HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/05AUGUST 2, 2005
At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held in the Commission Chambers of City Hall
at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 2, 2005, Mayor Paxton presided, and upon call of the roll by the City
Clerk, the following answered to their names: Commissioners Coleman, Guess, Sirk, Smith, and
Mayor Paxton (5).
ADDITIONS
Mayor Paxton informed the Commission that a report from Tom Barnett, Director of Planning
and Steve Ervin, City Planner, on Paducah's riverfront had been added to the agenda.
CONGRATULATIONS TO COMMISSIONER COLEMAN
Mayor Paxton congratulated Commissioner Coleman on his induction into the Kentucky Civil
Rights Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held Friday, June 29, 2005 in the Bradford Hall
Auditorium, Frankfort, Kentucky. Commissioner Coleman is the third Paducah resident to be
inducted and one of only 14 inducted in the class of 2005. Kristin Gregory, PIO for the City
of Paducah, presented a short powerpoint presentation which included pictures from last
Friday's ceremony.
WORKSHOP
BROOKPORT LOCK & DAM 52 PLANS & CHARETTE RESULT
Ms. Charlotte Anderson has been hired by the City of Brookport, Illinois to prepare a master plan to
revitalize the Corp of Engineers property at Lock and Dam 52 as well as the town. She gave a
powerpoint presentation of the plan that has been created including preserving and developing the
buildings at the lock and dam to support tourism, Welcome Guides, a City Seal, and design work
changing the look of the city as vehicles enter Brookport on Highway 45 from the north and south.
The City wants to attract artists and would like to draw on the expertise of Paducah's Artist Relocation
Program. Since Paducah, Brookport, and Metropolis are in such close proximity, Ms. Anderson
believes the three communities should work closely on this project. They do not want to compete
with, but compliment Paducah.
RIVERFRONT UPDATE
Tom Barnett, Director of Planning, distributed an e-mail detailing the millions of dollars that Senator
McConnell has secured for riverfront projects in Owensboro, Ashland, and Henderson. Each
community that received money already has a riverfront master plan in place. He also briefed the
Commission on the new Community Economic Growth Grant (CEGG), which has $10 million that
will be distributed statewide and the Renaissance on Main Grant. With the CEGG, Tom believes the
City could receive approximately $600,000, and with the Renaissance Grant, Tom believes the City
could receive approximately $150,000 for the construction of the dock facility at the riverfront.
However, since Paducah does not yet have a riverfront master plan, funds from other Federal grants
could be limited. He asked for the Commissions approval of up to $150,000 to proceed with the
development of a riverfront master plan and to proceed with applications for the grants to attempt to
obtain the $750,000.
Commissioner Smith was concerned the next Neighborhood Revitalization area would suffer if the
City put the riverfront development on the front burner. Tom explained the first meeting with the
property owners in the Fountain Avenue area would be August 1 lt' at Fountain Avenue Methodist
Church with the next meeting the following week at Margaret Hank CP Church. A lot of work and
planning has already gone into this project and the project is on track.
After discussion, all Commission members agreed that Tom should immediately begin the process of
finding a consultant to develop a master plan and obtain grant funding.
POLICE & FIREFIGHTER'S PENSION FUND OBLIGATION BONDS
Jon Perkins, Finance Director, gave a brief explanation of the pros and cons of issuing City bonds to
cover the unfunded pension liability.
After discussion, the Commission agreed to proceed with the bond issue.
STORMWATER PHASE II
Hazm Gabr, with the Kentucky Division of Water, gave a powerpoint presentation on the City's
requirement for Municipal MS4 Storm Water Permitting. The City is behind in complying with the
requirements of the permit. Mr. Gabr answered questions from the Commissioners and reiterated this
is an unfunded mandate from the state and federal governments.
ORDINANCES — INTRODUCTION
AMEND LICENSE FEE TEXT
Commissioner Coleman offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Guess, that the
Board of Commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SEC. 106-182, LICENSE FEE IMPOSED, OF CHAPTER 106,
TAXATION OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH,
KENTUCKY". BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY:
592
593
AUGUST 2, 2005
SECTION 1. That Sec. 106-182, "License Fee Imposed" of Chapter 106, "Taxation", of the
Code of Ordinances of the City of Paducah, Kentucky, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 106-182. License Fee Imposed.
a) There is hereby levied and imposed a license fee upon all persons engaged in
any occupation, trade or profession, as defined in section 106-181, in the city,
for the privilege of engaging in such occupation, trade or profession, which
license fee shall be measured by 2 percent of the gross salaries, wages,
commissions and other compensation earned ba� id to such persons.
b) This ordinance shall take effect on October 1, 2005, provided however, that
the employee license fee of two percent herein, shall by operation of this
ordinance alone, be automatically reduced to 1 %Z percent effective October 1,
2008."
CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Chief Bratton updated the Commission on the bank robbery that occurred Monday morning
and the shooting that occurred Tuesday night. Due to the public's assistance, the bank robber
has been identified and a warrant has been issued. The shooting victim and assailant have
both been arrested; this was a dispute between acquaintances.
• City Manager thanked all the volunteers that worked many hours over the last two weeks
during the Summer Festival, Children's Triathlon, Rape Crisis Fund Raiser just to name a few.
• City Manager updated the Commission on the status of the state park.
• City Manager expressed his appreciation to Commissioner Guess for sharing his expertise on
the problem with the City Hall air conditioner. This saved the City approximately $80,000.
• NIMS — deadline is September 30th. Commissioners Guess, Sirk, and Mayor Paxton have not
completed their forms. Ron Rathman will arrange a meeting with all three to complete their
paperwork.
• The City Manager will be out of the office from Thursday to August 14t'' — Rick Murphy will
be Acting City Manager.
• Gave a brief overview of the 8`h of August activities.
Upon motion the meeting adjourned.
ADOPTED: August 9, 2005
I if Ld /LL!Rd