01/27/2020MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
January 27, 2020
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
January 27, 2020, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, 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 Member: Derrick Hughes
O ening Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Reverend Johnson gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Portugal led the pledge.
4. Citizens' forum.
Shelly Braziel, 540 33rd Street S.E. — she spoke in opposition to a panhandling ordinance
due to recent court cases and lack of a shelter for the homeless.
Joan Moore, 1015 Canon Place — she said they should proceed with caution with an
ordinance dealing with homeless people. She said there was no difference between the homeless
asking for support and the firefighters holding a boot asking for support.
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
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 Stone. Motion carried, 5
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting of January 13, 2020.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Paris Visitors & Convention Council Quarterly Activity & Financial Reports
b. Love Civic Center Quarterly Activity & Financial Reports
c. Historic Preservation Commission (11-19-2019)
d. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (12-18-2019)
e. Paris Economic Development Corporation (12-18-2019 & 1-7-2020)
7. Receive the December financial report.
8. Receive December drainage report.
9. Receive demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
10. Accept the bid and award a contract in the amount of $61,540.00 for ground maintenance
to Green's Lawn & Landscape, the lowest responsible bidder.
11. Approve appointment of Council Member Portugal to serve as the liaison to Main Street
Advisory Board and Council Member Pilgrim to serve as the liaison to the PEDC.
12. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2020-002: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ORDERING THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL
ELECTION FOR THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, TO BE HELD ON THE FIRST
SATURDAY IN MAY 2020, SAME BEING THE 2ND DAY OF MAY 2020, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE PARIS CITY COUNCIL IN
DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3 & 6 FOR THE ENSUING TWO YEARS; DESIGNATING
POLLING PLACES; ORDERING NOTICES OF ELECTION TO BE GIVEN; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
13. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2020-003: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PARIS AND THE LAMAR COUNTY
ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO ASSIST, COORDINATE, SUPERVISE AND
HANDLE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF ADMINISTERING THE GENERAL ELECTION
FOR MAY 2, 2020, FOR THE CITY OF PARIS.
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
Page 3
14. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2020-004: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNC
PARIS,OF THE CITY OF
AGREEMENT BETWEEN aINDEPENDEN
DISTRICTSCHOOL .
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED
A SUBJECT; AND PROVIDIN
ApproveAN EFFECTIVE DATE.
15. RESOLUTION y RESOLUTION
PARTS,OF THE CITY OF TEXAS, APPROVING A JOINT
DISTRICTAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PARIS AND NORTH LAMA
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
FOR
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJEC
4ND PROVIDING LN EFFECTIVE DATE.
16. Approve Plat of Lot 1, Block A of the Davis Addition,in u
Block
NUAMM, WA
Approve18.
Block2500 4 .
19. Approve the Final Plat of Lots I and 2, Block A of the CEFCO South Addition, located
in the 2900 Block of South Church Street.
20. • ..
� � I! . 1- Block � ". � i � West Paris Addition,3900 Block of Bo*�zw, Street.
Regular Agenda
22. Conduct a public hearing,ORDINANCE
AMENDINGORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXA
A
HERETOFOREAS AS TO REZONE CITY BLOCK 287, LOTS I ';
AND 5, LOCATED IN THE 3400 BLOCK OF LAMAR AVENUE, IN THE CITY
PARIS, TEXAS,.Nt SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINS
DISTRICTNO.(SF2) TOGENERAL RETAIL DISTRICT (GR); DIRECTING
CHANGE ACCORDINGLY
PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVIN
6PENALTY& ♦1 PROVIDING 4
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
Page 4
City Engineer Carla Easton explained Ramseur Baptist Church owned approximately 6.9
acres and was requesting the zoning change because they planned to sell a portion of the property
with frontage along Lamar Avenue for retail use. She also said this change was consistent with
the future land use plan, as well as existing land uses in the area and staff recommend approval
of this zoning change.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in
support or opposition of this zoning change, 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 Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Members Knox and Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
23. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-006: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH
LIONSHEAD SPECIALTY TIRE & WHEEL, L.L.C.; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said that on December 9, 2019, City Council directed her
to prepare a tax abatement agreement for a new tax abatement with Lionshead Speciality Tire &
Wheel. She said the abatement was for 7 years and would be granted on a de-escalating basis.
Ms. Harris also said the improvements would be between $6,000,000.00 and $8,200,000.00 and
would necessitate the hiring of at least 18 employees in the first three years of the agreement.
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.
Mayor Clifford said he had a couple of questions about the contract and specifically
asked why she would put language in the contract that limited amount of investment Lionshead
could make. Ms. Harris said she would change that language. Mayor Clifford also referenced the
language pertaining to jobs, and said it was ambiguous. He said it could be construed that the
company only had to have five jobs in 2022. Ms. Harris explained the paragraph. Mayor
Clifford said if she thought it was legal, then that was fine but did not want to the City to have a
problem in the future. Ms. Harris said she would review the document prior to obtaining
signatures. City Council discussed cash for jobs. Council Member Pilgrim reminded everyone
that it was a 7 year de-escalating agreement, not like the past where 10 year abatements at 100%
were given.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
Page 5
24. Discuss creation of a Panhandling Ordinance, and provide direction to staff.
Mayor Clifford said City Council had given instructions to the city attorney to review this
and she would brief them tonight. Ms. Harris said she had researched the issue at length and
citing case law, she advised that they could not have an out -right ban on panhandling. Ms. Harris
said it might be possible to enact an ordinance regulating certain areas for public safety. She said
prior to that, the City should develop a strong factual record demonstrating the nature of the
threat to public safety, the locations where threats exist and but the threats must be sufficient to
warrant regulation. Ms. Harris also said the City should then cite this factual record within the
ordinance itself. Mayor Clifford said the City had ordinances in place to deal with littering and
things of that nature. Council Member Pilgrim said he would be in favor of tabling this item, and
was glad they heard from both sides. Mayor Clifford inquired if Council wanted staff to begin
compiling factual data. Council Member Portugal said she had talked to homeowners in that
area they were discussing, and she was told they had not felt threatened. Council Member
Pilgrim agreed that the staff should begin compiling factual data. Chief Hundley said it would
take some time to compile the data, because of the way the calls were identified in dispatch. He
said they could begin doing this. Ms. Harris said until data is compiled they would not really
know the scope of the problem. It was a consensus of the City Council that the police
department begin compiling factual data.
25. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2020-003: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO NELSON AND TANNA STOLL
D/B/A COUNTRYSIDE DISPOSAL, LLC FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN
THE BUSINESS OF COLLECTING AND 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.
City Clerk Janice Ellis said this company had been doing business in Lamar and Red
River Counties for about ten years, and wanted to expand their business to Paris. She said their
paperwork was in order, and recommended approval.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
26. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2020-004: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING THE TRAFFIC
CONTROL MAP ADOPTED IN SECTION 31-65(B) OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; ESTABLISHING STOP SIGNS
STOPPING NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC AT THE
INTERSECTION OF CHURCH STREET AND SHERMAN STREET; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
Page 6
A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A
PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Chief Hundley said requests were made by residents along Church Street for additional
traffic control devices to reduce speeds, as well as deter through traffic. He also said staff
supported the installation of stop signs on Church Street that would accommodate a safe and
pronounced pedestrian crossing at Sherman. Chief Hundley informed the City Council that the
Traffic Commission approved placing stop signs for north and south traffic at Church and
Sherman, creating a four way stop.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Knox and seconded by
Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
27. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-007: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, FORGIVING CERTAIN CIVIL
PENALTIES ASSESSED AGAINST THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1416 W.
KAUFMAN STREET; FINDING A PUBLIC PURPOSE IN SUPPORT OF SAME;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Harris explained that in October of 2012, the Building and Standards Commission
issued an order of demolition on the residential structure located at 1416 W. Kaufinan and
ordered civil penalties in the amount of $1,000 per day if work was not completed within 30
days. She said rather than demolish the structure, the then -owner sold the property to its current
owners who were able to rehabilitate the structure and make it code complaint. Ms. Harris
further explained the now -owners have been residing in the home since 2013; the structure is still
in good condition and code compliant. Ms. Harris said the owners would like to sell the property
but the order for civil penalties was still attached to the property, and as of January 15, the civil
penalties were up to $426,000.00 plus 10% compounding interest. Ms. Harris also said there is a
public purpose in forgiving the civil penalties in that doing so would allow sale of the property to
an owner who could maintain the property and thus contribute to the well-being of the
neighborhood.
Council Member Knox questioned how this could happen and the City not know about it.
Ms. Harris said she did not know but that it just now showed up. Council Member Pilgrim said
if it were a cash deal, they might not have gone through a title company so this would not have
been picked up in 2013. Council Member Knox said when the City places liens on property
there should be some type of recheck or follow-up. Mayor Clifford wanted to know if there were
other houses in this same type of situation. Council Member Portugal said there needed to be
follow-up. Ms. Harris said she did not know how this happened, but that she was willing to
work with code enforcement to set up some sort of tickler system.
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
Page 7
A Motion to forgive civil penalties in the amount of $426,000 plus interest assessed
against the property located at 1416 W. Kaufman Street was made by Council Member Knox and
seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
28. Convene into executive session pursuant to 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: J. Skinner Bakery.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 6:12 p.m.
29. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into open session at 6:31 p.m.
A Motion to approve an incentive package from PEDC to Skinner and to instruct the City
Attorney to draw up a performance agreement for approval by the PEDC Board, was made by
Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Members Portugal and Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes
— 0 nays.
30. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
No future events were referenced.
31, Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Clifford and
Knox. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was
was seconded by Council Member
adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
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STEgE�J. CLIFM, � �����.M.D., MAYOR