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SubscribeAs part of a “visioning” exercise, Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation will host 12 public meetings during the months of September, October and November to receive feedback on future park amenities including dog parks, skate parks and walking/hiking trails.
“We look forward to hearing from citizens across Louisville about what they’d like to see in their parks,” said Director Seve Ghose. “With 12 meetings and a public comment period that will last into December, we hope everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for the future.”
Ghose said the meetings will take place once each week for 12 weeks at four sites: the East Government Center in Middletown; Sun Valley Community Center in southwest Louisville; the Portland Community Center in the Portland neighborhood in west Louisville; and the Cyril Allgeier Community Center in the Camp Taylor neighborhood just off the Watterson Expressway.
The meetings in September will feature a discussion about dog parks; October’s meetings will address skate parks; and November’s meetings will focus on walking/hiking trails. All meetings will last from 6-7:30 p.m.
“This is our and the community’s opportunity to discuss how best to enhance the system to best serve the growing community and disparate needs while improving the quality of life of all residents,” Ghose said.
Ghose said those who would like to attend a meeting but can’t are still encouraged to send comments about these topics and others to parks@louisvilleky.gov. Continue reading
After a study completed by the Office of Planning and Design Services, a draft of regulations regarding methane plants within the county has been given the Louisville Metro Council.
The methane plants are bio-digester. A bio-digester is defined as a renewable energy system that uses controlled decomposition of biodegradable materials (e.g. outdated food from local groceries and yard waste) in oxygen-deprived environments using naturally occurring bacteria to convert the biodegradable materials into methane-rich biogas and a waste product, which is used as a fertilizer.
According to the proposed regulations, any plant will need to be a minimum of 1,320 feet away from a residential property, school, religious building, park, community center, hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility and at least 50 feet from a public right-of-way. Vehicles delivering feedstock, the biodegradable materials, shall not unload their cargo until they are fully enclosed in the receiving building and feedstock can only be stored in a fully enclosed building. All bio-digesters must also comply with noise ordinances, all local, state and federal laws regarding utility substations, safety, maintenance, health, and so on. Plants must also submit an emergency response plan and strategies for limiting odor that is generated from the decomposition. Natural methane is an odorless gas and it is produced in a variety of places throughout the world, including swamps and marsh lands.
There are currently three bio-digesters in the county: two of which are operated about Metropolitan Sewer District and the third is a private company. Any new proposed plants would need to seek a conditional use permit in industrial zones and the permit grants the applicant the ability to hold a public hearing. Conditional use permit holders must meet all requirements set forth in the regulations, and the Board of Zoning Adjustment must determine that there will be no adverse effects to neighboring properties before the permit is issued. However, plants that are strictly for agricultural use are exempt from zoning requirements, noise ordinances, odor mitigation, and emergency response plans per state law. A map of lands that are eligible for use is available on the City’s website.
The regulations are open for public comment, and if you missed one of the six meetings already, the final four meetings are coming up quick:
- July 27th, 6 – 8 PM – Newburg Library: 4800 Exeter Ave,
- July 27th, 6 – 8 PM- Central Government Center: 7201 Outer Loop
- July 28, 9 AM- Old Jail Auditorium: 514 W. Liberty St
- August 1, 6 PM – Old Jail Auditorium: 514 W Liberty St
Written comments can be submitted to Brian Mabry via Brian.Mabry@louisvilleky.gov. All comments must be received by 12 PM on August 1st to considered during the evening public hearing.
The Metro City Council rejected a proposal from Metropolitan Sewer District to increase rates by 20% to help fund maintenance and replacement projects. Instead, customers will see a 6.9% increase starting in August. This is the largest rate hike that MSD can implement without prior approval from the city council.
Customers should expect to see their bills increase by about $3,40 per month.
Last night, Louisville mayor Greg Fischer proposed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The overall budget is $822 million, which reflects an increase from last year due to an improving local economy. The city says they are anticipating a 4%, $20 million, increase in revenue this year.
58% of the budget is dedicated to public safety and related agencies. This approximately $475 million will be used to hire new firefighters and new metro police officers. Some will go to replacing city vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances and snow plows. $300,000 will be used to add more public cameras to the city and $640,000 will used to pay metro police officers working in areas where crime is higher overtime.
$20 million will be used to repave streets and roads in the city with no word at this time on which roads will be improved. There is also $500,000 set aside to increase the number of bike lanes throughout the city. $100,000 will be used to redesign parts of Broadway and $1 million will be used to purchase vacant and abandoned properties.
Other points of interest are $4 million which will be used for repairs at Slugger Field, $1 million for repairs at the Louisville Zoo, a 2% raise for non-union city employees and $6.1 million to upgrade computers and software for the city government.
The entire budget proposal can be viewed on the City of Louisville website. Anyone wishing to comment on the budget will have the opportunity on Wednesday, June 1st at 5:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, which are located at 601 West Jefferson Street. Sign-ups will begin at 4:00 PM on the third floor of City Hall. Speakers will be given 3 minutes to make comments and may submit a written statement as well. For more information on the meeting, you can contact Tony Hyatt at 502-574-4137 or Stephen Haag at 502-574-1204.
Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) has been appointed 2016 Vice-Chair of the National League of Cities’ Large Cities Council. The Large Cities Council provides a networking forum for members to discuss a wide array of issues that specifically affect large metropolitan areas, including infrastructure, economic development, and social issues.
The appointment was announced by NLC President Melodee Colbert-Kean, Councilmember- Joplin, MO.
As Vice-Chair of the council, Councilwoman Fowler will play a key role in informing NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the Administration, and at home.
“I look forward to the conversations with leaders from across the United States in developing policy that will positively impact our cities,” says Fowler. “Large population centers, like Louisville, have unique problems and discussing these issues in an open forum with different points of view is the first step in identifying solutions that can benefit us all.”
Councilwoman Fowler has also been reappointed to the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources committee, which takes the lead in developing policy and platforms regarding air quality, water quality, noise control, and waste management.
For more information on NLC’s other committees and councils, visit http://www.nlc.org/influence-
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
Ordinance Will Take Effect June 1, 2016 After Signed By Mayor
By a vote of 20 to 6, The Louisville Metro Council has approved a new set of regulations to permit the growing online industry of short-term rentals within Metro Louisville. Hosting platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and FlipKey are used by a growing number of homeowners seeking to rent out anything from an extra room to an entire house.
The short-term rental ordinance passed after the work of the Council’s Public Safety Committee. Members began to review the need for regulation after Metro Codes and Regulations cited residents for renting their homes. At the time, there were no regulations to enforce.
The new ordinance will regulate this growing internet industry and offer a level playing field and fairness to other businesses that are established rental facilities and hotels in the city.
“As Chair of the Public Safety Committee I am proud we took our time and due diligence to ensure transparency and consideration of both the public’s and businesses’ views on this issue. We have a good piece of legislation that seeks to balance both interests while promoting safety and ensuring accountability,” says Councilman David Yates (D-25).
Council Members Bill Hollander (D-9), Tom Owen (D-8), and David James (D-6) sponsored the Ordinance
“The ordinance allows this growing industry to operate in Louisville, levels the playing field with hotels and motels on transient occupancy taxes and protects neighborhoods by limiting the number of occupants and other provisions,” said Hollander,
The new ordinance will not take effect until June 1, 2016 to allow those who participate in short-term rentals to register with the city and educate themselves on the responsibilities of both hosts and transient users. Another ordinance currently being drafted by the Planning Commission will address which zoning districts Short Term Rentals will be permitted to operate.
Both ordinances are required to permit Short Term Rental operation. The Planning Commission will forward their drafted ordinance to the Metro Council’s Ad Hoc Land Development Code Committee to be further discussed. The Metro Council is seeking action on the companion ordinance before theJune 1, 2016 enactment date.
“This ordinance represents a good first step in the right direction. Short term rentals are an industry that will only continue to grow and we need to embrace it as a mechanism to show off some of our fantastic neighborhoods,” says Councilman James Peden (R-23), Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee..
“We’ve passed a reasonable regulation of a brand new industry which until now was not recognized as a full participant in the hospitality industry,” said Owen.
“It is important that we understand the trends in this new internet economy and at the same time we have to maintain protection of those industries that have been a productive part of our local economy. I believe this ordinance is a step in the right direction,” said James
Here are highlights of the ordinance:
- $25 Annual Registration Fee.
- Online Registration will be made available by June 1, 2016.
- Enforcement of Ordinance will occur 90 days following June 1, 2016.
- Registered host or host’s “manager” must be located within 25 miles of the Short Term Rental.
- Clearly marked evacuation plan on all premises.
- No more than one contract on a short-term rental at the same time.
- No more transient users than 2x the amount of bedrooms plus 4 can reside in the short-term rental at one time.
- Penalties:
- 1st Offense = Warning
- 2nd Offense = $100-$500
- 3rd Offense = $500-$1,000
- Further action can be taken for subsequent offenses including a civil complaint or injunctive relief in Jefferson County, Kentucky Circuit Court.
Councilman Yates thanked fellow Public Safety Committee members and stated, “I am very proud of the many important topics we discussed this year on the Public Safety Committee, including: the Public Nuisance Ordinance, LMPD body cameras, Pop-Up Party Ordinance, the Short Term Rental Ordinance and the creation of the Syringe Exchange. I am looking forward to another successful year in 2016.”
The ordinance is on its way to Mayor Greg Fischer for his signature.
Citing sound fiscal policies, experienced management and strict budget adherence, Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Louisville Metro Government ended fiscal year 2015 with a surplus of $18.9 million.
Results largely from efficiencies in government
The surplus represents $6.3 million in increased revenue and $12.6 million in expense savings, which reflect efficiencies in government, the mayor said.
“This is a good government — and an improving economy —at work,” Fischer said. “Department directors held the line on their budgets, working to ensure that every one of those dollar was well-spent. It illustrates our ability to run a lean, efficient operation – and it took a team effort.”
Mindful that “taxpayers are entrusting us with their money,” Fischer said his administration is taking just as much care to ensure the $18.9 million surplus is spent responsibly.
Pending a vote by Metro Council this Thursday, the surplus will be spent this way:
- $6.1 million to pay off debt owed to the Louisville Water Co.
- $3.6 million for the city’s rainy day fund, bringing the balance to $66 million.
- $2.5 million for the city’s risk management fund.
- $2.2 million to cover funding that was expected but not received from grants and other sources.
- $1.6 million for replacement of computer/technology servers.
- $500,000 set aside by the Metro Council budget committee for potential projects that it identifies in the future.
The remaining – about $2.4 million — will be set aside for various government accounting-related expenses, including potential legal costs, said Chief Financial Officer Daniel Frockt.
The surplus announcement comes a month after the top three national credit rating services gave high marks to Louisville’s credit worthiness, and as Metro government was, for the third year in a row, awarded a national Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for excellence in governmental budgeting.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada made that award, saying it illustrates a commitment “to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.”
Frockt said the award recognizes the mayor’s charge for all departments to pursue continuous improvement in a transparent and inclusive process.
“It honors the city for producing a budget that serves as policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device,” he said.
Fischer said the award, the high bond ratings and the surplus together “reflect my administration’s commitment to being careful stewards of city tax dollars.”