12/09/2017MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCILMEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
December 9, 2017
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 9.00 a.m. on Saturday,
December 9, 2017, in the Gallery at the Paris Public Library, 326 S. Main Street, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steven Clifford
Council Members: Aaron Jenkins; Billie Lancaster; Billy Trenado;
Linda Knox; Cleonne Drake; and Paula Portugal
City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; and Janice Ellis, City Clerk
Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. 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 Orange Fire.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 9:01 a.m.
3. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session.
4. Discuss roles and responsibilities of City Council,
City Manager John Godwin presented and reviewed with City Council a policy
previously adopted.
5. Discuss residential maintenance and redevelopment, including an ordinance for fire and
safety inspections of rental property.
Mr. Godwin said Council Member Portugal requested this item, and he provided them
with a copy of an ordinance that was discussed a year ago. fie explained there were people
living in Horrible conditions, such as no running water and holes in their roofs. Mr. Godwin said
staff did not want to hurt responsible rental property owners, but address the ones who were not
responsible.
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December 9, 2017
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Council Member Drake said it becomes a health and safety issue. Mayor Clifford said he
did not want any person's health and safety at risk, but at the same time this might cause rental to
go up and force some people on the street, He said he just wanted everyone to keep in mind their
rules had consequences,. Council Member Portugal said the City of Kaufman recently passed an
ordinance that excludes apartments. Mr. Godwin asked Council if they wish to put together a
committee and Council favored doing so. Mayor Cliffi)rd said he was not for an ordinance that
makes a person replace all of the wiring in their house, or states they are in violation if they have
cracked mortar, but wanted it to be based on a safety and health basis. Council Member Knox
said she would like to see something written that if the police are called several times for noise
and other nuisances, that there is teeth in ordinance to do something. Mr. Godwin suggested
they may want to require a certificate of occupancy be issued each time a house is rented and
charged approximately $20.00. Council Member Knox liked that idea and said if the rules are
violated, then the certificate could be pulled. City Attorney Stephanie Harris reminded everyone
the property owner would still have to go through the eviction process,
Council Member Trenacto inquired about redevelopment. Mr. Godwin said letters had
been sent to four different developers with regard to vacant lots. He also explained the
developers were informed fees would be waived and property would be given to them, if they
would build houses on the lots. Mr. Godwin said only one of the developers was interested, but
so far has not moved forward. They discussed the home loan program through the banks, and
Council Member Jenkins asked if the stipulation could be dropped that the owner had to occupy
the house in order to get a loan. Mr. Godwin said he would check. on that with the banks.
Following additional discussion, it was a consensus of the City Council for Mr. Godwin
to put together a committee and to develop an ordinance with regard to maintenance of rental
houses.
6. Discuss downtown redevelopment and possible new ordinances,
Mr. Godwin said this was similar to the housing issue, in that they did not want to
penalize those that took care of their property. Mayor Clifford asked if they could do tax credits
and abatements in the downtown area. Mr. Godwin answered in the affirmative and said they
could enter into 380 agreements as that was passed several years ago. It was a consensus of City
Council to move forward with this. Council Member Knox said HPC was trying to preserve
downtown, and it was important that they stay within the guidelines in order to get tax
restoration credits. She said she would like to see more grants for historic properties. Mr.
Godwin said a vacant registry ordinance was a good too] and said he would bring something to
Council in the future.
T Review and discuss the street bond projects; the budget for street repairs; street projects
completed by city staff, and equipment needs.
Council Member Drake said she requested this item and confirmed that Collegiate Street
was not on the original list. Mr. Godwin said that was correct, and that projects would be added
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December 9, 2017
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and some removed. He reviewed the projects that had been started, the ongoing projects and
future projects.
& Review and discuss utility projects, and plan for future projects,
Mr. Godwin presented and reviewed with City Council an updated list of projects. He
also informed them that they would be digging up downtown, including parking spaces, Mr.
Godwin said during construction downtown business would be affected but that once the project
was complete, the improvements would be great for the downtown area.
9. Review and discuss maintenance of drainage facilities,
Mr. Godwin provided City Council with an updated map and answered questions.
10. Review and discuss update of the Operating and other Plans for the City of Paris.
Mr. Godwin said Council Member Drake requested this item, and that a copy of the
City's Operating Plan had been placed in their packets. fie said the Operating Plan was current,
but the City did have some old plans, such as the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Godwin informed
Council it was a lot of work to update plans if the City was not going to follow them.
11. Discuss possibly outsourcing certain positions, particularly seasonal jobs.
Council Member Portugal said she requested this item and was wondering instead of
hiring seasonal employees, if they could contract out. Mr. Godwin said the City already
contracted out for mowing, and the only seasonal employees they had were lifeguard and
concession stand workers. Mr. Godwin also said that it was difficult to get contractors for code
type issues, because they did not want to tear up their equipment,
12. Discuss curbside recycling.
Council Member Portugal said she requested this, because the recycling program had
been successful. Mr. Godwin explained they could add curbside recycling but to, keep in mind
there would be an additional charge to each household. Mayor Clifford said there would be a
major push back from citizens, and he did not favor curbside at this time. It was a consensus of
City Council to not move forward with curbside recycling, but continue the current program and
possibly get some additional bins.
13. Review and discuss update on the city web -site.
Mr. Godwin presented a hand-out to Council reflecting the current status of the new web-
site and said the plan was to have it completely finished by May.
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14. Discuss safety concerns in the City Council Chambers,
Council Member Drake said she requested this itern. City Council discussed concerns
and options.
151. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Clifford adjourned the meeting at 12:53 p.m.
STEVFN,,,Y.' CLIFF M.D., MAYOR