Urban County Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on May 12, 2009, in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Government Center, with Mayor Newberry presiding. The meeting's agenda centered on two informational presentations: a LexTran Budget Report and a report from the LFUCG Fiscal Policy Task Force, both of which were received for informational purposes rather than requiring formal action. Over the course of the meeting, the Council heard 2 public comments and conducted 5 motions and votes. The session was relatively focused in scope, with no legislative items requiring final approval among the listed agenda topics.

Attendance

All members of the Council were present at the May 12, 2009 meeting. The following 14 officials were in attendance:

• Mayor Newberry
• CM Gorton
• CM Ellinger
• CM Beard
• CM Myers
• CM James
• CM Stinnett
• CM Feigel
• CM Blues
• CM Crosbie
• CM McChord
• CM Lawless
• CM Martin
• CM Lane

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The following motions were considered at the May 12, 2009 Council meeting:

• Approval of the Docket 0:04: Moved by CM Gorton, seconded by CM Ellinger. The docket was approved by voice vote.

• Approval of the May 5th Summary 0:05: Moved by CM Beard, seconded by CM Myers. The summary was approved by voice vote.

• Approval of Budget Amendments 0:06: Moved by CM Gorton, seconded by CM Blues. The budget amendments were approved by voice vote.

• Motion to Table Item M (Tates Creek Sidewalks) 0:11: Moved by CM Beard, seconded by CM James. This item was decided by roll call vote and passed 9–6 to table. Voting in favor of tabling: CM Beard, CM James, CM Blues, CM Crosbie, CM McChord, CM Lawless, CM Martin, CM Lane, and CM Stinnett. Voting against: CM Gorton, CM Ellinger, CM Myers, CM Feigel, CM Martin, and CM Lawless. As a result, the item regarding Tates Creek sidewalks was tabled.

• Approval of New Business Items A–BB, Except Item M 0:15: Moved by CM Gorton, seconded by CM Blues. The remaining new business items were approved by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered a range of contracts, amendments, and grant-related actions at the May 12, 2009 meeting.

New Contracts:

• Resolution 303-09 authorized an equipment rental agreement with FLIX, Inc. valued at $6,999.33 to support the Free Friday Flicks Program.
• Resolution 304-09 approved facility usage agreements with various youth leagues, carrying no budgetary impact.
• Resolution 306-09 authorized a commercial services agreement with Insight Business for internet services at a cost of $350.
• Resolution 307-09 approved a trail design agreement with John L. Carman and Associates, Inc. for $35,400 for the Cardinal Run Park North Trail Project.
• Resolution 308-09 authorized a trail design agreement with M2D Design Group, PLLC for $29,100 for the Jacobson Park Trail Project.

Contract Amendments:

• Resolution 325-09 approved Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Stewart Contracting for the Ice Storm 2009 Project, adding $4,200.
• Resolution 326-09 approved Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Huffman Construction Inc. for the Ice Storm 2009 Project, adding $4,205.
• Resolution 327-09 approved Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Tennis Technology for the Woodland Park Tennis Court Project, adding $5,000.
• Resolution 305-09 approved Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Jarboe Construction Inc. for the Carver Community Center Passenger Elevator Project, adding $3,335.

Grants and Other Financial Actions:

• Resolution 311-09 authorized an application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $139,200.
• Resolution 314-09 recognized an award of $64,000 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Share the Road Campaign.
• Resolution 313-09 amended Section 22-5 of the Code of Ordinances to establish a Client Assessment Counselor position at an annual cost of $35,040.54.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Council during the public comment period, both speaking to the topic of proposed sidewalk installation on Tates Creek Road.

• Mr. McCarty 0:33 spoke first, raising concerns about the sidewalk proposal. His comments focused on safety and aesthetic issues associated with the planned sidewalks on Tates Creek Road, expressing reservations about moving forward with the project as proposed.

• Dave Carter 3:21 followed with a contrasting perspective, offering support for the sidewalk installation. Carter cited safety improvements as the basis for his position, arguing in favor of proceeding with the project on Tates Creek Road.

The public comment period reflected differing community viewpoints on the Tates Creek Road sidewalk proposal, with concerns about aesthetics and safety on one side and safety-based support on the other.

Contested Items

Sidewalks on Tates Creek Road

A proposal to install sidewalks on Tates Creek Road generated divided opinion among community members at the meeting. Residents were not unified in their response to the project: some opposed it, raising concerns about safety and aesthetics, while others expressed support, citing the safety improvements that sidewalks would provide.

No additional details regarding the specific individuals involved, the vote outcome, or the final disposition of the proposal are available from the meeting record.

LexTran Budget Report

16:33

Rocky Burke presented the LexTran budget report to the Council, covering the transit agency's recent accomplishments, new routes, and plans for the future, including the anticipated use of stimulus funds.

The presentation was informational in nature, providing the Council with an overview of LexTran's current financial and operational status. Burke's remarks highlighted the agency's achievements as well as expansions to its route network, and outlined how upcoming funding — including stimulus dollars — would factor into LexTran's plans going forward.

No vote or formal action was taken as a result of this presentation; it served as an update to keep Council members informed of LexTran's direction and budgetary outlook.

LFUCG Fiscal Policy Task Force Report

1:11:21

Dr. Merl Hackbart appeared before the Council to present the findings and recommendations of the LFUCG Fiscal Policy Task Force. The presentation focused on the task force's work regarding financial management and fiscal policies for the local government.

Dr. Hackbart outlined the task force's recommendations, which addressed how the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government should approach its financial management practices and broader fiscal policy framework. The presentation was informational in nature, providing Council members with the task force's guidance on these matters.

No final action was taken on this item, as it served as an informational briefing for the Council.