General Government & Social Services Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The General Government & Social Services Committee met on June 15, 2021, at 1:00 PM in the Council Chambers, with Susan Lamb presiding as the committee chair. The committee addressed four agenda items during the session, focusing primarily on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). The committee took three votes during the meeting and heard no public comments. Key accomplishments included approving the April 13, 2021 committee summary and adopting the LFUCG Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement, while receiving informational presentations on CivicLex's public comment proposal findings and diversifying hiring and promotional opportunities within the government.

Attendance

The following members were present at the meeting on June 15, 2021:

• Susan Lamb
• Steve Kay
• Richard Moloney
• James Brown
• Hannah LeGris
• Liz Sheehan
• Fred Brown
• Whitney Baxter
• Jennifer Reynolds
• Kathy Plomin

All members were in attendance with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The committee took three votes during the June 15, 2021 meeting, all of which passed unanimously by voice vote with 10 members voting in favor and no opposition or abstentions.

Approval of April 13, 2021 Committee Summary 0:30 Kathy Plomin motioned to approve the April 13, 2021 committee summary, with Jennifer Reynolds providing the second. The motion passed unanimously with all 10 members voting in favor: Susan Lamb, Steve Kay, Richard Moloney, James Brown, Hannah LeGris, Liz Sheehan, Fred Brown, Whitney Baxter, Jennifer Reynolds, and Kathy Plomin.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement Report Out 118:00 The committee voted to report out the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement at the June 22 work session. No specific member was recorded as making the motion or providing a second for this item. The vote passed unanimously with all 10 members in favor: Susan Lamb, Steve Kay, Richard Moloney, James Brown, Hannah LeGris, Liz Sheehan, Fred Brown, Whitney Baxter, Jennifer Reynolds, and Kathy Plomin.

Meeting Adjournment 120:00 Whitney Baxter motioned to adjourn the meeting. No second was recorded for this procedural motion. The motion passed unanimously with all 10 members voting to adjourn: Susan Lamb, Steve Kay, Richard Moloney, James Brown, Hannah LeGris, Liz Sheehan, Fred Brown, Whitney Baxter, Jennifer Reynolds, and Kathy Plomin.

All votes were conducted by voice vote rather than formal roll call, and the committee demonstrated complete consensus on all matters brought before them during this meeting.

Approval of April 13, 2021 Committee Summary

0:30

The committee considered the approval of the meeting summary from their April 13, 2021 session. Susan Lamb served as the key speaker for this agenda item.

The committee reviewed the previously distributed summary document, which outlined the proceedings and decisions made during the April 13, 2021 meeting. This routine administrative item allows committee members to formally verify the accuracy of the recorded meeting proceedings before they become part of the official record.

The committee approved the April 13, 2021 meeting summary without recorded discussion or amendments, indicating consensus that the document accurately reflected the proceedings from that session.

Outcome: Approved

CivicLex Public Comment Proposal – Preliminary Findings Update

1:00

Richard Young from CivicLex presented preliminary findings on public comment engagement during this agenda item. The presentation focused on analyzing current public comment systems and identifying areas for potential improvement.

Young highlighted several issues with existing public comment processes and discussed how these challenges affect citizen participation in government meetings. The presentation examined engagement patterns and barriers that may prevent effective public participation.

The findings addressed potential improvements to enhance public comment systems, though specific details of the recommendations were not provided in the available materials. This appears to be part of an ongoing study by CivicLex to evaluate and improve civic engagement mechanisms.

The presentation was informational in nature, with no formal action taken by the body during this agenda item. The preliminary findings represent an interim update on CivicLex's research into public comment effectiveness and citizen engagement strategies.

Diversifying, Hiring, and Promotional Opportunities within LFUCG

60:00 John Maxwell presented data and analysis on workforce diversity within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) during this informational session.

Maxwell's presentation focused on current diversity metrics across LFUCG's workforce and identified strategies for improving representation in higher-paying job classifications. The discussion examined existing hiring practices and promotional pathways within the organization.

The presentation provided data-driven insights into the demographic composition of LFUCG employees across different departments and pay grades. Maxwell highlighted areas where diversity efforts could be strengthened, particularly in leadership positions and specialized roles that typically offer higher compensation.

The session explored potential strategies for expanding recruitment efforts and creating more inclusive promotional opportunities. This included examining current barriers that may prevent diverse candidates from advancing within the organization and identifying systemic changes that could improve equity in career progression.

As an informational presentation, no formal action was taken during this agenda item. The discussion served to provide council members and attendees with current workforce diversity data and establish a foundation for future policy considerations regarding LFUCG's hiring and promotional practices.

The presentation contributed to ongoing conversations about organizational equity and the government's commitment to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Lexington-Fayette community it serves.

LFUCG Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

110:00

Arthur Lucas presented the updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). The revised statement incorporated feedback that had been received from the previous meeting discussion.

Lucas outlined the changes made to the statement based on council input and community considerations. The updated version addressed concerns and suggestions that had been raised during prior deliberations on this policy initiative.

The council approved the LFUCG Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement following Lucas's presentation. This resolution establishes the government's formal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in its operations and service delivery.

The approval of this statement represents LFUCG's official adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines that will guide the organization's policies and practices moving forward.