District 9 eNews - Thursday, July 21, 2016

 
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Bill Hollander

Councilman Bill Hollander
601 West Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1109
Email Bill

 

kyle ethridge

Kyle Ethridge
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3908
Email Kyle


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In this issue...


Major Railroad Work in D9 Next Week!

CSX

If you've wondered what those railroad ties are doing along the tracks in D9, here's the answer, and a very important heads up about work CSX will be doing in a large section of D9 during the week of July 25. 

From Monday through Friday, a crew of sixty workers will be replacing ties from the Clifton neighborhood to Hubbards Lane and rebuilding crossings at many D9 streets. The crossings will be closed as the work progresses, including multiple crossings closed at the same time, which will force significant detours.  CSX plans to replace crossings at:

  • Galt Avenue
  • Birchwood Avenue
  • Crescent Avenue
  • Hillcrest Avenue
  • Pennsylvania Avenue
  • Fenley Avenue
  • Chenoweth Lane
  • St. Matthews Avenue
  • Westport Road and
  • Thierman Lane
CSX 1

Several other crossings have already been rebuilt or will be completed later, in order to provide better access while the work occurs.  For example, the D9 office worked with CSX to defer work at Blackburn Avenue so it can remain open while Fenley Avenue is closed. 

Please be alert and patient as the CSX work progresses! 


Louisville Water Company Proposes Generator Facilities and Access Road

LWC

The Louisville Water Company (LWC) has proposed the construction of additional generator facilities and an access road on its property near the intersection of Frankfort and Stilz Avenues. Because of limited public notice of a Planning Commission committee meeting on the proposal, I asked LWC to remove it from the agenda of a July 20 meeting and I was happy that it readily agreed to do so. 

I am looking forward to learning more about the proposal and engaging LWC and the public in a discussion about it.  Our water infrastructure is vital, of course, but the Crescent Hill neighborhood has long advocated for preserving open space at this site, and providing community input on new development. When we know more about the proposal and a public meeting is scheduled, we'll report it in the News.

In the meantime, you can read more about the proposal in this article by Martha Elson of the Courier-Journal: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/highlands-crescenthill/2016/07/19/water-co-plans-take-crescent-hill-surprise/87243640/


Ordinance Proposed for Longer Budget Review

metro seal

Following this year's Metro budget process, I am the primary sponsor of an ordinance which would extend the period during which Metro Council could receive public input and consider Metro's budget. 

Throughout our merged government, Mayors have presented their budget proposals near the end of May.  The budget must be approved by June 30.  This year, Mayor Fischer presented his $822 Million budget on May 26 and it was passed exactly four weeks later, on June 23.  (In 2015, the budget was presented on May 28 and passed on June 25.)

Most other cities give their legislative bodies far more time to deliberate on their city's most important public policy document.  I believe we could do a better job for constituents, and increase transparency and public input,  by also having more time.  The ordinance I am sponsoring calls for the Mayor to present his proposed budget at the last Metro Council meeting in April, instead of May.  

Phillip Bailey's Courier-Journal story about the proposed ordinance is here: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2016/07/18/bill-hollander-wants-earlier-city-budget/87144912/


Sustainability Story: Reuse

SOS at RR

We've written several times that reuse is the best sustainability practice.  In May, the D9 Responsible Recycling event gave folks a convenient way to allow medical equipment to be reused through donations to Supplies Over Seas (SOS), a non-profit based in D9.  So what happened to the equipment donated that day? 

Last Friday, some of the donated items were loaded into a 40-ft ocean going container of medical supplies and equipment which is on its way to The Shepherd's Hospice In Freetown, Sierra Leone, where 70% of the country lives on less than $1 per day. More than ten tons of medical supplies will arrive there soon, thanks to SOS, Hosparus (its partner in this project), volunteers, donors (including those at the D9 event), and SOS's hospital recycling partners. 

Sustainability

Included in the container: clothing; dressings; gloves; incontinence, oxygen, suction, syringe, urology, and IV supplies; canes; chairs; crutches; exam tables; hospital beds; infant cribs; laboratory incubator; laundry hampers; microscopes; over-the-bed tables; toilet chairs; privacy screens; rolling exam stools; sphygmomanometers (blood pressure); sharps containers; stretchers; thermometers; vital signs monitors; walkers; infant and adult weight scales;  wheelchairs; and x-ray viewing lights. The supplies are valued at approximately $150,000!

Learn more about SOS, and how you can help it by donating or volunteering, at www.suppliesoverseas.org.

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send your story to Bill Hollander or Kyle Ethridge


Boards & Commissions

Interested in serving on a board or commission? There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety. Visit the City’s website to search boards and commissions and then apply online: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/interested-serving-board-or-commission.


Notice of Planning & Design Public Meetings

For basic details for below case/s please visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/Click on “Search Case Information” link on the left navigation bar.  Then select the “home” tab and select the type of case and enter the above case number.  For specific case information please call or email the listed case manager.  If you have any questions please contact Planning & Design directly at 574-6230.

15VARIANCE

New Ramp from Story Avenue to I-65 Opens

64 ramp

A new ramp is taking drivers from Story Avenue to I-65. The flyover ramp means drivers are no longer merging across lanes of I-64 West to reach I-65 North and I-65 South. The new ramp is expected to improve safety and traffic flow in the area.

Drivers will continue to use the left lane of the Story Avenue ramp to access I-64 West. The right lane of the ramp takes drivers to I-65 North and I-65 South.

Other Traffic Changes

Earlier Decision Point for I-64 to I-65

There’s an earlier decision point for drivers on I-64 West traveling to either direction of I-65. The split to I-65 is now a few hundred feet earlier, closer to Story Avenue.

65 South Traffic Splits Right

Drivers heading to I-65 South from I-64 West, I-71 South and Story Avenue now split right to access the interstate. They had split to the left. The change will create a temporary weave for drivers heading from I-64 West to I-65 South, as they join traffic from I-71. It’s important to note this is a temporary change to allow existing ramps to be rebuilt in the area. Traffic will be in its final configuration later this year.

I-64 West and I-71 South will access I-65 North from the left lane. Drivers from I-71 South to I-65 North will experience the effect of the temporary weave as drivers from I-64 move right to access I-65 South. It’s important for all drivers to slow down and use caution in the area.

I-71 South Traffic Shift

Traffic on I-71 South is shifting to the left, giving crews more space to work in the area. The biggest change that drivers will notice is that I-64 West traffic now merges on their left, instead of the right.

Drivers should be prepared for a new look and feel as they drive through the area. They should slow down and pay close attention to signage, especially during the first few days of the changes.

Find all of the latest traffic information and more details on the Ohio River Bridges Project at www.kyinbridges.com.


RiverLink to Open for Business Today

RiverLink

Even though tolling won’t begin until late this year, drivers will be able to set up RiverLink accounts, and two RiverLink customer service centers are open. RiverLink is the new, all-electronic tolling system making the Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project possible. There are no toll booths, no coin machines, no lines and no stopping. Initial toll rates range from $2-$12. The lowest toll rates are for drivers with transponders. Drivers must set up a prepaid account to get a transponder.

The customer service centers are located at 400 East Main Street in Louisville and 103 Quartermaster Court in Jeffersonville. The centers will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday – Friday. They will also be open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday during the first year of operations.

Setting Up a RiverLink Account

To open an account, a driver will need to know a vehicle’s make, model, year, color and license plate number. A nickname can be chosen to help easily identify each vehicle.

There are two types of RiverLink accounts – personal accounts and commercial accounts.

A personal account can include up to four vehicles, with a minimum balance of $20 to open the account. A commercial account is for a minimum of five vehicles, with no maximum. The minimum balance to open a commercial account is $20 per vehicle.

Drivers can open a personal account online at the RiverLink.com secure website, by phone with a customer service representative (855-RIV-LINK) or in person at one of two RiverLink customer service centers. Drivers can use a credit card, debit card or checking account to open an account. The customer service centers also accept cash.

To set up a commercial account, businesses are encouraged to call 855-RIV-LINK and will be connected with a specialized customer service representative. Businesses that choose to visit a customer service center should bring an easy-to-read sheet with all vehicle information. 

Calling a customer service representative is expected to be the fastest and easiest way for a business to open an account. Because of the specialized care, commercial accounts initially can’t be opened online.

For more information visit: www.riverlink.com.


Report a Litterer

litter

At a recent community meeting a concern was discussed regarding littering. Did you know you can report a litterer through MetroCall at 574-5000? If you observe a vehicle littering, write down their vehicle license plate number, description, and where you observed the littering. The owner of the offending vehicle will be sent a letter reminding them that littering is illegal, and that they could be subject to a fine. 


More Ways to Contact Metro 3-1-1

MetroCall

MetroCall 311 is your customer service center for nonemergency Metro government services. You can contact MetroCall to: request a service, offer a suggestion, ask a question, share an opinion, register a complaint, or pass on a compliment relating to Metro Louisville services and events.

You can contact MetroCall in several ways:


Alerts help avoid tickets, clear junk

text alerts

Sign up for text or email alerts to remind you of upcoming junk collection dates and when your street will be swept. Avoid receiving tickets and plan ahead to clear out your basement. Junk collection reminders for residents who live in the Urban Services District (USD) are sent the week preceding junk pickup. Street sweeping alerts are sent one week before, and again the day before sweeping occurs. This helps residents find alternative parking and avoid parking citations while helping to keep Louisville clean! Sign up for the alerts through MyLouisville at louisvilleky.gov.


National Night Out – Tuesday, August 2

National Night Out

National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. It enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, while promoting a true sense of community, and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Join the 5th Division from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Peterson-Dumesnil House Lawn, 301 S. Peterson Avenue. This event is fun for all ages. Activities include free food, music, expired drug toss, door prizes, child ID cards and more!


Back to School Block Party – September 9

B2SBP

Please mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Back to School Block Party at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Park on Friday, September 9th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Enjoy FREE Mellow Mushroom pizza, swimming, door prizes and family funMake a child ID with LMPD, and check out Fire Engine 4 from the Frankfort Avenue firehouse.

We need VOLUNTEERS to make this event successful. If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions please contact our office at 574-1109 or email kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov.

Click here to view our flyer and see a list of sponsors for the event! Youth door prizes are still being accepted. If you are interested in making a donation please contact the office at 574-1109. Thank you to sponsors who have already committed door prizes: Blue Dog Bakery , Carmichael's Bookstore , Crescent Hill Trading Company, Fierce Salon, Heine Brothers' Coffee, Just Creations, Margaret's Consignments, McDonalds, Mellow Mushroom, Metro Parks and Red Hog Butcher.


Consider Supporting Louisville Story Program

Louisville Story Program

Help support the nation’s first professionally published anthology of writing by blind and visually impaired teenagers. The authors of the Louisville Story Program's forthcoming book, We Can Hear You Just Fine: Clarifications from the Kentucky School for the Blind, a groundbreaking anthology of memoirs and oral histories are seven authors from the Kentucky School for the Blind. To learn more about the book and consider a donation for the project visit:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/louisvillestory/we-can-hear-you-just-fine. We’ll have much more about this as the November publication date approaches.


District 9 Calendar Events

Below are some Ninth District calendar events!  To view a full listing of events please visit the District 9 Blog at http://district9news.wordpress.com/.  If you would like to submit events to be considered for the blog calendar please email Kyle Ethridge or call 574-1109.

Thursday, July 21: The Courier-Journal to host a forum on solutions to the heroin and prescription pill crisis from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Bellarmine University, Frazier Hall. The solutions-focused event will bring together a group of panelists from former addicts to treatment experts to policy makers who can speak about personal experiences as well as their ideas for addiction reduction. Representatives from local health and recovery agencies will also be on hand to offer services and answer questions. The event is free and open to all members of the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. at Frazier Hall, located on Bellarmine University's campus. Free parking will be provided.

Saturday, July 23: Crescent Hill Community Council to host FREE outdoor cinema at the Peterson-Dumesnil House lawn, 301 S. Peterson Avenue. Concessions will be available. Please bring blankets or lawn chairs, bug spray, and/or picnic baskets. July 23rd's movie is Promised Land. 

Monday, July 25: Enjoy FREE movies at Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road, at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Schedule is subject to change - concessions will be available. Questions please call 368-5865 or visit iroquoisamphitheater.org. July 25th's movie is Star Wars - The Force Awakens, rated PG-13.

Wednesday, July 27: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host booked for lunch at 1:00 p.m. Bring your sack lunch and sample “food for the mind” and discuss: The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate. Books available at Branch Circulation Desk. For more information please call 574-1793.


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