[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6530346,"mediaKeyId","3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4","parentId",3667294,"title","South Padre Island council approves landscaping study, moves forward with $6 million tax‑note plan for streets, ambulances and equipment","audioSeconds",1379,"startMs",2039000,"endMs",3418000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4&start=2039&end=3418","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4/thumbnail_2039000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530346/Texas/South-Padre-Island-council-approves-landscaping-study-moves-forward-with-6-million-taxnote-plan-for-streets-ambulances-and-equipment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530346-7f8ad34420794f86e009141d59ba9c90/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413832&Signature=iLBvOfM3JtD6CEQ8znCUSDCwJ-jLw2G-MPe3SAZbsWGt9ZYT~Tm6J3QNFSgXzLoIh10alDqsiSm6xwpZDwkfFKG8X7BmIOZzNvxI-IGpz~GfmBEsAh3BfB36StcNyldKI6vsW13JbBqSrcRfUnvB9habghpzpgbtC86Axhnrdfyr-buZwSOd9Vm8WqjT~l4tDyg4MHleoFZ2hPepsgZf9KXp3K2N0xOLjyiy6A7d1GlaC4NY3Jzv7DtiAablljoyrhVp5EHFxLSIvRDBCOauGfPY1rsgVVn3sDZb~ddE~7Ec~bPqj~1YlsrTJbnn0c7NRFqpE8gd~JkfYejUK~51Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Padre Island","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","At its June 4 meeting the South Padre Island City Council approved a contract proposal for an islandwide landscaping architect, reviewed the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Plan and authorized staff to prepare for issuance of tax notes not to exceed $6,000,000 to finance street improvements, ambulances and public‑safety equipment.

Landscape architect: The council approved a proposal from SSP for an islandwide landscaping assessment and maintenance plan to standardize plantings, maintenance and beautification of medians, sidewalks and other public areas. “The concept with this is that we’ve got a large number of grass and landscape areas on South Padre Island…we kinda looked at the idea of getting a landscape architect to survey the island and to give us direction,” Director of Operations Wendy Delgado said. Councilmember motioned to approve the proposal; the motion carried unanimously.

CIP and budget overview: Director Delgado presented the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), required by the city’s Home Rule Charter, noting the packet contains detailed project forms and a point score system for ranking projects. Projects scoring highly in the draft CIP include beach renourishment, dune restoration, the CMP coastal management program, Marisol boat ramp infrastructure, and major street reconstruction. Delgado said the draft CIP will be published for public inspection and returned to the council by July 30 as part of the budget calendar.

Tax notes and public‑safety equipment: After discussion of needs for street reconstruction and emergency vehicles, the council adopted a resolution directing staff and advisers to prepare documents for tax‑note financing not to exceed $6,000,000. Budget presenters outlined an illustrative allocation of $2,500,000 for street improvements, $1,200,000 for two fully equipped ambulances and engine equipment, and $300,000 for additional public‑safety vehicles and radios. Council discussed timing, lead times for ambulances and engines, and debt service impacts. One councilmember summarized the financial effect as roughly a 3‑cent increase in the city’s property‑tax rate if the full amount were used; staff said the final debt service and tax‑rate impact will be determined when documents are priced.

Vehicles, radios and grant vehicle: Council approved a budget amendment to purchase a Chevy Tahoe (Operation Stone Garden) that is 100% reimbursable by the Stone Garden grant. The council also approved purchases and outfitting of city vehicles for multiple departments, including Ford F‑150 trucks for code enforcement and public works and a Chevy Tahoe and Silverado for police. Police Chief Claudine O’Carroll told the council the department plans to begin phased replacement of aging radios and dispatch equipment; preliminary estimates to replace all radios and console equipment exceed $1 million, so staff will replace radios incrementally.

Public‑safety fleet and timelines: Fire Chief Jim Pigg described long lead times for ambulances (quotes ranged from six to 29 months depending on the vendor and model) and outlined equipment costs such as power loaders and CP R devices. He said the department is pursuing grants to offset costs but that market lead times make early planning essential.

Votes and formal actions: Council approved the landscaping architect proposal, the budget amendments for the reimbursable grant vehicle, the vehicle outfitting purchases, and the resolution to begin the tax‑note issuance process (not to exceed $6,000,000). Several items on the fee ordinance were pulled for a future meeting and no change was made at this meeting. The draft CIP and budget presentation were accepted for review and scheduling under the city’s budget calendar.

Ending: Staff said the draft CIP and budget will be published for public inspection in July and returned to council with final recommendations and a public hearing in August; the tax‑note financing timetable would allow documents to be priced and funding to be available in mid‑August if the council proceeds with issuance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Padre Island - CITY COUNCIL - Jun 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved an islandwide landscaping‑architect proposal and adopted a resolution authorizing staff to prepare to issue up to $6,000,000 in tax notes for street improvements, ambulances, and public‑safety equipment; council also approved several vehicle purchases and a reimbursable grant vehicle purchase.","taxTitle","South Padre , Cameron County, Texas","taxId",57359,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530350,"Neighbors ask South Padre Island to revoke short‑term rental permit at 215 West Carolyn Drive over repeated noise and safety calls",464,296000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4&start=296&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4/thumbnail_296000.jpg","/articles/6530350/Texas/Neighbors-ask-South-Padre-Island-to-revoke-shortterm-rental-permit-at-215-West-Carolyn-Drive-over-repeated-noise-and-safety-calls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530350-59706676c2efb7a5c2a07fa512fa2326/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413846&Signature=n3E~Bn60rsEvo7iDWEvICav6oTDpUYoEQc7fs1oWeJm0wp3VOQ1OZVgDpyv1Yv3~uGATB8oFjF9AapTCP~RXyjwnAB0W7mshslKusrclDg8mXAC3fS3iAA4e6sSPR6PufVEXcfseJJ-ga-nZ4C~oJXAdz5JOhPTgriFikupe7hD2h0MzGKUZnWO-ZaGwyK5XDNr53WNh3DDJV09FkkRkoIwJsWIvSQUwPNk4SMNd-9dQsxsVbU8Y7v4XzUgh3VZPIjyKR8hw7jUelVgxx1-CQDUAUijotM3S1WpTOyu2Rjc8Tgt~lbu7DLbgsvrrq7vfglXUMLnkSTPaD9mHn57kYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of West Carolyn Drive asked the South Padre Island City Council on June 4 to revoke the short‑term rental license for 215 West Carolyn Drive after repeated noise complaints, parking problems and police calls.

Philip Money, who said he lives three houses from the property, described repeated late‑night noise and cars arriving and leaving at all hours. “We’ve seen up to 12 cars parked in their…parking area,” Money said. “If they have violations and they meet the number of violations, I think it’s three, ask the city…to go ahead and say, hey. You violated your terms. Let’s pull their permit and go on from there.”

Diane Nelson, who said she lives at 217 West Carolyn Drive, said the property has been listed on short‑term rental platforms and does not follow those platforms’ stated neighborhood rules. “Both have quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. all days of the week…Well, I can tell you 215 West Carolyn doesn’t follow any of those policies,” Nelson said. She said she has called police early in the morning and that police reports document the problems.

Sam Cannon told the council he had collected a petition from neighbors and said police officers described the scene of some complaints as potentially dangerous to officers responding. Cannon asked for “the immediate revocation of that short‑term rental agreement” and said two separate rental units (referred to at the meeting as “space A and space B”) operate at the address.

Council response and next steps: speakers asked enforcement by the police and city manager and referenced council action in prior April meetings outlining how the city can revoke licenses for noncompliant short‑term rentals. At the meeting no council vote or formal enforcement action was recorded on the transcript; speakers left a petition with city staff.

Ending: Residents asked the council to act quickly to restore peace and safety on their street and to use the short‑term rental enforcement process outlined in prior council meetings.","Residents of West Carolyn Drive told the council that an Airbnb at 215 West Carolyn Drive has produced recurring noise, parking and safety problems and urged immediate enforcement or revocation of short‑term rental permits.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530355,"Birders, residents urge South Padre Island council to preserve convention‑center native habitat",1692,762000,2454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4&start=762&end=2454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667294-f3b02eef3a04c84986b86b5fceea8cc4/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6530355/Texas/Birders-residents-urge-South-Padre-Island-council-to-preserve-conventioncenter-native-habitat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530355-3a4dcbdae1386955aa535ba0f8a62aa2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413140&Signature=NbDctTDDzq31AbFJs8OuKbYAsipzLbE~9g83djvk8qvhDaKN~SPeN~Y7p0zxW-jvc0NeVMXsz6Xc5ntIb7e0dP8zk8eFb6RYOlNxJ~NExn8L-Qdok-1q94w~tHnvXxGOxbQU7b0vfCsDuwyJKbIl9wHFoDwopdHiwZma-ALzF8cAgDMr0ULNAljdD27WDD~TKq727WWfTvaKRq4RH4I4Pqd1zLKHnqyhzU3z9xF6J4rRc~nMp3WRs7EeIgkd61qwHUa5vkey-WbqUBCkxT8-UiqJ-WvdtmoF18R39on7UaxGRMc~KvDsxuy9Jnhe85Xup3GJKP3p435kO~cOx2HqSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of birdwatchers and residents told the South Padre Island City Council on June 4 that a patch of established native vegetation at the South Padre Island Convention Center should be preserved as plans for the center’s expansion proceed.

Speakers said the area provides critical stopover habitat for migratory birds and asked the council to alter design plans that they say would remove dense canopy, undergrowth and a stream-like water feature. “The habitat removed in the latest design plans include a dense patch of woods with thick canopy cover, diverse undergrowth, and a secluded stream‑like water feature,” said Justin LeClaire, vice president of the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. “This really is in no way a preserve.”

The petition cited by speakers had more than 4,600 signatures at the time of the meeting. Justin LeClaire told the council that “more than 4,700 people have now signed a petition online, to preserve the native habitat on the property representing all 50 U.S. states and 37 different countries.” Other speakers said thousands of bird checklists and regular visiting birders drive significant tourism dollars.

Why it matters: speakers framed the parcel as a locally unique, long‑established stopover used annually by migrating warblers and other species, and as a driver of nature tourism. Brad McKinney, a resident who described the area as “old growth” habitat established by local volunteers, said bird tourism generates substantial local spending and that the forested area provides a natural windbreak and feeding site for migrating birds.

Speakers did not ask the council to halt all work at the convention center but asked for design changes and for council staff to consult birding experts. “We’re all fine with any adaptations that are needed, to create ADA‑accessible paths, but a viewing tower would be completely unnecessary,” LeClaire said. Several speakers suggested that the city form or consult a committee of local birding experts to advise on planting and design choices.

Melissa Martinez referenced federal law while urging preservation, saying the Migratory Bird Treaty Act “is a key piece of legislation that does protect migratory birds and their habitats in the United States.” Several speakers also suggested low‑cost monitoring tools such as BirdCast devices to record bird presence year‑round.

City staff responses at the meeting clarified that the landscaping proposal being discussed that evening was for islandwide public landscaping (medians, sidewalks and parks) and not the convention‑center design; Director of Operations Wendy Delgado said the firm submitting the landscaping proposal (SSP) had a local team member who had worked on the birding center in the past but was not necessarily the convention‑center designer for the current expansion.

What’s next: the council approved a separate landscaping‑architect proposal on the regular agenda; speakers asked the city to ensure that any landscaping standards incorporate native species and local expertise and urged council members to seek birders’ input on convention‑center plans.

Ending: Several birders offered to meet with staff and councilmembers to demonstrate the site and provide expertise; one speaker said she would be available to lead council members on birding trips during migration seasons.","Dozens of birders and residents urged the South Padre Island City Council to preserve an existing native-vegetation area at the South Padre Island Convention Center, citing migration habitat, petitions and scientific tools for monitoring birds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

South Padre Island council approves landscaping study, moves forward with $6 million tax‑note plan for streets, ambulances and equipment

Neighbors ask South Padre Island to revoke short‑term rental permit at 215 West Carolyn Drive over repeated noise and safety calls

Birders, residents urge South Padre Island council to preserve convention‑center native habitat