[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6504853,"mediaKeyId","5546531-de4c7dc1ad871a6afc6a226afe2ba826","parentId",5546531,"title","South Padre Island council sends proposed Ecotourism District around convention center to planning and zoning","audioSeconds",978,"startMs",1425000,"endMs",2403000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5546531-de4c7dc1ad871a6afc6a226afe2ba826&start=1425&end=2403","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5546531-de4c7dc1ad871a6afc6a226afe2ba826/thumbnail_1425000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6504853/Texas/South-Padre-Island-council-sends-proposed-Ecotourism-District-around-convention-center-to-planning-and-zoning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504853-2a2df884506ee18b010703ab04165c9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413128&Signature=PRygMabSJT~lToRTRr-YKyF-gytUhZD6OjoFIUDJz3X-dDVu3uRMsT9vzRwSoDs-77EZQs3ShaXoMMtMdTtu017eRlHu2Xs3rX72kLwXp4ZKmkH7leybedUap6d3PsRdpKrW2K2B7AqHGzLfZBYg~yLNiBrA1eSoKSEWP7ua1p1i1EYqfr1D5StyD7a3wwajtMRerTlF45T~pQuRlLR4j-MmWBbEkxlmxa5frqFVw4O3Zflfhyw5PqFGf1CZmXwWNek6gOa7Va6ziUIsMZelx51YZ88dQBsZyo1VanSO3o7YzQMXz8zm0ysoGZgJ2V1eCK2HUOzW~rgvsSwqUdZPtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Padre Island","date","2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","article","South Padre Island commissioners voted to send a proposal to the Planning and Zoning Commission that would study whether to designate the area west of Padre Boulevard — roughly from the north side of the convention center to Sea Turtle Inc. — as the SPI Ecotourism District.

The request, presented by Carrie (first name only recorded), called on planning staff and P&Z to review a concept that would highlight birding, sea-turtle rehabilitation and other coastal attractions and explore facility changes such as an expanded exhibit hall, a small theater for ecology and nature films, interpretive exhibits and improved pedestrian connections. Carrie told the council, \"The idea behind this is I think the island should embrace our natural habitats, our the animals, birds.\"

Proponents said the designation could attract visitors year-round and create programming partnerships. Daryl Mangum, who identified himself as a longtime resident and local advocate for nature tourism, said, \"This was my dream 30 years ago, and I fully support Carrie's efforts to dedicate an area towards nature tourism.\" Mangum urged the council to include current stakeholders — Sea Turtle Inc., the birding center and the convention center — and to consider adding adjacent areas such as Bridal Flats.

Carrie outlined several elements she wants planning to study: a theater for documentary and lecture programming, expanded exhibit space to host larger groups, interpretive displays about local wildlife and habitat, and new boardwalk viewing stations that would connect with the Birding and Nature Center without replacing that center's facilities. She repeatedly said the proposal would not require removing trees around the convention center.

Council members asked that the city coordinate with Cameron County where jurisdiction overlaps. A motion to forward the concept to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation passed by voice vote; no city funding or construction decision was adopted at the meeting.

The next formal step is a Planning and Zoning review; P&Z will return any recommendation to the City Council for subsequent action.

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The marketing allocation was presented by Cindy Trevino, director of marketing and corporate sponsorships, who said the amendment does not request new funds but formalizes use of $200,000 already approved earlier to accelerate marketing channels. \"We're not requesting any new funding, only to amend a contract to deploy already approved dollars in a way that supports our objectives,\" Trevino said. The council approved the amendment by voice vote.

City staff reported an unanticipated need for repairs across several departments. Alex Sanchez, public works director, told the council the $99,300 amendment from excess reserves will cover repairs for police ($29,500), public works ($20,800), environmental health ($29,000) and EMS ($20,000). \"We have ambulances that don't have AC\" and other equipment out of service, Sanchez said. The council approved the transfer.

Council approved $25,900 from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone fund to buy decorative light poles for the new parking lot in front of the museum; the purchase covers materials only and includes an estimated lead time of 85 working days. The council also approved a budget enhancement of $10,000 to buy four new beach mobility chairs and parts; Fire Chief Jim Pigg said the chairs are heavily used, with earlier chairs showing an average lifespan of 2.84 years and an average of 94.7 checkouts.

On infrastructure, the council approved the staff-recommended priority list for side-street reconstruction and directed staff to proceed in the order presented if $3 million is available. The council also authorized the city manager to negotiate a contract with the top-ranked engineering firm to assist with design and oversight of the reconstruction work.

The agenda item to award the PLPW-202501 (SBI PR-100) parking-lot improvement contract drew extended discussion. Staff reported six bidders and a wide spread between the lowest bid and the highest-rated firm. Council members questioned discrepancies in bid calculations and the lack of local experience for the low bidder. After discussion the council voted to table the award so staff can provide additional information and scoring details.

Following an executive session on potential park property, the council authorized the city manager to sign a purchase and sale agreement, subject to the city attorney's approval, for \"Lot 9\" (as described at the meeting). The transcript did not record a purchase price; the council's motion specified the lot and adjacent linear feet as read into the record.

The council also approved routine items on the consent agenda, adopted an order to hold a general municipal election in November for two council seats, and approved a contract amendment formalizing the city's marketing plan for Q3 and Q4. Several items were approved by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- 6.4: Contract amendment — Greenhouse marketing agency: approved (motion carried; formalizes $200,000 internal allocation). Presenter: Cindy Trevino.
- 6.5: Budget amendment — $99,300 from general fund to excess reserves for vehicle repairs: approved. Presenter: Alex Sanchez.
- 6.6: Budget amendment — $25,900 from TIRZ fund to purchase decorative lamp poles for the new parking lot: approved (materials only).
- 6.7: Parking lot improvement (PLPW-202501 / SBI PR-100): TABLED for more information (staff reported six bids, concerns about large bid spread and calculation errors). Staff recommended Econ; low bid from CRC prompted questions.
- 6.8: Budget enhancement — $10,000 to purchase new beach mobility chairs and spare parts: approved. Presenter: Chief Jim Pigg.
- 6.9: Side-street reconstruction priority list and allocation approach (use of $3,000,000): approved; staff to follow priority list submitted.
- 6.10: Authorization for city manager to negotiate with top-ranked engineering firm for street reconstruction support: approved.
- 6.11: Order of general election for November (place 1 and place 2 council seats): approved.
- 8.1: Authorize city manager to sign purchase and sale agreement for Lot 9 (described on the record) after city attorney approval: approved. Purchase price not specified on the record.

What remains unresolved

The council tabled the contract award for the parking-lot improvement to allow staff to answer questions about scoring, bid recalculation and bidder qualifications. Staff said they will return additional information to the council at a future meeting; councilmembers suggested the options of tabling further, requesting rebids, or approving after clarifications.

","South Padre Island commissioners approved a series of budget amendments and procurement actions at a regular meeting, including a $200,000 marketing contract reallocation and a $99,300 transfer to cover vehicle repairs, and authorized negotiations with the top-ranked engineering firm for street reconstruction. The council tabled the award of a parking-lot improvement contract and authorized the city manager to sign a purchase agreement for a park property after attorney review.","actionData","errors"]

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South Padre Island council sends proposed Ecotourism District around convention center to planning and zoning

South Padre Island council approves marketing contract amendment, vehicle repairs and street-priority list; tables parking-lot award, authorizes park land buy