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05/18/2015MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS May 18, 2015 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Matt Frierson Council Members: Aaron Jenkins; Billie Lancaster; Benny Plata; Richard Grossnickle; Edwin Pickle; and A.J. Hashmi City Staff: Gene Anderson, Finance Director; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Larry Wright, Fire Chief; Bob Hundley, Police Chief, Director; Doug Harris, Utilities Director; and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director 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 Grossnickle led the pledge. 4. Citizens' Forum. Reverend James Price, 1230 Shiloh — he readdressed the City Council in reference to Section 16 of the City Charter. He said citizens would like to see that section changed to allow the citizens to elect the mayor. He said concerned citizens were prepared to put together a Charter Review Committee. He also said he would like for the City Council to tour West Paris in relation to the Keep Paris Beautiful Program and point out the differences between West Paris, South Paris, North Paris, and East Paris. Reverend Price said he was willing to charter a bus for the Council to take a tour. Elizabeth Hollier, Texas State News, 119 FM 1335, Cooper, Texas — she said a question of eligibility of Council Member Hashmi had come up because he had a homestead exemption on property in Dallas. She said the homestead exemption address on a drivers' license must Regular Council Meeting May 18, 2015 Page 2 correspond to the address of the homestead exemption. Ms. Hollier said under homestead exemption, you must occupy the homestead as a principal residence. Ms. Hollier said they would like for the Council to find out if Dr. Hashmi has been residing in Dallas under the exemption laws as long as he has been on the Council. A.J. Hashmi, 4510 FM 195 — he said he had received a letter from local resident, Mr. Fred Fan o, and read the letter citing these were Mr. Fanjo's views as follows: "Our City Council has gone far off track with several of its decisions lately and I feel it is necessary to say something. I wonder what the motivation is behind some of the decisions and why the Council feels the need for such injustice. It seems that some people are swaying the Council to un- seemingly things. You all should be ashamed to take someone's property by legal means for a walking track for a town that cannot get serious about sidewalks. It is a great injustice for people who need to walk to school or to do grocery store shopping. These same people must walk down city streets which are dangerous. My wife and I would both walk to the store if there were sidewalks on Pine Mill Road. My father will not walk to the Subway on Bonham Street for the same reason. If the public really wants to walk, they can use the sidewalks. It would probably be easier to get easements. Also, I have seen what is going on at Lake Crook and I for one want to keep the park and make improvements there. I do use it from time -to -time. The fiasco with the recycling company is another example. Most of the houses in Morningside Addition were built behind a feed mill and some industries. There was also a can collection across 82 that no one complained about. It seems that our City needs to mind their own business and not prosecute the good citizens that support them. Our City needs to read its' Charter and live up to what is in it. I may read it again myself. If this continues I may have to change my vote." Carol Hufnagel, 720 Bunker — she said she when she prepared what she was going to read she had hoped as many employees as had been at meetings in the past would have been at this meeting. Ms. Hufnagel said the questions she had were for the employees, because they were paid with taxpayer monies. Ms. Hufnagel read a quote from Benjamin Franklin and then said the following questions were to ponder: Are you putting in a honest day's work for the wages you are paid; have you been faithful and exact in the discharge of your duties, have you allowed yourself to be influenced in the administration of justice or official duties by promises or threats, have you been a good steward of taxpayer money, have you been influenced by friends for personal gain, have you instigated discontent or strife, have you applied your official power for revenge, have you been guilty of misuse of public funds, have you been idle or lazy in performing the duties your job requires; and have you betrayed the public interest through fear of others opinions? Ms. Hufnagel said some of the employees she wanted to direct these questions to were not in attendance. 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, 7 ayes — 0 nays. Regular Council Meeting May 18, 2015 Page 3 5. Approve the minutes from the City Council meeting on May 11, 2015. Regular Agenda 6. Discuss and act on RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -024: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, CANVASSING THE RETURNS FOR THE MAY 9, 2015, GENERAL ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICTS 4, 5, AND 7; DECLARING THE WINNERS IN SAID ELECTION; DECLARING THE TERMS OF OFFICE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor Frierson reported that on May 10 the residents in Districts 4, 5, and 7 voted for Council Members in their districts. He said Steve Clifford received the majority of the votes cast in District 4; Matt Frierson received the majority of votes cast in District 5; and A.J. Hashmi received the majority of votes case in District 7. A Motion to approve the Resolution canvassing the returns was made by Council Member Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Lancaster. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 7. Recognition of outgoing Council Members for their service. Mayor Frierson recognized Council Member Grossnickle for his service to the City of Paris and presented him with a plaque. 8. Issuance of Certificate of Election; Administer Statement of Elected Officer to Council Members; and Administer Oath of Office to newly elected Council Members. City Clerk Janice Ellis administered the oaths of office to Dr. Steve Clifford, Matt Frierson, and Dr. A.J. Hashmi. 9. Election by City Council of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to serve the City of Paris for the next year. Mayor Frierson opened the floor for nominations for Mayor. Council Member Jenkins nominated Council Member Hashmi to serve as Mayor for the next year. There being no other nominations, Mayor Frierson closed the floor for nominations. Mayor Frierson asked for a second on the nomination of Council Member Hashmi and Council Member Lancaster seconded the nomination, Motion carried, 4 ayes — 3 nays, with Mayor Frierson, Council Member Plata and Council Member Pickle casting the dissenting votes. Council Member Hashmi was elected to serve as Mayor. Mayor Hashmi opened the floor for nominations for Mayor Pro -Tem. Council Member Clifford nominated Council Member Lancaster to serve as Mayor Pro -Tem for the next year. There being no other nominations, Mayor Hashmi closed the floor for nominations. Mayor Regular Council Meeting May 18, 2015 Page 4 Hashmi seconded the nomination. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. Council Member Lancaster was elected to serve as Mayor Pro -Tem. 10. Receive presentation from NewGen Strategies & Solutions, LLC regarding the 2015 Water and Wastewater Cost of Service Study. Finance Director Gene Anderson explained that an independent water and wastewater cost of service study was required pursuant to treated water purchase contracts with industries. Mr. Anderson said it was recommended that the City keep rates at current levels and then introduced Mr. Chris Ekrut, Director for NewGen Strategies & Solutions, LLC. Following a brief presentation, Mayor Hashmi inquired if the rates could be reduced. Mr. Ekrut said no, because the City would not be able to maintain their rate maintenance policy. 11. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property. Mayor Hashmi convened City Council into executive session at 5:56 p.m. 12. Reconvene into Open Session and possibly take action on those matters discussed in Executive Session. Mayor Hashmi reconvened City Council into open session at 6:16 p.m., at which time he informed the citizens the item discussed was the counter offer on the trail property in West Paris. A Motion to authorize Council Member Pickle to participate in the negotiations, along with the City Attorney to continue acquisition of this property was made by Council Member Frierson and seconded by Mayor Hashmi. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 13. Adjournment. Prior to adjourning, Mayor Hashmi said he had three items for the next agenda and gave the agenda request item forms to the City Clerk. 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 6:18 p.m. 9NICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK