[{"_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",6641742,"mediaKeyId","3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1","parentId",3647556,"title","Council approves routine motions and capital projects during June 3 session","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",4384000,"endMs",4461000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1&start=4384&end=4461","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1/thumbnail_4384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6641742/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Council-approves-routine-motions-and-capital-projects-during-June-3-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641742-2fe56b51c0309f9f6ccc1bbfe44a740e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140625&Signature=gY5ElPrmKjX-PrnYFYRk8C82KUrnKnSflkMvqTJN~E723q5bJKjCQZ57Itg-qsMuEB-9-fwrpuk9ipEtwJHf95ievj62GCL4SDYnwnZllYo5FbmJ3W~W30XJrB6BuN2vHajO8dToJdcIJ~0-ZGGFHecPiJvFZ9KXU4gvMAJhl2~6HVjgx2Mm2Y3uV5ytLVB9IAlxcJ3mF-Db0BBdHQxv8vQkM6sa~Z5SbqFX~hAlwBnQMWjkU4BcbzpPLvnf-A91BXoYmuG5qza0YS8eDJopiqImp8baZmff1yc9b9BY1JPsMVFzZyUVPSaED-q4KsEyd1p-d1nnSI93Ealb2nOaJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council approved routine procedural motions during its June 3 work session, including approval of May 27 work-session motions and council capital projects. Council member Ellinger moved approval of the May 27 motions, seconded by Council member Grama; the motion passed by voice vote. Council member Gray moved approval of council capital projects, seconded by Council member Curtis; the motion passed by voice vote.

These votes were recorded as voice approvals in the transcript; no roll-call tallies were read aloud and no ordinance readings or budget adoptions were completed during the portion of the meeting covered by the transcript. The meeting continued to presentations and public comment on homelessness and LexTrans' microtransit feasibility study.

Ending: The approvals were procedural and did not change policy beyond routine docket and administrative matters recorded on June 3.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Council Work Session - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the June 3 work session the council approved several procedural motions and a capital projects item; no ordinances or budget adoptions were recorded during this segment.","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},6641747,"LexTrans study finds microtransit can fill service gaps but will be costly to operate",1027,4654000,5681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1&start=4654&end=5681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1/thumbnail_4654000.jpg","/articles/6641747/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/LexTrans-study-finds-microtransit-can-fill-service-gaps-but-will-be-costly-to-operate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641747-a439a09ed4c33f3dca82d6ddafb3ffb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140625&Signature=Zq0BaufBoAlaIEZ5N4WEVca~eurnDtYjPInW3gD8RMn8EmUamoXlwh0lX2AZUn~MdJyQfInMgo5Rqf6bVfS02y0fQcjIka3HWuxMuDLFo22oMyQajdfOohInzzt2UsP6CU~QGqaMZOAzTDltyJGyGHCgb-ln3aZkd4q0JoIG1dBYPdDHceBMmEsoilaVi47n18NgxHN5hpG~bhduptn86pQUriUcEs-SrjYLEJAQJ7zrWz0m-LovtaPu2NINE~B25HsDwrRmk28B-RwGo-qoQlfQhdHkXC62s3t7pZBamd1Q80fGHk7rCLGZJSuLY5MuVxCtVigr2cfnsEQ4ZcjAbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LexTrans and consultant Nelson\u0000Nygaard presented a microtransit feasibility study to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on June 3, laying out pilot-zone options, ridership forecasts and likely costs for a two-year pilot.

Project lead George Meyer described microtransit as a flexible, on-demand shared-ride service that borrows ride-hail technology but must meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. \"Microtransit can fill service gaps,\" he said, but \"it's expensive\" compared with fixed-route bus service: the study estimated a cost-per-passenger of about $60 for the proposed Northwest pilot zone and projected roughly 19,500 riders annually under the study's assumptions.

Why it matters: the consultant said microtransit could extend transit to low-density areas where fixed routes are inefficient and could provide first-mile/last-mile connections into the fixed-route network. But staff and outside case studies warned of upper limits on capacity, the need to control demand, and the importance of multi-year funding to sustain service.

Details: the study screened several zones and prioritized a Northwest Zone for an initial pilot. That pilot was modeled with two vehicles operating year-round from about 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., a turnkey hourly operating assumption of roughly $95, and an estimated two-year operating cost of about $2.4 million. The consultant proposed a rider fare around $3 per trip; at that price the study estimated fare revenues of about $60,000 annually, yielding a low farebox recovery (about 5%). Typical performance metrics shown were about 1.9 passengers per vehicle-hour for microtransit versus much higher productivity for fixed-route service.

Questions from council members focused on service type (curb-to-curb versus hub-based pickup), rider experience, ADA accessibility, use cases for trips within and between zones, procurement approach and funding. Council members asked whether the $250,000 already allocated by council would run the pilot; multiple presenters said that amount would cover only a few months of operating cost under the study assumptions and that additional local or grant funding would be required for a multi-year pilot.

Funding options described included federal formula funds (currently allocated to paratransit and maintenance), competitive federal grants, local funding and partnerships (including colleges or employers), and small supplemental revenues such as advertising and fares. The consultant said some agencies had used TNC (Uber/Lyft) partnerships or combined contractors that operate both paratransit and microtransit; those models can reduce costs but have limitations around evening demand and disability accommodations.

What happens next: staff said a phased pilot and careful procurement would be necessary steps. Recommendations included starting with a multi-year pilot (two to three years preferred), conservative policies to avoid overpromising, an education campaign for riders, and rigorous monitoring with six-month evaluations.

Ending: council discussion acknowledged trade-offs: microtransit can expand coverage but at higher per-trip cost than fixed-route buses, so any pilot would require continued local investment or grant support and careful design to avoid overwhelming limited capacity.","Consultant and transit staff presented a microtransit feasibility study suggesting a prioritized pilot in a northwest zone; study warned microtransit is costly per trip, requires careful demand management and mixed funding.",{"_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},6641751,"Council hears proposals after study showing rising homelessness; mayor to form task force",8606,454000,9060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1&start=454&end=9060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647556-1e58a9ef8ba612d013a2c127b362d4d1/thumbnail_454000.jpg","/articles/6641751/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Council-hears-proposals-after-study-showing-rising-homelessness-mayor-to-form-task-force","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641751-611fbbfed73b35c662e9b79521b81582/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140625&Signature=lHA5oWl2g41UKTZdI3rR4771PpTwzO3xvLMqx1Do~6HoS-z9vKIX8Umj-FJn~ZEa4M-jDF7dnyk93RAbAS4XyxbHoa3UMYY7B7JTz9zLv~g7TwyZwccuEWmOVavyqrEED648aWtKYe4q19ohrzs~L9vtqtsYE9n3Pbo-EItfct4kHTQv9oWAw99AXsK2wUmTib4gSU2lBZIOGA2xb1igBaskrZ93~a0iO5-mNaujmjeuBmqxwQDHWbMhY~wkH5j~5E2ECY3iUaUDXgat6qO1r0v1F6kRG5dmjgdTbZxEGNWoK25qQfa~1pOVVSeN1Dajv-IH7A831SHOs62S0Kpsmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant presented the Lexington Emergency Shelter Study of 2025 on June 3, telling the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council the city's homeless population has risen sharply and shelter capacity is insufficient. \"From 2023 to 2025, it's increased 13%,\" said Ed Holmes, the consultant who led the study, and \"the homeless population has increased since 2020 by 34%,\" he added.

The study, and more than an hour of public comment by service providers and residents, framed the shortage as both an immediate public-safety and public-health issue and a long-term housing challenge. \"We don't have enough beds,\" said Abby Latimer, a palliative social worker and assistant professor, urging the council to support \"a safe, accessible, and supportive campus that includes a low-barrier shelter.\" Other speakers representing shelters, outreach programs and advocacy groups described barriers faced by older adults, people with disabilities, families, LGBTQ people and people with pets.

Why it matters: presenters and providers said repeated reliance on temporary winter shelter and hotel placements is expensive and unstable, and that a year-round solution with on-site services could better connect people to permanent housing. Ed Holmes's analysis estimated an ongoing gap between demand and capacity: the study reported a point-in-time shelter population of 810 against an inventory of 498 beds, and projected that by 2030 the city could face a need north of 1,200 shelter beds under current trends.

Details: Holmes walked the council through location and design criteria for a permanent, low-barrier resource campus and showed illustrative reuse sites the consultant screened, including a vacated health facility and the former Eastland Bowling Alley. He presented cost comparisons: the city currently spends roughly $2 million a year on temporary winter-shelter measures; a year-round shelter system would require a larger one-time capital outlay and multi-year operating funds. Holmes said a permanent system would offer \"wraparound services of case management, health care and support\" and could reduce repeated yearly expenditures on temporary accommodations.

Councilman Charlie Lanter, commissioner of housing advocacy and community development, described the study as informational and announced the mayor will appoint a \"mayor's task force on homelessness\" to start work in the fall and return recommendations to council. \"The study doesn't lock us into anything,\" Lanter said; he encouraged council members to consider common ground and pragmatic next steps.

Public-comment themes: speakers who provide direct services outlined repeated gaps. David Shadd of the Hope Center said congregate shelters do not meet the needs of many clients with mobility or health issues and called the feasibility study an opportunity to \"look at the gaps and find a way as a community to fill those.\" Community Action Council's Marty Jones described year-round and seasonal shelter pilots and said programs with dedicated case-management staff yield higher housing exit rates than short-term hotel placements.

Concerns and constraints: council members and residents raised neighborhood saturation, siting and zoning questions. Several council members emphasized the need to avoid concentrating services repeatedly in the same neighborhoods; others urged rapid action because of rising counts and potential cuts in external funding. Staff and presenters said funding sources would likely be a mix of local, state and federal grants and that multi-agency partnerships would be necessary.

What happens next: the mayor's task force will convene this fall and develop recommendations on siting, funding and operations; the council and staff said they expect further public engagement through the task force and follow-up presentations. The study and public comments together set a framework for identifying preferred locations and funding priorities but do not authorize a specific shelter project or purchase.

Ending: Service providers in the room urged the council to act on a combination of shelter capacity and supportive services, while neighborhood leaders and some council members asked that siting avoid overconcentrating already-impacted neighborhoods. The mayor and staff will present the task-force structure and timeline as the issue moves into the fall work plan.","A consultant\u0000study and extensive public comment highlighted a jump in Lexington's homeless population and a gap in shelter capacity. Mayor led announcement that a mayor's task force on homelessness will begin work this fall; city staff and providers urged creation of low-barrier shelter and service hub.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves routine motions and capital projects during June 3 session

LexTrans study finds microtransit can fill service gaps but will be costly to operate

Council hears proposals after study showing rising homelessness; mayor to form task force