By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Meeting in extremely busy session Thursday night, the Paris City Commission took steps to begin Phase II of the county-wide radio project, heard objections from residents of the Atkins-Porter Neighborhood to a rezoning request on Blakemore Street, heard a report from the W.G. Rhea Library Board, and heard from a citizen concerned about progress of the Wilson Street sidewalk project.
Following a presentation by Paris-Henry County Industrial Commission Director Rob Goad, the commission approved an application for 2020 Community Development Block Grant funds that will begin Phase II of the county-wide radio project.
Henry County 911 Director Mark Archer and Goad have been working for over two years developing the project. Phase I was recently completed with another CDBG award to Henry County.
The new application seeks $420,000. Total project cost is $643,209, with $223,209 to be provided by Henry County government, city of Paris, Henry County 911.
With completion of Phase II, Goad said Henry County will ‘have one of the finest radio projects in the state, if not the finest, and that’s not hyperbole.’
–Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association residents voiced concerns with a rezoning request from Justin Fields for 207 Blakemore Street which sought to construct three to six units on the property. The Planning Commission earlier recommended that the city deny the rezoning request.
Speaking for the Neighborhood Association, Sheree Johnson said Atkins-Porter ‘is a true neighborhood in the old-fashioned sense of the word’ and said allowing a multi-family dwelling on a single lot would further congest the neighborhood. Blakemore Street residents including Justin McIntosh who lives a couple doors down from the property also objected, saying, “We don’t need cars going left and right on our street.”
The Commission concurred with the planning commission and voted to deny the request.
–Lone Oak resident David French asked the commission how the Wilson Street sidewalk improvement project is progressing. “My concern is we see students walking in the streets every day with busy traffic” on that street, along with people jogging, people walking for exercise “and we’ve seen numerous people almost hit by vehicles.”
Mayor Carlton Gerrell said, “We’re right in the middle of the project,” with the city still in the process of having required environmental impact studies done. The project should begin in earnest by the fall, he said.
–W.G. Rhea Library Director Kathy Collins displayed new signs which state ‘Friend Of The Library’ that are for sale for $11.50 at the library and Board President Sally Peterson gave a short presentation on the activities and programs at the library.
–Upon recommendation of staff, the commission approved application for the next round of HOME Grant funds which would rehab and/or build homes for residents who meet criteria. The commission approved application for $500,000.
–The commission updated the city’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy for pre-employment screening. The previous policy said screening would only be administered for safety-sensitive positions. The new policy states ALL potential employees will be screened before receiving a final offer of employment.
–Upon recommendation from staff, the commission approved a new policy on nuisance code violations (regarding dumpsters, standing water, insects, etc.). The new policy updates the code to clarify what constitutes a violation and the time frame in which an offender has to respond to the charge.
–Commissioners heard a positive audit report from Matt Wood of Alexander, Thompson, Arnold.
Photo: Sheree Johnson of the Atkins-Porter Neighborhood voices concerns to the city commission. (Shannon McFarlin photo).