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Regular Council Meeting February 24, 2025 Page 5 recommended that the Ordinance before City Council be approved declaring unopposed candidates elected to office and that the election be cancelled. A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Putnam. Motion carried, 5 ayes 0 nays. 18. Discuss and authorize the City Manager to execute grant documents for funds and forward to TxDOT for the upcoming fuel farm project scheduled for 2026. Airport Manager Paul Strahan said this item was in follow-up to an item presented to City Council in May 2024. He said at that time the City sent a Letter of Interest to TxDOT requesting use of the airport infrastructure funding for a new fuel farm once all funds became available. He said the City budgeted $120,000 for this project, which was a 10% match toward the $1.2 million project. Mr. Strahan informed City Council that the overall project had been lowered to a 5% match, decreasing the City's match to $60,000. He also said the grant paperwork now needed to be signed and returned to TxDOT so the project could be scheduled and the Airport would use fiscal years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to construct a new fuel farm at Cox Field. Mr. Strahan said initially the match was going to come from ARPA funds but those funds had been expended. He also said the $60,000 would now come from the Airport Fund. He also said if this caused the Airport to have a deficit at the end of the fiscal year, a transfer would need to be made from the General Fund to cover the shortfall. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage said Paul had filled them in last Thursday about this and he was very excited about it. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 19. Discuss a strategic plan for the City of Paris, receive bids, and possibly act on consulting services for strategic plan services. Deputy City Manager Rob Vine said City Council directed staff to speak with consultants about conducting a workshop for the purpose of creating a Strategic Plan for the City. Mr. Vine said he reached out to different consultants and had obtained two proposals for consideration, one was from Engage Solutions Group and the other was Ron Cox Consulting. Mr. Vine said Shane Howard from Engage was at the meeting and introduced him. Council Member Putnam asked if they would be trying to include economics in the plans and Mr. Howard answered in the affirmative. Mr. Howard said he was leaning heavy on housing and workforce. Council Member Kessel inquired of Ms. Beverly and Mr. Vine the strength of both firms. Mr. Vine said both firms would add value, but Mr. Howard's plan was more comprehensive. On the other hand, he said Mr. Cox had been a city manager. Mr. Vine said for an additional fee, Mr. Cox could add an implementation plan and that Mr. Howard's proposal included the implementation plan. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage asked Mr. Vine if the 35% more for Mr. Howard was worth it. Mr. Vine said he personally thought it was because the City would be getting a lot more information. City Manager Rose Beverly agreed with Mr. Vine, citing the longer process would be better allowing City Council more time on-site.