Faced with the staggering $3.5 million estimated cost of replacing the heating and ailing air conditioning system in its half of the Peabody Building complex, the Henderson City Commission on Tuesday is considering moving out and relocating personnel elsewhere.
A portion of the Peabody Building — so called because it once housed headquarters of Peabody Coal Co. — is home to the Henderson Police Department, the city codes office, the 911 emergency dispatch center and the Henderson City-County Planning Commission. Some of those workers have chosen to temporarily relocate to another city building after the failure of the air conditioning system in a portion of the Peabody failed and sweltering summer temperatures set in.
The commission went into an approximately 75-minute closed executive session to discuss, in part, the possible future acquisition of real property, which Mayor Brad Staton told the Hendersonian was related to possibly relocating those departments from the Peabody Building.
The commission voted unanimously to hire Hafer Associates for $15,000 to provide professional design services related to exploring such an option. That’s the same company the city hired in February to design an upgrade to the nearly 40-year-old Peabody HVAC system before the extent of that system’s troubles became evident.
“We’re doing due diligence … to make sure we’re making the best decision,” Staton said after the meeting. “There are other opportunities in the city, so we want to make an informed decision.”
Such a decision could “come together in the next three to four weeks,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, Assistant City Manager Buzzy Newman — who briefed the commission at a meeting one week earlier about the HVAC situation — said he is “working on a proposal with different alternatives to the HVAC. I will come back with a recommendation sooner than later.”
Meanwhile, the commission approved second reading of amendments to 2023 and 2023 general obligation bond ordinances to free up some funds that can be spent on the Peabody HVAC project.
In preparing to go into the executive session, Commissioner Rodney Thomas read a motion declaring that the commission, for the second meeting in a row, would also be discussing possible litigation against the city on an unspecified matter.
In other business:
SportsPlex rentals
City Manager Dylan Ward said that as part of discussions with Deaconess Henderson SportsPlex third-party operator Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), he is drafting a proposed policy to be considered at an upcoming city commission meeting establishing a schedule of rental rates for outside groups to use the facility.
That will provide “a little more consistency” for organizations such as the school system, nonprofit organizations and travel sports leagues that want to rent the SportsPlex, Ward said. “We want to treat everyone fairly and equally.”
The rental schedule should be in place by this fall or the start of next year, he said.
Community Spotlight
A host of Hendersonians who served passengers from the Viking riverboat Mississippi recently were honored with the city’s Community Spotlight award, which recognizes efforts that make a lasting impact on the City of Henderson.
The riverboat had to detour to the Ohio River earlier this month because of high water on the upper Mississippi River and visited Henderson twice on short notice. Abby Dixon, executive director of the Henderson Tourist Commission, has been cultivating a relationship with Viking to attract regular visits in the future.
“When Viking Cruise Lines made a last-minute stop in our city, Henderson rose to the occasion with heart, hustle and true hospitality,” city executive assistant Donna Madden read aloud from a declaration. “From the moment guests stepped off the ship, they were greeted with smiling faces and unforgettable experiences, thanks to the exceptional teamwork of so many in our community.”
Viking passengers were given multiple tour options here.
The city thanked local citizens who served as tour guides including Donna Stinnett, Chuck Stinnett, Leslie Hoskins, Stacey Howell, Susie Thurman, Jack Hogan, Greg Gibson, Howard Moran, Lorna Littrell, Maggie Collier, Missy Vanderpool and Jada Hamby.
It also recognized local bluegrass band Kings Highway for providing live music for the boat passengers; and the Gadient, Liles-Bridges, Jameson and Hargis families as well as L&N Bed & Breakfast for participating in a Porches & Petals Historic Home Tour, for which Michael and Daniel Ervin of Cap & Cork provided food and drink pairings.
Also thanked were Casey Todd and the Hometown Hospitality Group for hosting a Bourbon & BBQ Experience featuring local brand Silk Velvet whiskey, with a tasting led by Zach and Zeb Hargis; and Farmer & Frenchman Winery, including the Mussat and McCollom families, for hosting a four-course wine-paired lunch.
Audubon State Park and manager David Miller were recognized for hosting more than 600 Viking guests over two days with museum tours and live raptor encounters.
Public Works Director Brian Williams and his department were recognized for providing docking logistics, while local boutiques and restaurants were credited for having “extended top-tier service.”
Dixon and Henderson Tourist Commission staffers Ellie Kellen, Dana Harvey and Heather Salisbury were credited with having “worked tirelessly to coordinate a seamless visit with little lead time.”
And everyday Hendersonians “who smiled, gave directions or simply said ‘Welcome,’” were thanked.
“It’s not just about the destination; it’s about the experience,” Commissioner Kelsey Hargis, who got to interact with passengers when her musician husband and father-in-law, Zeb and Marcus, were invited to come aboard the Mississippi to entertain passengers on two nights, said. “There were people who had been disappointed that they had to detour onto the Ohio (River) who said Henderson was one of the best stops (of a multi-week voyage). It makes my heart swell.”
HLI kiosk
Dr. Kate Baker, a Henderson Leadership Initiative fellow (or graduate), accompanied by her HLI project team members, briefed the commission on the new My Kentucky Info Kiosk installed in the customer service department of the City Building.
The kiosk is a self-service, multilingual, free-standing computer that allows people to learn about free services available from a host of nonprofit organizations here.
Baker was inspired by memories of helplessness after having been approached for help by an evidently homeless person who spoke limited English.
The kiosks are also available at the Henderson County Public Library, the Henderson Housing Authority and Henderson Community College. The information is also accessible at myky.info.
The HLI team included Baker, Emily Hurt, Sarah Bryant, Lindsay Thompson, Alyssa Vandiver, Shanda Dixon and Kate Pride.
“We have had tons of good projects come out of HLI,” the mayor said.
Local improvements
The commission approved a resolution authorizing the submission of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Consolidated Plan serves as a strategic planning document that outlines community development and housing needs, sets funding priorities and establishes measurable goals for low- and moderate-income residents over a four-year period.
The 2025 action plan identifies the use of the city’s CDBG funds totaling $1.04 million for the coming year.
The projects include:
• $379,496 for constructing a sidewalk along Fairground Lane
• $123,242 for sidewalk improvements in low-income areas elsewhere
• $250,000 for reconstructing a dilapidated home plus $3,748 for temporary relocation of the home’s residents
• $120,618 for improvements to Anthony Brooks Park
• $76,925 for bleachers and a shade structure at the JFK Center
• $10,000 for support of the Father Bradley Shelter for Women and Children
• $24,706 for enhanced police patrols
• $46,425 for administration.
CPR training
Ward reported that Chris Stachewicz, the city parks and recreation superintendent and a certified CPR instructor, is going to use city community service time this Friday to certify teachers at the Audubon Kids Zone in CPR.
The city will pay the $600 certification fee for the AKR staffers.
Recognition of new employees
Two newly hired employees were introduced:
• Jamie Wilke, Henderson Water Utility construction inspector
• Chris Burns, a police officer who will be serving as a school resource officer for Henderson County Schools
Board appointments
The commission approved appointments, most of them retroactive, to various boards, including:
• Susan Sauls, Civil Service Commission
• Elizabeth Ahmadi, Henderson City-County Human Rights Commission
• Eric Gardner, Henderson City Utility Commission
• Casey Todd and David Miller, Henderson Tourist Commission
• Tara Hunter to fill Landon Overfield’s unexpired term on the Henderson Board of Zoning Adjustment
Employee manual revised
The commission approved a minor amendment to the Henderson Employee Manual to address vacation accrual for both hazardous and non-hazardous duty positions in Grade 30 or higher.
The city manager said it was a move to address an “unintentional oversight” when the manual was updated previously.
Sidewalks
The commission approved second reading of an ordinance accepting 94 linear feet of four-foot-wide sidewalks on Audubon Street.
