Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve received calls and emails from constituents reacting to posts on social media.  People reported that our downtown has been “destroyed” and burnt down (I’m downtown most days and can assure you, that’s not true), that they are afraid to go out of their homes, that a “riot” was coming and no one was doing anything about it, that the airport was going to be inaccessible, and more.  Some people focused on the day before yesterday, when Until Freedom had said it was staging a protest in Louisville. 

In multiple press conferences, Mayor Greg Fischer, LMPD Chief Robert Schroeder and LMPD Major Aubrey Gregory did all they could to assure people that they expected peaceful protests, based on what they were hearing and Until Freedom’s history, and that the local police and partners were prepared to deal with any situation, to maintain public safety.  As it turned out, Tuesday’s protesters marched a few blocks and 64 people were arrested when they blocked traffic in an act of civil disobedience. There was no violence.

We are all awaiting a conclusion of the investigation being conducted by Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the person empowered to decide whether criminal charges will be filed in the tragic death of Breonna Taylor.  Protests regarding that case are likely to continue at least until that time. Calls for racial equity will hopefully continue well beyond then.  We should all encourage protesters to remain nonviolent, as they largely have in Louisville since the first days of June, almost three months ago.

We should NOT rely on misleading social media reports and live in fear.  While individuals and businesses have a right to do what they want, closing on Tuesday seemed like an overreaction to me.  I was disappointed that TARC suspended routes in the evening, limiting access to and from workplaces for people who rely on TARC service. 

Regarding crime, we have seen an increase in shootings and homicides in Louisville Metro this year, unrelated to any protests.  A few weeks ago, we also saw an increase in carjackings.  A concentrated effort is underway to focus on those crimes and progress has been made in recent days, including arrests in the tragic murders of three-year-old Trinity Randolph and her father.

LMPD’s Fifth Division, which includes nearly all of District 9, has seen a decrease in both property and violent crimes from the year-to-date period last year.  Through August 15, 2020, total property crime was down 3.9% and total violent crime was down 6.5%.

Louisville – like communities across the country - is clearly in a difficult situation now, dealing with an overdue focus on racial inequity and the need for police reform, during a global pandemic. The deserved attention to the tragic death of Breonna Taylor has increased tensions even more in Louisville.   

I am actively working on the equity and reform efforts, along with Mayor Fischer and other members of the Metro Council, including investments in disadvantaged neighborhoods, fairer housing laws, and the creation of a robust, sustainable civilian oversight system for LMPD. 

A unified community is needed now more than ever.  You can help by relying on accurate information and not getting caught up in or sharing misleading social media posts. 

As always, contact me anytime with your comments, questions or suggestions.  You can do that here.

Want to vote absentee in the November election because you are concerned about contracting or spreading COVID-19? The portal to request an absentee ballot is now open at https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky.

ABSENTEE VOTING:

Now through October 9, 2020, individuals concerned about contracting or spreading the coronavirus may request an absentee ballot via an online portal. To ensure all votes are counted, absentee ballots are required to be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, and received by November 6. For those concerned about postal delays, County Clerks will offer secure drop boxes to deposit absentee ballots. Locations will be announced.

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING:

Early in-person voting will be available beginning on October 13, for three weeks before the election. Anyone will be able to vote early at their County Clerk's office, with no excuse needed. Jefferson County early voting locations will be announced later.

ELECTION DAY VOTING:

There will be polling places on Election Day but the number and locations are still to be determined.

Consider signing up to be an election officer!  The Jefferson County Clerk is seeking both Democrats and Republicans to fill positions on November 3, in order to have more polling locations open for people who will vote in person.  More information is here.

Jefferson County Public Schools are back in session, with classes scheduled remotely for the time being.  School meals have changed due to federal guidelines. 

JCPS has served more than two million meals to children since schools were shuttered in March and will continue to provide meals for kids who are receiving online-only instruction from home or another location outside their school.

While the number of meal sites is vastly expanded to 131 sites, including the majority of JCPS schools and all of them in D9, the days and hours the sites are open and the eligibility requirements are different than JCPS’ Summer Feeding program.

Food sites will be open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – Noon.

Federal guidelines require that:

• Children must be enrolled in Jefferson County Public Schools to receive meals.
• Parents or guardians should present the barcode they received for each student OR be prepared to provide the name, date of birth and the school each child is enrolled in.
• Only students eligible for free or reduced meals, including all students enrolled in schools where all students usually receive free meals, can receive free meals.

More information is here.

The Mayor's Virtual Hike, Bike & Paddle 2020 is a unique event that was developed for the safety of participants, volunteers, staff, partners and community to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This virtual event encourages participants to live an active lifestyle and enjoy time exercising while supporting the idea of staying safe and healthy. Take your pick from a 3+mile hike, 10 to 15+mile bike ride or paddle on an area waterway.

Note: Once you are registered participants will be eligible for a free t-shirt and/or two FREE bottles of Powerade Ultra while supplies last.

For more information, and to register please click here.

The Louisville Free Public Library continues its gradual reopening, with news in the last few days about appointments to use computers at four locations and expanded curbside hours. 

In-person computer use is available by appointment only at the three regional libraries and the Main Library downtown.  For more information, visit lfpl.org/appointment. I am hoping more libraries will be added soon, with St. Matthews high on the list.

Curbside pickup of library materials is available at all 17 locations.

• Crescent Hill hours are:
• Monday, Tuesday     10am – 7pm
• Wednesday-Saturday 10 am – 4pm
• St. Matthews hours are:
• Monday-Thursday     10am – 7pm
• Friday, Saturday       10am – 4pm

For more information, visit lfpl.org/curbside.

As new announcements are made about expanded library services, I’ll report them on my social media pages-  the D9 blog, "Councilman Bill Hollander" Facebook page and the @BillHollander Twitter feed.    

Because of COVID-19, the 31^st Annual River Sweep originally scheduled for September 12 has been changed to a collection of small efforts instead of the traditional large group. You can still be a part of the effort toward safe, clean waterways. Community members are encouraged to pick up a bag of garbage in their area in honor of the event.

Cleaning up gutters and storm drains is a great idea because that litter ends up polluting our waterways.

Groups of 10 or fewer interested in cleaning up their community can contact River Sweep Coordinator Rhonda Crotzer at (502) 548-8409 or email at Rhonda.Crotzer@louisvillemsd.org to pick up supplies and participation T-shirts.

There will be no residential garbage, recycling or yard waste collection within the Louisville Metro Urban Services District (former Louisville city limits) on Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Collection through the week will be delayed by one day beginning with the regular Monday pickups occurring on Tuesday.

Garbage pickup in St. Matthews will also be delayed because of the holiday.

Other District 9 residents who rely on private haulers for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection should consult those haulers about holiday collection schedules.

Also, Jefferson County staffed recycling, hazardous waste and waste reduction facilities will be closed on Saturday, September 5 in recognition of the holiday and closed on Monday as usual.

Studies are underway to consider changes to I-71 and I-64, and your input is requested in the next few days on what should happen or whether any changes at all should be made.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has two current projects in the design phase to widen I-71 in Jefferson County.  The purpose of these adjacent projects is to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety along this critical corridor.

• Item No. 5-48.10 is to widen I-71 from Downtown to just north of Zorn Ave.
• Item No. 5-557.00 is to widen I-71 from Zorn Avenue to I-265. 

Included with Item 5-48.10 are alternatives at Zorn Avenue (Exit 2) to improve traffic operations and safety at the interchange with I-71. An interactive website has been developed to share information about the projects and study processes to date and give some details on the alternatives and improvement concepts developed.

KYTC is also seeking community input on the proposed I-71 and Zorn projects. Please review the website, then take a quick survey to share your opinions. Responses will be collected through Friday, August 28, 2020. 

KYTC is also conducting an I-64 Corridor Study from Story Avenue to I-264.  An interactive presentation and survey have been developed and are available online, seeking input on the study.

• Interactive StoryMap (https://arcg.is/04CaCb0) - provides the study background, schedule, existing conditions, and a variety of improvement strategies that will be developed and evaluated as part of the next steps. 
• Survey - please click here to link directly to the survey to provide your input. The survey will be open for comments through Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

Please note that each survey includes options to either oppose or support lane expansions and other changes to the highway. I’m also interested in hearing your thoughts on the proposals.  Let me know by clicking here.

Louisvillians who need help paying rent due to the impact of COVID-19 should apply for assistance through Louisville Metro Government efforts being funded by $21.2 million from the federal CARES Act.  

The Eviction Prevention COVID-19 Relief Fund launched in July is designed to aid low-to-moderate income households that are delinquent on rent payments as a result of the pandemic. The program will cover up to three months of rent for households facing COVID-related delinquencies.

The city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services is administering this assistance for eligible households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income ($61,100 annually for a family of four). Appointments to apply are required in advance, utilizing an automated appointment system described below. 

Eviction Prevention Assistance for Households

How to apply: Jefferson County residents who meet the below eligibility requirements can call an automated scheduler at 502-977-6636 or visit online at EvictionPRevention.itfrontdesk.com.

Eligibility:

• Jefferson County residency
• Must have a pending court eviction, or a past due notice from landlord
• Household income up to 80% AMI (Area Median Income) within the previous 30 days (see more details here.) 
• The assistance is necessary to avoid eviction
• Reasonable prospect that the household will be able to resume payments within a reasonable period of time
• Households facing COVID-related delinquencies 

Landlord-Based Assistance

Landlords of federal, state or locally subsidized multi-family or single family units (i.e., LIHTC, CDBG, HOME, Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Louisville CARES or to tenants that receive Section 8) may also apply on behalf of multiple tenants, which streamlines the application process by eliminating the need for income verification. This portion of the program is administered by Louisville Metro Office of Housing, part of Develop Louisville.

How to apply:

Landlords in Jefferson County meeting eligibility may apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants by visiting https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention 

Louisville’s Eviction Prevention Task Force recently launched a website called StopMyEviction.org that has a multitude of eviction prevention resources and services in one location.

Visit www.stopmyeviction.org for the following information and services, including:

• Rental assistance and resources for tenants who are behind on their rent
• Help coordinating assistance when facing an eviction
• Support from a Task Force coordinator who will review requests on an online form and respond within 48 hours

The Legal Aid Society, part of the Eviction Prevention Task Force, provides legal assistance to tenants facing eviction in order to prevent homelessness. Legal Aid lawyers represent tenants in court to help avoid an eviction and maintain stability. To apply for Legal Aid’s assistance visit www.yourlegalaid.org or call (502) 584-1254.

For more information about rental assistance, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention, visit www.stopmyeviction.org, or call Metro United Way’s help referral service at 211.

Low-income households may qualify for a 10-percent sewer bill discount under a new Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP) offered by MSD. Aimed at providing relief for households struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic, the EWRAP discount is effective August 1, 2020. It will run through July 31, 2021.

For eligibility information or to apply online, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/ewrap. Residents may also call 502.540.6000 or email CustomerRelations@LouisvilleMSD.org to request a paper application in the mail.

Louisville Water Company has a new program – “Drops of Kindness" - to help people dealing with financial difficulties in the global pandemic. 

Whether you’re a resident or business owner, Drops of Kindness offers a customized approach to help customers resolve unpaid bills and reduce future financial obligations. Drops of Kindness starts with a confidential call with a customer service associate who works to find a bill payment option suitable for a customer’s individual and unique situation. 

Customers are matched with payment options that help them catch up on unpaid bills. This could include:

• A payment plan on the outstanding balance or other payment options
• Connecting customers with partners who have funding for help with an unpaid bill. 

Contact Louisville Water by email or call  (502) 583-6610.

Are you passionate about Louisville's Olmsted Parks and looking for a way to give back? Become an Olmsted Parks Conservancy Park Steward! 

The next Park Steward Training program begins on September 8, where volunteers can attend a series of virtual lectures and in-park training to learn more about Park History, Horticultural Techniques, Plant Identification, and Woodlands Management, all while meeting amazing new people and getting the opportunity to exercise ownership over these greenspaces you care about.

The one-time enrollment fee, a $50 donation to Olmsted Parks Conservancy, covers costs to produce the lectures, training, and materials. Scholarships are available for those interested.

Learn more and reserve your spot at https://www.olmstedparks.org/news/park-steward-training-fall-2020/.