After working for months on a new ordinance regulating tow trucks, the Orange City Council Tuesday tabled a vote to make the new rules official.
The action came after Chad Gilbeaux and other drivers from Gilbeaux Towing complained.
The council earlier this month had approved the changes on the first reading and was set to make the rules official with the second reading and vote.
Mayor Larry Spears Jr. told Gilbeaux the council had been working on the ordinance after four or five other towing companies threatened to sue the city over the current policies.
Driver Robbie Ryder said his main complaint was the flat rate for jobs. He said sometimes he has to get vehicles out of water, which requires diving. The flat rate does not cover the costs of that kind of work.
City Attorney Jack Smith said if changes are made to the proposed ordinance, the ordinance will have to go through the whole process again with two readings. However, if the council tabled the second vote, the part about the rates could be changed in an amendment to the second reading.
In other business, the council approved an economic development grant of a maximum $55,000 for Real Southern Cooking, 1111 Green Avenue. Money for the grant comes from a special city sales tax approved by voters.
City Economic Development Director Jay Trahan said owner Michael Ryan has spent $50,000 on improvements at the building and plans to use $46,000 of the grant. The grants are paid through reimbursements after the work is completed. The restaurant will have 3 to 4 full time workers.
The grant will cover things like a fire supression system, plumbing improvements, and kitchen equipment.
Ryan said the restaurant will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 6 or 7 in the evening.
The council also awarded a contract of $99,500 for repairs to Dawnwood Drive in the Little Cypress Bayou subdivision. The contract went to Gulf Coast of Beaumont.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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