[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6099482,"mediaKeyId","2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20","parentId",2817232,"title","Council approves multiple economic development incentives, suspends proposed gas-rate filing and adopts IAFF wage amendment; votes listed","audioSeconds",3657,"startMs",1789000,"endMs",5446000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20&start=1789&end=5446","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20/thumbnail_1789000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099482/Orange/Orange-County/Texas/Council-approves-multiple-economic-development-incentives-suspends-proposed-gas-rate-filing-and-adopts-IAFF-wage-amendment-votes-listed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099482-60b5c10238d07866c223ae80bd464f59/orig.mp4?Expires=1775459273&Signature=cdCPbGsoKzDXVCISGSQpBbzIv6opNdhQPVao5QBPS87fgbMriru6f1Rm54bJuPLoZRyglwwnGrTjq29jWBjUhgzOYlicc~ECq4X9d1otpV7MWJJ7ecnS~M6T-9GcThmtxvddXCrTWEXl5axoQ213A3dtR1J0k-skPhS2Fv1LwIO66Kn2sXyXEwxc8y-9abJkgyTvERVX-qPGj7b-R6C8p20wKD4yAoiZXK0mYAz09h64yHeYu-VRQjci95Q25D47jpDEP3SFTCjRZ4u1rj6d5lhHts-LYl5gQShn9KGFoqbw2P-48Cqe2GHG~PsDaYt1S0BzInYWRZE5GXLKpBnx2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Orange","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Orange City Council voted on a slate of ordinances, resolutions and contract matters at its March 25 meeting. Council members voted unanimously on each item as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Highlights

- The council voted to suspend the rates proposed by CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation, CenterPoint Energy Intex and CenterPoint Energy Texas Gas Company's Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program filing (second reading). The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as \"Aye.\"

- The council approved a set of Orange Economic Development Corporation (EDC) infrastructure incentives and assignments: an EDC infrastructure grant agreement for Ace Business Park LLC (not to exceed $100,000), an incentive for Awesome Plaza LLC (not to exceed $29,000), an incentive for Newton Court LLC/ Bowling Village Apartments (not to exceed $120,000), and an incentive for SAFNXMOB Orange LLC for a medical office canopy (not to exceed $50,000). Council also approved an assignment of a previously approved $120,000 EDC incentive from Red Gator Rentals to Reagan Holdings, LLC. Each of these EDC items was introduced, met waiting-period requirements noted by staff, and passed on recorded votes.

- The council approved entering contract negotiations with Schaumburg & Polk, Inc., under RFQ 2025-15 HMGP (elevation program engineering services) as the most qualified proposer and authorized staff to proceed with contract negotiations.

- The council approved allocating an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Reserve Fund for pedestrian gateway improvements at the Riverside Pavilion to promote tourism and the hotel industry; staff indicated a goal of completing safety work before a mid-May Bassmaster event.

- Election and voting-administration items were approved: changes to Exhibit A of the resolution ordering the May 3, 2025 general election voting locations, and acknowledgement of the names of judges, alternate judges and clerks for that election.

- The council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an amendment to article 16 (wages) of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the City of Orange and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1432; staff said the IAFF membership ratified the amendment.

Votes at a glance (selected items and recorded roll calls)

1) Ordinance — Suspend CenterPoint Energy proposed rates (second reading)
Motion: Suspend rates proposed in CenterPoint Energy GRIP filing (filed on or about 02/18/2025). Mover/Second: not specified in transcript. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Miss McKenna (Aye); Mr. Chandler (Aye); Mr. Childs (Aye); Mr. Burch (Aye); Miss Hennigan (Aye).

2) Resolution — EDC infrastructure grant, Ace Business Park LLC (not to exceed $100,000) (first reading)
Motion: Approve resolution authorizing EDC infrastructure grant agreement. Outcome: motion passed on first reading; final reading to follow.
Vote record: Miss Hennigan (Aye); Mr. Burch (Aye); Mr. Chandler (Aye); Miss McKenna (Aye).

3) Resolution — EDC infrastructure grant, Awesome Plaza LLC (not to exceed $29,000)
Motion: Approve resolution authorizing EDC incentive agreement. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Miss McKenna (Aye); Mr. Chandler (Aye); Mr. Childs (Aye); Mr. Birch (Aye); Miss Hennigan (Aye).

4) Resolution — EDC infrastructure grant, Newton Court LLC / Bowling Village Apartments (not to exceed $120,000)
Motion: Approve resolution authorizing EDC incentive agreement. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Motion and roll call recorded as \"Aye\" by council members on the record.

5) Resolution — EDC infrastructure grant, SAFNXMOB Orange LLC (medical office canopy, not to exceed $50,000)
Motion: Approve incentive. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Miss Hennigan (Aye); Mr. Burks/Burch (Aye); Mr. Childs (Aye); Mr. Chandler (Aye); Miss McKenna (Aye).

6) Contract action — RFQ 2025-15 HMGP, award negotiations to Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. (elevation program engineering services)
Motion: Authorize staff to enter into contract negotiations with the most qualified proposer. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Motion passed on roll call; recorded \"Aye.\"

7) Resolution — Allocate up to $50,000 from Hotel Occupancy Tax Reserve Fund for Riverside Pavilion pedestrian gateway improvements
Motion: Approve HOT-funded gateway/sidewalk project to improve pedestrian safety and tourism access. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Miss McKenna (Aye); Mr. Chandler (Aye); Mr. Charles (Aye); Mr. Birch (Aye); Miss Hennigan (Aye).

8) Administrative — Assignment of EDC incentive from Red Gator Rentals to Reagan Holdings LLC (assignment of previously approved $120,000 incentive)
Motion: Acknowledge and approve assignment for legality; same project and scope. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Miss Hennigan (Aye); Mr. Burch (Aye); Mr. Charles (Aye); Mr. Chandler (Aye); Miss McKenna (Aye).

9) Administrative — Changes to election Exhibit A (polling locations) and acknowledgement of election judges/clerks for May 3, 2025 general election
Motion: Approve updated voting locations and worker lists. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Recorded as unanimous \"Aye.\"

10) Resolution — Authorize city manager to execute amendment to article 16 (wages) of the CBA with IAFF Local 1432
Motion: Approve amendment as ratified by IAFF membership. Outcome: approved.
Vote record: Mr. Chandler (Aye); Mr. Birch (Aye); Miss Hennigan (Aye); Mr. Charles (Aye); Miss McKenna (Aye).

Several agenda items were informational or first readings; the transcript shows no recorded \"No\" votes or abstentions on items called for a roll call. If the council takes further formal readings, staff will bring final-reading ordinances or contract documents back to the council for final approval as required.

If the council agenda item contains additional docket or contract identifiers, staff presentation materials and the formal ordinance/resolution text will be posted with the city clerk's office","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Orange Texas March 25, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Orange City Council voted on a slate of ordinances, resolutions and contract matters at its March 25 meeting; all items recorded on the transcript passed by roll call.","taxTitle","Orange, Orange County, Texas","taxId",69581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099487,"Residents urge TNR program, animal advisory board and 'no-kill' steps during council public comment",531,138000,669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20&start=138&end=669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6099487/Orange/Orange-County/Texas/Residents-urge-TNR-program-animal-advisory-board-and-no-kill-steps-during-council-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099487-f015e904ea88b8559a34629e641242f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775459273&Signature=UP~s3urVlyztc3zlCFKh02lyST2uNXl2yUHyTI95rgWetkJ8EcptIULy0Jq8eQexGycYljYWMQOjw3CMVvHzdT1ix9xc22q4-86BEJ~u8~4JA9Qiq~iI4mQgBfTqnTfeEGq1SOLNj9Miju4Cewfj12pVwzdgXL8x0~qs3~OiOV6SU5cnGv0MrO659YgvF3CgTmlwggX0QnKSvPEypmqYllVi2xfdXQp6JTu~chYSpA2ttD9WBR4DseT2P-EE4emcsL2bh5H2~bMKsEnmO7hlHuqxk-ufyiv2AQRUhH~k0E-ithZSQDC4Zn6yl6oGcd60p2yzpzB-5XKzrsrq-UlFXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the March 25 public-comment period to press the City of Orange for expanded animal services, including shelter capacity for cats, a Trap-Neuter-Release program (TNR) and the formation or activation of an animal advisory board with veterinary representation.

\"I have been a Orange citizen all my life, and I think we need a place for kittens and cats,\" Paulette Thomas said, giving her address and urging the council to add animal-shelter services to the city budget. She recommended a TNR approach to reduce stray-cat populations: \"If we can catch them and, neuter them and release them, it's called TNR... that would cut way down, the stray cats in the city.\"

Advocates at the meeting also framed animal care as part of local economic development and public-health planning. \"If you can also claim that Orange is a no-kill city, it's a draw for employees, it's a draw for businesses,\" said Kelly Kayes, who reviewed steps she has promoted since the prior year and said state law provides for an animal advisory board that should include a veterinarian. Kayes said rescues, an engaged animal-control officer and veterinarian cooperation are necessary to achieve a 90 percent live-release rate commonly used by no-kill advocates.

Kayes described practical steps for the council to consider: ordinances enabling TNR, an active animal advisory board, and municipal attention to shelter intake and veterinary partnerships so rescues will pull animals. She said she brought video material and previous presentations from neighboring cities to illustrate successful TNR approaches.

City officials did not take formal action during the March 25 meeting. Speakers asked that the council and city manager review budgetary options and ordinances needed to begin TNR and to support rescue partnerships. Council members did not promise specific next steps during the public-comment period; the statements were recorded and will be forwarded to the appropriate city department under the Texas Open Meetings Act notice read at the start of the session.

Residents who pressed the council emphasized that any city program would require coordination among animal control, veterinarians, rescues and volunteers to be effective.

No specific ordinance, funding amount or implementation timetable was presented to the council at this meeting.","Multiple residents told the council they want the city to create sheltering and Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs, convene an animal advisory board with a veterinarian member and adopt \"no-kill\" practices to cut stray-cat intake and euthanasia at the municipal shelter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099492,"City staff flags corrosion, leaks at 1943 'Turret Tower' water tank; repairs could require local match for grant",305,938000,1243000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20&start=938&end=1243","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817232-5e4ac9a7686ce0789c76f3f976a49b20/thumbnail_938000.jpg","/articles/6099492/Orange/Orange-County/Texas/City-staff-flags-corrosion-leaks-at-1943-Turret-Tower-water-tank-repairs-could-require-local-match-for-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099492-65f17d1e1ef3961dab6c9273bb4d8431/orig.mp4?Expires=1775459273&Signature=eCG9V10CViJJmAGXR~IRECjG-8YAXBBU7rz~lKK18GN4neRWZjkPvsqZyKMR~mgw8QOmTET1gYGNB3eSUrG8sFUSPMYPSUwCCVXwCOrDp3rHuI0U7qz5Fn0eYLvX0-mQCboaPZu5OxOuFM-O-TXYpjzV84pSWhy6Uk80TMb4z624zah4Rj7rT5nHPBwS9cMqJlKGQmS-jzd1Zt6C6qStKLGVzdt7M77sU2U3p-T71HItZxxtf-Bj-xP1cmRqdgOKkzfmXT8aeDD3N7ABDrod7uZES3reZCpsu8eAPSdyLakrpn4rlDYlO15af~-Zzv9X81n~-EI7OCJLCobPJ6hFCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Jack, a city staff member, told the City of Orange City Council on March 25 that the annual inspections required under the Texas Administrative Code uncovered structural and coating failures at the city's oldest elevated water storage tank, known locally as the Turret Tower.

Jack said the Turret Tower, built in 1943, serves the northeast quadrant of the city and holds about a half-million gallons. \"There were some pretty significant findings at the Turret Tower,\" he said, pointing to peeling paint on exterior and interior surfaces, corrosion on the interior access ladder and small leaks in the tank bowl that are causing sediment and discoloration.

The findings matter because the city draws all its water from groundwater wells and stores treated water in multiple elevated and ground storage tanks. Jack summarized system capacity and use: the city produces about 3.5 million gallons per day on average, peaks near five million gallons during cold-weather usage, and has roughly a six-million-gallons-per-day production capacity; storage tanks provide about two days' supply. Annual inspections are performed to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas Administrative Code requirements.

Council members were shown inspection photographs of peeling coatings, corroded ladder attachments and localized leaks in the bowl. Jack outlined the range of options and order-of-magnitude costs discussed by staff and engineers: repairing the bowl or rehabilitating parts of the existing tower is roughly $500,000; replacing the bowl would be about $2,000,000; and a full new half-million-gallon tower including engineering and construction was described in staff remarks as roughly $7,400,000. Jack also said a grant application could reduce the local burden but would require a local match of up to 20 percent \"which means that out of the city water and sewer enterprise fund, we would have to come up with a million and a half dollars to do our matching portion.\"

Jack said most of the city's other towers have been reconditioned since about 2016, and the Turret Tower is the one outstanding structure that now needs attention. He presented the inspection report to put the issue on council's radar and said staff would pursue grant opportunities and follow-up evaluations to determine whether the system could operate without the tower if it were taken out of service.

Council members asked no additional technical questions during the public presentation and thanked Jack for the report. The item was informational; no formal action or appropriation was taken at the March 25 meeting.

The inspection and any rehabilitation planning will move forward within the constraints Jack described: regulatory inspection requirements, available grant funding, and the enterprise fund's ability to provide a local match if a grant is awarded.","City utilities staff told the City Council that annual TCEQ-required inspections found peeling paint, interior ladder corrosion and small leaks in the Turret Tower; repair or replacement estimates range from roughly $500,000 to multimillion-dollar options and a federal grant would require a local match of about $1.5 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves multiple economic development incentives, suspends proposed gas-rate filing and adopts IAFF wage amendment; votes listed

Residents urge TNR program, animal advisory board and 'no-kill' steps during council public comment

City staff flags corrosion, leaks at 1943 'Turret Tower' water tank; repairs could require local match for grant