Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS <br />March 26, 2020 <br />The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, <br />March 26, 2020, by video conference. <br />Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford <br />Council Members: Paula Portugal; Renae Stone; Derrick Hughes; <br />Linda Knox; and Clayton Pilgrim <br />City Staff: Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance <br />Director; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; and <br />Janice Ellis, City Clerk <br />Call meeting to order. <br />Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:13 p.m. and asked Mr. Anderson to give <br />an invocation. Interim City Manager Gene Anderson gave an invocation. <br />2. Citizens' forum. <br />Mayor Clifford confirmed with City Clerk Janice Ellis that she did not receive any e- <br />mails for the citizens' forum. <br />3. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-011: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY <br />COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, EXTENDING AND AMENDING THE <br />MAYOR'S DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH <br />EMERGENCY AND ORDER DATED MARCH 19, 2020 FOR AN ADDITIONAL <br />THIRTY (30) DAYS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED <br />TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />Mayor Clifford said the declaration he issued was to expire today, unless the City <br />Council wanted to extend it. Mayor Clifford said he thought they should extend the declaration <br />for an additional thirty days and include the County's declaration issued two days earlier. City <br />Attorney Stephanie Harris said the documents she prepared did include the County's declaration <br />as an exhibit. Council Member Hughes inquired how it would be enforced. Mayor Clifford said <br />most of what was contained in the document was not mandatory but strongly suggested. He also <br />said there was a prohibition against gathering of ten or more persons inside or outside. He stated <br />that to do so was a Class C Misdemeanor and carried a fine, and that the police department <br />would be enforcing this. Ms. Harris said the County Declaration prohibited the gatherings, and <br />the police were getting good cooperation when visiting with these folks. <br />Mayor Clifford said help from the community was needed and that meant every single <br />person, in an effort to keep this virus from spreading. He said he could not stress how important <br />it was for everyone to do their part in social distancing. Council Member Pilgrim reiterated <br />