Uh here in the city, we'd like to be on time and uh stick to the agenda and get everybody in and out of here uh in a reasonable amount of time.

So welcome everybody.

It's great to see uh people that attend our meetings um and I'll go ahead and call the meeting to order uh on June 9th, 2026, and I'll ask our city clerk to please call roll.

Commissioner Henderson, Commissioner Smith, here commissioner Thomas, present commissioner Wilson, present, Mayor Bray.

Present.

I'll ask uh if I would Commissioner Thomas to say the invocation, then we'll remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Continue to cover us and allow us to make the best decisions for our community.

We pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.

And for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

City manager, are there any additions or deletions to the agenda?

Mayor, none this evening.

Okay.

So first thing is a presentation.

We uh the city runs um uh a citizens academy that we're very proud of.

Uh citizens uh from the city and as well as the county, anybody, it's open to anybody to come in and learn more about what the city does, and uh Kathy uh ran the program for us this year, and so I'll turn it over to her.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good evening, Mayor, Commissioners, uh, City Manager, City Clerk, and our honor guests for this evening.

Um welcome to Citizens Academy graduation ceremony portion of tonight's commission meeting.

Uh the Citizens Academy provides residents a unique opportunity to gain behind the scenes um aspect of what we do here at the city.

Um over the past nine weeks, participants have had the opportunity to um gain knowledge and engage in um engage in sessions led by our municipal leaders, our department directors and staff.

They've learned firsthand about the programs, the services, and the operations that we do here at the city.

Uh classes were held every Thursday evening, and to successfully complete the participation program, you had to participate and atten at least seven of the nine um evenings.

So for the ones here tonight, thank you.

Uh, for that time that you have given to uh to our city, to our staff.

We appreciate you very much.

Um as I call your name, please come forward to receive your certificate of completion and commemorative pen.

Um city clerk is going to help.

After you receive your items, if you would um come into the uh circle here, we will gather together and take a picture with city manager and our commission.

So here we go, and they should be in order for us.

All right, first, Carmella Ballard.

Thank you, Carmela.

Carol Desmukes.

Carrie Childers.

Christina George.

Dinah Garing.

Donald Garing.

Probably should have called him first so you didn't have to step over your husband.

Jeffrey Carlson.

Linda Carlson.

Matthew Evinger.

Let's see.

Matthew Scott.

Matthew Scott, he is not here tonight.

Looks like he's unable to attend.

Meredith Schroeder.

Thank you, Miss Meredith.

She was our doubt, daredevil for all of our sessions, getting in all the vehicles, trying all the things out.

That's right.

She's a board.

Pam Tevis Manny.

Did I?

And Vince Carter.

Congratulations to each of our graduates.

And thank you for your interest, dedication, and commitment to learning more about our city government.

We did have two team members with the city that also wanted to participate just to expand their knowledge for their positions with the city.

One was Daisha Johnson.

She is within our HR department in the diversity group.

She was unable to make it tonight.

The other was Ann Puckett.

Um he is our assistant to the mayor and commissioners.

So thank you, Ian, as well.

Here's your certificate and pen as well.

So let's get them all a round of applause.

All right.

If you would like to stand, we will get a group picture.

I just want to, I just want to say publicly, you know, the first step is Citizens Academy.

The second step could be running for office.

Or working for the city, serving on a board with this city.

You know, there's a lot of options.

Yeah, we could start lower than that.

Running for mayor.

I'm gonna get between the stuff right here.

We'll add it during the time.

I don't know that I'd take the risk.

I just don't know if I'd take the risk.

Congrats.

Thank you all.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Thank you guys.

Appreciate you.

Thanks for listening.

Thank you.

I know you it's not required.

Vince.

Vince, you need to stay.

I'm just kidding.

Thank you very much.

Okay, we'll move to the consent agenda consent agenda where items on the consent agenda are considered to be really routine by the Board of Commissioners, and they are enacted by one motion and one vote.

There'll be no separate discussion of these items unless a board member so request and which it in which event uh we will remove that item uh from the consent agenda and consider it separately.

City clerk will read the items recommended for approval unless a commissioner has an item uh that they'd like to discuss separately.

City clerk.

Approved minutes for the May 26, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting, receive and file documents, appointment of AJ Patel to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to fulfill the term of Vigus Patel, who has resigned.

This term shall expire December 31st, 2027.

Appointment of Tanya Shelton to the Creative and Cultural Council to replace Stephen Page, whose term has expired.

This term shall expire March 24th, 2029.

Personnel actions, a municipal order adopting the position and pay schedule for the full-time employees of the city of Paducah, Kentucky for fiscal year 2027.

A municipal order approving the job grade schedule for the employees of the City of Paducah, Kentucky for fiscal year 2027.

A municipal order accepting the bid of CJ Mahan, construction company LLC for the pump station number 11, pump three repair project, authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for same and authorizing the payment in the amount of 245,025.

A municipal order approving change order number three with Jim Smith contracting for additional scope of work for the Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project Build for $130,382 and 28 cents and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to SAME.

A municipal order authorizing a contract extension for the endpoint detection and response services with Kroll Incorporated in the amount of $134.30 cents per endpoint for up to 370 endpoints plus in point overages and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to same.

A municipal order declaring certain real property located at 5065 Concord Avenue, surplus to the needs of the City of Paducah, authorizing its disposition by public auction and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to same.

A municipal order authorizing and improving amendment number 11 and 12 to the professional consulting agreement with Federal Engineering Incorporated for professional services related to the implementation support for the Paducah McCracken County 911 radio upgrade project and an amount not to exceed 120,000 and authorizing the mayor to execute the amendment.

A municipal order approving the employment agreement between the City of Paducah and Police Officer Joseph Hayes and authorizing the mayor to execute same.

A municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for services between the city of Paducah and the Upper Town Heritage Foundation for operational support, capacity building and related services for the Hotel Metropolitan and Purple Room.

So moved.

Second.

Call roll.

Commissioner Henderson.

I'm Commissioner Smith.

Aye.

Commissioner Thomas?

Aye.

Commissioner Wilson.

Aye.

Mayor Bray.

Aye.

We have three municipal orders to approve tonight.

The first two have to do with some property on the south side, and we'll take them individually, but I'll ask the city clerk, please read the first one.

Proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to adopt a municipal order entitled.

A municipal order declaring the real property located at 718 Jones Street, Paducah, Kentucky, to be surplus property accepting the bid of Sheila Kirkendall of Teddy Bear Development in the amount of $100 and authorizing the mayor to execute the deed and all documents related to SAME.

Second.

So I like your enthusiasm there, Commissioner Smith.

This is the first of what we hope are many to come.

This is the first action or movement we've seen on a couple of parcels and both of these.

One will be um 1,100 square foot home, two bedroom, two bath.

And then the next one that you you'll have up to read is a 1,300 square foot home, three bedroom, two bath, and they are both on the same section, same block there of Jones Street, and then we have one other that will come before you in another the next commission meeting, we hope.

So we're starting to get a little density.

We're starting to get developers in and applying for the property and starting to receive some of those and enter into those development grants will be the next step.

We have those drafts out now.

So are they taking advantage of the city uh incentives on both these properties?

Yes, they will.

They are.

Okay.

Okay.

Any questions?

I mean, you know, obviously, you know, anything that we get going in the south side's been hard.

Right.

It's been uh, you know, to get get things going, but we need to build, we need to build density.

Uh and we need more developers to take it, take advantage and take take some risk and use the city's incentives, you know, to cover their risk.

Yes, yes, absolutely.

And and we're pleased that these will be able to be within eye shot of one another.

Um, and it'll it'll really change the look of of that whole block, and that's what we need.

Questions, comments from Commissioners.

Okay, all right.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thanks.

I'll ask uh oh, please call roll.

Commissioner Henderson.

Aye.

Commissioner Smith, aye.

Commissioner Thomas.

Aye.

Commissioner Wilson.

Aye.

Mayor Bray.

Aye.

And I'll ask the clerk to read the second uh sale of surplus property that Miss Gaul just talked about.

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to adopt a municipal order entitled, a municipal order declaring the real property located at 709 Jones Street, Paducah, Kentucky, to be surplus property, accepting the bid of John B.

Vontismar by Fly by Night Incorporated in the amount of one dollar and authorizing the mayor to execute the deed in all documents related to same.

So move.

Second.

Call roll.

Commissioner Henderson.

Aye.

Commissioner Smith.

Aye.

Commissioner Thomas.

Aye.

Commissioner Wilson.

Aye.

Mayor Bray.

Aye.

So the last municipal order is uh a pretty big one, and I'll um I'll ask the uh uh clerk to please read it, and then uh we have a couple of people here to talk about it.

I proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to adopt a municipal order entitled, a municipal order approving a contract with PFGW architects for design, engineering, and construction administration for the City Hall Stabilization Project and the amount of $842,500 and authorizing the mayor to execute the contract and all other documents related to the same.

So moved.

Second.

Sure.

Mayor and Commission and Community members.

And those next steps is going to be a big project for this building.

And it uh but uh we'll extend the like the life uh of this property as well.

And so Chris, with that.

Okay.

Um thank you, Darren.

Um Commissioner, Mayor, uh Madam Clerk.

Um made my job much easier.

You recall sorry, I didn't mean to steal you.

I apologize.

The uh back in February, of course, you authorize us to go out for proposal uh for a design or professional services, uh design services uh to prepare and provide the appropriate architectural engineering contract documents uh for permitting a design, historic preservation, and bidding uh as well as construction administration.

Uh you did that in February.

We were able to go out for proposals in February.

We received the proposals and uh we've done our initial interview, and we think this is the route we need to go.

Uh with that said, Jeff's gonna introduce his team and do a sort presentation to let you know what we're exactly what we're speaking of.

Thank you, Chris.

Uh city manager, if you'd like to speak for me too, that would be great.

Um I'd appreciate that.

So um thank you all for letting us be here tonight and inviting us to be here to uh to speak to this uh uh this this project.

Uh this is a substantial project for uh the city and and maintaining this building, this uh uh the historic property uh that is a that is a real uh architectural treasure in this community and and really around the nation.

Uh so uh as you remember this uh this uh building did undergo a project back in 2018 to uh to do a lot of work uh with canopy, uh fixing some spalling concrete at that time to stabilize any uh sagging on the corners.

Uh uh we uh did you know skylight work and the pyramid and ceilings inside, new windows, new doors, um, and and that uh project was pretty extensive.

Uh in the times since that uh there has been some additional movement on the canopy, uh sagging uh of the canopy.

Uh we uh and so we we think through with uh some efforts with BFW uh structural engineering team doing some initial assessments.

Um we we feel like we've got a path forward here to uh to to fix the issue permanently and and also address some other issues that are ongoing maintenance items uh with water infiltration into the basement and then also some uh some water uh uh storm water mitigation uh in the the uh basement parking garage as well.

Uh so what I want to do tonight is just give a very brief overview, kind of a 30,000 foot view of of this project.

Uh part of this, uh the the biggest part of this is scan canopy stabilization and replacement.

Uh so all of the structure outside of the out exterior wall of this building uh it is supported by the columns and then a cantilevered uh full fully concrete roof structure.

Uh that there's a lot of weight there.

And so uh I think our our proposal at this point is to remove the concrete roof from the outside wall of the building out uh to remove the concrete columns and go back with a a lighter weight structural steel system.

Um we're still working on solutions about how do we clad that system uh to at least uh if not truly replicate what's already out here, but at least uh uh provide a like system so that we don't lose because this building is listed on the national register.

Uh we're not uh not anticipating pursuing tax credits on this project.

Uh so that gives us a little bit of uh uh freedom in what in how we address this, but we certainly want to be sensitive to the historic nature of this property.

Uh this is one of the only two Edward Durrell stone buildings still left in Kentucky.

We've lost several over the past eight years or so, and uh, and so uh we want to be sensitive to that, but but a lot of this work will uh require pretty extensive uh scaffolding and and uh uh temporary supports and and protections around the perimeter of this building.

Uh we're looking at you know uh covering the windows, construction debris nets, work platforms, scaffolding to to tackle the work in a very methodical way uh so that we can get in and come back and do the work that's required to replace what's here.

Um and so we we feel like we've got a good plan there uh that'll be a better system long term.

Uh the diagram on the left here uh shows the uh and just to remind everybody of terminology that we had to learn eight years ago.

Uh the podium is the porch around the building.

Uh uh the the uh and so that's just uh kind of the the term that that uh Edward Durell Stone used, and so that's what we're using as well.

Uh but the the podium will be uh off limits.

Uh we'll we'll have some uh some access tunnels uh much as what we did eight years ago for for the public to still access the building through that work area.

Uh we'll coordinate that.

We'll still have egress out the the uh uh this side of the building as well, uh so that we've got maintained proper egress and all of that.

Um but that this is probably the this is the biggest portion of the project uh that we're doing and and will be the most noticeable uh to the public.

Uh another part of that uh is our podium repair and and structural remediation.

Uh we're still getting water infiltrating into the basement uh through the podium.

Uh and so we want to uh remove all of the as part of this work with the canopy removal and the column removal is go ahead and remove the the concrete slab around the podium all the all the way around the perimeter uh to come back with a uh uh a membrane system that will keep water from infiltrating all the way through and transmitting through to the basement and then coming back with either uh another cast-in-place concrete uh paving system or cast in or uh pre-cast pavers to go on top of that.

Uh we'll incorporate some roof drain or some uh some uh promenade drains, uh deck drains on that's on the podium as well that will capture any water on the surface, but it also has water that can be captured if it gets through the concrete, the initial layer of concrete uh that water will then be filtered through the membrane, the drainage membrane to the drains themselves as well.

Uh so kind of a two-stage system here uh that can uh get any water off the podium and away from the the perimeter of the uh uh the basement and then uh as part of that work uh we we've been noticing and BFW noted in particular uh some uh some deterioration on the concrete joists in the basement below the podium.

Uh and so we're uh do some remediation there uh and and repair those and uh and give those new life and and uh in in that process as well.

Um then another the kind of third stage of this project is is stormwater issues.

We've got um if y'all have had your uh feet wet in the basement uh due to rain, uh this is uh part of that problem.

The the ramps uh just funnel water down into the basement when it rains.

Uh so we're gonna look at uh addressing that with uh uh probably some some additional drains at the top of the ramps, uh uh maybe some some grading work on the the yard the lawns around the ramps, and then also uh fixing the drains at the bottom of the ramps and making sure that those are not collapsed and uh and preventing water from draining out properly if it does get that far.

So all of this work uh that we anticipate will take some time to do a final design process.

Uh this is our anticipated project schedule at this point.

Um we we think this is uh this is um you know very doable, but we will look for uh opportunities to expedite this schedule when we can.

Uh I think the biggest thing is just some of these uh solutions that we need to come up with and and and find the proper solution, such as the the topping of the the podium deck and and the cladding of the canopy once the structural steel goes up.

Uh but we're looking at about uh 50 to 55 weeks to the point where we can bid the project once we get a contract signed and get a notice to proceed.

Uh so about a year uh for design, construction documents and and that uh and bidding documents and putting it out to bid.

Um we do have on these milestone dates, we do have presentations to the commission uh at different intervals throughout though at about a 30 and a 60 and a 90 percent interval through the design and construction document process will be coming back and providing updates to you uh so that you know where we are in the process.

Um and so that's uh looking at about a year for design.

Uh this is a complicated project.

Uh the the building uh is being planned at this point to be uh fully occupied throughout uh the construction period.

Uh so um so that'll uh uh you know we'll just have to coordinate with that and and work through that process with uh with y'all as the occupants.

Um but uh but again another about a year for construction here.

Um be happy to enter entertain any questions you may have.

Yeah, what's what's the cost?

What's the number?

Eight Estimated construction costs of about eight million dollars.

Okay.

Seems like that's a lot of work for a year.

And really a lot of work for eight million dollars, but I guess we'll see.

Uh Chris, you want to speak to kind of the leading up to and how we got the that estimate and the good faith estimate that we have at this point.

Uh well, that's based off the information we gathered over what needs to actually be done.

Um Jeff and his team come up with that number for so um, yeah, and and and I would I would add that is a you know conceptual number at this point because we don't have some solutions we don't have yet.

Uh you know, we've got some ideas, uh, but this is still just very conceptual based upon the scope of work that we see at this point.

Uh we will be fine-tuning that as we go and is it developing opinions of costs throughout the design and construction document process and updating that um and and still you know, again, working with the schedule to see if where we can expedite things on the design and construction document in to then you know see how we can and and part of that process too is also to figure out um how we can best plan this for construction so that we so the contractor can get things done in a in a timely manner and in an efficient manner as well.

So I think it should be noted uh, you know, in 2018-17, Mr.

Wilson can give us a little history.

I think there was a big discussion, you know, back then as to whether or not they we should take on a repair project versus building a new building somewhere.

And they made the decision back then, uh, which I feel is the right decision uh to you know to fix up this building, and so now here we are eight years later, you know, kind of in a similar fix.

Um, you know, the conundrum here is that we have a 55-year-old building uh that was designed uh by a world-renowned architect Eric Edward Durrell Stone, who actually also designed the Kennedy Center and many other buildings.

And it's probably it's not the most efficient building, you know, for offices or you know, lots of things have changed in 55 years.

And um, but I think we've made the decision that we're gonna double down on this building.

And the only thing, I mean, the the cost of the contract itself uh with uh uh PFTW is over eight hundred thousand dollars.

So just to prepare to put the bids at.

And then we're talking about estimated, you know, eight million after that.

So it's a significant investment.

And uh it's a big I think it's a big decision.

Um so I think it's it makes sense for us to reflect on that.

Uh, but this is an iconic building, you know, in our community, and it really does set us, you know, set us apart as you know, I mean, I think it speaks volumes for the city.

It's aged, it may not have aged structural structurally well, but but architecturally, you know, from the outside, it's aged very well.

It doesn't look like it's you know was built in you know 1831 or anything.

So um so that's that's the issue on the agenda.

Mr.

Wilson's looking at me like you're you're you're saying way too much.

I I did have a question on the tax credits.

So you said, you know, I guess that could limit us from what we may not be able to do, or I mean I guess I'm sure you've done a cost benefit analysis and applying for tax credits as to the line.

Yeah.

Melinda, do you want to come speak to that?

And we do have some members of our team here tonight, and I in anticipation of questions that some are better suited to answer than I am.

So y'all know Melinda.

Good evening, and you all know I know this building very well.

Um I got it on the national register for the city.

Um so the historic tax credits, there's there's a couple challenges with what they're proposing because we are removing the entire piece of that.

Um so I think it if we want to look at pursuing the state credit would be the only one we would go after.

We probably just need to have a conversation with the Kentucky Heritage Council, propose to them what we're need needing to do and what materials we're wanting to replace that with, and see if they think that would be eligible for the state credit.

Um I think there's a couple things that you have going for you to help with that argument.

You tried to fix this one time before it has failed.

So in order to save the building in entirety, you're going to have to to do something like this.

So just getting them on board.

Um what they're proposing really does um keep the character, the historic character, the feel, those are the things they're gonna look at for what you guys are wanting to do.

Um the tax credits could be up to 20% of the total eligible expenses.

We could phase it even over a couple of years if it if it's gonna take longer to do the actual construction, we could talk to them about maybe phasing it to um maybe get two pots of that money for two different types of applications.

So more than 20% or up to 20%.

Well, if you have eight million because they have a cap on the state credit, so they're gonna only let you get so much each year.

So say we go for two years of the pot.

I'm with you.

We could get more.

So maybe we look at doing the outside stuff and the basement separate, then you know, doing the podium and the canopy.

So, but that's something we could work out with them as far as phasing.

Um, so I think it's if if you want to look at maybe getting some additional funds, we could, but it's definitely a conversation we need to have up front with them to know if they would um let us be eligible for what we're wanting to do to the building.

Jeff, what's your view of that?

I mean uh I mean Yeah, I I think it's it it's certainly worth having a discussion.

Uh and they never fund fully 20 percent.

Uh that that's the the max they would do.

Uh that depends on the number of applicants every year, and there's more applicants every year that that apply for these uh tax credits.

Um I think it's worth having a conversation uh as soon as we get contract signed, and let's go ahead and and and initiate that.

And uh we've got good relationships with the state, uh Kentucky Heritage Council, um, with the director and and their reviewers, and so it's worth asking.

Well, you know, if we could, you know, even if we could get a 10 10 percent tax credit, you know, and and still do what we wanted to do with the materials that we need to do it with, you know, because times have changed.

Uh that's certainly worth at least a conversation, it seems like it is.

I would like to say I mean, if we're on one of only, there's only two, you said uh of of his work still in the state of Kentucky.

I I just feel like it's worth that discussion.

Of course.

And then also I I feel like we should try to promote it as a stop, maybe on some of the tours.

You know, like I know some of the his churches downtown have are doing offering tours of the historic churches to have only one of two.

I mean, the same architect as the Kennedy Center, why wouldn't we want to try to promote that too?

So I just don't think we've done that, or I don't know if we have or not.

Maybe you don't want people to run through here.

No, it this is uh no, the more people that come in.

Escorted by our guard, yeah, they're I I mean it it is something that I think if we're going to go ahead and spend the money, we should make sure that we're promoting it as we should be.

We should be very proud of it.

And I think that was the decision that happened previously.

We just couldn't walk away from it.

It was such a historic building with such a beauty, and we have done a lot of work to make it even nicer inside and especially the atrium area.

So I just think it's worth the discussion that that could be significant amount of money for us to bring in.

So I want to bring up something kind of hard a hard discussion.

So the fountain.

So I know Darren's laughing already, but uh, you know, people, you know, every so often somebody say, Well, you know, why isn't the fountain working?

And the discussions I've had is it's a train wreck.

I mean, you know, getting that fountain to work uh, you know, continuously.

I don't know anything about it other than pipes and everything that's not working.

So um is that is that off the table?

Uh you know, in this project.

Did you assess the fountain?

No.

Um and I think in the last project, um, as we were trying to to get moisture out of the building to reintroduce moisture back into the building.

Um was was one of the issues.

Uh okay.

Bacchus is confer is agreeing with me that I'm that that's correct.

Um so um that's one of the issues, and it just um so that would be removed.

No.

No, the the fountain would stay as it is, I mean, just it it's just to try.

Yeah, that this is just remove it and put some visual art there that well.

It is it is a visual art piece right now, isn't it?

Well, I mean it is a non-working yeah.

Don't suggest we take the fountain out in an election year.

Well, it's not working.

Yeah, I do.

It was it's nice for the building.

It was relaxing.

Well, if it was working, yeah, but we're not gonna put it back for eight, right?

Well, it was leaking also uh into the basement.

So that's a problem.

Give it permission to look at the plumbing and and look at it separate from this, probably.

Uh we might be able to.

You could get tax credits for the repair of the fountain if you do it within this project, because it is an element of the historic building.

It was also um donated by one of our civic beautification groups, which I think when we looked at taking it out before, there was several ladies that got very upset about the fountain coming out.

So is this um well let's see if we could get tax credit?

You can get tax credits for fixing it.

That can be part of the but the thing is I mean what I'm hearing you say is there's a cap on tax credits each year.

So we if we work in multiple years, you know, we might be able to access more tax credits.

We don't know that for sure.

But we'll we'll we'll talk, we can definitely talk to the state.

Now in order if we want to just do the fountain, and I'm assuming probably the repair would be over 20,000, you could do that separately as a separate tax credit application just for the fountain as long as you hit 20,000 as your expenses.

Yeah, I I don't want to take out trying to fix the fountain if it's not really fixable.

You know, if it you know that we cause it.

I'm I'm all for evaluating that, but uh I think we need to be careful.

Well that's the law was looking for the evaluated because I'm not sure once it was leaking if anyone truly evaluated to the extent.

If we haven't evaluated, we should so Melinda, could that be a third year project you were talking about it it could, but the other challenge we have because you are a um entity that doesn't have a tax credit liability, we have to find a purchaser for your tax credits.

We have a new one that just purchased from the Columbia Theater for their tax credit that they just got for their second phase.

Um and they were a great partner, so we have someone that could purchase that credit from you all.

Um so they like to see the bigger projects, so I don't depending on how much the fountain's gonna cost, we may need to lump it in with one of the other phases.

Okay, yeah.

Couple different options there.

Yeah, I think so.

Great discussion.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

Very good.

Let me uh I just I just this eight million dollar cost just seems like you're looking at tearing off the canopy and then tearing off the porch rebuilding the porch.

That just seems like an awful lot of work for eight million dollars.

I mean eight million dollars is a lot of money, but how how confident are we that it could be done for that even?

I just we have a history of projects, and then they come back and they're more substantially more, yes.

You're you're replacing it though, the top canopy with a different just a different yeah, which seems like a lot of money.

I mean, it seems like a big project.

So I'm just we have to I think if we move forward on something like this, we're talking eight million dollars, but really we need to be prepared for more money than that.

I think you make a great point.

Probably I mean everything costs more than anything, but but it just seems like we would have a good estimate that we could hang our hat on.

Pretty close to.

Yeah, and and you will as we get further along at this point, based on what we know, uh, which is uh you know, a little bit from a BFW assessment from from within the last year, um, that's all we know at this point, and then some of the work we did previously and some of the issues we that would that were uh you know tried to fix and and and and all that.

So we're it it is a best guess at this point.

Uh but that number will be refined and vetted through this through this process, yes, sir.

Yep.

Great point, Commissioner Smith.

I think that's a great point.

So Commissioner Wilson, to your point, I think you know, for visual aspects, if you think about more people are more familiar if they're watching it on HGTV or if they're doing it themselves, that thinking about taking something down to the studs, basically that's what we're doing to the envelope and outside of this building.

Or taking it down to that far to be able to remediate the issue and bring back something that'll have a 50-year lifespan.

Yep.

Okidoki.

Thank you, Jeff, for being here.

Thank you, Chris.

Appreciate your work and knowledge of all these projects.

I'll ask the city clerk to please call roll.

Commissioner Henderson.

Aye.

Commissioner Smith.

Aye.

Commissioner Thomas.

Aye.

Commissioner Wilson.

Aye.

Mayor Bray.

Aye.

Okay, and we have one ordinance to adopt.

This is the 2027 budget ordinance.

Audra's been up here before and done a lot of explanations.

If there's uh we'll ask the city clerk, please read it.

And then uh we'll see if there's any further discussion from commissioners.

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to adopt an ordinance entitled An Ordinance Adopting the City of Paducah, Kentucky Annual Operating Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 by estimating revenues and resources and appropriating funds for the operation of city government.

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

This ordinance adopts the City of Paducah annual budget for fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 by estimating revenues and resources and appropriating funds for the operation of city government as follows.

General fund revenues $49,713,352.

Appropriations $51,882,954.

Reserves utilized $2,169,602.

Rental fund revenues $142,513.

Appropriation in the same amount.

CDBG fund.

Revenues in the amount of $574,275 and appropriations in the same amount.

And appropriations in the amount of $113,397.

Municipal aid program fund in the amount of revenues $2,540,300 and appropriations $2,800,300 with reserves utilized of $260,000.

Investment fund revenues at $8,025,000 and appropriations at $7,917,352.

Tax increment financing fund in the amount of $1301,000 in revenues and appropriations.

Room tax fund in the amount of $1,855,000 in revenues and appropriations.

Debt service fund in the amount of $5,539,717 in revenues and the same in appropriations.

Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $1,365,000 in revenues and appropriations.

With reserves being utilized in the amount of $15,577,654.

Solid Waste Fund with revenues at $7,243,500.

And appropriations at $8,543,207 with reserves utilized of $1,299,707.

Transient Boat Dock Fund the amount of $148,822 in res in revenues.

Appropriations at $326,822 with reserves being utilized at $178,000.

Fleet maintenance fund in the amount of $1,000 in revenues and $1,033,222 in appropriations with $29,022 in reserves being utilized.

Fleet lease trust fund in the amount of $1,664,311 in revenues and $2,492,347 in appropriations with reserves utilized at $828,000.

General insurance fund in the amount of $1,594,000 $6 written revenues and the same in appropriations.

Health insurance fund in the amount of $4,000,200 in revenues, $4,743,000 in appropriations was with reserves utilized at $644,833.

And both revenues and appropriations for a total of revenues at $95,622,341.

So moved.

Second.

Okay, any discussion.

We've had uh significant discussion.

This is uh big moment in time.

Uh we do this once a year.

Uh we allocate the budget and then we charge our staff with meeting those numbers through the year.

Um thank you, Audra and your staff for all the work you did, you know, to prepare the budget.

I know it's a ton of work.

Um, anything?

Oh so I have one point to make.

Uh, and that is, and I don't know where it is, but it was the street budget.

I don't know which so in my final discussion about about the budget.

You know, the the only request that I made to alter the budget that was presented to me was I thought we needed to increase the street budget because I think you know, we've all talked about the importance of streets with quality of life.

I mean, I get a message from somebody probably once every couple of weeks.

I drove out to look at one just yesterday morning, you know, that somebody and Greg and I have great discussions.

Uh our city engineer who's doing a great job of managing you know the road budget, getting out, you know, and looking at streets and and figuring out things.

But I did ask them to increase that because a slight increase, uh, but it was a creep increase no matter because I wanted to telegraph to the community from on behalf of all of us, you know, that we understand that quality of life in streets is important, and we don't have the same benefit that the county has because we don't get the same amount of state road funds um you know that that they do.

So we get a very small amount.

And so our funds are all they're all funded by virtually all of them by taxpayers.

And so I I did want to make that point, and I did want to you know make the point that you know, as a commission, we recognize you know the importance of streets and sidewalks, you know, as as it relates to quality of life.

So I'm off my soapbox.

Oh, I I think that's right.

It's not exciting, it's not sexy like things we do, but I think it's a core thing that people expect by the city.

So I support that.

Yeah, and and this commission has been historically, at least in my tenure of almost five years, has really invested uh, you know, heavily from where it was, you know, five years ago into that amount to where we're over two million dollars, you know, and a lot of that is general fund dollars, Mayor, because to your point, we do not get the benefit of the the road fund uh that that comes in and um you know to have you know that that budget over triple of kind of or almost triple what we did five years ago says a lot about the investment that and the priority that that this commission puts on that.

You know, you can't do everything for everybody, you can't be all things to all people, you know, but within the scope of what we have to manage, you know, we can make priorities.

And uh, I think that's a good one for all of us.

So without further ado, I would ask the city clerk to call roll.

Commissioner Henderson, Commissioner Smith, aye.

Commissioner Thomas, aye.

Commissioner Wilson.

Aye.

Mayor Bray.

Aye.

We have one ordinance to introduce tonight, and uh I'll let uh the city clerk read it and then our director of technology, uh, if that's the right title.

Uh sorry, if it's not, but uh we'll be out here to explain it.

I proposed motion of the board of commissioners to introduce an ordinance entitled an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding between the city of Paducah and the McCracken County Property Valuation Administrator for services related to the city's 911 parcel fee program.

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

This ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding between the city of Paducah and the McCracken County Property Valuation Administrator for services related to the city's administration of the 911 parcel fee program.

McCracken County property valuation administrator will assist the city with assessment, classification, calculation, and administration of the 911 parcel fee, including the preparation and transmission of a database of eligible parcels for inclusion in the city's annual property tax bills.

The city shall compensate McCracken County property valuation administrator at the rate of four cents per parcel located within the city of Paducah, regardless of whether the parcel is assessed a 911 parcel fee.

So moved.

Second.

Eric, explain it to me.

Explain it to everybody that exactly the way you explained it to me yesterday.

Because it's very simplified.

Okay.

Good evening, Mayor, Commission, City Manager, City Clerk.

So the each year the PVA sends us a tax roll that we import into our system to generate tax bills.

The parcel fee is not on that tax roll.

So Bill approached city manager and the county a few months ago and said, what if I do the calculation for you, put it on the tax roll, but also make it available on the website on their website.

So when you click on the parcel on the PVA's website, you would see what your classification is for the parcel and then the fee.

And so we said, okay, what would that look like?

And he's like four cents per parcel.

Well, the city has 13,000 parcels.

It's 520.

So I was like, sign us up.

Um I spend probably well over 520 uh worth of time each year just calculating it.

There's a lot of back and forth.

If we find errors, we send them to him, he he corrects them in the system.

This would allow him to just correct them as he does the calculation and then just provide us one file that we just imported into our system.

So that's what this uh MOU is for.

And the county read uh read their introduction last night.

So the same same thing.

Questions.

It was when he explained it to me, it seemed pretty seemed like a good idea coming from our PBA.

Yes.

Uh you know, and for five hundred bucks, you know, I mean, to let them do all the work, you know.

The only question, as long as there's transparency, you know, to our citizens, you know, what what their tax bills are, what their properties worth, you know, all that thing go with the PBA website.

I think that's that's very valuable.

Yep.

Any other questions?

No.

I think we're good.

Thanks.

Thanks for being here, Eric.

Okay, city manager, any comments?

Uh Mayor and Commission uh just want to remind that uh tomorrow morning uh we do have uh celebration uh for uh the official unveiling of the 911 uh system.

I mean, it's been on in operation uh and you know the our first responders have you know been reaping the benefits of that upgrade for for a couple months now, and so but uh we do want to have a a public acknowledgement of of that, and that will take place uh tomorrow at uh 10 a.m.

Uh outside the 911 center.

So the public is invited uh to that, and so we're excited uh uh to have a little celebration of the hard work and and the the collaboration between the city and the county that got us to this point.

Yeah, it's been a lot of a lot of hard work.

Yeah, and uh the last thing uh that I have for this evening is just a reminder uh that uh city hall will be a closed a week from this Friday for the Juneteenth celebration of the holiday.

Uh the lot of good events that are going on and being organized in the community and invite uh the public to uh to avail themselves and attend those events.

Great, thank you.

Commissioners comments?

No, Commissioners, comments.

Okay, we will have an executive session uh tonight.

Um we will not make action uh when we come out.

Uh but I would uh ask the city clerk to please read the motion to move into executive session.

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to go into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics proposed or pending litigation is permitted by KRS 61.810 subsection one C and a specific proposal by a business entity or public discussion of the subject matter with jeopardize the location retention, expansion, or upgrading of a business entity as permanented by KRS 61.810 subsection one G.

So move.

Second.

All roll.

Commissioner Henderson.

Aye.

Commissioner Smith.

Aye.

Commissioner Thomas.

Aye.

Commissioner Wilson?

Aye.

Mayor Bray.

Hi.