Commissioners approved two ordinances for contracts between the City and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 168 and between the City and the Fraternal Order of Police. Each current contract expires June 30, but the new deals are three-year contracts, effective from July 1 until June 30, 2020.
Negotiations between the city and both unions were held in January and February with both memberships voting to approve the contracts. Both contracts include proposed annual wage increases of 1.5% in 2017, 1.75% in 2018, and 2.0% in 2019. The FOP contract was signed by the city’s FOP Bargaining Unit President Corey Willenborg and Mayor Brandi Harless. IAFF President Barry Carter and Mayor Harless signed the IAFF contract.
Commissioners also approved an ordinance to amend the sections of Chapter 122 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances related to taxi cabs. One amendment outlines that city law does not govern transportation network company vehicles commonly known as ride-share vehicles. Uber is an example of the type of company that is not regulated by the city, which means they are not prevented from operating in the City.
The code amendment also reflects new requirements those who apply for a taxicab driver’s license. The amendments prevent someone convicted of a sex crime or a Class A or Class B felony from obtaining a taxicab driver’s license. It also updates the inspection process, and the process for seizure, suspension, and/or renovation of taxicab driver’s licenses and taxicab inspection stickers. There also is language related to the conduct of taxicab drivers.
Commissioners approved an ordinance accepting the bid of $242,980 by Youngblood Excavating & Contracting, LLC (YEC) for the Noble Park Lake Bank Stabilization Project-Phase II. Two bids were received for this project with YEC providing the lowest, responsive bid. Phase I of the project occurred in 2014 with the installation of metal sheet piling to create a retaining wall to stabilize the erosion of 665 linear feet of bank on the southeastern side of Noble Park Lake. Phase II will include the installation of approximately 650 linear feet of steel sheet piling and concrete cap along the south and west bank of the Noble Park Lake to match the first phase of the project.
While the water is lowered, all of the steel sheet piling surfaces from both phases will be sandblasted and painted with a black vinyl finish to protect and add to the life expectancy of the project. This phase would be done within 150 consecutive calendar days, and is expected to begin this spring.
The City Commission also approved an ordinance to: amend city laws relating to the Upper Story Residential Grant Program, and to grant a contract to Kemper CPA Group, LLC for preparation of city audits and related reports from 2017 through 2020 (at a cost not to exceed $215,000).
They also approved a municipal order to release the deed restriction on property at 511 North 5th Street, since the property owner plans to rehab the building instead of demolishing it.
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