04 City Council Mtg Min 8-28-06
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS
August 28, 2006
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 6:00 P. M. Monday,
August 28,2006, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present:
Mayor:
Richard Manning
Council Members: Tim Ray; Curtis Fendley; Mary Ann
Fisher, Mayor Pro Tern; Kevin Gray; Jesse
James Freelen; and Don Wilson
City Staff:
Tony N. Williams, City Manager; John
Lestock, Assistant City Attorney; and
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
1. Mayor Manning called the meeting to order.
Ken Rogers, Pastor for St. Paul Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Ray led the pledge.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Manning inquired if there were any items that Council Members wanted to pull
from the Consent Agenda for discussion. There were none.
Upon a motion made by Council Member Fendley and a second by Council Member
Fisher, the Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed to approve and adopt the
Consent Agenda, Items 3, 4, 4A, 4B, and 5, as follows:
3. Approval of minutes from previous City Council meetings. (8/14/06; 8/14/06 Special
Budget Work Session; and 8/21/06 Special Budget Work Session)
4. Receipt of reports and/or minutes from committees, boards, and commissions:
A. Paris Public Library. (6/21/06)
B. Civil Service Commission. (7/26/06)
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5. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-114: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF P ARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, APPOINTING LAY REPRESENTATIVES
TO THE NORTHEAST TEXAS LIBRARY SYSTEM, WHICH CURRENT TERMS
EXPIRE AUGUST 31, 2006; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
6. Public Hearing on the City Manager's proposed Budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 for
the City of Paris.
Mayor Manning opened the public hearing and asked for anyone who wished to speak
to come forward.
1. Tanteta Halliard, P.O. Box 714, Paris - asked Council to support Texas Human
Resources Council with a $5,000.00 contribution. She stated that they provide
meals on wheels and operate four senior citizen activity centers.
2. Cindy Bowlin, 2860 Ballard, Paris - asked Council to support Models of the
Maker with a $7,000.00 contribution.
3. Lisa McAllister, 102 Lamar, Paris - asked Council to support the Red Cross
by continuing the Service Agreement and asked that the contribution be
increased to $10,000.00.
4. Renee Harvey, 4125 Smallwood Road, Paris - she told Council that she
appreciated their support for Keep Paris Beautiful and Make Lamar County
Shine. She further stated that tearing down dilapidated houses had made a big
impact.
5. Ray Banks, 3450 Robin Road - recommended to Council instead ofa .10 tax
deduction, that they consider freezing taxes for citizens over 65 years of age
and the disabled. He further stated that departments should have travel
allowances or car allowances, but not both.
6. Brady Fisher, 3870 Lamar Avenue, Paris, - spoke in support of Lamar County
Human Resources Council.
7 . Wanda Samples, 596 FM 1506 - spoke in support ofthe senior citizen activity
centers.
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August 28, 2006
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8. Cleo Coplin, 1175 S.E. 33rd, Paris - spoke in support of the senior citizen
activity centers.
9. Jim Bell, 720 S.E. 39th, Paris - spoke in support of the proposed .10 tax
decrease. He stated that the decrease would help all citizens, as well as attract
new business to the City.
10. Glenn Bawcum, 1820 Silverleaf, Paris - spoke in support ofthe proposed tax
reduction, as it relates to economic development.
11. Charles Lynch, 2040 Silverleaf, Paris - spoke on behalf of Kimberly Clark. He
told Council that KC was their biggest tax payer and he was in support of the
tax reduction. He stated there were two factors for industries to be competitive
and they were taxes and utility costs.
12. Ed Seidle, 1363 Pine Bluff, Paris - spoke in support of the tax reduction,
because the taxes are too high.
With no one else speaking, Mayor Manning closed the public hearing.
7. Consideration of and action on the following resolutions:
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-115: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF P ARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, A WARDING THE BID AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF WASTEWATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS FOR
THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PINE MILL ROAD
AND LOOP 286 NE GRAD SEPARATION PROJECT; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Fendley and seconded
by Council Member FreeIen. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-116: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TxDOT) FOR THE
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF STATE RIGHT-OF-WAY IN SUPPORT OF
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Page 4
THE 2006 FESTIVAL OF PUMPKINS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Wilson and seconded
by Council Member Fisher. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-117: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR
10% OF THE COST OF RIGHT -OF - WAY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF LOOP
286 FROM US HIGHWAY 82 (WEST OF PARIS) TO FM HIGHWAY 137;
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT TO
CONTRIBUTE FUNDS - LOCAL GOVERNMENT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Fisher and seconded by
Council Member Fendley. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
D. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-118: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF DSHS DOCUMENT NO. 75600220672007 (ATTACHMENT
NO. 0 I-PURCHASE ORDER NO. 0000320622), FOR REGIONAL AND LOCAL
MEDICAL SERVICES; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Fisher and seconded by
Council Member Wilson. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
E. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-119: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO CAST THE VOTE FOR THE CITY OF PARIS FOR THE TML
INTERGOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS POOL BOARD OF
TRUSTEES - TML REGION 15 BALLOT FOR JAMES J. STOKES; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Fendley and seconded
by Council Member Freelen. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
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8. Presentation on the 211 System.
Tony informed Council that the representative was unable to attend the meeting,
because of health reasons. Council decided to place this item on the September 11 th Agenda.
9. Citizens Forum.
Bret Holbert, 331 CR3980, Paris - spoke against the closing of two fire stations. He
said that other criteria should be considered when looking at closing fire stations, other than
response time.
10. Report from Jon Clack regarding the City of Paris Drought Contingency Plan.
Jon Clack reported to Council that the combined lake level was at 71 %. He further
stated that we would need to maintain that level for a total of fourteen days before we could
go back to Stage I of the Drought Contingency Plan.
11. Report by staff on taxation of the airport hangars.
Tony referred Council to a letter from the attorney for Lamar County Appraisal
District. He stated that there was a difference of opinion and that we were not where we
needed to be on the matter. Mayor Manning asked Tony to follow-up on the matter and get
back with Council.
12. Report on, discussion of, and possible action of Fire Stations No.2 and 4 in East
Paris.
Council Member Freelen asked Chief Grooms ifit was illegal to run two men on a fire
truck. Chief Grooms said it was not; however, it delayed response time by a matter of
minutes because you have to have three firefighters at the scene prior to entering the
structure. Chief Grooms said the exception to the rule was if there was a life in danger.
Chief Grooms stated he was open for suggestions for improvement of the fire department,
but did not want to close any of the fire stations. He also stated that the fire department
needed the nine firefighter positions that were cut last year. Council Member Freelen stated
ifthey consolidated the fire stations, they could put three firefighters on a truck. He further
stated that would address any type of safety issue that was being questioned. Tony Williams
informed Council that he wanted to take an in-depth review of how the fire department could
be improved and that he was still gathering information. He stated that once he had all ofthe
information he would bring it to Council for direction. Mayor Manning said the Lamar
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Avenue fire station was too small to house some ofthe fire trucks and that they needed to be
concerned about the safety of the firefighters and the citizens. Council Member Wilson said
they need to study this to determine what is best for Paris now. Council Member Ray said
he was against closing any fire station, but encouraged other options to better the fire
department. Council Member Gray expressed concerned about a negative insurance rating
should fire stations be closed. Mayor Manning reiterated Council Member Gray's concern.
Council Member Wilson said they cannot determine what effect it would have on the ISO
rating until they conduct a study. Council Member Wilson further stated that the manager
needs to examine everything we do, otherwise he would not be doing his job. Council
Member Freelen stated that they needed to address all of the fire department issues,
specifically safety. Council Member Ray said that he wanted the manager to explore all
avenues in improving the fire department, with the exception of closing stations.
A Motion that no fire stations be closed was made by Council Member Ray and
seconded by Council Member Gray. Motion carried, 4 ayes - 3 nays, with Council Member
Fendley, Council Member Freelen and Council Member Wilson casting the dissenting votes.
13. Possible future agenda items.
Mayor Manning requested that an item be placed on the Agenda for discussion and
action with regard to having a Local Government Management Review done by the State
Comptroller's Office. Mayor Manning said it could be done at no cost to the City.
14. Referrals.
John Mark Spencer - Lot 11, City Block 70-B, 1639 Pinebluff, request from Two-
Family Dwelling (2F) to a Neighborhood Service District (NS).
15. Adjournment.
Council Member Ray made a motion to adjourn and was seconded by Council
Member Fisher. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
RICHARD MANNING, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
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