By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting of the Paris City Commission Thursday, the commission accepted the donation of playground equipment and materials from the Levi Miles Foundation for the inclusive playground at Ogburn Park.
In recognition of the donation, the playground will be named “The Levi Miles Playground at Ogburn Park”.
City Attorney James Smith said this is the preliminary step to allow construction of the playground. Groundbreaking was held in April.
Smith said acceptance of the donation also brings with it a commitment by the city to maintain the playground.
In other business:
–The commission passed resolutions which are required steps for the issuance of bonds for the planned Fire Station #1 project. Two resolutions were required: the first states the commission’s intention to issue bonds; the second one lays out the specifics of the bond issue.
According to the second resolution, the issuance, sale and payment is not to exceed $10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of general obligation bonds by the city.
Additionally, City Manager Kim Foster said a Bond Anticipation Note “seems to be the best option for us to secure interim financing.”
She engaged Elizabeth Zuelke with Raymond James to provide the best quotes which was Webster Bank of Athens, Ga., with an interest rate of 3.67 percent. Foster said there is a possibility it coud fall to 3.55 percent “if we agree to call it (pay it off) in 18 months”. She said the city needs to make sure that is doable before it can take advantage of that option.
Zuelke also advised the city should consider taking the entire issue up front and depositing it in the LGIP account so it can accrue interest.
–Foster reported upgrades to the safety features at Hospital Circle have been completed. She said Public Works Director Chris Moseley reported that while they were finishing the work, a hospital employee walked across the crosswalk without looking up from her phone and Foster said the employees will still need reminders that even though they have the right-of-way, they do need to look before walking across the street.
–The commission heard two requests: one for rezoning property at 29 Skyview St. (from Planned Commercial to Residential) and the other to acquire undeveloped alley on North College St.
Both those requests were on the agenda for the planning commission, which met directly after the city commission.
Photo: City Attorney James Smith, back to camera, presents information to city commissioners. Shannon McFarlin photo.