Lexington Urban County Council approves multiple ordinances, resolutions; approves Castlewood Park design and reduces Space Tango loan at first reading

The Lexington Urban County Council on April 24 approved multiple ordinances and a slate of resolutions addressing zoning, landlord-tenant code updates, utility and stormwater projects, and contracts and grants for city services.

The council gave second reading approval to Ordinances 1–5, which included a zoning change for property at 125 Cane Bridal Drive (D & J Realty Inc.), code changes related to landlord-tenant retaliation and tenant remedies, and budget adjustments for municipal expenditures. The second-reading motion for those ordinances was moved and seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.

In resolutions, the council approved a large set of procurement and grant actions, including a $310,081.50 infrastructure incentive grant to Fayette County Public Schools for a stormwater-quality project; a $1,634,958 contract award to LATCO Inc. for the Plank View trunk sewer project; and an $8,844,000 award to W. Principles LLC (The Walker Company of Kentucky) for primary digester roof repairs at the Town Branch wastewater treatment plant. Other approved actions included agreements for emergency-management equipment, purchases for fire and water divisions, and multiple social-service contracts to support homelessness prevention and shelter services.

At first reading the council approved an amendment to Resolution 38 that reduces a previously proposed loan to Space Tango LLC from $250,000 to $187,500. Councilmember Brown moved the amendment and Councilmember Morton seconded; the amendment was adopted during the first-reading process and was reflected in the version read into the record.

Council also voted to suspend the rules and advance Resolution 42 for immediate second reading; Resolution 42 authorizes a professional-services agreement with TSW Inc. for schematic design and cost estimates for access and sport-court redevelopment at Castlewood Park at a cost not to exceed $36,900. The motion to suspend the rules was made for time-sensitive reasons and passed; the subsequent second reading and final approval of Resolution 42 passed on a roll-call vote.

A handful of recorded dissenting votes appeared during the roll call on the resolution slate: Councilmembers Savigny, Beasley and Gray registered “no” on Resolution 1 (the item authorizing an infrastructure incentive grant to Fayette County Public Schools), while indicating “yes” on other items in the slate. Despite those no votes, the overall slate of resolutions considered at second reading was adopted.

The meeting also included routine confirmations of permanent civil-service appointments across multiple divisions, authorization to accept federal and foundation grants including HUD grant applications for FY 2026 programs, and several sole-source and procurement authorizations for equipment and professional services.

Discussion vs. decisions: most items were acted on with limited public debate in the chamber and proceeded via roll-call votes. The Space Tango loan amount change was handled as an amendment presented and adopted during first reading rather than as a final adoption of the loan documents. The Castlewood Park design services were expedited through a rules suspension to permit immediate contracting for schematic design work.

What happens next: items approved on second reading take effect as provided by the ordinances and resolutions; the amended Space Tango loan documents will be executed if and when authorized in final implementing agreements; the Castlewood Park design work will proceed under the authorized contract. Additional first-reading ordinances introduced at the meeting will return for second reading or further action at later meetings.

The council adjourned after hearing two public commentators and conducting routine announcements and proclamations.