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6'3 <br />MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br />January 13, 1983 <br />The City Council of the City of Paris met in special session, Thursday, <br />January 13, 1983 at 5:15 P. M. Mayor Graham called the meeting to <br />order with the following Councilmen present: George Fisher, Jr., <br />Larry McGee, Gene McWaters, Jr., and Walter F. Williams. Also <br />present were Acting City Manager, H. C. Greene, City Attorney, T. K. <br />Haynes, and Acting City Clerk, Joe N. McCollum. <br />Mayor Graham announced the purpose of the meeting was to discuss <br />Traffic Code definitions relative to parking, driveways, and sidewalks. <br />He said that since the Council's decision, at the Monday night meeting, <br />to strictly enforce the existing Ordinance, he had received numerous <br />telephone calls from persons ticketed for partially and temporarily <br />blocking sidewalks. <br />City Attorney Haynes reviewed the particular definitions in the Code <br />and stated that previous interpretation had been as follows: If a <br />vehicle was parked in a driveway approach, across a sidewalk area, <br />and left sufficient opening for pedestrian traffic, then no violation <br />was considered to have occured. <br />Councilman Williams stated his recollection on the matter was that <br />the use of common sense judgement was the intent of the Council <br />directive to staff. <br />Mayor Graham stated he felt enforcement in this area should be left <br />to the discretion of the police officer. <br />Freddie Swaim, Swaim Hardware, addressed the Council suggesting that <br />this was nit picking and that they should let people carry on business <br />or continue as is and run them out of business. <br />Following discussion, Councilman McGee made a motion to allow police <br />officer discretion in this matter and to dismiss unfounded tickets <br />which had been issued in the last few days. Councilman McWaters <br />seconded the motion which carried 3 ayes, 2 nays. Councilman Fisher <br />and Councilman Williams voted nay. <br />Police Chief Whitley requested permission to address the Council and <br />assured them that his officers had not acted in a vindective manner <br />in the carrying out of what he thought was Council and Management <br />directive relative to the parking situation in the downtown area. <br />There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. <br />JOE GRAHAM, MAYOR <br />ATTEST: <br />JOE N. MCCOLLUM, ACTING CITY CLERK <br />