New Lexington councilman sworn in Monday. But when will council meet again?
A University of Kentucky professor of public health was sworn in Monday as the newest of the 15-member Lexington Fayette Urban County Council.
Mark Swanson, who was appointed by Mayor Linda Gorton in late March to fill late Lexington Councilman Jake Gibbs’ unexpired term, took the oath of office in a short and small ceremony in the council chambers at city hall.
“Mark is extremely well-qualified to do this job,” Gorton said. “Not only is he coming in during a global pandemic, but he’s coming in right in the middle of our budget discussion. But he’s up for the challenge. We are so excited to welcome him.”
Swanson, an associate professor at UK’s College of Public Health, has worked with stores in Lexington’s low-income neighborhoods to improve access to healthy food options. He also worked to improve access to healthy food at Lexington pools.
He is no stranger to city government. He is a member of the Lexington Environmental Commission and has served on other community boards, including the advocacy committee of the American Heart Association.
Swanson has lived in the 3rd Council district for 23 years. He will be reaching out to the constituents in the 3rd Council District — likely virtually — to get to know the needs of the district.
The 3rd Council District includes much of downtown and the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Kentucky.
Swanson was friends with Gibbs and his family for decades.
“I promise to do all I can to honor his inspiring legacy,” Swanson said after taking the oath on Monday.
Gibbs died unexpectedly in early March of natural causes. He announced late last year that he would not seek re-election this year. Swanson will serve the remaining eight months of Gibbs’ term.
Swanson is not running for Gibbs’ seat in the June primary.
The council has not met since mid-March. It was scheduled to go on a two-week break at the same time the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Vice Mayor Steve Kay said Monday the council could resume meetings from a safe, social distance as early as next week.
The council and Gorton will hold a mock council work session and meeting on Tuesday via video conference. If the remote video conferencing works, Kay said the council may resume meetings next week. The meetings will still be broadcast via LexTV, he said.
But the council will only be addressing essential business, he said.
“We are putting on hold for a while any of the issues that we are dealing with where public input is crucial,” Kay said.
For example, in mid-March the council was debating an ordinance that would require short-term rental hosts to pay a registration fee, among other requirements. During its last meeting in March, the council decided to delay votes on the ordinance indefinitely or until it is safe for the public to attend council meetings.
When the council returns, the city’s finances will be its top priority as revenues continue to plummet amid mass business closures and layoffs triggered by the pandemic.
Last week, Gorton warned the city was looking at a multimillion-dollar shortfall in its current-year budget. On April 28, Gorton is scheduled to unveil her proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 12:05 PM.
