Louisville Metro Council Meeting - September 10, 2026
Louisville Metro Council Meeting - September 10, 2026
On Thursday, September 10, 2026, the Louisville Metro Council convened at 6:06 PM and adjourned at 7:22 PM, with Council President Brent Ackerson presiding. A quorum was present, with 26 members in attendance (some virtually). The council approved a consent calendar, debated several ordinances and resolutions, and heard public testimony on a variety of issues.
Consent Calendar
The council approved all consent items (items 12-22) by a 25-0 vote. These included:
- R-118-26: Authorizing the mayor to accept up to $1,882,400 from the Kentucky Heritage Council for sale of historic preservation and IRA tax credits to support the Main Library renovation project.
- Appointments and reappointments to the Greater Louisville Lodging Management District Board, Landmarks and Preservation District Board (Meredith Benz, Elizabeth Piper), Metropolitan Sewer District Board (Jeff Mosley, Christopher Burckle, Lonnie Wright), and NuLu Review Overlay District Board (Amy Brooks, Vadim Kaplan, Douglas Owen).
- O-242-26: Closure of a portion of East St. Catherine Street (approx. 9,000 sq ft) between Logan Street and Steve Magre Alley.
Public Comments & Testimony
Seven speakers addressed the council:
- Gerald Puckett (District 4 resident) raised concerns about targeted harassment and intimidation of senior citizens by neighbors attempting to force them from their homes. He urged the council to protect seniors aging in place.
- Samantha Bayless (licensed massage therapist, Navy veteran, small business owner in District 10) opposed the new massage ordinance, arguing it imposes burdensome requirements on independent therapists and small wellness practices. She asked the council to simplify regulations and distinguish legitimate professional practices from businesses the rules were intended to address.
- Shaun Spencer (West Louisville Drink Team) requested the Government Oversight/Audit Committee conduct a financial reconciliation of the NIA Center at 2900 West Broadway. He expressed concern about deferred maintenance and use of funds, including federal transportation funding and CDBG money, and cited a Metro-TARC lease agreement where Metro pays $1 rent but assumes all maintenance costs.
- Paul Wesslund (neutral on data centers) urged strong regulation of data centers, citing nationwide concerns over electricity consumption (projected 12% of U.S. electricity in two years), water use for cooling, noise, heat island effects, and the need for renewable energy support. He recommended creating a new zoning classification and adopting model regulations from the Kentucky Resources Council.
- Daniel Cobble argued that three antitrust violations cause transfer of wealth to Wall Street, leading to cuts in services (e.g., reduced library hours, TARC bus route reductions from 25 to 15). He claimed the national debt is not owed and ending the violations would produce a windfall in tax revenues.
- Katherine Semmes (District 16 resident, 28-year resident, stage four breast cancer patient) expressed strong support for the Plant-Based Treaty, attributing her health stability to a plant-based diet complementing standard medical treatments. She urged the council to support the treaty.
- Leslie Ryan (District 14 resident) complained about litter, vandalism, and lack of respect in Sun Valley Park, and called for more meetings, Flock cameras, and better communication. She also opposed data center siting in the South End and criticized overdevelopment that reduces green space.
Discussion Items
- O-241-26 (Street closure on East Jacob Street between Brook and First Streets): Council Member Owen explained the closure is a permanent closure of an underpass under I-65 requested by KYTC. Council Member Herndon noted the dangerous intersection and lack of residential uses. Passed 22-1-2.
- O-161-26 (Amending debt service adjustment for MSD): Council Member Reed described the compromise requiring MSD to present rate increases to the Government Oversight Committee, replacing a previous cap. Council Member Piagentini noted the consent decree constraints made a full cap risky. Passed 26-0.
- AP090126BWC (Appointment of Brunhilda Williams-Curington): Council Member McCraney abstained citing prior employment relationship. Approved 25-1.
- O-237-26 (Coalition for the Homeless funding): Council Member Herndon requested additional contributions. An amendment added $2,000 from District 6, $1,300 from District 3, $1,000 each from Districts 1 and 21, and $500 each from Districts 2, 8, and 17, bringing total to $12,800. Passed 25-0.
- O-238-26 (Police overtime for traffic enforcement in District 26): Council President Ackerson spoke in favor, noting a secondary benefit of increased police presence. Council Members Lyninger, Parrish-Wright, and Chappell voted present due to commitment not to expand policing spending. Passed 22-3.
- R-142-25 (Urban Forest Master Plan): Council Member Chappell sponsored. Council Member Piagentini explained his amendment (approved in committee) requiring implementation to be contingent on future budget approval. Several members spoke in support, noting the need for a maintenance plan and addressing elderly homeowners' tree maintenance burdens. Council Member Parker expressed concerns about cost and property owner choice. Passed 19-6 (6 present).
- O-243-26 (Property tax levy for FY 2026-2027): Council Member Kramer and Winkler explained the ordinance adjusts the tax rate to generate a 4% revenue increase (per state law) despite rising property values. They noted the rate is at historic lows since merger. Council Member Hudson pointed out only 11 cents per dollar goes to Metro, with most going to JCPS. Passed 24-1.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved (items 12-22) – 25-0 vote.
- O-241-26 (East Jacob Street closure) passed – 22-1-2.
- O-161-26 (MSD debt service adjustment amendment) passed – 26-0.
- AP090126BWC (Williams-Curington appointment) approved – 25-1.
- O-237-26 (Coalition for the Homeless funding, as amended to $12,800) passed – 25-0.
- O-238-26 (D26 police overtime funding) passed – 22-3.
- R-142-25 (Urban Forest Master Plan resolution) adopted – 19-6 (6 present).
- O-243-26 (Property tax levy) passed – 24-1.
- New business items (30-49) received first reading and were assigned to respective committees: Appropriations (30-35), Budget (36-41), Government Oversight/Audit and Appointments (42), Labor and Economic Development (43-44), Planning and Zoning (45-47), Public Safety (48), Public Works (49).
Meeting Transcript
Overload, fire, oil execution, and that systems are properly and safely grounded. Um, everybody, and particularly black people feel like they can trust the police, the police are on their side and are there to take care of them. Um, you know, and uh I I've said this before. Um I think one of the things that we can all as police officers attempt to appreciate more is how it feels even when an officer is right, um, to have stuff taken out of your pockets and to be searched. Um, it's not a feeling that everyone has had in their civilian life. Um, but I've been on the receiving end of that. And no matter how many times the officer told me um that it was okay, it's it still felt like a violation. And so I think we can do a better job of understanding that feeling and having some sympathy for uh being on the receiving end of that. And I also know that I've had friends and family members been on the receiving end of violent crime as well. And I expect um officers to appreciate that balance and to take it very seriously. We don't know their names. The Happy Birthday Park is getting ready to fix that. We are going to design a playground here to replace this playground equipment, just like what Waterfront just opened at Playport at Thirteenth Street, a wonderful playground, and if you see children playing there, you know that it's just right for them. That's what this playground will be, and that's what Patty knew about kindergarten children. That if you find materials that are just right for them, they will learn lots through their play. It's one of the original playgrounds here at Waterfront Park. Waterfront was looking for a partner to restore this playground, and the Happy Birthday Park was looking for a partner to help them find a location. So now here we are. All right, Metro TV will start in 30 seconds. The regular Louisville Metro Council meeting of September 10th, 2026 will please come to order. The time is currently six minutes after six p.m. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, this meeting is this meeting is being helped pursued to care S 61.826 in Council Rule 5A. Madam Clerk, a call the roll, please. Councilmember Hawkins. Councilmember Shanklin. Present. Councilmember Parish Wright. Present. Councilmember Herndon. Present. Councilmember Pervis. Present. Councilmember Lenninger. Present. Councilmember McCraney. Here. Councilmember Rena Weber. Councilmember Owen. Here. Councilmember Raymond. Here. Councilmember Kramer. Here. Councilmember Joseph. Here. Councilmember Syme. Councilmember Bast. Here.
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