By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
PORT ISABEL, TX—During its Aug. 13 meeting, the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners considered a proposed system to collect 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.
Republic Services representative Jesus Lopez presented a proposal for collecting oily bilge water, which can accumulate in the lower portion of a boat.
Lopez said the proposed system uses 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 the La Gloria Landfill in Edinburg for disposal.
The company offered rental and purchase options. Renting a tank would cost about $2,400 per month, plus about $1,600 per 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 per month, or about $94,000 annually.
Lopez provided 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, resulting in annual savings of approximately $28,000 to $29,000 compared with renting.
Port Director Victor Barrera said a tenant had raised the possibility of providing the service. 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 added that the district would need to determine how users would pay for it.
Lopez said the waste would need to be tested by a certified third-party laboratory before Republic Services could accept it. He also said procedures would be needed to screen what is placed in the tank.
No tank rental or purchase was approved. The board voted to acknowledge the presentation.
Commissioners also approved the 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 ongoing and that additional repairs may be needed in an area where the dock is sagging. He said he would bring a cost estimate 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 employees are handling and whether they should receive additional compensation.
Barrera said the district office space would soon be advertised for rent and that the district would seek a higher monthly rate than previously charged.
He also reported that an employee time-clock system had been installed and was operational.
The posted agenda listed Aug. 27 as the proposed date for the next meeting, subject to change. The board voted to reschedule the meeting to Monday, Aug. 31, at 5:30 p.m.