01-12-2026MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
January 1.2, 2026
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
January 12, 2026, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Mihir Pankaj
Mayor Pro -Tem: Gary Savage
Council Members: Mickey Ellis, Shatara Moore, Rebecca Norment,
Alix Putnam, and Tracy Attebury
City Staff: Rose Beverly, City Manager; Skylar Unger,
Deputy City Clerk; Steve Marriott, Finance
Director; Osei Amo-Mensah, City Planner; M.A.
Smith, Chief Operating Officer; Danny Rowell,
Director of Utilities; and Thomas McMonigle, Fire
Chief
O penin A enda
I. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Mayor Pro -Tem Savage 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 A enda
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 Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and seconded by Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 7
ayes — 0 nays.
Regular Council Meeting
January 12, 2026
Page 2
5. Approve minutes from the meetings of December 8, 2025, and December 17, 2025.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Paris -Lamar County Board of Health (8-18-2025)
b. Love Civic Center Board (9-11-2025)
c. Historic Preservation Commission (9-22-2025)
d. Planning & Zoning Commission (11-3-2025)
e. Paris Visitors & Convention Council (11-17-2025)
f. Paris Economic Development Corporation (11-18-2025)
7. Receive the November monthly financial report.
8. Receive the November & December 2025 monthly drainage reports.
9. Ratify the agreement with Polco to assist with data collection.
10. Approve an annual contract with New Gen Strategies & Solutions, LLC for a 2026 Water
and Wastewater Cost of Service Study, in the amount of $36,500.00.
11. Approve the City Investment Policy for 2026.
12. Approve an Amendment to the Grand Theatre Management Lease Agreement with Paris
Grand Theatre Project, Inc.
Reular A;enda
13. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-001: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, RE-
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN
RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENTS WITHIN THE 5 IN 5 HOUSING INFILL
REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND APPROVING GUIDELINES AND
CRITERIA FOR SAME; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Manager Rose Beverly explained that to continue to participate in the current
program, the City must the approve the guidelines and criteria, because they were scheduled to
expire January 27, 2025. She also said the guidelines and criteria must be readopted every two
years.
Mayor Pankaj opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Pankaj closed the public
hearing.
Regular Council Meeting
January 12, 2026
Page 3
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Norment and seconded by
Council Member Attebury. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-002: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN INDUSTRIAL
TAX ABATEMENTS AND APPROVING GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR
GRANTING TAX ABATEMENTS IN THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Beverly informed City Council that the current policy was going to expire at the end
of January and if the City was going to continue to participate in tax abatements, that this would
need to be approved.
Mayor Pankaj opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Pankaj closed the public
hearing.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Ellis and seconded by
Mayor Pro -Tem Savage. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
15. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION, NO. 2025-003: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH VOLANDA R. HILL PURSUANT TO THE 5 IN 5 HOUSING
INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
City Planner Osei Amo-Mensah said the applicant planned to build a single-family
dwelling, and staff had determined that the property was within the program area.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by
Council Member Attebury. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
There was no reference of future events.
17. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Pro -Tem
Savage and seconded by Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj
adjourned the meeting at 5:43 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting
January 12, 2026
Page 4
WHIR...o ....u.w.0 ..._.......... ..... _ .... .............
PANKAJ, MAYOR
NICE ELLIS CITY