District 17 Newsletter

Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 10/20/2023 05:25 PM EDT

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October 20, 2023

Friday Thoughts

Happy Friday! I hope this newsletter finds you well. This week I want to focus my comments on issues that I know are important to many of you - LMPD staffing, reducing violent crime, and enforcement of laws generally.

First, I am very happy to report that we are starting to see a stabilization in staffing at LMPD. Over the past year, we have seen the number of recruits continue to increase. At times, however, the departure of existing officers has been a problem meaning overall force size doesn't change much. The good news is that particular trend is starting to shift. According to Chief Gwinn-Villaroel, the attrition number has begun to slow down tremendously. Many factors go into that, I'm sure. From the officers I speak with, though, I hear more and more positive comments about leadership in both the administration and with Chief Gwinn-Villaroel specifically. This surely plays a part in fewer people wanting to leave. While we still have a long way to go, it appears we are moving in the right direction.

Earlier this week, Mayor Greenberg announced his agenda for the upcoming legislative session in Frankfort. While a wide variety of projects and initiatives are mentioned, it is clear improving public safety (with a particular focus on violent crimes) is a top priority. I am hopeful the state legislature, recognizing that a large urban center like Louisville has different challenges than many other municipalities, will partner with us in finding solutions that make sense for our community. 

One of the issues I hear about often from constituents is panhandling. Many of you know that we passed a pedestrian safety ordinance a few years ago that prohibits individuals from approaching vehicles. Part of the challenge with enforcing this ordinance is the requirement that the activity needs to be witnessed by an officer before a citation can be written. As one can imagine, police don't have the time to sit at an intersection for long periods of time. That said, I have spoken with leaders in the 8th Division and believe this is a point of enforcement we'll see more activity on soon.

I think all of these are very positive developments in addressing, if we put them all under the public safety umbrella, an issue that many of us think is the most important in the city.

Finally, I want to touch on yesterday's news from the Ethics Commission. Because this matter may still come before the Metro Council, I'll refrain from adding any sort of commentary or speculation. I do appreciate the many hours spent by commission members evaluating this issue. We take their recommendations very seriously, will review their findings, and then determine appropriate next steps.

As always, please let me know if my office can be of assistance. 

Contact the District 17 Office

Markus Winkler
17th District Councilman
Metro Council President
502.574.1117
Contact Councilman Winkler

Kip Eatherly
Legislative Aide
502.574.3462
Contact Kip

Follow Me on Facebook

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Important Numbers

Animal Services  473-7387
Charmoli NP  574-5787
Codes & Regulations  574-2508
EACM  426-2824
Health & Wellness  574-6520
Jefferson Co. Clerk  574-5700
KY Science Center  561-6100
LG&E  589-1444
LMPD (8th Division)  574-2258
Louisville Water  583-6610
Louisville Zoo  459-2181
Mayor's Office  574-2003
Middletown Library  245-7332
MSD  540-6000
NE Regional Library  394-0379
Parks & Recreation  574-7275
Planning & Design  574-6230
Public Works  574-5810
TARC  585-1234

Coffee With Your Councilman - Monday, October 23

coffee


My next 'Coffee With Your Councilman' will be Monday, October 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the large meeting room of the Northeast Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Circle. If you're not familiar with the format of these meetings, I'll talk for a bit about what's going on in metro government and take time afterwards to answer any concerns or questions you have. 

WHEN: Monday, October 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Northeast Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Circle

If you're unable to make this one, the next opportunity will be Wednesday, November 15 at 10 a.m. in the Sawyer Hayes Community Center where we'll be joined by Mayor Craig Greenberg. I hope to see you at one (or both!) of these upcoming meetings. 

Aiken Road Recycling Location Now Open

recycling

There are ten recycling bins like these at the new location.


I am pleased to announce that the new recycling center at 13312 Aiken Road is officially open. This is one of 14 unstaffed locations in Jefferson County managed by Metro Public Works and the Waste Management District. These sites allow you to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic containers, glass bottles/jars, and metal containers. For more information on the kinds of items accepted or a list of all recycling locations, click here. Remember - flatten all cardboard and crush containers when possible to conserve space and help us keep the site clean by picking up any items that accidentally fall on the ground.  
  

District 17 Cleanup Tomorrow!

cleanup

Brightside has provided plenty of t-shirts, bags, and gloves to help with our cleanup.


I wanted to remind everyone that our District 17 Cleanup is tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. We'll meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot (3706 Diann Marie Road) near the intersection of Diann Marie Road and Oscar Road. Our focus will be picking up litter along Chamberlain Lane and Westport Road, though you are welcome to take supplies back to your neighborhood and clean up closer to home if you like. Brightside has been kind enough to provide t-shirts and all the gloves and bags we need. I'll bring some grabbers and maybe even something for breakfast as well! I hope you'll be able to join us.
  

PDS Weekly Activity Report

Every week, Metro Planning and Design Services (PDS) creates a report listing all new land use applications in Jefferson County. These typically include requests for changes in zoning, waivers, conditional use permits, and more. There are no new cases in our district in this week's report, though there are two landscape plans mentioned that are just outside the district. One plan pertains to the Fresh Market coming to the Paddock Shops while the other plan is connected to improvements across the street at Kentucky Country Day School. Please contact the listed case manager with any questions or comments.
   

Foster Parent Informational Meeting

YMCA Foster

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