19 - Request from Greater Paris Development Foundation to abandon long term leases related to Trail de Paris

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Item No. 19 Memorandum TO: Mayor & City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Michael Smith, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Greater Paris Development Foundation Inc. DATE: March 22, 2021 BACKGROUND: The City of Paris has entered in to two long-term lease agreements with the Greater Paris Development Foundation, Inc. (GPDF) for management of the trail, commonly known as the "Trail de Paris". This trail is part of a 130+ mile trail that the GPDF and others have been working to connect and complete. First, the City of Paris entered into a 99 -year lease agreement with the GPDF for the 100' ROW of 2.30 miles of the abandoned railroad line from 12"' St SE, east to Loop 286, all within the city limits of the City of Paris, commonly known as "Trail de Paris" beginning December 12, 2005 through December 11, 2104. Second, the City of Paris entered into a 99 -year lease agreement with the GPDF for the 100' wide of abandoned railroad ROW beginning at the interchange of US 271 South and Loop 286 and going east for approximately 0.8 miles to the intersection of Old Clarksville Road and the railroad line, all within the corporate city limits of City of Paris, commonly known as "Trail de Paris East Extension" beginning October 13, 2008 through October 12, 2107. The City has maintained this trail since taking over the lease. This has included mowing, trimming, and even new asphalt each year. STATUS OF ISSUE: The GPDF and its trail associates have approached the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to see if they would consider taking over the entire trail system from Farmersville to New Boston, including the portion within the City limits. The TPWD is willing to consider the request, but they