AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Discuss and consider an appointment to fill a vacancy and confirm the Downtown Association representative to the Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Steering Committee; and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: June 16, 2026
Department: City Manager’s Office
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Background Information:
There are currently two vacancies on the Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Steering Committee. One of the vacancies is the representative of the Downtown Association. We have been notified that Jean Baggett has been recommended for appointment to this committee.
The second vacancy is due to the resignation of a member that was nominated in 2024 by former Council Member Saul Gonzales. At the time of appointment each Council Member was able to appoint two members of the community to this Steering Committee.
In the past, council as replaced positions appointed by an individual council member in one of two ways.
1. The council member is allowed to replace that person.
This has been used most often when the vacancy occurs in the first year. We are past that on this committee now.
2. The council chooses the replacement in the same manner as we do most appointments.
On November 6, 2024, City Council appointed 23 residents to the Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Steering Committee. The purpose of this committee is to represent a range of community interest groups (including current and former Council Members, neighborhood, business, environmental, and citizen representatives) and serve in an advisory capacity providing feedback to staff and recommendations to City Council. To note, this group does not replace the critical role the City Council plays in ultimately setting vision and making final decisions at key milestones of the project.
The purpose of this committee is to serve in an advisory capacity and provide guidance and feedback to staff. The role of the members of the Steering Committee include:
• Act as an advisory body to City Council and offering guidance, recommendations and feedback to staff as the project progresses.
• Input should be provided throughout the process to share constructive feedback, representing individual perspectives as well as any groups.
• Finally, as the project moves into the public engagement phase, members will be asked to promote the project and share their experiences within various community groups to which they belong.
Applications to serve on the Committee were received during fall 2024. The City Hall Steering Committee was established as a part of the comprehensive engagement strategy to incorporate community guidance and feedback into the New City Hall project discussion and planning phases. Since the project should benefit the whole community, the committee should be diverse and reflective of the residents of San Marcos, in areas such as:
• Diversity within identities, lived experiences, and/or networks
• Inclusive of communities underrepresented in the City's engagement and outreach
• San Marcos communities most impacted by a new City Hall and Hopkins City Center
Each Council member appointed 2 members, plus the addition of the Mayor and Council Member. Representation was also included from:
• Residents of San Marcos who specifically live in the surrounding neighborhood, Rio Vista
• Residents of San Marcos reflective of the community who may be underrepresented in the City’s engagement and outreach processes
• Community Partner groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Texas State University, San Marcos River Foundation, etc.
• Business leaders or a member of the Downtown Association
• Members of the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Library Board, selected by that appointed body
The Steering Committee has met five times from 2025-2026.
The Committee consists of 23 members of the San Marcos community:
• Jane Hughson, Mayor
• Matthew Mendoza, City Council, Place 1
• Shane Scott, City Council, Place 4
• David Case, Planning and Zoning Commission Chair
• Michele Burleson, Planning and Zoning Commission
• Lupe Costilla, Planning and Zoning Commission
• Dwonna Goldstone, Library Board
• Tom Roach, Airport Advisory Board
• Page Michel, Chamber of Commerce
• Juan Miguel Arredondo, SMCISD Board Member
• Virgina Parker, San Marcos River Foundation
• Eric Algoe, Texas State University
• Community leaders representing a variety of community interests and voices:
o Karen Ford
o Bobbie Garza-Hernandez
o Mark Gleason
o Paul Koonz
o Laurie Moyer
o Eleanor Munoz
o Mason Murphy
o Barbara Saucedo
o Mike J. Smith
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