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Regular Council Meeting <br />August 26, 2013 <br />Page 3 <br />Regular Agenda <br />11. Presentation by Dr. Hashmi and Patti Clement regarding travel in the City of Paris for <br />those who are sight impaired. <br />Mayor Hashmi said he requested this item, because he was influenced by Ms. Clement's <br />description of travel of blind people in the City. Patti Clement explained that she was an <br />orientation and mobility specialist. She said that she taught people to safely and efficiently travel <br />through their environment, and that Lamar County had the highest percentage of blind and low <br />vision people in all of the surrounding counties. Mayor Hashmi told Ms. Clement if she had <br />suggestions in helping blind persons that City Council would be glad to review those <br />suggestions. <br />12. Conduct a public hearing on the City Manager's proposed Budget for fiscal year 2013- <br />2014. <br />Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about <br />this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Hashmi closed the public <br />hearing. <br />13. Discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 -2014. <br />Other than items discussed during the budget workshop, Finance Director Gene Anderson <br />inquired if there was anything else in the proposed budget that Council wanted to change. Mr. <br />Anderson explained there would have to be a public hearing on proposed increases. Mayor <br />Hashmi said he would like additional time and if needed, they would call a special meeting. <br />Council Member Wright said he also wanted additional time, specifically to review contracting <br />with Hiring Partners for over $280,000 and the possibility of bidding. Council Members Jenkins <br />and Lancaster both said they would like additional time. Council Member Grossnickle inquired <br />about the possibility of funding the Civic Center and Sports Complex parking lot repairs. Mr. <br />Anderson said he had brought that request to Council, as well as the request for additional repairs <br />on the Trail, but no action had been taken. Mr. Anderson said the increases were for one mower, <br />one defibrillator, the tool allowance, the Incubator, and a retail recruitment item. He also said the <br />salary for the city planner was not included in the original budget numbers, which was <br />discovered this last week. Mr. Anderson said he added that to the list and decreased some other <br />items so that it was budget neutral. Council Member Grossnickle said he thought additional <br />bathrooms at the fairgrounds needed to be considered and suggested they look at the estimates. <br />Mr. Anderson said the general fund was really tight and the Council did have the option to dip <br />into reserves for part of that. He also said there was money in the water and sewer fund and that <br />they might be able to fund the City's portion from that for running any necessary water or sewer <br />lines to that point and any plumbing related items in the existing budget. Mr. Anderson said he <br />was not proposing to dip into reserves. Council Members Frierson and Grossnickle said they <br />would also like additional time. Council Member Wright said he was not a proponent of deficit <br />spending. <br />