Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee

Agenda

1. Call to Order

   Chair Shanklin called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call

   Chair Shanklin introduced the committee members and non-committee members present. A quorum was established. Note: All committee members and non-committee members present attended virtually, except for Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong and Committee Member Triplett, who attended in Chambers.

3. Special Discussion
4. 1. "Update of Vacant Property Institute" - Laura Grabowski (Director, Vacant and Abandoned Properties)
   Discussion Item

   Laura Grabowski, Vacant and Abandoned Properties, gave a presentation. The following spoke to this item: - Chair Shanklin - Committee Member Bowens - Committee Member Parker - Council Member Purvis - Committee Member Triplett The following was discussed: - Questions were asked regarding how Codes and Regulations can be more involved -- Vacant and Abandoned properties has been working collaboratively with other Metro Government agencies over the last two years -- specifically the Blighted Property Action Team, consisting of Codes and Regulations, Office of Management and Budget, Historic Preservation, and the Jefferson County Attorney's Office, meet once a month to discuss various issues - Examples of vacant and/or abandoned properties were shared - The goal of the Vacant Property Institute is to get the vacant and/or abandoned properties in compliance with the updated Codes and Regulations policies - Questions were asked regarding why the city cannot seize a vacant and/or abandoned property if the property is abandoned for years -- Louisville does not have the power to just take ownership of a property, leans and back taxes owed are used to move the abandoned property into foreclosure -- this is done approximately 200 times per year - Questions were asked regarding whether there are requirements for the buyers to purchase the vacant and/or abandoned properties -- as well as for any property owner, the requirements to purchase these properties is to keep the properties in compliance with Codes and Regulations -- examples were provided - Concerns were expressed regarding out-of-state buyers of these properties - Questions were asked regarding whether the Landbank Authority works with Develop Louisville -- the Office of Housing and Community Development is one of Develop Louisville's offices -- other examples were provided - A low interest loan similar to Metco is in the process of being developed for smaller developers who want to purchase from the Landbank Authority in order to create home ownership opportunities - Clarification was asked regarding the reason as to why Louisville does not have the power to just take ownership of a property -- clarification was provided - Concerns were expressed regarding the number of vacant and abandoned properties located in Louisville's West End - Questions were asked regarding whether the topic of gentrification was discussed at the Vacant Property Institute -- gentrification is a big concern and the reason why equity was such a large focus of the Vacant Property Institute -- examples were provided - Questions were asked regarding whether there is a mechanism set in place to help the owners of the vacant or abandoned property to hand over said property -- the Landbank Authority accepts donations of properties approximately 25-30 properties a year -- the Office of Management and Budget runs an application based program where property owners can apply for house leans to be waived - Questions were asked regarding why the Mayor is not putting money into the Churchill Downs area as it is the largest tourist attraction and hosts the event of the year

5. Pending Legislation
6. 2. AN ORDINANCE CREATING CHAPTER 167 OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT CODE OF ORDINANCES REQUIRING PROPERTY OWNERS TO REMEDY LEAD HAZARDS LEAD ABATEMENT OF IN ALL RENTAL HOUSING UNITS IN LOUISVILLE METRO. (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION)(AS AMENDED)
   Ordinance
   Action: held

   This item remained held in committee.

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8. 3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 156 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE REDUCTION OF FINES AND COSTS FOR OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTIES.
   Ordinance

   A motion was made by Committee Member Triplett, seconded by Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. The following spoke to this item: - Chair Shanklin - Council Member Purvis - Robbie Howard, Jefferson County Attorney's Office - Robert Kirchdorfer, Codes and Regulations The following was discussed: - The reason for this Ordinance is to better help secure generational wealth -- examples were provided - Anyone 65 years and older or individuals that are eligible for the Homestead exemption should be entitled to a 50 percent amnesty and an affordable payment plan - Clarification was asked regarding whether anyone that is 65 years or older is eligible to the Homestead exemption regardless - the Homestead exemption relates to property taxes and this Ordinance relates to Code Enforcement fines and lean exemptions -- therefore the Homestead exemption would not apply to this Ordinance - Questions were asked regarding whether Codes and Regulations would be the agencies to work with regarding this Ordinance -- Codes and Regulations' main focus is compliance and after that step once the lean has been filed, another agencies handles the fines for Codes and Regulations - It is recommended that the Office of Equity and other agencies involved review this Ordinance

9. Adjournment

   Without objection, Chair Shanklin adjourned the meeting at 2:35 p.m.

10. Note: Items sent to the Consent Calendar or Old Business will be heard before the full Council at the Metro Council meeting on May 19, 2022.
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12. Clerk(s)

    Olivia Bennett, Assistant Clerk Sonya Harward, Clerk

13. Support Staff

    Robbie Howard, Jefferson County Attorney's Office

14. Non-Committee Member(s)

    Council Member Donna Purvis (D-5)

15. 3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 156 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE REDUCTION OF FINES AND COSTS FOR OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTIES.
    Ordinance
    Action: tabled Passed

    A motion was made by Vice Chair Chambers Armstrong, seconded by Committee Member Triplett, that this Ordinance be tabled. The motion to table carried by a voice vote.