Main Street Advisory Board

City of San Marcos Regular Meeting Main Street Advisory Board Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 5:00pm Virtual Zoom Meeting Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86806168550 Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: 888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 868 0616 8550 I. Call To Order: 5:08PM II. Roll Call Attending: Matt Akins, Linda Coker, Ashley McCafferty, Sarah Simpson, Mark Gleason, Chance Sparks Late (arrived during Presentation): Anita Collins Absent: Rose Brooks Excused: Shandee Lynn Staff Present: Josie Falletta, Freddy Medina, Rebecca Ybarra, Andrea Villalobos, Kelsee Lee Jordan, Laurie Moyer, Marie Kalka III. Citizen Comment Period: Persons wishing to participate (speak) during the Citizen Comment portion of the meeting must email jfalletta@sanmarcostx.gov prior to 12:00PM the day of the meeting. A call in number to join by phone or link to join by a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer will be provided for participation. Comments shall have a time limit of three minutes each. Any threatening, defamatory or other similar comments prohibited by Chapter 2 of the San Marcos City Code will not be read. Lisa Marie Coppoletta shared appreciation for Main Street, then expressed concern with the recent purchase of downtown property using TIRZ#5 funds. Specific concerns raised were environmental concerns and a question on the lack of a public hearing prior to purchase of the property. MINUTES 1. The board requested that staff review April 21, 2021 meeting minutes, specifically the bylaws update. Staff will bring revised minutes to the June meeting. PRESENTATION 2. Andrea Villalobos, Planning Manager for the Planning and Development Services Department presented on the Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Rewrite project. She provided an overview of the scope and timeline, and informed Board Members that the Downtown Master Plan is included in the overall scope. ACTION 3. The Board reviewed the DRAFT joint Recommendation Resolution 2021 – 03RR Legacy Business Program, initiated by the Legacy Business Subcommittee. Board Member Collins requested staff to confirm that the city does not have an existing legacy business program. Board Member Simpson requested that the language “historically underserved businesses” as a focus, and Board Member Collins seconded. Board Members Coker and McCafferty questioned if this could be addressed in the nomination process instead of the recommendation resolution. The Board voted to add this language on a 4-3 vote, with Board Members Simpson, Collins, Sparks and Gleason voting yay and Board Members Akins, McCafferty and Coker voting nay. Board Member McCafferty motioned that Chair Coker could sign on the board’s behalf, Board Member Sparks seconded, and the motion carried on a 7-0 vote. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. TIRZ#5 Project Discussion – Director of Engineering Laurie Moyer advised the Board that potential projects in the Pedestrian Safety & Comfort Improvements category are intended to be nimble projects that require purchasing but not a full-scale engineering scope. The Board discussed potential projects including pedestrian lighting and a downtown safe street zone. After learning from Finance Director Marie Kalka that the TIRZ#5 Board will meet on  June 28, the Main Street Board decided to hold a special workshop on June 9 to further discuss priority projects for recommendation to the TIRZ#5 Board. 5. Staff provided an update that the June 16 Vacancy Abatement Workshop will feature presentations from representatives of Corpus Christi and San Antonio. REPORTS 6. Main Street Program Report  Downtown Safety Meeting Feedback – Staff met with downtown businesses to discuss ongoing safety and sanitation concerns. The follow up is that Main Street staff will meet with SMPD to share business owner feedback.  Downtown Design Task Force Update – Wayfinding signage is in final design stage. 7. Financial Report – Main Street has utilized 68% of its total operating budget for FY2021. 8. Downtown Association Report – N/A 9. Economic Development Report – Introduction to Kelsee Lee Jordan, the City’s new Economic and Business Development Manager. 10. Parking Advisory Board Report – John David Carson reported that parking enforcement has been lax over the past year at the request of the Parking Advisory Board, though that may change in upcoming months. The current vendor for ticketing is not suitable, and staff are working on an RFP to select a new vendor. The board created an administrative committee to recommend changes that modernize the city’s existing parking regulations. Board Member Coker asked why collection are so low, and Mr. Carson replied that the current vendor is not able to automatically mail tickets. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS lV. Question and Answer Session with Press and Public Lisa Marie Coppoletta expressed interest in having cameras downtown and offered her car as a demonstration vehicle for a public campaign that shows parking offenders they could get a boot. V. Adjournment 7:32pm on Board Member McCafferty’s motion, Board Member Collins second, on a 7-0 vote. Notice of Assistance at the Public Meetings The City of San Marcos is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Individuals who require auxiliary aids and services for this meeting should contact the City of San Marcos ADA Coordinator at 512-393-8000 (voice) or call Texas Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 7-1-1. Requests can also be faxed to 855-461-6674 or sent by e-mail to ADArequest@sanmarcostx.gov. For more information on the Main Street Advisory Board, please contact Josie Falletta at jfalletta@sanmarcostx.gov.