Council Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on June 23, 2009, with Mayor Newberry presiding. The meeting covered six agenda items spanning a range of legislative and planning matters, including rezoning requests, first readings of ordinances, and several items related to downtown Lexington's future development. Across the course of the meeting, 12 motions and votes were taken, and 1 public comment was heard.

Key actions included the approval of requested rezonings via docket and the approval of the Downtown Master Plan. The meeting also featured informational presentations on the Downtown Lexington Building Inventory and a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Application, as well as the first reading of ordinances. These items collectively reflect the Council's ongoing focus on land use, urban planning, and downtown revitalization efforts.

Attendance

All 16 council members were present at the June 23, 2009 Council meeting. No members were recorded as absent or late.

Members Present: - CM Ellinger - CM Stinnett - CM Gorton - CM Lane - CM Crosbie - CM Feigel - CM Blues - CM James - CM Beard - CM Myers - CM Henson - CM McChord - CM Martin - CM Lawless - CM Crosby - CM Gordon

Votes and Decisions

The following motions were considered at the June 23, 2009 Council meeting:

• Approve Item #32 without a hearing 1:12: CM Stinnett moved, seconded by CM Gorton, to approve item #32 under Ordinances–First Reading on the June 25, 2009 Council Meeting docket without a hearing. The motion failed on a roll call vote of 7 ayes to 8 nays.

• Schedule item #32 for a hearing 4:00: CM Ellinger moved, seconded by CM Gorton, to place item #32 — an ordinance changing the zone — on the docket with a hearing on August 13, 2009 at 8 p.m. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Partial Release of Easement 6:08: CM Lane moved, seconded by CM Crosbie, to adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a Partial Release of Easement. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Suspend the Corridors Committee 6:38: CM Feigel moved, seconded by CM Blues, to adopt a resolution suspending the meeting schedule, authority, and voting power of the Corridors Committee. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Approve the amended docket 7:11: CM James moved, seconded by CM Gorton. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Approve the summary of June 16, 2009 7:42: CM Crosbie moved, seconded by CM Gorton. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Approve budget amendments 7:42: CM Beard moved, seconded by CM Myers. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Approve new business items A–M 8:12: CM Stinnett moved, seconded by CM Henson. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Adopt the downtown master plan as a conceptual plan 20:56: CM Gorton moved, seconded by CM Blues. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 11 ayes to 4 nays.

• Approve the NDF list for June 23, 2009 with the addition of the 6th District list 1:51:52: CM Stinnett moved, seconded by CM McChord. The motion passed by voice vote.

• Amend Council Rules Section 4.106 to set public comment time to 3 minutes 1:53:28: CM Stinnett moved, seconded by CM Lane. The motion passed 14 to 1.

• Untable budget journal #32635 and place it on the June 25, 2009 docket for first reading 1:54:04: CM Stinnett moved, seconded by CM McChord. The motion passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered a range of financial and contractual actions at the June 23, 2009 meeting, spanning infrastructure, public safety, recycling, and community services.

• Resolution 309-09 authorized an Equipment Upgrade Agreement and a Maintenance Agreement with Central Business System.

• Resolution 403-09 authorized an amendment to Section 21-5 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Department of Finance and Administration.

• Resolution 404-09 authorized the purchase of properties and easements in the Green Acres Subdivision for the Green Acres Stormwater Project.

• Resolution 406-09 authorized approval of a Statement of Compliance required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards.

• Resolution 407-09 authorized LFUCG and the LFUCG Public Facilities Corporation to market and dispose of surplus real properties.

• Resolution 408-09 authorized Change Order No. 2 to a contract with W. Rogers Company related to the North Elkhorn Pump Station Project.

• Resolution 409-09 authorized award of an Engineering Services Agreement to Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.

• Resolution 410-09 authorized award of an agreement to Machinex Technologies Inc. for modifications to the Single Stream Materials Recycling Facility.

• Resolution 411-09 authorized approval of the 2009 Policy and Procedure Manual on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Community Corrections.

• Resolution 412-09 authorized a Purchase of Service Agreement (PSA) with the Explorium of Lexington.

• Resolution 413-09 authorized the purchase of insurance renewal through the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC).

• Resolution 414-09 authorized a Purchase of Service Agreement (PSA) with Roots and Heritage Festival, Inc.

• The Council also authorized an Agreement for Neighborhood Development or Redevelopment Bond Issue Funds with Art in Motion, Inc. (no resolution identifier provided in the record).

No specific dollar amounts were included in the available data for any of these items. Readers seeking precise contract values are encouraged to consult the full resolution texts or the official meeting record.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period of the June 23, 2009 meeting.

• Lewis Cobb 2:06:35 spoke on the topic of moral issues and community standards. Cobb addressed the Council regarding the moral direction of the city, expressing concerns about homosexuality and urging the Council to support his cause.

Contested Items

• Public Comment on Moral Issues [timestamp: N/A]

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a speaker named Lewis Cobb made remarks addressing homosexuality and related moral issues. His comments prompted a discussion among council members regarding the appropriateness of such statements during the public comment period. The nature of the exchange was described as a heated discussion, though the available record does not detail the specific positions taken by individual council members or indicate what, if any, formal outcome or ruling resulted from the debate.

Public Comment

0:00

No public comments were made on issues on the agenda during this portion of the Council meeting.

Requested Rezonings / Docket Approval

1:12

The Council took up Agenda Item 32, concerning requested rezonings and docket approval. The discussion involved CM Stinnett, CM Ellinger, and CM Gorton.

The item centered on how to proceed with the rezoning requests. An initial motion to approve the rezonings without holding a public hearing was put forward but failed to gain sufficient support from the Council.

Following the failed motion, the Council considered an alternative approach. A subsequent motion was made to schedule a formal hearing on the rezoning requests, and that motion was approved. The hearing was set for August 13, 2009, giving the public and relevant parties an opportunity to weigh in before any final action is taken.

The outcome reflects the Council's preference to allow a hearing process rather than acting on the rezonings directly, with the matter to be revisited at the scheduled August date.

Ordinances-FIRST READING

5:03

During this portion of the meeting, CM Stinnett addressed the Council regarding agenda item #33, requesting that a presentation be scheduled prior to the item's second reading. No further details about the specific content or subject matter of the ordinance were provided in the discussion at this stage.

• Key Speaker: CM Stinnett
• Request Made: That a formal presentation on item #33 be arranged and heard before the ordinance advances to its second reading
• Outcome: Informational — no vote or final action was taken at this time

This item was treated as a procedural matter, with CM Stinnett's request noted for follow-up ahead of the second reading.

Downtown Master Plan

20:56

The Council took up a resolution to adopt the Downtown Master Plan as a conceptual plan. The item drew discussion from multiple council members, with CM Gorton and CM Blues identified as key speakers during the debate.

The plan was considered in its capacity as a conceptual framework, indicating the Council was acting to establish a guiding vision for downtown development rather than approving specific implementation measures at this stage.

The resolution passed by a vote of 11–4, reflecting broad but not unanimous support among council members.

Downtown Lexington Building Inventory

1:21:21

Bettie Kerr delivered a presentation to the Council on the Downtown Lexington Building Inventory. The presentation focused on historic buildings located in downtown Lexington and included discussion of potential uses for those properties.

The agenda item was informational in nature, and no formal action was taken by the Council as a result of the presentation.

TIF Application

1:21:56

Joe Kelly introduced a potential new development project located on Angliana Avenue, presenting it to the Council as part of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) application discussion. George Krikorian also participated as a key speaker in the presentation.

The item was informational in nature, with the discussion centered on the development's prospects and the associated TIF application process. No formal vote or binding decision was taken at this meeting; the presentation served to bring the Council up to date on the project and its potential path forward.

No additional details regarding the specific scope of the development, financing figures, or project timeline were recorded in the available meeting data.