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Regular Council Meeting January 23, 2012 Page 5 1450 taking of a private property was in violation of the Texas Constitution, even though it was dilapidated and a hazardous property. Unless an independent court that has never heard or seen the case hears it and makes. a determination, the ruling would be in violation of the Texas Constitution and Texas State Law. Mr. McIlyar clarified that he had never instructed the Building and Standards Commission to stop conducting meetings or hearings, as the Commission performed other functions that were beneficial to the City, other than issuance of demolition orders. Mr. McIlyar answered questions from City Council regarding filing suit in County and District Courts, obtaining judgments against property owners and execution of same. Council Member Pickle said he thought if the City got several judgments against property owners, he thought in the future people would start taking care of their business. Council Member Frierson inquired if these property owners were being fined for non - compliance. Mr. Anderson said he was not aware of any fines being collected. Mr. Anderson said that the Committee appointed by the Mayor was going to look at all of the issues and develop a plan. Council Member Pickle said he would like to a see monthly report on the properties similar to the monthly ditch maintenance report. 10. Mayor's Report on road improvements in the City of Paris. Mayor Hashmi said he was allotted the task of road improvements and that he had a brief report and suggestions. He said his objective was to educate everyone in future planning needs of the City as related to roadways and infrastructure. He said a large amount of money must be allocated for improvements, so it was doubtful they would be able to do everything at one time. Mayor Hashmi said there was about 325 miles of roads in the City of Paris. He gave the history of the roads being constructed first as dirt and gravel, later brick, then to concrete and finally asphalt. He also said most of the infrastructure especially in the older parts of town was laid under the roads and under dwellings with no concept of right -of -ways. Mayor Hashmi said to progress it would require a systematic evaluation and analysis, specifically one needs to have historical findings; look at the infrastructure as economic development; select products and lines based on the economy; determine the timing to undertake and complete the objectives; periodically review the progress and successes. He said from 1994 to 1998, money was allocated for street overlay that was done from bond money and since then there had been no allocation of funds for similar expenses. Mayor Hashmi said a more serious problem was the rapidly deteriorating underground water and sewer pipes, some of which were put in place fifty, sixty or even one - hundred years ago. He proposed that the City begin using a portion of the economic development money each year for repair and replacement of infrastructure, because without infrastructure there would be no economic development. Mayor Hashmi said maintaining city streets included hot oil chip seal, emulsion type sealing and asphalt overlay. He said the asphalt overlay was the best product, longest lasting, reduced traffic noise, lowest maintenance cost, had the ability to take heavy loads and required no bidding, because it could be included in the contract used by the County and TxDOT, but it was the most expensive, required outside contractors and frequently required ground preparation. Mayor Hashmi said the hot oil chip seal cost less, good for resurfacing as part of a regular maintenance program, it sealed cracks on old roadways, roads could be opened rather quickly after application and