OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Louisville Metro Council Regular Meeting - May 14, 2026

Metro Council & Committees — Thursday, May 14, 2026
BodyLouisville, Kentucky
SessionMetro Council & Committees
DateThursday, May 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Over the course of the last year, Barstown Road and the Highlands area has seen a multitude of changes.

0:05

Some have been met with enthusiasm from the community, and others have been the source of concern for residents and businesses.

0:10

Joining us today for our discussion about all there is to celebrate about the highlands and the ways that it can respond to these present challenges and opportunities.

0:18

We have with us three panelists.

0:36

If you've heard that Louisville is the economic engine of the state, if you've heard that before, then surely of that engine, Barstown Road in the Highlands has to be a cylinder in that engine, and it deserves proper investment and uh leadership to carry that forward.

0:51

Barstown Road essentially has two Barstown Roads.

0:55

You have a daytown Barstown Road, and you have a nighttown Barstown Road.

0:58

And one has issues and one has a perception issue.

1:02

So Daytown, I would say is probably the safest area of the city.

1:08

Statistically speaking, there are no issues on Barstown Road in the daytime.

1:12

We get into the nighttime.

1:13

In the past, have there been issues?

1:15

Absolutely.

1:16

Have there been shootings?

1:17

Yes.

1:17

Have there been murders?

1:18

Yes.

1:19

As last year, has there been a murder?

1:21

No.

1:22

We are digging ourselves out of where we came from from 2020.

1:28

I'm a carpenter physician, so that seems to be like kind of a catch-all.

1:31

So it could be anything from like repairing walls to help clean up after a flood or whatnot.

1:38

Um, but also building a window for uh to replace the city hall.

1:44

And I think that is what I enjoy the most about working at Metro is it's a variety of tasks.

1:51

Whereas my previous job was just straight carpentry, and we're working all the time, whereas it's quite the variety here.

1:57

I'm the plumber here at facilities here at Metro downtown on the North Side crew.

2:02

So Metro Hall, City Hall, see Metro Council people all the time, and of course our mayor.

2:08

Um what I like working most about Metro is uh getting to interact with the public, giving people directions, which we do very often, and uh the sense of community here downtown.

2:20

It's a really good crew.

2:21

I'm a bigger.

2:23

I do motor, training, you know, different prices coming along.

2:29

I enjoy everything and everybody.

2:33

Nobody here at once like the Unicold, I'm so excited on this Earth Day, the 56th birthday that we've had.

4:12

We're here to launch the fifth consecutive Solarized Louisville campaign here in our city.

4:16

The Solarized Louisville program has delivered a record 89 residential and commercial projects in 2025, and we look forward to so many more in the coming years.

4:25

These transformative projects show what's possible when trusted partners, clear information, and community commitment come together to make clean energy accessible to all.

4:36

The program streamsline the entire process by matching participants with a vetted installer, providing step-by-step guidance, and offering steeply discounted pricing.

4:45

Solarized Louisville is proof that when you remove barriers and give citizens a clear, trusted path to clean energy, they take it.

4:51

Lower bills, predictable energy costs, and a smaller carbon footprint are all characteristics of our 300 plus projects and households and nonprofits across the city.

5:53

How detailed the review depends on the size and type of your project.

6:17

Coming this May, you can fly nonstop to Gulf Shores Orange Beach, Hartford, and Pittsburgh.

6:24

Getting there is a breeze with Louisville Mohammed Ali International Airport.

6:28

Visit Fly Louisville.

6:37

I knew it was something that was needed in our community.

6:48

And use it in a way of positive situations in their lives.

7:13

Also, who has the program and who's facilitating a program truly matters, especially for youth like my son.

7:20

His legs hurt.

7:23

His energy level, I could just tell with his energy level.

7:26

I know the first day of asking him, you know, we're coming back, and he was like, for sure.

7:30

And so excited, we end up bringing our cousin too.

7:33

He's excited and interested in boxing as well.

7:36

I hope that the programs get support in order for it to continue.

7:40

This is a small piece of somebody taking a time, pouring into some youth that want to help make our community better.

7:51

During National Crime Victims' Right Weeks, communities across the country are gathering just like we are here today.

7:58

These moments aren't easy, but they matter because being together matters.

8:03

Today is about you.

8:13

And with that comes a profound responsibility on our end to pursue justice and seek answers and the truth and to help bring the new thing.

12:27

Metro TV will start in thirty seconds.

12:59

The regular meeting of the little Metro Council of May 14th, two thousand twenty-six will come to order.

13:04

The time is currently six o'clock.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████20%
Transgender Rights███████████████15%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Veterans Support███████7%
Economic Development███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Youth Programs█████5%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Downtown Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Louisville Metro Council Regular Meeting - May 14, 2026

The Louisville Metro Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6:06 PM in Council Chambers, adjourning at 7:34 PM. The meeting included recognitions, public addresses, approval of the consent calendar, debate and votes on several old business items, and introduction of new legislation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approvals (unanimous, 24-0): The council approved minutes, committee minutes, and 22 items on the consent calendar. Key approvals included:
    • O-088-26: $10,000 from District 6 Neighborhood Development Funds (NDF) to Kentucky Shakespeare Inc. for the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival (May 27 – Aug 9, 2026).
    • O-090-26: $6,550 from District 6 NDF to Old Louisville Community Coalition for the 2026 Old Louisville Farmer’s Market (May 9 – Nov 14, 2026).
    • O-097-26: $39,650 ($9,912.50 each from Districts 12, 13, 14, 25) to Metro Parks for the Southwest Music Series (June 13, Aug 1, Sept 12, 2026).
    • O-092-26: Transfer of $4,000 from District 5 NDF to District 5 General Operations.
    • O-098-26: Transfer of $24,550 between District 6 capital projects.
    • R-040-26: Naming the corner of Roselane Street and South Hancock Street as “Fred T. Stoner, Sr. Way.”
    • O-099-26: Approval of the City of Glenview’s annexation of a portion of Orion Road.
    • Appointments and reappointments to various boards (Board of Zoning Adjustment, Juneteenth Jubilee Commission, KentuckianaWorks, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, etc.).
    • R-041-26: Renaming Ballard Park to “Smoketown-Ballard Park.”
    • R-043-26: Acceptance of $6,500 in sponsorships from Humana, MSD, and Brown-Forman for Earth Fest.
    • O-074-26: Amendment to Louisville Metro Code Chapter 91 to remove certain restraint requirements for livestock.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Transgender Ordinance (Safe Haven) – Opposition: Three speakers (Kevin McClure, Dee Buscetto, and Joshua Allen) spoke against a proposed transgender ordinance not yet on the agenda. They argued it would harm transgender individuals by affirming a “confusing lifestyle,” cited studies on suicide rates in supportive countries, claimed it would endanger women in bathrooms, and stated it violated God’s design. A fourth speaker (Irina Batiste) attempted to offer compromise but was ruled out of order as a fourth opponent. The chair recognized three speakers on the opposition side only.
  • Other Topics:
    • Meshorn Daniels: Shared a personal grievance involving a workplace retaliation lawsuit.
    • James Elliott: Claimed LMPD mishandled his stolen vehicle case.
    • Pam Chancey: Requested support for First Hour Grief Recovery, a nonprofit serving grieving families (1,300 individuals across 74 zip codes).
    • Melissa Baere: Spoke in favor of the H.E.R.O. Run (Honor Earned Remembrance Ode), a Memorial Day week event supporting veterans.
    • Maria Gurren: Requested $150,000 budget funding for Imagination Library of Louisville, which mails free books monthly to over 21,000 children and has shown improved kindergarten readiness.
    • Daniel Cobble: Accused the Jefferson County Clerk of violating election laws and misappropriating funds, but was reminded not to electioneer.

Discussion Items

  • O-071-26 (Reconsideration): Ordinance appropriating NDF for backpacks and school supplies for the First Neighborhood Place Back to School Festival (July 18, 2026). Originally passed April 23, but was reconsidered to add funds. After amendments (adding $1,000 from District 2, $1,000 from District 26, $250 from District 5), the total reached $13,450. Passed 24-0.
  • O-087-26 (Flock Cameras – District 26): Appropriated $26,600 from District 26 NDF to LMPD for a two-year lease and installation of four Flock cameras. Council President Ackerson spoke in favor. Passed 21-0 with 3 present (Parrish-Wright, Lyninger, Chappell).
  • O-094-26 (Flock Camera – District 20): Appropriated $6,650 from District 20 NDF to LMPD for one Flock camera near Grand Lakes Subdivision. Sponsored by Council Member Benson. Passed 21-0 with 3 present (same members).
  • O-089-26 (H.E.R.O. Run): Initially $1,000 from District 6 for Volunteers of America Mid-States’ May 30 H.E.R.O. Run supporting veterans. Amended to $10,000 with contributions from 22 districts. Passed 24-0 after amendments.
  • O-091-26 (Poorcastle Festival): Originally $2,000 from District 6 for the festival (May 15-17, 2026). Amended to $6,000 with additional funds from Districts 15, 3, 8, 21, 9, 13. Passed 24-0.
  • O-100-26 (Buy Local Fair): Appropriated $11,200 (after amendments) to Louisville Independent Business Alliance for the May 31, 2026 Buy Local Fair. Adjustments: reduced District 2 from $4,100 to $1,000, added funds from Districts 4, 21, 14, 13. Passed 24-0.
  • R-042-26 (Wieland Incentives): Resolution approving local incentives for Wieland North American, Inc. under KRS Chapter 154. Council Member Lyninger opposed, calling it a “corporate tax cut” during a tight budget. Council Members Reed and Piagentini argued it was a state program necessary for competitiveness. Passed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved 24-0.
  • O-071-26: Passed as amended (total $13,450) 24-0.
  • O-087-26: Passed 21-0 (3 present).
  • O-094-26: Passed 21-0 (3 present).
  • O-089-26: Passed as amended (total $10,000) 24-0.
  • O-091-26: Passed as amended (total $6,000) 24-0.
  • O-100-26: Passed as amended (total $11,200) 24-0.
  • R-042-26: Adopted by voice vote.
  • New Business Introduced: 20 new items (O-107-26 through O-140-26, R-044-26 through R-057-26, O-144-26, O-148-26) were given first reading and assigned to respective committees.
  • Rule Change Notice: R-052-26, amending Council rules regarding presiding officers at committee meetings, received first reading.

Meeting Transcript

Over the course of the last year, Barstown Road and the Highlands area has seen a multitude of changes. Some have been met with enthusiasm from the community, and others have been the source of concern for residents and businesses. Joining us today for our discussion about all there is to celebrate about the highlands and the ways that it can respond to these present challenges and opportunities. We have with us three panelists. If you've heard that Louisville is the economic engine of the state, if you've heard that before, then surely of that engine, Barstown Road in the Highlands has to be a cylinder in that engine, and it deserves proper investment and uh leadership to carry that forward. Barstown Road essentially has two Barstown Roads. You have a daytown Barstown Road, and you have a nighttown Barstown Road. And one has issues and one has a perception issue. So Daytown, I would say is probably the safest area of the city. Statistically speaking, there are no issues on Barstown Road in the daytime. We get into the nighttime. In the past, have there been issues? Absolutely. Have there been shootings? Yes. Have there been murders? Yes. As last year, has there been a murder? No. We are digging ourselves out of where we came from from 2020. I'm a carpenter physician, so that seems to be like kind of a catch-all. So it could be anything from like repairing walls to help clean up after a flood or whatnot. Um, but also building a window for uh to replace the city hall. And I think that is what I enjoy the most about working at Metro is it's a variety of tasks. Whereas my previous job was just straight carpentry, and we're working all the time, whereas it's quite the variety here. I'm the plumber here at facilities here at Metro downtown on the North Side crew. So Metro Hall, City Hall, see Metro Council people all the time, and of course our mayor. Um what I like working most about Metro is uh getting to interact with the public, giving people directions, which we do very often, and uh the sense of community here downtown. It's a really good crew. I'm a bigger. I do motor, training, you know, different prices coming along. I enjoy everything and everybody. Nobody here at once like the Unicold, I'm so excited on this Earth Day, the 56th birthday that we've had. We're here to launch the fifth consecutive Solarized Louisville campaign here in our city. The Solarized Louisville program has delivered a record 89 residential and commercial projects in 2025, and we look forward to so many more in the coming years. These transformative projects show what's possible when trusted partners, clear information, and community commitment come together to make clean energy accessible to all. The program streamsline the entire process by matching participants with a vetted installer, providing step-by-step guidance, and offering steeply discounted pricing. Solarized Louisville is proof that when you remove barriers and give citizens a clear, trusted path to clean energy, they take it. Lower bills, predictable energy costs, and a smaller carbon footprint are all characteristics of our 300 plus projects and households and nonprofits across the city. How detailed the review depends on the size and type of your project. Coming this May, you can fly nonstop to Gulf Shores Orange Beach, Hartford, and Pittsburgh. Getting there is a breeze with Louisville Mohammed Ali International Airport. Visit Fly Louisville. I knew it was something that was needed in our community. And use it in a way of positive situations in their lives. Also, who has the program and who's facilitating a program truly matters, especially for youth like my son. His legs hurt. His energy level, I could just tell with his energy level. I know the first day of asking him, you know, we're coming back, and he was like, for sure. And so excited, we end up bringing our cousin too.

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