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Channel: Lexington Council

Route and Service Changes at Lextran Coming in 2016

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Beginning next year, Lexington’s mass transit system will make numerous changes to its services. Those include adding two-way Sunday service on routes 1-13. The Lextran Board made the decisions Wednesday. Some of the proposed changes were outlined to Lexington council members earlier this week. Board Chair Jeff Fugate says improvements to the Vine Street transit center are also being considered. “If you’ve been down there it’s a tough spot, but almost all of our riders, in fact up to around seven to eight hundred an hour will transfer there at its busiest peaks,” said Fugate. General Manager Carrie Butler told council members that meeting the health care needs of citizens is taken into account when changes are suggested. “So, we developed the changes to this revised route 16 specifically for the new location of the health first as well as the UK health clinic and the BCTC Cooper campus,” explained Butler. The board did postpone action on routes along Nicholasville Road, the Masterson

Lexington Council to Split $4M in Surplus Among Districts

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Lexington’s city council has made some decisions on how to spend some $7 million in surplus funds. The council voted Thursday night to set aside $4 million to be divided up equally among all 15 members. Council member Bill Farmer argued the approach may fall short of full disclosure perceptions. “I think it’s important for us to make decisions on behalf of the community, with the community being present and giving input rather than running to our favorite spending list upstairs and making decisions that are not really part of what may be better for the whole,” said Farmer. Another $3 million in surplus money is being used to meet requests coming from the mayor’s office. That includes almost a million to shore up the city hall parking garage. Improvements will not allow for parking cars in the garage, but strictly for structural support. The council opted not to demolish and rebuild. There have been ongoing discussions about building a new city hall, but that issue is still under review

In Light of Increase in TNC firms, Lexington Leaders Consider Modifying Taxi Regs.

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Lexington city council members are continuing to investigate ways to help taxi companies and transportation network businesses coexist. TNC firms like Lyft and Uber have entered the transportation market in recent years. They are regulated only under state law. The public safety committee discussed the issue this week. Committee Chair Jennifer Mossotti asked Glenda George in the law department about TNC participation in local licensing. “If they didn’t apply for a license we don’t know if they're legitimately operating, correct?” Asked Mossotti. “Do you mean the transportation network companies? Correct, we wouldn’t know.” responded George. Mike Mackin of Yellow Cab in Louisville and Lexington appeared before council members and said rates can’t be all over the board. “Reason has to stand that you just can’t go out and charge whatever you feel like charging at that time in this type of business,” said Mackin. The council committee didn’t act on any revision of the taxi ordinance.

Lexington Council Votes to Increase City Minimum Wage

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After some eight months of debate, Lexington’s city council has approved a minimum wage increase. Council heard public comments Thursday night right up until the last minute. After hearing comments from more than 30 residents, followed by discussion among council members, a vote on the proposal to raise the minimum wage was taken. The council voted 9-6 in favor of upping the minimum wage to $10.10 over three years. The first increase will be seen in checks next July. Last minute arguments came from supporters and opponents of the measure. Steve Polston says he works with the homeless to help them find jobs. “There’s kind of a magical number that we see and that is about the double digit, about ten dollars an hour," Polston said. "Those people tend to stay in the jobs." Janey Moores has run a business for 44 years. She told council that women owned businesses are struggling. “We can’t take another nickel adding on to us which is really what a minimum increase would be, is like another

Council Members Updated on CentrePointe and City Hall Issues

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Lexington Attorney Mason Miller says investors of the CentrePointe commercial development project say they are making progress. Miller says they have met with construction companies and architects. He responded to a few questions about CenterPointe this week during the Lexington council meeting. Council Member Richard Moloney asked if building a new city hall in the nearby dug out block is still being discussed. “Are we still the main tenant to make this project work for them? Asked Moloney. “We’re the main tenant they would like to see in the project,” said Miller. A consulting firm, meanwhile, is trying to determine the best future for a government center. Council member Kevin Stinnett asked Miller about the consultants’ study. “Are the consultants just looking at CentrePointe or are they looking at opportunities downtown that private people own and we own? Asked Stinnett. “No, all opportunities, other than CentrePointe,” responded Miller. The investors in the CentrePointe project

Lexington Council Studying Infrastructure Fund for Job Creation

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Lexington council members will be asked to set aside money for infrastructure improvements that could bring new jobs. Budget committee members discussed the details of the program Tuesday. Funds could be used for road, sewer, sidewalk, streetscape, and public transportation improvements. Planning Commissioner Derek Paulsen says such improvements could encourage economic development. “I think it’s one of those things we don’t want to make it just a downtown issue,” said Paulsen. The initial proposal is for $750,000 to be spent on infrastructure improvements. Council member Fred Brown asked if additional city money is allotted for these kinds of improvements, saying the idea looks like a potential private/public partnership. “I don’t know where it falls in the economic development. I think there’s some duplication here,” said Brown. Council will be asked to consider a formal ordinance to move the project forward. ​

Lexington Police to Provide Suggestions on Citizen Interaction with Officers

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Lexington police are developing informational material for the public about proper response to “stops” by law enforcement officers. It will be included in a pamphlet that will soon be released. The brochure is expected to include information on how to act when stopped in a car, on the street, or if an officer comes to a residence. Police Chief Mark Barnard told council members this week that local pastors had asked about family members who may travel outside Lexington. “We communicate well in Lexington, but their concern is, overall, if my child or friend of mine goes outside Lexington, how do I train that person to interact with law enforcement,” said Barnard. In addition to pamphlets, Barnard said officers may teach classes and share information with police agencies in other states. ​

Lexington Council Member Humbled by 24-Hour Homeless Experience

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More than two dozen Lexington residents chose to experience for one day what being homeless is like. Included in that group was Lexington Council Member Susan Lamb. During the noon hour Wednesday Lamb was at Lighthouse Ministries where well over a hundred homeless and low income citizens got lunch. Lamb participated in the 24-hour “Give Kids a Home” homeless experience and fundraiser. She slept on the ground downtown and met many homeless people. Lamb says, during her time on the streets, she didn’t feel uncomfortable or scared, “I have felt welcomed wherever we were, even though we weren’t truly homeless, we still we deemed as important as anybody else to have a meal.” Lamb was in a group of three women given tasks to accomplish during their time on the streets. They were asked to get to a site for a mental health screening and identify a place to wash clothes for free. From what she experienced, Lamb feels positive about homelessness services offered by the city.​

Council Reviews Immigrant Contributions To Lexington

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Lexington’s programs to assist foreign-language-speaking residents are getting positive reactions from several city council members.

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray Appoints Joe Smith to Council

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Mayor Jim Gray has appointed longtime realtor and lifelong Lexington resident Joe Smith to the Urban County Council representing the Second District. Smith’s appointment comes following the April resignation of Sasha Love Higgins. Love Higgins stepped down following felony theft indictments against her.

Lexington Council Passes $358 Million Budget

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Lexington’s council has overwhelmingly approved a new budget for the fiscal year beginning July first. The $358 million spending plan includes funding for 30 additional police officers. Mayor Jim Gray says it’s the city’s biggest investment ever in public safety.

Lexington Sets Public Meeting on Cable, Internet Services

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NOTE: As of Wednesday July 12, Lexington officials say that, due to a large expected crowd, the location for the public meeting, and possibly the date, are likely to change.: Lexington residents with concerns about their cable television or Internet service get a chance next month to air those grievances in a public meeting. The opportunity to sound off was announced during Tuesday’s Lexington council work session.

Lexington Councilwoman Pitches Public Art Honoring Women

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A Lexington council committee will study ways of increasing representation of women through public art. Council member Jennifer Mossotti made the request Tuesday.

Lexington Council Committee Reviews Purchase of Development Rights Program

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A review of Lexington’s Purchase of Development Rights program by a Council committee Tuesday included discussion of a designated revenue stream to help support the rural land preservation effort. It would involve the use of hotel/motel tax money.

Lexington Council Committee Focuses on Economic Development

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The chair of a Lexington’Urban County Council committee says it’s not always dollars that lure commercial enterprises to local areas. Economic development incentives got a going-over last week at Lexington City Hall.

Lexington Council Discusses Planning for Social Service Offices

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Lexington council’s examination of comprehensive plan issues includes debate about the future location of social service facilities. The matter got a lengthy review Tuesday during another discussion of recommended goals and objectives for the plan intended to help determine future growth.

Lexington Council Takes Step Toward Holding the Line on Urban Services Boundary

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The differing opinions about how Lexington should grow in the years ahead became evident in two close votes at City Hall Tuesday. As part of the government leaders made a key decision regarding the county’s comprehensive plan.

Lexington Church Concerned About Effects of Downtown Redevelopment

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Members of a downtown Lexington church with a history that predates the Civil War continue to have concerns about how a major park project could impact their worship activities.

Lexington, State Road Swap Agreement Comes Before Council

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Lexington’s council is expected to vote Thursday night on a road-swap strategy involving both city-maintained and state-maintained roadways. It’s a modified plan that came about following vocal opposition from some Lexington residents.

Lexington Council Member Scutchfield Steps Down for State Position

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Lexington Council Member Jennifer Scutchfield has decided to resign her position on the governmental body to take a job with the State Board of Elections. Scutchfield made the announcement Tuesday afternoon during the council work session. “I do think this is a good time for me. It’s a good opportunity for me. Somebody is going to have to file to run by January 20, so this is a good time to open that up,” said Scutchfield. Scutchfield, an attorney who represents the Seventh Council District, is in her third two year term. Mayor Jim Gray and several council members offered their congratulations and praise for her work in city government. Scutchfield begins her new job in Frankfort Monday as an Assistant Director for the State Board of Elections Monday. The mayor now has 30 days to name someone to fulfill Scutchfield’s unexpired term. That term runs through 2018.




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