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July 26th, 2021

5th District Newsletter 

Hello Neighbors,

While the Council is still on Summer Recess from formal Council meetings until August, my office has been hard at work. Please continue to reach out to myself or Layton if you or your neighbors have any questions or concerns. 

As many of you may have seen reported in the news, there was a large structure fire at rink 2 of the 5th District's Lexington Ice Center. Our heroic fire department worked valiantly to extinguish the flames and avoid a total loss. Our friends at Central Kentucky Hockey Association are raising funds to help replace many items lost in the fire. Their programming has impacted many youth and families over the last decade, and the community has already showed an incredible level of support to help get them back on the ice! You can read more and donate to their GoFundMe further on in the newsletter. 

In COVID-19 news, it is important that we all get vaccinated if we are able. With rates continuing to rise in Fayette County and across the country (largely due to the Delta variant), we are all at increased risk of becoming infected or infecting others unknowingly. While there are not formal mask mandates in place, even fully vaccinated individuals should consider masking up when in crowded areas. The vaccines are proven to be effective against the current variants, and will likely keep us from getting severely ill. However, no vaccine is 100% effective, and even those who are fully inoculated can still contract the virus. If you are experiencing any kind of symptoms, please get tested to help protect yourself and others. We must continue to encourage our friends and loved ones to get their free, safe, and effective "shots of hope." As always, COVID-19 resources can be found near the end of the newsletter. 

My office is working to identify dates and locations for community conversations about American Rescue Plan Act dollars, and we will update you as soon as those plans have been made. I encourage you to complete the online survey for the City's use of these funds if you haven't already!


While I am enjoying spending more time with my family and loved ones, I look forward to getting back to Council meetings soon. Stay well and stay engaged!  


Take care,
Liz

               
 
CENTRAL KENTUCKY HOCKEY ASSOCATION SEEKING DONATIONS
On Monday, July 19th a large fire consumed Rink 2 of the Lexington Ice Center; a second home to the hundreds of youth players and families Central Kentucky Hockey Association serves through various programs. This was the primary rink for practices, games and tournaments for the last 10 years.

Our friends at CKHA have already surpassed their initial goal of $20,000 to help begin replacing equipment and other valuable items lost in the fire and to get their programing back on the ground. Any funds raised in excess of the $20,000 goal will go toward the additional costs incurred because of the fire, such as an on-site storage unit, replacement of larger items for the future, and additional ice costs should we need to purchase ice at other rinks for games and for the difference in rental cost between Rink 2 and Rink 1. If you’re able,
please consider donating here!

A huge thank you to the Lexington Fire Department for their valiant efforts to subdue the flames on Monday. Our community is blessed to have such heroic public servants that put it all on the line to keep us safe.
FIRE DEPARTMENT RIDE ALONG
Last week I joined Fire Chief Jason Wells for a day of hands-on learning about the Lexington Fire Department! I got to meet some of the incredible men and women who work hard every day to keep us safe. Chief Wells gave me an overview of the different areas of the fire department. We discussed EMS, training, fire inspection, paramedicine, IT, and more. We visited multiple fire stations and reviewed the specialty programs that LFD runs, including: community outreach, grants, and their training facilities.

Our city is truly blessed to have such dedicated public servants working to protect our city and remain on the cutting-edge of fire safety!
PARTNERS FOR YOUTH "I DO" PROGRAMMING--SUMMER 2021
Partners for Youth's Summer 2021 "I DO" summer program list is here


This list features are over 50 positive programs for youth and their families.  We are so pleased to see all the programs and opportunities throughout the city and the community as a whole.  Thanks to all the program leaders for offering all the wonderful opportunities during the Summer!

JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PUBLIC FEEDBACK

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government recently received notification of available funding from the United States Justice Department under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program 2021 Local Solicitation. The JAG program provides local agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where needed. The LFUCG is eligible to receive a formula amount of $153,791.

JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives to provide additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following:

  • Law Enforcement
  • Prosecution and court programs, including indigent defense
  • Prevention and education programs
  • Corrections and Community corrections programs
  • Drug treatment and enforcement programs
  • Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
  • Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)
  • Mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams
Learn more, including LPD's recommended funding priorities, here!
PUBLIC SAFETY JOB FAIR

The Department of Public Safety will be hosting a Public Safety Job Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Police Training Academy located at Bluegrass Community & Technical College Newtown campus, 500 Newtown Pike.

Prospective employees will have the opportunity to meet with City of Lexington hiring representatives from the Lexington Police Dept., the Lexington Fire Dept., Community Corrections, E-911, and Code Enforcement.

Open positions include police officers, firefighters, correction officers, tele-communicators (911 dispatchers, call takers, and supervisors), and code enforcement officers.

Lexington Emergency Management will also be onsite and are looking for volunteer coordinators for emergency response positions such as logistics, planning, finance, and public information. Volunteers assist with coordinating transportation, communications, public works and engineering, healthcare and public health, social services, utilities, agriculture, schools, and multicultural services.

For more information on Public Safety positions, benefits and other career opportunities with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, visit lexingtonky.gov/jobs.

The Lexington-Fayette County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and as such is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay and other aspects of employment.

DR. DEMETRUS LIGGINS ASSUMES ROLE AS FCPS SUPERINTENDENT 

It's an exciting day for FCPS as we welcome our new superintendent, Dr. Demetrus Liggins!

When asked, "Why FCPS?" Dr. Liggins said, "Some amazing things are happening in this district... I am excited about the work that's being done. This community supports the school system and is very much involved in our schools. It seemed like a place where I could really come in and have an impact and continue some of the great work." Welcome, Dr. Liggins!

SOUTH LIMESTONE MILLING AND PAVING

Milling and paving work on South Limestone between Upper Street at Scott Street and Virginia Avenue, began Friday evening, July 23, and will continue through Friday morning, July 30.

Crews will work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. through Friday July 30, weather permitting. No work will be done on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Milling work will be done first and will be followed by paving.

One lane in each direction will remain open at all times.

UPCOMING CIVICLEX ARPA WORKSHOPS

The great folks at CivicLex will be hosting a number of workshops to help residents participate in the decision-making process of how LFUCG will allocate the Federal dollars we will be receiving from the American Recue Plan Act. 

From today's
CivicLex newsletter (if you aren't signed up for their weekly updates, I encourage you to subscribe):

"We're sure that you're tired of hearing about LFUCG's American Rescue Plan Act funds... but we're not gonna stop talking about them for a while! Sorry!

In case you've forgotten, the city is receiving $120M in federal COVID relief funds. Council has released a survey to set some guiding principles for the uses of the funding.

This week, we're launching a new resource on ARPA funds on our website to help residents understand how to get involved and the context of the funds.
 You can visit our new ARPA resource page here.

We're also planning a series of in-person workshops in August to help residents understand the process and purpose of spending these funds.

Register for our workshops here:

You can always take LFUCG's survey here."

BLUEGRASS INTERNATIONAL CUP 2021

Evening in the Gardens & Bluegrass International Cup are annual events benefiting the Fayette Alliance Foundation and the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation. More than 600 people attend these benefits to support our world-class city, farms, and healthcare in Lexington, KY.

Tickets for the Bluegrass International Cup are now available at a discounted price during our Flash Sale! Purchase now before prices go up to full price.

This is a rain or shine event. Dress is cocktail casual. Open lounge seating is available to all ticket holders. Tables are only available through event sponsorships. To sponsor, contact Fayette Alliance. Tickets are limited.

SEWER CLEANINGS AND INSPECTIONS

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 26th-31st. 

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
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL ACADEMY 

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.

LEXINGTON RESTAURANT WEEK 2021

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

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ALERT
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!
RENTAL ASSISTANCE

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. 

COVID-19 RESOURCES
LFUCG BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES 
Text of the image reads, "Become a board or commission member."
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.
WE'RE HIRING
Learn more about all current job openings here
5th District Council Office Contact Information:
Councilmember Liz Sheehan, 859-280-8242 (lsheehan@lexingtonky.gov)
Legislative Aide Layton Garlington, 859-280-8258 (lgarlington@lexingtonky.gov)

 
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Councilmember Liz Sheehan · 200 E Main St Ofc 520 · Lexington, KY 40507-1310 · USA

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