Metro Council - Regular Meeting

And now we're pulling that auger bit out. And as you pull that out, there's dirt that comes out with it. We're scooping that up with a shovel or picking it off with our hands and putting it into the 55 gallon drum there where it'll reside until we send it off to a lab and the lab tells us what's in it. Of course, we don't know until we get our analytical results back. We're going to take bentonite chips. Bentonite is a type of clay. It's a hydrating clay. It swells whenever water gets inside of it. Once the bentonite is hydrated, it forms a really tight seal. Just cut the bags open. Let gravity take the chips down the hole. This is the final step in the process. Just putting a little top soil on it for a little beautification. Eventually grass is going to grow right over top and you'll never know it was there. And that's the last process in abandoning a groundwater monitoring well.

Yes, a professional such as an architect or engineer or a property owner can apply for the permit without selecting a contractor. However, the permit won't be issued by our department until a licensed contractor is selected and verified. We can only issue permits to contractors who are licensed or verified property owners. So it's a good idea to have some research before applying for a permit and find a contractor who is licensed by searching online.

dan and i and everyone here at the louisville zoo are proud to announce the birth of not one not two but three baby amour tiger cubs born to timmy and victoria there are three new baby tiger cubs here at the louisville zoo these three babies were born overnight they were born on may 27th at 1 24 a.m and these are the first amour tiger cubs born here at the louisville zoo in 22 years

We congratulate Timmy and Victoria. Victoria's doing a great job as a mom. We do not intervene at this point because she is taking care of those three cubs extremely well. Congratulations again to Victoria and Timmy.

22 years ago, Louisville's four largest institutions came together to form the Partnership for a Green City. Today, that partnership represents 30,000 employees and reaches 135,000 students each year. I'm sure some of those students were you.

The Founders Award honors individuals whose service has fundamentally shaped the Partnership for a Green City and advanced sustainability across Louisville. I'm honored to congratulate Louisville Metro's Executive Director of Parks and Recreation, Michelle King. Come on up, Michelle.

The partnership for Green City has truly been formative in my work with Louisville Metro government. It's a do, not a did. And that's what sustainability is. There is always another kilowatt to be saved. There's always another student to be reached. And there's always the opportunity for these four great partners to show leadership for our city.

Hi, I'm Kayla with Louisville Water, and this is Made with Pure Tap, a special segment where we're highlighting some amazing...

Metro TV, we will start in 30 seconds. All right, folks, this is the regular Metro Council meeting of August 27th, 2026. We're going to come to order. The time is currently 6.05 p.m. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This meeting is being held pursuant to KRS 61.826 and Council Rule 5A. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Council Member Hawkins. Present. Council Member Shanklin. Present. Council Member Parrish-Wright. Council Member Herndon. Present. Council Member Purvis. Present. Council Member Leninger.

Present.

Council Member McCraney. Here. Council Member Rena Weber. Here. Council Member Owen.

Here.

Council Member Raymond. Here. Council Member Cramer. Council Member Joseph. Here. Council Member Syme. Here. Council Member Bast. Here. Council Member Chappell. Council Member Reed. Council Member Winkler. Here. Bless you. Council Member Parker. Council Member Piagentini. Here. Council Member Benson.

Present.

Council Member Rui.

Here.

Council Member Bratcher. Here. Council Member Hudson. Here. Council Member Mulvey-Woolridge. Here. Council Member Batshon. Council Member President Ackerson.

Present.

Mr. President, you have 21 in a quorum. All right.

We've got Councilman Reed and Councilwoman Mulvaney-Rorge have excused absences. Councilman Bast, you've got a page tonight. You have the floor.

Thank you. So tonight, I have the honor of recognizing our District 14 Council page, Wendell Herthel. Wendell is a kind and respectful, responsible young man who enjoys serving others and learning new things. He's active in football at Highland Middle School, and he participates in archery at Sun Valley Community Center. He works hard in the classroom, earning AB Honor Roll recognition as demonstrated outstanding leadership character through his selection of student ambassador. He is always willing to help others and treats everyone he meets with kindness and respect. There is a quote by former John Quincy Adams that says, if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader. Even at the young age, Wendell is already demonstrating those qualities through his example of his work ethic and commitment to serving others. His story is one of resilience and determination. He was adopted through foster care, and he has faced challenges that have helped shaped him into the compassionate, thoughtful young leader that he is today. He values community, enjoys meeting new people, and is always eager to learn and grow. His journey is his testament and the power to his grit, family, and hope. As members of Metro Council, we often talk about investing in our future of our city. One of the best investments we can make is encouraging our young people to become engaged in their communities and understand how local government works. I'm confident that Wendell will make the most of his opportunity, and I hope tonight's experience will inspire him to continue pursuing leadership through the service throughout his life. Please join me, everybody, and welcome Wendell to as our page tonight from District 14.

Wendell, she's giving some huge shoes to fill. All right, Madam Clerk, are there any addresses to counsel?

Yes, sir, there are.

Let me remind those addressing counsel, there'll be a maximum of three speakers, either for or against a particular topic. Madam Clerk, please call for speaker.

Denise Lawson.

I am a member of the Alliance of Licensed Massage Therapists of Greater Louisville, here to ask you to adopt requested amendments that we helped write. I will speak to the exceptions section, the last section of the Massage Establishment Ordinance, at which as currently written does not apply to the following establishments or classes of persons. A, offices or clinics of physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, registered nurses, or PTs while performing such services in their respective professions. This means that only the exempted people there are those who have those licenses and incidentally do a massage-like touch in their practice. It does not exempt the massage therapists who's working in their office. on their HIPAA-protected clients. These offices cannot legally have cameras on patients without prior permission from the patient, nor can they hand a list of their patients over to any authority unless there is a subpoena with specific information required. Since this ordinance did not exempt the LMTs in their office, the Kairos MDs and PTs have a legal conflict which could result in action against their licenses. As currently written, this doesn't even mention state licensed mental health providers who know that massage therapists are important in the treatment of many conditions such as anxiety. Again, HIPAA says no cameras and protects health information such as how many times they are seen in that office. I can name three people who have lost their long time positions in mental health care settings because of this ordinance. For the same reason, a medical board licensed acupuncturist also removed an LMT from her office. Section B, same for cosmetologists. They are exempt, but if an LMT is in their salon as an employee or an independent contractor, they cannot have tinted or shaded windows to block the searing summer sun from heating up their salon. Two people that I can name have lost jobs in salons because of tinted windows, including one from the salon where Councilman Hudson gets his hair cut. C, licensed massage therapists who are not operating a massage facility. People on the task force misunderstood this one. I was told by Mr. Hudson and Connie Mendel that I would not need a facility license, yet I got the letter. They say I still need to submit a notarized letter from me saying that I am the landlord of the home I own and that I know massage therapy is being practiced there. D, athletic clubs. What does that mean? UofL teams, gyms, tennis centers, roller derby, the Louisville Kings football team, pro soccer, high school teams. We work at all those entities. There are others in this section. Please feel free to contact the Alliance leadership team for background information or an explanation of any of these amendments. We actually work in Louisville as LMTs while no one on the task force had a massage practice here in Louisville, except for a man who attended only one meeting without speaking. Thank you. Thank you.

Richard Forstein.

Good evening, thank you to the council members and the council president for letting me speak this evening. My name is Richard Forsting and I've been a licensed massage therapist for 25 years. And I'd like to speak against the new massage ordinance. In my 25 years, what I have seen, what I know is that licensed massage therapists are often the initial healthcare practitioner of choice. And the main reason that people choose a licensed massage therapist is that they trust us. And we have to remember that privacy is a major part of that trust. When clients believe that their personal privacy is safe, not being followed by a camera every step of the way, and that their medical records are secure, they are much more likely to participate in their own care. I have clients with Parkinson's and ALS who come in and see me as an additional treatment to help with their symptoms. These folks especially need to feel safe around their personal and their data privacy. I had a client come in a few weeks ago. She comes in and she sees the camera that we have. She points to it and she says, what's up with the camera? At that point, I could see the trust draining from her face and draining from the rest of her body. And her exact words were, this feels like an invasion of privacy. It seems like the city council is casting a net the size of an ocean when all they really need to do is catch a few of the sharks. Why don't they just go after the bad actors? I couldn't give her an answer. And we have to remember that trust goes both ways. As a licensed massage therapist, I trust my clients to be honest and open and to openly communicate with me about their medications, their symptoms, their pain levels, and their medical history. This mutual trust is what allows healing to happen effectively. Without this trust, clients may avoid seeking care. I believe this new ordinance puts in jeopardy the trust we have built up with our clients throughout our entire careers. They see yet another camera following them and they feel as if their personal and their medical records may be at risk. Health care in general, and massage therapy in particular, is ultimately about people caring for people. And at the heart of this relationship is trust. Thank you.

Thank you. Donna Catlett.

Madam Clerk, I'm going to take a point of personal privilege from the chair for a second here. I appreciate what we've heard from you, sir. But I will say this. Everyone in this room that's a speaker has a first-minute right to say what they want to say. And I sit here and I'm going to speak for my colleagues, and if they disagree with me, they disagree with me. We listen, and we're listening for valid arguments to be made about legislation. However, when the arguments turn to from valid arguments to poking at people, it takes away from the validity of the argument. And with that being said, Madam Speaker, call the next, or Madam Clerk, call the next speaker, please.

Donna Catlett.

And folks, at this point, we are dealing with a speaker that's gonna be entitled to some extra time for disability. We both have a translator and a sign language situation here, and so normally we would say four minutes, but today because of this issue, because of this, we're gonna say five minutes to give this individual the time they need to express what they need to express.

Hello, good evening. My name is Donna Catlett, and I am a deafblind individual. And I have a complaint about TARC. The TARC stop, the bus stop outside of my house, we've got a lot of people in my area that are handicapped, they are old, they can't walk far distances, and the bus stop has been taken away outside of my area. So the people in my area, deaf and hearing alike, had no idea about the changes. The bus stops, there was a lot of confusion that happened. And TARC knows there's a lot of senior citizens and disabled and people with all kinds of mobility issues in my area and they know better than to take away the bus stop. Okay, that is it, all I wanted to address. Thank you.

Thank you. Jeff Cavalcante.

As humanity marches towards civilization, their religions grow and become more defined. They advance in beliefs and practices. Part of that movement then is the growth of government systems that strive to make civilization stable and functioning. Tenets of religion and government reach out to the poor, the disenfranchised, the sick, and disabled. Even though they are on the fringe, we are called to incorporate them and bring them along as humanity advances. With 16.1 million served and more than $46 million spent in 2025, in the U.S., Catholic charities are a major player in reaching out to those in need. They collect monies across their vast network of parishes and churches. A portion is invested to bring the fringe into the fold. That collection of monies from all and given to support others and make civilization a little closer is a concept of socialism. Every year, the budget process includes one nonprofit after another coming and asking for NDF funds to support community events. Celebrate Recovery Fairdale is a great example. Some nonprofits were lucky enough to get funded through the annual budget, such as a coalition for the homeless. The money taken from the whole and given back to the community needs is a socialistic concept. 8.3% of the current budget Passed by Metro Council is a $37 million dividend from the city owned water company. It is spent across all programs of the budget. That is socialism in its purest form. I believe it started with the term Marxist mob. an archaic term from a failed model of socialism. Remember, it was corrupt government leadership, afraid of losing power, that fueled its decline into the oligarchic regime it is today. Across Europe, there are models of socialism that work. Those words thrown like a rock from those without sin began the vomiting of any decorum this council had. Names and accusations were thrown back and forth. We were not a mob. We represented your constituents from all strata of our little portion of civilization. We did not deserve the disrespect. The citizens of Jefferson County are owed an apology from the leadership on the Metro Council. Review the tape. The growth of the DSA is not the rise of communism. It is the response of the next generation of voters to express their concern that the two-party system has become too entrenched and is failing. If you are a person of compassion, if you are a person of concern for the disadvantaged, if you are a person of religion and God, then you will be pulled towards socialism. It is a secular response to a call of the faithful. Finally, it is still better to be a socialist than to be an unethical as a representative of the people. Thank you.

Thank you. Abigail Bonham.

Good evening, Metro Council. I come before you today as representative of the Alliance of Licensed Massage Therapists of Louisville. We are numerous independent small businesses, salon and spas with multiple therapists and group practices. We have come together so we can speak with a unified voice. We have come before this body for the last eight months, detailing the numerous negative effects of the ordinance regulating massage facilities that was passed by this body last November. Today, our ask is for this body to take all of our reports, all of our concerns, and make some real changes. We're asking all of Metro Council to represent their constituents and vote to adapt changes to this ordinance. We are as tired as coming before you all as you are as tired of hearing from us. We would like to thank Metro Council members Betsy Rui and then Rena Weber for helping licensed massage therapists make these changes in Jefferson County. Please allow us to be your ally. Let us help you make these changes. We enact amendments that would allow licensed massage therapists to be your ally. Human trafficking is an issue that is so much larger than just one industry. Government bodies need professionals in these industries to help you distinguish the illegal actors from the good standing licensed professionals. It's hard to see from the outside. Let us help you. Adopt policy that protects licensed massage therapists who have good standing. Help us make our profession one that human traffickers can't even use. A few options that you have before you is to vote to adopt our amendments that we've helped draft for you. So that licensed and good standing professionals can continue to care for and protect our communities and the clients we serve. A majority of licensed massage therapists across the world are women. We are often victims as well of men looking for these illegal services, illicit photos, inappropriate touching during a session, sexual comments, and much, much more. I'll even ask my community here, will you raise your hand if through the course of your profession, if you have received any of those that I've detailed before you?

I don't know if you can tell, but that's all of us, including myself.

This is the part of the burden that many licensed massage therapists have dealt with for a long time and on a regular basis. And yet we still have no legal recourse or protections. And due to recent policies, we are now the ones under scrutiny and blamed for these actions. Let us work with you to protect the community that we both strive to serve and protect. Thank you.

Thank you. Lakanda Martin.

Hello. I want to first start off with thanking Ms. Purvis for last week. She brought the Office of Housing and Development to the council questioning some of the problems that constituents are having with some of the programs that Metro Council, I mean not Metro Council, Metro government provides for low income families. I've spoken at least, this is my fourth time speaking about problems with some of these programs. What I've been met with is retaliation. They've been filing false reports with security. They're doing different tactics not to follow through with what they're supposed to do. They're using contractors that are doing shoddy work, that are putting participants in these programs in worse situations than they started out in. I am a participant of the ECAP program that led Safe Louisville, Healthy homes and the home repair program. My home has been damaged. It's been more damage done to my home than help. I've reached out to my councilwoman. She's attempting to assist me, but this is something that goes across all districts. Anyone who is able to receive those funds and then come up short with a house more damaged, this should be looked at. I asked Ms. Purvis to do a city investigation, but this is something that they will not even come back to. They say they will make you whole. At this meeting last week, they stated that they have so many steps in place to help participants if there's a problem arises. None of those things have been done. I've been ignored. I've been told that my warranty has expired. It's been a year since I've had work done on my home. It took me three years, well, two years to get them to even do the work. The money has exchanged hands multiple times within the period that I signed up. I signed up in 2023, October of 2023. The work hadn't been started on my home until May of 2025. And even with an adjuster on site, when I was pointing out that they never brought any wood to my home to repair homes, to repair the holes, that's all they did was did a cover up. And the first thing on that paperwork states that we do not do cosmetic work, we do repairs. My home has never been repaired. I'm speaking out because now I only have one home. I need my home fixed. I have more water going into my house now. It looks beautiful on the outside, but it's falling apart internally. So I'm reaching out to you all for any help that you all can do to speak to Housing and Development about actually fixing the problems that they have made. So my time is up. I do appreciate you all listening. Thank you.

Thank you. Jane Kennedy.

Good evening. Sorry. I'm thrilled to be here to talk to you all about a topic that is very close to my heart, literally. I'm here about the plant-based treaty. And I didn't even know about plant-based eating until I basically stumbled into the Village 8 theaters many years ago and saw a movie called Forks Over Knives. And what I learned there was life-changing. I was able to reverse my high blood pressure I was able to not advance into diabetes type 2. And not a lot of people are doing this. So it's a challenge to eat this way around your family and God bless my family, they gobble up whatever I make and then they ask questions later like what's really in this, right? Tofu, I never thought I'd eat tofu. But the best side effect is elimination. I know we don't wanna talk about that. But a lot of people in this country suffer. Probably half the people in this room And to have that go away is life changing. I'd like you to endorse this plant-based treaty in whatever meaningful way you can. There's a lot of people in Louisville that just need the education. They need to learn about it. And it would be great to have something available. There's not that many restaurants that serve this kind of food. And I want to leave you with a couple of numbers In the United States, this makes me choke up a little bit. In 2025, I want you to think about how many people you think in this country died from cardiovascular disease. Double that number. The number is 674,000 people plus in one year. I think we can do better. So can we help our community do better? At least have the information out there for them to know what's possible. They can reverse their diabetes. They can reverse their heart disease. It's possible. There's people in this room behind me who've done it. And I think you've heard from some of them, right? So thank you for your time.

Thank you. Mr. President, that concludes the addresses of council.

Mr. President, can I get a point of personal privilege? You have it, sir. I just wanted to thank particularly Ms. Catlett for coming out, but I also wanted to thank her translators. It is very, very difficult. I spoke a little bit of sign language when I was younger. My mother was fluent in it. and it's a very unique skill and I just wanted to thank her translators for the hard work they're doing to accommodate our constituent here who is trying to communicate with the council. So thank you very much for coming out and thank you to her translators.

Next we have the approval of the council minutes for the regular meetings of August 13th, 2026. Are there any corrections or deletions? We have the minutes properly before us. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposition? The ayes have it.

The minutes are approved as written.

Next, we have approval of the council following committee minutes all in 2026. The committee as a whole, August 13th. Planning and zoning, August 18th. Labor and economic development, August 18th. Public works, August 18th. Government oversight, audits and appointments, August 18th. Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education, August 19th. Appropriations, August 19th. Public Safety, August 19th. Parks and Sustainability, August 20th. And Budget, August 20th. Are there any corrections or relations?

Motion.

Second. We have this property before us. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Any in opposition? Hearing none, the minutes are approved as written. Madam Clerk, do we have any communications to the council?

Yes, sir, we do.

Please read those into the record.

Dear President Ackerson, in accordance with the ordinance, I'm appointing the following to the Greater Louisville Lodging Management District Board. John Neese, new appointment term expires May 1st, 2029. Your prompt action on this appointment is most appreciated. Sincerely, Craig Greenberg, Mayor. Dear President Ackerson, in accordance with the Landmarks Commission ordinance, I'm appointing the following. Meredith Benz, a new appointment term expires November the 30th, 2028. williams kirk currington a new appointment term expires november the 30th 2028 elizabeth piper a new appointment term expires november the 30th 2028 your prompt action on these appointments is most appreciated sincerely craig greenberg mayor dear president akerson in accordance with the msd ordinance i'm reappointing the following to the board jeff mosley a reappointment term expires july the 31st 2029 lonnie wright a reappointment term expires july 31st 2029 Christopher Burkle, a reappointment term expires July 31st, 2029. Your prompt action on these reappointments is most appreciated. Sincerely, Craig Bringer, Mayor. Dear President Atkinson, in accordance with the ordinance, I'm reappointing the following to the new review overlay district committee. Amy Brooks, a reappointment term expires February 26th, 2029. Evadim Kaplan, a reappointment term expires February 26th, 2029. Douglas Owen, a reappointment term expires February 26, 2029. Your prompt action on these reappointments is most appreciated. Sincerely, Craig Greenberg, Mayor. To President Ackerson, I am appointing the following to the Urban Service District Board. Keturah Mora, a new appointment term expires August 13, 2027. This is to be read into the record. Metro Council approval of this appointment is not required. Sincerely, Craig Greenberg, Mayor. Read in full.

Those items needing committee approval are going to be sent to the Government Oversights and Audits Committee. The next word of business is going to be the consent calendar. The consent calendar comprises of items 19 through 41. Are there any corrections or deletions? Madam Clerk, a second reading, please.

The following legislation was forwarded from the Appropriations Committee, an ordinance appropriating $40,000 from District 16 neighborhood development funds through the Office of Management and Budget to the City of Prospect for construction of a boardwalk around the perimeter of Putney Pond. Item 20, an ordinance appropriating $10,000 from neighborhood development funds in the following manner, $3,000 each from Districts 3 and 21, $2,000 from District 15, $750 from District 4, $500 each from Districts 9 and 24, $250 from District 17 through the Office of Management and Budget to South Louisville Community Ministries for sponsorship of Taste of Louisville fundraiser event to be held August 22nd, 2026. Item 21, the ordinance appropriating $10,000 from District 6 Neighborhood Development Funds through the Office of Management and Budget to Central Louisville Community Ministries for its low income LG&E Build Assistance Program, item 22, an ordinance appropriating $5,440 from District 2 Neighborhood Development Funds through Brightside Inc. to Lovett Landscaping for costs associated with landscaping, maintenance, and beautification of three rights of way at the intersection of Shepherdsville Road and Newburgh Road. Item 23, an ordinance appropriating $6,580 from District 15 Neighborhood Development Funds through the Brightside Inc. to Lovett Landscaping for costs associated with landscaping, maintenance, and beautification of five medians in District 15. Item 24, in ordinance appropriating $7,410 from District 23 Neighborhood Development Funds through the Office of Management and Budget to Highview Business Owners Association full ink for costs associated with the high view fall festival and parade on october the 10th and high view holiday fest on december the 4th 2026 and website maintenance the following legislation was for but afforded from the budget committee item 25 an ordinance amending ordinance number 110 series 2026 relating to the fiscal year 2026 2027 operating budget by transferring 35 000 from neighborhood development fund District 3 to the Lowell Metro Council General Operations District 3, item 26, an ordinance amending ordinance number 163, series 2022, and ordinance number 111, series 2026, relating to the fiscal year 2026-2027 capital budget by transferring $136,336.49 from the unallocated bipartisan infrastructure law grants project to emergency services for the USDA STEAM Bank Stabilization Project. Item 27, an ordinance amending ordinance number 084 Eight, four, series 2022 relating fiscal year 2022, 2023 capital budget ordinance number 92, 2020 series 2025 relating to the fiscal year 2025, 2026 capital budget and ordinance number 111 series 2026 relating to the fiscal year 2026, 2027, capital budget by transferring $83,555.70 from two existing projects to new district 15 projects. Item 28, an ordinance amending ordinance number 111 series 2026 relating to the fiscal year 2026-2027 capital budget by changing the names of three capital project titles. Item 29, an ordinance amending ordinance number 111 series 2026 and ordinance number 110 series 2026 relating to the fiscal year 2026 capital budget and fiscal year 2026-2027 operating budget respectively by transferring $70,000 from District 9 Capital Infrastructure Fund to the District 9 Neighborhood Development Fund. Item 30, an ordinance amending ordinance number 110, series 2026 relating to the fiscal year 2026-2027 capital, I'm sorry, operating budget by transferring $50,000 from Neighborhood Development Fund District 9 to the Louisville Metro Council General Operations District 9. The following legislation was forwarded from Equity Community Affairs Housing, Health, and Education Committee. Item 31, a resolution honoring Deacon James Turner and M. Annette Manley Turner by naming the corner of 32nd Street and West Broadway as Reverend Deacon James and M. Annette Turner Way in their honor. The following legislation was forwarded from the Government Oversight, Audit, and Appointments Committee. Item 32, appointment of Donita Cheatham to the Deputy Sheriff-Mayor Board. Term expires June 13th, 2027. Item 33, appointment of Renisha Martin to the Human Relations Advocacy Board. Term expires September the 30th, 2027. Item 34, reappointment of Yvonne Jones to the Human Relations Advocacy Board. Term expires September 30th, 2029. Item 35, appointment of Daniel Corey Scholl to the Kentuckiana Works Greater Louisville Workforce Development Board. Term expires June 30th, 2029. Item 36, appointment of Dr. Kavai Zemanian to the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Board term expires August the 16th, 2026. The following legislation was forwarded from the Labor and Economic Development Committee, item 37A resolution pursuant to the capital operating budget ordinances approving the appropriation to fund the following non-compatibly negotiated professional service contract for the Louisville Zoological Gardens for its mentorship internship program. For Jefferson County Technical College students, $140,000, 38, a resolution pursuant to the capital and operating budget ordinances approving the appropriation to fund the following non-competitively negotiated professional service contract for the Louisville Metro Police Department concerning forensic medical services for abuse and neglected children, community medical associates in doing business as Norton Children's Medical Group, $200,000. Item 39, a resolution pursuant to the capital operating budget ordinances approving the appropriation upon the following non-competitive negotiated professional service contract for Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness concerning wastewater monitoring, University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc., $150,000. Item 40, a resolution Authorizing the Mayor and the Department of Economic Development to request a Kentucky Product Development Initiative grant from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority for the benefit of the Louisville River Port Authority in the amount of $1,178,295 to accept said grant if awarded and to provide local match funding if said grant is awarded. The following legislation was forwarded from the Public Works Committee. A resolution determining the portion of real property located at 3705 Stone Lake Drive as surplus and not needed for the governmental purpose of Metro government and authorizing its transfer. Red and blue.

Motion. Second. I am Mr. Proctor of the Forest. Madam Clerk, please open the roll. Will you open it for me, please?

Thank you.

Chair for voting.

Councilman Hudson, do you want to vote? This is the consent calendar. Mr. President, you have 23 yes votes and one present vote.

The consent calendar passes. The next item of business will be old business. Madam Clerk, reading of item number 42, please.

In ordinance amending the Louisville Metro Land Development Code regarding packaged liquor stores, case number 26, LDC0003, as amended, read in full. Motion to second that.

Item is property of the forest. Councilman Owen, this came out of your committee. You have the floor, sir. Caught you on your heels.

Didn't expect to be the first in line. Okay, so I'm gonna turn this over to Councilman Batchon here shortly because this came from him originally. We requested that Planning Commission go look at the Land Development Code as it relates to packaged liquor stores and come out with some recommendations. And before I butcher it anymore, I will turn it over to Councilman Batchon to discuss things. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you. I would like to give a lot of credit to my colleague, Councilman Hudson, as well, for helping direct some of this narrative. What we have done here is basically mimic the ordinance that we've put together in the past in regards to smoke shops and vape stores, where there's a limitation of 1,000 feet from the property line to property line for to be able to add another liquor store within proximity of a church, religion, institute, school, daycare, park, et cetera. In committee last week, we made an amendment and we added the religious institutes back into that as well as making sure that we do not affect the food deserts when a big box grocer wants to go in implement a grocery store to have that exemption in there for 40,000 square foot or more. I don't have anything else. We added churches. I'll turn to Councilman Hudson if he's got anything to say.

No, I just want to thank everybody that helped work on this, especially Councilman Batchon, and I would encourage support for it. Thank you.

Councilman Purvis, you're next in my queue. You have the floor, madam.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to be added as a sponsor, please.

No concerns there? Fantastic. Councilman Owen, you're back in the queue.

I am. So one thing I did want to make sure that I spoke to was we used to have a distance limit between... between liquor stores, but they were based on the license itself and not on the land development code, not on zoning. And so that original law was ruled unconstitutional. And Holly, you could probably talk about this better than I could. I just want to explain the difference between what we had previously, what we had now, why what we had previously was ruled unconstitutional, I guess, or by judge, and what this does that's different than that. Can you speak to that a little bit?

Holly Hopkins, Jefferson County Attorney's Office. Emphasis on a little bit. I can speak to it a little bit. The issue in that case, and my colleague Ann Schultz may be able to elaborate on this, but the issue in that case was The ordinance that we had distinguished between certain parts of the city and certain neighborhoods in the city, and there was nothing that, there was no reasonable basis for that distinction. We also were different than any other jurisdiction in the state in that way, and courts decided that that was unconstitutional. And that's a very rough explanation. Ann, do you have anything to add now? Okay.

You did a great job.

Mr. Leninger. Thank you, Mr. President. I think that this is legislation that's very important to a lot of our communities. In the city of Louisville, we know that there are unequal impacts in packaged liquor stores and the proliferation of them in different areas. and that not every part of louisville is the same in this regard and i think i think i want to start by saying that i think that it is important i'm glad we're looking at how we're going to regulate this i do think that there are as one of my colleagues pointed out outside of the chambers some probably unintended consequences about how these rules might be you know interacting with different communities and you know how many daycares and religious institutions and schools, et cetera, there might be in say Fern Creek versus Shawnee and where we're going to actually be able to have liquor stores in Jefferson County. I also do have a problem with the amendment in committee with the 40,000 square foot exemption for big box grocery stores. I think we as a city, are not very friendly to small business. We heard from some small business owners and people who participate in small business earlier today, and they've been coming to Metro Council for the better part of a year talking about how Jefferson County and this body is not particularly friendly to their small business. I think there's a lot of other examples in our city where we're not friendly to small business. our tax incentives we're not friendly in who gets a hand up when we look at economic incentives in different areas of the city it's quite frankly tilted towards large corporations our economic development in the city of louisville is focused on large corporations not small businesses you know there's been a lot of talk about the structural problems with one louisville in the membership and how small businesses are left out from a seat at that table. And I think this is another example. We've got billion dollar corporations are able to hire a lobbyist who attended the meeting to say, hey, make sure you've got this exemption in here for us, but not for small grocers, giving them monopolies in these areas. And so I'm probably not going to win this vote, but I would like a motion to make a motion to remove the 40,000 square foot amendment.

Is there a second? Second. We have a second. We have the proposed amendment to remove the 40,000 before us. I've got folks in my queue right now. I've got... JJ, I've got Tammy Hawkins, Crystal Bass, and Ben Arena-Weber. Are you all looking to speak to this amendment or to the item as a whole?

Amendment, sir.

OK, well, so here's what we're going to do. We're going to abandon the queue. You're going to be first. You're going to be second. I see your finger up. You're going to be third. Anyone else speaking to the amendment?

You have the floor. Well, I generally agree with the thrust of many of Councilman Leninger's points on the importance of small business and representing and supporting small business. This amendment was actually specifically added because of the input of community members who were concerned about the proliferation of liquor stores in their neighborhoods and the 40,000 square foot you know, that number was debated quite a bit with this idea. We would never want to make it more difficult for a grocery store to operate in our community. We all recognize that we have food deserts and that's really important. But we also don't want to create a situation in which people trying to operate primarily a liquor store are able to pretend like they're operating a legitimate grocery store with a small footprint and very little actual food, which is very possible. So that was the balance after a fair amount of community engagement around this. If you look at the grocery stores that have closed in these neighborhoods, which has disproportionately affected a lot of people, that number, all of them were above that 40,000 square foot amount. So I just want to say this was actually very specifically in order to address these issues of systemic social inequity that Councilman Leninger obviously does sincerely care so much about.

Thank you, Mr. President. I've been feeling the liquor store blues as my district is filled with a lot of small businesses, a lot of packaged liquor and distilleries. Actually, my one small home rural city was built out of distilleries wanting to have control. So for me, the reason why I'm supporting this motion is because We've had 72 small businesses open in my district within the last year, and so I wanna make sure, and my district constituents want another grocery store. They haven't said if it should be 40,000 square feet or whatever, but they want another grocery store. We only have one small grocery store. So for me, I would like to open this, have this open to the small businesses, and so I appreciate Councilman Leninger, because I was picking and choosing my battles for putting this motion together, but I do believe we can do more for our small businesses. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. I will 100% agree with my esteemed colleague, Ben Reno-Weber, over there, and this was, amendment was made by the people of, that have looked at this legislation through the process, you know, simply colleagues that If we remove this, we will hurt the food desert areas and the areas that are affected the worst. And I will pick on the south end, the west end, and areas like that who have a proliferation of liquor stores currently. The risk to rain, you know, management of that, it already shows that it increases crime and things of that nature. So look, I'm coming from the liquor store industry, right? I was in the liquor store business. So I understand how this works and I feel like if we remove this barrier, And this exemption that we have put in there, we are hurting the neighborhoods that are already underserved. I think we are helping make sure that we attract grocers to areas and making sure that we continue to bring the crime down.

Respectfully to all of my colleagues, I think that there are better ways for us to make sure that the grocery exemption, regardless of the square footage, is legitimate than just saying we're going to make sure that we clear the field for Procter & Gamble to operate in our neighborhoods, that they get to decide that they have an effective monopoly. I think that a much better solution would be that we require, if you want the grocer exemption, that you've got a certain percentage of your sales has to be from legitimate grocery. that you can't just offer an apple in your liquor store and now you're a grocer. I think that we've got better solutions for that as we go back and clean this up. I just think that, like I said, essentially handing monopolies over to large corporations is poor practice, but I've said my piece now, and the body may decide how they want to vote.

Yeah, the amendment. Okay.

I'll wind up.

I mean, the only problem is you can't know the percentage sales in advance, right? So that's, I hear you, that would be a great way to do it for an existing operating business, but this is really the only mechanism that we have in advance before we decide whether or not to allow the, so.

Thank you, Mr. President. So I just wholesale reject the notion that giving an exemption to a grocery store prohibits small business from entering the game. Both can exist. However, with regard to the percentage of sales premise, We actually did try that with the vape shop ordinance that we have in place. And we saw just how quickly the environment adopted to that and gamed that system. And it became absolutely worthless. So I would end with that. Thank you.

DAVID BURRAGE- Anyone else on the proposed amendment to change and remove the 40,000 square foot? Anyone else? Seeing no one else in my queue related to this proposed amendment, let's go with a voice vote first and see how clear that is. All those in favor for the amendment being to remove the 40,000 square foot exemption, say aye.

Aye.

All those in opposition. In the opinion of the chair, the nays have it. We're back to the original ordinance that was read in the record before us. Next in my queue is Councilman Joseph. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Chair. I just want to commend the sponsors for this. It's a big issue in District 12, and I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor, please. Any objection to being added as a co-sponsor?

He's a co-sponsor now. Councilman Hawkins, you're next in my queue. You have the floor, madam.

Thank you. I want to say shout out to the sponsors for this. I love to be a sponsor, a co-sponsor. District 1 has had a huge issue with liquor stores almost on every corner. Thank you.

Any objection to District 1 being added as a co-sponsor? None. She's so added. Councilwoman Bass, you're next in my queue. You have the floor.

So I too have a significant impact in my district and the input that I've received from my constituents. I'd also like to be added as a co-sponsor, please.

Any objection to that? Hearing none, she's so added. Councilman Herndon. Thank you, Mr. President.

I would also like to be added as a co-sponsor. We have, like Councilwoman Hawkins and others, we have a proliferation of stores.

Any objection to that being added? You're a co-sponsor now, sir. Councilwoman, you have the floor. I'll sell.

Any objection to Councilwoman Shanklin beginning out as the co-sponsor?

Hearing none, she's so added. Any other discussion? I've got no one else in my queue. Councilwoman Raymond?

Yes, thank you. I supported this in committee and I'll support it tonight. I want less liquor stores. I grew up in Alateen. But I wanna make sure that we're doing our due diligence and passing clean, informed policy. This says that you can't open one within 1,000 feet of this and this and this and this and this. And when I asked planning, do we have a map of where all those entities are, the answer was no. So I do think there could be neighborhoods that are closed for business. And I hear this body say again and again that we don't want anywhere to be closed for business. And so I think that's a real concern, thank you.

I've got no one else in my queue. This is an ordinance that requires a roll call vote. Madam Clerk, open the roll.

Mr. President, you have 21 yes votes and three present votes.

The ordinance is adopted. Madam Clerk, a reading of item number 43, please.

A resolution approving the granting of local incentives for KPFF Inc. and any subsequent assignees or approved affiliates there pursuant to KRS Chapter 154, Subchapter 32. Read in full. Second.

Item is properly before us. I would normally say Council Member Reno Weber. However, you were not present for the meeting, so I'm going to hand it off to Council Member Bast.

Sorry, so this went to old business because Andrew Owen needed to abstain, so I can turn it over to him and he can speak more on that.

The incentives were just presented by a colleague of mine at One Louisville and so out of abundance of caution, I'm gonna abstain from the vote. Thank you.

I've got no one else in my queue. This would be normally something that would require a voice vote, however, in order to record the abstention, We're gonna go with a roll call. Madam Clerk, open the roll.

Mr. President, you have 21 yes votes, one no vote, one abstention, and one present.

The resolution is adopted. Madam Clerk, a reading of item number 44, please.

An ordinance appropriating $2,000 from neighborhood development funds in the following manner. $2,000 from District 14 through the Office of Management Budget to the Southwest Community Festival and Parade Committee, Inc. for costs associated with the Southwest Community Festival will be held October the 10th, 2026, Red and Blue. Second.

The items probably before us, Councilman Joseph, this came out of your committee. You have the floor.

Thank you very much. Yes, the Southwest Community Festival, a great organization that we as Southenders are fortunate enough to have in our backyard. And I'm going to pass it over to Councilman Best as the main sponsor. You have the floor, madam.

Thank you for that. So the Southwest Community Festival is a longstanding community event that we hold in Sun Valley Park. It is on October 10th of 2026 this year. The festival is free and open to all public. It brings our residents, families, businesses, community organizations, fellowship, and entertainment all to one spot. It's been going for many, many years now. We're seeking a total of $15,000 to support this event and respectfully ask that any fellow council members would like to be generous today and help out.

Councilman Syme, you're first in my queue. 500 D13, please. Councilman Hawkins, you're next in my queue.

1,000 from District 1.

JJ, you're next in my queue. 1,000 from District 12. Councilman Bass, you were back in my queue for some reason.

I am. Not sure how that happened. Sorry.

Councilman Chappell.

250 from D15.

Councilman Parrish-Wright.

2,000 from District 3.

Councilman Bratcher. 1,000 from District 22. Councilman Bachon.

1,500 from District 25, please.

And Councilman Rui.

500 from D21.

Folks, I have no one else in my queue. We have the proposed amendment to this ordinance before us. I just want before us all in favor of the amendments, say aye. Aye. Any in opposition? Any in opposition? We now have the amended ordinance before us, which will require a roll call vote. Madam Clerk, open the roll.

Mr. President, you have 24 yes votes.

Yes, the ordinance is adopted. All right, Madam Clerk, reading item number 45, please.

In ordinance appropriating, $13,500 from neighborhood development funds in the following manner. $3,000 from District 13, $1,500 each from Districts 12, 14, 19, 20, 22, and 24, and $500 each from Districts 17, 18, and 23 through the Office of Management and Budget to the Louisville Metro Police Foundation for Boots, Badges, and Bids event to be held August 15, 2026. Right in full.

The item is brought before us. Councilman Joseph, this came from your committee. You have the floor. Thank you, President Ackerson. I'm going to hand this over to Dan Simon, District 13. Councilman Simon.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is for... the Law Enforcement Appreciation Month, which begins September 1st, for you all to be involved in. We hope you find a way to show our officers that you appreciate them. But we've come up with our ask, and I need to amend this. Councilman Batchon has given $500, Councilman Scott has given $500, and Councilman Herndon has given us $500, and that completes the ask, and I thank you so much Oh yeah, Scott Reed, sorry. And Ken Herndon.

Well, let's be clear here for a second. Are these amendments or are these things that were presently passed out of committee?

These are amendments and I'm making a motion to amend.

Gotcha, okay. We have the proposed amendments before us. There's no more money to be placed on this, okay? All those in favor of the amended ordinance? Aye. Any opposition? We now have the amended ordinance that is paid in full for the ask before us. It requires a roll call vote. Madam Clerk, open the roll.

One second. Councilman Piagentini? All right. That's OK. Mr. President, you have 21 yes votes and three present votes.

The ordinance is adopted. Madam Clerk, a reading of item number 46, please.

In ordinance amending ordinance number 126 series 2007 relating to fiscal year 2007-2008 capital budget. Ordinance number 119 series 2012 relating to fiscal year 2012-2013 capital budget. Ordinance number 88 series 2021 relating to the fiscal year 2021-2022 capital budget. Ordinance number 92 series 2025 relating to the fiscal year 2025-2026 capital budget by transferring and consolidating funds between projects within various loan funds to facilitate more efficient project administration, as amended right before.

Second. That was probably four. Councilman Cramer, this came out of your committee. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is a rather unusual ordinance to come out of budget. It's not appropriating funds from a budget or moving funds from one to another. Actually, what this does is, There were a number of grants that Louisville received a number of years ago, 2007, 2009, and those grants were put into Medco as loans, and so we've loaned that money out. So that money technically is gone, right, the money the Fed gave us is gone, but because it's a loan, it comes back. what this ordinance does is it makes it possible when it comes back that we can put it into one of four pools of money so that we can reloan it, because that's the way it's supposed to work. Right now, because the structure's not in place, it goes out as a loan and it comes back as that loan, and it's kind of hanging out there, and then it's a matter of trying to figure out where that can be used, and so what this does is it channels the money back into one of four pots how that money went out, and it makes it easier to lend it out again into the future. So I hope I explained that clearly enough. Councilman Winkler, if I messed it up or got it wrong somehow, if you could make any corrections. Oh, Mr. Chair, Mr. President, if the Vice Chair wants the floor.

Go ahead. No, I think you covered it well, and the only reason it's on old business is because we added whereas clauses after it was filed originally, just to clarify what was happening, so otherwise .

Thank you. And so, of course, we'd appreciate your yes vote.

It's a case of the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh, and we're trying to figure out how to now spin it again. All right. I've got no one else in my queue. This is an ordinance that requires a roll call vote. Madam Clerk, open the roll.

Mr. President, you have 24 yes votes.

The ordinance is adopted. Madam Clerk, I read item number 47, please.

A resolution authorizing the mayor to accept up to $13,470,000. $70,000 for funding through the HR 6938 and Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy, and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, HR 7148, the Consolidated Appropriation Act 2026, and HR 4366, the Consolidated Appropriation Act 2024, authorizing and directing Louisville Metro government to execute any documents which are deemed necessary by H.R. 6938, H.R. 7148, H.R. 4366 to carry out various projects and authorizing the Mayor to accept, Mayor to act as the authorizing correspondence for these projects as maneuvered before.

Motion. Second. The item's probably before us. Council Crammond, there's a committee you have before.

Thank you, Mr. President. This one is quite a bit simpler than the last. It is before us because of what we thought might just be a technical correction, but the county attorney suggested we might do an amendment just to make it cleaner. If you look at the third whereas, it was listed that the Department of Economic Development would be the agency that would handle this. There's a strike through, and we added in facilities and fleet. So it's just a real quick, simple amendment. Again, I would... argue a technical one. And so I'm making an amendment right now that we send it to where? That I remove that, yeah, that's okay. I've got a strike through for Department of Economic Development stricken and then facilities and fleet is where it should go.

So we have a proposed amendment to remove economic development. Do we have a second? We now have the proposed amendment to this resolution before us. I've got no one in the queue to speak to that. So this is an amendment that would require a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. In opposition, we now have the amended version before us.

And again, the amended version is, I believe, just a technical amendment. So I'd ask for a yes vote.

I've got no one else in the queue. This is a resolution that requires a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any in opposition? Hearing no opposition, the resolution is adopted. All right, folks, the next item of business will be new business. As you leave the chambers, do so quietly so the clerks can read the new business into the record. The new business comprises items 48 through 57. Madam Clerk, a reading of those, please.

The following list section was signed to appropriations committee item 48 and orders appropriating $4,500 from the neighborhood development funds. In the following manner, $2,000 from District 4, $1,000 each from Districts 15 and 24, and $500 from District 10. Through the Office of Management and Budget and the Coalition for the Homeless for the Costs Associated with the Project Stand Down Project, Homeless Connect to be held on October 7, 2026. Item 49, an ordinance appropriating $30,000 from District 26 Neighborhood Development Funds to the Louisville Metro Police Department 6th Division to fund overtime costs for increased traffic enforcement in District 26. The following legislation was assigned to the Budget Committee. Item 50, an ordinance concerning the levy of taxes within the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and Louisville Urban Services District for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Item 51, a resolution authorizing the mayor to accept $1 million... $882,400 from Kentucky Heritage Council, State of Kentucky, for the set of Kentucky Historic Preservation and R.A. Tech's credits to support the Main Library Renovations Project to be administered by the Louisville Free Public Library. The following legislation was signed to the Labor Economic Development Committee. Article 2 of the Resolution of the Legislative Council of Louisville-Joseph County Metro Government, the issuer authorizing the execution of the minimum of agreement between the issuer and the Wesley Manor Retirement Community, a non-profit corporation, and any wholly owned subsidiary of the corporation, collectively known as the borrower, relating to the financing through the issuance of the issuer's bond participation notes in a participatory amount not to exceed $6,200,000 for certain costs incurred prior to the exhibition, construction, installation, and equipment of the long-term health care and health-related facilities located at 5012 and 5400 East Maastricht Road, Little Kentucky, agreeing to undertake the insurance of one or more notes to effect the project financing. and in amount not to exceed $6,200,000 and at the appropriate time to pay the cost of the project and taking the preliminary actions. Item 53, a resolution approving the granting of the low consent to cornbread, CPD, PCB, and its subsequent assignees and approved affiliates. There are pursuant to KRS 6 chapters 154 subchapter 32. Item 54, a resolution pursuant to the kept operating budget ordinance Approving the appropriation to fund the following professional services contract for Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness to obtain specialized physician service. The following legislation is signed to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Item 55, an ordinance admitting Louisville Metro and Land Development Code regarding road with case number 25LDC0003. Item 56 in ordinance relating to closure of the portion of East Jacob Street between South Fork Street and South First Street containing approximately 0.261 acres and being in lower metro case number 26, street closure 0008. Item 57 in ordinance relating to closure of the portion of East St. Catherine Street between Logan Street and Steve Margie Alley containing approximately 9,000 square feet and being in lower metro case number 26, street closure 0012. Ready and full?

Any announcements?

I'm getting nothing. That concludes our meeting.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Without any further ado, we are adjourned.

happy with us having a playground because that really seems to enunciate what Mildred and Patty were all about and we're for. Children at play growing.

This neighborhood place, Ujima Neighborhood Place, is one of eight neighborhood places across the city that provides a lifeline for Louisville families who need it most. Whether it's Medicaid enrollment, food assistance, child care support, or can