07102000 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regula\2~eeting July 10, 2000 Page 2 he did not think the vacancy should be filled. Ms. Hughson agreed the position should not be filled and stated she wanted task force members who have not attended meetings regularly to also be removed. Mayor Chiu introduced for consideration approval of six appointments to the Citizen Review Commission. Mr. Moseley moved to appoint William DeSoto, Mayor Chiu moved to appoint Lupe Costilla, Mr. Cox moved to appoint Rene Compean and Ms. Tatum moved to appoint Nell Burleson, which passed unanimously. The remaining two appointments will be rescheduled. Mayor Chiu introduced for consideration approval of an appointment to the Capital Area Planning Council (CAPCO). Billy Moore had served as the City's representative to CAPCO and expressed an interest in continuing to do so. Mr. Cox moved to appoint Billy Moore to continue representing the City on CAPCO, which passed unanimously. Mayor Chiu introduced for consideration a public hearing and adoption of an Ordinance on emergency, the caption which was read as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, DESIGNATING A REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 17 PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 312 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE; CONSISTING OF LOT NO.2 OF UNIT NO.2 OF THE THERMON INDUSTRIAL PARK NO.2 SUBDIVISION; MAKING STATUTORY FINDINGS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Mayor Chiu opened the public hearing. John Thomaides asked why this was presented on emergency, and could the process be extended a for a longer period. Mr. Gilley stated the company requested the City expedite this matter. Mr. Gilley stated the City's policy has minimum requirements that must be met, and the City Council had lowered those standards a few years ago to allow small businesses to also be able to apply for tax abatements. An abatement must be within a reinvestment zone, and that is why this Ordinance is on emergency. The Company requested the City move quickly so they could go forward with their project. This was a timing issue for the company. Each abatement request is entirely at the discretion of the City Council. Mr. Cox added each case is looked at on an individual basis. Ms. Hughson stated she does not like to pass Ordinances on emergency unless it is a matter of health or public safety. Mr. Cox stated the tax abatement policy is updated every two years by the City Council. No one else wished to speak, so Mayor Chiu closed the public hearing. Mr. Moseley moved for adoption of the Ordinance on emergency and Mr. Cox seconded the motion. The company has invested $2.7 million in this project. Mayor Chiu stated Thermon has requested the Ordinance be adopted on emergency; they are asking for a two-year abatement, and he thinks the Council should just vote on the matter. Mr. Doiron stated the tax abatement policy was put in place to attract new businesses in the past. This abatement would only serve to make more money for this company. He thinks the City should take granting of tax abatements more seriously and offer abatements to new companies coming to town. Mr. Cox stated he does not have a problem with adopting this Ordinance on emergency, and when the criteria of the tax abatement policy is again reviewed, the Council has an opportunity to change that policy. On roll call the following vote was recorded: AYE: Moseley, Chiu, Cox, Mayhew, Tatum. NAY: Doiron, Hughson. ABSTAIN: None. Mayor Chiu introduced for consideration a public hearing and approval of an Ordinance on first reading, the caption which was read as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 114.001 OF THE CITY CODE TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF ~CHURCH"; AMENDING SECTIONS 114.471 AND 114.472 TO MAKE CHURCHES