Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council convened on October 8, 2024, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber at the Urban County Government Center, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The Council addressed 10 agenda items during the session, taking 7 formal votes on various municipal matters. The meeting covered a range of standard business including rezoning requests, budget amendments, mayoral appointments and procurements, and new business items, with most substantive matters receiving approval from the Council.

No public comments were received during either of the two designated public comment periods - one for issues on the agenda and another for issues not on the agenda. The Council successfully moved through their agenda items efficiently, approving requested rezonings, budget amendments, mayoral communications regarding appointments and procurements, and new business matters. The session also included informational items such as continuing business presentations and council reports, though specific details of these presentations were not captured in the meeting data.

Attendance

All council members were present for the October 8, 2024 meeting.

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

Absent: None

Late: None

The meeting achieved full attendance with all 16 council members present at the start of the session.

Votes and Decisions

The Council conducted seven votes during the October 8, 2024 meeting, with all motions passing unanimously.

September 26, 2024 Council Meeting Docket Approval 3:00 Councilmember Ellinger II moved to approve the September 26, 2024 Council Meeting Docket, as amended, with a second by Gray. The motion passed unanimously with all 15 members voting in favor: J. Brown, Ellinger II, Fogle, Lynch, LeGris, Monarrez, Sheehan, Gray, Worley, F. Brown, Baxter, Sevigny, Reynolds, Plomin, and Wu.

Police Technology Agreement 3:00 Reynolds moved to place on the October 10, 2024 Council Meeting docket a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Institute of Police Technology and Management, seconded by Baxter. The motion passed by voice vote.

Budget Amendments 3:00 Baxter moved to approve budget amendments with a second by Gray. The motion passed unanimously 15-0, with all council members voting in favor.

New Business 3:00 Ellinger II moved to approve new business items, seconded by Plomin. The motion passed unanimously 15-0 with all members supporting.

Mayoral Appointments 3:00 Wu moved to approve communications from the Mayor regarding appointments, with Fogle providing the second. All 15 council members voted in favor for a unanimous passage.

Mayoral Procurements 3:00 Plomin moved to approve communications from the Mayor regarding procurements, seconded by Baxter. The motion passed unanimously 15-0.

Adjournment 3:53 Baxter moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by Fogle. All 15 council members voted unanimously to adjourn.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved several significant financial expenditures totaling over $1.8 million during the October 8, 2024 meeting.

Security System Upgrade The Council authorized the purchase of video management appliances for the security system at the Division of Community Corrections through Resolution L0937-24. The $138,928.72 contract was awarded to Unique Security Inc.

Emergency Medical Equipment Resolution L0946-24 approved the purchase of one new emergency care apparatus from American Response Vehicle for $436,936.00. This acquisition supports the city's emergency medical services capabilities.

Winter Homeless Shelter Services The largest expenditure approved was Resolution L0973-24, authorizing a $1,028,219.90 contract for Temporary Winter Motel Shelter for Persons Experiencing Homelessness. The agreement was made with Shreejyoti Hospitality, LLC and J&Y Hospitality, LLC to provide shelter services during the winter months.

Overdose Prevention Initiative The Council approved Resolution L0979-24, establishing a $205,000 agreement with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for the Expanded First Responders and Community Partners Overdose Prevention Project. This contract supports collaborative efforts to address the ongoing overdose crisis in the community.

These four financial actions represent strategic investments in public safety infrastructure, emergency services, homeless services, and public health initiatives, demonstrating the Council's commitment to addressing critical community needs across multiple sectors.

Contested Items

The October 8, 2024 Council meeting featured one contested item related to security arrangements for the city's temporary winter motel shelter program.

Security Company for Temporary Winter Motel Shelter

Community members raised concerns about the security company contracted to provide services for the temporary winter motel shelter. The primary point of contention centered on the need for female security personnel to be available at the facility.

The opposition appeared to stem from community members who felt that the current security arrangements were inadequate, particularly regarding gender-specific security needs for shelter residents. The concerns highlighted the importance of having appropriate staffing that could address the diverse needs of individuals utilizing the temporary winter shelter services.

The nature of the disagreement focused on whether the selected security company could provide adequate coverage with appropriately trained female security staff, which community members viewed as essential for the safety and comfort of all shelter residents.

The outcome of this contested item was not clearly specified in the available meeting data, though the concerns raised by community members were formally noted during the public discussion portion of the meeting.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

3:00

No members of the public came forward to provide comments on issues appearing on the agenda during this portion of the October 8, 2024 Council meeting. The public comment period for agenda items was opened and closed without any speakers.

This agenda item provides an opportunity for community members to address the Council regarding specific matters that are scheduled for discussion or action during the meeting. The absence of public comment indicates that no residents or stakeholders chose to speak on the various agenda items before the Council's deliberations began.

Requested Rezonings/Docket Approval

3:00 The Council addressed the approval of the docket for an upcoming council meeting during this agenda item. The discussion was brief and procedural in nature.

Council members Ellinger II and Gray were the key speakers who participated in the discussion of this resolution. The item focused on formally approving the docket that would set the agenda for a future council meeting.

No significant debate or concerns were raised during the consideration of this item. The docket approval appeared to be a routine administrative matter that proceeded without controversy or extended discussion.

The Council voted to approve the docket as presented. The resolution passed, allowing the approved docket to move forward for the upcoming council meeting.

Approval of Summary

3:00

The Council addressed the approval of the summary from their previous work session. Council members Gray and Plomin participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The Council reviewed the summary document that had been prepared from their prior work session meeting. This procedural item allows the Council to formally approve the accuracy and completeness of the meeting summary before moving forward with other business.

Following their review and discussion, the Council voted to approve the summary of the previous work session. The resolution passed, formally accepting the summary as an accurate record of the prior meeting's proceedings.

This approval ensures that the official record of the work session is established and can be referenced for future Council business and public records.

Budget Amendments

3:00

The Council considered various budget amendments during the meeting. Council members Baxter and Gray served as the primary speakers on this agenda item.

The discussion focused on proposed modifications to the current budget, though specific details about the nature and scope of the amendments were not detailed in the available materials. Both Baxter and Gray participated in presenting or discussing the proposed changes to the budget allocations.

Following the discussion, the Council voted to approve the budget amendments. No significant concerns or opposition were noted during the deliberation process.

The approval of these budget amendments allows the city to proceed with the revised financial allocations as presented to the Council.

New Business

3:00

The Council addressed new business items during this portion of the meeting. Council members Ellinger II and Plomin were the primary speakers during this discussion.

The new business items were presented to the Council for consideration and debate. Following discussion among the Council members, the new business items were approved.

*Note: The provided meeting materials contain limited detail about the specific nature of the new business items discussed, the content of the presentations, or the particular concerns raised during deliberation.*

Communications From the Mayor – Appointments

3:00

The Council reviewed mayoral appointments during this agenda item. Mayor Wu and Councilor Fogle were the key speakers who addressed the appointments.

The Council approved the appointments as communicated by the Mayor, though the specific details of which positions were filled or which individuals were appointed were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

The item proceeded without significant debate or concerns raised by Council members, resulting in approval of the mayoral appointments as presented.

Communications From the Mayor – Procurements

3:00

The Council reviewed procurement recommendations submitted by the Mayor during this agenda item. The discussion involved key speakers Plomin and Baxter, though specific details of the procurement items and the nature of their comments are not available in the provided materials.

The Council proceeded to approve the Mayor's procurement recommendations without extended debate based on the available information.

Outcome: The procurement recommendations from the Mayor were approved by the Council.

*Note: Additional details about the specific procurement items, contract values, vendors, or discussion points were not available in the source materials provided.*

Continuing Business/Presentations

3:00

The Council received updates on ongoing projects and presentations during this portion of the meeting. Key speakers included Council members Sevigny and Gray, who provided information on continuing business matters.

The session was informational in nature, with no formal actions taken by the Council. The presentations served to keep Council members and the public informed about the status of ongoing municipal projects and initiatives.

Specific details about the content of the presentations and the nature of the ongoing business discussed were not detailed in the available meeting materials. The agenda item provided an opportunity for staff and Council members to share updates on previously initiated matters requiring continued attention or monitoring.

This portion of the meeting concluded without any formal votes or decisions, as is typical for informational presentations and status updates on continuing business items.

Council Reports

3:00

During the Council Reports portion of the October 8, 2024 meeting, nine council members provided updates on various district activities and initiatives.

The following council members delivered reports:

• Sheehan - Provided updates on district matters
• Baxter - Shared information on ongoing initiatives
• Plowman - Reported on district activities
• Reynolds - Gave updates on council business
• Lynch - Provided district-related information
• Savigny - Shared updates on local matters
• Gray - Reported on district initiatives
• Fogle - Provided council updates
• Worley - Gave information on district activities

This agenda item served as an informational session where council members updated their colleagues and the public on various matters within their respective areas of responsibility. The reports covered ongoing district activities and initiatives, allowing for transparency and coordination among council members.

No formal action was taken during this portion of the meeting, as the Council Reports segment is designed to facilitate information sharing rather than decision-making. The comprehensive participation from nine council members demonstrates active engagement across the council in monitoring and reporting on district affairs.

Public Comment - Issues Not on Agenda

3:00

No members of the public came forward to speak during the public comment period for issues not on the agenda. The Council opened the floor for public input on matters not specifically listed on the meeting agenda, but no speakers presented comments or concerns during this portion of the meeting.

This agenda item serves as an opportunity for community members to address the Council about local issues, concerns, or suggestions that are not part of the formal meeting agenda. The public comment period is a standard component of Council meetings that allows for citizen participation in local government proceedings.