06/10/2019MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
June 10, 2019
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
June 10, 2019, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Derrick Hughes; Billy Trenado; Linda Knox; 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; Mike
Vogel, Fire Chief; Carla Easton, City Engineer;
Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris,
Utilities Director; Priscilla McAnally, Library
Director; and Clyde Crews; Fire Marshal
Absent: Council Members: Renae Stone and Clayton Pilgrim
Opening Agenda
1. Call meetingto order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Finance Director Gene Anderson gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Portugal led the pledge.
4. Citizens' forum.
No one spoke at the citizens' forum.
Consent A enda
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 Knox, and seconded by Council Member Trenado. Motion carried, 5
ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
June 10, 2019
Page 2
5. Approve minutes from the meeting on May 13, 2019.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
(a) Historic Preservation Commission (4-10-2019)
(b) Paris Public Library Advisory Board (4-17-2019)
(c) Love Civic Center Board (3-14-2019)
(d) Housing Authority (3-14-2019)
(e) Paris Economic Development Corporation (4-16-2019)
(f) Paris -Lamar County Board of Health (3-19-2019)
(g) Paris Visitors & Convention Council (4-15-2019)
(h) Planning & Zoning Commission (5-6-2019)
7. Receive April monthly financial report.
8. Receive April drainage report.
9. Receive April demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
10. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2019-018: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF AN
APPLICATION FOR AN EXTENSION OF AN AUTOMOBILE BURGLARY AND
THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY (ABTPA) GRANT FOR CONTINUATION OF
THE NORTHEAST TEXAS AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE; APPROVING A CASH
MATCH FROM THE CITY OF PARIS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID GRANT
EXTENSION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR ACCEPTANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
SAID GRANT UPON NOTICE THEREOF; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Regular Agenda
11. Discuss and act on a professional services agreement with Garver USA to provide
engineering and related services for design of a wastewater treatment plant.
City Manager John Godwin said City Council had instructed staff to pursue a
professional services agreement with Garver for a new wastewater plant. Mr. Godwin explained
that only the first three tasks, which included funding, surveying and conceptual design would be
authorized immediately. He said those three tasks would cost approximately $370,000.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Portugal and seconded by
Mayor Clifford. Motion carried, 5 ayes ® 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
June 10, 2019
Page 3
12. Discuss and act on a Request from the Lamar County Appraisal District to approve the
purchase of the downtown Peoples Bank Building for the purpose of relocation of
LCAD's offices.
City Manager John Godwin said that he did not have a strong opinion about this item one
way or another, but that Jerry Patton of the Lamar County Appraisal District had asked him to
place it on the agenda. He said the appraisal district had insufficient room in their current
location, and inadequate parking, security and privacy. Mr. Godwin said they had been looking
for more appropriate space and had considered the downtown Peoples Bank Building. He also
said at its meeting on May 29, the LCAD board voted to recommend approval of purchase of the
building, and that eight of the eleven jurisdictions must approve the purchase.
Mayor Clifford said he opposed this, and that LCAD moving into one of the most
beautiful historic buildings in downtown would be a terrible mistake. Mayor Clifford said this
did not fit in with the long-term plans for downtown, and would not contribute to the
revitalization of downtown Paris. Council Member Knox also expressed opposition and said this
would not fit in with the downtown plan. Council Member Trenado said he would not support
this and that LCAD should consider property next to their current location. Council Member
Hughes said it might not be ideal for downtown, but questioned if they wanted an empty building
downtown. Council Member Portugal said a government entity occupying the downtown
building did not fit into their vision, and said she also opposed this.
A Motion to deny LCAD's request was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by
Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 4 ayes — 1 nay, with Council Member Hughes
casting the dissenting vote.
13. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-019: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CITY OF PARIS
CODE OF ORDINANCES BY REVISING CHAPTER 26, ARTICLE I, SECTION 26-1
"COMPOSITION OF DEPARTMENT" TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL SERGEANT
POSITION AND REDUCE ONE POLICE OFFICER POSITION; PROVIDING A
REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Chief Hundley explained that a lieutenant's position in CID was changed to an officer
position and that a sergeant would be assigned to the narcotics team. He said that the narcotics
team self -initiated most of their cases and that the sergeant would still carry a case load, and
provide liaison with federal agencies.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council member Knox and seconded by
Council Member Hughes. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Receive and discuss annual departmental reports from Public Works, Community
Development, Utilities and Finance.
Regular Council Meeting
June 10, 2019
Page 4
Mr. Godwin said the annual reports inform the Council about what the departments were
working on, what their major needs were and any special issues they face while planning for the
future. Mr. Godwin said these priorities and needs determined the budget and helped with
thinking in terms of multiple years.
Finance Director Gene Anderson said the department's recent accomplishment was the
GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Report for the 23rd consecutive
year. He said priorities consisted of needed renovations at city hall and city hall annex, and
repairs to the depot building. With regard to the warehouse, he said the most recent major
accomplishment was the construction of an all-weather surface for the unloading zone. Mr.
Anderson said the priority was the above ground fueling station with fleet management software.
He said the biggest accomplishment for the utility billing office was partial completion of the
radio read meter project, and the priority was funding to complete the radio read meter project.
City Engineer/Community Development Director Carl Easton outlined accomplishments
of the addition of a Chief Building Official, adoption and implementation of the Comprehensive
Plan. She said the goals and upcoming projects were update of building and development fees,
downtown plan implementation, pump track construction, Aiken Elementary Safe Routes
Program and street resurfacing.
Public Works Director Jerry McDaniel said an accomplishment for his department was
partnering with City Square Paris to provide summer recreational activities for children, and park
enhancements. With regard to needed equipment, he referenced a roller for streets and pool
improvements. Mr. McDaniel gave brief updates on the utilities bond projects.
Utilities Director Doug Harris outlined the completed capital projects which included
VFD installation at Pat Mayse intake, clear well valve replacement, installation of automatic
barscreen structure, and pump replacement at Flow Equalization Basin. Mr. Harris informed City
Council about ongoing projects consisting of installation of sludge disposal/transfer pumps, start-
up of rotary sludge press, and entryway improvements at two lift stations. Mr. Harris said the
capital improvement projects planned for the fiscal year 2019-2020 for water treatment were
motor control center replacement, filter gallery electrical upgrades, pump assessments and
replacement. He said for the two lift stations pump upgrades were planned. He expressed
appreciation for the contract with Garver Engineering for improvement and rehabilitation of the
wastewater treatment plant.
Mr. Godwin said the city clerk was working on recodification of the codes, and the
process would take four to six months.
15. Receive an update on the vacant building ordinance.
Mr. Godwin reported there were thirty-nine vacant buildings, one was opened for use,
four were actively being remodeled, two were offered for sale at the sheriffs auction, one
became vacant, twelve were in non-compliance, and three small vacant structures were added.
Mr. Godwin answered questions from Council about the non-compliant properties.
Regular Council Meeting
June 10, 2019
Page 5
16. Receive an update on the rental property maintenance ordinance.
Mr. Godwin said Council approved a property maintenance ordinance for single-family
rental properties in 2018. He said since that time, the City had worked seventeen cases that
removed renters, occupants, or squatters. He also said that complaints were received about
apartment complexes and owner -occupied single family dwellings, but those were not covered
by the ordinance. Mr. Godwin said these regulations were making a difference. Council
Member Knox inquired if houses were being repaired. Mr. Godwin said some of them were, that
two had been demolished and the goal was go get people out of houses that due to safety and
health concerns. Council Member Knox said this began with their efforts of trying to rehabilitate
neighborhoods. Council Member Portugal said she could tell this was making a difference.
17. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive legal advice from the City Attorney about
(1) pending or contemplated litigation and/or (2) on matters in which the duty of an
attorney to her client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the
State Bar of Texas clearly conflict with this chapter, regarding the Paris Regional
Medical Center tax abatement agreement.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 6:28 p.m.
18. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
executive session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 6:45 p.m. and said Council
received legal advice from the city attorney.
19. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Mayor Clifford reminded everyone that the Municipal Band was playing on Friday nights
at Bywaters Park. Council Member Hughes said the Juneteenth parade was this coming
Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
20. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a M
was seconded by Council Member Portugal.
adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
�E C
ELLIS, C
:cn
otion to adjourn was made by Mayor Clifford and
Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was