Inter Governmental Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's Inter-Governmental Committee met on January 13, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lexington-Fayette Government Center, 200 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507. Andrea James presided over the meeting.

The committee addressed three agenda items during the session. The first item was an informational presentation on the Citizens' Advocate Office Standards & Policy Procedures Manual. The second item, Boards/Commissions Reporting, resulted in an approval. The final agenda item was an informational update on committee items.

During the meeting, the committee took five motions to a vote and heard four public comments from members of the community.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on January 13, 2009:

• Andrea James
• George G. Myers
• James Beard
• Blues
• Lawless
• Feigel
• Crosbie
• Myers
• Henson
• Gray
• Paul Schoninger

No attendees were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Elect Chair of the Inter-Governmental Committee 2:32 Motion by George G. Myers, seconded by Blues. Passed by voice vote. All members present voted in favor: Andrea James, George G. Myers, James Beard, Blues, Lawless, Feigel, Crosbie, Henson, Gray, and Paul Schoninger.

Direct Citizens' Advocate to work with Government Communications to produce a periodic program on GTV3 17:17 Motion by George G. Myers, seconded by James Beard. Passed unanimously. All members present voted in favor: Andrea James, George G. Myers, James Beard, Blues, Lawless, Feigel, Crosbie, Henson, Gray, and Paul Schoninger.

Direct Citizens' Advocate to work with CIO and Council staff to review available software solutions for case tracking 25:12 Motion by George G. Myers, seconded by Henson. Passed by roll call vote, 9 ayes to 1 nay. Voting in favor: Andrea James, George G. Myers, James Beard, Lawless, Feigel, Crosbie, Henson, Gray, and Paul Schoninger. Voting against: Blues. The motion is to review software solutions only; no funding is requested at this time.

Require all outside boards/commissions to submit annual reports and meeting minutes to LFUCG Administration for publication on the website 30:14 Motion by George G. Myers, seconded by Blues. Passed unanimously. All members present voted in favor: Andrea James, George G. Myers, James Beard, Blues, Lawless, Feigel, Crosbie, Henson, Gray, and Paul Schoninger.

Adjourn the meeting 34:44 Motion by George G. Myers, seconded by Crosbie. Passed by voice vote. All members present voted in favor: Andrea James, George G. Myers, James Beard, Blues, Lawless, Feigel, Crosbie, Henson, Gray, and Paul Schoninger.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included approval for a single financial action:

• Case Tracking Software Procurement: $7,000 for the purchase of case tracking software to be used by the Citizens' Advocate Office and Council staff.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the meeting with concerns regarding government oversight, public awareness, and property management issues.

Citizens' Advocate Documents Review

James Beard asked whether Citizens' Advocate documents had been previously discussed in the Committee of the Whole. He noted that while the Advocate was already reporting quarterly, these documents had not yet been brought before the committee. 9:38

Public Awareness of Citizens' Advocate Office

Henson expressed concern that the public should be made aware of the Citizens' Advocate Office and its impartial role in improving government. He requested clarification on the office's mission to ensure proper public understanding. 13:26

Software Tracking System Costs and Data Security

Blues raised concerns about the cost of a proposed software tracking system and the potential for sensitive data exposure. He suggested that the issue be deferred to the next budget cycle to allow for further consideration. 18:57

Deteriorated Property Commission Status

Crosbie inquired about the status of the Deteriorated Property Commission, noting that it was inactive. He expressed concern that the commission's lack of enforcement authority was hindering the government's ability to respond to urgent community issues, including fires. 30:14

Appointments

Andrea James was appointed to serve as Inter-Governmental Committee Chair.

Contested Items

Case Tracking Software Procurement

A disagreement arose during discussion of case tracking software procurement. Council Member Blues opposed a motion to review software solutions, citing cost concerns and budget constraints as the basis for the dissent. Despite Blues's objection, the motion proceeded with one dissenting vote recorded against it. While there was unanimous support for the overall intent of the initiative, the disagreement centered on the financial implications and budgetary impact of moving forward with the software review process at that time.

Citizens' Advocate Office Standards & Policy Procedures Manual

3:37

The Citizens' Advocate Work Group, led by Joan Beck and George G. Myers, presented revised professional standards and a comprehensive policy and procedure manual to the committee.

Presentation Content

The work group presented two key documents: - Revised professional standards for the Citizens' Advocate Office - A policy and procedure manual

Discussion Focus

The committee engaged in detailed discussion of the presented materials, with particular emphasis on three core principles: - Independence of the office - Impartiality in operations - Confidentiality of proceedings and records

Next Steps

The committee acknowledged that legal review of the documents would be necessary before formal adoption could proceed. This review was identified as a required step in the approval process.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken at this meeting.

Boards/Commissions Reporting

26:20

The committee discussed and approved a motion requiring all outside boards and commissions to submit annual reports and meeting minutes to the LFUCG Administration for public posting on the website.

Key Participants

The discussion involved George G. Myers, Blues, Beard, and Crosbie.

Motion and Requirements

The approved motion establishes a new reporting requirement for outside boards and commissions. Under this measure, these entities must submit annual reports and meeting minutes to LFUCG Administration, with the materials to be made publicly available on the website.

Concerns Raised

During the discussion, committee members raised concerns about transparency and institutional memory. These issues centered on the importance of maintaining accessible records and ensuring continuity of knowledge across board and commission activities.

Outcome

The motion was approved by the committee.

Update on Committee Items

During this agenda item, the committee provided an informational update on committee matters without presenting new motions or substantive updates. 34:14

Key Speakers

The discussion involved Crosbie, James, and Shay Rebold.

Status of the Deteriorated Property Commission

The committee confirmed that the Deteriorated Property Commission remains inactive but has not been formally abolished. Members indicated that discussions were underway to explore the possibility of reinstating the commission.

Outcome

This item concluded as informational, with no formal actions or decisions made during the discussion.