09/09/2019MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
September 9, 2019
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
September 9, 2019, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Billy Trenado; Linda Knox; Paula Portugal; and
Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Janice
Ellis, City Clerk; Bob Hundley, Police Chief; Mike
Vogel, Fire Chief, Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director;
Jerry McDaniel, Public Works Director, Carla
Easton, City Engineer; Priscilla McAnally, Library
Director; Randy Tuttle, Assistant Police Chief; Tom
Hunt, Municipal Judge; and Clyde Crews, Fire
Marshal
Absent: Council Members: Derrick Hughes and Renae Stone
Opening Agenda
Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Gene Anderson gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Portugal led the pledge.
4. Citizens' forum.
Deanna Nicholson, 6940 Pine Mill Road, Paris, Texas — she spoke in support of item 10,
citing the reasons this type of program was being requested by local business owners. She said
she had provided a signed copy of the petition to Council and to Chief Hundley. Mayor Clifford
said he would allow her to speak again when they reached item 10.
Regular Council Meeting
September 9, 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 Pilgrim, and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried,
5 ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meetings of August 19 and August 26, 2019.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (7-17-2019)
Re pular A enda
7. Discuss, conduct a public hearing 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 in order for this item to be approved, it required a super majority of
the Council and the entire Council was not in attendance. Mayor Clifford opened the public
hearing and continued it to September 23.
8. Conduct the second public hearing on the City's proposed tax rate for 2019-2020, discuss
and provide direction to staff.
Interim City Manager Gene Anderson said he had been working on reducing the budget
expenditures as requested by City Council, and was going to be able to get it accomplished. He
said he should have something to Council at their next meeting.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Clifford closed the public
hearing.
9. Receive an annual update on the Grand Theatre Project.
Grand Theatre Project President Julia Trigg Crawford gave a presentation to City Council
regarding the board, website, fundraisers and challenges. Ms. Crawford said they were creating
interest and enthusiasm. Council Member Portugal read an article from the Dallas Morning News
about the Texas Theatre in Greenville, Texas, dated September 8, 2019, written by Ronnie Nutt
from Paris. She said she hoped to see an article similar about the Grand Theatre in the future.
10. Discuss and provide direction on a request for creation of a safe zone at local hotel and
apartment housing in the City of Paris.
Regular Council Meeting
September 9, 2019
Page 3
Mayor Clifford asked Ms. Nicholson to continue where she left off during the citizen's
forum. Ms. Nicholson said there had been a large drug bust recently at the American Best Value.
She said the fire, police and EMS were routinely at this facility. Ms. Nicholson also said she had
provided Council with information about this type program having a lot of success nationwide,
as referenced by police, sheriff s offices and property owners. She said when identification and
credit cards were not used and patrons could pay cash, is when they had problems with drug use
and selling of drugs.
Chief Hundley gave statistics of calls received about activity at various local hotels,
motels, and extended stay facilities. He said if they moved forward with an ordinance, it was
important to educate the businesses and conduct training. Chief Hundley said the City did not
have enough staff to enforce an ordinance like Grand Prairie. Council Member Portugal said
some of the items were not needed; specifically she referred to inspection of linens and
mattresses. Council Member Pilgrim said repeat offenders should definitely be dealt with.
Mayor Clifford said he had no problems about the definitions of lighting, thickness of
doors but it could get expensive if all units had to be inspected. He also said having this type of
program in place might give owners an incentive to keep the crime down. Chief Hundley said
this ordinance as written was not for Paris. Mayor Clifford inquired of Chief Hundley as what
parts he agreed with and what parts he did not. Chief Hundley said he liked the threshold set out
in the ordinance with regard to the ratio of calls, specifically the different tiers. He said some
hotels hardly had any calls, while others had a lot.
Council Member Knox said she would eventually like to see it expanded to apartment
complexes. Ms. Harris suggested they start with hotels and motels. Following additional
discussion, it was a consensus of City Council that staff bring back an ordinance for discussion.
11. Discuss the status of the private sale of the Belford Apartments and possible action
regarding placing it back up for the sheriffs auction, perhaps at a lower amount.
Council Member Knox said they had this property up for sale and nobody bid on it. She
also said it was her understanding there was a private individual who contacted the owner and
was supposedly buying it, but that was not reflected through the Lamar County Appraisal
District. Council Member Knox said the place was a mess, had become more overgrown, the
boards that were up to stabilize the building had been busted and doors were wide open. Council
Member Knox asked the Council if there was something they could do about this. Mayor
Clifford said one or two things needed to happen, and that was either it needed to be stabilized
and repaired, or torn down. He said it had been dragging on for decades. Council Member
Pilgrim inquired about the cost of demolition. City Attorney Stephanie Harris said she had heard
it was anywhere from $250,000 to $400,000 to demolish it. Ms. Harris also said the sticking
point for the buyer was all civil penalties and the judgment lien be released at closing, and that
did not give the City any leverage to get done what needed to get done to that property. Ms.
Harris referenced the resolution passed by City Council in March whereby penalties and the
judgment would be released only upon demolition or rehabilitation of the property. Mayor
Clifford inquired if the new owner could be legally required to put money in escrow to cover
September 1- •
Page %.
cost of demolition, with the caveat that it be done by a certain time. Ms. Harris said legally th
could be done, but in all probability thatto happen.
Following additional discussion, ,
minimumb42and place back up for the sheriffs auction,;a
required adopted in March#- Pilgrim said
this property does k at the auction, he wants this item back on the agenda. Due to public
requirements,notice aid it might be November before it goes to auction.
12. Discuss and act on re -appointment of Judge as Municipal Court Judge and
Judge w,' to serve as Associate#u,
Council..said Council had ;
they ,, to review changesregardenforcement. ,, inquired what Coun
Memberwanted to do. Council Pilgrim said he was fine with the ,
-appointments. 0
A Motion to re -appoint Judged► g^ Biard
serve as Associate Municipal Court Judge was made by Council Member
by Mayor Clifford. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. I
13. Discuss and k . 20ORDINANCE
PARIS,COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APPROVING ,
NEGOTIATEDSETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE ATMOS
("ACSC") AND ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION REGARDING THE
COMPANY'S 2019 RATE REVIEW MECHANISM FILING; DECLARING
EXISTING RATES TO BE
REFLECT RATE a. UNREASONABLE;NEGOTIATED
TARIFFSSETTLEMENT; FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE SETTLEMENT
REASONABLE AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST;
APPROVINGA
AND RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS; APPROVING AN
REGARDING AMORTIZATION REGULATORY LIABILITY; REQUIRING
f
COMPANY REIMBURSE # REASONABLE RATEMAKING
DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT;
ADOPTING 4. SAVINGS CLAUSE; DECLARING AN DATE; AND
dollarsREQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY AND THE
ACSC'S LEGAL COUNSEL.
Mr. Anderson explained that on April 1 Atmos made a filing requesting for 39.3 million
additional revenues from its Atmos Cities Steering Committee
negotiations between Atmos and ACSC resulted in a 3.9 million dollar reduction of requested
revenues from ACSC customers. Mr. Andersonsaid the typical residential
effectivesee a $2.05 monthly bill increase, and typical commercial customers would see a monthly
increase of $6.18. He said the date of the increase was October 1, 2019
Regular Council Meeting
September 9, 2019
Page 5
A Motion to approve this item was made Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member
Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-028: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO SANITATION SOLUTIONS, INC.,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN THE BUSINESS OF COLLECTING
AND/OR TRANSPORTING SOLID WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL AND
INDUSTRIAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS; FINDING A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND CONVENIENCE FOR ISSUANCE
OF SAID PERMIT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED OT
THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Janice Ellis said items 14, 15 and 16 were three returning solid waste haulers,
that all of their fees were paid and insurance certificates had been received. She recommended
approval of permits to the three companies.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-029: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO COUNTY WASTE COLLECTION,
LLC D/B/A TRASHY BUSINESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN THE
BUSINESS OF COLLECTING AND/OR TRANSPORTING SOLID WASTE FROM
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE
CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; FINDING A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND CONVENIENCE
FOR ISSUANCE OF SAID PERMIT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED OT THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-030: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO RAYMOND C. TABOR D/B/A
WASTE CONNECTION OF NORTHEAST TEXAS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ENGAGING IN THE BUSINESS OF COLLECTING AND/OR TRANSPORTING
SOLID WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNITS WITHIN THE
CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; FINDING A PUBLIC NECESSITY
AND CONVENIENCE FOR ISSUANCE OF SAID PERMIT; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Regular Council Meeting
September 9, 2019
Page 6
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Trenado and seconded by
Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Mayor Clifford asked City Council to be thinking about what kind of criteria they wanted
for a city manager.
18. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pilgrim and was seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
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CLIFFOR . ; M.D., MAYOR