Note: Mayor George Bray was unable to attend this meeting.
To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/1oMhmTb3VsQ.
Regarding the Buckner Lane Bridge Replacement Project, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the acquisition of right-of-way and permanent public utility and drainage easements at 5403 Buckner Lane and a permanent right-of-way at 5256 Buckner Lake Circle. Currently, the City is accepting construction bids for the project which improves the two-lane section of Buckner Lane between Hansen Road and Pecan Drive and replaces the dilapidated bridge over Crooked Creek near the intersection with Buckner Lake Circle that has been affected by flooding and severe weather events. The project also includes the installation of a new culvert under Oakcrest Drive near the intersection with Buckner Lane. This project will improve stormwater conditions in the area by reducing the number of times Crooked Creek comes out of its banks due to severe storm events. The project is expected to be completed in either late 2022 or early 2023.
The City has nearly $383,000 in State and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Funding for the project. The City also is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The Board introduced an ordinance for a professional engineering services contract with HDR, Inc. Along with subcontractor BFW, HDR will be completing the engineering design, permitting, procurement, and construction oversight for projects outlined in City’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant award. The project's primary objectives are to provide improved transportation elements and increase the passenger experience for riverboat visitors who visit downtown Paducah. After the engineering design and construction bidding process, the approximately 18-month construction period could begin in the summer of 2023.
The BUILD grant is a package of transformative projects for Paducah’s downtown and riverfront. The projects include the following:
In November 2019, the City was notified of the $10.4 million award to be administered through the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Since the notification, the City has been working to complete the project’s environment assessment.
City Manager Daron Jordan says the intent is for the first reading of the fiscal year 2023 budget to be at the last meeting in May. The City’s fiscal year begins July 1. Currently, the Finance Department is working to project fuel costs since the City purchases approximately 220,000 gallons of fuel each year.
This week, city employees and the Board of Commissioners are participating in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training. The training consists of two-hour workshops with a facilitator. To provide for small group discussions, each workshop is limited to approximately 40 people.
As a follow-up to a discussion at a previous Commission meeting about service animals, City Manager Jordan said the following weblink summarizes various ADA rules and definitions to make sure there is no discrimination against someone with a disability who uses a service animal. https://beta.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/
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