Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on June 26, 2008, at 7:00 PM in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting featured three agenda items, including an invocation, a presentation, and a resolution. The session was notably focused on honoring the memory of Jimmie L. Campbell, with both a formal presentation and a Resolution in Memoriam dedicated to recognizing Campbell's life and legacy. The resolution was approved by the Council during the meeting.

Over the course of the meeting, the Council took 3 votes, heard 2 public comments, and received 1 presentation — the tribute to Jimmie Campbell. The agenda was relatively brief, with the primary business centered on the memorial proceedings for Jimmie L. Campbell.

Attendance

All members were present at the June 26, 2008 Council meeting. No members were recorded as absent or late.

Present: - Jim Newberry - Gray - Henson - James - Lane - McChord - Myers - Stevens - Stinnett - Beard - Blevins - Blues - Crosbie - DeCamp - Ellinger - Gorton

Votes and Decisions

Three roll call votes were taken during the June 26, 2008 Council meeting.

• Resolution to rename Jimmie Drive to Jimmie Campbell Drive 19:02: Motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Gorton, the resolution passed unanimously, 15–0. All members voted in favor: Gray, Henson, James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, Ellinger, and Gorton.

• Ordinance appropriating Revenues, Expenditures/Expenses, and Interfund Transfers for various funds 32:04: Motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Blues, the ordinance passed 14–1. Voting in favor were Gray, Henson, James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, and Gorton. Ellinger cast the sole vote against.

• Ordinance amending Sections 13-5 and 13-9 of the Code of Ordinances to establish an annual minimum license fee 33:09: Motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Blues, the ordinance passed 12–3. Voting in favor were Gray, Henson, James, Lane, McChord, Myers, Stevens, Stinnett, Blevins, Blues, DeCamp, and Gorton. Beard, Crosbie, and Ellinger voted against.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered three contract resolutions authorizing expenditures for municipal infrastructure, historic preservation, and public safety communications.

• Resolution 0001-26 authorized a contract with Casey Creek Construction, Inc. in the amount of $79,721 for structural repairs to Fire Station #5. This work addresses physical repairs needed at the fire station facility.

• Resolution 0003-26 authorized a contract with Mid-Continental Restoration Company, Inc. in the amount of $38,547 for rear façade masonry repair at the Kentucky Theatre. This expenditure supports preservation work on the historic theatre building.

• Resolution 0004-26 authorized a contract with Alertus Technologies, LLC in the amount of $85,825 for an FM Emergency Alert System. This investment supports the city's emergency communications infrastructure.

Combined, the three resolutions represent a total authorized expenditure of $204,093 across contracts covering facility maintenance, historic preservation, and emergency preparedness.

Public Comment

Two members of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period.

Jamie Cooper 1:32:12 spoke in favor of collective bargaining rights for urban county government employees. Cooper expressed dissatisfaction with current pay conditions and argued that employees need a formal contract to ensure their concerns are taken seriously by the government. Cooper's comments indicated a broader frustration among government workers regarding compensation and the lack of a structured bargaining process to address their needs.

Mr. McCarthy 1:33:54 raised two distinct concerns. First, he voiced opposition to subsidies provided to developers, suggesting that such financial support was not in the public interest. Second, he offered suggestions for improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, specifically calling for tree trimming and sidewalk maintenance to make those routes safer and more accessible.

Contested Items

• Annual Minimum License Fee Ordinance — An ordinance to establish an annual minimum license fee was the primary contested item at the June 26, 2008 Council meeting. The measure generated notable opposition among Council members, ultimately passing on a split vote of 12 to 3. The specific points of disagreement among members are not detailed in the available record, but the 3 dissenting votes indicate meaningful division within the Council over the proposal's merits. Despite the opposition, the ordinance secured enough support to pass.

Invocation

11:20

The meeting opened with an invocation delivered by Deborah Wallace-Padgett, Senior Pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Presentation in Memory of Jimmie Campbell

14:08

Mr. Lane delivered a presentation honoring the late Mr. Jimmie L. Campbell, who had served as the former Director of the Division of Sanitary Sewers. The presentation was informational in nature and offered a tribute to Mr. Campbell's memory and his contributions in that role. No debate or deliberation was associated with this item.

Resolution in Memoriam honoring Jimmie L. Campbell

19:02

The Council took up a resolution honoring Jimmie L. Campbell, a former Director of the Division of Sanitary Sewers. The resolution proposed renaming a street in Campbell's memory as a lasting tribute to his service and contributions.

Council members Ellinger and Gorton were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting. The resolution was presented as a formal act of remembrance, recognizing Campbell's legacy in his role overseeing the Division of Sanitary Sewers.

The Council approved the resolution.