City Commission Meeting Highlights

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

________________________________________________________________________ 

Discussion of Soccer Complex Property

Parks Services Director Mark Thompson provided the Mayor and Commission with an update on the private fundraising for the construction of the Sports Park located on Sheehan Bridge Road.  The City purchased the 165 acre property in December 2009 for use as a multi-sports park.  The construction of the park has been divided into four phases with the first phase estimated at $2.5 million.  The first phase would include soccer fields and the necessary infrastructure.   Last year, the City challenged the community to raise 10 percent of the cost for the first phase which would total $250,000.  David Hutcheson, a soccer advocate, has been leading the fundraising effort and thus far, approximately $60,000 has been raised.  Hutcheson asked the Mayor and Commission for additional time to raise the funds and hopes to raise the $250,000 by the end of this fiscal year in June.  Hutcheson has gathered a committee of soccer advocates who will work on the fundraising efforts with donations submitted to the Community Foundation of West Kentucky.  The committee includes Dr. Danny Butler, Jeff Akin, David Hargrove, and Dr. Hal Ford.  Dr. Butler says a letter has been drafted to solicit support for the sports park.  Dr. Butler says, “I think if we get this first phase started and people see what’s there, it will start to roll.”  Mayor Bill Paxton says, “I urge you to talk to the County.  This needs to be a joint project if we are going to do it right.”

Clarks River Canoe and Kayak Trail:  Kevin Murphy, president of the Jackson Purchase Resource, Conservation, and Development Foundation, is working to raise funds for kayak & canoe launches along the Clarks River.  He is proposing access at Reidland Park and the Sports Park.  An additional launch would be in Marshall County on Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge property.  Murphy is hoping to raise $20,000 for the launches and is requesting matching amounts from the City and County for a total of $60,000.  Mark Thompson says the canoe and kayak trail would be an opportunity to offer new recreational programming through the Parks Department.  Thompson says, “From eight until 80 years old, [canoeing] is a great recreational activity, great exercise.”

 Police Department Employee of the Year

Police Chief James Berry announced that Officer Nathan Jaimet is the Police Department’s Employee of the Year.  Captain Brian Krueger nominated Officer Jaimet.  In his nomination memo Captain Krueger says, “I believe Officer Jaimet has routinely demonstrated an exceptionally high degree of dedication and professionalism that shows a continuing commitment to the department and our overall mission.  His example and work ethic sets superior standards for fellow employees to follow and are in keeping with our core values.”  Officer Jaimet had 183 cases and did not have a complaint filed from a citizen.  Commissioner Gayle Kaler says, “It is so important that you treat people right and are fair to them.  You have to be tough but communicate the law.”  Commissioner Richard Abraham adds, “This honor is a testament to your training and the type of person you are.”  “We need good police officers and obviously you are one of the best,” says Mayor Bill Paxton. Officer Jaimet has been with the department since June 2008. 

National Seismic Hazard Mapping Resolution

The Mayor and Commission approved a resolution supporting the efforts and research underway by the Kentucky Geological Survey at the University of Kentucky regarding the National Seismic Hazard Map (NSHM).  Dr. Zhenming Wang and Mr. James Cobb of the University of Kentucky have been reviewing the methodology used by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to map earthquake hazards on the NSHM.  Currently, the NSHM depicts western Kentucky with an earthquake risk as high as Los Angeles and San Francisco.  This seismic risk impacts local building codes, risk assessments, insurance rates, and siting decisions for facilities.  The resolution supports the work by the University of Kentucky to use new methodology for calculating western Kentucky’s earthquake risk which would lower the seismic risk for the region.  Dr. Wang is attending the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium this week to discuss the seismic risk calculations.

Our Town Grant Application

The Mayor and Commission approved a municipal order to apply for the Our Town grant through the National Endowment for the Arts.  The grant application is a joint effort between Paducah Renaissance Alliance, Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, and Market House Theatre.  The grant request is for $150,000 which would require an equal match in monetary and in-kind donations.  If awarded, the funds would be used for a feasibility study and concept designs for the Columbia Theatre.  The matching funds will be obtained through fundraising efforts by Paducah Main Street, Inc., the non-profit organization that supports the mission of PRA.   Paducah Renaissance Alliance Executive Director Lisa Thompson says, “It’s going to take a lot of money and a lot of people in the community opening their wallets.”  Mayor Bill Paxton says, “I think the Columbia will be an anchor to upper Broadway once it’s renovated.”  The City of Paducah has owned the Columbia Theatre for nine years.

Quick Highlights:

·         Ordinance approved to approve a change order Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corporation for a fire rescue vehicle.  The change order increases the contract amount by $2118 which will increase the total contract cost to $151,578.

·         Ordinance approved for the Mayor to execute a Quitclaim Deed to BLP Development, LLC which releases all rights, title, and interest the City of Paducah would have to an undeveloped access road that fronts Hinkleville Road in the Conrad Heights subdivision. 

·         Ordinance approved for the purchase of 72 various sized dumpsters with lids and fittings utilizing the Kentucky state contract price from Municipal Equipment totaling $71,826.

·         Ordinance approved to execute an Encroachment Agreement with Neil and Ronna Ward allowing a 5 foot by 31 foot section of a structure that was unintentionally built on the right-of-way of the City’s undeveloped alley.

·         Next Tuesday’s Commission meeting will be cancelled.

###