Louisville Metro Council Meeting – March 16, 2023

The Louisville Metro Council met on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM (actually gaveled in at 6:49 PM and adjourned at 8:33 PM) for a regular meeting that included the appointment of a new District 8 Council Member after five rounds of voting, addresses from the public on police accountability and public safety, passage of a consent calendar, and action on several old business items including a resolution calling for the destruction of confiscated firearms and multiple zoning ordinances.

Appointment of District 8 Council Member

• After interviewing 18 candidates on March 13, the Council held five rounds of roll‑call voting. The first candidate to reach 13 votes would be appointed.
• In the fifth round, Ben Reno‑Weber received 14 votes and was appointed. The oath of office was administered. The Council recessed from 7:15 PM to 7:22 PM to allow the new member to log in.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Easley criticized the Louisville Metro Affordable Housing Trust for poor communication and questioned oversight of home‑improvement programs.
• Wilson Conkwright (Tunerville Trolley Neighborhood Association) described a homeless encampment on government property behind his home where a murder occurred after six months of reporting; he proposed brighter alley lighting, commercial rezoning, and weapons searches at encampments.
• Hannah Drake read from the DOJ report on LMPD, alleging excessive force, discriminatory policing, and a pattern of misconduct; she asked the Council to prioritize community needs over police budgets.
• Jawanna Godsei (mother of Antonia Lucas, 2020 homicide victim) urged the Council to support the destruction of confiscated firearms to prevent them from being used again.
• Alissa Vance (divinity student, youth minister) called on the Council not to allocate more money to the police budget, especially from the American Rescue Plan, and to fund youth‑focused spaces in the West End (open gym, chill space, maker space, roller rink).
• Nancy Cavalcante (District 26 resident) requested an update on Resolution 187‑22 (audit of LMPD record retention) and urged the Council to educate itself on the FOP collective bargaining agreement, arguing that multiple provisions negatively impact police accountability.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar (items 18–28) was approved by a 22‑0 vote (with one present). It included:
  • O‑043‑23: Appropriating $6,330 from District 6 Neighborhood Development Funds to Luv‑It Landscaping for beautification projects.
  • O‑041‑23: Amending LMCO Chapter 21 regarding the Ethics Commission’s implementation of lobbying ordinances.
  • Seven appointments/reappointments to various boards (Kentuckiana Works, Landbank Authority, Downtown Management District, Airport Authority, NuLu Review Overlay District).
  • O‑033‑23: Closing a portion of East Washington Street (0.08 acres) adjacent to the I‑64 ramp.

Old Business

Resolution R‑020‑23 – Destruction of Confiscated Firearms

• Sponsors: Tammy Hawkins (D‑1) and Jeff Hudson (R‑23).
• The resolution calls on the Kentucky General Assembly to enact HB 325 and SB 168, allowing Louisville Metro to permanently destroy abandoned, confiscated, or forfeited firearms rather than auctioning them.
• Several council members spoke in support, noting that auctioned firearms often return to criminal hands. Council Member Piagentini voted no, arguing the focus should be on criminals, not the tools. Council Member Reed suggested lobbying state legislators directly.
• Vote: 21‑2 (Piagentini and Kramer no; Reno‑Weber present). Adopted as Resolution 015‑2023.

Zoning Ordinance O‑034‑23 (1239 South Clay Street)

• Proposal to subdivide a 0.0978‑acre parcel into two single‑family lots and construct two semi‑detached homes. No opposition at the Planning Commission.
• Vote: 20‑0 (Reno‑Weber present). Passed as Ordinance 029‑2023.

Zoning Ordinance O‑035‑23 (4500 South Hurstbourne Parkway)

• Proposal for a nine‑bay auto repair facility in the Meyer Shopping Center; removes a 1994 prohibition on auto repair garages. No opposition at the Planning Commission.
• Vote: 23‑0. Passed as Ordinance 030‑2023.

Zoning Ordinance O‑036‑23 (10001 Vista Hills Boulevard)

• Proposal to create four single‑family lots on a 1.022‑acre triangle parcel; encroachment into the Bardstown Road Parkway buffer required a waiver. Council Member Engel offered an amendment adding whereas clauses to note the waiver is not precedent.
• The amendment was adopted by voice vote. Final vote: 22‑0 (Reno‑Weber present). Passed as Ordinance 031‑2023.

Resolution R‑015‑23 – Review of Land Development Code Notices

• Requested the Planning Commission review the LDC regarding notification procedures for development proposals. An amendment from the administration was incorporated in committee.
• Council Member Piagentini explained the intent: notify suburban city clerks when a property in their jurisdiction is within notification circles, and consolidate the mailing process.
• Vote: 19‑0 (Reno‑Weber present). Adopted as Resolution 016‑2023.

Capital Infrastructure Fund CIF030923LMPDmB – Police 3rd Division Gym Remodel

• Original proposal: $12,086.74 ($7,000 from District 14, $5,086.74 from District 12) for remodeling the gym at LMPD’s 3rd Division.
• After amendments adding contributions from multiple districts, the total reached $35,607.18. Procedural motions to recommit and reconsider were debated; ultimately the item was approved with an additional $5,000 from District 23.
• Final vote: 17‑2 (Reno‑Weber and Batshon present). Approved.

New Business

• The Assistant Clerk read items 35–49 and assigned them to the appropriate standing committees. Key items include:
  • O‑048‑23: Neighborhood Development Funds for the 10th Annual Riverview Independence Festival.
  • O‑049‑23: Funds for Elderserve, Inc. for senior services.
  • O‑050‑23: Funds for Kentucky Shakespeare’s Hamlet performances in parks.
  • R‑022‑23 and R‑024‑23: Sole‑source contracts for an overdose quick response team and LMPHW medical director.
  • R‑031‑23: Honoring Anna Wooldridge with a street dedication.
  • O‑042‑23: Amending LMCO on the Policemen’s Retirement Fund.
  • O‑052‑23: Requiring Council approval of changes to collective bargaining agreements.
  • R‑025‑23: Local incentives for PACCAR, Inc.
  • R‑021‑23: Zoo carousel maintenance contract.
  • O‑046‑23 and O‑047‑23: Zoning cases on South Spring Street and Lees Lane.
  • R‑023‑23: Contract with Cure Violence Global for violence reduction.
  • R‑026‑23 and R‑030‑23: Surplus property declaration and River Road widening acceptance.

Key Outcomes

• Ben Reno‑Weber appointed as District 8 Council Member after five rounds of voting.
• Resolution R‑020‑23 (firearm destruction) adopted 21‑2.
• Zoning ordinances O‑034‑23, O‑035‑23, and O‑036‑23 passed unanimously (with abstentions).
• Resolution R‑015‑23 (LDC notice review) adopted 19‑0.
• CIF for police gym remodeling approved at $35,607.18, 17‑2.
• All consent calendar items passed 22‑0.
• New business assigned to committees for further consideration.
• Next regular Metro Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM.