Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on March 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with Elizabeth Rivera presiding. The meeting included 6 agenda items, spanning routine administrative matters, a presentation, and several legislative actions. One presentation was given, recognizing the Frederick Douglass High School Cheerleading program. The Council heard 22 public comments over the course of the meeting.

The Council took 1 vote and approved 4 ordinances covering a range of topics: amendments to stormwater controls, the declaration of Shaker Dr. as a public way, amendments to the FY 2026 budgets, and the creation of a Senior Accountant position. The minutes from the March 12, 2026 Council meeting were also approved.

Attendance

All 15 council members were present at the March 26, 2026 Council meeting. No members were absent or late.

Present: - Council Member Baxter - Council Member Beasley - Council Member Boone - Council Member Brown - Council Member Curtis - Council Member Eblen - Council Member Ellinger - Council Member Hale - Council Member Higgins-Hord - Council Member Lynch - Council Member Morton - Council Member Reynolds - Council Member Savicny - Council Member Sheehan - Vice Mayor Wu

Votes and Decisions

The Council took one recorded vote during the March 26, 2026 meeting.

Resolution 0098-26 — Ground Lease Agreement for Haley Pike Solar Lease 2:27:43

• The motion was made by Council Member Morton and seconded by Council Member Beasley.
• The resolution passed on a roll call vote of 10 ayes to 3 nays, with no abstentions.
• Voting in favor (10): Council Members Ellinger, Higgins-Hord, Lynch, Morton, Reynolds, Savicny, Sheehan, Beasley, Boone, and Brown, along with Vice Mayor Wu.
• Voting against (3): Council Members Eblen and Hale.
• The resolution was approved with the condition that a Community Benefit Agreement must be approved in conjunction with the Industrial Revenue Bond.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered one financial action at the March 26, 2026 meeting.

• Resolution 0206-26 authorizes a contract with CY, LLC d/b/a Leanfeast in the amount of $30,345 for catering services for the Family Care Center.

Public Comment

Twenty-three residents addressed the Council during public comment, with remarks clustered around four main topics: the Lexington Model Airplane Club, the Haley Pike Solar Project, Flock Safety cameras, and other community concerns.

Lexington Model Airplane Club Ten speakers voiced concern about the club's potential displacement due to the solar project. Mickey Bruning 40:45 and James Newberry 41:15 emphasized the club's community value and historical significance, urging the Council to find a coexistence solution. Chris Chapman 49:10 read letters from community members describing the club's influence on careers in aviation and engineering. Brandon Chavez 58:30 and John Fox 1:25:40 spoke to the club's personal and professional impact. Theodore Payne 1:04:54 proposed specific solutions for coexistence, while Jim Martin 1:10:46 raised FAA regulations and relocation challenges. Dale Arvin 1:17:14 and Dean Hammond 1:30:26 stressed the difficulty of finding a suitable alternative site. Matt Hanson 1:21:00 highlighted the club's STEM education role and its partnership with Lockheed Martin. Keith Hollifield 1:38:20 proposed a partnership with Newton's Attic to enhance STEM programming alongside the club.

Haley Pike Solar Project Three speakers supported the solar project. Brayden Stamper 1:36:46 cited its importance for electricity supply and cost control. Matt Partymiller 1:47:46 addressed technical and timeline challenges, urging Council approval. Jeremy Jenkins 1:50:54 highlighted benefits related to land use and job creation.

Flock Cameras Six speakers opposed the city's use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Isaac Looney 3:06:58 urged the Council to terminate the contract with Flock Safety over privacy concerns. Finley Van Hook 3:09:43 warned of potential litigation and financial risk. Cassidy Child 3:10:15 and Willow Jordan 3:15:34 raised concerns about data misuse. Herbert Lynn 3:12:19 questioned the cameras' crime reduction effectiveness. Dylan Born 3:19:51 cited security vulnerabilities in the system.

Other Topics Gary Jones 3:17:08 raised concerns about gentrification and its effects on long-term residents. Trevor Davis 3:21:59 criticized delays in allocating opioid abatement funds and called for a clear plan to address community needs.

Appointments

The Council approved the following appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions:

• Joy Harris was reappointed to the Charles Young Neighborhood Center Board.
• Grant Klinksiek was appointed to the Commission on Veterans' Affairs.
• Janet Cabaniss was appointed to the Masterson Station Park Advisory Board.
• Susan Pollack was appointed to the Masterson Station Park Advisory Board.
• Seth Church was appointed to the Racial Justice and Equity Commission.
• Meckaela Sellers was appointed to the Racial Justice and Equity Commission.
• Hil Boone was reappointed to the Raven Run Citizens Advisory Board.

In total, the Council confirmed seven actions across five boards and commissions. Two individuals — Joy Harris and Hil Boone — were reappointed to bodies on which they had previously served, while the remaining five received new appointments. The Masterson Station Park Advisory Board and the Racial Justice and Equity Commission each received two new members.

Contested Items

Haley Pike Solar Project

The council debated a resolution authorizing a lease agreement related to the Haley Pike Solar Project, with discussion centering on the project's impact on the Lexington Model Airplane Club. The item drew enough disagreement among council members to result in a split vote on the resolution, though the specific vote tally and final outcome are not detailed in the available data.

Flock Cameras

The council's relationship with Flock Safety, a camera surveillance contractor, drew notable pushback from members of the public during the meeting. Multiple speakers submitted comments expressing privacy concerns and called on the council to terminate the existing contract with the company. The nature and extent of the council's response to this community opposition is not specified in the available data.

Minutes from the March 12, 2026 Council Meeting

Agenda Item 0266-26 4:31

The Council took up the approval of the minutes from the previous Council meeting held on March 12, 2026. This was a procedural agenda item focused on formally adopting the written record of that prior session.

Vice Mayor Wu and Council Member Higgins-Horde were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting. No significant debate or concerns were recorded in connection with this item.

The minutes were approved.

Frederick Douglass High School Cheerleading

5:02

The Council took up agenda item 0267-26, a presentation recognizing the Frederick Douglass High School cheerleading team for their championship achievement.

The team was honored for winning the 2025 KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) state cheerleading title in the all girls large division. The presentation was informational in nature, celebrating the accomplishment of the program and its athletes.

Key speakers during this item included Coach Kequan Ellis, who represented the cheerleading program, and Council Member Lisa Higgins-Horde, who was involved in bringing the recognition before the Council.

No debate or concerns were raised during this agenda item, as it served as a celebratory acknowledgment of the team's state championship performance.

Ordinance Amending Stormwater Controls

1:52:59

The Council took up agenda item 0184-26, an ordinance amending sections of the Code of Ordinances to adopt a maintenance manual for post-construction stormwater controls.

• The item was presented by Council Office, Hall.
• The ordinance focuses on incorporating a maintenance manual into the existing code framework governing post-construction stormwater management, establishing standardized guidance for the upkeep of stormwater control infrastructure.
• The Council approved the ordinance.

No additional speakers, debate, or concerns were recorded in the available data for this item.

Ordinance Declaring Shaker Dr. as Public Way

Agenda Item: 0200-26 1:52:59

The Council took up Ordinance 0200-26, an ordinance declaring a portion of Shaker Dr. to be dedicated as a public way and formally accepting that dedication.

• The item was presented by the Council Office, with Hall serving as the key speaker on the matter.
• The ordinance addresses the formal legal process of designating the specified portion of Shaker Dr. as a public way, which involves the municipality accepting the dedication of that roadway segment into public ownership and maintenance.

The Council approved the ordinance. No additional speakers, concerns, or debate are reflected in the available record for this item.

Ordinance Amending Budgets for FY 2026

Agenda Item 0223-26 1:52:59

The Council took up Ordinance 0223-26, an ordinance amending certain budgets to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and appropriating funds for Fiscal Year 2026.

The item was presented by Lueker from the Division of Budgeting. The ordinance was described as a budget amendment measure intended to align appropriations with the municipality's current operational and expenditure needs for the fiscal year.

The Council approved the ordinance.

Ordinance Creating Accountant Sr. Position

1:52:59

The Council considered ordinance 0194-26, which proposed amending the city's authorized strength by creating a new classified position of Accountant Sr. within the Department of Housing Advocacy and Community Development.

The item was presented by George from the Division of Human Resources. The ordinance would formally establish the senior accountant role as a classified position within the department, reflecting an adjustment to the city's authorized staffing structure.

No additional details regarding debate, concerns raised, or further discussion are reflected in the available record for this item.

The ordinance was approved by the Council.