Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on May 25, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting focused primarily on informational presentations and recognitions, with three agenda items addressing community awareness and appreciation initiatives. The council heard presentations recognizing Better Hearing & Speech Month, honoring author Silas House, and acknowledging National Emergency Services Week, all of which were informational in nature. During the session, the council conducted four votes on various matters, while no public comments were received from community members.

Attendance

The following members were present at the May 25, 2023 meeting:

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

Absent: • Plomin

Late: • None

A total of 14 members were present for the meeting, with one member absent. No members arrived late to the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted four votes during the May 25, 2023 meeting, all of which passed unanimously with all 14 members present voting in favor.

Minutes Approval 0:00 Ms. Fogle motioned to approve the minutes from multiple previous meetings, including the April 20, 2023, April 27, 2023, and May 11, 2023 Council Meetings, as well as the April 25, 2023 Zone Change Public Hearing. Vice Mayor Wu seconded the motion. The vote passed unanimously 14-0, with all council members voting in favor: LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, and Gray.

Docket Addition 0:00 Ms. Reynolds moved to add a presentation recognizing Emergency Medical Services Week to the meeting docket. Mr. Ellinger seconded the motion. The addition was approved unanimously 14-0, with the same 14 council members voting in favor.

Budget and Civil Service Ordinances 0:00 Mr. Ellinger motioned for approval of various ordinances related to budget amendments and civil service positions. Ms. Fogle seconded the motion. This item required a roll call vote, which passed 14-0 with all council members voting in favor: LeGris, Lynch, Monarrez, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, and Gray.

Zoning Ordinance Removal 0:00 Mr. Sevigny moved to remove an ordinance from the docket that would have changed zoning from Highway Service Business (B-3) to Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4). Vice Mayor Wu seconded the motion. The removal was approved unanimously 14-0, with all 14 council members voting in favor.

Budget and Financial Actions

The council approved several significant financial contracts and grant acceptances totaling over $2.2 million during the meeting.

Emergency Services Equipment Resolution 0370-23 authorized a contract with Excellance, Inc. for $984,328.62 to purchase three Emergency Care Units for the city's emergency services operations.

Audit and Financial Services Two contracts were approved with Strothman and Co. Resolution 0446-23 established a $175,000 contract for conducting the financial audit of all Lexington Fayette Urban County Government funds for Fiscal Year 2023. Additionally, Resolution 0447-23 approved a $9,000 contract with the same firm for preparation of the Sheriff's Settlement for the 2022 Property Tax Year.

Infrastructure Development Resolution 0483-23 approved a substantial $938,577 contract with Palmer Engineering, Inc. for design engineering services related to the Harrodsburg Road Share Use Trail Project, representing a significant investment in the city's recreational infrastructure.

Grant Acceptance The council accepted Resolution 0486-23, which authorizes receiving $116,620.70 in grant funding from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to support child care expenses in the Extended School Program, providing crucial support for working families in the community.

These financial actions demonstrate the city's commitment to emergency services, fiscal accountability, infrastructure improvements, and family support services across multiple departments and community needs.

Appointments

The council took action on multiple board and commission appointments during the May 25, 2023 meeting.

New Appointments: • John Dearborn was appointed to the Greenspace Trust • Kathryn Nash was appointed to the Greenspace Trust • Amanda Bryant was appointed to the Homeless Prevention and Intervention Board • Jennifer Bird-Pollan was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees • Molly Crain was appointed to the Tree Board • Jesse Hesley was appointed to the Tree Board • Jillian Riseman was appointed to the Tree Board • Greg Taulbee was appointed to the Tree Board

Reappointments: • Joan Whitman was reappointed to the Housing Authority Board • Ralph Coldiron was reappointed to the Library Board of Trustees • Hannah LeGris was reappointed to the Tree Board

Resignations: • Devon Peterson resigned from the Human Rights Commission

The Tree Board received the most attention with four new appointments and one reappointment, bringing significant new membership to the board. The Greenspace Trust added two new members, while the Library Board of Trustees saw one new appointment and one reappointment. Single appointments were made to the Homeless Prevention and Intervention Board and Housing Authority Board.

Better Hearing & Speech Month

0:00

Mayor Gorton presented Proclamation 0493-23, officially declaring May 2023 as Better Hearing and Speech Month in Lexington. The proclamation emphasized the critical importance of protecting hearing and speech health within the community.

During the presentation, Mayor Gorton was joined by Marcey Ansley, who participated in the recognition ceremony. The proclamation highlighted the significance of raising awareness about hearing and speech disorders, as well as the importance of early detection and treatment of these conditions.

The declaration serves to educate the public about the prevalence of communication disorders and encourages residents to take proactive steps in maintaining their hearing and speech health. Better Hearing and Speech Month is observed nationally each May to promote awareness of communication disorders and the professionals who provide treatment and support services.

This was an informational item with no formal action required by the council. The proclamation represents the city's commitment to supporting public health initiatives and recognizing the importance of accessible communication services for all residents.

Recognition of Silas House

0:00 Mayor Gorton presented a proclamation declaring May 25, 2023, as Silas House Day in Lexington through agenda item 0539-23. The recognition honored House's significant contributions to Kentucky's literary heritage and celebrated his recent appointment as the 2023-2024 Kentucky Poet Laureate.

During the presentation, Mayor Gorton highlighted House's impact on the state's cultural landscape through his literary works and advocacy for Kentucky's literary community. The proclamation acknowledged his role in promoting and preserving the rich storytelling traditions of the Commonwealth.

Silas House addressed the council and attendees, expressing gratitude for the recognition from his home city of Lexington. He spoke about his commitment to representing Kentucky's diverse voices and stories in his new role as Poet Laureate.

Vice Mayor Wu also participated in the recognition ceremony, emphasizing the importance of supporting local literary talent and the cultural significance of House's appointment to the prestigious state position.

The agenda item was informational in nature, serving as a formal acknowledgment of House's achievements and his new role representing Kentucky's literary community. No council action was required beyond the ceremonial presentation of the proclamation establishing the special day in his honor.

National Emergency Services Week

0:00

Mayor Gorton issued a proclamation declaring May 21-27, 2023, as National Emergency Services Week in Lexington. The proclamation recognized the dedication and hard work of the city's Emergency Medical Services staff.

Chief Jason Wells was present during the proclamation, representing the emergency services personnel being honored. The proclamation highlighted the critical role that emergency medical services play in protecting and serving the Lexington community.

This was an informational item with no action required from the council. The proclamation serves to formally acknowledge the contributions of emergency services personnel during the designated national recognition week.