In this Issue
Hello Neighbors & Friends,
The Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration is set to begin on today, June 8, 2024, with a series of five community events leading up to Juneteenth on June 19th (thus, the name June-teenth!) As part of this year’s celebration, the Kentucky Opera will host Amplify Songs of Justice for the second consecutive year. Amplify Songs of Justice is a free concert featuring original commissioned songs about the Civil Rights movement. The evening will showcase five compositions by American operatic baritone Jorell Williams, with lyrics written by me!
Voices from across Louisville, including churches and college choirs, will join members of the Kentucky Opera Juneteenth Jubilee Choir during this concert in celebration of African American culture and music. I was deeply honored to work with the magnificent Jorell Williams, composer extraordinaire, who took my words and made them make sense and then put them to melodic sounds that brought the lyrics together. I am also very humbled by the opportunity to be a part of such a significant celebration in Louisville. I hope you'll join me on Monday, June 17th to hear and understand the meanings behind the music. The five song titles include Whispers in My Ear, On the Porch, Louder Than Words, Judge Not, and Faith. Each song reflects the confliction our community experienced in 2020 during civil unrest, protesting, and bad behavior by a few lawless individuals and rogue police officers.
As I wrote the songs, I recalled the year 2020 and the protests that took place in our city and many other communities throughout the U.S. I also recalled the many phone calls I received from several of my constituents who expressed dismay, fear, anger, and, even guilt. I wrote the songs with them in mind. I wanted to convey a message to White people that they do not have to be dismayed, angry, fearful, or feel guilty about the unrest or the way some were exhibiting their anger for the injustices they felt. Instead, I wanted them to feel empowered to learn more about what was happening all around them and get involved in some shape, form, or fashion.
As we are aware, the Civil Rights era of the 1960's produced a canon of songs that are still largely a part of our culture today. The musical score I drafted is meant to uplift the voices of Kentuckians through the lens of three topics: Faith, justice, and conviction. My hope is that these songs will also stand the test of time and become our inspiration and impetus for creating a culture of acceptance, respect, diversification, and love for human and civil rights. The overarching message in the five songs is that we are all in this together.
The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Kentucky Opera, located at 708 Magazine Street. This is a free event, but tickets are required. You may sign up for FREE tickets online by clicking here.
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You may have noticed the recent improvements at the East District Recycling Center on Hubbards Lane. In the past few weeks, the property was cleared of overgrowth and the stream bank was stabilized. In place of the overgrowth, Trees Louisville planted 20 trees that will provide shade for the creek. These trees are also riparian, meaning they will withstand "wet feet/roots" for whenever the creek may rise and threaten to uproot vegetation. |
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These much-needed tree plantings and stream restoration efforts are key to preserving nearby vegetation and wildlife, and they wouldn't be possible without the help of Trees Louisville (Ms. Cindi Sullivan!) and the Louisville Metro Public Works, through the leadership of Mr. Steve Kurowsky. THANK YOU, both!
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The Louisville Metro council held its regularly scheduled council meeting this past Thursday, June 6th.
The following items on the agenda under Old Business were approved:
- O-103.24: an ordinance amending ARP funds by reallocating select ARP projects to fund final audited expenditures for the Healthcare Workforce Innovation Coalition Projects.
- R-048-24: a resolution ratifying and approving a collective bargaining agreement relating to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment between Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government and Louisville Corrections Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 77, concerning certain sworn employees of Metro Corrections in the classifications of Corrections Captain and Lieutenant.
- O-064-24: an ordinance amending LMCO Section 92.02 to gain conformity with state law precluding protections around lawful source of income discrimination.
- District Appropriations for the Annual Dirt Bowl Basketball Tournament, 2024 Mosaic Awards, 2024 Buy Local Fair, Annual Back to School Festival, and portable a/c units for low-income residents.
Other items on the agenda included the following:
Special Recognitions and Proclamations
- Councilman Ben Reno-Weber recognized the District 8 Page, Kyler Jayden.
- Councilman Engel recognized Dawn Lee and Kevin Adams for their work on the Crusade for Children campaign.
Consent Calendar - all items passed unanimously
- O-096-24: an ordinance approving the distribution of money awarded to Louisville Metro Government from the Opioid settlement payouts.
- O-049-24: an ordinance approving the distribution of money awarded to Louisville Metro Government from the tobacco and vaping settlement payouts from JUUL.
- R-044-24: a resolution approving a noncompetitively negotiated sole source contract for Public Health & Wellness concerning HIV testing equipment and related kits.
- R-049-24: a resolution honoring DeVone Holt by dedicating the corner of South 28th Street and West Broadway with a street name sign.
- R-047-24: a resolution requesting the Office of Internal Audit to conduct an audit of Louisville Metro Government’s System Development Charges for Roadways Program.
- O-083-24: an ordinance adopting the revisions to the Executive Summary of the Downtown Louisville Master Plan.
- O-093-24: an ordinance amending 71.01, 42.31, 42.99, 74.08, 157.21, 157.99, 71.05 and 71.99 and repealing 71.02 of the LMCO regarding the use of vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles on public roadways.
- R-050-24: a resolution ratifying and approving a collective bargaining agreement relating to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment between Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government and Louisville Professional Firefighters Association, Local Union 54, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC, Majors Bargaining Unit.
Special Legislation
- R-057-24: an emergency resolution approving an amended and restated interlocal cooperation agreement among the Board of Water Works of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Kentucky, and the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District relating to the One Water Partnership.
Held at Council
- O-099-24: an ordinance relating to the zoning of properties located at 12515 Taylorsville Road and 3505, 3507, 3509 and 3511 Tucker Station Road.
- R-007-24: resolution urging the United States Congress and President to facilitate a ceasefire in Palestine and Israel.
You can view the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments by clicking here.
You can view the meeting on Facebook by visiting the Louisville Metro Council’s page by clicking here.
The next regularly scheduled Metro Council Meeting is on Thursday, June 20th, when the Metro Council will vote on the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget.
You can view the Mayor’s recommended FY 24-25 budget by clicking here and the budget hearing schedule by clicking here.
To share general comments on the recommended budget, you can fill out the public comment form by clicking here.
For additional information or questions, you can reach the Metro Council Clerk’s Office at (502) 574-3902.
FRANKFORT, KY (June 5, 2024) – Today, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and First Lady celebrated the statewide expansion of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. For the first time, every preschool child in Kentucky can have the gift of reading delivered to their home, building a love of books that can last a lifetime.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) mails a free, age-appropriate book to children each month from birth to age 5 and has been shown to have a significant positive impact on kindergarten readiness. The program partners with local 501(c)(3) or governmental organizations to register children in their area, and with the addition of the Kenton County Public Library in June, every community in the commonwealth is now served by a local partner.
To sign up your child, click here, or visit imaginationlibrary.com/kentucky. To donate to the organization, click here. Kentuckians can also follow the Dolly Parton Imagination Library on Facebook and Instagram.
“My administration will always put education first, and that starts with putting books in the hands of our youngest learners,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “As Governor, and as a dad, I’m proud that Team Kentucky has come together to reach this historic milestone for our kids. I hope parents and guardians across the commonwealth will sign their kids up for the Imagination Library today. Thank you to Dolly Parton and every local partner for your investment in Kentucky’s children.”
While the program has been available for more than a decade in limited areas of the state, more local partners have steadily joined since Kentucky lawmakers provided one-time matching funds in the 2021-22 state budget. The next year, Gov. Beshear signed legislation establishing a framework for ongoing state support.
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. This flagship program of the Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 240 million free books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by the Dollywood Foundation and local community and state partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age 5 – at no cost to families. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.
The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
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JCPS is offering meals to students at multiple locations throughout Jefferson County. At these centers, students can receive breakfast and lunch.
Here are some of the sites in District 7:
- Chenoweth Elementary School, 3622 Brownsboro Rd
- St. Matthews Elementary School, 601 Browns Ln
- Waggener High School, 330 South Hubbards Ln
- Ballard High School, 6000 Brownsboro Rd
- Lowe Elementary School, 210 Oxfordshire Ln
To view the full list of open summer meal locations, click here. You can also view each location's menus by visiting jcps.nutrislice.com and entering your location to find your nearest site.
Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) is a permanent federal program offers benefits to students from eligible families, helping cover the cost of meals families must address while schools are not in session.
Eligible students can expect to each receive a one-time lump sum issuance of $120 ($40 each summer month) if approved. Students aged 6-17 who have received SNAP, KTAP, and/or Kinship Care for at least one month since July 1st, 2023, are eligible and will automatically receive benefits without the need to apply.
For students who do not fall into the above category but are within income eligibility, SEBT benefit applications can be done online at the Kynect Benefits page, which can be accessed by clicking here.
For more information. you can visit the Team Kentucky Division of Family Support page by clicking here.
As we begin the summer season, make sure to keep you and your family safe from the mosquitoes that come out around this time. Here are some tips you can use to keep the influx at bay:
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Drain: Water is breeding grounds for mosquitos, so make sure to empty and clean birdbaths, pet water dishes, and other containers each week, while keeping gutters and drains clear of debris to avoid standing water.
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Defend: Use insect repellent products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and consider getting screens on windows or doors to keep mosquitos out of the house.
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Dress: When you can, try wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors, and choose lighter colors to make it harder for mosquitos to spot you.
Mosquitoes bad in your area? Contact Metro311 to make a mosquito complaint either with the Metro311 app, the Metro311 website by clicking here, or by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.
TARC is once again offering locals from ages 6 to 19 free and unlimited travel throughout the summer season with the Summer Youth Pass, available free of charge thanks to the Louisville Metro Government!
From June 1st to August 31st, the pass covers fares on all TARC routes. Additionally, adults with a MyTARC fare card can obtain a Summer Pass for the same dates when acquired at the same time as a Summer Youth Pass. Only one adult pass will be issued per child's pass.
To activate your Summer Youth Pass, you can visit a TARC location either at either Union Station, located at 1000 West Broadway, or the Nia Center on 2901 West Broadway.
Those without a reloadable MyTARC student-ID card will need to purchase one at a TARC location for a one-time set-up fee of $5.
Please note these passes are exclusively physical and not available online or on the MyTARC app.
The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be Wednesday, June 12 2024 at 10 a.m. This meeting will be conducted virtually
Anyone wishing to join the meeting virtually using a computer, laptop or mobile device, as well as anyone wishing to sign up to speak in support, opposition, or as other for any case, should click here.
You can access the interactive version by clicking here, or you can view the pdf version by clicking here.
You may access the meeting materials by opening the interactive version of the agenda and clicking on the case number.
If you have any questions about the meeting or agenda, you can reach the Office of Planning at 502-574-6230.
LFPL’s Summer Reading Program has been a Louisville tradition for nearly a century, helping children and teens avoid summer learning loss by encouraging them to read for fun by offering prizes and incentives. This year’s program, A Universe of Stories, just kicked off last Saturday and more than 9,000 area youth—newborns to 12th graders—have already signed up!
To complete the program, school-aged children need to read ten books, teens read six books, and preschool-aged children and younger need to read, or have read to them, 20 books. Everyone who completes the program will receive an alien pencil pouch (kids) or tech bag (teens), as well as coupons for free treats from Ehrler’s Ice Cream and Fazoli’s, and free passes to area attractions like Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Squire Boone Caverns, Louisville Bats Baseball, Racing Louisville FC, select UofL sports, and more.
LFPL’s Summer Reading Program is presented by the Library Foundation and is absolutely FREE. Participants can register online by clicking here, or by stopping by any Louisville Free Public Library location between now and August 3.
Oxmoor Farm is proudly presenting the Third Annual International Chamber of Music Festival this weekend until Sunday, June 9th!
Enjoy a selection of works from wonderous composers both classical and contemporary in a series of four concerts performed by musicians from around the world!
In addition to fine music, take in pre-concert cocktails, bourbon and wine receptions, and a gala dinner with even more great musical works!
For more information about the festival and tickets, you can visit the Oxmoor Farm website by clicking here.
Join community members at the St. Matthews-Eline Branch Library for a family-friendly event celebrating renowned academic and activist Helen Keller. Children can experience firsthand her pivotal role in the major political, social, and cultural movements of the 20th century by observing a conversation in the Protractile language, ride a bicycle with U.S. Blind Tandem Cycling, explore sensory stations, and add to a tactile art instillation!
For more information about the event, you can visit the Louisville Free Public Library website by clicking here.
Calling all boys who love to dance! Join male dancers from the Louisville Ballet along with the Louisville Ballet Community Engagement team as we explore boys and ballet.
Join this experience at the Northeast Regional Library next Thursday, June 13th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Read some books, learn some moves, and celebrate the importance of male dancers in the ballet world. Families and children of all ages and gender identities are welcome to attend this program.
No dance experience or dancewear needed - come as you are!
For more information, you can visit the Louisville Ballet website by clicking here.
In this week's Just4Fun, try riddling your way through these enigmas:
1. I'm tall when I'm young, and I'm short when I'm old. What am I?
2. You could call me a home, but I have no doors. Someone lives inside me, but leaves when there's no more. What am I?
3. What holds water yet is full of holes?
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:
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.
Click here to Subscribe to the 5th Division E-Newsletter
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 support now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Are you thinking of hurting yourself or ending your life? Text LOU to 741741
Community mental health resources:
Metro United Way's Community Resource Directory can connect you mental health and crisis intervention resources. Or call 211.
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.
Plan 2040 Survey Findings
Plan 2040 Demographic and Economic Projections
Plan 2040 Core Graphics
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 Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc.
Click here for more info.
Click here to read the social media policy of the Louisville Metro Council.
Riddle 1: A Candle
Riddle 2: An Egg
Riddle 3: A Sponge
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