Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on July 8, 2008, with Mayor Newberry presiding over the session. The council addressed six main agenda items during the meeting, covering a range of municipal business including zoning matters, resolutions, and administrative approvals. All agenda items presented to the council were approved, demonstrating a productive session with unanimous or strong consensus on the matters at hand.

The council conducted seven motions and votes throughout the meeting, addressing various municipal concerns from rezoning requests to traffic control measures. One member of the public provided comments during the designated public comment period, allowing for citizen input on council business. The meeting included approval of requested rezonings and docket items, a resolution supporting the Kentucky Horse Park's application, and a resolution establishing multiway stop controls for traffic management.

Additional business included the approval of meeting summaries, consideration of eight new business items labeled A through H, and the Mayor's Report to the council. The comprehensive agenda reflected the council's ongoing work in urban planning, public safety, and municipal administration, with all presented items receiving council approval.

Attendance

All council members were present for the July 8, 2008 meeting.

Present: • Mayor Newberry • CM Blues • CM Ellinger • CM Lane • CM DeCamp • CM James • CM Blevins • CM Stevens • CM Myers • CM Gorton • CM Crosbie • CM Henson • CM Beard

Absent: None

Late: None

The meeting achieved full attendance with all 13 council members and the mayor participating.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted seven votes during the July 8, 2008 meeting, all of which passed unanimously.

Docket Amendments

The Council approved three motions to add items to the meeting docket:

• Zoning Public Hearing: CM Blues motioned, with CM Ellinger seconding, to place a special meeting public hearing on September 9 at 6 pm for an ordinance changing the zone from Light Industrial (I-1) to Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) and Highway Business (B-3) for certain properties. The motion passed unanimously.

• Kentucky Horse Park Support: CM Lane motioned, with CM DeCamp seconding, to place on the docket a resolution expressing support for the Kentucky Horse Park's Application for Transportation Enhancement Funds. The motion passed unanimously.

• Traffic Controls: CM Blues motioned, with CM James seconding, to place on the docket a resolution authorizing multiway stop controls at Sandersville Road and Bay Colony Lane and at Sandersville Road and Prichard Drive. The motion passed unanimously.

Docket Approval: CM Blues motioned, with CM Blevins seconding, to approve the docket as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrative Approvals

• New Business Items: CM Gorton motioned, with CM Stevens seconding, to approve new business items A-H. The motion passed unanimously.

• Meeting Summary: CM Stevens motioned, with CM Myers seconding, to approve the summary of the July 1, 2008 meeting with minor changes and additions. The motion passed unanimously.

• Mayor's Report: CM Crosbie motioned, with CM Gorton seconding, to approve the Mayor's Report. The motion passed unanimously.

All votes were conducted by voice vote with unanimous consent. No roll call votes were taken, and no specific vote counts or individual member positions were recorded for any of the motions.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed several financial matters totaling over $886,000 in contracts, grants, and amendments during the July 8, 2008 meeting.

Contracts and Agreements • Resolution 364-08 authorized an agreement with Marriott Griffin Gate Resort & Spa for the Annual Police Awards Banquet • Resolution 404-08 approved a contractual agreement with Bluegrass Regional Mental Health - Mental Retardation Board, Inc. for $811,724.95 • Resolution 402-08 modified an existing agreement with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for the MMRS Project • Resolution 399-08 authorized Change Order No. 2 to the contract with Jarboe Construction Company, Inc. for $4,420

Grant Applications and Donations • Resolution 395-08 accepted a donation of mattresses from Tempur-Pedic, Inc. • Resolution 401-08 authorized submitting an application to the EPA under the Environmental Justice Small Grant Program for $20,000

Technology and Infrastructure • Resolution 400-08 amended Resolution No. 330-2008 for a FM Emergency Alert System with Alertus Technologies, LLC, involving $50,998

Property Matters • Resolution 403-08 addressed closing a portion of the right-of-way between 3336 and 3340 Mt. Foraker Drive

The largest single expenditure was the $811,724.95 contract with Bluegrass Regional Mental Health - Mental Retardation Board, Inc., representing the majority of the financial commitments made during this meeting. The emergency alert system amendment and EPA grant application demonstrated the city's focus on public safety and environmental initiatives.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one speaker addressed the Council regarding development and land use issues in Lexington-Fayette County.

Knox Van Noggle, Executive Director of the Fayette Alliance, spoke about the importance of farmland preservation and innovative infill redevelopment for Lexington-Fayette County. His comments were part of a broader Centerpoint discussion, though specific details of his remarks were not provided in the meeting record.

The public comment period provided community members an opportunity to share their perspectives on local development priorities and land use policies affecting the county.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available for this public comment period.*

Appointments

The City Council made one appointment during the July 8, 2008 meeting.

• Patrick Brewer was appointed to the Planning Commission.

The Council took action to fill this vacancy on the Planning Commission, which serves as an advisory body to the City Council on planning and zoning matters within the city's jurisdiction.

Contested Items

The July 8, 2008 Council meeting featured one primary contested item that generated community discussion and opposition.

On-street Parking on Transylvania Park

The main point of contention involved the prohibition of parking permits for certain properties on Transylvania Park. Community members raised concerns about the fairness of this policy and questioned the availability of parking spaces in the area.

The discussion centered around which properties would be affected by the parking permit restrictions and whether the current policy created equitable access to on-street parking for residents. Participants in the debate expressed concerns that some residents might be unfairly disadvantaged by the permit system while others would have better access to parking spaces.

The nature of the opposition appeared to focus on the practical implications of the parking restrictions and whether the policy adequately addressed the parking needs of all residents in the Transylvania Park area. Community members questioned whether the current approach to managing on-street parking was the most effective solution for the neighborhood.

The outcome of this contested item was not clearly resolved during the meeting, with the discussion highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing parking availability and fairness in residential areas with limited street parking options.

Requested Rezonings / Docket Approval

The Council considered a motion to schedule a special meeting public hearing for a rezoning ordinance that would change the zoning classification for certain properties from Light Industrial (I-1) to two different designations: Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) and Highway Business (B-3).

Council Members Blues and Ellinger participated in the discussion of this agenda item. The motion specifically requested that the rezoning ordinance be placed on the docket for a special meeting public hearing, which would allow for public input on the proposed zoning changes.

The rezoning would affect multiple properties, transitioning them from their current Light Industrial designation to mixed-use zoning that would accommodate both residential and commercial development. The Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) zoning typically allows for higher-density residential development, while Highway Business (B-3) zoning permits various commercial and business uses.

The Council approved the motion to place the rezoning ordinance on the docket for a special meeting public hearing. This approval means that the public hearing will be scheduled, providing an opportunity for community members and stakeholders to comment on the proposed zoning changes before the Council makes a final decision on the rezoning request.

The docket approval represents a procedural step in the rezoning process, ensuring that proper public notice and hearing procedures will be followed before any final action is taken on changing the zoning designations for these properties.

Resolution for Kentucky Horse Park's Application

The Council considered a resolution expressing support for the Kentucky Horse Park's application for Transportation Enhancement Funds during the July 8, 2008 meeting.

Council Members Lane and DeCamp were the key speakers on this agenda item. The resolution was designed to formally endorse the Kentucky Horse Park's funding request, which would support transportation-related improvements at the facility.

While specific details of the discussion were not captured in the available transcript excerpts, the item was placed on the docket as a resolution of support for the Horse Park's federal funding application. Transportation Enhancement Funds are typically used for projects that enhance the transportation system while providing environmental and aesthetic benefits to communities.

The Council approved the resolution, providing the Kentucky Horse Park with the municipal support needed for their Transportation Enhancement Funds application. This type of local government endorsement is often required or beneficial when applying for federal transportation grants.

The approval demonstrates the Council's support for infrastructure improvements at one of Kentucky's premier equestrian facilities and tourist destinations.

Resolution for Multiway Stop Controls

The Council considered a resolution authorizing the installation of multiway stop controls at two intersections along Sandersville Road during the July 8, 2008 meeting.

The resolution proposed adding stop signs at: • Sandersville Road and Bay Colony Lane • Sandersville Road and Prichard Drive

Council Members Blues and James participated in the discussion of this traffic safety measure. The resolution was designed to implement multiway stop controls at these intersections, which would require all approaching vehicles to come to a complete stop before proceeding.

The Council approved the resolution, authorizing the city to move forward with installing the multiway stop controls at both specified locations on Sandersville Road.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

Approval of Summary

The Council reviewed and approved the summary of their July 1, 2008 meeting during this agenda item. Council Members Stevens and Myers participated in the discussion regarding the meeting summary.

The summary was approved with minor changes and additions, though the specific nature of these modifications was not detailed in the available materials. The approval process proceeded without significant debate or controversy.

Outcome: The July 1, 2008 meeting summary was approved with minor revisions.

New Business Items A-H

The Council considered multiple new business items during this portion of the meeting. Council Members Gorton and Stevens participated in the discussion of these items, which included various agreements and authorizations related to public safety and community projects.

The new business items encompassed a range of municipal matters requiring Council approval. These items involved agreements and authorizations that would support ongoing public safety initiatives and community development projects within the city.

During the discussion, CM Gorton and CM Stevens provided input on the proposed items. The Council reviewed each item to ensure proper authorization and compliance with city procedures.

All new business items A through H were ultimately approved by the Council, allowing the city to move forward with the various agreements and authorizations contained within these items. The approval enables the implementation of the public safety and community project initiatives outlined in the business items.

The Council's action on these items demonstrates their commitment to advancing both public safety measures and community development efforts through the proper authorization of necessary agreements and projects.

Mayor's Report

The Mayor's Report was presented during the July 8, 2008 Council meeting and included recommendations for various board appointments.

The report was discussed by Council Members Crosbie and Gorton, who served as the key speakers on this agenda item. The specific details of the board appointments and other items contained within the Mayor's Report were not detailed in the available materials.

Following discussion by the Council members, the Mayor's Report was approved by the Council.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*