04/09/2020MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
April 9, 2020
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday,
April 9, 2020, by video conference.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Paula Portugal; Renae Stone; Derrick Hughes;
Benny Plata; Linda Knox; and Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff. Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Janice
Ellis, City Clerk; and Bob Hundley, Police Chief
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 11:08 a.m.
2. Receive public comment, discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2020-010: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE FY 2019-2020 BUDGET BY INCREASING THE BUDGET IN THE
AMOUNT OF $510,000; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE DIRECTOR OF
FINANCE TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND RESERVES TO THE
GENERAL EXPENSES 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.
Mayor Clifford asked Ms. Ellis if she had received any e-mails from the public about this
item, and she said she had not. Mayor Clifford said he called this meeting because the ability to
do mass testing was being made available to the City. He asked Dr. Hashmi to explain the
purpose of mass testing. Dr. Hashmi explained the goal was to determine the status of
individuals so they could go on with their lives. He said these tests would be done through blood
and would reflect COVID positive prior to an individual exhibiting any symptoms. Dr. Hashmi
also explained a person who previously had COVID would be able to possibly help a seriously ill
individual, if that person had the antibodies. He said this test would reflect those antibodies. Dr.
Hashmi reviewed the process of testing and three different stages, including IGM and IGG.
Mayor Clifford inquired why these tests were difficult to get and Dr. Hashmi said every city and
State wanted these tests. Mayor Clifford explained the pros and cons of mass testing and gave
different scenarios.
City Council discussed additional details with regard to how soon the City could get the
testing, the county not wanting to contribute, whether or not to charge individuals for this
service, the amount of money that would be spent from reserves, and the effect on the budget.
City Council also discussed the process of how testing would be administered, and that the total
Special Council Meeting
April 9, 2020
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process from beginning to finish would take approximately fifteen minutes, which included
getting the result of the test. Mr. Anderson, as did City Council expressed concern about the
company's request for payment prior to receiving test kits, and discussed different options for
dealing with that request.
Mayor Clifford said he had done some research into the company and they had 25 or 30
tests which were approved by the FDA. Interim City Manager Gene Anderson said he was just
made aware of all of the information a day ago, but that he had also done some research and the
company appeared to be a reputable company.
It was a consensus of City Council that Gene Anderson do further research and negotiate
with the manufacturer, specifically find out if the City could order a lesser number of test kits,
and if the City could pick the kits up from the warehouse. A Motion for Gene Anderson to
proceed with further research, purchase test kits and keep the Council informed was made by
Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Hughes and Council Member Knox.
3. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Clifford and
was seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 12:29 p.m.
:. _.
, M.D., MAYOR, ..
STEVE i�f. CLIFF " 1"°
ICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK