11242003 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Meeting November 24, 2003 ?5. Page 5 Ms. Barber stated the City could start testing two year old vehicles and older. She stated the City can choose to exempt a certain age of vehicles from age 2 to 24 years old. She also stated if the region became non- attaining, the state program would take over and test cars from 2 to 24 years old. Ms. Narvaiz inquired what was the reaction of Hays County. Mr. Gill stated Judge Powers was not present, and he received no real comment from the other Commissioners. He stated the City and County would need to come together on the measures. Ms. Narvaiz inquired if funds are available to help those who cannot afford to fix their cars. Ms. Barber stated Council would need to approve an agreement which would implement a plan to distribute funding. Mayor Habingreither stated the cost of inspection is minimal in comparison to the cost of repair. Mayor Habingreither inquired whether other measures could be used to reduce NOX. Mr. Gill stated idling restrictions and the Texas Emissions Reduction Program can reduce NOX. Mr. O'Leary stated he spoke with the County Judge regarding the vehicle inspection and maintenance program. He stated the County Judge realizes this will not be a popular decision. Ms. Narvaiz asked Dan Rogers, Economic Deveiopment Council, to respond to what he has heard. Mr. Rogers stated non-attainment is the last thing most industries look at when looking at site selection. Mr. 0'Leary stated Council will be discussing this further. He stated the City will wait to hear from the Clean Air Force when they are ready to move forward. Mayor Habingreither introduced the City Council's Report. 1) Ms. Narvaiz stated she attended the Texas Municipal League Conference in San Antonio. She stated she attended several sessions, but really enjoyed the session on ~Making an Impact". She stated the Governor Perry was at the Conference and was promoting ~Fit to be a TexasH program. She stated this is a fitness challenge program. 2) Ms. Narvaiz congratulated the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Fine Arts Department of Texas State University-San Marcos regarding Las Nueves, tradition of making tamales. 3) John Thomaides stated the Council, City Staff and several City Boards recently attended the CAMPO meeting in Austin. He stated Patrick Rose also attended the meeting. He stated several people spoke on the Wonder World Extension Project. He thanked everyone who attended the meeting, which he feels made a great impact. 4) Mr. Taylor stated he attended the Economic Development Council meeting today at the Technology Department at Texas State University-San Marcos. He stated the program was informative and exciting regarding the potential the Department has to offer. 5) Ms. Narvaiz thanked Mayor Habingreither for the program he presented regarding the Technology Department. 6) Mr. Diaz stated he also attended Texas Municipal League. He stated he attended the Tourism session, which provided good information and ideas. He stated he feels San Marcos has additional areas in town which can be promoted for tourism. Mayor Habingreither introduced an Executive Session pursuant to the Government Code, Section 551.074, to discuss the evaluation of public officers (City Clerk, Municipal Court Judge); and Section 551.087 to discuss commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have