LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council released minutes from its April 30 meeting showing approval of multiple infrastructure projects, grant agreements and workforce changes for city departments, along with a special proclamation honoring a University of Kentucky physician for his work combating infectious disease outbreaks.

At the April 30 meeting, Mayor Linda Gorton proclaimed the day as "Nicholas Van Sickels Day" and the council presented Dr. Van Sickels with the 2026 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award. Van Sickels, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the University of Kentucky, earned the honor for his extraordinary efforts in combating infectious disease threats, including recent measles and monkeypox outbreaks.

Health Commissioner Dr. Crystal Miller highlighted Van Sickels' creation of a comprehensive measles testing and prophylaxis protocol that has become a national gold standard for infectious disease prevention. The protocol was tested during real outbreaks in 2025 and 2026 and successfully contained cases to single digits and single-family households. Van Sickels also cared for the region's first monkeypox patients and spearheaded a vaccination campaign that significantly reduced cases throughout Kentucky.

In other business, Council Member Allen McDaniel invited residents to Mayfest at Gratz Park on May 9-10, describing the family-friendly event as featuring up to 100 artist vendors, live performances, food concessions and children's activities. The council approved funding for these activities downtown.

The council unanimously approved water quality infrastructure agreements worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, including a $425,900 contract with Mefford Contracting for the Town Branch Exterior Window Replacement Project and a $1,410,240 deposit agreement with Kentucky American Water for water main installation at Legacy Business Park. Engineers were also contracted for storm water management projects under an indefinite services contract.

The council approved mutual aid and equipment contracts to enhance emergency response capabilities, including agreements with emergency services providers to scale up equipment and personnel for disaster management. A new facility usage agreement authorizes youth baseball and softball leagues to use city fields for the 2026 calendar year.

Staff positions in the Division of Water Quality were restructured, abolishing eight apprentice positions and creating eight new treatment plant operator apprentice positions effective immediately. The council also approved accepting a federal Victim Assistance Formula Grant of $100,526 for hiring a victims services supervisor.

Meeting minutes are available at the LFUCG website.