09.15.20 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 is a reportable lobbying activity. The consensus is to ensure the staff member files the report. If a council member discusses the issue outside of a committee meeting, that would be the individual council member's responsibility to report. Council Member Baker inquired if a lobbyist must disclose the organizations of which they are a member. Mr. Lollar responded that a lobbyist would have to disclose the organization or whose behalf they are lobbying. Mr. Cosentino noted that this is covered in the Registration Required section (1) d. which states "Any person, other than the client, who is known by the lobbyist to contribute financially to the compensation of the lobbyist, or which, in whole or in major part, plans, super"vises, or controls the lobbyist's lobbying activities on behalf of the client." Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Rockeymoore noted that during his tenure on the Ethics Review Commission, he worked on this proposal. He inquired about how this ordinance compares to ordinances in other cities nearby. Mr. Lollar noted the committee looked at ordinances in Austin and San Antonio to start. They also looked at New Braunfels and Kyle. Those were not as specific. They were concerned about more and more student housing and decided to use text from the larger cities since San Marcos is growing. He noted that we need this ordinance. Mayor Hughson asked the following questions, what is the point of the ordinance? Is it more for employees or elected officials? What is the problem they are trying to solve? Mr. Lollar stated people are often worried about how the developments and new businesses are being approved. We are trying to prioritize transparency to ensure we have the trust of constituents. Mr. Lollar stated when accusation of mistrust are made, that reporting will be available and the city will be in a state to show who we are dealing with. Ms. Walden stated when complaints come in, the city is protected and the lobbyists are responsible for the paperwork. He noted that there have been four ethics complaints in 2020 so far. Mayor Hughson read the definition of Municipal Question which states: "Municipal question means a public policy issue of a discretionary nature pending or impending before City Council or any board or commission, including, but not limited to, proposed action, or proposals for action, in the form of ordinances, resolutions, motions, recommendations, reports, regulations, policies, nominations, appointments, sanctions, and bids, City of San Marcos page 4