Open Finance Budget Portal Presentation
Finance Director Jonathan Perkins introduced a new online portal that makes accessing City of Paducah financial information more practical and efficient. Paducah Open Finance is an interactive site to gain a better understanding of the revenues collected and how those revenues are used. The site is updated weekly and includes data from prior fiscal years for comparison. To view Paducah Open Finance, visit https://paducahky-of.finance.socrata.com/#!/dashboard
HeartStrong Kentucky Grant and Recognition of Premed Students Jackson Miller and Ethan Morgan
Mayor George Bray presented Dukes of Paducah to premed students Jackson Miller and Ethan Morgan. Miller and Morgan are graduates of Marshall County High School and currently in the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky. Michael Muscarella, executive director of ambulatory services at Baptist Health, explained that this summer, the students served as interns for the five-year HeartStrong Kentucky grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The grant focuses on reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease in Census Tract 302 in the Southside. Miller and Morgan worked to map out mailable addresses for health information to be shared with residents, they worked at health fairs focusing on reducing total cholesterol and high blood pressure, and they engaged with residents for the City’s Greenway Trail project underway with the National Park Service. Community partners from the Southside Steering Committee mentored them as they developed community relationships to promote health.
Acceptance of Mellon Foundation Grant in Support of Hotel Metropolitan
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order accepting the Mellon Foundation Humanities in Place Grant on behalf of the Upper Town Heritage Foundation for the Hotel Metropolitan located at 724 Oscar Cross Avenue. The City will serve as the fiscal agent for the $1.34 million grant by passing funds to the Upper Town Heritage Foundation. The funds are for capital improvements to the Hotel Metropolitan and the Purple Room and to build the capacity of their board and organization as a whole. (Note: A news release will be issued as soon as the Mellon Foundation provides confirmation of receiving the grant acceptance.)
Medical Cannabis Zoning Text Amendment
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 126 of Paducah’s Zoning Code to integrate the five types of medical cannabis land uses. In May, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a resolution in support of medical cannabis businesses locating in Paducah. This ordinance provides the zoning guidance for a medical cannabis cultivator, dispensary, processor, producer, and safety compliance facility. Please note that a medical cannabis dispensary cannot be located within 1000 feet of an existing school or daycare, cannot be located next to a residential structure, or within one mile of another medical cannabis dispensary.
In 2023, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 47 which was signed by Governor Beshear legalizing the use of medical cannabis in Kentucky effective January 1, 2025. The bill also established a framework for state licensure of medical cannabis businesses such as dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and producers. As of January 1, an individual who meets specific requirements can receive a medical cannabis card from the Cabinet of Health.
Since medical cannabis cannot be transported into the State, Kentucky businesses must grow, produce, test, and sell the cannabis all within Kentucky. Therefore, to be able to service medical cannabis card holders in January, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services filed additional regulations on how proposed businesses can become licensed in Kentucky. The Cabinet currently is accepting applications for cannabis business licenses with a limited number of licenses and license types available in the State’s initial application period. Learn more about Kentucky’s medical cannabis program and read a list of frequently asked questions.
BUILD Grant Discussion
The Paducah Board of Commissioners and City Manager Daron Jordan discussed the BUILD Grant Project. In 2019, the City received notification that it would be receiving a $10.4 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant to improve the riverfront area of downtown Paducah with a project scope that includes a riverboat excursion pier, transportation enhancements, and improvements to the river side of the floodwall in a general area between the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center and Broadway. This June, the City accepted a $3.5 million appropriation for the project outlined in House Bill 1 as approved during the State’s legislative session earlier this year. This summer the project was placed out to bid with bids opened on July 16. One contractor, Jim Smith Contracting, submitted a valid bid. At this time, the City is working with the federal and state funding partners for the bid evaluation process.
Approve Tower Lease for 911 Radio Upgrade
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order for a tower lease agreement with American Towers, LLC to use the existing tower located at 6765 Contest Road. This is one of two tower locations identified in the 911 radio upgrade project that requires a lease agreement. The 911 radio upgrade project that is currently underway in Paducah and McCracken County is designed as a five-tower system to meet coverage standards. The system includes the City and County’s existing three towers and the addition of two private tower locations that require lease agreements. In July, the City approved a lease agreement with SBA Towers X, LLC to use the existing tower located at 672 Sheehan Bridge Road.
Additional Meeting Information
- Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching introduced two employees: Recreation Supervisor Emelyn Herndon and Recreation Specialist Elizabeth Kimball.
- Mayor George Bray presented a proclamation to Levi McDuffee proclaiming August 19 as Paducah Coffee Shop and Barista Appreciation Day.
- Appointment of Gregory Cannon to the Brooks Stadium Commission.
- Municipal Order approved for the declaration and sale of surplus property at 621 and 623 McKinley Street.
- Municipal Orders approved authorizing the City Manager to release Requests for Proposals for two projects: 1) Design and Construction Administrative Services for the Robert Coleman Park Sprayground and 2) Transient Boat Dock Repairs.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing an employment agreement to rehire retired Paducah Police Officer Matthew Wentworth.
- Municipal Orders approved for Contracts for Services with the City providing financial support to the following agencies: Greater Paducah Economic Development ($250,000), Paducah Transit Authority ($215,000), and Barkley Regional Airport Authority ($120,000).
- Municipal Orders approved for the termination of the Subdivision Performance and Warranty Surety Bond with Walker Properties of Western Kentucky, LLC for the Trails End Subdivision and for the acceptance of a Subdivision Performance and Warranty Surety Bond with Trails End Development, LLC for the Trails End Subdivision. Walker Properties sold the development located at 125 Ridgeview Street to Trails End Development.
- Municipal Order approved to purchase nine police pursuit-rated SUVs from Linwood Motors.
- Municipal Order approved to purchase solid waste rollout containers, lids, and replacement parts from Toter, Inc.
- Municipal Order approved to purchase lighted Christmas decorations from Holiday Outdoor Décor. The decorations will replace the 51 located on Jefferson Street, and 21 holiday decorations will be added to Walter Jetton Boulevard.
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