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SubscribeCouncilman Steve Magre (D-10) and Patrick Carrico, President of the Bon Air Neighborhood Association have issued the following joint statement after learning of the decision by a State Hearing Officer that the Economy Inn must be re-inspected:
“We are disappointed!
It seems this is a continuation of a cycle that has now lasted almost ten years of inspect, fail, appeal, re –inspect, pass, surprise inspection, fail, appeal and pass. One would think that after all this time; the Economy Inn would have gotten its act together and become a safe place for lodging.
It boggles the mind!
Our disappointment is compounded by the state hearing where it appears the Hearing Officer took the Economy Inn’s owners at their word about repairs being made at the facility. A simple online search recently shows one company that apparently did repairs is no longer operating and there are some serious questions as to whether the repairs were done according to state law. There are also concerns as to whether similar repairs are going on at a Clarksville, Indiana establishment owned by the same people.
It is time to see work orders for these renovations that have been done by certified professionals and inspected and approved according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If a state inspector could be allowed to enter the facility to check those repairs that issue might be resolved.
We can only say that while our local Health Department has come out again with strong warning words of closing if the facility does not improve, it should be noted the community is serious about this. We must also remember the people who are living at Economy Inn and what they must deal with under this cycle mentioned before.
It is time to do the right thing and fix the continuing problems at the Economy Inn. No more window dressing and no more claims of being victims who are being singled out. The neighborhoods surrounding the Economy Inn deserve better and they are going to make sure the right thing is done if the owners decide not to act.”
New ordinance designed to curtail repeated criminal activity
In unanimous vote, The Louisville Metro Council has approved changes to the city’s public nuisance ordinance that crackdown on criminal activity at hotels and motels and holds the owner of the establishment liable for repeated police visits and arrests on the property.
Under the new ordinance, hotels and motels could face closure if nothing is done about criminal activity.
“I want to thank the members of the Metro Council for moving this legislation forward,” said Councilman Steve Magre (D-10) the chief sponsor of the changes. “These changes, if Metro Government follows through with enforcement will go a long way in giving LMPD and Code Enforcement the tools they need to crack down on many problem hotels and motels that neighborhoods in our city have had to deal with for too long.”
The ordinance sets out guidelines for citing hotels and motels for more than five arrests or citations at facilities with 100 or more rooms in a period of 60 days. It differentiates between hotels and apartment complexes. It does allow for law enforcement and code regulation to cite individual units that are problems in apartments or condominiums.
The measure was approved by the Metro Council’s Public Safety Committee on Monday. The Greater Louisville Hotel and Lodging Association work with Magre and gave its endorsement of the changes as well.
“Anytime we pass an ordinance to protect the public, we must make sure it does what it is intended to do,” said Councilman David Yates (D-25), who chairs the Public Safety Committee. “I believe we have a good piece of legislation that will protect the public and I want to thank Councilman Magre for his willingness to work with all the parties to ensure that goal is achieved.”
The ordinance also adds new definitions to the term nuisance including murder, assaults and trafficking in synthetic controlled substance. The latter offense is becoming a growing problem in Metro Louisville.
“This ordinance is a starting point for law enforcement to deal with what is becoming a serious danger to our children. It needs to be enforced. Providing better tools that our police officers can use to better protect our children is essential to the Public Safety of our community,” said Councilman David James (D-6) who included synthetic drugs into the changes.
“I am supportive anytime we can add a tool to help Code Enforcement and LMPD clean up establishments that have become a public nuisance and address loop holes in existing law that have allowed these issues to worsen over time,” said Councilman James Peden (R-23), who is Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee.
Key provisions of the Public Nuisance Ordinance
- Revising the existing ordinance to make it more effective rather than starting over.
- Amends or adds the following definitions:
- Hotel: A building or structure kept, used advertised or held out to the public as a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to the public, and includes motels, tourist homes and similar establishment. Excludes boarding houses and rooming houses.
- Person: Corporations, Partnerships, Trustee, Lessee, agent, assignees or other groups acting as a unit.
- Premises: Building structure, parking lot, parcel of land, common area, driveway, open spaces or any portion of the grounds.
- Adds murder and assaults to offenses constituting a nuisance.
- Adds trafficking in synthetic controlled substance, trafficking in criminal simulation, and trafficking/manufacturing drug paraphernalia to the definition of criminal activity as a public nuisance.
- Strikes current law that states a property owner has a legitimate defense if the persons cited were not the owner, employees, agent or lessees of the property owner.
Other key points:
- Criminal activity is redefined to include hotels; at least 5 occasions per 100 rooms or units in the preceding 60 days constitutes criminal activity as a public nuisance.
- Distinguishes between hotels/motels versus apartment buildings for scope of closure order.
- The distinction between apartment/condos versus hotels/motels has an enforcement trigger: more than one in 12 months with closure limited to the subject unit(s) for apts. versus 5 events per 100 rooms in 60 days with potential to close entire facility
- The owner of the property can appeal any action to the Property Maintenance /Nuisance Code Hearing Board.
For more information contact:
Tony Hyatt 574-4137 / 526-3622
Stephen Haag: 574-1204 / 645-1752
Vote set for Thursday, October 22nd
On Thursday night, The Louisville Metro Council will review and then vote on proposed changes to the city’s public nuisance ordinance. The changes are sponsored by Councilman Steve Magre (D-10) and are designed to curtail criminal activity at problem hotels and motels in Metro Louisville.
The President of the Bon Air Neighborhood Association has come out in praise of the work done on the ordinance.
“My time on the Metro Council is growing short and I want to thank the people of the Bon Air Neighborhood and those who live along Sumner Avenue for helping us get to this point,” says Magre. “”It is important to note that after action by the Council, this ordinance must be enforced and it becomes important that the city and the neighborhoods work together to achieve a safer community.”
Magre’s office is releasing this letter from Patrick Carrico, President of Bon Air Neighborhood Association, stressing the importance of the ordinance.
Bardstown Road from Goldsmith Lane to Bashford Manor Lane separates the Bon Air and Bashford Manor neighborhoods. It separates Louisville Metro District 10 from District 26. It separates the Bon Air Neighborhood Association from the Bashford Manor and the Brown Suburban Neighborhood Associations.
Despite all that separates the residents of these fine neighborhoods, we are united in our support for the revised Metro Louisville Nuisance Ordinance (O-293-15). This ordinance will close a giant loophole which has allowed the Economy Inn to become a haven for crime and a costly consumer of city services.
In 2014, the Louisville Metro Police made over 1,300 trips to the Economy Inn for reasons that include assault, drug activity, criminal mischief, and robbery. In June of this year, police responded to an attempted murder. The current nuisance ordinance does not give police or the city the tools they need to address crime hotspots at hotels in this city.
The residents of Bon Air, Bashford Manor, and the Brown Suburban are pleased to have an advocate on the Metro Council in Councilman Steve Magre, however, it is important for us, as residents and citizens of Metro Louisville, to point out that Councilman Magre has been SERVING his constituents and acting ON OUR BEHALF. It is the people of district 10 and 26 that have led the fight to address rampant criminal activity at local businesses.
The residents that live near this stretch of Bardstown Road have watched on as home values have declined and the reputation of our working class neighborhoods have been dragged through the mud due, in part, to the reputation for rampant criminal activity at the Economy Inn. We thank Councilman Magre and his staff for their generous support.
We have watched, with great interest, the swift and serious action taken by the city in response to a bar in the Highlands that has become an issue for residents in recent months. We hope that the city will take JUST AS SERIOUSLY the concerns of Bon Air, Bashford Manor, and the Brown Suburban when it comes to a business that has been an issue to residents FOR YEARS.
For the long term residents of the Economy Inn, we are committed to working with city services, the Metro Council, and the Mayor’s office to find safe, clean, and permanent housing for those who may be affected by the new nuisance ordinance and the pending Health Department review of failed inspections.
Patrick Carrico, President
Bon Air Neighborhood Association
This week a special dedication ceremony will be held to remind everyone of the public service and dedication given every day by the members of the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department.
On Wednesday, October 21st, Nicklies Development Company will formally dedicate an inscribed bench at the foot of the flagpole at the Valley Commons Shopping Center.
“PRP Fire is so important to this area of Metro Louisville; we cannot do enough to thank them for all of their efforts in keeping us safe,” says Councilman David Yates (D-25). “I want to thank Nicklies Development for this expression of gratitude on behalf of all Southwest Louisville.”
“I am honored to join Nicklies in recognizing the PRP Fire Department. We greatly appreciate all of the people in public safety who risk their lives to keep us safe,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14).
The Dedication Ceremony will be held at 1:30pm. The Valley Common Shopping Center is located at 10631 Dixie Highway.
Meeting set for California Community Center at 5:30pm
Councilman David James (D-6) will host a Town Hall meeting for those who would like to learn more and discuss the Natures Methane Project proposed in West Louisville on Tuesday, October 20th.
Natures Methane has announced plans to locate an anaerobic digester in the 800 block of South 15th and 17th Streets. Councilman James is inviting the community to ask questions and learn more about the company’s operations and plans for the future.
“There has been a great deal of debate about this project and I want to make sure everyone has the facts on what has been proposed,” says James. “I have invited the principal players in this project as well as those who have expressed their concerns to this town hall.”
The Community Meeting will deal with two topics:
- Natures Methane Project in West Louisville
- Anaerobic Digestion Technology
Both pro and con side sin the debate will be represented on the panel for discussion.
The Community Meeting will be held at the California Community Center, 1600 West St. Catherine Street from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. The California Community Center is next to California Park.
For more information about the community meeting, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
Little ghosts and goblins of District 13 have a very special event waiting for them when Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch and the Fairdale Community Club host the 13th Annual Trick or Treat Street on Thursday, October 22nd.
“The Fairdale Community Club is a fabulous organizer of this great event for the children of our area. The businesses and other organizations who participate are to be commended for demonstrating that they care about our children having a safe Halloween experience.” says Welch.
The Fairdale Playtorium will be the spooky scene for an evening of fun between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm for children 12 and under. The Playtorium is located at 10616 West Manslick Road.
There will be free refreshments as well as trick or treating inside the Playtorium and costumes are encouraged.
Since 2003, Councilwoman Welch has partnered with the Fairdale Community Club and many area businesses to make Halloween a safe and fun holiday for children and their families. Last year, over 300 children and their parents enjoyed Trick or Treat Street.
For more information about the 13th Annual Trick or Treat Street, contact Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113.
Planning & Zoning – Tuesday, October 13th 1:30pm
The Committee has one item on its agenda dealing with closing portions of Woodlawn Avenue, Nevada Avenue, Park Boulevard, Crittenden Drive, Hiawatha Avenue, Orange Drive and Rose Drive. Case No 13STREETS1007
While items may be on the agenda for this Committee, this does not mean all items will be acted upon or discussed. Please check with the Committee Chair prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Public Works, Bridges and Transportation – Tuesday, October 13th 3:00pm
The Committee has the following items on its agenda:
· A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement and receive a stipend from the Kentucky Regional Planning and Development Agency in the amount of $130,000 to support technical or professional planning/data collection services as indicated in the Kentucky regional Planning and Development Agency’s Fiscal Year 2016 Unified Planning Work Program
· An Ordinance amending the Metro Code of Ordinances to add Suburban Fire Districts to properties exempt from MSD Drainage Service Charges
· A Resolution consenting to the transfer of Insight Kentucky Partner II, L.P., from Time Warner Cable Inc. to Charter Communications, Inc. and authorizing the Mayor to execute a settlement agreement with Insight Kentucky Partner II, L.P., an assumption agreement with Charter Communications, Inc.
· A resolution relating to the Metropolitan Sewer District Floodplain Buy Out Program
· An Ordinance amending the code of ordinances regarding historical landmarks and preservation districts as it relates to the salvage and preservation of brick pavers removed from streets and alleys
Labor & Economic Development – Tuesday, October 13th 4:00pm
The Committee will hear from Bill Meeks, Executive Director for the Labor Management Committee.
The Committee has the following items on its agenda:
· A Resolution involving three parcels of property at 1300 and 1306 Bardstown Road
· A Resolution involving two parcels of property at the intersection of Muhammad Ali Blvd., 30th Street and West Market Street
Appropriations NDF’s CIF’s – Tuesday, October 13th 5:00pm
The Committee will review grant requests for Neighborhood Development Funds and Capital Infrastructure Funds of the 26 districts of the Louisville Metro Council.
Community Affairs – Wednesday, October 14th 1:30pm
The Committee will have a special discussion and receive updates on abandoned and vacant property in Metro Louisville. The Committee will hear from:
- Tim Barry, Louisville Metro Housing – Housing Issues
- Robert Kirschdorfer, Inspections, Permits and License (IPL) – Metro Housing Issues
- Latondra Yates, Land Bank – Metro Housing Issues
- Jeana Dunlap, Vacant and Abandoned Properties – Housing Issues
Health, Education & Housing – Wednesday, October 14th 2:30pm
The Committee will have two special discussion items for its meeting:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Melinda Townsend-Breslin, American Cancer Society and Barb Kruse of J. Graham Brown Cancer Center
- Hands Up CPR – Debbie Fox, MetroSafe
Government Accountability & Ethics – Wednesday, October 14th 4:30pm
The Committee will receive an update from Jessica Montgomery – Louisville Metro Animal Services.
Committee on Contracts/ Appointments – Thursday, October 15th 3:00pm
The Committee will review pending contracts and appointments to Boards and Commissions of Metro Government. The Committee will also review an Ordinance establishing the Louisville Metro Cemetery Board.
Budget – Thursday, October 15th 5:00pm
The Committee has the following items on its agenda:
- An Ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2015- 2016 Capital Budget to rename paving projects in D15 to paving and sidewalk projects
- An Ordinance dealing with the issuance of General obligation Bonds for Public Projects and setting the terms and conditions for issuing those bonds
- An Ordinance relating to the Fiscal Year 2015- 2016 Operating Budget restricting changes to the organizational structure and functions of Neighborhood Place
Meeting times are subject to change. Agendas are followed at the discretion of the Chair of each Committee. While an item may be listed, it does not mean all items will be acted upon by a committee.
To review all agendas of the committees of the Louisville Metro Council, go to the Metro Council Clerk’s web page.
All meetings are aired live on Metro TV Insight cable Channel 25 and Channel 99 for UVERSE subscribers. Meetings are also streamlined on the Metro Council’s website. Go to: http://louisvilleky.gov/
For more information contact:
Tony Hyatt 574-4137 / 526-3622
Stephen Haag: 574-1204 / 645-1752
