HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/07FEBRUARY 6, 2007
At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Tuesday, February 6,
2007, at 5:30 p.m., Mayor Paxton presided, and upon call of the roll by the City Clerk,
the following answered to their names: Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Smith, Watkins
and Mayor Paxton (5).
WORKSHOP
FLOODWALL RESTORATION REPORT & ACTION PLAN
City Engineer Rick Murphy introduced the representatives of the associated parties who
will be involved in the floodwall project. They were as follows: Dan Frank, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers—Louisville District; Michael Taylor, Watershed Concepts; and
Kerry Johnson, MAP Modernization.
Mr. Murphy gave an overview of how and when the flood control system becomes active,
how it works, when it is necessary to install floodgates and what is the City's immediate
floodwall need. Due to the aging of the system and federal mandates, the time has come
for the City to begin restoring portions of it. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has
identified parts of the entire floodwall system that need repair and restoration. The
immediate concern is the corrugated metal pipes as identified in annual inspection reports
as well as the comprehensive report. The necessary restoration repairs on the floodwall
could cost the City several million dollars. Federal aid has been requested, but the Corps
of Engineers has told us they cannot provide funding for the project without
Congressional action. Our Federal Delegation has been working with the City over the
past several years to solve this problem.
David Mast, Field Representative for U.S. Rep. Whitfield, was in attendance and
expressed that Rep. Whitfield is in support of this project and has been since its
inception. This is a problem for communities across the nation. A response for funding
from the federal government has been difficult due to the appropriate drafting of the
language necessary to authorize federal government participation. The authorization
language is included in the Water Resources Development Act "WRDA" which is ,in .
committee. Mr. Mast offered to make contact with the correct officials to see if we can
get assurance that City founds spent now can be counted as match for federal funds that
come available later and to get assurance that flood insurance rates will not be changed
while everyone is working on these issues. He assured the Commission that Rep.
Whitfield is concerned and working on the issue. He hopes there will be an answer by
October 2007.
RIVER HERITAGE MUSEUM EXPANSION
Julie Harris, and River Heritage Board Members, Former Mayor Montgomery and Jim
Brockenborough, requested the City's support of the expansion project. In order for the
museum to become a major attraction for Paducah and be an even greater tool for
education for children, expansion is necessary. The Museum wants to be in sync with the
City's plan for the development of the riverfront and has been working with the Planning
Department. The Museum received a TEA -21 80/20 matching grant, which means the
Board has to raise $220,000. They have received a corporation donation of $75,000, and
have been challenged to raise $75,000, and when it is raised the corporation will
contribute the remaining funds required for the match. So far contributions have totaled
$49,040. They are requesting $25,000 from the City so they can attain their goal.
Commission did not make a decision but will take this request into consideration.
DIGITAL BILLBOARDS & ELECTRONIC SIGNS
Tom Barnett and Steve Ervin of the Planning Department discussed the electronic sign
section of the ordinance enacted by the Commission due to requests received from
business owners. The ordinance allowing electronic signs was not enacted until 2004 and
the time of change for the signs has changed from 5 minutes to 1 minute to now being at
30 seconds. Business owners want less than 30 seconds. Staff recommends—"No
further reductions in the sign regulations. If changes are made staff recommends that 8
second intervals be the minimum for change and reduction of total number of signs be
tied to number of electronic signs." Members of the Planning Commission were present
and reiterated that the Planning Commission recommended no change less than a minute
and the reasons were character/aesthetics and possible driver distraction. Louis
Michelson of Michelson Jewelers spoke in favor of a change of less than 30 seconds.
Im
FEBRUARY 6, 2007
After much discussion, the Commission wants time to think about the issue and will
come back in the next two to three months with a possible ordinance change.
BILLBOARDS
Lamar Advertising requested the City allow digital billboards with an 8 second time
change.
FLAGS ON CAR LOTS
Angela Norris, Big H Auto Mart, asked if the Commission had made a decision to change
the ordinance allowing flags of 12 square feet to 28 square feet. Commission decided not
to change the ordinance.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Calendar Items
• PUPAU Task Force has signed a contract with DOE and the State to fund the
proposal in order to be named the site of the GNEP Plant.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Myra Henderson reported that not one of the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood Plan
Meetings has been held in a minority facility.
Upon motion the meeting adjourned.
ADOPTED: February 27 , 2007
Krz"01, 4W, A
City Clerk