03/17/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS March 17, 2014 The City Council of the City of Paris met for an special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2014, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas. 1 2 Present: Mayor: Council Members: City Staff- Absent: Council Member: Call meeting to order. A.J. Hashmi Billie Lancaster; John Wright; Richard Grossnickle; Matt Frierson; and Cleonne Drake John Godwin, City Manager; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; and Janice Ellis, City Clerk Aaron Jenkins Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Receive briefing and discuss various retail incentives, including Chapter 380 agreements, with the retail committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Hashmi said this meeting was requested by the Chamber of Commerce retail committee. Chairman Erik Roddy said the purpose of the committee was to encourage more local shopping and to partner with the City for retail recruitment. Mr. Roddy asked City Manager John Godwin to share his knowledge about retail recruitment. Mr. Godwin said 65% of the economy was retail. He emphasized with retail that fits Paris, you can bring money in from the outside helping to keep the tax rate low. Mr. Godwin said one of the tools available was 380 agreements as allowed by Title 12 Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code. He said that retail agreements between municipalities and the private sector gave a lot of flexibility, such as rebates for future sales tax. Mr. Godwin said for the most part contact should be made with developers instead of the actual businesses. He said when companies looked at a city they looked at code enforcement, housing, parks and restaurants. He said a policy was need as to what the City was willing and not willing to do. He also said it was important to know what we need, not so much what we want. Mr. Godwin said a retail consultant with experience would be an asset. J.D. Davidson said this was not a job for the chamber alone and they wanted input from the Council. Several committee members stated they wanted to make sure current businesses do well and they were aware of gaps in retail. Jeff Martin said the Chamber does not have the funds to move forward with retail development. Council Member Wright said he likes the approach of contacting developers. Council Member Lancaster said they needed to recruit a motivational consultant. Council Member Grossnickle cited Mr. Godwin's retail experience and that he might know an experienced consultant. Council Member Drake said a policy was needed and thought they should learn why and how to keep current businesses from leaving Paris. Council Member Frierson said retail was an important feature to the economy. Mayor Hashmi said he did not want to see the 380 agreement used for a competitor of an existing business, because that would