May 31st, 2021
5th District Newsletter
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Hello Neighbors,
I hope you and your families have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day! As we take in this beautiful weather and enjoy the re-opening of society, I encourage you to reflect on the servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. May the memories of our fallen servicemembers keep us focused on continuing to create a more perfect Union where liberty and justice is enjoyed by all.
Last week the Council met in-person in the Council Chambers for the first time to conduct Special Meetings for the Budget Council of the Whole. We had lively and important discussions about the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and voted on individual and Link recommendations to the Mayor's Proposed Budget. You can review the full list of changes to the proposed budget in the newsletter. Overall, I am hopeful about the future of our community and eagerly await our future conversations about how best to use the American Relief Plan Act funds that Lexington will be receiving. There will be opportunity for public feedback on how to best use these one-time dollars to improve our City.
The General Government Link that I served on recommended changes to the role of our City's Citizen Advocate. Under these new changes that received unanimous approval from the full Council, the Citizen's Advocate will be able to assist the public through the complaint process with the Lexington Police Department, should it be needed. I had meetings with the Mayor's administration, the City's legal department, our Police Department, fellow Councilmembers, and the current Citizen's Advocate over the last month and a half to ensure that these changes are both within the law and that we would be providing an honest representation of what her duties would be in assisting the public.
These new responsibilities will allow for the Citizen's Advocate to act as a neutral point-person to explain the complaint process, help collect supporting documents, draft statements for formal or informal complaints, be available to physically walk with residents to the Police station to file their formal paperwork, and provide regular updates to residents. All investigations will still be conducted by the Police Department's Public Integrity Unit. I am committed to increasing transparency and helping to foster a better relationship between the Police Department and the public which we all serve.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. I am also glad to attend any upcoming neighborhood meetings!
Take care,
Liz
Upcoming meetings:
**No LFUCG Meetings the week of June 1st**
-Tuesday, June 8th @ 1:00pm
Planning and Public Safety Committee Meeting
-Tuesday, June 8th @ 3:00pm
Work Session
-Thursday, June 10th @ 6:00pm
Council Meeting (First reading of the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget)
Take Care,
Liz
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FY 2022 BUDGET COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS
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The Council met in chambers last week to discuss and approve changes to the Mayor's Proposed Budget. The following recommendations were ultimately approved by Council.
Environmental Quality & Public Works Budget Link Recommendation
- $75,000 - Increase professional services for a Tree Canopy Study in FY22 (Water Quality Management Fee)
General Government Budget Link Recommendation
- $24,000 - Increase the hours for the Citizen's Advocate position from 20 to 25 hours per week
CAO & Public Safety Budget Link Recommendations
- $50,000 - Additional funding for efforts towards minority recruitment in the Dept. of Public Safety and other divisions
- $3,600 - Funding Facebook expenses to post and promote job openings ($300/month)
- $12,000 - Funding LinkedIn expenses to post and promote job openings ($1,000/month)
- $7,000 - Funding a professional video production for promotional campaign
- $66,734 - Fund one position of Historic Preservation Specialist
- $63,445 - Fund one position of Human Resources Analyst (will serve in Employee Relations/training & Development Section)
- $1.2M - Purchase one new ladder truck (Bond)
- Debt Service - $67,800; $135,000 annually starting FY23
- $3M - New East Sector Facility (Bond)
- Debt Service - $169,500; $339,000 annually starting FY23
General Services & Social Services Budget Link Recommendations
- $63,818 - Fund Technical Specialist position
- $75,000 - Additional funds for the Hope Center (CM Lamb)
Finance, Economic Development & Planning Budget Link Recommendations
- $91,490 - Reestablish Administrative Officer position in Planning Services
- $300,000 - For economic development for the chief development officer to propose a plan for those funds but to ensure immediate economic development assistance (CM Bledsoe)
Individual Councilmember Recommendations
- $50,000 - Lexington History Museum to support the launch of their strategic plan and other initiatives (CM Plomin)
- $91,500 - Add a new position of Sustainability Coordinator in Environmental Services (VM Kay)
- $14,000 - To install 4 solar powered flashing pedestrian crossing signs to enhance pedestrian safety at Jessie Clark Middle School crosswalk on Clays Mill Road and Wellington Elementary crosswalk on Keithshire Way (CM Baxter)
- $10,000 - To install 5 park benches for Shillito Park Walking Trail Enhancement (CM Baxter)
- $30,000 - Pilot a more inclusive LFUCG CSA Program (CM J Brown)
- $750,000 - Fund a Shropshire Boulevard Infrastructure project (consider ARP funds first, then budget stabilization)
- $9000 - Allocate funding for a backyard composting pilot program from Urban Services Fund (CM LeGris)
- $150,000 - To pre-fund a design study for Phoenix Park (ARP Funds) (CM LeGris)
FY22 Adopted Budget First Reading - June 10
FY22 Adopted Budget Second (Final) Reading - June 24
New Fiscal Year begins on July 1, 2021
Discussions of how and where to spend American Rescue Plan funds are ongoing. Council met last week to discuss and will be meeting again on June 10 at 10:00AM in the Council Caucus Room.
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UK SOFTBALL MAKES IT TO THE NCAA SUPER REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
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Our Lady Cats represented our City in Tuscaloosa, AL over the weekend during the NCAA Super Regional Tournament. I was proud of these impressive athletes and their hard work this past year. Go Cats!
"Kentucky finishes the 2021 season with a 43-16 overall record, having played a full and complete season without a single positive COVID test within its team, or having a single game disrupted. UK finished fifth in the Southeastern Conference and hosted an NCAA Regional for the seventh time in program history." LEX 18
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Lexington took a big step toward effectively ending homelessness through 76 new federally funded Emergency Housing Vouchers.
“Over a period of many years, Lexington has worked hard to put a roof over the heads of people who are experiencing homelessness, and we have had considerable success,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Today’s announcement (May 27th, 2021) will get us close to our goal of effectively eliminating homelessness, and bring much-needed long-term stabilization to families hit hard by the pandemic.”
Emergency Housing Vouchers are tenant-based rental assistance vouchers designed to:
- Assist individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness;
- Help those who are at risk of experiencing homelessness;
- Provide a safe place for those who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;
- Or help people who recently became homeless or who are at a high risk of housing instability, and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness.
Read more here!
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FCPS SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
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Fayette County Public Schools is getting close to finding a new superintendent. The school board announced the names of the five candidates May 24 before their regular monthly meeting:
- Christopher S. Bernier, Ed.D., chief of staff for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, a large urban district of more than 310,000 students.
- Melvin J. Brown, Ed.D., superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools, a district with 7,300 students in the metropolitan area of Columbus, Ohio.
- Angela Dominguez, assistant superintendent of academic services in Edgewood Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, an urban district of about 10,000 students.
- Tawana Grover, Ph.D., superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools in Grand Island, Nebraska, a district of more than 10,000 students.
- Demetrus Liggins, Ph.D., superintendent of schools in Greenville Independent School District, an urban district of 5,000 students outside Dallas, Texas.
There have been multiple public forums with Fayette County residents and the candidates for Superintendent. You can view them on FCPS's YouTube channel!
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KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES
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Exciting news for the wonderful folks at Kentucky Refugee Ministries! Beginning tomorrow they will be headquartered at what was formerly the Plantory space above W Sixth Brewing at 501 West 6th Street, Suite 250, Lexington KY 40508.
In addition, the 2021 Kentucky Refugee and Immigrant Inclusion Summit (KRIIS) will take place on June 17, 2021. This is an all-day conference on zoom for providers, community members, teachers, anyone wanting to better understand how to welcome or serve newcomers to our community. Conference site, session descriptions, and registration here!
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GEORGETOWN STREET JOB FAIR
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If you or someone you know is seeking employment, the Georgetown Street Job Fair is taking place on Saturday, June 5th, 2021 from 10:00am-2:00pm at Douglas Park! Register for the event here!
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SEWER CLEANINGS AND INSPECTIONS
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Residents on the streets listed below may see vehicles, work crews, and small equipment. Work crews will be wearing reflective vests and appropriate identification. Work will be conducted from June 1st-June 5th.
East Hickman 4: Council Districts 5, 6 , 7 and 8
- Beaver Creek Dr.
- Cove Lake Dr.
- Lakebend Ct.
- Man O War Blvd.
- Otter Creek Dr.
- Richmond Rd.
- Sand Lake Dr.
- Squires Cir.
- Squires Rd.
- Squires Woods Way
- Woodview Dr.
Learn more here!
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Thanks to the hard work the residents of Lexington have all put in over the past year, events are beginning to return! I look forward to the Bluegrass Fair at Masterson Station Park taking place from June 10th-June 20th. There are many promotions that you can take advantage of for a fun day (or days!) out.
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Parks & Recreation is eager to welcome swimmers back to the pools after being closed last summer due to COVID-19 restrictions. To follow Healthy at Work guidelines, pools will open with limited capacity and due to staffing shortages, with reduced hours.
Pools will allow customers in on a first-come, first-served basis. Signs will be placed at pool entrances once capacity has been reached and adjusted throughout the day.
Healthy at Work occupancy levels for the pools are:
Castlewood – 230
Douglass – 115
Shillito – 255
Southland – 335
Tates Creek – 310
Woodland – 320
- Southland, Castlewood and Tates Creek pools hours will be: 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m., Monday – Saturday, and 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Woodland, Shillito and Douglass pools will be open 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. daily.
- Castlewood, Southland, Tates Creek and Woodland pools opened Saturday, May 29th.
- Shillito and Douglass pools open Saturday, June 5th.
Parks & Recreation is actively recruiting lifeguards. Interested candidates who are strong swimmers should complete the interest form online at lexingtonky.gov/prjobs.
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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS
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Even though they will be held on Saturday, July 3, more of Lexington’s favorite Fourth of July events will return this year. There are plans for fireworks, the Bluegrass 10,000 and a twist on the Patriotic Concert.
“Thanks to the 150,000 Lexington people who have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, we can open up our community to larger celebrations,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.
With a new partnership started in 2019, R. J. Corman will once again host the launch site of our Fourth of July fireworks show.
The fireworks will begin at 10 p.m., Saturday, July 3. Residents are encouraged to come downtown and park for free in the Central Bank Center parking lot off High Street, bring a chair, and enjoy the show.
Those who have not been fully vaccinated should wear a mask.
In addition, the Bluegrass 10,000 and Fun Run will return to in-person racing this year on July 3. This is the 45th year of the race. Although first announced as having limited participants, recent public health guidelines allowed those limitations to be lifted.
The Bryan Station and Frederick Douglass High School Marching Bands will perform a variety of music at the finish line of the race.
For those unable to run in-person on July 3, a Bluegrass 10,000 virtual race can be completed using the RaceJoy app.
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If you or someone you know needs rental or utility assistance due to lost income from the COVID-19 crisis, please apply here. Approved applicants will be eligible for 100% of past-due rent, dating back to April of 2020, and up to three months of future payments. These funds are also available to landlords.
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LFUCG BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES
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Joining a board or commission is a great way to have your voices heard on local issues that matter to you. If you're looking for a way to give back and help to shape the direction of Lexington's future, I encourage you to review this list and apply! You'll find the current list of vacancies for the City's boards and commissions, application deadlines/requirements, and meeting schedules.
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Learn more about all current job openings here!
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