It’s time to clean house and get ready for another junk collection if you live in the 9th District Louisville Metro Urban Services District (USD). You may begin setting out your junk this weekend, Friday, March 2, in the afternoon. All junk must be set out by Monday, March 5 at 6:00 a.m. Some items (hazardous materials, construction debris, etc.) are not collected. For collection guidelines, please visit http://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/services/junk-and-bulk-trash-disposal. Sign up for junk set out reminders by email and text, click here! To see if you are in the collection area, go to http://mapit.louisvilleky.gov/, enter your address and check under “sanitation services.” 

The two-month closure of Frankfort Avenue between Story and Mellwood is over.  The street reopened on Wednesday, February 28.

The closure was part of MSD's Force Main Extension Project for the Clifton Heights Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Basin.

Traffic in the area has been severely disrupted by the project, which thankfully is coming to an end. A one-lane closure of Brownsboro Road between Story and Mellwood will also end when that section is repaved.

Background

The Clifton Heights CSO Basin will capture 7 million gallons of combined sewer overflow, in an average rainfall year. This underground-covered basin will offer the public and Beargrass Creek protection from combined sewer overflows during periods of wet weather. When completed, the project will be largely invisible to the public.

Underground storage is part of MSD's larger endeavor to prevent sewage from overflowing into Louisville's waterways. These underground storage areas retain the mixture of rainwater and sewage until the rain subsides and capacity is available for treatment, then gradually release it back into the sewer system.

Louisville Water Standby Generator Project Meeting

Louisville Water is hosting a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Louisville Water Tower Park, 3005 River Road, to discuss the planned Crescent Hill Generator.  It held neighborhood meetings in August and September 2016 to discuss the need for the project and gain feedback from the neighborhood and other key stakeholders. The plans, particularly the building design, were substantially changed as a result of that feedback.  Louisville Water is now near the start of the project and would like to share the final plans.  Please join in for an overview including design of the building, location and construction timeline.

Frankfort Avenue Lane Closure between Rastetter & Keats

Louisville Water is completing a main replacement project on Frankfort Avenue. The work and one-lane closure will continue for another 30 days. Please drive carefully in the area. 

The Beargrass Creek Greenway trail, in its entirety, is closed indefinitely due to the recent flooding event in Louisville. Floodwaters and flash flooding have damaged – and even washed away – major portions of the paved bicycle path.

A major section of the trail has already been closed since last summer due to an MSD basin project and is scheduled to be closed through 2019. A map of the previous closure can be found here.

There is no timetable currently available on repairs or when the path will reopen. 

Jefferson County residents may drop-off residential flood debris at any of seven sites Thursday, March 1 through Saturday, March 24.  Six of the drop-off locations will be open Thursday through Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Waste Reduction Center will be open for debris drop-off Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The free service is available for residents of Jefferson County only and it does not include commercial haulers. No yard waste or construction debris other than flood-damaged drywall and insulation will be accepted. Electronics must be separated from other items. To qualify for the free drop-off residents must present the attendant with two forms of identification verifying Louisville residency.

If a citizen hires an individual or business to remove debris, the citizen must accompany the hauler to the drop-off center or provide the hauler with the same two forms of identification to present at the facility.

Drop-off sites Thursday, March 1 thru Saturday, March 24 as follows:

Thursday – Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Bethany Lane, 10500 Lower River Road at Bethany Lane
• Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Ave 40218
• Outer Loop Recycling Center, 7201 Outer Loop 40228 (Highveiw parking lot in rear)
• Dixie Recycling Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy 40258
• Charlie Vettiner Park, 5550 Charlie Vettiner Park Rd 40299
• Hubbards Lane Recycling Center, 595 Hubbards Ln. 40207

Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue 

Pickup service in Metro Council Districts

Residents who cannot drop off debris may request pickup service. Pickup requests must be made by telephone or email no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 9 to 574-3571 ext. 0 or email swmd@louisvilleky.gov. This service is for flood-damaged items only. Any other items set out will not be collected. Electronics must be separated from other items set out for collection. Requested pickups will be performed in the 9th Metro Council District on Monday, March 12. 

Waterfront Development Corporation (WDC) has received numerous calls from people volunteering to help with flood cleanup. As a result, it has organized a flood cleanup opportunity for today Thursday, March 1 at 1:00 p.m. Volunteers can meet at the Green Parking Lot (River Road just north of Witherspoon, under I-64) to pick up gloves and trash bags. WDC representatives will be available to direct volunteers to areas that need help. Dress for contact with mud and water.  

People are also welcome to come on their own schedule to help pick up trash from the flood. Those who do this should bring their own gloves and trash bags. Filled bags can be left in the dumpster in the Green Lot.

MSD advises residents whose homes or businesses were flooded to follow these guidelines. Take photographs of the damage before cleanup. Residents are encouraged to begin cleanup as soon as possible; floodplain permits are not required before cleanup begins.

Flood cleanup safety tips:

• Before entering your home, check for damaged power lines, gas lines, foundation cracks and other exterior damage. It may be too dangerous to enter the home.
• If you smell natural gas or propane, or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and contact the fire department.
• Do not walk into a flooded basement because of the risk of electrocution. Turn off gas, water and electricity — if you can without wading into water.
• Check news outlets for safety of the local water supply.
• Discard any food, medicine or cosmetics that may have come into contact with floodwaters.
• Floodwaters can carry chemicals and germs that could be harmful to your health. Protect yourself during cleanup by wearing boots, gloves and masks. Clean and disinfect everything that may have come in contact with floodwater.
• Open all doors and windows to circulate air and dry out your home. Dehumidify as soon as possible.

Get a permit before you repair or rebuild in a floodplain

MSD is responsible for permitting and inspecting all new construction—including repairs and improvements to existing structures in the floodplain, according to the Louisville Metro Floodplain Ordinance. Apply for a floodplain permit online at: http://www.msdlouky.org/insidemsd/pdfs/apppermit.pdf. For questions concerning floodplain permitting, call 502.540.6126.

Continued Coverage

MSD continues to have all 16 flood pumping stations (FPS) in service. Projections show half of them will remain in service through the weekend. The rest will continue service into next week. The flood pumping stations are part of the floodwall and levee system. Openings in the system are closed to keep the rising river out of the city. The pumps take inland water and push it out to the river.

Roadway Closures

MSD Crews began removal of the floodwall closures on Wednesday, February 28. They will be removed in the reverse order that they went into service. The first to come down was the closure at 11th Street. The last one to be removed will be 27th Street. River levels determine when the closures are removed.

Learn more at LouisvilleMSD.org. If you have flooding issues or events to report, please contact MSD’s Customer Relations Department 24/7/365 at 587.0603 or email CustomerRelations@LouisvilleMSD.org.

Let’s do more to recycle in D9. It’s easy!

To get started recycling, first get a bin or cart. If your garbage is collected by Louisville Metro Public Works, request a free 18-gallon recycling bin (or ask your landlord to request one). Larger recycling carts are available for purchase, click here for more information.  There are also two self-service recycling drop-off locations in D9:

• Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Avenue
• Bowman Field License Branch, 3501 Roger E. Schupp Street

Find out what can be recycled. Much of what we throw away everyday qualifies. Find out when your collection day is. Get the answers here.

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. 

Don’t worry if you missed the Metro Public Works Proposed Cannons Lane sidewalks meeting earlier this month. You can still fill out the comment form. The proposal is for sidewalks on Cannons Lane from Pee Wee Reese Road to I-64. The area is slightly less than one mile long and will connect Seneca Park to the shared use path around Bowman Field. Comments are due by March 31, 2018. The filled out comment form can be emailed to Mojgan.taghizadeh@louisvilleky.gov, Attention: Cannons Lane Sidewalk Project, or mailed to Louisville Metro Public Works, Attention: Mojgan Taghizadeh Cannons Lane Sidewalk Project, 444 South Fifth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

My office is partnering with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) to provide FREE tax preparation services again in 2018. The service is FREE if you earned $64,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or less in 2017 or if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Call the office today to see if you qualify and make your appointment! Appointments are available every Friday through the end of tax season between 9:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 S. State Street, in Clifton. Please call the office at 574-3908 to make an appointment and please share this with anyone you think may be eligible. Click here to view brochure.

Do you instead file your own taxes? Through the LABC website there are two options to self-file online. The “Turbo Tax Freedom Edition” is available if you have $33,000 or less in income. The software has a well-designed interview process that guides you through the process of making decisions about your filing status, inputting your income and making decisions about deductions and tax credits for which you may qualify. The other option is “My Free Taxes”, which is available if you make $64,000 or less. This program is developed by H&R Block and uses an interview process. Please visit, http://labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-filing-at-labc-services, for more information.

The Crescent Hill Community Council (CHCC) has some great opportunities to get involved in the planning of this year’s 4th of July Festival. It needs people to chair or co-chair the following committees:

• Fun & Game Booths (Cake Wheel, Ring Toss, etc.)
• Food Vendors (CHCC is not running the food booth this year, but will be utilizing outside vendors and/or food trucks)
• Facilities, Grounds and Equipment (Equipment rental, set-up & tear-down, grounds layout, etc.)

Also, there are numerous committees that need help. If you are interested, please email CHCC President Cynthia Thomas.

Louisville Parks and Recreation will be operating youth baseball and softball leagues at Wyandotte Park in south Louisville for children ages 6-18. Sign-ups are available online now at this link.

Tee ball ($20 entry fee) will be available for children ages 6 and under. Softball and baseball league ($40 entry fee) divisions are as follows: ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18. In addition to the cost of joining the league, entry fees cover the cost of the uniform and rental of a glove if necessary.

Player sign-ups will take place through March 20 online and at three Parks and Recreation Community Centers; Cyril Allegier, Southwick and South Louisville. Games will begin on Saturday, March 26 at Wyandotte Park. In addition, Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteer coaches for league teams.  Those interested in participating should call Steve Edwards at (502) 744-0498. 

The Office of Youth Development is looking to hire a full-time Community Outreach Specialist. Salary is $16.00 per hour. The essential functions are: participates in and conducts community outreach events and activities, meets with citizens, attends community meetings, disseminates information, answers questions and resolves problems and complaints. For more information or to apply, please visit: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisvilleky.

The recent damage done by floods brings out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors who take advantage of those who have already been victimized.

As a follow up, your local Better Business Bureau is warning local residents affected by the recent flooding to beware of storm chasers and out-of-town contractors soliciting business.

Your BBB offers the following tips for flood victims:

• Know your rights and responsibilities with information provided by the state Attorney General. Kentucky residents can contact the Kentucky Attorney General’s office at ag.ky.gov or call 502.696.5300. Indiana residents can contact the Indiana Attorney General’s office at in.gov/attorneygeneral or 317.232.6201.
• Businesses must be licensed. Contact the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission at 502.574.4860 to check out a company’s licensure.
• Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door.  Verify that they need to have a permit by contacting your local Municipality or call Permits & Licensing at 502.574.3321
• While most roofing contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work.
• Try to get at least 3-4 quotes from contractors, and insist that payments be made to the company, not an individual.
• Do not pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full or half payment upfront. 
• Resist high-pressure sales tactics, such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot.
• Get a written contract that specifies the price, the work to be done, the amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor, and a time frame. Require a copy of their current certificate of insurance.
• For general questions or complaints related to insurance, contact your state’s Department of Insurance. Kentucky residents can visit insurance.ky.gov or call 502.564.3630. Indiana residents can visit in.gov/idoi or call 1.800.622.4461.
• Pay by credit card, if possible; you may have additional protection if there’s a problem.
• If you suspect a company may be price gouging necessary goods or services due to this disaster, report the business to BBB and the Attorney General’s office.
• Beware of FEMA imposters. In the past, scammers impersonate FEMA to try to scam consumers. Remember that FEMA does not charge for inspections and they always wear ID badges. If you are still unsure, check with FEMA first at fema.gov or call 202.646.2500.
• If you are looking to donate to a charity, be sure to check out the charity first at give.org and other charity evaluators like Charity Navigator or Guidestar.

BBB is warning area contractors to beware of storm chasers who are willing to pay local construction companies substantial amounts of money to use a local business’s established name, reputation and phone so they can masquerade as a local business.

BBB has seen this happen in other areas of the country. After doing repairs paid by insurance companies, the out-of-state contractors left the area. Many contractors who agreed to let these storm chasers use their name regret their decision once they were left holding the bag of unsatisfied customers due to bad workmanship and/or unfulfilled warranties.

Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor. Start With Trust. For reliable information, lists of BBB Accredited Businesses by industry and BBB Business Profiles you can trust on local businesses, visit bbb.org or call 1.800.388.2222.