08/14/2017MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 14, 2017
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
August 14, 2017, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steven Clifford
Council Members: Billie Lancaster; Aaron Jenkins; Billy Trenado;
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; and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director
Opening Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Pastor Bush delivered blessings.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Drake led the pledge.
4. Citizens' Forum.
Larry Schenk, 3765 Dawn Drive — he asked if he would be allowed to speak under item
21. Mayor Clifford said he was going to open the item to receive comments and that he planned
move the the item up following the consent agenda.
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, 7
ayes — 0 nays.
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August 14, 2017
Page 2
5. Approve minutes from the meeting on July 24, 2017.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards, commissions, and committees:
a. Paris Economic Development Corporation (6-13-2017)
b. Traffic Commission (6-6-2017)
c. Zoning Board of Adjustment (6-13-2017)
d. Paris -Lamar County Board of Health (3-20-2017 & 4-10-2017)
e. Love Civic Center (5-18-2017)
f. Airport Advisory Board (5-18-2017)
7. Approve the Final Plat of Lots 1, 2 & 3, Block A, Pecan Place Phase IV, located in the
4300 Block of Pine Mill Road.
8. Receive the 2017 tax appraisal roll from the Lamar County Appraisal District.
9. Approve the low bids received for water and wastewater treatment chemicals to be used
in FY 2017-18.
10. Reject all bids for the Johnson Woods Drainage Project.
Regular Agenda
Mayor Clifford said there were a lot of people at the meeting who wished to speak about
item 21. A Motion to move item 21 forward on the agenda was made by Mayor Clifford and
seconded by Council Member Trenado. Motion carried, 7 ayes – 0 nays.
21. Discuss and possibly act on a COLA for City of Paris retirees.
Mayor Clifford said Council Member Portugal placed this item on the agenda. Council
Member Portugal said at a minimum she wanted this item on the agenda to look at alternative
budgeting.
Larry Schenk, 3765 Dawn Drive – he spoke in support of a COLA for retirees and said it
had been ten years since they had received a COLA. Mr. Schenk provided to Council an analysis
he made from the TMRS website reflecting what other cities were doing statewide with regard to
cost of living adjustments for retirees.
Alice Pinalto, 81 -33rd N.E. – she said she retired in 2011 from the legal department, at
the age of 73 years old. Ms. Pinalto said the COLA was suspended in 2008 and she believed it to
be temporary. She respectfully requested a COLA for retirees.
Maralene Rose, 2810 W. Brame – she said she worked for the City for 40 years in the
finance department. She said the reason the COLA was so costly was because it was not
continued and it cost to catch up.
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August 14, 2017
Page 3
Charles Whitley, 725 S.E.-38`h — he said he retired from the police department several
years ago. Mr. Whitley said he came to the City to work because he loved Paris, although he
could have gone some other place and made more money. He spoke in support of a COLA.
Steve Dockray, 935 Bunker — he said he was with the police department for 37 'h years
and spoke in support of a COLA.
Faye Caviness, 235-35t` S.E. — she said her husband gave over 30 years to the police
department and asked that they please consider a COLA.
Tommy Haynes, 3095 Abbott — he said all of the retirees were concerned as they had not
had a COLA in ten years. Mr. Haynes referenced an e-mail exchange dated August 3, 2012,
between Maralene Rose and City Manager John Godwin about a COLA. Mr. Haynes asked City
Council to consider giving retirees a COLA.
Tiny Freelen, 804 -12th N.E. — he said he retired after 24 years in the traffic department,
and asked that retirees be given a COLA.
Janine Lauren, 1760 N.E. 34th — she said her taxes went up and she thought they were
frozen, but learned only certain taxes. She said none of the retirees were getting 34% COLA to
sustain the increase in expenses. Ms. Lauren said they needed to give a COLA or freeze taxes.
Council Member Drake inquired of City Manager John Godwin if his reference of ad hoc
meant a one-time raise and Mr. Godwin answered in the affirmative. Mr. Godwin said that a
one-time raise would be a permanent cost to the City. She asked about discrepancy in the
numbers and Mr. Godwin said it was the number provided to the City by TMRS and the number
depended on several factors. Larry Schenk said what concerned the retirees was if this was not
done now, the cost would progressively get more expensive and it would never get done.
Council Member Drake asked if Council decided to give this one-time raise could it be taken
away in the future and Mr. Godwin told her it could not. Council Member Knox confirmed with
Mr. Godwin that the budget was balanced and then said she would like to consider doing
something for retirees, possibly the one-time raise. Council Member Portugal asked if they
could review this. Mr. Godwin informed City Council if they chose to give a one-time raise to
retirees that they would have to cut something out of the budget. Council Member Drake asked
about a timeframe and Mr. Godwin said he would be meeting with department heads this week
and he could bring to them a list of items for them to look at. He said this did not meet the top of
his list, because there were items that needed to be funded for operations of the City. Mayor
Clifford said if the City had a lot of money he would be fine with giving a COLA, but that
people were not guaranteed at the time they retired that they would continue getting a COLA.
He said he was not sure they would have the money to do it. Council Member Knox asked if
they could look again. Mr. Godwin said he could bring something to the Council on August 28
for review.
A Motion to ask the city manager to look at finding the funds for a COLA raise for
retirees was made by Council Member Portugal and seconded by Council Member Knox.
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August 14, 2017
Page 4
Retiree T.K. Haynes said at the time employees were hired, the retirement benefit was a
big part of the reason people came to work for the City. He said the salaries at the City did not
compete with the private sector. He said they were promised.
Mayor Clifford said he had a Motion and a second, and asked for a vote. Motion carried,
5 ayes — 2 nays, with Mayor Clifford and Council Member Trenado casting the dissenting vote.
11. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2017-030: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, SO AS TO REZONE THE HILLS SUBDIVISION
WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, BEING LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF
FM 195, IN THE CITY OF PARIS, LAMAR COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM AN
AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT (A) TO SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT
(SF -2); DIRECTING A CHANGE ACCORDINGLY IN THE OFFICIAL ZONING
MAP OF THE CITY; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Engineer Carla Easton explained that this rezoning should have occurred at the time
of development, and that Planning and Zoning unanimously approved this rezoning request.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in
support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor
Clifford closed the public hearing.
A Motion to approve the zoning change was made by Council Member Drake and
seconded by Trenado. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on an Ordinance considering the petition of
Lawrence Thompson for a change in zoning from Single -Family Dwelling District No. 2
(SF -2) to a Single -Family Dwelling District No. 2 (SF -2) with a Specific Use Permit #36
(Recreational Facility -Private), on Sperry's 1" Addition, Block 2, Lot North PT 1, being
located at 2815 West Campbell Street.
Mayor Clifford said this item was tabled at the Planning and Zoning meeting and that
Council needed to table this item to the September 11 City Council meeting.
A Motion to table this item to September 11 was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded
by Council Member Drake. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
13. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on a Site Plan for Liberty National Bank, Lot 4-
B, Block 286, City of Paris, located at 140 N. Collegiate.
City Manager John Godwin said that Liberty National Bank needed to amend its original
site plan to accommodate a proposed expansion of the original bank building.
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August 14, 2017
Page 5
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in
support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor
Clifford closed the public hearing.
A Motion to approve the site plan was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Discuss proposed amendments to the Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, as related to
recreational vehicles, and all other special vehicles; and provide direction to staff.
Mr. Godwin said the City had been receiving complaints about the size of recreational
vehicles in back yards. Mayor Clifford said he was at the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting when this was discussed, and the Commission was looking at different options with
regard to what could be done regarding overlarge recreational vehicles, more particularly a
height requirement. Council Member Knox said there was an issue of people parking RVs in
their driveways, because it was difficult for drivers to see traffic when going down the streets.
Following additional discussion, it was a consensus of City Council for staff to proceed with
amendments to the current ordinance addressing these concerns.
15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2017-031: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS DISANNEXING A 6.941 ACRE
TRACT OF LAND BEING PART OF THE JOHN W. WILLIAMS SURVEY, KNOWN
AS 6055 CLARKSVILLE STREET, OF THE CITY OF PARIS, LAMAR COUNTY,
TEXAS, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED
HERETO, IN RESPONSE TO LANDOWNERS' REQUEST FOR DISANNEXATION;
ADJUSTING CITY BOUNDARIES TO REFLECT NEW CITY LIMITS; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING
A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND A SAVINGS CLAUSE;
AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said the two required public hearings were conducted on
July 10 and August 14, and that Council could now take action on this item.
A Motion to approve the disannexation was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by
Council Member Trenado. Motion carried, 7 ayes, 0 nays.
16. Discuss and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Williams Equipment
Services to construct the Paradise Estates Sewer and SE Outfall Main Project and related
change orders, in an amount not to exceed $2.4 million dollars.
City Engineer Carla Easton explained that the 2013 Bond Fund for Water and Sewer
Improvements included funding for the Paradise Estates Sewer and SE Outfall Main Project.
She further explained four bids were received for the project and that this project would allow
the City to eliminate three lift stations. Ms. Easton said the lowest bid was to Williams
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August 14, 2017
Page 6
Equipment Services and staff recommended awarding a bid in an amount not to exceed $2.4
million dollars.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Drake and seconded by
Council Member Lancaster. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Receive presentation from architect, provide feedback, and authorize completion of
design and bid documents for bidding of the NW EMS Station.
EMS Director Kent Klinkerman provided City Council with the history of the current
EMS Station at Paris Regional. Paul Denney with Denney Architects gave a presentation to City
Council which included design, a workable flood plan, soil conditions and related options, and
the bidding process. Mr. Denney recommended giving bidders three weeks to get their packets
in and estimated it would take six to eight months to build the building once the site work was
done. Mr. Denney answered questions from City Council.
A Motion to authorize completion of design and bid documents for bidding was made by
Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
18. Receive presentation, and authorize the commencement of fund-raising activities for
playgrounds at Oak and Wade Parks.
Mr. Godwin referenced the bond proceeds of $500,000 that had been authorized by the
voters for park improvements and said it was the City's plan to try to multiply the funding by
actively seeking grant support from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and fundraising
locally. He also said the internal staff workgroup had been working for many months. Mr.
Godwin said staff was proposing a two-part program of work, and that the first phase would cost
about $240,000 and would cover the costs of replacing most of the playgrounds at Oak and
Wade Parks. He said the goal was to raise half of that budget through fund-raising and the rest
would be paid from bond proceeds and ADA funding. Mr. Godwin said the second phase would
use the remaining almost $400,000 in bond proceeds and hopefully would be doubled with a
match from TPWD. After answering questions from City Council, it was a consensus for Mr.
Godwin to proceed with the fund-raising activities for playgrounds at Oak and Wade Parks.
19. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-032: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 3,
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS, REVISING REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SALE AND
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON CITY -OWNED
PROPERTY; 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.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said in 2015, Council amended Section 3-5 to allow for
sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Love Civic Center, Lake Crook and the Red
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August 14, 2017
Page 7
River Valley Fair Grounds with a city -issued permit and appropriate TABC permit. She said
various people wanted to include the Plaza and Market. Ms. Harris said the proposed
amendments added those two locations and would allow the City to enforce the ordinance on
City -owned property.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Portugal and seconded by
Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
20. Receive presentations and act on the fiscal year 2017-18 budgets for the Love Civic
Center and the Visitors & Convention Council.
Lamar County Chamber of Commerce President Ken Higdon first presented the Visitors
& Convention Council budget, and said revenues pretty much stayed the same and they had a
good year in the tourism world. He said the hotel occupancy tax ended up at $658,525 for the
four quarters in this budget. Mr. Higdon recognized the new employee, Drew Ruhart, who was
hired for marketing and sales. He outlined the expenses and income, summarizing the ending
budget revenue of $701,500 and estimated expenses of $699,500. Next, Mr. Higdon presented
the Love Civic Center budget and went over income and expenses. He said they needed to do
more maintenance this year, which included painting of the Eiffel Tower, possibly get a facility
study and stated the Civic Center was twenty-three years old. Mr. Higdon said they did a facility
study that showed to bring the center to new standards it would be about a $3 million dollar
investment and they were spending about $100,000 a year on maintenance upkeep. He said they
had a good year in that they had grown the staff, increased the HOT tax, and grown the number
of events.
Council Member Portugal said she was recently at a conference and while there, heard
from a group who complimented Becky Semple and said they would be coming back to Paris.
Council Member Knox congratulated Mr. Higdon on increase in HOT tax collections and
increased tourism. She questioned the chamber management fee under the agreement, and said it
was a little over 11% that the chamber takes right off the top. She said she felt it would behoove
the Council to see a breakdown of the items, referencing what was included in marketing,
security and the other items. Mayor Clifford inquired about the archery event noting they spent
around $19,000 but budgeted $30,000. Mr. Higdon said this last year Paris did not have to
purchase the buckles for the tournament winners, because they were donated. Mayor Clifford
asked about any profits from the tournament and Mr. Higdon said there was very limited income
through the vendors. Mayor Clifford also questioned the increase in marketing expenses
budgeted. Mr. Higdon said they were complying with the legal requirements. In addition, they
discussed the Tour de Paris income and expenses. Mr. Higdon said he would get to them the
additional information showing a breakdown of accounting details. It was a consensus of City
Council to move this item to the next agenda.
22. Discuss the 2017-2018 FY budget for the City of Paris.
Mr. Godwin said he did not have anything new to present. He reminded City Council of
the special meetings on Tuesday, September 5, a regular meeting on September 11, and a special
meeting on September 18.
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Page 8
23. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.087 of the Texas Government
Code, (1) to discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the
governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body
seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and
with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations; or
(2) to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect described
by Subdivision (1), as follows:
• Project Sun Bird
• Project 3.141
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 7:05 p.m.
24. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 7:28 p.m. and said they
discussed a potential new business.
25. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Ms. Harris said she was losing her prosecutor at the end of the month and would in the
near future bring to Council an item approving a new contract prosecutor.
26. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Trenado and was seconded by Council Member Drake. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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