Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a Council Work Session on January 24, 2023, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The meeting focused on three informational presentations covering key municipal services and programs affecting the community. The Council heard presentations on Urban Services Corrections, the Parking Authority, and the Housing Stabilization Program, all of which were informational in nature rather than requiring formal action.

During the session, the Council conducted 10 motions and votes on various matters while receiving input from 14 public comments from community members. The three main agenda items provided updates and information to Council members on important city operations and initiatives, allowing for discussion and questions without requiring immediate legislative action.

Attendance

The following members were present at the January 24, 2023 meeting:

Present: • Wu • J. Brown • Ellinger • Fogle • Lynch • LeGris • Sheehan • Gray • Worley • F. Brown • Baxter • Sevigny • Reynolds • Plomin

Absent: • Monarrez

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 14 members were in attendance, with one member absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted ten voice votes during the January 24, 2023 meeting, with all motions passing unanimously 0:00.

Docket and Procedural Items: • Motion by Plomin, seconded by Baxter, to approve the January 17, 2023 council meeting docket - Passed • Motion by Reynolds, seconded by Ellinger, to remove ordinance #4 and refer it to the General Government & Planning Committee - Passed • Motion by Fogle, seconded by Worley, to place ordinance #1 on the docket without a public hearing - Passed

Meeting Records: • Motion by Sheehan, seconded by Plomin, to approve the December 6, 2022 work session summary - Passed

Financial Matters: • Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Reynolds, to approve budget amendments - Passed • Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Gray, to approve neighborhood development funds - Passed

Administrative Items: • Motion by LeGris, seconded by Plomin, to approve new business - Passed • Motion by Gray, seconded by Baxter, to approve the Mayor's Report - Passed • Motion by Sevigny, seconded by Wu, to approve the Mayor's Report - Price Contract Bid Recommendations - Passed

Adjournment: • Motion by Plomin, seconded by Ellinger, to adjourn the meeting - Passed

All votes were conducted by voice vote with no recorded opposition, abstentions, or individual vote tallies. The council demonstrated unanimous agreement across all agenda items, including both routine procedural matters and substantive policy decisions involving budget amendments and neighborhood development funding.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed multiple financial authorizations totaling over $569,000 in expenditures and grant acceptances.

Major Purchases and Contracts: • L0042-23: Authorization to establish Mavron, Inc. as sole source provider for three prisoner transport van inserts at $117,390.60 • L0049-23: Authorization to establish The Henry P. Thompson Company as sole source provider for three CL520 Boerger Rotary Lobe Replacement Pumps at $46,243.14 • L0046-23: Authorization for remittance to LexArts for cost-reimbursement of commissioned art panel installation at $21,460 • L0064-23: Authorization to execute Professional Services Agreement with Element Design for Oliver Lewis Way Bus Shelter design services at $32,600

Grant Acceptances: • L0062-23: Authorization to accept $106,597.90 award from Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Division of Emergency Management for FY 2023 Emergency Management Assistance Project • L0065-23: Authorization to accept $120,000 in federal funds from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Virginia/Red Mile/Forbes Trail Connectivity Safety Study

Contract Amendments: • L0063-23: Authorization to execute amendment with New Vista of the Bluegrass for $124,830 • L0066-23: Authorization to execute amendment with Stonewall Terrace, LLC under HOME Investment Partnerships Program with no budgetary impact

Other Actions: • L0043-23: Authorization to donate three chainsaws and a walk-behind concrete saw to Letcher County Road Department with no budgetary impact • L0044-23: Authorization to amend Article XLIII of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinance for the Commission for People with Disabilities

The financial actions encompassed public safety equipment, infrastructure improvements, emergency management funding, and community partnerships across multiple departments and agencies.

Public Comment

The public comment period featured 14 speakers, with the majority addressing concerns about recent parking policy changes downtown 0:00.

Urban Services Sarah opened the session by expressing concerns about the opt-out option for garbage pickup taxes on certain streets, arguing the policy was unfair to affected residents.

Parking Policy Changes Thirteen speakers voiced opposition to new downtown parking policies, citing various impacts on businesses, workers, and residents:

• Business Impact: Sarah Brown described how new parking hours and rates negatively affected her business and raised safety concerns. Debbie Long criticized the policies for frustrating patrons and hurting downtown businesses. Gregg shared concerns about impacts on his business and downtown's overall image.

• Worker and Resident Concerns: Josh England discussed how parking changes affected downtown workers and urged the council to consider transit alternatives. Trish shared personal experiences of having to move her car multiple times due to parking policies, affecting her work productivity.

• Financial Burden: Catherine Perkins opposed the changes, stating they discourage downtown visits and affect those on fixed incomes. Lisa Cox criticized increased parking rates and hours while expressing safety concerns about parking garages.

• Community Access: Tanya expressed concerns about the impact on her ability to enjoy downtown with her children. Carol Jordan discussed how the changes affected Carnegie Center programs and participants.

• Policy Process: Brittney Miller presented a petition against the parking changes, highlighting concerns about lack of transparency and insufficient public input in the decision-making process.

• Alternative Perspectives: Jim Holes expressed understanding of the need for rate increases but urged consideration of alternatives to evening and Saturday extensions. Richard and We'd Today Michael opposed additional parking fees, citing negative impacts on visitors and arguing that paid parking puts downtown businesses at a disadvantage compared to other areas.

The overwhelming theme was opposition to the parking policy changes, with speakers citing economic, accessibility, and procedural concerns.

Contested Items

The primary contested item during the January 24, 2023 meeting centered on proposed parking changes that drew significant community opposition.

Parking Changes

The meeting featured substantial community pushback against new parking rates and hours under consideration. Multiple community members voiced their opposition during the public comment period, raising concerns about the potential negative impacts on local businesses and public safety.

The opposition focused on two main areas of concern:

• Economic Impact: Community members argued that the proposed parking rate increases and extended enforcement hours would harm local businesses by deterring customers and making it more expensive for people to visit commercial areas.

• Safety Concerns: Residents expressed worries about safety implications related to the parking changes, though the specific nature of these safety concerns was not detailed in the available materials.

The community opposition appeared to be widespread, with "numerous community members" participating in the discussion according to the meeting records. The sustained nature of the opposition suggests this was a significant issue for local residents and business owners.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting materials, leaving unclear whether the parking changes were approved, modified, or tabled for further consideration. The level of community engagement on this issue indicates it likely required additional discussion or review by the governing body.

This parking controversy represented the main source of disagreement during the meeting, highlighting the tension between municipal revenue needs or traffic management goals and community concerns about economic and safety impacts.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available in the provided materials for this contested item.*

Urban Services Corrections Public Hearing

0:00

The meeting included a public hearing to gather comments on proposed changes to urban services corrections, specifically addressing street lights and garbage pickup services.

Sarah served as a key speaker during this agenda item, though the specific details of her presentation or comments were not provided in the available materials.

The public hearing was designed to allow community input on modifications to urban services corrections that would affect two primary areas:

• Street lighting services and maintenance
• Garbage collection and pickup schedules

This was an informational hearing, meaning no formal action or voting took place during this portion of the meeting. The purpose was to provide a forum for public comment and feedback on the proposed urban services corrections before any potential implementation.

The hearing format allowed residents and stakeholders to voice concerns, ask questions, or provide input regarding how the proposed changes to street lights and garbage pickup might impact their neighborhoods or daily routines.

No specific concerns, objections, or support statements were detailed in the available meeting materials. The outcome was informational, indicating this was part of the public input process required before making final decisions on urban services modifications.

Parking Authority Presentation

Gary Means delivered a presentation on the Lexington Parking Authority during the January 24, 2023 meeting 0:00. The presentation covered the organization's historical background, current operational challenges, and strategic plans for future development.

Means provided an overview of the Parking Authority's evolution and its role in managing the city's parking infrastructure. The presentation addressed the current challenges facing the organization in meeting parking demands and maintaining existing facilities.

The discussion included the Authority's future planning initiatives and potential strategies for addressing ongoing parking needs in Lexington. Means outlined various approaches being considered to improve parking services and infrastructure management.

This was an informational presentation with no formal action required from the meeting participants. The presentation served to update attendees on the Parking Authority's status and provide insight into the organization's operational priorities and future direction.

Housing Stabilization Program Presentation

0:00 Jonathan Wright presented an update on the Housing Stabilization Program during the January 24, 2023 meeting. Wright discussed the current status of the program and outlined future plans for its implementation and expansion.

The presentation served as an informational briefing for meeting attendees, providing insights into how the Housing Stabilization Program is currently operating and what developments are anticipated moving forward. Wright's presentation covered both the present state of program activities and strategic planning for upcoming initiatives.

This agenda item was structured as a presentation format, allowing Wright to deliver comprehensive information about the program without requiring immediate action or decision-making from the meeting participants. The informational nature of the presentation suggests it was intended to keep stakeholders informed about program progress and upcoming changes or enhancements to housing stabilization efforts.

The discussion provided attendees with an opportunity to understand the program's current performance and future trajectory, though specific details about program metrics, budget allocations, or implementation timelines were not captured in the available meeting documentation.