05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
February 14, 2022
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
February 14, 2022, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Paula Portugal
Mayor Pro -Tem: Reginald Hughes
Council Members: Renae Stone, Gary Savage, Mihir Pankaj, and Linda
Knox
City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Robert Vine,
Assistant City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk;', Gene. Anderson;
Finance. Director; Richard Salter, Police Chief;
Andrew' Mack, Director of Planning & Community
Development; M.A. Smith, Public Works Director;
Russell Thrasher, EMS Director; and Clyde Crews,
Fire Marshal.
Absent: Council Member: Clayton Pilgrim
02ening Agenda
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.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes led the pledge.
4. Citizen's forum.
No one spoke during citizen's forum.
Consent A Benda
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
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February 14, 2022
Page 2
made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 6
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting of January 24, 2022.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Board of Adjustment (11-2-2021 & 1-4-2022)
b. Paris Economic Development Corporation (11-22-2021)
c. Paris Visitors & Convention Council (11-15-2021)
d. Paris -Lamar County Board of Health (9-9-2021)
e. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (11-17-2021)
f. Historic Preservation Commission (1-12-2022)
g. Planning & Zoning Commission (12-6-2021)
7. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2022-009:. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARTS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN
APPLICATION TO BECOME A RESERVATION SYSTEM PARTICIPANT FOR
HOME FUNDS TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS; GRANTING AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
ANY AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS REQUISITE IN IMPLEMENTING SAID
RESOLUTION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO AUTHENTICATE
THE MAYOR'S SIGNATURE TO ANY AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS
REQUISITE IN IMPLEMENTING SAID RESOLUTION; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS AND DECLARING AN�EFFECTIVE DATE.
8. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2022-010: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, INDICATING SUPPORT FOR THE
APPLICATION OF ZIMMERMAN PROPERTIES AND ITS AFFILIATES, AN
AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT KNOWN AS PARIS VIEW
APARTMENTS, TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE 2022 COMPETITIVE NINE -PERCENT
HOUSING TAX CREDITS; APPROVING A WAIVER OF DEVELOPMENT/PERMIT
FEES IN THE AMOUNT OF $250.00; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND/OR
DESIGNATED CITY STAFF TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE
ACTIONS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
9. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2022-011: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS INDICATING SUPPORT FOR THE
APPLICATION OF J -H PARIS REALTY, LP AND ITS AFFILIATES, AN
AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT KNOWN AS CELEBRATION
PARIS SENIOR VILLAS, TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE 2022 COMPETITIVE NINE -PERCENT
HOUSING TAX CREDITS; APPROVING A WAIVER OF DEVELOPMENT/PERMIT
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February 14, 2022
Page 3
FEES IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND/OR
DESIGNATED CITY STAFF TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE
ACTIONS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Regular Agenda
10. Discuss, conduct a public hearing, and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2022-006: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
READOPTING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE 8.02, DIVISION 2, "CURFEW FOR
CHILDREN," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, SAVINGS
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Chief Salter explained that Chapter 8, Article 8.02 of the Code of Ordinances establishes
and governs both a day and nighttime curfew for children. He said this ordinance provides
police officers authority to interdict,juvenile involved delinquent activity, which also reduced the
likelihood that children would be victims of criminal acts during established curfew periods.
Chief Salter further explained the ,Code required this, ordinance be reviewed every three years,
and conduct a public hearing, on the need to continue the curfew or modify it.
Mayor Portugal said the stats presented by Chief Salter looked good and this curfew was
working.
Mayor Portugal opened the public hearing asking for anyone wishing to speak about this
item to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Portugal closed the publictearing.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by
Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
11. Receive presentation, discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2022-012: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TxDOT) FOR THE
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF STATE RIGHT-OF-WAY IN SUPPORT OF THE 2022,
2023, 2024, 2025 AND 2026 STEAK WARS FESTIVAL; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Planner Andrew Mack said this would be the second annual Steak Wars Event and
the purpose was to promote Paris to visitors, as well as residents. He also said this event raised
money for the Boys & Girls Club. He explained that last year's street closure was only on
Kaufman between Main and 1' St. S.W. but this year's event would require additional street
closures and for two days, which would require an agreement with TxDOT. Mr. Mack
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February 14, 2022
Page 4
introduced Chris Estep with South Main Iron who said in 2020, they created an organization
called Iron Committees and that last year they raised over $15,000.00 for the Boys & Girls Club.
Council Member Pankaj said this was a great event and expressed appreciation to Mr.
Estep. Council Member Stone said she supported anything that supported the children in the
community.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0—nays.
12. Discuss and act on an agreement between the City of Paris and Lamar County Chamber
of Commerce to cover all expenses for the Love Civic Center Renovation Project in
excess of the City's available funding and authorize the City Manager to sign.
City Manager Grayson Path explained the bids for this project were received January 12,
2022, and bids came in higher than the remaining bond funding. 'Mr. Path also said he and Paul
Allen had agreed that the, City would utilize the remaining bond until funding was exhausted, and
the remaining balance of the contract would be covered by the Lamar County Chamber of
Commerce. He said Mr. Allen was prepared to present the attached agreement to the LCCC
Board and recommend approval that the LCCC cover all expenses in excess of the bond funding.
Mr. Path said the next agenda item was to award a bid to Tegrity Contractors, Inc. in the amount
of $1,398,454.00. He also said the City currently had a remaining balance in the bond of
$1,177,890.00 and some of the funding would be used for expenses with WRA Architects, Inc.
Council Member Pankaj said he was really excited about these renovations, and all of the
other hotel owners were too. Mayor Portugal said she was excited when she saw the architect's
plans.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
13. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2022-013: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE
LOVE CIVIC CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT TO TEGRITY CONTRACTORS,
INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,398,454.00 AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY
MANAGER TO SIGN AND ISSUE THE NOTICE TO PROCEED, CONTINGENT
UPON THE LAMAR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S APPROVAL OF
THE AGREEMENT TO COVER ADDITIONAL COSTS BEYOND AVAILABLE
CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION FINDING; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Path said the City received two bids for the Love Civic Center Project and after
carefully reviewing the bids and contractors, WRA Architects, Inc. recommended award of bid
to Tegrity Contractors, Inc. out of Allen. He also said that Nandita Rajakumar with WRA
Architects was going to give a brief overview of the project, and introduced Ms. Rajakumar. Ms.
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February 14, 2022
Page 5
Rajakumar reviewed the planned renovations and referenced a drawing that was included in the
City Council's packet. She covered the exhibit hall, public restrooms, lobby entrance, corridors,
main lobby, conference rooms, lobby, and main entrance. Ms. Rajakumar answered questions
from City Council.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by
Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2022-007: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO NETX DUMPSTER RENTALS, LLC
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.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said this was carried over from the last meeting, and
explained this was the standard application for issuance of a solid waste collection permit. She
said staff recommended approval.
A Motion to. approve this item was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by
Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
15. Discuss and consider approval of a Professional' Services Agreement with the Burdette
Agency, Inc. d/b/a North Star Place Branding & Marketing, in the amount of $85,000.00,
for branding and marketing services and authorize the City Manager to sign.
Mr. Path said that Maureen Hammond approached him and Paul Allen with a concept of
developing a marketing program for the Paris Economic Development Corporation, Lamar
County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Paris. He said in their experience, they agreed
that when developers and interested parties see a unified approach by all three entities, it tells
them from the beginning that they are all on the same page. Mr. Path explained a unified
marketing project would include unified logos, messaging and marketing strategies. He also said
the steering committee heard from nine companies and selected The Burdette Agency, Inc. d/b/a
North Star because of their impressive background and scope of services. Mr. Path said the cost
of services would be shared three ways and would take eight to nine months for completion.
Council Member Pankaj said this was great and the right company for the project. Mayor
Portugal expressed appreciation to everyone who worked on this project. Council Member Stone
thanked Ms. Hammond for coming up with this idea. Paris Economic Development Director
Maureen Hammond thanked the City Council for considering this project.
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February 14, 2022
Page 6
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Receive presentation about the Paris Economic Development Corporation's Annual
Report for fiscal year 2021.
Paris Economic Development Director Maureen Hammond presented the 2021 Annual
Report, which consisted of the 2021-2022 budget, current obligations, and major organizational
events in 2021. Ms. Hammond also referenced work done by the land committee, marketing
committee, incentive committee and policy review committee. She reviewed business attraction,
site selection trends, business retention, and expansion while citing over 550 were jobs supported
this past year with job retention and new jobs.
Council Member Savage said he appreciated the efforts on job retention, while adding
new jobs at the same time,. Council Member Pankaj said this was great work.
17. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2022=008: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CHAPTER 7, DIVISION 2,
"RESERVE UNIT," SECTIONS 07.02;41 THROUGH 07.02.055 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE
NULL AND VOID AND OF NO EFFECT; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
EMS Director Russell Thrasher said in 1979 an EMS Reserve Unit was created to assist
the City during the formation of a full-time MS Department. He also said after forty plus years,
the training, attendance, skill management equipment and continuing education requirements to
manage a viable volunteer reserve unit had become too difficult to maintain. Mr. Thrasher said
staff wished to repeal the ordinance that set up the EMS Reserve Unit, and the department would
perform the community servicing of event from its FT and PRN list.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Council Member Stone. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
18. Receive an update from the City Manager or Staff regarding Wifires Internet Services,
and possibly take action.
City Manager Grayson Path said Council Member Stone had requested this item and that
Mossy Kines was present at this meeting, if anyone had questions of him. Mr. Path that Mr.
Kines had approached the City about three or four months ago about building fiber in Paris,
which would allow Wifires to try to touch all parts of the community. Mr. Path explained this
was very complicated State and Federal Law, and that he and Ms. Harris had reached out to a
law firm in Houston who specializes in this law. Mr. Path said staff was dealing with the City's
rights -of -ways and had to regulate them to protect the City's roads and infrastructure. He said a
final draft was received last week from the attorney and was presented to Mr. Kines. Mr. Path
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February 14, 2022
Page 7
informed City Council that at the same time the City was approached by another company and
the City was working with them too. He said the City does not give exclusive franchises to
entities and would develop a fair equal agreement for both companies. Mr. Path also said that
staff would be meeting soon with Mr. Kines to begin negotiations. Mr. Path encouraged City
Council to allow him and City Attorney Stephanie Harris to continue to work with Mr. Kines and
the other company, in order to develop a final document and bring back to Council for
consideration.
Council Member Stone expressed appreciation for staff meeting with them and said the
service was needed in Paris. She said she understood it was more complicated and took time.
Mayor Portugal said she appreciated staff s due diligence.
19. Convene into executive session pursuant to Section 551.087 of the Texas Government
Code, (1) to 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), as follows: retail development.
Mayor Portugal convened City Council into executive session at 6:25 p.m.
20. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session. '
Mayor Portugal reconvened City Council into open session at 6:47 p.m. and said there
was no action to be taken.
21. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
There were no future events referenced.
22. Adjournment.
There being no further business, A Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Savage and seconded by Council Member Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor
Portugal adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m.
PAULA PORTUGAL, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK