The details
The Lions Club’s lease, which allows them to use part of Pauline Espinosa Community Hall in City Park, was renewed for five years, with an annual rent of $12,500. As part of the lease agreement, the Lions Club agreed to donate $10,000 a year to the River Parks Improvements Fund, and help with education and compliance with the single-use container ban ordinance.
During public comment, members of the community and local organizations that have received grants from the Lions Club spoke in favor of renewing the lease.
What they're saying
The speakers asked that the City Council provide a low-cost lease to the Lions Club so the organization's funds could continue helping the community, rather than covering expenses.
Norma Blackwell, the CEO of CASA Central Texas, said raising rent or changing the term for the Lions Club’s lease would not only hurt the Lions Club but nonprofit organizations across the city.
“I strongly encourage you to offer the most generous terms possible to the San Marcos Lions Club,” Blackwell said. “Supporting the iconic institution that safeguards the well-being of countless vulnerable children and families who depend on their philanthropic efforts.”
Place 3 council member Alyssa Garza said part of the reason the Lions Club’s annual rent is so low is because of the grant support they provide to nonprofits. Garza did ask about making the Lions Club’s grant process more transparent but did not propose an amendment to do so.
More details
The lease also reapproved the Lions Club to maintain a concession stand in Rio Vista Park. The lease agreement originally allowed the concession stand to be located on “the concrete slab” in Rio Vista from May 1-Oct. 1 of each year but was amended to allow the city manager to change the location of the concession stand in the future if needed.
The amendment was made after Place 5 council member Lorenzo Gonzalez mentioned that the temporary fences at Rio Vista are forcing people to swim across the river with their credit cards to access the concession stand.
San Marcos City Marshal Tiffany Williams said that fencing this year was only a test plan and that she was open to negotiating ways to accommodate the Lions Club’s concession so that people did not have to swim across the river.
“This year that was just another unintended consequence of our test plan but easily overcomable,” Williams said. “Before anyone dives in too deep, I think this is an easy thing to fix.”
The council voted 6-0 to approve the lease, with council member Saul Gonzales being absent.
