To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/agE2dDHFSiU.
Note: Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson, who was unable to attend this meeting, is representing Paducah at an Energy Communities Alliance meeting. The Energy Communities Alliance is a non-profit, membership organization of local governments adjacent to or impacted by U.S. Department of Energy activities.
Discussion of E911
The Paducah Board of Commissioners discussed the 911 radio/infrastructure and operational funding project, one of the City Commission’s priorities. Since January, the five-member 911 Communication Oversight Committee, which includes Commissioner Carol Gault, has met 18 times. This committee recommends releasing the request for proposals (RFP) for the radio and tower project, a hybrid governance structure, and a funding mechanism using water meters as the funding source. At this meeting, Commissioner Gault asked the City Commission to move forward with releasing the RFP since the City, as the owner of the system that is in desperate need of upgrading, has the ultimate responsibility. The Board approved the following motion, “a proposed motion to release the RFP for 911 upgrades immediately and to accept the recommendation of the 911 Committee to implement a water meter fee which fee shall be brought back to the City Commission for adoption by ordinance at a future meeting.” There will be a 90-day window for responses once the RFP is released. The RFP is completed and ready to be advertised and released. To learn more, visit Priority Project 911.
Fire Department Feasibility Study
The Board approved a municipal order authorizing an agreement with Brandstetter Carroll for a Fire Department Feasibility Study. This study will assist the Department in planning for future needs and compliance with operational standards including NFPA 1500 and 1710 standards. As part of the project’s scope, the study will determine if there is a need for the addition and/or relocation of facilities, equipment and operational needs, and the impact to the Department’s ISO rating due to the community’s growth. The study also will provide an opinion of probable costs for any upgrades, relocations, or additions. The previous study was completed approximately 20 years ago.
Transient Room Tax Ordinance Amendment
The Board approved an ordinance amending Paducah’s transient room tax ordinance to reflect language in House Bill 8 which was passed during the 2022 legislative session. The bill remedies a long-standing transient room tax collection gap that omitted online travel companies such as Vrbo and Airbnb. The new language clarifies that the transient room tax applies to rent for a “suite, room, rooms, cabins, lodgings, campsites, or other accommodations charged by any hotel, motel, inn, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks, or any other place in which accommodations are regularly furnished to transients….” This ordinance will become effective January 1, 2023. The McCracken County Fiscal Court has adopted similar language for its transient tax ordinance.
Additional Meeting Information
- Municipal order approved authorizing the 2023-2024 annual agreement between the City and Kentucky Main Street for participation in the Kentucky Heritage Council’s Main Street program.
- Municipal order approved for a post-event memorandum of understanding between the City of Paducah and the City of Mayfield for assistance provided under the Emergency Management Mutual Aid Plan related to the December 2021 tornado event.
- Ordinance approved amending sections of Paducah’s Code of Ordinances related to Parks & Recreation including updating the list of current public parks.
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