09/06/2016MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
September 6, 2016
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
September 6, 2016, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: Billie Lancaster; Aaron Jenkins; Billy Trenado;
Steve Clifford; and Cleonne Drake
City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Katriana Wright, Deputy City Clerk;
Gene Anderson, Finance Director; Carla Easton,
City Engineer; Larry Wright, Fire Chief; Bob
Hundley, Police Chief; Kent Klinkerman, EMS
Director; Doug Harris, Utilities Director; Jerry
McDaniel, Public Works Director; and Clyde
Crews, Fire Marshal
Absent: City Council: Matt Frierson
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Conduct the first public hearing on the City's proposal to increase tax revenues from the
preceding tax year and to set the tax rate for 2016.
Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Hashmi closed the public
hearing.
3. Conduct a public hearing on the City Manager's proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-
2017.
Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. Larry Schenk, 3765 Dawn Drive, said he wanted to address
an issue that had been overlooked for too long. He said it had been at least a decade since the
city had approved a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for City retirees, and that he was not the
first one to bring this forward over the last several years. Mr. Schenk said he was talking about
the people who citizens called in the night because of a prowler or accident, the people who
picked up trash, made sure everyone had clean water, the people who kept the streets passable,
made the parks enjoyable and provided a library full of knowledge. Mr. Schenk reported that
many of the retirees were the people who in many instances spent the very essence of their
working lives, as much as 25 or 30 years, in dedicated public service to this community. Mr.
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September 6, 2016
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Schenk said it was past time to look upon City retirees as they would any other deserving entity
or asset and begin again the practice of COLA adjustments for retirees. With no one else
speaking, Mayor Hashmi closed the public hearing.
Mayor Hashmi inquired a time that Council could review the COLA for retirees. Mr.
Godwin said they could discuss it at their regular meeting on September 12 and then pointed out
the cost would be over a million dollars.
4. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2016 -030: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 -17; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Godwin explained that a public hearing was required on any amendments to the
budget and that the public hearing was scheduled for the September 19 special city council
meeting.
Mayor Hashmi inquired how the million dollar figure was reached for the retiree COLA.
Mr. Godwin explained that Mr. Anderson obtained the financial information from TMRS. Mr.
Anderson said if they went back and made the adjustments every year like they did in the past,
that the City's contribution would increase by $1,330,807 per year, which would provide an
annuity increase equal to 70% of the inflationary change since the last update. Mr. Anderson
further explained to provide a one -time raise for retirees at 70% would increase the annual costs
by $293,815 and if that inflationary percentage were reduced to 50 %, costs would be $212,336.
Mr. Anderson said the lowest inflationary percentage allowed by TMRS was 30% and that
would cost $146,907 each year. Mayor Hashmi inquired the amount each retiree would receive
should they make changes. Mr. Anderson said several factors would determine that such as age
and years of service. He also said that the City did not make that determination, but that TMRS
calculated those numbers.
Council Member Lancaster wanted to know the latest date they could add something to
the budget. Mr. Godwin said Monday.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Hashmi and seconded by Council
Members Clifford, Trenado and Lancaster. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
5. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Drake and was seconded by Council Members Clifford and Trenado. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0
nays. The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 p.m.
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September 6, 2016
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UE LANCASTER, MAYIOR PRO -TEM