2012-018 RES APPROVING/AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FAMILIES IN EAST TEXAS, INC (SAFE-T)RESOLUTION NO. 2012-018
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH THE SHELTER AGENCIES FOR FAMILIES IN EAST
TEXAS, INC. (SAFE-T), TO PERFORM CERTAIN SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO
THE CITY OF PARIS AND ITS CITIZENS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, The Shelter Agencies for Families In East Texas, Inc. (SAFE-T),
hereinafter referred to as Service Organization, possesses certain specialized expertise,
personnel, equipment, and training necessary to provide certain community based
specialized services unique to said organization and unavailable from any other readily
available source; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Paris, hereinafter referred to as City, desires to enter into a
Professional Services Agreement with the Service Organization to provide partial funding
to the Service Organization; and,
WHEREAS, the Service Organization will provide certain specialized services to the
community that will benefit the City by: 1) providing specialized services to the community
for which the Ciry has limited or no expertise; 2) providing specialized services in a more
efficient manner and at a lower cost; 3) providing specialized services under a recognized
name and as a recognized source in the community for specialized expertise in the area of
said specialized services; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that contracting with said Service
Organization will benefit the general health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of
Paris in furtherance of a public purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby
in all things approved.
Section 2. That the Interim City Manager is hereby authorized to execute and
the City Clerk to attest to a Professional Services Agreement, by and between the City of
Paris and Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas, Inc. (SAFE-T) for the performance of
certain specialized services as set out in said Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto
and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A".
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 27th day of February, 2012.
ATTEST:
ice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
W. Kent cIlyar, City Attorney
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PARIS
AND SHELTER AGENCIES FOR FAMILIES IN EAST TEXAS, INC.
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF LAMAR §
This Professional Services Agreement, hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement," entered
into by and between the City of Paris, a hoine-rule municipality with its offices located at 135 First
Street S.E., in the City of Paris, Lamar County, Texas, hereinafter referred to as "CITY" and
Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas, Inc. (SAFE-T), whose offices are located at 204
Patrick Street, P.O. Box 2337, Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75456-2337, hereinafter referred to as
"SERVICE ORGANIZATION'".
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, SERVIGE ORGANIZATION possesses certain specialized expertise,
personnel, equipment, and training necessary to provide certain community-based specialized
services unique to said arganization and unavailable froin any other readily available source; and,
WHEREAS, CITY desires to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the
SERV ICE ORGANIZATION to provide such specialized services to City of Paris and its citizens;
and,
WHEREAS, the Service Organization will provide certain specialized services as
described herein and as further described in the Service Organization's mission statement to the
coinmunity that will benefit the City by: 1) providing specialized services for which the City has
liinited or no expertise; 2) providing specialized services in a more efficient manner and at a lower
cost; 3) providing specialized services under a recognized naine and as a recognized source in the
coinmunity for specialized expertise in the area of said specialized services; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that contracting with said SERVICE
ORGANIZATION will benefit the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Paris in
the furtherance of a public purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THESE PREMISES,
and the mutual consideration as set out herein, CITY and SERVICE ORGANIZATION agree as
follows:
1. Scope of Services
SERVICE ORGANIZATION agrees to provide the following services as set forth in more
detail in the Request for Funding documents attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A
to CITY and its citizens during the term of this agreement:
To provide certain assistance to the City of Paris with regard to homeless families
EXHIBIT k
and families who are in dire need of assistance, and who would otherwise be
without such assistance and would require or rely on assistance of public entities
and public resources, including the City of Paris.
II. Funding
For and in consideration of these services, CITY agrees to provide partial funding to the
SERVICE ORGANIZATION, in the form of a one-time payment, in the amount of $10,000.00 to
be paid to SERVICE ORGANIZATION within 30 days following an initial billing and invoice
from SERVICE ORGANIZATION to CITY for said services. Said invoice shall be in a form and
contain such information as CITY shall require. Upon receipt of the aforesaid one-time payment,
SERVICE ORGANIZATION shall be obligated to provide said services throughout the term of
this Agreement.
III. Reporting
No later than ninety (90) days prior to the tennination of this Agreement as provided
herein, SERVICE ORGAMZATION shall provide to CITY the following information in writing:
1. A financial statement, in such detail and containing such information as CITY shall
require;
2. A report of the number of citizens of the City of Paris served and directly benefitted by
the services provided under this Agreement during the previous nine (9) months of
services, or such other similar information as the CITY shall require;
3. A projected scope of services and cost projection for performance for the same or
similar services on behalf of CITY for an additional one year of service, should CITY
desire to renew this Agreement with SERVICE ORGANIZATION at the end of the
contractual term;
4. Any other inforniation which CITY may reasonably require.
IV. Agreement Term
This Agreement shall begin on October l, 2011 and end on September 30, 2012.
V. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto at any time upon ten (10) days
written notice of termination to the other party. Such notice may be delivered personally to the
address shown in this agreement or by forwarding said notice to the other party by certified mail,
return receipt requested and shall be effective ten (10) days following receipt thereof by the other
party. If the SERVICE ORGANIZATION terminates the Agreement prior to providing all the
services required herein, the SERVICE ORGANIZATION shall refund that portion of the funding
received ($10,000) on a pro rata basis.
VI. Release/Indemnification
By entering into this Agreement, the SERVICE ORGANIZATION expressly agrees to
defend, indemnify and hold the City of Paris, Texas and its officers, agents and employees
harmless from and against all damages, injuries (including death), claims, property damages
(including loss of use), losses, demands, penalties, suits, judgments and costs, including attarney's
fees and expenses, in any way arising out of, related to, or resulting from the SERVICE
ORGANIZATION's activities or services provided under this Agreement andlor caused by the
negligence, errors, omissions or intentional wrongful acts of the SERVICE ORGANIZATION or
the SERVICE ORGANIZATION"s owners, officers, employees or agents.
VII. Independent Contractor
SERVICE ORGANIZATION shall be considered for all purposes under this Agreement an
independent contractor, and not an employee, agent, or other representative of CITY. Nothing in
this Agreement shall change the SERVICE ORGANIZATION's independent contractor status or
create any kind of joint enterprise between the SERVICE ORGANIZATION and the CITY.
VIlI. Miscellaneous
This Agreement may be assigned by SERVICE ORGANIZATION only with the express
written consent of City Manager of the City of Paris, Texas.
SERVICE ORGANIZATION and CITY agree that the services provided under this
Agreement are to be performed in Lamar County, Texas, and venue for any and all legal actions
arising under this Agreenlent, if any, shall lie exclusively in the State Courts of Lamar County,
Texas and in the Federal Courts for the Eastei-n District of Texas.
This Agreement, and every provision hereof, shall be considered severable, and the
invalidity or partial invalidity of any section, clause, or provisions of this Agreement shall not
affect the validity of any other portion of this Agreeinent.
This Agreement shall be interpreted exclusively under the laws and ordinances of the State
of Texas and the City of Paris.
EXECUTED this 27th day of February, 2012.
ATTEST:
CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
Janice Ellis, City Clerk Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
W. Kent McIlyar City Attorney
SHELTER AGENCIES FOR FAMILIES
ATTEST: IN EAST TEXAS, INC.
Carol Gresham, Executive Directar
REQiEST FOR PUBLIC FCJNDING
Non-profit a;encies requesting fundin; from the Ciry of Paris for projects that benefit the citizens of Paris must complete
the followin; informadon to be eli;ible for consideration (~~ou may use additional pages, if necessary). Tn addition, please
submic with this form a copy of your agency's
most recent fmancial stacement or audit and a detailed budget for fhe
project. Agencies mosC also mal:e a brief presentadon on their project at a city council meeting.
Agency Name: 1=/~c
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ency Mailing Address:L V Q C")c .27
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Contact's Mailing AddXess: 1° ba ~A 33
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Contact's Phone Number: IV 7 o i
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Contact's Etnail Address: ~ if-ee +c)v, 4cL
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Name of Project:
adon/Service Area of Pz-oject:
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Describe how your project v;zII benefft the City of Paxis and its citizens: t,2.u-0'~04er i.L~1lI
ek- PCcht Qaf'~s U 1G~i ~r+C o,l Ah,dse Ifr~ S kP a l7 [-Wcc n a,m( L, v; cc :z -I-~,~
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Y.ist other sources of funding for this project an.d the atnounts: Ckn i-~c( Lt,s~ja„g~~; n1~~ 1 lJ) t~C1,
lY1 j'DIA✓rltt~i~~~) ~ I `o GOiI _
Is a detailed plroject budget, including columns and descriptions for allocations of city £unding and the agebcy's
matching funds, attached? CDYes ❑ No I&N-t l.-(Ea-vJ ht`{`I -tt
Is the agency's most recent financial statement or audit attached? RYes ❑ No
Have you received fundang frotn the City of Paris in the last f5ve years for this or any other project? Q'Yes ❑ No
If you have received previous city funding, Iist the name oY the project, the amount of the Cicty's award, and the
yearawarded• ~2016 u~o~~Esf;c V,`64,la 74c"<f L~/ao ,5~~ u"aq
City of Paris E-x Revised 6/l.0/OS
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Detailed description of project (including description of need, scope of work, methodology, who
benefits, number of beneficiaries, other project partners, etc.):
MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to create an environment where violence and abuse are not
tolerated in the communities we serve. Abuse diminishes the full expression of life which is every
person's right.
NEED: Paris Safe-T has seen over 500 clients this year. This is twice the number of the previous
year. These numbers indicate a definite need for the services we provide.
SCOPE: Our services are all inclusive. They are provided without regard to race, color, national
origin, sex, age, disability, income, political beliefs, HIV/AIDS, or religion as defined in Title 40 of the
Texas Administrative Code. There has been a noticeable increase in African American and Hispanic
clients during the past year, as well as male clients and the elderly.
METHODOLOGY: Outreach Services - Our Paris office provides a 24-hour a day crisis hotline, 24
hour rape and violence intervention, support, skills and therapy counseling, legal assistance and
accompaniment to court, housing assistance when funding is available, Silent Witness Candlelight Vigil,
community education and prevention programs available to the entire community, and a bilingual staff
member for Spanish/English translation. Residential Services - We refer to the Mt. Pleasant Safe
Haven Shelter, where the necessary services are provided.
WHO BENEFITS: Anyone benefits from our services who is, or has been, a victim of domestic
violence and/or sexual assault. The community benefits as efforts are made to help with the healing of
wounded individuals and restore them to productive life in society. As stated before, we served over
500 last year.
PROJECT PARTNERS: Safe-T is fortunate to be housed by the Paris Housing Authority in their
Community Building. We are able to serve these victims in our community it is with the active working
agreements with the local hospitals and law enforcement, as well as the support of numerous local
agencies and community resources. We also access assistance from state and national resources. In
addition, we operate a thrift store which generates funds to help with the services and needs of clients,
such as emergency hotel stays, shelter placement, transportation, and obtaining birth certificates.
Shelter Agencies For Families in East Texas, Inc.
To: The Citv of Paris:
This document will provide you some information regarding SAFE-T and it's achievements over the past
years. We realize that we are new to this area, although we have been providing domestic violence and
sexual assault senrices for the past 15 years.
Historv and Backaround:
SAFE-T was founded in 1995 in Titus County in order to provide shelter to abused women and children in
a four county area: Titus, Camp, Franklin and Morris. Funds were raised and grants awarded allowing
the opening of the first shelter in August 1996. Since that time, many new programs were added along
with increased Federal and State funding. SAFE-T currently has a domestic violence program along with
shelter for 30 persons, a Sexual Assault Program, Anger Management and Child Visitation Programs.
Services include crisis intervention, transportation, a 24 hour hotline, housing assistance, legal
assistance and advocacy, many groups for women, men and teens, community education programs in
local schools and for civic groups, counseling, and translation. What began as an emergency shelter is
now a multi program agency that hosts a variety of monthly trainings for many groups, including CPS
and law enforcement. This past February over 40 law enforcement officers and advocates attended the
training provided by Texas Association Against Sexual Assault at the Paris Junior College hosted by SAFE-
T.
Three years ago at the persuasion of a volunteer group from Lamar County, SAFE-T opened an outreach
office for victims of family violence in Paris, Texas. The opening of this office was done on a conditional
basis: that an office could be located that was rent-free and that it be manned by volunteers trained by
SAFE-T staff. This office was operated on a month-to-month basis, as the victim services to this county
and surrounding counties had been reduced and continuation of services was uncertain. SAFE-T Board
of Directors committed to temporarily assist victims as long as needed, but the outcome of making this
office permanent was dependent upon the completion of an investigation into the shelter providing
services in this region. This investigation now over will allow SAEF-T to open a domestic violence shelter
in Paris. Texas Department of Human Services which currently funds SAFE-T domestic Violence program
will consider awarding an additional $45,000 for a satellite shelter in Paris. HHSC requires 24/7 staffing,
along with many other requirements. It is estimated that operating a Paris shelter will cost
approximately $110,000 per year. This is based on the estimated expenses SAFE-T incurred for the
Mount Pleasant shelter services. The Child Advocacy Center has offered to donate property to SAFE-T to
build new offices/shelter complex. This offer is still under discussion and may be the stepping stone to
building a shelter in Paris. This will take much community support, financial and other.
SAFE-T staff and volunteers continue to transport clients from Paris to Mount Pleasant for services for
shelter services. Maintaining a volunteer office in Paris for over one year had it's obstacles. Volunteers
with all good intentions gradually stopped coming to the office which was opened daily Monday-Friday
10:00-4:00 p.m. There was illness and financial hardship. In spite of this, the office continued to be
manned by basically three volunteers. Each evening the local phone was transferred to the SAFE-T
hotline which is answered in Mount Pleasant by trained staff. SAFE-T had decided that the commitment
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Shelter Agencies For Families in East Texas, Inc.
of these volunteers, as well as the support from local referral agencies warranted a more permanent
position in the community, so last year SAFE-T opened a thrift store and moved it's temporary office into
the thrift store. The budget restrictions did not allow for hiring separate staff and maintaining a separate
office. The Thrift Store at 1579 Clarksville Street, Paris, allowed for the Outreach Office to be more
accessible to clients from the hours of 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday. The store moved in
2010 to 2246 Bonham and the office moved into an empty building located in the Paris Housing
Authority complex. Two years ago, in February, SAFE-T began The Sexual Assault Program in Paris. We
now have five staff members working from the Paris office providing housing assistance, crisis
intervention services, counseling and Prevention of Abuse education to the community.
Two years ago we received a grant award called the Homeless Prevention Re entry Program from the
Department of Housing and Community Affairs in the amount of $538,350. This grant provided for a
Case Manager in Lamar County as well as provided housing assistance for Lamar County residents for
rent, utilities and deposits. This program was a life changing program for victims of domestic violence.
Victims who were accepted into the program furthered their education, so that when the grant funds
end they will be in a better financial position. This grant ends September 1, 2011.
SAFE-T realizes that you are skeptical of trusting an agency that you know little about. I am a founding
board member and volunteered for two years as the Executive Director. I have spent the last 15 years of
my life bringing SAFE-T to life from an all volunteer agency to one that has two outreach offices (Hopkins
and Lamar Counties) and is financially sound. We average assistance to 1,600 victims each year and have
many success stories.
We have the knowledge to provide Lamar County with a shelter. It will take time to develop, possibly
years, as did the one in Titus County, but I have confidence that the Paris Community will make this
happen. I will only be an instrument in making this work for you. We do, however, need financial
support in these early years while relationships are being developed.
We need financial support to retain current staff that will lose their financial support from the housing
grant ending Sept 1rt.
Respectfully submitted;
Carol Gresham
Executive Director
Web site: www.safe-tagencv.com
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