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Regular City Council Meeting <br />January 12 , 2004 <br />Page 8 <br />Mr. Vest said it was a legislative year and they spent a lot of time working with <br />the Legislature, trying to preserve and protect the 4-A sales tax which is what <br />gives Paris Economic Development Corporation its funding. Mark Homer’s <br />bill No. 2912 passed the Legislature. This bill defines what projects they can <br />do and what kinds of projects economic development corporations can enter <br />into under the sales tax provision. <br />Mr. Vest was asked what prospects they had for the Industrial Park. Mr. Vest <br />said there was a tentative agreement with a distribution center but no contract <br />has been signed. It is a company out of Long Beach, California, and they are <br />waiting for the water and sewer to be constructed. Mr. Vest assured the <br />Council that all the easements had been cleared. Mr. Vest said that if the <br />Council approves the plat, then construction can begin tomorrow. <br />Earl Erickson came forward to present the 2003-2004 Lamar County <br />Leadership Class project for the year and ask for the Council’s endorsement <br />and support. <br />The project named “The Trail to Paris” is to provide an off road bicycle trail for <br />the children of Paris to safely ride on inside Loop 286. The location of the <br />project is the abandoned 2 and 3/4 mile Missouri-Pacific Railway Corridor that <br />th <br />begins at 8 S.E. Street and continues east to Loop 286. Activities on the trail <br />will include biking, walking, and jogging and it will be covered with asphalt. <br />It will be a safe route for bikers and walkers to take to school. The project will <br />be funded by donations of materials, time, equipment, and money from the <br />private sector. They have gotten permission to construct the trail from Greater <br />Paris Foundation, who has the deed to the property. They have a bridge which <br />th <br />has been donated to the city to cover a 100' wide drainage ditch between 8S.E. <br />th <br />and 12 S.E. Street. He asked the Council’s help to put in motion the proper <br />procedure to accept this donation at the appropriate time. He indicated that <br />when the project was completed, the 2003-2004 Lamar County Leadership <br />Class would donate it to the City of Paris. At that time, the Greater Paris <br />Foundation will offer the City a 99 year lease of the trail property for $1.00. <br />Mayor Fendley said the trail initially will be almost 3 miles, with future plans <br /> <br />