July 12th, 2021
5th District Newsletter
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Hello Neighbors,
Council is currently on Summer Recess from formal meetings until August 10th. However, my aide and I remain available to you and your neighbors should you need to contact us! I hope that you all had an enjoyable Fourth of July holiday weekend. The Idle Hour firework show was wonderful; it was great to see community able to come together to celebrate.
I have received emails from residents about excessive personal firework use in neighborhoods across the city. As a reminder, "if it goes up or blows up, it is illegal in Fayette County." Pets, seniors, wildlife, and others can become distressed by the loud noises of fireworks, and explosive fireworks lead to many injuries across the United States every year. Learn more about the City's firework rules here. While we are all excited to be able to celebrate together again, let us remain mindful of those around us who may be affected negatively by the loud noise.
Last week, the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilmembers held a press conference to discuss public input for the allocation of $120 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds that Lexington will be receiving. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in bold and transformative projects in our community. We need your input! My colleagues and I want to ensure that we are hearing directly from Fayette County residents about how these funds should be used moving forward. You can complete the on-line survey between July 8 and August 27.
The Mayor and Councilmembers will also be hosting neighborhood meetings in the coming weeks and months to further engage residents in this important discussion. I will update you all once we have meetings for District 5. You can read more about the public input process we are following in the newsletter below.
Take care,
Liz
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The week of June 28th, I gathered with City officials and residents at two neighborhood meetings.
On the 28th, we met neighbors and business owners at Bluegrass Baptist Church on East Louden from Royal, Shelby, Byars, and Hillcrest Avenues and Highland Drive. Lieutenant Jeff Jackson from LPD and Director of Code Enforcement Cash Olszowy were there to answer questions and provide advice to those at the meeting. Neighbors expressed their concern for the recent uptick in violence near Winchester Road and other long-standing issues.
On the 30th, Trinity Baptist Church opened their doors to residents from Strader Drive, Wyatt Parkway, Henry Clay Boulevard, and other surrounding areas. Ken Armstrong--the Commissioner of Public Safety, Cash Olszowy--Director of Code Enforcement, Chris Cooperrider--Deputy Directory of Parks and Rec, Officers Stack and Sutton and Sergeant Steele from LPD were there to assist in answering resident questions. There was wonderful engagement from those who showed up to the meeting, and we had robust conversations about how to move forward on many issues.
I deeply appreciate the neighbors, City officials, and Lexington Police Department for coming together to discuss the issues affecting our community.
One important discussion from both meetings was the benefits of having an active neighborhood association. These organizations allow for more consistent communication to and from the City and offers a space to tackle neighborhood issues in a democratic fashion. My office is currently assisting neighbors begin the process of forming their own association. If your neighborhood could benefit from an association, please reach out! We are glad to be of help in the process.
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KENWICK COMMUNITY CENTER IS OPEN!
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The Kenwick Community Center opened its doors to the community on Tuesday, July 6th. The Center will now be open Monday through Friday from 1:00pm-6:00pm. I know Supervisor Stephanie Bowling and others from Parks and Rec are looking forward to seeing the return of some familiar faces!
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LEXINGTON WORKFORCE CENTER
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Lexington’s new workforce resource center, opened its doors in the East End Neighborhood, with the goal of opening the door to employment to anyone looking for work.
As the program grows, WORK-Lexington we hope to expand to other neighborhoods. WORK-Lexington Partners include the Urban League, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, United Way of the Bluegrass, Opportunity for Work & Learning, the Kentucky Career Center, Jubilee Jobs, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Lexington Rescue Mission, and Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.
In conjunction with WORK-Lexington, the United Way of the Bluegrass is opening one of its new neighborhood WayPoint Centers inside Charles Young, a resource to help improve financial stability and address the complex challenge of improving economic mobility, overall wellness, and opportunity for underserved families.
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MAYOR LOOKS TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR HELP
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Mayor Linda Gorton asked the Urban County Council to approve a contract with Cities United to work with Lexington to develop a plan to reduce the number of homicides and shootings.
“Cities United has 130 partner communities across the country that are working together to create safe, healthy and hopeful communities,” Gorton said. “The plans are tailored to the needs of the individual cities, while also benefitting from the lessons other cities have learned. This is a national challenge that is growing. Cities United gives us the opportunity to learn more about the nation’s best practices, and frame them to fit Lexington.”
In working with Cities United, the City is focused on issues raised by the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality, among other concerns. “The Commission’s recommendations are always a touchstone we return to as we seek to improve our City,” Gorton said.
Devine Carama, Director of One Lexington, will lead the team working with Cities United. The team includes the criminal justice community, social workers, mental health professionals, the faith community and youth advocates. “The word for this season in our nation and local communities is collaboration,” Carama said. “We get so much more done when we work together! Cities United brings a big picture focus on nationally vetted practices toward making communities safer and more equitable. When you combine the work ethic and passion of our local organizations working on the frontlines every day with the expertise of a national organization like Cities United, I believe we can do some very amazing things.”
Gorton said the City’s other youth violence prevention and intervention programs, including One Lexington and Safety Net, will continue. “We’ve made progress with these programs, but it’s clear we need to do more,” she said. “We have lost too many young lives to this violence.”
The $100,000 contract will be funded through the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.
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KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ALERT
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From the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife:
"In late May 2021, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. Wildlife agencies in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia have reported similar problems.
State wildlife agencies are working with diagnostic laboratories to investigate the cause of mortality. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has sent more than 20 samples for lab testing to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia. More results are pending, but no definitive cause of death has been identified at this time.
In Kentucky, reports of sick and dying birds have come from Jefferson, Kenton and Boone counties. Thus far, species affected have been blue jays, common grackles and European starlings, but other species may be affected as well.
Birds congregating at feeders and baths can transmit disease to one another. Therefore, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife recommends the public follow these guidelines:
In Jefferson, Boone and Kenton Counties:
- Cease feeding birds until further notice (when this issue has been resolved);
Statewide:
- Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10 percent bleach solution immediately, then weekly thereafter;
- Avoid handling birds, but wear disposable gloves if handling is necessary; and
- Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution."
Report encounters with sick or dead birds to the Department here!
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STATE CAPITOL OPEN TO PUBLIC
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The Kentucky State Capitol and Capitol Annex opened to the public on July 1st, 2021. You can learn more and download a copy of walking tours here!
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BRIDGE CLOSURE
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The MLK bridge will be closed starting Monday, July 12 to allow for steel armored edge repairs. The sidewalk will remain open. Work is expected to last four days.
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT COMMUNITY INPUT
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Lexington has once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in the $120 million the City is receiving from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act. Mayor Linda Gorton, Vice Mayor Steve Kay and the members of the Urban County Council are determined to make the most of it, starting with looking to the community to provide ideas on how the funds are used.
“The Council and administration have worked together for weeks, crafting a transparent process that starts with extensive public input through an on-line survey, public meetings and appearances at neighborhood gatherings,” Gorton said. The Mayor and Vice Mayor led a news conference today with most councilmembers also in attendance.
Kay said the Mayor and Councilmembers want a process that produces the full range of possible projects. “We expect many worthwhile projects to be proposed. We want to be able to compare and evaluate those ideas,” Kay said. “We are looking for projects that are transformative and sustainable.”
Gorton praised the process of the Council and her administration working together. “There are plenty of cities where this kind of cooperation doesn’t exist in government,” Gorton said. “But that’s not how we do things in Lexington. We work together, and start by asking the people who live here.”
The on-line survey will be available between July 8 and August 27. Councilmembers will hold community meetings and distribute paper surveys.
The Mayor plans to hold public hearings and town halls during the weeks of July 26, August 2 and August 9. There will be additional opportunities for public input as the decision-making process moves forward.
To inform the community, and to focus the community conversation, the Council and Mayor have worked together on a description of categories for possible projects and set of priorities and principles for funding. These are posted on the City’s American Rescue Plan Act website.
- Top priority are projects that would have a direct impact on vulnerable populations, and projects that would help people most severely affected by the pandemic.
- Next, projects that are budget-related, produce savings or increased revenue, and are one-time projects that have no ongoing costs.
- Finally, listed as additional principles are projects that lead to economic opportunity, projects that have an impact on physical infrastructure, and projects that have an impact on social infrastructure.
All projects would also have to meet federal requirements.
Residents who have a project they would like to submit for consideration can enter them here.
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SEWER CLEANINGS AND INSPECTIONS
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Residents on the streets listed below may see vehicles, work crews, and small equipment. Work crews will be wearing reflective vests and appropriate identification. Work will be conducted from July 5th-17th.
East Hickman 4: Council Districts 5, 6 , 7 and 8
- Barren River Ct
- Brookewind Way
- Buckhorn Dr
- Cool Water Ct
- Cool Water Dr
- Dale Hollow Dr
- Deaton Pl
- El Paseo Pl
- Elk Lake Ct
- Elk Lake Dr
- Ellemoor Ct
- Ellemoor Ln
- Eureka Springs Dr
- Greenbo Rd
- Hidden Point Dr
- Man O War Blvd
- Otter Creek Dr
- Packanack Ct
- Pebble Lake Dr
- Richmond Rd
- Roundtable Way
- Shoal Lake Dr
- Squires Cir
- Squires Rd
- Winter Park Ct
- Winter Park Dr
Learn more here!
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Keeneland is excited to welcome fans back for the 2021 Fall Meet, to be held at full capacity. The Fall Meet runs Oct. 8-30, with no racing on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at
9 a.m. EST Monday, Aug. 16.
Fans are strongly encouraged to visit tickets.keeneland.com in advance for information on available ticket options, pricing and the process to purchase.
Keeneland offers two reservation options for large groups:
Group Reservations: For parties of 24 to 200 people, you may request reservations in the public dining rooms and in the Grandstand. Requests will be accepted beginning Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. and will close Aug. 4 at 4 p.m. EST
Private Reservations: For groups wishing to rent a private space for a party during a race day at Keeneland, you may take part in the random selection process. Requests will be accepted beginning Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. and will close Aug. 4 at 4 p.m EST.
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COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL ACADEMY
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Applications are being accepted for Lexington’s 2021-22 Community Environmental Academy (CEA). Topics covered include water quality, wastewater treatment, urban forestry, transportation, waste management and more.
Participants get an insider’s view of the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works through a series of talks, tours and hands-on learning experiences. These sessions will be held over five Saturdays from August through November.
After November, participants work together to develop and execute projects related to academy topics. Projects must be completed by the end of May 2022.
Past CEA projects include:
- Native landscaping to address stormwater problems at McConnell Springs
- The Go See Trees program, highlighting local trees
- And, Stitch It, Don’t Pitch It, which promotes reusable alternatives to single-use items
Applications are open through Friday, August 6.
Find more details, including the full schedule and application at LexingtonKY.gov/CEA.
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LEXINGTON RESTAURANT WEEK 2021
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It's the best time of year to go out on the town! Lexington Restaurant Week (July 22nd-August 1st) is back and over thirty homegrown restaurants are putting their culinary artistry on the line for all of us locals (and visitors!) to gobble up. Multi-course specials at $39, $29 and $19 make it appetizing for everyone. It's high time we show these chefs, servers and owners how much Lexington loves and appreciates our local dining scene. The 5th District's Pasta Garage will be participating!
Big thanks to two of LexArts' most loyal, Maker's Mark and Central Bank, for serving up this culinary celebration! Two bucks from every meal served will help bring the arts back in full bloom. WIN/WIN! Make your rezzies today...these hot spots are going like hotcakes!
Find out more here.
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TOYOTA DONATES VEHICLES TO KCTCS AUTO TECH PROGRAM
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From the Lane Report:
"Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky donated 32 cars for automotive technology programs to 11 of the colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
Types of vehicles donated include Camry, Avalon and Lexus and range from 2018-2021 models including several hybrids. These vehicles provide KCTCS students the opportunity to learn the latest technology in the automotive world. Many of the colleges would not have been able to purchase vehicles as frequently as needed to keep up with technology, so Toyota’s donations ensure KCTCS students are at the forefront in the automotive field.
The automotive technology program provides students with knowledge in troubleshooting, performing preventative maintenance, servicing and repairing automobiles. The program prepares graduates for entry-level service technician jobs in the auto repair industry."
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If you or someone you know needs rental or utility assistance due to lost income from the COVID-19 crisis, please apply here. Approved applicants will be eligible for 100% of past-due rent, dating back to April of 2020, and up to three months of future payments. These funds are also available to landlords.
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LFUCG BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES
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Joining a board or commission is a great way to have your voices heard on local issues that matter to you. If you're looking for a way to give back and help to shape the direction of Lexington's future, I encourage you to review this list and apply! You'll find the current list of vacancies for the City's boards and commissions, application deadlines/requirements, and meeting schedules.
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Learn more about all current job openings here!
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