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City Council Meeting Minutes May 5,2026 <br /> and Plummer and Associates (water). <br /> Assistant Director of Engineering Richard Reynosa explained that recent <br /> legislative changes have added procedural steps, delaying the update by about <br /> a year. Consultant Ethan Shires (Freese and Nichols) outlined the impact fee <br /> process, emphasizing that impact fees are one-time charges on new <br /> development to recover costs of expanding infrastructure capacity. He clarified <br /> that the study does not affect existing customer rates. <br /> Mr. Shires reviewed eligible fees,the Council's role in adopting land use <br /> assumptions and capital improvement plans (CIPs), and the methodology used. <br /> The city selected the detailed credit method to calculate the maximum <br /> allowable fee. He summarized land use assumptions, current and projected <br /> service unit equivalents, and noted that wastewater customers are expected to <br /> surpass water customers over the next decade due to development trends. <br /> Mr. Shires reviewed proposed and existing CIP projects and explained how <br /> growth related cost allocations are calculated. He outlined the timeline: Impact <br /> Fee Advisory Committee (IFAC) reviews underway, public hearings scheduled <br /> for June and July, and anticipated fee adoption in August 2026. <br /> During Council discussion, questions focused on fee comparisons with <br /> neighboring cities, growth projections, potential incentives for water reuse, <br /> reclaimed water considerations, and whether Texas State University pays <br /> impact fees (it does). Mr. Reynosa noted staff will research water reuse <br /> incentives and that a phased fee rollout is being considered. He also mentioned <br /> that the IFAC's procedural rules are on the current consent agenda. <br /> 3. Hold a discussion regarding the creation of a new Public Arts Policy and provide direction to <br /> City Manager. <br /> Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales provided background on the City's <br /> 2005 Art in Public Places policy, noting it was originally focused on accepting <br /> donated art. He explained that the 2022 Arts Master Plan called for a <br /> comprehensive update to reflect the arts program's significant expansion, <br /> including commissioning, acquisition, murals, loans, maintenance, and <br /> deaccession. He also noted that various City departments now procure art <br /> independently, raising questions about policy scope, and offered to return for <br /> further feedback after Council reviews existing materials. <br /> Director of Destination Services Rebecca Ybarra and Creative and Marketing <br /> Manager Charlotte Wattigny presented the growth of the arts program since <br /> City of San Marcos Page 3 <br />