05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
November 8, 2021
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
November 8, 2021, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Paula Portugal
Mayor Pro -Tem: Reginald Hughes
Council Members: Gary Savage, Mihir Pankaj, Linda Knox and
Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff: Grayson Path, CityManager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson;
Finance Director; Richard d Sa ter, Police Chief,
Russell Thrasher, E SDirector; Thomas
c onigle, Fire Chief-, oug Harris, Public
UtilitiesDirector; M.A. Smith,c Works
Director; and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal
Absent- Council Member: Renae Stone
Opening Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Portugal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Finance Director Gene Anderson gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes led the pledge.
4. A. Proclamation Declaring November 11, 2021 as Honor Our Veterans Day.
Mayor Portugal delivered the Veterans Day Speech. Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes read the
proclamation and presented a proclamation to each of the following: American Legion
Brown/Guest Post 30, Veterans of Foreign War, Disabled American Veterans, Elks Lodge, Red
River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum, Salvation Army of Paris, Texas, Lamar County
Veteran Services.
B. Proclamation Declaring November 27, 2021 as Small Business Saturday.
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November 8, 2021
Page 2
Mayor Portugal read the proclamation and presented it to Cheri Bedford and the Paris
Downton Association.
C. Citizens' forum.
Mossy Kines, Wifires, 30 Clarksville Street — he said he was following up to an e-mail he
sent to City Council. He also said Wifires would like to get a dialog started with the City of
Paris in an effort to get a franchise with the City, like they had gotten with the City of Reno. Mr.
Kines explained they were a local company with an office in town.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Portugal 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 Savage and seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 6
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting of October 25, 2021.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following. boards and commissions:
a. Paris Economic Development Corporation (8-17-2021:& 8-28-2021)
b. Housing Authority (8-24-2021)
c. Board of Adjustment (10-5-2021)
d. Charter Review Commission (10-18-2021)
7. Receive September monthly financial report.
8. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2021-037: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, RATIFYING THE 2019 ASSIGNMENT OF
HANGAR A-7, COX FIELD AIRPORT, FROM ERIK ZARONES TO SHERADON R.
CARTER; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
9. Receipt of the 2019-2020 Independent Annual Financial Audit.
10. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2021-038: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE
EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM
POLICE VHF RADIO GRANT, APPLICATION NUMBER 4268001; AUTHORIZING
THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; ACCEPTING SAID GRANT AWARD;
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY FOR ACCEPTANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID GRANT
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November 8, 2021
Page 3
UPON RECEIPT THEREOF; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
11. Approve the Final Plat of the Brown 294 Brown Addition, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD
Property ID 18507, located at 426 N.E. 30th.
12. Approve the Final Plat of Pshigoda Collegiate Addition, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD Property
ID 128536, located at 2170 S. Collegiate Dr.
13. Approve the Final Plat of the Burley Addition, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD Property ID
16640, located at 719 S.W. 3rd Street.
14. Approve the Final Plat of the Downs Addition, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD Property ID
128379, located at 1315 N.W. Loop 286.
15. Approve the Final Plat of the Pshigoda Hearon Addition CB I I2F, Lot 1, Block A,
LCAD Property ID 15829, located at 1608 E. Hearon Street.
16. Approve the Final Plat of the Pshigoda Austin Addition CB 115, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD
Property ID 15896, located at 728 E. Austin Street.
17. Approve the Final Plat of the Cruz Addition CB 316, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD Property ID
18743, located at 950 N. E. 31St Street.
Regular Agenda
18. Discuss, conduct a public hearing, and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2021-045: 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 257-
A, LOT 5, LOCATED AT 2356 E. CHERRY STREET, FROM A ONE -FAMILY
DWELLING DISTRICT NO. 2 (SF -2) TO A MULTIPLE -FAMILY DWELLING
DISTRICT NO. 1 (MF -1); DIRECTING A CHANGE ACCORDINGLY IN THE
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF THE CITY; PROVIDING A REPEALER
CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Community Development Coordinator Triniti Frazier explained this zoning change was
requested to allow for the construction of six new duplexes, and that the property owned to the
West was already zoned as multi -family. She said that the Planning and Zoning Commission
approved this zoning change, and that City Staff recommended approval. Council Member
Savage inquired about the person who opposed the zoning change. Ms. Frazier said that person
lived on another street and the person who was in favor of the change was a neighbor,
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November 8, 2021
Page 4
Mayor Portugal opened the public hearing and asked that anyone wishing to speak about
this item to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Portugal closed the public
hearing.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes and Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
19. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2021-046: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO COUNTY WASTE COLLECTIONS,
LLC D/B/A TRASH BUSINESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN THE
BUSINESS OF COLLECTING AND/OR TRANSPORTING SOLID WASTE FROM
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE
CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; FINDING A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND CONVENIENCE
FOR ISSUANCE OF SAID PERMIT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Mayor Portugal asked for a Motion to remove this item from the table. A Motion to
remove this item from the table was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Mayor
Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
City Clerk Janice Ellis said County Waste Connections submitted an application for a
solid waste permit, along with the required insurance certificate. She said the company had been
doing business within the City for a number of years, and staff recommended approval of the
ordinance.
Mayor Portugal informed City Council that passage of this ordinance would require five
affirmative votes.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
20. Discuss and act on one appointment to fill an unexpired term on the Main Street
Advisory Board.
Ms. Ellis reported that Don Yarbrough recently resigned from the Main Street Advisory
Board, which left a vacant unexpired term. She said staff advertised for the vacancy and
received two applications, one from Greg Kee and one from William Walker. Ms. Ellis said they
could cast points by the ballot method or someone could make a motion.
A Motion to appoint Greg Kee to the board was made by Council Member Pankaj and
seconded by Council Member Knox. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
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November 8, 2021
Page 5
21. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-039: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, CASTING THE CITY OF PARIS' 676
VOTES FOR KEN KOHLS FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE 2022-2023 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE LAMAR COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Finance Director Gene Anderson said City Council recently nominated Ken Kohls to
serve on the Lamar County Appraisal District Board, and now it was time to cast their vote.
A Motion to approve the resolution casting the City's 676 votes for Ken Kohls for the
LCAD Board was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes.
Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
22. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-040: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Manager Grayson Path said at the October 25h City Council meeting the City
Council heard a presentation regarding items 22, 23 and 24, and directed staff to bring these
items back for consideration. Mr. Path explained that the City of Coppell had already procured
an agreement with Emergicon for third party billing services and this would allow the City of
Paris access to that agreement. Council Member Knox inquired if the rates were being adjusted.
Mr. Path answered in the affirmative, and said ambulance rates for Paris were way behind in
comparison to other cities. Council Member Knox inquired the fee for Emergicon and Mr. Path
said their rates were built into the billing. Mayor Portugal confirmed if the City did not get paid
that Emergicon did not get paid. Council Member Pankaj said he had a little heartburn over
increasing the rates but he understood that this needed to be done for efficiency. He inquired if
Paris had to match Coppell next year and Mr. Path said no, it was not part of the contract.
Council Member Pilgrim said we were way off on rates and was glad that staff brought this to
the City Council because the EMS was a great service to the citizens. Council Member Savage
said this was a huge benefit to the City as a whole and had this not be done, the City would not
have been able to sustain the ambulance service.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
23. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-041: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT
FOR SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL AMBULANCE BILLING SERVICES
THROUGH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF COPPELL,
TEXAS TO UTILIZE EMERGICON FOR BILLING AND CLAIMS MANAGEMENT;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT;
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November 8, 2021
Page 6
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Mayor Pro -
Tem Hughes and Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
24. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2021-047: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING APPENDIX A, ARTICLE
A.6, SECTION A6.001 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN EMERGENCY AND NON -EMERGENCY
AMBULANCE SERVICES RATES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS
OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
25. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-042: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AUTHORIZING A GRANT FROM
THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING TO THE PARIS-LAMAR
COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT FOR COVID-19 RELATED EXPENSES; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Anderson said the City was allocated approximately 6 million dollars for Covid-19
related expenses and have received half of that amount. He also said ARPA allows
governmental entities to use their resources in support of other governmental entities who were
also working to fight this virus. Mr. Anderson reported that the Paris -Lamar County Health
District had requested financial assistance in the amount of $80,000.00 from the City for
vaccinations, testing, off-site clinics and data entry. He said City Staff recommended approving
this request for assistance.
A Motion to approve assistance to the Paris -Lamar County Health District in the amount
of $80,000.00 was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by Council Member Savage.
Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
26. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to:
A. 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.
November 8, 2021
Page 7
B. Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, (1) to deliberate the appointment,
employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public
officer or employee, as follows: annual evaluation of the city manager.
C. Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, (1) to deliberate the appointment,
employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public
officer or employee, as follows: annual evaluation of the municipal judge.
Mayor Portugal asked a for a motion to remove item 26 C from the table. A Motion to
remove item 26 C from the table was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by Mayor
Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
27. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session,
Mayor Portugal reconvened City Council into open session at 7:44 p.m. and said actio",
wIs needed on item A to settle potential litigation with Andrew Deaton, in the amount
$33,000.00. A Motion to authorize the City Attorney to settle the potential litigation wi
Andrew Deaton, in the amount of $33,000.00 was made by Council Member Pankj and seconde
by Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor Portugal said there was
action to be taken on items B & C. I
2® Consider and approve future events for City Council /or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No, 2004® 1.
No future events were referenced.
29. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Pro -Tem
Hughes and was seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p®
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
December 1, 2021
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 4:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
1.
Present: Mayor:
Council e ers:
Him
O
Call meeting to order.
Paula Portugal
Reginald ghes
enae Stone; Gary Savage; LinaKnox; an
Clayton Pilgrim
Grayson Path, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk, and Russell
Thrasher, EMS Director
Mayor Portugal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Citizens' forum.
No one spoke during citizens' forum.
3. Receive, discuss and possibly act on information from Robert Bass, Allison, Bass &
Associates regarding 2020 Census data and evaluation of demographics as it relates to the
possibly need for redistricting of City Council political boundaries within the City of
Paris.
4. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-043: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR
REDISTRICTING OF POLITICAL BOUNDARIES WITHIN THE CITY OF PARIS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH 2020 CENSUS DATA ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES
CENSUS BUREAU AND STATE AND FEDERAL LAW AND SECTION 8 OF THE
CITY CHARTER; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID ORDER AND
THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST TO SAME; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
City Manager Grayson Path said the City had previously hired consultant Robert Bass to
guide the City through the redistricting process, and he then introduced Robert Bass. Mr. Bass
displayed the Initial Analysis Chart, and the coordinating district map reflecting the over
Special Council Meeting
December 1, 2021
Page 2
populated and under populated districts. He explained the necessity of redistricting single
member districts making them more proportionate to each other and more equally diversified.
Mr. Bass said they would need to find a way to equalize the population, and honor the Voting
Rights Act. Mr. Bass depicted examples of moving boundaries of the Districts and how doing so
changed the population and the percentage of ethnicity makeup in each District.
Mr. Bass suggested two workshops, a public hearing and adoption of a plan at their
January 10, 2022 City Council meeting. He also informed City Council that the deadline to
adopt a Redistricting Plan was February 7th. He said that a ten days' notice of the public hearing
was required to be published in the newspaper.
Mayor Portugal asked City Council to look at their schedules and provide several dates. It
was a consensus of City Council to conduct these meetings in the evening. Mr. Path said he
would have Denene reach out to the Council to come up with dates for the workshops. Mr. Bass
said he expected the workshops would take about 1 1/2 hours each. Mayor Portugal asked if he
could provide them with a suggested map. Council Member Pilgrim favored Mr. Bass giving
them a preliminary plan as to how he thinks it should be. Mr. Bass said he could do that but
during the workshops, he would like the Council to come up with two options because this was
their City and they knew it better than anyone would. Council Member Pilgrim clarified with
Mr. Bass that the City Council would need three different plans.
A Motion to approve the Resolution adopting an Order Establishing Criteria for
Redistricting was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Knox.
Motion carried, 6 yes — 0 nays.
5. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2021-044: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ADOPTING AN ORDER CALLING
FOR THE REDISTRICTING OF POLITICAL BOUNDARIES AND CITY COUNCIL
DISTRICTS WITHIN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Knox and seconded by
Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
6. Establish a calendar for subsequent redistricting meetings to develop and act upon City
redistricting of City Council Districts prior to February 7, 2022.
Mayor Portugal said this had been accomplished with item 4.
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December 1, 2021
Page 3
7. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Savage and was seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
PAULA PORTUGAL, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK