Louisville Metro Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting Summary - March 9, 2023
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Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting Summary – March 9, 2023
The Louisville Metro Budget and Appropriations Committee met on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 4:31 PM in Council Chambers with a virtual option. Vice Chair Kevin Kramer presided in the absence of Chair Rick Blackwell. The committee approved nine funding appropriations, sent one item to the full council for additional contributions, and held one ordinance for further discussion.
Consent Calendar
- O-043-23 – An ordinance appropriating $6,330 from District 6 Neighborhood Development Funds to Luv-It Landscaping for beautification and landscaping projects. Approved by a 6-0 roll call vote and sent to the full council consent calendar.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 (NDF030923LMPD01) – Appropriated $2,641.21 from District 1 Neighborhood Development Funds to Louisville Metro Police Department for steering wheel lock devices to combat Kia/Hyundai theft. Approved by voice vote.
- Item 2 (NDF030923MP01) – Appropriated $1,700 from District 1 Neighborhood Development Funds to Metro Parks for the Mr. Moore Memorial March Madness Basketball League (food and plaque). Approved by voice vote.
- Item 4 (CIF030923LMPDmA) – Appropriated $24,350 from Capital Infrastructure Funds (split among Districts 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) to purchase two radar speed trailers for the 8th Division. District 17 Legislative Aide Kip Eatherly noted the division covers nearly 90 square miles and the trailers can be used near schools. Approved by voice vote.
- Item 5 (CIF030923PW04) – Appropriated $16,000 from District 4 Capital Infrastructure Funds to Public Works for sidewalk repairs at 1650 and 1652 Story Avenue. Council Member Arthur explained the scope expanded from one address to two due to tree root damage. Approved by voice vote.
- Item 6 (NDF030923PW04A) – Appropriated $544.80 from District 4 Neighborhood Development Funds to lease a streetlight (five-year agreement with LG&E) in an alley between 16th and 17th Streets north of Hale Avenue. Approved by voice vote.
- Item 7 (NDF030923PW04B) – Appropriated $1,049.40 from District 4 Neighborhood Development Funds to install a new streetlight on Drescher Bridge (five-year lease with LG&E). A lengthy discussion followed on long-term funding for streetlights, with Council Member Piagentini calling for a holistic city policy and Council Member Arthur requesting clarification. Beth Stenberg, Council Financial Analyst, explained that NDF (not CIF) is used because Metro does not own the pole, and after five years there is no guarantee of continued city funding. Council Member Hudson noted the initial cost includes installation, so ongoing costs would be lower. Council Member Mulvihill abstained due to his wife’s employment at LG&E. Approved by a 7-0-1 roll call vote (Mulvihill abstaining).
- Item 8 (CIF030923LMPDmB) – Appropriated $12,086.74 from Capital Infrastructure Funds ($7,000 from District 14, $5,086.74 from District 12) for remodeling the Louisville Metro Police 3rd Division gym. Council Member Fowler stated the total project cost is $35,607.18 and that she and Council Member Blackwell would cover any shortfall from districts that opt out. The committee sent the item to Old Business to allow other council members to contribute on the floor. Approved by voice vote.
- Item 9 (CIF030923PW23) – Appropriated $8,000 from District 23 Capital Infrastructure Funds to Public Works for sidewalk repairs at 9013 and 9020 Black Powder Lane. Council Member Hudson said the repair was identified during a gemba walk and the funds would accelerate work. Approved by voice vote.
- Item 10 (O-374-22) – An ordinance to address underbudget Council-approved American Rescue Plan (ARP) projects through reappropriations. This item remained held in committee and was not discussed.
Key Outcomes
- All nine appropriations (Items 1–9) were approved. Item 7 passed with one abstention. Item 3 was sent to the full council consent calendar. Item 8 was sent to Old Business with a request for additional district contributions to reach the $35,607.18 total. Item 10 was held.
- The meeting adjourned at 4:55 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Metro TV will start in one minute. Good afternoon, it's Councilman Kevin Kramer. It's 434 on March 8th. Um, this is the budget and appropriations committee. Um go ahead and get going. Uh Councilmember uh Blackwell has an excused absence, Councilman McCraney has an excused absence. Um again, I'm Councilman Kevin Kramer. We are joined in chambers by councilmember Owen, Councilmember Fowler, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Piagentini, Parker Member Hudson, and um Parker Member Philip Baker. Great. Um and I believe we have a quorum, and it doesn't look like anyone is joining us online. Um, and Councilman Jacquiury Arthur as well. Madam Clerk, did I miss anyone? Okay, great, thank you. Um this meeting had been requested virtually. I don't see anyone joining us virtually at the moment, but there may be one or two who decide to do so. Um given that I'm gonna ask if the clerk would uh read the statement. This meeting is being held pursuant to KRS 61.826 and council rule 5A read in full. Thank you, madam clerk. Um we will not be taking up item number 10. Uh it's being uh held at at um at the committee level. So with that said, I'm gonna go ahead and jump into the agenda. Uh the first item on the agenda is an NDF. It's NDF 030923 LMPD 01. This is an appropriate this is appropriating $2,641.21 cents from District 1, neighbor development funds to Louisville Metro Police Department, second division for the purchase of auto theft task force steering wheel lock devices to assist with this with the theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in District 1. Motion. Second. Okay. Um is there anyone here to speak to this? It's it's an item less than $5,000, so it doesn't really require it, but if anyone from District 1 wanted to speak to it, they could. Seeing none, it's an item um it's an NDF requiring a voice vote. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? It passes unanimously. The next item is NDF O three oh nine oh nine two three. Um it is an appropriate it is appropriating one thousand seven hundred dollars from District One Neighborhood Development Funds to Metro Parks for the Mr. Moore Memorial March Madness Basketball League to supply food for the participants and a plaque for the overall winning team. Motion second. Motion second, good again. This is um an amount that's 1700, it's below the threshold. If anyone from District One would like to speak to this. Seeing no one, this calls for a voice vote. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Passes unanimously. Um the third item on the agenda is ordinance 04323. This is an ordinance appropriating six thousand three hundred and thirty dollars from district six neighborhood development funds through Metro Parks to Love It Landscaping for beautification and landscaping projects in district six. Have a motion. Okay, it's properly before us.
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