Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Votes at a glance: Alpine council approves alcohol rules, street sales and several permits; drug grant splits council
Summary
The Alpine City Council on April 16 approved an ordinance regulating alcohol sales, voted to sell unimproved street parcels, approved multiple short-term rental special use permits and accepted a federal drug-fighting grant that drew one dissenting vote.
Alpine City Council members approved a package of ordinances, permits and agreements at their April 16 regular meeting, including a final reading of new rules on alcohol sales, the sale of unimproved street parcels, multiple short‑term rental special use permits and acceptance of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grant.
The council unanimously approved the second and final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the city code to establish regulations and zoning restrictions for the sale of alcohol inside city limits and to authorize penalties up to $500 per occurrence. Mayor Catherine Eames presided; the City Secretary read the motion and recorded the unanimous vote.
The council also approved a second and final reading of an ordinance authorizing the dedication, abandonment and sale of unimproved portions of Saltillo, Monterey, Toluca and Morillas avenues (Ordinance 2025-04-04) to applicants Michael and Lynn McCarson; the city manager said the appraised value was adjusted to $27,587.20 before the sale and the council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.
As part of the consent agenda the council approved multiple special use permits allowing short‑term rentals (STRs) at several addresses (including permit 2025-04-02 for 405 West Avenue E). The consent agenda passed unanimously after council removed two items (investment report and one special use permit) for separate discussion and vote; the City Secretary recorded the unanimous approval with Council Member Evan Martinez absent.
On grants and agreements, the council approved a HIDTA award for fiscal year 2026. The council voted 3–1 to accept the $259,000 HIDTA allocation, with Council Member Stone voting against and Council Members Stevens, Escobedo and Nance voting in favor; Council Member Martinez was absent. The City Manager said one of three positions originally budgeted in prior planning was being reallocated and that city staff was coordinating with DEA on how to use the funds.
The council unanimously approved the 2025 tax collection agreement with the Brewster County Tax Office and accepted the municipal investment report. The council also approved the first reading of a new swimming pool ordinance (City code Chapter 74 updates) and adopted a swimming pool fee schedule by resolution; the pool ordinance passed first reading unanimously.
Votes recorded by the City Secretary at the meeting matched the motions as presented in the agenda and in the minutes.
Ending: Council members set follow-up items including tracking implementation steps for the approved streets sale and coordination on HIDTA fund reallocations; no additional formal votes were taken after the meeting’s executive session.
