05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5
City Council Draft Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
May 8, 2023
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
May 8, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Paula Portugal
Mayor Pro -Tem: Reginald B. Hughes
Council Members: Shatara Moore, Gary Savage, Mihir Pankaj, and
Clayton Pilgrim
City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Robert Vine,
Assistant City Manager; Janice Ellis City Clerk;
Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Gene Anderson;
Finance Director; Andrew Mack, Director of
Planning & Community Development; M.A. Smith,
Public Works Director; Todd Mittge, City Engineer;
and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal
Absent: Council Member: Linda Knox
ORenin Lg 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 Reginald Hughes led the pledge.
4. Citizens' Forum.
Josh, representative of Vyve Broadway — he gave an update on the broadband fiber
project in Paris.
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
made by Council Member Pankaj and seconded by Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 6
ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 2023
Page 2
5. Approve the minutes from the meeting of April 24, 2023.
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 Visitors & Convention Council (3-20-2023)
d. Historic Preservation Commission (3-8-2023)
e. Planning & Zoning Commission (4-3-2023)
7. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2023-021: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AN ADDENDUM TO THE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 9, 2020, BETWEEN THE CITY
AND GRAYSON PATH; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID
CONTRACT ADDENDUM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED OT THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
8. Approve an Utility Easement and Right -of -Way to Oncor as related to the Feeder Tie and
Automation Project.
9. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2023-022: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS SUPPORTING CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS'
APPLICATION OT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT O TRANSPORTATION'S 2023
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES SET-ASIDE (TA) CALL FOR THE CITY OF
PARIS (TA PROGRAM) —1sT STREET SW BIKE LANES PROJECT.
10. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2023-023: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR
AN EXTENSION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE CRIME PREVENTION AUTHORITY
(MVCPA) GRANT FOR CONTINUATION OF THE NORTH EAST TEXAS AUTO
THEFT TASK FORCE; APPROVING A CASH MATCH FROM THE CITY OF PARIS
IN CONNECTION WITH SAID GRANT EXTENSION; AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR ACCEPTANCE
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID GRANT UPON NOTICE THEREOF; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Rg alar A ends
11. Receive a report on the Credit Access Business Ordinance, discuss and possibly act on an
Ordinance.
City Manager Grayson Path said at the October 10, 2022 City Council meeting, the City
Council heard presentations from Texas Appleseed and United Way regarding Credit Access
Businesses and requested that an ordinance be produced and brought back for consideration. Mr.
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 2023
Page 3
Path also said that staff obtained a copy of a CAB Ordinance from the Texas Municipal League
and a copy of an ordinance from the City of Reno, which mirrored Austin and Dallas. Mr. Path
explained that the Cities of Austin and Dallas were in litigation over their ordinances. Mr. Path
said a public hearing was conducted January 9, 2023 and in advance of the hearing, staff sent a
copy of the proposed ordinance to each CAB. Mr. Path explained that between January 2023
and April 2023, the staff worked with CABS and Consumers in an attempt to negotiate a
comprised version but had been unsuccessful.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said H.B. 2127 was in the Senate and if it passed, this
would have to be repealed. Mr. Path recommended tabling this item given the pending litigation
and H.B. 2127.
Council Member Pilgrim said he strongly disapproved of regulating banking type
businesses and this particular item would create an illegal way of people finding loan sharks.
Council Member Savage inquired what kind of effect it would have on staff if passed. Mr. Path
said it was complaint driven and it was hard to tell at this time. Council Member Savage said he
was in favor of staff's recommendation. Council Member Pankaj said he was also in favor of
tabling this item. Ms. Harris informed City Council if the bill was passed into law, that nothing
would need to be done, but that she would give them a report.
A Motion to table this item to a later date was made by Council Member Pankaj and
seconded by Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Discuss Leon Williams playground equipment, and provide direction to staff.
Public Works Director Michael Smith said the Master Parks Plan was adopted in 2013.
He also said in 2017 a $9.25 million bond was passed for streets, with $500,000 dedicated for
park improvements, and $102,760 of those funds remained available for improvements to parks.
Mr. Smith reported the playground structure located at Leon Williams Park had reached its end of
life and in a recent inspection revealed peeling paint of the protective coating. Council Member
Savage asked who did the inspection. Mr. Path explained that it was through TML Insurance.
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes said since getting on the Council, it had been his mission to replace
playground equipment at Leon Williams Park. Mr. Path said this park was next on the plan.
Mayor Portugal said staff had direction on this item. Mayor Portugal asked if they could get
painting done on the tennis courts to be used for pickle ball. Council Member Pankaj said there
was a lot of interest in pickle ball. Council Member Savage said pickle ball membership was
about 500.
13. 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 a financial or other incentive to a business prospect described
by Subdivision (1), as follows: Project Clydesdale.
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 2023
Page 4
Mayor Portugal convened City Council into executive session at 5:55 p.m.
14. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
executive session.
Mayor Portugal reconvened City Council into open session at 6:02 p.m. and said there
was no action to be taken.
15. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Council Member Savage requested an item regarding pickle ball courts on the next
agenda.
16. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pankaj and seconded by Council Member Savage. Motion carried, 6 ayes ® 0 nays.. Mayor
Portugal adjourned the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
REGINALD B. HUGHES, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
May 9, 2023
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
May 9, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Reginald B. Hughes
Mayor Pro -Tem: Mihir Pankaj
Council Members: Shatara Moore, Gary Savage, Rebecca Norment,
Clayton Pilgrim, and Rudy Kessel
City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Robert Vine,
Assistant City Manager; Janice Ellis City Clerk;
Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Gene Anderson;
Finance Director; Andrew Mack, Director of
Planning & Community Development; Randy
Tuttle, Assistant Police Chief; and Clyde Crews,
Fire Marshal
Opening A genda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Portugal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Citizens' Forum.
No one spoke.
3. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2023-024: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, CANVASSING THE RETURNS FOR
THE MAY 6, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 7;
DECLARING THE WINNER IN SAID ELECTION; ACKNOWLEDGING THE
RESULTS OF PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION DECLARING CANDIDATES AS
ELECTED TO OFFICE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICTS 4 AND 5 AS A RESULT OF
HAVING BEEN UNOPPOSED FOR ELECTION TO OFFICE; DECLARING THE
TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE AFORESAID CANDIDATES; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Janice Ellis said the elections for Districts 4 and 5 were cancelled earlier this
year because Mihir Pankaj for District 4 and Rebeca Norment for District 5 were unopposed.
She also said on May 6"' a general election was held to elect one council member to District 7.
Ms. Ellis reported a total of 145 votes were cast, with Rudy Kessel receiving a total of 137 votes
and Steve Thompson receiving a total of 8 votes. Ms. Ellis said staff recommended approval of
Special Council Meeting
May 9, 2023
Page 2
the resolution declaring Council Members Mihir Pankaj elected to District 4, Rebecca Norment
elected to District 5 and Rudy Kessel elected to District 7.
As explained by Ms. Ellis, a Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member
Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Moore. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
4. Recognition of outgoing Mayor Paula Portugal and Council Member Linda Knox for
their service.
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes informed everyone that Council. Member Knox was unable to
make the meeting tonight because of a scheduling conflict, and that she would be recognized at
the next City Council meeting. Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes expressed appreciation to Mayor
Portugal for the six years she served and countless hours of volunteering her time to the
community. Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes asked the City Council to join him in the front so that
together they could present a plaque to Mayor Portugal, Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes and City
Council presented a plaque to Mayor Portugal recognizing her for her service to the City,
5. Issuance of Certificate of Election; Administer Statement of Elected Officer to Council
Members; and Administer Oath of Office newly elected Council Members.
City Clerk Janice Ellis issued a certificate of election, administered the statement of
elected officer and administered an oath of office to newly elected Council Members Mihir
Pankaj, Rebecca Norment, and Rudy Kessel,
6. Election by City Council of Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem to serve the City of Paris for the
next year.
Mayor Hughes reviewed the procedures City Council would follow for the elections.
Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes opened the floor for nominations for Mayor. Council Member
Pilgrim nominated Reginald B. Hughes to serve as Mayor. There being no additional
nominations, Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes closed the floor for nominations for Mayor and called for
a vote. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes announced that Reginald B.
Hughes was elected to serve as Mayor for the City of Paris for the upcoming year.
Mayor Hughes opened the floor for nominations for Mayor Pro -Tem. Council Member
Savage nominated Mihir Pankaj to serve as Mayor Pro -Tem. There being no additional
nominations, Mayor Hughes closed the floor for nominations and called for a vote. Motion
carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor Hughes announced Mihir Pankaj was elected to serve as Mayor
Pro -Tem for the City of Paris for the upcoming year,
7. Adjournment.
There being no her business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Special Council Meeting
May 9, 2023
Page 3
Savage and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
Mayor Hughes adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
REGINALD B. HUGHES, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK