Ben's Pen Jan 2024

If 2023 was the year of listening and implementing for our office 2024 will be the year of continuous improvement. We have seen what works, we have seen what doesn't, and we have received great feedback on what to focus on next. Our office is small and it is truly the engaged residents who serve as "force multipliers" as our eyes, ears, arms, and voice in our neighborhoods and in the city as a whole. It is our job to make sure we have the systems in place to act effectively on your concerns.

Together, we'll work to ensure District 8 isn't just a place you live in, but a community you're proud to call home – a district that serves, supports, and celebrates each and every one of us.

And on that front, we have lots of exciting things to report below.

If you want more depth on specific issues, sign-up for our policy groups here.

Public Safety & Noise Update

Be on the lookout for a dedicated release on what we have been working on in 2023 and what is coming in 2024. In the meantime here is a sneak peak at the gains District 8 has made in making our community safer. Noise on the Bardstown Road Corridor When I got into the office, we were averaging more than 20+ noise complaints per month, and it was a major topic of discussion at several community meetings. By sitting down with neighborhood associations, the Restaurant Association, musicians groups, LMPD, ABC, and restaurant workers, we were able to have some very productive conversations about speakers, music bookings, hours of operation, and other areas of concern. We are pleased to report that we have only received 2 complaints in the last two months, while several musicians and restaurant owners have reported that music bookings are back to normal after an initial scare about ABC's new enforcement policy. There are definitely still some areas for improvement, but it's amazing what can happen when people talk to each other. Next up: Cars and Motorcycles Entertainment District Patrol Successes We have partnered with other Metro Council members to fund a dedicated task force of 5th Division officers this last fall. As of December 2023 this proactive approach resulted in 44 citations, 15 gun seizures, 10 warrants, 17 arrests, and 13 vehicle tows. We plan to repeat several times in 2024. Fitbits and Community Policing We know that community policing helps increase trust, build better relationships with community members, and increases case resolution percentages. Our Fitbit challenge this fall focused on the increasing officer engagement on Bardstown Road and Frankfort Avenue corridors. Officers wore activity trackers to accumulate as many steps as possible during their shifts. A weekly winner was recognized and received a complimentary meal, thanks to generous donations from local establishments. Collectively, officers logged an impressive 1,456,800 steps over five weeks, with a weekly average of 81,362 steps. This program has concluded for the 2023 year but will restart this spring! More initiatives around community presence to come in 2024!

Ben in the Wild: CM Reno-Weber Around D8

Listening to the voices of our residents and community is one of the best parts of this job. Since the first of the month here are some of the community meetings and events we have attended.

Voice of YPAL: Beyond the Numbers Feeling energized and inspired after engaging with YPAL (Young Professionals Association of Louisville) and their sponsors. We delved into strategies to attract, retain, and empower young professionals in Kentucky. The message is clear: young professionals are eager to build their lives here, but they're calling for more career opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and a better work-life balance. Discover more about what young professionals seek for a thriving career: Check out this link.

Ars Poetica: Celebrating the Spirit of District 8 Experiencing the unique blend of art and community at 'Ars Poetica' was truly special. Where else could you receive a poem dedicated to the "Best District in the City"? It's an honor to live in and represent a district that ignites such creativity and passion. And keep an eye out for more about "StoryVille" and exciting project being launched soon.

GLI Annual Meeting: Championing Inclusive Economics At the GLI (Greater Louisville Inc.) Annual Meeting, we dove into the heart of 'inclusive economics' – a critical strategy for uplifting our community. Kudos to Board Chair Conrad Daniels, whose advocacy for smart, equitable investments is reshaping parts of our community that deserve more attention. These investments aren't just morally right – they're also proving to be financially rewarding for all involved.  Shoutout to Carolyn Tandy for conducting a fantastic interview!

Rapid Response, Real Results: How Our Office Tackles Constituent Concerns

In District 8, we understand that it's often the small things that make a big difference in our community. Building on my background running an organization that had significant customer service needs, we do this differently than most other council offices. When you call, e-mail, or write us, you get a response within 48 hours. If you didn't at any point this fall - let us know, we had a few tech outages while we implemented:

A project management system captures your concern, which we then route to the right place, getting back to you on a regular cadence until it is resolved. Our dedication to constituent services and advanced systems enables us to address your concerns swiftly, with a personal touch, and the technological support to ensure effective solutions and recognize broader systemic issues. And it's getting better in 2024...

Here are some examples:

Quick Action on an Abandoned Car:

When an abandoned car was reported in the Douglass Blvd neighborhood on January 12th, our team sprang into action. Reflecting our commitment to maintaining the beauty and safety of our district, the car was removed by January 16th. A small, yet significant step towards keeping our streets clean and welcoming.

Efficient Resolution of a Dumping Incident:

On December 12th, we were alerted to a dumping incident. In less than 24 hours, by December 13th, our crew was on the scene, efficiently clearing the area. This prompt action exemplifies our commitment to environmental stewardship and community cleanliness.

Solving the Mystery of the Runaway Bench: A unique challenge came our way from the team at Jack Fry's – a runaway bench that seemed to belong to no one. Initially thought to be a TARC bench, our diligent investigation revealed its true custodian. Reported to us on October 10th, by October 27th, we had the bench securely bolted down in its rightful place. A testament to our problem-solving skills and dedication to community aesthetics.

We're Here to Help:

If you encounter an issue in our district that needs attention, don't hesitate to reach out. Our office is committed to addressing your concerns and enhancing our community's quality of life. Let us know what's on your mind and how we can assist. Contact us via this link.

Potholes! And What to do About Them

Potholes! Potholes are showing up everywhere! Why is that and how do they get fixed?

Potholes are caused by water seeping into the cracks of asphalt. This is caused by water getting into surface cracks caused by a weakened asphalt. Winter in the Metro Louisville area can be brutal with the constant amount of rain and snow that we have in the area. If the asphalt is already weakened, then the pothole is inevitable. Potholes are hard on our cars!

The good news? This is one of the easiest things to get fixed! How do you do that?

Report it! Be sure to give the exact location and if you want to send a picture pleas do!

• Report it by calling Metro311 or 574-5000 or complete a form online here.

• You can also report by using the Metro Call App! The link to download the app can be found here. 

• You may also give our office a call at 502-574-1108.

Don’t forget to write down and keep the 311-case number when you call. That gives us a way to track the process.

We have requested several pothole repairs in the last year and Public Works has done an amazing job of getting them fixed. Let’s make sure we continue to do that! Report it as soon as you see it! Let’s get them scheduled! Working together we will make sure that we take care of these as quickly as possible!

Addressing Street Sweeping Concerns: Our Commitment to a Cleaner, Greener District 8

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out to us about the recent street sweeping challenges in our neighborhood. You truly are our eyes and ears. As we embark on a new year, let’s take a moment to review our actions and our plans for continued improvement. Our collaboration with Public Works has been pivotal and will guide us in resolving future challenges effectively.

The Challenges from 2023:

• Residents received street sweeping notifications, but the sweeping didn't occur as scheduled.

• Street sweepers, overwhelmed by the volume of leaves, often bypassed curbside leaf piles, leaving them unattended.

Our Immediate Actions:

• We coordinated with Public Works to promptly reschedule missed street sweeping services.

• We issued clear communications emphasizing that while incidental leaves on the streets are manageable, homeowners are responsible for leaf disposal. Leaves blown or mown onto the streets can obstruct street sweeping services.

Our Long-Term Strategy:

• We're in discussions with Public Works to enhance communication regarding leaf collection this fall.

• We're exploring the feasibility of acquiring additional equipment or personnel for dedicated leaf pickup.

• We're doubling down on our commitment to a greener District 8. In partnership with neighborhood associations, parks, and Brightside, we're advocating for more tree planting. Our office is keen on sponsoring these efforts, so if you're interested in getting more trees in your area, please contact your neighborhood association or our office directly.

Stay Informed & Get Involved:

• For the latest updates on street sweeping and other road maintenance issues, visit Louisvilleky.gov's Address Lookup. Enter your address and sign up for Street Sweeping Reminders to receive notifications via email or text.

• To engage more deeply in shaping our district's traffic and parking policies, consider joining our D8 Policy Group on Parking & Traffic Safety. Click here to join.

Your involvement and feedback are invaluable in making District 8 not only cleaner but also greener and more livable for everyone. Together, we can make a tangible difference in our community.

What's Bubbling Up?

Events & Opportunities to Engage

D8 January Community Meeting

Join us this coming Tuesday for our monthly community meeting!  When: January 30th from 8:30am - 9:30am Where: Safai Coffee Shop Please RSVP via this link.

Café LOUIE 2024

Louisvillians: Organized, United, Informed & Engaged is a partnership between the Library Foundation, the Louisville Free Public Library, the Leadership Louisville Center and the Friends of the Library designed to facilitate communication and interaction between elected officials—both state and local, and constituents through a series of informal meetings at Louisville Free Public Library locations.

Participants will be offered refreshments and conversation. Elected officials will be given a brief time for prepared remarks and to answer pre-selected questions submitted by attendees. The focus of these meetings is engagement through personal conversations, and they are open to the public. While there will be several of these awesome meetings a month, we will be promoting the ones our District is hosting!

Christmas Tree Drop Off

From now until January 27th tree drop-off will be available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations. While you have the three to choose from, the Hubbards Lane site will instantly recycle Christmas trees into mulch offer it right back to citizens for home use, but you must bring a container. Before any drop off or pickup is done, all lights and ornaments should be removed from trees. See below for the locations and hours of operation.

From Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Waste Reduction Center closes at 3 p.m. on Saturdays) the following locations will be open:

• East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane

• Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)

• Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue

Metro Public Works will also provide curbside pickup of Christmas trees within the Urban Services District. Residents with city yard waste collection may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees may not be in plastic bags and all decorations must be removed. Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies to see if and when tree pickup is available.

Join the Urban Forestry Advisory Group

To register click here.

Dad Joke of the Month

I got a parking ticket yesterday, but I'm not sure why.

The sign said, "Fine for Parking"

Councilmember Ben Reno-Weber  |   Louisville Metro Council   |   District 8

601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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