Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Meeting Minutes December 7, 2021 <br />that the river is used by many of our citizens for multiple reasons. The fences <br />appear that we are trying to keep people out of the river. <br />Mayor Hughson asked if the fences are intended to be permanent. Ms. Howard <br />stated they were only placed there to ensure there is not a lot of access. Mayor <br />Hughson recalls conversation in the past that vegetation and thick planting <br />would be used to direct people to the proper access points instead of fences. <br />Ms. Howard stated that some vegetation was planted but it might work to open <br />a section and observe. <br />Mayor Hughson stated can we use the fences up as educational kiosks with <br />signage that explain why the fences are in place? Any workshops or newspaper <br />articles will be forgotten at some point in the future. Ms. Howard said this is a <br />great idea. Some signage was placed at earlier points in time. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Scott wants to open up certain access points and wants to <br />allow more access for citizens while keeping the bank stabilized. He wants to <br />allow citizens to have closer access, even if not direct access to the river, and to <br />be able to see the river even if they don't get in the river. He does not like the <br />metal and thorny plants. Ms. Moyer stated that ideas and direction can be <br />taken and placed in front of the EAHCP and come back with ideas to <br />implement. <br />Council Member Baker expressed his disagreement with Mayor Pro Tem Scott. <br />He feels that there is still enough access to river close to any areas with fences. <br />Some of those areas may be a dangerous area to access the river. He asked if <br />the HCP expenditures for litter removal recognizes that aluminum cans are <br />detrimental to the river, our endangered species,and the negative effect on wild <br />rice. Ms. Howard stated that research is not funded but various city <br />departments work with other organizations and can perhaps find funding. She <br />stated HCP dollars are very specific and must be used for specified purposes. <br />Council Member Gleason asked if entirety of hazardous waste is paid through <br />HCP? Ms. Howard stated no it is only $30,000 a year and the program costs <br />much more than that. Mr. Gleason asked if will Stokes Park be a part of this <br />program? Ms. Howard stated we only work on public lands. This is a State <br />park so the work at Stokes Park would look at stabilization and runoff <br />measures as the bank is very eroded. <br />Council Member Gleason inquired if the fences will come down in 2028, at the <br />end of this program, or are they meant to be permanent? Ms. Howard <br />City of San Marcos Page 5 <br />