(Photo courtesy of the PISBND)
A Hansa Heavy Lift vessel, named the Hong Kong, arrived at the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014 and departed Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 after discharging 12 natural gas powered engines for use in a Valley electric power plant. The vessel shown left is a Nobel Drilling Inc. drill ship that is waiting for its next drilling job in the Gulf.
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
Disagreements over facility expansion, desalination proposals, environmental concerns and future development highlighted the October 12 meeting of the Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District (PISBND) Board of Commissioners, where two proposed initiatives failed to advance.
Under Item 8, RFQ 2026-600, commissioners considered soliciting qualifications from design-build firms for improvements to district facilities.
Port Director Victor Barrera reported a successful visit to a local elementary school, where district representatives discussed introducing students to port operations. Barrera said the superintendent also invited representatives to visit additional campuses to educate students about the port.
Building on that outreach, Commissioner Jose L. Morales suggested expanding the district’s existing facilities to accommodate school groups, parents and other community members. He envisioned a larger meeting and presentation space where visitors could learn about port operations and participate in tours, bringing students and families to the port rather than requiring Barrera to travel to individual schools.
Commissioner Duvie Alcozer Woods favored establishing development priorities during the strategic planning workshop scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m., which was announced as open to the public, before proceeding with facility improvements. Morales’s motion to solicit qualifications from design-build firms failed for lack of a second.
Under Item 9, RFP 2026-601, commissioners considered seeking expert consulting services for a desalination plant impact assessment.
Discussion became contentious when commissioners considered postponing the proposal to obtain additional information from the Laguna Madre Water District regarding its proposed desalination project and plans for utilizing port property.
Morales questioned delaying an independent assessment before evaluating the project’s feasibility and potential impacts.
The board ultimately tabled Item 9 pending further consideration of information from the water district.
Another contentious agenda item involved proposals for desalination plant development.
Under Item 11, RFQ 2026-603, commissioners considered soliciting proposals for desalination plants.
Morales advocated expanding the district’s search beyond the local area to include established desalination companies throughout the United States.
Morales emphasized that companies already operating desalination facilities could offer proven technical expertise, established operating experience and alternative development approaches. He argued that soliciting proposals would allow commissioners to compare qualified developers and explore additional options rather than relying exclusively on the Laguna Madre Water District’s proposed project.
He expressed concerns about whether those responsible for the proposed local project possessed sufficient experience with comparable facilities.
Morales also questioned project funding, communication and environmental safeguards, suggesting approximately $2,500 in advertising expenses could attract additional qualified developers. Seeking proposals, he argued, would allow the district to examine alternatives before deciding whether to pursue a particular development.
Chairman Joe Martinez opposed the initiative, citing concerns about potential impacts on marine ecosystems, including fish, shrimp and other aquatic life.
During the discussion, Martinez stated, “I’m going to be a roadblock in your idea there,” explaining that he earns his living working in the water and does not want desalination activities harming the marine environment.
Morales emphasized that he shared concerns about protecting marine life, particularly shrimp larvae and other aquatic species potentially affected by desalination discharge. He maintained that seeking proposals from experienced companies outside the local area could provide commissioners with more comprehensive information about current desalination technologies, environmental safeguards and proven operating practices before considering future development.
When Morales moved to advance Item 11, neither Woods nor Martinez seconded the motion, which subsequently died without a vote.
During his director’s report, Barrera discussed infrastructure repairs and federal grant projects.
Barrera reported repairs to three sections of an aging sprinkler system following underground leaks. Maintenance crews also addressed rainfall-related erosion and damaged dock structures.
He provided updates on a Maritime Administration grant supporting a proposed travel lift engineering study, which remains subject to final federal approval.
Commissioners also approved itemized travel expenses for representatives attending November’s Houston International Maritime Conference, following discussion of transportation, meals, lodging and registration costs. Commissioner Duvie Alcozer Woods had previously been scheduled to attend but subsequently canceled her participation. According to written confirmation from the district’s administrative office, she cancelled due to personal reasons and three of her four reserved hotel nights were refundable, while one night, costing $268.52, was nonrefundable. Her $514.86 conference registration was also nonrefundable, bringing the district’s total nonrefundable expenses to $783.38. During the meeting, Barrera suggested allowing Morales’s wife, a former San Benito City Commissioner, who planned to accompany him, to use the otherwise unused registration rather than letting it go to waste. Morales indicated he would recuse himself from consideration of the suggestion because it involved his wife. Neither Woods nor Martinez expressed approval of the suggestion.
Additional discussions included plans for a derelict-vessel disposal initiative scheduled for January 28–30, 2027.
The next regular board meeting was scheduled for October 29 at 5:30 p.m.