Death of Charles Pinnegar

Mayor Pro Tem Gayle Kaler asked for support for the family of Charles Pinnegar.  Pinnegar died suddenly last Friday.  Pinnegar was employed by the City of Paducah as a Network Technician.  He was also a former Assistant Police Chief serving the Paducah Police Department from 1984 to 2005.  Mayor Pro Tem Kaler says, “He made Paducah a better place in which to live.”

Presentation about Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Server Training

At the March 6 Commission Workshop, City Manager Jeff Pederson and Commissioner Gerald Watkins led a discussion on the possibility of Paducah requiring those who sell and serve alcohol in Paducah to have either Server Training in Alcohol Regulations (S.T.A.R.) training or similar training.    Commissioner Watkins is an advocate for requiring the training.  At the end of the discussion the Commission asked to learn more about the program from the program director, Sandra Watts and program instructor, Sandy Joslyn.  Watts and Joslyn attended this meeting and provided an overview of S.T.A.R. training.  Currently, 52 communities in Kentucky mandate the training through local ordinances.  Referring to the training and how it is beneficial for servers and others involved in the sale of alcohol, Joslyn says, “This really is the tool of their trade, and this gives them the tools they need to do their job properly.”  After listening to the presentation, the City Commission agreed to draft an ordinance that would make alcoholic beverage server training mandatory in Paducah. 

The S.T.A.R. program, created in 2001, is offered through the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).  The goal of S.T.A.R. is to prevent youth access to alcohol and to prevent over-service.  The training also explains retailer liability and how to handle different scenarios such as spotting a fake ID or confronting a patron that needs to be cut off.  During the four hour course, the student is educated about responsible service, receives fake ID training, and learns about Kentucky laws.  Following the course is an exam that must be passed to receive a three year certification.  Courses are held throughout Kentucky including Paducah.  The cost is $35 per student.

Amend Agreement with Housing Authority of Paducah (vote March 20)

In May 2009 the City of Paducah and the Housing Authority of Paducah entered into an agreement outlining the terms for a property swap.  The agreement was to transfer the Housing Authority’s property located at 14th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive with the City’s property located next to the Parks Office on H.C. Mathis Drive.  The property swap was contingent on the Housing Authority’s agreement to demolish the 16 units located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.  However, the Housing Authority has been unable to obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the expenditure of funds to demolish the units.  The Commission introduced an ordinance to eliminate the contingency that the Housing Authority must raze the 16 units before the transfer of the property.  If the City Commission approves the amended agreement, the property at 14th and MLK and the 16 units will be transferred to the City.  Planning Director Steve Ervin says the units have been studied, and it is not cost-effective to rehabilitate them.  The recommendation is to have them demolished.  

Engineering Contract for the Noble Park Pool Renovation Project

Parks Services Director Mark Thompson provided the Commission with a preliminary report from Florence & Hutcheson, Inc. regarding the Noble Park Pool Renovation Project.  The City has an agreement with F&H for professional engineering services associated with the project including a code review, an existing conditions assessment, a preliminary engineering report, design and permitting, bidding and procurement, and construction administration services.  The preliminary report from F&H shows the pool needs a new liner system, gutter and piping systems, circulation, filtration, and disinfection systems, and new treatment buildings.  F&H also recommends a new slide, diving boards, lifeguard chairs, and platforms in addition to accessibility and lighting upgrades.  The cost estimate for these upgrades is $770,000.   Thompson says, “From a mechanical standpoint, this would give you a safe and operational facility.”  Mayor Pro Tem Kaler says, “I think the swimming pool is such a great asset.  I think it’s important that we keep our core facilities safe and maintained.”  The Noble Park Pool has not received a significant renovation since 1992.  Thompson says, “We’re averaging major work on the swimming pool every twenty years, and we are at that point now.”  Thompson estimates the pool loses 36,000 gallons of water each day.  Thompson asked the Commission for their guidance in upgrading the concession area and adding a spray pad area instead of the wading pool.  The spray pad area would cost approximately $120,000.  The Commission asked Thompson and F&H to gather the cost estimates for upgrading the concession area.  The pool rehabilitation would start in August after the pool closes for the summer season.  An average of 300-400 visitors per day enjoys the Noble Park pool during the summer. 

Discussion of County School Soccer Fields

David Hutcheson, who along with a committee is leading the private fundraising effort for the Sports Park, addressed the Commission regarding a proposal by the McCracken County School Board to offer the current high school soccer fields for use by the soccer community.  Hutcheson says, “It’s a wonderful gesture by the McCracken County School Board.”  However, Hutcheson says the proposal does not meet the needs of the soccer community due to the fact the fields still must serve the middle schools once the new high school is complete, the fields are not in one location, and the separation of fields is not conducive to large tournaments.  Hutcheson says the private fundraising is underway with letters being sent asking for donations and with prospects for soccer field naming rights.  Hutcheson adds that the Sports Park location on Sheehan Bridge Road is a good location that has been well studied. 

Quick Highlights:

• Mayor Pro Tem Gayle Kaler presented Harold T. Alston with a proclamation declaring February 28 at Harold T. Alston Day (this proclamation was scheduled for the February 28 Commission meeting which was cancelled).  Harold Alston, one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, was trained to build and service the new technology of Radar.  He served as an electronics technician alongside the Tuskegee-trained pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group.
• Mayor Pro Tem Gayle Kaler presented members of the Paducah Chapter of the American Red Cross a proclamation naming March as American Red Cross Month.  The Paducah chapter has 31 employees and numerous volunteers to provide services such as support during disasters, life-saving blood, 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans, and their families, and training in CPR, aquatics safety, and first aid.
• Boards and Commissions:  Valerie Pollard and Burford Wilson reappointed to the Paducah-McCracken County Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency; Christopher Jones appointed to the HARC Board; Carol Young appointed to the Board of Adjustment; and Bill Bartleman and Scott Taylor appointed to the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center Corporation.
• Municipal order approved to apply for a Law Enforcement Service Fee Grant through the KY Justice Cabinet in order to operate a one year DUI Enforcement Program.  The grant is for an amount up to $20,000 which will cover 100% of overtime costs for personnel and 75% of the cost of equipment.  The Police Department wants to purchase in-car digital cameras which would require a local match of $2400.
• Ordinance introduced (vote March 20) to amend section 18-91 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances to conform to the National Electric Code regarding the use of metal clad cable. This method is more user-friendly and cost-effective for businesses and contractors.
• Ordinance introduced (vote March 20) to include Nursing Homes and any other similar principal permitted use approved by the Planning Commission in the Planned Office Park Zone (section 126-117 in the Paducah Code of Ordinances).
• Ordinance introduced (March 20) to authorize the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA) to act on behalf of the City Commission in approving expenditures not exceeding $50,000.  This authority would be used to approve construction contracts as part of the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization Project.
• Ordinance introduced (vote March 20) establishing a Special Flood Hazard Development Permit.  This permit, with a $100 application fee and one year expiration time period, will be required of developers before beginning any work within a Special Flood Hazard Area as outlined in Article II of Chapter 50 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances.  The permit is available through the City’s Engineering-Public Works Department.
• Ordinance introduced (vote March 20) to approve four contracts for the Engineering-Public Works Department.  Bids were opened February 16 and evaluated.  These contracts are for calendar years 2012 and 2013.  A one-year renewal agreement also is available for all of the contracts listed below.
  • 2012-2013 Concrete Program-Work includes the completion of concrete work including sidewalks, curbs and gutters, concrete entrances, and storm inlets.  Harper Construction, LLC submitted the lowest evaluated bid for its concrete unit prices and excavation hourly rates. 
  • 2012-2013 Equipment Rental-Danny Cope and Sons Excavating submitted the lowest evaluated bid for the hourly equipment rates including operator.
  • 2012-2013 Street Resurfacing Program—Jim Smith Contracting, LLC submitted the only bid.  Work mainly involves the bituminous resurfacing and milling of city streets.
  • 2012-2013 Limestone Contract—Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company submitted the most responsive bid.
• Ordinance introduced (vote March 20) to accept the 2012 Kentucky League of Cities Safety Award in the amount of $5150 for the purchase of 63 vehicle backup warning sensors.  The City is required to equally match the grant amount.

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