Latest news with #KRS83A.130
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
London City Council overrides veto of 2 ordinances
London City Council met in special session Friday afternoon, overriding the mayor's veto of two ordinances that made news earlier in the week. The meeting began with the council approving a municipal road aid agreement in the amount of $177,015.54. The municipal road aid agreement, which is from the state, was funded by a fuel tax. The motion to approve the agreement was made by City Council Member Judd Weaver, with a second by Council Member Justin Young. The agreement received the support of each council member present. Councilperson Holly Little was not in attendance. City Clerk Katelin McPeek passed out copies of the resolution for council members to sign. Council members then additionally agreed to authorize Mayor Randall Weddle to sign the agreement. The council also unanimously voted to override the mayor's veto of two ordinances — Ordinance 2025-01 and Ordinance 2025-02. The vetoes made news earlier this week after City Attorney Larry Bryson questioned the legality of the Mar. 20 special-called meeting at which the first reading of each ordinance was held. During Monday's regular meeting, Bryson advised that council members illegally called a special meeting in violation of KRS 83A.130(11). This statute mandates that special-called meetings must be called either by the mayor or the majority of council members through a written request. The first ordinance requires that all supporting documents for city council agenda items be provided at least seven days before a regular meeting. If documents are submitted late, the items will be tabled unless the council approves the late submission at the meeting. Any ordinances that conflict with Ordinance 2025-01 have consequently been repealed, as the ordinance took effect upon publication. Council Member Kelly Greene made the motion Friday to approve the veto override, which was seconded by Councilperson Stacy Benge. Ordinance 2025-02 established the details of the council's regular meetings, amending Ordinance 2002-05. Under the new ordinance, meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m., or the following day in the case of a conflicting holiday. Meetings will take place at the London Community Center, located at 529 South Main Street, unless otherwise announced. Council Member Benge made the motion to override the veto of the ordinance, receiving a second by Councilperson Weaver. The council's vote brought the meeting to adjournment. To watch the livestream of this meeting, visit The City of London Facebook page. The London City Council will hold their May meeting Monday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City attorney warns city council of possible violations
At Monday's London City Council meeting, City Attorney Larry Bryson addressed council members regarding violations he believes they have recently committed. The alleged violations committed pertain to the 'calling and conducting of meetings, the enactment of ordinances, and improper interference with city administration and employees.' 'I've been City Attorney in London with four different mayors, including Mayor [Randall] Weddle, and 17 different city councils. I counted a few nights ago. I've never, in all those years, had the experience with a city council that we've had for the last several months,' Bryson stated. 'I am ashamed. We used to be known for the Redbud Ride, for the Chicken Festival. People come from all over the world for those. People come from other counties to enjoy our parks, especially our walking parks. Now we're known for our council meetings.' Outside of the meeting, several community members continued to protest the death of 63-year-old Doug Harless, the victim of a Dec. 23, 2024, London Police officer-involved shooting for which the city has also been under scrutiny. It has now passed 100 days since Harless' death, with residents still demanding justice. Bryson's presentation primarily focused on the council's special-called meeting March 20 — which he, Mayor Weddle, and City Clerk Katelin McPeek did not attend. According to the advisory, council members illegally called a special meeting in violation of KRS 83A.130(11). This statute mandates that special-called meetings must be called either by the mayor or the majority of council members through a written request. 'You're engaged in hate and politics, and it should stop,' Bryson told the council. 'How about some of these executive session meetings we've had that were illegal, that you sat in on and allowed to happen?' Council Member Justin Young asked. 'I'll take it back to September of '23 when you all had an executive meeting and brought me in just to blast me and we weren't talking about anything else,' Council Member Kelly Greene added. 'What did you all accuse me of, Larry? Would you like to tell everybody here?' Bryson responded that he was not prepared to tell the public. He went on to state that the ordinance summaries discussed at the March meeting were not certified by an attorney, therefore the ordinances were vetoed by Mayor Weddle. As Bryson continued his advisory, he and Council Member Judd Weaver began to argue as well — Bryson stating that Weaver 'gave him the finger' in front of his 11-year-old grandson. City Council Attorney Conrad Cessna then stepped in. 'There are things that we need to make sure — from my end to that end, that we need to clean up in this city,' Cessna stated, motioning at the table where he, the council, mayor, and city clerk sat. 'I'm being diligent in what you're saying and I think everyone is. They're asking legitimate questions to the questions that you're posing towards them. If we could stick to that, that would get it better.' The comments between Bryson and council members continued, with Young and Greene telling Bryson to sit down. 'Get back to your business and go on,' Young said. Bryson responded, 'Thank you, Justin. How long did you go to law school?' 'About as long as you went to truck driving school,' Young responded. Once their argument ceased, Bryson went on to suggest that the council is 'abusing power' and using 'intimidation against city employees.' To support his argument, he played clips from previous meetings — one of which shows Weaver agreeing to community member Doug Phelps' statement that the council 'is going to have to realize its power of the purse.' Weaver denied having done so, stating, 'I did not. That was not my voice.' The final topic during Bryson's advisory was budget. City Council Member Anthony Ortega inquired if council members have no authority to speak with the financial director regarding the budget, to which Bryson confirmed they do not. He closed by saying, 'If you want to change the law, go to Frankfort,' before returning to his seat. In regard to regular business, the following items were approved at the meeting: — signing of a London Cemetery Board memorandum — signing of a London Cemetery Board easement — Street Department surplus. To view the live-streamed meeting, visit The City of London page on Facebook. To watch a livestream of the protest, visit the Sentinel-Echo Facebook page. London City Council's next special-called meeting will take place at 12 noon Friday, during which there will be a second reading of Ordinance 2025-02, a vetoed measure regarding the details of their regular meetings.
