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Board of Aldermen Meeting
Highlights of the Board of Aldermen meeting of November 14:
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Several aldermen thanked the citizens who worked as volunteers during the Music Festival. They indicated the event was a success with a promising future.
The Board also thanked the volunteers and those who donated money for the "Corners Project" to plant native vegetation on certain corners on Padre Blvd. 12 corners were planted last weekend, and the Chamber of Commerce plans to do more in February. Each corner costs $180 and a small plaque with the donors' name on it is placed at the site.
City Manager Dewey Cashwell reported the Town plans to do a survey on customer service.
Sam Listi announced the HOOPS College Basketball Tournament will be next weekend.
Sam also announced the check has been issued and received by the Town for the street endings purchase on the bayside project.
Russell Judah asked if anyone from the Town had attended the regional conference on how to make Towns more attractive to retired people. Darla Lapayre, EDC, attended a similar conference in Austin last year. She indicated she had given the information to the BOA and was awaiting direction. The Mayor said there will be an item on an upcoming BOA agenda.
Mayor Bob Pinkerton reported on receiving $3 million for beach renourishment. He said, according to GLO, as the sand source study proceeds, more money will be available.
Mayor Pinkerton also reported that the annexation south of Town (up to the Isla Blanca Park gate) was proceeding again. He said the businesses have now accepted the plan following clarification of some concerns, and the Cameron County Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor. The only thing remaining is for the petition to be signed by the County Judge.
As a part of the Holiday Lights program, there will be a business and resident decorating contest.
City Manager Dewey Cashwell also reported that a meeting has been set up with TxDot to discuss several issues including speed limits on Padre Blvd and pedestrian crosswalks. He said there had been improvement in pavement markings.
The Town's "Excellence in Service" Award was presented to Lili DeRousie from CVB. She works with International Marketing (Mexico and Canada).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bay Area Task Force reported they had worked on landings for windsurfers and kiteboarders, trying to locate lauching sites for boats, finding more parking for boats and trailers and safety signage for the channels. He complimented Ray Moya from Public Works for his assistance.
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee reported they had started to discuss the Land Use chapter on Tuesday. They now are using a facilitator hired by the Town to keep the process on track and assure everyone has an opportunity to express an opinion. For the next several weeks, they will meet every Tuesday at 5:30 in the Courtroom at City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
CVB reported on on-going advertising in Rio Grande Valley papers and radio stations. It was noted this is part of the original budget and marketing plan.
Special Events Committee is looking for volunteers to work on the Town's 35th birthday party which may extend over the entire month. If you are interested in helping "plan a party", please contact Melissa Zamora at CVB, 761-3000. She is coordinating along with the Historical Preservation Committee.
Beach & Dunes Task Force reported UTB students are here working on the dunes project, along with Public Works and citizen volunteers. The work by Florence is nearly complete, and they now have about 50 feet of additional beach. During the last week in November, they will be working at Padre Grand. They can use additional volunteers who can do this physical work. She said this is a low cost project. The students are also working on mapping the dunes which will identify the low spots, vegetated areas and create a full profile of the dunes.
REGULAR AGENDA
Alderwoman Tara Rios has asked the Town to develop an on-going report for the aldermen of what is being built and businesses that are opening. She is calling it "What's Happening on the Island". City Manager Dewey Cashwell said that since the Town does not issue businesses licenses, they don't always know what is being opened. Tara said she does not want more bureaucracy, but Mr. Cashwell explained that to do the report she desires, there has to be a bureaucratic process created to obtain the information.
Alderwoman JoAnn Evans has worked with the Town to develop a short "Information Resources Guide" to assist businesses and residents in working with the Town staff. It will show which member of the staff may be contacted on a particular subject. It will be of particular use to new businesses starting up and will further customer service by improving communication. It was approved by the BOA on a 5-0 vote.
Alderwoman Evans also presented a proposal to authorize the lobbyist to work with the Texas legislature and the state hotel-motel lobby to get a 1/2 cent increase in hotel occupancy tax to be used solely for beach renourishment. Our local hoteliers support this proposal. This increase will still keep us several percentage points below the average tax rate in the State. Approved 5-0.
Mayor Robert Pinkerton reported on his recent trip to Washington, D. C. and efforts to obtain funding for Beach Renourishment. He reported meeting with a number of Congressmen and Senators, along with the lobbyist from the Port of Brownsville. He indicated the reception was positive in each case, and he thinks we gained support and understanding which will result in additional funding for the Town.
Alderwoman Tara Rios wants to set up workshops to discuss beach renourishment.
The Bay Area Task Force is proposing to put warning signs in the channels for safety purposes - "No Wake", etc. EDC has recently been tasked by the Coast Guard to repair the damaged markers in the channels. The cost of the signage is covered by their line item in the current budget.
Approved 5-0.
Item #17 on the agenda proposing a "freeze" on zoning changes until the Comprehensive Plan is complete was pulled by Alderman Kirk Mills with no explanation. It is standard practice for communities to preclude changes to zoning ordinances during the period of developing a Comprehensive Plan.
The BOA unanimously approved purchasing the final off-premise signs from business owners.
The BOA unanimously agreed to ask the City Manager to research cost and types of warning signs for the beach following the tragic death of Thomas Jeffrey Lopez, who worked on the island and was the brother of an island resident. The aldermen also discussed using flyers to educate beach goers about the dangerous rip tides. Resident and businessman Gaby Vanounou volunteered to help with this project.
There was unanimous agreement regarding obtaining a flag pole and flag for the south end of the Island at the base of the causeway. There has been a positive reaction to Terry Ray's temporary flag pole (his crane), and a permanent flag was deemed appropriate. There was discussion regarding getting an aluminum pole to avoid damage from corrosion. The SPI Community Foundation has volunteered to help offset the cost of this project for the island. It was noted that TxDot approval is required since that area is in their jurisdiction.
The aldermen voted 5-0 to purchase an electronic sign (maybe scrolling, but not flashing) to welcome conventions and notify the public of weather conditions.
Unanimous approval was given to begin a more comprehensive recycling program for more types of materials (excluding glass). It will involve weekly home pick-up, but carry a month cost for each resident who chooses to be involved.
The aldermen authorized the purchase of several pieces of equipment for Public Works and the Fire Department which are included in the new budget - 2008 4-wheel drive truck with a 6-yard side loading refuse compactor; 2007 4-wheel drive industrial tractor; three type III buses for the WAVE; Fire Engine Pump truck; Bronco Ladder truck. Some of these are replacements for vehicles which are beyond their useful lifespan.
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