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12-17-2025MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS December 17, 2025 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special meeting at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the City Council Chamber, 107 Kaufman Street, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Mihir Pankaj (via facetime) Mayor Pro -Tem: Gary Savage Council Members: Rebecca Norment, and Tracy Attebury City Staff: Rose Beverly, City Manager; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Stephanie Harris, City Attorney; Steve Marriott, Finance Director; Michel Sorrell, Interim Finance Director Absent: Council Members: Shatara Moore, Mickey Ellis and Alix Putnam O penin e A Benda 1. Call meeting to order. Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. 2. Discuss the old hospital building (formerly known as St. Joseph Hospital). City Manager Rose Beverly reported that she and Mayor Pankaj recently talked to Sylvester Drain of Saving Souls about tearing down the old St. Joseph Hospital building. She said prior to taking the building down, an assessment needed to be done and that it could be paid for by a grant. However, Ms. Beverly explained that the Savings Souls board would have to sign off on it because the City did not own the building, but Saving Souls saw that as a negative and did not want to sign off on it. Ms. Rose said the City could get an assessment done if the City paid for it and asked Council their thoughts. She also said if the property was eligible, and that the assessment would determine if the property was eligible, there were grants available to assist with demolition of the building. City Attorney Stephanie Harris expressed concerns about the City's risk and said she was not saying that was a reason not to ask Saving Souls. Ms. Harris said they could get an administrative search warrant that allowed the City to go on the property and get the assessment done. She also said the City could get a demolition order from BSC if Council agreed that is the course of action that needed to be taken. Council favored Staff first getting in touch with Saving Souls to explain this to them and if needed, the City would take further legal action. Ms. Beverly added there was up to a million dollars of grant money available to demolish the building. 3. Discuss lighting on Bonham Street. Special Meeting December 17, 2025 Page 2 Ms. Beverly said they previously discussed lighting on Bonham Street to make it safer and for aesthetics. She said they did not know the exact cost but estimated between $400,000.00 and $900,000.00. Council Member Attebury confirmed with Ms. Beverly that Council previously voted to express their interest in doing this. Ms. Beverly said TxDOT needed an answer as they were moving forward with the project on Bonham Street to include sidewalks. City Council favored doing the lighting. Council Member Norment inquired of the timeframe of putting in the lighting. Engineering Tech Steve Hodges said he would get an update. Ms. Beverly said she would find out the costs. 4. Discuss an addendum to the Agreement with Chris Lambka & Associates, LLC for the Downtown Paris Master Plan, Visions Guide. Ms. Beverly said this was covered under item 3. 5. Discuss an agreement with Polco to assist with data collection. Ms. Beverly provided City Council with a copy of the Polco Proposal and reviewed the proposal with the City Council. In summary, Polco would conduct a National Community Survey which would result in what the residents value most, where frustration or misunderstanding may exist, what level of trust people have in city governinent, how service performance compares to similar communities, and whether residents believe the City is managing resources wisely. Ms. Beverly touched on the engage module which stresses getting year-round information through social media, a centra feed where residents could respond to surveys, read updates, and participate in ongoing conversations. Ms. Beverly answered questions from City Council. Council Member Attebury said this would be a very important tool with what they had facing them. Ms. Beverly said if Council wanted to engage Polco's services, they needed to get going on it as quickly as possible and that she needed to be able to sign the agreement prior to the next Council meeting. City Council favored Ms. Beverly signing the agreement now and placing an item on the next agenda ratifying the action. There being no further business, Mayor Pankaj adjourned the meeting at 12:50 p.m. F c1r), le, .............. ............. ­....­­ . ...... ... ............... ........ MIH, PAN J, MAYOR ICE ELL;1. CITY CtE Cn PIS TEXT'