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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. Kaufman, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Steven Clifford Council Members: Billie Lancaster; Aaron Jenkins; Linda Knox; Cleonne Drake; and Paula Portugal 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; Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal; Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris, Utilities Director; Alan Efrussy, Planning Director; and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director Absent: Council Members: Billy Trenado Opening 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. 6t' 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. Regular Council Meeting 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 5th 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 -38th 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. 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. Sims Norment, 606 Church Street — he encouraged City Council to leave PEDC in place and stated 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. 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. Regular Council Meeting 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. 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 Regular Council Meeting 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 Knox 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. Regular Council Meeting 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. 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. Regular Council Meeting 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 Regular Council Meeting 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. Regular Council Meeting June 26, 2017 Page 8 CLEONNE DRAKE, MAYOR PRO -TEM