Lexington public meetings in 2023

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee met on December 5, 2023, and took no formal votes. Members received updates on the Consent Decree and Remedial Measures Plan, environmental best practices in paving, and a proposed ordinance to update the Environmental Commission. The ordinance was later approved by the full Council on March 7, 2024.

• Approved October 24, 2023 committee summary (motion passed without dissent)
• Heard Consent Decree and Remedial Measures Plan update; no action taken
• Heard Environmental Best Practices in Paving Process presentation; no action taken
• Heard Environmental Commission ordinance update; no action taken (later approved by Council as O-025-2024)

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The committee approved the summary of the September 26, 2023, meeting. The remainder of the session consisted of informational updates regarding city finances, short-term rental registration, the Jobs Fund, and the Exactions Program.

• Approved September 26, 2023, Committee Summary

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The Social Services and Public Safety Committee met to review the Fairness Ordinance, hear public comment on source of income discrimination, and discuss committee chair comments and next steps regarding file items 1168-23, 1169-23, and 1170-23. The provided minutes record discussion and review items but do not record final votes, approvals, or denials.

• Reviewed draft ordinance amending Section 2-33 relating to the local non-discrimination policy and lawful source of income in housing (File 1168-23)
• Received public comment on source of income discrimination (File 1169-23)
• Heard committee chair comments and discussed next steps (File 1170-23)

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The Social Services and Public Safety Committee met on November 14, 2023, and heard presentations on Sunday alcohol sales, affordable housing, and mental health court, but took no votes on these items. The only action was approving the October 10, 2023 committee summary. A special committee meeting on source of income discrimination was scheduled for later that day.

• Approved October 10, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Heard presentation on Sunday alcohol sales ordinance; no action taken
• Heard annual affordable housing fund update; no action taken
• Heard Fayette Mental Health Court update; no action taken
• Heard items referred to committee; no action taken

Urban County Council Work Session

The Urban County Council work session reviewed multiple agenda items, including economic incentive agreements for Keeneland and a soccer stadium, contract approvals, and budget amendments. No final votes were recorded in the minutes; items were presented for discussion and scheduled for the upcoming council meeting.

• Reviewed $1M public infrastructure incentive for Keeneland expansion
• Reviewed soccer stadium incentives: 1% payroll tax refund, $50M IRB, $1M forgivable loan
• Reviewed $736,133 design contract for New Senior & Therapeutic Center
• Reviewed $380,000 media placement contract increase for Safe Streets
• Reviewed $1.3M federal opioid grant acceptance
• Reviewed $32,000 federal funds for Wilson Downing intersection design
• Reviewed $9,800 contract modification for Town Branch Trail Phase 6
• Reviewed $149,904.76 decrease for Hartland 3 Pump Station change order

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The committee reviewed the FY24 Quarter 1 financial update and ARPA expenditure reports. The Mayor and Council members presented competing proposals for the allocation of the remaining unassigned fund balance.

Urban County Council Work Session

The Urban County Council held a work session to review several new business items, including a winter motel shelter for elderly and disabled persons and the reallocation of workforce development funds. The session also included reports on stormwater priority projects and road closure communication plans.

• Approved October 10, 2023 work session summary (without dissent)
• Approved New Business items (without dissent)
• Approved Neighborhood Development Funds for October 17, 2023 (without dissent)
• Approved Council Capital Projects for October 17, 2023 (without dissent)
• Approved resolution amending Council Rules and Procedures (without dissent)
• Amended Council Rules and Procedures Section C.102 (5) regarding signed agreement timeframe (without dissent)
• Amended Council Rules and Procedures Section C.102 (7) regarding check deposit timeframe (14-1)

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The committee approved the summary of its September 12, 2023, meeting. Other agenda items, including updates on the annual snow plan, the MS4 stormwater program, and a waste digester feasibility study, were presented for information with no formal actions taken.

• Approved September 12, 2023 Committee Summary (passed without dissent)

Urban County Council Work Session

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council reviewed work session items including property acquisition for the Allendale Drive Stormwater Project, software support purchases, and various grant applications and service agreements. The packet outlines administrative items and committee summaries for ongoing city projects.

• Authorized property acquisition of 2.16 acres on Lane Allen Rd and 3.15 acres on Garden Springs Dr for $223,400 for Allendale Drive Stormwater Project
• Authorized purchase of SCADA Citect/Historian Support from ATR Automation for $56,587
• Authorized FY 2024 Purchase of Service Agreement with Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center for $127,500
• Authorized grant application and award acceptance for 2020 Project Safe Neighborhood grant of $95,164
• Authorized grant application for Kentucky Community Crisis Co-Response Grant Program of $775,000 with a $75,000 local match
• Authorized agreement with Quality Counts, LLC to evaluate roadway curves for up to $137,500
• Authorized amendment to Resolution 246-2023 for City Employee Pharmacy merchant processing adding $2,000

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The General Government and Planning Committee received informational updates and presentations on October 17, 2023, covering the Urban Growth Management Plan, employee pay comparisons by race and gender, diversity and inclusion workshops, the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) annual update, and committee referrals. No final legislative votes or substantive policy decisions were recorded during this meeting.

• Adjourned the meeting at 2:55 p.m.

Urban County Council Work Session

The Urban County Council work session reviewed a docket of administrative items, including contracts, grants, and personnel changes. The most consequential item was authorization to execute a $563,100 agreement with TSW for the Urban Growth Management Master Plan, which will guide expansion of the Urban Service Area. Other notable items included a $188,000 housing affordability study, a $100,000 LexArts agreement, and a police academy age requirement change. The minutes do not record final votes on these items, as they were presented for work session discussion.

• Authorized $563,100 Urban Growth Management Master Plan contract with TSW
• Authorized $188,000 housing affordability study with EHI Consultants
• Authorized $100,000 LexArts purchase of service agreement
• Authorized police academy minimum age reduction from 21 to 20
• Authorized $31,251.60 snow plow parts sole source with J Edinger & Sons
• Authorized $13,950 eSOPH background software with Miller Mendel, Inc.
• Authorized $144,461 federal Justice Assistance Grant for police equipment
• Authorized $113,583 video arraignment equipment grant for Fayette County Jail

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The Social Services and Public Safety Committee heard presentations on a proposed ban on source of income discrimination, a community risk assessment for the fire department, and an update on the juvenile treatment court, but took no action on these items. The committee approved the August 22, 2023 meeting summary and made two procedural changes to its referral list: removing 'Improve Enforcement of Traffic Laws' and combining code enforcement items. No substantive decisions were made on the policy items discussed.

• Approved August 22, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Removed 'Improve Enforcement of Traffic Laws' from referred items (unanimous)
• Combined Code Enforcement items 12-19 on referred items list (unanimous)

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The committee reviewed the September 2023 monthly financial update and ARPA expenditure reports. A draft ordinance to change the funding mechanism for the Innovative and Sustainable Solutions to Homelessness Fund was presented. No final votes on new ordinances or contracts were recorded in the provided text.

• Approved August 29, 2023, Committee Summary

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The General Government and Planning Committee approved the summary of its August 15 meeting. The committee also approved amendments to the Council Rules and Procedures regarding public comment and sign-in processes. Other items, including a disparity study and ADU review, were presented for information.

• Approved August 15, 2023 GGP Committee Summary
• Approved Public Input Partial Report-Out as amended
• Approved amendment to 3.106 Public Comment process to change 'must' to 'should sign in' and 'two iPads' to 'digital sign-in sheets'
• Approved amendments to Council Rules and Procedures chapter III sections 3.106, 3.107, and 3.108

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee met on September 12, 2023, and received presentations on the annual stormwater program update and the process for road closures. No formal votes or decisions were made during the meeting; the items were informational only.

• Approved July 11, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Heard annual stormwater program update (no action)
• Heard road closure communication plan (no action)
• Reviewed items referred to committee (no action)

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The committee approved the summary from its June 13, 2023, meeting. Other agenda items consisted of presentations regarding the noise ordinance and homelessness prevention, but no substantive actions were taken on those topics.

• Approved June 13, 2023 Committee Summary

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The committee received reports on updated public input guidelines and revised Council Rules and Procedures. A resolution was approved to modernize the public comment process, including a new electronic sign-in system and updated time limits for speakers.

• Approved resolution R-553-2023 to amend public comment and participation guidelines
• Approved electronic sign-in process for residents wishing to speak at meetings
• Reduced maximum yielded speaking time from 15 to 9 minutes per speaker
• Established a new rule prohibiting external USB devices for distributing materials to Council
• Approved the CROWN Act (reported out from May 9 meeting)

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee met to receive periodic updates on energy improvement funds, urban forestry, and environmental commission ordinances, and reviewed a presentation on burying electrical lines. The committee voted to remove the electrical line burial item from its referral list before adjourning the meeting.

• Removed Kentucky Utilities Process for Burying Electrical Lines from committee referral list (passed without dissent)
• Adjourned the meeting at 2:11 p.m. (passed without dissent)

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee reviewed financial updates, personnel budgeting methods, ad valorem tax options, and economic development partnerships. The agenda also included approval of a prior meeting summary from March 21, 2023, and a review of items referred to the committee.

• Approved March 21, 2023 Committee Summary

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The Social Services and Public Safety Committee met on June 13, 2023, and took only procedural actions: it approved the May 2, 2023 committee summary, removed two items from its referred list, and adjourned. The committee received informational presentations on crime reduction technology, the city's response to the March 3 windstorm, public safety recruitment/retention, and code enforcement, but took no action on these items.

• Approved May 2, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Removed Division of Community Corrections Update from referred items (unanimous)
• Removed After Action Assessment & Review from referred items (unanimous)
• Adjourned at 2:44 p.m. (unanimous)

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee approved a resolution directing the administration to include $15 million annually in the budget for the Pavement Management Plan starting FY2024, and a resolution accepting the plan. It also approved the April 18 committee summary and heard updates on home composting, sustainability options, and Kentucky Utilities' undergrounding process. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved resolution directing $15M annual budget for Pavement Management Plan (unanimous)
• Approved resolution accepting Pavement Management Plan (unanimous)
• Approved April 18, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Removed Pavement Management Plan Subcommittee from referral list (unanimous)
• Removed Solid Waste Trash Compactors from referral list (unanimous)

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The General Government and Planning Committee approved a proposal to increase vacation leave carryover from 168 to 336 hours and cap payouts, and approved a zoning ordinance text amendment (ZOTA) for short-term rentals, along with related ordinance. The committee also heard presentations on conditional use permits in the A-R zone and the C.R.O.W.N. Act, but took no action on those items.

• Approved Vacation Leave Policy proposal (unanimous)
• Approved partial report-out on Vacation Leave Policy at March 7 Work Session (unanimous)
• Approved Short Term Rental ZOTA (unanimous)
• Approved report-out of Short Term Rental ZOTA at March 7 Work Session (unanimous)
• Approved Short Term Rental ordinance and report-out at March 7 Work Session (unanimous)
• Removed Language Access from committee referrals (unanimous)
• Removed Vacation Leave Policy from committee referrals (unanimous)

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The committee approved the summary of its March 14, 2023, meeting. Members received updates on crime reduction technology, including license plate readers and a new Real-Time Intelligence Center, and reviewed an after-action report regarding the March 3 wind storm.

• Approved March 14, 2023 Committee Summary

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee approved amendments to Chapter 17B of the Code of Ordinances, updating street tree definitions, permit authorities, and enforcement procedures. The committee also approved a resolution for the Hazardous Street Tree (Cost-Share) Program guidelines and discussed a proposed ordinance to change the Capacity Assurance Program audit frequency from every two years to every five years, but took no action on it.

• Approved amendments to Chapter 17B (street trees) as presented (motion passed without dissent)
• Approved resolution approving guidelines for the Hazardous Street Tree (Cost-Share) Program (motion passed without dissent)
• Approved resolution to report out the Hazardous Street Tree (Cost-Share) Program guidelines at the February 7, 2023 Work Session (motion passed without dissent)
• Removed Wrong Way Driving from committee referral list (motion passed without dissent)
• Removed Single Use Plastics/Energy Conservation from referral list (motion passed without dissent)
• Removed Waste Management Fines from referral list (motion passed without dissent)
• Removed 5G Small Cell Wireless Plan Update from referral list (motion passed without dissent)
• Removed Hazardous Street Tree (Cost-Share) Program from referral list (motion passed without dissent)

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee reviewed a proposed ordinance to repeal and replace Ordinance 103-2014, setting a minimum funding goal of 1% of prior-year general fund revenue for the Affordable Housing Fund starting FY2025, and continuing at least $750,000 annually for the homelessness fund. No vote was taken; the item was for review. The committee also received financial updates and a presentation from Baird Financial Advisors on debt and ratings.

• Approved February 28, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Removed Film Commission from items referred (unanimous)
• Adjourned at 2:09 PM (unanimous)

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The Social Services and Public Safety Committee received informational updates on the Community Paramedicine Program, the Substance Use Disorder Intervention Program, and the Division of Community Corrections, with no votes taken on these items. The committee also approved the January 24, 2023 meeting summary and removed six items from its referral list, including a review of juvenile probation officer handoff and a tenants' bill of rights.

• Approved January 24, 2023 committee summary
• Removed juvenile probation officer handoff review from referral list
• Removed review of social program duplication with non-profits from referral list
• Removed ban on rental income discrimination from referral list
• Removed tenants' bill of rights from referral list
• Removed review of outdated civil defense ordinance from referral list
• Removed review of housing rehabilitation grants program from referral list

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The General Government & Planning Committee approved an ordinance increasing the vacation leave carry-forward limit for classified civil service employees to 336 hours. Additionally, the committee initiated a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) to establish regulations, definitions, and licensing requirements for short-term rentals.

• Approved vacation leave carry-forward increase to 336 hours
• Initiated ZOTA for short-term rental definitions and regulations
• Received and filed February 14, 2023, committee summary

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee received the FY23 Quarter 2 financial update, showing revenues ahead of budget by $23.6M (10%) and expenses under budget by $25.3M (9.8%) for the seven months ending January 31, 2023. The committee also received the Lexington Economic Outlook and Occupational Tax Forecast from UK CBER, projecting payroll tax revenue of $250.3M for FY23 and $260.9M for FY24. No formal votes were taken on these items; they were informational presentations. The committee approved the January 31, 2023 meeting summary and removed several referred items from the committee's agenda.

• Approved January 31, 2023 committee summary (unanimous)
• Elected J. Brown as committee chair and appointed Ellinger as vice chair (unanimous)
• Received FY23 Quarter 2 financial update (informational)
• Received Lexington Economic Outlook and Occupational Tax Forecast (informational)
• Removed 9 referred items from committee agenda (e.g., second-chance hiring, 2-year budget cycle, revenue sources)

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The General Government and Planning Committee approved an ordinance amending the intent statements for various zoning categories to align with the Comprehensive Plan. The ordinance was approved and referred to the full Urban County Council docket. The committee also removed several items from its referral list and established a Public Comment Work Group.

• Approved ordinance O-020-2023 updating zoning intent statements (referred to Council docket)
• Removed Review of Regulations and Guidance for Redistricting from referral list
• Removed Enhancements to PDR Program for Public Access to Farmland from referral list
• Removed Mass Transit and Regional Zones from referral list
• Merged 'How to Communicate with Broad Groups of Diverse People' into CivicLex Public Comment Proposal
• Removed Explorium PSA funding item from referral list
• Removed Bluegrass Area Development District Annual Update from referral list
• Removed Expanded Public Hearing Notification pilot program from referral list

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee met on February 7, 2023, and heard presentations on proposed updates to the Hazardous Street Tree Program (Chapter 17B) and the Capacity Assurance Plan (CAP) audit results. No formal votes were taken on these items; the committee only reviewed and discussed them. The committee also approved the November 1, 2022 meeting summary and removed several items from its referral list.

• Approved November 1, 2022 committee summary (unanimous)
• Removed Fayette County Broadband Report from referral list (unanimous)
• Removed Evaluation of Vacuum Leaf Collection Program from referral list (unanimous)
• Removed Urban Tree Canopy Change Analysis and Planting Plan from referral list (unanimous)
• Removed Annual Vacuum Leaf Collection Program Update from referral list (unanimous)

Budget, Finance & Economic Development (BFED) Committee

The committee received the FY23 Quarter 2 financial update, showing a $26.5 million surplus through December 2022, and the annual comprehensive financial review, which reported an unmodified audit opinion. No formal votes were taken on these items; the meeting was informational. The committee also received the November 29, 2022 meeting summary and a list of referred items.

• Received and filed November 29, 2022 committee summary
• Heard FY23 Quarter 2 financial update (no vote)
• Heard annual comprehensive financial review (no vote)
• Reviewed items referred to committee (no vote)

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The Social Services & Public Safety Committee met on January 24, 2023, and received a presentation from ONE Lexington on its 2022 year-in-review and 2023 plans. The committee also reviewed its annual status list of 23 referred items, noting several that need new sponsors or could be removed. No formal votes or decisions were recorded in the minutes.

• Heard ONE Lexington update on gun violence reduction efforts (no vote)
• Reviewed annual status of 23 committee referrals (no action taken)
• Noted items needing new sponsors: Adult Mental Health Court, Juvenile Probation Officers, Social Program Duplication, Tenants' Bill of Rights, NAMI, Affordable Housing Fund, Juvenile Treatment Court, Public Safety Recruitment, Civil Defense Ordinance
• Scheduled future presentations: Substance Abuse Intervention (Mar 14, 2023), Division of Community Corrections (Mar 14, 2023), Community Paramedicine (Mar 1, 2023), Flock Cameras follow-up (Feb 28, 2023)

General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee

The committee reviewed a CivicLex report proposing changes to the public input process and a Planning Commission recommendation to modernize zoning ordinance intent statements. The meeting also included summaries of previous committee actions and an annual status report on referred items.

Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

The committee met to conduct the election of a Committee Chair and the selection of a Vice Chair. The provided minutes do not record the names of the individuals elected or the final vote tallies.

• Election of Committee Chair (outcome not recorded)
• Selection of Vice Chair (outcome not recorded)

Environmental Quality & Public Works (EQPW) Committee

The Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee met on January 17, 2023, and the only substantive action was the election of a committee chair and selection of a vice chair. No other decisions were made; the meeting was otherwise procedural and adjourned.

• Elected committee chair
• Selected vice chair