Note: Commissioner Buz Smith was unable to attend the meeting.
Crash Responder Safety Month Proclamation
Mayor George Bray and McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer are proclaiming November as Crash Responder Safety Month. With the presence of Interstate 24, Paducah and McCracken County see a significant amount of traffic which, unfortunately, leads to crashes. In light of upcoming bridge work on the I-24 bridge over the Ohio River, both governments want the public to reduce risks to first responders and to all road users by following Slow Down and Move Over Laws and by not being a distracted, impaired, or drowsy motorists.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is planning work zone lane restrictions on the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge, which connects Metropolis to Paducah, starting Monday, December 2. Over a two-week period, crews will be inspecting the bridge. IDOT is preparing for a multi-year rehabilitation project on the bridge which is set to begin in spring 2025.
Board Names Greg Guebert as City Engineer
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an employment agreement with Greg Guebert, P.E. as City Engineer. The City of Paducah hired Guebert as Assistant City Engineer in June 2021. He has been serving as Interim City Engineer for the past year following the retirement of previous city engineer, Rick Murphy. Guebert, a native of Herrin, Illinois, received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Before working for the City of Paducah, Guebert was employed by Clarida & Ziegler Engineering Company in Marion, Illinois.
Columbia Theatre Façade Renovation
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a contract for services with Columbia Art House, Inc. for the Columbia Theatre Façade Renovation Project. In February 2024, the City Commission pledged to financially support Columbia Art House in their work to stabilize the facade of the Columbia Theatre with matching funds not to exceed $500,000. This action
authorizes a contract for services to disperse the funds. The City’s maximum payment will be the lesser of either $500,000 or one half of the aggregate amount of all invoices submitted related to the approved scope of work. The Columbia Theatre, built in 1927, is located at 504 Broadway. Work currently is underway to stabilize the façade on this historic downtown Paducah landmark. Learn more by visiting Columbia Art House.
Boards and Commissions
- Appointment of Kevin Kauffeld and joint appointment of Jewel Jones to the Paducah-McCracken County Joint 911 Parcel Fee Appeals Board.
- Reappointment of Amanda Johnson and Michael Campbell and appointment of Chad Clark to the Historical and Architectural Review Commission (HARC).
Resolution Approving Section 8 Transfer to the Housing Authority of Paducah
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a resolution approving the transfer of Paducah’s Section 8 Program to the Housing Authority of Paducah. For more than five years, the Housing Authority has managed the program through a contractual management agreement. The Section 8 office’s Board desires that the Section 8 Program be transferred to the Housing Authority for efficiency reasons and so that housing opportunities can be expanded and strengthened.
Additional Meeting Information
- Municipal Order approved for a participation agreement with Sourcewell for cooperative purchasing.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the contract with Vermeer Midwest for the purchase of a horizonal grinder and conveyor/stacker for use at the Compost Facility. The City has received a Kentucky Pride Fund Composting Grant which will cover 75 percent of the cost of the equipment.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the application for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant which if awarded will be used for Fire Ground Survival Training.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase of 50 radios from Communications International for use by the Paducah Fire Department.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase of six self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and cylinders for use by the Paducah Fire Department.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase of real property located at 600 Glenwood Drive from the Paducah Independent School Board.
- Ordinance approved amending Chapter 2 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances related to the Fire Department to update ordinance language conflicting with the IAFF Local 168 contract. This amendment also lowers the minimum hiring age from 19 to 18 years of age to increase recruiting by attracting applicants as they graduate from high school.
- Ordinance approved amending Chapter 46 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances related to how the City identifies and assigns addresses. This change would require a property owner to use the address that is assigned.
- Ordinance approved amending Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances related to personnel to add Veterans Day, November 11, as a city-recognized holiday beginning in 2025.
- Ordinance introduced amending Chapter 106 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances as related to business licenses to add clarifying language to make it clear that each business location must be treated as a stand-alone license.
- Upcoming events: Christmas in the Park Lighting Ceremony (November 27), Small Business Saturday (November 30), and Christmas Parade (December 7).
- City Hall and other City offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays on Thursday (November 28) and Friday (November 29).
###
