City Council Report

Announcements

• McNulty announced the City received their hot tax collections, and they were 2% off from 2021, “Which was our best March ever in the history of SPI regarding HOT collections.”
• McNulty recognized City Manager Randy Smith, Police Chief Claudine O’ Carroll, Officer Joseph Gonzalez, Fire Chief Jim Pigg, and Environmental Health Director Victor Baldovinos for their outstanding work with conference training.
• Environmental Health Director Victor Baldovinos announced that environmental health professionals would be behind some residential properties to spray for mosquitoes.
• Fire Chief Jim Pigg announced the start of the junior guard program and welcomed interested parties to contact the fire department. Tryouts begin June 3.
• Long-time resident and a Realtor Rod Hunter announced last summer a group of vacation rental managers formed the Vacation Rental Management Association of South Padre Island (VRMA-SPI). Mickey Furcron, Tom Goodman, Will Greenwood, and Wally Jones serve on the board alongside himself. The goal, according to Hunter, is to offer professionalism while also bringing awareness of the value vacation rentals bring. In addition, the board plans to hold irresponsible vacation owners and managers accountable to the community and increase the HOT compliance with all short-term vacation rentals.

Presentations

• Mayor Patrick McNulty announced a Proclamation celebrating “The Future of Travel” during National Travel & Tourism Week.
• Police Chief Claudine O’Carroll announced the retirement of K9 officer Breta after seven years on the force.

Consent agenda

5.3) The approval of budget enhancement for $6,329.18 from 01–48045 insurance proceeds for PD – 163 repairs.

5.4) The approval budget amendment to transfer $3,348.17 for the purchase of tablets, including service for the public works department.

5.5) The approval of a budget amendment in the amount of $68,800 for all departments relating to the fuel and lubrications expenditures during the 2021/2022 fiscal year.

Motion to approve consent agenda passed.

Regular agenda

6.1)

What happened: A motion for more information on the second reading of the draft ordinance concerning possible action regarding vehicle and trailer parking on Gulf Boulevard.

Motion passed.

Why it matters: The Shoreline Task Force board submitted a draft ordinance on January 12, 2022, to regulate the abuse of oversized vehicles taking up multiple spaces on beach accesses. “The abuse of these spots takes away opportunities for convenient access to our City Beaches from our visitors and residents that are not living on Gulf Blvd.,” written in the letter from the SLTF. In addition, the fine for overnight parking is punishable by a fine of $500.

Chairman of the SLTF board Robert Nixon suggested leaving boats in lots. “We have opportunities on the island for these boats to stay. The trailer shouldn’t be there at all.”

6.2)

What happened: A motion to install a sign at Turtle Park (E Coronado Dr.) that prohibits the use of grills on city property.

Motion passed.

Why it matters: The agenda item stirred confusion over whether there were already grills provided at city parks. Parks Manager Debbie Huffman clarified that City Ordinance banned fires/grills at city parks unless it is a city-provided grill. “We took out the grills from Tompkins Park, so no one can bring a grill to Tompkins Park. No sign says it’s prohibited, but it is in the city ordinance Sec 25-07(c)(1). It’s complaint based.”

6.3)

What happened: A motion to install a golf cart prohibited sign on the east side of the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge heading west.

Motion passed.

Why it matters: Mayor McNulty showed the council members and the audience of the current sign in place. The goal of the agenda item, according to McNulty, was to “A larger golf ‘prohibited’ the sign so people can notice it.”

6.4)

What happened: A motion to report noise complaint violations to the City Council for the next three months to see whether or not they are Short-Term Rentals (STR), what the City’s rate is, how many homes have new units, and a notice of rules of compliance to all current registered owners.

Motion passed.

Why it matters: Mayor McNulty highlighted from City Ordinance Sec. 11-220-222 that an owner renting their house, while not registered with the City, could potentially be fined $500 for each per day.

“We have some issues with this,” said Councilman Ricco after commenting on Airbnb’s and VRM Operators putting properties all over the island on the west side. “Areas that are zoned for residential.”

6.5)

What happened: The council announced the newly appointed Special Events Committee member C. Ryan O’Byrne.

Why it matters: C. Ryan O’Byrne is a Sales and Marketing Agent at the Pearl South Padre Beachfront Resort.

6.10)

What happened: A motion to extend the City’s Declaration of a Local State of Disaster due to COVID-19 Virus Epidemic to 11:59 PM on Monday, June 6, 2022. 

Motion passed.

Why it matters: South Padre Island files its paperwork following the State of Texas.

What now: [Island Matters has reached out for comment concerning this matter.]

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Island Matters | P.O. Box 2778 | South Padre Island, TX 78597