Council approves dog park design, Tesla chargers, marketing contracts and code update in single meeting

The South Padre Island City Council voted on a series of items including approval of a dog park design, authorization to negotiate a 10-year license with Tesla to install electric vehicle chargers, selection of a new marketing agency of record for Visit South Padre Island, a three-year McAllen parade sponsorship, removal of an outdated utilities chapter from the municipal code with one section retained, acceptance of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) report, and multiple board appointments. All items were approved by voice vote during the meeting.

Dog park: The council approved the design to develop a dog park on city-owned land next to the existing pickleball courts and directed public works to put together a budget for construction. The proposed layout divides the site into separate areas for large and small dogs and relies on existing restrooms and nearby parking. Staff said there are 20 parking spaces behind the museum and plans to add about 20 new spaces in the median across the street; an existing gate cut in the East LeGrand fence would provide overflow access. The council discussed maintenance and sanitary concerns; council members noted the ad hoc advocacy group has offered volunteer maintenance but emphasized the need for a parvo plan and routine cleaning. One council member said the plan “can happen fast because we don't have to lay any infrastructure,” and the motion to approve the design carried.

Tesla chargers: The council authorized the city manager to execute a 10-year license agreement with Tesla to install electric vehicle superchargers at the north end of the park-and-ride at 321 Padre Boulevard. Council discussion and the vendor presentation described a plan that would add 16 new parking spaces equipped with individual supercharger posts and an ADA-compliant van-accessible stall. Tesla representatives said the project would be fully funded by Tesla, including surveying, permitting, utility work, construction and ongoing power at the site; the company said it has TxDOT approval and an AEP transformer design in hand. Tesla’s presenter said the license fee proposed to the city is $2,400 per month (about $28,800 annually) — $288,000 across the initial 10-year term — with options for renewal; Tesla also estimated site development cost at roughly $500,000. Council members asked about utility loads, charging speeds and the per-spot lease value; Tesla said the proposed transformer for the site would be about 1,500 kVA and described V4 chargers that will support non‑Tesla vehicles via adapters. The motion to approve the contract and authorize the city manager to sign carried.

Marketing and sponsorships: The council approved Visit South Padre Island’s choice of Greenhouse as its new agency of record following an RFP and committee review; staff said Greenhouse was selected for creativity and budget alignment and that the Visit board had approved the choice. The council confirmed a clause prohibiting the agency from representing competing destinations had been added. Council also approved a three-year McAllen holiday parade sponsorship agreement for $75,000 plus roughly $10,000 per year to support a Visit South Padre float and appearances; staff added a 60-day termination clause for multi-year agreements at a council member’s suggestion.

Code update and TIRZ report: The council approved removing Chapter 19 (Utilities) from the city code as recommended by an ad hoc committee and the city attorney, while retaining section 19.5 (requiring underground utilities for new development) until that requirement can be relocated in the code. Council accepted the Fiscal Year 2024 TIRZ annual report; public works staff described prior projects funded by the zone (median light poles, pilot flood lighting, traffic-control adjustments) and noted an account balance and city/county contribution amounts included in the report.

Appointments: Council reappointed Glenda George, Gail Hood and Lehi Tate to the Economic Development Corporation and appointed Jim Painter. For Planning and Zoning, Dina Rich, Gordon Garlock and Tanya Reed were reappointed. Council adjourned after completing the agenda.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting minutes): - Consent agenda (items 5.1–5.6): approved by voice vote. - 6.1 Dog park design and public works directed to draft budget: approved by voice vote. - 6.2 Authorize city manager to execute 10-year license/contract with Tesla, Inc. for EV chargers (16 stalls reported in site plan): approved by voice vote. - 6.3 Approve Greenhouse as agency of record for Visit South Padre Island: approved by voice vote. - 6.4 Approve 3-year McAllen parade sponsorship ($75,000 + float support): approved by voice vote; termination clause added. - 6.5 Remove Chapter 19 (Utilities) from municipal code while retaining section 19.5: approved by voice vote. - 6.6 Accept FY2024 TIRZ annual report: approved by voice vote. - 6.7 Appointments to EDC and Planning & Zoning as listed above: approved by voice vote.

Most motions were moved and seconded from the dais and carried without recorded roll-call tallies; the minutes record the mayor calling for hands and declaring motions carried.