City Commission - Regular Meeting

here. Commissioner Thomas, present. Commissioner Wilson, present. Mayor Bray, present. I'm going to ask Commissioner Thomas to do the invocation and then we'll all remain standing. And we have a special guest tonight, Cub Scout Troop 2470. And they have a little uh presentation and pledge allegiance they're going to do. So, we'll do the invocation first. [snorts] Dear heavenly father, thank you for allowing us to come together today. you continue to cover us and give us the wisdom to make the best decisions for our city moving forward. We pray it in your son Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Color guard, take your places. Scouts, attention. Color guard advance. color guard halt. Remain standing for the pledge of

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.

Color guard dismissed. Can we have a hand for that Cub Scout? [applause] [clears throat]

Thank you very much. That was very special. We appreciate uh all the parents being here and um what a great job. What a great job. Okay, city manager, are there any additions or deletions to the agenda? Mayor, we have one addition this evening and that is for a resolution supporting the Riverport Authority grant application for Riverport West. that'll be added to your agenda as item number two and just before the ordinance adoption and we have one deletion this evening uh and due for um some conflicts the tree advisory board presentation will be at our next meeting instead of tonight.

Okay, great. Thank you very much.

Okay, we have no public comments uh tonight and um uh I do have a special guest tonight. Uh I want to introduce um Ken Hearnen uh to the group. Uh Ken is a graduate of Lone Oak High School and uh he's a he's a self-proclaimed u political junkie. Uh he is a councilman uh in Louisville and has been invol involved with politics uh you know most of his life. And I'm going to let him come up and he and I have gotten to know each other the last year. I'm going to let him uh come up and tell us about himself and uh make a few remarks. Well, first of all, thank you, Mayor Bray, commissioners, Mr. uh Manager, Miss Madame Clerk, and everybody. Uh, greetings from Up River. Uh, I'm in town this trip to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday, which was yesterday. So, I think she's watching. So, hello and happy birthday again. Uh, shortly after taking office, Mayor Bray said, last year I was introduced to Mayor Bray uh via a mutual friend, and I've gotten to know him since. Uh we first broke bread or I more accurately should say broke bread pudding waffles at uh at Gold Rush Cafe. Uh which by the way if I lived here would be my satellite office. Uh and we visited often in both in Louisville and here and I thank you sir for the invitation to stop by today. Uh as as he as he said uh I've lived in Louisville since 1982 and having graduated from Lone Oak in 1975. Her 50th uh reunion was just last year and at Murray State in 1979 with a bachelor of fine arts degree as well as a lifelong interest in politics. Uh it is now my honor to represent the fourth metro council district in Jefferson County's merged government. The fourth includes all of Louisville central business district as well as our original neighborhoods immediately adjacent. Uh every kind of person who lives in Louisville lives in the fourth district. It is where Louisville was

born and is rich in history and diversity. It is the economic engine of Kentucky and welcomes more than 10 million visitors a year who come to drink a lot of bourbon at our distilleries and visit attractions that include the Muhammad Ali Center, the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, uh Louisville Slugger Museum and Bat Factory, Louisville Slugger Field, Lin Soccer Stadium, the KFC Yum Center where the Cards play basketball, the Kentucky Science Center, and the Roots 101 African-American Museum where I've been have had the pleasure to be the design director for the past four years. Paduka and Louisville have much in common. Uh we are both proud river towns. We were both founded by Clarks, us George Rogers and you, William. And we are both made up of beautiful, distinct neighborhoods, and we share a love for the arts. In fact, in my early years, I took art classes at the Yer Center, and that's where my my budding art career began.

[snorts]

I continue to draw upon upon that background at Roots 101 in my current office and I freely openly admit that I love politics. Uh like me, I'm sure you've gotten the question, why do you want to be in politics? And uh we all know that it can be a rough business. But um as I'm sure you also know, if done right for the right reasons, it can feed our souls. Uh Margaret me said, "Oh, I'm sorry. You are, you are one of five. You are but five among many and we are only 26 among many more. As Margaret me said, quote, "Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world." Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. And I know that we want to do that for our constituents. We have the unique opportunity and special obligation to do to do right by our communities. I know that every day you strive to do just that as we do. And if there's ever an opportunity to do that good work together, I will be it will be my pleasure to do so. So, thank you again for allowing me to visit. And to you, mom, happy birthday. Please, but to you all, please know that much of what I have done or will do. So, just as much of who I am or will be is rooted right here in my hometown. And I thank you for letting me share a few minutes with you. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Ken. Thank you. Very nice. And um you know, you're right. Um, you know, Louisville, Louisville is very important to the state. Uh, it's the largest city in the state. Uh, a lot of things happen in Louisville. Of course, you know, the Golden Triangle, Louisville, Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfurt. Uh, Louisville, right? [laughter] It helps have marbles in your mouth.

Yeah, I agree. So, it's great to have you and it's great to have a hometown boy up there uh making making a difference in our in our largest city. Okay, with that, uh I'll move to the consent agenda. 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's no separate discussion of these items unless a board member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. The city clerk will read the items recommended for approval unless a commissioner has something they like to pull it off separately. Please read the motion.

Approve minutes for the January 16th, 2026 and January 27th, 2026 board of commissioners meetings. Receive and file documents personnel actions. A municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with International Association of Firefighters in the amount of $45,000 for fireground survival train the trainer course. A municipal order adopting contract modification number two to the contract with Avanti Solutions for the Baduga Sports Park project to [clears throat] purchase a walk-in refrigerator system in the amount of $8,775. Municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute an addendum to the city's agreement with Kissner Eddie Executive Services Incorporated for executive search services related to the hotel metropolitan executive director position. A municipal order authorizing and directing the city manager to initiate a request for proposals for the city hall stabilization project for design, engineering, and construction administration and inspection. A municipal order accepting the bid of Jim Smith Contracting Company LLC for the city of Peduca's 2026 through 2027 street reservicing program and authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for the center.

So move second. Call roll. Commissioner Henderson I. Commissioner Smith I. Commissioner Thomas I. Commissioner Wilson I. Mayor Bray I. Uh we have uh the first thing on the agenda uh which was just added uh tonight is a resolution supporting uh a [clears throat] Riverport West grant application with the state of Kentucky and uh Commissioner Wilson, would you like to do the honors of uh kind of explaining what it is?

Okay. Oh, yes. There is an effort. Uh the current river port is out of space and has a lot of customers that would be able to use a new one if they were able to have more property. So there is a property identified near the triple rail economic development site. It's about 2 miles from the Department of Energy site. So there is um an effort underway to apply for grants through the federal department of transportation and then it does require a state matching funds for that. So, we have identified about 15 [clears throat] million that would be needed from state uh the state matching funds. We have met with our local legislators. They know about this. We're working with it. Of course, they don't uh won't be able to commit fully until the session adjourns in April 15th, but we hope that they will. It would probably be a pay payout over more than just one year, maybe two years. But this is in support of the McCracken County and the RA uh McCracken County Riverport and McCracken County fiscal court with the application to apply for the federal grant or the state matching funds for the federal grant.

Yeah. Um I'll just add a little bit of context. So the the Riverport West is the Riverport right adjacent to the triple rail site where all we've been promoting that site as you all know for many many years. And so it's going to be critical um depending on who comes in there. If it's a manufacturing site, you know, heavy materials are going to be shipped by a river. Uh it's going to be uh really very convenient to have that port there. The state has already uh already very uh supportive of it. Uh they've already given we've already gotten a uh a design grant, right? Uh

the state did 3.4 4 million for the design of it. Um it really in some ways is a standalone project because of the need for more [clears throat] um capacity for the riverport, but it is near the triple rail site. So hopefully it will, you know, help with that development. The state is putting in a access road to the river to the triple rail site. So everything is building out in that area. Department of Energy new, you know, the new companies that are coming there also [snorts] believe that they will need some riverport capacity. So it the stars are aligned. Yeah. So

we I might say we [clears throat] did have a great meeting. We were in DC last week on Monday and Tuesday. We met with the Department of Transportation. We reviewed with them the grants that are being applied for. I think we got very positive response from them. a lot of new information to make sure that we were including in the grant request to make us more competitive. Um I mean so I just feel like that the opportunity is there. The country is building [clears throat] right now. That is what we've heard multiple times that is under con you know construction. This is really a project that is shovel ready almost. I mean they are to that point with the design that we could move very quickly to break ground. It's just getting the funds. So, any questions for the commissioners? Buzz.

So, uh it's we're applying or recommending that the state fund is it a 50% match or uh No, I think it's 20% 15 or 20. Yeah, I thought it was 20. 15 or 20. And then where's the other coming from? So, there are three grants that we're applying for from the federal government. One is a bill grant similar to what we got for the river. The other one is a PL. It's a it's specific the IDP I think

the IDP is specific to riverports. The third one it has it's called Kazzy Kazzy. I'm not sure about it but it's specific to railroads. So there are three different grants that would be utilized at three different amounts. We know what might we might be eligible for with the build. We know what the maximum would be with the one specific for river ports and then the railroad has a component as well because this will be we want it to also have rail access. Absolutely. Okay. Thank you. So then the state I believe it's yes it's 15 million that we're asking for. Yeah, that's right. For the state

and [clears throat] um I mean really all systems are go from everything that we can say. I mean, we don't know exactly what we're going to get, you know, from the feds. And I guess the state grant would probably be somewhat dependent upon the grants that federal grants. Yeah. If we for some reason didn't get the federal grants, then we wouldn't get the state. So, we're just trying to coordinate all these requests at the same time. So, thank you.

Commissioner Henderson, are you good? Mr. Thomas, we all good. Okay. I'd ask the city clerk to please read it. A proposed motion that the board of commissioners adopt a resolution entitled a resolution of the city of Paduka, Kentucky supporting the McCracken County Fiscal Court and the Paduka McCracken County Riverport Authority and an application to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for [clears throat] economic development under its government resources accelerating need transformation grant program for matching funds in furtherance of the design and construction of the Riverport West project located in McCracken County, Kentucky. So move second. Call roll. Commissioner Henderson. Hi. Commissioner Smith. I. Commissioner Thomas. Hi. Commissioner Wilson. I.

Mayor Bray. I.

Uh we have three ordinances or uh plan to adopt tonight. Uh the first one uh has to do with golf carts. We've had a lot of discussions. I'll ask the city clerk to please read it and then we'll uh briefly discuss it. A proposed motion that the board of commissioners adopt an ordinance entitled an ordinance creating a new article of chapter 110 traffic and vehicles for the code of ordinances of the city of Paduca Kentucky related to golf carts. This ordinance is summarized as follows. This ordinance allows golf carts to operate on city of Paduka streets with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less. Golf carts must be inspected by the McCracken County Sheriff's Office permitted by the Paduka Police Department. Insured and operated only between sunrise and sunset. Operators must hold a valid driver's license, display a slowmoving vehicle emblem, and follow all traffic laws. Golf carts may cross roadways where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, but cannot [clears throat] be driven along those roadways. A $25 permit is required, valid until the golf cart changes ownership. The police department may deny, suspend, revoke permits for safety or compliance violations with appeal rights through the city manager. Exemptions are provided for city-owned golf carts, riverboat tourism shuttles at riverfront, and golf carts used within permitted special events. Violations are misdemeanor punishable with fines of $20 to $500 and or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days.

So move second.

So we've had a lot of discussion about golf carts going back. Starting before the first of the year, we introduced an ordinance at 35 miles an hour. Um, we definitely got some discussion from folks in the community. Uh, we we then reintroduced it at 25 m an hour. We also have discussed the possibility of doing it neighborhood by neighborhood. Um, but that didn't really seem to be manageable. um you know, when we got to looking at that in detail. And we believe that that that this ordinance will um it will serve the purpose that it's intended uh in those neighborhoods where, you know, people really want to use um and operate utilize operate uh golf carts, particularly around golf courses and in neighborhoods that uh that that are conducive. you know, to the use of golf carts and um it will put some more pressure on our um on our police department uh for enforcement. Um the golf carts will have to be licensed. Uh you know, I've heard lots of reports um multiple reports, we'll put it that way, of you know, underage um pe kids uh driving golf carts. Uh that's illegal now. uh it will remain uh illegal and um it'll it'll have to be enforced and you know parents will will have to uh enforce that themselves and hopefully won't put us in that position. But uh I believe it's uh the best thing for the city and I'd open any discussion for commissioners if you have any.

I I think it's fine. I mean I I think that like you say it's a lot of the issues or problems we've had have been underage um kids driving them and that's not to be that's not supposed to be that way then or now. And uh but the other thing too is they'll have um turn signals and all that on them too, slowm moving signs on them. So I do think it'll be safer probably than some of the things are being driven by adults on the streets today. So

yeah, I'm I'm still just a little bit concerned. Uh, but I think it's a it's a it's a good move and I think um my heart goes out to the uh police department because they're going to have the a major deal to work with make all this work. Well, let me say this. I hope you're wrong, but um but but time will and I hope I'm wrong, too. Maybe I should have prefaced my statement by saying [laughter] I hope I'm wrong. I hope you're wrong, too. I I hope it just mainly gets the kids that should not be driving them out of the neighborhoods [clears throat] that are speeding through there and it stops that and allows the people that want to use them to be able to use them. Yeah. Fingers crossed, I guess.

Yeah. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed. Yes, sir. I'd ask the city clerk to please call roll. Commissioner Henderson, I. Commissioner Smith, I. Commissioner Thomas, I. Commissioner Wilson. I, Mayor Bray, I I'd ask uh this is the second reading of this um uh street name change and I'd ask the city clerk to please read it.

A proposed motion that the board of commissioners adopt an ordinance entitled an ordinance renaming Downs Drive as Steve Dittle Drive. This ordinance is summarized as follows. This ordinance authorizes renaming the public street, currently known as Downs Drive, to Steve Dittle Drive. [clears throat] The board of commissioners finds that the renaming is appropriate, reasonable, and in the public interest in recognition of long-standing public service of Steven D. Doolittle. This board further directs that all applicable city, county, state, utility mapping, and emergency service records be updated to reflect the new street name. This action is taken at the formal request of the McCracken County Fiscal Court, owner of the sole address affected by the name change. So moved.

Second. So, I think every all the commissioners except Commissioner Thomas were here two weeks ago and I think you and I have had a chance to discuss it. Do you have any questions about it uh at all? So, you're good to go. Okay. Any any uh thoughts from anybody else? Are we good? No. Okay.

Mayor, if just as a point of clarification, we've had some some comments in the community, some mis uh misunderstanding. Um, this does not affect, uh, only the street name of Downs Drive is the only place that it does affect. And so, uh, the, uh, Stelson Park Road will still rename stay that. Some folks have been concerned [clears throat] because they've seen the state doing some work out on Park Avenue that changes putting in a lane into to uh, to the Park Road, uh, Steuart Nelson Park Road. But just for clarification, this name change is only for the Downs Drive. It is not for Nelson Parker. That remains the same. It's just from Park Avenue in between the two car dealerships.

Correct. The entrance that entrance car only. Yep. So, I think thank [clears throat] you for that clarification. I hadn't heard that anybody was concerned, but I'm I'm glad to clarify that it does not change. I had two calls myself, you know, clarified it for him, but thank you for that. Okay. Please call roll. Commissioner Henderson. I. Commissioner Smith. I. Commissioner Thomas. Hi, Commissioner Wilson. I, Mayor Bray, I.

And the last ordinance we are adopting, uh, we read two weeks ago, so I would ask the city clerk to please read it. A proposed motion that the board of commissioners adopt an ordinance entitled an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a shity agreement with Chapman Property Development LLC, accepting a subdivision shity bond in an amount of $150,000, accepting the street acceptance plat from Melanie Lane, and accepting the dedication of public rightway and public improvements. This ordinance is summarized as follows. This ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute a shy agreement with Chapman Property Development LLC, accept $150,000 shy bond, and accepts the street acceptance plat for Melody Lane. This ordinance further accepts the dedication of public rightway and [clears throat] public improvements with city maintenance responsibilities to begin only after all required public improvements are completed, inspected, and formally accepted.

So, I'll move second. Commissioner Thomas, do you have any questions on this one in particular? Just to make sure I heard it right. So, we're accepting that $100,000 bond. Is that Yes, it's the the plan and approval. And so, typically what happens in these instances is that shity agreement is put in so in case the developer does not meet their obligations, we can call that bond and finish off that work. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Good. I think if there's no other questions, I think I'd ask the city clerk to please call roll. Commissioner Henderson. Hi. Commissioner Smith. Hi. Commissioner Thomas. Hi. Commissioner Wilson. I, Mayor Bray.

I And we have two ordinances to introduce. Uh, the first one is um has to do with rental occupancy. And I'd ask the city city clerk to please read it and then we will discuss.

A proposed motion that the board of commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled an ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 42 of the code of ordinances relating to rental occupancy permits and inspections. This ordinance is summarized as follows. This ordinance repeals and replaces chapter 42 of the Paduka code of ordinances related to the registration, permitting, and inspection of rental dwelling units. Rental dwelling units consisting of one and two family units are subject to enforcement and shall be registered with the fire prevention office by July 1 of each year. Failure to register shall result in a $100 fine per unit. A moratorium allows units occupied before March 1, 2026 to register without fine by January 1, 2027. New rental units must be registered within 30 days of availability. Landlords must apply annually for rental occupancy permits by July 1, providing detailed contact information for owners, agents, and responsible persons, along with the property addresses for units. The annual permitting and inspection fee shall be $50 per unit, not to exceed $500 total for all units owned by a single property owner. Permits shall be valid for one fiscal year. Standards for issuance shall include substantial code compliance, possession of a business license, payment of all applicable city taxes, fees, and leans. Procedures are set forth whereby inspection shall occur annually with discretionary authorization for self attestation in lie of on-site inspections. Inspection shall verify compliance with building, electrical, fire, and property maintenance codes. Procedures for follow-up inspections and associated fines are set forth. Inspections policy inspection policies prioritize geographic distribution, tax delinquency, landlord compliance history, and police reports of criminal activity. Procedures are set forth for the violation of code trigling triggering written notices and a correction period as well as for denial for suspension notices, appeal rights, requirements for vacating tenants, and public posting on the premises. Criminal and nuisance violations triggering revocation of rental dwelling unit permits are set forth as well as procedures for notification to property

owners and tenants and requirements for eviction. The ordinance provides suspensions, revocations or denials shall be appealed within 5 days to the deputy chief or battalion chief of fire prevention and if upheld further appeal may be made to the code enforcement board. Appeals related to the state fire code matters are held in advance pending final decision by the local appeals board pursuant to KRS chapter 227. So move second.

Okay. So I'll kick this off. Um when we introduced [clears throat] this is the second first reading uh of a rental occupancy ordinance. uh when we had the first reading uh some time ago, we had uh quite a bit of feedback from landlords and uh so we took that feedback seriously. Uh Deputy Chief uh Cherry and myself met with a rather large group of of landlords and we have incorporated uh a lot of their feedback uh into this. Uh there are some really key things uh that I want to point out. [clears throat] First of all, if if somebody is uh is a is a landlord is renting property in the city of Paduca, uh they are required to register. Uh that that is that is very key. We know where a lot of our landlords are. Landlords are uh but I suspect we don't know where a lot of them are as well. And so there are fines for for lack of registration. Uh there is uh a grace period this particular year but uh but but all everybody has to register if you're renting a place. We are in the final stages of developing the checklist uh that an inspector uh will actually be using with these units and I haven't had a chance to look at it yet but we will be sharing that with uh with landlords as well and we'll share it with all the commission once that's finalized. So you can you can take a look at that. You know, I told uh Deputy Chief Cherry that uh one of the things that that we need we we must do is we must balance uh you know the need to make sure that we that we get everybody inspected with the fact that a lot of these landlords

uh have I mean this is not their their primary uh primary job. you know, they have other jobs and they're not always available for inspections. So, we're going to have to have flexibility to work with the landlords and then they're going to have to have flexibility with us as well, you know, but we're going to try to work together. Our intent is not to uh penalize good landlords out there, but it's to make sure that the the folks that are renting uh places in Paduka are safe. Um, you know, I've spent a lot of time looking at, you know, there's there's there's a housing crisis uh in the in the United States and and certainly in Paduka and McCracken County. And one of the things that, you know, we have a you know, we have a large percentage of of folks uh of rental houses, apartments in Paduka. And so this I believe is an important important ordinance for us to you know get out there on the street and begin working with it uh to try to keep people as as safe as possible. Uh but we al we always have to balance uh the interests of the of the landlords. We don't want to get in the way of a relationship between a landlord and their tenant. That's not our intent at all. And um and and certainly we want to provide the opportunity for any tenants who are concerned about uh anything going on with their rental units that they can confidentially uh get in touch with the inspection department to let them know. And so we've talked about that and you know we have this new app and not everybody's downloaded the app yet but it's a perfect vehicle to allow people you know to provide uh confidential statements

information you know to to the city uh where we can go out and inspect. So we'll be you know promoting that as part of this process as well. Um those are the notes that I had made that I wanted to cover. Um uh any um I I think uh sorry I think uh I've had some landlords to reach out. I've talked to a few and I think that one of the things and you alluded to it or you've said it is that this this [clears throat] is not an opportunity [snorts] for us to beat up on landlords or to

kick kick kick landlords particularly those who are doing uh a good job. Uh however uh what was said to me and I think it's fair is that and this is this is the whole relationship piece that that we don't have much to do to [clears throat] say about but I think it is fair that tenants also be held accountable just as we're wanting to hold landlords accountable and and that translates into taking care of the apartment. That translates that translates into uh calling a landlord when something breaks down and not 6 months later, you know, that that translates into not putting holes in walls and things like that, which uh which does exist and I've seen some of that. So, so I I just wanted to do that. This is this is about uh the landlords and the tenants. So I just thought I could stay.

Can I say something? I had moved to place on 161 North 11 Street. George, it's not not appropriate for you to be speaking at this time. Drugs involved and the city didn't do nothing about George, please. Thank you. Anybody else have any comments? Oh, I think it's good. I I like that. And kudos to you, mayor. did spend a lot of time on this and trying to work it so it was the the best possible ordinance that is meets the city's needs but also is uh keeps the landlords and tenants in mind. So thank you. Yeah.

Say I agree. I appreciate that you with the landlords. That was a big deal and a big undertaking to get to hear from them. So thank you for that and to the staff as well. I know y'all done a lot of work on it. So thank you. Absolutely. Well, one of the things I've learned uh since getting elected, I guess, is that uh you know, when you want to get something done, uh you just don't sit back up here and and and all you all know this, especially those of you been in office longer than me, you know, sit up here and just make decisions. You have to engage with [snorts] people and listen, you know, and try to get something done that's, you know, that's best for all concerned. I mean, that's what we're trying to do is is, you know, and it's it's tough, but u

Yeah. and I think you've done that. Appreciate it.

Okay. Thank you. Um and then we have one other ordinance uh to to read for the uh introduced tonight. And I'd introd I'd ask the city clerk to read that one. A proposed motion that the board of commissioners introduce an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending ordinance number 2025-06-8847 entitled an ordinance adopting the city of Paduca Kentucky annual operating budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 by estimating revenues and resources and appropriating funds for the operation of city government. This ordinance is summarized as follows. This ordinance amends the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2026 as adopted by ordinance number 2025-06-8847 by the following reappropriations. Increase revenue and expenditures for the capital projects fund by $425,337 and $675,337 respectively. Increase expenditures for the radio fund by $211,000. Increase revenue and expenditures for the investment fund by $100,000. Increase revenue and expenditures for the grant fund by $252,950 and $2,950 respectively. Increase revenue and expenditures for the health insurance fund by $500,100. Increase revenue and expenditures for the insurance fund by $88,600.

So move. Second. Good evening, mayor, uh, commissioners. Welcome. Thank you, city manager, city clerk. Tonight, um, I'm presenting to you a budget amendment to address adjustments that have been identified since, uh, the adoption of the fiscal 2026 budget. So, these adjustments cross several categories, including those that are resulting from action that we've taken, such as grain awards and agreements that we've entered into, as well as there's some adjustments in there to reflect better information now that we have uh, six months into the budget year. Does anybody have any questions about any of them in particular? Yeah, I guess I do. I mean, is this Did we do this last year?

We and and historically we've done towards the end of the year and do one [snorts] typically one budget amendment. However, and and and you know, Audra, I think, rightfully pointed out that we need to take the opportunity not to let it all pile up and come back at one and do that at least by annually, if not more often, uh, as needed, because it actually then allows us to reflect on our forward- facing um, information to the public, the actualities of what we are and where we are in that. So, so does this have to do with the total budget in terms of receipts versus expenses or is it really just within the overall budget that we've approved?

This is related to at the fund level. So, uh for example, we have um a new grant that's going to run through the capital projects fund. So, we need to increase increase the revenue of that fund and the expense of that fund. And that's a grant that we've gotten since the fiscal year started.

Yes. Everything that we're talking about tonight um yeah has to do with some agreements that we've made. Uh for example, uh the river riverfront loan payoff that we talked about that that's included in here. Uh grants. There's a couple of there is uh a few items that need to be adjusted based on new information in the insurance fund. Uh this takes care of the budget cleanup for what we discussed back in November regarding the health insurance fund. we increase the city's contribution and the premium amount. So, this just cleans all of that up. And the way that we approve uh adopt the budget is at the fund level. So, that is the level in which we approve the amendment. So, this is not line item to line item [snorts] adjustments.

Okay. Any questions from commissioners? Okay. All right. Thank you very much for being here. And then we have uh one discussion item uh tonight and I'm excited to introduce uh director Chris Yarber who uh is our director of public works and u one of the things I failed to mention about our guest tonight um Ken Hernand uh in Louisville he's actually the chairman or vice chairman of the public works committee you know that kind of oversees public works in Louisville And so, uh, that committee's taken a little heat about snow removal, just like we've taken a little heat about snow removal lately as well. But, welcome, Chris.

Um, maybe we'll have time to share some, [laughter]

uh, [clears throat] mayor, commissioners, uh, thank you for having me this evening. Uh, I won't take much of your time. We do have a short presentation. Uh, as you can see, this is in regards to a service provided by public works, uh, in bulk item pickup, uh, part of the trash service that's provided by the city. Uh, over several years, uh, uh, commissioners and public have asked, you know, for bulk item pickup, and we just never implemented a program. Um, we have the cleanup day that we have annually. Uh the problem with that is some people don't have the ability to get the stuff to you. So [clears throat] uh Mayor Bray had asked us to look at this item again and charge us to come up with a program that we thought we could work. So we'd come up with a bulk item collection pilot program. Uh everyone in the city is going to benefit from it. Uh but it's not something we are uh we're going to say, hey, we're going to do this every time. We're going to give it a go, see how it works and and and learn from it and try to improve and see what we can do after that. Uh so we're asking for permission to do that as well. So I think this will be uh exciting for everyone. Um [clears throat] why household bulk item collection pilot program? Well, we know it aligns with the quality of life uh commission priority. It's been discussed and requested numerous times. Uh the community interest and also promote community cleanliness and overall neighborhood appearance. Uh first of all, the charge for public works solid waste is to keep the city clean. Uh in everything that we do as a city and uh service provider, we always need the help of the public. Uh so we'll pick it up, but you got to put it where we need you to put it so we can get everyone's yard cleaned up and things like that. It it's really really a good good idea. Uh with this pilot program, we're going to allow up to three large items per

household. Bulk items that don't fit in the roll out is what we consider um u for this program. Uh it could be anything from a couch, a chair, a love sleep, love seat. Uh no, no larger than a couch or a standard appliance. Uh [clears throat] one thing I I failed to realize is uh some dressers and and things like that may be larger uh uh than that. So we will dressers, headboards, mattresses, bulk items. We'll we'll pick up. Um this is just an example of what it should look like. Counting [laughter]

one you set out. Uh the pilot program. These are three separate items. You can see this item has multiple pieces, but it's considered one item because it it is uh it [snorts] used as one item. So this is the idea of what it should look like on the curb side. Uh it may be a stove uh or or other items. Uh all existing solid waste rules will apply during the pilot program. Uh and what that means is the there are prohibited items such as electronic scrap tires, construction or demolition materials, hazardous waste, uh appliances containing freon without proper documentation, propane tanks, and flammable materials and batteries. These are items that we do not select. That that list does seem long, but there's a reason why we don't need to pick up any of these items curbside. It's not the right environment to do so. Let me

ask you. So for instance a refrigerator which freon is like a term for I mean freon isn't used correct I mean in a newer appliance it's just a very old appliance right correct so now the newer appliances do have a we we should I should say coolant I shouldn't say freon they they have okay so any like if I put a 10-y old refrigerator out we shouldn't pick that up unless

how do they provide the documentation you know what I'm getting I understand. Uh to have something properly a coolant properly removed from an appliance, you have to contact someone use an HVAC company or someone that's certified to recover that that uh gas uh properly and then they'll tag the appliance that's been removed properly. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. most instances nowadays, you rarely see appliances that have coolant uh because if you buy refrigerator, Lowe's take the old refrigerator or whatever the case may be.

Not all people can buy from places that will take your old uh so there are avenues to do it. Maybe in the future, not this go around, we can set something up where you call us if you do have something with coolant in it and we can set you up with a contractor that may recover that and and help keep the cost down to the citizens. But that's something to consider. That's a good idea.

Um, notice for these items I put on here spring cleanup of 2026. Uh, we are having our organizational meeting in the next few days and we'll know the exact date of the cleanup. So, uh, we hope you can participate in [snorts] the curbside pickup. It'll be easier for the residents because it'll be we'll come to you. But if there's something that we can't collect curbside, don't forget we have our spring cleanup we'll be advertising for real soon. This is just another example of a what's not allowed. Remember, this is a bulk item program. This is just a bunch of little items. So, uh there is a place for this. We call these PayPals, but this is not the intent of this program. Uh we want to uh try to keep it clean and efficient so we can see uh what it would really take for us to to do this type of program.

Could you explain the PayPal just so folks I apologize. The PayPal is just more than what would normally fit in your regular residential roll out. Uh but uh it's it's not bulk items, what we consider bulk items, furniture, it could be dressers, tricles, [clears throat] little toys, or anything like that. Those are called PayPals that we we would charge you a minimum fee to come pick that type of stuff up. Typically, how much is that fee? Uh typically it starts around $25. Um very reasonable.

Very reasonable. Very reasonable. Remember, the idea is to keep the city clean and and cover our expenses, not to go any further. If any prohibited items are included at the property, none of the bulk items will be collected. But we will contact the property owner and try to get the issue resolved before we leave that area because once we come through with this pilot program, we're not coming back. And that's just to to keep it efficient and be sure we can get everyone that has something out. I just want to point out how important communication is and I know you guys do a great job of that, you know, but uh but keeping property owners uh in the loop on anything that you're doing is very important. I know we got, you know, folks telephone numbers, addresses, you know, all that. Yes, sir.

But that is very important. Okay. And uh we are we will try to expand on uh I heard someone [clears throat] mention earlier the the app that the city has do some really specific it would have been a really big help for us to all citizens be registered for that to get information regarding solid waste pickup and snow removal. So boy isn't that the truth. Wow. We're going to push for that and get that done. Yeah that's something that's that's a separate discussion but yeah we need to get after that. I apologize. [laughter] Nothing to apologize for for bringing it up. Oh, yeah. That [laughter]

items that are not picked up must be removed by the following week. Uh I don't think this will be an issue because if there's something left out there, there's a reason why and [snorts] we will we will be uh in contact with the property owner or homeowner or resident uh for that reason. The way the program will work, you would pick up the uh [clears throat] it be picked up by zone uh one zone per week. So, if your trash is picked up on Tuesday, you'll be the first week of that month. If it's picked up on Wednesday, you'll be the second week of that month. Um items must be placed in curbside [snorts] no later than Sunday of the scheduled pickup week. And this is just an idea of the the collection calendar.

Uh it it's straightforward. It'll be clean. will be in that area uh sweeping the area for the week and and getting prepared for the next week. And with that, so for the week, so if trying to understand, is it only on their trash pickup day or is it that whole week if you come by and you see something, you'll get it? No, once we only go by your residence once for bulk item, that's why we're requesting you put it out on Sunday. We we won't be able to just keep going through. And the reason we can't do that, we're trying to make it as efficient or should run as efficient as possible is because we don't know how many people are going to participate. We don't want to set up a program that um we get so far behind because so many participate that we we can't provide the schedule.

So what you're saying is you don't know exactly what day that week you're going to pick up. Right. Even though it will be that week. It will be that week and you're asking it to be out on Sunday before the week. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. So, if you're zone one, say, so my trash is picked up on Tuesday. And so, the first week of March, uh, everybody that has their trash picked up on Tuesday will be that first week of March. And so, if I had something, I'd sit it out on Sunday night. However, they may not get to it until Wednesday, depending on where I live in that zone. So, but if you took a chance and put it out there on Tuesday, you could be a winner, [laughter] but you could be a loser. They could come out Monday and you don't get it back up. Right. That's right. Just want to make sure that we were understanding.

Yeah. Um, next steps of course input and your thoughts of what you would like to see. Uh, advertising the pilot program. Uh, we use chooses that with the help of our PIO of course Pam. Household mailers, social media, city website, radio ads. Uh, we'll come back assess the program. Uh we'll have spring cleanup day and then we'll decide how we can expand, put the numbers together and and report back to you how it went.

Well, I I'll start. I mean, you know, this is something, you know, actually when we uh when we went through the process of looking at what our expenses were in in Refuge and we decided to, you know, go in go uh have a price increase, which we hadn't had in I can't remember years,

12 years or something. But when we did that, you know, we incorporated uh curbside recycling at no charge, which we've had a, you know, tremendous 50 plus% increase in curbside recycling. [snorts] Thank you everybody. And and we wanted to incorporate some sort of bulk item pickup. So this is our introduction of that program to see if we can manage it, you know, with our current equipment, personnel, and schedule. Now, no matter what, we're going to get the stuff picked up, right? It's just a matter of woo, do we want to do that again, right? Or let's do it again. So, we'll we'll figure that out, you know? I mean, but that's

Yes, it seems like a very logical approach uh if we can make it work. It's just a just a comment is I know there a lot of people that want to pick up appliances. You might have some independent people working these zones picking up appliances. Yeah, I wasn't gonna bring it up. I'm not saying that's a bad thing at all.

Anytime in this community you set something out that's in decent shape, somebody may pick it up. So, I want to ask homeowners to be patient. Um, you know, uh, I want to ask the people that may do that to be respectful of other people's property as we go through this process because, uh, we just want everyone to remain safe and, uh, but I I set things out and people will take it. [clears throat] So, it's it's good. It's good. It's recycle, reuse. Yeah. Yeah. Any other questions, input, or thoughts? Chris, just for clarification, we are talking about residential, not commercial. That's correct. Not apartment complexes. Correct. Correct. It is residential.

Uh the apartment complex is just too much in a small space to handle. Will Right. And what about downtown? So I guess well those are apartments mainly downtown or condos or Okay. Yeah. I think it's a great a great start. Um knock on wood, you know. Hope it hope it goes well. Hope it's it's manageable. I mean, if it is, we'll figure that out. It's not, we'll we'll drop back. We'll drop back punt and figure out what the next steps are. Good deal. Thank you all. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Okay. Uh, city manager, any comments? Uh, one, um, commission, you may have seen when you came in this evening or, uh, may not have, but, next [clears throat] time that you drive by city hall, you may notice that, uh, uh, we've, u been, um, prepping the outside of the building. Uh, we had cleaning that's done every so often. They've been doing that. But also in our planters around city hall, uh, we've had, uh, a problem and an issue keeping living things in some of those planters. And so we began the process of removing those dead bushes and items out. Um because we will be have some additional work. We will not be going right back in with plantings because they may be damaged with that additional work. But I just wanted to give you uh and the public know what we're doing. We do have plans to go back in and fill those planters in at some point in the future. We just uh don't know how soon that will with the work that's going on. So,

thank you, city manager. Uh, commissioners comments. We're all good. Okay. So, we are going to have an executive session tonight. And we do anticipate taking action when we come out. And I'll ask the city clerk to please read the motion. A proposed motion of the board of commissioners to go into close session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics. A specific proposal by a business entity where public discussion of the subject matter would jeopardize the location, retention, expansion, or upgrading of the business entity as permitted by KRS61.810 subsection 1G. So move second. Call roll. Commissioner Henderson. I. Commissioner Smith. I. Commissioner Thomas. Hi. Commissioner Wilson. Hi. Mayor Bray.

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I would uh please ask our city clerk uh to read the proposed motion. A proposed motion that the board of commissioners adopt a municipal order entitled a municipal order approving a development agreement providing certain incentives for the property located at 3470 James Sanders Boulevard and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents related there too. So move. Second. Call roll. Commissioner Henderson. I. Commissioner Smith. I. Commissioner Thomas. I. Commissioner Wilson. I. Mayor Bray. I. So I would um entertain a motion to adjurnn. So move.

So move. Second. [laughter] And I'd ask the city clerk call. Commissioner Henderson. I. Commissioner Smith. I, Commissioner Thomas. I, Commissioner Wilson. I, Mayor Bray, I [clears throat] [music]