Announcements
Department of Justice Announces Investigation of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government and Louisville Metro Police Department
"Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced today that the Department of Justice has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (Louisville Metro) and the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD). The investigation will assess all types of force used by LMPD officers, including use of force on individuals with behavioral health disabilities or individuals engaged in activities protected by the First Amendment. The investigation will assess whether LMPD engages in discriminatory policing, and also whether it conducts unreasonable stops, searches, seizures, and arrests, both during patrol activities and in obtaining and executing search warrants for private homes. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of LMPD policies, training, and supervision, as well as LMPD’s systems of accountability, including misconduct complaint intake, investigation, review, disposition, and discipline."
Councilman Arthur will be meeting with The US Attorney’s Office tomorrow. Our office will be cooperating in any way, shape, or form with this investigation.
To learn more about the investigation click here.
1079 Louisville residents have been lost due to COVID. Please be sure to wear a mask in public and practice social distancing.
For assistance in relation to hardships due to COVID click here.
For information about COVID facts, testing, vaccines and more click here.
For in depth updates on COVID in Louisville, including total deaths and confirmed cases click here.
A website has launched to offer the family and friends of Kentuckians lost to COVID an opportunity to memorialize their loved ones by writing and sharing stories. To view the virtual memorial click here.
Metro Council Budget Committee Announces Hearing Schedule for FY22 Capital and Operating Budgets
Louisville Metro Council’s Budget Committee has released its schedule for reviewing Mayor Greg Fischer’s proposed 2021-2022 Capital and Operating Budgets. For more information click here.
Legislation
- Safety Zone Ordinance — It will be heard in the Community Affairs Committee this week, Wednesday, April 23rd at 1:30 PM. You can read the ordinance here.
- Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance — The Smoketown Neighborhood Association in collaboration with Books and Breakfast Louisville hosted the first Historically Black Neighborhood Assembly. To watch the video go here. We will be working directly with this assembly on this piece of legislation.
- Right to Counsel Ordinance — In case you missed it, we passed this ordinance last week at the last metro council meeting. To learn more about it go here.
- Logan Street and Shelby Park Safety Improvements Resolution — This has been filed to support the mayor's office accepting state funds to make safety improvements in Shelby Park. You can read the resolution here.
- Homeless Protection Ordinance — Another amendment was filed before ours that we'll need to fight in the Public Safety Committee. It takes away protections for our houseless population. In the meantime, we're working directly with grassroots advocates to look at safe alternatives until we get permanent housing. We're also working with city agencies and nonprofits on updating the protocol so there is a standardized process for cleaning vs clearing.
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Councilman Arthur will be in the following committee meetings this week:
- Planning and Zoning | Tuesday 1 PM
- Community Affairs | Wednesday 1:30 PM
*This week's Budget Committee was cancelled. The first of our 2022 Budget Hearings is Monday, May 3 at 3:00 PM. To read the mayor's proposed budget please click here. Our office will host town halls in-person and virtual across the district to get input.
As always, you can watch the meetings on Facebook, Metro TV, or Spectrum Cable Channel 184, AT&T U-Verse Channel 9. to view the agendas click here.
We want everyone in District 4 to be connected through civic engagement:
- make sure your neighbors are signed up for our newsletter
- invite someone to our next town hall
- identify which accountability group you want to join (economy, housing, safety, health, or inclusion) or what type of legislation your neighborhood wants to work on
Should District 4 sponsor the Louisville Community Development Network Workshop Series?
The Louisville Community Development Network (LDCN) invites the Office of Metro Council District 4 to become a sponsor of their 2021 workshop series. The LCDN is a network of more than 30 self-selected organizations who perform development throughout the Louisville Metro area. This development includes, but is not limited to, housing, social, educational, and economic development services. LCDN exists to support community development corporations and other related nonprofits as they connect, collaborate, educate, advocate, and lead for a transformed community development ecosystem that centers neighbors and affects positive change at the neighborhood level. LCDN will hold four workshops in 2021, with the first one being virtual. Their series aims to bring together leaders from community development corporations to learn, network, and be inspired. To give us your feedback click here.
District 4 Monthly Town Hall
In case you missed it — watch our monthly town hall below.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/loudistrict4/videos/1754686551379312
We will have a monthly town hall every third Saturday. The next town hall is Saturday, May 15th 10-11 AM.
Video-In: https://louisvilleky.webex.com/louisvilleky/j.php?MTID=m1c97a4fe12285d0167edc61ca6c6e10c
Call-In: +1-415-655-0001
Access Code: 160 139 6581
Downtown
The Downtown Revitalization Team is a group formed to determine new ways to bring people and businesses back downtown following declines in business heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you want to join meetings or review past ones please click here.
Kentucky Science Center Community Access Membership
This program provides any family eligible for SNAP/WIC with a free 1 year membership to Kentucky Science Center. Contact Josh Poole, Membership Manager, with any questions at kscmembership@louisvilleky.gov or 502-560-7158.
Ripple Effects Photo Contest
Presented by Louisville Free Public Library, the Kentucky Division of Water, Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, University of Louisville College of Education, Louisville Water Company, Waterfront Park, and River City Paddle Sports. The contest invites all K-12 students in the Louisville area to capture images of what water means to them. Cash prizes for 1st ($200), 2nd ($100), 3rd ($50), and honorable mention ($25) will be awarded for the best photographs. For more information click here.
Mayor's Recommended Budget
In his 11th annual budget address to Metro Council, the Mayor focused on accelerating the city’s economic recovery with a greater focus on equity, reimagining public safety and expanding youth development efforts. For more in formation click here.
Buy Black Lou Launches Portal to Increase Black-owned Vendor and Supplier Visibility
The new Black Contractors Network, which Louisville Forward supported with technical assistance and a $50,000 grant, allows Black-owned businesses such as carpenters, electricians and landscapers to create a profile making themselves available for companies and organizations looking for their services. For more information click here.
Settlement Reached in LG&E Rate Case
Louisville Metro Government has agreed in principle to a settlement that would significantly reduce a proposed utility rate increase by Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E). For more information click here.
Board of Zoning Adjustment
You are invited to attend a review of a a NULU Review Overlay District and BOZA public hearing officer review of an Overlay Permit for the construction of a new hotel and a height variance to exceed the maximum allowed height by 30 feet. For more information click here.
Development Review Committee
You are invited to attend a review of a waiver of residential site design standards to create 3 additional
dwelling units on an existing developed lot located at 728 E Chestnut St. For more information click here.
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