Orange council adopts reinvestment-zone ordinance, approves multiple utility contracts and EDC incentives

The Orange City Council on Nov. 19 adopted an ordinance to establish a reinvestment zone for property at 1750 IP Way Road and approved a package of contracts and economic incentives covering utilities equipment, event services and business relocation.

The ordinance for 1750 IP Way Road, presented by Mister Trahan, was described as the final step to allow a consulting firm to pursue state-level incentives for the project site. "This is the final step in terms of working with the consulting firm," Trahan said, and the council voted to adopt the measure.

Council members next approved a series of staff-recommended procurement items for utility operations and plant repairs. Utilities staff identified an annual chlorine contract recommended for award to PVS DX Incorporated for $74,989 to supply liquid chlorine for the water treatment plant. Utilities staff also described capital equipment purchases: a hydro vacuum trailer from Patterson Equipment Company (not to exceed $56,725) to automate cleaning valve boxes and a replacement jet rodder trailer from Kenlock Equipment and Supply (not to exceed $82,003.62). On wastewater infrastructure, staff said solvent dumping months earlier damaged the ultraviolet (UV) basin at the Jackson Street wastewater treatment plant; the council approved a task order under the city’s engineering contract with LJA Engineering not to exceed $172,700 to develop bid documents and provide construction-phase services for the repairs.

"This trailer will clean those valve boxes out automatically with a vacuum, as well as have a mechanical item to open and close the valve in less than a minute," utilities staff (Mr. Jack) said, arguing the equipment will improve crew safety and efficiency.

The council also approved several Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recommendations. Members granted a timeline extension through June 30, 2025 for Child's Manufacturing and Building Supply to coordinate curb‑cut and right‑of‑way matters with TxDOT; approved an incentive for boiler replacement at City Hall with funding not to exceed $30,000 (the official bid was $23,800); and approved an incentive request for Red Gator Rentals' relocation to 3400 Edgar Brown Drive with an incentive not to exceed $120,000. Hilary Gravatt told council Red Gator’s projected capital investment is about $575,000.

Council also confirmed multiple appointments to the Board of Adjustment to fill full and unexpired terms, following a discussion about potentially changing how applicants present to council and a proposed January session to consider process changes.

Votes at a glance: ordinance adopting reinvestment-zone at 1750 IP Way Road — motion passed (recorded ayes); award to Skye Wonder Pyrotechnics (drone show) — motion considered and discussed (see separate event article); PVS DX (liquid chlorine) — approved; Patterson Equipment (hydro vacuum trailer) — approved; Kenlock (jet rodder) — approved; LJA Engineering (UV basin design/oversight) — approved; EDC incentives for boiler replacement and Red Gator Rentals — approved; Board of Adjustment appointments — approved. Where roll-call yes/no was recorded in the transcript, council members answered "Aye." For items taken on the consent agenda, minutes were approved as presented.

Council did not take final action to approve the broader "Orange Is Alive 2025" event on item 8a after community members raised scheduling and fundraising concerns; a separate resolution to award a drone-show contract was considered on the subsequent agenda item.

The council adjourned to a closed executive session to confer with legal counsel under Texas Government Code chapter 551 on collective bargaining (International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1432) and litigation, then reconvened and voted to return supplemental bargaining language to the union for their consideration.

The council adjourned the Nov. 19 meeting and will next meet in January for a morning session.