Budget Committee - Regular Meeting

Hi, my name is Morgan Ward and I'm chair of the Metro Louisville Landmarks Commission. I'm here with Savannah Darr. Tell us what you do.

I'm the Historic Preservation Officer for Louisville Metro and I am staff to the Landmarks Commission. It was established in 1973 and of course retweaked in 2003 with merger. It's a 13-member commission with various specialties that focus on historic preservation and preservation of our city's history. Our meetings are open to the public and we certainly encourage everyone to come and join us and learn more about preservation and history.

And there are 13 members of the Landmarks Commission. By ordinance, we have an attorney. That's me. We have an architect. We have a landscape architect. We have a real estate broker. We have business people and other experts from the community, an archaeologist, for example. And we come together and do the best job we can to identify and preserve and protect historic buildings and districts in Metro Louisville.

The Construction Review Division is responsible for forwarding your application and plans to the necessary city agencies. This means you do not have to deliver your documents separately to agencies such as Public Health, MSD, Air Pollution Control, Louisville Fire, or Transportation. We will coordinate with these departments to ensure the plans are reviewed by all required parties. It is important to note that if your project is in another fire district or home rule city, you may need to submit plans directly to that fire department or a city. Construction review will guide you through this process so your plans reach the right agencies for the approval.

Want to know what's happening in your city? Metro TV shows your government in action. Metro TV is the only place you will see every minute of Metro Council meetings live. Be informed, be prepared, be a part of our community. Stay connected with Louisville Metro TV on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube, and Spectrum Cable Channel 184. Metro TV, engage, empower, entertain.

I have four maybe participants to see if they need our services. Hello, Ms. Connie speaking. I received a referral that you had talked to someone and you were needing some services. Some are refused, some of them don't, so I have to call and see. All right, okay, okay. Could be for mental health to maybe food baskets, just services they need, because we work with people who are gunshot victims. We also work with kids who are You know, in school, and we also have a program where before they get into gangs, okay, are you group or gang related? What keeps me going is to help people, because I was in a situation where I lost my son years ago, and I didn't get any help like this. So it makes me want to help more. You know how people say, I want to reach that one? I don't want to reach that one. I want to reach several, because I want somebody to say, okay, Ms. Connie.

An electrical inspection is part of the electrical permit process, which is usually required for new construction projects, major renovations, and service upgrades or when adding things like circuits, panels, or large electrical equipment. An inspection may also be needed when changing the layout of your electrical system or installing solar panels or replacing outdated wiring. Inspections help make sure everything is safe up to code and ready for use before power is turned on. All electrical inspections must

Madam Vice Chair? Jenny? Can you hear me? Yep, I can hear you. If you appoint somebody in the interim to get things started, we can get things started, but the chairperson is slightly delayed under the new rule.

All right, then Tony, I think you raised your hand. Would you like to be appointed to get things going, please, sir? And thank you.

Metro TV will start in five seconds. Good afternoon, it's 5.04 p.m. I'm gonna call to order the regular meeting of Government Oversight Audit and Appointments. My name is Councilman Anthony Piagentini. Based on our new rules, I am facilitating the meeting for now until our Chairwoman, Councilwoman Purves joins us here shortly. I'm joined in chambers by Councilman Owen, Councilman Herndon, Councilman Reed, Councilman Bratcher, and then joined online by Vice Chair, Councilman Woolridge, or Jenny Woolridge, Councilman McCraney, Councilman Cramer, if he's able to join via video. We're gonna jump into the appointments and then we'll back up and do the other things. So, oh, can the clerk read the disclaimer please for the virtual meetings?

This meeting is being held pursuant to KRS 61.826 and Council Rule 5A.

Thank you. First is AP061626BG, appointment of Brian Goodwin to the Bardstown Road Overlay District Board. Term expires April 30th, 2029. Can I get a motion and second, please?

Properly moved and seconded. Ms. Jackson. Althea Jackson, the Mayor's Office. We are asking to move forward with Brian Goodwin for the appointment to the Bardstown Road Overlay. He is filling the business rep. The Bardstown Road Overlay has eight members on the commission. They serve three-year term. The purpose of this overlay board is to meet with potential applicants who wants to have development in that area. They're very specific board seats. Two members shall be licensed architects, landscape architects, or other design professional. Three members shall own, rent, operate, or manage businesses located within the district. Mr. Goodwin is out of Metro Council District 8. He is, again, filling the business rep seat. He is a small business owner. He went to the College of Charleston and UofL. We are asking to move forward with his appointment. He is in chambers to introduce himself to you. Mr. Goodwin.

I'm not really using the numbers.

Hello, thanks for having me. Thanks for considering me for the role.

Great. Mr. Goodwin, if you don't mind, just tell us a little bit about your desire to serve on the board.

I grew up in the Highlands. I just moved back to the Highlands in the spring of last year. I primarily am a commercial developer. I have quite a few properties along Barstown Road and in the Highlands that we have developed added value, et cetera. And then outside of commercial development, we do have a number of small businesses in Louisville, one of which is Darling's, which is in the Highlands. I also am the property owner at that location.

Outstanding. Love to have local investors, local developers. So thank you very much for your willingness to serve. Are there any questions for Mr. Goodwin? Seeing none, this is an appointment requiring a voice vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Hearing no opposed, this will go to the consent calendar. Thank you very much, Mr. Goodwin. Appreciate you.

Thank you.

The next appointment is AP061626EH, appointment of Ebert, and I apologize if I mispronounce this, Hagel. Am I close? Okay. Please correct me when you come up or if you know, Ms. Jackson, how I'm supposed to pronounce it. To the Civilian Review and Accountability Board, term expires March 25th, 2028. Can I get a motion and a second, please? Motion. Properly moved and seconded.

Ms. Jackson. So the purpose of the Civilian Review Board is to increase citizen involvement in investigations and review of allegations of police misconduct within the LMPD. There are 11 members on this board. They do serve a three-year term. They are appointed by the mayor and, of course, approved by Metro Council. This board was set up very specifically The Metro Council submits a list. They have three seats. They submit a list of two names for the mayor to select one from each list. There are two members from the database that the mayor can choose from, and there are other two members that he can, at his own discretion, Four members are provided by the entity. There was eight entities that was listed in the ordinance. This particular seat is going to be filled by the Louisville Bar Association. Mr. Hagerl is out of Metro Council District 8. Again, he was nominated by the Louisville Bar Association. He is an attorney. He went to UofL and Bellarmine. former Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, former Special Assistant, United States Attorney, I believe, Mr. Hagel, had a conflict and is not able to be in the chambers. But I would like to move forward with his appointment. I think he is well qualified to be a member of this board.

It seems like it, particularly with his legal background. Any questions about this appointment?

Tony, I have one. Yes. I would like to say I've known Mr. Hagel for a few years now, probably over a few, but I don't want to age myself or himself. So I do want to say that I would like to thank him, even though he's not here, for stepping up and being willing to serve in this seat. But I would also recommend this appointment.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Any other questions or comments? Very well. This appointment requiring a voice vote. All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Aye. The ayes have it, this will go on the consent calendar. The next appointment is AP061626JD, appointment of Jeffrey Donahue to the Fairdale Fire Protection District Board term expires June 30th, 2029. Second? Properly moved and seconded. I will relinquish the chair to the proper chair, that's Councilwoman Purvis, thank you. this one, and it was just moved.

Thank you, Councilman Alpagete. Please excuse my tardiness. Before we move forward, I need to make a mention of something to go on record. Meeting before last, we had an absence by Councilwoman Dr. McCraney, and it was an excused absence, but I failed to mention that in the last meeting, that the meeting that we had two weeks ago was an excused absence I don't know, but I just wanted to go on the record that it was an excuse absence. So, um, okay. We can move forward.

Okay. So we are moving forward with Fairdale. So the purpose of, uh, the, the fire, uh, protection district boards, um, is to operate a fire department and emergency ambulance service and to levy a tax for such services. This board has seven members. However, the mayor has three appointments, and the Fire Protection District Board has four. Mr. Donahue will be a mayoral appointment, which means he will serve a three-year term. He is out of Metro Council District 13. He's a retired Kentucky State House of Rep, former negotiator with Ford Motor Company, and he grew up in the Fairdale community. We are asking to move forward with his appointment. He is here in chambers to introduce himself to you.

Good afternoon and evening. I see a few familiar faces here. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Thank you. Does anyone have any questions?

I can vouch for Mr. Donahue. Pretty good state rep, but he was a really good guitar player. Did you bring a guitar?

No, but I should have. I needed it.

Yeah, I approve, and I make the motion. I think it's already been made, though.

Okay. Does anyone else have any questions or comments for Mr. Donahue?

Sounds like you're a winner today. Thank you.

We're ready to vote on his apartment. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any oppositions? The ayes have it, thank you. Don't forget next time, bring your guitar.

I'll do that, thank y'all. Y'all enjoyed today, appreciate you. Thank you.

Our next department is the reappartment of Henry G, I'm sorry, of G. Henry Ott to Fern Creek Fall Protection District Board. Term expires June 30th, 2029. I need a motion and a second. Motion to approve.

Ms. Jackson. So Mr. Ott, we're asking to move forward with his reappointment. He is a fire and investigative consultant. He lives in Metro Council District 22. He is a past chief of investigation, former assistant chief with the Louisville Division of Fire. He is well suited to be on this board. He is here in chambers. He can tell you more about himself and answer any questions you may have.

Good afternoon. My name's Henry Ott. I've been involved in the fire service since the day I turned 18 and wandered up to the volunteer fire department. I'm now in my 46th year. I retired from Louisville 11 years ago. I have a consulting business where I work with insurance companies, manufacturers, and that. So I appreciate the opportunity to be able to serve.

Are we? Any questions? Ms. Chair? Jenny. Okay. Hi, Jenny. Go ahead.

Yes, I would just like to say that I would also like to ask everybody to please move forward with this appointment. I've known Mr. Ott for years. Again, I will not age myself with the amount of service that my husband started on the Fern Creek Fire Department volunteer, and then my brother serving as chief there. So, again, I ask that everyone please move forward with this.

Appreciate that. Thank you.

Madam Vice Chair.

Councilman Kramer.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't know if I'm aging myself or not, but I will point out that I remember working with Mr. Ott when he was actually still on the city of Louisville's payroll with the fire department, where he served with distinction and has done great work on that Fern Creek board where he has served in the past. And so to me, this seems like a pretty obvious, I'd say no brainer, but I don't know how else to say it. So thank you, Mr. Ott, for your service. We look forward to your continuing.

I appreciate that, Mr. Kramer. I thought you were going to discuss things from high school, so I was holding my breath there, but we're good.

As long as he didn't say you were his teacher.

No, that wasn't it.

Okay. Any other comments or questions? Okay, we're ready to vote. All those in favor of his appointment, say aye. Aye. Any opposition? The ayes have it. Our next item on the agenda is the reappointment of Cal Reber to the Jepson Town Fire Protection District Board. Term expires June 20th, 2029. I need a motion and a second, please. Thank you. I'll move, Ms. Jackson.

So Kyle is the Assistant Director of Public Safety with Bellarmine University. He is out of Metro Council District 18. He is a retired deputy fire chief, as well as a former sergeant. He is more than qualified to be on this board, and we want to move forward with his reappointment. I don't want to go in much into his background. He is here to speak with you all. So Mr. Whitewood, if you want to come up.

Good evening, council members. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be reappointed. It's been a pleasure to work with Jefferson Town. One of the goals was to represent the Hikes Point community once we merged, and so I appreciate you giving this opportunity to do that. I currently work as the chief of Bellarmine University. I was promoted when Debbie retired, so I do that now, and spent a lot of time with Louisville Division Fire as well as McMahon and J-Town, so I do appreciate this opportunity.

Are there any questions or comments for this appointment?

Madam Chair?

Yes.

Again, I may inadvertently age myself, but My family was involved at McMahon. I was never one of those guys that would actually go into a burning building. That just seemed crazy to me. But I appreciate Kyle's willingness to do it. And so I remember Kyle as a firefighter at McMahon where he did great work. And then I followed his career with great pride. So again, top-notch selection. Would hope that all of us support his appointment. Thanks, Kyle, for your service.

You're welcome. Should I go ahead and tell him when I started at AG? No, please don't. Okay, I won't do that. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Any other comments, questions? If there aren't any, we're ready to take a vote on his appointment. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Okay, any oppositions? The ayes have it. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the appointment of Trevor Powell to the Kentuckiana Works Greater Louisville Workforce Development Board. Term expires February 28th, 2027. I need a motion and a second, please.

We're amending his term expiration date. He's already been appointed. Oh, sorry. Second. So now that's okay. This is to amend his term expiration date. I put the wrong, I inadvertently put the wrong year. And so this is to amend what you guys approved the last time. So is this the correct date?

2027. Okay. Okay. Does anyone have any questions? Comments? Okay, we'll take a vote on this amendment. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposition? The ayes have it. Thank you for the clarification. The next item on the board is the reappartment of Lori.

Second, please. Second.

Thank you, properly moved. Ms. Jackson. Can I ask a question? Yes, ma'am.

So we have three coming from reappointments. Do we want to do all three of those together?

Yes, ma'am.

Yeah, actually it is four. can i just make a motion to add items 11 12 and 13 on the agenda to this motion oh really and truly it's 14 as well william temple well yeah okay we can do the reappointments together

So we're going to do these all together. So we read 10 into the record. The 11th one on the agenda is the reappointment of Kate Meador to the Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission. Term expires November 30th, 2028. The next one is item number 12, reappointment of Morgan Ward to the Landmarks and Preservation District Commission. Term expires November 30th, 2028. 13th item on the agenda is the reappointment of Ashland Ackerman to the Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission. Term expires November 30th, 2028. The next one is the 14th item on the agenda. Appointment of William Temple Beam to the Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission. Term expires November 30th, 2028. We've already got the motion and the second. Okay. We have a second. Okay. Ms. Jackson.

So with the Landmarks Commission, the mayor appoints 10 people. The council president appoints one that is not a council member. There's an ex officio, the director of codes and the director of planning are ex officio members. The qualification of members is... These are very specific seats on this board. One architect, one architect or landscape architect, one historian or architectural historian qualified in the field of historic preservation. There has to be one registered professional archaeologist, one licensed real estate broker, one attorney, one member of the metro area chamber of Commerce and all members must have a known interest in local landmarks and district preservation. They do serve a three-year term. Ms. Sahlgren is the archaeologist on this board. We are asking for her reappointment. She is a project archaeologist at Western Kentucky University. She has her Juris Doctorate from UofL, Masters of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University. Her doctoral program was... with Syracuse University. She is not here in chambers, but she is well qualified to be in this role, in this seat on the landmark. So we are asking to move forward with her reappointment, although she is not in chambers. Kate Meador is a, do you need to vote? No, we're gonna do it all at once. We're gonna do it all at once, okay. Kate Meador is our architectural historian. She's the executive director with Conrad Caldwell House Museum. She has her master's from the Northwestern State University, a BA from St. Augustine, Florida. And this will be her second reappointment. She is in chamber, so I will let her come and introduce and answer any questions and tell a little bit more about her background.

Hi, my name is Kate Meador. Thank you all for reconsidering or considering my reappointment. I am no longer the director of the Conroy Caldwell House Museum, but I have spent 15 or so years working in the field of history. Recently, I have started a small property management rehabilitation company and we rehab old buildings in Old Louisville and the West End.

I am interested in knowing about this. Rehab, company?

So we've participated in some of the local programs like the Land Banks Commission. We took a house that was previously unoccupied and rehabilitated it and put it into use. We've done the same with a couple of buildings, a couple of homes in Old Louisville that were basically last looks and our most recent project is the old gas station at Third and Hill in Old Louisville. We're gonna adaptively reuse that into a restaurant for the neighborhood and a community gathering space.

And you're doing historical properties only? Yes, historical properties only. And then you're rehabbing them into making them livable?

Livable, usable. Kind of like we're the foster care system of historic houses. We take ones that are kind of unloved and love them back to life. Okay, thank you.

Any questions? Oh, sorry. Councilman Owen.

I just wanted to vouch for Kate.

We lived on Belgravia Court for a long time, and my wife was involved in the Conrad Caldwell House. And so we met Kate, and she did a really nice job representing the Conrad Caldwell House. And so I think she's an excellent candidate for this board. Thanks.

Thank you. Thank you.

The next person is Morgan Ward. Morgan is the attorney on the board. Need I say more? He is an attorney with Stites & Harbison. and he has served this position well. We are asking for his reappointment. This would be the last time that he is able to be reappointed. However, we are asking to move forward with it now. Morgan is in chambers to come and reintroduce himself to you.

Good afternoon. I'm Morgan Ward. I'm an attorney at Stites and Harbison, and I've served on the Landmarks Commission for two terms now, so this would be my final term. I've had the pleasure of serving as chair of the commission for approximately five years, and I appreciate your considering me for a final term.

Are there any questions? Comments? Councilman Ornn.

I just want to thank you for serving on the board and serving as chair and being willing to do it for a third term. I really appreciate that.

Well, it's been my pleasure. I've learned a lot on the commission. Well, that's great. And I have a wonderful, it's a wonderful board and there's a, But to a person, everyone on the commission is very qualified. Thank you. Yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

The next person is Ashlyn Ackerman. Ashley is an architect, but she is filling the seat from our metro chamber, which is now 1 Louisville. She is with the Wayland Ventures, working on historic renovations. She has her Master's of Architect, a Bachelor's of Arts from Ball State. This will be her last opportunity to be reappointed as well. She is in chambers and she will come and reintroduce herself to you.

Hello, I'm Ashlyn Ackerman. This will be my third term on the board if I'm successfully reappointed. I wanted to say thank you for the consideration. I've really enjoyed my time on the Landmarks Commission the past two terms. We've had some interesting cases come before us and it's been great to be part of the discussion and use my background in redeveloping historic properties with Wayland Ventures in downtown Louisville, across Kentucky and the surrounding states to impact those decisions. So thank you very much.

Any questions or comments? Okay, sure you can.

I wanna thank you for bringing your expertise. I mean, all you do at Wayland Ventures translates perfectly to this board. So thank you for your willingness.

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you very much.

Our next person is William Temple Beam. We are asking to move forward with his appointment. He is a retired former executive director of Kentucky Board Tax Appeals. He's also a former director of boards and commissions, as well as director of finance for Governor Patton, and he has lots of community involvement. He is here to introduce himself and to answer any questions that you may have. I won't go in To any more of his background, I'll let him speak with you.

Hi, I'm William Beam. Just call me Billy. I'm very passionate about Louisville and I would love in any way, shape or form to show that civic pride. So any consideration you would have in this commission would be an honor to me.

Thank you, sir. I'm gonna take a few questions. Sure. Comments, Councilman Piagetini.

I just wanna say thank you for your service. I think your passion Okay. Your passion clearly comes through in your resume. I mean, I love your whole discussion about your descendancy, back to the founding of the city. I think you said eighth generation Kentuckian, is that right? Yes.

Louisvillean. Louisvillean. I'm ninth or tenth or something in Kentucky.

In Kentucky? Okay. And then, well, if you go back far enough, you'll be a Virginian, too. That, too. And the fact that you have your high school on here is perfect Louisville, by the way. So.

Well noted.

No, but thank you very much for your service. We really appreciate it. Thank you.

Councilman Herndon.

Thank you, madam. Mr. Breen. Over here, it's been a bit since I've seen you, but of course, from back in the patent days and all, that's really good to see you. I've tried to retire as hard as possible. I know, but you just have to serve, and I appreciate that a lot, and glad you're going to join us. Thank you. Join this board.

Thank you, sir. If we don't have any more questions or comments for these appointments, I think we're ready to take a vote on those. On them. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposition? The ayes have it. Thank you. Also, I'd like to recognize we've been joined by Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins. She's joined us virtually. Thank you. Our next appointments, we will do two in one. And I just need a motion after I read them. It is the appointment of Michael Portman Jr. to the Oklahoma Fire Protection District Board. Term expires June 30th, 2030. The next one is the reappointment of Yolanda Moore to the Oklahoma Fire Protection District Board. Term expires June 30th, 2029. I need a motion and a second, please.

Thank you. Ms. Jackson. So the purpose of the Oklahoma Fire Protection District Board is to establish and operate a fire department and emergency ambulance service and to levy a tax for such services. Like all of the other fire protection district boards, there are seven members Three, the mayor appoints. Four, the fire district appoints. This particular appointment is for a property owner elect. Typically, those are elected within the district. However, when there is either a firefighter elect or a property owner elect, if they resign mid-year or have to leave, then the mayor makes appointments. And so that's what we're doing at this time. The mayor is making an appointment for Mr. Michael Portman, Jr. Again, it is for a property owner-elect. He is a former U.S. Marine. He has 20-plus years of experience with aircraft maintenance. He is out of Metro Council District 23. He is really excited about the possibility of becoming appointed as a property owner elect. He is here in chambers to come and introduce himself to you and answer any questions that you may have.

Good evening. Thanks for having me. Michael Portman for Colonial Fire District.

When you were in the Corps.

What did he do?

He was in the wing. He was the officer, you know.

Well, I knew a lot of officers in the wing because that's where they all seem to be. Yeah, that's right. I'm sure I've probably gotten yelled at them once or twice at something.

Long enough name, maybe you bumped into them. That was my older brother. So I was thinking, given your background, you might have crossed paths with him at some point.

It depends on which part of the air wing he was in.

There you go. Okay. Well, and I have no idea. I was an artillery guy. So thank you very much. Appreciate you. Thank you for serving on this committee. Thank you, sir.

Anyone else have any stories they want to relive?

Thank you, sir. Thank you, ma'am.

The next person, we're asking for reappointment of Ms. Yolanda Moore. Ms. Moore is out of Metro Council District 11. She's very active in connecting the Hispanic community to health equities, She is on the St. Rita Hispanic Parish Council. She partners with LMPD to present the Latino Citizen Police Academy, as well as works, she also works with LMPD recruits and officers to learn. Chambers to reintroduce herself.

Hello, I'm Yolanda Moore, and I want to thank you for considering me for reappointment to the Oklahoma Fire District Board of Trustees.

Does anyone have any questions or comments for Ms. Moore? Thank you for being here.

Thank you.

We are now ready to take a vote on these appointments. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Any oppositions? The ayes have it. Thank you. The next three items, 17, 18, I'm sorry, eight. Okay, I'm sorry. I'm looking far ahead. Okay. The next item on the agenda is the reappointment of Patrick Sparks to the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department District Board. Term expires June 30th, 2029. I need a motion and a second. Okay. Ms. Jackson.

So we're asking to move forward with Patrick Sparks on the Fire Protection District Board. Mr. Sparks is out of Metro Council District 14. He is the senior manager with electric distribution with LG&E. He was originally appointed in 2024. He has attended Indiana University, KCTCS, and Southeast, and he also graduated from St. X. I'll let him come and speak.

Good afternoon. I just want to thank you for the opportunity to serve on the board for Pele's Ridge Park Fire Department and look forward to being reappointed and continue to serve the community.

Any questions? No questions or comments. We're ready to vote on this appointment. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposition? The ayes have it, thank you. The next three items on the agenda, 18, 19, and 20, will be read together. The first one, item number 18, is the appointment of Khadijah Hayes to the Polis Merit Board. Term expires June 1st, 2030. Item number 19 is the appointment of Robert Pinta to the Police Merit Board. Term expires June 1, 2030. The next item is number 20, the reappointment of Cheryl Anderson to the Police Merit Board, with the term expiring June 30, 2030. I need a motion and a second, please. Second. Thank you. Ms. Jackson.

There are five members appointed by the mayor and approved by council. They serve four years. There are two that are appointed by the FOP that serve on this board as well. The board was established to classify and examine applicants seeking employment as officers of the police force of the consolidated local government. This excludes applicants for positions of chief assistant chief and officers above the rank of captain. Khadijah Hayes is at a Metro Council District 20. She is with the Kentucky Derby Festival. She is an event manager there, and she's also with the D'Angelo Russell Foundation. She has expertise in logistics and operations planning, financial management, and strategic management. We are asking to move forward with her appointment She is here in chambers to introduce herself and answer any questions that you may have. Hi, you all. I'm Khadijah Hayes, and thank you for considering my appointment. I'm here to answer any questions you may have.

Does anyone have any questions, comments? Thank you. Thank you.

Khadijah. Robert Penta is out of Metro Council District 9. He is the President and General Counsel with Venture First LLC. He has his Bachelor of Art from Indiana University, Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law. Robert is the President of Venture First. He also serves as Senior Managing Director of VF Advisors. the chief legal officer and co-founding managing general partner of three whiskey capital finance companies. We're asking to move forward with his appointment, very much needed on this board at this time. He is here in chambers to introduce himself.

Hi, my name is Rob Penta. I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, have my family here and run our businesses here, and I wanted to thank you for your consideration of my appointment and find out if you had any questions.

Does anyone have any questions or comments from Mr. Penta?

I just want to acknowledge an appointment for someone from District 9. Glad to have you here, and I appreciate your service. Thanks, I appreciate it.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

So, Miss Dr. Dr. Cheryl Anderson, when this was unable to be here this afternoon, but she is a retired Jefferson County public. She is retired from Jefferson County Public Schools. She has her doctorate of education and Masters of Arts in school counseling. school guidance counseling from Spalding. She has her master's of arts in education from, also has a master's of arts in education from Ottawa. She also has a bachelor's from UofL. She is now currently acting as the vice chair of this board. She's been a very active member and we are asking to have her reappointed. She had a conflict today and could not participate.

Are there any comments or questions regarding this appointment? Okay, we're ready to take a vote on that. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any oppositions? The ayes have it. Thank you. The last item on the agenda is the reappointment of Jim Siler to the St. Matthew's Fire Department District Board. Term expires June 30th, 2026. I need a motion and a second. Thank you. Ms. Jackson?

Mr. Seiler has 35 plus years of experience as a chief financial officer and controller. He earned his BS in accounting from the University of Kentucky. He currently serves as the treasurer for St. Matthews. He has been a very committed trustee. We are asking to move forward with his appointment He's here in chambers that can Jim Siler.

Thank you very much for allowing me to appear. Thank you very much for your consideration. Lifelong resident of Louisville, resident of the district, grew up in the district, moved into the Urban Services District for 25 years or so, back to the district, have always had an appreciation for first responders and the fire service and wanted to do something to give back to the community and support those folks that do so much for us.

Does anyone have any questions or comments for Mr. Seiler? Councilman Piagetini.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to thank you for your continued service and also say you have a background in finance. It's quite important, these fire districts. They're dealing with big dollars and I think it's important moving forward, we probably need to look at each one of them. make sure there's somebody on the board that has some sort of background in finance and understands these large budgets they're dealing with. I live in the Middletown Anchorage Fire Department. I think it's like the second or third largest in the state now. It's a huge budget, big personnel, big numbers. We appreciate your willingness to serve, but I think your background is spot on for the type of volunteers we need to help guide the board. So thank you for your service.

Thank you, sir.

If there aren't any other questions or comments, we're ready to vote on this appointment. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Aye. The ayes have it. Thank you. There aren't any other items on the agenda for today, so...

Yeah, Madam Chair, we started with appointments, so we need to go back to the pending legislation one and two.