HomeMy WebLinkAboutHighlights2025-10-02
CALLED City Commission Meeting Highlights
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October 2, 2025,at 5p.m. at City Hall, 300 South 5Street
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View the meeting at https://youtu.be/cifrhO8XWnw.
Aloft Hotel Update
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Mayor George Bray provided a progress update for the Marriott Aloft hotel which is to be built at 519 North 3 Street. The
hotel has been designed with the plans submitted to the State for approval. The City is also waiting for final approval from the
Corps of Engineers on the project. The hotel, a $15 million private investment, is proposed to have approximately 120 rooms.
The groundbreaking is expected to be scheduled soon. This property is adjacent to the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront and
within walking distance to the Paducah Convention Center complex in downtown Paducah. The City purchased this property
in 2015 which previously housed a nursing home and hospital. As part of the development agreement, the City will convey the
property to the developer.
Purchase of Property for New Paducah Police Department Headquarters
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order authorizing the purchase of the property located at 3047
Jackson Street from Midway Management, LLC. This property is across the street from Paxton Park Golf Course. The
purchase of the property is contingent upon acceptable environmental testing results and other items outlined in the purchase
agreement. This property is approximately eight acres and has been identified as an advantageous location to construct a new
needs.
911 Radio and Tower Project Update
Paducah Police Chief Brian Laird updated the Board on the 911 radio and tower project. In December 2023, the City and
County approved agreements with Communications International to upgrade the 911 radio system to include equipment for
towers, consoles, and portable radio units. This project includes approximately $7.67 million in system upgrades.
Chief Laird said accomplishments to date include two tower leases are now under contract, tower site inspections were
completed in September, two new dispatch workstations have been installed, and the phone and radio recording systems have
been upgraded. The next steps are to install antennas on the towers this month, install radio equipment and test in November,
and train dispatchers and end users. Chief Laird said the tentative go-live for the system is in January or February 2026.
Remote Worker Incentive Program Revisions
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance to revise the existing Remote Worker Incentive Program. The
City created the Remote Worker Incentive Program in 2021 leading to the relocation of 26 people to Paducah to date.
Planning Department Executive Assistant Nancy Upchurch explained that this ordinance revision would expand the pool of
eligible applicants to include self-employed remote workers which have been making up 19 percent of the applications but
were not eligible. Upchurch said 125 self-employed people applied but were not eligible. The amendment also changes the
incentive process from a reimbursement program for moving expenses and for the waiver of the first year of payroll taxes to a
cash incentive program. The new incentive would be the payment of $5000 paid in two $2500 installments. The first payment
would be when the remote worker establishes residency in Paducah with the second installment paid at the one-year
anniversary of their relocation.
Presentation from Humane World for Animals Regarding Retail Dog/Cat Sales
Kentucky State Director for Humane World for Animals Todd Blevins addressed the Board to provide a proposal for the City
of Paducah to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores and outdoor venues in Paducah.
Blevins said more than 500 municipalities including six in Kentucky (Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Radcliff,
and Campbell County) have passed similar measures. This proposed legislation would not impact home breeding operations
and would not impact partnerships or adoption events between stores and local shelters/rescues. Blevins said that since 2020
and the adoption of legislation prohibiting retail sales in many communities, the number of commercial breeders licensed to
Communications Manager Pam Spencer
City of Paducah P.O. Box 2267 Paducah, Kentucky 42002
Phone: 270-444-8669 Website: https://paducahky.gov Email: pspencer@paducahky.gov
sell to pet stores has dropped. This reduction has reduced the number of dogs suffering in some establishments that were
puppy mills.
Boards and Commissions
Reappointment of Jonathan Perkins and appointment of Tyler Sanderson and Bonnie Koblitz to the Tree Advisory
Board.
Appointment of Lisa Humphrey to the Board of Adjustment.
Appointment of Jim Chapman to the Paducah Planning Commission.
Additional Meeting Information
Mayor George Bray proclaimed October as City Government Month in Paducah and encouraged local officials,
employees, and schools to educate students about their city government and to engage them in city services.
Municipal Order approved authorizing the amendment to the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Administrative Services
Agreement for increased discounts on prescription drug coverage.
Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase of P25 mobile and portable radios from Communications
International.
Municipal Order approved for an employment agreement to rehire retired police officer Travis Counts.
Municipal Order approved authorizing a contract with Motorola to reprogram existing Paducah Police radios to
operate on the new P25 radio system.
Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase of one SUV for the Fire Department.
Municipal Order approved authorizing a fleet maintenance service contract between the City of Paducah Fleet
Division and the City of Wickliffe, Kentucky, with Paducah providing servicing
Municipal Order approved accepting the Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $583,406 for the
2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding is
Municipal Order approved accepting the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant in the amount of $51,818.
Ordinance approved for a 10-year non-exclusive cable franchise with Ritter Communications. This ordinance repeals
the previous telecommunications franchise with Ritter.
Ordinance approved to repeal and replace Article IV, Chapter 34 Urban Renewal of the Paducah Code of Ordinances.
Several years ago, the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA) and the Planning
Commission were joined as two boards that utilized the same members. This action separates the boards with each
having their own members.
Ordinance introduced amending Code of Ordinances section 20-23 related to body piercing to mirror state law which
permits someone who has completed bloodborne pathogen training and is registered with the local health department
to perform body piercings.
Ordinance introduced amending the City of Paducah budget since the City accepted the Community Development
Block Grant funds for entitlement communities.
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The Board had a short discussion about the demolition of the building at North 3 and Jefferson. The owner of this
highly deteriorated building is paying for the buildings demolition and worked with the State on the demolition
process.
Due to scheduling conflicts, the regularly scheduled meetings for October 14 and October 28 are cancelled. There will
be a called meeting on Tuesday, October 21. A called meeting for a personnel hearing will be October 3.
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Communications Manager Pam Spencer
City of Paducah P.O. Box 2267 Paducah, Kentucky 42002
Phone: 270-444-8669 Website: https://paducahky.gov Email: pspencer@paducahky.gov