Council approves festival permits, adopts food‑truck rules and sets paving priorities; harbor lease terminated

The Aransas Pass City Council voted on a series of administrative and policy items after public comment and staff presentations.

Parades and festivals: Council approved a temporary street closure for the Shrimp Parade (Commercial Street from Maddox to Magnolia on Oct. 17, 2026) and granted Destination Aransas Pass use of K Brown Harbor for the Saltwater Mardi Gras festival and associated street closures on Feb. 20, 2027. Organizers were asked to guarantee staging‑area cleanup and provide a post‑event sweep; staff said public‑safety and public‑works costs historically have been covered by the city.

Mobile‑food ordinance: Council adopted an ordinance to update the city code for mobile food establishments to conform with state law, setting an administrative registration process and local operational limits. Members discussed gray‑water and oil disposal practices and directed staff to return with details on approved disposal locations and receipts or commissary requirements.

Code enforcement services: Staff asked to contract with Aayoka Engineering for backup code‑enforcement inspections while the city recruits a licensed inspector. Council raised cost and staffing concerns (contract rate cited at $60/hour) and voted to postpone approval to the July meeting while staff develops a staffing and budget plan.

Street paving: With funding available from a larger capital package, council directed staff to begin work on an initial group of streets — Pelican Cove (with Pacific), Avenue A and 13th Street — and asked for a posted schedule so residents know timing. Staff said street work will be packaged where practical to reduce remobilization.

Pro rata water extension: The council approved a pro rata water‑line extension agreement with developer Robert Knox to install a 6‑inch main to an RV development on Highland Avenue; the developer will front construction costs and will be eligible for pro rata contributions if others later tie in.

Harbor decisions after executive session: Following a closed session, council voted to deny a wet‑slip permit request for Mark Lensky (650 linear feet) and to terminate the Com Brown Harbor lease held by ML & MR Real Estate Investments LLC after the lessee failed to provide required documentation by certified‑mail and email deadlines.

Other business: Council named the aquatic‑center boardwalk the “Aransas Pass Boardwalk” and approved the Aransas Pass Education Foundation’s request to use K Brown Harbor for an October 2026 5K fundraiser. Several administrative items were handled on the consent agenda, including approval of earlier meeting minutes.

The council scheduled follow‑ups on multiple items (Flock Safety contract/audits; detailed food‑truck disposal policy; Aayoka contract vs. staffing plan) at future meetings.