By AMBER JONES
Special to the PRESS
On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, South Padre Island’s City Council held their biweekly meeting at the Municipal Building in the City Council Chambers.
The meeting began by addressing public comments and announcements. Kerry Schwartz, Mayor Pro-Tem, announced that the Island Meto Bus Shelter improvements had been completed with 17 bus shelters throughout South Padre Island and Port Isabel. He then stated that the Government Finance Officers Association awarded the city for outstanding achievement in popular annual financial reporting.
Schwartz followed by announcing the proclamation commending and congratulating Wendy A. Saldana, who was awarded Human Resources Professional of the Year for 2023 by the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association in Galveston.
Following the award recognition, the council approved the temporary closure of Hwy 100 and a portion of the Queen Isabella Causeway Memorial Bridge for the 2023 Ride for Rotary on Oct. 1, 2023. The council then skipped forward to approving a budget amendment from the Tax Increment Priority Project one of $13,756.20 to purchase Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) floodlights for the pedestrian crosswalk on Palm Street. Alex Sanchez, Public Works Director, explained that the lights would be added to make the crosswalks visible at night, making them safer for pedestrians.
“This is going to be just one set so that TXDOT can see how it works, and then they will give us authorization for all of [crosswalks to have RRFBs,] said Sanchez.
The council proceeded by addressing the Laguna Blvd. project update.
“Clore Equipment is working on phases three and four, and they are 64 percent complete,” said Sanchez.
Owner of Clore Equipment, Jeff Clore, stated that they have already begun construction underground and anticipate being finished underground within the next few weeks.
“Once the underground is complete, I’m anticipating having phase four completed by the end of July into August,” Clore said.
The landscaping plan for the Laguna Blvd. reconstruction plan was then introduced to the council by Sanchez, where a presentation about the different landscaping options was presented. A bid will be submitted to the council at a later date.
The council approved the possible action of authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement for the 2023-PW02 2023 side street improvements, Phase 1, including E. Mars Lane, Laguna Circle South and Morningside Drive. Out of four bidders, the project went to RBM Contractors for $1,178,377.41.
Approval of a draft of Chapter 16 of the City of South Padre Island’s Code of Ordinances was recommended by the Adhoc Committee.
City Attorney Edmund Cyganiewicz’s said that the proposed changes to Chapter 16 include that Public Works has the authority to approve the right-of-way permits only for utilities, underground boring, commercial and residential driveways and sidewalks.
Want the entire story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS, or subscribe to our e-Edition by clicking HERE!