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Regular Council Meeting <br />June 24, 2013 <br />Page 3 <br />EXECUTION OF ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR ACCEPTANCE <br />AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID GRANT UPON NOTICE THEREOF; MAKING <br />OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND <br />PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />Chief Hundley said this year's application was in the amount of $12,181.00 and would be <br />divided between the Paris Police Department and Lamar County Sheriffs Department. He said <br />the grant money would be used for equipment. <br />Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in <br />support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor <br />Hashmi closed the public hearing. <br />A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Drake and seconded by <br />Council Member Wright. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. <br />13. Receive presentation from the Residential Housing Committee. <br />Jim Bell recognized committee members Sims Norment, Vic Ressler, Gene McWaters, <br />Wayne Brown, and Greg Wilson. He also recognized City Council Member John Wright, City <br />Council Member Sue Lancaster, City Engineer Shawn Napier, and City Building Official Joe <br />Sleeper. Mr. Bell explained their charge was to review options for attracting or encouraging <br />more people to locate within the City limits. Mr. Bell reviewed the Paris economy for the last <br />six years, gave an observation that the population of the City and the rest of Lamar County were <br />evenly divided, and that housing sales were also evenly divided. Mr. Bell stated that taxes were <br />not a significant factor in making a decision of whether to locate in the City or not and added that <br />the City staff was recognized for improvement in operations over the past year. He said areas in <br />the City should be targeted for redevelopment and incentives included. Mr. Bell added that the <br />City had taken a giant step in improving and repairing sewer lines. In concluding his <br />presentation, Mr. Bell said it was important that the taxing districts and service districts of Paris <br />Junior College and Paris Independent School District join the City in selling Paris to those <br />considering locating here. Mr. Bell said that there were older homes in Paris, which offered <br />larger living spaces. He added new homes cost more but often had the advantage of being more <br />energy efficient and less costly to maintain. Mr. Bell said they needed to insure there was a <br />supply of both. He said the City had reduced the tax rate over the last several years and that was <br />a positive. He said the City was improving the streets, which was also positive. In closing, Mr. <br />Bell said everyone needed to sell the City and its advantages in order to create demand and the <br />development would follow. <br />14. Discuss and act on A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY <br />OF PARIS, TEXAS, AND THE LAMAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT <br />APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE PARIS - LAMAR COUNTY BOARD OF <br />HEALTH; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE <br />SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />