SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL
At the May 20 City Council Work Session, the council approved a temporary fence around Rio Vista Park with managed access points. This decision was made in response to the increased summer tourism, which is leading to increased litter and parking issues at river front parks such as Rio Vista. The city presented an access fee system for out of town visitors, but after much debate between city officials there was a 5 to 2 vote to discuss the fee system at a later meeting. The city also presented a request to modify the city ordinance to allow parking enforcement technicians the authority to initiate the towing of an illegally parked vehicle. The council did not approve this change to the ordinance with only three members voting in favor.
The city is rolling out a managed access test plan, which includes installing the temporary fences along the border of Rio Vista Park and staffing entrance points during the weekends with Park Ambassadors who will educate tourists and citizens about the park rules, including the can ban. There will be signage installed on the fences informing the public of the rules and restrictions for the park.
