1999-11-29-Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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494 MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SPECIAL MEETING November 29, 1999 The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in a special meeting on Wednesday, November 10, 1999, at 9:00 A.M., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Paris, Texas. President Mike Rhodes called the meeting to order with the following boardmembers present: Dick Amis, Melba Harris, Jay Guest, and Donald Wall. Also present were ex-officio boardmembers Bobby Walters, Mayor Charles Neeley, City Manager Michael E. Malone, City Attorney Larry Schenk, Executive Director Gary Vest, and Attorney Clark McCoy. President Rhodes stated that the first item on the agenda was a closed session in accordance with Section 551.071 of the Open Meetings Act to seek the advice of the attorney regarding litigation, and he called for a motion for the Board to go into executive session. Boardmember Melba Harris made a motion, seconded by Boardmember Dick Amis, that the Board go into executive session. The motion carried unanimously. The Paris Economic Development Corporation went into executive session at 9:01 A.M. President Rhodes reconvened the Board into open session at 10:05 A.M. President Rhodes stated that the next item was discussion, consideration of and action on the extension of Hearne Street, including consideration of possible resolution related thereto. He asked Mr. Vest to discuss this item. Mr. Vest said that, in connection with Hearne Street the action that the Board took was to ask the City Council to participate in the extension of Hearne Street, and at this point in time the City has not taken any action. Mr. Vest stated that the industries in the area are very anxious to have this extension completed. He said that at this time the Board is looking at proceeding with or without City participation. ' Boardmember Amis said that the Board made a commitment to Rodgers-Wade (now owned by Pratt & Lambert). He said that since the time the project received approval, 115,000 sq. ft. of building space has been added with a total employment average of 225 employees. He said that the truck traffic in this area has increased, and the truck traffic route is not a good route. Mr Amis said that they are traveling Neathery Street and making a very difficult turn on this route, and that there were some safety issues involved. He said that this project will make Hearne Street a good route for truck traffic. Mr. Amis said that Hearne Street is a city street in addition to an industrial project, and perhaps the City should share in the expense. He said that the Board has made a commitment, and the process should begin; if the Board wants to request that the City share in the expense at a later date, then this could be done. City Manager Malone stated that there were some funds identified and placed in the Street Department's Budget that could be available to help fund the project. He said that this was a decision that was deferred to the City Council at a later date. Mr.