Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on November 9, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Urban County Government Center, presided over by Mayor Linda Gorton. The council addressed eight agenda items, including public comment, zoning requests, budget matters, and various reports. Over the course of the meeting, the council took seven votes and heard three public comments from citizens on issues under consideration. The body approved several items including requested rezonings, a summary document, budget amendments, new business, and the mayor's report, while also receiving informational presentations on continuing business and council reports.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on November 9, 2021:

• Mayor Linda Gorton
• Vice Mayor Kaye
• Council Member Ellinger
• Council Member Plomin
• Council Member McCurn
• Council Member F. Brown
• Council Member Lamb
• Council Member Sheehan
• Council Member Kloiber
• Council Member Worley
• Council Member Baxter
• Council Member Bledsoe
• Council Member Reynolds
• Council Member J. Brown
• Council Member Moloney
• Council Member LeGris

No council members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took the following actions during the November 9, 2021 meeting:

Approval of the docket for the November 4, 2021 Council meeting 5:29 - Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Plomin - Outcome: Passed by voice vote

Approval of the November 9, 2021 Council Work Session motions 6:02 - Motion by Vice Mayor, seconded by Ellinger - Outcome: Passed by voice vote

Approval of budget amendments 6:34 - Motion by J. Brown, seconded by Kay - Outcome: Passed by voice vote

Approval of new business 7:08 - Motion by LeGris, seconded by Ellinger - Outcome: Passed by voice vote - Note: Reynolds recused from items A and H

Approval of neighborhood development funds 10:27 - Motion by Sheehan, seconded by Kay - Outcome: Passed by voice vote

Approval of the Mayor's Report 1:36:31 - Motion by Sheehan, seconded by Kay - Outcome: Passed by voice vote

Motion to adjourn 1:38:41 - Motion by Plomin, seconded by Lamb - Outcome: Passed by voice vote

All motions were decided by voice vote. One Council member recusal was noted during the approval of new business.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved the following financial actions:

Community Action Council Emergency Shelter Contract A contract totaling $1,400,000.00 was approved with the Community Action Council for Temporary Non-Congregate Emergency Shelter (L1124-21).

Medical Equipment Purchase A purchase of $12,295.00 was approved for a Stryker Bariatric Cot (L1136-21).

Software Maintenance Agreement An annual Software Maintenance Agreement with Q-Free America was approved for $40,320.00 (L1141-21).

Kentucky Utilities Solar Share Program Participation in the Kentucky Utilities Solar Share Program was approved for $15,980.00 (L1142-21).

Public Comment

Three speakers addressed concerns regarding tree cutting planned by KU (Kansas University) during the meeting.

Pauline Hunter 1:17:42 expressed concern about the width of the path that KU will be cutting for tree removal.

Adam Gray 1:20:20 voiced frustration about the lack of discretion in KU's tree cutting approach. He stated that 50 out of 52 trees in his backyard were marked for removal.

Diane Atchison 1:22:00 criticized KU for lack of notice and transparency in their tree cutting plans. She also expressed frustration with the Public Service Commission's response to these concerns.

Contested Items

KU Tree Cutting

Community members expressed strong opposition to KU's tree cutting practices during the meeting. The primary concern centered on what participants characterized as a lack of discretion and transparency in how the university conducted tree removal operations.

The disagreement reflected broader community frustration with the decision-making process surrounding tree management on KU property. Attendees argued that the university was not adequately considering community input or providing sufficient explanation for which trees were being removed and why.

No specific outcome or resolution was documented in the meeting record.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

4:28

The meeting opened with a call for public comments on issues listed on the agenda. This portion of the meeting was designated for members of the public to provide input and feedback on the matters scheduled for discussion.

No specific comments, speakers, or substantive issues were documented during this public comment period.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

5:29

The council approved the docket for the upcoming council meeting. Key speakers on this agenda item included Ellinger and Plomin.

The council voted to approve the docket as presented.

Approval of Summary

The Council approved the summary of the previous work session. 6:02

The Vice Mayor and Ellinger were the key speakers on this agenda item. The summary was presented for approval and the Council voted to approve it.

Budget Amendments

6:34

The Council considered and approved budget amendments during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers on this item included J. Brown and Kay.

The Council voted to approve the budget amendments as presented. No additional details regarding the specific amendments, amounts, or departmental impacts were provided in the available meeting materials.

New Business

7:08

The council approved new business items during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers on this agenda item included LeGris and Ellinger.

One council member recused themselves from voting on items A and H. The council ultimately approved the new business items presented.

Continuing Business/Presentations

During this agenda item, the council discussed neighborhood development funds and received a presentation from Kentucky Utilities. 10:27

Key speakers included Ellinger, the Vice Mayor, and David Freiburt. The discussion was informational in nature, with no formal action or decision required at this time.

The council addressed matters related to neighborhood development funding, though specific details regarding the proposed projects, amounts, or timeline were not included in the available information. Additionally, Kentucky Utilities presented to the council, though the specific content and focus of their presentation were not detailed in the provided materials.

Council Reports

Council members provided updates on various community events and initiatives during this portion of the meeting 1:28:51.

Key Speakers

The following council members participated in providing reports:

• Lamb
• Plowman
• Reynolds
• Bledsoe
• Baxter

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with council members sharing updates rather than taking formal action or making decisions.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Linda Gorton presented the Mayor's Report to the council 1:36:31. The report was presented and subsequently approved by the council.