The Orange City Council Tuesday approved paying the new First State Bank an economic development grant of $175,000 to pay for infrastructure.
City Economic Development Director Jay Trahan said the work has been done. The city will reimburse the costs of the approved work after it passes inspection.
The council and the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors approved the grant a year ago. The process included public hearings on the expenditure. Money from the grants comes from a sales tax voters approved.
The work at the bank includes plumbing, a lift station, a retention pond, culvert extensions and a fire prevention system, he said. At-Large Councilor Bill Mello, who owns a plumbing company, recused himself from the vote.
Building permits show the bank construction is worth $2.3 million. The building is off Interstate 10 at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
In other business, the council approved buying $56,000 worth of new playground equipment for Ridgemont Park. The money is from federal community development block grants.
The city has a policy of revamping a park every year. City Grants Administrator Sandra Wilson said Ridgemont Park has not been remodeled in 20 years. She said the block grants can be used in neighborhoods that have 51 percent or more of its residents in the low to moderate income level.
The council also accepted the resignation of Cullin Smith from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Smith, who owns a real estate title company, served as chair of the board. He is also a former council member.
District 4 Councilor Annette Pernell said she hates to see him leave the group because of his knowledge. She said sometimes you might not like the way he says things, but she enjoys his insight. “I don’t want him to go, but it’s a voluntary position.” District 1 Councilor Pat Pullen agreed.
City Planning Director Kelvin Knauf said the council will appoint a new citizen member to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He said the city will post the opening and accept applications.
City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre said the council appoints people to the commission, but the members of the commission select a chair.
Library Director Brenna Manasco told the council the Orange Public Library received a $2,500 grant from the Texas Book Festival. The annual festival in Austin uses proceeds to help libraries in the state. The Orange library will use the money for new nonfiction books in the children’s section and audiobooks.
The council approved another contract with the Stark Foundation to use Stark Park for June 9 Art in the Park. The festival was canceled earlier because of weather and has been rescheduled. Economic Development Director Jay Trahan, who oversees the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which sponsors the event, said the people who had reserved booth space plan to participate even with the later date.
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