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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey (D-3) will officially welcome participants to this year’s University of Louisville Region X Conference on Saturday, November 2nd.
“Louisville is becoming well known for its growing medical fields in the areas of research and health care,” says the Councilwoman, who chairs the Metro Council’s Health and Education Committee. “I look forward to meeting the participants as the Conference looks to enhance minority participation in all medical fields.”
The Region Medical Education Conference (RMEC) brings together the Region X SNMA community to equip pre-medical and medical students with the skills to become “clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.”
Hosted by the University of Louisville School of Medicine, this year’s theme is “Pushing Forward, Reaching Back.”
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was founded in 1964 and is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing those numbers.
The conference will highlight the experience of minorities in medicine, both as professionals and patients. Additionally, this year’s conference will include a dedicated pre-medical symposium with hands-on clinical and admissions workshops, a research symposium, networking opportunities, and much more!
Councilwoman Dorsey will offer welcoming remarks as the Conference gets underway at 8:30am on Saturday at 500 S Preston Street.
“The future holds bright promise in all fields of medicine, and I hope those who attend this conference will find their path in careers that will help their community and those in need,” said Dorsey.
To learn more about the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) https://snma.org/default.aspx.
An evaluation team will soon review 13 bids submitted during a Request For Proposals (RFP) process for the management, operation and maintenance of Louisville’s public golf courses, according to an update provided today to Louisville Metro Council President David James by Chief Financial Officer Daniel Frockt and Parks and Recreation Director Dana Kasler.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced earlier this year the city may be forced to make adjustments to the management, operation and maintenance of the 10 city golf courses as part of a series of cuts necessitated by the state of Kentucky’s pension crisis and a lack of new revenue sources.
On Sept. 13, 2019, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP), for management, operation, and maintenance of the courses.
The RFP process closed Oct. 22. The next step is for an evaluation team to review the proposals with a tentative completion date of Nov. 18, 2019. Following subsequent negotiations, the goal is to award a new contract(s) for operations by Dec. 31, 2019.
“We are taking great care to ensure a smooth process during this transition period,” Kasler said. “I am confident the review team will diligently explore the options found within these 13 proposals to help retain municipal golf in the city.”
Louisville Parks and Recreation golf courses are Metro-owned and currently managed independently by PGA professionals whose contracts are up at the end of 2019 – except for Quail Chase, where the contract expires December 31, 2024.
“This RFP process is designed to assist us in making the smartest and most fiscally responsible decisions for the taxpayers of this community,” Frockt said. “We also believe it will lead to more streamlined and improved golf course operations, which in this strained budget climate is critical.”
In the update to the Council president, Frockt and Kasler clarified that records related to the process will be kept confidential until a contract is awarded, under a process established per Kentucky state law to eliminate the potential of undue influence and impropriety on the evaluation team.
Also, no council members will serve on the evaluation upon the recommendation from the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.
Frockt and Kasler also noted that Metro Government will continue to follow the union contract regarding Louisville Parks and Recreation golf course staff during this transition period. “Therefore,” they wrote, “no Metro Council member or body may bind Metro government into any manner of collective bargaining agreement, side letter revision, or memorandum of understanding (MOU).”
The letter also provided an update on course operations through the end of the year, when most lease agreements expire.
Because the PGA professionals at Shawnee, Crescent Hill and Charlie Vettiner have submitted their resignations, the letter said, Louisville Parks and Recreation, per ordinance, will staff those courses.
Beginning on January 1, 2020, course operations will fall under the new contracts awarded through the RFP process. Those courses not awarded a contract will be operated by Louisville Parks and Recreation.
Louisville Metro Government today closed on its sale of $45 million of tax-exempt bonds to Morgan Stanley & Company, with nationally recognized credit rating services S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service again affirming the city’s positive bond ratings of AA+ and Aa1, respectively.
Both credit rating agencies cited Louisville’s vibrant economy and sound fiscal management as strengths — but also expressed concern regarding Louisville’s growing state pension obligations and relatively low fund balance, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund.
The bond sale will provide long-term funding to capital projects from the FY19 budget that had been temporarily funded with a line of credit. The competitive sale generated bids from 11 companies and resulted in a True Interest Cost (TIC) of 1.89 percent for the city.
“Louisville continues to receive external validation, from both independent rating agencies and the credit markets, that we are well-run with an expanding economy,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “But they also recognize that we will have very limited opportunities to invest in ourselves the way our peer cities are doing because of the growing and sustained state pension increases, unless we structurally address them through either new revenue or continued budget cuts.”
The bond proceeds will fund a variety of projects from the FY19 capital budget, including the completion of the recently opened Northeast Regional Library and the Metro Animal Services shelter. Projects also include ongoing maintenance and repair projects related to street paving, sidewalks, bridges, parks, the Zoo, Metro facilities, and public safety vehicles.
S&P again affirmed its second-highest rating of AA+ with a stable outlook for Metro Louisville.
In its report, S&P factored in Louisville’s “strong economy” and “strong management” but warned that their assessment “could be weakened in the future if we believe its budget shows signs of strain in accommodating future pension contributions.”
Moody’s again affirmed its second highest rating of Aa1 with a stable outlook for Metro Louisville.
Moody’s report cited Louisville Metro’s “sizeable and growing tax base serving as a regionally important economic hub” as a factor in assigning the Aa1 rating, but also expressed the city’s credit challenges related to “lower reserves and liquidity relative to national peers” and a “higher pension burden compared to medians for the rating category.”
The rating agencies recognized the strength of Louisville’s economy, evidenced by $14 billion of capital investment since 2014, 80,000 new jobs and 2,700 new businesses since 2011, rising wages and an unemployment rate below four percent, said Louisville Metro Chief Financial Officer Daniel Frockt.
“Mayor Fischer’s vision of an equitable and vibrant Louisville continue to garner positive results when we go to the capital markets,” Frockt said. “We are also receiving feedback that we will need a longer-term plan to address the mounting pension obligations over the next several years.”
On Thursday, Frockt will be providing an update on the sale and credit reports to the Metro Council Budget Committee.
Louisville Metro’s Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability, the Louisville Sustainability Council, and the Louisville Zoo will co-host the sixth annual Sustainability Summit on Friday, Nov. 1.
“For all of us, as individuals, as organizations, as a community and a nation, reversing climate change has to be a factor in our decisions every single day,” said Mayor Greg Fischer, who declared a climate emergency during a local Global Climate Strike event in September. “Please join the 2019 Sustainability Summit to work with community leaders and stakeholders on ways we can take on climate change with a sense of urgency, purpose, and focus.”
The Summit will feature keynote speaker Dr. Robert Brinkmann, the vice provost for scholarship and research and director of sustainability studies at Hofstra University, as well as a panel of local leaders on tackling greenhouse gas emissions in Louisville.
“The summit is our annual opportunity to gather together under one roof as concerned individuals, nonprofit organizations, school groups, faith-based groups and sustainability professionals from the public and private sectors,” said Alicia Hullinger, Board Chair of the Louisville Sustainability Council. “It is a day for celebration, collaboration, and exploration that cannot be missed if you are concerned about creating a local climate action in Louisville.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Brinkmann, is the author of several books and articles, including Introduction to Sustainability, the first major textbook on the topic. His new book, Environmental Sustainability in a Time of Change, will be published early next year. During his speech, he will present seven ways to advance your sustainability agenda in a time of change.
The Summit will also feature a panel of local leaders from Louisville Metro Government, TreesLouisville, Harshaw-Trane, and the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Programiscussing how their organizations are working to combat greenhouse gas emissions. Youth activism and performance group The Mighty Shades of Ebony also will debut their new song on climate change, titled “Anthropogenic.”
The Sustainability Summit is proud to receive support from Patron Sponsor Yum! Brands; Champion Sponsors Genentech, TARC, Humana, and PNC Bank; Summit Friend Sponsor CMTA; and Supporting Sponsors Harshaw Trane, K. Norman Berry Associates, Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, the Partnership for a Green City, WestRock, and Stantec.
The summit will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Louisville Zoo. Tickets are available to Louisville Sustainability Council members for $45, to the general public for $60, and to college students with an ID for $30.
More information and registration can be found on the Louisville Sustainability Council website: http://louisvillesustainabilitycouncil.org/2019-sustainability-summit.
The work of more than 450 retired and senior volunteers in the Louisville area will be honored at a special event on Tues., Oct. 29. The Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual recognition event will take place at The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave., from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The theme will be centered on “Fall & Halloween.”
As part of the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS), RSVP connects persons age 55 and over with their choice of over 40 public service and non-profit locations, including American Red Cross, Hosparus Health, Senior Nutrition Centers, Dare to Care, Community Ministries and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center.
RSVP members will be joined by volunteer site representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members and RCS staff.
“Through their volunteerism, these senior citizens are making a real and positive difference in their communities and demonstrate every day how our city is compassionate and resilient,” said Eric Friedlander, director of Louisville Metro RCS. “We look forward to this event so we take time to applaud all these volunteers who share their time and talents.”
During this year’s celebration, 51 RSVP volunteers who reached their dedicated, volunteer service milestones of five to 25 years will receive special recognition. Also featured will be a salute to the 85 veterans who serve as RSVPs. Other honors include acknowledging two RSVP members who received the Jayne Thomas Grassroots Volunteerism Award from the National Community Action Partnership Annual Convening this past August. Another 27 RSVP volunteers were honored last month at the University of Louisville Trager Institute’s Gold Standard Optimal Aging Award Luncheon for being 85 years of age and older and continuing their volunteerism.
Stephon Dingle, WLKY 32 News anchor, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
“RSVP volunteers generously give their energy, skills and caring dedication toward providing over 75,000 hours annually resulting in more than $1.2 million in savings/service impact for their agencies. This celebration is their public ‘thank you’. Everyone with RSVP makes a difference in this community touching lives daily,” said RSVP Program Coordinator, Chris Clements.
RSVP is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), and this year’s event sponsors include UofL Trager Institute and AARP Kentucky.
For more information on RSVP activities or to learn how to become a volunteer, call (502) 574-1530 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/retired-and-senior-volunteer-program-rsvp.
Louisville Metro residents not mulching autumn leaves into their lawns or using curbside collection will have the option to dispose of them at one of three drop-off sites beginning November 5.
Metro Public Works is offering a free leaf drop-off service November 5 through November 30. Drop-off will not be available on November 28 and 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only loose leaves will be accepted. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be disposed of off-site by residents.
Leaf drop off sites:
- Public Works Yard
- 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)
- Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Public Works East District Operations Center
- 595 Hubbards Lane
- Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Public Works Waste Reduction Center
- 636 Meriwether Avenue
- Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
It is an idea that began in 1969, when Father Ben O’Connor challenged his parish at Saint William Church, a Roman Catholic congregation located at 13th and Oak Street, to find a new direction to help the neighborhood.
The idea grew into a successful nonprofit with the goal of helping people find an affordable place to live.
Today, New Directions Housing Corporation officially cut the ribbon on a new headquarters in the California neighborhood to continue serving those in need of housing in Metro Louisville.
“Finding affordable housing for everyone is a top priority for the Louisville Metro Council,” said Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey (D-3) who was on hand for the ceremony. “New Directions is a dedicated partner in finding that affordable first home or helping people stay in their current homes. It is a great day for everyone.”
New Directions supports neighborhoods, families and individuals. New Directions Housing Corporation serves Jefferson County, Kentucky, and Floyd and Clark counties in Southern Indiana. Its nonprofit community development strategies provide much-needed housing development, and today over 1,000 families live in the nonprofit’s rental housing.
“The Louisville Metro Council has long advocated the need for affordable housing. In 2008, we created the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as a way to ensure that local government partners with nonprofits and the private sector to find affordable housing programs for those who need it,” said President David James (D-6) , who was also on hand for the ribbon cutting.
Over the month of October, New Directions will be moving its operations to 1617 Maple Street in the California Neighborhood. The Headquarters is generally in the same area as the new YMCA which will soon open at 18th and Broadway.
To learn more about the history of New Directions and the programs that it offers to the community go to the group’s website at https://www.ndhc.org/