Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council held a virtual meeting on November 19, 2020, at 6:12 PM, presided over by Mayor Gorton. During the meeting, the Council considered four ordinances and took four votes. All four ordinances on the agenda—Ordinance 1124-20, Ordinance 1125-20, Ordinance 1078-20, and Ordinance 1130-20—were approved. No public comments were heard during the meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on November 19, 2020:

• Mayor Gorton
• Higgins-Hord
• Kay
• Lamb
• McCurn
• Moloney
• Mossotti
• Plomin
• Reynolds
• Swanson
• Worley
• Bledsoe
• F. Brown
• J. Brown
• Ellinger
• Farmer

No members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Ordinance 1124-20 — Amending certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for municipal expenditures, FY 2021 Schedule No. 19. Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. Passed by roll call vote 15-0. All members voted in favor: Higgins-Hord, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, and Farmer. 16:46

Ordinance 1125-20 — Amending certain budgets to provide $40,000 for Richmond Rd. Beautification Project, Schedule No. 21. Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. Passed by roll call vote 15-0. All members voted in favor: Higgins-Hord, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, and Farmer. 16:46

Ordinance 1078-20 — Amending Section 2-479 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Affordable Housing Governing Board. Motion by Farmer, seconded by Ellinger. Passed by roll call vote 15-0. All members voted in favor: Higgins-Hord, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, and Farmer. 16:46

Ordinance 1130-20 — Amending Section 2-516 of the Code of Ordinances to add an eighth member, who shall be a non-voting, ex officio Urban County Council Member. Motion by J. Brown, seconded by McCurn. Passed by roll call vote 12-2. Members voting in favor: Higgins-Hord, Kay, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Bledsoe, J. Brown, Ellinger, and Farmer. Members voting against: Lamb and F. Brown. 1:01:06

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved five financial actions totaling $903,335:

Departmental Reaccreditation Resolution 1025-20 authorized $19,629 for reaccreditation of the Department of Social Services through the Council on Accreditation.

Stormwater and Water Quality Resolution 1036-20 approved a $300,000 grant to Ky. American Water Co. for Stormwater Quality Projects.

Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Resolution 1037-20 authorized a $329,370 contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for the Sanitary Sewer Capacity Assurance Program.

Wet Weather Storage Resolution 1042-20 approved $30,336 to Ky. Utilities for the Upper Cane Run Wet Weather Storage Project.

Transportation Planning Study Resolution 1043-20 authorized $224,000 to AECOM for the LexMPO Congestion Management Bottleneck Study.

Contested Items

Ordinance 1130-20 – Industrial Authority Membership

Ordinance 1130-20, which proposed adding a non-voting, ex officio Urban County Council Member to the Industrial Authority, resulted in a split vote. The primary concern raised during discussion centered on potential conflicts of interest that could arise from this arrangement. Council members expressed reservations about the implications of having a sitting council member serve in this capacity, even in a non-voting role.

The ordinance ultimately divided the council, with members unable to reach consensus on whether the benefits of increased oversight and coordination justified the potential conflicts of interest inherent in the proposal.

Ordinance 1124-20

Summary

Ordinance 1124-20 proposed amendments to certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for municipal expenditures in FY 2021, identified as Schedule No. 19.

Discussion

The ordinance was discussed by key speakers Farmer and Ellinger 16:46.

Outcome

The ordinance was approved.

Ordinance 1125-20

Summary

Ordinance 1125-20 proposed amending certain budgets to allocate $40,000 for the Richmond Road Beautification Project, identified as Schedule No. 21.

Discussion

The ordinance was discussed by council members Farmer and Ellinger 16:46.

Outcome

The ordinance was approved.

Ordinance 1078-20

Summary

Ordinance 1078-20 proposed an amendment to Section 2-479 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Affordable Housing Governing Board.

Discussion

The ordinance was discussed by Farmer and Ellinger 16:46. The specific details of their remarks, concerns raised, or arguments presented are not available in the provided meeting materials.

Outcome

The ordinance was approved.

Ordinance 1130-20

Summary

Ordinance 1130-20 proposed an amendment to Section 2-516 of the Code of Ordinances to add an eighth member to a board or committee. This new member would serve as a non-voting, ex officio Urban County Council Member.

Discussion

The ordinance was discussed by J. Brown and McCurn 1:01:06. The specific details of their remarks, concerns raised, or supporting arguments are not documented in the available meeting materials.

Outcome

The ordinance was approved.