Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on May 26, 2022, at 6:06 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting addressed five agenda items, all of which were approved by the council. The session included budget amendments for ARPA funds and municipal expenditures, zoning ordinance changes for beauty shops and craft distilleries, and modifications to the Town Branch Commons Project agreement. Council members took five votes during the meeting and heard from five members of the public during the comment period.

Attendance

The following members were present at the May 26, 2022 meeting:

• Kloiber
• Lamb
• LeGris
• Moloney
• Plomin
• Reynolds
• Sheehan
• Baxter
• Bledsoe
• F. Brown
• J. Brown
• Ellinger
• McCurn (arrived late)

Absent: • Worley • Kay

Late Arrival: • McCurn

A total of 13 members were present for the meeting, with 2 members absent and 1 member arriving late.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted five roll call votes during the meeting, with four measures passing unanimously and one passing with a single dissenting vote.

Resolution 0468-22 1:00 - Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Baxter, to amend budgets for Council appropriations from ARPA funds. The resolution passed unanimously 13-0 with all members voting in favor: Kloiber, Lamb, LeGris, McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Ellinger.

Resolution 0469-22 1:00 - Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Baxter, to amend budgets to reflect current municipal expenditure requirements. This measure also passed unanimously 13-0 with the same voting members.

Resolution 0494-22 2:00 - Motion by Baxter, seconded by Bledsoe, to amend the zoning ordinance to remove limitations on beauty shops and barber shops. The resolution passed unanimously 13-0 with all members voting in favor.

Resolution 0495-22 2:30 - Motion by McCurn, seconded by Ellinger, to amend the zoning ordinance to include Craft Distilleries as a permitted use. This measure passed unanimously 13-0 with all members supporting the amendment.

Resolution 0424-22 3:00 - Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Plomin, regarding an amendment to the Supplemental Agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Town Branch Commons Project. This resolution passed 12-1, with Moloney casting the sole dissenting vote. The twelve members voting in favor were: Kloiber, Lamb, LeGris, McCurn, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, and Ellinger.

All votes were conducted as roll call votes with no abstentions recorded on any measure.

Budget and Financial Actions

The council approved several significant financial items totaling over $6.3 million in appropriations, grants, and contracts.

Property Acquisition and Parks Development • The council appropriated $1,160,500 for property acquisition by the Division of Parks and Recreation • A $700,000 contract (Resolution 0507-22) was approved with Brandstetter Carroll, Inc. for design services for a new community park at Cardinal Run Park North

Public Safety Infrastructure • The largest expenditure was a $4,242,845 contract (Resolution 0526-22) awarded to Rising Sun Developing, Inc. for construction of the new Police East Sector Roll Call facility

Youth Services Grant • The council accepted $200,000 in grant funds (Resolution 0465-22) from the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice to support Day Treatment Services within the Division of Youth Services

Community Events • A $2,500 Purchase of Service Agreement (Resolution 0496-22) was approved with the Lexington Pride Center for the annual LGBTQ Festival

These financial actions represent investments in public safety infrastructure, parks and recreation facilities, youth services, and community programming. The police facility construction represents the largest single expenditure, while the youth services grant provides external funding to support local programs without using city funds.

Public Comment

Five residents spoke during the public comment period, all addressing the Versailles Road Improvement Project.

Susan Spalding 4:00 spoke in support of the Versailles Road Improvement Project, emphasizing its importance as a gateway to Lexington and the need for upgrades to the corridor.

Wendy Keen 5:00 also supported the project, highlighting the need for a consistent and welcoming appearance for visitors entering Lexington. She emphasized how the improvements would benefit the city's first impression on newcomers and tourists.

Monte Knowland 6:00 emphasized the importance of the project for Lexington's curb appeal and urged the council to continue with the planned improvements. He stressed how the project would enhance the overall appearance of this key entrance to the city.

Jamie Moore 7:00 focused on safety concerns, discussing the need for improvements to support pedestrian and bicycle safety along Versailles Road. Moore highlighted how the current conditions pose challenges for non-vehicular traffic.

Susan James 8:00 concluded the public comment period by highlighting the specific dangers that cyclists and pedestrians currently face on Versailles Road. She urged the council to move forward with immediate improvements to address these safety concerns.

All five speakers expressed unanimous support for the Versailles Road Improvement Project, with comments focusing on two main themes: enhancing Lexington's appearance as a gateway corridor and addressing critical safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists. The speakers emphasized both the aesthetic and functional importance of upgrading this major thoroughfare.

Appointments

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

New Appointments: • Amy Stout was appointed to the Arboretum Advisory Board • Amanda Secen was appointed to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers

Reappointments: • Brian Wells was reappointed to the Airport Board • Harry Clarke was reappointed to the Board of Adjustment • James Dickinson was reappointed to the Board of Architectural Review

These appointments fill vacant positions and continue existing service on important city advisory bodies that provide oversight and guidance on matters ranging from airport operations to historic preservation and community safety initiatives.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that resulted in a split vote among council members.

Amendment to Supplemental Agreement for Town Branch Commons Project

The council considered an amendment to a supplemental agreement related to the Town Branch Commons Project. While the specific details of the disagreement were not captured in the available materials, the item generated enough controversy to result in a divided vote.

The resolution ultimately passed with a 12-1 vote, indicating broad support among council members despite the dissent. Council Member Moloney cast the sole opposing vote against the amendment.

The nature of Council Member Moloney's objections to the supplemental agreement amendment was not detailed in the extracted meeting data, nor were any specific concerns or alternative proposals discussed during the deliberation process.

Amending Budgets for ARPA Funds

1:00

The Council considered Ordinance 0468-22, which amends certain budgets for Council appropriations from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Recovery Funds. The ordinance addresses the allocation and budgeting of federal ARPA funds received by the municipality.

Key speakers during the discussion included Ellinger and Baxter, who presented details about the budget amendments and the specific uses of the ARPA funds. The ordinance outlines how the federal recovery funds will be incorporated into the city's budget structure and allocated for various municipal purposes.

The ARPA State and Local Recovery Funds represent federal assistance provided to state and local governments to help address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can be used for a variety of purposes including public health responses, economic recovery initiatives, and infrastructure improvements.

The ordinance was approved by the Council, allowing the amended budgets to take effect and enabling the proper allocation of the ARPA funds according to the established appropriations. This approval ensures that the federal recovery funds can be utilized for their intended purposes within the municipal budget framework.

The passage of Ordinance 0468-22 represents the Council's formal acceptance and budgeting of the ARPA funds, providing the administrative structure necessary to deploy these federal resources for community recovery and improvement projects.

Amending Budgets for Municipal Expenditures

1:00

The council considered Ordinance 0469-22, which proposed amendments to certain municipal budgets to reflect current expenditure requirements. The ordinance aimed to adjust budget allocations to better align with the city's operational needs.

Key speakers during the discussion included Ellinger and Baxter, who presented the rationale for the proposed budget amendments. The speakers outlined how the adjustments would ensure that municipal departments have adequate funding to meet their current operational requirements.

The ordinance was designed to modify existing budget line items to accommodate changes in municipal spending patterns and priorities that had emerged since the original budget adoption. The amendments were characterized as necessary adjustments to maintain effective city operations and services.

Following the presentation and discussion by the key speakers, the council proceeded to vote on the ordinance. The measure received approval from the council members, allowing the budget amendments to take effect.

The approval of Ordinance 0469-22 enables the city to implement the revised budget allocations and ensures that municipal departments can continue their operations with appropriate funding levels. The amendments represent the council's response to evolving municipal expenditure needs and demonstrate ongoing budget management practices.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Beauty Shops

2:00

The council considered Ordinance 0494-22, which would amend the city's zoning ordinance to remove existing limitations on beauty shops and barber shops operating in the Professional Office (P-1) zoning district.

Key speakers during the discussion included council members Baxter and Bledsoe, who addressed the proposed changes to the zoning regulations. The ordinance specifically targets restrictions that currently limit the operation of beauty shops and barber shops in P-1 zones, which are designated for professional office uses.

The amendment would expand the permitted uses in Professional Office zones to include beauty and barber services without the current regulatory constraints. This change would provide greater flexibility for business owners seeking to establish these types of personal service establishments in professional office districts.

The council ultimately approved Ordinance 0494-22, allowing the zoning amendment to move forward. The approval removes barriers that previously restricted beauty shops and barber shops from operating freely in P-1 zoned areas, potentially creating new opportunities for small business development in these districts.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Craft Distilleries

2:30

The council considered Ordinance 0495-22, which would amend the municipal zoning ordinance to allow craft distilleries as a principal permitted use in the Light Industrial (I-1) zoning district.

Key speakers during the discussion included McCurn and Ellinger, who presented the proposed amendment to the council. The ordinance specifically addresses the zoning classification for craft distillery operations, which would enable these businesses to operate by right in I-1 zones without requiring special use permits or variances.

The amendment represents an update to the existing zoning code to accommodate the growing craft distillery industry. By designating craft distilleries as a principal permitted use in Light Industrial zones, the ordinance would streamline the approval process for these businesses while ensuring they operate in appropriate industrial areas.

The council approved Ordinance 0495-22, allowing craft distilleries to establish operations in Light Industrial zones as a permitted use. This zoning change provides clarity for potential distillery operators and removes regulatory barriers that previously may have complicated the establishment of such businesses in the municipality.

Amendment to Supplemental Agreement for Town Branch Commons Project

3:00

The council considered Resolution 0424-22, which authorized an amendment to the Supplemental Agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Town Branch Commons Project.

The discussion was led by key speakers Ellinger and Plomin, who presented the details of the proposed amendment to the existing agreement with the state transportation department. The resolution sought to modify the terms of the supplemental agreement that governs the Town Branch Commons Project, though the specific nature of the amendments was not detailed in the available materials.

The Town Branch Commons Project represents a significant infrastructure initiative, and this amendment appears to be a necessary administrative step to adjust the working relationship between the city and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as the project moves forward.

The resolution was approved by the council, indicating consensus that the proposed amendments to the supplemental agreement were appropriate and necessary for the continued progress of the Town Branch Commons Project. The approval allows the city to proceed with the modified terms of cooperation with the state transportation agency.