The deadline for Louisville residents to appeal their new property valuations has been extended from May 18 to May 29 at 4:00 p.m. As I continue to work with my colleagues on the Metro Council to encourage the PVA to improve its process, District 7 residents who believe their assessment is wrong should take the steps now to appeal.

An online conference appeal service can be accessed at the PVA website:   https://jeffersonpva.ky.gov.  Property owners may choose to complete their online conference appeal from any computer, downtown at the PVA office in the Fiscal Court Building, 531 Court Place, or at any branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. Documentation that supports an opinion of value must be submitted.  More information is available at the PVA’s website: https://jeffersonpva.ky.gov/faq-topics/appeals/. 

The PVA office is continuing to assist residents at the Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, during these hours:   

• Friday, May 22 – 10 am–2 pm and 3 pm–5 pm
• Monday, May 25 – 10 am–4 pm
• Tuesday, May 26 – 10 am–2 pm
• Wednesday, May 27 – 10 am–2 pm and 3 pm–5 pm
• Thursday, May 28 – 10 am-2 pm
• Friday, May 29 – 10 am–2 pm
  
  

Earlier this month Mayor, Greg Fischer,  and Metro Council President, David Tandy,  announced the workgroup following the eight-inch rain of April 3rd, when thousands of homes were impacted by rain water and localized flooding near creeks and streams in Jefferson County.  A metro ordinance will not allow homes in the flood plain to be improved when the cost exceeds half of the property value over a 10 year period. Due to frequent rain events over the past six years, some homes in the flood plain have now exceeded the 50 percent improvement value and are not allowed to rebuild.

The workgroup has now met twice and is working to identify short term solutions and deliver recommendations to the Mayor, Metro Council and MSD Board within 30 days. In addition, the workgroup will also evaluate long-term solutions to mitigate damage to the 12,500 homes in Jefferson County located within the flood zone. The workgroup will deliver long-term recommendations within six months. 

The next flood mitigation work group meeting will be held Wednesday, May 27, at 1:30PM, in room 106 at Metro Hall. Metro Hall is located at 527 W Jefferson Street, 40202.  

Councilwoman Leet's office is still awaiting the final completed Environmental Assessment that was done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. When the final recommendation from the VA regarding the site specific Environmental Assessment is received we will be sure to send out a special alert. 

As you are aware, the Louisville Metro Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs conduct a full and thorough Environmental Impact Statement.A copy of this resolution has been forwarded to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . Councilwoman Leet's office will also be forwarding a signed copy of the resolution with a letter to the entire federal delegation from Kentucky, as well as former Louisville Mayor, Jerry Abramson, who now serves as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in Washington, D.C.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has awarded a contract for replacement of a collapsed stone arch culvert on KY 22 in Jefferson County.  Bids for this project were opened on Friday, May 8th and a contract was awarded that afternoon to Mac Construction of New Albany, Indiana.  The cost for construction will be $729,000.

“We are pleased to have this project designed and under contract so quickly with the KY 22 culvert collapse occurring just five weeks ago,” stated Matt Bullock, Chief District Engineer for the Department of Highways District 5 Office in Louisville.  “We know how vital this roadway is for motorists in eastern Jefferson County and those commuting from Oldham County. Our staff has worked diligently to get this project ready for a construction advertisement.”

KY 22 has been closed since April 3rd when the culvert and roadway over Goose Creek washed out following a record rain event with seven inches falling in a 24-hour period.  This section of roadway carries an average of 12,000 vehicles per day. 

Following the culvert collapse, KYTC engineers quickly designed a culvert replacement project which was advertised for bids on April 30th.  The contract contains a completion date of August 10, 2015 in an effort to reopen the roadway before Jefferson County Public Schools resume classes on August 12th.   

The first item of business for the contractor will be to order components for the culvert.  The new culvert will be made of precast concrete structures that are fabricated off-site, delivered to the project area and then installed using cranes.  Area manufacturers estimate a 6 to 8 week time frame for fabrication and delivery of these components.

Prior to arrival of the culvert, contract crews will be removing remnants of the old stone arch culvert, clearing out the creek channel of any debris and pouring footers.

Once the culvert structures arrive at the construction site, it will still take several weeks for installation of the culvert, filling in the soil, paving the roadway and installing guardrail.  

The design of this new culvert on KY 22 will accommodate a future widening project for turning lanes at Springcrest Drive.  KYTC is currently in final design on this project and will begin acquiring the needed right-of-way later this year.

The date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties atwww.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5 .

A second disaster recovery center operated by the commonwealth of Kentucky and the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened at noon Monday, May 18th, in Jefferson County.

The new center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday. It is located at 205 W. Wellington Ave. the Beechmont Community Center. 

The other Louisville center is located at 8501 Preston Highway and has the same hours of operation.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and essential home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at Okolona fire station located at 8501 Preston Hwy.  We are currently awaiting FEMA approval for a second DRC located at Beechmont Community Center, which was scheduled for inspection and could open as early as Saturday.  The DRC locations will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. 

FEMA has brought in Disaster Survivor Assistance teams who are going door to door in affected areas to encourage persons to make application and they can assist them with this process while at their residence. We have provided FEMA with the mapped locations of preliminary damage identified by our agency from the web site posting and site survey conducted following the flooding. 

Residents can apply for aid from any one of the following methods.

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

The Metro Air Pollution Control District’s Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program offers rebates up to $100 to residents who buy new electric lawn care equipment. Rebates are higher for buyers who trade in or recycle gasoline powered equipment. Standard rebates up to $50 apply to buyers who do not recycle old equipment. To qualify for a higher rebate, buyers must bring the old equipment to Public Works for recycling. We accept gasoline, electric and human powered lawn maintenance equipment and replacement batteries year round.

We issue vouchers that can be presented to participating retailers for instant rebates (the voucher must be obtained prior to the purchase), or submitted to APCD along with the purchase receipt for mail-in rebates. The program is open to Jefferson County residents only. Proof of residency (i.e. a driver’s license) must be provided to the participating dealer when purchasing new equipment or to APCD when submitting a mail-in rebate request.Only new or factory reconditioned purchases qualify for rebates. Only one rebate will be issued for each piece of equipment purchased.

The old equipment should be taken to one of the recycling centers listed below, before you purchase your new equipment if you are buying from a participating retailer.

• Metro Recycling Center #1, 595 Hubbards Lane, accepting lawn equipment year round, Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 896-1293.
• Metro Recycling Center #2, 7219 Dixie Highway, accepting lawn equipment March through September, Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 933-5682.
• Metro Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Ave., accepting lawn equipment March through September, Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 574-2887. Batteries are accepted year-round, same hours. 

Metro Recycling centers will only accept mowers that are drained of all oil and gasoline. For a list of participating dealers, visit louisvilleky.gov/government/lawn-care-cleaner-air/participating-dealers. If you have questions about the rebate program please call 574-5322.

With spring time comes lots of property maintenance questions to the District 7 office. Below is some helpful information and a reminder that of property owners responsibilities. If you have any questions about these regulations please call Councilwoman Leet's office at 574-1107. 

Who is responsible for cleaning the alley behind my house?
It is the responsibility of the of the person or company owning or occupying the property to remove all rubbish, weeds, trash, waste, or litter from the center line of the alley, street or easement that borders the property to the property line. This is found in the City Codified Ordinances Chapter 156.

What is the standard measurement of weeds before it is considered overgrowth and violates the law?
Weeds or plant growth over 10 inches is considered overgrowth. Weeds are defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs. This does not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

Am I also responsible for the street and sidewalk that is in front of my house?
If your property borders a public area such as sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces, and similar paved areas for public use, you are responsible for the upkeep of this area. This includes keeping the area free of all overhanging trees, shrubs, and other debris that block walkways, as well as keeping it from dangerous conditions. If any portion of a sidewalk or driveway is a danger to the public, the dangerous section must be repaired by the owner.

What is Rubbish?
Rubbish is any combustible and noncombustible waste material, except garbage. This includes but is not limited to, residue from burning of wood, coal, coke; wood; paper; rags; cartons; boxes; wood; excelsior; rubber; leather; tree branches; yard trimmings; tin cans; metals; appliances; glass; dust; etc.

What are the penalties for breaking the law?
Any person who violates this ordinance is subject to civil and/or criminal penalties and fines ranging from $25 to $1,000 and possibly the cost of the cleaning.

In summary, it is the responsibility of all residents who are adjacent to public alleys, right-of-ways, streets and sidewalks to maintain that property as they do their personal property. This includes removal of all rubbish, weeds, and other refuse.

Louisville, in the Urban Service District, offers several services to assist with sanitation disposal. This includes, but is not limited to, weekly trash pick up and quarterly junk pick up. To find out when your weekly or quarterly pick up is, contact PublicPublic Works Department of Solid Waste or by phoning MetroCall at 311.

In the Suburban Service District residents contract with local waste haulers for weekly trash pick up and recycling. There is A FREE JUNK DROP-OFF DAY each SPRING and FALL. It is held at the OUTER LOOP LANDFILL which is privately owned. Therefore the dates are not announced until a week or two ahead of time to minimize illegal dumping. On the date announced, residents can take anything to drop-off except yard waste, tires, household hazardous materials and batteries. Call Metro 311 for more information.

Collections delayed one day for week of May 25

There will be no residential garbage, recycling or yard waste collection within the Louisville Metro Urban Services District (former Louisville city limits) on Memorial Day, Monday May 25, 2015. Collection through the week will be delayed by one day because of the holiday.

Residents who rely on private haulers for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection should consult those haulers about holiday collection schedules.

Also, Jefferson County recycling, hazardous waste and waste reduction facilities will be closed on Saturday May 23 in recognition of the holiday and closed on Monday. A complete list of the sites is at louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/services/recycling.