Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on February 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting covered 4 agenda items, all of which were approved, spanning ceremonial recognitions, a budget amendment, and a personnel matter. The Council took 3 votes and heard 2 public comments over the course of the meeting. All items brought before the Council received approval, including proclamations honoring Officer Ron Arnold and Chief Nathan Bowling, an amendment to the FY 2025 budget under Schedule No. 16, and the creation of a new Human Resources Manager position.

Attendance

The following 14 members were present at the February 6, 2025 Council meeting:

• Curtis
• Ellinger
• Elliott Baxter
• Gray
• Hale
• LeGris
• Lynch
• Morton
• Reynolds
• Sevigny
• Wu
• Beasley
• Boone
• Brown

Absent: Sheehan

No members were recorded as late.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took three roll call votes during the February 6, 2025 meeting, with all measures passing unanimously 14–0.

• Ordinance 0099-25 21:16 — An ordinance amending certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures, and appropriating and re-appropriating funds under FY 2025 Schedule No. 16. Motioned by Ellinger, seconded by Reynolds. All 14 members voted in favor: Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Wu, Beasley, Boone, and Brown. No nays or abstentions.

• Resolution 0048-25 25:06 — A resolution accepting the bid of Stonewell Bodies & Machine, Inc., establishing one or more price contracts for the Command Vehicle Upfit for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services. Motioned by Wu, seconded by LeGris. All 14 members voted in favor: Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Wu, Beasley, Boone, and Brown. No nays or abstentions.

• Resolution 0105-25 35:41 — A resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor, on behalf of the Urban County Government, to execute and submit a grant application to the Bluegrass Area Development District for operation of the Lexington Senior Center in FY 2026. Motioned by Lynch, seconded by Ellinger. All 14 members voted in favor: Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Wu, Beasley, Boone, and Brown. No nays or abstentions.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two financial items during the February 6, 2025 meeting, covering a public safety equipment contract and a senior services grant application.

• Resolution 0048-25 authorized a contract with Stonewell Bodies & Machine, Inc. for a command vehicle upfit for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services. No specific contract amount was included in the available data for this item.

• Resolution 0105-25 approved a grant application to the Bluegrass Area Development District in the amount of $283,124 to support the Lexington Senior Center. This resolution authorizes the city to seek outside funding for senior services through the regional development district.

Public Comment

Two members of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period.

• Phoenix Berry 52:57 recited poems and spoke about the importance of journaling and self-reflection, framing these practices within the context of racial justice.

• Rory Hefner-Templar 56:12 spoke about the need for collective action against racism and urged Council members to pledge their support for racial justice initiatives.

Both speakers focused on themes of racial equity and community engagement.

Appointments

The Council took action on two board appointments during the February 6, 2025 meeting.

• Johnathon Davis was appointed to the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors.
• Ellen Williams was appointed to the Lexington Children's Museum Board of Directors.

Both appointments were approved by the Council as part of the meeting's official business.

Contested Items

• Opioid Settlement with Kroger Co. 39:24: The sole contested procedural matter during this meeting involved a resolution related to an opioid settlement with Kroger Co. Council Member Beasley recused herself from participating in the vote on this item. No additional details regarding the nature of the disagreement, the terms of the settlement, or the outcome of the vote are reflected in the available data beyond the recusal itself.

Officer Ron Arnold Day

4:19

The Council took up agenda item 0152-25, a proclamation recognizing Officer Ron Arnold for his service and dedication to Mill Creek Elementary School.

Mayor Gorton formally declared February 6, 2025, as Ron Arnold Day in Lexington. The proclamation honored Officer Arnold's contributions to the school community and his commitment to service in that role.

Officer Ron Arnold was present at the meeting. The proclamation was approved.

Chief Nathan Bowling Day

14:11

Mayor Gorton presented a proclamation declaring February 6, 2025, as Nathan Bowling Day in Lexington. The proclamation honored Chief Nathan Bowling for his 37 years of service with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control.

• Agenda Item: 0153-25
• Proclaimed by: Mayor Gorton
• Honoree: Chief Nathan Bowling
• Recognition: 37 years of service with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control
• Outcome: Approved

The proclamation was approved by the Council, formally recognizing Chief Bowling's decades of dedication to animal care and control services in the Lexington-Fayette community.

Amending Budgets for FY 2025 Schedule No. 16

21:16

The Council took up Ordinance 0099-25, a measure to amend the budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current municipal expenditure requirements for Fiscal Year 2025.

Ellinger and Reynolds were the key speakers on this item. The ordinance was presented as a routine budget amendment — Schedule No. 16 in the series of FY 2025 budget adjustments — intended to align appropriations with the government's current spending needs.

The Council approved the ordinance.

Creating Human Resources Manager Position

21:16

The Council took up agenda item 0069-25, an ordinance to create a new classified position of Human Resources Manager, Grade 527E, within the Division of Human Resources.

Key speakers on this item were Ellinger and Reynolds. The ordinance was presented as a measure to formally establish the position within the city's classified employment structure.

The Council approved the ordinance.