City Commission Meeting Highlights, November 14, 2017

enterprise cities awardKentucky League of Cities Enterprise Cities Award Presentation for Pat & Jim Brockenborough Rotary Health Park

Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) Community Development Advisor Bobbie Bryant presented the City of Paducah with an Enterprise Cities Award for the Pat & Jim Brockenborough Rotary Health Park.  This award recognizes city projects or programs making a true impact in their communities.  This is the second year in a row that Paducah has won for a project in the historic Fountain Avenue Neighborhood.  This year’s award recognizes the work by the City of Paducah, various partner agencies, and volunteers in creating the Health Park located at 421 North 13th Street.  In 2016, the Rotary Club of Paducah in addition to hundreds of volunteers constructed the Paducah Rotary Playground.  In November 2016, the City contracted to construct Phase I which includes a 1/3 mile walking trail, the playground’s safety surface, a fitness area, the grading and resurfacing of the grassy lawn, lighting, landscaping, water fountains, and an expansion of the Community Garden.  A ribbon cutting was held in August 2017.  At the ribbon cutting celebration, it was announced that Mrs. Pat Brockenborough is donating $500,000 toward the construction of a restroom facility and splash pad for Phase II.  

The Enterprise Cities Award program is sponsored by Collins & Company, Inc.  The sponsor is providing $1000 for each winning program to help continue its success.  Paducah received the award in addition to Bowling Green and Morgantown.  Visit https://youtu.be/OaTTtIg1ktM to view a KLC video featuring all three Enterprise Cities Award winners.

 

Resolution Recognizing Partnership with 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade

Col. Sliwinski

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a resolution recognizing the partnership between the City of Paducah and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade, a brigade of approximately 3300 soldiers.  The 

resolution encourages all municipalities and communities within, as well as schools, churches, organizations, and residents, to fully support the partnership efforts with the 101st Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, its military members, and their families now and into the future as they continue to defend our democracy, our security, and our national values.

Commander of the 101st Airborne Division Col. Stanley Sliwinski said, “We believe this partnership is a great way to support the citizens of Paducah and for the citizens of Paducah to show their support of our soldiers.”

 

Resolution in Memory of Robert Lee Patterson

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a resolution in memory of Robert Lee Patterson.  Patterson died October 8, 2017, at the age of 81.  From 1985 to 1992, Patterson served as Paducah’s Police Chief.  He was the first African-American Police Chief in the City of Paducah and the State of Kentucky.  Chief Patterson was instrumental in starting the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program and the West Kentucky Narcotics Program.  In the resolution, the Board of Commissioners offer their condolences to the family of Robert Lee Patterson and express their gratitude for his commitment and leadership in our community.

Robert Patterson Jr. said, “My day enjoyed what he did.  He cared for people.  That meant a lot to him.  He wanted to set good examples for his family and the people he worked with.” 

Paducah Police Chief Brandon Barnhill said, “Chief Patterson’s leadership and the example he provided to the department and community still resonates today.  He was a great man.”

 

Amend 911 Ordinance Allowing City to Audit Telephone Companies for Fee Compliance (vote Nov. 28)

The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance amending Section 2-327 of the Code of Ordinances.  This amendment gives the Director of the 911 Communications Services Department the authority, with City Manager approval, to retain an independent, certified public accountant to audit any private commercial telephone service or system that provides local and 911 emergency service to subscribers.  The audit would verify the accuracy of the collection, receipts and disbursement of fees in addition to the accuracy of the number of 911 subscribers.  The City of Paducah suspects that some landline phone carriers are not accurately charging city customers the $2.50 per line fee and/or not accurately reporting the number of landlines in the city.  The amendment also provides a penalty clause to those found in violation.

 

Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Amendments

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amending the FY2018 Budget.  The budget amendment is necessary due to the following four items:

  • Transfer $320,000 from the Solid Waste Fund reserve into the Solid Waste Fund to cover the costs of purchasing recycling rollouts and public education efforts.  The City is developing a voluntary, curbside recycling program for residents.
  • Increase the budget for the Paducah Transient Boat Dock by $25,000 to cover items including liability insurance and fuel.  It is expected that rental income and fuel sales will offset much of the operational costs for the dock.
  • Re-establish an Administrative Assistant position in the General Government Department which requires an additional $52,000 to cover salary and benefits.  The funds will be transferred from the General Fund reserve account.
  • Increase the Fleet Lease Trust Fund by $72,000 to cover the cost of two police vehicles that had to be replaced due to collisions.  The funds will be transferred from the Fleet Lease Trust reserve account.

 

Quick Highlights

  • Municipal order approved for the annual letter of commitment for Paducah Main Street’s accreditation.  As part of the annual Kentucky Main Street Accreditation by the Kentucky Heritage Council, the City and the Paducah Main Street organization are required to sign a commitment letter to develop, implement, and maintain the Program using the comprehensive Main Street Four-Point Approach as developed by the National Trust Main Street Center.  This program certification is for January 15, 2018 through January 30, 2019.
  • Municipal order approved providing a one year construction extension for 421 North 5th Street.  In September 2015, the City approved the sale of the city-owned surplus property to Adam Moyers and Brandi Harless for $1.  The deed contained an 18-month reversion clause.  This municipal order provides an additional one year to complete the structure’s rehabilitation.   The home has been stabilized with a new roof and tuck-pointing on the brick.  Mayor Harless says she is working with contractors with the interior rehabilitation to start early in 2018.  Mayor Harless abstained from the vote on this municipal order.
  • Municipal order approved authorizing City Manager Jeff Pederson’s Severance and Release Agreement.  Pederson is resigning as City Manager with his last day to be January 12, 2018.
  • Ordinance approved amending the termination date for the non-exclusive franchise agreement between the City of Paducah and Comcast Cable.  This ordinance amends the franchise to provide a month-to-month agreement as both parties are negotiating a new franchise agreement.

 

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