2000-03-15-PEDC 515
MINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIOH
REGULAR MEETING
-- March 15, 2000
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in a regular meeting on
Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at 4:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall,
Paris, Texas. President Michael Rhodes called the meeting to order with the
following boardmembers present: Jay Guest, Dick Amis, Melba Harris, and Donald
Wall. Also, present were ex-officio boardmembers Executive Director Gary Vest, City
Manager Michael E. Malone, and City Attorney Larry Schenk.
President Michael Rhodes stated that the next item on the agenda was approval of
the minutes from the previous meeting of the Paris Economic Development
Corporation. He asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of
the previous meeting, and there were none. Boardmember Don Wall made a motion,
seconded by Boardmember Dick Amis, that the minutes be approved as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes asked Mr. Vest to give the Director's Report, and stated that the
financial report would be given at a later time in the meeting. Mr. Vest discussed
responses received since the last meeting due to the advertising program, and he
handed out a sample of some of the recent ads. Mr. Vest said that they had three
__ prospect leads from the Texas Department of Economic Development, and that two
of the three leads this past month required existing buildings. Mr. Vest passed out
some statistical information from the Texas Workforce Commission. He said this
information reflects significant growth of 6.3% in our labor force where the State
average is only 1.6% over this same time period. Mr. Vest also presented a letter
from the Chairman and C.E.O. of TXU concerning T.N.R.C.C.'s Strategic
Implementation Plan and how it is going to effect TXU. Mr. Vest presented a letter
from the District Clerk reflecting a court date for our problem with the squatters. He
said that the pre-trial appearance is set for Monday, April 10, 2000, at 10:00 a.m., and
the trial is set for Tuesday, April 11, 2000, at 9:00 a.m. He said that he would like for
as many of the boardmembers as possible to attend the pre-trial and the trial.
Mr. Vest also discussed a Wage and Benefits Survey. He stated that two years ago
Economic Development Services out of Irving performed a wage and benefits survey
as well as a labor survey which is becoming dated material. He said that these are
tremendous tools for us in our recruitment efforts. He said that two years ago Paris,
Sulphur Springs and Commerce had these surveys performed at the same time
which helped lower the cost for each participant. He said that a meeting was held
week before last with Sulphur Springs, Greenville, Commerce, and Paris concerning
joint participation in the cost of new surveys. Mr. Vest said that he received a
proposal from Economic Development Services in the mail today which reflects a
-- labor force survey with a cost $10,900.00 and a wage and benefits survey with a cost
516
of $4,500.00. He said that the last time these surveys were performed we received
a $2,500.00 grant from TXU towards our share of the cost, and he said that this same
amount will be requested this time. He stated that this is a very valuable tool, and
that every prospect's first question deals with labor and the second question is
wage and benefits. After discussion by the Board, it was their consensus that Mr.
Vest should check cost comparisons with other companies providing this same
service, and he should also check with TXU concerning the receipt of another grant.
Mr. Vest advised that the time restraint involved concerns cost sharing with the
other cities. President Rhodes asked if there were any other questions and there
were none.
President Rhodes asked Gene Anderson, Director of Finance, to give the financial
report for the month of February. Mr. Anderson gave the financial report. Mr.
Anderson stated that he would be glad to answer any questions concerning this
report. Boardmember Dick Amis made a motion, seconded by Boardmember Don
Wall, that the financial report be approved as presented. The motion carried
unanimously.
President Rhodes asked if there was any other business and there being none he
declared the board meeting adjourned.
President Michael Rhodes
ATTEST:
Assistant City Clerk Barbara Denny