City Council was back from a three-week hiatus. Here are all the notables from the June 5th session. Councilwoman Rees Langston was not in attendance.
5.1
A presentation was shown regarding Mobile Food Unit (MFU) ordinances and implementation of ordinance 23-13 passed in Nov. of 2023 by the City Council. Ordinance 23-13 involved MFU going to a commissary daily to dispose of, replace, and clean out their MFU so they held them to standard code. 23-13 also states that MFU must show proof of insurance, a registration sticker, and a location and parking layout for where they will be. Through Jun. 1 2024, the city has handed out 36 written warnings of failure to comply with the new ordinances to MFU. A follow-up will come on Fri. Jun 7, when tickets will be handed out if those warnings still need to be corrected.
Mayor Patrick McNulty felt concerned about the numerous warnings and wants to see updated numbers in the July City Council Meeting to see the correction totals.
5.2
Another presentation was presented to the Council over the history of the Venue Tax that has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2017. The Venue tax is designed to help projects such as Laguna Blvd, the Wind and Water Sports construction, as well as the Convention Center expansion. The Venue Tax fund is currently at $14 Million Dollars as of September of 2023.
5.3
City Council approved the second and final reading of the ordinance of 24-02 and amended sections 15-2, 15-2.2, and 15-14 while adding sections 15-2,15-5(Q),15-6(F), 15-11.1, and 15-11.2. These modifications are over the usage of signs that have been discussed previously during council sessions. Signs are not to be in place until 60 days before an election and must be removed no later than 10 days after the election has concluded. Penalties can include up to a $500 fine.
5.4
Council approved the addition of 32.4 acres in the City of South Padre Island by the Laguna Madre Water District to the district’s boundaries, for annexation from Padre Island Castle Development.
5.5
The council approved a go-ahead contract with HDR Engineering for the annual beach survey for the amount of $72,000. The funds as well as the program help future beach nourishment and public engagement on the state of the beach waters.
5.6 and 5.7
$16,700 was approved by the Council in funds to go towards the Vector Control Program. The Vector Control program reduces disease-carrying mosquitoes from becoming a threat on the island to its tourists and residents.
5.8
A memorial for the three flight crew members of Valley Air Care 1 who lost their lives in 2008 due to a helicopter crash was passed by the Council in the amount of $8,000. The helicopter crashed during a trip from Harlingen to South Padre Island to pick up a patient.
7.1
A motion was made by Council member Joe Ricco to instruct City Manager Randy Smith and City Attorney Ed Cyganiewicz to explore settlement options with Clore Constructions. Clore Constructions were the primary workers on the Laguna Blvd drainage and reconstruction project. Ricco’s motion was then approved by the council.
The next city council meeting will take place on June 19th.
