Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on March 23, 2023, at 6:02 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The meeting addressed two primary agenda items, including an informational presentation about the KAWC Science Fair and consideration of matters related to the Opioid Abatement Commission, which received approval from the council. During the course of the meeting, council members conducted two formal votes and heard one public comment from a community member. The session covered both informational and actionable items, with the council successfully completing its business on the Opioid Abatement Commission matter while receiving updates on local educational initiatives through the science fair presentation.

Attendance

The following members were present at the March 23, 2023 meeting:

• Worley
• Wu
• F. Brown
• J. Brown
• Ellinger
• Elliott Baxter
• Gray
• Plomin
• Reynolds
• Sevigny
• Sheehan

Absent: • Fogle • LeGris • Lynch • Monarrez

No members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted two roll call votes during the March 23, 2023 meeting.

Ordinance 0217-23 2:00 Councilmember Ellinger motioned to approve An Ordinance enacting Article LI of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances to create the Opioid Abatement Commission, with a second by Councilmember Plomin. The ordinance passed unanimously with 11 ayes and 0 nays. All council members voted in favor: • Worley • Wu • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Elliott Baxter • Gray • Plomin • Reynolds • Sevigny • Sheehan

Ordinance 0318-23 3:00 Councilmember Ellinger motioned to approve An Ordinance amending Article 8-2(d) of the Zoning Ordinance to add athletic fields with lighting and loud speakers in the Agricultural Buffer (A-B) zone as a conditional use, with a second by Councilmember Elliott Baxter. The ordinance passed with 10 ayes and 1 nay.

Council members voting in favor were: • Worley • Wu • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Elliott Baxter • Gray • Reynolds • Sevigny • Sheehan

Councilmember Plomin cast the sole dissenting vote against the zoning amendment.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two grant awards totaling $365,814 for stormwater quality improvement projects in Fayette County.

Grant Awards:

• Resolution 0168-23: The council approved a Class B (Education) Incentive Grant of $6,000 to the Fayette County Public Schools Education Foundation Corporation for a Stormwater Quality Project. This educational grant will support stormwater management initiatives within the school district.

• Resolution 0169-23: The council approved a Class B (Infrastructure) Incentive Grant of $359,814 to First United Methodist Church of Lexington, Ky., Inc., for Stormwater Quality Projects. This infrastructure-focused grant represents the larger portion of the funding and will support substantial stormwater management improvements at the church property.

Both grants fall under the county's incentive grant program, which appears to categorize funding into different classes based on the nature of the project. The Education class grant supports educational institutions and programs, while the Infrastructure class grant addresses physical improvements to stormwater systems. These awards demonstrate the county's commitment to improving water quality management through partnerships with local educational and religious organizations.

The combined $365,814 in grant funding reflects a significant investment in environmental infrastructure and education, with the majority of funds directed toward physical infrastructure improvements while maintaining support for educational initiatives related to stormwater management.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one community member addressed the council regarding affordable housing matters.

Dottie Bean spoke in support of Ordinance 20 on affordable housing 7:00. Bean expressed approval that the Salvation Army and Farmers Market are returning $6 million to the city. She emphasized the ongoing need for affordable housing in the community and voiced her support for the ordinance under consideration.

The public comment period focused exclusively on housing policy, with no other speakers participating in this portion of the meeting.

Appointments

The meeting addressed several appointments to municipal boards and advisory bodies.

Board of Health Reappointments

Two members were reappointed to continue their service on the Board of Health:

• Gregory Hood was reappointed to the Board of Health
• Rodney Jackson was reappointed to the Board of Health

Emergency Medical Advisory Board Appointment

Kenneth Howell was appointed to serve on the Emergency Medical Advisory Board.

These appointments ensure continued representation and expertise on important health-related municipal boards that oversee public health initiatives and emergency medical services in the community.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that generated opposition among board members.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Athletic Fields

The primary point of contention involved a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would allow athletic fields equipped with lighting and loud speakers to be constructed in the Agricultural Buffer zone. The amendment faced resistance from at least one board member, resulting in a split vote rather than unanimous approval.

The ordinance ultimately passed with a 10-1 vote, demonstrating that while the majority of the board supported the zoning change, there was notable opposition to the proposal. The dissenting vote suggests concerns about the appropriateness of placing illuminated athletic facilities with sound systems in areas designated as Agricultural Buffer zones.

The specific nature of the opposition and the identity of the dissenting board member were not detailed in the available materials. However, the split vote indicates that questions were raised about the compatibility of athletic facilities with lighting and sound equipment in agricultural buffer areas, which are typically intended to provide transition zones between different land uses.

Despite the opposition, the strong majority vote of 10-1 allowed the zoning amendment to move forward, permitting the development of athletic fields with associated lighting and speaker systems in the Agricultural Buffer zone.

KAWC Science Fair

0:30

Mayor Gorton presented agenda item 0251-23, welcoming the winners of the 38th Kentucky American Water Science Fair. The presentation served as a recognition ceremony for student participants who achieved success in the annual science competition.

The Mayor acknowledged students from various schools who participated in the science fair, though specific school names and individual student winners were not detailed in the available meeting materials. This annual event represents a partnership between Kentucky American Water Company and local educational institutions to promote science education and student achievement in the community.

The agenda item was informational in nature, with Mayor Gorton serving as the primary speaker for this recognition segment. The presentation focused on celebrating student accomplishments and highlighting the ongoing commitment to supporting science education initiatives in the area.

No debate or discussion was recorded for this item, as it functioned as a ceremonial recognition rather than a matter requiring council deliberation or action. The outcome was purely informational, serving to publicly acknowledge the students' achievements and the continued partnership with Kentucky American Water Company in promoting educational excellence.