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34. Regular Meeting November 8, 2004 Page 2 for re-election knew about the conference center and did not tell the voters before they cast their ballots. She stated some of the reasons given for building the Conference Center are that it will, "bring economic development and revitalize downtown". She stated there are easier, quicker and cheaper ways to bring in economic development. 3) Lupe Carbajal stated he wished to speak regarding Item 18, adoption of the Hotel/Conference Center. He stated he has some interest in downtown San Marcos. He stated he feels this would be a great economic development project. He stated with Cabelas coming to Buda, the City of San Marcos needs to find a way to keep some of those shoppers here for awhile; and the Conference Center will offer that. He stated San Marcos offers water recreation, golf, shopping and other things to keep visitors here for three or four days. He also stated the Downtown Association and Main Street have endorsed this project. 4) Pam Couch stated she wished to speak regarding Item 18, adoption of the Hotel/Conference Center. She stated she is a downtown business owner, a resident of San Marcos and a member of the EDC Board. She stated she is very excited about the Conference Center. She stated she believes in voting, but she also believes there is a right time and a right place for votes, and tonight is time for the Council to vote. She encouraged the Council to vote for this project. 4) Gloria Salazar stated she wished to speak regarding Item 18, adoption of the Hotel/Conference Center. She stated she was glad the Convention Center discussions were held in Executive Session and remained private until ready to be released to the Public. She stated she believes tourism is a clean industry that San Marcos needs to take more advantage of. She also stated the employment opportunities the Convention Center will bring will positively impact this community. 5) Wayne Becak stated he wished to speak regarding Item 18, adoption of the Hotel/Conference Center. He stated he wanted to reiterate his support for the City Council to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with John Q. Hammons regarding the construction of the Resort Hotel and Conference Center. He stated he supports this project for several reasons; (1) the project is based on economically sound numbers, (2) because the project will bring good, clean industry, thousands of dollars to our community, which will be spent here and will come from visitors, (3) this project will increase sales and Hotel Tax Revenue for both the City and the County, (4) this project will increase School Tax Revenue, which will help pay for the new schools and (5) because this project will create jobs. 6) Amy Kirwin stated she wished to speak regarding several Items, Item 6, changing the City election to November, Item 18, adoption of the Hotel/Conference Center and Item 46, Executive Session. She stated she lS the President of the San Marcos Council of Neighborhood Associations, which met Thursday, November 4th. She stated they discussed the subject of moving the City Elections to November. She stated at the meeting there were eleven neighborhoods present, two of them abstained because they wanted more information and the remaining members wanted to keep the City Elections in May with the School Board Elections. She stated there were numerous reasons but mainly because the citizens should be the focus of I I I