The South Padre Island City Council approved a $28,000 amendment from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) fund for the PR100 parking-lot project, directing the relocation of 18 palm trees and electrical service upgrades to meet FEMA requirements.

Assistant Public Works Director John Wilson told the council, "We're gonna be moving 18 palm trees" and said crews will plant them in two semi–half-moon arrangements — six in one location and 12 in another at the south end of town near the Isla Blanca approach. The amendment covers palm relocation, electrical-service work and related site adjustments.

Wilson said the city worked with SSP (the project designer) and that SSP evaluated the palms as viable. The council was told the palms are Washingtonian varieties. The city plans to hire a contractor called Green Thumb to perform the moves; Green Thumb will provide monitoring and care for the first 30 days, after which city crews will take over maintenance. Irrigation for the replanted palms will be adjusted to drip irrigation and tied into existing systems.

Council members discussed alternatives raised in staff materials, including full removal and replacement with 8-to-10-foot date palms. Staff said one replacement option would raise costs by about $15,000 compared with removal-only proposals; other cost details were not specified in the meeting record.

The electrical work includes raising a service meter near the museum onto a small concrete pad to meet the minimum FEMA height standard, staff said.

Council members approved the budget amendment by voice vote. The item was described at the meeting as funded with "tourist" revenue from the TIRZ.

The council did not set a construction schedule during the discussion; staff indicated they are coordinating locations with SSP and that some additional landscaping or signage at the island entry could be considered in the future.