The Paris City Council on Aug. 12 accepted for filing a petition to create the Forest Brook Public Improvement District (PID) and called a public hearing for the council's first regular meeting in September.

Mark McElhinney, a consultant on the line with co-consultants Mary Petty and Chris Settle, told council that accepting the petition is a statutory first step that does not itself create the PID. He and staff said the developer must submit required notices, staff must publish legal notices and mail statutorily required mailing to landowners, and a public hearing will give residents an opportunity to question the developer and see final petition materials. Staff said the hearing is tentatively set for the Sept. 9 regular meeting.

McElhinney and other consultants described how a PID assessment is levied only on property inside the PID; properties outside would not be assessed. They also said the developer will reimburse the city for professional-services costs incurred while processing the petition and that no city general funds will be used to create the PID. Council emphasized they were not creating the district at this meeting, only acknowledging receipt of the petition and directing the statutory next steps.

Council then approved the resolution accepting the petition and authorizing staff to publish notice and execute the professional-services reimbursement agreement. The motion to accept the petition was made by Council member Mickey Ellis, seconded by Council member Kessel, and passed on a 5-0 voice vote.

Nathan Spalding, the project's developer, was present in the council chamber and offered to answer questions; none were raised by council.