Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council held its regular meeting on June 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Linda Gorton presiding. The meeting covered 12 agenda items spanning a range of administrative, legislative, and informational matters. Over the course of the session, the Council took 9 votes, with approved items including the summary, new business, mayoral appointments, donations, procurements, council capital projects, and a proclamation designating Jeffrey White Day. Two public comments were heard on agenda items, and the Council received two presentations — one providing a project update on the Execution and Activation of the New Government Center and one on The Nest — as well as committee reports from the Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee and the Social Services and Public Safety Committee.

Attendance

All 15 members of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council were present at the June 16, 2026 meeting. No members were absent or late.

Present: - Mayor Linda Gorton - Vice Mayor Wu - Council Member Brown - Council Member Ellinger II - Council Member Morton - Council Member Lynch - Council Member Eblen - Council Member Curtis - Council Member Sheehan - Council Member Higgins-Hord - Council Member Beasley - Council Member Baxter - Council Member Sevigny - Council Member Reynolds - Council Member Boone

Votes and Decisions

All votes at the June 16, 2026 Council meeting were taken by voice vote and passed. No roll call votes were recorded, so individual vote counts and member-by-member tallies are not available.

• Approval of the Docket — Moved by Vice Mayor Wu, seconded by Council Member Sef. Passed by voice vote. 12:57

• Approval of the June 9, 2026 Table of Motions — Moved by Council Member Ellinger, seconded by Council Member Sheehan. Passed by voice vote. 14:32

• Approval of New Business — Moved by Council Member Reynolds, seconded by Council Member Hale. Passed by voice vote. 15:05

• Approval of Communications from the Mayor — Appointments — Moved by Vice Mayor Wu, seconded by Council Member Elliot-Baxter. Passed by voice vote. 21:54

• Approval of Communications from the Mayor — Donations — Moved by Council Member Lynch, seconded by Council Member Curtis. Passed by voice vote. 21:54

• Approval of Communications from the Mayor — Procurements — Moved by Council Member Curtis, seconded by Council Member Hale. Passed by voice vote. 21:54

• Approval of Council Capital Projects — Moved by Council Member Reynolds, seconded by Council Member Curtis. Passed by voice vote. 21:54

• Approval of Ordinance Amending Animal Care and Control — Moved by Council Member Reynolds, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu. Passed by voice vote. 24:33

• Adjournment — Moved by Council Member Baxter, seconded by Council Member Curtis. Passed by voice vote. 1:48:54

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered a range of financial actions at the June 16, 2026 meeting, spanning property acquisition, service contracts, and grant approvals.

Property and Major Purchases

• The Council took up an Agreement of Sale for property at 130 West New Circle Road for $400,000 (L0477-26).

Service Contracts and Agreements

• A Purchase of Services Agreement with Jubilee Jobs was approved for $62,718.42 (L0493-26).
• Two separate agreements with Overtime Athletics for youth sports programming were approved, each valued at $800.00 (L0500-26 and L0501-26).
• LeadsOnline was approved as a sole source provider at a cost of $101,634 (L0503-26).
• A Purchase Services Agreement with Kable Academy was approved for $50,000 (L0509-26).
• A Memorandum of Agreement with the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation was approved for $8,400 (L0512-26).
• The annual renewal of ECaTS web-based queries of 911 statistics with Intrado Life & Safety Solutions was approved for $6,838.68 (L0521-26).
• A Purchase Services Agreement with Commerce Lexington was approved for $209,061.41 (L0522-26).

Grants

• A Pipeline Emergency Response Grant of $95,000 was approved (L0502-26).
• The Council approved a Defense Community Infrastructure Program Grant Application seeking $12 million (L0504-26).
• A Kentucky Emergency Management, Search and Rescue Aid Program grant of $14,760.00 was approved (L0514-26).
• A Fire Training Incentive Grant of $3,892,752.00 was approved (L0524-26).
• A Police Training Incentive Grant of $4,018,122 was approved (L0526-26).

In total, the meeting included over $8.9 million in grant funding alongside approximately $639,000 in contracts and service agreements, plus the $400,000 property purchase. The two largest single items were the Police and Fire Training Incentive Grants, which together accounted for nearly $7.9 million.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Council during the public comment period, both speaking in support of proposed changes to animal welfare and control ordinances.

• Diane Parish 6:31 applauded the Council for taking up animal welfare issues, specifically praising provisions related to anti-tethering and cost of care. Her comments reflected broad support for the direction the Council was taking on these matters.

• Casey Woods 9:48 also spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance changes, focusing on animal cruelty cases. Woods highlighted the case of a dog named Choco as a specific example, drawing attention to the challenges posed by long-term sheltering situations and underscoring the need for updated ordinance language to address such circumstances.

Both speakers expressed support rather than opposition, signaling public backing for the animal welfare measures under consideration by the Council.

Public Comment - Issues on Agenda

5:24

During the public comment period for issues on the agenda, two speakers addressed the Council regarding animal welfare and animal control ordinances.

• Diane Parish and Casey Woods both appeared before the Council to offer comments in support of proposed changes to the animal welfare and control ordinances under consideration.

No opposing viewpoints were recorded during this comment period. The item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken by the Council as a result of the public comments.

Approval of Summary

14:32

The council took up the approval of the summary from the June 9, 2026, work session. Council Member Ellinger and Council Member Baxter were the key speakers on this item. The summary was approved without noted objection.

New Business

15:05

The Council took up New Business, during which members considered various authorizations and agreements. Council Member Reynolds and Council Member Hale were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting.

The Council approved the new business items, which encompassed a range of authorizations and agreements. No additional detail regarding the specific content of individual items, debate, or concerns raised is available in the meeting record.

Communications from the Mayor - Appointments

21:54

The Council took up the Mayor's appointments during this portion of the meeting. The item was presented for Council consideration and approval, with Vice Mayor Wu and Council Member Elliot-Baxter identified as key participants in the discussion.

The Council approved the appointments as communicated by the Mayor. No additional details regarding the specific individuals appointed, the boards or bodies to which they were appointed, or any debate or concerns raised during the discussion are available in the meeting record for this item.

• Outcome: Approved
• Key Speakers: Vice Mayor Wu, Council Member Elliot-Baxter

Communications from the Mayor - Donations

21:54

The Council took up the matter of donations communicated by the Mayor. The item was presented as a resolution for Council approval.

Council Members Lynch and Curtis were the key speakers on this agenda item. The resolution was moved and the Council voted to approve the donations as communicated by the Mayor.

The item was approved by the Council.

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*Note: The available meeting data for this agenda item is limited. Specific details regarding the nature, amounts, recipients, or donors associated with the donations are not included in the provided source materials. For a full account of the discussion, the meeting video can be referenced beginning at timestamp 21:54.*

Communications from the Mayor - Procurements

21:54

The Council took up the Communications from the Mayor regarding Procurements during the June 16, 2026 meeting. The item involved procurements communicated by the Mayor for Council consideration and approval.

Council Member Curtis and Council Member Hale were the key speakers on this agenda item. The structured record does not detail the specific procurement contracts, vendors, or dollar amounts discussed, but the item was brought forward as a resolution for Council action.

The Council approved the procurements as presented.

> Note to editor: The source data for this item does not include specifics on individual procurement contracts, the nature of any debate or concerns raised, or the vote tally. If transcript details or supporting documentation are available, this summary should be updated to reflect the specific procurements considered, any discussion points raised by Curtis or Hale, and the precise vote count.

Council Capital Projects

21:54

The council took up the matter of Council Capital Projects, presented as a resolution for approval. Council Member Reynolds and Council Member Curtis were the key speakers on this agenda item.

The resolution was approved by the council.

*Note: Detailed information about the specific projects discussed, amounts involved, any debate or concerns raised, and vote tallies is not available in the provided record.*

Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee Report

22:27

Council Member Sef delivered a report to the Council summarizing the proceedings of the Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee meeting held on May 12, 2026.

The report was presented as an informational item, with Council Member Sef serving as the primary speaker. No additional details regarding the specific agenda items, discussions, or actions taken during the May 12 committee meeting are available in the source materials.

The presentation was received by the Council as an informational update, with no vote or formal action required.

Social Services and Public Safety Committee Report

23:30

Council Member Reynolds presented a partial report on the Social Services and Public Safety Committee meeting held on June 9, 2026.

The report was informational in nature. No vote or formal action was taken by the full Council as a result of this presentation.

*Note: The available data reflects only a partial report from the June 9 committee meeting. Additional details on specific items discussed, concerns raised, or outcomes from that committee session are not reflected in the available record of this agenda item.*

Project Update: Execution and Activation, New Government Center

25:06

Commissioner Chris Ford presented an informational update to the Council on the new government center project. The presentation covered the project's purpose, budget, and timeline.

No additional detail on specific figures, milestones, or concerns raised during the discussion is available in the provided record. The item was informational in nature, and no vote or formal action was taken by the Council.

Presentation: The Nest

1:13:03

Jeffrey White, Emily Startsman, and Kristin Martin presented to the Council on The Nest, covering the organization's programs, growth, and community impact.

The presentation was informational in nature. Key topics included The Nest's programs and the organization's growth over time, as well as the community support it has received and provided.

No vote or formal action was taken as a result of this agenda item.

Proclamation: Jeffrey White Day

1:29:59

Mayor Linda Gorton proclaimed June 16, 2026, as Jeffrey White Day in recognition of Jeffrey White's service as Executive Director of The Nest. Council Member James Brown was among the key speakers participating in the proclamation. The proclamation was approved.