Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on May 7, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting included two agenda items: an informational presentation of the Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award and the consideration of ordinances on second reading, which were approved. Over the course of the meeting, the Council conducted 3 votes and heard 1 public comment. The session was relatively focused in scope, combining a ceremonial recognition with the formal legislative business of advancing ordinances through the second reading process.

Attendance

All members were present at the May 7, 2009 Council meeting, with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Present: - Jim Newberry - McChord - Myers - Stinnett - Beard - Blues - Crosbie - Ellinger - Feigel - Gorton - Gray - Henson - James - Lane - Lawless - Martin

Votes and Decisions

Three formal votes were taken during the May 7, 2009 Council meeting.

• Ordinance 0130-26 – Budget Amendment 0:23: A motion by Mr. Beard, seconded by Mr. Ellinger, to amend certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government was tabled by a unanimous vote of 15–0. All members voted in favor of tabling: McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, and Martin.

• Ordinance 0130-26 – Rezoning at West High, South Mill, and South Upper Streets 39:54: A motion by Mr. Blues, seconded by Mr. Myers, to change the zone for properties located at 200 West High Street, 318 South Mill Street, and 323 and 327 South Upper Street was passed by a roll call vote of 13–0, with 2 abstentions. Members voting in favor were: McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, and Lawless. No members voted against. Two members abstained (Feigel and Martin are not listed among the ayes).

• Ordinance 0130-26 – Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 41:54: A motion by Mr. Blues, seconded by Mr. Myers, to amend Articles 17, 8, 23a, 27, and 28 of the Zoning Ordinance was passed by a roll call vote of 14–0, with 1 abstention. Members voting in favor were: McChord, Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, and Lawless. No members voted against. One member abstained (Martin is not listed among the ayes).

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two financial items at the May 7, 2009 meeting, covering a construction contract and a transportation grant.

• Versailles Rd. Corridor Enhancement (Resolution 0073-26): The Council considered a contract valued at $181,460 with E.C. Matthews Co., Inc. for enhancement work along the Versailles Road corridor. This resolution authorized the agreement with the named contractor for the designated corridor improvement project.

• ITS/CMS Traffic Improvements Project (Ordinance 0130-26): The Council took action on a $348,000 grant associated with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for an Intelligent Transportation Systems and Changeable Message Signs (ITS/CMS) traffic improvements project. This ordinance addressed the acceptance or administration of grant funding from the state transportation agency to support the identified traffic infrastructure improvements.

Combined, these two items represent approximately $529,460 in financial activity before the Council at this meeting, spanning both a direct vendor contract for corridor work and a state grant for traffic system upgrades.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period. 3:33:09

• Mr. McCarthy spoke on the CenterPoint project and related street conversion proposals. He suggested that the city consider purchasing strips of land as a means of widening Upper Street and Limestone. He also voiced objection to plans that would convert one-way streets to two-way traffic flow.

Appointments

The Council took action on one appointment during the May 7, 2009 meeting.

• T.J. Taylor was appointed to the position of Sewer Line Maintenance Superintendent.

Contested Items

• Water Quality Management Fee: The Council engaged in extensive debate over an ordinance to establish a water quality management fee. The item drew significant discussion, with several amendments proposed and voted on during the course of deliberations. The structured data available does not specify the precise points of disagreement among individual members, the specific amendment language considered, or the final outcome of the vote. Readers seeking the full details of who proposed which amendments and how individual members voted are encouraged to consult the meeting transcript directly.

*Note: Timestamp information was not available in the source data for this item.*

Presentation of Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award

10:31

The Council recognized Karen Gill as the Kentucky Teacher of the Year for 2009. Mayor Jim Newberry presided over the presentation, during which he presented Gill with a plaque and read a proclamation in her honor.

This item was informational in nature, serving as a formal recognition of Gill's achievement at the state level. No debate or concerns were raised during this portion of the meeting.

Ordinances – Second Reading

19:54

The Council took up several ordinances on second reading, including matters related to zoning changes and budget amendments. Key speakers during this portion of the meeting were Mr. Blues and Mr. Myers.

The ordinances were presented for their second and final reading before the Council, following their initial introduction at a prior meeting. The items addressed included zoning changes and budget amendments, though specific details of each individual ordinance are not further detailed in the available record.

After discussion among Council members, the ordinances were approved.