09.07.21 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 businesses via a survey of business owners with locations affected by homeless residents. Survey will be developed with COSM Main Street and San Marcos Chamber of Commerce input." The motion to amend carried by the following vote: For: 6 - Mayor Pro Tem Derrick, Mayor Hughson, Council Member Baker, Council Member Gonzales, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott and Council Member Gleason Against: 1 - Council Member Garza Council Member Baker inquired about officers accompanying researchers into encampments. He is concerned that responses will not be as accurate as if social workers conduct the survey. Chase Stapp, Director of Public Safety, stated the university requested that the city provide an officer when entering encampments and surveys will be conducted by researchers not the officers. Council Member Baker expressed concern with information being skewed while there is an officer present. Mr. Baker would like for Texas State University to partner with current organizations working with the homeless that do not carry guns. Mr. Stapp stated this request was from the researchers and we plan to send an officer from the homeless outreach team. Mr. Stapp stated the officers on the homeless outreach team are in the encampments often and have not had acts of violence in a long time. Council Member Garza expressed concern with the presence of police and the skewing of data. MOTION TO AMEND: a motion was made by Council Member Baker, seconded by Council Member Garza, to amend Section 7 under the Project Description of the agreement by striking "accompanied by a homeless outreach team member from the Police Department". The motion to amend failed by the following vote: For: 2 - Council Member Baker and Council Member Garza Against: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Derrick, Mayor Hughson, Council Member Gonzales, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott and Council Member Gleason MOTION TO AMEND: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Derrick, seconded by Mayor Hughson, to amend Section 7 under Project Description to add a new sentence "Police officers involved will wear plain clothes attire with all law enforcement equipment concealed." The motion to amend carried by the following vote: For: 6 - Mayor Pro Tem Derrick, Mayor Hughson, Council Member Gonzales, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott, Council Member Garza and Council Member Gleason Against: 1 - Council Member Baker City of San Marcos Page 15