2026-08-27 - Urban County Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted.

Regular session called to order at 6:04 PM with Mayor Gorton presiding; 13 members present, Hale and Sevigny absent. Minutes of the August 13 meeting approved. Recess 8:30 to 8:43 PM; adjourned at 9:31 PM on Morton's motion, seconded by Ellinger.
Public hearings on the FY2027 ad valorem tax and the public health tax (6:18 to 6:20 PM) drew no speakers.
Tax ordinances, budget amendments (Schedules 3 and 4), position changes, a Sick Leave Bank Program, republished Code and Zoning Ordinance all passed 13-0 on second reading.
Bike lane parking ordinance amended (Georgetown Street exception), given a new first reading, and passed 13-0 the same night.
First reading of the Solar Energy Systems, Harrodsburg Road rezoning, Series 2026B bonds, Complete Streets manual and Privilege Fees ordinances, all on file until September 10.
Thirty Extended Social Resource agreements ($3,177,745 total) and many other resolutions passed 13-0.
Sixteen Flock opponents and three supporters spoke in public comment.

No one spoke at either public hearing. Three ordinances passed 13-0 (Ellinger moved, Wu seconded): the general ad valorem levy (including $.075 per $100 on real property in the General Services District and $.088 on motor vehicles), the public health tax at $.0243 per $100, and the Soil and Water Conservation District levy at $.001 per $100.

Lynch moved to add Georgetown Street to the list of exceptions; Morton seconded; unanimous. The amended ordinance got a new first reading, rules were suspended (Eblen, Ellinger), and it passed 13-0 on Ellinger's motion, seconded by Wu.

First reading, on file until September 10. Eight speakers opposed (including a representative of the Rural Land Management Board) and six favored (including a company representative).

Purchase of Service Agreements with 30 grantee agencies (from $6,000 to $372,000 each), total not to exceed $3,177,745 in FY 2027; passed 13-0 on Wu's motion, seconded by Eblen.

Endowment Fund Agreement with the Blue Grass Community Foundation for Kelley's Landing; rules suspended (Boone, Wu), approved 13-0 on Reynolds's motion, seconded by Higgins-Hord.

Change Order No. 6 with Calhoun Construction, up $326,485.06 to $17,532,658.04 with no schedule change; rules suspended (Elliott Baxter, Wu), approved 13-0.
Senior Center operating award of $127,186 (local match $8,223.53) approved 13-0.

$3,770,202 additional ARPA Kentucky Cleaner Water grant for the East Hickman Pump Station Expansion accepted 13-0; reallocation of excess Cleaner Water grant funds approved 13-0 (Brown and Morton moved the rules suspensions).
Fourth and final renewal of the Hazen and Sawyer program management contract, up to $900,000, approved 13-0.

The Knights of Columbus presented funds toward a second Safe Haven Baby Box; Chief Wells accepted. Representatives thanked the city for its cooperation.

Curtis said she mistrusts the company but trusts the Division of Police is not abusing the technology.
Sixteen speakers opposed (residents of Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and other counties); three District 1 residents supported. No vote.

Neighborhood Development Fund agreements for 27 groups: Higgins-Hord moved to raise one grant to $2,000 (Morton seconded, unanimous); passed 13-0.
Tates Creek Pro Shop renovation bid ($185,000) and Cardinal Run North repairs ($105,011) passed 13-0.
A $11,700 civil penalty payment to the Commonwealth over an occupational safety compliance matter was approved with the batch of resolutions.
Proclamation honoring a young resident's pool rescue; appointments to CASA of Lexington, Greenspace Trust, Lexington Center Corporation and the Senior Services Commission.