City Council resumed on Wednesday, February 7th, to discuss various subjects.

The Council congratulated Lisa Graves ed for winning the special election for City Council Seat 5.

5.2

The City Council approved an ordinance to include an additional section in Chapter 18 of the City of South Padre Code of Ordinances prohibiting overnight parking in public parking areas. The Council cited cars, boats, and other forms of transportation being parked in spots for days to months with no penalty to the owner. This ordinance will be in effect from 12 am-6 am.

5.3

Council denied a dismissal of a Hotel Occupancy Tax for South Padre Island Inn. They don't want to create a precedent of SPI companies being late on payments and bailing them out.

5.4

A continuance from the last City Council session: the discussion was from owners of the Embassy Condominiums and their noise complaints about the Cocoa Beach bar. South Padre Island Police Chief Claudine O'Carroll came to speak in front of the Council, citing call records received by people staying in the Condos in 2022 and 2023, being 8 and 18, respectively. Chief O'Carroll says that most times they went to Cocoa Beach about the noise complaints, the bar obliged and turned the volume down. A property owner of the Embassy Condos, who spoke on behalf of other owners, talked about the times when music and decibel levels feel normal and when they rise, specifically when DJs play at Cocoa Beach. City Councilman Joe Ricco eventually made a motion for a budget amendment of up to $2,000 to buy five new sound meters for police officers to use in cases like this moving forward.

5.5

City Council approved a draft write-up of election signs being up for a maximum of 60 days before and 10 days after the election. Members of the Council complained about the 'eye-sore' it can be for vacationers and how the new law can clean up Padre Boulevard aesthetically.

5.7-5.8

The staff will submit two grants to help police on South Padre Island prevent and reduce border-related crime activity.

5.10

Councilwoman Rees Langston was approved to join the EDC (Economic Development Corporation) due to a vacant spot.

The next City Council meeting is Wednesday, February 21st.