[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6652027,"mediaKeyId","2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047","parentId",2497141,"title","City council votes at a glance: March 4, 2025 — Riverbend amendment, annexation, contracts and ordinance actions","audioSeconds",12029,"startMs",3007000,"endMs",15036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047&start=3007&end=15036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652027/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/City-council-votes-at-a-glance-March-4-2025-Riverbend-amendment-annexation-contracts-and-ordinance-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652027-22316c2ec848a71588acf08c138ca315/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108872&Signature=EZ27RtMvih6F7bB8AbxXmfiUE4H0ALmbNGmVE-Ph1jnMxOJ4tzaOJDyL3VVc9uu2vJkplV7Y6UhgFnQdVMOw3tdzsLuLwFWelS9MwOAIs8XC3oy3YEDRjzJ67Q-3bzq9RKYBFTKIl00cF9SRIXJJ2te3-XkiIVndM8GijNW3XUdKXrgKZ125JRRNtBBbOQRLe1BIJ-QgKoVQnbVNYZw4nu9WsPSZgsoGW2cU5bkRoodBjpmkadf59ASe7-4qOug4OxcUo2uzuhTbz19HysLVkoG9gHOrFMoLNk53PUJqDXawmnWzlA0NMJAl6I7aVpsO9L81Bo4WiCsQJQIWyodmSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Marcos","date","2025-03-04T18:11:00Z","article","Below are the formal votes recorded by the San Marcos City Council on March 4, 2025. This is a concise list of actions taken during the meeting; narrative coverage for major items (for example, the Riverbend Ranch amendment) appears in other articles.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 2–14): Motion to approve items 2–14 passed 7–0. (Motion by Councilmember Mendoza, second by Councilmember Scott.) Evidence: council roll-call and clerk announcement.

- Item 15 — Ordinance 2025-04, Youth Program Standards of Care (first of two readings): City held a public hearing and approved the ordinance on first reading; vote recorded as “motion passes 6 2 0 with 1 absent.” (Motion made and seconded; roll call in packet.)

- Item 16 — Ordinance 2025-05, Annexation of approximately 0.81 acres (La Sema entry lot): Council approved first reading of the annexation ordinance; motion passed 7–0. (Motion by Councilmember Mendoza.)

- Item 17 — Resolution 2025-43R, amendment to the Riverbend Ranch / Riley’s Point development agreement (≈1,046 acres): Council approved the amendment 6–1. Mover: Councilmember Scott; second: Councilmember Mendoza. Vote tally: yes 6, no 1; outcome approved.

- Item 20 — Construction contract award, Sesame Creek Bank Stabilization and Wastewater Replacement Project Phase 2: Council approved award to Jitterin Enterprise LP in the amount of $2,534,640.30 and authorized the city manager to execute the contract; vote recorded in roll call as approved.

- Item 21 — Construction contract award, municipal-court leased-space renovation: Council approved award to JT Long Construction LLC through cooperative purchasing in an estimated amount of $2,465,000 and authorized execution; motion passed by roll call.

- Item 22 — Ordinance 2025-03 (first of two readings), amendments to council expense limits and travel allowances: Council considered multiple amendments to the ordinance on first reading; the item as amended passed on first reading. (Council adopted a set of amendments during the meeting; final first-reading approval recorded.)

- Item 23 — Ordinance 2025-06 (first of two readings), allowing municipal utility liens for certain unpaid utility bills: Council approved the amendment to City Code (first reading) by roll call; motion passed 7–0.

- Item 24 — Ordinance 2025-07 (first of two readings), local residency requirement for most members of the Parking Advisory Board: Council approved the code amendment on first reading, 7–0.

- Item 25 — Ordinance 2025-09 (first of two readings), revised staggered 3-year terms for members of the Human Services Advisory Board: Council approved on first reading, 7–0.

- Item 26 — Ordinance 2025-09 (first of two readings), rules on council-member absences from external boards and commissions: Council approved the code change on first reading, 7–0.

- Items 27–28 — Various appointments and designations to regional boards and local commissions: Council confirmed appointments and designations as listed in the meeting packet; multiple appointments approved by roll call (see packet for full list).

Where to find documentation

The official meeting packet and digital recordings contain full motions, roll-call votes and staff reports for each item. For items involving budgetary or legal questions (for example, the stormwater-fee waiver request and the Riverbend amendments), staff will return with follow-up materials as directed by council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Marcos - City Council on 2025-03-04 6:00 PM - 630 E. Hopkins St. - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal actions taken by the San Marcos City Council on March 4, 2025, including consent agenda approvals, adoption on first readings, construction contracts, annexation and the Riverbend development agreement amendment.","taxTitle","San Marcos City, Hays County, Texas","taxId",9292,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652032,"San Marcos council weighs permanent stormwater-fee waiver for school district, asks staff for options",5542,5184000,10726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047&start=5184&end=10726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047/thumbnail_5184000.jpg","/articles/6652032/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/San-Marcos-council-weighs-permanent-stormwater-fee-waiver-for-school-district-asks-staff-for-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652032-85dda6e3e784d6fa37b09381578912b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108872&Signature=hhyg7ylZ35D~nVm29z-rXuOyr9rwtJO7T6ykQkGcy4sJVGNjTZWchyKzLL5Bz3ZGy168dCYUBUYOQagTEp-Ybvn9ekukmthOiiLTLUpG8R~OwqeX3qKhfe3sxXDQvLR44xukaZC-mQErjRha7ib4QR04cq13eQTRa9SqvIUrjDI7Nugz4P9UPpdy9Cz~RNJP4GO9Fivz7Wj3CsC47EpAo69-2hG-cghE1bnr4QThJ1~lMEUALv7zHEGPv2ak8J-DVKvXNXqyOP~GO8BpccW81-r0viw~cvU5E058UvPQaNSN4XzH3jhs3Hf-aiV-HJyROQvHkv3AxUt4ExxdZe1b-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Marcos City Council held an extended discussion on March 4 after the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District requested a permanent waiver of the city’s stormwater utility fee. The council did not vote on the request but directed staff to return with legal guidance, impact scenarios and alternative approaches.

Staff explained the role of the stormwater utility fee, which supports drainage capital projects, flood mitigation, regular maintenance and water-quality compliance. Director of Public Works Saba Savila and stormwater managers told council the fund’s projected revenue for the year is about $9.9 million and that the district’s waiver — if granted in perpetuity — would reduce the fund by about $378,000 annually (roughly 4% of projected revenue). Staff said an ongoing reduction of that size would reduce annual maintenance operations by an estimated 14% and would delay or reduce planned capital projects, including some projects currently programmed in the five-year capital-improvement plan.

Councilmembers asked about precedents and equity. Staff said several larger Central Texas cities (Austin, San Antonio and Round Rock) exempt independent school districts from similar utility fees; many smaller cities do not. Staff also noted the city exempts Texas State University because higher-education entities are treated differently under state law. Council members expressed concerns about the fiscal effect and about creating a precedent for other nonprofits or public entities.

School district officials had requested the waiver citing the district’s contributions to community services and its multimillion-dollar budget deficit. Councilmembers asked district representatives (present for parts of the conversation) for details on the district’s budget actions and alternatives. Several councilmembers suggested temporary, limited or conditional relief might be more appropriate than a permanent waiver; others said a new rate tier or a time-limited waiver could be options.

Council directed staff to prepare materials for a future council decision: legal parameters on exemptions and waivers under Texas law, a menu of options that could include limited-duration waivers or modified rate tiers, and comparative research on regional practices. Councilmembers also asked staff to model fiscal impacts of a limited-duration waiver (for example, one or two years) versus a permanent exemption and to show where CIP projects could be delayed if revenue is reduced. Several councilmembers expressed interest in a future agenda item to coordinate with nearby jurisdictions and the county about wastewater and drainage assistance for adjacent unincorporated neighborhoods.

No formal council vote occurred on the district’s request on March 4; staff said it will return with a set of options and legal guidance for formal council consideration.","San Marcos City Council discussed a request by the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District to waive city stormwater utility fees in perpetuity. Staff described budget impacts, council members raised public-equity and precedent concerns, and council asked staff to return with legal options and scenario analyses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652035,"San Marcos staff seeks council direction on CDBG consolidated-plan priorities; recommends housing, public services and facilities",2007,917000,2924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047&start=917&end=2924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6652035/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/San-Marcos-staff-seeks-council-direction-on-CDBG-consolidated-plan-priorities-recommends-housing-public-services-and-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652035-63ec53f50d6a1b00218f87b780fe0a6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108872&Signature=kEyze81LuN70~7Fg7j7e014nz2mibpbGeLpiFlZ0JFr1T8vAmSlKcVssaqQoW73WCkH2n3Hq6R~tpNCKOaFL7OxmavswyvKFgGl2HcJiYtVARVuMwoPqfA2lpIsXkV-mctSWhwiyL3NqK-WuJMPJLEuH2lNM7J1CGcfjsIvcAUvpjf1BMG9iXvCG-~7jbmIbtUGXn8lNMrRGShqy~IRdueOzvO1r0I~U0Ypt4sNzsb2rsCI~Kr0U7~ekDqq~0Y1~tXjgB6JL-jxsdqE04uaJHQua6dFui7bCCOz0-EC37xk9-yrX~J08soJsNWI4TItNXB6YnZ~oDQL5kmfXxqrAHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff briefed the San Marcos City Council on March 4 on priorities for the five-year consolidated plan used to allocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Staff recommended that the city list affordable housing, public services and public facilities as the top categories for the 2025–2029 consolidated plan.

Jessica Ramos and other staff summarized HUD rules that govern CDBG and HOME program use and described the citizen participation plan required for HUD entitlements. The city expects approximately $700,000 in CDBG entitlement funds for the coming year, of which roughly 20% is typically set aside for administration and up to 15% can be spent on public services. Staff said the city historically directs most funding into affordable housing, public services and public facilities, and recommended the same broad categories for the next five-year plan.

Staff walked council through an outreach timeline: earlier data review and meetings began in 2024; a draft consolidated plan will be posted for public comment on March 16 for 30 days; the city expects to adopt the consolidated plan in April and then conduct stakeholder workshops for the annual action plan. The process includes application review in May, a public hearing in June, a draft action plan for public comment in July, and final council approval in August so the city can submit its plan to HUD.

Ramos and other staff noted the consolidated plan must meet HUD’s national objectives, including spending at least 70% of funds for activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Staff also reviewed prior accomplishments funded by CDBG in affordable housing, public services, and public facilities; last year’s entitlement was approximately $766,000, with about $497,941 allocated to projects after administration and public-services set-asides.

Council members asked about eligible uses — for example, sidewalk gap-fill projects are CDBG-eligible but may not be feasible citywide given funding limits — and about outreach metrics. Staff said 86 survey responses had been received by the February 25 snapshot in the packet and noted additional engagement: about 50 attendees across multiple “dream sessions,” steering groups and agency meetings. Council members suggested cross-review with the Human Services Advisory Board’s work and asked staff to bring the consolidated and city human-services funding processes closer together in 2026 to reduce applicant confusion.

Council gave direction consistent with staff recommendations and requested additional materials and comparisons where helpful (e.g., side-by-side summaries of rehabilitation and veteran-focused programs). Staff said they will post the draft consolidated plan and citizen participation plan for public comment beginning March 16, and return with an adoption request in April.","City staff presented the five-year HUD consolidated plan and citizen participation plan, recommended priority categories (affordable housing, public services and public facilities) for CDBG entitlement funds, and outlined outreach and schedule for the action plan and project selection.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652040,"San Marcos council approves amended Riverbend Ranch development agreement over resident objections",3749,3649000,7398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047&start=3649&end=7398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497141-82bfc99d9cd801a928989bcbd4ecc047/thumbnail_3649000.jpg","/articles/6652040/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/San-Marcos-council-approves-amended-Riverbend-Ranch-development-agreement-over-resident-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652040-2a5120351f36d3c450090e8519252349/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108872&Signature=MPCzEJeYlEhCX9l1lV05PE7KUE98Qhu78VrrzQrX2dOkWMSX8TZS0YkkC2UP2RlSzCg0c5GFzEQtINNRag~1XA5eiTcLgtPSF18PYlGoQtiOYDimOQdElIlmU6X-ep54i6GSDeAWH2q2vEBO0VX32hAvweLah1m6IOonHs7stfVektTnIwljdHzxR8voK41xsl7fdlyBOdAt0-9DDKg7dcKqc0ULf26mAGv~myto3CrXNQ49-tLX0iC02bWIZOm4Terp2fDygIS2GKVoYxNvCl0cdBxbqS2U7dWW3hzBxFrMDBCbLYp3BSffYx7AZEJzQehKec4RywMQWLq4CEROXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Marcos City Council approved amendments to the Riverbend Ranch / Riley’s Point development agreement on March 4, 2025, voting to accept a revised agreement that expands certain construction waivers while adding engineering and water-quality conditions aimed at reducing runoff and pollutant loads.

The development, commonly called Riverbend Ranch or Ball Ranch in planning documents, covers about 1,046 acres in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction between Old Bastrop Highway and FM 110. The council vote to approve the amendment was 6–1 following a staff presentation and a lengthy public hearing in which nearby residents raised concerns about existing flooding, septic-system contamination and community health.

The amendment rewrites the agreement’s engineering exhibit and adjusts several previously authorized variances. Among the most significant changes: the maximum allowable cut-and-fill on portions of the property was increased to as much as 30 feet; block-perimeter allowances and dead-end-street length were modified; and the developer committed to site-level stormwater and water-quality controls that the city says go beyond standard requirements.

City staff and the applicant negotiated additional measures tied to the cut-and-fill authority. The amended agreement requires that the developer install advanced water quality treatment designed to remove 70% of total suspended solids (TSS) from post-development runoff and to reduce post-development peak flows that reach downstream properties by 15% compared with existing conditions. Staff said some stormwater controls must be in place before vertical construction begins.

Those mitigation commitments were central to staff’s recommendation for approval. Amanda Hernandez, director of Planning and Development Services, told council that the rewritten Exhibit F clarifies prior variances so that staff can apply them consistently during permitting and construction. Richard Arnoza, assistant director of Engineering, confirmed detention and other drainage improvements will be provided and pointed to large, mapped detention basins in the engineering exhibits.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing urged the council to deny the amendments or to require stronger protections. Several speakers representing the Rancho Vista and Redwood neighborhoods described longstanding flooding and a 2020 University of Texas study they said documented parasitic infections tied to failing septic systems. “Runoff is an issue now,” said Veronica Reyes Ibarra, president of a local neighborhood association and water-supply corporation, during public comment. “We are already experiencing flooding.”

Council members debated the trade-offs: several said the development agreement’s regulatory framework provides more protection than allowing the property to develop by-right without city conditions. Others expressed skepticism that the mitigation would be sufficient and urged further steps to assist downstream neighborhoods with septic and wastewater problems.

The amendment acknowledges that municipal utility districts (MUDs) have been created for parts of the development and allows future adjustments to MUD boundaries within the agreement’s overall footprint. The amendment also includes definitions clarifying the roles of developer and ultimate buyer, and confirms the city can provide water service if the property is released from an existing water service provider.

Councilmember Miguel Gomez (note: council roll call names vary in the record) moved the motion and Councilmember Matthew Mendoza seconded; the motion carried 6–1. The council also directed staff to return to council with additional outreach options for neighboring residents about wastewater and annexation as appropriate.

The amended agreement is the latest step in a process that began with a 2021 development agreement. City staff said the current amendment addresses typographical corrections, ownership updates, and rewording of variance exhibits so staff can administer them during permitting. The agreement includes requirements to construct detention and water-quality features that city staff said are intended to limit impacts on downstream properties.

The agreement as amended does not require annexation; the developer remains vested to 2021 codes for the parcels addressed in the agreement. The developer will proceed with required engineering, permitting and phasing under the amended terms, and the MUDs will fund some on-site infrastructure. Council members said they expect continued follow-up from staff on stormwater and wastewater issues affecting neighboring neighborhoods. ","After hours of public comment about flooding and septic-related health concerns, the San Marcos City Council approved amendments to a large Riverbend Ranch/Riley’s Point development agreement that allow greater earthmoving while requiring enhanced stormwater controls and water-quality measures.","actionData","errors"]

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City council votes at a glance: March 4, 2025 — Riverbend amendment, annexation, contracts and ordinance actions

San Marcos council weighs permanent stormwater-fee waiver for school district, asks staff for options

San Marcos staff seeks council direction on CDBG consolidated-plan priorities; recommends housing, public services and facilities

San Marcos council approves amended Riverbend Ranch development agreement over resident objections