The South Padre Substandard Structures Review Board instructed the city attorney to file a lien for accrued civil administrative penalties through Sept. 5 for the property at 112 East Marlin Street after the building was demolished, the board decided at its regular meeting.

The action came after Filio Berto Alba, the city building official, told the board that a demolition permit for the property was issued on Aug. 28 and that “by, September 5, more or less, he demolished everything and cleared up, his property,” removing the structure but leaving part of the driveway in place. Chairman Rico moved to instruct the city attorney to file a lien for penalties accrued through Sept. 5; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The board discussed whether to continue assessing penalties after Sept. 5. Some members said penalties should stop if the property remains vacant or the owner complies; others favored keeping penalties until a certificate of occupancy (CO) is issued. Under the board’s discussion, members agreed to reassess accrued penalties if the owner obtains a CO by Oct. 31, 2026, but maintained that accrued penalties through Sept. 5 should be recovered. Filio Berto Alba told the board the owner had submitted preliminary plans and was pursuing permits.

Board members raised technical concerns about the remaining driveway. Filio Berto Alba said the driveway “is not required to meet minimum elevations as per FEMA. However, the parking requirements, that is where the issue will be. And obviously, grading and drainage, it may not be sloping into the street either.” Several members urged the owner to remove the driveway if it does not meet city parking, grading and drainage standards; one member proposed giving a deadline for driveway removal and resuming penalties if the driveway is not removed.

Filio Berto Alba also updated the board on two other properties:

- 204 West Gardenia Street: Alba said the city has seen no demolition activity after receiving a quote from a contractor and that a demolition permit was not pulled. The building official said the property appears to have been sold and reported an outstanding penalty lien “we're at what 70,000 and change.” Alba recommended bringing environmental health to mow the lot and said he would propose higher administrative penalties at the next meeting if no action is taken; he suggested increasing the penalty to $1,000 per day if the nuisance continues. Alba also said the contractor submitted a $65,000 quote for demolition.

- 119 East Kingfish Street: Owner Guadalupe Maldonado told the board work is ongoing and said the home should be finished by November; the building official confirmed the most recent inspection was an Aug. 1 sewer-line inspection and that Maldonado had not requested further inspections since.

Votes at a glance
- Item 4.1: Approval of minutes for the Aug. 20, 2025 meeting and the Sept. 3, 2025 Substandard Structure Board meeting — motion seconded; “Motion carries.”
- Item 4.2 (112 East Marlin Street): Motion to instruct the city attorney to file a lien for accrued civil administrative penalties up to Sept. 5 — motion seconded; board voted aye; “Motion carries unanimous.”

The board did not take new enforcement orders on 204 West Gardenia at this meeting but directed follow-up (environmental health mowing and a possible higher penalty recommendation at the next meeting). For 119 East Kingfish, the building official said no additional orders were being pursued at this time.

The board adjourned after the building official’s reports.