City Commission - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. N. Hey. Hey. Hey.

[clears throat] Good afternoon everybody. I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order on January 13th, 2026 and ask our city clerk to please call ro. Commissioner Henderson, present. Commissioner Smith here. Commissioner Thomas, present. Commissioner Wilson, present. Mayor Bray,

here. [clears throat] Uh, I would ask Commissioner Henderson if you would to say the invocation and then we'll remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. God of heaven, we are again grateful for this day and for this time. We are grateful for every opportunity that you gave us to get into your presence. We thank you again, God, for the privilege of being able to serve in this capacity to serve the citizens of Paduka. And we pray tonight, Lord God, that even whatever decisions that we make that it will be good for the masses. We thank you, Lord God, for our employees. We thank you for uh the citizens that make up this great city. And it is in the name of Jesus the Christ that we pray. And we thank you for everything. Amen.

Amen. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Uh, city manager, are there any additions or deletions to the agenda? Mayor, none this evening. All right. First up, we have a new employee introduction uh that's pretty near and dear to my heart. So, um I'll turn it over to Michelle Smallen, our assistant city manager.

Good evening, Mayor Brag, Commissioner, City Manager, and City Clerk. I have the great honor this evening of introducing our new assistant to the mayor and commissioners, Ian. Um he'll play a key role in supporting the board of commissioners and assisting the public. So, we're really excited to have him on board. A little bit about his background. He holds uh he recently comes to us from Swift and Staley. He holds an MBA from Murray State as well as a degree in history. It's also worth mentioning that he served as the student body president while at Murray State and was a graduate assistant with the government relations office. He is originally from Mayfield and is married to his wife Gentry. I know the mayor wants to say a few things, but I think so far he's made a very positive [clears throat] impression. He's brought a lot of passion to the position. He's brought a lot of energy. So, I think he's going to be a great fit and we're really happy to have him on board.

Yeah, Ian. [clears throat] Thank you, Michelle, for that kind introduction. Uh, Mayor Ray, commissioners, team Paduka, and citizens of Paduka, I'm honored to have this opportunity and I have deeply enjoyed the first few months that I have spent working in this position, and I look forward to continuing to serve this great city. Thank you very much. Thanks, Ian. And um I've got a chance to get to know get to know Ian pretty uh pretty well here. You know, he and I work closely together. Uh I think uh Michelle, you're right. He's brings a lot of passion and a lot of energy and a lot of texts. Uh [laughter]

you're here to the job. [laughter] Um but uh one thing for sure, you know, we will not be uninformed about things happening. So um welcome aboard. It's great to have you and uh we we all [clears throat] look forward to working with you and seeing you grow in the job. Thank you very much. Welcome. [applause]

Okay. Uh Megan, uh we have uh an update from uh Megan Mansfield at uh Bacon Farmer Workman uh to talk about our PA program, which is the program where we keep track of what's going on on our city streets as it relates to, you know, what kind of shape they are in. Um you know, whether or not what streets need repaving. And so, um, BFW is managing that program for us. So, I'll turn it over to you, Megan.

Sure. Good evening, mayor, commissioners, city manager, city clerk. I think I got all of you. So, we're excited to be here. I'm going to try to make this as exciting as possible to talk [laughter] about the streets of the city of Paduga. I am Megan Mansfield. I'm the chief growth officer for BFW Markham Engineering. I'm also a civil engineer that helped start this program in 2018 at the city whenever I was here as a engineer [clears throat] um originally. So this is Joe Metevvic. He is one of our leads on PA. So I think I told a few of you earlier if there's any hard questions, he's our guy. Greg's backup. So I got it all planned out. [laughter] So first a little bit about the street rehabilitation program and kind of relating the PCI system into the rehabilitation program. Mainly want to mention that the PCI data collection first began in 2018. So I know in 2023, I think is the last time I talked to you all, we've got some new faces. So I wanted to kind of explain its relevance into the overall uh rehabilitation system. So the PCI data we collected all 100% of the streets in 2018 and then thereafter beginning in 2021 we have since collected 20% of the streets each year to maintain that data that we collected originally. So as of 2026 this time next year 100% of those streets will be reassessed and that gives us two separate points of data. That's really good integrity. We hope to continue that as a general maintenance of the program. It really gives us a good diagnostic of the overall street infrastructure within the city limits. So what is the paper program? I won't go too much detail here, but ultimately its relevance was it was developed by the department of defense very early on in the 1970s along with the PCI system mainly uh for airfields and runways. And this is a good indicator. 0 to 100, red, green, yellow. Keeping it simple.

Green and high level yellow are what we consider to be subcritical streets. Everything below that is rehabilitation. So if we can repair a street in that yellow and green category, it's about $1 per square foot compared to four to$5 a square foot after we've reached that critical state. So that's what that PCI number is really telling us. This is what we see on our computers whenever we're out or iPads now whenever [clears throat] we're out inspecting those streets. So, believe it or not, we are looking for 20 different distress types in any given sample area. And that tells us a lot about what's going on with that pavement. So, as you're driving across the road, you may see alligator cracking, for example, and I've got a picture of it right here, but you you will see some of these. You'll feel them as you drive, and you think, "Oh, that that street should be paved." may be overlaid and what we see is a whole bigger picture of what's going on. So that alligator cracking for example is telling us that the subsurface is actually in need of repair. So you can pave over that all you want. It's going to pop right back up and it's really not best use of dollars to continue paving that area until you've addressed that underlying issue. Same with drainage. So, a good example, I think you guys recently completed the 24th, 25th Street or it's completing. [snorts] Um, and that had a whole lot of global issues and needed to be redone for a lot of reasons and you guys invested in that project. But that was some of the areas that you could look at, drainage, things like that that are bigger issues that really need to be addressed before we simply pave over it. These are some more distress types that we look at. So, 20 total, very in-depth. we get out the rulers, the measuring sticks, all those things uh to be able to tell the full story of how the pavement is performing. GIS view. So, I won't spend a lot of time here, but I like to say at BFW, we see green, yellow, and red for the city

of Paduka because this is by and large how we view the infrastructure network. So, all of this is Noble Park for reference. It's a good notable landmark that was all recently paved, so it's switched to green, but there's red and yellow around it. What that's telling us is that PCI score and we're able to take a look at the what I call the elephant if you know the geometry of the city of Paduka network. But all that gray infrastructure really on our screen is colorcoded uh to represent the PCI number. [clears throat] These were the streets that the street department within the city engineering office completed in 2025. So, wanted to bring that to your attention mainly because those the data I'm about to show you does not incorporate the fact that these were recently paid. So, it's a little bit conservative. It it skews it some, but it's in a conservative factor. In 2026, we will complete the inspections on these green streets and turn them to basically a PCI of 100 or a little bit less. Um, and that will improve that data. We do that every year since 2021. um where the first thing we do is take a look at everything that was recently paved because it may surprise you, but some of those streets may need to be touched up or what have you. So that we go and look at those immediately right after they're completed. And this is available on the city website. I really like that Greg and his team added this. This is the streets planned for 2026 both in the near-term and the long term. So the red shows you areas that are anticipated to be paved as well as the blue. And it just goes back to show you that the PCI data is helping make some of these decisions. It is not the only factor because you have utility cuts, economic develop, other factors that go into consideration making those decisions, but this is a good view uh for the public to be able to see what the plans are in the near future. And then I wanted to bring up the

commission has increased the budget on street rehabilitation projects as well as the state over year-over-year uh varying from 14% all the way up to 37%. And the biggest reason why I wanted to bring this up tonight is because we have been able to see this money affect the PCI ratings. And even at 20% a year being inspected, it's pretty telling that this injection of money is making a difference in the overall infrastructure network. So the 2025 pavement inspection results. So the city of Paduca has approximately 200 miles of streets in the paper database. So that's about 400 total in directional. And we inspected 20% of those in 2024, 20% in 2025, and then again 100% of the streets were originally inspected, and those are maintenance inspections [clears throat] in addition. So in 2026, 100% of the streets will be reinspected. That's an important milestone for the program. The streets are scored on that PCI scale. We set the critical PCI for the city of Paduka at 65. Sometimes that can drop a little bit lower depending on what the city wants to set at, but we the general rule of thumb is that we say 65 is the point of preventative versus rehabilitation. So this is a global snapshot of the 2025 update for the PCI system. So we see approximately 24% is in the good category followed by the 17% in satisfactory and 23% in fair. So a little over half the streets. What that means is a little bit over half of the streets of the city of Paduca are in a subcritical state. That's a really good measure to know that we have about half and half that are rehabilitated rehabilitation eligible and then others that can be preventative maintenance. So, one of the things that I know Brandy

Topper and her crew constantly perform is, you know, maintenance repairs on potholes, things like that. That's all considered preventative maintenance planning that actually protects the integrity of the pavement long term. And then this is just a little bit of history for those that did not see the 2023 presentation, but it also tells a pretty good story. So 21 to 22, we actually saw rapid deterioration on what we would consider to be the green streets in the city of Padiga's network. So 2021, 44% of those streets were green and it dropped to 36% in 2022. So that's right when those budget increases started to come in. And in 2022 to 2023, we saw that 36% go back up to about 41%. There's nuances in the data that I won't get into, but overall that's telling you that we are moving back up to that baseline. Um, in addition to combating inflation, construction dollars going up, and ultimately having to spread that money out on more mileage. And then this is just 24 to 25. So the story here is that we held steady in the green area which I think is a really good point to make because of the fact that this is getting more and more expensive. So you know to repair something like Walter Walter Jaton Street is a major cost rehabilitation project. You guys can imagine it's a really wide street and a lot of the city of Paduga has a really wide network that's expensive. That's more pavement. But then whenever you compare that to something like Hedge Lane or a subdivision street, we get a lot more runway with those dollars. So to hold steady at 41% is compared to other areas that we work in is a really good result. And then this is a year-over-year comparison. So this comparison indicates that the trend remains predominantly steady, which is what I just mentioned. Over the last four years, both

rehabilitation projects and localized repairs have generally kept up with the progression of the deterioration, but we did notice a very slight decline in overall pavement conditions. And that has to do with that yellow, the high yellow going down more into that lower yellow area. So, how does this compare uh from what we get to see working in multiple communities and multiple systems? Typically for something a community like the city of Paduca, mostly based on climate, we get to experience a lot of seasonal weather that affects the pavement and snow, sle, all of that is working against us. We would expect to see a decline of about two to three PCI points based on the road usage volume and those factors I just mentioned, but we've seen less than that. So, that's great. 80% of the inspections showed less of a decline. And then the biggest takeaway is about half of the streets that I mentioned are below that critical PCI of 65 and half are above. So it indicates that there's still a significant backlog. And before the mayor even asked, I know last time he asked me how much does that mean. So the best way I can put it because it's all very subjective in how we quantify that because I mentioned the difference between you know a high volume street versus a neighborhood street and the cost there. I would say it's about 1 to five. So whenever we spend about a million, you could really spend five. But you have to watch the fact that the local contractors who are on the on call doing this work only can perform so much in any given season. So it's a balancing act. Um and I think the most important thing to communicate tonight is that those budget increases have worked in the city of Paduka's favor. So what's the plan going forward? Again, the difference between what I get to do and what Greg's group gets to do. So, I get to choose the inspections randomly without a whole lot of uh input. We we

do the 20% across the entire city of Paduka chosen at random. We do not repeat uh streets that we've done previously so that we can get to that 100% threshold in 2026. So, BFW will perform the final set of that 20% in 2026 based on randomized streets. We do if there's a call that's made, you know, hey, we need you to look at that street. We do go out there and do that. But for the most part, we're completely unbiased. We do not have a direct line to the public on, hey, come look at this street. So, we are selecting based on math and statistics and all the things the engineers like to do. And then the streets chosen to be rehabilitated are based on a variety of factors. So, the inspections are not the only thing that goes into that decision. the utility work I mentioned that JSA Paduga water performs, traffic volumes in the area, public concerns, economic development, all those things factor into which streets are chosen. But the PCI is an objective measurement tool to help aid in that decision-m. So these are just some of the upcoming action items. Implement the 25 to 26 fiscal year. Continue to do that. engineering department will on the streets being paid that you all saw earlier in the presentation. Um we will complete the 2025 annual report with the engineering department and then we will begin the 2026 inspections in early spring. So looking forward to rounding out that 100% coming up. It's been a five-year process. So with that I'll open up for any questions.

Okay questions? I just I have a comment and just you know doing [clears throat] the streets it's kind of like buying new tires for your car. It's not very exciting but I I think it's a core thing that we have to do and uh you know lots of times we kind of fend off other projects because we we that is a core thing service that we have to do is keep the streets up. But it's real easy to put it off because you're chasing something shiny, you know, and getting this project done with that project done. But it's something that we have to do and I think that's what people expect us to do even though it's not exciting. So

I agree and I think we've been able to see some of that you all making that a priority has paid off and I think that that's really telling. Yes. often in the background uh but very important to overall community lifestyle and improvement. Anybody else? So I have a question about [clears throat] I I prepped you. I said I was going to ask about AI but um so you know we're all hearing so much about AI you know and how that's utilized. I mean currently the way you're inspecting the streets is physically

still manual for the city of Padigga. So there is an automated option semi-automated option. We do it with lidar technology uh mainly on some of the areas that are really [clears throat] high traffic. The ASM procedure that PCI is based on still while they've incorporated semi-automated they prefer for you to be [clears throat] manual. So, I wish you could hear the instructor of paper right now, but he is not very high on the semi-automated data collection. Let's just put it that way. Because of the fact that you do not have that human judgment behind it, right?

I do think to your point, can AI eventually aid in that for sure. But it at some point, especially even if you have non-engineer backgrounds doing this data collection, they tend to get really wrapped up on the details of that 20 different distress types. Well, most engineers know 45 or a 50 still gives me the same recommendation on what I need to do with that pavement. And you still have to have that engineering judgment telling you there's a bigger problem going on. Well, you also didn't answer my question from a couple of years ago when I said I did. I did. I got better at it. [laughter] You avoided it. Like politician. I mean, it [laughter] I mean um it's a huge figure.

Yeah. Yeah, you know, a very significant figure for for us to bring everything up to grade, if you will, you know, to what u and so our strategy has been that we've increased paving every single year. I think uh we since 21 we went from a general fund allocation of about 600,000 to the most recent budget on our side of $2 million into that. Yes. Yeah. So um you know it's uh I don't how do we compare with other cities

as far as the rate of deterioration goes really well. So I think you know to the point of having to deal with the fact that where we are rece you know compared to somewhere like Phoenix where that it's just a totally different environment out there we would expect to see more rapid deterioration in this area and the geometry of the streets is you that is something to consider whenever you have double the lane width and that's mainly for on street parking and things like that. But to your point, yes, you could look at the backlog numbers and really be intimidated by that, but I don't know that your goal should be that I move a 100% of the streets into green because it's a manageable practice. As soon as I do that, I'm going to have one fell, you know. [clears throat] So, I think, you know, speaking from my experience, the city of Paduga often I it's easy to get focused on the one street that's failing and especially if you drive it every day. But compared to where I do this in other areas and the BFW team does and where we work in, we are in a really good position overall, especially whenever you consider the fact that you pay you paid two times the lane width compared to a lot of other cities.

Okay. And a lot of that also goes into curb and gutter and sidewalks and [clears throat] depending on the street. It's not just the the paver portion. I'll make a I think this this should sum it up well. So my daughter Emory was recently very disappointed that the county schools were out of school for a snow day back in December and the city wasn't. I go, "Oh, they have great streets. They're not going to [laughter] be out of school till they have to be." Okay, that's a strong close. That's a strong close. So, thank you, Megan. Thank you very much for being here.

Okay, we got uh representatives from WKCTC, Andy Wilson, I see Dr. Ree. Uh there's a presentation on the community scholarship program and Eric Stout. Thank you.

I'm Eric Straoud and I'm here on behalf of the community scholarship program as well. Um I'm the current chair of the committee [clears throat] and uh first off just want to say it's an honor to be here before you all. Mayor Bray, commissioners, city manager, and city clerk. Um, I first just want to thank you all for your service and your commitment to Paduka and uh the efforts that you make for for our home. Um, the community scholarship program began as an initiative of the Rotary Club of Paduca. Um, and over the years it has grown into one of the most meaningful investments that our community makes in its young people. This program opens the door for students to pursue higher education uh right here in their backyard. Uh, it's affordable, accessible, and it provides a clear path to success. It allows Paduka to retain and grow its own talent, strengthening our workforce and our future. Alongside Rotary and the college, um, we're proud of the many partners who have joined these efforts and helped to make the community scholarship program a powerful statement that it is, which is that students matter and education matters. The committee is focused on expanding those partnerships even further uh increasing funding from other sources. However, we need continued support of our city, our businesses, and our civic leaders to make this program the true economic development driver that it can be. The dual benefit of the program vision is using as a feather in our cap when securing economic opportunities in the community, which in turn creates more opportunities for students to return and stay in our workforce, build careers, and keep growing the community. Imagine being able to forever say that every student in McCracken County is eligible for free post-secary education. It's a badge of honor that we should support proudly. And it tells the world that Paduca is invested uh and invests in its people and in its future. And

think about the power of that message when the chamber goes and advocates for economic growth and development opportunities in Frankfurt and Washington. It's a compelling story that sets Paduka apart from other communities. This is one of the many reasons why Paduka is a special place. It reflects who we are as a community which is forward thinking, collaborative, and committed to opportunity and education. It's giving overtaking. Continuing to support this program ensures that Paduka remains a leader in creating pathways, creating success opportunities for students that builds a stronger future for all of us. I appreciate your time. I wanted to be here on support and behalf of the college and Dr. Ree. and I will pass it over to Dr. Ree now to give you more of an overview and specifics on the success of the program. Thank you.

Thank you. And again, uh, mayor, commissioners, city clerk, city manager, uh, on behalf of a small team that are brought here today to request, uh, from one of the prior meetings regarding the community scholarship program. Uh, we're very excited uh, certainly to share and give you some updates by way of the CSV program. And consistent with Megan's presentation about roads, etc., Tonight we plan to show how CSP is where ultimately the rubber meets the road. And so uh stay tuned. Plugged in. City manager will get that in a second. So [laughter] WKCDC is as Eric alluded to. Don't laugh at him. Ray, [laughter] just eggs him on.

Yeah. Just just as a very important reminder and certainly to all of the uh viewers uh uh in tonight uh we've been very fortunate to gain so many national uh recognitions including the Aspen uh for record ninth. Uh we just had another invitation uh this uh past fall for ninth invitation. There's out of a thousand colleges across this country uh that we continue uh to separate ourselves if you will from the rest of the pack. Um and then uh in 24 uh we were able to get to the top of the mountain uh with the Barefoot Gardener awards. I use as the opening frame because that national assessment and critique is a a key artery into what separates us from the rest of the pack. more specifically the CSB data that I'll be sharing momentarily uh is a big factor uh in that national assessment and configuration particularly with uh communities that support uh K12 uh and the collegegoing uh uh rate as well. So what we share is very significant not only locally, regionally, statewide but nationally as well. I I do want to emphasize that uh point uh you know just to drill down within the data and as a reminder when uh this program envisioned in 2010 first cohort in 2014 so it's been around over two decades uh as you can see there were three goals high school graduation rates which continue to increase college going rates double digit uh significance uh out there um and you look to the raft to the right uh you would see again by way of context that nationally if you were to ask what's the completion rate for two-year colleges across this great nation is right around in that 40th range and as you can see uh by the gold bar we always go for the gold uh you see we're uh when we compare to CSB and that performance that includes transfer so we know that

students who come to us and transfer to great institutions like Murray State for example uh they compete and uh achieve quicker and on a higher level than the uh native students And then the third arm and goal of this program is workforce uh development, economic development and retaining our top talent. Uh so tonight you'll hear from two alumni from CSB uh momentarily who in their own words can share with you the impact of the program and we brought them back uh if you will uh within uh our area uh as well. I was asked to specifically address uh one of the questions regarding the 2.9 million uh figure uh as it pertains to CSP. And so we're going to use this flowchart uh just to illustrate um as you see at the very top. We intentionally start early um with the uh eighth grade. We want to start early getting students in that frame of mind about again completing high school, getting ready for college, etc. So around 900 uh middle schoolers of those about 230 is about the average that we get uh within the program and about 150 of those actually qualify and get uh awards uh by way of CSB. It costs right around $3,800 um on average. Um, if you do the math, uh, that means if you multiply that 3,800 by those 150 students, that's $570,000. If I just do a basic mathematical piece, times five, that's $2.85 million. But you will note at the top is a 7 12-year commitment. So, we don't have enough money. And this is where the fundraising portion comes in as Eric mentioned and private support to be able to fulfill this promise. So it's a promise scholarship is why that figure looms but upon closer inspection if you did it yearly uh that cost uh definitely bears

out um and still more is needed. And that's one of the key things that we really want to emphasize and share uh uh here tonight. I mentioned momentarily about just getting uh testimonials. is going to bring Lak up uh first. Um [clears throat] hi Lank.

Hi. So uh my name is Laken. I'm a physical therapy tech at a Baptist outpatient and I graduated from WKCTC in 2025. I had benefited from the community scholarship because it removed the financial barriers that uh limited my opportunities. Not having that financial stress, I was able to focus on school and graduate with an associates. and I plan on applying to the PTA program in the fall. Thank you. All right.

And Jada, last not least. Hi, my name is Jada Reed and I am in my second semester at West Tech Tech and I can confidently say that the CSP scholarship has made it possible me possible for me to navigate through college without the worrying and stressing about um scholarship money and it's confidently I can confidently say that it has impacted my college experience just by allowing me to make it through without worrying about anything and getting my schoolwork done and just being able to get the college experience. Thank you. Thank you so much.

And with that, uh, we would open up for any questions and I'll call on the A team as needed because I am the weakest link. Questions. I I guess I have a question. So there's there's no particular reason why we're funding an overage to you guys because you're building up a chest of money to fund this for future years. Current and future. Yeah. Because every year does understood.

Yes. But is it I guess what I don't understand or what I fundamentally have a question about is that how come we are overfunding it and why don't why don't we the contributors fund it yearly versus building up a fund with another entity versus the city funding it yearly like we have been doing because what we're putting into the fund is more than what is going out because y'all are building this fund. So, I just I don't understand why why we're funding an overage. [clears throat] Why can't we just fund it as it's needed yearly?

So, let me see if I could unpack that maybe in one more time. So, remember from the prior graph though, you got to go back here. Let's go over here for a second just to be clear. If you do it yearly is going to cost you over half a million dollars every year. You mean total for all the entities that put money in, right? Well, this is a cost for these students. Yeah. Okay.

Right. That that Right. And and again, if you look at our formula, um you know, there's a lot of moving parts in terms of every class. Some years have more needs, less needs, etc. So, this is just a a kind of an average sort of frame that you're looking at here. So, it's going to cost over half a million if you do it every year. So, if the city is willing to, you know, and and again, one of three partners uh primarily with the uh city and the county. Sure.

Uh the question is, do you want to um provide that support uh every year? Um and as I said, if we did it that way, within 5 years, we will be needing more money. So by projecting it out and the law averages and the flow that we have etc is just a way for us to be able to guarantee if you will uh to a a a current group of students that this commitment will be here uh when you uh graduate and come to WKCTC or we go a year at a time and you know strange things happen. Um we we want to be able to make that commitment. So, I guess it's ultimately you're doing a long-term commitment or you do a commitment every year, but [clears throat] the math pretty much is is going to get you in the same place. So, it isn't an overage.

Well, well, other than there's a large sum of money that is sitting with WKCTC that could be sitting with the city and we could be investing it and all that to generate the money. I'm not This is nothing against the program. It's just how how much money it's taking to fund it. I think we're paying money in advance of your actual need. So that's my comment. So as as um we look on paper and it looks as if there's an overage or there is an overage but as the program grows

and as more people more young people get into the program go to school uh that's more money that it's going to use. So, wouldn't it just to me seem to make sense to have that money there and we not sit and wonder, you know, the next year if we're going to get this money or the next year if we're going to get this money, we'll have it and we're able to make that kind of bold statement to our to our children. Come Yeah. And it's here. So, yes, and two things I would add to that. So, keep in mind, too, that cost continues to increase.

Yeah. Sure. Uh, one of the things that the CSP board passed was increasing the the coverage cuz basically we did this tuition. We know from our calculations that the additional cost, out of pocket cost for equipment, right? Those sort of things add up pretty pretty heavily as well too. And that is why that uh amount uh has increased to that uh uh 3,800. Uh the other thing too is is that and I've mentioned this in in previous um presentations. On average there are about 700 graduates coming out of McCracken County. That includes home school, private, public, etc. About a third of those go off to four-year schools. About a third comes to us. And then there's that nebulous third that we're really trying to figure out that we want to pull those in, right? And so the goal again with these averaging numbers, we want to continue to increase more students participating in CSV. So if in a bump a year we double uh that net, uh that that cost is going to vary tremendously [clears throat] on top of the increase uh uh income. So I I my my my challenge I guess uh and to you would be ultimately um what separates us u not just again locally uh regionally but certainly nationally is that we have the ability to commit uh for the long this is a long game uh I'm sure you're fully aware uh we believe based on our data uh and our track record and results it is better to invest the overage for the long haul than it is to take the gamble a year at a time with a series of unknowns um is ultimately what um you'll have to decide

and that 570,000 is based on 150 students just 150 indeed if that grows which we anticipate double so let's talk about that for a second and [clears throat] I've had this conversation with you before Anton I believe but 200 the the number 230 that's annual CSP participation that's eligible or people who apply. What What is that 230 number? Eligible. Okay. So, we have 230 students coming from high schools. From high school. Okay. Um, a lot of them will have other sources of funding, right? And

so, as they get other sources of funding, that's where that first dollar kind of tips that down into theund 150 that actually receive money from pot. But the 230 are eligible. So if anything changes with programs, [clears throat] anything like that, then you're looking at not only that 230, but then if we want to grow it from there. So is the difference between that 150 and [snorts] 230? That's 80 people, 80 kids. Uh so what is that all about just they have the means at home or they've got other scholarships? Is there other reasons that we don't have more participation other than those things?

So, so because CSP is a last dollar scholarship, we want to make sure that we are funding those students or those individuals within the city and the county that have the highest fee that don't have other ways to pay for their tuition. And so that that was how the fund was established was to make sure that we were funding those students who didn't have anything else to help them be a afford a college education.

Let me put it another way. Is there students that initially qualify and then maybe don't, you know, they they end up dropping out and uh I'm just trying to understand and I've had this question with I think you and Andy both, you know, is whether or not there's a way to increase participation and use more of the money. So students first of all they have to opt out. So it is open to this broad uh uh group in the 100 first factor. Second factor this comes into play about 73% of our students are [clears throat] on pal. Some would contain that is a high-risisk group because it you know you're just one situation away from dropping out right that that type thing. And so this whole piece in terms of that first dollar uh by way of pel uh is a real significant piece of it. Uh regarding getting more students to participate, this is where you know coach Hill and our enrollment team um Mains is our Tammy Mains is our dean of enrollment. Neil Clark just joined us uh last week. Many of you know uh Neil uh as examples of individuals who are front and center, you know, in the schools really promoting the program. um uh sharing the requirements and there's that added coaching piece where uh primarily with Justin Hill uh efforts is really about trying to get more students uh to engage in the program. What we've discovered even with programs may been around for a while. It is also continuous um awareness and education also to the counselors and guidance counselors about the program, the benefits of the program and getting more students to participate. Ultimately though, I would submit to you there's still a ongoing challenge around the collegegoing culture. That is why it was one of the goals. You would think the idea would be the resources are here. You know, they'll be pouring out the

woodworks. There's a lot of factors that come into play as to why uh some of our students don't really seize that opportunity. Uh as well, I got a question. Yeah. I I was a student at WKCTC and u before I moved to Indianapolis and went to IvyTech. I'm now back with um WKCTC I was wondering what do you do for disabled uh people with your funding and stuff because I was a disabled student and I didn't get any help. So uh let me unpack that from two levels though. So um I owe you all money. Oh well well let's [laughter] we'll be seeing you. We want to stay focused on the CSP program.

Yes sir. So so with the disability services though two pieces though. uh by being a a disabled student has nothing to do with though the eligibility for PEL right based on the academic records is the same criteria basically in terms of those sort of resources. Let me say that and then accommodations [clears throat] uh is a big part of the role that we provide then in terms of supporting students who may need extra timing etc. It it ranges from some students need help with my I needed a lot of help. You guys can take that after Yeah. I think I think you guys ought to talk after the meeting maybe. Is it? Yeah. No, it's glad you're here. So,

yes, sir. So, so ultimately though, it is ongoing um uh educating uh the key players including parents uh including our our our colleagues in K12 about the importance and the power of the program and the impact that it certainly has in terms of educational attainment. Uh but it's ongoing work. The other piece to is that we've been very intentional particularly in the last five years to really push the technical pathways uh because of the high placement rates uh you know for students that coming in and there's still some stigma around those sort of pathways as well and so it's a combination really bottom line there of educating and empowering uh and then you know really um doing as much front-f facing as we can uh to really push the program. We're also planning on doing a campaign uh to promote the CSB again even as well as is known. Uh Andy is working on a campaign to really uh uh promote and and push uh throughout our businesses and our supporters etc.

Is that Andy Basher? Andy Wilson right here.

So let let me just cap this off and [clears throat] say first of all the city is super supportive of the CSP program. We've invested in it every year. Um, it's I agree with all the things that you say about, you know, it sets us out as a community and and I know the commission is is all in favor of it. I think it's it's logical for us to look at that, you know, as Commissioner Smith said, you know, termit the overage, that number that sits out there, you know, and, you know, and and making sure that that's utilized or going to be utilized. And when I when I personally see that number sitting out there, it makes me think, okay, we've invested in the money, you know, I'd really like to see more students take advantage. I I want to make sure that the impact Yeah.

of that money that we're investing is really paying off. Yeah. And so, anything that the the college can do, you know, get more school, more students engaged and utilize that money is something that it's going to be good for the entire community. Yes, indeed. So, totally concur and agree with you and again by the way a stats uh our enrollment continues to uh increase uh which is always a good measure. Congratulations. Thank you so much. There's still time to register for 12 week [laughter] February 9th and March 9th. I got to do that uh as well too. But uh certainly as enrollment increases that is also a testament to getting more students involved. I took one class there a statistics class. I couldn't cut it you know

here. [laughter] How many of us, you know, he could How many of us that grew up here have taken, [laughter] you know, have been out there, you know, and taken classes? So, thank you very much for being here. We appreciate Thank you all so much. Appreciate you. And you all are free to go. [laughter] Yeah. Public comment. Okay. Thank you all. and everybody gets up and leave and you may want to go with them, talk to them. [laughter]

Okay, we have one [snorts] public comment tonight, uh, Parker Jacob. So, come on up. [clears throat] You know, you've got three minutes and you've gotten you've gotten pretty experienced at this. I do have a gift for all of you guys, [clears throat] littleformational packet about what I'm going to speak tonight. It should be organized so you should be able to pass it out. Okay. one for each commissioner and then one for the mayor as well. Let me pull up my notes about what I'm going to say real quick so I'm not right off the dome here. [snorts and clears throat] Okay.

Okay. So, good good evening everyone. Um first I just want to say that I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a eventful turn of the new year. Um I know I did. Um especially about what I'm about to talk about today. Um, I'm here today to inform the commission about what the community has been up to since the last meeting back before Christmas. Um, over the past several weeks, we've seen neighbors organizing holiday food distributions, uh, local groups helping families with winter utility, um, as well as heating assistance. Um, we've also seen volunteers stepping in to support people facing housing and health related hardships hardships during the coldest parts of the year, which does not seem like it. we've hit that yet uh with all these heat waves. Anyways, um but my uh but the effort that has me most excited is one that I am directly involved with. No surprise um called Care Without Cost. Um this campaign is led by the organization Paduka Action. Since the end of last year, Paduka Action has been organizing a county way a countywide campaign uh focused on alleviating medical debt for residents here in McCracken County. This work is currently being done uh in partnership with the nonprofit known as Undo Medical Debt. Um they are a nonprofit, they are a national nonprofit located in New York. Um, and this nonprofit purchases medical debt in bulk and then permanently abolishes it for qualifying families.

Do they have a number? They do. I can get with you after this. Um, yeah. No, don't interrupt, please. Yes, sir. Thank you.

No applications, no paperwork, and most importantly, no strings attached. This is just debt being abolished. Um, the reason I feel so strongly about this campaign, other than being directly involved with it, um, is because medical debt does not come from poor financial choices. Um, it comes from emergencies, unexpected diagnosises, um, and people doing exactly what they're supposed to do, which is seeking medical care. For many families, that debt becomes a long-term burden that affects housing, credit, and overall daily life. What makes this campaign so powerful is that it turns local generosity into immediate measurable relief. Through this model, relatively small community donations can eliminate a much larger amount of medical debt for people right here in the county. Often neighbors we already know. This is the kind of progress that doesn't always make headlines, but it changes lives in very real ways. I'm about to finish. Sorry. Um, so I want to close out by encouraging anybody listening tonight to learn more about the care without cost campaign and consider supporting whether that is through directly donating or even just talking about the campaign. Um, so thank you for your time and before I sit back down even though I know my time is now expired, um, I just wanted to ask if there's any questions that anybody have that anybody has uh, regarding the campaign and who's running it and whatever else. Um, I gave you a very briefformational packet. Um, that card that's stapled to that, if you scan that QR code, it will take you to a link tree that links you not only to the campaign page, um, as well as anformational PDF about not only the nonprofit that we're partnering with, but also anformational packet about how the campaign works and who all gets uh, their medical debt relief. Um, so,

thank you, Parker, for being here. and uh we'll review this and I know all the commissioners appreciate you being here and and sharing that. It's always great to be here. So, thank you.

Okay, with that we'll uh we'll move on to the consent agenda. [clears throat] Items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the board of commissioners and will be enacted by one motion and one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a board member so requests in which event the item will will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. The city clerk will read the items recommended for approval unless a commissioner would like an item removed for separate discussion. I guess could we do K?

Sure. You got that one? Mhm. Okay.

Approve minutes for the December 9th, 2025 meeting of the board of commissioners. Receive and file documents. Appointment of Deb Donkey and Joseph [clears throat] Julio to the Ma Paduke Main Street Board. Said term shall expire January 13th, 2027. Appointment of Danny Brown to the code enforcement board to replace Juel Jones who has resigned. Said term shall expire August 22nd, 2027. Reappoint of Lenny Furon and appointment of Michael Stone to replace George Cumby whose term has expired to the Barkley Regional Airport Authority Board. Said term shall expire December 31st, 2029. Reappoint of Charles Chipole and appointment of David Hudson to the to replace William T. Clayton whose term is expired to the Commissioners of Waterworks said term shall expire January 6th, 2030. Personnel actions. A municipal order of the city of Aduca authorizing the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding regarding the community scholarship program and any other documents related there too. Municipal order authorizing [clears throat] the mayor to execute an application for a fiscal year 2026 carbon reduction funding grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization MO in the amount of $168,138 for projects that reduce transportation emissions defined as carbon dioxide from on-road highway sources and accepting any grant funds awarded by the MO authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related to same a municipal order approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a deed of conveyance tempor temporary construction easement fee consideration and all other documents necessary with Wagner leasing LTD through Robert Wagner manager and property located at 1930 North 8th Street to acquire temporary construction easement totaling 18 acres at no cost to the city a municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute an application for a department of transportation Kentucky transportation cabinet transportation alternative program grant in an amount not to exceed $800,000 and accepting any grant funds awarded and authorizing the mayor to execute the docu Documents related to same municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute a subawward to execute subawward contracts

with James Martin and Sarah Bradley Market House Theater, Andrew Mclennon, the Columbia Theater and PGJM LLC as part of the Paul Ruin Historic Revitalization Program, a municipal order accepting the bid of Hughes Environmental in the amount of $49,995 for city hall HVAC system cleaning and duct work sealing and authorizing the mayor to execute [clears throat] all documents related to same. A municipal order authorizing mayor to execute a certification of PHA plans consistency with the comprehensive plan otherwise known as the consolidated plan. So move second. Call roll. Commissioner Henderson I. Commissioner Smith I. Commissioner Thomas I. Commissioner Wilson I.

Mayor Bray I. [clears throat] Okay. Where are we going to do the You want to uh start with uh K K and then we'll put move A to B. A proposed motion of the board of commissioners to adopt a municipal order entitled a municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute change order number one with Jim Smith Contracting Company LLC in the amount of $273,93 for the Paduka Riverfront Infrastructure Promp Improvement Project Build. [clears throat] So move second. Melanie, you want to tell us about this change order?

Uh yes. Uh thank you all for allowing me to come up and speak on this. Of course, as you know, our bill grant is ongoing and we are making a lot of progress. This change order is in [clears throat] relation to some extra electrical work that we uh are doing. When we initially um designed the project, the actual electrical wires that would go out into what we're calling the commons area there at the um Compass Rose area where you could um hook up event boxes. The wiring was not actually in there. So, we have gone ahead, we decided while we're doing it instead of coming back later and possibly damaging something of our very expensive concrete work out there to go ahead and do that. That's one portion of it. Uh the other portion is that um part of that work is to put in a new um electrical panel on the wet side of the um flood wall right beside the existing one that's included in this. And also we are readding some seat walling along the pier. So it all just bits and pieces adds up. So I think the question probably would be, you know, um why the change order now? I mean, you and I talked about that briefly, you know, so you want to

Yeah. Well, as as Melanie said, you know, part of it has to do with getting into the construction and realizing we what opportunities exist and not coming back at a later point and trying to add in which would elevate the cost and do damage and so it's a cost savings. Uh the other part is that really we didn't know until we got into the project what those opportunities might be. And to this point, instead of building it in and then having something that we would have to take out, um you know, we've been very judicious uh on this project, uh this is the first contract modification on a 20 plus million dollar, you know, project. And so we just felt uh from the from early on that it was better if we could come in and do it at this point instead of having to take something out. And so, and then the other addition of the electrical is that we've realized that we needed some more uh electrical to to address some additional cameras for safety uh along the flood wall as well. And so, that that allows us to add those back add those into the project as well.

Okay. So, is this is this what you wanted to point out, Commissioner Thomas? And I was just curious, so that's not an additional like burden on taxpayers. That's coming from the bill grant itself. Okay. Yeah, that's that was mainly my question. Yeah. Okay. It's all part of the project. Mhm. Yep. Okay. Thank you very much. You're welcome. I'd ask the city clerk to call roll. Commissioner Henderson. Hi. Commissioner Smith. I. Commissioner Thomas. Hi. Commissioner Wilson. I. Mayor Bray. I. All right. City clerk, would you please read the first municipal order? Yes.

Or the second municipal order, sorry. [cough] A proposed motion that the board of commissioners adopt a municipal order entitled a municipal order adopting contract modification number five to the construction contract with ANK construction for soil [clears throat] stabilization at the Booka Sports Park in the amount of $1,55,383.75. So move second.

All right, mayor, commissioner, city manager, and city clerk. Um this is a contract modification request from [clears throat] the contractor for soil stabilization in the park. Um specifically for the parking lot areas. Um they typically do like a proof roll where they take large equipment out to see how much the equipment sinks into the soil and that failed um in the parking lot areas. So the contractor um submitted a request in this amount of the $1,ion55,000. Um it has been approved by the fiscal court. Um and it has also been approved by the sports tourism commission. So city approval is the final step and it is if if I'm not mistaken is part of the contingency. Correct.

So it doesn't increase the total cost of the project. It's just we're using some of the contingency that's that's in the budget. That's correct. Is this our third or a third of this amount? That's our third. Okay. Right. I don't know. I don't know the answer to that. [laughter] No. Well, that's the total amount. That's the total amount. That's the total amount.

So, what we Yeah. So, what we have to do is on these uh the project contract modifications is each of the entities have to approve the total amount. But then our again since it's to the portion of the original contract, it's no additional monies that were [clears throat] we're putting into it. But if it was outside of that contingency, then this is the total amount and we would be in a third for that. So our our we're at oneird of that as part of the overall contract. Yes. That's the total contract modification. Total amount. There's not it's not three times that. Okay. For the contract. So it's not a $3 million modification. Correct. So I stand corrected. Sorry. Yeah. This is just changing ANK's portion of the contract. Everything else is still the same.

Okay. Yep. So, I did want to mention briefly, you know, I've [snorts] been u uh you know, involved with um I was asked to be at a contractor meeting. I mean, the contractor's working really hard out at the sports park. If anybody's been out there, it's it's really beautiful. Um it's going to be a fabulous facility. Um, but we got a ways to go and um, and so it's gonna it's probably going to be um, you know, I don't want to speculate, you know, but it was supposed to to open in March and I think I can confidently say that it won't open in March, but

we haven't officially gotten requests for extension, but we we know it's coming. Yeah, we're working hard. So, yes, sir. Is she with that construction? No, no, no, no. She's she's with the city. The city that cleans these parks up. Okay, we'll talk after the meeting. Any anything you got questions about, just stay over and we'll try to do our best to answer questions. Okay. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. I would ask the city clerk to please call roll. Commissioner Henderson. Hi. Commissioner Smith. I. Commissioner Thomas. I. Commissioner Wilson. Hi.

Mayor Bray. I and we have one ordinance to introduce tonight and I'll ask the city clerk to please read it. First reading

a proposed motion that the board of commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending chapter 70 article 3 of the code of ordinances related to the Brook Stadium Commission. This ordinance is summarized as follows. This ordinance amends the composition of the Brook Stadium Commission to allow the board of commissioners to appoint one or more exeicio non- voting members to the Brook Stadium Commission to serve in an advisory role. Said member shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor and the board of commissioners and shall not receive compensation. Further, the city of commission appoints Eddie Jones to replace Dr. Frank Dochaid whose term is expired. Said [clears throat] appointment shall be for a term of January 27th, 2026 to December 5th, 2029. Further, the mayor with the approval of the city commission hereby appoints Dr. Frank Dhaid as an exeicio non- voting member of the Brook Stadium Commission to serve an advisory role.

So moved. Second. Any questions on this one from anybody? Okay. Call roll, please. Won't do it tonight. Oh, that's right. All right. So, from there, we'll move to comments um from city managers. uh mayor and commission and public uh want to remind folks that there's an opportunity to [clears throat] participate on Monday uh at the Martin Luther King celebration. The march uh uh will take place and then the event will move uh to Paduka Tilman and so we want to invite it's also a a holiday for municipal uh services and so uh city hall will be closed on that day. That's all I have.

Okay, comments comments. Yeah, I just had one. So, I've gotten a lot of complaints um past few weeks about dogs and animal control and you know, I've spoke to Darren about it, but I think, you know, in front of the whole commission that we may need to review the contract we have with the county in regards to animal control because from my understanding, we don't have any authority to ensure they're doing their job. And not saying they're not doing their job, but just I think it would be better for the city if we actually had more authority to, you know, really see if they are completing their duties or doing what they're supposed to be doing. Um, so I just wanted to bring that up for, you know, maybe a discussion later down the road, but just I know the contract's not up until I think next year, Darren, or

Yeah. So, we Yeah, we are in a two-year cycle and as I expl uh had the conversation with Commissioner Thomas when he brought this. Uh, we always have the opportunity to talk to the county about concerns and we do and we share those. Uh, annually there is a process uh in relationship to budgetary about how that is, but the [clears throat] employees of animal control are those of the city. So we I mean of the county. So we don't have direct supervision over those but uh we have uh you know have the opportunity to to to correspond with the county about concerns. And then there is a policy under our interlocal agreement with with them that in the end of this year if we wanted to make there's a 12-month notification if we wanted to change the contract that we have to prior to to that. And so at the end of this year we'd have that opportunity to do so.

Yeah. animal control. Um, you know, speaking from experience, I can tell you that animal control is a is a tough issue. Uh, it is a county function. You know, they manage the function. We, you know, we partner with them, but but they they manage and and when there are issues, um, my experience is they generally respond and work with us. Um, but there's always issues, you know, with uh with animals that get that get out and and so it's a constant uh it's a constant battle for not only our city and county, but every city and county.

And um so I've had those in the past. So now so now you're getting them. U but you know, I called the county and I found them to be very responsive to me. I drove through those neighborhoods that that were calling me and even met them there. It's different times. So, I found them to be responsive. Have you encouraged your um the people that are complaining to to call and if they say they call and don't get response?

Pretty much. And that's why I wanted to make sure whenever they they they miss uh what did I say? They think it's the police like Paduka police, but animal control isn't Paduka police. So, a lot of the times they were saying, "Yeah, the police came, but they didn't do anything, but it's actually animal control." And you know, it was over the holiday, too. So, that may have thrown some curve balls in there. But they said um one incident they had called, nothing was done, but then they got a call back that something would be done. But I don't think at this point it was or, you know, things changed cuz this, you know, there's several incidents, but one was a dog was chained to a utility pole um and blocking the sidewalk from people, you know, and it's barking at people, whatever. But I don't I never heard anything being done about that. So that's that's kind of why I wanted to understand more cuz it's always felt like animal patrol was like in a limbo for us like but now I'm learning more about it of course and I last year I spoke to a county commissioner about it and he kind of felt the same like it was kind of like a limbo position. So that's why I'm trying to get a better understanding and hopefully we can [clears throat] modify that contract. If we're you know helping fund that program we should be able to say or look into you know their operations and ensuring they're doing what they're doing. But

yeah, I've I've I've not received a lot of calls recently, but I did just a couple of weeks ago. Someone did approach me about some issues and I have found that the uh folk been responsive, try to get up and get out and do what needs to be done. So, you know, but there's always something there's always some extenduating circumstances. It's hard to pull it all together, you know, but but to but to your point, I don't think that I've ever experienced um authorities not wanting to do something or not showing up or not, you know, it's always been a positive experience. Don't know if the [clears throat] residents complaining think so.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okie dokie. Thank you. Um any comments down here, Mr. Smith? No. Mr. Henderson. No, I'm fine. Thank you. Okay. Um, we will have an executive session tonight. We will not be taking action afterwards. And I would entertain a motion uh from our city clerk.

A proposed motion of the board of commissioners to go into close session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics. Proposed or pending litigation is permitted by KRS61.810 810 subsection 1C and a specific proposal by a business entity where public discussion of the subject matter would jeopardize the location retention expansion or upgrading of a business entity as permitted by KRS61.810 subsection 1G. So move second call roll. Commissioner Henderson I. Commissioner Smith I. Commissioner Thomas I. Commissioner Wilson. Hi. Mayor Bray. Hi. Thank you.

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