Bonham, Texas -- Bonham Mayor H.L. Compton presided over a regular meeting of Bonham City Council on Monday, December 9, with councilmembers John Burnett, Kevin Hayes, Tim La Vergne, Allen Sanderson, Ernie Quintana and Wayne Moore present.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence for the police officers in Greenville and Terrell who recently died in the line of duty.
The invocation was given by Mark Posey.
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Councilmembers approved the minutes of the regular meeting held November 11.
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Councilmembers accepted the financial report for the month ending November 30, 2024.
Sales tax revenue was budgeted to have a 7% increase, but the city is enjoying a 13% increase.
"Keep shopping!" quipped Sarah Osburn, CPA, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Bonham.
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In the segment of regular meeting when citizens have an opportunity to speak, Bonham resident Rusty Deets said the city's garbage removal contractor continues to leave garbage cans in the street.
"I hope you guys can correct it," Deets told councilmembers, adding that the contractor is on the record stating that garbage cans would be placed in the proper location after being emptied.
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Bonham City Council unanimously voted to accept the audit and financial statements as prepared by McClanahan & Holmes, LLP for fiscal year period ending September 30, 2023.
The city received a clean opinion on the audit.
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City council held a public hearing and took testimony regarding the proposed creation of Powder Creek Ranch Public Improvement District in accordance with Section 372.009, Texas Local Government Code.
Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) are created to provide specific types of improvements or maintenance which are financed by assessments against the property owners within the defined geographical area of the PID.
PIDs are a development tool that helps the city allocate costs according to the benefits received. A PID can provide difficult-to-obtain funding for supplemental services and improvements that meet the needs of its specific community.
At its November 11, 2024 meeting, the council approved a Resolution accepting a Petition to create the Powder Creek Ranch Public Improvement, the city's first Public Improvement District.
"These are exciting times for us," remarked Bonham City Manager Sean Pate, and he called Powder Creek Ranch "a unique development for the area."
The 400-acre site is located on the west side of Willow Wild Cemetery. Phase 1 would be to develop a 42-acre medium density single-family residential area on the northeast corner of the development, beginning in the summer of 2025. An improved 12th Street would provide access. Home prices are estimated to begin in the $280,000-$300,000 range.
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City council unanimously adopted a Resolution regarding the creation of the Powder Creek Ranch Public Improvement District and ordering public improvements to be made for the benefit of such District; providing for a severability clause; providing an effective date; and containing other matters relating to the subject.
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Bonham Fire Chief Chris Hughes led a discussion on EMS and fire staffing assessment from Mission Critical Partners, LLC, a firm retained by the city to independently assess the impact of Fannin County contracting Allegiance to provide EMS outside of the Bonham Fire District.
Mission Critical Partners does not recommend staff reduction, despite the reduction of calls coming in, because that would lower manpower numbers available for fire-related calls. Instead, staffing can be modified and Bonham Fire Department's fleet of seven EMS units can be reduced to four by selling the three oldest units.
BFD currently has 39 career firefighters manning two stations, with 13 firefighters and EMS personnel per shift.
One consideration favored by the staff would be to go from a 24 hrs. on, 48 hrs. off pattern to a 48 on, 96 off shift. Chief Hughes said the 48 on, 96 off concept could help with recruiting.
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Councilmembers voted to issue a letter of intent to Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists for a Spartan S-180 Pumper with apparatus and make-ready upfit.
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City council voted to approve Health Benefit Summary Plan Description 7670-00-417186 providing for specified retiree health insurance.
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City council voted to approve the FY25 Texas Department of Transportation Grant for Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP).
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City council voted to approve the purchase of a TinyMobileRobot line marker.
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Bonham City Council approved an ordinance to amend Chapter 4 (Business Regulations), Chapter 5 (Fire Prevention and Protection), Chapter 8 (Offenses and Nuisances), and Chapter 15 (Design Standards Manual) within the Bonham Code of Ordinances.
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Councilmembers discussed the possible creation of a Charter Review Committee.
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Councilmembers voted to take necessary action to retire the City of Bonham K-9 officer and authorize staff to execute a bill of sale with the existing handler to transfer the custody, care and upkeep of said K-9 officer.
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Bonham City Council adjourned, but not before Wayne Moore led the crowd in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to honor Heather Stockton, Bonham City Secretary.
