Council Work Session - Virtual Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council held a virtual meeting on January 19, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., presided over by Mayor Linda Gorton. The meeting took place in the Council Chamber and was conducted via virtual meeting packet. During the session, the Council addressed nine agenda items, including public comment, zoning requests, budget matters, and various reports. The body took 11 motions and votes throughout the meeting and heard 3 public comments. Key actions included approving requested rezonings, a summary of prior proceedings, budget amendments, new business items, and the Mayor's report before adjourning.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on January 19, 2021:

• Linda Gorton
• Charlie Lanters
• James Brown
• Josh McCurn
• Mary Kay
• Lamb
• Plomin
• Reynolds
• Kloiber
• Bledsoe
• F. Brown
• Higgins-Hord
• Worley
• Mossotti
• Moloney
• Swanson
• Farmer
• Ellinger
• Baxter
• Ford
• Armstrong
• Stack
• Duncan
• Jones
• Maloney
• LaGree
• Tyler

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

All motions were passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition or abstentions.

Ordinance 0064-21 7:12 Authorization to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program requesting federal funding in the amount of $2,000,000 to replace or purchase approximately 260 complete Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) units. Motion by Wells/Armstrong, seconded by Peacher/Scott. The federal funds require a 10% local match of $200,000.

Contract Modification No. 7 to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. 7:12 Authorization to execute Contract Modification No. 7 for additional construction engineering and observation services on an as-needed basis to support oversight of Town Branch Commons construction, at a cost not to exceed $402,500. Motion by Peacher/Scott, seconded by Peacher/Scott. The cost is budgeted for FY21 with no expenses anticipated for future budget years.

Contract Modification No. 7 to Gresham Smith and Partners 7:12 Authorization to execute Contract Modification No. 7 for the Town Branch Commons Corridor project for construction administration services, at a cost not to exceed $127,554. Motion by Peacher/Scott, seconded by Peacher/Scott. The cost is budgeted for FY21 with no expenses anticipated for future budget years.

Resolution 0073-26 23:47 Authorization to execute a sub-recipient agreement with the Community Action Council to allocate $5 million of grant funds for emergency rental assistance services. Motion by Lamb, seconded by Plowman. Funds are from a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Budget Amendment 126817-18 28:14 Adjustment of the Lexington Public Library appropriation. Motion by Fred Brown, seconded by Reynolds. The amendment has a one-time impact of $182,101 on the fund balance.

Budget Amendment 126-986-87 31:04 Adjustment of funding for the Kentucky Pride Program (formerly Adopt a Spot). Motion by Fred Brown, seconded by Reynolds. Funding includes salary and a litter pickup van.

Budget Amendment 126981 32:14 Funding for mobility software for analyzing scooter data. Motion by Lamb, seconded by Reynolds. The amendment allocates $2,500 for a Remix contract, funded by scooter license fees.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions and appropriations:

Emergency Equipment and Services

A grant of $2,000,000 (identifier 0064-21) was approved for the purchase of 260 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units, funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

An appropriation of $5,000,000 under Resolution 0073-26 was allocated for emergency rental assistance services administered through the Community Action Council.

Construction and Engineering Services

Two contracts were approved for the Town Branch Commons project: - $402,500 (identifier 0065-21) to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for additional construction engineering and observation services - $127,554 (identifier 0066-21) to Gresham Smith and Partners for construction administration services on the Town Branch Commons Corridor project

Library and Community Programs

An amendment (identifier 126817-18) adjusted the Lexington Public Library appropriation by $182,101.

An appropriation of $10,000 (identifier 126-986-87) was approved for the Kentucky Pride Program, formerly known as Adopt a Spot.

Technology and Data Analysis

A purchase of $2,500 (identifier 126981) was approved for mobility software from Remix to analyze scooter data.

Public Comment

Three members of the public provided comments during the meeting.

Evelyn Knight 10:07 advocated for a fair and open process for public comment on rezoning applications. She emphasized the importance of hearing all voices without pre-judging sides in the zoning process transparency discussion.

Faith Harders 12:36 expressed concern about the impact of a proposed zoning change on her neighborhood. She stressed the need for adequate public input in the decision-making process regarding the neighborhood impact of the zoning change.

Mark Klar 14:15 asked detailed questions about procedural fairness in public hearings. His inquiries focused on the process for future public hearings, including time limits, participation rules, and how evidence will be presented.

Appointments

David Kloiber was appointed to the Commission for People with Disabilities.

Contested Items

Zoning Process for Blackburn Avenue

Residents raised concerns about the proposed zoning change for Blackburn Avenue, expressing opposition to the lack of a public hearing. Community members emphasized the need for a fair and transparent process before any zoning decision could be made. The specific outcome of this dispute was not documented in the meeting materials.

Public Access to Vaccine Information

Councilmember Plowman identified a procedural gap in vaccine information outreach efforts. The concern centered on reaching older residents who lack internet access, indicating that current distribution methods for vaccine information were not adequately serving all segments of the community. The specific resolution or next steps regarding this accessibility issue were not documented in the meeting materials.

Public Comment

Three residents provided public comments during this agenda item, which focused on the zoning process and related governance concerns. 9:36

Key Speakers and Comments

The following residents spoke during public comment:

• Evelyn Knight
• Faith Harders
• Mark Klar

Themes and Concerns Raised

The speakers emphasized several key priorities in their remarks:

• Transparency: Residents stressed the importance of transparent processes in zoning decisions
• Fairness: Commenters highlighted the need for fair treatment and equitable consideration in decision-making
• Public Input: Speakers underscored the necessity of adequate public input opportunities in the zoning process

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The public comments were received for the record.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

17:54

The Council addressed requested rezonings and docket approval during this agenda item. Key participants in the discussion included McCurn, J. Brown, Lamb, and Bledsoe.

The Council approved the docket for the January 14, 2021 meeting and passed motions to place several zoning changes on the docket for consideration. Notably, one of the zoning changes was placed on the docket without a public hearing.

The item resulted in approval by the Council.

Approval of Summary

The Council considered approval of the summary from the January 12, 2021 work session. 25:25

Key speakers on this item included Plomin and Kay.

The Council approved the summary without dissent.

Budget Amendments

The Council approved several budget amendments during this agenda item 26:02.

Amendments Approved

The Council considered and approved adjustments in three areas:

• Lexington Public Library
• Kentucky Pride Program
• Mobility software for scooter data

Key Speakers

Fred Brown, Reynolds, and Lamb participated in the discussion of these budget amendments.

Outcome

All proposed budget amendments were approved by the Council.

New Business

34:23

The Council reviewed and approved several new business items during this portion of the meeting.

Items Addressed:

• A grant application for SCBAs (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
• Contract modifications for Town Branch Commons
• A partnership with Asbury College

Key Speakers:

The discussion was led by Wells and Armstrong, with additional input from Peacher and Scott, and Ford.

Outcome:

All new business items presented were approved by the Council.

Continuing Business/Presentations

42:12

The council received reports and presentations during this agenda item, which included updates from the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee as well as a presentation from the Commission for People with Disabilities.

Key Speakers

The following individuals participated in this segment: Bledsoe, Jones, Maloney, and Kloiber.

Presentations

The council heard reports on matters related to budget, finance, and economic development. Additionally, the Commission for People with Disabilities delivered a presentation focused on accessibility and inclusion initiatives.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action required.

Council Reports

During this informational segment, council members provided updates on several community initiatives and services. 54:39

Key Speakers and Topics

Council members Reynolds, James Brown, Lamb, Plowman, and LaGree each contributed to the reports, covering the following areas:

• Community centers operations and programming
• Vaccine rollout efforts and implementation
• Support services for seniors
• Assistance programs for underserved populations

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with council members sharing updates on ongoing community initiatives without formal action items or decisions required.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Gorton delivered a State of the City-County Address during this agenda item. 1:10:38

The Mayor highlighted community achievements that occurred during the pandemic period. Additionally, Mayor Gorton expressed condolences for recent losses of employees and retirees.

The agenda item was approved.

Adjournment

The council adjourned the meeting following approval of the mayor's report. Plowman presided over the adjournment 1:12:49.