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City Council Meeting Minutes December 7, 2021 <br />important to know just in case your outreach and education activities hasn't <br />captured this but it is still a perceived generational trauma that influences our <br />community perception regarding projects like this. It is not breaking news to <br />me that the community continues to perceive some kind of entity often time is <br />not welcoming to certain groups and populations. She urged Ms. Howard to <br />consider that in her outreach activities. Ms. Howard stated that information <br />about all of the access points is important to communicate. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Scott stated many citizens have expressed concern with these <br />fences and it is not just access but the view. This needs to be a place of beauty <br />and peace for citizens while protecting the river. He wants the fences to come <br />down. <br />Mayor Hughson wanted to confirmed exactly what Mayor Pro Tem Scott's <br />concerns are including access to the river, even though we have increased the <br />number of access points and the fences are in areas that are not good access <br />points. He is also concerned about the look of the fences and it appears we are <br />blocking access and the jungle that grows around the fencing. Mr. Scott likes <br />the access points. <br />Mayor Hughson asked if we could clean up the "jungle" around the fence and <br />install a better looking fence than the chain -link -type fence we have now would <br />that be in line with Mr. Scott's wishes. Ms. Howard said she can work on <br />grants to fund a better looking fence as that couldn't be funded by the HCP. <br />She stated the US Army Corp of Engineers will be here soon for replanting and <br />that work may provide some of the improvements we are seeking. She also said <br />we can't just remove the vegetation. If we cut the riparian buffer, we will need <br />approval from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. <br />Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Garza asked about permanent fencing and if this was <br />always the intent? Ms. Howard said the fencing was installed to protect the <br />vegetation. vegetation and intended to remain in place. Where there are not <br />fences, the effect of us on the banks has been detrimental so she is concerned <br />about removal. Ms. Garza inwuired about "see what happens" — what does <br />that mean? Will there be imperial research and measuring? Ms. Howard <br />stated, Yes. <br />Council Member Baker expressed his support for the efforts to protect our <br />river, including the fences and doesn't see a need to cut the vegetation areas. <br />Mayor Hughson asked Council if they would like to see a better looking fence <br />City of San Marcos Page 7 <br />