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05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS January 13, 2020 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2020, 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; Carla Easton, City Engineer; 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. Deanna Nicholson, 6940 Pine Mill Road, Paris — she spoke in support of a motel ordinance, citing places that did not require identification or a credit card were adding to the drug problem in Paris, and creating safety issues for the people in Paris. Mrs. Nicholson said the panhandling problem went along with the existing drug problems, thus causing additional safety issues. She asked City Council to regulate pedestrians at a major intersection where people were loitering and littering. Regular Council Meeting January 13, 2020 Page 2 Ricky Gillean, 321 CR 11400, Paris — he said there were panhandler situations where they were actually going out in front of the vehicles. He said he had personally picked up trash that the panhandlers had left behind. He said this was a safety issue and that he was concerned someone was going to get hurt. Neil Smith, 7130 FM 195, Paris — he said he understood that panhandlers had rights, but that this activity needed to be controlled. He also said to do nothing about this problem would only create bigger problems. He said something needed to be done. Ronnie Smith, 1522 E. Houston, Paris — he said there were things that the City Council could override for the betterment of the community. Mr. Smith said he would like to see them come up with some regulations to protect the citizens in the community. Chuck McMasters, 3040 N.E. Loop 286, Paris, - he said he personally went to the intersection three times a week and cleaned up the area because Paris was his home and he wanted it to be clean. Mr. McMasters explained there was half -eaten food, trash and bottles of urine located at that intersection. He said at one point he saw a man leaving and inquired why he was leaving at that time. 'Mr. McMasters said the man told him when the others arrived, they had to leave. Mr. McMasters questioned if the people who truly needed help were being run off by the people who were asking for monies for other reasons. He said he was a compassionate man, but they needed to come to a resolution in order to make Paris a safer community. Consent Agenda Mayor Clifford inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the consent agenda for discussion. Council Member Portugal said the Paris -Lamar County Health Board sent in four sets of minutes for this agenda. She asked if they could be contacted and asked to send in the minutes in a more timely fashion. City Clerk Janice Ellis said she would contact Ms. Prestridge and ask them to do that. A Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Council Member Knox, and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. Approve minutes from the meeting of December 9, 2019. 6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions: a. Board of Adjustment (11-5-2019) b. Paris Economic Development Corporation (11-7-2019 & 11-25-2019) c. Housing Authority (9-17-2019) d. Paris -Lamar County Board of Health (5-20-2019, 7-15-2019, 8-19-2019 & 10-21- 2019) e. Planning & Zoning Commission (12-2-2019) f. Traffic Commission (10-1-2019) 7. Receive the November 2019 financial report. Regular Council Meeting January 13, 2020 Page 3 8. Re -approve the City Investment Policy. 9. Receive November drainage report. Regular A Benda 10. Consider ORDINANCE NO. 2020-001: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND SURPLUS REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 2020; LEVYING AN ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF SAID CERTIFICATES AND PROVIDING OTHER SECURITY APPROVING PAYING AGENT/ REGISTRAR AGREEMENT; ENGAGING BOND COUNSEL; AND EXACTING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. Interim City Manager Gene Anderson explained the citizens of Paris voted to approve an increased 2% hotel occupancy tax for renovation of Love Civic Center as a venue project. He also said the City would issue certificates of obligation to fund the renovation, and increased revenues from the hotel tax would be used to' make debt payments on the certificates. Mr. Anderson said the bids were received January a 19 with First National Bank Texas offering the lowest rate. Mr. Anderson introduced Andrew Freeman with SAMCO, who answered questions from City Council. A Motion to adopt an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of the City of Paris, Texas Combination Tax and Surplus Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2020 and approving all matters incident thereto was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 11. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-001: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS AND APPROVING GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR GRANTING TAX ABATEMENTS IN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Attorney Stephanie Harris said municipalities that offer tax abatements were required to adopt and maintain a tax abatement policy every two years. She said the current policy was approved in January 2018. 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 Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. Regular Council Meeting January 13, 2020 Page 4 12. Receive and discuss report from Chief Hundley about creation of a safe zone at local hotels in the City of Paris, Texas. Chief Hundley gave a report reflecting both America's Best Value and Kings Inn had an increase in arrests, which amounted to three or four more arrests in 2019 compared to 2018. He said Best Value seem to be the primary concern of those who presented the petition in 2019 requesting an ordinance. Chief Hundley said he did speak to Best Value, and he thought they understood and they wanted to do better. He said if a person causes a problem, they make them leave and do not rent to them again. Chief Hundley reported that he spoke with the police chief of Denison who was the former chief in Grand Prairie. He further reported that the chief said the ordinance worked great with regard to prostitution and holes in the walls. Chief Hundley referenced an abatement team in the past and how they closed down two places in Paris. He said he wanted people to feel safe. Chief Hundley said he did not believe this particular ordinance was right for Paris but would be better served using other tools. Council Member Stone inquired if the hotel owners were being held accountable. Chief Hundley said no, but they tried to get voluntary compliance. He said when there was'a problem area, the police department put on extra patrol. He said the department had been short staffed for a year but were back up. Council Member Pilgrim wanted to know if the patrons had to provide identification and Chief Hundley said they did. Chief Hundley said the problems seem to be at the places that did not require credit cards but took cash payment. Council Member Pilgrim wanted to know if they could do anything to hold property owners responsible. Chief Hundley said they had to be in violation of the code, but that the problem was with the people staying there and not code violations. Council Member Portugal asked if the calls were primarily at night. Chief Hundley said out of 23 calls, 17 of those were during the day. Council Member Pilgrim confirmed with Chief Hundley that his recommendation was to continue doing` what they were doing. Council Member Knox said this community had an issue with Hotels and panhandlers. Council Member Stone inquired about security. Chief Hundley said hotels were responsible for their own security. Council Member Knox said people had a right to go to work and not be harassed. She also said with Mrs. Nicholson's employees being afraid to unlock the business, it appears they have a situation where folks are intruding onto other people's rights and using the constitution to hide behind their actions. Mayor Clifford suggested they look at an ordinance about loitering and panhandling. Ms. Harris said she could have something for them to review on their next agenda. Mrs. Nicholson said other cities were passing pedestrian ordinances, and she encouraged creativity in keeping people in this community safe. Council Member Pilgrim said he agreed with Mrs. Nicholson in that they needed to get creative. He said this was a hot topic, and he had received e-mails from the group speaking tonight and from his Johnson Woods neighbors. Council Member Pilgrim also said he had personally seen the panhandlers. Mihir Pankaj, 3055 Oak Creek Drive, Paris — he said he owned several hotels and he wanted to speak on behalf of the local hotels. Mr. Pankaj said they wanted safe neighborhoods, safe businesses and a safe city. Mr. Pankaj said the hotel owners had a monthly meeting with the Chamber. He acknowledged there were issues and suggested coming together to resolve these issues. Council Member Knox suggested the hotel owners come up with ideas. Mayor Clifford January 13, 2020 Page 5 said he had heard that the hotel owners kept a list of those who caused trouble at their places, and asked if that could be shared. Mr. Pankaj said the hotel owners did share that information with each other. Council Member Pilgrim suggested that information be shared with the police chief MT. Pankaj said it was usually just open to the hotel owners but the police chief could come. Mr. Pankaj also said the United Way might be a resource. Chief Hundley verified with Council Member Pilgrim that he was to give another report in thirty days. 13. Discuss and act on an Ordinance Amending Section 26-9, "Seniority Pay," of Chapter 26 "Police," of the Code of Ordinances, adopting, additional service steps for increases in seniority pay for the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief. Chief Hundley explained that the officer seniority pay steps were changed in e 2 1 e su� s 2019 budget for an officer to arrive at top pay in 11 years instead of 20. He said th, so seniority pay steps were changed to top out in 12 years in the 2019-2020 budget and mainta, separation. Chief Hundl ' also said these changes were approved in the 2019-2020 budget. ey I Council Member Knox said she realized that $26,000 wasn't much money compared to the police department budget or the entire budget, but that she would like to table this item until they have a new city manager. She said she was not opposed to this, but felt they should get the new city manager in place first. Mayor Clifford agreed. A Motion to table, this item was made by Council Member'Knox, a- nd seconded by Mayor Clifford. Motion carried. 5 ayes — 0 nays. 14. Discuss and appoint Melba Harris to serve on the Civil Service Commission. Mr. Anderson recommended appointment of Melba Harris to serve on this commissio He said she bad extensive knowledge of the Civil Service Commission, as she previously sery on the Commission, and had also served as the City's Civil Service Commission Director. I A Motion to confirm Mr. Anderson's appointment of Melba Harris to the Civil Service Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 15. Convene into executive session pursuant to Sec. 551.087 of the Texas Goverm-nent 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 Subdivisionfollows: Project Iron Shovel. F ii SENIOR 11 INNER I I III Regular Council Meeting January 13, 2020 Page 6 16. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discuss in executive session. Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 6:45 p.m. A Motion to approve the incentive package on Project Iron Shovel, approve the PEDC offer, and to authorize the City Attorney to bring back the tax abatement agreement associated with this deal, was made by Mayor Clifford, and seconded by Council Member Portugal. 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 said they discussed loitering and panhandling, and that the city attorney would bring back some model ordinances, which would hopefully resolve some of the problems. 18. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Clifford and was seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m. STEVEN J. CLIFFORD, M.D., MAYOR JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK