City of Paducah Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 11, 2026

The meeting was called to order at approximately 21:59 UTC on August 11, 2026, with Mayor Bray presiding and all commissioners present. The agenda included a police recap of the Emancipation Day weekend, public comments on police conduct and business taxes, approval of consent agenda, adoption of ordinances for a speculative industrial building and related financing, and introduction of ordinances for Lifeline Recovery Center vans, alley closure, budget amendment, and retiree life insurance. The meeting concluded with an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of July 28, 2026 meeting.
• Receive and file documents.
• Appointments: Emily Esau to Creative and Cultural Council, Matthew Turley to Code Enforcement Board, Zach Barnett to Airport Authority, Lacey Bowling to Municipal Housing Commission.
• Personnel actions: memoranda of agreement with Mary Foley (Women Aware) and Kinstein Stein (Mountain Comprehensive Care) for incentives.
• Contract with Paxton Park Golf Board for $100,000 for administrative and maintenance operations.
• Purchase of solid waste dumpsters up to $160,000 via Sourcewell cooperative.
• Contract modification for A&K Construction, reducing contract by $476,506 to new amount $50,460,285. All consent items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marshall Davis (7 Westvale, Paducah): Criticized the city's business license tax based on gross revenue, arguing it punishes small businesses. He stated that under the current system, a business with double the gross receipts pays only $580 more in taxes while the smaller business pays $35,000. He urged a shift to net profit tax and equitable rates, and accused the commission and chamber of silence backing a regressive structure.
• Dr. June Jones (business owner on Boyd Street): Expressed appreciation for police protection but stated that police harassment was excessive. She described an incident where police entered her yard at 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 8, shined lights into her home, and stopped visitors on her property. She said that the police presence made people feel like "prisoners" and that no businesses in the area made money. She decided not to open her business due to the atmosphere.
• Tamara Warren (Paducah resident): Reported that her sister was arrested for selling food without proper process, excessive force used, and no de-escalation. She questioned the difference between July 4th and August 8th policing and requested that charges be reviewed.
• Benny Hetty (First Vice President, ACP McCracken County): Thanked God that no one was killed this year. Acknowledged that police may have seemed overboard but that it prevented violence. Urged the community to work together and continue the August 8th celebration, quoting John Lewis about "good trouble."
• Rosille Keeling (806 North 10th Street): Described a family celebration at her home for 33 years. Welcomed police presence but complained of humiliation, intimidation, and harassment. Reported that a drone flew over her home, and three police cars surrounded her gathering. She felt targeted despite being told family gatherings would not be targeted.
• Stanley Young (son of W.C. Young): Noted that while no one was shot, police were too aggressive. His grandchildren were pulled from cars, one thrown to ground and handcuffed, another arrested for not leaving quickly enough. He hoped charges would be dismissed and urged that the same daytime respectful policing be used at night.
• Angela Sanders (146 Clements): Disputed Chief Laird's claim that the coffee shop (House of Ross) was not shut down; stated it was closed. Observed police entering in large groups and questioning people, which was intimidating. Also questioned why fire department personnel were acting as police officers (Mayor clarified they were fire marshals checking capacity and vendor licenses). She believed the timing of the citation on August 8th was targeting.

Discussion Items

• Chief Brian Laird's Recap of Emancipation Day Weekend (August 8, 2026): Reported that all daytime events (street dance, car show, 5K, parade) had no issues. Focused on nighttime hours which historically saw violence. Mentioned meetings with business owners (Brick House, Home Plate Bar & Grill) who implemented security plans. Noted that the police approach was to maintain order and prevent lawlessness. Clarified that the coffee shop (House of Ross) was not shut down by the city; the state ABC officer cited them for selling alcohol without a valid license. Reported no shootings, no shots fired, no noise complaints, no drag racing. Less than 10 arrests for minor offenses. Emphasized that no lives were lost. Commissioners discussed balancing public safety with community concerns. Mayor and others acknowledged both positive outcomes and the need to review body cam footage and complaints.
• Ordinance Adoption – Speculative Industrial Building: Introduced ordinance authorizing an interlocal agreement with Paducah-McCracken County Industrial Development Authority for construction of a 100,000 sq. ft. spec building at 5800 Commerce Drive. City would finance up to $6 million. Discussion on whether the city should get upside profit if building sells above cost. City Manager recommended sticking with original language; Commissioner Smith voted no, arguing the upside should go to the city, not the IDA pool. Passed 4-1.
• Ordinance Adoption – General Obligation Notes: Issuance of $6 million in taxable general obligation notes (Series 2026A) to finance the spec building. Passed 4-1 (Commissioner Smith opposed).
• Introduction of Ordinance – Lifeline Recovery Center Vans: Contract for services up to $200,000 from opioid settlement funds for four passenger vans to support recovery transportation. Steve Palace (board chair) and Ashley Miller (executive director) presented. Highlighted that 13 current vehicles have over 150,000 miles, and that transportation is critical for clients to get to work, court, doctors, and family visitation. Approved for introduction; final vote scheduled for next meeting.
• Introduction of Ordinance – Alley Closure: Closure of an 8,129 sq. ft. alley to facilitate new health department building. Greg from planning presented.
• Introduction of Ordinance – Budget Amendment: Final budget amendment for FY 2026, including year-end cleanup items. Presented by Lauren.
• Introduction of Ordinance – Retiree Life Insurance: Amendment to end retiree life insurance effective Sept 1, 2026, with grandfathering for current participants (31). Presented by HR.
• City Manager Comments: Pledged to investigate complaints seriously and involve commissioners in follow-up.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Spec Building Ordinance: Adopted 4-1 (Commissioner Smith opposed).
• General Obligation Notes Ordinance: Adopted 4-1 (Commissioner Smith opposed).
• Lifeline Recovery Center Ordinance: Introduced; final adoption scheduled for next meeting.
• Alley Closure Ordinance: Introduced.
• Budget Amendment Ordinance: Introduced.
• Retiree Life Insurance Ordinance: Introduced.
• Executive Session: Approved unanimously for discussion of real estate, litigation, and business proposals. No action taken afterward.