Lexington council candidates share ideas on ‘green’ policy, sustainability efforts

What’s the future of sustainability and “green,” environmentally-friendly policies in Lexington? We asked candidates for the Urban County Council just that.

All 12 council seats are on the ballot Nov. 8, so the Herald-Leader compiled a set of questionnaires that allows voters to compare what the candidates in their district think about three major issues: crime prevention, the Urban Service Boundary and affordable housing, and “green” policies.

You can also see how candidates across districts would approach these topics, and how they might work together (or not) if elected.

In a digital survey, each candidate was given 200 words per question to answer these queries: How would you rate the city’s sustainability efforts? What, if anything, would you change?

Here’s how each candidate answered, in their own words. You can find the responses to public safety issues here, and housing and the boundary here.

Responses are arranged in alphabetical order by the candidate’s last name. Races that have an incumbent candidate are labeled accordingly.

District 1

Rahsaan Berry: “I have worked and still continue to work with Live Green Lexington. This department consists of Environmental quality and public works, Waste management, Water Quality (stormwater and sanitary sewers), Environmental Services, Traffic Engineering, Building Inspection, Engineering, and Streets & Roads. These departments are always looking for new innovative ways to make Lexington green and healthy going forward. One important way the city connects to the community is by having The Community Environmental Academy (CEA) where the citizens share issues that relate to good environmental practices. This is an important part where the city connects with the community to keep them informed on the ideas and to pitch projects to implement in the class. These sections are very important in the division of our city to stay green going forward.”

Tayna Fogle: “Climate change is a present reality. We can no longer think about sustainability in terms of policies to be planned for. Though LFUCG has implemented a number of programs to address specific needs, we must now recognize that environmental concerns are pervasive, intersecting with many of the other issues facing our community.

“For Lexington’s First District, improvements in public transportation provide the most obvious opportunity to enhance quality of life while ensuring sustainability. Lexington’s public transportation is inefficient. Bus routes need to run more frequently and have more hubs or connecting points. More people need to make use of public transit, including those commuting from outside Fayette County. Currently, bus fares are reduced for passengers with disabilities. LFUCG should explore similarly reduced fares for Lexingtonians who receive SNAP benefits or receive Section 8 vouchers. We should explore HOV lanes on major arteries for buses that make them faster and more efficient than driving. Finally, LFUCG can partner with large employers to incentivize walking, biking, and using public transportation rather than driving.

“We should explore zoning changes that protect our greenspaces and canopy, encourage planting more edible and pollinator habitats, and allow Lexingtonians to grow food in their front yards.”

District 2

Shayla Lynch: “It is important to encourage habits that will actively support longevity on our planet. Our city has implemented some important sustainability measures, such as bike lanes, a robust recycling program, and free educational workshops regarding our environment offered through parks and recreation. However, I would like to see more of these same opportunities offered in our neighborhoods that have larger concentrations of communities of color. The 2nd District is very diverse — racially, ethnically, and economically, and as I have been meeting my neighbors, door-to-door, I witness the inequities. My neighbors live with the inequities every day. The city must do better with its sustainability efforts so that each community and neighborhood is touched and receives the same benefits and access.

“To overcome the inequities, partnering with organizations such as Seedleaf, Bluegrass Greensource, and Black Soil Our Better Nature will prove significant and beneficial to all involved. It’s going to take the efforts of all of us to save our planet, not just the efforts of the few.”

Josh McCurn, incumbent: “Throughout the past several years, the city has focused on creating cleaner, more environmentally friendly opportunities. From solar panels on government buildings, steering away from sole gas powered vehicles and onto CNG or electric, adding walk and bike solutions, and bringing electric scooters to our urban area. I have focused on supporting and bringing awareness to how we can be more cognizant in these efforts for the planning of our future.

“Bike and walking trails are not only good opportunities for building community unity but they’re an excellent, cleaner solution as an alternative to driving vehicles. I have been intentional in adding multiple trail extensions into our neighborhoods to add access and another means of transportation for many.

“An item I am currently working on is how we can compost and mulch our waste, rather than creating piles of debris that cost the tax payers more money. This option is designed to breakdown the waste fast, provide clean, usable mulch for Fayette County and surrounding residents, and eliminates building mounds of trash.

“Another item that I am looking into is mass transit and regionalism, how we are able to partner with our surroundings counties to have a quicker, easier connection from Lexington to the adjacent areas. While this is an item that may take years to implement, beginning the conversation now focuses our efforts on the future of our city and our partnerships outside of Lexington.”

District 3

Hannah LeGris, incumbent: “Climate change is a grave threat to the planet and we as policy makers have a responsibility to address this problem. Recently Council funded a new Sustainability Coordinator position within LFUCG, overseeing green initiatives throughout local government. We also have dedicated employees in Environmental Services, Parks, Waste Management, Planning, and other divisions who are actively working to implement existing sustainability policies. Governmental entities like the Environmental Commission and Greenspace Commission help with this essential work. Their efforts have included reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing green infrastructure, and solid waste reduction.

“Over the past two years, the City has created more wild spaces in our parks, improved our recycling facilities, funded at-home composting programs, allocated $1.5 million toward our tree canopy, built additional bike trails, and placed more solar panels on LFUCG buildings. While these are meaningful steps, we need to dramatically increase the scope and urgency of our city’s environmental policies to meet the needs of the present and the challenges of the future.

“The City has taken some important steps towards sustainability over the last few years but there is much more work to be done regarding policy and practices. These efforts include developing a robust and reliable public transit network, incentivizing ridesharing and electric vehicles, and dramatically expanding bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Lexington’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan includes a stronger focus on environmental initiatives, which is a positive step. However, we can do much more with our planning and land use authority to reduce emissions, expand incentives for solar and renewable energies, promote adaptive reuse projects, and incorporate green building practices from developers.

“When it comes to federal infrastructure funds, Lexington would benefit greatly from broadening our climate change preparation and mitigation plan, investing in environmentally-friendly utilities and modernized service grids, and building LFUCG infrastructure to be more resilient and equitable for our residents. By acting thoughtfully and strategically, we can alleviate some of the impacts of climate change. In the process, we can create better quality housing, more jobs in green infrastructure, and a higher standard of living to help the community address the problems of a changing planet and a growing population.”

Kate Savage: “I think the city’s biggest achievement is in their storm water management. Some good focus on trees and the tree canopy in the form of funding from the Budget Stabilization money. But a little slow on the reaction and engagement, but finally the Mayor got involved with KU on the issue of clear cutting, ultimately with a reasonable outcome. Dedicated bike lanes, city connectivity, rapid reliable transportation are talked about but I haven’t seen much happening. I think that the whole ‘sustainability’ concept is still something that is being grappled with and how it needs to be translated into every day policies and practices. There needs to be a holistic approach made and a better understanding of how sustainability works across the lifestyle spectrum and isn’t just recycling and composting. More need for education on this for the general public to get the buy-in.

“I think there are opportunities to work with the University. They have an Office of Sustainability that has a well-developed Sustainability Strategic Plan. I would like to see some mutually beneficial efforts made together.

“Steve Kay’s request for a pilot program to be funded from ARPA money to provide solar panels to low-income households I also thought an excellent idea and one that had multiple benefits. Funding failed but I would like to bring this back for consideration.

“More tree planting in low-income neighborhoods. Shade is known to lower home temperatures and therefore expensive utility costs/use of fossil fuels.

“There is a new tree canopy study due out this fall but there seems to have been little action from the earlier 2016 canopy study. Accountability — repetitious and redundant otherwise. Looks and sounds busy but there needs to be a plan coming out at the result of a study, not another one several years later because the earlier one is now outdated… This is counter productive.

“Building/construction with cheaper alternative materials — explore possibilities with hemp for example.

“I see sustainability as a way of life with all aspects connected to one another.”

District 4

J. “Brack” Marquette: “The EMPOWER LEXINGTON plan of 2012 is a very comprehensive, persuasive, and realistic framework for the long-term future of our efforts to be more energy efficient, highly responsible with our land and assets, and better stewards of the natural and man-made conveniences provided to us. As a former Kentucky environmental and natural resources official, appointed by Gov. Martha Layne Collins, I deeply understand the importance of the 2012 plan and the intricacies of its full implementation. My professional experience in energy, conservation, and environmental protection policy is deep and will be useful to the sustainability planning process going forward.

“After 10 years since its adoption I am glad to see that Mayor Gorton and the Council are working to update us on our progress and alert us to any needed revisions in the plan. Gladly, the recently appointed LFUCG Sustainability Manager will be able to provide the leadership for that update. As your Council representative I look forward to furthering the recommendations and goals of the 2012 plan, and helping to determine if there are additional steps we should put in place to augment the plan and its comprehensive scope.”

Brenda Monarrez: “In an article by the Herald-Leader published July of this year, Kentucky was ranked 43rd in green tech adoption and 37th for green policies. This year LFUCG has hired its first sustainability manager. This individual is tasked with working with interested community members to update the Empower Lexington Plan adopted in 2012. This will take buy-in at multiple levels — individuals, businesses, educational institutions, local and national governments. There is a need to balance the cost of being Green, which is typically more expensive initially versus the people, economic and the environmental cost of not having sustainability in mind. Seeing as how our new sustainability manager was just hired, it is unjust to score any progress when adequate time to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness of the process has not been given. As with my approach to other matters, I believe in well-researched and intentional efforts; our solutions will be specific and as unique as our city. What has worked in other communities of our size may not necessarily work here. While we don’t wish to reinvent the wheel, our specific budget, needs and characteristics must be taken into account.”

District 5

Greg Ladd: “Poor. The effort is there, however, the analytical policy is not. For starters, I’ve researched several other cities around the country that are leading in sustainability, and they are substantially ahead of us on this issue. Our physical infrastructure is better suited for 2010, not 2032. There are cost effective ways to study traffic flow and other similar-sized cities have utilized these tools and thoughtfully implemented the findings. Upgraded infrastructure would improve traffic congestion and provide the empirical data we need to plan for a more sustainable future. I am limited on space for this answer but would welcome the opportunity to discuss my plans for true sustainability in greater detail.”

Liz Sheehan, incumbent: “Lexington has made important and meaningful investments in our environmental protections and sustainability efforts, but there is certainly room for improvement. We benefit greatly from initiatives like the Green Check Program, the Community Environmental Academy, ever-expanding bike paths and trails, investments in our tree canopy, and the pilot home-composting program to name a few. I was proud to be one of the deciding votes to create a Community Sustainability Coordinator in the FY22 budget process; this position’s funding only passed by one vote. With my previous service as the Vice Chair of the Environmental Commission and as a current member of the Environmental Quality and Public Works Council Committee, I have a proven track record of working to improve Lexington’s sustainability efforts. We must continue to be forward-thinking when it comes to the type of environment we will leave to our children. The impacts of climate change will have negative health, economic, and safety implications if we do not work intentionally to make sustainability a top governing priority.

“If re-elected, I will pursue an update to our city’s sustainability plan and advocate for the resources needed to implement any recommendations from that update. We should evaluate ways to reduce our community waste and modernize our recycling/composting practices. I joined some of my colleagues on an educational tour of the waste management facilities in Sevierville, TN; their approach to turning waste into nutrient-rich mulch is something I am supportive of exploring for Lexington. We must prioritize the expansion of solar power usage in Government properties and within the wider community. The work required by the EPA consent decree is ongoing, and I will call for additional improvements in water quality and flood/stormwater mitigation after the consent decree is fulfilled. While at first glance it may seem unrelated, implementing a ‘Complete Streets’ approach to urban development (which is a policy I’ve been working on with colleagues) provides us the opportunity to further encourage the use of alternative and multi-modal transportation and decrease our reliance on personal vehicles. We must also remain mindful to include all areas of Lexington in our green initiatives, particularly lower-income areas that could benefit from lower utility rates and improved health outcomes.”

District 6

Denise Gray: “I would rate Lexington’s sustainability efforts as a ‘could do better.’ The 6th District is diverse. Our District covers the Mary Todd neighborhood off of North Broadway, reaching communities off Todds Road, such as Andover Forrest. All of these neighborhoods have differing needs.

“While one area is struggling with water quality, improving greenways, and ensuring adequate transportation, others are excelling.

“I want to ensure that stormwater and sanitary sewer systems upgrades are made in our District, as this has been an ongoing issue for years. I also look forward to providing all areas of District 6 have safe spaces to walk, trails, and bike lanes in our more established neighborhoods.”

Charlie Rowland: “Sustainability and environmental concerns need to be at the forefront of Council’s decision making. The EPA Consent Decree — which has cost Lexington taxpayers over half a billion dollars since 2008 — shows what happens when critical infrastructure and sustainability projects are overlooked. Earlier this year, I was glad to see the $4.2 million upgrade at the Lexington Recycle Center and that paper recycling resumed after a 3 year hiatus. We need to continue to prioritize such projects to ensure Lexington is a safe and healthy community.”

District 7

Joseph Hale: “I feel the city of Lexington has done a great job in sustaining the beauty and farmland of our city. It is an urban place that still has its rural parts. While understanding we are a fast growing city we should continue in our sustainability efforts while at the same time not hindering the growth.”

Preston Worley, incumbent: “Lexington’s efforts toward sustainability have been strong during my time on the Council. We have fought back against clear cutting tree removal, have funded several green and beautification efforts, and have sought to improve our recycling practices. I believe the hard working employees in Environmental Services do a great job of engaging the public about environmental issues in our community. They work with other divisions of government, such as Waste Management and Water Quality to support recycling and stormwater initiatives. They also oversee the city’s green spaces and corridors. I have always supported the City’s sustainability efforts including proposing and co-founding a Recycling Subcommittee of the Council Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee. Those efforts lead to changes in recycling policy and better outreach to the public.

“I would like to see the corridors grant program expanded in the future to include collector streets and main corridors so that even more neighborhoods could benefit from their beautification grants. I would also like to see the City continue to explore better technologies for recycling, landfill, and other practices to make our waste management as efficient as possible.”

District 8

Fred V. Brown, incumbent: “I would rate our efforts very highly because we have made every effort to include financial support for the many programs in this area.

“I would support stronger control in the areas of clean water, clean air and tree planting in our parks and city owned properties.”

Kenya Williams: “I think that the city seems to being doing well here.”

District 9

Whitney Elliot Baxter, incumbent: “With our new Recycling Center up and running, we are making huge strides in being more green. We can now compete with large cities on the amount of recyclable products we can sell for revenue. This also allows our residents to have the means to be green as well. I had the opportunity to travel with colleagues to visit a biodigester and introduce the idea to the rest of Council. We are currently completing a viability study to see if this concept could benefit Lexington. If so, we will send far less waste to landfills and be well on our way to a more sustainable community.”

James J. Lombardi: “The LFUCG has made some good efforts towards sustainability. For example, the purchase of green vehicles for government services. However, there is room for improvement. One recommendation for sustainability is the use of solar power to supplement electrical usage at government buildings, i.e. fire stations, police stations and other government sites within Fayette County. I would support researching and implementing a program along these lines.”

District 10

Ross Mann: “Green space is important for our city. Our large and small parks, walking and biking trails, and other resources have a tremendous impact on the health, socialization, and well-being of all Lexingtonians. We need to create and maintain green space throughout the city as a medium for public art, special events, and a showcasing of Lexington. We also need to enhance and expand bicycle paths that are smart and that take into consideration Lexington’s traffic congestion problems. A more walkable, connectable city will attract new business, cut down on fuel consumption, and enhance after-work quality of life.

“We must also constantly strive for green energy policies that help the city save money by being as efficient as possible both financially and environmentally.”

Dave Sevigny: “I feel that there is definitely work to be done here. In a 2021 Wallethub report, Lexington ranked 53rd out of 100 cities in America in sustainability. Middle of the road and certainly room for improvement.

“A study was done by the LFUCG Environmental Commission in May 2021 that should be revisited and supported. Garbage, recycling, compost, plastics and solar all interest me. I’d love to see us reduce our herbie size (or charge by size of herbie as most garbage really should go someplace else), increase recycling efforts, and increase organic composting. I would love to find ways to increase tree canopy — which provides so many benefits including planet cooling. I’d love for us to be a bit innovative and take the old landfill at Old Frankfort Pike and consider a solar farm to offset city electrical needs. Programs that charge for single use plastic bags, bottle deposits etc. do a great job at curbing plastic use as microplastics are quickly becoming our largest environmental threat.”

District 11

Rock Daniels: “I would say that our green policies are very minimal. I have seen in many cities where they have partnered with solar companies and split the profit that has come from installing solar panels throughout the city. We should also look into more things we can do to save our environment.

“The city needs to take an active role on what people do that could be deemed harmful to our water quality and air quality. Maybe we even have a live where you work program like the University of Kentucky has that promotes city workers to live near downtown and utilize public transportation or walk or bike.”

Jennifer Reynolds, incumbent: “I think our efforts around sustainability have been good yet have lots of room for growth. I am glad workshops for composting for example now exist, but I would like to see compost be expanded for the whole city. I went with several of my colleagues to Sevierville, TN this year to see how their waste management program turns their trash into mulch. They divert 70% of their entire waste stream through composting & recycling. I was very impressed with their system and think we are close to being able to adopt something similar which would be transformative in helping reduce our waste and impact on our environment in Fayette County.”

Brittanie C. Price, write-in: “In every nook and crannies there should be more community gardens to help reduce food cost and this would help the homeowners and the working poor to put food on the table. I feel that there are not enough green spaces and that there needs to be more done. You could turn old Vacant houses into green spaces. Also, there would be a lot of changes that I would make concerning green spaces. I feel that Lexington is expanding too much and that our city is getting crowded and that we need to think about housing where more people can live in one place and keep our farmlands and country side, instead of expanding. I would like to construct more green spaces, instead of buildings. Basically, Lexington has been expanding too much and is starting to become over crowded in our city.”

District 12

Raymond Alexander: “Lexington gets a high rating in its stormwater retention projects, sewer upgrades, and its new upgraded recycling center. Clean air, clean water, and parks for recreation and leisure are essential for the vitality and sustainability of a healthy city. As Lexington grows, public green space must grow with it.”

Kathy Plomin, incumbent: “The city actually has many programs that support sustainability within the community. I was surprised when I came into office how many offerings there were for citizens to become engaged in sustainability efforts. From reforest programs, proactive storm water measures, litter cleanup programs and others currently offer numerous opportunities to provide sustainability for our city. I do believe more effective marketing of these services and programs could have a greater access and impact. Like any city we can always improve. I would like to see a more aggressive approach to decrease our carbon footprint. In 2005 Lexington was the number one city per capita in the country with the worst carbon foot print. That has improved over the years. The use of automobiles is a leading contributor to carbon emissions. Lexington has a drive culture in which our citizens want to drive their own cars instead of using other forms of transportation. Public transportation could be enhanced and incentivized. There is a need for more safe bike lanes on city streets. We have made much headway though on bike and walking trails as there are now over 128 miles of trails with a master plan to add more in the future”

This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 5:37 PM.