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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Vitalis Lanshima has announced two public Town Hall Meetings will be held next week for residents of District 21 to learn more about the pending MSD rate increase ordinance currently before the Louisville Metro Council.
“It is important that the residents of District 21 have a chance to learn more about what has been purposed as MSD attempts improve its infrastructure throughout the city,” says Lanshima. “MSD is looking at almost $4 billion in needed improvements and I want everyone to have a chance to voice their thoughts on this ordinance.”
The Ordinance is sponsored by Council members Barbara sexton Smith (D-4), David James (D-6) and Stuart Benson (R-20). It would allow MSD to increases its rates to as high as 10% for a period of four years. MSD can only raise its raises as high as 6.9%. Any increase about that must get Metro Council approval.
Tony Parrott, the Executive Director of MSD, will be available to speak about the rate hike at both meetings.
The Councilman is encouraging residents to attend either of these two meetings:
- Monday, January 15th 6:30pm
- Americana Community Center – 4801 Southside Dr.
- Tuesday, January 16th 6:30pm
- Wesley House Community Services – 5114 Preston Hwy.
“These are the first of a series of community meetings I plan to conduct on various issues in the district,” says Lanshima. “I also wanted to encourage everyone in the district to come out to meet me and let me know what is on your mind regarding issues or concerns.”
Louisville Metro Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8), the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University are partnering to present Hack the Highlands, the CDA’s first neighborhood-specific hackathon, January 13.
The Civic Data Alliance is Louisville’s Code for America Brigade focused on being a force for open data, coding education, and civic engagement. A hackathon is an event at which coders and other stakeholders focus on using data to create software to solve problems.
“I’m excited and appreciative to partner with the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University to produce Hack the Highlands,” said Coan. “The event is part of my plan to build interest in civic engagement and make city business more accessible, interesting and participatory. I hope a number of students, neighborhood coders and urbanists will come out and join us.”
Since 2014, the CDA has hosted nearly a dozen hackathons around Louisville and produced innovative solutions to local needs, including creating tools for those who are visually impaired and supporting The New Dixie Highway project.
“The Civic Data Alliance is excited to work with Councilman Coan and Bellarmine University to host this hackathon,” said CDA event organizer Robert Kahne. “We hope that the work done on this day brings this corner of the city closer together and helps the Highlands as it faces unique challenges and embraces its unique advantages. CDA is always open and willing to work with any elected officials regardless of political party or office who wishes to support open data and technology for the public good. We commend Councilman Coan for reaching out to us and helping put this event together.”
Hack the Highlands will focus on using the city’s open data to solve problems specific to the Highlands, including reorganizing the area’s litter baskets to make the streets cleaner, tracking streetlight outages to make neighborhoods safer and analyzing the results of Councilman Coan’s 2017 “I Can Get You a Tow” campaign, designed to curb illegal rush hour street parking on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue.
The event will be held Saturday, January 13 from 9am-5pm at Bellarmine, in classroom CNMH 081 on the ground level of Centro’s McGowan Hall. It is free and open to the public, and parking is available in Bellarmine lots.
“We’re proud to call the Highlands and District 8 Bellarmine’s home, so we’re delighted to host this data-driven session that will make our neighborhood an even better place to live, learn and work,” said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine’s president.
For more information and to RSVP, visit:
http://www.tinyurl.com/hackthehighlands
http://www.tinyurl.com/cmcoand8
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) has been reappointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2018 Human Development (HD) federal advocacy committee.
This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions on issues involving social services, children and learning, poverty and income support, employment and workforce development, equal opportunity, Social Security and seniors, individuals with disabilities, public health care, mental health parity and immigration reform.
The reappointment was announced by NLC President Mark Stodola, mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.
“I look forward to continuing the important work of the NLC HD Committee. With a new year come continued challenges in health care, job creation, poverty and a wide range of other social issues. There is nothing more important than a strong relationship between cities and counties and the federal government as we serve our communities,” said Welch.
As a committee member, Councilwoman Welch will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home.
“Serving on an NLC committee is one of the most effective ways for a local official to advocate for their community in Washington,” said NLC President Stodola. “I am thrilled to have Councilwoman Vicki Welch join a team of local leaders from around the country working to craft our policy platform and to solve the most pressing challenges facing our communities.”
The leadership of this year’s committee will consist of Chair Gil Ziffer, mayor pro tempore, Tallahassee, Florida; and Vice Chairs Angelia Washington, councilmember, Jacksonville, North Carolina; and Robin Arredondo-Savage, vice mayor, Tempe, Arizona.
For more information on NLC’s federal advocacy committees, visit: www.nlc.org/advocacy/committees.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) has been reappointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2018 Transportation and Infrastructure Services (TIS) federal advocacy committee.
This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC’s federal policy positions on issues involving transportation, including planning, funding, safety and security of public transit, streets and highways, aviation, railroads and ports.
The appointment was announced by NLC President Mark Stodola, mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.
“As we begin the modernization of the New Dixie Highway, bringing transportation and infrastructure into the 21st Century, working on this committee is vital to Metro Louisville,” said Fowler. “The NLC is a strong partner to keep these kinds of projects at the forefront of public safety and economic development for the people we all serve.”
As a committee member, Councilwoman Fowler will continue to play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home.
The Councilwoman also serves as the Chair of the NLC Large City Council through April and served as vice chair prior to this appointment.
“Serving on an NLC committee is one of the most effective ways for a local official to advocate for their community in Washington,” said NLC President Stodola. “I am thrilled to have Councilwoman Fowler join a team of local leaders from around the country working to craft our policy platform and to solve the most pressing challenges facing our communities.”
The leadership of this year’s committee will consist of Chair Pam O’Connor, councilmember, Santa Monica, California; and Vice Chairs James McDonald, councilmember, Pinecrest, Florida; and Oscar Trevino, mayor, North Richland Hills, Texas.
For more information on NLC’s federal advocacy committees, visit: www.nlc.org/advocacy/committees.
Following an extensive community engagement effort and a detailed evaluation process, The Marian Group and Louisville Metro Government have signed a letter of intent to redevelop the former Urban Government Center (UGC) site in Paristown.
The UGC property totals 11.85 acres and is located in the Paristown neighborhood near the Original Highlands, Shelby Park, Germantown and Smoketown. There are currently four buildings on the UGC property: 810 Barret Avenue, 850 Barret Avenue, 768 Barret Avenue, and a steam plant to the west of 850 Barret Avenue.
The Marian Group’s proposal aligns with community priorities expressed during an extensive public engagement period. These priorities include the preservation of green space and an existing community garden, the creation of new housing choices at multiple price points, the ability of the site to support multi-modal transportation options, including transit and bicycles, the reuse of existing facilities and materials, the incorporation of community gathering spaces, and the use of innovative building and site management techniques to make the development a model of sustainability.
These values are mirrored in broader community priorities captured in Vision Louisville, including improving connectivity, enhancing identity, fostering creativity, incorporating sustainable energy and improving health.
The development will feature such diverse housing options as townhomes, shotgun-style single family homes, multi-family rental units, and condo flats. Additionally, Marian plans to develop several types of affordable housing—including a Family Scholar House campus and housing for seniors. The development will include office and commercial space, and The Marian Group will also be exploring development of a boutique hotel.
“We are proud to have been selected to partner with Metro on this project. We believe it represents what is great about our city and this neighborhood—mixed-use, mixed-income, intergenerational and interconnected,” said Marian principal Justin Brown.
Marian principal Jake Brown added, “This project reaffirms our commitment to inclusive housing opportunities across a wide range of income levels, including affordable, first time home buyers, seniors and the sixth local Family Scholar House campus.”
The selection of The Marian Group comes after a community engagement process of over one year that included multiple on-site public meetings to hear the concerns and values of people from adjacent neighborhoods. In their proposals, development teams were asked to incorporate what was heard at public meetings.
Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, who represents the area, said: “Today is a great day. Today is another win for our community. I congratulate everyone who worked so hard on the evaluation panel for several months reviewing and analyzing each proposal. The panel did exactly what it promised to do in delivering a recommendation on schedule, and that aligns with community priorities. I am especially impressed with the attention paid and results delivered to build affordable housing. This site will always be known as the historic Kentucky Baptist Hospital, the mission of which was to care for those in times of need. We are now moving forward with a project that ensures a better quality of life for all.”
Councilman Brandon Coan, whose district is immediately adjacent to the UGC property, said that he applauds the quality and attentiveness to community priorities reflected in all five of the proposals: “I am pleased with the process the city used to reach today’s announcement, and the importance that community sentiment and values played in shaping the future of the Urban Government Center property. The Marian Group’s proposal reflects the density, connectivity and variety of housing options that the community clearly desired. I hope historic preservation receives all due consideration but I am generally supportive of this project. 2018 will be a transformative year for the Barret Avenue corridor.”
For more information on the Urban Government Center and to view The Marian Group’s proposal as well as the signed letter of intent, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/urban-government-c…
If you want to be a good neighbor and a good business owner, Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) announces the next South Central Regional Forum will focus on Metro Codes & Regulations on Wednesday, December 20th.
“One of the most confusing issues we have to deal with in Metro Louisville is code enforcement,” says Flood. “Many times property owners and business owners do not fully understand what is expected of them when it comes to property maintenance.”
The forum is set for the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Metro Code Enforcement Officers will be on hand to discuss how to follow the local property maintenance ordinances that are on the books in the city. Those ordinances deal with everything from grass cutting to safety issues for the public when it comes to property.
“This is a chance to talk with the people who enforce all of our codes and get a better understanding of how to file a complaint if you have a problem property in your neighborhood,” says Flood.
These forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council members James Peden (R-23), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).
For more information about the next South Central Regional Forum, then contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
The holiday season is a reminder that the coldness of winter is at hand. In the cold months ahead, there are children in Metro Louisville in need of a warm coat or jacket.
The Louisville Metro Council is encouraging every person and business in Louisville Metro to join the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council and United Auto Workers and donate a new coat or jacket to a child in need.
“This is the season of giving and there are children in our area who need our help in staying warm this winter,” says President David Yates (D-25). “I am asking every business in our city to join our efforts this holiday. I thank the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council and the UAW for partnering with the entire Metro Council to help our community.”
The goal of the coat drive is to accept as many new coats for children as possible.
The Greater Louisville Central Labor Council and the UAW are partnering with the Louisville Metro Council with a donation of 100 new puffer jackets to be distributed to children throughout our community. Craig and Landreth Cars, Miller Transportation, Shirley’s Way, ESPN Radio 680 Louisville and Miss Jefferson County Scholarship Organization, Inc. have been working together to purchase additional new coats to contribute to this community effort.
Greater Louisville Central Labor Council President and local chapter of the United Auto Workers President Todd Dunn says, “In our community, too many families have a large problem fulfilling the basic need of warmth. This problem is larger than any one of us, that’s why our union family is proud to do our part and join together to provide warmth and a little Christmas spirit.”
On Tuesday, December 19th at 10:00am in the 3rd Floor Council Chambers of Historic City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, the Metro Council will welcome representatives from each of the businesses and organizations to stand together and to distribute the donated coats to representatives from Jefferson County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio will accept the donated coats and ensure they are given to the students of JCPS schools that need them the most.
“On behalf of JCPS students and their families, I’d like to thank Council President Yates and the Louisville Metro Council for donating coats to our students in need,” said JCPS Acting Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “These coats will go directly to our students who need them the most. We know that when students have their basic needs met, they are more likely to attend school and be engaged in the classroom.”
After December 19th, the Metro Council will continue to accept new coats. All donations should be addressed to the Office of the President and can be dropped off on the first floor of City Hall.
For more information on how to donate a coat or be a part of the December 19th event, please contact President David Yates’ office at 502-574-1125 or via email at David.Yates@louisvilleky.gov.
The Metro Council thanks all of the great businesses and organizations working together to help the children in our community.
Mike Mulrooney with Shirley’s Way:
“Shirley’s Way is 100% behind the Metro Council and President Yates and will collect as many new coats from our Shirley’s Way family to help make sure all kids in our community stay warm this year.”
Greg Miller with Miller Transportation:
“We are especially thankful to be given this opportunity to support our city. Miller Transportation is a local, family-owned business. We will do everything we can to support the children in our community.”
Chris Hiser with Craig & Landreth Cars:
“When our friend David Yates contacted us to help our community we at Craig & Landreth were more than happy to step up. We support the Metro Council and the other great businesses and organizations for pitching in for this great cause.”
Dawn Yates with ESPN Radio 680 Louisville:
“ESPN is thrilled to provide over fifty new coats to the children all over Louisville. We are dedicated to our great sports fans and listeners throughout the city this winter season.”
