January 25th, 2021
5th District Newsletter
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Hello Neighbors,
It has been a busy few weeks since the last news letter! The Council has elected Committee Chairs, held our first Work Session and Council Meeting of 2021, and participated in the socially distanced/masked Council Retreat at the 5th District's own Senior Center on Richmond Road. I've been selected to serve on the Environmental Quality and Public Works (EQPW) and General Government and Social Services (GGSS) Committees. I look forward to participating in the important efforts underway.
This week the EQPW Committee met to receive updates from various departments regarding solid waste and recycling, energy improvement, and the EPA Consent Decree. The Corridor's Commission met on 01/21/2021; we received an update about the Richmond Road project (which is moving along smoothly). Outside of formal Council meetings, I've been speaking with residents about neighborhood concerns, providing information, and working towards solutions. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
My Legislative Aide, Layton, has been reaching out to all of the neighborhood associations in the 5th District that are on file with the City. If your neighborhood association's contact information or leadership has changed, and you haven't heard from the office let us know! If you're interested in starting or reviving a neighborhood association feel free to reach out; I am glad to help you begin the process. The 5th District is fortunate to have so many active and engaged residents, and we want to hear from you!
Things to add to your calendar and/or keep an eye out for in the upcoming weeks:
As always, if you have any concerns or issues you'd like to discuss then please reach out to my office. Layton or I would be glad to assist. I hope you all continue to be well, wear your masks, and stay engaged.
Take Care,
Liz
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My family and I joined in the annual MLK Day Freedom March downtown on Monday, January 18th, 2021. In lieu of the usual event after the march, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Committee debuted a documentary film created by Lexington-born filmmaker Joan Brannon titled “Fire and Heart: A Blueprint for Liberation."
From the MLK Holiday Celebration webpage:
"The documentary examines racial justice and healing discourse for Black people in Kentucky. It includes clips from past MLK Lexington celebrations. It invites the voices of activists and community members currently involved in the movement to share their experiences with direct action, protest, and to discuss the need for healing from racial trauma within the Black community."
You can view the documentary and other programming on the Lexington MLK Holiday YouTube channel.
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The Mayor's office has launched a new informational hub about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout effort in Lexington-Fayette County. Please visit this website to find the most up-to-date information on how and where to obtain your COVID-19 vaccination. There is widespread interest from residents in Lexington to get their doses of the vaccine; all levels of government are working diligently to get these "shots of hope" into the arms of everyone as quickly as possible. Until we have the vast majority of people vaccinated it is still important to wear our masks, keep our distance, and wash our hands often.
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COVID Testing Sites Throughout Lexington
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The Mayor’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program will be in service from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., January 28-30 and again from February 4-6 at The Red Mile, 1200 Red Mile Road. The program provides public testing at no cost to the individual. No appointment is necessary.
Testing will continue at several locations across Lexington:
- Free, drive-up testing will be available in the 5th District from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Easter Seals Cardinal Hill, 1900 Richmond Road. No appointment is necessary.
- There is additional 5th District drive-up testing available 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Southland Christian Church, 2349 Richmond Road. No appointment is necessary.
- Testing is also available at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, 500 Newtown Pike. Testing is available 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary.
- Testing is available, with an appointment, at 1350 Bull Lea Road and in the Blue Lot of Kroger Field (enter off Alumni Drive). Free drive-thru testing is available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., seven days a week. Appointments are required and can be made by visiting lexington.wildhealth.com.
(Find a full list of testing sites by visiting https://www.lexingtonky.gov/COVID-19/Drive-Thru-Testing.)
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If you or someone you know cannot get to a COVID testing site, the Lexington Fayette County Health Department can bring a test to you! These test are self-administered; they will be delivered and collected by a health professional from the Health Department. Knowing your status is an important tool in helping to combat this virus!
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Chenault Area Project--Virtual Public Meeting
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Columbia Gas is hosting a public meeting via Zoom on Monday, February 1st, 2021 at 5:00pm in order to further discuss the upcoming project and answer questions that you may have.
Meeting link: https://bit.ly/2KzX1ji
Event password: Chenault2021
Call-in number: US Toll Free 1-866-692-3580
Access code: 179 059 8926
Access via call-in: Call the number listed. When prompted, enter the Access Code followed by “#”. It will ask for an attendee number but you may simply press “#”.
Access video via mobile or desktop: If on mobile, please download the Cisco Webex Meeting application. Enter the meeting link into your browser. Click “Join” on the first screen. If on desktop, after entering the link into your browser, type in your first name (or initial), last name (or initial) and email. Then click “Join Now”. An event screen will pop-up to which you can click “Join Event”.
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Placement of beams for Rail Trail Bridge will impact Man O’ War Blvd.
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"Motorists who drive Man O’ War Boulevard near Hamburg shopping center will encounter minor to major lane closures, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 26, and continuing through early Friday morning, Jan. 28.
The closures, which will be located between Helmsdale Place and Pink Pigeon Parkway, will allow crews to place structural beams for the 280-foot Brighton Rail Trail Bridge onto bridge supports to span across Man O’ War Boulevard.
The schedule and types of closures are:
Tuesday Jan. 26 (during daytime hours):
- Crane setup and staging behind the Liquor Barn.
- Deliveries to the job site will result in intermittent single-lane closures.
Wednesday Jan. 27:
- Bridge beams will be off-loaded and set on the western side of Man O’ War. This will result in single-lane closures for short periods of time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and four short full closures to traffic on the outer loop (north bound) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Thursday Jan. 28 (During evening hours):
- Beginning at 6 p.m., the center lane of Man O’ War will be closed in each direction to move the existing barrier wall and to set up a crane. One lane will remain open in each direction.
- Beginning around 10 p.m. – Man O’ War between Pink Pigeon and Liberty/Todds roads will be completely shut down. Local access to Helmsdale Place and the Brighton Place Shoppes will be available via the Liberty Road entrance. Motorists on Man O’ War heading toward I75 can detour via Liberty Road to Star Shoot Parkway to Pink Pigeon. Detour signage and police will be on site. The goal is to set the bridge beams and reopen Man O’ War before 6 a.m. on Friday Jan. 29."
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Fayette County Public Schools Equity Council Committee Applications Due: Friday, January 29th, 2021
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"The Equity Council Committee monitors and analyzes equity issues, advises the Fayette County Board of Education, and advocates for achievement for all students. We are champions for all children regardless of their background and circumstances, and we represent the equity conscience of the community. […] Nominees must have demonstrated a commitment or contribution to educational excellence and equity, human rights, equal opportunities, and/or seek to create a collaborative learning culture and environment in the schools, district, and community in support of student success for all."
You can find more information and the application form here. Applications for the two open slots on the Committee are due Friday, January 29th, 2021.
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Civic Artist Residency Application Workshop--Tuesday, January 26th 2021 at 6:00pm
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The Civic Artist Residency program is accepting applications until March 26th, 2021. From the program webpage:
"This is the inaugural Civic Artist in Residence program in Kentucky and is a partnership between CivicLex and the City of Lexington. We believe artists of all practices and educational levels are uniquely able to provide new perspectives on solving challenging social and civic issues. In this program, three artists in residence will collaborate with three LFUCG departments (Environmental Quality & Public Works, Finance, & Social Services) to reimagine how they work and engage with the public.
We hope this program will create new approaches for how the city engages with the public."
If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for this program, apply here. CivicLex will be hosting an application workshop on 01/26/2021 at 6:00pm EST to help with the application process. You can RSPV for the workshop here.
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The Lexington Academy of Barbering (located at 1132 Winchester Road, Suite 175--directly behind the Waffle House), is offering free hair cuts Monday through Friday from 8:00am-9:00am and again from 2:00pm-3:00pm. They are still finalizing the timeframe of how long this opportunity will last, so don't wait! While walk-ins are accepted, the great folks at LAB request that you call 859-231-1820 to schedule an appointment.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this wonderful offer of community support, drop by and let them know you were referred by Councilmember Sheehan.
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Job Club is a partnership between The Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Kentucky (UK) Alumni Association and UK Human Resources STEPS Temporary Employment.
From the Job Club Website:
"The purpose of Job Club is to provide a positive environment for motivated job seekers to meet, connect, share and learn. The free group is open to the public and meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9:00–10:15 a.m. Job Club is for you if you are a motivated professional and currently out of work, underemployed or looking to make a career transition. In addition, recruiters and employers are always welcome and introduced to Job Club attendees."
Tomorrow's meeting will look back at last year's economy while sharing economic projections for the coming year. Visit their website to learn more about the upcoming conversations that are currently scheduled until May 25th, access their Resource Packet, and previous Job Club Sessions.
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If you're turning 65 this year or are disabled and have owed/lived in your home since on or before January 1st, 2021 then you likely qualify for the Homestead Exemption! You don't have to wait for your birthday to take advantage of this opportunity. Fayette County Property Value Administrator (PVA) David O'Neill has reminded those who qualify to learn more and apply today. With this exemption, $40,500 will be deducted from the fair cash value assessment of your residence.
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