09/04/2018 MinutesPARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
MONTHLY MEETING
Community Room
1125 Bonham Street
Paris, Texas 75460
Tuesdav, September 4, 2018
4:00 O'CLOCK P.M.
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Staff Present:
Richard Manning, Chairman Michael Paris, Executive Director
Shay Bills, Vice -Chairman (Arrived at 4:12 p.m.) Chris Stout, Economic Development Associate
Tim Hernandez, Secretary/Treasurer Paula Brownfield, Administrative Assistant
A.J. Hashmi
Ex -Officio Members Present: Guest(s) Present:
John Godwin, City Manager (Arrived at 4:12 p.m.) Mary Madewell, The Pans News
Pam Anglin, President PJC
Paul Allen, President, Lamar Chamber
Legal Counsel: City Council Liaison:
Stephanie Harris, City Attorney Paula Portugal
Billy Trenado
Call to Order.
Mr. Manning called the meeting of the Paris Economic Development Corporation to order at 4:00 p.m. on
September 4, 2018.
Citizens' Input.
Mr. Manning invited those present to speak during Citizens' Input. No one came forward and the
Citizens' Input was closed.
Discuss and possibly approve Minutes of the July 16, 2018, Special. Meeting: the July 20, 2018,
Monthly Meeting; and the August 7, 2018, Special Meeting.
Mr. Manning asked if there any changes to the minutes. Dr. Hashmi made a motion to accept the minutes.
Mr. Manning seconded the motion. Vote was 3 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss and possibly approve July 2018 Financials.
Dr. Hashmi asked about the budget for next year and Mr. Paris stated that the City Council had approved
the 2018-2019 PEDC budget. Going to the July financials, Dr. Hashmi inquired about the $20,000.00 paid
to Berg Oliver. Mr. Paris told the Board that Berg Oliver is the firm that did the due diligence and the
Phase I work for Business Park for our prospect, American Spiralweld. Berg Oliver also did work on the
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2018
Page 2 of 3
south end of the Loop. Mr. Paris explained that the reason some months have higher amounts for the
Marketing category is because these are prospects that have not committed to Paris. If a prospect chooses
Paris, those charges will be taken out of Marketing and moved to the project costs. Mr. Hernandez stated
that the rest of the expenditures for the month were normal expenditures. Dr. Hashmi made a motion to
accept the July 2018 financials. Mr. Hernandez seconded the motion. Vote was 3 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss possible collaboration with Lamar County Appraisal District and the possible purchase or
lease of the old Capital One Building. Possibly approve the Executive Director to seek out City
Council's possible approval to explore this opportunity with the Lamar County Appraisal District.
Mr. Manning started the discussion stating that we are asking for Board approval to explore the options,
along with the Lamar County Appraisal District; on the purchase of the Capital One bank building. We
would like to look into all the costs associated with the building. Mr. Hernandez asked if this was for us to
buy the building and rent out a portion of it. The next question Mr. Hernandez had, is this normal for
EDCs to use their funds to purchase buildings. He said lie was in favor of buying a building to
accommodate the PEDC, but not for other entities. Mr. Paris said that research will need to be done since
the operating costs and the rehab costs to the building are unknown. Dr. Hashmi commented that the
PEDC is not in the business of buying buildings to rent them out. He stated that it is a bad idea. Mr.
Manning said that that PEDC needs a better location and he would like to explore the possibilities. Mr.
Hernandez would like to see a location in the downtown that would meet our needs for the next ten years.
Mr. Manning voiced his opinion that it would be good to explore the options. Dr. Hashmi made a motion
to oppose it. Mr. Paris stated that he hears the opposition from the Board for going to City Council at this
point.
Discuss a public private partnership between the Cox Airport hangar leasors, City of Paris and
PEDC to help financiaUy support the construction of taxi ways for new hangar construction.
Mr. Paris stated that a citizen was approved by the FAA for the development of a new hangar at Cox
Field. The taxiway would need to be developed. When talking to the City Manager, John Godwin, and the
lessee we discussed a public private partnership to develop a taxiway. He asked for the Board's input on
the idea of a three way partnership between the lessee, the City of Paris and the Paris Economic
Development. Dr. Hashmi asked what the benefit to the PEDC would be. Mr. Godwin clarified that we
have an opportunity to build an extensive taxiway on the northeast side of the airport. There are two
people ready to sign ground leases and to build large hangars at their own expense. Mr. Paris asked for
approval to research the costs involved and bring it back to the Board for more discussion. Mr. Manning
gave the Board's nod to explore the costs of a taxiway.
Discuss and possibly approve a formation of an advisory group to help with prospective lead
development and suggestions for strategic planning for the PEDC.
Dr. Hashmi stated that there were qualified people that did not get chosen for the PEDC Board. He would
like to see members of the community join in discussions with the PEDC. There would be benefit to have
those who were not chosen to serve on the Board to join us as an advisory group. Mr. Paris said that a
larger advisory group that met twice a year could be very useful. Mr. Manning commented that this would
be good for a report card. Dr. Hashmi suggested sending out invitations to those who were not chosen for
Board appointments to come to our meetings. Mr. Manning asked that we think about how we could make
this work.
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2018
Page 3of3
Discuss and plan choice for Business of the Year.
Mr. Paris reminded everyone that last year Bodyguard was chosen our Industry of the Year. The year
before Kimberly Clark was given the award. October 15, 2018, is this year's Chamber banquet. We could
take nominations to put on our ballots. Dr. Hashmi suggested that we look at the company that has had the
most economic impact on the city. Mr. Manning asked for a list with the company's key events in the past
year be provided to the Board Members.
Executive Director's Monthly Report.
We anticipate hearing from American Spiralweld on their choice in about three weeks.
Convene into Executive Session:
a) Section 551.087; Deliberation of Economic Development Negotiations to deliberate Commercial
and Financial Information and Economic Incentives relating to the following: Commercial real-
estate development.
1) American SpiralWeld Pipe
2) Project Seashore
3) Future Business Park Development
Chairman Manning convened the Board into Executive Session at 4:52 p.m.
Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on item(s) discussed in Executive Session..
Chairman Manning reconvened the Board into open session at 5:12 p.m.
Dr. Hashmi made a motion to proceed with the purchase of said land as discussed. Mr. Hernandez
seconded the motion. Vote was 4 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss Future Agenda Items.
No items were discussed.
Adiourn
Dr. Hashmi made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Manning seconded the motion. Vote was 4 -ayes to 0 -nays.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
,f K,
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Brownfield
Administrative Assistant
Paris Economic Development Corporation