Loading...
05 - City Council MinutesItem No. 5 DRAFT CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS July 2, 2024 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Mihir Pankaj Mayor Pro -Tem: Gary Savage Council Members: Shatara Moore, Rebecca Norment, Alix Putnam and Rudy Kessel City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Rob Vine, Deputy City Manager; Doug Harris, Assistant City Manager; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Osei Amo-Mensah, City Planner; and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal 1. Call meeting to order. Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Citizens' Forum. No one spoke during Citizens' Forum. 3. Convene into executive session pursuant to Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, (1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employees, as follows: to deliberate the appointment of a public officer to fill the vacancy in City Council District 2 until the next regular election in May 2026. Mayor Pankaj convened City Council into executive session at 5:31p.m. 4. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on matters discussed in executive session. Mayor Pankaj reconvened City Council into open session at 8:34 p.m. On behalf of the entire City Council, Mayor Paukaj expressed appreciation to each council candidate for their interest in serving on the Council. He said Council genuinely appreciated each candidate completing and submitting an application and going through the interview process. 5. Deliberate and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2024-031: A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A QUALIFIED PERSON TO FILL THE VACANCY IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT Special Council Meeting July 2, 2024 Page 2 2 AND TO SERVE AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 2 UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR ELECTION IN MAY 2026. A Motion to appoint Mickey Ellis to serve as Council Member District 2 was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Putnam. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. 6. Administer Oath of Office to newly appointed City Council Member for District 2. City Clerk Janice Ellis administered the oath of office to Mickey Ellis. 7. Convene into executive session pursuant to Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, (1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal a public officer or employees, as follows: Interim City Manager. Mayor Pankaj convened City Council into executive session at 8:39 p.m. 8. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in executive session. Mayor Pankaj reconvened City Council into open session at 9:15 p.m. A Motion to appoint Rob Vine as interim City Manager was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage. Motion carried, 7 ayes 0 nays. 9. Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding selection process for the position of City Manager, including but not limited to retaining a search firm. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage suggested City Council invite search firms SGR and Baker Tilly to come to the July 24 City Council meeting and give them a presentation about their services related to a city manager search. It was a consensus for City Staff to contact the two firms. 10. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. MIHIR PANKAJ, MAYOR JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS July 8, 2024 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Mihir Pankaj Mayor Pro -Tem: Gary Savage Council Members: Rebecca Norment, Alix Putnam and Rudy Kessel City Staff: Grayson Path, City Manager; Rob 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; M.A. Smith, Public Works Director; Osei Amo-Mensah, City Planner; Thomas McMonigle, Fire Chief; Paul Strahan, Airport Manager; and Clyde Crews, Fire Marshal Absent: Council Member: Shatara Moore O enin Agenda 1. Call meeting to order. Mayor Pankaj 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. City Council led the United States Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Citizens' Forum. Larry Schenk, 3765 Dawn — he spoke in support of a COLA for the retirees. He asked the retirees to stand. Tommy Haynes, 3095 Abbott Lane — he said the retirees had not received a COLA since 2008 and recently the State passed a law that provides the City an opportunity to give a COLA without having to go all they way back to 2008. He also said this opportunity was only good for three years. Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2024 Page 2 Bob Hundley, 130 CR 3300, Powderly — he said he worked for the PD for 40 years and when he started, the difference between the private sector and the public sector was the private sector paid better and the public sector provided better benefits. He humbly asked City Council to consider a COLA for retirees. Karl Luis — He reiterated what the others said and added that he retired in 2009 and had never received a COLA increase. He said this is the first time the City has had this opportunity. Danny Huff, 625 Beaver Creek Road — he said he worked for the PD for over 43 years and that TMRS had opened a very narrow window to give a COLA without having to go all the way back. He asked that Council take advantage of the rule. Carolyn Williams, 50 -44th Street — she thanked the City for cleaning up West Paris. She said her court date for high grass had been changed from July 1" to July 10th at 2:00 p.m. Alvin Atwood, 2419 Bonham — he said he personally knew three people who had received services from City Square and they now had full time employment because of their help at City Square. He said he liked CARDS but asked that the City address the trash that is falling out when they dump the trashcans. A.J. Hashmi, 4510 FM 195, Paris — he said there was good cooperation between the City Council and the PEDC, and asked for reconsideration to be re -appointed to the PEDC Board. Miles Matthew, 4920 Trails End — he asked for consideration to be appointed to the TIRZ Board. Mark Homer, 1570-34`h N.E. — he asked to be considered for re -appointment to the PEDC. Misti Scott, 129 S. Main — she said she and her husband owned Rosewood Eatery and that on June 30th there was an attempted Burglary at their restaurant. She asked City Council to make hiring and retaining police officers a priority. Leslie Flynn, 10 N. Plaza — she said they lived and worked downtown. She stressed how important it was to hire and retain police officers, citing the City was down 15 officers. She encouraged City Council to find the funds to make this happen. She said a 69 year old man was recently attacked. She stressed the importance of having a downtown police sub -station. Glee Emitte — she said she owned two businesses downtown and reiterated Leslie Flynn. She said she recently had to call the police and the two officers that responded were great. Tiny Freelen, 804 -12th NE — he said he supported the COLA. Tommy Moore, 2705-3d SE — he said he was here to support the COLA for retirees. He said after hearing about downtown, that giving a COLA to retirees would also help get and retain Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2024 Page 3 police officers. He said he left the City of Paris Police Department years ago and went to work for another agency for more money and better benefits. Haskell Maroney, 670 CR 1305, Pattonville — he asked that City Council consider giving retirees a COLA. Consent Agenda Mayor Pankaj 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 Putnam. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. 5. Approve minutes from the meeting of June 24, 2024. 6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions: a. Paris Visitors & Convention Council (5-20-2024) b. Paris Economic Development Corporation (4-16-2024 & 5-13-2024) c. Board of Adjustment (6-4-2024) 7. Accept the resignation of City Manager Grayson Path. Regular Agenda 8. Recognize City Manager Grayson Path. Mayor Pankaj, Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and the City Council recognized City Manager Grayson Path for his service to the City of Paris and presented him with a proclamation. 9. Receive update from Airport Manager Paul Strahan about the Runway 17/Construction Project at Cox Field Airport. Airport Manager Paul Strahan said since 2019, the City of Paris had been working with TxDOT to implement the Runway and Taxiway restoration project. He explained the project covered the primary runway, taxiway connectors, and apron. Mr. Strahan said the official start date for the project was July 9 2024 and it was expected to be completed in 120 days, but that was dependent on the weather. He also said the cost of the project was $347,000.00 and the City's 10% match was budgeted and the funds were sent to TxDOT Aviation. 10. Discuss and make appointments to the various Boards and Commissions. Mayor Pankaj explained the process and procedures for board appointments which included giving the applicant that you wanted as first choice the highest number of points on the ballot which would be provided by the City Clerk's Office. He also said that once ballots are scored, they would be tallied by Staff and those receiving the highest number of points would be Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2024 Page 4 announced. Mayor Pankaj announced Council would begin with the PEDC, then Planning and Zoning Commission and from there would go in order. City Council considered applicants for the two vacancies on the Paris Economic Development Corporation as follows: Mark Homer, Rickey Richardson, Josh Craig, Todd Briley, Miles Mathieu, Timothy Hernandez, Arjumond (A.J.) Hashmi, and Pam Norwood. After staff tallied the points, Ms. Ellis reported that Mark Homer and A.J. Hashmi received the highest number of points. A Motion to approve the board members as reported was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Gary Savage and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. City Council considered applicants for the two vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission as follows: Stacy Ladell, Larry Walker, Andra "Kim" Walker, Adam Bolton, Richard Thompson, Rickey Richardson, Francine Neeley, Chris Fitzgerald, and William Sanders. After staff tallied the points, Ms. Ellis reported that Stacy Ladell and Larry Walker received the highest number of points. A Motion to approve the board members as reported was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Next, City Council considered applicants for one vacancy on the Airport Advisory Board as follows: Jeffrey Nichols, Josh Craig, Mile Mathieu, and Brian Wintermute, Jr. After staff tallied the points, Ms. Ellis reported that Mr. Nichols and Mr. Craig were tied for the most points. Following a brief discussion that Mr. Craig might possibly get on another board and that Mr. Nichols had applied only for the Airport Advisory Board, a Motion to appoint Jeffrey Nichols to the vacant position was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Ms. Ellis informed City Council that there were two vacancies on the Band Commission and one applicant, Betsy Mills. A Motion to appoint Betsy Mills to the vacant position and for staff to re -advertise for the other vacancy was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Next, Ms. Ellis stated there were four applicants and five vacancies on the Building and Standards Commission. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage asked that they come back to this board because several of the applicants had not listed this board as their first choice. Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2024 Page 5 Ms. Ellis said for the Historic Preservation Commission, they had four regular vacancies and two alternate vacant positions but had only received one application. She reported that several applied after the deadline but she had not included those in the agenda packets. It was a consensus of City Council that staff re -advertise for this board and include the late applicants at the next meeting. City Council considered applicants for the three vacancies on the Library Advisory Board as follows: Abigail Frank, Eva Dickey and Francine Neeley, After staff tallied the points, Ms. Ellis reported that the two applicants who received the largest number of points were Eva Dickey and Francine Neeley. A Motion to approve the board members as reported was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. City Council considered applicants for three vacancies for Main Street Advisory Board as follows: Kim Kalina, Mary Hart and Pam Norwood. It was determined that Pam Norwood was not a resident of the City of Paris and to be on this Board, that was a requirement. A Motion to appoint Kim Kalina and Mary Hart to the board and re -advertise for one vacancy, was made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Next, Ms. Ellis said there were five vacancies on the Traffic Commission and some were holdovers from one and two years ago. A Motion to appoint Rickey Richardson and A.W. "Plug" Clem to the Traffic Commission, and re -advertise was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. City Council considered applicants for one vacancy on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone "TIRZ" Board as follows: Reeves Hayter, Josh Craig, Miles Mathieu, Dillon Cecil, and Pam Norwood. After staff tallied the points, Ms. Ellis reported that Reeves Hayter received the highest number of points. A Motion to appoint Reeves Hayter to the TIRZ Board was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. Next, Ms. Ellis said that there were five vacancies on the Building and Standards Commission and three applicants, as follows: Andra "Kim" Walker, Chris Fitzgerald, and A.W. "Plug" Clem. Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2024 Page 6 A Motion to appoint the three applicants to the Commission and re -advertise for two vacancies was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Kessel. Mayor Pankaj said he would like to move the Housing Authority appointments to the next Council meeting, to give him time to consult further with the Housing Authority. Council Member Putnam said she needed to ask for a re-count for the TIRZ Board, as she wanted to make sure the count was correct. Ms. Ellis took the ballots to Deputy City Manager Rob Vine. After Staff performed another tally, City Manager Grayson Path reported the following results: Reeves Hayter — 26 points Josh Craig — 11 points Miles Mathieu — 21 points Dillon Cecil — 20 points Pam Norwood — 12 points 11. Discuss and act on a Resolution appointing members to the Board of Adjustment. Mayor Pankaj explained these appointments had to be made by a Resolution pursuant to State Law. Ms. Ellis said there were five vacancies on this Board and they had four remaining applicants as follows: Harley Draven, David Hamilton, Richard Thompson, and William Sanders. A Motion to appoint the four applicants and re -advertise was made by Council Member Kessel and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. 12. Discuss and appoint City Council Members to serve as liaisons to the various Boards and Commissions. Mayor Pankaj said that some of the boards require the Mayor to serve as an ex -officio member and then proceeded through the board list and asked for Council Members if they would like to volunteer. Council Members made the following selections: PEDC — Mayor Pankaj, as required by the Bylaws and Council Member Norment Airport Advisory Board — Mayor Pro -Tem Savage Band Commission — Council Member Ellis Building & Standards Commission — Mayor Pro -Tem Savage Historic Preservation Commission — Council Member Putnam Regular Council Meeting July 8, 2024 Page 7 Library Advisory Board — Council Member Moore Main Street Advisory Board — Council Member Ellis Planning & Zoning Commission — Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and Council Member Kessel Traffic Commission — Council Member Moore Board of Adjustment — Council Member Putnam TIRZ -Mayor Pankaj and Council Member Putnam 13. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to Resolution No. 2004-081. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage said after hearing from retirees about a COLA, he would like for City Staff to give City Council a presentation, and that he would like to be part of the follow-up. He also said Council needed more education on TIRZ. In addition, he said he would like for Council to look at changing the process of how they appoints boards and commissions. Council Member Norment said some boards allowed City residents only and with that restriction, they had trouble getting enough applicants to fill the boards and commissions. She said she thought they should look at expanding membership to Lamar County. Council Member Norment said if a person had a downtown business, they should be able to be on the Main Street Advisory Board. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage inquired if she would be agreeable in revisiting boards and commissions once they had passed the budget, and Council Member Norment answered in the affirmative. 14. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Mayor Pankaj. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. MIHIR PANKAJ, MAYOR JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK