|
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
I took a break last week from issuing an eNewsletter when the Metro Council adjourned for a one-week fall break, but I didn't stop working. Instead, I focused on reading the hundreds of emails I receive in a week's time and responding accordingly. Quite a bit has been going on, so let's get right to it.
As you may have heard, the VA Medical Center has suspended blasting operations. I received the following notice from the Corps of Engineers overseeing the project:
In the interest of public safety, blasting on the site of the Louisville VA Medical Center has been suspended indefinitely following an unforeseen incident at the construction site today. During the blasting as part of earthwork on the site, fragments of sediment and rock landed on I-264, “Watterson Expressway,” and onto adjacent properties causing damage. There were no injuries reported and local law enforcement responded.
Work was halted immediately and further investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. Construction activities will resume tomorrow, but all blasting activities will remain suspended. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the prime contractor, Walsh-Turner Joint Venture II, and the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals will continue to investigate the matter and there will be no further blasting until the government is confident that appropriate safety measures are in place. Public safety remains our number one priority.
Anyone who feels they may have incurred damage due to the incident today should contact USACE Public Affairs by emailing LOUVAMCconstruction@usace.army.mil.
Also, did you know that, thanks to redistricting, District 7 is now the home of the infamous Topgolf Entertainment Center in Oxmoor Center? Well, it sure is, and owners are planning to open before Thanksgiving. The three-story golf-entertainment complex is preparing for players, parties and even pop-ups in Louisville, and they have also been actively recruiting employees. At last reporting, 500 staff members will be hired prior to the opening.
To apply for a job at Topgolf, click here.
Click here to learn about the Topgolf experience: The Topgolf Experience | Topgolf
Here are a few pictures I've taken over the weeks as they progressed along:
 |
 |
 |
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is installing safety improvements on Herr Lane. This work is being funded with Metro monies, with assistance from my District 7 office. If Louisville Metro or my office didn't fund this project, it would not be scheduled to be done for many years, and that would depend on whether or not it were included in the KYTC 6-Year Plan.
The project will install a non-mountable median in Herr Lane that will block access to/from Westport to/from Westmar Terrace and Sir Valiant and make both locations RIGHT IN and RIGHT OUT. Persons wishing to go left from Sir Valiant or Westmar Terrace will need to exit their facilities further to the south. For Westport Gardens, left turns will be via the Westlynne Way intersection and for Westport Village Patrons, they will have to travel to the exit near Norton Immediate Care. These will also be the same locations for residents. Drivers on SB Herr or EB Westport who wish to access the Funeral Home, Taco Bell or other areas along Sir Valiant, will need to travel to Lyndon Lane and turn in by Speedway.
|
The purpose of the median is to remove the conflict of turning traffic with the mainline traffic, which leads often to collisions. In addition, the installation of the median will allow us to extend the left bound from NB Herr to WB Westport. This will reduce delays at the intersection and allow us to pass more cars through the left turn phase of the signal with less potential for left turn traffic blocking the NB through traffic. Lastly, with the nearby entrances from both facilities, resident and customers will enter the NB traffic further from the signal which will allow them to get in the proper lane without potentially blocking traffic.
This is just another example of YOUR TAX DOLLARS being put to good use and providing safety measures that are good for our community.
|
Mayor and Select Council members announce recipients of American Rescue Plan funding for permanent supportive housing initiatives
LOUISVILLE (September 28, 2022) — Mayor Greg Fischer and Metro Council members today announced the city is in contract negotiations to devote about $32 million of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars to five community organizations for permanent supportive housing projects, providing help to vulnerable people not only with more stable housing, but also more opportunities for stability and productivity in their lives.
The $32 million funding allocation was approved by Metro Council in November 2021 through Ordinance 168.
“Like other cities across our nation, Louisville has faced and is facing a critical challenge in addressing the needs of those with no stable housing, and we are committed to finding an array of options for them,” the Mayor said. “It’s vital that we invest in both housing and support services for our most vulnerable residents and their families, those with disabilities who also are houseless.
“I’m especially thankful to Metro Council members Bill Hollander, Paula McCraney, Jecorey Arthur and Scott Reed for their leadership in this area, and to our dedicated, compassionate community partners who are working every day to create solutions that help people. I’d also again like to thank President Biden and Congress for recognizing the need to fund transformative projects in our communities following the historic disruptions caused by COVID-19.”
The project proposals that the city is in negotiations on are:
- John’s Center for the Homeless: $17.5 million for permanent supportive housing;
- Volunteers of America: $4.5 million for 18 units of permanent supportive housing that will be part of a development with 62 affordable housing units;
- Wellspring: $3.3 million to purchase and remodel units for permanent supportive housing;
- House of Ruth: $6.5 million for 40 units of permanent supportive housing;
- Choices: $120,000, for one house for permanent supportive housing.
“The solution to homelessness is housing,” said Councilman Hollander, D-9. “Many people who are living on our streets also need supportive services to get back on their feet. Housing and those services are what these units will provide. Today’s announcement is a critical step toward seeing that every Louisvillian has a safe, decent and affordable place to live.”
"All citizens should have access to safe and stable housing. The reality, however, is that some of our most vulnerable neighbors struggle to find and maintain stable homes. I was honored to work on the ARP task force that made this round of funding possible to help homeless individuals find and remain in long-term housing while receiving multi-disciplinary care. This ARP work is an example of what government is at its best," said Councilwoman McCraney D-7.
In all, Louisville Metro Government (LMG) was allocated $388 million in ARP Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, approved by Congress to meet the most urgent needs of communities across the country as they rebuild from the devastating impact of the pandemic.
This is the fifth round of ARP spending by Mayor Fischer and Metro Council – and is based on priority areas that the Mayor and Metro Council agreed on for the federal funding: Public Safety; Public Health; Homelessness and Affordable Housing; Workforce Development; and Healthy Louisville/Healthy Neighborhoods.
The first round of spending went to COVID-related emergency needs, including $45.2 million for Public Health and eviction prevention, and was approved by Metro Council in June 2021. The second round, approved by Council in November 2021, focused on critical initiatives to address public safety challenges and homelessness, build more affordable housing for the community, continue to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognize the efforts of public employees.
A third round, approved as part of the year-end budget adjustments in December 2021, included hiring incentives for the city’s public safety agencies. In June 2022, the Mayor signed a fourth round designating $79 million for health and lifelong learning initiatives.
There is approximately $58 million in remaining ARP funds to be allocated.
Metro Council was on fall break last week, so the last Council meeting we had was pretty non-eventful. In fact, the meeting adjourned within an unprecedented hour. Besides approving a few board appointments and sidewalk funded projects, the last Committee meeting before the break produced included conversations on the following proposed legislation:
1. An ordinance creating a new section to LMCO Chapter 153 regarding the processing of applications for zoning map amendments if there are delinquent taxes or valid liens held by Louisville Metro Government that are unpaid. The ordinance provides that an application for a change in zoning form and/or district will not be processed by the Planning Commission if there is a valid lien on the property, or the property owner or applicant is delinquent in paying taxes due to Metro, or the applicant is subject to a valid lien by Metro. The preamble to the ordinance notes that Metro already has a similar requirement with respect to licenses to sell alcoholic beverages (as set forth in LMCO § 113.17) and other cities such as Nashville, TN, Sioux City, IA, Austin, TX, and Milwaukee.
2. An ordinance creating a new section in LMCO 153 related to evidence and basis for decisions of the legislative council in zoning cases. This would establish that “Council decisions on zoning matters shall be based on (i) the Planning Commission public record…and (ii) any additional public hearings held by Council.” It states that “If an ex parte communication with an interested party occurs, the council member must make a disclosure prior to Council taking final action on the zoning matter…” The disclosure shall contain the person, group, or entity with whom the communication took place, the date(s) of the communications, and the substance of the ex parte communications. It can be verbal or written and exempts members who receive communications but do not respond in a substantive way...
3. A resolution requesting the Planning Commission to review the Land Development Code and LMCO Chapter 115 as it relates to short-term rentals. The resolution requests the PC to allow for situations where an owner in a primary structure or unit, may use their other unit by right rather than obtaining a CUP. It also asks for them to explore incentives and penalties for non-registrants, and automatic revocation hearings triggered by a certain number or type of violation.
4. An ordinance amending the LMCO Chapter 119 regarding the registration of rental housing units. The proposed ordinance includes minor changes to certain definitions, a more robust registration process, and inspection provisions for rental housing units.
5. An ordinance amending LMCO Chapter 119 and creating LMCO Chapter 167, requiring lead abatement of all rental housing units. Chapter 167 would create a lead abatement program applicable to all rental housing units in Louisville Metro built before 1978.
6. A resolution in support of better public housing management and maintenance. It states the Council’s intention to request that Louisville Metro Housing Authority terminate its current contract with The CT Group, LLC or CT Associates, Inc. at the earliest lawful opportunity. The president of the company, Charles Tini, has served in that role since they incorporated in 1995. C-J article LEO article Will be heard on October 19th.
7. There shall be two classifications of property for determination of storm drainage
service charges as follows:
(A) Class A - One and two family residential properties and single unit
condominiums.
(B) Class B - Multi-family (three families or more) residential property, multiple unit
condominiums, and non-residential property.
8. $9,050 was appropriated from Neighborhood Development Funds in the following manner: $2,000 each from Districts 7 and 8; $1,000 each from Districts 4 and 5; $500 each from Districts 1, 13, 15, 17, and 25; $300 from District 23; and $250 from District 10; through the Office of Management and Budget, to Dress for Success Louisville, Inc. to provide funding to assist with operating costs and the purchase and maintenance of a van for its mobile career development outreach program.
9. An ordinance amending LMCO Chapter 131 relating to camping on Metro property, camping in Metro Parks, and obstructing sidewalks and public ways. This ordinance includes many changes like defining camps as any public property where one or more persons are camping and forbids camping on public property for more than 12 consecutive hours or between sundown and sunrise.
10. A resolution advocating for voting services for those incarcerated. The resolution asks Corrections and the Jefferson County Board of Elections to ensure incarcerated people are educated on voting rights restoration, assistance with voter registration and obtaining identification, and establishing a no-excuse in-person absentee voting ballot drop box at the jail.
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council’s Committee meetings click HERE.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click here: Metro Council Meetings
Learn how to watch and participate online at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings
To view documents related to this proposal, please visit https://aca-prod.accela.com/LJCMG
Or Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services (Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) 444 S. 5th Street, 3rd Floor, Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 574-6230
Or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design for
• More information on zoning processes
• Public comment opportunities
• Applications for a petition for a night hearing, including procedures to change the time and/or location of a public hearing to 6:00 pm or later downtown, or to a convenient location.
• Visit https://louisville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for meeting agenda and staff report
22-ZONE-0086
Louisville Metro Government - File #: 22-ZONE-0086 (legistar.com)
and
22-ZONE-0086
Louisville Metro Government - File #: 22-ZONE-0061 (legistar.com)
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings
Learn how to watch and participate online at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings
To view documents related to this proposal, please visit https://aca-prod.accela.com/LJCMG
or: Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services (Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) 444 S. 5th Street, 3rd Floor, Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 574-6230 or:
Visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design for:
- More information on zoning processes • Public comment opportunities • Applications for a petition for a night hearing, including procedures to change the time and/or location of a public hearing to 6:00 pm or later downtown, or to a convenient location. • Visit https://louisville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for meeting agenda and staff report
Drone view of the construction site of the new Louisville VA Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 24, 2022.
To read about the most recent VA Medical Center construction events, go to:
https://www.va.gov/louisville-health-care/programs/new-robley-rex-va-medical-center
To request weekly updates about the construction events, send an email requesting updates to: LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
For ALL construction-related inquiries, please email LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
Check us out on social media:
The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN) would like to invite you to be a part of the next One Love Louisville Ambassador Training Saturday October 15, 2022. This is an opportunity for citizens to help us create a safer Louisville through safe and effective interventions taught by experts in Stop the Bleed, Conflict Resolution, Mental Health 101, Domestic Violence Awareness, The Public Health Approach to Violence, and Community Organizing.
Join us on Saturday October 15, 2022 at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA. This will be an in-person event, and food and refreshments will be served!
Contact jacob.hazel@louisvilleky.gov for questions.
|
Have questions? Call the Kentucky Monkeypox Hotline at 844-520-6670.
Generosity Is The Best Investment! - Click Here to Donate!
Can you figure out this math puzzle? If not, see answer at the bottom of this page.
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.
Message from the LMPD 8th Division
Please make note of the below tips to help make sure theft doesn't happen to you.
- Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
- Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
- Always lock your vehicle doors.
- Remove garage door openers from vehicles when parked outside.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, this includes key-fobs.
- Do not leave the windows of your vehicle open, or partially open.
- Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
- Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
- Immediately report any suspicious person, or vehicle to (502) 574-7111.
Louisville COVID-19 case counts are holding steady at the red-alert level. Health experts recommend people living in high community-level counties to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for this week:
- Daily average incidence rate of 56.1 cases per 100,000 population
- Weekly incidence rate of 376.79 cases per 100,000 population
- 3,013 new cases reported over the previous week
- 1 newly reported death
-
4.4% staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
-
5.9% staffed ICU beds are in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
- 47.6 of those fully vaccinated have received a booster dose
- Wastewater testing data shows the BA.5 variant to be the dominant variant.
Need help finding a COVID test or vaccination location? Have you tested positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do? Call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline, 502-912-8598, available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Language translation services are available.
Subscribe to Louisville Metro's Covid-19 e-newsletter for the latest news!
Monkeypox tends to spread through close contact with someone who is infected with the virus. It can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact and intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex. The virus can also be spread through materials, like bedding, that has previously touched an infectious rash or bodily fluids. Click here for more information: monkeypox
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council’s Committee meetings click here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
District 7 Disclaimer: By taking part in District 7 events, you grant Councilwoman Paula McCraney full rights to use the images resulting from photograph/video filming. Councilwoman McCraney will have the right to any reproductions or adaptations of the images for inclusion in her e-Newsletter or other Council publications. This might include, but is not limited to, the right to use them in printed and online materials, social media and news releases.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please email the District 7 office at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov prior to event attendance.
|
