10/09/2012 MINUTESParis Economic Development Corporation
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2012
Board Members
Present: Doug Wehrman, Chairman
Bruce Carr
Kenny Dority
Bill Harris
Toni Clem (joined at 3:06 p.m.)
Staff Steve Gilbert, Paris EDC
Present: Shannon Barrentine, Paris EDC
Ex- officio Members Guest(s)
Present: Melissa Cook, Present:
President/CEO Chamber of Commerce
Legal
Counsel: Kent McIlyar
City Council
Liaison: Matt Frierson
Connie Beard, The Paris News
Doug Wehrman, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. He welcomed those present.
Minutes from September 13, 2012, Regular Board meeting were reviewed. Bill Harris made a
motion that the Minutes be approved, as submitted; seconded by Kenny Dority. Motion Carried 4 -0.
Financials for August, 2012 were reviewed. Kenny Dority made a motion to approve the
Financials, as submitted; seconded by Bruce Carr. Motion Carried 4 -0.
Note: Toni Clem joined the meeting.
Steve Gilbert gave an overview of the following:
• Trip to Austin to get with EDA staff to review grant application for Incubator.
• Year in Review for the Paris EDC (Business Plan Implementation, Successful Deals Landed and
Projects in Pipeline).
• Notes from the Diversity Implementation Working Group on September 6th listing future actions.
• Paris Regional Medical Center's Capital Investment and Its Impact on the Paris community.
• Red River Region Business Incubator Director's Report.
• Last week of October is Industry Appreciation Week. The Paris EDC will provide breakfast to four
different industries on Monday through Thursday. Then on Friday, the 3rd Annual Industry
Appreciation Event will be at Wild Cat Creek Quail Resort.
• Doug Wehrman, Toni Clem, Shannon Barrentine & Steve Gilbert verbally gave their report on
their take away from the IEDC Conference they attended in Houston on September 30th through
October 3, 2012.
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2012
Discussion and possible action regarding the Tax Abatement Request by Paris Regional Medical
Center. Steve Gilbert told those present that the Abatement Policies and Criteria require the Board to
officially approve the recommendations of any /all tax abatement requests by business and industry. He
added that the City Council held a public hearing on the tax abatement request by Paris Regional Medical
Center for $27.2M for North and South Campus locations on Monday October 8, 2012 and approved the
request. Steve thanked Kent McIlyar for his assistance in making this happen. The Tax Abatement will be
considered at Lamar County Commissioner's Court and Paris Jr. College Board of Regents on October 22,
2012.
Motion was made by Bill Harris to recommend approval of the $27.2M Tax Abatement by Paris Regional
Medical Center; seconded by Bruce Carr. Motion Carried 5 -0.
Update regarding the site ready Request for Qualifications submitted by area engineering firms.
Steve Gilbert told those present that Bruce Carr and Toni Clem had reviewed and rated the seven firms
that submitted an RFQ. Don Wilson and Rick Poston had been given the information on the RFQs and
will assess the firms, form a short list of four firms that have been vetted to be capable of achieving a
scope of work in a short timeline. This would then enable the Paris EDC to get a timeline and cost for
engineering work for a potential prospect at our site ready locations. No action was taken on this item.
Discussion and Possible action of the revised Personnel Manual for the Paris EDC. Chairman
Wehrman said he had gotten with Toni Clem to make amendments to the proposed manual. But, due to
time constraints he wasn't ready to submit for adoption yet. No action was taken on this item.
The Board convened into executive session at 3:46 p.m. pursuant to Section 551.072 and Section
551.087 of the Texas Government Code to discuss and deliberate on the following:
A. Section 551.072 — Real Property
B. Section 551.087 — Economic Development Negotiations
Executive session ended at 5:10 p.m. The Board reconvened into open session. There was no
action as a result of executive session.
There being no further business, Toni Clem made a motion to adjourn at 5:11 p.m.; seconded by
Kenny Dority. Motion Carried 5 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannon Barrentine
Asst. Executive Director, Paris EDC
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