To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/6_-D0zWpnJk.
Entertainment Destination Center Ordinance Introduction
At the March 23 meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners, Business Development Specialist Kathryn Byers provided an overview of the proposed Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) program. At this meeting, the ordinance establishing an EDC was introduced. The goals of the EDC are to draw people to Paducah's downtown, strengthen existing local businesses, and attract new entrepreneurs. This license through the State would boost existing restaurant and hospitality industries by allowing customers to take to-go alcoholic drinks in designated cups from participating businesses and stroll our historic streets, browse the windows of our local boutiques, watch the towboats on the river, and partake in outdoor events. The proposed hours are daily from 6 a.m. until midnight. Once approved by the City and the State, the EDC could be in place by summer.
For more information about the proposed EDC including a list of frequently asked questions and a map, visit Entertainment Destination Center. To provide input, send an email to edcpaducahky.gov.
Employment Agreement with Nicholas Hutchison for Planning Director
The Board approved an employment agreement with Nicholas Hutchison to serve as Planning Director. Hutchison has two degrees in planning in addition to more than eight years of work experience in the St. Joseph, Missouri, area. Hutchison will begin his career with the Planning Department on May 20. Read the entire news release
Extension of Business License Deadline to May 17, 2021
The Board approved an emergency ordinance to extend the 2021 business license filing deadline from April 15 to May 17, 2021. This extension mirrors the same changes established by the State of Kentucky and the Internal Revenue Service. This due date change applies only to calendar year filers.
Time Change for Regular City Commission Meetings
The Board introduced an ordinance to amend Paducah Code of Ordinances Section 2-142 pertaining to regular City Commission meetings which are held monthly on the second and fourth Tuesday. The amendment would change the time for the meetings from 5:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Scholarship Program Presentation
West Kentucky Community & Technical College President Dr. Anton Reece and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Lee Emmons provided an update on the Community Scholarship Program and thanked the City for its funding support since fiscal year 2011. Annually, the City provides $125,000 toward the program which was launched to increase the number of high school graduates, increase the number of citizens with post-secondary education, and improve the quality and skill level of our regional workforce. Emmons said, “Education is an investment in the future of our community.” So far, more than 1800 students have benefited from the program.
The Program motivates students to graduate high school and pursue a higher education by providing each Paducah and McCracken County high school graduate with a two-year tuition scholarship to West Kentucky Community & Technical College provided that each student register for the program, maintain a minimum grade point average and attendance record, and not have major disciplinary problems. The program also receives funds from McCracken County, the Rotary Club of Paducah, Paducah Junior College, Inc., Paducah Power System, and numerous private sources.
Grant Applications
- Approval to apply for the 2021 Kentucky League of Cities Insurance Services Workers’ Safety Grant. The $3000 grant would be used to purchase personal protective equipment.
- Approval to apply for the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security grant requesting $93,975 which would be used to replace the X-ray system currently used by the Paducah Police Department’s Bomb Squad.
- Approval to apply for the Utilities Assistance grant requesting $200,000 through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Program. Once awarded, the City will enter into an agreement with West Kentucky Allied Services to facilitate the grant funds to eligible households. A public hearing regarding the grant application will be held Thursday, April 15 at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor Bray presented a proclamation to Amberly Haverstock who serves as community impact director with Lotus proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
- Municipal order approved accepting the donation of property located at 514 Marton Street.
- Ordinance approved amending the professional services contract with Strand Associates. Strand has been assisting the City with the requirements of its stormwater permit (MS4) through the Kentucky Division of Water and various stormwater projects.
- Ordinances approved amending two sections of the Code of Ordinances: 1) Section 126-87 to clarify the definition and exceptions regarding mobile food vehicles and 2) Section 126-115 to update language for the Historical Zones (H-1 and H-2) including allowing multi-family dwellings as conditional uses in H-2.
- Ordinance introduced for a change order increasing the professional services contract with BFW Engineering & Testing by $12,200 for environmental assessment services related to the $10.4 million BUILD grant for the riverfront.
- Ordinance introduced amending the City budget to provide the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) annual funding.
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