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RIVERSIDE, BARNSLEY. MORMON. AND MISTER CHAIR, I WILL ASK YOU. OH, THERE WE GO. WE HAVE
[Call to Order]
[Roll Call]
[1. ID 25-0577 GOALS FOR RIVERSIDE – Carmen Miller, Riverside Board]
THE SLIDES RIGHT THERE. PERFECT. SIR. YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. JOHN HARDESTY, I'M A BOARD MEMBER AT RIVERSIDE, AND ALSO TODAY WE HAVE PATTI LYNN, OUR SITE MANAGER, WITH US. OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CARMEN MILLER. I'M CHAIRPERSON OF RIVERSIDE, BARNSLEY MORMON. I HAVE BEEN A PART OF BARNSLEY MORMON FOR A LONG TIME AND WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE WHO WERE ABLE TO RAISE $1 MILLION TO RECONSTRUCT THE HOUSE AND ALSO BUILD THE VISITOR CENTER. IT WAS A A GROUP OF YOUNG VOLUNTEERS IN OUR AREA, PLUS DAVE ARMSTRONG WAS IMMENSELY HELPFUL WITH US AND ALSO LIBERTY BANK. SO WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND WE OPENED IN 19 OFFICIALLY IN 93. WE THINK OF RIVERSIDE AS THE JEWEL OF SOUTHWEST JEFFERSON COUNTY. THERE'S STILL SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN THERE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF RIVERSIDE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SHARE WITH YOU THE STORY OF RIVERSIDE TODAY. AND WE HAVE A SLIDE PRESENTATION, AND WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS. AND I THINK AFTER YOU VIEW OUR SLIDE SHOW THAT YOU WILL SEE ALL THE POSSIBILITIES THAT RIVERSIDE HAS SITTING AT OUR DOORSTEP.THANK YOU. OKAY. DO WE WANT TO START NOW? YEAH. OKAY. ALRIGHT. RIVERSIDE IS LOCATED ON THE OHIO RIVER IN SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE. IT IS APPROXIMATELY THREE ACRE, 300 ACRE PARK IN THE LOUISVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM, WITH ALMOST TWO MILES OF RIVERFRONT. THE PROJECT TO TURN THIS INTO A HISTORIC SITE STARTED IN THE LATE 1980S, WHEN A GROUP OF CITIZENS BECAME INTERESTED IN RESTORING WHAT WE CALL THE FARNSLEY MORMON HOUSE. WHICH DATES BACK TO 1837 AND, AS YOU CAN SEE, HAD FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR. THEY YOU CAN SEE THE ORIGINAL THE KITCHEN, WHICH HAD BEEN ADDED AND THAT WAS TORN AWAY. AND TODAY WE HAVE A KITCHEN THAT'S NOT ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE. BY OCTOBER OF 1993, THE HOUSE NOW LOOKED LIKE THIS, AND IT OPENED TO THE PUBLIC BY. THE PHOTO IS TAKEN FROM THE INDIANA SIDE OF THE RIVER AND GIVES YOU A A SCENE, A SENSE FOR ITS PROXIMITY TO THE OHIO. THE BEAUTIFUL. AND THERE'S THERE'S OUR KITCHEN THERE. TODAY, THE SITE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YEAR ROUND FOR GUIDED HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS. AND SCHOOL FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS, LIKE OUR POPULAR AND AWARD WINNING BUILDING BLOCKS OF HISTORY FIELD TRIPS. THESE FIELD TRIPS INVOLVE LOTS OF HANDS ON HISTORY EXPERIENCES. LIKE GETTING TO TAKE PART IN THE ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG WITH PROFESSIONAL ARCHEOLOGISTS. AND ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE PAST. WE ALSO HOST A SEASONAL WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET. WE JUST BRUSHED. WE JUST FINISHED UP THE FOURTH SEASON OF THE FARMERS MARKET.
IT HAS ALLOWED US TO SUPPORT SUPPORT SMALL LOCAL FARMERS AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS WHILE GIVING MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ACCESS TO FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD. SINCE BEFORE THE HOUSE EVEN OPENED, WE HAVE HAD A COMMUNITY GARDEN ON SITE. APPROXIMATELY 60 PLOTS ARE
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RENTED TO AREA RESIDENTS TO GROW THEIR OWN GARDENS HERE. OUR BOARD HOSTS AN ANNUAL DERBY KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL EVENT CALLED THE MAYOR'S DERBY BRUNCH ON THE RIVER, WHICH BEGAN 20 YEARS AGO. SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE'S OWN DON G IS THERE. LONGTIME MISTRESS OF CEREMONY FOR THE BRUNCH. IT'S A FUN, FESTIVE COMMUNITY GATHERING AND RAISES SIGNIFICANT FUNDS TO BENEFIT RIVERSIDE. WE HOPE YOU ALL WILL GET INVOLVED IN NEXT YEAR'S BRUNCH. IT'S ALWAYS THE SUNDAY THAT KICKS OFF DERBY WEEK. APRIL 26TH, 2026 IS THE NEXT DATE. WE HOST A NUMBER OF EVENTS TO THE COMMUNITY, LIKE OUR ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL. ONE OF ONE OF THE MUSIC IN THE PARKS FREE SENIOR CONCERTS. USUALLY A HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT EVENT, AND IT DRAWS A BIG CROWD, AS YOU CAN SEE. UNFORTUNATELY, UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ON THE SITE, WE HAVE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO HOLD THE TRICK OR TREAT EVENT AGAIN, BUT IT WILL BE BACK. WE ALSO DO SEASONAL, MONTHLY MUSICAL, COMMUNITY MUSICAL CONCERTS IN A VARIETY OF GENRES. HERE'S THE RON JONES JAZZ QUARTET THIS SUMMER. IT WAS REALLY GREAT AND IT WAS IN OUR NEWLY BUILT PAVILION WHICH ADDED TO IT. HERE ARE HERE ARE A FEW OF THE PERFORMERS THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR SOMEWHERE IN THE HISTORIC CHAPEL, AS YOU CAN SEE THERE. SEVERAL OF THESE CONCERT TAKES PLACE IN THE HISTORIC CHAPEL ON THE PARK PROPERTY. THE CHAPEL OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN 2013 AFTER BEING MOVED TO OUR SITE FROM DIXIE HIGHWAY, AND IT HAS A HISTORIC CONNECTION TO THE PROPERTY. IN ADDITION TO BEING A PUBLIC PROGRAM SPACE, IT IS RENTED FOR WEDDINGS AND OTHER FAMILY GATHERINGS. THIS SUMMER, WE WERE EXCITED TO OPEN A BRAND NEW OPEN AIR PAVILION AFTER OUR OTHER PAVILION WAS DAMAGED BY A FIRE IN 2023. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURE. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE METRO COUNCIL HOLD ITS ANNUAL PICNIC HERE SOMETIME. WE ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN THE FIRST EVER EXPANSION OF THE RIVERSIDE VISITOR CENTER, WHICH IS FIRST OPENED IN 1993, AND THIS IS THE ARCHITECT'S RENDERING OF THE EXTERIOR. HERE'S THE DRAWING OF THE OF THE VIEW FROM THE INSIDE. WE BROKE GROUND ON THIS $2.5 MILLION PROJECT IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. OUR BOARD RAISED 1 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT, AND THE CITY APPROPRIATED 1.5 MILLION. AND THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE BACK IN JULY.HERE'S A VIEW FROM LAST WEEK. CONTRACTORS ARE HOPING TO FINISH UP BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT THERE ARE DELAYS AND WE EXPECT TO BE IT TO BE DONE IN EARLY 2026, FOR SURE. SO THAT'S A BIG OVERVIEW OF WHAT RIVERSIDE, THE FARNSLEY MORMON IS. OUR BOARD IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. LIKE OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING RIVERSIDE'S MISSION AND OPERATION. OUR BOARD SUPPORT THE SITE BY RAISING FUNDS FOR PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. OUR FUNDRAISING CAN INCLUDE THINGS LIKE THE BRUNCH, APPLYING FOR GRANTS, OR GENERATING INCOME FROM CONCESSIONS AND PARKING, ETC. AND ALL THOSE PROCEEDS GO TO RIVERSIDE. WE ALSO EMPLOY A RESIDENT CARETAKER. FOR THE FOR THE END OF THE NEAR THE END OF THE PROPERTY NEAR THE CHAPEL. HE LIVES IN A MOBILE HOME WE OWN AND HAS BEEN PLACED ON SITE
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WITH THE CITY'S PERMISSION. OUR MOU STATES THAT WE SHARE RESPONSIBILITY WITH PARKS FOR PROMOTING THE PROPERTY AND FOR PLANNING FOR ITS FUTURE. TO THAT END, OUR BOARD RECENTLY WORKED WITH THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE TO DO A THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN, AND HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE GOALS. I'LL END WITH A FEW BEAUTIFUL SHOTS OF OUR LOVELY RIVERSIDE, AND WE'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS. ANY ANY QUESTIONS? YES. THANK YOU ALL. APPRECIATE THAT. THANKS, MISS MILLER, FOR BEING HERE. AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND AND YOUR LONG HISTORY OF, OF THE SOUTH END AND WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE. SO THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH A COUPLE QUESTIONS AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYBODY WANTS TO JUMP IN THE QUEUE. AND I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN BASS COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, BUT SHE'S ASKED ME TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS AS WELL.SO SO I'M GOING TO JUST GO AHEAD AND DIVE IN. I'M GOING TO START FIRST WITH THE THE $2.5 MILLION PROJECT THAT YOU JUST TOUCHED ON FOR THE EXPANSION. IT WAS $1 MILLION RAISED BY YOU ALL AND THEN 1.5 BY THE CITY. IS THAT CORRECT? AND THEN YES. WAS THAT FOR THE THE EXPANSION OF THE EXTERIOR, THE THE THE CENTER? OR IS THAT FOR BOTH THE EXPANSION AND THE PAVILION? I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT LAST PART. WHAT WAS THAT EXPANSION FOR THE PAVILION AND THE, THE, THE ADDITION TO THE CENTER OR THE PAVILION WAS PAID FOR BY INSURANCE. OKAY. ALRIGHT. SO THOSE $2.5 MILLION FOR THE FOR THE EXPANSION, IT'S IT'S FOR THE ADDITION TO THE BACK AND A WARMING KITCHEN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAPACITY WILL EXPAND TO 250 PEOPLE INSTEAD OF THE 125 THAT WE HAVE NOW. OKAY. SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO HOST LARGER EVENTS AND HAVE. HOPEFULLY INCREASE OUR CAPACITY TO RAISE MONEY FOR OUR SITE. I DROVE BY THERE THE OTHER DAY, AND IT LOOKED SO FAR AS THE CONSTRUCTION LOOKED SO FAR, SO GOOD AND HOPEFULLY CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT WHEN IT'S COMPLETE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT JOHN IN ADDITION TO THAT, I DID JUST HAVE SOME COMMENTS, MR. CHAIR, ABOUT OUR FUTURE PLANS, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO FINISH YOUR QUESTIONS, I CAN TOUCH ON THOSE AT THE END OR I CAN TOUCH ON THEM. NOW I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH QUESTIONS FIRST IF THAT'S OKAY, BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE MIGHT COME UP AND YOU MAY ANSWER THOSE. THERE'S NO SENSE IN BEING REDUNDANT ON IT CERTAINLY. HOW DOES HOW DOES RIVERSIDE FARMS REPORT THEIR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES TO LOUISVILLE METRO PARKS AND AND THE PUBLIC? PATTY. WE'LL LET PATTY. SO PATTY LYNN, OUR SITE MANAGER, AS OUR SUBJECT MATTER DIRECTOR OR OUR SORRY, OUR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON THINGS LIKE THIS. SHE'S OUR PROGRAM. JUST NAME, NAME AND TITLE, PLEASE FOR THE. OKAY. MY NAME IS PATTY LYNN AND I'M THE HISTORIC SITES MANAGER OF RIVERSIDE, OKAY. AND I AM THE LIAISON TO TO LOUISVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION.
I AM A PARKS EMPLOYEE. AND THEN WHO'S AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITH PARKS, IS ALSO AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE BOARD. AND THEN WE ROUTINELY REPORT, I REPORT TO MASOOD, AND THEN WE SHE AND I BOTH REPORT TO OUR DIRECTOR. OKAY. ARE THERE ANY THIRD PARTY AUDITS OR PUBLIC FACING REPORTS AVAILABLE TO REVIEW? YEAH, YES. I THINK THE BOARD DOES AN ANNUAL COMPILATION REVIEWED BY STEPHENSON LAWSON CPAS, WHICH WE CAN I'M SURE WE CAN MAKE AVAILABLE TO YOU. AND THEN I THINK THEY'VE FOREGONE DOING AN ANNUAL AUDIT DUE TO THE EXPENSE.
BUT PLAN TO DO ONE EVERY 3 OR 4 YEARS. OKAY. CAN WE GET THAT. JUST THE MOST RECENT ONE SENT OVER TO US. YEAH, I'M SURE WE CAN. YEAH. ALRIGHT. WHAT IS THE LONG TERM VISION FOR RIVERSIDE AND HOW DOES IT ALIGN WITH METRO PARK STRATEGIES AND GOALS. SO I THINK AS YOU CAN TELL FROM CHAIRWOMAN MILLER'S PRESENTATION, RIVERSIDE HAS A LOT OF MOMENTUM RIGHT NOW. AND AS SHE MENTIONED, WE'VE ENGAGED RECENTLY IN A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS THAT HAS CULMINATED WITH A NUMBER OF GOALS. SO AREAS WE'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON AND EXPAND RIVERSIDE'S OPERATIONS IN OR IMPROVE, YOU KNOW, AREAS WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE THE OPERATIONS TO
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BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND BETTER ACCOMPLISH RIVERSIDE'S MISSION, WHICH I THINK IS ALIGNED WITH THE PORTION OF METRO'S MISSION THAT WOULD LIKE TO PRESERVE AND EXPAND HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND, YOU KNOW, VALUABLE COMMUNITY SPACES. SO THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT WERE STRENGTHENING AND MAINTAINING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS. SO THAT'S BOTH WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY ON THE THE POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT SIDE. ALSO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT THAT OFTENTIMES USE RIVERSIDE OR THAT HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN SEEING RIVERSIDE SUCCEED AND GROW. PART OF THAT WOULD INCLUDE ENGAGING IN MARKETING INITIATIVES AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS TO SPREAD AWARENESS OF RIVERSIDE. OUTSIDE OF THE THAT THAT AREA OF THE CITY. I DO THINK THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF AWARENESS NOW, EVENTS SUCH AS THE MAYOR'S BRUNCH AND SOME OF THE CONCERT SERIES HAVE HELPED GROW THE AWARENESS OF RIVERSIDE, BUT THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO TO BUILD ON AND THAT WE PLAN TO BUILD ON. ENSURING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT PIECE. THERE'S WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A FEW INITIAL STRATEGIES FOR DOING THAT, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING CONCRETE AT THIS POINT. WE WOULD LIKE TO BETTER INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY INTO THE PROGRAMING FOR THE ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS THE OPERATIONS, WHICH I THINK WILL HELP ACCOMPLISH THE OVERALL GOALS THAT WE HAVE AND BRING IT MORE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY, AND THEN ALSO PLANNING FOR FUTURE STAFFING NEEDS TO SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN GROWTH. SO OF THE HISTORIC PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, YOU'LL FIND THAT RIVERSIDE HAS ONE OF THE SMALLEST FULL TIME STAFFS OF ANY ORGANIZATION, YET STILL DOES A LOT WITH THE RESOURCES AND CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE. BUT IF WE CAN YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE GOAL LONG TERM WOULD BE TO ADD AT LEAST ONE, IF NOT MORE STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP, ESPECIALLY ON THE PROGRAMING SIDE, WHICH I THINK IS AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH THAT WOULD INCLUDE WEDDING RENTAL, YOU KNOW, RENTALS OF THE NEW VISITOR CENTER AND PAVILION FOR WEDDINGS, FAMILY EVENTS, OTHER LARGER EVENTS, AND THEN POTENTIALLY PUTTING ON MORE CONCERTS AND EVENTS LIKE THAT THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY GENERATE MORE REVENUE FOR THE ORGANIZATION. WELL, THAT'S A GREAT SEGUE INTO ONE OF MY QUESTIONS I'VE GOT FOR YOU IS IN REGARDS TO REVENUE FLOW. YOU KNOW, WEDDINGS, RENTALS, EVENTS, WHO INVOICES AND COLLECTS, AND HOW IS THE MONEY SPLIT? WHAT PERCENTAGE STAYS WITH RIVERSIDE, WHAT GOES TO THE METRO? SO I WILL DEFER TO PATTI LYNN ON THAT, AS I THINK SHE WILL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THAT. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO REPEAT THE QUESTION? YEAH, SURE. WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE AND WITH WHO INVOICES AND COLLECTS FOR WEDDINGS, EVENTS AND RENTALS? HOW IS THE MONEY SPLIT PERCENTAGE WISE AND WHAT STAYS WITH RIVERSIDE? WHAT STAYS WITH WHAT GOES TO METRO? OKAY, ACCORDING TO THE EXISTING MOU, 100% OF THE RENTAL INCOME GOES BACK TO THE CITY. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? IT DOES. WHAT IS THE REVENUE NUMBER THAT COMES BACK TO LOUISVILLE METRO IN FROM RIVERSIDE WHEN IT COMES TO. SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS IN A YEAR'S TIME, HOW MUCH ARE YOU COLLECTING IN THOSE RENTALS? AND WHO ARE THEY WRITING THE CHECKS TO, TO? I MEAN, IN MY IT COMES TO THE CITY THROUGH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. SO IF I WAS, I GUESS AN EXAMPLE, IF I'M GOING TO RENT THE FACILITY FOR A WEDDING, WHO DO I MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT. YOU COULD OR YOU COULD MAKE IT OUT TO RIVERSIDE, THE MORMON LANDING, AND IT GOES TO LOUISVILLE METRO. OKAY. AND THEN HOW MANY EVENTS ARE GETTING BOOKED AT RIVERSIDE? AND WHAT IS THE EQUIVALENT VALUE OF THOSE EVENTS IN A YEAR'S TIME? WELL, WE HAVEN'T HAD A NORMAL YEAR FOR A WHILE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE PAVILION FOR TWO YEARS, AND WE HAVE HAD THE VISITOR CENTER SHUT DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND BEFORE THAT WE HAD THE PANDEMIC. SO PRE-PANDEMIC, THERE WERE THERE WERE BUDGETING FOR ABOUT 40 TO $50,000 WORTH OF REVENUE, WHICH AGAIN, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MEET THAT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD THE FACILITIES TO RENT UNTIL RECENTLY. SO NEXT YEAR WHEN WE HAVE NOW WE HAVE THE PAVILION, WHICH WE'RE STARTING TO RENT OUT LIKE GANGBUSTERS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE VISITOR CENTER AND THE CHAPEL AND THE GROUNDS, AND IT'LL BE A WHOLE NEW DAY. WHAT IS YOUR PROJECTIONS FOR THOSE RENTALS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, WHEN THE VISITOR CENTER IS COMPLETE? IN TERMS OF INCOME, INCOME, WE ARE WAITING TO GET THE RECOMMENDED RENTAL FEES APPROVED BY PARKS. AND THEN WE CAN GIVE YOU REAL NUMBERS. OKAY. WHAT SPECIFIC METRO RULES AND[00:20:03]
PRACTICES ARE STOPPING RIVERSIDE FROM OPERATING AS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT? WHAT RULES, WHAT RULES OR WHAT SPECIFIC RULES AND PRACTICES ARE STOPPING RIVERSIDE FROM OPERATING AS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT AND NOT NOT BEING A SUBSIDIARY OF LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT? WHICH IS AND WHY I ASK THAT IS, I THINK IF THE LAST I LOOKED WAS THERE WAS A LINE ITEM FOR $250,000 A YEAR FROM METRO GOING TO RIVERSIDE. WHAT IS THAT? WHAT LINE ITEM DOES THAT COVER IN IN YOUR BUDGET? I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OPERATING BUDGET THAT PARKS PROVIDES THE SITE SO THAT THE STAFF, THE FULL TIME STAFF AND A COUPLE OF SEASONALS ARE PARKS EMPLOYEES. I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. SO IT'S $250,000 TO COVER THE STAFF, THE EMPLOYEES. I THINK IN THIS YEAR IT'S ABOUT 350,000, AND IT INCLUDES SOME OTHER EXPENSES, UTILITIES AND AND THAT SORT OF THING. BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THAT IS, IS LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES. IS THERE A WAY WE CAN GET A BREAKDOWN OF OF THAT AT SOME POINT SENT OVER TO US? SURE, OF WHERE THAT GOES? BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO COMPARE THAT $350,000 TO WHAT REVENUE IS GOING TO BE COMING IN AND MAKING SURE THAT THE THE NUMBERS ARE ADDING UP, BECAUSE THERE'S NO SENSE IN OPERATING AT A LOSS. AND IF YOU CAN OPERATE AT A PROFIT, LET'S LET'S GET YOU TO TO BEING IT'S A GEM. IT'S A GREAT PLACE IN THE CITY THAT IS BEING UNDERUTILIZED. AND IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, I'M GONNA SEE IF ANYBODY HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AND I'M GOING TO KEEP GOING AS OF RIGHT NOW. NO. OKAY. WHICH BOARD SEATS ARE APPOINTED AND BY WHOM AND WHICH ARE ELECTED? WE HAVE FOUR APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR, AND THE OTHERS ARE ELECTED BY THE BOARD. AND IF SOMEONE WANTED TO JOIN THE BOARD, HOW IS THAT? HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? WHAT IS THAT PROCESS? IT'S USUALLY I'M THINKING ABOUT OUR LAST MEMBER WAS I THINK IT WENT THROUGH OUR METRO COUNCIL PERSON. THAT WAS THE WAY. AND OTHER PEOPLE SUBMIT RESUMES AND WE LOOK AT THE RESUMES AND SEE, SEE IF THEY FEEL A PARTICULAR NEED FOR A PLACE ON OUR BOARD. HOW OFTEN DO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS TURN OVER, AND WHAT ARE THE TERMS, THE LINKS AND LIMITS TO BRING IN A NEW SET OF EYES? THE CHAIRMAN IS ELECTED EVERY YEAR AND OUR VICE CHAIR IS ELECTED EVERY FOUR YEARS, I BELIEVE EVERY FOUR YEARS. AND OUR BOARD IS ON A ALTERNATING THREE YEAR TERM. IS THERE ANY TERM LIMITS ON THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR? NO.OKAY. WHAT PROJECTS ARE PLANNED IN THE NEXT 24 MONTHS, AND HOW MUCH FUNDING IS ALREADY ALLOCATED FOR EACH? SO I'LL DEFER TO PATTY FOR ANY OTHERS. BUT THE COMPLETION OF THE PHASE ONE. SO THE VISITOR CENTER PLANS HAVE BEEN BROKEN INTO PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO. PHASE ONE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF VISITOR CENTER ITSELF AND THEN THE KITCHEN. PHASE TWO IS THE OUTDOOR PATIO AND SOME OTHER ADDITIONAL AREAS THAT WOULD BE ADDED TO THE VISITOR CENTER OR RENOVATED. THE MONEY. FOR THAT, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DEFER TO PATTY ON THAT. AND THEN FOR PHASE TWO, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THUS FAR WE DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO BEGIN THAT PHASE, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE EXPLORING AND PLAN TO PURSUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BUT FOR ACTUAL NUMBERS, PATTY, I CAN DEFER TO YOU ON THAT. OR CARMEN, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A NUMBER ON THAT YET, BUT AT OUR OUR LAST ESTIMATE, IT MIGHT BE SOMEWHERE AROUND 4 MILLION. WE ARE CALLING PHASE TWO OUR EDUCATION WING, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE CLASSROOMS THERE SO KIDS WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO COME AND STUDY HISTORY THERE AND BE A PART OF HISTORY. ALSO, WE WANT TO EXPAND, TAKE PART OF THE CARETAKERS APARTMENT AND USE IT FOR MORE STORAGE SPACE.
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AND ALSO WE WANT TO HAVE A RIVER GALLERY FACING THE RIVER. SO IT'S IT'S AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT, BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE THE LOCATION AND THE PLACE TO HAVE IT THERE. THANK YOU. AS FAR AS THE CARETAKER RESIDENCE, HOW IS THAT PAID FOR AND WHO WHO WHO ESTABLISHES? DO YOU PAY THE CARETAKER OR DO THEY JUST LIVE THERE FOR FREE? HOW DOES THAT WORK? CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PROCESS TO ME? YEAH, SO I BELIEVE AND AGAIN, IF I'M WRONG, PATTY CAN CORRECT ME, BUT I BELIEVE HE BASICALLY IS WE WE OWN THE PROPERTY ON WHICH HE LIVES, AND I BELIEVE HIS COMPENSATION IS PRIMARILY PROVIDING THAT RESIDENCE. AND THEN I BELIEVE HE RECEIVES BENEFITS AS WELL. IS THAT CORRECT? YEAH. SO THAT THAT IS THE THE STRUCTURE AT THE CURRENT TIME. IS THAT A COMMON STRUCTURE AMONG OTHER HISTORIC SITES IN IN THE CITY? YES IT IS.YES. YEAH. BUT I'LL LET PATTY CLARIFY. BUT SHE SAID, YEAH, I BELIEVE SHE SAID YES IT IS.
YEAH. THIS WAS MODELED ON WHAT'S BEEN DONE THROUGHOUT THE STATE REALLY THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT A LOT OF STATE PARKS THAT ARE HISTORIC PARKS, THEY HAVE RESIDENT CARETAKERS TO PROVIDE A 24 HOUR PRESENCE FOR SECURITY, TO PROTECT THE RESOURCE. OKAY, PATTY, THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURE OF THE NONPROFIT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PARKS AND THE BEST WAY, AND WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT? IT IS IN, IN EFFECT, A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. AND THERE'S A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT'S IN EXISTENCE. IT'S BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1993. AND AT THE TIME, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THERE WAS AN ACTIVE GROUP OF CITIZENS WHO HAD RAISED THE MONEY AND WORKED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO TO RESTORE THE FARNSLEY MOORMAN HOUSE. AND THEN THE RELATIONSHIP WAS BASED ON THE ONE PRIMARILY THAT EXISTS WITH LOCAL HISTORIC LOCUST GROVE, WHICH WAS ALREADY OWNED BY THE CITY AND OPENED IN 1963. SO THEY HAD AN MOU WITH THE CITY AND THEIR NONPROFIT. SO IT'S A WAY TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY AND RAISE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO TO SUPPORT ALL THE PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AND PRESERVE THE PROPERTY. HOW OFTEN IS THE MOU REVIEWED OR LOOKED AT FOR REFRESHING? FIVE YEARS? IS THAT THE SAME FOR THE BYLAWS AND THE BOARD? I THINK YOU'LL HAVE TO SPEAK TO THAT, BUT I THINK SO, YES. OKAY. HOW DOES THE REVENUE FLOW STACK UP AGAINST SIMILAR PROPERTIES? WE'D HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND PROVIDE THAT FOR YOU, BUT WE CAN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT, PLEASE, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
I'M OUT OF QUESTION. WELL, I'VE GOT OTHERS, BUT I CAN. I'M GOING TO. I'LL LET IT GO. WE GOT SOMEBODY ELSE ON THE AGENDA. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT HAS ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCILMAN LEONARD? WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE THE MISSION OF FARNSLEY MORMON LANDING RIVERSIDE TO BE FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD? YES, I THINK IT CERTAINLY IS. IT'S THERE'S A LARGE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT THAT GETS, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL INVOLVED IN, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH ON A LARGER SCALE ADDRESSES THE HISTORICAL, SOME OF THE HISTORICAL ASPECTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY. IT ALSO PROVIDES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN PRACTICES THAT, FRANKLY, TO SOME DEGREE, ARE LOST. ART, LIKE ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION, THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE FARMER'S MARKET, THE CONCERT SERIES. IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE FOR FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY FOR RENTAL. I MEAN, IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO THE PROPERTY, YOU KNOW HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS. SO I THINK, YEAH, IT'S IT'S CERTAINLY IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC GOOD. AND AS THE CHAIRMAN SAID, IT'S A GEM IN THAT AREA OF TOWN. BUT FRANKLY, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY. AND WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT PURPOSE TO CERTAINLY BE ONE THAT IS NOT PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH PROFIT? ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE REASON THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED AS A NONPROFIT INSTEAD OF A FOR PROFIT CORPORATION AT ITS INCEPTION. YEAH. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. I GOT ONE FINAL QUESTION. SO IN IN A CASE OF A CONFLICT OF ANYTHING WITH A BOARD MEMBER OR AN EMPLOYEE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WHO HAS THE ULTIMATE SAY, IS IT PARKS OR IS IT THE BOARD THAT THAT HANDLES THOSE ISSUES OR CONFLICTS? CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT YOU MEAN BY CONFLICT? ARE YOU SAYING LIKE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR. YES, I WOULD SAY CONFLICT OF INTEREST
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OR AN ISSUE WITH A BOARD MEMBER OR AN EMPLOYEE THAT'S EITHER A PARKS EMPLOYEE OR WHATNOT, I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT IT'S PROBABLY THE BOARD THAT HAS THAT AUTHORITY. YES. IS THAT CORRECT? YEAH. SO I THINK UNDER THE BYLAWS, IT WOULD BE THE BOARD THAT HAS THAT AUTHORITY.PERFECT. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PUT THIS PRESENTATION TOGETHER. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE FINAL PRODUCT. THANK YOU ALL.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. YES. THANK YOU. AND WE INVITE YOU TO COME OUT ANYTIME TO RIVERSIDE. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND PATTY AND EVERYBODY ELSE. THANKS FOR COMING OUT. NEXT ITEM ON THE
[2. R-125-25 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR ON BEHALF OF METRO GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON PROPERTY OWNED BY L. ALAN NATIONS AND ELAINE NATIONS LOCATED AT 13020 MITCHELL HILL ROAD IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY. Action Required By: April 16, 2026 Sponsors: Dan Seum, Jr. (R-13) ]
AGENDA IS WE HAVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, ON BEHALF OF LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT, TO ACCEPT A DONATION OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON PUBLIC NO EASEMENT ON PROPERTY OWNED BY ALLEN NATIONS AND ELAINE NATIONS, LOCATED AT 13020 MITCHELL HILL ROAD, JEFFERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY. ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT? YES, YES. OKAY. JUST GO AHEAD AND COME ON UP AND MAKE SURE YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE, MR. CHAIR, DO YOU NEED A MOTION? YES, I DO NEED A MOTION. THANK YOU. SO MOVED.YEAH. I GUESS. MARILYN, PLEASE. SECOND. SECOND. AND WE ARE READY TO BEGIN. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. AND ALSO THE PARKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE. THIS IS A THIS IS A SECOND TIME, I BELIEVE, THAT WE'VE BEEN HERE THIS YEAR. THE LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST WAS ESTABLISHED ORIGINALLY BY AN ORDINANCE ADOPTED DECEMBER THE 20TH, 1994.
AND AS YOU HEARD THROUGH THE PRESENTATION WITH FRIENDLY MORMON MENTION OF JUDGE ARMSTRONG, GEORGE ARMSTRONG WAS THE ONE THAT REALLY INITIATED THE FORMATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST. WE'RE AN ACCREDITED LAND TRUST. WE'RE ACCREDITED BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, WHICH IS AN ARDUOUS PROCESS THAT GUIDES LAND TRUST AND ETHICAL AND ALSO ISSUES THAT DEAL WITH SUSTAINABILITY OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET CERTAIN STANDARDS, AND THAT THEY ALSO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE LANDOWNERS THAT VOLUNTARILY PUT THEIR LAND INTO A CONSERVATION EASEMENT. SO THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST IS A NINE MEMBER BOARD. WE ARE GOVERNED BY THAT BOARD. THE BOARD IS COMPRISED OF FIVE CITIZEN MEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE HISTORICAL OLD A AND B AND C COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICTS, AND THEN TWO BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE. THERE ARE ALSO FOUR FOOTPRINTS ON THE BOARD THAT COME FROM METRO GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF OF MSD, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MSD, DIRECTOR OF LOUISVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION, THE DIRECTOR OF METRO PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICES, AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND ASSETS. USUALLY, THOSE FOUR FOOTPRINTS HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENCIES THAT SERVE AS VOTING MEMBERS ON THE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST BOARD. THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST HAS A SUPPORT STAFF THAT INCLUDES OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND WE HAVE WITH US HERE OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND SCHULTZ, WHO REPRESENTS THE LEGAL SIDE WITH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND HELPS THE BOARD WORK THROUGH THOSE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT ARE DRAFTED IN PERPETUITY. WE ALSO HAVE AVAILABLE TO US METRO AGENCY STAFF, PEOPLE GENERALLY, THAT COME FROM THOSE FOUR FOOTPRINTS OF BOARD MEMBERS THAT COME FROM THE METRO AGENCIES, INCLUDING PLANNERS, BIOLOGISTS AND ECOLOGICAL PEOPLE FROM PARKS AND ALSO FROM PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICES WITH BACKGROUND IN LAND USE AND OTHER THINGS. WE ALSO HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD. THAT ADVISORY BOARD IS A VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS. A LOT OF THOSE HAVE BACKGROUNDS IN NATIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION
[00:35:10]
TREES, SOILS, A WHOLE REALM OF NATURAL SPACE CONSIDERATIONS THAT THE THE BOARD HAS TO GIVE, AND RECOMMENDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW ABOUT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, THERE ARE LEGAL THERE VOLUNTARY LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN A LANDOWNER AND A LAND TRUST OR A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY THAT PERMANENTLY LIMITS THE USE OF THE LAND TO PROTECT ITS CONSERVATION VALUES. THOSE VALUES ARE OFTEN WATER QUALITY, SOIL QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT, SCENIC BEAUTY, SOIL HEALTH, WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, FLOOD CONTROL, ALL OF THOSE INTRINSIC VALUES THAT YOU FIND WITH LAND, AND THEY ARE VALUES THAT THE PUBLIC BENEFITS FROM THE TRUST HOLD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON LANDS LOCATED IN JEFFERSON AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. ADJACENT COUNTIES THAT HAVE CRITICAL, CRITICAL WATERSHEDS THAT ARE INTEGRAL TO THE HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SURFACE WATER AND CONNECTED HABITATS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. SO IN A LOT OF CASES WITH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON LAND IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, A LOT OF OUR CONSERVATION EASEMENT OPPORTUNITIES MIGHT COME TO US FROM ADJACENT COUNTIES WHERE WE BENEFIT BECAUSE OF PROTECTED LAND THAT PROVIDES FLOOD CONTROL, THAT PROVIDES GOOD AIR QUALITY, THAT SUPPORTS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FOOD SYSTEMS, AND ALSO HELPS TO ADDRESS OUR SURFACE WATER IMPAIRMENT ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS OF OCTOBER OF 2025, THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST HOLDS 22 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON ROUGHLY 1779 ACRES. THOSE MAJOR CONSERVATION VALUES INCLUDE FLOOD CONTROL, WATER QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT, SCENIC BEAUTY, WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, A PRIME FARMLAND PROTECTION, SCENIC BEAUTY AND THEY'RE ON DIFFERENT LAND CLASSIFICATIONS SUCH AS WE HAVE FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT ARE WETLANDS, AND THEY COVER ABOUT 160 ACRES. WE HAVE NINE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT HAVE WILDLIFE AND SCENIC ATTRIBUTES TO THEM. ROUGHLY 343 ACRES, SIX ON WHAT I CALL WORKING FARMS. AND THOSE WORKING FARMS PRODUCE FOOD AND FIBER AND SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN AND AROUND JEFFERSON COUNTY. WE HAVE THREE THAT ARE PRIMARILY EQUINE FARMS, WHICH ARE HORSE FARMS, AND THEY COVER 256 ACRES. OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THOSE FOLKS THAT PUT THEIR LAND IN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN PERPETUITY. SO WE'RE RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THOSE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ANNUALLY, WHICH MEANS WE STEP FOOT ON GROUND ON EACH OF THOSE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ARE BEING FOLLOWED, REGARDLESS OF WHO PUT THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THERE, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THOSE CONSERVATION VALUES WHICH ARE THE PRIMARY. PUBLIC BENEFITS OF THOSE PROPERTIES AND TO DEFEND THOSE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS.AND WE DO THAT IN PERPETUITY. CONSERVATION VALUES I MENTIONED BEFORE THAT ARE PROTECTED INCLUDE. PRIME FARMLAND, GRAZING LAND, UPLAND WILDLIFE HABITATS, CRITICAL WETLANDS, WATER QUALITY ATTRIBUTES, WATERSHED HEALTH QUALITIES, STORMWATER INFILTRATION, WOODLAND AND TREE CANOPIES, SCENIC AND OPEN SPACE, VIEWSHEDS AND AIR WATER QUALITY ATTRIBUTES. THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT THAT IS BEING REQUESTED FOR ACCEPTANCE TODAY IS OWNED BY AN OR ALLEN AND ELAINE NATIONS. THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 13 ZERO 20 MITCHELL HILL ROAD. IT IS A HILLTOP PIECE OF PROPERTY AND IT IS 12.8 ACRES IN SIZE, AND THEIR IDEA ON THIS 12.8 ACRES THAT IS PRECIOUS TO THEM AND ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY, IS TO PROTECT THE PRESERVED WOODLAND ACRES AND HOLD THAT IN CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN PERPETUITY. 11.5
[00:40:06]
ACRES OF IT IS WOODLAND. THERE'S ABOUT FIVE ACRES OF NATIVE WARM SEASON GRASSLANDS THAT OCCUPY THE UPPER RIDGE TOP. THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT LAND IS BORDERED BY 1464 LINEAR FEET OF ROAD FRONTAGE. THAT'S WHAT THE PUBLIC SEES AS THEY DRIVE DOWN MITCHELL HILL ROAD. THE BEAUTY OF THOSE OAKS, MAPLES AND OTHER HARDWOODS THAT ARE ALONG THAT TREE LINE AND THE ENTIRE PROPERTY DRAINS INTO SUGAR TREE RUN, WHICH IS A TRIBUTARY OF KNOB CREEK. THIS 12.8 ACRES IS NOT FAR OFF OF THE BULLITT COUNTY LINE. THE PROPERTY, UNDER CONSERVATION EASEMENT, WILL HAVE NO PUBLIC ACCESS, ALTHOUGH THE NATIONS OFTEN INVITE FOLKS OUT TO LOOK AT NATIVE PLANTS AND TO LOOK AT SPECIES THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE OTHER PLACES. THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER 350 PLANT SPECIES ON THE PROPERTY, AND ONE SPECIES, WHICH IS THE STARRY FALSE SOLOMON'S SEAL, IS A. IT'S AN ENDANGERED PLANT. SO IT'S ONE OF THOSE PLANTS THAT YOU WILL RARELY SEE ANYWHERE. AND IT'S LOCATED HERE IN LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY ON THE ON THE RIDGE CAP. THE NATIONS HAVE ALSO HAVE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF OVER 46 BIRD AND ANIMAL SPECIES THAT ARE ON THE PROPERTY. THEY ARE RESERVING NO ADDITIONAL HOME SITES ON THE 12.8 ACRES. THE NATIONS ARE. THEY'RE ACTIVE ECOLOGISTS AND THEY PRODUCE A VARIETY OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES FOR THE USE IN THEIR NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION BUSINESS, AND THEIR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THIS PLOT OF HABITAT AND ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT RIDGE TOP IS PRESERVED AND PROTECTED FOREVER. ITS LOCATION. IF YOU LOOK AT THIS MAP, THE AREAS THAT ARE IN GREEN ARE PART OF THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST. THEY'RE 12.8 ACRES. IT ABUTS THAT GREEN SPACE, WHICH, AS PEOPLE WALK THROUGH THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST AND THEY SEE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE WOODLANDS AND THEIR GRASSLAND AREAS, THERE'S NOT A DEMARCATED LINE LIKE A FENCE THAT SHOWS THAT YOU'RE STEPPING OFF OF JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST ONTO THEIR PROPERTY, BUT THERE IS A PROPERTY BOUNDARY THAT'S SURVEYED ON THAT PROPERTY. BUT THE BEAUTY OF THIS IS THAT WITHOUT JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST ACQUIRING 12.8 ACRES, THEY'RE ACQUIRING A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS MANAGED A LOT LIKE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST AND ITS ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS. AND SO THE NATIONS HAD ASKED THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST TO CONSIDER HOLDING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THEIR 12.8 ACRES. AND WE'RE HERE TO RECOMMEND TO METRO COUNCIL TO TAKE THIS CONSERVATION EASEMENT AS PART OF THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST HOLDINGS FOR PROTECTED LANDS.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. ANY ANY QUESTIONS FOR I GO INTO MY QUESTIONS FOR THE QUESTIONS THIS WEEK, JP THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND FOR THESE IMPORTANT PIECES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, WHERE IT'S GETTING SCARCER ALL THE TIME.
THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH A MESSAGE FROM COUNCILMAN SAM, WHO HAS HAD A CONFLICT TODAY AND COULD NOT ATTEND. HE IS IN SUPPORT OF THIS CONSERVATION EASEMENT. AND JESSICA WITH JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST WAS FINE WITH THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT. AND BELOW LET'S SEE HERE. THE NATIONS ARE PASSIONATE NATIVE PLANT ENTHUSIASTS WHO PLAN TO ESTABLISH CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THEIR PROPERTY AT THE 13 020 MITCHELL HILL ROAD, ADJACENT TO JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST. THE PROPERTY WILL BENEFIT FROM LONG TERM PROTECTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING NATURAL RESOURCES, CONSERVATION VALUES WITH THE POND CREEK WATERSHED PRESERVING NATIVE FLORA AND SAFEGUARDING DIVERSE WILDLIFE HABITATS, THE NATIONS SEEK TO UPHOLD THE ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THEIR LAND AND WHILE OFFERING MEANINGFUL PUBLIC BENEFITS. SO THAT'S FROM THE NATIONS AND FROM COUNCILMAN SAM'S OFFICE. SO HE WANTS TO HE HAS THE SUPPORT FOR THIS. MY QUESTIONS. ARE YOU MENTIONED
[00:45:03]
SURROUNDING COUNTIES, AND WE'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE, AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY SURROUNDING COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENTS UNDER THAT NUMBER. ARE WE MANAGING IN LOUISVILLE METRO? SO I'M I'M COUNTING THEM IN MY HEAD AS YOU MAKE THAT QUESTION. IT'S. I THINK THERE'S SIX THAT ARE MOST OF THOSE. ALL OF THOSE ARE IN THE IN OLDHAM COUNTY AND THEY'RE PRIMARILY IN THE HERITAGE CREEK AND THE OHIO RIVER TRIBUTARY WATERSHEDS. SO ALL OF THE WATER THAT FLOWS OUT OF THE HERITAGE CREEK WATERSHED COMES INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY, EVERY BIT OF IT, ALL OF THE WATER THAT COMES FROM THOSE INDIVIDUAL TRIBUTARIES ALONG THE OHIO RIVER FLOWS INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY. SO IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR BOARD LOOKS AT IS THE VALUE OF THOSE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN TERMS OF PROTECTED LAND, WHAT THEY OFFER, MOST OF THOSE. THERE ARE TWO HORSE FARMS IN THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT. THERE'S TWO WORKING FARMS THAT ARE IN THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT, AND THERE'S TWO THAT HAVE WILDLIFE AND HABITAT QUALITIES TO THEM.ALL OF THOSE. EVERY RAINDROP THAT HITS ON THAT LAND THAT FLOWS OFF COMES INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY. SO THEY HAVE FLOOD CONTROL ATTRIBUTES IN TERMS OF THE ALTERNATIVE USE FOR THOSE PROPERTIES IS THAT IT COULD BE ACRES OF ROOFTOPS, ASPHALT AND LAND THAT'S TREATED FOR.
HERBICIDE, LAWN CONTROL, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE THAT FLOWS INTO OUR WATERS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. WITH THAT BEING SAID, HOW MANY OF THOSE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT YOU SAY SIX ARE MOSTLY IN OLDHAM COUNTY BORDER, JEFFERSON COUNTY, LIKE LITERALLY, I'M TALKING PROPERTY TOUCHES EACH OTHER THAT THAT TOUCHES NONE OF THE ONES. WELL, I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT BACK.
THERE IS ONE THAT IS WITHIN A FEW STEPS OF THE COUNTY LINE, AND THAT'S OFF OF COVERED BRIDGE ROAD. SO WHY WOULD OLDHAM COUNTY NOT MANAGE THEIR OWN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS? WELL, OLDHAM COUNTY AS A AS A COUNTY GOVERNMENT, DOESN'T REALLY HAVE AN ENTITY THAT WILL HOLD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. THEY USED TO HAVE ONE THAT WAS A IT WASN'T A COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, BUT IT WAS A IT WAS AN ENTITY THAT SHARED SOME OF THE VALUES OF OLDHAM COUNTY. SO. I GUESS ONE OF THE REASONS IS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A THERE'S NOT MANY WHAT'S CALLED QUASI GOVERNMENTAL LAND TRUST ORGANIZATIONS. WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW IN LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY. MOST OF THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT HOLD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ARE NONPROFIT PRIVATE ENTERPRISES OR PRIVATE ENTITIES, AND THEY AND TO HOLD A CONSERVATION EASEMENT FROM THE PRIVATE SIDE. IT'S PRETTY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN STAFF, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PEOPLE THAT THEY EMPLOY. THEY HAVE OFFICE SPACE, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS.
THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE. BUT WE GET THAT FROM THE GRACES OF USE IN INTERNALLY, FROM METRO GOVERNMENT. WHAT DO WE CHARGE VERSUS THESE OTHER ENTITIES THAT DO IT IN METRO GOVERNMENT? WE WILL MAKE WHAT'S CALLED A AN ASK OF AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WANTS TO DO A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THEIR PROPERTY. WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED A STEWARDSHIP CALCULATOR. AND THAT STEWARDSHIP CALCULATOR TAKES INTO EFFECT A LOT OF THINGS THAT PROVIDE VALUE TO THAT LAND AND TO THAT INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER QUALITY AND AIR QUALITY, EVEN ON THE ONES THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY. IT HAS AN INDEX IN THERE, AND THAT SPREADSHEET THAT CALCULATES ITS BENEFIT TO LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY.
AND SO A LOT OF THOSE ARE HARD TO PUT A FIGURE ON IT, FOR INSTANCE. AND AND INTERESTING CONSERVATION EASEMENT THAT MIGHT MOVE FORWARD THAT COMES OUT OF OLDHAM COUNTY. IN OUR
[00:50:06]
LAST FLOOD EVENT, THERE WAS A BOAT THAT ENDED UP ON THE GREAT LAWN. AND THAT BOAT CAME OFF OF A DEVELOPMENT IN OLDHAM COUNTY ADJACENT TO A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN INTEREST IN PUTTING CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON. THEIR OPTION ON THAT LAND IS TO FILL IT FULL OF HOUSES AND CONDOMINIUMS AND ROOFTOP AREAS FOR SCENIC VIEW ALONG THE OHIO RIVER. SO THE PROTECTION OF THAT LAND AND OPEN SPACE AND AGRICULTURAL USE AND FOREST LAND AND CRITICAL HABITAT BECOMES IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT MANAGES THE DROPS OF WATER AND THE FLOOD STORAGE ON THAT LAND THAT DOESN'T MOVE DOWNSTREAM TO LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY. AND I APPRECIATE THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY. AND I WOULD, YOU KNOW, MY MY GUESS WHERE I'M LEADING TO THAT QUESTION IS THERE IS AN EXPENSE FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY TO MAINTAIN. NOW, THIS BOAT THAT IS LANDED ON OUR, OUR, OUR LAND HERE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, THERE IS AN EXPENSE TO ADMINISTRATIVE COST.THERE'S AN EXPENSE TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THERE'S AN EXPENSE TO THE PLANNING STAFF TO PUTTING ALL THESE THINGS TOGETHER. WHEN WE ARE ACQUIRING THESE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FROM OTHER COUNTIES, I WONDER WHY OR HOW THESE FOLKS ARE PAID OR ARE TAKING CARE OF ADMINISTRATIVELY AND COST THAT OUR TAXPAYERS ARE TAKING. ARE WE TAKING CARE OF THAT AS JEFFERSON COUNTY TAXPAYERS AT OUR EXPENSE, OR DOES THIS STEWARDSHIP TAKE CARE OF THAT, OR DO YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING? YEAH. SO I MEAN, MOST OF IT, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A LINE ITEM EXPENSE, IT IT COMES OUT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. SO I MENTIONED THAT THERE'S FIVE CITIZEN MEMBERS. THOSE FIVE CITIZEN MEMBERS ARE NOT PAID. THEY'RE VOLUNTEER.
THEY'RE THEY'RE NOT PAID. THEY DO FOR THE MOST PART, THOSE FIVE CITIZENS MONITOR THOSE PROPERTIES. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE ECOLOGISTS THAT COME ON THE SITE FROM PARKS THAT MIGHT LOOK AT RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES OR HABITAT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT IT IS IT IS TRULY A WORKING BOARD. SO THERE'S THOSE FIVE CITIZEN MEMBERS DO A LOT OF THE VISITS THAT PROPERTY, THEY MAKE A REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD AND TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COME FORWARD. SO BUT THE OTHER AGENCIES WE GET, FOR INSTANCE, THE ONLY TIME THAT WE HAD RECEIVED A SPECIFIC DOLLAR FROM GOVERNMENT WAS IN 1995, AND WE GOT $10,000 AS A BOARD FROM, FROM IT CAME FROM JUDGE ARMSTRONG WHEN IT WAS FORMED. SO, SO THERE'S, SO THERE'S WHAT I GUESS, I MEAN, WE CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION LATER TODAY. SURE. IS OLDHAM COUNTY OR LET'S JUST SAY, LET'S SAY THE NATION'S HERE, RIGHT? LET'S SAY THIS WAS IN BULLITT COUNTY.
SURE. WHAT IS THAT STEWARDSHIP ASK. SO THE STEWARD AGAIN. SO THE STEWARDSHIP ASK IS IT'S A CALCULATED FIGURE. SO IT'S BASED ON COMPLEXITY OF THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT. FOR INSTANCE, IF THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT HAS FIVE OR 4 OR 5, LET'S SAY FUTURE HOME SITES ON IT THAT'S CALCULATED IN THERE. SO IT'S A IT'S A MATRIX. AND SO I DON'T THE THE NATIONS IS THEIR ASK WAS UNDER $5,000. AND THAT MONEY GOES TO IT GOES IT GOES TO THE LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST. THAT'S HELD IN ACCOUNT. SO ONE OF THE THINGS WITH THE LAND TRUST COMMISSION FOR A LAND TRUST, IT HAS TO HAVE THE ASSETS TO PROTECT THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT. SO THOSE DOLLARS ARE HELD FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS, ALSO, INCLUDING THE DEFENSE OF THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT. IF WE HAVE TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE ATTORNEY TO DO THAT. SO THERE ARE EARMARKED FUNDS THAT ARE THAT ARE SET UP IN THERE. OKAY. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SURE. I NEED TO GET A WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM. I AM GOING TO FORWARD THIS WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE NEXT WEEK, TO THE COUNCIL, TO METRO COUNCIL. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR EFFORTS. AND OKAY. YEAH, WE APPRECIATE IT. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MEETING
[Adjournment Note: Agendas are followed at the discretion of the Chair. While an item may be listed, it does not mean all items will be heard and/or acted upon by the Committee.]
[00:55:08]
IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.