2006-08-17-MINS
Board Minutes for the
Paris Economic Development Corporation
August 17,2006
11:30 A.M.
Board Members
Present: Glenn Bawcum
Dick Severson
Sims Norment
John Wright
Board Members
Absent: Rodney Bass
Ex-officio Members Staff Present: Gary Vest
Present: Tony Williams
Richard Manning
Brady Fisher
Guests:
Pike Burkhart
Frank Peters
Brad Osborne
President Sims Norment called the meeting to order at 11:45 a.m.
President Norment welcomed new board member John Wright and
the guests.
President Norment introduced Mr. Frank Peters who made a
presentation on a trailer parts warehouse/ distribution facility that he
wants to build in Paris and is seeking some assistance from the
PEDC. No action was taken on this project at this time.
President Norment called on Pike Burkhart for a presentation on the
Gateway Signage Program and the Way Finding Effort. A motion
was made by Glenn Bawcum that PEDC support the Gateway
Program with $30,000 based on a commitment by the Visitors and
Convention Council that it support the ongoing maintenance of these
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August 17,2006
Page 2
signs. Dick Severson seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Minutes of the June 21,2006 meeting were approved as presented on
a motion by Dick Severson, second by Glenn Bawcum.
In the absence of Gene Anderson, Gary Vest reviewed the financials
for the period ending July 31, 2006. These financial statements were
approved on a motion by Glenn BawcUffi, seconded by Dick
Severson. Tony Williams commented that the August sales tax
receipts were up 9%.
Gary Vest presented the $50,000 grant to Campbell's Soup for the
match of the Northeast Texas Workforce Board incumbent worker
training program. This training grant was approved for presentation
to Campbell's Soup on a motion by Dick Severson, seconded by
Glenn Bawcum.
Gary Vest presented a building on Highway 82 west (4655 Bonham)
that was formerly the Central Freight Lines Terminal Building. Mr.
Vest proposed that PEDC purchase the facility and the 9.6 acres and
lease it back to Methes Energy on a lease purchase arrangement.
Larry Jacobs with Crown Enterprises of Warren, Michigan has
offered the building for sale for $250,000. Mr. Norment suggested
that we do an appraisal on the property to get a better idea of the
value. Mr. Vest was instructed to contact Pat Murphy and get an
opinion and not necessarily a full blown appraisal, and then bring it
back to the Board for further consideration.
Under the director's report Gary Vest presented the Board members
with a copy of a report compiled by Ray Perryman entitled The
Market for Prosperity: Understanding the Economic Development
Process. Mr. Vest also shared a document with the Board about a
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August 17,2006
Page 3
new training program that Campbell's Soup is undertaking for
consideration of possible assistance by the PEDC.
With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting
adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ga~~~if
Executive Director