By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners considered a proposed system for collecting contaminated water from boats to address a need raised by a tenant, renewed its windstorm insurance and received updates on dock repairs, maintenance and other port operations during its Aug. 13 meeting.
Republic Services representative Jesus Lopez presented a proposal for collecting oily bilge water, contaminated water that can collect in the lower portion of a boat.
Lopez said the proposed system would use a storage tank at the district. Once the tank reached about two-thirds capacity, Republic Services could arrange for a vacuum truck to remove the material and transport it to La Gloria Landfill in Edinburg for disposal.
The company presented rental and purchase options. Renting a tank would cost about $2,400 per month, plus approximately $1,600 for each vacuum-truck service and $191 per ton for disposal. Lopez estimated that one service per month under the rental option would cost about $7,820 monthly, or approximately $94,000 annually.
Lopez gave estimates ranging from about $29,000 to $35,000 for a new tank. Without the monthly rental charge, he estimated ongoing service and disposal costs at about $5,400 per month, saving approximately $28,000 to $29,000 annually compared with renting.
Port Director Victor Barrera said the possibility of providing the service was raised by a tenant. He also said the Texas General Land Office had previously established a permanent tank at the district.
Commissioners questioned who should pay for a new system and whether tenants and vessel operators using it should bear the associated costs. One commissioner said the service could help keep the water clean but said the district would need to determine how users would pay for it.
Lopez said the waste would require testing through a certified third-party laboratory before Republic Services could accept it. He also said procedures would be needed to screen what is placed into the tank.
No tank rental or purchase was approved. The board voted to acknowledge the presentation.
Commissioners also approved renewal of the district’s windstorm insurance policy for $33,134 after discussing coverage, depreciation and replacement costs.
During his Port Director’s report, Barrera said dock-replacement work was continuing and that additional repairs may be needed in an area where the dock is sagging. He said a cost estimate would be brought back to the board for consideration.
Barrera also reported that district maintenance employees are handling more repairs, cleaning and other work in-house. Commissioners discussed the additional responsibilities being handled by employees and whether they should receive additional compensation.
Barrera said district office space would soon be advertised for rent and that the district would seek a higher monthly rate than had previously been charged.
He also reported that an employee time-clock system had been installed and was in use.
The posted agenda listed Aug. 27 as the proposed date for the next meeting, subject to change. The board voted to reschedule the meeting for Monday, Aug. 31, at 5:30 p.m.