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Regular Council Meeting February 13, 2023 Page 3 TRUSTEE, TO PARIS/LAMAR COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PURSUANT TO THE 5 -IN -5 INFILL HOUSING PROGRAM. Regular Agenda 14. Discuss and award a bid in the amount of $72,225.00 to Adams Lawn Service to mow 89.39 acres, and award a bid in the amount of $14,060.00 to Green's Lawn Service to mow 12.02 acres. Public Works Director Michael Smith said staff sent out a request for bids for ground maintenance on each property, and received the bids before them tonight. Mr. Smith recommended awarding on bid for 21 properties for a total of 89.39 acres to Adams Lawn Service in the amount and another bid for a total of 12.02 acres to Green's Lawn Service. A Motion to approve these bids was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 4 ayes — 0 nays. 15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-004: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 2.10, DIVISION 2, SECTION 2.10.033 REGARDING PEACE OFFICERS' TCOLE CERTIFICATION PAY; AMENDING SECTION 2.10.034 THERETO REGARDING LATERAL SENIORITY PAY; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Manager Grayson Path explained that he would present items 15, 16 and 17 together but each item would require a separate vote. Mr. Path said for several years, the Paris Police Department struggled to maintain staffing due to a number of national and local factors. He explained it was challenging to find qualified individuals to serve as police officers and despite constant efforts, the department was currently down approximately 17 police officers. He referenced civil service regulations and the time it takes to refill a position. Mr. Path also said in order to try and reverse the course and build the department back up, management believed it was time to re-evaluate compensation, which included authorization of lateral seniority pay, authorization of a sign -on bonus to be given to both certified and non -certified officers, an increase of the sign -on bonus from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 to be paid over the course of the first year and given only to those who have never been a Paris PD officer, authorization of up to $1,000.00 in moving expenses for anyone who becomes a Paris PD officer and who lives more than one hour away and authorization of an increase in certification pay. Paris Police Chief Rich Salter explained management staff was taking this very seriously and in summary, the City was paying to train officers for free and then they were moving to other agencies. He said there was a nationwide law enforcement shortage. Chief Salter also said the call load for the City of Paris officers was more than the County or the School Districts Departments. He emphasized leaving was not all about the money. Chief Salter said he was planning an online reporting system for things like someone wanted to report a stolen bicycle which would lessen some of the street load. Council Member Knox inquired why they did not