06-09-2025MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
June 9, 2025
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
June 9, 2025, 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,
Mickey Ellis, and Tracy Attebury
City Staff: Rose Beverly, City Manager; Stephanie Harris,
City Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Rich Salter,
Police Chief, Bruce Ballard, Finance Director;
Osei Amo-Mensah, Director of Planning &
Community Development; Todd Mittge, City
Engineer; M.A. Smith, Director of Public Works;
Thomas McMonigle, Fire Chief, and Danny
Rowell, Interim Utilities Director
O ,penin ' A #enda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
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.
No one spoke during citizens' forum.
Consent Aenda
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 Norment and seconded by Council Member Moore. Motion carried,
7 ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
June J, 2025
Page 2
5. Approve minutes from the meetings of April 25, 2025, and May 12, 2025.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Love Civic Center Board (3-13-2025)
b. Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board (4-10-2025)
c. Building & Standards Commission (3-17-2025)
d. Paris Visitors & Convention Council (4-21-2025)
e. Paris Economic Development Corporation (4-15-2025)
f. Planning & Zoning Commission (4-7-2025 & 5-12-2025)
7. Receive monthly drainage report.
8. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-025-A: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION
FOR A GRANT FROM THE 2025 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM
AND THE ARK-TEX COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
FUNDING THE ACQUISITION OF POLICE BARRICADES; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER AS GRANT OFFICIAL, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AS
FINANCIAL OFFICIAL, AND THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE AS THE
PROJECT MANAGER TO SIGN AND PREPARE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR
APPLICATION FOR AND ADMINISTRATION OF SAID GRANT; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Regular Agenda
9. Recognition of outgoing Council Member Rudy Kessel for his service.
Mayor Pankaj read a proclamation honoring Council Member Kessel, and the City
Council recognized Council Member Kessel with a plaque.
10. Issuance of Certificate of Election; Administer Statement of Elected Officer to Council
Members; and Administer Oath of Office to newly elected Council Members.
City Clerk Janice Ellis administered the Oaths of Office to new Council Members Mihir
Pankaj (District 4), Rebecca Norment (District 5) and Tracy Attebury (District 7).
11. Election by City Council of Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem to serve the City of Paris for the
next year.
Mayor Pankaj reviewed the procedures for Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem Elections and
opened the floor for Mayor. A Motion to nominate Mihir Pankaj for Mayor was made by Council
Member Savage. There being no further nominations, Mayor Pankaj closed the floor and asked
for a vote. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj opened the floor for nominations for
Mayor Pro -Tem. A Motion to nominate Gary Savage for Mayor Pro -Tem was made by Council
Regular Council Meeting
June 9, 2025
Page 3
Member Moore. There being no further nominations, Mayor Pankaj closed the floor and asked
for a vote. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Convene into executive session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive legal advice from an Attorney about (1)
pending or contemplated litigation and/or (2) on matters in which the duty of an attorney
to his/her client Linder the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State
Bar of Texas clearly conflict with this chapter.
Mayor Pankaj convened the City Council into executive session at 5:43 p.m.
13. Reconvene into open session and possibly take action on matters discussed in executive
session.
Mayor Pankaj convened City Council into open session at 6:24 p.m. and announced there
was no action to be taken.
14. Receive the 2025 Water and Water Waste Cost of Service Study from NewGen Strategies
& Solutions.
Interim Finance Director Gene Anderson explained that the City currently had treated
water contracts with four local industries and one of the requirements of those contracts was for
the City to have an independent rate consultant conduct a cost -of -service study each year. Mr.
Anderson introduced Chris Ekrut with NewGen Strategies & Solutions.
Mr. Ekrut presented the findings for the 2025 Water & Wastewater Cost of Service Study.
He said the Council had previously adopted wastewater rate increases to fund the WWTP
rehabilitation and associated debt issuance and the next increase was scheduled for October
2025. He also said the last water rate increase was in June 2022. Mr. Ekrut reviewed the rate
maintenance policy. Mr. Ek -rut reported that the Project Team found that retail water rates were
currently insufficient and recommended an 8.25% water rate increase as early as June 2025. He
also reported that the Team recommended continued wastewater rate increases as detailed within
the City's currently adopted wastewater ordinance. Mr. Ekrut reviewed the proposed residential
water rates and monthly water bills, as well as the proposed commercial water rates and monthly
water bills. Mr. Ekrut answered questions from City Council.
15. DiSCUSs; and act on an Ordinance No. 2025-009 approving matters incident and related to
the issuance and sale of City of Paris Texas, Tax Notes, Series 2025, authorizing the
issuance of such tax notes and approving all other matters related thereto.
City Manager Rose Beverly explained this item was continued from earlier discussions,
and asked that additional items be included with the tax notes, as follows: aerial apparatus,
pumper truck, brush truck., command vehicle, HGAC fee, swat police van, generator for the
police department, outdoor warning signs, secondary police department channel repeaters, truck
for Wildland Paramedic Unit, breathing air compressor, dive boat and a tractor with side cut
shredder. Ms. Beverly explained the total would be $4,139,316.00, the estimated annual debt
Regular Council Meeting
June 9, 2025
Page
service payment would be around $690,000.00 for seven years starting September 30, 2026, and
this would be added to the Interest and Sinking portion of the tax bill. Ms. Beverly answered
questions from City Council.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by
Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Receive presentation from Todd Mittge about the Engineering Department.
City Engineer Todd Mittge reviewed responsibilities of his department, which included
the current 7"' Street SW concrete reconstruction project, the 1st Street SE project, intake and
review of plats, the geographic information systems, and flood plain administration and drainage.
17. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-026: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH EXL CAPITAL GROUP, LLC PURSUANT TO THE 5 IN 5
HOUSING INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Director of Planning & Community Development Osei Amo-Mensah reported that EXL
Capital Group had applied for an Economic Development and Residential Tax Abatement
Agreement under the 5 in 5 Housing Infill Development Program to build 4 single-family homes.
He said staff reviewed the application and determined that the properties were within the
program area, and the proposed improvements met the criteria for the program.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Savage. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
18. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-027: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH INVEST LAMAR, LLC PURSUANT TO THE 5 IN 5
HOUSING INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Amo-Mensah reported that Invest Lamar had applied for an Economic Development
and Residential Tax Abatement Agreement under the 5 in 5 Housing Infill Development
Program to build 10 single-family homes. He said staff reviewed the application and determined
that the properties were within the program area, and the proposed improvements met the criteria
for the program.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by
Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
June 9, 2025
Page 5
19. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-028: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH R4U VENTURES, LLC PURSUANT TO THE 5 IN 5 HOUSING
INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATEDTO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Mr. Amo-Mensah reported that R4U Ventures had applied for an Economic
Development and Residential Tax Abatement Agreement under the 5 in 5 Housing Infill
Development Program to build 10 single-family homes. He said staff reviewed the application
and determined that the properties were within the program area, and the proposed improvements
met the criteria for the program.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Moore and seconded by
Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
20. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-029: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH THE MAGNOLIA PARIS, LLC PURSUANT TO THE 5 IN 5
HOUSING INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Amo-Mensah reported that Magnolia Paris had applied for an Economic
Development and Residential Tax Abatement Agreement under the 5 in 5 Housing Infill
Development Program to build 3 duplexes, for a total of 6 dwelling units. He said staff reviewed
the application and determined that the properties were within the program area, and the
proposed improvements met the criteria for the program.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tern Savage. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
21. Discuss, receive bids, and award a contract to Pridemore Construction, LLC in the
amount of $301,243.50, for the 7th Street SW Reconstruction Project, and authorize the
City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Mr. Mittge explained that the City has partnered with Fikes Wholesale to rebuild 7 1h
Street SW into a concrete roadway. He said that the asphalt roadway would not support the
heavy truck traffic. He said that Fikes had agreed to split the cost 50150 with the City to get this
project done. Mr. Mittge also said that they received three bids and staff recommended
Pridemore in the amount of $301,243.50.
Regular Council Meeting
June 9, 2025
Page 6
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by
Council Member Moore. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
22. Discuss, receive bids, and award a contract to R.K. Hall, LLC in the amount of $1,935,
221.70 for the 2025 Mill and Overlay Project and authorize the City Manager to execute
all necessary documents.
Mr. Mittge said the City went out for bids for the 2025 Mill & Overlay Project for twelve
streets in Paris, and received three responsive bids for the project. He also said the lowest bid
was for $1,935,221.70 from R.K, Hall LLC and staff recommended awarding the bid to R.K.
Hall LLC.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by
Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
23. Discuss and act on adding a new position of Government and Human Resources Analyst.
City Manager Rose Beverly reported that several cities were adding analyst positions to
support the City Manager, Human Resources and other departments. She said in lieu of filling
the previously budgeted Assistant and/or Deputy City Manager position, she would like to add
an analyst position. Ms. Beverly referenced the City of Irving job description. She said this
position would have duties that included but would not be limited to reviewing and updating the
Personnel Handbook, assisting/with onboarding and recruitment and supporting benefits and
insurance administration. Ms. Beverly also said this position would be a 365 grade on the pay
scale.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by
Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
24. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-030: A RESOLUTION REPEALING
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-010 AND DISCONTINUING THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL
TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM,
Ms. Beverly said this item was brought forward as the result of discussion in a recent
workshop. Ms. Beverly also said at the time this program was initiated, it was intended for infill
of neighborhoods. She reported that it was utilized no more than ten times. City Attorney
Stephanie Harris said she had done some research into this subject with regard to taxes, and it
should be repealed and let staff look explore something new for Council to consider.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Norment and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Savage. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
25. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2025-010: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 12,
"UTILITIES," OF THE CITY OF PARIS CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AUTHORIZE
THE FILING OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT WATER BILLS ON NON-
Regular Council Meeting
June 9, 2025
Page 7
HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Harris said Texas Local Government Code Section 552.0025 authorizes
municipalities to enact an ordinance placing liens on properties for which there are delinquent
municipal utility bills. She said the liens applied to all non -homestead residential accounts other
than rental properties in tenants names, and all commercial accounts and industrial accounts.
Ms. Harris explained this was a common tool for the collection of delinquent accounts and once
properly recorded, proceeds of a sale of the property must go towards satisfying the lien.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Ellis and seconded by
Council Member Moore. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
26. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
City Clerk Janice Ellis reminded City Council of the special meeting next Monday for
the purpose of making appointments to the Boards and Commissions. Mayor Pro -Tem Savage
asked if they could get information on who is going to maintain the sidewalks on Jefferson Road
that TxDOT recently constructed.
27. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Pro -Tem
Savage and seconded by Council Member Moore. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj
adjourned the meeting at 7•0S 11 C�o�
�pF'....'r'
�, .• .4,
µ y , _... AY....._OR. ,,.
MIl R
_m
— �A J M
CE ELLIS, CITICLVI
TEX
01111;I1111100 '�