To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/CPIojaZorhc.
Mayor George Bray’s Opening Remarks
Mayor Bray praised the tenacity and community contributions of former Mayor Gerry Montgomery. Mayor Montgomery served two terms as Mayor and then served two terms as City Commissioner. She passed away on November 17.
Small Business Saturday Proclamation
Mayor Bray presented to Paducah Main Street Director Katie Axt a proclamation proclaiming November 27 as Small Business Saturday. The proclamation urges everyone to support small businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. Susan Edwards, Owner of Wildhair Studios’ Rock Shop, talked about the importance of investing in downtown and small businesses and how her business has fared during the pandemic.
The proclamation included the following points:
- Paducah, Kentucky, celebrates and supports our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy, unique culture, and community.
- Advocacy groups, as well as public and private organizations, across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.
- according to the United States Small Business Administration, there are 31.7 million small businesses in the United States which are responsible for 65.1% of net new jobs created from 2000 to 2019.
- 92% of small business owners have pivoted the way they do business to stay open during the pandemic.
- 88% of U.S. consumers feel a personal commitment to support small businesses in the wake of the pandemic.
- On average, for every dollar spent at local small businesses, 67 cents stays in the local community.
- Paducah’s Historic Downtown welcomed 13 new businesses this calendar year along with the expansion of 4 existing businesses.
Amend Code of Ordinances for Creative and Cultural Council
The Board approved amending Section 2-258 of the City’s Code of Ordinances regarding the Creative and Cultural Council. The amendments increase the board from eight to nine members. The number of citizens on the board is increasing from five to seven while the number of City staff is reducing from three to two. The reduction in city staff on the board allows for greater public participation and representation from the community. The amendment revises the terms so that each member serves a three-year term and may not serve more than two three-year terms. The Creative and Cultural Council was established in 2019. For more information, visit Creative and Cultural Council.
Opioid Settlement Agreements Participation Forms
The Board approved a municipal order for the City of Paducah to opt-in to the settlement agreements regarding the sale, distribution, and marketing of opioid drugs. Mayor Bray recused himself from the vote since he was previously employed by Amerisource Bergen. In 2017, the City engaged Bryant Law Center for legal representation in pursuit of damages against companies responsible for the manufacture and marketing of opioids. In July, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced a $26 billion agreement with Cardinal, McKesson, and Amerisource Bergen – the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors – and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). Kentucky may receive $460 million of that settlement over an 18-year period. Kentucky cities have until January 2 to opt-in to the settlement agreement. At this time, Paducah does not know the amount of funding it could receive or a timeline for receiving the funds for opioid abatement projects.
Street Rehabilitation Inventory and Inspections Program
The Board approved an ordinance for a multi-year contract with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing to perform pavement inspections on City streets using the PAVER software program. The City began using PAVER in 2018. The program is used to prioritize the streets and determine the budget for the annual paving plan. The inspections and the PAVER program are beneficial since they identify problems in early stages when they are easier and less costly to correct.
Additional Meeting Information
- Public Works Director Chris Yarber introduced the following new employees to the Board: Jerry Gray, Logan Elrod, Taylor Smith, Troy Stubblefield, Quinten Smeathers, Aaron Marquiss, Anthony Lee, and Marcey Simmons.
- Reappointment of Tammara Sanderson to the Civil Service Commission.
- Reappointment of Greg McKeel and Dr. Frank Hideg to the Brooks Stadium Commission.
- Municipal order approved to apply for the Kentucky League of Cities Insurance Services Liability Grant. If awarded, the $3000 grant would assist in the purchase of a GPS and camera system for the City’s solid waste vehicles.
- Municipal order approved for a fleet maintenance service agreement between the City’s Fleet Division and the City of Metropolis Fire Department. The City will provide maintenance services for Metropolis’ vehicles at hourly rates.
- Municipal order approved for the City’s employment contract with Human Resources Director Stefanie Suazo.
- Ordinance approved to refinance the McCracken County 2011 General Obligation Bond. In 2011, the City of Paducah, McCracken County, and Murray State University (MSU) committed to the issuance of $10 million in bonds for the construction of the MSU Paducah Regional Campus. The County issued the bond with the City providing a portion of the bond payment each year. This refinancing is expected to save the City a total of approximately $120,000 over the next 10 years.
- Ordinance approved for a sanitary sewer easement at 1105 South 3rd Street.
- Ordinance introduced to approve right-of-way closings near Clark Street, Polk Street, and Washington Street as requested by the Paducah Independence School District which owns the adjacent property.
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