HomeMy WebLinkAboutHighlights2018-07-23
Pam Spencer, Public Information Officer
City of Paducah P.O. Box 2267 Paducah, Kentucky 42002
270/444-8669 Office 270/443-5058 Fax
Website: http://paducahky.gov Email: pspencer@paducahky.gov
CALLED City Commission Meeting Highlights
Monday, July 23, 2018, at 5 p.m. at McCracken County Courthouse
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Meeting Between Paducah Board of Commissioners and McCracken County Fiscal Court Regarding Convention
Center
The Paducah Board of Commissioners and McCracken County Fiscal Court met together in a workshop at the Courthouse to
hear a presentation from the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center Corporation (CCC), a volunteer board,
regarding the CCC’s efforts to add a full-service kitchen to the Julian Carroll Convention Center and hire a third-party
company to manage the operations of the Julian Carroll Convention Center, the Schroeder Expo Center, and the Dome
Pavilion.
CCC Member Drew Hulette explained that the Convention Center complex currently has two full-time employees who are
assisted by part-time staff. During the last fiscal year, the Convention Center had 105 events and used local caterers to offer
food and beverage services. The CCC and the Convention Center’s staff have learned that offering food and beverage service
is extremely important to attract conventions. Therefore, the CCC is working toward the construction of a full-service kitchen
at the Julian Carroll. The project is expected to be placed out to bid in September with the kitchen to be completed by
February or March of next year. CCC Member Scott Taylor said, “Food and beverage is key for event planners…It is also the
cost, the wildcard.”
The CCC also has solicited proposals for a third-party management company that would manage the kitchen facility and the
events. The Board has reviewed several management proposals and has selected the following two finalists: Spectra of
Philadelphia, PA, and VenuWorks of Ames, IA. Hulette said, “We are stretched to the end of our ability without third-party
insight and expertise.” Both companies project to significantly increase the number of events and revenue. However, the
CCC Board wanted the City Commission and Fiscal Court to be aware that there could be up to a two year lag before the
third-party management company could generate a profit. This could open up the government bodies to financial exposure to
temporarily assist the Convention Center.
Several of the elected officials asked questions and voiced their support of the kitchen and a third-party management
company. Mayor Brandi Harless encouraged both governing bodies to submit their questions to the CCC Board so that they
can be brought before the two third-party management companies as the CCC works toward making their selection. Mayor
Harless also encouraged the CCC Board to include items such as performance indicators and performance targets in the
contract.
The joint meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.
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