Loading...
09-11-2023MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS September 11, 2023 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Reginald B. Hughes Council Members: Shatara Moore, Rebecca Norment, Clayton Pilgrim, and Rudy Kessel City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Robert Vine, Assistant City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson; Finance Director; Rich Salter, Police Chief, Todd Mittge, City Engineer; Andrew Mack, Director of Planning & Community Development; M.A. Smith, Public Works Director; Thomas McMonagle, Fire Chief, and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal Absent: Council Members: Mihir Pankaj & Gary Savage Opening, A enda 1. Call meeting to order. Mayor Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Invocation. Finance Director Gene Anderson gave the invocation. 3. United States Pledge of Allegiance & Texas Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Pilgrim led the United States Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Citizens' Forum. Alvin Atwood, 2419 Bonham St. — he said the cost of everything was increasing but services had not increased. He specifically referenced taxes, water and sewer bills. Consent A Benda Mayor Hughes 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 Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2023 Page 2 made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 5. Approve minutes from the meetings of July 24 and August 8, 2023. 6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions: a. Board of Adjustment (8-1-2023) 7. Approve the Assignment of Tax Abatement Agreement and Economic Development Agreement (5 in 5) from Jeffery S. Brown to Highland Heritage Investments, LLC. Regular Agenda 8. Conduct a public hearing on the City's proposed tax rate for FY 2023-2024 Finance Director Gene Anderson said a public hearing was required on the 2023-24 proposed City tax rate pursuant to the Texas Tax Code. He said that the hearing and the property tax rate could not occur the same night so a special meeting had been called for Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. to approve the property tax rate. City Manager Grayson Path reviewed the property tax rate and said the maintenance and operation tax rate was decreasing while the debt service tax rate was increasing. Mr. Path said the debt service tax rate was increasing due to the movement of utility debt from utility rates to property tax. Mr. Path also said the City's M & O property tax levy was budgeted to remain flat, as it had for the past two years. Mayor Hughes opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about this item to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Hughes closed the public hearing. 9. Conduct a public hearing on the City Manager's proposed budget for FY 2023-2024. Mr. Anderson said a public hearing was required on the proposed City budget pursuant to the City Charter and the Local Government Code. He also said the budget was filed with the City Clerk on July 25, 2023 and a legal notice advertising the public hearing was published in the Paris News. Mr. Path gave an overview of the proposed FY23/24 budget, which included the general fund amount of $31,051,550 and reminded everyone that his detailed executive summary was on the City website. Mayor Hughes opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about this item to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Hughes closed the public hearing. Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2023 Page 3 10. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-048: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2023 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PARIS; APPROPRIATING THE VARIOUS AMOUNTS THEREOF; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Anderson said the budget had been on file with the City Clerk since July 251'. He also said the budget was presented to the City Council on August 8 and on August 28, and that no changes were proposed. Mr. Anderson said the public hearing had been conducted and they could not vote on the budget. A Motion to approve the budget was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 11. Discuss and authorize payment of $275,000.00 as the City's 10% match to be held by TxDOT in anticipation of the City's Runway Rehabilitation Project; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. Airport Manager Paul Strahan said this project was originally supposed to happen in the summer of 2023, but TxDOT has pushed it to 2024. Mr. Strahan said the City's match was 10% and the City had budgeted $275,000.00 in matching funds using ARPA for this project in FY22/23. He also said staff wanted to allocate these funds to TxDOT so that the funds were not taken away from the City. Mr. Strahan outlined three options and recommended option 1, which was approval of $275,000.00 to TxDOT to be held for the City's anticipated project. A Motion to approve option 1 was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 12. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2023-037: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, FORGIVING CIVIL PENALTIES ASSESSED AGAINST THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1567 S. MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF PARIS; WAIVING INTEREST ACCRUED UNDER A DANGEROUS STRUCTURE ABATEMENT LIEN ON SAID PROPERTY; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Manager Grayson Path explained that in May 2006, the City demolished a dangerous structure located at 1567 S. Main Street and subsequently applied a lien against the property in the principal amount of $1,469.65. He said on February 20, 2006, the Buildings and Standards Commission ordered the structure to be demolished giving it 30 days or a $1,000.00 a day civil penalty would be tacked on. Mr. Path said $47,000.00 in civil penalties had accrued. Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2023 Page 4 Mr. Path said the owners of the property were Betty Stokes and her late mother, Enola Lyons. He also said Ms. Stokes resided in California. Mr. Path reported that Ms. Stokes reported to him that she had never received notice of the BSC orders or the demolition lien, and it was not until she was contacted about delinquent taxes and high grass violations that she learned about it and since that time she it had paid those. Mr. Path said this was verified on LCAD and the City's records. Mr. Path said Ms. Stokes has offered to pay the principal amount of $1,469.65 but had requested a waiver of the civil penalties and accumulated interest, with the release of the lien on the property so that she could sell it. Mr. Path also said she had offered to pay up to $500.00 in interest. Mr. Path said the property was currently valued at $1,130.00 on LOAD. Mr. Path said that only the City Council could consider waiving a Structure Lien pursuant to City Code 4.03.009. Mr. Path outlined the options which were as follows: 1. Approve a Resolution for release of the lien against 1567 S Main Street and: a. Receive payment of the $1,469.65 principle while waiving interest applied to the June 20, 2006 Structure Lien. b. Waiver of principle and interest applied to the June 20, 2006 Structure Lien. c. No waiver of principle and/or interest. d. Waiver of a portion (TBD) of the principle and/or interest. 2. Along with option #1, consider waiver of the accrued civil penalties in the amount of $47,000.00, or some sub amount of this. 3. Request additional information. 4. Do not release the lien or waive any portion of the June 20, 2006 Structure Lien. Following a discussion about the different options, a Motion to request the principle lien of $1,479.65 and 50% of the accumulated interest of $6,129.34 be paid, and waiver of the civil penalties was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 13. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-049: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO JOTS 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 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 Clerk Janice Ellis said the solid waste companies set out in items 13-18 were returning companies engaging in the business of collecting and transporting solid waste. She also said each company had provided the required insurance and were current on their fees. Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2023 Page 5 A Motion to approve this item was by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 14. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-050: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO SANITATION SOLUTIONS, INC. 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 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. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-051: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO M.J. OUTDOORS, 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 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. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 16. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-052: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO DUMPSTER DROP, 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 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. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 17. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-053: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO COUNTRYSIDE DISPOSAL, LLC FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN THE BUSINESS OF COLLECTING Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2023 Page 6 AND/OR TRANSPORTING SOLID WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF 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. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 18. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2023-054: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PERMIT TO TRASH AWAY 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 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. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Norment and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays. 19. Receive presentation from TxDOT regarding an update on the safety-related capital improvement project to create a raised median along Lamar Avenue in between 331 Street N.E. and 42nd Street N.E. Mr. Path said Council previously heard from TxDOT about two safety projects, at which time TxDOT was seeking support from the City. Mr. Path reported the first project had been completed which consisted of closure of the crossover lanes on Loop 286 between North Main Street and Lamar Avenue. Mr. Path also said Area Engineer Daniel Taylor from TxDOT would be giving them a presentation about the second project. Mr. Taylor said the second project was construction of a raised median along Lamar Avenue in between 33rd Street N.E. and 42nd Street. N.E. Mr. Taylor said funding was now available and reported there had been 76 accidents at this particular location. He reviewed the project, which included creation of left lanes, moving signage poles and stated the work was planned to be done between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. He also said the estimated start date for the project was February 2024 and estimated completion date of August 2024. Mr. Taylor answered questions from the City Council. 20. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to Resolution No. 2004-081. Mayor Hughes reminded everyone of the special meeting scheduled for the following evening at 5:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2023 Page 7 21. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Mayor Hughes adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m. "`'O'L CIT y0/1 NICE ELLIS, CI i w p ..... VZ ��i���gR/S/III I i T��`\0` E I ALD B. HUGHES, MA ,,OR