Lifestyle

   The Blessing American Legion Auxiliary No. 649 cook-off will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 27.
Cook-off teams will be cooking brisket, chili, ribs and/or beans with a first, second and third place trophies awarded to the winners in each category.
   There also will be a showmanship trophy awarded.
   Other events will include two raffles: one with gift card prizes and the other a beverage wagon raffle.
   An auction will be held at the end of the day, beginning at 2:30 p.m.  
   Money raised goes to veterans’ programs, Girls State attendees’ scholarships and several local charities.
   Camper sites are available near the American Legion pavilion where the event will be.
   For information regarding the sites, call 361-563-5632.
   For auction information, please call 979-578-1618.
   For cook-off info, please call 361-649-8536.
   For raffle info, please call 979-479-0783.

   The Matagorda County Retired Teachers Association (MCRTA) had its second virtual meeting of 2021 via Zoom in early March with special guest speaker Tim Lee, the Executive Director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). 
   This state organization, with over 200 local units, advocates for improved benefits for all public education retirees in Texas.       
   Lee has led TRTA since 2004.
   Following the MCRTA business meeting, Lee made his presentation, updating the local membership on happenings in the 87th Texas Legislative Session affecting TRS retirees. 
   He said this session is a “game changer” for TRS retirees because for the first time in many years there is a real possibility that they could see a cost-of-living-adjustment in their pension checks.
   This is due to legislative action taken in 2019 when Senate Bill 12 was passed which set forth a phase-in of increased funding to the TRS pension fund. 

   Commissioners Court unanimously approved $3,905 in county GOMESA funds for additional coastal surveying for the Sargent Breakwater and beach nourishment project during its regular meeting, Monday, March 15.
   “It is my understanding that due to the number of tropical storms this past year that we’re having to go back and do a little surveying to see how much the coastline has changed,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Kent Pollard.
   “This will help us see if we have to move or adjust the breakwaters before construction can begin.”
   The project is a joint venture between the Texas General Land Office, Matagorda County, Atkins America, Inc., and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
   “This is the land work end of where the terminal groin is to be attached,” said Atkins Project Director Rhonda Gregg Hirsch.
   “We see our original location is under water right now. We need to go back landward to see where the groin is to be attached now.”

   Bay City Community Development Corporation (BCCDC) board members voted to refinance two existing loans totaling $3,190,660 to save $60,000 over the term of the note at their regular meeting Monday, March 15.
   The 2016 note was for remodeling the Center for Energy Development (CED), BCCDC Executive Director Jessica Russell said.  
   The refinancing will get BCCDC an interest rate of 1.998, down from the original rate of 2.78 – a savings of $60,000 – BCCDC Chairman Floyce Brown said.
   The board also authorized a letter of support for the proposed Bridge Park Highway 35 Project.
   City Council Member Becca Sitz gave the board an overview of the projected park improvements under the Texas 35 Colorado River Bridge. 
   Sitz said “a small group of people” have formed a bridge project committee to upgrade ramps, particularly the boat ramp under the bridge.

   City Council unanimously approved two certificates of obligation issues as part of an extensive water and wastewater system capital improvement program at its regular meeting March 9.
   In addition, the city approved a local state of disaster from Winter Storm Uri and City Manager Shawna Burkhart gave an update on the city’s response to that storm.
   Council also heard Police Chief Robert Lister’s annual police department report.
   City Council approved two ordinances authorizing certificates of obligation issues – together totaling $6,867,000 - in connection with the water and sewer capital improvement projects that received more than $50 million in Texas Water Development Board assistance.
   The COs will be repaid from surplus water and wastewater system revenues. 
   Director of Finance Scotty Evans noted that both CO issues received “very low” interest rates on the 30-year notes, averaging 1.853%.