Urban County Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on September 16, 2008, at 3:00 PM with Mayor Newberry presiding. The Council addressed eight agenda items during the session, covering a range of municipal business including zoning matters, budget amendments, and new legislative items.

The Council took action on 14 motions and votes throughout the meeting, approving several key items including requested rezonings and docket approval, budget amendments, and new business items. The meeting included both continuing business and presentations for informational purposes, along with the Mayor's report to update the Council on municipal affairs.

Public participation was facilitated through two comment periods, with one citizen providing input on agenda-related issues. The meeting followed the standard format with opportunities for public engagement on both agenda items and general municipal concerns not specifically listed on the day's agenda.

Attendance

The following Council members were present at the September 16, 2008 meeting:

Present: • Mayor Newberry • CM Ellinger • CM Gorton • CM Beard • CM Myers • CM DeCamp • CM Blevins • CM Blues • CM Stevens • CM Stinnett • CM Lane • CM Crosbie • CM James • CM Gray • CM Henson • CM Layton • CM Crosby

Absent: • Jay McChord

Late: • None

A total of 17 Council members were present for the meeting, with one member absent.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted 14 votes during the September 16, 2008 meeting, with most items passing by voice vote with minimal opposition.

Docket and Administrative Items The Council approved several items for placement on future dockets. DeCamp motioned to place item 15 on the September 18, 2008 docket without a public hearing, seconded by Stinnett, which passed by voice vote. Lane motioned to place a resolution authorizing a deed of easement on the September 18 docket, seconded by Myers, also passing by voice vote. Stinnett later motioned to place a matter regarding transferring land to Fayette County Public Schools on the September 18 docket, seconded by Gray, which passed.

Routine Business Several routine administrative matters passed unanimously by voice vote: - Gorton motioned to approve the September 9, 2008 work session summary, seconded by Myers - Blevins motioned to approve budget amendments, seconded by Stinnett - DeCamp motioned to approve new business items, seconded by Gorton - Gorton motioned to set a confirmation hearing for October 2, 2008 for Board of Adjustment appointees, seconded by Myers

Committee Referrals Two items were referred to committees: Blevins motioned to refer budget process improvements to the Budget & Finance Committee, seconded by Gorton. Blues motioned to refer the issue of offering 'Union Free' training courses by LFUCG to the Intergovernmental Committee, seconded by Gorton. Both passed by voice vote.

Items with Opposition Two motions faced dissenting votes. Stevens' motion to prepare a resolution asking the Mayor to notify NAH in support of conducting a seizure medication study passed with James voting against. Beard's motion to execute a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bluegrass Fraternal Order of Police passed despite opposition from Gorton and James.

The meeting concluded with Henson's motion to enter closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(b) and (g) to discuss an economic development matter involving real property, seconded by Stinnett, which passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved three financial items totaling $19,197 during the September 16, 2008 meeting.

Emergency Housing Services Contract The Council authorized an $8,000 agreement with Volunteers of America to provide financial support for emergency housing services (Resolution 498-08). This contract will help fund temporary housing assistance for residents in need.

Drug Trafficking Area Grant The Lexington Division of Police received approval to accept a $5,000 grant from the Financial Commission for Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program (Resolution 494-08). This federal funding will support local law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

Firewise Program Grant The Council approved acceptance of a $6,197 award from the Kentucky Division of Forestry for implementation of the Firewise Program (Resolution 497-08). This state grant will fund wildfire prevention and community education initiatives to help protect local neighborhoods from fire hazards.

All three financial actions represent external funding sources that will provide services to Lexington residents without requiring additional city tax revenue. The emergency housing contract addresses immediate social service needs, while the two grants support public safety initiatives in drug enforcement and fire prevention.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period.

Preston Penley spoke to urge the Council to vote against a resolution regarding a development plan for Phoenix Park and the old courthouse. Penley expressed concerns about the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) application and its connection to the CenterPoint development project. He specifically requested that the Council reject the resolution under consideration.

No transcript timestamps were available for the public comment portion of this meeting.

Contested Items

The September 16, 2008 Council meeting featured one contested item that drew community opposition during the public comment period.

TIF Application and CenterPoint Development

Preston Penley spoke during public comments to express opposition to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) application that was associated with the CenterPoint development project. Penley urged the council members to vote against the resolution, though the specific details of his concerns were not elaborated in the available meeting materials.

The TIF application represented a financing mechanism that would allow the city to use future property tax increases from the development area to fund current infrastructure improvements or other qualifying expenses related to the project. Community opposition to TIF applications often centers on concerns about public subsidies for private development, potential impacts on other city services, or questions about the necessity of the incentive.

The outcome of the council's vote on this TIF resolution was not specified in the available meeting documentation, though Penley's public opposition indicates there was at least some community resistance to the proposal at the time of the meeting.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

The Council opened the floor for public comments on issues listed on the meeting agenda for September 16, 2008. This agenda item provides an opportunity for community members to address the Council regarding any matters scheduled for discussion or action during the meeting.

No members of the public came forward to speak during this portion of the meeting. The Council proceeded to the next agenda item after confirming that no public comments would be made on agenda issues.

This agenda item serves as a standard procedural element in Council meetings, ensuring that residents have the opportunity to provide input on matters before the Council takes action or engages in formal discussion.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

During the September 16, 2008 Council meeting, several motions were made to place items on the docket for consideration at the upcoming council meeting. The discussion focused on procedural matters related to scheduling various resolutions and agreements for future review.

Council members DeCamp, Lane, and Stevens participated in the discussion regarding the docket approval process. The items proposed for inclusion on the docket included various resolutions concerning easements and agreements that required council consideration.

The council members worked through the administrative process of determining which items should be formally placed on the agenda for the next meeting. This procedural step ensures that all necessary resolutions and agreements receive proper review and consideration through the established council processes.

The motion to approve the requested items for placement on the docket was ultimately approved by the council. This approval allows the specified resolutions regarding easements and agreements to move forward in the council's review process and be formally considered at the next scheduled meeting.

The docket approval process represents a standard administrative function that enables the council to manage its agenda and ensure all necessary business items receive appropriate scheduling and review time.

Approval of Summary

The Council reviewed and approved the summary of their September 9, 2008 work session during this agenda item. Council members Gorton and Myers were the key speakers involved in the discussion of this procedural matter.

The item involved the formal approval of meeting minutes or summary documentation from the previous work session held one week prior. This represents standard municipal government practice where councils must officially approve records of their previous meetings before proceeding with new business.

The summary was approved by the Council without any recorded objections or extensive debate, indicating the documentation accurately reflected the proceedings of the September 9th work session. This approval allows the summary to become part of the official municipal record and ensures transparency in government proceedings for public access.

The successful approval of the work session summary demonstrates the Council's commitment to maintaining accurate records of their deliberations and decisions, which is essential for municipal accountability and public oversight of government activities.

Budget Amendments

The Council considered budget amendments during the September 16, 2008 meeting. Council member Blevins made a motion to approve the proposed budget amendments, which was supported by the Council.

The discussion involved Council members Blevins and Stinnett as key participants in the deliberations regarding the budget modifications.

Following the motion by Blevins, the Council voted to approve the budget amendments. The resolution passed, allowing the proposed changes to the municipal budget to take effect.

*Note: Specific details about the nature and amounts of the budget amendments were not available in the provided meeting materials.*

New Business

The Council addressed several new business items during the September 16, 2008 meeting. Council members DeCamp and Gorton were the primary speakers on these matters.

The new business segment included consideration of various authorizations and agreements that required Council approval. While the specific details of individual items were not detailed in the available materials, the session covered multiple resolutions and administrative matters.

Council members DeCamp and Gorton led the discussion on the new business items, presenting the various proposals and facilitating consideration of the matters before the Council.

All new business items presented during this portion of the meeting were ultimately approved by the Council, allowing the various authorizations and agreements to move forward.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps and detailed discussion points were not available in the source materials for this agenda item.*

Continuing Business/Presentations

The Council received updates from two standing committees and heard a presentation on waste reduction efforts during this portion of the meeting.

Committee Updates

The Services Committee provided an update on their recent activities and ongoing initiatives. Committee member Ellinger delivered the report, though specific details of the committee's work were not elaborated upon in the available materials.

The Storm Water Oversight Committee also presented their update to the Council. Gorton served as the spokesperson for this committee, reporting on their oversight activities related to the city's storm water management programs and compliance efforts.

Wastebuster Presentation

Penny McFadden delivered a presentation on Wastebuster, a program focused on waste reduction and environmental sustainability initiatives. McFadden outlined the program's objectives and current activities, though the specific details of the presentation content were not captured in the available documentation.

Outcome

All three presentations were informational in nature, with no formal action items or votes required from the Council. The updates served to keep Council members informed about ongoing committee work and community programs, maintaining transparency and communication between various city entities and the governing body.

The committee reports and presentation provided Council members with current information on services oversight, storm water management activities, and waste reduction efforts within the community. These regular updates help ensure Council members stay informed about various municipal programs and can make better-informed decisions on related matters that may come before them in future meetings.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Newberry presented updates on several city matters during the September 16, 2008 Council meeting. The report covered ongoing municipal initiatives and upcoming community events.

The Mayor provided information regarding a tract of land located on Leestown Road, though specific details about the property's status or proposed use were not elaborated upon in the available materials. Tim Bennett also participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Mayor Newberry announced the upcoming Neighborhood Summit, highlighting this community engagement initiative as part of the city's ongoing efforts to connect with residents and address local concerns.

The Mayor's Report served as an informational presentation to keep the Council and public informed about current city activities and developments. No formal action was required or taken on the items discussed during this portion of the meeting.

The report represents the Mayor's regular communication with the Council regarding administrative matters and community initiatives under consideration or development by the city.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

During the public comment period for issues not on the agenda, two citizens signed up to address the Council regarding matters related to Centre Point, the courthouse, and TIF (Tax Increment Financing) applications.

Preston Penley was identified as one of the key speakers who participated in this public comment session. The comments focused on three main topics:

• Centre Point - Citizens raised issues or concerns related to this development or area
• Courthouse - Discussion included matters pertaining to the courthouse facility
• TIF Application - Comments addressed Tax Increment Financing application processes or specific proposals

This agenda item served an informational purpose, providing community members with an opportunity to bring forward concerns and topics not otherwise scheduled for formal Council consideration during the meeting. The public comment period allows citizens to address the Council directly on matters of local interest or concern that may require future attention or action.

No formal action was taken by the Council during this public comment period, as is typical for this type of agenda item. The comments were received for the Council's information and potential future consideration.