Orange City Council taps hotel‑motel reserves, approves EDC grants, zoning change and multiple contracts

The City Council of the City of Orange, Texas, voted unanimously to approve a package of agenda items that included allocations from hotel‑motel tax reserves, several Economic Development Corporation (EDC) infrastructure grants, a zoning ordinance first reading, and multiple contracts and agreements.

The mayor (unnamed in the transcript) told the council the action responded to a drop in sales tax receipts and that the city would “tap into the rainy day fund reserves to the tune of about $150,000” from hotel‑motel tax reserves to support organizations not previously chosen for funding. Council then approved the consent agenda, which listed hotel‑motel tax allocations to a range of local groups (see actions list). The council recorded affirmative votes by named members in the record and the motions passed.

Key approvals included: - Hotel‑motel tax allocations on the consent agenda: multiple organizations and amounts were listed for fiscal year 2024–25, notably $74,000 to the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce and smaller allocations ranging from $2,000 to $30,000 to local groups and events. The council approved the full consent agenda by motion. - EDC infrastructure grants: the council approved an EDC grant agreement for Spinning Wheel Holding LLC (Red’s Liquor), located at 6928 B Highway 87, in an amount not to exceed $80,000, and an EDC incentive for Luigi’s Italian Grill (3108 Edgar Round Drive) not to exceed $92,000. Staff described the Luigi’s grant as covering a new grease trap, plumbing work and a replacement sign to improve visibility. - Ordinance (first reading): the council advanced an amendment to the City of Orange Code of Ordinances (Chapter 12) adding Article 12.5 to regulate itinerant vendors, including rules for vendors on property owned by governmental entities. The planning commission’s recommendation (6–0) and the council’s motion carried. - Contract award: the council authorized a contract with Pacific Technology for wayside horn system installation not to exceed $64,673.01 after staff explained equipment issues with the prior proprietary supplier (Quiet Zone Technologies) and the need to replace defective equipment in Union Pacific Railroad quiet zones throughout the city. - Industrial district agreement: the council authorized executing a new industrial district agreement to reflect a transfer of facilities and tax accounts to AGNL Resin LP; the agreement will run contemporaneous with existing industrial district agreements that expire in March 2027. - Labor agreement: the council approved a one‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Orange Municipal Police Association, effective October 1 per staff remarks. Staff provided a redline showing negotiated changes and corrected a typographical error in vacation leave language noted in the record.

All motions recorded in the meeting were made and seconded and carried by recorded affirmative votes in the transcript. Where vote responses were read aloud the minutes show named affirmations (for example: Miss McKenna, Mister Birch/Burrows, Mister Charles, Miss Hennigan, and the presiding official each said “Aye”).

This package of actions is intended by the council to support local events and businesses, to address infrastructure and safety issues tied to proprietary railroad equipment, and to finalize a short‑term labor agreement. Most items were routine and passed with no recorded opposition. The council adjourned after approving an unlicensed use and indemnity agreement permitting the Spark Park 'gumdrop shop' event on Dec. 7, 2024.