04-12-2021MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
April 12, 2021
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
April 12, 2021, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Steven Clifford
Council Members: Paula Portugal; Renae Stone; Reginald Hughes;
Gary Savage; Linda Knox; and Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff. Grayson Path, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson;
Finance Director; Richard Salter, Police Chief;
Randy Tuttle, Assistant Chief of Police; Andrew
Mack; Community Development Director; Russell
Thrasher, Interim EMS Director; M.A. Smith,
Public Works Director; Doug Harris, Utilities
Director; and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal
O aenin A2,enda
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.
Larry Schenk, 3765 Dawn Drive — he referenced item 7 and said he understood that the
applicant had requested it be passed over. Mr. Schenk said there was a problem with the office
zoning because the use did not just include office but a lot of other uses. Mr. Schenk said office
needed to mean office and asked that the zoning ordinance be refined. Mayor Clifford referred
this item to a future agenda.
Cleonne Drake, 2501 Simpson — she said it was not right that Randy Hider was issued a
stop work order when he was doing a lot of great work rehabilitating structures, when there were
so many other homes and buildings that were falling down. She said the City should not focus
on the ugly or pretty side of a fence. She also said Randy Hider had spent thousands of dollars
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April 12, 2021
Page 2
making the community look better. Ms. Drake also said she had been complaining about a
dilapidated house in her neighborhood for years and gave the address of 2425 Simpson. She said
it was overgrown too. Mayor Clifford said the fencing ordinance would be on a future agenda.
John Alfred Peterson, 2810 Clarksville Street — he said everyone in Paris had the wolf
pack mentality about disabled people. He said he was treated like a fourth class citizen.
Millicent Kee, 541 S. Main — she said she was new to the historic district and was
renovating a 94 year old house. She said Mr. Hider was doing great work. She also said that
they should be looking at historic vitalization and renovation, not just historic preservation.
Charles Whitley, 725 S.E. 38a' Street — he referenced item 7 and said the way the
ordinance read was that designation of office allowed almost anything and that should not be the
case.
Tanner Dobrovolsky, 1110 S. Church Street — he said he was angry at the City and they
were harassing him over his fence because the pretty side was not on the outside. He said the
fence cost $7,000.00. He said the City should have to follow the same rules and this was
frustrating for them.
Randy Hider, 1110 S. Church Street — he said this was the third home on Church Street
that he had revitalized and the City was nitpicking him about the fence. He said when he
received the red piece of paper, it hurt him. He said the fence posts were not visible from the
street.
Consent A )enda
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 Knox. Motion carried, 7
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting on March 22, 2021.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Paris Visitors & Convention Council Board of Directors (1-19-2021)
b. Building & Standards Commission (2-22-2021)
c. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (2-24-2021)
d. Planning & Zoning Commission (3-1-2021)
e. Board of Adjustment (1-5-2021)
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April 12, 2021
Page 3
Regular Agenda
7. Discuss, continue the public hearing, and act on an Ordinance considering the petition of
Rebecca Haralson, Executrix of George Jennison Estate for a change in zoning from a
One -Family Dwelling District No. 2 (SF -2) to an Office District (0), in the Morningside
Estates, Block P, Lot 3, LCAD 13441, located in the 800 Block of S.E. 38a' Street. (A
motion to remove this item from the table is required before deliberating.)
A Motion to remove this item from the table was made by Council Member Portugal and
seconded by Council Member Pilgrim Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor Clifford said
there was apparently an offer on the property which would make this zoning change request
moot, and suggested they postpone acting on this item. A Motion to continue the public hearing
and table this item to April 26 was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member
Pilgrim. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0.
8. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider all matters incident and related to the
issuance and sale of the City of Paris, Texas Combination Tax and Surplus Revenue
Certificates of Obligation, Series 2021, including the adoption of ORDINANCE NO.
2021-008: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING
THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH CERTIFICATES, APPROVING AN OFFICIAL
STATEMENT, A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT AND
ENGAGEMENT LETTER OF BOND COUNSEL.
Finance Director Gene Anderson explained that February 8, 2021, the City Council voted
to adopt a resolution stating intent to issuance certificates of obligation to construct a new
wastewater plant. Mr. Anderson said we were at the point of conducting a public hearing and
approving a resolution if we wished to move forward. He introduced Mark McLiney with
SAMCO Capital to review the bid results. Mr. McLiney reported that the City ended up with
great results, six bids which included bids from Texas and all over the country. He said the fact
that the City of Paris' financials were in such good shape really drove the interest rates. He also
the winning bid was Hilltop Securities out of Texas with an interest rate of 2.216495%. Mr.
McLiney reported that they had budgeted a 3% interest rate, and the lower interest rate resulted
in $7 million $500 hundred thousand dollars less than what was budgeted. He explained this was
Phase I and Phase II would be down the road three or four years.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked anyone wishing to speak about this
item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Clifford closed the public hearing.
A Motion to approve issuance of all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale
of the city of Paris, Texas Combination Tax and Surplus Revenue Certificates of Obligation,
Series 2021, including the adoption of an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of such
Certificates, approving an Official Statement, a Paying Agent/Registrar Agreement and an
engagement letter of Bond Counsel was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
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April 12, 2021
Page 4
9. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and possibly act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-012: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS RE-
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN
RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENTS AND APPROVING GUIDELINES AND
CRITERIA FOR THE RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris explained that in order to be eligible to participate in a
residential tax abatement program, the City was required to adopt guidelines and criteria every
two years. She said the current guidelines and criteria expire on April 21, 2021.
Mayor Clifford opened the public hearing and asked anyone wishing to speak about 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 Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
10. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2021-009: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, EXTENDING THE MAYOR'S
DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
AND ORDER DATED MARCH 19, 2020, AS EXTENDED BY RESOLUTION NO.
2020-011 AND BY ORDINANCE NOS. 2020-014, 2020-107, 2020-023, 2020-030,
2020-035, AND 2021-001 FOR AN ADDITIONAL NINETY (90) DAYS; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Harris explained that we were not quite clear of the Covid crisis and that the
Governor had extended the State Declaration. She recommended that the City also extend the
declaration for an additional ninety days.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
11. Discuss and act to authorize a contract in the amount of $15,500.00 with Allison, Bass &
McGee, L.L.P. to perform redistricting services related to the 2020 U.S. Census.
Ms. Harris explained that after each decennial census, each political subdivision that
elects representatives from geographical districts must engage in a redistricting process. She said
the process involved detailed analysis of the new census information to determine whether
changes in population require redistricting and if so, redrawing existing districts to comply with
the Voting Rights Act. Ms. Harris recommended contracting with Allison, Bass & McGee,
L.L.P. to provide these services. She said if redistricting was required, the firm would provide
the City with three different plans.
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April 12, 2021
Page 5
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council
Member Savage. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding a loan from the City to the Paris
Economic Development Corporation.
Ms. Harris said at previous meetings, both the City Council and the PEDC Board
authorized staff to move forward on a loan from the City to PEDC to retire all or some of
PEDC's existing debt. She also said she had been working with Casey Gain, attorney for PEDC,
to put together documents to effectuate the Council's and the Board's intent. Ms. Harris
informed City Council the question had arisen as to whether or not this was to be an unsecured
demand note or a secured note, and she was seeking direction. Mayor Clifford asked for Ms.
Harris' recommendation, and she said she preferred a secured note. Finance Director Gene
Anderson said security was always a better position for the City. Ms. Harris said she would
work with Mr. Gains to put something together and bring back to City Council.
13. Discuss and act on a request for a thirty (30) day extension of the J.C. Miles Subdivision
Plat for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
City Planner Andrew Mack said ordinarily this item would be placed on the consent
agenda, but this was something new to the City so he wanted to explain it. Mr. Mack said
several years ago new legislation was passed setting out that in addition to the Planning &
Zoning Commission, the governing body shall approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove
the plat within 30 days after the date the plat is approved by the Planning Commission. Mr.
Mack also said the plat was approved by the governing body unless it was disapproved within
that period; however, the law did allow a 30 day extension if the applicant requested the
extension in writing to the municipal authority for approving plats or the governing body, and if
the governing body approved the extension request. Mr. Mack recommended granting the
extension in order to give the Planning & Zoning Commission an additional thirty days to review
the plat.
A Motion to approve the thirty day extension was made by Council Member Pilgrim and
seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Receive presentation regarding the progress and statistics of the Covid-19 vaccine clinic.
Interim EMS Director Russell Thrasher gave a Covid-19 vaccine hub update reviewing
the time period January 1 through April 9, 2021. He reviewed the three vaccines that had
received FDA emergency use authorizations. Mr. Thrasher reviewed in detail the creation of the
county -wide vaccine waiting list, which included a call center, conversion of hand-written
waiting lists to a centralized method of joining a waiting list by both online sign-up and voice
call center to control and organize the massive requests for vaccines. To date, he said 14,920
people had registered using the on-line form and 1,897 had registered through the call center.
Next. Mr. Thrasher reviewed how and where the public vaccine clinics were set up, citing that
on distribution week 9, which was February 8-12, Lamar County was designated as a vaccine
hub by the Department of State Health Services which guaranteed 1,000 doses per week. Mr.
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April 12, 2021
Page 6
Thrasher said there had been no cost to any person or insurance company for vaccinations
through the Paris Lamar County Health District. He covered the demographics, planning and
logistics of the clinic, reviewed key dates from DSHS, and stated that as of April 9 the total
vaccine doses given were 17,978. Mr. Thrasher also said PLCHD had gone on-site to administer
vaccinations to We -Pack, Paris ISD, North Lamar ISD, several banks and many other locations.
He also said the PLCHD and the City were planning two more large scale clinics for April 16
and April 30, with future clinics being scaled back and perhaps done at Prime Time and/or the
PLCHD office. Mr. Thrasher depicted a list of people and organizations and explained the
project was made possible because of these individuals, volunteers and organizations.
Council Member Knox said Mr. Thrasher did a beautiful job and expressed her
appreciation to Mr. Thrasher. Council Member Portugal said she enjoyed working with him
while volunteering at the call center. Council Member Stone said it was an amazing operation
and the longest time she had to wait was fifteen minutes. City Manager Grayson Path said from
the list that Mr. Thrasher depicted there was one very important name missing and that was the
name of Russell Thrasher. Mr. Path commended Russell Thrasher for the tremendous job he had
done spearheading this operation.
15. Discuss and act on extending the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) CoVid-
19 sick leave program.
City Manager Grayson Path said the City continued to have employees impacted by
CoVid-19 and needing to take time off for testing and possibly quarantine periods. He explained
that 42 employees utilized the FFCRA between January 1, 2021 and March 31, 2021, with 90%
of those employees using the Covid time in January. He said this would be an extension of the
2020 FFCRA and there would not be a new bank of hours for hours already used. Mr. Path
asked that this be extended through June 30, 2021 and make it retroactive to April 1, 2021.
Mayor Clifford asked if all of the employees had received the vaccine, and Mr. Path said he did
not have that information. Mayor Clifford encouraged everyone to get the vaccine. Council
Member Portugal said she realized that it was not mandatory but at some point each person had
to be responsible his or herself, when vaccines are available to everyone.
A Motion to extend the FFCRA CoVid-19 sick leave program through June 30, 2021 and
make it retroactive to April 1, 2021, was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Council Member Hughes. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Convene into executive session pursuant to:
A. 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 located, 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.
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April 12, 2021
Page 7
B. Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code, Consultation with Attorney, to
receive legal advice from the City Attorney about (1) pending or contemplated
litigation and/or (2) on matters in which the duty of an attorney to her client under the
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly
conflict with this chapter.
Mayor Clifford convened City Council into executive session at 6:32 p.m.
17. Reconvene into open session and possible take action on those matters discussed in
executive session.
Mayor Clifford reconvened City Council into open session at 8:50 p.m. and said no
action was taken.
18. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
No future events were referenced.
19. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Savage and was seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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