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Aransas Pass council approves rezoning, issues RFPs and orders audit of Chamber HOT funds
Summary
The council approved rezoning for 126 South Houston, authorized RFPs for disaster‑recovery consulting, cast appraisal‑district votes, accepted a PR contractor resignation and voted to request an audit of hotel‑occupancy funds given to the Chamber/Visitors Center; council also granted a letter of intent for waterfront restaurant development.
At its Nov. 17 meeting the Aransas Pass City Council took a series of administrative and policy actions after hearing public comment.
Rezoning: The council held a public hearing and approved an ordinance rezoning 126 South Houston from a two‑apartment district to GB General Business for office use (applicant Andrew Phillips). Planning staff said notices within 500 feet were sent and no objections were recorded in hearings; the motion carried on a council voice vote.
Procurement and contracts: Council authorized issuing an RFP for disaster‑recovery consulting services to help the city prepare FEMA/public‑assistance paperwork when and if a disaster occurs. Council also accepted Roland Rodriguez’s request to terminate his public‑relations services agreement effective Nov. 30, 2025, and directed staff to return an item to issue an RFQ for new public‑relations services.
Appraisal‑district votes: Council cast its 126 allocated votes for the San Patricio County Appraisal District Board for the 2026–2027 term, nominating Mark Roach, Terry Stansbury and Bill T. Wilson; councilmembers divided votes per the ballot procedures.
Audit of HOT funds: After extended debate over transparency and whether submitted reports were sufficiently detailed, the council voted to request a third‑party audit of hotel‑occupancy‑tax funds awarded to the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center for publicity and tourism for calendar year 2023 through present. Council directed the city manager to return with an agreement (and staff recommended bringing back RFQ/pricing); one councilmember proposed hiring Brenda McElwee, the city auditor, to perform the work and the council voted to have staff bring that engagement back for consideration.
Economic development: Following an executive session, the council approved a letter of intent to MLMR Investments for 1,000 linear feet of intercoastal property at Comground Harbor for development of a restaurant.
Public comment and tone: The public hearing and subsequent agenda item on the HOT‑fund audit drew significant public comment. Chamber representatives said required reports had been submitted and cautioned about the signal an audit sends; other residents and councilmembers argued that receipts and third‑party review are appropriate checks and balances for public funds.
What’s next: Staff will bring back cost estimates and procurement language where required (audit RFQ/RFP; disaster‑recovery RFP; public‑relations RFQ). The council set procedural directions but did not adopt budgetary commitments in the meeting minutes provided.
