[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6666384,"mediaKeyId","2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3","parentId",2333250,"title","Resident alleges Code Enforcement administrative hearings violate Kentucky Open Meetings Act","audioSeconds",132,"startMs",3521000,"endMs",3653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3&start=3521&end=3653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3/thumbnail_3521000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666384/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Resident-alleges-Code-Enforcement-administrative-hearings-violate-Kentucky-Open-Meetings-Act","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666384-9e1c2f8d6d8e228a0d6957fa99c55bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198346&Signature=RKZX9r3AspP9Msmn2V8u6XTmZ59iHDOnDANHpEtg1k1nDw1fQ3Aiv~xv13tadIkx87LDgsB0~uD5htLTePU1NhbW4zNTn8dholpVHBHNSbqI0xM-FGHvbbEWYOpQ2rJ5StzQGvsPRY38WWSDIakDhAS9yjjRzSO~vvwBPOWwARLqlHYFjW4yKYISKY4HBVmxjxrrASW4A205hlUYAb5v6qEl8Wtlk19fAB4I-hJIZqJTNBCY4fXbm-9N41PlymQygkHWmYyVMcbwvroTPC9ryJS5fbscPCyAxRFvrlV77ieE2266z35SZ4WRdt72FTMT0cfcl7Qxfjyp~OtwfeBYTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","LEXINGTON, Ky. — During public comment at the Feb. 18 Lexington Fayette Urban County Council work session a resident alleged that the city’s Code Enforcement administrative hearing board is operating in violation of the Kentucky Open Meetings Act by using rotating hearing officers rather than a quorum of board members.

Toniqa Oliver, who identified herself as living in District 11, said she requested records of the hearings and has filed an Open Meetings appeal. Oliver cited KRS 65.8815(3), which she said defines quorum as a majority of the members of a board and asserted that the board’s current practice of rotating hearing officers means those hearings should be subject to the Open Meetings Act.

“I requested that these are subject to the Open Meetings Act,” Oliver said. “KRS 65.8815 subsection 3 defines what a quorum is ... Right now, currently, there's 4 members of that board. So that means if 3 people are rotating meetings, they are subject to the Open Meetings Act.”

Oliver said she has confirmed two board members who have acted as hearing officers and is seeking one more confirmation to demonstrate a pattern. She told council members she filed an appeal and is seeking the council’s attention, saying the legal department is “lying so that way they can take people's properties and place liens in secrecy.”

What the record shows: The statement was presented as public comment; no city attorney or department representative responded in the session transcript. The council did not take immediate action on the matter during the work session.

Why it matters: If correct, Oliver's allegation concerns transparency of administrative hearings that can affect property owners. The transcript records her claim and citation; the council or the city legal department would need to confirm procedures and whether Open Meetings Act requirements apply to the hearing format described.

Next steps: Oliver said she has filed an Open Meetings appeal. The council did not record a response in the public transcript during the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Council Work Session - Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Lexington resident told the council she believes Code Enforcement is using rotating hearing officers to avoid Open Meetings Act requirements and urged council members to investigate; she cited KRS 65.8815(3).","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},6666386,"Budget committee reports unmodified audit and modest positive revenue variance through Q2",221,2490000,2711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3&start=2490&end=2711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3/thumbnail_2490000.jpg","/articles/6666386/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Budget-committee-reports-unmodified-audit-and-modest-positive-revenue-variance-through-Q2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666386-67c57ce3ce3bce55aee120f42f58517c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198346&Signature=fz3RcqwZ0MiGFNq0NChZrWF0GFDX4HZUyHLqyExh1q7DLIybB~QR7TQRBeyQZMX9cHKPYfGVpbEFndGzFag4GrYz7iBbf7Z9gopWGUHuoY~~4GoqVItWdZZj5o8uq3jgNCICM~9utjgHEd-OjP7gSsLXLtUOHG6h4Xl9zmSvWGuScARivU7ZoiAVQ1Pl8Ri4F6PxPSBKfJkgVxMSvEyrztwScsaxnnw-SIduwweLL3JmCYOXXoS7P482AP6al4Z0VD2qAji7eDBpjFC6nQ1FR-kR~SzLuXcK3bnpGtKcxVIbtB3u96vVbpa3JJaofkHQx87wi-Z6~3DdWWvb-ePtSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee delivered a report at the Feb. 18 council work session summarizing the committee’s Jan. 21 meeting, including a presentation of the fiscal year 2024 comprehensive financial review.

Committee Chair James Brown said the committee unanimously elected him chair and Councilmember Ellinger as vice chair and approved a prior committee summary. Commissioner Hensley presented quarter‑2 financials through Dec. 24, 2024, reporting that revenue collections were “slightly exceeding budget through quarter 2 with a positive variance of 2.6%” and that much of the variance is encumbered for contracted expenditures.

The committee introduced Crossland as LFUCG’s new auditing firm. John Crossland and Jacob Smith presented the annual comprehensive financial review and reported an unmodified audit opinion for fiscal year 2024. Crossland characterized LFUCG as a low‑risk auditee for fiscal year 2024 and said the firm is testing federal major program expenditures to reach a minimum of 20% coverage of total federal expenditures of $56,000,000.

No committee action was required on the items presented; the committee removed three items from committee during an annual status review and adjourned.

Why it matters: An unmodified audit opinion indicates Crossland did not identify material misstatements in the financial statements. The 2.6% positive revenue variance is modest and staff said the budget team will continue to monitor operating variances and the availability of dollars for potential reallocation.","The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee reported that Lexington’s FY2024 comprehensive financial review received an unmodified audit opinion; revenues were about 2.6% above budget through the second quarter, and the new auditing firm Crossland is testing federal major programs to meet federal coverage requirements.",{"_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},6666387,"Lexington presents proclamations: Amy Ross honored for 25 years as 911 dispatcher; fire department recognized for flood rescues",657,1663000,2320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3&start=1663&end=2320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3/thumbnail_1663000.jpg","/articles/6666387/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Lexington-presents-proclamations-Amy-Ross-honored-for-25-years-as-911-dispatcher-fire-department-recognized-for-flood-rescues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666387-47cfcdba74d819a97cb003ab7d052a94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198346&Signature=TCKh3lA~MKMe5FNk51qayIgFaBNe1Ze02-wYV14mLfLy4Gv~lfF~w5sbGMtTyj7CaLymC9loLUuqca0dnAS~pBxRnbg9fq7bHXJg~bGMAklJ7QRDwtt7Najk4R5dzSo1Ga9jeB4yRQRJF4FieEBRwYZqBVgoGhXGqQ3aX6ZfZl4nVj-A7AZXYtk6PiFva6eUEI450pLwy5shxtsEkUUndSHCgwA7D4qXTycfcg9TTK6pSPkAq49xTivujv8bhLG1gmWOOMqed-wv7NKLi2PEP7s48-wXT-1tl2w~ZsA2FV3teebzFfXxOVNuKdUF6yM9VLDiiaMaZAgOoQfQaFR3Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gordon presented two proclamations at the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council work session on Feb. 18: one honoring Amy Ross, a veteran dispatcher with the Division of Enhanced 911, and another recognizing Lexington Fire Department members who deployed to flood‑response operations in Eastern Kentucky.

Gordon read a proclamation declaring Feb. 18, 2025, “Amy Ross Day” in Lexington, citing Ross’s 25 years of service, calm demeanor and role as often being callers’ first interaction in an emergency. Amy Ross thanked colleagues in the 9‑1‑1 center and said the work is a team effort: “We’re the face of Lexington, the face of the police department lots of times in a fire, and I just want you to know we’re giving it our best every day.”

Director Joan L. Patton noted Ross’s role in critical incidents and said the nomination for the unsung‑hero award came from a trainee in the center.

Later the mayor presented a proclamation recognizing the Lexington Fire Department’s response to recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. The proclamation lists deployments to Leslie County, Hazard, Pikeville, Belfry and London, and records that deployed members worked extended shifts, assisted with seven rescues and 25 evacuations, and deployed specialized teams including swift‑water technicians and a mobile ambulance bus.

Fire Chief Jason Wells thanked the mayor and council for support and stressed the department’s gratitude to the administration, commissioner Armstrong and council members for backing their deployments. Chief Wells noted some deployed crews were still on calls and were unable to attend the session in person.

Why it matters: The recognitions highlight local emergency‑service personnel who provided mutual‑aid response to a multi‑county disaster and the role that dispatchers and firefighters play in emergency response locally and regionally.

Next steps: No formal action required; proclamations were ceremonial recognitions recorded in the council work session.","Mayor Linda Gordon presented a proclamation to Amy Ross of the Division of Enhanced 911 and honored Lexington Fire Department members deployed to recent Eastern Kentucky flood rescue and recovery efforts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666388,"Council approves routine docket, grant, budget amendments and other items; walk‑on grant added to Feb. 20 meeting",47,369000,416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3&start=369&end=416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3/thumbnail_369000.jpg","/articles/6666388/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Council-approves-routine-docket-grant-budget-amendments-and-other-items-walkon-grant-added-to-Feb-20-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666388-73900a8e438ec4c9a928af50ca8e078e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198346&Signature=EjJK-w8gZ2Io4grCCAutJIu6SKmuEzD0W3elk3sFatH50SdOZ2kSvWqqp9OLDzgOGgu0-UplchsaU4vAvjNoIhBCbHHBeK7Aki8GykHTRS91uNQxc1M1YK7kEtpsdiLxDeSQNkUI9nHuKecqFjNW62tnEA41NodWShqqnbvfjw4YhwCt4ULJ43xvj15momKVxXwZ1mQNhTqS4ro1wy1v-xlmaTobb7RpDEkROzJEZs5vyeUM3KUkMzGIuui1xc42eChgMEtyylB7klUWoX57YT8w~bu0IrzlPNISTMRlUlLbHvhPmSpWWgbD71VR5jt1h8DJs5fGxl6coeoLp3JhGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LEXINGTON, Ky. — At its Feb. 18 work session the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council approved multiple routine items by voice vote, including docket approval, budget amendments, procurements and a walk‑on resolution authorizing placement of a state grant on the Feb. 20 council meeting docket.

Councilmember Baxter moved to place a resolution on the Feb. 20 docket authorizing the mayor to accept a grant of $143,654 from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for the State Crisis Intervention Program; Councilmember Lynch seconded. The council voted by voice and the motion passed.

Other items approved by voice vote included approval of the Feb. 11 work session table of motions, docket approval as amended, budget amendments, donations, communications regarding procurements and continuing business capital projects. Several motions were handled without roll‑call tallies in the public transcript.

Why it matters: The $143,654 grant is intended to support the state crisis intervention program; the motion authorizes the mayor to accept the award, execute documents necessary to accept the grant and to transfer unencumbered funds within the grant budget retroactive to Feb. 18, 2025, as stated in the motion placed on the docket.

What the record shows: The grant motion was moved by Councilmember Baxter and seconded by Councilmember Lynch; the transcript records a voice vote with no named roll call. Routine approvals (docket, budget amendments, donations, procurements) were similarly approved by voice vote during the work session.

Next steps: The resolution authorizing acceptance of the grant was placed on the Feb. 20 council meeting docket for formal consideration.","The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council passed a slate of routine motions by voice vote on Feb. 18, including docket approval, budget amendments, donations, procurement communications, and a walk‑on resolution to place a $143,654 state grant for crisis intervention on the Feb. 20 docket.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666389,"Lexington council approves reorganization shifting two community-center aides into systemwide parks roles",568,465000,1033000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3&start=465&end=1033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333250-69e147df71c2dd68d809924502c06ac3/thumbnail_465000.jpg","/articles/6666389/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Lexington-council-approves-reorganization-shifting-two-community-center-aides-into-systemwide-parks-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666389-cf74c8242a18bf5d755c78fdd007e93d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198346&Signature=a7~vzaJw78uwteLFdJae4Crzz6vCtWgZnIWURDiOm~GL4SFMs8MFza8H~VI7K9OJkFa1wKWdPELciRuDcl~0Gb3MmXJVMHhtLQQFfNk2v~8ObG~eK3InDj~At3GtaeoVKlp1SQY1iR7bglo~7aDBe4UVrmof3axCfUuoqNFYruCTIsdJaAAkTuNoYHt3ztku3J9bzKupLiI2trg5xgGIa9C5P6gIFxZNcEBWo-4-YVea9ag9aV9sCbMtbYd6k6B-Z3nqd128MvG0MBk5JmZiBlYNQbMiVkDKpIy5zgqz3bmc-2vHimmC~dWjhN0L9~EkKhzhduG4NlfTRMLL0pvJZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on Feb. 18 approved a personnel reorganization that abolishes two part‑time educational program aid positions tied to the former Gainsway/Tate’s Creek Community Center and establishes two full‑time civil‑service positions in the Parks and Recreation department.

Councilmember Morton's questions during new business prompted staff to detail why the changes were proposed: the original 20‑hour educational program aid job descriptions were difficult to fill because HR determined they fit only within therapeutic‑recreation settings. Adrienne Toccoeur, deputy director of recreation, said the department worked with HR and finance and “we really could only use that in a therapeutic recreation setting, so we had trouble filling them.”

The department said it will abolish a staff assistant and the two educational program aid positions and create two year‑round, full‑time civil‑service roles: one focused on natural areas programming (serving Kelly’s Landing, Raven Run and other natural‑area efforts) and one responsible for volunteer program coordination and data management across parks, community centers, golf courses, aquatics and partnership programs. Toccoeur said the positions will include program delivery and volunteer coordination responsibilities.

Why it matters: Council members pushed staff to explain whether the two existing positions could stay at Tate’s Creek to support community‑center programming. Councilmember Beasley argued the city was removing funded positions already in a community center and suggested a single full‑time support role might better extend program hours and services at centers. Morton also asked when the city had taken over the center; staff said the transfer occurred in October 2022.

Details provided: Toccoeur gave pay‑grade ranges for comparable classifications. For the recreation specialist senior (grade 5 16, effective July 1, 2024) the low, mid and high ranges are $43,378.40; $54,223.52; and $65,068.64, respectively. For the recreation supervisor the ranges are $41,315.04; $51,642.24; and $61,969.44 (effective July 1, 2024).

Staff said the volunteer/data position will serve the entire park system rather than being duplicated at every community center. “The person that or the position that we're suggesting, the volunteer and data management, will serve as the entire park system,” Toccoeur said.

Council action: A motion to approve new business — which included the staffing changes as presented — passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the public transcript.

Background and next steps: Staff said the educational program aid positions originated when the city assumed programming at the facility formerly called Gainsway (now Tate’s Creek Community Center). The department reviewed staffing across maintenance and recreation during the budget process and proposed the changes after failing to recruit applicants who matched the narrow 20‑hour educational‑aid job description.

Council members said they want additional information about community‑center staffing models before broader changes are made across other centers. Toccoeur said each community center follows a consistent staffing model used at Dunbar, William Wells Brown, Castlewood and Kenwick and that the Parks and Recreation leadership would review staffing more broadly if council desired.","The council approved a personnel reorganization that abolishes two 20-hour educational program aid positions linked to Tate's Creek Community Center and creates two full‑time civil‑service positions to serve Lexington’s parks and natural areas and to manage volunteer programs and data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident alleges Code Enforcement administrative hearings violate Kentucky Open Meetings Act

Budget committee reports unmodified audit and modest positive revenue variance through Q2

Lexington presents proclamations: Amy Ross honored for 25 years as 911 dispatcher; fire department recognized for flood rescues

Council approves routine docket, grant, budget amendments and other items; walk‑on grant added to Feb. 20 meeting

Lexington council approves reorganization shifting two community-center aides into systemwide parks roles