06-APRIL AND MAY MINUTES FROM P&Z, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMM, AIRPORT ADVISORY BD, PARIS PUBLIC LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD, PEDC, BUILDING & STANDARDS COMM

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PEDC Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2012 Discussion and aossible action to consider apqroval of a Resolution in suqport of the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Grant Apqlication seeking $715 000 in Federal fundinp- over a three vear period through the U S Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the U.S. Denartment of Ap_riculture (DSDA) The Paris EDC will qrovide matching funds through our 3-Year Business Plan. Fred Green addressed those present stating that the Paris EDC's Business Plaii was right on target with what the Federal Government wants to be doing regionally. The Grant Application has been divided up between all staff ineinbers as to accomplish the quick turnaround. Documentation to have a Resolution of support reviewed by the Ark-Tex COG has been done and will be on their April 26, 2012 Board meeting Agenda. This funding opportunity was ideiitified as a direct result of our Trade Mission to Austin. With Richard Seline's assistance we now have contacts in the USDA and EDA State aiid regional offices. The Paris EDC will implement the Business Plan with current sources of fundiiig that will be spent in Paris. No local funding will be spent to implement any regional iiiitiatives. For instance, 40% of the grant funding will be spent in Paris with 60% of the grant funding being spent on the regional initiatives. The regional service area is tlle same as that of Paris Junior College and the SBDC with the exception of TAMU-Commerce. Bruce Carr made a motion to table approval of the Resolution for the Grant deferred to a future special called meeting with the understanding to Ark-Tex COG that the Paris EDC could withdraw the optioii to apply for the grant funding; secoiided by Doug Wehrman. Motion Carried 3-0. Bruce Carr recognized Shannon Barreiitine for her logistics skills in putting together the Trade Missions. He thanked Pike Burkhart for his work on the Board. He respected Pike's opinion in his statement for not seeking reappointment, but didn't necessarily agree with it and wanted to make sure that Pike's stateinent/feelings weren't those of the Paris EDC Board, but of his own choosing. Doug Wehrman thanked Pike Burkhart for his past service to the cominunity and Paris EDC Board, serving as Chairman. He admired Pike's opinion, but didii't necessarily agree with the statement towards the Mayor and wanted to also be clear that Pike's statement was his own and not that of the Paris EDC Board. He added that the Paris EDC Board waiits to work with the Paris City Council to further industry recruitment and retention for the betterment of the community. Bruce Carr added that progress with existing industry is proven through their capital investment and doesn't necessarily mean more jobs added. There is a mis-guided view of what "success" and "failure" is as it pertains to economic development. The Paris EDC Board and staff need to tell the story by publishing articles showing the value of what the Paris EDC does behind the scenes, i.e., target industries looking for Paris type of assets, informing Austin of legislative support pertaining to education and technical skills, etc. The Board convened into executive session at 4:00 p.m. pursuant to Section 551.072, and Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code to discuss and deliberate on the following: A. Section 551.072 - Real Property B. Section 551.087 - Economic Development Negotiations Executive session ended at 6:14 p.m. The Board reconvened into open session. There was no action as a result of executive session discussion. 22