Once again we’re blogging live from City Hall. The first order of business tonight is the start of the Democratic caucus meeting, which has a new 16-member majority this year. Council Democrats are selecting their caucus chair and vice-chair positions. The nominees for caucus chair are Judy Green, D-1, and Dan Johnson, D-21. The vice-chair seat only has one nominee currently, Councilwoman Marianne Butler, D-15, but the nomination process is open so we could see a last minute candidate.

Tonight’s full meeting will likely be consumed by a debate over the ethics ordinance. The Democrats still have questions and concerns even after eight months of ping-ponging. Republicans are threatening to filibuster tonight’s meeting if the bill is watered down any further. Everyone is expecting a protracted debate tonight.

UPDATE: The conference table is barely big enough to hold all 16 Democrats. They’re a diverse group: six African-Americans and eight women, with members spread across Metro Louisville. It can’t be easy keeping this big tent together. Council Republicans are the complete opposite — a group of 10 old white guys.

Right now there’s a mild discussion about the second item on today’s agenda — overseeing the purchase of the 21st Century Parks. Though she supports the proposal, Tina Ward-Pugh, D-9, brings up once again how Metro government has a strong mayoral system and that agreements dealing with revenue are often outside the council’s control.