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1995-03-23-Minutes99 MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION March 23, 1995 The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in a regular meeting on Thursday, March 23, 1995, at 4:00 P.M., in the City Hall North Annex, Fire Training Room, Paris, Texas. Chairman Philip Cecil called the meeting to order with the following board members present: Dick Amis, Curtis Fendley, Leon Williams, and Barney Bray. Also present were ex-officio board members, Ike Jewett (representing Gary Cunningham), Bobby Walters, Bill Vaughan, Gary Vest, Economic Development Director, Michael E. Malone, City Manager and T. K. Haynes, City Attorney as Counselor. 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 they stood approved as presented Chairman Cecil asked Mr. Anderson to give the financial report. Mr. Anderson gave the report. Boardmember Bray made a motion which was seconded by Boardmember Amis, to approve the financial report as presented which carried unanimously. Chairman Cecil asked Mr. Vest to make his report. Mr. Vest advised he is currently working with six prospects and briefly discussed these prospects. He gave boardmember copies of a newspaper article he thought might be of interest. Chairman Cecil called for questions regarding Mr. Vest's report and there was none. Chairman Cecil stated that at the last meeting the Board had instructed City Engineer, Earl Smith, to look at the street that goes from 19th Street N.W. westward to the T & K Plant and to provide cost estimates to improve that road. City Engineer Smith said he had prepared a report which he assumed had been furnished to the boardmembers. Mr. Smith said that two streets exist in that area. He said one of the streets is Park Street and the other is a street that serves as an entrance to T & K Industries. Mr. Smith said he had researched and determined that the City had sold off some highway frontage and wound up keeping 108 feet. He said he assumed that Park Street probably existed all the time, and when T & K Industry came in they built their own drive. Mr. Smith said it appears to be City property from researching the information available. He said the 108 feet contains both Park Street and the driveway. He said that considering that these were City property, he designed a street that would meet City ordinances. He said that the City Ordinance requires that these streets be concrete, and he did an analysis arriving at an 8" reinforced concrete pavement. He said that, in accordance with the ordinance, he felt that 39 feet would be the appropriate width to use for an industrial park due to the possibility of substantial truck traffic. City Engineer Smith stated that subsequent to the report a committee meeting was held on the building, and it was indicated that a concrete street was not really what we they were interested in at this point. He said he looked at the street again and he felt that the existing street for T & K Industries could be repaired by making some spot repairs, putting down an asphalt leveler, and putting a seal coat surface on the street which is a typical city street. He said Mr. Westbrooks indicated to him that they probably have three to five trucks per day which is not substantial truck traffic. Mr. Smith said he felt they could probably get a suitable pavement which would be presentable for an estimated cost of no more than $25,000.00. Mr. Smith said there is not any additional curb and gutter included in the cost estimate. 100 City Attorney Haynes questioned Mr. Smith as to the storm drainage in the area. Mr. Smith said there is a problem of storm drainage in the area due to flatness, and it is going to be difficult to provide any type of drainage until the street is built at the proper elevation. Chairman Cecil asked Mr. Smith, considering the drainage problem that Mr. Haynes has noted, what the life expectancy of such a street repair would be, and he said that under the best conditions you are not going to experience any more than five to seven years. He said that is typically what we believe that we can get out of that type street. Chairman Cecil said that the road looks bad and the question the board is facing is whether they want to spend $285,000.00 to correct the problem for the next fifteen or twenty years or to spend $25,000.00 to accommodate T & K Industry over a more temporary period of time. Chairman Cecil noted this was an action item on the agenda. After discussion, Boardmember Bray stated that for the cost difference of the two jobs versus the benefit or use of the two different type streets, he felt our money right now would be better spent in a project like the building. He said that later, if industry comes in on the front and we get to develop the back, that it would be the time then to look at concreting the street. Boardmember Bray made a motion that they proceed with the "P.E.D.C. Improvements to Industrial Drive, 1995," Project to facilitate the improvement of the street in the estimated amount of $25,0000.00, which was seconded by Boardmember Amis. Resolution No. 95-003, authorizing and directing the City perform the construction of "P.E.D.C. Improvements to Industrial Drive, 1995" Project to facilitate the improvement of the street in the estimated amount of $25,0000.00. The motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 95-003 WHEREAS, the Pace Group did, in its Business Retention Survey and Flexible Incentive Plan for the City of Paris, dated May 12, 1994, bring to the attention of the Paris Economic Development Corporation the condition of the access road to T & K Machine, Inc.; and, WtIEREAS, the Site Selection Committee, on a recent tour of sites, inspected the condition of the access road and found that it was barely passable; and, WHEREAS, T & K Machine, Inc. is an important industry to the City of Paris which attracts many out of town customers, and it would be beneficial to the PEDC that the access road be in good condition; and, WHEREAS, it is deemed appropriate that the Paris Economic Development Corporation make the necessary improvements to the access road to T & K Machine, Inc., for the project entitled "PEDC hnprovements to Industrial Drive, 1995", up to the amount of $25,000.00; and, BE lT RESOLVED BY THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, that the improvements to the access road to T & K Machine, Inc., for the project entitled "PEDC Improvements to Industrial Drive, 1995", up to the amount of $25,000.00, be, and the same are hereby, approved; and, 101 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the project entitled "PEDC Improvements to Industrial Drive, 1995', up to the amount of $25,000.00, is hereby authorized to be funded from the Paris Economic Development Corporation Undesignated Fund Balance; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President, Philip R. Cecil, be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to, in accordance with Section 4.13 of the Bylaws of the Paris Economic Development Corporation, request that the City perform the construction of "PEDC Improvements to lndustrial Drive, 1995", by delivering a copy of this resolution to the City Manager of the City of Paris, Michael E. Malone. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March, 1995. R. Cecil, President ATTEST: Richard M. Amis, Secretary-Treasurer APPROVED AS TO FORM: T. K. Haynes , City Attorney City Attorney said if the City got into the project and the cost was more than the estimated amount of $25,000.00, they would bring it before the board at that time. Chairman Cecil called for Boardmember Dick Amis to give his report regarding negotiations for site selection for the model building. Boardmember Amis said the Paris Industrial Foundation had met with them and the negotiations were still continuing, but they have some general agreement on the ten acre tract. He said the negotiations are at a point where the Industrial Foundation Executive Committee has been authorized to continue negotiating with us subject to an appraisal, being paid the appraisal price, and a new survey to get the corners marked properly. Mr. Amis said they need to move with them to get the appraisal made to determine the actual dollars, and he said he would like to report of their agreement to sell at an appraised price. After discussion by the Boardmembers, Chairman Cecil stated if the boardmembers were in agreement on the site, and the purchase of the site under the terms that Mr. Amis and the committee have worked out with the Industrial Foundation, then it would be appropriate for someone to make a motion to approve the resolution that identifies that transaction in general and allows the Board to proceed. Boardmember Fendley made a motion which was seconded by Boardmember Bray. Resolution No. 95-004, approving the general terms of the agreement negotiated by the Site Selection Committee with the Paris Industrial Foundation for approximately 10 acres fronting on Loop 286 N.W., west of and adjacent to Superior Switchboard, to be purchased at the appraised value after completion of a survey and appraisal, and that the final approval of the purchase of said property be done by resolution executed in accordance with Section 5.06 of the Bylaws of the Paris Economic Development Corporation. The motion carried unanimously. 102 RESOLUTION NO. 95-004 WHEREAS, the Paris Economic Development Corporation did heretofore, at its January 11, 1995, meeting, deem it appropriate, desirab!e and essential to our economic development effort that a model building be built for prospective industries to tour when deciding whether to choose the Paris area as a possible location for doing business; and, WHEREAS, the Site Selection Committee did heretofore, at the February 15, 1995, meeting of the PEDC, recommend that the model building be constructed on approximately I0 acres fronting on Loop 286 N.W., west of and adjacent to Superior Switchboard; and, WHEREAS, the Paris Economic Development Corporation did heretofore, on the 15th day of February, 1995, instruct the Site Selection Committee to proceed with negotiations with the Paris Industrial Fouudation for the purchase of said l0 acre tract; and, WHEREAS, it would be appropriate that the Paris Economic Development Corporation approve the general terms of the agreement negotiated by the Site Selection Committee with the Paris Industrial Foundation for approximately 10 acres fronting on Loop 286 N.W., west of and adjacent to Superior Switchboard, which is to be purchased at the appraised Value after a survey and appraisal of said tract have been completed; and, WHEREAS, it would also be appropriate that the final approval of the purchase of said property be by resolution, executed in accordance with Section 5.06 of the Bylaws of the Paris Economic Development Corporation, so as not to delay the project after the site bas been surveyed and appraised; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, that the general terrns of the agreement negotiated by the Site Selection Committee with the Paris Industrial Foundation for approximately I0 acres fronting on Loop 286 N.W., west of and adjacent to Superior Switchboard, to be purchased at the appraised value after completion of a survey and appraisal, be, and the same are hereby, approved; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final approval of the purchase of said property be done by resolution executed in accordance with Section 5.06 of the Bylaws of the Paris Economic Development Corporation. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March, 1994. Philip R. Cecil, President ATTEST: Richard M. Amis, Secretary-Treasurer APPROVED AS TO FORM: T. K. Haynes, City Attorney 103 Chairman Cecil asked Boardmember Amis and the committee to proceed with obtaining an appraiser on the site. Boardmember Amis advised that the Industrial Foundation had decided to use the sales proceeds to clean up the remainder of the property. Chairman Cecil stated that the next item on the agenda was consideration and action on reimbursing the Paris/Lamar County Chamber of Commerce for expenses expended in connection with its presentation to the Texas Transportation Commission -- concerning the Green Carpet Memorial Route in Longview, Texas. Mr. Cecil stated the Board had approved in general a payment of approximately $3,000.00 to facilitate the meeting with the Highway Commission by the committee of the Chamber of Commerce. He advised that exact bill was $3,079.46 and the Chamber has made that payment and asked for reimbursement. Resolution No. 95-005, authorizing and directing the Director of Finance to prepare a check in the amount of $3,079.46 to reimburse the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce for expenses incurred in connection with its promotion of the Green Carpet Memorial Route and its presentation to the Texas Department of Transportation Commission in Longview on February 23, 1995. Boardmember Leon Williams made a motion, seconded by Boardmember Barney Bray adopting Resolution No. 95-005, which carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 95-005 WHEREAS, the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, through its affiliation with the East Texas Gulf Highway Association, made a presentation concerning the Green Carpet Memorial Route, requesting the expansion of U.S. Highway 271 from a 2-lane to a 4-lane roadway, to the Texas Department of Transportation Commission in Longview on February 23, 1995; and, WHEREAS, the Green Carpet Memorial Route is a network of highways that provides the most direct and scenic route from the Gulf Coast and the Port of Houston to the Midwest and Canada via Tulsa and the Indian Nation Turnpike, and it provides a viable alternative for the overload of freight and traffic moving along 1-35 and 1-45; and, WHEREAS, the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, has brought new significance to the Green Carpet Memorial Route through increased traffic from Mexico, making the Route a vital link to the Midwestern United States and Canada; and, WHEREAS, the economic development of Northeast Texas is dependent upon the development of this direct route to the Gulf Coast; and, WHEREAS, it is deemed essential to our economic development effort that such expansion of U.S. Highway 271 be accomplished, and that the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce be reimbursed in the amount of $3,079.46 for expenses incurred in connection with its promotion of the Green Carpet Memorial Route and its presentation to the Texas Department of Transportation Commission in Longview on February 23, 1995; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, that the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce be reimbursed in the amount of $3,079.46 for expenses incurred in connection with its promotion of the Green Carpet Memorial Route and its presentation to the Texas Depamnent of Transportation Commission .in Longview on February 23, 1995; and. 104 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Finance, Gene Anderson, be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to prepare a check in the amount of $3,079.46 for appropriate execution and to transmit the same to the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March, 1995. Phillip R. Cecil, President ATTEST: Richard M. Amis, Secretary-Treasurer APPROVED AS TO FORM: T. K. Haynes, City Attorney Chairman Cecil questioned City Engineer, Earl Smith, about the design of the model building. Mr. Smith said he understood the criteria and what he understood they wanted was a building thirty-two foot high with no floor, no interior facilities and approximately 60,000 square feet. He said the building was to be rectangular and about twice as long as it was wide. He said the first option he looked at was 175 feet wide and 350 feet long which is equal to 61,250 square feet, and it was a clear span with no interior columns. He said the rough estimating cost on that building was $400,000.00. Mr. Smith said the other option he looked at was a building with interior columns. He said the second building option with the, interior columns turned out to be 185 feet wide by 350 feet long which was 63,000 square feet. He said this option cost estimate was $370,000.00. Mr. Smith said another option he looked at was using either one of those buildings, and for aesthetic purposes, using tilt up concrete panel walls for maintenance purposes. He said the building with interior columns was approximately $491,000.00, and the clear span building was approximately $521,000.00. He said after the committee was presented with the alternatives, he felt the clear span building would be the best option for the money. He said the clear span building lends itself to more activity on the inside of the building than the one with interior columns. He said he will be proceeding with that option and keep the Board informed as the design progresses. After discussion Chairman Cecil stated it was the consensus of the board that they wanted City Engineer Earl Smith to bring the design of the building before them when it is drawn for formal approval. Mr. Vest said that the committee had discussed the need of an all weather accessible drive to this facility, which to stay within the Code, had to be dust free, which probably relates to a hot topped drive. He said that when the building, the parking lot, etc., is actually finished, they will probably have to tear that out and put a new one in. He said the road would provide an all weather access to the building and make it very attractive. 05 Chairman Cecil asked City Engineer Smith about the utilities to the site. Mr. Smith said the $400,000.00 is only for the building and does not include any site work, drive, or utility extensions. Boardmember Bray said in the committee meeting, they discussed bringing the utilities only to the edge of the property in the summer when it would be cheaper. Chairman Cecil advised Mr. Smith that the Board looked forward, whenever the scheme of things is completed, for the Board's -- formal approval. City Attorney asked if the Board was talking about authorizing, at that same time, utilities to be done at the optimum time or were they thinking about holding off on the utilities completely? Chairman Cecil called for discussion from the boardmembers. Boardmember Bray said he was in agreement with Mr. Smith, that the flow line of the sewer is not as critical as if we had some twenty feet deep sewer, but we would surely want to do that in July and August, and the water line, if it's not raining, can wait. Mr. Bray said before they could get that building built, the utilities could be to the property and at that point in time, especially once someone is serious about it, you could get them water which is what they need first. Chairman Cecil said he felt the consensus of the Board was to delay the utilities until a later date and that this was not an immediate concern. Boardmember Bray said he felt that Mr. Smith could go ahead and draw up the design or plans if he had time. Mr. Bray said they would want to bring the sewer and water like it is on down through there, so if it was already shot to grade, manholes, etc., then all Mr. Smith would have to say is build it. Mr. Bray said that way we would not have to wait on anything, and Mr. Smith could work that in whenever. __ Chairman Cecil said he felt this was the consensus of the Board and he asked Mr. Smith if he understood and he said he understood. 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