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Tuesday, June 11th:
- 1 p.m. - General Government & Planning Committee
- 3 p.m. - Council Work Session
- 5 p.m. - Council Meeting, First Reading of FY25 Budget
Thursday, June 13th:
- 6 p.m. - Council Meeting, Second Reading of FY25 Budget
Tuesday, June 18th:
- 1 p.m. - Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee
- 3 p.m. - Council Work Session
Tuesday, June 25th:
- 1 p.m. - Budget, Finance, & Economic Development Committee
- 3 p.m. - Council Work Session
Thursday, June 27th:
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Last month, Councilmembers met in groups of 3 called "Links" to review and discuss LFUCG Departmental needs that were or were not funded in the Mayor's Proposed Budget. The Links then presented their recommendations in a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on May 28. Individual Councilmembers also had the opportunity to make specific budgetary requests.
The amendments made at the COW funded 10 new positions and increased the estimated revenue for fiscal year 2025 by $750,000. In addition, the Council allocated an additional $2.45M from the Capital Contingency Fund. The Council prioritized one-time expenses that will go towards funding projects in Economic Development, Public Safety, Social Services, and more. Many of Councilmembers' individual recommendations were postponed to be revisited at this year's Fund Balance discussion scheduled to take place in October. "Fund Balance" is an opportunity for Council to reallocate unspent funds from the previous fiscal year.
Public Input on the budget can be given in person at the next Work Session and Council Meeting on June 11. The FY25 budget as amended is scheduled to receive its second reading and final vote at the Council Meeting on June 13!
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Council Offices are Dementia-Friendly Certified
Last month, Council district and staff offices completed their Dementia Friendly Lexington training! This training allows us to be inclusive to all our constituents' needs, including our aging population. Dementia Friendly Lexington offers a wide variety of tools and resources available for community members experiencing dementia.
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The Urban County Council spent a day with the LFD learning about how their work keeps the Lexington community safe
 Every year, the Lexington Fire Department holds a field day for Councilmembers to learn about the training and work of an everyday Lexington Firefighter.
This is a great opportunity to get to know our Fire Department and ask questions about how to practice fire safety across the city.
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They taught us how to safely repel, which they sometimes have do when rescuing hikers who have fallen at Raven Run.
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 We learned about house fires and how quickly they can spread - a fire doubles in size every minute it is burning!
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They demonstrated how first responders act quickly and carefully to assist people in need of medical care in their homes and at the scene of an accident.
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The number one safety tip they gave us is to have working smoke alarms in your home! Reach out to the Lexington Fire Department at any time for a FREE fire alarm and installation!
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Vice Mayor Dan Wu
 LFUCG was represented at the recent Strong Towns national gathering in Cincinnati. Tori Cruz-Falk, legislative aide to Vice Mayor Dan Wu, Rob Bolson, legislative aide to Council Member Whitney Baxter, and Jennifer Sutton, Council Research Analyst, had the opportunity to attend the gathering and hear what other cities and advocacy groups are doing to reimagine their built environment so that cities of all sizes can be safe, livable and inviting. Staff members from Planning and GIS were also in attendance. You can learn more about Strong Towns here. Currently, the only community to have a Strong Towns Local Conversation in the state of Kentucky is Pulaski County. If you have any interest in creating a conversation group in Lexington, please reach out to Tori Cruz-Falk at tcruzfalk@lexingtonky.com.
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District 2 - Councilmember Shayla Lynch
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District 3 - Councilmember Hannah Legris
 In May, District 3 had a wonderful kick off event for the construction phase of the Phoenix Park Reimagined project. This project will be an outstanding addition to the heart of our city and it will serve people of all ages and backgrounds. By investing in this project, we are showing you that Phoenix Park will be for everyone – whether you're visiting the library and playground with your family, recreating along town branch commons, visiting our downtown on a trip, having your lunch by the stage, or bringing your furry friends out to play every day – this park is for you.
Councilmember LeGris knows that all members of our community deserve functional, beautiful, and multifaceted parks, and she is proud to have spent years advocating for this project and believing in it.
"Ultimately, the Phoenix Park Transformation has required the collaboration and advocacy of so many people. Thank you to Mayor Gorton, to my colleagues on Council who funded my pitch for the original design, then allocated an additional 2.5 million dollars to make sure that this park was fully funded at 4.6 million dollars, and thank you to Lisa Adkins and the Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund at Blue Grass Community Foundation for your support of our stage. Collectively, we wanted to realize the entire vision that we'd promised our community.
Thank you to our residents and downtown denizens, some of whom have been pushing for this park in one way or another for nearly a decade – you helped make this project a reality. I can't wait to put on our hard hats and get to work on the next phase of Phoenix Park!"
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District 4 - Councilmember Brenda Monarrez
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The Division of Water Quality plans to give an overall status report of their work on the odor issue no more than 60 days apart, with updates in between noting any significant occurrences or progress. The update includes near-term (summer 2024) and long-term improvements to the West Hickman Waste Water Treatment Plant. |
Yellow curbing was recently extended at the intersection of Tiverton Way and Harvard Drive. This makes it easier to see oncoming traffic when turning right or left in this area by not allowing cars to park close to the intersection. The yellow curbing has also been refreshed on Spangler Drive next to Kirklevington Park. Several other intersections throughout the 4th District have been requested for installations or extensions of existing yellow curbs by Councilmember Monarrez. If there are other areas where you believe this would be beneficial, please reach out to her office by emailing bmonarrez@lexingtonky.gov. |
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Councilmember Monarrez also visited Southside Technical Center!
"I recently met with Principal Daryn Morris and Assistant Principal Dr. Meghan Wood of Southside Technical Center. They discussed their Emergency Medical Technician Program, toured the campus, and even had the opportunity to speak with students. Thank you to Southside for hosting us. I look forward to working together in the future!"
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District 12 - Councilmember Kathy Plomin
 Join the Lexington Hamlet’s Project, A Sense of Place, for a Juneteenth Celebration at the Cadentown Missionary Baptist Church on June 19 at 11am. This is a free event and will include an update on the hamlets project, as well as refreshments and music. Questions? Email lexingtonhamletsproject@gmail.com.
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Thursday, June 6th 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Kentucky Theatre, 214 Main St.
The City is partnering with the Kentucky Theatre, Kentucky Educational Television, The Nunn Center, the Lexington Public Library Kentucky Room, Lexington History Museum, Lexington Sister Cities and Full Field Agency for a special program to be held at the Kentucky Theatre. The event will be free, and open to the public.
Saturday, June 8th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Frederick Douglass High School, 2000 Winchester Rd.
Come sit in the driver's seat with us and honk 20+ City trucks! Drivers will be on site with their vehicles to answer questions and perform demonstrations during the event. There will be games and activities – entertainment and educational experiences available for all ages! Sensory hour is 9 – 10 a.m.
Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30 p.m. - Moondance Amphitheatre, 1152 Monarch St.
With a full schedule of live music planned, concert-goers can enjoy a weekly big band or jazz music at Moondance Amphitheater and Ecton Park. Picnics are encouraged and patrons should bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.
Thursdays at 7 p.m. - Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.
Southland Jamboree is a free Bluegrass music concert held on Thursday evenings during the summer. Concessions are available for purchase from food trucks, but you are welcome to bring a picnic and cooler. Well-behaved dogs are also allowed. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket.
Fridays at 7 p.m. - Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Rd.
Friday Flicks at Jacobson Park offers a great evening of entertainment for all ages, including a free movie and fun activities. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Food vendors will be on-site, or you can bring your picnic. For safety, pets are not permitted at this event. Pre-movie activities include children’s games, free temporary tattoos, a petting zoo, non-profits, and a preshow activity centered around that night’s movie. Activities begin at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at dark.
Saturday, June 15th 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Kelley's Landing Park, 8949 Old Richmond Rd
Volunteers are invited to help clean up litter and trash from the 12 miles of the Kentucky River that touch Fayette County. It's a great opportunity to see the river up close and start the summer off with a clean environment.
June 21, 5 - 9 p.m. - Tandy Centennial Park, 251 W. Main St.
Art on the Town is on the third Friday of each month, April – September. Each month features different local artists and authors that are in the Art on the Town Program, local live music, and local food trucks.
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