11/10/2014MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
November 10, 2014
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
November 10, 2014, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Matt Frierson
Council Members: Richard Grossnickle; Aaron Jenkins; Benny Plata;
Edwin Pickle; and A.J. Hashmi
City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Kent McIlyar, City
Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson,
Finance Director; Shawn Napier, City Engineer;
Jerry McDaniel, Public Works Director; Larry
Wright, Fire Chief, Bob Hundley, Police Chief,
Doug Harris, Utilities Director; Kent Klinkerman,
EMS Director; Alan Efrussy, Planning Director;
and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director
Absent: Council Member: Billie Lancaster
Opening Agenda
1. Call meeting to order.
Mayor Frierson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Invocation.
Pastor Bob Bush gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Jenkins led the pledge.
4. a. Citizens' Forum.
James Price, 1230 Shiloh — he said he was trying to save the City money with mowing
and cleaning lots, but that he had heard only from Council Members Hashmi, Jenkins and
Lancaster. He asked the mayor to call him.
b. Proclamation recognizing Lamar County United Way's dedication and service to the
community.
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November 10, 2014
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Mayor Frierson said this organization does a great job for the community and presented a
proclamation to Director April Carl. Mrs. Carl expressed appreciation to individual members of
the community and companies for donating to the campaign. She explained that the preliminary
campaign total donations were already $632,744. Mrs. Carl explained this money was placed
back into the community to help with community programs, such Meals on Wheels, child care,
and healthcare.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Frierson inquired of Council Members if they wished to pull any items from the
Consent Agenda for discussion. There being none, a Motion to approve the consent agenda was
made by Council Member Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 6
ayes — 0 nays.
5. Approve the minutes from the City Council meeting on October 27, 2014.
6. Receive reports and/or minutes from the following boards, commissions, and committees:
a. PEDC and Airport Advisory Board Subcommittee (7 -10 -2014)
b. Planning and Zoning Commission (9 -2 -2014 & 10 -6 -2014)
c. Paris Convention & Visitors Council /Chamber of Commerce (10 -30 -2014)
7. Approve the Final Plat of Lot 1, Block A, Kelley Addition CB 78, located at 623 North
Main Street.
8. Approve the Final Plat of Lot 1, Block A, Preston Acres, located in the 1200 Block of CR
12140.
9. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -033: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING EARLY COLLECTION OF
DELINQUENT AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES ON PERSONAL PROPERTY
FOR TAX YEAR 2014 AND SUBSEQUENT TAX YEARS; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
10. Approve RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -034: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE LAMAR COUNTY SHERIFF
OR CONSTABLE TO RE -SELL TAX FORECLOSED PROPERTIES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS PROPERTY TAX CODE SECTION 34.05; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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November 10, 2014
Page 3
Regular Agenda
11. Discuss, conduct a public hearing, and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2014 -023: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, SO AS TO REZONE LOT 20, CITY BLOCK 222 -B,
BEING LOCATED AT 130 N.E. 25TH STREET, IN THE CITY OF PARIS, LAMAR
COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM A ONE - FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT NO. 2 (SF -2)
TO A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (C); DIRECTING A CHANGE ACCORDINGLY IN
THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY; PROVIDING A REPEALER
CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Planning Director Alan Efrussy explained that applicant Greg Winn applied for a zoning
change and planned to open an auto glass business. He said the Commission unanimously
recommended approval of this zoning change.
Mayor Frierson opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in
support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor
Frierson closed the public hearing.
A Motion to approve the zoning change was made by Council Member Hashmi and
seconded by Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
12. Discuss, conduct a public hearing, and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2014 -024: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, SO AS TO REZONE LOT PART OF 7, CITY
BLOCK 318, BEING LOCATED IN THE 3100 BLOCK OF N.E. LOOP 286, IN THE
CITY OF PARIS, LAMAR COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM AN AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICT (A) TO A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (C); DIRECTING A CHANGE
ACCORDINGLY IN THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY; PROVIDING A
REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A
PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mr. Efrussy explained that applicant David Robinson applied for a zoning change and
planned to construct a restaurant. He said the Commission voted unanimously to recommend
approval of this zoning change request. Mr. Efrussy also several persons spoke at the public
hearing and expressed concern about standing water, drainage and ditch issues. City Engineer
Shawn Napier said the project engineer was aware of the concerns and that several of them
would be addressed through the platting process and others would require addressing longer -term
remedies. Council Member Grossnickle said you could not get in there to shred the back of the
property because of standing water, and it was a concern every time there was an addition on the
loop. Council Member Grossnickle said the larger issue need to be addressed allowing for
development. Council Member Hashmi inquired about FEMA and the maps, to which Mr.
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November 10, 2014
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Napier answered that an application had been made by the owner to FEMA to change the maps.
Mr. Napier also said the City could not write a permit until FEMA approves the changes. He
also said this item was only to change the zoning which would allow the owner to then submit
plans including a water retention plan and that the City would require the plans to follow State
Law.
Mayor Frierson opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in
support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. Monte Moore, 1415 Boardwalk, said
he was in support of development but this drainage issued needed to be dealt with first. David
Williams, MTG Engineers, said Mr. Robinson did improve the ditch on his property several
years ago and spoke in support of this zoning change, citing the restaurant would be built
according to City and State Law. Alex Kozzell spoke in support of the zoning change, but said
there first needed to be a comprehensive water plan including retention ponds. Anna Spencer
said when she walks down Center Street, there is flowing water and ditches are full and higher
than the streets. She said the water way was changed on Mr. Robinson's property, that the
ditches needed to be cleaned and the drainage pipes were too small for the amount of water
going through them. With no one else speaking, Mayor Frierson closed the public hearing.
Council Member Hashmi said he was for development but was concerned about not
having a plan and flooding of existing businesses. He said it was unfair to residents and the City
should clean the ditches. Council Member Pickle said this was the first step to start that process.
Mr. Godwin said these were two separate issues, one was zoning and the other was drainage and
suggested they not mix the two issues. He also said staff would come back to Council with a
plan and that would probably be in January.
A Motion to approve the zoning change was made by Council Member Pickle and
seconded by Mayor Frierson. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
13. Discuss and provide direction on employee salaries budgeted for 2014 -2015.
City Manager John Godwin explained funding for a portion of employees was budgeted,
and that new pay format included raises for full -time EMS staff effective the first pay period of
the new fiscal year. He said his budgeted proposal included creating a new step system for
firefighters like the one in place for the police officers, that it also included adding a new step for
police officers who had not been received raises in many years, and adding an eighth step for
non -civil service employees. Mr. Godwin said he would like to have given across -the board
raises and adjusted the entire pay system upwards, but there were not sufficient funds. He said
the management team discussed a number of scenarios as to how best to distribute the funds
available and as a group they came up with a plan. Mr. Godwin told the Council that the police
and fire chiefs cut funds out of their budgets to pay for employee raises in their departments.
Council Member Plata asked what would happen next year when they wanted to add items back
into their budget. Mr. Godwin said that any additions would have to be approved by him.
Council Member Plata said the list supplied to Council does not reflect that officers patrolling
will get raises. Mr. Godwin explained that a majority of employees got raises last year or this
year, but that the eighth step would be for those employees who had topped out of the pay plan.
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He gave an example of one maintenance service worker who had not had an increase in
seventeen years other than when the City got cost of living raises. Council Member Hashmi
confirmed with Mr. Godwin that the EMS employees did not lose income as a result of the pay
scale change. Council Member Hashmi wanted to know if any of these raises would reflect less
take home pay for employees and Mr. Godwin said it would not. Council Member Hashmi said
he would like something brought back to Council in the spring reflecting what the difference in
take home pay is for these employees.
A Motion to approve Mr. Godwin's proposal for employee salaries was made by Council
Member Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 5 ayes — 1 nay, with
Council Member Plata casting the dissenting vote.
14. Discuss and possibly act on changes for meeting dates in November and December.
Following a brief discussion, A Motion to cancel the seconded meeting dates in
November and December was made by Council Member Grossnickle and seconded by Council
Member Jenkins. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays.
15. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to
Resolution No. 2004 -081.
Mr. Godwin reminded everyone of the flag ceremony scheduled at 11:00 a.m. the
following day for Veterans Day.
16. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member
Pickle and was seconded by Council Member Grossnickle. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
MATT FRIERSON, MAYOR
NICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK