By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy session Thursday evening, the Paris City Commission authorized city staff to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds to fund an improvement project at Eiffel Tower Park Extended.
The vote followed a public input session and presentations from Daniel Musgrave of the NW Tennessee Development District and Paris City Manager Kim Foster.
Foster said she, Parks and Recreation Director Tony Lawrence have been discussing long-range plans for the park and were informed by the TLM firm park projects are now eligible for CDBG funding.
She noted that the trout pond and trails at Eiffel Tower Park Extended are becoming more and more popular and busy. That area is not handicapped accessible and also needs a bigger parking area.
The project would involve construction of a boardwalk and sidewalk all the way around the trout pond, construction of a pier, installation of benches, signs, trash receptacles, erosion control, and increasing the detention capacity of the pond, which currently is at capacity.
Commissioner John Etheridge said he and his wife walk the trails frequently and he agreed the paths are rough for anyone to walk. “I see that area used a lot and it would be good to expand accessibility all the way around the pond and trails.”
Lawrence agreed, noting that the trout pond was just restocked by TWRA in December and many of the fishermen who go there are elderly and have trouble getting to the fishing spots.
Musgrave said CDBG is offering several new categories this year that include sidewals, drainage, community revitalization and other areas that could be utilized for the project. The city could qualify for up to some $650.000 in grant money with only a 10 percent required match.
Musgrave said deadline for applying is April 14.
In other business:
Foster said TDOT will be in downtown Paris looking into ways to make the courtsquare more safe for pedestrian travel. She noted that Commercial Bank & Trust sent the city a videotape showing their employees almost being hit by cars in front of the bank and post office.
The city has applied for Multimodal Access Grants for downtown intersections, with safety being the key area of concern. TDOT has made its preliminary comments on the plans but Foster was pleased that TDOT will be downtown to look over the situation. She said the videos from the bank “got their attention and I’m thrilled that they are coming”.
–Foster said city crews worked 145 overtime hours during the Christmas snow and frigid weather emergency. “Luckily, they didn’t have to be out on Christmas Day, but they were out on other holiday days. They applied a product called Clear Lane, a treated salt material on the roads “and it worked beautifully in the low temperatures. (Public Works Director) Phillip Jessie worked hard to get the materials and it really paid off for us.”
—Rison Street will be receiving some needed upgrades to combat sinking of one of the lanes near Hwy. 69, she said.
–Commission approved a resolution to amend City of Paris personnel rules for holiday pay for the Police Department and identification of executive and administrative exempt employees.
–New appointments were made to boards: Scott Morrison to Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals; Annette Douglas to Historic Zoning Board; Vickey Roberts to ABC Board; Mayor Kathy Ray to the planning commission, along with Jackie Jones and Gayle Griffith; John Etheridge to Personnel Appeals Board; and Justin Oliver to Revolving Loan board.
Photo: Daniel Musgrave of NW Tennessee Development District speaks at the podium while Commissioners John Etheridge, Jackie Jones and Mayor Kathy Ray, City Manager Kim Foster and City Attorney James Smith listen. (Shannon McFarlin photo).