Jefferson County

The meeting involved discussions and actions on pending legislation, specifically Ordinance O-131-15, which amends section 115 of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances relating to short-term rentals. The committee moved to untable the item and subsequently passed an amendment to define a temporary short-term rental as one rented for no more than 14 total rental days within a calendar year. Following discussion with Planning and Design Services, a motion was made to table the Ordinance.

The Committee on Committees meeting involved the assignment of multiple pieces of legislation to various standing committees. Key new business included ordinances related to amending the Land Development Code concerning outdoor amenities, appropriating District Neighborhood Development Funds for Harbor House of Louisville program expenses and a community junk drop-off event, and appropriating funds to the Louisville Independent Business Alliance, Inc. for programming expenses. Budget Committee items addressed transfers between capital budgets, including funds for Frankfort Avenue Street Lights and the D9 Reservoir Access Road Project, as well as transfers involving the Portland Neighborhood Revitalization project and District 11 funds. Other legislation involved approving amendments to a professional service contract with Gresham Smith and Partners, establishing an Energy Project Assessment District Program, changing zoning classifications for property on Baxter Avenue, amending requirements for Armed Security Officers, and authorizing acceptance of funding for sidewalk improvements on 4th Street and for a one-way to two-way street conversion design project.

The Committee of the Whole convened for a meeting that included an explanation of the interview process procedures by the Council President. The primary agenda item involved the interview of multiple candidates for the vacant District 8 Metro Council Seat. Candidates interviewed included Peggy Boeck Garrison, Colby Lawrence Birkes, Marty Meyer, Johnson Ives Webb, George E. Timmering, Jr., Ben Reno-Weber, Andrew C. Bailey, Larry Bisig, Taylor McGovern U'Sellis, LaDonna Brown Johnson, Rosemarie Sprawls, Brian A. Arbenz, Michael V. Lucchese, William P. Schreck, Michael A. Triebsch, Lemuel Mason, and Craig A. DaRif. Two listed candidates, Chris Meyer and Robert Kenyon Meyer, withdrew their candidacies, and Mathew Ruberg also withdrew.

The committee meeting addressed pending legislation, specifically Resolution R-014-23, which proposes opposing the seizure of conservation land for building a natural gas pipeline through Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Following a presentation by the representative of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest and comments from committee members and the public, an initial motion to recommend approval failed when a subsequent motion to table the Resolution carried.

The committee meeting included a special discussion regarding Beargrass Creek, featuring presentations from the Beargrass Creek Alliance and Salt River Watershed Watch, with input from Metro Parks. Pending legislation included a resolution to accept $24,400 from the Kentucky Bicycle and Bikeway Commission for two bicycle safety programs, which was recommended for approval. Another resolution recommended for approval authorized the acceptance of $30,000 in additional funding from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the design and construction phase of the Portland Elementary Safe Routes to School Project. An ordinance creating a new chapter of the Metro Code of Ordinances related to Louisville Metro Trees, Tree Canopy, and Environmental Infrastructure remained held. An ordinance amending sections of the Metro Code of Ordinances regarding Waste Management remained tabled. The meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m.