David Hutcheson, who has been leading the private fundraising effort for the design and construction of a sports park located on Sheehan Bridge Road, announced to the commission that $184,100 has been raised so far in firm donations, pledges, and in-kind services from 20 families and five businesses, including Lourdes Hospital, Western Baptist Hospital, and Purchase ENT. Hutcheson says he feels confident the remaining amount to get the total up to $250,000 can be raised in the next 90 days.
Hutcheson compared Paducah to Oxford, Mississippi, which is smaller in population but has a new 75-acre park with five regulation size soccer fields and 11 baseball fields. Hutcheson says, “We are missing out on a huge economic impact for our community.” The commission challenged the community to raise $250,000 which would be used to commence the design and construction of the first phase of the sports park. The city purchased the 165 acre property in December 2009 for use as a multi-sports park.
The city manager and the commission currently are working through a tight budget for the next fiscal year. Mayor Pro Tem Gayle Kaler said, “I think we need to look at some creative things we can do out there (at the sports park) to reduce expenditures.” City Manager Jeff Pederson suggested organizing a committee to study recreational facility needs and explore other investment opportunities for the property that could bring revenue. Commissioner Gerald Watkins suggested selling the home on the property with five acres and selling three-quarter or one acre lots on the front of the property along Sheehan Bridge Road to help pay the debt. Commissioner Richard Abraham said, “If we can find a way to make this happen, it’s going to be a good thing for this community.”
Commissioner Gerald Watkins made a motion to pass a resolution opposing the raising of the Confederate flag along Interstate-24 near exit 16. The commission voted to support the resolution against the flag. The Sons of Confederate Veterans plans to fly a large Confederate flag on private land in Reidland.
In other action:
•Municipal order approved to amend the employee position and pay schedule.
•Municipal order approved to apply for the MetLife Foundation Community Police Partnership Award of $30,000. No local match is required. If awarded, the funds will be used by the Paducah Police Department.
•To support the grant application for the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Accountability Grant, an ordinance was approved for an interlocal agreement between the City of Paducah and McCracken County. The grant request is for $16,035, which would be used to purchase three in-car digital cameras and other equipment. No local match is required.
•Ordinance introduced (vote in June) to amend Section 126 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances to define and allow heliports in the M-1 Light Industry Zone. Heliports currently are allowed as a conditional use in the Planned Office Park Zone and as an accessory use in the Hospital Medical Zone. The planning commission held a public hearing and made a positive recommendation to the city commission.
•Commissioner Gerald Watkins proposed to the commission to officially name the Greenway Trail after former Mayor Albert Jones. Jones was instrumental in negotiating the land donation for the trail from Lane Peck.
Information provided by Pam Spencer, City Public Information Officer
