2020-025 - Amending the Bylaw of the Paris Economic Development CorporationRESOLUTION NO. 2020-025
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS;
AMENDING THE BYLAWS OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on November 15, 1993, by Resolution No. 93-112, the City Council of the City
of Paris approved the original Paris Economic Development Corporation Bylaws; and
WHEREAS, Section 10.04 of the PEDC Bylaws provides that the Bylaws may at any time
and from time to time be amended provided that the Board files with the City a written
application approved by the affirmative vote of four (4) members of the voting members
requesting that the City approve such amendment to the Bylaws, specifying in said application
the amendment or the amendments to be made;
WHEREAS, Section 10.04 of the PEDC Bylaws further provides that the City Council may
approve any such bylaws changes upon the affirmative votes of five (5) of its members, and such
Section 10.04 further provides for amendment of the Bylaws by the Paris City Council in its sole
discretion by adopting a resolution supported by the affirmative vote of no less than five (5)
members of the City Council amending said Bylaws and by delivery of the Amended Bylaws to
the Secretary -Treasurer of the Corporation; and
WHEREAS, on June 16, 2020, the PEDC met and approved a resolution by a vote of five
(5) ayes to zero (0) nays to amend the bylaws in the form set forth in the Exhibit A to its
resolution and requested that the City Council approve same; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on June 22, 2020, considered the PEDC's resolution and
request to amend its bylaws and approved the PEDC's request in whole or in part and with
certain revisions thereto by adopting the amendments set forth in Exhibit 1 attached hereto and
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein by a vote of _6_ ayes to _0_ nays; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the City of Paris and its
citizens that the Bylaws of the Paris Economic Development Corporation be amended as set forth
in Exhibit A attached hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all
things approved.
Section 2. That the Bylaws of the Paris Economic Development Section are hereby
amended to read in their entirety to reflect the language contained in Exhibit A.
Section 3. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED this 22nd
IVA E p1;"'f""'
AN
N
ATTEST:
ice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
*Stelp3anAie harris, City Attorney
day of Jyane,2020.
StevnClifford, 4.D., Mayor
EXHIBIT A
Bylaws
Of
Paris Economic Development Corporation
A Non -Profit Corporation
Paris, Texas
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.01 Registered Office and Registered Agent. The Paris Economic
Development Corporation, hereinafter referred to as Corporation, shall have and continuously
maintain in the State of Texas a registered office, and a registered agent whose office is identical
with such registered office, as required by the Texas Non -Profit Corporation Act. The Board of
Directors, hereinafter referred to as Board may, from time to time, with the approval of the City
of Paris, Texas, hereinafter referred to as City, change the registered agent, or the address of the
registered office, provided that such is appropriately reflected in these Bylaws and in the Articles
of Incorporation.
The registered office of the Corporation is located at 1125 Bonham Street, Paris, Texas
75460, and at such address is the Corporation.
Section 1.02 Principal Office. The principal office of the Corporation shall be located at
1125 Bonham Street, City of Paris, County of Lamar, Texas.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
Section 2.01 Purpose. The Corporation is a non-profit corporation specifically governed
by the Texas Development Corporation Act of 1979, as amended. The purpose of the
Corporation is to promote, assist, and enhance economic development as permitted by the Texas
Development Corporation Act of 1979 and in accordance with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
Section 3.01 Members. The Corporation shall have no members.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Updated and Approved by the City Council on 6-22-2020
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 4.01 Board. The business and affairs of the Corporation and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under authority of the Board, appointed by and serving at the
pleasure of the governing body of the City and subject to the applicable limitations imposed by
the Texas Non -Profit Corporation Act, the Texas Business Corporation Act, the Texas
Development Corporation Act of 1979, the Articles of Incorporation, and these Bylaws. The
Board may, by contract authorized by Board resolution, give general, limited or special power
and authority to Directors of the Corporation to transact the general business of the Corporation
or transact any special business of the Corporation, and may give powers of attorney to Directors
of the Corporation authorized by Board resolution to transact any special business requiring such
authorization.
Section 4.02 Number and Qualifications. The authorized number of Directors of this
Board shall be seven (7).
The City Council shall appoint the Directors of the Corporation. Six (6) Directors will be
nominated and approved by the City Council, and shall serve terms of three years as set forth in
Section 4.05 herein. One (1) Director shall be nominated by Corporation's Board of Directors
by majority vote prior to the City Council Meeting at which Board appointments are made. Said
nomination must be of a sitting City Council member, and the nomination shall be subject to
Council approval. The Director nominated by the Corporation's Board of Directors and
approved by City Council shall serve a term of one (1) year. Each Director shall be a bona fide
resident and shall reside within Lamar County, Texas, with the exception of the Director
appointed from the City Council, who shall be a bona fide resident of the City of Paris as
required by law. These seven (7) Directors shall constitute the Governing Body of the Paris
Economic Development Corporation.
The City shall consider an individual's experience, accomplishments, and educational
background in appointing members to the Board.
With the exception of the City Council member appointed and approved pursuant to the
preceding paragraph, no former or sitting member of the City's Council shall be eligible for
appointment to the Board until they have ceased to serve on City's Council for a period of at
least one (1) year.
Section 4.03 General Duties of the Board. The Board is hereby required to perform the
following duties:
1. The Board shall vote on all matters coming before the Board for action.
2. The Board shall develop an overall economic development plan for the City which shall
include and set forth both long and short term goals which the board deems necessary to
accomplish compliance with its overall economic development plan. Such plan shall be
approved by the City.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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3. The Board shall review and update its overall economic development plan by June 30 of
each year to ensure that said plan is up to date with the current economic climate and is
capable of meeting Paris' current economic development needs.
4. The Board shall develop an annual plan of work outlining the activities, tasks, projects,
and programs to be undertaken by the Board during the upcoming fiscal year. The annual
plan of work shall be submitted with the annual budget as outlined in Section 8.03 of
these Bylaws.
5. The Board shall expend, in accordance with State law, the tax funds received by it on
direct economic development where such expenditures will have a direct benefit to the
citizens of Paris, Lamar County, Texas. As used in this section, "direct economic
development" shall mean the expenditure of such tax funds for programs that directly
accomplish or aid in the accomplishment of creating identifiable new jobs or retaining
identifiable existing jobs, including job training or planning and research activities
necessary to promote said new job creation. The Corporation be shall direct its focus
primarily in the areas of.
a. Business retention and expansion
b. Formation of new business
C. Business attraction
6. The Board shall develop qualification parameters for the evaluation of economic
development projects prior to accepting funding requests. These parameters for
evaluating funding requests may be amended from time to time:
7. The Corporation shall make an annual report to the City Council on or before February
1" of each year.
8. The Board Chairman may designate one or more committees of Directors, each
consisting of two or more Directors. The committees may be formed to study certain
projects or proposals before the Board and to report their findings and/or
recommendations back to the entire Board as directed by the Board Chairman.
Section 4.04 Implied Duties. The Board is authorized to do that which the Board deems
desirable to accomplish any of the purposes or duties set out or alluded to in Section 4.03 of
these Bylaws and in accordance with State law.
Section 4.05 Tenure. The term of office for each Director shall be three (3) years and
shall be limited to two (2) consecutive full terms. The number of Directors shall be seven (7).
The City shall appoint the Directors at the second City Council meeting in June of each year with
all terms beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of each year. The City Council may appoint
new members to the Board to a shorter term (less than 3 years) as necessary to ensure staggered
terms on the Board.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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Section 4.06 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board shall be filled by
appointment by the City Council to the unexpired term of the vacated position. The resigning
Board member may continue to serve until their replacement is appointed and sworn in.
Section 4.07 Quorum. A majority of the voting members of the Board shall constitute a
quorum. The act or vote of a majority of the voting Directors present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act or vote of the Board unless the act or votes of a greater number
is required by the Bylaws.
Section. 4.08 Compensation. The duly appointed members of the Board shall serve
without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties while on official business of the Board in accordance with State law.
Section 4.09 Vote. Each appointed Director shall have one (1) vote, exercisable in
person unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, or in the Articles of Incorporation, or as
required by law.
Section 4.10 Conflicts of Interest. In the event that a Director or Ex -Officio member is
aware of a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest, with an item on the Agenda, he
may request to be excused from the board room while the matter is deliberated and voted on, and
by vote of the Board will be so excused. Any Director or Ex -Officio member may bring to the
attention of the Board any apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest of any
other Director or Ex -Officio member, in which case the Board shall determine whether a true
conflict of interest exists before any deliberation or vote is taken regarding that particular matter.
The Director or Ex -Officio member with the possible conflict of interest, shall refrain from
deliberating or voting on the conflict of interest question.
Section. 4.11 Removal from Board. The Board may request that the City remove a
Director from the Board with the adoption of a resolution approved by six (6) members of the
Board or the City may remove a Director from the Board with an affirmative vote of five (5) or
more members of the Paris City Council, when the judgment of the Board or of the City Council,
the best interests of the Corporation would be served by said removal. The Board of Directors
and the member to be removed shall be notified at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting in
which the vote is taken. The removal of a Director shall be effective immediately upon passage
of the resolution by the City Council.
Section 4.12 Board's Relationship with City.. The Board on its own authority and in
compliance with State law may make commitments to expend funds from the Corporation's
undesignated fund balance as defined in Section 8.11 of these Bylaws, up to a maximum of
$400,000 on any one project, without having to obtain prior approval from the Paris City
Council; however, the Board shall have no authority to negotiate or authorize tax abatement
agreements without formal review and approval of said agreement by the Paris City Council.
The Board shall not borrow funds nor incur any indebtedness without first seeking the
approval of the City Council.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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In accordance with State law, the City shall require that the Corporation be responsible
for the proper discharge of its duties assigned in this section. All policies for program
administration shall be submitted for City approval, and the Board shall determine its policies
and direction within the limitations of the duties imposed by applicable laws, the Articles of
Incorporation, these Bylaws, contracts entered into with the City, approved budget, and fiduciary
responsibilities.
Section 4.13 Board's Relationship with Administrative Departments of the City.
A. When administrative, financial, engineering or construction services are required
by the Board, primary consideration will be given to the City to provide these
services. If, however, the Board determines that its mission can best be
accomplished by contracting with outside vendors of services, it is authorized to
do so. If services are requested from City and these services are not available
within the time frame required by the Board, the Board may seek these services
through the use of outside consultants or contractors.
Any request for services made to the administrative department of the City shall
be made by the Board or designee in writing to the City Manager. The City
Manager may approve such request for assistance from the Board when he finds
such requested services are available in a timely manner within the administrative
departments of the City and that the Board may reimburse the City for the costs of
such services provided.
SECTION V
MEETINGS AND NOTICES
Section 5.01 Annual Meeting. There shall be held in June of each year an annual
meeting of the Board of Directors. At the meeting, the annual work plan and budget for the
coming year shall be presented, considered and acted upon along with such other business as has
been properly noticed for said meeting.
Section 5.02 Regular Meetings. The Board shall meet once each month at the
Community Room in The Depot Building, 1125 Bonham, Paris, Texas, unless otherwise
determined by the Board Chairman. The Chairman shall set regular meeting dates and times at
the beginning of his term of office.
Section 5.03 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the Board may be called by the
Chairman of the Board or by the Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation
(with the Chairman's consent) for a specific purpose. All special meetings must strictly adhere
to all requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act and these Bylaws.
Section 5.04 Meeting Agenda. The Executive Director and Board Chairman shall be
jointly responsible for the creation and posting of PEDC meeting agendas. Any member of the
Board may request that an item be placed on the Agenda by delivering the same in writing to the
Chairman or the Executive Director no later than five (5) days prior to the date of the Board
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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meeting. The posting of agendas shall conform to the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings
Act and Section 5.05 of these Bylaws.
Section 5.05 Notice. Notice and conduct of all meetings shall conform to the Texas
Open Meetings Act. Notice shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas
Government Code, and shall contain information regarding the particular time, date, and location
of the meeting and the Agenda to be considered.
Section 5.06 Waiver of Notice. The section applies to required notice to Directors only.
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Director of the Corporation under the
provisions of the statutes, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in
writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time
stated in the notice, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Section 5.07Attendance as Waiver. Attendance of Director at a meeting shall constitute
a waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 5.08 Attendance. Regular attendance of the Board meetings is required of all
Directors. Three (3) consecutive absences or other such irregular meeting attendance may be
considered as grounds for removal from the Board.
SECTION VI
OFFICERS
Section 6.01 Officers of the Corporation. The elected officers of the Corporation shall
be a Chairman, Vice, Chairman and Secretary -Treasurer. The Board may resolve to elect one or
more Assistant Secretaries -Treasurers as it may consider desirable. Such officers shall have the
authority and duties of office as provided in these By -Laws, the Articles of Incorporation, the
Texas Development Corporation Act and the Texas Non -Profit Corporation Act.
Section 6.02 Selection of Officers. The offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and
Secretary -Treasurer shall be by nomination and majority vote of the Board. The term of office
of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary -Treasurer shall always be for a period of one (1)
year from the date of selection by the Board, provided however, that the Chairman, Vice
Chairman, and Secretary -Treasurer continue to serve until the election of their successors.
Section 6.03 Vacancies. Vacancies in any office which occur by reason of death,
resignation, disqualification, removal, or otherwise, may be filled by the Board for the unexpired
portion of the term of that office, in the same manner as other officers are elected.
Section 6.04 Officers' Authority and Duties.
A. The Chairman shall be the presiding officer of the Board with the following
authority:
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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(1) Shall preside over all meetings of the Board.
(2) Shall vote on all matters coming before the Board for action.
(3) Shall have the authority, upon notice to the members of the Board, to call
a special meeting of the Board when in his judgment such meeting is
required
(4) Shall have the authority to appoint standing committees to aid the Board in
its business undertakings or other matters incidental to the operation and
functions of the Board.
(5) Shall have the authority to appoint ad hoc committees which may address
issues of a temporary nature or concern which have a temporary affect on
the business of the Board.
(6) Shall have joint signatory authority over operating accounts of the Paris
Economic Development Corporation.
(7) Shall sign when authorized by resolution duly passed and adopted, any
deed, mortgage, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board
has approved unless the execution of said documents has been expressly
delegated to some other officer or agent of the Corporation by the
appropriate Board resolution, by a specific provision of these Bylaws, or
by statute.
(8) Shall perform all duties incident to the office, and such other duties as
shall be prescribed from time to time by the Board.
B. The Vice Chairman shall have the following authority:
(1) In the absence of the Chairman or in the event of his inability to act, the
Vice Chairman shall preside over meetings of the Board and shall assume
the authority and duties of the Chairman.
(2) Shall have joint signatory authority over operating accounts of the Paris
Economic Development Corporation.
(3) The Vice Chairman shall also perform other duties as from time to time
may be assigned to him by the Chairman.
C. The Secretary -Treasurer shall have the following authority:
(1) Shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the registered office a record of minutes
of all meetings of the Board and any committees of the Board. Further,
the Secretary -Treasurer will make said minutes available in accordance
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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with the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Texas Open Records Act, and
other applicable law.
(2) Shall be custodian of the Corporation records and seal of the Corporation,
and shall keep a register of the mailing address and street address, if
different, of each Director.
(3) Shall insure that a copy of all Board and committee minutes is filed with
the City Clerk of the City of Paris.
(4) Shall verify official signatures of officers of the Corporation.
(5) Shall along with the Finance Director for the City of Paris, Texas have
charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the
Corporation and shall endorse on behalf of the Corporation for collection,
checks, notes and other obligations and shall deposit the same to the credit
of the Corporation in the depository bank designated by the City of Paris.
(6) Whenever required by the Board, the Secretary -Treasurer (with the
assistance of the Finance Director for the City of Paris, Texas,) shall
render a statement of the Corporation's cash account; he/she shall enter
regularly in the books of the Corporation a full and accurate account of the
Corporation, and perform all acts incident to the position of Secretary -
Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board. Such written statements
and accounts of the Corporation shall be maintained and filed in the
Finance Director's Office for the City of Paris, Texas.
(7) The Secretary -Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his
duties in such sum, if any, as the Board may require.
(8) Shall receive and give receipts for money due and payable to the
Corporation from any source whatsoever, and shall deposit all such
moneys in the name of the Corporation in the depository bank designated
by the City of Paris.
(9) Shall assist the Executive Director with monitoring recipients of PEDC
economic development funds for compliance with terms of Economic
Incentive Agreements.
(10) Shall, in general, perform all duties incident to that office and such other
duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Chairman or the
Board.
(11) Shall have joint signatory authority over operating accounts of the Paris
Economic Development Corporation.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Updated and Approved by the City Council on 6-22-2020
D. The Assistant Secretaries -Treasurers, if any, shall in general, perform such duties
as may be assigned to them by the Secretary -Treasurer, or by the Chairman or the
Board.
Section 6.05 Removal from Office. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may
be removed from office by an affirmative vote of no less than six(6) members of the Board of
Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served.
Section 6.06 Ex -officio "Members." The Mayor and the City Manager for the City of
Paris, Texas, the Lamar County Judge, the President of Paris Junior College, the President of the
Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, or their authorized designee may attend all the meetings
of the Board as "Ex -Officio Members." These representatives are encouraged to attend all
PEDC meetings but shall have no power to vote on matters before the Board and Ex -Officio
Members may be excluded from certain executive sessions concerning personnel matters upon
majority vote of the voting members of the Board. Their attendance shall be for the purpose of
insuring that information about the meetings is accurately communicated to the organizations
they represent.
Section 6.07 Other Members. The Corporation may have no members; nevertheless, the
Corporation may use the word "members" or "participants" to designate those persons having
privileges and status as the Board shall determine. These "members" or "participants" shall have
no voting or other legal or equitable rights in the Corporation.
SECTION VII
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Section 7.01 Executive Director Position. The Executive Director is responsible for
planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, and budgeting functions and provides
direction to accomplish the PEDC vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives. The Executive
Director acts as a primary organizational spokesperson and advocate working in partnership with
the Board of Directors for the betterment of economic growth in Paris Texas.
Section 7.02 Executive Director Responsibilities.
A. Mission and Strategic Plan
The Executive Director oversees development, implementation, and evaluation of
programs and services in accordance with the Corporation's strategic plan and interests of
member organizations and funding sources. In coordination with the Board, the
Executive Director develops and manages the organization's strategic plan, implements
the development of organization policies and procedures for fiscal management,
personnel management, program management, and organizational operations.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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B. Fiscal and Organizational Accountability
The Executive Director shall develop a balanced annual budget for review and approval
by the Board, he shall review and approve all expenditures within the approved budget.
The Executive Director shall also strive to develop a network of funding sources to
expand and diversify the organization's base of financial support, and implement
resource development strategies to ensure the long-term viability of the organization. The
Executive Director shall also prepare all necessary RFPs/RFQs for procurement of goods
and services to support the organization's operations. The Executive Director shall be
responsible for managing all PEDC support staff.
C. Economic Development Agreements
The Executive Director shall work with the PEDC Board and other participating
governmental entities and staff in negotiating and developing Economic Development
Agreements with new or existing business or industry in accordance with the PEDC's
Articles of Incorporation, the Texas Development Corporation Act, these Bylaws and all
other applicable laws and regulations. The Executive Director shall be responsible for
ensuring that the recipients of PEDC funding comply with all terms and conditions of the
Economic Development Agreements.
D. Public Affairs and Marketing
The Executive Director shall direct, develop and implement marketing strategies to
promote visibility of the organization's programs and services to educate business,
industry and the general public about the work of PEDC. He shall serve as the
organization's public spokesperson and shall prepare and disseminate news releases when
appropriate. He shall also serve as the organization's primary liaison with local, state and
federal agencies and with private sector organizations involved in community and
economic development, and other related activities.
E. Board of Directors
The Executive Director shall support a functioning Board of Directors, its officers and
committees, and shall assume other duties as assigned by the Board. The Executive
Director shall serve as an Ex -Officio Member of the PEDC Board and all other Board
committees and sub -committees. He shall work with the Secretary -Treasurer of the
Board and the City Finance Director to generate monthly financial reports for the Board;
he shall work with the Board Chairman to prepare meeting agendas and annual reports
for the Board and the City Council of the City of Paris.
SECTION VIII
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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Section 8. 01 Financial and Accounting Services.
The Corporation shall contract with the City of Paris for financial, accounting and
auditing services. The Corporation's financial and accounting records shall be maintained in
accordance with these Bylaws, State and Federal laws, and the accounting practices of the City
of Paris.
Section 8.02 Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on October 1, and end on September 30, of
the following year.
Section 8.03 Budget.
A budget for the forthcoming fiscal year shall be submitted to, and approved by the
Board in June and delivered to the City on or before July 1. In submitting the budget to the City,
the Board shall submit the budget on forms prescribed by the City Manager and in accordance
with the annual budget preparation schedule as set forth by the City Manager. The budget shall
be submitted to the City Manager for inclusion in his annual budget to be presented to the City
Council in accordance with the Charter of the City of Paris. The budget proposed for adoption
shall include the projected operating expenses, and such other budgetary information as shall be
useful to or appropriate for the Board and the City.
Section 8.04 Contracts.
A. As provided in Section VI above, the Chairman, whose signature shall be attested
by the Secretary -Treasurer, shall execute any contract or other instruments which
the Board by resolution has approved and authorized to be executed, provided
however, that the Board may, by appropriate resolution, authorize any other
officer or officers to enter into contracts or execute and deliver instruments in the
name of and on behalf of the Corporation, in all such cases the signature shall be
attested by the Secretary -Treasurer. Such authority may be confined to specific
instances or defined in general terms. When appropriate, the Board may grant to
a Director of the Corporation a specific or general power of attorney to carry out
action on behalf of the Board, provided, however, that no such power of attorney
may be granted unless an appropriate resolution of the Board authorizes the same.
B. The Corporation may, with approval of the City, contract with any qualified and
appropriate person, association, Corporation or governmental entity to perform
and discharge designated tasks which will aid or assist the Board in the
performance of its duties; however, no such contract shall ever be approved or
entered into which seeks or attempts to divest the Board of its decision-making
and policy-making functions in discharging its duties in accordance with these
Bylaws.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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Section 8.05 Checks and Drafts. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money,
notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed
or bear the facsimile of two (2) of the following: Chairman, Vice -Chairman, Secretary -Treasurer,
or City Finance Director and shall be issued by the Finance Department of the City of Paris.
Section 8.06 Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited on a regular basis
to the credit of the Corporation in the City's Depository Bank.
Section 8.07 Gifts. The Corporation may accept on behalf of the Corporation any
contribution, gift, bequest, or device for the general purpose or for any special purposes of the
Corporation.
Section 8.08 Purchasing. All purchases made and contracts executed by the
Corporation shall be made in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Constitution,
Statutes of the State of Texas, and these Bylaws.
Section 8.09 Investments. Temporary and idle funds which are not needed for
immediate obligations of the Corporation may be invested in any legal manner as set out in the
Public Funds Investment Act, Section 2256 Texas Government Code, and in accordance with the
Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.
Section 8.10 Bonds. Any bonds issued by the Corporation shall be in accordance with
the requirements of the Texas Development Corporation Act and all other applicable state or
federal law, but in any event, no bonds shall be issued without approval of the City Council of
the City of Paris after review and comment by the City's bond counsel and financial advisor.
Section 8.11 Uncommitted Funds. Any uncommitted funds of the Corporation at the
end of the fiscal year shall be considered a part of the Fund Balance.
The Fund Balance shall be made up of two parts: Undesignated Fund Balance and
Permanent Reserve Fund.
The Undesignated Fund Balance may be committed for any legal purpose provided the
Corporation's Board approves such commitment.
The Permanent Reserve Fund shall be accumulated for the purpose of using the interest
earning of such fund to finance the operation of the Corporation.
Section 8.12 Fund Raising. The Corporation shall be authorized to raise funds by
subscriptions, solicitation, promotions and other legitimate methods which are not in violation of
statutes governing exempt organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986. Funds shall be expended only in furtherance of the Corporation's purposes.
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SECTION IX
BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 9.01 Books and Records. The City Finance Director shall keep correct and
complete books and records for the Corporation in accordance with Section 4.13 and Section
6.04C of these Bylaws.
Section 9.02 Inspections. All books and records of the Corporation may be inspected
by Directors of the Corporation or his agent or attorney at any reasonable time, and any
information which may be designated as public information by law shall be open to public
inspection at any reasonable time. The Texas Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act
shall apply to disclosure of information.
Section 9.03 Audit. The Board shall provide for an annual financial audit to be
performed by a competent independent audit firm employed by the City for the City's audit.
Section 9.04 Quarterly Reports. The Corporation shall provide quarterly financial
reports, summaries of activities, anticipated projects, and proposed dispersal of funds of $50,000
or more. Quarterly reports will be due on the 10' day of the month of January, April, July and
October.
SECTION X
CORPORATE SECURITY
Section 10.01 Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be a star circled with the name of
the Corporation and Paris, Texas.
Section 10.02 Authorization. The Corporation shall carry out its program subject to its
Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, and such resolutions as the Board may from time to time
authorize.
Section 10.03 Program. The program of the Corporation shall be to assist, stimulate,
and enhance economic development in Paris, Texas, subject to applicable State and Federal law,
these Bylaws, and the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 10.04 Amendments to Bylaws. The Bylaws may at any time and from time to
time be amended, provided that the Board files with the City a written application approved by
the affirmative vote of four (4) or more members of the voting Board requesting that the City
approve such amendment to these Bylaws, specifying in such application the amendment or
amendments proposed to be made. If the City Council finds, by resolution approved by an
affirmative vote of five (5) or more members of the City Council that it is advisable to approve
the Amended Bylaws, the Board shall proceed to amend these Bylaws as so approved.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Updated and Approved by the City Council on 6-22-2020
The Bylaws of the Corporation may also be amended independently at any time by the
City Council by adopting a resolution supported by the affirmative vote of no less than five (5)
members of the City Council amending said Bylaws and by delivery of the Amended Bylaws to
the Secretary -Treasurer of the Corporation.
Section 10.05 Oath. The Directors of the Corporation shall take the following oath:
"I, y , do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully
execute the duties of the office of Director of the Paris Economic Development
Corporation, Paris, Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State and of this
City; and I furthermore solemnly swear (or affirm), that I have not directly nor
indirectly paid, offered, or promised to pay, contributed, nor promised to
contribute any money, or valuable thing or promised any public office or
employment, as a reward for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election at
which I was elected, or if the office is one of appointment, to secure my
appointment, So help me God."
SECTION XI
INDEMNITY
Section 11.01 Indemnity.
A. The Corporation shall defend, indemnify and hold its Directors and officers
harmless from and against any loss, claim or damages asserted against such
Director or officer, by action in court or otherwise, by reason of said Director or
officer being or having been such a Director or officer for the Corporation to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable Texas law. Provided, however, this
indemnification clause is intended to cover only those acts or omissions that were
made in good faith and without malicious or felonious intent.
B. The Corporation further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the City of Paris,
Texas, its elected officials, officers, and employees harmless from and against all
claims and lawsuits for damages, injuries to persons (including death), property
damages, including loss of use and expenses (including court costs and attorney's
fees) arising out of or resulting from the negligent acts or omissions or intentional
acts or omissions of the Corporation or its Directors, officers and employees. The
Corporation shall waive any and all claims it may have against the City, it's
elected officials, officers and employees connected with, resulting from, or arising
out of, claims and suits covered by this indemnification provision, and agrees that
any insurance carrier involved shall not be entitled to subrogation under any
circumstances against the City of Paris, Texas, its officers, agents, and employees.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Updated and Approved by the City Council on 6-22-2020
C. Nothing herein shall be construed or interpreted as a waiver of the affirmative
defenses of sovereign immunity, governmental immunity, or official immunity as
provided under Texas law.
SECTION XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1201 Relation to Articles of Incorporation. These Bylaws are subject to, and
governed by, the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 12.02 Gender Neutral. References herein to the masculine gender shall also
refer to the feminine in all appropriate cases and vice versa.
BYLAWS -PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Updated and Approved by the City Council on 6-22-2020