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Peace. It's budget season. On Thursday, May 28th, Mayor Greg Fischer proposed his city budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. You can watch the address here. Some of the budget highlights include:
- $10 million for affordable housing, $3 million in down payment assistance to help increase homeownership among low to moderate households, and $3.4 million to repair and maintain homeownership in low-income areas.
- An additional $3 million matching grant for Evolve502, ensuring that every JCPS student in middle school and older can go to college tuition-free.
- $412,000 to expand hours and programming at community centers.
- Investments in the successful Clean Collaborative initiative, as well as five mowing cycles and $22 million to pave roads and repair sidewalks.
- $750,000 to support development and redevelopment initiatives in the Russell Neighborhood.
- $4 million to redesign of 9th Street (Broadway to Main Street) as a “complete street” to ensure safe and efficient mobility for transportation users of all ages, abilities, and modes.
- $4 million as Waterfront Park Phase IV expands Waterfront Park west past 10th Street.
To review the full budget, check out budget hearings, and submit budget comments — please go here.
In addition to the regular city budget, a new round of federal spending was announced last week. Some American Rescue Plan (ARP) highlights include:
- $6 million for preserving and expanding the historic Baxter Community Center building and creating a new park at 13th and Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
- $8 million for renovation and expansion of the Main Louisville Free Public Library.
- $800,000 for renovation of the Parkland Library to restore library services to the neighborhood.
- $7.5 million to provide childcare and early learning projects to address immediate COVID needs, expand access to childcare and early learning, improve quality and mitigate COVID related developmental delays.
- $8.5 million for funding for a three year comprehensive and accessible Youth Development System for Louisville Youth (10-24) to access a variety of services and programs and improve public safety.
I proudly worked on different allocations for this next round of ARP but due to my employment at Simmons College of Kentucky, which is receiving city dollars for the first time in history, I will not be sponsoring, debating, or voting for this ordinance. I will abstain in committee and at the full council level. Thank you to all the advocates who helped get these projects funded.
I have not reviewed all several hundred pages of the executive and detailed budget but will do so this week. If you have specific questions I should be asking agencies please let me know. Our office will host various meetings across the district to get input about the city budget. Please urge everyone you know to submit comments here.
THANK YOU
Councilman Jecorey Arthur
For assistance in relation to hardships due to COVID click here.
For information about COVID facts, testing, vaccines and more click here.
For in depth updates on COVID in Louisville, including total deaths and confirmed cases click here.
A website has launched to offer the family and friends of Kentuckians lost to COVID an opportunity to memorialize their loved ones by writing and sharing stories. To view the virtual memorial click here.
City Hall Closures
Please note that City Hall will close early on Wednesday, May 4th at 3:00 PM and will completely close Friday, May 6th. These closures include the District 4 office. For emergency services call 911. For city services call 311. For social services call 211.
District 4 Monthly Round Table
Tuesday, May 17th 6-7 PM
Video-In: louisvilleky.webex.com/meet/D4
Phone-In: (415)655-0001
Access Code: 180-005-6522#
Stream: facebook.com/loudistrict4
Beecher Terrace Community Meeting
Councilman Arthur is hosting a community meeting with current Beecher Terrace residents this month. This meeting will be in-person only.
Tuesday, May 24th, 6-7 PM
Beecher Terrace Apartments, 980 W Liberty St, Louisville
Community Room
Legislation
- Gun Buyback Ordinance — This ordinance will start a pilot program where Louisvillians can sell guns to Louisville Metro Government to be destroyed. We're working with the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Director Dr. Monique Williams and other advocacy groups on this effort. We are currently meeting with cities who have similar programs to learn from their experiences before sharing the first draft.
- Corrections Resolution — This resolution urges various justice system institutions to adopt dozens of policy recommendations. We are working with the Chief of Public Services, the ACLU, the Department of Corrections, and more on this. Some of these recommendations may be added to an ordinance if appropriate once council begins its corrections investigation. We are working with community groups to inquire about a civilian review board. A draft can be viewed here.
- Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance — This ordinance will help prevent displacement by creating a displacement index to be used for new developments in select neighborhoods. A new draft can be viewed here.
- Open Data Ordinance — This ordinance will mandate open data remains public. A draft can be viewed here.
- Neighborhood Development Fund (NDF) Bail Ordinance — This ordinance allocates a $10,000 grant to provide court support for people with low-level bonds ($500 or less) upon their release from the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. We are working with the Bail Project.
- Industrial Revenue Bonds Ordinance(s) — These ordinances will approve Louisville Metro Government being the conduit for bonds for proposed developments at 930 Lampton St (Ferncliff Distillery) and 827 Logan St (Trellis Brewing). We are working with the Smoketown Neighborhood Association and Smoketown Originals on community benefits agreements to be executed with the ordinances. A draft can be viewed here.
- Community Benefits Ordinance — This ordinance will require developers to execute community benefits agreements with neighborhoods prior to the approval of financial incentives such as tax increment financing (TIF) or industrial revenue bonds (IRB). We are working with Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey, Louisville Forward, and several neighborhoods on this.
- Language Access Ordinance — This ordinance will require all Metro Government agencies to create a language access policy for people who speak English as a second language, solely speak a foreign language, or use sign language or braille. This will be deliberated in the Committee on Equity & Inclusion, Thursday, May 12.
- Capital Infrastructure Fund (CIF) Trees Ordinance — This ordinance will allocate approximately $25,000 or less to help increase the tree canopy in our district.
- Extreme Park Resolution — This resolution approves a lease of the skate park downtown. This will be deliberated in the Parks & Sustainability Committee, Thursday, May 12.
- LMHA Resolution — This resolution will urge the Louisville Metro Housing Authority to address the concerns of the Louisville Tenants Union.
Please note some of the legislation above is only drafted but may not have been filed. All our sponsored and co-sponsored legislation can be viewed here. We welcome input from constituents, experts, and stakeholders.
Waterfront Park LVA Juneteenth Camp
These weeklong day camps will be held outdoors with plenty of room for social distancing. Campers will meet each morning for visual art instruction, and activities on the covered outdoor patio of the David K. Karem Building which overlooks the Ohio River. In the afternoon, campers will explore Waterfront Park sites for fun camp activities and plenty of exercise. Campers ages 7-12. The deadline for the application is May 6 at 5 PM. To learn more, click here.
Enrollment Now Open for Spring LIHEAP Subsidy Cooling Component
Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services joins with Community Action Agencies across the state to begin accepting applications for the 2022 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Spring Subsidy Cooling Component. To learn more, click here.
Louisville Forward, GLI Receive National Award for Their Economic Development Work From Site Selection Magazine
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer joined the teams at Louisville Forward and Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) for a celebration announcing the organizations have again been jointly recognized as a Top U.S. Economic Development Organization for 2021 by Site Selection Magazine, the leading economic development publication in the U.S. To learn more, click here.
City Hall’s Clock Tower Lights up Blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month
Throughout the month of April, blue pinwheels pop up in front of businesses and homes to raise awareness about child abuse. Instead of blue pinwheels, City Hall’s historic Clock Tower will light up blue this weekend in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. To learn more, click here.
Mayor Fischer Presents a $1.3 Billion FY22-23 Budget Focused On “Planting Seeds for Future Progress”
Mayor Greg Fischer presented his 12th – and final – annual budget address to Metro Council, reflecting on how his previous 11 budgets have made the city stronger, more vibrant and prepared to withstand challenges, as well as outlining new investments in priority areas, including public safety, public health, equity and quality of life. To learn more, click here.
Metro Leaders Announce Steps “To Further Invest in the Health of Our City” With 4th Round of Federal Arp Spending
Mayor Greg Fischer was joined by Metro Councilmembers to outline an ordinance proposing to spend $87.4 million of the city’s share of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars on projects that range from opening two new libraries to investments in childcare and early learning, as well as in parks, pools and public health. To learn more, click here.
Louisville Seeking Applicants to Help Create a More Equitable Food System
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW) is now accepting applications from organizations to improve access, education and equity in Louisville’s food system. A total of up to $500,000 is available, which will be awarded to multiple organizations. To learn more, click here.
Air Pollution Control District Proposed Permit
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (District) proposes to issue an operating permit for Caldwell Tanks, Inc. (Customized Storage Tank Production), 4000 Tower Road, Louisville, 40219, in accordance with Regulation 2.16. The 30-day public comment period starts May 05, 2022, and ends on June 06, 2022. A public hearing may be scheduled if the District determines that there are germane, unresolved issues or substantial public interest, in accordance with Regulation 2.07. To learn more, click here.
Report a Pothole
Pothole Blitz has started. Report a pothole by calling MetroCall 311 or using this link.
Russell: A Place of Promise Ambassador Program
Check out the new RPOP Ambassador Program! This 6-month program has a limited number of available positions so be sure to apply by May 17th. To learn more, click here.
Evolve502 Scholarship
The Evolve502 Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship program that covers a student’s college tuition after federal and state aid has been applied. Scholarships are now open to all eligible JCPS Class of 2022 graduates and may be used to earn an associate degree, workforce credential or up to 60 credit hours at any Kentucky Community & Technical College, including Jefferson Community and Technical College, or Simmons College of Kentucky. To learn more, click here.
Board of Zoning Adjustment
There is a public notice for 1313 East Washington Street. To learn more, click here.
Alcoholic Beverage Control
There is a public notice for 1961 Brownsboro Road. To learn more, click here.
Invitation to Neighborhood Informational Meeting
There is a public notice for 538 E. Caldwell Street. To learn more, click here.
There is a public notice for 701 E. Kentucky Street. To learn more, click here.
Broadway All The Way
Our city is planning to create a safe, vibrant, multimodal corridor that meets the needs of all citizens, especially those that live along Broadway, and that will serve as a robust catalyst for economic development throughout Louisville. Please click here to provide feedback.
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