Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on August 16, 2007, at 7:00 PM in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The Council addressed two primary agenda items during the session, taking a total of two votes on municipal matters.

The meeting focused on budget amendments for municipal expenditures, which received approval from the Council, and conducted the first reading of a zone change proposal for 225 Walton Avenue. One member of the public provided comments during the designated public comment period. The Council successfully completed action on the budget amendment while advancing the zoning matter through the initial stage of the legislative process.

Attendance

The following Council members were present at the August 16, 2007 meeting:

Present: • Gorton • Gray • James • Lane • Moloney • Stevens • Stinnett • Beard • Blevins • Blues • Crosbie • DeCamp • Ellinger

Absent: • McChord • Myers

No Council members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took action on two ordinances during the August 16, 2007 meeting, both passing unanimously.

Ordinance 0130-26 2:30 Councilmember Gorton motioned to approve Ordinance 0130-26, with a second by Councilmember Stevens. This ordinance amended certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures, and appropriated and reappropriated funds under Schedule No. 30. The measure passed by roll call vote with 13 ayes and 0 nays. All present council members voted in favor: Gorton, Gray, James, Lane, Moloney, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, and Ellinger.

Ordinance 0132-07 10:45 Councilmember DeCamp motioned to approve Ordinance 0132-07, seconded by Councilmember Beard. This ordinance amended Ordinance No. 132-2007 to correct a typographical error in the line number of Environmental Inspector. The technical correction also passed unanimously by roll call vote with 13 ayes and 0 nays. The same 13 council members voted in favor: Gorton, Gray, James, Lane, Moloney, Stevens, Stinnett, Beard, Blevins, Blues, Crosbie, DeCamp, and Ellinger.

Both votes demonstrated unanimous council support for the budget amendments and administrative correction, with no opposition or abstentions recorded on either measure.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved two significant contracts totaling over $914,000 for essential infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

Water Treatment Plant Electrical Upgrades The Council authorized Resolution 0073-26, approving a $419,600 contract with Hall Contracting of Kentucky, Inc. for electrical switchgear equipment and installation at the Town Branch and West Hickman Treatment Plants. This contract addresses critical electrical infrastructure needs at two of the city's water treatment facilities.

Sewer System Maintenance Program Resolution 0076-26 was approved, establishing a $494,439.80 contract with Pipe Eyes, LLC for the annual preventive maintenance sewer cleaning program. This ongoing maintenance initiative represents the city's commitment to proactive infrastructure care to prevent costly emergency repairs and service disruptions.

Both contracts support essential utility operations that directly impact residents' daily services. The water treatment plant electrical work ensures reliable operation of facilities that provide clean drinking water, while the sewer cleaning program maintains the wastewater collection system's functionality throughout the city.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period.

Bernard McCarthy spoke regarding the rehabilitation of Russell Elementary School 0:45. Mr. McCarthy requested additional details about the planned rehabilitation project, specifically asking for information about what structural or operational issues currently exist with the building. He also inquired about the intended future use of the Russell Elementary School facility once the rehabilitation work is completed.

No other public comments were recorded during this portion of the meeting.

Appointments

The City Council made two key appointments to the Parks and Recreation Department during the August 16, 2007 meeting.

Jerry Hancock was appointed to serve as Director of Parks & Recreation. This appointment fills the leadership position for the city's parks and recreational services department.

Billy Van Pelt was appointed as PDR Program Manager. This role involves managing specific programs within the Parks, Recreation and Development services.

Both appointments represent staffing decisions to support the city's parks and recreation operations and programming for residents.

Contested Items

The Council faced one contested item during the August 16, 2007 meeting that resulted in a split vote among members.

Zone Change for 252 East High Street

The primary point of contention involved an ordinance to rezone property at 252 East High Street. The proposed change would have converted the property from its current High Density Apartment (R-4) zoning designation to a Downtown Frame Business (B2-A) zone classification.

After deliberation, the Council voted 5-3 to disapprove the zone change ordinance. The split vote indicates significant disagreement among Council members regarding the appropriateness of converting residential zoning to commercial use at this location. Five Council members opposed the rezoning while three members supported the change.

The rejection of this zoning amendment means the property at 252 East High Street will retain its current R-4 High Density Apartment zoning classification, preserving its residential character rather than allowing for the expanded commercial uses that would have been permitted under B2-A Downtown Frame Business zoning.

Amending budgets for municipal expenditures

2:30

The Council considered an ordinance to amend certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures and to appropriate and reappropriate funds.

Council members Gorton and Stevens were the key speakers during discussion of this agenda item. The ordinance was designed to adjust existing budget allocations to meet current operational needs of the municipal government.

The measure involved both appropriating new funds and reappropriating existing funds within the Urban County Government's budget structure. This type of budget amendment is typically used to address changing financial requirements that arise during the fiscal year, allowing the government to reallocate resources as needed for municipal operations.

The Council approved the ordinance, allowing the budget amendments to take effect. The approval enables the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to proceed with the revised budget allocations to support its municipal expenditure requirements.

Zone change for 225 Walton Avenue

15:00

The Council considered an ordinance to rezone property at 225 Walton Avenue, changing two separate parcels to Mixed Use Community (MU-3) zoning. The proposal involves rezoning 0.10 net acres from Light Industrial (I-1) zone to MU-3, and 5.07 net acres from Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone to MU-3.

Council members DeCamp and Beard participated in the discussion of this zoning change request. The ordinance represents a consolidation of the property under a single zoning classification that would allow for mixed-use development combining residential, commercial, and office uses.

The Mixed Use Community (MU-3) designation typically permits higher density development than the existing B-1 Neighborhood Business zoning, while also providing more flexibility than the current I-1 Light Industrial classification on the smaller parcel.

The ordinance passed first reading, which is the initial step in the city's legislative process for zoning changes. Following first reading, the proposal will proceed through additional readings and public hearings before final adoption. This allows time for public input and further Council review of the zoning change request.

The total area affected by the rezoning encompasses approximately 5.17 acres at the Walton Avenue location, representing a significant property consolidation under the more flexible MU-3 zoning classification.