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Regular Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Page 7 priority because it was a life safety issue. He also said he called the police non -emergency line for a small incident and was told they did not have anyone to send because everybody was busy. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage said this was a serious problem, and it was not Chief Salter's fault nor the fault of the patrolmen. He said they had to figure out a way to incentivize people to apply to the Paris P.D., and the only thing they could come up with was more money. He said he thought the reason this was presented today was so they could get ahead of the budget, make this a priority to increase the salaries of the officers, and make it so impactful that the people will want to be a police officer for the City of Paris. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage said this was directed toward answering the calls of their citizens. He also said he thought this was the spirit of what they were talking about. Council Member Norment agreed. Mayor Pankaj asked if there was any other direction they wanted to provide to Staff to move forward. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage inquired if they should form a committee comprised of two or three Council Members to work with Staff so that the priority was felt as the City Manager was figuring out the budget for next year. He said they need to do their best to get this right. He said they needed to stress the importance and priority Council was putting on this issue. Mr. Path said he appreciated the importance of this, he felt how critical this was and it was his priority to work on this. He also said if some of the Council Members wanted to work with him on this, that would be definitely appreciated but to please understand it was his priority and he would not disappoint. Mayor Pankaj asked that Mr. Path continue with communication about this to Council as they were getting closer to the budget. 23. Discuss options for the Belford Building vacant site as to retaining the property, selling the property or development of the property; and provide direction to Staff. Mayor Pankaj said Council Member Norment placed this item on the agenda. Council Member Norment said they were lacking parking spaces downtown, and that she would like to see the City keep this space and use it for parking. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage agreed and inquired if they could use ARPA funds to pave it. Mr. Path said they could do so. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage confirmed with Mr. Path that those funds were not coming from city tax money. Mayor Pankaj also favored this. Mr. Path said if the Council supports this, he would work it into the budget. 24. Discuss and act on a Key to the City Policy, and select a third Council Member to join the Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem as a selection and award committee. Mayor Pankaj suggested with a new Council Member that they may want to table this item to give additional time for review and discussion. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage said he was good with tabling this item. He referenced that Mayor Portugal had previously given a key to the City to the President of France, and that he did not think that matched up with giving the key to a citizen for good works in the City, as previously discussed. Council Member Kessel said he was good with the edits and did not think they should table it. Council Member Putnam agreed with Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and said they should be able to give the key to a new business considering moving to Paris or to the Governor, and that it should not be an annual event.