Campaign Issues

Issues

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

Statistics:

-Dr. Bill Smock, Director of Emergency Services at University of Louisville Hospital, reports, to date, $12.3 million expended on “firearm related emergencies”.
-56% of the money spent was billed as “indigent care” which is equivalent to a burden of $6.8 million on the taxpayer
-In 2009, the zip code 40211, to date, has the highest number of firearm related injuries
-The “Frequency of Firearm related Injuries” was predominantly Caucasian.
-In 2008, there were “71 murders”, “2,253 aggravated assaults”, and “7,275 burglaries” according to a LMPD Statistics Department report.

Background:

-Jim King has served on the Louisville Metro Council since 2004; working as Budget Chair, Democratic Caucus Chair, and President of the Metro Council. As councilman, he has a long record of fighting crime.
-Jim King has held several town hall meetings where he heard one dominant concern from many citizens of Louisville Metro: public safety and crime.
-Recently, Councilman King had a first hand ride-along with Officer Steve Kelsey of the LMPD where Jim observed and detailed one specific area that needs to be addressed: there is a shortage of Police Officers on the streets. When Officer Kelsey called for backup off Cane Run Road his only support hailed from Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Solutions:

Mayoral Candidate, Jim King’s solutions:

Revitalize Street Crimes Unit

-First, revitalize the “Street Crimes Unit”. Prior to the city merger, this city-wide unit was once proficient at tackling: gangs, robberies, and serious assaults. This unit was highly-mobile and extremely effective. This unit needs at least 25 to 30 Officers to start reducing street crimes.

Restore the Gang Squad

-Secondly, restore the “Gang Squad”. “Violence has plagued our community for many years. Gang violence is on the rise”, Jim stated. This group gathered intelligence on gang activity and membership and then assisted all divisions in identifying suspects and crimes. For example, if witnesses to a homicide could identify the suspect by a tattoo, the “Gang Squad” could have already collected information on the tattoo and its affiliation with gangs, and would effectively assist in locating the suspect. Additionally, this squad would play a major role in criminal syndication cases.

Fully Fund the Metro Narcotics

-Thirdly, bolster and strengthen Metro Narcotics. It would be foolish to deny that illegal drug activity plays a major role in comprehensive criminal activity. We need more Officers, more manpower, and more resources dedicated to the challenge of the disease of illegal drugs plaguing our city.

Invest in Rehabilitative and Support Care Groups

-Lastly, while it is important to hone in on a few initiatives, it is critical to foster a complete appreciation for wider programming like Project One that creates jobs and connects our youth with positive role models. Additionally, our city must increase our awareness and dedicate more resources to rehabilitative groups like The Healing Place, JDAC, and the CARE center because without recovery the vicious cycle of addiction continues.

JIM KING LEADS ON LIBRARIES

Louisvillians deserve a top-notch library system for their community, and while our system has suffered some setbacks we are committed to ensuring the best libraries in the country. It is important that we open access to libraries throughout Louisville Metro. In many areas from the eastern part of our county to the far southwest, our citizens have been deprived of access to adequate library facilities.

With Louisvillians needing greater access to our libraries, but without the necessary resources to provide them, our community and our libraries have needed more support. The Metro Council has spent a great deal of effort to find ways to fund the library plan it approved six years ago, but to no avail. In 2008, as President of the Metro Council, I created a bipartisan group to finance a plan developing our Library Master Plan previously approved by the Library Commission and Metro Council. Unfortunately, the failed tax plan and the current recession have hampered the ability of the current administration to proceed boldly with new library construction. Below I lay out a solution – the creation of a public/ private partnership. By guaranteeing naming rights to private partners, we can provide access to those citizens of our community that have been deprived of library access.

Library Highlights:

* Create a public/ private partnership that will allow naming rights to community leaders in exchange for funding of capital.
* Build four new 10,000 square foot neighborhood branch libraries over the next four years.
* Build the Pleasure Ridge Park/Shively Branch first in southwest Louisville.
* Pay the expected $10,000,000 in construction cost of the new branches with bond anticipation notes (bans) and/or using paygo capital made available from Arena savings less any donation received.
* Issue bonds in four years to retire the bans and begin building a regional library.
* Anticipate savings from Arena payments to increase availability of operating or paygo capital dollars.

The primary beneficiary of new libraries will be suburban Jefferson County areas that were not part of Louisville prior to merger because the old city has many Carnegie type libraries including the main branch.

Because of my partnership with Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin and Mayor Abramson, we made our new Newburg library branch a reality. The new 8300 square foot Newburg neighborhood library is a combination of traditional and contemporary library space and services that I believe should serve as a model for future neighborhood branches of our library. These neighborhood branches would not replace the three proposed regional libraries approved in the Approved Library Master Plan, but as in the case of the Shively branch, one of the new neighborhood libraries would be located between Pleasure Ridge Park and Shively to allow for the replacement of the existing Shively Branch.

The new prototype neighborhood branch is technology based and allows access to traditional library services. The architecture for the new library is centered on “green” building initiatives designed to minimize its operating costs by limiting energy consumption and maintenance costs. Further, its construction costs were only $1.5 million, (or less than $200 per square foot) a cost that if replicated can allow the city to place similar branches in underserved areas in suburban county locations, (where land costs are lower) or in areas where libraries are operated in leased locations.

It is expected that other neighborhood branches will be approximately 10,000 square feet resulting in a construction cost of roughly $2,000,000 each plus land cost. Assuming we build one new neighborhood branch per year over the first four years of a King Administration, our estimated capital cost including land cost is approximately $10,000,000. I would propose to finance the cost of these branches with short term funding such as bond anticipation notes until we have accumulated enough debt to justify an additional bond issue. According to our bond debt capacity model developed by the Metro Council Library Work Group in 2008, our city’s bonding capacity will grow significantly over the next five years, even if it is assumed that Louisville Metro must make the maximum Arena payment and provide the Museum Plaza infrastructure during that period.

In reality, we know the Arena payment will be as much as $5 million less than expected because I was able to renegotiate the Arena Development agreement to reduce the city’s obligation. While we hope Museum Plaza becomes a reality, our bonding commitment on that project remains unfulfilled leaving bonding capacity until the project becomes a reality. With the annual savings we expect to achieve on Arena payments we can afford to pay for the construction of one of these prototype libraries each year in the next four years.

Regardless of the source of funding for the new neighborhood branches, my proposal to build new libraries involves the use of public/private partnership where the cost of construction can be split between public dollars and private dollars. For example: community leaders, foundations, and corporate interests can be asked to share the construction cost of the new branches in exchange for benefits like naming rights, community recognition, equipment sponsorship, etc. After discussions with several community leaders, I have been encouraged with their commitment of working with my administration to donate at least half the cost of a neighborhood library for naming rights.

While the city’s capacity to finance the cost of new libraries can be debated, no one can debate the importance of controlling operating expenses. The cost to operate the Newburg branch is approximately $300,000 per year, an amount that can be added easily to future city budgets if we build one new neighborhood branch library per year. In the case of the Shively library, much of the annual operating costs are already being incurred and we can have a new green/technology based branch for just the cost of construction.

Ultimately, as my first Mayoral term ends in 2015, we will have built four new neighborhood branches and be in a position to build three regional libraries after the city’s bonding capacity grows significantly.

JIM KING PROTECTS AND PRESERVES OUR PARKS

Louisville has a tradition of great public parks. Frederic Law Olmsted and his firm designed many of Louisville’s parks and of course, our beautiful and unique Parkway system, managed by our Parks Department, is the envy of many cities in the US. The Parkways and the Olmsted Parks are economic engines that create desirable sites for many of Louisville’s finest homes and allow families and friends to gather near their homes in the open spaces of Cherokee, Iroquois and Shawnee Parks. Today, Olmsted Parks maintain their tree-lined beauty and provide essential transportation corridors; however, some of these parks lack adequate funding and are subjected to vandalism on a regular basis.

Below is my specific plan to address the many and complex issues that face our parks system. As Louisvillians, we love our parks and as the next Mayor of Louisville, I am committed to maintaining a safe and fully functioning parks environment.

Parks Highlights:

* Complete Riverview Park Activity and Event Areas by appropriating at least $2.5 million per year for four years.
* Restore funding for parks maintenance to adequate levels.
* Provide administrative assistance to 21st Century Parks and fund road improvements and other infrastructure needs.
* My commitment to Louisville families is to care for the parks we currently have before any additional general fund dollars are used to acquire park lands.
* Implement the use of a Park Rangers program.

Riverview Park:

Most of us are familiar with the progress made over the last decade in the development of Waterfront Park, but many are not aware of the jewel of Southwest Jefferson County: Riverview Park. For too long, completion of the Riverview Park master has been a low priority. In 2009, as budget chair, I was able to provide leadership in securing $700,000 in additional funding for this treasure in Southwest Louisville. Combined with $900,000 previously appropriated to Riverview, and a $300,000 match donation from the Jones Family, significant progress can now be made on the play area: the modified boat ramp and bank stabilization. The estimated cost of the entire master plan for Riverview is $33,000,000 including viewing areas, sports fields, an amphitheater, shelters, restrooms, etc. This important park improvement project deserves to be funded if for no other reason than Southwest Jefferson County has been neglected for long enough. Fortunately, the Waterfront Development Corporation oversees the Riverview Park. Now that we are finally moving in a meaningful way, we must make Riverview a high priority and keep it there until we finish it. The completion of Riverview Park will be a top priority in a King Administration. We would anticipate funding at least $10,000,000 over four years to Riverview to complete the Activity and Event Areas with a view toward accessing State, Federal and private partnership opportunities to complete the remainder of the project under a King administration.

Park Maintenance:

Louisville Metro is blessed with many beautiful parks and urban forests that are not Olmsted-designed but that provide significant recreational, environmental and community benefits, including the Jefferson Memorial Forest and the Floyds Fork Greenway. Unfortunately, many of these parks also suffer from inadequate maintenance funding. Budget cuts have taken their toll. Our city is fortunate that the Olmsted Conservancy Foundation is helping maintain our historic Olmsted Parks. Without their financial assistance, proper maintenance of these historic parks would certainly have suffered, given the severe budget cuts over the past few years.

As budgets have tightened over the last several years, we have used general fund money for park land acquisitions while cutting the parks maintenance budgets and leaving many park improvement projects unfinished. This upside down thinking and the use of general fund dollars to acquire park lands should be discontinued. My commitment to Louisville families is to care for the parks we currently have before any additional general fund dollars are used to acquire park lands.

21st Century Parks:

Under the leadership of the David Jones family and the 21st Century Parks Foundation, Metro Louisville will soon add a massive ring of parks and multi-use paths (pedestrian and bicycle) on its eastern border. The 21st Century Parks Project will contain nodes for public access providing developers with opportunities for home construction. With appropriate public support of infrastructure, the developments that will occur around the 21st Century Parks will no doubt become economic engines for our city. Louisville Metro has a duty to assist with improving roads and providing utilities and infrastructure where needed to allow for planned developments near the new ring of parks.

Park Ranger Program:

Keeping our parks safe for our families to enjoy is a top priority. Vandalism and inappropriate conduct in our parks is a chronic problem that deserves attention. It is not possible for our Police Department to provide adequate oversight for our many parks and vandalism has become expensive. Further, in many instances, the conduct in question does not merit a Metro Police officer. As budget dollars permit, consideration should be given to employing a staff of rangers that are under the direction of the Director of Parks. Additionally, we could recruit volunteer neighborhood rangers to work with us to help keep our neighborhood parks safe. The cost of this program could likely be funded with savings on vandalism alone.

A COMMITMENT TO LOUISVILLE'S WORKING FAMILIES

1.LOUISVILLE JOBS FOR LOUISVILLE WORKERS

As a Louisvillian all of my life, I understand the importance of ensuring employment for members of our community. It is important to the lifeblood of our community to work towards increasing employment on all economic development projects for our local skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen. I believe that Louisville has a workforce second to none with opportunities for learning trades through apprenticeship programs for our work force through our labor unions. As Councilman, I authored the Fair Labor Standards Ordinance requiring that all new large scale economic development projects in Louisville require at least 75% of employment is given to residents in the Louisville region. As our next Mayor, I will work to provide new jobs for our community residents and continue to advocate for Louisville jobs for Louisville workers.

2.GOVERNMENT WORK SHOULD BE DONE BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES:

I believe in a lean, capable Louisville workforce that is trained to perform services efficiently. I also believe that our public sector employees are a group of proud and hard working professionals determined to provide top notch quality services to our tax payers. Metro Government should reward our employees with opportunities for advancement, a positive work environment and a fair wage, and not second guess their work by contracting with private sector businesses to cut costs. As Councilman, I have worked to deny legislation proposed by other Council members requesting studies of costs for services performed by Metro Government. While I understand that not every government function can be performed by a Metro employee, I stand with our current dedicated workforce and will ensure they are always provided for by Metro Government.

3.INCREASED MINORITY AND WOMEN PARTICIPATION:

Louisville is a melting pot of diversity. I understand that quality work is performed by members of our community that are men and women, black and white, young and old, rich and poor, and educated both through our universities and apprenticeship programs. Opportunities should abound for all of us, and as Mayor, I will work to ensure all workers have a seat at the table to bid on government work. As part of the Fair Labor Standards Ordinance that I authored, a goal of 20% minority participation was included as well as a 5% participation by women. While these are important goals to be included in future economic development, I believe we should work toward breaking the glass ceiling and gender gap in pay and benefits now by encouraging minority and women participation in all Metro Government contracts.

4.SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS:

I know that supporting Community Benefit Agreements (CBA’s) is the right thing to do for our community. Not only do they ensure our working men and women have a seat at the table to negotiate contracts with developers, but they also hold developers accountable to provide a quality work environment. As part of the recent negotiations for the new downtown Arena, I led the effort for a Project Labor Agreement (now known as a CBA) and when vetoed by our current Mayor, I worked to ensure our local labor unions were represented and participated in the negotiations for building the Arena. As our next Mayor, I will always support CBA’s for large scale economic development projects in our region.

5.AMENABLE DISPUTE RESOLUTION:

Metro Government contracts with several labor unions to provide services to our taxpayers. I believe in collective bargaining as the way to negotiate with our labor unions, and while I understand that not every dispute can be resolved amicably at the bargaining table, I believe that it is important to have fair, open and honest discussions on ways we can work together. If and when these discussions break down and we have to agree to disagree, I agree with our labor unions that an independent third party negotiator should be brought in to help find a solution. Not only will this help save time and money by not going through the court process, but it will also ensure that a decision that fairly represents the facts of each case is made. I want to change the culture of labor relations within Metro Government and want to work more closely with our labor unions to find solutions to tough problems together.

6.EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK:

For too long in Metro Government there has been inequity in pay and benefits for our working men and women. We have employees that work side by side doing the same type of work in various departments yet are not paid the same, take breaks and lunches for different lengths of time and are provided with different benefits packages. I believe that a more common sense approach needs to be taken with our labor unions to ensure there is equal pay and benefits for work done for Metro Government. Not only will this help level the playing field for all employees of Metro Government, but it will also provide all employees with the opportunity to have a sense of equity within their departments.

7.BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTH CARE:

I am proud of the fact that all Metro Government employees are provided with an opportunity for health care coverage. And while our health care options and benefits packages are less costly to our employees than most in the private sector, I believe we should still work to find better options for our employees. Health care is a right, not a privilege and to ensure our work force stays healthy and working toward providing quality services to our taxpayers we must continue to keep open the options of finding better quality health care for our employees.

8.AGGRESIVELY PURSUE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY:

Louisville has a wonderful quality of life with minimal costs of living and reasonable costs for businesses and industrial opportunities. I understand that our community will only thrive with strong economic development that provides good paying jobs for our local workers. As a local businessman myself, I know what it takes to operate productively and efficiently, all while providing a good place to work for my employees. I will work to find new economic development opportunities for our community by opening up additional lines of communication with businesses and CEO’s all around the world while keeping our labor leaders actively involved in discussions from day one.

9. ENSURE OUR PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCE IS SUSTAINED:

Our current Metro Government ordinances state that prevailing wages must be paid for all contracts with Metro Government that exceed $250,000. In addition to those requirements, I worked to put that same standard into the Fair Labor Standards Ordinance, but it was vetoed by our current Mayor. In a King Administration, you’ll never have to wonder if our current prevailing wage laws will be changed - they simply will not. Further, I will work to strengthen the Fair Labor Standards Ordinance and decrease the threshold for the ordinance to take effect. I understand that prevailing wages provide a level playing field for all quality workers while ensuring oversight and accountability within our system. I’ll always stand up for the working men and women of this community by supporting our prevailing wage laws.

10. FAIR, OPEN AND HONEST COMMUNICATION:

A prominent theme of my Mayoral campaign has been that all working men and women will have a seat at the table in a King Administration. This is to ensure a proactive discussion on how Metro Government does business takes place. We truly need a change in our labor culture within Metro Government and how we communicate with our working families. That’s why I have committed to holding regular meetings with all labor union members in Louisville – whether you do business with Metro Government on a daily basis or only on rare occasion, I believe that you have the right to communicate with your local elected officials on a regular basis. Only if we start a dialogue on what needs to happen for the betterment of our community can we truly make it a reality.