Bonham, Texas --  Bonham City Council convened for a regular meeting Monday, December 14, 2020, with Bonham Mayor Pro Tem H. Compton presiding in the absence of Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd who is contending with health issues. Mr. Compton asked for continued prayer of Mayor Floyd, as well as all those impacted by COVID-19.

*****

Councilmembers approved minutes of the November 9 regular meeting.

*****

In the segment of the meeting reserved for citizens to speak, Bonham Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dale McQueen invited everyone to visit the Bonham Chamber's Christmas in Candyland display set up at the corner of 6th and Center Street in Bonham.

"We've had a lot of visitors," Mr. McQueen remarked.

Mayor pro tem Compton expressed gratitude on behalf of the City of Bonham to M.W. and Fair Miller Foundation for a grant from the foundation that will allow the city parks department to purchase a new Bigfoot Slide.

*****

Dave Struchtemeyer, CPA, Director of Finance for the City of Bonham, presented the November 2020 financial report to Bonham City Council.

"The unfavorable variance in revenues for Both General Fund and Water Sewer Fund are due to timing," explained Mr. Struchtemeyer. "Water Revenue is heavier in the summer months and General Fund Revenues are primarily from AD Valorem Tax receipts that are 90% collected in the months of Dec through February. Likewise, the favorable variance in expenses for General Fund are due to timing primarily in Government Services for debt service funding that is funded as Ad Valorem receipts are collected and in the Water Sewer Fund are due to lower purchases of materials that will increase later in the year." 

*****

Bonham City Council considered a request by St. Elizabeth Catholic Church to have the city close and abandon a section of Maple Street between 9th Street and 10th Street. Parishioners said that police and fire department vehicles could continue to access the section of Maple Street, but asked that other traffic be rerouted out of concern for the safety of children crossing the street between two church facilities.

"The question would be, how do you plan to accomplish this?" queried Councilmember Wayne Moore.

Other councilmembers expressed concern over the precedent that would be set if this section of street was closed, because several area churches are dealing with similar situations.

Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston said he appreciated the parishioners watching out for the safety of children, but he pointed out the importance of this thoroughfare. Chief Bankston also stressed the need for access by police and fire vehicles and personnel.

"We wouldn't have a problem with the church blocking this section of street with cones during service times," Bankston suggested.

Bonham Fire Chief Scott Ridling called this an example of growing pains as the city and congregation expands.

"We're growing," Chief Ridling stated. "We need to be adding streets, not abandoning them."

A compromise was reached that allows the church to temporarily block the street with cones; the church will purchase signage to alert drivers of the brief closure.

*****

Bonham City Council voted to approve an ordinance designating the placement of stop signs in the City of Bonham at five intersections.

 A. The intersection of Chestnut Street and East 1st Street, (one-way stop), stopping traffic traveling west

B. The intersection of Lusk Street and West Russell Street, (one-way stop), stopping traffic traveling south

C. The intersection of Hunter Street and West Russell, (one-way stop), stopping traffic traveling south

D. The intersection of Arledge Street and Albert Broadfoot Street, (one-way stop), stopping traffic traveling west

E. The intersection of Rainey Street and Albert Broadfoot Street, (one-way stop), stopping traffic traveling west.