11202007 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Meeting November 20, 2007 Page 5 OF ORDINANCES TO ADD A NEW SECTION, EXEMPTION OF FREEPORT PROPERTY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Guerrero moved for approval of Ordinance on second reading, and Ms. Couch seconded the motion. Mr. Bose inquired to this proposed Ordinance. Mr. Cosentino stated the Constitutional Amendment contained a provision that the exemption was not applicable to goods where the warehouse and goods are owned or controlled by the same party; however, the Legislation failed to include the `control" language. An Attorney General informal opinion has been issued which reads the language relating to "control" back into the legislation. In addition, it concludes that warehouses leased by owners of goods -in- transit are still controlled by the owner. He stated for Tax Year 2008, Staff recommends that Council adopt the Ordinance to continue to tax the goods -in- transit. The Council then voted unanimously for approval of Ordinance on second reading. Mayor Narvaiz introduced for consideration Item 15, removed from the consent agenda, adoption of a Resolution, the caption which was read as follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE SAN MARCOS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE PROVISION OF TOURISM PROMOTIONAL SERVICES DURING THE CITY'S 2007 -2008 FISCAL YEAR; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THIS CONTRACT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Guerrero moved for adoption of Resolution, and Mr. Thomaides seconded the motion. Mayor Narvaiz stated she discussed her concerns about this contract during the Budget Process and for those same reasons she would be voting against this issue. She stated she has direct knowledge of this organization, she has served as a Board Chair, volunteered hours, and given money. She stated she even came before the City Council in 1996 to ask that the Hispanic Chamber receive the same funding as the Area Chamber. She stated for the last five years she has worked to make them accountable. She stated the Hispanic Chamber did not comply with the contract last year, which doesn't set a good precedent. Mr. Jones inquired to the noncompliance of the contract. Mayor Narvaiz stated the contract required the Hispanic Chamber to provide quarterly reports throughout the year, which they did not do. She stated this is an on going issue. Mr. Guerrero stated he is new to the Minority Tourism Board and he would like to see the Council get through this year and maintain this one year, and if they still do not comply then the Council will need to re- evaluate this contract. He stated he feels the last few months they have made great strides to comply with the contract. Mr. Jones inquired if the Area Chamber of Commerce has the same requirements in their contract. Mayor Narvaiz stated both Chamber contracts have the same requirements. She also stated the Minority Tourism Board has had a difficult time making quorum. She stated she feels this Board has not complied with the contract for several years and they do not