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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-2025 (last meeting of year)December 9, 2025 At a Regular Meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 300 South 5th Street, Mayor George Bray presided. Upon call of the roll by City Clerk, Lindsay Parish, the following answered to their names: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson, and Mayor Bray (5). INVOCATION Commissioner Smith led the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led the pledge. DELETION At the request of the parties, the Employee Grievance Appeal by Brandy Garrett is being removed from the agenda. NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS Taylor Morsching and Greg Shelton introduced LaMiira Askew, Recreation Specialist, and Kobin Gray, Parks Supervisor, PRESENTATIONS: Communications Manager Pam Spencer provided the following summaries: Christmas Parade Award Presentation Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching presented awards to the first -place winners in the six categories for the 2025 Christmas Parade. The parade, which had approximately 100 entries, was held December 6 in downtown Paducah with the theme, Sounds of Christmas. First - place winners are as follows: Themed Float — Darling Ingredients Religious Float — Washington Street Baptist Church Non -Float — Goodwin Farms School Float — Forest Friends Drill Team — Xplosive Force Dance Team "XForce" Band — Massac County High School Marching Patriots Paducah Power Audit Report Paducah Power System Director of Finance, Power Supply and Rates Doug Handley presented the public power provider's annual audit report. The audit shows that Paducah Power's financial condition is solid. Regarding rates, Handley said that if the average PPS rate in January 2022 had increased at the rate of annual inflation, it would be 17 percent higher than the current rate. Handley also discussed the revenue gained in the fiscal year from data mining customers. In looking ahead, Handley said Paducah Power has two major substation upgrade projects and a fiber -to -the -home project. PUBLIC COMMENTS Shannon Crockett made comments on the Rental Occupancy Tax Ordinance. Mayor Bray encouraged him to stay for the entire meeting, since the Ordinance is being introduced tonight. MAYOR'S REMARKS: Mayor Bray stated that the Commission is still considering the use of golf carts in certain neighborhoods and further stated that this item may be discussed at a meeting in January. December 9, 2025 CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Bray asked if the Board wanted any items on the Consent Agenda removed for separate consideration. No items were removed. He then asked the City Clerk to read the items on the Consent Agenda. I(A) Approve Minutes for the November 25, 2025, Meeting of the Board of Commissioners. I(B) Deed File: 1. Right -of -Way Easement — 2270 North 8"' Street - from Stephen Sevenski and Deloris Sevenski to City of Paducah — Access to Pump Station #14 - MO #3111 2. Deed of Conveyance — Keith Mayo, single, to City of Paducah — 1302 Tennessee Street — MO #3128 3. Commissioner's Deed — 709 and 720 Jones Street Contract File: 1. Contract For Services — Yeiser Art Center - $12,500 —signed by City Manager Jordan Financials: 1. Paducah Water Works — Month ended October 31, 2025 I(C) Reappointment of Greg McKeel to the Brooks Stadium Commission. Said term shall expire December 5, 2029. I(D) Personnel Actions I(E) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF PADUCAH AND BACON, FARMER WORKMAN ENGINEERING & TESTING, INC., FOR A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $153,000 FOR THE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE GREENWAY TRAIL PHASE 7 — SOUTHSIDE EXPANSION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAME (MO #3166; BK14) I(F) A MUNICIPAL ORDER OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH AUTHORIZING AN ACCESS AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM WITH TERRACON CONSULTANTS, INC., AND RATIFYING THE MAYOR'S EXECUTION OF SAID AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM (MO #3167; BK14) Commissioner Henderson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the items on the consent agenda be adopted as presented. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5). MUNICIPAL ORDER(S) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH AUDRA KYLE TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PADUCAH AND AUDRA KYLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAME." Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5). (MO 93168; BK 14). December 9, 2025 ORDINANCE ADOPTIONS) ADOPT AN ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW ARTICLE OF CHAPTER 106 RELATING TO THE TAXATION OF ABANDONED URBAN PROPERTIES Commissioner Thomas offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, that the Board of Commissioners introduce an Ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW ARTICLE OF CHAPTER 106, TAXATION, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, RELATED TO ABANDONED URBAN PROPERTIES." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: This Ordinance would create a new tax category for properties classified as "abandoned urban property" under Kentucky law. This tool, authorized by KRS 92.305 and KRS 132.012, is intended to address long-term vacant and neglected properties that create safety hazards and negatively affect neighborhoods. An "abandoned urban property" means any vacant structure or vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground in a predominantly developed urban area which has been vacant or unimproved for a period of at least one (1) year and which: a) Because it is dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, vermin -infested, or otherwise dangerous to the safety of persons, it is unfit for its intended use; b) By reason of neglect or lack of maintenance has become a place for the accumulation of trash and debris, or has become infested with rodents or other vermin; c) Has been tax delinquent for a period of at least three (3) years; d) Has had a methamphetamine contamination notice posted as provided in KRS 224.1-410 for a period of at least ninety (90) days, and the owner has neither appealed the notice nor provided a certificate of decontamination during the ninety (90) days; or e) Is located within a development area established under KRS 65.7049, 65.7051, and 65.7053. The Ordinance would apply a tax rate of $1.50 per $100 of assessed value to qualifying properties. Further, the Fire Prevention Division shall adopt a policy for compiling the list of Abandoned Urban Property. The Code Enforcement Board shall be responsible for reviewing Fire Prevention's recommended list each year and determining which properties legally meet the definition of Abandoned Urban Property. The Code Enforcement Board will also hear and decide all owner appeals, and its certified list shall become the official list used for applying the Abandoned Urban Property Tax rate. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5). (ORD. #2025-11-8863; BK 37). ADOPT SOUTHSIDE REVITALIZATION PLAN HOUSING INCENTIVES Commissioner Wilson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the Board of Commissioners adopt an Ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING ORDINANCE NO. 2023-06-8782 AND ESTABLISHING AND APPROVING SIMPLIFIED SOUTHSIDE INCENTIVES FOR HOMEOWNERS AND DEVELOPERS AND AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND URBAN RENEWAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO ADMINISTER THE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, REPAIR, REMODEL, RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING HOMES AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES TO SUPPORT THE SOUTHSIDE REVITALIZATION PLAN." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: This Ordinance repeals the existing pilot Southside Housing and Business Incentive Grants and their corresponding Ordinance and introduces the expanded Homeowner and Developer Incentive Grants for new housing redevelopment and construction as part of the Southside Revitalization Plan. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5). (ORD. #2025-11-8864; BK 37). December 9, 2025 RENTAL OCCUPANCY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Commissioner Henderson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board of Commissioners introduce an Ordinance entitled, "AMENDING SECTION 42 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO RENTAL OCCUPANCY PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: this Ordinance amends Chapter 42, Article III, of the Code of Ordinances relating to Residential Rental Occupancy Permits. The Amended Ordinance removes the definition for "Nuisance" and now instead includes a definition for "Safety Issue " meaning conditions constituting distinct fire hazards or which endanger the life, health, safety or welfare of others. The ordinance includes the addition of the landlord and/or the landlord's agent's email address in the application for the Rental Occupancy permit. The Amended Ordinance changes the time period in which an initial inspection shall occur following application for a Rental Occupancy Permit from three to five business days. As amended, the Ordinance will allow the Code Official to confer with engineers, building, electrical, or fire inspectors as deemed necessary to determine compliance in any such area of expertise. In addition, landlords shall attest that s/he includes in his/her lease agreement provision(s) providing a mechanism under which the landlord and/or Code Official may enter the premises with reasonable notice. As to revocation of a Rental Occupancy Permit for criminal acts or nuisance, a provision is added permitting the Code Official to reference local law enforcement or criminal records, as well as Final Orders related to nuisances, and adds that the Code Official may take status of criminal proceedings into consideration such that a mere charge may not automatically result in revocation. The Amended Ordinance provides that, unless otherwise prohibited by law, an order that tenants vacate a rental dwelling due to denial, suspension or revocation of a Rental Occupancy Permit, shall not otherwise prohibit the occupation of the premises for purposes other than as a rental unit. A provision is added to provide for a Certificate of Compliance for rental dwelling units which have no visible and determinable violations of plumbing, electrical, building, or fire codes. A provision is also added which allows for compliant rental dwelling units to be placed on a publicly available list of compliant properties, advising prospective tenants that as of the last inspection, the subject property was not noted to have any visible violations of the plumbing, electrical, building or fire codes. Removal for the compliant properties list may result from condemnation, evacuation under the fire code, three failed follow up inspections, and landlord's refusal to permit entry for inspection on two or more occasions. Tenant's refusal to permit entry on one occasion shall not subject the landlord from removal from the compliant properties list if the landlord provides reasonable roof that landlord provided reasonable notice of the City's inspection to tenant under the terms of the lease or rental agreement. In setting a policy for the systemic inspection and prioritization of all rental dwelling units, the Amended Ordinance clarifies that five or more code violations and five reports of police calls for illegal drug offenses, prostitution, violent crimes, or disorderly conduct may be factors in the system for prioritizing inspections. A provision is added indicating that, absent exigent circumstances, nothing in the ordinance shall be interpreted to override privacy protections afforded to tenants by law. Finally, the Amended Ordinance removes a provision indicating that a valid occupancy permit must be produced prior to establishment of utility service. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS • Thanked all the City employees who worked so hard to make the Christmas parade a success. It takes cross -departmental assistance and involves a lot of manpower. • The December 23, 2025, meeting will be cancelled. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS • All four Commissioners acknowledged that the Christmas Parade was a success. They offered their own thanks to all team members that helped make the parade a success. • Commissioner Thomas thanked the members of the Commission for their guidance through his first year of Commission service. • Commissioner Wilson asked if a tour of the Sports Complex could be arranged. December 9, 2025 Commissioner Smith expressed that the parade was for the entire community and paid for by City taxpayer dollars. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Smith offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners go into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics: ➢ Discussions of proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the public agency KRS 61.810(1)(c) ➢ Issues which might lead to the appointment, dismissal or disciplining of an employee, as permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(f); and ➢ A specific proposal by a business entity where public discussion of the subject matter would jeopardize the location, retention, expansion or upgrading of a business entity, as permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(g) Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Thomas offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Paducah Board of Commissioners reconvene in open session. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Guess, Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5) ADJOURN Commissioner Henderson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the meeting be adjourned. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5). TIME ADJOURNED: 6:54 p.m. ADOPTED: January 13, 2026. George Bray, Mayor ATTEST: i ndsay Parish ity Clerk