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This was Council week, and although I was in Paducah during the Council meeting, thanks to one advantage of COVID-19, I was able to participate via Webex and cast a vote for the following issues:
1. Floyds Fork Vision Plan - After a somewhat lengthy debate, the Council approved the vision plan that will serve as a blueprint for development in an area approximately 40,000 acres in South Louisville. Throughout the week I received several emails asking me to consider voting "Yes" for this proposal. Truth is, I didn't need much prodding because, my colleague Councilman Stuart Benson, has worked with this case for years and has meticulously seen to it that all bases were covered before the plan was presented before the Council for a vote. Congratulations to Councilman Benson on a job well done --- Stick-to-it-ness has its benefits.
2. Bulky Waste* Collection Ordinance - This ordinance, shepherded by my colleague Brandon Coan, is well thought out and smart! I watched as Councilman Coan dotted each "I" and crossed every "T" to get this ordinance to where it needed to be to gain the public's input and buy-in, as well as a unanimous vote on the Council. The ordinance pertains mainly to the Urban Services District, and changes the way in which solid waste and bulky items are collected for residents of the USD. Collections will change from an announced-based system* to an appointment-based system.* The ordinance was well-thought out and smart. Way to go, Councilman Coan!
Below is a comparison of the two systems that explains the benefits and necessity of the change:
*Bulky waste: large items of refuse, such as appliances, furniture, and other oversize wastes that do not fit into reusable or disposable containers.
*Announcement-Based Large Item Collection System: A collection system for bulky waste. The system has a Department defined number of announced setout dates for eligible residents within the Urban Services District as published by the Department through Louisville Metro’s website.
*Appointment-Based Large Item Collection System: A collection system for bulky waste. The system requires eligible residents within the Urban Services District to contact Metro for a collection date. The number of times per year a resident can utilize the appointment system and the process for scheduling an appointment-based collection is published by the Department through Louisville Metro’s website.
Announcement-Based System Assessment
▪ Allowing unlimited volume invites importation of waste.
▪ Announcing pick up schedule invites illegal dumping.
▪ Allowing small items increases litter and collection time.
▪ Citizens set out too early which leads to others doing the same.
▪ Yard waste is not always recovered and recycled.
Goal: Bulky Waste By Appointment
• Reduce litter by getting small stuff in carts
• Reduce the presence of junk piles that attracts more dumping or others setting out out when its not time
• Reduce importation from other properties by limiting items
• Match collection frequency to generation
• Increase services with a potential to set out up to 52 times per year
• Reduce cost by being more efficient, reduced wear on vehicles, and less overtime
Click the link below if you are interested in reading more about how this new bulk items ordinance works:
https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/metro_council/members/8/pdf_files/6-16-20_presentation_re_lmco_chp._51.pdf
3. Louisville Zoo - Council approved a resolution supporting an internship program for students at the African Petting Zoo and Australian Walkabout exhibits.
A resolution was approved supporting an internship program for JCTC students at the Louisville Zoo's African Petting Zoo and Australian Walkabout exhibits.
4. Louisville Free Public Library - Council accepted $255,000 from the Library Foundation for the Children's Bookmobile Project.
Click here to view the meeting agenda for Thursday's meeting and learn more about what else was discussed and approved.
I invite you to join me for the bi-weekly Metro Council meetings. All of them are broadcast live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99.
The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk. Click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.
You may also access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
To whom it may concern,
Michael and Diana Galla are asking neighbors and metro Louisville for a conditional permit.
The Galla's built a garage at 436 Club Lane, Louisville, Ky 40207 over the last 6 months. In doing so, my company GDS Builder built the garage with the idea of a mother-in-law law suite being finished in the above space.
This strictly will be for that purpose, as both family members of the Galla's, including their parents living out of state.
There will be a meeting at the Galla's home August 21, 2020 at 4 pm.
We will be there to answer any concerns. We will abide by current COVID 19 guide lines.
If you have already spoken with Diana then your attendance isn’t required.
Thank you,
Gary Shearer
502-379-9008
Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday extended the state’s mandate requiring face coverings in some situations for another 30 days, citing its success and continued importance in flattening the curve of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the commonwealth.
“By now, we all know someone that we care about, that we’re close to who is fighting this virus or has fought this virus. And as things progress, we will all probably know somebody who we have lost to this virus. This is going to be a month where I hope we turn things around, but based on July, we’re still going to see a lot of pain,” said Gov. Beshear. “So let’s make sure that we protect our mental and emotional health, stay as committed as we’ve always been to defeating this virus and step it up.”
The Governor also noted that on Monday, he will have additional guidance for Kentucky’s bars and restaurants.
As of 4 p.m. Aug. 6, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 33,254 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 516 of which were newly reported Thursday. Twelve of the newly reported cases were from children ages 5 and younger.
As of 4 p.m. Aug. 7, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 33,796 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 573 of which were newly reported Friday. Twenty-one of the newly reported cases were children age 5 and younger.
As of 4 p.m. Aug. 8, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 34,578 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 801 of which were newly reported Saturday. Twenty-nine of the newly reported cases were from children age 5 and younger.
“Our positivity rate is the highest we’ve had since we tested the entire Green River Correctional Facility back in May,” said Gov. Beshear.
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported eight new deaths Saturday, raising the total to 772 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
“Folks, we need your help. This is the time where we need to buckle down and do what it takes to get this virus under control. Please stay safe and take this seriously,” said Gov. Beshear.
“We all ought to do our part for these kids and all of our kids,” said Gov. Beshear.
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported four new deaths Friday, raising the total to 764 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
“We appear to not just be slowing, but we hope stopping any escalation that we’ve seen. It’s further evidence that wearing that facial covering is truly helping Kentucky in so many different ways – our people, our economy, our kids,” said Gov. Beshear. “So let’s keep it up. I believe that if we continue to do this, we can see even better numbers than what we have now.”
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported eight new deaths Thursday, raising the total to 760 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
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Kentucky State website: kycovid19.ky.gov is the best way to keep up with the latest news about the novel coronavirus.
Hotline you can call: (800) 722-5725. is a service operated by the healthcare professionals at the Kentucky Poison Control Center, who can provide advice and answer questions.
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Louisville Metro Government has expanded opportunities for restaurants to offer new temporary outdoor dining through the utilization of on-street parking spaces. Restaurants may offer outdoor dining using on-street parking spaces in an attempt to help restaurants survive the most recent restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Until Aug. 12, Kentucky restaurants may only serve up to 25% capacity inside their dining rooms, though 100% capacity is allowed outside as long as tables are spaced 6 feet apart.
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The temporary on-street dining must be:
- Immediately adjacent to the sidewalk
- In public, on-street parking spaces that do not have peak hour restrictions
- On streets where the speed limit is 35 mph or less
- Located in spaces immediately adjacent to the approved business
Interested restaurants will submit plans to the city for approval before implementation. Restaurants can view a full list of regulations and submit their plan by CLICKING HERE
CLICKHERE to access the Louisville Metro website with updated information about COVID-19 and information from Mayor Fischer about city services.
Jefferson County Public Schools has completed the hundreds of improvements that were mandated as part of a corrective action plan, potentially halting a state takeover of Louisville's public schools, Superintendent Marty Pollio said Thursday. (Courier-Journal)
The audit cited the district for many problems, including:
- Continued issues with following federal special education law, after a separate targeted audit found immediate problems in 2017
- Misreporting instances of student restraints and issues with proper restraint protocols
- Uneven educational rigor across the district
- School board members not considering additional revenue to raise $1.3 billion for facility needs
According to a Courier-Journal article, during Thursday's Kentucky Board of Education meeting, Pollio shared the update on how JCPS has "established," or completed, its 276 action items dealing with a host of issues across 10 categories .
But Kentucky's largest school district is not out of the woods yet, as the state Department of Education is set to start a second audit of JCPS as soon as Sept. 15.
JCPS must continue to monitor its progress on the more than 200 goals, which relate to many issues, including problems with special education, student restraints, uneven educational rigor across schools, raising revenue for facility needs and more. (-Courier-Journal)
Click this link to read the full Courier-Journal article about the efforts and accomplishments of JCPS and the corrective action plan:
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2020/08/06/jcps-takeover-louisville-pollio-says-corrective-action-plan-goals-complete/3309731001/
The Library can help you stay informed, entertained, and engaged for FREE – without leaving home!
As you know, the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) has temporarily shut its doors, but during this time of uncertainty and social distancing, LFPL is still bridging the physical distance between us and allowing our community to continue to learn, grow and engage. How can you help LFPL provide important and free services? Support our Libraries. Here's How:
Read what the Foundation has been up to for the past 40 years!
Want a full list LFPL online resources? Read On!
1. With 16,000 public libraries, there are more public libraries than McDonald’s in the U.S. When you count all kinds of libraries, including public, school, academic and special, there are more than 123,000 libraries in our country.
2. The average user takes out more than seven books a year from their public library and all together, Americans check out more than 2 billion items each year.
3. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with more than 160 million items on approximately 838 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 37 million books and other print materials, 3.5 million recordings, 14 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 7.1 million pieces of sheet music and 69 million manuscripts.
4. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie was a one-man library-funding machine. The wealthy industrialist donated $55 million—or $1.6 billion in today’s dollars—between 1886 and 1919 to open an astonishing 2509 libraries worldwide, including 1679 in the United States.
5. Libraries loan a lot more than books: Many people know that DVDs and CDs are available, but did you know that in Chicago you can check out fishing poles and in Woodbine, Iowa, the library loans cake pans (in case you don’t have the size or shape that you need). The New York Public Library offers up more than just books: Members can borrow accessories like neckties and briefcases for people looking to complete an ensemble for a job interview.
6. Reference librarians answer nearly 6.6 million questions weekly. If all those people with questions lined up, the line would stretch from Ocean City, Maryland to Juneau, Alaska.
7. Librarian Mary Titcomb came up with the idea of the bookmobile in 1905, and the first one was actually a wagon that made stops around Washington County, Maryland.
8. One of the oldest public libraries in the country opened in 1790 in Franklin, Massachusetts, where residents circulated books donated by Benjamin Franklin. The Founding Father once started his own lending library in 1731 in Philadelphia called the Library Company, but it required a subscription fee of 40 shillings.
9. Librarians used to have to adopt a particular style of handwriting known as “librarian hand.” The practice was prevalent in the late 1800s, when library pioneer Melvil Dewey—of the Dewey Decimal System fame—and other curators of early collections believed that legible handwriting was a must for card catalogs. The practice faded as typewriters grew in popularity.
10. If you’re wondering how dirty library books can become after passing through many hands, the answer is: pretty dirty. Everything from traces of cocaine to the herpes virus to bed bugs have been found on sampled pages, but don’t worry: There’s never been a documented case of anyone catching anything from a library book.
NOTE: These facts were gathered from the Internet. One resource is the Mental Floss. Mental Floss has won four Webby Awards (including a People’s Choice Webby in 2020), been nominated for an ASME award, and published 15 books, five board games, and a fact-of-the-day calendar. They reach more than 19 million users per month across our site, social media accounts, and popular YouTube channel. If you have any comments or questions, you can reach them at contact@mentalfloss.com. If you’re reaching out about a particular story, please include a link.
DISCLAIMER: Fun fact #10 about how dirty library books are suggests that there has never been a documented case of anyone catching anything from a library book. That may be true, and just in case...When our wonderful libraries reopen, and during the COVID-19 season, let's remain vigilant about engaging in recommended safety measures by washing our hands repeatedly and trying to avoid touches our eyes and mouth.
NOTICE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99.
The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk. Click on the“Watch Meetings Online” button.
OR access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Click Here to: View All Agencies
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