Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on February 15, 2024, at 6:00 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 KY American Water Science Fair and consideration of budget amendments for fiscal year 2024. Council members took two formal votes during the proceedings, with the budget amendment receiving approval. The meeting also included two public comment periods, allowing community members to address the council on matters of local concern.

Attendance

The following members were present at the February 15, 2024 meeting:

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

All 16 members were in attendance with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on two items during the February 15, 2024 meeting, both passing with strong support.

Ordinance 0120-24 1:00 Vice Mayor Wu motioned to approve an ordinance creating Section 2-31.2 to prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of lawful source of income or payment, with Ms. Gray providing the second. The measure passed on a roll call vote of 13-2-0.

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

Voting against were: F. Brown and Ellinger.

Resolution 0097-24 2:00 Mr. Ellinger motioned to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement with the University of Kentucky Research Foundation for evaluation services for Community Paramedicine Overdose Outreach Lexington, seconded by Ms. Gray. The resolution passed on a roll call vote of 14-0-1.

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

One member abstained from voting, though the specific council member who abstained was not identified in the voting record.

Both items received broad council support, with the housing discrimination ordinance facing minimal opposition and the university research agreement receiving nearly unanimous approval.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial contracts totaling over $1.1 million in municipal expenditures.

Major Infrastructure Contract The council considered Resolution 0175-24, authorizing a contract with Swift Roofing of E-Town Inc. for $1,139,640 to replace roofs at the Government Center Annex and Police Headquarters. This substantial infrastructure investment represents the largest financial item discussed during the meeting.

Community Center Improvement Project Resolution 0113-24 addressed a $20,000 contract with Johnson Early Architects for the Black and Williams Community Center Gymnasium Building Improvements Project. This architectural services contract appears to be for planning and design work related to enhancing the community center's gymnasium facilities.

The two resolutions combined represent $1,159,640 in municipal spending, with the majority allocated to critical roof replacement work for government buildings and a smaller portion dedicated to community facility improvements.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the council during the public comment period on February 15, 2024.

Monte Price Jr. spoke about public transportation needs in Lexington 3:00. Price expressed concerns about the inadequate public transportation options available to citizens and senior citizens in the community. He specifically highlighted ongoing issues with safety and reliability of the current transportation system, emphasizing the need for improvements to better serve residents who depend on public transit.

Kareem Hassan addressed the council regarding the conflict in Gaza 4:00. Hassan criticized the council for not taking a position on the ongoing conflict and urged them to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire. He emphasized the humanitarian crisis occurring in Gaza and called on local officials to take a public stance on the international situation.

The public comment period covered both local infrastructure concerns and international policy issues, reflecting the diverse range of topics that community members bring before the council.

Appointments

The meeting included two appointments to local boards and commissions.

Board Appointments Made:

• Trina Brown was appointed to the Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board

• Ronald Tritschler was appointed to the Downtown Lexington Management District Board

Both appointments were approved during the meeting proceedings. The Black & Williams Neighborhood Community Center Board oversees operations and programming for the community center facility. The Downtown Lexington Management District Board manages downtown development and revitalization initiatives.

No additional details were provided regarding the terms of service or specific qualifications of the appointees during this portion of the meeting.

Contested Items

The primary contested item during the February 15, 2024 meeting centered on calls for the council to take action regarding the conflict in Gaza.

Ceasefire in Gaza Resolution

Multiple community members spoke during public comment urging the council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The speakers expressed frustration with what they characterized as the council's inaction on the ongoing conflict and pressed for the city to take a formal stance.

The nature of the disagreement involved community opposition to the council's current position of not addressing the Gaza conflict through municipal resolutions. Speakers criticized the council for remaining silent on what they viewed as an urgent humanitarian crisis requiring local government response.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting data, though the community pressure suggests this issue may continue to be raised in future meetings as residents seek official council action on international affairs.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available in the provided meeting data.*

KY American Water Science Fair

0:30

The council recognized the winners of the 39th Kentucky American Water Science Fair during agenda item 0053-24. Mayor Gorton presented this informational item acknowledging student achievements from various local schools.

The presentation served to honor students who participated in and won awards at this annual science competition. The Kentucky American Water Science Fair represents a long-standing educational partnership, as evidenced by this being the 39th year of the event.

While the extracted data indicates that students from multiple schools were recognized for their achievements, specific details about the winning projects, participating schools, or individual student names were not captured in the available information. The item was presented as a ceremonial recognition of academic excellence in science education within the community.

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no debate or council action required. The recognition reflects the city's ongoing support for educational initiatives and student achievement in STEM fields.

Amending Budgets for FY 2024 Schedule No. 35

1:30

The council considered Ordinance 0137-24, which amends certain municipal budgets for Fiscal Year 2024 Schedule No. 35. The ordinance addresses current municipal expenditure requirements through the appropriation and re-appropriation of funds.

Vice Mayor Wu and Ms. Gray served as the key speakers during the discussion of this budget amendment ordinance. The measure reflects adjustments needed to align budgeted amounts with actual municipal spending needs that have emerged during the current fiscal year.

The ordinance was approved by the council, allowing the municipality to proceed with the necessary budget modifications to ensure proper funding allocation for ongoing municipal operations and services.