The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

There will be fireworks in Orange this 4th of July after a one year absence.

The Orange City Council approved a resolution at their regular meeting on Tuesday morning awarding a contract to Pyrotecnico Fireworks for $20,000 for the July 4th celebration at the Riverfront Pavilion.

Jay Trahan, director of the Orange Economic Development Corporation, said Pyrotecnico did the fireworks displays for Labor Day and the BASS Master Tournament in the past.

This will be a free, family-friendly, community wide event.

There will also be entertainment with a tie-in patriotic theme.

Pyrotecnico will provide $10 million general liability insurance, $10 million commercial transportation insurance and state worker's compensation policy.

The contract terms calls for Pyrotecnico to make a 50 percent deposit due upon signing of the contract.

The balance is due 30 days after the display.

Pricing includes a $19,300 fireworks display, $100 State of Louisiana fireworks permit for Beacon Maritime on Harbor Island and $600 fireworks security for a total price of $20,000.

The fireworks will last 10 to 12 minutes.

Councilman Bill Mello asked if other cities in the county were interested in participating and sharing the costs.

Trahan said he has reached out to the city of Bridge City since they do a fireworks show on the 4th of July at Cow Bayou, but they have not replied yet.

Councilman Larry Spears Jr.

said he would like to see a 5K race on July 4th.

The motion was passed with Mello voting no. He said he couldn't see spending $20,000 of the taxpayers' money for a 10 minute display without more cooperation and pooling of resources from other cities within the county assisting.

The council also approved a resolution for an agreement with Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour (SPORT) for the 2015 Tunnel Boat Races.

The races will be held in Orange September 18 through September 20.

Orange has hosted this event previously.

Trahan said a $7,500 payment is to be submitted by July 1 upon acceptance of the agreement, but no later than July 15.

A second payment of $10,000 is due by August 30 and the final payment of $25,000 is to be paid on September 18, the first day of the event.

The race producer requested a total event fee of $42,500.

Spears said he would like to see if there is a way to invite local students to the event.

The first reading of an ordinance was approved to rezone a 41-foot by 201-foot section of a 1.3 acre tract from R-1 Low Density Residential Zoning District to C-1 Light Commercial Zoning District.

The tract is part of the Ben Johnson Survey on the north side of Dawnwood Drive off of Highway 87.

The zoning request is to make a parking lot at Grand Slam Batting Cages.

A public hearing was held at the meeting on the zoning issue in which no one spoke.

A resolution was also approved with Vigilant Solutions Inc. for two License Plate Readers-warrant redemption program and credit card scanners in vehicles.

Police chief L.L. Martin said the Orange Police Department has been using the LPRs the past few years.

This agreement will, at no cost, provide a new second LPR and credit card scanner.

The provider adds an additional 25 percent charge for the point of collection during the traffic stop by using the credit card scanner for payment.

The city will get its original traffic charge and warrant charge.

The company will get the upcharge which it collects when the credit card is swiped.

Martin stated this helps the city in a few ways: One, the officer is able to settle the warrant on the steet and may not have to wait for family to pick up children or other occupants in the vehicle.

Two, the city will not have to pay the daily $50 per day inmate fee at the county jail.

Third, the officer will be more productive instead of being tied up with an arrest and booking of prisoner which can take more than an hour under normal circumstances.

The council approved an ordinance authorizing the city to participate with other Entergy service area cities concerning Entergy Texas, Inc. at the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2015.

Photo - January 13, 2015 was proclaimed as West Orange-Stark Mustang Varsity Football Team Day at the regular meeting of the Orange City Council on Tuesday morning. The team and Coach Cornel Thompson were recognized for advancing to the Class 4A Division II State Finals in football. Coah T., players, the Orange City Councilmembers, city staff and the public pose for a picture. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball