May 7 - Public hearing at 6:15 p.m. 

May 16 - Public hearing at 6 p.m. 

May 20 - Public hearing at 6 p.m. 

Watch meeting on MetroTV on Spectrum Cable Channel 184, AT&T U-verse channel 99 or online at this link.  Press conferences are streamed live on Periscope at either @lou_metrotv or @louisvillemayor and can be seen via Twitter. 

Google Fiber will pay $3.84 million to Louisville Metro Government (LMG) to restore roads and other public rights-of-way left damaged after Google pulled out of Louisville.

Louisville Metro Government and Google Fiber agreed to these payments to fulfill the company’s obligations under its franchise agreement and local regulations, which require restoration of rights-of-way should a service provider end service in Louisville. Citing technical challenges, Google Fiber announced its exit from Louisville in February.

The payments will be made over 20 months and will cover the costs for:

• Removing fiber cables and sealant from roads.
• Milling and paving activities where needed.
• Removal of above-ground infrastructure.

The agreement addresses network installations in Portland, Newburg and the Highlands, where Google Fiber offered services. Where necessary, construction will begin as part of the Public Works paving season currently underway.

In addition, Google Fiber is making a $150,000 cash donation to the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Digital Inclusion Fund to support LMG’s digital inclusion efforts, which include refurbishing used computers for low-income individuals and the enrollment of public housing residents in low-cost internet access through other companies providing service in Louisville. The company is also planning to make a donation of 275 refurbished computers to the Louisville Metro Housing Authority.

“Infrastructure in neighborhoods and public properties affected by Google Fiber will look as good or better than they did before the company began construction, just as our franchise agreement stipulated,” said Grace Simrall, LMG’s Chief of Civic Innovation & Technology. “The city will diligently repair these roads and public spaces over the 20-month period.”

From Brightside: Did you miss out on helping Brightside clean up this past Saturday for the Brightside & Passport Health Plan Community-Wide Cleanup? 

Did you know that we are still accepting registrations for any cleanup taking place throughout  the Give A Day - Week of Service?

Registration is still open and available. Just head to www.brightsideinc.org and click on the link on our homepage to sign your group up today! Earth Day is Monday, April 22 and how better to celebrate our planet than by hosting a cleanup.

For more information or to register visit www.brightsideinc.org or call our office at 574-2613 today!

From Metro Public Works:

The annual blitz to rid Louisville Metro streets of the parting pothole gifts of winter is underway. We’re moving across the city in a grid pattern to patch all the potholes we can find. Of course, we respond to reports and patch potholes year round, but we especially want the public's help though the blitz that ends on April 30. Here's how you can report a pothole:

• On Twitter, use the hashtag 502pothole. Just include the address or intersection where the pothole is located along with the hashtag in a tweet, and you’re done.
• The pothole reporting form that you can find at the top of the city’s webpage, Louisvilleky.gov. Just click on the “Report a pothole” link and fill in the location information.
• Contact Metro311 in one of these ways
• Call them at 311 or 574-5000
• Download the Metro311 app on your smartphone and use it to report a pothole

Email them at metro.311@louisvilleky.gov

From the Solid Waste Management division of Louisville Metro Public Works: The volume of yard waste set out for collection by residents of Louisville’s Urban Services District has been heavy since the April 1 start of yard waste collection season. The high volume has led to delayed or missed collections in some cases.

To handle to high volume and get collection on schedule, we shifted the daily start time of yard waste collection. Crews are now starting out on their yard waste collection routes at noon instead of the previous 6 a.m. start time. That creates a better match between the availability of yard waste collection workers and equipment.

The new schedule means the regular yard waste collection schedule will extend into the evening. However, residents should continue to set yard waste out by the morning of collection day. If yard waste has not been collected by 8 p.m. on the assigned day, residents should contact Metro311 the following morning at 311 or 574-5000.

The walking bridge in the north section of Joe Creason Park that crosses Beargrass Creek near Bellarmine will be closed through the end of April for a construction project. The Beargrass Creek flooding in February and March delayed these repairs.

The Louisville Zoo's Party for the Planet is on! The monthlong celebration includes:

April 20 - ZooPoopyDoo Compost and Mulch Sale from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

April 20 - Easter Brunch, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., kick off the EGGstravaganza festivities before the Zoo opens at the Lakeside Pavilion, located just hops away from the Egg Hunt for an EGGstravagant brunch! Brunch will begin at 9 a.m. followed by pictures with the Easter Bunny! Reservation and ticket required. 

April 20 - EGGstravaganza, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hop on over for a special day filled with EGGciting fun! Meet and greet the Easter Bunny, enjoy some EGGcellent games and watch as our Zoo animals take part in some EGGstraordinary fun. Bring your own baskets and join us for free egg hunts for children 11 and under (first 2,000). This event is FREE with Zoo admission or membership. 

April 21 - Eco-Cell Recycle Sunday and Gorilla Conservation Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop off your old cell phones at the Zoo. Save $1 off admission while you help save wildlife! In Gorilla Forest, there will be Zoo keeper talks, education stations and more!

May 11 - Nature's Works and Quirks

It's back! A program the whole family can enjoy. Nature's Works and Quirks is a program that is focused on all things nature. All sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon. 

Investigate your natural surroundings and learn to understand the relationships of wildlife and the ecosystem! Each themed month lets your child explore science in fun ways to better understand the natural world! Environmental games, animal encounters, nature crafts, stories, and other nature activities help to illustrate and reinforce the ecological concepts covered in daily adventures. Upcoming themes include:

• May 11 - Turtles - register by May 4 (moved to the second Saturday for Derby)
• June 1 - Trees - register by May 25
• July 6 - Birds - register by June 29

It's that time again for a favorite pre Derby event at Monnik: The Spring Schnitzelburg Walk and Rock. They block off the street for a fun filled evening of beers, brats, and bands! The event is kid friendly and dog friendly. 

Break out your orange clothing and join in celebrating King's Day, the traditional way: street sales, games, beer, food and music.

Per Holland.com, King’s Day is when the Dutch celebrate the birthday of their king. King Willem Alexander was born on April 27 and so there are many parties, flea markets and, of course, the king himself visits one or several cities with his family.

The Flea Off Market opens at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the day, until 6 p.m.

Bands will perform from 6 to 11 p.m. with feel-good music by DJ Furniture in between bands:

• King Kong Louisville
• Cereal Glyphs
• The Kids Born Wrong
• JANE.the band
• Adventure

Monnik is at the corner of East Burnett and Hickory. 

JustServe.org is a free volunteer website dedicated to bringing communities together through volunteerism.

From JustServe.org: Non-profits can post the need for volunteers and those in our community can go to the website and see all the opportunities to volunteer. Because the website is self-funded, we never ask for donations to maintain the website, we never sell advertising and we never sell any information. All of us connected with JustServe.org are volunteers and there is no paid staff.

Are you a born relationship builder?

Center For Neighborhoods is looking for a dedicated person to help us make positive change in neighborhoods and within the city. The Neighborhood Liaison works directly with residents and neighborhood organizations to support safe, healthy, and attractive neighborhoods.

Click here to see the full description and how to apply.

With warmer weather in sight and spring just around the corner, Louisville Parks and Recreation is encouraging the public to get active and have some fun.  

Adult Co-Ed Kickball

• Teams ages 18 and older, minimum of seven teams. Games are on Mondays and Wednesday nights at Seneca Park, 3151 Pee Wee Reese Drive. Registration deadline, April 26. For more information, click here.

Spring Softball Leagues

• Co-ed and men’s teams. Games are Monday-Friday nights at several local parks. Registration deadline, April 26. For more information, click here.

Senior Softball League

• Ages 60 and older play on Tuesday mornings and 65 and older play on Thursday mornings at Camp Taylor Park, 4201 Lee Avenue. For registration information please contact Al Benniger at 458-7727 or Louisville Parks Athletics Office at 574-4515.

Youth Soccer Skills Clinics

• Ages 18 and Younger at the Beechmont Community Center. With Louisville City FC. Free, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – no clinic April 13. Started March 16 and ends April 27. For more information, click here.

Income-eligible residents of Louisville now have more time to apply for funding to help with energy bills, thanks to an extension of the deadline for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The former deadline of March 29 was recently pushed back to April 30 by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which administers the LIHEAP program through a network of 23 Community Action Agencies across the state.

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that provides assistance to individuals or families struggling to pay their electric, natural gas or other energy bills. The current phase of LIHEAP, called the “Crisis Component”, assist households that are in a home energy crisis and that are facing disconnection from their utility services. Also again this year, residents who have received a current LG&E bill with a Past Due Balance may be eligible to apply. 

“The extended deadline is great news,” said Eric Friedlander, acting director of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, which administers LIHEAP locally as Louisville’s community action agency. “Our goal is that everyone who is eligible for LIHEAP, and in need of assistance, apply for this program.”

LIHEAP Crisis operates on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted or through April 30, 2019, whichever comes first.  Benefits provided by this program are paid directly to the applicant’s heating vendor.

To apply, residents must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system.  Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com at one of six LIHEAP locations.  The toll-free service is currently open and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Applicants must be a resident of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $2,720.00).

 Applicants must also meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Disconnect notice from utility service provider, or
• Current bill with a past due amount, or
• Eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent, or
• Bulk fuel is within four days of running out; or
• Pre-paid electric services are within ten days of running out.

Individuals who are unable to apply for this program in person may send an authorized representative on their behalf with a signed, written, note including the applicant’s name, address, phone number, Social Security Number, and the name of the designated representative. The authorized representative must provide a picture ID to verify they are the person designated in the note. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to send a representative may call 780-7937.

LIHEAP is made possible by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is a pass through block grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which contracts with Community Action Agencies across the state. Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) serves as the administering agency of the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency. For more information about RCS, visit our website: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services or call Community Action Kentucky at 1-800-456-3452.

Mossy is a shy guy who needs a little time to warm up to new people.  The approximately two-year-old Pit Bull mix is very friendly and laid back, but also an active dog that can keep up with an active lifestyle. He’s great on leash and loves to run around the huge play yard at Animal House Adoption Center. Mossy’s adoption fee is waived for an approved applicant, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. Mossy weighs about 65 pounds and is neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccinations. To adopt Mossy, visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Send questions to animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov, or call 473-PETS.

Pamela is a beautiful Tabby with stunning green eyes. The friendly, one-year-old cat weighed just four pounds when she entered the shelter after she was rescued by a Good Samaritan. Now Pamela is healthy and ready to meet her forever family. Her adoption fee is waived thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. Pamela is already spayed, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccinations. Meet or adopt Pamela by visiting Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Send questions to animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov, or call 473-PETS.

LFPL is the place to take up knitting, crochet, and sewing! We have social groups, sewing lab hours, and activities for kids, teens and adults. Teens are welcome to join the Highlands-Shelby Park Knitting Bee every Friday afternoon where you can make something for yourself and something to be given to people in need. 

• Open Sewing Lab - South Central, Mondays, 2 to 3 p.m. 
• Sew Fetch! (teens) - South Central, Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m. 
• Hooked on Yarn (adults) Shawnee, Wednesdays, 1 to 2 p.m. 
• Knitting Club (kids) South Central, Thursdays, 5 to 6 p.m. 
• Knitting Bee (teens) Highlands-Shelby Park, Fridays, 3 to 4:30 p.m. 
• Textile Arts & Social Club (adults) South Central, April 25, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Crochet Club (teens) - Bon Air, April 24, 5:30 p.m. 
• Jeffersontown Knitting Group (adults) - Jeffersontown, April 23, 7 p.m. 
• Thread Counts Stitching Circle (adults) - Portland, April 22, 6 p.m. 
• Sew What? Sewing Group (adults) - Jeffersontown, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m. 

Adults:

Adult Coloring & Crafts Saturday, April 20, 11:30 a.m.

Video Games for Adults Saturday, April 20, 2 p.m.

Cave Hill Cemetery with Steve Wiser Monday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.

Kids:

Makerspace Wednesday April 24, 4 p.m., ages 3+

Teens:

Knitting Bee Fridays at 3 p.m. Middle and high school ages.

Homeschool Social Club Thursdays at 3 p.m., ages 12-17

The Library – at the crossroads of knowledge and know-how. Visit www.LFPL.org to learn more.

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.

The following boards have vacancies: 

• Metropolitan Business Development Corporation
• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board
• Bardstown Road Overlay District
• Building Code Board of Appeals
• Cemetery Board
• Civil Service Board
• Code Enforcement Board
• Community Action Partnership
• Jefferson County Public Law Library
• Deputy Sheriff Merit Board
• Downtown Development Review Overlay Board
• Downtown Management District
• Ethics Commission
• Fire Protection Districts (Fairdale, Harrods Creek, Highview, Lake Dreamland, Lyndon, Middletown, Okolona, St. Matthews & Worthington)
• Hazard Materials Ordinance Appeals & Overseers Board
• Housing Authority Board
• Human Relations Commission Advocacy Board
• Human Relations Commission Enforcement Board
• Kentuckiana Works
• Landmarks
• Library Advisory Commission
• Louisville Arena Authority, Inc.
• Louisville Public Media
• Merit Board
• Medical Center Commission of Jefferson County
• PARC Board of Commissioners
• Police Merit Board
• Redevelopment Authority
• Science Center
• Urban Renewal Commission
• Vacant Property Review Commission
• Waterworks
• Zoo Foundation Board

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

If you're renovating or remodeling, have a plan for disposing of the resulting debris. Construction and demolition debris in Louisville garbage and junk pickup collection is prohibited by ordinance, so hiring a hauling company or renting a dumpster may be in order. 

Options for disposal of construction and demolition debris include taking it to the Waste Reduction Center on Meriwether Avenue. Fees are variable depending on volume. More information and a fee schedule are available here. 

The new RecycleCoach app features notifications about garbage, recycling, bulk waste, and yard waste collection services. 

RecycleCoach will help Solid Waste Management Services communicate better by sending special messages such as bulk waste rule reminders or suspension of services for yard waste, etc.

The app also has a “what goes where” feature to allow a person to input a certain item to get information on disposal or recycling.  Download from the App Store or Google Play.

The Center for Neighborhoods' NeighborMap is now available online! This new, layered map comes loaded with data on neighborhood resources, grocery access, flood-plain locations, tree cover and more. NeighborMap can help individuals and community organizations visualize and understand the assets available in their neighborhoods, and identify improvements they would like to see.

Students from UofL's Kent School of Social Work contributed to the project by gathering data in urban neighborhoods, and will continue the partnership with CFN to help develop strong neighborhoods. NeighborMap was created in part with funding from Louisville Metro Government.

Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will investigate and impose fines on anyone who comes into contact with an underground natural gas line while digging without having contacted 811 to have the lines located before digging.

Contact 811 (call 8-1-1 or submit an online locate request at 811.com) before you dig and make sure that anyone doing excavation on your behalf contacts 811 two working days before they start.

For more information, please visit lge-ku.com/safety/digging.

Some offices and VA hospitals offer a "Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program" that includes treatment methods including acupuncture, tai chi, and meditation instead of opioids, and they work with the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, Press 1) to provide support and treatment for PTSD and depression, the leading cause of suicide for veterans.

Additional references for VA material and assistance: www.vetcenter.va.gov or 1-877-WAR-VETS or (lifestyle changes for better health) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX9fLXrF4fA 

There is also a link for sexual trauma: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Military_Sexual_Trauma.asp

Eligibility criteria:

•    Must be owner occupied for at least one year.
•    Not available on rental property.
•    Must meet income guidelines (See intake staff) 
•    May receive assistance once in a five year period.
•    Louisville-Jefferson County only

Types of repairs:

• Furnace repair or replacement (October-April only)
  
• A/C unit- repair or replacement (Requires medical statement, available May-Sept. only)
• Electrical repairs/upgrades
• Water line repairs/replacement
• Sewer line repairs/replacement
• Water heater repair/replacement, gas or electric.
     gas line leaks

For further information contact Jackie Wilson-Rudy at 574-5850 or Jacqueline.Wilson-rudy@louisvilleky.gov.

If you wish to make a MetroCall 311 request, please use the following contacts. You'll receive a service request number that will help the District 10 office assist you.

 You can email metrocall@louisvilleky.gov, or go to www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocall where you can chat live with Metrocall, fill out an online form for a 311 service request, or download the free mobile 311 application. Or tweet @LouMetro311 or call 574-5000. 

The carts normally cost $50, but Councilman Mulvihill has made them available for residents of District 10 for a reduced cost of $28. Please call 574-1110, or email us for the form.

The reduced cost recycle carts will be available on a first come first served basis until the funds are depleted. This offer is available to urban service district residents.

We receive complaints about signs that are illegally posted on poles and at intersections in the right-of-way, including "We Buy Houses," "Express Cash" and others. 

If you walk by these signs or live somewhere where these signs are posted and may be removed safely, help clean up our community by taking them down and throwing them away. Or better yet, consider recycling the signs - search for "recycled yard sign projects" online for ideas. 

Click here to sign up for the LENSAlert (Louisville Emergency Notification System). 

In addition to receiving notifications, individuals can create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household that can include any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When individuals make an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right responders to the right location with the right information.

Information about medical history, allergies to medication, number of residents in a home and even a picture of the family dog can all be added to a Safety Profile.