District 11 eNews (March 28, 2025)

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Councilman Kevin Kramer

Metro Councilman Kevin Kramer

601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502.574.1111
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Scott Harrington

 

Legislative Assistant
Phone: 502-574-3456
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Metro Council Meeting Summary March 27, 2025

The Metro Council met Thursday for its second meeting of March. During the meeting, Councilman Khalil Batshon recognized the service of Nick Rodman Legacy Foundation Executive Director Ashley Rodman and announced the naming of Louisville’s newest park in honor of fallen LMPD Officer Nick Rodman. Additionally, Councilman Joseph recognized the achievements of Butler High School student Cesar Garcia, who was recently elected Secretary General at the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) Conference.  

In addition to the above listed recognitions, the Metro Council took action on the following items:

Mask Ordinance Changes (O-264-24):  By a vote of 9 -14, I and the majority of members of the Metro Council were able to stop efforts by a few members of the Metro Council to reduce the effectiveness and ability of LMPD to use the ordinance that prohibits the use of masks in public places for reasons other than religion or health.  In reviewing this proposal, members of the Metro Council received testimony from members of LMPD as well as the Mayor’s Office against weakening the ordinance, as well as discussion on the origins of the ordinance in combatting demonstrations by groups that sought to use masks as a means for intimidation as well as a way to prevent people from knowing who is participating in such demonstrations.

Cigar Bar Exemption (O-071-25):  I joined the majority of members of the Metro Council who voted 20-6 in favor of an amendment to the current Metro Smoking Ban to allow an exemption for those cigar bars. This ordinance helps to bring common sense to our current ordinance and will help address an identified need by groups associated within the hospitality and tourism industry. The ordinance only allows for smoking in businesses that obtain an annual license, generate at least 15 percent of its annual gross income from the sale of cigars or pipe tobacco and must have signage as well as designated smoke free areas to allow for the delivery of materials by outside vendors.

Nick Rodman Legacy Park (R-030-25): The Metro Council unanimously supported a resolution that will name a new park planned for Lamborne Boulevard in Southwest Jefferson County as the Nick Rodman Legacy Park. This park is expected to open this spring following a year of construction and nearly $2 million in investment.

Zoning Cases Approved: The Metro Council voted to approve zoning cases located on Garden Trace Drive, Race Road, Logan Street and South Preston Street.

The Metro Council does not have meetings scheduled for the next two weeks. Our next regular committee week will start on April 14, 2025. The Metro Council’s next meeting will be the Mayor’s Budget Address, which will start at 4pm and will mark the start of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget process.  https://louisvilleky.primegov.com/public/portal


Greater Jeffersontown Historical Society

Monday, April 7, 2025. The meeting will be held at 1:00 P.M. at the Jeffersontown Branch Library, 10635 Watterson Trail.

Program:  Down the Ohio and into the Wilderness:  The Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Speaker:  James Holmberg, Filson Historical Society.

The story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is recognized by historians as the greatest exploring venture in   the history of the United States. 


Seeking D11 Residents to serve on Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinating Council

he Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinating Council (DVPCC) was established through ordinance in 1996.  It was charged with the general purpose: to improve interagency cooperation and communication in the area of domestic violence and abuse; to promote effective prevention, intervention, and treatment techniques which is developed based upon research and data collection; and to improve the response to domestic violence and abuse so as to reduce incidents thereof.

To assist the Council in its work, ongoing committees have been formed including:

  • Interagency Committee – Created to serve as a forum for ongoing information sharing and problem-solving, to provide assistance with program research and development, and to prioritize and implement recommendations around advocacy in the Community Assessment.

  • Fatality Review Committee – Established to identify areas and opportunities for enhancing coordinated agency and community responses to domestic violence. The Committee utilizes a systems-review approach in conducting multidisciplinary and multi-agency examinations of domestic violence fatalities.

    • Family Input Review Task Group – Established in November 2013 to develop a mechanism for incorporating family member input into the fatality review process.

  • Community Assessment Steering Committee – Convened to facilitate the prioritization and implementation of the recommendations provided in the Community Assessment Report. The following workgroups have been created to implement the recommendations in the report:

    • Law Enforcement Workgroup
    • Courts Workgroup
    • Training, Public Awareness and Prevention Workgroup
    • Legislative and Firearms Workgroup
    • Data Collection Workgroup
    • Batterers Intervention Workgroup

If you are interested in serving, please submit your online application here:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-craig-greenberg/interested-serving-board-or-commission


Rep. McGarvey’s 2025 Congressional Art Competition Open for Louisville High Schoolers

Congressman McGarvey is proud to host the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for KY District 3!

The annual bipartisan Congressional Art Competition celebrates the artistic achievements of our nation’s high school students. The winning artwork from each Congressional district hangs in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. Every day while the U.S. House of Representatives is in session, 441 Representatives and Delegates rush through this tunnel every day to vote on a bill or attend a key committee hearing, while 6,000 staffers take millions of visitors and constituents through the same tunnel annually. For any artist, having a piece of artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol is a significant achievement.

Kentucky’s Third Congressional District's Art Competition is open to all high school students in District 3 from grades 9-12. Students should participate in the art competition taking place in the district where they reside - not where they attend school. The competition is hosted online, and the public will be invited to vote for their favorite artwork. Two winners will be selected - an overall winner and a community winner. The overall winner will receive two roundtrip tickets to Washington, D.C., to attend the national award ceremony and have their artwork displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. The community winner will receive prizes including having their artwork displayed in the Louisville office for one year.

Submission Instructions:

KEY DATES:

  • Submission form opens: March 20th
  • Deadline for submissions: April 22nd by 11:59 PM
  • Public online voting portal opens: April 23rd
  • Public online voting portal closes: April 30th at Noon
  • Overall and Community Award winners notified: May 2nd
  • Louisville award ceremony for both winners: TBA
  • Washington D.C. award ceremony (Overall Winner only): June 11th 
    • (Winner and ONE GUEST may attend the national celebration. Roundtrip airfare for two provided by Southwest Airlines. Winner is responsible for hotel accommodations and all D.C. related expenses such as cars, taxis, meals, etc.)

    Please contact ArtCompKY03@mail.house.gov with any questions. 

Congressional Art Competition

Shakespeare in the Parks: Macbeth at Beckley Creek Park on Sunday, April 6 at 1PM

Macbeth

St. Edward Parish to host blood drive on Thursday, April 10

Blood Drive

St. Edward Parish, 9608 Sue Helen Drive, will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, April 10, 2025, 3 - 7 P.M. in the gym. The need for blood has become critical and our goal is to collect at least 40 pints at this blood drive. Signup early. Appointments are preferred. Walk-ins will be welcomed as appointment spaces allow. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-733-2767 or online at RedCrossBlood.org, enter Sponsor code: StEdwardLouKy. Please be a donor and tell your family and friends about our drive on April 10, 2025


St. Gabriel Sports Ministry to host Trivia Night on Saturday, April 12

Join us at St. Gabriel Parish for Trivia Night! Reserve your table today: https://www.wesharegiving.org/App/Form/0ac84f73-de1d-463d-b0a7-c9108fe7c7d6

Proceeds benefit our St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish sports ministry for gym rentals and continued upgrades to our own gym. Last year, we replaced bleachers, installed an electronic sign, new wall pads and a new slushie machine.

Trivia Night

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