By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a short but busy session Thursday evening, the Paris City Commission was introduced to two new firefighters who recently completed State Firefighter Training.
Devin Veazey was graduated in the Top 5 of the class and Viviana Rodriguez is the first female fighter for the Paris Fire Department.
They were introduced by Fire Chief Michael Williams, who noted Veazey and Rodriguez were also sporting the new look for the department. The patches they were wearing were designed by fellow firefighter John Crenshaw, who also is an artist.
Commissioners referred a request from Tidal Wave Auto Spa to locate a car wash on an outparcel on Mineral Wells Avenue in front of Walmart. John Lapointe of Brightwork Real Estate represents Tidal Wave and their request seeks to locate the car wash in an SC-1 zoning district, which would require amending the zoning ordinance.
As written now, the city’s Table of Uses only allows car washes to locate in industrial zones, but City Attorney Fred McLean said that must have been a clerical error since the city’s two car washes are not located in industrial zones. “Jennifer (Morris) and I have racked our brains to figure out how that requirement would have gotten into the Table of Uses because who would locate a car wash in an industrial zone?”
City Manager Kim Foster said the planning commission will consider the request and amending the zoning ordinance.
In other business:
–City Finance Director Traci Shannon said the city’s retail sales tax revenue dipped down one percent in the month of February compared to last February. This is the first decrease after ten months of positive growth, she said, but the city is still ahead year-to-date by 10.6 percent.
The city issued 11 new business licenses:
New businesses: G1 Shed Haulers, Pioneer Metal Structures, Pioneer Management Co., Basic Transportation Inc, LM Tasties LLC, Theos Ministry DBA Enchanted Ceremony, Mid South AG Source LLC, Hutson’s Firearms. And licenses for additional locations: Smith Welding and Steel Erectors, Fisher Construction Co., and booth rental La Tour Salon.
–Commissioners referred a request from Ed and Vickey Roberts to acquire a portion of an undeveloped alley adjacent to their property facing Chickasaw Road.
–Cpmmissioners approved purchase of property at 504 W. Wood St. that adjoins property next to City Hall. Foster said purchase “athough not terribly desirous to us, will give us the opportunity to extend our footprint for future growth. In the immediate future, should you approve the purchase, we will tear down the house which has been vacant for many years and is in bad shape. The owner was asking $7,500 but Jennifer negotiated a purchase price of $6,000. Staff feels this is an acceptable price and requests your approval to give the City Manager the authority to sign all necessary documents to complete the purchase.”
—Vice Mayor Jackie Jones complimented the city’s public works crews for their work in cleaning up storm debris and damage from two severe storms over the past week. Foster agreed, noting, “This has been a rough spring for our city crews. It’s been a very busy time for them.”