Note: Due to the COVID-19 situation and the need to maintain social distancing, the meeting was not open to the public. All members of the Paducah Board of Commissioners participated by video conferencing
Mayor Brandi Harless started the meeting with a moment of silence to honor those who have lost the battle with COVID-19 and those who have been affected by it.
Small Business Relief Grant Criteria and Expenditure Approval – Emergency Ordinance
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an emergency ordinance that establishes the eligibility criteria for the for-profit businesses applying for the Small Business Relief Fund. The ordinance also authorizes the funding from the City which includes the initial $150,000 and up to an additional $100,000 as a match to community fundraising efforts through the Community Foundation of West Kentucky.
Small businesses, that are not a franchise or franchise-affiliated, with 25 or fewer employees and a brick-and-mortar presence within the Paducah city limits were eligible to apply for the funds. The business had to be categorized as a non-essential business that was required to cease or reduce operations as a result of the Executive Orders issued by Governor Beshear. During this first round of funding, the first 75 eligible businesses will receive grants of $2000 each. The funds must be used for expenses limited to rent, mortgage, payroll, and utilities.
This Program is a partnership among the City of Paducah, West Kentucky Community & Technical College, and the Community Foundation of West Kentucky. The Small Business Relief Fund application period was April 1 through April 10 with 305 applications received. If you would like to donate to the Small Business Relief Fund, contact the Community Foundation at https://cfwestky.org/ or call 270-442-8622.
Greenway Trail Phase V Construction Contract
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for a contract with Jim Smith Contracting, LLC in the amount of $479,350.50 for the Greenway Trail Phase V Project which extends the Greenway Trail from Schultz Park to Jefferson Street. This Project is primarily funded with a Federal Highway Administration Transportation Enhancement Grant administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Office in the amount of $432,500. The grant requires a 20% City match which is being funded from the Boyles Trust Fund. Once the contractor receives the notice to proceed, this is a 150-calendar day project.
Professional Services Contract for BUILD Grant
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for a professional services contract with BFW Engineering & Testing, Inc. in the amount of $250,000 for environmental assessment services for the Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project (BUILD Grant). In 2019, the City of Paducah was awarded the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant in the amount of $10.4 million. The City has a required match of $1.1 million. The environmental assessment portion of the project is not covered by the grant funding and is not included in the City's match.
The Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project includes an excursion pier and plaza, transient dock landing improvements, four intersection improvements, and a multi-use pathway. In order to execute a grant contract with MARAD (Maritime Administration), the City of Paducah must complete an Environmental Assessment to fulfill the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements.
Emergency Repairs of the Building Adjacent to Kresge Building Site – Emergency Ordinance
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an emergency ordinance to provide immediate repairs to the west wall of the building located at 314 Broadway which is adjacent to the site of the former Kresge building, a building that had to be demolished due to deterioration. This emergency ordinance allows the City Manager to execute a contract for immediate repairs without going through a competitive bid process in accordance with KRA 45A.380.
Quick Highlights
- Ordinance approved for the closure of a portion of an alley between 160 and 200 Bruce Avenue as requested by the adjacent property owners.
- Ordinance introduced (vote April 28) to change the zoning of the three lots at 1128 Broadway, 1140 Broadway, and 1143 Kentucky Avenue from General Business Zone (B-3) to Heavy Industrial Zone (M-2). The plan is to construct a climate-controlled storage facility on the lots which total 3.23 acres.
- Ordinance introduced (vote April 28) to correct grammatical errors and clarify language in Chapter 106-65 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances regarding business licenses.
- Ordinance introduced (vote April 28) authorizing a professional services agreement with Kroll Associates in the amount of $45,000 for IT security protection including threat alert response and remediation support for 300 City of Paducah computers and devices. This is a one-year contract that will automatically renew unless either party provides a written notice of termination.
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