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07/11/2024 MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING FOR TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE (TIRZ) BOARD PARIS, TEXAS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 107 E. KAUFMAN ST, PARIS TEXAS THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 3:00 O'CLOCK P.M. Members present: Cody Head, Chairman; Rob Vine, Vice Chairman; Thomas McMonagle, Secretary; and Maureen Hammond Members absent: Reeves Hayter City Staff: Osei Amo-Mensah, Director of Planning and Community Development; Skylar Unger, Deputy City Clerk; and Cheri Bedford, Main Street Coordinator 1. Call meeting to order. Chairman Cody Head called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. 2. Citizens' input. Mayor Mihir Pankaj spoke in favor of enlarging the members of the Board of Directors from five to seven and removing the requirement that City employees must fill two seats. He stated that requiring City staff to be on the board can give off a weird perception to citizens, and it might be best to eliminate any speculation. Council Member Alix Putnam also spoke in favor of enlarging the board from five to seven members. PEDC Board Member, Mark Homer spoke in favor of enlarging the board and stated that while the law does allow for the city employees to be on the board, he feels that the board should be filled with members of the public and not city employees. 3. Approve minutes from the meeting on June 13, 2024. A Motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Mr. Vine and seconded by Mr. McMonigle. Motion carried 4 ayes — 0 nays. 4. Discuss and possibly take action on a recommendation to City Council on one or both of the following: A. Increase the number of members on the TIRZ Board of Directors from five (5) to seven (7). Chairman Head stated that he had a couple concerns about expanding the board from five to seven members. He said there were valid concerns with getting enough applicants each year, especially once TIRZ isn't such a hot topic. Ms. Hammond agreed with Mr. Head and stated at this time there is such great interest in serving on this board that she would be in support of increasing it to 7 members. She also agreed with Mr. Homer that there were several qualified applicants, and maybe with the caveat that once they get through this process, the board might consider going back to 5 members if it is warranted. Mr. Vine stated that there had not been a full board present the entire time the TIRZ board had been meeting, and that he was neither opposed to expanding the board, or for it. Mr. Vine also said that depending on how item `B" goes, if they decide to remove the requirement or exclude city employees altogether, that might accomplish the same things they're looking for with 7 members but that his gut says to stay with 5 just because it's an easier group to work with. Mr. Head stated that he sees the value of both sides and said if it is on record to look at the possibility of reducing the number back to 5 in the future, then he would support expanding the board to 7 members. Ms. Hammond and Mr. Vine agreed. A Motion to increase the number of members on the TIRZ Board of Directors from five (5) to seven (7) was made by Ms. Hammond and seconded by Mr. Vine. Motion carried 4 ayes — 0 nays. B. Remove the requirement that 2 seats on the Board of Directors be filled by City employees. Chairman Head stated this requirement was in the Bylaws and that he understood the optics and politics of it. He said that he did not want to remove anyone from the board just because they are a city employee, but that he did not have a problem removing the language from the Bylaws. Ms. Hammond and Mr. Vine both agreed. Mr. McMonagle said that removing the requirement would allow the opportunity to appoint members of the community who are knowledgeable and passionate about the subject into a position that otherwise would be held by a city employee. Mr. Vine made a Motion to remove the requirement that 2 seats on the Board of Directors be filled by City employees and Mr. McMonagle seconded. Motion carried 4 ayes — 0 nays. 5. Receive update from and provide direction to staff regarding authorizing the retention of a consultant to assist the Board with strategies for reviewing and possibly amending the Project and Financing Plans for TIRZ No. 1. Planning Director, Osei Amo-Mensah stated the sub -committee met on the 91h and he was asked to send out emails to consultants. They then held meetings with the two consultants who responded. It is up to the sub -committee to decide which consultant they wish to choose. Chairman Head stated that he thought they talked about marinating on this for a while. Ms. Hammond asked Mr. Amo-Mensah if the Board members had the authority to make that decision or if it would be a recommendation to Council? Mr. Amo-Mensah stated that it would be a recommendation to City Council and that he would get with the City Attorney to see what steps to take next. Mr. Vine said that he believed the Board had their own funds available and they could make a recommendation to the Council to keep them informed and advise them that the Board is moving forward. Mr. Vine said he would follow up with Ms. Harris. Chaiman Head said the sub -committee would meet again to make that determination and get it to City Council. 6. Request future agenda items. There were no future items requested. 7. Adjournment. There being no further business, Chairman Head adjourned the meeting at 3:16 P.M.