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Jan. 30—Three candidates are vying to fill the Louisville City Council seat left open after voters elected former councilmember Chris Leh to be mayor.
Councilmembers Tuesday interviewed residents Tim Bierman, Josh Cooperman, who ran for mayor in 2023 but lost to Leh, and Gordon Madonna, who ran for council in 2019. They're expected to name the new Ward 1 councilmember at the Feb. 6 meeting.
Many residents spoke in favor of Cooperman during a public comment period of the meeting. They highlighted his involvement with the city and his continued support for sustainability.
Bierman focused on housing. He said in his application that the city should promote high-density developments with affordable housing units while also maintaining the historic character of the city.
In addition, he said that the cost of living makes it hard for residents to stay in Louisville or for people to move to the city. He said that changes in zoning codes could help.
"Being able to attract a more diverse community really, in our current state, hinges on attainable housing. Right now we can't have any economic diversity with the rising price of home ownership in town," Bierman said.
One of the top issues in Ward 1 is retaining businesses along Main Street, Bierman said, adding that the city could help attract and retain businesses by simplifying land-use applications. He said he believes that the council also could offer financial incentives.
Cooperman first focused on the climate, saying that "mitigating climate change had become a personal call to action." In addition, Cooperman said he wants to help with the city's other priorities such as affordable housing, economic vitality and safeguarding against wildfires.
Cooperman was involved in a citizen initiative to prohibit new gas stations, which led to city officials to approve a cap on the maximum number of gas stations in the city. He is a community member on the city's Sustainability Advisory Board, a member of the Louisville Bee City USA Committee and a city volunteer.
Madonna said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father Anthony Madonna, who he said helped form the chamber of commerce, created and chaired the Louisville Planning Commission and helped the city get water rights. Madonna said he has lived in Louisville for 62 years, so he is familiar with city affairs.
"I will continue my father's dedicated, hard work in ensuring Louisville continues to thrive for many years," Madonna said in his letter of intent.
Madonna said that Louisville's strength is its "hometown feeling" and added that the town should improve its business structure. Louisville needs to work on its affordable housing stock, Madonna said, since many residents struggle to live in the city unless they are affluent.
