LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council on Tuesday pressed housing officials about a landlord-recruitment effort that has lagged, then voted to advance a no-cost extension of the program while also adding a fully grant-funded triage worker inside 911 to steer some mental-health calls away from first responders. New money for a downtown streetscape study and a boat-ramp access fix also moved forward en route to Thursday’s council agenda.
The sharpest scrutiny fell on a first-year agreement with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing Authority to recruit landlords willing to lease to residents exiting homelessness. Director Jeff Herron told Vice Mayor Dan Wu the program “was funded for a project that would help recruit landlords to be paired with homeless assistance programs,” adding that staffing gaps hampered results in year one. “So far they’ve recruited five new landlords in the first year and added 20 new units… [which] translated into roughly 66 households that were previously experiencing homelessness moving into housing,” Herron said.
Pressed by Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds on why an extension was necessary, Herron said only $118,000 of $300,000 had been spent because an initial hire left mid-term: “Rather than… renew the agreement, we want to extend the period of performance and see how they do at hitting their target outcomes… They do have a very enthusiastic new team member that I’m hopeful will reinvigorate the program.”
Wu signaled support but noted expectations: “I look forward to seeing this program grow,” he said. The extension—through June 30, 2026 at no additional cost—matches the administration’s written request from Housing Advocacy & Community Development Commissioner Charlie Lanter, citing “staffing challenges” and revised outcomes based on what worked in year one.
In public safety, councilmembers heard that the 911 center will add a dedicated crisis-response triage worker to handle some mental-health calls and route people to the city’s paramedicine team or community providers. “This position allows us to put a triage worker directly in the 911 comm center,” said Mario Cheek, sitting in for Director Patton. “This grant is funded until September 30, 2026 at 100%.” The post aligns with an item creating a grant-funded Crisis Responder in the Division of Enhanced 911, effective upon passage.
Downtown, the council welcomed a $90,000 Triangle Foundation grant to draw up a Main and Vine Streetscape and Amenities Redesign Plan. “It’s about having a cohesive look for our plantings, amenities and wayfinding signage,” said Brandi Peacher, who briefed members on stakeholder engagement and timing. She said an RFP is expected late summer/early fall, with the goal—consultants permitting—of wrapping the plan this year. The agenda describes the item as accepting $90,000 with no matching funds required.
On infrastructure, Parks & Recreation Director Monica Conrad answered questions about a new security gate and gravel drive at Kelley’s Landing, clarifying it’s for emergency access only from the existing gate to the boat ramp: “When they’re doing training [or] rescues… it’ll be solely for that use,” Conrad said. The change order adds $5,950 to design costs, bringing the consultant contract to $71,850.
Members also spotlighted the 1000 Delaware Avenue mixed-use infill project, which is slated to include 32 housing units, 12 affordable, plus two 1,500-square-foot commercial spaces. Staff said the city would provide a Public Infrastructure Program forgivable loan for sidewalks, shared/public parking and related work. “The total project cost is about $5.5 million… It’s a great investment in the community,” staff told the council, adding the project is expected to create at least 13 full-time jobs. Background materials confirm 12 affordable units and the $374,051 PIP amount.
Other personnel and procurement items drew briefer exchanges. Councilmember Sevigny questioned a law department reclassification showing about $22,544 in added cost; staff answered it would be covered by attrition dollars in the department’s personnel budget.
Votes and next steps: After questions, the council approved New Business by voice vote with one recusal—Jennifer Reynolds noted, “I need to recuse on item M… because I’m on the GreenHouse17 board”—and moved on to mayoral communications and presentations. The Work Session packet shows those actions feed into the Aug. 14 council meeting docket.
Taxes on deck: Finance Director Luker closed with an Ad Valorem briefing, laying out the state-dictated 45-day calendar after the July 22 certification date. The timeline presented called for first reading Thursday, Aug. 14, with public hearing and second reading on Aug. 28. Slides in the packet outline options for the General and Urban Services funds and show an administration recommendation of Option 3 (HB 44 allowable 4%) for the Urban Services Fund.
What passed Tuesday:
• Landlord engagement extension with Housing Authority (no new funds; performance-based review).
• 911 triage worker (grant-funded Crisis Responder position in Enhanced 911 through Sept. 30, 2026).
• Main & Vine streetscape planning grant ($90,000, Triangle Foundation).
• Kelley’s Landing emergency-access design change ($5,950 to add gate/drive).
• 1000 Delaware Ave. PIP loan ($374,051; 12 affordable units) to support site improvements.
The council meets again Thursday, Aug. 14, for first readings and related action on several of the measures discussed at Tuesday’s Work Session.