03-B PEDC MinutesMINUTES OF THE PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION REGULAR MEETING
December 19, 2001
The Paris Economic Development Corporation met in regular session on
Wednesday, December 19, 2001, 4:00 P. M., at Heritage Hall, 1009 West
Kaufman Street, Paris, Texas. President Mike Rhodes called the meeting to
order with the following Directors present: Don Wall, Jay Guest and Curtis
Fendley. Also, present were ex-officio Board Members Bobby Walters, Mike
Graxiola, Executive Director Gary Vest, and City Manager Michael E. Malone.
City Attorney Larry Schenk and City Clerk Mattie Cunningham attended as
well.
President Rhodes called for approval of minutes from the previous meeting.
A motion was made by Director Wall seconded by Director Fendley for
approval of the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
President Rhodes asked Gene Anderson, Director of Finance, to give the
financial report for September and October.
Mr. Anderson presented the financial statements for September, October, and
November, along with a report pertaining to sales tax for those three months.
Mr. Anderson advised the Board that the city has received the sales tax
payment for the month of December, which has been included in the financial
statement. Mr. Anderson pointed out that the sales tax is up compared to last
year's sales tax. Mr. Anderson said that the payment that the city will be
receiving in February will represent the December sales and will be more
indicative of what we can expect the revenues to be for the year. Mr. Anderson
gave the cash flow reports for September and November. He said the PEDC
did not meet in October and no checks were written and that the November
report included two months of expenditures.
A motion was made by Director Guest, seconded by Director Fendley, for
approval of the financial report. The motion carried unanimously.
Gary Vest, Executive Director, reported that no advertisement was being
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December 19, 2001
Page 2
conducted at this time and therefore fewer inquiries were being made. He
advised that he had received eleven inquiries, two from the World Economic
Development Alliance, six from area development, and three from plant sites
and parks.
Mr. Vest stated that they were trying to generate interest in the Oliver Rubber
building. They have shown it twice in the last few weeks.
One prospect came to him from TXU, but they did not like the building. Mr.
Vest proposed the concept of building a suite for him at another location and
the prospect liked that idea. This prospect is looking at nine cities and trying
to decide which place would be best.
The second prospect was another industry from our region and the prospect did
not like the building.
Mr. Vest said they were still working with Jackson Products and trying to come
to an agreement. He said that Jackson Products had offered $325,000.00 for
the building and Oliver Rubber had come down to $375,000.00. Mr. Vest
stated that he would continue to work with them and monitor the negotiations.
Jackson Products owns Flex-O-Lite and this would be a perfect site where they
can truck products from Flex-O-Lite into Oliver Rubber and never have to put
it on a public roadway.
Mr. Vest reported that the land deal with Hydro Conduit wherein Paris
Industrial Foundation assisted the company in acquiring needed land from
Union Pacific Railroad had been closed.
Mr. Vest said should have attended a Texas Economic Development Retreat on
November 29th and 30th in Austin, but he did not go because of the situation
with Campbell Soup.
Mr. Vest said he had attended the East Texas Gulf Highway Association annual
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December 19, 2001
Page 3
meeting on November 12, 2001 in Pittsburg, Texas. He reported the formation
of a new organization called the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Council,
(NETMOB) and he and Director Wall have attended several meetings. The
purpose of NETMOB is to promote the expansion of Highway 24 South and the
development of I-30 as a NAFTA corridor. Mr. Vest told the Board that on
December 10, 2001, Congress released a bulletin releasing the Transportation
Funding Bill, and the allocation that Texas received was one billion, nine
hundred and fifty-eight million dollars, which increased our allotment one
hundred eighty-four million dollars. Mr. Vest pointed out that one of the
designated projects is the Highway 24 segment completion in the amount of
one million dollars. Mr. Vest stated that with the federal funds going to
Highway 24, hopefully the last sixteen miles can be completed in Delta County.
Mr. Vest reported that Eric had attended the Northeast Texas Economic
Roundtable in White Oak, Texas, on November 14, 200 L Mr. Vest said he and
Eric also attended a meeting with OSHA representatives at Paris Junior
College. He stated that OSHA wants to improves their image with the
industries that they regulate.
Mr. Vest informed the Board that Eric will be attending the Jewelry
Manufacturer's Show in New York sometime in March. The purpose is to
learn more about jewelry manufacturers so that the PEDC can court them to
work with Paris Junior College. Mr. Vest informed the Board that Paris Junior
College is cooperating with PEDC by paying for the booth.
President Rhodes asked where they were in the law suit with Miles/Brown vs.
the Paris Industrial Foundation. Mr. Vest advised that it is in the hands of Ed
Ellis. Mr. Vest said the last report he had from Mr. Ellis is that it is on an
appeal and it is to the Texas Supreme Court. He said this would be the last
time they could appeal, and we already have three rulings on it in our favor.
City Attorney Schenk explained the court of appeal process. City Attorney
Schenk discussed deadlines that must be met in filing a motion for appeal or
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December 19, 2001
Page 4
a request for review by the Supreme Court. He said if they accept it, then you
have to file a brief and whatever is necessary to bring that appeal. City
Attorney Schenk said he did not mind going with Mr. Vest to talk with Mr.
Ellis regarding this matter.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to allow Mr. Vest
and City Attorney Schenk to talk with Mr. Ellis and report back to the Board.
There being no further business, President Rhodes adjourned the meeting.
MICHAEL RHODES, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
MATTIE CUNNINGHAM, CITY CLERK