In this Issue
Hello Neighbors & Friends,
I'd like to take a moment to recognize District 7 resident, Mr. Myles Marcovitch.
A few months ago, Mr. Marcovitch reached out to me suggesting adding solar panels to the new VA Medical Center, and after reaching out to the Corps of Engineers and EPA, he was told that such solar panels will be constructed on the two parking structures. The EPA stated that solar will not be installed on the main building due to all the other utilities on the roof. While installing solar panels to some of the buildings will not eliminate all the energy use of the VA Hospital, I feel encouraged by the Corps of Engineers' thoughtfulness and response to Myles' inquiry.
THANK YOU, Mr. Marcovitch, for your incredible commitment to energy efficiency and willingness to voice your concerns to the "powers" to be. Your steadfast efforts and getting involved in issues concerning our community and the environment are commendable. Voicing your concerns to effect change and receiving positive feedback from the EPA is a shining example of the power of the people. Kudos!
Solar panels will be installed on the upper levels of the VA's two parking garages.
The District 7 office was in good hands this summer with our intern, Roderick Purdy. He is a super star, so please join me in wishing him all the best as he returns to American University in Washington, D.C. for his sophomore year.
Roderick, I'm sure you discovered that working in the District 7 office is much like college - it is fast-paced, challenging, and filled with ups and downs and a few unknowns. Every day is different and you should always expect (and anticipate) the unexpected. We know you'll do well in your studies because you did very well in the District 7 Metro Council office, and we are cheering for you! Our doors are always open, so don't hesitate to drop in during your winter and spring breaks.
To you from District 7:
“It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort.” – Jillian Michaels
“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.”– Ralph Marston
“Focus on your goal. Don’t look in any direction but ahead.” -unknown
“You don’t get what you wish for. You get what you work for.” – Daniel Milstein
 |
On Saturday, August 10th, the Majority Caucus members of the Louisville Metro Council participated in district tours that highlighted Council Districts 8 and 9, represented by Councilman Ben Reno-Weber (D-8) and Councilman Andrew Owen (D-9).
Leading the tours was Tom Owen, a former Metro Council Representative and esteemed local historian. He provided insightful narratives about the rich history of each district, and we all learned something new --- even those who reside in those districts.
Thank you to Deputy Mayor Dana Mayton and Chief of Staff David Kaplan, both with the Greenberg Administration, for joining us on the tours. We were honored by their interest and participation and extend an open invitation to them to join us on future tours.
I launched these tours shortly after assuming my role as the Majority Caucus Chairwoman in January 2023. They are a valuable educational opportunity for members, offering insights into the respective projects, programs, and issues of the various districts. The tours offer Council members and staff an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of our city and district-specific issues. I was especially excited about this month’s special guest tour guide, and can earnestly say that I was impressed by Mr. Owen's institutional knowledge and ease with sharing it. A good time was had by all!
To date, we have visited Districts 5, 7, 15, 17, 8, 9, and parts of District 1 while visiting development financed by the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Our next tour will be in October, and we will visit District 21.
|
 |
 |
Pictured above with Colonel Barry Wilkerson, Chief of the St. Matthews Police Department.
Pictured below in Douglas Hills with two of LMPD's finest in Division 8, Officer Alexia Thornton (left) and Officer Brittany Rausch (right). Both of these fine officers were selected as the March 2024 8th Division Officers of the Month. Officer Rausch is assigned as the 8th Division Resource Officer and Officer Thornton is assigned to the 8th Division Patrol Platoon.
Here's a recap of the Louisville Metro Council's regularly scheduled Council meeting this past Thursday, August 8th: Click here.
To view the complete agenda or for more information on a particular item, click here and choose the 'Metro Council Meetings' option.
Read about what legislation passed online here: https://louisvilleky.gov/news/metro-council-meeting-highlights-thursday-august-8.
The next Metro Council meeting is Thursday, August 22nd, at 6:00 p.m.
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Metro TV, Facebook Live, and YouTube.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here. To watch Metro Council Meetings live on YouTube, you can visit the LouisvilleMetroTV channel 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.
For additional information or questions, you can reach the Metro Council Clerk’s Office at (502) 574-3902.
 |
|
|
Gov. Beshear Releases Tax Returns for 8th Straight Year, Challenges Other Elected State Leaders To Do The Same
Gov. Beshear has released tax returns for each year he served in public office
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2024) – Gov. Andy Beshear has reiterated his commitment to transparency once again, releasing his 2023 tax returns and 2023 Statement of Financial Disclosure.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Governor has released his tax returns and called on all other constitutional officers and legislative leaders to do the same. So far, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman is the only other statewide elected official to release their tax returns in the last eight years.
“Throughout my entire time in elected office, I have committed to being open and transparent with Kentuckians and to earn their trust,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our public officials need to earn the public’s trust by showing them that their only interests are what’s best for the people of the commonwealth. There was a time when this was expected. Now it is the rare exception.”
Gov. Beshear’s returns, filed jointly with his wife, Britainy, show he has only one employer – the people of Kentucky. Gov. Beshear’s adjusted gross income totaled $214,600, which included his salary as Governor along with some stock dividends.
The Governor’s 2023 calendar year Statement of Financial Disclosure, which is required to be filed by elected officials and Executive Branch officers by April 15, includes additional information. The Governor listed three gifts traditionally received by the Governor of Kentucky: University of Kentucky basketball tickets, University of Kentucky football tickets and an honorary membership to the Frankfort Country Club. In addition, Gov. Beshear received tickets to athletic events for University of Louisville Women’s Basketball, Northern Kentucky University Men’s Basketball, Morehead State University Men’s Basketball, the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Boys’ Basketball Tournament, the Lexington Counter Clocks and Racing Louisville FC. He also received Shady Rays sunglasses and tickets to the Mammoth Cave performance by the Louisville Orchestra with guest cellist Yo-Yo Ma. All noted gifts were given to Gov. Beshear in his official capacity as Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Lt. Gov. Coleman’s 2023 tax returns, filed jointly with her husband, Chris O’Bryan, show she too has only one employer – the people of Kentucky. The couple’s adjusted gross income totaled $224,125. The Lieutenant Governor’s 2023 calendar year Statement of Financial Disclosure includes additional information.
“Kentuckians deserve elected leaders who are honest and transparent, and, as Lieutenant Governor, I have worked hard to earn their trust,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “I believe elected officials have the responsibility to prove their interests align with those of their constituents.”
The Lieutenant Governor released her family’s 2017 and 2018 taxes when running for office and released her 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax returns each year after they were filed.
First taking public office as Kentucky Attorney General in 2016, Gov. Beshear has released his tax returns for every year he has served, beginning in 2017 with the release of his 2016 returns. He was the first Kentucky Attorney General to release his taxes for each year he served in the office.
###
|
|
 |
 |
To watch and participate online, you can view the Office of Planning's upcoming public meeting list by clicking here.
For more information on zoning processes, public comment opportunities, or applications for a petition for a night hearing, you can visit the Office of Planning's website by clicking here.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
Don't miss your chance to learn and discuss about the Louisville Tree Plan! The next and final Louisville Tree Plan Community Workshop is August 24th at St. Matthews Library from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Discuss the Urban Forest Master Plan with TreesLouisville and Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation to see how this extensive tree canopy will benefit local communities and the plan for continually improving it across Jefferson County.
In addition to attending a community workshop, you can complete a quick survey about your thoughts on the Louisville Tree Plan by clicking here.
The next meeting of the Historic Landmarks and Preservation District Commission is Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 9:00 am. This meeting will be conducted in-person at the Old Jail Auditorium, 514 West Liberty Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
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.
A pdf of the agenda is attached, or you can access an html version by clicking here.
You may access the meeting materials by opening the html version of the agenda and clicking on the case information.
Please contact the Office of Planning at (502) 574-6230 if you have any questions.
Earlier this year, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness launched a new Health Equity Data Dashboard. It provides a current data snapshot of the city's overall health. Initially, it included demographics, data, and root cause explanations for seven health outcomes: accidents and injury, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, birth outcomes, cancer, heart disease and homicide. Recently, lead exposure data was added.
Exposure to lead can harm the body in many ways. It can permanently disrupt a child’s cognitive ability, concentration, language skills and impulse control. It is also 100 percent preventable. In Louisville, there are inequities in those who are exposed to lead with children in the North and West market areas being nine times more likely than children from other neighborhoods to test positive for an elevated level of lead in their blood.
See the data, maps, and root causes here.
The Department of Public Health and Wellness has a Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program with resources available to families. Additionally, to prevent lead exposure from happening, the city enacted a Lead Rental Registry Ordinance that will go into effect in 2025. Property owners can learn steps they can take now to prevent lead poisoning, as well as more information on registering their property here.
Waterfront Park Phase IV is the 22-acre westward expansion of the park between 10th and 14th streets along the river.
Once completed, this $50 million project will transform a long-neglected area of our waterfront into a vibrant community amenity and bring Waterfront Park’s world class amenities within a 20-minute walk of more than 10,000 residents. Phase IV is a vital component of Waterfront Park’s mission to transform our waterfront into an accessible community asset that can be enjoyed by the community forever.
Construction is underway on PlayPort at Waterfront Park, a children’s area designed in partnership with Kentucky Science Center. PlayPort will feature large-scale authentic objects – including an excavator, dump truck, boats, river-themed elements, and more – as anchors for an inspired play and learning environment.
Construction of PlayPort is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
To learn more about Waterfront Park Phase IV and share your thoughts, visit https://ourwaterfrontparkexpansion.org
Public feedback on the concepts will be a critical part of determining the next steps for TARC. Public comments will help to determine the most important priorities for TARC to focus on, directly informing the draft proposal later this year. Public engagement will also help to identify the most important priorities for an expanded transit system if additional funding is made available.
Until September 12, TARC will be asking community members to take a quick survey on the concepts to voice their opinion. That survey is available on the TARC 2025 webpage.
TARC will proactively reach out to the community to solicit feedback in a number of different ways:
- In person open house meetings in September
- Presentations at a variety of neighborhood association and other “standing” meetings throughout August and September
- Pop up meetings at busy bus stops
- Tabling at community events or workplaces
- Virtual Q+A sessions every Thursday from 8/8 to 9/5
- Social media engagement
- Live text line (833) 689-3748
Any community members who are interested in hosting a TARC 2025 presentation can reach out to the TARC 2025 team at TARC2025@ridetarc.org.
You're invited to join the Office for Women on Women's Equality Day at an event called "Women's Equality is Human Equality." The celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. on August 24 at Central High School, 1130 West Chestnut Street. To join me, please RSVP today!
Listen Learn Act invites you to a Community Conversation with Lee A. Gill, JD, Vice President for Institutional Equity at the University of Louisville.
|
"Diversity is not about counting heads, but about making heads count. The goal to have people who all look differently but think like me doesn’t work." ---Lee A. Gill
|
Please join us at the Earth and Spirit Center for a free Community Conversation with Lee A. Gill, JD, Vice President for Institutional Equity at the University of Louisville, where he will give a talk titled, "The DEI Dilemma." In this era where diversity, equity and inclusion have become bad words, we'll take another look at why DEI is so important to truly lift us all up.
|
Where: Earth and Spirit Center, 1924 Newburg Rd. Louisville, KY
When: Wednesday, August 21, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
This is a free event, but please let us know you're coming to help us plan. We'll have refreshments and libations! Feel free to invite family and friends, too!
Register here to let us know you're coming: https://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/class/comm-convo/
|
|
|
|
 |
On August 17, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, The Louisville Zoo is celebrating its seventh annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Day with Kentucky Hands & Voices and the Kentucky Deaf-Blind Project.
ASL interpreters will be available at several habitats, keeper talks, and animal training demonstrations as well as the Zoo entrance to facilitate an inclusive and friendly day of learning in ASL for the deaf community.
If you have a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, they are eligible for a FREE ticket, but must pre-register. Discounted tickets are available for family and friends. For more information, you can click here or email info@kyhandsandvoices.org
Enjoy the Zoo on Sunday, August 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at your own pace during this program for Zoo fans that want a quiet, exclusive experience. Participants will enter the Zoo an hour before we open to the public and take a guided Zoo walk to orient themselves in our space.
Zoo walks will include animal information provided by Zoo docents and staff about your favorite ambassador animals and call attention to sensory stops on Zoo grounds like our accessible playground or the Snow Leopard Cub House presented by PNC.
Advance purchase is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, you can visit the Louisville Zoo website.
REPEAT POST: Make sure to catch the next free summer movies at the Iroquois Ampitheater, with movies including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Ratatouille!
Gates open at 6 p.m. for concessions and door prizes, the first movie starts at 7 p.m. No outside food or beverages allowed. For a full list of movies and shows, visit iroquoisamphitheater.com.
Join community members on Thursday, August 22nd at 6:30 p.m. for the official launch Lights Out Louisville, a local initiative to make our city safer for migratory birds. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, as capacity in the venue (the Auditorium inside Louisville Free Public Library's Main Branch) is limited. Sign up to secure your place!
The event includes a screening of an award-winning documentary about the critical mission to protect migratory birds, and the power of combining science and action to drive environmental progress. The screening will be followed by a Q&A featuring a panel of experts from across Kentucky. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, including the Lights Out Louisville initiative and the list of panelists, and to reserve your spot, you can visit the Audubon Community Chapters website.
Dozens of bonsai on display, special guest artist and show judge Phil Malhiot, people’s choice award, bonsai workshops and demonstrations with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society, children’s programming, bonsai vendors, Asian-inspired cuisine from Renshoku Ramen, and more!
To register for workshops and demonstrations and purchase tickets, you can visit the Waterfront Botanical Gardens website by clicking here.
The 22nd annual WorldFest, Louisvilleʼs premier international festival, attracts more than 150,000 attendees over the four-day Labor Day weekend.
WorldFest celebrates and showcases the international cultures and communities that make up the city of Louisville and neighboring areas. WorldFest is free to attend and open to all ages, featuring entertainment stages, Parade of Cultures, Global Village, and more!
For more information including what to expect, you can visit the LouisvilleKY.gov website.
There are more ways than ever to join the Bike to Beat Cancer community and help further the life-saving mission of the Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children's Cancer Institute, affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
Choose from a 5-, 15-, 35-, 65-, or 100-mile supported ride, a Spin Ride or a Virtual Ride. If you're not a cyclist, join the NEW fun walk. Volunteers are also needed to help support the mission and cheer on riders!
Following the ride and walk, participants and their families are encouraged to join the Celebration of Courage for food, live music, bounce houses, and activities for all ages!
For more information, visit the Bike to Beat Cancer website.
100% of participant funds raised go directly to support our mission to cure cancer and eliminating suffering.
In this week's Just 4 Fun, see if you can spot the six subtle differences in the two photos below. This one is a bit tricky, but we were able to identify all six differences. Keep your eyes on the details, and have fun! (Our answers are listed at the bottom of this newsletter, circled in red.)
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.
-
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.
-
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)
-
Large household items (landfilled)
- Documents for shredding (recycled)
Prescription medication (disposed properly)
|
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.
|
