05 - COUNCIL MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2017Item No. 5
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
February 27, 2017
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
February 27, 2017, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: Billie Lancaster; Aaron Jenkins; Billy Trenado;
Steve Clifford; and Cleonne Drake
City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson,
Finance Director; Carla Easton, City Engineer;
- Larry Wright, Fire Chief; Bob Hundley Police
Chief; Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug
Harris, Utilities Director; Jerry McDaniel, Public
Works Director; Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal;
Priscilla McAnally, Library Director; and Alan
Efrussy, Planning Director
Absent: Council Member: Matt Frierson
Opening Agenda
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1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Chaplain Bob Seal gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Lancaster led the pledge.
4. Citizens' Forum.
Bill Strathern, 4905 Trails End, Lamar County Republican Chair — he commended the
City Council in their efforts for improving PEDC. Mr. Strathem spoke in support of opening
membership to Lamar County residents, citing this would broaden their base of the selection
process. He reminded Council that the primary function of PEDC was to create new jobs and
retain the current jobs. Mr. Strathern explained to Council they had a fiduciary and moral
obligation to the citizens.
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February 27, 2017
Page 2
Lawrence Malone, 20084 FM 1497, Lamar County Commissioner for Precinct One — he
supported allowing Lamar County residents serve on the PEDC Board.
Ronnie Bass, 3717 CR 32500, Lamar County Commission for Precinct Three — he also
spoke in support of allowing Lamar County residents serve on the PEDC Board and said
hopefully with the City and County working together, they could spur industry growth and keep
the tax rate low.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Hashmi inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the
consent agenda for discussion. Council Member Lancaster said she would like to discuss item
11 and asked City Manager John Godwin about the criteria for selection of the sections of
sidewalks to be redone. Mr. Godwin said the quality of the sidewalk surface and foot traffic.
Following additional discussion, a Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Council
Member Lancaster and seconded by Council Member Trenado. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting on February 13, 2017.
6. Receive reports and /or minutes from the following boards, commissions, and committees:
a. Airport Advisory Board (11 -17 -2016 & 1 -19 -2017)
b. Main Street Advisory Board (1 -10 -2017)
c. Historic Preservation Commission (1 -11 -2017)
d. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (1 -18- 2017)``
e. Paris Economic Development Corporation (1 -19 -2017)
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7. Receive January monthly financial report.
Receive January drainage report.
9. Receive demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
10. Accept the bid and award the contract for the purchase of roadway materials to the lowest
responsible(s) for the twelve month period beginning April 1, 2017.
11. Authorize the city manager to execute a contract with Richard Drake Construction
Company, LP, in the amount of $144,109.90, for the 2016 Downtown Sidewalk
Improvements Project.
12. Approve adoption of the Quality Assurance Program for projects funded by the Local
Government Projects Program administered by TxDOT.
13. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2017 -015: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS ADOPTING THE 2017 LAMAR COUNTY
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February 27, 2017
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MITIGATION PLAN; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Regular Agenda
14. Discuss and act on expansion of the Paris Economic Development Corporation Board's
membership to include Lamar County residents. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO.
2017 -016: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS; AMENDING THE BYLAWS OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO
THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Hashmi said he placed this item on the agenda and he felt residents of the city and
residents of the county were all of one community. He said Lamar County residents pay sales
tax in Paris. Mayor Hashmi also said in the past the County and City had not worked together
very well and maybe this would be a good step in that direction. He favored opening up the
PEDC membership to include Lamar County residents. Council Member Drake inquired if
membership would be limited to a certain number of residents from the County. Mayor Hashmi
said he did not think they should do that, because it might prohibit the most qualified candidates
from being selected. Council Member Drake agreed and said this would be a benefit for the
community. Council Member Clifford confirmed that the City Council would retain control over
the PEDC and stated this move would improve city /county relationships and expand the
applicant pool. Council Members Trenado, Jenkins and Lancaster were in favor of expanding
membership to Lamar County residents.
A* A Motion to amend the PEDC's Bylaws to include Lamar County residents on the PEDC
Board was made by Mayor Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Clifford. Motion carried,
6 ayes — 0 nays. za';
15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2017 -007: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 5,
"ANIMALS AND FOWL," SECTION 5- 3(b)(2) "ANIMAL CONTROL," OF THE
CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS TO PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF A FEE FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF A KENNEL COUGH VACCINATION IN CERTAIN
INSTANCES; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE
SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Chief Hundley said approval of this ordinance would allow for the Lamar County
Humane Association to be reimbursed for the kennel cough vaccination when an owner reclaims
their dog from the shelter.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Lancaster and seconded by
Council Member Drake. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
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16. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2017 -008: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS DECLARING UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES IN CITY COUNCIL
DISTRICTS 4, 5 AND 7 FOR THE MAY 6, 2017 GENERAL ELECTION BE
ELECTED TO OFFICE; DETERMINING THAT NO GENERAL ELECTION BE
HELD IN DISTRICTS 4, 5, AND 7; DIRECTING THAT A COPY OF THIS
ORDINANCE BE POSTED AT APPROPRIATE POLLING PLACES; DIRECTING
THAT A CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION BE ISSUED TO THE UNOPPOSED
CANDIDATES; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO
THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE,
A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Janice Ellis reported that one candidate for each of the three districts made
application and had no opponents. Mayor Hashmi confirmed that the bond election would still
take place in May and that only the council election was being cancelled.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Hashmi and seconded by Council
Member Drake. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Discuss development practices, procedures, and act on streamlining of itting
process.
Mayor Hashmi said three months to get a permit was extremely bad and it discouraged
people. He said once a city official signed off on the paperwork, that a permit should be issued
and the rules should not be changed just because there was a new city employee. Mayor Hashmi
also said that people found it difficult to get a permit and did not like to come to the city or come
back. He suggested creation of a board to include a council member, the city manager and a
resident from that district to hear complaints or issues. Council Member Drake said the only
complaint she had received was about the length of time it took to get a permit. Council Member
Clifford said he would like to streamline the process to make it quicker, but he did not want to
sacrifice safety and public health issues. Council Members Trenado and Jenkins favored
streamlining the permitting process. Council Member Lancaster also favored streamlining the
permitting process, but only if it does not jeopardize inspections and safety issues. She
referenced the Christian in Action fire. Mayor Hashmi pointed out that some of the buildings
downtown would cost more to repair to bring into compliance than they were actually worth.
Mr. Godwin explained that staff had been meeting over the last several weeks to review the
process and procedures, and explained staff needed two things from Council. Mr. Godwin said
there was a Building Review Board that had not been active in years and the membership was for
people in building trades. He asked City Council to allow the City Clerk to advertise for this
board when advertising for the other boards. Mr. Godwin said he would also like to bring new
codes forward for adoption. Mayor Hashmi said when adopting new codes that common sense
needed to be used. Mr. Godwin said staff would have amendments to go along with the codes.
Mayor Hashmi said if the Building Review Board is advertised, there will be no need for an
additional committee.
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18. Consider approval of a new standard facility lease to be used for city -owned hangars at
Cox Field.
Mr. Godwin explained the Airport Advisory Board requested to create and consistently
enforce a standard lease for city -owned hangars at Cox Field. He said the new lease provided for
specific default process for late rental payments, governed the rules in and around the hangars,
maintenance and insurance requirements. Mr. Godwin further explained the rental rates would
be based on the final actual cost of construction of the new hangar currently being built. Council
Member Clifford inquired about the number of people on a waiting list and Mr. Godwin said
approximately 20 people. Mr. Godwin said once the cost was determined, he would take it back
to the Airport Board and bring it to the City Council.
Subject to re- pricing of hangar rental fees, a Motion to approve this item was made by
Mayor Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Trenado. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
19. Convene into Executive Section pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive legal advice from the City Attorney about
pending or contemplated litigation and /or on matters in which the duty of an attorney to
her client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of
Texas clearly conflict with this chapter, as follows: Glatfelter v. City of Paris and Paris
Economic Development Corporation, 416 CV 938, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman
Division.
Mayor Hashmi convened City Council into executive session at 6:07 p.m.
20. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
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Mayor Hashmi reconvened City Council into open session at 6:25 p.m.
21. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2017:017: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS FORGIVING CERTAIN CIVIL
PENALTIES ASSESSED AGAINST THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 104 BONHAM
STREET; FINDING A PUBLIC PURPOSE IN SUPPORT OF THE SAME; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris informed City Council that between the City Council
meeting of February 13, 2017 and the Building and Standards Commission meeting of February
20, 2017, an additional $700.00 in civil penalties and $2.49 in interest accrued. She said if
Council wanted to forgive the fines and interest during that time, they would need to approve the
action to do so.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Hashmi and seconded by Council
Member Clifford. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
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22. Consider and approve future events for City Council and /or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004 -081.
Mayor Hashmi asked Mr. Godwin to coordinate efforts in getting litter picked up around
the City and asked that he contact the sheriff and prison warden in an effort to get assistance.
23. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Hashmi and
was seconded by Council Member Trenado. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
A.J. HASHMI, M.D., MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK