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[00:00:03]

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2019.

MAYOR, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THE TIME IS 9:16 A.M.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND

[1. Invocation]

WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION AGENDA.

OUR FIRST ITEM IS OUR INVOCATION.

AND I WILL CALL ON OUR COUNCIL MEMBER TO MAKE THAT INTRODUCTION.

>> LAST YEAR I HAD THE HONOR -- I KNOW COUNCILMAN PELAEZ DID AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OTHERS JOINED, BUT COUNCILMAN PELAEZ AND I FASTED FOR A FULL DAY DURING RAMADAN LAST YEAR.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE MOST CHALLENGING DAY OF MY LIFE WAS NOT EATING ALL DAY LONG OR DRINKING OR CONSUMING ANYTHING.

AFTER ABOUT 5:00 WHEN THE HEADACHE WAS IN FULL FORCE WE DROVE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND WERE ABLE TO BREAK FAST WITH THE FAMILY OF ISLAMIC FAITH.

IT WAS AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY AND IT REALLY MEANT A LOT.

BUT AT THAT MEETING THEY ASKED, WE'D LIKE TO COME DOWN AND SOMEONE FROM YOUR DISTRICT AT A MOSQUE OFFER AN INVOCATION.

I HAD A GREAT DAY.

IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING AND VERY HUMBLING AND IT OPENED MY EYES TO THE DIVERSITY OF FAITH WE HAVE IN SAN ANTONIO.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND I ASKED MR. HE WAS BORN IN ALABAMA AND RAISED IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AT THE AGE OF 25 HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH HIS CURRENT WAY OF WORSHIP SO SHE STARTED HIS PERSONAL FAITH JOURNEY THAT BROUGHT HIM CLOSER TO HIS CREATOR.

HE ENDS UP WITH US TODAY FINALLY STANDING BEFORE US THIS MORNING TO INVOKATE IN HIS FAITH.

THE SHAHADAH FOUNDATION ALSO ASSISTS THE REFUGEE IMMIGRANT POPULATION AND ASSISTS FAMILIES WITH DONATED ITEMS. HE IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 6 WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH OTHER LOCAL IMAMS IN THE SAN ANTONIO SAN AN.

HE HAS SERVED FOR TEN YEARS AS THE MUSLIM CHAPLAIN ASSISTANT AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, AS A FORMER MILITARY VETERAN.

IT MEANS A LOT THAT YOU'RE ALSO BRINGING FAITH TO THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO JOIN US HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

WE'RE THANKFUL YOU'RE HERE TODAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY YOU OFFER US.

MR. BOUYER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> WE THANK YOU ALL FOR INVITING US AND HAVING US TODAY.

WE SEEK REFUGE FROM GOD ALMIGHTY.

IN THE NAME OF GOD ALMIGHTY, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

PARADES BE TO ALLAH, GOD ALMIGHTY, THE CHERISHER AND SUSTAINER OF THE WORLD.

THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

MASTER OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, YOU DULY WORSHIP AND YOU AND YOUR AID WE SEEK.

WE ASK THAT YOU GUIDE US ON THE STRAIGHT PATH, THE PATH OF THOSE ON WHOM YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR GRACE AND NOT OF THOSE WHOM HAVE EARNED YOUR ANGER NOR OF THOSE WHO HAVE WENT ASTRAY.

ALL MANKIND, BE DUTIFUL TO YOUR LORD WHO CREATED YOU FROM A SINGLE PERSON, ADAM.

AND FROM HIM ADAM, ALLAH, GOD ALMIGHTY CREATED HIS WIFE, EVE.

AND FROM THEM BOTH ALLAH, GOD ALMIGHTY CREATED MANY MEN AND WOMEN.

AND FEAR YOUR LORD THROUGH WHOM YOU DEMAND YOUR MUTUAL RIGHTS AND DO NOT CUT OFF THE RELATIONS OF THE WOMBS SO SURELY GOD ALMIGHTY IS WATCHFUL OVER YOU.

OH MANKIND, WE CREATED YOU FROM A SINGLE PEAR, A MALE AND A FEMALE AND MADE YOU INTO NATIONS AND TRIBES THAT YOU MAY KNOW EACH OTHER, NOT THAT YOU MAY DESPISE EACH OTHER, FOR THE MOST HONORED AMONG YOU IN THE SIGHT OF THE CREATOR IS HE WHO IS MOST RIGHTEOUS AND JUST.

GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE EVER AWARE THAT WE ARE BOUND BY TIME AND CHANGE.

AND THAT IS A PART OF HOW YOU HAVE CREATED US IN THIS

[00:05:02]

EXISTENCE.

OH ALLAH, GOD ALMIGHTY, YOU KNOW THAT SOMETIMES WE THINK CHANGE IS BAD, BUT IN ACTUALITY CHANGE IS A GOOD THING.

WHEN ALLAH CLOSES A DOOR FOR HIS CREATION, HE OPENS ANOTHER.

AND WE SHOULD BE READY FOR CHANGE.

OH ALLAH GOD ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF ALL THAT EXISTS, GUIDE US TO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT AUDIO] PLEASING UNTO YOU.

ALLAH GOD ALMIGHTY, GUIDE OUR HEARTS AND OUR MIND THAT WE MAY MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT ARE PLEASING TO YOU AND BEST FOR YOUR CREATION.

OH ALLAH GOD ALMIGHTY, GIVE US ALL THE ABILITY TO DO WHAT THAT WHICH IS JUST AND BEST FOR THOSE UNDER OUR CARE, TO PROTECT THEM, TO GUIDE THEM, TO HONOR AND PROVIDE FOR THEM.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, NEVER BE ABOVE THANKING THEM.

FOR IT IS SAID IN THE ISLAMIC FAITH, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT THANKED THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT THANKED GOD ALMIGHTY.

MAY GOD ALLAH PROTECT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

MAY HE GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO GO FORTH IN A WAY THAT IS PLEASING TO HIM.

MAY HE PROTECT OUR FAMILIES AND

[2. Pledge of Allegiance]

OUR NATION.

AMEN.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, IMAM BOUYER.

WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES.

[3. Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings of December 5 - 6, 2018]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

THE FIRST ACTION FOR US TODAY IS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OF DECEMBER 5 AND 6.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 5 AND 6.

PLEASE VOTE.

[4. Councilmember Ana Sandoval will be sworn-in as Mayor Pro-Tem, serving the term January 17, 2019 – March 21, 2019.]

MOTION CARRIES.

OUR SECOND ITEM IS A SWEARING IN OF OUR MAYOR PRO TEM, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.

>> GOOD MORNING.

WOULD YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME, PLEASE?

>> I, ANA SANDOVAL DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE, SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

[Additional Item 1]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

WE HAVE A FEW POINTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE THIS MORNING.

AND SO WE'LL GET TO THOSE NOW.

I DID WANT TO START BY SAYING YOU PROBABLY HEARD BY NOW IS SAN ANTONIO HAS LOST ONE OF OUR MUSICAL TREASURES LAST NIGHT.

SHE PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 94.

HER POPULAR RESURGENCE IN RECENT YEARS WAS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT AND SHE WAS WELL KNOWN TO MANY SAN ANTONIANS.

SHE WAS THE FIRST TEJANA TO SING AT SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED AND IF ANYONE CAUGHT HER CONCERTS IN THE GUADALUPE, YOU KNOW WHAT A TREASURE SHE TRULY WAS.

I WOULD ASK THAT WE OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HER HONOR.

[00:10:02]

THANK YOU.

I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO MAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE TO REMEMBER MR. ROMERO ANDRADE, HUSBAND TO THE HONORABLE HOPE ANDRADE.

HE WAS BORN IN SAN ANTONIO.

HE HAD SEVERAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND SERVED IN DISTINCTION IN THE U.S. ARMY IN VIETNAM.

AND UPON HIS RETURN HOME, HE MARRIED HOPE.

THEY RECENTLY CELEBRATED THEIR 50TH YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

AND ROMERO AND HOPE WERE A MODEL OF A SUPPORTIVE COUPLE, WONDERFUL HEADS TO A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, AND BUILDERS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISES.

HE WILL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED AS A GOOD AND GENTLE MAN WHO WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF HIS COMMUNITY AND OF HIS WIFE.

WE OFFER PRAYERS AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR HOPE AND FRIENDS WHO ARE AT THIS TIME LAYING HIM TO REST.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

[Additional Item 2]

COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

ANOTHER ITEM OF NOTE, AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SOME GUESTS IN OUR AUDIENCE.

AND THAT IS THE MLK JUNIOR COMMISSION, INCLUDING THE CITY'S OWN MIKE ETIENNE.

THIS IS AN ALL-VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO ADVANCE NOT ONLY THE LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BUT TO ADVANCE HIS DREAM OF JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THEIR EFFORTS HAVE ELEVATED SAN ANTONIO'S STATUS AS A CITY OF COMPASSION, A CITY OF EQUITY, AND A CITY THAT HOSTS THE LARGEST MLK MARCH IN THE NATION.

FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS TO FAITH LEADERS, THESE FOLKS ARE BRINGING TOGETHER OUR CITY AROUND A SHARED VISION OF EQUALITY, OF INCLUSION, OF OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY PERSON.

AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOUR WORK.

I HOPE YOU ALL KNOW THAT.

YEAR AFTER YEAR WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOUR WORK AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND THE MLK MARCH AND CELEBRATION ON MONDAY.

IT WILL BE A MOST EXTRAORDINARY EVENT.

I AM EQUALLY PROUD THAT THE MESSAGE THAT YOU DELIVER YEAR AFTER YEAR HAS TAKEN ON, IN HEART, BY THIS COUNCIL AS WE HAVE MOVED ON SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT ITEMS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS A MISSION OF EQUITY IN OUR CITY.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

NATE, DID YOU WANT TO COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS? [APPLAUSE]

>> I WANT TO STAND AS A COMMISSION, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

COME ON.

BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T DO THIS BY YOURSELF.

SO I HAVE TO STAND AS A FULL COMMISSION.

AND IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT WHAT THE GENTLEMAN SAID IN HIS OPENING THOUGHT, THANK YOU.

THE WORD GOES A LONG WAY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO SAY TO YOU.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU, GUYS FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE LENT US OVER THE YEARS.

AND NOT JUST THIS COMMISSION, FOR THE CITY ITSELF.

WE'RE JUST SO PLEASED TO BE IN CHARGE OF THIS MARCH.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT PROGRAM THIS YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE CHILLY, SO MAKE SURE YOU DRESS WARM.

BUT IT WILL BE DRY.

SO BUT I DO WANT TO TAKE A PERSONAL NOTE AND SAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR MANAGER.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU REALLY FOR ALL OF YOUR RESOURCES AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU PROVIDED FOR US.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT.

I KNOW I'M ENJOYING MINE, UNTIL THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN YOUR BAG WE'VE GOT SOME GOODIES FOR YOU.

IF YOU WOULD LOOK -- I HAVE A MODEL.

WHERE'S MY MODEL AT? WE'VE GOT A MODEL.

WE HAVE A NEW TWIST THAT WE DID THIS YEAR.

WE DID A LITTLE FIESTA PIN.

I WANT YOU TO PULL THAT ONE OUT.

I REALLY WOULD LIKE FOR ALL OF YOU TO WEAR IT IF YOU DO COME ON MONDAY TO WEAR THAT.

SO YOU HAVE A PIN IN THERE.

YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF SHIRTS THAT WE'RE GIVING YOU.

AND A GOOD, GOOD MUG, COFFEE MUG, OR COLD BEVERAGE CUP, OR EITHER A HOT BEVERAGE MUG.

SO WE COME BEARING GIFTS.

BASICALLY JUST TO SAY THANK YOU.

THOSE WORDS ARE JUST SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

I THINK PLEASE AND THANK YOU GOES A LONG WAY.

AND SO BEFORE WE CAN START THIS MARCH WE WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO REALLY THANK THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY HELPED US IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

SO THANK YOU, MAYOR.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALSO TO

[00:15:01]

SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WANT TO GIVE MY PERSONAL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

THE MEN, THE WOMEN, THE VOLUNTEERS.

EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN PLANNING FOR MONTHS AND ONCE IT'S OVER, IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN, THE PLANNING.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO BRING AWARENESS, TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND FOR SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE RAISED AS WELL.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ONE DAY.

IT'S ABOUT CONTINUING THE MESSAGE ON AND ON AND ON.

AND IT SPEAKS TO THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THIS CITY.

THIS ONE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

ONE THAT WE KNOW WAS FOUGHT IN THE PAST THAT IS NOT OVER YET.

AND WE CONTINUE AND WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND TO BE THOSE WARRIORS AND THOSE VOICES THAT WE NEED TO FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A VOICE.

AND TO CALL EACH OTHER OUT WHEN WE NEED TO CALL ONE ANOTHER OUT.

BUT SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING THE ORGANIZERS, THE LEADERS.

FOR STEPPING UP AND STEPPING OUT.

THANK YOU.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS.

MY STAFF IS LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS.

WE ARE INVITING DISTRICT 3 RESIDENTS TO JOIN US AND GET OUT THERE AND MARCH.

IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT TIME.

PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO ALWAYS KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS THE DIFFERENT SEASONS.

YOU HAVE FIESTA SEASON, RODEO SEASON, IT'S THE MLK MARCH AND EVERYBODY HAS GOT TO BE THERE AS WELL.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND THE ENTIRE PROGRAM.

THANK YOU.

>> THE THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

COUNCILMAN HALL.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND SERVICE.

NATE, WE WORKED TOGETHER A LONG TIME, DR. ETIENNE, MANAGER SCULLEY.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND HONOR OF BEING ABLE TO BE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHAIR OF THE MLK COMMISSION IN 2012.

AND THAT WAS SUCH AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, NUMBER ONE.

BUT I GOT TO KNOW THE COMMISSION AND ITS WORKS.

AND THEY WORK ALL YEAR LONG.

AND SO AS SOON AS THIS MARCH IS OVER ON THE 21ST, FEBRUARY 1ST, NATE AND THE TEAM ARE STARTING BACK AGAIN.

AND SO I KNOW HOW HARD YOU GUYS WORK ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE YEAR.

AND SO WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL DO FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND FOR THIS MARCH.

AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS COUNCIL.

AS THE COUNCIL HAS DONE FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE MARCH.

WHEN I BECAME CHAIR IN 2012 -- FIRST LET ME SAY I THINK THE COMMISSION MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENCY IN THAT CHAIRMANSHIP POSITION.

I'M EXCITED THAT NATE HAS BEEN THE CHAIR FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

SO I APPRECIATE THE STRUCTURE THAT YOU ALL HAVE IMPLEMENTED.

BUT CITY COUNCIL HAS INVESTED A NUMBER OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE MARCH.

COUNTY DOES THE SAME THING.

BUT THAT'S JUST THE CASH.

THERE'S OTHER INVESTMENT THROUGH POLICE OFFICERS BEING AROUND, PARKS, PUBLIC WORKS, AND SO FORTH.

SO THANK YOU TO THE CITY AND CITY COUNCIL, MANAGER FOR YOU ALL'S INVESTMENT IN THE MARCH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY ON THE 21ST.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HALL AND THE COLORFUL NOTE.

THOSE WERE THE FIRST RECORDED COMMENTS FROM DISTRICT 2 COUNCILMAN HALL.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

>> COURAGE: I DO WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK THAT YOU DO IN PREPARING FOR THIS EVERY YEAR.

I KNOW AS SOON AS THIS ONE'S FINISHED YOU'LL BEGIN WORKING FOR THE NEXT ONE.

AND IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF A COMMUNITY.

IT REALLY REPRESENTS THE DIVERSITY AND THE COMPASSION OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART.

I'VE ENJOYED BEING PART OF THIS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

I REMEMBER WHEN THIS MARCH WAS GOING ON AND THE CITY WAS NOT A SUPPORTER.

AND IT WAS THE COMMUNITY THAT CREATED AND IT NURTURED IT AND THE CITY HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, AS COUNCILWOMAN REBECCA VIAGRAN SAID, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY SHOULD TURN OUT.

ALL DISTRICTS.

AND SO I CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO BE THERE.

LET'S MAKE IT A HALF A MILLION PEOPLE THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

>> GONZALES: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND EFFORTS TO REALLY MAKE THIS ONE OF THE PREMIER MLK EVENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

I'M SO PROUD OF SAN ANTONIO ON THAT DAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WE SHINE AND WE SHOW OUR VERY BEST SELF TO THE COUNTRY ON THAT DAY.

I'VE TALKED TO MIKE ETIENNE MANY TIMES ABOUT HOW THIS GOT STARTED AND HOW IT'S CONTINUED.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE THAT THE CITY'S BEEN ABLE TO GET BEHIND IT.

THAT YOU GET SO MANY VOLUNTEERS, THAT THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AS GENEROUS AS THEY ARE.

AND IT CONTINUES THE MISSION AND THE MESSAGE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, ALL THE VOLUNTEERS.

IT'S A HUGE VOLUNTEER EFFORT.

[00:20:01]

MAYBE ONE OF THE BIGGEST THAT THE CITY PUTS ON, THIS EVENT.

JUST A FEW OTHERS, MAYBE FIESTA, HAS MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN YOU ALL DO.

AND I THINK THAT'S IMPRESSIVE AND IT SHOWS THE COMMITMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY TOWARDS THIS EFFORT.

THANK YOU ALL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE ON THAT DAY.

AND RAIN OR SHINE, RIGHT?

>> RAIN OR SHINE.

>> GONZALES: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: I DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE TO GET HERE EVERY DAY.

AND I USED TO LISTEN TO TALK RADIO ON MY WAY IN, AND I JUST STOPPED.

JUST BECAUSE IT LEAVES ME SO SAD TO HEAR THE MEANNESS AND THE UGLINESS THAT PASSES FOR AMERICAN VALUES THESE DAYS.

AND I TURNED THE RADIO ON RECENTLY, BECAUSE I LEFT MY PHONE AT HOME AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING -- MY AUDIOBOOK IS ON MY PHONE.

AND I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY THAT INCLUSIVENESS AND DIVERSITY ARE OUR WEAKNESSES.

AND, YOU KNOW, SAN ANTONIANS LINED UP TO TALK TO THE SHOCK JOCK ON THE RADIO TO ECHO THAT SENTIMENT AND EXPLAIN WHY IT IS THEY FEEL THREATENED BY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS.

AND I TURNED IT OFF AND THEN I REMEMBERED, WAIT A SECOND, THIS MONTH I GET TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LARGEST MLK MARCH IN THE NATION AND 300,000 PLUS PEOPLE AND HOPEFULLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.

WE ALL GATHER AND WE ARE A PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF A REJECTION OF THAT SENTIMENT.

AND WE REMIND PEOPLE BY MARCHING AND BY COMING TOGETHER THAT INCLUSIVENESS AND DIGNITY IS OUR STRENGTH AND IT'S WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT.

IT'S UNLIKE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK, THERE'S NOTHING GREATER THAN THE POWER OF COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.

SO YOU GUYS ARE WALKING THE, YOU KNOW, WALKING THE WALK AND ACTUALLY DOING THE REAL WORK OF COMMUNITY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT THINK THAT COMMUNITY IS WRITING AND, YOU KNOW, COMMENTS ON FACEBOOK PAGES.

IT ISN'T.

COMMUNITY IS A SHOWING UP.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

TO THE WHOLE TEAM, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU AND YOU MAKE US IN SAN ANTONIO VERY PROUD TO BE SAN ANTONIANS.

WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

[Consent Agenda]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

BEFORE WE GET TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA, WE DO HAVE TWO ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTION.

BUT WE'LL GO AHEAD FIRST AND ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> 24.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHO CALLED 24?

>> SANDOVAL: ME, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: 24.

15'S ALSO BEEN PULLED.

>> 18.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY OTHERS? ALL RIGHT.

I HAVE ITEMS 15, 18, AND 24 TO BE PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

NOTE ITEMS 5 AND 6 ARE ALSO FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.

SO I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 5, 6, 15, 18, AND 24.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS AS NOTED.

I DO HAVE SOME CITIZENS SIGNED UP FOR CONSENT, SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE THEM NOW.

STARTING WITH COSA MCCOLDWIN.

>> OH, GOOD LORD.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL'S RESOLUTION TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC'S ABILITY TO NOT ONLY ENGAGE IN PUBLIC PROCESSES BUT TO HAVE THEIR INPUT VALUED AND INCLUDED IN THE DECISIONS THAT CITY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL MAKE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCILWOMAN FOR HER DEDICATION TO THIS IMPORTANT AND TIMELY ISSUE AND FOR WALKING THE WALK BY HAVING HER OWN PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BOTH INFORM THE PUBLIC AND GET THEIR INPUT ON HER RESOLUTION.

I DID ATTEND ONE OF THOSE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT SOME OF WHAT I HEARD AT THAT MEETING HAS INDEED NOW BEEN REFLECTED IN THE RESOLUTION.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE LAST TEN YEARS AS A VOLUNTEER CITIZEN ACTIVIST, INCLUDING FOUR YEARS VOLUNTEERING ONE DAY A WEEK IN

[00:25:04]

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VILLAREAL'S OFFICE, I'M ACUTELY AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES AROUND ENGAGING THE PUBLIC.

EVEN NOW AS A MEMBER OF THE BEACON HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD AND THE TIER ONE NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE, IT IS A RECURRING TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.

HOW DO WE BETTER REACH, ENGAGE, AND INCLUDE OUR MEMBERS IN AUDIO].

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT MODEL, BOTH ON THE CITY LEVEL AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED OR SHOULD ONLY PARTICIPATE BY VOTING.

THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE DEMOCRACY TRULY EFFECTIVE THERE NEEDS TO BE ONGOING PARTICIPATION.

BUT IF THAT ONGOING PARTICIPATION IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE FINAL PRODUCT, IF THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY AS TO HOW THAT INPUT IS INCORPORATED INTO POLICY, THEN IT IS ONLY LIP SERVICE AND WILL LEAD TO APATHY, AT BEST, AND ANGER AT WORST.

I KNOW THAT OUR OWN COUNCILMAN TREVINO HAD TO LEARN THIS LESSON THE HARD WAY.

BUT TO HIS CREDIT AND TO THE APPRECIATION OF HIS CONSTITUENCY HE AND HIS STAFF HAVE DONE A MUCH BETTER JOB OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS OF INFORMING, ENGAGING, AND EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT.

THE CITY HAS RECENTLY HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH THE REFERENDUMS. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR THIS MORNING'S SESSION TO BEGIN, I WAS SPEAKING WITH A NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND HE MADE THE COMMENT THAT THE PEOPLE'S VOTE IS THE WAY THAT WE PARTICIPATE.

KNOWING THAT HE WORKS AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR HIS CLIENTS, I THEN ASKED HIM WHY HE IS HERE THIS MORNING.

AND HIS ANSWER WAS BECAUSE I GET PAID TO DO THIS.

EXACTLY.

HE GETS PAID TO MEET WITH CITY STAFF AND COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ORDER TO TRY AND INFLUENCE THEIR DECISION.

THE PUBLIC DOES NOT GET PAID BUT THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE SAME ABILITY TO INFLUENCE.

I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE COUNCILWOMAN'S RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.

COLLIN JONES.

>> THE DOCUMENT CAMERA.

IS IT LIVE?

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE NEED SOME ASSISTANCE FROM THE CLERK ON A DOCUMENT FOR THE SCREEN.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL.

CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCILMAN HALL.

MY NAME IS CULLEN JONES, 1123 NOLAN, DISTRICT 2.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I WANT TO, AS SOMEONE WHO IS ENGAGED AND PLUGGED IN AS HARD AS I CAN BE IN THE COMMUNITY.

COUNCILWOMAN, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS.

THE SPIRIT OF EDUCATING AND INFORMING EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS DYNAMIC, EVERYONE FROM THE CITIZEN TO CITY COUNCIL, EVEN TO CITY STAFF.

THOSE THREE ENTITIES NEED TO COME TOGETHER.

I FEEL THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN HAS PUT TOGETHER A VERY STRONG STEP IN MAKING -- IN GOING FORWARD WITH THAT.

HOWEVER, I DO HAVE SOME STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT, NOT THE COUNCILWOMAN'S REQUEST, BUT ABOUT THE RESOLUTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS HAVE PUT TOGETHER.

MY CONCERN IS THAT SOME THINGS OVERSHADOW THE SPIRIT OF THE COUNCILWOMAN'S REQUEST.

I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF -- THANK YOU.

I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF LOOKING AT THE RESOLUTIONS AND THINGS ONLINE.

ACCORDING TO COSA, ANY PROCESS THAT OBTAINS AND CONSIDERS PUBLIC INPUT AND DECISION PRIOR TO TAKING ACTION.

TO LOOK AT THE AGENDA MEMORANDUM, THERE'S A DISTINCTION MADE BETWEEN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS.

THOSE THREE HAVE DISTINCT DIFFERENCES WITH THEM.

THEREFORE, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INCLUDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION OR OUTCOME OF A POLICY, PROGRAM, OR ACTION.

IN OTHER WORDS, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS TO BE CONSIDERED.

IF YOU'D PLEASE SCROLL UP JUST A LITTLE BIT PLEASE, SIR.

THE GPA'S RESPONSE TO THIS CCR -- THIS WAS AFTER FEBRUARY WHEN IT WAS CREATED -- ASSESSING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES UTILIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT OBTAINS -- THAT IS DEFINITELY A PART OF THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND THE RELEVANCE TO THE WORKING GROUP.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR SUCH WORKING GROUPS, BUT IN REGARDS TO CONSIDERING AND OBTAINING I COULDN'T HAVE PUT THAT IN EITHER CATEGORY.

[00:30:01]

AND THE SAME WITH RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THOSE TWO THINGS BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM RELEVANT TO ME, WHETHER TO OBTAIN OR CONSIDER PUBLIC INPUT.

AND THE NEXT ONE THERE AUDIO] OBTAINS DEVELOPING A TOOL FOR UPDATING THE COMMUNITY ON SPECIFIC ISSUES.

SO MY QUESTION ONCE AGAIN IS WHERE DOES GPA RESPOND WITH A WAY TO CONSIDER THE PUBLIC'S INPUT? CARRYING ON WITH THAT, THIS WAS DONE IN JUNE AT THE REBRANDING OF THE SA SPEAK UP.

I HATE TO ASSUME, WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS, BUT PUBLIC MEETING SERVICE SUPPLEMENTS, THAT'S A RESULT FROM THE WORKING GROUP.

THE NEXT ONE IS A CLEAR TIMELINE, RESULTS OF THE CAMPAIGN, OBTAINS, RESULTS, RESULTS.

BACK TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION.

HAVE STRONG RESERVATIONS THAT CONSIDERATION IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. JONES.

JACK FINGER.

>> WELL, MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

FIRST A LITTLE BIT OF HOUSEKEEPING IN REGARDS TO THE INVOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE CHAMBER.

I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE RECOGNIZE A HIGHER AUTHORITY THAT ALL GODS ARE THE SAME.

NONE IS ABOVE ANY OTHER THERE, WHICH IS WHY WE HAD A MUSLIM CLERIC DELIVER THE INVOCATION.

I'VE EVEN SEEN HINDU CLERICS GIVE THE INVOCATION.

LAST YEAR MS. SANDOVAL EVEN INVITED AN ATHEIST TO GIVE ONE.

FUNNY THING IS I DIDN'T THINK THEY HAD A PRAYER.

ON TO OTHER SCANDALS ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA, THIS ITEM, ITEM NO. 24.

THE IDEA OF TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS HERE.

ALL THE INITIATIVES, THEY LOOK GOOD, AT LEAST ON PAPER.

BUT MY QUESTION IS DO YOU FOLKS REALLY MEAN THIS? I MEAN, REALLY.

DO YOU REALLY WANT MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS? I JUST HAVE NOTICED THOSE TIMES THAT I HAVE COME BY THE WEDNESDAY EVEN CITIZENS TO BE HEARD SESSIONS THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE NOT CONSISTENTLY SHOWN UP TO THIS, WHICH IS WHY AUDIO].

YEAH.

ALSO, I MEAN, CITIZENS ONLY GET THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK THEIR PEACE TO YOU, THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL.

DO YOU REMEMBER BACK IN 2001, A LONG TIME AGO -- PEOPLE DON'T REMEMBER THIS BUT I HAVE BEEN AROUND AND I REMEMBER IT.

CITIZENS ACTUALLY HAD FIVE.

COUNT THEM.

FIVE MINUTES TO PRESENT THEIR PRESENTATIONS TO YOU, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

BUT I GUESS THE CITY COUNCIL THOUGHT TWO MINUTES WAS WAY TOO MUCH FOR CITIZENS TO HAVE TO OFFER YOU, SINCE YOUR TIME IS OH SO VALUABLE.

YEAH.

DO YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM CITIZENS? ALSO, YOU KNOW, EVEN BEFORE THEN DO YOU KNOW THAT WAY BACK -- THIS IS GOING WAY BACK IN THE '90S.

PEOPLE COULD SIGN UP FOR, LIKE I DO, MULTIPLE ITEMS ON HERE, AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO SHOVE THEM ALL INTO ONE SHOE HORN, INTO ONE LITTLE THREE-MINUTE PRESENTATION.

THEY COULD COME UP FOR AS MANY TIMES AS THEY HAD.

I RECALL MR. FERRIS HODGE.

HE USED TO BE A ROUTINE MEMBER OVER HERE.

HE WOULD COME BY AND SPEAK ON ALL OF THEM, JUST LIKE I WOULD.

BUT, SADLY, IT TELLS ME THAT DO YOU GUYS REALLY MEAN IT WHEN YOU WANT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION? I REMEMBER THE BIGGEST STORY IN 2013 WAS THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION REGULATION.

YOU HAD A THOUSAND PEOPLE HERE.

MAYBE YOU NEED TO INSTALL A DEPARTMENT OF SCANDAL TO OFFER MORE SCANDALS SO MORE PEOPLE WOULD COME.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.

THAT'S EVERYONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS REMAINING ON CONSENT.

I'LL TAKE COUNCIL COMMENT.

YOUR ITEM WAS PULLED, ALLEN, SO WE'LL CALL YOU UP WHEN THE ITEM COMES UP.

COUNCILMAN TREVINO.

>> TREVINO: I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT 26.

THIS ITEM PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THREE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS TO ASSIST WITH HOMELESS OUTREACH, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES THROUGH

[00:35:02]

THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK MELODY WOOSLEY AND MARIA VILLAGOMEZ FOR THEIR CONTINUED EFFORTS IN EMBRACING GREAT STRATEGIES SUCH AS THIS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE HOMELESS IN MEANINGFUL WAYS ON A DAILY BASIS.

I'M REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU.

THANKS, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

QUICKLY, MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT NO. 19 WHERE WE ARE APPOINTING CITIZENS TO BE SERVANTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

OH, OKAY.

GREAT.

19 IS PULLED? YEAH, 19.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK ONE IN PARTICULAR.

MS. LESLIE HOBGOOD FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR VOLUNTEERING.

AND ALSO MS. DEBRA OMOWALE FOR AGREEING TO SERVE.

AGAIN, LEADERSHIP, YOU'RE SHOWING UP.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOLUNTEERING.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 5, 6, 15, 18, AND 24.

PLEASE VOTE.

[5. Ordinance approving an Economic Development Agreement in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 with Victory Capital Management, Inc. for the establishment of a corporate headquarters, the retention of 300 full-time jobs, and the creation of an additional 57 full-time jobs. Funding is available from the Economic Development Incentive Fund FY2019 Adopted Budget. [Carlos Contreras, Assistant City Manager; Rene Dominguez, Director, Economic Development]]

MOTION CARRIES.

MOVE NOW TO ITEM NO. 5.

>> ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 WITH VICTORY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, THE RETENTION OF 300 FULL-TIME JOBS, AND THE CREATION OF AN ADDITIONAL 57 FULL-TIME JOBS.

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE FUND FISCAL YEAR 2019 ADOPTED BUDGET.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

BEFORE I GIVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION, I DO WANT TO THANK VERY QUICKLY THE INDUSTRY TEAM.

DURING THE BREAK WHEN WE WERE ENJOYING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, IT WAS THIS TEAM CRASHING ON SOME OF THE ANALYSIS AND DEAL POINTS, IN PARTICULAR JESSICA HARRIS, OUR INTERIM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, RAY RODRIGUEZ FROM THE CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE, AND AMY CONTRERAS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, JOINING US THIS MORNING IS FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.

THIS PROJECT REALLY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AT WORK AND IN ACTION.

FINALLY, BEFORE I PRESENT, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU ALL TO MIKE PELLACAR POTRANCO.

HE'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE .

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

REALLY PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VICTORY CAPITAL.

IT PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR.

AND IT REALLY DOES PRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

I'LL GET INTO THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.

VICTORY CAPITAL IS A MANAGEMENT FIRM HEADQUARTERED IN CLEVELAND, OHIO.

THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A 100 YEARS.

THEY HAVE 275 EMPLOYEES AND NINE DIFFERENT INVESTMENT FRANCHISES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

THEY MIGHT SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU ALL BECAUSE BACK IN NOVEMBER, VICTORY CAPITAL ACQUIRED USAA'S ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, WHICH EMPLOYS AROUND 300 PEOPLE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

THE ACQUISITION EFFECTIVELY DOUBLED VICTORY CAPITAL'S ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT.

SO IT WAS A BIG ACQUISITION.

THIS ACQUISITION IS EXPECTED TO CLOSE IN 2019 IN Q2 AND REPRESENTS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR VICTORY.

BUT, AS I MENTIONED, THIS ALSO REPRESENTS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, FROM AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE WHEN ACQUISITIONS HAPPEN, WHEN MERGERS HAPPEN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM, LED BY JENNA AT EDF REALLY JUMPS INTO ACTION AND STARTS TRACKING THESE ACQUISITIONS.

WE WERE OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE 300 EMPLOYEES AND THE RETAINING THOSE EMPLOYEES.

BUT WE ALSO SAW THIS AS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY.

JENNA IN PARTICULAR HAD BEEN TRACKING THE ACQUISITION, TRYING TO GET IN FRONT OF THEIR C.E.O.

AND LEADERSHIP AND GOT THAT CHANCE RIGHT BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS BREAK.

HER AND OUR CITY MANAGER WENT UP THERE AND PITCHED SAN ANTONIO, MET WITH THEIR C.E.O.

DURING THE BREAK THE TEAMS REALLY JUMPED INTO ACTION.

WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE VICTORY CAPITAL WITH AN INCENTIVE PACKAGE THAT I'LL BE PRESENTING TO YOU ALL TODAY.

AND THIS INCENTIVE PACKAGE REALLY REPRESENTS VARIOUS DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.

THE RETENTION OF THOSE 300 EMPLOYEES, THE RELOCATION OF A CORPORATE HEADQUARTER, PUBLICLY TRADED.

VERY EXCITED.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ONE OF THOSE IN A WHILE.

NEW JOB CREATION.

FOR THIS EXPANSION AND

[00:40:01]

RELOCATION, RECOMMENDING A $500,000 PERFORMANCE-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE FUND GRANT CONTINGENT ON THE HEADQUARTER'S RELOCATION.

C-SUITE EXECUTIVES MOVING TO SAN ANTONIO.

THE RETENTION OF THOSE 300 EMPLOYEES, PAYING NO LESS THAN $50,000 ANNUALLY.

AND UP TO 51 NEW JOBS, AROUND HALF OF WHICH PAY NO MORE THAN $100,000 A PIECE.

THE OTHER HALF OF THOSE EMPLOYEES MAKE NO LESS THAN $65,000 A PIECE.

ADDITIONALLY, VICTORY CAPITAL IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, GIVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO OUR LOCAL TALENT TO INTERN WITH THEM.

THEY ALSO ARE VERY ADAMANT ABOUT HELPING OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY.

LASTLY, THEY INTEND TO INVEST A MINIMUM OF $500,000 AS PART OF THAT RELOCATION.

IN GENERAL ON A VERY HIGH LEVEL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 357 JOBS WITH AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $96,000.

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, AS MENTIONED.

IT IS PART OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE FUND.

THE FY19 APPROPRIATION.

IN ADDITION TO THIS PROJECT BEING FISCALLY POSITIVE FOR THIS CITY, WE DID RUN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT -- EXCUSE ME, AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS WHERE WE LOOKED AT DIRECT, INDIRECT, INDUCED IMPACTS.

IN OVER TEN YEARS WE ANTICIPATE THIS PROJECT TO CREATE $945 MILLION WORTH OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OVER THAT TERM.

FINALLY, RECOMMENDING THAT WE APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE FUND.

WITH THAT, MAYOR, COUNCIL I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

AND MIKE IS HERE.

HE'S HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS WELL.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RENE.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

RENE, MOVE OVER.

I NEED TO TALK TO VICTORY.

[LAUGHTER] HEY, VICTORY.

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVESTING IN SAN ANTONIO.

YOU DIDN'T JUST BUY AN OPERATION AND SOME ASSETS, YOU ACTUALLY MADE AN INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO DISCOVER THAT YOUR INVESTMENT IS GOING TO PAY WAY MORE DIVIDENDS THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT YOU'D GET.

AND SAN ANTONIANS ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST.

SO GO TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS.

>> WILL DO.

>> PELAEZ: AND, TWO, YOU DECIDED TO NOT JUST INVEST IN SAN ANTONIO AND BUY OPERATIONS, YOU GUYS DECIDED TO MOVE YOUR OPERATIONS HERE, WHICH IS SKIN IN THE GAME.

AND FOR THAT, ON BEHALF OF MY CONSTITUENTS, THANKS A LOT.

AND I STAND READY TO HELP YOU GUYS SUCCEED IN MY WAY.

BUT YOU GOT TO LET ME KNOW HOW THAT IS.

SO LET'S BEGIN TODAY BY MAKING THE COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER THAT WE'RE PARTNERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: MIKE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAD ANY COMMENTS HERE AS CHAIR OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE AS TEAM SAN ANTONIO WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN, ONE, WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU, BUT ALSO MAKE IT THAT WE BECOME FAMILY.

AND SO I WANTED TO SEE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES TALKING ABOUT NOW AND MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HEADQUARTERS.

>> SURE.

WELL, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL.

WE ARE THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

THE TEAM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM, CITY MANAGER, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC AND WELCOMING TO US.

IT'S REFRESHING AND WE'RE EXCITED TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY.

THE EMPLOYEES ARE EXCITED.

IT'S PROBABLY IN THE TEENS IN CLEVELAND, OHIO TODAY.

FOLKS SAY IT'S COLD HERE BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THE WARMTH AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BRING OUR HEADQUARTERS HERE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO US.

WE'RE EXCITED TO GROW WITH THE CITY, TO GIVE BACK TO THE CITY.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO US, NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE.

BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO GROW OUR COMPANY.

WE'VE BEEN PUBLIC FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW.

WE'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

AND WE SEE TREMENDOUS GROWTH AHEAD OF US AND WE'RE HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M VERY PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO PROMOTE THE SAN ANTONIO'S ASSETS, INCLUDING OUR FINANCIAL GROWING OF OUR I.T., OUR CYBERSECURITY AREA.

AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE OF ALL OF US COMING AND WORKING TOGETHER.

MUCH KUDOS TO SAN ANTONIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, TO YOUR TEAM AND THE LEADERSHIP OF EVERYONE THERE.

MANAGER SCULLEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GETTING UP THERE AND GOING TO CLEVELAND DURING THE COLD SEASON AS WELL.

AND THIS PROJECT IS A WIN-WIN.

BECAUSE WHEN WE CREATE, WE HAVE THIS EXAMPLE.

WHEN WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL SAN ANTONIANS.

AND KNOWING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE C-SUITE EXECUTIVES HERE, THAT EVERYONE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT AS A MODEL, AND WHAT THIS WILL THEN GENERATE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO TO COME.

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

[00:45:01]

THANK YOU FOR LEADING BY EXAMPLE AND THANK YOU FOR BEING A SOURCE OF A TRAILBLAZER IN THE WAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE PEOPLE AND THE FAMILIES MOVING TO SAN ANTONIO AND REALLY HAVING THIS HOSPITALITY THAT WE HAVE IN SAN ANTONIO.

SO WITH THAT, MAYOR, I MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 5.

COUNCILMAN HALL.

>> JUST A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.

FIRST, MIKE AND VICTORY CAPITAL, WELCOME I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL A FEW YEARS BACK, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN INVESTMENT AND EQUITY BACKGROUND.

WE DID AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY AND STEVE NIVIN WAS THE ONE THAT HELPED US AND AUTHORED THAT.

THAT FOUND THAT FINANCIAL SERVICES IS ACTUALLY OUR NUMBER ONE ECONOMIC GENERATOR IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO .

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE, AND IT'S NOT SEEN AS SUCH, BUT IT OUTIMPACTED EVEN HEALTHCARE BY SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS.

WE ACTUALLY EVEN LOOKED AT A FINANCIAL DISTRICT AND SOME OF THOSE OTHER THINGS.

BUT I HOPE THIS MOVE MIGHT REIGNITE THAT CONVERSATION AGAIN SO WE CAN PUSH THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE IMPACT THAT FINANCIAL SERVICES HAS ON A COMMUNITY.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE BIG CITIES WITH FINANCIAL DISTRICTS, NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO AND OTHER PLACES.

THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT DISCUSSION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO REIGNITED.

AND FOR US TO RECONSIDER FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE IMPACT WE CAN HAVE IN A COMMUNITY VIA THAT ROUTE.

BUT LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HALL.

COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

>> COURAGE: I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT VERY SMART DECISION TO COME TO SAN ANTONIO.

AND I WANT TO THANK OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM.

I'M SURE THEY DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND THE AMENITIES THAT WE OFFER HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH USAA AND JUST -- AND I'M SURE YOU KNOW THIS, BUT JUST REMIND YOU THEY HAVE BEEN AN OUTSTANDING PARTNER FOR THIS CITY SINCE THEIR INCEPTION.

AND YOU'RE TAKING ON A BIG RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MY MONEY THROUGH USAA INVESTMENTS THAT NOW YOUR COMPANY WILL BE HANDLING.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT USAA HAS ALWAYS BEEN MEMBER-DRIVEN AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING THEY DID WAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR MEMBERS.

AND I HOPE THAT YOUR COMPANY WILL HAVE THE SAME OUTLOOK ON HOW IT WANTS TO GO AHEAD AND MANAGE THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THOSE FORMER MILITARY FAMILIES THAT HAVE INVESTED THROUGH USAA AND NOW INTO THE FUTURE.

AND I WISH YOU GREAT SUCCESS.

YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR COMING TO SAN ANTONIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MIKE.

BEFORE I TAKE UP THE ACTION FOR TODAY, I DID NEGLECT TO BRING UP JACK FINGER, WHO WANTED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS AS WELL IN CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND YOU CAN RELAX FOR A MOMENT.

JACK.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

ONCE AGAIN, MY NAME IS JACK M.

FINGER.

WELL, YES I ACTUALLY WELCOME THE VICTORY CORPORATION COMING TO SAN ANTONIO.

THE QUESTION IS DO WE, THE CITIZENS, ESSENTIALLY DO WE NEED TO GIVE THEM A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO COME HERE? ALL OF Y'ALL KEPT SAYING THANK YOU.

WELL, THAT'S NICE BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND MAYBE IT'S TIME TO THANK THE TAXPAYERS, SINCE YOU WERE THE ONES THAT ARE RELAYING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO THEM.

YES.

AND THE QUESTION IS WHY? VICTORY CAPITAL SAYS IT'S COMING TO SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE WE HAVE A GOOD WORKFORCE AND THE PRICES ARE LOW.

WELL, OKAY.

THAT SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH.

WHY DO WE NEED TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS? THAT'S ABOUT $1400 A JOB.

$1400 A JOB.

NOW, DO YOU GIVE $1400 A JOB TO ANY, SAY, SMALL BUSINESS HERE IN TOWN THAT CREATES A NEW JOB ON THEIR OWN? I HAVE NOT SEEN SUCH INITIATIVES HERE ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS HERE.

$1400.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT MAYBE JUST TAKING CARE OF YOUR OWN BACKYARD BEFORE YOU COME AND JUST TRY TO RECRUIT SOMEBODY FROM OUTSIDE? ALSO, THE BIG QUESTION IS WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO LOCATE? IF THEY ARE ACQUIRING USAA, WELL, USAA IS BETWEEN LOOP 410 AND 1604.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY YOUR DEPRESSED AREA OF TOWN.

[00:50:02]

WHICH I THOUGHT WAS WHAT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES WERE REALLY DESIGNED TO DO.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING -- HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING ABOUT IT BEING LOCATED INSIDE LOOP 410.

YEAH.

YEAH.

SO PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT'S WHY SOME OF US ALWAYS REMAIN A LITTLE SKEPTICAL WHENEVER WE SEE OUTRIGHT GRANTS.

I MEAN, THIS IS NOT EVEN A LOAN WHERE THEY WOULD PAY IT BACK.

IT'S JUST, HERE, TAKE THE MONEY, VICTORY.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.

WHILE I WRAP UP HERE, MIKE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU IN SAN ANTONIO AND I THINK THAT THE MESSAGE THAT WE GET FROM A TARGETED INDUSTRY, A 21ST CENTURY INDUSTRY, JOBS, A 100-YEAR-OLD PUBLICLY TRADED CORPORATION CHOOSING TO MOVE FROM ONE MAJOR AMERICAN CITY TO THE HEART OF TEXAS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IS BEING SENT LOUD AND CLEAR.

IT'S NOT ABOUT INCENTIVES.

IT'S NOT ABOUT LOW COST.

IT'S ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO HAVE BEEN BUILDING A MODERN, QUALITY 21ST CENTURY CITY.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ENORMOUSLY PROUD OF.

SO THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING SAN ANTONIO.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOUR WHOLE CREW.

I HAVE ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW DAVID AND I THINK HE'S GOING TO ENJOY SAN ANTONIO AS WELL.

SO THESE MOMENTS THAT WE GET TO WELCOME CORPORATIONS DON'T COME OFTEN ENOUGH.

BUT THIS ONE IS SIGNIFICANT.

AND I THINK WE WILL MARK THE DAY.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT IS PROVING THAT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING SO HARD ON, BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN COUNCILMAN HALL WAS IN DISTRICT 8 IS NOW TRULY COMING TO FRUITION.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY SAN ANTONIAN IS GOING TO BENEFIT FROM.

SO WELCOME TO SAN ANTONIO.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 5.

PLEASE VOTE.

[6. Ordinance approving the City of San Antonio's Federal Legislative Program for the 116th U.S. Congress. [Carlos Contreras, Assistant City Manager; Jeff Coyle, Director, Government and Public Affairs]]

MOTION CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM NO. 6.

>> ITEM NO. 6 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE 116TH U.S.

CONGRESS.

>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, GOOD MORNING.

JEFF COYLE, THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THIS IS OUR PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN WASHINGTON.

WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GO TO WASHINGTON ALONG WITH YOU AND ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING AND PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

OFTENTIMES WHETHER THEY REALIZE THE EFFORT OR NOT.

I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM.

SALLY, MEAGAN, EDUARDO FOR THEIR WORK IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

AND CERTAINLY THE IGR COMMITTEE WHO GAVE US WONDERFUL FEEDBACK ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THAT HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

SO VERY BRIEFLY, A TIMELINE -- YOU ALL KNOW, I BELIEVE, THE NEW CONGRESS WAS SWORN IN AND BEGAN JANUARY 3.

CONGRESS IS ON A TWO-YEAR CYCLE.

TWO SESSIONS, ONE YEAR EACH.

AND SO WE HAVE ALIGNED OUR FEDERAL PROGRAMS WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL TERMS. AND SO HENCE THE TIMING.

WE STAND HERE BEFORE YOU WITH A NEW CONGRESS JUST HAVING BEEN SWORN IN AND OUR ANNUAL SA TO D.C. TRIP ON THE NEAR-TERM HORIZON.

THIS IS OUR PROPOSED PLAYBOOK AS WE HEAD UP THERE.

WE STARTED THIS PROCESS BACK IN THE LATE SUMMER.

WE MET WITH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND WORKED TOGETHER WITH THEM ON PRIORITIES THAT OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WORKING FOR.

WE COMMUNICATE REGULARLY WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

BEGINNING IN THE FALL, WE REACHED OUT TO EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY ASKING THEM FOR INPUT ON THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM IN TERMS OF THE FEDERAL AGENDA.

WE'VE HAD A COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, BOTH IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR.

AND THEN BEGAN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE IGR COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER WITH A MORE THOROUGH CONVERSATION THIS MONTH.

THEY FULLY APPROVED THE AGENDA THAT WE ARE NOW BRINGING TO YOU FOR FULL COUNCIL CONSIDERATION.

THERE ARE FOUR CATEGORIES IN THE PROGRAM.

THE BIGGEST OF WHICH ARE OUR PRIORITIES.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

I WANT TO NOTE THE DIFFERENCE THERE.

LEGISLATIVE ARE ITEMS THAT WE'RE LOBBYING CONGRESS FOR.

AGENCY ARE ITEMS THAT WE ARE GOING TO THE FEDERAL AGENCIES AND TRYING TO POSITION OURSELVES FOR FUNDING AND/OR INFLUENCE RULE CHANGES THAT THEY MAY PROPOSE.

IN SOME CASES ITEMS INVOLVE BOTH CONGRESSIONAL ADVOCACY AND AGENCY ADVOCACY.

THE THIRD IS A STATEMENT OF OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR PARTNERS.

AND THE FOURTH IS A BROAD SORT

[00:55:01]

OF CATCH-ALL STATEMENT ABOUT PROTECTING THE CITY'S INTERESTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO OUR FOUR PRIORITIES AS PROPOSED ARE MILITARY PROTECTION, AVIATION, TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

VERY MUCH ALIGNED WITH COUNCIL PRIORITIES.

ON THE MILITARY FRONT, WE CERTAINLY WANT TO CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE JBSA, TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION OF OUR BASES, TO POSITION OURSELVES FOR GAINING FUTURE MISSIONS.

AND IN THE RECENT DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE LAST CONGRESS, THERE IS A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM, FUNDING PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THE STATE DEAG PROGRAM WHERE COMMUNITIES CAN APPLY FOR FUNDING THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT OUR BASES.

SO WE'RE WAITING FOR THAT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN SO WE CAN COMPETE FOR THAT.

ON THE AVIATION FRONT I THINK YOU KNOW THE FAA REAUTHORIZATION PASSED LAST YEAR.

SO OUR BEST EFFORT AT A NONSTOP TO REAGAN NATIONAL HAS PASSED FOR NOW.

THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SOME MAJOR PRIORITIES WITHIN THE AVIATION FRONT, SPECIFICALLY FUNDING FOR THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM THAT OUR AIRPORT BENEFITS FROM REGULARLY, AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE CAP.

WE CHARGE A CHARGE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR EVERY TICKET PURCHASED.

AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RAISED SINCE 2000.

SO AIRPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LOBBYING FOR THE ABILITY TO ALLOW LOCAL CITY COUNCILS TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO INCREASE THAT FEE AND SUPPORT THE CONTINUED NECESSARY GROWTH AT THE AIRPORT.

UNDER TRANSPORTATION, 2019 WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION ABOUT SURFACE TRANSPORTATION, REAUTHORIZING ESSENTIALLY THE FAST ACT, WHICH IS THE OMNIBUS PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS A NUMBER OF PROGRAM LIKE TIGER GRANTS, INFRAGRANTS, OTHER THINGS THAT WE COMPETE FOR.

ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE ARE EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A NUMBER OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE THE HOME INVESTMENT PROGRAM, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS, A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS YOU ALL KNOW WELL THAT HAVE BEEN UNDER ATTACK FROM A FUNDING STANDPOINT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

UNDER OUR LEGISLATIVE AND AGENCY ISSUES -- SO THOSE WERE THE PRIORITIES.

THESE ARE A NUMBER OF THE OTHER THINGS AND I'LL MOVE MORE QUICKLY THROUGH THESE.

PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE COPS GRANT, THE BURN JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAMS THAT WE REGULARLY BENEFIT FROM FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

EMERGENCY PREP AND HOMELAND SECURITY.

UNDER THAT IS THE FUNDING, THE URBAN AREA STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FUNDING THAT WE ADVOCATE FOR REGULARLY TO SUPPORT OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS HERE.

WORKFORCE TRAINING.

THIS YEAR WILL BE A DISCUSSION ABOUT REAUTHORIZING THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT.

THAT'S THE REAUTHORIZATION OF A NUMBER OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT FUND THINGS SUCH AS ALAMO WORK SOURCE HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDITS.

THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT A CORRECTION BILL TO CLEAN UP SOME OF THE TAX REFORMS. WE WOULD BE UP THERE ADVOCATING FOR TAX CREDITS FOR THOSE WHO HIRE EMPLOYEES OR CREATE BUSINESSES IN VULNERABLE AREAS.

WE ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR HISTORIC TAX CREDITS.

A NUMBER OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE BENEFITED.

AND WE CONTINUE TO WANT TO SEE CONGRESS CREATE A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR DACA, FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO THIS COUNTRY THROUGH NO DECISION OF THEIR OWN AND TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO EARN LAWFUL STATUS.

WE ARE OPPOSED -- IN OPPOSITION TO A PUBLIC CHARGE EXPANSION.

PUBLIC CHARGE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A FEDERAL RULE FOR A LONG TIME AND ESSENTIALLY SAYS THAT SOMEONE WHO IS PRIMARILY DEPENDENT ON PUBLIC BENEFITS WILL HAVE THAT CONSIDERED WHEN THEY APPLY FOR PERMANENT LAWFUL STATUS.

THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS PROPOSED EXPANDING THAT SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND WE HAVE GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, CHIP AND MEDICAID BEING USED AGAINST SOMEONE WHO MIGHT GAIN PUBLIC STATUS, PERMANENT LAWFUL CITIZEN STATUS.

WE'RE NOT ALONE.

CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE WEIGHED IN.

THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS, HAS SEVERAL HUNDRED MAYORS, INCLUDING OURS, WHO HAVE SIGNED ON THEIR OPPOSITION AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EXPRESS HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT US AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT ANTI-TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING FUNDING.

OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND HAS USED FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL

[01:00:01]

PARTNERS, THE RAPE CRISIS CENTER AND OTHERS, AND WE WANT TO SUPPORT THOSE PROGRAMS. SAME WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

THE COUNTY RECEIVED THREE DIFFERENT OPIOID GRANTS THROUGH THE OPIOID TASK FORCE THAT IS A CITY-COUNTY INITIATIVE.

HOMELESS PREVENTION.

YOU ALL HAVE DISCUSSED THAT AT B SESSION SIGNIFICANTLY IN OUR HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH SAPD TO IDENTIFY FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT WE COULD PURSUE UNDER THE NEXT CONGRES.

AND OUR MIXES -- MISSIONS HAVE A $7.5 MILLION OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR SEVERAL YEARS, TO HAVE THOSE ADDRESSED AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.

AND THEN UNDER AIR QUALITY.

WE WILL SUPPORT ANY POLICIES, PROGRAMS, OR FUNDING THAT WILL HELP US TO GET BACK IN ATTAINMENT.

WE ALL KNOW THE CHALLENGE WE'RE FACING AND THE 2020 DEADLINE.

AND THEN UNDER BROWN FIELDS, WE CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES WITH SITES THAT ARE POTENTIALLY RIPE FOR REDEVELOPMENT BUT HAVE CLEAN UP NEEDS.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SOME YEARS IN THE PAST OF SECURING GRANTS AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE THOSE, BOTH IN THE ASSESSMENT, IDENTIFYING WHAT THE CLEAN UP NEEDS ARE, AS WELL AS THE CLEAN UP ITSELF, WHICH ARE THE MORE COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO PURSUE.

AND THEN GENERALLY OUR PROTECTION OF MUNICIPAL STATEMENT SAYS WE'LL SUPPORT REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATIONS THAT CLEARLY BENEFIT THE CITY AND COMMUNITY AND OPPOSE THOSE THAT WOULD BE ADVERSE TO SAN ANTONIO.

THIS GIVES US FLEXIBILITY TO WEIGH IN ON ISSUES THAT MAY NOT BE SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT IN THE PROGRAM NOW.

BUT WE DO SO WITH CLEAR COMMUNICATION WITH OUR IGR COMMITTEE AND DIRECTION FROM THE COUNCIL WHEN NECESSARY.

OUR PARTNERSHIPS FALL UNDER THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

OUR CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, DELEGATE AGENCIES, HIGHER ED COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH ALL OF THEM.

WE HAVE SOUGHT THEIR INPUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FEDERAL PROGRAM.

SO LONG AS THEIR PRIORITIES DON'T CONFLICT WITH OURS, WHICH THEY RARELY DO, WE EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR THEIR INITIATIVES AND PLEDGE TO WORK WITH THEM.

AND I JUST WANT TO NOTE VERY BRIEFLY, COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ARE COMING OUT AS WE SPEAK.

WE'VE HAD TWO POSITIVE BENEFITS.

WE'VE HAD A HOUSE MEMBER ON APPROPRIATION HAS BEEN IN A GREAT POSITION ON ESSENTIALLY THE FUNDING COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE.

A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT, WHICH WE HOPE TO USE TO OUR ADVANTAGE FOR SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS.

AND THEN IN THE SENATE, BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP THERE, SENATOR CRUZ HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE CHAIR OF THE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE.

THAT'S THE TRANSPORTATION AND AVIATION COMMITTEE.

SO WE HAVE HIM IN A SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH ON AVIATION ISSUES.

AND SO WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, JEFF.

ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

JACK FINGER.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY, IN A CITY OF A MILLION AND A HALF PEOPLE I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THE TIME TO COME UP HERE AND DO THIS STUFF.

MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER, YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS UNDOCUMENTED GADFLY.

YES.

LOOKING THROUGH THE BACK UP DOCUMENTS I HAVE SEEN ALL THESE ITEMS THAT YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL WISH TO PRESENT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND, EVEN FOR THAT MATTER, THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

I LOOKED AT SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

SOME OF THEM ARE OKAY.

SOME OF THEM I'M NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT.

AND OTHERS I REALLY DO HAVE ISSUES FOR.

I GUESS WHAT THAT YOU ARE SPENDING MONEY ON TAX PAID LOBBYISTS FOR THESE FEDERAL INITIATIVES, OUR DOLLARS, TO PROMOTE CERTAIN THINGS THAT, WELL, I FIND VERY -- AT THE VERY LEAST CONCERNING.

YEAH.

YOU THE CITY COUNCIL, YOU THE CITY GOVERNMENT, WHEN THE FEDS COME DOWN AND SAY, SAN ANTONIO, STOP BEING A SANCTUARY CITY.

YOU COME RIGHT BACK AND SAY, OH, NO, MR. PRESIDENT, ALL YOU FEDERAL OFFICIALS, WE'RE NOT A SANCTUARY CITY.

OH, NO.

WE HAVE NEVER SAID ANYTHING LIKE THAT OFFICIALLY AT ALL.

YET IN YOUR VERY OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOKS YOU TELL THE OFFICERS NOT TO QUESTION SUCH QUESTIONABLE INDIVIDUALS.

AND I HOLD HERE IN MY HOT LITTLE HANDS SOMETHING YOU JUST PRESENTED A MOMENT AGO,

[01:05:02]

INFORMATION THAT PRETTY MUCH PROVES IT THERE.

YES, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, BLOW UP THAT CIRCLED AREA DOWN BELOW THERE.

YEAH.

HERE'S ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'RE WANTING TO TELL THE FEDS ABOUT.

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS.

SUPPORT CONGRESSIONAL ACTION THAT ENABLES UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE U.S. -- SHIFT OVER A LITTLE BIT.

AS CHILDREN TO EARN LAWFUL STATUS.

YOU KNOW, I GET A LITTLE UPSET WHEN I SEE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THE LINE OVER OTHERS WHO ARE TRYING TO PLAY BY THE RULES.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY HAS A RULE ON THE BOOKS, MAYBE LONG IGNORED, THAT SAYS PEOPLE COMING TO THE U.S., THEY CAN'T AUTOMATICALLY GET BENEFITS.

THEY HAVE TO SHOW SOME NEED TO IT AND ALSO SOME WILLINGNESS NOT TO BE A PUBLIC CHARGE.

MEANING THAT WE SUPPORT THEM.

LOWER, IF YOU WOULD, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN THE PUBLIC CHARGE RULE.

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY NOT TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA FOR BENEFITS THAT WOULD WEIGH AGAINST AN INTENDING IMMIGRANT.

YEAH.

WEIGH AGAINST AN INTEND IMMIGRANT AS RELATED TO THE PUBLIC CHARGE RULE.

PLEASE RETURN THE CAMERA .

THIS SHOWS TO ME THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OR CITY GOVERNMENT REALLY ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED WHEN IT COMES TO SUCH THINGS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.

COUNCILMAN SALDANA.

>> SALDANA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU TO JEFF, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS DOCUMENT WITH THE COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE.

THE ONLY FORGIVENESS I WILL ASK IS OF COUNCILMAN HALL WHO HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE FEDERAL AGENDA, BUT I HOPE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SKIM THROUGH.

AND IF NOT, I HOPE YOU'LL AGREE THAT WHAT WE TRIED TO DO IS COVER AS MANY BASES AS POSSIBLE WITH REGARD TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BRING SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE ENHANCING THE WORK THAT WE DO AS INTERAGENCIES, AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

IN THE WORST CASE WE MIGHT HINDER SOME OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING HERE LOCALLY.

YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, EXAMPLES THAT WE CAN POINT TO WITH REGARD TO BEING ABLE AND PREPARED FOR DISASTERS, BODY CAMERA ENHANCEMENTS THAT WERE AFFORDED BY GRANTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SOME FEDERAL GRANTS THAT HAVE HELPED US WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

AND A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE WANT TO TAKE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE ALSO GOING TO JOIN US FOR THE SA TO D.C. TRIP WHEN WE MEET WITH OUR DELEGATION AND OTHER MEMBERS OF DELEGATIONS WHO ARE CHAIRS AND SITTING RANKING MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES WHO HAVE HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPORTING OR NOT SUPPORTING.

IN THE EVENT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPENS AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION ON EVERYONE'S MIND GOING UP TO D.C.

HERE PRETTY SOON.

WE HAVE TRIED OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE WE REFLECT THE WANTS AND THE NEEDS OF THIS COUNCIL AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANY COMMENTS FROM THOSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS I KNOW WHO MAY NOT SIT ON THE IGR COMMITTEE, THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE, MIGHT WANT TO WEIGH IN TOO.

BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO FEEDBACK IN GETTING THIS TO OUR DELEGATION MEMBERS.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.

COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, JEFF AND THE TEAM AND SALLY FOR ALL OF THE GREAT WORK.

AND CARLOS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU HEARD SOME OF OUR CONCERNS TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKFORCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WAS PART OF THE PRIORITIES.

SO WITH OUR WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

ONE THING TO NOTE TOO WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AND WITH THE IMPACT, IF YOU COULD SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AND THE IMPACT.

BECAUSE THIS IS LONGER THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD.

AND THE GRAVITY AND THE SERIOUSNESS THAT THIS HAS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND OUR CITIZENS.

COULD YOU PLEASE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?

>> SURE.

LET ME BREAK THOSE INTO TWO CATEGORIES.

THE IMPACT ON OUR AS AN ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT ON FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

JUSTINA TATE AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET SENT A MEMO OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SHUT DOWN.

AS YOU MENTIONED, IT'S GONE ON MUCH LONGER THAN I THINK ANYONE WOULD HAVE ANTICIPATED.

WE HAVE A NEW MEMO READY TO RELEASE TO YOU ALL, TO COUNCILMAN PELAEZ'S REQUEST, THAT THE IGR COMMITTEE TO DEMONSTRATE THE CASCADING EFFECT OF THE IMPACT.

WE AS AN ORGANIZATION RECEIVE $128 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING ANNUALLY.

ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT, $31.5 MILLION IS FUNDED FROM AGENCIES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE SHUT DOWN.

SO IT'S A PARTIAL SHUT DOWN.

THERE ARE 12 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS.

SEVEN OF THEM -- I'M SORRY, FIVE OF THEM PASSED THROUGH THE CONGRESS.

SEVEN OF THEM HAVE NOT.

SO IT'S THE FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT FALL UNDER THOSE BILLS THAT

[01:10:02]

ARE IMPACTED.

IN EACH OF THOSE CASES WE'RE STILL RECEIVING AN ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE FEDERAL FUNDING WE USE FOR OUR PROGRAMS. IN MANY CASE THEY WERE FUNDED IN THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR.

BUT THE TIMELINE ON THOSE IS STARTING TO COME UPON US.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, HUD-FUNDED GRANTS.

WE DON'T EXPECT AN IMPACT UNTIL APRIL OF THIS YEAR.

BUT HUD IS NOT THERE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND APPROVAL OF NEW HOUSING -- OF NEW PROJECTS, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, WE WOULD POTENTIALLY BE ON HOLD SHOULD WE SEEK THEIR APPROVAL FOR NEW PROJECTS.

OUR WIC PROGRAM FUNDS -- LET ME SEE, 32,000 WOMEN, INFANT, AND CHILDREN ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

WE HAVE 84 POSITIONS THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY THAT.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THAT.

BUT IF THIS SHUT DOWN EXTENDS BEYOND FEBRUARY 28TH WE WOULD BE IN A POSITION OF POTENTIALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

OUR COPS HIRING GRANT IS PAID OUT QUARTERLY AND THAT'S FUNDED THROUGH JANUARY 31ST, BUT THERE COULD BE A DELAY IN REIMBURSEMENTS IF WE EXTEND BEYOND THAT.

AND THEN SORT OF OUTSIDE OF THE CITY THERE ARE ALMOST 300,000 SNAP RECIPIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANT PROGRAM.

THAT ALSO WILL RUN THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH AT THIS POINT.

BUT IF WE GO BEYOND THAT, THERE COULD BE SOME SO WE ARE WATCHING THIS WITH CONCERN ABOUT SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS.

NOW, OUTSIDE OF THE CITY ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE MANY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE ALL SORT OF SUPPORTED BY THE ALAMO EXECUTIVE -- FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD, WHICH IS A LOCAL SORT OF COORDINATING BODY FOR ALL THE FEDERAL AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM.

THEY ARE PREPARING COMMUNICATIONS TO FEDERAL WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED HERE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.

AND OUR DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS WORKING WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THINGS THAT THE CITY OFFERS THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THEM AS THEY CONTINUE TO GO WITHOUT PAYCHECKS.

SO THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE ONGOING AND WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM AND CERTAINLY KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING OVERALL WITH THE SHUT DOWN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JEFF, FOR THAT UPDATE.

AND I KNOW ONE OTHER THING THAT WE HAD PUT A RESOLUTION FORWARD AS A COUNCIL BODY WAS REJECT THAT CITIZENSHIP QUESTION ON THE CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE.

AND THAT HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

>> RIGHT.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LAWSUITS AGAINST THE CENSUS BUREAU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER THE PROPOSAL TO ADD A CITIZENSHIP QUESTION TO THE CENSUS.

YOU RECALL WE BROUGHT A RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU ALL AND APPROVED IT IN THE PAST.

ONE OF THOSE LAWSUITS WAS RULED ON BY A NEW YORK JUDGE THIS WEEK.

ESSENTIALLY SAYING NO THAT THAT CITIZENSHIP QUESTION CAN'T BE USED BECAUSE THE PROPER PROCESS WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED TO GET THERE.

IN OTHER WORDS, TESTING AND RESEARCHING WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE IN TERMS OF PEOPLE RESPONDING.

WE EXPECT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL APPEAL THAT, AND IT COULD MAKE ITS WAY ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT.

BUT THAT'S ONE DEVELOPMENT IN ONE OF THE SUITS.

WE MADE CLEAR TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION THAT WE'RE OPPOSED TO IT PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE WON'T PARTICIPATE.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT A GREAT CHALLENGE AHEAD OF US IN GETTING PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.

WE'RE GOING TO INVEST SIGNIFICANT LOCAL MONEY IN GETTING THE WORD OUT AND GETTING PEOPLE COUNTED AS PART OF THE CENSUS AND WE DON'T WANT ANY OBSTACLES TO DOING THAT.

>> VIAGRAN: JUSTINA.

>> I'M JUSTINA TATE THE BUDGET DIRECTOR.

AND I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE WIC FUNDING.

WE A CONFIRMATION E-MAIL FROM THE STATE THAT WE WILL HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE END OF MARCH.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAIRMAN COUNCILMAN SALDANA AND EVERYONE IN IGR AND TO ALL MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES.

I THINK IT REALLY SHOWS US WORKING TOGETHER AS A CITY AND NOTHING WE CAN'T STOP.

AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE ON.

SO LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING OUR ISSUES AND OUR PRIORITIES UP TO OUR DELEGATION INTO D.C.

SO WITH THAT, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 6.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

QUICKLY, JEFF, ITEM NO. 15 TODAY IS ABOUT A NEW PROJECT THAT WE'RE UNDERTAKING FOR K-9 FOR WARRIORS.

MY REQUEST IS THAT YOU AND SALLY

[01:15:02]

AND HEBER PUT YOUR HEADS TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES THERE TO GO AFTER ANY FEDERAL MONEY OR ANY STATE MONEY.

BUT IF THERE'S ANY GOVERNMENT FUNDS THAT MIGHT HELP SUPPORT THAT AND MAKE IT A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

WE WILL DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.

>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, JEFF.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR WORKING WITH ME AND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED, AND TO THE IGR COMMITTEE FOR TAKING SOME OF MY INPUT ON THE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

GREAT WORK, JEFF, SALLY, AND TO THE IGR COMMITTEE.

LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THEM SEE US COMING.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 6.

PLEASE VOTE.

[15. Ordinance approving a 10 year Lease Agreement with K9s For Warriors, a 501(c) nonprofit organization, for $1 per year with a renewal option for two additional 5 year terms and an option to purchase the land located adjacent to the City’s Animal Care Services campus on 4710 Highway 151 for the use of operating a facility to rescue and train 200 local qualifying dogs per year as services animals for adoption and placement with Disabled American Military Veterans. [María Villagómez, Assistant City Manager; Heber Lefgren, Director, Animal Care Services]]

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NO. 15.

>> ITEM NO. 15 IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A 10-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH K9S FOR WARRIORS, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO BUILD AND OPERATE A FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE CITY'S ANIMAL CARE SERVICES FACILITY FOR THE USE OF RESCUING AND TRAINING DOGS FROM ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AS SERVICE ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION AND PLACEMENT WITH DISABLED AMERICAN MILITARY VETERANS WITH OPTIONS TO RENEW FOR TWO ADDITIONAL FIVE-YEAR TERMS AND TO PURCHASE THE LAND LOCATED ON 4710 HIGHWAY 151 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.

PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HERE WITH ME TODAY.

FROM K-9S FOR WARRIORS, THE ORGANIZATION WE ARE LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH, WE HAVE RORY DIAMOND, C.E.O., AS WELL AS BRETT SIMONS, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF K-9S.

ALSO HIDING BEHIND THE CHAIRS, LINCOLN, WHO IS A GRADUATE OF ONE OF THEIR PROGRAMS, A RECENT GRADUATE.

WE ALSO HAVE HERE TODAY WE HAVE REPRESENTATION FROM THE PETCO FOUNDATION.

SUE COSBY, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF LIFE-SAVING OPERATIONS, AND THEY ARE REPRESENTING THE SUPPORT THAT PETCO HAS FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP.

WE ALSO HAVE REPRESENTATION FROM OUR ADVISORY ADVISORY BOARD.

WE HAVE RITA, THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 4, AS WELL AS OUR CHAIR.

WE HAVE HERE SUSAN BELDON, THE REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 9, AND KAREN SPEARS, OUR SECRETARY OF THE BOARD.

SO THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH K-9S FOR WARRIORS IS AN ORGANIZATION LOCATED NEAR JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

THEY RESCUE PETS FROM SHELTERS.

THEY SPEND ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TRAINING THOSE PETS TO BECOME SERVICE ANIMALS FOR INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM PTSD OR OTHER SIMILAR ILLNESSES.

AND THEN THEY WILL SPEND ABOUT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS WITH THE VETERANS, THE MILITARY VETERANS, SELECTED MILITARY VETERANS TO TEACH THEM HOW TO EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE THE CANINES THAT ARE PAIRED AND PARTNERED WITH THEM.

K-9S FOR WARRIORS CURRENTLY HAS MORE QUALIFIED VETERANS APPLYING FOR THEIR PROGRAM THAN THEY HAVE THE QUANTITY OF DOGS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

TO GIVE YOU A PERSPECTIVE, WE MET WITH THE K-9S FOR WARRIORS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

WE WERE INTRODUCED.

K-9S FOR WARRIORS, THEY DO NOT E FOR THOSE WHO PARTNER, THE VETERANS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

WE MET WITH THEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND WHEN THEY INDICATED, HEY, WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE QUALIFYING FOR THE PROGRAM THAN WE HAVE THE NUMBER OF PETS, I REMINDED THEM THAT I HAVE PLENTY OF THEM.

SO K-9S FOR WARRIORS, THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE PETCO FOUNDATION, WHICH IS HERE TODAY.

THEY HAVE ALSO PARTNERED WITH PURDUE UNIVERSITY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF THEIR PROGRAM.

THE STUDY WAS PRODUCED OR WAS MADE AVAILABLE LAST YEAR.

AT WHICH POINT THE STUDY DEMONSTRATED THAT 92% OF PARTICIPANTS OF THEIR PROGRAM WERE ABLE TO EITHER REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE MEDICATION AFTER GRADUATION OF THE PROGRAM.

THEY IDENTIFIED THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPANTS WHO WERE ABLE TO ATTEND WORK OR SCHOOL ROSE FROM ONLY 20% TO NEARLY 50% AFTER GRADUATION.

[01:20:02]

AND 75% OF THE PARTICIPANTS WHO FELT THAT PTSD PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ENJOY LIFE, STOPPED EXPRESSING THAT CONCERN AFTER GRADUATION.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE PROCESS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP, WE DID DO A DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW AND SHOWED THE ORGANIZATION AND STRONG FINANCIAL STANDING WITH NO NEGATIVE FINDINGS FROM FINANCIAL OR LEGAL REVIEWS.

SO K-9S FOR WARRIORS, AS I MENTIONED, THEY CAME AND APPROACHED US LAST YEAR TO TALK ABOUT A PILOT PROGRAM WITH OUR ORGANIZATION.

THE PARTNERSHIP WOULD INCLUDE K-9S FOR WARRIORS INITIALLY BUILDING A HOLDING FACILITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WITH THE INTENT TO PULL PETS FROM OUR SHELTER, TRANSPORT THEM TO THEIR FLORIDA LOCATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM.

THE INITIAL REQUEST INCLUDED ACS PROVIDING THE QUALIFIED RESCUE DOGS.

A QUALIFIED RESCUE DOG IS A DOG OVER 50 POUNDS.

THAT IS OVER 22 INCHES TALL AS WELL AS IS ROUGHLY AROUND TWO YEARS OF AGE.

FOR COMPARISON, WHEN WE DID A QUICK ANALYSIS TO LOOK INTERNALLY, THAT EQUATES TO ABOUT 3,000 DOGS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR CAMPUS EACH YEAR.

THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE ON IDENTIFYING A LOCATION WHERE THEY CAN BUILD THE FACILITY.

AND AS WE WERE TAKING A LOOK AT IT, RIGHT NEXT TO OUR FACILITY WE HAVE ABOUT 3.3 ACRES OF UNUSED AND UNDEVELOPED LAND THAT IS RIGHT NEXT TO OUR CAMPUS.

SO AS WE LOOKED AT IT, THE GOAL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP IS TO EVENTUALLY, AS WE PROCEEDED, TO GROW THE ORGANIZATION TO WHERE THE FACILITY OR K-9S FOR WARRIORS CAN PROVIDE EVEN MORE SERVICES HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

SO WHAT'S COMING TO YOU TODAY FOR YOUR APPROVAL IS A PROPOSED LEASE WITH K-9S FOR WARRIORS.

THE TERMS OF THE LEASE CONSIST FOR A TEN-YEAR PERIOD, LEASE OF THE PROPERTY JUST SOUTH OF OUR MAIN FACILITY.

I PROVIDED A MAP SHOWING YOU THE PROPOSED AREA.

THE UNDEVELOPED AREA.

THE LEASE WOULD BE FOR TEN YEARS WITH TWO FIVE-YEAR OPTIONS TO RENEW AT A CHARGE OF A DOLLAR A YEAR.

INCLUDED IN THE LEASE IS THE OPTION FOR K-9S FOR WARRIORS TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AT FAIR MARKET VALUE AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE.

K-9S FOR WARRIORS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OR OPERATING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROGRAM.

AND THAT ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE, K-9S FOR WARRIORS WILL BE PULLING 200 QUALIFIED DOGS FROM OUR FACILITY EVERY YEAR.

THE PROPOSED TIMELINE, WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, TODAY WITH THE LEASE, WE PRESENT TO YOU THE APPROVAL OF THE LEASE.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THAT K-9S FOR WARRIORS WILL BEGIN A PROCESS OF INTERVIEWING AND SELECTING STAFF AUDIO] FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO START PULLING FROM ACS.

WE ANTICIPATE OR K-9S FOR WARRIORS ANTICIPATES TO BE ABLE TO DO THE DESIGN AND THE PREPARATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SO THAT CONSTRUCTION CAN BEGIN IN THE WINTER OF 2019 WITH THE INTENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SUMMER OF 2020.

COUNCILMEN, AT THIS TIME WE WOULD PROPOSE OUR RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE WITH A TEN-YEAR LEASE WITH TWO ADDITIONAL FIVE-YEAR TERMS AND THE OPTION TO BUY FOR K-9S FOR WARRIORS FOR THE 3.3 ACRES OF UNUSED AND UNDEVELOPED PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF OUR FACILITY.

I, AS WELL AS K-9S FOR WARRIORS ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, HEBER.

WE DO HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

I'LL CALL HER NOW.

SUSAN COSBY.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS SUSAN COSBY AND I BOTH LIVE AND WORK IN DISTRICT 6.

AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING NOT JUST MYSELF AS A RESIDENT, BUT ALSO THE PETCO FOUNDATION WHERE I AM THE DIRECTOR OF LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS OVERSEEING OUR GRANT MAKING.

I'M HERE TO URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ACS AND THE LEASE OF PROPERTY FOR K-9S FOR WARRIORS.

THE PETCO FOUNDATION IS A STRONG BELIEVER IN THE MISSION OF K-9S FOR WARRIORS AND AS SUCH WE HAVE RECENTLY COMMITTED A $2 MILLION INVESTMENT TO FURTHER THEIR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROPERTY.

THE PROJECT WILL IMPORTANTLY SAVE THE LIVES OF DOGS WHO FIND THEMSELVES HOMELESS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

BUT ALSO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR VALUED VETERANS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NEED AND OUR NEED FOR SERVICE ANIMALS AT A GREATER RATE THAN THOSE ANIMALS ARE AVAILABLE.

[01:25:01]

AND THEY DESERVE OUR ONGOING SUPPORT.

SO AS A RESIDENT, HAVING K-9S FOR WARRIORS OPERATING LOCATION IN OUR GREAT MILITARY CITY, USA IS AN IDEAL LOCATION IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND SOMETHING THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR HOMELESS ANIMALS, OUR VETERANS, AND SOMETHING WE CAN ALL BE VERY PROUD OF.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. COSBY.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

HEBER, IT'S GOOD THAT THERE'S A PODIUM AND A DAIS BETWEEN US BECAUSE I'M THIS CLOSE TO JUST COMING OVER THERE AND KISSING YOU ON THE LIPS.

YOU'RE FANTASTIC AND I THINK WHAT YOU'VE DONE IS AMAZING.

AND CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU TOOK UP A CHALLENGE AND YOU DELIVERED IN A WAY THAT EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS.

FOR EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM, COUNCILMAN SALDANA REMINDED ME THAT I SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT INNOVATION AND THAT I USE THAT WORD OFTEN.

LET ME JUST REMIND FOLKS, INNOVATION DOES NOT MEAN TECH CYBERSECURITY, SCOOTERS, TRACKLESS THINGS LIKE THAT.

INNOVATION SIMPLY MEANS FINDING NEW WAYS TO SOLVE OLD PROBLEMS. AND ONE OF OUR OLD PROBLEMS IS THAT WE'VE NEVER REALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO MOVE THE SAN ANTONIO BROWN SPECIAL, WHICH IS THE DOG YOU MOST COMMONLY -- IT'S A NEW BREED, BY THE WAY, RORY.

IT'S A SAN ANTONIO BROWN SPECIAL.

OUT OF YOUR SHELTER AND INTO FOREVER HOMES.

AND YOU'VE INNOVATED WITH THE HELP OF K-9S FOR WARRIORS AND RORY DIAMOND, A NEW WAY.

THOSE DOGS NEED HOMES AS MUCH AS THE CUTE PUPPIES DO.

AND, MAN, I THINK THERE'S ONE OF THOSE BIG MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY COUNCIL WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVE OUT THAT SAN ANTONIO DOES THINGS BIG AND SAN ANTONIO DOES THINGS RIGHT.

BUT THAT WE'RE SUPER CREATIVE WHEN WE FIND SOLUTIONS.

AND I'M ALSO VERY PROUD THAT THE END CUSTOMER IS GOING TO BE THE WARRIORS WHO NEED THIS HELP THE MOST.

SO, WITH THAT, PETCO, HIGH-FIVE.

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME AND YOU DESERVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND A LOT OF THANKS.

I LOVE YOU GUYS.

THE THIRD THING I'LL MENTION, AND I'LL BE QUIET, IS THIS GROUP OUT OF FLORIDA, THIS IS BECAUSE OF A FRIENDSHIP THAT I ENDED UP FORGING WITH A GENTLEMAN NAMED RORY DIAMOND.

RORY, CAN YOU COME UP HERE REAL QUICK? RORY IS A CITY COUNCILMAN-ELECT FOR JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

HE JUST GOT ELECTED AND HE ASSUMES HIS SEAT AND GETS SWORN IN IN JULY.

AND HE REMINDED ME THAT SAN ANTONIO AND JACKSONVILLE ARE VERY SIMILAR IN MANY WAYS.

BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS IS WE'VE GOT A VERY SERIOUS HOMELESS PROBLEM.

A VERY SERIOUS VETERAN, WOUNDED PTSD PROBLEM OVER THERE AND WE'RE TRYING TO TACKLE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO TACKLE.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TWO SISTERS WITH A SIMILAR PROGRAM ARE LOOKING AT A WAY TO SOLVING A PROBLEM, THERE'S GOT TO BE OTHER WAYS FOR US TO DO IT.

MY INVITATION TO YOU IS LET'S FIND A WAY TO DO SOME INTERGOVERNMENTAL COLLABORATION TO SOLVE OLD PROBLEMS IN NEW WAYS.

THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU SO

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

COUNCILMAN PERRY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HELPING PUT THIS TOGETHER AND RORY, WELCOME HERE TO SAN ANTONIO, AND IT'S GREAT WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING THERE IN JACKSONVILLE.

I JUST WANT TO ADD MY TWO CENTS' WORTH ON THIS.

YES, IT'S GREAT TO HELP OUT OUR -- OUR ANIMAL SITUATION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, BUT TO ME THAT'S -- THAT'S NOT THE IMPORTANT PART.

TO ME IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VETERANS, AND THE FOLKS THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM PTSD, AND WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN HERE IN THIS CITY TO HELP THEM, AND THIS IS ONE WAY TO DO THAT.

AND I AM VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE.

I WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICAL AT FIRST ABOUT HOW THIS WORKED, BUT LOOKING AT THE FINANCIALS OVER THE YEARS AND A VERY STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION AND THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING IS THE RIGHT THING, AND THAT'S WHY I'M VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST MILITARY POPULATIONS HERE IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA, AND EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT OUR VETERANS, OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS, OUR FOLKS THAT ARE SUFFERING OUT THERE, WE NEED TO BE DOING THAT HERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS OPERATION HERE TO SAN ANTONIO AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH Y'ALL EVEN MORE CLOSELY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.

COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I WANT TO ADD MY APPRECIATION.

I'LL START AT THE TOP WITH HEBER, AND, YOU KNOW, THE INITIATIVE THAT YOU TOOK WHEN YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS TO GO AHEAD AND BRING THIS TO

[01:30:01]

FRUITION.

RORY, IT'S WONDERFUL THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION WANTS TO PARTNER WITH US HERE.

I THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT.

I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND MY BOARD MEMBER, SUSAN BELDON, FOR MAKING ME AWARE OF THIS AND, YOU KNOW, BEING SO SUPPORTIVE WITH ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND WE NEED TO THANK THE PETCO CORPORATION, THE FOUNDATION, FOR BEING SUCH A STRONG FINANCIAL SUPPORTER, TO REALLY HELP PUT ALL THESE PIECES TOGETHER.

SO OBVIOUSLY IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

I WAS IN THE AIR FORCE MYSELF.

I'M A VETERAN, AND I WAS A K-9 HANDLER, A DOG HANDLER.

I KNOW THE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE THAT ALL OF US HAVE WITH DOGS, WHETHER WORKING DOGS, WHETHER THEY'RE SUPPORT ANIMALS, WHETHER THEY'RE JUST PETS, AND SO I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE'RE TAKING THIS STEP TO GIVE A LOT MORE ANIMALS A REAL FOREVER HOME AND TO HELP A LOT OF VETS.

ONE THING I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, RORY, IS THAT WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM HERE IN SAN ANTONIO THAT'S BEGINNING TO TREAT MILITARY PEOPLE WITH PTSD GOING THROUGH THE LAUREL RIDGE TREATMENT CENTER, WHICH IS IN MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT 9.

THEY ARE JUST EXPANDING THEIR PROGRAM NOW TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL TREATMENT CENTER THAT'S GOING TO TREAT PARTICULARLY PTSD, AND I THINK THAT THAT COULD BE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP, BECAUSE I KNOW RIGHT NOW WE'RE STARTING A FACILITY THAT WILL BE HELPING TO TRANSFER, BUT EVENTUALLY YOU HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A FACILITY WHERE YOU CAN TRAIN RIGHT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, AND MAYBE WHEN THAT COMES TO FRUITION IT COULD TIE RIGHT INTO THE WORK THAT LAUREL RIDGE IS DOING ON HELPING THE MILITARY WITH PTSD.

SO YOU MAY WANT TO TALK WITH THEM ABOUT DEVELOPING AN MORE IN-DEPTH PARTNERSHIP SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE WHEN WE THINK THESE PIECES CAN GO TOGETHER BETTER.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU FOR A MINUTE OR TWO.

GIVE US SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT, YOU KNOW, YOUR ORGANIZATION HOPES TO DO.

>> HAPPY TO DO IT.

I WILL SAY THIS.

IT'S MUCH MORE FUN LISTENING TO PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THESE SUITS THAN THOSE SEATS.

[CHUCKLE] , SO IT'S A LOT EASIER OVER HERE.

K9S FOR WARRERS HAVE THE NATION'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF SERVICE DOGS TO DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS.

WE'RE ALSO THE WORLD'S LARGEST SERVICE DOG AGENCY THAT'S WORKING PRIMARILY WITH RESCUE DOGS.

WE KIND OF HIT OUR CEILING IN FLORIDA, OUR HOME STATE, AND WE LOOKED AROUND FOR WHERE WE COULD GO NEXT WITH OUR FIRST OUT OF FLORIDA PHYSICAL STRUCTURE.

TEXAS MADE THE MOST SENSE.

THERE'S A LOT OF RESCUE DOGS AVAILABLE IN TEXAS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF VETERANS.

SO THAT WAS A NO-BRAINER FOR US.

WE DID A SURVEY OF THE ENTIRE STATE.

WE LOOKED AT CITIES THAT HAVE LOSING FOOTBALL TEAMS RIGHT NOW, AND -- BUT SAN ANTONIO ALWAYS CAME TO THE TOP OF OUR LIST, AND COUNCIL MEMBER PELAEZ MADE THIS REAL EASY FOR US.

HE ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET ON OUR FIRST VISIT AND THEN WE MET MR. LEFGREN, WHO'S BEEN INCREDIBLE TO WORK WITH.

I WILL SAY THIS, AS SOMEBODY WHO WORKS IN CITY GOVERNMENT, YOURS MADE THIS A VERY EASY DECISION, ANSWERED CALLS, EMAILS, CONCERNS, GAVE US TOURS.

THAT'S TESTAMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR CITY AND THE GREAT TEAM AT ACS.

OUR PLAN IS TO ESSENTIALLY FOR THE NEXT YEAR ENGAGE THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY TO LOOK FOR VOLUNTEERS, TO LOOK FOR CHAMPIONS, LOOK FOR DONORS, AND THAT'S ALL ANCHORED BY THE INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY OF THE PETCO FOUNDATION.

I MEAN, WHEN I WENT TO MY BOARD AND TOLD THEM THAT WE WERE THINKING ABOUT DOING THIS IN SAN ANTONIO, THEY WERE -- THEY WERE NERVOUS AT FIRST, AND THEN I SAID, THE PETCO FUNCTION IS DOWN THE STREET AND THEY GAVE US $2 MILLION.

AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR US.

WE CAN DO THIS WITH THIS TEAM.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

I WILL SAY, JACKSONVILLE AND SAN ANTONIO ARE VERY SIMILAR CITIES.

WE HAVE COMMUNITIES WITH LOTS OF VETERANS AND THE LOVE FOR VETERANS IN SAN ANTONIO, YOU JUST FEEL, WE HEAR IT, WE SEE IT.

PEOPLE YELL AT US ON THE STREET AND SAY THANK YOU WHEN WE WEAR OUR K9S FOR WARRIORS GEAR.

WE FEEL AT HOME WE'RE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO ENGAGE EACH OF YOU ON THE K9S FOR WARRIORS FOR SAN ANTONIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

COUNCILMAN TREVINO?

>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED AS WELL, ROY, THANK YOU, HEBER, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN AND MANNY, THANKS FOR ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET WHEREVER YOU ARE.

I WAS GIVEN A COUPLE OF QUOTES TODAY TO QUOTE MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND I THINK HERE'S ONE THAT'S REALLY APPROPRIATE.

IT SAYS, NEVER, NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT, ESPECIALLY IF THE WELL-BEING A PERSON OR ANIMAL IS AT STAKE.

SOCIETY'S PUNISHMENTS ARE SMALL COMPARED TO THE WOUNDS WE INFLICT ON OUR SOUL WHEN WE LOOK THE OTHER WAY.

I THINK IT'S APROPOS TODAY, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER, WHO IS A DISABLED VETERAN, AND HE HAS A WONDERFUL DOG NAMED HANS, WHOM HE TREATS A LOT BETTER THAN HIS OWN BROTHER.

[LAUGHTER] BUT THAT'S -- THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

IT'S A GREAT DOG, HAS REALLY

[01:35:02]

DONE WONDERS FOR MY BROTHER, AND I CAN ALSO SEE THAT YOU HAVE A BELGIUM DOG HERE AS WELL, WHICH I USED TO HAVE MYSELF, GREAT ANIMALS, GREAT DOGS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT I CERTAINLY SOMETHING I CAN ALWAYS SUPPORT, SO THANKS FOR COMING HERE TODAY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COUNCILMAN TREVINO.

COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA.

>> SALDANA: THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN PELAEZ FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON PUTTING THIS PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, OFFERING A GREAT DATING OPPORTUNITY THAT REALLY LED TO A MARRIAGE HERE THAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF.

SO THANK YOU TO ERRY AND THE K-9 FOUNDATION FOR YOUR ROLE IN BEING HERE, HEBER, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER, OUR BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT WITH US TODAY.

AND FOR SOME OF THESE BOARD MEMBERS, RORY, WHO, YOU KNOW, HAVE GOTTEN NEW EXPERIENCE, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AND THE EVOLUTION OF ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, WE ARE SO PROUD TO HEAR YOU SAY IN YOUR COMMENTS THAT PART OF WHAT MADE THIS AN EASY DECISION FOR YOU WAS NOT ONLY THE RED CARPET THAT A FEW OF -- THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAD WITH COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, BUT YOU LOOKED TO THE PETCO FOUNDATION AS ALSO BEING FOLKS WHO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, AND IT WAS NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT WE COULDN'T COUNT MORE THAN ONE OR TWO PARTNERSHIPS AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, AND NOW I THINK THEY NUMBER INTO THE HALF DOZEN WITH TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES, WITH FOSTER OPPORTUNITIES, WITH THE PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT SECTORS, AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M GRATEFUL TO LEADERSHIP AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE BOARD, WHO HAVE MADE SOME OF THESE PARTNERSHIPS REALLY POSSIBLE IN THE CASCADING SUCCESS.

IT SEEMS LIKE SUCCESS BEGETS MORE SUCCESS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT FOLKS WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHEN THEY LOOK AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES IN SAN ANTONIO, AS SUCH A GREAT PLACE NOT JUST TO LIVE AND WORK AND RETIRE, NOT JUST A GREAT PLACE FOR VETERANS OR RETIRING VETERANS, BUT A GREAT PLACE FOR ANIMALS AND FOR OUR PETS, OUR DOGS AND CATS.

IT USED TO BE THAT WE WEREN'T THE BEST PLACE FOR PETS AND OUR HOMELESS PET PROBLEM WAS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE OF THESE PARTNERSHIPS AND BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE'VE HAD AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, HAS LED US TO GREAT OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE ONE WE'RE GOING TO PARTNER WITH TODAY.

SO RORY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY AND FOR FILLING US IN ON HOW THIS CAME TO BE.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR THE PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING HERE FOR ANIMAL AND ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AND FOR THE COMMUNITY OF SAN ANTONIO WHO LOVES THEIR PETS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

COUNCILMAN.

COUNCILMAN GONZALES?

>> GONZALES: WHAT A GREAT PROGRAM.

I'M REALLY FASCINATED BY THIS -- THIS PROGRAM THAT YOU PUT TOGETHER.

AND I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, AND I THINK YOU MADE THESE REMARKS IN YOUR PRESENTATION, BUT IS THIS PROGRAM ESPECIALLY FOR LARGE DOGS?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> GONZALES: AND YOU MENTIONED HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, IS THAT A REAL STRICT -- I MEAN, OR IS IT -- AND WHY THE NEED FOR LARGE DOGS?

>> YEAH, SO IF YOU DON'T MIND --

>> SURE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, BRET SIMON, THE PRESIDENT OF K-9S, HE COULD GIVE YOU THE BEST ANSWER FOR THAT IF YOU DON'T MIND.

>> GONZALES: SURE.

>> THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE SELECTION OF THE LARGER DOGS IS FOR MOBILITY ISSUES, SO WE CAN HELP A WARRIOR GET OUT OF A CHAIR, OFF THE GROUND, SUPPORT WHEN THEY'RE WALKING.

SOME OF THEM HAVE THAT.

SO IF WE'RE USING A SMALLER DOG, THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE ISSUES SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE VETERAN.

SOME OF OUR GUYS AND GIRLS THAT COME THROUGH, YOU KNOW, ARE BIG.

WE HAD ONE OF THE GUYS FROM THE FORT HOOD SHOOTING, ALONZO LUNSFORD, HE'S 7' 4 --

>> WOW.

>> 6'9 AND ALMOST 400 POUNDS.

I HAD TO FIND A DOG THAT WAS 130 POUNDS TO SUPPORT HIS WEIGHT BECAUSE HE HAD MOBILITY ISSUES, SO THE SIZE OF THE DOG IS FOR THAT, FOR THE DOG ITSELF, SO THEY'RE PUSHING ON THEM, WE'RE NOT HURTING THE DOG.

>> GONZALES: THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR, BECAUSE I WAS INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE COMMUNITY HERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND BEFORE CHILDREN AND BEFORE COUNCIL I RESCUED ABOUT 30 DOGS THROUGH DIFFERENT AGENCIES, AND I WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO TAKE THE LARGER DOGS BECAUSE I WAS A RUNNER AND I COULD TAKE THEM OUT AND WAS WILLING TO EXERCISE THEM.

AND THE WONDERFUL -- MY MOST POSITIVE EXPERIENCE WAS WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS WHERE I ONLY HAD TO KEEP THEM FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN YOU CAN RETURN THEM TO THE ORGANIZATION AND THEN THEY WOULD ALREADY HAVE A FOSTER IN PLACE.

SO IT WAS JUST A QUESTION OF GETTING THEM HEALTHY, TEACHING THEM TO DO A FEW THINGS LIKE HOUSE BREAKING AND WALKING ON A LEASH AND THAT SORT OF THING, WHICH AT THE TIME I HAD THE TIME AND EXPERIENCE TO DO.

SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE A NEED OR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HELP SO THAT

[01:40:01]

PERHAPS -- YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU'RE SAYING 200 TO 250 DOGS PER YEAR, WHICH IS A LOT.

IS THERE ROOM FOR MORE OF THAT? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT ESPECIALLY IN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS ONE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO HELP MILITARY VETERANS, THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

AND IF THEY KNEW THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP THOSE DOGS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, PEOPLE MIGHT BE MORE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER.

>> YES, DEFINITELY.

THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES, THE SAME AS WE DO IN OUR JACKSONVILLE CAMPUS.

MEDICAL FOSTERS.

SO IF WE FIND A DOG THAT'S IDENTIFIED THAT MAY HAVE HEARTWORM AND WE WANT TO TREAT THEM THROUGH THAT, THEN WE FIND A SHORT-TERM MEDICAL FOSTER FOR THAT.

SAME WITH MAYBE AN ACL SURGERY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FOSTERS THAT KEEP THEM FOR SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS, SOMETIMES SHORTER.

IF THEY'RE NOT RIGHT AT THE RIGHT AGE YET AND NEED TO GROW UP BEFORE THEY COME INTO A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT.

SO THERE IS GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE INVOLVED AND ASSIST WITH THESE DOGS, TO HELP OUR VETERANS.

>> GONZALES: GO AHEAD.

PLEASE --

>> JUST TO ADD TO THAT, WE SHOULD ALSO AT THE PETCO FOUNDATION K-9 CENTER, WE SHOULD ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE DOGS THAT ARE THERE, NOT JUST FOSTERING BUT, YOU KNOW, KENNEL ENRICHMENT, PETTING THE DOGS, TAKING THEM OUT, LOVING ON THEM IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

>> GONZALES: WELL, WONDERFUL.

I THINK THAT HOWEVER, HEBER, YOU CAN GET THAT INFORMATION OUT, THAT THERE'S THAT POTENTIAL TO HELP WITH THIS PARTICULAR SET OF DOGS, BECAUSE IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING, YOU KNOW, AT THAT TIME, I IMAGINE IN AUDIO] BREEDS WERE THE HARDEST TO ADOPT OUT, AND ESPECIALLY BREEDS THAT WERE LIKE PITBULL BREEDS.

IS THAT THE CASE? DO YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR -- I MEAN, ARE ALL BREEDS WELCOME?

>> AS FAR AS SERVICE DOG INDUSTRY, THERE IS NO BREED RESTRICTION, ONCE A DOG IS TRAINED AS A SERVICE ANIMAL.

IT'S UP TO EACH ORGANIZATION.

WE DO HAVE PET BULL MIXES.

WE HAVE SOME PET BULLS COME THROUGH THE PROGRAM BUT IT JUST DEPENDS ON IF THE DOG QUALIFIES THROUGH THE TEMPERAMENT TEST, SIZE, WEIGHT, TO GO INTO THE PROGRAM.

>> AND JUST FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY, TYPICALLY WE DON'T DO THE MOST AGGRESSIVE-LOOKING DOGS AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS IF YOU HAVE A 6'5 MARINE WITH A SLEEVE TATTOO, PEOPLE MAY BE AFRAID TO APPROACH AND WE GIVE HIM A PITBULL, A REALLY AGGRESSIVE-LOOKING DOG PEOPLE WILL RUN AWAY.

IF WE GIVE HIM A GOLDEN RETRIEVER PEOPLE WILL IGNORE THIS AND RUN UP TO THEM.

THAT'S THE GOAL, TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.

SO WE TAKE THAT ACCOUNT AS WE PLACE DOGS, BUT WE TRY NOT TO HAVE BREED RESTRICTIONS BUT OUR PRIMARY MISSION IS TO HELP THE VETERAN REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.

>> GONZALES: WELL, THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THOSE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING A GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNER.

I KNOW THAT THIS COMMUNITY, WE LOVE OUR VETERANS AND WE LOVE OUR ANIMALS, AND SO I THINK IT IS AN OBVIOUS PARTNERSHIP.

I MENTIONED I HAVE A CONNECTION TO JACKSONVILLE AS WELL.

I HAVE A LOT OF EXTENDED MILITARY FAMILY THAT LIVES IN THE AREA, AND WE'VE HAD MANY FAMILY REUNIONS THERE IN JACKSONVILLE.

SO IT'S -- WHAT A GREAT PROGRAM, AND I KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE INSPIRED TO HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A VERY LONG, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN GONZALES.

COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.

>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK THOUGHTS.

WHEN COUNCILMAN PELAEZ CAME AND TOLD ME -- I WAS WORKING ON A PROJECT IN MY DISTRICT, I WAS A LITTLE BIT -- I WAS VERY SKEPTICAL WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

WHEN HE PITCHED THE DEAL TO ME I WAS BLOWN AWAY.

THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS IS HUGE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, RORY, FOR WORKING WITH COUNCILMAN PELAEZ AND THANK YOU, MANNY, FOR TURNING AROUND IN ANOTHER DISTRICT LIKE THAT.

WHEN YOU SAW THE OPPORTUNITY AND YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING IT IN DISTRICT 6, THAT'S A SELFLESS MOVE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED AND OF COURSE THE ANIMAL CARE SERVICES FACILITIES, ONE OF THE JEWELS OF DISTRICT 6, IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THE FOOD BANK AND OUR COMMUNITY SO IT'S A PLACE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY VISIT.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT I SAY TO HEBER AND THE TEAM AND THE ANIMAL CARE SERVICES BOARD AND MY APPOINTEE KATHY THAT YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH GOOD RECOGNITION FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS AND IT'S A STORY WE ALL HAVE TO TELL AS OFTEN AS WE CAN.

AS YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF COMMENTS WE'RE MAKING RIGHT HERE THIS IS MEANINGFUL TO ALL OF US AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO KNOCK ON THAT DOOR AND TELL THAT STORY.

YOU AND I HAVE TALKED MORE ABOUT, UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THE TOUGHER ASPECTS OF YOUR ROLE, AND THEN WHEN YOU COME UP HERE AND DO THIS, HEBER, IT'S TESTAMENT TO YOUR ABILITY, AND WHEN WE HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HOW GOOD YOU'RE DOING FROM A PARTNERSHIP PERSPECTIVE MAKING SAN ANTONIO WELCOMING, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

WE'VE HAD [INDISCERNIBLE] CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DOG ISSUES THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS AND THOSE AREN'T THINGS WE WANT TO DO BUT THEN YOU COME UP HERE AND YOU DO THIS AND YOU'VE PUT A GREAT PROJECT IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S A BLESSING AND BENEFIT TO DISTRICT 6 AND I WANT AS TO THANK YOU AND THE TEAM FOR THAT AND THE PETCO FOUNDATION AS WELL.

YOU DON'T CARRY AN EASY JOB.

IT'S LIKE EVERY DAY IS A CHALLENGE BUT TO SEE YOU DOING THIS KIND OF WORK IS FANTASTIC, AND COUNCILMAN

[01:45:01]

PELAEZ AND I JOKE OFTEN ABOUT THIS WHEN HE WAS PITCHING IT TO ME, BUT MAN, WE WANT TO TAKE THAT FIRST DOG OVER THERE, WE WANT TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP.

[LAUGHTER] HIT THE STREET AND DRIVE SAID DOG AND IT'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY.

IT SPEAKS TO A COUPLE THINGS.

MOST IMPORTANT, AND I'LL WRAP UP, IT'S ABOUT VETERANS FIRST.

AS A VETERAN MYSELF THE MINUTE I SAW THAT IT WAS PERSONAL.

THE PETS ARE PERSONAL TO ME, AS A DOG LOVER MYSELF, I'VE GOT THEM RUNNING ALL OVER THE HOUSE, AND THEN JUST FROM A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE, THE THINGS IT DOES TO PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON CARING AND LOVING OUR ANIMALS AND HOW THAT EFFECTS -- IT'S A PERFECT MIX.

SO THANK YOU, HEBER AND TEAM.

THANK YOU, RORY, FOR BEING HERE AND JOINING US AND THE PET COME FOUNDATION AND ANIMAL SERVICES PETCO FOUNDATION AND ANIMAL SERVICES BOARD.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE ANIMALS AND VETERANS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.

COUNCILMAN VIAGRAN?

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, HEBER, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

TO OUR VISITORS AND OUR NEW PARTNERS, THANK YOU AND WELCOME.

THANK YOU, MA MARIA AND TO ALL THE STAFF, TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING AND BEING OPEN TO THIS IDEA AND THIS CREATIVITY AND THIS COLLABORATION.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN, PELAEZ, FOR MAKING SURE CONNECTIONS GET MADE BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS AND ABOUT THOSE CONNECTIONS.

I WILL ALWAYS BE -- IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT DOGS AND PETS, I WILL ALWAYS CHIME IN TO TALK, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE AN ISSUE, A HOMELESS PET POPULATION, THAT JUST -- THEY WANT TO BE LOVED AND THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR FOREVER HOME, AND THIS IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE DOGS, AND THIS IS GOING TO HELP WITH OUR LIVE RELEASE RATE IN A WAY THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO IT IN THE PAST.

SO I'M SO EXCITED BY THIS.

AND WHAT'S SO EXCITING TOO IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE DOGS AND THE WOUNDED WARRIORS OR WARRIORS BEING ABLE TO SAVE ONE ANOTHER.

SO THIS IS WHAT I THINK IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS PROGRAM.

SO I'M GLAD TO BE HOOFG FORWARD WITH IT.

THANK YOU -- TO BE MOVING FORWARD WITH IT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COUNCILMAN VIAGRAN.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ?

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU, BEFORE I MAKE A MOTION AND ASK FOR A SECOND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT LETICIA PUTS IN THE MINUTES THAT I'M GOING TO NEED -- I WANT HR TO REMEMBER THAT I WAS JUST KIDDING.

HEBER, I'M NOT GOING TO KISS YOU ON THE LIPS.

[LAUGHTER] IT WAS JUST A FIGURE OF OF SPEECH.

>> MY WIFE APPRECIATES THAT CLARIFICATION.

[LAUGHTER]

>> RORY, YOUR NEW LANDLORD IS COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WELCOME AND VISIT WITH HIM.

HE'S VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT VETERAN SERVICES AND HE'S DEFINITELY A CHAMPION, AND YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SHAKE HIS HAND YET.

I WANT YOU TO MEET HIM.

MARIA, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, AND YOU TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE, AND YOU DELIVERED, LIKE ALWAYS, MARIA DELIVERS.

SO THANK YOU.

I DO HAVE ONE REQUEST.

THERE IS -- THERE IS A CONSTITUENT OF MINE WHO WANTS TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST DOGS IN THE CLASS, AND I GOT A PHOTO, IF YOU GUYS CAN HELP ME.

[LAUGHTER] THAT'S MILLIE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE GOT A WOUNDED VETERAN SHORT ENOUGH FOR THIS --

>> I GOT BAD NEWS FOR YOU, MANNY.

[LAUGHTER]

>> WITH THAT, MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 15, AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN, MARIA, HEBER, ALL THE FOLKS THAT WORKED ON THIS, RORY AND SUSAN AS WELL, WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF OUR MISSION IS MILITARY CITY U.S.A.

THANK YOU.

FOR THAT IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 15.

PLEASE VOTE.

[18. Ordinance appointing the Chief Executive Officers or Executive Directors of the San Antonio Housing Authority, San Antonio Housing Trust, San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, and VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, or their designees; and Robert J. Abraham, Jessica O. Guerrero, Marianne Kestenbaum, Lourdes M. Castro Ramirez, and Dr. Theodore Paul Furukawa to the San Antonio Housing Commission for an initial term of office to expire May 31, 2019. [Leticia M. Vacek, City Clerk]]

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NO. 18.

>> ITEM NO. 18 IS AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING AUTHORITY, SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST, SAN ANTONIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, AND VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY, OR THEIR DESIGNEES; AND THEY BEING THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FROM THOSE ENTITIES.

ROBERT J. ABRAHAM, JESSICA O. GUERRERO, MARIANNE KESTENBAUM, LOURDES M.

CASTRO RAMIREZ, AND DR. THEODORE PAUL FURUKAWA TO THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING COMMISSION FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF OFFICE TO EXPIRE MAY 31.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMA.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I WANTED TO PULL THIS ITEM, THANK YOU, FOR COMING UP, BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENT THAT

[01:50:02]

WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH TODAY, AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HIGHLIGHTED THIS AND THANK EVERYONE FOR MOVING FORWARD AND BEING INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE HELP -- HELP GUIDING US AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS A CITY FOR THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TASK FORCE AND INITIATIVES.

BUT I DID WANT TO BRING UP JUST TO ASK YOU, SPECIFICALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING AUTHORITY, IN MY OFFICE WE HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO LIVE IN SAHA LOCATIONS, WHO HAVE ISSUES WITH COMMUNICATION, WHO HAVE ISSUES WITH RESPONSE TIMES FROM SAHA, AND WE IN MY OFFICE -- WE HAVE TO CALL SAHA, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION AND WILLINGNESS, IS THE WORD I'LL USE, TO MAKE THOSE -- TO BRING THOSE ISSUES TO LIGHT WITHIN THIS HOUSING TASK FORCE AND WITHIN THIS HOUSING COMMISSION, BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS, SERIOUS ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON IN FAIR AVENUE APARTMENTS, IN THE MAC GARCIA APARTMENTS AND OTHERS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THOSE ISSUES ARE BEING BROUGHT UP FROM THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREAS, THAT THEY ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT AT THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND BEING ADDRESSED IN THE HOUSING COMMISSION, SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT WE WILL ALSO TAKE CARE OF RIGHT NOW TOO, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE A PARTNER -- A MAJOR PARTNER IN THIS.

SO THAT IS WHAT I WANTED TO VOICE.

THAT IS WHAT I WANTED TO COME -- TO MAKE ON THE RECORD, FOR YOU TO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO ME AS HOUSING COMMISSION.H THIS- THANK YOU.

WITH THAT I MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF 18.

ANDY, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING?

>> YES, MAYOR, SOMEBODY HAD A QUESTION ON THE CAPTION.

I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE TITLES WITHIN THE RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE CAPTION, BUT THEY'RE NOT BEING APPOINTED TO THOSE POSITIONS WITHIN THE COMMISSION.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ANDY.

COUNCILMAN COURAGE?

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I THINK THAT THIS REPRESENTS A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND I THINK ALL OF US UP HERE UNDERSTAND THAT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SO IMPORTANT FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND SETTING A COMMISSION UP COMPRISED OF A LOT OF VERY COMMITTED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT WE COME UP WITH THE BEST WAYS OF DEVELOPING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE SEVERAL OF THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, INCLUDING LOURDES RAMIREZ, WHO DID SUCH A GREAT JOB ON THE COMMITTEE ORIGINALLY, AND I HAVE TWO OTHER PEOPLE THAT I KNOW VERY WELL THAT I WANT TO THANK FOR STEPPING FORWARD.

MARIANNE KESTENBAUM, WHO I KNOW WILL DO AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB, AND I'M REALLY PLEASED THAT FROM MY DISTRICT PAUL FURUKAWA AGREED TO STEP FORWARD AND WORK ON THIS.

I KNOW THESE INDIVIDUALS, AND I'M SURE ALL OF THE OTHERS, WILL BE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THIS MAJOR CONCERN VERY WELL OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND I THINK THIS IS THE START OF SOMETHING GREAT, BUT IT'S UP TO US AS A COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO FIND THE RESOURCES THAT THEY WILL NEED TO DEVELOP THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

COUNCILMAN HALL, AND THEN I'M GOING TO CALL UP MR. MONTH MY OR TO MAKE COMMENTS AS WELL.

>> WHAT I'LL ADD, I'M NEW TO THIS AND ONE THING I'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THIS WILL BE A KEY ISSUE AND ITEM GOING FORWARD, AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR MARIANNE AND PAUL FOR STEPPING UP.

PAUL WAS IN MY LEADERSHIP SAN ANTONIO CLASS.

SO I KNOW THE ENTITY IS IN GOOD HANDS, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HALL, AND ALLEN, THANK YOU FOR WAITING SO PATIENTLY.

FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

I'M READING COMMENTS FOR TERRY BURNS, CHAIRMAN OF THE ALAMO GROUP, SIERRA CLUB, IRGS VOTES FOR AGENDA ITEMS 18 AND 24.

I KNOW JESSICA GUERRERO FROM [INDISCERNIBLE] I KNOW HER INTEGRITY, SHE WILL BE VALUABLE ON THE HOUSING COMMISSION AS THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF HER PRIMARY AREAS OF INTEREST.

I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM 24, IN THE INTEREST OF

[01:55:02]

BREVITY.

I BELIEVE ITEM 24, THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STEMS FROM CCR STARTED BY ANNA SANDOVAL AND SIGNED BY SEVERAL COUNCIL PERSONS, SHERRY -- WE NEED MUCH MORE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION THROUGHOUT OUR GOVERNMENT, OUR LOCAL PUBLIC UTILITIES SHOULD BE INCLUDING IN THE MEANING AND APPLICATION OF THIS RESOLUTION.

WE REMAIN FRUSTRATED ESPECIALLY WITH THE OPAIKNESS AT CPS, NO MINUTES TO BE HEARD, ET CETERA.

THE CPS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS EVEN MORE OPAQUE THAN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WITH NO MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS, NO AGENDAS, NO MINUTES, NO PUBLIC MEETINGS, NO NOTHING.

THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPEARS TO BE DESIGNED TO CHECK THE BOX OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WHILE IT, IN FACT, DOES NOT REPRESENT CITIZEN CONCERNS BUT RATHER ADDS A LAYER OF INSULATION BETWEEN CITIZENS AND THE CPS BOARD.

IT IS PAST TIME FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO STOP TREATING OUR UTILITIES LIKE PRIVATE BUSINESSES, SACRED COWS, GIVING US MUCH NEEDED FINANCIAL SU SUSTENANCE.

PUT THE PUBLIC BACK IN PUBLIC UTILITY, AND WE BELIEVE THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITIES INTO BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CEO MANAGER SELECTION AND BONUS EVALUATION.

WE AGREE WITH GREG BROCKHOUSE THAT CITY MANAGER INTERVIEWS SHOULD BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ALWAYS OF COURSE RESPECTING THE PERIODIC NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE THINK THE SAME PROCESS SHOULD APPLY FOR UTILITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CEO NOMINATIONS AND EVALUATIONS.

THE CURRENT MANAGER PROCESS VIOLATES THE SPIRIT OF ITEM 24 RESOLUTION ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, AND ALSO VIOLATES THE SPIRIT OF LAST FILES CHARTER AMENDMENT VOTES.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO BEHIND THE SCENES INFLUENCE FROM THE MOST WEALTHY AND POWERFUL IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR CHAMBER ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU CAN THANK THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING THE SIERRA CLUB, FOR OUR CITY LEADERSHIP IN WATER CONSERVATION AND AQUIFER PROTECTION, ACCOMPLISHED DESPITE STRONG CHAMBER OPPOSITION.

OUR EFFORTS HAVE SAVED THE CITY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN UNNECESSARY [INDISCERNIBLE] PROJECTS.

SOMETIMES OUR COMMON SENSE EFFORTS FAIL SO NOW SAN ANTONIO IS STUCK WITH STRANDED ASSETS AND SPRUCE COAL PLANTS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WITH NO FINANCIAL PROFIT INTEREST CAN PROVIDE A MORE BALANCED AND COST-EFFECTIVE OUTLOOK.

I'M NERVOUS AT PRESENTING THIS BECAUSE MY PARKING TICKET EXPIRED AT 11:07.

THIS SPEAKS TO THE ISSUES ABOUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, AND I SUPPORT YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO GET PUBLIC PARKING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO TESTIFY.

SOMETIMES IT CAN TAKE HALF A DAY FOR US TO PRESENT OUR THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. MONTH MEYOR.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ON ITEM 18.

I WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.

I'M TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE, WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY AND IS RESULTING IN THIS ACTION.

THERE'S SOME WONDERFUL PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT ARE PART OF THIS LIST.

SEVERAL OF THEM ARE IN THIS AUDIENCE TODAY.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO JESSICA GUERRERO, WHO'S BACK THERE, WHO HELPED WITH THE INITIAL FORMATION OF THE CONCEPT OF A COMPREHENSIVE AND COMPASSIONATE HOUSING POLICY.

MARIANNE KESTENBAUM, ALSO ONE OF MY FORMER CONSTITUENTS BUT NEIGHBORS AND GOOD FRIENDS, AND SOMEONE WHO'S HAD HER EYE ON THE HOUSING ISSUES FOR A GENERATION, AND OF COURSE PAUL, YOU'RE HERE AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEADFAST WORK.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THE COMMISSION, AS WELL AS LOURDES, WHO WILL TAKE THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND DO SO WITH HIGH ESTEEM.

LOTS OF WORK TO DO.

YOU GUYS HAVE A BIG TASK AHEAD, BUT WE HAVE FULL FAITH IN YOU, AND I KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BE COUNTING ON YOU TO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE AND KEEP OUR HOUSING EFFORTS MOVING FORWARD.

SO WITH THAT THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM NO. 18.

PLEASE VOTE.

[24. Resolution adopting guiding principles that enhance public participation in the City of San Antonio. [Carlos Contreras, Assistant City Manager; Jeff Coyle, Director, Government & Public Affairs]]

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NO. 24.

>> ITEM NO. 24 IS A RESOLUTION ADOPTING GUIDING PRINCIPLES THAT ENHANCE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

>> COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.

>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

I'D LIKE TO ASK STAFF TO GIVE THE PRESENTATION.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.

I THINK ALL OF YOU WOULD AGREE THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS THE BEDROCK OF GOOD PUBLIC POLICY.

IT'S FUNDAMENTAL TO WHATT WE DO HERE, AND OUR EFFORTS AT THE CITY HAVE BEEN AN EVOLUTION OVER REALLY SHERYL'S ENTIRE TERM HERE IN TERMS OF HOW WE DO THINGS, HOW WE ENGAGE OUR PUBLIC, HOW WE INCORPORATE THE INPUT INTO THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE ALL MAKE TO YOU AND ULTIMATELY THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE, AND WE'VE SEEN A NICE ALIGNING OF THE STARS NOW WITH A COUNCIL THAT IS INTIMATELY INTERESTED, STRONGLY INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE, AND A COUNCILWOMAN WHO HAS EXPERIENCE IN IT HERSELF AND HAS REALLY PUSHED US TO

[02:00:01]

CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.

LET ME FIRST START OUT BY SAYING THAT WHEN WE FIRST RECEIVED THE CCR FROM COUNCILMAN SANDOVAL, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DID WAS DEFINE WHAT WE MEAN BY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, AND SO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THIS DISCUSSION TODAY IS WHEN WE ARE SEEKING INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC IN A PROGRAM, A POLICY, AN INITIATIVE, WHICH DIFFERS FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION, MARKETING, PUBLIC INFORMATION, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT IN THIS CONTEXT PUSHING INFORMATION.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SEEKING INFORMATION FROM THOSE WHO WE SERVE AND BEST UTILIZING THAT IN OUR SERVICES.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THE COUNCILWOMAN ASKED US TO DO IS DEVELOP SOME GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE ALL OF OUR EFFORTS, AND THAT'S THE -- I BELIEVE THE ACTION ITEM THAT'S BEEN REQUESTED HERE AS A RESOLUTION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THERE ARE TEN PRINCIPLES.

I'M GOING TO -- I USUALLY SAY I'M GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THESE QUICKLY BUT I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY TALK ABOUT EACH ONE SO THAT WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

NUMBER ONE, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT WE -- THAT WE STATE THAT ALL OF OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS MEANINGFUL, THAT WE ENSURE THAT THE INPUT WE RECEIVE FROM THE PUBLIC IS APPROPRIATELY CONSIDERED IN DECISION-MAKING AND THAT WE USE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TO IMPROVE WHAT WE DO HERE AT THE CITY.

SECOND, THAT WE WILL BE TRANSPARENT, THAT WE'RE OPEN AND CLEAR ABOUT THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AND THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC IN THAT PROCESS, WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM AND HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE INPUT THEY GIVE US.

THIRD, THAT WE WILL BE RESPECTFUL OF ALL THE INPUT WE RECEIVE, EVEN THE DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS, WHICH OFTEN HAPPEN, AND THAT WE TRY TO BALANCE ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS -- EXCUSE ME, THE INTERESTS OF ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS.

FOURTH, THAT WE'LL BE INCLUSIVE, ENGAGE AS BROAD A SPECTRUM OF STAKEHOLDERS AS POSSIBLE, WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THOSE WHO DON'T TYPICALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS, AND ENSURE THAT GROUPS DO NOT FEEL LEFT OUT, THAT WE'RE VERY DELIBERATE ABOUT IDENTIFYING THOSE WHO WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE ISSUE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

NO. 5, THAT WE WILL BE ACCESSIBLE, BREAK DOWN ANY BARRIERS TO PEOPLE GIVING US INPUT, WHETHER THEY BE GEOGRAPHIC, PHYSICAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, LANGUAGE.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF EXAMPLES OVER THE PAST YEARS OF BREAKING DOWN THOSE BARRIERS THROUGH OUR SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES, THROUGH OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE EFFORTS AND SO FORTH.

NO. 6, WE WILL BE INFORMATIVE.

WE WILL USE EVERY PARTICIPATION EFFORT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS AND HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR LIVES, AND THAT OUR INFORMATION WILL BE BALANCED AND FACTUAL.

NO. 7, THAT WE WILL BE RESPONSIVE, WE WILL COMMUNICATE THE OUTCOMES OF THOSE PARTICIPATION EFFORTS TO EVERYONE PARTICIPATING.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE FINISHED OUR SA SPEAK UP BUDGET INPUT THE DAY BEFORE YOU ALL MET FOR YOUR BUDGET GOAL-SETTING SESSION, WE EMAILED EVERYBODY WHO GAVE US FEEDBACK AND SAID THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL TOMORROW AND THEY'LL BE DISCUSSING THE PRIORITIES AND HERE'S THE LIVE STREAM.

THAT'S WHAT WE MEAN ABOUT BEING RESPONSIVE.

TIMELY, THAT WE WILL SEEK THE INPUT WELL AHEAD OF ANY KEY DECISIONS, THAT MEANS AHEAD OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL AS FULL COUNCIL ACTIONS, THAT WE'LL MAKE IT AS EASY AND CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE, THAT WE USE TECHNOLOGY TO STEP INTO PEOPLE'S BUSY LIVES BUT THAT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE GAPS THAT EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITY AND USE MORE TRADITIONAL WAYS TO REACH PEOPLE.

AND FINALLY, THAT EVERY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION EFFORT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THE LAST, TO GAIN A LARGER AND LARGER AUDIENCE WE CAN SEEK INPUT FROM, AND IN THAT SENSE ALL OF THIS IS A CONTINUOUS EFFORT.

SO IN ADDITION TO THOSE GUIDING PRINCIPLES WE'VE ALSO DEVELOPED SOME STANDARDS THAT WE ARE ENCOURAGING ALL OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS TO FOLLOW WHEN THEY DO THEIR OWN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION EFFORTS.

WE'RE HIMMING, NUMBER ONE, THAT ALL CAMPAIGNS -- WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT NUMBER ONE ALL CAMPAIGN FOLLOW THE SA SPEAK UP BRAND AUDIO] AND IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TIE ALL OF OUR PARTICIPATION EFFORTS UNDER ONE UMBRELLA.

WE'VE ROLLED OUT A NEW BRAND FOR THE SA SPEAK UP.

IT'S UNDER THE MOTTO, IT'S YOUR CITY, LET'S TALK, AND WE CAN USE IT FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, OVER THE PAST WEEK WE'VE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER POSITION.

WE'VE -- ON OUR SA SPEAK UP WEB SITE WE'VE GIVEN PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE AWARE OF THE SYMPOSIUM THAT'S COMING AND PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS.

WE'VE ACTUALLY DEVELOPED -- ACTUALLY, I'M GOING TO JUMP AHEAD.

LET ME NOT JUMP AHEAD AND I'LL GET TO THAT IN A SECOND.

THE SECOND IS THAT THERE'S A CLEAR TIMELINE FOR EACH OPPORTUNITY.

PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHERE IN THE PROCESS WE ARE, AND SO, FOR EXAMPLE, ON OUR

[02:05:04]

SASPEAKUP SWBS WE'VE INTEGRATED THIS TIMELINE THAT SAYS WHAT STAGE OF THE PROCESS WE'RE IN, WE'RE GAUGING THE PUBLIC, WE'RE REVIEWING THE INPUT, WE'RE PRESENTING THOSE RESULTS TO THE POLICY MAKERS AND ULTIMATELY WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

THE COUNCILWOMAN STRESSED TO US AND WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HEALTH EQUITY COMMITTEE, THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING WHERE WE ARE IN THAT PROCESS, AND HOW THEIR INPUT WILL BE CONSIDERED.

THIRD, WE'VE REALLY SEEN GREAT SUCCESS IN SURVEYING, AND TRADITIONALLY A LOT OF GOVERNMENT ENTITIES HAVE RELIED ON PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR THEIR PUBLIC INPUT.

WE HAVE A NEW POLICY WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER.

LET'S SCHEDULE SIX PUBLIC MEETINGS AND WE'LL GAIN FEEDBACK.

AND WHILE PUBLIC MEETINGS ABSOLUTELY HAVE A PLACE IN THIS PROCESS, THEY OFTEN DO NOT REPRESENT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THEY REPRESENT THOSE WHO HAVE THE TIME AND ABILITY TO GET TO THOSE KINDS OF MEETINGS OR THEY REPRESENT FOLKS WHO HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC AGENDA AND INTEREST IN THE TOPIC, AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CAPTURE INPUT FROM THE FULL COMMUNITY.

SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT PUBLIC MEETINGS BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT RATHER THAN SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION.

ONE EXAMPLE IS THE DOCKLESS VEHICLES PROGRAM.

OUR CITY DEPARTMENT HAD A REALLY EXCELLENT PUBLIC MEETING THAT WORKED THROUGH A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDER GROUPS, DREW 150 PEOPLE, WHICH BY PUBLIC MEETING STANDARDS IS GOOD.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT NUMBER AT THE TOP WE SURVIVED THE 28 DIFFERENT PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE CITY IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER AND THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE WAS ABOUT 33 PEOPLE, AND YET DESPITE HAVING 150 PEOPLE ATTEND THE DOCKLESS MEETING, PUBLIC MEETING, WE -- THEY ALSO DID A SURVEY WHICH DREW ALMOST 4500 RESPONSES.

SO WE HAVE A MUCH GREATER ABILITY TO REACH PEOPLE IF P WE SUPPLEMENT THE PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH SURVEY OPPORTUNITIES USING DIGITAL, PAPER SURVEYS, ALL SORTS OF WAYS TO REACH.

THE FOURTH MINIMUM STANDARD WE'RE RECOMMENDING FOR DEPARTMENTS IS THAT EACH CAMPAIGN USE ALL OF THE CITY'S EXISTING COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS, RESOURCES, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO REACH TARGETED STAKEHOLDER GROUPS.

WE HAVE A WEB SITE, WE HAVE NEXT DOOR, WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA, WE HAVE ALL OF OUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS, A TV STATION, TEXTING, EMAILING, ON HOLD MESSAGES THROUGH 311, NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD & HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE USING THE FULL SPECTRUM OF OUR -- OF OUR OUTREACH.

5, THAT WE WILL DO ALL OF OUR SURVEYING, BOTH PRINTED AND ON-LINE, BOTH ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH, AND THAT EVERY SURVEY WILL ASK THE SAME SET OF DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE REPRESENTATIVENESS, AND THOSE QUESTIONS ARE BASED ON THE CENSUS CATEGORIES AND WITH INPUT FROM OUR EQUITY -- WITH ENDORSEMENT FROM OUR EQUITY OFFICE, AGE, GENDER, RACE AND ETHNICITY, COUNCIL DISTRICT.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT DISTRICT THEY LIVE IN.

WE HAVE DIGITAL APPS AND PAPER MAPS WHEN WE DO OUR SURVEYING TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IS, AND FOR FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS WE ASK OF THEM THEIR NAME AND ANY OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION THEY'RE WILLING TO GIVE.

ALL OF THIS IS OPTIONAL, BUT IT IS NOT OPTIONAL FOR DEPARTMENTS TO BE ASKING THAT QUESTION GOING FORWARD.

WE THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO ENSURING A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE.

NO. 6, WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT THE RESULTS OF OUR PARTICIPATION EFFORTS GOING FORWARD BE PRESENTED IN A STANDARD FORMAT TO YOU.

SO YOU ALL KNOW WHEN A COUNCIL ITEM COMES UP WHAT THE MEMO IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AS YOU PREPARE AND REVIEW FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

WE ARE ENCOURAGING THAT DEPARTMENTS PREPARE A STANDARDIZED REPORT OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR YOU, SPECIFICALLY FOCUS ON WHO DID WE TALK TO, WHAT WERE THE AUDIENCES, WHAT WAS THE DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP, HOW DID WE TALK TO THEM, WHAT METHODS DID WE USE, WHAT PUBLIC MEETINGS DID WE HOLD, AND SO FORTH.

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS? WHAT DID THEY TELL US? HOW ARE WE USING THAT INPUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR RECOMMENDATION, AND FINALLY, HOW ARE WE FOLLOWING UP WITH THEM TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEIR INPUT HAS BEEN -- THAT THEY'VE BEEN HEARD, ESSENTIALLY.

AND THE LAST ONE IS THAT, AGAIN, WE SEE EACH OPPORTUNITY AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THE LAST, AND SO WE WANT TO ADD ALL CONTACT INFORMATION GATHERED FROM ANY INPUT PROCESS INTO A CENTRAL DATABASE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO REACH BACK OUT TO PEOPLE AND LET THEM KNOW OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN RFP PREPARED THAT WILL BE GOING OUT SHORTLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ITSD TO DEVELOP A CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT TOOL, BE ABLE TO BRING EVERYTHING, ALL OUR SOCIAL MEDIA, ALL OUR SURVEYING, ALL OUR CONTACTS INTO ONE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD.

AND I REALIZE I'M RUNNING LONG HERE.

I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON CITIZENS TO BE HEARD WAS

[02:10:01]

MENTIONED A SECOND AGO, BY ONE OF THE RESIDENTS.

WE'VE MADE A FEW CHANGES TO THAT ALREADY.

WE'VE ADDED -- SHOOT, EXCUSE ME.

WE'VE ADDED SPANISH AND ENGLISH FORMS. WE HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION.

WE'RE GIVING FOLKS THE OPTION UP FRONT TO INDICATE WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO NEED AN INTERPRETER.

CHRIS CALLANEN WORKS AS PEOPLE SIGN UP TO ENSURE THAT THE APPROPRIATE CITY STAFF IS HERE TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

CRITICALLY, WE'VE ADDED A FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PROCESS THAT CLARIFIES SOME THINGS, SUCH AS THE FACT THAT UNDER STATE LAW YOU ALL AS COUNCIL CANNOT ENGAGE WITH THE SPEAKERS.

IT'S NOT AN AGENDIZED ITEM WITH A SPECIFIC TOPICS -- WITH SPECIFIC TOPICS IDENTIFIED IN ADVANCE, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WALKING IN WHAT YOU ALL CAN AND CAN'T DO.

AND WE'RE ADDING A -- WE'VE ADDED, ACTUALLY ALREADY, BUS ROUTE INFORMATION TO THAT HOME PAGE, SO WHERE THE CLOSE STOPS ARE AND WHAT ROUTES SERVE THOSE TO FACILITATE PEOPLE GETTING HERE.

SOME NEXT STEPS OF THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT, THESE MINIMUM STANDARDS WE RECOMMENDED WE'RE PUTTING INTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

I MENTIONED THE ENTERPRISE SOLUTION ON CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS THAT CAN MEASURE THINGS LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA SENTIMENT.

THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION FROM COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, I BELIEVE, IN COMMITTEE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT BROADCAST SOLUTION.

WE CURRENTLY DO NOT BROADCAST COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS OR PLANNING AND ZONING.

THERE ARE SOME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS FROM THAT, BOTH FROM A STAFFING AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT STANDPOINT, SO WE EXPECT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE, EITHER AS A BUDGET JUDGMENT OR PART OF THE BUDGET FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESSES.

FOR THE INNOVATION ZONES HE DID WEDZ A TELETAWN HALL FOR PEOPLE.

20,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED CALLS AT HOME INVITING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TOWN HALL MEETING.

WE HAD ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE STAY ON THE LINE AND ENGAGE, AND WE WERE REALLY PLEASED WITH THAT, SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES, AND AND YOU SEE SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND TEXTING ADVANCEMENTS THAT WE WANT TO IMPROVE.

I REALIZE I'VE GONE LONG, PROBABLY LONGER THAN THE COUNCILWOMAN INTENDED BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT, THANK YOU, JEFF.

COUNCILMAN SANDOVAL.

>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JEFF, FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE ON THIS.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, ESPECIALLY COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, WHO'S I THINK IS ON THE TELETOWN HALL RIGHT NOW, AND MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL SALDAÑA, PERRY AND BROCKHOUSE FOR SIGNING THE ORIGINAL CCR IN FEBRUARY.

I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND HIS STAFF FOR COLLABORATING ON THAT ADDENDUM MEMO A FEW MONTHS AGO AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL.

AND FOR ALL OF YOU ON THIS DAIS TO YOUR OPENNESS FOR THIS EFFORT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND TO THE PERSONS WHO CAME OUT TO SPEAK WHO HAVE NOW LEFT.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME DOWN HERE AND TO THE ESPERANZA CENTER AND THEIR SUPPORT AND THE COMMENTS THAT THEY SUBMITTED.

JEFF, THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK MEGAN DODGE.

>> AND I FAILED TO MENTION LAURA MAZE WHO READS THIS STUFF AND HAS BEEN THE DRIVER OF A LOT WE'VE DONE.

I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, LAURA VERY MUCH.

YOU CAME TO ONE OF MY TOWN HALLS THE OTHER DAY.

TO THEA ASHLEY, JOHN PATERIC AND TO SHERYL FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE YOUR BUY-IN AND WE HAVE YOUR SUPPORT, AND YOUR PARTICIPATION IS REALLY STRENGTHENING, OF COURSE, WHAT WE'RE DOING.

IT REALLY LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OF THESE EFFORTS.

THE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE PUT FORWARD IN THE RESOLUTION, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ACTING ON TODAY, I FEEL ARE REALLY A COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNCIL TO COMMUNITY, NOT JUST OUR RESIDENTS BUT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE, WHETHER THEY'RE BUSINESS, WHETHER THEY'RE HOMEOWNERS, HOAS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS ISSUES AND OF COURSE OUR RESIDENTS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

AND I FEEL THAT IT'S -- BY ADOPTING THIS WE ARE SAYING THIS IS A STANDARD THAT YOU CAN HOLD US TO WHEN WE GO OUT AND TAKE YOUR INPUT.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT ALL OF THESE EFFORTS ARE BASED ON SOME KEY BELIEFS THAT I HOLD, AND I'M GOING TO SHARE THOSE WITH YOU, AND THOSE ARE -- THERE'S NOT TOO MANY, JUST A FEW -- THOSE ARE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS UNIQUE AND INSIGHTFUL INFORMATION, AND THAT BY GATHERING IT WE WILL MAKE STRONGER AND BETTER POLICIES, STRONGER AND BETTER PROGRAMS HERE OUT OF CITY COUNCIL.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE

[02:15:03]

WHO'S AFFECTED BY A DECISION THAT WE MAKE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR INPUT ON THAT DECISION, AND THAT MEANS RESIDENTS, OR IT COULD MEAN BUSINESSES, AND IT COULD MEAN HOAS OR ORGANIZATIONS.

AND THAT IF WE DON'T TAKE THAT INPUT, THAT WE RISK NOT HAVING THAT INFORMATION ON HAND AND NOT SEEING PERHAPS SOME ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES THAT WE COULD HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR IN DEVELOPING THAT POLICY.

SO THERE IS A RISK OF NOT TAKING THAT INPUT.

I KNOW THAT SOME OF US MAY BE A LITTLE BIT SCARED ABOUT OPENING PANDORA'S BOX BY -- NO? NOT AT ALL? [LAUGHTER] I THINK PROBABLY ONE OF THE FEARS THAT -- OR ONE OF THE FEARS THAT I'VE HEARD IS, WAIT A MINUTE, IF WE ASK FOR MORE INPUT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO EXPECT US TO DO EVERYTHING EXACTLY AS THEY TELL US TO DO AND WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO CEDE THAT DISAPPOINTMENT BECAUSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SATISFY EVERYBODY.

I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

AGAIN, IF WE DON'T SEEK IT WE RUN THAT RISK OF NOT HAVING THE BEST PRODUCT, BUT SOME OF THESE PRINCIPLES THAT JEFF PRESENTED REALLY SPEAK TO THAT.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT HOW WE'RE MAKING THE DECISION AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP US, AND WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIVE.

IF WE DON'T USE SOME INPUT, WE HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? THANK YOU.

THIS IS WHY WE COULDN'T USE THE INPUT, AND I BELIEVE WE WILL GAIN RESPECT AND TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY IF WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE THAT TOUGH CONVERSATION WITH THEM.

THE OTHER FEAR IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO COST US MORE MONEY, THAT IT'S GOING TO COST US TIME.

IT MAY EXTEND SOME OF OUR PROCESSES.

IN DECEMBER COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA AND I DID VOTE FOR AN EXTENSION, I THINK 30 ADDITIONAL DAYS TO CONSIDER INPUT ON THE CCHIP PROGRAM.

SO YES, IT WOULD HAVE EXTENDED THE TIMELINE, BUT I THINK THROUGH THIS WE'RE GOING TO DECIDE IN ADVANCE, WHAT IS THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS, AND I THINK IT'S WORTH THE TIME AND IT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME WAX ON AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS ITEM, SO I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 24.

COUNCILMAN PERRY.

>> PERRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

I THINK I SIGNED OFF ON THE CCR 2, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, DIDN'T I?

>> SANDOVAL: YES, I APOLOGIZE IF I DIDN'T SAY YOUR NAME.

AND COUNCILMAN PERRY.

[CHUCKLE] NO, THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE IS YES.

I SUPPORT THIS AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE CITY AND TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT A LONG TIME, IS ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION, BUT I'VE BEEN TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT MEETINGS AROUND THIS CITY AND NOT JUST UP IN DISTRICT 10, AND WHEN WE HAVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND GROUP MEETINGS TRYING TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT, IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, AND I HOPE THAT THIS IS GOING TO SPUR THAT ALONG AND INCREASE THAT PARTICIPATION FROM ALL AROUND SAN ANTONIO.

ONE OF MY -- ONE OF MY CAUTIONS, THOUGH, AND ONE OF THE FEARS THAT I HAVE ALSO, IS THAT ON THOSE ITEMS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DO NEED TO WATCH THE TIMELINES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT SPREADING OUT OR DELAYING A PARTICULAR PROJECT OR INITIATIVE OR SOMETHING LONGER WHEN THERE'S -- THERE'S A TIME CRITICALITY TO IT, AND WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT -- BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, IT COULD HAVE BUSINESS IMPACTS, IT COULD HAVE FINANCIAL IMPACTS ON SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGE BUSINESSES, AND FOLKS OUT IN THE ECONOMY, OUT IN THE CITY.

SO I THINK WE -- WE NEED TO WATCH THIS VERY CLOSELY ABOUT TIMELINES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DON'T DO SOMETHING UNNECESSARILY TO CAUSE HARM OR NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, OR WHAT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO DO HERE FOR THE CITY.

SO I TOTALLY SUPPORT THIS, BUT WERE YOU WE JUST NEED TO KEEP THAT IN THE BACK OF OUR MIND AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT IMPACTING UNNECESSARILY BUSINESSES OR INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE OF -- BECAUSE WE'RE EXTENDING THAT TIMELINE.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MA'AM.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

THANK YOU, SIR.

[02:20:02]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.

COUNCILWOMAN GONZALEZ.

>> GONZALES: SO THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION AND BRINGING THIS FORWARD, AND SOME OF THESE THINGS I THINK ARE SO OBVIOUS, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING THESE THINGS ALL ALONG.

THE TECHNOLOGY EXISTS.

IF THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT, I THINK THAT'S JUST THE COST OF BUSINESS.

WE SHOULDN'T BE LIMITING WHAT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF A COST THAT IS I THINK ALREADY WITHIN OUR CAPACITY TO DO SO.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY.

I DID MENTION TO THE COUNCILWOMAN IF THAT MEANT THAT IF ALL OF OUR MEETINGS WERE GOING TO BE VIDEOED, WAS I GOING TO HAVE TO WEAR MAKEUP AND DRESS UP EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHICH I ALREADY DO, BUT THAT WAS MY ONLY HESITATION, IS THAT MY PHYSICAL SELF WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO LOOK PERFECT.

THE WOMEN AND I I THINK SPEND AT LEAST AN ADDITIONAL 45 MINUTES A DAY HAVING TO GET OURSELVES READY TO PRESENT LIKE WE DO, AND -- BUT IT'S WORTH IT, EVERY MINUTE THAT WE SPEND PRESENTING OURSELVES AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BEFORE THE PUBLIC.

BUT I WANT TO STRESS TO MY COLLEAGUES AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS, I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE, BUT THE REALITY IS THERE'S ONLY GOING TO BE A VERY SMALL SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WHO CAN PARTICIPATE, AS EASY AS WE MAKE IT BY LETTING THEM VIEW IT ON-LINE, BY LETTING THEM VIEW IT AT THEIR OWN TIME, BY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO TEXT OR TO PARTICIPATE IN A SURVEY OR GOING TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE, LIKE THE SPEAKUP CAMPAIGN.

I LOVE THE IDEA OF HAVING A MARKETING PROGRAM AND BRANDING.

I THINK THAT WORKS, AND I THINK -- I REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU PRESENTED, BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVE TO SPEND OUR TIME SERVING THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T SHOW UP, WHO CAN'T SHOW UP, WHO ARE JUST DEPENDING ON US TO MAKE THE VERY BEST DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF, AND USUALLY -- AND I WOULD SAY 90% OF THE TIME THAT'S NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO SHOW UP IN THE MEETING.

AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THREE EXAMPLES.

I'M A FREQUENT BUS RIDER, BUT MY TRIP IS NOT VERY FAR, AND I WAS ON THE BUS THE OTHER DAY, AND I WAS APPROACHED BY A YOUNG COUPLE, AND THEY SAID, ARE YOU THE COUNCILWOMAN? I SAID, YES.

AND THEY SAID, WELL, DID YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU USE VIA YOU CAN BUY A GIFT CARD -- OR A CARD, A PREPAID CARD? BUT ONCE YOU GET TO 75 CENTS IT TURNS OFF AND YOU CAN'T USE IT ANYMORE.

BUT 75 CENTS REQ CAN GIVE ME ONE MORE RIDE, AND SO EVERY TIME I BUY A PREPAID CARD I CAN'T USE THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY.

AND WE THINK THAT'S UNFAIR.

YOU KNOW, THAT 75 CENTS IS A LOT FOR US, TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO BUY THIS CARD EVERY DAY.

AND SO I IMMEDIATELY CALLED OUR FRIENDS AT VIA, AND I SAID, HEY WHAT, CAN -- WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT THIS? HOW CAN WE BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED PUBLIC TRANSIT THE MOST? BECAUSE THEY'RE EXPLAINING THE SITUATION TO ME, THE TROUBLE THAT THEY'RE HAVING WITH VIA.

THAT WAS ONE EXAMPLE.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS IS I FREQUENT ELMENDORF PARK.

IT'S CLOSE TO MY HOUSE, BEAUTIFULLY REDONE, WE HAVE A SPLASH PAD.

I HAD GONE WITH MY CHILDREN ON SATURDAY, THEY WERE PLAYING IN THE PARK, AND THEY, AS CHILDREN DO, ALL WERE PLAYING TOGETHER.

AND THEY WERE HAVING A BIRTHDAY PARTY AND THE FAMILY SAID, YOU KNOW -- ALL THE KIDS WERE PLAYING, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME AND HAVE CAKE WITH US AND HAVE -- WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE IN OUR PARTY?" THEY DON'T KNOW WHO I AM.

THEY DON'T KNOW THAT I'M THE COUNCILWOMAN, JUST THE KIDS ARE PLAYING.

AND I SAID MY CHILDREN WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY.

SO MY KIDS JOIN IN THE PARTY.

AS IS COMMON IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT IF YOU'RE THERE, YOU'RE WELCOME.

AND WE HAD CAKE, AND I WAS TALKING TO THE FAMILIES AND THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, IT SURE WOULD BE NICE IF WE HAD MORE BARBECUE PITS HERE.

WE LOVE THE NEW PARK BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE BARBECUE PIT AND WE'RE A BIG FAMILY AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR US TO HAVE ALL OF OUR BARBECUE PITS.

AND IT SURE WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WAS A COVERING HERE SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BRING OUR OWN TENTS.

AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS ALSO VERY VALUABLE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS WE DECIDE HOW WE SPEND OUR FUNDING FOR OUR PARKS.

AND THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A COMMUNITY MEETING OR PUBLIC INPUT.

AND THE FINAL THING, WHICH I THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT, A WOMAN CAME INTO MY FIELD OFFICE, AND SHE SAID THAT

[02:25:02]

SHE WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SHE TALKED TO MY STAFF MEMBER AND MY STAFF MEMBER WAS TRYING TO WORK WITH HER AND THEN SHE LEFT, AND HE COULDN'T GET AHOLD OF HER AGAIN, AND HE CALLED ME AND HE SAID, THERE IS THIS WOMAN, AND HE GAVE ME HER STORY, AND HE SAID, BUT I CAN'T FIND HER AND SHE'S NOT RETURNING MY CALLS.

AND I SAID, WELL, GIVE ME HER ADDRESS AND I'LL GO FIND HER.

SO HE GIVES ME THE ADDRESS AND I GO TO HER HOUSE, AND THE HOUSE IS BURNED, AND IT'S JUST A SHELL.

AND I GO TO THE DOOR AND A WOMAN COMES OUT, A YOUNG WOMAN, AND I SAID, ARE YOU YVETTE? AND SHE SAID, NO.

AND I SAID, WELL, I'M COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

YOU CAME TO MY OFFICE AND YOU NEED SOME HELP.

AND SHE SAID, NO, I DIDN'T.

I DIDN'T COME TO YOUR OFFICE.

AND I SAID, OKAY.

LET ME GIVE YOU A NUMBER WHERE SOMEBODY COULD GO TO HELP YOU.

AND SHE SAID, I DON'T NEED ANYTHING, AND I WISH YOU WOULD GET OFF MY PROPERTY.

AND I SAID, OKAY, I'LL LEAVE.

I SENSED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE WAS AFRAID OF AND DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE WITH ME.

SO I WAS DRESSED PROFESSIONALLY, I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND I LEFT, AND I THOUGHT, WELL, I'LL TRY AGAIN.

AND I WENT BACK A NUMBER OF TIMES AND I COULD NEVER FIND HER.

AND SO ISN'T THAT INFORMATION EQUALLY VALUABLE? IS THAT WOMAN GOING TO COME TO A COMMUNITY MEETING? IS SHE GOING TO GIVE INPUT? DO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY? WE DO.

IS SHE GOING TO COME ADVOCATE? NO.

IS SHE GOING TO SEND A TEXT OR SEND INFORMATION? BUT SHE CAME TO MY OFFICE BECAUSE I HAVE TWO FIELD OFFICES AND I KNOW SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES DO HAVE TWO FIELD OFFICES.

WE'RE THERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE EIGHT STAFF MEMBERS WHO I'VE TOLD, WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THESE OFFICES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY HERE BUT YOU GUYS NEED TO BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE NOW NINE INTERNS WHO ARE OUT -- WHO ARE MSWS GETTING THEIR DEGREES IN SOCIAL WORK IN MY COMMUNITY, AND THERE'S NO SHORTCUT TO PARTICIPATING IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT WITH ALL THIS TECHNOLOGY AND ALL THIS CONNECTIVITY, THAT IT'S ACTUALLY MAKING US MORE DISCONNECTED THAN EVER.

AND SO I'M ALL FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, I'M ALL FOR COMMUNITY INPUT.

I WANT TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY, BUT OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO RESPOND TO EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE, WHO ARE NEVER GOING TO COME AND NEVER GOING TO PARTICIPATE.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS.

I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS US MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS, BUT THE REALITY IS WE SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES WHETHER WE HEAR FROM THEM OR NOT.

SO I HOPE THAT THIS WAS ALL WONDERFUL EXAMPLES OF NOT TAKING SHORTCUTS WHEN WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THIS CITY.

AND THE OTHER JUST FINAL THING THAT I'LL END WITH IN THIS CONVERSATION, I MENTIONED THE ISSUES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

I MENTIONED THE ISSUES OF PEOPLE WITH LIMITED MEANS, AND THEN OF COURSE FAMILIES JUST WANTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

BUT I REALLY DO THINK THAT THE GREATEST CONCERN THAT WE HAVE IN MY COMMUNITY IS SOMETIMES LONELNESS AND ISOLATION, AND -- LONELINESS AND ISOLATION AND A SURVEY OR TEXT OR LISTENING TO STUFF ON-LINE IS NOT GOING TO HELP WITH THAT.

THE ONLY WAY WE DO THAT IS BY GOING TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE AND GOING TO THEIR HOMES AND TAKING THE TIME TO REALLY SPEND TIME WITH THEM.

AND SO I HOPE THAT THIS IS NOT A SHORTCUT INTO DOING WHAT IS ULTIMATELY OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

SO LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES FOR THOSE EXAMPLES.

AND I WOULD CONCUR ABOUT NOT TAKING SHORTCUTS, AND THE ISSUE OF ISOLATIONISM WITH OUR SENIORS.

WE HAVE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR PARTNERS AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR SENIOR CENTERS AS WELL TO GATHER THAT INFORMATION.

COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD.

AS YOU WERE TALKING AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THESE PRINCIPLES, WHAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME IS THESE ARE JUST THE BASIC ELEMENTARY VALUES OF OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, OF OUR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS NATION.

AND I THINK WHAT COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES MENTIONED IN HER EXAMPLES, IT SHOWS HOW WE AT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, WE ARE THE DIRECT CONNECTION TO OUR MEMBERS, TO OUR CITIZENS, TO OUR RESIDENTS.

AND THEY LOOK AT US AND THEY WANT US TO WORK AND TO GET THINGS DONE.

SO I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT FACT.

AND I'M HONORED FOR THAT FACT.

[02:30:01]

AND I THINK IT'S A VERY BIG RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE.

JEFF, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ON THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD PORTION, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BUS ROUTE.

AND WE ALSO HAVE -- BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW -- BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE WORD PARK FOR PEOPLE IF THEY NEED TO COME.

DO WE HAVE THAT ON THE INFORMATION IN THE SHEETS?

>> OH, ON THE STREETS? I DON'T THINK WE PUT PARKING.

I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE IN THE PROCESS.

ONE OF THE REQUESTS THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMAN SALDANA -- COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL ADDED AN ADDENDUM TO THE CCR AND ONE WAS TO LOOK AT PROVIDING PARKING FOR PEOPLE WHO COME DOWN FOR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

AND SO WE'RE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CENTER CITY OFFICE WITH HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME CITY GARAGES DOWNTOWN AND IN THE FUTURE THE FROST GARAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE, BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING OUT DETAILS ON IT.

THE INFORMATION STANDPOINT, IF WE DON'T HAVE IT WE CAN ADD THAT TO MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM.

>> VIAGRAN: SURE.

I MEAN WE CAN DO IT BOTH ONLINE AND ON A SHEET IS VERY GOOD TO HAVE THAT ACCESSIBILITY.

SPEAKING OF ACCESSIBILITY, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, YOU MENTIONED OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT ACCESS AS WELL.

AND THE FLEXIBILITY THAT WE -- OR YOU AS A DEPARTMENT NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO TAKE INPUT AND INSIGHTS FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.

AND ALSO MAY EVEN HAVE THE GOVERNMENT COME TO YOU TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE ISSUES, WHAT IS GOING ON AND HOW WE NEED TO GET FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL.

AND AS WAS MENTIONED IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME.

BUT I THINK IF WE ARE INTENTIONAL AND IF WE'RE MEANINGFUL AND THOUGHTFUL THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET THE BEST POLICY DECISIONS BECAUSE WE'LL ALSO GET THOSE NUANCED PERSPECTIVES THAT WE NEED FROM A VARIETY OF MEMBERS.

ONE THING, AN EXAMPLE THAT I KNOW, ESPECIALLY A LOT OF OUR CITY PARKS BUT OUR LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS THAT WE HAVE EITHER AT THE OTHER -- AT ALL THE LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS AND OLMOS BASIN, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE PEOPLE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT GO OUT THERE EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND.

A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD -- SITTING THERE THAT WOULD LOVE TO GIVE FEEDBACK AND LOVE TO GIVE US THEIR OPINION ON ITEMS. LET'S KIND OF SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO BE CREATIVE AND FLEXIBLE TO GET THAT HAVE COFFEES WITH THE PRINCIPALS ON CERTAIN MORNINGS.

PARENTS COME IN TO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

HOW DO WE CONNECT WITH THAT AND WHAT ARE THE WAYS WE CAN CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH THAT? I KNOW OUR STAFF GOES OUT TO THOSE COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPALS JUST TO FEEDBACK FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE THERE AND WE'LL BE WORKING IN THE AREA.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW CREATIVE OUTREACH.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THE VERY CORE OF OUR ESSENCE -- AS YOU WERE TALKING, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, ALL THAT WAS COMING TO MY HEAD WAS WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT.

AND THEN A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.

THIS IS WHAT WAS COMING TO MY HEAD AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THOSE PRINCIPLES AND THIS IS JUST THE BASIC THINGS WE CAN DO TO GET THAT VERY THOUGHTFUL PARTICIPATION.

SO I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS.

THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

COUNCILMAN SALDANA.

>> SALDANA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE IN AUDIO] ACTIONABLE ITEMS AND THE RESOLUTION THAT WE GET TO VOTE ON HERE TODAY.

SO LET ME START WITH A FEW QUESTIONS, IF I CAN, JEFF, TO MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING THIS CLEARLY.

I WANT THIS TO BE, IN EFFECT, A SUCCESS WHEN WE ROLL IT OUT.

I THINK SOME OF THE PIECES I'M ALREADY LIKING THAT WILL BE CALLED SUCCESSES, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- IN MY MIND THEY MAKE SENSE.

I WANT TO BE SURE YOU'RE DESCRIBING THEM IN THE WAY I'M THINKING ABOUT THEM.

SA SPEAK UP HAS A WEBSITE --

>> WE HAD A WEBSITE --

>> SALDANA: THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION.

AM I HEARING THERE'S GOING TO BE SORT OF A CLEARINGHOUSE?

>> YES.

>> SALDANA: NOW YOU CAN --

>> WE HAD USED PRIOR TO NOW SA SPEAK UP FOR THE BUDGET INPUT.

AS WE EXPAND THE BRAND TO APPLY TO ALL THE VARIOUS EFFORTS THAT OUR DEPARTMENTS DO WE'RE TYING IT ALL TOGETHER.

IT'S UNDERNEATH THE BRAND BUT IT LIVES TOGETHER NOW IN ONE WEBSITE.

IF YOU GO ON TO SASPEAKUP.COM RIGHT NOW THERE'S AN OPEN SURVEY

[02:35:02]

ABOUT OUR PARK PLAN.

THE RESIDENT WHO HAD COMMENTS ABOUT MORE BARBECUE PITS COULD TAKE THAT SURVEY TODAY.

WE HAD A SURVEY OPEN ABOUT HEALTH PRIORITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY, ABOUT OUR AIRPORT SYSTEM PLAN.

SO THE IDEA WAS TO TIE ALL THAT TOGETHER SO THAT A RESIDENT WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN ONE TOPIC BUT MAYBE NOT ANOTHER CAN SEE WHAT'S OPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND ENGAGE WHERE THEY FEEL INTERESTED IN DOING SO.

>> SALDANA: SO LET ME STEAL -- LET ME MAKE UP A SCENARIO AND MAYBE STEAL SOME IDEAS FROM COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

THERE WAS A PERSON OUT THERE WHO HAS VARIED INTERESTS.

ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO TO ONE PLACE IF THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH -- I GUESS VIA IS A TOUGH ONE BECAUSE IT'S NOT NECESSARILY IN OUR WHEELHOUSE HERE.

BUT LET'S SAY THEY'RE INTERESTED IN A ZONING CASE THAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY BUT THEY'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN A PARK ISSUE, AS THE COUNCILWOMAN DESCRIBED.

AS VARIED AS THOSE ISSUES CAN BE FOUND, BECAUSE THERE'S A PUBLIC MEETING THAT WILL BE HAPPENING AND IT WILL BE MEMORIALIZED ON THE SA SPEAK UP WEBSITE?

>> WE HAVE ON THE WEBSITE A SPEAK UP SESSION, WHICH ARE ALL THE OPEN PUBLIC PROCESSES.

WE ALSO HAVE A MEET UP SECTION WHICH LISTS UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS.

SO IT'S ALSO THE IDEA OF SORT OF BRINGING ALL THAT TOGETHER SO THAT YOU'RE NOT HEARING ABOUT IT FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND REACHING DIFFERENT AUDIENCES, BUT IT'S IN ONE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S UPCOMING.

>> SALDANA: SO IF I'M A DISTRICT 4 RESIDENT AND I WANT TO SAY -- I WANT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING WITH MY CITY GOVERNMENT THIS MONTH? I CAN GO TO THE SA SPEAK UP WEBSITE AND THEY'LL SHOW A BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING, THEY'LL SHOW A PARKS MEETING?

>> ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE YOU HAVE ALL THE MEETINGS UNDER THE LEGISTAR SYSTEM.

>> SALDANA: WHICH IS PROBABLY NOT THE MOST USER FRIENDLY.

>> I AGREE.

>> SALDANA: IF THERE'S A PITCH TO MAKE SA SPEAK UP A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FIND WHAT YOU WOULD FIND ON LEGISTAR BUT IT WOULD BE A BIT MORE USER FRIENDLY, I WOULD THINK THAT THAT'S MAYBE A DESTINATION THAT WE START MARCHING TOWARDS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I WAS HEARING BUT I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST IF IT'S GOING TO BE A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR SA SPEAK UP TRANSLATES TO CITY EVENTS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS AND TOWN HALLS THAT I CAN FIND THEM AS A SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT, AT LEAST WE CAN POINT TO ONE PLACE.

THE OTHER THING THAT I REALLY, REALLY LIKE -- THERE'S A LOT THAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BUT ONE SUGGESTION, CURRENTLY WHEN WE'RE READING THROUGH OUR AGENDA WE CAN SEE A BRIEF SUMMARY.

WE CAN SEE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

AND I THINK I HEARD THIS.

THAT WE CAN MAYBE, IN THE FUTURE, ON THE SAME AGENDA ITEM IF THERE WAS A PUBLIC MEETING ON IT, IF THERE WAS PUBLIC INPUT, NOT JUST SEE STAFF RECOMMENDATION BUT SEE INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IN A FORMALIZED WAY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE WANT YOU ALL TO HAVE AN EXPECTATION OF THE RESULTS, HOW THEY WILL BE PRESENTED AND WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.

WE ALSO WANT TO CREATE A SITUATION WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE A DEPARTMENT HEAD UP HERE AT THE PODIUM LIKE I AM SAYING, WELL, WE TALKED TO EVERYBODY.

TRUST US.

HERE'S WHAT WAS SAID.

HERE'S THE FEEDBACK WE GOT.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO STANDARDIZE THAT REPORT SO GOING INTO THE MEETING YOU'RE ABLE TO SEE WHO WAS ENGAGED, WHAT THEY SAID, HOW THAT WAS INCORPORATED AND SO FORTH.

>> SALDANA: GREAT.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE NEW TO THE COUNCIL OR EVEN WHEN YOU'RE NEW TO READING AN AGENDA YOU'LL LOOK AT THE BACK UP MATERIAL TO REALLY DIG INTO AN ISSUE.

AND GETTING TO SEE A PORTION WHERE THE PUBLIC VOICE IS REPRESENTED IS, I THINK, A REMARKABLY SIMPLE IDEA BUT A REALLY IMPORTANT ONE.

AND THEN I'LL JUST FINISH OFF BY MAKING SOME COMMENTS AGAIN.

I'M REALLY GLAD, COUNCILWOMAN, THAT YOU'VE TAKEN THIS ON.

THIS IS ONE OF THESE ISSUES THAT IT'S NOT -- THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS NOT COMPLICATED BUT IT IS HARD.

MEANING THAT YOU SORT OF KNOW WHAT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT IS KNOCKING ON DOORS AND TALKING TO RESIDENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULDN'T COME TO THE CITY.

BUT I THINK THE QUESTION IS IT'S AN EQUATION OF ADDITION AND NOT SUBTRACTION.

WE'RE ADDING TO WHAT WE CURRENTLY DO.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT IN THAT ADDITION WE'RE GOING TO BRING MORE FOLKS WHO SOMETIMES TRY TO ENGAGE WITH THIS CITY BUT MAYBE GET JADED OR FEEL CRITICAL OF THEIR EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THE NOTICE WAS TOO LATE, THE MEETING WAS TOO ABRUPT, OR THE ACCESS TO THE LOCATION WAS INCONVENIENT.

AND SO THEY GET AN EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO OPERATE WITH THE CITY AND THEREFORE SAY TO THEMSELVES THAT THAT'S NOT A ROUTE THAT I WILL TAKE AGAIN.

SO I THINK IF YOU'RE TRYING TO ADD TO THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COMPONENTS AND ADD TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING, THIS ONLY HELPS IN TERMS OF OUR IMPRESSION.

AND TO USE A WORD, COUNCILWOMAN, TRUST THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

I DO BELIEVE IN NOT ONLY THE

[02:40:02]

PRINCIPLES WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY BUT THE PERSONAL PRINCIPLES YOU SAID YOU BRING TO THIS, WHICH IS WE BELIEVE WE MAKE BETTER DECISIONS WITH MORE INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES AND THAT WILL AFFECT ULTIMATELY AN OUTCOME TO HELP US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

I CAN POINT TO A NUMBER OF EXAMPLES WHERE WE HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR PUBLIC INPUT.

WE DID HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAD TO EXTEND THE DATE WE HAD TO VOTE ON AN ITEM.

THAT'S HARD WORK.

YOU HAVE TO SPEND MORE HOURS DOING THE JOB, BUT I THINK IF WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO MEET THE DEMANDS AND THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE AT LEAST COMMITTED TO THAT HARD WORK.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS.

I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF, LAUER AND YOUR TEAM, WHO HAS BEEN REALLY DILIGENT ABOUT TRYING TO ENHANCEEN WHAT WE'RE DOING TODA, OF COURSE.

AND WE MIGHT LEARN SOME THINGS ALONG THE WAY.

SOME THINGS MIGHT WORK AND SOME THINGS MIGHT NOT WORK BUT AT LEAST WE'RE GIVING IT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CHANGE -- AND STATUS QUO TRULY IS NOT WORKING.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE TAIL END AND THE FRUSTRATION OF PEOPLE WHO ONLY GET THREE MINUTES.

I THINK AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO CALL IT WHAT IT IS, WHICH IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE PUBLIC PROCESS WHEN WE ARE GETTING THAT KIND OF A FEEDBACK AT THE TAIL END.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.

COUNCILMAN TREVINO.

>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS TRULY GOING TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESS.

AND REALLY I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS WE WANT TO HAVE A PROACTIVE SENSE FOR THAT INPUT AND PUT IT ON THE FRONT END.

WE ON THE DAIS EXPECT THAT AS WELL.

AND SO THIS IS, I THINK, WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS.

JUST MORE INFORMATION.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME GREAT THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS ALL AROUND AND THERE'S A COUNCIL THAT IS REACCEPTIVE TO THIS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CONNECT WITH THE INSIGHT PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

ANOTHER PORTION OF THIS, AS COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES POINTED OUT, THERE'S SOME ALIGNMENT HERE THAT I THINK CAN ALSO BE VERY BENEFICIAL AND ONE OF THOSE IS SOMETHING I RAN INTO A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND I JUST WENT TO THE SA SPEAK UP WEBSITE.

JEFF, I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.

SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO, WE ASK, THROUGH SA SPEAK UP, YEAR AFTER YEAR WHAT ARE THE TOP PRIORITIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE, RIGHT? AND YEAR AFTER YEAR THERE'S ALMOST ALWAYS THE SAME ONES.

>> RIGHT.

>> TREVINO: ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I FOUND OUT EARLY ON WAS THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE SIMPLY BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH SA SPEAK UP AND THEN DELIVERED TO THIS COUNCIL.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I'M NOT SURE I FOLLOW THE QUESTION.

>> TREVINO: WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, WE SAY THE TOP ISSUE THAT WE'VE HAD HAS BEEN SIDEWALKS.

>> RIGHT.

>> TREVINO: BUT HOW DOES THAT CONNECT TO AN ACTIONABLE ITEM? OTHER THAN JUST TO BE TOLD, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE GOT ISSUES.

AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS WHAT I KNOW IS THAT, YOU KNOW, 311, WHICH IS THE SYSTEM THAT WE USE TO HELP LOG ISSUES, I THINK THERE'S NOT A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION JUST YET.

AND SO I'VE SPOKEN WITH PAUL ABOUT THIS, AND ON YOUR WEBSITE I DON'T SEE ANY REFERENCE TO 311.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S -- THIS IS ABOUT ALIGNMENT AND I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT, YOU SAID IT, THERE'S ALL THESE GREAT RESOURCES THAT WE DO HAVE IN THE CITY.

WE DO HAVE THIS.

I THINK WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE.

EVERYBODY THAT'S WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY IS REALLY TRYING TO DO SO MUCH TO BE HELPFUL TO PROVIDE THESE MEANINGFUL SERVICES.

I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING SITE ISE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO MAKE SURE WHAT PEOPLE ARE BRINGING UP IS ACTUALLY BROUGHT TOGETHER IN A CASE AND ADDRESSED AND THEN WE CAN FOLLOW IT AND SAY DID THIS ACTUALLY GET RESOLVED? BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN SAY, WELL, HERE'S AN ISSUE AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY NUMBER OF ISSUES.

BUT WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAN WE ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF TODAY? IT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT I SEE THAT WE CAN CONNECT THE DOTS.

A SMALL EXAMPLE, FOR EXAMPLE, AS YOU JUST STATED, SIDEWALKS BEING ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS.

BUT IN THE 311 SA APP IT'S NOT EVEN LISTED AS A CATEGORY, WHICH I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THEY PUT IT IN THERE.

BUT THIS IS, TO ME, THAT

[02:45:01]

ALIGNMENT THAT I THINK YOU'RE HEARING UP HERE FROM COUNCIL.

YOU'RE HEARING EXAMPLES, PEOPLE REACH OUT TO US ALL THE TIME.

WHILE I WAS UP HERE, JUST ON SOCIAL MEDIA, I HAD PEOPLE CONTACT ME ABOUT ISSUES THAT COULD BE HANDLED THROUGH 311 SA APP, BUT I HAVE MY STAFF WALKING THEM THROUGH ON SOME OF THIS.

BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME ALIGNMENT THAT WE CAN DO.

AND SO I HEARD YOU SAY YOU'RE STILL WORKING ON THE WEBSITE.

I GUESS I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT OPPORTUNITIES CAN WE HAVE IN ENGAGING 311 A LITTLE MORE ROBUSTLY.

>> WELL, LET ME TRY TO ANSWER WHAT I THINK YOU'RE ASKING.

AS YOU KNOW WE'VE REVAMPED 311 AS WELL.

WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW APP AND A WHOLE NEW INTERFACE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT SERVICE REQUESTS LIKE THAT, THAT PARTICULAR SIDEWALK ON MY STREET IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE SA SPEAK UP SORT OF LARGER POLICY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOUR TOP PRIORITIES ARE IN THE BUDGET.

I KNOW THAT PAULA AND HER TEAM PREPARE REPORTS ABOUT THE 311 CALLS THEY'RE GETTING, WHAT THE TOPICS ARE.

I THINK SHE BREAKS IT DOWN TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT INPUT.

BUT GOING FORWARD, AS WE LOOK AT SOME ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS I THINK THE GOAL IS TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN BETTER TIE THOSE SORTS OF THINGS TOGETHER.

AND YOU MENTIONED SOCIAL MEDIA ALSO.

WHEN SOMEBODY IS COMMENTING ON ONE OF OUR CHANNELS THAT IT'S FED INTO THE SAME SYSTEM AND THAT NO MATTER HOW THEY GOT TO US, WHETHER IT WAS CALLING 311, COMMENTING ON FACEBOOK OR TAKING PART IN A SURVEY, IT ENDS UP IN THE SAME PLACE, A PLACE WHERE WE CAN ADDRESS IT, HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE SOME RESOLUTION TO IT.

BUT FOR NOW THE SERVICE REQUEST AND THE SORT OF BUDGET PRIORITIES ARE SEPARATE ITEMS, YES.

>> TREVINO: I THINK YOU'RE ALLUDING TO THAT, RIGHT, THAT THE BUDGET AND SERVICE REQUESTS I THINK SHOULD NOT BE SEPARATE.

THEY'RE REALLY CONNECTED.

AND MY POINT THERE IS TO SAY THAT THE DATA THAT WE GET OUT OF THE 311 INFORMS TCI TO HELP SELECT WHERE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS AND SIDEWALKS ARE GOING TO BE DONE, BUT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE MAYBE SPEAKING TO SA SPEAK UP THINKING THEY WERE HEARD.

BUT IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY TRANSLATE INTO THE ACTUAL DATA THAT TCI IS LOOKING AT.

AND I THINK THE SPIRIT OF THE CCR IS THAT ALIGNMENT, THAT ALIGNMENT OF RESOURCES.

SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE JUST SIMPLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONTACTING SA SPEAK UP MAY THINK I GOT MY ISSUE HEARD.

IS IT BEING TAKEN CARE OF WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE? AND SO I THINK WE'RE HEARING IT AND WE PLACE SOME PRIORITY IN THE BUDGET TOWARDS THAT.

AND THERE'S ALSO SORT OF THE ACTION BEHIND IT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE.

AND I GUESS I WOULD JUST ASK THAT WE MAKE THAT ALIGNMENT A LOT STRONGER.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU.

I THINK OUR SA SPEAK UP SURVEY ON THE BUDGET DOES ASK BROADER QUESTIONS IN THE CATEGORY SIDEWALKS.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OR LESS OR THE SAME.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE DO HAVE AN OPEN-ENDED PIECE WHERE ANYBODY CAN ASK ANYTHING OR PROVIDE ANY COMMENT.

AND ONCE THAT SURVEY IS DONE WE DO SHARE THAT WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENT.

SO IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC THING ABOUT A SPECIFIC STREET, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE MAKE SURE IT GETS IN THE HANDS OF TCI.

>> TREVINO: YOU KNOW, ONE EXAMPLE THAT I WANT TO GIVE IS IT'S LIKE WHEN OUR SAPD TELLS US IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T CALL 9-1-1, NOT ONLY IS THERE AN ISSUE WITH THAT EMERGENCY, BUT WE'RE ALSO LOSING THE DATA.

AND THEY USE THE DATA FROM 9-1-1 TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

I'M SIMPLY SAYING 311 IS, I THINK, A COMPLIMENTARY COMPONENT TO SA SPEAK UP.

BUT I JUST DON'T SEE A CONNECTION RIGHT NOW.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU.

>> TREVINO: THANKS, MAYOR.

THANKS, JEFF.

>> THANK YOU FOR JEFF.

AS COUNCIL MEMBERS WE CAN'T CHAMPION EVERYTHING BUT WE CAN CHAMPION SOME THINGS.

COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, I THANK YOU FOR CHAMPIONING THIS.

THIS HAS BEEN NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME.

JEFF, YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE REALLY PUT SOME MEAT ON THIS.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF AREAS WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT STEP.

THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU, JEFF, AS WELL.

[02:50:02]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HALL.

COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.

>> BROCKHOUSE: TO BE BRIEF, JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK POINTS.

COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, THANK YOU FOR APPROACHING ME AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS.

I THINK, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, AS MUCH AS WE CAN DO IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND SHINING A LIGHT ON EVERY DECISION WE MAKE, IT JUST SPEAKS TO ME AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND AS A CITIZEN.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

IT'S HARD WORK AND YOU PARTICIPATED AND BROUGHT THE COUNCIL TOGETHER ON SOMETHING.

AND I THINK THAT IS NOTABLE IN ITSELF.

IT'S FANTASTIC WORK.

THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

AND TO JEFF AND HIS TEAM AS WELL FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND KEEP EVERYBODY IN THE LOOP ON IT.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD ULTIMATELY SAY ON IT, I THINK IN TODAY'S WORLD WE ARE CHALLENGED MORE THAN EVER TO TAKE CITY HALL TO THE PEOPLE.

AND THAT CONVERSATION IS CHANGING.

OVER THE YEARS WE MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE AND WE EXPECT THEM TO COME TO US.

AND WITH THE LACK OF TRUST, I MEAN, AND SOMETIMES THE DISAPPOINTMENT IN GOVERNMENT FROM ALL LEVELS, FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO ENGAGE, FOR WHATEVER REASONS.

THE REASONS ARE WHAT THEY ARE, BUT THE FACT IS WE LIVE IN THAT MIX NOW AND IT'S SUCH A SEVERE LACK OF TRUST THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD.

TO COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES' POINT, SHE WENT TO A RESIDENT'S HOUSE.

THAT'S PRETTY IMPACTFUL WHEN YOU SAY I'M GOING TO GO TO WHERE THEY ARE.

IN MY COMMUNITY WE COMMITTED TO KEEP BLOCK WALKING.

WE CAN'T GET THEM IN THE OFFICE.

WE OPENED THE OFFICE BUT THEY WON'T COME IN.

WE EVEN PUT THE OFFICE NEXT TO A SENIOR CENTER AND WE KNOW THE SENIORS ARE THERE BUT THEY DON'T COME OVER.

IT'S NOT INHERENT TO ENGAGE A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, THERE'S A MYRIAD OF REASONS.

THE MORE WE GO TO THEM THE BETTER OFF WE'RE GOING TO BE, JEFF.

THAT'S HUGE.

I THINK THIS PROCLAMATION, ONE OF THE THINGS IT'S SAYING IS WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS AND THIS REALLY PUTS DOWN A MARKER FOR THE CITY THAT THESE ARE THE THINGS WE BELIEVE IN AND WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THEM.

AND DO THE BEST WE CAN TO SHINE A LIGHT ON EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING.

BECAUSE WHEN WE DO IT AND WHEN WE SHINE THE LIGHT ON IT, OUR POLICY FOR THE ARGUMENT, THE DEBATE, THE DIFFERENCES, THE POLICY AT THE END IS BETTER FOR IT.

AND THE MORE WE EMBRACE THAT DIFFERENCE AND GRAB A HOLD OF IT AND FIGHT AND GET WHAT'S RIGHT, THE MORE AT THE END THE CITIZEN IS SERVED BY THAT.

IT'S GREAT WORK.

I'M HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT.

SOLID AND FANTASTIC IDEAS.

JEFF, THANK YOU FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION.

I APPRECIATE THIS AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.

COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: JEFF, I'M LOOKING AT THE TEN GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON PAGE THREE AND FOUR, AND REALLY ONE COMMENT.

THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO BE MISSING TO ME IS ALL OF OUR EFFORTS -- OR ALL OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT, TIMELY, INFORMATIVE.

BUT THE ONE THING THAT SEEMS TO BE MISSING IS ACCURACY.

THERE NEEDS TO BE QUALITY CONTROL BUILT INTO THIS BECAUSE WE CAN INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT WE PUMP OUT.

BUT THE MOMENT THAT INFORMATION IS FOUND TO BE INACCURATE, THAT'S TEN STEPS BACKWARDS FOR US.

AND WE CREATE A CRACK IN THE TRUST FOUNDATION.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO REDO THIS ENTIRE THING BUT I DO THINK THAT ONE OF OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES AT ALL TIMES, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE RIGHT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN PREACHED TO FROM THE CITY MANAGER FROM DAY ONE.

WE ARE THE SOURCE OF ACCURATE INFORMATION.

IT'S BAKED INTO THE INFORMATIVE PRINCIPLE WE WILL STRIVE THAT OPINIONS ARE FORMED WITH FACTS AND THAT WE'LL PRESENT BALANCED AND NECESSARY INFORMATION.

YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT THAT'S OUR GOAL.

>> PELAEZ: ADDRESSING THREE THINGS I HEARD TODAY, WHETHER OR NOT I'M AFRAID OF OPENING THE PANDORA'S BOX.

IF WE'RE AFRAID OF DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS THEN THIS IS NOT THE JOB FOR ANY OF US UP HERE.

SO I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

WHAT I AM WORRIED ABOUT, THOUGH, IS ONCE YOU DO OPEN THAT BOX THAT WE HAVE AS ROBUST A SYSTEM OF LISTENING AS WE DO IN RECEIVING, RIGHT, AND FACILITATING ALL THAT INPUT -- AND WE'RE NOT JUST HEARING THESE PEOPLE AND THAT CHRIS ISN'T JUST WRITING A LIST OF CITIZENS TO BE HEARD, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING WITH THIS INFORMATION.

AND THAT WE'RE BEING VISIBLE IN WHAT WE'RE DOING.

SO I DO THINK THAT YOU'RE CAPTURING THAT.

BUT FOR ME THAT WILL BE THE TRUE TEST OF THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAM.

AND, TWO, CLAYTON'S NOT HERE BUT I WILL BRING YOU THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY.

THEY'VE BEEN CALLING ME.

AND WHAT THEY'RE UPSET ABOUT IS THIS TO THEM LOOKS LIKE A WAY TO DELAY THEIR PROJECTS.

I'VE ASSURED THEM THAT NOBODY ON THIS DAIS HAS EVEN SAID THAT AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ANYBODY IS, YOU KNOW, INTENDS FOR THIS TO SERVE AS A METHOD TO SERVE AS A

[02:55:01]

FIRE BLANKET BY WAY OF DELAY.

BUT THEIR FEARS ARE LEGITIMATE, AND SO YOU MIGHT GET SOME OF THAT AT SOME POINT.

SO JUST HEADS UP.

AND WE MAY WANT TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS SO WHEN WE ANNOUNCE THIS THAT THIS IS THE NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS AT CITY HALL.

>> YES.

>> PELAEZ: IT'S AN ONGOING EVOLUTION.

IT'S THE USUAL SUSPECTS THAT EXPRESS THAT FEAR AND I'M GLAD THAT EXPRESS IT .

SHERYL, SOMEHOW WE NEED TO GET TO THEM AND LET THEM KNOW DON'T BE AFRAID OF THIS.

THIS IS NOT A VEHICLE TO IMPEDE PROGRESS, RIGHT? AND THEN LASTLY, SHIRLEY MENTIONED -- COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL AND COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN AND COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES SPEND AN EXTRA 45 MINUTES GETTING READY EVERY MORNING.

AND I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT SORT OF THE AESTHETICS ON TV.

I MEAN, BECAUSE I'M JUST EMPIRICALLY HANDSOME, SO THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME.

BUT I DISAGREE WITH YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

I THINK YOU LOOK FANTASTIC.

AND TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE, YOU KNOW, ALL OF US ARE READY TO EMBRACE THIS NEW PROGRAM, JEFF.

AND I'M EXCITED.

YOU'VE GOT MY SUPPORT.

THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.

COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE FIRST TIME I SAW THIS, ANA, I LOOKED AT IT AND I SAID WHY DO WE NEED THIS? ISN'T THIS SOMETHING WE'RE ALREADY DOING? I SAID I'M THIS WAY.

I'M RESPECTFUL, INCLUSIVE, ET THINGS. ET CETERA, ALL THOSE- AND I WOULD PRESUME THAT ALL OF US ARE ON THE COUNCIL.

AND SO I KIND OF THOUGHT, WELL, ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS JUST A FEEL-GOOD RESOLUTION.

BUT THE MORE I READ IT AND THE MORE I READ INTO IT WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, IT MADE ME RECOGNIZE IT'S MORE SIGNIFICANT.

AND THE REAL PROOF IN THE PUDDING TO ME IS WHAT THE STAFF HAS COME OUT WITH AS A SERIES OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND STEPS AND PROCESSES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT OR EXPAND WHAT THEY WERE DOING SO THAT NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE RECEIVING A LOT MORE COMMUNICATION.

AND IT WILL BE A LOT MORE TWO WAY TOO.

I BELIEVE NOW IT IS SIGNIFICANT.

IT IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT'S A LEAP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

SO I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE INITIATION OF IT.

I WANT TO COMMEND THE STAFF FOR EMBRACING IT AND SAYING HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE ALL THESE GUIDING PRINCIPLES, AND THEN PUTTING TOOLS IN PLACE THAT WILL HELP ALL OF US UNDERSTAND MORE OF WHAT OUR COMMUNITY EXPECTS FROM US AND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PART OF THIS DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.

COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.

>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

I WANT TO THANK ALL MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS.

I THINK YOU GUYS BROUGHT SOME GREAT SUGGESTIONS FORWARD.

COUNCILMAN TREVINO, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN 311 AND THE BUDGET.

AND, IN FACT, THAT'S A CONVERSATION COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN AND I HAD AS WE WERE DEVELOPING THE CCR IS WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE 311 CONTACT INFORMATION AND MAKING THE BEST USE OF THAT.

AND I WANT TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE EXCELLENT POINTS BROUGHT UP BY COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE PEOPLE BEHIND WHEN WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS.

AND IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR US TO CONSIDER HOW DO WE INCLUDE THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES RIGHT NOW.

AND WE CANNOT FORGET THAT.

THERE WAS ONE POINT THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WHEN SOMEONE CAME UP TO SPEAK REGARDING THE CPS ENERGY AND SAWS.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYONE ON STAFF THAT CAN SPEAK TO THAT, IF WE HAVE A LIAISON FROM THERE?

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ACTUALLY, COUNCILWOMAN, MAY I JUMP IN? JEFF, I ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS LEGISLATION PASSED THAT REQUIRED THAT.

SO I THOUGHT THERE WAS COMPLIANCE ALREADY.

>> REQUIRES WHAT LEGISLATION?

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AUDIO]

>> THERE WAS LEGISLATION RELATED TO THAT BUT I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT SAWS AND CPS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'LL JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION FROM ALLEN, WHO IS NOT HERE.

BUT THE COUNCILWOMAN AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO GOOD DIALOGUE AT THOSE AGENCIES.

SO WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS IN SHORT ORDER.

ANDY, YOU HAD CLARIFICATION?

[03:00:02]

>> A CLARIFICATION.

THE STATUTE -- AND WE'LL DIG INTO IT A LITTLE BIT DEEPER AND GET BACK ON A MORE FULSOME ANSWER.

BUT IN SHORT THAT APPLIED TO GOVERNING BODIES.

AND SO CPS AND SAWS ARE NOT GOVERNING BODIES UNDER THE STATUTE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I DO KNOW THAT SAWS COMPLIES AND I BELIEVE VIA STARTED AS WELL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.

I'LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS AT CPS.

BUT THAT'S COMMON SENSICAL TO ME.

WE'LL HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND REPORT BACK TO YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE A FEW REMARKS BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS.

I SPENT ALMOST A DECADE AT THE PUBLIC POLICY CENTER WORKING ON CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO THIS VERY MUCH SPEAKS TO THE CORE OF WHY I DO THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING UP HERE.

BUT IT'S NOT EASY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, A FISH IN A FISH BOWL, YOU ASK THEM TO TALK ABOUT THE WATER, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

WE LIVE AND BREATHE THE WORK WE DO UP HERE AND IT TAKES SOME THOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUALS COMING TO US AND CITIZEN COMMENTS TO LET US KNOW WHERE WE CAN DO BETTER.

AND I APPRECIATE WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM THAT HAS BEEN DEDICATING THEMSELVES FOR MANY YEARS TO THAT EFFECT.

I DO BELIEVE THE REPORT THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN BY INDEPENDENT AGENCIES THAT SAN ANTONIO MAINTAINS, IN MANY RESPECTS, THE GOLD STANDARD OF TRANSPARENCY IN OUR OPERATIONS.

BUT I ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE DON'T STOP THERE.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH THIS INITIATIVE, COUNCILWOMAN.

BUT I DO WANT TO SAY, JUST MAKE A FEW OBSERVATIONS.

WHEN I CAME ON THE DAIS WITH A MISSION THAT WAS IN PART FROM MY DAYS AT EDINBURGH, I WENT TO TALK TO MAYOR CASTRO ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE NEEDED B SESSIONS TO BE BROADCAST.

THEY WERE JUST IN A ROOM AND ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP WOULD KNOW THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE HAPPENING AROUND THE WORK TABLE.

HE SAID DON'T BOTHER SENDING IN A CCR BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE.

IT'S EASY.

IT'S COMMON SENSICAL.

SO WE GOT IT DONE.

I ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION TO THE CLERK ABOUT RECORDING AND ARCHIVING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

SAME THING.

COMMON SENSE.

WHY HAVEN'T WE BEEN DOING THAT BEFORE, AND WE GOT IT DONE.

THANK YOU, LETICIA, FOR THAT.

OVER THE COURSE WE HAVE DONE THINGS ON ACCESS AND OVERSIGHT.

WE MODIFIED A FREE SPEECH ORDINANCE.

WE DID SOME VARIOUS ETHICS REFORMS. I CHALK THEM ALL UP TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY 101.

BUT OUR TEAM WAS COMMITTED TO DOING THAT AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THEY'LL DO THAT AGAIN.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WHAT COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL HAS DONE, THOUGH, HAS TAKEN IT OUT OF THE REALM OF INCREMENTAL CHANGE AND TAKEN A VIEWPOINT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW AND COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

SOMETHING THAT'S BAKED INTO THE CULTURE OF WHAT SAN ANTONIO DOES AS A COMMUNITY.

I TOO AM CONCERNED ABOUT TRUST.

NOT JUST AT THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE LEVEL, BUT THAT TRUST FILTERS DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL.

AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE WHO IS ON A COMPUTER IS WATCHING THE WEBCAST OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING OR THE ZONING MEETING OR THE PLANNING MEETING.

BUT THAT PUBLIC THAT WE SERVE KNOWS THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING IT, EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO.

THAT THERE'S NOTHING THAT'S HAPPENING HERE THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE PRIVY TO.

THAT'S THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT THAT I THINK IS BEING INTRODUCED HERE.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

I'LL CLOSE BY SAYING -- OR BY OBSERVING THAT MANY TIMES DURING OUR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD DISCUSSIONS WE HEAR FROM THE SAME INDIVIDUALS.

AND WE ALSO SOMETIMES, UNFORTUNATELY, HEAR A LOT OF BIGOTED COMMENTS COME FORWARD TO THE DAIS.

I THINK WE FLANKED SOME BIGOTED COMMENTS TODAY BY ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE COMMENT HE WASN'T SURE WE WERE COMMITTED TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, THAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR FROM MORE OF US.

WE ABSOLUTELY DO WANT TO HEAR FROM MORE OF US BECAUSE I BELIEVE WHEN WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE, COME COMMENT, WE SHOW WHAT TRULY, OR HOW TRULY OUTLYING AND NON-REPRESENTATIVE THOSE BIGOTED COMMENTS BECOME.

WHEN WE HEAR FROM AND SEE A BROADER CROSS SECTION OF THE COMPASSIONATE INCLUSIVE CITY THAT WE TRULY ARE.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.

THANK YOU, JEFF AND LAURA AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS.

YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY HEARD UNANIMOUSLY FROM THIS COUNCIL THAT WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE SELF-REFLECTIVE OF WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER.

WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM NO. 24.

PLEASE VOTE.

[31. City Manager's Report]

MOTION CARRIES.

DO WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER'S

[03:05:02]

REPORT?

>> SCULLEY: MAYOR, JUST QUICKLY.

ONE ITEM THIS MORNING.

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RELEASED OUR 2018 SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE ANNUAL REPORT.

I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S ATTENTION THIS MORNING BECAUSE IT HIGHLIGHTS THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACY, REFERRED TO AS SBEDA.

AND THE MENTOR PROTEGE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR ALAMO COLLEGES AND THE LOAN INTERESTS BUY-DOWN PROGRAM AND LAUNCH SA, WHICH ARE BOTH ADMINISTERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LIFT FUND.

SO THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE REPORT DOES CENTER ON THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN THE SBEDA PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES THE UTILIZATION OF LOCAL, SMALL, MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES ON CITY CONTRACTS AT BOTH THE PRIME CONTRACTOR LEVEL AS WELL AS THE SUBCONTRACTOR LEVEL IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES WITH WHICH WE CONTRACT FOR WORK TO BE DONE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

SO SINCE THE MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE PROGRAM IN 2010, WHICH INCLUDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTRACTS, SPECIFIC TOOLS, ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOAL-SETTING COMMITTEE, ENHANCED COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS, SBEDA HAS BEEN MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN INCREASING SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ON CITY CONTRACTS.

AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT IN 2018 WE RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENT UTILIZATION OF LOCAL, SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES SINCE THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BACK IN 1992.

LAST YEAR 53% OF THE CONTRACT DOLLARS APPROVED BY THE CITY WERE PAID TO 519 SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES, AND THIS REPRESENTS A 9% INCREASE FROM FISCAL YEAR 2017.

44% OF THESE PAID SPECIFICALLY TO LOCAL MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES, WHICH ALSO REPRESENTS THE CITY'S LARGEST PERCENT UTILIZATION TO DATE.

SO IN ADDITION TO THE DETAILED REPORT ON UTILIZATION RATES FOR A SPECIFIC ETHNICITIES AND GENDERS PER INDUSTRY, THE REPORT ALSO INCLUDES SOME TESTIMONIALS FROM SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE SBEDA PROGRAM AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES PROGRAMS. THE UTILIZATION NUMBERS AND THE REPORT DEMONSTRATE THE CITY'S CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT TO ITS GOALS IN UTILIZING SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES ON CONTRACTS.

THE REPORT WAS SENT OUT LAST WEEK TO THE COMMUNITY AND DELIVERED TO EACH OF YOUR OFFICES.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL COPIES, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT JUST TO RECOGNIZE RENE DOMINGUEZ, OF COURSE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND MICHAEL SENDON WHO SPECIFICALLY WORKS AND ADMINISTERS THIS PROGRAM AND WORKS WITH THE SBEDA STEERING COMMITTEE.

THEY'VE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB AND WE'RE PLEASED TO PRESENT THESE IMPROVED RESULTS.

LASTLY, MAYOR, WE TALKED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING ABOUT THIS YEAR'S MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS.

JUST A REMINDER TO THE PUBLIC THAT MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT THE CITY'S WEBSITE, THE MLK WEBSITE.

WWW.SANANTONIO.GOV/MLK.

THESE ARE ALL FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS OF ACTIVITIES, SO WE ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.

AND OF COURSE THE NEARLY THREE-MILE ROUTE DOWN MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE TAKES PARTICIPANTS THROUGH OUR HISTORIC EAST SIDE IN REMEMBRANCE OF DR. KING, WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN 90 YEARS OLD.

YESTERDAY WAS HIS ACTUAL BIRTH DATE.

SO WE INVITE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THAT'S ALL TO REPORT THIS MORNING.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.

THANK YOU, SHERYL.

AND GOOD NEWS ON THE CONTRACTING FRONT.

BEFORE WE ADJOURN, WE WILL RECONVENE AT 2:00 P.M. FOR OUR ZONING AGENDA.

I DO HAVE A BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENT.

WE HAVE A COLLEAGUE WHO IS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAY, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.

THERE WILL BE CAKE IN THE BACK AND WE ARE HAPPY TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY.

NUMBER 48.

YOU DISCLOSED.

OKAY.

[APPLAUSE] AT THIS TIME COUNCIL WILL RECESS FOR LAUNCH AND

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.