January 20, 2025
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are staying warm and out of the elements on this bitterly cold Monday. For many Americans, it is a holiday honoring the work and life of Dr. King. Today is also a celebration of our uniquely American tradition of the peaceful transfer of power to a new presidential administration.
Whether you are celebrating one, both, or none of these events - from home or work - I do hope we can all remember that while our heroes may inspire us or lead us to action, they by themselves are not the only great things about America.
Our strength comes from working together, from dialogue and compromise, courage and compassion. Change comes slowly, much too slowly for some, but it does come. I hope we can all work together in the spirit of Dr. King and help ensure that change we bring is more just that the world we are seeking to change.
Enjoy your week,
 Brent T. Ackerson
26th District Councilman
**The 26th District office will be closed today, Monday January 20th, in observation of the Birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 21st at 9am.
For residents of the Urban Services District, Garbage, Recycling, and Yard Waste Collection. Yard Waste crews will collect Christmas trees (no lights or decorations).
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 14, 2025) – 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. Please visit louisvilleky.gov/hr for information on the positions and how to apply.
Metro Solid Waste provides curbside pickup of Christmas trees within the Urban Services District through January 25 on their regular yard waste collection day. Trees may not be in plastic bags and all decorations must be removed.
Christmas tree drop-off sites are available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations: Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue, Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane) and East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane. The Hubbards Lane site will also instantly recycle Christmas trees into mulch that will be offered back to citizens for home use. Those wishing to receive mulch must bring an appropriate container in which to carry it. All lights and ornaments should be removed from trees before they are dropped off.
Drop-off sites are open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Waste Reduction Center closes at 3 p.m. on Saturdays). All locations will be closed Saturday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 1pm-4pm Mellwood Art Center (1860 Mellwood Ave., Van Gogh Building)
Free entry
This B2B Expo features 50+ local businesses, reusable bags for the first 250 attendees, personalized “Quick Learns” and lots of prizes - all in a fun, festival atmosphere. Attendees can expect to go home with new connections and new tools for their business.
Find out more at KeepLouisvilleWeird.com/Expo.
Some snow event numbers:
- 12 inches total snowfall during prolonged event – nine inches in a seven-hour time span on Sunday, Jan. 5 (most snow amount in 25 years, 11.6 inches in 1998)and three inches Friday, Jan. 10.
- 38,000 tons of salt on hand to start the winter season
- 110 Metro snow routes (2,700 miles) – does not include what was done to accommodate JCPS, UofL, Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, TARC3 location or the Public Libraries
- 160 pieces of equipment (snowplows, loaders, utility trucks, skid steers, augers, spreaders)
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
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
Recently, naloxboxes were installed outside all 21 Louisville Fire stations and at the fire department in Shively, giving people access to naloxone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an opioid overdose reversal medication that saves lives.
According to Kentucky’s Drug Overdose Fatality Report, nearly 500 Jefferson County residents died from a drug overdose in 2023.
“Not only are we in the emergency response business, but we are also in the prevention business,” said Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill. “Our firefighters are also emergency medical technicians. As a new firefighter, you are far more likely to be administering Narcan before you actually drag a hose line into a house fire. It’s a terrible problem that knows no boundaries. Everyone is susceptible to opioid addiction and we want to make sure we are there, with no judgement, to try to help as many people as we can.”
To date, there are now more than 100 naloxbox locations across Louisville Metro. This effort is made possible through funding from Vital Strategies and the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE).
If you or someone you know is facing challenges with substance use, remember that you are not alone. For more information, please call 551-8590.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Winter Crisis enrollment is now available through Kentucky’s Community Action Network for eligible Kentucky households. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through March 31, 2025, or until designated funds have been expended.
LIHEAP Winter Crisis provides households with a benefit depending on housing category, fuel type used for heating, and income level. The benefit can be applied towards home heating cost for electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil.
Benefits are paid directly to the household's energy vendor. Prior LIHEAP assistance does not impact a household’s eligibility. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
In Jefferson County, LIHEAP Winter Crisis is available through the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. Appointments are required in advance to apply. Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Winter Crisis and MSD’s EWRAP with one single appointment. More information on EWRAP below.
Helpful forms when applying for LIHEAP and the MSD Discount Programs (click on links below to download):
Through our partnership with Louisville MSD, eligible residents will have the opportunity to apply for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP).
EWRAP can provide eligible residents in Jefferson County a 30% discount on wastewater charges and the consent decree surcharge. Eligibility includes households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, with proof of an active utility account with the Louisville Water Company and MSD. This enrollment period is for new and renewing MSD discount program clients.
MSD clients who are 65 years of age or older with a gross household income of $35,000 or less per year may be eligible for MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program. It is recommended you submit your MSD bill with your LIHEAP documentation to see if you qualify for a MSD discount program. For more details about the MSD Discount Programs, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.
 LFPL and the Louisville Orchestra are pleased to announce the fourth season of Once Upon an Orchestra, touring to all LFPL locations through October 2024 through March 2025. Families are invited to join LO ensembles for these fun, interactive musical storytelling performances. The tour will include past favorites, as well as new stories and songs. We’ll even make instruments from recycled materials so you can play along during the performance!
 Since the amount of yard waste generated is far less in the winter, the schedule is adjusted for a more efficient collection. From mid-January to mid-March yard waste will be collected EVERY OTHER WEEK on the opposite week of recycling. Use our Recycle Coach app to view the collection calendar and set reminders.
Residents may drop off bundled or contained yard waste at the Waste Reduction Center for free during the weeks there is no curbside collection.
Yard waste must be bundled according to curbside rules! Businesses with yard waste and loads that are not bundled correctly will have to pay the normal fee.
Guidelines:
- Leaves, twigs, straw, pine needles
- Shrubbery trimmings
- Branches and tree trimmings - must be less than 2 inches in diameter and less than 4 feet long
- Wood ash
- Christmas trees (seasonally) - remove all decorations, no bag or container needed
- Acceptable items in paper bags.
- Acceptable items in durable metal or plastic containers, 20-40 gallon capacity, with handles, weighing no more than 60 pounds
Yard waste meeting guidelines can be dropped off January 21-25, February 4-8, 18-22, and March 4-8 only. Jefferson County residents only. Businesses must pay the normal fee.
The Waste Reduction Center is located at 636 Meriwether Avenue and is open Tuesday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards or 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.
Visit the website to learn more and apply!
You are invited to attend a review for a CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT to allow a Non-Owner Occupied Short Term Rental in R5 Zoning.
Subject Property: 4008 BLOSSOMWOOD DRIVE
Case Number: 24-CUP-0297
Case Manager: JUDE MATTINGLY (jude.mattingly@louisvilleky.gov)
Meeting Type: BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT
Meeting Date: MONDAY, FEBUARY 3 2025
Time: Meeting will begin at 1:00 PM and continue until all cases are heard
Location: 514 W Liberty Street, 40202 (OLD JAIL BUILDING)
You may also participate online, and view case material by visiting: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-planning/upcoming-public-meetings
For meeting agenda and staff report, please visit:
https://louisvilleky.primegov.com/public/portal
More information is available in person at:
Louisville Metro Office of Planning (Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
444 S. 5th Street, 3rd Floor, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-6230
If you wish to submit comments in writing on this case, please submit to the case manager by 9:00 A.M. Friday, January 31. If you would like to provide verbal testimony, please attend the meeting or participate online. Additional information or written comments submitted after applicable deadlines must be approved by the Board at the meeting; the Board may choose to not accept such information or comments.
Persons who desire special accommodations should contact the Planning Commission office at
Our office routinely publishes information on upcoming public meetings and regarding planning and zoning cases in and around District 26. Our posting in this forum is not an official notice. This list may not be comprehensive nor does it include other zoning matters decided upon by zoning authorities other than Louisville Metro Government.
While we intended to expand the scope of our zoning notices, our office reverted to the former policy of relaying the information we receive from Planning and Zoning. We are limited by ordinance and state law to provide the publicly available information.
|
