02-22-2021MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
February 22, 2021
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
February 22, 2021, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steven Clifford
Council Members: Paula Portugal; Renae Stone; Reginald Hughes;
Linda Knox; and Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff Grayson Path, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson;
Finance Director; Randy Tuttle, Interim Police
Chief; Russell Thrasher, Interim EMS Director;
M.A. Smith, Public Works Director; and Clyde
Crews, Fire Marshal
Absent: Council Member: Gary Savage
Opening Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Clifford called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Finance Director Gene Anderson gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Portugal led the pledge.
4. Citizens' forum.
No one spoke during citizens' forum.
Consent Mends
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 Knox and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 5
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting on February 8, 2021.
Regular Council Meeting
February 22, 2021
Page 2
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Historic Preservation Commission (12-9-2020 & 1-13-2021)
7. Receive January monthly financial report.
8. Receive January drainage report.
9. Receive demolition and code enforcement activity reports.
10. Accept bids and award contracts for the purchase of roadway materials to the lowest
responsible bidder(s) for the twelve-month period beginning April 1, 2021.
11. Approve the Replat of Lots of 7, 9, 11 and 13, Block 2 of the Lane Place Addition,
LCAD Property 12830 and 12833, located at 1350 N.E. 16th.
12. Approve the Final Plat of Lots 1, 2, & 3, Block A of the Morrell Square Addition, LCAD
Property 18290, located in the 2800 Block of N.E. Loop 286.
Re ular A Benda
13. Discuss, conduct a public hearing, and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2021-003: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, SO AS TO REZONE CITY OF PARIS BLOCK 188A,
LOT 1, LOCATED IN THE 800 BLOCK OF JACKSON STREET, FROM A LIGHT
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT (LI) TO A ONE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT NO. 2
(SF -2); DIRECTING A CHANGE ACCORDINGLY IN THE OFFICIAL ZONING
MAP OF THE CITY; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Manager Grayson Path explained that Brent Smith was proposing to construct a
single-family home, which was why he was requesting a change in zoning. Mr. Path said the
Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved the zoning change, and staff
recommended approval.
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
Mayor Clifford. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
February 22, 2021
Page 4
PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED
THEREIN; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF NOT
EXCEEDING $500 GENERALLY OR NOT EXCEEDING $2,000 FOR VIOLATIONS
RELATING TO FIRE SAFETY, ZONING OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION
OR NOT EXCEED $4,000 FOR VIOLATIONS RELATING TO DUMPING OF
REFUSE; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF SUCH CODE; AND
PROVIDING WHEN SUCH CODE AND THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE.
City Clerk Janice Ellis reported after receiving concerns about the former contracted
company not keeping to update the Code of Ordinances, she felt it necessary to look at other
options. Ms. Ellis said she spoke to the former City Manager and from their reached out the
other clerks in the Texas Municipal Clerks Association. She said staff selected Franklin Legal
Publishing because they were the only codification firm using Texas -licensed attorneys with
years working with Texas municipalities. Ms. Ellis also said that it appeared that last time the
Code was re -codified was in September of 1988, and most cities go through a re -codification
every ten to fifteen years, with a complete legal review of the Code to ensure the incorporation of
all appropriate legislation. Ms. Ellis outlined the process and said she thought everyone would
find a more user friendly Code of Ordinances.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Members Portugal and Hughes. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Discuss and act on appointing members to the Charter Review Committee.
Ms. Ellis said at the meeting January 25, 2021 City Council decided to move forward
with appointment of a City Charter Review Committee to study the Charter to determine if
amendments were needed. She also said that it was a consensus of City Council to each select
one member from their District to serve on the Committee, and then provide an additional name
to be placed in an envelope to be drawn and voted upon. Ms. Ellis said staff would like to begin
the meetings in early summer, in hopes Covid numbers would be decreased.
Mayor Clifford said if no one had a problem with it, that he would like to serve on the
Committee. Council Member Stone selected Aaron Jenkins; Council Member Hughes selected
Derrick Hughes; Council Member Portugal selected Reeves Hayter; Council Member Knox
selected Matthew Coyle; and Council Member Pilgrim selected Alix Putman. Mayor Clifford
asked Ms. Ellis if she had heard from Council Member Savage about who he wished to appoint
to the Committee, and Ms. Ellis said, "she had not heard from him." Mayor Clifford asked that
one vacancy remain for Council Member Savage's appointee and asked Ms. Ellis if she could
contact him the following day. Each Council Member placed a name in an envelope and Paris
News Reporter Mary Madewell drew the names, and handed them to Ms. Ellis. Ms. Ellis read
the names, as follows: Edwin Pickle, Keith Flowers, Joan Mathis and Connie Dodd.
18. Discuss and act on a Non -Profit Financial Assistance Policy.
Regular Council Meeting
February 22, 2021
Page 5
City Manager Grayson Path explained that every year the City contracts with non-profit
organizations that apply to the City seeking funding for public purpose projects. He reported that
in the past the City Manager had overseen this process, and that he would like for City Council
to consider taking over that process of making determinations as to which non-profit
organization should be funded. Mr. Path said he had developed a draft Policy incorporating and
editing the existing Application and Contract, which was in their agenda packet.
Mr. Path reviewed the Policy with City Council, which included a cap funding of
$100,000.00 with an additional $5,000.00 of alleviated excess if found necessary. He said the
total awarded in FY20/21 was $91,250.00 excluding the Paris Metro annual contribution of
$25,000.00 and the Paris -Lamar County Health District annual contribution of $75,000.00,
which he was recommending be excluded from the policy given the relationship the City has
with these entities. Mr. Path outlined the parameters, the process of approval, the ranking
scorecard, the application, and the agreement.
Mayor Clifford said he liked this process a lot and expressed appreciation to Mr. Path for
bringing this forward. Mayor Clifford said it gives City Council the opportunity to review and
rank the organizations and he especially liked the requirement of having a summary. Council
Member Hughes said he also liked this a lot. Council Member Portugal said she also liked this
detailed process because these funds belonged to the taxpayers.
19. Discuss and act on a request from Samantha Hughes to waive her rent at the Event Center
until May 2021, as related to Covid-19.
Ms. Ellis said she had contacted Ms. Hughes about the required insurance and had not
received it as of yet but hoped to by the next Council meeting. Mayor Clifford inquired if staff
wanted to table this item, and Ms. Ellis answered in the affirmative. A Motion to table this item
to the next City Council meeting was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 6 ayes ® 0 nays.
20. Received Report required by the Texas Local Government Code Section 399.009 for
proposed the City of Paris, Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program and
discuss and possibly approve RESOLUTION NO. 2021-007: A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS EVIDENCING THE CITY'S
INTENT TO ESTABLISH A PACE PROGRAM FOR THE CITY; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Attorney, Stephanie Harris said that of the four phases for the Paris Lakes Project,
they were discussing the first two steps of phase one in particular. She also said the first step
consisted of the Public PACE Report which would be posted on the City's website and available
in the City Clerk's office for the public. The second step was to pass a Resolution of Intent of
Create a PACE Program.
Regular Council Meeting
February 22, 2021
Page 6
A Motion to approve the Resolution of Intent to Create a PACE Program was made by
Council Member Pilgrim and was seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 6 ayes —
0 nays.
21. Convene into executive session pursuant to Section 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: First National Bank Building and associated properties.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 6:15 p.m.
22. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
executive session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 6:38 p.m. Mayor Clifford
said they discussed economic development and incentives, and that no action was taken.
23. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
City Council Members expressed appreciation to City Manager, Grayson Path and City
Staff for all of their hard work the past week during the unprecedented snow storm. Council
Members stated they appreciated the level of communication they received.
Mayor Clifford stated that a possible use of the COVID money the City received could be
used for a generator for the pump that pumps water to the water tower.
Council Member Knox stated that although it is not an urgent matter, when the time
comes for the water contract renewal, she would like to see it before negotiations begin.
24. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Clifford and
was seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
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STEV� J. CLIF t , M.D., MAYOR
J,, NICE ELLIS, CITI-