Board of Commissioners Meetings

139 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on June 24, 2025 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, in the third floor Assembly Room of the Municipal Center, 222 First Street, Henderson, Kentucky, designated as the primary location for this video teleconference meeting allowed under KRS 61.826. MAYOR STATON led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag. There were present Mayor Bradley S. Staton presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Rodney Thomas Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt, Sr. Commissioner Nicholas E. Whitt Commissioner Kelsey Hargis ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Dylan Ward, City Manager Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager Mrs. Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney Ms. Donna Madden, Executive Assistant Ms. Jessa Brandon, City Clerk Ms. Holli Blanford, Public Relations Director Ms. Maree Collins, Secretary Senior Mr. Bruce Thomas, Facility Supervisor, JFK Center Ms. Chelsea Mills, Finance Director Mr. Josh Dixon, Fire Chief Mr. Casey Howard, Fire Lieutenant Mr. Billy Bolin, Police Chief Mr. Robert “Bob” Shoultz, Deputy Police Chief Mr. Brian Williams, Public Works Director Ms. Megan McElfresh, Human Resources Director Ms. Jenna Basham, Project Manager Mr. Thomas Kenney, Incoming Parks & Recreation Director (via Zoom) Ms. Jackie Arroyo, Public Relations Intern Mr. James Gordon, Recreation Program Manager Mr. Travis Owens, Assistant IT Director Mr. Bill Raleigh, IT Support Specialist Mr. Victor Carson, IT Network Administrator I Mr. Wesley Gower, IT Programmer Analyst Mr. Charles Johnson, Henderson Human Rights Commission, Executive Director Ms. Clay Gillham, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, President Ms. Abby Dixon, Henderson Tourist Commission, Executive Director Ms. Kacee Campbell, AKZ, Executive Director Ms. Bobbi Jo Marx, AKZ, Director of Community Engagement Mrs. Lillie Pruitt Mr. Dwight Williams Mr. Vince Tweddell, Publisher/Editor, the Hendersonian Mr. James Elliott, Police Officer ________________________ PROCLAMATION: “Rose Mary Taylor” MAYOR STATON presented a proclamation honoring the life of devoted community member and public servant, Rose Mary Taylor, for her influential role within the city, on behalf of all citizens whose lives she’d graced. FRIENDS & FAMILY of Rose Mary Taylor accepted the proclamation on her behalf, thanking the Commission for their recognition of her service. ________________________ 140 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on June 24, 2025 PRESENTATION: “New Employee Recognition” BRIAN WILLIAMS, Public Works Director, introduced NANCY WATKINS, Equipment Operator, Senior. JOSH DIXON, fire chief, introduced HAYDEN GOFF, CAMERON GARDENER, & JOSEPH HARPER, Firefighters. The BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS welcomed our new team members for employment with the City of Henderson. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “20-Year Service Award” MAYOR STATON expressed appreciation to Police Sergeant MIKEL G. VADBUNKER for his 20 years of service and dedication to the City of Henderson. SERGEANT VADBUNKER and his wife accepted the service award and thanked the Commission for their recognition. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “Community Spotlight” MAYOR STATON presented WILLIAM COLLINS, the July Community Spotlight Award for his heroic and courageous acts during a fire, which saved several lives. WILLIAM COLLINS, humbly accepted the spotlight award, stating to give all of the glory to God. ________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR STATON asked the City Clerk to read the Consent Agenda. Minutes: June 10, 2025, Regular Meeting Resolutions and Municipal Orders: Res. 44-25: Resolution Accepting Human Resources Report Dated June 24, 2025, Approving All Actions Contained Within, And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute Any Necessary Contracts For Employment Res. 45-25: Resolution Approving Agreement With The Henderson City- County Airport Board Allocating Up To $431,857.00 For Airport Services And Authorizing Mayor To Execute Agreement Res. 46-25: Resolution Approving Agreement With Henderson Economic Development Allocating $60,000.00 For Services And Authorizing Mayor To Execute Agreement Res. 47-25: Resolution Authorizing Funding For Henderson-Henderson County Planning Commission In The Amount Of $ 411,136.00 Res. 48-25: Resolution Approving Agreement With The Henderson, Kentucky Chamber Of Commerce, Downtown Henderson Partnership Committee Allocating A Monthly Payment Of $47,000.00 For Services In Support Of Downtown Henderson And Authorizing Mayor To Execute Agreement  141 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on June 24, 2025 Res. 49-25: Resolution Authorizing Funding For City-County Human Rights Commission In The Amount Of $46,020.00 Res. 50-25: Resolution Approving Memorandum Of Understanding Between The City And Henderson Tourist Commission Regarding Personnel For The Henderson Welcome Center Gallery 101 MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the consent agenda items approved. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 22-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2024 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 FOR THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the ordinance adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 23-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE ADOPTING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026 FOR THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: 142 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on June 24, 2025 WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the ordinance adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 51-25: A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY, AND THE HENDERSON COUNTY FISCAL COURT EXPRESSING UNIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE COMPLETION OF SECTION 2 OF THE I-69 OHIO RIVER CROSSING PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF HENDERSON AND THE HENDERSON COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE TO ISSUE A JOINT LETTER OF SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, to express unified support with Henderson County Fiscal Court for the completion of Section 2 of the I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project and to authorize the Mayor of Henderson and the Henderson County Judge Executive to issue a joint letter of support on behalf of both governments. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 52-25: RESOLUTION REPEALING INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM BETWEEN DAVIESS COUNTY FISCAL COURT AND THE CITY OF HENDERSON FOR SOLID WASTE AND APPROVING NEW INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN DAVIESS COUNTY FISCAL COURT AND THE CITY OF HENDERSON FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to repeal the existing interlocal agreement and addendum with Daviess County Fiscal Court for solid waste disposal and approving new interlocal agreement with Daviess County Fiscal Court for solid waste disposal. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________  143 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on June 24, 2025 MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 49-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING DONATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY LOCATED AT 122 LETCHER STREET, HENDERSON, KENTUCKY (PVA PARCEL 2-18- 2-14) TO AUDUBON KIDS ZONE, INC. HENDERSON, KENTUCKY, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE SALE MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to authorize the donation of surplus property located at 122 Letcher Street, Henderson, Kentucky (PVA Parcel # 2-18-2-14) to Audubon Kids Zone, Inc., of Henderson Kentucky, and authorizing the mayor to execute all documents necessary to complete the transaction. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the municipal order adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 50-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS KENNEY AS THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR; AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF CITY MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to approve the appointment of Thomas Kenney as the Parks and Recreation Director and to authorize the Mayor to execute the employment agreement on behalf of the City. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the municipal order adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: June 24, 2025 Jessa Brandon, City Clerk________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Surplus Property” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that the City has owned a property at 521 South Adams Street since 1988, for which it has found no use; however, since the City has received indication of interest in the property from outside entities, the City would like to declare it surplus and begin accepting sealed bids. MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to declare 521 South Adams Street surplus property, and to move forward with the City Manager’s recommendation. 144 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on June 24, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Regional Transit Authority” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that whereas the city is currently a part of the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization (EMPO), there has been discussion relating to the proposed establishment of a Regional Transit Authority to connect all of the Southern Indiana Counties and Henderson, Kentucky into a comprehensive public transit system. Mr. Ward advised that a Request for Proposals was issued by EMPO in attempt to acquire consultative services to perform a feasibility study, which would later be reviewed by a representative from our City in regard to the City’s interest in participating. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Parks Master Plan” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that as Brandstetter Carroll is nearing the end of their public engagement phase in producing the Parks Master Plan, representatives will be needing a time to present before the commission in the near future to share their findings, make recommendations, and obtain feedback from the Board of Commissioners. MAYOR STATON suggested having a work session following the July 15, 2025 Special Called Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, during which Brandstetter Carroll representatives would be allotted time to give their presentation. ________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Whitt, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ----- Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 3:47 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: July 15, 2025 ______________________ Jessa Brandon, City Clerk