Ethics Code Amendment, CDBG-CV Program Funding Slated For Discussion & Action By City Council

Staff Reports

The San Marcos City Council will consider the approval of an ordinance on the first of two readings, which amends Article V of the city ethics code Tuesday.

The amendment will require ethics complaints to be sworn before a notary public, establish a six month time period to file a complaint regarding an alleged violation, require city employees and officials to cooperate in hearings before the ethics review commission, prohibit the use of intimidation to discourage employees from filing ethics complaints or testifying at hearings and prohibit retaliation in the form of an adverse personnel action against employees who file ethics complaints or testify.

According to the agenda, the amendments to the code of ethics were recommended by the San Marcos Ethics Review Commission and previously reviewed by the council.

In other news, the city council will also consider awarding Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Response round three funding of $567,825.00 to a designated sub-recipient for the design and administration of a COVID-19 emergency housing and business relief program.

The item follows from the Nov. 17 public hearing where the council received comments for or against the resolution amending the 2019 CDBG Action Plan.

In November, the council approved the following projects for the Round 3 funding:

• COVID-19 Emergency Housing and Business Relief Program $454,260
• Administration of the CDBG-CV Round Three Grant and Program – up to $113,565

The objective of the program was to lessen the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing emergency payments to individuals, families, and businesses of up to three months’ rent, mortgage, and/or utilities.

The council will convene for their regular meeting (virtually) at 6:00 PM. No public hearings are slated for Tuesday night. Public Comment requests and signup is due by 12:00 PM before the meeting.