Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on June 23, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting addressed two primary agenda items: an informational presentation on Dementia Friendly Lexington and consideration of the Downtown Lexington Management District FY23 Budget, which was approved by the council. During the session, council members conducted five votes on various matters and heard one public comment from a community member. The meeting successfully concluded with the approval of the downtown management district's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, while also providing council members and the public with important information about dementia-friendly community initiatives.

Attendance

The following members were present at the June 23, 2022 meeting:

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

Absent: • McCurn • Bledsoe

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 13 members were present and 2 members were absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on five items during the meeting, with all measures passing.

Resolution 0590-22 6:15 - Ms. Plomin motioned to ratify and approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget of the Downtown Lexington Management District, seconded by Ms. Sheehan. The resolution passed unanimously on a roll call vote with 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting in favor were Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Baxter, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, and LeGris.

Ordinance 0607-22 6:20 - Mr. Ellinger moved to amend budgets for funds in the amount of $2,500 for the Division of Family Services from Neighborhood Development Funds, with Vice Mayor Kay providing the second. The ordinance passed on a roll call vote with 11 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions. Those voting in favor were Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Worley, Baxter, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, and Lamb.

Budget Amendment Ordinances 6:25 - Mr. Ellinger motioned for ordinances amending budgets for various divisions, seconded by Vice Mayor Kay. The measures passed unanimously on a roll call vote with all 13 members voting in favor: Moloney, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Worley, Baxter, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, and LeGris.

Ordinance 0627-22 6:30 - Mr. J. Brown moved to repeal Article XVII of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances to abolish the Urban County Arts Review Board, with Ms. Reynolds seconding. The ordinance passed unanimously with all 13 members voting in favor.

Ordinance 0623-22 6:35 - Ms. Lamb motioned to amend the compensation system salary schedules, seconded by Vice Mayor Kay. The ordinance passed unanimously with all 13 council members voting in favor.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three significant financial items totaling $1.431 million in contracts and grant funding.

Resolution 0499-22 authorized a $181,000 Purchase of Service Agreement with the Hope Center, Inc., for the Detention Center Recovery Program. This contract will provide recovery services within the county's detention facility.

Resolution 0516-22 approved a $600,000 Engineering Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., for the Sanitary Sewer Capacity Assurance Program. This represents the largest financial commitment of the meeting and will support engineering analysis and planning for the county's sewer infrastructure capacity.

Resolution 0532-22 accepted a $650,000 grant from the Lexington Fayette County Health Department for the Home Network Project. This grant funding will support health-related programming and services in the community.

The three resolutions collectively represent significant investments in public safety rehabilitation services, infrastructure planning, and public health initiatives. The grant funding from the health department provides external resources to supplement county programs, while the two contracted services address critical needs in corrections and utilities infrastructure.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one community member addressed the board regarding police operations in the city.

Dotty Bean spoke about concerns regarding the Police Roll Call Center Relocation 2:45. Bean expressed opposition to relocating a police roll call center from what she described as a "fragile neighborhood." She emphasized the importance of maintaining police presence in the area, arguing that such presence is crucial for neighborhood stability. Bean's comments focused on the potential negative impacts that removing police operations could have on community safety and security in vulnerable areas of the city.

The public comment period provided community members an opportunity to voice their perspectives on local policing decisions and their potential effects on neighborhood dynamics.

Appointments

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

Library Board of Trustees • Linda Bebrowsky was reappointed to the Library Board of Trustees • Cassandra Hockenberry was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees

Police Disciplinary Review Board • Darlene Barber was appointed to the Police Disciplinary Review Board • Allison Connelly was appointed to the Police Disciplinary Review Board • James Sichko was appointed to the Police Disciplinary Review Board

Senior Services Commission • Hazel Teichen was reappointed to the Senior Services Commission

The appointments represent a mix of new members and continuing service, with three new appointments to the Police Disciplinary Review Board and reappointments for existing members of the Library Board of Trustees and Senior Services Commission.

Dementia Friendly Lexington

6:10

The Town Council recognized Virginia Bell for her significant contributions to the Dementia Friendly Lexington initiative during agenda item 0229-22. Mayor Gorton presented Bell with special recognition in honor of both her advocacy work and her upcoming 100th birthday milestone.

As part of the recognition, Mayor Gorton read a proclamation officially declaring June 30, 2022, as Dementia Friendly Day in Lexington. This proclamation acknowledges the importance of creating a community that is supportive and inclusive of individuals living with dementia and their families.

Virginia Bell's work with Dementia Friendly Lexington has focused on raising awareness about dementia and promoting understanding within the community. The initiative aims to make Lexington a more welcoming and accessible place for people affected by dementia through education, support, and community engagement.

The presentation was informational in nature, serving primarily as a ceremonial recognition of Bell's service to the community. Both Mayor Gorton and Virginia Bell participated as key speakers during this agenda item.

This recognition highlights the Town Council's support for initiatives that promote inclusivity and support for vulnerable community members, particularly those affected by dementia and related conditions.

Downtown Lexington Management District FY23 Budget

6:15

The council held a public hearing for agenda item 0609-22 regarding the Downtown Lexington Management District's fiscal year 2023 budget. Mayor Gorton presided over the hearing, which was opened to receive public input on the proposed budget.

No members of the public came forward to provide comments or testimony during the hearing. The lack of public participation indicated no immediate concerns or objections from community members regarding the management district's budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

Following the conclusion of the public comment period, the council proceeded to approve the Downtown Lexington Management District FY23 budget. The approval allows the management district to move forward with its planned operations and initiatives for fiscal year 2023.

The Downtown Lexington Management District serves as a special assessment district that provides enhanced services and improvements to the downtown area. The annual budget approval process includes this required public hearing component to ensure transparency and provide opportunity for public input on how assessment funds will be utilized.