This week on Sixth & Jeff, we break down the latest from Metro Council, including TARC’s public survey, and the different options on the table to keep buses running. We also discuss Louisville’s new cigar bar law, the latest changes in codes and regs fines, and a promising eviction mediation program.

Plus, the mask ban isn’t going anywhere, the juvenile detention center is set to reopen once state funding comes through, and we recap the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic fatalities in Louisville.

All that and more: tune in!

*Correction: Shannon Floyd is the contact for Eviction Mediation, not Shannon Logan as mentioned in the episode.

Links from today's episode:

TARC Survey and Info

Eviction Mediation PowerPoint

Vision Zero PowerPoint

On this episode of Sixth & Jeff, we mark the five-year anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death and discuss the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in Louisville.

We break down The People’s Consent Decree, a community-driven response to the DOJ’s findings on LMPD and Louisville Metro Government. Activists and advocacy groups are pushing for greater transparency, oversight, and a reallocation of resources toward social services.

Plus, we dive into the latest developments on the controversial 'Neighborhood Meeting' Ordinance and the potential impact of opioid settlement funds.

Don’t miss this deep dive into Louisville’s political landscape and the policies shaping its future.

Articles referenced:

1. Louisville Republicans urge rejection of consent decree, say mayor does not speak for them

2. Louisville mayor to let weaker housing protections become law without signature

3. Louisville NAACP calls for reappointment of inspector general

4. A 'waste' of $700k? Advocates, city clash over court program for homeless people

5. 5 year anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death is March 13

Episode 12: Rental Registry, Lead Registry, and HB173

Metro Council tried to get ahead of Frankfort—but will it be enough?

In this episode, we dive into two ordinances: one that created a rental registry and another that established a lead registry. Council modified these ordinances in an attempt to appease state legislators before they have a chance pass HB173, a bill that would eliminate all registries statewide.

What happened when they hit the council floor? We break it all down in this episode.

Citations for this episode:

1. Louisville Metro Council member pays $10,000 fine for failing to disclose donations

2. A police report, lawsuits and ethics complaints: Pressures mount against councilwoman

3. Former Louisville Metro Council Member and Deputy Mayor deny retaliation

4. Louisville leaders discuss plans to reform LMPD with or without the feds

Show Notes:

This week, we’re diving into the latest from Metro Council, where a debate is heating up over whether neighborhood meetings should be required for changes in occupancy. Plus, good news for some city employees—ABC officers are set to receive a wage increase.

In community updates, Parks & Rec is making a splash with two new pools opening this summer, and by December 2025, every park in the city should have WiFi.

We’ll also break down the controversial contract between LMPD and Sigma Squared—what does it mean for policing bias in Louisville? Here are the links Taylor mentioned in the episode:

• The Founder of Sigma Squared: Roland Fryer, Gives A Talk About Police Bias

• LPM Article About This Contract

• Roland Fryer Wikipedia Article

• Roland Fryer's analysis arguing that there is no police bias, and articles that have debunked, debunked, and debunked it (yes all of those are separate links).
• The contract with the PowerPoint we mentioned.

The Public Safety Committee got an update from the Real Time Crime Center director, including new details on Louisville’s Flock camera program and Taylor and Alena give you a look at the broader concerns around surveillance policing.

And finally, a discussion on zoning and pay day lenders—what’s changing, and what does it mean for the most marginalized in our community?

Tune in for all this and an AI song you didn't ask for!

Our TENTH episode is LIVE! We talk about the first council meeting of the year which covered landmarks, vetoes, and a controversial zoning change. Check it out to learn more about YOUR city's government and celebrate our milestone!

In this episode, we cover the few committee meetings that have happened so far in the new year and discuss the new committee leadership for 2025.

This week, we’re unpacking the (somewhat surprising) Metro Council Organizational Meeting, where Brent Ackerson was elected as Council President.

Next, we dig into the Louisville Metro Police Department’s collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). These contracts shield misconduct and limit accountability, from erasing complaints to protecting officers under investigation. We’ll explain how the secretive negotiation process works and why the River City Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is fighting the DOJ’s Consent Decree, which aims to enforce police reforms.

Finally, we explore the history and impact of zoning laws, from their discriminatory roots to how Louisville’s Land Development Code is shaping the city today. We break down, Euclidean zoning, performance zoning, and form-based zoning, and why zoning reform is overdue in a rapidly evolving society.

In their final meeting of the year, Louisville Metro Council rejected a 500-unit housing complex due to traffic concerns, then they discussed the displacement of a mobile home community—tabled for now as council members seek more financial support for affected residents. Plus, they said farewell to seven outgoing council members, reflecting on their contributions. Tune in for a breakdown of the year's closing session and what it means for Louisville.

This week, Alena and Taylor recap Louisville Metro Council committee discussions ahead of the December 12 meeting. Topics include a Minor Lane rezoning proposal, where public comments highlighted concerns about resident displacement, and the work of the Greater Louisville Food Council in promoting sustainable food systems.

We also explore the ongoing ordinance known as Christopher’s Law, new park permit rules for large events, and the passage of the demolition ordinance, which extends notice requirements for demolitions to three months.

Tune in for all the highlights and how these issues impact Louisville’s future!

🎙️ Sixth & Jeff New Episode Alert!

It was 9PM on a Sunday, we stumbled, and had to edit way more than usual. Note to self, we will never record again at nighttime. Tune in to our latest episode where we hilariously converse through it all - from our not-so-accurate math calculations to granola snack noises, cats meowing, street infrastructure, and housing conversations!

Some corrections - the correct math formula is 12.01 times 2.89 equals 35 beds/acre. Additionally, we mentioned that a white flag notice applies to all shelters, that is incorrect. The White Flag definition only applies to Wayside and Salvation Army shelters.