"Council accepts petitions to annex 280 acres in TIRZ 2" by: Mike Reddell

   City Council accepted petitions for annexation of 280 acres in TIRZ 2 between Bay City and Van Vleck at council’s regular meeting Jan. 11.
   Council accepted Arthur Milberger’s petitions requesting the city annex 280 acres in the TIRZ 2, as part of the development financing agreement between TIRZ 2 and Bold Fox Development the city approved Dec. 21.
   Bold Fox proposes 200 homes with amenities in TIRZ 2.
   Currently, TIRZ 2 includes Schulman’s MBG entertainment center.
   Council spent time going over the numerous documents Milberger provided for the annexation request. 
   By law, council has to call a public hearing on the petitions more than 10 days and less than 120 days after the notice has been published in a newspaper.
   City Attorney Anne Marie Odefy said the public hearing would be placed on council’s first meeting agenda in February.

•     Council approved $13,976 in reimbursements for Phase II projects to contractor Sal Holdings for drainage improvements of Cottonwood Park.

   The reimbursement was recommended by the TIRZ 1 board.

•     Held a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project to provide infrastructure improvements to replace the city’s aged and deteriorated waterlines that have caused service disruptions and inadequate fire protection. 

   The project for low and moderate income residents calls for replacing about 4,300 linear feet of 4-inch and 6-inch water, fire hydrant service reconnections along Avenue C from 12th Street to Grace, along Avenue D from 12th to Grace, along Adell Street from Ave. C to Ave. D, along 12th from Ave. C to Ave. D, and along 13th from Ave. C to Ave. D. 
   The city has a $17,500 match for the work that totals $488,705.

•     Unanimously approved a professional service agreement with economic development consultant David Pettit for the north downtown TIRZ 1.

   Pettit will receive the same $23,500 compensation as he does for consulting on the TIRZ 2 development, City Manager Shawna Burkhart said.

•     Approved a resolution supporting Tejas Cove Senior Housing Limited Partnership’s application to the 2022 Competitive Housing Tax Credit program.

   The resolution notes Tejas Cove seeks to rehabilitate 61 affordable senior rental housing units at Tejas Cove Apartments at 1900 Palm Village.

•    Unanimously approved an interlocal contract between the city and county for the Service Center from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023.

   The county will continue its annual payment of $3,591 to support the Service Center 

•    Unanimously approved the interlocal agreement between the city and county for the Bay City Public Library.

   The county will continue its annual payment to the library of $200,000 for 2022.

•    Held a long discussion of a water well at the Bay City Regional Airport.

   Council members balked at the well’s cost of about $1.3 million.
   That amount represents a third of the American Rescue Plan funding for the city, which is $3.8 million.
   One issue would be the well providing water for fighting fires.
   Airport Manager James Mason was asked to come back to council with other options.