HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-2022December 7, 2022
lA1Qd.Y)25e��y SG'1�fEY1Q,Y'5
At a Special Called Meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners held on Tuesday, v a -Mc (1V1,t
December 7, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 300 South 5th CISSA',
Street, Mayor George Bray presided. Upon call of the roll by the City Clerk, Lindsay Parish, the QIP
following answered to their names: Commissioners Gault, Guess, Henderson, Wilson and Mayor
Bray (5).
MOTION FOR CLOSED SESSION
Carol Gault offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Sandra Wilson, that the Board of
Commissioners go into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topic:
Issues which might lead to the discipline or dismissal of a member, i.e. City Commissioner, as
permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(f)
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Gault, Guess, Henderson, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5)
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Gault offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, that the Paducah Board
of Commissioners reconvene in open session.
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Gault, Guess, Henderson, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5)
DISCUSSION REGARDING PERSONNEL ISSUE
Upon exiting Closed Session, Mayor Bray read the following statement:
On November 8, 2022, City employees removed political signs from City -owned property that
were in violation of the City's sign ordinance. Some of the removed signs were advertising an
African-American candidate for City Commissioner. Subsequent thereto, Commissioner David
Guess sent a series of texts messages to a City employee wherein Commissioner Guess made
the statements: "You got dujan [sic] under control" and "Whitey keeping a black man
down." See text exchange below.
The Board of Commissioners believes that any sort of language with racial overtones such as
this has no place in our society or with this Commission. Minority Inclusion has been a
Commission Priority for the past 2 years and all City Commissioners attended Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion training. In addition, the City worked with citizens to establish the Paducah
Diversity Advocacy Board.
The Board of Commissioners is weighing its options with respect to Commissioner Guess,
including removal procedures under KRS 83A.040(9) or some form of public censure. The
Board will take up the issue at its next meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 4:00 PM
CST."
ADJOURN
Commissioner Gault offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson that the meeting be
adjourned.
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Gault, Guess, Henderson, Wilson and Mayor Bray
(5).
TIME ADJOURNED: 7:24 p.m.
ADOPTED: December 15, 2022
ATTEST:
A
mdsay Parish/ ity Clerk