06/02/2020CORRECTED MINUTES OF THE EMERGENCY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
June 2, 2020
The City Council of the City of Paris met for an emergency meeting at 12:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, by video conference.
Present: Mayor: Steve Clifford
Council Members: Paula Portugal; Renae Stone; Derrick Hughes;
Benny Plata; and Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Gene Anderson,
Finance Director; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney;
Janice Ellis, City Clerk; and Bob Hundley, Police
Chief
Absent: Council Member: Linda Knox
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.
2. Citizens' forum.
Mayor Clifford asked Ms. Ellis if she had received any e-mails from the public about the
items on this agenda, and Ms. Ellis said she had not.
3. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2020-020: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, CENSURING COUNCIL MEMBER
BENNY PLATA PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-302 OF THE CODE OF ETHICS AND
CONDUCT FOR CITY COUNCIL, EMPLOYEES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS NAD
COMMITTEES, FOR ENGAGING IN CONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OR THAT REFLECTS DISCREDIT UPON THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY.
Mayor Clifford read the resolution, and asked Council Member Plata if he would like to
give a statement. Council Member Plata said he did not agree with the resolution, and that his
comment was taken out of context. He said his comment was not on the George Floyd situation
but a comment on Nick Cannon's face book post, in which he was berating America. Council
Member Plata said he loved America, that he loved the City he serves, and did not mean to
offend anyone. He said he should not have commented at all, and apologized. In the best
interest of the City, Council Member Plata tendered his resignation effective immediately.
Council Member Stone said that she had known Mr. Plata for twenty plus years and had
never seen or heard him make any racial or discriminatory comments. Due to the current state of
the Country, she said his comment was inappropriate. She said as the City's leaders, they could
Emergency City Council Meeting
June 2, 2020
Page 2
not let their emotions get to the best of them and that the City did not need any added
controversy. Council Member Stone said Mr. Plata's comments did not represent the City or the
City Council, and she respected his decision to resign. Council Member Portugal said each of
the Council Members took an Oath of office and that she did not believe they should tell people
who disagree with them, to leave America. She said she wanted the community to work together
to do the right thing, and in this case the right thing to do was censure Mr. Plata for the sake of
the integrity of the City Council. Council Member Hughes stated whether, Mr. Plata's comment
was taken out of context just with the article being about George Floyd, his comment was
inappropriate. Council Member Hughes said he respected Mr. Plata's decision to resign.
Council Member Pilgrim stated he hated what happened to George Floyd, calling it an absolute
tragedy. He said the best thing they could do was to keep their comments to themselves and
move on. Council Member Pilgrim said he accepted Mr. Plata's apology and resignation. Mayor
Clifford apologized to Mr. Plata for the unfortunate situation and stated that everything on social
media is permanent and public. He said with the current atmosphere across the Country, unity
was needed. Mayor Clifford thanked Mr. Plata for his resignation. Mayor Clifford stated it was
important that they act on this issue quickly to show the public the seriousness of the matter. Mr.
Plata said it was bad when you could not defend America.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Hughes. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
4. Discuss and possible act on a request for the resignation of Benny Plata as Council
Member representing City Council District 3.
Mayor Clifford said this item was no longer needed.
5. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Portugal and was seconded by Council Member Hughes. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 12:19 p.m.
STE ? 6 I CLI 1 1; , M.D., MAYOR