|
As you know, I serve on three Metro Council Committees - Budget, Government Oversight and Audit, and Equity and Inclusion. One week we attend Committee meetings, the next week we attend Council meetings.
Thursday was a Council meeting. The agenda was fairly light, with only one controversial item to discuss. The item was a zoning change for a development of affordable houses in a subdivision off Manslick Road in Fairdale. On a vote of 18-7, the zoning request was denied. I was one of the affirmative votes, which was in line with the decision of the Metro Council Planning and Zoning Committee that recommended the zoning change denial. This vote overturned the previous decision of the Louisville Metro Planning and Zoning Commission that had previously approved the development.
I generally accept the ruling of the Planning and Zoning Commission. However, if a Council member presents us with evidence that a development should not be approved, we generally listen to the findings of the Council member because the Council member knows the area better than any of us, including the Planning and Zoning Commission. The development was a plan for affordable housing, but not a plan for government-assisted Affordable Housing. Louisville is in desperate need of at least 31,000 more affordable homes. My vote was not against affordable homes. My vote was based on the information presented to us by the Councilwoman of that district about the non-existence of infrastructure (roads and sidewalks), lack of transit accommodations, and the absence of amenities such a grocery stores and eateries. I asked if the developer was willing to invest in the infrastructure, and I was told that he was not. I am hopeful that a development will be proposed soon for that area with plans to build infrastructure. If this occurs, by the same developer or someone else, the property will be more appealing, people will purchase the homes, and then amenities and transit will follow. I would vote for that!
Next week is Committee week. Thursday, the Equity and Inclusion Committee, on which I serve as chairwoman, will begin at 3:30 for a special meeting. We have two items on the agenda that are of interest. The first item is an ordinance called the "Crown Act." The ordinance amends Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances Chapter 92, to add a definition of national origin to include natural hair. This ordinance will ban educational, employment and housing discrimination on the basis of hair texture or style, including braids, locs and twists.
The second item on the Equity and Inclusion Committee agenda is the conversation on the subject of Critical Race Theory. This has been a hot topic as of late, so the Committee felt it important to start a conversation and evaluate where Jefferson County stands on the issue. Critical Race Theory promotes the study of history as it relates to racism and how it has shaped politics, public policy and our society through the years. Critical race theory has gained prominence in recent months, amid the national debate about race in America.
Proponents of critical race theory say it does not teach that any race is inherently racist or is superior, but how race is ingrained in our history. Some fear that the politicization of Critical Race Theory is being used to snuff out any and all conversations about equity, race, and racism in our schools.
Critics warn that Critical Race Theory (CRT) is part of a movement to draw America’s culture wars into classrooms, centering on a once-obscure legal theory about how the legacy of slavery continues to permeate American society today. Some critics say CRT separates and isolates people based on race and that using a lens of race to look at society is superficial and divisive and creates a hierarchy of human value that separates and demonizes people based on race.
The following states have already banned teaching CRT in schools: Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Georgia, and Montana. Lawmakers in Kentucky, Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Arizona, Utah and New Hampshire are also debating bans on critical race theory. The Arizona Senate failed to pass SB 1532 on May 27 when two Republicans voted against it, but the measure could return for another vote.
Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and West Virginia are considering legislation to prohibit the teaching of "divisive" concepts.
Most of the proposed or passed state legislation do not mention Critical Race Theory by name but ban racist teachings.
Whatever your opinion is of Critical Race Theory, I hope you'll join the conversation. It all boils down to how do we want history taught in schools and understood by adults. Winston Churchill said, "History is written by the victors." Thomas Jefferson said, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." Jefferson also said, "History, in general, only informs us what bad government is." Edmund Burke said, "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." Harry S. Truman said, "The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know." Last, but not least, Churchill also stated that "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."
How do we want history written? Please join me for the conversation on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. You are welcome to join us in person at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson St., in the 3rd floor Council Chambers, or tune in virtually at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk or Click here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.
To access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE
All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99.
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
In commemoration of the freeing of the last enslaved people in the U.S., Louisville Metro has a new holiday, Juneteenth Freedom Day, on June 19.
The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
Louisville will observe the holiday June 17-21 with a citywide Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration.
Learn more and see a schedule of events here.
Many metro offices will be closed Friday, June 18. There will be no collection of recycling/yard waste within the Louisville Metro Urban Service District on Saturday, June 19. Please place your recycling and yard waste out for collection on Friday, June 18. As a reminder, carts must be set out by 6 a.m.
|
Detailed Summary of the Proposal
A Development Plan was approved by Planning & Design Services on 6/3/21 that will allow the demolition of the existing Arby's restaurant and the construction of a First Watch restaurant in its place. In order to serve alcoholic beverages on the outdoor patio areas connected to the proposed restaurant a Conditional Use Permit is required. All other items shown on the attached approved development plan will remain the same.
Please note the proposed site layout being presented at the June 23, 2021 Neighborhood Meeting is subject to change pending agency comments.
All subsequent plans are available to the public on the Planning & Design Services Online Customer Service Portal with the PDS assigned Case Number. The Neighborhood Meeting is required to be held prior to making formal application with Planning and Design Services and at this point in time a Case Number has not been assigned. Please contact Mike Hill for an update on the filing and assignment of the Case Number. This is the link to the Planning & Design Services Online Customer Service Portal.
https://aca-louisville.accela.com/ljcmg/Default.aspx
Click on the "Search" tab Then "Planning Applications"
Enter the case number in "Record Number" box Click on the "Record Info" tab
Webex Meeting Date | Time: June 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. To join the Webex Meeting online:
https://landdes igndeve lopment.m y.webex.com/landdesiqndevelopment.my/j.php?MT ID=m9956fd0f4
29397b888936b2f85a09f76
Meeting number: 132 149 6022
Password: zWf2Qt47JMZ (99327847 from phones and video systems)
Join by video system:
Dial 1321496022@webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone:
+1-408-418-9388United States Toll Access code: 132 149 6022
If you are unable to attend the meeting and have comments or questions or if you would like to have the meeting link emailed directly to you please contact Mike Hill.
Primary Contact
(Land Planning/Civil Engineer Consultant):
Mike Hill, AICP (502) 426-9374 hill@ldd-inc.com
Land Design and Development, Inc. - 503 Washburn Avenue, Louisville, KY 40222
Details of the Mayor’s budget proposal, including plans for reimagining public safety, can be found here.
Metro Council will vote on the budget at Council meeting on June 24, 2021.
Gov. Beshear: While COVID-19 Remains a Threat, We Are No Longer In Crisis
Governor thanks Kentuckians for saving lives as mask mandate, capacity restrictions are lifted
On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear marked his final regularly scheduled COVID-19 briefing by thanking Kentuckians for their hard work and sacrifices that saved countless lives in the commonwealth.
The Governor also lifted the statewide mask mandate for most settings and ended capacity limits for restaurants, bars and other pubic venues. The mask mandate for vaccinated Kentuckians has been lifted since May 13. A new executive order keeps the mask requirement in place only in certain high-risk settings identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: public transit, long-term care facilities and health care facilities.
Masks are recommended for people in correctional facilities or homeless shelters and people who are immune-compromised, are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
The Governor said he was able to make these changes safely because more Kentuckians continue to receive one of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone ages 12 and older is eligible for their shot of hope. As of today, 2,106,464 people in the commonwealth have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said the proof of vaccines’ effectiveness is in the data: The state’s weekly number of COVID-19 cases has declined 93% since January 2021; the state’s number of deaths occurring each week has declined 95% since January 2021; and the state’s number of patients who are hospitalized for COVID-19 has declined 83% since January.
The Governor said he would not yet end the commonwealth’s state of emergency because major programs, grants and executive orders that continue to help Kentuckians impacted by COVID-19 would be at risk if it weren’t still in place, including a $96 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for vaccine distribution and administration.
Kentuckians 18 and older who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 can sign up for three chances to win $1 million dollars. Those 12 to 17 years old can sign up for 15 chances to win a full scholarship to any Kentucky public college, university, technical or trade school. Winners will be announced Friday, July 2; Friday, July 30; and Friday, Aug. 27. To enter the drawings and for more information, visit ShotAtAMillion.ky.gov.
To date, 349,780 Kentuckians have signed up for the $1 million drawings and 19,579 Kentuckians have signed up for the full tuition scholarship drawings.
Addressing urgent challenges
The Mayor outlined his proposal for spending $38.9 million of the $388 million the city is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP), with the initial spending focused on the immediate and urgent challenges of 1) COVID-19 related health needs, 2) the housing, food, and utility instability experienced by vulnerable residents and 3) economic recovery, with a focus on the city’s downtown economic core. Learn more.
Your ideas requested
Mayor Fischer said he is also seeking ideas from the public for how the remaining ARP funds should be used. Residents can provide their ideas at louisvilleky.gov/accelerator.
Vaccinations available
As Gov. Andy Beshear has lifted capacity restrictions and most of the mask requirements, Mayor Fischer and Dr. Sarah Moyer, the city’s chief health strategist, are urging residents who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 to seek out a shot. Watch the Tuesday briefing, and find more information about vaccines at louisvilleky.gov/covid19.
Summer jobs available
Mayor Fischer urges residents to share information about the SummerWorks program with any young people ages 16-21 seeking a summer job. Learn more.
Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Metro Police Chief Erika Shields have provided an update on progress on recommendations outlined earlier this year from Hillard Heintze’s independent review of the police department – and shared a new dashboard where the public can track further work. While there is much work yet to do, she said she wanted to share the new online dashboard now so that police, Metro Council and other city leaders, as well as the public, can keep track of the progress on the various recommendations.
The dashboard, which will be updated quarterly, lists the 12 key domain subject areas and depicts progress through four types of status: Completed, In Process, Planning & Development, and Under Review. Dashboard users can also click on each of the subject areas to find the specific recommendations from the report.
The new LMPD dashboard can be found at https://louisville-police.org/803/HH-Dashboard.
The full Hillard Heintze report can be found at https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/hillard-heintze-report.pdf
NOTE: June 17th Metro Council Committee Meeting begins at 3:30 PM.
 |
The Louisville Zoo is celebrating Father’s Day with free admission to the Zoo for dads on Ford’s Father’s Day, June 20, 2021. Families can bring dad out to see the Zoo’s newest dad — gray seal Boone, father of seal pup Finsbay.
This special Father’s Day celebration comes on the heels of the new COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC and in alignment with Governor Beshear’s expiring mandates for capacity.
Kids can bring dad to the Zoo’s admission windows to receive his free ticket. No advanced reservation is required.
“Thanks to Ford Motor Company, we are delighted to be able to host dads free on their big day,” said Zoo director, John Walczak.
“Ford is excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the Zoo,” said Kimberly Hofmann, Ford Motor Company. “We hope free admission helps families spend more time with each other on this special day for dads.”
Zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (enjoy until 6 p.m.) through September 19.
|
 |
The Office of Community Development and the Landbank Authority are continually seeking ways to keep the community informed on upcoming property sales, programs, services, and etc. If you are a member of a group, church, or community organization that would like to have someone speak at a meeting, please reach out to the Office of Community Development below.
Subscribe |Contact us Office of Community Development 444 S.5th St., Suite 500 Louisville, KY 40202 502.574.4016 vapstat@louisvilleky.gov www.louisvilleky.gov/vacant
Next Landbank Meeting
July 12th @ 3:00pm via WebEx or the Develop Louisville Facebook page.
|
Thinking about starting college or going back to complete a degree? Jefferson Community and Technical College wants to help NEW students ages 25 or older jump-start their education and COVER TUITION for the upcoming Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. That’s up to 30 credit hours of FREE TUITION!
Interested students must apply to the College and enroll in at least six credit hours. Those eligible will automatically be awarded, no scholarship application is required!
|
|
Learn More!
|
 |
 |
 |
- It was adopted in 1777. Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the American flag on June 14, 1777.
- More stars than stripes. For a while, the U.S. added stripes and stars to the flag when welcoming new states.
- Red, white, and blue. The colors of the flag have important meanings. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
- Maintenance of the flag. If a flag can no longer be used or repaired, it must be destroyed in a respectful manner, such as by burning.
- Sleep-wake schedule. According to Federal flag laws and regulations, the flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset, except during inclement weather.
- The proper way to view a flag on display during a parade or review (except for people in uniform) is by facing the flag with your right hand over your heart, according to Federal flag laws and regulations. The same goes for when you witness the flag being raised or lowered as part of a ceremony.
- Betsy Ross is widely credited with designing the first American flag, but there is almost no evidence to support that claim. It’s true that she sewed a lot of flags. However, the fact that she created the first American flag is supported only by records from her own grandson in 1870, almost 100 years after the flag debuted, when he presented the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with affidavits from his own family members as evidence.
- Old Glory was the nickname of a specific U.S. Flag — that owned by sea captain William Driver. He was given the flag by his mother and other women in his hometown of Salem. He named it Old Glory upon seeing it flying on his ship’s mast in 1831, and continued to display it outside his home. The name later went on to become synonymous with any American flag.
- On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing Flag Day as the anniversary of the Flag Resolution. On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress that designated June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
 |
 |
 |
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Click here to read the Executive Order issued by
Governor Beshear regarding face covering.
To view the Governors most recent updates on click here: https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=641
In August 2016 Louisville Metro Emergency Services teamed up with Bullitt County, Oldham County, and Washington County to create a regional emergency notification system – Louisville Emergency Notification System (LENSAlert). Its enhanced capabilities include using all communications modes to send alerts – mobile phones, landlines, email, text, social media, IPAWS-OPEN. Take another step in being prepared for disasters and sign up for LENSAlert today.
 |
In addition to receiving notifications, individuals can create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household that can include any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When individuals make an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right responders to the right location with the right information. Information about medical history, allergies to medication, number of residents in a home and even a picture of the family dog can all be added to a Safety Profile.
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Smart911
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for Louisville/Jefferson County the week of May 10, 2021:
- There were 666 new cases over the previous week, 1 new death reported
- Hospitalization data:
- 82 patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19, compared to 114 last week
- 28 patients in ICU with COVID-19 as of May 11, compared to 23 the week prior
- 17 COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of May 11, compared to 16 last week
- 689,010 total vaccine doses given in Metro Louisville since December
- 46.8% of Louisville residents have received at least one dose of vaccine and 37.3% have completed the vaccine series
Dr. Sarah Moyer, Louisville’s Chief Health Strategist, said the majority of cases identified last week reported attending events such as weddings, funerals, family and friend gatherings, sporting events, proms, musical performances and travel.
“This is a really good reminder that if you’re not fully vaccinated yet, to please get tested before attending any of these events or traveling,” Dr. Moyer said.
Are you looking for a public place to exchange items you've sold online? Do you share custody of a child and are looking for somewhere to exchange custody?
The Louisville Metro Police Department is providing MetroSWAP Zones outside of some Division offices.
There is 24 hour video surveillance. LMPD recommends:
- Agree to meet the person ONLY at a MetroSWAP station.
- Meet only during daylight hours.
- Tell someone you trust where you are meeting and at what time.
- Meet in the parking lot at two designate areas of each location.
- Make the interaction brief and to the point.
MetroSWAP Zones are at:
|
Visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroPolice/Patrol+Divisions/ to sign up to receive the LMPD’s new crime alert update for your neighborhood. Simply select your LMPD division number and click "Subscribe to Crime Alerts by Beat" to begin receiving the update.
- Division 5, please call dispatch at 502-574-7111
- Division 8, please call dispatch at 502-574-2111
Fifth Division - This division covers the area including the Highlands, Clifton and Cherokee and Seneca Parks.
Eighth Division - This division covers the area including Middletown, Lyndon, Oxmoor and the Ford Truck Plant.
Interactive Crime Mapping
You can now map crime in Louisville using the interactive mapping tool.
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 here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.)
OR access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE
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
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
|
