05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 8, 2022
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
August 8, 2022, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Paula Portugal
Mayor Pro -Tem: Reginald Hughes
Council Members: Shatara Moore; Gary; Savage, and; Linda Knox;
City Staff: Grayson Pani, ."City Manager; Robert Vine,
Assistant" City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson;
Finance Director; Rich Salter, Police Chief; M.A.
Smith, Public Works Director; Thomas McMonigle,
Fire Chief; and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal
Absent: Council Members;, Mihir Pankaj and Clayton Pilgrim
O venin A enda
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. Recognition of Mazie Smith's accomplishment in the 1,000 Books Before
Kindergarten Program with the Paris Public Library.
B. Citizens' Forum.
Chris Dux, 134 1' S.W. — he asked that City Council consider lowering his monthly
water bill because several years back the former city manager and city engineer agreed to let him
pay for 3/ inch water line and he was being charged for a 1 inch line.
Kit Lindsey, 130 1' S.W. #36 — he said they were neighbors of Chris Dux and they were
told the same thing by former management, which was they were required to install a 1 inch line
but would be charged for a % inch line.
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August 8, 2022
Page 2
Jenny Wilson, 2340 Lamar Avenue, Director of United Way — she invited the City
Council to a meeting and lunch on Friday. She said the topic would be payday lending and car
title loans and the impact of those living in poverty. She asked to Council to consider an
ordinance regulating payday lending and car title loans.
Lucia Bunch and Laura Hutchings, Paris Community Theatre — they informed everyone
that the doors of the community theatre were open and outlined the plays that would soon be
occurring in the theater, as well as they were rebooting the Children's Program.
Consent A enda
Mayor Portugal inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the
consent agenda for discussion. City Clerk Janice Ellis asked that item 6 d, minutes of June 6 for
P&Z be pulled, because there were needed corrections. With the exception of the P&Z minutes
referenced by Ms. Ellis, a Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Council Member
Savage and seconded by Council Member Knox Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting of July 25, 2022.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Love Civic Center Quarterly Reports
b. VC&C Quarterly Reports
c. Paris Public Library Advisory Board (6-15-2022)
d. Planning & Zoning Commission (6-6-2022 & 7-5-2022)
7. Receive the 2022tax appraisal roll from the Lamar County Appraisal District.
8. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2022,-057: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF ASSIGNMENT OF AN AIRPORT GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN COLLIN HADLEY AND THE CITY OF PARIS FOR HANGAR A-7 AT
COX FIELD AIRPORT TO JUSTIN AND SARA WITHERS; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
9. Award the low bid for hydrated line lime chemical to be used in Water Treatment FY
2022/2023.
10. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2022-058: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING A NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE ATMOS CITIES STEERING COMMITTEE
("ACSC") AND ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION REGARDING THE
COMPANY'S 2022 RATE REVIEW MECHANISM FILING; DECLARING
EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE; ADOPTING TARIFFS THAT
REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEGOTIATED
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August 8, 2022
Page 3
SETTLEMENT; FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE ATTACHED
SETTLEMENT TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE AND IN THE PUBLIC
INTEREST; APPROVING AN ATTACHMENT ESTABLISHING A BENCHMARK
FOR PENSIONS AND RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS; REQUIRING THE
COMPANY TO REIMBURSE ACSC'S REASONABLE RATEMAKING EXPENSES;
DETERMINING THAT THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT;
ADOPTING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND
REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND THE
ACSC'S LEGAL COUNSEL.
Regular ALlenda
11. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2022-059: A ,RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS APPROVING AN AGREEMENT
REGARDING FREEZE OF FIRE PENSION FUND ANDYAUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAME ON BEHALF OF THE CITY; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;. SND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Manager Grayson Pathe said that on June 13, 2022, the City Council heard a
presentation on freezing the Paris Firefighter Relief and Retirement Fund, while simultaneously
issuing a pension bond and transferring `the Fire Department Employees to the Texas Municipal
Retirement System. He also said that City Staff had been working with Bond Legal Counsel,
TMRS Legal Counsel, Board of Trustee Actuary; and Board ofTrustee Legal Counsel to prepare
the needed documents to implement this project for their consideration. Mr. Path reported that
the Board of Trustees had some amendments and ultimately approved the plan amendment to
make the change, 45-0. He explained there were three items on this agenda and a fourth item
would appear on their agenda of August 22, 2022. Mr. Path introduced the Bond Attorney, Chris
Settle and Mr. Settle answered questions from the City Council.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes and seconded by
Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2022-060: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE PARIS FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND
PERTAINING TO THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, GENERAL OBLIGATION
PENSION BONDS, TAXABLE SERIES 2022; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Council Member Moore. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
13. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2022-048: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING
THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS, TAXABLE
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August 8, 2022
Page 4
SERIES 2022; PROVIDING FOR THE SECURITY FOR AND PAYMENT OF SAID
BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF VARIOUS
AGREEMENTS RELATED TO SAID BONDS; AND ENACTING OTHER
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes and seconded by
Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Receive an update of the Paris Economic Development Corporation's Plan of Work.
Paris Economic Development Corporation Executive, Director Maureen Hammond
presented the City Council with the PEDC's Plan of Work. That plan included the retention and
growth of jobs, attraction of new employers and industry, cultivating an entrepreneurial
ecosystem, support of workforce development programming, managing and expansion of land
and building assets, encouragement of a unified vision for Paris, Texas, explore internal and
external funding, and economic impact.
15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. `2.022-049: AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A
CITY-WIDE SPECIAL ELECTION TO "BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022 TO
CONSIDER PROPOSITIONS CALLING FOR ' AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY
CHARTER; PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF THE BALLOT; PERMITTING ONLY
RESIDENT QUALIFIED VOTERS TO VOTE; PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING;
PROVIDING FOR AN EARLY VOTING BALLOT BOARD; PROVIDING FOR
NOTICE OF THE ELECTION; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Janice. Ellis said at ,the City Council meeting of January 24, City Council
requested changes to the proposed. Charter Amendments. Ms. Ellis said those changes had been
made and translated into Spanish. She`also said once City Council called the election, staff
would begin work on the booklet that would'go out to all registered voters of the City prior to
thirty days before the election.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2022-061: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PARIS AND THE LAMAR COUNTY
ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO ASSIST, COORDINATE, SUPERVISE, AND
HANDLE CERTAIN ASPECT OF ADMINISTERING THE SPECIAL CHARTER
ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2022, FOR THE CITY OF PARIS; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Ellis explained that the City had been contracting with the Lamar County Elections
Administrator for election services, and the contract before them was for services related to the
August 8, 2022
Page 5
Charter Election. Mayor Portugal confirmed with Ms. Ellis the estimated cost of services was
$11,594.00.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes and seconded by
Council Member Moore. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
17. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2022-062: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPOINTING THREE REGULAR
MEMBERS AND ONE ALTERNATE MEMBER TO FILL EXPIRED TERMS ON
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 16 OF THE
CITY ZONING ORDINANCE AND THE CITY'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
FOR STANDING BOARDS, COMMISSIONS. -AND COMMITTEES; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Portugal said Council had asked staff to re -advertise foi.this board, which th
had done and were successful in getting more applicants. She said this w as a very import
board and once heard at this level, the next step was District Court. Mayor Portugal said s
would really like to postpone this item until they had the full Council. Ma�br ' Pro -Tem Hugh
inquired if she wanted to table this item and Mayor Portugal answered iii the affirmativ
Council Member Savage said he felt thatthe Council was capable of appointing the Board.
Mayor Portugal asked staff for a presentation. City Clerk Janice Ellis said advertisi
result n in
that ap�licant was not on the ballot due to,,,r6cei�in�'t�6app'lication this morning. Ms. Ell
asked Council if they wanted to include the sixth application.
Council Member Savage inquired of Ms. Ellis if the deadline was a staff decision and s
answere-d'in the affirmative. She explained the process by which staff received and process
board, applications, citirig, in order to get the agenda packet together and everything to t
Council',they imposed deadlines and noted that in the newspaper. She also said that on r
advertisements a deadline was not given to the newspaper because they did not know for su
when the appointments woul&be made. Council Member Moore said she did not see a probl
with including the application., Council Member Savage said he did not see a problem with
either but that he did, not know, 'how the rest of the Council felt. Council Member Savage ask
if they needed to vote'on it, and Ms. Ellis answered in the affirmative. Mayor Portugal called f
a vote on who wanted toinclude the application. It was decided to include the application by
vote of 3 ayes - 2 nays, with Mayor Portugal and Council Member Knox casting the dissenti
votes.
Ms. Ellis said there were three vacant positions on the Board of Adjustment and if David
Hamilton was selected, the fourth person receiving the highest number of points, would be an
alternate, Ms. Ellis asked Council to add the name of Carlton Cooper to their ballots. City Staff
tallied the points given to each applicant and Ms. Ellis announced that David Hamilton and
Lydia Fitzgerald had received the most points, with Alix Putnam and Carlton Cooper in a tie for
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August 8, 2022
Page 6
the third position. Council Member Savage asked if they could just vote and Ms. Ellis answered
in the affirmative.
native.
Motion to appoint David Hamilton and Lydia Fitzgerald to the board was made by
Council Member Knox and seconded by Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0
nays.
A Motion to appoint Alix Putnam as the regular member and Carlton Cooper as the
alternate member was made by Council Member Knox, and seconded by Mayor Portugal.
Motion failed, 2 ayes — 3 nays, with Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes, Council Member Moore and
Council Member Savage casting the dissenting votes.
f'
A Motion to appoint Carlton Cooper as the, fegular member and Alix Putnam as the
alternate member was made by Council Member Savage and seconded by Council Member
Moore. Motion carried, 4 ayes —1 nay, with Council Member Knox casting the dissenting vote.
z
18. Discuss and appoint one member to the Airport Advisory Board.
Ms. Ellis said Council had previously made appointments to the two pilot positions and
there was a vacant civilian position; She said staff had received two applications and read the
names. Council scored the applicants;: 'staff tallied the points, and Ms. Ellis said LeAndra
Maughon had received the most points:.
A Motion to appoint LeAndra Maughon to the board was made Council Member Savage
and seconded by Council Member Moore. Motion carried; 5'ayes — 0 nays.
19. Consider and approve future events for 'City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Mayor Portugal said she would like to get a report from the evaluation committee by
September 5t' to include evaluation instruments and possible dates to evaluate Council's staff.
20. Adjournment.
There being no further business, A Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Savage and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor
Portugal adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
PAULA PORTUGAL, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 11, 2022
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday,
August 11, 2022, 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 (via Zoom) Linda
Knox; and Clayton Pilgrim.
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,
Russell Thrasher, EMS Director; Thomas
McMonigle, Fire Chief, Doug Harris, Utilities
Director; Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal; Paul Strahan,
Airport Manager; Sandy Collard, HR Director;
Cheri Bedford, Main Street Manager; and Celso
Arrieta, IT Manager
Absent: Council Member: Shatara Moore
O enin A o-nda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Portugal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Citizens' forum.
No one spoke during citizens' forum.
3. Discuss and provide direction on the FY 2022-2023 budget for the City of Paris.
City Manager Grayson Path announced that department heads and supervisors were in
attendance should anyone have questions of them.
Mr. Path addressed budget priorities, balance of operational funds, the property tax rate,
general fund revenue, general fund expenditures, and gave an overview of each department
budget. Council Member Savage inquired of any major street projects. Mr. Path said the budget
contained funds to repair or fix streets, but to redo a street was very expensive and there were not
significant plans for a major street project. Mayor Portugal said four or five years ago, they did a
Special Meeting
August 11, 2022
Page 2
street assessment rating the streets but the City did not have enough funding to complete that list.
Mayor Fro -Tem Hughes wanted to know when the community outreach position would be filled.
Chief Salter said as soon as staff received funding, they would begin advertising for the position.
Council Member Savage asked about the job requirements. Chief Salter said the description was
not complete but it would be a civilian position and the person would interact with schools, as
well as the Boys & Girls Club. Council Member Savage said it would be of benefit for the
person to serve on some of the boards.
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes said this was a very transparent budget and that the employees
had worked hard. Council Member Pilgrim echoed Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes and said he was
proud to be a part of the City Council that everyone had come together and he appreciated the
budget. Council Member Pankaj echoed his team.
Finance Director Gene Anderson went over the budget timeline. Mr. Path inquired if
Council wanted to have any additional workshops and they did not. Mr. Path said if someone
had any additional questions to please contact him.
Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Savage and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The meeting
was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
PAULA PORTUGAL, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK