Convention Centers Update

Hal Sullivan with the Convention Center Corporation (CCC) provided an update to the Mayor and Commissioners.  For the upcoming fiscal year, Sullivan says the CCC is requesting $100,000 each from the City of Paducah and McCracken County to aid in the operations of the Julian Carroll Convention Center and the Paducah Expo Center.  The funds from the government agencies would be used to pay the Carson Center for its management of the facilities and for building insurance and maintenance costs.  Sullivan says for the past six months following the embezzlement of funds, the CCC has focused on getting the finances in order and working to restore the community’s confidence in the facilities.  Sullivan thanked the government partners and the Convention & Visitors Bureau for their support.   Mayor Bill Paxton says, “If we can attract this hotel (next to the facilities), the convention centers will take off.  There’s a lot of work to be done.  We are not there yet.  Nobody wants it to happen faster than I do.” 

Proclamations

• Mayor Bill Paxton presented a proclamation to Fire Chief Steve Kyle proclaiming May 6-12, 2012 as Arson Awareness Week and urged all citizens to set good examples for our youth by safely using matches, lighters, and fire and by always supervising young children.  The U.S. Fire Administration reports that each year an average of 56,300 fires are started by children resulting in 110 civilian deaths, 880 injuries, and $286 million in property damage.  The theme for 2012 National Arson Awareness Week is “Prevent Youth Firesetting.”  In 2011, the Paducah Fire Department partnered with several local organizations to create the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program of Paducah-McCracken County.  To date, 32 local juveniles have graduated from the program which includes educational instruction in the appropriate use of fire. 

• Mayor Paxton presented a proclamation to Fire Chief Steve Kyle proclaiming May 2012 as Building Safety Month and urged all citizens to consider projects to improve building safety and sustainability and to acknowledge the service provided by our local inspection and fire departments in protecting lives and property through the use of the International Codes and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes.

• Mayor Paxton presented a proclamation to Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Mary Hammond proclaiming May 5-13, 2012 as Travel and Tourism Week. 

Noble Park Pool Renovation Engineering Contract Addendum

The City of Paducah has embarked on the Noble Park Pool Renovation Project.  The Noble Park Pool has not received a significant renovation since 1992.  Renovations are needed to enhance the concession and wading pool areas and extend the life of the pool including new lighting, slide and diving boards, a new liner system, gutter and piping systems, circulation, filtration, and disinfection systems, and new treatment buildings.  The City contracted with Florence & Hutchison, Inc. (F&H) in November 2011 in the amount of $98,700 for professional engineering services.  The engineering services include a code review, an existing conditions assessment, a preliminary engineering report, design and permitting, bidding and procurement, and construction administration services.  The initial review by F&H shows the pool to be in worse shape than expected and the initial estimate of $770,000 only would cover the mechanical needs of the swimming area.  At this meeting, the Mayor and Commission approved an ordinance to provide an addendum to F&H’s contract to provide engineering services for the concessions area and upgrading the wading pool to a sprayground.  The additional engineering services would cost $44,500 and the additional upgrades to the pool would make the pool project cost an estimated $1,055,000.  The pool rehabilitation would start in August after the pool closes for the summer season.  An average of 300-400 people per day visits the Noble Park pool each year. 

Amend Memorandum of Understanding with Higdon Development

The Mayor and Commission approved an ordinance to amend the memorandum of understanding (MOU) approved in February 2011 between the city of Paducah and Higdon Development, Inc. and its development company Greenway Village, LLC to extend the allowed time to execute the infill agreement by one year.  The proposed development by Higdon includes the construction of apartments and condominiums on vacant land owned by Higdon adjacent to Stuart Nelson Park and the Greenway Trail.  The construction is underway.  The complex will have a pool, clubhouse, workout facility, and sidewalks.  Since this infill development helps maintain growth within the city limits, the city of Paducah agrees to reimburse Higdon Development for the costs to construct and install the public improvements including streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm sewers etc. up to an amount not to exceed the total amount of ad valorem real property taxes assessed over a ten year period.  The development may be completed in two phases, and the City agrees to enter into an agreement for each of the phases.  The MOU also outlines the City’s commitment in improving two intersections where Greenway Drive, within the apartment complex, intersects two City streets, County Park Road and Stuart Nelson Park Road. 

City Manager Report

• City Manager Jeff Pederson says there will be a Commission Meeting on May 15; however, the May 22 meeting will likely be cancelled due to the Kentucky Primary Election. 

• Pederson says he expects to make a recommendation to the Mayor and Commission within the next month regarding the pilot project of the Fire Department overseeing the Inspection Department.  A feedback session held today at the Civic Center allowing local contractors to provide their input was successful with approximately 15-20 contractors attending.  The contractors were asked to complete a survey and had an opportunity to ask questions.

• Pederson also briefed the Mayor and Commission about the budget process.  He says the County is requesting additional money from the City for the next fiscal year for animal control.  The annual budgeted request may increase approximately $50,000.  Pederson says, “That’s a significant increase to a general fund outlay at a time when chunks of money that size are hard to find.”  Pederson also says the more than half million dollar shortfall in the Investment Fund is beginning to close.  The City had budgeted in the next fiscal year $850,000 for site preparation for a new hotel next to the Julian Carroll Convention Center.  Pederson says after reviewing the timeline for development, that amount can be divided between two fiscal years.  Paducah’s fiscal year begins July 1.

Quick Highlights:

• Leslie Prestel with R.S.V.P. (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) discussed National Senior Corps Week.  In 2011, R.S.V.P. had 432 volunteers who helped 32 local non-profit agencies.  If paid, their services would total nearly $1.2 million.   Guelda Wooldridge, Director of the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center, talked about Older Americans Month.  The Senior Center provides a lunch and a variety of activities.  The senior ride program helped 8000 individuals in 2011.  Plus, 30,000 meals were delivered through the meals on wheels program.

• Municipal order approved to adopt a new employee pay grade schedule utilizing information compiled by consultant Victoria McGrath.

• Municipal order approved to apply for a $1000 grant through the Walmart Foundation to assist in funding the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program.  No local cash match is required.

• Municipal order approved to apply for the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Accountability Grant in the amount of $16,035.  If awarded, the grant will be used to purchase three in-car digital cameras and other equipment.  No local match is required To support the grant application, an ordinance was introduced (vote May 15) for an interlocal agreement between the City of Paducah and McCracken County.

• Ordinance approved for a contract with the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau in the amount of $25,000 on behalf of the American Quilter’s Society to be used for marketing and promoting of events related to the 2012 AQS Quilt Show.  The funds provide a local match for a State Tourism grant.

• Ordinance approved amending Section 126-76 (g) of the code of ordinances to allow for electronic message signs in the Planned Office Park Zone (Information Age Park).

• Ordinance approved accepting the bid from Bluegrass Fire Equipment in the amount of $1,088 per set for turnout gear for the Paducah Fire Department.

• Ordinance approved accepting the bid from Bluegrass Uniforms for a two year contract for service to provide uniforms for the Paducah Fire Department.

• Ordinance approved extending the deadline for the COPS grant award to December 31, 2013 so that the full amount awarded could be expended.

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