There was social distancing at the City Hall in Bridge City on Tuesday night as the City Council conducted its first public meeting in about six months. Previous meetings since the Coronavirus pandemic began were held via teleconferences.
The meeting began with recognition of individuals who helped the city during Hurricane Laura in late August. Mayor David Rutledge presented awards to Carman Apple with the Texas Department of Emergency Management and Captain Michelle McDaniel of the Texas Department of Public Safety. “For tangible and significant assistance to the City of Bridge City during Hurricane Laura for quick response in acquiring necessary supplies and equipment,” Rutledge read from the plaques that were given to Apple and McDaniel.
Also recognized were council members Mike Reed and Lucy Fields who provided assistance for city workers during the hurricane aftermath. Fields with several other ladies from the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce provided a huge pot of gumbo and other snacks to fed the workers doing cleanup.
Reed who also works as a bus driver for the Bridge City School District used the buses with the air conditioning running to give the workers a place to relax and cool off during the days immediately after the storm passed. Reed thanked the city, “It’s a pleasure to be able to help and especially when you work for the school district and you’re associated with the city to be able to kind of be that liaison between the two because the city and the school district have always worked together, we work well together, and I was proud to be able to do it.”
Two other items of business were conducted. An ordinance was approved by the City Council dealing with the purchasing policy for Bridge City. The council approved a resolution adopting financial policies and procedures for federal grant contracts. City Manager Jerry Jones said both actions were done to match requirements for the city to be eligible for federal grant funds.
Some projects have started moving again in Bridge City following the recovery from Laura. Jones indicated the ditch clearing project which was to have started in August was delayed by the hurricane, but has started now. Work is being done on Blueberry currently with other street ditches to be addressed after each one is completed.
The Splash Pad at the City Park is not operational. Parts have been ordered for it. The park itself is open and the Splash Pad will be repaired in a few weeks.
The replacement of fire plugs in Bridge City should start on October 19. The man-hole project is progressing with 37 of the planned 52 completed. Preparation for repairs to storm drains is done and work will begin shortly on those.
Bridge City lost one of its water wells which needs to be capped. Two prospects are being worked on as well design locations at Sunnyside and on Jones. Those studies are moving along nicely according to Jones.
Public Works Director Mike Lund is accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant to install sewer yard lines for residences in Bridge City. Lund needs 75 to 80 applicants in the next two to three weeks to qualify for the grant. Interested residents can call the City Hall at 735-6801 and ask to talk to Lund.
Contractors picking up debris following Laura are in Bridge City now. The city is allowing for disposal of some household debris in the dumpster behind the City Hall on Rachal Avenue. Jones said no green debris, construction debris, or white items will be accepted at the dumpster since the county’s contractors will handle those items.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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