Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Peace. We're getting close to finalizing our city budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. You have less than 48 hours left use the budget comment form to tell us what you think about the mayor's proposed budget: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/z1d6ky3v1eq239k/. The deadline is this Friday, June 9th at Noon.

These comments go to Metro Council. Some comments so far from District 4 constituents include:

• "Please consider funding [the] KMAC poetry slam."
• "I'm reaching out to ask for more funds to be allocated in the budget for eviction prevention... Additionally, this city desperately needs more funding allocated to emergency shelter and affordable housing."
• "I think it's crucial that we allocate at least $10-15 million annually to reverse the harm caused by our racist system, which strips away health, wealth, and opportunities from our Black and Brown residents. The Change Today, Change Tomorrow Food4Change app and other organizations like FIN, farmers, and businesses have a comprehensive plan to create good jobs and build wealth, and we need to support them."
• "$25M for LAHTF, all below 30% ami... Attach fair leases to all LAHTF contracts."
• "As a resident of Jefferson County, I value our natural resources. The Mayor’s administration left out critical funding for the Soil and Water Conservation District. I call on Metro Council to be an ally in defending our environment by funding the SWCD."
• "However, I ask that you follow up on your historic investment in housing through ARP funds last year and boldly prioritize local funding to fight and end homelessness in our city, too."

When you look at the Recommended Executive Budget, here are some proposals for District 4:

• $100,000 in capital infrastructure funds
• $750,000 Center for African American Heritage repairs
• $1 million Corrections repairs
• $5 million Simmons College Athletic and Community Center
• $2 million Central Business District streelights
• $300,000 Central Business District and adjacent neighborhood garbage cans
• $4,800,00 ($3.8 million from federal grant) Central Business District traffic signal rebuilds
• $23.7 million ($21.7 million from federal grant) River Road widening 
• $9.6 million ($8.7 from federal grant) East Market streetscape
• $1.9 million ($1.7 from federal grant) Main and Story Intersection
• $2.3 ($2.2 from federal grant) River Road multi-modal improvements 
• $12 million ($9.6 from federal grant) River Road extension 
• $382,000 ($312,000 from federal grant) Central Business District traffic signals
• $2,000,000 Preston Corridor Plan
• $1.7 million Lou Med Medical District 
• $1.4 million Lou Med correction center demo
• $2.5 million Metro Hall improvements
• $150,000 Belvedere master planning 
• $100,00 Belvedere K&I Planning
• $8 million Downtown Revitalization Fund
• $750,000 Russell Neighborhood Develop Louisville Commitment
• $6 million Grocery Store Subsidies 
• $2 million Goodwill Opportunity Campus 
• $1 million Muhammad Ali Center improvements
• $550,000 Mary Mill Dock Project
• $475,000 Broaddus Restoration 

Some main budget priorities that we're working on are:

• financial assistant programs
• affordable housing
• new shelter
• youth programs
• senior programs
• libraries
• infrastructure (sidewalks, roads, alleys, and lights, etc)
• sustainability 
• parks and recreation
• vacant and abandoned properties

Councilman Jecorey Arthur
Louisville Metro Council District 4
601 West Jefferson Street｜Louisville, KY 40202
P: (502)574-1104 

CIVICS

Neighborhood Advisory Board

The District 4 Neighborhood Advisory Board will not meet for the month of June. To learn more go here.

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.

District 4 Tele-Town Hall

Tuesday, June 20th 6:00-7:00 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.

Legislation

1. 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. To show support, sign the petition here. It was assigned to the Planning and Zoning Committee and will be on hold until further notice.
2. 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 Louisville Forward, local unions, and several neighborhoods on this.
3. Gun Buyback Ordinance — This ordinance will start a pilot program where Louisvillians can sell guns to Louisville Metro Government to be destroyed.
4. Right to Shelter Ordinance — This will create more shelter space for people experiencing houselessness. To show support, sign the petition here.
5. Short Term Rental Moratorium — This ordinance will pause new short term rental registrations and permits in Louisville. It passed the Planning and Zoning Committee but will be held at the next Council meeting.
6. FY24 District 4 Sidewalk Repairs — There will be several sidewalks getting approved for repair funding in the next couple months.
7. Short-Term Rental Ordinance — This ordinance will update rules about short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc). To review the suggested changes and give feedback please go here.
8. JCPS Start Smart Start Times Resolution — This resolution requests Metro Government supervisors to accommodate employees with children enrolled in JCPS because of their new start times.

Some of the legislation above is drafted but may not have been filed. We welcome input from constituents, experts, and stakeholders. To learn more about what's coming up on Metro Council please go here.

CITY

Air Quality Alert issued for Thursday, June 8

An Air Quality Alert has been issued in Louisville for Thursday, June 8. Fine particle pollution is forecast to be at levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups due to smoke impacts from wildfires in Canada.

Sensitive groups include children, older adults, those with lung and heart disease, and any other residents that are active outdoors. Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, and do less intense activities. Others are less likely to be affected, but should also be aware of symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or other respiratory issues.  

Mayor Greenberg Announces $4.6 Million in Grants for Early Learning

Standing at the Southwest Branch of the YMCA of Greater Louisville with educators and advocates from every corner of the community, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced on Tuesday the approval of $4.6 million in grants to boost early learning. The funds, made possible through the American Rescue Plan, will help ensure school readiness, assist parents with their child’s education, expand access to educational therapies, provide free books, build natural play areas and more to enhance school readiness and future academic success. To learn more, click here.

Join Councilwoman McCraney for the Kentucky Opera Amplify Songs of Justice Celebration

This year’s Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration kicks off with the Kentucky Opera Amplify Songs of Justice performance on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Join Majority Caucus Chair, Metro Council District 7 Representative, Juneteenth Jubilee Commissioner, and lyricist, Councilwoman Paula McCraney, for a night to remember. 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.

COMMUNITY

CAREERS

Downtown Louisville Job Fair | June 12th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA), in partnership with Louisville Downtown Partnership and Greater Louisville, Inc., is hosting a job fair to provide support in the ongoing efforts to bolster the revitalization of downtown Louisville.

As a key driver of downtown Louisville economic and cultural activity, KPA is helping neighboring businesses to attract workers. The event provides a much needed shot in the arm for employers, helping them to then serve more customers and increase foot traffic to re-invigorate the downtown economy, business district and the heart of our city.

The job fair is free and open to all. Appointments are not required. KPA will provide free parking in The Kentucky Center parking garage, located on 6th street between Main Street and River Road. Free parking available on first-come, first serve basis.

Participating employers and organizations include:

• Kentucky Performing Arts
• TARC
• Norton Healthcare
• Kiddie Academy
• BJB Restoration
• Work Architecture and Design
• LMPD
• KentuckianaWorks
• Junior Achievement
• Salvation Army
• Home of the Innocents
• Go Job
• Derby City Gaming

501 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202

Louisville Metro Government 

KentuckianaWorks 

Jefferson County Public Schools

Kentucky Career Center