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<br />109 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Regular Meeting July 8,-1996 Page 2 <br /> <br />Mark Busby (Heritage Assn.) <br />Curtis Parkerson (Heritage Assn.) <br /> <br />Dorothy Evans (special projects-SWT) Resource & <br />Kathy Dillon (bed and breakfast) Facilitators <br />Jan Hardin (CVB) <br />John Navarrette (EDC) <br />Rodney Cobb (recreational opportunity) <br />Cathy Supple (tours) <br />Dick Henderson (birding opportunities) <br />Carol Allen (local internet lady) <br />Larkin Smith (art work) <br />Chapman Bell (Balcones Banc) <br /> <br />Mr. Mihalkanin requested the following additional names: <br /> <br />Fred Markham (banking) <br />John Cooper (downtown) <br />Marsha Cooper (downtown) <br /> <br />Mr. Mihalkanin stated the promotion of tourism needs to combine the <br />river's beauty, historic neighborhoods, downtown, small scale size <br />of San Marcos, the history, culture, SWT and San Marcos as a Texas <br />crossroads. Mr. Hernandez expressed concerns that he did not want <br />San Marcos to develop as another Round Rock. He also mentioned CVB <br />wants to set up a tourist information center at Tanger and man the <br />center with volunteers. Mayor Moore stated .the committee's focus <br />will be to find the resources of the community, and not to replace <br />CVB. CVB will be involved with this committee. Mr. Mihalkanin <br />stated this group hopes to make San Marcos a better community; the <br />study is not just for the benefit of tourists. Mr. Kimmel is <br />working on a comparison study with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe <br />built on its history with little dollars involved in their growth. <br />Mr. Guerra stated he knew nothing of the names for the committee <br />until he received his packet. Mayor"Moore stated these names have <br />not been appointed, and Mr. Kimmel has requested the City take over <br />with the next step in his process. Mr. Guerra asked Phil Neighbors <br />if Mr. Kimmel asked the Chamber for names, and Mr. Neighbors stated <br />no, but they did have meetings to look at a plan over a period of <br />time as a master plan. He stated the group is looking at tourism in <br />a business perspective and then will offer it for review at a later <br />time. Mr. Cox stated this group has been meeting for app~oximately <br />a year, and he had attended the kickoff meeting on behalf of the <br />Council. Mr. Neighbors stated with it out of their hands, he thinks <br />it will be less political. Ms. Hughson stated she was glad to see a <br />tourism group working on a tourism plan. She stated she would like <br />to receive a report from this group before funds are approved in the <br />City's budget process. Ms. Hughson stated she was concerned the <br />CVB did not have long-range plans. Mr. Neighbors stated they have <br />three and five-year plans they look at every couple of years. Mr. <br />Neighbors stated there is a negative impact because of the <br />perception there is no tubing available in San Marcos and that <br />Aquarena is closed. There are only firm figures available through <br />April. Mr. Guerra asked if Mr. Neighbors would attend these <br />meetings and if he was willing if appointed or asked to. Mr. <br />Mihalkanin added this group does not wish to exclude any group, as <br />tourism is one way for San Marcos to have its own identity. Mr. <br />Guerra stated he would have liked for the minority members of the <br />City Council to have been asked for suggestions for representation. <br />Mr. Mihalkanin stated he believes the list is open for changes and <br />additions. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he felt banking had not been well <br />represented, so he is adding an additional banking name, Mr. Guerra <br />stated he thinks the idea of such a group is a proactive approach <br />and would like to have received a call for suggestions of names. <br />Mr. Mihalkanin stated if it is acceptable to the Council, the <br />Council can submit names at the next meeting. Mr. Hart stated the <br />focus group will work on some immediate needs, and his initial <br />reaction is this will simply be another tourist group after City <br />dollars. Mayor Moore stated there are agendas that need to get on .. <br />the table and be dealt with. Mr. Hart advised the Council a tourist <br />had been in his office earlier in the day and had been overcharged <br />by a local motel and stated he would not return to San Marcos for <br />that reason. Mr. Hart stated the prices of motel rooms were driving <br />