Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Finance And Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orange council approves utility participation, firefighter contract, infrastructure contracts and multiple EDC incentives
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Orange City Council approved participation in Entergy rate matters at the Texas PUC, ratified a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the city firefighters, awarded engineering and construction services contracts and approved several economic development incentives and special-event agreements.
The Orange City Council on Jan. 14 approved a series of resolutions, contracts and economic-development incentives covering utility advocacy, public-safety pay, infrastructure repairs and downtown and riverfront projects. Council members voted unanimously on the items listed below.
Why it matters: The actions collectively move planned public-works repairs and tourism-focused upgrades forward, lock in a one-year firefighter pay package, and authorize the city to participate with other cities at the Public Utility Commission of Texas in Entergy-related rate proceedings.
Votes at a glance (key items approved) - Ordinance authorizing participation with other Entergy service-area cities at the Public Utility Commission of Texas in 2025; authorized hiring of lawyers and rate experts. Vote: unanimous (Chandler, Birch, Hennigan, Childs, McKenna — all “Aye”). - Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a collective bargaining agreement with International Association of Firefighters Local 1432 (one-year agreement effective Dec. 28, 2024, per staff). Vote: unanimous. - Contract award to Schomburg & Polk (engineering/construction-phase services) not to exceed $172,700 to repair an ultraviolet light disinfection basin at the Jackson Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. Vote: unanimous. - Agreement with Orange Youth Baseball and Softball: five-year use agreement for Memorial Field; the association will perform about $6,400 of improvements/maintenance annually. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution to encumber up to $500,000 from the hotel occupancy tax reserve fund for phased improvements at Riverside Pavilion (pedestrian safety, expanded electrical and water services). Vote: unanimous. - Change order awarded to Rio Grande Pacific Technologies not to exceed $5,658.99 to add two flashing beacons to the West Green Avenue wayside horn system (FRA-required). Vote: unanimous. - Contract with Tyler Technologies for Tyler New World ERP cloud-based SaaS software (budgeted under FY2025). Vote: unanimous. - Approval to submit the FY2025 cybersecurity grant application and provide matching funds as required. Vote: unanimous. - Special-event agreement with Deep South Racing Association to host drag boat races at the city boat ramp March 15–16, 2025. Vote: unanimous. - Multiple EDC incentive approvals (motions of intent carried to council) including: Ace Business Park — infrastructure incentive not to exceed $100,000; Awesome Plaza — façade/parking improvements incentive not to exceed $29,000; withdrawal of prior $50,000 incentive for NextCorp CHRISTUS Hospital and approval of a replacement incentive for SAFNX Mob Orange LLC not to exceed $50,000; Newton Core LLC (Bowling Village Apartments) incentive not to exceed $120,000. All motions passed by recorded unanimous votes. - Lease approval for office space at Orange City Hall for State Representative Dave Phelan’s office. Vote: unanimous.
Discussion and staff direction Council and staff briefly discussed the timing and implementation of multiple projects (for example, the Riverside Pavilion improvements were presented as a phased approach and staff said they would return with a local bill resolution to broaden permitted hotel-occupancy-tax uses). City staff noted some agenda items corrected prior clerical errors (the firefighter wage schedule and an earlier contract award) and explained timing for grant filings and contractor procurement.
What’s next Contracting and design work will proceed on awarded projects; staff said some items (notably parts of the Riverside Pavilion program) will return to council for further resolution, lease drafts or local-bill filing where state action is required.
