Note: Commissioner Gerald Watkins was unable to attend this meeting.
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved two ordinances (by a 3 to 1 vote with Commissioner Richard Abraham voting no on each ordinance) related to the development of the indoor recreation and aquatic center, an item listed in the City’s Strategic Plan as a WIN (What’s Important Now) initiative. The design of this indoor facility which would be located at Noble Park is underway. After a bidding process next spring, construction is anticipated to begin in late summer or early fall 2020.
The Paducah Board of Commissioners voted to table the second reading of the ordinance with amendments to Chapter 14 in the Paducah Code of Ordinances related to dogs at special events since Commissioner Gerald Watkins was unable to attend this meeting and since he initiated the proposed amendments. The Board also expressed interest in continuing discussions on this topic and gathering input from the Health Department, Police Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and local veterinarians.
The City is working through several phases of upgrading the software systems that run many aspects of Paducah City government. The Munis Project aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of internal and external customer service and business processes. One of the new features is the ability to accept credit/debit card and electronic check payments. Services for electronic payment processing will include paying occupational license fees, property taxes, and permits. The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance authorizing the implementation of services fees associated with the use of credit cards, debit cards and echeck payment processing. This ordinance will provide for the appropriate service fee associated with processing the payment to be passed along to the customer. The service fee shall not exceed 4% for debit cards and credit cards or $1.50 for echecks. This form of payment is voluntary, and the customer can avoid paying the service fee by using other forms of payment.
Fire Chief Steve Kyle and Deputy Chief Greg Cherry discussed with the Paducah Board of Commissioners amending Paducah Code of Ordinances Chapter 42 related to abandoned, junk, and inoperable vehicles. The proposed amendments include definitions for apparently abandoned, apparently inoperable, and junk vehicles. The proposed amendments also include a section about vehicle owners who comply with the removal of a junk vehicle within the specified timeframe. It also outlines the circumstances and procedure in which a junk motor vehicle would be towed at the owner’s expense.
The City of Paducah hosted a three-day Shift Workshop in early November bringing together creative and business professionals to collaborate and create project plans that could enhance and grow Paducah’s economy. The Shift Workshop is a program through the AIR Institute of Berea College in partnership with the Kentucky Arts Council. Thirteen citizens participated with two projects drafted. At this meeting, an overview of each of the two projects was presented to the Board of Commissioners.
Arts in the Park focuses on local art organizations providing youth programming such as painting, music, and theater at a different park each weekend next July. The Kentucky Arts Council committed to providing $4200 in funding for this project.
Pockets in Paducah would work to enhance vacant lots by creative pocket parks that can be used as creative spaces which could include community gardens, sculpture and zen gardens, and playground areas. The Kentucky Arts Council committed to $800 in funding which would be used to help the organizers engage a Kentucky Arts Council consultant to help fully develop the project plan and budget.
The Paducah Civic Beautification Board presented Annual Business Awards to nine businesses. The businesses recognized for renovating or improving their exterior and/or landscaping are
To see previous award recipients, visit http://paducahky.gov/annual-business-award.
National Quilt Museum Chief Executive Officer Frank Bennett provided an update on the Museum’s attendance and local economic impact. He said the Museum has three basic types of visitors: front desk admission visitors, workshop and event attendees, and attendees to free programs including various youth activities. The National Quilt Museum has international appeal and receives visitors from more than 40 countries each year. Each visitor spends an average of $300 to 400 dollars in Paducah. Bennett also said the Museum has had a 52% growth in admissions in eight years with 34,150 front desk admission visitors in 2018.
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