Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Meeting Minutes June 16, 2020 <br />Mayor Hughson opened the Public Hearing at 7:47 p.m. <br />Those who spoke: <br />Wayne Gerami, representative for Austin Habitat Humanity spoke on behalf of <br />the land acquisition and spoke on construction. Their partnership in San Marcos <br />began in 2017 and have opened the Habitat Restore on IH 35. They are scaling <br />up their engagement in the community and with the ReStore and their housing <br />counseling and construction. They are doing two homes per year. They are a <br />HUD certified counseling agency that can interface with banks on behalf of home <br />owners. The Housing Counseling program is a first line effort that assists low and <br />moderate income families facing foreclosure in keeping their homes. This is <br />especially important during this time of layoffs due to the CoronaVirus pandemic. <br />Andy Alarcon, representative for Austin Habitat Humanity, stated they recently <br />merged with San Marcos and with this merger they have committed to building at <br />least two homes per year. The third home is underway. We have applied for land <br />acquisition funding and he is available for any questions. Since staff is not <br />recommending their request, they ask that Council consider a future request. <br />Bertie Flores Samilpa, is the head housing counselor for Austin Habitat <br />Humanity. She stated she is looking forward to bringing services to Hays County <br />and helping the community. <br />Dr. Ricardo Espinoza, representative of Centro Cultural Hispano, thanked Staff <br />for their work. He stated Centro has a great partnership with San Marcos CISD <br />and other entities in the community. Centro is all inclusive and all encompassing <br />and he is here to answer any questions. <br />Norma Castilla Blackwell, Executive Director with CASA, thanked the Mayor <br />and Council for their support over the years. She is here to answer any questions <br />regarding the application. <br />Ruben Garza, Director of Southside Community Center, thanked Council for <br />their support. Without this program it would be much harder to keep the houses <br />they have up to code. Bringing houses up to code is important and we must <br />maintain current stock. <br />There being no further comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:55 <br />p.m. <br />City of San Marcos Page 17 <br />