City of South Padre IslandSeptember 13-19, 2011
For more information or if you have any comments or questions please contact Info@MySPI.org.
At a Glance
10th Anniversary Causeway Collapse Memorial Ceremony
During the early morning hours of September 15, 2001, just four days after the 9/11 attacks, a barge struck the Queen Isabella Causeway causing a portion of it to collapse. That incident resulted in the loss of eight lives and three survivors were rescued from the waters of the Laguna Madre Bay.
A decade later, the Cities of South Padre Island and Port Isabel are uniting to host a memorial ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse. The Memorial Ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 15th at 10:00 a.m., at the base of the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway on South Padre Island.
Speakers for the 10th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony will include residents from South Padre Island and Port Isabel, first responders, state and local elected officials, members of the business community, and others involved in the aftermath of the collapse and the bridge reconstruction.
10th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Event
South Padre Island residents and visitors attended the 10th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Event on Sunday, September 11. The memorial event was organized by the South Padre Island Police and Fire Departments.
Speakers at the memorial event included former City Council member Rick Ridolfi, South Padre Island Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr., City Council member Sam Listi, Fire Chief Burney Basket, and Police Chief Randy Smith. The crowd was entertained by local singer, Leslie Blasing with patriotic songs and the Star Spangle Banner.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the World Trade Center artifact that was donated to City of South Padre Island. Attendees had a chance to see, touch, and take photographs with this historical artifact.
- To view a photo gallery of the memorial event click here.
- To view a video of the WTC Artifact unveiling click here.
City Council Meeting Recap
The City Council conducted a regular meeting last week on Wednesday, September 7th to discuss several issues and took the following actions:
- Appointed John Reed to fill the unexpired term of Richard Franke at the Economic Development Corporation board.
- Adopted the 2011/2012 Capital Improvement Plan.
- Directed the City staff to pursue the Sand Castle Trail initiative.
- Approved the City of South Padre Island's Transportation Plan.
- Approved an agreement with the Laguna Madre Water District for the purpose of cleaning City Storm drains.
The WAVE
The new WAVE bus is now transporting riders along Padre Boulevard. Riders can now access free WiFi on all of the WAVE buses. The WAVE's ridership is up by 15,300 riders in comparison to August 2010.
Convention Centre Expansion Task Force
The City of South Padre Island is interested in assembling an exploratory committee to conduct a study of the economic feasibility of a possible funding mechanisms and implementation strategies for the expansion of the Convention Centre located on South Padre Island. The expanded Convention Centre facility, as envisioned, would act as an economic generator and a public resource for the local community, hosting conventions, conferences, trade shows, public/consumer shows, meetings and other events of both a non-local and local nature.
The South padre Island City Council resolved that a 7-member Convention Centre Expansion Task Force shall be formed and report its findings to the City of South Padre Island City Council. This seven member Task Force shall be appointed by the Mayor and may consist of the following individuals, if available:
- Professional with Convention Center Experience
- Transit & Development Director
- Existing Convention Centre Representative
- Financial Advisor
- Hospitality Representative
- Retail Industry Representative
- Real Estate Representative
The charge of this Task Force is to review the C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc. study, revise and/or update that study as needed, and provide recommendations to the South Padre Island Mayor and City Council on if and how to proceed with expansion of the City's Convention Centre. The focus of the Task Force's work is primarily on the convention center expansion study, but vision strategies may surface that would improve the spirit of community and quality of life for South Padre Island residents and business owners and enhance the visitor experience on South Padre Island.
The newly created Convention Centre Expansion Task Force will meet for the first time on Wednesday, September 14 at 11:00 AM at the City Council Board Room.
Bulletin Board
Recycling
Recyclable items can be taken to Island Baptist Church every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Old phone books can be taken to the South Padre Island Fire Department and the Visitor's Center to be recycled.
Items that can be recycled are:
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Office Paper
- Aluminum
- Tin
- Plastic
To offer a better recycling service please:
- Compact, crush or break down plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, aluminum cans or any other items that may be reduced in size. This helps us use the most amount of space in the bins.
- Remove any food, liquid, metal fasteners, adhesive materials or other items that may contaminate the whole load.
Volunteers Needed
The City of South Padre Island is accepting applications from qualified volunteers to fill terms on the following City Committees,Commission or Boards:
- BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS (1)
- BOARD OF ETHICS (3)
- CONVENTION AND VISITORS ADVISORY BOARD (3) (1 limited Service Hotel; 1 Condominium Industry; 1 Tourism Related Industry)
- DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS REVIEW TASK FORCE (3)
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (2)
- HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE (7)
- KEEP SPI BEAUTIFUL COMMITTEE (5)
- PARKS, RECREATIONS & BEAUTIFICATION (3)
- PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (3)
- SHORELINE TASK FORCE (2)
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please submit a completed and signed application to Susan Hill, City Secretary at 4601 Padre Boulevard; by e-mail at shill@myspi.org; or fax at 761-3888 as soon as possible. Appointments will be made at the September 21, 2011 City Council meeting.
Toastmasters Wanted
The Islanders Toastmasters International Club is now open to the public and invites all to participate and develop valuable communication and leadership skills. "The Islanders" meet every Thursday at 12:00pm at the City Hall Board Room. For more information call Vice President of Membership, Cynthia Jezek at (956) 761-1358 or by e-mail at Cynthia@JezekLaw.com. Come and check out the Toastmasters' experience.
Emergency Information
The hurricane season has started and Emergency Information is vital. There are 4 different ways on how to stay informed during a storm. You can be informed by TEXT, just simply text WEATHER to 80565. By NEWSLETTER, just subscribe by going to the "STAY INFORMED" tab at www.MySPI.org, or by sending an email to dan@sopadre.com with the subject "Subscribe". On FACEBOOK, just simply go to www.facebook.com/SouthPadreIslandEmergency. And by PHONE, just call 1-800-OKPADRE (757-2373).
Employment Opportunities
Want to work at South Padre Island? The following employment opportunities are available:
- TRANSIT COORDINATOR (Full-Time) Pay Rate: $35,000 Annually - DEADLINE September 16, 2011 at 12 PM. This position is responsible for researching, identifying, seeking, and overseeing all grants and funding opportunities for the department. Supervises all activities related to the successful acquisition of grants and other funds and engages in analysis of data, creation of proposals, oversight, and reporting. Bachelor's degree in urban/transportation planning, communications, public or business administration, or a related field is required. Two (2) years of related experience in FTA Transit Grant writing, monitoring, reporting, or management experience preferred.
- CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (Part-Time) Pay Rate: $9.14/hour - DEADLINE September 16, 2011 at 12:00 PM. Performs advanced technical environmental health work in the area of inspections of private, public, and commercial property for environmental health hazards, and assists in working towards resolution of the health hazards, and property protection. Also performs a variety of routine and complex work in the interpretation and enforcement of adopted codes and related rules and regulations.
- FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT (Full-Time) Starting Pay Range: ($32,200/annually - after one year $36,000) - DEADLINE September 12, 2011 at 12:00 PM. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, posses a high school diploma or G.E.D., Texas "Class B" Driver's License, a Basic Firefighter Certification issued by the State of Texas Commission of Fire Personnel Standards and Education and must possess a Texas Department of Health Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician or any combination of Firefighter or EMS certification. Firefighters must live within an 80 mile radius of the City after hired. Applicants selected to move forward in the process will be notified of testing time and place.
The City of South Padre Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Mosquito Spraying
If weather permits the Environmental Health Services department will be spraying for mosquitoes every night as needed. For more information contact Environmental Health Services Director, Victor Baldovinos at (956) 761-3226.
Pet of the Week
Calvin
Calvin is fun young dog that needs a loving home. He was rescued from Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter in June and has been waiting for his permanent home. Contact Catherine Carter at Island Dog Wash to meet Calvin. He is up to date on his shots, heartworm negative, and neutered. All he needs is a home.
Current Rumors
If you would like to report a rumor or misinformation being spread in the community please vist the City's Rumor Watch service.
Ideas in Discussion
The City uses an idea sharing service that is provided free by IdeaScale. The service is community driven and intended to derive ideas that benefit the entire community with possible solutions or steps to accomplish them. You can view and submit ideas by visiting MySPI.IdeaScale.com.
Calendar of Events
Date
| Event
| Location
| Time
| Sept. 14
| Convention Centre Expansion Task Force
| City Hall Board Room
| 11:00 AM
| Sept. 15
| 10th Anniversary Causeway Collapse Memorial
| Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway
| 10:00 AM
| Sept. 15
| Islanders Toastmasters Club Meeting
| City Hall Meeting Room
| 12:00 PM
| Sept. 15
| Planning & Zoning Commission
| City Hall Board Room
| 3:00 PM
| Sept. 16-25
| SPI Dive Week
| Sea Ranch Marina
|
| Sept. 17
| SPI Fiesta Triathlon
| Louies' Bakyard
| 8:00 AM
| Sept. 18
| Farmers Market
| The Shores
| 11:00 AM
|
|
|
