San Marcos City Council Approves Construction Contract, Grant Applications and Discusses City Appeal Process

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, the San Marcos City Council considered several items including the award of a contract agreement for renovation to Anita Reyes Park and several grants with Homeland Security for improvements.

The consent agenda items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 3, 5-10 and 12 passed with a vote of 7-0 with items 2D, 4 and 11 being pulled. Item 2D, a set of minutes from January 15 Work Session, was postponed until the next meeting with a vote of 7-0.

Council Member Joca Marquez requested Item 4 regarding the Anita Reyes Park renovation be pulled from the consent agenda to allow for discussion.

Dr. Marquez had questions about the cost and whether it included the addition of an ADA Accessible sidewalk for residents.  

Drew Well, Interim Director of Community Services, said the cost does include ADA-accessibility features such as sidewalks and ramps to the playground.

According to the agenda, the construction contract is part of a Community Development Block Grant-funded project to renovate Anita Reyes Park; the renovation will include the installation of a new playground, a new canopy shade structure, 375 feet of 4-foot sidewalks and the painting of the existing wrought-iron fence.

The award of the construction contract to T.F. Harper & Associates, LP is in the amount of $143,530.75; it was approved with a 7-0 vote by council.

As part of the consent agenda, the city approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for grants to sustain existing early warning systems and capabilities, an Emergency Mobile Command Vehicle and upgrade equipment and technology for the San Marcos Police Department auditorium.

Currently, the City of San Marcos uses the San Marcos Police Department auditorium for its Primary Emergency Operations Center, which is not “adequately equipped to operate in such a capacity.”

Staff stated in the agenda the upgrades will allow emergency operations center staff to be better enabled to communicate with mutual aid partners, efficiently track resources, gather damage assessment data, share information and maintain overall awareness of the disaster situation.

The council also held a discussion on the current decision-making and appeal processes pertaining to the issuance of certificates of appropriateness for construction, alteration, restoration, relocation or demolition of city-owned historic landmarks or city-owned structures.

Mayor Jane Hughson requested the discussion be placed on the agenda to allow council to discuss potential revisions to the ordinance.

During the brief discussion, Mayor Hughson suggested altering the ordinance to have appeals brought to city council regarding city-owned historic landmarks and structures. Currently, appeals are sent to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. 

Council shared a general consensus on the idea and gave direction to staff to bring back an amendment to the ordinance. The ordinance will name the San Marcos City Council as the authority that reviews certificate of appropriateness appeals.

Finally, the S.M.A.R.T Terminal returned before City Council in the form of an executive session item. No motion was made on the item in open court.

However, Mayor Hughson said the council had provided direction to staff regarding a Chapter 380 Economic Development incentive agreement and development agreement for the S.M.A.R.T terminal.

Hughson said the item would be discussed and voted on during an upcoming meeting, and that council had developed a list of uses which could not be used on the property.

During the public comment period, Becky Patterson asked Council to slow down the process for the S.M.A.R.T Terminal.

David Sergi, an attorney who spoke on behalf of SMARTER San Marcos, asked council to consider whether the project followed the city’s comprehensive plan.