04 City Council Mtg Min 1-22-07
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS
January 22, 2007
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 6:00 P. M. Monday,
January 22,2007, 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:
Ernie Clark, Interim City Manager; Kent
McIlyar, City Attorney; and Janice Ellis,
City Clerk
1. Mayor Manning called the meeting to order.
Wendell Tallant gave the invocation.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Ray led the pledge.
3. Oath of office - Interim City Manager Ernie Clark and City Attorney Kent McIlyar.
Janice Ellis, City Clerk, administered the oaths of office to Ernie Clark and Kent
McIlyar.
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.
Council Member Fisher made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and Council
Member Fendley seconded the Motion. The Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed
to approve and adopt the Consent Agenda, Items 4,5, and 5A as follows:
4. Approval of minutes from previous City Council meetings. (Special Meeting, 12-28-
2006; Regular Meeting, 1-8-2007; and Special Meeting, 1-16-2007)
5. Receipt of reports and/or minutes from committees, boards, and commissions:
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January 22, 2007
Page 2
A. The Charter Study Committee, Paris, Texas. (12-14-06; 1-4-2007; and 1-10-
2007)
6. Citizens Forum.
MarvaJoe, 1610-17thN.E. - she agreed with Ernie Clark, in that there needs to be better
communication. Mrs. Joe suggested that Council conduct town hall meetings throughout the
community.
7. Comments from Interim City Manager regarding City Council operations.
Ernie Clark, Interim City Manager, gave a presentation regarding characteristics people
needed in order to function in a democracy. He outlined the five minimal requirements for a
healthy work relationship as being communication, trust, responsibility, authority and
accountability. Mr. Clark stated he hoped the people ofthe community would come together
for the betterment of the community.
8. Introduction of City Attorney.
Mayor Manning introduced Kent McIlyar, the new City Attorney. Kent told the Council
he was looking forward to working with them.
9. Report and discussion regarding the cost/amount of money for the following: Texas
First Group to provide Interim City Manager; the appointment of counsel (Lynn, Pham
& Ross) to assist in the transition of City Manager; the hiring of outside counsel (James
Rodgers) to represent the City of Paris in Jim Bell vs. The City of Paris, Texas, Cause
No. 75213, in the 62nd Judicial District Court.
Gene Anderson presented Council with information reflecting the amount of money
spent to date on legal fees and consulting fees, as follows: $6,307.50 paid to the Moore Law
Firm for representation in the Jim Bell lawsuit; $9,763.35 paid to Lynn, Pham & Ross for
representation in the termination process of Tony Williams; and $4,095.09 paid to Bovey,
Akers & Bojouquez with regard to the Charter revision. Council Member Ray inquired if the
figure included the lawsuit regarding the majority/plurality issue. Gene advised him that it did
not, but that he would get that figure for Council. Council Member Freelen wanted to know
if the legal fees were budgeted. Gene told him that they had money budgeted for outside legal
counsel in the legal department budget. Council Member Freelen asked that Gene keep them
up to date on legal fees and consulting fees.
10. Possible future agenda items.
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January 22, 2007
Page 3
Ernie Clark displayed an archery shooters' range layout map. He told Council that the
progress of the range had been slowed because of weather conditions. Ernie asked Shawn
Napier to give Council additional information. Shawn explained they were in the process of
building walking paths near Buttermilk Creek; however, had been unable to complete them due
to amount of rainfall. These walkways would allow crossings of the creek to access the land
on the north side. Shawn further explained that if rain continued, he would go to plan B.
Under Plan B, the ten archery ranges would be placed on the south side of the creek. Shawn
told Council if the event goes well, there is a possibility the Archer Shooter's Association
would consider a five year contract with the City for future competitions.
Ernie Clark presented Council with a memo from Kent Klinkerman, setting out MIS
Project needs. Ernie informed Council that a radio transmitter had broken and that MIS did
not have a back-up. Without the radio transmitter, some of the departments would not be
connected to the network. He explained to Council this was an emergency and they needed to
order a new radio, which would cost $6,300.00. Ernie told Council the broken radio would
be sent in for repairs and could be used for a back-up in the future.
Ernie directed Council's attention to a request for additional equipment in the amount
of$7,900.00. He asked Kent Klinkerman to explain the request to Council. Kent told Council
with more systems coming onto the network, they needed to go wireless via fiber cable. He
said the multi mode fiber had breaks, splices and repeaters. Council Member Wilson wanted
to know if it could be used with the CAD System. Kent told him that it would tie in with the
system and would be utilized. Ernie asked Council to call his office by 1 :00 the following day,
to advise him whether or not they wanted to moved forward on the additional equipment. He
stated if Council wanted to move forward on this equipment, staff could bring it back to
Council for ratification.
Council Member Wilson requested the financial information provided by Gene
Anderson be listed as a discussion item on future Agendas.
11. Referrals.
Shirley Posey requested a zoning change from Agriculture to Residential (SF-3 with a
specific use) on property located at 3400 Old Tigertown Road. The requested was forwarded
to Planning and Zoning.
12. Staff Reports:
A. Report by Director of Finance regarding Pay Mayse Lake Water Rights - Payout
Options.
Gene Anderson presented Council with a list of payout options for purchase ofthe Pat
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January 22, 2007
Page 4
Mayse Lake water rights. Gene told Council for Spaces 3, 4, and 5 the principal amount was
$4,716,436.00, and would require monthly payments in the amount of$I,139,231.00 should
they elect the five year option; monthly payments in the amount of $581 ,600.00 should they
elect the ten year option; monthly payments in the amount of$409,742.00 should they elected
the fifteen year option; and monthly payments in the amount of$326,954.00 should they elect
the twenty year option.
Council Member Fendley suggested they place an action item on the next Agenda.
Ernie stated he would like to talk to a couple of attorneys to obtain additional information and
bring it back to Council at a later time.
B. Report by Director of Community Development regarding telephone system
improvements.
Lisa Wright reported to Council that the telephone system currently in place was
purchased ten years ago and the City pays an annual fee in excess of$14,000.00. She stated
with the expansion ofthe Fire Department and Public Works, the City had outgrown the current
system. Lisa told Council she had spoken with the telephone vendor, Cedar Creek
Technologies, and it was determined it would be less expensive to purchase a new systems.
Lisa eXplained to purchase the new system would cost the City annual increase of $1,000.00
for three years. In the fourth year the City would save a substantial amount of money, because
the payments would cease and there would no longer be line charges. Lisa asked that this item
be added to the lease purchase list previously approved by Council. Council Member Wilson
wanted to know why they were not going out for bid. Lisa said the equipment was bid through
state contract.
13. Adjournment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
RICHARD MANNING, MA YOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK