Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened virtually on January 13, 2022, at 6:00 PM with Mayor Gorton presiding. The council addressed five agenda items during the session, with all items receiving approval. The meeting included five motions and votes, covering routine administrative matters as well as infrastructure and public safety initiatives. No public comments were heard during this meeting.

The council's business ranged from procedural items like approving minutes from previous December meetings to substantive policy decisions including budget amendments for municipal expenditures and infrastructure improvements. Key actions included authorizing maintenance and repair contracts for outdoor warning sirens, approving the permanent barricading of Concord Drive, and endorsing a grant application to the United States Department of Homeland Security. The virtual format of the meeting continued the council's practice of remote governance that had been adopted during the pandemic period.

Attendance

The following members were present at the January 13, 2022 meeting:

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

Absent: • J. Brown

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 14 members were present and 1 member was absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted five votes during the meeting, all of which passed 6:01.

Motion 004-22 - Approval of the Minutes of the December 2 and December 7, 2021 Council Meetings was motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Kay. The motion passed unanimously with 14 ayes and 0 nays. All 14 council members voted in favor: McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, and LeGris.

Ordinance 1285-21 - An Ordinance amending certain of the Budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures, and appropriating and re-appropriating funds, FY 2022 Schedule No. 25 was motioned by Baxter and seconded by Ellinger. The ordinance passed by roll call vote with 14 ayes and 0 nays, with the same 14 council members voting in favor.

Resolution 013-22 - A Resolution accepting the bid of Amteck, LLC, establishing a price contract for maintenance and repair of Outdoor Warning Sirens and AM Radio Interstate Signs was motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Reynolds. The resolution passed by roll call vote with 13 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. Thirteen council members voted in favor: McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Bledsoe, F. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, and LeGris. One member abstained from voting.

Resolution 0070-22 - A Resolution approving and directing the permanent barricading of Concord Dr. at its northern terminus and waiving the procedures set forth in Resolution 339-81 was motioned by Reynolds and seconded by Moloney. The resolution passed unanimously with all 14 council members voting in favor.

Resolution 0023-22 - A Resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute and submit a Grant Application to the United States Dept. of Homeland Security was motioned by Baxter and seconded by McCurn. The resolution passed unanimously with all 14 council members voting in favor.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed five financial items totaling $673,567.04 across various contracts, grants, and amendments.

Contracts Approved:

• Resolution 044-22: Approved a $147,375 contract with Hydromax USA, LLC for Capacity Assurance Program Flow Monitoring services.

• Resolution 0065-22: Authorized a $165,000 contract with Ely Enterprises, Inc. for Baler Re-Line work at the Material Recovery Facility.

Grant Funding:

• Resolution 0011-22: Approved $137,102 in grant funding to Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc. for the Medical Respite Care Program.

• Resolution 0021-22: Authorized $100,563.39 in grant funding from the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Division of Emergency Management for the FY 2022 Emergency Management Assistance Project.

Project Amendment:

• Resolution 0014-22: Approved a $123,526.65 amendment with Central Bridge Co., LLC for the Brighton Rail Trail Project.

The largest single expenditure was the $165,000 baler re-line contract for the Material Recovery Facility, while the smallest was the $100,563.39 emergency management grant. These financial actions span infrastructure improvements, waste management operations, healthcare services, and emergency preparedness initiatives.

Appointments

The meeting included several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions.

Commission on Veterans' Affairs Five members were reappointed to the Commission on Veterans' Affairs: • Phyllis Abbot - reappointed • Jeffrey Clark - reappointed • Susan Murray - reappointed • Jim Thurman - reappointed • Annemarie Vandevort - reappointed

Downtown Lexington Management District • Jason Ervin - appointed

Explorium of Lexington Two new appointments were made to the Explorium of Lexington: • Michael Hilton - appointed • Stephanie Spires - appointed

Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission • Nkonglolo Kalala - reappointed

Vacant Property Review Commission • Joshua Carter - reappointed

The appointments represent a mix of new members and continuing service members across various city boards and commissions, including veterans' affairs, downtown management, cultural institutions, international affairs, and property oversight.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one significant area of disagreement regarding the continuation of virtual meeting formats during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtual Meetings Due to COVID-19

A heated discussion emerged among board members concerning whether to maintain virtual meeting protocols or transition back to in-person gatherings. The debate centered on balancing public health considerations against concerns about operational efficiency and decision-making processes.

Some members voiced apprehensions that the virtual format was contributing to delays in addressing important municipal matters. These members argued that the remote meeting structure was hindering the board's ability to conduct thorough deliberations and reach timely decisions on critical issues facing the community.

The discussion highlighted the ongoing challenges many government bodies faced during the pandemic as they worked to maintain public engagement while ensuring the safety of both officials and residents. Members appeared divided on the appropriate path forward, with the debate reflecting broader tensions between health precautions and governmental functionality.

The specific outcome of this discussion and any resulting policy changes regarding meeting formats were not clearly resolved during the available portion of the meeting record.

*Note: Specific participant names and exact timestamps were not available in the provided meeting documentation.*

Minutes of the December 2 and December 7, 2021 Council Meetings

6:01

The council considered agenda item 004-22, which involved the approval of minutes from two previous council meetings held on December 2 and December 7, 2021. This routine administrative item required council review and formal approval of the official records from these prior sessions.

The discussion involved key speakers Ellinger and Kay, though the specific nature of their comments or any procedural matters they may have addressed regarding the minutes was not detailed in the available materials.

The council ultimately approved the minutes from both December meetings, completing the formal process of adopting these official records. This approval ensures that the documented proceedings, decisions, and actions from the December 2 and December 7, 2021 council meetings are now part of the permanent municipal record.

The approval of meeting minutes is a standard procedural requirement that allows the council to maintain accurate documentation of its proceedings and provides an official record for public access and future reference.

Amending Budgets for Municipal Expenditures

6:01

The council considered Ordinance 1285-21, which amends certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures. The ordinance addresses necessary budget adjustments to align spending allocations with actual operational needs.

Key speakers during the discussion included council members Baxter and Ellinger, who participated in the deliberation of the budget amendments. The ordinance represents routine budget management to ensure municipal expenditures are properly authorized and aligned with current fiscal requirements.

The council approved the ordinance, allowing the budget amendments to take effect. This approval enables the Urban County Government to proceed with the adjusted spending allocations as outlined in the legislation.

The budget amendments appear to be administrative in nature, reflecting the ongoing need to adjust municipal budgets throughout the fiscal year to accommodate changing operational requirements and ensure proper fiscal management of city resources.

Maintenance and Repair of Outdoor Warning Sirens

6:01

The council considered Resolution 013-22, which would accept a bid from Amteck, LLC to establish a price contract for maintenance and repair of outdoor warning sirens and AM radio interstate signs.

Key speakers during the discussion included Ellinger and Reynolds, who presented details about the proposed contract arrangement with Amteck, LLC. The resolution would formalize the pricing structure for ongoing maintenance services needed to keep the city's emergency warning systems operational.

The outdoor warning sirens serve as a critical component of the city's emergency notification infrastructure, requiring regular maintenance and prompt repair services to ensure they function properly during severe weather events and other emergencies. The AM radio interstate signs also fall under this maintenance contract, providing another layer of emergency communication capability for the community.

The council approved Resolution 013-22, establishing the price contract with Amteck, LLC for these essential emergency communication system maintenance services. This approval ensures the city will have a reliable vendor relationship in place for maintaining these critical public safety assets.

Permanent Barricading of Concord Dr.

6:01

The council considered Resolution 0070-22, which would approve the permanent barricading of Concord Dr. at its northern terminus and waive the standard procedures outlined in Resolution 339-81.

Key speakers during the discussion included Reynolds and Moloney, who addressed the proposal for the street closure. The resolution sought to formalize the permanent closure of Concord Dr. at a specific location, requiring council approval to bypass the typical procedural requirements that would normally govern such street modifications.

The measure was designed to establish a permanent barricade at the northern end of Concord Dr., effectively closing that portion of the street to through traffic. By waiving the procedures set forth in Resolution 339-81, the council streamlined the approval process for this particular street closure.

Following discussion by the identified speakers, the council voted to approve Resolution 0070-22. The approval authorizes the permanent installation of barricading infrastructure at the specified location on Concord Dr. and formally waives the standard procedural requirements that would typically apply to such street modifications.

The resolution's passage represents the council's decision to permanently alter the traffic pattern on Concord Dr. by closing its northern terminus to vehicular access.

Grant Application to the United States Dept. of Homeland Security

6:01

The council considered Resolution 0023-22, which would authorize and direct the Mayor to execute and submit a grant application to the United States Department of Homeland Security. The proposed grant seeks funding for the creation and implementation of a Fitness/Wellness Injury Reduction Training Program specifically designed for firefighters.

Key speakers during the discussion included Baxter and McCurn, who presented details about the grant opportunity and the proposed program's objectives. The initiative aims to enhance firefighter safety and reduce workplace injuries through targeted fitness and wellness training protocols.

The resolution was approved by the council, giving the Mayor authorization to move forward with submitting the grant application to the Department of Homeland Security. This approval enables the city to pursue federal funding that could significantly benefit the fire department's operational safety and personnel wellness programs.

The grant application represents the city's commitment to improving firefighter health and safety through evidence-based training programs designed to prevent injuries and promote overall wellness among emergency response personnel.