02 City Council (05/13/02)MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2002
The City Council of the City of Paris met in regular session, Monday, May 13,
2002, at 6:00 P. M., Paris Junior College, 2400 Clarksville Street, Room 1016,
Paris, Texas. Mayor Michael J. Pfiester called the meeting to order with the
following Council Members present: John F. Bell, Richard Manning, Joe E.
McCarthy, Willie J. Weekly, Sr., Francine Neeley and Benny Plata. Also
present were City Manager Michael E. Malone, City Attorney Larry W.
Schenk, and City Clerk Mattie Cunningham.
Invocation was given by Robbie Russell of the Christian Fellowship Church.
Mayor Pfiester announced that the City Council had been furnished copies of
minutes of the previous meetings and asked if there were any changes or
additions to the minutes. There being no change, the minutes were approved
as presented.
City Manager Malone reported that minutes from the Paris Public Library
Advisory Board had been furnished with no action being required.
City Manager Malone also reported that the minutes from the Paris Economic
Development Corporation had been furnished with no action being required.
City Manager Malone said that Mr. Gary Vest was scheduled to give the
quarterly report for the Paris Economic Development Corporation, but that Mr.
Vest advised that he would be late due to other obligations. The City Manager
requested that Agenda Item No.3B.1 be tabled until later in the meeting.
A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Manning, to table Agenda Item No. 3B.1. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
The minutes of the Paris Band Commission had been furnished with no action
being required.
City Manager Malone advised that Agenda Item No. 3D.1 is an ordinance that
revises the Code of Ordinances to place stop signs at various locations. He said
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May 13, 2002
Page 2
the Traffic Commission did not meet to consider these locations, but these stop
signs, for the most part, are in place under the authority of the Police Chief and
City Engineer and were recommended by Assistant Police Chief James Barnett
who provides staff support to the Traffic Commission.
ORDINANCE NO. 2002-026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF PARIS BE AMENDED BY REVISING THE TRAFFIC
CONTROL MAP ADOPTED IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF SECTION 31-65 OF
SAID CODE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $200.00;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE
SUBJECT; REPEALINGALL ORDINANCES ORPARTS OF ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE,
WAS PRESENTED.
A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Councilman
Weekly, for adoption of the ordinance. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Mayor Pfiester declared the public hearing open to receive citizen input
regarding an amendment to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris
repealing Article III of Chapter 7, Sections 7-46 through 7-53 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Paris, entitled "Hazardous Buildings"; adopting a
new Article III, Sections 7-46 through 17-53, entitled "Substandard and
Dangerous Buildings"; adopting Article IV of Chapter 7, Sections 7-81 through
7-89, entitled "Secured Building Permit"; and establishing a Building and
Standards Commission.
Mayor Pfiester called for anyone who wished to speak to come forward.
Mary Clark representing Keep Paris Beautiful and the new Paris Living - A
Community Development Corporation, came forward stating she was present
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May 13, 2002
Page 3
as a follow-up to her last appearance asking for budgetary increases for the
removal of dilapidated houses and code enforcement. She noted that a lot of
those funds have not been used because the City has not had an updated
ordinance. Ms. Clark said these organizations put an enormous amount of
volunteers hours into their efforts to revitalize the interior of Paris. They felt
that the city is their partner in their efforts. One thing the city brings to the
table is the writing of strong ordinances and their enforcement. The proposed
ordinance is a strong ordinance and it will do a lot to clean up some of the
burned and dilapidated structures. Mrs. Clark encouraged the City Council to
appoint strong persons for the new Building and Standards Commission. She
pointed out that it is not easy for citizens to enforce codes.
Ms. Clark again urged the City Council to support this ordinance through the
budgetary process that will be coming up shortly. Ms. Clark said they were
asking that the City Council adopt the ordinance, appoint the best
commissioners that they can, and increase the budget to carry out this
ordinance.
No one else appeared and the public hearing was declared closed.
City Attorney Schenk advised the City Council that there are a few additions
to the ordinance that he has made and pointed out Page 6, Paragraph 7 of the
ordinance and read that portion as follows: "In its deliberation and selection of
the remedies to apply to a building or structure found not to comply with the
requirements of this article, the commission shall consider evidence presented
by the owner, lienholder, mortgagee, or other interested party of the historical
importance, significance, or character of the building or structure." City
Attorney Schenk explained that if you have a building that is found to be
structurally unsound, but it may be of historical importance, the commission
should consider evidence from the owner or the structure as well as the Main
Street Board or anyone else as to the nature of that historical significance.
When the commission issues an order as to what to do with the building, they
will also take that information into account when they issue the order. City
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May 13, 2002
Page 4
Attorney Schenk thought that these changes would go along way towards
helping address the concerns as to how to handle a building that has historical
importance.
Councilman McCarthy wanted to know if a building with historical
significance could stay regardless of its condition.
City Attorney Schenk advised that if a complaint is made and the building is
identified as vacant and perhaps substandard, and if the city staff gets a warrant
to look at the building to see if it is a health and safety hazard, they will prepare
a case and present that to the commission. The commission will then consider
the evidence that they hear from the owner or whoever else is called to appear
at the public hearings along with the owner, mortgagee, or other interested
parties and testimony as to what they intend to do to bring the building up to
standard. City Attorney Schenk said if the commission finds that the building
is a health and safety risk and is substandard, at that point before they issue an
order to do something about the building, they can hear evidence of fact that
this is typically a building of historical significance. The commission may
allow more time for repair of the building.
Councilman Plata wanted to know if the commission would be appointed by
the City Council. City Attorney Schenk advised that all of the members would
be appointed by the City Council just like all other boards.
Councilman Bell said he would like for the Code Inspectors to check the
structure first. City Attorney Schenk pointed out the problem with that is you
engage yourself in an argument about who is right and if the problem is
authentic. Councilman Bell said the property owner should know about the
problem before he gets slapped with a citation. The City Attorney said that
what would happen once the Code Inspector looks at the building and finds, in
their opinion, that the structure is substandard they will write up a report and
prepare a case file. He said the ordinance requires notices to the property
owner, the mortgage company, and the lien holder before the property can be
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May 13, 2002
Page 5
given to the Building and Standards Commission. Councilman Bell said
someone is going to have to go to the Courthouse and look up the deed and
deed of trust. The City Attorney stated that is what state law says we have to
do, and if you do not notify them, the city has wasted staff time. If this is not
done in conformance with the ordinance, then the work will not count.
Mayor Pfiester asked Police Chief Karl Louis how much and what types of
illegal activity happens in vacant houses.
Chief Louis came forward telling the City Council that there is a significant
amount of illegal activities occurring in vacant houses, but it depends where the
house is located and whether it is a high crime rate area. He said they do work
crack and dope houses, and they do have a considerable amount of activity in
vacant structures.
Councilwoman Neeley questioned the process that the police and the Code
Inspectors will use in dealing with these types of activities. City Attorney
Schenk said the Code Inspector will fill out a case file and they will go and look
at the property from the right-of-way, which is what they have to do now with
weeds, junk, and litter. If the property appears to be dilapidated and the code
inspector feels that there is sufficient evidence to show it is a risk and if there
has been a complaint from a neighbor, they will fill out an affidavit, assuming
that this ordinance is approved, and they will seek an administrative warrant
from the Municipal Court Judge. The Judge will look at that information and
if he finds that there is sufficient evidence to justify going on to the premises
of the property, he will issue the administrative search warrant. The Code
Inspector will then go on to the premises and inspect the interior of building.
City Attorney Schenk said if there are other serious code violations, the Code
Inspector will document those problems, tag the building as being dangerous,
and complete the file. He said the Code Inspectors will issue the necessary
notices after researching the ownership. The Code Inspectors will bring that
information before the Building and Standards Commission. City Attorney
Schenk read the section regarding Notice - Dangerous Building of the proposed
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May 13, 2002
Page 6
ordinance.
Councilman McCarthy wanted to know how long it would take to eliminate
the eyesore on 7th NW and Henderson. The City Attorney estimated it would
take at least sixty days after the effective date of the ordinance and the
appointment of the members to the Commission.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman McCarthy to table
action on this item and have another meeting and public hearing. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Plata. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Councilman John Bell asked that the agenda for the next meeting and the
ordinance be on paper and not on electronic disk.
A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Councilwoman
Neeley to bring Agenda Item No. 3B.1, Gary Vest, Director of Economic
Development/Chamber of Commerce CEO, presenting the Paris Economic
Development Corporation quarterly report, from the table. The motion carried
7 ayes, 0 nays.
Gary Vest, Director of the Economic Development/Chamber of Commerce
CEO, came forward presenting the City Council with a notebook containing a
new flyer on the K-Mart Building as well as other information. He advised that
they are mailing out about five thousand of those under their ad campaign. Mr.
Vest called the Council's attention to the brochure for the jewelry industry
which had been mailed to every jewelry manufacturer in the United States. He
also reported that they had attended a show in New York from March 8 to the
12th where all of the jewelry manufacturers were represented.
Mr. Vest told the City Council that their ad campaign has generated eighteen
leads and they have had four leads from the Texas Department of Economic
Development and have developed two leads from the Jewelry Trade Show.
Mr. Vest reported that PEDC made an incentive payment to Turner
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May 13, 2002
Page 7
International Piping. In accordance with the initial incentive package, Turner
has employed a certain number of people for the past four years. They have
also added 30,00 square feet to their plant and installed two pipe bending
machines; this represents a three and one-half million dollar expenditure.
Mr. Vest said they had a meeting in February with Oncor's Economic
Development Department. They brought all of the cities in the northeast Texas
area together to talk about ways that they might coop with Oncor in the
market. He felt that this was a very fruitful meeting.
Mr. Vest attended a meeting in February in San Diego, California, for the
Market Texas Program. He met with bio-tech companies. There was only one
company that was fairly interested in doing something in Texas, but they were
looking for opportunities to expand with other bio-tech companies.
Mr. Vest said the Mayor and City Manager attended the Northeast Texas
Regional Mobility Council with him on Apri124 through 26, 2002. He said
that some of the groups that they work with on a regular basis is the Northeast
Texas Round Table, and Texas Economic Development Council which is a
state-wide association.
Mr. Vest passed around the Greater Dallas Industrial Guide so the members of
City Council could look at the PEDC advertisement that was in the Guide.
Mr. Vest reported that on February 5, 2002, he had testified about sales tax
before the Texas Economic Development Corporation. He testified on the
same topic before the House Ways and Means Committee on Apri124, 2002.
Mr. Vest reported that PEDC is still trying to develop the 140 acre Northwest
Industrial Park which belongs to the Paris Industrial Foundation. Mr. Vest said
they had to go all the way to the Texas Supreme Court to receive a ruling in
favor of the Paris Industrial Foundation that they did have proper title to the
property. They now hope to develop this property. Mr. Vest advised that they
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May 13, 2002
Page 8
were waiting on a survey that Jim Nelson is working on. As soon as the survey
is received, they will be going out for bids for an architectural firm to help with
the design of the industrial park; and when this is completed, they will start
clearing the land.
Mr. Vest said that he had a meeting with Bill Ratliff on April 15, 2002, to talk
about economic development issues regarding how sale tax is being used. Mr.
Vest said that the PEDC has followed the letter of the law, but he is finding out
that a lot of cities have not followed the law and it is really getting out of hand.
This has the attention of the legislators and a number of them will be pursuing
action adverse to economic development, such as the abolition of the economic
development sales tax or stricter regulation of how it is expended.
Mr. Vest also discussed the possible sale of the Oliver Rubber Plant with the
City Council along with the status of the old Superior Switchboard Building.
ORDINANCE NO. 2002-027
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS BY ADOPTING THERETO
SECTION 18-24, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATIVE SEARCH WARRANTS";
GRANTING THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS, AUTHORITY TO ISSUE SUCH WARRANTS; ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURES FORAPPLICATION FOR OBTAINING SAIDWARRANTS;
DESIGNATING CITY OFFICIALS WHO MAY APPLY FOR SAID
WARRANTS; SETTING STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS;
PROVIDING PROCEDURES FOR EXECUTING WARRANTS; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS
CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE,
WAS PRESENTED.
City Council Minutes
May 13, 2002
Page 9
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman
Weekly, for adoption of the ordinance. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
ORDINANCE NO. 2002-028
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS TO REFERENCE CODE
INSPECTORS THEREIN; AMENDING CHAPTER 19 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS TO REFERENCE CODE
INSPECTORS THEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF ALL
OTHER ORDINANCES IN THE CITY OF PARIS TO REFERENCE CODE
INSPECTORS THEREIN; PROVIDING A REPEALER; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE, WAS PRESENTED.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Neeley, seconded by Councilman Bell,
for adoption of the ordinance. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-073, resolving by the City Council of the City of Paris,
Paris, Texas, expressing official intent to reimburse costs of city acquisition
and improvements for the UARCO Building which will be converted to a Law
Enforcement Center for Police, Court and Jail, was presented. A motion was
made by Councilman Weekly, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, for
approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-074, resolving by the City Council of the City of Paris,
Paris, Texas, approving and authorizing the execution of an earnest money
contract for the purchase (UARCO Building) of a site for a new Law
Enforcement Center for Police, Court, and Jail, was presented. A motion was
made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for
approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
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May 13, 2002
Page 10
Resolution No. 2002-075, approving and authorizing execution of an
agreement with Brinkley-Sargent Architects to provide architectural services
for conversion of the UARCO Building to a new Police, Court, and Jail
Facility, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy,
seconded by Councilman Weekly, for approval of the resolution. The motion
carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Mayor Pfiester announced that the City Council would take a short break at
7:30 P. M.
Mayor Pfiester reconvened the meeting at 7:40 P. M.
Resolution No. 2002-076, approving the form of the Federal Equitable Sharing
Agreement by and among the Federal Government, the City of Paris, and the
Regional Controlled Substance Apprehension Program, and authorizing the
City Manager and the Police Chief to execute, on behalf of the City of Paris, a
Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement, was presented. A motion was made by
Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Weekly, for approval ofthe
resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-077, authorizing the execution of the Grantee
Supplemental Acceptance Notice for acceptance ofthe Texas Narcotics Control
Program Grant entitled "Regional Controlled Substance Apprehension
Program (Task Force)," No. DB-01-A 10-13 854-03, for the period beginning
June l, 2002, and ending May 31, 2003, in the total supplemental award of
$8,351.00, requiring the City of Paris and other Task Force participants to
provide $2,122.000 in the form of cash, for a total grant amount of
$394,832.00, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman Bell,
seconded by Councilwoman Neeley, for approval ofthe resolution. The motion
carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-078, approving the filing of an application to the Texas
Automobile Theft Prevention Authority for an Automobile Theft Prevention
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May 13, 2002
Page 11
Grant entitled "Northeast Texas Automobile Theft Task Force" proj ect
beginning September l, 2002, and ending August 31, 2003, in the amount of
$102,826.00, being approximately 68% ofthe estimated cost ofthe Automobile
Theft Prevention Program, with $29, 866.00 to be provided by the City of Paris
in the form of cash and $19,700.00 in the form of in-kind services, was
presented. A motion was made by Councilwoman Neeley, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Manning. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-079, approving an application be made to the
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board for a Telecommunications
Infrastructure Fund (TIF) Grant in the amount of $225,000.00, being
approximately 90% of the estimated cost of the Paris Community Access
Project, with the City of Paris providing $25,000.00 in matching Funds, was
presented. A motion was made by Councilman Weekly, seconded by
Councilman Bell, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0
nays.
Resolution No. 2002-080, accepting the Response to Request for Proposal of
RLM. Enterprises, Inc., for administrative/management consulting services for
the Booker T. Washington Community Center Proj ect, including administrative
fees, in the amount of $20,000.00, funded under the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs' Community Development Block Grant,
Contract No. 721596, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman
Bell, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, for approval of the resolution. The
motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-081, accepting the proposal of Freese and Nichols, Inc.,
Professional Engineers, for the performance of a study of the production
capabilities of the City's Water Treatment Plant, and authorizing and directing
the City Manager to negotiate and execute, on behalf of the City of Paris, a
professional engineering services contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc., was
presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by
Councilman Weekly, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7
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May 13, 2002
Page 12
ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-082, resolving that the bid of L. C. Brown Construction
for the "Pro Rata Sanitary Sewer Extension for the Cope Addition along
Meadowlark, Mockingbird, Cope, Pine Mill Road, Thomas Drive, Welch Circle
and 46th Street NE" in the amount of $497, 870.06 be accepted, and authorizing
the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Paris the contract with L. C.
Brown Construction upon the terms and conditions, was presented. A motion
was made by Councilwoman Neeley, seconded by Councilman McCarthy, for
approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-083, authorizing the procurement of right-of-way for the
Wade Park, Lamar Avenue, and 24th Street SE Drainage Improvement Project,
and authorizing the City Attorney to proceed to condemn the aforesaid property
to be used for said project, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman
Bell, seconded by Councilman Weekly, for approval of the resolution. The
motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-084, accepting the proposal of MHS Planning & Design
for consulting services in connection with the construction of the Paris Sports
Complex and authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Paris,
a contract with MHS Planning & Design, under the terms and conditions and
in the form approved by the City Manager and City Attorney, was presented.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Neeley, seconded by Councilman Bell,
for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-085, approving the form of an Interlocal Governmental
Agreement for Community Policing Drug Elimination Services between the
City of Paris and the Housing Authority of the City of Paris, and authorizing
the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City of Paris said agreement with
the Housing Authority of the City of Paris for the City to be recompensed for
the provision of security services by and through the Paris Police Department,
was presented. A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by
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May 13, 2002
Page 13
Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried
7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-086, authorizing intervention in Gas Utilities Docket
9292 at the Railroad Commission; authorizing participation in a Steering
Committee with other cities served by TXU and requiring reimbursement from
TXU Lone Star Pipeline of Cities' reasonable rate case expenses, was
presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by
Councilman Weekly, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes,
0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-087, awarding the bid of Bonham Chrysler for the
purchase oftwo (2) 2002 Year Model Six Cylinder (V6) Extended Cab Pickups
for use by the Regional Controlled Substance Apprehension Program in the
total amount of $32,637.38, was presented. A motion was made by
Councilwoman Neeley for approval of the resolution. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Plata and carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-088, resolving that the exercise of option by Allen Phillips
is hereby granted for period of one year beginning April 15, 2002, and ending
April 14, 2003, for property located at 1231 N. Main Street, was presented. A
motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Plata,
for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-089, approving the form of the Auctioneer Service
Agreement with Monte Moore Auctioneers, and declaring certain personal
property surplus, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman
McCarthy, seconded by Councilman Bell, for approval of the resolution. The
motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-090, referring a petition to the Planning and Zoning
Commission requesting the abandonment of a fifteen (15) foot alley in Block
4, of the S. J. Wright Addition between Bonham Street (U.S. Hwy 82) and
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May 13, 2002
Page 14
Kaufman Street beginning at the west boundary line of 18th Street S. W., west
to the east boundary line of 19th Street SW; setting a public hearing, was
presented. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by
Councilman Weekly, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes,
0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-091, expressing the support of the City Council for the
efforts of the Paris Rodeo and Horse Club to fund and accomplish
improvements to the existing Fairgrounds Rodeo Facilities to convert such
facilities to an all-weather complex, was presented.
Gill Flautt, President of the Paris Rodeo & Horse Club came forward stating
that the club wishes to cover the existing rodeo arena, making an open air all-
weather use complex. Mr. Flautt said that in order to do this, they are going to
have to apply for a grant and they need support from the City of Paris. He said
they already have support from the Red River Valley Fair Association and the
Lamar County Commissioners Court. Mr. Flautt requested support from the
City of Paris.
After discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Weekly, seconded by
Councilman Plata, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes,
0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-092, appointing Joyce Kennemer to serve the unexpired
term of Fran Neeley, which ends June 30, 2003, as a member of the Library
Advisory Board of the City of Paris, was presented. A motion was made by
Councilwoman Neeley, seconded by Councilman Bell for approval of the
resolution. He motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-093, appointing Linda Ryan to serve the unexpired term
of Robyn Zimmerman, which ends March 31, 2004, as a member of the Main
Street Advisory Board, was presented. A motion was made by Councilman
Bell, seconded by Councilman Weekly, for approval of the resolution. The
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May 13, 2002
Page 15
motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-094, reappointing Michael J. Pfiester, Joe E. McCarthy,
and Richard Manning to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the
Ark-Tex Council of Governments for terms of one (1) year, beginning June 1,
2002, and ending May 31, 2003, or for as long as they are members of the City
Council, or until their successors are duly appointed, was presented. A motion
was made by Councilman Plata, seconded by Councilman Bell, for adoption of
the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Mayor Pfiester announced that the next item on the agenda, accepting a deed
of donation of property from Era Mae Franklin located at 1728 Maple Avenue
had been tabled and a motion to bring this item from the table was in order.
A motion was made by Councilman Bell, seconded by Councilman Plata, to
bring the above item from the table. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-095, accepting the donation of Era Mae Franklin of Lot
20, City Block 197, located at 1728 Maple Avenue, Paris, Texas, by General
Warranty Deed in such form as is acceptable to the City Attorney, was
presented.
A motion was made by Councilman McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 2002-096, approving and authorizing a surface use agreement
by and among the Texas Military Facilities Commission, the Sports Car Club
of America, Lamar County, the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, and the
City of Paris regarding the use of Camp Maxey for a road rally conducted by
the Sports Car Club of America; conditioning said approval on the city being
named as a coinsured on the Sports Car Club's insurance policy, was presented.
A motion was made by Councilman Plata, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
City Council Minutes
May 13, 2002
Page 16
Resolution No. 2002-097, accepting the Regional Controlled Substance
Apprehensive Program Grant entitled "Regional Controlled Substance
Apprehension Program (Task Force)," No DB-02-A 10-13 854-04, for the period
beginning January 1, 2002, and ending May 31, 2003, in the total amount of
$388,470.00, requiring the City of Paris to provide $21,582.00 in the form of
cash, was presented. A motion was made by Councilwoman Neeley, seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, for approval of the resolution. The motion carried
7 ayes, 0 nays.
City Manager Malone advised the City Council that he has asked Kent
Klinkerman, EMS Administrator, to give a six month status report of the
operation of the ambulance system.
Kent Klinkerman, EMS Administrator, came forward presenting the six month
status report for the Emergency Medical Service. Mr. Klinkerman said he was
going to compare numbers between the last fiscal year and this fiscal year for
the first six months. He said the call volume for the current fiscal year was
3,817 calls verses 3,345 calls. There was an increase of 472 in calls, or a
14.1 % increase. Mr. Klinkerman said the charges and debits were
$1,335,206.50 compared to $1,017,670.50 for lastyear, which is a$317,546.00
increase due to the call volume increase as well as the charges that were
increased per call. He said this represents a 31.2% increase and call volume
averaged 20.8 calls per day with a peak day of 41 calls. Mr. Klinkerman said
on cash credits the current fiscal year to date is $783,567.67 and the revenue
projected for the fiscal year for six months was $662,500.00, which means they
exceeded that number by $121,067.67 with a 18.3 % increase over the proj ected
revenues. Mr. Klinkerman advised that this is significant when you are looking
at the expense side of it. They try to cover the expenses that go over their
projected amounts. Mr. Klinkerman said during the same time frame, they
were 5.4% above the projections in Maintenance and Operations. This is
primarily due to increased personnel cost associated with injuries and illness,
workers' compensation and overtime. The net effect ends up being $87,501.00
exceeding their projected expenses and taking that from the revenue, they had
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May 13, 2002
Page 17
a net effect in this time period of a reduction of the anticipated shortfall in the
amount of $33,566.67. Mr. Klinkerman said the shortfall for the year is
anticipated to be approximately $450,000.00, and the total shortfall is
anticipated to be $800,000.00.
Mr. Klinkerman said the new fee schedule with Medicare went into effect April
l, 2002, which is going to make the shortfall worse because the fee schedule
anticipated less revenues because they are lowering reimbursements nation-
wide. Mr. Klinkerman told the City Council that this is why the city is being
so cautious about everything. He said you can not predict accurately the call
volume, what type of insurance a person might have or if they have insurance,
or what Medicare is going to do as far as the fee schedule.
Mr. Klinkerman told the City Council that ambulance services in the
surrounding areas are closing their operations and gave an example of Grayson
County, who had LifeTech Ambulance Service. He said that what Grayson
County did was to contract with Bell-Savoy to provide two of their ambulances
until they try to decide what to do. They also contracted to place an ambulance
in Van Alstyne and Whitesboro at a cost of $44,000.00 a month, while they
work this out. If you add that over a year, it is over one-half million dollars
that county is paying. Mr. Klinkerman said that Sherman is doing emergency
and their own transfers now. He said Fannin County is the same way. Their
EMS Service is going to be out by September l, 2002, but they are giving them
until September 30, 2002. Mr. Klinkerman said the City of Paris had talked
about this several years ago and in his packet there are numerous examples of
this happening all over Texas.
Mr. Klinkerman said that one of the reasons he wanted to present this
information to the City Council was that he would like to offer the opportunity
to present the same information on the EMS operation to the Commissioners'
Court so they can be better informed about where they stand on the financial
and operational basis.
City Council Minutes
May 13, 2002
Page 18
Mayor Pfiester called for direction to staff regarding a presentation before the
Lamar County Commissioners Court concerning the status of the ambulance
service.
After discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded
by Councilman McCarthy, to allow city staff to make the same presentation to
the Lamar County Commissioner's Court regarding the status of the EMS
Services for the first six months of this fiscal year. The motion carried 7 ayes,
0 nays.
City Attorney Schenk presented petitions for rezoning as follows: Leann
Sartor, Lot 21, City Block 249, from General Retail District to General Retail
District with Specific Use Permit No. (3) Auto Laundry; Earl Posey, Lots 2&
3, City Block 300, from a One-Family Dwelling No. 2 to a Two-Family
Dwelling District.
Mayor Pfiester referred the petitions to the Planning and Zoning Commission
for their study and recommendation at their meeting scheduled for June 3,
2002, and before the City Council on June 6, 2002.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Councilwoman Neeley,
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, to adjourn the meeting. The motion
carried 7 ayes, 0 nays.
MICHAEL J. PFIESTER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
MATTIE CUNNINGHAM, CITY CLERK