Orange council approves multiple grants and FEMA-funded generator contracts
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Summary
At its March 24 meeting, the Orange City Council approved several infrastructure grants and FEMA-backed generator contracts — including a $364,000 police generator — and authorized demolition bids for 12 substandard properties. Most measures passed on unanimous roll calls.
The Orange City Council on March 24 approved a package of infrastructure grants, FEMA-funded emergency-generator contracts and demolition bids intended to bolster city resilience and support local economic projects.
Council approved a resolution to enter an EBC infrastructure grant agreement with Gulf State Industries for up to $200,000 and a separate grant for Newton Court LLC (Park Avenue Apartments) not to exceed $40,000. The council also authorized an infrastructure grant for Lava Java LLC (up to $25,000) and approved removing a previous EDC infrastructure grant agreement for a Cypress Wood Flex project (up to $200,000).
In emergency-preparedness spending, council awarded a $364,000 contract to Gulf Coast Electric to replace the police department’s 600-kilowatt diesel generator and automatic transfer switch, a project described by staff as eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding at a 90% federal / 10% local cost share. A separate $87,354 award was made to Texan Municipal & Industrial to replace a 100-kW generator at the old armory, and McDonald Municipal & Industrial received a $683,000 contract to install an 800-kW diesel generator and transfer switch at the Link Street Water Treatment Plant; staff said the project includes relocating the existing 500-kW unit to another plant.
City staff told the council these generator projects would help keep critical services running during disasters and noted previous storm responses where emergency power proved essential. Council approved the generator contracts and related motions by roll call votes during the meeting.
On housing and economic development matters, staff said the Newton Court grant supports an affordable-housing complex at 12th and West Park; the Gulf State grant applies to infrastructure at the former McCoy site on Interstate 10. Council also approved an extension through June 30 for Reagan Holdings (Red Raider Reynolds) due to contractor delays.
The council considered and approved bids to demolish 12 substandard structures across the city; staff presented recent demolition totals and budgets, noting three recent fiscal years of demolition work and a current budget supplemented by $45,000 in opioid funds. Council members asked whether liens could be placed on higher-value parcels to help fund demolitions; staff said liens are applied case-by-case and certain grant funds require liens, with historical examples provided.
The meeting’s votes on the consent agenda and multiple resolutions were recorded by roll call; the mayor declared the motions passed. The council also authorized contracting and administrative amendments for several grant-administration and consultant agreements on the agenda.
The council adjourned after routine council reports and community announcements.
