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Regular Council Meeting <br />January 27, 2020 <br />Page 4 <br />City Engineer Carla Easton explained Ramseur Baptist Church owned approximately 6.9 <br />acres and was requesting the zoning change because they planned to sell a portion of the property <br />with frontage along Lamar Avenue for retail use. She also said this change was consistent with <br />the future land use plan, as well as existing land uses in the area and staff recommend approval <br />of this zoning change. <br />Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in <br />support or opposition of this zoning change, to please come forward. With no one speaking, <br />Mayor Clifford closed the public hearing. <br />A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by <br />Council Members Knox and Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. <br />23. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-006: A <br />RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS <br />APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH <br />LIONSHEAD SPECIALTY TIRE & WHEEL, L.L.C.; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS <br />AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN <br />EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />City Attorney Stephanie Harris said that on December 9, 2019, City Council directed her <br />to prepare a tax abatement agreement for a new tax abatement with Lionshead Speciality Tire & <br />Wheel. She said the abatement was for 7 years and would be granted on a de-escalating basis. <br />Ms. Harris also said the improvements would be between $6,000,000.00 and $8,200,000.00 and <br />would necessitate the hiring of at least 18 employees in the first three years of the agreement. <br />Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in <br />support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor <br />Clifford closed the public hearing. <br />Mayor Clifford said he had a couple of questions about the contract and specifically <br />asked why she would put language in the contract that limited amount of investment Lionshead <br />could make. Ms. Harris said she would change that language. Mayor Clifford also referenced the <br />language pertaining to jobs, and said it was ambiguous. He said it could be construed that the <br />company only had to have five jobs in 2022. Ms. Harris explained the paragraph. Mayor <br />Clifford said if she thought it was legal, then that was fine but did not want to the City to have a <br />problem in the future. Ms. Harris said she would review the document prior to obtaining <br />signatures. City Council discussed cash for jobs. Council Member Pilgrim reminded everyone <br />that it was a 7 year de-escalating agreement, not like the past where 10 year abatements at 100% <br />were given. <br />A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council <br />Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. <br />