01/11/2017MINUTES OF THE EMERGENCY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
January 11, 2017
The City Council for the City of Paris met for an emergency meeting at 5:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor:
Council Members:
City Staff-
Absent: Council Member:
1. Call meeting to order.
A.J. Hashmi
Billie Lancaster; Aaron Jenkins; Billy Trenado;
Steve Clifford; and Cleonne Drake
John Godwin, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Katriana Wright, Deputy City Clerk;
Carla Easton, City Engineer
Matt Frierson
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive legal advice from the City Attorney about
pending or contemplated litigation and/or on matters in which the duty of an attorney to
her client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of
Texas clearly conflict with this chapter as follows: First National Bank Building, 104
Bonham St.
Mayor Hashmi convened City Council into executive session at 5:01 p.m.
3. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Hashmi reconvened City Council into open session at 5:27 p.m. He said attorney
advice was sought on a letter received from the engineering firm that was hired by the city in
reference to 104 Bonham Street.
Mayor Hashmi read part of the letter sent by the engineering firm and stated that anyone who
wished to obtain a copy could request a copy from the city. He specifically referred to the
engineer's recommendation: "We recommend that the brick on the west wall be removed above
a level of approximately the fourth floor, as soon as possible, due to risk of collapse." Mayor
Hashmi said he felt it was necessary to call this meeting because of health and safety concerns
for the residents, and the community. He said this was a very travelled street and again
expressed concern about the risk of the building falling. Mayor Hashmi said the city had already
taken some precautions by placing a fencing around the building, but he felt at this point that the
electricity to the building should be turned off and the owner be asked to fix the problem at the
earliest possible time. Council Member Lancaster said she felt it was important they handle the
safety of the building and from what she had read in the report, it was too dangerous. She said
they could not risk the citizens' lives or their well- being, and she thought the electricity should
be turned off so the repairs could start immediately. Council Member Jenkins agreed with
Mayor Hashmi and Council Member Lancaster. Council Member Trenado said safety was first
and they had to protect the community. He said this had gone on long enough. Council Member
Clifford also said this had gone on long enough and there was a risk that someone was going to
get hurt. Council Member Clifford also said the building was a part of the history of Paris and to
allow it to fall down they would be a loss of a major landmark. He reiterated safety of the
citizens was the number one concern. Council Member Drake said the safety and well -being of
citizens and the public was their first concern. She said it was time to cut off the electricity and
let the owner make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
A Motion to allow the mayor to sign a letter for termination of electricity and send a letter to
the owner of the building that repairs be started at the earliest, so that the safety and health of the
residents of the community was not jeopardized was made by Mayor Hashmi and seconded by
Council Member Lancaster. Motion carried with 6 ayes — 0 nays.
4. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Hashmi and
seconded by Council Member Drake. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 5:32 p. m.