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City Council Meeting Minutes March 2, 2021 <br />Mr. Lumbreras understands the concerns of council regarding the allocation of <br />funds and getting these to individuals in need. The assessment will be helpful in <br />identifying where funds are most needed. A holistic approach will be identified <br />in this assessment and believes it is necessary. Mr. Lumbreras agrees that <br />funding that can be allocated immediately should not be withheld and should <br />be distributed. <br />Council Member Garza stated that it is critical that a needs assessment be <br />done. San Marcos and Abilene are very different cities with differences in the <br />needs of the community. In terms of long term stability in the community, a <br />long term needs assessment will help organizations like Southside, Home <br />Center, and the Salvation Army obtain grants. She expressed her concern with <br />the high cost of the study and would like to partner with Texas State <br />University. <br />Council Member Gonzales is okay with the assessment but concerned with <br />high cost. <br />Council Member Baker stated he reached out to Home Center in advance of <br />this meeting and he agrees with Council Member Garza on the ability of these <br />organizations to obtain grants once a needs assessment is completed. <br />Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott expressed concern with another study and only <br />wants one if it is necessary. He addressed interest in staff identifying needs by <br />talking with organizations involved in the community before we pay for a <br />study. Ms. Griffith stated an assessment would take on this responsibility and <br />provide an outside perspective. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Derrick asked if the scope of the assessment could be limited <br />to where they talk only to non -profits, the school district, Police and code <br />compliance and not use focus groups because it won't change until we can <br />actually help people. If limited could some staff handle compiling this <br />information and get it to Texas State and then they could work on an <br />assessment. <br />Council provided consensus to move forward with completing an assessment <br />quickly, control the parameters of the study, use only local information, and <br />focus on actually helping people. <br />Council would like the HMIS Licensing be funded for two years. <br />City of San Marcos Page 7 <br />