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Regular Council Meeting March 27, 2017 Page 4 Regular Agenda 15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2017 -009: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, DECLARING JUNK AND RUBBISH, AS DEFINED HEREIN, TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE; AUTHORIZING THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND TO ISSUE ORDERS TO REMOVE OR STORE SAID JUNK AND RUBBISH; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PERFORM SUCH WORK AND FILE LIENS IF ORDERS OF THE COMMISSION ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Manager John Godwin explained this was a change in procedure and authority of the BSC would be expanded to include junk. He said that BSC unanimously recommended approval of this ordinance. Mayor Hashmi inquired if this was already part of the code and Mr. Godwin said if personal property was involved, it became a longer process. He further said with this ordinance in place, it would go to BSC first and they could issue an order. City Attorney Stephanie Harris said it would give the City authority to remove the property after a hearing by BSC. Mayor Hashmi confirmed that it gave the City more tools but did not take away the rights of citizens. A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Clifford. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 16. Discuss and act on AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, "BUILDING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS," TO ADD ARTICLE VIII, "VACANT BUILDING REGULATIONS," TO CREATE A REGISTRATION PROGRAM FOR ALL VACANT CENTRAL AREA BUILDINGS; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Godwin explained these types of ordinances were implemented in many cities to encourage people to take care of the buildings they own. He also said there were grants and low interest loans available and if an owner could not afford to take care of a building, it should be sold to someone who could take care of it. Mr. Godwin said the City needed to have high standards in order to have a better city and attract others to come to invest in Paris. Mayor Hashmi said if they were intent on increasing the population in Paris; they needed to relax some of the regulations without jeopardizing health and safety. He said Paris did not need the same regulations as New York. Mayor Hashmi said he agreed with Ms. Colson and if the City imposed fines and large insurance requirements, the people would leave Paris. He mentioned that Skipper Steely had some good ideas about rejuvenating the downtown area and