To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/O4HLFEbSMJI.
Resolution Approved by Paducah Board of Commissioners Charging Commissioner David Guess with Misconduct
After hearing comments from the public and the Commissioners, the Paducah Board of Commissioners met for nearly an hour and a half in closed session as permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(f) for issues which might lead to the discipline or dismissal of a member i.e. City Commissioner. After returning to open session, Mayor George Bray stated that the Board asked for Commissioner David Guess to resign related to text messages sent on November 8, 2022, to a City employee which included language with racial overtones. Commissioner Guess declined. The Board approved a resolution charging Commissioner Guess with misconduct pursuant to KRS 83A.040(9). Commissioner Guess is entitled to a full public hearing before the Board of Commissioners which will be scheduled in the near future. To view the resolution and its attachments in addition to the signed request for Commissioner Guess’ resignation, visit Resolution Documents and Resignation Request.
City Government of the Year Presentation
Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) Chief of Staff Martha Cosby officially presented the Paducah Board of Commissioners with the 2022 KLC City Government of the Year award. The award recognizes a city that has elevated its community through quality governance or done something transformational for the city. An independent board of judges from around the state selected Paducah which applied based upon the City Commission’s decision to prioritize the Southside and develop the Southside Rise & Shine Neighborhood Spruce Up initiative.
Recognition of Commissioner Carol Gault
The Board presented Commissioner Carol Gault with an engraved appreciation gift in recognition of her years of service to the City of Paducah. Commissioner Gault’s term officially ends December 31. She has served as City Commissioner since January 2021 with previous terms from 2009 through 2016. Mayor Bray said that he is honored to serve with Commissioner Gault and thanked her for her leadership on the 911 Committee.
Robert Cherry Civic Center Renovation Project Update
The Board approved a municipal order authorizing the City Manager to issue a request for bids for the renovation of the Robert Cherry Civic Center located at 2701 Park Avenue. Architect Jeff Canter with PFGW Architects updated the Board on the progress of the construction design documents. The Civic Center received significant damage on September 27 due to a traffic crash that caused a semi to hit the east side of the building. Canter estimated the damage to total more than $350,000. The plan is to issue the request for bids possibly in late January to repair the damage and to renovate the interior of the facility. The renovation project uses the existing building footprint with three-quarters of the existing building to provide assembly, kitchen, and storage space with a seating capacity for 160 to 256 people depending upon table configurations and open floor space. The remaining building square footage is designed to provide office and reception space for the Parks & Recreation Department. Once bids are issued, received, and a contract awarded, the construction phase is estimated to take 12 to 16 months. The Board has set aside $1.8 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the project.
Amendment to the City Block Development Agreement
The Board approved a Municipal Order accepting the amended Development Agreement between the City and Weyland Ventures Development for the City Block Project. This project is bounded by Broadway, Water Street, North 2nd, and Jefferson Street. The first phase for this transformative project for downtown Paducah involves the construction of an 81-room boutique hotel along Jefferson Street and public parking, greenspace, and facility improvements in the center of the block. The hotel will include two restaurants and retail space on the first floor with a rooftop bar. A future residential unit with retail space is planned for the side of the block along Broadway. Weyland plans to break ground on the hotel construction in January. Hotel construction will take approximately 14 months with an opening expected in spring 2024. During the hotel construction, 100 public parking spaces will be maintained.
Christmas Parade Award Winners
The 2022 Christmas Parade, which had 95 entries, was held December 3 in downtown Paducah with the theme Christmas in Candyland. The winners of the parade are as follows:
- Themed Float – James Sanders Nursery
- Religious Float – Lone Oak Church of Christ
- Non-Float – MelRhea Balloons
- School Float – Morgan Elementary School
- Band – McCracken County High School
- Drill Team – The Rhythm Factory
Additional Meeting Information
- The Board appointed Alex Blackwell to the Brooks Stadium Commission.
- Municipal order approved authorizing the City Manager to issue a request for proposals for new lighting for the Dafford floodwall murals.
- Municipal order approved for a contract with MagneGrip to install systems that capture exhaust in all five Paducah Fire Stations. Paducah has a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant for this project.
- Municipal orders approved accepting the donation of property located at 1721 and 1723 Broad Street.
- Municipal order approved to apply for a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant to digitally capture Paducah’s historic buildings, provide a historical narrative, and include them in an app for the public to access.
- Municipal order approved to enter into a contract with Atlas Roofing Contractors to replace the rubber roof membrane on the mausoleum at Oak Grove Cemetery.
- Municipal order approved updating facility reservation rates for various Parks & Recreation facilities.
- Municipal order approved authorizing a funding agreement with the City providing the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority $90,000 for equipment, dredging services, and surveys.
- Municipal order approved to provide $72,500 to the Paducah-McCracken County Industrial Development Authority for clearing and grubbing work at Industrial Park West. The County is providing an equal amount for this project which will prepare approximately 80 acres for future economic development opportunities.
- Resolution approved supporting the reallocation of seven, unused HUD-VASH vouchers to the Henderson Housing Authority.
- Ordinance introduced amending the current budget to increase revenues and expenditures for the $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant that the City has received on behalf of the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center. An agreement also was approved between the City and the Senior Center with project cost overruns to be the responsibility of the Senior Center. The Center is designing a new 7000 square foot facility to be built at 1600 Kentucky Avenue.
- Ordinance introduced to approve a non-exclusive, ten-year telecommunications franchise agreement with Quad State Internet, LLC, a local internet service provider.
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