Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on February 17, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting addressed three agenda items, including one recognition ceremony and two personnel matters involving authorized staffing levels for city departments. The council took two votes during the session, both resulting in approvals for amendments to authorized strength in Community Corrections and Fire and Emergency Services departments. No public comments were heard during this meeting, and one informational presentation was given recognizing McKenna Sun.

Attendance

The following members were present at the February 17, 2022 meeting:

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

Absent: Worley

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

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on two ordinances during the February 17, 2022 meeting, both passing unanimously.

Ordinance 0113-22 1:00 The council voted on an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing one vacant classified position of Electronic/Computer Controls Manager and creating one classified position of Skilled Trades Manager. The motion was made by Sheehan and seconded by Kay. The ordinance passed by roll call vote with 14 ayes and 0 nays. All council members voted in favor: Sheehan, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, LeGris, McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, and Reynolds.

Ordinance 0157-22 2:00 The council voted on an ordinance amending the authorized strength by abolishing five sworn positions of Fire Captain and creating four sworn positions of Fire Lieutenant and three sworn positions of Firefighter. The motion was made by J. Brown and seconded by McCurn. This ordinance also passed unanimously by roll call vote with 14 ayes and 0 nays. The same 14 council members voted in favor: Sheehan, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, LeGris, McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, and Reynolds.

Both ordinances involved restructuring city positions, with the first affecting a technical management role and the second reorganizing fire department positions to create more lieutenant and firefighter positions while reducing captain positions.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two financial resolutions totaling $65,500 in expenditures and grant acceptance.

Resolution 0093-22 authorized a $6,000 contract with Hyatt Regency Lexington for catering services for the Senior Intern Alumni Luncheon. This contract covers food and beverage services for the upcoming alumni event.

Resolution 0120-22 approved the acceptance of a $59,500 grant from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. This grant funding will enable the Division of Fire and Emergency Services' Special Operations Teams to acquire critical safety equipment for emergency response operations.

The two resolutions represent a combination of routine event expenditures and essential public safety equipment procurement funded through state grant programs.

Appointments

The meeting included appointments to the Racial Justice and Equality Commission. Three individuals were appointed to serve on this commission:

• Christian Adair was appointed to the Racial Justice and Equality Commission
• Juan Castro was appointed to the Racial Justice and Equality Commission
• Emily Duncan was appointed to the Racial Justice and Equality Commission

All three appointments involved the same action of being appointed to serve on the Racial Justice and Equality Commission. The appointments represent the government's effort to staff this commission with new members to carry out its mission related to racial justice and equality initiatives.

Recognition of McKenna Sun

0:30

The Lexington Urban County Government recognized McKenna Sun for her achievement as the Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky for 2022 during agenda item 0105-22. Mayor Gorton presented the recognition and proclaimed February 17, 2022, as McKenna Sun Day in Lexington.

Key speakers during this presentation included: • Mayor Gorton, who delivered the proclamation • McKenna Sun, the honoree • Bledsoe, who participated in the recognition

The Distinguished Young Woman program recognizes high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, talent, fitness, and community service. Sun's selection as the state winner represents a significant achievement that brought recognition to the Lexington community.

This was an informational presentation with no debate or concerns raised. The proclamation formally recognized Sun's accomplishment and designated the meeting date as a day of recognition in her honor within Lexington-Fayette County.

Amending the authorized strength in Community Corrections

1:00

The council considered Ordinance 0113-22, which proposes changes to the authorized staffing structure within Community Corrections. The ordinance would abolish one vacant classified position of Electronic/Computer Controls Manager and simultaneously create one classified position of Skilled Trades Manager.

Key speakers during the discussion included Sheehan and Kay, who presented the rationale for the position restructuring. The change represents a strategic reallocation of personnel resources within the department rather than an increase or decrease in overall staffing levels.

The Electronic/Computer Controls Manager position being eliminated is currently vacant, allowing for the transition without affecting existing employees. The newly created Skilled Trades Manager position appears designed to address operational needs within Community Corrections facilities and programs.

The ordinance was approved by the council, indicating consensus that the proposed staffing changes align with the department's current operational requirements and priorities. This type of position restructuring is common in government agencies as they adapt their workforce to meet evolving service delivery needs and technological changes.

The approval allows Community Corrections to move forward with recruiting for the Skilled Trades Manager position while formally removing the unfilled Electronic/Computer Controls Manager role from their authorized staffing complement.

Amending the authorized strength in Fire and Emergency Services

2:00

The council considered Ordinance 0157-22, which proposes changes to the authorized staffing structure within Fire and Emergency Services. The ordinance would abolish five sworn positions of Fire Captain while simultaneously creating four sworn positions of Fire Lieutenant and three sworn positions of Firefighter.

Key speakers during the discussion included J. Brown and McCurn, who presented the rationale for the restructuring. The proposed changes represent a reorganization of the department's command structure, reducing the number of captain-level positions while expanding both lieutenant and firefighter roles.

The net effect of these changes would be to add two total positions to the Fire and Emergency Services department - moving from five captain positions to seven new positions (four lieutenants and three firefighters). This restructuring appears designed to adjust the department's operational hierarchy and potentially provide more frontline firefighting capacity while maintaining supervisory coverage through the lieutenant positions.

The ordinance was approved by the council, allowing Fire and Emergency Services to proceed with implementing the new staffing structure. The changes will enable the department to reallocate its human resources in a way that better aligns with current operational needs and service delivery requirements.