Major changes are coming soon to recycling and yard waste collection in Louisville’s Urban Services District (the old City of Louisville).

Households within the USD that currently recycle using an 18-gallon bin or their own container will receive a free 95-gallon recycling cart, after Louisville applied for and received grant support for advancing recycling in the community. A waste container audit was performed throughout the USD over a three-week period. Any household that participated in recycling during the audit but did not have a recycling cart will receive one. Cart delivery begins June 1. (The new carts have blue lids, as a first step to move Louisville to the blue color associated with recycling in most of the country.)

Residents will be using bigger carts and hauling recycling to the curb less often. Carts allow for more items to be recycled and the extra space also allows Louisville to start every other week recycling/yard waste collection, a cost-saving measure that does not decrease the quality of services. Carts also help prevent litter because they have a lid. The expectation is that recycling will increase in the USD with the new carts and schedule.

Beginning the week of July 12, 2021, recycling and yard waste will be collected every other week. The week of July 12 (Friday, July 16 for most D9 addresses in the USD) will be a recycling day.  The week of July 19 (Friday, July 23 for most of D9 in the USD) will be a yard waste day.  View the entire 2021-2022 calendar and use the Recycle Coach app to view your personalized waste collection calendar and set reminders.

Regular yard waste collection will continue year round, a change from recent years.

Learn more about recycling in the USD at this link.

Louisville Metro operates on an annual budget for the period from July 1 – June 30.  Discussions about the FY 22 budget, which begins July 1, are underway at the Metro Council Budget Committee, which I chair.  As we hear from Metro departments, I would like to know what you think about the proposed budget, and how we should use your tax dollars and the $388.3 Million Louisville Metro will be receiving from the American Rescue Plan.

I’ll be available live through a WebEx virtual meeting on Monday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees may submit questions ahead of time to Kyle Ethridge, or you can ask questions live during the meeting.

To participate in the meeting, please click here to register to attend. If you need assistance registering for the event, please contact Kyle Ethridge or call (502) 574-3908.

As always, you can contact me anytime using this link.

The Jefferson County PVA has mailed out reassessment notices, and many property owners have seen an increase. In addition to the mailed post cards, individual property valuations and other information are also available at the PVA website, www.JeffersonPVA.ky.gov.

If you choose to appeal your property’s assessed valuation, you have until May 17 to begin the process. That is a strict deadline. Appeal conferences will take place virtually or over the phone, due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

If you appeal, you will be asked to provide documentation, including photos of your property or sales of similar properties supporting your appeal. Interior photos are particularly important if you are contending that your property valuation should be lower because of the condition of your property. The PVA has no way of viewing a property’s interior or knowing the condition of it, and successful appeals are often supported by evidence of interior conditions. 

You should also consider applying for exemptions if you are disabled or own a residential property and are over 65 years old. More information on those exemptions and how to qualify are on the PVA’s website.

If you need additional information, go to www.JeffersonPVA.ky.gov or call the office at 502-574-6380.

Vaccinations are now available for all Kentuckians ages 12 and older and there is virtually no wait. Getting every eligible person vaccinated is the best way to fully reopen the community and keep us all safe.

The best way to access vaccines is at the website https://www.vaccines.gov/. Enter your zip code and vaccine sites near you will appear. You’ll find links to click and numbers to call. You can also search for vaccine type, which is important for children ages 12-15, who are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

Below are links to other websites for information and appointments. 

Baptist Health
Costco
CVS Pharmacy
Kroger
Meijer
Norton Healthcare (call 502-861-4499 for assistance)
St. Matthews Pharmacy
U of L Health (includes Cardinal Stadium and Brook Street)
Veterans
Walgreens
Walmart

For residents who don’t have access to technology or have difficulty using an online process, the staff at Louisville Metro’s COVID-19 Helpline, (502) 912-8598, can assist with scheduling an appointment.

Need a ride to get a COVID-19 Vaccine? Please call (888) 848-0989 to schedule a free ride to your appointment.  Rides must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance of your appointment.

To stay informed on vaccine efforts in Louisville, please sign up now for weekly Covid-19 updates.

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.

If you still need your COVID-19 vaccination, you can make an appointment for this Saturday, May 15 between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Model School, 3117 Lexington Road, in the gym, building 6. 

To schedule an appointment, call (502) 861-4499 or visit nortonhealthcare.com/covidvaxsha18 (for 18+) or nortonhealthcare.com/covidvaxsha (for younger ages).

Walk-ins will be accepted while supplies last.

• Those under 18 years of age must have a guardian present.
• Bring photo ID and if you have insurance, your insurance card (not required). Patients will not be charged.
• Only individuals receiving the vaccine will be permitted in the vaccination area.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others to maintain social distancing.
• Wear a mask at all times. If you do not have one, a mask will be provided.
• Wear a shirt that allows easy access to the upper arms.
• You must stay on site 15 to 30 minutes after you get the vaccine for observation.

Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is now taking applications for an added Spring Subsidy program for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through June 30, 2021, or until designated funds are depleted.

Residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment scheduler at 502/991-8391 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Applicants must be residents of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The benefit amount awarded is based on a household’s income and primary fuel type. Benefits are paid directly to the utility vendor, LG&E.

For the Subsidy Component, residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills; it is not necessary to have a past-due amount.

Currently, all LIHEAP offices remain closed to walk-in clients in accordance with CDC guidelines, therefore applicants will be requested to drop off all required documentation in a secured drop box at the LIHEAP office selected using the appointment system.

Note:  Residents who were served during the recent LIHEAP Crisis Phase may still apply during LIHEAP Subsidy if they meet program eligibility requirements.

For more information including an income guideline chart, visit here.  For a downloadable flyer, click here.

The Peterson-Dumesnil House and the Crescent Hill Garden Club are partnering up to host a virtual Walkabout at the PD House on Thursday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. During the free, 30-minute event, Sarah Clement with the Garden Club and Melissa Mershon with the PD House will walk the grounds and educate viewers on the various species of flowers, plants and trees located throughout the property. The event will be streamed live on the Peterson-Dumesnil House Facebook page and include a live Q&A with viewers. Participants can also win giveaways including tickets to the 2021 Crescent Hill Garden Tour and a set of PD House notecards featuring John Nation photos.

During the presentation, Sarah will visit different parts of the grounds to showcase some of the more interesting plantings on the property. The program will highlight things like the historic Ginkgo tree, which is one of the largest of its kind in Louisville, and give viewers a preview of what they can experience on the Crescent Hill Garden Tour on June 5, 2021.

Kentucky Shakespeare has announced the return of the FREE Shakespeare in the Parks tour, which has already kicked off. The spring tour includes a 7-actor, 90-minute production of Romeo and Juliet and will tour to multiple parks in May.

Audience members are required to adhere to current facemask mandates and are invited to bring their own chairs and blankets for this free, socially-distanced, family-friendly community event.

Performances are still being added. Click here for dates and more information.

Please plan to join your neighbors at the D9 location in Story Avenue Park on May 23 at 6:30 pm. You must RSVP for this event, beginning on May 22, at this link.

Celebrate the start of summer with Whitehall House & Garden’s exciting new live music series on Sunday, May 30 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The first concert features "Gypsy Jazz" band Swing '39, performing on the Whitehall terrace, 3110 Lexington Road. Seating will be available under the tent, and guests are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. A cash bar will be available, and guests may bring their own food. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children (5-12) and free for kids under 5. Click here to purchase tickets.

Upcoming Sunday concerts are June 27, featuring The Decades, and July 25, featuring the Derby City Dandies.

The Crescent Hill Garden Club will host the Annual Crescent Hill Garden Tour on Saturday, June 5, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The tour will feature private gardens in the Crescent Hill neighborhood, showcasing creative gardening in smaller spaces and providing inspiration for the new or experienced gardener. For the past 27 years, this popular event has attracted garden enthusiasts from all over Kentucky and neighboring states, who come to view Crescent Hill’s unique display of urban gardens.

Tickets are $15 each. To purchase tickets in advance, click here. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the tour at the Peterson-Dumesnil House at 301 S. Peterson Avenue, where the tour begins.

There will also be an herb sale during the tour at the Peterson-Dumesnil House. A three-herb pot of basil, thyme and Italian parsley will be available to purchase for $10. Click here to purchase in advance and pick up the day of the tour. 

‘Garden Angels’ will be located at each garden to help direct and manage traffic. Masks are optional and will be available at each garden location. Please note: Restrooms will not be available.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s tour will benefit United Crescent Hill Ministries. To learn more about UCHM’s compassionate mission and life-saving community programs that provide vital social services to those in need, click here

Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) has received a $20,000 grant awarded by the non-profit Petco Love to continue its life-saving efforts by offering medical vouchers for spay-neuter services.

Spaying and neutering not only prevents unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, but it also has health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and a calmer pet, while dogs will be less likely to roam. LMAS spayed and neutered 2,910 animals in 2020 but is not able to offer spay-neuter services to the public. Many local animal welfare organizations were forced to limit or stop offering affordable spay-neuter service, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jefferson County residents are eligible to receive a free spay/neuter voucher from Louisville Metro Animal Services. The $100 voucher can be redeemed at local veterinary offices and hospitals. To get a voucher, visit the LMAS Shelter located at 3528 Newburg Road from 12-6pm, Monday – Saturday. Spay/neuter vouchers are limited to one per household. You will need to present a valid photo ID, proof of residency, and provide contact information. To request a voucher by email or for further assistance, contact animals@louisvilleky.gov.

For more information about LMAS, visit www. https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services.

Registration is now open for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Summer Learning opportunities. The options include nearly 100 interactive, student-centered activities that will keep learning happening throughout the summer months. Families can visit the JCPS website to view available programs and register.

Summer learning options will include three main areas:

• Backpack League, offering students in first through 12th grade an in-person experience.
• Summer League, where students learn virtually and earn points to make it onto a leaderboard.

• Specialized Camps, such as the district’s popular “Lit &” camps, which fit the unique interests and needs of students. Some camps are aimed at students who are learning English while others will help students prepare for college, careers, and gifted and talented programs.

Summer options are also open to the district’s youngest learners. New this year is Camp Jumpstart, which will focus on social-emotional development and adaptive skills for 3-year-old students who are currently in the district’s early childhood program.

And JCPS will bring back the successful Camp Ready for K to help prepare up to 1,600 students who are scheduled to start kindergarten in the fall.

Check it all out at https://sites.google.com/jefferson.kyschools.us/summer-learning/home!