07221996 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Regular Meeting July 22~ 1996 Page 7 needs to get the Council's input to develop their charge, and the charge could then be prepared this week. Mayor Moore stated he would like to have included the busing of metro people to the mall areas and to host them overnight or for weekends and the addition of special events and performing arts. Mr. Guerra expressed concern for the ethnic makeup of the task force and stated his disappointment that it is not a more diverse group. Mr. Kimmel -- stated he did not select the group and will only serve as a facilitator. Mr. Mihalkanin stated the group will bring people on board who are interested in tourism and the cultural diversity of San Marcos. They will continue to regroup on an ongoing basis and will open up their meetings to anyone who wants to be a part of it. Mr. Kimmel stated this is the starting place for the task force and is intended to be a grass roots planning process. Ms. Hughson stated the group is working on who we are and where we need to go. She stated it' would have been advantageous for this task force to have been able to provide their information before the City completed the Master Plan process, and who would carry out their - plan. Mr. Kimmel stated the Planning Department could carry out their plans. The task force needs to decide how we want to present ourselves to visitors, and our present role is to focus on tourism and how to market ourselves to the world. The Planning Department is geared to handle these issues. The other area to be developed is product development and needs to involve CVB and EDC. Mr. Hernandez stated another issue will be staffing involvement and any funding. Mr. Gilley stated so far essentially the City staff has only committed to time. Mayor Moore stated this 'is not intended to be an endless process and has goals. Mr. Kimmel stated it will take four to six months at the most. Mayor Moore asked if there is a consensus of the Council for Mr. Mihalkanin and Mr. Kimmel to facilitate this task force, and the Council responded affirmatively. Mayor Moore stated we must depend on repeat business and not depend on only getting new prospects. Mr. Kimmel stated present tourism trends included short distance, high. value, activities and a big market to learn. Ms. Hughson asked if part of the scope is how to market San Marcos, and Mr. Kimmel stated CVB would need to be involved in this to be sure they will be consistent with what CVB envisions. Mayor Moore introduced a discussion regarding the allocation of social service budgets. Four alternatives were presented: (1) requested funding totaling $310,184.00, (2) Level One $252,512.00, (3) Level Two $262,400.00, and (4) Level Three $274,100.00. Ms. Hughson proposed the Council consider a 3.9% increase, as this is the amount of the City's proposed budget increase for 1996-1997, which would amount to $252,269.20. Mr. Cox stated he would consider Level One funding, Mr. Mihalkanin stated he would consider Level One funding, Mr. Hernandez stated he would consider staying at the present level funding of $242,800.00, Mr. Guerra stated he would consider their request for funding of $310,184.00, Mr. Hart stated he would consider staying at the present level funding of $242,800.00, and Mayor Moore stated he would consider the Level One funding. It was consensus to budget the Level One funding amount of $252,512.00, and Mr. Gilley advised the Council the additional amount could be made up from fund balance. Mayor Moore introduced a discussion regarding proposed amendments to the National League of Cities National Municipal Policy. Mr. Guerra stated NLC would be closely monitoring telecommunications and the - - deregulation of electric utilities. Mr. Cox stated his NLC Committee was working on six initiatives at the Committee level. Mayor Moore stated if anyone had an issue to be considered by NLC, to forward it to Mr. Gilley and Mr. Taylor to forward on to NLC. Mayor Moore introduced a discussion regarding contracts for tourism promotional services and economic development. Mr. Mihalkanin stated the Council had advised the Hospitality Association if they wanted the City to review a contract, they needed to present one by tonight, and they have done so. Ms. Hughson stated she wants to look at all offers possible to see what is best for the amount of money we have. Kim Wiley, representing the San Marcos Hospitality Association, requested the Council consider contracting with the