Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting included 4 agenda items, 2 votes, and 3 public comments. The Council approved the minutes from the December 3, 2024 and December 5, 2024 Council meetings, and passed proclamations recognizing Lafayette Boys Cross Country and the 140th Anniversary of Kentucky American Water. A Zoning Change Ordinance received its first reading during the meeting.

Attendance

All 16 members of the Council were present at the January 16, 2025 meeting. No members were absent or late.

Present: - Mayor Gorton - Beasley - Boone - Brown - Curtis - Ellinger - Elliott Baxter - Gray - Hale - LeGris - Lynch - Morton - Reynolds - Sevigny - Sheehan - Wu

Votes and Decisions

The Council took up two items for a vote at the January 16, 2025 meeting, both of which passed unanimously.

• Resolution 0024-25 — A motion to accept a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program was made by Mr. Morton and seconded by Mr. Ellinger. The resolution passed unanimously, 15–0. All fifteen members voted in favor: Beasley, Brown, Boone, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, and Wu. No members voted against or abstained.

• Resolution 0006-25 — A motion to purchase exercise equipment from Design2Wellness was made by Ms. Elliott Baxter and seconded by Ms. Sheehan. The resolution passed unanimously, 15–0. All fifteen members voted in favor: Beasley, Brown, Boone, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, and Wu. No members voted against or abstained.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered two financial resolutions at the January 16, 2025 meeting, covering an equipment purchase and a federal grant acceptance.

• Resolution 0006-25 authorized the purchase of exercise equipment from Design2Wellness at a cost of $95,997.05. No additional vendor or procurement details were included in the available meeting data.

• Resolution 0024-25 involved a $117,792 federal grant awarded to the Lexington Police Department. The resolution authorized the acceptance of these federal funds, though the specific program or granting agency was not identified in the available meeting data.

Combined, the two resolutions represent approximately $213,789 in authorized expenditures and incoming grant funding addressed during the meeting.

Public Comment

Three members of the public addressed the Council during the comment period. 1:09:58

• Phoenix Berry spoke about the rental crisis in Lexington, presenting figures that underscore the affordability challenges facing low-income residents. Berry noted that 30% of Lexington renters are extremely low income and that the average rent stands at $1,047 per month — a cost Berry characterized as unaffordable given the current minimum wage. 1:09:58

• David Franklin raised concerns about surveillance infrastructure in Lexington, specifically referencing a police observatory located near Fayette Mall. Franklin described the structure as resembling a panopticon, suggesting it raises broader questions about the nature and scope of law enforcement surveillance in the community. 1:11:35

• Rabbi Litvin presented a report on anti-Semitism in Kentucky, with a focus on incidents occurring in Lexington. Rabbi Litvin emphasized the importance of public awareness and called for action in response to the documented incidents. 1:14:19

Appointments

The Council approved the following appointments during the January 16, 2025 meeting:

• Jylan Ross was appointed to the Access Lexington Commission.
• Hil Boone was appointed to the City Employees' Pension Fund Board.
• Emma Curtis was appointed to the City Employees' Pension Fund Board.

Contested Items

• Snow Removal Plan [timestamp: N/A]

The city's response to a recent snowstorm drew criticism from both council members and members of the public, making it one of the more contentious discussions of the January 16, 2025 meeting. Concerns centered on two main issues: the pace and effectiveness of road clearing, and how resources had been allocated during the storm response.

Multiple council members joined public voices in expressing dissatisfaction, suggesting the criticism was not isolated to a single perspective but reflected a broader concern about the city's winter operations. Specific complaints focused on roads that were not adequately cleared and questions about whether equipment and personnel had been deployed appropriately.

No outcome or resolution was recorded in the available meeting data, indicating the matter may have been referred for further review or left open for follow-up action.

Minutes of the December 3, 2024 and December 5, 2024 Council Meetings

5:25

The Council took up agenda item 0058-25, concerning the approval of minutes from two previous meetings held on December 3, 2024 and December 5, 2024.

The minutes were presented for review, with Ellinger and Sevigny among the key speakers during this portion of the meeting. No additions or corrections were raised by any Council members, and there was no substantive debate or discussion regarding the content of either set of minutes.

The Council approved the minutes from both the December 3, 2024 and December 5, 2024 meetings without modification.

Proclamation for Lafayette Boys Cross Country

Agenda Item 0060-25 6:02

Mayor Gorton read a proclamation declaring January 16, 2025, as Lafayette High School Boys Cross Country Team Day in Lexington, honoring the team's state championship victory.

• The proclamation recognized the Lafayette High School Boys Cross Country Team for their state championship win.
• Mayor Gorton delivered the proclamation before the Council.
• Coach Caleb Joy was present and participated in the recognition.

The proclamation was approved by the Council.

Proclamation for Kentucky American Water 140th Anniversary

14:25

The Council took up agenda item 0062-25, a proclamation celebrating Kentucky American Water's 140th anniversary.

Mayor Gorton read the proclamation declaring January 2025 as Kentucky American Water Month in Lexington, honoring the organization's 140 years of service. The proclamation was presented to Catherine Nash, who represented Kentucky American Water at the meeting.

The proclamation was approved by the Council.

Zoning Change Ordinance

29:31

The Council took up Ordinance 0031-25, a measure to change the zoning designation of certain properties to different residential zones. The ordinance was read during this meeting as its first reading, which is the initial step in the formal adoption process before a final vote can occur.

The structured record does not identify specific speakers, properties, or debates associated with this agenda item, nor does it detail which residential zone classifications were involved in the proposed changes. No concerns or objections are noted in the available data.

As a first reading, no final action was taken on the ordinance at this meeting. The item will need to return before the Council for further consideration before it can be formally adopted.