Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on July 8, 2008, at 6:00 PM, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting addressed two agenda items, both of which were approved: an ordinance authorizing a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, and a resolution related to the Gainesway Pond and Educational Trail Project. The council recorded 1 vote during the session and heard 1 public comment. No presentations were noted in the meeting record.

Attendance

All members were present at the July 8, 2008 Council meeting. No members were recorded as absent or late.

Present: - Jim Newberry - James - Lane - McChord - Myers - Stevens - Stinnett - Beard - Blevins - Blues - Crosbie - DeCamp - Ellinger - Gorton - Gray - Henson

Votes and Decisions

The Council took one recorded vote during the July 8, 2008 meeting.

• Ordinance 0130-26 — A zone change from R1E to B1 for property located at 135-139 East 3rd Street. The ordinance passed on a roll call vote of 9 ayes to 6 nays, with no abstentions, subject to a condition prohibiting temporary structures. The motion was made by James and seconded by Lane. 3:02:52

• Voting in favor (9): James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Blues, DeCamp, Gorton, and Henson.
• Voting against (6): Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Crosbie, Ellinger, and Gray.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered three contract resolutions at the July 8, 2008 meeting, covering public safety infrastructure and an environmental project.

Public Safety Operations Center

Two resolutions addressed the development of the Public Safety Operations Center:

• Resolution 008 authorized a professional services contract with Ross & Baruzzini, Inc. in the amount of $1,473,570 for professional services related to the Public Safety Operations Center.
• Resolution 009 authorized a construction management contract with Messer Construction Company in the amount of $1,760,851 for construction management of the same facility. Together, these two contracts represent a combined commitment of over $3.2 million toward the Public Safety Operations Center project.

Environmental and Recreation Project

• Resolution 005 authorized a contract with Spectrum Contracting Services, Inc. in the amount of $828,520 for the Gainesway Pond and Educational Trail Project.

In total, the three resolutions authorized approximately $4.06 million in contract expenditures across public safety and environmental initiatives.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period. 1:14:07

• John Throckmorton spoke on the topic of wage increases for civil service employees. Throckmorton expressed gratitude to the Council for approving a 2.3% wage increase, but urged members to consider going further by adopting a 3.9% increase instead. He cited fairness to employees and the city's available resources as grounds for the larger increase.

Appointments

The Council acted on two appointments during the July 8, 2008 meeting.

• Marcus Ashford was appointed to the role of Equipment Operator Sr.
• Martreshia Pendleton was appointed to the role of Customer Service Specialist.

Contested Items

Zone Change for 135–139 East 3rd Street

The most notable point of contention during the meeting concerned a zone change application for the property at 135–139 East 3rd Street. The council debated whether to include a condition in the approval that would prohibit temporary structures on the site. This specific condition proved divisive among council members, generating disagreement over whether such a restriction was appropriate or necessary as part of the zone change approval.

The matter was put to a vote, which resulted in a narrow passage — indicating that the council was closely divided on the issue rather than reaching a clear consensus. The split vote reflects the differing views among members regarding the scope and terms of the conditions attached to the zone change.

The item ultimately passed, though the slim margin underscores that not all council members were in agreement with the final form of the approval, particularly with respect to the prohibition on temporary structures.

Ordinance Authorizing Grant Application to U.S. Dept. of Justice

Agenda Item III.1 9:08

The Council considered an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute and submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice for the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program.

• Madam Clerk presented the item to the Council.
• The ordinance would formally authorize the Mayor to apply for federal funding through the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative.
• No significant debate or concerns were noted in the record for this item.

The ordinance was approved by the Council.

Resolution for Gainesway Pond and Educational Trail Project

43:53

The Council considered agenda item V.5, a resolution accepting the bid of Spectrum Contracting Services, Inc. for the Gainesway Pond and Educational Trail Project.

Madam Clerk was noted as a key speaker during this agenda item. The resolution was presented for Council consideration and action.

The Council approved the resolution accepting Spectrum Contracting Services, Inc. as the selected bidder for the Gainesway Pond and Educational Trail Project.