Metro Council Update: Budget Vote

The Metro Council approved the 2009-2010 fiscal year budget by a 23-1 vote at last night's meeting.

Highlights of the budget included:

- The dedication of $800,000 in road funds for intersection modifications on some of Louisville Metro's busiest roads. Funds will be allocated to help improve traffic flow and safety.

- Continued funding for traffic light synchronization along Shelbyville Road, Dixie Highway, and Preston Highway.

- The reservation of $8,000,000 (1.7% of Metro Budget) within this year's budget in the event that revenue projections are less than expected

Greetings fellow neighbors! Here in Councilman Kramer’s office, we are putting our heads together and have come up with some future improvements and projects that we hope will benefit the growth of our district.

One of Councilman Kramer's main priorities is improving Buechel Park. Councilman Kramer, Graham Honaker (his assistant), and I recently met with the Parks Department to discuss updates to this historic and beautiful park. If you’re a tennis lover like I am, then you will love the fact that Buechel Park will be getting all new tennis courts. If you are not a tennis fan, that’s fine because we will also be installing a new basketball courts for all you district 11 hoopers! You can expect these new improvements in the coming months.

Another exciting project we are focused on is an informative Metro TV project that will highlight activities and programs for teen involvement in District 11. Parents frequently call and ask what types of programs and activities are available to young people in our area. There are so many opportunities and options out there for youngsters in District 11 and I am working on highlighting those options with this project. In order to keep you updated and informed, we will air this show in the spring of 2010 on Cable Channel 25. This will provide time to actually watch the program and capitalize on the numerous options available for the upcoming summer.

Louisville Metro Government has compiled a list of web pages to help citizens take advantage of various federal stimulus programs, from tax credits for first-time homebuyers and scholarships for laid-off workers to grants for home weatherization.

Several programs are available for laid-off workers, including extended health-care benefits and funding for improving their educations.

The list was compiled by the Louisville At Work team, the committee helping the city determine how best to spend nearly $200 million in stimulus dollars that will flow to Louisville in the next 18 months.

A copy of the list is available at Louisville Works

As television stations make the switch from analog to digital broadcast today, many people may discover that their old television sets have gone blank. For those who choose to purchase new televisions – consider recycling the old set instead of just throwing it out. Metro Solid Waste’s CyberCycle program accepts televisions and other electronics at no charge to citizens.

Residents may bring up to three electronic items at no charge to the CyberCycle collection, located at the Louisville Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue. Operating hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Acceptable items for the CyberCycle program also include computers, scanners, printers, monitors, tape and disk drives, electronic game systems, VCRs, CD players, digital cameras, copiers, cell phones, CDs and floppy disks.

Fans and Air Conditioners Available for Residents with Medical Conditions

Citizens who suffer from certain medical conditions may be eligible to receive a free fan or air conditioner through the Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership (LMCAP) and the WLKY TV-32 Fan Club. The Summer Heat Relief Program is available through August 28, 2009.

The program provides one air conditioner per household for family members with certain medical conditions – those deemed life-threatening or which may worsen without air conditioning. To qualify, applicants must meet the 125 percent federal poverty income guideline.

Applying is a two-step process. First, applicants must have their doctor fill out a medical form, and then contact CAP to schedule an appointment to provide identification documents.

Applicants may call 574-1270 for an appointment once their medical form is completed. All appointments are assigned from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.  

Applicants who have received an air conditioner or fan within the past five years are not eligible for the program. For more information, call 574-1270 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov/cap.

A public briefing will be held on Saturday, June 27 reviewing plans for the Louisville Loop, a 100-mile walking, jogging and biking path that will encircle our entire community, tying together parks, neighborhoods and workplaces.

At this ‘open house’ you'll be able to ask questions and learn more about the existing and planned segments of the Louisville Loop. Maps of each segment will be on display! Once you’re up to speed on the Loop plans, you can explore the Louisville Loop by bike or on foot, or tour the historic Farnsley-Moremen House.

Questions? Call 456-8100 or e-mail parks@louisvilleky.gov

Get the scoop on the Loop!
Saturday, June 27, 2009 • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing
7410 Moorman Road • 40272

www.riverside-landing.org/visit.asp

R.S.V.P. : Graham Honaker @ 574-1111, graham.honaker@louisvilleky.gov

* This event is not funded by taxpayer dollars

Charitable Solicitations Calendar for June/July



The District 11 Office often receives calls about groups soliciting at intersections in our area. The Metro Council has enacted an ordinance that requires groups to register with the Department of Inspections, Permits, and Licenses. Groups must also adhere to safety provisions (wearing safety vests, using cones, refraining from solicting during rain, etc.) We will be periodically listing a calendar of groups who are registered with IPL. A full listing for the year can be found on the IPL webpage here: IPL Solicitations, you'll need to click on "Charitable Street Solicitations Calendar". The following is a listing for June/July:

Get Your District 11 News Here!

The Hikes Point Area Business Association meets the first Tuesday of every month. For more information, go to: http://www.hikespointaba.com/ or call President Talbott Allen at 593-7476

The Buechel Area Business Association meets the second Wednesday of every month. For more information, e-mail info@buechelbusiness.org 

The Fern Creek Community Association & Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon meets the first Tuesday of each month. Registration begins at 11:30 AM with lunch at 12:00 noon. For more information call Jean Henle at 239-7550. You can register and pay for the membership luncheons or join the FCCACC on-line at www.ferncreek.org

June 27
Houston Acres City Wide Yard Sale
8 am - 2 pm

June 27
SEAM's Annual Cornhole Classic
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Midlane Park Baptist Church
6500 Six Mile Lane

To register, contact Andy at 500-5881

June 29th
Crusade for Children Golf Scramble
Oxmoor Country Club
9000 Limehouse Lane
Lunch and all drinks are provided at no charge
Tee off at 12 noon
$240 per team
For more information call Ronnie at 376-5504 or 491-4745

September 11-13
Wooded Glen Retreat Center
Weekend Retreat for women of all ages and stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery. The program incorporates fly-fishing to promote physical and emotional healing and is offered at no cost to participants.
Space is limited, for your chance to participate please call 1-888-553-3500 or email info@castingforrecovery.org