|
“In order to see where we are going, we not only must remember where we have been, but we must understand where we have been.”
— Ella Baker
Councilman Jecorey Arthur
Louisville Metro Council District 4
601 West Jefferson Street｜Louisville, KY 40202
P: (502)574-1104
Neighborhood Advisory Board
Councilman Jecorey Arthur has started a District 4 Neighborhood Advisory Board. To apply go here. The 2023 members will be selected by Friday, December 30th at 5:00 PM.
Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission
During the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly Session, House Bill 314 was passed, changing how Louisville Metro Government works. This bill also created a commission to study the "accomplishments and insufficiencies" of our local government. Councilman Jecorey Arthur was appointed to the commission along with other local and state officials. The commission will be meeting every second Friday at 3:00 PM to make a report due to the state by September 15th 2023. All meetings are open to the public in City Hall. Our office will be organizing an informational meeting about the commission soon.
District 4 Monthly Round Table
Tuesday, December 20th 6-7 PM
Video-In: https://louisvilleky.webex.com/meet/D4
Phone-In: (415)655-0001
Access Code: 180-005-6522 #
Stream: facebook.com/loudistrict4
Note: You do not need to download WebEx to join by video on a computer. Once you press 'cancel' on the link's popup there is an option to join by browser at the bottom of the screen.
Camping Ordinance Amendments
Some amendments to the Louisville Metro camping ordinance were introduced that would criminalize homelessness. Councilman Arthur has been fighting these changes along with dozens of community partners. To view the proposed amendments and revisions go here.
Legislation
- Gun Buyback Ordinance — This ordinance will start a pilot program where Louisvillians can sell guns to Louisville Metro Government to be destroyed. The District 4 office is working with the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, LMPD, and other advocacy groups on this effort.
- Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance — This ordinance will help prevent displacement by creating a displacement index to be used for new city-supported developments in select neighborhoods. A new draft is being finished now.
- Industrial Revenue Bonds Ordinance(s) — These ordinances will approve Louisville Metro Government being the conduit for bonds for proposed developments at 930 Lampton St (Ferncliff Distillery) and 827 Logan St (Trellis Brewing). The District 4 office is working with the Smoketown Neighborhood Association and Smoketown Originals on community benefits agreements to be executed with the ordinances. A draft can be viewed here.
- Community Benefits Ordinance — This ordinance will require developers to execute community benefits agreements with neighborhoods prior to the approval of financial incentives such as tax increment financing (TIF) or industrial revenue bonds (IRB). The District 4 office is working with Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey, Louisville Forward, local unions, and several neighborhoods on this.
- Capital Infrastructure Fund (CIF) Trees — This ordinance will allocate approximately $25,000 or less to help increase the tree canopy in District 4.
- Rental Registry Ordinance — An ordinance regarding the registration of rental housing to include and assign the director of the Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations further administration and enforcement duties regarding the registry of rental housing units. This passed committee with approval.
- Dream Hotel Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Ordinance — This hotel developer has asked District 4 to sponsor an ordinance offering them a tax break to finish funding their project. The District 4 office worked with the Downtown Residents Association on a community benefits agreement that included a $16 floor wage, a food and furniture bank, community meeting space, emergency shelter, and more. This passed committee with approval.
- American Rescue Plan Amendments — This ordinance will move some unspent funding including $300,000 for emergency shelter. This passed committee with approval.
- Drescher Bridge Brightside Park Lighting Capital Infrastructure Fund (CIF) Grant — This $2,033.40 grant will help with lighting needs.
- Hale Avenue Sidewalk Capital Infrastructure Fund (CIF) Grant — This $1,000 grant will help repair a damaged sidewalk.
- Office of Inspector General Ordinance — This amendment will clarify how the office can investigate the Louisville Metro Police Department.
- Parks For All Resolution — This resolution will support implementation of the parks action plan. This passed committee with approval.
- Sexual Harassment Ordinance — This amendment will prohibit organizations who recieve incentives, benefits, or contracts from Metro Government from entering into certain types of non-disclousure agreements.
Some of the legislation above is drafted but may not have been filed. All our sponsored and co-sponsored legislation can be viewed here. We welcome input from constituents, experts, and stakeholders.
Is Your Rent Too High? | Louisville Tenants Union
June 2022 saw the biggest one-month increase in rents since 1986. Nationally, median rent is over $2000 for the first time ever. This is the largest increase in rents since 1986. Rent inflation is a national emergency and we need the President to take swift and bold action by the end of the year. Housing costs are American households’ biggest monthly expense, and rents are a major driver of core inflation.
If your rent has been hiked or you're worried it will be soon, you can share your story at ppls.ac/story or call 202-670-4290 and leave a voicemail.
HVAC - Code Change Starting January 1st, 2023!
To learn more, click here.
Louisville Parks and Recreation Community Centers Offering Free Winter Break Camps and Programming
Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering free camps and programming for young people throughout the community during the Jefferson County Public School winter break (December 19-January 2).
The camps, offered at 12 community centers throughout the city, will provide opportunities for youth of various age groups to play sports, craft, make new friends and more. To learn more, click here.
APCD Notice of Public Hearing
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing, via Video Teleconference, on an Agreed Board Order with DuPont Specialty Products USA, LLC. DuPont is alleged to have violated District Regulation 2.16 (Title V Operating Permits). To learn more, click here.
Solar Over Louisville Ranked the Third Largest Solarize Campaign in the U.S. In 2022; Program Will Relaunch in 2023
The Solar Over Louisville solarize campaign, a partnership between Louisville Metro Government and the Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC), was an overwhelming success in 2022. In total, 92 property owners signed contracts to install solar panels on their homes and small businesses, making it the largest solar project in Louisville and the third largest solarize campaign in the country this year. To learn more, click here.
Democratic Caucus Will Meet on Thursday, December 15
The Democratic Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council will meet on Thursday, December 15, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room, Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street.
The meeting is open to the public. The public may enter City Hall using the Sixth Street entrance. Anyone needing assistance may enter City Hall from the Jefferson Street entrance. To learn more, click here.
Minority Caucus to Meet Thursday, December 15, 2022
The Minority Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council will meet at its normally scheduled day and time of 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022, from the 2nd floor Caucus Room within City Hall (601 W. Jefferson Street). During the meeting members of the Minority Caucus will review upcoming items on the evening’s Metro Council agenda. The Minority Caucus holds its regular meetings at 4pm of the same day as meetings of the Louisville Metro Council.. The December 15, 2022 Caucus Meeting will be the final scheduled meeting for 2022.
The Minority Caucus will begin meeting in 2023 on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 3pm. During that meeting, members of the caucus will elect a chair and vice chair for the caucus for calendar year.
Special VAPStat Joint Meeting To Be Held
The Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency of Louisville will hold a special meeting on Monday, December 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
The Special VAPStat Joint Meeting is open to the public and those interested in participating can attend the meeting in the Auditorium of the Old Jail Building, at 514 West Liberty Street, or remotely pursuant to KRS 61.826. To learn more, click here.
Louisville Metro Government Signs Letter of Intent to Redevelop the Iconic Louisville Gardens Building
Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has signed a letter of intent with River City Entertainment Group, LLC to explore the transformation of the Louisville Gardens building into sound stages for music, film and digital production, a move that will bolster the city’s work to attract productions to Louisville. To learn more, click here.
Legal Aid Society Guide to Protections Against Landlord Discrimination
Please view the short legal guide to protections against landlord discrimination based on lawful source of income. To learn more, click here.
Land Development Code Reform
The Land Development Code (LDC) is a set of rules and laws that defines how land can be used, how a development such as a new shopping mall or apartment must be designed, and the procedures for approval. The LDC Reform is an equity focused approach to revise the LDC consistently with Plan 2040 to allow for increased housing choices and opportunities in new and existing neighborhoods, to create procedures and regulations that are easier to use, and increase the quality of life by reducing the concentration of environmental hazards near housing.
Work to reform the LDC began in the summer of 2020. Initial recommendations, including accessory dwelling units, notification procedures, and urban agriculture were all adopted within the first year. The work continues and we encourage you to participate!
To learn about the currently proposed amendments to the LDC, please click HERE to view the content or copy the following link into the address bar of your web browser: https://arcg.is/05LCLX0.
Please contact Joel Dock, Planning Coordinator at 502-574-5860 or send an email to ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov with any questions or comments.
Louisville Free Public Library
POLAR EXPRESS PAJAMA PARTY Friday, December 16, 6-8 p.m. • Southwest Regional
The Polar Express Pajama Party is back as a walk-through, family-friendly event! This after-hours “train ride” will include stations along a “track” throughout the library, including a cookie and hot chocolate pit stop; a craft station; and a book giveaway for kids of all ages! Special appearances by Mrs. Claus, the Polar Express conductor, and the North Pole elves!
|
