Wide net cast to increase census participation
A presentation on the 2020 U.S. Census, an ethics commission recommendation regarding lobbying, and executive session items regarding the parkland at Cape’s Camp and a potential economic development agreement with the SMART Terminal are all part of the city council’s work session meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The council will hear a presentation from U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist Richard Castanon about the 2020 Census, which will take place April 1 of that year. The census determines how the federal government distributes funding for community services, and it provides information for planning in areas like land use, housing needs, education, road and infrastructure and community needs.
Areas with a Low Response Score of greater than 30 percent are considered hard-to-count areas, and four census tracts within the city of San Marcos meet that definition. In order to ensure greater accuracy of the census count, the census is seeking help from local community-based organizations, the school district, the university, local businesses and other stakeholders. At an upcoming council meeting, staff will present a resolution to establish a complete count committee to increase the response rate for the 2020 Census.
Council is also set to hear a presentation and hold a discussion on a recommendation from the Ethics Review Commission to adopt an ordinance regarding lobbyists and lobbying in San Marcos. The commission recommended making amendments to the city’s ethics code on March 20 of last year, and council deferred any further discussion of the proposal to regulate lobbyists until this month. At Tuesday’s work session, council is expected to decide if there is a need to regulate lobbying in San Marcos and give direction to city staff on the matter.
Council will then go into closed session to discuss several issues, including the disposition of park property at Cape’s Camp that The Woods apartment complex dedicated to the city. Council will receive legal advice from the city attorney on the issue. Council is also set to receive a staff briefing on a potential Chapter 380 Economic Development incentive agreement for the SMART Terminal industrial rail park. The city already has a Chapter 380 agreement with Katerra, a manufacturing firm set to do business with the park and construct its manufacturing facility on 66 acres near the SMART Terminal development.
Council will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the City Hall Conference Room before going into its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers. City council meetings are also televised live on Spectrum Ch. 10 and Grande Ch. 16 or 123-16 and streamed online.
