12/15/1993 MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Ms. Day stated the documents written in consultation with the Council is the Council Charge to the Paris Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Day reviewed this portion of the manual. She stated this is the basis of the beginning of what the P.E.D.C. is supposed to strive to achieve. City Attorney Haynes stated the Council changed this at their last meeting to include Lamar County. She stated the P.E.D.C. is to operate in a manner consistent with all Federal, State and local laws and they have included as much enabling legislation as possible in the manual. Ms. Day also mentioned the 501(C)(3) Operational Guidelines and stated Mr. Pothoff was going to briefly discuss these with the board members. Mr. Pothoff stated the purpose of the guidelines was to act as a checklist and a reminder of some of the issues to consider when operating a non-profit corporation. Ms. Day stated the P.E.D.C. is to follow Council Policy Directives in carrying out the charge which she briefly discussed. She stated the rules for determining a conflict of interest shall be consistent with the Bylaws and the City Charter. If there is an appearance of a conflict of interest, it should be treated as a conflict. All actions taken by the Board shall be, and appear to be fair without favoritism. No director shall accept gifts from any party seeking favorable status or action from the Board. While conducting the business of the Board, all directors shall conduct themselves in a positive ethical professional manner. She stated all inquiries made to the Board by individuals or organizations require confidentiality and should be considered as privileged information and handled accordingly. The President of the Board shall be the key contact for all economic development. Ms. Day stated State legislation has provided a method for confidentiality which is very important. Ms. Day reviewed the guidelines for developing criteria. She stated the City Council and Staff feels very hopeful fewer tax incentives will have to be offered in order to bring a new business to town with the additional dollars available and the incentives the Board has to bring someone to the Community. Ms. Day stated in the reporting requirements the Board shall make all reports to the City Council by the deadlines outlined in the bylaws. Further, the Board shall develop a method to communicate with the citizens of Paris the work of the P.E.D.C. Chairman Cecil questioned what was meant by this? He wanted to know if this was through the report to the Council. Ms. Day felt the Council was hopeful there would established by the Board an ongoing method of communicating those things necessary. Mr. Pothoff stated there are a lot of different methods which can be developed in creating the sense of accountability for the public and to celebrate the successes. Ms. Day discussed Council approval and stated items requiring Council approval included Strategic Plan, Annual Board Budget and Work Plan, Administrative Policies such as the Incentives Programs and Project Approval Criteria, changes to the Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Policy Directives, the Mission Statement, and commitments to cause expenditure of City funds sought under Board jurisdiction. Ms. Day pointed out that under the Council Charge the Board is to complete a Strategic Plan following the guidelines of the Strategic Plan Process by May 31, 1994.