By AYLEEN CANIZALES
editor@sbnewspaper.com
The City of Port Isabel (P.I.) held a regular commissioner’s meeting at the City Commission Chambers Meeting Room on Maxan Street on Tuesday, May 28, at 7 p.m. With no public comments, the council moved forward with declaring the month of May as “National Tennis Month.”
The council approved the meeting minutes on May 14 and approved budget amendments and salary schedules. During regular reports, the department heads (Administration, EDC Revolving Loan, EMS, Fire, Public Works, Museum, P.I. Event & Cultural Center, Library and Police) had no updates to relay at the time.
Under new business, the council approved the issuance of “City of Port Isabel, Texas General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024” and “City of Port Isabel, Texas Certificates of Obligation, Series 2024,” which entered into a bond purchase agreement and a registrar agreement. This would raise money for city projects, including repairs to Garcia Street, repairs to the event center, park improvements and more. The council was presented with a summary of the bonds, including favorable interest rates on average and the payments over the next 30 years.
The council approved taskforce officer Wilfredo Guerra to attend the Texas Narcotics Officers Association in Galveston, Texas, on August 5 to 8, 2024. Funds for the annual conference have been allocated, according to Chief Robert Lopez. The council also approved the appointment of Gilber Escobedo, Jr., as a reserve officer with the Port Isabel Police.
The council also approved a contract renewal between PayByPhone, a cashless parking app designed to prevent tickets, and the City of P.I. The company can be found across the country, and according to City Manager Jared Hockema, it has been “working well” without issues.
Assistant to the City Manager John Sandoval led a discussion with the council on entering into a Master Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing agreement with Equalis Group LLC, a cooperative purchasing organization that provides contracts solicited by public agencies, which the council approved.
The council approved action to advertise a request for quote (RFQ) for the design, engineering and environmental clearance of the Bejerano McFarland trail extension project. This project’s purpose is to install sidewalks in areas of P.I., including near Laguna Heights High School.
The council also approved a contract renewal for a maintenance service agreement with Holt Cat to service the generators at the EOC and Public Safety building. The council had questions on adding additional generators to facilities across P.I.; however, Sandoval elaborated on existing safety protocols, saying there was no necessity for it.
The council approved action to advertise for design services related to roof repairs at the P.I. Event and Cultural Center. Finally, the council approved the purchase of security software from Insight Public Sector, Inc. This enhanced defense would serve as protection against intrusion from viruses and phishing scams targeting employees. This software would have artificial intelligence (AI) technology built into it and act as a filter for emails.
With no further comments from the public, staff or council, the meeting closed for adjournment.
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