Urban County Council Virtual Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened virtually on May 7, 2020, at 6:00 PM with Mayor Gorton presiding over the meeting. The council addressed two primary agenda items during the session, both of which were approved by the body. The meeting included consideration of budget amendments for municipal expenditures and the Richmond Road Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project.

During the course of the meeting, the council conducted three formal votes on various matters before them. Two members of the public provided comments during the designated public comment period, offering input on issues under consideration by the council. The virtual format of the meeting reflected the ongoing public health considerations during the spring of 2020, allowing for continued municipal governance while maintaining social distancing protocols.

Both major agenda items received approval from the council, demonstrating productive progress on municipal financial matters and infrastructure improvements. The budget amendment item addressed necessary adjustments to municipal expenditures, while the Richmond Road corridor project represented ongoing efforts to enhance the city's transportation infrastructure and aesthetic improvements along this important thoroughfare.

Attendance

The following members were present at the May 7, 2020 meeting:

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

Initially Absent but Arrived Late: • Mossotti • Worley

Both Mossotti and Worley were marked as absent at the start of the meeting but arrived late and participated in the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on three items during the May 7, 2020 meeting.

Minutes Approval 4:00 Councilmember Farmer motioned to approve minutes from previous meetings, seconded by Councilmember Kay. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 members voting in favor: Evans, Farmer, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Ellinger.

Ordinance 0410-20 2:00:00 Councilmember Ellinger motioned to approve Ordinance 0410-20, amending budgets for municipal expenditures, Schedule No. 43, with a second from Councilmember Lamb. The ordinance passed by roll call vote with unanimous support (15-0). All council members voted in favor: Evans, Farmer, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Ellinger.

Resolution 0397-20 2:30:00 Councilmember Farmer motioned to approve Resolution 0397-20, accepting a bid for the Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project, seconded by Councilmember Plomin. This resolution passed by roll call vote with an 11-4 margin.

Voting in favor were: Evans, Farmer, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Reynolds, Swanson, Worley, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Ellinger.

Voting against were: Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, and Bledsoe.

No abstentions were recorded on any of the three votes.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three significant financial contracts totaling over $938,000 for various municipal improvement projects.

Infrastructure and Landscaping Projects

The council considered Resolution 0397-20, authorizing a $128,400 contract with E.C. Matthews Co., Inc. for the Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project. This project represents continued investment in the Richmond Road corridor improvements.

Additionally, Resolution 0398-20 proposed a $112,700 contract with the same vendor, E.C. Matthews Co., Inc., for the Versailles Rd. Welcome Sign project. This initiative focuses on enhancing the visual gateway experience for visitors and residents entering the area via Versailles Road.

Government Facility Improvements

The largest financial commitment discussed was Resolution 0459-20, involving a $697,000 contract with Structural Systems Repair Group, LLC for Government Center Envelope Improvements. This substantial investment addresses building envelope repairs and improvements to the government center facility, representing the majority of the total financial commitments under consideration.

Contract Summary

The three resolutions collectively represent $938,100 in municipal spending across two primary vendors. E.C. Matthews Co., Inc. would receive $241,100 for the two landscaping and signage projects, while Structural Systems Repair Group, LLC would handle the significantly larger government building improvement contract worth $697,000.

These financial actions demonstrate the municipality's commitment to both aesthetic improvements along major corridors and essential maintenance of government facilities.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, both focusing on concerns about proposed budget cuts to the Extended Social Resource (ESR) Grant program.

Roy Harrison 10:00, Vice President of the Aids Volunteers of Lexington KY Board, spoke first to address the Mayor's Proposed Budget. Harrison thanked the Mayor and Council for their efforts during the budget process but specifically requested the restoration of Extended Social Resource Grant funding that had been cut from the proposed budget.

Neil Chethik 3:00:00, representing the Carnegie Center, also spoke about ESR Grant Funding concerns. Chethik expressed significant concern over the defunding of the ESR grants, highlighting the negative impact these cuts would have on literacy programs in the community. He urged the council to reconsider the proposed budget cuts to this funding stream.

Both speakers focused their comments on the same issue - the proposed elimination or reduction of Extended Social Resource Grant funding in the Mayor's budget proposal. The ESR grants appear to support various community organizations, including AIDS services and literacy programs, making the potential cuts a concern for multiple nonprofit organizations serving Lexington residents.

Appointments

The meeting addressed one appointment matter involving a resignation from the judicial branch.

Melissa Murphy resigned from her position as Fayette County District Judge. The resignation was acknowledged during the proceedings, though specific details regarding the effective date or circumstances of the resignation were not provided in the available meeting materials.

No additional appointment actions, such as new appointments or reappointments to boards, commissions, or other governmental positions, were recorded during this meeting.

Contested Items

The Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project generated significant division among council members during the May 7, 2020 meeting. The resolution to accept the bid for this landscaping project ultimately passed, but only after a contentious split vote that saw four council members voting in opposition.

The disagreement centered on the bid acceptance for the Phase Two portion of the Richmond Road corridor landscaping initiative. While the specific details of the opposition's concerns were not detailed in the available materials, the substantial number of dissenting votes—four council members—indicates this was a major point of contention that divided the governing body.

Despite the opposition from nearly half the council, the resolution to move forward with the Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project was approved. The split vote outcome suggests the project had enough support from the remaining council members to proceed, though the significant opposition likely reflected concerns about cost, scope, timing, or other project-related issues.

This contested vote highlights the challenges facing municipal decision-making during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when budget priorities and public works projects faced increased scrutiny. The Richmond Road corridor project represents ongoing infrastructure and beautification efforts in the community, though the divided council response suggests not all members were convinced of the project's necessity or timing given the circumstances.

Amending Budgets for Municipal Expenditures

2:00:00

The council considered Ordinance 0410-20, which would amend certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriate and re-appropriate funds accordingly.

The ordinance was presented to address necessary adjustments to the municipal budget to align with current operational needs. Key speakers during the discussion included council members Ellinger and Lamb, who participated in the deliberation of the budget amendments.

The ordinance follows standard municipal budget amendment procedures, allowing the Urban County Government to reallocate funds and make appropriations as needed to meet current expenditure requirements. Such budget amendments are routine administrative actions that ensure the government can respond to changing financial needs and operational priorities throughout the fiscal year.

Following discussion, the council approved Ordinance 0410-20, authorizing the budget amendments and fund appropriations as outlined in the legislation. The approval allows the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to proceed with the necessary financial adjustments to support municipal operations and services.

Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project

2:30:00

The council considered Resolution 0397-20, which would accept the bid of E.C. Matthews Co., Inc., for the Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project. This resolution represents the continuation of landscaping improvements along the Richmond Road corridor.

Key speakers during the discussion included Farmer and Plomin, who presented details about the project and the selected contractor. The agenda item was structured as a resolution to formally accept the winning bid from E.C. Matthews Co., Inc., indicating that the competitive bidding process had already been completed.

The Richmond Road Phase Two project appears to be part of a larger corridor improvement initiative, building on previous phases of landscaping work along this roadway. The selection of E.C. Matthews Co., Inc., suggests the company submitted the most favorable bid during the procurement process.

The council approved Resolution 0397-20, formally accepting E.C. Matthews Co., Inc., as the contractor for the Richmond Rd. Phase Two Corridor Landscape Project. This approval allows the city to move forward with the next phase of landscaping improvements along the Richmond Road corridor.