02.01.22 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes February 1, 2022 downtown and campus. It was built in the 50s or 60s before there was parking issues. There is a huge parking deck across the street and they are not selling parking spots. He stated residents have limited parking and can't expand the lot. The petition is for residents on west side of North Street that need parking. Not asking for west side of North street between Hutchison and Burleson just asking for permits to allow residents to avoid parking tickets. Jonathan Galvan, owner of Pick a Pet, stated he opened the store to give a residents an opportunity to buy a happy puppy and to provide the community to interact with the puppies to ensure that puppy fits the family. He would like to continue to keep the store open but there is a possibility to close the business due to the ordinance. The store obeys the state and federal regulations when selling animals from breeders. We don't mistreat animals and some animals are not lucky, but the store provides information on adoption option for rescues that need a home. He stated he would like dialogue for the city to use this resource. He would like council to please reconsider this bill. Vanessa Gagne, from the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), spoke in opposition of the proposed city ordinance that allows for sale of dogs and cats at pet stores. She stated NAIA provides solutions to complex emotional and controversial issues regarding animals. She would like council to consider the unintended consequences and ask yourself if this is right for the City. She expressed concern that this ordinance can create a black market for breeding and sales. She mentioned stores can be required to buy their pets only from approved sources for example USDA licenses with no direct violations in the last inspection reports. There is an opportunity to create an ordinance that can improve animal wellbeing and responsible business practices instead of driving the businesses underground. Virginia Parker, from the San Marcos River Foundation, spoke in support of the city continuing efforts of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conversation Plan (EAHCP). She stated the EAHCP studies the flows, weather predications and endangered species that monitors pumping that keeps the springs in river flowing. She noted that the EAHCP on a local level works to remove invasive species and plants native species with deep roots to help with bank stabilization. She stated that some steep areas are fenced to prevent foot traffic that leads trampling on the plants. She noted that it is important of deep roots to hold the banks of the river together. She would like the city to continue the partnership with HCP that brings so much to the river and city. City of San Marcos Page 3