Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on December 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers, Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting covered 12 agenda items spanning a range of routine and substantive business, including ordinances, resolutions, mayoral communications, and a fire/police discipline matter. Over the course of the meeting, 2 votes were taken, and the Council approved items including minutes from previous meetings, second-reading ordinances, mayoral appointments, donations, procurements, and a fire/police discipline item, while advancing first-reading ordinances and resolutions for future consideration. The meeting also included presentations for informational purposes and received 14 public comments from community members.

Attendance

All 16 members of the Council were present at the December 2, 2025 meeting. No members were absent or late.

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

Votes and Decisions

Two ordinances came to a roll call vote at the December 2, 2025 Council meeting.

• Ordinance 1129-25 — An ordinance amending certain budgets for municipal expenditures was moved by Mr. Ellinger and seconded by Mr. Sevigny. The measure passed unanimously, 15–0. 53:47 All members voted in favor: Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, Higgins-Hord, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, and Reynolds.

• Ordinance 1082-25 — An ordinance related to constructing and leasing to own a new Government Center was moved by Ms. Elliott Baxter and seconded by Ms. Higgins-Hord. The measure passed on a divided vote of 8–7. 1:10:31
• Voting in favor (8): Boone, Brown, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, Higgins-Hord, LeGris, and Reynolds.
• Voting against (7): Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Curtis, Lynch, and Morton.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered a wide range of financial actions at its December 2, 2025 meeting, spanning infrastructure, public safety, community services, and nonprofit support.

Infrastructure and Capital Projects - Resolution 1113-25: A contract worth $10,762,511 with Tribute Acquisition Co. for the Merrick Trunk Sewer Project. - Resolution 1097-25: A $20,000,000 loan from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority for the North Elkhorn Wet Weather Storage Tank Project. - Resolution 1084-25: A $177,600 contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. for Haley Pike Landfill Leachate Treatment System Improvements. - Resolution 1134-25: A $433,278.98 line extension agreement with Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. for natural gas service. - Resolution 1127-25: A contract modification of -$24,967.98 with L-M Asphalt Partners Ltd for the Salt Dome & Associated Improvements on Old Frankfort Pike. - Resolution 1123-25: A $53,920 contract with Haire Construction, LLC for the Phoenix Park Reimagined Project. - Resolution 1105-25: A $116,750 contract with Gresham Smith for the Main and Vine Streetscape plan.

Community and Nonprofit Grants - Resolution 1116-25: $380,969 in grants to multiple recipients under the Nonprofit Capital Grant Program for Facilities Improvements. - Resolution 1117-25: $223,408 in grants to multiple recipients under the Nonprofit Capital Grant Program for Operational Investments. - Resolution 1135-25: Authorization to apply for a $4,640,674 Continuum of Care Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. - Resolution 1111-25: A $95,305.99 housing stability services grant to Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society, Inc. - Resolution 1141-25: $8,000 in Neighborhood Development Funds to multiple recipients. - Resolution 1142-25: $119,884.34 in Council Capital Project Expenditure Funds to multiple recipients.

Public Safety and Health - Resolution 1106-25: A $125,000 grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for the Community Paramedicine Crisis Response Program. - Resolution 1157-25: A $77,221 State Crisis Intervention Program grant from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

Other Contracts - Resolution 1080-25: A $100,000 athletic trainer agreement with the University of Kentucky. - Resolution 1110-25: A $60,000 contract with New Life Day Center, Inc. for litter pickup services under the Panhandler Participation Program. - Resolution 1064-25: A $12,822.74 contract with Containerpros, LLC for dumpster bin refurbishment. - Resolution 1081-25: A $15,000 contract with Downtown Lexington Corporation for a Downtown Development Strategic Analysis. - Resolution 1112-25: A $65,625 contract with Blue Grass Community Foundation, Inc. for the Be The Change Scholarship fund. - Resolution 1124-25: A $99,440 contract with Newgen Strategies & Solutions LLC for a Collection Efficiency Study.

Public Comment

Fourteen members of the public addressed the Council during the comment period, with all speakers focused on the proposed new government center.

In Support: - Alan McDaniel 20:45 supported the proposal, pointing to the current building's limitations and arguing that the project represents a fiscally responsible solution.

In Opposition: The remaining speakers raised a range of concerns about the proposal:

• Christian Torp 19:09 opposed the project, citing concerns about cost and what he described as a lack of equity in the deal.
• Paul Gardner 22:17 questioned the transparency and timing of the proposal.
• Deborah Winslow 25:15 raised concerns about transparency and the involvement of unnamed web companies in the project.
• Patty Cooper 28:29 expressed surprise at the suddenness of the proposal and questioned the financial outlay given other pressing community needs.
• Alaina Broderson 30:42 argued that the funds would be better directed toward housing and food security.
• Walter Taylor 32:51 drew on personal experiences with housing issues and urged the Council to prioritize housing over the new facility.
• Viroqua Moore 35:29 advocated for redirecting funds toward housing and community programs.
• Adrienne Williams 38:41 expressed concern about prioritizing the government center over housing and social services.
• Chuck Eddy 41:22 urged the Council to delay the project due to financial uncertainties and called for investment in homeless housing instead.
• Elizabeth Browning 42:59 emphasized the need for greater community involvement and called for funding to address basic needs before proceeding with a new city hall.
• Hart Hallos 44:33 presented alternative budget allocations that he argued could better address community needs, including affordable housing.
• Emmett Conger 46:38 highlighted the housing shortage and urged the Council to make housing its priority.
• Nikita Perumal 48:54 argued against the center, emphasizing the need for affordable housing and expanded social services.

The dominant themes across public comment were a call for greater transparency, concern over the proposal's timing, and a strong preference among speakers for directing public funds toward housing and social services rather than a new government facility.

Appointments

The Council approved appointments to several city boards and advisory bodies at the December 2, 2025 meeting.

Carnegie Center for Literacy Board of Directors - Betsy Johnson — appointed - Ramla Osman — appointed

Charles Young Neighborhood Center Board - Michelle Bond — appointed - Marshall Fields — appointed

Emergency Medical Advisory Board - Phillip Jewell — appointed - Crystal Miller — appointed

Fire Pre-Disciplinary Review Board - Trace Williams — appointed

Library Board of Advisors - Laura Hatfield — appointed

Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Board of Directors - Alexander Butler — appointed - Matthew Crutcher — appointed - Stephanie Fitch — appointed - Timothy Johnson — appointed - Obie Taylor — appointed

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Shakira Syed — appointed

Water Quality Fees Board - Michael Clay Johnson — appointed

In total, the Council confirmed 15 appointments across 8 boards and advisory bodies. The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Board of Directors received the largest number of new members, with five individuals appointed.

Contested Items

Two items generated significant disagreement during the December 2, 2025 Council meeting.

• New Government Center: An ordinance to construct and lease a new government center passed by a narrow margin of 8–7, reflecting deep division among council members. The close vote indicates that nearly half of the council opposed the measure, and the item also drew public opposition. The ordinance ultimately passed despite the contested nature of the vote.

• Funding for Homelessness Task Force: This item prompted heated discussion among council members over the timing of fund allocation. The central disagreement was whether to release funding immediately or to wait until the task force had completed its work and issued formal recommendations. The debate highlighted differing priorities among members regarding fiscal process versus urgency of action. No outcome or resolution for this item was provided in the available meeting record.

Roll Call

0:34

The meeting opened with a roll call conducted by the Council Clerk to confirm the presence of council members in attendance. The roll call served as a standard procedural step to establish quorum and officially open the December 2, 2025 Council meeting.

No additional discussion or concerns were raised during this agenda item. The roll call was informational in nature.

Invocation

1:05

Richard Harless of Bethsaida Baptist Church delivered the invocation at the opening of the December 2, 2025 Council meeting. This was an informational item with no debate, vote, or action taken.

Minutes of the Previous Meetings

3:14

Under Agenda Item III, the Council took up the minutes of the previous meeting for review and approval. The minutes presented for consideration were from the November 18, 2025, Council meeting.

Ms. Elliott Baxter and Ms. Curtis were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting. No concerns or objections regarding the accuracy or content of the minutes are noted in the record.

The minutes of the November 18, 2025, Council meeting were approved.

Presentations

4:12

Mayor Gorton led the Presentations portion of the December 2, 2025 Council meeting, which covered three recognition items.

• Lexington–Jeju City Friendship City Recognition: The Council recognized Lexington's Friendship City relationship with Jeju City, South Korea. No additional details regarding the nature or history of the partnership were provided in the meeting materials.

• Chelsey Gerardi Day Proclamation: Mayor Gorton issued a proclamation declaring a Chelsey Gerardi Day in Lexington. Specific details about the occasion for the honor were not included in the available meeting data.

• Brian Peterson Day Proclamation: Mayor Gorton also issued a proclamation declaring a Brian Peterson Day in Lexington. As with the Gerardi proclamation, further context about the basis for the recognition was not detailed in the available materials.

All three items were informational in nature, with no votes or formal Council action required.

Ordinances – Second Reading

1:10:31

The Council took up Agenda Item VI, the second reading of ordinances related to the construction and leasing of a new Government Center. Key speakers during this portion of the meeting were Mr. Morton and Mr. Sevigny.

The ordinances presented for second reading addressed the construction and leasing arrangements for the new Government Center facility. As a second reading, this represented the final formal step in the ordinance adoption process before a vote.

The Council approved the ordinances.

*Note: Additional details regarding specific debate points, concerns raised, vote tallies, or further procedural discussion are not available in the source data for this agenda item.*

Ordinances – First Reading

1:11:06

The Council took up Agenda Item VII, covering the first reading of ordinances related to urban services district expansions and budget amendments. First readings are a procedural step in the legislative process, introducing ordinances to the Council before they advance to a second reading and potential vote at a future meeting.

The Council Clerk presented the ordinances at this stage. The items addressed two subject areas:

• Urban services district expansions — ordinances related to changes in the boundaries or scope of urban services districts
• Budget amendments — ordinances proposing modifications to the existing budget

No detailed debate or discussion is reflected in the available record for this agenda item. As is typical for first readings, the ordinances were introduced into the public record without a final vote on their adoption.

The outcome of this agenda item was a first reading, meaning the ordinances will return before the Council at a subsequent meeting for further consideration and action.

Resolutions – First Reading

1:21:19

The Council Clerk presented the Resolutions – First Reading portion of the meeting, which included various contracts and agreements for the Council's consideration. This agenda item, listed as Item VIII on the meeting agenda, represents the initial introduction of resolutions before they advance to a formal vote at a subsequent meeting.

The resolutions were read into the record by the Council Clerk as part of the standard first reading process. No additional speakers or debate are reflected in the available data for this agenda item.

The outcome of this agenda item was a first reading, meaning the resolutions were formally introduced but not yet acted upon with a final vote. They are expected to return for further consideration at a future Council meeting.

Communications From The Mayor - Appointments

1:31:23

The Council took up Agenda Item IX, covering mayoral appointments to various boards and commissions. Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Curtis were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting.

The item involved the approval of multiple appointments, though the specific boards, commissions, and individual appointees are not detailed in the available meeting record. The Council moved forward with consideration of the appointments as presented.

No specific concerns, debate, or opposition are reflected in the available data for this agenda item. The Council approved the appointments.

Communications From The Mayor - Donations

1:31:54

The Council took up Agenda Item X, covering the approval of donations for various City departments. Mr. Brown and Ms. Reynolds were the key speakers on this item.

The item was presented for Council consideration and approval. No additional detail regarding the specific departments receiving donations, the donors, or the individual donation amounts is available in the meeting record.

The Council approved the donations as presented.

Communications From The Mayor - Procurements

1:32:25

The Council took up Agenda Item XI, covering Communications From The Mayor related to Procurements — specifically, the approval of bids and price contracts for various municipal departments.

Ms. Elliott Baxter and Mr. Sevigny were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting. The item addressed procurement actions submitted by the Mayor's office for Council consideration and approval.

The Council approved the procurements as presented.

*Note: The available data for this agenda item is limited. For full details on the specific contracts, bid amounts, vendors, and departments involved, readers are encouraged to consult the official meeting minutes or view the relevant portion of the meeting video beginning at approximately 1:32:25.*

Communications From The Mayor - For Information Only

1:32:55

The Council Clerk presented communications from the Mayor under this informational agenda item (Item XII). The communications covered probationary appointments and resignations. No debate or deliberation was required, as this item was designated for information only.

No concerns were raised during this portion of the meeting, and no vote or formal action was taken. The matter was received by the Council as presented.

Fire/Police Discipline

1:32:25

The Council took up Agenda Item XIII, a discussion of disciplinary action involving Officer John McFaull. Chief Lawrence Weathers served as the key presenter on this matter.

Chief Weathers addressed the Council regarding the disciplinary action under consideration for Officer McFaull. Following the discussion, the Council approved the disciplinary action.

*Note: The available record for this agenda item is limited. Specific details regarding the nature of the disciplinary action, the grounds for discipline, any debate among Council members, or concerns raised during the discussion are not reflected in the available structured data for this meeting.*