Funding Priorities Added to the Budget:
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Community Ministries received a 20.7% increase in funding and $154,100 was added to help fund the important mission of the various community ministries around the Metro.
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External Agencies received an additional $390,000 in general funds to address critical needs. Groups receiving additional funds included: the Healing Place, Home of the Innocents, Volunteers of America’s Family Emergency Shelter, Project Warm, FEAT of Louisville, GuardianCare, and various Adult/Senior Day Care centers. Approximately $200,000 of the additional federal dollars were allocated to the Center for Women and Families, coalition for the Homeless, Jefferson Street Baptist community at Liberty and Father Maloney’s Boys and Girls Haven.
Paving Roads and Building Sidewalks
Each year members of the Metro Council receive $100,000 in the district’s Capital Infrastructure (CIF) Account. In an effort to maximize transparency and ensure the best use of these funds, Members of the Republican Caucus have again decided to pool our funds and spend them on projects outlined in the budget. Last year, members of the Caucus directed CIF funds to pave those streets rated lowest by Public Works. This year, we have dedicated more than 93% of our pooled funds toward paving and sidewalk improvements (the other 7% will pay for Park Improvements). As a result, approximately $2 million will pay for the following paving and sidewalk projects this fiscal year:
Paving is planned for portions of the following Streets: Old Lagrange Road, McMahan Blvd, Rock Bay Drive, Wolfspring Drive and Court, Deer Meadow Drive and Court, Pamela Way, Big Bend Drive, Limewood Circle, Saratoga Hill Road, Harrodwood Court, Mill Brook Road. Taxwell Drive, Lincoln Way, Smyrna Road, Williams Road, Adams Run Road, Springwood Lane, Pope Dale Road, Gilliland Road, Springwater Court, Woodstream Place, River Road, Briscoe Lane, Old Clark Station Road and the Meadows of Polo Fields.
Sidewalk projects that are included within this year’s budget are: Fern Creek Road (Anderson Park Patio Homes to Ferndale Road), Arbor Wood Subdivision from Billtown Road to Schafler, the railroad crossing at Hubbards Lane, Watterson Trail from Nashand Lane to Hendrick, continuation of the MET Trail along Shelbyville Road in Middletown, and Highview Park Walking Path.
We recognize many more millions of dollars are needed for paving and sidewalk projects, so members of the Metro Council made certain that both the Mayor and Director of Public Works understand the need for an even greater investment in roads in the coming years. We are also proud to say that each road selected for paving was chosen by the independent ratings of professionals with the Public Works Department based solely on need.
Economic Development
Urton Lane Corridor: One of the top priorities for members of the Republican Caucus was to secure funding for the Urton Lane Extension. This approximately $1.2 million project provides a new arterial road linking numerous local roads and arterials. The Urton Lane Extension will provide access to more than 400 acres, allowing up to 10,000 manufacturing and technical jobs to be created at nearby Bluegrass Commerce Park.
Quiet Zone Planned for Old Harrods Creek Drive and UPS Drive: In response to continued constituent requests for quiet zones, we were able to secure $258,000 for eligible quiet zones at Old Harrods Creek Drive and UPS Drive in Lyndon. While we would like to implement quiet zones at additional crossings, many fail to meet federal requirements. The anticipated timeline for the quiet zone implementation at Old Harrods Creek Drive and UPS Drive is 1 ½ to 2 years. The project includes - developing plans which must be approved by CSX Railroad, biding and awarding the project, and construction which can include curbing, paving, right-of-way acquisition, and equipment installation at the designated sites.
Conclusion
While there are always details in the budget that I would like to see changed, this budget has more taxpayer protections and oversight than any that I have dealt with in the past. Members from both parties came together to unanimously pass both the Capital and Operating Budgets for FY14. This unanimous vote came as the result of council members agreeing to focus on paving streets, investing in infrastructure and addressing blighted properties.
A copy of the final budget will be available online at www.louisvilleky.gov. To view the public hearings tune into Metro TV (TWC Channel 25) or visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroCouncil/granicus-ifame.htm.
 This week Insight customers began transitioning internet services to Time Warner Cable. The transition includes changing your email address.
Please send McKenzie Combs an email listing both your old and new email address so she can update your subscription to District 7's email newsletter. You may also update a subscription or register a new email address by clicking here.
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 The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 Office advises motorists that two ramps on Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) will be closed this weekend. Contract crews will be performing bridge joint and concrete pavement repairs.
The exit ramp from eastbound I-264 to westbound I-64 (Exit 19B) will be closed from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21 until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 24. Motorists should follow the signed detour via eastbound I-264 to Westport Road (see diagram above).
In addition, the entrance ramp from eastbound US 60 (Shelbyville Road) to eastbound I-264 will be closed during the same time frame. Motorists will be detour via KY 146 (New LaGrange Road) where they can access eastbound I-264.
This work is part of the I-264 construction project for concrete pavement repairs between Browns Lane and Westport Road (mile points 18.4 to 20.7). Hall Contracting, Inc. was awarded the contract for this project in the amount of $8.1 million. The work is scheduled for completion by July 31, 2013.
The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.
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