Council approves boat-ramp contract, dune-restoration grant application, fee changes and $6 million tax note; directs TxDOT and authorizes land purchase for a "

The City Council approved a package of project contracts, grant applications and financing measures during a meeting that included an award of a construction contract for the Marisol Laguna Madre boat ramp, approval to submit a coastal-resiliency grant, first reading of a citywide fee ordinance, authorization of $6 million in tax notes for streets and public-safety vehicles and equipment, direction to seek solar crosswalk indicators from TxDOT, and authorization to proceed with a land purchase for a venue-tax project.

Boat ramp contract: The council authorized the city manager to enter a contract with the lowest, best-qualified bidder, Bridal Industrial Services (BIS), for the Marisol Laguna Madre boat ramp and approved a budget amendment for up to $1,760,917.83 from the convention-center fund's excess reserves. Christina Baburka, shoreline director, said three bids were received: BIS at $1,760,917.83 (projected 240 days), Foremost Paving at about $2,100,000 (about one year) and Durden Enterprise at about $2,300,000 (about 280 days). Baburka said the project is partially funded through a Restore Act grant and that the total grant amount to be reimbursed is "1,000,125, and $729," with the city's match on the low bid estimated at $635,189 for construction. Baburka said convention-center fund excess reserves total approximately $22,500,000. The council voted to award the contract; the motion carried.

Dune-restoration grant: The council approved submission of a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Coastal Resiliency Fund application. Baburka requested $500,000 in grant funds with a $100,000 local match from fund 81 (local hotel tax); the Shoreline Task Force recommended submission. Council approved the submission and authorized the mayor to execute a letter of support.

Fees ordinance (first reading): The council approved the first reading of Ordinance 25-05, which updates the city's schedule of fees across departments. City staff said the bulk of cost adjustments affect building inspections and Fire/EMS fees; department heads provided a summary of proposed changes. The ordinance was approved on first reading.

Tax note issuance: The council approved Ordinance 25-06 authorizing issuance, sale and delivery of approximately $6,000,000 in aggregate principal of City of South Padre Island Tax Note, Series 2025. The finance presentation noted the package was sized to cover $4,500,000 for street improvements, $1,200,000 for fire and EMS equipment (including ambulances and equipment for a new fire truck) and $300,000 for public-safety vehicles and radios. Financial adviser Dave Gordon with Strada Hinojosa reviewed market conditions and said the notes sold with a true interest cost of about 3.1% and that the financing closed on Aug. 13 under the schedule presented; staff estimated the tax-rate impact at roughly 2.5 cents and said it should be under 3 cents. The council voted to approve the issuance.

TxDOT crosswalk indicators: Council directed staff to request approval from the Texas Department of Transportation to add solar, lighted crosswalk indicators mounted in the center median on PR 100 to improve pedestrian visibility. Wendy Delgado, director of operations, said city staff and TxDOT have discussed the idea previously; the council approved a motion to ask TxDOT to reconsider spacing and pilot installations.

Venue-tax land purchase: Following a closed executive session on real property deliberation, the council instructed the city manager to approve a purchase contract (subject to city attorney approval) for 119.4 acres at a cost of $895,725 for a venue-tax project. A motion to proceed passed.

Why it matters: The actions combine capital construction, resilience investments and short-term financing that affect multiple city funds and reserve balances. The Marisol boat ramp uses a Restore Act grant and a convention-center fund match; the dune-restoration grant would leverage federal foundation funds with local hotel-tax match; and the tax notes fund street and public-safety capital needs with a small projected tax-rate impact.

Votes at a glance: - Marisol Laguna Madre boat ramp: motion to award contract to Bridal Industrial Services and a budget amendment up to $1,760,917.83 — approved. - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant submission (request for $500,000 with $100,000 match): approved. - Ordinance 25-05 (fees; first reading): approved on first reading. - Ordinance 25-06 (tax note, Series 2025; ~$6,000,000): approved. - Direction to staff to seek TxDOT approval for median-mounted solar crosswalk indicators on PR 100: approved. - Instruction to city manager to proceed with purchase contract for 119.4 acres at $895,725 (subject to city attorney approval) for a venue-tax project: approved.

What the transcript did not show: The meeting record includes motions and roll calls described as "motion carries" but does not show individual roll-call vote totals or the names of members making each motion in the transcript excerpts. The transcript also records estimated timelines and contingencies (Treasury notice to proceed for the boat ramp, TCEQ review) that the city must satisfy before construction begins.

Ending: Council members closed the meeting after the land-purchase motion and adjourned; the transcript records no further substantive action.