Note: Due to the COVID-19 situation and the need to maintain social distancing, all members of the Paducah Board of Commissioners participated by video conferencing. The public was provided an opportunity to comment on agenda items through the Public Comment Card submission process.
Mayor Brandi Harless was unable to attend this meeting.
Approval of Contract with Jim Smith Contracting, LLC for South 24th Street Bridge Rehab Project
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for a contract in the amount of $299,726.50 with Jim Smith Contracting, LLC for the South 24th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project. This bridge, over Cross Creek, is located on South 24th Street between Center Street and Seitz Street not far from Brooks Stadium. Once the contractor receives the notice to proceed, this is a 120 consecutive calendar day project. Part of the time will be to order the new bridge decking with the construction to occur in July to August. City Engineer Rick Murphy said, “With all of the flooding over the years and especially in 2018, the bridge has sustained some damage to the beams.” This bridge is more than 50 years old with a 14-ton weight limit. The project will replace the bridge decking and make the bridge wider to allow for sidewalks. The City has received $192,000 in FEMA funding for the project based upon the Major Disaster Declaration from the 2018 flooding and severe weather events that occurred February 21, 2018 through March 21, 2018. The State is providing $30,721 with the remaining construction cost, design, and inspection to be funded by the City and MAP funds from the State’s gas tax. The estimated total project cost including the design and construction is a little more than $338,000.
Temporary Downtown Street Closures to Assist with Healthy at Work Business Requirements
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order authorizing the City Manager to enact temporary street closures and parking space vacations in the downtown area to assist local restaurants in expanding their outside dining area footprint. Mayor Pro Tem Richard Abraham said, “Our downtown restaurants are so eager to reopen and get going. With the restraints obviously on the inside, anything we can do to help those guys open up and get as many people out there to taste the wonderful food they’ve missed serving, I think it’s a great thing.” The Kentucky Governor’s Office has announced that restaurants may reopen on May 22 at 33% capacity inside and unlimited outdoor seating with social distancing. Paducah Main Street Director Katie Axt has been contacting the downtown businesses to determine their interest and ideas. The specific streets that could close in addition to the hours and dates have not been determined yet.
Quick Highlights
- Reappointment of Martin Bendick to Civil Service Commission.
- Municipal order approved authorizing the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant application. The Paducah Fire Department is requesting $17,818.95 which if awarded, would be used to purchase a Bullseyes Fire Extinguisher Training System. This system would allow the Department to teach community members the proper use of a fire extinguisher. The system can be used indoors or outdoors. The grant funds also would be used to purchase a FLIR K55 which would help firefighters locate victims inside a structure with limited visibility and also aid in finding hot spots inside walls and ceilings. No local match is required for this grant application.
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