Metro Council begins each year by electing a new President, who then appoints committee chairs and vice-chairs.

For the fourth straight year, President David James has appointed me to serve as Chair of the Budget Committee.

The budget will continue to be challenging, given the significant increase in pension obligations we are obliged to pay because of changes in assumptions imposed by the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Retirement Systems in 2017 and 2019. The percentage of Metro’s General Fund budget going to pension costs has more than doubled since merger, from 7.4% to nearly 16% in the current year.  Last year, the General Assembly approved a one-year freeze on pension rate increases. This coming year, we expect no freeze. In 2020-2021, under the budget we will approve in June, pension costs will again increase by 12% or roughly $12 Million Dollars.

Metro has responded to these pension increases by reducing its workforce and the services provided to citizens. Thus far, Metro Government has shrunk its full-time employment base from 5,571 employees on December 1, 2017 to 5,059 on December 1, 2020—a reduction of 512 civil servants during the first three years of the recent pension increases.  

As we deal with pension increases and recover from a global pandemic, our 2020-2021 budget must continue a renewed commitment to advance racial equity, by accelerating investments in underserved and disinvested neighborhoods.   

In addition to chairing the Budget Committee, I am serving on the Public Works and Government Oversight and Audit Committees.  

As we begin another year of challenges and opportunities, I welcome your comments on any Metro or D9 issues or concerns. As always, you can contact me anytime using this link. For more regular updates, follow the D9 blog, "Councilman Bill Hollander" Facebook page and the @BillHollander Twitter feed.     

There’s good news and bad news on the COVID-19 vaccine front.  The good news is the great demand for vaccines. The bad news is that currently there isn’t nearly enough vaccine to meet the demand.

States are setting the priorities for vaccine distribution and we are currently in Groups 1A and 1B. In Kentucky, Group 1A includes residents of long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and health care workers.  Group 1B includes anyone age 70 or older, first responders and K-12 school personnel.

The biggest development with Phase 1B means that, for the first time, the general public is eligible to sign up for the vaccine without being contacted through their employer.  Anyone who is 70 or older may sign up at the below link to be placed on the vaccine waitlist.  It is also critical that this information is shared with qualifying family, friends, and neighbors who may not be aware that they are eligible, or that action is required of them.

If you are 70 and older, you can sign up for the "vaccine interest list" either by clicking here or calling 502-912-8598. Louisville Metro is distributing that list to healthcare systems so that people on the list can be contacted and appointments can be made when more vaccine is available. The interest list does not constitute a confirmed appointment.

Late last week, major hospitals in Louisville opened vaccine appointments to people 70 and older, but quickly had to stop because demand exceeded vaccine supply. You can also check these websites for appointments in the future:

Norton Healthcare
UofL Health
Baptist Health

Please do not sign up via multiple sites.

For more information and FAQs, please click here.

Volunteers are still needed to help administer vaccines at Broadbent Arena. All are welcome - not just clinical volunteers like nurses (but they are needed too). There is space for everyone who wants to help.

• Who can help? Volunteers must be 18 years or older and submit to a background check.
• What will I be doing? Administering injections is limited to licensed clinicians only, but there are roles for everyone, including greeters, check-in staff, support staff, observing patients, and more!
• Can I get a vaccine? Those who serve 40 hours or more will be eligible to receive COVID vaccination from LouVax.

To volunteer, please visit the following link: Volunteer here.

Until vaccinations are generally available – which is months away – the virus will continue to spread and there will be more illness, hospitalizations and deaths. Please continue doing your part and maintain a six-foot space between you and others, wear your mask when out in public, avoid large groups and stay home as much as possible.    

To see Louisville’s COVID-19 data dashboard, including total number of cases, deaths, testing locations and more, click here. 

The latest news about COVID-19 in Kentucky is here.

The pandemic continues to curtail familiar services in Louisville.  The in-person free tax preparation services provided at United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) through the Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s (LABC) VITA program won’t be taking place as normal this tax season. LABC hopes to offer some in-person sites this year, but UCHM won’t be on the list and information on those sites is still being confirmed.

LABC is offering a few online resources through Get Your Refund, beginning in early February. The program is fast, free and online at www.getyourrefund.org. To participate you will need to share information on your household and tax situation, upload your tax documents and share best contact information and then certified IRS tax preparers will take care of the rest!

The other options is to self-file through Turbo Tax or H&R Block through the LABC’s website. Two free self-file programs are available. Turbo Tax is available for individuals who have less than $36,000 in income, are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit or are active duty military. Through Turbo Tax you can prepare both your state and tax returns for free. The other self-file option is H&R Block & United Way’s Worldwide My Free Taxes Program. For 2020, there is no income limit to use this software, but there are some limitations on the types of returns it can prepare. Please visit https://labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-help/do-you-qualify, for more information.

Regular yard waste collection in the Urban Services District has been suspended for the winter as a budget cutting move and to reduce the number of trucks operating in low-demand months.

Regular yard waste collection resumes during the week of Monday, April 5. Individuals may request collection as needed during the suspension.

How to make a request:

1. Call 311 or 574-5000 or email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov 
2. Be prepared with the following information or include in your email: ​First and last name, address, phone number, set out location (front, rear, side, alley, etc.), and approximate number of containers, bags, or bundles.
3. Your appointment will be scheduled on your regular collection day THE FOLLOWING WEEK. (Example: If, like most of D9, your regular yard waste collection day is Friday, and your request is made on Monday, February 8, your yard waste will not be collected until Friday, February 19.) 
4. Set out yard waste no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before your appointment and no later than 6 a.m. the day of your appointment.

It’s time to clean house and get ready for another large item collection if you live in the 9^th District Louisville Metro Urban Services District (USD). You may begin setting out your junk on Friday, February 26, in the afternoon. All junk must be set out by Monday, February 28 at 6:00 a.m. Some items (hazardous materials, construction debris, etc.) are not collected and these guidelines are being strictly followed. For collection guidelines, please click here.

To sign up for large item set out reminders by email and text, or to find out if you are in the collection area,  click here and enter your address. After selecting your address from the list of suggested addresses, you can view collection dates by month, or sign up for reminders.

The General Assembly has completed Part I of its two-part session.  It will reconvene for Part II on Tuesday, February 2. 

There are two ways to contact your legislators to make your voice heard in Frankfort.  Enter your address at this website and then click at the location icon on the map to get legislator and district information for that location.

If you would like to call and leave a message for your legislator, please call the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181.

One of the things I constantly hear – and agree with – is the difficulty people have in getting around by foot or bike in Louisville.  Here’s an opportunity to weigh in on what you’d like to see! 

The KIPDA Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for transportation planning in the Greater Louisville region, including Bullitt, Jefferson, and Oldham counties in Kentucky, and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. In the coming weeks, staff will be developing a new Active Transportation Plan to guide investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. A key step in this planning process is understanding the frustrations, needs, and desires of walkers and cyclists in our community.

That’s where you come in! KIPDA is hoping to connect with people who walk or ride to work, to school, or for fun. They would also love to hear from people interested in walking or biking, but who are nervous or have concerns.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey found at the link below:

Active Transportation Plan Survey

This survey will be open until February 9th. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Elizabeth Farc, Transportation Planner, at elizabeth.farc@kipda.org or 502.266.6144 x121. More information about the KIPDA MPO can be found here.

Metro Council has passed two resolutions to support renewable energy growth in Louisville:

• 100% Clean Energy Resolution - calls for 100% renewable electricity for Metro operations by 2030, 100% clean energy for Metro operations by 2035, and 100% clean energy community-wide by 2040
• A Resolution Supporting the Future of Solar Energy - urges all Metro Agencies and Departments to support the vigorous growth of solar energy in Louisville and to aggressively pursue strategies designed to meet this goal.

I was a sponsor of both resolutions.  The budget Metro Council passed in June included the position of Energy Manager, to oversee the city’s consumption of power and energy billings and help determine the feasibility of converting to renewable energy sources and thereby reduce Louisville Metro’s reliance on fossil fuels.  

Zachary Tyler has now been hired as Louisville’s first Energy Manager.

Originally from Winchester, Kentucky, Zach graduated with a degree in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Kentucky, with certification from the Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky. Since then, Zach has been working as an energy consultant for the University of Kentucky to help the university realize emissions reductions commitments. Zach also spent a year in Amazonas, Brazil as a Fulbright scholar to conduct research regarding reforestation techniques. With a background in energy conservation and a lifelong commitment to sustainability both personally and professionally, Zach is eager to contribute to the ambitious sustainability commitments of Louisville Metro Government.

Zach will start his position with Louisville Metro in the coming weeks and we look forward to working with him as Louisville takes steps toward a 100% clean energy future.

The Crescent Hill Garden Club is once again donating Appalachian Redbuds, a Kentucky native species, for planting in the neighborhood as part of their 2^nd Annual Signature Tree Project. 

All Crescent Hill residents are eligible to receive free redbud trees to plant in the Crescent Hill area. Trees will be available for planting in early spring. Planting assistance will also be available if needed.

Trees are available on a first come, first serve basis as quantities are limited. One tree per person.

Help reverse the decline of tree cover and beautify the neighborhood by planting a tree this spring!

Contact Denise Peterson at (502) 889-0086 or denisepeterson48@gmail.com to sign up or for more information.

The section of Cherokee Parkway between Grinstead Drive and Willow Avenue is currently closed to traffic while MSD repairs a sewer line. The roadway will be closed for approximately four weeks with detours posted.

A recent inspection revealed damage to the 72-inch diameter brick sewer line, which was installed under the parkway in 1900.

Repair work will take place underground inside the pipe. The entry point for crews is near the intersection of Cherokee Parkway and Longest Avenue.

Sewer service will continue uninterrupted for the area. Sewer water will flow in a temporary pipe along the roadway’s surface, exiting one manhole and reentering the system in another, keeping the pipe’s interior dry during the repair.