Meetings

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

• City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos
• 512-393-8000

Terms and compensation

The mayor receives a stipend of $750 per month; council members receive $500 per month. They each serve four-year terms.

Live coverage

Meetings are broadcast on Time Warner's channel 10 and Grande's channel 16. Meetings are also streamed online at www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/videos

Accomplishments in 2012

• New parks rules — City Council approved a spate of new rules governing city-owned parks, including an alcohol ban and stricter littering standards. The rules took effect Jan. 1.
• Comprehensive master plan — After working on a new comprehensive master plan throughout 2012, city leaders and volunteers have nearly completed "Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us," which seeks to guide decisions pertaining to the environment and resource protection, parks and public facilities, economic development, transportation, land use, and housing and neighborhoods.
• Downtown infrastructure — The city made significant progress on renovation of the downtown area, including reconstructed streets and streetscapes and putting utilities underground. City officials also developed architectural standards for new downtown buildings.

Top issues for 2013

• Master plans in development — In addition to the completion of the comprehensive master plan, City of San Marcos staff expect to draft the city's first youth master plan, aimed at contributing to the safety, well-being and healthy development of children and young people. City officials also plan to implement a habitat conservation plan addressing issues along the San Marcos River.
• Railroad quiet zones — In a city where about 40 trains pass through per day, San Marcos city staff are preparing to create railroad quiet zones at 26 public crossings. Trains will be prohibited from using their horns at the crossings once safety improvements are made.
• Charter review — On Jan. 15, City Council appointed seven residents to a commission that will review the city charter. The charter governs city operations, including elections and borrowing funds. Possible amendments would require voter approval.