07/09/2018 MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
July 9, 2018
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
July 9, 2018, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Renae Stone; Billy Trenado; Linda Knox; Clayton
Pilgrim; and Paula Portugal
City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson,
Finance Director; Bob Hundley, Police Chief; Larry
Wright, Fire Chief, Carla Easton, City Engineer;
Doug Harris, Utilities Director; Kent Klinkerman,
EMS Director; Jerry McDaniel, Public Works
Director; Alan Efrussy, Planning Director; Randy
Tuttle, Assistant Police Chief; and Clyde Crews;
Fire Marshal
Opening Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Pastor Bob Bush gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Hughes led the pledge.
4. A. Citizens' Forum.
Michael Glatfelter, 1345 SE 6h Street — he said American Spiral Weld was going to cost
the taxpayers $50,000 to $75,000 per job, and this was not good for Paris.
B. Proclamation Supporting Widening US Highways 271 and 82 to Four Lanes.
Mayor Clifford said this was a special proclamation, and Judge Superville would be
giving a presentation about these projects. Judge Superville explained that TxDOT was asking
for support of these projects through proclamations, letters and e-mails. He also explained the
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importance of economic development of Paris in having these highways expanded and connected
to other major highways. Also speaking about the projects were TxDOT Planning Director Dan
Perry, and SURRMA representatives Don Wall and Holland Harper. Chamber President Paul
Allen said the Chamber Board had signed a proclamation, and EDC Director Michael Paris said
he would be asking the EDC Board to sign a proclamation. Mayor Clifford read the
proclamation and presented it to Judge Superville, Mr. Wall, and Mr. Harper.
Consent Al., en 4a
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 Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0
nays.
5. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Airport Advisory Board (5-17-2018)
b. Paris Economic Development Corporation (5-25-2018)
c. Planning & Zoning Commission (6-4-2018)
6. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2018-016: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS
DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE RELEASE OF LIEN DOCUMENTS.
Regular Agenda
7. Receive presentation from City Square Paris regarding planned programs and activities in
Paris.
City Manager John Godwin introduced representatives from City Square Paris, a new
organization in Paris. City Council heard from Rob Spencer, Ted Henderson, Rochelle Hodge,
Shay Bills, and Steve Hyde. City Council heard how the organization evolved and their plan to
tackle poverty in Paris. Mr. Henderson said they had partnered with the City to develop a
recreation center in West Paris, while Ms. Hodge reported statistics about the families living in
poverty in the community. Paris Regional Hospital CEO Steve Hyde said they were looking at
converting the old St. Joseph Hospital into affordable housing.
8. Receive presentation about the Pump Track Project.
Mr. Godwin introduced Brandon Bell, who said they had raised $130,000 through
partnerships with VC&C, Rotary Club, local businesses and individuals. Mr. Bell said the
project would cost approximately $500,000 and the City planned to put in $100,000 from the
2017 parks bond proceeds to go toward the match for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant.
Council Member Knox said there were a lot of pump track riders in Sherman, as she was
told earlier that day they could not wait for the track to be built. Mayor Clifford inquired about a
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July 9, 2018
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plan, as well as controlled enter and exits. Mr. Bell said a plan was in the works and it would be
open to anyone, and probably have time restrictions like the other parks. Council Member Stone
wanted to know about liability and Mr. Bell explained it would be like the other parks. City
Council expressed support for this project.
9. Discuss and award a contract to Richard Drake Construction for the Church Street
Reconstruction Project, in an amount not to exceed $3,100,000.00.
City Engineer Carl Easton explained the 2017 Street Program included funding the full
reconstruction of Church from Hearne to Clarksville, and that this project included replacement
of water lines, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and full -depth asphalt
pavement. She said on June 14, Richard Drake Construction submitted the only bid for the
project, and the base bid for the project was $2,922,117.65. Ms. Easton further explained after
the bid opening, the City received a request to change the sidewalk design by removing the
existing grass strip between the sidewalks and back of curbs. She said to relocate the 4 foot
sidewalk to be directly behind the curb would reduce pedestrian safety and would compromise
project compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act due to utility poles within the right-
of-way. Ms. Easton said in order to remove the two foot grass strip between the curb and
sidewalk for the entire length of the project, the concrete must be widened which would result in
a cost increase of approximately $70,000. She explained staff considered cost saving strategies
to meet the needs of the project, and proposed modification of widening the sidewalk to six feet,
and remove the grass strip form Hearne to Washington where the right-of-way was narrow, and
keep the existing grass strip from Washington to Sherman along the west right-of-way to
Kaufman, which would reduce the cost to approximately $32,000.
City Council discussed the difference between concrete and asphalt, and the options
regarding removal of the grass strip for the entire project or a portion of the project.
A Motion to award a contract to Richard Drake Construction in an amount not to exceed
$3,100,000.00, for reconstruction of Church Street with asphalt and with removal of the existing
grass strip between the sidewalks and back of curbs, was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded
by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
10. Discuss and act on the final year 2018-19 Annual Program of Work and Budgets for
Love Civic Center and the Visitors & Convention Council.
Chamber President Paul Allen said he had been on the job for a month, that he was glad
to be there, and was hearing a lot of positive comments. He said for Paris to progress, they all
had to work together. Chairman Josh Bray reviewed the program of work and VC&C budget
with City Council. Specifically, he pointed out from 2013 to 2017 the HOT tax had increased
and this budget contained a deficit of $68,000. He said the reason for the deficit was they
contributed money at the request of the City to assist lighting up softball field number 7 and
contributed to the pump track. Mr. Bray said these were one-time expenses and they dipped into
savings for these expenses, because they believe these were good opportunities, and they want to
work together. Mayor Clifford inquired about their savings and Mr. Bray said the VC&C had
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about $400,000 in savings. Next, Mr. Bray reviewed the program of work and the Civic Center
budget. Specifically, he said they were working on a capital improvement fund and were pretty
much breaking even.
11. Discuss progress on an update to the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Planning Director Alan Efrussy first defined the Comprehensive Plan, and then explained
major components of all comprehensive plans, and major implementation tools for all
comprehensive plans. He explained the role of the Planning and Zoning Commission and of the
City Council. Mr. Efrussy said the current plan was adopted in 2001 and the 2018 update would
include the latest Future Lane Use Plan, Park Plan and Major Thoroughfare Plan. Mr. Efrussy
answered questions from City Council. Mayor Clifford expressed appreciation to Mr. Efrussy
for all of his hard work on this plan.
12. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2018-017: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE PARIS POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO PAY A HIRING INCENTIVE OF $5,000.00 TO PEACE
OFFICERS CERTIFIED BY TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
(TCOLE) UPON HIRE FOR THE POSITION OF PARIS POLICE OFFICER;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Police Chief Hundley explained the police department spends approximately $15,000 for
salary to send a recruit through the 18 -week Basic Peace Officer Academy, which is followed by
a month field training program, making nine months to replace an officer with a recruit. Chief
Hundley proposed a $5,000 hiring incentive that would be paid at three milestones and with a
requirement of an officer to sign an employment contract. He explained by offering this
incentive, the police department would save approximately $10,000 per hire.
13. 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 he 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: American Spiral Weld.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 7:15 p.m.
14. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 8:05 p.m. and said Council
discussed an incentive package, and there was no action to be taken.
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15. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
No future events were referenced.
16. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Clifford and
was seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
NE.....
�► = STEN CLIFFO C .., 1. �_ MAYOR
ELLIS, CITY