January 30th, 2023
6th District Newsletter
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From Councilwoman Denise Gray
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Thank you for entrusting me as your city councilwoman. I look forward to being accessible to you. Last year, many of you told me you were tired of our district being ignored. As someone who grew up in our district, I will always ensure district six is part of the conversation.
This month, I have met with Commerce Lexington to discuss what I can do to bring more locally owned businesses to our district. I have met with the director of Parks and Recreation to discuss ways to “bring life” back to Constitution Park and parking and repair the parking lot at Kenawood Park. I have also spoken with Environmental Services about properties in Old Paris Pike Neighborhood, which have become known affectionately known as “ghost properties.” I moved in my first city council meeting to expedite stormwater basin work in the Joyland Neighborhood, which passed.
Before taking office, I met with Mayor Linda Gorton and all city commissioners in the LFUCG executive branch. At that time, I spoke with Commissioner of Housing Advocacy & Community Development Charlie Lanter and Homelessness Prevention Manager Jeff Herron about resolving your concerns about our unhoused neighbors.
I aim to amplify our public schools and students in our district. As a former Fayette County Public Schools educator, this is particularly important. I have begun meeting with principals and students within our district. Earlier this month, I met with the students and administration of Carter G. Woodson Academy.
6th District Meetings
I am currently searching for locations to hold our district meetings. In the past, meetings were held at Eastside Library located on Palumbo Drive, the 7th District. I want to begin having our meetings in our district if possible.
Did you know one of the many tasks of councilmembers is deciding which roads in our district are paved? Paving our streets is one of my priorities. Besides Shaftsbury Drive in Rookwood, let me know what roads need repair.
My goal is to always be accessible and transparent with you. Like and Follow our official district social media to stay informed. You may also reach me on Nextdoor.
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Connect with the 6th District Office
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Council meetings are live-streamed and archived by LexTV. These meetings can also be viewed on cable channel 185 or online on the LexTV YouTube channel. |
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On Tuesday the 17th the people of Lexington and those that traveled from across the state gathered in the sanctuary of Consolidated Baptist Church to learn about the scourge that opioids have inflicted on the Black community. We learned the facts and figures of how drugs like fentanyl have taken over our state. We heard from those that freed themselves from drug abuse to those that lost loved ones to it.
We want to thank Bryan Hubbard, Executive Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, Rev. Rodney McFarland of First Baptist Church Bracktown, and Rev. Richard Gaines the host pastor of Consolidated Baptist Church for helping us put the Town Hall together. We'd also like to thank fellow Council Members: Vice Mayor Dan Wu, 2nd District Council Member Shayla D. Lynch, and 1st District Council Member Tayna Fogle for attending, and particular thanks to Councilmember Fogle for her incredible testimonial.
We hope to have more of these critically important discussions in the future.
REPORTING ON EVENT
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Let Us Know What's Happening In Your Neighborhood!
If you are a member of a Neighborhood or Homeowners Association, let us know about any upcoming Association meetings or events happening in your neighborhood by emailing us at dgray@lexingtonky.gov or cbrown4@lexingtonky.gov!
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6th District Road Repair Request Form
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Did you know that one of the responsibilities of a city council member is to decide which streets in our district are paved? As your city councilwoman, paving our streets is one of my top concerns. Please help me address our street paving issues in our district by filling out the form below.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Housing stabilization plans new services as focus shifts to those at risk of eviction
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Lexington’s Housing Stabilization Program will offer additional housing stability services as the pandemic and the unprecedented emergency federal funding for housing end.
“This change lets us focus the federal dollars we have left on helping those at greatest risk of housing instability,” said Mayor Linda Gorton.
New services will include legal counsel for tenants, application fee assistance, and intensive case management for families experiencing continued financial difficulty.
“The Housing Stabilization Program has helped thousands of households remain housed through the worst of the pandemic, and now we’re ready to shift the focus toward those who remain vulnerable by offering additional supports,” said Charlie Lanter, Commissioner for Housing Advocacy & Community Development. “The unprecedented federal funding the city has received over the past two years is a finite resource, and we need to make the best possible use of remaining funds to ensure we remain able to help the most vulnerable tenants into the future.”
Beginning Monday, January 30, new rental assistance applications will be initiated automatically for tenants with an active eviction case in Fayette District Court or by referral from a partner agency serving vulnerable populations, such as domestic violence victims.
The program will no longer provide emergency utility assistance, and will begin referring residents in need of utility assistance to other programs, such as the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program currently operating at Community Action Council.
In the next few days, the city will issue a Request for Proposals for Housing Stability Services to include new and expanded activities that increase access to legal counsel for tenants, provide housing navigation and/or intensive case management, mediation services in eviction court, and more. These services will expand the infrastructure in place to help tenants who fall behind on their rent while the program continues to provide rental assistance for those facing eviction cases in court.
These changes will not apply to applications submitted prior to January 30 – any tenant with a pending application for assistance prior to this change will have their application processed under the previous program guidelines.
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Entries, vendors sought for annual St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival
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The Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival is planning its return to downtown Lexington on Saturday, March 11. Entries for parade participants and festival vendors for the annual outdoor event are now being accepted.
Sponsored by the Bluegrass Irish Society since 1980, the parade and festival are produced by the Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations.
This year’s celebration begins at 10:45 a.m. with the “Blessing of the Keg” at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Plaza, which kicks off a free festival with entertainment from regional bands, local Irish dancers and food and craft vendors from throughout the region. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Main Street.
Applications for parade participants, concessions and festival vendors can be found online at lexingtonstpatsparade.org. Vendor applications are due by Feb. 17. Parade unit entry forms are due by March 1.
The parade celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019, the last time the full event was held in person. This year will be the 41st St. Patrick’s parade held in Lexington.
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One Lexington accepting Gun Violence Prevention Grant applications
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The City’s ONE Lexington program, in partnership with Community Action Council, has opened the application phase for the Gun Violence Prevention Grant program. The grant program is focused on providing community partners with resources to help prevent gun violence, based on the P.I.E.R. program model.
The P.I.E.R. program model is based on prevention, intervention, enforcement, and re-entry, and serves to support ONE Lexington’s mission to leverage government resources and community partnerships to reduce gun violence. Community organizations interested in a Violence Prevention Grant should provide services under the P.I.E.R. framework.
The City allocated $50,000 to support the Gun Violence Prevention Grant Program. Recipients of grants will receive up to $7,500. Grant decisions will be made based on how well applications fit into one of the following tiers: messaging or community events, gun violence reduction programming, and comprehensive projects addressing the first two tiers.
Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3. Interested organizations can apply HERE.
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Summer Youth Job Training Program skills session and worksite applications open
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2023 SYJTP Skills Session Sign-Ups
Partners for Youth will join community partners for the 2023 Summer Youth Job Training Program Skills Session for youth workers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. The skills session will take place at a location to be announced soon. This event will automatically qualify youth for the City’s 2023 Summer Youth Job Training Program. Sign-ups are first come, first served.
The Summer Youth Job Training Program (SYJTP) provides workforce training opportunities for 300 Lexington youth who are rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade high school students by teaming with Lexington’s business and community-based partners. Youth workers will work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and earn $15 per hour. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government pays all youth workers’ salaries.
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WHO: Representatives from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Junior Achievement, LexTran, Sisters Road to Freedom, Inc. and more
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WHAT: Summer Youth Job Training Program Skills Sessions
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WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4
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WHERE: To be announced
2023 SYJTP Worksite Applications
The 2023 Summer Youth Job Training Program seeks local businesses and community-based organizations to serve as worksites for this year’s program. SYJTP offers Lexington youth the opportunity to gain work experience, develop interpersonal skills, and learn and explore vocational interests all while earning income during the summer.
As part of the Summer Youth Job Training Program, participating employers do not incur direct wage costs. All the youth workers’ wages and employment-related costs are paid directly by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. However, each worksite’s investment in training, supervision and mentorship of youth workers is an invaluable component of the public-private partnership.
The high school students will work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and will earn $15 per hour. The program runs for six weeks, beginning June 12 through July 21, 2023. Three hundred students are expected to participate in this year’s program.
Interested businesses and organizations in Lexington are encouraged to apply on the city’s website. The deadline to apply to be a 2023 worksite is Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. A worksite orientation is scheduled for March 29, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Building 3rd Floor Conference Room, 101 E. Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507.
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New Infrastructure Fund encourages infill development
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Mayor Linda Gorton today officially invited developers planning infill or redevelopment privately funded projects to apply for the city’s new Infrastructure Fund.
“The fund will provide a 0 percent interest loan of up to $500,000 for public infrastructure for projects that aid in long-term job creation,” Gorton said. “The goal is to enable us to both grow jobs and protect green space. We are trying to promote infill development by leveling the playing field - providing developers with an incentive to do infill projects, rather than developing green fields.”
Gorton established the $3 million Infrastructure Fund in the current budget. The Economic Development Investment Board will oversee the project. Program managers are Chief Development Officer Kevin Atkins and Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works Nancy Albright.
More information is available on the economic development website. The application is available online.
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Susan Lamb appointed to fill Fayette County Clerk’s position
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Susan Lamb, former Fayette County 4th district council representative, will replace retiring Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins, Jr. Fayette County Judge/Executive Mary Diane McCord Hanna has appointed Lamb to the position Blevins will vacate on January 31.
Lamb was elected as 4th District representative in 2014 and completed her fourth term last week. Previously, she spent 21 years in the Council Clerk’s Office, serving first as the Deputy Council Clerk, and then as the Council Clerk, a position under the purview of the Fayette County Clerk.
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- February 1st - First Day of Black History Month
- February 3rd - National Wear Red Day for Heart Disease Awareness
- February 6th - 17th - Fall FCPS Kindergarten Registration
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