Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Graham City Council approves grant submissions, budget and multiple ordinances; calls May election
Summary
The Graham City Council on an otherwise routine meeting approved a packet of administrative actions including grant submissions, a budget amendment, two ordinances updating airport and animal rules, two resolutions and the formal call for a May 3 election.
The Graham City Council approved a series of administrative actions on routine motions, including two resolutions, three ordinance adoptions, a budget amendment and authorization to apply for transportation grant funding.
The actions were largely procedural items the council voted on without extended debate. Council approved a consent agenda of five items, set dates for a strategic budget workshop, adopted a budget amendment ordinance for fiscal-year 2025 adjustments, approved two ordinance updates to airport and animal-control chapters of the city code, adopted two resolutions related to a police ballistic-vest grant and an amendment to the Plug Power project agreement, and formally ordered the May 3, 2025 municipal election.
Why it matters: The motions update local regulations for the municipal airport and animal control, authorize submittal of grant applications tied to public safety and transportation improvements, and reconcile midyear budget changes that reallocate funds among city services.
Key decisions and votes at the meeting included:
- Consent agenda (5 items): approved on a single motion (motion by Shannon; second by Jeff). Items included minutes from Jan. 16, an appointment to the Visit Graham board (Caitlin Shirey), authorization for a Cinco de Mayo street closure, and authorization for election services with Young County (contract not to exceed $11,000).
- Strategic budget workshop: Council set the fiscal year 2026 strategic budget workshop for Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m. (motion by Jeff; second by Brent).
- Resolution No. 206: Authorized submission of a grant application for ballistic vests for the police department; staff said no city match is required (motion by Grant; second by Shanna; motion passed).
- Resolution No. 207: Approved a first amendment to the Plug Power project development agreement to add Davis-Bacon Act compliance language at the Department of Energy's request (motion by Jack; second by Jeff; motion passed).
- Ordinance No. 1187: Adopted (second and final reading) extensive amendments to Chapter 3 (Airport) of the code to modernize airport rules and minimum standards; staff recommended waiving a third reading (motion by Brent; second by Shanna; motion passed).
- Ordinance No. 1188: Adopted (second and final reading) amendments to Chapter 5 (Animals and Fowl), including new holding periods for microchipped pets and humane-care language for animals in custody; staff said changes reflected recommendations from the Humane Society and the prosecuting attorney (motion by Shannon; second by Brent; motion passed).
- Ordinance No. 1189: Approved on first and final reading a budget amendment ordinance reflecting first-quarter FY25 reconciliation, reallocating funds for police parking-lot repaving, arena repairs, airport projects and water/sewer capital needs (motion by Jackie; second by Shanna; motion passed).
- Ordinance No. 1190: Adopted on first and final reading an order calling the city election for May 3, 2025, for council places 3 and 4 and establishing related deadlines and vote-by-mail procedures (motion by Brent; second by Jeff; motion passed).
- Transportation Alternatives grant submission (item 15): Council voted 4–1 to direct staff to submit part 1 applications to TxDOT for two projects (sidewalk improvements along Elm Street and a pedestrian trail along Salt Creek) and to pursue sponsorship opportunities; if awarded, the grant would typically require a 20% local match (motion by Shanna; second by Jeff; motion passed 4–1).
Staff said most items were administrative and recommended approval; several items (especially grant-related submissions) carry future funding decisions and possible local matches if TxDOT does not sponsor the projects.
City staff and council members noted the approvals do not by themselves obligate city funds beyond what is already allocated; further council action would be required to accept grants with matching requirements or to budget for capital projects.
