By a vote of 24 to 1, the Louisville Metro Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget for Metro Government. In a unanimous vote, the Council has approved the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Capital Budget for Metro Government.

“Our task was to appropriate available funds in a way which would best serve the public, agree on a budget which would draw the most support on the Council and be signed by the Mayor.  The job was much more difficult this year because of our dramatically higher pension costs, which are one part of the budget we cannot reduce.  The result is a budget that makes cuts in nearly every department and many services provided to Louisville residents.  We have tried to minimize those cuts as much as possible, but they remain very deep”, says Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9), Chair of the Budget Committee.  “Unfortunately, the pension costs will rise again next year and for several years after that, so even deeper cuts will be coming unless we find new revenue.”

“I am pleased that despite increasing expenses, the Council was able to come together on a budget that moves the conversation from crisis to correction.  In a budget year where our expenses grew more than our revenue, we were forced to look more closely at how we are spending taxpayer dollars.  This process allowed us to ask some very difficult questions, examine how some programs were being run, and to prioritize which services and amenities the citizens expect,” said Councilman Kevin Kramer (R-11), Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. “I am proud of the fact that we moved the police recruit class forward and offered additional support to new recruits, we were able to restore funding for 2 pools, restore regular library hours and reopen a library. This budget maintains our plans for addressing the paving needs of our streets, the health needs of our citizens and the maintenance needs of our buildings.”

The recommended budget included a projection that LMPD will have 40 fewer officers at the end of the year than the beginning, due to bringing on fewer recruits to replace officers leaving the force.  The Council approved an amendment to the Mayor’s proposed budget which moved one recruit class up one month and includes a new recruit allowance, but those changes will not completely reverse the projected loss of officers.

Louisville Fire Department will lose 15 positions through attrition.  The department is still working on a plan to absorb that loss while minimizing the effect on response times for fire and medical calls.

The Louisville Free Public Library, which had the largest percentage cut in the Mayor’s proposed budget, will see money restored to preserve hours at branch libraries and to resume service in Middletown, provided a facility is made available at little or no cost to the library.  LFPL will still see some cuts, including closure of the Fern Creek Library and some personnel reductions.

Weekly recycling and seasonal yard waste collection in the Urban Services District is funded in the budget but a wet-dry recycling program in the Central Business District will be eliminated, resulting in less recycling and more items sent to the landfill.

External Agencies are funded at $1.3 Million, a reduction of 28% from the previous year’s budget.

To address food insecurity issues, the budget includes a $200,000 appropriation to Dare to Care.

Youth Detention services is funded through December 31, 2019, when its programs will transition to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as is the case in all other Kentucky counties.

Funding for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is reduced by over $1 Million, eliminated three of four Cure Violence sites but retaining to hospital-based violence reduction programs. It provides $110,000 in funding for the Centerstone Crisis and Information Center.

The approved budget increases funding for paving, sidewalk repair and construction, and maintains other recommended funding for Parks, the Zoo, and other projects and services.

Every year, Independence Day brings hundreds of visitors to the parks – and with that heavy traffic comes a lot of extra litter. On July 5-6, Louisville Parks and Recreation will host the first-ever “Pick-up the Parks” Days. The event will function as a do-it yourself volunteer project for individuals, families, neighborhood groups and organizations. Louisville Parks and Recreation encourages anyone and everyone to stop by their neighborhood park or one of the suggested parks to check for litter.

Any litter collected can be left in a tied off bag next to any trashcan in the park.

Need gloves or trash bags? Those cleaning up the parks can pick up supplies from any of these locations during operating hours starting June 24th:

• Joe Creason Park, Main Park Office, 1297 Trevilian Way, 40213
• Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Avenue, 40218
• Molly Leonard Portland Community Center, 640 N. 27th Street, 40212
• Berrytown Community Center,1300 Heafer Road, 40223

For large groups, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Flarsheim at call (502) 574-7275 ahead of the clean-up to ensure there are enough supplies.

Recommended parks for clean-ups. Parks has identified high-traffic parks that might need a little bit of extra attention after the holiday. Those parks are listed below, but those wanting to chip in can clean up any park  in the city.

• George Rodgers Clark Park
• Petersburg Park
• Chickasaw Park
• Berrytown Park
• Highview Park

Win prizes! Share your #LitterFreeLou photos! Be sure to post clean-up photos to social media using the hashtag #LitterFreeLou and tag @loukyparks. Those posting photos will be entered into the Park Prize Raffle. It’s that easy! Have Questions? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Flarsheim. Email sarah.flarsheim@louisvilleky.gov or call/text (502) 574-7275.

Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Free Public Library officials welcomed the public today to the new Northeast Regional Library located at 15 Bellevoir Circle off Ormsby Station Road in Lyndon.

The nearly 40,000-square-foot facility—which replaces the much-smaller Westport branch—enhances service for more than 170,000 people in eastern Jefferson County, with new books, open spaces, and cutting-edge technology that encourages learning at all stages of life. Similar in size and scope to the award-winning Southwest and South Central Regional libraries, Northeast houses more than 120,000 books and materials, and includes comfortable, quiet spaces for reading and studying, several meeting rooms, an auditorium, a large children’s area, and a separate teen space.

“The Northeast Regional Library builds on the success we’ve had with the Southwest and South Central Regional Libraries,” said Mayor Fischer. “They’ve been huge hits with the public, and we’re excited that we can open the third beautiful, full-service modern library our citizens demand and deserve.”

New to LFPL, the Northeast Regional features an innovative, hands-on “makerspace” with audio/visual studio and demonstration kitchen. Called the Maker Pavilion, it is Northeast’s hub for making, collaborating, and hands on learning. The Maker Room features the latest in maker technology including a Makerbot 3D printer, Glowforge laser cutter, programmable drones, sewing machines, and more. The Media Studio offers a sound booth for patrons to record podcasts and music, and an area to create videos using green screen technology. In the Kitchen, chefs and other local experts will host scheduled cooking classes and demos for the public. The entire Maker Pavilion will host open hours, regular orientations, and specialized classes geared towards different age groups, including kids, teens, and adults.

“Libraries incubate intellectual curiosity, promote literacy, help our children succeed in school and our adults to reach their full potential,” said Library Director Lee Burchfield. “The Northeast Regional is a spectacular library in a beautiful, park-like setting that will inspire creativity and innovation for generations of Louisvillians.”

The eco-friendly Northeast Regional Library project utilizes green building construction methods and materials and has been designed to save energy, improve quality of life, and reduce operating costs through such elements as geothermal heating and daylight harvesting interior lighting. Walls of glass and clerestory windows fill the space with abundant natural light and offer incredible views of the park-like campus and the historic Ormsby House. The surrounding grounds include walking paths, benches, and outdoor learning spaces. And thanks to two donations—one from Trees Louisville and one from LG&E and KU Energy’s Plant for the Planet program—an additional 63 new trees have been added to the 13.5 acre campus, complementing the existing 104 mature specimens on the site. 

“The completion of the Northeast Regional Library represents a coming together of our community to make improving and expanding our libraries a priority,” said District 18 Councilwoman Marilyn Parker. “While Metro Government has played a big role in this development, we also counted on support from State Government, the City of Lyndon, the Library Foundation and many individuals and groups who helped raise the funding and support needed to complete this facility. This branch is located in District 18, but in reality, it will be a resource for the entire community.”

The design team for the Northeast Regional Library included JRA Architects, MSR Design, and MKSK, in consultation with library staff, neighborhood residents, and community leaders. The total price tag for construction, books, computers and furnishings is estimated at $17.8 million, with $14 million combined from the state and capital funds allocated by Mayor Fischer and approved by the Metro Council, and the additional $3.8 million raised from private donations to the Library Foundation.

“The generous financial support of private donors to The Library Foundation funds the margin of excellence which makes good libraries into great libraries,” said Library Foundation Chair Steve Gault. “I thank all who supported our successful Campaign for the Northeast Regional Library and helped make this a great library for our city.”

“It’s an honor to have this library in Lyndon,” said Lyndon Mayor Brent Hagan. “We hope that you use the space. Schedule meetings here, meet people for coffee. Take the kids for story time, find a quiet place to write or watch a cooking demonstration. I know it sounds crazy, but you could even check out a book!”

Mayor Fischer, Burchfield, and Metro Council members were joined at today’s event by Library Foundation Chair Steve Gault, Lyndon Mayor Brent Hagan, and Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Commissioner Terry Manuel.

If you visit the Northeast Regional Library

The hours of operation are: Sunday: 1–5 p.m., Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The library hosts a variety of free programs, classes, and events every month for adults and youth including weekly storytimes, computer classes, and Maker Pavilion programs. Search the library’s online calendar at http://LFPL.org/events for a complete list of upcoming program dates and times.

In addition, the Northeast Regional’s meeting rooms are available for use by community groups and organizations; it is free but reservations are required. For more information call (502) 394-0379 or visit LFPL.org/meeting-rooms.htm. 

President David James (D-6) is calling for volunteers to join with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Friends of Victory Park for some community cleanup work at Victory Park on Saturday, June 22nd.

          “Over the last few years, we have seen a wonderful transformation of Victory Park into a great park for the neighborhood. My office is encouraging everyone to come out and help us maintain the beauty of this nice neighborhood park,” says James.

          The President and the Olmstead Parks Conservancy will host a volunteer clean up event on Saturday beginning at 8:00am until 12:00pm.

          Volunteers will do some beautification efforts with landscaping and clean up of the park. Gloves and tools will be provided and volunteers will also be treated to lunch after the cleanup.

          “This is a fun event and I would call on everyone who has seen the changes we have made in Victory Park to come and join us to keep this park a nice place for everyone to enjoy,” says President James.

          If there are volunteers who would like to learn more about this effort, they can go online to www.Olmstedparks.org to register. You can also contact, President James office at 574-1106 for more information.

President David James (D-6) will join Representatives from the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and Officers of Louisville Metro Police for a walk through Victory Park on Friday, June 21st.

“I think it is important that we continue to stay in touch with the people of Victory Park to let them know we are here to help in any way we can,” says President James. “It is important that we all work together to keep Victory Park a safe community place for everyone.”

The President and others will begin the walk at 3:00pm on June 21st. Everyone will meet at 1051 South 23rd Street.

The event will also spread the word about the Victory Park Clean up which is set for the following day, Saturday beginning at 8:00am.

For more information, contact President James’ Office at 574-1106.

DO/LOVE/LIVE brewing is excited to announce plans to build an independent production craft brewery in the former Dryden Provisions building at 1016 E Washington Street in Louisville, Kentucky. DO/LOVE/LIVE was founded in 2017 with the goal of inspiring people to DO/good, LOVE/big, and LIVE/now.

“Butchertown is a special place. It represents everything that is so inspiring about Louisville,” said founder Jim McGuire. “Butchertown is a place of inclusion, of creativity, and relentless positivity. We aspire to harness that energy and spirit at DO/LOVE/LIVE brewing.”

Founders Jim McGuire, John Flodder, Luke Scoggin, and Dave Childress’ vision is to create a community gathering space for neighbors to connect, to recharge, and to drink fresh, local beer. When completed, the building will have an outdoor beer garden, a north-facing second-floor balcony with views of the Ohio River and LouCity FC soccer stadium, and a rooftop deck with 360-degree views of the entire city. DO/LOVE/LIVE brewing will also have a restaurant with several food concepts.

“The DO/LOVE/LIVE team has a vision and a plan to bring new investment and inject more fun into a neighborhood that is rapidly transforming,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “With its roots in the tenants of giving back and living life to the fullest, the new brewery and restaurant is aligned with our city’s core values and is a welcome addition to Louisville.”

“Our goal is to curate ‘wow’ moments at DO/LOVE/LIVE brewing inspired by the local artists, makers, thinkers, and do-ers,” said John Flodder. “We want our brewery to be a distinctly Louisville experience.”

The founding team consists of three combat veterans and a life-long educator, and the project team consists of tenured Kentucky development professionals.

“We have a fantastic local team helping us bring this project to life,” added Luke Scoggin. “The (self-appointed) mayor of Butchertown, Andy Blieden, is mentoring us at every step along the way. Architects Donhoff Kargl and Nall and Sabak Wilson and Lingo are leading our design and permitting efforts and construction is underway thanks to our colleagues at G&M Maintenance and Louisville engineering.”

“We started DO/LOVE/LIVE with the spirit of giving back by providing 100% pro-bono fundraising, launch, and strategic marketing counsel to nonprofit organizations. We’ve helped raise over $450,000 in less than two years,” said Dave Childress. “We also have a passion for, and experience in, the craft brewing industry. DO/LOVE/LIVE brewing is the next chapter in our story, and we can’t wait to share it.”

Follow @dolovelive on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the buildout and our adventure.

ayor Greg Fischer today announced the launch of a long-term project to improve how city government serves businesses and citizens.  The project, in partnership with Accela, includes a new Louisville Metro Business Portal for online licenses, permits and applications, a new Metro311 Online Reporting Portal, and a new Metro311 mobile app.  

“Louisville Metro Government is in the service business, and the launch of this new system means our customers — residents and businesses — will have quicker, easier and better interactions with our services,” Mayor Fischer said. “I appreciate the Department of Information Technology team and Grace Simrall, our Chief of Civic Innovation & Technology, for their diligent work in setting up this new system.” 

Simrall added: “A city with its eye on a great future should have great technology to deliver the services residents need. I’m excited about the potential the new Louisville Metro Business Portal, Metro311 Online Reporting Portal, and metro311 mobile app have for improving services and efficiency.” 

The new Business Portal platform from Accela (www.louisvilleky.gov/businessportal) will improve how businesses submit licenses, permits and applications online and how they track progress along the way. Fifty-one new licenses, permits and applications can now be submitted online, replacing time consuming mail-in or walk-in processes in the past.  

The new Business Portal platform from Accela (www.louisvilleky.gov/businessportal) will improve how businesses submit licenses, permits and applications online and how they track progress along the way. Fifty-one new licenses, permits and applications can now be submitted online, replacing time consuming mail-in or walk-in processes in the past.  

In addition, the system is being used to improve the efficiency of work processes. For example, Metro Public Works is using Accela to track inventory and, for the first time, track daily routes for Solid Waste, a division of Public Works. And the new platform adds cost-savings across city agencies and allows city employees to report from the field using iPads.  

Improved Citizen Reporting

Citizens who interact with Metro311 now have a new online system to use (www.louisvilleky.gov/tell311) and a new mobile app (Just search for Louisville Metro 311 in the Apple and Google stores).  Both systems make it easier to enter service requests for issues such as property maintenance, potholes, and street light outages. The new tools also improve how citizens keep track of progress with their request via email and online.  

“The Louisville Metro’s Business and Customer Portals show the city’s commitment to modern tools that drive economic development, accelerate operations, engage the community and meet citizen and business expectations for effective government,” said Jonathon Knight, Accela’s chief customer officer, “We are proud to support Mayor Greg Fischer in this transformative effort that will better serve Louisville Metro’s residents and its thriving business community.” 

The Accela system will also allow the city to gather more data about how agencies operate, adding the potential for future efficiencies. To learn more about the project, visithttps://louisvilleky.gov/government/information-technology-services/supported-systems/accela