CITY & COUNTY
News from San Marcos, Buda, Kyle & Hays County
COMPILED BY ZARA FLORES
QUOTE OF NOTE
Shelter feasibility study nds need for central location HAYS COUNTY The Commissioners Court held a workshop to discuss the ndings of an animal shelter and animal services feasibility study for the county at a meeting June 21. The commissioners approved funding for the study at a meeting Oct. 5 and then issued the request for proposals at a meeting Nov. 2. The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter, located at 750 River Road, San Marcos, is the sole intake shelter in Hays County that is publicly run and has continued to struggle with overpopulation. Animal Arts Principal Heather Lewis and Team Shelter USA founder Sara Pizano presented their ndings and recommendations to the commissioners to help the county aid in the city of San Marcos’ e orts in best prac- tices for handling animal services from an operational and facility standpoint. One of the recommendations is for the county to estab- lish a veterinary care clinic that can provide spay and neuter programs, which Pizano said should be run by a
San Marcos City Council Meets July 19 and Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. 630 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos 512-393-8000 www.sanmarcostx.gov Buda City Council Meets July 19 and Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. 405 E. Loop St., Buda 512-312-0084 • www.ci.buda.tx.us Kyle City Council Meets July 19 and Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. 100 W. Center St., Kyle 512-262-1010 • www.cityo yle.com Hays County Commissioners Court Meets July 19 and Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. 111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos 512-393-2205 • www.co.hays.tx.us MEETINGS WE COVER to serve as interim city manager until an employment agreement can be reached, which is expected to happen by July at the latest. SAN MARCOS City o cials announced June 21 that Pyramid Park/Dog Beach, located at 201 CM Allen Parkway, San Marcos, reopened following its closure May 10. Work included deepening the foundation near the water’s edge and installation of a protective layer of rock adjacent to the foundation. The area was set to be closed until July for the improvements. NUMBER TO KNOW Commissioners Court authorized the County Courts at Law to hire a mental health case worker and mental health court administrator June 7 with salaries of $49,725 and $66,184, respectively. $115,909 The Hays County CITY HIGHLIGHTS BUDA Following executive session at a meeting June 7, City Council motioned for the city attorney to negotiate an employment agreement with Micah Grau to become the city’s new city manager. Grau has been the interim city manager since April, following the retirement of previous City Manager Kenneth Williams. Grau will continue “YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS RIGHT. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS IS A SOCIAL ISSUE. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT PETS; THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE.” SARA PIZANO, FOUNDER OF TEAM SHELTER USA, ON SHELTER STUDY
SECURING THE SHELTER The feasibility study conducted by Animal Arts and Team Shelter USA outlines the budget and recommendations to serve the growing needs of the county.
$23,361,928 Total budget
17,749 SQUARE FEET Pet resource center (interior) 5,950 SQUARE FEET Pet resource center (exterior) 4,063 SQUARE FEET Veterinary care clinic 47 Recommended capacity dogs cats 58
SOURCES: ANIMAL ARTS, TEAM SHELTER USA COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
nonpro t organization. Additionally, to curb overcrowd- ing at the SMRAS, a new animal resource center should be built that is more centrally located and accessible. The total proposed budget for the new center and its resources is $23.4 million. With the study completed, the commissioners can take action and move forward with or halt the project.
Lifeguard shortage plans underway KYLE City Council authorized the Parks and Recreation Department to create an incentive program for pool sta members July 5. The incentive program will cost $19,500 to create which will be taken from the existing allotted seasonal budget that has about $65,000 left over. The incentive program will include a $250 referral bonus for sta ers who refer a lifeguard that completes the season; biweekly meals will be provided to sta as well as weekly snacks. Additionally, the team has hired enough lifeguards to open double the amount of time for public swim. The pool will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. starting July 12.
Buda tables new public improvement district policy BUDA City Council discussed at its June 21 meeting establishing policy for public improvement districts, or PIDs. A PID is a funding tool that municipalities can establish to nance public improvements, infrastructure, amenities and other services within city limits and the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. On June 7, the council expressed interest in establishing a PID policy to outline the process to create a PID, including requirements for application to review, regulations if the PID is to be within the ETJ and community bene ts. However, with an absent council
THE BARE MINIMUM For a PID application to be considered, it must meet at least three community bene ts such as:
Generate employment Create or enhance parks, hike-and-bike trails, recreation facilities, open spaces Increase or enhance transportation options Improve public education programs or facilities Enhance roadways, water, wastewater infrastructure
SOURCE: CITY OF BUDA COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
member, the dais moved to table the item until the July 19 meeting so all members may be present for further deliberation.
Funds OK’d for small-business help SAN MARCOS City Council approved June 7 a $350,000 contract funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds with BCL of Texas to provide small-business counseling services. BCL of Texas is a nonpro t economic development corpo- ration that will develop a program for in-person and virtual counseling for small-business owners. The agency will also conduct performance reporting, marketing and community engagement in its rst year.
PUTTING TOGETHER THE PROGRAM BCL of Texas will oer a range of services to support small- business owners in San Marcos.
Provide an analysis to determine gaps of resources for small-business owners or entrepreneurs Make recommendations for support into program Provide one-on-one assistance to small businesses from experts on a variety of topics Provide periodic reports to the city on progress
SOURCES: BCL OF TEXAS, CITY OF SAN MARCOS COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
17
SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION • JULY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook