Bonham -- The Bonham City Council received a report from the Bonham Tourism Advisory Committee, briefly heard plans for a new, larger animal control facility and discussed the purpose and role of the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee in a regular meeting Monday evening.
Emily Porter, Bonham Visitor Center Tourism Director, reflected on a busy month that included the second annual Bonham Quilt Hop as well as the Hwy 82 Yard Sale. Porter said both events attracted visitors to Bonham from across North Texas and southern Oklahoma. Bonham Visitors Center has become a hub of activities and functions as a small "convention center," according to Porter. She divulged that a Quanah Parker exhibit was in the offing.
Council member John Burnett asked Porter if a tracking system had been devised to study the return from tourism expenditures. That will most likely be one of the first responsibilities of incoming Tourism Director Dana Taylor. Porter has been performing those duties on a volunteer basis.
David Kinkade, former Bonham City Inspector, addressed the city council to outline the ongoing plans to improve campgrounds at Lake Bonham. Kinkade suggested that a comprehensive plan be approved, in place and ready for implementation after the busy Labor Day weekend.
Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston reported back to the city council on his continuing study of the cost to build a new, larger animal control facility to meet the city's needs.
Chief Bankston said he believes a 40' x 26' insulated building constructed with concrete blocks and a metal roof could be built for $45,392, including HVAC.
Council member John Burnett said he had been in communication with animal advocate Thoa Allen. Mr. Burnett said Mrs. Allen indicated that as much as $180,000 in donations might still be available to help the City Bonham address the animal control issue. Burnett asked fellow council member to delay any final decision until city representatives had an opportunity to pursue a detailed discussion with Allen.
Chief Bankston noted that the city currently spends approximately $11,000 annually to operate its animal control facility and Bankston estimates that per annum operational costs for the proposed 40' x 26' building would be $15,000-$18,000.
Bonham resident, Mrs. Jean Bunting, addressed the council and offered assistance to the city, citing extensive experience with volunteer work at animal control facilities in Hood County and Granbury.
The agenda item was tabled for further study.
The following agenda item evoked the most debate during the regular meeting of the city council as a member of the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee, Price Bradshaw, and a former member of the committee, Bill Chapman, discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee. A recent ruling by the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee was overturned by the Planning & Zoning Committee, a move that "took the teeth" out of city ordinances and guidelines for the Heritage District. At the center of the conflict is a Fannin Bail Bonds sign on the southeast corner of the Bonham Square that Chapman feels doesn't comply with the city ordinance that states: “Signs should be constructed to blend with the District."
The ordinance goes on to say: "The P&Z Director or the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee must approve all signs prior to installation or the owner will be required to remove the sign at the owner's expense, or be subject to citation," and perhaps a refined definition of specific responsibilities and jurisdiction could prevent a difference of opinion from creating a chasm between two committees vital to the future of Bonham.
Bradshaw offered two courses of action for the city council to deliberate: Revoke applicable ordinances and abolish the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee or make Heritage District decisions by the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee not subject to review by P&Z.
Chapman says he resigned from the Heritage Architectural Overlay Review Committee over this controversy, adding that, in addition to this disagreement over proper signage, he questions the maximum utilization of what should be prime fixed assets in any city - the limited business space in historical downtowns and heritage districts.
"Right now we are begging for people to come downtown and then we make it difficult," countered Burnett.
"You can make a sign that goes along with the rules just as easily," suggested city resident Judy Teller.
In other action, the Bonham City Council:
* Reappointed Wiley Hokett and Jeff Cotner to three-year terms on the Airport Advisory Board and appointed Mike Porter to a three-year term on the Airport Advisory Board.
* Will continue searching for a replacement for Chad Burnett on the Bonham Housing and Finance Corporation
* Reappointed Dawn Nichols, Wendell Bockman and Amy Peeler to two-year terms on the Bonham Parks Advisory Committee and will continue searching for a replacement of Kevin Towery on the committee.
* Reappointed Brenda Moore, Mark Kinnaird, Price Bradshaw and Bill Chapman to two-year terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
* Reappointed Cecil Jones and Jerry Christopher to two-year terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals.