The South Padre Island City Council authorized the city manager to execute an agreement not to exceed $60,000 with Oeding Alkami (engaging Brett Oeding) for interim chief executive services, organizational review and oversight of Visit South Padre Island.

Wendy Delgado, director of operations for the city, told the council the organization currently has three top positions vacant and staff sought an interim leader with tourism experience. Delgado said Brett Oeding — who has served as executive director in other destination organizations and now operates his own consulting practice — will provide onsite interim leadership, conduct stakeholder interviews, review operations (marketing, sales, facilities), and produce an executive report at the end of the engagement.

Delgado described the proposed scope: in addition to interim day-to-day oversight, Oeding would perform an organizational assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses and “best practices” to help a future permanent director “hit the ground running.” She said staff and several CBA board members had reacted positively to the proposal.

A councilor asked who Oeding would report to; Delgado said, “He’s gonna report to Randy Smith,” and added that financial approvals would be signed by Randy as the department director, with checks and balances in place. Delgado described intended oversight and communication: she and Randy would meet with Oeding routinely if the agreement is approved, scheduling an initial planning call within days and meeting at least weekly while maintaining more frequent contact as needed. Delgado also said Oeding’s pattern was likely to be two weeks on-site followed by two weeks remote availability, with remote access to staff by phone or Zoom when not physically present.

The motion to authorize the agreement and budget amendment was made and seconded; the council voted by raised hands and the motion carried. The transcript records no roll-call or individual vote tallies.

Staff said Oeding would present a final executive report at the end of the approximately four-month period and could present findings to council or the CBA board as needed.