[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6314719,"mediaKeyId","2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172","parentId",2382830,"title","Votes at a glance: Paris City Council actions, Feb. 24, 2025","audioSeconds",2180,"startMs",739720,"endMs",2920705,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172&start=739&end=2920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172/thumbnail_739720.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314719/Paris/Lamar-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Paris-City-Council-actions-Feb-24-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314719-89617b4c9a8ac76a28343559ab8e802f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220125&Signature=nuwDa-EPLhxb59u4~kREJyRn~qrdoIjPrOVT7Ih6nf-pZ-FJjBEP5Ogrx0lmVmKlQkEegEVjZ3-vjuqnoo33kpVWmSgCsVcVuH7CzlMKiqtDyjhDOJ1OQEFXgVu4xBN6G2-qFIPHvuJfwZupKywUb7eWt~LKBA-WfXSP8hl~CCFatq2y-AJ4mzZ2Fy9LGckGHlz4PprTDNFwfPuZarkVXCUmAmyTVRyx12BKN74WBKt-MliXHkUZVHcyaDVgHTv2QONpMUmAQ5C1elb9TiBvewG2-gQZ96apMYi-hUrEIe50WsHIj-HxU--c40QGv9nQMXbYOk6TlHW05UiUC9iR-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Paris, Texas","date","2025-02-24T19:08:00Z","article","The Paris City Council took the following formal actions at its regular meeting on Feb. 24, 2025. Where the transcript recorded a tally, that tally is listed; mover/second were not always named on the audio record.

1) Consent agenda: Adopted by single action. Motion carried, 5–0.

2) Ordinance — Comprehensive plan amendment (4225 Lamar Ave, Block 315, Lot 13): Council approved the ordinance to amend the comprehensive plan designation from high‑density residential to commercial. Motion carried, 5–0.

3) Ordinance — Rezoning (4225 Lamar Ave, Block 315, Lot 13): Council approved rezoning the parcel from general retail to commercial. Motion carried, 5–0.

4) Resolution — Reauthorizing residential tax abatements and approving guidelines/criteria: Council removed the item from the table and later approved the resolution to reauthorize the city's residential tax abatement program (general citywide abatements). Motion carried, 5–0.

5) Resolution — Intention to institute disannexation proceedings (approx. 71.2 acres along state Hwy. 271 S): Council approved initiating disannexation proceedings, establishing hearing dates and directing publication and notice to taxing entities. Motion carried, 5–0. Staff noted this action institutes proceedings only; the council is not deciding final disannexation at this meeting.

6) Receive — Paris Economic Development Corporation 2024 annual report: Council received the report; informational item, no roll‑call vote required.

7) Ordinance — Cancel general elections in Districts 4, 5 and 7 and declare unopposed candidates elected: Council adopted an ordinance canceling the elections and declaring Mahir Pankaj (District 4), Rebecca Norman (District 5) and Tracy Atteberry (District 7) unopposed and elected; swearing-in scheduled for May. Motion carried, 5–0.

8) Authorization — Airport fuel farm grant paperwork and payment to TxDOT: Council authorized the city manager to execute and forward grant documents to TxDOT for the 2026 fuel‑farm project. Staff said the project budget was $1,200,000 with a city match originally budgeted at 10% ($120,000) but reduced by TxDOT to 5% ($60,000); the council approved proceeding. Motion carried, 5–0.

9) Contract/consultant selection — Strategic planning services: Council selected Engage Solutions Group (Shane Howard) for a strategic‑planning contract and directed staff to finalize the contract and work schedule. Motion carried, 5–0.

10) Executive session: Council convened in closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.071 for attorney consultation on pending litigation and related matters; the council reconvened to open session at 7:34 p.m. and announced no action taken.

11) Future events: Council discussed arranging a potential site tour of Greenwood Baptist Cemetery with volunteers; staff was directed to continue communications.

Notes: For several items the transcript recorded only the tally (for example, “Motion carries 5 0”) and did not identify movers, seconders or ordinance/resolution numbers. Where the transcript gives dollar amounts or budget sources (airport fuel farm match or EDA grant amounts), those figures are reported as stated by staff during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Paris City Council regular meeting - 02/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the Paris City Council on Feb. 24, 2025, including ordinances, resolutions and contract authorization. All recorded roll‑call tallies shown as reported in the meeting transcript.","taxTitle","Paris, Lamar County, Texas","taxId",64411,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314721,"Council hires Engage Solutions Group for city strategic plan after discussion of scope and implementation",1315,2925119,4240965,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172&start=2925&end=4240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172/thumbnail_2925119.jpg","/articles/6314721/Paris/Lamar-County/Texas/Council-hires-Engage-Solutions-Group-for-city-strategic-plan-after-discussion-of-scope-and-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314721-cd6aef1f8513110d6b1713d7a2e4e09d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220126&Signature=gS1A4KjteE5u8xyJf0uBH0gyOqRRptWyG64sgMRRd56~MVhIG6lUX7UTOEbLQm35ZHKDKOIjwXdig8NoOtJ04cNikDL-q5pfzaRH58cQHNqA~818x6BWxzTFsg8-u5MIsXiLg~RfFicjoaKwRq1Doyq55vos~D-gOJFSaiwaccRr1AB7JFxk-Y1TWkz5kQI5U3Y6cV1eiHW1hI-OVKGxYrVhFAmaMVxkuklvoYWkr1drzaT~ONZ1iQePbFU2qIacoTEXAL3GnuqugSPhvAE-~YBaeasuFCMh~6luz6895aX4LbOQRLbFr6B-e70hUFNq5OcmPOjVEntwyVMTd8N0ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Paris City Council on Feb. 24 approved a consulting agreement with Engage Solutions Group to prepare an updated strategic plan for the city.

City staff solicited proposals and received two responses. Staff summarized both: Ron Cox Consulting offered an intensive on-site session model (an eight‑hour planning session and optional implementation plan) with a base cost the staff recorded as $9,200 and an optional implementation addendum for $2,500 (plus expenses). Engage Solutions Group (Shane Howard) proposed a three‑phase process, including council workshops, stakeholder engagement and deliverables, estimated to take about 9–12 weeks from initiation.

Shane Howard described his approach as focusing first on the council’s shared aspirations. \"What became real apparent to me... are the aspirations each of you are bringing to the table?\" Howard said, emphasizing facilitation, stakeholder engagement and producing key activities with time frames so the plan becomes a reference for future budgeting and decision‑making.

Staff and council discussed the differences in scope. Deputy city staff and council members noted that an implementation plan is important to hold future councils and staff accountable. \"Without an implementation plan, a strategic plan is useless,\" one staff member said, urging deliverables that include timelines and accountability checkpoints. Howard said his proposal included targeted action items with dates and implementation factors.

After discussion, the council voted 5–0 to select Engage Solutions Group for the strategic‑planning contract. The mayor and council asked staff to finalize the contract and begin the consultant’s scope of work. Council members indicated priorities they expect the plan to address—housing, workforce, infrastructure and interagency coordination—without setting budgetary allocations at the meeting.

Why it matters: A current strategic plan can guide city budgeting, staffing and coordination with partners such as the PEDC, the chamber and Lamar County. Council and staff said they want a document that produces accountable steps and timelines rather than a planning exercise that sits unused.

What the city said: Staff recommended a consultant that offers a comprehensive, multi‑phase engagement and deliverables that include action items and implementation timelines; the costs reported on the record included the amount for one consultant (Ron Cox) but the final negotiated cost for Engage Solutions Group was not specified in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: Staff will finalize scope and contract with Engage Solutions Group and begin the workshop and stakeholder engagement schedule; the council asked that the final plan include an implementation component with measurable timelines for quarterly review.","After reviewing two proposals, the Paris City Council approved hiring Engage Solutions Group (Shane Howard) to lead a 9–12 week strategic-planning process. Council and staff discussed proposal scope, the value of an implementation plan, and budgeting for tasks identified in the plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314727,"Paris Economic Development Corporation reports $100M in new investment, 540 direct jobs supported in 2024",995,1371785,2367784,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172&start=1371&end=2367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172/thumbnail_1371785.jpg","/articles/6314727/Paris/Lamar-County/Texas/Paris-Economic-Development-Corporation-reports-100M-in-new-investment-540-direct-jobs-supported-in-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314727-3abc232ff5b5dd613207664333389372/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220126&Signature=oPN-Nw5O-GNuGNsvJkzcSdwcE6GpDCbLiXYGCRwA2Ng7cYnC20MXLqmtSLpgwytTo5VeSGwcBI~w4bH-cmnVWGZ~TIkfQ4Jq5~fXJed9cmVYgKqopH-rNCrbFbyBV8iymrBCbDCg7CGey~Cf07KWnvY5mY2QRubL9LN6mplBDZ83E1oLZRM0xKUBUxK8qaywMy9E25SAXkTN8eNnZW5Lj8rh8uogrONHd9Rc0~bE2wKaqE90u~oAoDxvPYEaMh3SNpaMis6ifrSgwF61-gqpphSmKjfUuPHzleOm59dRMMx0N2W2DOn9JywPLTajYIIX~22CQRYUTeA5-ozHMlsGDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maureen Hammond, executive director of the Paris Economic Development Corporation, presented the PEDC’s 2024 annual report to the Paris City Council on Feb. 24 and highlighted major projects the agency supported last year.

\"The mission of the economic development corporation is to promote the retention, growth and attraction of businesses that elevate employment opportunities, expand the economic base and enhance the quality of life for citizens of Paris and Lamar County,\" Hammond said.

Hammond told council the PEDC secured a $1,300,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to fund infrastructure improvements at the Northwest Industrial Park that her office said helped land Lion's Head Specialty Tire and Wheel, a 20,000‑square‑foot facility expected to create about 40 jobs. She also reported Amazon opened a last‑mile facility in November and has ramped to approximately 200 direct jobs (about 100 associates at the facility and about 100 delivery drivers), and she summarized other announced projects she said are meeting performance agreements, including expansions and foreign direct investment.

Hammond provided summary numbers for 2024: PEDC‑supported projects she said backed 540 direct jobs (up 14.8% from the prior year), about $31,420,000 in annual payroll (up about 27%), and nearly $100,000,000 in new capital investment for the year. She said the estimated annual economic impact of the year's projects — jobs, payroll, household spending and tax revenue combined — is approximately $223,000,000 per year. Hammond credited coordinated work with local partners, the city and state, and she called workforce and housing among the priorities going forward.

Council members praised the PEDC's work and asked about targeted sectors. Hammond identified advanced manufacturing and said Paris benefits from 25% of the local workforce in manufacturing, plus assets such as water, rail and available land. She also said the PEDC will continue to focus on business retention and expansion and workforce strategies in 2025.

Why it matters: The PEDC presented metrics that its staff attributed to business‑attraction and retention activity in 2024, including federal infrastructure funding that PEDC staff said was instrumental in securing a manufacturing project and private investments the PEDC said are moving forward under performance agreements. The presentation is informational; no council votes were required on the report.","Maureen Hammond, executive director of the Paris Economic Development Corporation, presented the PEDC’s 2024 annual report, highlighting $100 million in new capital investment, 540 direct jobs supported and federal EDA infrastructure funding that enabled a private employer to locate in the city.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314731,"Paris residents pressing council for help maintaining Greenwood Baptist Cemetery",3854,510820,4365650,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172&start=510&end=4365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172/thumbnail_510820.jpg","/articles/6314731/Paris/Lamar-County/Texas/Paris-residents-pressing-council-for-help-maintaining-Greenwood-Baptist-Cemetery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314731-e592faa23f037e98d6c84b2f98ce1794/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220126&Signature=ETN7xC~1fSHaq2Wlq8hgvsGu600WmaURJjeQewL-~sNNG7ohEplTREW2kN2ArItDRn4JnKR4x44B1wbRYZB7a9qdF8qF-sU42TdpwMZL7I-QePw3KYo6QjUo15-RjmMhNK7-mMG6V~vT~MYTPNj-544nYXQxaHY0OSM-apHBY~kLd8dsU0uIrk7NIxS9iDNENZLSdpSNc5CH1YjmG~G0-gK1dwY1uUmtneLBm356gIwzeQWSsfZAp74DXJTDYUZG~m0eJvsRPX3YG4BaGg1TFefl3FmxtToEVjgpGYfIsaOQGKTsJ8V3MdzxnBYo--CcGstsE0Cq977z-kBOMZndMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vanessa Preston told the Paris City Council during public comment that she and two volunteers have spent more than a year clearing and documenting graves at Greenwood Baptist Cemetery and asked the city for help with the site.

“My name is Vanessa Preston. I am here regarding the Greenwood Baptist Cemetery... We have been working every extra hour we have in that cemetery. We live, eat, and breathe Greenwood Baptist Cemetery, the 3 of us,” Preston said during the Feb. 24 meeting. She said the cemetery is roughly “7 and a half acres” of thick woods, and volunteers found graves including veterans of World War I and World War II and the first grave they located, “Harry Carrington,” a man Preston said died in 1902 at age 98.

Preston said the volunteers had initial difficulty securing burn permits for vegetation work but that, after speaking with the mayor, the city issued a burn permit that runs through July. “So we're just asking the city for any type of help that they can give us because there's lots of history out there,” she said. “So if there's anything that you guys can possibly do for us, please let us know.”

Later in the meeting, under agenda item 22 (future events), the council discussed organizing a site visit. The mayor asked staff to continue communications and to pursue the possibility of a tour with “Mr. and Mrs. Preston and Mr. Marcus Gates” to view the site and the historical material the volunteers have uncovered.

Why it matters: Preston and the volunteers told council they are recording graves and removing overgrowth on a historic burial ground that appears to contain veteran burials and early 20th‑century graves. The volunteers asked for city assistance with permitting and other support; the council agreed to continue communications and to consider a site tour.

What the city said: The mayor and council acknowledged the history Preston described and agreed a tour would be useful. No formal city commitment of funding or staff time was made on the record; council asked staff to continue outreach and to coordinate a possible site visit.

Next steps: Staff and council will continue communications with Preston and other volunteers about a potential council tour of Greenwood Baptist Cemetery; any city assistance beyond coordination and permitting was not specified on the record.","At the public forum, Vanessa Preston described volunteer efforts to clear and document graves at Greenwood Baptist Cemetery and asked the city for assistance; council later discussed arranging a site tour.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314736,"Council approves comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning for 4225 Lamar Avenue",238,751695,990041,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172&start=751&end=990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382830-149f75b08d2bcfca1100adcb781e3172/thumbnail_751695.jpg","/articles/6314736/Paris/Lamar-County/Texas/Council-approves-comprehensive-plan-amendment-and-rezoning-for-4225-Lamar-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314736-4fc2021dd6bedae79a17b0d682ebe5f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220126&Signature=cOnTfGfQYb9ZGOv5~pJtFoLsqGfc5rmCLRT6da3m4IV-9Z-dOAgTSLNwm8TGbYagV5qKhiDpFOidqJP4MkrJpAL0yc~MMCcd5diZsfn4Xh0-d3qo4MdJEU0WzQEUnzLKk7WiBaRLcEI7XijnOsWieapIgHa3W0-vY~Dsg7sBpDLgu~Pk7726jM7ulV048TNB2uLbK0IQUfgWJXzic7u3H7U7CW2~6CWcCF2LY0-dNPvfPbC0Na6guxTpABehPPK43ZwYtkLf7K9jJsTt7xPo5TUnpESoHmf6ORI49o0xjv2~lH94Yn9pylAvTAo7~bqJHFeW35JQO89vj0zmBU2lDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Paris City Council on Monday approved two related measures to change long-term land-use guidance and zoning for a property at 4225 Lamar Avenue.

Planning staff told the council the applicant, represented by Madeline Connect on behalf of FAM T. Wynne, seeks a comprehensive plan amendment to change the designation from “high-density residential” to commercial and then to rezone the parcel from general retail to commercial to allow a small vehicle repair business. \"This applicant is requesting for a zoning change, but, we have to start with the comprehensive plan amendment,\" Planning staff said during the meeting.

The Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the request on Feb. 3 and recommended approval, Planning staff said. The council opened and closed a public hearing on each item without receiving public comment.

After brief discussion, the council voted 5–0 to approve the comprehensive plan amendment and, separately, 5–0 to approve the rezoning ordinance. The council did not name a mover or seconder on the record; the clerk recorded the votes as 5 in favor, 0 opposed for each item.

Why it matters: The two approvals change both the policy-level land-use designation and the zoning permissions for the parcel at Block 315, Lot 13 (4225 Lamar Avenue). Together the actions clear the way for the applicant to establish the described commercial repair use, which Planning staff characterized as light service work such as brakes and oil changes that would not involve heavy-duty repair.

Council and staff noted the rezoning followed the standard two-step process (plan amendment followed by rezoning) and that the P&Z recommendation supported the change. No conditions or ordinance numbers were provided on the record.

What's next: With both approvals in place, the applicant may proceed with zoning-dependent permitting and building-permit steps required by the city for occupancy and operation. The council did not set an effective date on the record and did not identify required follow-up actions beyond standard permitting.","The Paris City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive plan amendment and a rezoning request that will allow a small commercial repair shop to operate at 4225 Lamar Avenue (Block 315, Lot 13). Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Paris City Council actions, Feb. 24, 2025

Council hires Engage Solutions Group for city strategic plan after discussion of scope and implementation

Paris Economic Development Corporation reports $100M in new investment, 540 direct jobs supported in 2024

Paris residents pressing council for help maintaining Greenwood Baptist Cemetery

Council approves comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning for 4225 Lamar Avenue