Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on May 29, 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, including a proclamation establishing Dwight Price Sr. Day, a budget amendment for FY 2025 (Schedule No. 23), the repeal of Article XXVII of Chapter 2, and an amendment to Section 26-4(3) of the Code of Ordinances. Over the course of the meeting, the Council took 3 votes and heard 5 public comments.

Attendance

The following members were present at the May 29, 2025 Council meeting:

• Mayor Gorton
• Sheehan
• Wu
• Beasley
• Boone
• Brown
• Curtis
• Ellinger
• Elliott Baxter
• Hale
• LeGris
• Lynch
• Morton
• Sevigny

Absent: Reynolds

Late: Gray (also listed as absent, indicating Gray was not present at the start of the meeting)

Votes and Decisions

The Council took roll call votes on three items during the May 29, 2025 meeting.

• Ordinance 0441-25 — An ordinance amending Section 26-4(3) of the Code of Ordinances to allow members of the Rural Land Management Board to serve three consecutive terms. Motioned by Vice Mayor Wu and seconded by Mr. Sevigny, the ordinance passed 10–4. Voting in favor: Sheehan, Wu, Boone, Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, LeGris, Morton, and Sevigny. Voting against: Beasley, Curtis, Gray, and Lynch.

• Ordinance 0483-25 — 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. 23. Motioned by Vice Mayor Wu and seconded by Mr. Sevigny, the ordinance passed unanimously 14–0. All members voted in favor: Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, and Sevigny.

• Resolution 0384-25 — A resolution endorsing the Vision Zero initiative. Motioned by Ms. Elliott Baxter and seconded by Ms. Sheehan, the resolution passed unanimously 14–0. All members voted in favor: Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, and Sevigny.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered three financial agreements at the May 29, 2025 meeting, covering personnel education, software procurement, and records management.

• Resolution 0353-25 authorizes an agreement with Bluegrass Community and Technical College valued at $110,000 to provide college courses for Police department personnel. This is the largest of the three financial actions taken at this meeting.

• Resolution 0377-25 authorizes an agreement with Accountability Global, LLC for the purchase of a Security Workforce Management System software license at a cost of $900.

• Resolution 0387-25 authorizes an agreement with MCCi, LLC for the procurement of JustFOIA Pro Plus open records management software at a cost of $15,641.48. This software is designed to manage open records requests.

Combined, the three agreements total approximately $126,541.48 in authorized expenditures across public safety training, security management technology, and records administration software.

Public Comment

Five residents addressed the Council during the public comment period, with the majority focusing on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding for ROTC training at Hisle Farm Park. 16:34

• Anita Courtney opened the discussion on the ROTC item, expressing opposition to the Memorandum of Understanding and raising concerns about the effect military training activities would have on other park visitors. 16:34

• David Cooper also spoke against the proposal, arguing that the use of a public park for military training is incompatible with the peaceful enjoyment of the space. 20:16

• Chuck Eddy, identifying himself as a Moms Demand Action volunteer, opposed the ROTC training at Hisle Farm Park and cited concerns for gun violence survivors who use the park. 22:59

• Lieutenant Colonel Alan Overmyer offered a contrasting perspective, speaking in support of the ROTC training. He suggested that improved communication and control measures could adequately address the concerns raised by members of the public. 25:06

• Amy Clark shifted to a separate matter, speaking in opposition to a proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment. She requested that certain language and provisions be restored to the ordinance. 27:40

The ROTC training proposal drew the most public attention, with three speakers opposed and one in support.

Contested Items

Two items drew notable opposition from community members during the May 29, 2025 Council meeting.

ROTC Training at Hisle Farm Park

Several community members spoke out against the use of Hisle Farm Park for ROTC training exercises. Opponents raised concerns about the effect military training activities would have on other park visitors, as well as broader questions about the appropriateness of conducting military exercises within public park spaces. The structured data does not indicate a final Council vote or resolution outcome for this item.

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

A proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment also generated opposition. Amy Clark, along with other community members, voiced concerns about the amendment's current language, specifically requesting that certain provisions and language be restored to the ordinance. The nature of the requested restorations and the Council's final disposition of the amendment are not detailed in the available data.

Dwight Price Sr. Day

Agenda Item 0535-25 | 7:51

Mayor Gorton presented a proclamation declaring May 29, 2025, as Dwight Price Sr. Day in Lexington, honoring Price's contributions to education and the community. Key participants in the presentation included Mayor Gorton, Dwight Price Sr. himself, and Councilmember Sevigny.

The proclamation was approved by the Council.

Amending Budgets for FY 2025 Schedule No. 23

The Council took up Ordinance 0483-25, titled Amending Budgets for FY 2025 Schedule No. 23, an ordinance amending certain budgets to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating and re-appropriating funds for the fiscal year.

Key speakers on this item included Vice Mayor Wu and Mr. Sevigny. The ordinance was presented as a routine budget amendment measure designed to align appropriations with the city's current operational needs for FY 2025.

The Council approved the ordinance.

Repealing Article XXVII of Chapter 2

The Council considered Ordinance 0415-25, a measure to repeal Article XXVII of Chapter 2 of the municipal code, which would have the effect of abolishing the Animal Care and Control Advisory Committee.

Key speakers on this item included Vice Mayor Wu and Mr. Sevigny. The structured record does not include detailed notes on the specific arguments presented, debates held, or concerns raised during discussion of this ordinance.

The Council approved the ordinance.

Amending Section 26-4(3) of the Code of Ordinances

Agenda Item 0441-25

The Council considered an ordinance to amend Section 26-4(3) of the Code of Ordinances relating to the Rural Land Management Board. The proposed change would allow board members to serve three consecutive terms, modifying the existing term limit structure for that body.

Vice Mayor Wu and Mr. Sevigny were among the key speakers on this item. No significant concerns or debate are reflected in the available record of the discussion.

The ordinance was approved by the Council.