Urban County Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on March 3, 2009, in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Newberry presiding. The meeting featured three agenda items, all informational in nature: a Severe Weather Awareness Proclamation, a presentation on Paratransit Service, and a Streetscape Presentation. Over the course of the meeting, the Council heard four public comments and conducted five motions and votes. The session was primarily focused on community awareness and service updates rather than legislative action, with all agenda items serving an informational purpose rather than requiring formal approval.

Attendance

The following members were present at the March 3, 2009 Council meeting:

• Mayor Newberry
• CM Blues
• CM Gorton
• CM Stinnett
• CM McChord
• CM Feigel
• CM Crosbie
• CM Lawless
• CM Martin
• CM Henson
• CM Beard
• CM James
• CM Myers
• CM Crosby

Absent: CM Lane

No members were recorded as late. A total of 14 members were present out of 15.

Votes and Decisions

All five motions brought before the Council on March 3, 2009 passed unanimously.

• Approval of the February 24, 2009 Summary 3:06: CM Blues moved and CM Gorton seconded approval of the meeting summary from February 24, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

• Approval of New Business Items A–H 3:37: CM Blues moved and CM Gorton seconded approval of new business items A through H as a block. The motion passed unanimously.

• Streetscape Plan Benchmarks and Timelines 1:10:40: CM McChord moved and CM Myers seconded a motion directing Clete Benken to return to the Council with benchmarks and timelines for the Streetscape plan. The motion passed unanimously.

• Underground Utilities Requirement Referred to Services Committee 2:00:56: CM Feigel moved and CM Gorton seconded a motion to refer to the Services Committee the question of requiring underground utilities for all new developments. The motion passed unanimously.

• Board Member Oath Referred to Inter Governmental Committee 2:11:04: CM Beard moved and CM Gorton seconded a motion to refer to the Inter Governmental Committee the issue of creating an oath for board members of quasi agencies. The motion passed unanimously.

No roll call votes were recorded; all decisions were reached by unanimous consent.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed several financial items at the March 3, 2009 meeting, spanning contract modifications, a federal grant, and property acquisitions.

Contract Modifications

• Resolution 162-09 approved Change Order No. 3 to the contract with CDP Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $47,000 for the Elkhorn Pump Station and Force Main Improvement Project.
• Resolution 170-09 approved Change Order No. 1 to the contract with CMH of Kentucky, Inc. in the amount of $11,337 for Temporary Housing associated with the Newtown Pike Extension Project.

Grant Award

• Resolution 169-09 accepted a $20,000 award from the Environmental Protection Agency under the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, directed to the Department of Environmental Quality.

Service Agreement

• Resolution 163-09 authorized an agreement with The Salvation Army of Central Kentucky in the amount of $9,000 for the operation of an Essential Services Program.

Property Easements

• Resolutions 165-09 and 166-09 each authorized a Deed of Acceptance for a Permanent Sidewalk Easement and a Temporary Construction Easement related to the Georgetown Street Sidewalk Improvements Project, each at a consideration of $100.

In total, the Council acted on approximately $87,537 in contract and agreement expenditures, plus $200 in easement acquisitions, and accepted $20,000 in federal grant funding.

Public Comment

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

• Jane O. Tiernan 1:46:49 raised concerns about the logistics of unloading produce at the new Cheapside location, focusing on the practical impact these arrangements would have on farmers participating in the Farmer's Market.

• Bob Estes 1:54:26 spoke on behalf of the Courthouse District Business Association, offering support for the Cheapside project. He highlighted investments made by local businesses and conveyed the Association's backing of the development effort.

• Lynda Hollenbeck 1:56:49 expressed enthusiasm for the downtown development plans, emphasizing that a vibrant downtown is important for the community's ability to attract and retain talent.

• Linda Sutherland 2:12:09 used her time to announce an upcoming community event featuring ADA booths at the civic center, scheduled for April 10th.

The majority of public comment centered on the Cheapside project, with speakers offering a mix of logistical concerns and general support for downtown development.

Contested Items

Two items generated notable debate during the March 3, 2009 Council meeting.

Farmer's Market Logistics at Cheapside

Community concerns were raised regarding the practical logistics of relocating the Farmer's Market to the Cheapside location. Specifically, discussion focused on how farmers would unload produce at the new site and what impact the move would have on vendors and farmers who participate in the market. The structured data does not indicate a specific resolution or named individuals involved in this exchange, but the concerns reflected broader questions about whether the Cheapside location was adequately suited to accommodate the operational needs of a functioning farmers' market.

Conversion of One-Way Streets to Two-Way

A robust discussion took place regarding a proposal to convert one-way streets to two-way traffic flow. Council members and participants held differing opinions on key practical matters, including the timeline for implementing such a conversion and the associated costs. The debate was described as heated, suggesting meaningful disagreement among those present about the feasibility of moving forward with the plan. No final outcome or vote result is recorded in the available data, nor are specific individuals named in connection with particular positions on the issue.

Both items remained areas of active discussion without clearly documented resolutions in the provided meeting record.

Severe Weather Awareness Proclamation

4:43

Mayor Newberry issued a proclamation declaring March 2009 as Severe Storms Preparedness Month, underscoring the importance of emergency preparedness for residents. The proclamation was presented as an informational item before the Council.

Key speakers during this portion of the meeting included Mayor Newberry, who delivered the proclamation, and Shelly Bendle, who also participated in the presentation. No debate or opposing concerns were raised regarding the proclamation, as it was received as an informational matter rather than an action item requiring a vote.

The proclamation highlighted the significance of public awareness around severe weather and encouraged preparedness measures heading into the spring storm season.

Paratransit Service Presentation

7:32

Rocky Burke from LexTran presented an update to the Council on changes to the agency's paratransit service. The presentation covered fare adjustments and eligibility requirements associated with the service.

No vote or formal action was taken on this item; it was informational in nature, intended to keep the Council apprised of the changes LexTran was implementing to its paratransit program.

Streetscape Presentation

16:13

Harold Tate and Clete Benken presented updates on the Phase 1 Streetscape project, covering design and logistical challenges associated with the effort. The presentation was informational in nature, with no vote or formal action taken by the Council.

The discussion focused on the current status of the Phase 1 Streetscape project, with Tate and Benken walking the Council through the challenges the project faces. No additional detail on specific design elements, cost figures, or timelines is available from the provided materials.

The item concluded as an informational update, with no recorded outcome beyond the presentation itself.