12-15-2021MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
December 15, 2021
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor:
Mayor Pro -Tem:
Council Members
City Staff:
Absent: Council Member:
Call meeting to order.
Paula Portugal
Reginald Hughes
Gary Savage; Mihir Pankaj; Linda Knox; and
Clayton Pilgrim
Grayson Path, City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; and Russell
Thrasher, EMS Director
Renae Stone
Mayor Portugal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. 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, changing demographics in the Council Districts
since 2010, and proposed City Council redistrict maps.
Consultant Bob Bass reviewed the current voter district map with percentages reflecting
the districts that were underpopulated and the districts that were over populated. He presented
and reviewed Plan A and said it was the least favorable plan with regard to the Voting Rights
Act. Next, Mr. Bass presented and reviewed Plan B citing this was the strongest plan. He
depicted maps with current and proposed boundary lines reflecting changes in population and
minority percentages. Mr. Bass said it was important for City Council to give their input, as this
was their City. Lastly, he and the City Council worked together to create Plan C. Mr. Bass said
Plans and A and C were not as good as Plan B, and that he had confidence that Plan B would be
approved. Mr. Bass answered questions from City Council, as they discussed Plan B. Council
Members Savage and Pankaj said Plan B sounded like the best plan. Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes
agreed. Mayor Portugal said she was hearing it was a consensus of City Council to move
forward with Plan B. Mr. Bass said he would send the agenda wording for their next two City
Council meetings. He said the new maps should be placed on the city website, and the plan
discussed at their January 10 City Council meeting. Mr. Bass also said a public hearing would
Special Council Meeting
December 15, 2021
Page 2
need to be published and conducted on January 24, at which time they would need to adopt the
Plan.
4. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pankaj and was seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
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PAULAPORTUGAL,( AYOR