06-22-20260
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
June 22, 2026
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
June 22, 2026, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Mihir Pankaj
Council Members: Stacy Ladell, 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; M.A. Smith,
Chief Operating Officer; Randy Tuttle, Assistant
Police Chief-, Danny Rowell, Public Utilities
Director; Osei Amo-Mensah, City Planner;
Thomas Herndon, Airport Manager; Duke McGee,
Building Official; Steve Hodges, Engineering
Manager; Celso Arrieta, IT Manager; and Jon
McFadden, Public Relations Officer
Absent: Mayor Pro -Tem Gary Savage
Openiny, Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Pankaj called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Council Member Ladell 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. A. Citizens' forum.
No one spoke during citizens' forum.
B. Proclamation proclaiming the year 2026 as "America's 250t" Anniversary."
Mayor Pankaj read the proclamation and presented it to Donna Moore and other
Daughters of the American Revolution.
M
Regular Council Meeting
June 22, 2026
Page 2
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
made by Council Member Putnam and seconded by Council Member Attebury. Motion carried,
5 ayes --- 0 nays.
Approve minutes from the meeting of June 8, 2026
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards and commissions:
a. Historic Preservation Commission (5-13-2026)
b. Paris -Lamar County Board of Health (3-16-2026)
c. Main Street Advisory Board (3-10-2026 & 5-12-2026)
d. Planning & Zoning Commission (5-4-2026)
e. Building & Standards Commission (5-18-2026)
7. Receive May drainage report.
Approve the Final Plat of the Jackson 63 Addition, Lot 1, Block A, (LCAD 14497),
located at 750 E. Tudor.
9. Approve the Final Plat of the Tinker 146 Addition, Lot 1, Block A, located at 429-439
E. Washington St.
Regular Agenda
10. Discuss, continue the public hearing and act on an Ordinance considering the petition of
James O'Bryan, DVM for a zoning change from a Single -Family Dwelling (SF -2) District
to a General Retail (GR) District with a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Veterinary Clinic -
Large Animals (LCAD 13152), Mayer Addition, Block 8, Lots I & 2, 3147 Bonham St.
Mayor Pankaj said there was no action to be taken on this item. City Attorney Stephanie
Harris said Staff republished this zoning case and Council would hear it at a later date.
11. Discuss and act on an Ordinance No. 2026-018 amending Appendix A, "Fee Schedule,"
Article A10.000, "Utility Rates and Charges," Section A10.0003, "Water Rates," and
Section A10.004, "Sewer Rates for Customers using City Water," of the Code of
Ordinances recommended by the 2026 Water and Sewer Rate Study.
Finance Director Steve Marriott said that on June 8, 2026, the City Council was presented
with the study results by NewGen Strategies & Solutions. He reported that the rate consultants
recommended a 2.75% increase in water rates to offset rising costs. He also said they proposed
an increase in BOD, TSS, and Ammonia for excessive strength sewer rates. Mr. Marriott
Regular Council Meeting
June 22, 2026
Page 3
emphasized that the increases were only for commercial customers and would go into effect July
I St.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Putnam and seconded by Council
Member Ladell. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Receive presentation from Utilities Director Danny Rowell about the Wastewater
Treatment Plan Project.
Utilities Director Danny Rowell gave a presentation about the Wastewater Treatment
Plant Project and stated they were on track with the projected timeline. Mayor Pankaj said when
the City Council District Two position was filled, he would like to have the Council tour the
facilities.
13. Receive presentation from Airport Manager Thomas Herndon about Cox Field Airport.
Airport Manager Thomas Herndon gave a presentation about Cox Field Airport, which
included staffing, operations, on-going projects and initiatives. He also spoke about the fuel
farm, new hangars, assets, challenges/needs, and future improvements, such as runway lighting,
underground wiring, tree removal, and aircraft repositioning.
14. Discuss and act on Resolution No. 2026-023 approving a residential tax abatement and
economic development agreement with R4U Rentals -A2, LLC -Series E, as part of the 5
in 5 Housing Infill Redevelopment Program for property located at City of Paris Block
234, Lots 27-36, N.W. 17t" Street.
Planning Director Osei Amo-Mensah explained that the applicant planned to build ten
single-family dwelling homes, that the total estimated value to be construction was at least two
million dollars, and met the criteria of the 5 in 5 Program.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Attebury and seconded by
Council Member Putnam. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
15. Discuss, conduct a public hearing and act on Ordinance No. 2026-019, regarding the text
amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1710, Section 8, "Use of Land and Buildings,"
Subsection 8-107 "Commercial & Services Uses" by inserting the use "Cottage Industry"
and allowing same as pennitted in the Light Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI)
zoning districts and with a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in the Commercial District and to
amend Sect. 12-100, "Specific Use Pen -nits, to add Subsection (63) relating to cottage
industries.
Mr. Amo-Mensah said Staff received an inquiry request from a pharmaceutical
packaging company to discuss zoning and a proposed use of an existing building that was under
contract. He explained the Staff determined the zoning would not allow such type of use in the
designated district, so Staff concluded that a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance was
needed. Mr. Amo-Mensah said the Planning and Zoning Commission approved suggested
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June 22, 2026
Page 4
changes and allowed same as permitted in Light Industrial and Heave Industrial Zoning District
with a Specific Use Permit in the Commercial District.
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
bearing. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Attebury and seconded
by Council Member Ladell. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
16. Discuss, conduct a public hearing and act on Ordinance No. 2026-020, regarding a text
amendment to Subdivision Ordinance No. 1315, Section IX, "Design of Improvements,"
to add subsection K, "Detention and Retention Pond Compliance Program."
Building Official Duke McGee explained the purpose of this ordinance was to amend
Chapter 9A, Subdivision Ordinance, Article IX, Design Improvements, by adding Section H,
Ston-nwater Detention and Retention Facility Maintenance, Inspection, and Compliance Program
Manual by reference. Mr. McGee answered questions from City Council.
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 Putnam and seconded by
Council Member Attebury. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
17. Discuss, conduct a public and act on Ordinance No. 2026-021, regarding the text
amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1710, Section 17, "Creation of Building Site,"
Subsection 17-100 to introduce a limited exception to the City's building site
requirements for certain residential additions.
Mr. McGee explained the purpose of this item was to consider approval of an amendment
to Section 17-100 of the City Code of Ordinances establishing a limited residential addition
exception to certain platting requirements for existing owner -occupied single-family residences.
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 Putnam and seconded by
Council Member Attebury. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
18. Discuss, conduct a public hearing and act on Ordinance No. 2026-022, regarding the
amendment of Subdivision Ordinance No. 1315 to add a new Section XVIII, "Adoption
of Technical Standards Manual (TSM) and associated Engineering Standard Details
(ESD)."
Mr. McGee said the purpose of this item was to consider adoption of the City of Paris
Technical Standards Manual and Engineering Standard Details Book to establish the City of
Paris Technical Standards Manual and Engineering Standard Details Book as the City's official
engineering, design, construction, and infrastructure development standards.
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June 22, 2026
Page 5
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 Attebury and seconded
by Council Members Ladell and Nonnent. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 0 nays.
19. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2024-081.
Mayor Pankaj said the Paris Library had a Summer Full of Fun planned now through July
and encouraged everyone to take their families to the events held at the library.
20. 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 Yellow Horse and B) Project Hotel.
Mayor Pankaj convened City Council into executive session at 6:29 p.m.
17, Convene into open session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in
executive session.
Mayor Pankaj reconvened City Council into open session at 7:57 p.m. and said there was
no action to be taken.
21. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Norment and seconded by Council Member Ladell. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor
Pankaj adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.
u ry OffjlW PXNKAJ, MAYOR
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