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Regular Council Meeting <br />February 10, 2020 <br />Page 2 <br />5. Approve minutes from the meetings of January 27, 2020, February 3, 2020 and February <br />5, 2020. <br />6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions: <br />a. Paris Visitors & Convention Council (11-18-2019) <br />b. Main Street Advisory Board (11-12-2019) <br />c. Planning & Zoning Commission (1-6-2020) <br />d. Board of Adjustment (12-9-2019) <br />e. Traffic Commission (1-7-2020) <br />Approve the proposal from McClanahan and Holmes to perform an independent outside <br />audit on the City's financial records for the periods ending September 30, 2020, <br />September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2022. <br />Regular Agenda <br />8. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2020-005: AN <br />ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS MORE <br />PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", AS REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. <br />2020-1 FOR RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENT; DESCRIBING THE BOUNDARIES <br />THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TAX <br />ABATEMENT WITHIN SAID ZONE; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR TAX <br />ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />City Attorney Stephanie Harris explained for the purpose of granting residential tax <br />abatements, Council authorized a reinvestment zone for Council Districts one through 5 in 2013 <br />and expanded it to include all Council Districts in 2015. She said reinvestment zones expire five <br />years after creation and to continue the residential tax abatement program, Council would need <br />to authorize the reinvestment zone for another five years. <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 inquired about the number of tax abatements granted. Ms. Harris said the <br />City had granted seven in 2015 and all had expired. Council Member Portugal said more <br />advertising needed to be done for this program. Mayor Clifford confirmed that anyone wanting <br />to improve the home they owned and lived in, they could apply for a tax abatement. Ms. Harris <br />said that the homeowner would need to make an application and be approved prior to beginning <br />any work. Council Member Knox suggested promotion and that staff work with HPC. <br />