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Gainesville City Council approves multiple unanimous resolutions, tables appraisal-district nomination
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the Gainesville City Council unanimously approved several resolutions — adopting a federal grant procurement policy, supporting an affordable housing project with a fee waiver, expanding Frank Buck Zoo habitats, creating a charter review commission, accepting an approximately 28-acre donation (contingent on attorney approval), and committing local funds for a federal rail-grade crossing grant — and tabled a Cooke County Appraisal District board nomination.
The Gainesville City Council met on Jan. 6, 2026, and approved a package of resolutions affecting procurement rules, housing, the Frank Buck Zoo, municipal governance and transportation funding commitments. All recorded votes on those items were 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 Abstentions; two members were absent.
Councilmember Gary Sutton moved and Councilmember Linda Lewis seconded a resolution adopting the City’s Federal Grant Procurement Policy, which the council approved unanimously. The policy was presented as a new procurement framework for federally funded projects.
The council then approved a resolution supporting the Gainesville Trails Affordable Housing Development that authorizes a de minimis local funding commitment in the form of a fee waiver; Councilmember Randy Jones moved the measure and Councilmember Sutton seconded. No opposition was recorded.
Council approved an agreement to expand Frank Buck Zoo animal habitats onto adjacent property south of the zoo, a measure moved by Councilmember Sutton and seconded by Councilmember Lewis. Frank Buck Zoo Director Susan Kleven was listed among staff in attendance; the minutes do not record debate or detailed habitat plans.
The council voted to create a Charter Review Commission to examine the city charter’s purpose, scope and duties and to provide for appointment of members. Councilmember Sutton moved the resolution and Councilmember Dakota Nichols seconded. The minutes record the commission’s establishment but do not list appointees.
After reconvening from an executive session called under Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, Government Code, Chapter 551 (Open Meetings Act) regarding real property, Mayor Tommy Moore announced that no action was taken in closed session.
The council approved a resolution to accept a donation of an approximately 28-acre tract identified as a portion of Cooke CAD Property ID 1781 from Jesse Cason, authorizing the city manager to execute transfer documents; the approval was made contingent on the donor’s attorney and the City Attorney agreeing to the contract language. Councilmember Randy Jones moved the action and Councilmember Sutton seconded.
Councilmember Gary Sutton moved, and Councilmember Randy Jones seconded, a motion to table a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Cooke County Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term; the motion to table passed unanimously.
Finally, the council approved a resolution authorizing submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Rail (FSP) Grant Program to support the Heartland Flyer Corridor Grade Crossing Investment Program and committed local matching funds. The resolution was moved by Councilmember Sutton and seconded by Councilmember Jones and passed 5–0.
The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:34 p.m. The minutes record motions, seconders and vote tallies for each listed resolution but do not include extended debate or public comment on the covered items.
Next procedural steps recorded: the donation acceptance remains contingent on final contract language review by the donor’s attorney and the City Attorney; the Cooke County Appraisal District nomination was tabled with no selection recorded.
