01242000 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

79. Regular Meeting January 24, 2000 Page 10 and Mr. Gilley stated CDBG funds could be used but would need to be allocated in yearly increments. Ms. Hughson stated she does not like CDBG funds to be used for this type project and thinks this should be further discussed in the Budget Workshop. Mr. Cox expressed concern for the community being faced with high dollars. Mr. Mihalkanin stated little discussion ensued when the Council approved the Clovis Barker Road improvements and stated the funding impact should be provided each time a discussion of this nature arises. Mayor Moore agreed with Mr. Mihalkanin. Mr. Hernandez stated if certificates of obligation were used, he wanted to know when the project would begin. Mr. Doiron stated maybe a combination of funding could be used: CDBG, the budget and bonds. Mr. Mihalkanin stated the funds will have to be in place to bid the project and thinks the City should pay out of pocket what we can. Mayor Moore introduced a discussion regarding a non-binding ballot proposition on the May 2000 ballot in connection with acquisition of Aquarena Springs from Southwest Texas State University. Disclosure affidavits were filed by Billy G. Moore, Ed Mihalkanin, Jane Hughson and Rick Hernandez. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he thinks the community should be allowed to express whether or not the City should acquire Aquarena Springs. Mr. Moseley stated he had discussed the matter with Mr. Abbott of SWT whose position was Aquarena is not for sale. Mr. Moseley stated the City should hold hearings and discuss this possibility with the citizens. Mr. Mihalkanin stated if this is placed on the ballot he thinks there would be a lot of discussion and a public hearing could be held. Mr. Hernandez stated this is such a big issue, it would be good to have a sense of what the citizens want. Mr. Cox stated would there be wording to the effect, if Aquarena ever came up for sale, would you be interested in the City purchasing it? Mr. Doiron stated he is interested in the wording including San Marcos could acquire, rather than purchase. Carol Coughlin stated TNRCC declared the dam unsafe and it could not be conveyed until it is repaired, and that time line would be up to SWT. She expressed concern the University has failed to communicate what they will do on many issues regarding the water of the lake, the water downstream, their use of water for cooling, the River Center and whether there will ever be access to the falls again. Ms. Hughson stated the water rights should be included in the issue. Dave Newman stated if the City owned Aquarena, there would be swimming access. He stated the environmentalists and users of the river are in favor of the City acquiring Aquarena. Dan Praver moved to San Marcos for access to the swimming hole below the dam. He wants the City to acquire Aquarena. He stated SWT has not been a good steward of the river and has caused environmental concerns, including unauthorized disposal of wastes. He wants Aquarena under the domain of the City. David Wendel stated this matter should be placed on the ballot. Dave Newman stated the City has the opportunity to protect the river and to put this matter before the voters. Mr. Mihalkanin stated cost estimates could be prepared of maintenance, deterioration and what SWT paid for Aquarena. Ms. Hughson stated as a voting citizen, she would need to know what the price tag is before being interested, and is interested in knowing what the public wants and what maintenance has been done and needs to be done. Mr. Doiron stated he would be interested in acquisition of the property and not in just purchasing alone. Mr. Moseley stated there would be many issues involved, including protection of the endangered species. He expressed the need to have formal discussions with SWT or the University System. Mr. Abbott indicated SWT has no interest in selling, but perhaps the University System may have some interest. He stated the City needs to engage in public dialogue. It would raise City taxes for the City to own Aquarena and this is a big issue with a hefty price tag. He stated he is not willing to have a nonbinding referendum until the City has formal discussions with the public and University. There was consensus for wording to be drafted for a nonbinding referendum for the Election Ordinance to be considered by the Council at the February 14 Meeting. Mayor Moore introduced the City Manager's Report. Mr. Gilley had no report at this meeting.