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Council approves series of grants, median improvements, ethics-code revisions and event subsidies
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Summary
The City Council approved several routine and substantive items: submission of an $80,400 Operation Stone Garden grant, a $373,212.50 budget amendment for Padre Boulevard median improvements, contract renewals and engineering authorizations, $25,000 in marketing support for the Ron Hoover tournament, $25,000 for TIFT (one abstention), $5,000 for Ladies Kingfish, adoption of ordinances 26-05 and 26-06, revision to the city code of ethics and an appointment to Planning & Zoning.
The South Padre Island City Council used its regular agenda to approve several grant submissions, contracts, budget amendments, event marketing subsidies and code revisions.
Police Chief Claudia O'Carroll stated the city had been pre‑awarded $80,400 to support overtime law‑enforcement operations and the council approved submission of the Operation Stone Garden grant application.
Public Works Director Alex Sanchez explained bids for Padre Boulevard median improvements (LS‑26‑01); Green Thumb Landscaping was the lowest complete bidder and the council approved authorizing the city manager to execute the contract and a $373,212.50 budget amendment from TIRZ (tax increment) funds to fund the work.
The council also approved several event subsidy requests recommended by the Special Events Committee and the Convention & Visitors Association: $25,000 for the Ron Hoover sport‑fishing tournament (committee recommended $25,000 of a $50,000 request), $25,000 for the Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT) — approved with one abstention — and $5,000 for the Ladies Kingfish tournament. Organizers described large regional draws and convention‑center crowding issues that factor into marketing and venue plans.
On ordinances, the council read and adopted ordinance 26‑05 (repealing and replacing chapter 1 of the code of ordinances) and ordinance 26‑06 (repealing and replacing chapter 2, administrative provisions). The council also approved a consolidated revision of the city code of ethics and rules and procedures; the revision establishes a preliminary review panel for summary dismissal of complaints, raises the quorum for the board of ethics to four members, aligns conflict‑of‑interest definitions with Local Government Code Chapter 171, and limits complainants to city residents or entities doing business with the city.
Other routine actions included approving $119,340 for engineering design of three beach accesses (Harbor Circle, Bluewater Circle and Daydream Circle), appointing Victoria Perez to a Planning & Zoning vacancy, and moving the March meeting to March 26. The mayor adjourned the meeting after approving the final motion.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): Operation Stone Garden grant submission — approved; Padre Boulevard median contract & $373,212.50 amendment — approved; Engineering for three beach accesses & $119,340 amendment — approved; Deckard contract renewal for short‑term rental compliance — approved; Ron Hoover marketing support $25,000 — approved; TIFT marketing support $25,000 — approved (one abstention); Ladies Kingfish $5,000 — approved; Ordinance 26‑05 — adopted; Revised code of ethics — approved; Ordinance 26‑06 — adopted; Appointment of Victoria Perez — approved; March meeting rescheduled to March 26 — approved.
What to watch next: Staff follow‑ups for the Deckard contract (onboarding and template fixes), engineering bid packages for the beach access projects, and any staff responses to public questions about convention-center room‑night verification.
