January 31st Biweekly eNewsletter ❤️☀️✨📬♻️

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Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1103
Email Councilwoman Parrish-Wright

Ben Harlan
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3452
Email Ben

Dre Dawson
Community Engagement Strategist
(502) 494-6663
Email Dre


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In this Issue...


Council Updates

committee assignments

Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was assigned the following committees for the 2025 year:

Public Works-Vice Chair: The Public Works committee is assigned legislation as it relates to physical maintenance of our city. This committee deliberates items that can impact trash pickup, sidewalk repairs, road and alley paving, pothole repair, and snow removal. 

Budget: The Budget committee considers budget items for the city. Primarily, this committee is responsible for adjustments to the city budget throughout the fiscal year. Various metro departments (like Public Works, or Codes and Regulations) present to this committee on how they are spending money, if they will be over, under, or on budget, and how obligations are being fulfilled. 

Planning & Zoning: The P&Z committee, as it is abbreviated, is responsible for changes in zoning on properties across Jefferson County, and updates to land use policy. The most common example is when a property owner would like to use their property differently than how it is currently being used. This can range anywhere from large-scale housing developments, to auto-mechanic businesses, and restaurants. While all committees are critically important, P&Z often sees a great deal of public involvement because of the impacts P&Z has directly on neighborhoods. 

Public Safety: The Public Safety committee, as the name indicates, considers legislation as it relates to public safety. They generally preview collective bargaining agreements for first responders (but these do not require council approval). They also consider legislation as it relates to penalties for violating Louisville Metro ordinances. 

In addition to serving on four committees, Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was selected to represent Louisville Metro Council on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Councilwoman Parrish-Wright has decades of experience working and advocating with people with disabilities and is thrilled to continue that work on this commission. 


District 3 in The Community!

Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was a Grand Marshall for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day motorcade, and spoke during the church service at King Solomon Baptist Church. 

mlk day celebration

aka panel

Dre Dawson attended the Alpha Kappa Alpha panel at UofL to discuss civic engagement and represented D3, along with Councilwoman Paula McCraney.


Ben Harlan attended church at Bates Memorial, with one of our lovely constituents, Mrs. Madison. We were thrilled to be able to present her with her proclamation for being a Good Neighbor Award winner!

ben church

consent decree panel

Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was invited to speak on the panel to discuss the consent decree at the Bishop's Table. The panel discussed how the incoming administration could impact the enforcement of the consent decree, and how Louisville leaders can still implement police reform.  Councilwoman Parrish-Wright attends The Bishops Table regularly. Bishops Table is a great community gathering to highlight and process issues with Law enforcement, Metro government, faith leaders, service providers and more. It meets every Friday at 9am at Gospel Missionary Church located at 3226 Vermont Ave, Louisville, KY 40211. All are welcome. 


Rest in Peace, Shirley Mae

shirley mae

Councilwoman Parrish-Wright attended the funeral service for Louisville's beloved Shirley Mae. The Councilwoman was inspired by the work of Ms. Shirley Mae, and believes her memory will be best served by continuing her work. Her granddaughter recognized that some of those present at her funeral were fond of Ms. Shirley Mae's access to community, but were not true to the vision of her work. 


Rest in Peace, Mr. Woodson

Many of you know former State Representative, Attica Scott. On January 22nd. 2025, her father passed away. Our office is sending our sincerest condolences to former Representative Scott and her family at this time. 

mr woodson

Community Corner from Dre Dawson!

D3 Business guide

We are cataloguing businesses in D3. If you are a business that would like to be added please send us your business name, contact info and owner name. 

Next DAB meeting will be Feb 11th at 6pm at South Louisville Community Center 

University of Louisville Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Political Panel. We participated in a political panel for the UofL AKA's alongside Councilwoman Paula McCraney, who is also an AKA. 

LIBA Local Business Expo 2025! We hosted a mini-workshop table helping people get connected to local government resources. 

St. Denis AVC meeting discussed upcoming project ideas for the next round of funding.


D3 Advisory Board Meetings

3dab feb 2025

Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6-8pm

South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 6-8pm 

 

Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 6-8pm

 

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 6-8pm

*DAB Meeting will be hybrid moving forward. Please reach out to the office if you would like the Zoom meeting link.*


LIHEAP Open

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):


Metro Parks Hiring Lifeguards

 

 

It's not too early to start thinking about summer plans! Parks is offering lifeguard training at Mary T. Meagher for $200 per session. HOWEVER, if you become a lifeguard for Louisville Parks and Recreation, that fee is waived.

Our training sessions are:

February 1, 2, 8, & 9 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

February 23, March 1, 2, & 9 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

March 23 & 30, April 6 & 13 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

April 27, May 4, 11, & 18 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information visit https://ow.ly/ijfP50Uw58Q or call 502-574-1498

#louisvilleky #lifeguard #swimming


Rental Registry Update

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


Narcan Available

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.


Winter Yard Waste Schedule

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. 


Vision Screening for ID

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


Dates, Events, Resources, and Opportunities

pave jan 31

cafe louie

feb 1 bhm hike

feb 1 contaminated environments

feb 4 expungement

voting rights in ky

recovery advocacy day

feb 6 book signing

feb 13 ribbon cutting

movie screening

day of empathy

feb 23 joy

feb 28 keep going

prom dress giveaway

roots 101 feb events

par khrc meetings

tree work

april 8 sentencing

cafe louie 2025 calendar

eviction help

imagination library

urban league flyer

suicide prevention

odor reporting

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