Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on August 18, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting focused primarily on recognizing community contributions and public service, featuring two informational agenda items that honored local organizations and individuals. The council heard recognition of Kay Sargent and the Sister Cities Program, as well as honored the Division of Fire and Emergency Services for their response efforts in Eastern Kentucky. During the session, the council conducted 2 votes and received 3 public comments from community members.

Attendance

The following members were present at the August 18, 2022 meeting:

Present: • Mayor Gorton • Sheehan • Baxter • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Kay • Kloiber • Lamb • McCurn • Moloney • Plomin • Reynolds

Absent: • Bledsoe • LeGris • Worley

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 13 members were present and 3 members were absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on two items during the meeting, with both measures passing unanimously.

Ordinance 0730-22 2:21 Council member Ellinger motioned to approve an ordinance amending certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures, and appropriating and re-appropriating funds for FY 2023 Schedule No. 5. The motion was seconded by Kay. The measure passed by roll call vote with 12 ayes and 0 nays. All council members present voted in favor: Sheehan, Baxter, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, and Reynolds.

Resolution 0724-22 6:00 Kay motioned to approve a resolution authorizing the Department of Law, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky Utilities Company related to its tree cutting practices. Baxter seconded the motion. The resolution passed unanimously by roll call vote with 12 ayes and 0 nays. The same twelve council members who voted on the previous item all voted in favor: Sheehan, Baxter, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Plomin, and Reynolds.

Both votes demonstrated unanimous support from all council members present, with no abstentions recorded on either measure.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three significant financial items totaling over $19.4 million in expenditures and contracts.

Equipment Purchase • Resolution 0752-22 authorized the purchase of a portable trash pump for the Division of Facilities and Fleet Services from Amco Pump Manufacturing, Inc. for $42,865

Infrastructure Contracts • Resolution 0778-22 approved a $256,000 contract with Herrick Co., Inc. for the Hartland 2 Pump Station Replacement Project for the Division of Water Quality

• Resolution 0799-22 authorized the largest expenditure, a $19,155,655 contract with Tribute Contracting & Consultants LLC for the East Hickman Force Main project for the Division of Water Quality

The East Hickman Force Main contract represents the most substantial financial commitment, accounting for approximately 98% of the total approved spending. This major infrastructure project, combined with the Hartland 2 Pump Station replacement, demonstrates significant investment in water quality infrastructure improvements totaling over $19.4 million.

The equipment purchase for facilities and fleet services represents routine operational needs, while the two water quality projects indicate substantial capital improvements to municipal water infrastructure systems.

Public Comment

Three residents addressed the council during the public comment period, focusing on two main issues: the Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky Utilities and the police roll call center relocation.

John Halton 1:00 expressed concerns about the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky Utilities. Halton specifically raised issues regarding tree height restrictions and potential impacts on property values in affected areas.

Dottie Bean 1:30 questioned the council's decision to relocate the police roll call center. Bean raised concerns about how this relocation might impact low-income neighborhoods, though specific details about the nature of these concerns were not elaborated in the summary.

Matt Harrison 2:00 also spoke regarding the Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky Utilities, but took a different stance than the previous speaker. Harrison thanked both the council and Kentucky Utilities for their collaborative efforts in reaching what he characterized as a compromise on the MOU terms.

The public comments reflected mixed community sentiment on the Kentucky Utilities agreement, with one resident expressing concerns while another praised the negotiation process. The police roll call center relocation also drew attention from residents concerned about neighborhood impacts.

Appointments

The council took action on three appointments during the August 18, 2022 meeting.

New Appointments: • Clay Angelucci was appointed to the Airport Board

Reappointments: • Jeffrey Meade was reappointed to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers • Emily Elliott was reappointed to the Commission for People with Disabilities

These appointments represent the council's ongoing efforts to fill positions on various municipal boards and commissions that serve the community in advisory and oversight capacities.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one primary contested item that drew community opposition.

Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky Utilities

Community members raised significant concerns regarding the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Kentucky Utilities. The opposition centered on two main issues: tree cutting practices and potential impacts on property values.

Residents expressed objections to Kentucky Utilities' tree cutting practices, though the specific details of these practices were not elaborated in the available materials. Additionally, community members voiced concerns about how the utility company's operations under the proposed MOU could negatively affect local property values.

The nature of the disagreement involved community members speaking against the utility agreement during what appears to have been a public comment or discussion period. However, the available materials do not specify the exact number of speakers, the detailed arguments presented, or the final outcome of this contested item.

The community opposition suggests that residents felt the proposed agreement with Kentucky Utilities did not adequately address their concerns about environmental impacts from tree removal and the potential economic effects on their neighborhood property values.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps and detailed outcomes are not available in the provided materials for this contested item.*

Recognition of Kay Sargent and the Sister Cities Program

0:30

Mayor Gorton presented agenda item 0765-22, recognizing Kay Sargent and the Sister Cities Commission for their contributions to promoting cultural exchange and international partnerships for the city.

During this presentation, Mayor Gorton acknowledged the work of Kay Sargent and the broader Sister Cities Commission in fostering relationships with international partner cities. The Sister Cities Program facilitates cultural, educational, and economic exchanges that benefit the community through international cooperation and understanding.

Kay Sargent was specifically recognized for her role in advancing the program's mission and supporting the various initiatives that connect the city with its sister city partnerships around the world.

This was an informational presentation with no action required by the council. The recognition served to highlight the ongoing efforts of volunteers and commission members who work to strengthen international ties and promote cultural exchange opportunities for residents.

Honoring the Div. of Fire and Emergency Services' response to Eastern KY

1:45

Mayor Gorton presented agenda item 0772-22 to honor the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services for their response efforts during the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky. The presentation recognized the department's commitment to providing mutual aid during the natural disaster that impacted the region.

Chief Jason Wells was present to represent the Fire Department during the recognition. Mayor Gorton highlighted the department's efforts in deploying resources and personnel to assist communities affected by the flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

The agenda item served as an informational presentation to acknowledge the Fire Department's service beyond Lexington's city limits. The recognition emphasized the department's role in regional emergency response and their willingness to provide assistance to neighboring communities during times of crisis.

This was a ceremonial item with no action required from the council, serving to publicly recognize the Fire Department's dedication and service during the Eastern Kentucky flood response efforts.