09.21.21 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes September 21, 2021 survive, we need to be empathetic. Tegan Debrock, founder and co-chair of the Homelessness Coalition in Hays County and Vice President of the Home Center spoke in opposition of item #44. He stated that camping and panhandling is already illegal in the city. He stated Council will not approve or seek enforcement and make a unified effort to work with already existing organizations. Mark Trahan, professor at Texas State University, spoke in opposition of item #44. He provided statistics on un -housed people. He stated there are Texas State students that are un -housed living in cars or couch surfing. He would like the city to get connected with resources that provide mental health assistance and medical assistance and build relationships with providers. Jordyn Galv,an, spoke in opposition of item #44, she stated people don't choose to be homeless. We need to create programs and listen to the community members. Homeless people want to apply for jobs but they are unable due to no mailing address, we need to have resources for those in the working field. Mike McClabb, City Council Member in Martindale, Texas, spoke online regarding the can ban topic. He stated he is against trash in the San Marcos River. He shared an experience regarding the City of New Braunfels court case regarding the can ban. He would like council to join in and protect the San Marcos River. Lisa Marie Coppoletta, expressed her concern with the questions and answers from the public being scheduled after the executive session, she would like this to occur prior to Council entering executive session. She also expressed concern with the agenda items related to the tax rate increase. Zach Halfin, Founder and President of Eyes on the San Marcos River, stated this is a non-profit group that is actively cleans the river. He spoke in favor of a can ban in the city. He mentioned that the group begins to clean where the city stops cleaning within a 15 mile stretch of the river. The can ban was enacted and people from New Braunfels and so many people began coming to the San Marcos River instead. He noted that he and his group would get 40 50 mesh onion bags of trash every weekend out of the river at Martindale. Mr. Halfin stated the trash pile has gotten worse within the last couple of years. He would like Council to get an active can ban for the river similar to what is seen in New Braunfels and Martindale. City of San Marcos Page 3