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The Metro Council’s Public Works, Facilities, Transportation and Accessibility Committee will hold the last of two public hearings on the proposed Itinerant Vendors, Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance this Tuesday, November 13th at its regularly scheduled meeting beginning at 3:00pm.
“At the first hearing, we heard from those vendors who are currently regulated by Metro Louisville to give us their input on what has been proposed,” says Councilman Pat Mulvihill (D-10), who chairs the Committee. “We are ready to hear and receive input from anyone else who has an interest regarding the regulation of these types of vendors.”
The second hearing will be held in the Council Chambers, 601 West Jefferson Street, 3rd floor.
“The Committee welcomes all viewpoints on this legislation. As we have said before we are taking the time necessary to make sure we have a good ordinance. After these two hearings we will begin to move forward with a final product,” says Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4).
Mulvihill and Sexton Smith are cosponsors of the Ordinances along with Council members Brandon Coan (D-8) and Scott Reed (R-16).
Signups for those wishing to address the Public Works, Facilities, Transportation and Accessibility Committee begin one hour prior to the start of the hearing on the 3rd floor of City Hall.
Speakers are called in order of signup and have up to three minutes to make comments. Written testimony can be turned in during the meeting and occasionally, speakers are asked questions by the Committee members.
Speakers may use the Sixth Street entrance to Historic City Hall.
All meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. All meetings of the Metro Council are streamed live. Go to the Metro Council Home page at www.Louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil and click on the Metro Council Agendas link.
To access the new page that explains the proposed changes in the Itinerate Vendors, Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance, go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/proposed-changes-itine…
Louisville Metro Public Works has established a policy for regulating dockless vehicles in the city that focuses on safety and equitable access.
A dockless vehicle is defined as a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric motor-assisted scooter, defined by Chapter 74 of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances, which can be located and checked out without human assistance. The electric-motor assisted bikes and scooters can travel at no more than 15 miles per hour.
As part of the policy, a total of four dockless vehicle operators are permitted to operate in Louisville. Each operator will begin with a six-month probationary period, which can lead to a full-operating permit, renewed annually. During the probationary period, operators may begin with 150 vehicles and, if ridership exceeds four rides per vehicle per day, increase their fleet by 100 vehicles per month, up to 650. Ultimately, operators will be permitted 1,050 vehicles if they successfully complete the probationary period and meet performance standards, such as responsiveness to complaints and ridership.
Dockless vehicles are permitted to operate in an operational zone, defined as within the Watterson Expressway, with extensions in the south to Palatka Road (to include Iroquois Park) and west to Shawnee Park. Dockless vehicles may not be operated at Waterfront Park, which currently offers its own bike rental service. Within the operational zone, the city has established nine distribution zones to ensure an equitable distribution of the service.
Other elements of the policy:
- Each operator will provide the city with a map and list of all parking locations for their vehicles.
- Dockless vehicles shall be relocated or removed by an operator within two hours’ notice that the vehicle is parked in an incorrect manner. Monthly data reports are required to ensure all rules are being observed.
- Dockless vehicles are to be operated on streets and, where available, in bike lanes and bike paths. Vehicles should only be operated on sidewalks when leaving or accessing a parking location.
In addition to a license application fee, annual fee, bond and fee for a designation group parking area, operators will pay $1/day per vehicle. These funds will go directly to fund improvements to our city’s shared mobility infrastructure. Other fines and administrative penalties are included to ensure compliance.
To view the entire Public Works policy on dockless vehicles, which includes a map of the operational zone, please click here.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services provided this update today on the heavy rains and potential for flash flooding in Louisville:
- MSD, our city’s Public Works and first responders remain in communication about the potential for flash flooding.
- The EOC was activated this morning to Level 1, which involves personnel monitoring the situation, and assisting with potential needs of agencies involved in the event. Key city officials are alerted to Level 1 status by text, which initiates a chain of communication among senior leadership, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
- With the National Weather Service predicting more heavy rain over the next two days, MetroSafe will continue to monitor conditions and activate the EOC as appropriate.
- Louisville Fire had only one rescue call today. A motorist attempted to drive through standing water, and their car stalled at Frankfort Avenue and Cable Street. The motorist was rescued.
- Since 6 a.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. today, MSD’s Call Center answered 437 customer calls.
- MSD has crews out in the community throughout any weather event, monitoring stormwater drainage channels and pipes, catch basins.
- Public Works also is patrolling roads to clear any clogged catch basins and reduce flooding. Public Works received two calls today; both related to clogged catch basins. Both were cleared.
- Public Works has crews on standby to place barricades if streets must be closed, and have ordered additional barricades to be used if needed.
- We encourage the media to continue to share our reminders to the public to stay away from pooling water and to “Turn Around. Don’t Drown.”
Next Steps
- The city’s Public Works’ Road division has inspected the city’s 32 viaducts and found that 17 of them are marked with signs advising motorists, “Do Not Enter When Flooded.” In other areas, those signs have been removed; the city is taking steps to replace those.
- Public Works also is working with MSD to identify the potential standing water depth in each of 32 viaducts in our community and then paint visible marks on each, as an additional warning to keep people from driving through during a heavy rain event.
- The city will use data from MSD, the National Weather Service, Louisville Fire and MetroSafe to project potential dangerous water conditions in the steepest and deepest viaducts and establish a mechanism to trigger visible warning lights to avoid entering flooded areas.
“Public safety is our No. 1 priority, and I am extremely confident in the commitment in the work of our police, fire and emergency management teams,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “It’s important that citizens be our partner in this mission, taking the steps they can to keep themselves and their families safe.”
Following a two-year study that included multiple public meetings, a survey of residents and outreach to the Jefferson County League of Cities and private waste hauling businesses, a consulting report that assesses Louisville’s current solid waste management system has been finalized.
The report includes recommended improvements and lays the groundwork as the city works to develop ways to accomplish Mayor Greg Fischer’s goal of diverting 90 percent of the community’s solid waste away from landfills by the year 2042.
The consulting report was led by Orlando, Fla.-based MSW Consultants, in partnership with Cascadia Consulting Group (Seattle, Wash.) and Abbe & Associates (Alameda, Calif.) under a $350,000 contract. MSW is a management consulting firm specializing in the waste and recycling industry.
Begun with a public meeting on Dec. 8, 2015, the consultant’s study was conducted in three phases. The first examined the makeup of Louisville’s residential and commercial wastes and helped quantify potential diversion opportunities.
It found, for example, that in 2015, two-thirds of the 879,000 tons of waste put into area landfills could have been diverted through recycling, composting or reuse.
Phase Two looked at the policies, operations and costs associated with the present waste and recycling collection system. The consultants determined that costs vary widely depending largely on whether a household is in the Urban Services District, one of the 82 smaller municipalities in Jefferson County, or in an unincorporated area of the county.
In Phase Three, results of the previous phases were shared with the public before short- and long-term recommendations were developed for all aspects of the waste management system.
Short-term recommendations focus on the possibility of expanding services and education, as well as updated ordinances and contracts. Longer term recommendations include initiatives such as an online materials exchange program, every-other-week trash collection and mandatory recycling.
Those recommendations will be studied by Public Works, Metro Council and the Louisville/Jefferson County Solid Waste District, with additional public input, before any potential changes are made.
The full report can be found online at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/solid-waste-study-report-january-2018 .
Public Works, Bridges and Transportation – Tuesday, August 4th 3:00pm
The Committee has three items under review:
- 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
- An ordinance relating to enforcement of driveway permits
- A resolution calling for the reinstatement of a security guard at the Congress Alley entrance of City Hall
Labor & Economic Development – Tuesday, August 4th 4:00pm
The Committee has the following items under review:
- An ordinance ratifying a collective bargaining agreement between Metro Government and AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 2629 for Civilian Supervisory Employees of Metro Corrections
- An ordinance establishing the Axis on Lexington Development Area
- An ordinance establishing the 800 Building Development Area
- A resolution involving two parcels of property at the intersection of Muhammad Ali Blvd., 30th Street and West Market Street
- An ordinance dealing with a bond project for Bellarmine University
Appropriations NDFs & CIFs – Tuesday, August 4th 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.
Public Safety – Wednesday, August 5th 3:30pm
The Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinances dealing with short term rentals. Those who wish to speak may sign up one hour before the meeting on the Third Floor of Historic City Hall.
Contracts and Appointments – Thursday, August 6th 3:00
The Committee will review proposed contracts for Metro Government. The Committee will also review proposed appointments to the Board and Commissions of Metro Government.
Budget – Thursday, August 6th 5:00pm
The committee has several items under review:
- An ordinance for a forgivable loan to New Directions Housing Corp. for a single family dwelling in Shelby Park
- An ordinance to transfer funds between NDF and CIF in District 19
- An ordinance to transfer funds between NDF and CIF in District 23
- And ordinance to amend the Metro Street Improvement Program funding
*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 at: http://louisvilleky.gov/
All meetings are aired live on Metro TV Insight cable Channel 25. 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
