Yesterday, we announced the results of the committee makeup for this year. The Republican Caucus will Chair 5 committees including the Budget committee and the Public Safety committee among others. The Democrat Caucus will chair 5 committees also. Further, half of the committees will have even members represented among both caucuses while the other half will have one extra vote from the Democrat caucus acknowledging that they make up 14 of the 26 members on Council. At our press conference yesterday, the leadership team including the President and caucus leadership stated that this is a new day of cooperation on Council and we are committed to ensuring all voices from every corner of this city are heard on all issues. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure just that.

In addition to my leadership roles, I am a member of the Budget, Public Safety, and Government Oversight committees.

We are finally seeing some of this snow melt from one of the top 10 worst snowstorms in recorded history. I appreciate all the cooperation from residents, our HOAs and our Suburban cities to clear roads. I want to thank the men and women of Public Works who literally worked all day and night to get our roads back up and running. This was not perfect of course and I am already working with the Administration to see about incorporating the lessons learned from this event to clear streets more efficiently in the future.

Finally, I want to make my annual appeal for your ideas on how to improve our city. This could be new laws, amendments to existing laws, repeals of existing laws, or oversight of executive branch functions. I will continue to work to ensure we have the best public safety departments in the state and preferably the country. Next, I am very interested in making it easier for small

businesses to operate in our city which includes the reduction or elimination of useless regulations and bureaucratic red tape. Finally, I plan on continuing to push for fiscal sustainability which means no new taxes and reducing operating costs so we have a stable budget for years to come. Please send Chanelle and I your ideas and we will do everything we can to ensure our priorities are actioned.

I look forward to another year representing you on Metro Council. This continues to be one of the great honors of my lifetime and I would ask that you pray for wisdom that both Council and I will represent you well.

Humbly Yours,

Anthony Piagentini

Louisville Zoo Job Fair

On Saturday, January 25, the Louisville Zoo will host its annual job fair in the Islands Pavilion Gheens Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Zoo is seeking outgoing, highly motivated individuals who enjoy working with the public to fill seasonal positions in various departments.

Positions are available in admissions, animal departments, education, front desk, guest services, horticulture, marketing (website management), membership and rides & attractions. Candidates will receive training in their area. Animal, marketing and education departments require additional experience.

The compensation for seasonal positions starts at $16.65 per hour. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age and able to work a variable schedule that includes nights and weekends from March through November. Some positions require applicants to be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. For positions requiring CPR/First Aid Certification, the Zoo will provide training.

Seasonal positions in the Zoo’s animal departments require one year of college with a declared major in biology or a closely related field, as well as one year of working with animals in an institutional setting.

To apply for seasonal positions in the education department, candidates must have completed one year of college seeking a degree in elementary or secondary education, have one year of experience working with children in a formal or informal teaching setting (school, day camp, zoo or other cultural attraction), and have background knowledge of biology, ecology or related fields.

For those applying for a seasonal position in the marketing department, candidates must have experience working in WordPress creating and editing pages, posts and menus. Basic HTML, CSS and SEO knowledge is preferred, as well as experience in content management and familiarity with Adobe graphic design software.

In addition to working in a unique environment, seasonal Zoo employees receive free Zoo admission and parking for the duration of their employment term as well as discounts in Zoo gift shops and food concession locations with Zoo ID.

The Zoo has full and part-time positions available in various areas. Visit louisvillezoo.org/about-the-zoo/hr/ for information on the positions and how to apply.

The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Cafe Louie 2025 Meet your Legislators schedule

Councilman Piagentini was looking to attend on January 11th, however, it was postponed due to weather. We will alert once we get a new date!

Public Meetings/Notices

Click the dates below to view the Weekly Activity Report for that week.

• IARC Report 01.15.25.pdf
• IARC Report 01.08.25.pdf
  

New Requirement to Renew Driver's License in Kentucky

Starting January 1, 2025, all Kentuckians must undergo a vision screening to renew their driver’s license. Multiple states have adopted mandatory vision screenings to ensure drivers have the visual acuity required to operate a vehicle safely.

This new requirement, enacted during the 2021 General Assembly, aims to promote highway safety by ensuring that all drivers maintain good vision throughout their driving career. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet  (KYTC) is responsible for administering the vision requirement law for drivers seeking to renew their license. Drivers have two options for vision screenings when renewing their license. Click on the link below for additional details. https://drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Documents/KCTC_fact%20sheet_public_.pdf

Safe Routes to School Program in Louisville

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Louisville Metro Government have released a new framework, outlining the steps necessary to create Louisville’s first Safe Routes to School program. Communities across the country offer Safe Routes to School programs to promote safe walking and cycling conditions for elementary, middle, and high school students. The programs encourage active lifestyles and bridge the gap between health and transportation.

The framework was developed to support Vision Zero Louisville, the city’s transportation safety initiative, which envisions zero roadway deaths by 2050. Studies show that Safe Routes to School programs can reduce risk of pedestrian injury and increase physical activity. A Safe Routes to School program would also provide benefits to the community at-large, including reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. It also promotes savings on fuel costs for families and reduces the demand on school bus fleets.

In addition to this framework, the project team conducted road safety assessments near ten schools in Jefferson County, and KYTC is already turning those findings into infrastructure improvements. “Safety is urgent, and it is our top priority. We are committed to working with our local partners to provide safe and accessible routes for children to get to school, fostering a healthier and brighter future for the next generation,” said Mike Vaughn, manager of KYTC’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which funded the project.

Launching Louisville’s first Safe Routes to School program will require dedicated investments of time, funding, and participation from local and state agencies, schools, and members of the community. The new framework lays the foundation for identifying supportive roles from champions and community members, strengthening policy, and implementing the program.

For more information, please visit the Safe Routes to School Louisville website at LouisvilleSafeRoutesToSchool.com.

Take care of your Pets during the cold & snow!

Cold weather can be deadly for pets left outside without the proper shelter to keep them warm. Just as humans experience, pets start shivering a lot, can lose motor skills, and if their body temperature gets too low, then their bodily functions shut-down and you they can die.

This situation that can be avoided if pet owners take proper precautions. Monitor the weather. If it's expected to get very cold, bring your pet(s) inside the house or move them to the garage. If you can't bring your dog inside, then insulate his or her dog house with straw to help retain body heat. Also, cover any openings so that the wind cannot blow into the dog house. If you have an outdoor cat, create a makeshift cat house. All you have to do is take a Styrofoam cooler, cut a hole in it and stick some straw in it, and you've created a cat house. Also, remember to refresh water bowls often as the water can freeze. You can have some perish from that, due to dehydration. They're going to be drinking more water in the winter to stay warm. *(All information is from LMAS!)

To report a pet left outside in the cold, call LMAS dispatch at 502-363-6609.

Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia

As temperatures fall below freezing, the danger of frostbite increases significantly and can occur more quickly than you might expect.

Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes.

• Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin.
• Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.

Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.

• Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.

Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

An important update is coming to the rental registration process!

The Rental Registry (Chapter 119), which is enforced by the Department of Codes & Regulations, aims to maintain transparency and accountability among rental property owners across the city. Starting November 4th, those who need to register their long-term rental properties will transition from using the Metro Business Portal to a new, user-friendly platform called Slate. The Slate application, developed by Tolemi, has been implemented in several other cities, such as Monterey, CA and Lakewood, WA, for their Rental Registry initiatives. The effectiveness of the program in these locations is underscored by terms like "streamlined," "compliance," and "customer-friendly." We are confident this change will benefit rental property owners and increase the health and wellbeing of their tenants. A comprehensive step-by-step guide for registering your property using Slate, along with extra detailed information, will be provided by the Department of Codes & Regulations on the day the program is launched. Updates to their website will also be made available at that time. For more information, subscribe to the Rental Property Owner Newsletter by filling out your email address in the following link (you can unsubscribe anytime). LINK: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/rental-property-owner-newsletter

Call Before You Dig

Suspect A Natural Gas Leak?

Message from LMPD

Over the past month, the 8th Division has experienced a concerning increase in thefts from vehicles and auto thefts, particularly in our residential areas. In response, our dedicated officers and detectives, in collaboration with various units across the Louisville Metro Police Department, have worked tirelessly to address and combat this criminal activity. Their diligent efforts have led to several arrests, and investigations continue as we identify additional suspects. Although we have seen a decrease in these incidents, they remain a top priority for our patrols and enforcement actions. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding your property. Most of the recent car break-ins involved unlocked vehicles, and the stolen vehicles had keys left inside them. Additionally, several incidents involved open garages resulting in thefts from vehicles and auto thefts. By taking simple preventative measures, we can significantly reduce the attractiveness of our neighborhoods to criminals. Please consider the following prevention tips to greatly reduce your chances of being victimized: ·        REMOVE KEYS FROM INSIDE VEHICLES ·        LOCK VEHICLE DOORS ·        CLOSE GARAGES ·        REMOVE GARAGE DOOR OPENERS FROM VEHICLES ·        REMOVE ANY VALUABLES FROM INSIDE VEHICLES Your cooperation is essential in making our neighborhoods safer and less appealing to potential thieves. By locking your vehicles and ensuring keys and garage door openers are not left inside, we can collectively deter criminal activity. In addition to our enforcement efforts, the 8th Division has hosted several community events over the past month, with more planned in the near future. These events provide an excellent opportunity for you to engage with our officers, ask questions, and learn more about our efforts to keep our community safe. Below are some pictures from our recent events, as well as a schedule of upcoming events. We warmly invite you to attend and participate.

Join a Board or Commission

If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions, now is the time to start. By being a part of a board or commission, you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.

There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.

To learn more about applications, please visit Boards and Commissions - List | LouisvilleKY.gov

Report Potholes

We need your help reporting potholes, use one of the methods below:

1. Use an online form by clicking here.
2. Use Twitter by sending the location of the hole to @LouMetro311 and include the hashtag #502pothole.
3. Call Metro311 or 574-5000 to report potholes or any other issues.
4. You can also call my office at 574-1119 or email chanelle.smith@louisvilleky.gov and we'll turn it in on your behalf.

To report a pothole on an interstate in Jefferson County, go to the “contact us” dropdown menu and select “report a hazard” on KYTC’s website http://transportation.ky.gov or click here.

Report a Litterer

Get directly involved in making Louisville a more litter-free community through the Report-A-Litterer program aimed at motorists who throw fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, soda bottles or any type of litter out their car window.

Stay Informed

LMPD Nextdoor

The Louisville Metro Police Department is now on Nextdoor to engage with residents of Metro Louisville. Detective Sergeant Roderick Beasley is active on the platform representing the 8^th Division. He is sharing information with residents of the 8^th Division about current crime trends, crime tips, and community events for your neighborhoods. To join us on Nextdoor use the link below.

Link to LMPD on nextdoor

Guidelines for Calling the Police

New Kentucky Drivers License Info

Find the Latest Crime & Safety Info from LMPD

Crime Trends from Louisville Metro Police  Click here and view our interactive crime mapping tool. Save it in your favorites, it's updated daily. Forward this email to your friends and family!  Or use the crime mapping iPhone app: Crime Mapping | Louisville Metro PD, KY (louisville-police.org) If you see crime occurring, please contact the Louisville Metro Police Department. Call 911 for emergencies. Call 502-574-7111 for non-emergency related help or to find a towed vehicle. Call 574-LMPD to report crime tips.