02-23-2026MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
February 23, 2026
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
February 23, 2026, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Mihir Pankaj
Council Members: Mickey Ellis, Rebecca Norment, Alix Putnam, and
Tracy Attebury
City Staff: Rose Beverly, City Manager; Stephanie Harris,
City Attorney; Skylar Unger, Deputy City Clerk;
Steve Marriott, Finance Director; Rich Salter,
Police Chief; M.A. Smith, Chief Operating
Officer; Danny Rowell, Director of Utilities, Celso
Arietta, IT Manager; and Steve Hodges,
Engineering Department Manager
Absent: Council Members: Mayor Pro -Tem Savage and Shatara Moore
O �uenin � A Benda
Call meeting to order.
Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Council Member Ellis 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.
Mitzy Coker, 1363 E. Price Street — asked City Council to consider adopting an ordinance
to reinforce laws pertaining to penal codes.
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
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February 23, 2026
Page 2
made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by Council Member Norment. Motion carried,
5 ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve minutes from the meeting of February 9, 2026.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Planning & Zoning Commission (1-5-2026)
7. Receive the January 2026 monthly financial report.
Approve the Final Plat of the Tower 136 Homes Addition, Lot 1 & 2, LCAD 16208 &
16209, previously City Block 313 lots 3 & 4, to build single family homes, located at 335
& 245 West Sherman.
9. Approve the Final Plat of the 7 Brews Subdivision, Lot 1, Block A, LCAD 21121, located
at 3870 Lamar Avenue.
10. Approve the Replat of the J.C. Miles Subdivision Lots 11-13, LCAD: 17005, 129326,
129327 to construct multi -family housing, previously J.C. Miles Subdivision Lots 11, 12,
and 13 (1415 6t" Street SE).
Re alar A Benda
11. Discuss, conduct a public hearing, and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2026-011: a
Resolution approving and authorizing a second amendment to the Residential Tax
Abatement Agreement by and between the City of Paris, Texas, and We're Going to
Paris, LLC (Westgate Apartments).
Mayor Pankaj said that a public hearing was not required by law on this item, and asked
Ms. Harris to proceed with the item.
City Attorney Stephanie Harris said that in May of 2022 City Council approved a
residential tax abatement agreement with We're Going to Paris, LLC relating to the renovation
of the property known as the Westgate Apartment Complex. She reported the owner was to have
completed the improvement by May 8, 2023; however, due to issues related to financing and
other concerns the owner requested an extension. Ms. Harris explained that that on December
11, 2023, city Council agreed to an extension until May 31, 2025, to complete all improvements
and construction was to have commenced no later than February 12, 2024. Ms. Harris said the
owner was unable to begin the renovation in time to complete the construction by the May 31,
2025, deadline and requested an additional extension for completion until June 15, 2027. Ms.
Harris also said the owner had pulled permits on each of the buildings, had begun renovations
on several of the buildings and the leasing office and one of the residential buildings were
scheduled to be completed in April of 2026. Ms. Harris explained that retention of the abatement
was important to the financing of the renovation.
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February 23, 2026
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Following a brief discussion, a Motion to approve this item was made by Council
Member Ellis and seconded by Council Member Attebury. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Receive presentation from Steve Hodges about engineering projects.
Engineering Department Manager Steve Hodges gave an overview of past, current, and
future projects for the City.
Council Member Ellis inquired the status on the Bonham Street lighting project. Mr.
Hodges said the City was waiting on TxDOT for an estimate on crash poles.
13. Discuss and act on awarding a contract to Superior Equipment Solutions, LLC in the
amount of $575,000.00 ($500,000.00 will be funded from the TxCDBG Grant and
$75,000.00 from the City) for the 28"' Street NW Sewer Main Improvements; and
authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Mr. Hodges said bids went out for the 28"' NW Sewer Main Improvements Project, and
the lowest bid was received from Superior Equipment Solutions. LLC, and staff recommended
approval.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Norment and seconded by
Council Member Putnam. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
14. Receive the Paris Economic Development Corporation 2025 annual report.
Executive Director Maureen Hammond introduced the PEDC Board and stated the
board's mission. Ms. Hammond gave a presentation which included 2025 projects, such as
TxDOT and Happy Trailers. She also referenced business attractions related to LiongIead and
land acquisition, workforce development, connecting regional committees, economic indicators,
and supported projects. Mayor Pankaj inquired if incentives or tax abatements had been given to
any solar projects. Ms. Hammond answered no.
15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2026-003: An Ordinance declaring Stacy Ladell
as unopposed in Council District 1, Mickey Ellis as unopposed in Council District 2,
Gary Savage in Council District 3, and Alix Putnam as unopposed in District 6;
cancelling the General Election in Districts 1, 2, 3 and 6; and declaring the unopposed
candidates as elected to office pursuant to Election Code Section 2.053.
Deputy City Clerk Skylar Unger explained that the City had four unopposed candidates,
and they were Stacy Ladell for District 1, Mickey Ellis for District 2, Gary Savage for District
3, and Alix Putnam for District 6. She said staff were recommending approval of this ordinance,
which would cancel the election in those four districts.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Attebury and seconded by
Council Member Norment. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
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February 23, 2026
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16. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2026-012: A Resolution to Participate in Texas
Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System Trust (CLASS) Local Government
Investment Pool.
Finance Director Steve Marriott said Texas Local Government Code Section required
that the governing body must authorize participation in an investment pool by rule, order,
ordinance, or resolution. He said he also was seeking approval to participate in the Texas CLASS
Local Government Investment Pool, because this would give the City another liquid investment
to diversify the City's portfolio.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Ellis and seconded by
Council Member Putnam. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Mayor Pankaj reminded everyone of the workshop on Friday.
18. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.087 of the Texas Government
Code, (1) to discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information the
governmental body has received from a business prospect the governmental body seeks
to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and
with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations;
or (2) to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect
prescribed by Subdivision (1), as follows:
a. Project Red Maple 2
b. Project Star Anchor
Mayor Pankaj reported that there were no updates so City Council would not be going
into executive session.
19. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
Executive Session.
20. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Ellis
and seconded by Council Member Attebury. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj
adjourned the meeting at 6:06 p.m.
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February 23, 2026
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MAYOR
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