OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Paducah City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026

City Commission — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyPaducah, Kentucky
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:11:01

Transcript — Verbatim
1:58

Good afternoon, everyone, welcome.

2:00

Uh, it's five o'clock straight up and down.

2:03

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.

2:10

Commissioner Henderson, present.

2:12

Commissioner Smith.

2:13

Here.

2:14

Commissioner Thomas.

2:15

Commissioner Wilson, present.

2:17

Mayor Bray.

2:18

Present.

2:19

Uh I would ask uh Commissioner Henderson to do the invocation, and then we'll all remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:34

Grateful that you've given us the opportunity to serve this community.

2:38

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.

2:44

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.

2:50

Lord, we pray for your covering, we pray for your blessings now in Jesus' name.

2:54

Amen.

3:29

One is for National Public Works Week.

3:48

And the other one is National Police Week and Police Officers Memorial Day.

3:54

So I'll start with the public works and ask Chris Yarber to come up.

5:13

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.

5:30

And whereas the year 2026 marks the sixty-sixth annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association.

5:40

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.

5:55

Now, therefore, I, George P.

5:57

Bray, mayor of the City of Paducah, do hereby proclaim May 17th to 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week.

6:25

While we wait for the picture, these are the supervisors and superintendents to clarify the public works.

6:39

Service the community.

6:41

Thank you all for what we do.

6:44

I'll just confirm.

6:45

I mean, I get mayor not get a lot of uh we'll call it input citizens.

6:52

One thing I never get is a complaint about these folks.

6:57

Maybe there's been one occur at some point, but if it does, it gets taken care of like that.

7:03

So thanks.

7:51

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.

8:06

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.

8:20

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.

8:33

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.

8:48

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.

10:20

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.

10:47

Thank you.

10:47

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.

11:00

What a beautiful spring it's been.

11:01

We were a little nervous about the trees with the weather changes.

11:04

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.

11:13

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.

11:20

A lot of you all probably remember as a child, your parents taking you on the dogwood trail.

11:25

Maybe it was two blocks long on Sycamore at that time, but you know, look at it now.

11:29

I think it was over 13 miles this year.

11:31

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.

11:49

So thank you.

11:50

So our first um award tonight, it's it's our big award, it's the Dolly McNutt Award.

11:56

And if you've ever driven down Forest Circle, there's a house that stands out, and I have to say the owners of that home work countless hours to keep that yard immaculate.

12:06

They probably work more hours in one weekend than I do all year, keeping mine up.

12:10

So and it it warms my heart that they won the Dolly McNutt Award this year because they truly deserve it.

12:16

That's John Park and Matt Turley, and they live at 3426 Forest Circle.

12:21

You want to come up and get your award.

12:37

Thank you.

12:37

Very welcome, thank you.

12:40

Our next award goes to a beautiful home on Jefferson, and they had the cutest little baby dogwoods this year.

12:46

So we were really honored to um give them the baby dogwood award this year.

12:50

And they live at 2330 Jefferson Street, and the owners of the home are Shannon and Shana Crockett.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%
Procedural████████████12%
Economic Development███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Paducah City Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026

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.

Proclamations & Awards

  • Mayor Bray issued proclamations declaring May 17–23, 2026 as National Public Works Week (theme: "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community") and National Police Week and Police Officers Memorial Day. Public Works supervisors and superintendents were recognized.
  • Stacy Direct of the Civic Beautification Board presented the 2026 Dogwood Trail Awards, including the Dolly McNutt Award to John Park and Matt Turley (3426 Forest Circle), Baby Dogwood Award to Shannon and Shana Crockett (2330 Jefferson), and multiple other awards to residents and businesses. The trail covered over 13 miles this year.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • 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.)

Discussion Items

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. Items included minutes of April 28, 2026, personnel actions, a contract amendment with Tyler Technologies ($7,850 annually), a memorandum of agreement with Dr. John Penney, a contract modification with SprintTurf LLC ($66,406.44) for sports park batting cages, submission of the CDBG annual action plan, and a contract with Atlantic Emergency Solutions ($43,949.40) for firefighter turnout gear.
  • Municipal Order – CDBG Sidewalk Replacement Project: Authorized an invitation to bid. Discussion focused on communication with property owners; staff described field meetings and mail notifications. Commissioner Thomas suggested using door hangers to improve outreach. The order passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance Introduction – R3 Zoning Text Amendment: Introduced to permit neighborhood corner stores, reduce minimum lot size and width, and encourage infill development. The Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation. Final vote scheduled for next meeting.
  • Ordinance Introduction – Budget Amendment (FY26): Introduced to adjust revenues and appropriations for the current fiscal year. Final vote in two weeks.
  • Budget Discussion for FY27: Finance Director Audra presented the proposed $7.9 million investment fund and $51.7 million general fund. Key points:
    • General fund revenues (big four: payroll, insurance premium, property, business license) projected at just under $42 million, up $1.4 million.
    • Expenditures increased $500,000, driven by personnel costs (union contracts, health insurance) – initial $2.2 million increase partially offset by freezing 9 positions ($800,000 savings).
    • Debt service appropriations flat at $5.5 million.
    • Recommended raising the minimum undesignated cash balance from 10% to 25% of appropriations (three months of operating expenses) to improve fiscal resilience.
    • Unfunded capital needs include police department headquarters (design funded from future facilities set-aside), fire station #4 replacement, and others; a future bond issue of approximately $25 million anticipated.
    • Staff will continue seeking efficiencies, including exploring AI tools. City manager highlighted online filing and process improvements.
    • Final budget message and first reading expected at the next meeting (May 26, 2026).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda and municipal order approved unanimously.
  • Ordinances introduced (R3 text amendment and FY26 budget amendment); final votes set for May 26, 2026.
  • FY27 budget discussion concluded with direction to staff for final adjustments; first reading scheduled next meeting.
  • Commissioner Thomas reported a positive experience during the South Side door knocking campaign and thanked planning staff.
  • Commissioner Smith apologized for arriving late after assisting an elderly woman whose motorized wheelchair was stuck on an incomplete sidewalk on Kentucky Avenue (state route) and requested review of that location.
  • Meeting adjourned unanimously at approximately [time not specified in transcript].

Meeting Transcript

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.

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