04/20/2021 MinutesPARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPM ENT CORPORATION
MONTHLY MEETING
Paris City Council Chambers
107 East Kaufman St.
Paris, Texas 75460
TueLda A ri120 2021
5:30 O'CLOCK P.M.
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Staff Present:
Josh Bray, Chairman Maureen Hammond, Executive Director
Shay Bills, Vice Chairman Chris Stout, Economic Development Associate
Chase Coleman Paula Brownfield, Administrative Assistant
Stephen Terrell
A.J. Hashmi Guest(s) Present:
Mary Madewell, The Paris News
Ex -Officio Members Present: Legal Counsel:
Grayson Path, City Manager Casey Gain, PEDC Attorney
Paula Portugal, City Council
Pam Anglin, PJC President City Council Liaison:
Clayton Pilgrim
Callto Order
Mr. Bray called the monthly meeting of the Paris Economic Development Corporation to order at 5:30 p.m. on April
20, 2021. Board Members, Mr. Fendley and Mr. Pankaj were absent. The Board had a quorum in attendance.
Invocation
Ms. Bills gave the invocation.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Bray expressed his appreciation of holding an in-person Board meeting instead of a ZOOM meeting.
Citizens! Input
Mr. Bray invited those present to speak during Citizens' Input. No one came forward and the Citizen's Input was
dosed.
Discuss and Consider Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held March 16 2021
Dr. Hashmi made a motion to approve the March 16, 2021 minutes. Ms. Bills seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes
to 0 -nays.
Discuss and Consider A royal of the March 2021 Financial Statements
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2021
Page 2 of 3
" Ms. Hammond stated the PEDC has $1.6 million in Cash, $2 million in Investments and $243,000.00 in Sales Tax
Receivable. The Liabilities section of the Balance Sheet shows $1.27 million which is a decrease from last month's
liabilities due to the sale of land to TxDsOT. The Sales Tax revenue for the month was $130,346.00 an increase of
$17,000.00 over last year. Dr. Hashmi made a motion to approve the March 2021 financial statements. Mr. Coleman
seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss and Consider Action on Senate Bill 1256
Ms. Hammond informed the Board the Texas Legislature has several bills this session that could impact Economic
Development. Senate Bill 1256 is our focus today. This bill would amend Chapter 312 of the Tax Code and prohibit
ad valorem tax abatement for properties with certain renewable energy installed on the property. Solar projects in
Lamar County are bringing in additional revenues to school districts. If Bill SB1256 is passed, it would not allow for
these additional revenues. The second concern written in the bill is that it does not allow for manufacturers to
receive tax abatements if they have even one solar panel at their facility. Dr. Hashmi asked that we check on
whetherthe City can override the bill. Dr. Hashmi made a motion to approve Ms. Hammond talkingto ourlegislators
about concerns we have about SB1256. Mr. Coleman seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss and Consider Action an Securin a Line of relit
Mr. Bray asked for a motion to move Item #8 after Executive Session, Dr. Hashmi made a motion to move this item
after Executive Session. Ms. Bills seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss and consider Updates from Committees: Marketing, Land incentive and Finance
Ms. Hammond updated each of the committees:
• Marketing - the second meeting is scheduled for early May. Discussion of our marketing strategy
including rebranding, Board liaisons to industry and updating our materials.
• Land — reviewed our existing land, available site listings and a site readiness discussion.
• Incentive Review—of PEDC past incentives offered, potential guidelines, cash flow, average wage
comparisons and general criteria for prospects.
• Finance —the committee has not met; they will meet in late April. The budgeting processfor the
2021-2022 fiscal year will be discussed.
Convene into Executive Session:
1) Pursuant to Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code to (1) 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 nearthe territory of
the governmental body and with which thegovernmental 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), to wit:
• Project Highway
• Project Rocket X
• Project Fast Track
• Project Blue Fish
2) Pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive
legal advice from the PEDC Attorney about (1) pending or contemplated litigation and/or (2) on
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2021
Page 3 of 3
matters in which the duty of an attorney to their client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of
Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflict with this chapter, regarding potential
loan to Paris Economic Development Corporation by the City of Paris.
Chairman Bray convened the Board into Executive Session at 5:45 p.m.
Reconvene into O en Session and Consider Action an Items Discussed in Executive Session
Chairman Bray reconvened the Board into Open Session at 6:44 p.m.
Dr. Hash mi made a motion to authorize Ms. Hammond and Mr. Bray to put out a proposal to the institutions and
bring that information back to the Board. Mr. Coleman seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss Future Agenda Items
Mr. Bray asked the Board for future agenda items.
Adiourn
Mr. Coleman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Terrell seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Mr. Bray adjourned the meeting at 6.45 p.m.
,,,...... , Respectfully submitted,
Paula Brownfield
Administrative Assistant
Paris Economic Development Corporation
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