OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Public Works Committee Meeting - July 21, 2026

Metro Council & CommitteesTuesday, July 21, 2026
BodyLouisville, Kentucky
SessionMetro Council & Committees
DateTuesday, July 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

29 year old Reza Valdez were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced deceased from their injuries.

0:04

All three of these victims died from gunshot wounds.

0:08

Immediately after the shooting, the three shooters fled on foot.

0:12

They got into a vehicle and they fled the scene.

0:15

This happened despite that there were marked LMPD vehicles next door at a business where they were eating lunch.

0:21

Officers were then immediately on scene.

0:26

Shortly after this shooting, we identified a suspect vehicle.

0:30

And through the use of flock cameras, we were able to track this vehicle before the shooting and after the shooting.

0:36

And again, we were able to recover that vehicle the same day.

0:40

It was recovered at 35th and Chauncey.

0:43

This vehicle was taken from a dealership.

0:46

Through the investigation, we found that the dealership had not yet known that the vehicle was missing.

0:51

So it was reported stolen after the shooting, but it was taken several days prior.

0:56

The vehicle was processed by our crime scene unit.

1:00

Evidence was obtained from that vehicle, and we were able to send that evidence to DNA Labs International.

1:07

With our partnership with them, we were able to get several DNA profiles from inside that vehicle.

1:15

Over the past 17 months, the lead detective in this investigation has written and drafted and served approximately 50 search warrants for for this specific investigation.

1:26

These search warrants were able to obtain evidence so we could identify the individual that was charged yesterday.

1:34

He was charged with murder, want endangerment, and receiving stolen property.

1:38

At the time of his arrest yesterday, he was already on HIP for committing unrelated incidents.

1:45

Additional DNA profiles have led us to identify other people who could be involved in this.

1:51

One possible suspect who was identified through a DNA profile has since been murdered in a separate homicide.

1:59

This is still an active investigation as we are still trying to identify the third suspect from this incident, but we need the community's help to solve these cases.

2:07

We ask anyone with information to call 574 L MPD through the cooperation of eyewitnesses and the use of technology ranging from DNA, surveillance videos, cell phones, and GPS, we were able to get justice for these families.

2:22

Louisville has had a dramatic decrease in the last two years of criminal homicides.

2:27

Currently, L MPD is just shy of a 60% clearance rate mid-year.

2:32

This is an unprecedented number.

2:52

We ask you to take these investigations.

2:55

Many times we do know who committed these murders, but due to double jeopardy, we need proof beyond a reasonable doubt before we can charge them.

3:03

If we charge someone without enough probable cause to make sure that the arrest sticks and that they go to prison, then we can no matter what happens, if we find additional evidence later, we can't go back.

3:14

So that's why it's crucial to have as much information, as much evidence as possible.

3:18

And the biggest thing for past homicide victims' families that we are still we are still working for justice for you.

3:45

Now I'll take questions.

3:58

The question is the uh charge was murder complicity, and what was the role that the 17-year-old played in the homicide?

4:05

Uh at the time of the murder, the the individual arrested yesterday was 17.

4:10

He is currently 19 years old.

4:12

He's charged with murder complicity because he and two others all three fired their weapons into a line of people standing outside of the DNV.

4:22

Are you that the second now the deceased suspect was one of the shooters at the DNA?

4:31

The question is how confident are we that the second suspect that was identified through DNA was at the scene.

4:39

So uh the a DNA profile was developed from the vehicle once it was recovered.

4:46

Uh so again, it was a possible suspect.

4:48

We believe that that would have been someone who was also present during the time of the homicide.

4:54

Uh but unfortunately they were murdered in a separate homicide.

5:00

So it's it we feel confident enough to say that we believe it's him, but at this point, with with him with him being deceased, we're unable to continue to question him about that.

5:08

Um so that's are you able to say who he is?

5:12

We're not able to say who he is.

5:13

It's still an ongoing investigation.

5:18

It's again that's a separate incident, and then we're gonna focus on this one today.

5:23

The question is posthumous charges.

5:25

That's possible.

5:26

Uh ultimately it would depend uh through coordination and cooperation with a common attorney.

5:40

SOS is a global health nonprofit based here in Nova.

5:44

For years now, we've been able to rely on SOS for when we see critical immediate needs when we're out doing street outreach.

5:52

A lot of people know us for our international work because we've been doing it for decades.

5:55

But since 2019, our local health program has been one of our fastest growing areas of work.

6:01

Over the years.

6:09

Yes.

6:11

I just need this one.

6:12

Okay.

7:31

Now we do.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████████████████53%
Energy Regulation███████████13%
Public Safety████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis██████7%
Procedural█████6%
Technology and Innovation████5%
Community Engagement███3%
Mental Health Awareness██2%
Water And Wastewater Management1%
Summary of Proceedings

Public Works Committee Meeting Summary – July 21, 2026

The Louisville Metro Public Works Committee met on July 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers/virtual, with Chair Hudson presiding. The committee discussed a paving status update, considered an ordinance to renew the gas franchise with Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E), a resolution declaring real property surplus, and held several appointments to the Complete Streets Coalition.

Special Discussion: Paving Status Update

  • Clinton Davis of Public Works, along with Nick Vail and Wes Sidnore, presented the FY27-29 paving plan. Louisville has over 2,100 centerline miles of roadways. The FY25 plan is nearly complete and FY26 is 95% complete. Recent annual budgets of $30 million have helped improve pavement condition index (PCI) scores by 5–8 points since 2013. New software (OpenGov) is being used for strategic planning. Questions covered PCI objectivity (90–95% objective via LIDAR consultant data), inflation eroding purchasing power, state road transfers (e.g., Logan, Shelby, Market) without additional funding, coordination with traffic calming and Complete Streets initiatives, and maintenance of state roads like Dixie Highway (funded by KYTC at about $5 million annually for potholes plus snow removal).

Discussion on O-188-26 (Gas Franchise Renewal)

  • Hollie Hopkins from the Jefferson County Attorney's Office explained the second five-year renewal of the gas franchise agreement with LG&E, originally from 2016. The agreement allows LG&E to use streets for gas pipes. Metro has chosen not to impose a franchise fee due to uneven applicability across the urban services district and suburban cities. Committee Member Reno-Weber questioned whether voting no would halt gas service and noted similar lopsided agreements with LG&E for electricity. A motion to recommend approval carried 5–3 (yes: Hudson, Herndon, Bast, Benson, Bratcher; present: Reno-Weber, Raymond, Chappell). The ordinance was sent to Old Business for full council consideration.

Discussion on R-090-26 (Surplus Property at 207 North English Station Road)

  • Councilmember Piagentini (sponsor) and Mike King (Assistant Director, Louisville Metro Department of Transportation) described the property, which has water company infrastructure co-deeded with Metro. The resolution declares the land surplus and not needed for governmental purposes, allowing the water company sole jurisdiction and facilitating future KYTC road projects. A voice vote carried unanimously, and the resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.

Appointments to Complete Streets Coalition (Items 4–15)

  • All eight new appointments (Kristi Ashby, Adam Stegemann, Brad Herschler, Mira Sullivan) and eight reappointments (Lucas Frazier, Anita Hall, Janet Heston, Patrick Smith, Joseph B. Spencer, Kenneth Thompson, Estela Valdez, Bill Wright) remained held in committee without action.

Key Outcomes

  • O-188-26: Recommended for approval to the full Metro Council (5 yes, 3 present).
  • R-090-26: Recommended for approval via the Consent Calendar.
  • Paving Update: Received as information; committee members emphasized the need to adjust future budgets for inflation and to coordinate with state road projects.
  • Complete Streets Coalition Appointments: All held in committee; no further action taken.

Meeting Transcript

29 year old Reza Valdez were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced deceased from their injuries. All three of these victims died from gunshot wounds. Immediately after the shooting, the three shooters fled on foot. They got into a vehicle and they fled the scene. This happened despite that there were marked LMPD vehicles next door at a business where they were eating lunch. Officers were then immediately on scene. Shortly after this shooting, we identified a suspect vehicle. And through the use of flock cameras, we were able to track this vehicle before the shooting and after the shooting. And again, we were able to recover that vehicle the same day. It was recovered at 35th and Chauncey. This vehicle was taken from a dealership. Through the investigation, we found that the dealership had not yet known that the vehicle was missing. So it was reported stolen after the shooting, but it was taken several days prior. The vehicle was processed by our crime scene unit. Evidence was obtained from that vehicle, and we were able to send that evidence to DNA Labs International. With our partnership with them, we were able to get several DNA profiles from inside that vehicle. Over the past 17 months, the lead detective in this investigation has written and drafted and served approximately 50 search warrants for for this specific investigation. These search warrants were able to obtain evidence so we could identify the individual that was charged yesterday. He was charged with murder, want endangerment, and receiving stolen property. At the time of his arrest yesterday, he was already on HIP for committing unrelated incidents. Additional DNA profiles have led us to identify other people who could be involved in this. One possible suspect who was identified through a DNA profile has since been murdered in a separate homicide. This is still an active investigation as we are still trying to identify the third suspect from this incident, but we need the community's help to solve these cases. We ask anyone with information to call 574 L MPD through the cooperation of eyewitnesses and the use of technology ranging from DNA, surveillance videos, cell phones, and GPS, we were able to get justice for these families. Louisville has had a dramatic decrease in the last two years of criminal homicides. Currently, L MPD is just shy of a 60% clearance rate mid-year. This is an unprecedented number. We ask you to take these investigations. Many times we do know who committed these murders, but due to double jeopardy, we need proof beyond a reasonable doubt before we can charge them. If we charge someone without enough probable cause to make sure that the arrest sticks and that they go to prison, then we can no matter what happens, if we find additional evidence later, we can't go back. So that's why it's crucial to have as much information, as much evidence as possible. And the biggest thing for past homicide victims' families that we are still we are still working for justice for you. Now I'll take questions. The question is the uh charge was murder complicity, and what was the role that the 17-year-old played in the homicide? Uh at the time of the murder, the the individual arrested yesterday was 17. He is currently 19 years old. He's charged with murder complicity because he and two others all three fired their weapons into a line of people standing outside of the DNV. Are you that the second now the deceased suspect was one of the shooters at the DNA? The question is how confident are we that the second suspect that was identified through DNA was at the scene. So uh the a DNA profile was developed from the vehicle once it was recovered. Uh so again, it was a possible suspect. We believe that that would have been someone who was also present during the time of the homicide. Uh but unfortunately they were murdered in a separate homicide. So it's it we feel confident enough to say that we believe it's him, but at this point, with with him with him being deceased, we're unable to continue to question him about that. Um so that's are you able to say who he is? We're not able to say who he is. It's still an ongoing investigation. It's again that's a separate incident, and then we're gonna focus on this one today. The question is posthumous charges. That's possible.

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