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Aransas Pass council approves pedestrian ordinance, short‑term rental registration and several routine items; awards $2,000 HOT reimbursement
Summary
Council approved a pedestrian‑rules ordinance with fee waivers for nonprofits, adopted short‑term rental registration rules effective Feb. 1, 2026, authorized a mural RFP, renewed an employee‑assistance program, approved limited HOT event reimbursement of $2,000, and voted to begin lease negotiations for a Con Brown Harbor parcel.
The Aransas Pass City Council approved a series of ordinances and administrative actions Monday, including pedestrian‑rules changes, short‑term rental registration, and a variety of operational items.
Key council actions:
• Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) reimbursement: Council considered a $4,000 request from Hector Rios for advertising costs for a Migration Celebration event. Staff noted advertising is an eligible HOT use but that part of the event occurred in Fulton Harbor. The council moved to reimburse half of the requested amount and approved $2,000 for the portion held in Aransas Pass; the motion carried.
• Pedestrian rules ordinance: Council adopted an ordinance amending the city code (chapter 21A) to add pedestrian rules and a section waiving permit and administrative fees for nonprofit organizations that meet the ordinance criteria; motion carried.
• Short‑term rental registration: Council approved an ordinance creating a short‑term rental registration and permit process (chapter 12), including safety inspections, occupancy limits, insurance requirements and HOT collection rules. The ordinance establishes registration and inspections rather than numerical caps and sets an effective date of Feb. 1, 2026; staff offered to provide quarterly reports on registrations.
• Public art RFP: Council authorized issuance of an RFP for a postcard mural at 361 South Commercial after staff confirmed written owner permission for the wall.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Council approved renewal of the city's EAP with Family Counseling Services for 2026; staff reported two employees used four counseling sessions in 2025 under the program.
• Con Brown Harbor lease negotiations: Following executive session, council authorized staff to begin lease negotiations with Justin Chandler for property at 508 Bigelow covering 272.26 linear feet.
Votes were recorded as motions carried for each item; where receipts, location or other requirements were relevant (HOT reimbursement, short‑term rental eligibility), staff noted documentation or follow‑up would be required.
What happens next: Staff will process the HOT reimbursement paperwork, publish short‑term rental registration materials and a utility‑bill flyer, issue the mural RFP and return with lease negotiation terms and any required contract approvals.
