Appeal of Demolition Control Committee Decision for 114 North 3rd Street
The Commissioners were set to hear the appeal by Paducah Renaissance Alliance (PRA) regarding a decision by the Demolition Control Committee. The Demolition Committee approved a demolition permit to demolish the structure located at 114 North 3rd Street. However, a motion for the dismissal of the appeal was presented to the Commission by a representative for the property owner based on wording in the ordinance that says the appeal must be filed within 15 days of the decision of the Demolition Committee. The Demolition Control Committee, which consists of the Planning Director, Historic and Architectural Review Commission Chairman, and the Chief Building Inspector, voted May 11, 2012 to approve the demolition permit. The Demolition Control Permit was issued May 17, 2012, and PRA appealed with a letter dated June 1, 2012. Commissioner Carol Gault made a motion to continue the appeal for the July 17 Commission Meeting. The City Commission wants clarification from the City’s attorney on when the 15 day appeal period began. Commissioner Gerald Watkins says, “I would like to take some time to review. This was all a surprise tonight.” At issue is the approximately 45,000 square foot building located at 114 North 3rd Street also known as the Ethan Allen Carriage House. The property owner, R&B Realvest, LLC, approached the City with the request to demolish the building to provide space for a paid parking lot. PRA Executive Director Lisa Thompson and the PRA Board of Advisors appealed the decision to demolish the structure stating that the structure is important to maintaining a sense of mass and depth for Paducah’s downtown commercial core. PRA also argues that according to the City’s ordinance, the building doesn’t meet the demolition specifications.
Authorize Contract for Next Phase of Greenway Trail (vote July 24)
The Commissioners introduced an ordinance to authorize the contract with Wilkins Construction Company for the next phase of the Greenway Trail project. The contract amount is $543,759. Bids were opened June 28, 2012. This phase of the Greenway Trail project will consist of the construction of approximately 8,800 linear feet (1.67 miles) of a concrete pedestrian and bicycle trail on the city’s floodwall levee. City Engineer-Public Works Director Rick Murphy says, “It’s good that we are getting the concrete in lieu of the asphalt. There is a lot less maintenance.” The trail will begin next to the Expo Center parking lot downtown and stop behind the Smoke Shop on North 8th Street. Two shelters, four benches, and signs also are included in the project. Construction will begin this summer. This phase of the Greenway Trail is funded by a 2006 federal Transportation Enhancement grant. A future phase of the Greenway Trail, which is under design, will connect the existing trail in Noble Park to this phase. The City of Paducah currently has a trail approximately 1.75 miles in length that runs from Noble Park to County Park Road at the Perkins Creek Nature Preserve. The existing stretch of trail was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony in July 2008.
Indiana Bat Conservation Memorandum of Agreement (vote July 24)
The Commissioners introduced an ordinance to execute the Indiana Bat Conservation Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As part of the Riverfront Redevelopment Project and the necessity to clear trees around the boat launch location downstream of the Expo Center, it was determined that the area is in a summer mating habitat zone for the Indiana bat which is listed as a federally endangered species. To minimize the effect on the Indiana bats, the MOA outlines that no trees will be cleared from June 1 through July 31. Also no more than 0.99 acres will be cleared. Based on the land clearing, the City of Paducah is required to pay $5742 to the Indiana Bat Conservation Fund. City Engineer-Public Works Director Rick Murphy says, “This is a minor hurdle. We want to be environmentally sensitive and compliant.”
Kentucky Housing Corporation 2012 HOME Grant (vote July 24)
The Commissioners introduced an ordinance accepting the funding agreement in the amount of $309,500 for the Kentucky Housing Corporation’s 2012 HOME grant. This homeowner assistance grant will be used to build seven new single-family homes in the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood for low to moderate-income families. Before construction begins on each home, the City is required to have a pre-qualified buyer. Each home will cost an average of $120,000; however, with the City’s match and the HOME grant, the average cost per homeowner will be $68,000 plus interest. This is the second HOME grant within the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood. A 2010 grant provided for the construction of seven new homes and the rehabilitation of two existing ones.
Contract for Services with Agencies (vote July 24)
The Commissioners introduced ordinances for contracts with the following agencies for fiscal year 2012-2103:
•GPEDC $250,000
•Barkley Regional Airport $136,430
•Paducah Area Transit System $225,000
•Paducah Junior College, Inc. $125,000 (for Community Scholarship Program)
•Paducah Junior College, Inc. $75,000 (for Paducah School of Art operational expenses for school’s two locations, 409 Broadway and 919 Madison Street)
Interlocal Agreement with County for Animal Control Services (vote July 24)
The Commissioners introduced an ordinance to update the interlocal agreement with McCracken County for animal control services. The City and County entered into an interlocal agreement in 2004 to consolidate the animal control services. At that time, the City disbanded its animal control division and started providing funding to the County to operate the program and provide the staffing. In the past few months, McCracken County has ceased using the Humane Society for animal confinement and has constructed its own shelter. This update to the interlocal agreement reflects that change in addition to providing language referring to state compliance requirements regulating the handling of animals. Additionally, it contains new record keeping requirements and recognizes the need to consider operational revenues in the calculation of net cost for the City for services rendered in Paducah. The agreement is for a period of two years. McCracken County is in the process of creating an advisory board for its new animal shelter.
Quick Highlights:
•Municipal Order approved for Paducah Water to assume Hendron Water District’s local through the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority which has a balance of $40,000. Hendron Water is in the process of consolidating into Paducah Water.
•Municipal Order approved for Paducah Renaissance Alliance to apply for $5000 in grant assistance through the Kentucky Arts Council. If awarded, the funds would be used to plan and design signage to help visitors navigate around downtown and LowerTown.
•Municipal Order approved for a one year lease agreement in the amount of $1000 with Lamar Companies. Lamar is leasing the property located at Wayne Sullivan Drive at South 4th Street for an existing billboard.
•Ordinance approved authorizing Paducah Water to sell a parcel of surplus property located near the intersection of Old Calvert Road and Kentucky Dam Road.
•Ordinance approved for change order #1 for the uniform services contract for the fire department.
•Ordinance approved to close a portion of Garfield Street between Chester Hack Drive and Coxey Street.
•Ordinances approved accepting the following grant awards: (1) 2012-2013 Law Enforcement Service Fee Award—grant award in the amount of $12,634 to be used for overtime costs and the purchase of in-car digital cameras in order to operate a DUI enforcement program. Grant requires a cash match of $1199. (2) 2012-2013 Kentucky Recycling Grant Award—grant award in the amount of $40,418.70 to be used to purchase equipment for the Recycle Now recycling center located at 1851 North 8th Street. Grant requires a match of $7725 each from the City and County in addition to an in-kind donation of $7790 from Paducah Water. (3) 2012-2013 Kentucky Household Hazardous Waste Grant Award—grant award in the amount of $33,700 to be used for the 2013 Spring Clean Up Day. Grant required a match of $9000 to be divided between the City and County. During April 2012, 709 residents brought items to the Spring Clean Up Day. (4) 2012 Area Development Fund Award—Grant award in the amount of $5237 to be used toward the construction of the dog park at Stuart Nelson Park. No local cash match is required.
•Ordinance introduced (vote July 24) to rescind the ordinance adopted May 8, 2012 for the purchase of fire structural turnout gear from Bluegrass Fire Equipment. After evaluation, it was determined there was a technical discrepancy and the wrong vendor was awarded.
•Ordinance introduced (vote July 24) accepting the bid of Fire Department Service & Supply Company for the purchase of fire structural turnout gear in the amount of $21,675.
•Ordinance introduced (vote July 24) for change order #2 for the uniform services contract for the fire department. The change order adds the fire prevention staff who have been recently incorporated into the fire department from the former inspection department.
•Ordinance introduced (vote July 24) approving a three year rate guarantee from the Kentucky League of Cities for Workers’ Compensation and Property Insurance coverage.
•Ordinance introduced (vote July 24) accepting proposed premiums from the Kentucky League of Cities for Workers’ Compensation, Liability Insurance, and Property Insurance coverage. The total cost of all premiums is $913,963.
•Ordinance introduced (vote July 24) to close a portion of a 20 foot alley from North 9th Street to the Paducah & Louisville Railroad located between Madison and Harrison Streets.
