Mayor’s Opening Remarks
Mayor George Bray discussed last week’s trip to Washington D.C. which included Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson, McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer, and others. During the trip, the small group met with Senator McConnell, Senator Paul, and Congressman Comer in addition to DOE and DOT representatives to advocate for Paducah and McCracken County. He noted the significance of the rapid turnover of government employees explaining that the DOE representative who has been our community’s main contact in Washington D.C. announced her resignation. Mayor Bray wants the community to know that he is staying abreast of the rapid pace of change at the state and federal level and working to assess how these changes may affect the Paducah community specifically related to grants and federal funding. He added that Paducah is focused on efficient operations as a City government.
Hotel Metropolitan Co-stewardship Agreement
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order approving the Co-stewardship Agreement between the City of Paducah and the Uppertown Heritage Foundation which defines a public and private partnership for the Hotel Metropolitan and Purple Room located at 724 Oscar Cross Avenue. This three-year agreement outlines the responsibilities of the City and the Uppertown Heritage Foundation in preserving the Hotel Metropolitan and growing its capacity to thrive as an educational and cultural icon. The Hotel Metropolitan provided a place of safety and refuge during racial segregation with noted artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals staying there.
Betty Dobson with the Uppertown Heritage Foundation attended the meeting. Dobson thanked the City Commission for this partnership that will be great for the future of the Hotel Metropolitan. Dobson added that 270 people visited the cultural icon in February.
In August 2024, the City of Paducah was named a recipient of a $1.34 million Humanities in Place grant from the Mellon Foundation to support the Hotel Metropolitan. This co-stewardship agreement is a condition of the acceptance of the grant. In addition to the grant from the Mellon Foundation, the City of Paducah is pledging a $250,000 grant match for the current fiscal year and contingent upon approval through the annual budgeting process and successful implementation of the co-stewardship agreement, the City pledges additional funding for FY2026 and for FY2027 in an amount of $250,000 for each fiscal year.
The Humanities in Place grant funding will be used to ensure the longevity of the Hotel Metropolitan and Purple Room through building improvements, strategic planning and board training to build organizational sustainability, the addition of staff to enhance organizational capacity, and increased programming to activate the site’s compelling history. The Purple Room is an accessory building of the museum that was constructed during segregation for parties, community meetings, and performances.
About the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation - The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.
2020A GOB Arbitrage Payment
In January 2020, the City issued a $20 million General Obligation Bond. Since that time, bond funds have been used on various projects including the Barkley Regional Airport terminal, 911 Radio System, Robert Cherry Civic Center, and the Paducah Sports Plex. Under federal law, a municipality is given a certain amount of time to disperse the bond proceeds. Furthermore, during the past five years, the city has earned interest on the funds. The Internal Revenue Code outlines the arbitrage computations for the amount of interest that the City needs to remit to the Internal Revenue Service. The City will be paying the IRS $946,515.49 from the interest that the bond funds earned.
Medicinal Cannabis Businesses
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amending Code of Ordinances Chapter 106 related to gross receipts for medicinal cannabis businesses. This ordinance defines Medicinal Cannabis Businesses, sets a minimum annual fee of $500, and creates Schedule F of the general business license tax schedule. To receive a Paducah business license, the Medicinal Cannabis Business is required to present a valid license issued by the State, be in good standing with the City of Paducah, and be compliant with zoning code.
Abolishing 911 Landline Fees
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amending Code of Ordinances Chapter 2 to abolish 911 Landline Fees. In 2024, the City authorized an interlocal agreement between the City and County for the provision of emergency 911 services and created the 911 parcel fee. As part of that agreement, the City and County agreed to abolish all landline fees.
Boards and Commissions
-
Appointment of Storm Wilson and Kathleen McHaney to the Paducah Civic Beautification Board.
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor Bray presented a proclamation to Cory Greene, Dry Ground Brewing Company manager, and Todd Blume, Paducah Beer Werks owner, proclaiming March 8 as Paducah Craft Beer Day. In honor of all the work to enhance the fabric of Paducah, Mayor Bray named Greene and Blume as Dukes of Paducah.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Kentucky Highway Safety Grant application requesting $30,000 to be used for overtime pay involved with traffic safety.
- Municipal Order approved for the contract with Hdl Companies to research and identify businesses currently not paying business license fees and payroll taxes.
- Municipal Order approved for a contract modification with A&K Construction, Inc. for the Technology Department roof project and renovation.
- Resolution approved adopting the findings of fact and conclusion of law for the rezoning petition of 200 Fountain Avenue. At a February 11, 2025, hearing, a majority of the Paducah Board of Commissioners voted to deny the petition to rezone.
- Ordinance approved authorizing the closure of 15,460 square feet of North 3rd Street between Harrison Street and Executive Boulevard. This road closure is in preparation for the construction of the new Marriott Aloft Hotel. This is the street adjacent and parallel to the floodwall.
- Ordinance approved authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Trails End Development, LLC for a five-year residential infill agreement for the Trails End Subdivision.
###
