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City Council Report

by Sarah-Victoria Lozano de Gonzalez

The City Council convened in the second floor chambers this Wednesday, Mar. 6.

 

Public comment:

 

Louis Balderas spoke on behalf of Richard Welles, who was sitting in the audience, introducing themselves as owners of Diamond Peak Towing. They addressed concerns about the local towing industry's reputation on South Padre Island, highlighting the necessity of towing while acknowledging its occasional inconvenience. Balderas urged the City Council to reevaluate the current system and presented a constructive solution by requesting the council's consideration for the addition of a sixth permit. Their vision is for a local towing business that actively collaborates with city police to better serve the community.

 

Proclamation:

 

The Rotary Club of Port Isabel, Texas, established in 1936 and marking 88 years of service, has received recognition from the City of South Padre Island for its unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts. Aligned with the global organization Rotary International, the Port Isabel club adheres to the motto "Service Above Self." The City lauds the club's active involvement in local initiatives, such as the "End Polio Now" campaign.

 

Consent Agenda

 

The City Council unanimously approved the payment of invoices via General Fund checks numbered 157674 through 157759, along with Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments, amassing a grand total of $1,030,148.28.

 

Regular Agenda

 

6.1

 

Chief Financial Officer Rodrigo Jimenez introduced approving occupancy tax policies for payment agreements as well as waiver of penalties and interest. According to the agenda the tax policies for payments agreements as well as waiver of penalties and interest have been developed for council consideration.

 

In the attached document, the city introduces a formal policy for approving Hotel Occupancy Tax Payment Agreements, defining terms such as 'Debt owed to the City' and 'Debtor.' The policy outlines specific guidelines for agreements, differentiating between debts up to $10,000 and those exceeding this threshold. The City Manager and Chief Financial Officer are granted authority to enter agreements for smaller debts, reporting to the City Council. Larger debts over $10,000 require City Council approval, with specific conditions and considerations for financial hardship, timeframes, and limitations on penalty and interest waivers.

 

6.2

 

Discussions centered around the appointment of members to the City Home Rule Charter Adhoc Committee. The committee's primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive review of the 2009 Home Rule Charter, proposing recommendations for potential amendments and presenting findings to the City Council.

 

The Home Rule Charter, initially approved and passed by South Padre Island voters in 2009, serves as the basis for this critical evaluation. City Secretary Angelique "Nikki" Soto, Mayor Patrick McNulty, City Manager Randy Smith, and City Attorney/Municipal Court Judge Ed Cyganiewicz collaborated to compile a preliminary list of proposed committee members, including Chris Huffman, Robert Pinkerton Jr., Shane Wilson,  Director of Operations Wendy Delgado, Soto, and Cyganiewicz.

 

During the deliberations, Joe Ricco suggested lawyer Kathy Cunningham, a lawyer with practice areas in Business, Government/Administrative, Real Estate, Wills-Trusts-Probate, Non-Profits, and Contracts. Ricco expressed confidence that she would be honored to serve despite not asking Cunningham yet.

 

Ken Medders Jr. asked for council representation on the committee, and McNulty took the initiative to join after no council members volunteered before Councilman Kerry Schwartz offered his participation.

 

McNulty then directed Soto to include Medders Jr. and Schwartz as additional committee members. The inaugural committee meeting is slated for April, with the ambitious goal of concluding their review by May 31.

6.3

 

The Council approved a motion pertaining to a beach and dune permit application for 7000 Gulf Boulevard presented by Shoreline Director Kristina Boburka. The application, which involves the construction of an ADA ramp within the existing access path, was thoroughly discussed during the regular Shoreline Task Force meeting on Feb. 27, 2024. 

Proposed ramp location over existing stairs.

The materials submitted with the application, along with the General Land Office letter, were provided as supporting documentation. Although the video discussion is not available in the meeting recording, interested parties can review the agenda item.

6.4

 

The City approved preliminary plans for enhancing Neptune Circle beach access. Boburka presented the detailed plans reviewed in with the General Land Office (GLO) on Feb. 9, 2024. The Shoreline Task Force meeting discussed the plans on Feb. 27, 2024. This improvement project is partially funded through the Coastal Management Program's Cycle 28.

Shoreline Director Kristina Boburka presents preliminary plans to City Council: A Courtesy Snapshot.

6.5

 

In compliance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), the Council formally recognized the submission and reception of the 2023 Racial Profiling Report. Mandated as an annual requirement, the report serves as a crucial presentation to the governing body, emphasizing the commitment to transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.

 

6.7

 

In a significant move, South Padre Island's City Council has moved forward in the land purchase of North Half of Tract 21, Abst 260, Kirksey-Grady Subdivision. The approved resolution, No. 2024-08, grants the City Manager authority to execute the $350,000 purchase and sales agreement for the property, including Lots 1-8 Block 1, Lots 1-11 Block 3, Lots 1-15 Block 5, and Lots 1-14 Block 7 in Cameron County. The decision reflects the City's forward-looking vision for future development and progress, marking a significant step toward realizing its strategic goals.

Lots 1-8 Block 1, Lots 1-11 Block 3, Lots 1-15 Block 5, and Lots 1-14 Block 7 in Cameron County. Courtesy of the City of SPI.

6.8

 

The council approved rescheduling the Mar. 20, 2024 regular City Council meeting to Mar. 27, 2024.

 

Sarah-Victoria Lozano de Gonzalez, a Brownsville native, holds degrees in Political Science and English from Baylor University.

 

She currently serves as a reporter for Island Matters, a digital newspaper covering news on South Padre Island, bringing with her legal expertise gained from various law firms, courthouses, and probation offices.

 

In her free time, she passionately advocates for children in CASA.

 
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