Bonham, Texas – Bonham City Council held a regular meeting at Bonham City Hall on Monday, October 14, 2024. All council members were present, except for Timothy La Vergne II. Mayor HL Compton called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
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Council approved minutes of the September 9th regular meeting.
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Council accepted the financial report for the month ending September 30, 2024. Sarah Osburn, Director of Administrative Services, remarked that sales taxes are looking good. She said that the audit for FY23 is almost done and FY24 audit will be started soon after that.
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Citizens Opportunity to Speak
Tiffany Drake described her background, which includes that she is currently a nurse case manager and a candidate for State Representative District 62. She described the three most critical issues as she sees it, which includes school vouchers, housing prices and health care and encouraged folks to visit her campaign website and social media.
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Public hearing was held and then the council approved an ordinance to rezone 1.0± acre located on the east side of Albert Broadfoot Street, 97± feet north of Union Street from Multifamily Residential Dwelling District, Lower Density District (A-1) to Planned Development Multifamily Residential Dwelling, Lower Density District (PD-A-1). Case 2024-004 (Property ID# 92491). Ross Altobelli, Director of Community Development, reviewed the proposal and history of the property.
P& Z approved this 6-1 at a previous meeting. The development will include 6 duplexes.
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Public hearing was held and then the council approved an ordinance to rezone 1.0± acre located on the north side of E. Sam Rayburn Drive, 714± feet east of Lipscomb Boulevard from Single-Family Residential Dwelling District (R) to General Business District (B). Case 2024-008 (Property ID# 77239). Altobelli remarked that this is a “clean up zoning” because there has been a business and residence at this location for as long as anyone can remember. P&Z approved this 7-0 at a previous meeting.
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Public hearing was held and then the council approved an ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance 14A Attachment 2, Appendix 2 (Definitions Associated with Schedule of Uses), Attachment 1, Appendix 1 (Schedule of Uses), and Article 11 (Special Uses) to include definitions and rules and regulations pertaining to Smoke/tobacco/CBD stores within the Bonham Code of Ordinances. Case 2024-007. Altobelli reviewed the proposed definitions and permitted locations and answered questions from the council. P&Z approved this 7-0 at a previous meeting.
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Public hearing was held and then the council tabled an ordinance amending Article 8.08 (Sex Offender Residency) and Article 8.09 (Loitering) of the Bonham Code of Ordinances to provide for child safety zone and amend definitions and prohibited conduct. Osburn asked for this ordinance to be tabled, as both the city attorney and police chief requested it to allow time for one of the definitions be amended to match the state laws. Osburn commented that they will bring this back to next month’s meeting and the intention is to help the city library keep their facility safe for children.
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Council discussed and then approved a resolution regarding the Fannin County Multipurpose Complex Facility Use Agreement. Osburn stated that this proposal was first presented last month to the council. This resolution covers rental rates, facility use rules, and decorations policy. Council member John Burnett asked about possibly changing the name of the facility. Osburn asked for the council to approve the resolution as presented and stated that staff could then be charged with bringing name change options to next meeting.
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Council discussed and then approved a resolution regarding a finance agreement for the purpose of financing General Fund equipment.
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Council discussed then adopted a resolution supporting legislation that Animal Control Officers be considered First Responders under Texas law. Bonham Police Chief Andrew Hawkes voiced support for this resolution.
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Council approved the purchase of a VenTrac mower for the Parks department. Osburn reported there would be no financing for this, as it is in the budget. The city purchases one new mower per year as the city does lots of mowing. This mower will come with a variety of attachments.
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Council approved entering into a Mutual Aid Agreement for ambulance and emergency medical services between the City of Bonham and Lonestar Ambulance 1, LLC d/b/a Allegiance Mobile Health. City manager Sean Pate stated that the county already approved their version and that the city attorney made some edits since then. Pate reported that the other city staff also reviewed this document. Bonham Fire Chief Chris Hughes stated that this agreement is virtually the same as agreement with volunteer departments within the county. Hughes said that the general agreement is that if either side has resources available and is asked to help, both parties will help the other.
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At 6:14 p.m. the council recessed into closed executive session for attorney client consultation to seek legal advice on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter and as permitted by Texas Government Code §551.071(2).
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Council reconvened in open public session at 6:48 p.m. and took no action on the matter discussed during closed session.
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Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.