Social Services and Public Safety Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Social Services and Public Safety (SSPS) Committee met on August 26, 2025, at 1:00 P.M., with J. Reynolds presiding. The meeting covered four agenda items spanning administrative, informational, and legislative matters. Two items were approved — the July 3, 2025 Committee Summary and proposed amendments to Section 4 regarding the keeping of certain animals — while two items were presented as informational briefings: a comprehensive review of code enforcement and a strategic growth plan for the Lexington Fire Department. Across the meeting, three motions and votes were recorded, two informational presentations were given, and no public comments were heard.

Attendance

The following 10 members were present at the Committee meeting on 2025-08-26:

• J. Reynolds
• W. Baxter
• D. Wu
• C. Ellinger
• T. Morton
• S. Lynch
• J. Hale
• A. Beasley
• H. Boone
• Lisa Higgins Hoard

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Three votes were taken during the August 26, 2025 Committee meeting.

• Approval of the July 3, 2025 Committee Summary 3:34: Moved by W. Baxter and seconded by Denise Gray, the motion to approve the July 3, 2025 Committee Summary passed by voice vote.

• Approval of proposed amendments to Section 4 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the keeping of certain animals 1:21:33: Moved by A. Beasley, the motion to approve the proposed amendments passed by voice vote with one nay recorded. No second was noted in the record.

• Motion to report out the amendments to Section 4 of the Code of Ordinances at today's work session 1:22:39: Also moved by A. Beasley, this motion to advance the Section 4 amendments to the day's work session passed by roll call vote. No second was noted in the record. Individual roll call votes were not recorded in the available data.

Contested Items

• Amendments to Section 4: Keeping of Certain Animals — This item generated debate among committee members, centering on a proposal to limit the number of roosters permitted and to increase associated penalties. Concerns were raised during discussion regarding the practicality of enforcement and the effectiveness of communication surrounding the proposed changes. The item was decided by a split vote, indicating that committee members were not in full agreement on the merits or implementation of the amendments. Specific vote tallies, the names of members on each side, and the final outcome of the vote were not recorded in the available data.

Approval of July 3, 2025 Committee Summary

3:34

The committee took up the approval of the summary from its July 3, 2025 meeting. J. Reynolds was the key speaker during this agenda item. No significant concerns or debate were recorded in connection with the summary's content.

The committee approved the July 3, 2025 meeting summary.

Comprehensive Review of Code Enforcement

4:10

Councilmember S. Lynch presented an update on the comprehensive review of code enforcement during this agenda item. The presentation covered several topics related to the city's code enforcement practices and policies.

Key areas addressed in the presentation included:

• Condemnations — processes and considerations related to condemning properties under the city's code enforcement framework
• Administrative hearings — the role and function of administrative hearings within the enforcement process
• Naturalized spaces — enforcement considerations as they relate to naturalized landscaping or vegetation on properties
• Equitable enforcement — examination of how code enforcement is applied across communities, with a focus on fairness and consistency

The item was informational in nature, and no vote or formal action was taken as a result of the presentation. The discussion served to update the committee on the ongoing comprehensive review of how code enforcement operates and is administered.

*Note: The available data for this agenda item is limited to a high-level summary. For full details of the presentation, specific concerns raised, and the complete discussion, viewers are encouraged to consult the meeting video beginning at timestamp 04:10.*

Strategic Growth Plan for Lexington Fire Department

27:42

Chief Jason Wells presented the strategic growth plan for the Lexington Fire Department, with the presentation focusing on future station locations and resource allocation based on risk assessments. J. Hale and T. Morton were also among the key speakers during this agenda item.

The presentation was informational in nature, providing the committee with an overview of the department's planning framework for future growth. The plan addressed how station placement and resource distribution would be guided by risk assessment data, indicating a data-driven approach to expanding the department's capacity and coverage.

No further details regarding specific station sites, budget figures, staffing projections, or particular risk findings are available from the provided materials. The item was received as informational, with no vote or formal action taken by the committee.

Amendments to Section 4: Keeping of Certain Animals

55:24

Councilmember A. Beasley presented proposed amendments to Section 4 of the Code of Ordinances addressing the keeping of certain animals in non-agricultural zones. The amendments focused on two primary changes: establishing limits on the number of roosters permitted in non-agricultural zones and increasing penalties for violations of the ordinance.

The item was approved by the Committee.