05 - MinutesItem No. 5
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
July 23, 2018
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
July 23, 2018, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steven 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; 'Jerry McDaniel,
Public Works Director;, Priscilla McAnally, Library
Director; and Alan Efrussy, Planning Director
Absent: Derrick Hughes
O enin A enda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Reverend Slaughter gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Clifford led the pledge.
4. A. Citizens' Forum.
Carol Hufnagel — she said she had two questions and they were who determined the
streets that were going to be redone and if the company putting in the streets was going to go
back and repair the leaks.
Bob Bush — he read several quotes and scriptures and focused on "treat others as you
want to be treated".
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July 23, 2018
Page 2
Sara Corsetti — she said she was a student at A&M Commerce, would be graduating in
December with her Masters, and proposed the City Council look at possible group homes for
children.
Ashley Hundley — she said she was a student a A&M Commerce, would be graduating
with a Masters in Social Work in December, and asked if the City could look at getting turf at the
parks instead of wood chips. She said it was difficult for wheel chairs to maneuver in the wood
chips, but that the parks looked a lot better.
Mary Ann Hood, a realtor — she said it was difficult to find affordable housing in Paris,
and the proposed residential property maintenance ordinance would make it more difficult. She
said some of the provisions contained in the ordinance did not align with State law.
Michael Jubifel - he said those working on the streets needed to have detour signs placed
in advance of the work being done.
Tony Rutledge — he said the creek behind Morningside had not been widened and was
told last summer it would be done in the fall.
Judy Malone — she said she had been before them several months ago and the City had
taken care of her drainage problem at Cherry and 20°i Street. Ms. Malone said they City had
done a beautiful job.
B. Announcement regarding the "Assistance to Firefighter Grant."
Chief Wright announced that the City was notified by Congressman Ratcliff s office that
the fire department was awarded a grant in the amount of $83,182.00 for purchase and
installation of diesel ventilation systems in the fire stations `to capture diesel exhaust.
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 Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0
nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meetings of June 25, 2018, July 9, 2018, and July 16, 2018.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Paris Visitors & Convention Council Quarterly Activity & Financial Reports
b. Love Civic Center Quarterly Activity & Financial Reports
c. Main Street Advisory Board (6-12-2018)
7. Receive June monthly financial report.
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July 23, 2018
Page 3
8. Receive June drainage report.
9. Receive demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
Regular Agenda
10. Discuss, conduct a public hearing and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2018-019: 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 LOT 2, CITY BLOCK 257-D,
0.21 ACRES, BEING LOCATED AT 365 28' N.E. STREET, IN THE CITY OF
PARIS, LAMAR COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM A SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
DISTRICT NO. 2 (SF -2) TO A GENERAL RETAIL DISTRICT (GR); 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 Manager John Godwin explained that'the applicants were requesting this zoning
change for the purpose of constructing an office on the site. He said the owner plans to demolish
the existing structure and build the new office building facing west on Collegiate. Mr. Godwin
also said the Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as staff recommended approval.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked 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 Mayor Clifford and seconded by
Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 6'ayes — 0 nays.
11. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2018-020: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 7,
"BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS," OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS TO ADD ARTICLE VIII,
"RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE;" MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A
REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A
PENALTY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Godwin said this had been discussed for several years, and this past December he
was instructed by City Council to put together an ordinance. He explained that a committee was
formed of five local property owners to give feedback, and as a result of the committee's
feedback changes were made to the ordinance. Mr. Godwin said the ordinance addressed six
very basic standards, which included failing roofs, failing foundations, dangerous electricity or
gas, no functioning water or sewer, no windows or doors. Mr. Godwin said properties would
only be inspected if a complaint was received or a violation was observed by a city employee.
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July 23, 2018
Page 4
He said no certificate of occupancy would be required. Mr. Godwin said there were citizens in
Paris living in abominable conditions, and he believed the City had a responsibility to do what it
could to prevent serious safety and health issues.
Mayor Clifford asked about if an owner had a roof in need of repair and he could not
afford to fix it and he had started the eviction process, would the owner be in violation. Mr.
Godwin said only if there was imminent danger. Mayor Clifford said he was going to support
this ordinance. Council Member Portugal said they could not have people living in dangerous
situations. Council Member Stone wanted to know what would happen if the repairs were not
done in seven days. Mr. Godwin said they just have to begin action within seven days.
Michael Glatfelter said he started complaining about this in 2011 and every rental until
should require a certificate of occupancy, because rental property was a business. Dana Brown
said she and her dad, Ted Brown, had low income rentals for years and spent a lot of money after
people moved out, because the property would be inhabitable. She said sometimes there was no
way you could make people take care of your property and it was up to the landlords to make
surae their property was maintained. Judy Malone said she supported good housing.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Portugal. Motion carried, .6 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Discuss and provide direction to staff on the FY 2018-19 budget for the City of Paris.
Mr. Godwin reviewed the budget highlights as being no change in the existing !tax rate of
$55.195 per $100 of valuation; quicker top -out for sworn police, effective 1/1/19; increase
firefighter pension contribution from 12% to 1.4%; cancer screening program for firefighters and
protective firefighter equipment; programmed increase in ,debt on fire engines; replacement of a
sanitation truck; CDBG sidewalk grant match; increased costs for third -party plan reviews and
inspections; expanded downtown grants; park grant match; one new full time employee in EMS
to manage increased calls for ambulance transports; one replacement ambulance and associated
equipment; the remainder of construction costs for replacement EMS station in northwest Paris;
rate increase for water and sewer; capital maintenance improvement at the water treatment plant,
installing VFDs on Pat Mayse intake pumps #3 and #4; filter effluent valves and sedimentation
basin valves, replaces sludge disposal pumps, rebuild transfer pump; final year of funding for
mechanical bar screen/headworks improvements at the waste water treatment plant; and belt
filter press at wastewater treatment plant.
Mr. Godwin said in addition to their two regular meetings and in order to meet the budget
calendar, City Council would need to conduct two special meetings on September 4 and
September 17.
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 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
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July 23, 2018
Page 5
(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 6:20 p.m.
14. Reconvene into Open Session and possible take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 6:41 p.m.
15. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
None 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, 6 ayes ® 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
TEVEN CLIFFORD, M.D., MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK