Louisville Metro Council Meeting — September 24, 2026

The Louisville Metro Council met at 6:01 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Council Chambers and via video teleconference, with Council President Brent Ackerson (D-26) presiding until yielding the chair to President Pro-Tem Tammy Hawkins (D-1) at 6:45 p.m. Per the roll call, 24 members were present; Paula McCraney (I-7) and Ben Reno-Weber (D-8) were excused. The Council approved a 24-item consent calendar, acted on 10 Old Business items (including five appropriations ordinances amended from the floor), gave first reading to 11 New Business items, and adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

Special Recognitions

• Council Member Anthony Piagentini (R-19) recognized Jamie MoCrazy of the MoCrazy Strong Brain Injury Foundation and her partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents to improve access to the Louder Than Life and Bourbon and Beyond music festivals for people diagnosed with brain injuries. MoCrazy, a former professional skier and the first woman to land a double backflip at the X Games, described surviving a severe traumatic brain injury and creating the foundation (a 501(c)(3) since 2023) to host "Live to Thrive" events. The Council awarded her a commendation for outstanding community service.

Consent Calendar

Approved by a 21-0 roll-call vote (McCraney and Reno-Weber excused; Lyninger, Owen, and Ackerson absent). All items passed as listed:

• O-249-26 — $10,000 from District 26 Neighborhood Development Funds (NDF) to the Office of Arts and Creative Industries for a public mural project (Ordinance 174-2026).
• O-262-26 — $14,668.54 ($7,334.27 each from Districts 2 and 5) to the Office of Social Services for an LG&E credit on behalf of Elderserve, Inc. (Ordinance 175-2026).
• O-245-26 — $75,761.68 transfer between District 18 capital projects (Ordinance 176-2026).
• O-246-26 — $39,274.59 transfer between various District 10 capital projects (Ordinance 177-2026).
• O-250-26 — $50,000 transfer from the District 1 Capital Infrastructure Fund to the District 1 NDF (Ordinance 178-2026).
• O-259-26 — $21,100 transfer from the District 14 NDF to the District 14 Capital Infrastructure Fund (Ordinance 179-2026).
• O-260-26 — FY 2026-2027 operating budget language pertaining to School Bus Stop Lighting Study assistance funding (Ordinance 180-2026).
• O-261-26 — Reallocating West End Improvement Fund capital project funding from the Center for Neighborhoods to 724, Inc. (Ordinance 181-2026).
• O-263-26 — Amendment to LMCO §32.062 regarding the Juneteenth Jubilee Commission (Ordinance 182-2026).
• RP091526SM / RP091526AG — Reappointments of Stephen Miller and Abbie Gilbert to the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) Board, terms expiring June 30, 2029.
• R-114-26 — Authorization of up to $6,200,000 in bond anticipation notes for Wesley Manor Retirement Community (Resolution 074-2026).
• R-117-26 — $183,960 professional services contract with Mark S. Jorrisch, M.D. for Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness (Resolution 075-2026).
• O-258-26 — Closure of an unnamed and unimproved alley between N. Peterson Avenue and Frankfort Avenue containing approximately 32,383 square feet (Ordinance 183-2026).
• R-124-26 — Office of Planning data gathering and analysis in Metro Council District 22 (Resolution 076-2026).
• R-122-26 — Acceptance of up to $971,943 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the Goldsmith Lane Bridge Replacement Project (Resolution 077-2026).
• Appointments/reappointments to the Complete Streets Coalition: Kristi Ashby, Adam Stegemann, Brad Herschler, and Mira Sullivan (three-year terms); Janet Heston and Patrick Smith (terms expiring October 31, 2027); Kenneth Thompson and Estela Valdez (terms expiring October 31, 2028).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Schroeder (executive, American Printing House for the Blind): Described the new 28,000-square-foot DOT Experience museum opening October 30 on the APH campus on Frankfort Avenue, designed with input from blind and low-vision community members, including Helen Keller's archival collection.
• Amanda Coolsaet (licensed massage therapist and small business owner): Opposed the massage facility license ordinance (O-286-26), arguing it was written to target sex traffickers but imposes difficult physical-space requirements on legitimate, state-licensed therapists and depends on landlords' willingness to modify leased properties.
• Melanie Webb (resident, Shelby Park/Germantown area): Raised concerns about the unpermitted "Two Buck Invitational" graffiti event held September 11-13, citing no permits, porta-potties, trash service, insurance, or fire department sign-off; drug paraphernalia in the neighborhood; tagging of property; and being blocked in for two days. She reported her property taxes rose fivefold in three years to almost $10,000 per year and asked that such events be permitted and regulated.
• Barbara Beckett (resident, 1508 West Market Street, age 79): Complained about poor living conditions, at least 15 break-ins, and alleged police surveillance and cameras in her home; asked the Council to investigate New Directions Housing and police conduct.
• Ricky Santiago (Executive Director, Americana Community Center): Expressed gratitude for prior Council investments and requested $20,000 in NDF support for general operations, emphasizing the need to fund frontline staff including coordinators, intake workers, and on-site language interpreters.
• Lan Nguyen-Colgate (District 21 resident; Vice President, Friends of the Library): Asked the Council to fully fund the Collider Artist-in-Residence Program at the South Central Regional Library at $12,000, describing free workshops, artist stipends, and cultural exchange benefits for an area with limited arts access.
• Dr. Ryan Swain (pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist): Urged the Council to endorse the Plant-Based Treaty, citing research showing an 82% regression in coronary heart disease and a 91% reduction in angina among patients on comprehensive plant-based lifestyle programs, and noting heart disease and cancer account for almost 50% of deaths annually in Jefferson County.
• Gary Watrous (architect; Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville; District 5 resident): Asked the Council to "stop, look, and listen" — take a legislative pause, extend the data center moratorium, and review the Kentucky Resources Council's alternative ordinance. He cited attorney Tom Fitzgerald's checklist of legal loopholes, including a 5,000-square-foot threshold he said could be legally challenged.
• Christie McCravy (Executive Director, Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund): Reported that since 2016 Metro has invested more than $140 million in the trust fund, creating or preserving more than 6,004 housing units (including more than 400 single-family homeownership units) at an average of just over $21,000 per unit, leveraging more than $1.7 billion in additional construction investment; last year the fund received 23 applications but could fund only 7.

Discussion Items (Old Business)

• O-225-26 — Detailed District Development Plan for 8803, 8805, and 8807 Old Bardstown Road (approximately 7.02 acres, Case 26DDP0005, as amended): Council Members Reed and Bratcher explained that binding elements removed by the Planning Commission were restored to match the Council's original agreement, minus the developer's requested change. Passed 21-0 (Ordinance 184-2026).
• O-240-26 — Land Development Code amendment regarding road width (Case 25-LDC-0003, as amended): Establishes a minimum road width of 20 feet for new developments, aligned with state guidance (automatically conforming if the state moves to 22 feet). Council Member Piagentini urged future work on the narrower collector roads that subdivisions feed into. Passed 21-0 (Ordinance 185-2026).
• R-116-26 — Local incentives for Cornbread CBD, PBC: Adopted by voice vote. Council Member Raymond noted the company nearly doubled its workforce with average wages around $26 per hour (Resolution 078-2026).
• R-121-26 — LMPD Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program coordinator contract ($100,000 with University Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a UofL Hospital/James Graham Brown Cancer Center): Passed 20-0-1; Council Member Winkler abstained due to his wife's employment at the University of Louisville (Resolution 079-2026).
• R-123-26 — Downtown Management District 2027 Budget and Economic Improvement Plan (amended by substitution): Adopted by voice vote. Council Member Herndon corrected press reports, stating the management district's budget is roughly half of the reported $4.6 million. The amendment was moved by Mulvey-Woolridge, seconded by Bast (Resolution 080-2026).
• RP050526BW — Reappointment of Bill Wright to the Complete Streets Coalition (term expires October 31, 2028 [2027], as amended): Approved by voice vote; Council Member Hudson noted the amendment corrects a technical error in the term date.
• O-254-26 — Fern Creek Fire Protection District hazardous materials response equipment: Floor-amended from $29,000 to $40,865.16, adding $4,115.16 from District 20 (total $9,115.16), $1,500 from District 10 (total $5,000), $2,500 from District 23, $1,500 from District 3, $500 each from Districts 1, 2, 21, and 25, and $250 from District 5. Passed 20-0 (Ordinance 186-2026).
• O-255-26 — $50,000 from District 1 NDF to Louisville Parks and Recreation for District 1 park community events (Algonquin Music Festival; Parkland Day; Pumpkins in the Park; Turkey Day Give-A-Way; Juice Bowl Community Event; Light Up Park DuValle; and Christmas Over District 1): Amended in committee to remove "Parade and" from the Juice Bowl event name. Passed 20-0 (Ordinance 187-2026).
• O-256-26 — Americana Community Center, Inc. FY27 operational costs: Floor-amended from $8,000 to $16,500, adding $2,000 from District 3, $1,000 each from Districts 6, 20, and 23, $500 each from Districts 1, 2, 4, 8, 22, and 24, and $250 each from Districts 16 and 25; Council Member Reno-Weber's $500 (District 8) was submitted by email. Passed 20-0 (Ordinance 188-2026).
• O-257-26 — Louisville Free Public Library Artist-in-Residence Collider Program at the South Central Regional Library: Floor-amended from $6,250 to $12,000, adding $1,000 each from Districts 21 and 22, $750 from District 3, $500 each from Districts 15, 16, 23, and 25, and $250 each from Districts 1, 6, 12, and 14. Passed 20-0 (Ordinance 189-2026).

New Business (First Reading and Committee Assignments)

• Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee: R-126-26 (commemorating October 2, 2026 as Wrongful Conviction Day and urging state compensation for wrongfully convicted Kentuckians); R-127-26 (honoring October 2 as Nonviolent Louisville Day); R-130-26 (authorizing the Mayor to accept up to $2,000,000 from the Community Foundation of Louisville for the Home for Good Initiative).
• Government Oversight/Audit and Appointments Committee: O-265-26 (amending LMCO §32.130 regarding administration of the Policemen's Retirement Fund).
• Labor and Economic Development Committee: R-136-26 (local incentives for MedVantx, Inc. under KRS Chapter 154, Subchapter 32).
• Parks and Sustainability Committee: R-134-26 (supporting Lights Out Louisville and voluntary reductions in unnecessary nighttime lighting during bird migration seasons).
• Planning and Zoning Committee: O-281-26 (zoning of property at 211 South 41st Street, approximately 0.1 acres); O-282-26 (closure of unnamed portions of right-of-way south and southwest of Old Manslick Road, approximately 39,500 square feet).
• Public Safety Committee: O-285-26 (amending LMCO Chapters 97 and 115 to expand roadway safety and cleanliness authority); O-286-26 (amending LMCO §§115.170–115.196 regarding massage facilities).
• Public Works Committee: R-131-26 (authorizing the Mayor to accept up to $2,000,000 from TARC for the Bus Stop Improvements and Pedestrian Access Upgrades Project). Note: the meeting minutes list R-131-26's attachment as "WITHDRAWN 100626," indicating the item was later withdrawn on October 6, 2026, although it was assigned to committee at this meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 21-0; all 24 items adopted as listed above.
• O-225-26 passed 21-0 (Ordinance 184-2026).
• O-240-26 passed 21-0 (Ordinance 185-2026).
• R-116-26 adopted by voice vote (Resolution 078-2026).
• R-121-26 passed 20-0-1, with Winkler abstaining (Resolution 079-2026).
• R-123-26 amended by substitution and adopted by voice vote (Resolution 080-2026).
• RP050526BW (Bill Wright reappointment) approved by voice vote.
• O-254-26 amended to $40,865.16 and passed 20-0 (Ordinance 186-2026).
• O-255-26 passed 20-0 (Ordinance 187-2026).
• O-256-26 amended to $16,500 and passed 20-0 (Ordinance 188-2026).
• O-257-26 amended to $12,000 and passed 20-0 (Ordinance 189-2026).
• 11 New Business items received first reading and were assigned to committees.
• No announcements were made; the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.