Urban County Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on April 28, 2009, with Mayor Newberry presiding. The meeting covered 12 agenda items spanning a range of municipal matters, including planning, infrastructure, economic development, and zoning. Over the course of the meeting, the Council took 11 votes, heard 2 public comments on agenda items, and received informational presentations on topics including a Planning Committee report and an update from Commerce Lexington.

The Council approved the majority of items brought before it, including the Hisle Park Master Plan, an Electrical Inspection Fee measure, the Destination 2040 Project, the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, a Neighborhood Development Fund item, a review of Article 16 of the Zoning Ordinance, and a monthly report from Commerce Lexington. A block of New Business Items A through R was also approved. Informational items — including the Planning Committee Report and the Commerce Lexington Update — were received without requiring a vote.

Attendance

The following members were present at the April 28, 2009 Council meeting:

• Mayor Newberry
• VM Gray
• CM Crosbie
• CM Ellinger
• CM Stinnett
• CM Blues
• CM Lane
• CM McChord
• CM James
• CM Lawless
• CM Henson
• CM Feigel
• CM Myers
• CM Martin
• CM McCourt

Absent: CM Beard

No members were recorded as late. A total of 15 members were present out of 16.

Votes and Decisions

The Council took the following actions at the April 28, 2009 meeting:

• Approval of the April 21, 2009 summary 0:02: Motioned by CM Crosbie, seconded by CM Ellinger. Passed unanimously.

• Approval of new business items A–R 0:03: Motioned by CM Stinnett, seconded by CM Blues. Passed unanimously.

• Accept in concept the Hisle Park Master Plan: Motioned by CM Blues, seconded by CM Ellinger. Passed unanimously.

• Approve proposed contract amendments and base electrical inspection fee 0:10: Motioned by CM Blues, seconded by CM McChord. Passed on a roll call vote of 12–1, with CM James casting the sole dissenting vote.

• Amend electrical inspection contract to adjust number of inspectors 0:11: Motioned by CM Blues, seconded by CM McChord. Passed on a roll call vote of 11–2. No individual dissenting votes were recorded in the data.

• Acknowledge work of the Destination 2040 project team 0:17: Motioned by CM Blues, seconded by CM James. Passed unanimously.

• Place on docket a resolution to adopt a process outline and flow chart for two-way street conversion 1:02: Motioned by CM McChord, seconded by CM Lawless. Passed unanimously.

• Authorize a feasibility study for converting Short and 2nd Streets 1:03: Motioned by CM McChord. Passed on a roll call vote, with CM Figal casting the sole dissenting vote.

• Approve the April 28, 2009 NDF list: Motioned by CM Henson, seconded by CM Crosbie. Passed unanimously.

• Refer to the Planning Committee a review of Article 16 of the zoning ordinance: Motioned by CM Henson, seconded by CM Lawless. Passed unanimously.

• Request Commerce Lexington to make a monthly report to the Budget and Finance Committee 1:53: Motioned by CM Lane, seconded by CM Martin. Passed unanimously.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered a range of financial and contractual actions at the April 28, 2009 meeting, spanning public safety, infrastructure, utilities, and community development.

Grants and Applications - 269-09: Authorization to accept an award from the Kentucky League of Cities Insurance Services (KLCIS) under the 2008–2009 KLCIS Safety Grant Program. - 272-09: Authorization to submit an application to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) for participation in the Traffic Safety Program.

Professional Services and Contracts - 270-09: Authorization of a Professional Service Agreement with Susan Noel, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). - 271-09: Authorization of an amendment to an existing agreement with the Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney's Office. - 273-09: Authorization of a Master Agreement and Software Application Services Addendum with Previstar™ Inc. - 278-09: Authorization of an engagement of professional services with Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT). - 284-09: Authorization of an agreement with The Chaucer Group, LLC to perform an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. - 285-09: Authorization of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Corrections, Blackburn Correctional Complex.

Infrastructure Easements The Council authorized multiple deeds of acceptance for permanent sidewalk easements and temporary construction easements along Georgetown Street, as well as additional easements on Clays Mill Road and Higbee Mill Road: - 275-09: 644 Georgetown Street - 276-09: 695 Georgetown Street - 277-09: 548 Georgetown Street - 281-09: 681 Georgetown Street - 282-09: 689 Georgetown Street - 279-09: Temporary Construction Easement at 3474 Clays Mill Road - 280-09: Temporary Construction Easement and Permanent Right-of-Way at 1400 Higbee Mill Road

Change Orders - 287-09: Authorization of Change Order No. 1 to a contract with Kentucky Utilities Company regarding the Town Branch Redundant Power Project. - 288-09: Authorization of Change Order No. 1 to a contract with GRW Engineers, Inc. regarding the investigation and design of the Expansion Area 2A Pumping Station and Main Force Project.

Other - 274-09: Authorization to change street names and individual address numbers for the Enhanced 911 System.

No specific dollar amounts were included in the available data for any of these items.

Public Comment

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

• Mr. Carey 2:25:12 spoke to the issue of library financial accountability, emphasizing the importance of transparency and cooperation with audits. His remarks focused on ensuring that the library maintains proper financial oversight and remains accountable to the public.

• Mr. Cobb 2:31:12 addressed community development concerns, arguing that social issues and community development initiatives deserve the same level of urgency and attention that the Council directs toward physical infrastructure projects. His comments called for a more balanced approach to how the community's needs are prioritized.

Contested Items

Three items at the April 28, 2009 Council meeting drew less than unanimous support.

• Electrical Inspection Fee: A motion to approve proposed contract amendments and a base electrical inspection fee passed by a vote of 12-1. The single dissenting vote indicates at least one council member had reservations about the fee structure or the contract terms, though the measure carried by a wide margin.

• Amendment to Electrical Inspection Contract: A related but distinct motion — to amend the electrical inspection contract to allow the number of inspectors to be adjusted — passed by a narrower margin of 11-2. Two council members voted against this provision, suggesting some concern about the flexibility being granted to adjust inspector staffing levels under the contract.

• Feasibility Study for Short and 2nd Streets: A motion to authorize a feasibility study for converting Short and 2nd Streets passed with one dissenting vote. The study would examine the conversion of those streets, though the specific nature of the proposed conversion is not detailed in the available record. One council member opposed moving forward even with the preliminary study.

The electrical inspection items were the most closely watched, with the staffing flexibility amendment drawing the most opposition of the three. All measures ultimately passed.

Public Comment on Issues on Agenda

2:04

No members of the public came forward to offer comment on any items appearing on the agenda.

Approval of Summary

2:37

The Council took up the approval of the summary from the previous meeting, held on April 21, 2009. CM Crosbie and CM Ellinger were the key speakers on this item. The summary was approved.

New Business Items A-R

3:07

The Council took up a series of new business items, designated Items A through R, covering various municipal authorizations including easements and professional service agreements.

CM Stinnett and CM Blues were the key speakers during this portion of the meeting. The items were presented for Council consideration and action.

The Council approved the new business items as presented.

Planning Committee Report

3:39

CM Blues presented the Planning Committee Report to the Council, offering updates on matters that had been considered by the committee.

The report included motions related to two primary areas:

• Parks — The Planning Committee brought forward motion(s) pertaining to parks, the specific details of which were addressed as part of the committee's recommendations to the full Council.
• Electrical Inspection Fees — The committee also presented motion(s) concerning electrical inspection fees, reflecting the committee's review of this topic prior to the full Council meeting.

The presentation was informational in nature, with CM Blues serving as the primary speaker delivering the committee's findings and recommendations. No additional debate or concerns are noted in the available record for this agenda item.

Hisle Park Master Plan

The Council considered a resolution to accept in concept the Hisle Park Master Plan. CM Blues and CM Ellinger were noted as key speakers during the discussion of this item.

The resolution was approved by the Council, accepting the Hisle Park Master Plan in concept.

*Note: Detailed transcript timestamps, specific arguments, concerns raised, and the full substance of the discussion are not available in the source data for this agenda item.*

Electrical Inspection Fee

10:20

The council took up a resolution regarding the electrical inspection fee. The item involved proposed contract amendments alongside the base electrical inspection fee.

CM Blues and CM McChord were the key participants in the discussion of this agenda item. The resolution addressed proposed contract amendments as well as the establishment of the base electrical inspection fee.

The council approved the proposed contract amendments and the base electrical inspection fee.

Destination 2040 Project

17:31

The Council took up the Destination 2040 Project, a resolution recognizing the work of the project team and formally adopting value statements associated with the initiative.

CM Blues and CM James were the key speakers on this item. The Council acknowledged the efforts of the Destination 2040 project team as part of the resolution's consideration.

The resolution was approved by the Council.

Downtown Streetscape Master Plan

1:02:52

The Council took up the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, focusing specifically on the process for converting one-way streets to two-way streets in the downtown area.

The discussion was led primarily by CM McChord and CM Lawless. The presentation centered on a proposed process outline and accompanying flow chart that would govern how the conversion of one-way streets to two-way streets would be evaluated and carried out.

The Council reviewed the outlined process, which provided a structured framework for moving forward with potential street conversions as part of the broader Downtown Streetscape Master Plan initiative. The flow chart presented served as a procedural guide for the steps involved in such conversions.

At the conclusion of discussion, the Council approved a resolution to formally adopt the process outline and flow chart, providing an official procedural foundation for future one-way to two-way street conversion decisions downtown.

Commerce Lexington Update

1:04:33

Bob Quick and Josh Fenner appeared before the Council to deliver a Commerce Lexington update, providing an economic snapshot and information on current economic development efforts in the region.

The presentation was informational in nature, with Quick and Fenner serving as the primary speakers. No vote or formal action was taken as a result of the presentation.

*Note: The available structured data for this agenda item does not include the specific figures, programs, or detailed topics covered during the presentation. Readers seeking the full substance of the economic snapshot and development updates are encouraged to consult the meeting video beginning at timestamp 1:04:33.*

Neighborhood Development Fund

The Council took up a resolution regarding the Neighborhood Development Fund (NDF), considering the NDF list dated 4/28/09. Council Members Henson and Crosbie were the key speakers on this item.

The Council approved the 4/28/09 NDF list by resolution.

*Note: No transcript timestamp data is available for this item, and no additional detail regarding the specific contents of the NDF list, the nature of any debate, or any concerns raised during discussion is available in the source record.*

Review of Article 16 of the Zoning Ordinance

The Council took up the matter of Article 16 of the Zoning Ordinance during this meeting. CM Henson and CM Lawless were the key speakers on this item.

The Council approved a motion to refer the review of Article 16 of the Zoning Ordinance to the Planning Committee. No additional details regarding specific provisions of Article 16, the nature of any proposed changes, or particular concerns raised during discussion are available in the record for this item.

The referral to the Planning Committee was approved.

Monthly Report from Commerce Lexington

1:53:43

The Council took up the matter of requiring Commerce Lexington to provide regular reporting to the Budget and Finance Committee. The item was brought forward as a resolution directing Commerce Lexington to make a monthly report to the Budget and Finance Committee.

CM Lane and CM Martin were the key speakers on this agenda item. The resolution reflected the Council's interest in maintaining ongoing oversight and communication with Commerce Lexington through a structured, recurring reporting mechanism at the committee level.

The resolution was approved by the Council.