Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on January 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting's agenda included 2 items, both informational in nature, covering recognition of the Lafayette High School Cross Country program and local Josie Music Award recipients. A total of 2 votes were taken during the session. No public comments were heard at this meeting.

Attendance

All 15 members of the Council were present at the January 22, 2026 meeting. No members were absent or late.

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

Votes and Decisions

Two items came to a vote during the January 22, 2026 Council meeting, both passing unanimously.

• Ordinance 0016-26 16:58: An ordinance rezoning properties located at Canebrake Dr. from an Agricultural-Rural (A-R) zone to a Medium Density Residential (R-4) zone and a Light Industrial (I-1) zone. The motion was made by Ellinger and seconded by Wu. The ordinance passed 14–0 on a roll call vote, with all members present voting in favor: Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, Higgins-Hord, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, and Wu. No members voted against, and no abstentions were recorded.

• Resolution 0015-26 22:13: A resolution accepting the bid of Shunar Concrete & Construction for the Constitution Park Concessions and Restroom Building. The motion was made by Elliott Baxter and seconded by Curtis. The resolution passed 13–0 on a roll call vote, with one abstention. Members voting in favor were: Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, Higgins-Hord, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, and Wu. No members voted against. Beasley, who voted in favor of the preceding ordinance, did not cast an aye or nay vote on this resolution and is recorded as the abstention.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered two contract resolutions at the January 22, 2026 meeting, covering capital construction and utility monitoring services.

• Constitution Park Concessions and Restroom Building (Resolution 0015-26): The Council took up a contract valued at $522,422 with Shunar Concrete & Construction for the construction of a concessions and restroom building at Constitution Park. This represented the larger of the two financial actions before the Council at this meeting.

• Flow Monitoring for the Division of Water Quality (Resolution 1159-25): The Council also considered a contract of $172,600 with Duke's Root Control, Inc. to provide flow monitoring services for the Division of Water Quality. This contract supports ongoing infrastructure monitoring functions within the city's water quality operations.

Together, the two resolutions represent a combined expenditure of $695,022 across capital improvements and utility services.

Appointments

The Council took action on two appointments to a local advisory body during the January 22, 2026 meeting.

• Crystal Newton was appointed to the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Board of Directors.
• Chris Schnelle was appointed to the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Board of Directors.

Both individuals were appointed to serve on the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, which oversees the operations of the regional crime stoppers program.

Lafayette High School Cross Country

4:38

The Council recognized the Lafayette High School Boys Cross Country Team for winning the KHSAA Class 3A State Championship under agenda item 0068-26.

• Mayor Gorton and Coach Caleb Job were the key speakers during this presentation.
• The recognition honored the team's achievement in capturing the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Class 3A State Championship in cross country.

This was an informational item, and no action or vote was required by the Council.

Josie Music Award Recipients

Agenda Item 0069-26 | 10:18

The Council recognized Renee Collins Cobb and Warren Cobb for their achievements at the 2025 Josie Music Awards. The presentation was led by Mayor Gorton, with participation from Councilmember Reynolds and remarks from the honorees themselves.

• Renee Collins Cobb and Warren Cobb were acknowledged for their accomplishments at the 2025 Josie Music Awards, a nationally recognized awards program celebrating independent music artists.
• Mayor Gorton led the recognition on behalf of the Council.
• Councilmember Reynolds also participated in the presentation.
• Both Renee Collins Cobb and Warren Cobb were present and addressed the Council.

The item was informational in nature, with no vote or action taken. No concerns or debate were raised during the presentation.