09/02/2014MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
September 2, 2014
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a workshop meeting at 5:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the Depot Community Room, 1125 Bonham Street, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Matt Frierson
Council Members: Aaron Jenkins; Billie Lancaster; Benny Plata;
Richard Grossnickle; Edwin Pickle; and A.J.
A.J. Hashmi
City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Janice Ellis, City
Clerk; Gene Anderson, Finance Director; Kent
Klinkerman; EMS Director; Jerry McDaniel, Public
Works Director; Larry Wright, Fire Chief; Doug
Harris, Utilities Director; Bob Hundley, Police
Chief; and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Frierson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. City Manager's proposed Budget for fiscal year 2014 -2015 and provide direction to staff.
City Manager John Godwin presented the City Council with the highlights of the 2014-
2015 budget, which included a flat tax rate of 50.195; an increase in water and sewer rates; a new
$.070 per month per customer fee to offset the cost of a new sanitation truck every two years;
one new employee in the parks department beginning April 1, 2015; an increase of $50 per
month per employee and retiree to help offset the increased cost of insurance; a new seniority
step in the police department that will result in twenty sworn personnel receiving increased pay
effective January 1, 2015; a new system in the fire department like the one in place for the police
department resulting in raises for 51 firefighters effective January 1, 2015; a change in the pay
system for full -time EMS staff to a 40 -hour work week, resulting in raises for all 21 full -time
EMT's and paramedics effective October 1, 2014; creation of an eight step for non -civil service
employees, resulting in raises for 34 employees in 2015, and approximately 40 more in 2016; a
reserve of $80,000 to be duplicated in 2015 -16 for a restroom building at the fairgrounds;
approximately $31,000 for wet -well rehabilitation; one new ambulance and one new
defibrillator; one new garbage truck; up to $30,00 to purchase land for a future EMS station in
northwest Paris; and one new fire engine with the first payment due October 1, 2015.
Council Member Plata said his problem with the budget was that only a few employees
were going to get pay increases and everyone should get raises. Council Member Hashmi
inquired about giving a raise across the board, because he said he did not want to discourage the
junior staff. Mr. Godwin explained if a raise was given across the board it would result in take
home pay of about $14.00 per pay period. Council Member Plata and Council Member Hashmi
discussed options with Mr. Godwin for employee raises. Mr. Godwin explained the eighth step
Council Workshop Meeting
September 2, 2014
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included all levels of employees, and he was trying to figure a way to reward loyal employees
who had stayed with the City after they had maxed out on the step pay plan. Council Member
Grossnickle said the largest turnover was in emergency services and a lot of money was invested
in their training. Mr. Godwin thanked the Council for discussing how to give employees a raise
and said that was a positive discussion. Council Member Plata said a fireman gets into that kind
of work because he likes it and not because of the salary. Mr. Godwin said Paris had become a
training ground for emergency service personnel and that was part of the reason his budget
included rewarding the ones that stayed in Paris. Council Member Plata agreed that EMS needed
to be changed. Council Member Pickle questioned the sick leave sell back. Mr. Godwin said it
reduces over -time and was less generous than the policy the City had years ago. Council
Member Hashmi said it was previously studied and debated and in the long run the calculations
proved true. Council Member Pickle said his pet peeve was overtime in police and fire and
wanted to make sure Mr. Godwin was staying on that. Council Member Plata wanted to know
why the police department was purchasing Suburbans instead of cars. Chief Hundley said they
were buying Tahoes, because there was a better re -sale and all of the required equipment would
hardly fit in the cars. He said the cost difference was about $1,200 - $1,500 per vehicle. Council
Member Hashmi inquired of Chief Wright if he was sure he wanted to purchase one fire engine
instead of two less expensive engines. Chief Wright said he was certain, because two would
wear out at the same time and he want to stagger. Mr. Godwin said he did not feel as
comfortable with a cheaper truck, because he did not think it would last twenty years. Council
Member Hashmi asked if all of the capital expenditures budgeted last year had been purchased.
Mr. Godwin said most of the equipment had been purchased, but that in water and sewer the
budgeted jet - rodder was not purchased. He explained that instead they replaced the excavator
that had broken down. Council Member Hashmi inquired if the water and sewer rate was
automatic if they pass the budget. Mr. Godwin said no, that an ordinance would have to be
approved by the Council but that the rate was included in the budget. He also said if they did not
approve the Ordinance, the City would have a shortfall. Council Member Lancaster confirmed
with Chief Hundley that there were funds in the budget for the spay and neuter clinics. City
Council discussed raises and how many employees would benefit from what was proposed in the
budget. Council Member Plata asked Mr. Godwin to bring to the next Council meeting options
for raises for all employees.
3. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pickle and was seconded by Council Member Plata. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
MATT FRIERSON, MAYOR
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ICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK