Funding Agreement with Paducah Cooperative Ministry for an Emergency Shelter
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Ordering authorizing a funding agreement with Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM) to support the remodeling of a building that will serve as an emergency homeless shelter. This partnership aims to address homelessness within the City of Paducah by expanding emergency shelter capacity and ensuring critical support services for vulnerable residents. This shelter would offer short-term, 24-hour emergency housing for men, women, and children along with food, restrooms, and showers. To assist with the building’s improvements, the City will provide PCM a grant up to $200,000 distributed in two parts with the initial $100,000 provided by April 1, 2026, and the final payment of up to $100,000 after the project is completed. PCM agrees to operate the emergency shelter and provide services to homeless residents for at least five years. PCM also will submits annual reports to the City that document shelter operations and the number of individuals served including how many are City of Paducah residents.
Amend Paducah Code of Ordinances to Authorize Payments for Board Members
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amending the various sections of City Code to provide compensation for voting members of certain boards. Currently, the City of Paducah provides appointments to 32 boards with more than 200 appointed members. The purpose of this ordinance amendment is to recognize the time, expertise, and service of citizen volunteers, encourage broader community participation, and support the recruitment and retention of qualified individuals to serve in these important roles. Due to various reasons (e.g., state statute), not all boards are eligible to receive compensation.
Under the ordinance, compensation will begin January 1, 2026, with board chairs receiving $100 per meeting attended and all other voting members receiving $75 per meeting attended. City staff members serving on or assisting boards in an official capacity, as well as ex-officio City Commission members, will not receive payment or reimbursement for meeting attendance. Any board member may voluntarily decline all or part of their compensation at any time by providing written notice to the appropriate official. Payments made under this ordinance will be exempt from occupational taxes.
The ordinance applies to several boards and commissions including the Board of Adjustment, Civic Beautification Board, Municipal Housing Commission, Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, Transit Authority Board, Paducah Riverfront Development Advisory Board, Paducah Creative and Cultural Council, Board of Ethics, Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes Appeals Board, Code Enforcement Board, Human Rights Commission, Brooks Stadium Commission, Civil Service Commission, Paducah Planning Commission, Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency, Commissioners of Waterworks, Tree Advisory Board, and the Historical and Architectural Review Commission.
Amend Paducah Code of Ordinances to Authorize Golf Carts on Certain Paducah Streets
The Paducah Board of Commissioners re-introduced an ordinance creating a new section of Paducah Code of Ordinances Chapter 110 regarding traffic and vehicles to permit the operation of golf carts on certain streets. This ordinance is a follow-up to the Board discussion at its August 12 meeting and a change from the ordinance that was introduced at the November 4 meeting. This ordinance amendment would allow golf carts to operate on City of Paducah streets with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less.
There would be several requirements and limitations. Golf carts must be inspected by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, permitted by the Paducah Police Department (one-time $25 permit until the golf cart changes ownership), insured, and operated only between sunrise and sunset. Plus, operators must hold a valid driver’s license, display a slow-moving vehicle emblem, and follow all traffic laws. Golf carts may cross state-maintained roadways where the speed limit is 35 mph or less, but the golf cart cannot be driven along those roadways. Exemptions are provided in the ordinance for city-owned golf carts, riverboat tourism shuttles at the riverfront, and carts used within permitted special events.
The Paducah Police Department may deny, suspend, or revoke permits for safety or compliance violations.
Several members of the Board voiced their thoughts that they would like to get additional feedback from the public and continue to review options before making a final decision. Mayor Bray suggested creating a citizen committee that includes a Commissioner to explore options and present a possible solution.
Ordinance for Taxation of Abandoned Urban Properties
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance creating a new section in Chapter 106 of the City’s code for the taxation of properties classified under Kentucky law as abandoned urban property. To be classified as an “abandoned urban property,” the property must be vacant or unimproved for at least one year and meet one additional condition (e.g., unfit for human habitation, unsafe or unsanitary, declared an unsafe structure, contaminated, exists in a development area established under KRS 65, or tax delinquent for three or more years). This Abandoned Urban Property Tax (AUPT) would apply to both residential and commercial properties, including vacant lots, if they meet the statutory definition.
If approved, the AUPT would be in lieu of the City’s regular property tax rate. The proposed rate would be $1.50 per $100 of assessed value instead of the current rate of $0.271 per $100 of assessed value. Each year, the City would compile a list of properties that meet the definition for approval by the Code Enforcement Board. The affected owners would be notified and have an opportunity to file an appeal before the rate is applied to their tax bill. This process, which is authorized by KRS 92.305 and KRS 132.012, is intended to address long-term vacant and neglected properties. Several Kentucky cities have enacted an AUPT including Lexington-Fayette, Covington, Hopkinsville, and Winchester.
Southside Revitalization Plan Housing Incentives and URCDA
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance abolishing the previous Southside incentive program and creating a new, simplified program that provides incentives to improve, repair, remodel, or reconstruct existing homes and for the construction of new homes to support the Southside Revitalization Plan. The Southside Plan was adopted by the City Commission in August. The incentives, which are for the Phase 1 area at this time, are divided into two main categories: homeowner grants and developer grants. The Phase 1 area includes 1061 properties in the Southside which includes 400 vacant parcels.
The Homeowner Grant Incentive would provide a 30 percent reimbursement of project costs with $30,000 as the maximum that could be provided for a project. For example, if a homeowner spent $25,000 on new windows and a roof, the City would provide a reimbursement of 30 percent of the cost which would be $7,500. This includes new construction and major rehabilitation. Rehabilitation projects include windows, siding, electrical, HVAC, roofs, porches, interior remodel, accessibility ramps, etc. This grant would not include general maintenance such as pressure washing, appliances, or furniture.
The Developer Grant Incentive closes the gap between the cost of construction and the appraised value of a newly constructed home. The maximum award for a home is $75,000. For example, if a home costs $200,000 to construct, but the appraised value is $125,000, the Developer Incentive Grant would provide $75,000 to cover the difference between the construction cost and appraisal. This grant is used by the new homeowner as a down payment toward the cost of the home. The new homeowner would be responsible for living in the home for at least 10 years. If the homeowner leaves before that time, then the homeowner would be responsible to pay a prorated amount of the incentive back to the city. A few additional requirements for the Developer Incentive Grant include that the developer must apply for the grant prior to the home’s construction, only one application for a single property, and a homeowner/buyer must be determined prior to the City providing the grant award. Each application will be forwarded to the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency for review and approval. The goal is for developers to begin the construction of ten new homes in the spring.
These new incentive programs would be administered by the Planning Department and the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA). URCDA is a board authorized by KRS to oversee the revitalization of neighborhoods. URCDA successfully managed the Lowertown and Fountain Avenue Revitalization Programs and will now manage the Southside Revitalization Area. Earlier in this meeting, the Board approved the appointments of Valerie Pollard, Bob Wade, Brian Wyatt, Jewel Jones, and Douglas McClure to the URCDA. Furthermore, since URCDA will be focusing on the Southside properties, the City Commission approved the transfer of city-owned Southside properties to URCDA and the transfer of URCDA-owned properties outside the Southside revitalization area to the city.
Commission Priorities Update
Assistant City Manager Michelle Smolen presented an update on the work underway on the 2025-2026 Commission Priorities. After holding strategic planning sessions in February, the Board determined 10 Commission Priorities and three Continuous Improvement items. The Board will hold a Commission Priorities Affirmation Retreat on January 16.
The 2025-2026 Commission Priorities are Quality Housing, Rental Property Occupancy Permitting, Downtown/Economic Development, Southside Revitalization, Growth, Quality of Life, City Facilities, City Staffing Needs, Revenue Equity, and Support for Human and Social Services. The Board selected the following continuous improvement action items: Stormwater, Trails and Bike Lanes, and Mental Health Awareness.
Paducah Civic Beautification Board Annual Business Awards
The Paducah Civic Beautification Board recognized 16 businesses with Annual Business Awards.
- Pipers Tea and Coffee, 3100 Broadway St.
- Be Happy Pie Company, 110 Lone Oak Rd. Suite 112
- Vue Magazine, 2507 Broadway St.
- Advanced Internal Medicine, 2005 Broadway St.
- Hernandez Painting, 1643 Broadway St.
- Goodwill Opportunity Center, 1601 Broadway St.
- Golden Carrot Natural Foods, 433 Jefferson St.
- Innovations Branding House, 609 Jefferson St.
- Primax Compozit Home Systems, 444 North 8th St.
- Hotel Metropolitan, 724 Oscar Cross Ave.
- Solace Salon, 2614 Bridge St. Suite 104
- JT's Sports Bar and Grill, 548 North 32nd St.
- Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services of Paducah, 801 Joe Clifton Dr.
- Chicken Salad Chick, 2670 New Holt Rd.
- West Park Plaza, West Park Dr.
- West Kentucky Community & Technical College, 4810 Alben Barkley Dr.
Boards and Commissions
- Jessica Housman appointed to the 911 Parcel Fee Appeals Board.
- Appointment of Valerie Pollard, Bob Wade, Brian Wyatt, Jewel Jones, and Douglas McClure to the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA).
- Appointment of Mark McGregor to the Board of Adjustment.
Additional Meeting Information
- Municipal Order approved authorizing Contract Modification No. 4 with A&K Construction for the Paducah Sports Park Project. This contract modification removes $1,341,242.08 in items from the contract. These items will be purchased directly to utilize the tax-exempt status.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Public Works Department to issue a request for bids for City Hall window tinting and film.
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