07072009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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conscience and convictions. He believes that because of prayer there is a difference in how this council goes about its business - it is more collaborative. Fleming Terrel, 611 S. Congress, attorney for the ACLU, said that although the Council has not responded yet to their letter or informed them of this meeting, she felt it was important to be here. She has reviewed the past nine months of meetings, and every meeting began with a Christian prayer and named Jesus Christ. The historical exception referred to is very narrow, and a variety of courts across the county have upheld that. If we go beyond that legislative exemption we will violate the constitution. Prayer at the meeting can make members of the community uncomfortable and cause a lack of faith in the elected officials. Lindsey Ward, 100 Teton Circle, said the Council has an incredible job to do, and he cannot imagine facing the tasks before them without prayer. He appreciates the fact that we ask in prayer for guidance and assistance. He noted that the Council serves at the will of the people, and if they don't like how the Council handles the meeting, then they can vote you out. That is as far as their right goes. The Council is a respected and well run council. Theresa Knight, 200 Springtown Way #319, owner of the Sylvan Learning Center and a family- owned business since July 2007, said she enjoys working in the community and hopes to continue to be a part of community. She hopes full consideration is given to those left in Springtown Mall. The small retailers have been hit hard by the economy, and it's been compounded by the fact that all of the large retailers are out of the center, and she hopes that she would be able to remain where she is and the City would bring more businesses into that location. Gary Gibson, 117 E. Hopkins, owner of new Jimmy John Sandwich Shop, voiced his concerns with Springtown Mall. He made a significant investment to locate in the square because it appeared the City was supporting the square and because it is an established area. There appears to be a sudden shift and lack of support for the downtown district. Ted Marchut, 200 Camaro Way, said the wages in San Marcos are very low. 29% live below the poverty level. The direction of the Council should be finding jobs and providing a living wage and keeping Texas State University graduates in San Marcos. We don't need more retail or bars. Andy Howard, 119 E. Hopkins, stated that as a business owner he has concerns. Bringing outside entities is against what we have established and worked for. Nathan Todd, 103 Riverside, owner of Tantra Coffee House, said he is concerned about this issue for funding the Springtown change. Downtown businesses are in need of help, and no one has reached out to us. Jordan Stewart, 401 N. Fredericksburg 4506, said he is a grad student and downtown resident. It is inevitable that outside businesses will come into San Marcos. His issue is with the way this has been courted. The City gives all this lip service to downtown, but in the end, a lot of the sidewalks are still cracked, a lot of the lights are still in bad shape and it's really not the same helping hand being given to downtown businesses. The history of this development is they RM070709 Minutes Page 4