Q: Who do you call concerning graffiti removal?
A: Call 311 to report graffiti. The LexCall staff will direct the service request for graffiti removal to the appropriate agency based on the location of the graffti.
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Q: How do I update neighborhood association contact information?
A:
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Q: What is an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB)?
A: A tax-exempt Industrial Revenue Bond is simply a method of financing a project using tax exempt (in some cases taxable) bonds which from the borrower’s point of view is simply a loan from a bank or other institution offering an interest rate typically 1% to 3% lower than conventional financing if the project qualifies.
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Q: Do I have to operate an industrial facility to use IRB to finance my project?
A: Generally speaking for private for-profit companies, the projects must be either manufacturing or processing and in some cases solid waste disposal facilities and certain other projects may qualify. Distribution facilities, office buildings, retail, etc. do not qualify. As will be noted below, however, all non-profit 501(c)(3) qualified corporations may qualify for industrial revenue bond financing for any project.
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Q: As a private enterprise, can I finance a project utilizing an IRB?
A: As mentioned in Question 2 under the circumstances presented there, you may finance a project utilizing an IRB.
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Q: If I operate a Non-profit (not-for-profit) organization, am I eligible to utilize IRB to finance my project?
A: As long as the not-for-profit organization has qualified as an Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) organization (including in some cases religious organizations including churches), all projects qualify and, even for capital projects and in some cases expense items and in rare cases working capital.
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Q: I would like to finance a project to construct an administrative building to manage a program aimed at assisting single mothers. Can I use IRB to finance this project?
A: Yes, but only if the administrative building is owned and used by a qualified I nternal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) organization.
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Q: What is the process to initiate an IRB?
A: Typically you would contact this office and we would refer you to an attorney qualified and on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government list of bond counsel. Projects for for-profit entities and non-profit entities typically each have its own particular complexities which may or may not permit such a project to qualify. The only way to determine whether a project qualifies is to discuss it with a qualified bond attorney. In most cases, bond attorneys will discuss your project with you to determine if it qualifies at no cost based on the assumption that if in fact it was qualified that they would be engaged to act as your “bond counsel.” A bond counsel is necessary in order to complete an industrial revenue bond.
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Q: What is the role of Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government?
A: Under federal tax law, only “political” subdivisions, meaning in Kentucky, counties, cities and other authorities, may issue tax exempt industrial revenue bonds. The LFUCG is not in any way responsible for the repayment of these bonds and is not liable for them but merely acts as a conduit to permit your project to qualify for industrial revenue bond financing.
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Q: If I qualify for an Industrial Revenue Bond, who loans me the money?
A: A very important fact with respect to Industrial Revenue Bond financing is that no governmental money is typically involved. The Industrial Revenue Bond and the proceeds therefrom will be loaned to you by your bank or in other cases by institutional investors who will purchase the bonds, but usually only if the project is guaranteed by a commercial bank. This is not a government loan program; therefore, the project must be credit worthy enough to obtain the funding typically through conventional financing in order to qualify for Industrial Revenue Bond financing.
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Q: Should I obtain a lawyer to assist me through this process?
A: As noted above, in order to have bonds issued and sold they must be approved by an opinion of a qualified bond counsel.
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Q: What is the difference between an IRB and a commercial/construction loan?
A: Except for certain requirements and qualifications which would need to be discussed with your bond attorney, the most significant difference with the tax exempt financing is the interest rate, again, which can reduce your borrowing cost by any where from 1.5% to 3.0% or more.
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Q: A street light on my street is out or has been knocked over. What should I do?
A: Kentucky Utilities (1-800-981-0600) and Blue Grass Energy (859-885-4191) own and operate all street lights on public streets in Fayette County. Street light problems should be reported directly to the utilities or to LexCall at 425-2255.
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Q: Can streets be blocked for neighborhood events?
A: The Division of Traffic Engineering can authorize that streets or portions of them to be closed for a block party (block public right-of-way for a short time use).
A permit may be issued only:
- To an adult resident of the interested neighborhood, neighborhood association president or church pastor.
- If the neighborhood has been notified of the party.
- If the neighborhood takes part (no private parties are allowed).
- If no other laws or ordinances are violated (noise, alcoholic beverage on right-of-way).
- If the permit is requested no less than five (5) days prior to the date of the block party.
- If the permit holder (group representative), is held responsible for supplying, erecting and removing necessary barricades for the event.
For more information, call LexCall 311.
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Q: Did you know there is "GOOD" ozone and "BAD" ozone?
A:
- GOOD OZONE is a naturally occurring gas that filters the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It is found in the Stratosphere, many miles above Earth.
- BAD OZONE is man-made from emissions from automobiles, industrial sites, and other sources such as lawn mowers, and certain cleaning solutions.
During the warm days of summer, these man-made gases heat up and cause the Ground Level Ozone which can cause a number of health problems.
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Q: What is Ground Level Ozone?
A: Ground Level Ozone is formed when sunlight and warm temperatures cause a chemical reaction between Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and oxides of nitrogen. The primary sources of these two chemicals:
- Automobile Exhaust
- Industrial Emissions
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Q: Why is ozone dangerous?
A:
- It directly impacts our health, with a high risk to the elderly, young children, and people with asthma and other lung ailments.
- Healthy adults can be affected, too.
- An air pollution index over 100 can cause shortness of breath, chest pain in people with heart problems, and aggravate heart and lung disease.
- As the pollution index increases, so do the number of people affected
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Q: What can we do about ozone?
A: Privately owned vehicles; cars, trucks, SUV's, etc. are a primary cause of ground level ozone pollution.
- Citizens can help by conserving electricity, refueling vehicles after dark, and avoiding driving whenever possible.
- Take a bus, rideshare, ride a bike, walk, or at best - slow down. Driving at 55 instead of 65 reduces pollution by 10 percent!
- Besides vehicular restrictions, a major way to lower ozone is to limit the solar radiation by planting shade trees. Position trees to cover sidewalks, line streets and shade roof tops. Businesses can plant trees in parking lots.
- Make room for more garden areas in yards. The less grass means less lawn mowing and less need for emissions of lawn mowers.
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Q: Who is responsible for maintaining sidewalks in the neighborhood?
A: Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the public sidewalk in front of their property.
A reimbursement program is available to owner occupied residential properties at a rate of $2.25 per square foot on all sidewalks marked for replacement and that are cited by the Division of Code Enforcement.
Inspections of existing sidewalks are handled through Code Enforcement. Call Lexcall 311 for more information.
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Q: Want to have a neighborhood-wide clean up?
A: The Division of Waste Management provides a loan-a-box program which can be helpful with large neighborhood clean up projects. A fee of $38.00 is required in advance to cover the landfill disposal cost. The container is delivered to your neighborhood for one weekday or if delivered on a Friday can be used for the whole weekend. It is suggested that these be reserved well in advance, because they are loaned on a first come first served basis. For more information, click here. |