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City Council Meeting Minutes December 15, 2020 <br />Mayor Hughson asked if there will a receipt or confirmation to proceed with <br />the lobbying activities. Mr. Cosentino stated the City Clerk's Office will be the <br />record keeper and report their contacts with city officials on manners they <br />lobbied on an every other month reporting basis. Mr. Cosentino stated the <br />lobbyist who failed to register will be in violation, not the council members and <br />the list will be made public and retained. <br />Mayor Hughson asked if a lobbyist represents various clients, does each client <br />have to be registered? Mr. Cosentino stated yes, it has to be fully disclosed. <br />Mayor Hughson asked if someone does not live in San Marcos what is the best <br />way to have the oath executed and does it need to be signed by a notary? <br />Mayor Hughson suggested to have an online form. Mr. Cosentino stated it will <br />be electronic filling, there are staff that are notaries and there is no charge for <br />the service. <br />Mayor Hughson wants full transparency and it is not helpful for the reporting <br />to be scanned pages.She feels that online reporting should be available and <br />something like an excel sheet format be available for those who wish to <br />inquire. Mr. Cosentino stated the formatting for the report has not been <br />discussed. <br />Mr. Cosentino reminded the council that this does not change the requirement <br />by the Texas Open Meetings Act that limits the contact by anyone wishing to <br />speak to councilmembers to less than a quorum. Any councilmember <br />contacted should always ask if the person has spoken to other councilmembers <br />previously, and advise them of the limit. <br />Council Member Baker asked how the registered lobbyist fits into the election <br />Season. and would this be allowed and required to report? Mr. Cosentino <br />stated yes, under the proposed ordinance, if the discussion and or payment is <br />directly related to a particular decision. Mayor Hughson noted that <br />campaign contributions on behalf of supported candidates would be shown in <br />their required reports. Mr. Cosentino noted that perhaps we need a carve -out <br />in the ordinance to be clear. <br />Council Member Derrick asked about non profits that lobby for money, or <br />needing funding to build a project, or supporting the preservation of land. <br />Would these be considered lobbying since it is not an economic benefit to <br />theorganization?. Mr. Cosentino spoke on the exclusions within the document <br />City of San Marcos Page 4 <br />