07 - Changing the Name of MLK Jr. Park to Joan Mathis ParkItem No. 7
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem & City Council
FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager
SUBJECT: CHANGING THE NAME OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARK
TO JOAN MATHIS PARK
DATE: June 14, 2021
BACKGROUND:
At the City Council meeting of May 24, 2021, Marcus Yates spoke during Citizens' forum, and
asked that the City Council consider honoring Joan Mathis by changing the name of Johnson Street
Park to Joan Mathis Park. Mr. Yates explained that Joan Mathis was a long time teacher at Paris
Jr. College and had contributed much over the years to the citizens and community of Paris.
Council Member Stone requested an agenda item for City Council to consider this request.
STATUS OF ISSUE:
City staff located Resolution 89-015 approved February 13, 1989, whereby the City Council
changed the name of Johnson Park to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (see attached Resolution 89-
015).
BUDGET: There is no impact on the budget.
RECOMMENDATION: If City Council desires to change the name of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Park (formerly Johnson Park) to Joan Mathis Park, they will need to approve the attached
Resolution.
RESOLUTION 89-015
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, in keeping
with its philosophy of serving all of the citizens of Paris; and,
WHEREAS, parks of the City of Paris have heretofore been
named after the donor; however, since Johnson Park was named
after the street it fronted on there is no impediment to the
renaming of the park after a prominent national figure; and,
WHEREAS, Martin Luther King, Jr. is recognized as a
prominent national figure, and it is therefore fitting and proper
to rename Johnson Park, located on Johnson Street between 12th
Street N.E. and 15th Street N.E., as Martin Luther King, Jr.
Park; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
that Johnson Park, located on Johnson Street between 12th Street
N.E. and 15th Street N.E., be renamed Martin Luther King, Jr.
Park.
Passed and adopted this 13th day of February, 1989.
Eric 'S.' ., ;H or Mayor
ATTEST:
,at I'll Cunningham, Cit 4er
APPROVED ASAO FORM:
K. Rayne, , City ttorney
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS, CHANGING THE NAME OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARK
TO JOAN MATHIS PARK IN HONOR OF CITIZEN JOAN MATHIS;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELEATED TO THE
SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas has received a formal
request to change the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Park to Joan Mathis Park in
honor of citizen Joan Mathis; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Mathis is a longtime resident of the City of Paris; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Mathis has a well-known history as an educator in the city; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Mathis has devoted and continues to devote countless
volunteer hours to the betterment of the city; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, having considered the contributions and
accomplishments of Joan Mathis, finds and determines that renaming Martin Luther
King, Jr. Park to Joan Mathis Park is an appropriate way to acknowledge and recognize
said contributions and accomplishments of Ms. Mathis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are
hereby in all things approved.
Section 2. That the City Council finds and determines it is in the best
interests of the City of Paris and the citizens of the city of Paris to acknowledge the
contributions and accomplishments of Citizen Joan Mathis for the citizens,
community, and the City of Paris by renaming Martin Luther King, Jr. Park to Joan
Mathis Park, and the City Council does hereby direct the City Manager to implement
any and all necessary measures to formally change the name of Martin Luther King,
Jr. Park to Joan Mathis Park.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 14th day of June, 2021.
Paula Portugal, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney