Gonzales council, Chamber tentatively agree on tourism post

The Gonzales City Council and the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture president met at last Thursday’s meeting regarding the tourism director position.

Chamber president Carolyn Morrow spoke to Mayor Connie Kacir and the council about the tourism director position being moved to the chamber.

Morrow wanted clear understanding of the word “substantially,” regarding the expenses that will increase hotel-motel activity.

Kacir asked Morrow if she received the statute regarding the agreement, but Morrow said no.

Morrow stated regardless if the statute was not sent to her, she wanted a clear definintion of what “substantially increase” means.

Kacir agreed that she wanted to make sure they’re transparent and follow what is required so that there were no surprises for the Chamber.

“I have full confidence that the way the job description is written, that won't be a problem, because I believe our heritage community, we can certainly increase that type of tourism.” Morrow said.

The tourism director position makes sense to have at the Chamber, Morrow stated, and added the goal is to have it housed at the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce.

The board approved the concept of the agreement unanimously, but details talked from the meeting with council and chamber will be a work in progress that’ll come back to a future meeting for the final approval.

“If that doesn't work, I'm sure that future councils will look at it and modify it as needed and in the best interest of both parties,” Kacir said.

In other business, the council approved the following items:

• approve to address the sale of the Surplus Real Property to the Edwards Association, and if accepted would placed on a future agenda.

• approved the authorizing of the removal of board member Robbie Massey and appointment of Michelle Tucker to the Main Street Advisory board.

• approved to authorize Gonzales Main Street’s use of Independence Square including the parking lot and designated street closures for the Apache Pow-Wow Dance Competition on March 10, 2023.

• approved to authorize the use of the Independence Square and Texas Heroes Square and closure of Certain Streets by Gonzales Main Street, Inc. and the Ministerial Alliance of Gonzales for Happy Fall Y’all and Trunk or Treat Event on Saturday, October 29, 2022

• approved appointing Crystal Cedillo, Gonzales County Tax Assessor-Collector, as the Individual to Calculate and Prepare the 2022 No-New Revenue and Voter-Approval Tax Rates for the City of Gonzales

• approved amending the Official Zoning Map by Zoning Property Parcel #11861 located at 525 St. Joseph Street from C-1 Light Commercial District to DMU Downtown Mixed Use District.