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Regular Council Meeting <br />June 8, 2020 <br />Page 3 <br />Following additional discussion, a Motion to table this item to the next meeting was <br />made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, <br />6 ayes — 0 nays. <br />11. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-022: A RESOLUTION APPROVING <br />THE PRIVATE RE -SALE OF A TRACT OF TAX FORECLOSED PROPERTY, AND <br />AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE DEEDS. <br />Tax Attorney Tracy Pounders explained the Westgate Apartments fell into disrepair, a lot <br />of taxes were not getting paid, and a lawsuit was filed to collect those taxes. Mr. Pounders said <br />this was a complicated matter, with heirs that had to be found and liens against the property. He <br />also said it was placed for auction with a minim bid of $170,500.00, but no one was interested in <br />it. Mr. Pounders said subsequently it was struck off to the City of Paris, and a buyer was found <br />who was willing to pay $75,000 for the property. He explained if the item before them was <br />approved, they would be able to proceed but still needed approval from Lamar County and Paris <br />Jr. College. <br />Mayor`Clifford inquired what kind of guarantee the City would have that the buyer would <br />actually refurbish the apartments into habitable spaces. Mr. Pounders said they did not have a <br />guarantee. Mayor Clifford said he' wanted a guarantee because it was a large piece of property <br />for the amount of money. Mr. Pounders said he did not know if they could do that at this point, <br />but might be able to do that in the near future. Council Member Pilgrim wanted to know how <br />Ion g the City of Paris had possession of the property. Mr. Pounders said since January and this <br />was the best offer they had been able to get. Council Member Pilgrim wanted to know if the <br />property was repairable, i and City Engineer Carla Easton answered in the affirmative. Council <br />Member Stone' said she personally toured the property and it was in bad shape, and it would take <br />a lot of money to get it habitable. She said if the buyer was willing to do that, she was in favor <br />of this. Ms. Easton said staff met with about five people,but ended up with only one investor <br />who was seriously interested. Council Member Portugal wanted to know if it could be sold with <br />a contingency. Mr. Pounders said a contingency was not in the offer presented. Council <br />Member Pilgrim said he had some concern about individuals purchasing property in Paris, <br />applying for tax credits and then spending that money in other cities on other properties. Council <br />Member Hughes said the person interested had contacted him and the buyer planned to do the <br />apartments in stages. He said he was in favor of this as long as they so something, either restore <br />or demolish it. Council Member Stone said if they did not move forward with this, that they <br />would be having the same discussions this time next year. After hearing all of the discussion, <br />Mayor Clifford said he was comfortable with moving forward with the sale. <br />A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council <br />Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. <br />12. Receive an update on the status of the 2017 Street Bond Projects, status of prioritized <br />roads under the bond, general road maintenance, and discuss and act on any adjustments <br />to prioritized road list. <br />