Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on February 26, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting covered three agenda items, including legislative business and an informational presentation. The Council took up and approved items under both Ordinances – Second Reading and Resolutions – Second Reading, advancing local legislation through the final stage of the approval process. In total, 2 votes were recorded during the session, 1 public comment was heard, and 1 presentation was delivered to the Council.

Attendance

The following members were present at the February 26, 2009 Council meeting:

• Jim Newberry
• Gray
• Henson
• James
• Lane
• Lawless
• Martin
• McChord
• Myers
• Stinnett
• Beard
• Blues
• Ellinger
• Feigel
• Gorton

Absent: Crosbie

No members were recorded as late. A total of 15 members were present, with one absence noted.

Votes and Decisions

Two items came to a roll call vote during the February 26, 2009 Council meeting.

• Ordinance 0130-26 – Industrial Building Revenue Bonds for Transylvania University 0:24: Motioned by Mr. Stinnett and seconded by Ms. Henson, this ordinance authorizing the issuance of Industrial Building Revenue Bonds for Transylvania University passed by a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions. Voting in favor were: Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Ellinger, Feigel, and Gorton. No members voted against. Two members abstained and are not identified in the record.

• Resolution 0073-26 – Grant Application for Raven Run Nature Center Project 40:23: Motioned by Mr. Blues and seconded by Ms. James, this resolution authorizing a grant application to the Kentucky Department for Local Government for the Raven Run Nature Center Project passed unanimously by a vote of 14 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. Voting in favor were: Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Ellinger, Feigel, and Gorton. No members voted against or abstained.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed several financial items under Ordinance 0130-26 during the February 26, 2009 meeting, covering both a procurement action and multiple grant-related items.

• Ballistic Ensemble for the Division of Police: The Council approved a purchase of $25,116 from Allen Vanguard Tech., Inc. for ballistic ensemble equipment to be used by the Division of Police.

• Newtown Pike Extension Project: A grant of $3,975,000 was accepted from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in connection with the Newtown Pike Extension Project. This represented the largest single financial action taken at the meeting.

• National Association of Police Athletic Leagues Youth Enrichment Program: The Council accepted a $4,000 grant from the National Police Athletic League to support the Youth Enrichment Program administered through the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues.

• Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Project: A grant of $20,000 was accepted from the Kentucky State Police to fund the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Project.

All four items were carried under Ordinance 0130-26. Combined, the grant receipts totaled $3,999,000, with the Newtown Pike Extension grant from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet accounting for the overwhelming majority of that figure. The equipment purchase from Allen Vanguard Tech., Inc. brought the total financial activity under this ordinance to approximately $4,024,116.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period. 1:23:12

• Eric Patrick Maher spoke on the topic of transforming Lexington's economy. Maher highlighted the financial challenges facing the city and called for efforts to diversify Lexington's economic base. He also emphasized the importance of investing in brain power as a strategy for driving economic transformation.

Appointments

The Council took action on two appointments during the February 26, 2009 meeting.

• James McCarty was appointed to serve as Landfill Inspector.
• Yvonne Brown was appointed to serve as Child Care Program Aide.

Both appointments were approved by the Council at this meeting.

Contested Items

• Issuance of Industrial Building Revenue Bonds for Transylvania University: This item resulted in a split vote, with two council members abstaining from the vote. The abstentions were due to those members having previously represented Transylvania University, creating a conflict of interest that led them to recuse themselves from the decision. Despite the abstentions, the ordinance passed.

Ordinances – Second Reading

19:54

The Council took up several ordinances on second reading during this portion of the meeting. The ordinances addressed a range of municipal matters, including budget amendments, grant acceptances, and changes to job positions.

Key speakers during this agenda item were Mr. Stinnett and Ms. Henson. The ordinances were presented for their second and final reading before the Council, following the procedural requirement that ordinances be considered on two separate occasions prior to adoption.

The items covered under this section included:

• Budget amendments – adjustments to the existing municipal budget
• Grant acceptances – formal acceptance of grant funding
• Job position changes – modifications to established municipal positions

The Council approved the ordinances on second reading. No additional details regarding specific debate, concerns raised, or dissenting votes are reflected in the available record for this agenda item.

Resolutions – Second Reading

28:45

The Council took up Agenda Item VI, covering resolutions on second reading related to various contracts, grants, and agreements. Key speakers during this portion of the meeting included Mr. Blues and Ms. James.

The resolutions were presented for their second reading before the Council, following the procedural requirement that resolutions be considered on more than one occasion prior to final action. The items addressed a range of subjects encompassing contracts, grants, and agreements, though the specific details of each individual resolution are not enumerated in the available record.

No significant concerns or debate are noted in the record for this agenda item. Following the second reading, the Council approved the resolutions.

Presentation

5:32

Mayor Jim Newberry presented certificates to the winners of the Kentucky American Water Science Fair, recognizing outstanding student participants from elementary, middle, and high schools. No debate or discussion was recorded in connection with this agenda item, which was informational in nature.