Neighborhood Commission - Regular Meeting

This is the San Marcos Neighborhood Commission meeting, Wednesday, May 20th, 2026. I call the meeting to order at 6.07 p.m. Samantha Benitez.

Robert Eby.

Here.

Rick Kennedy.

Here.

Bobby Gazzanandes.

Here.

Michael Adams.

Here.

Roland Salcedo.

Michael Vernon, Rua Gleason, Heidi Holliday-McKittrick, Jason Valdez, Tyler Barstow, Alexis Monsonaris. Absentees are Samantha Benavides, Michael Vernon, Rua Gleason, Tyler Barstow, and Alexis Monsonaris.

Thank you, Yvonne. I know everyone's very busy. I just want to encourage the commissioners, if you're able to attend in person, it makes our conversation facilitation much easier. I'm super guilty of having to be online as well, so no judgment if you need to be online, but if you're able to come in person, I would appreciate it. The citizen comment period. Persons wishing to participate during the citizen comment portion of the meeting must email ypelacios at sanmarcostx.gov prior to 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting. A link to join by mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer will be provided for participation as well as a calling number. Do we have any public comments?

No, we do not.

Item number 4 minutes we will consider by approval of the meeting minutes for April 15th 2026. I will give about. 5 minutes to review the previous meeting minutes. Take a motion to approve.

I move to approve.

Rick, motions to approve.

I'll second.

Roll in seconds. Thank you. All in favor of approving the minutes for April 15th, as is, say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

No opposed.

So moved. next item are items up for action first action item is an update for sector 3 san marcos police department neighborhood conversation i have a report from commander leonard who helped to assemble this update this uh conversation uh and i'm gonna read directly from commander leonard's statement Yvonne, I wish I had better results to pass on, but we only had one citizen and then the neighborhood commissioner. It was a good dialogue about traffic concerns and then a very thorough presentation of crime statistics for the area. The mayor spoke about upcoming sidewalk projects and it was brought to everyone's attention that neighborhood enhancement has numbering kits that they can loan out to number your curbs and driveways so that they can easily be located by first responders. Again, the turnout was dismal despite putting out flyers, posting the meeting on social media, and a full-page article and ad in the Daily Record announcing the meeting. Commissioner Kennedy, would you like to add your personal thoughts about the meeting?

Yeah, turnout was dismal. Sparse, shall we say, um, the mayor attended, I think, in a dual role, both as a resident of sector 3 and as mayor of the city. Uh, there were actually 3, um, residents, including myself another 1 showed up later. Um, most of the conversation was very, uh, you know, chief standards gave a gave his remarks and then, uh, I can't remember who who it was, but, um, a prime statistician gave the prime statistics. And most of the conversation was around pedestrian. Bicycle and traffic safety, not exactly a high crime area of the city. There was 1 other attendee who was actually not a. Resident of sector 3, but it's apparently a regular attendee at these things because everybody knew him. Um, but the, the sparse attendance brings to mind. Uh, I think city staff outnumber the attendees by at least 4 to 1. right? So, um, I think it brings to mind what can we do to. enhance what can we do to raise visibility um you know even the flyers it came across to me as strictly a meeting with um with chief standards and and police when actually every element of of city government was actually represented there and i think we could probably do a better job of maybe advertising these things as I know in a face to face with with San Marcos police's primary, but again, the fact I was actually surprised when I walked in to find you there and everybody else from city staff there. I think we could probably do a better job of. Um, advertising who's going to be the attendees from the city side, what the opportunities for conversation might be. Uh, and then simply what's our social media footprint right? And what, you know, what can what can individual commissioners do? I mean, I texted all my friends, I put it up on my social media pages, but. My social media geographic concentration is actually more in North Austin than it is here at the moment. Um, so, you know, I, what, what can we do as commissioners to better. Get the word out to our constituents if that's the right word residents of our sectors that there's opportunity here to interact with more than just police, but with a with a representative is all of all elements of city staff.

Yeah, I don't know the answers. I would say.

I, I'll just say, I don't want to. Be too lengthy on the topic, but I did talk to Yvonne about this that very questions. And this was an initiative by the San Marcos Police Department and the San Marcos Police Department explicitly told us that they would be handling all the outreach efforts and that we would just be supporting role. That was explicitly stated when they started this initiative. As much as you want to do in outreach and supporting the San Marcos Police Department in this conversation is up to you. Do everything you can or are willing to do. But We are this is not the neighborhood commissions meeting. So, if you don't get a great turnout, don't feel bad. It's not your fault that said. Uh, they are going in sector number. So sector 4 is next commissioner. Garza Hernandez. Will be reaching out to you if they haven't already. uh they do talk to the commissioners directly in the sector so if you haven't already talked to them they will be calling you to coordinate uh coordinate thank you is there any further discussion on this item um sorry i'm sorry i was just looking to see because i know that they've already um

I figured out dates. So for sector four, they have June the 4th, June 4th.

That's very sad. Yeah.

I heard nothing from them, so I don't know where it's going to be held. So as soon as I find out, Bobby, I'll send you an email and I'm going to attach. Officer Taylor on there, and then that way I can put you in communication with him. I'm not sure if they have the venue yet. I can tell you. Okay. Let's see. I know it's 6 to 730.

4th, are you sure?

No, it's during the 30th. I'm sorry. Okay. That's next week. It's June the 30th.

Yeah, let's see. Yeah. Brian, you want to give a further update?

Yeah. So. I see it on the calendar, but the location is still not been determined. I was hoping that would already be so January.

June 30th location TV, and that's usually where they rely on us to try to help figure out a location 6 to 730.

He said he was waiting to hear from the because that's where he's planning to have it. Oh, so he was just waiting for confirmation from the. That the race they're referring to what role and yes, I prefer to the retailer because I'm actually working with the police department on outreach okay on handing out flyers and stuff because they've had or turnouts.

Thank you commissioner so say no for doing that. If there's no further comments, I'm going to move on. uh item 5b review with possible action the draft for recommendation resolution regarding the recommendation 2025 03rr prb of the park recreation board regarding the riverfront east side park preliminary design plans each commissioner should have been emailed a draft of our modified resolution at the last commission meeting We reviewed the resolution, marked it up, and Yvonne, Ms. Palacios has made those changes and provided us the final copy. I do want to address one statement that the Commission voted on including, which is not in this final resolution. One commissioner wanted to give a statistic about Where baseball fields ranked in our resolution, you'll note that item is absent from this final resolution. And we reached out to the parks and recreation department and asked them to confirm the results of the survey. Regarding the baseball fields ranking 23rd out of 25 recreational items. Staff responded that this was only referring to the results of phase 1 survey and only for East side regional parts. The statistic was not comprehensive. So the statement is not fully accurate and is only one of the plans and not reflective of feedback received through phase two. Therefore it's left out of the recommendation resolution as it's not accurate. So that addresses one of the comments we voted to include, which has not been included. Every other comment has been included. Commissioner Saucedo.

Yeah. I was wondering about paragraph number two. Because at our last meeting, Director Jamie Lee Case did inform us that unlike the neighborhood commission, the parks and rec board does not do any kind of community outreach. Therefore, that statement where it says that that we feel that the neighborhood that the parks and rec board uh commission to uh board community outreach was had been lacking um i don't think that's a fair statement because since they don't do outreach yes sir thank you for that um

I agree with your statement commissioners, I'll say them.

So it just be the parks and recreation department. Does it staff the operation staff department?

Yes, or board should be changed to department.

Thank you, commissioner for that correction.

Yes.

Are there any other comments? Is everyone able to view, review, and comment on the final resolution?

Can you all see it, or do you need me to make it bigger?

Thank you, Jason.

This is very important that we all agree on the final language here, because this will go to City Council after this meeting, if we approve it.

Yeah, this is where my nearsighted helps me out right now.

Commissioner Kennedy, do you have any comments?

No comments. After a while, it's fine. I just wanted you to see if you're in person.

I will give you a personal check. Commissioner Saucedo, you have another comment?

Yes. The other thing, and I'm just saying this because this will be followed by the parks and rec, by their presentation. But the other concern that I have on paragraph 2 was that word says that the outreach had been lacking. At our last meeting and previous meetings at the first presentation in January, The parks and rec staff, the presentation had on there, the number of open houses and meetings that they had and the number of attendees and. You know, they did quite a bit of open houses and meetings so. You know, I don't know if we want to reward it, but we think that maybe they should go back out and.

It's on paragraph three. Look at three.

It's about doing an extra addition to the board. Thank you, Commissioner. I think our feedback was still that there was not enough outreach. Both commissioners and the public had commented that they felt it was lacking. Paragraph three does give a specific action item to address paragraph two. So paragraph three follows from paragraph two.

I just don't like I just don't like to criticize city staff and say they haven't done their job when there's actual proof that the job was done. You know, city staff gets a lot of a lot of negative feedback because of statements that are made like that. And again, like I said, you know. us to say that they did not do enough where they had over 15 meetings at different locations. They even had them out there in that neighborhood. That's just a bit concerning to me because I don't want to come across as we're criticizing the city staff when I feel that they did a fair job. It's not their fault that people didn't show up. That's all I was saying.

Yes, sir. I echo your concern. um but this this was a direct comment we've we've had and i think it's fair to say that this is our this is our perceived reality it's not a slide on city staff it's just what we've felt as a um both commissioners and public have informed this statement and we did have a chance in the last meeting to rewrite the statement that was this statement was not rewritten or removed at our last meeting where we voted on the language so other than making a factual change from board to department i feel like it needs to stay as is um there was a hand commissioner holiday in the kitchen

Yeah, sorry, I missed the April meeting. So I was just responding to this and I was wondering if there was a way to word it where it would both address the unaddressed concerns and an incomplete process, as well as the concern about not throwing them under the bus. So I missed that conversation, which is why I put my hand down. I wondered if there would be a way to say that we believe that the Parks and Recreation Department community outreach left unaddressed concerns unanswered. Due to an incomplete public engagement process or something like that. To give credit for the meetings that happened, but also acknowledge that it was not enough that there are significant concerns that remain. And again, because I wasn't there, I missed a lot of that conversation. So this may have already been discussed. My apologies.

That softens it quite a bit.

And still addresses, and it's completely fine if we want to reward it, but just so everybody's clear. If it gets completely rewarded, or we do a little bit of moving around, then it has to come back in another month. So we another month for us to. For it to come back for us to discuss it again for it to get approved. And then I think if I'm not mistaken, it's going in July. At the moment, I think it's scheduled to go in July.

It is going in July. I know that's when the parks presentation.

That also needs to give me time because after it does get approved, I create a memo. I do a whole history on it. Then I send it to city council. So I just need a little bit of time for that as well, too. So if we want to cut it short like that, then that's up to commissioners. And I think Bobby has her hand up.

Yes.

Real quick, real quick. I just wanted to mention that Ruah Gleason is with us and she I accepted her at 618 PM.

Thanks, Ms. Palacios. Commissioner Garza Hernandez.

It was actually I that raised the question about the community engagement, and we actually In the second paragraph, identify the problem as being unaddressed concerns due to an incomplete public engagement process. So Parks and Recreation Board, you're talking about beliefs the Parks and Recreation Board, not the Parks and Recreation Department. It specifically says we believe the Parks and Recreation Board community outreach was lacking. So there's a clear difference here. My concern was that we did not have enough participation or exchange in public engagement with those neighborhoods that are adjacent to where these projects are coming up. That's Rio Vista, East Guadalupe and the Blanco River Village.

Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Hernandez. We did talk about changing the word board to department. So I don't know if that addresses that concern. This statement should be directed at the department because the board does not do community outreach. Exactly. The board as a commission, just like we are, they meet and they vote. That's that they do exactly what we're doing tonight. so it is the department that does the work and the statement should be directed toward the department that did the work if we want to wordsmith it i'm open to ideas but that we already did agree on that one thing that the the wordsmithing that i would offer if i may would be believes the parks and recreation department community outreach effort

did not reap significant response. And there are unaddressed concerns due to an incomplete public engagement process.

Okay, I will reread this statement in a moment. I do have your concerns noted, Commissioner Garza Hernandez. I do want to get to Commissioner Gleason really fast. So Commissioner Gleason.

I was going to bring up a couple of the same things asking about whether it's really the board. So that was addressed with department. And then I was, I was, I guess my concern with the way we have the wording and was similar to Rolando's or Commissioner Saucedo about that city staff hadn't done their due diligence. But at the same time, I just wanted, I was thinking of the parks and rec board as well. I just don't want to offend them. I don't want to offend somebody that's also volunteering. Um, so I did not, I was going to talk, I was going to suggest that, you know, maybe has been lacking. Might be a little bit harsh there. In my eyes, so maybe the community, the community outreach effort. Has left as just switched go to has left unaddressed concerns. And not even.

okay so i like that statement yeah that that makes the editing minimal and i think addresses a lot of our concerns so to address the many i don't want to say everyone's name at this point to address the many concerns about paragraph two i'm going to read paragraph two sentence two as I've noted the modifications. The Neighborhood Commission believes the Parks and Recreation Department community outreach effort has left unaddressed concerns due to an incomplete public engagement process. I'll read it one more time. The Neighborhood Commission believes the Parks and Recreation Department community outreach effort has left unaddressed concerns due to an incomplete public engagement process should i read it one more time i can make sure miss palacios gets all those words but you go back and listen to it okay i i really hope miss palacios does not feel like we have to table this item for the next meeting in order to vote on it This is a, in my opinion, minor wording change that we can still approve with the modified language. If everyone agrees, all right, let's vote on this modified sentence. Just so we have commission agreement on the modified sentence. Paragraph two. All right. I need a motion. I need a motion to modify paragraph 2. I made the motion to modify paragraph 2. Commissioner Saucedo motions, Commissioner Kennedy seconds. Okay, I propose paragraph 2 should read as follows. Whereas the neighborhood commission has received significant objections to the plan from residents of the affected neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Commission believes the Parks and Recreation Department community outreach effort has left unaddressed concerns due to an incomplete public engagement process.

Want to take a vote? Let's do a roll call vote.

Samantha Benavidez?

Robert Eby.

Yes.

Rick Kennedy.

Yes.

Bobby Gaza Hernandez.

Yes.

Michael Adams.

Yes.

Roland Salcedo.

Yes.

Michael Vernon. Rua Gleason. Yes. Heidi Holliday McKittrick. Yes. Jason Valdez.

Yes.

Tyler Barstow. And Alexis Monsonaris.

That's yes, okay, so moved the statement will be rewritten. Now, we will vote. On, are there any other comments on the whole of the recommendation resolution?

I'm keeping my hand down.

Okay. I'm going to ask you every time you read it or are they good? Yes. I think it's proper for me to read the recommendation resolution in full. My apologies to the commissioners. Recommendation resolution, neighborhood commission. Recommendation resolution number 2026-01RR-NH. The recommendation resolution of the neighborhood commission to City Council to recommend a commitment to a more thorough review and assessment of Parks and Recreation Board recommendation number 2025-03RR-PRB Riverfront and Eastside Regional Park Preliminary Design Plans. Whereas the Neighborhood Commission has received a presentation and discussed the proposed Parks and Recreation Board's recommendation for the Riverside Riverfront and Eastside Recreational Park Plans, And whereas the Neighborhood Commission has received significant objections to the plan from residents of the affected neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Commission believes the Parks and Recreation Department community outreach effort left unaddressed concerns due to an incomplete public engagement process. And whereas the Neighborhood Commission recommends to City Council that the City staff conduct another two to four public engagement meetings specific to Rio Vista, East Guadalupe neighborhood in Rio Blanco, Blanco River Village, and whereas the Neighborhood Commission has received community input and concerns about an increase in potential refuse and debris runoff into the San Marcos River due to increase in crowds and improper waste disposal on their proposed riverfront parks plan, and whereas the Neighborhood Commission respectfully asks Council to evaluate the potential impacts and environmental burdens on surrounding neighborhoods, specifically regarding noise pollution, traffic flow, and excessive nuisance lighting. And whereas the neighborhood commission is fully opposed to the parks and recreation board's recommendation of concept D of the proposed riverfront parks plan. And whereas the neighborhood commission is fully opposed to the parks and recreation boards recommendation of concept B of the proposed East side park plan. now therefore be it resolved that the neighborhood commission of the city of san marcos texas recommends the san marcos city council to prioritize the quiet enjoyment and overall livability to the neighborhoods by addressing the impact of residential health safety concerns and environmental awareness yvonne can we have a roll call vote a vote of yes is to approve the modified recommendation resolution Vote of no is to decline the entire recommendation revolution.

Samantha going to be this Robert.

Yes.

Great Kennedy.

Yes.

Yes. Michael Adams. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Heidi Holliday-McKittrick? Yes. Jason Valdez?

Yes.

Tyler Barstow? Alexis Manzanares?

Passed. So passed.

Yvonne will make the minor modifications to paragraph two and this will be signed and sent to City Council.

Yay. That's my first resolution, I think.

What did he say?

We don't frequently pass a resolution. Thanks to Commissioner Salcedo, former Chair Salcedo, for the hard work on getting this pretty much to completion. I give credit to Chair Salcedo.

Well, thank you. But I really don't take I really don't deserve to quote it. It was a joint effort from the commission. All I did was just shine the light on this issue. But thank you.

Move on to report item six reports. Unfortunately, Miss Tiffany Harris is unable to join tonight. So I have had a conversation with Miss Harris, and I will be filling in for her. I am not as exciting as Ms. Harris, but you will have to deal with that for this time. The University of 2026 has graduated. The graduation was held at the Price Center on May 6th, 2026. Mayor Hewson spoke and honored the graduates. Commissioner Roland Salcedo also said a few words and encouraged graduates to be involved in any city projects or serve on local boards and commissions. There were twenty seven graduates. And just a note, Carrie Fontano with the city manager's office will be taking over the program the future next for next year. Want to know, sorry.

You have something that I'm not sure if that's officially confirmed, but we'll do that. You all talk about it next week.

Sure.

There is a upcoming community event, SMTX 2026, is kind of a citywide connection event at the activity center on June 1st at 5.30. Mayor Hewson will be taking off the meeting, but it will be an open forum, as I understand it, with city staff for residents to ask questions, much like our police meeting, but citywide. Again, that's going to be June 1st at 530 at the activity center. The transportation master plan is currently open for public comment. They had an open house, but online. You can go on the city website and comment on the proposed transportation master plan update. Through May 31st. There is a participatory budget that is also available online on the city website. That is open through June 15. You have a chance and everybody all cities residents have a chance to weigh in on. It's kind of a specific grant, like a city grant towards some projects, but you get to kind of decide where the city gets to spend the money. Again, that's online through June 15th. They will have budget town halls. May 26th via zoom. June 3rd at the library and June 8th at El Centro.

The final update I have. And I'm going to read this from my sheet verbatim.

As all of you know, Greg Carr retired back in March of this year. The position of Director for Neighborhood Enhancement was opened and more than 100 applications were received. Interviews for the position have been completed and the City of San Marcos is pleased to announce the selection of Shannon O'Brien for the role.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Oh my gosh, that's awesome. Perfect choice. I love that.

I love that. Shana brings nearly 20 years of progressive experience in both city and county government, having previously served with the city of Schertz in Hays County before joining the city of San Marcos as environmental health and safety manager in April 2019. Shana's demonstrated experience in code compliance, environmental health, animal services, and community resource coordination distinguished her as the most qualified candidate. Again, congratulations, Shana.

Thank you for saying that.

We move on to item seven, question and answer session with the public. Are there any public? We've had some folks and they're no longer here. Is there anybody online? No. With no further announcements to make, I move to adjourn the Neighborhood Commission on May 20th at 645. And Jason Valdez, is that a second?

I'll call. Go ahead. Did he second?

Jason Valdez, second.

Okay. Who first?

I did.

Okay. Martha Benavidez? Robert Evey?

Yes.

Rick Kennedy? Yes. Bobby Garza Hernandez?

Yes.

Michael Lattos?

Yes.

Roland Salcedo?

Just stepped away. Oh, here he comes.

I'm going to guess it's a yes. Yes.

Are you rolling?

Good. Adjourned.

Trying to find the view. Okay.

Michael Vernon. Ruick, Leeson. Aye. Heidi Holliday-McKittrick. Aye. Jason Valdez.

Aye.

Tyler Barstow and Alexis Montanaris.

Aye.

Meeting adjourned at 645.