Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on June 25, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The council addressed seven agenda items during the session, covering a range of municipal business including zoning matters, budget amendments, mayoral appointments, and ongoing city initiatives.

The council took four formal votes during the meeting, approving requested rezonings and docket items, budget amendments, new business items, and mayoral appointments. Four members of the public provided comments on agenda-related issues during the designated public comment period. The meeting also included informational presentations and discussions on continuing business matters, though specific details of these presentations were not captured in the available data.

All voted items on the agenda were approved by the council, indicating broad consensus on the matters brought forward. The session covered both routine administrative business, such as summary approvals and budget amendments, as well as substantive policy matters including zoning decisions that affect community development and land use planning.

Attendance

The meeting was attended by 15 council members, with one absence recorded.

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

Absent: • F. Brown

No members were recorded as arriving late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included four unanimous votes on various agenda items 0:00.

Approval of June 18, 2024 Work Session Summary Gray motioned to approve the June 18, 2024 Work Session Summary, with Reynolds providing the second. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of New Business Sheehan made a motion to approve New Business items, seconded by Plomin. The motion carried unanimously.

Amendment to Section 16-203 of the Code of Ordinances Sheehan motioned to approve an amendment to section 16-203 of the Code of Ordinances, with Plomin seconding the motion. The amendment passed with unanimous approval.

Proposed Amendments to Chapter 17B of the Code of Ordinances The final vote involved proposed amendments to Chapter 17B of the Code of Ordinances. Sheehan made the motion, Wu provided the second, and the amendments were approved unanimously.

All four votes resulted in unanimous passage, indicating full council support for each item. The specific vote counts and individual member positions were not recorded in the available data, as these appear to have been voice votes rather than formal roll call votes.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed multiple significant financial commitments totaling over $14 million in contracts, grants, and employee compensation adjustments.

Major Contracts: • L0627-24: Approved a $10,278,132 agreement with CHS TX, Inc. d/b/a YesCare for inmate medical and mental health services • L0631-24: Authorized a $1,336,608 contract with Aramark Correctional Services LLC for inmate food services • L0667-24: Approved $1,918,014 in Purchase Service Agreements with seven Extended Social Resource Program grantee agencies

Mental Health and Social Services: • L0650-24: Established a $100,000 Memorandum of Agreement with Nami Lexington, Inc. for Fayette Mental Health Court services • L0656-24: Approved a $300,000 agreement with Fayette County Public Schools for Day Treatment Services • L0658-24: Authorized a symbolic $1 lease agreement with Fayette County Public Schools for the Audrey Grevious Center

Employee Compensation: • L0655-24: Amended Code of Ordinances Section 23-30 for stipend increases totaling $401,879 • L0660-24: Approved a 3% salary increase for all eligible classified and unclassified employees • L0669-24: Changed Early Child Care Teacher positions from exempt to non-exempt FLSA status

Grants and Awards: • L0661-24: Accepted a $457,000 award from Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for the Home Network Program • L0668-24: Approved $491,131.55 in Lex Grow Trees Grants to nine applicants • L0662-24: Accepted a $4,000 award from the Energy and Environment Cabinet for waste tire disposal and recycling

Other Financial Actions: • L0659-24: Approved Change Order No. 1 for $215,617 with Champlin/Haupt Architects Inc. • L0636-24: Authorized $51,000 for software procurement from Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A, Inc. • L0664-24: Established a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

Public Comment

Four residents addressed the council during the public comment period, with three speakers focusing on animal welfare legislation and one requesting historical recognition.

Humane Pet Sales Ordinance

Three speakers voiced strong support for a proposed humane pet sales ordinance aimed at addressing puppy mill operations 0:00.

Monique Winther expressed strong support for the humane pet sales ordinance, arguing that commercial sales of dogs and cats in pet stores do not resonate well with the public 0:00.

Janet Cabiness urged the council to pass the ordinance banning puppy mill sales, specifically citing Kentucky's low ranking in animal cruelty and pet welfare laws as justification for local action 0:00.

Pat Diamond also spoke against puppy mills and supported the ordinance. Drawing from her experience as a nurse, Diamond emphasized the importance of working with rescue groups and shared personal experiences related to animal welfare 0:00.

Historical Recognition Request

Stokes Neilsen addressed the council with a different matter, requesting that the council honor Edna Smith, a historical figure who stood against an unjust ordinance in 1921. Neilsen highlighted Smith's courage and noted her connection to Lexington's equestrian history 0:00.

The public comment period demonstrated significant community interest in animal welfare policy, with multiple speakers providing different perspectives on why the humane pet sales ordinance should be adopted. The request for historical recognition of Edna Smith represented the community's interest in acknowledging past acts of civic courage and preserving local history.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one primary contested item that drew significant community engagement.

Humane Pet Sales Ordinance

The proposed humane pet sales ordinance generated notable community interest, with several residents speaking in favor of its passage. Community members who addressed the council urged them to approve the ordinance, citing concerns about preventing puppy mill sales in local pet stores. The speakers emphasized the importance of protecting animal welfare by restricting the sources from which local pet retailers can obtain animals for sale.

The nature of the contest appeared to be between community advocates pushing for stronger animal welfare protections and potential concerns about regulating local businesses, though the extracted data indicates the public comments were primarily supportive of the ordinance rather than opposed to it.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting data, leaving the final council decision on the humane pet sales ordinance unclear from this summary.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available in the provided meeting data for this contested item.*

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

0:00

During the public comment period for agenda items, three speakers addressed the council regarding the humane pet sales ordinance under consideration.

Monique Winther spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, urging the council to take action on humane pet sales regulations.

Janet Cabiness also provided comments expressing support for the humane pet sales ordinance and encouraged the council to move forward with passing the measure.

Pat Diamond similarly voiced support for the ordinance, adding to the chorus of speakers advocating for the council's approval of the humane pet sales regulations.

All three speakers focused their remarks on the same agenda item, demonstrating coordinated public interest in the humane pet sales ordinance. The speakers uniformly expressed support for the proposed regulations and encouraged the council to pass the ordinance.

This public comment period served an informational purpose, allowing community members to share their perspectives on the agenda item before the council's formal consideration of the matter.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

0:00 The council addressed the approval of the docket for the upcoming June 27, 2024 council meeting during this agenda item.

Vice Mayor Wu and Council Member Monarrez were the key speakers who participated in the discussion of the docket approval process. The docket included various items scheduled for consideration at the next council meeting, with particular mention of a resolution related to Lexington's 250th anniversary celebration.

The council reviewed the proposed agenda items that would be formally considered during the June 27th meeting. The docket approval process allows council members to examine and confirm the items that will be brought forward for official action at the subsequent meeting.

No significant concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of the docket items. The process appeared to be routine administrative business to organize the upcoming meeting's agenda.

The council approved the docket for the June 27, 2024 council meeting, clearing the way for the scheduled items, including the Lexington 250th anniversary resolution, to be formally considered at that time.

Approval of Summary

0:00

The council considered approval of the summary from their June 18, 2024 work session. Council Member Sheehan and Council Member Legris were the key speakers during this agenda item.

The council voted to approve the summary of the June 18, 2024 work session without recorded discussion or debate. The item was resolved through approval, allowing the meeting to proceed to subsequent agenda items.

Budget Amendments

0:00

The council considered budget amendments during the June 25, 2024 meeting, with Council Member Fred Brown serving as a key speaker on the item.

The amendments included reallocations for the Police West Envelope project, though specific details about the nature and scope of these reallocations were not detailed in the available materials. The budget amendments were presented as a resolution requiring council approval.

The council ultimately approved the budget amendments without recorded opposition or significant debate based on the available information.

The approval of these budget amendments allows the city to proceed with the financial reallocations, including those related to the Police West Envelope project.

New Business

The council addressed several new business items during this portion of the meeting 0:00. Council Member Reynolds and Commissioner Allen-Bryant served as the primary speakers for the various proposals presented.

The new business segment included multiple agreements and amendments related to ongoing city projects and services. While the specific details of individual items were not fully captured in the available materials, the discussion encompassed various municipal operations and contractual arrangements.

Council Member Reynolds presented information regarding the proposed items, with Commissioner Allen-Bryant providing additional context and commentary during the deliberations. The council members engaged in discussion of the various agreements and amendments under consideration.

Following the presentations and discussion, the council moved to approve the new business items. The outcome was favorable, with the council voting to approve the proposed agreements and amendments related to the various city projects and services.

The approval of these new business items allows the city to move forward with the outlined projects and service arrangements, though the specific implementation details and timelines were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

Communications From the Mayor – Appointments

0:00

The council reviewed and approved appointments communicated by the Mayor during this agenda item. Vice Mayor Wu and Council Member Fogle were the key speakers who participated in the discussion of these mayoral appointments.

The council proceeded to approve the appointments as presented by the Mayor. No specific details about the nature of the appointments, the positions being filled, or the individuals being appointed were provided in the available meeting materials.

The agenda item was resolved with council approval of the Mayor's appointments.

Continuing Business/Presentations

0:00

Council Member James Brown provided a report on the recent Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee meeting during this portion of the session.

Brown's presentation included updates on the city's financial status and progress on economic development initiatives. A key component of his report focused on the Commerce Lexington Regional Competitiveness Plan, which addresses regional economic development strategies and competitive positioning.

The presentation served an informational purpose, updating the full council on committee activities and providing transparency on budgetary and economic development matters discussed at the committee level. Brown's report allowed council members who did not attend the committee meeting to stay informed about ongoing financial and economic development discussions.

This agenda item followed the standard practice of having committee chairs or members report back to the full council on significant committee business, ensuring all council members remain informed about work conducted in specialized committees. The presentation did not require any formal action from the council, as it was designed to share information and maintain communication between the committee and the broader council body.