08/17/2021 MinutesPARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
MONTHLY MEETING
Paris City Council Chambers
107 East Kaufman St.
Paris, Texas 75460
Tuesday Au ust 17 2021
5:30 O'CLOCK P.M.
Board Members Present:
Josh Bray, Chairman
Curtis Fendley, Vice Chairman
Chase Coleman, Secretary/Treasurer
Stephen Terrell
Erik Roddy
Ex -Officio Members Present:
Pam Anglin, President, PJC
Grayson Path, City Manager
Legal Counsel:
Casey Gain, PEDCAttorney
Call, toOrder
MINUTES
Staff Present:
Maureen Hammond, Executive Director
Chris Stout, Economic Development Associate
Stephen Kelly, Executive Assistant
Paula Brownfield, Administrative Assistant
Guest(s) Present:
Mary Madewell, The Paris News
City Council Liaison:
Clayton Pilgrim
Renae Stone
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Mr. Bray called the monthly meeting of the Paris Economic Development Corporation to order at 5:30 p.m. on
August 17, 2021. Board Members Dr. Hashmi and Mark Homer were absent. The Board had a quorum in
attendance.
Invocation
Mr. Erik Roddy gave the invocation.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Bray thanked Paula Brownfield for her dedicated service to the PEDC for six years, and also welcomed Stephen
Kelly, the new PEDC Executive Assistant and thanked him for his active duty service.
Citizens'Input
Mr. Bray invited those present to speak during Citizens' Input. No one came forward and the Citizen's Input was
closed.
Discuss and Consider A,proval of the Minutes of the Re ular Meeting held July
Mr. Bray asked for discussion and approval of the minutes. Mr. Fendley made a motion to approve the July 20,
2021 minutes. Mr. Terrell seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Page 2 of 3
Discuss and Consider Anroval of the July 2021 Financial Statements
Mr. Coleman reported on financials ending July 2021. He stated cash and cash equivalents are approximately $2
million and investments are at $2.1 million. Mr. Coleman added that the PEDC's net position is approximately
$5.2 million, and year to date the organization has recognized approximately $1.5 million in sales tax revenue and
total expenses of $1.1 million. Mr. Roddy made a motion to approve the July 2021 Financials. Mr. Fendley
seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss and Consider A proval of the Contract for Jobs E Subscription A reement
Ms. Hammond reported on the Jobs EQ Subscription Agreement and referred board members to the agreement
in the packet. She noted that the organization utilizes several data tools to respond to RFPs, prepare information
for prospects and analyze trends and proposed engaging Chmura for their Jobs EQ platform, citing the following
key points:
Gale is the current platform used by the organization on a one-year agreement at approximately $5,000
per year and set to end in the coming months.
JobsEQ provides an online database that can supply more comprehensive labor and meets the
organization's current needs for proposals, planning, etc.
JobsEQ will allow for customization of labor data and statistics to specified parameters for the entire state
of Texas.
Ms. Hammond proposed ending current contract with Gale and entering new one year contract agreement with
JobsEQ at approximately $6,200 a year. Following discussion, Mr. Fendley made a motion to approve and Mr,
Coleman seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss and Consider Action on Updates from Land Committee
Ms. Hammond provided the following updates:
As part of the committee's goal to make PEDC sites "site -ready," staff has continued to make progress on
environmental reports on PEDC-owned properties. All properties owned by the PEDC are currently free of
environmental issues.
As another part of the "site -ready" process, staff is now taking steps to rezone 12 parcels totaling roughly
150 acres within 30 to 60 days.
Discuss and Consider Action on Updates from MarketiCommittee
Ms. Hammond said the Marketing Committee has held four meetings to date. She added that the committee has
focused on establishing board member liaisons to industry and has hosted four industry meetings to date. Ms.
Hammond added that the committee has also worked on a social media strategy intended to increase
transparency and develop awareness on PEDC activities, mission, and accomplishments. Ms. Hammond stated
that since July, the organization's Facebook page alone has reached an estimated 5,000 individuals and had 1,400
engagements.
Discuss and_AfaFaoint a Polic Review Committee
Mr. Bray discussed the need to evaluate the organization's policy and procedures due to the time elapsed since
last review in addition to offering clear guidance to staff. Following discussion, Mr. Bray appointed Dr. Hashmi,
Mr. Mark Homer, and Mr. Erik Roddy to the Policy Review Committee. Mr. Fendley made a motion to approve.
Mr. Coleman seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
PEDC Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Page 3 of 3
Convene into Executive Session:
1) Pursuant to Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code to discuss and deliberate the purchase,
exchange, lease, or value of real property.
2) 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 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), to wit:
• Project Highway
• Project Iron Horse
• Project Rocket X
• Project Fast Track
• Project Mustang
• Project Green Light
3) 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
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.
Chairman Bray convened the Board into Executive Session at 5:43 p.m.
Reconvene into Ogen Session and Consider Action on Items Discussed in Executive Session
Chairman
'
Chairman Bray reconvened the Board into Open Session at 6:12 p.m.
Mr. Fendley made the motion to approve the option to purchase agreement for Project Highway as presented in
Executive Session and authorize Board Chairperson Josh Bray to execute. Mr. Coleman seconded the motion. Vote
was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Discuss Future A enda Items
No future agenda items.
Adjourn
Mr. Roddy made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr,. Coleman seconded the motion. Vote was 5 -ayes to 0 -nays.
Mr. Bray adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen Kelly
Executive Assistant
Paris Economic Development Corporation