Ben's Pen March 2024

As the sun begins shining more regularly and the weather is less relentlessly cold, it is fun to see the neighborhood come alive with blossoms, activities, and events.  We had a ball at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the taste of the Highlands, the Cherokee Triangle Neighborhood Association Winter Potluck, and so many others.  In the less than a year I’ve been in office, I have attended more than 60 neighborhood association meetings, home rule city meetings, and community events. With all the serious work we have continued to do to address issues of public safety, housing, noise, constituent services, walkability, parks, etc.,  it is nice to be able to do some fun stuff as well.  In that spirit, I would like to extend a welcome to the newest D8 resident, Pony Parker (pictured here with my kids). This newsletter is an attempt to communicate some of what we are doing in the community, but as always we are happy to communicate with you about specific issues – and we typically respond within 48 hours (often sooner).  Government is not a spectator sport, and we are grateful to those of you who continue to serve as our eyes and ears to continue to keep D8 the best district in the city.   Ben

Ben in the Wild: CM Reno-Weber Around D8

February Community Meeting Last month, we laced up our skates and took our community meeting to the ice at Alpine on Gardiner Lane, marking a unique blend of family fun and civic engagement. Alongside the thrill of skating, we delved into pressing district matters, combining fun with addressing community needs (fortunately we did not combine ice and speed bumps). Addressing Community Concerns & Fostering New Ideas: - Motorcycle Management: For the first time in several years, our district boasts a dedicated traffic officer, a crucial step towards enhancing public safety. We are looking forward to increased noise enforcement, random DUI stops, and going after drag racing. - Litter and Garbage: At the meeting, the distinction between dumping and littering was clarified. While the city can assist with dumping issues, the responsibility for managing litter falls to us. We'll be organizing clean-up dates (first one is April 13th - stay tuned for details) and encouraging volunteer participation. - Enhancing Local Aesthetics: One attendee has generously volunteered to spearhead a mural committee, continuing to beautify our district with vibrant art as soon as funds become available in July. This initiative will not only enhance our neighborhood's visual appeal but also foster a sense of community and pride. - Welcoming New Neighbors: In partnership with neighborhood associations and the Highlands Commerce Guild (HCG), we will be developing "new neighbor" welcome packets, inspired by the UHNA's example. This initiative aims to foster a sense of belonging and community among new residents, ensuring they feel connected and informed from the start. Our office has several action items, including evaluating and improving signage at several locations in the neighborhood and advocating for a no U-turn sign on northbound Bardstown Road to improve traffic flow and safety. We're also exploring the establishment of a "Civic Health Ambassadors" program to educate our younger residents on the importance of civic responsibility, including litter prevention. Looking Ahead: We were thrilled to see so many of you join us, embracing the chance to mix a fun outing with meaningful conversation. The dad joke of the meeting, "Why did the Zamboni break up with the ice? Because it found someone smoother!" brought smiles, reminding us that laughter is a vital part of our community fabric. Your engagement and feedback are the bedrock of our efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant District 8. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to addressing your concerns, celebrating our community's successes, and working collaboratively to overcome challenges. Thank you for making our February community meeting a memorable one. Let's continue to skate together towards a brighter future for District 8.

My TARC Journies I often take my local TARC route to work. Whether that's to UofL or the Louisville Metro Hall, I am thankful that I have a pretty direct route to the most important locations of my day- and for TARC's new e-scooter policy.

Cafe Louie: Celebrating Our Libraries and Communities Last month’s Cafe Louie at the Highlands-Shelby Park Library was a testament to the vibrant spirit of District 8. It was a joy to see a packed house engaged in lively discussion about upcoming state legislation and its local impact. This month, we shifted the venue to the Bon Air Library, delving into crucial conversations on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and Gun Safety. These gatherings underscore the critical role our public libraries play as communal hubs for dialogue, learning, and engagement. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, especially our public libraries, for fostering these enriching community conversations.

Have You Registered to Vote?

The 2024 Primary Election is May 21, 2024.

The registration deadline for the 2024 Primary Election is April 22, 2024 4:00 p.m. local time.

If you were not registered on or before this date, you are not eligible to request an absentee ballot or vote in person during the Election. To learn more about your registration status please visit this link!

D8 Works: Turning Concerns into Action

Each month, we shine a light on the meaningful ways our office partners with residents to enhance the quality of life in our community. In this edition of "D8 Works," we share two stories that underscore the value of attentive governance and community responsiveness.

One resident emailed our office to take care of a sink hole and some sewage issues. We were able to bring both of these issues to the forefront and get them both taken care of within a few days. Thank you MSD for handling both the pothole and sewer issues within the same day (which happened to be her birthday)!

Another resident e-mailed us because a metal plate was placed in front of her home without explanation, creating loud disturbances every night as vehicles passed over it. Our team sprung into action, navigating through municipal departments to trace the origins of this plate, and ultimately getting a combination of MSD and Public Works to fill the hole promptly and remove the plate.

Your concerns are our concerns. If there are issues in our community that you believe our office can help address, we are here to listen and act. Reach out to us anytime by clicking here.

What's Bubbling Up?

Events & Opportunities to Engage

Safari EGGventure

EGGsplore your Zoo again this spring with a EGGcelent scavenger hunt game that allows you to dive deep into the Zoo while searching for hidden zoo-themed eggs, answering trivia questions and competing in some EGGstra special challenges.

Experience the fun March 16-April 7. You can play for fun or compete to win EGGciting prizes like a Zoo membership, Wild Lights ticket pack, plush animals and more! Safari EGGventure is FREE with Zoo admission or membership.

For more information click here.

Mind Body Wellness at Louisville Free Public Library

The Louisville Public Library is excited to bring back this programming for a second year and expand to ten locations! Mental Health Lou aims to develop more preventative, education-based mental health care in Louisville and we love that they are utilizing community spaces as hubs for this information.

The goals: 

1. Help people find providers and local resources (at no cost to them)

2. Develop educational outreach and engagement for schools, businesses, and other community organizations - these include workshops (eg Mind Body Wellness), online training courses (eg Canopy) and community mental health fairs (Mindfest). 

3. Create and maintain a community database*, in collaboration with LMPHW to help track trends of mental health needs across our city based on zip code.

If you are interested in learning more, contact  amanda@mentalhealthlou.com.

*no personal data will be shared. 

City Announcements

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, Louisville Metro Emergency Services announced it has added a new tool to its emergency response fleet. The new “Rapid Deployable Siren” was successfully tested early March during the annual Statewide Tornado Drill. The new outdoor siren is portable and can be used to alert the public of weather emergencies or public safety threats during large-scale events like Thunder Over Louisville, the Kentucky Derby and others. The siren lifts to a height of 30-feet to provide maximum coverage of the event area and sounds at 120 dB, resulting in the siren being heard within a ¾ mile sound radius.  Executive Director Jody Meiman is pleased to have this new asset, especially with the growing number of major events Louisville hosts each year. “This is another tool to help us communicate and protect the residents of and visitors to Louisville.” Additional resources in Emergency Services’ response fleet include the Mobile Emergency Operations Center, Mass Casualty Bus, Communications on Wheels trailer, ambulances, and several other all-terrain vehicles.

Noticing Weird Smells? Here's What to do About Them

How to Report Odors

If you feel an odor is affecting your immediate health and safety, call 911. If an odor is an annoyance or nuisance, report it to the APCD.

What to include in your report:

• Where you first detected it, the date and time it was detected, and how long it lasted.

• Any characteristics, such as chemical, sewer, flowery, burnt, strong, mild, or obnoxious.

Ways to report: 

• Call the APCD at (502) 574-6000, or

• Fill out our online odor reporting form, or

• Submit a complaint online through Metro311, or

• Download the Smell My City app to your smartphone. (Smell My City is operated by a third party, but odor reports are directed to Louisville Metro Government.), or

• Report sewer odors to MSD through this form or at (502) 540-6000. MSD staff can investigate and address these reports directly. 

Louisville Odor Wheel (EPA) You may also want to keep notes of your observations so they can be referenced in the future. An odor log is an easy way to track recurring odors.

Dad Joke of the Month

How do you stop a skunk from smelling?

Hold it's nose! 

Councilmember Ben Reno-Weber  |   Louisville Metro Council   |   District 8

601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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