Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on June 24, 2021, at 6:06 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting addressed two significant agenda items, both of which were approved by the Council. The primary business included consideration of an ordinance banning the use of no-knock warrants and a resolution ratifying the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget of the Downtown Lexington Management District.

During the session, the Council conducted two formal votes, with both measures receiving approval. The meeting also included two public comments from community members, providing citizens an opportunity to address the Council on matters of local concern. The approval of the no-knock warrant ban represents a notable policy change for local law enforcement practices, while the budget ratification ensures continued operations for the Downtown Lexington Management District in the upcoming fiscal year.

Attendance

All members were present at the June 24, 2021 meeting.

Present: • Mayor Gorton • LeGris • McCurn • Moloney • Plomin • Reynolds • Sheehan • Worley • Baxter • Bledsoe • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Kay • Kloiber • Lamb

Absent: None

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on two items during the meeting, both passing with different levels of support.

Ordinance 0572-21 - Banning No-Knock Warrants 9:15

Vice Mayor Kay motioned to pass an ordinance banning the use of no-knock warrants by the Division of Police, with Mr. Ellinger providing the second. The measure passed on a roll call vote of 10-5 with no abstentions.

Council members voting in favor: LeGris, McCurn, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, J. Brown, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, and Ellinger.

Council members voting against: Moloney, Worley, Baxter, Bledsoe, and F. Brown.

Resolution 0580-21 - Downtown Management District Budget 6:11

Vice Mayor Kay also motioned to pass a resolution ratifying and approving the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget of the Downtown Lexington Management District, seconded by Ms. Baxter. This resolution received unanimous approval with all 15 council members voting in favor and no opposition or abstentions.

All council members voted yes: LeGris, McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, and Lamb.

The no-knock warrant ban represented the more contentious issue of the meeting, with exactly two-thirds of the council supporting the police reform measure. The downtown management district budget approval demonstrated full council consensus on the fiscal matter.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial contracts related to infrastructure improvements and services.

Southeastern Hills Trunk Sewer Improvements Contract The council considered Resolution 0570-21 for a major sewer infrastructure project totaling $3,582,778. The contract was awarded to Tribute Contracting & Consultants, LLC for the Southeastern Hills Trunk Sewer Improvements. This substantial investment represents a significant commitment to upgrading the city's wastewater infrastructure in the southeastern area.

Temporary Pumping Services Contract Resolution 0590-21 addressed temporary pumping services to be provided by two vendors: Blue Tank and Pump Rental, LLC, and Allied Technical Services, Inc. The contract amount for these temporary pumping services was not specified in the meeting materials, though the services appear to be related to ongoing infrastructure maintenance or emergency response capabilities.

Both contracts represent important infrastructure investments, with the sewer improvements project representing the larger financial commitment at nearly $3.6 million. The temporary pumping services contract suggests the city is taking proactive steps to ensure continuity of services during potential equipment failures or maintenance periods.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, both focusing on the proposed ban on no-knock warrants.

Reva Russell English 6:52 spoke in support of passing the no-knock warrant ban without additional amendments. She emphasized that the community strongly supports the ban and urged the council to move forward with the ordinance as originally proposed.

Andrew Russell English 7:00 also addressed the no-knock warrant ban, expressing criticism of the council for considering amendments to the proposed ordinance. He urged council members to vote on the original version of the ban rather than making modifications to it.

Both speakers demonstrated community engagement on police reform issues, specifically advocating for the council to proceed with the no-knock warrant prohibition without further changes to the proposed legislation.

Appointments

The meeting included two appointments to local boards and organizations.

David Wynn was appointed to the Alarm Advisory Board. This represents a new appointment to the board that oversees alarm-related policies and procedures for the jurisdiction.

Christopher Hoskins was reappointed to CASA of Lexington. This reappointment continues Hoskins' service with the Court Appointed Special Advocates organization, which provides volunteer advocates for children in the court system.

Both appointments were processed during the meeting's regular business. No additional details about the terms of service or specific qualifications were provided in the available meeting materials.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one significant contested item that generated substantial debate among council members.

Ban on No-Knock Warrants

The primary contentious issue was an ordinance proposing to ban no-knock warrants within the jurisdiction. This measure sparked considerable discussion and revealed a clear divide among council members regarding police practices and community safety approaches.

The debate centered on balancing law enforcement operational needs against community safety concerns and civil liberties protections. Council members who supported the ban argued for enhanced civilian protections and reduced risk of harm during warrant executions. Those opposing the measure expressed concerns about potential limitations on police effectiveness and officer safety during high-risk operations.

The ordinance ultimately passed with a split vote of 10-5, indicating significant opposition despite the majority support. The narrow margin reflects the complex nature of police reform measures and the varying perspectives among elected officials on how to best serve both public safety and community protection interests.

The split vote demonstrates the challenging balance local governments face when addressing police practices, particularly in the context of broader national conversations about law enforcement reform and community relations.

Ordinance banning the use of no-knock warrants

9:15

The council considered Ordinance 0572-21, which would ban the use of no-knock warrants by the Division of Police. The proposed ordinance requires officers to knock and announce themselves before entering any premises during warrant execution.

Vice Mayor Kay presented the ordinance, explaining that it would eliminate the practice of no-knock entries and mandate that police officers identify themselves and their purpose before entering a property. The measure aims to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of confrontations during warrant service.

Mr. Ellinger participated in the discussion, though the specific nature of his comments was not detailed in the available materials. Chief Weathers also spoke regarding the ordinance, likely addressing operational implications for the police department.

The ordinance represents a significant policy change in police procedures, moving away from no-knock warrant executions that have been controversial in many jurisdictions. By requiring officers to announce their presence and purpose, the measure seeks to provide residents with advance notice of police entry while still allowing for effective law enforcement operations.

The council ultimately approved Ordinance 0572-21, implementing the ban on no-knock warrants for the Division of Police. This decision establishes a new standard operating procedure that prioritizes transparency and advance notification in warrant execution, while maintaining law enforcement's ability to serve warrants effectively through announced entries.

Resolution ratifying the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget of the Downtown Lexington Management District

6:11

The council considered Resolution 0580-21, which ratified and approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget for the Downtown Lexington Management District.

Vice Mayor Kay and Ms. Baxter served as the key speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The resolution sought formal council approval of the management district's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The council approved the resolution, providing official ratification of the Downtown Lexington Management District's Fiscal Year 2022 Budget as presented.