Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on May 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting focused primarily on recognitions and ceremonial items, with two informational agenda items presented: a recognition of the Dunbar Swim and Dive team and a recognition of Dawn Duncan Walters. The council conducted two official votes during the session and heard from three members of the public during the public comment period. Overall, this was a lighter meeting agenda centered on community recognition rather than substantive policy matters.

Attendance

The following members were present at the May 11, 2023 meeting:

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

Absent: • Plomin

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

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted two roll call votes during the May 11, 2023 meeting, with both measures passing unanimously.

Ordinance 0472-23 2:00 Councilmember Ellinger motioned to approve Ordinance 0472-23, which amends budgets for municipal expenditures under FY 2023 Schedule No. 35. The motion was seconded by Elliott Baxter. The ordinance passed unanimously with 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting in favor: Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, and Elliott Baxter.

Ordinance 0525-23 3:00 Councilmember Fogle motioned to approve Ordinance 0525-23, the C.R.O.W.N. Act to prohibit discrimination based on natural hair texture and style. The motion was seconded by Gray. The ordinance passed unanimously with 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting in favor: Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, and Elliott Baxter.

Both ordinances received full council support with no opposition or abstentions recorded. All 14 council members present participated in both votes.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial contracts requiring council approval.

Storm Drainage Infrastructure The council considered Resolution 0422-23 authorizing a contract with Lagco, Inc. for the Joyland Area Storm Drainage Project in the amount of $1,289,489. This major infrastructure investment represents the largest financial commitment discussed during the meeting.

Police Facility Solar Installation Resolution 0419-23 proposed awarding a contract to Solar Energy Solutions, LLC for $80,443.24 to install a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at the Police West Training Center. This renewable energy project would provide sustainable power generation for the police training facility.

The two contracts combined represent approximately $1.37 million in municipal expenditures, with the storm drainage project accounting for the majority of the financial commitment. Both items required formal resolution approval to proceed with the contracted work.

Public Comment

Three residents addressed the council during the public comment period, focusing primarily on budget concerns and public safety issues.

Dottie Bean 1:00 spoke regarding the Mayor's Proposed Budget, expressing concerns about the allocation of funds. Bean emphasized that government should focus on its legal obligations, particularly public safety and infrastructure, rather than other expenditures.

Jess Bowman 1:10 addressed the FLOCK Camera Program, criticizing the proposed expansion of the surveillance system. Bowman raised concerns about over-policing in marginalized communities, suggesting the camera program could disproportionately impact certain populations.

Don Pratt 1:20 discussed both budget issues and traffic management concerns. Pratt criticized what he characterized as "feel-good projects" that fail to address core public safety issues, specifically mentioning drug and gun violence. He also called for better traffic management solutions in the community.

The public comments reflected broader themes around budget priorities, with speakers generally advocating for government focus on fundamental services like public safety and infrastructure while questioning spending on programs they viewed as less essential or potentially problematic.

Appointments

The meeting included two personnel appointments to advisory boards and community organizations.

Alarm Advisory Board • Michele Hill was reappointed to the Alarm Advisory Board

Bluegrass Crime Stoppers • Cathy Taylor was appointed to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers

These appointments represent the city's ongoing commitment to maintaining citizen involvement in municipal advisory roles and community safety initiatives. The Alarm Advisory Board provides oversight and guidance on alarm system regulations and policies, while Bluegrass Crime Stoppers works to encourage community participation in crime prevention and reporting.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one significant procedural dispute regarding the timing of public comments during the legislative process.

Public Comment Timing 0:30

A debate arose over whether to allow public comments before the second reading of ordinances, with specific focus on the C.R.O.W.N. Act. The disagreement centered on procedural questions about when members of the public should be permitted to address the governing body during the ordinance review process.

The nature of this dispute was procedural rather than substantive, focusing on meeting protocols and public participation procedures. The specific positions taken by individual members and the final resolution of this timing question were not detailed in the available materials.

This procedural dispute highlights ongoing questions about balancing efficient meeting management with opportunities for public input during the legislative process.

Recognition of Dunbar Swim and Dive

2:30

The council recognized the outstanding achievements of the Dunbar Swim and Dive team during agenda item 0489-23. Mayor Gorton presented the recognition, officially declaring May 11, 2023, as Dunbar Swim and Dive Day in honor of the team's accomplishments.

Coach Pleasants addressed the council during the presentation, speaking about the team's performance and dedication throughout the season. The recognition highlighted the swimmers' and divers' achievements in competition and their representation of the community.

This was an informational presentation with no debate or concerns raised by council members. The item served as a ceremonial recognition to celebrate the athletic achievements of local student-athletes and acknowledge their contributions to the community's reputation in competitive swimming and diving.

The proclamation of Dunbar Swim and Dive Day represents the council's commitment to recognizing excellence in youth athletics and supporting local teams that bring positive attention to the area through their competitive success.

Recognition of Dawn Duncan Walters

2:45

The council formally recognized Dawn Duncan Walters for her significant contributions to the community during agenda item 0490-23. Mayor Gorton presented the recognition, officially declaring May 11, 2023, as Dawn Duncan Walters Day.

The presentation highlighted Walters' community service and impact on local initiatives. Mayor Gorton spoke about her dedication and the positive influence she has had on various community programs and organizations.

Dawn Duncan Walters was present to receive the recognition and addressed the council during the presentation. The recognition served as an informational item, celebrating her civic contributions and community involvement.

This ceremonial recognition demonstrates the council's commitment to acknowledging residents who have made meaningful contributions to improving the community through their volunteer work and civic engagement.