[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6564908,"mediaKeyId","3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792","parentId",3241125,"title","Council approves multiple ordinances and resolutions including downtown-management district and funding contracts","audioSeconds",2077,"startMs",2166000,"endMs",4243000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792&start=2166&end=4243","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792/thumbnail_2166000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564908/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Council-approves-multiple-ordinances-and-resolutions-including-downtown-management-district-and-funding-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564908-2149bec1f2d2c5888588dcc2928594be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421084&Signature=UqQtZAXTSx94HLxE-ICgiVCM0tU~IJduRZMs1vmz1QX2ZxPyjPHCjxx1T-m2cPVzJG~q9FiRY~4zstUc281Mx9qZX9vE4gSZcj2vH31ELH4vxDUioiuy2meFpkmgXfeSJ6aVGtsbPc2IPiaBpx7GLlnhd7PtXFKEZlHTsykpLkT96Rh8mvDS8jnHnuEiMisaTGohZNxjRiHfXmGMFUhsYGeZORLfyuBy-5wlrtbqklTH7VI9T0HDEi2IYE~ITLDGGmYuGFKL2uoJjdKnqBsx2sBigKkIzyFukqEjZxkWfK5fsu~d17nFpUfqm3z9vJB6Zbji3SVluPWLnjBjs1G0QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Lexington Urban County Council on May 8 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions, including reestablishing the Downtown Lexington Management District, amending fee schedules, fund appropriations, grant acceptance, and a series of time-sensitive service and capital contracts.

Key approvals included:

- Ordinance (second reading) reestablishing the Downtown Lexington Management District (agenda item 4). The ordinance sets district boundaries, creates a 15-member board, authorizes assessment not to exceed $0.10 per $100 of assessed property value within the district, and sets a termination date of July 1, 2035 unless reestablished by the Urban County Council. The council adopted the ordinance on a roll-call vote.

- Multiple budget and administrative ordinances (agenda items 1–3, 5–6) updating FY 2025 appropriations, adjusting fee schedules for electrical wiring inspections, modifying police academy hiring processes, and authorizing new positions in public safety divisions. These passed on second reading.

- A broad slate of resolutions authorizing bids, contracts and grant actions (selected items approved by roll call): acceptance of equipment bids for fire and water divisions; authorization to apply for the FY 2026 HUD consolidated plan (Community Development Block Grant funds of $2,320,758; HOME program $1,206,370.03; Emergency Solutions Grant $205,743.03) and related local-match authorizations; procurement and service agreements for events and capital projects including the downtown-area master plan (MKSK, item 20), July 3–4 patriotic events and fireworks (items 17–19), Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center roof replacement (item 47), and a notification contract for emergency management (Regroup, item 48). Several items were given second reading under suspension of the rules because of time-sensitive implementation needs.

Votes and turnout: The roll-call record in the transcript shows the measures passed with all council members present voting yes. Members recorded in the roll calls included Councilmember Savigny, Councilmember Sheehan, Vice Mayor Wu, Councilmember Beasley, Councilmember Boone, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Curtis, Councilmember Ellinger, Councilmember Elliot Baxter, Councilmember Gray, Councilmember Hale, Councilmember LaGree, Councilmember Lynch, Councilmember Morton and Councilmember Reynolds.

Why it matters: The downtown-management-district ordinance enables a new assessment and governance structure intended to fund downtown economic improvements. Grant-authority resolutions (including the HUD consolidated-plan application) obligate city staff to pursue federal funds and, in some cases, commit local matching funds. Time-sensitive contracts for July events and building repairs move forward with council authorization.

Implementation notes: Several items were advanced under suspension of the rules because contractors or seasonal schedules require prompt execution. Several grant acceptances are contingent on federal approvals and appropriation of local-match funds where specified.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Urban County Council - May 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 8 meeting the Lexington Urban County Council approved several ordinances and a long list of resolutions and contracts, including a second reading reestablishing the Downtown Lexington Management District, appropriations, and time-sensitive agreements for July events and capital work.","taxTitle","Lexington City, Fayette County, Kentucky","taxId",5707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564911,"Public commenter backs Vision Zero resolution to eliminate traffic fatalities",57,2033000,2090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792&start=2033&end=2090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792/thumbnail_2033000.jpg","/articles/6564911/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Public-commenter-backs-Vision-Zero-resolution-to-eliminate-traffic-fatalities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564911-23edccd9fcf20e2092cb1bb1a517fb62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421084&Signature=SbHgRdefoFNqXkzvhoCbckabI6AFhSx4SzVxxdVnA2JUOwiirmeYJCmrRRhf9X87VSsDEP5CYNsH-Wnh3EYLxTSDwdvH0r9SeFonV93Hl9ZLhxfASa~ngkoAOV~ONFbawloq5glg6xZc2YfeTcIXy1zhZl6SJKNBY6UNRhZaXdBar44hWGGqe4~w~9Zrhq8ZIB9MFzvk2BQ447QP4dmoEWlnsUlUSWvrqVYONKARkA0s1zgRNZZjWiFsQ-j~essw8mW7SQtkDC9Lu7A-~a1Jkp9VsyvvPMK-mKgZGEmXJxtWtHb7CXnPDl5OZOTjFlP-N0Pd1LgQwlUx9SYP5FfNww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public commenter urged Lexington council members to back a newly introduced Vision Zero resolution that would require city departments to assess their roles in traffic safety and report annually on progress.

James McElroy, a District 10 resident and member of Living Streets Lexington, addressed the council during public comment and said traffic deaths and serious injuries should not be accepted as inevitable. “While accidents are human nature, changes to the system and structure make these deaths and serious injuries avoidable,” McElroy said. He thanked staff for drafting the resolution and urged council members to pass it.

The text of the resolution (item 14 on the council agenda) is an endorsement of the Vision Zero initiative. It asks each department and division within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to assess their role in traffic safety, identify strategies that are within their purview to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, and collaborate with stakeholders and subject-matter experts. The resolution requests that, within 12 months of passage and every 12 months thereafter, the Department of Planning and Preservation prepare a report on needs and progress toward Vision Zero goals.

Why it matters: Vision Zero policies shift focus from driver error alone to engineering, enforcement, education and policy changes that reduce severe crash outcomes. If adopted, the resolution would formalize cross-department coordination and annual reporting.

Status: The resolution was listed in the council's first-reading docket during the May 8 meeting; no final vote on passage was recorded in the meeting minutes included in the transcript.","A public commenter urged the Lexington Urban County Council to adopt a Vision Zero resolution committing city departments to strategies that reduce and ultimately eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564916,"Residents urge council to offset federal housing cuts as city budget hearing opens",145,1545000,1690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792&start=1545&end=1690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241125-5e2c387001f5fdb31a41282377873792/thumbnail_1545000.jpg","/articles/6564916/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Residents-urge-council-to-offset-federal-housing-cuts-as-city-budget-hearing-opens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564916-8025fca25f7e6af4dfdab52b30fb0539/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421084&Signature=T~xo9Ybx4mM8pntGpzfvlP7moJzpOE6CjdQLk3mET354DsT8OMjFYrUBG9QnP90Pwp6LiTlNyG3nXKCjv7EVvgHRbJf5bcRqKFfJwa3X89kDiBj9WPkC2iMz4yzeFvUKoniJHjGTHYM2DkcL3N5ItvbE4rIG-3TVsRqW-eClbLdolRsySaxzU8RWSfzgvJKsoreZfHvQFHa1h9nAAnE-A-NvoHNhkPqVdDW~HmBOvR2DU4q3gD4xa-hbFB8VZeLXwZ4nYEt0hggB~8g5a2XceyIbTmsJTGCZWJykz-DdV0sqCSKZjXwu9qOUe1tXHiX18PaaAXIo~6EVyllHr6mDdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Urban County Council opened a public hearing May 8 on the mayor's proposed fiscal 2026 budget, and residents urged council members to respond to large federal cuts to housing programs and to use the city budget to expand street-safety and emergency rental assistance.

Phoenix Berry, a District 6 resident, told the council the federal cuts to housing programs would hurt low-income residents and seniors. “Vouchers for rental assistance for low-income communities and our seniors are being cut,” Berry said. “Continuum of care services are also being cut, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program is also being cut.” Berry said those reductions add up to “around like 43%” in federal cuts cited in their remarks and asked the council to consider local funding for emergency rental and relocation assistance in the FY 2026 budget.

Alice Hilton, a District 11 resident and member of Living Streets Lexington, praised a proposed $20 million Complete Streets line in the mayor's budget but said she was concerned that $14 million of that was allocated to paving rather than projects such as sidewalks and bike infrastructure. “You could build a lot of sidewalks with $14 million,” Hilton said, and urged the city to treat paving projects as opportunities to improve safety and walking and biking connections to schools.

The legal notice read before the hearing said a summary of the mayor's proposed budget and documents are available on the city website and at public facilities. Council members did not take action at the hearing; the session was a formal opportunity for public comment required under the Urban County Government charter and Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Why it matters: Residents said the combination of federal reductions and an ongoing housing shortage increases risk of displacement and homelessness and argued the city should consider targeted, local investments now. Advocates also framed Complete Streets funding as a safety and equity priority that can support school travel and reduce traffic harm.

What the speakers asked the council to do: Berry urged the council to add or prioritize city funding for emergency rental assistance, relocation assistance and other housing supports in FY 2026. Hilton asked the administration and council to allocate more of the Complete Streets budget to sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and street redesigns rather than routine paving.

Next steps and context: The mayor's proposed budget will proceed through the council's appropriation process; members may amend or reallocate before final adoption. Council and staff did not announce any immediate changes at the hearing.

","At the Lexington Urban County Council budget public hearing, residents urged the city to respond to proposed federal cuts to housing programs and to increase local investment in Complete Streets and emergency rental assistance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves multiple ordinances and resolutions including downtown-management district and funding contracts

Public commenter backs Vision Zero resolution to eliminate traffic fatalities

Residents urge council to offset federal housing cuts as city budget hearing opens