08141989 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

99 Regular Meeting August 14, 1989 Page 2 of household hazardous wastes. They are requesting the City work with the County regarding recycling and project that businesses will develop with the recycling needs of the community. Enoch Anderson stated he supports the recycling program and said San Marcos desires such a program. Nina pryatel spoke in support of the need for the adult education program at the library to be funded for 30 hours rather than 20 hours as is presently budgeted in the proposed budget. Stanley Hashlock stated the library received 5000 volunteer tutor hours and the coordinator position for the adult education program at the library needs to be funded for 30 hours. Stephanie Langenkamp stated the proposed budget funds the coordinator of the adult education program for 20 hours for 3/4 of the year. She stated they could possibly receive $5,000 in a Federal grant to assist this program and that $15,600 is needed to fund the coordinator position for 30 hours for 12 months. Saul Gonzales stated he was illiterate when he graduated from high school, and through the tutor program at the library, is now able to read and write. R. G. Phillips stated the proposed budget will result in higher taxes and higher rates. He stated this is a result in mismanagement of personnel, citing Hankins and Galchutt as examples. He stated other mistakes have been the Houston Oilers and CTEC, and that there is a proposal to triple the fee of the Electric Utility in street and alley fees. Beth Wolpman spoke on behalf of the Greater Neighborhood Association stating their areas of concern as follows. The Police Department needs manpower; the Fire Department needs upgrading of the fire stations, manpower and equipment; the Police Department needs to meet T-close recommendations for manpower; EMS needs to be considered in the City's growth pattern; the City needs to get water rights to insure our future water needs; the street sweeper ne~ds to be used to prevent further erosion of the streets; a recycling program needs to be implemented to reduce solid wastes; the Legal Department needs to be staffed and the contract arrangement to not be a long-term solution; and the Master Plan needs to be updated. Martha Latta stated she is in support of recycling. She stated it will provide economic development to San Marcos, as there is a value in litter, and it will hopefully create jobs. Becky Keen stated she is involved in the City of Austin curbside recycling program, and that it will reduce household wastes, and she is supportive of San Marcos having such a program. Gwen Smith stated she has been involved with the Main Street project in San Marcos since its inception. She stated it has provided a sense of community to have downtown restoration and a positive economic impact on San Marcos and is in support of its continuance. Charles Crosson stated he is a volunteer tutor at the library and is in support of the program and its continued funding. No one else wished to speak, so Mayor Morris closed the public hearing. Mayor Morris introduced a public hearing on a proposal to increase total revenues of water, sewer and electric rates. Mayor Morris opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak. Mr. Gilley advised the proposed increases for water and wastewater are approximately 6% and for electricity approximately 5%. R. G. Phillips asked what the proposed increase for electric rates would be, to which Mr. Gilley responded 5%. Vicki Hardin asked what the justification was for a 6% increase in water and wastewater rates, to which Mr. Gilley replied there are additional costs involved in doing business in the utility departments and there is a need for an expenditure in capital outlay which the City hopes to fund this year. Bill Coddington asked how much the City paid LCRA for power in the electric utility this year, and Mr. Gilley responded $12 million. Mr. Coddington stated Mr. Berry had made a statement during the budget retreat the City had a loss of approximately 1,100 meters, and that the City should survey other cities' services. Gilbert Elton stated the City should study the fairness of the electric rate charges to the different types of customers. No one else wished to speak, so Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.