Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met at 7:00 P.M. in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting's agenda included three items, covering zoning and public health matters. The Council took up an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance for adaptive reuse, which was approved, as well as two ordinances that advanced through their first readings: one concerning a zone change for 223 Pasadena Drive, and another amending regulations on smoking indoors. Across the meeting, 2 votes were taken and 3 public comments were heard.

Attendance

Thirteen members were present at the December 5, 2024 Council meeting: Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gray, Henson, James, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, and Blues.

Two members were absent: Gorton and Lane. No members arrived late.

Votes and Decisions

Two roll call votes were held during the December 5, 2024 Council meeting, both resulting in unanimous approval.

• Approval of Ordinances (Second Reading) 7:47: Mr. Myers moved and Mr. Stinnett seconded a motion to approve ordinances given their second reading. The motion passed 13–0. Voting in favor were: Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gray, Henson, James, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, and Blues. No members voted against, and there were no abstentions.

• Approval of Resolutions (Second Reading) 47:29: Mr. Beard moved and Ms. Crosbie seconded a motion to approve resolutions given their second reading. The motion passed 13–0. Voting in favor were: Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, Gray, Henson, James, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, and Blues. No members voted against, and there were no abstentions.

In both cases, the full 13-member Council voted unanimously in favor, with no dissenting or abstaining votes recorded.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved three contracts at the December 5, 2024 meeting, covering infrastructure, demolition, and road improvement work.

• Cadentown Sanitary Sewer Project (Resolution 558-2008): The Council approved a contract worth $696,637.75 with Schroeder Construction, Inc. for the Cadentown Sanitary Sewer Project. This represents the largest single expenditure approved at the meeting.

• Gainesway Community Building Demolition (Resolution 559-2008): A contract of $12,400.00 was approved with Superior Demolition, Inc. for the demolition of the Gainesway Community Building.

• 2008 County Road Resurfacing (Resolution 560-2008): The Council approved a contract totaling $745,000.00 with L-M Asphalt Partners, Ltd. dba ATS Construction for the 2008 County Road Resurfacing program. This was the largest contract approved at the meeting.

Across the three resolutions, the Council authorized a combined total of approximately $1,454,037.75 in contracted expenditures. The items span sanitary sewer infrastructure, building demolition, and road resurfacing, reflecting a range of public works priorities addressed in this session.

Public Comment

Three residents addressed the Council during the public comment period on the proposed changes to the smoking ordinance.

• Dr. David Menino 1:34:15 spoke in support of strengthening the smoking ordinance, arguing that the changes would protect people across all workplaces and public places. He emphasized the health benefits of expanding smoking restrictions.

• Jerry Wright 1:35:56 spoke in opposition to the proposed changes, focusing specifically on their impact on bingo halls. Mr. Wright argued that a smoking ban in bingo halls would result in financial losses for charities that rely on bingo revenue. He warned that he would pursue litigation if the changes were enacted as proposed.

• David Harriman 2:01:21 raised broader concerns about the role of government in regulating personal behavior. Mr. Harriman questioned whether such regulations were appropriate, emphasizing the importance of personal freedom and individual liberty.

The public comments reflected a divide between those supporting expanded health protections and those concerned about the economic and philosophical implications of the ordinance changes. The potential financial impact on charitable organizations and the threat of legal action from Mr. Wright represented the most pointed opposition raised during the comment period.

Appointments

During the December 5, 2024 Council meeting, the following appointment was made:

• Mr. Brown was appointed to the Board of Adjustment.

Contested Items

• Smoking Ordinance Amendments — The proposed amendments to the city's smoking ordinance drew opposition during the meeting. Representatives from bingo halls raised objections to the changes, and concerns were also voiced around issues of individual liberty and property rights. The structured data does not specify the final outcome of this item or the precise nature of the amendments under consideration.

Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance for Adaptive Reuse

2:43

The Council took up an ordinance amending various articles of the zoning ordinance to establish adaptive reuse as a category and designate adaptive reuse projects as principal permitted uses in certain zones.

Key speakers on this item were Mr. Myers and Mr. Stinnett. The ordinance was presented and discussed by these two individuals, though the extracted record does not detail the specific arguments made or any concerns raised during deliberation.

The Council ultimately approved the ordinance.

Ordinance changing zone for 223 Pasadena Drive

8:18

The Council took up Agenda Item 14, an ordinance proposing to change the zoning designation for the property at 223 Pasadena Drive from Single Family Residential to Professional Office.

Key speakers on this item included Mr. Beard and Dr. Stevens. The ordinance received its first reading before the Council at this meeting.

No additional details regarding the specific arguments presented, concerns raised, or debate among Council members are available from the provided record of this agenda item. The outcome of the first reading and any votes taken were not captured in the available data beyond the confirmation that the item was heard at first reading.

> *Note: The source data for this agenda item is limited. A more complete summary would require additional transcript or meeting minutes detail.*

Ordinance amending smoking indoors regulations

21:06

The Council took up Agenda Item 20, an ordinance amending various sections of the Code of Ordinances relating to smoking indoors, including updates to definitions and prohibitions.

Key speakers on this item were Dr. Stevens and Mr. Beard. The ordinance was presented for its first reading before the Council.

The available record does not include detailed notes on the specific arguments made, concerns raised, or debate that occurred during discussion of this item. The outcome of the first reading was recorded, advancing the ordinance through the standard legislative process. A second reading would typically be required before final adoption.