To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/N1Y3LPbYLqI.
Allocation of Funding for Stormwater Projects
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved designating more than half of the City of Paducah’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward stormwater infrastructure projects. The City will be receiving approximately $6.439 million in ARPA funds and will set aside $4 million for stormwater projects. Currently, the City is working with stormwater consultant, Strand Associates, Inc., to determine the individual projects.
Also, at this meeting, the Board approved a Municipal Order for the acquisition of permanent public utility and drainage easements at 701 and 702 Oakcrest Drive. These easements are in preparation for the Buckner Lane Bridge Replacement Project. This project will improve the stormwater drainage in the area. The plan is to issue bids early next year with the project to begin in spring 2022.
Another action related to stormwater improvements was the approval of a Municipal Order for the purchase of property at 2416, 2420, and 2540 Barnett Street and at 2364 South 24th Street. These parcels will be used to create an approximately 4-acre stormwater detention area to help reduce residential flooding along Cross Creek. This area is near the South 24th Street Bridge which was replaced in 2020. The work to create the detention area is expected to begin early in 2022.
Employment Agreement with Daron Jordan as City Manager
The Board approved an employment agreement with Daron Jordan to serve as Paducah’s next city manager. Jordan has been serving as the city manager of Paris, Kentucky, since January 2017 and will begin his tenure with Paducah on August 1. After a nationwide search, Jordan was interviewed by the Board in June along with interviews by the City’s Leadership Team and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Panel.
In addition to his work in Paris, Jordan’s local government experience includes more than 16 years with the city of Madisonville, Kentucky, and four years with the city of Henderson, Kentucky. Jordan holds a Master’s in Organizational Management and has been certified by the International Economic Development Council as a Certified Economic Developer.
Also, approved at this meeting is a Professional Consulting Services Agreement with Arndt Municipal Support to provide consulting services in August during the city management transition. In January, City Manager Jim Arndt announced plans to move back home to Illinois to be closer to family and to open a business providing local government management consulting.
Paving Update
City Engineer Rick Murphy presented the Board with two maps showcasing the paving projects from 2016 through 2020 and the proposed projects for the next three years. Streets are selected based upon their use and condition. However, circumstances such as underground utility construction may cause the City to alter plans. Each year, the City allocates approximately $1.4 million for street resurfacing and sidewalks. To see the maps and learn more about how streets are prioritized for resurfacing, visit Streets.
Floodwall Projects
The Board introduced three ordinances related to floodwall projects. The first action introduced a change order with Pace Contracting for the Pump Station #2 contract. The project includes the replacement of discharge pipes, the rehabilitation of various mechanical components of all seven pumps and motors not previously repaired, and the replacement of the sluice gate. Pump Station #2, located at 1416 North 6th Street, has the largest pumping capacity of 313,000 gallons per minute. Since it’s the first station to be activated at a local river stage of 27.5 feet, it receives the most wear-and-tear.
The second action is the introduction of a contract with Jim Smith Contracting, LLC to modify 12 floodwall openings. This project includes the permanent sealing of 10 openings that are no longer used or needed and the raising of the sill elevation of two openings which would reduce the number of times a gate would need to be installed.
The third action is the introduction of a contract with Jim Smith Contracting, LLC for the floodwall flap gate replacement project. This project involves the replacement of 52 flap gates and sluice gates.
Grant Application
- Approval to apply for the FY2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. If awarded, the funds would be used by the Paducah Police Department to purchase a radar trailer message board. The electronic message board collects speed data.
Additional Meeting Information
- Reappointment of Chris Dye and Jonathan Perkins to Tree Advisory Board.
- Municipal order approved for the contract with Dallmann Systems, Inc. for a security camera network and video management system for Barkley Regional Airport. This is a grant-funded project.
- Municipal orders approved for fleet maintenance service agreements between the City of Paducah Fleet Division and the following agencies: Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency; Kevil City Fire Department; and Kevil Rural Fire Department. The City will provide maintenance services for each agency’s vehicles at hourly rates.
- Municipal order approved for a contract with Aramark Uniform Services.
- Municipal order approved to accept premiums from the Kentucky League of Cities for Workers’ Compensation, Liability Insurance, and Property Insurance coverage.
- Municipal orders approved for the declaration and transfer of the following city-owned surplus properties: 2011 Guthrie Avenue to Habitat for Humanity and 513 North 14th Street to Midtown Alliance of Neighbors. The construction of a single-family home is planned for each piece of property.
- Ordinance introduced to amend Section 78-31 of Paducah’s Code of Ordinances to designate Juneteenth National Independence Day as a holiday for city employees.
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