Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on May 14, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting included two agenda items: an informational presentation on Girls on the Run and consideration of an ordinance related to Water Quality Management Fees. Over the course of the meeting, the Council took 2 votes and heard 2 public comments. The ordinance on Water Quality Management Fees was approved, while the Girls on the Run item served as an informational presentation with no vote required.

Attendance

All members were present for the Council meeting on 2009-05-14. No members were recorded as absent or late.

Present (16): - Jim Newberry - Myers - Stinnett - Beard - Blues - Crosbie - Ellinger - Feigel - Gorton - Gray - Henson - James - Lane - Lawless - Martin - McChord

Votes and Decisions

Two ordinances came to a roll call vote during the May 14, 2009 Council meeting.

• Ordinance 59-2009 — This ordinance proposed amending Article 6-4(c) to authorize the Planning Commission to review variances and conditional use permits. The motion was made by Martin and seconded by Stinnett. The ordinance passed unanimously, 15–0. 56:09 All fifteen members voted in favor: Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, and McChord. No members voted against or abstained.

• Ordinance 60-2009 — This ordinance proposed creating Article XIV of Chapter 16 to establish a system of water quality management fees. The motion was made by Gorton and seconded by Stinnett. The ordinance passed, 13–2. 56:39 Voting in favor were: Myers, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, and McChord. Crosbie and Ellinger voted against. No members abstained.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two grant-related financial items at the May 14, 2009 meeting, both directed to the Urban County Government.

• Ordinance 61-2009 accepted a grant of $922.50 from the Kentucky League of Cities to fund the purchase of personal protective safety jackets. [timestamp: not available]

• Ordinance 62-2009 accepted a grant of $15,000.00 from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety to support the Click It or Ticket Safety Belt Enforcement program. [timestamp: not available]

Both ordinances directed grant funds to the Urban County Government. Combined, the two grants totaled $15,922.50 in outside funding secured for public safety purposes, covering both officer protective equipment and traffic safety enforcement initiatives.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Council during the public comment period.

• Bernard McCarthy 14:43 raised concerns about the Municipal Aid fund, arguing that insufficient funds were being directed toward it. He also proposed that developers be taxed for infill and redevelopment projects as a potential revenue mechanism.

• Artie Clifford 17:35 spoke in the context of the Budget Content Public Hearing, focusing on the Small Area Plan for the Central Sector. He requested that budget funds be allocated toward establishing a Community Development Corporation.

Appointments

The Council took action on the following appointments during the May 14, 2009 meeting:

• James Bush was appointed to the role of Environmental Program Manager.
• Robert Smith was appointed to the role of Maintenance Supervisor.

Contested Items

• Water Quality Management Fees: The council considered an ordinance related to water quality management fees, which generated enough opposition to produce a split vote. The measure ultimately passed by a vote of 13-2, indicating that while a strong majority of council members supported the ordinance, two members voted against it. The specific nature of the disagreement — such as concerns about fee levels, implementation, or impact on residents — is not detailed in the available record. [timestamp: not available]

Girls on the Run Presentation

4:59

Council Member Crosbie introduced a presentation on the Girls on the Run program, highlighting its impact on young girls in the community. Cathy Stichnoh also participated as a key speaker during this portion of the meeting.

The presentation was informational in nature, with Council Member Crosbie recognizing the coaches and participants involved in the Girls on the Run program. The item served to bring awareness to the Council and the public about the program's work and its positive effects on young girls.

No debate or opposing concerns were raised during this agenda item. The presentation concluded as an informational item with no formal vote or action taken by the Council.

Ordinance on Water Quality Management Fees

56:09

The Council took up agenda item VI.2, an ordinance establishing a system of water quality management fees. The ordinance set out provisions governing billing procedures, discount structures, and the creation of a review board to oversee the fee program.

Key speakers on this item included Myers, James, and Gorton, who participated in the presentation and discussion of the ordinance. The measure was designed to formalize the framework under which water quality management fees would be assessed and administered.

The ordinance was ultimately approved by the Council.