Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on March 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting included 2 agenda items, 2 votes, and 2 public comments. The council received one informational presentation on a Science Fair and approved one ordinance related to Fire Prevention.

Attendance

All 15 council members were present at the March 12, 2026 Council meeting. No members were absent or late.

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

Votes and Decisions

Two items came to a vote during the March 12, 2026 Council meeting.

• Ordinance 0142-26 — An Ordinance creating Section 9-2.1 of the Code of Ordinances relating to fire prevention. 54:32 Ms. Elliott Baxter moved adoption and Ms. Curtis provided the second. The ordinance passed unanimously on a roll call vote of 14–0, with no abstentions. The following members voted in favor: Curtis, Eblen, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, Higgins-Hord, Lynch, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, and Brown. No members voted against.

• Resolution 0098-26 — A Resolution authorizing a Ground Lease Agreement with Social Impact Solar LLC. 1:20:55 Mr. Morton moved the resolution and Ms. Curtis seconded. Rather than proceeding to a final vote, the Council approved postponement of the resolution by voice vote. The item has been postponed to March 26, 2026.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two financial items at the March 12, 2026 meeting, totaling nearly $3 million in combined expenditures and grant funding.

• Resolution 0109-26 authorized a contract agreement with Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. for the purchase of a Custom Pierce Enforcer Heavy Duty Rescue Pumper at a cost of $1,960,731. This acquisition represents a significant capital equipment investment, likely intended to support emergency response capabilities.

• Resolution 0123-26 accepted a supplemental grant in the amount of $990,202 designated for the East Hickman Pump Station Expansion and Rehabilitation Project. This grant funding is intended to support infrastructure improvements at the East Hickman facility.

Public Comment

Two members of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period, both speaking in opposition to a proposed solar project. 22:55

• James Newberry opened public comment by raising concerns about the impact of the solar project on the Lexington Model Airplane Club's facility. 22:55

• Curtis Adams followed, speaking to the historical significance of the Lexington Model Airplane Club and the benefits it provides to the community. 26:10

Both speakers focused their remarks on the potential effects the solar project could have on the Lexington Model Airplane Club, with Newberry emphasizing facility-related impacts and Adams highlighting the club's broader community and historical value.

Appointments

The Council took action on two appointments during the March 12, 2026 meeting.

• Joe Bryant was appointed to the Access Lexington Commission.
• Joyce Parks was reappointed to the Charles Young Neighborhood Center Board.

Contested Items

Solar Project at Haley Pike Landfill

The proposed solar project at the Haley Pike Landfill drew community opposition during the meeting. Members of the Lexington Model Airplane Club were among those who spoke out against the project, citing concerns about the impact the development would have on their facility.

The nature of the specific objections raised and the outcome of the discussion are not reflected in the available meeting data.

Science Fair Presentation

Agenda Item 0175-26 8:20

The Council recognized winners of the Kentucky American Water-Fayette County Public Schools Science Fair through a certificate presentation ceremony. Key participants in the presentation included Mayor Gorton, Rob Burton, and Ellen Williams.

Certificates were presented to the science fair winners as part of this recognition. The item was informational in nature, with no vote or legislative action taken.

Ordinance on Fire Prevention

54:32

The Council took up agenda item 0142-26, an ordinance to adopt provisions of the 2024 International Fire Code pertaining to carbon monoxide detection.

Key speakers on this item were Ms. Elliott Baxter and Ms. Curtis. The ordinance was approved by the Council.

*Note: The available data for this agenda item does not include details on the specific arguments presented, any concerns raised during debate, or the vote breakdown. A full account of the discussion can be found in the meeting video beginning at timestamp 54:32.*