10/19/1994 MINUTES 3
MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
October 19, 1994
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in a regular
meeting on Thursday, October 19, 1994, at 4:00 P.M., in the
City Hall, City Council Chambers, Paris, Texas. Chairman
Philip Cecil called the meeting to order with the following
board members present: Dick Amis, Curtis Fendley, and Leon
Williams. Also present were ex-officio board members, Don
Shelton, Deane Loughmiller, Ike Jewett (representing Gary
Cunningham), Bobby Walters, Gary Vest, Economic Development
Director, and Michael E. Malone, City Manager.
Mr. Cecil stated that the first item on the agenda was approval
of the minutes from the previous meeting of the Paris Economic
Development Corporation. He asked if there were any
corrections or additions to the minutes of the previous meeting
and there being none the minutes stood approved as received.
64
Chairman Cecil asked Mr. Anderson, Finance Director, to go over
the financial report. Mr. Anderson stated that the report the
Board had received ended September 30, 1994. He said the
Board normally receives a report which ends on the current
date. Mr. Anderson stated that September is the end of the
City's fiscal year, and the City is still in the closeout
process which means he cannot get into October to print
information until the closeout process is completed. He said
this report is updated, but it is not as current as the report
the Board normally receives. Mr. Anderson stated he would be
glad to answer any questions regarding this report. After
discussion, Board member Amis made a motion, seconded by Board
member Fendley to approve the financial report as presented,
and the motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Cecil said he did not have a Chairman's report to give
at this time.
Chairman Cecil asked Mr. Vest to make his report. Mr. Vest
said he had attended the Texas International Reception since
the Board's last meeting. He said there was approximately
sixty foreign groups represented at the meeting. Mr. Vest said
he had received a detailed book at this meeting regarding Texas
and Paris is included in the East Texas Region. He said
several of the local companies are mentioned in this book. Mr.
Vest stated he was located in the East Texas booth at this
meeting and the companies visited the booth. He said they had
a lot of opportunities to visit with these individuals. He
said basically this activity was a matter of positioning Paris
as a point of contact. He said he had sent letters to all the
individuals he had received business cards from with a Chamber
Directory for newcomers and invitations for visits to Paris.
Mr. Vest stated that in reviewing the Program of Work there was
discussion regarding the spec building. He said he had
received an inquiry from Lone Star Gas on October 11. He said
this was a typical inquiry which referred to the availability
of a building. He said to get any further in the process a
building was needed. He said this lead came from the
Department of Commerce and then through Lone Star Gas. He said
T. U. Electric also received the same lead, but T.U. Electric
did not refer the lead because there was no building
available. He said he would like to reemphasize the need to
have some type facility to get into some of the site searches.
Chairman Cecil questioned if there were any buildings available
in Paris for industrial prospects. Mr. Vest said the only
industrial type building that he had in the portfolio at the
present time was the building Superior Technology has, and it
is currently occupied. Mr. Vest said he had one building that
the owner will allow them to show, but he does not want
advertised and shown unless someone is serious. Chairman Cecil
said there is a possibility that they might be able to identify
other potential sites that are under utilized.
Mr. Vest said he would also like to discuss the retention
expansion visits to local industries. He said he had devised a
questionnaire to be used in these visits to help us stay
updated on local industry and to develop prospects through
their suppliers. He said he would like for the Board to look
over the questionnaire and let him know any changes needed in
the format. Mr. Vest said information from this form will be
used to keep the manufacturing directory updated. Mr. Vest
stated he hoped to make a visit next month. He said he would
try to schedule visits in advance and have a schedule available
in order that Board members could adjust their schedules to
attend these visits.
5
Chairman Cecil questioned Mr. vest as to what had occurred in
connection with the We Craft proposition. Mr. Vest said that
Mr. Ridley Briggs with Nations Bank stated they had approved it
on a local basis, but he had to have some sort of regional
approval, but he expected the proposition to be approved.
Chairman Cecil asked if there was any other business and there
being none he declared the board meeting adjourned.
CHAIRMAN PHILIP CECIL
ATTEST:
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK,BARBARA DENNY