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Hello Neighbors and Friends,
This is a Metro Council Committee week. Highlights of agenda items include:
1. Labor and Economic Development Committee:
An ordinance amending LMCO Chapter 113 relating to the sale of retail package alcohol on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Under current law, Sunday sales of alcohol don’t begin until 1 p.m. This year, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Sunday. Retailers want to sell alcohol on those days. The last two times this occurred were in 2006 and 2017. The next time will be 2028, although they typically happen every eleven years. The ordinance would allow retail package alcohol licensees to operate from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. on a Sunday when Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Sunday.
2. Budget & Appropriations
An ordinance amending the 6th Round of ARP Funding (Workforce $40 million project) and reallocating the funds. Of the original $40 million appropriation to the Healthcare CEOc, all but one million will be revoked. The redistribution is as follows: $10 million for existing library renovation and expansion projects, $13.25 million for Parks deferred maintenance, and $15.75 million for the Russell Station Technology and Training Center.
Also, as you have heard in the news, the Louisville Metro Ethics Commission, by unanimous vote, found a Louisville Metro Councilman guilty on six of seven ethics charges and recommended he be removed from the Council. The only charge the Commission dismissed was Count 6, or failure to update his financial disclosure statement within thirty days of changing employment because he eventually filed the report after a reporter asked him about it. He was also fined $500 per offense for a total of $3,000. Because many of you have called or emailed me regarding this situation, I am sharing below the seven guilty counts and explaining "next steps."
Count 1: Improperly Soliciting or Accepting Promise of Employment or other Thing of Value
LMCO 21.02(C)
(C) No Metro Officer, members of his or her family, or business organization, nonprofit entity, or labor organization in which such officer has a financial interest or private interest, shall solicit or accept any gift, favor, loan, political contribution, service, economic opportunity, promise of future employment, or other thing of value based upon an understanding, or under circumstances from which it could reasonably be inferred, that the gift, favor, loan, contribution, service, promise, or other thing of value was given or offered:
(1) For the purpose of influencing such officer, directly or indirectly, in the discharge of his/her official duties; or
(2) For the purpose of gaining access to the Metro Officer.
(3) Nothing herein shall be construed to apply to the solicitation or acceptance of contributions to the campaign of announced candidate for elective public office as governed by applicable provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
Count 2: Use of Official Position to Secure Unwarranted Privileges or Advantages
LMCO 21.02(A)
No Metro Officer shall use or attempt to use his or her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages, for himself or herself, members of his or her family or other persons.”
Count 3: Impairment of Objectivity of Independent Judgement as Metro Officer
LMCO 21.02(B)
No Metro Officer shall act in his or her official capacity in any matter where such officer, a member of his or her family, or a business organization in which such officer has a financial interest or private interest that might reasonably be expected to impair his or her objectivity or independence of judgement.”
Count 4: Failure to Disqualify from a Matter Pending Before Metro Council in Which You Had a Private or Financial Interest
LMCO 21.03(F)
Any member of the Metro Council, or the County Attorney, as well as any Metro Officer who derives his or her authority from the Metro Council or from the County Attorney, or a relative of any such person, who has a financial or private interest in any matter pending before the Metro Council shall disclose such financial or private interest on the records of the Metro Council and shall disqualify himself or herself from participating in any debate, vote, or proceeding whatsoever relating thereto, including engaging in any communications with other Metro Council Members regarding said matter. Any matter pertaining to a Metro Officer's budget or the operation of such officer's office, agency or department, including a Metro Officer's salary, shall not be construed as a “private interest”.
Count 5: Failure to Disclose a Financial or Private Interest in a Matter Pending Before Metro Council
LMCO 21.03(F)
Any member of the Metro Council, or the County Attorney, as well as any Metro Officer who derives his or her authority from the Metro Council or from the County Attorney, or a relative of any such person, who has a financial or private interest in any matter pending before the Metro Council shall disclose such financial or private interest on the records of the Metro Council and shall disqualify himself or herself from participating in any debate, vote, or proceeding whatsoever relating thereto, including engaging in any communications with other Metro Council Members regarding said matter. Any matter pertaining to a Metro Officer's budget or the operation of such officer's office, agency or department, including a Metro Officer's salary, shall not be construed as a “private interest”.
Count 6: Failure to Update Financial Disclosure of Metro Officer
LMCO 21.03 (C)(3)
In the event there is a material change regarding any information reported on a financial disclosure statement that has been filed with the Ethics Commission, the Metro Officer or candidate shall, no later than 30 days after becoming aware of the material change, file an amended statement with the Ethics Commission.
Count 7: Use of Official Position to Obtain Unwarranted Privileges or Advantages—Conference Attendance Valued Between $199 and $499
LMCO 21.02(A)
No Metro Officer shall use or attempt to use his or her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages, for himself or herself, members of his or her family or other persons.
What's next?
According to KRS 67C, 143, a five-member Charging Committee may present the Council President with an “intent to charge” statement and the President can then create an Ad-hoc Committee with the purpose of establishing a Council Court. All Metro Council members can sit on the Court and each member (except the accused) has one vote.
KRS 67C,143 provides that removal requires a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of legislative council members. There are 26 members, and 2/3 of 26 is 18. It was announced last Thursday that a Charging Committee has been formed. Details are forthcoming. Stay tuned.
Have a "Boo"tiful Halloween day!
My ordinance to allocate $16,667 for streetlights along Elmwood Ave. (40207), passed unanimously from the Consent Calendar at the October 12th Council meeting. The expense included seven LED light fixtures, a one-time conversion fee of $260, and $161.98 per month for five years (current rate; subject to change per PSC future rate filings and surcharges).
During last week's Council meeting, I contributed $1,000 of the District 7 Neighborhood Development Funds to the Junior Achievement organization. The chart below, created by Junior Achievement, shows the number of schools and children impacted by the program. Our investment in Junior Achievement is worthwhile!
I also contributed $1,000 to a United Way agency partner program called 2Not1. The purpose of 2NOT1 is to promote the safety and well-being of children by implementing strategies to keep fathers involved and families together. The advocacy efforts of 2NOT1 makes them a leading voice in strengthening families by addressing matters that often negatively affect the family unit such as the absence of fathers, the inability to co-parent effectively, unemployment, underemployment, lack of father/child engagement, lack of education, and health disparities.
To learn more about 2Not1, click here: Website.
Also, at last week's Council meeting, I took a point of personal privilege to acknowledge October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Below is a link to the overview of the meeting and a snippet of my recognition.
Click here for an overview of the Council meeting (Louisville Metro Council Meeting Recap 10/26/23: https://youtu.be/MchsjbJcnxY)
To access the complete meeting agenda, click here.
The next Metro Council meeting is Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
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.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
These proceedings can also be viewed live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184, or UVERSE Channel 99, or streamed live from Swagit’s page at https://louisvilleky.new.swagit.com/views/506/ (only when live) and on Facebook on the Louisville Metro Council’s page at https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil (when live and after the meeting).
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Visit GoVote.Ky.gov to see if you are registered to vote and to check your voting location.
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Early Voting with an Excuse: October 25-Nov 1; No Excuse Early Voting: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at various locations in Jefferson County: November 2, 3, and 4; General Election Day: November 7: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm.
For more information about absentee or early voting, click here: https://elections.jeffersoncountyclerk.org/inhouse_absentee/
Notice to voters with disabilities: Questions or concerns about accessibility? Contact Richard Vowels, Jefferson County Board of Elections ADA Coordinator. Send email to ADA@JeffersonCountyClerk.org or call 502.574.6100.
We are happy to share that TARC will offer fare-free rides on Election Day November 7, 2023. This important community service will offer the ability for people to ride to and from the polls or wherever they need to go on Election Day. Learn more by clicking here:
https://www.ridetarc.org/the-transit-authority-of-river.../
Please share!
Bobbie Holsclaw
Jefferson County Clerk
When does daylight saving time end? Here's when to set your clocks back in 2023
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2023/10/17/when-does-daylight-saving-time-end-2023/71216065007/
It's that time of year again when we "fall back" and turn our clocks back one hour. On Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 a.m. local time, our clocks will go back an hour and we will gain an extra hour of sleep, part of the twice-annual time change that affects most, but not all, Americans.
Local “Wreaths Across America” kickoff begins November 1st.with a ceremony to honor veterans and to seek donations for wreaths on veterans’’ graves
Nearly 11,000 holiday wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, December 16.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 1 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: in the parking lot at Brownsboro Hardware & Paint, 4858 Brownsboro Road, across from the New VA Hospital site.
WHY: The goal is to raise funds to place holiday wreaths on all 11,000+ graves at the national cemetery.
BACKGROUND: Wreaths Across America is a national organization with a mission to place holiday wreaths on all veterans’ graves at national cemeteries. More than two million volunteers and supporters in all 50 states will assist at 4,000 other locations, including Zachary Taylor on December 16, 2023.
In Louisville, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery has 11,000+ graves. Support has grown over the last three years, going from 1,400 wreaths supported to over 5,900 last year. However, over 5,000 graves were left unadorned.
This kickoff will serve as a reminder that all people can participate by sponsoring a wreath, and a challenge to all businesses, churches, clubs and organizations to support this cause.
To donate online or volunteer, visit www.LouKYWreaths.org.
Brownsboro Hardware & Paint is also collecting donations at both stores.
Having issues with high grass, illegal parking, street repairs, or other Code Enforcement concerns in the community? Contact 311!
Metro311 Service Request Information
- Submit a Service Request in the online system.
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Only service requests for the past 30 days will be accessible in the system. If you need information on an older request, please call Metro 311 for status.
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To receive email notifications of the status of your service request you must have an account and you must have included your email address when you created your account. You can create a new account and report a new issue.
- Not all issues you put a service request in for require you to login. Some issues may be submitted anonymously, such as reporting a pothole and property maintenance cases, for instance. But having an account will allow you to track the progress and status of the request.
- The outlined or highlighted area on the map indicates the area which is serviced by Louisville Metro Government.
If you do not see a category which corresponds to your issue, please call Metro311 at 311.
For all the details you need regarding the new drivers license please click the link below:
drive.ky.gov | Real ID
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:
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.
District Resource Officers (DRO's)
After more than 3 years the 5th Division is happy to announce we have 2 DRO's! DRO's are the "Jack of all Trades" for the community. They are our problem solvers, ambassadors, community representatives and anything else you can think of. Congratulations to Officers John Keeling and Brad Steller, your 5th Division DRO's.
They can be contacted at the links below.
Officer John Keeling
Officer Brad Steller
Need to dispose of unwanted bulk items? Click the link below for details regarding Pop-Up Drop-Off event dates around Louisville. Click HERE
Accepted Items:
- Up to 3 electronic items (recycled)
- Metal & appliances - no refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers or any items containing Freon (recycled)
- Up to 4 passenger tires (recycled)
- Household recyclables, follow curbside rules (recycled)
- Yard waste, follow curbside rules, wooden pallets (composted)
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Large household items (landfilled)
- Documents for shredding (recycled)
- Prescription medication (disposed properly)
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Stay aware of new development in your area! Sign up for Gov Delivery notifications at:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYLOUISVILLE/subscriber/new
On January 1, 2019, a new Comprehensive Plan, called Plan 2040, went into effect. As a resident of District 7 (or any district in Louisville), it is important to review the Comprehensive Plan if you are interested in development that is proposed for the neighborhood. The Comprehensive Plan is the guidepost for all development, and the Planning Commission must use it as one of the guiding principles and tools for making decisions regarding the approval or denial of a neighborhood development project.
Read The Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040)
The Comprehensive Plan is representative of over 6,000 voices, including Metro staff, an advisory committee, and resident volunteers. The Advisory Committee, made up of diverse representatives from neighborhood and community organizations as well as development and business interests, finalized its recommended goals, objectives, and policies on February 21, 2018.
On April 16, 2018, the Planning Commission recommended the Comprehensive Plan for approval. The document was then reviewed by the Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. Those 12 local municipalities are: Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews, and St. Regis Park.
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.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Below to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc.
Click here for more info.
Click below to read the social media policy of the Louisville Metro Council:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/louisville-metro-council-social-media-public-comment-policy.
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 Contact Us prior to the event.
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