1999-04-14-Minutes 444
MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
REGULAR MEETING
April 14, 1999
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in a regular meeting on
Wednesday, April 14, 1999, 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: Jay Guest, Barney Bray, and Dick Amis. Also,
present were ex-officio boardmembers Bobby Walters, Mayor Charles Neeley,
Chamber President George Struve, City Manager Michael E. Malone, Executive
Director Gary Vest, and City Attorney Scott Foster.
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 thers were none. Boardmember Dick Amis made a
motion, seconded by Boardmember Barney Bray, that the minutes be approved
as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes asked Gene Anderson, Director of Finance, to give the financial
report for the month of March. Mr. Anderson gave the financial report. Mr.
Anderson stated that he would be glad to answer any questions. Boardmember
Amis made a motion, seconded by Boardmember Bray, that the financial report
be approved as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes asked Gary Vest to give the Director's Report. Mr. Vest
discussed responses received due to the advertising program, and stated that he
had recently attended a meeting in Commerce concerning electric restructuring.
Mr. Vest also said that Turner International Piping Systems had received final
approval last week on the Enterprise Project designation. He said that they will
be eligible for the use tax on all the equipment, and they will receive a refund up
to $2,500.00 per job. He stated that they will receive a refund on franchise tax
paid with certain limitations.
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Mr. Vest stated that he had received confirmation from Senator Gramm's office
concerning the post office location remaining in the downtown Paris area.
Mr. Vest handed out information in connection with sixty-one (61) bills in the
legislature directly effecting the Paris Economic Development Corporation. He
-- said that the Paris Economic Development Corporation should support one
specific bill which relates to the 4-A, 4-B clean~up. He said that this bill is to
clarify some of the gray areas, and this bill will allow us to use our money for job
training. He also stated that Senate Bill 1074 would allow the Corporation an
exemption from the Open Meetings Act when dealing with prospects. Mr. Vest
said that this bill is for the orotecfion of the companies and prospects working
with the Corporation.
Mr. Vest said that there is an attempt through the Texas Economic Development
Council by the sales tax cities to form an organization called A.S.T.C. which
means Alliance of Sales Tax Cities whose purpose will be to preserve the
integrity of the Economic Development Sales Tax. He said that there was a
meeting last week setting up the structure for the organization and the dues. Mr.
Vest requested that the Board authorize the payment of $1,000.00 dues to this
organization. Boardmember Guest made a motion, seconded by Boardmember
Amis, authorizing the payment of $'1,000.00 dues to the organization, Alliance of
Sales Tax Cities, which carried unanimously.
Mr. Vest and the Board discussed the current status of T.N.R.C.C.'s Clean Air
Strategy.
President Rhodes stated the next item on the agenda was receipt of the annual
audit report for the Paris Economic Development Corporation for fiscal year
ending September 30, 1998, and he asked Ms. Johnna McNeal of Malnory, McNeal
and Company, Certified Public Accountants to discuss this item. Ms. McNeal
discussed the audit report and called for any questions concerning this report.
There were no questions concerning this report. Boardmember Guest made a
motion seconded by Boardmember Amis to approve the annual audit report as
presented. The motion carried unanimously.
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