Paducah City Commission Meeting Highlights

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order to apply for the 2016 Certified Local Government Program grant in the amount of $15,000. If awarded, the grant would require a $10,000 match, cash or in-kind services, from the City. The grant is jointly administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. The signs are proposed to be located in the grassy area on the river side of the floodwall near the Kentucky Avenue opening.

By a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Allan Rhodes voting no, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a resolution in support of the expansion of Premier Fire, Inc. The company announced in 2014 plans to expand their Paducah headquarters by investing $300,000 which would lead to the creation of 20 new full-time employees. To assist in this project, the City of Paducah will provide an incentive by rebating a portion of the payroll tax on those new positions for up to five years.

WKCTC President Dr. Barbara Veazey along with Ashley Wright and Ken Wheeler made a presentation to the Paducah Board of Commissioners regarding the success of the Community Scholarship Program. The Community Scholarship 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. 

For the past two years, the City of Paducah has contracted with Edumedics, LLC for consulting and management services for employees covered by the City’s health insurance plan who have chronic health conditions such diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance to continue a contract with Edumedics for another two-year term. In the past two years, employee enrollment in the program has increased. At this time, 44 percent of the employees with one or more chronic diseases are enrolled in Edumedics. The program allows an employee to receive oneon-one in-depth consultations with a nurse practitioner regarding their health. Interim Human Resources Director Steve Doolittle says 55 employees are utilizing Edumedics with significant health improvements seen in employees especially thosewith high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Municipal order approved to apply for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant in the amount of $15,000. No local match is required. If awarded the funds would be used to purchase equipment for the Paducah Fire Department.

Ordinance approved amending the lease agreement approved in March 2015 between the City and AT&T. AT&T leases space on the 800 MHz tower located at 510 Clark Street. The amendment corrects the lease payment amount and provides compensation for back rent owed.