Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on December 3, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The council addressed three agenda items during the meeting, taking a total of three votes on various municipal matters. No public comments were heard during this session.

The council successfully approved all three items on the agenda, demonstrating unanimous support for the proposed measures. The approved items included a Zone Change Ordinance, the establishment of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator position, and authorization for the purchase of snowplow parts. Each item received council approval, indicating efficient progress through the evening's business.

The meeting focused on practical municipal governance, addressing zoning matters, public health initiatives, and infrastructure maintenance needs. The approval of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator position reflects the council's commitment to expanding mental health services, while the snowplow parts purchase ensures the city's readiness for winter weather operations. The zone change ordinance addressed local development and land use planning requirements.

Attendance

The following members were present at the December 3, 2024 meeting:

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

Absent: • Monarrez

Late: • None

A total of 14 members were present for the meeting, with one member absent. No members arrived late to the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The council took action on three items during the December 3, 2024 meeting, with all measures passing unanimously.

Ordinance 1145-24 0:00 - An ordinance changing the zoning from Neighborhood Business (B-1) to Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) for property located at 223 East Seventh Street was approved. Council member Ellinger made the motion, seconded by Fogle. The measure passed by roll call vote with 14 ayes and 0 nays. All council members present voted in favor: LeGris, Lynch, Plomin, Reynolds, Sheehan, Sevigny, Worley, Wu, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Fogle, and Gray.

Ordinance 1127-24 0:00 - An ordinance amending the authorized strength by extending the term of one unclassified position of Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator received unanimous approval. Ellinger motioned for passage, with Fogle providing the second. The roll call vote resulted in 14 ayes and 0 nays, with the same 14 council members voting in favor.

Resolution 1106-24 0:00 - A resolution authorizing the Division of Streets and Roads to purchase snowplow parts from J. Edinger and Sons was unanimously approved. Sheehan made the motion, seconded by Elliott Baxter. The roll call vote showed 14 ayes and 0 nays, with all present council members supporting the measure.

All three votes demonstrated complete council consensus, with no opposition or abstentions recorded on any item. The unanimous support across zoning changes, personnel matters, and equipment purchases reflected broad agreement among the 14 council members present at the meeting.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three significant financial items totaling approximately $1.3 million in grants and contracts.

Grant Award • Resolution 1123-24 authorized a $13,966 grant to 1000 Delaware, LLC for a Stormwater Quality Project

Major Infrastructure Contracts • Resolution 1181-24 approved a substantial $1,083,653 contract with Lagco, Inc. for the Joyland Area Storm Drainage Project, representing the largest financial commitment of the meeting

• Resolution 1225-24 authorized a $204,124 contract with Hydromax USA, LLC for temporary flow monitoring services

The three financial actions demonstrate the municipality's focus on stormwater management and infrastructure improvements, with the Joyland Area Storm Drainage Project representing the most significant investment at over $1 million.

Appointments

The meeting included several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions.

New Appointments:

• Bonita Hall was appointed to the Alarm Advisory Board

• Joy Harris was appointed to the Charles Young Neighborhood Center Board

• Joyce Parks was appointed to the Charles Young Neighborhood Center Board

• Jerry Davis was appointed to the Greenspace Trust

• Sarah Geurkink was appointed to the Greenspace Trust

• Joshua Rice was appointed to the Greenspace Trust

• Heather Shaffer was appointed to the Greenspace Trust

Reappointments:

• Laramie Scott was reappointed to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition

• Larry Isenhour was reappointed to the Environmental Commission

The appointments included four new members to the Greenspace Trust, two new members to the Charles Young Neighborhood Center Board, and one new member to the Alarm Advisory Board. Additionally, two individuals were reappointed to continue their service on existing boards and commissions.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one significant contested item that generated heated discussion among council members.

Short-Term Rental Regulations

A motion was made to refer the proposed short-term rental regulations to the general government and planning committee for further review. This procedural move sparked opposition from several council members who argued that the regulations should be enacted immediately without additional committee deliberation.

The disagreement centered on the timing and process for implementing the short-term rental regulations. Supporters of the referral motion believed additional committee review was necessary before moving forward with the regulations. However, opposing council members expressed frustration with further delays, arguing that the regulations had already undergone sufficient review and should be enacted without additional committee consideration.

The nature of the discussion was characterized as heated, indicating strong feelings on both sides of the procedural question. The debate reflected broader tensions about the pace of regulatory implementation and the appropriate level of committee oversight for housing-related policies.

The extracted data does not specify which individual council members took positions on either side of the debate, nor does it indicate the final outcome of the motion to refer the regulations to committee. The disagreement appears to have been primarily procedural rather than substantive, focusing on the process for moving the regulations forward rather than the content of the regulations themselves.

Zone Change Ordinance

0:00

The council considered Ordinance 1145-24, which proposes changing the zoning designation for property located at 223 East Seventh Street from Neighborhood Business (B-1) to Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3).

Key speakers during the discussion included Ellinger and Fogle, though the specific details of their presentations and any debate points are not available in the provided materials.

The ordinance represents a shift from commercial zoning that typically allows neighborhood-scale business uses to a residential zoning classification that permits planned neighborhood residential development. This type of zoning change often occurs when property owners or developers seek to convert commercial properties to residential use or when municipalities reassess the appropriate land use for specific areas.

The council ultimately approved Ordinance 1145-24, allowing the zone change to proceed. The approval enables the property at 223 East Seventh Street to be developed or used in accordance with R-3 Planned Neighborhood Residential zoning requirements and standards.

*Note: Detailed discussion points, specific concerns raised, and the rationale for approval are not available in the source materials provided.*

Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator

The council considered Ordinance 1127-24, which would amend the city's authorized staffing structure by extending the term of one unclassified position of Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator 0:00.

Key speakers on this agenda item included council members Ellinger and Fogle, who participated in the discussion regarding the position extension.

The ordinance specifically addresses maintaining continuity in the city's behavioral health services by extending an existing unclassified coordinator position rather than creating a new role. This type of position amendment typically involves administrative adjustments to employment terms while preserving established mental health and wellness programming.

The council ultimately approved Ordinance 1127-24, allowing the Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator position to continue operating under the extended term arrangement. This approval ensures the city can maintain its behavioral health services and programming without interruption.

The discussion appears to have proceeded without significant debate or opposition, as evidenced by the successful passage of the ordinance. The extension of this unclassified position reflects the council's commitment to supporting mental health and wellness initiatives within the community through dedicated staffing resources.

Snowplow Parts Purchase

The council considered Resolution 1106-24, which would authorize the Division of Streets and Roads to purchase snowplow parts from J. Edinger and Sons 0:00.

The resolution was presented by key speakers Sheehan and Elliott Baxter, who outlined the need for the parts purchase to maintain the city's snow removal equipment fleet. The discussion focused on ensuring the Streets and Roads division has the necessary replacement parts and components to keep snowplows operational during winter weather events.

The resolution received approval from the council, allowing the Division of Streets and Roads to proceed with purchasing the required snowplow parts from the designated vendor, J. Edinger and Sons. This authorization ensures the city's snow removal operations will have access to essential maintenance supplies for the winter season.