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City Council Meeting Minutes March 2, 2021 <br />— Funding made available through partnership with USDA <br />— Funding is in addition to previously allocated money <br />— Recipients will also continue to receive monthly 15% increase in SNAP <br />benefits until June 2021 <br />— Apply for SNAP at YourTexasBenefits.com <br />Mr. Stapp stated the Gov. Abbot had a press conference to open Texas back to <br />100% and the categories of vaccines will expand to a broader group of people. <br />Mr. Stapp stated effective Wednesday, March 10 all businesses may reopen at <br />100% with no limitations and mask mandate will be lifted. Businesses may <br />impose strict requirements entering their business and trespassing is against the <br />law when a person is asked to leave a business and refuses to leave. Any region <br />with high hospitalizations that have greater than 15% hospital capacity with <br />seven days or longer may impose restrictions. Mr. Stapp stated mask mandates <br />in the affected counties can't impose penalties for failure of wearing a face <br />mask. Mr. Stapp stated he is working with our Legal team and the Texas <br />Municipal League (TML) to answer questions. <br />Mr. Stapp mentioned the anticipated questions and with some answers are <br />unknown and are waiting for guidance. <br />Will the City require employees to wear a mask? Mr. Stapp stated yes to the <br />extent of the City Manager believes that it is the right thing to do. <br />Will customers be required to wear masks in city facilities? Mr. Stapp stated <br />that the answer is unknown due to conflicting wording and is waiting for <br />guidance from TML and our Legal team for advice on what we can and cannot <br />do. <br />Does this impact the current state of disaster that has been extended month <br />after month? Mr. Stapp stated there is nothing in the order that stops the <br />disaster declaration. <br />Any modifications to the open meetings act been impacted by today's <br />announcement in the Governor's order? Mr. Stapp stated this is not mentioned <br />and the modifications made will remain in effect. <br />Can the Mayor issue local restrictions in the same way County Judges can, if <br />hospital capacity is more than 50% by COVID patients for seven days? Mr. <br />Stapp stated there are no mentions about mayoral authority in the Governor's <br />order number 34, it references only County Judges. <br />Council Member Baker expressed concern with people having a hard time <br />filling out SNAP paperwork and is concerned that there are not enough <br />volunteers to help individuals and would like to make sure there are volunteers <br />to help with the process. Mr. Stapp stated they are working on a staff response <br />City of San Marcos Page 4 <br />