City Commission Meeting Highlights - September 27, 2022

To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/BoGOIZHl7mo.

 

Robert Cherry Civic Center Update

The agenda item to discuss the design documents, bid process, and construction timeline for the renovation of the Robert Cherry Civic Center took a different turn following this morning’s crash that resulted in damage to the facility located at 2701 Park Avenue.  A semi truck heading north on H.C. Mathis Drive ran the red light adjacent to the building, crashed into a truck, and then into another car before hitting the east side of the building.  City Manager Daron Jordan said the renovation project is paused until the total damage to the structure can be determined. 

 

Property Tax Levy – Lower for Fiscal Year 2023

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance setting the real estate and personal property tax rates for fiscal year 2023.  The City’s real estate tax levy is set at 26.5 cents per $100 assessed value, slightly LESS than last year’s rate of 27.1 cents.  The City’s Compensating Rate, the rate that would keep the revenue at the same amount as last year, is 25.5 cents per $100 assessed value.  Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) permits a city to adjust the rate upward by not more than 4 percent of the compensating rate.  Since the City’s tax levy of 26.5 cents is 4 percent greater than the compensating rate, a public hearing was required and held at the previous City Commission meeting.  

 

Hotel Metropolitan Purple Room Renovations

The Board approved a Municipal Order accepting the bid from C.I.R.C.O. for renovations to the Hotel Metropolitan Purple Room.  Last year, the City accepted a $55,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation – African American Cultural Heritage Foundation on behalf of the Hotel Metropolitan located at 724 Oscar Cross Avenue.  The Purple Room is an accessory building of the Hotel Metropolitan that was constructed during segregation for parties, community meetings, and performances.  The funds will be used for electrical system updates, window restoration, and ceiling repair.  The Hotel Metropolitan opened in 1909 as the only lodging option for African Americans traveling through Paducah at the time. Some of the century’s most notable politicians, athletes, and musicians stayed at the hotel that is now a museum and community gathering space.

 

Grants

  • Approval of Paducah Water’s acceptance of the Cleaner Water Program grant and grant assistance agreement with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.  This $1.2 million grant will be used to replace water lines along Jefferson and Broadway in the general area from 17th Street to 32nd Street.
  • Approval of the Kentucky League of Cities Liability Grant application requesting $3000.  If awarded, the funds will be used for defensive driver and other trainings.
  • Approval to accept the $34,577 FEMA Port Security Grant with the funds to be used for riverfront cameras and associated infrastructure.

 

Additional Meeting Information

  • Mayor Bray showed the Board the City Government of the Year Award that Paducah received at last week’s Kentucky League of Cities Conference.  Paducah received the award based upon prioritizing the Southside and the Southside Rise & Shine Neighborhood Spruce Up events.  Mayor Bray mentioned that Henderson, Kentucky, is interested in learning more about Paducah’s program as a model for its neighborhoods.
  • Mayor Bray thanked the City team that helped support Beautiful Paducah with BBQ on the River and thanked Beautiful Paducah for coordinating a successful event. 
  • Municipal orders approved for Fleet Maintenance Service Agreements between the City of Paducah Fleet Division and Hendron Fire Department and West McCracken Fire District.  Fleet will provide maintenance services for each agency’s vehicles at hourly rates.
  • Ordinance introduced to close a section of an alley west of Cruse Avenue between North 32nd Street and Marianne Drive as requested by the adjacent property owner.

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