City to discuss Cape’s Dam restoration

Cape’s Dam, a heavily discussed San Marcos subject, will be discussed this week during City Council’s work session. 

City Council will receive a staff update on Tuesday and hold a discussion regarding Cape’s Dam, the Mill Race, Thompson’s Island, the San Marcos River and a Visioning Study, and will provide direction to the city manager.

According to the work session agenda item, staff is seeking direction on the following two questions: Does council want to proceed with an agreement with Hays County to partner on renovation/rehabilitation of Cape’s Dam, and does Council want to explore the larger visioning/master plan concept with Hays County?

The possibility of restoration of Cape’s Dam follows several City Council discussion on the dam this year. 

On Jan. 15, City Council was briefed in Executive Session to discuss possible partnership opportunities with Hays County and the Hays County Historical Commission, according to background information provided by staff. 

Then on Jan. 29 City Council considered an item designating Cape’s Dam as a historic landmark but a decision was postponed “for up to 6 months while staff gathered more information related to the project.”

More recently, council was briefed during a work session on June 18 about possible partnership opportunities with Hays County and the Hays County Historical Commission. 

Council will hear a presentation from Vista Planning & Design on behalf of Hays County regarding the conceptual restoration of the dam, the Mill Race and Thompson’s Island. If council chooses to move forward with a partnership with Hays County for the restoration of Cape’s Dam, the city would then need to move forward with an interlocal agreement that would  designate the terms of the partnership, according to the agenda packet provided by staff. 

In other business, council will hold a public hearing and consider approval of a resolution approving an amended development agreement with Lazy Oaks Ranch, LP and partial assignees for the addition of 122.305 acres of land to the La Cima development near the intersection of Old Ranch Road 12 and Wonder World Drive. 

Additionally, council will consider awarding a design contract to Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc. for the reconstruction of Kissing Alley. The project comes as part of a multi-year phased Capital Improvement Project for the reconstruct of downtown alleys. 

Council will also consider approval of Resolution 2019-209R, which would amend the Affordable/Workforce Housing Policy regarding the criteria for approval of applications relating to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. 

Council will hold a discussion and receive a presentation regarding a recommendation from the Parking Advisory Board detailing the first set of downtown parking and mobility recommendations. 

Council will also hold a discussion and receive a report from the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, which will include a draft ordinance regarding a cite and release program. 

Council will hold a public hearing and consider approval of a resolution that will grant SiEnergy, LP, “the right, privilege and franchise to construct, install, extend, remove, replace, abandon, operate and maintain its facilities within the public rights-of-way of the City of San Marcos, Texas for the transportation, delivery, sale and distribution of natural gas.”

City Council will meet on Oct. 15 at City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins. Council’s work session will begin at 3 p.m. and regular session will begin at 6 p.m.