12/09/2019MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
December 9, 2019
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
December 9, 2019, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Paula Portugal; Renae Stone; Linda Knox; and
Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Janice
Ellis, City Clerk; Bob Hundley, Police Chief;
Thomas McMonigle, Interim Fire Chief; Kent
Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris, Utilities
Director; Priscilla McAnally, Library Director; and
Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal
Absent: Council Members: Derrick Hughes and Billy Trenado
Opening Agenda
1. 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.
Janet Green, 4091 Stillhouse Road — she spoke about item 10, the proposed sidewalk
project and said that Carla Easton said she was willing to talk to them and the engineers about
the current design.
Ellen Green, 810 Elsbeth Street, Dallas — she said the way the project was designed at
this time would not best serve everyone and asked that a stipulation be put in place that the
engineers meet with all of the owners prior to beginning work. She also said that Leif Lindblum
had drawn up proposed changes to the design.
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December 9, 2019
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Leif Lindblum , 810 Elsbeth Street, Dallas — he said they wanted it on the record that the
city and engineers would meet with them regarding a design change prior to beginning any work.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Clifford inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the
consent agenda for discussion. Mayor Clifford pulled items 10 and 13 for discussion. With
regard to item 10, Interim City Manager Gene Anderson said it was the City's intent to meet with
them and look at changes. He also said the City had to make sure that it follows ADA and then
if the changes were allowed and there was an upcharge, the owners would be responsible for the
difference. Mayor Clifford inquired if staff followed the bidding procedures on item 13. City
Attorney Stephanie Harris said under State Law, professional service agreements are not bid out.
Subject to the stipulation of the City and engineers meeting with the property owners on item 10,
a Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council
Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
Approve minutes from the meetings of November 11 & November 14, 2019.
Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Main Street Advisory Board (10-8-2019)
b. Historic Preservation Commission (9-11-2019)
c. Building & Standards Commission (10-21-2019)
d. Paris Visitors & Convention Council Board of Directors (10-21-2019)
e. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (10-16-2019)
f. Paris Economic Development Corporation (10-15-2019, 11-7-2019, 11-20-2019, &
11-14-2019)
g. Planning & Zoning Commission (11-4-2019)
7. Receive October monthly financial report.
8. Receive October drainage report.
9. Receive demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
10. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2019-041: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ACCEPTING THE BID AND AWARDING THE
CONTRACT FOR THE 2019 TXCDBG DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK PROJECT, IN
THE CITY OF PARIS TO HIGHWAY 19 CONSTRUCTION, LLC, THE LOWEST
RESPONSIBLE BIDDER; AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH HIGHWAY 19 CONSTRUCTION, LLC; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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11. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2019-042: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, LAMAR COUNTY, TEXAS ACCEPTING A PROPOSAL
FROM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING COMPANY FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR THE TDHCA HOME PROGRAM;
AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RESOURCE MANAGEMENT &
CONSULTING COMPANY; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2019-043: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT FOR
FUNDING OF A PUMP TRACK PROJECT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
13. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2019-044: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH HAYTER ENGINEERING, INC.,
FOR DESIGN OF A PUMP TRACK PROJECT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
14. Approve the Re -plat of Lamar Business Park Lot 3 Block A.
Regular Agenda
15. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2019-045: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN AGREEMENT TO TERMINATE THE TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AND T & K MACHINE, INC.,
SUCCEEDED IN INTEREST BY AEQUIS AERO MACHINE, INC., DATED
NOVEMBER 12,2012; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said on November 12, 2012, the City Council approved a
tax abatement agreement with T&K Machine, Inc., and that the Texas Tax Code provides that a
tax abatement agreement may be terminated by mutual consent of both parties. Ms. Harris also
said the company was unable to comply with its obligations under the Agreement and has agreed
with the City to terminate the Agreement, which will expire on December 31, 2019. Ms. Harris
reported that the taxes owed were less than $9,000 and the City has agreed to suspend making a
demand for taxes abated under the terms of the agreement until after April 1, 2020.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim, and seconded by
Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
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16. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-047: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND
RESERVES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A
REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Chief Hundley reported that last week the line from the police department to city hall had
failed, and it was a just a matter of time before the entire system crashed.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Knox, and seconded by
Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Discuss and act on appointments to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board.
Mayor Clifford acknowledged that applications were received from three citizens and
there were several staff members interested in serving on the board. He said the fund will not
have any money in it for about three years and he was inclined to appoint the three citizens and
two staff members. Council Member Knox said she liked the idea of putting the citizens on this
board and also favored having Main Street Director Cheri Bedford on the board. Interim City
Manager Gene Anderson said that Carla Easton had also expressed an interest in serving on the
board.
A Motion to appoint Becki Norment, Carmon Thomas, Edward Holloway, Cheri Bedford
and Carla Easton to the TIRZ Board was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council
Member Knox. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
18. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2019-046: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPOINTING A MEMBER TO FILL
THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF LOUISE HAGOOD AND AN ALTERNATE MEMBER
TO FILL A VACANCY TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 16 OF THE CITY ZONING
ORDINANCE AND THE CITY'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR STANDING
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Janice Ellis explained that Ms. Hagood had resigned leaving an unexpired
term and there was also a vacant alternate position. Ms. Ellis recommended appointing Jerry
Haning to the unexpired term and Jathen Donaldson as an alternate member.
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A Motion to appoint Jerry Harting and Jathen Donaldson to the Board of Adjustment
Board was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 5
ayes — 0 nays.
19. Discuss and provide direction to staff with regard to parking issues at Heritage Park.
Council Member Portugal said she brought this forward because people who were
attending functions at Heritage Hall were parking in the grass at this park. She said she had
received complaints from neighbors and the Historical Society, and that the Tejas Garden Club
had spent a lot of money on beautifying the grounds at Heritage Park. Council Member Portugal
also said she did not see parking on the grass at other parks. Mr. Anderson said he spoke with
Bill Lorranger in the parks department, and they have equipment they could install that would
prohibit parking in the grass. Council Member Pilgrim inquired if anyone had spoken to Mr.
Varner, the owner of Heritage Hall. Mr. Anderson said he had not. Council Member Pilgrim
said he would first like for Mr. Anderson to speak with him to try to get it resolved. Citizen
Skipper Steely said the property in question belonged to the City and people parked all the way
to the Coke Plant.
It was a consensus of the City Council that Mr. Anderson speak with Mr. Varner in an
attempt to get this parking issue resolved, and that no parking signs be placed at the park.
20. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2019-048: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ISSUING A LICENSE TO DAVID
THOMPSON d/b/a LONE STAR CAB CO. TO OPERATE A TAXICAB BUSINESS
ON THE PUBLIC STREETS OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; FINDING A PUBLIC
NECESSITY AND CONVENIENCE FOR ISSUANCE OF SAID LICENSE; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Ellis said this was a returning cab company, and all of the paperwork and insurance
was in place.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council
Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
21. 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 Paris Regional Medical Center Tax
Abatement.
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Page 6
b. Sec. 551.087 of the Texas Government Code, (1) to discuss or deliberate
regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has
received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have
locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with
which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations;
or (2) to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect
described by Subdivision (1), as follows: Project Rocket X.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 5:55 p.m.
22. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matter discussed in
executive session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 6:50 p.m. Mayor Clifford
said there was no action to be taken on the legal matter. He said they also discussed Project
Rocket X.
A Motion to approve the incentive proposed by Project Rocket X was made by Mayor
Clifford, and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
23. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
No future events were referenced.
24. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Mayor Clifford adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
STEVEN:.. .
�� . CLIFFO, M..
D., MAYOR