City Commission Meeting Highlights

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

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Veterans Day Opening Ceremony and Parade

Recreation Superintendent Amie Clark and Veterans Day Committee member Buddy Smith reminded the public that the Veterans Day Parade will be Friday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m.  Smith says, “Most of all we need to teach our kids there’s a price for freedom.”  The parade starts at 2nd and Broadway and disbands at Broadway and 17th Street.  The parade has 35 entries including the four local high school bands.  A ceremony, which includes the introduction of the Distinguished Veteran and the reading of the first place Veterans Day essays, will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the downtown gazebo.  There were 870 entries for the Veterans Day Essay Contest. 

100 Best Communities for Young People Award

The Mayor and Commission approved an ordinance to accept the $2500 grant award from the American’s Promise Alliance for the City’s achievement in being named 2011 100 Best Communities for Young People.  The Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club assisted in the application process.  The Mayor and Commission will provide the grant funding to Oscar Cross which will be used to fund two youth programs.  The programs are Date Smart and Passport to Manhood.  Date Smart provides boys and girls ages 13 to 18 with guidance on achieving safe and healthy relationships free of violence and abuse.  Oscar Cross staff also would receive instruction on helping the teens and their families connect with local resources to prevent dating, sexual, or domestic violence.  Passport to Manhood is an interactive program that teaches responsibility to boys ages 11 to 14.  The boys would participate in the 60 to 90 minute session each week for 14 weeks.

Riverfront Development Annexation (vote Nov. 22)

The Commissioners introduced an ordinance to re-annex a portion of the Ohio River along Paducah’s riverfront.  The re-annexation would allow the City of Paducah to have jurisdiction over future riverfront development including a marina and facilities.  An intent to re-annex ordinance was adopted by the Commission in August.  Since that time, the Planning Department has completed tasks for compliance with KRS 81A and 83A including the publication of the ordinance and a 60 day waiting period.  The area of the river to be re-annexed totals 208.7 acres.  If Washington and Campbell Streets were extended to the river, the re-annexed area is between those streets and extends out to the thread of the river (approximate center line based on contour elevations on each bank).  Historically, the boundary of the City of Paducah along the Ohio and Tennessee rivers extended to the low water line along the Illinois shore of the Ohio River and the low water line along Owens Island.  The boundary line was established by ordinance in 1871 and 1894.  However, in 1946 the City of Paducah de-annexed the river.  This ordinance is to re-annex a portion of the river along downtown Paducah.

Engineering Contract for the Noble Park Pool Renovation Project (vote Nov. 22)

The Commissioners introduced an ordinance for an agreement with Florence & Hutcheson, Inc. in the amount of $98,700 for professional engineering services association with the Noble Park Pool Renovation Project.  The services would include a code review, an existing conditions assessment, a preliminary engineering report, design and permitting, bidding and procurement, and construction administration services.  At the October 18 City Commission meeting, Parks Services Department Director Mark Thompson outlined a plan to renovate the Noble Park swimming pool and concession area.  Renovations are needed to enhance the concession area and extend the life of the pool including a chemical, filtration, mechanical, and electrical system.  Thompson says during the summer the pool loses more than 5000 gallons per day due to leaks in the piping.  The pool structure itself is in good shape.  However, the buildings to house the electrical components and the chemicals need to be replaced.  Currently, the concession area is not equipped to cook food such as hamburgers and hot dogs.  Thompson estimates the cost to renovate the pool and the concession area between $700,000 and $800,000.  The last time the pool was significantly renovated was in 1992 when the current metal liner, water slide, and fountain were added.   The pool rehabilitation would start next August after the pool closes for the summer season.  City Manager Jeff Pederson says the funding for the engineering services will come from the Investment Fund.  An average of 400 visitors per day enjoy the Noble Park pool during the summer. 

Quick Highlights:

• Boards and Commissions:  Bill Griggs appointed to Paducah Golf Commission; Rube Davis and Beverly McKinley reappointed with Mark Fogelsong appointed to the Nuisance Code Enforcement Board.
• Ordinance approved for the fourth amendment to the Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Sprint/Nextel and Motorola for the 800 MHz rebanding.
• Ordinance approved for the purchase of a 2012 Ford F250 truck in the amount of $39,540 under the state contract for use by the EPW-Floodwall Division.
• Ordinance approved for a contract between the City of Paducah and Peel & Holland pertaining to the administration of the City’s health insurance.  The consulting service fee is $65,000 with an additional fee of $200 per hour with a minimum retainer of $5000 if additional services are requested.
• Ordinance introduced (vote Nov. 22) to purchase a fire rescue vehicle in the amount of $149,460 from Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corporation.
• Ordinance introduced (vote Nov. 22) to accept a Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $60,000 to be used for the purchase of hand-held radios and other equipment for the police department.  No local match is required.
• Mayor Pro Tem Kaler commented on the latest edition of the SkyWest magazine which features Paducah. Go Publications, Barkley Regional Airport, and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau collaborated on this article on Paducah which is featured in the Nov/Dec issue of SkyWest magazine.  The magazine is now in the seat back of every United Express airplane.

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