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
This week, I had the privilege of joining Councilwoman Crystal Bast to host Senator Mitch McConnell's District Director, Robbin Taylor, and Field Representative, Josie Hammon, on a tour of Jefferson Memorial Forest. Together, we explored the impressive enhancements made to the Tom Wallace Recreation Area. We discussed the Jefferson Memorial Forest's master plan and future projects. Accompanying us were Deputy Mayor Nicole George, Metro Parks Executive Director Michelle King, Metro Parks Director Jason Canuel, and Parks and Recreation Administrator Jessica Kane.
The recently reopened Tom Wallace Recreation Area now features an accessible trail encircling the lake, a scenic boardwalk through the wetlands, a kayak launch, a new pavilion, and additional fishing spots. If you haven't yet experienced the beauty of this revitalized space, I highly recommend a visit to enjoy the natural wonders in our own backyard.
The team from Goodwill Industries of Kentucky Another Way Program helped clean up New Cut Rd. and Outer Loop this past week. In total, the team collected 162 bags of trash, along with grocery carts, furniture, and other debris.
Another Way program helps reduce panhandling and give individuals at stoplights and other rights of way a new, more effective way of giving to those experiencing poverty. The program is sponsored by Louisville Metro and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Another Way program leaders use Goodwill transportation to canvass highly trafficked areas, such as homeless shelters, highways, byways and street corners, pick up willing workers and take them to worksites around the city for four hours of work. In return, the participants earn $50, lunch and an introduction to the internal and external barrier-reduction resources at Goodwill’s Opportunity Centers.
Sharon Allgeier with the Another Way Program shared with my office that the team truly enjoyed the work, and the community showed their appreciation by honking, waving, and thanking us for our efforts.
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Property Address: National Turnpike Auto Sales, 8000 National Turnpike
Case Number: 25-ZONE-0039
A change in zoning application to go from R4 to C2 for used auto sales and auto service on 0.34 acres.
For more information, please click HERE.
Property Address: C5 Centerport at SDF, LLC, 8107 Minor Ln.
Case Number: 25-LANDSCAPE-0034
A landscape plan for warehouses on 97 acres in the C2 zoning district.
For more information, please click HERE.
Property Address: Minor Ln., 3000 Shadeswood Ave.
Case Number: 24-MPLAT-0041
A minor subdivision plat to consolidate 8 tracts, create 5 new tracts, and dedicate right-of-way.
For more information, please click HERE.
To View the Full Report, Please Click HERE.
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 Looking for activities to keep kids and teens entertained during your spring break staycation? Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced today that parents and guardians need to check out all of the free programs being offered at the Louisville Free Public Library.
“Fun and learning doesn’t have to end when school is out,” Mayor Greenberg said. “We are thrilled to offer these programs at no charge to serve families who need access to safe, engaging and amazing learning opportunities for young people in every corner of this community.”
Starting Saturday, March 29, LFPL will offer more than 100 free programs and activities to help keep kids and teens engaged and entertained while school is out. LFPL offers hands-on learning programs for children to play, create, and explore together, including interactive storytimes, crafts, nature play, a puppet show, and STEAM activities at locations across Louisville. Families can also enjoy free presentations and performances at the Library from Kentucky Shakespeare, the Little Loomhouse, Brightside Louisville, Jefferson Memorial Forest, and the Louisville Orchestra.
Special events include a Wonder Women Showcase at Shawnee Library (Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m., Shawnee Library, for ages 5-12), a Minute-To-Win-It Challenge at the Northeast Regional Library (Friday, April 4, 2 p.m.), and Lotería Bilingüe/ Bilingual Bingo at Iroquois Library (Thursday, April 3, 6 p.m.). Louisville Orchestra’s “Once Upon An Orchestra,” an interactive storytelling through music performance, will bring the children’s book Bunny’s Book Club to life at the Jeffersontown Library (Saturday, March 29, 10:30 a.m.). Then Kentucky Shakespeare will present a two-actor, family-friendly performance of the Bard’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Northeast Regional Library (Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m.).
Teenagers can also participate in a variety of projects at branches around town, or just hang out and meet other teens in a safe space. Planned activities include Adulting 101: Finance Basics (Tuesday, April 1, 6 p.m., Northeast Regional Library), tabletop Role Playing Games (Saturday, April 5, 12:30-2:30 p.m., South Central Regional Library), and a Teen Movie Matinee (Thursday, April 3, 3 p.m., Highlands-Shelby Park).
The Library also offers kids and teens access to thousands of books, eBooks, graphic novels, blockbuster movies, and popular music – available free with a library card.
Spring Break at the Library runs March 29 through April 6. For a complete list of programs and more, go to LFPL.org/SpringBreak.
 
Community members are invited to attend a public input session to review initial design plans to enhance safety and accessibility along Southern Parkway, a historic Olmsted designed roadway in South Louisville.
Louisville Metro Public Works, Parks and Recreation and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy will be at the Beechmont Community Center, 205 W. Wellington Ave., from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 9 to share preliminary plans that illustrate a vision to improve safety and connectivity for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
The proposed design includes transforming the four-lane street, between W. Woodlawn Ave. and KY-1865 (Taylor Blvd./New Cut Rd.), into a three-lane street with one travel lane in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane. It also includes adding lighting along Southern Parkway. The plans are based on feedback from residents and stakeholders.
“We want to know what people, who utilize Southern Parkway, think of these initial designs,” said Jennifer Caummisar-Kern, director of Public Works. “Listening to our community members is key in creating roads that work for everyone. This is another step in turning an idea into action that protects lives and strengthens our city.”
The improvement project is part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) initiative, a federal grant program that funds regional, local and Tribal transportation safety projects to help prevent roadway deaths and injuries.
In February 2023, Public Works was awarded $21 million in SS4A funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve 10 corridors in Louisville Metro, which includes Southern Parkway. The improvement project advances Louisville’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate roadway fatalities by 2050.
For more information, visit Safe Streets and Roads for All on louisvilleky.gov
The 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:
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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.
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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.
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Family Input Review Task Group – Established in November 2013 to develop a mechanism for incorporating family member input into the fatality review process.
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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
Become a Lifeguard with Louisville Parks and Recreation this Summer! We're seeking energetic individuals to join our team as shallow water lifeguards, especially at our two new pools at Camp Taylor Park and Algonquin Park.
- Free Training Sessions in April and May!
For more information, please reach out to our Aquatic Department at Bethany.Darrall @ louisvilleky.gov
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The Office of Planning is preparing for the 2025 Zoning Matters conversation series at the libraries, with 12 total events scheduled throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for residents and community members to connect with city planners, ask questions about zoning and development policies, and learn more about the ongoing Land Development Code (LDC) Reform process. More information is on our website here: www.louisvilleky.gov/ldcreform. There are a few upcoming dates near District 16 this spring:
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Fairdale Library on Tuesday, May 6th from 3 – 7 PM
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South Central Regional Library on Tuesday, August 19th from 3 – 7 PM
 We’re thrilled to share Bezos Academy Fairdale is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year! The preschool offers tuition-free, full-day, Montessori-inspired preschool for children and families in the community. Applications are due May 2. Learn more at www.bezosacademy.org/eligibility.
 Come on out to the Jefferson Memorial Forest's annual Forest Fest! The event will be held at the Horine Reservation - 12304 Holsclaw Hill Rd. Louisville, KY 40109. The event scheduled for Saturday, May 17th, 2025, from 11:30am-7:00pm will feature many artists: Miles Nielson & The Rusted Hearts, Tommy Prine, Tray Wellington Band, Kentucky Gentlemen, and Relaay. There will also be many local vendors showcases their works! All ages are welcome, and each car will pay $15 upon entry. Please note that coolers and outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited. We look forward to seeing the community at Forest Fest 2025!
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There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.
If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions, now is the time to start. By being a part of a board or commission, you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.
To learn more please visit Boards and Commission
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