02/16/2016 MINUTESPARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
MONTHLY MEETING
Tuesday February 16, 2016
AMENDED MINUTES
Board Members
Present: Richard Manning, Chair
John Brockman, Vice -Chair
Don Wilson, Secretary- Treasurer
Ray Banks
Ex- Officio Members
Present: None
Legal
Counsel: Stephanie Harris
City Council
Liaison: None
Call to Order:
Staff
Present: Michael Paris
Executive Director
Angie Corbell
Office Manager
Paula Brownfield
Administrative Assistant
Guest(s)
Present: Deanna Manning
Kathleen Morrow, Pans
News
Billy Trenado
Richard Manning called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. A confirmed quorum was present.
Citizens Input
None
Discuss and possibly approve minutes of the January 16, 2016 meeting:
Mr. Brockman made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson.
The motion carried 4 -0.
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Discuss and possibly approve the 2016 Financials:
Mr. Wilson was recognized by the Chair. Mr. Wilson stated in the future Mr. Paris would be
reporting on the financials. Mr. Wilson stated that there was nothing unusual to note. Mr. Wilson
added Work Keys was $512.00. Paula Brownfield stated it was for Roxton High School. Mr.
Wilson went on to say $875.00 was for a survey on Project Rail Spur. Mr. Banks asked for
clarification on Marketing and Promotion with The Paris News. Mr. Wilson stated it was for
internet advertising online, which has since, been canceled.
Mr. Paris added he had presented the modified budget to the City of Paris. Mr. Wilson stated the
amount of income needed to be monitored because of fluctuations. Mr. Wilson the staff should
take a look into the tax revenue. Mr. Wilson stated the income appears to be flat, but with the
economic activity in the area it seems like it should begin increasing somewhat. Mr. Paris stated
he would look into it and bring it up at the next meeting.
Mr. Banks motioned to approve the financials. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brockman. The
motion carried 4 -0.
Discuss and possibly take action on how the car allowance will be facilitated by the PEDC
for the Executive Director:
Mr. Banks stated he had requested this item on the agenda. Mr. Banks went on to say he found
information on employer duties and PEDC would have to pay the IRA retirement portion on Mr.
Paris' travel. Mr. Paris stated that Mr. Anderson, the finance officer, would pay the Social
Security portion based on the base salary amount only. Mr. Paris stated that either way Mr.
Banks wished to clarify the details of the agreement. Mr. Wilson gave some options of saving
taxes for Mr. Paris and the PEDC. Mr. Wilson suggested Mr. Paris' receive further input from
Mr. Anderson for clarification of the options.
Mr. Paris stated he would confer with Mr. Anderson.
No action was taken on this item.
Discuss and Possibly take Action PEDC participation level with Team Texas through the
Texas Economic Development Council.
Mr. Paris stated that he realized PEDC had been challenged in the past on Marketing
expenditures. Mr. Paris went on to say that Select USA was the best trip he had the privilege of
attending and that he had met a number of financially desirable investors & Team Texas is a part
of TEDC. Team Texas has memberships available to allow communities to participate in
organized events to attract investors. Mr. Paris stated he did not see PEDC participating in
international organizations such as IAMC or IADC. He went on to say he thought Team Texas
would benefit the PEDC by giving them the opportunity to attend marketing events more
localized to the state of Texas. Mr. Paris highlighted the membership choices for the Board.
Mr. Wilson stated he had previewed the information and asked if the PEDC participated as a
member, and then chose the events to participate individually if that would be satisfactory. Mr.
Wilson went on to say that in 2013 PEDC had spent too much in marketing, but had since been
conservative on Marketing. Mr. Wilson stated he wanted to make sure that the Marketing
expenses would be used to custom target the events. Mr. Banks clarified the membership events
costs listed. Mr. Brockman added travel expenses would be extra. Mr. Manning stated he liked
the idea of choosing the events independently. Mr. Paris stated if the PEDC wished, the Chair
could create a sub - committee to address the issue creating a comprehensive Marketing Plan. Mr.
Brockman & Mr. Wilson concurred. Mr. Wilson suggested extra meetings to establish goals for
moving forward as a Board to receive feedback. Mr. Paris stated it would help with community
understanding of the PEDC objectives. Mr. Banks requested clarification on the TEDC and
Team Texas being related or separate entities. Mr. Paris clarified they are two different
organizations but work together to attract economic development to Texas.
Mr. Banks motioned to join Team Texas for a membership fee of $3000.00. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Wilson. The motion carried 4 -0.
Discuss and possibly act on travel to the TEDC Winter Conference in Bastrop, Texas
Mr. Paris stated he was hoping to attend the conference when it was originally placed on the
agenda. However; he has been very busy with assisting local businesses, and in the future he
would like to attend an annual conference, but the timing was not feasible at this time.
No action was taken on the above item.
Discuss and possibly take action to review PEDC Standard Operating Procedures.
Mr. Brockman stated it was not an easy review. Mr. Paris stated he had a discussion with Mr.
Wilson about the Standard Operating Procedures. The board concurred that the document was
extensive and the last update was around 2013. Mr. Paris stated he was not used to working with
such detailed guidelines. Mr. Wilson stated that the document needed review to make sure the
guidelines were realistic, and a consent agenda for the board to consider may be in order. Mr.
Wilson stated a sub - committee may be needed to review. Mr. Manning stated the current
document should be used because of the previous issues. Mr. Manning stated if it became a
hindrance, then it should be addressed. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Banks concurred there were
discrepancies between operating procedures and actual practice. Mr. Brockman stated a two -
man committee would be beneficial. Mr. Wilson stated that PEDC needed more comprehensive
plan. Mr. Paris stated that he agreed with Mr. Manning to leave the plan in place, and stated the
modifications would not be made overnight. Mr. Wilson stated the manual's policy on contracts
was that the contracts needed re- negotiation each year. Mr. Manning stated if it was the Boards'
opinion to review and suggest changes he would agree.
Mr. Wilson made a motion to at the Chair's discretion to set up a sub - committee to review the
Standard Operating Procedures and make recommendations.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Banks.
The motion carried 4 -0.
The Board convened into Executive Session at 4:39 PM
No action was taken in Executive Session.
The Board reconvened into Open Session at 5:50 PM
Mr. Brockman made a motion to provide $40,000 equipment incentive and $40,000 for job
incentive on project Tin payable in 2018 upon compliance, and for Mr. Paris to continue project
negotiations on Project Tin.
Motion was seconded by Mr. Banks. Motion carried 3 -0.
Future Agenda items:
None
Adiournment•
Motion to Adjourn was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Banks.
The motion carried 3 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Angie Corbell
Office Manager
Paris EDC
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