Proposed development area Ken Medders questioned during March 4 SPI
city council meeting. X marks spot of proposed site. (Courtesy photo/Ken Medders)
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
Questions about consulting expenditures tied to a proposed development concept and feasibility study were raised during the March 4 South Padre Island City Council meeting.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Council Member Ken Medders addressed the mayor and referenced a presentation given the previous November regarding a development concept associated with the Agora Group. According to Medders’ remarks, the concept included plans for a full service hotel and retail development proposed for property located between the Margaritaville Resort area and the Bridgepoint condominiums.
Medders also referenced a 4-2 council vote approving between $150,000 and up to approximately $250,000 in billable consulting expenditures related to the project, noting that he and Council Member Aarin Hartwell voted against the measure.
Medders pointed out out that they voted against “squandering a quarter of a million dollars”. The consulting work is being performed by Hunden Strategic Partners.
During his remarks, Medders asked the mayor for an update regarding the consulting work and the expenditures associated with it.
“Could you give us an update on how the money was spent, what is planned in the future, and what we’re receiving for that quarter of a million dollars?” Medders asked.
No response was provided during the meeting to Medders’ request for information.
Agenda documents from the Nov. 19, 2025 South Padre Island City Council meeting show the consulting agreement authorizes $150,000 for a feasibility study and up to $100,000 in additional consulting services, for a total potential cost of $250,000. The documents state the consulting work is funded through the city’s venue tax fund.
City information also indicates that the Hunden Partners work team was formed in July 2025 following approval of the original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Agora Group by the City Council, and that stakeholder meetings associated with the project were held Jan. 13, 2026.
Following the March 4 meeting, Aarin Hartwell requested additional information regarding expenditures tied to the consulting agreement. In a response from Wendi Delgado, Hartwell was informed that $45,000 had been paid to Hunden Strategic Partners, including $30,000 paid on Dec. 12, 2025 and $15,000 paid on Feb. 13, 2026.
The response also indicated that a draft report from Hunden Strategic Partners is expected during the week of March 16–20, with the firm scheduled to present its final analysis at the April 15, 2026 South Padre Island City Council meeting.
Hartwell also noted that the council has not received an update from the mayor on whether the full council intends to pursue investment or construction related to the proposed project on the city’s south end.
Questions regarding the consulting agreement and the expenditures tied to the study remained unresolved following the March 4 meeting.