Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Parks and Sustainability Committee met on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 3:03 PM (adjourned at 3:54 PM) in Council Chambers with virtual participation. Chair Khalil Batshon (R-25) presided over a quorum of five members (Vice Chair Paula McCraney (I-7), Crystal Bast (R-14), Jennifer Chappell (D-15), Betsy Ruhe (D-21)), with Anthony Piagentini (R-19) excused. Non-committee member J.P. Lyninger (D-6) also attended. The committee heard a special presentation from the Office of Sustainability, held one ordinance, and voted to postpone a resolution on bird-safe lighting.
The Office of Sustainability (Jake Medley, Director; Heather Wright, Program Manager; Katie Halpin, Sustainability Analyst) presented an overview of their programs:
Committee members’ positions and questions:
O-108-26: An ordinance to permit foraging of certain plant material in Metro Parks. This item remained held in committee (no action taken).
R-134-26: A resolution supporting Lights Out Louisville and voluntary reductions in unnecessary nighttime lighting during bird migration seasons. Councilman Lyninger, the primary sponsor, spoke in support: he described how light pollution disorients migratory birds and noted the resolution imposes no additional city costs. Councilwoman Chappell, a co-sponsor, added that practices like shielding lights or dimming are effective and promote mindfulness. Chair Batshon expressed concern about turning off lights in parks and public facilities for safety reasons and suggested amendments to clarify non-essential lights. Councilwoman Ruhe noted the strongest effect is from tall office towers. A motion to postpone the resolution (made by Chair Batshon, seconded by Councilwoman Bast) was approved by a voice vote of 3-2 (members in favor: Batshon, Bast, McCraney; opposed: Ruhe, Chappell). The resolution will be amended and reconsidered.
That's separated. And then we're just going to add two ounces of bourbon to a cocktail shaker with ice. And we've got one ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice. And one teaspoon of sugar. And our egg white. Strain this into a glass. And that's all there is to it. Whiskey sour. Just kind of love when we do recipes that are just classics, especially when they came from Louisville. In the case of the hot brown, which one of the things I didn't talk about is uh when you come to Louisville, of course, you want to try one at the Brown Hotel. I mean, that is the classic version, or make one now on your own. There are also about forty other restaurants that we've tracked in Louisville alone that have a version of the hot brown. We call it the hot brown hop. Some do a little bit more traditional, like this version. Then there are some kind of crazy ones like uh hot brown macaroni cheese or a non so brown with seafood, breakfast versions, pizza, all kinds of stuff. Breakfast, I guess, has an egg on top, right? Yeah, I've even seen one as far as New York. Bobby Flay, who is a uh fan of Kentucky's, he loves the horse racing. Uh, he has the pot brown on his uh restaurant Bar American in Manhattan. So it's kind of becoming a Kentucky and American tradition. It really is. Speaking of traditions, I mean, it doesn't get more classic than the whiskey sour. And as you said earlier, we've kind of gotten on to them from this new cocktail round in Louisville. You've made it a great one. And I brought these coupe glasses in particular because they're a little fancy and kind of reminiscent of the opulence at the Brown Hotel. So wanted to send that by Alan. And you were saying, I I know we do in our family, you this is something the hot brown make all year. Thirty seconds, Metro TV. This is the regularly scheduled parks and sustainability committee. We will get started now. It is three oh three PM on Thursday October eighth. Um, I am your chair, uh, Councilman Khalil Batchon, and I am joined in chambers by and with um Councilman Leninger, Councilwoman Jennifer Chapel, Councilwoman Betsy Ruey, uh online. I have Councilwoman Crystal Bass, and I have Councilwoman, my vice chair Paula McCraney, as well as an excused absence for Anthony Piagentini today. Um we have a special discussion, and we're gonna hear one item on the agenda today. This meeting is being held pursuant to KRS six one dot eight two six and council rule five A, read in full. All right, we are gonna start with our special discussion item one, um ID two six dash one four eight seven cool roof and solarization workshop. Um please say your name and information for the record, and we can begin. Thank you. Yes, sir. Uh, thank you, everyone. I'm Jake Medley. I am the director for the mayor's office of sustainability. I'm joined by my colleagues. Want to go ahead and introduce yourselves. Heather Wright, executive administrator. And Katie Helton, sustainability analyst.