Louisville Metro Council Selects 2016 Leaders

Councilman David Yates elected President of the Louisville Metro Council for 2016

By a vote of 17 to 9, Thursday evening, Councilman David Yates (D-25) was elected as President of the Louisville Metro Council for 2016.

“Colleagues, it is my distinct honor and privilege to accept your vote for Metro Council President. I see tonight a very diverse group of public servants each representing a special part of our city,” said Yates.

“Each chair represents the faces of thousands of citizens depending on you to help move Metro Louisville forward. As President, it will be my mission to help each and every one of you accomplish that goal.”

In his acceptance speech, the new president acknowledged the accomplishments of the Metro Council in the last year. The work of the MSD Flood Mitigation Group, the additional funding for road paving, new laws to control pop-up parties and public nuisances were among those highlighted by Yates.

He also points out challenges that lie ahead. The President has indicated a desire to address concerns over Boards and Commissions, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and moving forward with Google Fiber.

“I thank you for your support. I look forward to working closely with each of you this year; building on the progress we have already made and continuing to build a stronger legislative body to be the voice for our citizens,” said Yates.

H. Stephen Ott was unanimously reelected as the Metro Council Clerk for 2016. He has served as Metro Council Clerk since 2013.

Councilman Bill Hollander elected 2016 Majority Leader

At the same time, members of the Democratic Caucus elected Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9) to serve as Majority Leader and Caucus Chair for 2015.  The Caucus also selected Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) to serve as Vice-Chair.

“Democrats on the Metro Council have set a progressive agenda for Louisville since merger, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue that tradition.  Our Democratic majority will continue to work hard for middle class families and for people who are struggling to get into the middle class.  We have a lot to do to make Louisville an even better place to live, work and raise a family," Hollander said.

The Councilman was elected as the 9th District Metro Councilman in November 2014 and took office in January 2015.  He represents a district which runs along the Frankfort Avenue/Shelbyville Road corridor from Butchertown to Hubbards Lane and extends from Bowman Field on the south to the Ohio River on the north. 

Prior to joining the Council, the Councilman was Managing Partner of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP, where he practiced intellectual property law for 30 years.  He is a longtime civic leader, previously serving as Chair of Leadership Louisville, Vice Chair of the Library Foundation, Vice Chair of Maryhurst, on the board of the Fund for the Arts and the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Past President of the Crescent Hill Community Council and the Peterson Dumesnil House Foundation. 

“I look forward to working with Councilman Hollander and all members of our Caucus to help move our community forward,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton is a founding member of the Metro Council elected to serve in 2002 and reelected in 2006, 2010, and 2014.  She represents Residents of Portland, Russell, Parkland, Chickasaw and Shawnee areas.

She was the first Majority Caucus Chair when the Metro Council was formed.  She was a member of the Louisville Board of Aldermen prior to merged government.

She is a graduate of FISK University and the North Carolina Central University School of Law

In 2015, she served as chair of the Metro Council’s Budget Committee and has served in numerous leadership positions on the Council and the Community.

Metro Council Republicans Elect Kramer and Parker as Caucus Leaders for 2016

During their first Caucus meeting of 2014, the nine Republican members of the Louisville Metro Council’s Minority Caucus unanimously re-elected Kevin Kramer (District 11) to the position of Caucus Chair. The Metro Council’s Minority Caucus has also unanimously re-elected Councilwoman Marilyn Parker (District 18) as Caucus Vice-Chair.

Kevin Kramer will serve his fifth year as Chair of the Caucus. Marilyn Parker will serve her second year as vice-chair.