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08/12/2019MINUTES 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 Vogel, Fire Chief; Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris, Utilities Director; Clyde Crew, Fire Marshal; Jerry McDaniel, Public Works Director, Carla Easton, City Engineer; and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director Absent: Council Member: Billy Trenado Opening Agenda 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. Regular Council Meeting 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 2019 tax 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 -INFRASTRUCTURE (SRTS) CALL FOR PROJECTS, GRANT NUMBER 3 92110 1. Regular 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 Regular Council Meeting 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. 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 City 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 Regular Council Meeting August 12, 2019 Page 4 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 workload for staff. Council Member Knox said she was in favor of this. She wanted to know how staff would find out about structures like this, and 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. Regular Council Meeting August 12, 2019 Page 5 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 or 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 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. Regular Council Meeting August 12, 2019 Page 6 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. 111{11111111111] clryo-,,,, r rILU ` ! ._ 5 �'"tLIFFOI STE i. � )., MAYOR ...,.� ., Ate..... �P . , CE ELLIS, CITY CLERK