The Paducah City Commission met on May 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM with all commissioners present. The meeting included proclamations, awards, public comments, consent agenda approvals, introduction of ordinances, and a detailed budget discussion for fiscal year 2027.
Betty Dobson and Rosa Scott (representing Hotel Metropolitan) thanked the commission for past support and requested timely payment of an outstanding invoice and approval of construction budget funding, citing an upcoming visit from the Kentucky Museum Association. The city manager acknowledged waiting for Mellon Foundation approval and promised follow-up.
Philip Rowland (525 South 19th St) expressed concerns about a sidewalk construction project, citing lack of notice, unclear right-of-way boundaries, and removal of fencing without prior communication. He requested transparent access to plats and engineering documents. The commission acknowledged the requests and committed to follow-up.
Josh Massey (1150 Miller St) opposed construction of new nuclear facilities in Paducah, arguing against economic viability (citing Bloomberg and DIW Berlin), health risks from ionizing radiation, and inadequate insurance under the Price Anderson Act. He advocated for continued remediation ("no action proposal") and criticized the burden on the community.
Erica Moore (422 North 7th St) questioned the return on investment for nuclear projects, noting $113 million in tax incentives for 380 permanent jobs over 15 years on a Superfund site with a 2065 cleanup completion. She urged commissioners to consider cumulative impacts and requested a holistic review.
(Mayor Bray noted that proposed nuclear projects are located in McCracken County, not within city limits, and encouraged citizens to also express concerns to the county.)
Good afternoon, everyone, welcome. Uh, it's five o'clock straight up and down. So I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order on May twelfth, twenty twenty-six, and ask our city clerk to please call roll. Commissioner Henderson, present. Commissioner Smith. Here. Commissioner Thomas. Commissioner Wilson, present. Mayor Bray. Present. Uh I would ask uh Commissioner Henderson to do the invocation, and then we'll all remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Grateful that you've given us the opportunity to serve this community. And so, God, our prayer is that you'll give us wisdom and that you'll give us discernment as we make decisions that affect us all. Father, we pray for those who are in this room, for our citizens who are here, and we pray for our entire city of Paducah. Lord, we pray for your covering, we pray for your blessings now in Jesus' name. Amen. One is for National Public Works Week. And the other one is National Police Week and Police Officers Memorial Day. So I'll start with the public works and ask Chris Yarber to come up. And whereas the quality and effectiveness of these facilities and services, as well as their planning, construction and maintenance are vitally dependent upon the dedicated efforts and skills of our public works employees. And whereas the year 2026 marks the sixty-sixth annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. And whereas this year's theme, rooted in service, powered by community, is a tribute to all public works employees who create the foundation of a stronger, more livable community. Now, therefore, I, George P. Bray, mayor of the City of Paducah, do hereby proclaim May 17th to 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week. While we wait for the picture, these are the supervisors and superintendents to clarify the public works. Service the community. Thank you all for what we do. I'll just confirm. I mean, I get mayor not get a lot of uh we'll call it input citizens. One thing I never get is a complaint about these folks. Maybe there's been one occur at some point, but if it does, it gets taken care of like that. So thanks. National Police Week is observed annually in the United States to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who protect our communities with courage, integrity, and commitment. And whereas Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed during National Police Week to pay special tribute to those brave officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. And whereas law enforcement officers across our nation serve with valor and distinction, often placing themselves in harm's way to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. And whereas the risk faced daily by police officers are great, and their commitment to uphold the law and protect the public deserves our respect, support, and heartfelt gratitude. And whereas it is important that we recognize the ongoing contributions of our local state and federal law enforcement officers, and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Okay, next on the agenda is the presentation of the 2026 Dogwood award winners, and I just um wanna call out that uh our Civic Beautification Board does yeoman's work in helping organize this festival um and going around and making sure that uh people get recognized, and so I'm gonna turn it over to Stacy, Stacy Direct. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Bragg and Commissioners for letting us always forget this for letting us um be a part of this tonight and present the awards to the dogwood trail winners um for 2026. What a beautiful spring it's been. We were a little nervous about the trees with the weather changes. We had cold weather, we had warm weather, but in the end um we had to change some dates around, but everything worked out and and it was absolutely beautiful this year. You know, I'm just in awe at that this is the 62nd year that the dogwood trails happened in Paducah and growing up in Paducah. A lot of you all probably remember as a child, your parents taking you on the dogwood trail. Maybe it was two blocks long on Sycamore at that time, but you know, look at it now. I think it was over 13 miles this year. So hopefully we can keep expanding and and doing different things to get other people to light up and and we truly appreciate those of you who do take the time to groom your trees and to take care of your yards and and to light up because we know it takes time and not everyone does that, and it does make Paducah a very special place to live. So thank you. So our first um award tonight, it's it's our big award, it's the Dolly McNutt Award.