05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 12, 2019
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
August 12, 2019, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Derrick Hughes; Renae Stone; Linda Knox; Paula
Portugal; and Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff. John Godwin, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson,
Finance Director; Bob Hundley, Police Chief; Mike
Voges, Fire Chief; Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director;
Doug ° Harris, Utilities Director; Clyde", Cxew, , Fire
MarShai Jerry McDaniel, Public Works Director,
Carla , Easton, City Engineer; and s %-Priscilla
Mc -Anally, Library Director .
Absent: Council Member: Billy Trenado
O 6ning Agenda
A
1. Call meeting to 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. A. Citizens' forum.
No one spoke during citizens' forum.
B. Proclamation Honoring the Paris All -Stars Baseball Team 9U Youth World Series
Champions.
Mayor Clifford read the proclamation and presented it to the team and their coaches.
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August 12, 2019
Page 2
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 Council Member Portugal, and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried,
6 ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting of July 22, 2019.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
(a) Paris Public Library Advisory Board (6-19-2019)
(b) Building & Standards Commission (6-17-2019)
(c) Paris Economic Development Corporation (6-18-2019)
(d) Planning & Zoning Commission (7-1-2019)
7. Approve the low bids received for water and wastewater treatment chemicals for use in
FY 2019-20.
8. Receive the 2019tax appraisal roll from the Lamar County Appraisal District.
9. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2019-026: A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY
OF PARIS, TEXAS APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION'S 2019 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE SET-ASIDE
(TASA)/SAFE ROUTES 'TO SCHOOL-INFRASTRU URE (SRTS) CALL FOR
PROJECTS, GRANT NUMBER 3 92110 1.
Re ular Agenda
10. Continue the public hearing, discuss and act on an Ordinance regarding the petition of
James O'Bryan for a change in zoning from a Single -Family Dwelling District (SF2) to
Neighborhood Service (NS), in the Mayer Addition, Block 3, Lot 27, located at 3150
Bonham Street and 10 N.W. 32nd Street.
Mayor Clifford said the public hearing was still open and that they were missing a
council member. He explained this item needed a super majority to be approved and suggested
they continue the hearing.
A Motion to continue the public hearing until August 26 was made by Council Member
Portugal and seconded by Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
11. Discuss, conduct a public hearing and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2019-027: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL
JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM, GMS APPLICATION NUMBER
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August 12, 2019
Page 3
2019 -H3821 -TX -DJ; AUTHORIZING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH
LAMAR COUNTY; AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; ACCEPTING
SAID GRANT AWARD UPON NOTICE THEREOF; 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.
Chief Hundley explained this was the annual grant awarded by the U.S. Department of
Justice, and that the police department split was 50150 with the Lamar County Sheriff's Office.
He said the total amount awarded was $12,610.00 with no matching funds required. He also said
the police department was using their portion to purchase technology, which would
automatically connect body cameras and patrol cameras to the case number.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for 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 this item was made by Council Member Portugal and seconded by
Mayor Clifford. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
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12 Discuss and act on Paris Economic Development Corporation's FY 2019-20 budget.
PEDC Director Michael Paris presented the 2019-2020 annual budget to Citi Council.
He explained that the information included,the budget for 2018-2019, the proposed budget and
the differences between the two budgets. Mr. Paris ' reviewed the personnel expenses,
administration costs, marketing and promotion, total operating expenses, job training expenses,
business incentives, debt service, new industry projects, and estimated income.
Mayor Clifford inquired about the total loan balance they borrowed. Mr. Paris said
PEDC finished paying off the bond this past year and the $148,000 reflected was the debt service
projected. Mayor Clifford asked the amount of the loan that PEDC was paying for that debt
service. Mr. Paris said it was around 1.7 million dollars. Mayor Clifford confirmed that it was
around 1.7 million dollars that PEDC borrowed. Council Member Knox inquired about the rail
development partnership between businesses and PEDC, and asked whether or not if PEDC paid
for part of the expense and businesses paid for part of the expense. Mr. Paris said the amount
reflected was PEDC's part, and that they were still looking for investors. Mayor Clifford wanted
to know how much cash money the PEDC had in the bank. Mr. Paris said around 4.2 million
dollars in reserves. Mayor Clifford said it did not make good sound business practice to have that
much money in the bank and from the same bank borrow your own money back and then pay
interest. Mr. Paris said he could express that with the board. Council Member Knox asked if
PEDC was holding a guarantee for a large loan for a company and if so, was it reflected in the
budget. Mr. Paris said they did have a guarantee for Paris Warehouse owned by the HWH Group
and it was included in their audit. Mr. Paris said a couple of years ago he started sending a letter
to HWH asking if they were in good standing with their bank and making payments in a timely
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fashion. He also said PEDC received a letter last year and a letter a few weeks ago and they are
in good standing with their bank. Mr. Paris said that guarantee expires in a couple of years ago.
A Motion to approve the FY 2019-20 budget was made by Council Member Knox and
seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
13. Discuss revisions to the Property Management Ordinance.
City Manager John Godwin said both items 13 and 14 were opportunities to improve the
look of the town. He said item 14 would go to the Planning & Zoning Commission. He said a
property maintenance ordinance for single-family rental properties was approved in July 2018,
but that owner -occupied residential single-family structures were not covered. He said staff had
directly utilized the ordinance in a number of instances, successfully working seventeen cases
that removed renters, occupants, or squatters from very dangerous structures. Mr. Godwin also
said staff had received numerous complaints about owner -occupied residential single-family
dwellings. He reviewed details of expanding violations such as lack of weatherproofing,
flashing, -gutters, roof drains, overhangs, exterior wood and metal surfaces, masonry joints and
siding, insect and/or rodent infestation, substandard -fencing and vegetation that penetrates
constructed surfaces. He also said if these ordinances were approved, it would increase more
wo"rkload for staff.
Council Member Knox said she was,in favor.ofthis. She wanted to knowhow staff
would find out about structures like this, an& asked if they drove around looking or if they were
allowed to receive citizens' comments. Mr. ' Godwin said 'no, that almost all of responses were
through complaints. He said the City did not have`the staff for them to drive around and look for
violations. Mr. Godwin said code enforcement was almost always responsive as opposed to pro-
active, Council Member Hughes said there were people in town who bought empty lots for sale.
They kept the lots mowed and cleaned, and they were told they could not park on the -grass. He
said these people felt like they bought the lot for nothing. Mr. Godwin said the ordinance says
you cannot park on the grass and he did not have an answer for this but could look at it. Council
Member Portugal said this does point to the success of the initial maintenance ordinance they
passed and this would be a good step. She said there were several things available to them, such
as the Methodist Army who came to town once a year. She said if someone had been cited and
could not afford to make repairs or unable to make repairs, they could ask the Methodist Army to
help. Council Member Portugal also said was a group by the name of Brush of Kindness who
does minor repairs and paint. She said she did not want Council to pass something that staff
could not enforce. Mr. Godwin said there was a new proposed position in budget to coordinate
these types of things. Council Member Portugal said when she and the mayor met with the
president of Turner Industries, he indicated that they wanted to get involved in the community
and help people. She said he also indicated that Turner might be able to recruit other industries
to help in the community. Mayor Clifford said this looked like a good idea. Council Member
Knox said the key was going to be enforcement and follow-up.
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14. Discuss restrictions on storage containers.
Mr. Godwin said storage containers were meant to be temporary not permanent. He said
suggested changes included limiting the number of structures allowed on property, overall size
limits, standards for seasonal storage, safety concerns, and placement requirements.
Council Member Pilgrim inquired if this prohibited people moving from setting a pod in
front of their garage for a few days, while loading it up to be moved. Mr. Godwin said it should
not and that they could add something to that effect in the ordinance. Mayor Clifford said he was
in favor of this.
15. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to:
a. Sec. 551.071 of the Texas Government Code, Consultation with Attorney, to
receive legal ,advice about (1) pending or contemplated litigation and/or (2) on
matters in% which the duty of an attorney to his ar her client under the Texas
Disciplinary Rules °of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly
conflict with this chapter, regarding (1) Paris Regional Medical Center Tax
Abatement and (2) city manager; and
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b. Sec. 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, Personnel Matters, to deliberate the
appointment,, employment, evaluation, reassignment;., duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public official to wit: city manager.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 6:13 p.m.
16. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action :on those matters discussed in
Executive Session. "
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 9:23 p.m. Mayor Clifford
said they had a discussion with their attorney about PRMC, and they also had discussion about
the city manager.
A Motion to suspend John Godwin as city manager of the City of Paris effective
immediately was made by Council Member Knox and seconded by Council Member Portugal.
Motion carried, 4 ayes ® 2 nays, with Council Members Stone and Hughes casting the dissenting
votes.
17. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Council Member Knox said she wanted something placed on the agenda about the
Belford Apartments. She said she understood there was a buyer for the property but that it fell
through. She said it should put back on auction and they should possibly look at lowering the
price. Council Member Knox said it was a disgrace to see this building continuing to deteriorate.
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Council Member Hughes said he wanted an item on the agenda to speak with the city
attorney about how to improve the HR Department.
18. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Portugal and was seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
STEVEN CLIFFORD, M.D., MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK