Capes Dam, Downtown TIRZ & More On City Council Special Meeting Agenda

Staff Reports

On Thursday, the San Marcos City Council will hold a special meeting at 4:00 PM for 11 items.

Among the items is an ordinance amending the project plan and reinvestment zone financing plan for the Downtown TIRZ, a presentation, and discussion regarding the return to normal utility billing operations for non-payment and a discussion on Capes Dam including but not limited to Hays County Parks proposals.

According to the agenda, a tax increment reinvestment zone (“TIRZ”) is a financing tool created by the State Legislature to assist cities and counties in developing or redeveloping unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas.  

The Downtown TIRZ consists of approximately 244 acres in the San Marcos TX downtown core. The history includes, but is not limited to: rewriting the zoning standards enabling a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use environment, and updating the Development Code identifying the downtown core as a Character District 5 Downtown.

Under this proposed plan, the City and Hays County will participate equally in the reinvestment zone to generate approximately $20,456,466 over the life of the Zone.

The revenues will be dedicated to parking enhancements, acquisition of land, sidewalks, improved lighting and overall improvements to the downtown area.

In March, the city council halted utility service terminations for non-payment for 90 days, which will expire on June 22.

City staff is recommending they return to normal payment processing procedures including but not limited to:

• Begin to inform customers of their unpaid bills
• Encourage customers to either make payment arrangements or recommend agencies who may have monies to help people pay their bills
• Terminate services, when applicable.

According to the agenda, the City funds an agreement with Community Action to help people with their outstanding utility bills; currently, there is $93,000 available for assistance.

The City funds an agreement with Community Action to help people with their outstanding utility bills. Currently, there is $93,000 available for assistance.

The council will also hold a discussion on Capes Dam to receive any additional information staff may have and provide direction to staff.

A previous discussion was postponed by the council until their next meeting due to a packed agenda and council wishing to give the item “the time and attention it deserved.”

Those interested in submitting public comments must submit them to the City Clerk’s office by 12:00 PM on the day of the meeting.

MEETING LOCATION: ONLINE OR TV VIEWING ONLY
TIME: 4:00 PM

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For instructions to submit public comments and meeting details, see the agenda link below.

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• View this week’s agenda HERE.
• View this week’s agenda packet HERE.
• View live or previous meetings HERE.
• View previous meeting minutes HERE.
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  1. Grande Communications: Cable Channel 16
  2. Spectrum: Cable Channel 10