08022011 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pastor Jenna Heart with First Methodist Church provided the invocation. 6. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Guerrero led the assembly in the Pledge. 7. 30 Minute Citizen Comment Period Shawn Blakeley, 420 Craddick, spoke regarding Item #22 and the upcoming Election for Place 3 and Place 4, and proposed smoking ban. Mr. Blakeley stated that he is not for a smoking ban. He stated that one of the main reasons that he came to Texas was because we had fewer regulations than a lot of States, and that he came from a State that regulated the heck out of its economy. He believes that it will hurt bar owners the most and feels that bar owners have the right to decide for themselves. He stated that he felt that Council's attention needed to be on roads and utilities. Mr. Blakeley also questioned who was going to regulate it? He feels that it would be better if the smoking ban was citizen initiated like it was in Austin. Will McLeod, 14080 Nacogdoches Rd. San Antonio, TX 78247, stated that he agreed with Mr. Blakely and was also against the proposed smoking ban, and feels that it should be citizen initiated not Council initiated. Mr. McLeod stated that he was there to talk about freedom, a topic that most of us take for granted. Mr. McLeod proceeded to provide Council with the history of smoking bans made by government throughout history. Lisa Spencer, 100 E. Mimosa Circle, addressed the Council concerning the possible increase in water /wastewater rates. She stated that she had the pleasure of meeting with Steve Parker and Tom Taggart and it was a great education, but still had concerns. Mrs. Spencer stated that there is a way out of this. She stated that the utility department will be short $1.4 Million for this upcoming year, and that they give "you" in the general funds $3.4 Million. She stated that if Council wanted to, that Council could find a place to cut it and make it up. It's a matter of where do you want to cut and how do you want to cut. She stated when 70% of the general fund is spent on staff and salaries then there is a place to cut. Maybe you can cut a project or delay a project by pushing it out a year or two. She stated that the second thing you will be hearing is a request for $41.3 Million for a water project three years from now. I hope you will proceed with caution on this. CONSENT AGENDA 8. Consider approval of the July 19. 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes. 9. Consider adoption of Ordinance 2011 -34, on the second of two readings, amending Section 86.197 of the San Marcos Citv Code authorizing a utilitv deposit waiver for United StatesActive Duty Military and United States Military Veterans who meet certain criteria; including procedural provisions; and declaring an effective date.