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Regular Council Meeting <br />June 22, 2020 <br />Page 5 <br />Council Member Portugal stated that Dr. Hashmi had been resistant in being transparent <br />with his intentions with the PEDC since being on the board. She told Dr. Hashmi the PEDC paid <br />this company $400,000 to do something they planned to do anyway, and that was not fiscally <br />responsible or conservative. <br />Dr. Hashmi stated that the only phone call he made to the local person was after he spoke <br />with Chairman Hernandez and Mayor Clifford, and it was only to get in touch with the <br />executives. Dr. Hashmi stated that he asked Mr. Hernandez if he should call the board first, but <br />since there was no director and since nothing was being discussed other than help, he was told it <br />was not required. Dr. Hashmi then read a letter (email) that was sent to him by Mr. Landry. The <br />letter stated that the company needed the assistance of the PEDC to survive the COVID-19 crisis. <br />He said he had every record of every phone conversation if anyone would like to see it. <br />Mayor Clifford stated that he hated to see division in the Council, but personally, he was <br />not convinced that anything was done wrong. Mayor Clifford said he knows Dr. Hashmi has the <br />best intentions for Paris, as he served as the Mayor for five years. <br />Council Member Hughes stated that there was nothing personal between him and Council <br />Member Pilgrim, and even though they may disagree, that is why they have the democracy of <br />voting. He said the Council has to work together to get through situations like this. <br />Council Member Stone said this was nothing personal, but about doing what was right. <br />A Motion to remove A.J. Hashmi from the Paris Economic Development Corporation <br />Board of Directors was made by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion died for lack of a second. <br />16. Discuss and possibly act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-025: A RESOLUTION OF THE <br />CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; AMENDING THE BYLAWS OF <br />THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; MAKING OTHER <br />FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING <br />AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />City Manager Grayson Path informed City Council that Ms. Harris could not be at the <br />meeting, but that he spoke to her and that she suggested that Council vote on each amendment <br />separately. <br />City Council discussed increasing the number of Directors from five to seven members, <br />with one member being a sitting council member and the term for a one-year period. Following <br />a brief discussion with regard to a council member being placed on the board, Council Member <br />Knox suggested that PEDC be allowed to choose the council member. A Motion to increase the <br />number of Directors from five to seven members, and one of those members being a sitting <br />Council Member who will be selected by the PEDC for a term of one year was made by Council <br />Member Hughes and seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. <br />Next, City Council discussed the amendment requiring City Council approval prior to the <br />corporation's borrowing funds or incurring indebtedness. A Motion to approve this amendment <br />