Regular Agenda
5.1
What happened: The chief financial officer of the Point Isabel Independent School District, Christi Gonzalez, gave a presentation of the propositions of bonds for the Nov. 8, 2022, election.
After the district's legal and financial advisors recommended the bond, by Aug. 22, the PIISD Board approved the order to call a Bond Election for $29 million.
Why it matters: In 2021, only one bond passed.
This year's propositions include an aquatic center and acquisition, furniture improvements, and athletic renovations to facilities.
Proposition A: Aquatic Center + Land Acquisition
Proposition B: School Improvement for Furniture, Renovations, and Safety
Proposition C: Tarpon Stadium, Scoreboard, Concessions, Restrooms, Seating, Fieldhouse, and Field Upgrade.
Gonzalez informed the council that the district would decrease the tax rate by nine cents, (0.91587), and taxes would not increase for residents over the age of 65 that have registered for an age exemption.
Early voting starts Oct. 24.
What now: Check out http://www.pi-isd.net for more information. For questions or concerns, call (956)-943-0000.
5.2
What happened: A motion considered to send a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation to extend the 35-mph speed limit through the Shores Subdivision.
Motion passed.
Roll call vote:
Ken Medders: For
Joseph Ricco: For
Patrick McNulty: For
Eva Jean Dalton: For
Kerry Schwartz: For
Why it matters: Councilmen Kerry Schwartz and Ken Medders are requesting signage to alert golf cart drivers not to drive beyond 35 mph per state law and city ordinance.
The speed limit increases past 35 mph north of SPI. Councilman Schwartz hopes to solve the problem by either lowering the speed limit on the north side or creating a sign to prohibit golf carts from going past 35 mph.
"We need to alert drivers that there is this restriction," Schwartz said.
5.4
What happened: A motion considered to authorize the City to hold a workshop on Oct. 27 to cover the Chapter 18 Golf Cart Ordinance.
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Increase Annual Registration: $100/Annual Golf Cart to include inspection and must have liability insurance that matches the state minimum.
- Creation of the Commercial License: $250/Annual.
- Commercial License Regulations.
- Commercial License Insurance Requirements.
- Safety Restraints.
- Open Containers.
- Restricting Golf Carts to the right lane only on a 2-lane street, except when immediately turning left
Motion passed.
Why it matters: The workshop's purpose, according to Mayor Patrick McNulty, is to hear the public’s opinion.
Councilwoman Dalton read a statement which voiced concerns about people disliking golf carts for no reason and wanting the Island to shut down after dark.
"What's next? Regulating Realtors and bars?" Dalton asked.
Dalton addressed fees and regulations, in general, comparing them to socialism, and questioned whether property taxes would possibly increase to cover shortfalls from hotel/motel occupancy taxes.
"It all seems anti-business," Dalton said.
Gabriel Vanounou spoke of the heavy burdens placed on golf cart business owners. He said on top of his insurance, some owners may have to pay up to $100,000 for added fees per golf cart.
"The added fees are outrageous and too much to ask," he said.
What now: The City is seeking to create fees to provide more enforcement.
"We don't have that budget item, and we need to figure that out," McNulty said.
5.5
What happened: A motion to include Chapter 18 Golf Cart Ordinance topics in the City workshop.
Annual inspections to be performed by an outside independent qualified inspector
Motion passed.
Why it matters: Originally included on this agenda was item I. It would establish a curfew on commercial golf carts.
Schwartz amended his motion to take item I out after Vanounou insisted it had been voted out in the past. Vanounou and Schwartz agreed a separate workshop would be called to address the curfew, if needed.
McNulty added that that a possible golf cart curfew was still pending on legal advice and excused the absence of one of the city’s attorneys, Ed Cyganiewicz.
