Indoor Recreation & Aquatic Center Design Update
Lose Design President/CEO Chris Camp and Associate Vice President-Architecture Sean Guth presented an update to the Paducah Board of Commissioners regarding the design of the Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Center, a wellness facility to be constructed in Noble Park. Noble Park was selected due to its centralized location and walkability for people from several surrounding neighborhoods. This two-story facility will be approximately 77,000 square feet and located along Park Avenue in the current location of the ball fields.
This community wellness facility will include numerous amenities. The first floor incorporates the office and reception area, a climbing wall, concession/café area with an open seating area for socializing, locker rooms, a child care area, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, wet/dry classroom, warm water therapy pool with a zero-entry end and kid’s play area, a two-story flume slide, 25 meter by 25 yard tournament-level lap pool, and space for a tenant. The second floor includes an open area with fitness equipment, fitness rooms, space for offices or a tenant, and a large running track that overlooks the first floor. Six laps on the track will equal a mile.
Camp explained that wellness facilities have changed during his more than 35 years as a professional. He stressed that wellness facilities are now dynamic centers that meet a variety of health, fitness, educational, and social needs. Plus, they are economic drivers for a community. Camp showed the cover of the January 2020 issue of the magazine, Parks and Recreation. The issue includes an article about how recreation centers are becoming community wellness hubs. The programming options that can be found in a wellness center include after school programs, health and nutrition classes, counseling sessions, senior wellness activities, and swimming lessons.
Lose Design along with local partner Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering and Testing (BFW) will continue the work on the design and prepare the construction documents for bidding. Furthermore, the Lose team has met with local general contractors who are interested in the project.
In addition to the design process, the City currently is requesting proposals from a qualified recreation center management group for the operation and management of the facility. The deadline to submit a proposal is February 28.
The City of Paducah contracted with Nashville, TN-based Lose Design in August 2019 for the design and construction management services for this facility. The development of an indoor recreation and aquatic facility is tied to Our Community and the Performance Area, Recreation, as outlined in Paducah’s Strategic Plan. It’s also one of the What’s Important Now (WIN) initiatives.
OpenCounter Demonstration
City Clerk/Customer Experience Department Director Lindsay Parish debuted a new online tool customized to Paducah that will help entrepreneurs, developers, business owners, and others as they work to scope a project. The official launch of the OpenCounter software is next Monday with final edits to the program being made this week. OpenCounter is centered around business development and project scoping. The goals are to increase efficiencies in the permitting process by improving communications between the project organizer and the City. Paducah will be using the OpenCounter zoning and business portals which will guide users through questions to help determine the appropriately zoned locations for types of business and the required permits with estimated fees. At the end, users can download a summary of their project, contact City staff, and/or create a project account to start the application process.
Plante Moran Agreement for Technical Assistance with EnerGov Codes and Permitting Software
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance to execute an agreement with Plante Moran in an amount not to exceed $90,000 to provide technical assistance as the City implements the GIS-based EnerGov software system for codes and permitting. The EnerGov software will assistance with code enforcement case management in addition to increasing the efficiency of the planning process through electronic plan submittal and review. Assistant City Manager Michelle Smolen said, “EnerGov will create an enhanced experience for customers and streamline our processes.” The kickoff for the EnerGov implementation process is in February with the goal of going live in approximately a year.
Quarterly Financial Report Presentation
City Manager Jim Arndt and Finance Director Jonathan Perkins presented a financial report for the quarter ending September 30, 2019, which was the first quarter of this fiscal year (FY2020). The City of Paducah’s fiscal year begins July 1. In reviewing the first quarter revenues which include property taxes, payroll taxes, business licenses, and insurance premium taxes, the City has collected $5.47 million. Growth is flat for the first quarter when compared to last fiscal year’s first quarter revenues of $5.49 million. Perkins also showed charts for the first quarter expenditures by department, debt service payments, and property value growth.
Quick Highlights
- The following new Paducah Police officers were introduced to the Board: Noah Willett, Jaime Euteneier, Michael Vowell, and James Whitworth.
- Greater Paducah Economic Development (GPED) President/CEO Bruce Wilcox updated the Paducah Board of Commissioners on the recent efforts of GPED. Wilcox was hired as President/CEO last September.
- Municipal order approved accepting the Kentucky Arts Council Partnership Grant in the amount of $5000 to assist with the implementation of the projects developed during the Paducah’s AIR Institute Shift Workshop held last November 7 through 9. Out of the $5000, $800 is for the pocket park project with the remaining funds to be used for the Arts in the Park project. No local match is required.
- Municipal order approved authorizing the application and acceptance of the FY2021 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Highway Safety Grant. The grant request is for $30,888 which would be used for overtime pay and fuel costs associated with traffic safety patrols conducted by the Paducah Police Department.
- Municipal order approved to accept the donation of property located at 1314 Oscar Cross Avenue.
- Municipal order approved for the employment agreement and promotion of Chris Yarber from Assistant Public Works Director to Director of Public Works.
- Municipal order approved authorizing $140,996.50 for Barkley Regional Airport to be used as local matching funds for the FAA grant for the engineering and architectural design for a new terminal.
- Ordinance approved to close a portion of Colonial Court adjacent to property owned by Colgan Properties, LLC.
- Ordinance approved amending Paducah Code of Ordinances Section 70-52 to add an additional member to the Brooks Stadium Commission as requested by that Board. This will increase the total number of members to ten.
- Ordinance introduced (vote February 11) to approve a fuel contract for the 2020 and 2021 calendar years with Mid West Terminal.
- Ordinance introduced (vote February 11) for a three-year contract between the City of Paducah and the Paducah Police Department Bargaining Unit effective July 1, 2020.
- Ordinance introduced (vote February 11) for a three-year contract between the City of Paducah and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 168 effective July 1, 2020.
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