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Regular Council Meeting April 12, 2021 Page 4 9. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and possibly act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-012: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS RE- AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENTS AND APPROVING GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR THE RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Attorney Stephanie Harris explained that in order to be eligible to participate in a residential tax abatement program, the City was required to adopt guidelines and criteria every two years. She said the current guidelines and criteria expire on April 21, 2021. Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked anyone wishing to speak about this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Clifford closed the public hearing. A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 10. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2021-009: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, EXTENDING THE MAYOR'S DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND ORDER DATED MARCH 19, 2020, AS EXTENDED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2020-011 AND BY ORDINANCE NOS. 2020-014, 2020-107, 2020-023, 2020-030, 2020-035, AND 2021-001 FOR AN ADDITIONAL NINETY (90) DAYS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Harris explained that we were not quite clear of the Covid crisis and that the Governor had extended the State Declaration. She recommended that the City also extend the declaration for an additional ninety days. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 11. Discuss and act to authorize a contract in the amount of $15,500.00 with Allison, Bass & McGee, L.L.P. to perform redistricting services related to the 2020 U.S. Census. Ms. Harris explained that after each decennial census, each political subdivision that elects representatives from geographical districts must engage in a redistricting process. She said the process involved detailed analysis of the new census information to determine whether changes in population require redistricting and if so, redrawing existing districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Ms. Harris recommended contracting with Allison, Bass & McGee, L.L.P. to provide these services. She said if redistricting was required, the firm would provide the City with three different plans.