1998-09-08-Minutes 378
MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
September 8, 1998
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in a special meeting on
Tuesday, September 8, 1998, at 4:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall,
Paris, Texas. President Mike Rhodes called the meeting to order with the
following boardmembers present: Dick Amis, Barney Bray, and Jay Guest. Also
present at this meeting were ex-officio boardmembers, Sims Norrnent, Mayor
Charles Neeley, Executive Director Gary Vest, City Manager Michael E. Malone
and City Attorney Scott Foster.
379
President Rhodes stated that the next 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 were none. Boardmember Barney Bray made a
motion, seconded by Boardmember Jay Guest, that the minutes be approved as
-- presented. The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes asked Gene Anderson, Director of Finance, to give the financial
report. Mr. Anderson gave the August report. President Rhodes asked if anyone
had any questions, and there were none. Boardmember Amis made a motion,
seconded by Boardmember Guest, that the financial report be approved as
presented. The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes mentioned the new billboard for the Paris Economic
Development Corporation was located on the Loop near Estes Chemical
Company.
President Rhodes asked Gary Vest to give the Director's Report. Mr. Vest
discussed responses received due to the advertising program and mentioned the
Texas Air Quality Coalition meeting held recently in Sherman. He said that he
had attended the first public meeting in Austin regarding the Texas Clean Air
Strategy Report, and discussed some of the items covered in this meeting. Mr.
Vest said that he had visited with personnel in Senator Ratliff's office, and was
informed that the Governor said if the science was not there to support what
T.N.R.C.C. wanted to do that he would not allow it to happen. Boardmember
__ Bray asked Mr. Vest if Senator Ratliff would give them a commitment. After
discussion by the Board, it was their consensus that a letter should be drafted by
Mr. Vest to our politicians and Senator Ratliff. Individual letters from the
Boardmembers requesting commitments should also be requested.
Mr. Vest discussed St. Joseph's Hospital bond projects and the tax abatement
extension for Campbell's Soup. Mr. Vest also stated that International Piping
Systems Project tested welders at the B&W Plant and fifty-three (53) welders
qualified by their standards. He said that this reflects well on the area workforce
and the next step is signing a contract and opening the plant. He said Paris
Junior College will be highly involved because there is going to be another group
of employees that can be trained for employment with International Piping
Systems.
President Rhodes stated that the next item on the agenda concerned the Board
making a recommendation on the bids received for approximately 1,300 L.F. of
paving and drainage improvements along Th Street S.W. Mr. Rhodes stated that
this is the street that comes off the Loop 286 to the back of the We Pack property.
He said that five bids had been received on this project. He asked Mr. Vest to
discuss this item. Mr. Vest stated that the lowest bid was from Stephens & Son in
the amount of $253,936.41. He said that this bid was based on the plans drawn
-- up for the project. After discussion of this item by the Board, Boardmember Dick
Amis made a motion, seconded by Boardmember Barney Bray, making a
recommendation to the City Council that the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder,
Stephens & Son in the amount of $253,936.41 for approximately 1,300 L.F. of
paving and drainage improvements along 7th Street S.W. The motion carried
unanimously.
380
President Rhodes asked if there was any other business and there being none he
declared the board meeting adjourned.
President Michael Rhodes
ATTEST:
Assistant City Clerk, Barbara Denny