Board of Commissioners Meetings

156 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, July 22, 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 Robert N. Pruitt, Sr. Commissioner Nicholas E. Whitt Commissioner Kelsey Hargis Commissioner Rodney Thomas ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Dylan Ward, City Manager Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager Mr. Eric Shappell, Acting City Attorney Ms. Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk Ms. Holli Blanford, Public Relations Director Mr. Josh Dixon, Fire Chief Ms. Megan McElfresh, Human Resources Director Mr. Thomas Kenney, Parks & Recreation Director Ms. Dawn Winn, Assistant Finance Director Mr. Bart Boles, Henderson Water Utility, General Manager Ms. Jeannie Quattrocchi, Project Coordinator Ms. Jenna Basham, Project Manager Mr. Billy Bolin, Police Chief Mr. Robert “Bob” Shoultz, Deputy Police Chief Ms. Jackie Arroyo, Public Relations Intern Ms. Jamie Wilke, Henderson Water Utility, Construction Inspector Mr. Chris Burns, Police Officer Mr. Victor Carson, IT Network Administrator I Mr. Gabriel Barker, IT Network Administrator Mr. Greg Gibson, Henderson Tourist Commission Mr. Chuck Stinnett, Henderson Tourist Commission Ms. Stacey Howell, Henderson Tourist Commission Ms. Donna Stinnett, Henderson Tourist Commission Ms. Abby Dixon, Henderosn Tourist Commission, Executive Director Ms. Missy Vanderpool, Henderson Economic Development, Executive Director Ms. Monica Hargis, Henderson Tourist Commission Mr. Zeb Hargis, Henderson Tourist Commission Ms. Ellie Kellen, Henderson Tourist Commission Mr. Dwight Williams Rev. Charles Johnson, Henderson Human Rights Commission, Executive Director Dr. Kate Baker, Henderson Leadership Fellow Ms. Lindsay Thompson, Henderson Leadership Fellow Ms. Kate Pride, Henderson Leadership Fellow Ms. Alyssa Vandiver, Henderson Leadership Fellow 25 News Mr. James Elliott, Police Officer ________________________ PRESENTATION: “New Employee Recognition” BART BOLES, HWU General Manager, introduced JAMIE WILKE, HWU Utility Construction Inspector.  157 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 BILLY BOLIN, Police Chief, introduced CHRIS BURNS, Police Officer. The BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS welcomed our new team members for employment with the City of Henderson. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “HLI Presentation on Kiosk Project” DR. KATE BAKER, ALYSSA VANDIVER, LINDSAY THOMPSON, EMILY HURT, & KATE PRIDE, all Henderson Leadership Fellows, addressed the Commission to give a presentation about the Henderson Leadership Initiative’s Kiosk Project. Dr. Baker explained that the project arose after a personal experience she’d had shortly after relocating to Henderson and opening her practice. She shared that a homeless man, who also presented a language barrier, came into her office in need of help, and though she knew that non-profit organizations existed to help him, she was, at that time, unaware of how to connect him with those agencies. To better serve the public, and to assist in future similar situations, the kiosks, which are located in public places, are multilingual and can connect individuals with any services within the Henderson area that are free and available, including: medical services, housing, and mental health resources. The kiosks also incorporate a web-based app, which can be accessed via phone, computer, or mobile device. Any agencies offering free services may fill out a Google intake form to be added to the kiosks, and the programming is ran by Family Scholar House, which will keep the app updated and reach out to all of the agencies listed within the kiosk to maintain current contact and resource information. COMMISSIONER WHITT asked if data could be tracked via the kiosks to better serve the public by identifying the types of assistance that citizens are actively searching for. DR. BAKER answered that any of the local nonprofit organizations could reach out to Family Scholar House and obtain the data to help more accurately identify areas of need and better serve the community. She added that there are about 70 kiosks currently in the state of Kentucky, and Henderson is the first city in the western part of the state to join the program. MAYOR STATON thanked the presenters for their work and their service to the Community. He informed everyone that Dr. Baker would be appearing on the Municipal Matters Podcast soon to further elaborate on the project. ________________________ PRESENTATION: “Community Spotlight” MAYOR STATON presented the August Community Spotlight Award to several groups whose collaborative efforts welcomed guests from the Viking Cruise Line to our City of Henderson, showcasing local artistry, culinary talents, historic downtown architecture, and hometown hospitality. ________________________ APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR STATON asked the City Clerk to read the Consent Agenda. Resolutions and Municipal Orders: Res. 78-25: Resolution Accepting Human Resources Report Dated July 22, 2025, Approving All Actions Contained Within, And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute Any Necessary Contracts For Employment Res. 79-25: Resolution Authorizing The Submission Of The 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan And 2025 CDBG Action Plan To The United States Department Of Housing And Urban Development 158 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 Res. 80-25: Resolution Approving Community Development Block Grant Subrecipient Agreement With The Father Bradley Shelter For Women And Children, Inc. (SWC) MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the consent agenda items approved. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: July 22, 2025 Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 24-25: SECOND READ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF “PROJECT” IN ORDINANCE NO. 29-23 OF THE CITY DATED OCTOBER 24, 2023, AND ORDINANCE NO. 46-24 OF THE CITY DATED OCTOBER 1, 2024, TO PERMIT THE PROCEEDS OF THE CITY’S GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2023B AND GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2024A TO BE SPENT FOR COSTS OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROJECTS MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- 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: July 22, 2025 Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 25-25: SECOND READ ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS CONSISTING OF SIDEWALKS ON AUDUBON STREET MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton Aye:  159 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the consent agenda items approved. /s/ Bradley S. Staton Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: July 22, 2025 Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 53-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER AMENDING ARTICLE 228 – PAID VACATIONS & PERSONAL LEAVE, SUBSECTION O, OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON EMPLOYEE MANUAL MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to amend Article 228, Subsection O of The City of Henderson Employee Manual, relating to Paid Vacations and Personal Leave. DYLAN WARD, City Manager, clarified that as the combination of hazardous and non- hazardous pay plans was completed, this section of the Employee Manual was missed when updating the language, and the proposed Municipal Order would simply correct the initial oversight. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- 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: July 22, 2025 Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Civil Service Commission” Susan Sauls – Term Expired June 1, 2024 MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Susan Sauls to a 3-year term on the Civil Service Commission. Said term to expire June 1, 2027. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Henderson City-County Human Rights Commission” Elizabeth Ahmadi – Term Expired September 17, 2024 MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Elizabeth Ahmadi to a 3-year term on the Henderson City-County Human Rights Commission. Said term to expire September 17, 2027. 160 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “City Utility Commission” Eric Gardener – Term Expired April 25, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Eric Gardener to a 3-year term on the City Utility Commission. Said term to expire April 25, 2028. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Henderson Tourist Commission” Casey Todd – Term Expired June 30, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint Casey Todd to a 3-year term on the Henderson Tourist Commission. Said term to expire June 30, 2028. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION RE-APPOINTMENT: “Henderson Tourist Commission” David Miller – Term Expired June 30, 2025 MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to re-appoint David Miller to a 3-year term on the Henderson Tourist Commission. Said term to expire June 30, 2028. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ BOARD/COMMISSION APPOINTMENT: “Board of Zoning Adjustment” J. Landon Overfield – Term Expires February 24, 2026 MOTION by Commissioner Hargis, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, upon recommendation of Mayor Staton, to appoint Tara Hunter to complete the remainder of J. Landon Overfield’s 4-year term, upon his resignation due to health reasons, on the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Said term to expire February 24, 2026.  161 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Peabody Building HVAC Update” WILLIAM L. “BUZZY” NEWMAN, JR., Assistant City Manager, reported that he is in the process of working on a proposal to find alternative solutions for HVAC for the Peabody Building, and will return before the Commission with a recommendation at a later date. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Sports Complex Update” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that he has been working with SFC to establish a draft policy regarding rental rates to be approved by the commission at a later date and posted on-site to ensure consistency and fairness for all individuals and agencies utilizing the Sports Complex. He continued to report that such a schedule of fees will hopefully be available in the fall, but no later than the next calendar year. ________________________ CITY MANAGER REPORT: “Employee Spotlight” DYLAN WARD, City Manager, reported that Chris Stachewicz, Parks & Recreation Superintendent, will be utilizing community service leave offered by the City to certify all of the Audubon Kids Zone teachers in CPR. The City will be sponsoring the fee to cover the certifications for each teacher, as it directly benefits the Inner City Improvement Program hosted by the City. ________________________ COMMISSIONER THOMAS: Reminded everyone that this week is Songfest. ________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: “Future Acquisition of Real Property & Proposed Litigation” MOTION by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Hargis, that the Board of Commissioners go into Executive Session pursuant to the KRS 61.810(1)(b) for discussion relating to possible acquisition of real property located in the vicinity of Water and Fifth Streets; and pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c) for discussion of proposed litigation against the City of Henderson. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton declared the Board adjourned into Executive Session. ________________________ MEETING RECONVENED: MOTION by Commissioner Whitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, that the Board of Commissioners reconvene into regular session. 162 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Regular Meeting on July 22, 2025 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton ----- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Staton reconvened the Board into regular session. ________________________ MUNICIPAL ORDER NO. 54-25: MUNICIPAL ORDER APPROVING TASK ORDER NO. 2025-03 BETWEEN THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY AND HAFER ASSOCIATES D/B/A HAFER OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES RELATING TO HVAC UPGRADES FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING PHASE 3 IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000; AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to approve task order number 2025-03 with Hafer Associates DBA Hafer of Evansville, Indiana for professional design services relating to HVAC upgrades for the Public Safety Building Phase 3 in the amount of $15,000.00, and to authorize the mayor to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- 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: July 22, 2025 Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk________________________ 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 Pruitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Hargis ---- Aye: Commissioner Whitt ------ Aye: Commissioner Thomas --- Aye: Mayor Staton Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Staton declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:41 p.m. ___________________________ Bradley S. Staton, Mayor ATTEST: August 12, 2025 ______________________ Donna Madden, Acting City Clerk