05-MINUTES FROM MEETING ON 07.29, 08.05, 08.08, 08.09 AND 08.10CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING SHEET
Submittal Date:
Originating Department:
Presented By:
Agenda Item No.:
08/18/2011
Council Date:
City Clerk
Janice Ellis
5.
08/22/2011
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Motion to approve as presented.
POLICY ISSUE(S):
Approval of Official Record of Council.
BACKGROUND:
Council Minutes from the meetings of July 29, 2011; August 5, 2011; August 8, 2011; August 9, 2011;
and August 10, 2011.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
EXHIBITS:
The attached minutes from the meetings
ACTION:
BUDGET INFO:
❑ Financial Report ~ Minute Order
Expense
$
❑ Department Report ❑ Resolution
Budgeted Amt.
$
❑ Presentation ❑ Ordinance
y'I'D Actual
$
❑ Public Hearing ❑ Other
Acct. Name
Acct. Number
FiscAL NoTES:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
E Administration Z City Clerk ❑ Communiry Development ❑ EMS/IT ❑ Finance ❑ Fire
❑ Municipal Court ❑ Legal ❑ Library ❑ Police ❑ Eng./Public Works ❑ Utilities
City of Paris Revised 2/04/08
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
July 29, 2011
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 7:30 a.m. on Friday,
July 29, 2011, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: Richard Grossnickle; Matt Frierson; and Edwin
Pickle
City Staf£ Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; and Janice
Ellis, City Clerk
Absent: Council Members: Joe McCarthy and John Wright
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 8:09 a.m.
City Council and City Staff discussed the process of placing an item on the Council
Agenda. Mayor Hashmi encouraged each Council Member to select an area of interest, such as
roads, infrastructure, etc. and become an expert on the subject. He explained this would make
the Council more efficient when it came to discussing the budget.
2. Tour of the Facilities.
City Council departed for a tour of city facilities.
3. Adjournment.
After a tour of the facilities and there being no further business, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
A.J. HASHMI, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
2
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CI'1'Y COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY Or PARIS, TEXAS
August 5, 2011
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 3:30 p.m. on Friday,
August 5, 2011, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: John Wright; Richard Grossnickle;
Matt Frierson; and Edwin Pickle
City Staff: Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; Janice Ellis,
City Clerk; Shawn Napier, City Engineer; Bob
Hundley, Police Chief; Ronnie Grooms, Fire Chief;
Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director; and Doug Harris,
Utilities Director
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
2. Budget workshop - deliberate on proposed 2011-2012 Budget.
Interim City Manager Gene Anderson gave a summary of the budget (See attached
Exhibit "A").
Police Chief Bob Hundley gave a presentation about the Police Department. Chief
Hundley answered questions related to overtime pay as a result of training and testifying in court.
City Council also discussed staffing of the police department.
Fire Chief Ronnie Grooms gave a presentation about the Fire Department. Chief Grooms
answered questions regarding 911 responses. Chief Grooms discussed with City Council the
possibility of purchasing a smaller truck to go out on first responder calls instead of sending out
the ladder fire truck.
3. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pickle and was seconded by Council Member Frierson. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 5:11 p.m.
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Special Council Meeting
August 5, 2011
Page 2
A.J. HASHMI, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
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To: The Mayor and City Council
From: Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager
Re: Budget Message
Date: July 22, 2011
Introduction
In accordance with Section 45 of the City of Paris Charter and Chapter 102 of the Texas Local
Government Code, I am pleased to present for your consideration the proposed annual budget for
fiscal year 2011-2012, beginning October 1, 2011. This budget is intended to serve as a plan of
financial operations and the allocation of available resources.
The budgetary and accounting policies contained in the budget conform to generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) as established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
(GASB). The accounts of the City are organized on the basis of funds and account groups, each
of which is considered a separate budgetary and accounting entity.
It is no secret that the nation is still struggling to pull itself out of an economic quagmire.
Operating within this macroeconomic sphere, Texas, Northeast Texas, and Paris have not been
exempt from their own economic problems. In spite of this, I am optimistic that the City of Paris'
best days are yet in the future. I want to assure the Council that the staff is eager to be your
partner in making Paris a place we can all be proud to call home.
While no specific directions were given by the Council for developing the 2011-12 Budget, the
following guidelines were used.
1. The tax rate would remain at .52 cents per $100 of property value. This rate is down 9.5
cents from the City's highest tax rate since property was required to be valued at 100% of
market value: 69.5 cents per $100 of value (2003). Fiscal year 2011-12 will be the fourth
consecutive year at this tax rate.
2. The department heads were told to submit a base operating budget and to provide a
priority ranked list of other items that they wished to be included if funds were available.
3. As funding allowed, the tools needed by City employees (equipment and materials) were
to be provided. If the City is to be improved and beautified, employees have to be given
essential tools to work with.
4. To boost morale of all City employees by financially recognizing their hard work over
the last eight tough and lean years. Since 2003 when there were 369 full time employees,
the City work force has been reduced to its current level of 322 employees. Despite this
reduction of 47 employees (12.73%), the City warkforce has continued to provide
essentially the same level of services as before the reduction. The Consumer Price Index
~h,~- ''A'' - - - 5
has increased 22.01 % since October 2003 while City employees have received a total of
14.43% in cost of living adjustments.
5. Annually reoccurring revenues should equal or exceed annually reoccurring expenditures.
In short, the City should have a balanced budget operationally. This does not preclude
onetime or infrequent expenditures for capital items and projects which may be funded
by either bond debt or reserves that have built up in excess of required and prudent levels.
With regard to the above guidelines, the proposed budget does the following:
1. The current tax rate of .52 per $100 is maintained. This was done in spite of the fact that
the freeze adjusted taxable value dropped by $21,474,000 which is the equivalent of
$111,665 in tax revenues.
2. Reoccurring expenses were all included and provided for in the operational budgets of
the General and Water & Sewer Funds. These two funds are the primary operating funds
of the City.
3. Non-reoccumng or infrequently occurring expenses were placed in two restricted use
funds (Capital Projects Fund & Equipment Replacement Fund) to distinguish them from
normal operating expenses. These capital expenditures are being funded using reserves in
excess of those needed to maintain financial stability and a strong credit rating.
4. All debt related interest and sinking funds are adequately funded so as to make the
necessary principal and interest payments as they come due.
5. All regular full time employees and the handful of regular part time employees will
receive a 3% cost of living adjustment. In addition, an ordinance will be presented to the
Council to allow employees to increase their current 6% contribution to their TMRS
pension plan to a 7% contribution. This increase in contribution by employees will
partially offset the proposed COLA adjustment but will cause a noticeable retirement
improvement over time. Given the shaky future of Social Security benefits, this is a
critical benefit for employees. This contribution increase does not apply to certified
firefighters who have opted to have a separate retirement plan and already contribute
12% to that retirement plan.
The following sections highlight points of interest in the budget.
General Fund & Water-Sewer Fund
Revenues
l. Tax Rate. While the City will be maintaining its .52 cent tax rate, the revenue for
operations (O&M) to be generated by that rate is estimated to drop by $162,178 from the
current budget amount.
2. Sales Taxes. The City is expected to end fiscal year 2010-11 with an increase in actual
sales collections of over 3%. Budget numbers for 2011-12 reflect this increase.
3. Hotel Occupancy Taxes. The new budget reflects the lower collection pace of the 2010-
11 year. The decrease is almost 13%. If La Quinta comes out of bankruptcy in stronger
financial position and the Ramada Inn is able to get back on track, this line item could
turn around. However, I am unwilling to budget based on what I hope will happen. As is
our normal practice, revenues are budgeted conservatively.
6
4. Franchise Fees. The AT&T fees have historically been kept separated but in this budget
those fees are being included in Municipal ROW Use Fees which is what they actually
are. Atmos Gas fees have returned to the level they were in 2009-10. This will be the first
full year of Suddenlink paying a 5% franchise fee as established by the State of Texas.
That increase is reflected in the budget projection for 2011-12.
5. Building Permits. Historically a single revenue line item, this budget is projected based
on what type of building permit is being issued.
6. Sanitation Fees. It is recommended that sanitation charges be left at current levels in
spite of decreased landfill costs. The City needs the predictability of this revenue stream
to finance operations of the City in the face of lower property values.
7. Water and Sewer Charges - The annual water and wastewater cost of service study
recommended a 2.7% increase in residential water rates, a 5.4% increase in commercial
water rates, and a 13.0% increase in retail wastewater rates. These rates have been
adopted by the City. This is the first rate increase since 2008 and was necessary to meet
the City's Rate Maintenance Policy established to help maintain the City bond rating with
Moody's and Standard & Poors rating agencies. It was also necessary to offset the
closure of Sesame Solutions and the reduced sewer treatment demand by Sara Lee.
Expenditures
1. Fuel. Vehicle and equipment fuel is a significant component of operations. Fuel
expenditures projections were based on department actual consumption in the last 12
months and a per gallon rate $3.65. The City is currently exploring the feasibility of using
compressed natural gas to run its fleet.
2. Electrical. The City of Paris participates with approximately 120 other municipalities in
the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power (TCAP). TCAP aggregates the anticipated
annual demand of its membership to leverage volume pricing for electrical service. Since
joining TCAP in 2002, Paris has benefitted from lower electrical prices that it could
otherwise contract for. The City's cunent rate is .06884 per kWh.
3. Personnel. The City has a lean operation for a service organization, where 75 % of
expenses would not be unusual for personnel costs. In the General Fund personnel costs
account for 66.05 % of expenditures and 24.03 % in the water and sewer fund (these
percentages do not factor in most of the capital requests, which would drive the
percentages even lower). The City already provides bookkeeping services for PEDC in
accordance with its bylaws. Beginning October 1, 2011, the City will begin processing
payroll for PEDC as well. The PEDC employees will remain PEDC employees (and not
become City employees) and will not participate in the City's retirement plan, medical
insurance plan, follow any City policies or procedures, or receive any other City benefit
with the possible exception of workers compensation which is still being examined at this
time. This budget also formalizes the hybrid system of plan reviews and inspections that
the City has been using on a trial basis for the last year. In a nut shell, this hybrid system
uses a combination of City employees and outsourcing to more efficiently carry on this
work. The system is a major step in making the City more business friendly for those
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who want to operate in Paris. City employees in the Community Development
Deparhnent have worked hard and obtained the necessary certificates/licenses to provide
plan review and inspection services. In other changes, I have made one part time Police
clerical position full time and moved the Parks Supervisor to the long vacated Parks
Superintendent position and eliminated the Parks Supervisor position. This supervisor has
been performing the duties of this vacated position. I have also eliminated the disparity
between the Street Superintendent and the Water Distribution Superintendent pay grades.
Finally, I have placed the Human Resources Officer in Finance Office budget. Given the
interdependency of human resources and payroll & benefits, this is the only operationally
practical place for this position to be located.
Capital Projects Fund &
Equipment Replacement Fund
Historically, money for the Capital Projects Fund and Equipment Replacement Fund has come
from General Fund reserves. In practice, money should also come from the Water & Sewer Fund
reserves for water and sewer capital expenditures. In this budget reserve money from both the
General Fund reserve and Water & Sewer reserve are transferred to the Capital Projects Fund
and Equipment Replacement Fund to pay for non-reoccuring or infrequently occurring capital
items. Water & Sewer reserves are also replacing funds used for earlier water and sewer related
projects originally funded by General Fund reserves.
Concluding Comments
Several looming fiscal issues must eventually be addressed. There are street, sidewalk, and
drainage projects that need to be under taken. The City should consider establishing a drainage
district to help pay for these costs. Rehabilitation and renovation of city facilities is also needed,
City Hall being a good example. Just walk around the building and view its crumbling fagade.
The City's water and wastewater infrastructure (including distribution, collection, and treatment)
needs rehabilitation and improvement. The wastewater treatmenf plant master plan alone calls
for $35-40 million to replace the existing plant. Deteriorating water and wastewater
infrastructure present a significant challenge to our utility rate structure. However, beginning
with the 2012-13 fiscal year, the City will have a drop in its water & sewer debt payments of
approximately 2.2 million dollars per year. Therein lays our opportunity to seriously address this
issue.
City government is the form of government that has the widest ranging impact on the daily lives
of our citizens. We are in the unique position to take action and see immediate results. The staff
will be exploring options to address upcoming fiscal issues so that the City will be ready when
those issues have to be addressed.
I appreciate the efforts of the City staff during the preparation of the proposed budget with
special thanks to Cathy Flippen who downloaded the data from the financial system and put the
budget together in the book form you now hold in your hands. And I wish to thank the Council
for its consideration of this budget document.
8
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 9, 2011
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
August 9, 2011, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: Joe McCarthy; John Wright; Richard Grossnickle;
Matt Frierson; and Edwin Pickle
City Staff: Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; Janice Ellis,
City Clerk; Shawn Napier, City Engineer; Kent
Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris, Utilities
Director; Ron Sullivan, Public Works Director;
and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director.
Call meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. Budget workshop - deliberate on proposed 2011-2012 Budget.
City Council discussed the budget of the City Council. Council Member Frierson asked
when staff would be bringing a City Council travel policy for review by City Council. Mr.
Anderson said he planned to have a draft to them for their first meeting in September.
City Council also discussed the budgets of the City Manager, City Attorney, Municipal
Court, City Clerk, Finance Department, Community Development, Engineering, Public Works,
Parks Department, Sanitation, Street Department, Traffic Department, the Garage, Emergency
Services, Cox Field, Paris Band, and the Library. Mr. Anderson explained that Department 89
was divided into two sections, one being miscellaneous including such items as non-profit
organizations and IT. Kent Klinkerman explained IT items under Department 89.
3. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pickle and was seconded by Council Member Frierson. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
A.J. HASHMI, MAYOR
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Special Council Meeting
August 9, 2011
Page 2
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
10
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 10, 2011
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 5:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: Joe McCarthy; John Wright; Richard Grossnickle;
Matt Frierson; and Edwin Pickle
City Staf£ Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; Janice Ellis,
City Clerk; Bob Hundley, Police Chief; Kent
Klinkerman, EMS Director; Doug Harris, Utilities
Director; and Ron Sullivan, Public Warks Director;
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. Budget workshop - deliberate on proposed 2011-2012 Budget.
City Council discussed with Gene Anderson the water and sewer fund and water billing.
City Council heard from Public Utilities Director poug Harris about the water treatment plant,
waste water treatment plant, and the lift stations. Public Works Director Ron Sullivan presented
information about water distribution and sewer maintenance.
Gene Anderson gave an outline of the Capital Project Fund and the Equipment
Replacement Fund.
Mayar Hashmi recessed City Council at 6:55 p.m. and reconvened City Council into
open session at 7:01 p.m.
Next, City Council heard from City Engineer Shawn Napier about the possibility of
establishment of a drainage utility and the benefits of doing so.
Mr. Anderson briefly explained the Special Revenue and Grant Funds. Mr. Anderson
answered questions about the proposed increase from the current 6% contribution by employees
to their TMRS pension plan to a 7% contribution citing it would cost the City approximately
$25,000 for the City's match. Mr. Anderson said he was proposing a 3% cost of living raise for
employees. He said that in 2003 the City had 369 employees and that the work force had been
reduced to the current level of 322 employees, but City Staff had continued to provide essentially
the same level of services as before the reduction. He cited the increase of the Consumer Price
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Special Council Meeting
August 10, 2011
Page 2
Index. Mr. Anderson inquired if there were going to be any proposed increases in the line items
budgeted, because he said that staff would need to publish a public hearing for the August 22nd
City Council meeting. It was a consensus of City Council that there would be no line item
increases in the proposed budget.
3. Adj ournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
McCarthy and was seconded by Council Member Wright. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
A.J. HASHMI, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK
12
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CiTl' COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
August 8, 2011
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
August 8, 2011, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: A.J. Hashmi
Council Members: Joe McCarthy; John Wright; Richard Grossnickle;
Matt Frierson; and Edwin Pickle
City Staff: Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager/Finance
Director; Kent Mcllyar, City Attorney; Janice Ellis,
City Clerk; Shawn Napier, City Engineer; Kent
Klinkerman, EMS Director; Ronnie Grooms, Fire
Chief; Ron Sullivan, Public Works Director; and
Priscilla McAnally, Library Director
Opening Agenda
1. Cal1 meeting to order.
Mayor Hashmi called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Shawn Napier gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Grossnickle led the pledge.
4. Citizens' forum.
Mayor Hashmi announced that he wauld have to leave the meeting a few minutes early,
because he had ta attend a previously scheduled meeting with a possible business prospect for
the City of Paris. Mayor Hashmi said that Mayor Pro-Tem Grossnickle would preside over the
meeting during his absence.
Steve Gilbert, PEDC Director spoke in support of the nomination of Kimberly Clark as a
Double Jumbo Enterprise Project under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program.
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Regular Council Meeting
August 8, 2011
Page 2
5. Public Announcements.
a. Proclamation declaring the month of September as Boys and Girls Club of the
Red River Valley Month.
Mayor Hashmi declared the month of September as Boys and Girls Club of the Red River
Valley Month and presented Henry Shaw with a proclamation.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Hashmi inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the
Consent Agenda for discussion. City Council discussed items 8 and 9.
A Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Council Member Grossnickle
and seconded by Council Member Wright. The Council voted six (6) for and none (0) opposed to
approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
6. Deliberate and act on the approval of minutes from the meeting on July 25, 2011.
7. Receive and deliberate on reports and/ar minutes from the following boards,
commissions, and committees:
a. Paris Visitors and Convention Council minutes (3-10-2011)
b. Planning and Zoning minutes (6-6-2011; 6-9-2011 and 7-5-2011)
c. PEDC minutes (6-7-2011; 6-14-2011)
8. Deliberate and act on RESOLUTION NO.: 2011-062: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PAR1S, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH PARIS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
DISTRICT FOR PROVISIONS OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER SERVICES;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTNE DATE.
9. Deliberate and act on RESOLUTION NO.: 2011-063: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH NORTH LAMAR INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR PROVISIONS OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
SERVICES; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE
SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
10. Deliberate and act on bids for chemicals to be used at the Water and Wastewater
Treatment Plants.
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Regular Council Meeting
August 8, 2011
Page 3
Regular Aaenda
11. Public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 for the Gity of Paris.
Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. Ken Kohls, 3935 Brandyn Place, proposed that the City
Council decrease the tax rate by $.Ol and he also proposed a higher percentage cost of living
raise for lower salaried employees. With no one else speaking, Mayor Hashmi closed the public
hearing.
12. Deliberate and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2011-064: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Gene Anderson explained that a public hearing was necessary only if there were going to
be any increases in any of the budgeted line items. He recommended setting the public hearing
for August 22"d at 5:30 p.m.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Wright and seconded by
Council Member Grossnickle. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays.
13. Public hearing, first reading, deliberate and possibly act on ORDINANCE NO. 2011-026:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PARIS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS
ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM UNDER THE TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE ACT,
CHAPTER 2303, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE; PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES;
NOMINATING KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM THROUGH THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK FOR DESIGNATION AS A QUALIFIED
BUSINESS AND DOUBLE JUMBO ENTERPRISE PROJECT UNDER THE ACT;
DESIGNATING A LIAISON FOR OVERSEEING ENTERPRISE PROJECTS AND
COMMUNICATING WITH INTERESTED PARTIES; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Hashmi opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about
this item, to please come forward. Ernst & Young representative Stacy Wages spoke in support
of this item citing that it was revenue neutral. Kimberly-Clark Plant Manager Philip Senn also
spoke in support of this item. Mr. Senn said that Kimberly-Clark planned to invest 150 to 200
million dollars within the next five years at the Paris plant. With no one else speaking, Mayor
Hashmi closed the public hearing.
15
Regular Council Meeting
August 8, 2011
Page 4
A Motion to invoke the super majority rule was made by Council Member Wright and
seconded by Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member McCarthy and seconded by
Council Member Wright. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays.
14. Report from Chief Hundley.
Chief Hundley told City Council that the Police Department consisted of 62 sworn
officers and 24 civilian employees. Chief Hundley reported that the total of 9-1-1 calls answered
by emergency dispatcher in 2010 was 27,089 and calls for service may or may not result in a
report being made. He the calls included anything from abandoned vehicles, false burglar
alarms, civil stand-by, lost property, and littering, all the way to robbery calls. Chief Hundley
also said that the department's volume of calls had increased between 2009 and 2010 by 3,009
calls. Chief Hundley discussed with City Council the possibility of hiring a clerk to receive
minor calls over the telephone for things such as giving theft reports. Mayor Hashmi inquired if
doing so would free up police officers for preventive crime and Chief Hundley answered in the
affirmative. Mayor Hashmi asked for suggestions from Chief Hundley in order to help deter
criminal activity. Chief Hundley said they had started a community police unit and he would
like to add more units to that program. He said there had been a reduction of criminal activity
due to the presence of the community police unit. Chief Hundley suggested forming a traffic
division and adding two misdemeanor officers within the next five years.
15. Deliberate and act on the IVlaster Plat, Preliminary Plat and Final Plat of Lot 1 and 2,
Block A, Cooper Propane 341 Addition, located at 3015 South Church Street.
City Engineer Shawn Napier said that Cooper Propane wanted to expand their current
business and that Planning and Zoning recommended the approval.
A Motion ta approve this item was made by Council Member Pickle and seconded by
CouncillVlember Wright. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays.
16. Receive, deliberate and provide direction on information from Robert T. Bass, Allison,
Bass & Associates regarding 2010 Census data, changing demographics in City Council
Districts since 2000, and proposed City Council redistricting maps.
Bob Bass provided City Council with a new plan, because the previous plan provided did
not have two of the council members in their districts. Mr. Bass went over the change in
demographics of the City since the 2000 Census and asked for input from City Council. Mr.
Bass said they needed to move forward toward adopting a plan. It was a consensus of the City
Council to defer a decision until Mr. Bass provided them with a map reflecting the new plan. Mr.
Bass told City Council that he would provide them with a map via e-mail the next day. City
Attorney Kent McIlyar inquired about the target date for submitting the plan to the Department
of Justice. Mr. Bass said the deadline was around the first of September and that he could be
available for a virtual workshop.
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Regular Council Meeting
August 8, 2011
Page 5
17. Deliberate on litter problems, junk vehicles, and enforcement in the City of Paris.
Mayor Hashmi said that the purpose of this item was to bring the citizens up to date on
the beautification of the City of Paris. Mayor Hashmi said that he had met with TxDOT officials
about cleaning and maintaining Loop 286 and that a TxDOT landscape architect was scheduled
to visit Paris to create a landseape plan. Mayor Hashmi said there would be a joint effort
between TxDOT and City resources to maintain the Loop. He also said that he planned to work
with the City's Director of Public Warks to initiate a schedule for cleaning up city streets.
Mayor Hasluni encouraged citizens to volunteer for beautification projects.
Mayor Hashmi asked Code Enforcement Officer Robert Talley to explain the process for
code enforcement complaints. Mr. Talley said the complaints were received by telephone,
Internet or a citizen walk-in. Mr. Talley said once it was determined a violation had occurred, a
letter was sent to the individual asking for compliance. He said if compliance was not
accomplished, the City sent out an abatement crew. He also said they send notices out on junk
vehicles and give the individual a certain amount of time to comply. Mayor Hashmi asked Mr.
Talley if the City could have the vehicle towed and Mr. Talley answered in the affirmative.
Mayor Hashmi reminded everyone that the City of Paris has an ordinance prohibiting
littering, as well as an ordinance prohibiting junk vehicles and outside storage. He said that once
the beautification projects began, that the ordinances would be enforced.
At 6:56 p.m. Mayor Hashmi left the meeting and turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro-
Tem Grossnickle.
18. Deliberate and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2011-065: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR
THE RENOVATION AND ALTERATION OF THE CITY OF PARIS CENTRAL
WAREHOUSE FACILITY TO BOB JOHNS CONSTRUCTION, LLC, THE LOWEST
RESPONSIBLE BIDDER; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Gene Anderson explained that the City purchased property located at 165 W. Center
Street for a replacement warehouse building. Mr. Anderson said three bids were received and
that Bob Johns Construction, LLC was the low bidder. Mr. Anderson said the budgeted amount
was $134,000 and the bid was for $199,066. He recommended accepting the low bid and
transferring funds from line item 11-1002-81-99 originally budgeted for the radio read meter
project, which was not going to be done this fiscal year.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member McCarthy and seconded by
Council Member Frierson. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
19. First reading, deliberate and possibly act on ORDINANCE NO. 2011-027: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COIINCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, ("CITY")
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Regular Council Meeting
August 8, 2011
Page 6
APPROVING A NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE ATMOS CITIES
STEERING COMMITTEE ("ACSC" OR "STEERING COMMITTEE") AND ATMOS
ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DNISION ("ATMOS MID-TEX" OR "COMPANY")
REGARDING THE COMPANY'S FOURTH ANNUAL RATE REVIEW
MECHANISM ("RRM") FILING IN ALL CITIES EXERCISING ORIGINAL
JURISDICTION; DECLARING EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE;
ADOPTING TARIFFS THAT REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT
WITH THE NEGOTIATE SETTLEMENT AND FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET
BY THE ATTACHED TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE; REQUIRING
THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE CITIES' REASONABLE RATEMAKING
EXPENSES; REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS OR ORDINANCES;
DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANGE
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT;
ADOPTING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND
REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY AND THE
STEERING COMMITTEE'S LEGAL COUNSEL.
Mr. Anderson explained that the City of Paris, along with approximately 154 other cities
is a member of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee ("ACSC") and that Atmos filed with the
City an application to increase natural gas rates. Mr. Anderson also said that the City worked
with ACSC to analyze the schedules and that the ordinance, rates and RRM tariffs were the
result of negotiations between ACSC and the Company to resolved issues. He also said that the
ordinance resolves the Company's RR1VI filing by authorizing supplemental revenue of $6.6
million to be recovered through the customer charge component of rates associated with a steel
service line replacement program approved as part of last year°s rate adjustment. Mr. Anderson
told City Council that the ACSC Settlement Committee and ACSC legal counse] recommended
that all ACSC cities adopt this ardinance implementing the rate change.
A Motion to invoke the super majority rule was made by Council Member McCarthy and
seconded by Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
A Motion to approve this itein was made by Council Member McCarthy and seconded by
Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
20. First reading, deliberate, and possibly act on ORDINANCE NO. 2011-028: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT OF THIRTY (30) MILES PER
HOUR FOR THE 2200 BLOCK OF SOUTH COLLEGIATE DRIVE FROM THE
SOUTH BOUNDARY LINE OF JEFFERSON ROAD SOUTH TO THE NORTH
BOUNDARY LINE OF LOOP 286 SE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE,
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A
PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTNE DATE.
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Regular Council Meeting
August 8, 2011
Page 7
A Motion to invoke the super majority rule was made by Council Member McCarthy and
seconded by Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Wright and seconded by
Council Member Frierson. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
21. Gonvene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government
Code, Consultation with Attorney, to receive legal advice from the City Attorney about
pending or contemplated litigation and/or matters in which the duty of an attorney to his
client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of
Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter, to-wit: Emily Cole vs. Paris Rodeo and Horse
Club, City of Paris, Paris Emergency Medical Services, Paris Regional Medical Center, et
al; Cause No. 79551 in the 62°d Judicial District Court of Lamar County, Texas.
Following a brief recess at 7:05 p.m., Mayor Pro-Tem Grossnickle convened City
Council into Executive Session at 7:08 p.m.
22. Reconvene into open session, deliberate and possibly take action on those matters
discussed in executive session.
Mayor Pro-Tem Grossnickle reconvened City Council into open session at 7:28 p.m.
23. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/ar City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004-081.
Council Member McCarthy reminded everyone of the upcoming TML Annual
Conference in Houston, Texas on October ] 1"' and 12`h.
24. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pickle and was seconded by Council Member McCarthy. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
A.J. HASHMI, MAYOR
JANICE ELLTS, CITY CLERK
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