OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Paducah City Commission Meeting Summary – June 23, 2026

City CommissionTuesday, June 23, 2026
BodyPaducah, Kentucky
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order on June 2020 June 23rd, 2026, and ask the city clerk, city clerk to call roll.

0:22

Commissioner Henderson.

0:23

Commissioner Smith.

0:24

Here.

0:25

Commissioner Thomas.

0:26

Here.

0:26

Commissioner Wilson.

0:27

Present.

0:28

Mayor Bray.

0:29

Here.

0:30

Um I'll ask Commissioner Wilson to do the invocation, please, and then we'll remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:39

Let us pray.

0:40

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you on behalf of all of us who are gathered here for the many blessings that we have.

0:46

Thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work on behalf of our city.

0:50

And thank you for your loving kindness that you show us every day.

0:54

Please grant us wisdom as we make decisions on behalf of our citizens.

0:58

In Jesus' name we pray.

0:59

Amen.

1:02

Oh, I pledge to the flag of the United States of America.

1:08

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:22

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

1:26

Mayor, none this evening.

1:28

Okay, we've got a couple of new employee introductions.

1:32

Uh Greg Cherry is uh gonna introduce a couple of people.

1:40

And Chief Steve Cott.

1:44

Good evening, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager.

1:47

We have uh two new code enforcement officers with us.

1:49

First of all, we got Nick Smith.

1:53

Nick Nick started with us in February, he's originally from Graves County.

1:57

Uh you may recognize him.

1:59

He spent 16 years on the radio and Willie and whatever other stations used with WKYQ.

2:05

He's got that radio voice.

2:07

Then uh spent several years in car sales and he's working on the north side doing code enforcement this time.

2:14

Next, we have Sean Bell.

2:16

He's a Paducah native when St.

2:18

Mary's.

2:19

He uh started with us in April.

2:21

He uh spent several years working in construction, then he also spent 10 years working with the railroad.

2:27

So we're glad to have both of them and wanted y'all to meet him tonight.

2:30

Yeah, welcome.

2:33

Thank you, sir.

2:34

Appreciate it.

2:37

Good to have you, sir.

2:38

Thank you.

2:38

Good to have you here.

2:39

Thank you for here.

2:40

I'm glad we all go to St.

2:41

Barbara.

2:47

The three of us all over the city.

2:48

Yeah, he'll be there.

2:51

Thank you guys for being here.

2:52

Good luck.

2:53

Uh code enforcement's very important.

2:56

It's a tough role, you know, for those of you out there uh doing it, working it.

3:01

Uh, but it's very important.

3:04

Uh you know, we have to walk uh uh fine lines, slippery slope trying to keep people in line out there, but also recognize you know some of the issues that people have.

3:14

So we appreciate your dedication to the job.

3:17

Thank you.

3:21

Okay.

3:22

Um I want to recognize uh we have a candidate here for mayor in Bent in the Benton, Kentucky mayoral race, uh Stephen Platt.

3:35

And uh I ran into Stephen.

3:37

Stephen, welcome.

3:39

And um I he uh he asked me whether he could attend a meeting, and I you know I'm I wouldn't deny anybody really want to attend, but uh I thought it was a really good idea.

3:49

You know, you think about the towns around us, Benton, uh Mayfield.

3:54

I had actually had uh coffee this morning with uh mayor or candidate over in Mayfield.

3:59

You know, these these cities and towns around us are very important to Paducah and McCracken County.

4:07

And uh, you know, they you know they have their own uh initiatives and things that they're working on, but Paducah being the larger county and city.

4:17

Uh you know, it's good uh to to have a good relationship with with you and so Stephen.

4:23

I hope you learned something tonight and wish you the best of luck in the election at November.

4:29

Yes, sir.

4:31

Okay, we'll move to the consent agenda.

4:33

Items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the Board of Commissioners and will be enacted by uh one motion and one vote.

4:42

There'll be no separate discussion of these items unless a board member uh so requests, in which in which event the item would be removed from the consent agenda and considered considered separately.

4:54

The city clerk will read the items recommended for approval unless uh a commissioner would like something removed.

5:04

And if not, I'll ask the city clerk to read the items recommended for approval.

5:08

Approved minutes for the June 9th, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting.

5:12

Receive and file documents, reappointment of Dr.

5:14

Simone Pieron to the Paducah McCracken County Senior Citizens Board.

5:18

This term shall expire June 30th, 2029.

5:21

Reappointment of Stacy Drake and Mary Catherine Dawsett, an appointment of Marcia Harbison to replace Ronald Ward, whose term is expired, and Parker Jaco to replace Kathleen McCaney, who resigned to the Civic Beautification Board.

5:34

Said term shall expire July 1, 2030 and July 1, 2027, respectively.

5:40

Appointment of Danny Evits to the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency to replace Susan Phelps Carr, whose term will expire July 1, 2026.

5:47

This term shall run from July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2030.

5:52

Reappointment of Thomas Whitmore, an appointment of Herbert Gregory to the replaced Laura Grumley, whose term will expire July 1, 2026 to the Paducah Transit Authority Board.

6:02

Said term shall run July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2030.

6:06

Reappointment to the Paducah McCracken County Convention Center Corporation Board of Cheryl Chino and joint appointment of Anthony Andrews to replace Kimberly Davis, whose term expired June 30th, 2030.

6:18

Said term shall expire June 30th, 2029.

6:21

Personnel actions, a municipal order declaring certain real property generally located at 1301, 1303, and 1305 North 6th Street, Paducah, Kentucky at surplus property.

6:30

Approving a real estate purchase agreement between the City of Paducah, Kentucky and the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency, and authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement and all documents necessary to complete the sale.

6:42

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

6:50

A municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute a grant application and all documents necessary to apply to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for local assistance road program LARP funds and authorizing the acceptance of any and all funds awarded.

7:03

A municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute a grant application and all documents necessary to apply to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the HB 501 grant pool funds and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to SAME.

7:15

A municipal order authorizing the finance director to pay Kentucky League of Cities for workers' compensation, liability insurance, and property insurance coverage and a total amount of 1,362,381 dollars for the City of Paducah and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to SAME.

7:30

A municipal order adopting the Title VI program plan for the City of Paducah for July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.

7:38

A municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute an amendment to the sub award agreement with Andrew McLennan, PEM Enterprises to revise their scope of work.

7:46

A municipal order declaring the real property located at 1411 Burnett Street, Paducah, Kentucky, to be surplus property, accepting the bid of Jeremy Sorina in the amount in of Kentucky Modern Housing Development LLC in the amount of one dollar and authorizing the mayor to execute the deed and all documents related to SAM.

8:03

A municipal order authorizing the sole source purchase of candidate physical agility test CPAT equipment from CPAT distribution incorporated in the amount of 74,895 and 80 cents in accordance with KRS 45A.380 and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to SAIN.

8:23

So moved.

8:24

Second.

8:25

Call roll.

8:26

Commissioner Smith.

8:28

Aye.

8:28

Commissioner Thomas.

8:29

Aye.

8:30

Commissioner Wilson.

8:31

Aye.

8:31

Mayor Bray.

8:32

Aye.

8:34

Okay, we have three municipal orders to approve tonight.

8:39

And I'll ask the city clerk to please read the first one.

8:42

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

8:46

A municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute a second addendum to the development agreement between the City of Paducah, Kentucky, Circo Properties, LLC, and 314 Condominiums Association Corporation for the property located at 318 Broadway Street.

9:01

So moved.

9:03

Second.

9:03

Second.

9:05

Blake, welcome.

9:06

Hi.

9:07

Good evening.

9:07

Good evening.

9:08

It's great to have you here.

9:09

Please uh feel free to tell us what's going on.

9:14

Yeah, so just a quick update.

9:15

Um we got started a little bit behind on this project than we were wanting to.

9:19

Uh so that's why we're here tonight is just gonna move that timeline a little bit.

9:22

Uh but it's moving along really well.

9:24

Uh it's kind of hard to take pictures of the stage that it's in, but we should be ready for uh rough end inspection at the end of this week.

9:31

I think the plumbers are already scheduled, and this this is going to be for the restrooms for the park that we're building at the uh the old Kreske lot.

9:38

So the restrooms are you know rough and ready almost.

9:42

I'd say one more day.

9:43

Electrical is moving right along.

9:45

Um I don't know.

9:46

There's so we started cutting some holes in the outside.

9:49

That's gonna be like a service window for food and then a door, and then the door to the right is gonna be where you enter to go into the restrooms, and that's where all the patrons will use for the park.

10:00

I think that's all we got there.

10:01

So we're gonna be starting work outside in the main park either tomorrow or Thursday.

10:08

Um so everything's moving along good on my schedule, but not not quite on the the regular schedule.

10:14

So we're just trying to push that a little bit further down the road.

10:17

Um we anticipate being ready to get open next spring.

10:20

I think we put June 1st in the just to give us a little extra wiggle room, but that should all uh we should have no problem hitting those timelines for sure.

10:29

Well, I can say that uh first of all, we appreciate you being here.

10:33

And um, you know, the the project has gone a little slower than what we had anticipated, but uh you guys have been great partners for the city.

10:42

Thank you.

10:43

Uh, you know, for us downtown, so we've you know really sought to work with you to help you make your timelines.

10:53

Um but I have to I have to tell you that you know what you're trying to do, it's it's important to the city and it's important to downtown.

11:02

I mean, we we really like your vision.

11:04

Uh obviously, or we wouldn't have entered into an agreement with you, but uh we're very pleased that you're moving along and um we want to continue to partner with you.

11:15

I appreciate it.

11:15

It's uh ambitious project, but I think it'll be great for the community once we can get it get it open and and uh in use.

11:23

Thanks for your investment downtown.

11:25

Sir, thank you.

11:26

Yeah, I think it turned out to be uh a little more complex than what we envisioned.

11:31

You know, and that's what happens with projects.

11:34

I mean, you know, I just thought, well, we'll go in there and you know, tear down a couple of walls and you know, sew some grass, and but it was a lot more complicated that.

11:43

So it was, and the that building was not in great shape, and so we had to do some stabilization there.

11:48

We ended up tearing out the entire concrete floor because it was only about a half inch thick.

11:51

Oh wow.

11:52

Um, so yeah, a lot more money, a lot more time than we anticipate, but that's what happens with these old buildings, and you know we have a lot of experience with them, and so we try to do them the right way so that they'll last for years.

12:02

Yeah.

12:02

Like will you talk a little bit about what will be on the empty lot?

12:06

I know it's is it I'd like a large area that will be serving drinks, and are you gonna be serving food out of over under as well?

12:13

Yeah, so over under will operate the bar out there.

12:16

There will be a bar kind of in the middle, uh middle front third towards Broadway.

12:20

Um there's gonna be it'll all be gated front and back.

12:22

It'll be open kind of dawn to dusk sort of timeline.

12:25

You know, on a Tuesday like this, the park would be open for people to use.

12:28

The bar would probably not be open, you know.

12:31

You could go in there and have lunch or bring your family, whatever.

12:34

There's gonna be a stage for live music and plays and things like that.

12:38

Uh hopefully like a little playground area for kids.

12:41

We're gonna try to incorporate a dog park for pet relief, um, and then just a bunch of tables, chairs, maybe some areas for pop-up shops.

12:49

Um, so we just envision it being a great place for the community to gather, and then on the weekends, hopefully Friday, Saturday on a nice day, we can make a little money, and and the goal of that is just really to help maintain it and keep it beautiful and and get people downtown to shop and eat local.

13:04

So, not to make it more difficult, but I would really love to see it, and you may have an I haven't walked by it aside like a sign that would say coming soon.

13:12

Yeah, so development.

13:14

Absolutely.

13:14

Our first step outside is gonna be the brick columns for the fence, and then there'll be like you know, wrought iron metal between those columns.

13:22

So once we get those columns done, which should be hopefully next week.

13:25

Uh we'll start putting some signage out there.

13:28

And I've got a website and a Facebook page ready to go to kind of start sharing our vision with everybody.

13:32

Great.

13:33

Thanks.

13:33

Yeah.

13:34

Perfect.

13:35

Any other name for it?

13:38

Not yet.

13:38

Okay.

13:39

Call it the Creske lot right now.

13:41

So working title.

13:44

Okie dokie.

13:45

Well, thanks for being here.

13:46

Thank you.

13:46

Thank you, guys.

13:47

Exciting.

13:48

Thank you.

13:48

I'd ask the city clerk to call roll, please.

13:51

Commissioner Smith.

13:51

Aye.

13:52

Commissioner Thomas.

13:53

Aye.

13:53

Commissioner Wilson.

13:54

Aye.

13:54

Mayor Bray.

13:55

Aye.

13:57

That's the city clerk to read uh the next municipal order.

14:01

I proposed motion of the board of commissioners to adopt a municipal order entitled a municipal order approving a contract with Young Blood Excavating and Contracting LLC and an amount not to exceed 205,000 dollars for the Clement Street, Farley Place Sidewalk Project, and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to SEAM.

14:17

So moved.

14:18

Second.

14:20

Greg, you want to tell us about the sidewalk project?

14:23

Yeah.

14:24

Evening, Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager, City Clerk.

14:27

Um as you said, this is the sidewalk project that we were uh that we are uh approving contract with Youngblood to do some work on uh Clement Street over on the South Side.

14:38

This project involves removing and replacing sidewalk that is uh uh is in is in need of it and preparing us for future uh rehabilitation work in the area.

14:50

Yeah, I thought this project was interesting.

15:07

And um that was kind of unique.

15:10

So uh I thought it was a you know, it fit right into our South Side Initiative uh sidewalks or you know, an often discussed uh issue for residents in Paducah, you know, those who have them and they're maybe not in great shape, and those who don't have them want them.

15:28

And um they're very expensive, and so we're always focused on trying to you know, trying to improve or find you know a place to install sidewalks where we can, and it it requires a lot, it would require a lot of money to to do that.

15:44

But whenever we can you know find an opportunity, you know, we want to take advantage of it.

15:48

So from commissioners.

15:54

Okay, thank you for being here.

15:56

Welcome.

15:57

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

15:59

Commissioner Smith.

16:00

I Commissioner Thomas.

16:02

Aye, Commissioner Wilson.

16:03

Hi, Mayor Bray.

16:05

Aye.

16:07

And you can read the next municipal order, please.

16:10

I proposed motion that the Board of Commissioners to adopt a municipal order entitled, a municipal order authorizing and approving an agreement between the City of Paducah and Paducah Downtown Development Incorporated for Barbecue on the River 2026 and the amount of $65,000 and authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement.

16:26

So moved.

16:26

Second.

16:29

And Paduca Downtown Development Organization is Paducah Main Street for those that may not recognize.

16:37

So Main Street, according to their contract, is going to take on barbecue on the river.

16:43

And this is is essentially the contract that helps to just subsidize that festival.

16:48

And Blaine and Carly are here and they have um been working with Tyler Parker, I believe.

16:53

Um and they've got a good festival planned and underway.

16:58

Well, let's maybe you could uh I'm not sure all the commissioners understand, but uh maybe you could explain how you're how Main Street is going to put that on this year because we've hired Tyler.

17:12

Yes.

17:13

So how's that gonna work?

17:14

So in in years previous, essentially a promotion and events coordinator has stepped up to to do that.

17:20

And and in years past, most recently, um it was Whitney Ravalette or Whitney Wallace, as some of you may know her as.

17:28

And of course, um Whitney just welcomed a new baby, and she and her husband kind of transitioned out of the festival business.

17:35

And so, according to Main Street's contract, Main Street would take that on and have that purview.

17:41

And given all the things that Blaine and Carly have on their plate, they subcontracted that out.

17:46

And um Tyler Parker had a lot of festival experience.

17:50

He had participated in barbecue for years, and they um subcontracted with him, and essentially he is serving as the festival director with the support of the Main Street board and Blaine and Carly and some other admin.

18:04

Is that a fair description?

18:05

Yes, ma'am.

18:07

And could uh maybe city manager could you reflect on the outlay of cash this year versus previous years, how that uh the $65,000?

18:18

That is uh correct me if I'm wrong, but that is the same amount that we paid last year for uh uh beautiful Paducah to do the same service.

18:26

Okay.

18:27

And and in this contract, you'll also notice an assignment.

18:30

There's some things that came from Whitney, and um there's some equipment, the naming rights, those kind of things.

18:36

The city now owns the actual festival name, so all that is kind of couched on this one tight little package.

18:45

Um, but at the end of the day, it's the cash outlays the same, and we just have control of the assets in the name, and that will lie with the city, it'll stay with the city.

18:55

So my hope has always been, you know, for that festival, and you and I have had these discussions, Carol before, you know, but my hope has always been for that you know that festival to, you know, uh work toward cash flowing itself.

19:10

Yes, you know, and or getting close anyway, you know, in terms of working for sponsorships.

19:16

We have a lot of you know, a lot of people that are down here, a lot of people that want to get visibility when all those people are here, so we need to, you know, utilize that to our advantage because it is Paducah's biggest festival.

19:28

There there was a time actually that that it somewhat did sustain itself, other than the in-kind donation from the city.

19:35

And I I believe, if I'm not mistaken, when we first started giving cash to them, it was right during COVID, right after COVID, and I believe it was at 95,000, and so it is slowly declining.

19:47

And I I think that you can expect to see that in future years, but it's just gonna take some time to get there.

19:53

Yeah.

19:54

And just I might soapbox, not really, but just uh, you know, we this is a $65,000 cash outlay, which is great.

20:03

Everyone loves the loves the barbecue on the river, but also there's a lot more money the city pays toward this in-kind services, yes.

20:12

All the overtime and all that.

20:13

So I think people that some people say, where did my tax money go toward?

20:18

Well, you know, it goes for things like this for the festivals and the fun part of living here in the community.

20:25

So just want people to realize that that's something that the city does for not just city residents, but for the entire community.

20:32

Absolutely, absolutely.

20:33

That's and we do track that in kind, don't we?

20:35

No, we track that.

20:37

So and actually, they have to claim it on their 990s.

20:40

Okay, you know, it's all it's all there.

20:42

You can see the cash flow, you can see the in-kind outlay, it's all there, and it's reflected in the 990s.

20:48

Cool.

20:49

Well, thank you for being here.

20:52

Thank you guys for being here.

20:53

Keep up the great work.

20:55

Let us know how we can support you.

20:57

Okay.

20:57

Other than giving you more money.

21:03

All right, city clerk, please call roll.

21:05

Commissioner Smith.

21:06

Aye.

21:07

Commissioner Thomas.

21:08

Aye.

21:08

Commissioner Wilson.

21:09

Aye.

21:09

Mayor Bray.

21:10

Aye.

21:13

We have one ordinance to adopt.

21:15

Uh we read this two weeks ago, and I'll ask the city clerk to read it again.

21:20

We'll see if anybody has any questions.

21:22

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to adopt 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.

21:35

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

21:37

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 administration of the city's 911 parcel fee program.

21:48

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

22:05

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.

22:17

So moved.

22:18

Second.

22:19

Discussion.

22:22

I think you can call roll.

22:24

Commissioner Smith.

22:25

Aye.

22:26

Commissioner Thomas?

22:26

Aye.

22:27

Commissioner Wilson.

22:28

Aye.

22:28

Mayor Bray.

22:29

Aye.

22:32

Okay, we have uh quite a few ordinances to introduce.

22:36

The first, I'm not gonna take uh Josh's thunder away from him, but I know that the first four, the first three are uh are to align us with some changes in state code uh that were passed by the legislature, so just giving everybody a heads up on that.

22:55

So I'll ask the city clerk to read the first one, please.

22:58

Or I I'll ask Josh to tell us about them first.

23:02

Good evening, Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager, Madam City Clerk.

23:06

The first two uh that we're gonna look at tonight is a text amendment to section 1269, which is mobile home parks, and 79 qualified manufactured homes.

23:18

There was a um new uh bill passed, which is uh House Bill 160 that requires that all qualified manufactured homes have to be allowed in every single residential zone.

23:31

We can't pick and choose those anymore.

23:34

Right now, what we have on the books is they're not allowed in the R1 low density zone.

23:39

So we had to come up with performance standards across the board.

23:43

That way a qualified manufactured home isn't treated any differently than a stick belt home.

23:50

Also, at this time, we are changing land lease communities.

23:54

That's the more socially acceptable name for Bob Home Parks, which it's been called that since the inception of the uh zoning ordinance, and this is more of a language update.

24:06

You will notice in land lease communities number nine is stricken that talks about the plan and that it talks about the planning commission in there.

24:15

Once upon a time, conditional uses were made from the planning commission to the board of adjustment.

24:22

Several years have passed since we've changed that, and this is simply cleanup language to that part.

24:28

12679 qualified manufactured homes is really the meat and potatoes that is gonna bring us in line with the state law.

24:37

Just the high level um things that I'd like to mention is that new homes shall not exceed a date five years prior when before they're installed.

24:50

So they have to be a brand new home.

24:53

And the other main thing is on a corner lot, any new home has to face the street, of which a majority of the other homes face.

25:01

That way you're not driving down a street, have one long side of a manufactured home having their main door when everybody else faces the opposite street.

25:10

It's going to keep the character the same on the street.

25:14

The compatibility standards, they have to be the same as the R1 through R 4 zones, specifically for size, which in the R1 zone, the minimum square footage is 1200.

25:28

The R2 is a thousand.

25:30

And by state law, the other two zones, R3 and R4 have to be 900.

25:35

But there is a caveat to that that I'll talk about in just a moment.

25:40

The other main thing is they are not allowed in any pending or existing historic district.

25:46

And the reason that specific verbiage is in there is to protect the south side as it's being looked at to potentially go on the national register of historic districts.

26:04

Now the other major change is that if a home cannot meet the standards by setback or size, they still have to be allowed on the lot if they can to be considered qualified manufactured.

26:19

We already have a law on the books that up to a minimum of a 10% of a lot has to be constructed upon for it to be considered qualified.

26:30

What that boils down to is if there's a non-conforming lot of 5,000 square feet, a 500 square foot qualified manufactured home could be allowed under the new state law.

26:42

So with that, I'll be glad to answer any questions that anybody may have.

26:48

Yeah, I want to ask about the south side.

26:50

So uh when you say uh there's a it's limited in the south side, are you speaking of zone one or all the south side?

27:04

All the south side that's being considered for the National Register historic district.

27:08

And what and how much of the South Side is that?

27:11

That I'm not exactly sure.

27:14

Um, to be honest with you, Mayor, I know that a lot of the residential parts are more so than the industrial.

27:23

So the gist of that is to make sure that wherever houses are going to go for sure that they'll be in line with what's there now and not uh so it sounds like what you're really saying is qualified manufacturing homes are not gonna be in the south side.

27:39

Is that not not necessarily so kind of to tell you how that works to be on the National Register and to be a historic district, there has to be a inventory done.

27:51

We're in the process of having that done around the call park area.

27:55

You clearly can see that there's historic fabric there.

27:58

There um we were concerned about the phase one area because there'd been so much density lost if there would still be enough historic fabric there for that to qualify.

28:07

Those areas are being inventoried, and if there's enough historic fabric there, they will be nominated to be um essentially a historic neighborhood.

28:18

Past that, there's probably not enough fabric.

28:23

When I say fabric, I mean historic fabric homes that have that kind of history, 50 years or older, those kind of things, and they have to have the architecture and they have to meet the provenance, so to speak.

28:34

Yeah, I'm just trying to get straight in my mind.

28:36

You know, when you say the whole south side is potentially an historic district, it's really only pockets.

28:44

It's only pockets, correct.

28:46

I mean, they're surveying the whole area, but at the end of the day, we know the whole area is not going to qualify.

28:52

Okay.

28:52

But the only way to get through that and create the boundaries is to do the inventory and then look at it accordingly.

28:58

Because we have to have so much of that historic fabric.

29:01

That's a long explanation, but at the end of the day, it's helpful.

29:04

It it won't be.

29:05

I mean, you got to think about it in terms of Mountain Avenue is the historic neighborhood.

29:09

Wallace Parks is the historic neighborhood, Lower Town is a historic neighborhood.

29:14

Do you get what I'm you understand?

29:15

So when would we get that that survey back?

29:18

Six months.

29:19

Um the CLG's paying for a portion of that, and we're contracting through that.

29:24

So I'm gonna say that it'll probably be midfall.

29:27

It takes a long time.

29:28

They have to inventory every structure and they have to write um a description of every structure.

29:33

They have to research the provenance.

29:35

I mean, it's a lot of work.

29:37

And so while they're doing that, we didn't want to introduce any new non-conforming structures.

29:43

Whatever we've got should be the baseline to determine if that historical fabric is being met.

29:49

So once those districts are are determined, yes.

29:54

Then we would come back and change this so that now that's why it says any historic district are pending historically.

30:00

No, that's why it says any historic district are pending.

30:02

So it will be it will take a look at the city.

30:04

So then qualified manufactured homes will be allowed outside of that.

30:08

Correct.

30:08

Okay.

30:09

All right, I got it.

30:10

And if the pocket is not nominated, then yes, qualified manufactured could certainly go there.

30:15

Okay.

30:15

All right.

30:16

I have a question.

30:17

What is your opinion of this?

30:19

I mean, in that uh, you know, there's people think of a mobile home.

30:27

Now they think of these are more of a modular home.

30:30

I mean, are they made with two by fours or are they you know what is it not quite the quality level there that a stick belt house is?

30:40

Actually, in some aspects, commissioner, they are actually better than uh stick built homes simply because they have to meet the federal HUD standard.

30:49

And as far as an opinion on it, I'm going right by what KRS 100 tells me to be honest with you on what we can and can't do.

30:59

So when they say, hey, you're going to be able to do that.

31:00

Come on, Josh, jump out there.

31:02

Come on, make a statement.

31:03

Whenever they say you're going to do this, we may we're making a way to do it.

31:09

So they're not writing your paycheck, though.

31:13

They are not.

31:15

So, Josh, in relationship to that, and Commissioner brings up a good point.

31:21

I think for the public's education.

31:24

Talk a little bit about that state law about what the requirement is that it can't just be a mobile home or what people might consider a mobile home being pulled in and still staying where they could just pet back up and haul it off.

31:36

Sure.

31:37

So what that specific the new language, what it specifically says is a new home has to be a qualified manufactured home.

31:44

And it's listed out in four different areas in the new KRS, which is reflected in the text amendment as far as roof pitch, square footage, porches, the way they face.

32:14

But they have to be permanently attached.

32:16

No axe.

32:17

No, yeah, talking about no axles that aspect.

32:19

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear about my questions.

32:21

The the definition of qualified manufactured also includes that any uh wheels, axles, anything that's used for transport has to be removed.

32:30

And it has to be on a permanent foundation.

32:33

Thank you.

32:35

And the skirting and all of that and hooked up to utilities and it has to be treated just like a single family home.

32:44

Okay, so what you talked about, I just want to make sure you talked in general about all three text amendments, right?

32:50

Or we'll touch on the uh R1 and R2 here in a moment in more detail.

32:56

It all does tie together.

32:57

We had to change all three at one time to effectuate the uh qualified manufactured homes, but I'll touch on those here in the case.

33:05

Okay, come on.

33:06

So I'll ask the city clerk to read the first one.

33:09

I reposed motion that the Board of Commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled and ordinance amending chapter 126-69, mobile home parks and 126-79 qualified manufactured homes of the code of ordinances of the city of Paducah, Kentucky.

33:23

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

33:25

This ordinance amends the Paducah zoning ordinance to replace references to mobile home parks with land lease communities, update applicable development standards and revise regulations for qualified manufactured homes to comply with KRS 100.348 effective July 1, 2026.

33:42

The amendment allows qualified manufactured homes in residential zones where single family homes are permitted, subject to applicable performance and compatibility standards.

33:50

The planning commission held a hearing on June 1st, 2026 and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

33:57

So moved.

33:58

Second.

34:00

Okay.

34:00

You want to talk about the next one, Josh?

34:03

Sure.

34:03

Thank you, Mayor.

34:04

The next one I'm going to talk about is section 126-102, which is the low density residential zone.

34:11

The performance standard that we are proposing to implement is a roof pitch of at least 512 and foundations shall be permanent.

34:20

The reason we're looking at a 512 is to make sure that the uh steepness of the roof is compatible across qualified manufactured and stick-built homes.

34:30

That's really the main change in this one because state law doesn't allow us to pick and choose.

34:38

It says you can regulate this, this, and this, and roof pitch is one of them.

34:42

We did work with the fire prevention division to come up with that 512 roof pitch.

34:51

Questions.

34:53

Okay, would you like to read that one?

35:00

A proposed motion that the Board of Commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled and ordinance amending Chapter 126-102, low density residential zone R1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paducah, Kentucky.

35:07

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

35:08

This ordinance amends the Paducah zoning ordinance to update the R1 low density residential zone by requiring all new single-story homes to have a roof pitch of at least 512s and a permanent foundation.

35:19

The amendment is intended to maintain neighborhood character and ensure compatibility of qualified manufactured homes as permitted under KRS 100.348.

35:28

The Paducah Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 1st, 2026 and subsequently forwarded a favorable recommendation that the city commission approve the proposed text amendment.

35:38

So moved.

35:39

Second questions for Josh on this one.

35:44

Okay, I'm gonna trick you this time.

35:49

I proposed motion that the Board of Commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled and ordinance amending Chapter 126-103, low and medium density residential zone, R2 of the code of ordinances of the City of Paducah, Kentucky.

36:01

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

36:02

This ordinance amends the Paducah zoning ordinance to update the R2 low and medium density residential zone by requiring all new single-story homes to have a roof pitch of at least 512 and permanent foundation.

36:14

The amendment is intended to maintain neighborhood character and ensure compatibility of qualified manufactured homes as permitted under KRS 100.348.

36:22

The Paducah Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 1st, 2026 and subsequently forwarded a favorable recommendation that the city commission approve approve the proposed text amendment.

36:31

So moved.

36:32

Second.

36:34

And this one's exactly the same as the R1 with the 512 roof pitch permanent foundation.

36:42

No questions here.

36:44

No.

36:45

Okay.

36:46

Uh thank you, Josh.

36:49

We'll move to the next uh D.

36:52

The next um a proposed motion that the Board of Commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled an ordinance extending the boundary of the city of Paducah, Kentucky by annexing certain property lying adjacent to the corporate limits of the City of Haduca and accurately defining the boundary of said property to be included within the said corporate limits.

37:09

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

37:11

The City of Paducah hereby approves the consensual annexation of certain tracts of property contiguous to the present city limits located at three 435 and 485 Burger Road containing approximately 30.78 acres.

37:24

So move.

37:25

Second questions.

37:33

Thank you, Mayor.

37:34

This is for the Merriman House and uh Mountain Comprehensive.

37:37

Both property owners have requested consensual annexation into the city of Paducah.

37:42

You will notice that uh there are some right-of-ways being annexed as well, specifically Oak Street, Grundy Street, and Emmett Street to get us to the uh city limits where Paxton Park is.

37:54

We are also annexing Burger Road.

37:56

That way we touch the city limits at the end of Stonebrook Drive.

38:01

Cool.

38:03

Okay, thank you, Josh.

38:05

Um I would ask the city clerk uh to read the next ordinance.

38:11

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to introduce an ordinance entitled an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the city of Paducah and professional firefighters of Paducah, local 168, International Association of Firefighters.

38:23

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

38:24

This ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement with the professional firefighters of Paducah, local 168, International Association of Firefighters.

38:32

This agreement will become effective July 1, 2026 and expire on June 30th, 2029.

38:38

So moved.

38:39

Second.

38:42

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

38:47

Um I'm pleased to bring you a contract with the Paducah firefighters.

38:52

Just have a few of the highlighted changes.

38:55

There is updated language to clarify management rights and the disciplinary action article.

39:10

Revising the acting pay for captains to follow acting pay for other positions.

39:16

Decreasing the labor management meetings, modifying the grievance procedure language, increasing specialty team pay from 40 to 50 dollars, and a new wage table with uh one-time adjustments in 2026, 2% increase in 27 and 28 and future COLAs tied to the Kentucky DLG language.

39:43

There are any questions.

39:47

No, we'll we'll have to read it uh you know, in two weeks again.

40:00

Um but I know um you know our our friends of the media are here tonight, you know, they're wanting to know more and more more of the background information because it took a while to get here uh because we uh approved the first two contracts uh you know before we finally uh worked it out with the you know with our brothers and sisters of the firefighters.

40:16

Uh so but if we eventually did um but if uh as I've indicated the media, you know, as far as getting into the you know the details of that, I want to wait until we actually you know get it approved and have firefighters here and sign the agreement while we're all together.

40:33

Sounds good.

40:33

So that's kind of questions from commissioners.

40:39

Okay.

40:40

Thank you.

40:41

We'll move on.

40:42

We got one more uh to approve tonight.

40:47

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to introduce an ordinance entitled in ordinance amending chapter two administration, Article 8, Finance and Procurement, Division III procurement of the code of ordinances of the city of Paducah.

40:58

This ordinance is summarized as follows.

40:59

This ordinance amends division three procurement of Article 8 of Chapter 2 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances to update and clarify the city's procurement procedures.

41:07

This amendment is intended to align the city's procurement code with recent changes enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly relating to local public agency transactions, including changes to small purchase and bid advertising thresholds to avoid future inconsistencies as state law changes.

41:21

The ordinance replaces fixed dollar references where appropriate with references to applicable statutory threshold.

41:26

The amendment also clarifies the distinction between small purchase procedures and administrative award authority.

41:31

Small purchase procedures will continue to govern the method of procurement for purchases within the statutory small purchase threshold.

41:37

Separately, the ordinance authorizes the city manager to approve and award contracts of up to 75,000 subject to compliance with all applicable procurement requirements and verification of available appropriations.

41:48

Contracts exceeding $75,000 will continue to require approval by the Board of Commissioners.

41:54

So move.

41:59

Questions?

42:01

Any overall comment?

42:03

City manager.

42:05

No, I appreciate the staff's uh work on this.

42:08

Uh as the clerk read uh this uh brings us in alignment with the new state law uh on procurement.

42:15

Uh it uh that threshold, you know, several years ago was just at 20, then it moved to 40 in state law, now moves to 50 uh with a uh a qualifier that every couple years that that increases, and so part of the language in this is that we don't have to keep coming back before we just follow the state law on that.

42:35

Um in relationship to uh the change, so at 50,000 it requires uh to go uh most times it would require to go out for a competitive RFP process uh for that, and so that still follows state law.

42:48

However, looking for expedient and efficiencies, it would not require to come back to this commission at 50,000.

42:55

Uh it would only require to come back uh to this commission at 75,000 threshold.

43:01

And for example, if we had something that required the RFP to say it was 55,000, we would go through that process and say that tonight we you know it came in and the due date was today, and we got that, and it came in as 55,000.

43:15

Currently, we would have to wait for the next commission meeting or have a special call commission meeting to act.

43:21

With this change up to 75, we could go ahead and act, and so we're getting that project underway in a more timely fashion.

43:31

Okay.

43:32

Clear as mud.

43:35

Like no, I'm kidding.

43:36

I'm kidding.

43:39

Okay, that's uh that's all we've got for tonight.

43:42

Uh city manager, any comments?

43:44

Uh just the one once uh let uh the public uh remind the public of the upcoming July 4th holiday, uh, which also means uh that we will have uh offices closed uh and uh on July 3rd, uh the Friday before.

43:57

Uh we've got a big event planned uh downtown uh on the fourth uh with some some uh with a Ferris will and some music and all kinds of exciting things to happen, but also remind the public, and we heard a comment from a resident, uh there are rules and regulations about setting off fireworks.

44:16

And so please uh make sure that you're aware of when you can do those and and what the uh requirements are prohibitions against uh doing so are and our police force uh will be responding to the calls as they come in to address those issues.

44:31

Can you expand expand on that?

44:34

Uh so basically, if yeah, if it goes boom, it's not allowed in the city.

44:39

Okay, and not within X number of feet of uh an occupied structure.

44:43

So basically, you know, um while the the sales can occur within the city limits if they are permitted, uh the actual shooting off if you look at the ordinance does not allow most of those acts.

44:55

It seems very inconsistent that we allow the sales, but we don't allow them to something might want to look at that.

45:00

That we allow the sales, but we don't allow them to look at that.

45:04

That's true.

45:04

That is inconsistent.

45:07

But you know, I live on Long Oak Road, and you know, they've already started.

45:13

Yeah.

45:14

So I'm I'm hearing fireworks all around me, and uh I'll hear them all through the fourth and afterwards.

45:20

And so I think I think the issue becomes uh, you know, not that the city doesn't want to enforce that, we do.

45:28

But I think when it becomes a real nuisance, you know, for neighbors, you know, that's when we're you know forced to provide uh the resources uh you know in order to uh try to enforce it.

45:42

So I'll leave it at that.

45:47

But back to 4th of July.

45:49

This is our country's 250th anniversary, and that's why the city is ramping up uh the celebration with uh bands all day.

46:00

It begins at one o'clock, uh bands all day.

46:03

Uh of course the fireworks shooting off at nine that night, but a Ferris wheel, you know, at no charge, right?

46:10

Yeah, so you know, bring the kids down.

46:13

Um, you know, it'll be um it'll be safe, it'll be inspected.

46:20

Uh so uh we would welcome uh all comers downtown.

46:26

Comments from commissioners.

46:29

We're all good, okay.

46:31

We will have an executive session.

46:33

We do not anticipate taking action afterwards, and um I entertain a motion to go into executive session.

46:42

A proposed motion of the Board of Commissioners to go into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics.

46:47

Proposed or pending litigation is permitted by KRS 61.810 subsection one C, and a specific proposal by a business entity where the public discussion of a subject matter would jeopardize the location, retention, expansion, or upgrading of a business entity as permitted by KRS 61.810 subsection one G.

47:04

So moved.

47:05

Second.

47:06

Call roll.

47:07

Commissioner Smith?

47:08

Aye.

47:08

Commissioner Thomas.

47:09

Aye.

47:10

Commissioner Wilson?

47:11

Aye.

47:11

Mayor Bray.

47:12

Aye, I think.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████19%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Affordable Housing██████████████14%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Personnel Matters██████████10%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Paducah City Commission Meeting Summary – June 23, 2026

The Paducah City Commission met on June 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. (approximate start from transcript) to handle routine consent items, hear development updates, approve several contracts and agreements, and introduce ordinances on zoning, annexation, labor contracts, and procurement. Commissioners present included Mayor Bray, Commissioners Smith, Thomas, and Wilson; Commissioner Henderson was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation by Commissioner Wilson and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the June 9, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting.
  • Received and filed documents, including reappointments and appointments to various boards (Paducah McCracken County Senior Citizens Board, Civic Beautification Board, Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency, Paducah Transit Authority Board, Paducah McCracken County Convention Center Corporation Board).
  • Declared city-owned property at 1301, 1303, and 1305 North 6th Street as surplus and approved its sale to the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency.
  • Approved an employment agreement for Police Officer Matthew Wentworth.
  • Authorized grant applications to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) funds and HB 501 grant pool funds.
  • Authorized payment of $1,362,381 to Kentucky League of Cities for workers' compensation, liability, and property insurance.
  • Adopted the Title VI program plan for the city for July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
  • Approved an amendment to a subaward agreement with Andrew McLennan, PEM Enterprises.
  • Declared surplus property at 1411 Burnett Street and accepted a bid of $1 from Kentucky Modern Housing Development LLC.
  • Authorized a sole source purchase of CPAT equipment from CPAT Distribution Inc. for $74,895.80. All consent items were approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • Circo Properties Development Agreement Amendment (318 Broadway): Blake, representing Circo Properties, presented a second addendum to extend the timeline for the Kreske lot park project. Work includes building restrooms, a service window, and a gate with wrought-iron columns. The park will feature a bar (operated by Over Under), a stage, playground, dog park, and seating. Completion is now targeted for spring 2027 (June 1, 2027). Commissioner Henderson asked about a “coming soon” sign; Blake said signage would go up within a week. The amendment was approved unanimously.
  • Clement Street / Farley Place Sidewalk Project: City Manager Greg introduced a contract with Young Blood Excavating and Contracting LLC for $205,000 to remove and replace sidewalks on Clement Street on the South Side. The project supports the South Side Initiative. Approved unanimously.
  • Barbecue on the River 2026 Contract: The city approved a $65,000 agreement with Paducah Downtown Development (Main Street) to subsidize the festival. Main Street subcontracted Tyler Parker as festival director. Mayor Bray noted the cash outlay is the same as in 2025 but emphasized the city also provides significant in-kind services (e.g., police overtime). The festival name and assets now belong to the city. Approved unanimously.
  • 911 Parcel Fee MOU: An ordinance (second reading) authorized a memorandum of understanding with the McCracken County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) for the PVA to assist with assessment and administration of the 911 parcel fee at a rate of $0.04 per parcel. Approved unanimously.
  • Zoning Text Amendments (Introduction): City Planner Josh presented three interrelated ordinances to comply with Kentucky House Bill 160, effective July 1, 2026:
    • Amend Chapter 126-69 (mobile home parks renamed to land lease communities) and Chapter 126-79 (qualified manufactured homes) to allow qualified manufactured homes in all residential zones where single-family homes are permitted, subject to performance standards (minimum square footage, roof pitch, permanent foundation, removal of wheels/axles). Qualified manufactured homes are not allowed in any existing or pending historic district to protect areas identified for National Register nomination (e.g., South Side). Planning Commission gave a favorable recommendation on June 1, 2026.
    • Amend R-1 (low density residential) to require a minimum roof pitch of 5/12 and a permanent foundation for all new single-story homes, including qualified manufactured homes.
    • Amend R-2 (low medium density residential) with the same roof pitch and foundation requirements. All three ordinances were introduced and ordered to a second reading.
  • Annexation (Burger Road): An ordinance introduced for the consensual annexation of properties at 435 and 485 Burger Road (approximately 30.78 acres), including rights-of-way (Oak Street, Grundy Street, Emmett Street, and part of Burger Road). The property owners (Merriman House and Mountain Comprehensive) requested annexation. Introduced unanimously.
  • Firefighters Union Contract (Introduction): An ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a three-year agreement (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029) with Professional Firefighters of Paducah Local 168. Highlights include updated management rights language, acting pay clarifications, reduced labor-management meetings, modified grievance procedures, increased specialty team pay from $40 to $50, a 2% wage increase in years 2027 and 2028, and a one-time adjustment in 2026. Introduced unanimously.
  • Procurement Code Amendment (Introduction): An ordinance updating Chapter 2, Article 8, Division III to align with state law changes. The small purchase threshold is raised to $50,000 (following state increases). The city manager is authorized to approve contracts up to $75,000 without commission approval. Above $75,000 requires commission approval. Introduced unanimously.
  • Public Safety Reminders: City Manager noted the July 4th holiday schedule (offices closed July 3rd) and reminded residents that fireworks that go “boom” are not allowed within city limits. The city will host a large celebration downtown on July 4th featuring a Ferris wheel, bands, and fireworks. Enforcement of fireworks regulations will be conducted by police.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent agenda items approved unanimously (vote: 4–0).
  • Circo Properties development agreement amendment (second addendum) approved unanimously.
  • Clement Street sidewalk contract with Young Blood Excavating approved unanimously.
  • Barbecue on the River 2026 contract ($65,000) approved unanimously.
  • 911 Parcel Fee MOU ordinance (second reading) adopted unanimously.
  • Three zoning text amendments (qualified manufactured homes, R-1 roof pitch, R-2 roof pitch) introduced for second reading.
  • Annexation ordinance for 30.78 acres on Burger Road introduced.
  • Firefighters contract introduced.
  • Procurement code amendment introduced.
  • The commission voted unanimously (4–0) to enter closed session for discussion of pending litigation and a business entity’s specific proposal (no action expected afterward).

Upcoming Events

  • July 4, 2026: Independence Day celebration downtown with bands, Ferris wheel, and fireworks. City offices closed July 3rd.

Meeting Transcript

I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order on June 2020 June 23rd, 2026, and ask the city clerk, city clerk to call roll. Commissioner Henderson. Commissioner Smith. Here. Commissioner Thomas. Here. Commissioner Wilson. Present. Mayor Bray. Here. Um I'll ask Commissioner Wilson to do the invocation, please, and then we'll remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you on behalf of all of us who are gathered here for the many blessings that we have. Thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work on behalf of our city. And thank you for your loving kindness that you show us every day. Please grant us wisdom as we make decisions on behalf of our citizens. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Oh, I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. City Manager, are there any additions or deletions to the agenda? Mayor, none this evening. Okay, we've got a couple of new employee introductions. Uh Greg Cherry is uh gonna introduce a couple of people. And Chief Steve Cott. Good evening, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager. We have uh two new code enforcement officers with us. First of all, we got Nick Smith. Nick Nick started with us in February, he's originally from Graves County. Uh you may recognize him. He spent 16 years on the radio and Willie and whatever other stations used with WKYQ. He's got that radio voice. Then uh spent several years in car sales and he's working on the north side doing code enforcement this time. Next, we have Sean Bell. He's a Paducah native when St. Mary's. He uh started with us in April. He uh spent several years working in construction, then he also spent 10 years working with the railroad. So we're glad to have both of them and wanted y'all to meet him tonight. Yeah, welcome. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Good to have you, sir. Thank you. Good to have you here. Thank you for here. I'm glad we all go to St. Barbara. The three of us all over the city. Yeah, he'll be there.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com