[5:47] were.
[5:51] >> Mayor: hello everyone.
[5:53] It's 6:00 and I would like to go
[5:55] ahead and call to order the
[5:56] lexington fayette urban county
[6:02] council meeting.
[6:06] Today is SEPTEMBER 10.
[6:08] It's the council that's chatty.
[6:09] SEPTEMBER 10, and we are going
[6:12] to go right into our agenda and
[6:16] the first item is the roll call.
[6:17] >> council member brown.
[6:18] >> here.
[6:19] >> council member curtis.
[6:19] >> yes, ma'am.
[6:20] >> council member eblen.
[6:21] >> yes, ma'am.
[6:22] >> council member ellinger.
[6:24] >> yes, ma'am.
[6:25] >> council member elliot-baxter.
[6:26] >> yes, ma'am.
[6:29] >> council member hale.
[6:29] >> yes.
[6:30] >> council member higgins-hord.
[6:30] >> yes.
[6:31] >> council member lynch.
[6:31] >> present.
[6:33] >> council member morton.
[6:33] >> yes, ma'am.
[6:35] >> council member reynolds.
[6:35] >> yes.
[6:36] >> council member sevigny.
[6:36] >> here.
[6:37] >> council member sheehan.
[6:38] >> here.
[6:38] >> vice mayor wu.
[6:39] >> here.
[6:41] >> council member boone.
[6:45] >> yes and council member
[6:46] council member beasleyly.
[6:47] >> yes, ma'am.
[6:48] >> Mayor: we have a quorum.
[6:51] I am pleased tonight to welcome
[6:53] council member eblin's pastor
[6:58] and my pastor, DR. John ligitt
[7:00] who is here from second
[7:03] presbyterian to offer his
[7:03] invocation.
[7:04] The podium is yours.
[7:05] >> thank you all for your
[7:13] service and let us pray.
[7:15] We ask for your blessing and all
[7:17] that is best for us and your
[7:18] forgiveness of anything that has
[7:19] fallen short of the better
[7:20] moments of our past.
[7:22] The hopes of the present, and
[7:24] the call to higher things in the
[7:26] future.
[7:27] Guide these members of our
[7:30] council and all others who care
[7:32] about and direct the affairs of
[7:34] our community.
[7:37] Sustain them in their work.
[7:42] Quiet any anxieties within them
[7:43] and strengthen them in their
[7:44] resolve to seek and pursue the
[7:52] well-being of all the people.
[7:53] And their successes and approval
[7:55] of a good conscience in all
[7:57] their endeavors.
[7:58] And work among each of us who
[8:03] call this place home that our
[8:05] community MAY be renewed in
[8:07] pollute beauty and goodness and
[8:08] happiness and peace with deep
[8:14] and abiding gratitude we offer
[8:15] you our prayer.
[8:16] Amen.
[8:26] >> Mayor: thank you very much.
[8:36] Can I have a motion to approve
[8:41] curtis was first.
[8:44] Are there any corrections or
[8:44] additions?
[8:46] All right.
[8:47] All those in favor of approving
[8:48] the minutes, please say aye.
[8:50] >> aye.
[8:51] >> Mayor: is anyone opposed?
[8:52] All right, thank you, that
[8:53] passes.
[8:59] Now we have two special
[9:17] presentations.
[9:18] All right.
[9:21] This evening, we have 3 some
[9:25] very special guests with us.
[9:30] I would like to invite shani ika
[9:32] carter and the girls from the
[9:34] basketball team to join me up at
[9:34] the podium.
[9:35] come on.
[9:45] All of you.
[10:22] [Applause]
[10:28] All right.
[10:30] So, this evening, we are
[10:32] celebrating the police
[10:34] activities league sixth grade
[10:37] girls basketball team.
[10:38] Congratulations.
[10:46] [Applause]
[10:48] Shanikaings one of the coaches.
[10:51] And in JULY, the pal united
[10:52] sixth grade girls basketball
[10:54] team competed in the run for the
[10:56] roses tournament in louisville
[10:58] and won the championship in
[11:07] their division.
[11:08] This is a wonderful
[11:09] accomplishment and I want to
[11:10] congratulate all of you players
[11:13] for your hard work and
[11:15] dedication.
[11:16] Powell does great work to
[11:19] support our community and our
[11:22] young people and I'm very proud
[11:24] of our police for investing in
[11:26] our youth n helping them reach
[11:27] their full potential.
[11:29] Thank you to police officers --
[11:32] there are a few back there,
[11:34] mentors, parents, all of the
[11:36] folks who make this program
[11:37] possible.
[11:40] Chief, I see you back there:
[11:42] your time, your encouragement,
[11:46] your support make a real
[11:47] difference in our community and
[11:49] to the young people involved in
[11:51] pal, keep up the great work.
[11:54] And each of you has a really
[11:57] bright future ahead of you so,
[11:58] at this time, I have a
[11:59] proclamation would I like to
[12:02] read and present.
[12:09] And I will ask sha aki -- shanika
[12:11] if she would like to say a few
[12:11] words.
[12:13] Whereas the lexington police
[12:15] department police activities
[12:16] league girls basketball team
[12:18] recently competed in the run for
[12:19] the roses tournament in
[12:21] louisville and whereas this
[12:25] tournament is the largest
[12:26] women's college basketball
[12:27] recruiting event in the united
[12:31] states, bringing together more
[12:34] than 2900 teams from 15
[12:36] countries around the world and
[12:38] whereas the pal team had an
[12:39] amazing showing, winning the
[12:43] championship in its division and
[12:45] whereas this summer is the team
[12:48] has won a total of six
[12:49] championships.
[12:51] And whereas lexington pal is a
[12:53] crime prevention program for
[12:57] youth ages 7-17 and whereas pal
[13:00] teaches respect and
[13:01] responsibility building bonds
[13:04] through recreation, sports and
[13:09] education, and whereas since 19
[13:11] 5, lexington pal has worked to
[13:12] connect youth and law
[13:14] enforcement providing strong
[13:17] role models for our young
[13:20] people, and whereas we
[13:21] congratulate the pal team on its
[13:23] many accomplishments and
[13:24] celebrate the team members and
[13:26] the coaches who represent our
[13:29] community with pride.
[13:30] Now therefore I, linda gorton,
[13:32] mayor of lexington, do hereby
[13:35] proclaim SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
[13:37] police activities league girls
[13:45] basketball team day.
[13:47] >> all right, all right, all
[13:47] right!
[13:49] [Applause]
[13:53] >> Mayor: y'all are awesome.
[13:55] Do you want to say a few words?
[14:05] Come around.
[14:08] Coach carter is going to speak.
[14:10] >> first of all I want to say
[14:13] thank you mayor linda gorton,
[14:15] thank you for having us, pal,
[14:16] thank you for having us and a
[14:18] big shoutout for these young
[14:20] ladies for working hard and
[14:21] before we start practice, we
[14:23] always pray and we always focus
[14:26] on discipline and character,
[14:26] more than basketball.
[14:27] It's about their future as well.
[14:31] And I want to give a big
[14:35] shoutout to amanda robertson.
[14:36] Amanda read is always helping me
[14:41] with the girls and coach eagley,
[14:43] he always helps me and the
[14:43] parents.
[14:44] So thank you very much for
[14:45] giving us this opportunity and
[14:49] to be part of such an amazing
[14:50] program.
[14:54] Thank you very much.
[14:55] >> Mayor: let's get a photo with
[14:58] the council.
[15:00] We are going to get a picture
[16:08] now with the council.
[17:05] [Applause]
[17:06] We are all about the good
[17:11] tonight I want to invite dora
[17:13] hudson and tanya clark to join
[17:15] me at the podium.
[17:16] Are you in here?
[17:39] [Applause]
[17:40] All right.
[17:43] So, dora and tanya help lead the
[17:45] west end community empowerment
[17:46] project and I want to thank you
[17:51] both for being here tonight and
[17:52] west end community empowerment
[17:55] project works to support and
[17:57] uplift residents in the west
[17:57] end.
[18:01] For over 30 years this
[18:02] organization has invested in our
[18:05] young people through its after
[18:07] school program and summer camps
[18:10] and in programs during school
[18:11] breaks.
[18:13] With their support, they help
[18:15] our young people develop
[18:17] essential life skills.
[18:19] You have all made a lasting
[18:22] difference in the west end and
[18:24] we are grateful for what the
[18:26] west end community empowerment
[18:28] project has done over all these
[18:31] years and continues to do.
[18:32] So, at this time I would like to
[18:33] read a proclamation and present
[18:36] it to you.
[18:38] And then ask you if you have
[18:40] some remarks to make.
[18:42] And here's how it goes.
[18:44] Whereas the west end community
[18:45] empowerment project was
[18:48] established on JANUARY 5, 1995,
[18:51] by a group of dedicated
[18:53] individuals, including tanya
[18:58] clark, melvin cowan sr. And dora
[18:59] hudson and whereas the group
[19:01] works to create a nurturing
[19:02] environment that supports
[19:05] educational growth, health and
[19:06] wellness and economic
[19:07] development to ensure a
[19:08] prosperous future for
[19:11] generations to come.
[19:13] And whereas the power of
[19:15] community involvement can drive
[19:17] positive change, promote family
[19:19] values and enhance the quality
[19:22] of life for all the residents,
[19:23] and whereas the west end
[19:26] community empowerment project
[19:28] offers family support services,
[19:30] community health initiatives,
[19:31] and youth empowerment programs
[19:35] to help families and young
[19:36] people develop essential life
[19:38] skills and achieve their full
[19:39] potential.
[19:42] And whereas we thank the members
[19:43] of the west end community
[19:45] empowerment project for their
[19:47] service and dedication to the
[19:50] residents of the west end now
[19:51] therefore, I, linda gorton,
[19:52] mayor of lexington, do hereby
[19:55] proclaim SEPTEMBER 10, 2026,
[19:57] west end community empowerment
[19:58] project day.
[20:02] Thank you for your good work.
[20:08] [Applause]
[20:09] You want to say a few words?
[20:10] All right.
[20:12] This is dora.
[20:16] >> thank you, mayor gorton and
[20:20] council staff.
[20:21] To come up here today after 30
[20:23] years, I I'd never thought it
[20:24] would happen.
[20:25] One of the things you probably
[20:30] don't know is we this was
[20:31] birthed out of the urban county
[20:31] government.
[20:33] One of our founders melvin
[20:35] cowan, had a vision that the
[20:37] department of youth services
[20:39] needed to go into the community.
[20:41] At that time barbara curry, the
[20:42] commissioner, went along with
[20:42] him.
[20:44] I was a tag along from the
[20:48] community and after much
[20:54] investment in our community,
[20:56] melvin cowan, this was his birth
[21:03] and we are his masterpiece.
[21:04] And we are so proud.
[21:11] [Applause]
[21:12] We are so proud of all those who
[21:14] have not only been a part of us
[21:16] but contributed to our progress
[21:19] and our programs and our parent
[21:20] support is awesome.
[21:22] But you also have a council
[21:25] person, shayla lynch, which is
[21:26] undoubtedly probably one the
[21:27] best I've seen.
[21:29] She shows up for everything.
[21:32] When I don't see her, I I wonder
[21:34] if she's sick.
[21:36] And we do a lot, but she is
[21:38] always there, always supporting
[21:41] us in any way she can and
[21:42] danielle sanders, which is over
[21:44] our building.
[21:46] She is a facilitate personnel
[21:49] there, that's the best that has
[21:51] ever been there and we are
[21:52] better because of her.
[21:54] And so we appreciate all of
[21:55] those who have come out to
[21:56] support us.
[22:06] Can our family stand up?
[22:14] [Applause]
[22:18] And now I can tell you that we
[22:21] serve generation afterien --
[22:23] generation after generation.
[22:24] We are three and four
[22:24] generations.
[22:26] We don't just serve west.
[22:26] We serve lexington.
[22:28] That's the type of program we
[22:28] run.
[22:30] Nobody is turned away.
[22:30] Everybody comes.
[22:31] The opportunity that exists
[22:33] there is the reason they come.
[22:36] So when you say violence
[22:38] prevention, 1995, we were a part
[22:39] of violence prevention.
[22:40] It was the same situation now
[22:42] was in 1995.
[22:44] And that's how melvin came up
[22:48] with the vision that the
[22:49] community had to have the input,
[22:50] that the community had to decide
[22:52] because I thought it was just
[22:53] government coming trying to take
[22:55] over when I first heard the
[22:56] conversation and I worked for
[22:57] the federal government so I
[23:00] understood that.
[23:03] But after I got in there, it was
[23:05] a great vision and I thank you
[23:10] for allowing us to be here
[23:19] today.
[23:27] >> I want to say hello torch.
[23:29] Help MS. Hudson and
[23:30] MS. Clark.
[23:32] We have worked together for many
[23:33] years and worked through the
[23:36] vision and still carry it on
[23:54] today.
[23:58] Shall we have all the west end
[24:55] supporters?
[28:26] >> Mayor: all right.
[28:29] Now it is time for public
[28:32] comment for issues on the agenda
[28:35] and the way that works is I will
[28:37] call your name and you will come
[28:42] to the podium and you will need
[28:43] to restate your name for the
[28:45] record and state your council
[28:46] district.
[28:51] And I would like to a few people
[28:54] are yielding their time.
[28:58] So I would like to ask is jim
[29:01] durhoffsle is here?
[29:01] Jim, are you here?
[29:03] I wonder if he is outside.
[29:07] Jim are you yielding your time
[29:11] to judith humble?
[29:16] Very good and then frank
[29:19] dooring, are you here?
[29:19] >> yes.
[29:21] >> Mayor: are you yielding to
[29:22] don ament.
[29:23] >> yes.
[29:24] >> Mayor: thank you.
[29:28] And then laura ann graves.
[29:28] >> yes.
[29:31] >> are you yielding to dan
[29:31] graves?
[29:33] >> yes.
[29:36] >> Mayor: so the three folks,
[29:37] judith, don and dan will all
[29:38] have six minutes.
[29:42] Everyone else will have three
[29:46] minutes and one of the council
[29:50] rules is that we keep a nice
[29:52] gentle atmosphere in here
[29:54] without clapping and yelling and
[29:56] booing and all of that.
[29:59] So we'll go ahead and get
[30:01] started and first up is kathy
[30:04] clement followed by lane
[30:07] boldman, and then riva russell
[30:15] english.
[30:18] Well on com -- welcome.
[30:19] >> thank you.
[30:22] >> my name is kathy clement.
[30:22] District 5.
[30:24] Thank you for listening today.
[30:28] I'm here again in support of the
[30:29] AUGUST 18 solar zota that is
[30:33] based on hard, thoughtful work
[30:35] that ways multiple priorities.
[30:37] The climate crisis is a
[30:39] humanitarian crisis in the
[30:41] energy we all use every day is
[30:43] the primary culprit.
[30:45] According to the lfucg office of
[30:47] sustainability, our biggest
[30:49] source of greenhouse gas
[30:52] emissions is the electricity we
[30:54] use which comes from coal and
[30:56] gas fire powered plants.
[30:57] This energy is responsible for
[31:00] high bills, climate changing
[31:01] emissions and numerous
[31:03] co-pollutants that have serious
[31:05] health consequences.
[31:07] A recent report scored each
[31:09] state for the health harms from
[31:11] electricity it generates.
[31:12] Kentucky was ranked the second
[31:14] worst in the country.
[31:17] So we have a problem that we
[31:18] can't ignore.
[31:21] At present, two economically
[31:23] viable paths exist to reduce
[31:25] fossil fuel use, increased
[31:27] efficiency and renewable energy.
[31:30] We need both of these but as a
[31:32] city, we have a tough road to
[31:33] ho.
[31:35] The city can incentivize much
[31:36] needed energy efficiency, but
[31:40] they can't easily require it
[31:43] state policy prevents the city
[31:45] from setting city wide energy
[31:47] standards that exceed the
[31:50] outdated codes adopted by the
[31:52] state.
[31:54] The city can also incentivize a
[31:55] small amount of roof top and
[31:57] parking lot solar but a serious
[32:01] buildout of such distributed
[32:04] solar is ham strung by state and
[32:04] utility policies.
[32:06] The upshot of these is that roof
[32:08] top solar is accessible and
[32:10] viable only for wealthier,
[32:11] single-family homeowners, and
[32:13] smaller businesses we won't get
[32:16] it on lower income housing,
[32:18] multifamily housing or larger
[32:20] facilities without policy
[32:23] changes.
[32:25] I hope the city will engage with
[32:26] the long-term battles with the
[32:29] state and our monopoly utility
[32:30] to make these changes.
[32:31] But while we are waiting, there
[32:33] is something the city can do
[32:35] right now to reduce burning
[32:38] fossil fuels the city has
[32:39] control over zoning ordinances.
[32:42] The AUGUST 18 zota provides a
[32:44] reasonable pathway for the
[32:46] generation of a worthwhile
[32:49] amount of clean energy and
[32:51] protects our signature farmland
[32:53] and puts a strict limit on how
[32:55] much ago sewn land can be used
[32:58] for solar.
[32:59] And includes multiple
[33:01] requirements, including
[33:04] agrivoltaics, soil monitoring
[33:06] and decommissioning plans that
[33:08] must be met to receive a
[33:10] conditional use permit we all
[33:14] want what is best for the
[33:17] community please support this
[33:18] zota that does a great job
[33:19] balancing community interest.
[33:20] >> Mayor: thank you, next is
[33:24] lane boldman followed by reva
[33:28] russell english and then dan
[33:29] nolett.
[33:30] >> lane boldman, district 11.
[33:34] I live at 114 woodford drive in
[33:35] cardinal valley.
[33:39] If you read the guardian,
[33:43] european paper, today's headline
[33:45] , a rapid global smift
[33:47] shift to clean energy to trigger
[33:49] a cascade of progress of
[33:51] repairing the damage to the
[33:53] planet by the climate crisis.
[33:55] I know this has been quite the
[33:56] debate here in fayette county
[33:57] but this is also a worldwide
[34:00] issue and it's time for people
[34:03] to lead and the fayette county
[34:05] has been a leader when it comes
[34:06] to development and progress and
[34:08] preserving land, but I want to
[34:12] say in this case, I support the
[34:14] council-based solar zota --
[34:15] zoning ordinance that would
[34:18] allow large scale agrivoltaic
[34:20] solar on no more than 1% of
[34:21] agriculturally zoned land.
[34:23] Fayette county is a major urban
[34:26] core surrounded by significant
[34:27] agriculture, has the opportunity
[34:31] to set the example not just for
[34:32] fayette county but for the world
[34:35] on how to advance solar design
[34:37] with farmland preservation with
[34:38] this thoughtful ordinane and I
[34:39] thank you for that.
[34:41] Most importantly, the zota
[34:41] provides the opportunity for
[34:47] fayette county to control how to
[34:51] develop dual yews solar
[34:51] properly.
[34:53] It has been proven over two
[34:54] decades that solar projects can
[34:58] be responsibly integrated with
[34:59] continued agriculture production
[35:00] and has been happening in
[35:01] kentucky for six years.
[35:04] The dual use of farmland for
[35:05] energy production and crop
[35:08] production is not a new son kept
[35:09] concept and nor should it be
[35:10] seen as an industrial conversion
[35:12] of farmland.
[35:14] It should be seen as smart
[35:15] design that maximizes the
[35:17] commercial value of farmland
[35:19] should the owner choose to do
[35:20] so.
[35:22] The constraints bonding and
[35:23] monitoring requirements that are
[35:25] set in the solar zota provide a
[35:28] responsible approach to the
[35:30] concerns of preserving land
[35:30] quality.
[35:32] Other concerns such as
[35:34] widespread ground water
[35:37] contamination of leaching of
[35:39] heavy metals is not supported by
[35:40] scientific evidence.
[35:43] I really thank this council for
[35:44] being thoughtful taking a lot of
[35:53] time to this and being a leader
[35:55] on what you had should be a
[35:56] win-win.
[35:59] >> Mayor: next is reva russell
[36:06] followed by dan nolette.
[36:06] Welcome.
[36:09] >> my name is reva russell
[36:09] english.
[36:10] I live in the 1st district and
[36:11] farm and forage in the 12th.
[36:13] Thank you mayor and thank you
[36:13] council.
[36:15] I think a lot of us do
[36:17] compartmentalizing of one
[36:17] another.
[36:18] Separate the wheat from what we
[36:20] call the chafe, the sheep from
[36:21] the goats, republicans from the
[36:23] democrats, rich from the poor.
[36:24] And it's true that there are
[36:27] differences among us.
[36:29] It's also true not all of these
[36:30] differences hold hard and fast
[36:32] in a place as small and
[36:33] interdependent as ours.
[36:35] It is common to hear assumptions
[36:36] and stereotypes about some of
[36:38] the districts like the 1st
[36:40] where I'm lucky to live and the
[36:41] 12th where I'm lucky to farm
[36:42] and forage.
[36:44] I could tell you many stories
[36:46] about the people, the animals,
[36:48] the plants in both districts,
[36:51] stories that refuse easily
[36:52] categorization that the 12th is
[36:54] full of rich horse farmers or
[36:56] the if I remember is a hot bed
[36:57] of rampant crime.
[36:59] In the time I have, I want to
[37:00] remind you about the literal
[37:02] farming is which is how all of
[37:04] us eat which happens in the
[37:04] 12th.
[37:06] Seed leaf, which boasts at least
[37:08] half a dozen community gardens
[37:10] in the 1st district stewards
[37:11] 20 acres in the 12th where
[37:13] they provide land access to
[37:14] immigrant farmers and other
[37:16] farmers of color: my family's
[37:18] farm is mostly in the 12th
[37:18] district.
[37:20] Wrut some of it is in the first.
[37:22] And with our efforts and fer
[37:24] fertility and kindness of the
[37:26] soil in both places we feed
[37:27] people in your district, council
[37:28] member hale at the wood hill
[37:30] international market.
[37:31] We display restaurants and
[37:33] groceries in your districts
[37:34] council member morton and
[37:35] council member eblen.
[37:37] Plants we grow and forage in the
[37:40] 12th have eased the aches and
[37:42] pains of your constituents,
[37:43] council member sevigny,
[37:44] reynolds, sheehan and lynch.
[37:46] If I sat down with the map, I
[37:47] could prove that my family has
[37:49] fed or provided medicinal plants
[37:51] to someone or many someones in
[37:53] all your districts that we grew
[37:58] in the 12th.
[38:01] It just isn't true that the land
[38:04] isn't being put to good use and
[38:08] that the land isn't also yours.
[38:11] It's part of the life, the food,
[38:12] the health of all of your
[38:15] districts of all of our lives.
[38:17] I know some of you come from a
[38:18] farming background and I want
[38:20] you to imagine your family land,
[38:22] and I want to you imagine
[38:24] industrial solar on it.
[38:26] Would you do that to it?
[38:27] Please don't I am peril our
[38:29] agricultural zone.
[38:31] The land needs your protection.
[38:32] Farmers like me, like seed
[38:35] leaf's farmers need your
[38:35] protection.
[38:35] -
[38:37] I know you say it's 1% of the
[38:38] land but what about next year
[38:40] and the next council, opening
[38:44] the store threatens a flood of
[38:45] harm.
[38:46] Please don't put industrial
[38:47] solar in the agricultural zone.
[38:49] I believe in climate change.
[38:50] I know we are in an emergency
[38:52] but the land is already on our
[38:52] side.
[38:53] Let's not do anything to harm
[38:53] it.
[38:54] thank you.
[38:55] >> Mayor: thank you.
[38:59] Next is dan nolette followed by
[39:02] eric cop there the stain.
[39:02] Welcome.
[39:03] >> thank you.
[39:04] Thank you, council.
[39:07] My name is dan nolette.
[39:09] I'm a resident of danville
[39:10] kentucky and iemed here speaking
[39:11] as a member of the kentucky
[39:14] solar energy society board.
[39:20] I'm in favor of the solar zoning
[39:21] ordinance amendment that is
[39:21] before you.
[39:24] One of the other hats that I
[39:29] wear is I'm the chair of the
[39:30] danville planning and zoning.
[39:32] I know how hard it is for you to
[39:33] get this right.
[39:36] And to do a good job to balance
[39:38] the needs of your community and
[39:40] I want to congratulate this
[39:43] council because I think you have
[39:45] taken the time to consider this
[39:47] issue and to get it right.
[39:50] There needs to be a reasonable
[39:53] balance between solar
[39:56] installations and reasonable
[39:58] regulations and reasonable
[39:59] accounting and requirements that
[40:01] are placed on that and have you
[40:02] done a good job in trying to
[40:05] make that happen so I support
[40:06] what you are doing.
[40:10] I think those who have opposed
[40:14] this have framed the issue
[40:16] incorrectly this doesn't have to
[40:17] be either or.
[40:18] This can be both and where we
[40:22] can responsibly implement solar
[40:23] across the county, across our
[40:27] state and do it in a way that's
[40:30] environmentally safe and
[40:31] friendly.
[40:34] The particular company that has
[40:36] one proposal in fayette, also
[40:41] has a farm in gehrig county next
[40:42] to me.
[40:44] I have seen it and toured the
[40:44] farm.
[40:46] It has been done well.
[40:48] Kentucky utilities also in mercy
[40:50] county does something similar at
[40:53] the ew brown plant so I think
[40:55] there are examples.
[40:56] You are probably all familiar
[40:58] from your studies, that this has
[41:02] been done and can be done well.
[41:04] There are also academic studies
[41:08] that show that balancing ag and
[41:09] solar actually helps the land
[41:11] and the productivity.
[41:14] Those studies have been done
[41:16] most family at university of
[41:17] tennessee.
[41:19] There is a bunch of studies done
[41:22] to show that.
[41:24] Again, thank you for your
[41:25] commitment and thank you for all
[41:28] that you are doing to try to
[41:29] implement reasonable regulations
[41:31] on this matter.
[41:32] Thanks.
[41:33] >> Mayor: thank you.
[41:35] Next is eric copstain followed
[41:36] by jim coleman.
[41:40] Welcome.
[41:43] >> my nape is eric copstain, a
[41:45] resident of nashville, tennessee
[41:49] here on behalf of silicon ranch
[41:53] corporation.
[41:54] Mayor, vice mayor and members of
[41:55] the council, thank you for the
[41:57] opportunity to speak with you
[41:58] again and more importantly,
[42:01] thank you for the time the
[42:03] diligence and public service you
[42:04] have devoted to this issue and
[42:05] to the people of lexington
[42:07] fayette county.
[42:09] As you can consider the solar
[42:12] zota before you, I want to
[42:15] emphasize that the thoughtful
[42:17] framework you have developed
[42:19] reflects the difficult balancing
[42:24] act inherent in this complex
[42:26] issue it recognizes the
[42:29] importance of agriculture and
[42:31] the rural service area, economic
[42:32] development opportunities,
[42:35] energy needs, environmental
[42:37] stewardship, and the
[42:38] opportunity-for-responsible
[42:39] solar development.
[42:42] We believe and silicon ranch has
[42:43] proven in many other projects
[42:45] that those interests can
[42:47] co-exist.
[42:50] As we have mentioned in prior
[42:53] meetings, silicon ranch takes a
[42:54] fundamentally long-term approach
[42:56] 20 the communities where we
[42:56] operate.
[42:58] We are not simply a developer
[43:01] that builds a project, sells it
[43:02] and moves on.
[43:05] We own and operate our projects
[43:08] for decades.
[43:09] -- and when we enter a
[43:10] community, we expect to remain
[43:12] and be part of that community
[43:13] for decades.
[43:15] That commitment we also reflect
[43:17] in how we manage the land itself
[43:20] you have heard about
[43:21] agrivoltaics which combines
[43:24] solar energy production with
[43:26] active agricultural uses.
[43:27] And as you have heard, rather
[43:31] than viewing farming and solar
[43:33] as mutually exclusive, we
[43:34] integrate management of
[43:38] livestock, grazing in the solar
[43:40] facilities so the land continues
[43:44] to produce agricultural value
[43:48] while also pling energy.
[43:49] Land regenerative practices
[43:52] improve soil health, increase
[43:54] organic matter, support
[43:56] biodiversity, soil retention and
[43:58] help restore the long-term
[44:01] productivity and resilience of
[44:05] so after many months of public
[44:07] discussion and analysis and
[44:08] deliberations, you have
[44:10] constructed a thoughtful zota
[44:12] that I think establishes
[44:15] meaningful standards while
[44:18] allowing responsible projects to
[44:21] be considered on their merits
[44:23] and we believe this zota is a
[44:24] healthy productive balance for
[44:25] the future of lexington fayette
[44:29] county and I respectfully
[44:31] encourage you to continue to
[44:31] move this zota forward.
[44:34] So thank you again mayor and
[44:36] members of the council for your
[44:38] service, your diligence and hard
[44:40] work throughout this process.
[44:41] >> thank you.
[44:43] Next is jim coleman.
[44:45] Jim will be followed by judith
[44:47] humble who will have six
[44:47] minutes.
[44:48] Welcome.
[44:48] >> mayor, thank you so much and
[44:50] to the council for this
[44:51] wonderful opportunity to share
[44:52] my opinion.
[44:55] I am a happy farmer, fourth
[44:57] generation farmer coleman crest
[44:59] farm and I'm pleased to let you
[45:02] know that I'm a farmer who
[45:03] supports solar as well as zero
[45:05] emissions and when I spoke at
[45:06] the last meeting I walked away
[45:08] thinking I've got to be more
[45:09] responsible.
[45:10] In the good spirit of henry clay
[45:13] who was the great compromiser
[45:16] and great at resolving conflict,
[45:18] you guys are faced with an issue
[45:18] that is 50-50.
[45:20] It doesn't have to be 50-50.
[45:21] I went back and I said I've got
[45:22] to be more responsible.
[45:24] So I put together my own
[45:27] analysis by using google and
[45:29] chatgpt and talked to my dog
[45:30] torch to come up with an
[45:31] analysis that I have here and
[45:34] sent you all an email.
[45:35] Just by simply doing my own
[45:37] research, I have found that in
[45:39] fayette county we have over
[45:43] 10,000 acres of non-farmland we
[45:46] have an opportunity to catch
[45:47] 2,000 megawatts of power that
[45:49] could provide power to over
[45:50] 350,000 homes.
[45:52] That's more homes beyond our own
[45:53] county.
[45:54] And when you look at it,
[45:55] everything from our public
[45:57] schools and I learned a lot with
[45:59] algebra and square footage, that
[46:00] when you come up with our public
[46:05] schools, they're 27 acres and I
[46:06] just went into google and said
[46:07] how many parking lots exist at
[46:08] our public schools and it told
[46:10] me a total of 6500 so when you
[46:12] look at it with our planning
[46:14] department, each space has got
[46:16] to be about 180 square feet and
[46:18] all adds up to the number of
[46:18] acres.
[46:20] The big part here is for like
[46:22] kroger we've got 12 stores.
[46:25] They've got a total of 25 acres
[46:27] that are for uncovered lots and
[46:29] 27 acres for the roof tops.
[46:30] They could use that savings that
[46:31] they could generate from their
[46:33] own solar power to reduce the
[46:36] cost of hamburger, meat, milk
[46:38] and pampers for our citizens
[46:40] here in fayette county.
[46:42] And that goes also for wal-mart
[46:46] that's got four stores, sames is
[46:48] one university of kentucky has
[46:50] 4,000 parking lots at the kroger
[46:50] stadium.
[46:52] When you convert that over
[46:53] that's a total of 17 acres that
[46:57] could produce 522 megawatts of
[46:59] power: DR. Capilouto could
[47:00] share that with community or
[47:03] take that and have a $10 million
[47:03] savings for the university of
[47:04] kentucky.
[47:05] The bottom line is that I put
[47:07] this chart together and I did
[47:08] this for my own farm on a vision
[47:11] of success and I'm looking at
[47:12] SEPTEMBER 10, 2030 going to be a
[47:15] great article that mar tina
[47:16] barksdale is going to get for us
[47:17] in the new york tiles where it
[47:19] says lexington leads the nation
[47:22] zero emission power without
[47:24] sacrificing one acre of
[47:25] farmland.
[47:26] Mayor linda gorton said it was
[47:27] because of the strategic forward%
[47:29] thinking of our council members
[47:30] combined with the support of our
[47:32] community that made the
[47:32] difference.
[47:33] DR. Capilouto said U.K. Is
[47:36] saving over $10 million with our
[47:39] U.K. Solar power program at our
[47:41] parking lot at the stadium and
[47:44] it has been the best tailgate
[47:45] party ever at U.K.
[47:46] Kroger said we are going to make
[47:47] sure our savings are providing
[47:49] savings to all of our families
[47:49] here in lexington.
[47:51] Thank you so much for this
[47:52] wonderful opportunity.
[47:53] Please put this in the record.
[47:55] Thank you for this opportunity,
[47:55] mayor.
[47:58] >> Mayor: thank you very much.
[48:01] Next is judith humble followed
[48:03] by don who have have six
[48:04] minutes.
[48:04] Welcome.
[48:06] >> good evening council.
[48:07] Mayor gorton and vice mayor wu.
[48:10] My name is judith humble and I
[48:12] live in the 5l1 th district.
[48:13] I am asking for a final time
[48:15] that you support the version of
[48:19] the solar zota with the council
[48:21] text amendment allowing large
[48:22] scale solar on 1% of land in
[48:23] fayette county.
[48:27] The zota language introduces an
[48:28] innovation in its mandate for
[48:31] the use of agrivoltaic solar
[48:33] model for installation.
[48:34] The bluegrass action team,
[48:38] kentucky sear sierra club and
[48:40] bluegrass sierra club see
[48:41] agrivoltaic solar as a model to
[48:42] benefit our community.
[48:44] we have come to this conclusion
[48:45] through diligent research and
[48:47] would I like to summarize our
[48:47] findings for you.
[48:49] I'll start by talking about what
[48:51] it is and comment on things that
[48:52] does not do.
[48:56] It is a conservation-based model
[48:57] developed in partnership with
[49:00] renewable energy and the carling
[49:01] community.
[49:02] It has been in operation in the
[49:05] U.S. Since 2008.
[49:06] With 600 successful renewable
[49:10] energy farming partisanship
[49:12] partnerships around the country.
[49:13] Developers of the agrivoltaic
[49:14] model recognized years ago that
[49:16] the need for large scale solar
[49:18] would increase and that farmland
[49:21] would present minimal obstacles
[49:21] to construction.
[49:23] They also recognize the
[49:25] importance to communities of
[49:27] keeping agricultural land in
[49:28] production and they partnered
[49:30] with farmers to develop a model
[49:32] that would introduce the world
[49:34] to renewable energy with
[49:35] agriculture.
[49:38] The agrivoltaic partnership
[49:39] makes possible two steady income
[49:42] streeps from a single piece of
[49:43] land.
[49:45] This is conservation at its best
[49:47] rather than degradation.
[49:48] And the agricultural community
[49:51] has been a participant from the
[49:52] outset.
[49:53] Farmer buy-in is demonstrated
[49:55] with the endorsement of
[49:57] agrivoltaic solar by the
[50:00] american farmland trust a
[50:01] nationally recognized
[50:02] organization in the agricultural
[50:03] community.
[50:05] Currently aft is providing
[50:06] farmers in several states with
[50:09] training on ways to partner
[50:11] successfully with this model and
[50:12] their website predicts it will
[50:14] have an important role in the
[50:20] future of farming.
[50:22] Agrivoltaic solar differs in
[50:22] important ways.
[50:25] Materials and design are
[50:27] explicitly selected to minimize
[50:29] impact on the land and soil.
[50:31] Ground cover is selected in
[50:32] accordance with standards for
[50:35] regenerative agriculture and
[50:36] never includes gravel or grass
[50:37] only coverage.
[50:40] These arrays are more complex in
[50:41] design more challenge
[50:42] challenging to build and more
[50:45] costly than standard large scale
[50:45] models.
[50:47] The willingness of agrivoltaic
[50:49] companies to embrace these
[50:50] challenges demonstrates
[50:51] commitment to the conservation
[50:56] mission this model does not ruin
[50:56] farmland.
[50:57] It has been shown by research
[50:58] and farmer testimony to improve
[51:01] soil quality and to protect soil
[51:02] in times of drought.
[51:04] I have submitted documentation
[51:06] to council with links to peer
[51:09] reviewed research that supports
[51:11] improvements in soil quality and
[51:11] vegetation, especially with the
[51:16] practice of solar grazing.
[51:19] It will not overrun farmland.
[51:21] Must be tethered to a
[51:22] transmission line.
[51:22] This limits locations in fayette
[51:24] county to a small contained area
[51:27] with low visibilty.
[51:28] The agrivoltaic model benefits
[51:31] farmers with a dependable
[51:32] income.
[51:33] Farmer practitioners have
[51:35] described the model as a
[51:36] lifeline in a time when it is
[51:38] increasingly difficult to make a
[51:41] living in the agricultural
[51:41] coactor.
[51:42] The complaint has been made that
[51:44] large scale solar will change
[51:45] the esthetic of our bluegrass
[51:45] area.
[51:47] This could be true to a limited
[51:49] extend but it doesn't have to be
[51:50] a cause of irreversible harm.
[51:54] We can learn to appreciate a new
[51:54] esthetic.
[51:55] One that is based on the
[51:57] realization that an agrivoltaic
[51:58] installation takes us a leap
[52:01] forward in our renewable energy
[52:03] portfolio and helps us fight
[52:04] climate change.
[52:06] In the long run, sheep grazing
[52:07] underneath the solar array MAY
[52:10] be a welcome site than that of a
[52:12] fossil fuel fired power plant
[52:13] that will generate emissions far
[52:15] in the future, the devastation
[52:18] of eastern kentucky by mountain
[52:21] top removal and nearby community
[52:22] ravaged by tornadoes.
[52:24] It is very important to remember
[52:27] that fossil fuels inflict
[52:28] violence on the environment in
[52:30] numerous ways that we don't
[52:31] witness from a front row seat.
[52:33] In closing, I strongly believe
[52:35] that the version of the zota to
[52:36] be voted on this evening
[52:38] represents an opportunity and a
[52:40] milestone in our battle to
[52:40] mitigate climate change and I
[52:43] ask you to researches the sierra
[52:45] club organizational sign on
[52:47] letter which contains the
[52:48] signatures of several
[52:48] organizations conservation
[52:50] minded from this community and
[52:52] community leaders who support
[52:53] this version of the zota.
[52:55] Thank you for your attention
[52:56] tonight.
[52:59] >> Mayor: thank you.
[53:02] Next is don amond who will have
[53:04] six minutes, followed by dan
[53:07] graves, who will also have six
[53:08] minutes.
[53:08] Welcome.
[53:11] >> thank you, mayor.
[53:13] Greetings council.
[53:15] I'm don ament.
[53:16] A 5l1 th district resident.
[53:18] I have been thinking about the
[53:19] frustrations many of us are
[53:20] having over all the recent
[53:22] delays with the water company's
[53:24] repair work and how we seem to
[53:25] have so little power to get them
[53:26] to do much of anything to get
[53:27] things fixed.
[53:29] It occurred to me there is a
[53:32] parallel there with the rural
[53:33] solar initiative before us this
[53:34] evening.
[53:37] The similarity being the issue
[53:39] of control or lack thereof.
[53:40] We didn't buy the water company
[53:41] when we had the chance and now
[53:44] we seem to be stuck with their
[53:47] timeline and their priorities
[53:48] what will happen in fayette
[53:50] county when kentucky utilities,
[53:54] another public utility ultima
[53:55] thely realizes that solar power
[53:56] generation is cheaper than coal.
[53:59] As a public utility, they MAY
[54:01] well go on to build solar
[54:03] generating capacity in our
[54:04] county wherever they want in the
[54:10] cheapest way possible.
[54:12] If the public service commission
[54:13] grants that kind of permitting
[54:15] I'm afraid we will see the true
[54:16] solar installations that so many
[54:22] of us are rightly afraid of.
[54:24] That could happen if we have no
[54:25] restrictions gade lines in place
[54:27] or you could vote to allow
[54:29] commercial solar installations
[54:32] on agricultural land in fayette
[54:34] county but only if they add
[54:35] adhere to the constraints you
[54:38] have added into the new zota.
[54:39] I hear virtually no public
[54:41] comments about the fact that we
[54:43] are going to eventually get
[54:46] rural solar one way or the
[54:47] other.
[54:48] i know it has been discussed
[54:48] here in council.
[54:51] I have read some of your own
[54:53] reports stating how the psc has
[54:55] indicated they could greatly
[54:57] strive to work within your
[54:59] commercial guidelines before
[55:03] permitting any public utility
[55:04] solar installations and to me,
[55:06] that is the bottom line.
[55:09] The psc would work within your
[55:11] guidelines if you have any.
[55:13] I would do the hear that point
[55:14] discussed out in the wild at all
[55:15] and I have only heard it
[55:17] discussed here by council as
[55:19] something of a peripheral
[55:22] concept; but it is a key point.
[55:25] What I do hear is legitimate
[55:27] concern that I share of
[55:29] industrial scale, unconstrained
[55:32] solar installations that do
[55:32] destroy farmland.
[55:34] We have seen that happen and it
[55:36] could happen here.
[55:38] Therefore, I urge you to pass
[55:41] the new solar zota, keeping your
[55:42] comprehensive guard rails fully
[55:46] in place we can have
[55:50] regenerative agricultural
[55:52] production working cooperatively
[55:53] with solar capacity I. Does not
[55:56] have to be an either or
[55:58] situation.
[56:00] To conclude, I wish to add
[56:02] something to what I shared here
[56:04] in AUGUST on this issue.
[56:06] I spoke then on this solar
[56:11] issue, I mentioned the aerial
[56:12] mountain top coal mining
[56:13] photographs I made in perry
[56:16] county 20 years ago as part of a
[56:19] group effort sanctioned by
[56:20] kentuckians for the
[56:20] commonwealth.
[56:21] I did not mention what happened
[56:23] prior to our flights over those
[56:24] active mining operations where
[56:26] we made our observations from
[56:28] the air.
[56:31] earlier that day we drove back
[56:34] into a holler way out in the
[56:40] county into a small farm house.
[56:42] We met an elderly couple who
[56:44] lived there froabl forever.
[56:46] They took ows a stroll out on
[56:48] their land and chatted about the
[56:49] mining that was happening all
[56:55] around them soon we made our way
[56:57] up a small ridge and when we got
[56:59] to the top, we could see into
[57:00] the valley on the other side
[57:02] into the heart of an active mtr
[57:05] operation, up close and personal
[57:07] as far as the eye could see.
[57:10] If you want to see and hear true
[57:12] environmental desecration, there
[57:15] it was, right over the fill from
[57:16] their farm.
[57:17] The mining we witnessed that day
[57:19] from the air and the ground was
[57:22] the first step, the birth, you
[57:24] could say, of how we make
[57:26] electricity, but it was also the
[57:27] literal death of som of the
[57:31] most ancient fertile and diverse
[57:32] ecosystems on the planet.
[57:35] The elderly couple asked us to
[57:37] tell the that story.
[57:39] If a yes vote from this council
[57:42] on the rural solar initiative
[57:46] keeps just 100 lochs of coal
[57:47] from being dug out of the
[57:50] ground, that will be 100 lumps
[57:51] of coal that will not be dug out
[57:52] of the ground.
[57:54] We need to make every effort
[57:56] possible for that to happen.
[57:58] We owe this to the generations
[58:00] that will follow us.
[58:02] We owe it to our fayette county
[58:04] farmland to protect it from
[58:07] actual industrial solar that I
[58:09] fear will home if you do not set
[58:12] your excellent restrictions in
[58:13] place.
[58:15] With your vote, you can help
[58:16] keep coal in the ground and
[58:19] protect our rural farmland from
[58:20] true industrial development in
[58:21] the future.
[58:23] You can do both.
[58:26] And I would just like to also
[58:28] acknowledge the person who
[58:29] donated three minutes of their
[58:32] speaking time to me, frank
[58:34] during.
[58:36] Frank's street is currently torn
[58:37] up by the water company and also
[58:40] frank, 15 years ago, I had the
[58:44] honor of sitting next to him at
[58:45] the federal courthouse right up
[58:48] the road when he was, he became
[58:50] a newly minted united states
[58:51] citizen.
[58:54] His worldly viewing way beyond
[58:56] anything I could ever hope to
[58:57] approach.
[58:58] So thank you to frank and thank
[59:01] you all for your -- the ability
[59:02] to speak here tonight.
[59:03] >> Mayor: thank you.
[59:05] Next is dan graves, who will
[59:08] have six minutes.
[59:10] And dan will be followed by bob
[59:14] corny and then andy Mcdonald.
[59:15] Welcome.
[59:18] >> thank you.
[59:19] I'm dan graves.
[59:24] 12th district.
[59:26] I would like to say that what we
[59:30] are looking at here as a city is
[59:34] wrong on 27 different fronts.
[59:38] 800 acres and it will likely be
[59:40] more in the tbut if we allow the
[59:42] 800 acres to go.
[59:44] Let me give you an idea about
[59:47] the size of 800 acres.
[59:50] The downtown historic core of
[59:54] this city defined by main,
[1:00:03] church walnut and broadway is 10 acres.
[1:00:04] Commonwealth used to be now
[1:00:11] known as kroger field, is 48,000
[1:00:13] square feet that's football
[1:00:16] field, not the end zones or the
[1:00:17] sidelines.
[1:00:21] 800 acres is almost 35 million
[1:00:22] square feet.
[1:00:25] You do the math on that.
[1:00:28] What we are looking at putting
[1:00:30] in the twefsdz district -- 12th
[1:00:36] district are 726 kroger fields.
[1:00:40] Let that sink in for a minute.
[1:00:43] That's a lot of panels.
[1:00:53] In our ag zone, I have to think
[1:00:55] about that for a minute, welcome
[1:00:57] to lexington, I mean solarville.
[1:00:59] The east side of lexington is
[1:01:02] where all this seems to be
[1:01:09] happening I'm an east side man
[1:01:10] born and raised.
[1:01:14] We have the army depot known as
[1:01:14] bluegrass station now.
[1:01:17] We have mulch, it seems like
[1:01:19] everything the city does not
[1:01:21] want anybody to see in lexington
[1:01:27] goes to the east side of town.
[1:01:32] We are meeting quotas and our
[1:01:32] comprehensive plan and we are
[1:01:35] going about it in the long way --
[1:01:36] in the wrong way.
[1:01:38] I'm all about meeting the
[1:01:39] quotas.
[1:01:42] I'm all about -- I'm for solar in
[1:01:44] fact, I have been looking and
[1:01:48] reading up since I was back here
[1:01:49] in AUGUST and got up here and
[1:01:49] spoke.
[1:01:51] One of the most interesting
[1:01:53] things I've found, and another
[1:01:54] gentleman before me put it
[1:01:56] before me, this man right here
[1:01:58] even said it.
[1:02:04] In our neighboring state, ohio
[1:02:06] J.P. Morgan chase, one of its
[1:02:12] largest offices in the state of
[1:02:17] ohio has 40,000 solar panels
[1:02:18] they put over the top of their
[1:02:19] parking lot.
[1:02:21] This is a multistory building.
[1:02:22] Beautiful.
[1:02:25] Those four,000 solar panels over
[1:02:27] their parking lot, 40,000 solar
[1:02:29] panels are covered cars during
[1:02:31] the heat of the day, during
[1:02:33] rains, during snows.
[1:02:39] And it's providing 75% of the
[1:02:42] building's electric.
[1:02:44] What I would like us to see us
[1:02:53] do as a
[1:02:55] let's not be cheap and let's not
[1:02:58] be quick and a lack of
[1:02:59] foresight.
[1:03:00] We have beautiful countryside
[1:03:03] that is why people come to this
[1:03:04] town.
[1:03:05] Not louisville, not cincinnati,
[1:03:08] but lexington.
[1:03:10] It's not as big as cincinnati
[1:03:12] not as big as louisville but it
[1:03:14] is a great place.
[1:03:17] And I'm not saying no to solar.
[1:03:19] I'm saying put it where if can
[1:03:23] be used by lexitonians for
[1:03:24] lexitonians.
[1:03:27] If we put it out in the middle
[1:03:30] of nowhere, ag zone 12th
[1:03:32] district we're selling it.
[1:03:34] You might as well be selling
[1:03:37] something to the worldwide web.
[1:03:41] Why not do something that's
[1:03:43] innovative, for this town, meets
[1:03:49] the quotas and is a north star
[1:03:52] for other towns of our size
[1:03:54] around the united states they
[1:03:58] can say wow, look what they did.
[1:03:59] That's pretty cool.
[1:04:05] We need to implement that.
[1:04:08] So, I've got a minute left this
[1:04:10] is incredible I went over last
[1:04:10] time.
[1:04:13] What I would like to ask mayor
[1:04:17] gorton is you please, please,
[1:04:18] support the 12th district.
[1:04:20] Stand with us.
[1:04:23] Stand with MR. Boone here.
[1:04:24] Let's not do this.
[1:04:26] There is a different way it can
[1:04:30] be done and meet the quotas and
[1:04:32] we could be a shining star in
[1:04:35] this southeastern united states
[1:04:41] by doing it not the easy way
[1:04:45] kind of like ohio did with the
[1:04:46] J.P. Morgan chase building.
[1:04:47] Thank you.
[1:04:50] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:04:54] Next, is bob corny, bob will be
[1:04:57] followed by andy Mcdonald who
[1:05:01] will be followed by matt party
[1:05:01] miller.
[1:05:05] >> I'm here on behalf of silicon
[1:05:05] ranch.
[1:05:07] I will be short, mayor
[1:05:08] councilmembers, staff, I want to
[1:05:11] thank you for the thorough and
[1:05:14] thoughtful job you've done to
[1:05:17] develop a well thought out solar
[1:05:18] zota that balances the needs of
[1:05:20] the community.
[1:05:21] You've heard good conversation
[1:05:24] over the last months on this
[1:05:24] topic.
[1:05:30] What you've done is you've
[1:05:33] provided clear guidelines on
[1:05:35] decommissions I've seen many
[1:05:36] ordinances and this is a good
[1:05:38] one that balances the needs of
[1:05:40] the community and you've done a
[1:05:42] good job at doing it.
[1:05:45] Solar power renewable power is
[1:05:47] important in this community and
[1:05:51] many communities as it provides
[1:05:54] resilience and it does have
[1:05:54] environmental benefits.
[1:05:55] We need both.
[1:05:58] You need to have large-scale
[1:06:01] solar and in this case in a
[1:06:03] limited way but you also do need
[1:06:06] to look at distributed solar
[1:06:06] options.
[1:06:09] Just the reat is it requires a
[1:06:11] lot of private capital and a lot
[1:06:13] of incentives and a lot of
[1:06:13] support.
[1:06:15] This is a very good step that
[1:06:17] you are taking and we urge you
[1:06:21] to pass the solar zota passed on
[1:06:23] first reading two weeks ago.
[1:06:24] Thank you.
[1:06:25] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:06:29] Next is andy Mcdonald followed
[1:06:32] by matt party miller then susan
[1:06:32] pollack.
[1:06:37] >> hello I'm andy Mcdonald the
[1:06:39] chair of the kentucky solar
[1:06:40] society I work and live in
[1:06:41] franklin county we have
[1:06:43] supporters who are fayette
[1:06:44] county reimbursements.
[1:06:46] We appreciate the city of
[1:06:48] lexington's support for energy
[1:06:49] and sustainability through
[1:06:52] programs such as solarize
[1:06:55] lexington and other initiatives.
[1:06:56] I encourage you to support the
[1:07:00] text amendment to allow
[1:07:01] large-scale solar to be built in
[1:07:05] the agricultural zones in
[1:07:07] fayette county t serves your
[1:07:08] clean energy goals and the
[1:07:10] preservation of agricultural
[1:07:10] land.
[1:07:13] The proposed text amendment
[1:07:14] would require agriculture to
[1:07:15] continue throughout the life of
[1:07:17] the project.
[1:07:19] The company seeking to build the
[1:07:22] 70 megawatt project silicon
[1:07:25] ranch has pioneered the
[1:07:26] integration with agriculture
[1:07:28] with solar energy production.
[1:07:30] Grazing sheep is central to
[1:07:33] their business model as is the
[1:07:34] ownership of the land where they
[1:07:36] operate which illustrates their
[1:07:38] long-term commitment to
[1:07:38] stewardship.
[1:07:41] Lexington is being offered not
[1:07:42] only a local source of clean
[1:07:44] energy but a new community
[1:07:46] member who will be invested in
[1:07:47] the life of the agricultural
[1:07:47] community.
[1:07:50] In garret county where silicon
[1:07:52] ranch developed a solar project
[1:07:54] in kentucky they have provided a
[1:07:56] local farmer with the
[1:07:58] opportunity to expand their
[1:08:00] sheep operation through access
[1:08:04] to hundreds of acres with new
[1:08:05] land.
[1:08:07] A well managed solar project can
[1:08:09] be an asset to the agricultural
[1:08:11] community and beneficial to the
[1:08:16] soils and local environment.
[1:08:17] Additionally, the developing
[1:08:19] solar in the agricultural area
[1:08:21] is not in opposition to
[1:08:23] developing distributed solar as
[1:08:26] others have said distributed
[1:08:29] solar within the urban core is
[1:08:30] extremely valuable and extremely
[1:08:30] important.
[1:08:32] There are however very serious
[1:08:36] and real policy barriers to the
[1:08:37] development of distributed
[1:08:38] solar.
[1:08:40] Things that are beyond the
[1:08:41] control of fayette county
[1:08:42] government.
[1:08:46] Things like limits and net
[1:08:49] metering, the fact that ku can
[1:08:52] impose a limit on anyone
[1:08:54] installing solar through net
[1:08:56] metering.
[1:08:59] And so the zota gives you
[1:09:00] something you can do.
[1:09:02] You can approve the use of solar
[1:09:06] on at a large-scale, in the
[1:09:08] agricultural zone but which will
[1:09:10] also continue to protect
[1:09:10] agricultural land.
[1:09:14] And that's within your power.
[1:09:15] Ku can't stop you from doing
[1:09:17] that.
[1:09:19] And then more solar will
[1:09:20] develop, more clean energy will
[1:09:22] development I encourage you to
[1:09:25] use the powers that are within
[1:09:27] your reach to support clean
[1:09:30] energy in fayette county.
[1:09:30] Thank you.
[1:09:32] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:09:34] Next is matt party miller and
[1:09:37] then susan pollack.
[1:09:38] Welcome.
[1:09:39] >> thank you.
[1:09:41] I'm matt party miller I am a
[1:09:43] resident in the 7th district I
[1:09:45] speak in favor of the solar
[1:09:46] zota.
[1:09:50] About 20 years ago, I moved home
[1:09:52] to kentucky after finishing
[1:09:54] college out of state.
[1:09:57] And was immediately drawn into
[1:09:58] the solar industry by goal was
[1:10:00] to save the world or help save
[1:10:01] the world.
[1:10:02] Still is.
[1:10:04] And I believe about the
[1:10:05] environmental impact we can
[1:10:08] headache with solar in the
[1:10:09] midwest we're transitioning from
[1:10:12] states that are coal powered to
[1:10:14] renewable powered I'm grateful
[1:10:15] this council and the city has
[1:10:19] seen fit to pursue renewables,
[1:10:21] pursue carbon neutrality.
[1:10:25] And the way it's done, at scale,
[1:10:28] and quickly, is with large-scale
[1:10:29] utilities solar.
[1:10:31] And the 20 plus years I have
[1:10:33] been installing solar my company
[1:10:36] is solar energy solutions we
[1:10:38] employ 80 people based in
[1:10:40] fayette and surrounding states
[1:10:43] and subcontractors we build
[1:10:46] everything from ren sal to
[1:10:48] industrial solar but we build
[1:10:52] some of the largest rooftops in
[1:10:55] the U.S.
[1:10:57] Very much benefit from continued
[1:10:59] investment in distributed
[1:11:00] generation here and encourage
[1:11:01] that.
[1:11:04] But the way we're going to make
[1:11:06] tremendous environmental impact
[1:11:08] quickly, is with utility scale
[1:11:12] solar and this zota allows a
[1:11:16] quick path to depoiing a couple
[1:11:18] hundred megawatts they will be
[1:11:20] built inexpensively.
[1:11:22] Built for a lot less than the
[1:11:25] typical rooftop or carport solar
[1:11:26] array.
[1:11:28] Before I came here I was
[1:11:31] reviewing a proposal for one
[1:11:33] acre carport solar array in
[1:11:35] kentucky and I think it will
[1:11:37] build three times what the
[1:11:40] utility scale rate MAY build at
[1:11:42] 'increased cost for energy and a
[1:11:44] timeline that is more
[1:11:45] significant to construct.
[1:11:47] From an environmental standpoint
[1:11:49] and a cost standpoint what you
[1:11:52] are doing is work I've spented
[1:11:54] last 20 years of my life trying
[1:11:57] to get underway which is
[1:11:58] accelerate solar deployment in
[1:12:00] kentucky and I really encourage
[1:12:03] you to pass this zota and
[1:12:05] appreciate all your attention to
[1:12:05] solar.
[1:12:06] Thank you.
[1:12:07] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:12:09] Next is susan pollack and she
[1:12:14] will be our last speaker.
[1:12:16] Welcome.
[1:12:19] >> I just wanted to say thank
[1:12:22] you to the mayor and to all of
[1:12:25] you and thank you for
[1:12:27] considering this and thank you
[1:12:29] also for what you have already
[1:12:32] done to promote solar by putting
[1:12:33] it on the landfill and other
[1:12:35] places where we could.
[1:12:38] I feel like I'm in a funny
[1:12:41] position here as a longtime
[1:12:43] sierra club person but I'm also
[1:12:44] a person who came to this
[1:12:46] beautiful place and have loved
[1:12:47] the farmland around here and
[1:12:50] have seen it chipped away and
[1:12:51] chipped away at.
[1:12:53] And I am here as you all have
[1:12:56] said to try to support the
[1:12:57] development of more solar in
[1:13:00] other places than putting it on
[1:13:01] farmland.
[1:13:04] And in a week that wendell berry
[1:13:06] died I think it's worth
[1:13:08] considering what our land means
[1:13:11] to us as a city.
[1:13:14] I certainly support solar
[1:13:16] energy, but and clean energy,
[1:13:17] but the zota is supposed to
[1:13:19] address the needs of the whole
[1:13:20] community.
[1:13:23] And our own division of planning
[1:13:24] recommended that we amend that
[1:13:27] language to small and medium
[1:13:29] scale companies and that's not
[1:13:31] really what has happened and
[1:13:33] while this company maybe ethical
[1:13:35] and wonderful it's that we set a
[1:13:37] precedent for other companies to
[1:13:39] come in as well.
[1:13:42] There were pore than 400 horse
[1:13:44] farms in the county that
[1:13:46] contribute also to our economy
[1:13:48] and to the beauty of things and
[1:13:52] the construction alone on rural
[1:13:55] farmland of solar does have an
[1:13:58] impact on that that's worth
[1:14:03] considering.
[1:14:04] Mostly, I understand what people
[1:14:06] have said about the limitations,
[1:14:09] but I think that they are like
[1:14:11] ohio there are so many places we
[1:14:14] have so many flat roofs without
[1:14:16] building covers which requires a
[1:14:18] lot of building and money over
[1:14:21] the parking lots we have so many
[1:14:23] large and small and medium sized
[1:14:25] industrial buildings that we
[1:14:28] could put solar panels on that I
[1:14:31] just hope that we can actually
[1:14:34] develop solar but not on fertile
[1:14:36] farmland which we MAY need to
[1:14:37] feed people in the future.
[1:14:39] We have a farmers market that
[1:14:41] relies on agriculture and in a
[1:14:43] world where transportation of
[1:14:45] things is more and more
[1:14:47] questionable, growing our own
[1:14:49] food here is something looking
[1:14:51] towards the food should also be
[1:14:51] a consideration.
[1:14:54] I would urge you to try to
[1:14:56] continue to develop solar but
[1:14:57] not to allow it to happen on
[1:15:00] some of the best and most
[1:15:02] fertile farmland that is still
[1:15:02] here.
[1:15:03] Thank you.
[1:15:04] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:15:06] That concludes our public
[1:15:07] comment for issues on the
[1:15:07] agenda.
[1:15:11] Thank you all for speaking.
[1:15:14] And that brings us to second
[1:15:27] reading of ordinances.
[1:15:28] An ordinance changing the zone
[1:15:29] from a single family residential
[1:15:29] (R-1c) Zone to a corridor
[1:15:30] business (B-3) Zone, for 4.912
[1:15:30] net (6.047 gross) Acres, for
[1:15:31] property located at 1770 and
[1:15:32] 1800 harrodsburg rd. (Plumbers
[1:15:33] and steamfitters local no. 452
[1:15:36] building corporation; council
[1:15:40] district 10). Approval 10-0 (To
[1:15:41] an ordinance of the
[1:15:42] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:15:43] government authorizing the
[1:15:43] issuance of its various purpose
[1:15:44] general obligation bonds, series
[1:15:45] 2026b, in one or more subseries
[1:15:46] in an aggregate principal amount
[1:15:47] of $9,740,000 (Which amount MAY
[1:15:49] be increased by an amount of up
[1:15:51] to ten percent (10%) Or
[1:15:52] decreased by an unlimited
[1:15:53] amount); approving a form of
[1:15:54] series 2026b bonds; authorizing
[1:15:55] designated officers to execute
[1:15:56] and deliver the series 2026b
[1:15:57] bonds; authorizing and directing
[1:16:00] the filing of notice with the
[1:16:03] state local debt officer;
[1:16:05] providing for the payment and
[1:16:06] security of the series 2026b
[1:16:07] bonds; maintaining a sinking
[1:16:09] fund; creating a bond payment
[1:16:11] fund for the series 2026b bonds;
[1:16:13] authorizing acceptance of the
[1:16:14] bid(S) Of the bond purchaser of
[1:16:15] the series 2026b bonds; and
[1:16:16] repealing inconsistent
[1:16:20] ordinances.
[1:16:22] An ordinance amending section
[1:16:23] 16-1(C)(19), section
[1:16:25] 16-1(F)(70), and section 17-1(1)
[1:16:27] Of the code of ordinances of the
[1:16:29] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:16:29] government, adopting and
[1:16:30] incorporating the complete
[1:16:32] streets design manual as an
[1:16:32] engineering manual for
[1:16:32] infrastructure development in
[1:16:35] lexington-fayette county.
[1:16:36] An ordinance amending article 31
[1:16:38] of the lexington-fayette county
[1:16:39] zoning ordinance, relating to
[1:16:40] solar energy systems, as
[1:16:42] follows: amending section 31-2
[1:16:43] to redefine the footprint of
[1:16:45] solar energy systems (Ses) And
[1:16:47] provide new definitions relating
[1:16:50] to farmland of statewide
[1:16:52] importance, prime farmland, and
[1:16:54] brownfield property; amending
[1:16:56] section 31-4 to expand the zones
[1:16:58] where ses is an allowable use;
[1:16:59] amending section 31-6 to provide
[1:17:01] additional guidance regarding
[1:17:03] the siting, screening, usage
[1:17:05] and decommissioning of ground
[1:17:07] mounted ses, to encourage
[1:17:08] community benefits plans
[1:17:09] relating thereto, and to further
[1:17:10] provide specific requirements
[1:17:12] for any large scale ses located
[1:17:14] in certain agricultural zones
[1:17:15] including requirements for a
[1:17:17] land management plan, vegetative
[1:17:19] cover, stormwater management
[1:17:20] and agricultural production
[1:17:22] requirements; amending section
[1:17:24] 31-7 to clarify conditional use
[1:17:26] permit application requirements
[1:17:27] and to provide considerations
[1:17:28] for the board of adjustment when
[1:17:29] reviewing conditional use
[1:17:32] permits for ses; and creating
[1:17:33] section 31-8 to provide an
[1:17:34] exception for ground mounted ses
[1:17:39] on brownfield properties. (Urban
[1:17:41] an ordinance amending certain of
[1:17:42] the budgets of the
[1:17:44] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:17:45] government to reflect current
[1:17:46] requirements for municipal
[1:17:46] expenditures, and appropriating
[1:17:47] and re-appropriating funds, fy
[1:17:50] 2027 schedule no. 6.
[1:17:50] An ordinance amending certain of
[1:17:51] the budgets of the
[1:17:51] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:17:52] government to correct funds for
[1:17:53] purchase orders rolling from fy
[1:17:54] 2026 into fy 2027, and
[1:17:55] appropriating and
[1:18:00] re-appropriating funds, schedule
[1:18:01] an ordinance creating chapter 28
[1:18:02] of the code of ordinances of the
[1:18:02] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:18:03] government (Privilege fees for
[1:18:04] public infrastructure
[1:18:05] improvements), as follows:
[1:18:07] adopting definitions for
[1:18:07] privilege fee, participating
[1:18:08] owner, non-participating owner
[1:18:09] public infrastructure, shared
[1:18:10] public infrastructure, acreage
[1:18:11] and interest; authorizing the
[1:18:12] allocation of costs of
[1:18:13] construction of shared public
[1:18:14] improvements to
[1:18:15] non-participating owners in the
[1:18:17] form of privilege fees;
[1:18:18] authorizing the execution of
[1:18:19] privilege fee agreements by the
[1:18:20] mayor or the chief
[1:18:22] administrative officer as
[1:18:22] mayor'
[1:18:23] s designee for
[1:18:23] construction of shared public
[1:18:24] infrastructure and for
[1:18:26] reimbursement of costs
[1:18:27] associated therewith from
[1:18:28] privilege fees remitted by
[1:18:30] non-participating owners;
[1:18:31] requiring competitive bidding
[1:18:33] procedures for construction of
[1:18:35] shared public infrastructure
[1:18:37] unless waived for good cause
[1:18:38] shown; providing for notice to
[1:18:40] all non-participating owners and
[1:18:47] a public hearing regarding
[1:18:48] proposed construction of shared
[1:18:50] public improvements and the
[1:18:52] allocation of costs to
[1:18:53] non-participating owners by way
[1:18:54] of privilege fees; establishing
[1:18:55] minimum requirements for
[1:18:57] privilege fee agreements;
[1:18:58] authorizing administrative fees;
[1:18:59] and authorizing the collection
[1:19:10] of interest on privilege fees.
[1:19:11] >> Mayor Gorton: councilmember
[1:19:12] ellinger we have had a lotted of
[1:19:14] cullings on number 4 and for
[1:19:15] record keeping it would be
[1:19:17] helpful if we separated that
[1:19:19] from the rest of them.
[1:19:21] I make a motion that we separate
[1:19:24] 4 from the rest of the vote.
[1:19:26] >> Mayor Gorton: I heard a few
[1:19:27] seconds.
[1:19:28] Is that councilmember eastbound
[1:19:30] help.
[1:19:33] Is there any discussion?
[1:19:35] All those in favor say aye.
[1:19:38] Is anyone opposed?
[1:19:40] All right that passes.
[1:19:44] So I will ask for a motion to
[1:19:47] approve on all of the items
[1:19:48] except number 4.
[1:19:52] >> so moved.
[1:19:53] >> Mayor Gorton: seconded by
[1:19:54] councilmember ellinger and if
[1:19:57] you will take a roll call vote,
[1:20:01] please.
[1:20:03] >> councilmember brown?
[1:20:04] >> yes.
[1:20:05] >> councilmember curtis.
[1:20:06] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:20:07] >> councilmember eblen.
[1:20:08] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:20:09] >> councilmember ellinger.
[1:20:11] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:20:14] >> councilmember baxter.
[1:20:14] >> yes.
[1:20:17] >> councilmember hale.
[1:20:17] >> yes.
[1:20:20] >> councilmember lynch too.
[1:20:21] >> yes.
[1:20:23] >> councilmember reynolds.
[1:20:26] Councilmember sevigny?
[1:20:31] >> [Inaudible] Thank you.
[1:20:34] >> councilmember sheehan.
[1:20:34] >> yes.
[1:20:36] >> vice mayor wu.
[1:20:36] >> yes.
[1:20:39] >> councilmember boone and
[1:20:41] councilmember beasley.
[1:20:44] No on two and yes on the rest.
[1:20:45] >> Mayor Gorton: those will all
[1:20:48] pass I will entertain a motion
[1:20:50] to approve on number 4.
[1:20:51] Councilmember sheehan and
[1:20:53] seconded by vice mayor wu and
[1:20:54] when you are ready if you will
[1:21:00] take a roll call vote.
[1:21:01] >> councilmember brown?
[1:21:03] >> no.
[1:21:04] >> councilmember curtis.
[1:21:06] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:21:07] >> councilmember eblen.
[1:21:09] >> no.
[1:21:10] >> councilmember ellinger.
[1:21:12] >> no, ma'am.
[1:21:15] >> councilmember elliott baxter.
[1:21:16] >> no.
[1:21:18] >> councilmember hale.
[1:21:18] >> yes.
[1:21:20] >> councilmember higgins-hord.
[1:21:22] >> no, man ma'am.
[1:21:25] >> councilmember lynch.
[1:21:25] >> yes.
[1:21:26] >> councilmember morton.
[1:21:28] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:21:29] >> councilmember reynolds.
[1:21:31] >> no.
[1:21:33] >> councilmember sevigny.
[1:21:33] >> yes.
[1:21:37] >> councilmember sheehan.
[1:21:37] >> yes.
[1:21:38] >> vice mayor wu.
[1:21:38] >> yes.
[1:21:41] >> councilmember boone.
[1:21:41] >> [Inaudible].
[1:21:44] >> and councilmember beasley.
[1:21:45] Yes, ma'am.
[1:21:47] >> Mayor Gorton: that passes
[1:21:47] 8-7.
[1:21:51] Thank you.
[1:21:53] Now, it is time for our first
[1:21:56] reading of ordinances and vice
[1:21:59] mayor wu has an amendment for
[1:21:59] number 8.
[1:22:02] >> thank you, mayor I move to
[1:22:04] amend item number 8 under
[1:22:05] ordinances this is our council's
[1:22:07] schedule of meetings.
[1:22:10] First read to change the meeting
[1:22:12] times for council meetings
[1:22:13] specifically from 5:00 P.M. To
[1:22:15] 6:00 P.M. On the dates of JULY
[1:22:18] 1, JULY 6, DECEMBER 1, and
[1:22:21] DECEMBER 2, 2027 so moved.
[1:22:22] >> Mayor Gorton: all right is
[1:22:25] there any discussion?
[1:22:27] All those in favor say aye.
[1:22:29] Is anyone opposed?
[1:22:32] All right that motion passes.
[1:22:35] So if you will please give that
[1:22:44] the new first reading.
[1:22:48] 1.
[1:22:49] An ordinance pursuant to section
[1:22:49] 2-1(A) Of the code of ordinances
[1:22:50] of the lexington-fayette urban
[1:22:51] county government, adopting a
[1:22:51] schedule of meetings for the
[1:22:52] council for calendar year 2027.
[1:22:53] An ordinance amending certain of
[1:22:54] the budgets of the
[1:22:54] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:22:55] government to reflect current
[1:22:55] requirements for municipal
[1:22:56] expenditures, and appropriating
[1:22:57] and re-appropriating funds, fy
[1:22:59] 2027 schedule no. 7.
[1:23:00] An ordinance amending certain of
[1:23:01] the budgets of the
[1:23:01] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:23:02] government to correct funds for
[1:23:03] purchase orders rolling from fy
[1:23:03] 2026 into fy 2027, and
[1:23:04] appropriating and
[1:23:04] re-appropriating funds, schedule
[1:23:07] no. 8.
[1:23:07] An ordinance amending section
[1:23:08] 16-1(F)(17) Of the
[1:23:09] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:23:10] government code of ordinances to
[1:23:10] revise the definition of
[1:23:11] "
[1:23:11] stormwater control device"
[1:23:11] by
[1:23:12] removing the term "
[1:23:12] drainage
[1:23:14] way."
[1:23:16] an ordinance amending the
[1:23:17] authorized strength by
[1:23:17] abolishing three (3)
[1:23:19] Unclassified positions of refuse
[1:23:20] & recycling worker sr., grade
[1:23:20] 510n, and creating three (3)
[1:23:21] Classified positions of refuse &
[1:23:24] recycling worker sr., grade
[1:23:25] 510n, all in the div. Of waste
[1:23:26] management, effective upon
[1:23:30] passage of council.
[1:23:30] Thank you.
[1:23:33] >> are there any walk ons,
[1:23:35] councilmembers?
[1:23:36] All right are there any motions
[1:23:38] to suspend the rules and give
[1:23:42] second reading?
[1:23:43] All right.
[1:23:46] That brings us to second reading
[1:23:56] of resolutions, please.
[1:23:57] A resolution ratifying the
[1:23:58] permanent classified civil
[1:23:59] stamper, safety and loss control
[1:23:59] specialist, grade 520e
[1:24:00] $2,564.80 biweekly in the div.
[1:24:02] Of human resources, effective
[1:24:03] AUGUST 23, 2026, and ratifying
[1:24:05] the permanent sworn appointments
[1:24:06] of lukas catron, police officer
[1:24:08] grade 311n, $29.226 hourly in
[1:24:09] the div. Of police, effective
[1:24:11] JULY 27, 2026, cezanne coca
[1:24:12] police officer, grade 311n
[1:24:14] $29.226 hourly in the div. Of
[1:24:19] police, effective JULY 27, 2026
[1:24:19] truman galusha, police officer
[1:24:20] grade 311n, $29.226 hourly in
[1:24:21] the div. Of police, effective
[1:24:22] JULY 27, 2026, caleb goldey
[1:24:24] police officer, grade 311n
[1:24:26] $29.226 hourly in the div. Of
[1:24:27] police, effective JULY 27, 2026
[1:24:29] geraldyn navarro, police
[1:24:31] officer, grade 311n, $29.226
[1:24:32] hourly in the div. Of police
[1:24:33] effective JULY 27, 2026, jacob
[1:24:37] reitz, police officer, grade
[1:24:39] 311n, $29.226 hourly in the div.
[1:24:42] Of police, effective JULY 27
[1:24:42] 2026, zachary schoolmaster
[1:24:43] police officer, grade 311n
[1:24:45] $29.226 hourly in the div. Of
[1:24:47] police, effective JULY 27, 2026
[1:24:49] justin shelton, police officer
[1:24:50] grade 311n, $29.226 hourly in
[1:24:51] the div. Of police, effective
[1:24:53] JULY 27, 2026, landon smith
[1:24:54] police officer, grade 311n
[1:24:55] $29.226 hourly in the div. Of
[1:24:58] police, effective JULY 27, 2026
[1:25:00] padhraic sweet, police officer
[1:25:01] grade 311n, $29.226 hourly in
[1:25:02] the div. Of police, effective
[1:25:04] JULY 27, 2026, brodie thompson
[1:25:06] police officer, grade 311n
[1:25:07] $29.226 hourly in the div. Of
[1:25:09] police, effective JULY 27, 2026
[1:25:11] jacob wright, police officer
[1:25:13] grade 311n, $29.226 hourly in
[1:25:14] the div. Of police, effective
[1:25:19] JULY 27, 2026.
[1:25:21] A resolution authorizing the
[1:25:22] div. Of water quality, on behalf
[1:25:23] of the urban county government
[1:25:25] to purchase service and parts
[1:25:26] for the online process analyzer
[1:25:27] at west hickman wwtp, from
[1:25:28] in-situ, a sole source provider
[1:25:32] at a cost not to exceed $54,870.
[1:25:32] A resolution authorizing and
[1:25:33] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:25:34] of the lexington-fayette urban
[1:25:35] county government, to execute a
[1:25:36] professional services agreement
[1:25:37] with kenya ballard to serve as a
[1:25:39] survivor liaison, to act as the
[1:25:40] point of contact for those
[1:25:42] seeking gun violence survivor
[1:25:43] support from one lexington, and
[1:25:44] from referral sources, and to
[1:25:47] liaise with appropriate one
[1:25:50] lexington staff in determining
[1:25:51] the status of application
[1:25:51] process and payments, at a cost
[1:25:52] not to exceed $20,000.
[1:25:53] 4.
[1:25:54] A resolution authorizing the
[1:25:55] div. Of police to purchase
[1:25:56] magnet axiom from magnet
[1:25:57] forensics, llc., a sole source
[1:25:58] provider, and authorizing the
[1:25:59] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:26:00] county government, to execute
[1:26:01] any necessary agreement with
[1:26:02] magnet forensics, llc., related
[1:26:02] to the procurement at a cost not
[1:26:03] to exceed $26,320.
[1:26:04] 5.
[1:26:05] A resolution authorizing the
[1:26:06] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:26:07] county government, to execute
[1:26:08] and submit an application to the
[1:26:09] ky. Dept. Of education, for
[1:26:09] provision of preschool education
[1:26:10] services at the family care
[1:26:11] center for the 2026-2027 school
[1:26:13] year.
[1:26:14] 6.
[1:26:15] A resolution authorizing and
[1:26:17] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:26:18] of the urban county government
[1:26:20] as the collaborative applicant
[1:26:21] to execute and submit the 2026
[1:26:21] continuum of care grant
[1:26:23] application to the united states
[1:26:23] dept. Of housing and urban
[1:26:24] development (Hud), to provide
[1:26:26] any additional information
[1:26:26] requested in connection with
[1:26:28] this grant application, which
[1:26:30] seeks up to $3,866,080 in
[1:26:31] federal funds for the operation
[1:26:32] of programs by community
[1:26:33] nonprofit organizations to
[1:26:35] reduce homelessness in
[1:26:36] lexington-fayette county, and to
[1:26:37] accept an amount, up to
[1:26:40] $153,932, of the grant funds, if
[1:26:42] the application is approved, for
[1:26:43] project planning expenses
[1:26:44] related to monitoring programs
[1:26:45] funded by the grant, the
[1:26:47] acceptance of which obligates
[1:26:47] the urban county government for
[1:26:49] the expenditure of an amount, up
[1:26:50] to $38,483, as a local match
[1:26:51] ratifying the prior execution of
[1:26:52] an application or any other
[1:26:54] necessary documents related
[1:26:55] thereto, and authorizing the
[1:26:56] mayor to transfer unencumbered
[1:26:58] funds within the grant budget.
[1:27:00] 7.
[1:27:01] A resolution approving the
[1:27:02] fayette county sheriff'
[1:27:02] s
[1:27:03] settlement-2025 property
[1:27:04] taxes, for taxes collected as of
[1:27:06] APRIL 15, 2026, and granting the
[1:27:07] sheriff a quietus.
[1:27:09] 8.
[1:27:10] A resolution authorizing the
[1:27:11] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:27:12] county government, to execute a
[1:27:13] memorandum of agreement with
[1:27:14] nami lexington (Ky), inc.
[1:27:17] Related to the operation of the
[1:27:18] fayette mental health court, at
[1:27:20] a cost not to exceed $270,000
[1:27:20] using funds allocated from the
[1:27:21] fy 2027 general fund.
[1:27:23] 9.
[1:27:25] A resolution authorizing and
[1:27:26] directing the mayor, or her
[1:27:27] designee, on behalf of the urban
[1:27:28] county government, to execute
[1:27:29] the clinical education agreement
[1:27:30] with the university of ky., and
[1:27:31] any necessary documents, for the
[1:27:32] implementation of educational
[1:27:33] experience opportunities for
[1:27:35] university students in various
[1:27:36] fields of healthcare related
[1:27:37] studies, with global lex, at no
[1:27:37] cost to the urban county
[1:27:38] government.
[1:27:39] 10.
[1:27:39] A resolution of the
[1:27:40] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:27:42] government authorizing the
[1:27:43] advertisement for bids and the
[1:27:44] distribution of a preliminary
[1:27:45] official statement for the
[1:27:46] purchase of the principal amount
[1:27:47] of its various purpose general
[1:27:49] obligation bonds, series 2026b
[1:27:51] in an aggregate principal amount
[1:27:52] of $9,740,000 (Which amount MAY
[1:27:54] be increased by an amount of up
[1:27:55] to ten percent (10%) Or
[1:27:56] decreased by an unlimited
[1:27:57] amount).
[1:27:58] 11.
[1:27:59] A resolution authorizing and
[1:28:00] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:28:01] of the urban county government
[1:28:02] to execute an agreement related
[1:28:03] to council capital project
[1:28:04] expenditure funds with lfucg
[1:28:05] div. Of parks and recreation
[1:28:07] ($500), at a cost not to exceed
[1:28:07] the sum stated.
[1:28:08] 12.
[1:28:09] A resolution authorizing the
[1:28:10] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:28:11] county government, to execute an
[1:28:12] agreement with the U.S.
[1:28:13] Geological survey, for the
[1:28:14] continuing and ongoing
[1:28:15] maintenance and operation of
[1:28:16] existing stream flow and
[1:28:18] precipitation gauges, for the
[1:28:19] period of JULY 1, 2026, through
[1:28:20] JUNE 30, 2027, at a cost not to
[1:28:22] exceed $127,000.
[1:28:23] 13.
[1:28:25] A resolution authorizing the
[1:28:26] div. Of traffic engineering to
[1:28:27] renew maintenance and support
[1:28:29] with q-free america through
[1:28:31] traffic control products, the
[1:28:33] sole-source vendor, for software
[1:28:35] to manage the centralized
[1:28:36] traffic control system, at a
[1:28:37] cost not to exceed $62,000.
[1:28:38] 14.
[1:28:39] A resolution authorizing and
[1:28:40] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:28:41] of the urban county government
[1:28:42] to execute a purchase of service
[1:28:43] agreement and vehicle lease
[1:28:43] agreement, with
[1:28:44] lexington-fayette animal care
[1:28:45] and control, llc, for animal
[1:28:47] control services, at a cost not
[1:28:49] to exceed $2,512,545.
[1:28:51] 15.
[1:28:52] A resolution authorizing the
[1:28:52] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:28:53] county government, to accept a
[1:28:54] grant from the ky. Energy and
[1:28:55] environment cabinet, dept. Of
[1:28:57] environmental protection, div.
[1:28:58] Of waste management, which grant
[1:28:58] funds are in the amount of
[1:28:59] $4,000 in commonwealth of ky.
[1:29:01] Funds for fiscal year 2027, for
[1:29:02] the disposal and recycling of
[1:29:03] waste tires, the acceptance of
[1:29:04] which does not obligate the
[1:29:05] urban county government to the
[1:29:06] expenditure of funds, and
[1:29:08] authorizing the mayor to
[1:29:09] transfer unencumbered funds
[1:29:09] within the grant budget.
[1:29:11] 16.
[1:29:12] A resolution authorizing and
[1:29:12] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:29:13] of the urban county government
[1:29:14] to execute change order no. 3 to
[1:29:15] the services agreement with grw
[1:29:16] inc., for professional design
[1:29:18] services, for the dept. Of
[1:29:19] environmental quality and public
[1:29:22] works, increasing the contract
[1:29:22] by the sum of $22,205, from
[1:29:24] $508,318 to $530,523.
[1:29:32] 17.
[1:29:32] A resolution authorizing and
[1:29:33] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:29:34] of the urban county government
[1:29:34] to execute the memorandum of
[1:29:35] understanding with university of
[1:29:36] louisville research foundation
[1:29:37] for participation in the ky
[1:29:38] coast pilot project (Centers of
[1:29:38] activity sequencing and
[1:29:39] testing), for the div. Of water
[1:29:39] quality, at no cost to the urban
[1:29:40] county government.
[1:29:42] 18.
[1:29:43] A resolution authorizing and
[1:29:44] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:29:45] of the urban county government
[1:29:46] to execute and submit a grant
[1:29:47] application to the ky. Justice
[1:29:47] cabinet under the violence
[1:29:48] against women act program for
[1:29:49] the continuation of a sexual
[1:29:51] assault nurse examiner program
[1:29:52] to provide any additional
[1:29:53] information requested in
[1:29:54] connection with this grant
[1:29:55] application, and to accept this
[1:29:56] grant if awarded, which grant
[1:29:56] funds are in the amount of
[1:29:57] $65,000 in federal funds and
[1:29:58] $12,000 in state funds, the
[1:29:59] acceptance of which obligates
[1:30:01] the urban county government to
[1:30:02] the expenditure of $24,667 in
[1:30:05] fy27, as a local match, and
[1:30:06] authorizing the mayor to
[1:30:06] transfer unencumbered funds
[1:30:07] within the grant budget.
[1:30:09] 19.
[1:30:10] A resolution authorizing and
[1:30:11] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:30:11] of the urban county government
[1:30:12] to execute an agreement with
[1:30:14] photoshelter, inc., to upgrade
[1:30:15] the current photoshelter
[1:30:16] subscription to add new alt text
[1:30:18] capabilities, ai functionality
[1:30:19] and significant accessibility
[1:30:20] compliance benefits, for the
[1:30:23] office of public information
[1:30:24] increasing the cost by $4,500
[1:30:26] for an annual cost not to exceed
[1:30:27] $9,815, subject to sufficient
[1:30:28] funds being appropriated in
[1:30:30] future fiscal years.
[1:30:30] 20.
[1:30:31] A resolution authorizing and
[1:30:32] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:30:33] of the urban county government
[1:30:34] to execute an agreement with
[1:30:36] linkedin corporation, for
[1:30:37] advertising services to promote
[1:30:38] open positions with the
[1:30:39] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:30:40] government on its platform, for
[1:30:41] the office of public
[1:30:42] information, at an annual cost
[1:30:44] not to exceed $20,925, subject
[1:30:45] to sufficient funds being
[1:30:46] appropriated in future fiscal
[1:30:47] years.
[1:30:48] 21.
[1:30:49] A resolution authorizing and
[1:30:51] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:30:52] of the urban county government
[1:30:53] to execute an agreement related
[1:30:54] to council capital project
[1:30:54] expenditure funds with garden
[1:30:55] meadows homeowners association
[1:30:56] inc. ($2,000), at a cost not to
[1:30:59] exceed the sum stated.
[1:31:00] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you is
[1:31:00] -
[1:31:04] there a motion to approve.
[1:31:05] Councilmember ellinger and
[1:31:06] councilmember kurtdties.
[1:31:08] When you are ready if you will
[1:31:13] take the roll call vote.
[1:31:15] >> councilmember brown.
[1:31:15] >> yes.
[1:31:17] >> councilmember curtis.
[1:31:18] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:31:19] >> councilmember eblen.
[1:31:20] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:31:21] >> councilmember ellinger.
[1:31:22] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:31:24] >> councilmember baxter.
[1:31:25] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:31:27] >> councilmember hale.
[1:31:28] >> yes.
[1:31:30] >> how many hilling hilling.
[1:31:30] >> yes.
[1:31:32] >> councilmember lynch.
[1:31:33] Yes.
[1:31:35] >> councilmember morton.
[1:31:35] >> yes.
[1:31:37] >> councilmember reynolds.
[1:31:37] >> yes.
[1:31:39] >> councilmember sheehan.
[1:31:40] >> yes.
[1:31:41] >> vice mayor wu.
[1:31:44] Councilmember boone and
[1:31:44] councilmember beasley.
[1:31:46] Yes, ma'am.
[1:31:47] >> Mayor Gorton: now it's time
[1:31:50] for first reading of
[1:31:53] resolutions.
[1:31:53] 22.
[1:31:55] A resolution specifying the
[1:31:56] intention of the urban county
[1:31:57] council to expand and extend the
[1:31:57] full urban services district #1
[1:31:58] to provide street lighting
[1:31:59] street cleaning, and garbage and
[1:32:00] refuse collection; finding a
[1:32:01] need for this service in the
[1:32:01] area included; and finding the
[1:32:02] ability of the urban county
[1:32:03] government to provide this
[1:32:04] service in this area, which area
[1:32:05] is defined as certain properties
[1:32:06] on the following streets:
[1:32:07] advantage way; cavalier way;
[1:32:09] dockside park; feathersound way;
[1:32:11] leanndra park; letcher DR.;
[1:32:12] lupine lane; and shady curve;
[1:32:13] and scheduling a public hearing
[1:32:13] for NOVEMBER 10, 2026, at 3:00
[1:32:14] p.M.
[1:32:16] 23.
[1:32:19] A resolution specifying the
[1:32:20] intention of the urban county
[1:32:21] council to expand and extend
[1:32:22] partial urban services district
[1:32:23] #3 to provide garbage and refuse
[1:32:24] collection; finding a need for
[1:32:25] this service in the area
[1:32:26] included; and finding the
[1:32:27] ability of the urban county
[1:32:27] government to provide this
[1:32:28] service in this area, which area
[1:32:29] is defined as certain properties
[1:32:30] on the following streets: landry
[1:32:31] way; liberty circle; waldorf
[1:32:32] lane; weston park; and malabu
[1:32:34] court; and scheduling a public
[1:32:35] hearing for NOVEMBER 10, 2026
[1:32:36] at 3:00 P.M.
[1:32:37] 24.
[1:32:38] A resolution specifying the
[1:32:40] intention of the urban county
[1:32:41] council to expand and extend
[1:32:43] partial urban services district
[1:32:43] #5 to provide street lighting
[1:32:44] and garbage and refuse
[1:32:45] collection; finding a need for
[1:32:46] this service in the area
[1:32:47] included; and finding the
[1:32:47] ability of the urban county
[1:32:48] government to provide this
[1:32:49] service in this area, which area
[1:32:50] is defined as certain properties
[1:32:50] on the following streets:
[1:32:52] brunswick rd.; cardiff lane;
[1:32:53] crestwood DR.; greenbriar rd.;
[1:32:53] lamont court; shirlee court;
[1:32:55] traveller rd.; weber way;
[1:32:56] wedgewood rd.; and wilson
[1:32:57] downing rd; and scheduling a
[1:32:59] public hearing for NOVEMBER 10
[1:33:00] 2026, at 3:00 P.M.
[1:33:02] 25.
[1:33:04] A resolution authorizing the
[1:33:05] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:33:06] county government, to execute a
[1:33:06] purchase of service agreement
[1:33:07] with roots & heritage festival
[1:33:08] inc., for the roots & heritage
[1:33:11] festival, planned for SEPTEMBER
[1:33:13] 11-13, 2026 at a cost not to
[1:33:14] exceed $35,500, plus additional
[1:33:15] in-kind services.
[1:33:16] 26.
[1:33:17] A resolution authorizing the
[1:33:19] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:33:20] county government, to execute a
[1:33:21] lease renewal agreement with ky.
[1:33:23] Community and technical college
[1:33:23] system, extending the lease for
[1:33:24] classroom space at the detention
[1:33:25] center, at no cost to the urban
[1:33:26] county government.
[1:33:28] 27.
[1:33:28] Mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:33:29] county government, to execute a
[1:33:30] purchase of service agreement
[1:33:31] (Psa) With casa of lexington
[1:33:32] inc., for child advocacy
[1:33:33] services in fayette county at a
[1:33:35] cost not to exceed the sum of
[1:33:36] $278,000.
[1:33:36] 28.
[1:33:38] A resolution authorizing the
[1:33:38] div. Of waste management to
[1:33:39] purchase electronic vehicle
[1:33:40] inspection reporting services
[1:33:42] from zonar systems, llc., a sole
[1:33:44] source provider, and authorizing
[1:33:45] the mayor, on behalf of the
[1:33:46] urban county government, to
[1:33:47] execute any necessary agreement
[1:33:48] with zonar systems, llc.
[1:33:49] Related to the procurement at a
[1:33:50] cost not to exceed $85,000.
[1:33:51] 29.
[1:33:53] A resolution authorizing the
[1:33:54] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:33:55] county government, to execute a
[1:33:56] site-specific agreement with the
[1:33:57] jessamine south elkhorn water
[1:33:59] district and ball homes llc, to
[1:33:59] provide sanitary sewer
[1:34:00] conveyance and treatment
[1:34:01] capacity to ash tree property in
[1:34:02] jessamine county.
[1:34:05] 30.
[1:34:06] A resolution authorizing the
[1:34:08] div. Of water quality to
[1:34:10] purchase service and field
[1:34:12] support at west hickman wwtp
[1:34:14] from siemens industry, inc., a
[1:34:14] sole source provider, and
[1:34:15] authorizing the mayor, on behalf
[1:34:16] of the urban county government
[1:34:17] to execute any necessary
[1:34:18] agreement with siemens industry
[1:34:19] inc., related to the procurement
[1:34:19] at a cost not to exceed
[1:34:20] $444,705.
[1:34:22] 31.
[1:34:23] A resolution authorizing and
[1:34:24] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:34:24] of the urban county government
[1:34:25] to execute the memorandum of
[1:34:26] agreement with the united states
[1:34:27] dept. Of justice, drug
[1:34:28] enforcement administration
[1:34:30] (Dea), allowing one (1) Officer
[1:34:31] to be assigned to a task force
[1:34:32] related to illicit drug
[1:34:35] trafficking from OCTOBER 1
[1:34:35] 2026, to SEPTEMBER 30, 2031, at
[1:34:36] no cost to the urban county
[1:34:37] government.
[1:34:38] 32.
[1:34:40] A resolution authorizing the
[1:34:41] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:34:42] county government, to execute a
[1:34:42] deed of easement with ky.
[1:34:44] Utilities co., granting
[1:34:45] permanent easements across a
[1:34:46] portion of the property located
[1:34:47] at 1900 leestown rd. And 301
[1:34:48] lisle industrial avenue, and
[1:34:50] further authorizing the mayor to
[1:34:52] execute any other documents
[1:34:52] easements, at no cost to the
[1:34:54] urban county government.
[1:34:54] 33.
[1:34:55] A resolution authorizing the
[1:34:56] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:34:57] county government, to execute an
[1:34:58] agreement with eds holdco, llc
[1:34:59] the final form of which shall be
[1:35:00] subject to the approval of the
[1:35:01] dept. Of housing advocacy and
[1:35:02] community development and the
[1:35:04] dept. Of law, to provide winter
[1:35:05] emergency shelter services
[1:35:06] inclusive of rental
[1:35:07] installation, and removal of
[1:35:08] structures as well as daily
[1:35:11] operations, for persons
[1:35:11] experiencing homelessness
[1:35:13] located at 1306 versailles rd.
[1:35:14] And to operate from OCTOBER 29
[1:35:16] 2026 to APRIL 1, 2027, at a
[1:35:20] total cost not to exceed
[1:35:20] $3,081,732.03.
[1:35:23] 34.
[1:35:24] A resolution authorizing the
[1:35:25] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:35:25] county government, to execute an
[1:35:26] agreement with community action
[1:35:27] council for lexington-fayette
[1:35:27] bourbon, harrison, and nicholas
[1:35:28] counties, inc., for the
[1:35:29] operation of winter motel
[1:35:30] shelter services for families
[1:35:32] with children experiencing
[1:35:33] homelessness, at a cost not to
[1:35:35] exceed $300,000.
[1:35:37] 35.
[1:35:39] A resolution authorizing the
[1:35:40] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:35:40] county government, to execute an
[1:35:41] agreement with hospice of the
[1:35:42] bluegrass, inc. D/b/a bluegrass
[1:35:43] care navigators, for the
[1:35:43] operation of motel-based winter
[1:35:44] shelter services for
[1:35:45] elderly/disabled persons
[1:35:46] experiencing homelessness, at a
[1:35:48] cost not to exceed $234,977.
[1:35:50] 36.
[1:35:50] A resolution authorizing the
[1:35:52] div. Of fire and emergency
[1:35:54] services to purchase iapro and
[1:35:55] blue team software from
[1:35:57] versaterm public safety us
[1:35:58] inc., a sole source provider
[1:35:59] and authorizing the mayor, on
[1:36:01] behalf of the urban county
[1:36:02] government, to execute any
[1:36:03] necessary agreement with
[1:36:04] versaterm public safety us
[1:36:04] inc., related to the procurement
[1:36:06] at a cost not to exceed
[1:36:07] $42,749.30.
[1:36:09] 37.
[1:36:10] A resolution authorizing the
[1:36:11] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:36:12] county government, to execute a
[1:36:12] site-specific agreement with the
[1:36:14] jessamine south elkhorn water
[1:36:15] district and ball homes llc, to
[1:36:16] provide sanitary sewer
[1:36:17] conveyance and treatment
[1:36:18] capacity to ash tree unit 3
[1:36:19] phase 1 property in jessamine
[1:36:19] county.
[1:36:21] 38.
[1:36:22] A resolution authorizing the
[1:36:23] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:36:24] county government, to execute
[1:36:25] certificates of consideration
[1:36:26] and other necessary documents
[1:36:27] and to accept deeds of easement
[1:36:29] from owners of record, for
[1:36:30] property interests needed for
[1:36:31] the greenbrier 2 pump station
[1:36:32] replacement project, a remedial
[1:36:34] measures project required by the
[1:36:34] consent decree, at a cost not to
[1:36:36] exceed $17,000.
[1:36:37] 39.
[1:36:37] A resolution authorizing the
[1:36:38] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:36:39] county government, to execute an
[1:36:40] agreement awarding a class b
[1:36:42] (Education) Incentive grant to
[1:36:42] avol ky., inc., for a stormwater
[1:36:43] quality project, at a cost not
[1:36:47] to exceed $18,126.72.
[1:36:47] 40.
[1:36:48] A resolution authorizing the
[1:36:49] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:36:50] county government, to execute an
[1:36:51] agreement awarding a class a
[1:36:52] (Neighborhood) Incentive grant
[1:36:53] to friends of the parks in
[1:36:54] fayette county, inc., for a
[1:36:54] stormwater quality project, at a
[1:36:58] cost not to exceed $41,590.
[1:36:58] 41.
[1:36:59] A resolution authorizing the
[1:37:00] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:37:02] county government, to execute an
[1:37:02] agreement awarding a class a
[1:37:04] (Neighborhood) Incentive grant
[1:37:05] to waterwayslex, inc., for a
[1:37:05] stormwater quality project, at a
[1:37:07] cost not to exceed $26,810.
[1:37:09] 42.
[1:37:10] A resolution authorizing the
[1:37:12] mayor, on behalf of the
[1:37:13] lexington-fayette urban county
[1:37:13] government, to execute change
[1:37:14] order no. 1 to the stormwater
[1:37:15] quality projects incentive grant
[1:37:16] with the ky. American water co.
[1:37:17] For stormwater quality projects
[1:37:18] increasing the grant award by
[1:37:19] the sum of $60,000, from
[1:37:20] $300,000 to $360,000.
[1:37:23] 43.
[1:37:24] A resolution authorizing and
[1:37:24] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:37:25] of the urban county government
[1:37:26] to accept additional award of
[1:37:27] $28,180 from kentucky state
[1:37:28] police commercial vehicle
[1:37:31] enforcement div., the
[1:37:33] application was for $71,820 with
[1:37:35] a match of $3,780 for the
[1:37:36] continued operation of the motor
[1:37:37] carrier safety assistance
[1:37:38] program for fy 2027, the
[1:37:40] additional award obligates lfucg
[1:37:42] to provide an additional match
[1:37:44] of $1,220 for a total match of
[1:37:45] $5,000 and authorizing the mayor
[1:37:46] to transfer unencumbered funds
[1:37:49] within the grant budget.
[1:37:49] 44.
[1:37:50] A resolution authorizing and
[1:37:50] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:37:51] of the urban county government
[1:37:53] to execute amendment no. 2 to
[1:37:55] the program administration
[1:37:55] contract with the bluegrass area
[1:37:57] development district, to accept
[1:37:58] an additional award of $9,444.00
[1:38:00] to include in the title iii b
[1:38:01] budget for eligible reimbursable
[1:38:03] expenditures for fy27 senior
[1:38:04] center operations, which
[1:38:05] obligates the urban county
[1:38:08] government to increase the total
[1:38:10] local match by $1,666.59 for a
[1:38:13] total match of $9,890.12.
[1:38:14] 45.
[1:38:14] A resolution authorizing the
[1:38:15] div. Of police to purchase dna
[1:38:16] testing from dna labs
[1:38:17] international, a sole source
[1:38:18] provider, and authorizing the
[1:38:19] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:38:19] county government, to execute
[1:38:20] any necessary agreement with dna
[1:38:22] labs international, related to
[1:38:22] the procurement at a cost not to
[1:38:24] exceed $45,000.
[1:38:25] 46.
[1:38:25] A resolution authorizing and
[1:38:27] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:38:27] of the urban county government
[1:38:28] to execute change order no. 1 to
[1:38:29] the agreement with lagco, inc.
[1:38:31] For the final adjustment in
[1:38:32] quantities, for the div. Of
[1:38:33] water quality, decreasing the
[1:38:35] contract by the sum of
[1:38:38] $167,839.07, from $1,634,958.00
[1:38:42] to $1,467,118.93.
[1:38:44] 47.
[1:38:44] A resolution authorizing and
[1:38:45] directing the mayor, on behalf
[1:38:46] of the urban county government
[1:38:47] to execute agreements related to
[1:38:49] council capital project
[1:38:50] expenditure funds with northside
[1:38:51] common market corporation
[1:38:52] ($5,196.05); and high point at
[1:38:54] woodland park condominium owners
[1:38:55] association, inc. ($8,000.00)
[1:38:56] At a cost not to exceed the sums
[1:39:06] stated.
[1:39:06] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:39:10] Are there think walk ons,
[1:39:12] council?
[1:39:14] No walk ons.
[1:39:18] New suspensions to give second
[1:39:18] riding?
[1:39:19] Reading.
[1:39:20] Councilmember brown?
[1:39:21] >> thank you, mayor.
[1:39:22] On behalf of the administration
[1:39:24] i make a motion to suspend the
[1:39:26] rules and give second reading to
[1:39:28] number 25.
[1:39:29] So moved.
[1:39:29] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:39:32] Councilmember morton seconds.
[1:39:35] Are there any questions about
[1:39:36] that one?
[1:39:40] It is this weekend for roots and
[1:39:42] heritage we are just in time.
[1:39:45] All right all those if favor say
[1:39:45] aye.
[1:39:47] Is anyone opposed?
[1:39:48] All right that passes.
[1:39:51] Are there any other motions to
[1:39:54] suspend the rules?
[1:39:56] All right.
[1:39:58] When you're ready if you will
[1:40:02] give it second reading that is
[1:40:11] number 25.
[1:40:13] 25.
[1:40:13] A resolution authorizing the
[1:40:14] mayor, on behalf of the urban
[1:40:15] county government, to execute a
[1:40:15] purchase of service agreement
[1:40:16] with roots & heritage festival
[1:40:17] inc., for the roots & heritage
[1:40:17] festival, planned for SEPTEMBER
[1:40:18] 11-13, 2026 at a cost not to
[1:40:18] exceed $35,500, plus additional
[1:40:21] in-kind services.
[1:40:21] Thank you.
[1:40:22] >> Mayor Gorton: is there a
[1:40:24] motion to approve.
[1:40:26] Councilmember reynolds and
[1:40:27] seconded by councilmember
[1:40:27] curtis.
[1:40:30] If you are ready will you take a
[1:40:31] roll call vote.
[1:40:33] >> councilmember brown.
[1:40:33] >> yes.
[1:40:34] >> councilmember curtis.
[1:40:35] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:40:36] >> councilmember eblen.
[1:40:37] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:40:38] >> councilmember ellinger.
[1:40:40] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:40:43] >> councilmember bactster.
[1:40:44] Councilmember hale.
[1:40:44] >> yes.
[1:40:46] >> councilmember higgins-hord.
[1:40:48] >> [Inaudible].
[1:40:49] >> councilmember lynch.
[1:40:50] >> yes.
[1:40:52] >> councilmember morton.
[1:40:53] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:40:54] >> councilmember reynolds.
[1:40:55] >> yes.
[1:40:57] >> councilmember sheehan.
[1:40:57] >> yes.
[1:40:59] >> councilmember boone.
[1:40:59] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:41:01] >> and councilmember beasley.
[1:41:03] >> yes, ma'am.
[1:41:04] >> Mayor Gorton: that item
[1:41:04] patses.
[1:41:05] Councilmembers we have
[1:41:08] communications from the mayor
[1:41:08] appointments.
[1:41:10] Could I have a motion.
[1:41:14] Councilmember curtis do I have a
[1:41:14] second?
[1:41:15] Councilmember eblen.
[1:41:19] Are there any questions?
[1:41:21] All those if favor please say
[1:41:22] aye.
[1:41:24] Is anyone opposed?
[1:41:25] All right that passes.
[1:41:27] And the nens communications from
[1:41:29] the mayor is donations.
[1:41:30] Could I have a moths?
[1:41:32] Thank you vice mayor.
[1:41:35] >> second I heard councilmember
[1:41:35] hale.
[1:41:38] All right.
[1:41:45] Any questions of the donations?
[1:41:48] All those in favor say aye?
[1:41:50] Is anyone opposed.
[1:41:52] And the last communications is
[1:41:54] procurements can I have a
[1:41:54] motion?
[1:41:56] Councilmember sheehan seconded
[1:41:57] by councilmember curtis.
[1:41:59] Are there any questions?
[1:42:02] All right all those in favor say
[1:42:03] aye.
[1:42:05] Is anyone opposed?
[1:42:06] All right that passes.
[1:42:07] Thank you.
[1:42:10] There are no police disciplines
[1:42:11] or fire disciplines.
[1:42:15] And that brings us to council
[1:42:17] announcements.
[1:42:17] Councilmember hale.
[1:42:19] >> thank you, mayor.
[1:42:21] So I want to remind everyone
[1:42:22] about our community celebration
[1:42:24] happening at wood hill park on
[1:42:29] tuesday SEPTEMBER 22 at
[1:42:30] 4:15-5:45.
[1:42:32] We can't wait to celebrate the
[1:42:33] renovation of the basketball
[1:42:35] court and ada parking lot with
[1:42:37] the community and this event is
[1:42:38] open to everyone in lexington.
[1:42:41] We will have ice cream, games,
[1:42:42] special activities by on the
[1:42:44] move art studio.
[1:42:46] We're grateful to lexington
[1:42:47] leadership foundation for
[1:42:49] partnering with the council
[1:42:51] office to make this free event
[1:42:52] happen.
[1:42:54] I want to invite my council
[1:42:56] colleagues we would love to have
[1:42:58] you to sell prime rate with us
[1:43:01] see you on tuesday SEPTEMBER 22
[1:43:06] and the 30th will be our ribbon
[1:43:06] cutting.
[1:43:07] Thank you.
[1:43:08] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:43:09] Councilmember reynolds.
[1:43:10] >> thank you, mayor.
[1:43:13] First I want to congratulate
[1:43:14] everyone at the senior center
[1:43:17] and aging services that they had
[1:43:20] a lovely celebration yesterday
[1:43:22] on 10 years.
[1:43:23] And it was really exciting and
[1:43:25] it had a great turnout.
[1:43:27] I want to congratulate all of
[1:43:29] our city staff and everyone that
[1:43:30] worked so hard to put that
[1:43:31] together.
[1:43:33] So I want to echo my
[1:43:35] congratulations for the police
[1:43:37] activities league and the girl
[1:43:39] the basketball team.
[1:43:41] They accomplished a huge feat.
[1:43:44] So I wanted to echo my
[1:43:45] congratulations for that.
[1:43:49] I want to invite everyone to
[1:43:51] celebrate with our mexican
[1:43:53] community here in lexington for
[1:43:55] mexico's independence day on
[1:43:56] SEPTEMBER 15th beginning at 5:00
[1:43:59] P.M. At the lexington legend
[1:44:01] stadium.
[1:44:04] This is a night of celebration
[1:44:06] that actually started in the
[1:44:09] 11th district and grew and is
[1:44:11] now at the stadium for the first
[1:44:12] time this year.
[1:44:14] Check that out if you want to
[1:44:16] experience mexican culture and
[1:44:20] food and music and dancing.
[1:44:23] And then in addition, for coming
[1:44:26] up next weekend, is festival
[1:44:28] latino and that will be friday
[1:44:31] SEPTEMBER 18th from 5-11:00 P.M.
[1:44:33] And saturday the 19th from 4-11
[1:44:37] and that will be at our
[1:44:37] courthouse plaza.
[1:44:39] Come on out for that.
[1:44:41] If you need some extra mulch
[1:44:46] there is going to be giveaway at
[1:44:50] the old landfill pad at 1631 old
[1:44:54] frankfort pike on SEPTEMBER 19th
[1:44:55] starting at 8:00 A.M. Get there
[1:44:57] early because when the mulch is
[1:44:58] gone it's gone.
[1:45:00] Thank you very much.
[1:45:01] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:45:01] Councilmember lynch.
[1:45:02] >> thank you.
[1:45:04] A reminder to the community that
[1:45:06] the boards and commissions fair
[1:45:10] is monday SEPTEMBER 14th from
[1:45:13] 4-6 people at the steam academy.
[1:45:15] Check outboards and commissions
[1:45:16] because we want you to apply to
[1:45:19] be on them we want to create
[1:45:21] pathways to all the boards and
[1:45:23] commissions come out monday from
[1:45:26] 4-6:00 P.M. At steam academy on
[1:45:28] georgetown road.
[1:45:29] We hope to see you there.
[1:45:30] We have a video.
[1:45:33] >> it's your vice mayor dan wu
[1:45:35] and I'm here with shayla lynch
[1:45:39] and we with the entires boards
[1:45:40] and subcommittee we invite you
[1:45:41] to the fair.
[1:45:41] >>.
[1:45:43] >> many of our boards and
[1:45:44] commissions will be there to
[1:45:46] share their work what they are
[1:45:47] doing in the community.
[1:45:49] >> and we want you to join a
[1:45:51] board of commission join us.
[1:45:53] >> we will have food, games and
[1:45:54] fun for the entire family.
[1:45:55] >>.
[1:45:57] >> help us say good-bye to the
[1:45:58] summer and how you can get
[1:46:00] involved with boards and
[1:46:00] commissions.
[1:46:04] >> join us at steam academy on
[1:46:06] georgetown road from 4-6:00 P.M.
[1:46:08] For the boards and commissions
[1:46:08] fair.
[1:46:14] See you there.
[1:46:14] [
[1:46:19] ]
[1:46:29] >> Mayor Gorton: councilmember
[1:46:32] higgins-hord I know you've
[1:46:32] waited.
[1:46:34] >> thank you I wasn't sure what
[1:46:36] was getting ready to happen
[1:46:36] there.
[1:46:39] We're going to show you pictures
[1:46:42] before and after photos of a
[1:46:45] detention basin at 1610 bryant
[1:46:46] station road.
[1:46:48] I learned about this area within
[1:46:50] the first few months of being
[1:46:52] appointed and it has been an
[1:46:53] issue for years.
[1:46:55] And I want to thank the director
[1:46:58] of code enforcement lee steal,
[1:47:00] resource officers donna shepherd
[1:47:02] and robert jackson.
[1:47:03] The office of homelessness
[1:47:05] prevention and intervention
[1:47:08] outreach team steve and jeff.
[1:47:10] Acting director of water
[1:47:12] quality, mark sanders and
[1:47:13] members of the bryant station
[1:47:14] neighborhood association who
[1:47:16] worked with me and my
[1:47:18] legislative aide rene.
[1:47:21] This was not an easy clean up.
[1:47:22] But by working together, we were
[1:47:24] able to address it and we've
[1:47:26] also already heard from our
[1:47:28] neighbors that they love the
[1:47:30] space that is cleaner, it's
[1:47:30] clear.
[1:47:32] I do want to thank everyone for
[1:47:34] being a partner with this and
[1:47:36] making this request a reality.
[1:47:37] So thank you all.
[1:47:40] Sometimes people don't get
[1:47:40] thanked.
[1:47:42] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:47:42] Vice mayor wu.
[1:47:44] >> thank you, mayor.
[1:47:47] First off I echo councilmember
[1:47:48] lynch do come out to the boards
[1:47:50] and commissions fair and I
[1:47:53] challenge my colleagues to
[1:47:54] challenge councilmember lynch
[1:47:56] and I to a game of cornhole.
[1:48:00] One of the perks of my job is
[1:48:01] getting invited to do cool stuff
[1:48:04] and last week, I got invited to
[1:48:08] radio I to be a celebrity reader
[1:48:11] and what radio I does they get
[1:48:12] folks to record news articles
[1:48:14] and other items of interest from
[1:48:16] newspapers and magazines to
[1:48:18] folks who are blind or print
[1:48:19] disabled.
[1:48:23] So I spent 30 minutes last week
[1:48:25] reading articles specifically
[1:48:27] from kentucky living magazine.
[1:48:30] I think we have a couple more
[1:48:31] photos and it's super simple and
[1:48:33] they are always looking for
[1:48:35] volunteers there are lots of
[1:48:37] ways for folks to listen and you
[1:48:41] can learn more at radio I.Org.
[1:48:42] Thank you.
[1:48:43] >> Mayor Gorton: councilmember
[1:48:45] curtis?
[1:48:49] >> thank you, mayor.
[1:48:52] I am going to echo what vice
[1:48:55] mayor wu and councilmember lynch
[1:48:58] said and invite you all on
[1:48:59] behalf of the boards and
[1:49:01] committees to our fair.
[1:49:04] I think that is a wonderful
[1:49:06] opportunity to make government
[1:49:10] more accessible to folks without
[1:49:13] having to create a particular
[1:49:14] high barrier to entry.
[1:49:18] I would like to take a moment of
[1:49:21] personal privilege to
[1:49:22] acknowledge something in this
[1:49:24] chamber that we don't have
[1:49:26] control over but it affects all
[1:49:26] of us.
[1:49:31] Which is that today the
[1:49:33] lexington herald-leader was
[1:49:35] gutted.
[1:49:38] Absolutely gutted.
[1:49:40] And we are all worse for it.
[1:49:43] This is part of a larger shift
[1:49:45] towards the corporatization of
[1:49:47] our news media from the national
[1:49:49] level to the local level.
[1:49:53] You know this was not a decision
[1:49:55] necessarily that would have been
[1:49:57] made were it not for the
[1:49:59] acquisition of the herald-leader
[1:50:06] by Mcclochy and the
[1:50:08] acquisition by a hedge fund and
[1:50:12] they decided hey, you know what?
[1:50:13] It's actually better if we
[1:50:16] invest in a shift towards A.I.
[1:50:18] Content towards news that flairs
[1:50:21] people up gets people angry.
[1:50:23] It provokes the worst in us
[1:50:27] rather than focusing on
[1:50:30] fact-based local focused
[1:50:30] journalism.
[1:50:33] It's making us all dumber.
[1:50:35] We are all worse for it.
[1:50:37] It is a devastating loss for
[1:50:39] lexington for kentucky and for
[1:50:41] anybody who cares about
[1:50:43] transparency.
[1:50:44] And that should be everyone in
[1:50:45] this room.
[1:50:49] All of us who sit up here have
[1:50:51] been held accountable at one
[1:50:53] point or another by the
[1:50:54] herald-leader.
[1:50:56] Not everything that they have
[1:50:58] ever written about me is stuff
[1:51:00] that I've liked but our
[1:51:01] community is better for it we
[1:51:03] are smarter more informed
[1:51:05] citizens because of it.
[1:51:10] One of the journalists let go,
[1:51:14] alex, said earlier, I'm quoting
[1:51:17] her here that journalism at its
[1:51:18] best holds power to account
[1:51:20] sheds light on corruption and
[1:51:22] equips us with information to
[1:51:23] make the most informed decision
[1:51:25] in our communities.
[1:51:28] Gutting one of kentucky's oldest
[1:51:30] newsrooms threatening our
[1:51:32] ability to do that and it should
[1:51:34] be concerning to everyone.
[1:51:37] I echo her sentiments and on a
[1:51:38] personal level I know for a fact
[1:51:43] that reporters like alex,
[1:51:45] reporters like the herald-leader
[1:51:47] has employed throughout the
[1:51:54] years can do something that is
[1:51:55] irreplaceable.
[1:51:58] No A.I. Agent, assistant
[1:52:00] whatever, is going to be able to
[1:52:02] sit with somebody in their most
[1:52:03] vulnerable moments and protect
[1:52:05] them and use the power of the
[1:52:07] press to hold powerful people
[1:52:08] accountable.
[1:52:09] Some of the most vulnerable
[1:52:11] moments of my life have been
[1:52:14] spent in the herald-leader
[1:52:18] building speaking about a state
[1:52:20] representative who did some very
[1:52:22] vial things to me and a lot of
[1:52:24] other women.
[1:52:27] And our only avenue towards
[1:52:31] justice was reporters like alex
[1:52:34] and austin horn who took us
[1:52:37] under their wing and protected
[1:52:37] us.
[1:52:41] And did a thorough new answered
[1:52:42] investigation over a period of
[1:52:46] years that brought some
[1:52:48] semblance of justice and
[1:52:52] accountability to a horrible
[1:52:52] situation.
[1:52:55] And we are losing that here.
[1:52:57] We are all less accountable and
[1:52:59] we should all be worried about
[1:52:59] that.
[1:53:03] And I would like to extend my
[1:53:06] personal apologies and gratitude
[1:53:10] to adrian bryant who all of us
[1:53:12] know and know well.
[1:53:16] Who all of us have probably had
[1:53:17] some gripe with a line in an
[1:53:19] article at some point.
[1:53:21] That he wrote.
[1:53:23] But he is a good man.
[1:53:25] He is a good journalist.
[1:53:27] And we are all better here in
[1:53:31] lexington for his service.
[1:53:33] And so though the herald-leader
[1:53:35] MAY exist in name, know that
[1:53:37] after this decision it exists in
[1:53:37] name only.
[1:53:42] We are all worse off as a result
[1:53:43] of this.
[1:53:44] I have no words.
[1:53:48] Thank you, mayor.
[1:53:49] >> Mayor Gorton: councilmember
[1:53:49] sevigny.
[1:53:52] >> thank you, mayor.
[1:53:55] One of those journalists and
[1:53:58] editors was the honorable tom
[1:53:59] eblen.
[1:54:01] And I just wanted to say that
[1:54:02] today we got to celebrate him a
[1:54:03] little bit.
[1:54:07] He is the newest lexington
[1:54:09] isabella gates community
[1:54:09] champion.
[1:54:15] It is an award that is a great
[1:54:19] honor to receive and I'm so
[1:54:21] excited for someone that I work
[1:54:24] with to get it and I've known
[1:54:26] tom for a longtime I'm very,
[1:54:30] very happy for you and
[1:54:31] congratulations.
[1:54:39] [Applause]
[1:54:41] Vice mayor wu I'm doing radio I
[1:54:43] as well next week.
[1:54:46] I've been told I have a face for
[1:54:48] radio.
[1:54:50] [Laughter]
[1:54:54] And I wanted to reinvite it will
[1:54:56] be a little bit rainy tomorrow.
[1:55:00] But 25 years ago tomorrow wasn't
[1:55:02] it was really a beautiful day.
[1:55:05] I remember it distinctly.
[1:55:08] It was just a clean and crisp
[1:55:09] and clear blue sky.
[1:55:11] Tomorrow won't be that.
[1:55:16] But at 2:00 P.M. We are
[1:55:18] celebrating the folks that lost
[1:55:21] their lives in the global war on
[1:55:22] terror.
[1:55:24] At 2:00 P.M. At veterans park.
[1:55:26] I know the mayor will be there
[1:55:29] and councilmember curtis and her
[1:55:31] and several of us will be there.
[1:55:36] I encourage you if you can, come
[1:55:39] honor the folks that lost their
[1:55:40] lives that are local people.
[1:55:42] Thank you very much.
[1:55:43] >> Mayor Gorton: thank you.
[1:55:46] That brings us to public comment
[1:55:49] for issues not on the agenda.
[1:55:53] And I will invite michael searcy
[1:55:56] to the podium.
[1:55:56] Welcome.
[1:55:58] >> thank you.
[1:56:00] I'm michael searcy.
[1:56:03] And I'm in district 1.
[1:56:06] And I hold the same values as
[1:56:09] everyone in lexington, faith,
[1:56:12] family, hard work and horses and
[1:56:13] wildcats.
[1:56:14] My father dedicated over 33
[1:56:16] years to the urban county
[1:56:19] government and my grandmother is
[1:56:20] sitting receptionist for the
[1:56:22] governor of kentucky on two
[1:56:24] terms burton jones.
[1:56:27] So I have a great respect for
[1:56:28] government.
[1:56:32] I had this I was going to read
[1:56:34] but I my issue is that first of
[1:56:36] all I commend our police
[1:56:36] department.
[1:56:40] The have a hard job to do.
[1:56:42] Some of the scenes they have to
[1:56:45] go to I can not fathom nor would
[1:56:47] I be the same if I had to go to
[1:56:47] them.
[1:56:49] But the thing is we want to
[1:56:51] ensure our police is doing the
[1:56:52] right thing.
[1:56:54] we want to make sure their stops
[1:56:55] are legitimate.
[1:56:57] And we're not talking about
[1:56:59] racial profiling I've seen
[1:57:03] plenty of my white brothers and
[1:57:06] sisters [Inaudible] I have just
[1:57:09] heard how it's spending 20,
[1:57:11] maybe 30 million here doing
[1:57:12] this.
[1:57:14] Well I've been speaking to
[1:57:18] sergeant north cut, lieutenant
[1:57:21] anderson with public integrity.
[1:57:23] About dash-cams.
[1:57:24] Some of these individuals feel
[1:57:26] like they are being stopped by
[1:57:29] race or they have some exotic
[1:57:31] sports car and that is both
[1:57:33] racist or political.
[1:57:35] Whether these things are true or
[1:57:36] not I have no idea.
[1:57:39] I cannot ascertain why that
[1:57:40] would occur but then again I'm
[1:57:43] not an officer.
[1:57:45] But dash-cams play a vital role
[1:57:48] in ensuring that the good guy is
[1:57:49] good.
[1:57:52] And the bad guy is caught being
[1:57:54] bad.
[1:57:56] Georgetown police department now
[1:57:58] has a dash-cams, louisville
[1:57:59] police department and other
[1:58:02] police departments now have
[1:58:03] these dash-cams.
[1:58:06] You have D.U.I. Cases that are
[1:58:08] being fought in courts wasting
[1:58:09] taxpayer money when they can be
[1:58:12] caught on dash-cam.
[1:58:14] I have discussed these issues
[1:58:18] with the sergeants including
[1:58:20] sergeant glessner.
[1:58:23] And I'm hearing budget, budget,
[1:58:24] budget, budget.
[1:58:27] If we can build parks that I see
[1:58:29] only a handful of people go to a
[1:58:32] year I'm sorry and statues that
[1:58:34] people drive by after they get
[1:58:37] used to seeing them we can
[1:58:38] invest in dash-cams.
[1:58:40] Making sure that these stops are
[1:58:41] legitimate they are not
[1:58:43] political, they are not racist,
[1:58:46] they are not because someone has
[1:58:49] some type of exotic whatever.
[1:58:53] We want legitimacy in all
[1:58:55] equilibrium around the board and
[1:58:55] I think that is fair.
[1:58:57] Thank you.
[1:58:58] >> Mayor Gorton: councilmembers
[1:59:00] that brings us to adjournment.
[1:59:02] Could I have a motion?
[1:59:05] >> all those in favor say aye.
[1:59:06] We are adjourned.
[1:59:11] Thank you all for coming.