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City Council Meeting Minutes August 4, 2020 <br />The following questions were previously asked and those were addressed: Who owns the <br />dam? <br />— The City's acquisition of the 20 -acre Woodland property included all property and <br />improvements to the banks of the river. The dam is allowed in the river with the <br />permission of the state. <br />• If we don't "own" the dam why are we responsible for it? <br />— Regardless of ownership, any action concerning the dam will require appropriate state <br />and federal approvals. The City has a stake in the safety risks the dam poses because it is <br />adjacent to city park property. One of the goals of the city government is to safeguard the <br />health, safety and welfare of the city's residents. Thus, it is appropriate for the City to <br />sponsor proposals for consideration and approval by the agencies having jurisdiction <br />over the river and the dam. <br />• Should we ask the State of Texas to take action? <br />— Since this is not a dam owned by the State they would place the responsibility back on <br />the "owner". Since there is no specific "owner" it would then again become our <br />responsibility due to the safety risks posed within the corporate city limits. <br />Did the city propose, in the Texas Parks & Wildlife Sand and Gravel Permit application, <br />to take any action to acknowledge/honor the historical significance of the dam? <br />— No, the concerns regarding the historical significance of the dam did not arise until the <br />vetting process of the permit application began. <br />• Is the permit application still pending? <br />— Yes, the Sand and Gravel Permit filed for the removal of the dam with Texas Parks and <br />Wildlife (TPWD) is still pending. <br />• Is there a possible middle ground opportunity that can be explored? <br />— The study may be able to provide us with that information. Currently staff has <br />proposed the options available as we believe them to be. <br />Interim Safety Measures <br />• Installing a buoy system from Cape's Dam to river bank upstream to designate a safe <br />line of travel around the dam. <br />• Installing new warning signage similar to exhibit shown here.. <br />• Parks & Rec Maintenance staff will be installing. <br />• Total Cost is $3,300 <br />Council Member Baker inquired about the previous studies and since money has <br />already been spent he asked if there are plans to recreate the findings of these initial <br />studies? <br />City of San Marcos Page 3 <br />