As you know, we are spending a lot of time discussing the budget for next year.  I have received many, many messages from you which are overwhelmingly against the tax increase.  I am trying to respond to all of them but I apologize if I have not responded to your message yet.  You will see that I have been quoted on many media outlets as being firmly against this tax increase.  I am now working on an alternative proposal to prove how budget cutting can balance our budget for this year without touching any essential city services like Public Safety.  More to come on that. 

The most important and surefire way to get your opinions heard on this issue and influence the process will be to attend the public hearings.  You can bet that the Mayor is lining up his supporters who will benefit from a tax increase.  It is imperative that you, the citizens who will bear this burden, have your voices heard.  I have placed below the Public Hearing schedule and instructions on how and where to sign up. 

It is an honor to represent and serve you.

Anthony Piagentini

Public Hearing Schedule and Details

Budget PUBLIC Hearing Schedule

Thursday, February 28 – Regular Budget Committee meeting at 4:30PM Public Hearing beginning at 6:00PM, at the conclusion of the regular committee meeting.

Monday, March 4 – Public Hearing beginning at 6:00PM

HOW TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK:
You will sign up before the meeting and signups will begin one hour prior to the start of the hearing.

WHERE TO GO TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK:
The third floor of City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville KY 40202. Speakers may use the Sixth Street entrance to Historic City Hall. Individuals needing assistance may enter City Hall from the Jefferson Street entrance.

DETAILS ABOUT SPEAKING:
Speakers are called in order of signup and have up to three minutes to make comments.Written testimony can be turned in during the meeting and, occasionally, speakers are asked questions by the Committee members.  

HOW TO WATCH PUBLIC HEARINGS/MEETINGS:
All meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. All meetings of the Metro Council are streamed live. If you would like to watch a live meeting click HERE.

POST QUESTIONS ONLINE:
The committee has also created an online form for questions about these issues. Answers will be coordinated by the Louisville Metro Office of Management and Budget. Questions may be submitted online using this form: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/submit-questions-on-the-proposed-budget/. All questions should be submitted by March 6 to allow for responses to be posted online by March 14.

Other Budget Meetings Schedule

Monday, February 25 – Special Budget Committee meeting at 4:30PM Louisville Metro’s Chief Financial Officer Daniel Frockt will be making a presentation.The committee will also hear from two representatives of the Kentucky Association of Counties - Shellie Hampton, Director of Governmental Relations and Rich Ornstein, Staff Attorney, and from J.D. Chaney, Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky League of Cities.

Thursday, March 14 – Regular Budget Committee meeting at 4:30PM.

Dr. Brigitte Owens Honored for Outstanding Service and Leadership

On Thursday, February 21st the Metro Council’s Community Affairs and Housing Committee held a special meeting to honor outstanding residents and volunteers as part of its 17th Annual Black History Month Program.  District 19 proudly honored Dr. Brigitte Owens the Principal of Stopher Elementary in District 19. Dr. Owens completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College.  She then earned two master’s degrees from the University of Memphis.  The first was in Teaching and the second was in Administration and Supervision.  Finally, Dr. Owens completed her Doctorate in Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Dr. Owens was the founding Principal of Stopher Elementary when it was built 12 years ago and has remained in that post since the opening.  In that role, she assisted in every aspect of building Stopher Elementary to include construction, hiring, and curriculum development.  Since then, the school has grown from 500 to 836 students and it is one of the most sought after elementary schools in Jefferson County. Dr. Owens has led Stopher Elementary to a series of distinguished awards including: Blue Ribbon School of Distinction Kentucky School of Distinction - 7 years Top 10% in KPREP Scores Winner of Mayors Cup - 3 years A variety of athletics championships including national dance and cheer championships State runner up in robotics for 2 years 2 Time District Chess Champion Personally, Dr. Owens has already received the 2001 Mary Grace Yeager Award and the 2008 Louisville Defender’s Achievement Award.  She is currently a board member of the Urban League and is a prior board member of the Louisville Central Community Center, Easter Seals, and Heuser Hearing.

Coffee with your Councilman

Join Councilman Piagentini on Saturday, February 23rd for an informal discussion on the topics, issues, concerns and suggestions you have for District 19.     Stop by Alley Cat Cafe anytime between 8:30 am - 10:30 am to speak directly with Councilman Piagentini. WHEN: Saturday, February 23rd, 8:30 am - 10:30 am WHERE: Alley Cat Cafe - Village Square Shopping Center 11804 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville KY 40243 For more information, contact the District 19 office at 502.574.1119 or chanelle.smith@louisvilleky.gov

MetroTV Story: - Berrytown Recreation Center: Food Pantry

MetroTV join Councilman Piagentini at the opening of a food pantry operation at Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation’s Berrytown Recreation Center, and they Dare to Care Food Ban/Covenant Neighborhood Ministries, at they produced a story. To view the video please CLICK HERE! Below are the details regarding the location and times of the pantry.   COVENANT NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES at BERRYTOWN 1304 HEAFER ROAD, LOUISVILLE, KY  40223(Pantry is located inside the Watson Powell Building) Contact Number: (502)310-8626 Full pantry service is offered on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Fresh produce is offered on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Thursday of each month, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m..

Cafe Louie - Meet your Legislators

Public Notices/Meetings

South Floyds Fork Vision Meeting

Clean Hands Up!

Metro Health officials report that Jefferson County has some of the highest numbers of confirmed flu cases in the commonwealth. Louisville Water hopes to help by reminding everyone the proper way to wash hands, still one of the best ways to stop the spread of illness.

Clearing The Air - 2019 APCD Workshop Series

New Kentucky Drivers License Info

Kentucky is advancing the process of issuing Drivers Licenses and Personal ID cards in an effort to improve the security of state-issued credentials and comply with federal standards. The 2005 REAL ID Act requires changes to state standards, procedures, and requirements for the issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards accepted by select federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration. On October 1, 2020, Kentucky’s standard licenses will no longer be accepted to board U.S. flights or enter restricted federal facilities, like military bases, nuclear power plants or the White House.

Kentuckians do not need to replace their current credential unless they are within six months of their card's expiration date, they need to update their card due to a name, address, or gender change, or their current card expires after October 1, 2020 and they would like a Voluntary Travel ID.

All Kentucky driver’s licenses and personal IDs will include the following changes:

• New Security, New Look: All credentials will have a new look to house the latest, state-of-the-art security features that will make Kentucky cards among the most secure in the nation.
• Arrive In The Mail: Residents will continue to visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in their county of residence to apply for a new credential. The requested credential will arrive in the mail at the address provided by the applicant 5-10 business days later. Applicants will leave the Circuit Court Clerk’s office with a 30-day temporary printed document until the requested credential arrives in the mail.
• Extended Shelf-Life: For the first four years of the new issuance process, non-CDL applicants and applicants over age 21 can choose between a four-year or eight-year credential. Starting spring 2023, all applicants will receive an eight-year credential. CDL credentials will be offered in eight-year renewal cycles only.
• Optional Travel License: A Voluntary Travel ID credential offers all of the benefits of a standard credential, plus they are federally acceptable to board U.S. domestic flights and enter federally restricted facilities once federal enforcement begins on October 1, 2020.
• New Pricing: The cost of all credentials will change to account for the extended renewal cycle and additional security improvements.
• More Engagement, Upgraded Equipment: Expect a more interactive experience at your local Circuit Court Clerk’s office. All locations will receive modern equipment to quickly process required documentation.

What’s staying the same?

• As long as Kentucky has an extension from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through October 1, 2020, residents may continue to use standard licenses for domestic air travel and federal facility entry. Kentucky's current extension expires August 1, 2019 but the state expects to maintain extensions until Real ID enforcement begins October 1, 2020.
• Residents will continue to visit Circuit Court Clerk’s offices to apply for a new standard credential (driver’s license, permit, personal ID) or Voluntary Travel ID.
• All driver’s license permits will remain valid for three years.
• Applicant may only renew their current credential within six months of the expiration date.
• Kentucky will maintain strict control over its driver’s license and personal ID card programs, and will only share information with law enforcement agencies for the specific purpose of criminal investigation.
• Applicants can still donate to Trust for Life or register to be an organ and tissue donor when applying for a new credential at a local Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

For more information about the New Kentucky State License please visit https://drive.ky.gov/confidentKY/Pages/default.aspx

Street Light Out? - Report Using This Link

If you have a street light that is out  LG&E has provided a link you can use to report the issue. LINK:  https://lge-ku.com/outages/report/streetlight

Find the Latest Crime & Safety Info from LMPD

Crime Trends from Louisville Metro Police  Click here and view our interactive crime mapping tool. Save it in your favorites, it's updated daily. Forward this email to your friends and family!  Or use the crime mapping iPhone app: http://www.crimemapping.com/map/agency/211 If you see crime occurring, please contact the Louisville Metro Police Department. Call 911 for emergencies. Call 502-574-7111 for non-emergency related help or to find a towed vehicle. Call 574-LMPD to report crime tips.

Please Help Keep Our Community Clean

If you see an area that is in need of litter clean up please call 311 to report the location!  Thank you for your assistance.

Join a Board or Commission

If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions, now is the time to start. By being a part of a board or commission, you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.

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.

To learn more about applications, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/interested-serving-board-or-commission