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 and/or audio conferencing. To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/tx6-J4jnFwI.
Commissioner David Guess was unable to attend this meeting.
Moment of Silence
Mayor George Bray opened the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of the 100 Paducah-McCracken County citizens who have lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commission Meetings at City Hall
Mayor Bray announced that in March City Commission meetings will be held in the Chambers at City Hall. For March, the meetings will be limited to elected officials, a few City staff, and media. The public will be able to view the meeting on Government 11 and on the Youtube live stream in addition to the virtual comment card process for public comments.
Southside Neighborhood Public Meetings
Mayor Bray announced that Southside Paducah residents and business owners are invited to provide input about their neighborhood at public meetings on March 4 and March 11. Each meeting will be from 5 until 6:30 p.m. at Soirées Events & Catering (2069 Irvin Cobb Drive). Please wear a facial covering. These meetings will help the City develop a plan for Southside’s growth and beautification.
Discussion of Strategic Plan
The Board discussed the 12 priority action items for the 2021 Strategic Plan. The Board reviewed each item’s objective, key team member(s), and expectations. The final Strategic Plan document will be adopted at an upcoming meeting. The Board met February 5 and 6 and selected the following priority items listed below in no particular order:
- 911 Radio/Tower Upgrades and Operational Funding
- Minority Inclusion
- Downtown
- Stormwater
- Southside Enhancements
- Sports Facilities - Bluegrass Downs and Stuart Nelson Park
- Remote Workers Incentive Program
- Communications Enhancement
- City Facilities
- Develop a plan for Parks & Recreation Building and Fire Station #4
- Housing
- Annexation/Planned Growth
Grant Application to Increase Number of Paducah Firefighters
The Board approved applying for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. This competitive grant provides funding to fire departments to assist in increasing the number of firefighters. The Paducah Fire Department is requesting nearly $836,000 to cover the salary for three new firefighters over a three-year period.
Amendment of City’s Stormwater Ordinance to Address Post-Construction Water Quality
In the latest review of the City of Paducah’s stormwater permit through the Kentucky Division of Water, the Division noted that Paducah needs to amend a section of its Code (Chapter 50, Article III) to include additional water quality treatment standards to protect the environment. This ordinance introduction includes requirements for projects to manage the quality of the storm water runoff once construction is completed. The overall goal is to maintain pre-development runoff conditions.
Additional Meeting Information
- Boards and Commissions:
- Reappointment of Robert Wade to the Civil Service Commission.
- Appointment of Darryl Pea to the Electric Plant Board.
- Reappointment of Ines Rivas-Hutchins to the Code Enforcement Board.
- Municipal order approved to apply for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Highway Safety Grant. The Paducah Police Department is requesting more than $24,000 for overtime and costs associated with traffic safety patrols.
- Municipal order approved to apply for FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. The Paducah Fire Department is requesting $12,000 to purchase a system for the department to teach proper fire extinguisher use to local businesses, hospitals, hotels, schools, and more.
- Municipal order approved for the amendment to the Tyler Technologies contract for the City’s software system. Expect various online elements to be rolled out this year to the public including the submitting of online permits.
- Municipal orders approved accepting the donation of property at 540 Locust Drive and 1246 South 6th Street.
- Municipal order approved to renew the software license for the McCracken and Paducah Geographic Information Systems (MAP-GIS). The cost is divided among the City of Paducah, E-911, Joint Sewer Agency, McCracken County, Paducah Power System, and Paducah Water. View the public portal: https://mapgis-map-gis.hub.arcgis.com/.
- Ordinance approved to enter into a contract with Harper Construction to provide concrete work including sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm inlets, and concrete entrances.
- Ordinance approved for an agreement with Commonwealth Economics for their continued assistance to Paducah in the creation and implementation of the downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
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