Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2026January 27, 2026 At a Regular Meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 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, Wilson, and Mayor Bray (4). Commissioner Thomas was unable to attend the meeting. INVOCATION Commissioner Smith led the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led the pledge. PRESENTATIONS: Communications Manager Pam Spencer provided the following summaries: "FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Presentation David Hampton of Kemper CPA Group, LLP presented an overview of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report which includes the required City audit. While the audit is mandated by state law, the Report itself is prepared voluntarily to provide additional information and transparency to the public. The report covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and confirms that there were no deficiencies related to the financial statements. Additional information about the City's finances is available through the Open Finance Portal and in the following documents: • Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) For 34 consecutive years, Paducah has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. Paducah Main Street Update Presentation Paducah Main Street President and Board Chair David Wilkins, Executive Director Blaine McDonald, and Assistant Director Carly Dick presented a six-month progress update on Paducah Main Street's activities following last year's transition from a division of the Paducah Planning Department to a separate entity with an office on Broadway. Over the past six months, the organization has focused on downtown development, marketing and social media, and the growth of downtown events. During this period, 26 development projects have been completed or are currently in progress. For 2025-2026, Paducah Main Street set goals of attracting 10 new businesses, creating 10 new apartments or condominiums, hosting 25 events, generating 2,500 volunteer hours, and raising $50,000 in funds. To date, the organization has met or exceeded several of these goals, with 10 new businesses, five new apartments or condominiums, 22 events, more than $50,000 raised, and 1,400 volunteer hours recorded. In 2026, Paducah Main Street is focusing on business recruitment, Fridays After Five music festivals from June 5 through August 7, state and national accreditation, board and staff training, ongoing committee meetings, weekly promotions and communications, and planning for fall and winter activities. Paducah's downtown includes 189 buildings within the Main Street area, housing 127 operating businesses, plus 22 restaurants or bars. The district is also home to 13 museums, galleries, and theatres. Currently, 21 vacant buildings are not for sale, while three vacant buildings are listed for sale, resulting in an overall building occupancy rate of 87 percent." NEW EMPLOYEE INTRODUCTIONS Fire Chief Steve Kyle introduced Deputy Building Inspector Scott Herrin and Code Enforcement Officer Chris Lykins. January 27, 2026 CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Bray asked if the Board wanted any items on the Consent Agenda removed for separate consideration. No items were removed. Mayor Bray asked the City Clerk to read the item on the Consent Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA FOR JANUARY 27, 2026 I(A) Approve Minutes for the January 13, 2026, Board of Commissioners Meeting I(B) Receive and File Documents: Deed File: 1. Deed of Conveyance — Commonwealth of Kentucky to City of Paducah, (Parks Building 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive) (2001) For use as a senior center/day care Contract File: 1. Memorandum of Understanding — Community Scholarship Program — MO #3169 2. Change Order 41 —Jim Smith Contracting —BUILD Project $273,093.03 — MO #3172 Bids and Proposals File 1. City Hall HVAC System Cleaning and Ductwork — MO #3175 a. Hughes Environmental* (awarded bid) b. Stanley Steemer I(C) Appointment of LaToya Burton Richardson to the Paducah Human Rights Commission, to replace Robert Hernandez, who resigned. The said term shall expire Julv 25, 2026 I(D) Reappointment of Mark Workman to the Electric Plant Board. The said term shall expire February 6, 2030. I(E) Reappointment of Marcus Turnley to the Board of Ethics. The said term shall expire February 10, 029. I(F) Personnel Actions I(G) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO MAKE PAYMENT TO THE MCCRACKEN COUNTY PVA IN THE AMOUNT OF $58,265.50 FOR THE GIS CONSORTIUM'S PORTION OF THE AERIAL IMAGERY OF McCRACKEN COUNTY MO #3178; BK 14 I(H) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO RELEASE A REQUEST FOR BIDS FOR THE CITY HALL ADMINISTRATION RENOVATION O 93179; BK 14 I(I) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN APPLICATION FOR A KENTUCKY FIRE COMMISSION PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,000, ACCEPTING ANY GRANT FUNDS AWARDED BY THE KENTUCKY FIRE COMMISSION, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAME MO 93180; BK 14 I(J) A MUNICIPAL ORDER DECLARING THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3110 NEW HOLT ROAD, PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, TO BE SURPLUS PROPERTY, AUTHORIZING A REAL ESTATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTY IN CONSIDERATION OF $1.00, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, DEED, AND ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAME MO #3181• BK 14 I(K) A MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT TO RENEW THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH CITY MANAGER DARON JORDAN MO #3182; BK 14 I(L) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AMENDING THE FY2026 POSITION AND PAY SCHEDULE FOR THE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY MO #3183; BK 14 I(M) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AMENDING THE FY2026 JOB GRADE SCHEDULE FOR THE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY MO #3184; BK 14 I(N) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF A U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY January 27, 2026 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, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4). MUNICIPAL ORDERS ADOPT THE FY2027-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER ADOPTING THE FY2027-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN." Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4). (MO 93188; BK 14) APPROVE PADUCAH-McCRACKEN COUNTY RIVERPORT AUTHORITY EQUIPMENT LOAN PAYOFF IN AN AMOUNT OF $145,312.24 Commissioner Wilson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO MAKE PAYMENT TO THE PADUCAH-McCRACKEN COUNTY RIVERPORT AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $145,312.24." Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4) (MO #3189; BK 14) AUTHORIZE A MATCHING GRANT FOR THE DUKE AND DUCHESS FOUNDATION OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 Commissioner Henderson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING A MATCHING GRANT FOR THE DUKE AND DUCHESS FOUNDATION OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, IN AN AMOUNT OF $25,000." Mayor Bray recused himself and exited the dais. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Wilson (3). (MO #3190; BK 14) Mayor Bray returned to the dais. AMEND CODE OF ORDINANCE CHAPTER 70 RELATED TO BROOKS STADIUM Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt an Ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 70, ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO THE BROOKS STADIUM COMMISSION." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: This ordinance COMMUNITY -WIDE BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 TO CONTINUE WITH ASSESSMENTS AND REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING, WITH EMPHASIS ON CITY -OWNED PROPERTIES AND ACQUISITIONS OF NEW PROPERTIES MO #3185; BK 14 I(0) A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO RELEASE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE FY2026 CYBERSECURITY ASSESSMENT MO 43186; BK 14 I(P) A MUNICIPAL ORDER DECLARING CERTAIN POLICE VEHICLES TO BE SURPLUS PROPERTY AND APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUS POLICE VEHICLES TO PADUCAH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN CONSIDERATION OF $37,000 MO 43187; BK 14 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, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4). MUNICIPAL ORDERS ADOPT THE FY2027-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER ADOPTING THE FY2027-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN." Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4). (MO 93188; BK 14) APPROVE PADUCAH-McCRACKEN COUNTY RIVERPORT AUTHORITY EQUIPMENT LOAN PAYOFF IN AN AMOUNT OF $145,312.24 Commissioner Wilson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO MAKE PAYMENT TO THE PADUCAH-McCRACKEN COUNTY RIVERPORT AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $145,312.24." Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4) (MO #3189; BK 14) AUTHORIZE A MATCHING GRANT FOR THE DUKE AND DUCHESS FOUNDATION OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 Commissioner Henderson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board of Commissioners adopt a Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING A MATCHING GRANT FOR THE DUKE AND DUCHESS FOUNDATION OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, IN AN AMOUNT OF $25,000." Mayor Bray recused himself and exited the dais. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Wilson (3). (MO #3190; BK 14) Mayor Bray returned to the dais. AMEND CODE OF ORDINANCE CHAPTER 70 RELATED TO BROOKS STADIUM Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners adopt an Ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 70, ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO THE BROOKS STADIUM COMMISSION." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: This ordinance January 27, 2026 amends the composition of the Brooks Stadium Commission to allow the Board of Commissioners to appoint one or more ex officio non-voting members to the Brooks Stadium Commission to serve in an advisory role. Said member(s) shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Board of Commissioners and shall not receive compensation. Further, the City Commission appoints Eddie Jones to replace Dr. Frank "Doc" Hideg, whose term has expired. Said appointment shall be for a term of January 27, 2026, to December 5, 2029. Further, the Mayor, with approval of the City Commission, hereby appoints Dr. Frank "Doc" Hideg as an ex officio non-voting member of the Brooks Stadium Commission to serve in an advisory role. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray (4) (ORD 2026-01-8865; BIC 37) ORDINANCE INTRODUCTIONS STREET NAME CHANGE FROM DOWNS DRIVE TO STEVE DOOLITTLE DRIVE Commissioner Henderson offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board of Commissioners introduce an Ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE RENAMING `DOWNS DRIVE' AS `STEVE DOOLITTLE DRIVE'." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: This Ordinance authorizes renaming the public street currently known as Downs Drive to Steve Doolittle Drive. The Board of Commissioners finds that the renaming is appropriate, reasonable, and in the public interest, in recognition of the longstanding public service of Steven D. Doolittle. The Board further directs that all applicable city, county, state, utility, mapping, and emergency service records be updated to reflect the new street name. This action is taken at the formal request of the McCracken County Fiscal Court, owner of the sole address affected by the name change, MELODY LANE STREET ACCEPTANCE PLAT APPROVAL AND SURETY AGREEMENT APPROVAL Commissioner Wilson offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Board of Commissioners introduce an Ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A SURETY AGREEMENT WITH CHAPMAN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, LLC, ACCEPTING A SUBDIVISION SURETY BOND IN AN AMOUNT OF $150,000, ACCEPTING THE STREET ACCEPTANCE PLAT FOR MELODY LANE, AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS." This Ordinance is summarized as follows: This ordinance authorizes the Mayor to execute a Surety Agreement with Chapman Property Development, LLC, accepts a $150,000 surety bond, and accepts the Street Acceptance Plat for Melody Lane. The ordinance further accepts the dedication of public right-of-way and public improvements, with City maintenance responsibilities to begin only after all required public improvements are completed, inspected, and formally accepted. BUILD Grant (Paducah Riverffront Infrastructure Project) Update "City Engineer Greg Guebert providing an update on the Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project also known as the BUILD Grant project. Crews began mobilizing in November 2024 with completion expected late this summer. The project includes a riverboat excursion pier, transportation enhancements, and improvements to the river side of the floodwall between the Paducah -McCracken County Convention & Expo Center and Broadway. Guebert shared images showing progress on the new riverboat pier. Over the past several months, crews have installed support pilings and are now placing the pier's decking, which consists of large pre -cast concrete panels. Work also is underway in the park area between the transient dock and the floodwall. Features for this area include terrace seating, concrete pavers, green space, and a decorative compass rose through the Harrison Street floodwall opening. The Board also discussed the two concrete foundations located along the riverfront. These structures are remnants of a former conveyor system to offload materials from barges. The board viewed several concept drawings including renderings showing the riverfront if the foundations were removed. Mayor Bray asked for a cost estimate to remove the structures." January 27, 2026 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS • Southside Chili Supper has been postponed to February 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. For further information, contact the Paducah City Planning Department. • Commended all Departments for their work during the recent weather event. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Smith — Made comments regarding all the fiber projects that are ongoing in the City. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Henderson offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board of Commissioners go into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics: 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, Wilson, and Mayor Bray (4) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Henderson offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Paducah Board of Commissioners reconvene in open session. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson, and Mayor Bray (4) Commissioner Wilson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the meeting be adjourned. Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson, and Mayor Bray (4). TIME ADJOURNED: 7:01 p.m. ADOPTED: February 10, 2026 George Bray, ayo ATTEST: iM a 1A I 6L'ndsay Parish, ty`Clerk