Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council convened on July 7, 2009, at 6:00 PM in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mayor Jim Newberry presiding. The meeting addressed two agenda items, both of which were approved: an ordinance creating Article IV, Sections 7-39 through 7-43, and the Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements. A total of 2 votes were taken during the session. No public comments were heard, and no presentations were recorded for this meeting.

Attendance

The following members were present at the July 7, 2009 Council meeting:

• Jim Newberry
• Ellinger
• Feigel
• Gorton
• Gray
• James
• Lane
• Lawless
• Martin
• Stinnett
• Beard
• Blues
• Crosbie

The following members were absent:

• Henson
• McChord
• Myers

No members were recorded as late.

Votes and Decisions

Two formal votes were taken during the July 7, 2009 Council meeting.

• Amendment to Delete Bargaining Unit Employee References 4:57: A motion was made by Martin and seconded by Ellinger to amend an ordinance to delete all references to bargaining unit employees. The motion passed unanimously, 12–0. All members voted in favor: Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, and Crosbie. No members voted against, and there were no abstentions.

• Ordinance for Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements 1:06:05: A motion was made by Lane and seconded by Feigel to approve an ordinance for the Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 11–1. Voting in favor were Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, Stinnett, Beard, Blues, and Crosbie. Gray cast the sole vote against the ordinance. There were no abstentions.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council addressed two financial items during the July 7, 2009 meeting, covering a major infrastructure contract and a federal grant award.

• Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements – South Limestone St.: The Council considered a contract valued at $13,146,557.19 with L-M Asphalt Partners, LTD d/b/a ATS Construction for the Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements along South Limestone Street. This represents a significant capital expenditure for streetscape infrastructure in the South Limestone corridor.

• Project Safe Neighborhoods Program: The Council took action on a $86,168.00 grant from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky in connection with the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program. This federally administered program provides funding to support public safety initiatives at the local level.

No resolution numbers were available in the source materials for either item. Transcript timestamps were not provided for these agenda items.

Appointments

The Council took action on two personnel appointments during the July 7, 2009 meeting.

• Dan Dettman was appointed to the role of Environmental Compliance Coordinator.
• Gregory Sheffer was appointed to the role of Public Service Worker.

Both individuals were formally appointed by the Council as part of the meeting's official business.

Contested Items

• Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements: This item drew opposition during the meeting, with concerns raised over process, priority, and price. The debate centered on whether the project was being handled appropriately in terms of how it was being advanced, whether it represented the right use of resources at that time, and whether the cost was justified. The item ultimately passed but not without dissent — Council Member Gray voted against it, making it a split vote rather than a unanimous decision. [timestamp: not available]

Ordinance creating Article IV, Sections 7-39 through 7-43

2:12

The Council took up an ordinance creating Article IV, Sections 7-39 through 7-43 of the municipal code. The ordinance establishes an abandoned urban property classification for ad valorem taxation purposes.

No key speakers were recorded in connection with this agenda item. The ordinance was approved by the Council.

Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements

1:06:05

The Council took up Agenda Item 14, an ordinance to approve the bid for streetscape improvements on South Limestone Street as part of the Lexington Streetscape Phase I Improvements project.

Key speakers during the discussion included Lawless, Webb, Beard, and Gray. The item was presented as a bid approval for the streetscape work, though the structured record does not detail the specific bid amount, contractor, or the particular scope of improvements beyond their location on South Limestone Street.

The ordinance was ultimately approved by the Council.

*Note: Additional details regarding the specific concerns raised, the nature of the debate, and the precise vote count are not available in the source data for this agenda item.*