HAPPY DERBY WEEK!!!!!

Whether you're parking cars, working at the track, watching the races trackside, or watching all the fun unfold at home, I hope that y'all have a wonderful Derby 150. If you also hightailed it out of the city, that's okay too! If you attended my Derby Our Way event on April 16th, I hope you feel extra prepared for the over 150,000 people who will be invading D15 this weekend.

We had a fantastic B.O.B. event to kick off April. I'll be doing a full breakdown of the event in the next newsletter, as well as announcing the next location that will receive services through B.O.B. I don't want that recap and announcement overshadowed by the horse race. 😁

Some other notable things from this past month:

• I joined Mayor Greenberg to kick off Iroquois Amphitheater's 86th season. Stop by this summer for a concert, movie, or event at this gem of D15. Plus, you can smoothly cruise into the new parking lot next to the amphitheater, or walk over and check out the newly surfaced tennis and futsal courts or newly resealed spray pad in the splash zone. 
• I shared the results of the Emerson Park survey and revealed the plans for Emerson Park Phase 2. 
• New speed humps were installed on Bradley and I announced new painted speed humps on Hoertz Avenue next to Hauck's Corner.
• I attended a re-entry simulation with Councilman Seum through Goodwill of Kentucky. I didn't fair too well.
• I attended events like Eat Drink Germantown, I Would Rather Be Reading's Triple Crown Trivia, the Germantown Baseball Parade, the SACC April meeting, and Shakespeare in Iroquois Park. I also fit in a visit to the new Putt Shake with some of my colleagues. 
• I took my parents to the backside on Thurby to watch the horses warm up. My dad said it was one of his life-long dreams to do that and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to make that dream come true.
• Alena celebrated her 28th birthday on May 2nd! 
• On April 25th, the Mayor gave his annual budget address to council. On Monday, Metro Council will begin budget hearings with all the city departments. Links to the proposed budget and the full hearing schedule is below in the "City News" section. You can submit your budget feedback through an online form, or you can reach out directly to my office with budget concerns/questions. I recommend you do both. I'm a big nerd for budget season, so I'm excited to get to crunching numbers. There were a few things in the budget that I advocated for and a few that I'm still planning on pushing for. 

Back to Derby...I want to thank all the neighbors for being so kind and putting our Southern hospitality on full display. It's. not easy task to welcome a slew of (drunk) visitors to your neighborhood and y'all do it with finesse. I also want to thank everyone who works at any Derby event throughout the city and al of our backside workers. Without you, Derby wouldn't be possible. Thanks for being the backbone of this city. ❤️

Metro Council honored Louisville Orchestra Conductor Teddy Abrams for his Grammy win and the Louisville Metro Fire Department for their heroic rescue of the semi that was dangling off the 2nd Street bridge.

Oaks & Derby Street Closures

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024

• 4th Street from Heywood Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
• Oakdale Avenue from 4th Street to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
• 3rd Street from Brook Street to Cardinal Boulevard
• 3rd Street from Central Station to Southern Heights Avenue
• 5th Street from Longfield Avenue to Lansing Avenue
• Bohannon Avenue from Racine Drive to Queen Avenue
• Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Southern Parkway from 3rd Street to Southern Heights Avenue
• Taylor Boulevard from Ashland Avenue to Algonquin Parkway
• Winkler Avenue from Algonquin Parkway to 3rd Street
• Winn Avenue from 4th Street to Southern Parkway
• Dearcy Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
• Kenton Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Evelyn Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Fairmont Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Whitney Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Lansing Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Arcade Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 7th Street

7 am - 11 pm (Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024)

• Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Floyd Street
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Central Station
• 9th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• North Alley of Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Burton Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Lillian Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Rodman Street from Central Avenue to Lillian Avenue
• 6th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 5th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 4th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Brook Street
• Oakdale Avenue from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
• West Alley (south of Brown Lot) from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to 4th Street
• 4th Street from West Alley to Longfield Avenue
• Longfield Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 4th Street
• Queen Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
• Thornberry Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
• Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Racine Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Wizard Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
• Warren Avenue from Thornberry Avenue to Homeview Drive

Taylor Berry Anti-Violence Coalition Meeting: May 15 & 20

The Taylor Berry Anti-Violence Coalition will be meeting on Wednesday, May 15th at 5:30 pm and Monday, May 20th at 2 pm at the South Louisville Community Center (2911 Taylor Blvd). The group will be discussing ways to improve Taylor Berry, including deciding how $15,000 in funds will be spent to curb violence in the neighborhood. All people and ideas are welcome! 

Save the date for the June Taylor Berry Anti-Violence Coalition meetings on Wednesday, June 5th at 5:30pm and Monday, June 17th at 2:00 pm.

Iroquois Open to Cars: May 11 & 12

The Iroquois scenic overlook is open to cars this weekend: May 11 and 12.

The road to Iroquois Park's North Overlook will be open one weekend a month to vehicular traffic. 🚗🌳

Louisville Parks and Recreation will open the gate to Uppill Road on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month through November 2024 (weather permitting). Gates will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Here's the rest of the 2024 schedule:

🔹 May 11 and 12
🔹 June 8 and 9
🔹 July 13 and 14
🔹 August 10 and 11
🔹 September 14 and 15
🔹 October 12 and 13
🔹 November 9 and 10

More info: https://www.olmstedparks.org/events/iroquois-park-uppill-road-to-north-overlook-opening/

MUSCL Jim King Senior Center Yard Sale: May 11

The MUSCL Jim King Senior Center will be hosting a yard sale on Saturday, May 11th from 8 am to 2 pm at St. Elizabeth Church (1016 East Burnett). If you're interested in vending, please reach out to Karen at (502) 634-3221.

Schnitzelburg Spring Walk: May 11

Saint Joseph's Summer Concerts: May 16

The Saint Joseph Neighborhood Association is planning another outdoor concert at Swiss Village (719 Lynn Street) on May 16th from 5 to 7pm. Enjoy music by Time & the Construct and mingle with neighbors. 

Chill with Chappell: May 18

There's a lot of really exciting things happening in D15 this month, including Chill with Chappell! Come hang out with me at Wyandotte Park on Saturday, May 18th from 10 am to noon. It's a casual hangout, so pop by and say hi! It's a great opportunity to learn about my priorities for the District and share yours. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to meet my staff and enjoy coffee and donuts!

Schnitzelburg Spring Yard Sale: May 18

The Schnitzelburg Area Community Council (SACC) w2ill be hosting their Spring Community Yard Sale at Emerson Park on Saturday, May 18th, from 8am to 12pm. No early bird shoppers, please!

Interested in having a booth? Bring your own table, merchandise, and $10 donation to Emerson Park on Saturday, May 18th to set up at 7 am.

Questions? Email sacc@schnitzelburg.org

Shakespeare in Emerson Park: May 26

Kentucky Shakespeare is bringing closing out their spring traveling season with their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in Emerson Park on Sunday, May 26th at 6:30 pm!

Get ready to be whisked away into a whimsical world where love, mischief, and magic collide in Shakespeare's timeless comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Follow four young lovers as they navigate the enchanted forest, encountering mischievous fairies, bumbling actors, and the unpredictable whims of the fairy king and queen. Will true love prevail, or will chaos reign supreme?

South End Community Market: May 25

Starting May 25th and going through October 26th, you can visit Iroquois Park from 8 am to noon to shop for local produce and crafts, enjoy live music, and mingle with your community.

Friends of Iroquois Park Meeting: May 28

The Friends of Iroquois Park will be meeting on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:30 pm at the Iroquois Library (601 W. Woodlawn Ave). All are welcome to join in a conversation about making Iroquois Park even better!

Germantown Schnitzelburg Blues Fest: June 7 & 8

PVA Reassessments

District 15 will have 4,142 homes reassessed in 2024, most of which are in Germantown and Schnitzelburg. This year, the PVA is accounting for houses that have been completely renovated and sold by adding a “renovated house type” and making sure those houses are not being used to determine value for older, non-renovated, housing stock.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL!

You can find sold properties used to determine your homes value for the assessment on the PVA’s website by searching your address and navigating to “comparable properties” during the appeal window of April 26 through May 20. Outside that timeframe, the website requires a subscription but full access to property details including the neighborhood sales list is also always available at the PVA office and all branches of the Louisville Free Public Library without a subscription.

More information: https://jeffersonpva.ky.gov/property-assessment/

FREE PET ADOPTIONS!!!!

The Bissell Pet Foundation Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event is happening May 1st through May 15th at Louisville Metro Animal Shelter. This means all adoption fees are waived when adopting your newest furry family member. Browse adoptable pets here.

Art, Tech, & Mentorship Teen Program

How-To Festival: May 11

As Louisville gears up for 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Free Public Library is busy laying the finishing touches on the 11th annual How-To Festival. Taking place on the second Saturday in May, the Library’s How-To Festival has become an annual tradition for thousands of Louisvillians looking for something entertaining, interactive, and educational to do after Derby is over. The How-To Festival offers attendees the chance to learn how-to-do more than 50 different things in five hours, all for free!

Want to learn how to grow bananas? Make delicious gluten-free cookies? Keep bees in your backyard? Play the violin? These are just a sampling of the free, interactive learning experiences offered by local experts and small businesses at the How-To Festival. “How-to” sessions last approximately 45 minutes and cover a range of activities—from business to fitness to gardening.

This year’s festival is a mix of past favorites—how to practice self-defense, grow delicious tomatoes, or do basic car maintenance—along with new lessons, such as how to weave a rug, create cheesecake in a jar, and break up with your smart phone. Kid-friendly activities include how to paint with diamonds, make shadow puppets, or create a friendship bracelet. And thanks to the ongoing partnership with the Louisville Urban Agriculture Coalition, How-To will feature twenty gardening sessions presented by Urban Ag member groups, including how to raise urban livestock, identify poisonous plants, grow mushrooms, and more.

The How-To Festival takes place on Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Main Library (301 York Street). Sessions will be located in more than twenty areas throughout the building and surrounding grounds, transforming the entire library into a giant classroom. Food trucks will be available.

For more information, including the tentative schedule of how-to sessions, visit LFPL.org/how-to.

LouisvilleGrows Seeds & Starts Sale: May 11

Louisville Grows will be hosting their Seeds & Starts Sale on Saturday, May 11th from 10 am to 3 pm at the Healthy House (1639 Portland Ave), their annual fundraiser to support their Community Garden Grant and Giving Grove programs. Proceeds directly support a sustainable food system by benefiting community gardens and orchards in the Louisville Metro area.

Forest Fest: May 18

A spectacular day of Bluegrass music, food and beverages, craft vendors, and youth activities in a scenic environment awaits those who visit Jefferson Memorial Forest’s 17th annual Forest Fest on Saturday, May 18.

Forest Fest has been known for providing a great variety of bluegrass music; this year’s event expands on that tradition with five musical acts in the lineup. The music starts at 12 p.m. in the forest’s Horine Reservation, 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road. The lineup starts off with The Montvales, followed by Relaay, Bibelhauser Brothers, The Wheelhouse Rousters, and Songs From The Road Band to round out the evening.

This event is all-ages, rain or shine! Parking is $15, cash only. Feel free to bring a blanket or chair, but coolers and outside alcohol are prohibited. Food, cocktails, and beer will be available for purchase along with items from various local artists and crafters. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome, and their owners are asked to be considerate of other patrons.

A variety of entertainment options for children, including nature play activities, will take place during the day, beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m. Artists from across the region will demonstrate their skills as part of a craft fair, musical workshops will be available from Louisville Folk School with band members, and food and beverages from Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs, Cosmic Bird, Doots Yummery, The Corn Place, Shack in the Back BBQ, Castle & Key, West Sixth, Fat Strawz Boba Tea, and Kawaii Candy Cart will be available for sale.

The Jefferson Memorial Forest Welcome Center is located at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road. For more information: 502-368-5404, or visit memorialforest.com.

Free Safety Around Water Clinics at All YMCA Branches

The YMCA of Greater Louisville will kick off a Swim Equity initiative offering free Safety Around Water clinics in May. Drowning is a local and national crisis; it’s the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second for those ages 5–14, with 4,000 fatal incidents annually in the U.S. alone–a staggering 11 drowning deaths per day. A number of socioeconomic, geographic and racial factors only worsen the statistics. Sixty-four percent of Black, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming skills. And socioeconomics factor in as well with 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have few to no swimming skills. Those who live in flood prone areas, in rural areas, or who frequently travel to bodies of water are at a higher risk of drowning.

This year, the YMCA is joining forces with several community partners to increase awareness around water safety and drowning prevention.

All YMCA branches in the Louisville area are offering free Safety Around Water clinics May 16-19, in alignment with National Learn How to Swim Day on Saturday, May 18. Additional clinics will be held in June and July. To learn more about these clinics and how to register, visit http://ymcalouisville.org. For more information, including water safety tips, follow the YMCA of Greater Louisville on Facebook and Instagram.

KEY DATES

May 1 – Registration open for Safety Around Water Clinics

May 16-19 – YMCA offering Safety Around Water clinics at all area branches

May 18 – National Learn How to Swim Day

June 8 – Safety Around Water clinics offered at several YMCA branches

July 13 – Safety Around Water clinics offered at several YMCA branches

Lights Out Louisville

The Louisville Audubon Society reminds you that peak spring bird migration occurs March through May. Please consider participating in LIGHTS OUT LOUISVILLE to make your home, neighborhood, and our city more bird-friendly.

Did you know that most birds migrate at night? Over 3.7 million birds flew over Jefferson County on Derby Night last year alone! 

Between 11 pm and 6 am you can:

• Turn off unnecessary lights indoorsUse shades, blinds and curtains to prevent the glare from indoor lights shining through windows
• Turn off unnecessary lights outdoors
• Put necessary lighting on timers or use motion sensors
• Make sure external lighting is down-shielded so light shines where people need it, not upward into the night sky

For more information, visit www.louisvilleaudubon.org.

Questions? Email louisvilleaudubon@gmail.com.

Budget Hearing Information

Budget hearings are set to begin on Monday, May 6, at 4:00 p.m., with an overview of the recommended budget including a presentation on projected revenue, expenditures, capital, and debt, followed by a discussion by the Office of Management and Budget and Human Resources.

The FY 2024-2025 Recommended Executive Budget Document will be available online here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/management-budget.

Public Input:

The public is encouraged to participate in the budget process by submitting public comment on the recommended budget. The online comment form is located on the Metro Council website, and a direct link is here: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/m1ch63vw16xojrl/. The online form will close on Friday, June 7, at 5:00 p.m.

The community is also invited to attend the Community Budget Hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 23, at 6:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for the public to speak about the budget in-person in Metro Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street.

Speakers may sign up in-person at City Hall beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. Sign ups will be open for one hour and will close promptly at 6:00 p.m. Speakers will have up to three minutes to address the Council about the proposed budget.

Highlights from the Budget Hearing Schedule:

Tuesday, May 14

• Economic Development at 4:15 p.m.

Monday, May 20

• Louisville Free Public Library at 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 22

• LMPD at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 23

• Community Budget Hearing at 6:00 p.m. (signups are required)

Wednesday, May 29

• Emergency Services at 5:00 p.m.

• Louisville Fire at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 30

• Parks & Recreation at 5:00 p.m.

The complete schedule of budget hearings is available online here: https://louisvilleky.gov/metro-council/document/fy25-budget-hearing-schedule-april-23-2024.

The Council will vote to adopt the FY 2024-2025 Budget on Thursday, June 20, at 6:00 p.m. during the regularly scheduled Metro Council meeting.

The public may watch the proceedings live on Spectrum Cable Channel 184, with Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV OTT Apps, or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil.

Louisville Tree Plan

Rental Registry Rollout

The Department of Codes & Regulations has initiated their new Rental Registry program and your action is required. Property owners must register all their rental units with the city and pay a fee ranging from $25 to $250; failure to register is subject to a fine up to $100 per day per housing unit.

The registry will provide accurate and up-to-date contact information for property owners and management companies to help the city better identify and contact the responsible parties should Code Enforcement Officers find code violations at a rental property. Louisville Metro Government will randomly select properties from the list each year to undergo inspections to ensure the units meet the city code of ordinances.

Registration is available online at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/codes-regulations/. Property owners/managers may also apply in person with the Department of Codes & Regulations at 444 S. 5th St., Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202.

Zoning Matters: Conversations with a City Planner

The Office of Planning’s Library Hours return in 2024! City Planners from Louisville Metro’s Office of Planning will be available to answer questions about zoning (What is zoning? Why does it matter?) and discuss the ongoing LDC Reform project, including Middle Housing. We want to hear about your neighborhood and discuss what the reform means for you!

These conversations are part of the ongoing Land Development Code (LDC) Reform. 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.

• Tuesday, May 7, Western
• Tuesday, May 21, Fairdale
• Tuesday, June 4, Main Library
• Tuesday, June 18, Shawnee
• Tuesday, July 30, Iroquois
• Tuesday, August 13, South Central Regional
• Tuesday, August 27, Bon Air
• Tuesday, September 10, Newburg
• Tuesday, September 24, Shively

All sessions are from 3 pm to 7 pm.

If you have questions or want to learn more, contact ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov or (502) 574-5860/(502) 574-8272

Mind Body Wellness Series at the Louisville Free Public Library

Thanks to a partnership with Mental Health Lou, the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) will offer free workshops for adults focused on mental health and wellness starting in March. The Mind-Body Wellness Series is a 4-part series that focuses on the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can positively or negatively impact our bodies, and vice versa. Taught by licensed experts from Mental Health Lou’s partner groups and providers, the series will be offered at six library locations: Southwest, Northeast, Newburg, Main, Western, and Bon Air.

Each workshop in the series addresses a different topic:

• Discovering the Mind-Body Connection: Learn ways to identify and connect feelings, thoughts and somatic responses and develop tools to help manage stress, anxiety, depression and more.
• Movement & Mental Health: Explore the impact of movement on your mental health by using yogic practices and breathing techniques as a means of self-care – deepening your connection with your body.
• Practical Mindfulness for Stress Management: Learn basic tools to help identify stressors and implement Mindfulness techniques to manage/decrease stress response. This will be an experiential workshop that focuses on skill building of stress management tools.
• Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing: Begin developing a realistic and easily executable self-care plan with the help of a mental health therapist.

Free Radon Test Kits

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is offering free radon test kits while the supply lasts.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas. It is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General’s office estimate radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Since it is difficult to identify any immediate symptoms related to radon exposure, it may take years before health problems appear.

When to test your home's radon levels:

• If it's never been tested or radon levels are unknown
• When preparing to buy or sell
• Before and after any renovations, especially after making any repairs to reduce radon levels
• Before making any lifestyle changes in the home that would cause someone to spend more time in the basement or lower level (like converting a basement to a bedroom).

Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you or your family is at risk of radon exposure.

Click here to request your free test kit or call 502-574-6650.

Louisville Metro Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering offers numerous benefits, both for individuals and the community at large. Beyond the selfless act of giving time and skills to help others, volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Engaging in volunteer work can enhance one's social and interpersonal skills, fostering connections with diverse groups of people.

Louisville Metro has launched a new page on the website that helps connect community members with volunteer positions. Find a volunteer opportunity.

Contacting Congressman McGarvey's Office for Federal Assistance