05 - MINITES OF COUNCIL MEETING ON 06/26/2017MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
June 26, 2017
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
June 26, 2017, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor:
Absent:
Council Members:
City Staff
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Steven Clifford
Billie Lancaster; Aaron Jenkins; Linda Knox;
Cleonne Drake; and Paula Portugal
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; Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal; Kent
Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris, Utilities
Director; Alan Efrussy, Planning Director; and
Priscilla McAnally, Library Director
Council Members: Billy Trenado
Openiny- Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Pastor Tim Marks gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Drake led the pledge.
4. Citizens' Forum.
Michael Glatfelter, 1345 S.E. 6h Street — he said Pam Anglin had a restraining order
against him prohibiting him from being within 1,000 feet of her, and that she was at the meeting
so he was protesting her presence.
Chad Lindsey, 1050 S.E. 29th Street — he spoke about item #16 and said in years past that
he had been critical of PEDC. He asked City Council if they would consider tabling the item
#16 to allow the new board members time to see what they could do.
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June 26, 2017
Page 2
Larry Schenk, 3765 Dawn — he asked the City Council to consider giving a cost of living
raise to retirees because it had been ten years since they had been given a COLA, and many of
the folks were 20 and 30 year employees.
Ruth Ann Alsobrook, 208 50i St. S.W. — she spoke of retaining sales tax for PEDC and
asked City Council to consider converting the tax from a Type A to Type B. She said Type B
would allow for projects, such as parks, streets repairs, tourism, restaurants, and retail.
April Carl — she said Paris needed well - paying jobs and to do away with the PEDC would
have a negative impact on poverty.
Pam Anglin, 1928 -280i N.E. — she expressed concern about item #16 and that she recently
received a projected ten year draft report that reflects there will not be a lot of job growth, except
low- paying jobs. She said technology was replacing people. o K n ..&
Michael Paris, 3025 Abbott Lane, PEDC Executive Director — he expressed concern
about item #16, in that 4A was established to allow cities the size of Paris to compete. He said
industries in Paris were being recruited to other States, while Paris was trying to retain current
industry and attract new industry.w
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Sims Norment, 606 Church Street — he encouraged City Council to leave PE n place
and sated it was vital that Paris had jobs.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Clifford inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the
consent agenda for discussion. There being none, a Motion to approve the consent agenda was
made by Council Member Drake and seconded by Council Member Lancaster. Motion carried, 6
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting on June 12, 2017.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards, commissions, and committees:
a. Paris Firemen's Relief & Retirement Fund (4 -11 -2017)
b. Paris Board of Adjustment (4 -18 -2017)
c. Main Street Advisory Board (5 -9 -2017)
d. Building & Standards Commission (4 -17 -2017 & 5 -15 -2017)
e. Housing Authority (5 -16 -2017)
7. Receive May monthly financial report.
8. Receive May drainage report.
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June 26, 2017
Page 3
9. Receive demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
10. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2017 -026: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2016 -022
REGARDING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,057.05 FROM THE DIVISION
OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, FOR A
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/DIVE RESCUE PROJECT (NOS. 3042091 AND
2946902), TO CHANGE THE DESIGNEE OF GRANTEE'S AUTHORIZED
OFFICIAL; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE
SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Regular Agenda
11. Discuss and act on a Resolution appointing members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Mayor Clifford said a sufficient number of applications had not been received to fill this
board and asked that staff continue to advertise. A Motion to table this item pending additional
applications was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion
carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Discuss and make appointments to the various Boards, Commissions and Committees of
the City of Paris
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Airport Advisory Board. Mayor
Clifford nominated Tim Marks; Council Member Knox nominated Daniel Roach; and Council
Member Drake nominated Matt Birch. There being no further nominations, Mayor Clifford
closed the floor and asked for a vote on the nominations. Motion carried to appoint Tim Marks,
Daniel Roach and Matt Birch to the board �� - - 1 6�;
Mayor Clifford said there was one vacancy on the Band Commission and one applicant.
Mayor Clifford nominated Lucia Bunch and asked for a vote. Motion carried to appoint Lucia
Bunch to the commission.
Mayor Clifford said there were not enough applicants to fill the Building Board of
Appeals and asked that staff re- advertise this board. A Motion to table this item was made by
Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Building and Standards
Commission. Council Member Portugal nominated Sally McEwin; Council Member Portugal
nominated Mike Folmar; and Council Member Drake nominated Ben Vaughan. There being no
further nominations, Mayor Clifford closed the floor and asked for a vote on the nominations.
Motion carried to appoint Sally McEwin, Mike Folmar, and Ben Vaughan to the commission.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Historic Preservation
Commission. Mayor Clifford nominated Sara Barbee; Council Member Knox nominated Randy
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June 26, 2017
Page 4
Hider; Council Member Drake nominated Linda Vandiver; and Mayor Clifford nominated Chris
Dux. There being no further nominations, Mayor Clifford closed the floor and asked for a vote
on the nominations. Motion carried to appoint Sara Barbee, Randy Hider, Linda Vandiver, and
Chris Dux to the commission.
Mayor Clifford said the law required the mayor to make appointments to the Housing
Authority; and he appointed Brenda Cherry and Deanna Nickerson to the board.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Library Advisory Board. Council
Member Portugal nominated Christina Schock; Council Member Drake nominated Denise
Kornegay; Council Member Knox nominated Mike Lazar; and Mayor Clifford nominated
Angelica Black. There being no further nominations, Mayor Clifford closed the floor and asked
a vote on the nominations. Motion carried to appoint Christina Schock, Denise Kornegay, Mike
Lazar, and Angelica Black to the board.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Main Street Advisory Board.
Mayor Clifford nominated Glee Emmite; Council Member Portugal nominated April Coward;
Council Member Knox nominated Frances Reed; Council Member Drake nominated Laurie
Redus; and Council Member Portugal nominated Devin Blalock. There being no further
nominations, Mayor Clifford closed the floor and asked for a vote on the nominations. Motion
carried to appoint Glee Emmite, April Coward, Frances Reed, Laurie Redus, and Devin Blalock
to the board.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Paris Economic Development
Corporation. Mayor Clifford nominated Marion Hamill and Council Member Portugal
nominated Timothy Hernandez. There being no further nominations, Mayor Clifford closed the
floor and asked for a vote on the nominations. Motion carried to appoint Marion Hamill and
Timothy Hernandez to the board.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Planning and Zoning
Commission. Mayor Clifford nominated James O'Bryan; Council Member Drake nominated
Mark Pankaj; Mayor Clifford nominated Council Member Flowers; and Mayor Clifford
nominated Rick Hundley. There being no further nominations, Mayor Clifford closed the floor
and asked for a vote on the nominations. Motion carried to appoint James O'Bryan, Mark
Pankaj, Keith Flowers, and Rick Hundley to the commission.
Mayor Clifford opened the floor for nominations to the Traffic Commission. Council
Member Portugal nominated William Sanders; Mayor Clifford nominated Sally Boswell; and
Council Member Drake nominated Dennis Ashby. There being no further nominations, Mayor
Clifford closed the floor and asked for a vote on the nominations. Motion carried to appoint
Williams Sanders, Sally Boswell, and Williams Sander to the commission.
13. Discuss and appoint City Council Liaisons to serve on the various Boards, Commissions
and Committees.
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June 26, 2017
Page 5
Mayor Clifford said it was not required they serve as liaisons but if there was a board that
anyone one wished to volunteer they should do so. Council Member Portugal selected the
Airport and PEDC; Mayor Clifford selected the Planning and Zoning Commission; Council
Member Knox selected the Historic Preservation Commission; Council Member Jenkins selected
the Traffic Commission; Council Member Lancaster selected the Board of Adjustment and the
Building and Standards Commission; and Council Member Drake selected the Main Street
Advisory Board and the Band Commission.
14. Receive presentation and discuss operations plan and budget needs for Police, Fire, EMS
and Library Departments.
City Council heard from Library Director Priscilla McAnally about building
maintenance, artwork and general operation of the library.
Next, Fire Chief Larry Wright gave an update on fire bunker gear and SCBA. He also
expressed the need for increased firefighter pay and a 14 -day pay cycle citing the number of
firefighters that had left the department. Chief Wright reviewed the need for an additional
employee in code enforcement and discussed contract mowing. He asked City Council to
consider a joint work session to discuss code enforcement. Following the presentation, Chief
Wright answered questions from Council. l*
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Police Chief Bob Hundley explained there were needed exterior repairs to the Police and
Courts Building. He also addressed assignment pay, a wellness program, needed animal control
reclassification, reviewed the feral cat program and said three school resource officers would be
transferring to NLISD on September 1, 2017. Following the presentation, Chief Hundley
answered questions from Council.
EMS and IT Director Kent Klinkerman gave an update to City Council on the new EMS
station, discussed the 5h pay step, the increasing equipment costs /standards, a need for the VOIP
phone system refresh, the need for website revisions and an EMS operations supervisor. Mr.
Klinkerman also reviewed call volume and the four EMS divisions. He next reviewed the life
cycle of capital equipment and training of staff. Following the presentation, Mr. Klinkerman
answered questions from Council.
15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 201 -024: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING THE TRAFFIC
CONTROL MAP ADOPTED IN SECTION 31- 65(b), OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; ESTABLISHING A THREE -WAY
STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF FITZHUGH AVENUE AND PINE BLUFF
STREET STOPPING SOUTH -BOUND TRAFFIC ON FITZHUGH AVENUE AND
EAST AND WEST -BOUND TRAFFIC ON PINE BLUFF STREET; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A
REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A
PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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June 26, 2017
Page 6
Assistant Police Chief Tuttle explained that the Traffic Commission recommended
approval of placing a three -way stop at the intersection of Fitzhugh and Pine Bluff to allow a
pedestrian crosswalk to be installed at the intersection. Mayor Clifford inquired if the citizens
would be notified in advance and Mr. Tuttle answered in the affirmative. In addition, Mr.
Godwin said the new signs when first installed would have attached banners.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Discuss and act on conducting a special election regarding termination of the quarter cent
economic development tax and adoption of a quarter cent municipal sales and use tax for
street maintenance, provide direction to city staff, and authorize the city attorney to retain
outside counsel related to same.
Council Member Lancaster said she added this item to the agenda, because the tax had
been in place since voters approved it in 1993. She said she felt it was prudent that the citizens
vote on whether they wanted to continue handling things in this way or if they wanted to make a
change and change that quarter cent to needed infrastructure and streets. Council Member
Lancaster said it was time to ask the citizens if they were happy with the way it was or if they
wanted change.
A Motion to have a special election in November to ask the citizens if they wanted to
terminate the quarter cent economic development tax and adopt a quarter cent municipal sales
and use tax for street maintenance, and authorize the city attorney to retain outside counsel
related to that was made by Council Member Lancaster and seconded by Mayor Clifford.
Mayor Clifford said he heard misconceptions in the public forum and then explained that
the motion was not about whether or not to eliminate the PEDC, but rather to have a special
election to ask the voters if their taxes should continue to support the PEDC. He asked that
discussion be contained to the topic as listed on the agenda. Council Member Jenkins said he
was for letting the people vote. Council Member Drake inquired if they could let the people
decide about switching it over to a 4B. She also reiterated that the Council was not looking at
getting rid of PEDC but rather letting the people decide what to do with tax money. Council
Member Drake said 1993 was a long time ago and times had changed. Council Member Drake
said she was in favor of letting the citizens decide. City Attorney Stephanie Harris reminded
Council of the agenda item and of the motion on the table. Council Member Portugal began
reading a statement, which included past perceived problems with PEDC and she stated it was
now running well under the current director. Mayor Clifford interjected and said they needed to
stay on the agenda topic as listed, and the motion on the table. Mayor Clifford said they were
not giving up on economic development but looking at other ways to handle it and asked City
Manager John Godwin about economic development he had been a part of in other cities he
worked. Mr. Godwin said there were other economic models, and referenced Rowlett and
Fairview. He said in Fairview, economic development was under the City and that the economic
manager worked for the city manager. Mayor Clifford said they were not abandoning their
efforts on economic development. Council Member Knox inquired of Ms. Harris if they could
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June 26, 2017
Page 7
consider 4B sales tax, because she was not comfortable foregoing 4A completely. Ms. Harris
said it was possible, that she could research it but that was not what was currently on the table.
Council Member Knox said she knew for a fact that PEDC was instrumental in getting and
retaining some of the current industries. Council Member Lancaster said what they currently had
was too restrictive and with a municipal sales tax, they could do more for the City. Mayor
Clifford said if the voters decided to do away with the quarter cent tax and institute a quarter cent
municipal tax, then that would free up money in the city budget to fund what was currently being
used for road repair and other needed items, such as fund an economic development director that
would be under the direct control of the city manager. Mayor Clifford said it could be used for
flood and flood repair. Council Member Knox said her concern was citizens could vote down
everything. Council Member Portugal expressed concern about the 41% of children living in
poverty in the community that would not get to vote and said traditionally their parents did not
vote.
Mayor Clifford asked for a vote of the motion that was on the table. Motion carried, 4
ayes — 2 nays, with Council Members Portugal and Knox casting the dissenting votes.
17. Convene into Executive Session 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 : -,
• State of Texas v. David Joel Alarid, Cause No. PCE 9020050- 9394 -0, in the
Municipal Court of the City of Paris, Lamar County, Texas
• Legal issues related to David Alarid's properties.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 6:58 p.m.
18. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 7:32 p.m. and said Council
received an update on legal matters.
19. Consider and approve future events for City Council and /or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004 -081.
None were referenced.
20. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Drake and was seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
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STEVEN J. CLIFFORD, M.D., MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK