2001-12-19-Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION REGULAR MEETING
December 19, 2001
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in regular session on
Wednesday, December 19, 2001, 4:00 P. M., at Heritage Hall, 1009 West
Kaufman Street, Paris, Texas. President Mike Rhodes called the meeting to
order with the following Directors present: Don Wall, Jay Guest and Curtis
Fendley. Also, present were ex-officio Board Members Bobby Walters, Mike
Graxiola, Executive Director Gary Vest, and City Manager Michael E. Malone.
City Attorney Larry Schenk and City Clerk Mattie Cunningham attended as
well.
President Rhodes called for approval of minutes from the previous meeting. A
motion was made by Director Wall seconded by Director Fendley for approval
of the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes asked Gene Anderson, Director of Finance, to give the
financial report for September and October.
Mr. Anderson presented the financial statements for September, October, and
November, along with a report pertaining to sales tax for those three months.
Mr. Anderson advised the Board that the city has received the sales tax payment
for the month of December, which has been included in the financial Statement.
Mr. Anderson pointed out that the sales tax is up compared to last year's sales
tax. Mr. Anderson said that the payment that the city will be receiving in
February will represent the December sales and will be more indicative of what
we can expect the revenues to be for the year. Mr. Anderson gave the cash flow
reports for September and November. He said the PEDC did not meet in
October and no checks were written and that the November report included two
months of expenditures.
A motion was made by Director Guest, seconded by Director Fendley, for
approval of the financial report. The motion carried unanimously.
Gary Vest, Executive Director, reported that no advertisement was being
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December 19, 2001
Page 2
conducted at this time and therefore fewer inquiries were being made. He
advised that he had received eleve/a inquiries, two from the World Economic
Development Alliance, six from area development, and three from plant sites
and parks.
Mr. Vest stated that they were trying to generate interest in the Oliver Rubber
building. They have shown it twice in the last few weeks.
One prospect came to him from TXU, but they did not like the building. Mr.
Vest proposed the concept of building a suite for him at another location and the
prospect liked that idea. This prospect is looking at nine cities and trying to
decide which place would be best.
The second prospect was another industry from our region and the prospect did
not like the building.
Mr. Vest said they were still working with Jackson Products and trying to come
to an agreement. He said that Jackson Products had offered $325,000.00 for the
building and Oliver Rubber had come down to $375,000.00. Mr. Vest stated
that he would continue to work with them and monitor the negotiations.
Jackson Products owns Flex-O-Lite and this would be a perfect site where they
can truck products from Flex-O-Lite into Oliver Rubber and never have to put
it on a public roadway.
Mr. Vest reported that the land deal with Hydro Conduit wherein Paris Industrial
Foundation assisted the company in acquiring needed land from Union Pacific
Railroad had been closed.
Mr. Vest said should have attended a Texas Economic Development Retreat on
November 29th and 30th in Austin, but he did not go because of the situation
with Campbell Soup.
Mr. Vest said he had attended the East Texas Gulf Highway Association annual
meeting on November 12, 2001 in Pittsburg, Texas. He reported the formation
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December 19, 2001
Page 3
of a new organization called the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Council,
(NETMOB) and he and Director Wall have attended several meetings. The
purpose of NETMOB is to promote the expansion of Highway 24 South and the
development of 1-30 as a NAFTA corridor. Mr. Vest told the Board that on
December 10, 2001, Congress released a bulletin releasing the Transportation
Funding Bill, and the allocation that Texas received was one billion, nine
hundred and fifty-eight million dollars, which increased our allotment one
hundred eighty-four million dollars. Mr. Vest pointed out that one of the
designated projects is the Highway 24 segment completion in the amount of one
million dollars. Mr. Vest stated that with the federal funds going to Highway
24, hopefully the last sixteen miles can be completed in Delta County.
Mr. Vest reported that Eric had attended the Northeast Texas Economic
Roundtable in White Oak, Texas, on November 14, 2001. Mr. Vest said he and
Eric also attended a meeting with OSHA representatives at Paris Junior College.
He stated that OSHA wants to improves their image with the industries that they
regulate.
· Mr. Vest informed the Board that Eric will be attending the Jewelry
Manufacturer's Show in New York sometime in March. The purpose is to learn
more about jewelry manufacturers so that the PEDC can court them to work
with Paris Junior College. Mr. Vest informed the Board that Paris Junior
College is cooperating with PEDC by paying for the booth.
President Rhodes asked where they were in the law suit with Miles/Brown vs.
the Paris Industrial Foundation, Mr. Vest advised that it is in the hands of Ed
Ellis. Mr. Vest said the last report he had from Mr. Ellis is that it is on an appeal
and it is to the Texas Supreme Court. He said this would be the last time they
could appeal, and we already have three rulings on it in our favor.
City Attorney Schenk explained the court of appeal process. City. Attorney
Schenk discussed deadlines that must be met in filing a motion for appeal or a
request for review by the Supreme Court. He said, if they accept it, then you
have to file a brief and whatever is necessary to, bring that appeal. City Attorney
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December 19, 2001
Page 4
Schenk said he did not mind going with Mr. Vest to talk with Mr. Ellis
regarding this matter.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to allow Mr. Vest
and City Attorney Schenk to talk with Mr. Ellis and report back to the Board.
There being no further business, President Rhodes adjourned the meeting.
MICHAEL RHODES, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
MATTIE CUNNINGHAM, CITY CLERK