2026-09-17 - Urban County Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted.

Regular session called to order at 6:02 PM with Mayor Gorton presiding; 11 members present, four absent (Elliott Baxter, Hale, Lynch, Morton). Adjourned at 7:34 PM on Eblen's motion, seconded by Higgins-Hord.
Ordinances: the 2027 meeting schedule and two budget amendments (FY 2027 Schedules 7 and 8) passed 11-0, along with a stormwater control device definition change and a conversion of three refuse worker positions from unclassified to classified. The street tree ordinance passed 11-0 after the rules were suspended.
First reading only: FY 2027 budget amendment Schedule 9, on file until October 8.
Winter shelter agreement with EDS Holdco, up to $3,081,732.03, passed 10-1 (Reynolds opposed); two motel shelter agreements passed 11-0.
Three urban services district expansions passed 11-0, with a public hearing set for November 10 at 3:00 PM.
A batch of about 30 resolutions passed 11-0 on Sevigny's motion, including sewer, grant, sole-source and community agreements.
A further batch of resolutions, including the De Roode Street zone change review, had rules suspended and passed 11-0 the same night.
Reynolds left at 6:50 PM.
Nine residents spoke against Flock cameras, artificial intelligence and data centers; two others spoke about cardiac emergency response.
Mayor presented the Spirit of Lexington Award to the retiring head of Bluegrass Care Navigators and proclaimed September 17 as a day for a departing local journalist.

Rules suspended by unanimous vote on Ellinger's motion (second Sevigny), so the ordinance had second reading the same night.
Approved 11-0 on Reynolds's motion, seconded by Sevigny. It defines a tree planting easement (maximum ten feet beside the curb), sets tree removal and replacement rules, lets the Tree Board run a grant program, and covers topped street trees.

Agreement with EDS Holdco, LLC for winter emergency shelter at 1306 Versailles Rd., October 29, 2026 to April 1, 2027, not to exceed $3,081,732.03: passed 10-1, Reynolds opposed. Motion by Sevigny, second Higgins-Hord.
Motel shelter for families with children (Community Action Council, up to $300,000) and for elderly or disabled people (Bluegrass Care Navigators, up to $234,977): passed 11-0.

Resolutions to expand Full Urban Services District 1 (street lighting, street cleaning, refuse), Partial District 3 (refuse) and Partial District 5 (street lighting, refuse) to named streets; passed 11-0. Public hearing for all three on November 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM.

Resolution initiating Planning Commission review of a change from Mixed Use 2 (MU-2) to Neighborhood Business (B-1) for about 2.59 net acres at 525 De Roode St.; rules suspended and approved 11-0 (Reynolds moved, Curtis seconded).

Easements for the Greenbrier 2 Pump Station Replacement, not to exceed $17,000, approved 11-0.
Change Order No. 1 with Lagco, Inc. reduced the contract by $167,839.07, from $1,634,958.00 to $1,467,118.93; approved 11-0.

Amendment No. 2 with the Bluegrass Area Development District accepted an added $9,444 for senior center operations; local match rises by $1,666.59 to $9,890.12. Approved 11-0.

Nine residents from Districts 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 spoke in opposition to Flock cameras, AI and data centers. No Council action.

Resolutions passed 11-0 included CASA of Lexington services ($278,000), a DEA task force agreement, stormwater quality incentive grants, a Council capital project and neighborhood development funds, and a Family Care Center food program application.
Procurement communications approved unanimously (playground equipment, hydraulic fittings, tires). Civil service appointments received for information.
Council members announced community events and thanked residents.