The regular meeting of the Bonham City Council on Monday evening certainly cut to the chase, as the old saying goes.  After quickly approving minutes from the June 8 meeting, accepting the financial report for the month ending June 30 and giving citizens an opportunity to speak, a local businessman advised the Bonham City Council of the operation of what he claimed to be an ineligible business in the Heritage District.

"This all started because of the signs I've seen all over town," stated Rusty Deets, owner of Rusty's Radiator Shop, which also happens to be located in the Heritage District.  Mr. Deets was referring to signs like the one prominently displayed in front of Elite Printing at 1312 North Main Street in Bonham that asks, "What has the Chamber done for you lately?"

Deets said that the more information he gathered about the squabble between the Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce and a handful of local businesses like Elite Printing, the more troubling this issue became.

"Come to find out," Deets told the Bonham City Council, "they're running a printing business out of the Bonham Chamber."

Deets referred the city council to information in the Bonham Area Chamber's May newsletter under the heading Administrative Services that states:

These are services generally performed by the Chamber Staff.

1. Discount Color Printing or Copying: The Chamber has the latest in Color Printing equipment (the equipment this Newsletter is printed on). We can print your color Tri-Fold Brochures, Flyers, Posters, Inserts, Booklets, Programs, Post Cards, or about anything, and you receive a ChamberMember Discount that will normally save you money on your printing needs. Check with the staff about your next color print job for a quote. Larger quantities are always cheaper at your local print shop.

Deets remarked that he found it "deplorable" for local businesses to have to compete with the Chamber.  He asked the City of Bonham to withhold money from the chamber until the issue is resolved and suggested an audit be performed.  The Chamber receives $8,000 a month from the City of Bonham.

"I'd like to know how a non-taxable, government entity can do retail printing and not charge tax," Deets said later. 

Council members seemed to take a wait-and-see attitude before passing judgment and instead asked Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander to study the situation. 

"If this does turn out to be the case," Councilman Wayne Moore remarked, "first, we need to ask the Chamber to cease and desist.  And, second, if you are going to operate a business, you have to go through the proper procedures."

"I'm not sure we have definitive guidelines," Mayor Roy Floyd offered.

Mr. Alexander noted that a print shop could operate in certain zones by obtaining a special-use permit, while such a business could operate in certain other places by right.

Deets said he had a written opinion by Bonham Building Officer Jason Smith that stated, "Print shops are not allowed in the Heritage Corridor."  Mr. Smith’s statement was based on Table 6B of City Office, Retail, Commercial and Service Uses. 

"If they can do that," Deets added somewhat facetiously, "I can open up a tattoo parlor in my radiator shop."

Another resident claimed to be willing to show the Bonham City Council proof that non-chamber members have paid to have printing jobs done by the Chamber, with no sales tax being charged.

The city manager was asked to thoroughly research the matter.

The city council moved on to another agenda item and Dawn Nichols, Powder Creek Park Playground Program Chairman, presented a map of the proposed playground that was designed in September 2008 with input from area children.

Dawn Nichols shows an architect's drawing of the park.

"The design fits in with the Heritage District and the history of Bonham," Mrs. Nichols commented, adding that by turning this into a community project and collecting approximately $125,000, area youngsters would eventually have a playground that would have otherwise cost $400,000 to construct.

The first challenge is to drum up additional volunteer support.  Six or seven volunteers have been enthusiastic, but at least 25 volunteers are needed to create momentum.

The city council unanimously voted to convey city-owned property for a new Braums store on the northeast corner of Silo Road and North Hwy 121.

Council members received detailed information from Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston in regard to a citizen's comments in reference to Ordinance No. 1216 - Regulation of Animals.

Chief Bankston stated that in his opinion this was a "good ordinance" that mirrored the regulation of animals in nearby cities such as McKinney, Lewisville and Grapevine.

"Almost everything in the ordinance is state law," Chief Bankston said.  He said BPD never issues a citation in the first instance and went on to explain that a dog must have bitten or attacked a person or another dog to be deemed a dangerous animal.

Another unanimous council decision came on a vote to change an ordinance for a zone change from 'LB' Local Business to 'B' General Business on property located at 2410 North Center Street.  Ready-built storage units and gazebos built by Martin's Woodcraft in Bailey, Texas will be sold at the location.

The Bonham City Council also discussed the possible revision or an ordinance that would allow Heritage Gardens, a popular location for weddings, meetings and parties, to be included, at the property owner's request, in the Powder Creek Zoning District. 

Jerry Savage asked if this change would affect businesses located along South Main Street that have historically housed a variety of repair shops.  The city council assured Mr. Savage that this zoning revision was specifically to include Heritage Gardens in a district conducive to entertainment and that this particular ordinance revision would have no bearing on businesses along Main Street.

The city council voted in unison to include Heritage Gardens in the Powder Creek Zoning District.

Mayor Floyd took time to recognize the city manager for securing a $2.2 million grant to improve the City of Bonham sewer infrastructure.  There is no match requirement.

"This is $2.2 million the City of Bonham would never have had access to without this young man, Corby Alexander," the mayor said with obvious gratitude.