Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on December 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with Linda Gorton presiding. The meeting included 3 agenda items: one informational presentation and two ordinances, both of which were approved. The council took 3 votes during the course of the meeting and heard 1 public comment. Business conducted included a recognition of the Lafayette Band as State Champions, as well as action on ordinances expanding Full Urban Services District #1 and Partial Urban Services District #3.

Attendance

The following members were present at the Council meeting on December 4, 2025:

• Christian Postel
• Councilmember Sheehan
• Vice Mayor Dan Wu
• Councilmember Amy Beasley
• Councilmember Hill Boone
• Councilmember James Brown
• Councilmember Emma Curtis
• Councilmember Chuck Ellinger
• Councilmember Whitney Elliot-Baxter
• Councilmember Joseph Hale
• Councilmember Lisa Higgins-Ward
• Councilmember Hannah Lagree
• Councilmember Shayla Lynch
• Councilmember Tyler Morton
• Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds
• Councilmember Dave Savigny

All 16 listed members were present. No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Three motions came before the Council at the December 4, 2025 meeting.

• Motion 1158-25 — Approval of the minutes of the November 20, 2025 Council Meeting. Moved by Councilmember Savigny and seconded by Councilmember Morton, the motion passed by voice vote. 0:04

• Motions 1118-25 through 1156-25 — Second reading of various ordinances. Seconded by Councilmember Baxter, the motions passed by roll call vote with 13 ayes and no nays or abstentions. The following members voted in favor: Councilmember Sheehan, Vice Mayor Wu, Councilmember Beasley, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Ellinger, Councilmember Baxter, Councilmember Higgins-Ward, Councilmember Legree, Councilmember Lynch, Councilmember Morton, Councilmember Reynolds, and Councilmember Savigny. No members voted against. 0:15

• Motions 1113-25 through 1157-25 — Second reading of various resolutions. The motions passed by voice vote. 0:25

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered several contracts, amendments, and grants at the December 4, 2025 meeting, spanning infrastructure, public health, and community development.

• Merrick Trunk Sewer Project (Resolution 1113-25): The largest financial action on the agenda, a contract valued at $10,762,511 was approved with Tribute Acquisition Co. for work on the Merrick Trunk Sewer Project.

• Dumpster Bin Refurbishment (Resolution 1064-25): A contract of $12,822.74 was approved with Containerpros, LLC for the refurbishment of dumpster bins.

• Athletic Trainer Agreement (Resolution 1080-25): A contract not to exceed $100,000 was approved with the University of Kentucky for athletic trainer services.

• Downtown Development Strategic Analysis (Resolution 1081-25): A contract of $15,000 was approved with the Downtown Lexington Corporation to conduct a Downtown Development Strategic Analysis.

• Haley Pike Landfill Leachate Treatment System Improvements (Resolution 1084-25): An amendment totaling $177,600 was approved with Tetra Tech, Inc. for improvements to the leachate treatment system at the Haley Pike Landfill.

• Community Paramedicine Crisis Response Program (Resolution 1106-25): A grant of $125,000 was accepted from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to support the Community Paramedicine Crisis Response Program.

In total, the financial actions before the Council represented approximately $11.2 million in expenditures and grant funding, with the Merrick Trunk Sewer Project contract accounting for the vast majority of that figure.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period of the December 4, 2025 meeting.

• Chuck Eddy spoke regarding a recent capital project vote. 35:29 Eddy expressed concern that a large capital investment had been approved by only a one-vote majority, characterizing the margin as too narrow for a decision of that magnitude. He urged the Council to reconsider the approval.

Contested Items

• Capital Project Vote: A large capital investment came before the Council and passed by a narrow one-vote majority. The close margin generated public concern and prompted calls for the decision to be reconsidered.

*Note: The available meeting data does not include the specific dollar amount of the investment, the names of individual Council members and how they voted, or further detail on the nature of the public concern raised.*

Lafayette Band - State Champions

5:17

The Council recognized the Lafayette High School Marching Band for winning its 25th state title. The band director and drum majors were present at the meeting to receive the honor.

Mayor Linda Gorton and Dee Bishop were among the key speakers during the presentation. A proclamation was read officially declaring December 4th, 2025, as Lafayette High School Marching Band Day.

This agenda item (1103-25) was informational in nature, serving as a formal recognition of the band's achievement. No debate or concerns were raised.

Ordinance Expanding Full Urban Services District #1

13:24

The Council took up Ordinance 1118-25, a measure to expand and extend Full Urban Services District #1 to include additional properties. The district provides street lighting, street cleaning, and garbage collection services to properties within its boundaries.

No key speakers were recorded in connection with this item, and the available record does not reflect any notable debate or concerns raised during the discussion.

The Council approved the ordinance.

Ordinance Expanding Partial Urban Services District #3

13:59

The Council took up ordinance 1119-25, a measure to expand and extend Partial Urban Services District #3 to include additional properties within its boundaries for garbage and refuse collection services.

The ordinance was approved by the Council. No key speakers or notable debate were recorded in the available data for this agenda item.