San Marcos voters will decide Nov. 4 between incumbent Matthew Mendoza and challenger Chase Norris for City Council Place 1.

What they're saying: Community Impact asked each candidate several questions, including why they wanted to run for office. 

Mendoza: "Since being elected to City Council, and a member of the City’s Workforce Housing Committee, I’ve pushed for affordable, diverse, and compatible housing while promoting environmental protections that will benefit our river and our community. All our citizens, renters and homeowners alike, deserve safe and affordable places to live."

Norris: "I’m running to build trust in city government and strengthen San Marcos’ future. My central issue is protecting our community from floods while creating local jobs, affordable housing, and sustainable growth rooted in fairness, transparency, and respect for residents’ voices."

San Marcos is slated to get its first Black Rock Coffee Bar.

The overview: The drive-through beverage shop serves coffee, espresso, chai, matcha and seasonal beverages, as well as coffee-free drinks.

Some context: The coffee shop is one of the first two businesses to announce plans to occupy an upcoming shopping center set to break ground by Nov. 3, according to Shop Companies leasing broker Dylan Kelly.

Notable quote: “Our story began in 2008 inside a 160 sq ft drive-thru in Beaverton, Oregon,” the Black Rock Coffee Bar website states. “Founded by family, rooted in hospitality and driven by a desire to bring light to grey Pacific Northwest mornings, we set out to build something simple but meaningful—a place where coffee could fuel connection.”

• 296 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos