Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on July 6, 2021, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The council addressed five major agenda items during the session, all of which were approved, demonstrating unanimous support for key municipal initiatives. The meeting featured significant organizational changes, including the creation of two new governmental entities: the Department of Housing Advocacy and Community Development and the Racial Justice and Equality Commission.

Council members conducted 27 motions and votes throughout the evening, indicating thorough deliberation on various matters before the body. The session also included three public comments, providing community members an opportunity to address the council directly. In addition to the organizational restructuring, the council approved amendments to both the zoning ordinance and municipal budgets, as well as accepted a grant from the Health Department. The meeting's agenda reflected the council's focus on housing advocacy, racial equity, public health, and municipal governance improvements.

Attendance

The following members were present at the July 6, 2021 meeting:

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

All 16 members were in attendance with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted 28 roll call votes during the meeting, with all measures passing unanimously 15-0. All 15 council members present voted in favor of every item: McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, and LeGris.

Major Ordinances 0:10 The council approved four significant ordinances, all motioned by Plomin and seconded by Kay: - 0621-21: Zoning ordinance amendments to revise Adaptive Reuse and Flex Space Projects and remove Industrial Mixed Use Project - 0667-21: FY 2022 budget amendments (Schedule No. 1) reflecting current municipal expenditure requirements - 0618-21: Creation of the Department of Housing Advocacy and Community Development pursuant to Section 6.12 of the Urban County Government Charter - 0647-21: Establishment of the Racial Justice and Equality Commission through new Article L of Chapter 2

Resolutions 0:20 Twenty-three resolutions were approved, with most motioned by Ellinger and seconded by McCurn. Key items included: - 0571-21: Accepting a grant from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department - 0591-21: Awarding a Class B Infrastructure Incentive Grant to Lexington Center Corporation - 0627-21: Accepting Lagco, Inc.'s bid of $1,242,903 for the Meadows Northland Arlington Neighborhood Improvement Project - 0629-21: Accepting $147,680 in federal funds from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - 0645-21: Adopting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement - 0668-21: Requesting mayoral negotiations with Kentucky Utilities regarding tree removal in certain county areas

Personnel Actions 0:30 The final vote was on Resolution 0712-21, motioned by J. Brown and seconded by McCurn, authorizing the Division of Human Resources to make conditional offers for probationary classified civil service appointments.

Budget and Financial Actions

The council approved several significant financial items totaling over $2.2 million in grants, contracts, and project amendments.

Grant Acceptances

The council authorized acceptance of a $556,000 grant from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for the Home Network Project through Resolution 0571-21. Additionally, Resolution 0629-21 approved accepting $147,680 from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to cover child care expenses in the Extended School Program.

Resolution 0591-21 authorized a Class B (Infrastructure) Incentive Grant of $234,400 for Stormwater Quality Projects, with the Lexington Center Corporation as the recipient.

Construction Contracts and Amendments

The largest expenditure approved was Resolution 0624-21, which accepted the bid from Lagco, Inc. for $1,242,903 to complete the Meadows Northland Arlington Neighborhood Improvement Project 6B1 and 6B2.

The council also approved Resolution 0593-21, authorizing Change Order No. 1 to the existing agreement with L-M Asphalt Partners for the Town Branch Trail Phase 6 project. This amendment added $54,311.29 to the original contract value.

These financial actions represent a mix of infrastructure improvements, public health initiatives, and community development projects, with the majority of funding coming from external grant sources rather than local appropriations.

Public Comment

During the public comment portion of the meeting, three council members offered remarks on community matters and recent events.

Fourth of July Celebrations 1:00 Council Member Baxter thanked the police and fire departments for their participation in the Fourth of July parades, with particular recognition for their involvement in the Stonewall subdivision parade.

Remembrance of Senator Tom Buford Two council members offered condolences regarding the recent passing of Senator Tom Buford:

• 1:05 Council Member Reynolds expressed condolences for Senator Buford's passing, acknowledging his dedicated service to Jessamine County and emphasizing his community-oriented approach to public service.

• 1:10 Council Member Bledsoe extended sympathies to Senator Buford's family, highlighting the senator's long tenure of service and his commitment to the community.

The comments reflected appreciation for local emergency services' community involvement and recognition of a longtime public servant's contributions to the region.

Appointments

The meeting included two appointments to municipal positions.

Jennifer Carey was appointed as Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works/Designee.

Robin Michler was appointed to the Planning Commission.

Both appointments were approved during the meeting proceedings.

Amendment to Zoning Ordinance

0:10

The City Council considered Ordinance 0621-21, which proposed amendments to Articles 8-21 and 8-22 of the Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance aimed to revise regulations for Adaptive Reuse and Flex Space Projects while removing the Industrial Mixed Use Project category entirely.

Key speakers during the discussion included Plomin and Kay, who presented the proposed changes to the zoning framework. The amendments focused on updating the regulatory structure for adaptive reuse developments and flexible space projects, which allow for mixed-use developments that can adapt to changing market conditions and community needs.

The removal of the Industrial Mixed Use Project category represented a significant change to the zoning ordinance, streamlining the available project types and potentially simplifying the development approval process for certain types of mixed-use developments.

The ordinance was approved by the Council, implementing these zoning changes that will affect future development projects in the city. The amendments to Articles 8-21 and 8-22 will provide updated guidelines for developers seeking to pursue adaptive reuse or flex space projects while eliminating the previously available industrial mixed-use option.

Amendment to Budgets

0:10

The council considered Ordinance 0667-21, which amends certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriates and re-appropriates funds for FY 2022 Schedule No. 1.

Key speakers during the discussion included Plomin and Kay, who presented details about the budget amendments and addressed questions from council members.

The ordinance was approved by the council, allowing the government to proceed with the necessary budget adjustments for the 2022 fiscal year. The amendments ensure that municipal expenditures align with current operational requirements and that funds are properly allocated across various government functions.

This represents the first scheduled budget amendment for fiscal year 2022, establishing the framework for ongoing financial management throughout the budget cycle.

Creation of Dept. of Housing Advocacy and Community Development

0:10

The council considered Ordinance 0618-21, which establishes a new Department of Housing Advocacy and Community Development. The ordinance involves transferring existing divisions and positions into the new department structure and amending the city's authorized staffing levels accordingly.

Key speakers during the discussion included Plomin and Kay, who presented details about the departmental reorganization and its implications for city operations.

The ordinance was approved by the council, formally creating the Department of Housing Advocacy and Community Development as a new municipal department. This restructuring consolidates housing-related functions and community development activities under a single departmental umbrella, potentially improving coordination and service delivery in these areas.

The approval includes the transfer of relevant divisions and staff positions to support the new department's operations, along with necessary adjustments to the city's authorized personnel strength to accommodate the organizational changes.

Creation of Racial Justice and Equality Commission

0:10 The council considered Ordinance 0647-21, which would enact Article L of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances to establish a new Racial Justice and Equality Commission.

Key speakers during the discussion included council members Plomin and Kay, who addressed various aspects of the proposed commission's creation and structure.

The ordinance was designed to formally establish the commission within the city's governmental framework, providing it with official status and defined responsibilities related to racial justice and equality initiatives within the community.

Following discussion by the council members, Ordinance 0647-21 was approved, officially creating the Racial Justice and Equality Commission as outlined in the proposed legislation.

*Note: Limited transcript details were available for this agenda item, preventing a more comprehensive summary of the specific points raised during discussion.*

Grant Acceptance from Health Dept.

0:20

The council considered Resolution 0571-21, which would authorize the Mayor to accept a grant from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for the Home Network Project.

Key speakers on this item included Ellinger and McCurn, who presented the resolution to the council for consideration.

The resolution was approved by the council, allowing the city to move forward with accepting the Health Department grant funding for the Home Network Project initiative.