By JACQI LEVYA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel City Commission held a Special Meeting on November 12, 2025, at City Hall, addressing a series of administrative and project-related items as the community enters the holiday season. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, city leaders announced that the annual Port Isabel Christmas Parade will take place on December 7 and encouraged residents and organizations to register their floats and entries.
Commissioners approved a required construction change order connected to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) project. City Manager Jared Hockema explained that although the project is already completed, TPWD policy requires the City to retroactively adjust the construction dates before closing out the contract. The commission approved the change order with no objections.
The commission then authorized Police Chief Robert Lopez and the department’s lieutenant to attend the Command Staff Leadership and Chiefship training in Huntsville from November 30 through December 5. Attendance is mandatory for the chief and recommended for departmental leadership development. Event and Cultural Director Carlos Flores also received approval for his attendance at the Texas Event Management Program held in Austin from November 8 through November 12. Staff explained that although the training occurred prior to the meeting because of election-related scheduling adjustments, all travel is still required to be formally approved by the commission.
Commissioners reviewed ongoing work at Washington Park and approved Pay Application No. 9, based on the engineer’s recommendation. Staff reported that construction is substantially complete, with only punch-list items remaining while the City awaits the final inspection from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Completion of remaining tasks is expected within the next several weeks.
During the review of bills, commissioners asked questions about the City’s vehicle maintenance procedures. Staff clarified that the City mechanic performs routine repairs such as oil changes and brake work, while specialized or heavy-duty repairs are outsourced after obtaining at least three competitive quotes. Some invoices reflected repairs made during a period when the City did not have a mechanic on staff. Commissioners also reviewed a towing charge and confirmed the invoice involved a broken-down City vehicle. Discussion briefly turned to the recent $1,500 mural restoration at the Port Isabel Animal Shelter, which staff said was part of a planned exterior repainting project performed by the original artist. However, no Animal Advisory Board updates or meeting announcements were discussed or mentioned during the session.
In personnel matters, the commission approved one-time holiday bonuses for City employees, authorizing a $250 Thanksgiving bonus and a $500 Christmas bonus, consistent with previous years. Commissioners also approved modifying the City’s Christmas holiday schedule to allow observance from December 24 through December 26, providing staff with a consecutive holiday break.
Marketing Director Valerie Bates received approval to extend her travel for meetings with the Texas Historical Commission (THC), reporting positive support for continued funding of the Port Isabel Lighthouse project and encouraging feedback on the City’s proposed new visitor center for the shipwreck exhibit. The commission ended the meeting with an executive session but took no action afterward.
Comments