Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on July 11, 2023, at 5:03 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Vice Mayor Wu presiding over the session. The council addressed three agenda items during the meeting, focusing primarily on short-term rental regulations and infrastructure improvements.

The council took three votes during the session, approving all items on the agenda. Two significant ordinances related to short-term rentals were passed: one amending the Zoning Ordinance for short-term rentals and another creating a short-term rental special fees license. Additionally, the council approved a resolution for Picadome Pump Station Upgrades, addressing municipal infrastructure needs.

The meeting included one public comment period, allowing community input on the matters before the council. All three agenda items received approval, demonstrating consensus among council members on the proposed measures for both regulatory framework updates and infrastructure investments.

Attendance

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

• Vice Mayor Wu
• Reynolds
• Sevigny
• Sheehan
• Worley
• F. Brown
• J. Brown
• Ellinger
• Elliott Baxter
• Gray
• LeGris
• Lynch
• Plomin

Absent: Monarrez

Late Arrival: Fogle (initially absent, arrived late during the meeting)

A total of 13 members were present for the meeting, with one member absent and one member arriving late.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted three roll call votes during the meeting, with all measures passing.

Ordinance 0623-23 - An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to define and regulate short term rentals was motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Gray 0:00. The measure passed with 13 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. Voting in favor were Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, and Plomin.

Ordinance 0699-23 - An ordinance amending Section 13-13(b) of the Code of Ordinances to create a short-term rental special fees license was also motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Gray 0:00. This measure received identical support, passing with 13 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. The same council members voted in favor: Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, and Plomin.

Wolf Run Trunk F Resolution - A resolution accepting the bid of Tribute Contracting & Consultants, LLC, for Wolf Run Trunk F was motioned by Sevigny and seconded by Sheehan 0:00. This measure passed unanimously with 14 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. All council members voted in favor: Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, Gray, LeGris, Lynch, and Plomin.

The two short-term rental ordinances received the same voting pattern with one abstention each, while the infrastructure contract resolution achieved full unanimous support from all 14 council members present.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed several significant financial matters totaling over $113 million in bonds and contracts.

Infrastructure Contract • The council approved Resolution 0686-23 authorizing a $339,000 contract with Herrick Co., Inc. for Picadome Pump Station Upgrades. This infrastructure improvement project will enhance the city's water management capabilities.

Bond Issuances • Resolution 0655-23 authorized the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023A in the amount of $38,500,000. These bonds will provide funding for various municipal capital projects and improvements.

• Resolution 0659-23 approved General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2023B totaling $75,000,000. These refunding bonds are designed to refinance existing debt obligations, potentially reducing interest costs and improving the city's debt service structure.

The combined bond authorizations of $113,500,000 represent a substantial financial commitment that will impact the city's long-term fiscal planning. The refunding bonds, in particular, suggest the city is taking advantage of favorable market conditions to restructure its existing debt portfolio.

All three financial actions required formal council approval through the resolution process, demonstrating the city's adherence to proper fiscal governance procedures for major expenditures and debt obligations.

Public Comment

0:00 One member of the public addressed the council during the public comment period.

Amy Clark spoke regarding short-term rentals, expressing concerns about their impact on housing availability and affordability in the community. Clark urged the council to reconsider or delay the ordinances currently under consideration related to short-term rentals, citing potential negative effects on the local housing market.

Appointments

The council took action on three appointments to the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors during the meeting.

Two current board members received reappointments: • Jessica Johnston was reappointed to the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors • Shelby Lee was reappointed to the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors

Additionally, one new appointment was made: • Renee Shaw was appointed to the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Lexington is an organization that provides trained volunteers to advocate for children in the court system who have experienced abuse or neglect. The Board of Directors provides governance and oversight for the organization's operations and programs.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that drew community opposition during the public comment period.

Short-term Rental Regulations

Community member Amy Clark spoke against proposed ordinances regulating short-term rentals in the area. Clark expressed concerns that the regulations would negatively impact housing availability and affordability for residents. Her opposition centered on the potential consequences these rental restrictions might have on the local housing market.

The nature of Clark's objections focused on the broader housing implications of limiting short-term rental operations, suggesting that such regulations could exacerbate existing housing challenges in the community. No specific details about the proposed ordinance provisions or the council's response to these concerns were provided in the available meeting materials.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the meeting documentation.

Ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance for short term rentals

0:00

The City Council considered Ordinance 0623-23, which amends various sections of the Zoning Ordinance to define and regulate short-term rentals across different zoning districts. The ordinance establishes a comprehensive framework for managing short-term rental properties within the city's jurisdiction.

Key speakers during the discussion included Council members Ellinger and Gray, who addressed the proposed amendments and their implications for the community. The ordinance introduces specific definitions for short-term rental operations and establishes regulatory parameters for their operation in various zoning classifications.

The amendments modify multiple sections of the existing Zoning Ordinance to accommodate the growing short-term rental market while ensuring appropriate oversight and community standards. The changes address zoning compliance requirements and establish operational guidelines for property owners seeking to operate short-term rental businesses.

The Council ultimately approved Ordinance 0623-23, implementing the new short-term rental regulations into the city's zoning framework. This approval provides the legal foundation for regulating short-term rental activities and ensures they operate within established zoning parameters throughout the city.

The ordinance represents the city's effort to balance the economic opportunities presented by short-term rentals with the need to maintain neighborhood character and address potential community concerns related to these types of accommodations.

Ordinance creating short-term rental special fees license

0:00

The council considered Ordinance 0699-23, which establishes a special fees license system for short-term rental properties. The ordinance creates new regulatory framework requiring short-term rental operators to obtain licensing and sets specific criteria for both application approval and potential license revocation.

Key speakers during the discussion included council members Ellinger and Gray, who addressed various aspects of the proposed licensing requirements. The ordinance outlines the application process for short-term rental operators and establishes standards that must be met to maintain licensing status.

The special fees license system is designed to provide oversight of short-term rental operations while generating revenue through licensing fees. The ordinance includes provisions for license revocation in cases where operators fail to meet established criteria or violate regulations.

The council ultimately approved Ordinance 0699-23, implementing the new short-term rental licensing requirements. This approval establishes the regulatory framework that short-term rental operators must follow, including obtaining the required special fees license before operating within the jurisdiction.

The ordinance represents the council's effort to balance allowing short-term rental operations while ensuring appropriate oversight and regulation of these businesses. The licensing system will provide a mechanism for tracking short-term rental properties and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Resolution for Picadome Pump Station Upgrades

0:00

The council considered Resolution 0686-23 regarding upgrades to the Picadome Pump Station. The resolution proposed accepting a bid from Herrick Co., Inc. for the necessary improvements to this municipal infrastructure.

Elliott Baxter and Lynch served as the key speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The resolution focused on authorizing the acceptance of Herrick Co., Inc.'s bid proposal for the pump station upgrade project.

The Picadome Pump Station upgrades represent an important infrastructure investment for the municipality. Pump stations are critical components of water and wastewater systems, requiring periodic upgrades to maintain operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

The council ultimately approved Resolution 0686-23, formally accepting Herrick Co., Inc. as the contractor for the Picadome Pump Station upgrades. This approval allows the project to move forward with the selected contractor.

The resolution's passage demonstrates the council's commitment to maintaining and improving essential municipal infrastructure. The upgrades to the Picadome Pump Station will help ensure continued reliable service for the community's water or wastewater management needs.