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Regular Council Meeting <br />January 23, 2017 <br />Page 3 <br />Mayor Hashmi said at the last council meeting they decided to waive permit fees for <br />renovation of residences in the Pine Bluff Street area and since that time, there had been an <br />interest expressed from other districts in doing this. He also suggested they might want to waive <br />the street usage fees for those disposing of the old material being taken from the house. Council <br />Member Drake confirmed this would be for a period of ninety days. City Attorney Stephanie <br />Harris interjected she began researching this issue but had not completed it. Mayor Hashmi said <br />they could begin the program at a later date giving Ms. Harris time to complete the research. He <br />said in the meantime if the City Attorney determines they cannot legally do this, then it would <br />not be started. Council Member Frierson expressed concern about impact on the budget from <br />waiving fees. Mayor Hashmi said when he spoke to Mr. Godwin that he was under the <br />impression that it would not be enough to have an effect on the budget. Council Member <br />Trenado said if it was legal that he wanted to help the people, as did Council Member Lancaster. <br />If legal, A Motion to authorize the City to waive permit fees for residential renovations <br />and associated street usage fees for disposal beginning February 15 was made by Mayor Hashmi <br />and seconded by Council Member Lancaster. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. <br />15. Discuss drainage issue located at 3915 Shannon Drive, and provide direction to city staff. <br />Mayor Hashmi explained this item was previously discussed and at that time the City <br />Attorney was consulted as to whether or not the City could work on this drainage problem on <br />private property. He explained they were constantly having issues partly because the house built <br />next to it was at a higher level, which was approved at that time. Mayor Hashmi asked the City <br />Attorney for her opinion. City Attorney Stephanie Harris said after receiving more information <br />about the proposed work and confirming that doing so was in violation of what the Texas <br />Constitution specifically says under Article 3, Section 52(a) which states in part "the Legislature <br />shall have no power to authorize any county, city, town or other political subdivision of the State <br />to lend its credit or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual..." <br />Based on her research, Ms. Harris said it was her opinion it was not something legal the City <br />could undertake. Mayor Hashmi said there was some question about another property owner <br />benefitting and inquired if that applied. Ms. Harris said the information she received was one or <br />two property owners would benefit and that she did not see a legal avenue to do this work. <br />Mayor Hashmi asked Mr. Godwin for his opinion and Mr. Godwin said based on the City <br />Attorney's legal opinion he did not believe there was anything the City could do. <br />16. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2015 -005: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY <br />COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 5, <br />"ANIMALS AND FOWL" SECTION 5 -1 "DEFINITIONS," AND SECTION 5 -3 <br />"ANIMAL CONTROL," OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS TO ESTABLISH <br />`TEMPORARY' OWNERSHIP ALLOWING VACCINATION OF SHELTER <br />ANIMALS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE <br />SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A <br />SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />