09131982 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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123 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING September 13, 1982 Page #4 City Council were negotiating to purchase a tract of land, this would have been discussed in Executive Session. Dr. Long felt there to be a strong dissention between an Executive Session of a called meeting and closed doors never announced. Mayor Craddock stated that if personal property is discussed, a closed meeting is in order. She added that management of the Center is in a very tentative stage. Mr. Dannelley then addressed the Softball Complex site across from the City Hall. Mayor Craddock stated that in her judgement, if everything were proper with the site, it would be the ideal site. Ms. Wallgren stated that the ballfields were to be relocated due to the drainage project. Mr. Gonzalez stated that this facility could be planned around the drainage project. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the primary objection to the site was that it was a confined space with no room for expansion. The parking could be built up. Mrs. Mendez asked how much land was necessary for the proposal. Mr. Dannelley stated 12 acres is necessary at least. The Army Reserve splits this site. Mr. Farr asked the estimated cost which he knew would be outdated for the proposed model. Mr. Dannelley stated the estimate would be in the area of $2 million. Mr. Brown asked if 12 acres would permit expansion. Mr. Dannelley stated that 12 acres wOuld allow for construction plus parking with an additional area required for expansion. Mr. Gonzalez pointed out that the cost of the facility has a great range depending on what the Council wants to do. Mr. Moore asked if the County's offer would negate the need for a bond requirement for the softball fields. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the County was willing to donate the land, but a rough estimate showed that it would be difficult to fit a four-field complex on the 17 acres available. Dr. Long asked if the City had considered the 40 acres on Highway 41 at Camp Gary for ballfields. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the topography and location relative to the community had to be weighed. Mayor Craddock asked if that site had been considered for the Convention Center. Mrs. Norris stated that it is also dedicated parkland. Mr. Gonzalez stated that it is on the federal government surplus property list. Mr. Dannelley stated that the distance from the hotel would be looked upon unfavorably by HUD. Mr. Kreczmer stated that it is not as far as the Show Barn site. Mr. Dannelley stated that possible future hotels could be committed near the Show Barn site. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the Show Barn site may be simpler to justify due to the traffic on IH-35. Mr. Dannelley added that the Camp Gary site is in Caldwell County. Dr. Long asked if Lucio Park had been considered. Mrs. Mendez stated that it is also dedicated parkland. Mayor Craddock stated that if that area were ever utilized for anything other than open parkland the City would lose it. Mr. Gonzales stated that the other sites had become dedicated parkland by citizen option and can be removed by a public election. Mayor Craddock agreed that Lucio Park would be a beautiful site. Mr. Watkins asked how the difference in $1 million funds vs. $2 million in expense would be met. Mr. Dannelley stated that he needed to have letters of commitment in hand by September 15, 1982, and the various ratios will be considered once these are received. Mrs. Jane Wilson asked what brings conventions to a city. It seemed to her that New Braunfels would benefit by the Show Barn site as much as San Marcos. Mr. Dannelley stated that the City's location within the growth corridor, University sports complex, natural beauty of the river, etc. are all drawing cards. Mr. Ruiz stated that HUD will look at how the project will create jobs. The location is not a prime consideration for HUD so long as the community arrives at a viable one. The private investors will be creating the jobs. The area around the proposed hotel was considered, but the impact on the River would require an Environmental Impact Statement which