August 23rd, 2021
5th District Newsletter
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Hello Neighbors,
Today we learned that the FDA has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine for those 16 and up! While this is an incredibly important step and will hopefully encourage some of our more hesitant neighbors to get their shots, we know that all three available vaccines in the United States are free, safe, and effective against severe illness and hospitalizations from COVID-19.
Starting today, the Lexington Fayette County Health Department will begin to offer the third doses of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people by same-day appointment every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in our Public Health Clinic at 650 Newtown Pike. Call 859-288-2483 to schedule your appointment. The third dose can be received four weeks after receiving your second dose.
Please note this is NOT the booster dose for those who received their second dose 8 months ago. This is a third dose only for immunocompromised people. Those who need the third dose include people who:
- Have been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Have advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Have active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Please continue to mask when gathered in large groups, socially distance, and wash your hands frequently.
At last week's General Government and Social Services Committee meeting, Vice Mayor Steve Kay discussed updating our codes to allow for the naturalization of yards in Fayette County. This update would allow for residents to not be in violation of City codes if they are pursuing, "intentional naturalization, which includes plantings used for food or fiber, for aesthetic purposes, to attract or promote pollinators, to offset and control soil loss or erosion, to promote storm water control or water conservation, or to improve the soil. Naturalization does not include vegetation abandonment which is defined as the lack of premise management. Management activities include but are not limited to site preparation, planting, and maintenance. Naturalized gardens shall not contain plant species that are categorized as a level one threat by the Kentucky Exotic Plant Pest Council."
We have a few items of interest that will be discussed by Council this week. On Tuesday at the Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee meeting, we will receive an update about Councilmember David Kloiber's effort to address abandoned shopping carts in Fayette County and decide next steps.
Tuesday, September 14th at 5:00pm, there will be a public hearing to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units at the Government Center. We will meet in Council Chambers on the second floor to hear directly from residents and members of the Planning Commission. The meeting will be streamed live and will then be available in the City's video archives shortly thereafter. I look forward to seeing you there!
We have completed the three 5th District ARPA meetings as of yesterday. The Mayor will host her fourth and final community discussion tonight at the Northside YMCA, 381 W. Loudon Ave from 6:00-7:30pm. In addition to the ARPA forums, I've also recently joined neighbors in Idle Hour and Castlegate during their neighborhood meetings. If you have any upcoming events that you would like for me to attend, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Take care,
Liz
Upcoming Meetings:
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LEXINGTON COMMUNITY LAND TRUST TOUR
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Earlier this month I joined fellow Councilmembers and community partners on a tour of the Lexington Community Land Trust. This unique approach to affordable housing is a promising model in our efforts to diversify our housing stock.
"A community land trust separates the ownership of buildings from the ownership of the land underneath those buildings. Lexington CLT homeowners own their homes, but the community through the community land trust, retains ownership of the land. Homeowners lease the land from Lexington CLT for a nominal, monthly fee through a renewable 99-year ground lease. As a condition of the ground lease, homeowners agree to certain resale restrictions on their homes in order to protect its ongoing affordability and to preserve it as an affordable housing opportunity for future buyers. The structure of homeownership on a community land trust is a little different, but Lexington CLT homeowners enjoy the same essential benefits of homeownership."
I look forward to continued progress on this project, and deeply appreciate this forward-thinking approach to increasing homeownership in Lexington.
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GET ON BOARD APPLICATIONS DUE
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Since 2004, Get On Board has offered the most comprehensive board service training program available in Kentucky.
Get On Board hosted its inaugural class at United Way of the Bluegrass. Trainees began taking the first steps to become trained, informed and active board members for Central Kentucky nonprofits. Get On Board continues to be an initiative to strengthen the community through the cultivation of a widely diverse pool of candidates for greater nonprofit governing board effectiveness. The program transitioned to an entirely Plantory-run program in 2016.
Beginning on September 20th, a new group of Get On Board participants will meet weekly, on Monday evenings, 6 PM - 8 PM, at Base 110. Over the course of the eight-week session, participants will learn about everything that a nonprofit board member needs to know, ranging from fiduciary responsibilities to how to run an effective meeting. Get on Board is free of charge to those who apply and are chosen by the advisory committee.
So, what's stopping you from taking the next step to growing good in your community? Apply today!
Email questions to Director@Plantory.org. All applications are due by August 28th!
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Mark your calendars! Our friends in the Idle Hour neighborhood will be hosting a community yard sale on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 from 8:00am-2:00pm. Make a day of it by spending time in the park and/or visiting the local restaurants along Richmond Road!
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NATURE HOP SUBMISSIONS DUE 09/03/21
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Nature Hop is back and open for event submissions! Nature Hop promotes getting people outside to enjoy the variety of green spaces found throughout Fayette County and to find new ways to experience these spaces.
The event is designed to:
- Raise awareness of nature in our urban environment
- Encourage Lexington residents and visitors to experience natural spaces in new ways
- Publicize natural areas in Lexington that can serve for passive recreation
Last year’s Nature Hop was strictly virtual and included a variety of unique events, ranging from geocaching, self-guided tours, and a scavenger hunt. With this year’s event allowing for more in person programing, we are looking forward to an ever more robust schedule. However, we need your help to do it. Organizers are currently accepting event submissions on LexingtonKY.gov/NatureHop. The deadline to submit an event is Friday, September 3rd.
The second annual Nature Hop will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021. (The rain date is Sunday, September 26).
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UPCOMING DISPARITY STUDY MEETINGS
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BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) is conducting a disparity study for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). The study will help inform LFUCG’s efforts to encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in its contracting and procurement. BBC, with LFUCG’s support, will be holding virtual community meetings to provide information about the study, answer questions related to the study, and collect testimony about business conditions in the local marketplace. Testimony will be integrated into the disparity study.
Dates to Attend:
Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom https://zoom.us/j/96237285758?pwd=UElXaEJlL0J4WHR5RWFKSTN2THFmdz09
Meeting ID: 962 3728 5758
Friday, August 27, 2021, 10. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Zoom https://zoom.us/j/98349771764?pwd=TGlXb2hZU1pKV05UUDdPYzZjRHBqdz09
Meeting ID: 983 4977 1764
To learn more about the disparity study, visit the website, https://www.lexingtonky.gov/disparitystudy.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WATER QUALITY TESTING
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The City of Lexington invites residents who are interested in our local waterways to participate in water quality testing. The current round of testing will focus on the North Elkhorn Watershed, in the northeast part of Fayette County.
New volunteers are invited to a virtual training on how to collect water samples on Friday, August 27 from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. After volunteers complete their training, they can participate in two sampling events this fall and up to ten sampling events next summer, as their schedules allow. Volunteers must be willing to conduct field visits to streams and stormwater outfalls, test water quality, and collect samples for follow-up laboratory analysis. To RSVP for the training and receive the zoom link, volunteers should email abby.terry@tetratech.com.
Water quality sampling equipment is provided for volunteers by the city. City staff conduct the laboratory analysis of the volunteer-collected samples and are available if volunteers need assistance.
Draft water quality data is shared with volunteers, so they will receive results and feedback on stream conditions as they’re monitoring a specific watershed. This is a great opportunity for Lexington residents who want to explore our community’s creeks up close.
Additional training sessions will be held each spring and fall through 2023 as the sampling program rotates through each of the watersheds of Fayette County. The city coordinates with Kentucky River Watershed Watch to identify potential volunteers and to track volunteer training.
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FINAL CIVICLEX ARPA WORKSHOPS
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The great folks at CivicLex will be hosting their final workshop to engage the public on how to best use funds from the American Recue Plan Act. Click the link below to find out more about the meeting on Wednesday!
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RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC
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The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department will host a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown St. Vaccinations will cost just $5.
All cats and ferrets must be in a carrier, and all dogs must be on leashes. Because of COVID-19, masks are recommended for every person who attends.
In the event of bad weather, the clinic date is subject to change with Sept. 16 set as the rain date. The health department will provide updated information at lfchd.org and on its social media:
www.facebook.com/LFCHD and www.twitter.com/LFCHD.
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BUSINESS OWNERS' ADVISORY BOARD EVENT
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BOAB Enrollment Event for Small Business Owners is Sept. 2nd
If you've ever needed advice or guidance as a business owner and didn't know where to turn, Commerce Lexington Inc. has a valuable, no cost solution for you. Various groups called the Business Owners’ Advisory Boards (BOAB) meet monthly to assist in problem-solving through discussion with other business owners to help in analyzing current or future direction, and also provide an avenue for personal growth. An Enrollment/Informational Event for joining the groups will be held on September 2nd at AZUR Restaurant & Patio from 3:30-5 pm. For more information on BOAB, click here.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN TO BUSINESS OWNERS ONLY.
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LEXINGTON HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER GOLF SCRAMBLE
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Lexington offers a vibrant street art scene with more than 50 murals around town! Find your favorite by stopping in at the Lexington Visitor Center to pick up our Mural Challenge. While you're here, don't forget to pose with the larger than life mural of Abraham Lincoln located off Vine Street in downtown Lexington.
USA Today recently added Lexington's Lincoln mural to their 20 Best Murals Across the US.
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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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