Louisville Metro Council

The Louisville Metro Council is the city legislature of Louisville, Kentucky (Louisville Metro). It was formally established in January 2003 upon the merger of the former City of Louisville with Jefferson County and replaced the city's Board of Aldermen and the county's Fiscal Court (three county commissioners).

The "Metro Council" consists of twenty-six seats, corresponding to twenty-six districts apportioned by population throughout Jefferson County. Although all cities in Jefferson County, apart from Louisville, retained their status after the merger, their residents are represented on Metro Council and vote alongside other county residents. The seats come up for reelection every four years, using a staggered process so that only half of the seats are up every two years. Since the council's inception, Democrats have maintained a majority in the chamber, currently with fifteen members (58%).

Council President

The Louisville Metro Council President is the presiding officer of the council. The Council President is elected annually by a majority vote of the entire council at the council's first meeting in January. The current Council President is Jim King (D), the first Council President who is a member to the same political party as his predecessor.

Council Presidents who previously served are:
*2003-2004: Ron Weston (D)
*2004-2005: Kelly Downard (R)
*2005-2006: Barbara Shanklin (D)
*2006-2007: Kevin Kramer (R)
*2007-2008: Rick Blackwell (D)

Current members

The current members of the Metro Council are (by district number):;1 — Judith Green (D);2 — Barbara Shanklin (D);3 — Mary Woolridge (D);4 — David Tandy (D);5 — Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D);6 — George Unseld (D);7 — Kenneth C. Fleming (R);8 — Tom Owen (D);9 — Tina Ward-Pugh (D);10 — Jim King (D);11 — Kevin Kramer (R);12 — Rick Blackwell (D);13 — Vicki Aubrey Welch (D);14 — Robert Henderson (D);15 — Marianne Butler (D);16 — Kelly Downard (R);17 — Glen Stuckel (R);18 — Julie Raque Adams (R);19 — Hal Heiner (R);20 — Stuart Benson (R);21 — Dan Johnson (D);22 — Robin Engel (R);23 — James Peden (R);24 — Madonna Flood (D);25 — Doug Hawkins (R);26 — Ellen Call (R)

Ordinances

In 2006, the council passed two controversial ordinances: a smoking ban in October and the so-called "Dangerous dog" ordinance in December. In 2007, the council considered a ban on trans fats and non-biodegradable plastic bags. [cite web|url=http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroCouncil/IWantTo/Find+most-requested+ordinances.htm|title=Most requested ordinances|publisher=louisvilleky.gov|accessdate=2007-09-09]

ee also

*Jerry Abramson — Mayor of Louisville Metro
*Government of Louisville, Kentucky
*Local government in the United States

References

External links

* [http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroCouncil/default.htm Louisville Metro Council website]
* [http://www.amlegal.com/loukymetro_ky/ Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky Metro Government Code of Ordinances]
* [http://c-jonline.com/council/metrocouncil.aspx Louisville Metro Council Database] — shows the voting history of each member of the council