishments included the approval of requested rezonings and docket items, budget amendments, and new business items, while also receiving informational presentations and reports from council members and the Mayor.

Attendance

The following councilmembers were present at the May 5, 2020 meeting:

• Councilmember Bill Farmer
• Councilmember Mccurn
• Councilmember Fred Brown
• Councilmember Reynolds
• Councilmember Ellinger
• Councilmember Moloney
• Councilmember James Brown
• Councilmember Lamb
• Councilmember Evans
• Councilmember Worley
• Councilmember Plomin
• Councilmember Mossotti
• Vice Mayor Kay

All councilmembers were present for the meeting. No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted two votes during the May 5, 2020 meeting.

Motion to Send Resolution to Governor for In-Person Meetings

60:00 Councilmember Fred Brown made a motion to send a resolution to the governor requesting permission to allow council meetings to be held in person, which was seconded by Councilmember Ellinger. The motion failed by a roll call vote of 7 ayes to 8 nays with no abstentions.

Voting in favor (7): • Councilmember Fred Brown • Councilmember Reynolds • Councilmember Ellinger • Councilmember Mccurn • Councilmember Plomin • Councilmember Mossotti • Vice Mayor Kay

Voting against (8): • Councilmember Moloney • Councilmember James Brown • Councilmember Lamb • Councilmember Evans • Councilmember Worley • Councilmember Farmer • Councilmember Swanson • Councilmember Adkins

Docket Approval

180:00 The council approved the meeting docket by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Budget and Financial Actions

The council addressed several significant financial matters totaling over $3.4 million in contracts, agreements, and grant applications.

Contracts and Agreements: • Resolution 0396-20 approved Contract Modification No. 5 with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Town Branch Commons Project, adding $11,850 to the existing contract • Resolution 0414-20 authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force at no cost to the city • Resolution 0420-20 approved an agreement with Residence Inn for $10,000 to provide temporary occupancy for First Responders • Resolution 0422-20 established an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for $118,450 to maintain stream flow and precipitation gauges • Resolution 0431-20 authorized an agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc. for program management services totaling $816,000

Grant Applications and Funding: • Resolution 0429-20 approved an amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan, allocating $2,138,957 in Federal Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant funding for COVID-19 response efforts • Resolution 0432-20 authorized applying to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $167,000 in personal protective equipment (PPE) funding • Resolution 0433-20 approved applying to the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice for $198,070.60 in Day Treatment Services funding

Economic Development: • Resolution 0435-20 approved an inducement to Baptist Healthcare Systems, Inc. as a local incentive, involving revenue to be rebated rather than a direct expenditure

The largest single item was the COVID-19 response funding amendment at over $2.1 million, reflecting the city's efforts to address pandemic-related needs through federal grant programs.

Public Comment

The meeting included two designated periods for public comment, but no members of the public signed up to speak during either session.

Agenda Items Comment Period 0:30 • No public speakers registered to comment on agenda items

Non-Agenda Items Comment Period 180:00 • No public speakers registered to comment on non-agenda items

Both public comment periods proceeded without any public participation, allowing the meeting to continue directly to other business items.

Contested Items

The council faced one significant contested item during the May 5, 2020 meeting that resulted in a split vote among members.

Resolution to Request Governor for In-Person Council Meetings

The primary point of contention involved a proposed resolution that would formally request the governor to allow the council to resume in-person meetings. The council was divided on this issue, with members expressing conflicting views about the balance between public health concerns and the effectiveness of virtual meeting formats.

Some council members argued that in-person meetings were necessary for more effective governance and better public participation, while others expressed concerns about public health risks during the ongoing pandemic. The debate centered on whether virtual meetings were adequately serving the community's needs or if the limitations of remote participation were hindering the council's ability to conduct business effectively.

The disagreement reflected broader tensions about pandemic restrictions and their impact on local government operations. Members who supported the resolution appeared to believe that in-person meetings were essential for proper democratic processes, while those opposed prioritized health and safety considerations.

The item ultimately came to a vote that split the council, though the specific vote count and individual member positions are not detailed in the available information. The outcome of this contested vote would determine whether the council would formally petition the governor to modify existing restrictions on in-person government meetings.

This disagreement highlighted the challenges faced by local governments during the pandemic as they attempted to balance public health measures with maintaining effective governance and public engagement.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

0:30

During the public comment period for agenda items, no members of the public had signed up to provide comments on any of the items scheduled for discussion at the May 5, 2020 meeting. This agenda item was designated as Item I and served as an opportunity for community members to address the governing body regarding specific matters listed on the meeting agenda.

The absence of public speakers during this portion of the meeting meant that the governing body proceeded directly to the next agenda item without receiving any public input on the scheduled business items. This informational item concluded quickly due to the lack of registered speakers.

Requested Rezonings/ Docket Approval

60:00

The Council addressed agenda item II regarding the approval of the meeting docket for requested rezonings. This procedural item involved reviewing and formally approving the list of rezoning cases to be considered during the meeting.

Councilmember Bill Farmer and Councilmember Mccurn were the key speakers during this discussion. The item was presented as a standard docket approval process, allowing the Council to proceed with reviewing the various rezoning requests that had been submitted for consideration.

The Council approved the docket without significant debate or concerns raised during the discussion. This approval enabled the meeting to move forward with the scheduled rezoning cases and related land use matters that were on the agenda for review.

The outcome was an approved resolution, allowing the Council to proceed with their planned review of the rezoning requests included in the docket.

Approval of Summary

180:00

The Council considered approval of the summary from the Special Council Work Session held on April 28, 2020. This agenda item was presented as a standard procedural matter requiring Council action.

The item was brought forward as a resolution for the Council's consideration without recorded discussion or debate from Council members. No specific concerns were raised regarding the accuracy or completeness of the April 28, 2020 Special Council Work Session summary.

The Council approved the summary of the Special Council Work Session from April 28, 2020.

Budget Amendments

180:00 The Council addressed Agenda Item IV regarding budget amendments primarily focused on COVID-19 response measures.

Councilmember Farmer and Councilmember Fred Brown served as the key speakers during the discussion of various budget amendments. The amendments were specifically related to the city's financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the specific dollar amounts and detailed allocations were not specified in the available materials.

The Council reviewed and debated the proposed budget modifications, which appeared to involve reallocating funds or authorizing new expenditures to address pandemic-related needs and impacts on city operations.

Following discussion, the Council approved the budget amendments as presented. The resolution passed, allowing the city to proceed with the financial adjustments deemed necessary for COVID-19 response efforts.

The approval of these budget amendments represents the Council's formal authorization to modify the city's fiscal allocations in response to the ongoing public health emergency and its associated operational and financial impacts.

New Business

180:00

The Council addressed agenda item V, New Business, during which several contracts and agreements were presented for consideration and approval.

Councilmember Moloney and Councilmember Farmer served as the primary speakers during this portion of the meeting, leading the discussion on the various new business items brought before the Council.

The agenda item encompassed multiple contracts and agreements that required Council review and action. While the specific details of individual contracts were not provided in the available materials, the discussion covered various municipal business matters that needed formal Council approval to proceed.

Following the presentation and discussion of the new business items, the Council moved to approve the matters presented. The outcome was successful, with the Council voting to approve the new business items under consideration.

The approval of these new business items allows the relevant contracts and agreements to move forward as part of the city's ongoing operations and commitments.

Continuing Business/ Presentations

180:00

The Council addressed ongoing business matters and received various presentations during this agenda item. Councilmember Farmer served as a key speaker during the discussions.

The session was informational in nature, with Council members reviewing the status of continuing projects and receiving updates on municipal matters. The presentations covered various topics relevant to ongoing city business, though specific details of the individual presentations were not detailed in the available materials.

This agenda item provided an opportunity for Council members to stay informed about the progress of existing initiatives and receive necessary briefings on matters requiring their attention. The discussions were part of the Council's regular process of monitoring ongoing municipal activities and staying current on developing issues.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational, with no specific actions taken beyond receiving the presentations and updates on continuing business matters.

Council Reports

180:00 Council members provided updates and reports on various community issues and activities during this informational segment.

Key Participants: - Councilmember Moloney - Councilmember Mccurn

The council reports section served as an opportunity for council members to share updates on ongoing initiatives, community concerns, and other matters relevant to their constituencies. Both Councilmember Moloney and Councilmember Mccurn participated in providing reports during this portion of the meeting.

This agenda item was informational in nature, allowing council members to communicate directly with the public about various municipal matters and community activities they have been involved with or monitoring.

*Note: Specific details of the reports provided by each council member were not available in the source materials provided.*

Mayor's Report

180:00

During agenda item VIII, the Mayor delivered a report providing updates on two significant matters affecting the city.

Key Updates Presented:

• Corrections Officers: The Mayor provided an update regarding corrections officers, though specific details about staffing levels, policy changes, or operational matters were not detailed in the available materials.

• Preston Madden: The Mayor reported on the passing of Preston Madden, acknowledging this loss to the community.

Meeting Details:

• Primary Speaker: Mayor
• Item Type: Informational presentation
• Outcome: No action required; report provided for informational purposes

The Mayor's Report served as an informational update to keep the council and public informed about current city matters and community developments. No formal action was taken on the items presented during this portion of the meeting.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

180:00

During this portion of the meeting, no members of the public had signed up to provide comment on issues not listed on the agenda. The agenda item was acknowledged but no discussion took place due to the absence of public participants.

This agenda item typically provides an opportunity for community members to address the governing body about matters of public concern that are not scheduled for formal consideration during the meeting. However, on this occasion, no speakers were registered to participate in this public comment period.

The item was handled as an informational matter with no action required from the governing body.

Adjournment

The meeting was formally adjourned at approximately the 180-minute mark 180:00. No discussion or debate occurred regarding the adjournment, and the motion was approved without opposition.

The adjournment concluded the May 5, 2020 meeting proceedings.