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Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2013 Page 6 on creating primary jobs, which was the foundation of economic development. She said the money from the people in this community must be wisely spent and PEDC must focus on getting primary jobs as required by law. John Lee, 2306 Simpson, he said he volunteered at the Incubator and they were in the business of helping people keep meaningful work and supplying services. Vic Ressler, 4020 Holbrook Street, he said he was a little perplexed why there was a discussion prior to receiving the opinion from the Texas Attorney General. He said he didn't know anyone that was unhappy with what they had gotten from the efforts of the PEDC. Jim Bell, 720 SE 39th, he suggested if anyone wanted to know about the history of the Incubator that they contact his wife, Pat Bell as she had worked extensively with the Incubator prior to retiring from P.J.C. Dan Smith, 5145 Amherst Court, he said was a past member of the PEDC Board and thought they should not be having a public discussion about this issue as it would hurt efforts to attract new industry or business to Paris. Mr. Smith said everyone needed to get on the same page and be speaking with one voice. Mayor Hashmi said he thought everyone did have the same goal and that was to improve the City. He said there wasn't a dispute that the Incubator was needed, but the only how it was funded. He said he supported the PEDC. PEDC Executive Steve Gilbert said the 10% cap under the law was related to marketing and so far the Incubator had nothing to do with that cap. He said Rickey Hayes Retail attractions contract was included in the 10% marketing cap and was within the 10% cap. Mr. Gilbert said the Board had a 3 -2 split vote on the PEDC budget. He said the Incubator was funded by PEDC, fundraisers and by private contributors and that it was true that not all of the companies that were in the Incubator hit the PEDC requirement of providing primary jobs and that PEDC would be looking at the cost allocation. Mr. Gilbert said no one wanted to do anything that was illegal and expressed concern about how this type of publicity would affect economic growth in Paris. He said the PEDC Board would work through this, would provide information, answer questions and would appreciate the support of City Council. Council Member Drake said she would like to see the City move forward with funding of the incubator, because she did not want anyone to lose their jobs. Council Member Frierson said the PEDC approved their budget, that this is what they needed and that he thought Council should support it. Council Member Grossnickle agreed with Dan Smith and said he did not think that the Council should publically question Mr. Gilbert's expertise. He said Mr. Gilbert had excellent expertise and that Council should pass the budget as submitted. Council Member Lancaster commended PEDC on their hard work, but she wanted to wait on the AG opinion. Council Member Jenkins said he did not understand the difference between the Incubator and PEDC, but thought PEDC was a good thing. Council Member Wright said he supported the Incubator and the PEDC; however, he had a problem with promising the citizens the money would be used for manufacturing jobs and then using it for other purposes. A Motion to approve the PEDC budget, as submitted was made by Council Member Frierson and seconded by Council Member Grossnickle. Motion failed, 2 ayes — 4 nays — 1 abstention, with Council Member Wright, Council Member Lancaster, Council Member Drake and Mayor Hashmi casting dissenting votes, and Council Member Jenkins abstaining from the vote. A Motion that the PEDC budget be returned to the Board with recommendations removing the Incubator and the retail effort be eliminated and that the City of Paris fund the Incubator in an amount not to exceed $89,000 for nine months was made by Council Member