The STREEET Safety Task Force, formed in January 2025, is a cross-departmental task force designed to investigate and implement changes to city policy to create more safe streets for all modes of transportation.
The Blue Sky Activity Center is an industrial area off Athens-Boonesboro near I-75. It was brought into the Urban Service Area in 2024, and is being planned for redevelopment.
In Tuesday, February 3rd's Council Work Session, Council heard a presentation from Nancy Albright, Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works, about the city's response to the recent snow and ice storm.
A major winter storm hit Lexington on January 24 - 26, 2026, dropping several inches of snow, freezing rain and sleet that left many roads covered in thick ice. The storm was followed by bitter cold temperatures with wind chills below zero that prevented the ice from melting.
Nearly two weeks after the storm, many neighborhood streets remained impassable, Fayette County Public Schools were closed for two weeks, and Gov. Andy Beshear publicly criticized Lexington's response as "unacceptable." The prolonged road conditions sparked widespread frustration from residents unable to get to work or school, with many comparing Lexington's slow recovery unfavorably to neighboring communities.
In response to Council's questions, Albright explained the steps that city staff had taken to address the effects of the storm, the challenges they had faced, and how they are working to plan for future storms. The city will conduct a full, in-depth After Action Review of their actions and recommendations for improvements.
Why was the city response what it was?
Prepared for snow, not ice: In her presentation, Albright said the city was prepared for a normal snow event, not an ice storm. Based on previous weather trends, a normal snow event is 2 inches of snow falling within 24 hours in temperatures where the chemicals used will work (15-25 degrees).
In those conditions, the city would expect to clear all rank 1 and 2 streets within 48 hours.
Albright also said this specific storm was challenging to prepare for, noting that variations over relatively short distances (20 miles) meant that one side of the county experienced different snow and ice conditions than the other.
Routing instructions: There were internal misunderstandings when it came to plowing the snow and ice. Albright said there wasn't clear direction for plow drivers about how to address their routes – some were driving their entire route, while some were driving their rank 1 and 2 streets and starting over until they were cleared.
Contractor staffing: LFUCG didn't have adequate contractor staffing. Earlier this year, only one firm responded to the city's public bid for heavy snow plow contractors. During the storm, these contractors and others the city solicited during the emergency had equipment issues when single-digit temperatures hit.
State assistance: Last week, Governor Beshear publicly criticized the city's response, stating that the state offered assistance, but it was rejected. Mayor Gorton disputed his statement. In the Work Session, Commissioner Albright said that the state sent 10 drivers and trucks from Oldham, Franklin, and Laurel counties for two days before being called back in anticipation of another snow event.
What does the city want to change?
While the city hasn't yet completed an After-Action Review of the weather response, the conversation brought up several potential changes moving forward.
Planning for ice and snow: Commissioner Albright noted that now that Lexington has now had two storms in two years that fell outside the typical storm planning parameters, the city will evaluate whether it needs to prepare for a new normal.
Tracking snow plows: During her presentation, Albright said the city needs a better way to track, in real time, where snow plows have been, and communicate to residents when they can expect their streets to be cleared.
The current system uses GPS trackers in trucks, which often lose signal and connectivity, leading to lapses in data reporting.
This system was created by LFUCG staff. LFUCG is currently seeking a replacement but hasn't yet found one.
Public education about street ranking: Albright said employees and residents need more clarity about the street ranking system and bus routes. Street ranking is still being used, as are bus routes. Streets that get the most traffic are ranked higher. Bus routes are high-priority as well.
During this storm, residents didn't have a timely and reliable way to track which streets had been cleared or when they could expect their street to be cleared, either.
Procuring more melting chemicals: LFUCG will have to decide whether to spend much more on snow- and ice-melting chemicals. Currently, it uses beet heat and brine. Switching to calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, while more effective at lower temperatures, would cost 7x per gallon compared to beet heat.
Beet heat is already 10x what it costs to make brine. Due to costs, many other cities use calcium chloride and magnesium chloride only in environmentally sensitive areas and on crucial roadways like bridges, rather than in widespread areas.
Purchase new vehicles: Some of the machinery used to break up ice can damage roads and equipment. LFUCG will weigh the potential additional costs of repairing roads damaged by clearing ice. CM Sevigny pointed out that the loss of productivity and employment due to workers not being able to leave their homes should also be factored into total costs.
Reevaluate contractors: LFUCG hasn't had as much success with contractors as expected. Fewer responded to the city's bids than anticipated. The ones the city worked with ended up having equipment issues due to the difficult conditions.
Looking to similar cities for guidance: Mayor Gorton said the city plans to look at a "totally different strategy" for weather response and will look to cities that get similar ice storms rather than northern cities that primarily deal with snow. The city will also consider partnering with the University of Kentucky to help with research for the After Action Review.
What's next?
For residents, problems with street clearing should be reported to 311. This is the best way for the city to track and respond to issues. The Sheriff's Office can also help with medical supply delivery in the event of roads being impassable. For example, they recently delivered an oxygen tank to a resident.
The next step will be the After Action Review. Commissioner Albright expects this to take several weeks to complete, at which time Council will invite her back to hear the findings. It's not clear at this time whether or not recommendations will be available in time to be included in this year's budgeting process.
Megan Gulla is the Director of Partnerships and Public Engagement for CivicLex, where her work focuses on helping Lexington residents connect with their neighbors.
The 2026 elections will bring big changes to the Lexington Urban County Council, with seven council incumbents not running for re-election, including many council veterans. This means Lexington voters will see lots of new faces on the ballot this year.
This presentation will mark the final scheduled update in a year-long process that began in January. If adopted, this would be Lexington's new framework for determining how and if to expand the Urban Service Area
