05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5
CITY COUNCIL DRAFT MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
February 12, 2024
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
February 12, 2024, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Reginald B. Hughes
Mayor Pro -Tem: Mihir Pankaj
Council Members: Clayton Pilgrim and Rudy Kessel
City Staff. Grayson Path, City Manager; Robert Vine, Deputy
City Manager; Doug Harris, Assistant City
Manager; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Janice
Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson; Finance Director;
Rich Salter, Police Chief; Todd Mittge, City
Engineer; Duke McGee, Building Official; Celso
Arrieta, IT Manager; and Clyde Crews, Fire
Marshal
Absent: Council Members: Shatara Moore, Gary Savage and Rebecca Norment
Opening Agenda
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.
Mayor Pro -Tem Pankaj led the United States Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge
of Allegiance.
4. Citizens' Forum.
Paula Portugal, 2020 38th St. N.E. — she expressed concern about the rollout of the new
trash services for the elderly and disabled, specifically communication. She said many of the
elderly did not use social media. She also referenced those who could not get the trashcans out
to the street.
Thomas Bellew, 4130 Primrose — he said the personnel for the new trash company were
wonderful and showed him the map reflecting his pickup was on Friday, but they picked up on
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February 12, 2024
Page 2
Thursday then came back and picked up on Friday. He said the CARDS employees told them
different dates.
Lary Finley, 4119 Primrose — he said he would like to hear from the company as to how
they were handling those who could not take the trashcans to the streets.
Ann Ford, Primrose — she said she could not get her empty trashcan back up the driveway
without using her walker.
James Larson — he said was he was with Paris Texas Delivery, he provided a handout
about his services and said he would like to be placed on a future agenda.
Consent Agenda
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
made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 4
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meetings of January 22, 2024 and January 29, 2024.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Visitors & Convention Council (11-20-2023)
b. Love Civic Center Board (11-29-2023)
c. Historic Preservation Commission (11-8-2023)
d. Paris Economic Development Corporation (12-5-2023)
e. Planning & Zoning Commission (1-3-2024)
7. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2024-013: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-032
SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT FROM THE 2023 STATE
HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM AND THE ARK-TEX COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE ACQUISITION OF
POLICE BARRICADES BY ADDING A PROVISION THAT IN THE EVENT OF
LOSS OR MISUSE OR GRANT FUNDS, THE CITY WILL RETURN ALL SUCH
FUNDS TO THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
8. Approve an Agreement with a third party contractor, Courtney Farmer, LLC to facilitate
the Softball Program for the City of Paris; and authorize the City Manager to execute all
necessary documents.
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February 12, 2024
Page 3
Regular Agenda
9. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive legal advice from the City Attorney about
(1) pending or contemplated litigation and/or (2) on matters in which the duty of an
attorney to her client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the
State Bar of Texas clearly conflict with this chapter, to -wit: City of Paris v. Essent
PRMC.
Mayor Hughes announced that this item would need to be tabled until February 26 and
asked for a Motion. A Motion to table this item until February 26 was made by Council Member
Kessel and seconded by Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 4 ayes — 0 nays.
10. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discuss in
Executive Session.
11. Discuss, conduct a public hearing and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2024-014: A
RESOLUTION APPROVING A RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT
WITH INVEST FANNIN, LLC, AS PART OF THE 5 IN 5 HOUSING INFILL
REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, FOR GIBBONS BRADEN ADDITION BLOCK 16,
LOT 5A, GIBBONS BRADEN ADDITION BLOCK 16, LOT 5A; AND LOVETTE
ADDITION BLOCK 281, LOT 6, PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT
CODE CHAPTER 2303 AND TEXAS TAX CODE SECTION 312.2011.
Deputy City Manager Rob Vine gave a brief summary of the proposed agreement and
then introduced City Attorney, Stephanie Harris to present the agreement. Ms. Harris stated the
agreement came with incentives under Chapter 380, which related to permitting, sewer tap fees
and residential tax abatement as set forth in the agreement. She said the property was within the
zone required for the 5 in 5 development and all incentives were included.
Zach Bergenholtz, owner, stated that Invest Fannin, LLC had been involved in
construction since 1994, and was a father and son team who had dealt with commercial
construction, new home builds, remodeling, and land development. He also said the company
had been acquiring privately owned land for development in Paris, and was actively purchasing
additional properties. He stated that this morning the company had received direction to proceed
with two Lamar County trustee sites that would include 18-20 new units in west Paris on
Northwest 7t' Street. He stated that the company was excited and committed to build in Paris and
look forward to help fill the void of needed homes. He also said Invest Fannin, LLC's goal was
to build 20 units in Paris this year, and 50 additional units the following year. Mr. Bergenholtz
said that today's discussion included privately owned properties in Paris that they had purchased
to build 10 dwelling units under the 5 in 5 program, and anticipated to begin construction in
spring of 2024, with the 17th Street Southeast project being the first project.
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February 12, 2024
Page 4
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.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 4 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Receive a presentation from CARDS regarding the implementation of residential trash
collection.
Jason Fitzgerald with CARDS explained with new contracts there were generally gaps.
He went on to say they were training new drivers, and a few of them were from around the city,
He also said there were a lot of long hanging trees and utility lines that slowed them down the
first week. Mr. Fitzgerald said they added a third truck because of the bulk items. He also said
they would do more education with citizens, and he would get with the team about e-mails and
phone calls to address issues from the citizens.
Mayor Pro -Tem Pankaj expressed appreciation for CARDS' patience in working with the
City and said he knew this was a little challenging. Mr. Fitzgerald said he, Grayson, Path and
seven others had crowded around at the radio station to get the word out about changes and what
to expect, had provided flyers to all citizens, and Public Information Officer Jon McFadden had
done a great job getting the word out through public media posts. Council Member Kessel asked
if he would go through the process for elderly and disabled citizens who wanted to get front door
service. Mr. Fitzgerald said they would need to call or e-mail CARDS and from there a staff
member would go through a process to determine if they were qualified for front door service.
He said they had over 100 people signed up for front door service. Grayson Path said if someone
had difficulty in making contact with CARDS, that they could call his office. Mr. Path reported
the City had over 7,000 accounts. Council Member Pilgrim said he understood there were
growing pains and some folks out there had a pickup load of trash to be picked up. He also said
he hoped that citizens understood that everyone had to follow the rules. Council Member
Pilgrim inquired about the low utility lines. Mr. Path said he had asked CARDS to let him know
of any low utility lines, and that he would contact the utility company.
13. Discuss, continue the public hearing, and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2024-007: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING CITY ORDINANCE NO. 1315, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS OF
THE CITY OF PARIS, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, REGARDING THE MASTER
THOROUGHFARE PLAN, DEDICATION OF LAND, AND STREET
REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A
PENALTY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Engineer Todd Mittge explained that the Texas Legislature had enacted HB 3699,
effective September 1, 2023, which made several amendments to Chapter 212 of the Texas
Government Code relating to the regulation of subdivision. He said there was a slight change
with platting and the major thoroughfare. He also said the preliminary and final platting sections
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February 12, 2024
Page 5
of the subdivision Ordinance were in compliance but revision of Section VIII General
Requirements pertaining to the Master Thoroughfare Plan was necessary to comply with HB
3699. Mr. Mittge explained the revised subdivision ordinance clarified that dedication of rights-
of-way were limited to existing streets, that the City would not require dedications for future
streets unless intended by the owner, that dedications must be approved and funded portion of a
capital improvement plan, and that construction specifications were still applicable for streets
and roadways in both existing and future streets. Mr. Mittge said the Planning and Zoning
Commission, and staff recommended approval of this revision.
Mayor Hughes continued 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.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Pilgrim and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Pankaj. Motion carried, 4 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Discuss and act on Change Order No. 2 with Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition for the Belford
Demolition Project, decreasing the contract amount by $86,850.00; and authorize the City
Manager to execute all necessary documents.
City Manager Grayson Path said the City Council previously approved Change Order No.
1, which was for chains and stars. He said Change Order No. 2 before them was a reduction in
costs, and Todd Mittge would explain those changes to them. Mr. Mittge said in the original
contract the north wall of the neighboring property was to be demolished and rebuilt by a
contract at a cost of $94,500.00, but during the demolition project it was determined that the wall
could be retained. He also said retention of the north wall resulted in reduction of the scope of
work and fees, with only minimal work necessary to properly, and safely keep the wall in place.
Mr. Mittge reported the reduction in contract fees in Change Order No. 2 amounted to
$86,850.00, reducing the final demolition contract to $514,650.00. Council Member Kessel
inquired about waterproofing that wall. Mr. Mittge said there were no signs of water seeping
through but out of caution, they had decided to waterproof the wall when the weather is warmer.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by
Council Member Pilgrim. Motion carried, 4 ayes — 0 nays.
15. Discuss and appoint one member to fill the vacant position on the Main Street Advisory
Board.
City Clerk Janice Ellis reported that Katrina Mitchell was previously appointed to the
Main Street Advisory Board and has since resigned, leaving one vacant unexpired position on
the Board. She also said staff advertised and received three applications from Harley Draven,
Kim Kalina, and Melissa Jones. City Council scored the ballots, and Ms. Ellis announced that
Melissa Jones received the highest number of points.
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Page 6
A Motion to appoint Melissa Jones to the Main Street Advisory Board was made by
Mayor Pro -Tem Pankaj and seconded by Council Members Pilgrim and Kessel. Motion carried,
4 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
No future events were referenced
17. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pilgrim and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Pankaj and Council Member Kessel. Mayor Hughes
adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
REGINALD B. HUGHES, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK