Public Works Committee Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Public Works Committee of the Louisville Metro Council met on September 15, 2026, at 4:05 PM in Council Chambers and virtually. The committee considered a resolution to accept state funds for a bridge replacement and a slate of appointments and reappointments to the Complete Streets Coalition. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM. Seven members were present; one was excused.

Consent Calendar

• R-122-26: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept up to $971,943 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Goldsmith Lane Bridge replacement project (sponsored by Brent Ackerson, D-26). The bridge over the South Fork of Beargrass Creek has a structural rating of 1/10 and is in very poor condition. The total project cost is estimated at $1.2 million; the grant saves over $700,000 from the city’s bridge structures fund. Director Bill Bell (Louisville Department of Transportation) explained that the department applied for state funding through the City-County Bridge Improvement Program and was notified of the award in July 2026. The motion to recommend approval carried by voice vote; the resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.

Discussion Items

• Complete Streets Coalition Appointments and Reappointments: The committee considered a series of appointments and reappointments. Wesley Sydnor (Executive Director of Public Works) and Jeremy Chesler (Transportation Planner, LouDot) provided background. The slate was revised to meet diversity requirements after previous discussions. The committee discussed the verification of demographic information submitted by applicants; staff noted that the coalition is not an official boards and commissions body and therefore does not conduct background checks, but relies on self-reported data. The following items were heard:
  • AP050526KA – Kristi Ashby (appointment): Ms. Ashby, an Irish Hill resident, stated she walks everywhere and wants to promote safe streets and slower traffic. Vice Chair Herndon noted her community service record. Motion carried; sent to Consent Calendar.
  • AP050526AS – Adam Stegemann (appointment): Mr. Stegemann, a St. Joseph neighborhood resident, described working with Councilwoman Chappell’s office to get speed humps installed and wants to expand pedestrian safety work. Motion carried; sent to Consent Calendar.
  • AP050526BH – Brad Herschler (appointment): Mr. Herschler, an avid runner, walker, and cyclist and vice president of a local bike club, appeared online after an initial motion was withdrawn because he was not present. A new motion was made and carried; sent to Consent Calendar.
  • AP050526MS – Mira Sullivan (appointment): Ms. Sullivan, a District 4 resident, stated she walks a lot and wants to use design to create safe, active streets. Motion carried; sent to Consent Calendar.
  • RP050526JH – Janet Heston (reappointment): Ms. Heston, an OIVO resident and founder of a nonprofit in memory of her son who was killed crossing the street, has been on the coalition since its inception and advocates for safer roads. Motion carried; sent to Consent Calendar.
  • RP050526PS, RP050526KT, RP050526EV – Patrick Smith, Kenneth Thompson, Estela Valdez (reappointments): These three items were considered together. Mr. Smith was not present, but the clerk noted that attendance is not required for reappointment. Motion carried; sent to Consent Calendar.
  • RP050526BW – Bill Wright (reappointment): The expiration date was amended from October 31, 2027, to October 31, 2028, on a motion by Vice Chair Herndon. The amended motion carried by voice vote; sent to Old Business because it was amended.
  • RP050526LF, RP050526AH, RP050526JS – Lucas Frazier, Anita Hall, Joseph B. Spencer (reappointments): These items were withdrawn and not considered.

Key Outcomes

• R-122-26 (Goldsmith Lane Bridge funding) recommended for approval and placed on the Consent Calendar for the full Metro Council meeting on September 24, 2026.
• Appointments and reappointments to the Complete Streets Coalition were recommended for approval and sent to the Consent Calendar, except for Bill Wright’s reappointment (sent to Old Business due to the amendment) and three withdrawn items.
• The committee noted that the revised slate of appointees satisfies the diversity requirements of the ordinance, following feedback from previous meetings.