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City council postpones lobbying ordinance

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 The San Marcos City Council voted to postpone an ordinance creating new restrictions regarding lobbying. But not before yet another continuous debate regarding the proposed legislation. The ordinance would require lobbyists to register and periodically report contacts they make with elected city officials, board members, commission members and city employees. Councilmember Shane Scott motioned to postpone the ordinance until Nov. 3, 2021, citing concerns that the ordinance is unfair to certain groups and that it isn’t specific enough in its intent.  “It’s too broad,” Scott said. “To actually name people whether you like them or not, your police officers’ association, your fire department or any other group and say they’re the only people named on this when you’ve got the (San Marcos) River Foundation who are huge lobbyists. There are so many different groups that are lobbyists. Everybody is a lobbyist because they talk to you about things that they want to do. That’s the nature of this.” 

Clean air ordinance moves forward

Thursday, May 6, 2021 The San Marcos City Council indicated support for a new Clean Air Ordinance during its regular Tuesday meeting.  After many complaints about a manufacturing odor, the Clean Air Ordinance was brought to the councilmembers to provide regulations for the emission of air contaminants and controlling or abating air pollution. The ordinance creates associated offenses and penalties as well for odors and particulate emissions.  Staff confirmed that the ordinance would apply to businesses and not homes. The next step will be a second vote at a future city council meeting. In other business, the councilmembers also approved an ordinance to rezone 72.85 acres of land located on Harris Hill Road to a Manufactured Home District where people can lease the lot and own or rent a manufactured home. 

City Council approves committee rules and procedures

Lions Club Tube Rental kept afloat with lease renewal

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 The San Marcos City Council approved a new lease agreement with the San Marcos Lions Club for the Tubing Rental Facility during its meeting Tuesday night. After many public commenters rallied in support of the Lions Club and a failed motion to sell disposable cups to generate more revenue for the city, the councilmembers voted 6-1 to approve the lease as it had been negotiated.  “The San Marcos Lions Club is very pleased with the outcome of last night’s city council vote to approve the amendments that were proposed by us,” San Marcos Lions Club President Dennis Gutierrez told the

City council keeps Lions Club tubing talks afloat

Council OKs renewable energy program

Wednesday, March 3, 2021 The San Marcos City Council approved the implementation of a voluntary renewable energy program for local utility customers during its meeting Tuesday night.  The San Marcos Electric Utility Division will now be able to implement a voluntary program allowing its customers to guarantee they are receiving 100% renewable energy in their homes.  The program through the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market allows SMEU to purchase renewable energy credits, purchased at a fixed rate for one year. Customers can opt in to the program for a small fee and keep their rate for one year.  As customers’ annual renewal comes up, they will be notified of any price changes and have the opportunity to opt back in or out. The price difference in the example given to San Marcos City Council was a $5 per month increase. 

City Council supports proposal for Indigenous culture center, hears ERCOT concerns

Daniella Dakota Rodriguez dances in a fancy shawl competition at the Indigenous Cultures Institute's Sacred Springs Powwow, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in San Marcos.  Star file photo The San Marcos City Council approved a resolution in support of the possible establishment of an Indigenous culture center at its meeting on Feb. 24.  The resolution proposes the possibility of the Indigenous Cultures Institute and the city co-applying for Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond funding and for city property to be used for the project. At this time, the approval of the resolution does not commit the city to provide any funding or land and only supports the Indigenous Cultures Institute as it pursues funding with Hays County.

Council decides against emergency order

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 The San Marcos City Council opted to “hit education hard” rather than make an emergency order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 after the city recorded its deadliest month amid the pandemic. Director of Public Safety Chase Stapp revealed the stark statistic of 25 coronavirus-related fatalities in San Marcos during January preceded by 13 in December. “Trends are for the moment going in the right direction,” Stapp said, adding that he's unsure if the decline in active cases and hospitalization rates is a natural decline from the spike in the aftermath of holiday gatherings or if it's a true decline. 

Council considers shutdown despite governor's order

Wednesday, January 20, 2021 The San Marcos City Council voted to consider shutting down more of San Marcos at the next city council meeting, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s Order prohibiting cities from creating any orders more strict than his own.  A majority of councilmembers voted to put an item on the Feb. 2 city council meeting, discussing a city ordinance either by the emergency order of the city council or an executive order of the mayor to close down more of San Marcos in an attempt to stop further spread of COVID-19. They also voted to write a letter to Abbott expressing regional support of localized power to shutdown.

Council awards $6.5 million road project

Wednesday, January 6, 2021 San Marcos City Councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to award a roughly $6.5 million construction contract for the Uhland Road improvement project to a Taylor-based company.  Patin Construction, LLC was awarded the construction contract during Tuesday's city council meeting.  The project is meant to alleviate flooding along County Road and Uhland Road to improve mobility and the drainage infrastructure during storms, according to city documents. The project includes a stormwater system with a new outfall to the Blanco River, and it will replace water and wastewater systems within the new roadway sections. Related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Director of Public Safety Chase Stapp reported high case counts as well as multiple days that the Trauma Service Area O, which includes Hays and Travis counties, has exceeded the 15% COVID-19 hospitalization-to-capacity ratio.