HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-05-2019 Called MeetingJanuary 5, 2019
At a Called Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.,
at the Holiday Inn Riverfront, River Room A, located at 600 North 4 Street, Paducah, Kentucky,
Mayor Harless presided, and upon call of the roll by the City Clerk, the following answered to their
names: Commissioners Abraham, McElroy, Watkins, Wilson and Mayor Harless (5).
MOTION
APPOINT MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Harless offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, that Commissioner Richard
Abraham be nominated and elected Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Paducah to serve in this capacity
until the expiration of his present term as City Commissioner.
Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Abraham, McElroy, Watkins, Wilson and Mayor Harless (5).
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RETREAT
City Manager Arndt kicked off the retreat by giving an overview of the goal, desired outcomes and
ground rules for the retreat.
Retreat Goal — Use collective wisdom of the Commission to evaluate what we have accomplished and
guide the city into tomorrow.
Retreat Outcomes:
• Develop a great working relationship amongst the Commission and City Manager's Office.
• Develop a consensus on strategic planning initiatives.
Ground Rules:
• Mobile phones on vibrate
• Take calls only on break/lunch
• Success depends on your participation — make sure everyone shares your ideas, questions, and
concerns
• Listen to each other
• Be positive and open to new ideas
• Healthy fireworks/conflict is encouraged for growth
• Very casual dress. Blue jeans are welcome
Leadership Exercise:
The Commission began with a leadership exercise where they answered the following questions:
What about our City are you most proud of?
o Mayor Harless — the continued willingness to punch above our weight class
o Commissioner Wilson — our history and culture and that we are a leader in the region
o Commissioner Watkins — wonderful education opportunities both public and private,
including the four year college opportunities at MSU and UK
o Commissioner Abraham — we come to each other's support
o Commissioner McElroy — the people
What is something (City related) that we do that is the most important to you?
o Mayor Harless — protecting our citizens
o Commissioner McElroy — protecting our citizens
o Commissioner Wilson— providing services not only to the city but also the region
o Commissioner Watkins — public safety made up of professional law enforcement and
professional firefighters
o Commissioner Abraham — that we are transparent in what we do
What one thing do we do that you could do without?
o Mayor Harless — the number of boards and commissions
o McElroy — the redundancy of unnecessary street sweeping
If you had additional money in the annual budget that you could spend, what would you spend
it on?
o Mayor Harless — develop a Sports and Recreation corridor
o Commissioner McElroy — develop a sports complex — specifically including pool and
soccer facilities
o Commissioner Abraham — resolve the pension fund issue and create a sports park
o Commissioner Watkins- develop a first class sports and rec complex, resolve the
pension fund issue and fund 911
o Commissioner Wilson — develop a sports complex
If you could accomplish one thing in 2019, what would it be?
o Commissioner McElroy —break ground on a sports complex
January 5, 2019
o Commissioner Watkins — land a major employer for Paducah
o Mayor Harless — design and secure funding for a sports and rec corridor
o Commissioner Wilson — secure funding for a sports park
o Commissioner Abraham — fully develop the riverfront and host at least 3 state
championship softball tournaments
• What would you like to see different about the City 10 years from now?
o Mayor Harless — consolidated City -County Government
o Commissioner McElroy — a well maintained Sports Complex up and running
o Commissioner Watkins —populations growth of 3 to 5 thousand and an increase in jobs
o Commissioner Wilson — larger population and a city with a reputation of being an
innovator and a leader
Commission Dynamics
The Commission answered the following questions:
• What do I need from my fellow elected officials in order for me to be an effective elected
official?
o Mayor Harless — trust; follow up communication; assumption of her positive intent
o Commissioner Abraham — honesty and consistency; the benefit of the doubt; realization
that it is okay to disagree; understand that he has pure intent
o Commissioner Wilson — a team mentality; trust and respect; sharing of information;
bring diverse strengths to the table; support decisions made by the board
o Commissioner Watkins — open communication; no surprises during the Commission
meeting; honest discussions; cooperation in public decision making; build consensus;
listening to one another
o Commissioner McElroy - understand that it is okay to disagree and still care about one
another; open communication about the issues; willingness to understand other
perspectives
• What am I willing to give my fellow board members?
o Mayor Harless — grace; time to connect 1 on 1; courage to always be pushing the city
forward
o Commissioner Abraham — his best effort
o Commissioner Wilson — willingness to give everything she needs from others and keep
communication lines open
o Commissioner Watkins — respect; will not make any personal snide remarks; open and
honest communication; no surprises; professional
o Commissioner McElroy — will defend the Commissioners and maintain respect and trust
• What expectations do I have for the City Manager's Office?
o Commissioner McElroy — information and assistance as she adjusts to the role of
Commissioner
o Commissioner Watkins — open communication; for the City Manager's office to play
the role of facilitator and share employee concerns with the Board of Commissioners
o Commissioner Wilson — open communication and sharing of ideas
o Commissioner Abraham — sharing of information, notes and updates
o Mayor Harless — facilitation for the Commission and help eliminating Commission
blind -spots
• What are you willing to give the City Manager's Office?
o Commissioner McElroy — benefit of the doubt; direct complaints through the proper
channels and challenge others to do the same
o Commissioner Watkins — space to perform the roles of the City Manager's Office and
sending employees through the appropriate channels
o Commissioner Wilson — trust, respect and information
o Commissioner Abraham — trust, the space to succeed and meeting time to share
information
o Mayor Harless — support and vision
• What does the City Manager's Office need from the Board of Commissioners to be more
effective?
o The cooperation to build relationships with each Commissioner
o Create the target and hold the City Manager's Office accountable for staying on target
o Make city operations more efficient by funneling work through the proper channels
o Utilize Assistant City Manager Smolen as an extension of the City Manager's Office
Budget Discussion
The Commission discussed the upcoming budget process for FY20. They discussed potential solutions
to reduce spending and create additional revenue to solve for funding issues related to pension. Some
solutions discussed include fees for nonresidents, residential parking zones, and reduction in force.
January 5, 2019
Strategic Plan Discussion & Review
The Commission reviewed the Strategic Plan and discussed which action steps need to be edited,
removed, combined or added. The Commission also discussed which items should be considered the
"WIN" (What's Important Now) items.
• Enhancing Arts & Culture
o The Commission discussed changing the Key Performance Area title "Enhancing Arts
and Culture" to a title that reflects the focus on creative industry.
o A-1 "Installation of public art in every commercial corridor and neighborhood" was
moved to a low priority.
o A-5 "Recruit and Create a Creative and Cultural Council" was moved to a High priority
and chosen as the WIN for this key performance area.
o A-7 "Solicit, promote and encourage film productions in the City" was changed to
include live theater.
o The Commission discussed adding an item called: "Recognize, promote & encourage
creative industry growth" and making this item a high priority.
• Open, Smart and Engaged Government
o O-1 "Implement performance measures throughout the organization" was chosen as a
WIN for this performance area. The Commission discussed adding the word
"expectations" instead of "measures" on this item.
o 0-2 "Implement a 24-hour virtual employee through MUNIS(ERP)." The Commission
agreed that this item should be deleted.
o 0-3 "Create and sustain a business -friendly culture" was chosen as a WIN for this
performance area. The City Manager's office will be reviewing the wording of this item
to incorporate a customer -centric culture that is aligned with organizational values.
o 0-5 "Create an employee awards program to celebrate customer service." The
Commission agreed that this item should be deleted.
o 0-6 "Create a community awards program to celebrate culture, compassion, and arts."
This item should change to include the wording "fulfillment of the City's vision" and
become a medium priority. Additionally, the Key Team Member should change from
former Commissioner Holland to Public Information Officer Pam Spencer.
• Empower Upward Economic Mobility
o E-2 "Identify, beautify, and brand all commercial corridors and districts" The
Commission discussed change the wording to: "Beautify all of our commercial
corridors"
o E-3 "Promote occupancy in all downtown buildings" The Commission chose this as a
WIN for this performance area.
o E-5 "Encourage and assist local businesses to expand" The Commission discussed
changing the wording to "Encourage local business retention and expansion" and
selected this as a WIN for this performance area.
o E-7 "Promote, brand, and market ourselves as a hub of entrepreneurship and
innovation." The Commission discussed changing the wording to "Cultivate local
Entrepreneurship and innovation."
o The Commission discussed eliminating E-8 "Implement and sustain a local business
retention/expansion program", E-10 "Promote apprenticeships, technical skills training,
and higher education", E-12 "Recruit and incentivize remote workers to relocate to the
City", and E-14 "Implement and operate a new business welcome committee."
o E-13 "Assist with the creation, promotion, and participation in the Paducah Works
Program." The Commission discussed changing the wording to "Partner with local
nonprofit agencies in the development and implementation of a local job coaching
program."
Develop Healthy and Sustainable Neighborhoods
o N-3 "Design and construct sidewalks, pedestrian walkwaysibike paths, and/or bike
lanes to connect our neighborhoods" was chosen as a WIN for this performance area.
o N-4 "Encourage, incentivize, and/or support more housing options throughout the City,"
was chosen as a WIN for this performance area.
January 5, 2019
o N-9 "Encourage and support the development of a neighborhood community
development corporation." The Commission discussed eliminating this item.
o N-8 "Promote, encourage, and recruit the selling of healthy foods within walking
distance of local neighborhoods." The Commission discussed changing this to "Promote
and encourage the availability of healthy foods within walking distance of local
neighborhoods (community gardens, spark plug programs)."
• Celebrate a Diverse Community
o D-3 "Assist with the coordination of events promoting diversity and inclusion" was
moved to a high priority.
o D-4 "Host a multicultural event" was moved to a high priority and was selected as the
WIN for this performance area.
• Maintain Thoughtful and Modern Infrastructure
o I-4 "Increase energy efficiency within City -owned and operated facilities and street
lights." The Commission decided that this should move to a high priority.
o I-5 "Connect main commercial corridors by bike paths and/or bike lanes" was chosen as
the WIN for this performance area.
o I-8 "Promote, educate, and encourage alternative storm water maintenance measures."
The Commission discussed eliminating this item.
• Recreation
R-1 "Promote, develop and encourage annual athletic tournaments and competitions"
was chosen as the WIN for this performance area.
o R-2 "Create and promote new shoreline and river based recreation
activities/competitions" was moved to a medium priority.
o R-3 "Research, plan, design and construct an indoor parks & rec aquatic facility." The
Commission discussed changing the wording to "Research, plan, design and construct
an indoor sports plex and parks & recreation aquatic facility."
• Public Safety
o The Commission discussed combining P-1 "Purchase and implement a county -wide
radio system for use by all local public safety and non-public safety agencies" with P-2
"Adopt and implement alternative 911 revenue source through a partnership with the
county". The combined item would be the WIN for this performance area.
ADJOURN
Mayor Harless offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Abraham, to adjourn the meeting. All in
favor.
Meeting ended at approximately 2:30 p.m.
ADOPTED: January 22, 2019
moi\ _
Brandi Harless, Mayor—
Lindsay
ayor
ATTEST:
Lindsay Parish, 11 ty Clerk