Durand council approves street contract, federal safety-plan grant application, benefits renewals, subdivision plat and names baseball complex

Durand City Council on May 21 approved several items affecting city infrastructure, staffing costs and development, voting unanimously on a street contract award, a USDOT grant application, employee benefit renewals, the preliminary plat for a new subdivision phase and a formal dedication of the baseball fields at the city sports complex.

The council awarded the low bid for the 2025 Street Improvement Project to Drake Paving and approved a related contract. Staff said the lowest responsive bid was about $1,400,000 and that the contract on file (C2025-50) is in line with prior city paving contracts. The council voted 4–0 (one member absent) to award the work and approve the contract.

The council also authorized submission of an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program to fund a comprehensive safety action plan. Staff presented the application total as $255,150 and said the city must commit a 20% match of $51,030 to be eligible. Council approved the application and the match commitment so the city will qualify for future USDOT projects that require a current safety plan.

Council members approved renewals for employee benefits for plan year 2025–26. The Blue Cross Blue Shield medical renewal reflects a 6% rate increase but includes a one-time $171,500 credit applied to the city’s premium; dental premiums rose about 5.4%. Vision coverage through VSP and city-paid life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance through Symetra were presented as renewals with no change.

On land use, the council approved a Phase 1 preliminary plat for a subdivision near South 20 Second Avenue and West Mississippi with a condition: the applicant must obtain an approved stormwater management plan for Phase 1 before any construction or grading. City planning staff said the full project will include about 128 lots when complete and that Phase 1 covers approximately 44 lots. The planning commission had recommended approval conditioned on an environmental/stormwater study; councilmembers expressed concern about existing drainage that flows to Mineral Bayou and the need for mitigation prior to on-site work.

Finally, the council formally approved a dedication recognizing a longtime employee by naming the baseball hub at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex the Rick Moats Legacy Baseball Diamonds, honoring roughly 47 years of service to the parks department.

Each of the actions above passed on roll call votes with Council members Miller, Shear, Vice Mayor Similescu and Mayor Martin Tucker voting "yes." Council member Fuller was absent.

Votes at a glance - Award 2025 Street Improvement Project (bid low: Drake Paving, ~$1,400,000): approved 4–0 (Fuller absent). - Approve contract between City of Durant and Drake Paving (C2025-50): approved 4–0 (Fuller absent). - Authorize application to USDOT SS4A grant (requested $255,150) and commit 20% match ($51,030): approved 4–0 (Fuller absent). - Renew employee health/dental/vision and life insurance as presented: approved 4–0 (Fuller absent). - Approve Phase 1 preliminary plat near S. 20 Second Ave. and W. Mississippi with requirement for an approved stormwater management plan prior to construction/grade work: approved 4–0 (Fuller absent). - Dedicate the Durant Multi-Sports Complex baseball hub as the Rick Moats Legacy Baseball Diamonds: approved 4–0 (Fuller absent).

Why it matters: The street award and contract commit roughly $1.4 million to paving and repairs, the SS4A application is intended to position the city for federal safety funding that requires a recent safety action plan, and the plat approval moves forward a multi‑phase residential development but adds a stormwater condition intended to limit downstream flooding risks. The benefits renewals maintain employee coverage with modest premium movement and a one-time credit.

What to watch next: If the SS4A application is funded, staff will return with a scope and project list tied to the safety action plan. Final plat approvals, building permits and civil plan reviews for the subdivision will follow council conditions and must address the stormwater plan.