Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on September 10, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The council addressed 11 agenda items during the session, taking 9 formal votes on various matters including budget amendments, mayoral appointments and donations, procurement approvals, and significant zoning text amendments. No public comments were received during the designated public comment period for agenda issues.

The meeting covered substantial policy matters, with the council approving zoning text amendments for both digital billboards and short-term rental regulations. Administrative business included approval of the meeting docket, budget amendments, and various communications from the Mayor regarding appointments, donations, and procurement items. The council also received informational presentations, including recognition of Jessica Allender and an annual update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding initiatives.

All voted items on the agenda received approval, indicating broad council consensus on the matters presented. The session balanced routine administrative approvals with more substantive policy decisions affecting zoning regulations in the urban county area.

Attendance

The following members were present at the September 10, 2024 meeting:

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

Absent: • Fogle

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 15 members were in attendance, with one member absent.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted nine votes during the September 10, 2024 meeting, with most items passing by voice vote.

Procedural Items Council Member Sevigny motioned to approve the docket as amended, seconded by Council Member Ellinger. The motion passed by voice vote. 0:30

Council Member Sheehan motioned to approve the August 27, 2024 Council Work Session Table of Motions, seconded by Council Member Plomin. The motion passed by voice vote. 2:00

Budget and Administrative Matters Vice Mayor Wu motioned to approve Budget Amendments, seconded by Council Member Sheehan. The motion passed by voice vote. 3:00

Council Member Baxter motioned to approve New Business, seconded by Council Member Gray. The motion passed by voice vote with 2 abstentions. 5:00

Mayor's Communications Three separate motions addressed communications from the Mayor. Council Member Gray motioned to approve appointments, seconded by Council Member Fogle, passing by voice vote. 7:00 Gray also motioned to approve donations, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, which passed by voice vote. 8:00 Finally, Gray motioned to approve procurements, seconded by Council Member Baxter, passing by voice vote. 9:00

Planning Commission Referrals The most contested vote involved Digital Billboards ZOTA referral to the Planning Commission. Council Member Worley motioned for approval, seconded by Council Member Ellinger. The motion passed 7-2 by roll call vote, with Wu, J. Brown, Ellinger, Lynch, Worley, Baxter, and Reynolds voting in favor, while LeGris and Sheehan voted against. 11:00

Council Member J. Brown motioned to approve Short-Term Rental Ordinances and ZOTA referral to the Planning Commission, seconded by Council Member Sheehan. This motion passed unanimously. 13:00

Budget and Financial Actions

The council approved three significant financial items totaling over $1 million during the September 10, 2024 meeting.

The largest financial action involved a contract modification for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program FY'23 grant with Kentucky Emergency Management in the amount of $930,950. This grant funding supports emergency preparedness initiatives related to chemical stockpile management.

The council also approved a contract with the University of Kentucky Research Foundation for $83,619 to support the Community Paramedicine Program. This program expands healthcare services through community-based paramedic interventions.

Additionally, the council authorized a $50,000 contract with Strand Associates Inc. for the Town Branch Park Access Improvements Project. This funding will support infrastructure enhancements to improve public access to the park facility.

All three financial items were approved as part of the council's regular business, representing investments in emergency preparedness, healthcare services, and public infrastructure improvements for the community.

Appointments

The meeting included appointments to various commissions and boards, though specific details about individual appointees and their designated roles were not clearly documented in the available materials.

Multiple appointments were made during the session, with various individuals being appointed to serve on different municipal commissions and boards. However, the specific names of appointees, the exact commissions or boards they were assigned to, and the particular terms of their appointments were not detailed in the extracted meeting data.

These appointments represent the ongoing process of filling positions on the various advisory bodies, commissions, and boards that support municipal operations and governance. Such appointments are typically made to ensure continued representation and expertise across different areas of municipal responsibility.

*Note: Specific details about individual appointees, their qualifications, the exact bodies they were appointed to, and transcript timestamps were not available in the provided meeting materials. Readers seeking complete information about these appointments should refer to the full meeting minutes or contact the municipal clerk's office.*

Contested Items

The council addressed one contested item during the September 10, 2024 meeting that resulted in a split vote among members.

Digital Billboards Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA)

The primary point of contention involved a proposal to refer a Digital Billboards Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to the Planning Commission for review. The council ultimately approved this referral, but the decision was not unanimous, passing with a 7-2 vote.

The split vote indicates that two council members opposed sending the digital billboard zoning amendment to the Planning Commission, while seven members supported the referral. However, the specific arguments made by council members on either side of this issue, as well as the identities of the dissenting members, were not captured in the available meeting data.

The referral to the Planning Commission represents a procedural step in the legislative process, allowing the Planning Commission to review the proposed zoning text amendment related to digital billboards before it returns to the council for potential adoption. This type of zoning ordinance text amendment typically addresses regulations governing the placement, size, lighting, and operational characteristics of digital billboard signage within the jurisdiction.

The 7-2 outcome suggests there was notable opposition to either the content of the proposed amendment or the decision to move forward with the Planning Commission review process, though the narrow margin of opposition indicates the majority of council members supported advancing the proposal through the standard review procedures.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

0:10

During the public comment period for issues on the agenda, no members of the public came forward to speak. The meeting proceeded without any public input on the items scheduled for discussion.

This portion of the meeting was designated for community members to address the governing body regarding specific agenda items that would be considered during the session. The opportunity for public participation is a standard component of government meetings, allowing residents to share their perspectives, concerns, or support for matters under consideration.

With no speakers present, the public comment period concluded quickly, and the meeting continued to the next agenda item.

Docket Approval

The council addressed the approval of the meeting docket during the early portion of the session 0:30. The docket required amendments before final approval.

Council Member Sevigny and Council Member Ellinger were the primary speakers during this agenda item. The discussion centered on modifications to the original docket, with particular attention given to the inclusion of a resolution related to the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

The council members worked through the necessary amendments to ensure all relevant items were properly included in the meeting's official agenda. The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program resolution represented a significant addition that required formal incorporation into the docket.

Following the discussion of amendments and the inclusion of the emergency preparedness resolution, the council voted to approve the modified docket. The approval allows the meeting to proceed with all agenda items, including the newly added resolution addressing chemical stockpile emergency preparedness matters.

Outcome: The docket was approved with amendments.

Budget Amendments

3:00

The council reviewed and approved budget amendments involving credits and debits to various municipal funds during the September 10, 2024 meeting.

Vice Mayor Wu and Council Member Sheehan served as the key speakers during the discussion of these budget modifications. The amendments addressed adjustments to multiple fund accounts, though the specific dollar amounts and fund details were not detailed in the available materials.

The budget amendments were presented as a resolution requiring council approval. The discussion appeared to proceed without significant debate or concerns raised by council members regarding the proposed financial adjustments.

Following the presentation and brief discussion, the council voted to approve the budget amendments as presented.

Outcome: Approved

New Business

5:00

The council addressed several new business items during this portion of the meeting, with Council Member Baxter and Council Member Gray serving as the primary speakers for the discussion.

The new business segment focused on the approval of various contracts and agreements for municipal projects. Council Member Baxter presented the items for consideration, outlining the scope and requirements of the proposed contracts. Council Member Gray participated in the discussion, contributing to the evaluation of the presented agreements.

The council reviewed multiple contracts and agreements that were brought forward for approval. These items encompassed various municipal projects, though the specific details of individual contracts were not detailed in the available information.

Following the presentation and discussion of the new business items, the council proceeded to vote on the proposed contracts and agreements. The outcome of the deliberation was favorable, with the council approving the new business items as presented.

The approval of these contracts and agreements allows the municipality to move forward with the various projects outlined in the new business segment, enabling continued municipal operations and development initiatives.

Communications from the Mayor - Appointments

7:00

The council considered mayoral appointments during this agenda item. Council Member Gray and Council Member Fogle participated in the discussion regarding the appointments recommended by the Mayor.

The council approved the appointments as presented by the Mayor. No additional details about the specific positions, appointees, or terms of service were provided in the available meeting materials.

Outcome: Approved

Communications from the Mayor - Donations

8:00

The council reviewed and approved a resolution regarding donations to various city departments and divisions during the September 10, 2024 meeting.

Council Member Gray and Vice Mayor Wu served as the key speakers for this agenda item, presenting the donation communications from the Mayor's office to the council for consideration.

The resolution outlined donations that would benefit multiple city departments and divisions, though the specific details of the individual donations, recipient departments, and donor organizations were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

The council proceeded with a straightforward approval process for these donations. No significant concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of this item, indicating general consensus among council members regarding the acceptance of the proposed donations.

The resolution was ultimately approved by the council, allowing the various city departments and divisions to accept and utilize the donations as outlined in the Mayor's communications.

This agenda item represents routine municipal business, as local governments regularly receive donations from community organizations, businesses, and individuals to support various city services and programs. The formal approval process ensures proper oversight and documentation of donated resources to city operations.

Communications from the Mayor - Procurements

9:00

The council reviewed and approved procurement recommendations from the Mayor for various city departments during this agenda item.

Council Member Gray and Council Member Baxter participated in the discussion of the procurement proposals. The item was presented as a resolution containing multiple procurement recommendations across different municipal departments.

The council ultimately approved the procurement recommendations as presented. No specific concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of this item.

The resolution passed, authorizing the recommended procurements to move forward for the various city departments included in the Mayor's communications.

Digital Billboards ZOTA

11:00

The council considered a resolution to refer the Digital Billboards Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation.

Council Member Worley and Council Member Ellinger were the primary speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The proposed text amendment would modify existing zoning regulations related to digital billboard signage within the city.

The council approved the referral, which will send the Digital Billboards ZOTA to the Planning Commission for their analysis and recommendation before returning to the council for final consideration. This procedural step allows the Planning Commission to conduct a thorough review of the proposed zoning changes and their potential impacts on the community.

The resolution was approved, moving the Digital Billboards Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment forward in the review process.

Short-Term Rental Ordinances and ZOTA

13:00

The council addressed Short-Term Rental Ordinances and a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) during the September 10, 2024 meeting. This agenda item involved both the approval of new regulations for short-term rentals and consideration of related zoning changes.

Council Member J. Brown and Council Member Sheehan served as key speakers during the discussion of this item. The council deliberated on the proposed ordinances that would establish new rules and regulations governing short-term rental properties within the jurisdiction.

The discussion resulted in the council approving the Short-Term Rental Ordinances. Additionally, the council decided to refer the associated Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to the Planning Commission for further review and consideration.

This dual approach allows the immediate implementation of short-term rental regulations while ensuring that the related zoning changes receive proper review through the Planning Commission process. The approval of the ordinances provides a regulatory framework for short-term rental operations, while the ZOTA referral ensures that any necessary zoning modifications will be thoroughly evaluated by the appropriate planning body.

The outcome represents a comprehensive approach to addressing short-term rental regulation, combining immediate policy implementation with careful consideration of zoning implications through the established planning review process.

Recognition of Jessica Allender

15:00

Mayor Gorton recognized Jessica Allender for achieving accreditation as a National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Certified Procurement Professional. This recognition acknowledged Allender's professional accomplishment in the field of governmental procurement.

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) certification represents a significant professional milestone for procurement professionals working in government settings. The Certified Procurement Professional designation demonstrates expertise in public sector purchasing practices, regulations, and procedures.

This was an informational item with no action required by the governing body. The recognition served to publicly acknowledge Allender's professional development and commitment to excellence in governmental procurement practices.

Annual ARPA Update

17:00 Jennifer presented the annual update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) progress for Lexington, providing an overview of various projects and investments funded through the federal program.

The presentation served as an informational briefing to update officials on how ARPA funds have been utilized across different municipal initiatives and projects within Lexington. Jennifer outlined the current status of ongoing ARPA-funded programs and highlighted key investments that have been made using the federal relief funding.

This was a presentation-style agenda item focused on providing transparency and accountability regarding the use of federal ARPA dollars allocated to the municipality. The update covered various projects that have benefited from ARPA funding, though specific project details and dollar amounts were not detailed in the available information.

The session was informational in nature, with no formal action items or decisions requiring a vote. The annual update serves as part of the municipality's ongoing reporting requirements and commitment to public transparency regarding the use of federal relief funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act.