Louisville Metro Council Meeting - August 13, 2026

The Louisville Metro Council held its regular meeting on August 13, 2026, at 6:19 PM, with 25 members present and one excused. The meeting featured public comments on massage therapy licensing, community violence, and data centers, followed by approval of a consent calendar and contentious debate on a gas franchise renewal and a temporary moratorium on data centers. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (24-0) items 20 through 50, including ordinances appropriating Neighborhood Development Funds for tree maintenance, park activities, boardwalk replacement, graffiti removal, budget transfers, and a resolution of intent for general obligation bonds. Also approved were appointments to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Police Merit Board, Air Pollution Control District, and other boards.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gabrielle Bowlds (licensed massage therapist, employee at McCoach Holistic Massage) expressed concern that the massage licensing ordinance would put her small business at risk of closing due to compliance costs, asking for amendments to support small businesses.
• Richard Whitlock Jr. (Louisville Peace Project) urged the council to adopt a zip code-based violence prevention model, citing over 1,300 murders from 2016-2025 and the need for community-led public health approaches.
• Shae Neutz (solo massage practitioner in District 8) spoke against the ordinance’s requirements for unlocked doors and inspections, calling them disrespectful and harmful to clients, and asked for amendments.
• Laura Watkins (owner of Pure Salon Spa in District 22) expressed support for the ordinance’s intent but worried about unintended costs for small businesses employing one massage therapist, noting additional licensing, fees, and recordkeeping.
• Larry Mitchum (Celebrate Recovery Fairdale) thanked the council for past support and presented attendance growth from 25 in 2017 to about 250 weekly participants, requesting continued funding.
• Lee Maddox shared a personal story of reversing diabetes through lifestyle changes and urged council to endorse a plant-based treaty.
• Danielle Ray and Sauda Brown spoke passionately against hyperscale data centers, alleging environmental racism, pollution, and lack of transparency, demanding a one-year moratorium without loopholes and accusing some officials of corruption.

Discussion Items

• O-188-26 – LG&E Gas Franchise Renewal: After a motion to return to the table passed, a motion to recommit failed 8-16. Council members debated municipalization and bidding options, with Council President Ackerson arguing that changing the franchise in two weeks was unrealistic. The ordinance ultimately passed 18-3-4.
• O-209-26 – Budget Reallocation: Passed 25-0 after a technical correction to the fiscal year.
• O-194-26 – Feed Louisville NDF: Amended from $4,250 to $9,750 with additional contributions from multiple districts, passed 23-0.
• O-195-26 – Girl Scouts Via Colori Festival NDF: Amended from $1,500 to $3,300, passed 23-0.
• O-202-26 – Bridge Kids International African Heritage Festival NDF: Amended from $4,000 to $6,550, with date changed to October 16-17, passed 24-0.
• O-207-26 – Celebrate Recovery NDF: Amended from $12,750 to $22,000 with contributions from 14 districts, passed 25-0.
• NDF080526FSH15 – Family Scholar House NDF: Amended from $1,250 to $3,250, approved by voice vote.
• O-135-26 – Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers: The council adopted an amendment to close a loophole regarding building permits for repurposed structures (voice vote). An amendment to extend the moratorium from 180 to 365 days failed 10-15 after extensive debate. Council members expressed positions: some supported a longer pause for study and community input, while others argued six months was sufficient and that the goal was to develop regulations. The final amended ordinance passed 24-1.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: All items approved 24-0.
• O-188-26 (LG&E Franchise): Passed 18-3-4, authorizing renewal of the gas franchise agreement.
• O-209-26 (Budget Reallocation): Passed 25-0.
• O-194-26 (Feed Louisville): Passed 23-0 after amendment to $9,750.
• O-195-26 (Girl Scouts): Passed 23-0 after amendment to $3,300.
• O-202-26 (Bridge Kids International): Passed 24-0 after amendment to $6,550 and date change.
• O-207-26 (Celebrate Recovery): Passed 25-0 after amendment to $22,000.
• NDF080526FSH15 (Family Scholar House): Approved by voice vote after amendment to $3,250.
• O-135-26 (Data Center Moratorium): Passed 24-1 after amendment to close loophole; 365-day extension rejected 10-15. The moratorium is for 180 days on rezoning, conditional use permits, and certain development plans for telecommunication hotels and data centers, plus a building permit moratorium for repurposed structures.
• New Business: Items 59-81 were read for the first time and assigned to committees (Appropriations, Budget, Labor and Economic Development, Planning and Zoning, Public Works).