To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/Ux-NBP7ZYrU.
Mayor George Bray’s Opening Remarks
- Mayor Bray reminded the public of Monday’s Juneteenth holiday and its significance. City Hall will be closed on Monday. Mayor Bray invited the community to participate in the first ever community celebration. The Carson Center and the Paducah-McCracken County NAACP are partnering to hold a Juneteenth event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 20 at the Carson Center. Tickets are $15 which includes a program in the theatre featuring Dr. Brandon McCormack from the University of Louisville and a boxed barbecue dinner and live entertainment on the Carson Center’s lawn. For tickets, call the Carson Center at 270-450-4444 or visit www.thecarsoncenter.org/events/juneteenth-celebration. The City of Paducah is proud to sponsor the event.
- Mayor Bray discussed two priority projects: 911 radio infrastructure upgrades and the outdoor sports complex. The City and County have signed memorandums of understanding to partner on these projects. However, Mayor Bray reiterated the sense of urgency and the importance of the work underway by the 911 Communication Oversight Committee in addressing the issue of the 911 radio infrastructure that has reached its end of life along with the determination of a funding structure. The Committee has been meeting since January. At this time, the Committee is working with Federal Engineering to develop a request for proposals for the radio project. The RFP is expected to be distributed to vendors to submit proposals later this summer. Mayor Bray plans to continue discussions with the County on both projects and timelines.
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Ordinance
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2023 budget. The City’s fiscal year begins July 1. At the previous Commission Meeting, City Manager Daron Jordan provided a few budget highlights and thanked the Board of Commissioners and the City team for keeping the budget below the current inflation rate of approximately 8.5 percent.
- The total of all City funds is $96.7 million with $43.28 million incorporated in the General Fund, the City’s main operating fund.
- In the General Fund, approximately $24 million is dedicated to public safety, the City’s police and fire departments.
- More than $1 million from the General Fund is used to cover the funding shortfall in 911 since the funds from landlines and cellphones do not cover the operational expenses.
- The Investment Fund is $5.8 million which includes debt payments, economic development, community development, and grant-in-aid funding.
- To balance the budget, it required $2.5 million to be used from the reserve fund. However, this budget does set aside 10 percent toward the reserve fund.
- All state mandated pension obligations are funded.
- For employees, a 3 percent cost-of-living wage increase is included.
Introduction of Chief Technology Director
Eric Stuber, the City’s new Chief Technology Director, was officially introduced to the Board. The Board approved Stuber’s employment agreement at its May 24 meeting. Stuber’s first day with the City is June 30; however, he has been proactively meeting with department directors and the GIS Consortium to learn more about needs and expectations for the Technology Department. Stuber, a Paducah native, is a previous employee of the City and has been in the technology field for more than twenty years.
Agreement with the City of Mayfield for Building Inspection Services
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for an interlocal cooperation agreement between the City of Paducah and the City of Mayfield for Paducah to provide building inspection services. The December 10, 2021, tornado resulted in extensive damage or destruction to more than 700 structures in Mayfield with an additional 400 structures receiving minor damage. The repair and/or replacement of these structures will require significant involvement of Mayfield’s Office of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement to ensure building code compliance. This ordinance outlines the process for Paducah to assist Mayfield with building inspection and plan review in order to facilitate the replacement and repair of the damaged structures.
Dredging Project Downstream of Boat Dock
The Board approved an ordinance for a contract modification with HDR, Inc. regarding the project to address the build-up of sediment in the Ohio River downstream from the transient boat dock. The City has received the necessary permits from the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Kentucky Division of Water for this dredging project which allows up to 60,000 cubic yards of sediment to be dredged per year using deep water disposal. This contract modification with HDR adds engineering drawings and specifications, bidding administration, project inspection, monitoring, administration, and reporting. Dredging is anticipated to begin either this fall or next spring depending upon the river conditions. The project is funded in part through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Funds. FEMA will fund 90% of the project cost with the State providing 4.8% and 5.2% as the City’s responsibility.
Commission Priorities Update
After a February strategic planning retreat, the Paducah Board of Commissioners adopted 10 priorities for this calendar year. Assistant City Manager Michelle Smolen updated the Board on the progress. The report can be viewed at Commission Priorities. The 10 priority items are listed below in no particular order:
- 911 Radio/Tower Upgrades and Operational Funding
- Minority Inclusion
- Downtown
- Southside Enhancements
- Housing
- Beautification
- Community Growth
- Trails and Bike Paths Enhancements
- Continue Efforts to Improve Operational Efficiencies
- Protecting Key Historical and Cultural Resources
The list of City Commission Priorities also includes three continuous improvements action items: stormwater, city facilities, and the joint city/county sports complex.
Approval of Municipal Orders for the following grants:
- Accept the 2021 Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $93,900 and approve the purchase of a portable x-ray unit using the grant funds for the Bomb Squad.
- Accept the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection Crumb Rubber Grant in the amount of $22,000 with funds to be used for a pour-in-place safety surface and expansion of the playground area at Langstaff Park.
Boards and Commissions
- Reappointment of Susan Carr to the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency.
- Reappointment of Thomas M. Whittemore and Kiesha Curry to the Paducah Area Transit System Board.
- Appointment of Edward Box to the Civil Service Commission.
Additional Meeting Information
- Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency (JSA) Executive Director John Hodges gave an update on JSA’s current projects and the upcoming rate adjustment of 4 percent. For more JSA information, visit https://www.jointsewer.com/.
- Municipal order approved for a contract with Systems Solutions for security camera system repair and upgrades for the Police Department.
- Municipal order approved for the Tyler Technologies annual software maintenance agreement for the 911 system.
- Municipal order approved for a Fleet Maintenance Service Agreement between the City of Paducah Fleet Division and the Smithland Fire Department. Fleet will provide maintenance services for Smithland’s vehicles at hourly rates.
- Municipal orders approved for the Job Grade Schedule and Position and Pay Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023.
- Municipal order approved for a contract between the City and Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau for the 2022 AQS quilt show.
- Municipal order approved for the purchase of solid waste rollout containers, lids, and parts.
- Ordinance approved to reset the interest rate for the 2015 Industrial Revenue Bond for the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront hotel project.
- Ordinance introduced for various zoning text amendments as recommended by the Paducah Planning Commission (chapter 126 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances) related to home occupations, landscape regulations, mobile food vehicles, downtown business zone, and historical zone.
- Ordinance introduced for the consensual annexation of 5345 Hinkleville Road.
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