[1. Invocation]
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WE WELCOME DR. CLAUDETTE COPELAND AS OUR GUEST INVOCATOR.
♪ IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME ♪ ♪ WOULD HUMBLE THEMSELVES ♪ ♪ SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WAYS ♪ ♪ THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN ♪ ♪ THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN ♪ ♪ THEN WILL I HEAR AND I WILL HEAL ♪ ♪ I'LL HEAL THE LAND ♪ GRACIOUS GOD WE BLESS YOUR NAME THIS MORNING AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER DAY'S JOURNEY.
WE'RE THANKFUL TO BE ON THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE.
WE'RE THANKFUL TO STAND BEFORE YOU AS EMPTY PITCHERS BEFORE A FULL FOUNTAIN.
WE COME THIS MORNING THANKING YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE.
THANKING YOU FOR SOUND MINDS AND DEDICATED HEARTS.
WE HAVE COME THIS MORNING THANKING YOU FOR THESE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEMSELVES FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
WE PRAY THIS MORNING FOR THESE LEADERS.
WE THANK YOU FOR WISDOM THAT IS NOT THEIR OWN.
WE THANK YOU FOR STRENGTH AND FORTITUDE WHEN THESE DAYS OF SERVICE ARE WEARYING.
WE PRAY TODAY FOR THE POWER OF UNITY, FOR THERE YOU COMMANDED THE BLESSINGS.
MAY OUR CONTENTIONS END UP IN CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.
LET OUR STRENGTH BE FROM HIM WHOSE STRENGTH DOES NOT FAIL.
AND WE PRAY TODAY FOR THESE WHO MUST MAKE HARD DECISIONS AND WHO STRUGGLE FOR THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST PEOPLE.
BE WITH THIS MAYOR AND THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
BE WITH THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY AND CAUSE OUR DECISIONS TO BE GOOD FOR THOSE YET UNBORN.
WE GIVE YOU THE DAY NOW, HAVE YOUR OWN WAY.
AND WHEN THE DAY IS DONE WE'LL Y THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR NAME AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAID AMEN.
[2. Pledge of Allegiance]
AND AMEN .>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU SO MUCH, REVEREND COPELAND.
[3. Approval of Minutes for the City Council Regular Meetings of September 19 - 20, 2018]
ALL RIGHT.OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 19 AND 20.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19 AND 20, 2018.
[4. Councilmember John Courage will be sworn-in as Mayor Pro Tem, serving the term October 31, 2018 through January 9, 2019.]
ALL RIGHT.ITEM NO. 4 IS THE SWEARING IN OF OUR NEW MAYOR PRO TEM, COUNCILMAN JOHN COURAGE.
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> I, JOHN COURAGE, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR PRO TEM FOR 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
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STATE, SO HELP ME GOD.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SERVE WITH DISTINCTION, JOHN.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE MY WIFE TO ANY OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T MET HER.
WITHOUT HER, I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
AND I'LL BE VERY PROUD TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE TO THE CITY WHEN CALLED UPON.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, JOHN.
[Additional Item]
ALL RIGHT.I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN SALDANA, FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
AND I WANT TO INVITE SOMEBODY UP, IF THEY'LL JOIN US AT THE PODIUM.
THIS IS IN CELEBRATION OF A MUSIC FESTIVAL.
AS SAN ANTONIO IS THE NEIGHBOR TO AUSTIN, WE'RE NOT WELL KNOWN FOR OUR MUSIC FESTIVALS BUT WE HAVE ONE THAT IS BURGEONING AND ATTRACTING SOME GREAT HEADLINES.
IT'S PROUD TO CALL SAN ANTONIO HOME.
AND AMONG OTHER THINGS I THINK GINA'S GOING TO WALK US THROUGH A LITTLE BIT OF THAT PRESENTATION.
I'M HONORED TO HAVE HER HERE, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH MALA LUNA BENEFITS NOT JUST THE ATTENDEES, BUT NONPROFITS IN THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS LIFTING THE VOICES OF LOCAL MUSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT SAN ANTONIANS YOUNG AND OLD GET TO ENJOY.
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, COUNCILMAN SALDANA, AND COUNCILWOMEN AND MEN AND MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DOM AND RECOGNIZE US.
MALA LUNA HAS BEEN IN PROGRESS FOR THREE YEARS.
WE'RE HEADING INTO OUR THIRD YEAR.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE HOSTED OVER 80,000 PEOPLE.
THE FIRST YEAR ATTENDANCE WAS AROUND 30,000.
LAST YEAR WE GREW BY 60% AND HAD 50,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.
WE ARE HOPING TO CONTINUE ALONG THAT PATH.
SOME OF OUR PERFORMERS HAVE BEEN INTERNATIONAL POP STARS, INCLUDING LITTLE WAYNE AND AMIGOS.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE TWO AWESOME ARTISTS, INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA QUEEN CARDI B, AND INTERNATIONAL STAR NICKI JAM , WHO HAD THE WORLD CUP SONG.
WE ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON SOME OF THE SAN ANTONIO FLAIR, INCLUDING FOOD VENDORS.
WE HAVE HIRED OVER 500 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE FESTIVAL AND WILL HOPEFULLY LEARN FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE THERE AND GO ON TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE'VE ALSO HAD A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVISION, INCLUDING THE BEAT AND LATINO MIX 95.1.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT PARTNERS IN SUPPORTING US.
AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THIS GROWTH AND SHOWCASE THE INTERNATIONAL TALENT, OR THE TALENT THAT SAN ANTONIO HAS, AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY-KNOWN FESTIVAL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND SOUTHWEST.
>> SALDANA: THANK YOU AGAIN, GINA.
THIS IS THE ONE THING THAT MAKES ME COOL TO MY TEENAGE YOUNGER BROTHER.
IT'S THE ONE THING, AS THE DOCTOR IS HERE, YOU GET TO SEE SOME UTSA STUDENTS THAT COME AND MAKE UP A BIG PART OF THE CROWD.
WOLFF STADIUM IS WHERE IT WILL BE AGAIN THIS YEAR.
IT IS TAKING PLACE AT WOLFF STADIUM ON OCTOBER 27 AND 28.
AND IT WILL BE A TWO-DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATING KIND OF ALL GOOD THINGS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
WE HAVE -- ACTUALLY, LET'S DO OUR ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES.
[Consent Agenda]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, ITEMS 25 AND 26 HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM THE AGENDA BY STAFF AND WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED TODAY.
WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR INDIVIDUAL BRIEFING.
THE REST OF THE ITEMS ON OUR MORNING AGENDA ARE ON CONSENT.
SO AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO
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ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS FROM WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 5, 6, AND 25 AND 26.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN SHAW FOR A BRIEF COMMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WORKS IN OUR COURTHOUSE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY.
HE DOES WONDERS IN THE COURTROOM.
AND HE'S NOW BEING APPOINTED AS A MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I THINK HE'S HERE IN THE CROWD WITH HIS FAMILY.
I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. AFTER WE GO THROUGH THIS VOTE, WE CAN CALL YOU JUDGE BELL.
I HAVE KNOWN YOU FOR MANY YEARS.
I SEE THE WAY THAT YOU CARRY YOURSELF IN THE COURTROOM.
YOU DEMAND RESPECT DURING TRIALS, THE WAY YOU WORK WITH CLIENTS.
I LOVE FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT AS YOU WORK WITH THE CONSTITUENTS OF SAN ANTONIO.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SHAW.
>> PELAEZ: I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING BEEN AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT ST. MARY'S LAW WHEN MR. BELL WAS A STUDENT.
HE, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, HE'S NOT JUST A SMART GUY WITH A GOOD WORK ETHIC, HE'S ONE OF THE PREEMINENT ORAL ADVOCATES IN THE COURTROOM.
AND HE'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST BRAINS I HAVE EVER MET.
I THINK WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER THAN APPOINTING MR. BELL.
THE SECOND THING I WANT TO POINT OUT, HE THEN BECAME AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR HIMSELF, TRAINING YOUNG STUDENTS TO BE ETHICAL AND STRONG ADVOCATES AS WELL.
AND HE'S GOT A SERVANT'S HEART.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TAKING THIS NEXT STEP TO BECOME A MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE TO BRING THAT SERVICE TO BEAR AND HELP PEOPLE WHO COME BEFORE YOU.
AND THAT YOU'RE HERE WITH YOUR FAMILY IS VERY, VERY NICE.
AND THEY SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOU TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
WE DO HAVE A FEW CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS REMAINING ON CONSENT, SO I'LL CALL THEM NOW.
SEVERAL CITIZENS HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
SO WHAT I'LL DO IS I'LL CALL YOU UP, I'LL CALL THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE.
IF YOU COULD BE PREPARED TO STAND CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE PODIUM WHERE WE CAN KEEP EVERYTHING MOVING.
WE'LL START WITH EDWARD HARDMAN.
>> GOOD MORNING TO THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND THE CITY MANAGER SCULLEY.
I'M AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR HERE IN THE SAN ANTONIO, ELECTRICAL SERVICES, LLC.
BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 22 YEARS.
BEFORE I GET STARTED, IF THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE MY WIFE, WHICH IS MS. GRENNAGE, TO RELINQUISH HER TIME TO ME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MS. GRENNAGE, ARE YOU HERE? YOU'RE GIVING MR. HARDMAN YOUR TIME? GO AHEAD.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL FOR THE FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR THE SWIMMING PROGRAM.
I HAVE BEEN A BENEFACTOR FOR THAT PROGRAM BY WHICH I WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF CONTRACTORS IN THE CITY ON CITY PROJECTS.
THE PROGRAM IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME VERY GOOD THINGS WORKING ON DIFFERENT JOBS, SUCH AS LIBRARIES IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, OLMOS BASIN, THE ALAMODOME, AND THE FIRE STATIONS HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I COME TO YOU WITH SOME CONCERNS WITHIN THE MAKEUP OF THE SWIMMING PROGRAM.
WE HAVE ISSUES CONCERNING THE CONTRACTORS NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH US WHEN THERE'S AN ISSUE SUCH AS CONVENIENCE.
WE HAVE BEEN TERMINATED BECAUSE OF CONVENIENCE.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS APPROVED THE PROJECTS.
THERE'S NO CONCERNS WHATSOEVER AS FAR AS THE PERFORMANCE OF US IN THE FIELD.
BUT WE'RE BEING TERMINATED BECAUSE OF CONVENIENCE.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES WE'RE ASKING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO LOOK AT AND TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY THAT THAT CAN BE NULLIFIED.
AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE TERMINATED, BE TERMINATED FOR CAUSE.
THAT MEANS THAT YOUR WORK IS NOT PERFORMING IN THE CAPACITY THAT IT SHOULD BE OR THAT YOU'RE NOT COMING ON THE JOB.
WHATEVER THOSE CONCERNS MAY BE THAT THEY WILL PUT IN WRITING, AS OPPOSED TO SAY WE'RE TERMINATING YOU FOR CONVENIENCE.
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ALSO -- EXCUSE ME.THE FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE HAD HAS DONE SOME GREAT THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AT THE SAME TIME THE CITY IS SUPPOSED TO HELP BUILD CAPACITY FOR MINORITY BUSINESSES.
WE CAN'T DO THAT IF THE COMPANIES THAT WE'RE WORKING FOR IS NOT WORKING IN OUR BEST INTERESTS.
WHEN WE'RE ON THE JOB WORKING HARD, ONLY TO BE TERMINATED FOR CONVENIENCE AND A COMPANY COMES BEHIND US THAT IS HIRED AND MAKES MORE MONEY THAT WE DO ON THOSE JOB SITES.
WE ARE ASKING THE CITY IF THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THOSE ISSUES AND COME BACK WITH SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP THE MINORITY CONTRACTORS THAT ARE WORKING OUT IN THE FIELD WITH GENERAL CONTRACTORS THAT THE CITY HAS UNDER THEIR UMBRELLA AT THIS PRESENT TIME.
I AGAIN THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THESE MATTERS.
THESE OF GREAT CONCERNS AND THAT IF YOU APPROVE THIS FIVE-YEAR APPROVAL FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE PROGRAM, I THINK IT WOULD BENEFIT SAN ANTONIO IN A GREAT AND IMPORTANT WAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,M.
JANE GONZALES FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCILWOMEN AND MEN.
MY NAME IS JANE GONZALES AND I OWN A MEDICAL IN THE EAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND I'M HERE TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL, ESPECIALLY THE DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES, COUNCILMAN SALDANA, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, CITY COUNCILMAN CRUZ, COUNCILMAN TREVINO, AND YOU, MAYOR.
YOU HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE.
I WOULD THANK TO THANK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, RENE DOMINGUEZ AND MICHAEL, WHO HAVE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH US.
ALONG WITH TROY ELLIOTT AND NORBERT.
BECAUSE THIS DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN WAS CREATED BY BLACKS, BY HISPANICS, BY ASIANS, BY WHITES, BY MEN, BY WOMEN.
THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR LOCAL SMALL COMPANIES AND OF OUR RESIDENTS.
IT'S GOT TO BE -- AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH.
REALLY NEED TO PUT OURSELVES ON A CHARTER.
THAT WE SHOULD CONGRATULATE OURSELVES FOR WORKING AND COLLABORATING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
AND WHAT THIS PLAN HAS DONE IS THAT IT'S NOT ONLY A PLAN, BUT IT'S A PLAN OF ACTION.
BECAUSE IT HAS CREATED OUTCOMES.
IN THE CASE OF MY COMPANY, MAYOR, A YEAR AGO WHEN WE STOOD BEFORE YOU REGARDING MAKING SOME POLICY CHANGES, BECAUSE OF THOSE POLICY CHANGES, MY COMPANY HAS DOUBLED IN REVENUE.
AND I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU FOR THIS TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUCCESS BEING CREATED HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. GONZALES.
>> I WANT TO DITTO WHAT JANE SAID.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, GUYS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK Y'ALL.
JACK FINGER FOLLOWED BY CHRIS HERRING.
>> WELL, MAYOR NIRENBERG, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
BEFORE YOU DO THAT, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW PREPARATORY REMARKS.
RETURN THE CAMERA TO THE PODIUM, IF YOU WOULD.
ITEM -- A FEW ITEMS I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA HERE.
ITEM 23, JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, IS ABOUT A -- OH, A CPS ENERGY TARIFF FOR A PILOTING PROGRAM.
I HAD LOOKED AT THIS AND I THINK REALLY, FOLKS, IT'S ABOUT CPS WANTING TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH JUICE YOU USE TO CHARGE UP YOUR ELECTRIC CARS SO THEY WILL KNOW HOW TO CHARGE YOU AND YOUR POCKETBOOK LATER ON.
MAYBE YOU GUYS WANT TO PULL THAT AND SAY NO TO IT.
BUT THE BIG THING HERE IS ITEM 22, WHICH A COUPLE OF THE PROCEEDING SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT.
IT IS ABOUT THE DIVERSITY PLAN, DIVERSITY PLAN.
YES, WE HAVE HAD A FIVE-YEAR DIVERSITY PLAN AND NOW YOU WANT TO ESTABLISH A NEW FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
I THOUGHT THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IS ABOUT 50 OR SO YEARS OLD NOW.
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KEEP GIVING PEOPLE A CRUTCH MERELY BASED ON THEIR SKIN COLOR AND THEIR RACE? HUH? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT.I THOUGHT ALL PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSINGLY CREATED EQUAL.
I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO ACHIEVE BASED ON OUR OWN MERITS AND OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, NOT TO GIVE US EXTRA MONEY FOR THESE THINGS.
YES, AND IF YOU THINK IT'S NOT A QUOTA SYSTEM, I BEG TO DIFFER.
LOOK AT THE BACK UP DOCUMENTS IF YOU WILL, MR. AUDIO VISUAL MAN.
THE UNDERLINED AREA WHERE THE STAR IS.
AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESSES ENTERPRISES ARE ESTIMATED TO RECEIVE 4% OF ALL DOLLARS.
OF THE VARIOUS PROJECTS YOU HAVE EARMARKED FOR THEM.
ESPECIALLY WHERE THE CIRCLES ARE.
THAT'S -- WHERE THE LITTLE BLUE LINES, THAT'S WHERE YOU HAVE SUPPOSED EARMARKS FOR.
THEN THE NEXT PAGE, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN.
DO YOU KNOW FRAUD CAN HAPPEN HERE? CONDUCT OUTREACH IN EDUCATION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND QUEER.
A PERSON CAN SAY HE'S HOMOSEXUAL AND HE'LL GET MONEY FOR IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER YOU JUST HEARD FROM MR. FINGER AND HIS WORDS HAVE DISTURBED ME BECAUSE TODAY WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO DO SOMETHING I KNOW EACH OF YOU HAS THE WILL POWER TO DO WHICH IS TO PASS AGAIN THE DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN.
THE FIRST DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN WAS PUT INTO PLACE BY MAYOR JULIAN CASTRO.
SINCE 2013 I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHAIR THE DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN SUBCOMMITTEE.
AND I'M REMINDED THAT WE HAD A GOOD PLAN THEN.
NOW TODAY WE HAVE A GREAT PLAN.
AND THE GREAT PLAN IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO NOW ADD INDIVIDUALS' BUSINESSES TYPES THAT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO REAL GOOD BUSINESS WITH BEFORE.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN AND HOW WE HAVE EXPANDED IT, MR. FINGER, TO INCLUDE OUR VETERANS IS A GOOD THING.
WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR LARGEST DISABILITY GROUP IN AMERICA, WHICH ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DISABILITY, I'M REMINDED OF JANE THOMAS, WHO WOULD COME EVERY MEETING IN A WHEELCHAIR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO NEEDED A HELPING HAND.
AND SO THIS DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN ADDRESSES PUTTING PEOPLE WHO NEED A SECOND OPPORTUNITY IN LIFE, IN SOME CASES, WHO CAN'T NECESSARILY GET EMPLOYMENT BUT NEEDS TO CREATE A BUSINESS.
AND SO THIS DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN INCLUDES THEM.
AND MAYBE WE MAY NEED TO STUDY AND HAVE A DIVERSITY OR DISPARITY STUDY TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT THE DISPARITY IS FOR THE SBEDA, BUT RIGHT NOW AUDIO].
AS WE LOOK AT THE CITY AND HOW THE CITY IS MAKING PROGRESS, WELL, PERHAPS THERE IS DISPARITY THERE BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN STUDIED.
THE DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN IS REALLY THE LAUNCHING BOARD.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, TO CAPITAL AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS.
TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR BEING FLEXIBLE.
THE SUBCOMMITTEE, TO THE LEADERS WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY COMING FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS TO IMPROVE THE PLAN.
TO OUR LAST MAYOR WHO SAID TEE IT UP.
TO OUR CURRENT MAYOR FOR SAYING MOVE THE PLAN FORWARD.
WE'RE FIVE YEARS LATER AND WE STILL NEED TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THE AREAS THAT WERE AANNOUNCED EARLIER.
YOU KNOW, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS CONCERN IS A HEARTFELT PLACE THAT I KNOW AS CHAIRMAN OF THE I KNOW.
AND I THANK THE CITY FOR THE SUPPORT YOU GAVE US IN OUR CONFERENCE.
BUT I WANT TO SAY AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY, WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE
[00:25:02]
THIS DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN APPROVED TODAY.LET'S TAKE THIS PLAN FROM GOOD TO GREAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. HERRING.
GEEANI CASTILLO FOLLOWED BY IRENE CHAVEZ.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR NIRENBERG, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER SCULLEY.
I'M A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
TODAY I STAND ON BEHALF OF THE GLOBAL CHAMBER OF SAN ANTONIO.
OUR LEADERSHIP PRESIDENT, CHRISTOPHER HERRING, WHO JUST SPOKE, AND CHAIRWOMAN DR. CRYSTAL NERIO.
WE UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF TODAY'S VOTE.
WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE REVISED PLAN AND TO APPROVE IT INTO LAW.
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR LEADER AND ACTIVIST, MINORITY BUSINESSES.
MR. HERRING, WHO HAS CHAIRED THE CITY'S DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2013.
AND NOW OVERSEES THE CHAIRMAN -- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY COMMITTEE.
THE NEW PLAN WILL OPEN DOORS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS THAT THE CITY MANAGER, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, FINANCE AND TRANSPORTATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING THIS PROPOSED PLAN WORK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. CASTILLO.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I AM HONORED TO BE THE D7 APPOINTEE FOR THE SBAC COMMITTEE.
I AM HONORED TO BE THE INCOMING CHAIR TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT CHRISTOPHER HERRING HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH.
I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STAFF BECAUSE AS A ONE-TIME STAFFER IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I UNDERSTAND THE WORK AND THE AMOUNT OF THOUGHTFUL WORK AND THE AMOUNT OF DEDICATION IT TAKES TO ACTUALLY HAVE A PROJECT LIKE THIS.
IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR OVER A YEAR.
SO MY CONGRATULATIONS TO RENE DOMINGUEZ AND HIS TEAM, MICHAEL SINDON, TONYA AND THE GANG.
SO I WANTED TO MENTION A COUPLE OF THINGS I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.
FOR THIS PLAN IT REALLY GETS PEOPLE READY TO BID.
ENTREPRENEURS, AS YOU KNOW, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE HEART OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR CITY.
THE DAP WILL WORK HAND IN HAND WITH SBEDA TO REMEDY DISPARITY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS, MORE OUTREACH AND MARKETING.
NOT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS OR KNOWS HOW TO BID WITH THE CITY NOR DO THEY KNOW THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU'VE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF A BUY-DOWN PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN ADMINISTERED THROUGH LIFT FUND.
AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESS, LET ME TELL YOU THAT $1.5 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED IN THAT MANNER FOR LOANS AT 0% INTEREST.
AND IT'S HELPED 70 SMALL BUSINESSES.
SO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING THAT.
AND I HOPE THAT THE OBJECTIVE TO CONTINUE THAT IS TO REALLY STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SO THEY CAN CONTINUALLY ADDRESS THE DIFFERENT NEEDS THAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
I ALSO WANTED TO TAKE A POINT OF PRIVILEGE JUST TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN ANA SANDOVAL FOR PUTTING SMALL BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA.
ED DOES A GREAT JOB OF HAVING VENDOR ORIENTATIONS AND DIFFERENT EVENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT MORE THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.
AND FOR PARTICIPATION OF EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AT THOSE VENDOR OUTREACH, BECAUSE IT MATTERS.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE, I'LL SAY IN OUR RESEARCH LOOKING AT CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY -- CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, SAN ANTONIO IS REALLY LEADING BY EXAMPLE AND I'M HAPPY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THIS DAP WILL DO FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. CHAVEZ.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE ITEMS ON CONSENT.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, IRENE, FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION ON THIS ON THE GROUP AND PUTTING TOGETHER THIS PLAN.
IT'S THE SECOND PLAN THAT COMES FORWARD, SO I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT HISTORIC.
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SO THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE SBAC COMMITTEE FOR THEIR WORK ON IT.I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ITEM -- IS THIS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO MAKE COMMENTS ON THE OTHER ITEMS ON CONSENT, MAYOR?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OH, GO AHEAD.
>> SANDOVAL: ARE WE TAKING COMMENTS ON CONSENT ITEMS?
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THE TARIFF BEING PUT FORWARD BY CPS.
I DON'T KNOW IF JOHN LEAL IS HERE.
JOHN, THANK YOU AND YOUR WHOLE TEAM FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT EXPERIMENTAL BUT I THINK IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR WHERE WE WANT TO GO IN TERMS OF A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.
WITHOUT THIS WE CAN'T REALLY GET THERE.
SO I THINK THAT'S HISTORIC TOO AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESULTS THAT THAT WILL BRING.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 5, 6, 25, AND 26.
[5. Ordinance approving the sale of approximately 2.583 acres located at 506 Dolorosa and 2.032 acres located at 702 Dolorosa for an amount not less than $7,367,000 and the negotiation and execution of a Development Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System to support The University of Texas at San Antonio’s 10 year downtown vision in Council District 1. [Lori Houston, Assistant City Manager; John Jacks, Director, Center City Development and Operations]]
PLEASE VOTE.>> ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SALE OF APPROXIMATELY 2.583 ACRES LOCATED AT 506 DOLOROSA AND 2.023 ACRES LOCATED AT 702 DOLOROSA FOR AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN $7,000,367 AND THE NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM TO SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO'S TEN-YEAR DOWNTOWN VISION IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ITEM NO. 5 IS THE CONVEYANCE OF TWO CITY-OWNED PARCELS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF SAN ANTONIO IN THE AMOUNT OF $7.3 MILLION.
THESE TWO PARCELS WILL HELP FACILITATE THE PHASE ONE OF THE DOWNTOWN UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF SAN ANTONIO'S EXPANSION.
HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE VISION FOR THAT EXPANSION IS PRESIDENT DR. TAYLOR AMY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY STAFF, CITIZENS OF THE GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THIS IS A VERY PROFOUND MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF MY UNIVERSITY AND I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY AND WHERE OUR TRAJECTORIES ARE GOING.
AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRESS UPON YOU THIS FACT THAT THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL MOMENT IN TIME TO DO SOMETHING BIG AND BOLD FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS GREAT CITY AND THIS GREAT UNIVERSITY.
I'M A HUGE PROPONENT OF THIS NOTION THAT GREAT UNIVERSITIES NEED GREAT CITIES.
AND WE INTEND TO BE ONE OF YOUR GREAT UNIVERSITIES.
LET ME DIVE INTO THE CONCEPT OF WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.
WE ARE FOCUSED NOW FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS ON BEING AN EXEMPLAR FOR STUDENTS' SUCCESS NATIONALLY.
WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY TO BECOMING A GREAT PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY.
AND WE ARE GOING TO BE STRATEGICALLY GROWING AND BECOMING MORE INNOVATIVE AS WE DRIVE TOWARDS EXCELLENCE.
WHAT WILL WE LOOK LIKE IN TEN YEARS? WE'RE GOING TO BE BIGGER.
WE'RE GOING TO BE AT AROUND 45,000 STUDENTS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE FACULTY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE TALENTED FACULTY.
WE ALREADY HAVE VERY TALENTED FACULTY.
WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING NATIONAL METRICS FOR STUDENTS' SUCCESS.
OUR BUDGET WILL BECOME A BILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISE HERE IN THIS CITY.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING CAPITAL PROJECTS ON ALL OF OUR CAMPUSES AND WE ARE GOING TO GO FORWARD AND BE A DEEPLY-COMMITTED PARTNER TO THIS CITY, ALL PARTS OF THIS CITY, OVER THE NEXT 500 YEARS.
I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS A LITTLE BIT.
IMAGINE FOUR OR MORE COLLEGES DOWNTOWN, NEW SCHOOLS, NEW RESEARCH INSTITUTES.
A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT CONCEPT AROUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR GOVERNMENT UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS.
IMAGINE IF WE HAD A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON THE TRAJECTORY OF THE NEAR WEST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN, THE WEST SIDE, AND THE ENTIRE CITY AS WE REALIZE THIS POTENTIAL.
[00:35:01]
TIME TALKING ABOUT THIS.YOU MAY RECALL THAT WHEN I CELEBRATED OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS LAST FALL I STARTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
AND THE REPORT IN THE BUSINESS JOURNAL HAVE BEEN COVERING MY DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS SINCE JANUARY.
AND I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF CHATTING WITH MOST OF YOU ABOUT THESE VISIONS.
WE HAD AN URBAN LAND INSTITUTE VISIONING SESSION THIS JULY WHERE WE LOOKED WITH ALL THE INSTITUTIONS IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE ABOUT HOW WE MIGHT WORK TOGETHER AS WE GO FORWARD TO DO THIS.
WE HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS DOWNTOWN.
THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN CONCERT WITH SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL.
COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
WE HAVE A LOT OF EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEGUN THIS PAST YEAR ABOUT REVITALIZING THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS, BRINGING MORE SERVICES BACK, BRINGING MORE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DOWNTOWN.
THE CONCEPT THAT'S SHOWING UP ON THE SLIDES RIGHT NOW IS REALLY A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PROPERTIES RELATED TO WHERE WE INTEND TO LOCATE OUR NEW SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE AND OUR NATIONAL SECURITY COLLABORATION CENTER.
WE ALSO ARE GOING TO BE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON WHAT WE DO WITH CATTLEMAN'S SQUARE AS A RESIDENTIAL LOCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THE PROPERTIES IN ORANGE OVER ON FRIO STREET ARE SORT OF A DOWNSTREAM FOCUS ON WHERE WE NEED TO GO AND THE FUTURE CONVERSATIONS WE WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU ABOUT GROWING THE CAMPUS AND MAKING USE OF THOSE PROPERTIES.
THE SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN TEXAS AND PROBABLY NATIONALLY.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OBTAINED THE FUNDING FROM THE REGENTS AND FROM A DONOR ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PROCEED WITH BUILDING 138,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY FOR US THAT WOULD INVOLVE A NUMBER OF OUR DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY ON CAMPUS.
AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING GOING WITH THIS.
WE ALSO HAVE THE FUNDING IN PLACE TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL SECURITY CENTER DOWNTOWN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL OF OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND MANY PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS NOTION OF AN ECOSYSTEM THAT INVOLVES DATA INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CYBERSECURITY, INFORMATION SCIENCE GENERALLY, DATA SCIENCE GENERALLY.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE ARE ALSO IN PROGRESS, WORK IS IN PROGRESS ABOUT REALIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THE MAJORITY OF OUR COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DOWNTOWN.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF THIS ALL COMES TO FRUITION AS PLANNED, WE WILL HAVE THREE FOUNDATIONAL STRUCTURES IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE.
THE SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY COLLABORATION CENTER AND COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DOWNTOWN, ALL LOCATED IN THAT ECOSYSTEM I JUST DESCRIBED.
IF WE ARE AS SUCCESSFUL AS WE CAN BE WITH THIS, WE ARE BRINGING COMPANIES TO DOWNTOWN THAT WILL BE CREATING JOBS, HIGH-WAGE PAYING, HIGH-SALARY JOBS.
IF WE HAVE OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THOSE PROGRAMS INTERNING IN THOSE BUSINESSES THAT MIGRATE DOWNTOWN OR LOCATE DOWNTOWN, WE'RE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MEANS HIGH-PAYING JOBS AND A WORKFORCE THAT STAYS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO INSIDE THIS ECOSYSTEM.
THAT IS WHAT I REFER TO AS PROSPERITY.
WE'RE ALSO ABOUT TO LAUNCH OUR RFQ/RFP FOR DEVELOPING CATTLEMAN'S SQUARE.
THAT'S TO GET MORE STUDENTS LIVING DOWNTOWN.
REMEMBER, STUDENTS NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY MARKET RATES.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY TO GET MORE OF OUR STUDENTS DOWNTOWN IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE AND ACROSS THE CITY WHO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A TEASER FOR SOMETHING THAT'S COMING UP RELATED TO OUR URBAN EDUCATION INSTITUTE WITHIN OUR COLLEGE.
WE HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK WITH LEADERSHIP ESTABLISHING A LABORATORY SCHOOL MODEL BETWEEN OUR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THOSE THREE NEIGHBORS OF OURS WHERE THEY ADOPT US AND WE ADOPT THEM AS WE GO FORWARD.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL BE SHARING AS A STORY SOON, BUT I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU NOW, A GOOD NEWS STORY ABOUT THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN THE WEST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO US THAT WE PURSUE THIS WITH VIGOR.
SO THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU.
I LOOK FORWARD TO QUESTIONS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
IF DOCTOR AMY'S VISION IS IMPLEMENTED, THIS WOULD BE HUGE AND CATALYTIC FOR THIS AREA OF DOWNTOWN.
HE IS PROPOSING TO GROW THE CAMPUS FOUR TIMES THE AMOUNT.
SO 15,000 STUDENTS AND 2,000 MORE FACULTY AND STAFF IN OUR DOWNTOWN AREA.
[00:40:07]
TODAY.THE PHASE ONE EXPANSION INCLUDES A $341 MILLION INVESTMENT.
THAT IS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
THEY ARE PROPOSING TO RETAIN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, THE COLLEGE OF PUBLIC POLICY, AND THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS AND RELOCATE THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TO THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS FROM THE MAIN CAMPUS.
THEY ARE PROPOSING TO DEVELOP A NEW SCHOOL THAT WILL BE LOCATED DOWNTOWN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COLLABORATION CENTER ALSO DOWNTOWN.
THEY ALSO ARE PROPOSING MUCH-NEEDED STUDENT HOUSING AND WORKFORCE HOUSING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR STAFF AND FACULTY.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS A PARTNER IN THIS PHASE ONE EXPANSION.
WE ARE PROPOSING THE CONVEYANCE OF TWO CITY-OWNED PARCELS, 506 DOLOROSA TO THE U.T. SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $7.3 MILLION.
DR. AMY IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH JUDGE NELSON WOLFF ON THE CONVEYANCE OF THREE PARCELS OF PROPERTY WHERE THE FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER IS CURRENTLY LOCATED, AND THAT WILL GO TO COMMISSIONERS COURT IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THESE FIVE PARCELS WILL BE THE LOCATION OF THE NEW SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE, THE NATIONAL SECURITY COLLABORATION CENTER, AND THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS.
AND THIS REPRESENTS A AUDIO] NEAR THEIR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS AND WILL BE WORKING ON ISSUING AN RFP FOR THE AUDIO] PROJECT ON THAT SITE TO ACCOMMODATE FACULTY AND STAFF HOUSING NEEDS.
WE DO HAVE A PHASE TWO OF THE DOWNTOWN EXPANSION.
PHASE ONE IS FROM 2018 TO 2023.
AND PHASE TWO IS FROM 2023 TO 2028.
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, UTSA ON THE PHASE TWO EXPANSION, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THREE CITY-OWNED PARCELS ON FRIO STREET ACROSS FROM THEIR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS.
THESE THREE PARCELS CURRENTLY HAVE THE MUNICIPAL COURT, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FLEET CENTER, THE ITSD DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL BE LOCATING TO THE FROST BANK TOWER, AND AN SAPD SUBSTATION.
TODAY'S ACTION IS LIMITED TO THE TWO PROPERTIES IN PHASE ONE WITH UTSA AND WILL RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL WITH A PROPOSAL FOR PHASE TWO PROPERTIES.
HOWEVER, AT THE TIME OF THAT REQUEST CITY STAFF WILL HAVE IDENTIFIED RELOCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE THREE OPERATIONS ON THOSE PROPERTIES AS WELL AS FUNDING FOR THOSE PROPERTIES.
BUT WE'LL BE COMING BACK TO COUNCIL WITH THAT IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.
THE 506 DOLOROSA PROPERTY AND 702 DOLOROSA PROPERTY ARE CURRENTLY BEING USED BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
506 DOLOROSA IS THE LOCATION OF THE TEMPORARY MODULAR COMPLEX WHERE WE HAVE SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS OFFICED AS A RESULT OF THE CITY HALL RENOVATION.
THAT MODULAR COMPLEX WILL BE NEEDED THROUGH FEBRUARY OF 2020.
THROUGH NOVEMBER 2020 TO ACCOMMODATE THE RESTORATION OF CITY HALL AND THE RESTORATION OF FROST BANK TOWER.
ONCE WE COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS, THAT SITE WILL BE VACATED AND UTSA WILL HAVE CONTROL OF THAT SITE.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT NOVEMBER OF 2020 FOR THAT SITE.
702 DOLOROSA IS CURRENTLY BEING USED AS A SURFACE PARKING SPACE.
SEVERAL OF OUR CITY STAFF PARK IN THAT LOT.
WE WILL NOT BE CEDING CONTROL OF THAT SLOT UNTIL THE FROST BANK TOWER HAS BEEN VACATED AND WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FROST BANK GARAGE, WHICH AS 732 SPACES.
THAT WAY WE HAVE PARKING SPACES FOR THAT CITY STAFF THAT HAVE HAVE TO VACATE THAT LOT.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT VACATING THAT UNTIL OCTOBER 2019.
AND THAT'S DURING THE TIME THAT FROST BANK WILL BE VACATING THE TOWER THE CITY CURRENTLY OWNS.
WE HAVE ONE MORE ACTION THAT WILL COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL AT A LATER DATE, AND THAT IS A CLOSURE OF A STREET THAT BIFURCATES THE COUNTY'S PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT CURRENTLY HOUSES THE JAIL AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO SERVICE PARKING LOT.
[00:45:01]
IF TODAY'S ACTION IS APPROVED, WE'LL INITIATE THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS AND GO THROUGH THE REGULATORY PROCESS TO INCLUDE PLANNING COMMISSION AND WE'LL COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL.IT IS A SMALL LOT THAT HAS SEVERAL METERS.
IT'S A SMALL STREET THAT HAS SEVERAL METERS ON IT AND WE'LL DO THE APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATION PROCESS TO VACATE AND ABANDON THAT.
THE FISCAL IMPACT OF THIS PROJECT IS HUGE.
WE HAVE ALREADY DONE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY FOR PHASE ONE.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS NORTH OF $150 MILLION AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTRUCTION.
UTSA WILL PURCHASE THE CITY PROPERTY FOR $7.3 MILLION, WHICH IS FAIR MARKET VALUE.
THESE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO OFFSET THE DEBT NECESSARY TO DO THE RENOVATIONS OF THE FROST BANK TOWER, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE P3 TRANSACTION THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED IN 2015.
UTSA WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPING A PHASE ONE CAPITAL FUNDING REQUEST OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
IT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AFTER THEY HAVE DONE MORE DUE DILIGENCE ON THIS PHASE ONE EXPANSION.
THAT CAPITAL FUNDING REQUEST WILL REQUEST FUNDING FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS UTILITY BURIAL, UTILITY CONNECTIONS, STREET IMPROVEMENTS, OR POTENTIAL CLEAN UP.
THEY WILL RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL WITH THAT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET PROCESS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THANK YOU TO THE VOTERS, APPROVED $80.9 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN THE ZONAL CULTURAL AND AREA SURROUNDING UTSA THESE THESE.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE COORDINATED WITH UTSA TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF OUR DOWNTOWN TO USE.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE CONVEYANCE OF TWO CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES VALUED AT $7.3 MILLION THAT TOTAL APPROXIMATELY 4.5 ACRES.
AND WE'RE ALSO REQUESTING APPROVAL TO EXECUTE AFTER THE NEGOTIATION A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM AN AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT THEIR PHASE ONE EXPANSION.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
DR. AMY AND MYSELF ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
AND SO WE'LL BEGIN NOW WITH THOSE FOLKS.
I WILL CALL THE FIRST NAME UP AND THEN I'LL CALL THE NEXT NAME IN LINE.
WE'LL START WITH SECRETARY HENRY CISNEROS FOLLOWED BY RICHARD PEREZ.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE.
CITY MANAGER SCULLEY AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY EXECUTIVE STAFF.
DR. AMY AND THE UTSA TEAM, INCLUDING A MEMBER OF THE BORDER PATROL BOARD OF REGENTS, WHO IS HERE WITH US.
THIS IS A VERY POWERFUL PLAN, AND DR. AMY HAS ASKED ME TO BE HERE THIS MORNING IN TWO CAPACITIES.
FIRST AS A FORMER HUD SECRETARY WHO OVERSAW A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND CITIES.
AND PARTICULARLY UNIVERSITIES THAT HAVE DOWNTOWN CAMPUSES.
SECONDLY, AS A RESIDENT OF A NEAR DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE WEST SIDE.
LET ME JUST SAY A QUICK WORD ABOUT THE STUDY THAT WE DID.
WHAT WE WERE ATTEMPTING TO DO WAS FIND OUT WHAT ARE THE DRIVERS OF THE NEW AMERICAN ECONOMY.
AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT ECONOMY, FUNDAMENTALLY, THAN THE OLDER ECONOMY THAT WAS LARGELY MANUFACTURING, THAT WERE TEXTILE MANUFACTURES AND ALL KINDS OF MANUFACTURES IN MOST AMERICAN CITIES.
THE NEW ECONOMY IS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, NEW MEDIA, MEDICAL CENTERS, INTERNATIONAL, AND VERY IMPORTANTLY HIGHER EDUCATION.
YOU NAME ME AN AMERICAN CITY AND I WILL DESCRIBE TO YOU A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, THAT IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER, IN MANY CASES, A LARGE CONTRACTOR, A GENERATOR OF TRAFFIC, PEOPLE, MOVEMENT, AND A POWERFUL, POWERFUL FORCE IN GUIDING THE ECONOMY OF A CITY.
SEATTLE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, LOS ANGELES, AND UFC.
NEW YORK CITY, MULTIPLE INSTITUTIONS.
AND WHEN THOSE INSTITUTIONS ARE DOWNTOWN IT'S IMMENSELY DYNAMIC IN TERMS OF WHAT IT DOES FOR THE CITY.
A PLACE LIKE AUSTIN, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WHAT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEANS THERE.
OR WASHINGTON, D.C. WITH GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.
SAN FRANCISCO, THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IN SAN FRANCISCO.
AND NEW YORK, MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS SUCH AS THAT AROUND NYU, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, OR COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.
PHOENIX, WHERE CITY MANAGER SCULLEY HELPED EXPAND THE
[00:50:03]
CAPACITY OF ARIZONA STATE INTO THE DOWNTOWN OF PHOENIX WITH GREAT EFFECT.ONE OF THE BY-PRODUCTS OF THIS WORK THAT WAS DONE IN THE 1990S WAS THE CREATION OF SEVERAL NONPROFIT GROUPS THAT FOCUS ON WHAT ARE CALLED ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS.
INSTITUTIONS THAT BY THEIR SCALE BRING IMMENSE VOLUME OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
AND HIGHER EDUCATION IS CLEARLY ONE OF THOSE.
NOW, WHEN YOU COMBINE A LARGE UNIVERSITY PRESENCE WITH A FUTURE-ORIENTED FIELD OF STUDY, SUCH AS THE CYBERSECURITY DATA SERVICES ACTIVITY, IT IS A TWO-FER SAN ANTONIO.
THIS IS A TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR, FIVE DYNAMIC THAT IS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED.
LET ME SAY JUST A FEW QUICK WORDS AS A RESIDENT OF THE WEST SIDE.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE POINTS OF THE COMPASS AROUND DOWNTOWN, THEY ARE ALL DOING RELATIVELY WELL EXCEPT FOR THE WEST SIDE.
TO THE SOUTH IS KING WILLIAM AND BLUE STAR AND BIG TEX.
AND BEYOND THAT THE MISSIONS REACH.
TO THE EAST IS THE NEW INVESTMENTS IN THE FREDERICK AND THE MERCHANTS AREA AND CARVER AND OTHER DYNAMICS BEYOND THE DOME.
AND TO THE NORTH, OF COURSE, IS THE SACK AREA WITH NEW RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY AND THE PEARL, ET CETERA.
THE WEST SIDE HAS SEVERAL DISADVANTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH A LONG TRADITION OF AUDIO], THEN THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THEN THE JAIL.
MORE RECENTLY SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IN HAVEN FOR HOPE.
I LIVE THESE PROBLEMS. BUT, TO HAVE 15,000 STUDENTS.
TO HAVE A DYNAMIC OF INVESTMENT, OF CONTRACTING WILL INEVITABLY SHARE SOME OF THAT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WHERE A PORTION OF THE CITY HAS NOT HAD IT.
COUNCILMAN TREVINO HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THIS ARENA.
COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES AND MANY OTHERS OF YOU AS WELL.
PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS TRANSFERENCE.
IT IS A CLASSIC PRIMING OF THE PUMP BY A CITY GOVERNMENT WITH ITS PUBLIC RESOURCES TO MAKE POSSIBLE SOMETHING, AS DR. AMY HAS APPROPRIATELY SAID, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ACTIONS FOR THE DOWNTOWN AND FOR OUR CITY THAT I'VE WITNESSED IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.
LET ME JUST CLOSE BY SAYING I HAVE BEEN AROUND HERE A LONG TIME.
MY FIRST JOB AFTER COLLEGE -- AND, BY THE WAY, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AS A FORMER GRADUATE OF TEXAS A&M, SO THAT'S A BIG CONCESSION ON MY PART.
[LAUGHTER] BUT MY FIRST JOB WAS IN THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT I WITNESSED WAS THE END OF HEMISFAIR IN 1968.
IT WAS TOUTED AS THE SITE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO.
OF COURSE WE KNOW IT WENT TO ITS PRESENT SITE.
BUT TO ADD NOW THIS KIND OF ECONOMIC GENERATOR IN THE DOWNTOWN AND IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE, REALLY SORT OF CLOSES THE LOOP ON ABOUT 50 YEARS OF HISTORY AND POTENTIAL.
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE ACTION YOU WILL TAKE TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, SECRETARY CISNEROS.
RICHARD PEREZ FOLLOWED BY RAD WEAVER.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS RICHARD PEREZ, PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE CONVEYANCE OF THE PROPERTY TO UTSA FOR THIS FANTASTIC PROJECT.
I WILL TELL YOU I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A GOOD DAY, WOKE UP IN THE MORNING, GOT TO THE OFFICE QUICKLY, BUT TO HAVE TO FOLLOW HENRY CISNEROS AS A SPEAKER IS GOING DOWNHILL FROM HERE.
BUT I WILL SAY IN ALL SERIOUSNESS THAT THIS IS A FANTASTIC PROJECT.
THESE ARE THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT, AS A FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND NOW PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER, THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT WE LOOK FOR.
THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT WE CRAVE THAT MAKE THINGS HAPPEN AND CHANGE LIVES OF PEOPLE.
IT TURNS THINGS INTO ANOTHER THING THAT WE THOUGHT WAS NICE.
AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.
AND SO I THINK YOUR LEADERSHIP HERE TODAY IS AMAZING.
SHERYL, THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE WITH DR. AMY AND THE U.T. BOARD OF REGENTS, IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO FURTHER THE PROGRESS WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AND THAT WE MUST CONTINUE IN ORDER FOR OUR CITIZENS TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF WHAT THIS CITY IS, AND THAT IS A WELCOMING CITY THAT IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. PEREZ.
RAD WEAVER FOLLOWED BY LORENZO GOMEZ.
>> I THINK LAST TIME I ADDRESSED YOU ALL I GOT VERY EMOTIONAL, AND I MIGHT DO IT AGAIN TODAY.
I KEEP FINDING THESE THINGS I'M COMPLETELY EMOTIONALLY INVESTED IN.
I'M GOING TO USE MY TIME TODAY, AND I'LL BE VERY BRIEF AND CEDE
[00:55:01]
MOST OF MY TIME TO LORENZO AND OTHERS BEHIND ME.I WANT TO BRING CONTEXT TO A NUMBER OF ISSUES.
ONE IS THE SIZE OF THE COMMITMENT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM.
I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS.
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO EVER GO AROUND FOR THE 14 SCHOOLS.
THE $70 MILLION COMMITMENT HERE AND THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WITH GRAHAM, WHICH NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT ALL THE HARD WORK ON BEHALF OF THE CITY STAFF AND GRAHAM AND LORENZO'S COMMITMENT, IS MONUMENTAL, FRANKLY.
WE HAD ROUGHLY $90 MILLION IN FUNDS TO GIVE OUT FOR THE YEAR FOR ALL INSTITUTIONS.
I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THE COMMITMENT PRESIDENT AMY HAS AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO AND FROM LORENZO AND GRAHAM.
SECOND, I WANT TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT HERE.
SO IN 1838, PRESIDENT LAMAR ADDRESSED THE THIRD CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS URGING THE CONGRESS TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION FOR A VAST SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.
IN 1839, THE REPUBLIC OF CONGRESS SET ASIDE 50 LEAGUES OF LAND, WHICH IS TODAY 220,000 ACRES OF LAND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENDOWMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
GOD HAPPENS TO BE ABOVE THE LARGEST OIL FIELD IN THE WORLD.
IT WAS THAT VISION THAT OUR FORE FATHERS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS HAD THAT WE HAD VERY FEW FUNDABLE ASSETS AT THAT TIME.
WE COMMITTED THAT LAND TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
I HAVE BEEN AROUND HERE ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THERE'S PERSONAL AND POLITICAL OPINIONS, AND I THINK ALL THAT IS GREAT IN THE CONTEXT OF A GOOD GOVERNMENT, BUT I THINK THERE ARE TIMES WHERE WE COULD FIND COMMON GROUND ON CERTAIN ISSUES AND I URGE YOU TODAY TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS CONVEYANCE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. WEAVER.
LORENZO GOMEZ FOLLOWED BY LEONARD RODRIGUEZ.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER SHERYL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
MY NAME IS LORENZO GOMEZ AND I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF GEEKDOM AND GRAHAM WESTIN'S 8020 FOUNDATION.
I GREW UP IN SAN ANTONIO AND WENT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AT LA FOYE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MY WHOLE LIFE I GREW UP THINKING THERE WAS NOT A PLACE FOR ME IN THE TECHNOLOGY WORLD.
THAT IN ORDER TO BE IN TECH YOU NEEDED TO BE A STEVE JOBS-TYPE CHARACTER, OR YOU NEEDED TO BE A SUPER GENIUS IN CALCULUS.
THEN ONE DAY IN 2001, AUGUST 6, 2001 I GOT A JOB AT A COMPANY I NEVER HARD OF CALLED RACKSPACE.
THIS CUTTING-EDGE COMPANY CALLED RACKSPACE TOOK A CHANCE ON A 20-YEAR-OLD KID FROM THE INNER CITY WITH NO COLLEGE DEGREE AND THEY GAVE ME A CAREER AND SKILLS I NEVER COULD HAVE FOUND BY MYSELF.
THE UTSA SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE, WHICH IS THE REASON I'M HERE TO SPEAK, IS GOING TO BECOME THE NEXT GREAT TALENT CREATION ENGINE FOR OUR CITY.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WHEN THE SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE IS AT FULL STRENGTH THAT COMPANIES LIKE AMAZON, MICROSOFT, APPLE, AND FACEBOOK WILL BE FIGHTING EACH OTHER TO HIRE THESE GRADUATES, EVEN BEFORE THEY'VE CROSSED THE GRADUATION STAGE.
UTSA CURRENTLY SERVES 32,000 STUDENTS.
OVER HALF OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE LOCAL SAN ANTONIO KIDS.
THE SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE IS GOING TO SHOW THOSE 16,000 STUDENTS THAT THERE IS A PLACE I TECH FOR THEM.
JUST THE WAY RACKSPACE SHOWED ME THERE WAS A PLACE IN TECH FOR ME.
ITS VERY PRESENCE DOWNTOWN AND IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE WILL SHOW EVERY KID AT THE FOYE THAT THERE IS A PLACE IN TECH FOR THEM.
THE KIDS ON THE SOUTH SIDE WILL KNOW THAT THERE IS A PLACE FOR TECH IN THEM AND THE KIDS ON THE EAST SIDE WILL KNOW THERE IS A PLACE IN TECH FOR THEM.
FOR ME, THIS IS THE REAL INSPIRING MISSION AND THE REASON THAT THE 8020 FOUNDATION HAS PLEDGED $15 MILLION TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT AMY'S GRAND VISION.
THE POWER OF THIS SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE AND ITS EFFECTS WILL OUTLIVE EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM.
IT WILL OUTLIVE ME AND IT WILL OUTLIVE OUR TECH ECOSYSTEM.
AND THAT IS AN INSPIRING MISSION WORTH GETTING BEHIND.
AND I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US IN OUR EFFORT TO MAKE THIS CITY THE NEXT GREAT ECONOMIC ENGINE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GOMEZ.
LEONARD RODRIGUEZ FOLLOWED BY HE L.A.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, CITY COUNCIL
[01:00:01]
MEMBERS, I'M PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE WEST SIDE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD WE ARE HERE TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR ITEM 5.
THE PRESENCE OF AN EXPANDED UTSA DOWNTOWN CAMPUS MEANS MANY THINGS, PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT IS THE CYBERSECURITY CENTER AND SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCES.
HAVING WORKED AT THE WHITE HOUSE DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, THIS NATIONAL SECURITY COLLABORATION CENTER IS AN ANCHOR IN ESTABLISHING WHAT SAN ANTONIO MIGHT BE KNOWN FOR IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND WHITE-COLLAR MARKETPLACE.
WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR SAN ANTONIO, AND THAT IS TO ESTABLISH ITS WHITE-COLLAR PROFESSION CALLING CARD, SOMETHING THE CITY HAS BEEN LACKING.
UNEMPLOYMENT, HIGH SCHOOL DROP-OUT RATES AND NONCOLLEGE ATTAINMENT RATES OVER INDEX.
INDEED, UTSA'S EXPANSION WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS, NAMELY ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION, ACCESS TO JOBS ON CAMPUS, AND MOST EXCITING, THE MANY PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IN MILITARY DEFENSE, I.T., AND CYBERSECURITY.
PRESIDENT AMY'S DISTRIBUTED CAMPUS MODEL VISION IS ALSO A GAME-CHANGING PLANNING EFFORT TO RECONNECT THE WEST SIDE TO THE DOWNTOWN CORE.
NOW MORE THAN EVER THE NEED AND REALIZATION TO WORK WITH LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS WITH UTSA CREATES DEMAND FOR FURTHER OPEN THE CAMPUS TO THE COMMUNITY WITH EVENTS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND MOST CRITICAL LINKAGES IN CONNECTIVITY.
THIS IS AN ALIGNMENT WITH COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES, WHAT SHE IS DOING WITH HER HISTORIC WEST SIDE GATEWAY INITIATIVES IN PROJECTS LIKE THE COMMERCE BRIDGE STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
THE CAMPUS WILL SERVE AS A PHYSICAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE DOWNTOWN AND WEST SIDE, BUT NOT WITHOUT MORE INVESTMENT TO THE AREA.
TO DATE, THE HIGHWAY CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A BARRIER BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND THE WEST SIDE.
BUT YOU CAN OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE.
IT SEEMS APPROPRIATE TO ME THAT GIVEN A CITY COUNCIL WHO LOVES A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR WEALTHY COMMUNITY LAND BRIDGE TO CONNECT A PARK, PERHAPS A MORE NOBLE, IMPACTFUL, AND EQUITABLE INVESTMENT IS A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR UNDERPASS RENOVATION TO RESTORE GREATER CONNECTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE I-10/35 UNDERPASS WITH WORLD-CLASS ARTWORK, FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKETS, EVENT PROGRAMMING, PLACEMAKING, AND SITE PROGRAMMING.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF SUPPORT OUR WEST SIDE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE A COMMUNITY WHO HAS CALLED THIS AREA HOME DOES NOT FEEL ALIENATED WITH THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT.
OUR ORGANIZATION IS THANKFUL TO THE CITY, THE COUNTY, AND UTSA.
BECAUSE WITH THIS POSSIBILITY MORE WILL COME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ.
HELA SHAHIDI FOLLOWED BY WARREN WILKERSON.
>> GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM CURRENTLY AN UNDERGRADUATE SOPHOMORE STUDYING BOTH CYBERSECURITY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT NOT ONLY MY OWN ENTHUSIASM, BUT THE ENTHUSIASM OF FUTURE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN SUCH AN INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITY IN A FAST-DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE WORLD.
I'M ORIGINALLY FROM AUSTIN, SO I WAS ACTUALLY GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THE CAP PROGRAM, WHICH I DID DECLINE BECAUSE I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AND I DID FIND THAT UTSA DID HARBOR THE NUMBER ONE CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM.
AND I DID TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
AND ALSO DURING MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SAN ANTONIO WAS A HUB OF A PLETHORA OF RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH INSTITUTES TO INDUSTRY JOBS AND TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT ALL FOCUS AROUND INFORMATION ASSURANCE, CYBERSECURITY, COMPUTER SCIENCE.
AND TODAY I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT I HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO LIVE AND TO STUDY IN A CITY THAT CAN PROVIDE SO MANY RESOURCES LIKE GEEKDOM THAT CAN PROVIDE MAYBE IDEAS AND THE MONEY FOR TECH STARTUPS FOR STUDENTS LIKE ME.
A FEW WEEKS BACK I REMEMBER I WAS READING ABOUT PRESIDENT AMY'S DOWNTOWN PLAN AND I COULDN'T FEEL MORE EXCITED.
I REALLY WAS EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE OF UTSA WHERE A LOT OF STUDENTS WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF A SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE, WHERE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS HORIZONTALLY INTEGRATED CAN WORK WITH BUSINESS STUDENTS, OTHER COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS AND REALLY TAKE PART OF SOMETHING I HOPEFULLY CAN TAKE PART IN WHEN I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE -- MY
[01:05:04]
GRADUATE STUDIES IN THE SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE.I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THE SCHOOL FOR DATA SCIENCES.
HOPEFULLY FOR MY MASTERS OR PH.D.
I'M ALSO MORE EXCITED FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, JUST LIKE AUSTIN, IS GROWING INTO A HUGE TECH HUB.
SAN ANTONIO WILL DEFINITELY BRING INTO THAT CYBERSECURITY ASPECT THAT A LOT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE CITIES AREN'T REALLY TAILORING TO RIGHT NOW.
BUT IN CLOSING, I AM REALLY HOPING THAT I CAN TAKE PART IN THIS PROGRAM, THE SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE.
I CAN STUDY FOR MY GRADUATE STUDIES AND I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS.
AND I HOPE I CAN BE HERE FOR THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MANAGER SCULLEY, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.
I'M WARREN WILKINSON WITH CENTRO.
I URGE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE TRANSFER OF THE LAND, SALE OF THE LAND PARCELS TO UTSA.
I CAN'T THANK -- A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ALREADY SO I WON'T REPEAT THAT.
BUT ONE OF THE PAST SPEAKERS TALKING ABOUT THE CONNECTIVITY UNDER 35 AND I-10 IS JUST CRUCIAL.
YOU RECALL BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 THE STATE AND THE CITY CREATED ZONA CULTURAL.
AND YOU THINK BACK TO WHAT THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THAT WAS.
AND IT WAS TO REVITALIZE THAT AREA FROM MAIN STREET OVER TO 35.
AND THEN OVER TO FRIO AS PHASE TWO.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IS A GAME CHANGER FOR ZONA CULTURAL.
WHEN IT IS BUILT IT WILL ACHIEVE MANY OF THE GOALS BY ACTIVATING THAT WHOLE AREA.
IT WILL ALSO CAPITALIZE ON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MILAM PARK.
YOU CAN IMAGINE MILAM PARK NOW WITH ALL THESE STUDENTS AND FACULTY JUST A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AWAY.
SO IT DOES ACHIEVE SO MANY GOALS.
I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, MR. WILKINSON.
I'M ALWAYS AND FOREVER AND ROADRUNNER.
I JUST FELT LIKE IT NEEDED TO BE SAID.
TODAY I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE WEST SIDE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE AND THE ESPERANZA CENTER TO REQUEST THE ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SALE OF THE CITY-OWNED LAND TO UTSA FOR THEIR DOWNTOWN EXPANSION PLAN BE DELAYED UNTIL UTSA CONDUCTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE WEST SIDE.
UTSA PLANS TO EXPAND THEIR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE WEST SIDE, AN AREA ALREADY FACING GENTRIFICATION PRESSURES FROM THE DEVELOPERS AND TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN ALMOST NO, IF NOT ZERO, COMMUNITY INPUT MEETINGS ON THE PLANNED EXPANSION.
IF A COMMUNITY MEETING THAT BE HELD, NEITHER ESPERANZA OR WPA NOR THE HISTORIC WEST SIDE ASSOCIATION AND THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO MEETINGS BY UTSA.
THESE ORGANIZATIONS WORK, LIVE, AND PLAY IN THE WEST SIDE.
AND MOST, IF NOT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF A CONVERSATION THAT WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR LIVES ONCE AGAIN.
WE HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPANSION TO USHER IN RAPID GENTRIFICATION ON THE WEST SIDE AND RESIDENTS' VOICES AND CONCERNS MUST BE HEARD BEFORE THE CITY AND UTSA DECIDE ON THE FUTURE OF THE WEST SIDE.
WE WOULD HOPE THAT THE CITY AND UTSA WOULD UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF CREATING A PLAN TO PREVENT GENTRIFICATION IN THE WEST SIDE BEFORE ANY LAND DEALS ARE APPROVED.
WE HAVE WITNESSED LOW-INCOME AND WORKING-CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS DISPLACED BY UNIVERSITIES IN PLACES LIKE PHILADELPHIA, HARLEM, AND NEW HAVEN.
WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE HISTORIC WEST SIDE BE ERASED BY WHAT ULTIMATELY MIGHT BE A GOOD INTENTION FOR INCREASED STUDENT ENROLLMENT.
WE MERELY ASK THAT UTSA ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THEY WISH TO EXPAND INTO BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS THAT WILL IMPACT THE COMMUNITY TREMENDOUSLY.
ONCE AGAIN, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT UTSA AND THIS ITEM BE DELAYED UNTIL FURTHER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING WITH THE WEST SIDE RESIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND THAT THERE IS A PLAN TO PREVENT THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. FLORES.
FIRST, I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL THE FOLKS WHO HAVE COME OUT TO SPEAK.
[01:10:02]
DR. AMY, LORI FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.THIS IS SEARCH, -- CERTAINLY A DAY OF TREMENDOUS GRAVITY IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY WHEN WE ARE ALL LONG GONE PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER THESE TWO VOTES FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, WE ARE GOING TO GET INTO THE CONVERSATION OF COUNCIL AND BEGIN WITH COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A BOLD, BOLD DAY OF BOLD DECISIONS.
I WANT TO THANK DR. AMY FOR BEING SO BOLD SO EARLY ON IN HIS TENURE AT UTSA.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE TO CREATE THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, TO CREATE THAT DISCUSSION.
AND I THINK THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
AND THAT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SAY.
TO SEE YOUR INSTITUTION REALLY TAKE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS HISTORIC AND I WANT TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR THAT.
WHAT I CAN SAY, AS THE MAYOR SAID, WE HAD MANY PEOPLE COME SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS PROJECT AND TALK ABOUT ITS IMPACT.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THIS PROJECT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A MEANINGFUL GESTURE ON THE CITY'S BEHALF TO SAY WE'RE PARTNERING WITH UTSA TO BE INVOLVED WITH EDUCATION IN OUR CITY.
AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS LOUDLY AND CLEARLY WITH THIS VOTE.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF IS HOW WE'RE INVESTING INTO OUR WEST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN AND HOW WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION FOR FUTURE GROWTH IN THE AREA.
AS SECRETARY CISNEROS COMMENTED, IT'S ABOUT TIME.
I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS GIVES US GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW OUR CITY IN A VERY UNIQUE WAY, TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE BIG ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD AS LEGACY ISSUES THAT MOST CITIES HAVE, QUITE FRANKLY, WITH REGARDS TO HOUSING, ECONOMIC SEGREGATION, OPPORTUNITY, EDUCATION.
I MEAN, THIS REALLY TACKLES A LOT OF THOSE.
AND I'M EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THAT.
CERTAINLY COUNT ME AS A PARTNER IN THAT EFFORT.
I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING, TO HAVE AN INSTITUTION LIKE UTSA LEADING THE CHARGE, THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, WHAT MORE CAN WE ASK FOR? TO THINK ABOUT THE 15,000-PLUS STUDENTS THAT WILL BE COMING TO DOWNTOWN IS, TO ME, A CALLING TO START LOOKING AT STRATEGIES THAT ARE GOING TO HELP TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF HOUSING, ISSUES OF AFFORDABILITY THAT CAN SET THE EXAMPLE.
AND I THINK THESE PARTNERSHIPS ARE THE RIGHT MIX TO HELP PUSH THOSE KINDS OF STRATEGIES, THOSE KINDS OF SOLUTIONS FORWARD.
WE TALK ABOUT A HIGHWAY THAT IS DIVIDED, CREATED WHAT I WOULD CALL AN INVISIBLE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE WEST SIDE AND DOWNTOWN.
WELL, WE'RE GOING TO ERASE THAT.
WHETHER WE GO UNDER IT OR OVER IT, I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHATEVER THAT IS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT COULD BE SOMETHING QUITE EXCITING, WHAT THAT CONNECTION REALLY MEANS, BOTH TANGIBLY AND INTANGIBLY.
MAYOR, YOU AND I SAW A WONDERFUL BRIDGE WHEN WE TRAVELED TO ISRAEL CONNECTING A UNIVERSITY AND A TECH CENTER IN A VERY MEANINGFUL AND THOUGHTFUL WAY.
SO THIS IS BOTH A BRIDGE, TANGIBLY, BUT A BRIDGE INTANGIBLY, IN THAT IT'S BRIDGING THAT GAP.
I WANT TO THANK LORENZO GOMEZ AND THE 8020 FOUNDATION AND GRAHAM WESTIN FOR JUST THE HEART AND BELIEF IN DOWNTOWN.
IT'S NOT JUST A PLACE, BUT IT'S MAKING THAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE, AS YOU SO ELOQUENTLY SPOKE UP.
RAD WEAVER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR STATEMENTS AND YOUR BELIEF IN HELPING TO CREATE THESE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY.
I AM TRULY, TRULY HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO BE A PART OF SUCH A HISTORIC VOTE.
THEREFORE, I MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NO. 5.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 5.
I WANT TO SAY I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT WE ARE FINALLY MOVING FORWARD WITH UTSA DOWNTOWN AND TO EXPAND IT INTO
[01:15:04]
WHAT IT WAS HOPED TO BE YEARS AGO AS A MAJOR DOWNTOWN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.AND I REALLY AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE OR TEN YEARS, HOWEVER LONG IT MAY TAKE.
I DO HAVE SOME QUALMS, THOUGH.
I DO THINK WE NEEDED MORE TIME TO GET BETTER INFORMED BY THE PROCESS INITIATED BY UTSA AND OUR CITY STAFF ON WHAT ARE GOING TO BE THE CITY'S OBLIGATION IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
WELL, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING TO BE PROVIDING SOME PROPERTIES THAT ARE INDICATED THE VALUE IS $7.4 MILLION.
HOWEVER, THOSE PROPERTIES HAVEN'T BEEN REEVALUATED IN FIVE OR SIX YEARS.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE MARKET VALUE IS.
AND IF WE WERE SELLING THESE TO A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE, A PROFIT-MAKING ENTERPRISE, I'M SURE WE WOULD WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE MARKET VALUE AND MAKE THAT PART OF THE PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION THAT'S GIVEN TO US AS COUNCIL PEOPLE.
AND I KNOW WE'LL BE MAKDITIONALE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.
AND I FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY COME TO ME AND SAY, WELL, WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST US? WHEN ARE THESE THINGS GOING TO BE DONE? I FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM SOME REASONABLE ANSWERS.
AND RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANY.
WE WERE SHOWN THAT THE NEXT BUDGET IN 2020 IS GOING TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE SOME OTHER AMOUNTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PUT INTO THAT BUDGET TO HELP SUPPORT THIS, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE.
WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE CALLED UPON IN A FEW YEARS TO SELL OTHER PROPERTY FOR THE EXPANSION.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE COSTS MAY BE TO THE CITY.
RELOCATING MUNICIPAL COURT, RELOCATING POLICE SUBSTATION AND OTHER FACILITIES.
AND IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THAT THE CITY IS USUALLY MORE DILIGENT IN THAT KIND OF LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND PLANNING THAN WE'VE SEEN RIGHT NOW.
AND, YOU KNOW, SO I HAVE TO TAKE PAUSE, YOU KNOW, AND THINK ABOUT THAT.
WHERE WILL WE BE OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS IN THE CITY'S COMMITMENTS? IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID THIS WILL ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS TO DOWNTOWN.
WELL, WHEN WE EXPAND THE COLLEGE DOWNTOWN, THE UNIVERSITY, AND WE HAVE MORE FACILITIES THAT THEY OWN, WELL, THAT TAKES PROPERTY OFF THE TAX ROLLS.
IF NEW BUSINESSES ARE ATTRACTED BECAUSE OF THAT, THE HISTORY IS THEY COME TO THE CITY AND THEY SAY WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE NEED SOME INCENTIVES.
AND DOES THAT MEAN MORE OF DOWNTOWN AND LOCAL AREAS WILL BE TAKEN OFF THE TAX ROLL FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN ENTICED TO COME DOWNTOWN? YOU KNOW, I THINK THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING OUT IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL AND WE'RE NOT PUTTING OUT IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC.
AND I'M SURE THERE WAS A LOT MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND MORE CITY COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TEXAS A&M WAS BEING DEVELOPED THAN WE'VE HAD HERE.
AND I KNOW THIS IS A FIRST STEP.
WE'RE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE THESE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY.
BUT A JOURNEY OF 1,000 MILES BEGINS WITH THAT FIRST STEP.
AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT'S IN STORE IN THOSE OTHER THOUSAND MILES.
I DO KNOW THIS WILL BE A BENEFIT TO THE CITY, I JUST WANT TO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHAT IS THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS IN THE LONG RUN.
I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS THAT IN HOPES THAT AS WE CONTINUE FORWARD WE ARE BETTER EDUCATED AS A COUNCIL, WE'RE MORE INFORMED.
NO SURPRISES THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT IT'S GOING TO COST US 50 OR $100 MILLION OVER TEN YEARS TO BE A PARTNER IN THIS ENTERPRISE.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
WHEN I HEARD THAT DR. ROMO WAS RETIRING, I THOUGHT THAT WAS SAD NEWS.
I THOUGHT THE UNIVERSITY HAD MADE GREAT STRIDES.
THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT.
AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY CRITICAL DECISION FOR OUR CITY.
[01:20:01]
THOUGHT WHO IS THIS TAYLOR ENIGMI FROM TENNESSEE.THE MORNING WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MEANT, I GOT DRESSED, PUTTING ON MY MAKEUP, TALKING TO MYSELF AS I OFTEN DO, WOMEN PUTTING OUR WAR PAINT ON IN THE MORNING.
AND I THOUGHT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TELL THIS GUY EVERYTHING.
HE DOESN'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE WEST SIDE.
HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW WE STRUGGLED.
HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW WE HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED.
HE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE NEED FOR A CAMPUS IN THIS COMMUNITY.
20 YEARS AGO PEOPLE FOUGHT VERY HARD TO GET A DOWNTOWN CAMPUS, AND IT HAS NEVER REALLY MATERIALIZED THAT IT WAS THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED TO BE.
AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TELL HIM EVERYTHING.
SO I GET DRESSED AND I'M GETTING DRESSED LIKE AN [INDISCERNIBLE] PUTTING ON MY BULLETS ACROSS ONE SIDE AND MY BULLETS ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE AND MY SWORDS READY TO BATTLE AND TELL HIM HOW HE NEEDED TO INVEST IN THE WEST SIDE.
HE NEEDED TO MAKE THE CAMPUS THE WAY THAT IT WAS INTENDED.
AND SO WE GOT TO HIS OFFICE AND WE START CHATTING THE PLEASANTRIES, AND I THOUGHT HE SEEMS NICE.
AND I THOUGHT I DON'T NEED THIS KNIFE.
I'LL JUST PUT IT DOWN RIGHT HERE.
AND WE GET TO TALKING AGAIN AND I TELL HIM ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE WEST SIDE.
I TELL HIM HOW WE'RE STILL WAY BEHIND IN INFRASTRUCTURE, IN EDUCATION, IN ALL THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW.
HIGH-CRIME RATES, THE JAIL AND HAVEN FOR HOPE AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. AND HE SHOWS ME HIS PLANS FOR THE DISTRICT, FOR THE UNIVERSITY.
AND HE TALKS ABOUT THIS URBAN UNIVERSITY SETTING.
HE DOESN'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION SO FAR ABOUT A DATA CENTER.
ALL THOSE THINGS HAD NOT BEEN MADE, OR AT LEAST AS HE PRESENTED IT TO ME TODAY.
I THOUGHT DO I REALLY NOT NEED THESE BULLETS? DO I REALLY NOT NEED TO FIGHT? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'M GEARING UP FOR A LOT OF DAYS ON THIS COUNCIL.
ALL OF A SUDDEN I THOUGHT ALL THESE YEARS HERE ON THE WEST SIDE THAT WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING KNOWING INTERNALLY LIKE WE HAVE TO DO THIS OURSELVES.
WE ORGANICALLY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD UP OUR BUSINESS.
WE ORGANICALLY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FAMILIES.
WE HAVE TO DO IT OURSELVES, THAT'S WHY THE PROGRAMS LIKE THE PROMOTORAS ARE SO IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THEY WORK FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
IT REMINDED ME OF A DOCUMENTARY I SAW MANY YEARS AGO ABOUT EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
SOME SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK, AND IT'S AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN.
IT'S ESCAPING ME RIGHT NOW, THE NAME.
HE WOULD SAY THERE IS NO SUPERMAN.
WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT OURSELVES.
THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE DAY THAT SUPERMAN IS GOING TO SAVE YOU.
AND I THINK THAT DAY HAS ARRIVED.
WE HAVE A REAL-LIFE IN THE FLESH SUPERMAN WHO IS GOING TO COME, NOT ALONE, BUT WITH THE HELP OF A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE TO MAKE THIS INSTITUTION THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE.
TO WORK WITH LANIER AND BRACKENRIDGE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE NOT SEEN MY CHANGE.
WE HAVE THE SAME DROPOUT RATES AT LANIER THAT WE HAD 50 YEARS AGO.
THERE WERE RUMORS THAT SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS WERE SCHEDULED TO CLOSE.
RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
AND MANY OF THE MARKERS THAT WE SEE IN THE CITY THAT MAKE US -- THAT ARE SOMETIMES IN THE FOREFRONT, ISSUES OF TEEN PREGNANCY AND CRIME RATES AND ILLNESSES STILL RIGHT THERE IN THE AREA THAT YOU ARE GOING TO COME AND HELP US REVITALIZE.
AND SO IT IS SUCH AN EXCITING MOMENT TO BE HERE WORKING IN COOPERATION WITH THE REGENTS.
BECAUSE, OF COURSE, AT THE END OF IT WHEN HE TOLD ME ABOUT HIS PLANS, THE WHOLE TIME I'M THINKING BUT THERE'S NO MONEY.
WE ALL HAVE GREAT VISION ABOUT WHAT WE WANT OUR COMMUNITIES TO LOOK LIKE.
BUT WITH NO MONEY THEY'RE JUST VISION.
BUT WHEN THE FUNDING CAME FROM THE REGENTS, I TALKED TO RAD WEAVER AND ALSO TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REGENTS A COUPLE OF
[01:25:01]
MONTHS AGO AT AN EVENT.DR. TAYLOR, HE'S BEEN PUSHING HARD WITH THE REGENTS.
WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT FUNDING.
I THOUGHT I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.
WE HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED A LOT OF TIMES IN THE AREA.
SO SURE ENOUGH IT COMES FORWARD THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THE FUNDING.
AND THEN VERY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, GRAHAM WESTIN, WHO I HAVE NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING HIM, COMES FORWARD WITH THIS $15 MILLION GIFT TO THE UNIVERSITY TO COMPLETE THE DATA CENTER.
AND SO ALL THESE THINGS ARE FINALLY BECOMING A REALITY.
AND THEN OUT OF NOWHERE I GET A RECOMMENDATION FOR A STAFF MEMBER, DR. SAMANTHA HERNANDEZ, AND SHE COMES FORWARD WITH HER RESUME.
SHE JUST FINISHED HER PH.D. AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.
AND SHE HAS THIS GLOWING LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM DR. CROW AT ASU.
I SAID WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION TO ASU AND THE UTSA? AND SHE SAID, OH, I WAS A STUDENT LIAISON.
I WAS DR. CROW'S STUDENT AS A PH.D. MAKING SURE THAT THE VISION FOR THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS AND THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE STUDENTS ACTUALLY HAPPENED THERE.
I WAS HIS RIGHT HAND STUDENT LIAISON TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY FELT LIKE THEY WERE PARTICIPATING.
AND SHE COMES TO ME LOOKING FOR A JOB.
AND I THOUGHT BUT SHE SIGNS ON BOARD AND SHE'S BEEN WORKING NEARLY DAILY WITH THE UNIVERSITY TO MAKE SURE THE ISSUES THAT YANETTE FLORES ADDRESSED ARE RESOLVED, BECAUSE THAT IS A CONCERN.
THERE'S A LOT OF DISTRUST IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH INSTITUTIONS.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE ALL THAT GETS TAKEN CARE OF AS WE TAKE THE PROPER TIME NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS SUCCESSFUL.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD UP THERE YOUR IMAGINE.
AND I WONDER IF JUST FOR THE SAKE OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, CAN YOU BRING UP THAT SLIDE THAT TALKS ABOUT IMAGINE AND IT TALKS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THEY HAVE AND IT TALKS ABOUT THE DATA CENTER? HOPEFULLY IT'S IN YOUR SLIDE PRESENTATION.
AND IT'S TITLED WITH "IMAGINE." AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MAYBE YOU CAN ELABORATE ON A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WE ARE CELEBRATING THIS.
SO IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS.
IMAGINE THE LAB SCHOOL WITH THE SAISD FINALLY COMING IN AND WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE CAN IMAGINE AS WE ARE SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT.
SO IMAGINE AN FOUR COLLEGES, TWO NEW RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS AND A FULLY-DISTRIBUTED CAMPUS LIKE ARIZONA STATE DOWNTOWN PHOENIX CAMPUS.
AND THESE ARE THINGS OF COURSE THAT I COULDN'T HAVE EVER IMAGINED IN MY LIFETIME.
AND THEN THAT I WOULD HAVE THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF SITTING HERE ON THE COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE THINGS ACTUALLY HAPPEN.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A DEADLINE AND YOU HAVE SOME URGENCY.
I ONLY HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING ON THIS DAIS FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS, IF THE PEOPLE WILL HAVE ME.
AND I KNOW THAT I'M HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VISION AND YOUR DREAM FOR THE UNIVERSITY IS A REALITY.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BELIEVING IN US AND TAKING THE RISK ON US TO THE REGENTS WHO SUPPORTED US, TO GRAHAM WESTIN AND ALSO FOR HIS GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION.
I KNOW THERE'S MEMBERS OF THE STATE HERE TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE, BUT WE NEED MORE FUNDING TO MAKE ALL THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.
I HOPE THEY WILL ALSO BE GENEROUS IN THEIR VISION AND IMAGINING OF THIS UNIVERSITY.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO AND I THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR SUPERMAN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
TO START, I NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES REFERS TO YOU AS HER HERO.
BECAUSE HOW YOU HAVE COME IN AND REALLY TAKEN THE REIGNS AND JUST BEEN SO FOCUSED AND VISIONARY.
YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY -- I'M SORRY, ON TUESDAY I HAD A STATE OF THE DISTRICT 3 ADDRESS AT THE SOUTH CHAMBER.
AND IN MY REMARKS I TALKED ABOUT HOW THE STATE OF DISTRICT 3 IS STRONGER, IT IS BOLDER, IT IS BETTER AND HOW WE NEEDED TO --
[01:30:01]
IT TAKES BOLD NEW IDEAS AND BOLD NEW INVESTMENTS.AND HERE TODAY LORI, RAD WITH THE U.T. REGENTS, SHERYL, THE 8020 FOUNDATION, THIS IS WHAT THE COORDINATION AND THE COOPERATION AND THE COLLABORATION LOOKS LIKE.
AND I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD WITH THIS FOR THE WEST SIDE.
AND I THINK IT WAS ALSO VERY TELLING THAT WE HAD SECRETARY CISNEROS HERE, WHO LIVES IN THE AREA AND WHO HAS WORKED IN THE WEST SIDE.
AND WE, ALL OF US WHO KNOW, WHO HAVE BEEN AND WERE BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO KNOW WHERE WE CAN BRING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY UP.
AND I AM SO EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER, YES, FOR THIS AREA, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE REGION.
WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES AND FILL THOSE JOBS WITH A LOCAL WORKFORCE THAT HAS BEEN TRAINED AND EDUCATED HERE IN OUR URBAN CORE, IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IT'S SUCH A PROUD MOMENT TO BE HERE TO SEE THIS INVESTMENT.
AND THANK YOU FOR THAT LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR
>> TWO THINGS I WANTED TO POINT OUT TO LORE -- LORI AND SHERYL, ALSO THE SUBAREA COMMUNITY PLANS AND THE NEAR WEST SIDE PLAN.
THIS IS GOING TO BE INCORPORATED WITH THAT, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SA TOMORROW AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO BUILD THAT PLAN TOGETHER, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> SCULLEY: THAT'S CORRECT, COUNCILWOMAN.
AND I KNOW ANOTHER THING THAT MAYBE WE DIDN'T TOUCH ON TODAY, I MENTIONED THIS TO YOU, LORI AND DR. AMY AND SHERYL, WITH THE GROWTH OF THE RESIDENTIAL TOWER AND WITH THESE FANTASTIC NEWEN VESTMENTS THAT WE'LL BE DOING IS THE AREA OF MARKET SQUARE.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THAT WE ENSURE THAT THERE'S NOT A REENGINEERING OF THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF MARKET SQUARE, THAT IT IS STILL A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE IN AN AROUND THE COMMUNITY CAN GO AND GATHER WITH THEIR EVENTS, WITH TEJANO, WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT ENGAGEMENT AS WELL.
COUNCILWOMAN, AND IN FACT, AS WARREN SPOKE EARLIER FROM CENTRO, IT'S PART OF OUR OVERALL WEST SIDE STRATEGY WITH REGARD TO ZONA CULTURAL AND WITH THEEN FRA STRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE GOING TO COORDINATE ALL OF THAT THAT IT CONTINUES WITH IT'S HISTORY AND CULTURE AND THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS COMPLIMENT THAT HISTORY.
ABOUT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE TO REALLY HAVE A PARADIGM SHIFT IN OUR WEST SIDE AREA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
DR. AMY, LORI, RAD, LORENZO, I THINK THE FIRST THING TO SAY HERE IS THAT WE'RE ALL VERY OVERWHELMED WITH THE VISION AND THE PARTNERSHIP, AND FRANKLY WE'RE PROBABLY OVERWHELMED WITH WHAT'S POSSIBLE HERE, AND I WANT TO MAYBE CHAT WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT SO WE CAN TALK BACK AND FORTH ABOUT HOW WE CAN TRY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE, UNDERSTANDING HOW GROUNDBREAKING THIS WILL BE FOR A PART OF OUR CITY.
FIRST, THE DOWNTOWN, AND THEN AS YOU MENTIONED, THE NEAR WEST SIDE. I TELL FOLKS OFTEN THAT THE REASON I LOVE THIS JOB SO MUCH IS BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST LIKE A REAL-LIFE VERSION OF THE GAME SIM CITY WHERE YOU GET TO BUILD YOUR CITY AND YOU GET TO DECIDE WHERE THE ROADS AND THE HIGHWAYS GO, IN SOME CASES, AND IN THIS CASE WE'RE GETTING TO DECIDE WHERE THE UNIVERSITY GOES.
SO JUST TO BACKTRACK A LITTLE FROM THAT POINT, THERE WASN'T ALWAYS A TIME THAT THE DOWNTOWN WAS THE ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR THE UNIVERSITY, AND I BELIEVE THAT IN 1969, IF YOU READ THE HISTORY ON IT, THERE WAS A TUSSLE AS TO WHETHER IT WOULD BE IN THE DOWNTOWN OR WHETHER IT WOULD BE IN THE FAR NORTH SIDE WHERE AND THE NORTH SIDE WON OUT.
AND SO SPILLING OVER IN THAT POSITIVE EFFECT, THE REASON IN THE GAME YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT PUTLING THE UNIVERSITY DOWN IS BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF POSITIVE BENEFITS TO THE AREA AROUND IT, TO THE MARKET, TO COMMERCIAL AND
[01:35:02]
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.SO TO SOME EXTENT, THAT'S THE PREDICTION THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRY TO MAKE HERE WITH THE INVESTMENT, ANY TIME YOU INJECT CLOSE TO 70, $80 MILLION WORTH OF CAPITAL, YOU'D BE A FOOL TO NOT THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE AREA AROUND IT.
SO DR. AMY, CAN WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT -- IF YOU'LL TAKE THE MIC, ABOUT WHAT KIND OF -- UNDERSTANDING THIS, UNDERSTANDING THE BEDROCK THAT THIS DECISION WILL SIT ON, WHICH IS A HISTORICALLY NEGLECTED, HISTORICALLY FORGOTTEN WEST SIDE, YOU CAN THROW A ROCK TO 78207, IN AN AREA WHERE THE LIFE EXPECTANTSY IS 20 YEARS DIFFERENT FROM THE AREA NORTH OF STAND, UNDERSTANDING ALL THOSE EXISTS RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD, YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS INTELLECTUAL STAFF, WHAT KIND OF INTENTIONAL PLANS ARE YOU ALL PUTTING TOGETHER, BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IN THE FOOTPRINT THAT IT SITS IN, BUT TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE THOUGHT THROUGH ABOUT THE SPILLOVER.
>> COUNCILMAN SAL TANYA, THANK YOU FOR THAT -- SALDAÑA, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PARALLEL AND IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES THAT ARE UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW.
I THINK WE'VE SHARED THAT WE A CAMPUS MASTER PLANNING PROCESS UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF LONG PROCESS THAT LOOKS AT ALL OF OUR CAMPUS, BUT WILL VERY MUCH BE LOOKING AT WHAT WE DO WITH THE -- WITH OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS, AND THAT'S A VERY THOUGHTFUL PROCESS.
IT WILL INVOLVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR JUST THAT ASPECT OF HOW YOU MOVE FORWARD.
I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE VISIONING PROCESS.
I WAS VERY INTERESTED TO MAKE SURE AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS THAT IT WAS DONE VERY THOUGHTFULLY IN CONCERT WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS THAT WOULD BE MAKING INVESTMENTS DOWNTOWN AND IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE AND IN THE WEST SIDE, AND THE THOUGHT WAS WE OUGHT TO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER NOW AND IN THE FUTURE TO REALIZE ALL OF THE POTENTIAL THAT COMES FROM ALL OF THE INVESTMENTS, WHETHER IT'S IN THE WEST SIDE PROPER, WHETHER IT'S FROM THE RIVER AUTHORITY, FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, FROM THE COUNTY, FROM THE SAN PEDRO CREEK PROJECT, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE TXDOT AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING.
IF WE'RE GOING TO BE INVESTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DOWNTOWN AT OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS WE OUGHT TO BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH ALL OF THOSE PARTIES TO DO IT WELL.
BUT PART AND PARCEL TO IT, ESPECIALLY AS WE THINK ABOUT PHASE 2 OF THIS PROJECT AND DOING SOMETHING POTENTIALLY ON FRIO STREET, IF THAT ALL CAN BE FIGURED OUT, WE OUGHT TO BE CHATTING NOW ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOODS JUST TO THE SOUTH OF THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS, HOW WE THINK ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE WEST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS, WHAT DO WE DO WITH GUADALUPE AREA OF THE WEST SIDE? I WOULD USE OUR EXAMPLE OF OUR COLLABORATION WITH LINEAR AND BRACKENRIDGE AND TOFOYO AS ONE EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN TERMS OF HOW WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.
AND I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN CHATTING WITH SHIRLEY AND ROBERTO'S STAFF HOW WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, HOW IT'S BROUGHT INTO THE PLANNING PROCESSES THAT THE CITY USES FORMATTERS THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT THE WEST SIDE.
ALL OF THESE ARE WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN.
PREDICTING EXACTLY THE FUTURE IS NOT EASY, BUT I DO KNOW THIS, AND I'VE WORKED ON THESE KIND OF THINGS A LOT: IF YOU CREATE THE RIGHT KIND OF ECOSYSTEM THAT LEONARD WAS REFERRING TO AROUND THE GENERATION OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND HAVING A WORKFORCE THAT'S PREPARED INSIDE THAT, JUST LIKE LORENZO'S STORY, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A PROSPERITY ECOSYSTEM FOR THE DOWNTOWN THAT BENEFITS THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY.
AND HOW WE DO THAT WITHOUT BRINGING CONCERNS TO BEAR AND REALIZING ISSUES THAT WOULD COME FROM -- YOU KNOW, ONE OF MY STUDENTS JUST CHATTED ABOUT HER CONCERN -- ORGANIZATIONAL CONCERNS ABOUT GENTRIFICATION, HOW WE TACKLE THAT AND FIGURE THAT OUT TO PREVENT THAT, AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE REALLY DRIVING THIS IDEA ABOUT THIS PROSPERITY FUNCTION THAT YOU CREATE FROM THIS ECOSYSTEM.
I THINK WE HAVE TO WORK HARD OVER THAT.
WE HAVE TIME TO WORK ON THIS AND FIGURE THIS OUT.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE PART OF OUR BIG PARTNERSHIP AS WE GO FORWARD.
I -- WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REALIZE THE FUTURE OF UTSA OR THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY WITHOUT WORKING WITH YOU AND WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY AND ALL OF THE ENTERPRISES THAT ARE HERE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE EVERYBODY DOING THIS TOGETHER, SO WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.
I THINK WE HAVE TIME TO WORK ON RESOLVING THINGS AND BEING A LITTLE MORE PREDICTIVE AND GRANULAR ABOUT WHAT THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN YEARS 3, 5, 7 AND
[01:40:03]
10, WE CAN WORK ON THAT.IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON OUR PLANNING PROCESSES, OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND THESE THINGS THAT COME FORWARD AS WE WORK IN THIS GRAND VISION.
I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, BUT WE CAN WORK TOWARDS THOSE ANSWERS.
>> SALDAÑA: DR. AMY, THANK YOU FOR TRYING YOUR BEST TO GET TO THE ANSWERS.
MAYBE I CAN GET A COMMITMENT AROUND WHAT I BELIEVE IS GOING TO BE A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF THE FUTURE.
PROBABLY THE HIGHEST HURDLE YOU HAD TO JUMP IS GETTING THE FUNDING FOR THIS TYPE OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND THE FUTURE OF WHAT WILL BE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG STUDENTS, ANOTHER HILL I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CLIMB IS COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS -- [INDISCERNIBLE] -- GONE ON LIVING WITHOUT THE RLINGS SHIPS AND HISTORIES AND CULTURES ON THE NEAR WEST SIDE.
I HOPE YOU'LL COMMIT WITH YOUR STAFF WORKING WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN PROPPING THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND FOLKS UP.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS AT THE UNIVERSITY THAT WORK ON THESE SUBJECTS PASSIONATELY.
I THINK WE'RE WELL POISED TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE WEST SIDE AND WITH THE CITY PROPER AND THE COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CITY AROUND WRESTLING WITH THIS ISSUE OF BALANCING PROSPERITY OPPORTUNITIES VERSUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAXES OR GENTRIFICATION.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TACKLE AND WORK CLOSELY ON, AND I ENVISION THAT WE WILL BE BRINGING FORWARD MORE ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES AS WE DO THIS AND MORE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT STUFFDIES AS WE DO THIS.
WORKING CLOSELY WITH ALL OF THE OTHER PARALLEL EFFORTS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE CITY AROUND HOUSING AND WHERE THE CITY CORE GOES AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICTS AS WE GO FORWARD.
>> SALDAÑA: AND ON TOP OF THAT, YOU'VE GIVEN US AN ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBER ALREADY WHICH IS CLOSE TO 150 MILLION, AND IF YOU'LL ADD TO THAT AN ATTACHMENT OR ADDENDUM, YOU HAVE SOME REALLY CAPABLE URBAN PLANNING AND POLICY.
IF I CAN TAILOR THAT A LITTLE BIT, WHAT ARE AREAS AT HIGHEST RISK OF AREAS FAST-CHANGING, SOME FOLKS CALL IT GENTRIFICATION, BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY IDENTIFY WHETHER IT'S THE APARTMENT COMPLEX OR THE ROW OF HOMES THAT MIGHT BE THE FIRST TO BE -- IF I'M MAKING PRIVATE INVESTMENTS AND I'M SPECULATING, $70 MILLION AROUND THIS AREA IS WHERE I'M GOING TO BE KNOCKING ON DOORS TRYING TO FIND FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE WILLING TO SELL PROPERTY TO ME.
SO I THINK IT'S THAT KIND OF ASSESSMENT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.
BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THE CITY WILL HAVE TO COME IN, BECAUSE WE'LL BE CALLED IN, BUT IF UTSA AND ITS FOLKS CAN DO THE SAME KIND OF WORK.
>> LET ME USE THIS AS MAYBE NOT A PERFECT EXAMPLE, BUT TWO DAYS AGO I WAS AT THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS IN CONCERT WITH A NUMBER OF FOLKS AND A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE OPPORTUNITY ZONE ISSUE, AND WE WERE HOSTING A DISCUSSION THAT INVOLVED COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM ALL OF THE SIX ZONES THAT HAVE BEEN DECLARED FOR SAN ANTONIO AND ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED, HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OPPORTUNITY ZONES ARE, HOW TO BE SMART ABOUT REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UNDER THAT NEW CONSTRUCT.
SO THAT'S A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE, AS A UNIVERSITY, AND THE TALENT THAT WE HAVE IS BROUGHT TO BEAR TO BRING THE COMMUNITY IN TO DISCUSS THESE THINGS IN CONCERT WITH THE CITY, WITH THE STATE, WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WE HAVE TO DO.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DO HAVE FACULTY AND STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE VERY, VERY TALENTED WHO COULD TACKLE THIS ISSUE OF COMMUNITY IMPACT AS WE GO FORWARD.
I MAYBE HAVE BEEN USING A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TERM, I CALLED IT A SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY.
I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING.
AND ONE ORGANIZATION I REALLY TRUST HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE WEST SIDE IS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LATINO COMMUNITY ASSET BUILDINGS, NALCAB, FOLKS WHO HAVE REALLY STUDIED THE AREA AROUND, I HOPE YOU WILL PARTNER WITH THEM.
>> I'LL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH SHIRLEY'S OFFICE AND LEONARD'S OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY TO DO THAT.
>> SALDAÑA: THANK YOU DR. AMY.
ONE THING I WILL SAY WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE NEWS THIS WAS HAPPENING, I WILL ADMIT THAT I WASN'T TERRIBLY EXCITED BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS BUT I WAS NAIVE IN THINKING THAT SOME OF THAT CITY-OWNED LAND THAT WE DID HAVE, THAT WE HAD THAT WE'RE CONVEYING TODAY MIGHT BE LANDBANCED -- LAND BANKED FOR ANOTHER FUTURE ISSUE WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE WHICH WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IN MY MIND, I ALWAYS THOUGHT ONE OF THOSE PROPERTIES MIGHT BE ABLE TO BUILD A MIXED-INCOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT.
WHEN I HEARD THE DETAILS OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT CAME TOGETHER TO HELP TO SOLVE ANOTHER POLICY ISSUE WHICH WAS THE DIE -- DYNAMISM, IT'S
[01:45:03]
HARD TO SAY NO TO THE MONEY COMING IN.WE STILL HAVE TO WORK ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE DON'T WANT THE DOWNTOWN, ESPECIALLY AROUND THIS AREA TO BE A GATED COMMUNITY.
WE'LL STILL TRY TO TACKLE THAT ISSUE.
DR. AMY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND VISION.
IT HELPS WHEN YOU HAVE LORENZO GOMEZ AND HIS BEARD AS WELL AS RAD WEAVER AND HIS SOUTHERN ACCESS AND REGENTS HERE WITH YOU, THERE'S A LOT TO LIKE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE VERY CAUTIOUS AS WE'RE STEPPING INTO A HUGE INVESTMENT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE DOG THAT CAUGHT THE CAR, WE'VE WANTED A DOWNTOWN CAMPUS, WE'VE GOT IT NOW, LET'S JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE MOVE SLOW IN ORDER TO GO FAST WITH RESPECT TO THE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA.
CONGRATULATIONS, DR. AMY AND CONGRATULATIONS LORI. THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.
AND IT'S AN INTERESTING DAY, ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT YOU'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, TWO IVY LEAGUERS HERE, YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY FROM MIT AND STANFORD GRAD, AND I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, THIS IS THE SECRET, THEY COULDN'T GET INTO UTSA, THEY HAD TO GO FAR, FAR AWAY TO GET THOSE DEGREES, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY.
THERE'S TWO BIG ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA, THERE'S UTSA'S FUTURE AND THEN THERE'S HOW WE OBSERVE THE PAST AND HOW WE REVERE THE PAST.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE PAST 300 YEARS HAS BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT, AND SAYING THAT COMES TO MIND IS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T PREDICT OUR FUTURE BUT WE SURE CAN CREATE IT, RIGHT? AND I BELIEVE, BASED ON EVERYTHING THAT I'VE SEEN, THAT PEOPLE WILL KNOW SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE OF THE ALAMO, RIGHT, AND BECAUSE OF OUR RIVERWALK AND BECAUSE OF OUR SPURS, BUT THEY WILL ALSO KNOW THE ALAMO FOR THIS ICONIC PROJECT THAT YOU'RE CREATING -- I'M SORRY, THEY'LL NO THE ALAMO CITY BECAUSE OF THIS ICONIC PROJECT THAT YOU'RE CREATING AND IT WILL BE UP THERE ON THE LIST OF THINGS THAT I JUST MENTIONED AS A REASON TO VISIT SAN ANTONIO AND AS A REASON TO MOVE TO SAN ANTONIO AND LIVE, WORK, PLAY, THRIVE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I WILL ADDRESS ONE ISSUE, FOR ANYBODY WHO'S CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE ISSUE OF, WELL, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND, YOU KNOW, WILL THERE BE GENTRIFICATION? THE PAST IS SOMETHING THAT CAN GUIDE US AND WHAT I'VE SEEN UTSA DO THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND THEN COUNCILMAN NIRENBERG, TODAY OUR MAYOR, I THINK YOU'LL AGREE WITH ME, UTSA IS A VERY ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN DISTRICT 8, AND YOU GUYS ARE ALL UP IN OUR BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT CRIME AND TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY AND, YOU KNOW, WATER AND ISSUES THAT IMPACT OUR INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS.
YOU, ON YOUR CAMPUS, HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS, TOWN HALLS, 5KS, YOU DO THAT WITHOUT EVER EXPECTING REMUNERATION OR EVEN CREDIT FOR DOING IT.
PEOPLE AROUND UTSA OVER THERE FEEL LIKE YOU ARE NEIGHBORS WHO ADD VALUE, AND YOU'VE CERTAINLY COMMUNICATED YOU.
TAYLOR, YOU'VE CERTAINLY COMMUNICATED AND MADE LOUD AND CLEAR AND CONVINCED ALL OF US THAT THIS IDEA OF URBAN GENOMICS AND THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO IS PART OF YOUR MISSION, RIGHT, AND THAT YOU'RE MAKING THAT ONE OF THE IMPORTANT DRIVING ELEMENTS OF WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR FUTURE SUCCESSES, AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M BUYING INTO THIS.
SO BASED ON THAT PAST, AND OUR EXPERIENCES WITH YOU, I'M SURE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUCCESS.
I'M SURE THAT GENERATIONS TO COME ARE GOING TO BE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR DECISION TO MOVE DOWNTOWN.
AND SO TO THAT I SAY, YOU KNOW, DEAR PAST, THANKS FOR THE LESSONS, AND DEAR FUTURE, I'M READY.
AND DEAR TAYLOR, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE IMPRESSED THE SOCKS ALL OF US.
I GUARANTEE YOU, NONE OF US ARE WEARING SOCKS ON THIS DAIS.
I APPRECIATE THE CHALLENGE THAT YOU'VE ISSUED TO ALL OF US TO RISE TO THIS OCCASION, AND I THINK ONLY GOOD THINGS ARE IN STORE.
MAYOR, YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT ON THIS ONE, TOO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
LORI, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IF YOU CAN.
APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION BUT I WANT TO DIG IN A LITTLE BIT TO THE PROCESS BEFORE I OFFER MY COMMENTS ON THE OVERALL PLAN ITSELF.
SO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHEN THE FIRST TIME THE FULL CITY COUNCIL
[01:50:01]
WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROJECT, THE DATE TO YOUR -- BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.>> THE FIRST TIME THE FULL COUNCIL WOULD HAVE BEEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ABOUT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS AGO.
SOMEWHERE MID SEPTEMBER, WHETHER IT WAS THE 18TH OR 19TH, SOMEWHERE RIGHT AROUND IN THERE, THE FULL COUNCIL WAS NOTIFIED, MAYBE THREE, FOUR DAYS BEFORE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE.
BUT UP UNTIL THAT POINT, THE COUNCIL WASN'T BRIEFED ON THIS IN ANY SETTING, CORRECT?
WE DID -- COUNCILMAN SHIRLEY GONZALES AND COUNCILMAN ROBERTO TREVINO AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WERE ENGAGED IN PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS.
>> BROCKHOUSE: MY BIGGEST CONCERN I HAVE FOR MY COLLEAGUES AND THE COUNCIL IN GENERAL IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THESE DECISIONS.
HOWEVER GREAT OR SMALL, WHETHER YOU'RE THE MAYOR OR YOU'RE THE REP SEASONTIVE OF DISTRICT -- REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 6, 1, 5, EVERY VOTE IS EQUAL ON THE COUNCIL.
THE STAFF NEEDS TO REMEMBER THEY WORK FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEY MUST BE INFORMED.
AT THIS POINT I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND, WHY WAS THE COUNCIL NOT INCLUDED UNTIL FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE ACTUAL ANNOUNCEMENT? [APPLAUSE]
>> SCULLEY: MAYOR AND COUNCIL, MAY I ADDRESS THIS?
AND SO THERE WERE MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.
AND THERE WERE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS WITH UTSA, AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT IN NEGOTIATING.
AND SO WHILE WE SPOKE WITH THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCILMEMBERS IN WHOSE DISTRICTS THE PROJECT WAS LOCATED, WE WERE BOUND TO THAT CONFIDENTIALITY.
WITHOUT ALL OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS COMING TOGETHER FOR APPROVAL, WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL EARLY SEPTEMBER, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME FORWARD WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION.
AND I WOULD LIKEN IT TO SOME OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT WE WORK ON.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE PARTNERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN BRINGING THE PROJECT TOGETHER, AND WHEN WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE FORM TO BE ABLE TO RECOMMEND IT TO COUNCIL, THEN WE BRING THAT FORWARD AND DISCUSS IT WITH COUNCIL IF IT INVOLVES REAL ESTATE, IN THIS CASE, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FIRST.
AND THEN BRING IT FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
I'M ELATED THAT THIS COULD EVEN HAPPEN WITHIN THE TIME FRAME THAT IT DID.
DR. AMY BEGAN AS PRESIDENT JUST ONE YEAR AGO.
HE DESCRIBED HIS VISION TO US EARLY IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR, AND BEGAN WORKING FEVERISHLY TO BRING ALL OF THESE PARTIES TOGETHER.
AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS, WHICH -- PROCESS WHICH DR. AMY CAN SPEAK TO, IS EXTENSIVE AS WELL.
THERE WERE MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS AND MEETINGS WITH THAT BOARD, SO IT IS A PROCESS THAT IS VERY SIMILAR TO HOW WE HANDLE OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
AND BEFORE YOU SPEAK, DR. AMY, I JUST WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT HER COMMENTS.
SO -- JUST SO THE COUNCIL, MY COLLEAGUES KNOW, I HAD REQUESTED FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THIS TO THE COUNCIL, TO THE FULL COUNCIL WHEN WE WERE FIRST BRIEFED ON THIS, I HAD ASKED IN WRITING FOR DOCUMENTATION ON SEPTEMBER 20TH ABOUT HOW THIS OCCURRED, WHERE IT CAME FROM, PRO FORMAS, DATA, INFORMATION, WHEN THIS CONVERSATION STARTED.
I RECEIVED NOTHING FOR 25 DAYS.
I RECEIVED SOME DOCUMENTATION YESTERDAY AT 4:00 ABOUT THE PROJECT.
WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS THAT IF YOU WANT MY VOTE, AND MAYBE YOU DON'T, BUT IF YOU WANT MY VOTE, IT NEEDS TO BE EARNED.
AND THAT MEANS INCLUSION IN BRINGING EVERY PARTY TO THE PROCESS.
YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CONFIDENTIALITY GOING AROUND AND IT'S HARD TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THESE PROJECTS.
WELL, IN THE DOCUMENTATION I WAS GIVEN, THERE'S WELL OVER 25 PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS SINCE MARCH, SO HOW CONFIDENT IS IT WHEN MANY PEOPLE, THE BOARD OF REGENTS, THE US BOARD OF REGENTS VOTED ON THIS IN JUNE, AND IN THIS PRESENTATION -- IN THIS DOCUMENTATION THAT I RECEIVED FROM MY RECORDS REQUEST, THE BOARD OF REGENTS VOTED ON THIS WITH THE PARCELS, AND I WANT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO HEAR THIS, THEY VOTED ON THIS
[01:55:01]
WITH THESE PARCELS IN THERE, NEGOTIATED BY LORI HOUSTON, THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOUND OUT ABOUT IT BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL EVEN KNEW.THE BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVED IT, AND THE COUNCIL STILL WAS UNAWARE.
LIKE WE STILL HAVE NO IDEA THAT THESE PARCELS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED, PRICED AND PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR APPROVAL.
SO, MA'AM, IF YOU SAID THERE'S CONFIDENTIALITY UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER AND THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS FLUID, WHY WAS THE BOARD OF REGENT VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT ARE PARCELS UNDER THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL WITHOUT US KNOWING?
>> SCULLEY: TWO POINTS: FIRST, THE LETTER THAT YOU MAY BE REFERRING TO, THEIR FINAL DECISION WAS NOT IN JUNE.
AND DR. AMY CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
AND THE LETTER CLEARLY STATES SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL AS WE DO IN ALL OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROJECTS OF THIS NATURE.
SECONDLY, WE DID BRIEF THE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND I KNOW THAT YOU DID NOT ATTEND THAT MEETING.
>> BROCKHOUSE: WELL I DON'T ATTEND IT BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE INAPPROPRIATE AND MISHANDLED AND THEY'RE OUT OF THE PUBLIC PURVIEW, SINCE YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.
I DON'T APPRECIATE THE BACK ROOM DEALS THAT OCCUR IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, SINCE YOU BROUGHT THAT UP I THOUGHT I BETTER SAY THAT.
BUT THE BOARD OF REGENTS WAS BRIEFED ON IT ON JUNE 26TH, THAT'S MY POINT.
AND IT WAS THOROUGHLY NEGOTIATED AT THAT POINT AS WELL.
THE POINT I'M TRYING TO GET ACROSS, AND BY THE WAY, I'VE GOT A TIMELINE OF EVENTS WHERE ALL THESE PEOPLE -- I CAN GO DOWN A LIST OF PEOPLE THAT ARE AWARE OF THIS AND NOT A ONE OF THEM IS A MEMBER OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL UNTIL MID JUNE WHEN THEY FINALLY BROUGHT MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMAN TREVINO IN, MANY PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN THE DISCUSSION AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE THE ULTIMATE VOTE ON THE PHASE 1 SHARING OF THIS PROPERTY AREN'T EVEN INCLUDED, AND MY VOTE'S NOT A RUBBER STAMP.
AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S VOTE UP HERE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RUBBER STAMP.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE SITTING THERE THINKING IT IS, I THINK DR. AMY IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE YOU'RE A VICTIM OF WHAT'S BROKEN ABOUT -- SALDAÑA HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
AND WHEN HE SAID IT, I CONCEDE THAT HE'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
IT'S HARD TO SAY NO TO SUCH A WONDERFUL IDEA AND PROJECT.
I TOLD YOU THAT ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU REACHED OUT TO ME, WHICH I WAS VERY THANKFUL.
OUT OF ALL THIS, YOU KNOW WHAT THE SADDEST PART IS, YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON THAT REACHED OUT TO TRY TO EARN MY VOTE.
NOBODY FROM THE MANAGER'S TEAM CONTACTED ME EVEN AFTER MY REQUEST ON SEPTEMBER 20TH.
I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE CITY ATTORNEY TO GET ANSWERS.
SO YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT REACHED OUT TO ME, AND, IN FACT, I TOLD YOU ON THE PHONE, I THINK IT'S -- WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS AMAZING AND I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF IT.
AND IT'S TRANSFORMATIONAL, I WANTED YOU TO KNOW AND I WANT ANYBODY AT UTSA WHO'S HERE TO REPRESENT THEM TODAY, MY CRITICISMS ARE NOT ABOUT UTSA.
HALF MY STAFF HAS -- ARE UTSA INTERNS AND GRADUATES, ACTUALLY, IT'S MORE THAN HALF, BUT -- AND YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THAT, AND I THINK WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION.
I TOLD YOU WHERE I WAS IN RESPECT TO THAT.
ULTIMA TELY SUPPORT YOU JUST BECAUSE OF YOUR CALL BECAUSE YOU REACHED OUT AND TALKED TO ME.
BUT IF THIS PROCESS IS NOT FIXED WHERE PEOPLE IN THE BODY ARE NOT INCLUDED, THIS IS BROKE.
AND IT STARTS AT THE TOP, INCLUDE US ALL.
THERE'S AN E-MAIL IN HERE FROM A DEVELOPER CONTACTS THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT HIS EXPERTISE IN EARLY AUGUST ON THIS DEVELOPMENT.
HOW DOES A DEVELOPER FROM SUNT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND E-MAIL THE CITY MANAGER ASKING TO BE A PART OF IT TO WORK HIS EXPERTISE AND DEVELOPMENT, HOW DOES SOMEBODY A GUY NAMED DUKE FROM ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY E-MAILS THE MANAGER KNOWING ABOUT THE PROJECT IN AUGUST AND NONE OF US DO? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, LORI? I DON'T -- HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW ALL THESE PLAYERS KNOW, BUT NO ONE THOUGHT TO STAND AND SAY, WE SHOULD INCLUDE THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> I LANDED HERE A YEAR AGO ESSENTIALLY, AND I CAME HERE FOR A PURPOSE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF THIS UNIVERSITY AND THIS CITY TO COLLABORATE VERY CLOSELY TO GO IN BIG AND REALIZE SOMETHING VERY BOLD.
AND YOU MIGHT APPRECIATE THE COMPLEXITY THAT WAS INVOLVED OF MY HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY.
I TURN TO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES SAID WAS SHOW ME AN IDEA, BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT? AND BACK -- FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AS I STARTED TO CONCEIVE ALL OF THIS AND THINK ABOUT IT, I HAD FOUR PARALLEL VERY CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATIONS THAT HAD TO BE HAPPENING WITH THE COUNTY, THE CITY, THE DONOR AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM.
[02:00:03]
AND MY GREATEST CONCERN WAS TO HAVE PUT OUT AN IDEA THAT WAS WONDERFUL AND HAVE IT ALL BLOW UP BECAUSE ONE OF THOSE FOUR COMPONENTS WASN'T REALIZED.SO I WAS PRETTY ADAMANT WITH EVERYBODY THAT WE NEEDED TO KEEP THIS AS CONFIDENTIAL AS POSSIBLE AS WE WENT FORWARD.
I MAY HAVE ERRED IN NOT RECOGNIZING SOME OF THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF SHARING AT YOUR LEVEL HERE, BUT I WAS IN LOCKDOWN MODE JUST BECAUSE I WAS VERY AFRAID OF HAVING A STORY GET OUT AND THEN HAVE THAT CAUSE A RIPPLE EFFECT WHERE ONE OF THE FOUR PARTIES ENDED UP SAYING NO.
SO I WAS -- I'D LIKE TO OWN THAT AND IF I'VE HARMED ANYTHING IN ANY WAY, THAT'S MY FAULT.
THE ARIZONA STATE MATTER, I TURN TO THEM OFTEN BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY'VE DONE WITH THEIR PROJECT DOWNTOWN, I'M VERY CLOSE TO PRESIDENT CROW THERE AND THE INDIVIDUAL YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS HIS EXPERT ON DOWNTOWN CAMPUS STUFF.
WE'RE ACTUALLY BOTH GIVING A PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS NEXT MONTH IN AUSTIN ABOUT HOW TO DEVELOP DOWNTOWN CAMPUSES.
HE'S NOT A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, HE'S AN ADMINISTRATOR JUST LIKE ME, SO...
>> BROCKHOUSE: DR. AMY, I 100% APPRECIATE WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
AS I SAID ON OUR PHONE CALL, THERE IS NO ISSUE WHATSOEVER WITH WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE PUSHING UTSA FORWARD.
THAT'S NOT AT ALL MY CONCERN, AND FRANKLY, I -- IT'S NOT ON YOU TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.
AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, REGARDLESS OF WHERE SOMEBODY THINKS IT'S GOING TO BE LEAKED UP HERE, I'M SORRY, WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN IT, LORI, AND AT SOME POINT IT NEEDS TO COME TO US.
SO LOOK, AND I DO HAVE SOME GRAVE CONCERNS, LIKE HOW A DEVELOPER KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND IS PITCHING THEIR EXPERTISE, WE SHOULD ALL BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT, DIRECTLY TO THE ACCESS -- THEY HAVE THE KIND OF ACCESS DIRECTLY TO THE CITY MANAGER IS A CONCERN DURING AN ALLEGEDLY -- AN ALLEGED PROCESS THAT HAS -- THAT IS BEING PROTECTED.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS PERSON KNEW ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IN THE E-MAIL HE STATED, LORI, THAT HE WAS BRIEFED AT DR. AMY'S PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS PROJECT IN AUGUST, AUGUST 8TH, AND THIS PERSON FROM SUNT, ERIC HEDALIN IS E-MAILING THE MANAGER ABOUT HELPING OUT, BUT YET THE COUNCIL DOESN'T KNOW.
WHAT PRESENTATIONS, LORI, ARE THEY REFERRING TO?
>> COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE, YOU MIGHT IMAGINE THAT AS WE WERE WORKING INTERNALLY IN OUR INSTITUTION ABOUT HOW WE BROUGHT THIS PROJECT FORWARD AND ALL THE MATERIALS THAT WE HAD TO PREPARE FOR PRESENTATION TO THE COUNTY, THE CITY, THE DONOR, ESPECIALLY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS, I HAD A NUMBER OF STAFF THAT WERE INVOLVED IN HELPING ME PR E PAIR THIS.
I AM NOT AWARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.
IT JUST SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT I WAS QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THESE MATTERS GETTING OUT.
I HAD A LOCKDOWN PROCESS IN PLACE THAT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T SUCCESSFUL.
>> BROCKHOUSE: IT SPEAKS TO THE FACT, DR. AMY, THAT IT WAS OUT TO EVERYBODY BUT THE MEMBERS.
THERE'S ONE MORE PIECE I'M CURIOUS ABOUT, IN ANOTHER E-MAIL THERE'S A REFERENCING TO $10 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE PROJECT AND THE CITY MANAGER RESPONDS THAT SHE WILL SPEAK WITH THE BOND COUNCIL AND CFO BEN GORZELL TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, $10 MILLION IN BOND FUNDING OR SOME SORT OF FUNDING.
WHAT WOULD THAT $10 MILLION BE IN REFERENCE TO? I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.
AGAIN, I GOT THIS AT 4:00 YESTERDAY, SO HATE TO HAVE TO DO THIS NOW, BUT I MEAN, IT IS WHAT IT IS TO TRY TO GET THE ANSWERS.
>> SCULLEY: THAT IS ANUNRELATED PROJECT, COUNCILMAN.
THAT IS RELATING TO THE VOTER APPROVED $10 MILLION FOR UTSA FACILITIES ON THE MAIN CAMPUS.
AND DR. AMY AND OUR STAFF ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE DEPLOYED TO COMPLETE THAT PROJECT.
SO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS.
I'LL WRAP UP WITH JUST A COUPLE OF KEY POINTS.
IT'S A WONDERFUL VISION, DR. AMY.
BUT I ALSO HAVE A VISION WHERE EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY IS INCLUDED IN A DISCUSSION AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLY TIME.
AND I HOPE THAT THE CITY MANAGER AND LORI WHO HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING AT SOME POINT, I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE SAID AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO TRUST THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION.
IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY, AND YOU CAN'T TRUST THE MEMBERS WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PROBLEMS, LORI.
YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE US A LOT SOONER AND I THINK IT'S EGREGIOUS AND AN ABSOLUTE OVERSIGHT.
PEOPLE ARE WONDERING, WHY IS THIS GUY GOING TO TOWN ON THIS.
[02:05:01]
WHEN I REQUESTED THE INFORMATION ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, I GOT CRICKETS, NOTHING.I DIDN'T EVEN GET A PHONE CALL OR A BRIEFING OR, HEY, LET ME HELP YOU UNDERSTAND.
I'M NOT THE ONLY MEMBER THAT FEELS THIS WAY, I'M JUST THE ONLY ONE SAYING IT RIGHT NOW.
PEOPLE NEED TO BE INCLUDED, AND YOU HAVE TO DO THAT, LORI, AND MANAGER SCULLEY, I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE, PEOPLE CAN BE INCLUDED.
THEY HAVE TO BE TRUSTED BECAUSE THEY ARE ELECTED AND THEY HAVE THE ULTIMATE VOTE.
YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION TO MAKE A FAIR AND REASONABLE ASSESSMENT.
THE MAYOR COMMITTED THAT TO ME YESTERDAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANDY'S GOT A COMMENT.
>> YES, COUNCILMAN, WE HAD AN INITIAL CONVERSATION ON YOUR REQUEST TO CLARIFY SOME THINGS IN TERMS OF SCOPE.
I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THE MAYOR'S STAFF AND MY COLLEAGUES ON THE CITY STAFF KNOW THAT I HAD THE BATON ON THAT.
CLEARLY I DROPPED THAT TO THE EXTENT YOU DIDN'T GET THE INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I BEAR THE BRUNT OF NOT -- ALL OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
IN THE FUTURE IF YOU DO HAVE A REQUEST LIKE THAT, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GIVE YOU UPDATES AND GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU REQUESTED IN A TIMELY MANNER.
>> BROCKHOUSE: A LOT OF PEOPLE FALLING ON THE SWORDS AROUND HERE.
IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT EITHER, ANDY.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.
WHEN A RECORDS REQUEST OCCURS IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, IT'S ON THE PERSON WHO THE INFORMATION IS REQUESTED OF, IT'S INCUMBENT ON THEM TO TURN OVER THE INFORMATION.
IT'S NOT INCUMBENT ON YOU AS THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DO IT, IT'S INCUMBENT UPON THE PERSON THAT THEY DISCLOSE ALL INFORMATION.
THAT'S THE RULE OF OPEN RECORDS IN THE TEXAS OPENS MEETING -- ALL OF IT.
IT'S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, SIR.
THE FACT IS THAT NOBODY WANTED TO GIVE ME THE INFORMATION FOR WHATEVER REASON, TABLED, BUSY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS, BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE FULL DECISIONS ON THIS.
AND I'M THANKFUL AT THE END OF IT THAT YOU MADE THE PHONE CALL AND WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION.
I'LL VOTE ON THAT VISION, BECAUSE YOU AND I HAD -- LIKE I SAID, COUNCILMAN GONZALES IS EXACTLY RIGHT, YOU'RE BRINGING SOMETHING THAT'S AMAZING TO THE PROCESS, BUT THE AMAZING PROCESS ON THIS PART NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO OCCUR, AND THAT'S INCLUSION.
I CALL ON THE MAYOR TO PLEASE INCLUDE EVERYBODY IN EVERY DECISION REGARDLESS OF THEIR BELIEFS OR OPPOSITION OR POLITICAL MEANS OR WHATEVER IT IS, LIKE YOU SAID YESTERDAY, IT AIN'T POLITICS TO INCLUDE AND BE FAIR AND REASONABLE, WHAT IT IS IS PROFESSIONAL IN LEADERSHIP.
I'LL VOTE IN SUPPORT OF YOU TODAY BECAUSE YOU REACHED OUT TO ME DR. AMY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO AND I WILL WORK HARD WITH YOU.
GET ME THE INFORMATION EARLIER, THIS PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAPPEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED ON THIS.
COUNCILMAN TREVINO, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
I WANT TO THANK RAD WEE -- WEAVER AND LEO GOMEZ SITTING THROUGH THE WHOLE DISCUSSION.
SOMETIMES IT'S FIREWORKS, BUT IT'S STILL HISTORICAL BECAUSE YOU ARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AND THAT'S -- I KNOW YOU DON'T GET TO DO MUCH OF THAT ANY MORE RIGHT NOW, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS VISION FORWARD.
I'M TREMENDOUSLY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DOWNTOWN, BUT -- SORRY, IT'S HARD TO JUMP INTO MY POSITIVE COMMENTS AFTER WE JUST HAD THIS DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW, SO I'M GOING TO REFERENCE THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE, I THINK YOU'RE CORRECT IN THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE A SLIGHTLY BETTE JOB, AND I THINK ALL OF OUR PROCESS HERE IN THE CITY -- ANYWHERE, STAND -- CAN BENEFIT FROM IMPROVEMENT.
I'M GLAD THAT TODAY'S VOTE WILL NOT BE HELD UP BECAUSE OF THAT, BUT I INVITE YOU AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO -- AND EVEN THE PUBLIC, OF COURSE, TO BRING FORWARD YOUR IDEAS FOR HOW WE CAN IMPROVE SOME OF THESE PROCESSES.
IN FEBRUARY, COUNCILMAN, I CAME TO YOU WITH A CCR, AND I ASKED YOU TO BE THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT -- SIGNATURE ON THAT FOR ME, AND WHAT IT DID WAS ASK CITY STAFF TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESSES, AND WE TITLED IT -- WE TITLED OUR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST ADVANCING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
IT ASKED CITY STAFF FIVE THINGS, AND ONE OF THEM WAS TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THAT THE NEXT STEPS ON THAT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AT MY COMMITTEE, AND I THINK THAT'S A WONDERFUL
[02:10:02]
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ISSUES PRECISELY LIKE THIS ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB, AND MAYBE OTHER THINGS AS WELL.SO I JUST -- I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE THAT WHEN WE SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVEMENT -- FOR IMPROVEMENTS, WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING FORWARD THE SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO IMPROVE THAT.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL BE DOING IN OUR DISCUSSION AT COMMITTEE MEETING.
SO, AGAIN, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THIS DOWNTOWN CAMPUS.
SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS MENTIONED THE LONG DECADES OF NEGLECT AND UNFORTUNATE DEVELOPMENT THAT DID OR DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE WEST SIDE.
DR. CHRISTINE DRENNAN GAVE US A GREAT PRESENTATION ABOUT SOME OF THAT HISTORIC STUFF THAT HAPPENED, AND I SEE TODAY AS A WAY TO BEGIN MAKING UP FOR THAT.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE FREEWAY AND HOW IT REALLY -- [INAUDIBLE] -- THERE ARE DAYS AS A PROTEST FOR THAT FREEWAY BEING THERE, I CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE IT AND I TAKE THE STREETS INSTEAD, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE FREEWAY GO AWAY TION AND IT DOESN'T UNIFY THE COMMUNITY, BUT SOMETHING LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY DOES.
I THINK GEOGRAPHY IS REALLY A CATALYST FOR WHAT WE WANT TO SEE HAPPEN IN SAN ANTONIO, AND THIS IS GEOGRAPHY THAT'S ACTUALLY WITHIN OUR POWER, RIGHT, BECAUSE THE CITY OWNS SOME OF THIS PROPERTY AND THE REGENTS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US ON THIS.
AND I THINK WHAT I'M PROBABLY MOST SCHIETED -- EXCITED ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE SAISD SCHOOLS THAT MAYBE WEREN'T PERFORMING RIGHT NOW, AND WHEN YOU PUT A CAMPUS THAT'S GOING TO BE AN OPEN CAMPUS, RIGHT, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A CLOSED GATE CAMPUS, WHEN YOU PUT THAT CAMPUS DOWNTOWN AND YOU OPEN IT TO THE COMMUNITY, IT IS GOING TO BE WITHIN SIGHT.
AND WHEN SOMETHING IS WITHIN SIGHT, YOU BELIEVE THAT IT'S WITHIN REACH.
AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH THE MINDS OF ALL THOSE STUDENTS THAT WILL BE STUDYING AT SAISD SCHOOLS DOWNTOWN.
I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION, AND I'M ACTUALLY NOT SURE IF THIS IS FOR STAFF OR FOR DR. AMY, NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE ADOPTED A DOCUMENT PUT FORWARD BY THE MAYOR'S HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE, AND THERE WAS ONE ITEM IN THERE -- AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE BEGINNING TO ADDRESS THIS ALREADY, AND COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA SPOKE TO IT.
THERE'S ONE RECOMMENDATION IN THERE THAT I THOUGHT WAS REALLY STRIKING IN THAT REPORT, AND IT WAS REQUIRE PUBLIC AGENCIES TO CONDUCT A DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT, WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE WORKING ON ALREADY.
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING ABOUT SETTING ASIDE FUNDS, SORT OF A RISK MITIGATION FUND, TO ASSIST IN EVENTUALLY -- WHAT MIGHT END UP BEING DISPLACEMENT.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S IN THE PLANS.
>> HOUSTON: IN THE DRAFT AGREEMENT THAT WE'VE ATTACHED TO THIS DOCUMENT THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT PRIOR TO UTSA MAKING A REQUEST ON FRIO THERE MUST BE AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC STUDY ADDRESSING THAT CONCERN.
THE REPORT WILL IDENTIFY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE CAN MAKE TO AVOID SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS, AND DR. AMY CAN SPEAK TO THE FUNDING THAT MAY BE ATTACHED TO THAT REPORT.
>> THIS GETS TO WHAT COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA WAS ASKING FOR, OBVIOUSLY, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE VERY INTERESTED IN DOING.
WE SELF-FINANCE HOW WE DO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IMPACT STUDIES, WE DO THAT THROUGH OUR INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY, THERE MIGHT BE OTHER BETTER TERMS TO USE, AS I INDICATED EARLIER, WE'LL FINANCE THAT AND BRING THAT FORWARD AS PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO CONTINUE ALL OF THE VARIOUS CONVERSATIONS WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS.
AND OBVIOUSLY, IT'S GOING TO INTEGRATE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT THIS CITY IS WORKING ON, AND WE'VE VERY AWARE OF THE MAYOR'S HOUSING COMMISSION REPORT COMING OUT, AND WE'VE LOOKED AT THAT.
SO WE'RE INTENDING TO MARSHALL OUR FORCES TO WORK ON THAT, AND WE WON'T WAIT -- THIS WILL BEGIN RIGHT AWAY EVEN THOUGH THE FRIO STREET PROPERTIES ARE POTENTIALLY DOWNSTREAM AND THEY'RE NOT THERE, WE'RE GOING TO GET ON WITH THIS ANYWAY, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH OUR WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH COUNCILMAN GONZALES' AND COUNCILMEMBER TREVINO'S OFFICE ABOUT HOW WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[02:15:01]
ALL THE FUTURE STUFF DEPENDS ON TODAY'S VOTE AND TODAY'S VOTE IS THE FIRST STEP.SO NOT EVERYTHING'S BEEN FIGURED OUT YET, OBVIOUSLY, BUT I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT BOTH OF THE COUNCIL OFFICES ARE INVOLVED, BUT I'M WONDERING IF CITY STAFF WILL ALSO BE INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS, AND DO WE HAVE THE RESOURCES FOR THAT AS WELL?
>> SCULLEY: YES, WE WILL BE INVOLVED, AND IF WE NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, WE'LL COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL WITH A RECOMMENDED ACTION, BUT AT THIS TIME WE THINK WE CAN HANDLE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, COUNCILWOMAN.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS VISION, DR. AMY.
IT'S A RECORD AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN THAT YOU WERE JUST APPOINTED NOT TOO LONG AGO AND YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY, DR. AMY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING BY THE OFFICE.
I REALLY ENJOYED THAT VISIT TO EXPLAIN THIS WHOLE DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE FOR UTSA DOWNTOWN.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO EXPRESS SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS FROM COUNCILMAN COURAGE AND COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE ABOUT THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS AND BEING BROUGHT IN THIS RIGHT -- LITERALLY RIGHT BEFORE THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THIS PROJECT.
AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THAT, BUT I CAN'T SAY NO TO THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF THAT.
I MEAN, THIS IS -- THIS IS A GAME-CHANGER FOR DOWNTOWN, AND FOR THE WEST SIDE.
SO I'M JUST, AGAIN, DISAPPOINTED IN THE PROCESS AND HOW WE WERE BROUGHT INTO THIS PROJECT OVERALL.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR UTSA, EVEN THOUGH I'M AN AGGIE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS AND BRINGING THIS TO DOWNTOWN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
I'LL BE VERY BRIEF, BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS PROJECT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID.
BUT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE GRAHAM WESTON AND HIS ETERNAL DEVOTION TO THE VISION OF OUR URBAN CORE, WHICH IN REALITY -- OR BECOMES A REALITY WITH THIS PROJECT IN MY MIND, A TRULY CATALYTIC ONE.
IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE A HIGHER AND BETTER USE OF THE PUBLIC'S LAND THAN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILDREN OF SAN ANTONIO CAN HARNESS THE FUTURE.
AND SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS THAT WOULD BE COMING TO THE URBAN CORE OF SAN ANTONIO, IT'S TRULY EXTRAORDINARY.
YOU TALK ABOUT THE 21ST CENTURY INDUSTRIES THAT ARE JER ME NATEING -- GERMINATING RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES AND THE FACT THAT SAN ANTONIO IN THE HEART OF OUR CITY CAN NOW TAKE A LEADERSHIP POSITION GLOBALLY IN THOSE THINGS IS PHENOMENAL.
THE WORLD-CLASS FACULTY THAT WILL BE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, EXTRAORDINARY.
THE KINDS OF EMPLOYERS WHO WILL BE ATTRACTED TO THE TALENT PIPELINE THAT WILL BE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE BECAUSE OF A UTSA DOWNTOWN CAMPUS THAT COLLABORATES WITH THE MILITARY AND PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR VERY CITY RIGHT NOW.
IT'S THE GLUE THAT COMBINES ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO SEE IN OUR ECONOMY FOR SO LONG.
AND IF WE DO IT RIGHT, AND I BELIEVE IN THIS COLLABORATION WE ARE, THAT IS TO THE BENEFIT OF EVERY SINGLE FAMILY IN SAN ANTONIO NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, SO I WANT TO THANK YOU, DR. AMY FOR BEING DELIBERATE, BEING CAREFUL, BUT BEING BOLD WITH THE VISION THAT YOU CAME IN TO ACHIEVE.
AND IT'S EXTRAORDINARIRY THAT YOU'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
I DO WANT TO ALSO SAY THANK YOU TO LORI AND TO OUR CITY STAFF FOR WORKING SO HARD ON THIS PARTICULAR TRANSACTION.
THE CLOSEST ANALOGUE WE CAN FIND, MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DAIS WERE HERE WHEN IT HAPPENED WAS THE FROST BANK TOWER, AND WE KNOW HOW CATALYTIC THAT PROJECT IS AND WILL BE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND FINALLY, I'LL JUST SAY, THERE ARE MISTAKES THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, OUR COMMUNITY MAKES OVER GENERATIONS.
AND ONE OF THE MISTAKES THAT WAS MADE IN PLANNING CIRCLES YEARS AGO, DECADES AGO, WAS REMARKED UPON BY FORMER MAYOR HENRY CISNEROS, WHICH WAS THE FACT THAT WE PASSED ON AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR CITY.
IT'S NOW LOCATED UP I-10 IN DISTRICT 8, AND IS DOING QUITE WELL, WELL ENOUGH THAT I WOULD SAY THEY OVERCAME THE WEAKNESS OF NOT BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.
BUT THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO RIGHT THAT SHIP AND TO HAVE A PREMIER RESEARCH INSTITUTION THAT WILL
[02:20:01]
BE THE ENVY OF NOT ONLY THE BEST UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, BUT ALSO UNIVERSITIES WORLDWIDE IS SOMETHING I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF.AND FINALLY, I WOULD SAY THAT THANK YOU, RAD, I THINK EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD KNOWS HOW TO MAKE HOOK 'EM HORNS, BUT I HOPE THEY VERY SOON KNOW HOW TO SAY BIRDS UP.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE, AND I'M HAPPY THAT THIS WILL MOVE FORWARD TODAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
I KNOW EVERYONE'S BEEN SITTING AND WAITING AND WE'VE GOT A BIG ITEM NEXT.
BECAUSE SO MANY OF YOU ALSO PROBABLY ARE HUNGRY, LET'S TAKE A 25-MINUTE BREAK.
WE WILL RECONVENE AT FIVE TILL NOON FOR THE ALAMO VOTE.
GO GET SOMETHING TO EAT, BECAU
[6. Ordinance approving a contract for two replacement sewer/catch basin cleaning trucks with Grande Truck Center for the Transportation & Capital Improvement Department for a total cost of $736,448.00, funded from the FY 2019 Equipment Renewal and Replacement Fund (ERRF). [Ben Gorzell, Chief Financial Officer; Troy Elliott, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Finance]]
[02:27:20]
[RECESS][02:31:09]
OCTOBER 18, 2018>> ONE OF THE REASONS I MENTIONED WE WANT TO CLOSE THESE STREETS IS TO RECAPTURE THE HISTORIC PLAZA.
BY REMOVING THEM WE'RE ABLE TO TELL ALL THE STORIES THAT WE WANT TO INTERPRET.
THIS EXHIBIT SHOWS THE FADED AREA IN PINK, THE KNOWN BURIAL GROUNDS THAT WE HAVE ON THE SITE.
THOSE ARE BOTH PREMISSION AND CATHOLIC BURIAL GROUNDS AND THE AREAS IN PINK ARE THE ONES WE HAVE ALREADY DONE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HIGHLIGHT THOSE THROUGH A NEW AND IMPROVED ALAMO EXPERIENCE AND INTERPRET ALL THOSE IMPORTANT STORIES OF ALL THE CULTURES THAT LIVED ON THE SITE.
THE CLOSING OF THE STREETS ALLOWS US TO EXPAND THE HISTORIC FOOTPRINT BY 60%.
IT GOES FROM 4.2 ACRES TO 6.7 ACRES.
BUT IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO EXPAND OUR COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE GOING FROM 1.3 ACRES TO 5.9 ACRES.
THE NEXT STRATEGY IS TO DEVELOP A NEW PARADE ROUTE THAT HONORS THE COMPLETE HISTORY.
THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE PARADES, AS CURRENTLY PRESENTED TODAY, DO HONOR THAT HISTORY.
BUT WE WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THAT.
SO BY CLOSING THE STREETS AND REDEVELOPING AND REROUTING THE PARADES WE'RE ABLE TO AVOID THOSE KNOWN BURIAL GROUNDS AND PROVIDE MORE RESPECT TO THE SITE.
AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HONOR THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO THROUGH THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THROUGH THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE.
WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE FLORAL TRIBUTE WITH THIS REROUTING.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE PROPOSED TWO ROUTES WE PRESENTED TO THE PARADE ORGANIZERS.
THE CURRENT ROUTE FOR THE PARADES THEY GO DIRECTLY SOUTH ON ALAMO STREET.
THEY STOP ON ALAMO STREET IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH.
THERE IS A CADET WHO WILL TAKE A FLORAL TRIBUTE AND WALK IT TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH.
THERE ARE BLEACHERS ALL ALONG ALAMO STREET, SO MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THAT CEREMONY IS HAPPENING.
THE PROPOSED OPTION TO REROUTE THESE TWO PARADES WILL ALLOW US TO HIGHLIGHT THAT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE CHURCH.
WHETHER THEY TAKE LOSOYA STREET
[02:35:01]
OR BONHAM STREET, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENRICH THE PROCESSION EXPERIENCE AT THE ALAMO THROUGH THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE.I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BYRON WITH THE FIESTA COMMISSION, AS WELL AS ANNA LAURA BLOCK WITH THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION AND HELP IN THIS EFFORT AS WELL AS THE FLAMBEAU PARADE ASSOCIATION.
AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO COUNCILMAN ROBERTO TREVINO.
THE THIRD IS TO RELOCATE THE CENOTAPH WITHIN ALAMO PLAZA.
LAST YEAR WE WERE PROPOSING TO RELOCATE THE CENOTAPH AT AN AREA AT THE RIVER AND MARKET STREET.
WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC WAS THAT WAS TOO FAR AND IT KEPT THE CENOTAPH OUT OF CONTEXT.
WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING NOW IS TO RELOCATE IT TO AN AREA THAT IS IN LINE WITH THE ORIGINAL LOCATION REQUESTED.
BY RELOCATING WE CAN CLARIFY PERIODS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE, WE ARE ABLE TO BETTER PROGRAM THE AREA AND EXPAND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ON THE SITE.
THE CENOTAPH WILL BE REPAIRED AND RELOCATED WITHIN ALAMO PLAZA.
IT WILL REMAIN A PROMINENT FEATURE WITHIN THE PLAZA, AND IT WILL BE RELOCATED AND REPAIRED ON SITE.
THIS EXHIBIT SHOWS THE CENOTAPH DOES BLOCK VIEWS OF THE LONG BARRACK AND CHURCH AND IT LIMITS SPACES FOR PROGRAMS. THIS SHOWS THE RELOCATION WILL ENABLE US TO DO MORE PROGRAMMING ON THE SITE TO TELL ALL THE STORIES IN THAT RICH HISTORY OF THE ALAMO.
THE NEXT THING IS IT ALLOWS US TO CLARIFY PERIODS OF SIGNIFICANCE.
AND, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE PROPOSED LOCATION, WHICH IS 500 FEET FROM THE CURRENT LOCATION, IS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SITES COPINI REQUESTED WHEN CONSTRUCTING THE CENOTAPH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY.
AS THE PRESENTER IS SPEAKING, PLEASE KEEP YOUR CONVERSATIONS DOWN TO A MINIMUM SO WE CAN KEEP ORDER IN THE ROOM.
>> THE CENOTAPH WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A PROMINENT FEATURE IN ALAMO PLAZA AND I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT WILL BE REPAIRED BUT IT WILL BE A CENTERPIECE FOR ALAMO PLAZA.
THE NEXT STRATEGY IS TO ENCOURAGE A FORMAL POINT OF ENTRY TO THE ALAMO.
THE ALAMO PLAZA CURRENTLY IS VERY, VERY POROUS.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS PROVIDE A FORMAL POINT OF ENTRY TO HELP ENHANCE THAT VISITOR EXPERIENCE.
THE PROPOSED PLAN WILL STILL ALLOW CONTINUOUS ACCESS 24/7 TO THE PLAZA.
IT WILL ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE TO INCLUDE THE EXPERIENCE FOR RESIDENTS IN AUDIO] THAT CAN BE OPEN DURING TIMES OF HIGH PEDESTRIAN FLOW AS WELL AS DURING TIMES OF NO PROGRAMMING.
AND I ALSO WANT TO MENTION AND EMPHASIZE THAT IT WILL ALWAYS BE FREE TO WALK INTO THE ALAMO PLAZA, THE ALAMO CHURCH, AND THE LONG BARRACK.
DURING TIMES OF NONMUSEUM HOURS, WE'LL HAVE SIX POINTS OF ENTRY THAT WILL BE OPEN WHEN THE MUSEUM IS NOT OPEN.
THIS EXHIBIT SHOWS THE WAY A VISITOR EXPERIENCES THE ALAMO.
THE GREEN DOT IS THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH AND THE BLUE DOT IS THE SITE OF THE LONG BARRACK.
THE MAJORITY OF VISITORS WHO GO TO THE ALAMO HEAD NORTH ON ALAMO STREET.
AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE THEY HAVE WALKED OVER A BATTLEFIELD WHEN THEY GET TO THE CHURCH.
BY THE TIME THEY GET IN THE CHURCH, THEY ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE MISSION AND THE BATTLEFIELD.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT A VISITOR TO THE SITE UNDERSTANDS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GROUNDS THEY'RE STANDING ON.
WE'RE PROPOSING THE PRIMARY ENTRY BE LOCATED ON THE WEST END OF THE PLAZA WALLS, WHICH IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CROCKETT BUILDING.
AS SOON AS THEY STEP INTO THE PLAZA, THEY WILL KNOW THAT THEY ARE ON A HISTORIC MISSION FOOTPRINT.
THEY WILL KNOW AND LEARN ABOUT THE MISSION ERA, THE BATTLE ERA, AND THE URBANIZATION OF SAN ANTONIO.
AS MENTIONED, THERE WILL BE TWO ADDITIONAL SITES THAT CAN BE OPENED DURING TIMES WHEN THERE'S NO PROGRAMMING GOING ON IN THE PLAZA OR TIMES WHEN THERE'S HIGH PEDESTRIAN FLOW.
AND THEN DURING TIMES WHEN THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED, WHICH WE BELIEVE TO BE BEFORE 9:00 A.M.
AND AFTER 6:00 P.M., THERE WILL BE SIX ACCESS POINTS IN AND OUT OF THE PLAZA.
THE NEXT ONE IS TO DO AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ADAPTIVE REUSE POTENTIAL FOR THE THREE HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAT THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE PURCHASED.
THIS INCLUDES THE CROCKETT, PALACE, AND WOOLWORTH BUILDING.
THE ASSESSMENT WILL LOOK AT EACH OF THESE BUILDINGS AND ASSESS THEM BASED ON THE BUILDING INDIVIDUALLY, LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, THE
[02:40:01]
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, AND IT WILL BE IN LINE WITH THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR'S STANDARDS.IT WILL ALSO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES, HOW WE CAN CONNECT MULTIPLE FLOOR PLATES TO ACCOMMODATE A WORLD-CLASS VISITOR CENTER AND MUSEUM.
DURING THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS, THEY DID REQUEST THAT THEY RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON THE ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO ANY RECOMMENDATION BEING MADE AT THE TEXAS HISTORIC COMMISSION.
AND THAT IS A REQUIREMENT PRIOR TO MOVING FORWARD TO THC.
ADDITIONALLY, HDRC WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW AND RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON THE ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO MOVING FORWARD TO THC.
BEFORE CITY STAFF AND THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SPECIFICALLY INITIATED THE REGULATORY PROCESS NECESSARY TO APPROVE THE PLAN, PGAV DID A BRAND PERCEPTION STUDY TESTING SEVERAL OF THESE STRATEGIES.
THEY INTERVIEWED OR SURVEYED OVER 2,000 INDIVIDUALS, 1600 WERE FROM TEXAS, 268 WERE FROM SAN ANTONIO, AND 400 FROM OUR PRIMARY FEEDER MARKETS.
ALL OF THE STRATEGIES THEY TESTED, INCLUDING THE RELOCATION AND REPAIR OF THE CENOTAPH AND CREATING A WOW FACTOR ENTRANCE TO THE SITE WERE AGREED UPON OR NEUTRAL ON BY MORE THAN 50%.
THIS STUDY WAS PRESENTED TO THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN JUNE AND ALSO SENT TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR REVIEW.
THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON THE ALAMO PLAN ON AUGUST 30 AFTER SEVERAL MEETINGS OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
THEY PASSED SEVEN RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN, FIVE OF THEM WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, AND TWO OF THEM HAD OVER 90% APPROVAL.
THOSE RESOLUTIONS VOTED ON EACH SITE STRATEGY AND THEY ALSO PASSED A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE OVERALL PLAN PROVIDED IT FOLLOW ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, INCLUDING THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE AND THE ANTIQUITIES CODE.
AND THEY ALSO SUPPORTED THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ENTERING INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ALAMO PLAZA.
ONCE THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PASSED THESE RESOLUTIONS, THEY WERE SUBMITTED TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, WHO ALSO PASSED AN APPROVING OF DOCUMENT FOR THE ALAMO MAN.
AND THEN OCTOBER 2 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE ALAMO PLAN.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE INCLUDES TWO MEMBERS, AND THAT IS MAYOR RON NIRENBERG AND COMMISSIONER GEORGE P. BUSH.
WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE ALAMO PLAN, CITY COUNCIL AND THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE BEGAN TO FINALIZE DISCUSSIONS ON A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
THE LEASE AGREEMENT COVERS SEVERAL PARCELS OF PROPERTY.
AND, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS EXHIBIT, WE HAVE PARCEL A AND PARCEL B.
PARCEL A IS THE CURRENT PLAZA AND THE PASEO AT THE RIVER LEVEL.
AND PARCEL B ARE THE STREET AREAS NECESSARY TO CLOSE TO RECAPTURE THE MISSION FOOTPRINT.
WE'LL BE LEASING PARCEL A AND B TO THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND THEY WILL BE MANAGING THESE AREAS.
THE AREA IN GREEN WILL CONTINUE TO BE OWNED BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND USES OPEN SPACE.
BUT THAT'S THE AREA WHERE WE ARE ASKING TO VACATE -- SORRY.
TO LIMIT USE OF THE STREET TO PEDESTRIAN AND EMERGENCY ACCESS VEHICLES ONLY.
AND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CREATE A SENSE OF ARRIVAL AND SENSE OF PLACE WE WANT ON THE SITE.
THE MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT HAS A TERM OF 50 YEARS WITH TWO 25-YEAR EXTENSIONS.
IT DOES ENSURE THAT THE PLAZA AREA WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN AND FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC.
IT PROVIDES FOR TWO ADDITIONAL ACCESS POINTS TO BE OPENED DURING TIMES OF HIGH PEDESTRIAN FLOW AND THERE'S NO PROGRAMMING GOING ON IN THE PLAZA.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'VE NEGOTIATED SEVERAL DATES THAT WILL REQUIRE THOSE TWO ACCESS POINTS BE OPEN.
AND THOSE DATES ARE TIMES WHEN WE KNOW THERE WILL BE HIGH PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY TO INCLUDE THE ALAMO BOWL, THE SPRING BREAK, POTENTIALLY.
WE HAVE FIESTA, SO THERE'S SEVERAL DATES, OVER 20-PLUS DATES THAT WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HIGH PEDESTRIAN FLOW, AND WE'LL BE OPENING THOSE TWO ADDITIONAL ACCESS POINTS.
THE LEASE AGREEMENT ALSO ENSURES THE DESIGN OF THE PLAN MUSEUM WILL GO TO HDRC FOR THEIR REVIEW FINAL TO A PRIOR RECOMMENDATION BEING MADEISSION AND ENSURES THN WILL RECOGNIZE AND INTERPRET THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
[02:45:02]
WOOLWORTH BUILDING AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.AND IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT THE GLO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAM AND SERVICES THAT ENHANCE THE HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SITES AND TELLS ALL THE STORIES OF PEOPLE AND CULTURES THAT CONTRIBUTED THE HISTORY TO INCLUDE THE TEXIAN, TEJANO, AND INDIGENOUS CULTURES.
IT REQUIRES THAT WE MAINTAIN AN ACCESSIBLE SCHEDULE PUBLIC EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, AND THE GLO HAS COMMITTED IN THE LEASE AGREEMENT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HOST THE MILITARY TRADITIONAL EVENTS THAT THEY HAVE.
THEY HAVE ABOUT 100 ANNUALLY, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE EVENTS.
THEY ALSO WILL ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHERE EDUCATIONAL OR NONPROFIT GROUPS CAN REQUEST TO HOLD EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES WITHIN ALAMO PLAZA.
AND THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO ACCOMMODATE IMPORTANT FIESTA TRADITIONS AND EVENTS TO INCLUDE THE TWO PARADES, THE CAVALIER INVESTITURE CEREMONY, AND THE PILGRIMAGE.
AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ACCOMMODATE SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE FIESTA COMMISSION CONTRACT.
THE NEXT STEP WAS TO MOVE FORWARD TO PLANNING COMMISSION AND HDRC.
SO ON OCTOBER 10, HDRC AND PLANNING COMMISSION HAD A JOINT MEETING WHERE THEY TOOK ACTION ON THE RESPECTIVE ACTIONS.
PLANNING COMMISSION DID APPROVE TO RESTRICT VEHICULAR ACCESS TO CERTAIN SECTIONS ON ALAMO STREET, ALAMO PLAZA, HOUSTON STREET, CROCKETT STREET, AND BLUM STREET.
THEY APPROVED TO CLOSE SECTIONS OF ALAMO STREET, ALAMO PLAZA, AND HOUSTON STREET.
AND THEY APPROVED THE GROUND LEASE AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
HDRC DID PROVIDE CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL OF THE ALAMO PLAZA DESIGN AND THE PASEO DESIGN AND WILL RETURN WITH FINAL APPROVAL AS THE DESIGN CONTINUES AFTER TODAY'S ACTION.
HDRC ALSO PROVIDED FINAL APPROVAL TO DISMANTLE, REPAIR, AND REASSEMBLE THE CENOTAPH IN THE ALAMO PLAZA AT THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE EXISTING BANDSTAND IN ALAMO PLAZA.
THE OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION MUST REVIEW AND APPROVE THE REPAIR AND RELOCATION PLAN OF THE CENOTAPH PRIOR TO ANY WORK COMMENCING, AS WELL AS THE THC MUST PROVIDE THAT SAME APPROVAL.
THE TEXAS HISTORIC COMMISSION WILL HAVE A BRIEFING ON THIS ITEM NEXT WEEK, OCTOBER 23.
THEY WILL ONLY RECEIVE A BRIEFING, BUT IN A FUTURE DATE WHEN WE HAVE MORE DESIGN DETAILS, THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ACTION ON THE RELOCATION OF THE CENOTAPH, PROVIDE A PERMIT FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS, AND ANY OTHER AREAS AS IDENTIFIED IN THIS BRIEFING.
I WANT TO STRESS THAT THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DOES NOT EXEMPT THEM FROM THE LAWS.
THEY WILL STILL PROVIDE AND ACCOMMODATE THE LAWS AS APPLICABLE, SUCH AS THE ANTIQUITIES CODE, THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, SECTION 106, IF IT IS DETERMINED TO APPLY, AND THE UDC, WHEN APPLICABLE.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO STILL OWNS THE PLAZA, SO THE UDC REQUIREMENTS WILL STILL APPLY TO THE SECTION OF THE PROPERTIES THAT THE CITY OWNS.
HDRC WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FINAL APPROVAL OF THE PLAZA DESIGN PRIOR TO GETTING A BUILDING PERMIT TO START CONSTRUCTION.
AND THE TEXAS HISTORIC COMMISSION WILL HAVE TO REVIEW THE TREATMENT OF ALL THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE CENOTAPH.
THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A ROLE.
IN OUR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT THEY ARE IDENTIFIED, ALONG WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION, WHICH IS 2024.
THEY WILL SERVE IN ADVISORY CAPACITY TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THEY WILL REVIEW THE DELIVERY AND SUPPORT PLAN FOR THE CLOSURES, THEY WILL LOOK AT THE HISTORIC BUILDING ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE COMMENTS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE THC.
THEY WILL ALSO LOOK AT PROGRAMMING AND OTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENTS NECESSARY TO MANAGE THE SITE.
TODAY'S ACTION, WE'RE REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE CLOSING, VACATING, AND ABANDONING SECTIONS OF RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED ON ALAMO STREET, ALAMO PLAZA, AND HOUSTON STREET.
WE ARE LIMITING SECTIONS OF THE RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED ON ALAMO PLAZA, ALAMO STREET, BLUM STREET, CROCKETT STREET, AND EAST HOUSTON STREET TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF GROUND LEASE AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WE'RE REQUESTING THE ABILITY TO AUTHORIZE AND NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS NECESSARY RELATED TO THE RESTORATION AND RELOCATION OF THE CENOTAPH WITHIN THE ALAMO
[02:50:02]
PLAZA.BEFORE I CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS PROJECT IS PARTIALLY FUNDED.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS DEDICATED $38 MILLION TO THIS PROJECT, 16 HAS COME FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2016 CAPITAL BUDGET.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO 2017 BOND PROGRAM INCLUDED $21 MILLION.
THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS APPROPRIATED $106 MILLION, AND THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT IS COMMITTED TO RAISING $200 MILLION.
THIS FUNDING ALLOWS US TO BEGIN THE IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN AND THE SITE STRATEGIES THAT WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERTO TREVINO AND THE MAYOR AND SHERYL SCULLEY FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THIS PLAN.
THERE WERE MEETINGS THAT WERE WEEKLY THAT THE COUNCIL -- THAT SHERYL ATTENDED AND THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ATTENDED.
WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED EARLIER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, LORI.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IT'S A GOOD DAY FOR SAN ANTONIO AND FOR TEXAS AND THE WORLD AS WELL.
WE HAVE MANY CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
SO PER USUAL, I WILL CALL THE NAME THAT'S SCHEDULED TO SPEAK ALONG WITH THE NEXT NAME IN LINE.
IF YOU CAN BEGIN TO APPROACH THE DAIS.
AND WE'LL START WITH TEXAS LAND COMMISSIONER GEORGE P. BUSH.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE'RE HERE TODAY IN THIS HISTORIC CITY AT A CRITICAL MOMENT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.
FUTURE GENERATIONS OF TEXANS WILL NOTE THIS DAY AND THEY'LL REFLECT AND PONDER UPON OUR ACTION.
DID WE COME TO THE DEFENSE OF THE ALAMO? OR DID WE LET THIS ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY FALL BETWEEN OUR HANDS? I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WELL-THOUGHT-OUT PLAN.
WHENEVER YOU LEAVE THE STATE OF TEXAS WE'RE KNOWN FOR OUR INDEPENDENT SPIRIT.
AND IT STARTS TRULY ON THE GROUNDS OF THE ALAMO PLAZA.
YET REGRETFULLY WHEN THE 2.1 MILLION VISITORS COME TO THE GROUNDS OF THE ALAMO, THEY ARE UNDERWHELMED.
INSTEAD OF COMING ON TO A HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD OF VALOR, THEY ARE WELCOMED BY NOTHING BUT DISTRACTION.
YOUR VOTE TODAY WILL CHANGE THIS.
I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU BELIEVE IN THESE PRINCIPLES.
SINCE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THAT AND TAKE THAT NEXT STEP.
BUT YET, WE BEGAN THIS HISTORIC EFFORT THREE YEARS AGO THROUGH A UNIQUE COOPERATIVE PLAN SIGNED BY THE CITY, BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND BY THE ENDOWMENT BOARD.
THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS EFFORTS OVER THE GENERATIONS FOR SEVERAL DECADES TO GET TO THIS STEP, BUT NONE HAVE GOTTEN THIS FAR.
NONE HAVE RESULTED IN THE CITY AND THE STATE COMING TOGETHER IN HISTORIC FASHION LIKE THIS.
AND IT'S BEEN BACKED BY MONEY.
THIS PLAN HAS BEEN BACKED AND FUNDED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, BY SPEAKER STRAUS, BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PATRICK, BY GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT ACROSS TWO LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
EARLIER THIS MONTH THE MAYOR AND I SIGNED A HISTORIC RESOLUTION THAT SIGNIFIES THIS UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BUILT UPON THE SIMPLE CONCEPTS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUNDED BY THESE THREE HARD YEARS OF WORK.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS PLAN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT, NOT ONLY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT IN THE GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I CANNOT OVERSTATE THE IMPACT OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ALL 29 MEMBERS COMPOSED OF SAN ANTONIANS COMING TOGETHER AND DEBATING THESE ISSUES OVER SEVERAL YEARS.
OR HOW VALUABLE THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO HAVE BEEN AS PART OF THIS PROCESS TO MAKE THIS PLAN BETTER.
IT'S CHANGED OVER TIME TO MAKE IT REFLECT WHERE THE ALAMO SHOULD BE.
AND THOUSANDS OF TEXANS WHO CAME TO THE ALAMO ROAD SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS TO BE A PART OF PROVIDING THEIR FEEDBACK AND TO CONTRIBUTEON FAMILY HEIRLOOMS TO THE COLLECTIONS AT THE ALAMO.
OF COURSE, THIS PLAN WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK OF THE TALENTED STAFF HERE AT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE ENDOWMENT BOARD, AND OF COURSE THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
BUT NOW WE REACH THIS DECISION POINT IN THE PROCESS.
THE PLAN YOU CONSIDER TODAY IS THE PRODUCT OF OVER FOUR YEARS OF METHODICAL RESEARCH, OF PAINSTAKING NEGOTIATION, AND WORK IN A HISTORIC PROCESS ACROSS STATE, CITY, AND OF COURSE THE BOARD THAT HAVE BEEN AGREED TO AND FOLLOWED TO A T.
THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT, OVER 200 STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS HELD IN SAN ANTONIO AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS.
[02:55:02]
OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED, INCLUDING BY YOUR APPOINTEES AT THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.SO LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO TRULY THINK ABOUT THIS DECISION.
AS ONE OF THE DAVY CROCKETT'S DESCENDENTS, FLANNERY WROTE.
THIS VOTE IS A MILESTONE FOR THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE CAN'T ALLOW THE ALAMO OF TOMORROW TO BE A DECAYING RELIC.
THIS NEEDS TO BE A WORLD-CLASS SITE WITH A MUSEUM AND VISITOR CENTER THAT CAN SHOWCASE A TROVE OF ARTIFACTS THAT CAN INSPIRE SCHOLARSHIP AND INSPIRATION AND ASPIRATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SAN ANTONIANS AND TEXANS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
MAY GOD BLESS THE GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND MAY GOD BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BUSH.
CONGRESSMAN TED POE TO BE FOLLOWED BY LIONEL SOSA.
THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR LETTING ME BE HERE.
IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO GET OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C., COME BACK AND SEE SOME NORMAL FOLKS FROM TEXAS.
THE ALAMO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACE IN TEXAS AND IN TEXAS HISTORY.
IT IS THE DEFINITION OF ALL THINGS OF WHO WE ARE AS TEXANS.
IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE, THE TEXANS, THE TEJANOS WHO GAVE THEIR LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION TO A CAUSE GREATER THAN LIFE ITSELF, LIBERTY.
IT IS ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF OUR NINE YEARS AS A SOVEREIGN REPUBLIC.
AS A SYMBOL OF FIERCE, INDEPENDENCE THAT RUNS THROUGH OUR VEINS TODAY.
BEHIND THOSE CRUMBLING CHURCH WALLS THAT WERE 100 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE BATTLE OF ALAMO, IT HAS SHOWN FOREVER THE WORLD WHO WE ARE AS TEXANS.
I BELIEVE A CHARACTER THAT IS DEFIANT, BOLD, FEARLESS, AND FIGHTERS FOR FREEDOM, INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM.
I BELIEVE THE ALAMO STILL INSTILLS YET TODAY AN ALMOST MYSTICAL SPIRIT IN ALL TEXANS, NATIVE AND RECENT ARRIVALS TO OUR GREAT STATE.
DOWN THE STREET FROM US, VOLUNTEERS.
FRONT TIERSMAN, LAWYERS, SHOPKEEPERS, FARMERS, MEN FROM SPAIN, MEXICO, GERMANY, SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND MOST OF THE STATES IN THE UNITED STATES.
ALL CAME HERE WITH OTHER NATIVE TEXANS WHO WERE LED BY MY PERSONAL HERO IN MY WHOLE LIFE, WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS, THE COMMANDER OF THE ALAMO.
THEY STOOD IN RIGHTEOUS DEFIANCE AGAINST TYRANNY.
CROCKETT, ESPARZA, BONHAM, BOWIE, GUERRERO.
HE IS, AS YOU REMEMBER, THE MEXICAN SOLDIER WHO SWITCHED SIDES AND JOINED THE TEXAS REVOLUTION.
AND KNOWING IN DESPITE OF THE OVERWHELMING ODDS, THOSE TEXANS, THOSE TEJANOS, FELL TO THEIR DEATH RATHER THAN SUBMIT TO OPPRESSION.
THEY EMBODIED THE PHRASE THAT WE NOW USE.
IT'S QUITE A REMARKABLE STORY, IF YOU LOOK AT IT.
NO PEOPLE ANYWHERE ON EARTH HAVE SUCH A STORY TO TELL OF HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS GAVE IT ALL.
I AM A MEMBER OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
I TRAVEL TO A LOT OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES, INCLUDING LOUISIANA, AND A YEAR OR SO AGO I WAS IN THE COUNTRY OF MALDOVA.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT UP ON GOOGLE MAPS, THERE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT WHERE THEY WERE GOING AS A NATION, BACK TO THE SOVIET CONCEPT OR TO THE WEST.
ANYWAY, WHEN I MET THE FOREIGN MINISTER I DO, AS I ALWAYS DO, I TELL THE PERSON THAT I AM FROM TEXAS.
I DON'T TELL THEM I'M FROM THE UNITED STATES.
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE FROM TEXAS, THEY DO THE SAME THING.
THEY ALWAYS SAY THEY'RE FROM TEXAS.
[03:00:01]
FOREIGN MINISTER, TOLD HIM I WAS FROM TEXAS, HE SAID TEXAS, THE ALAMO.THAT'S WHAT HE KNEW ABOUT TEXAS.
HE KNEW ABOUT WHAT TOOK PLACE JUST A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM WHERE WE ARE.
THOSE FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF 1836, FROM THE ASHES OF THE BURNING ALAMO, THE PHOENIX OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS WAS BORN.
SO THE ALAMO DESERVES NOTHING BUT TOP-NOTCH CARE AND PRESERVATION, RESTORATION OF THE 1836 BATTLEFIELD FOOTPRINT AND ACCOMPANYING MUSEUM AND DISPLAY OF THE HUNDREDS OF ALAMO ARTIFACTS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO US.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE HISTORY OF THE ALAMO AND ITS RELENTLESS DEFENDERS, ALL OF THEM, IS ACCURATELY TOLD.
INCLUDING THE FAMILIES THAT WERE IN THE ALAMO THAT STAYED WITH THEIR FATHERS AND WITH THEIR HUSBANDS.
AS A LIFELONG STUDENT OF OUR GREAT HISTORY, I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE ALAMO AND ITS BATTLEFIELD RETURNED TO A MORE PROPER STATUS.
I FIRST CAME TO THE ALAMO AS A KID WHEN I WAS A STUDENT IN MRSY CLASS THAT WE ALL HAVE TO TAKE.
IT'S CHANGED A LOT SINCE 1836.
THERE WAS NO FIVE AND TEN CENT STORE WOOLWORTHS ACROSS THE STREET.
COLONEL TRAVIS DIDN'T BUY A $54 COMBO TICKET AT RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT EITHER.
IT'S TIME TO PUT THE ALAMO THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD BE.
THE YEARS OF ENCROACHMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF SACRED GROUND WHERE THE BLOOD OF THE SONS OF TEXAS CONSECRATED THE LAND SHOULD BE A DEEP CONCERN FOR ALL TEXANS, NOT JUST THOSE FOLKS IN THIS GREAT CITY.
IT'S MOST ENCOURAGING TO ME TO SEE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TAKE THE LEAD TO PRESERVE THE NATIONAL TREASURE, THIS NATIONAL TREASURE, OUR NATIONAL TREASURE, THE ALAMO.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMISSION, COMMISSIONER BUSH, THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL IN APPROVAL OF THE ALAMO MASTER PLAN TO MAKE SURE TEXANS AND THE WORLD VISITORS KNOW OUR HISTORY LIKE NO OTHER PLACE.
BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE ALAMO, AND IT'S HERE.
IT'S BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE ARE UNIQUE.
THE ALAMO COMMANDER, WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS, HAS INSPIRED MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I'M A LAWYER BECAUSE HE WAS A LAWYER.
HIS LETTER IS ON MY WALL AT IN CONGRESS, AND IT WAS ON MY WALL AS A JUDGE WHEN I WAS A JUDGE IN HOUSTON.
AT THE BOTTOM OF MY STATIONARY ARE THE WORDS "I SHALL NEVER SURRENDER OR RETREAT." AND MY FIRST GRANDSON IS NAMED BARRETT HOUSTON.
I END ALL OF MY LETTERS WITH THAT FAMOUS PHRASE OF WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS, GOD, AND TEXAS.
SO THOSE OF YOU ON THIS COUNCIL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE, THE HONOR, THE DUTY TO PUT YOUR NAMES IN HISTORY AS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ULTIMATELY HEARD THE REVERBERATING CALL "REMEMBER THE ALAMO." THAT BATTLE CRY TOOK ACTION, CROSSED THE LINE IN THE SAND TO KEEP THIS BEACON OF LIBERTY FOREVER SHINING IN THE PLACE WE CALL THE ALAMO OF TEXAS.
AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN POE.
SUE ANN PEMBERTON FOLLOWED BY ROBERT THRILLKILL.
>> MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, MAYOR, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE.
HAVING HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SINCE ITS INCEPTION, IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE AND AN ANGST AS WELL.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN OUR THINKING AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ALAMO AS A PLACE AND NOT A BUILDING.
WE HAVE STARTED WITH ALAMO 101, AS I LIKE TO REFER TO IT, BECAUSE WE ALL GOT A VERY IN-DEPTH EDUCATION AT THE BEGINNING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD SEVERAL LAYERS OF HISTORY AND UNDERSTANDING THE LAYERS OF HISTORY AND THE BREADTH OF THAT HISTORY THAT IS IN THIS LOCATION.
THROUGH OFTEN HEATED DISCUSSION THE COMMITTEE DID CREATE THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
THAT VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES WAS ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL.
THE SCHEMATIC PLANS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN RECENTLY ARE IMAGES OF POSSIBILITIES REFLECTING THOSE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
[03:05:04]
THE COMMITTEE HAS EVEN CHASTISED THE DESIGN FIRM FOR SOME OF THE -- WE HAVE QUESTIONED SOME OF THEIR DESIGN IDEAS AND MADE SURE THAT THEY HAVE INCORPORATED THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES INTO THE DESIGN MOVING FORWARD.THE COMMITTEE MET IN AUGUST AND VOTED TO ENDORSE THE ISSUES THAT ARE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
WE ALL HAVE MANY QUESTIONS AND THE DESIGN IS NOT PERFECT, BUT YET IT IS NOT FINISHED.
THE DESIGN CAN ONLY REALLY BEGIN WITH YOUR ACTIONS TODAY WITH THIS AGREEMENT THAT CREATES A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE AND THE CLOSURES OF THE STREETS.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT MANY OF MY CONCERNS WILL BE ADDRESSED AS DESIGN MOVES FORWARD.
PUBLIC ACCESS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROCESS.
AND WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT PUBLIC ACCESS WILL CONTINUE.
WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT HAPPENS IS YET TO BE DESIGNED.
I DRIVE THROUGH THE ALAMO ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS, YET I RECOGNIZE IT IS NOT A PLACE FOR VEHICLES.
I THINK ABOUT THAT AS I DRIVE THROUGH THAT IS SPACE THAT DESERVES SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
PEDESTRIANS APPEAR OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A STREET AT ALL AND WALK ACROSS NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO STREET LIGHTS.
THE CHURCH AND THE LONG BARRACKS ARE IN NEED OF RESTORATION.
A TASK THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE GLO.
THE CENOTAPH REQUIRES RESTORATION.
THAT CAN HAPPEN AND WILL HAPPEN IN THIS PROPOSED PLAN.
THE PLAZA NEEDS TO FUNCTION AS A PLAZA.
THE BUILDINGS NEED TO BE RE-PURPOSED.
ENTERING INTO THIS LEASE AGREEMENT AND CLOSING THIS PORTION OF THE STREET ALLOWS REVISION TO BEGIN.
IT ALLOWS OUR QUESTIONS TO BE RESOLVED.
IT ALLOWS THE DESIGN TO BEGIN IN EARNEST, AND IT ALLOWS THE CITY AND THE STATE TO MOVE FORWARD.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK BIG PICTURE AND TAKE THIS BIG STEP.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. PEMBERTON.
ROBERT THRILLKILL FOLLOWED BY RICHARD PEREZ.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ROBERT THRILLKILL AND I AM REPRESENTING VISIT SAN ANTONIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THE ALAMO PLAN BEFORE YOU TODAY WILL REVITALIZE OUR CIVIC CENTER AND CLARIFY THE ALAMO HISTORIC SITE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AS WELL AS MILLIONS OF VISITORS PER YEAR.
IT WILL CREATE A WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM THAT WILL FEATURE THE RENOWNED PHIL COLLINS COLLECTION.
THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE ALAMO AND INCREASE THE VISITATION TO ALL THE SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS.
THIS $450 MILLION PROJECT WOULD HELP ESTABLISH AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS.
IT WILL POSITIVELY AFFECT VISITATION TO OUR DESTINATION AND ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL UNIQUE VENUE FOR EVENTS.
FURTHER, IT'S PROJECTED TO CREATE MORE THAN 5,000 NEW JOBS FOR OUR INDUSTRY.
TODAY WE ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THE ALAMO PLAN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. THRILLKILL.
RICHARD PEREZ FOLLOWED BY FOREST BIAS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS RICHARD PEREZ, PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE ACTION BEFORE YOU.
THE CHAMBER TOOK ACTION AS A BOARD IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR SUPPORTING THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN AND THE MAGNITUDE OF ALL THE THINGS Y'ALL HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
IN FACT, IN 2015, ONE OF THE CHAMBER'S PRIORITIES WAS TO GET THE SEED MONEY INITIALLY FROM THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
SO I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO MOVE ON.
YOU HAVE HEARD LOVELY HISTORIES OF WHERE WE'RE AT, WHO'S BEEN THERE, THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE, AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.
NOTHING IS A PERFECT PLAN BUT IT IS A PLAN THAT COMES FORTH FROM THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND VISIONS, MANY VISIONS THAT TOGETHER ARE MAKING SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
SO VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER AT UTSA, THIS IS THAT OTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CONTINUE THE PROGRESS OF THIS GREAT CITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. PEREZ.
FOREST BIAS FOLLOWED BY SUSAN BEVIN.
>> I'M GIVING MY TIME TO YVETTE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YVETTE, WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE SIGNED UP?
MY NAME IS YVETTE REYNA, I'M A ALAMO DEFENDER WHO WAS BORN,
[03:10:02]
RAISED, AND DIED ON THE ALAMO GROUNDS.AT THE AGE OF 28, HIS LIFELESS BODY WAS ACTUALLY FOUND WITHIN THE ALAMO CHAPEL.
HE WAS NOT ONLY DEFENDING THE ALAMO, HE WAS DEFENDING HIS NEIGHBORHOOD, HIS COMMUNITY, THE PLACE WHERE HE WORKED, SLEPT, ATE, AND PRAYED.
REMNANTS OF THE WALLS FROM HIS TWO-ROOM HOUSE WHERE HE LIVED WITH HIS FAMILY ARE STILL THERE TODAY RIGHT ACROSS FROM WHERE THE ALAMO SITS.
THROUGHOUT MY LIFETIME I HAVE VISITED THE ALAMO GROUNDS MANY, MANY TIMES, AND NOW I TAKE MY CHILDREN.
AS SACRED AND PEACEFUL AS I EXPECT THE GROUNDS TO BE, MANY TIMES IT IS NOT.
I HAVE HAD TO QUICKLY LEAVE AND EXPLAIN TO MY CHILDREN WHAT A STREAKER IS, WHY THESE PEOPLE ARE YELLING AT THEM, WHO ARE PROTESTERS, SCREAMING AND YELLING AT PEOPLE PASSING BY.
THESE GROUNDS SHOULD BE A PLACE OF REVERENCE AND CERTAINTY.
FOR NATIVE AMERICANS AND FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES HERE.
THIS WOULD NEVER BE TOLERATED AT THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.
BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF SAN ANTONIO THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO LEAVE THE OLD HISTORIC PEARL BREWERY ALONE.
AND LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS TODAY, A WORLD-CLASS AWARD-WINNING CULINARY DESTINATION.
THE DESIGN THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU IS A BIG CHANGE FOR ALL OF US BUT IT'S ONE YOU CAN BE PROUD OF.
UPON COMPLETION OF DESIGN YOU WILL SEE MORE VISITORS TO THE CITY, SECURE MORE CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE REVENUE FOR OUR HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS SO THEY CAN HIRE MORE STAFF TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF TOURISM.
EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE WILL NOT MAKE 100% OF THE CITIZENS HAPPY, BUT 100% OF THE TIME.
BUT THIS WILL BE THE MOST HISTORIC VOTE YOU WILL EVER MAKE DURING YOUR TIME ON THIS CITY COUNCIL.
AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOU TO APPROVE THIS BEAUTIFUL AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, REVERENT CHANGE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. REYNA.
SUSAN BEVIN FOLLOWED BY ROSE MORAN.
>> LETICIA DIAZ HAS GIVEN ME HER TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHO WAS THAT AGAIN?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
SUSAN BEVIN, PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY.
THE VOTE TODAY IS ABOUT FREEDOM.
THIS ONGOING QUEST PERMEATES THE HISTORY OF ALAMO PLAZA.
IT REACHES BOTH BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS IN TIME FROM THE PIVOTAL 1836 BATTLE.
STARTING WITH THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE A CONFLUENCE OF CULTURE HAS SHAPED OVER 300 YEARS OF ACTIVE CIVIC LIFE IN THIS CENTRAL SPACE.
WE JOIN MAYOR NIRENBERG, COUNCILMAN TREVINO, AND OTHERS IN THE SUPPORT FOR TELLING THE SITE'S COMPLETE STORY.
HOWEVER, WE CANNOT AGREE WITH THE PROPOSALS BEING VOTED ON TODAY.
THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THE CITY WITH THE BEST MEANS OF TELLING THIS NARRATIVE FROM MISSION ERA TO THE MID 20TH CENTURY.
THE ALAMO IS RECOGNIZED AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT THE PROPOSED LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS CONVEY THE OPPOSITE MESSAGE.
LIKE COUNCILMAN PERRY, WE OPPOSE TURNING A MULTIFACETED HISTORIC SITE INTO ONE WHOSE EXPERIENCE IS TIGHTLY CONTROLLED AND MANAGED BY THE STATE.
TOGETHER WITH THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SAN ANTONIO, WE OPPOSE TRANSFORMING AN OPEN CIVIC SPACE INTO A PLACE WITH LIMITED CONNECTIVITY AND REDUCED ENTRY POINTS.
WE UNDERSTAND THE CITY HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE USE OF THE STATE-OWNED CROCKETT BLOCK, PALACE THEATER, AND WOOLWORTH BUILDINGS FOR THE ALAMO MUSEUM.
WE URGE CITY LEADERS TO LEVERAGE THE AGREEMENT TO SECURE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
THE STATE IS ASKING THE CITY TO CEDE CONSIDERABLE CONTROL OVER KEY AREAS OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
THE CITY SHOULD GET SOMETHING IN RETURN.
CITY COUNCIL MUST BE ALLOWED TO KEEP THE COMMITMENT IT MADE TO THE PUBLIC IN THE 2017 MASTER PLAN TO PURSUE REUSE OF THOSE HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
THESE CONCERNS INSPIRE THE SOCIETY'S SUMMER PETITION DRIVE.
WE COLLECTED 7,600 SIGNATURES, GIVING VOICE TO MANY WHO SHARE OUR VIEW ON THE INTERPRETIVE PLANS' SHORTCOMINGS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THESE PETITIONS TO THE CITY CLERK AT THIS TIME.
[APPLAUSE] THESE BINDERS CONTAIN DOCUMENTATION FOR BOTH WRITTEN AND ONLINE PETITIONS.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO SHOULD NOT GIVE AWAY ONE OF ITS GREAT
[03:15:02]
CIVIC SPACES WITHOUT KNOWING MORE PRECISELY WHAT THAT SPACE WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE.WE DO BELIEVE THAT A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE IS POSSIBLE AND THIS IS NOT THE FRAMEWORK FOR IT.
DO NOT AGREE TO THE CURRENT PROPOSAL AND DO NOT LET THE STATE DICTATE THAT THIS IS HOW WE WILL ACCESS AND EXPERIENCE THE ALAMO PLAZA FOR THE NEXT 50 TO 100 YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
VERY QUICKLY I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF THAT IS HERE.
AND WE'VE GOT SEVERAL THAT ARE HERE.
AND ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS IN COMBINING AND COALESCING ALL OF THE PETITIONS.
OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VINCE MICHAEL.
AND WE HAVE BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. BEVIN.
ROSE MORAN FOLLOWED BY LIONEL SOSA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I DON'T HAVE A PREPARED STATEMENT FOR YOU BECAUSE I AM GOING TO TALK TO YOU FROM MY HEART.
AND I HOPE THAT THE DECISION YOU MAKE HERE TODAY COMES FROM YOUR HEART.
YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS.
I AM, AGAIN, ROSE MORAN FROM DISTRICT 7.
AND YOU'RE SITTING ON THAT SEAT BECAUSE WE, THE CITIZENS, PUT YOU THERE.
WHEN YOU TOOK YOUR OATH YOU SAID I WILL LISTEN TO YOU.
I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU VOTE NO.
THAT YOU WILL NOT MOVE THE CENOTAPH.
THAT YOU WILL NOT CLOSE THE STREETS.
IF YOU'RE TRULY, TRULY A TEXAN AND IF YOU'RE TRULY A BORN AND RAISED SAN ANTONIAN YOU WOULD NOT APPROVE THIS PLAN UNTIL THERE WAS MORE STUDY AND MORE DETAIL ON IT.
YOU ARE APPROVING SOMETHING THAT WE, THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO, HAVE NOT GIVEN THE CHOICE TO TELL YOU WHAT WE WANT.
AND YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL, YOU ARE MY REPRESENTATIVES.
YOU PROBABLY DON'T EVEN REMEMBER ME, BUT YOU SAT IN MY KITCHEN TABLE.
YOU DRANK WATER WITH MY HUSBAND, DRINKING COFFEE AND I JOINING YOU WITH WATER.
AND MY TWO DOGS THAT ARE MY CHILDREN.
YOU SAID I WILL REPRESENT YOU.
I WILL LISTEN TO WHAT YOU NEED.
ME AND THE REST OF THE DISTRICT 7 BELIEVED YOU, SO I ASKED YOU AND I BEG YOU THAT YOU TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUES AND VOTE NO ON THIS PLAN.
I KNOW THE PLAN HAS A LOT OF GOOD IN IT BUT, PLEASE, DO NOT CLOSE ALAMO PLAZA.
DO NOT MOVE THE CENOTAPH AND LET US RESTORE THE BUILDINGS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. MORAN.
LIONEL SOSA FOLLOWED BY CHARLES HANSON.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
AND HAVING WORKED THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE, I CAN ONLY ATTEST TO THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THE COMMITTEE AND EVERYBODY THAT CAME TO THE PARTY TO NOT ONLY EXPRESS WHAT IT IS THAT THEY DID NOT WANT, BUT ALSO WHAT THEY WANTED.
IT WAS, IN MY OPINION, DEMOCRACY AT WORK, THE CITIZENS AT WORK.
NOBODY IS GOING TO GET EVERYTHING THAT THEY WANT HERE BECAUSE ALL OF US WANT A LITTLE SPECIAL SOMETHING.
AND, YET, WE'RE WILLING TO GIVE UP SOME OF WHAT WE WANT FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
AS I SAW IN THE PRESENTATION THIS MORNING BY UTSA AND HOW WONDERFUL THIS DEVELOPMENT OF A CITY THAT I HAVE LIVED IN ALL MY LIFE AND HOW IT'S TRANSFORMED.
IT'S NOT THE CITY THAT IT WAS WHEN I WAS A KID.
IT IS A MUCH BRIGHTER, MORE COHESIVE CITY THAT IS FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE.
AND THIS IS THE NEXT 300 YEARS OF WHAT SAN ANTONIO WILL BE LIKE.
IT'S NOT ONLY SAN PEDRO CREEK OR THE NEW FROST BANK TOWER OR HEMISFAIR AND ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING, BUT IT IS WHAT WE'LL ALL EXPERIENCE AS A CITY AS A WHOLE.
OUR CITIZENS AND ALSO OUR VISITORS.
SO I ENDORSE THIS PLAN 100% AND I WISH THAT ALL OF YOU WOULD DO THE SAME, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE'LL ALL BE VERY, VERY PROUD OF FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. SOSA.
[03:20:05]
ZIONS.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'LL CALL YOU UP WHEN YOUR NAME IS IN THE QUEUE.
WADE DILLON FOLLOWED BY CLAY HANKS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR NIRENBERG, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND EVERYONE HERE TODAY.
UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER AND FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I WORKED AT THE ALAMO AS A TOUR GUIDE AND SUPERVISOR UNTIL DECIDING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ILLUSTRATION.
OVER THOSE EIGHT YEARS I WORKED THROUGH EVERY TRANSITION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE AT THE ALAMO.
DURING MY TIME AT THE ALAMO, I WORKED WITH EDUCATION AND VISITOR SERVICES DEPARTMENTS TO ENGAGE WITH GUESTS DAILY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ALAMO IN SAN ANTONIO.
MEANWHILE, DEALING WITH SCREAMING STREET PREACHERS, VARIETIES OF PROTESTS, STREET PERFORMERS, VENDORS, AND CITYWIDE EVENTS.
I HAVE WITNESSED COUNTLESS SEGWAY AND SCOOTER ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING ONE FATALITY.
THERE WERE TIMES MYSELF OR MY CO-WORKERS GAVE TOURS ON THE PLAZA WHILE ALL OF THAT WAS TAKING PLACE.
AND EACH OF US AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER MENTIONED HOW ONE DAY WE WOULD WANT TO SEE ALAMO PLAZA IN A PEACEFUL SETTING.
WHERE VISITORS COULD WALK THE GROUNDS FREELY AND TRULY REFLECT NOT ONLY WHAT OCCURRED IN 1836, BUT THE LAST 300 YEARS OF SAN ANTONIO IN TEXAS HISTORY.
YOU HAVE THE REMARKABLE HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THE ALAMO IS RESPECTED FOREVER.
BY CLOSING THE STREETS THAT DELINEATE THE BATTLEFIELD YOU OPEN UP THE SPACE NOT ONLY FOR CONTINUED INTERPRETATION OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION, OF THE CANARY ISLANDERS, THE SOLDIERS IN AUDIO].
VARIOUS MILITARY OCCUPATIONS AS WELL AS THE OVERALL CULTURAL IMPACT THIS PLAZA HAS HAD.
CLEARING A SPACE BIGGER THAN THE LONG BARRACK SUCH AS THE CROCKETT BLOCK TO INTERPRET THOSE STORIES IS BENEFICIAL IN TELLING THE HISTORY OF THE ALAMO AND THAT OF SAN ANTONIO.
THE ALAMO HAS, AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN, A LIFELONG PASSION OF MINE.
MY FATHER AND I RENOVATED HIS CHILDHOOD HOME WITH THE ICONIC BELL-SHAPED PARAPET.
IT'S WHERE I MET AND PROPOSED TO MY WIFE.
THE ALAMO MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO EVERYONE AND THAT IS WHAT DRIVES NEARLY 2 MILLION VISITORS A YEAR TO VISIT THIS PLACE, TO SOAK IN THE UNIQUE SITES, THE SOUNDS, THE HISTORY, UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE.
NOT TO PURCHASE SNO-CONES, DODGE TRAFFIC, BE BERATED BY STREET PREACHERS OR PURCHASE WAX HANDS.
I REMEMBER THE ALAMO BECAUSE OF THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE ME AND THEIR STORIES.
ALL OF WHOM DESERVE TO BE TOLD NOW MORE THAN EVER.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS THE CHANCE TO PROVE WHILE WE ARE DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS BECAUSE THE HEART OF TEXAS IS RIGHT HERE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. DILLON.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PASSION ON BOTH SIDES HERE SO I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE TO KEEP THEIR APPLAUSE TO A MINIMUM OR ELSE WE'LL BE HERE UNTIL TOMORROW.
AND I KNOW THERE'S MEALS IN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.
SO CLAY HANKS IS UP NEXT FOLLOWED BY PAM ROSSER.
IS CLAY HANKS HERE? PAM ROSSER.
MS. ROSSER WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LISA BARATACKA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, THERE'S A HANDOUT THAT MAYBE Y'ALL HAVE THE FOLDER? GREAT.
I HAVE BEEN THE CONSERVATOR AT THE ALAMO FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS.
I HAVE BEEN A CONSERVATOR IN PRIVATE PRACTICE PRIOR TO THAT.
IF YOU COULD TAKE A MINUTE AND LOOK THROUGH THAT FOLDER, I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOU THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE REGARDING THE ALAMO.
AND IF I GIVE THIS TO YOU -- THE FIRST IMAGE ON THE SCREEN THAT YOU SEE IS BLACK PAPER THAT I LAID DOWN 600 DAYS AGO.
THAT PARTICULAR IMAGE IS IN THE
[03:25:04]
BAPTISMAL.AND EACH MONTH I WOULD GO INTO THAT ROOM AND I WOULD PHOTOGRAPH EACH WALL AND MONITOR THE AMOUNT OF WALL LOSS.
AT THE END OF THE 600 DAYS I THEN MARKED OFF ONE-FOOT SQUARES AND COLLECTED THE WALL LOSS AND WEIGHED IT FROM EACH FOOT.
THEN I TOOK THAT DIMENSION, ADDED THEM ALL UP WITH THE WEIGHT AND THAT GAVE ME THE AMOUNT OF GRAMS THAT HAD FALLEN FROM THE WALL, WHICH ENDED UPTURNING INTO POUNDS.
SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE TAKE ONE WALL, THAT'S THE WEST WALL, THAT ENDED UP BEING 17 POUNDS IN 600 DAYS.
IF YOU TAKE THAT AND MULTIPLY THAT TIMES 10 THAT WILL TELL YOU THE AMOUNT OF WALL LOSS THAT WALL WILL HAVE IN 10 YEARS FROM TODAY TIMES 20 TIMES 30.
THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THE WALL DETERIORATION HAPPENING ON THAT ONE PARTICULAR WALL.
THIS SHOWS YOU IN THE CONFESSIONAL, WHICH WAS AN EXTERIOR WALL.
YOU CAN SEE THE AMOUNT OF WALL LOSS THERE, WHICH INCLUDES STONE LOSS AS WELL AS MORTAR LOSS.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE STONE DETERIORATION THAT IS COVERED WITH VARIOUS STAGES OF SALTS.
SALTS THAT HAVE CRYSTALLIZED THAT CAUSE THE STONE TO DETERIORATE ON THE INSIDE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE.
SO AT THIS TIME I HOPE YOU ALL WILL VOTE YES FOR THIS PLAN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. ROSSER.
LISA BARATACK FOLLOWED BY MARCO BAROS.
>> MARCO LEFT SO I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON HIS BEHALF TOO.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION AND I AM HONORED TODAY TO REPRESENT MORE THAN 200 HOTELS IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND MANY HUNDREDS OF FACES OF HOSPITALITY, INDIVIDUALS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS HOSPITALITY TO THE MORE THAN 18 MILLION VISITORS TO OUR CITY EACH YEAR.
LIKE MANY SAN ANTONIANS, I HAVE FOUND MANY -- I HAVE THOUGHT BACK AND REMEMBERED SO MANY FOND MEMORIES OF PASSING BY THE ALAMO, WHETHER ON A FUN RUN, A MARATHON, ON A PARADE WITH MY GIRL SCOUT TROOP, OR A MARCHING WITH THE BAND.
AND I CAN CONNECT TO THE MANY PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO WHO HAVE SUCH A STRONG CONNECTION WITH THE ALAMO.
I CAN ALSO APPRECIATE THE DRAW SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO WANT TO TRAVEL TO SAN ANTONIO TO VISIT THE GEM THAT WE HAVE IN THE HEART OF OUR CITY.
THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST INDUSTRIES IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE ARE A $13 BILLION INDUSTRY.
WE CONTRIBUTE APPROXIMATELY $375 MILLION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
AND, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE EMPLOY ONE IN EIGHT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE ALAMO IS THE TOP TOURIST DESTINATION IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND THAT TITLE BRINGS WITH IT SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND JOBS TO OUR BELOVED CITY.
THERE ARE ALMOST 100 HOTELS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE, AT LEAST FIVE OF THOSE WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROJECT.
BUT ALL OF THEM WILL REALIZE A POSITIVE IMPACT AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL ALL SEE EXTENDED STAYS WITH A HEIGHTENED ALAMO EXPERIENCE.
WHILE WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A STUDY AND WORK TO BE DONE TO FINALIZE THE PLAN AT THE ALAMO, THE HOTEL ASSOCIATION STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE ALAMO PLAN AND ITS OPPORTUNITY TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION.
AND, AS I MENTIONED, MY COLLEAGUE MARCO COULDN'T STAY.
HE HAD TO LEAVE, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION THAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, THE COORDINATION OF DELIVERIES FOR THOSE BUSINESSES IMPACTED WITH THE CHANGES, AND JUST AS WE WENT THROUGH THIS WONDERFUL THING THIS MORNING WITH THE INVESTMENT OF OUR FUTURE WITH UTSA, THIS IS DEFINITELY AN INVESTMENT IN PRESERVING OUR PAST WITH THIS ALAMO, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
SHARON STROBERCHECK FOLLOWED BY SHERRY DRISCOLL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR NIRENBERG, MEMBERS OF THE CITY
[03:30:01]
COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER SCULLEY.THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU TODAY.
I AM THE FIRST OF A SIXTH GENERATION TEXAN.
I'M ON THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR FOUR YEARS FROM ITS INCEPTION.
AND I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALAMO MISSION CHAPTER, DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO FROM 2011 TO 2017.
I'M A PRIOR EDUCATOR AND I WILL SAY THAT THE ONLY THING I CAN REALLY ADD TO WHAT'S BEEN SAID SO FAR IS THAT I'M REAL CONCERNED ABOUT TEXAS HISTORY.
I DID SPEAK TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION JUST RECENTLY ABOUT CONCERNS OVER THEIR REMOVING THE TERMS HEROIC AND HERO AS DESCRIPTORS OF OUR ALAMO DEFENDERS.
MY PERSPECTIVE HAS CERTAINLY GROWN OVER THE YEARS AND I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE AFFIRMATIVE FOR THIS PLAN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
SHERRY DRISCOLL FOLLOWED BY LEE WHITE.
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT THE ALAMO AND I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 14 YEARS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE ALAMO DESERVES MORE.
TODAY'S ALAMO PLAZA SOMETIMES RESEMBLES A THREE-RING CIRCUS WITH ALL OF THE USUAL CIRCUS COMPONENTS.
I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN A MAN TIGHT ROPE WALKING NEAR THE CENOTAPH.
A MAN DOING MAGIC AND, OF COURSE, THE STREET PREACHERS WHO MIGHT BE LIKENED TO THE CIRCUS RING MASTER.
I HAVE WORKED AT THE ALAMO FOR A LONG TIME AND IN THAT TIME I HAVE BEEN DISTURBED BY THE BEHAVIOR OF MY FELLOW HUMANS ON THIS HISTORIC FOOTPRINT.
PERHAPS IF I WAS SIMPLY CONCERNED WITH MY OWN SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND, I COULD MUDDLE THROUGH.
AND AS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO EVERY STUDENT AND EVERY EDUCATOR WHO VISITS OUR SITE.
IT IS MY JOB TO INTERPRET THE SITE AND OVER 300 YEARS OF HISTORY IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE EDUCATION STANDARDS AS ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS.
THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I LOOK OUT AT THE GROUNDS AND WONDER HOW I'M GOING TO KEEP THE INTEREST AND ATTENTION OF 40 FOURTH GRADERS WHEN THE STREET PREACHER IS YELLING AT EVERYONE WHO WALKS BY.
WHEN SEGWAYS, SCOOTERS, AND PEDI CABS.
THIS IS NOT THE MAKINGS OF A CLASSROOM.
THIS ISN'T EVEN THE MAKINGS OF AN ENJOYABLE SUMMER VACATION.
I HAVE TALKED TO ENOUGH VISITORS OVER THE YEARS TO KNOW THAT THEY DON'T APPRECIATE THE CURRENT ATMOSPHERE OF ALAMO PLAZA ANY MORE THAN I DO.
THEY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED HERE THAT MAKES IT SO IMPORTANT TO TEXAS.
I OFTEN TAKE STUDENTS TO THE LOCATION THAT MARKS THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE FORT, THE SAME LOCATION WHERE WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS AND JAMES BOWIE STOOD IN 1836 CONTEMPLATING THEIR OPTIONS.
I ASK STUDENTS TO KNEEL DOWN BEHIND THE WALL AND LOOK BACK TOWARDS THE LONG BARRACK AND SHRINE.
I WANT THEM TO PUT THEMSELVES IN THE SHOES OF THE ALAMO DEFENDERS.
WHAT IS THEIR NEXT MOVE? CAN THEY SURVIVE? SHOULD THEY TRY TO MAKE A RUN FOR THE LONG BARRACK OR THE CHURCH? I ASK THEM TO IMAGINE THE SOUND OF ARTILLERY AND MUSKETS, AND THE SOUND OF MEN DYING AROUND THEM.
THE BUGLES AND DRUMS OF THE MEXICAN ARMY.
WHEN I DO THIS, THE CHILDREN BECOME QUIET.
THEY LOOK AT ME INTENTLY AND THEY GET IT.
THIS IS THE MOMENT AT WHICH I KNOW THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW IMPORTANT THE GROUND THEY STAND ON IS TO TEXAS AND THE WORLD.
BUT WHEN SHOULD THIS MOMENT HAPPEN? IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD HAPPEN FOR EVERY VISITOR THE MOMENT THEY STEP ON THE FOOTPRINT.
THE MOMENT THEIR BUS PULLS UP TO THE CURB.
THE MOMENT THEY COME AROUND THE CORNER AND SEE THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
PLEASE MAKE THIS A REALITY FOR TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. DRISCOLL.
LEE WHITE FOLLOWED BY DEBBIE ANDERLY.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU MANY, MANY, MANY TIMES AND OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE CENOTAPH AGAIN TODAY.
ALL OF THE THINGS MS. DRISCOLL
[03:35:03]
DESCRIBED ABOUT HATING ON THE PLAZA, I DO TOO.BUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO UNDER THIS PLAN IS MOVE IT ALL IN FRONT OF THE MENGER HOTEL AND THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO SHIFT THE CENOTAPH.
THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.
ONE OF YOUR ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY PERSONS AND I HAD LUNCH AND WE DISCUSSED WHAT'S KIND OF MISSING IN THE PLAN.
EVEN SHE SAID IT BOTHERS ME THAT THE PLANNERS DON'T GET IT.
THEY CAN'T SEEM TO EXPRESS THAT SPIRIT THAT'S TEXAS.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU EITHER GET IT OR YOU DON'T.
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, IN DESCRIBING THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS SAID THE SPIRIT AND THE FEELINGS THAT WE HAVE FOR TEXAS NEARS A RELIGION.
THIS ISN'T SOMETHING WHERE, OH, YOU KNOW, DON'T GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT.
THEY'LL WHINE AND CRY FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEY'LL LEAVE.
AND I'M ASKING COUNCILMAN TREVINO, WHO HAD PUT FORTH SOME FALSE ALLEGATIONS TO SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS, WHICH ARE NOT OUR GROUP, BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO SAVE THE CENOTAPH, ABOUT BEING CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.
BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A DAY, THERE WILL BE A TIME THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CONFRONT THIS.
AND I DON'T WANT THE CITY POLICE TASERING OR KILLING ANY OF MY PEOPLE BECAUSE OF SOME TRUMPED UP SOMETHING I'M WORRIED FOR MY LIFE.
I DON'T NEED ANY MORE ALAMO DEFENDER BLOOD ON THAT SACRED GROUND.
GOD BLESS TEXAS AND PLEASE REMEMBER THE ALAMO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. WHITE.
>> I'M DEBBIE ANDERLY AND I'M FROM WACO.
AND I'M HERE TO TELL Y'ALL THAT THESE FEELINGS ARE EXPRESSED ALL OVER THE STATE OF TEXAS.
THAT'S WHY I DROVE DOWN HERE EARLY THIS MORNING TO TELL YOU FACE-TO-FACE, AND FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD OF BEING A TEXAN THAN I AM TODAY, BECAUSE I'M STANDING UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
IT IS WRONG TO MOVE THE CENOTAPH, IT IS WRONG TO MOVE A TOMBSTONE.
THAT MONUMENT WAS DEDICATED ON THAT SPOT FOR A REASON.
THERE'S LEGISLATION COMING UP IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY THAT'S GOING TO STOP YOU PEOPLE IF THEY CAN.
BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN TEXAS DO NOT WANT THIS.
I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK PAGES ON TUCKER CARLSON.
I TOLD THEM WHAT Y'ALL WERE DOING.
AND FIRST IT'S ALWAYS THEY'RE HORRIFIED AND THEN THEY ASK WHY.
AND WHAT DO I TELL THEM WHY? WHY IS BECAUSE THEY THINK IT WILL LOOK BETTER SOMEPLACE ELSE.
IT'S NOT AN ORNAMENT TO LOOK BETTER SOMEWHERE ELSE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. ANDERLY.
>> FRANK BURNEY, LATER ON THE LIST HAS CEDED HIS TIME TO ME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ARE YOU HERE?
>> MY NAME IS BYRON LA FLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE FIESTA COMMISSION.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS HEARING TODAY, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THE FIESTA COMMISSION IS THE COORDINATING BODY FOR FIESTA AND A LOT OF FIESTA EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT THE ALAMO.
WE'VE GOT 100 PARTICIPATING MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS, AMONG THEM BEING THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS, THE ORDER OF THE ALAMO, CAVALIERS, THE FLAMBEAU.
AND THE ALAMO IS OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT TO THE FIESTA COMMISSION.
THE FIESTA COMMISSION HAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND ITS PMOS IN ORDER TO PUT ON FIESTA EACH YEAR, AND WE HAVE DONE THAT FOR THE PAST 60 YEARS.
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY IS GOVERNED BY A CONTRACT AND IN THAT CONTRACT THE FIESTA COMMISSION, ON BEHALF OF ITS MEMBERS, RECEIVES THE CITY STREETS, RECEIVES THE RIGHTS OF WAY, RECEIVES RIGHTS TO THE CITY PARKS DURING FIESTA SO THAT WE CAN COORDINATE AND MAKE SURE THAT EVENTS DON'T CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER AND SO THAT WE CAN SANCTION ALL OF EVENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE CORRECT INSURANCE AND HAVE THE CORRECT FAMILY SPIRIT THAT WE ALL COME TO EXPECT IN FIESTA.
AND THAT CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY GETS NEGOTIATED EVERY TEN YEARS, AND IT'S CURRENTLY UP FOR ITS NEXT RENEWAL, AND IT WILL BE COMING BEFORE THE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.
AND WE HAVE NEGOTIATED WITH CITY STAFF ALONG WITH AND IN COORDINATION WITH THE GLO AND
[03:40:05]
THE CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE.PROVISIONS IN OUR FIESTA COMMISSION CONTRACT THAT LAY OUT SPECIFICALLY HOW THINGS WILL WORK UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS AFTER THE PROPERTY IS LEASED TO THE GLO.
AS THE COUNCIL IS AWARE IN AUDIO] PARADES WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH AND AROUND THE AREAS THAT ARE GOING TO BE LEASED TO THE GLO.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TO THE ALAMO MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION TO ACCOMMODATE THE PARADES AND TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THE OTHER EVENTS SUCH AS THE CAVALIER INVESTITURE CEREMONY THAT OCCUR AT THE ALAMO.
SO AS PART OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS, WE HAVE ALSO ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED SOME SPECIFIC LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THE PROPOSED LEASE WITH THE GLO THAT'S BEING PRESENTED TO YOU TODAY.
AND THAT LANGUAGE ADDRESSES THE FACT THAT THE LANGUAGE THAT IS IN THE LEASE SHOULD COORDINATE WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN OUR FIESTA COMMISSION CONTRACT.
AND, AS A RESULT, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS THE FIESTA COMMISSION ITSELF WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE UNDER THE NEW RELATIONSHIP IF THAT LANGUAGE IS IN THE PROPOSED LEASE AGREEMENT AND PROVIDED THAT THE LANGUAGE THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY HAS WORKED OUT WITH US IN OUR CONTRACT IS PRESENTED TO COUNCIL AND VOTED ON.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MCKIA MCCLENNEY FOLLOWED BY MELODY HALL.
MY NAME IS MCKIA AND I'M THE EDUCATION SPECIALIST AT THE ALAMO.
I GET TO WORK WITH SHERRY EVERY DAY, SHE'S MY SUPERVISOR.
ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYCE OF MY JOB IS GETTING TO SHARE THE HISTORY OF THE ALAMO WITH STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND OTHERS THAT COME HERE WITH THE DESIRE TO LEARN.
AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT EXPERIENCE BETTER FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
OUR SITE HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER TIME TO THE POINT THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR OUR GUESTS, INCLUDING THE MANY STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS TO DELINEATE BETWEEN THE BLURRED LINES THAT MAKE UP THE HISTORIC AND MODERN THE ICONIC FACADE OF THE ALAMO SHRINE THAT HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE ALAMO ITSELF.
AND WHILE RESTORING AND PRESERVING THE JEWEL OF TEXAS HISTORY IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE, IT IS ONLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GREATER SCOPE OF THE SITE WE ARE STRIVING TO PRESERVE.
THE SITE TODAY IS A DIFFICULT PLACE TO INTERPRET FOR OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
ATTEMPTING TO SHARE HISTORY IN A PLACE THAT HAS LOST ANY SEMBLANCE OF REVERENCE CREATES A DIFFICULT PATH FOR AN EDUCATOR.
EVEN WITH THE BEST IMAGINATION IT IS A CHALLENGE TO PICTURE THE ALAMO FORT WITH THE INCONGRUOUS SURROUNDINGS.
WHEN I VISIT THE FOUR OTHER MISSIONS OF WHICH OUR CITY CAN PROUDLY BOAST, THE ATMOSPHERE IS STRIKINGLY DIFFERENT.
YOU WALK THE GROUNDS AND HAVE LITTLE TROUBLE PICTURING THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE.
THE SOUNDS YOU HEAR ARE SCHOOL GROUPS AND OTHER VISITORS.
AT THE ALAMO, WE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR THOSE SOUNDS BUT WE MUST ALSO COMPETE WITH PROTESTERS, DISGRUNTLED CITIZENS, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS A GRIEVANCE TO AIR IN FRONT OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARK.
FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO INDOOR SPACE DEVOTED TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
OUR OPTIONS FOR INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS BEYOND THE OUTDOOR SETTING ARE NON-EXISTENCE, SO COLLABORATING WITH OUR STUDENTS OUT OF THE SUMMER SUN, RAIN, OR FEW COLD DAYS IS NOT AN OPTION.
HAVING SPACES DEDICATED TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IS A VITAL PART OF A MUSEUM AND AN EXCITING PART OF WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE FUTURE.
I GREW UP HEARING STORIES ABOUT THE ALAMO AND VISITING THIS SITE WITH MY FAMILY.
AND I CONSIDER IT SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO GET TO SHARE THOSE STORIES WITH OTHERS.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE WORK WE DO NOW WILL ENSURE THAT THE ALAMO IS HERE FOR THE MANY GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE YET TO COME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. MCCLENNY.
MELODY HALL FOLLOWED BY DON DIXON.
IS MELODY HALL HERE? ALL RIGHT.
MR. DIXON, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LINDA FISHER.
>> MY NAME IS DON DICKSON. I'VE BEEN A BUSINESSMAN HERE IN
[03:45:02]
SAN ANTONIO ABOUT 50 YEARS AND I'M ACTUALLY KIND OF FIGHTING FOR MY WIFE.SHE WAS A DAUGHTER, SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE ALAMO MISSION CHAPTER SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE ALAMO COMMITTEE THAT ACTUALLY MANAGED THE ALAMO FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS.
I HARDLY SAW HER FOR -- HARDLY AT ALL DURING THOSE TIMES SHE WORKED, BECAUSE SHE WAS VOLUNTEERING FOR THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS.
WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS THE CLOSE OF THE PLAZA AND THE STREETS, URGE EACH COUNCILMEMBER TO VOTE NO AGAINST THESE FOUR POINTS THAT THEY BROUGHT UP TODAY.
I WANT TO READ YOU THE DEED FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THIS IS VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
AND IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PROPERTY HEREBY CONVEYED AND IS SO VON KAYED ON CONDITION THAT SHALL BE DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC USE AS AN OPEN SPACE AND BE PART -- MADE A PART OF AND ONE WITH THE PLAZA ABOVE AND BELOW IT NOW KNOWN AS ALAMO PLAZA AND PLAZA DELAVA -- DE LAVALERO.
THIS WAS SIGNED IN JUNE 1ST, 1871 THE BISHOP OF TEXAS, C.M.DUBAS.
THIS PLAZA WAS DEDICATED FOR THE INTENT THAT IT WOULD ALWAYS BE AN OPEN PUBLIC PLAZA AS IT IS TODAY.
YOU CAN HIRE ALL THE LAWYERS YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN FIGHT THIS, BUT THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
THIS PLAZA SHOULD BE OPEN AS IT IS TODAY, THOSE STREETS SHOULD BE OPEN.
TAXPAYERS PAID FOR THOSE STREETS.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT FOR MOBILITY IN SAN ANTONIO.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE BY THE ALAMO AND SEE IT.
THEY SHOULDN'T -- THE PUBLIC AND THE WORLD SHOULD NOT BE CUT OFF FROM THE VISIBILITY AND THE ACCESS TO THE ALAMO.
SO IF YOU LISTEN TO THE COMMISSION MEETING LAST WEDNESDAY, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HISTORICAL MISSION, ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS SAID, THE ALAMO PLAN WOULD CAUSE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE, IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE, DIGGING DOWN THE PLAZA, TAKING OUT THE STREET -- TREES, TAKING OUT THE FLAGSTONES, THIS IS IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE FOUR POINTS THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS, FOR SAN ANTONIO, LIBERTY-MINDED PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. DICKSON.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: LINDA FISHER? MRS. FISHER WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LAZETTE GALLARDO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ROLE AS LEADERS IN OUR CITY.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU KNEW THAT IT WASN'T ALWAYS GOING TO BE EASY WHEN YOU AGREED TO TAKE THOSE ROLES.
YOU'VE CONDUCTED YOURSELVES VERY PROFESSIONALLY.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN EDUCATOR WHO HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING THE ALAMO WITH HER SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS WHILE TEACHING TEXAS HISTORY IN TWO OF SAN ANTONIO'S MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
I'M SURE WE CAN ALL RECALL FIELD TRIPS WE ATTENDED WHEN WE WERE IN SCHOOL, JUST THE SHEER JOY OF BEING OUT OF THE CLASSROOM WAS EXCITING, TO SAY THE LEAST.
AND WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ALAMO.
FROM AN ACADEMIC STANDPOINT, THOUGH, VISITING THE ALAMO FOUND MANY STUDENTS QUESTIONING THE LAYOUT IN GENERAL, AS WELL AS THE ADDED DISTRACTIONS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT ENVIRONMENT LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE FRONT OF THE GROUNDS.
GENERAL COMMENTS DURING EACH FIELD TRIP OVER THE YEARS WERE, WELL, IS THIS ALL THERE IS? WHY DOESN'T IT LOOK MORE LIKE THE PICTURES THAT ARE IN OUR CLASSROOM AND MY FAVORITE ONE WAS ALWAYS, WELL, WHY CAN'T WE GO ACROSS THE STREET, THAT OTHER CLASS GETS TO? AT TIMES BEING A TEACHER AND ENGAGING THE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS IS A LOT LIKE TRYING TO NAIL JELL-O TO A WALL.
WITH THAT SAID, VISITORS TO THE ALAMO ARE LEARNERS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE.
THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ALAMO MASTER PLAN WILL HELP
[03:50:02]
TRANSFORM THE AUDIENCE'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE 300 YEARS OF HISTORY WITH MINIMAL DISTRACTIONS, NEEDED REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENT, AND A MUSEUM IN WHICH TO DISPLAY ARTIFACTS AND MEMORABILIA.THESE POSITIVE AND FORWARD-THINKING STEPS WILL HOPEFULLY TRIGGER ATTRIBUTES OF RESPECT AND APPRECIATION OF HISTORY FROM ALL VISITORS TO INCLUDE OUR CHILDREN OF TODAY, WHO WILL BE OUR LEADERS OF TOMORROW.
MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PLAN WILL ENGAGE THESE LEARNERS AND PRESERVE OUR BELOVED ALAMO FOR MANY FUTURE GENERATIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. FISHER.
LAZETTE GALLARDO, FOLLOWED BY PHIL BACKY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR NIRENBERG AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BENEFIT THE ALAMO HAS PROVIDED MY SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS AT SUL ROSS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MY NAME IS LAZETTE GALLARDO AND AS A SEVENTH GRADE HISTORY TEACHER AND SAN ANTONIO NATIVE I'VE ENJOYED CREATING MEMORIES WITH OUR STUDENTS WHEN VISITING THE ALAMO.
FIELD TRIPS ARE WHAT MAKING SOCIAL STUDIES COME TO LIFE.
VISITING THE ALAMO GIVES STUDENTS A TRUE ANSWER TO THEIR BIG QUESTION.
WHY IS LEARNING HISTORY IMPORTANT? THIS CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN BEYOND THE STAAR QUESTIONS.
STUDENTS GET TO LEARN THE 300 YEARS OF HISTORY THAT THE ALAMO HOLDS BECOMING TRUE HISTORIANS AS THEY MAKE CONNECTIONS TO CURRENT EVENTS.
SUL ROSS IS A TITLE I SCHOOL WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE NEVER VISITED THE ALAMO ALTHOUGH WE'RE ONLY CULEBRA AWAY.
20 MINUTES FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
LAST YEAR OUR STUDENTS TOOK A WALK AROUND WHERE THE ACTUAL WALLS WOULD HAVE BEEN, AND SAID IT'S JUST SO HARD TO IMAGINE WHERE ALL THE CARS AND BUSES RUN WHERE THE NATIVES WERE LIFERRING -- LIVING.
AS AN EDUCATOR, THE SAFETY OF MY STUDENTS COME FIRST.
SEEING HOW DRIVERS ARE DISTRACTED TAKING PICTURES AND ADMIRING THE SHRINE CONCERNS ME AS WE ANALYZE THE BATTLEGROUNDS.
THE MASTER PLAN BRINGS ME HOPE THAT MY FUTURE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT THE ALAMO WITH THE TRUE EXPERIENCE OF THE DIMENSIONS OF WHAT THE MISSION ONCE WAS WITHOUT COMMERCIAL INFLUENCE ON WHAT MANY WOULD CONSIDER SACRED GROUND.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PUT THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS, TOURISTS AND SAN ANTONIO CITIZENS ABOVE THE CONVENIENCE OF TAKING A PICTURE WHILE DRIVING.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF TEXAS STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
WE ARE ALL STEWARDS OF WHAT THIS VERY PERSONAL HISTORY WHICH OUR CITY SO PROUDLY CONSERVES.
PHIL BACKY FOLLOWED BY WILLIAM SANS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER SCULLEY, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOU TODAY AND SHARE SOME OF MY OBSERVATIONS OF THE PROCESS THROUGH THE EYES OF A MEMBER OF THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ONE OF MY BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE IS THAT WHILE I WAS -- ALWAYS BEENEN GROSSED IN MY OWN HISTORY OF TEXAS, MY FAMILY CAME IN 1828, 190 YEARS AGO, PLAYED A NUMBER OF ROLES IN THE INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS, I HAD NO REALLY APPRECIATED ALL OF THE OTHER HISTORIES AND OTHER CULTURES THAT PLAYED INTO THE ALAMO OVER ITS LONG HISTORY.
SO THAT WAS A BIG TAKEAD WAY FOR ME.
BUT I'LL LIKEN THE END OF THE PROCESS TO MORE OF A MEDIATION IN THAT ONE REASON I CAN MOVE FORWARD AND SUPPORT THE PLAN IS BECAUSE I'VE LISTENED TO A VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF OTHER CITIZENS ON THAT COMMITTEE.
WE'VE HAD MANY, MANY HEATED DEBATES, I DISAGREED STRONGLY WITH A NUMBER OF ASPECTS OF THE PLAN, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IN MEDIATION, NO ONE WALKS AWAY FROM THE TABLE WITH EVERYTHING THEY WANT.
AND I THINK THAT'S VERY TRUE OF THIS PROCESS.
THERE'S A LOT OF VERY UNHAPPY PEOPLE, BUT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ALAMO, IT'S TIME TO PUT ALL THOSE DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND MOVE FORWARD AND DO SOMETHING THAT WILL SAVE AND
[03:55:01]
PRESERVE THE ALAMO FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONS.WILLIAM SANS FOLLOWED BY TOBY LIVERR.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE MAYOR AND TO THE COUNCIL AND TO THE CITY.
THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY AND INDEED IT IS LONG-LIVED.
HERE'S THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT: INTO THE EARLY 1800S, THERE WAS A GROWING INTEREST IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE HERE IN SAN FERNANDO DEBEJAR, FEWER SPANISH FOLKS BUT A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE OF EUROPEAN FOLKS WERE MOVING INTO THE AREA.
IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS SIMPLE.
LOOKING FORCEP OPERATION -- FOR SEPARATION FROM MEXICO BUT HAD A GROWING URGE FOR LOCAL GOVERNANCE.
THEY WANTED LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND TO BE SEPARATE FROM SPANISH].
SANTA ANA BECAME PRESIDENT IN 1833 AND IN 1834 HE DECLARED HIMSELF DICTATOR, DISSOLVED CONGRESS AND BECAME DICTATOR IN 1835.
HE THEN REPEALED THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH WAS THE SEED FOR THE TEXAS REVOLUTION.
TEXAS WANTED LOCAL GOVERNANCE AS ITS OWN PROVENCE.
SANTA ANA DECLARED THAT ALL GOVERNMENTS WOULD BE OUT OF MEXICO CITY.
FRENCH REVOLUTION AND EUROPEAN ENLIGHTENMENT INFLUENCES, A CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE BECAME THE THEBYWORD.
I HAVE A COUSIN WHO DIED AT THE ALAMO.
I HAVE AN UNCLE WHO DELIVERED THE TEXAS ANNEXATION PAPERS FROM PRESIDENT POLK TO NEW ORLEANS BY SHIP.
SO THE QUESTION, DOES AUSTIN TAKE OVER THE ALAMO OR DOES SAN ANTONIO VIE FOR HOME RULE? THE ALAMO IS SAN ANTONIO.
IT IS THE MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO.
I STAND FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND HOME RULE.
I STAND FOR KEEPING ALAMO PLAZA OPEN AND INTACT.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THANK YOU, MR. TOBY LA VERGNE, TOBY VA LEARN FOLLOWED BY BRANDON BURKHART.
>> MR. LA VERGNE WAS REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HIS CLASSROOM.
I HOPE YOU'LL LET ME READ HIS COMMENTS.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: WE CAN HAVE THEM INTO THE RECORD.
YOU CAN GIVE THEM TO BE PUT INTO THE RECORD.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: BRANDON BURKHART FOLLOWED BY PAUL GESHEITAL.
>> WELL, I'VE BEEN HERE MANY TIMES BEFORE, SPOKEN BEFORE YOU GUYS ABOUT THIS.
OUR ORGANIZATION, THIS IS TEXAS FREEDOM FORCE, FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW ME.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THIS IS TEXAS FREEDOM FORCE.
WE'VE TOLD YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO LEAVE THE CENOTAPH WHERE IT IS.
THE BLOOD OF THE ALAMO DEFENDERS SOAKED INSIDE THE WALL ON THAT GROUND.
IT DIDN'T SOAK OUTSIDE BY THE BANDSTAND, IT DIDN'T SOAK DOWN THE STREET, IT DIDN'T SOAK, YOU KNOW, 20 MILES FROM HERE.
IT SOAKED INSIDE THERE, AND THAT'S WHY THAT TOMB SITS THERE AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THAT ALAMO STOOD FOR.
NOW, AS FAR AS THE TOUR GUIDES AND TEACHERS THAT ARE CALLING ABOUT THE STREAKERS AND ALL THAT STUFF, WELL, GUESS WHAT, THAT LIES ON Y'ALL.
THE CITY OWNS THE PLAZA, ALAMO PLAZA.
WHY DON'T Y'ALL HAVE RANGERS OUT THERE OR SAPD OUT THERE 24/7 TO STOP THAT STUFF.
>> ALSO YOUR OWN REPORT FROM FOUR YEARS AGO FROM THE CENOTAPH STATES THAT THE CENOTAPH IS NOT IN AS BAD OF DAMAGE AS YOU'RE TELLING THE PUBLIC AND THE REST OF TEXAS.
THAT CENOTAPH CAN BE REPAIRED ONSITE.
IT CAN STAY RIGHT WHERE IT'S AT.
WE'VE HAD ENGINEERS FROM TEXAS A&M THAT HAVE LOOKED AT IT, LOOKED AT THE BLUEPRINTS, SAID IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE MOVED TO BE REPAIRED, BUT Y'ALL ARE JUST HELLBENT ON MOVING IT OVER TOWARDS THE BANDSTAND OR MOVING
[04:00:01]
IT SOMEWHERE, AND A LOT OF IT IS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT YOU GUYS KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE DAMAGED BECAUSE MANY ENGINEERS, MANY ARCHITECTS HAVE SAID THE CHANCES OF PERMANENTLY DAMAGING THAT CENOTAPH IF YOU MOVE IT IS LIKELY.AND IF IT GETS MOVED, GUESS WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE? IT'S GOING TO BE IN A BASEMENT JUST LIKE THE TRAVIS PARK MONUMENT SITS TODAY, A YEAR -- MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER IT WAS TAKEN DOWN.
AND IT'S BROKEN, FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL THAT DIDN'T KNOW.
YOU KNOW, MCDONALD RIGHT HERE, HE CLAIMS AND GEORGE P. BUSH AND MAYOR NIRENBERG, WE'VE GOT THE SUPPORT OF TEXANS.
PUT IT UP FOR A VOTE TO TEXANS.
LET THEM SHOW YOU THAT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT, BECAUSE I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT WE'VE PRODUCED DIFFERENT PETITIONS, WE'VE TALKED TO TEXANS, WE'VE TALKED TO TOURIST, WE'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE AND VERY FEW SUPPORT THIS PLAN.
SURE, WE DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT IS SITTING ACROSS THE STREET.
BUT WHEN YOU START TELLING THEM YOU WANT TO REMOVE THE CENOTAPH AND MOVE IT TO ANOTHER LOCATION, THEY TELL US THAT THE CITY CAN GO TO HELL.
THEY NEED TO LEAVE THE ALAMO ALONE.
SO I'M JUST GOING TO CLOSE WITH THIS: WHEN YOU GET READY TO VOTE TODAY, YES, EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS A HISTORICAL VOTE AND ALL, IT IS.
AND WHICH SIDE YOU CHOOSE IS -- IT'S BASICALLY GOING TO SEAL YOUR FATE.
IT'S VERY CONVENIENT THAT TREVINO AND NIRENBERG ARE GONE, BECAUSE WE'VE TOLD THEM, IF THEY VOTE YES ON THIS, THEIR POLITICAL DAYS IN TEXAS ARE NUMBERED AND YOU'VE SEEN WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR A YEAR.
WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT REELECTED.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THANK YOU, MR. PAUL GESHEITEL, FOLLOWED BY SHERYL GESHEITEL.
AFTER THAT IT WILL BE CARRIE HILLIER.
>> SO BACK AGAIN TO THIS ROUTINE, THIS RUBBER STAMP FAST VOTING, OF COURSE I'M SURPRISED WE'RE EVEN HERE TO HAVE A VOTE TODAY, BECAUSE IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING AT ONE POINT, MAYOR NIRENBERG WASN'T GOING TO ALLOW IT, AND I DO FIND IT INTERESTING, WELCOME BACK, MR. TREVINO, I WISH THE MAYOR WOULD COME AND SIT IN HIS RIGHTFUL CHAIR FOR ONCE FT WE'RE NOT REALLY GOING TO ARGUE WITH THIS.
WE RAILROADED KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO PAY OUT.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR YES VOTE ON MOVING THE CENOTAPH AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE BIGGEST MISTAKE Y'ALL CAN MAKE RIGHT NOW THIS CLOSE TO ELECTIONS AND THIS CLOSE TO YES MISSION.
OUR HOPES ARE THAT ONCE OUR YES VOTE PASSES WE CAN GET A CENOTAPH PETITION GOING TO UNDO WHAT ALL OF Y'ALL HAVE CAUSED.
MR. PERRY, COURAGE AND BROCKHOUSE, I WANT TO THANK YOU.
IT DOES TAKE SOME GUTS TO STAND UP TO THAT SPINELESS LUNATIC.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE CAN SAY TO THIS.
EVERY SINGLE MEETING YOU TELES AND LESS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENOTAPH TO THE MEETING AT MRS. SANDOVAL'S DISTRICT WAS COMPLETELY DETRACTED, IT WASN'T DONE UNTIL AFTER THE MEETING WAS OVER THAT YOU EVEN ADDRESSED ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO IT.
AND, OSKT, YES, WE KNOW MR. TREVINO THAT YOU CLAIM OUR ORGANIZATION'S MADE DIRECT THREATS TO YOU AND OF COURSE WE HAVE SCOTT HUDDLESTON AND FOREST BIAS, AND THE ALAMO CEO ALL GO ONLINE THAT CLAIM WE'RE TROUBLEMAKERS AND LIARS, WHEN IN REALITY WE GO OUT TO THE PLAZA, WE GO AROUND TEXAS TO THESE DIFFERENT EVENTS WE ATTEND AND GET TEXANS VOICE AND WE ASK THEM HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THIS.
AND THEY'RE USUALLY AGAINST IT.
AND I'LL ADMIT, I LIKE A LOT OF THIS PLAN, I REALLY DO.
BUT IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT THE CENOTAPH WAS NEVER CONSIDERED TO REMAIN.
WE NEVER GET AN ISSUE -- A LEGITIMATE ISSUE AS TO WHY IT WAS NEVER ALLOWED TO REMAIN AND WORKED ON RIGHT THERE.
BECAUSE FOUR YEARS AGO, THAT WAS THE BEST RECOMMENDATION YOU HAVE.
WHETHER WE'RE GIVEN IT'S IN THE WAY, IT'S IN THE VIEW.
WE'RE GIVEN AN IMAGE IN THE PART OF YOUR PLAN THAT MOVES THE CENOTAPH ALMOST 100 FEET FORWARD TO WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY SITS TO THE POINT WHERE SOMEONE'S BEEN TO THE ALAMO ONLY ONCE OR TWICE IN THEIR LIFE WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SAY, YEAH, THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT.
NO, YOU'RE LYING TO PEOPLE AND YOU'RE DOING IT IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE.
AND IF YOU'RE NOT LYING, YOU'RE JUST RETRACTING INFORMATION.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE AN ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL AND A MAYOR, ESPECIALLY A MAYOR THAT WAS VOTED ON A TRANSPARENT PLATFORM AND A NONPARTISAN ONE AT THAT TO CONSIDER ALL RATHER THAN CONSIDER WHERE THE MONEY FLOWS.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE FOURTH MEETING IN JUNE, A LOT OF THE [INDISCERNIBLE] PEOPLE SHOWED UP IN OPPOSITION.
AND THEN MR. TREVINO AND MR. MCDONALD, I BELIEVE, WERE
[04:05:02]
THE TWO GENTLEMAN IN PARTICULAR THAT ESCORTED THOSE PEOPLE ON A PRIVATE TOUR AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE.BUT NEVER ONCE HAVE ANY OF THE CENOTAPH MOVEMENT OPPOSITION GROUPS BEEN OFFERED A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE WE'RE NOT RICH OR HAVE ANY REAL PULL LIKE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS DO.
THIS MIGHT COME AS A BIG SURPRISE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING THIS, AND I'M PRETTY SURE THE NEWS WILL HAVE THIS ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND WE'LL SEE HOW FAIR EACH NEWS ARTICLE IS.
MAYBE THEY'LL BE FAIR AND BALANCED LIKE THE SA HER RIN IS, OR MAYBE THEY'LL PUT THEIR OWN SPIN ON IT LIKE THE FAILING EXPRESS-NEWS DOES.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING LIKE NINE% OF THE POPULATION SUBSCRIBES TO THAT MAGAZINE.
I BET IT'S A LOT LOWER AS FAR AS PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IT.
BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE AN ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL THAT VOICED THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE.
AND THE ONES THAT DIDN'T FALL IN LINE WHEN THEY'RE OFFERED A CHECK.
NOT REALLY SURE THERE'S MUCH I CAN SAY ON THIS ISSUE.
OH, WELCOME BACK, MAYOR, IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK IN THE ROOM.
YOU'VE MADE A LOT OF BATHROOM BREAKS AND COFFEE BREAKS, IT'S UNFORTUNATE MAYBE YOU SHOULD GIVE US A COFFEE MACHINE TO SIT HERE.
THIS STARTED AT 9:00, AND WE'RE HERE, WHAT, PUSHING 2:00.
YOU LOVE WASTING TIME, BUT I THINK I'M JUST GOING TO END IT THERE.
THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN SAY ANY FURTHER WITHOUT STARTING TO CURSE AT YOU PEOPLE, SO WE'LL SEE HOW THIS VOTE PLAYS OUT.
THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. BROCKHOUSE -- MANNY, I HOPE I CAN TRUST YOU ON A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN JUST THIS ISSUE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, I DO APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND HAVING THE GUTS TO SPEAK TO US FACE-TO-FACE RATHER THAN GOING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH ANOTHER COUNCILMEMBER.
THANK YOU, AGAIN, PERRY AND COURAGE.
RONNIE, I'M SORRY I VOTED FOR YOU.
MAYBE NEXT TIME I'LL DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE PEOPLE I VOTED FOR.
>> I'M CARRIE HILLIER AND I'M THE RESEARCH DIRECTOR FOR THIS IS TEXAS FREEDOM FORCE.
AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOU FOR A YEAR AND YOU'VE BEEN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE 18,000 MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THIS IS TEXAS FREEDOM FORCE.
BUT TODAY, I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ONLY ON BEHALF OF ONE PERSON, AND THAT IS MY 92-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR.
MRS. GARZA, SHE CAN'T COME HERE AND TALK TO YOU BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HANDICAP PARKING.
SO SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY WAY TO GET HERE TO WHERE SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO WALK OR BE PUSHED IN HER CHAIR FOR TWO BLOCKS.
ON A GOOD DAY, I CAN PUT HER IN MY CAR AND TAKE HER FOR A DRIVE DOWNTOWN SO THAT SHE CAN DRIVE PAST AND SEE THE BELOVED ALAMO.
SHE WAS JUST A LITTLE GIRL WHEN THE CENOTAPH WAS ERECTED.
BUT SHE STILL REMEMBERS THE PLAZA FULL OF PEOPLE AND SHE WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THEM ERECTING THE CENOTAPH AT THAT TIME.
AND THE FACT THAT YOU ALL, DESPITE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TEXANS VOASING THEIR OPPOSITION ARE GOING TO FORGE AHEAD AND TAKE DOWN THE MONUMENT THAT HONORS THE DEFENDERS WHO FOUGHT FOR LIBERTY AND DIED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE ALAMO IS BREAKING HER HEART.
THE DEDICATION OF THE CENOTAPH THAT MRS. GARZA ATTENDED TOOK PLACE ON ARMISTICE DAY.
THE CITIZENS KNEW THAT THEY WERE AMERICANS WHO HADN'T YET JOINED THE WAR, BUT STILL WERE FIGHTING OVERSEAS IN SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF GREAT BRITAIN.
TO SEE THAT MONUMENT GO UP WHEN SHE WAS JUST A LITTLE GIRL AND TO SEE ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN THE PLAZA MADE AN IMPRESSION ON HER.
AND WHEN YOU-ALL FENCE OFF THE ALAMO, AND I CAN'T PUT HER IN MY CAR AND LET HER DRIVE BY AND SEE THAT PRECIOUS MONUMENT OF TEXAS IS TOO SAD.
AND I KNOW SHE'S NOT PART OF YOUR TAX BASE ANYMORE, BECAUSE ALL OF HER MONEY GOES FOR THINGS THAT AREN'T TAXABLE LIKE FOOD AND MEDICINE, BUT HER MEMORIES ARE IMPORTANT TO HER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU MRS. HILLIER.
STELLA DE LA GARZA FOLLOWED BIER
[04:10:06]
-- BY ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ.>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS STELLA DE LA GARZA.
I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO LEASING ALAMO PLAZA TO THE STATE OF TEXAS.
IF DWHREU LOOK UP THE WORD -- YOU LOOK UP THE WORD PLAZA IN THE DISTRICT, MOST OFTEN IT WILL SAY OPEN URBAN PUBLIC SQUARES WHERE CROWDS GATHER TO ASSEMBLE FREELY WITHOUT PHYSICAL BARRIERS SUCH AS FENCES AND WALLS.
PLAZAS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES SUCH AS SANTA FE PLAZA, SQUARE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MANY OTHERS DO NOT HAVE PHYSICAL BARRIERS THAT PREVENT YOU FROM WALKING OR STROLLING THROUGH THEM.
YOU'LL SEE THE SLIDE UP THERE THAT I HAVE POSTED OR IS POSTED, SO THE SAME CAN BE SAID ABOUT ALAMO PLAZA AND THE ADJACENT STREETS.
CURRENTLY CITIZENS AND VISITORS CAN STROLL THROUGH THE PLAZA LEISURELY, START OR RUN OR FINISH A RUN ANY TIME OF THE DAY IN FRONT OF THE ALAMO, ASSEMBLE PEACEFULLY FOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS AND ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS HONOR THE FALLEN.
LEASING THE STREETS AND THE SIDEWALKS OF OUR CITY FOR THE TERMS SPECIFIED IN THE LEASE WILL ALTER OUR FREEDOM TO ASSEMBLE AS CITIZENS AND TO TAKE PART IN SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES JUST MENTIONED.
AS A PRESERVATIONIST AND A FORMER EDUCATOR, I UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF RESTORING THE THE ALAMO AND MAKING SURE THAT THE CRADLE OF FREEDOM AND ITS GROUNDS ARE INTACT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO VISIT, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF CUTTING OFF ACCESS TO VISITORS AND CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO.
I ALSO SEE THE VALUE OF CREATING A MUSEUM THAT TELLS THE STORY FOR MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF RELOCATING THE CENOTAPH AND DEMOLISHING BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE FABRIC OF ALAMO PLAZA FOR OVER 100 YEARS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY HAVE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.
AS A LIFE-LONG CITIZEN OF SAN ANTONIO, I UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS CAN ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR CITY.
BUT, AGAIN, NOT AT THE COST OF WALLING OFF ALAMO PLAZA AND ITS AGE JAY SENT STREETS.
COUNCILMAN TREVINO, IN YOUR ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN THE EXPRESS-NEWS LAST MONDAY, YOU SAID, AND I QUOTE, THIS SPACE BELONGS TO ALL OF US.
INDIGENOUS, TEJANOS, TEXANS, MEXICANS AND PRESENT-DAY CITIZENS, I HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING HOW YOU CAN SAY THIS SPACE BELONGS TO ALL OF US WHEN YOU ARE SIGNING IT AWAY.
ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO REPRESENT US.
THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO, NOT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO DESIGNED THE PLAN OR WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH IMPLEMENTING IT.
IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT OR RESERVATIONS ABOUT LEASING OUR PLAZA TO THE STATE, THEN PLEASE VOTE NO.
THIS LONG-TERM ARRANGEMENT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST AND ALAMO PLAZA SHOULD CONTINUE TO BELONG TO US.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. DE LA GARZA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ FOLLOWED BY LAMAR HENRY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ, I COME TO YOU NOT ONLY AS AN ALAMO EMPLOYEE THAT HAS SERVED AT THE ALAMO FOR OVER 19 YEARS BUT AS A PERSON FROM DISTRICT 5 WHO WORKS IN DISTRICT 1 WHO WAS EDUCATED IN DISTRICT 7.
I COME TO YOU WITH ALL THESE HATS AND AS A MEMBER OF THE ALAMO ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
I AM A HISTORIAN BY TRADE AND HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH THE COLLECTION FOR THE PAST 19 YEARS.
I HAD THE HONOR OF TALKING TO PHIL COLLINS WHEN HE DONATED THE COLLECTION TO THE ALAMO AND THIS CONCEPT OF BRINGING THIS WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM TO FRUITION.
THE CENOTAPH, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT MONUMENT REALLY DOES NEED TO BE PRESERVED, AND IT NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN A LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE WILL SEE IT WHEN THEY ARRIVE.
TOO MANY TIMES I'VE BEEN AT WORK WHEN SOMEONE WILL SAY, I HEARD THERE'S A MONUMENT HERE.
AND YOU SAY WHICH ONE IS IT? AND THEY SAY THE CENOTAPH.
WHERE IS IT? AND YOU POINT TO IT, AND THEY GO, OH, I DIDN'T REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THAT WHEN I CAME THROUGH INTO THE ALAMO.
IT NEEDS TO BE RELOCATED BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE CARED FOR.
MANY TIMES I WILL SAY IN MY CAREER I HAVE GONE OUT THERE AND SCRUBBED GRAFFITI OFF OF IT, BECAUSE IF YOU LEAVE ANYTHING ON IT, MORE WILL APPEAR.
THE STREET CLOSURES, TOO MANY TIMES I'VE SEEN PEOPLE ALMOST GET HIT BY CARS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY DRIVE THROUGH THE PLAZA, THEY LOOK AROUND AND THEY DON'T NOTICE THAT THERE'S THIS LITTLE THING THAT'S YELLOW WITH THREE LIGHTS ON IT, THAT'S
[04:15:02]
RED, AND THEY KEEP GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH.TOO MANY TIMES I'VE SEEN FAMILY LOSE THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY START RUNNING ACROSS AND ALMOST GET HIT BY A CAR.
I FULLY SUPPORT THIS PROPOSED PLAN BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN EVERY ASPECT OF IT, AND IT'S THE BEST WAY AND THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO FOR OUR CITIZENS AND THE STATE IN GENERAL.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BIGGER THAN TEXAS, AND WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT AS CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE, WE ARE GIVING THEM SOMETHING MORE TO BE PROUD OF.
SO ONCE AGAIN, I FULLY SUPPORT THIS PLAN.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ.
LAMAR HENRY? FOLLOWED BY DENISE HOMER.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS, I'VE BEEN COMING UP HERE FOR A YEAR, THIS WHOLE THING IS GETTING TO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.
I'VE LISTENED TO THESE PEOPLE TALK, THEY SAY NOTHING BUT THE SAME THING LIKE THEY'RE READING IT OUT OF A BOOK.
THERE'S NO PASSION TO IT, IT'S JUST -- IT'S RIDICULOUS.
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING NONE OF THIS HAD TO HAPPEN IF THERE HAD BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF COMPROMISE ON THIS ENTIRE ALAMO PLAN.
YOU KNOW, THE ONE MAIN THING THAT WE WERE ADAMANTLY AND STILL ADAMANTLY AGAINST IS MOVING THE CENOTAPH.
WHETHER YOU CLOSE THE ROADS OR YOU DON'T, YOU TEAR THEM BUILDINGS DOWN ACROSS THE STREET, ALL OF THOSE THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TALKED ABOUT, BUT Y'ALL WERE UNCOMPROMISEING, COMPLETELY -- IT SITS WHERE IT IS AT, RIGHT NOW, IT SITS IN THE FRONT OF THE LONG BARRACKS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE DIED AND THEY WERE BURNED.
THEIR BODIES WERE BURNED OUTSIDE THERE, AND THAT'S WHY THE CENOTAPH IS THERE. IT'S THE EMPTY TOMB TO REMEMBER SENT THOSE PEOPLE.
AND -- REPRESENT THOSE PEOPLE.
THIS IDEA THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT CENOTAPH, YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW IRREVERENCE TO SHOS -- THOSE MEN THAT DIED, YOU CAN'T MOVE IT.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID YOU CAN'T MOVE IT WITHOUT BREAKING IT.
YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL TRAINED PEOPLE TO DO IT.
THE REPORT WAS MADE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW ABOUT IT.
Y'ALL COULDN'T EVEN MOVE THE TRAVIS PARK MONUMENT WITHOUT BREAKING IT, JUST ONE LITTLE SOLID PIECE, AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MOVING SOMETHING THAT'S MULTISEGMENTED LIKE THAT.
I DON'T THINK YOU REALLY CARE IF YOU BREAK IT OR NOT.
I DON'T THINK ORIGINALLY YOU JUST WANT TO GET RID OF IT ANYWAY.
AND THIS WHOLE IDEA THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE IT, YOU KNOW, THREE BLOCKS DOWN THE ROAD, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE IT 500 FEET, IT WOULDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE HOW FAR YOU MOVED IT, YOU'LL BREAK IT.
IF YOU MOVED IT ONE INCH, THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE KEEP SAYING, NOT ONE INCH, BECAUSE IT DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE HOW FAR YOU TRY TO MOVE IT, YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK IT.
YOUR ARROGANCE THINKING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT IS GOING TO MAKE YOU BREAK THAT CENOTAPH, YOU JUST MARK MY WORDS.
YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THIS ENTIRE THING, IT'S KIND OF LIKE PLAYING BLOCKS, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE COMMITTEES AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAD, EVERYTHING, IT'S LIKE A TALKS TO B, AND THEN B TALKS TO C, AND C TO D, BUT YOU KNOW THE ONE YOU NEVER GET AROUND TO IS E.
YOU NEVER INVITE THEM TO THESE COMMITTEES.
THESE PEOPLE SIT AROUND AND THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER, IT'S LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.
YOU KNOW, THEY NEVER TALK TO US.
WE TALK TO THE PEOPLE OUT HERE.
THEY DIDN'T DO THIS THOUSAND PERSON THING ON THE INTERNET.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU MR. HENRY.
DENISE HOMER FOLLOWED BY JEFF ARNT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 2, YOU'RE MY COUNCILMAN.
I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE REGARDING MY OWN ISSUES WITH MY HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT I'M HERE TODAY TO -- I'M KIND OF GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING, I'M LISTENING TO EVERYTHING, BUT I AM HERE AS A CITIZEN, I'M NOT HERE AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY OF BUILDER/CONTRACTORS, BECAUSE I WAS PART OF THAT.
I'VE HEARD ALL THE COMMENTS, I'VE HEARD EVERYBODY SPEAK ABOUT THE CENOTAPH.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE ARTIST.
HE IS NOT HERE, BUT HE LEFT US A
[04:20:03]
WONDERFUL GIFT.THAT MONUMENT NOT ONLY REPRESENTS THE HISTORY OF OUR FOREFATHERS OF TEXAS, BUT IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE TYPE OF WORK THAT MR. COPINI OFFERED NOT JUST HERE IN TEXAS, BUT AROUND THE WORLD.
HERE WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE IN AUSTIN.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, WE HAVE HERE OF THE FOUNTAIN IN FRONT OF UT.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL, ANOTHER EXAMPLE GEORGE WASHINGTON IN FRONT OF OUR ACTUAL CAPITOL OF AUSTIN, OUR FOREFATHER.
THIS CENOTAPH REPRESENTS OUR FOREFA FATHERS.
I'VE WORKED ON STATUTES, I'VE WORKED IN RENOVATIONS, I'VE WORKED WITH CATHEDRALS.
I WOULD NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW THAT I CAN -- JUST LOOKING AT THIS INFORMATION, THAT THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL DESTRUCTION OF AN ART MASTER PIECE.
THE CITY MANAGER IS GONE, BUT THE ATTORNEY, WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE ARE THE CONTRACTORS GOING TO GIVE YOU IF THEY DESTROY THE MASTERPIECE? WHAT TYPE OF SETTLEMENT ARE WE GOING TO GET? WE DON'T WANT THE MONEY, THIS IS ART.
THIS IS A GIFT THAT WE CANNOT REPRODUCE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE IN AUSTIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ACTUALLY IN MUSEUMS AS SAMPLES OF HIS WORK, AND THIS IS THE ONE GIFT THAT WE HAVE IN SAN ANTONIO OF THIS QUALITY OF MASTERPIECE, OF GRANITE HAND CARVED BY SOMEBODY WITH A REPUTATION KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD AND YOU WANT TO DESTROY IT? BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IT CANNOT BE SAVED.
IF IT'S REPRODUCED, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE QUALITY OF WHAT MR. COPINI OFFERED THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER AS A MASTERPIECE TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND TO THE WORLD, DO NOT DO THIS TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIZENRY, TO THE STUDENTS THAT GO AND LOOK AT THE ART.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. HOMER.
JEFF ARNT? JEFF ARNT? IS PATTY SAENZ? MRS. SAENZ, YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES.
YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY PATRICIA SIDENBERGER.
MY COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, HOW ARE YOU, MY NAME IS PATTY SAENZ, 251 HUNTER'S GREEN, DISTRICT 8MENT AS YOU KNOW I AM A MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY BUT I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY.
I AM SPEAKING FOR MYSELF TODAY, BUT I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY ABOUT 12 WOMEN, 94 YEARS AGO, THAT CAME BEFORE WHAT WAS THEN THE MAYOR AND AN ALL-MALE COMMISSION.
AND I POINT OUT TO YOU THE VISUAL THAT'S ON YOUR SCREEN NOW.
YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PLAYLET CALLED THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG.
THERE WERE 12 VERY FORWARD-THINKING, INNOVATIVE, VERY ARTISTIC BECAUSE THEY MADE THESE LITTLE GUYS OUT OF HOSERY, PUPPETS, AND THEIR INTENT WAS VERY IMPORTANT: THAT VOTE THAT DAY WAS AS IMPORTANT AS THE VOTE THAT YOU HAVE TODAY BECAUSE IN ESSENCE, IF THEY WOULD HAVE VOTED NO, THE WHOLE COURSE OF OUR CITY WOULD HAVE CHANGED.
WE PROBABLY WOULD NOT EVEN BE SITTING HERE LIKE THIS IN THIS GRAND MEETINGS AND HAVING THE BEAUTIFUL CITY THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE THE QUEST THAT DAY WAS TO CHANGE THE MIND OF THE COMMISSIONERS FROM PAVING OVER WHAT WE KNOW NOW IS THE RIVERWALK.
SO I'M GOING TO READ A FEW EXCERPTS FROM THAT PLAYLET, BECAUSE, AGAIN, IF THE VOTE WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT ON THAT VERY DAY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE ONE OF THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS BESIDES THE ALAMO THAT DRAWS VISITORS TO SAN ANTONIO.
SO YOU HAVE THE COMMISSIONERS, THE FOUR COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE THE MAYOR.
THE FOLKS ON MY LEFT ARE MR. AND MRS. SAN ANTONIO, AND YOU HAVE A STAGE MANAGER AND YOU HAVE THE GOOSE, MRS. PE KEUL AIRTY.
SO MRS. SAN ANTONIO SAYS, I'M MIGHTILY GLAD WE OWN THIS GOOSE.
SHE'S A PLAIN OLD GOOSE BUT SHE HAS HER USE.
ALL THESE GOLDEN EGGS SHE LAYS EACH DAY.
[04:25:01]
SAN ANTONIO, HEART OF TEXAS, FOR HER RIVALS IN THEIR STRIVE WROTE YOUR HISTORY WITH THEIR BLOOD, GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR YOUR LIFE.THIS IS THE FAME OF OUR FAIR CITY FOR THOSE BRAVE DEEDS OF OLD, WE TAKE IT IN LOVE AND PITY TIS A GIFT AS PURE AS GOLD.
MANY LOVED YOU FOR YOUR BEAUTY, FOR YOUR WINDING STREAM AND TREES, FOR YOUR SKIES OF DEEP AZURE AND YOUR OVERWHELMING BREEZE.
A CITY OF SURPASSING BEAUTY AND THIS GIFT, TOO, WAS GOLD.
AND SO POETS SING ABOUT YOU AND IN HISTORY AND ROMANCE, YOUR BOLD LOVERS LIVE AGAIN TO FIGHT AND FEAST AND DANCE.
AND AS THEY GO ON LIVING WHEREVER TALES ARE TOLD, SAN ANTONIO LIVES FOREVER TIS OUR LEGACY OF GOLD.
AND SO STRANGERS COME TO SEE YOU AND LEARN TO LOVE YOU, TOO.
AND LEAVE BEHIND WITH US THEIR GIFT ALL SHINING AND NEW.
AND THEN MR. SAN ANTONIO SAYS, GIVE ME THAT GOOSE.
WHERE IS MY KNIFE? I'LL HAVE ALL MY EGGS, THOUGH IT WILL COST HER HER LIFE.
MRS. SAN ANTONIO SAYS, WHAT! KILL MY GOOSE? I LOVE MY GOOSY DEAR.
PASTOR COPELAND SAID IN HER OPENING PRAYER TODAY, SHE WAS PRAYING FOR WISDOM IN YOUR DECISION-MAKING FOR THOSE THAT ARE YET TO BE BORN.
YOUR DECISION TODAY WILL IMPACT GENERATIONS TO COME.
DON'T BE REMEMBERED AS A COUNCIL THAT MADE THE WRONG DECISION.
94 YEARS FROM NOW SOMEONE MAY BE STANDING HERE, THE PLAZA MAY BELONG TO THE STATE BEING SOLD.
BE REMEMBERED FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR CITY, FENCES ARE EXCLUSIONARY, NOT WELCOMING.
OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY, CHANGING THE OPEN WELCOMING AND HISTORIC CHARACTER OF ALAMO PLAZA IS LIKE KILLING THE GOOSE.
LEASING THE PLAZA TO THE STATE OF TEXAS IS LIKE GIVING AWAY THE FARM.
THE CITY SHOULD RETAIN CONTROL OF THIS HISTORIC HEART OF THE CITY FOR THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL THOSE WHO LIVE HERE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
YOUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, THOSE OF US THAT ARE HERE NOW THAT ARE DESCENDANTS OF WHO WAS HERE 94 YEARS AGO.
PLEASE DON'T KILL THE GOOSE BY GIVING AWAY THE FARM.
MRS. VIAGRAN SAID TODAY THAT MARKET SQUARE SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE RESPECT THAT IT DESERVES.
ALAMO PLAZA SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE RESPECT THAT IT DESERVES AS WELL.
LEASING THIS PLAZA TO THE STATE [INDISCERNIBLE] THE CITY OF CONTROL ON THE PLAZA.
THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL THINGS IN THIS PLAN, BUT GIVING IT AWAY TO THE STATE OF TEXAS, I'M GLAD YOU TRUST THEM, BECAUSE I DON'T EXACTLY TRUST FOR YEARS TO COME WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A DETRIMENT IN KILLING OUR GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THROUGH MRS. PATRICIA SIDENBERGER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ONE SECOND.
MRS. SIDENBERGER, YOU HAVE SIX.
YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY VINCENT MICHAEL.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYORS, AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL MY NAME IS PATRICIA SIDENBERGER.
I'M A DESCENDANT OF THE ORIGINAL 300 AND I'M A NATIVE BORN SAN ANTONIAN AND A LONG-LIFE MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY.
FOR 13 DAYS FROM FEBRUARY THE 23RD TO MARCH THE SIXTH, 1836, IN SAN ANTONIO AT THE ALAMO SO FEW FOUGHT AGAINST SO MANY UNWILLING TO SURRENDER, SACRIFICING THEIR LIVES FOR TEXAS FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.
ONE OF THE REASONS THE TEXANS FOUGHT AGAINST SANTA ANA AND MEXICO WAS NO REPRESENTATION IN THE CENTRALIZED MEXICO GOVERNMENT.
NOW TODAY, SO FEW ARE SO DETERMINED TO SURRENDER THE ALAMO.
[04:30:01]
AND AS HISTORY WOULD REPEAT ITSELF, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO ONCE AGAIN ARE NOT REPRESENTED IN THIS ALAMO PLAN.THE 50 TO 100 YEAR LEASE TO THE GLO EFFECTIVELY CLOSES OPEN ACCESS TO THE ALAMO AND ALAMO PLAZ PLAZA.
FENCES AND GATES WILL SURROUND THE ALAMO AND ALAMO PLAZA REQUIRING THE PURCHASE OF PAID TIME TICKETS THROUGH THE GLO FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE MUSEUM ARE JUST TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ALAMO.
SO MUCH FOR EXPERIENCING THE REVERENCE OF THE TEXAS CRADLE OF LIBERTY.
ONLY AFTER THE MUSEUM CLOSES WILL YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE ALAMO PLAZA; HOWEVER, YOU WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO VIEW THE ALAMO FROM BEHIND FENCES ALONGSIDE THE LONG BARRACK.
WHY DO THIS? NO PLAZA IN THE WORLD HAS FENCES AND GATES.
NO LONGER WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DRIVE PAST THE ALAMO AS SOUTH ALAMO STREET WILL BE CLOSED FOREVER, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER NEARBY STREETS TO THE PLAZA.
AS A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL GUIDE, I LEAD BUS TOURS COMPRISED MOSTLY OF RETIRED SENIOR CITIZENS IN THEIR LATE 60S AND 70S WHO CANNOT WALK LONG DISTANCES.
ACCORDING TO THE ALAMO PLAN, TOUR BUS VISITORS WILL BE LET OUT ON LOSOYA STREET IN ORDER TO SEE THE ALAMO.
THIS WILL CAUSE UNDUE HARDSHIP IN GETTING TO THE ALAMO OR WILL PREVENT A VISIT AT ALL.
AND WE ARE ALL GETLING -- GETTING OLDER.
NOW, AT LEAST, WITH SAN ANTONIO ALAMO STREET OPEN, ONE CAN DRIVE BY THE ALAMO AND STILL SEE IT, EVEN IF ONE CANNOT WALK W TO THE ALAMO.
THE FATE OF THE CITY DESIGNED HISTORIC BUILDINGS ACROSS FROM THE ALAMO, THE CROCKET BLOCK, THE PALACE THEATER AND THE ADJACENT WOOLWORTH BUILDING IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS WILL BE RENOVATED FOR THE NEW MUSEUM OR DEMOLISHED.
WHO WILL MAKE THESE FINAL DECISIONS REGARDING THESE BUILDINGS? AND WHAT ARE THE DECIDING FACTORS? TO POINT OUT CURRENTLY ALL OF THE CITY'S MUSEUMS ARE IN REPURPOSED BUILDINGS.
WHY NOT THIS MUSEUM? THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR CITY HISTORIC AND UNIQUE.
CITY ORDINANCE OH197 SIGNED ON SEPTEMBER THE 18TH, 1936, CREATED AND MANIFEST AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A CENOTAPH IN HONOR OF THE ALAMO HEROES ON THE MIDDLE PLOT OF THE ALAMO PLAZA.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE CENOTAPH, THE TITLE PASSED TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WHO AGREED THAT THE PROPERTY SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT IS INTENDED.
THIS LEASE AND PLAN WILL IGNORE THE CITY ORDINANCE AND MOVE THE CENOTAPH 500-YARDS SOUTH IN FRONT OF THE MENGER HOTEL, WHICH HAS NO CONNECTION AT ALL TO THE MEMORIAL.
IN ADDITION, MOVING THE ALAMO CENOTAPH RISKS DAMAGE TO A PRICELESS MEMORIAL AND THE VERY REAL POSSIBILITY THAT IT MIGHT BE DESTROYED IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DISMANTLED AND MOVED.
KEEP THE CENOTAPH IN THE CURRENT PLACE ON THE SACRED GROUND WHERE DEFENDERS LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE 1836 BATTLE OF THE ALAMO.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO TO THE LEASE AND KEEP ALAMO PLAZA MANAGEMENT UNDER CITY CONTROL.
WORK WITH THE STATE ON A NEW PLAN THAT IS NOT SO CONTROLLING AND RESTRICTIVE TO THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO AND OUR VISITORS.
AND INVOLVE ALL THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO IN A PLAN KEEPLING OPEN ACCESS TO THE ALAMO AND THE ALAMO PLAZA AS PART OF OUR HISTORY AND OUR TRADITION.
AFTER ALL, THE ALAMO PLAZA BELONGS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND NOT TO THE STATE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU MRS. SIDENBERGER.
VINCENT MICHAEL, FOLLOWED BY ALAN HUFFINES.
>> MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBER, CITY STAFF, THANK YOU.
I LARGELY AGREED WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE PLAN THAT THIS BODY APPROVED IN MAY OF 2017, AND I HAVE TO SAY, WHILE I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK FROM OTHER PLACES THAT THEY'RE UNDERWHELMED BY THE ALAMO, I CAN VIVIDLY REMEMBER TOURING AS A HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT.
I LOVED THE STORY OF THE HERO, I THOUGHT IT WAS FANTASTIC.
THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN PROCESS HAS BEEN DISTURBING AND DISAPPOINTING, HOWEVER.
IF I GOOGLE ALAMO INTERPRETIVE PLAN, I GET A MOSAIC OF ALL THE ICKY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN FRONT OF THE ALAMO THAT YOU'VE HEARD
[04:35:01]
ABOUT FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE.AND I'M WONDERING WHERE IS THE POSITIVE VISION? WHAT ARE THE HALLS OR EXHIBITS OR GALLERIES OF THIS WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM LOOK LIKE? AND WE'RE TOLD WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER YOU MAKE THIS DECISION TO SEE THAT.
THE ONLY VISION WE SEE IS SOME LIVING HISTORY, WHICH WAS A POPULAR AND PROFITABLE TYPE OF INTERPRETATION 40 AND 50 YEARS AGO.
WE DON'T SEE TECHNOLOGY, WE DON'T SEE CURRENT ISSUES IN MUSEUMS IN THAT PLAN.
SO I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT AS YOU TAKE THIS WEIGHTY DECISION, AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK YOU TO THINK HOW CAN YOU CELEBRATE AND INTERPRET LIBERTY WITH FENCES AND GATES? [APPLAUSE]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. MICHAEL.
ALAN HUFFINES? MR. HUFFINES WILL BE FOLLOWED BY BOB BUCHANAN.
MR. HUFFINES, YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES.
>> BLESSED BE THE LORD MY STRENGTH WHICH TEACHES MY FINGERS TO FIGHT AND MY HANDS TO WAR.
MR. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, CITY STAFF, THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME.
AND IT'S UGLY AND THAT'S SOMETHING VERY AMERICAN IN THAT, AND IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING VERY TEXAN IN THAT.
PARDON ME, MY EYES HAVE GROWN WEARY IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
I ASK YOUR BRIEF INDULGENCE, MY NAME IS ALAN HUFFINES.
I OO I'M A NINTH GENERATION TEXAN, MY FAMILY CAME HERE BEFORE THE 0300.
THEY CAME TO FIGHT WITH MEXICO AGAINST SPAIN.
MY COUSIN BEN MILAM WAS KILLED RIGHT OVER THERE.
ANOTHER COUSIN HAD A MERCANTILE LATER ON IN THE 19TH CENTURY RIGHT BEHIND THE SAN FERNANDO ON MAIN PLAZA.
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE SONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, I'M A LIFE MEMBER OF THE SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
I WAS THE MILITARY ADVISER ON THE 2004 ALAMO MOVIE.
I HAVE FOUR BOOKS IN PRINT FROM RENT -- REPUTABLE PUBLISHERS.
I'M THE MILITARY EDITOR FOR TRUE WEST MAGAZINE.
I'M A LIFE MEMBER OF THE [INDISCERNIBLE] UNITED STATES ARMY RANGER ASSOCIATIONS.
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY ARTICLES I'VE BEEN ON THIS TOPIC AND I'VE BEEN A TALKING HEAD ON MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE TV DOCUMENTARIES ON THE CHANNELS BACK WHEN HISTORY CHANNEL USED TO PRODUCE TV DOCUMENTARIES.
I SEE -- SAY ALL OF THIS WITHOUT PRIDE OF AUTHORSHIP.
I'M JUST GIVING YOU MY CREDENTIALS FOR BEING UP HERE TO TALK TODAY.
THE HOUR IS LATE, A MOMENTOUS WEIGHT HANGS FROM YOUR NECKS.
DO YOU PRESERVE HISTORY? DO WE PROPERLY INTERPRET HISTORY? DO WE WANT TO RESTORE THE ALAMO TO IT'S FORMER FOOTPRINT SO THAT WE CAN ALL BRING OUR CHILDREN HERE IN THE FUTURE AND SAY SOMETHING HAPPENED HERE.
FOR THEM TO TELL THEIR CHILDREN.
THE FATE OF UNBORN MILLIONS AND THE ALAMO IS ON YOUR HEAD AND SHOULDERS RIGHT NOW.
OR DO WE WANT TRAFFIC BARKERS, PROTESTORS, RED BULL EVENTS THAT COUNCIL -- OUT LIVING HISTORY EVENTS AND THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS THAT GO ON IN THE PLAZA THAT IS -- I'VE TOURED SO MANY GROUPS ON THE ALAMO BATTLEFIELD, I DON'T EVEN KNOW.
ONE GROUP WAS ABOUT 30 BRITISH OFFICERS, AND I GUESS I'M -- I WAS NUMB TO IT, BECAUSE I JUST KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE GOT DOWN THERE BUT THEIR FIRST COMMENTS WERE, WHAT? THIS IS THE ALAMO, EXCEPT THEY SAID IT IN A BRITISH ACCENT.
THEY JUST WERE IN SHOCK AND THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WERE DOING WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
WE WOULDN'T TOLERATE THIS AT INDEPENDENCE HALL IN PHILADELPHIA.
WE WOULDN'T TOLERATE THIS AT BUNKER HILL, LEXINGTON OR CONCORD.
IT'S TIME FOR IT TO GO AWAY HERE DO WE FOLLOW HISTORY OR DO WE FOLLOW THE TRADITIONS OF MEN? A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE SEEM TO WANT THE ALAMO TO REMAIN LOOKING LIKE IT DID THE FIRST TIME THEY SAW IT AS A CHILD.
I, TOO, LOOK AT THE ALAMO THROUGH CHILD'S EYES.
WHEN I VISITED THE ALAMO FOR THE FIRST TIME, CONVENTO DIDN'T HAVE A ROOF ON IT.
THAT'S HOW LONG I'VE BEEN GOING TO IT.
[04:40:02]
DANGEROUS TRAFFIC WHERE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A TOURIST AND WORSE, A CHILD, GETS INJURED CROSSING THE STREET JUST TO SEE THE OTHER PART OF THE ALAMO? AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, I'M NOT A CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORIAN, BUT WOOLWORTH'S HAS NO HISTORICAL MEASUREMENT.AND I KNOW PEOPLE THINK IT DOES, BUT IT DOESN'T.
YOU KNOW, TO ME, IT'S JONATHAN WINTERS' HEADQUARTERS IN THE MOVIE VIVA MAX.
THAT'S WHAT I THINK OF WHEN I THINK OF WOOLWORTHS.
I THINK OF WOOLWORTHS WHEN YOU HAD TO GO TO THE RESTROOM AND YOU VISITED THE ALAMO, THE CHAPEL HOSTS WOULD SEND YOU ACROSS THE STREET, TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, TO GO TO THE RESTROOM AT WOOLWORTHS.
THE CENOTAPH IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL MARKER.
IT IS ABSOLUTE ART, ALL OF COPINI'S WORKS ARE FANTASTIC.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF UGLY MARKERS OUT THERE.
VISIT A FEW BATTLEFIELDS AND YOU'LL SEE PLENTY OF MONUMENTS AND MARKERS THAT WERE DONE WITH MAYBE NOT ENOUGH MONEY OR NOT ENOUGH ARTISTIC DESIGN, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM HERE.
IT IS UNIVERSALLY AGREED IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MARKER.
BUT THE ALAMO FOOTPRINT IS AN EXTREMELY LIMITED FOOTPRINT.
NO BODIES WERE CREMATED THERE, PEOPLE DIED ALL OVER THIS BATTLEFIELD.
THIS BATTLEFIELD OF THE ALAMO EXTENDS TO SANTA ANA'S HOUSE, THE MUSKY'S HOUSE WHERE SANTA ANA RELEASED THE NONCOMBATANTS IS RIGHT BEHIND US AS WELL, AND THERE'S NOT EVEN A MARKER FOR THOSE.
DO WE LET THE TRADITIONS OF MEN INTERFERE WITH OUR INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY? THE CENOTAPH IS NOT THE ALAMO.
THE CENOTAPH WAS PUT UP AS A MEMORIAL, AS A HOLLOW TOMB TO THE MEN IN THE ALAMO.
IN MY OPINION, IF IT'S GOING TO BE MOVED, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN KNOWN OVER THE KNOWN PRIOR LOCATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. HUFFINES.
BOB BUCHANAN? FOLLOWED BY GROUP INDIAN FIRST NATION.
>> THE NAME IS BOB BUCHANAN, CITIZEN OF SAN ANTONIO.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, COUNCILMAN, MANAGER SCULLEY.
WHY DO THIS WHEN -- IF SAM HOUSTON HADN'T DEFEATED SANTA ANA AT SAN JACINTO, THERE WOULD BE NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ON ALAMO PLAZA THAT COMMEMORATED THE ALAMO.
IT WAS THE FIRST MISSION TO BE CLOSED IN, I BELIEVE, 1791.
PEOPLE WERE USING PARTS OF IT TO BUILD THEIR HOUSES.
ONLY WITH THE DEFEAT OF SANTA ANA, WHICH THEN I DO BELIEVE BECAME THE FIRST NAME OF FIESTA.
WHY THE EXPENSE OF RECREATING A FAILED MISSION WHEN YOU HAVE MISSION SAN JOSE FULLY RESTORED, OPERATIONAL AND WORKING? WHY RECREATE SOMETHING THAT MISSION SAN JUAN, NOW WITH THE ADJACENT PROPERTY, SHOWS THE CITIZENS THAT YOU HAVE THE CROPS THAT WERE GROWN AND USED BY THE FRIARS, BY THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FOR THE SETTLEMENT AND SUCCESS OF THE MISSIONS.
ALAMO PLAZA IS OWNED BY THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO, NOT THE STATE OF TEXAS, NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
WHY THIS IS EVEN BEING CONSIDERED WITHOUT A VOTE TO THE CITIZENS FOR A LEASE OF 100 YEARS WITH AN OPTION TO BUY AT THE END, GIVE ME A BREAK.
THIS IS SOMETHINGULD VOTE AGAINST.
THE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE ALAMO CHAPEL IS IN DIRE
[04:45:03]
NEED OF SUPPORT, AND THAT SHOULD BE DONE.BUT THIS OTHER IS JUST NOT NECESSARY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. BUCHANAN.
WE HAVE A GROUP, INDIAN FIRST NATION, THAT'S SOPHIA TORRES AND EUGENE TORRES.
THIS IS THE [INDISCERNIBLE] INDIAN FIRST NATION FOR EVERYBODY THAT IS HERE NOW.
WE HAVE LANGUAGE] INDIAN FIRST NATION.
[INDISCERNIBLE] DON'T HAVE THE BLOOD.
MY ELDER MOTHER OF THE COUNCIL CAN PROVE IT.
WE HAVE ALL THE RECORDS, AND WE WILL BE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE'RE RIGHT NOW WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MRS. TORRES, YOU'RE ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL AGAIN.
>> SO AGAIN, AS I SAID -- DON'T INTERRUPT ME, MAYOR.
AS I SAID, TO IVY TAYLOR, SHE WAS NOT REELECTED.
YOU WILL NOT BE REELECTED, I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE HARDBERGER BLIND YOU AND NELSON WOLFF, SHAME ON THEM.
YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS, VIOLATING [INDISCERNIBLE] IN SECTION ONE OF SIX.
THAT IS WHAT IT IS, THE ALAMO AND THE PLAZA WHERE MORE THAN 1,000 OF MY ANCESTORS, DIED.
I HAVE THE [INAUDIBLE] TO READ TO YOU.
I'M TELLING YOU, ALL OF YOU HERE CITY, THERE'S INDIAN CURSES.
AND WE'RE NOT SUPERSTITIOUS [INDISCERNIBLE].
I AM THE PRINCIPLE NOT ONLY IN DESCRIPTION OF THE WAR HERITAGE OF THE FIVE SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS, I AM THE AUTHORITY.
AND, AGAIN, THOSE TWO ORDINANCE, THE INTERTRIBAL AGREEMENT ASK YOU TO SEIZE AND DESIST IN VOTING ON THIS CONVEYANCE OF THE GROUNDS WHERE MY ANCESTORS ARE BURIED.
AS WELL AS THE CLOSING OF THE STREETS.
AND THE REMOVAL OF THE CENOTAPH.
YOU DO NOT REMOVE A CENOTAPH WHERE THE BLOOD WAS SHED THERE.
10 OF THE ALAMO DEFENDERS WERE NOT OF AMERICANS.
EVERYWHERE, INSIDE OF THE WALLS, OUTSIDE OF THE WALLS.
THE REASON I'M GOING TO READ YOU THE SANTOS [INDISCERNIBLE] THIS WAS THE -- THE CHURCH WAS THE PLAZA.
THIS -- FOREIGN -- IT WAS WRITTEN BY BERNARDO GARCIA, CATHOLIC CHURCH, MURDERS AND RAPISTS TO THE [INDISCERNIBLE] 500 YEARS.
TO ALL THE NATIONS, 23 FOREIGN LANGUAGE] AND AGAIN, 1760, THE ORIGINAL IS IN YALE UNIVERSITY.
SAME ON GEORGE P. BUSH, DISHONORARY.
AND SHAME ON YOU [INDISCERNIBLE] WHEN I ASKED YOU ABOUT THE [INAUDIBLE] AND YOU SAID [INAUDIBLE].
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MRS. TORRES?
SECRET, SECRET SPANISH] AND THAT'S THE WAY YOU WANT TO PUT PEOPLE AS CATTLE THROUGH THESE OR THESE IMAGE? OKAY.
[04:50:02]
SURVIVE? MANY DIED.[INDISCERNIBLE] TRIBAL HISTORIAN OFFICER.
AGAIN, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION [INDISCERNIBLE].
GEORGE P. BUSH PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
THAT DIRT IS IMPERMEATED OF BONES OF MY ANCESTORS NOT ONLY [INDISCERNIBLE], YOU DON'T MOVE, YOU DON'T MOVE AND YOU DON'T REPLACE.
JUAN RODRIGUEZ WAS ONE OF MY CHIEFS [INDISCERNIBLE] AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER EAGLE PASS.
HE GOES YOU WANT TO PUT A CHIEF, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TALK TO ME? AND I WILL TELL YOU WHICH CHIEFS.
HE SAYS CLEARLY DID YOU FORNICATE WITH A WOMAN? DID YOU FORNICATE WITH A DOG? IT WAS PAINFUL.
I CAN STILL CRY WHEN I READ THIS MANUSCRIPT.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRING THAT TO A [INDISCERNIBLE] EVERY DAY AND [INDISCERNIBLE] THEY DIED, AGAIN, IN ALAMO PLAZA MORE THAN 1,000.
AND YOU HAVE FAILED TO HONOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
HUMAN RIGHTS, AND I ASK YOU TO STOPPER SE -- STOP PERSECUTING [INDISCERNIBLE] THESE SPANISH] AND ALSO SPANISH] AND THIS IS FIDEL CASTILLO.
HE HAS HIS DIFFICULTIES LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, BUT WE INDIGENOUS, WE'RE TRAUMATIZED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THROUGH MRS.
>> SO VOTE AGAINST IT AND VOTE FOR THE THREE PROPOSITIONS, A, B AND C.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU MRS. TORRES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: BRVMENT -- MR. BRISCOE.
>> : YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD CALL WITH ME AS TO THE VIOLATION WE HAD REFERENCE TO WITH THE HISPANIC CHAMBER, AND I NEVER GOT THE MEETING.
I MEAN, IF YOU'RE GOING TO VIOLATE THE PLEDGE OF THE MISSIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: FIDEL, WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
YOU'LL HAVE TO DEPART THE PODIUM, PLEASE.
BRISCOE FOLLOWED BY SUSAN GREEN.
>> MR. MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THINGS SAID ON BOTH SIDES REGARDING THIS PLAN.
I'M GOING TO CHANGE GEARS A LITTLE BIT ANT -- AND TALK ABOUT THE ALAMO ITSELF.
THE MISSION WE NOW REFER TO AS THE ALAMO IN POINT OF ACTUAL FACT WAS INSIGNIFICANT IF NOT OBSCURE MISSION WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN RAZEED TO THE GROUND LONG AGO AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT BE THEN BUILT IN ITS PLACE, BUT FOR THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO.
WE'VE GOT MULTIPLE OTHER MISSIONS AROUND TOWN THAT HAVE BEEN RESTORED, BUT THE FOCUS OF THE ALAMO IS THE BATTLE, THE 13 DAYS.
JUST NOT FAR FROM HERE AT THE BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ALAMO, IN THE 1849DEGUERRO TYPE, AND IT, LIKE A PAINTING THAT ROBERT E. LEE DID IN THE 1846, '47 TIME WAR DURING THE AMERICAN MEXICAN WAR SHOWS THE ALAMO WITH A DIRTY, DUSTY, DING FBI AREA OUT IN FRONT OF IT, NO STREES, NO STRUCTURES, JUST VERY MUCH THE WAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN 1836.
IF WE'RE TRYING TO BE CORRECT HISTORICALLY, WE NEED TO MAKE IT DINGY AND FIRE CANNONS AT IT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
IT'S THE MEN WHO FOUGHT AND DIED THERE AND THEIR MEMORY.
AND THAT'S WHERE THE CENOTAPH COMES IN.
THE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION CAREFULLY SELECTED THE LOCATION OF THE CENOTAPH.
[INDISCERNIBLE] AND BELONGS ON THE BATTLEFIELD WHERE IT IS.
I URGE THE COUNCIL, NUMBER ONE, NOT TO MOVE THE CENOTAPH.
NUMBER TWO, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PLAN.
IT'S REALLY NOT VERY WELL VETTED.
SOME OF THE PREMISES ARE SIMPLY NOT CREDIBLE ON THEIR FACE.
THEY CLAIM TO CREATE 5,000 NEW
[04:55:01]
PERMANENT JOBS BY THIS PROJECT.THAT JUST DOESN'T PASS COMMON SENSE.
THE TRAFFIC STUDY, ONCE AGAIN, IT -- I'VE LISTENED TO THE PRESENTATION MULTIPLE TIMES.
SHOULD YOU VOTE FOR THIS PLAN TODAY, YOU'RE VOTING FOR A BLANK CHECK, WHICH IS SELDOM A GOOD IDEA.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO TODAY AND TO LOOK AT WHAT CAN BE DONE, BECAUSE TODAY IS NOT THE END OF IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. BRISCOE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MRS. GREEN, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY GEORGE CISNEROS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'D LIKE TO DISPEL SOME MYTHS AS THE MAYOR HAD REQUESTED A RADIO STATION TO DO PREVIOUSLY PRIOR TO THIS VOTE.
THE FIRST MYTH THAT HAS BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE PLAZA WILL REMAIN AN OPEN AND FREE CIVIC SPACE.
THERE WILL BE BARRIERS, THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE ENTRANCE DURING THE DAY, AND THERE WILL ONLY BE SIX TOTAL AVAILABLE, AND THE LEASE IN SECTION 60 3-A ACTUALLY REFERENCES CHARGING A FEE TO ENTER.
THAT IS NOT A FREE AND OPEN CIVIC SPACE.
THE SECOND MYTH IS THAT MOVING THE CENOTAPH ACTUALLY HONORS THE HEROES BY RESTORING THE BATTLEFIELD, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT TRUE.
IT MOVES THE CENOTAPH OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF THE FORT AND OFF THE BLOOD-SOAKED GROUND WHERE THE HEROES DIED.
IT LOSES ALL MEANING AS THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE IF IT IS NOT IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION.
PUTTING IT IN A CORNER DOWN BY THE MALL IN FRONT OF THE MENGER WHERE IT WILL BE A HIGHLY COMMERCIALIZED AREA IS NOT HONORING THE HEROES AS IT WAS INTENDED.
THE BATTLEFIELD IS NOT BEING -- IT WILL NOT LOOK LIKE A BATTLEFIELD.
IT IS NOT GOING TO RESEMBLE ANYTHING LIKE THE 1836 BATTLEFIELD.
IT DOES NOT HONOR THE HEROES OR EVOKE A MEMORY OF THE BATTLE OF 1836, WHICH IS WHAT THE CENOTAPH DOES.
IT TELLS THE STORY, IT MARKS THE SPOT OF THE SACRIFICE MADE BY THE DEFENDERS.
AND THOSE DEFENDERS INCLUDED ALL MANNER OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
YOU'VE HEARD TEJANOS, NATIVE AMERICANS, YOU WANT TO TELL THE STORY, LEAVE THE CENOTAPH WHERE IT IS.
YOU'RE REPRESENTING ALL THE GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT EVER RESIDED IN THAT AREA, AND IT HONORS THEM, AND THEY JOIN TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
THE OTHER MYTH IS THAT YOU CAN DO ALL THIS WITHOUT DISTURBING INDIAN BURIAL GROUNDS AND NATIVE AMERICAN BURIAL GROUNDS.
I BELIEVE THE PROPOSED ROUTE FOR THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS, BONHAM IS GOING TO ACTUALLY PASS VERY CLOSE, IF NOT OVER INDIAN BURIAL GROUNDS THAT YOU HAVE MARKED ON YOUR MAPS.
ANOTHER MYTH IS THAT YOU WILL HAVE $450 MILLION TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE THIS PLAN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. GREEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GEORGE CISNEROS? GEORGE CISNEROS? MR. CISNEROS, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE THAT THE CITY HAD THIS COMMISSION AT ALL.
I WAS A LATE-COMER, I DIDN'T COME IN UNTIL FEBRUARY, AND IT WAS AN HONOR WORKING WITH THE COUNCILWOMAN IN DEVELOPING HER PLANS AND HER THOUGHTS.
AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS SHE TASKED ME WITH WAS TRY TO STAY OUT OF THE PUBLIC AND GO OUT AND DO RECON.
SO WE MET WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE, WENT OUT AND FOUND ALL OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS THAT WERE INVOLVED AND I MET WITH THEM.
BUT MY FIRST QUESTION TO THE COUNCILWOMAN ON THE DAY WE MET WAS, IS THIS A DONE DEAL? AM I WASTING MY TIME TAKING -- BECAUSE THE SPRING AND THE SUMMER HAVE BEEN MY MOST CRITICAL TIMES.
IS THIS A DONE DEAL? IS THE PLAN SOMETHING THAT'S IN PLACE ALREADY AND WE'RE GOING THROUGH SOME KIND OF CHARADE THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY A POSSIBILITY OF PUBLIC INPUT? A FEW DAYS LATER I GOT A PHONE
[05:00:01]
CALL FROM DOUG, SECRETARY JESSICA, AND HE INVITED ME TO HAVE BREAKFAST AT THE MENGER, AND I TOLD HIM NO WAY, BECAUSE I'M BREAKFAST ATTACK COHAVEN, COME DO -- AT TACO HAVEN, COME TO MY STUDIO.AND THE FIRST WORDS TO HIM WAS IS THIS A DONE DEAL? I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY TIME.
I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT TO BE WASTING THE TIME OF ALL THESE 29 VOLUNTEERS.
HE SAID NO, THERE'S A LOT OF INPUT.
WE HEARD THE DIVISIVENESS THAT THE PLAN WAS CAUSING.
IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS PROBABLY ALL A SMOKE SCREEN BECAUSE THE REAL ISSUE IS THE LEASE AND GOVERNMENT.
I WANT BACK TO THE COUNCILWOMAN I MADE MY REPORT TO HER AND HER STAFF, AND WE CAME DOWN TO THE CONCLUSION, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LEASE, WE NEED TO HAVE A FEW LEGAL THINGS IN PLACE, STARTING IN APRIL WE WERE REQUESTED, DO WE HAVE A CLEAR TITLE OF ALAMO PLAZA? IS EVERY SQUARE FOOT OF ALAMO PLAZA OWNED BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO? IT WASN'T UNTIL LAST WEEK THAT WE GOT A PHONE CALL THAT SAID A THIRD-PARTY HAD LOOKED INTO THIS AND WAS CONSULTANTS AND LAWYERS AND THERE WAS A LEASE, AND THAT ALL THE LAND WAS OWNED BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE HAVE YET TO GET THE DOCUMENT TO THE COUNCILWOMAN AS SHE REQUESTED THAT WE HAVE A CLEAN TITLE TO ALAMO PLAZA.
THE SECOND THING WE REQUESTED WAS IF WE HAVE A TITLE TO ANY PART OF ALAMO PLAZA, WHAT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE USE? AND THE FEW DOCUMENTS WE GOT FROM THE CHANCERY SAID THAT THIS WOULD BE A PUBLIC AND OPEN SPACE.
WE REQUESTED A HEARING -- A FINDING FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY, IT WASN'T UNTIL LAST WEEK AT THE HDRC THAT WE HEARD THAT HAVING GATES AND WALLS WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH'S INTENTION.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE A PART OF THIS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THROUGH, MR. JACK FINGER? MR. FINGER, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWEDDED BY ANNA LAURA BLOCK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
YOU THE CITY COUNCIL, YOU'VE MADE SOME VERY BAD DECISIONS OVER THE LAST 16 MONTHS THAT YOU'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.
YOU TORE DOWN A STATUTE HONORING THE CONFEDERATE WAR HEROES IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
YET IN THE LIGHT OF DAY, WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS, YOU INSTALL A CROSSWALK HONORING THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY.
>> YOU RAISE OUR WATER RATES, BUT YOU REFUSE TO LOWER OUR TAXES, EVEN 1%.
YOU PROVE YOU APPOINT AN ABORTIONIST TO A HEALTH AUTHORITY AND YOU EVEN THINK THAT MANMADE GLOBAL WARMING EXISTS.
THEN YOU CRY OUT LOUD WHEN YOU GET SPANKED BY A PETITION DRIVE THAT WILL PUT A LID ON YOUR POWER.
THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE DO NOT TRUST YOU.
PEOPLE COME BY WEEK AFTER WEEK TELLING YOU TRUTH AFTER TRUTH, YET YOU IGNORE THEM.
BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, PLEASE GET A CAN OPENER AND OPEN UP YOUR EARS AND LISTEN ONE LAST TIME.
MOVING THE CENOTAPH IS A FIGHT AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
CLOSING ALAMO STREET AND OTHER STREETS SHUTS OFF OUR CHANCE TO BE INSPIRED BY THOSE BRAVE MEN.
OUR CHANCE -- ANY CHANCE OF OTHER VISITORS WHO SEE IT AND SAY, SO THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. LET'S PARK OUR CAR AND GET A CLOSER LOOK.
AND HAVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE, YES, THAT GENERAL LAND OFFICE HEADED UP BY THAT GEORGE P. BUSH, THAT'S THE SAME PERSON WHO HELD UNCLOSED MEETINGS UNETHICALLY AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD ILLEGALLY.
NO, THIS THING IS WRONG! DO NOT DO IT.
PLEASE, AS THE SIGN SAYS, DON'T DO IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
[05:05:04]
>> [INDISCERNIBLE] ROBERTO TREVINO ESPECIALLY.
THANK YOU FOR RECEIVING OUR E-MAILS FOR RESPONDING TO THEM, LISTENING TO OUR HISTORY, OUR STORY, OUR TRADITIONS.
THANK YOU ROBERTO TREVINO FOR CREATING THE CAC, THE CEREMONIAL ACTIVITY ZONE.
WE HONOR THE FALLEN HEROES OF THE ALAMO AND THE SAN JACINTO.
AND WITH THAT, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
WE ARE THE FOUNDING EVENT OF FIESTA CREATED IN 1891, AND WE'VE MADE FIESTA WHAT IT IS TODAY.
WE WERE THE FIRST ONES, AND WE'RE HAPPY THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HONOR THE FALLEN HEROES, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS LONG PROCESS.
AND I KNOW WHEN WE STARTED OUT, IT WAS LONG AND ARDUOUS, BUT I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU LISTENING TO US AND BEING EDUCATED ON OUR HISTORY, AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR IDEAS AND ALL YOU'VE DONE TO HELP US.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. BLOCK.
>> ELAINE HAD TO LEAVE, MAYOR.
LYNN BOBBETTE? MRS. BOBBETTE, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY NORA WALKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS A CITIZEN, A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO, AND I WANTED TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION WITH YOU.
I'M INTERESTED IN THE PLAZA AS AN EVOLVING URBAN SITE, AND PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE CROCKET BLOCK AND THE BUILDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH IT NEXT TO IT.
BACK IN THE EARLY '80S, THERE WAS A DIVISIVE FIGHT WHEN THE TEXAS THEATER WAS LOST AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, MAYOR CISNEROS SET UP A COMMISSION CALLED THE HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES TASK FORCE.
THERE WERE SEVEN OF US THAT WERE APPOINTED BY CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME AND WE WORKED FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS, THERE ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM CONSERVATION SOCIETY, FROM THE REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
AND SO AN INVENTORY, AS WELL AS A REVISION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED BEFORE CITY COUNCIL.
THESE STRUCTURES ARE ON THAT LIST.
SO I WOULD ASK RESPECTFULLY THAT YOU CONSIDER WHAT THAT INVENTORY MEANT TO THOSE OF US WHO WORKED VERY HARD -- THERE IS MORE TO THE PLAZA AND IT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. BOBBETTE.
NORA WALKER? NORA WALKER? RUDY RODRIGUEZ?
MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, MANAGER SCULLEY, LET ME START BY SAYING THAT I THINK TODAY WE'VE HEARD A VERY PASSIONATE GROUP OF PEOPLE, CERTAINLY WITH THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND INTERESTS AND VIEWS ON A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO APPLAUD THEM FOR BEING HERE AND TO CONSIDERING TO TAKE THE TIME TO COME AND TO REALLY SHOW US THEIR LEVEL OF COMMITMENT TO THEIR PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE.
BUT, MAYOR, I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU, AND ALL OF YOU, THAT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, IT HAS PROVIDED US A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THE PUBLIC AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
AND LEVERAGE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVE A VISION THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OPINION.
I CAN TELL YOU, MAYOR, THAT OVER THE FIRST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, THE ALAMO PLAZA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HEARD FROM LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF INTERESTED CITIZENS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, HISTORIANS, ARCHEOLOGISTS AND SPECIAL ISSUE STAKEHOLDERS.
SOME OF THE MOST FANATIC THINGS THAT CAME FROM THAT WAS -- I REMEMBER EARLY ON EVERYONE SAID YOU'VE GOT TO REDEFINE THE MISSION FOOTPRINT.
YOU'VE REALLY GOT TO BRING BACK A SENSE OF REVERENCE, YOU'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO DELINEATE AND SHOW PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE WALKING ON THE COMPO SANTOS.
THESE WERE ALL THINGS THAT LITERALLY, ALMOST EVERY PERSON IN FRONT OF US CAME WITH A VERY SIMILAR MESSAGE.
THEY WANTED TO TRULY BE ABLE TO FIND A PLAN AND A PROGRAM THAT CREATED A SENSE OF PLACE.
AND SPLG THAT WOULD LET THE VISITOR, WHETHER RESIDENT OR TOURIST ALIKE, LEAVE WITH A MUCH MORE PROFOUND EXPERIENCE FROM WHERE THEY HAD BEEN.
AND THIS -- WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE SITE BEING A PLAZA AND SHOULD BE OPEN.
AND TO THE MOST DEGREE, IT IS OPEN AND WILL HAVE 24/7 ACCESS, BUT THE SITE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST YOUR TRADITIONAL
[05:10:01]
PLAZA.IT'S A MILITARY FORTRESS, IT'S A SACRED BURIAL GROUND, AND MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IT'S THE SITE OF A BATTLE THAT WOULD GO ON TO CHANGE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY.
WITH THAT INFORMATION, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE ALAMO PLAZA ADVISORY COMMITTEE DISCUSSED OUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED AND THROUGH MANY ROBUST ENGAGEMENTS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BRING FORWARD A COLLECTIVE POSITION MEMORIALIZED THROUGH THE ALAMO PLAZA GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
AS PART OF THESE GUIDING PRINCIPLES, IT WAS RESOLUTE THAT WE THOUGHT THAT THE ALAMO STREET CLOA CLOSURE WAS A POSITIVE THING.
WE BELIEVED THAT MOVING THE CENOTAPH FOR THE SAKE OF BETTER CREATING THE FOOTPRINT WAS IN THE BEST INTRERNS.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE PLAN AND COMMIT TO YOU THAT THROUGH THE PORTAL OF THE 1836 BATTLE, WE'LL FULFILL OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL THE ENTIRE STORY.
MAYOR, COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ.
THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
ANGEL CROCKETT? IS ANGEL CROCKETT HERE?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR THE COUNCIL'S TIME TODAY.
MY NAME IS ANGEL CROCKETT AND I'M THE FOURTH GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF DAVEY CROCKETT.
THE DISTANCE COUSIN OF ERIL WHO YOU HEARD P. BUSH QUOTED TODAY, I ALSO OWN A BUSINESS A BLOCK FROM THE ALAMO.
I DEFEND OUR HOME LAND WITH CYBER SECURITY MEASURES.
I HAVE TWO KIDS THAT GO TO NEISD.
I AM A CITIZEN OF SAN ANTONIO.
I AM A TEXAN, AND MY HEART IS BREAKING TO WITNESS THE MISTREATMENT OF THE ALAMO BATTLEFIELD EVERY DAY AS I GO TO WORK.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS [INDISCERNIBLE] HOWEVER, THE RESPECTFUL SITE IT SHOULD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN.
THIS VOTE IS OUR ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO TREAT THE WHOLE ALAMO WITH THE RESPECT AND REVERENCE IT DESERVES.
THE VOTE TODAY ENSURES THE ALAMO'S LEGEND CAN BE TOLD ON THE GRAVES OF THE MEN WHO DIED FOR IT WITH RESPECT AND WITH REMEMBERING THEM AS HEROES.
I LOOK FORWARD TO DEFENDING OUR HISTORY AND PRESERVING IT FOR THESE GENERATIONS TO COME.
IN THE WORDS OF MY FOURTH GREAT GRANDFATHER, MAKE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT, AND THEN GO AHEAD.
ON BEHALF OF THE DESCENDANTS OF DAVEY CROCKETT AND ALL TEXANS, PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND DEFEND OUR HISTORY.
AND PLEASE GO AHEAD AND VOTE YET.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. CROCKETT.
AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR COURTESY AND FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
WE'LL BEGIN NOW WITH COUNCIL COMMENT.
ANY QUESTIONS, WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
IT IS TRULY A HISTORIC DAY HERE AT CITY HALL, AND I REALLY WANT TO FIRST START OFF WITH THANK YOUS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR HELPING TO BRING THIS THROUGH.
YOU CHALLENGED OUR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO BE AS THOROUGH AND AS THOUGHTFUL IN THE PROCESS AS POSSIBLE.
AND I THINK WE DEMONSTRATED THAT.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE HERE TODAY TO MAKE THIS HISTORIC VOTE FOR ALL SAN ANTONIO AND ALL OF TEXAS.
I'D LIKE TO THANK LAND COMMISSIONER GEORGE P. BUSH FOR BECOMING A PARTNER IN THIS PROCESS.
IN 2015, AND SOMETHING THAT IS NOT OFTEN UNDERSTOOD, IS THAT THIS PROCESS BEGAN AS A CITY PROCESS.
THE LAND COMMISSIONER CAME TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND ASKED TO BECOME A PARTNER, AND I THINK HE DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT DOING SOMETHING TOGETHER ALLOWS US TO GO FURTHER WITH THIS PROJECT.
AND SO WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS THANK YOU FOR THAT VISION, THANK YOU FOR THAT COLLABORATION, AND IT REALLY HELPED TO ESTABLISH WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE PREVIOUS MAYORS THAT HELPED TO ENGAGE THIS PROCESS AS WELL.
THIS STARTED WITH MAYOR JULIAN
[05:15:01]
CASTRO WHO SET THIS UP IN MID 2014.AND, OF COURSE, MY PRED PREDECESSOR BERNAL TOOK THIS SEAT IN MY POSITION AS A TRICHAIR AS THE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SO I WANT TO THANK THEM BOTH FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP, AND, OF COURSE, MAYOR IVY TAYLOR.
I WANT TO THANK THE ALAMO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SHERYL SCULLEY, IT'S REALLY BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS.
WE HAVE WORKED VERY, VERY HARD ON IT AND I'VE HEARD YOU SAY MANY TIMES WE ADJUSTED OUR SCHEDULES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE AT THESE WEEKLY MEETINGS.
AND NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW HOW MANY TIMES WE GOT TOGETHER ON THIS PROJECT AND DISCUSSED MANY ITEMS ON THIS PROJECT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BRIAN PRESTON, WHO IS ALSO ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, WORKS FOR THE GLO.
HE IS VERY, VERY ENTHUSIASTIC.
HE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE STATEWIDE TOUR THAT WE HAD WITH THIS PROJECT.
AND IT'S A REAL HONOR TO GET TO KNOW HIM AND TO BE A PARTNER WITH HIM ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
HECTOR VALLA, WHO IS HERE TODAY.
HIS COMMITMENT REALLY SHINED THROUGH ON THIS.
HE HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS PROCESS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND I REALLY WANT TO SAY I FEEL LIKE WE'VE BECOME FRIENDS THROUGH THIS AND I JUST APPRECIATE HIS WORK, HIS HARD WORK ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK RAMONA BASS, WHO REPRESENTED THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT.
SHE WAS VERY COMMITTED TO THIS PROJECT AS WELL.
EVEN THOUGH SHE LIVES IN FORT WORTH MADE A LOT OF MEETINGS TO THIS ALAMO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE ALAMO.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, JEAN POWELL WHO CHAIRED THE COMMITTEE.
I THINK IT'S REALLY CRITICAL THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE TOOK ON A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY AS CHAIR OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND REALLY HELPED TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT WAS INCLUSIVE, THAT WAS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT, AND THAT ALLOWED US TO MOVE FORWARD IN A VERY THOUGHTFUL, PRODUCTIVE WAY AND MADE SURE THAT THE MOMENTUM KEPT GOING ON THIS PROJECT.
I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO THANK THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO POINT OUT THE CITY TOOK THE LEAD ON THIS.
AND IN 2014 IT HELPED TO ESTABLISH THE ALAMO PLAZA ADVISORY COMMITTEE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
WHICH, BY THE WAY, WERE ADOPTED IN OUR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, EXHIBIT B IS AN ATTACHMENT OF THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
I FIRST WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW TRI-CHAIRS.
I'LL START WITH THANKING MAURICE MCDERMOTT, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY ON THIS PROJECT SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
SHE HAD TO STEP OFF THE COMMITTEE, BUT WE KNOW THAT SHE IS VERY MUCH INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT AND WILL CONTINUE TO HELP MOVE THE MOMENTUM OF THIS INCREDIBLY HISTORIC PROJECT FORWARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SUE ANN PEMBERTON, WHO WAS ALSO THERE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
AND, OF COURSE, LIONEL SOSA, WHO JUST JOINED US.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR APPOINTING SUCH A CAPABLE PERSON WHO REALLY TRULY HELPED US WITH OUR ENGAGEMENT.
SO I THINK I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND LIST ALL THE NAMES, BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS HERE BUT I WANT TO LIST ALL THE NAMES FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S THAT KIND OF A DAY.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC VOTES WE'LL EVER TAKE ON CITY COUNCIL.
NUMBER ONE, ANN, WHO IS A MAYORAL APPOINTEE.
DR. SHARON, WHO IS A MAYORAL APPOINTEE.
FOREST BIAS, A GENERAL LAND OFFICE APPOINTEE.
MARK WOLFF, GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
SENECA MCADAMS, GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
AARON PENA, GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
NAOMI MILLER, GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
AARON BOWMAN, GENERAL LAND OFFICE [INDISCERNIBLE].
DAVIS PHILLIPS, A MAYORAL APPOINTEE.
MY APPOINTEE FOR DISTRICT 1, ROGER PEREZ WHO, BY THE WAY, WAS A PART OF THIS PROJECT IN 1994.
YOU CAN SEE MANY PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS PROJECT TO THIS POINT.
ANTHONY EDWARDS FOR DISTRICT 2.
PATRICIA MEXIA FOR DISTRICT 3.
[05:20:04]
RUDY RODRIGUEZ FOR DISTRICT 4.GEORGE CISNEROS FOR DISTRICT 5.
LEONARD RODRIGUEZ FOR DISTRICT 6.
MARCELO MARTINEZ FOR DISTRICT 7.
AND PHIL BACKE FOR DISTRICT 0.
WE HAVE WARREN WILKINSON AND DAVE KERRPUNSKI AND I THINK THEY ALL DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO THIS PROJECT .
[APPLAUSE] SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THIS.
AND I WANT TO TRY TO BE AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.
BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT WHAT'S AT THE HEART OF THIS.
AND I HOPE EVERYBODY CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE ALAMO ADVISORY VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ALAMO PLAZA.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.
AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE DESIGN TEAM, BOTH THE INTERPRETIVE TEAM AND THE MASTER PLAN TEAM WHO HAVE REALLY TAKEN THIS DOCUMENT TO HEART, BUT SPECIFICALLY THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE ALAMO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
YOU WILL SEE THE DESIGN INTENT RIGHT HERE IN THE WORDS OF THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I THINK IT ANSWERS A LOT OF THESE QUESTIONS.
AND OF COURSE KNOW NOTHING IS PERFECT.
BUT HAVING A VISION AND HAVING GUIDING PRINCIPLES I THINK IS AS CLOSE TO PERFECT AS YOU GET.
SO I WANT TO GO DOWN THE LIST QUICKLY.
WE DID TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS THAT WERE REMOVED, AND I WON'T GO OVER SOME OF THOSE AGAIN, BUT THEY WERE ADDRESSED IN THIS PLAN, LIKE THE GLASS WALLS, LIKE MORE SHADE, LIKE THE FACT THAT THE CENOTAPH WAS LOCATED IN A MUCH FURTHER LOCATION.
BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT STREET CLOSURES TO START.
STREET CLOSURES IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO RECLAIM AND RECAPTURE THE MISSION HISTORIC FOOTPRINT.
THIS SHOULD NOT BE A DRIVE-THROUGH EXPERIENCE.
AND AT THE HEART OF THAT IS WRITTEN RIGHT HERE IN THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
THE FACT THAT THERE'S A STREET THAT GOES OVER SUCH AN IMPORTANT HISTORIC SITE IS KIND OF SURPRISING.
BUT IT ISN'T SURPRISING WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HOW WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY AT THE ALAMO AND HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T FULLY APPRECIATE OR UNDERSTAND ALL THE HISTORY OF THE ALAMO.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TRYING TO TELL A COMPLETE STORY AT THE ALAMO.
THE HOPE IS THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO UNCOVER MORE OF THAT HISTORY SO THAT WE ALL BENEFIT.
WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM THAT HISTORY.
SO THE STREET CLOSURES IS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN THIS PLAN.
OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ALSO KNOW THE PARADES WERE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
AND, AS YOU HEARD, THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS, FIESTA FLAMBEAU, THE TEXAS CAVALIERS, THE FIESTA COMMISSION, IN WORKING WITH THEM WE REALLY SHOWED THEM THAT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET RID OF ANY TRADITIONS WHATSOEVER.
WE'RE SIMPLY TRYING TO MAKE ROOM FOR MORE HISTORY.
WE'RE TRYING TO REVEAL THAT HISTORY THAT'S BENEATH OUR FEET.
I WANT TO THANK THEM PERSONALLY AND SPECIFICALLY ANNA LAURA BLOCK, BATTLE OF FLOWERS, AND YOUR ENTIRE GROUP.
I APPRECIATE YOUR HISTORY AND ATTACHMENT TO THE TRADITION OF THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS.
AND I TOLD YOU THAT WE WOULD DO EVERYTHING WE COULD TO BE INCLUSIVE AND KEEP THE TRADITIONS ALIVE.
AND I THINK WE'RE ENHANCING THAT.
PHIL BACKE OF THE TEXAS CAVALIERS, MAKING SURE THAT TRADITIONS LIKE THE INVESTITURE ARE SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO WHAT SAN ANTONIO IS ABOUT AND, OF COURSE, THE ALAMO ITSELF.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AND WENDAL HALL FOR WORKING WITH ME WORKING ON A SOLUTION THAT CAN GET US THERE.
BYRON LAFLEUR OF THE FIESTA COMMISSION, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEARHEADING A LOT OF THE NEGOTIATION THAT HAD TO OCCUR TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF THESE DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.
AT THE HEART OF THAT, WE CREATEI SHOULD SAY, THAT WORKING TOGETHER CAN HELP FORMULATE SOME GREAT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL OF US.
[05:25:02]
WE CONCEPTUALLY CREATED A CEREMONIAL ACTIVITY ZONE THAT STILL HAS TO BE DESIGNED, BUT THAT'S PART OF OUR PROCESS, LIKE MANY THINGS.WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS TOGETHER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU PARADE FOLKS AND FIESTA COMMISSION, TEXAS CAVALIERS, AND, OF COURSE, FIESTA FLAMBEAU.
THE CENOTAPH REPAIR AND RELOCATION.
AGAIN, AT THE HEART OF THIS IS REVEALING AND TELLING AS MUCH OF THE HISTORY AS POSSIBLE ACCORDING TO THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
THE CENOTAPH ITSELF NEEDS REPAIR.
CREATE A NEW STRUCTURE AND PUT IT IN THAT LOCATION.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS TO SAY THAT THE CENOTAPH IS THE SPOT THAT THE BODIES WERE BURNED, THAT MANY THINGS HAPPENED IS JUST AN INACCURACY OF HISTORY.
THE KIND OF THING WE WANT TO CORRECT.
WE WANT TO DO THIS THOUGHTFULLY AND WITH ALL THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, HISTORIANS, ARCHAEOLOGISTS, AND, YES, WE WILL GET THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE RELOCATE THE CENOTAPH IT WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF, RESTORED, REPAIRED, AND GIVEN NEW LIFE.
IT'S BEEN SAID THAT WE'RE WALLING IT OFF.
WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A SENSE OF ORIENTATION AND OVERALL CHANGE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PLAZA.
AND IT'S NOW GOING TO INCLUDE WHAT'S BEEN LEFT OUT ALL THESE YEARS.
THAT'S THE STORIES THAT ARE RIGHT UNDERNEATH OUR FEET.
MOST OF THEM WE KNOW AND A LOT OF THEM WE DON'T.
THE HOPE IS TO GET TO UNCOVER THAT AND WORK METHODICALLY TO GET US THERE.
TO THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ALAMO PLAZA THAT IS MUCH AND DON'T EVEN REALIZE THAT THEY'RE STANDING ON THE FOOTPRINT.
IT'S NOT A BUILDING, IT'S A PLACE.
I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE WORD PLACE DERIVES FROM THE WORD PLAZA.
IT'S OUR PLAZA AND IT'S OUR STORY.
IT IS GOING TO BE ACCESSIBLE 24/7.
DURING MUSEUM HOURS WE HAVE ASKED FOR A FORMAL POINT OF ENTRY.
THIS WAS A COMPROMISE AND WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE COMPROMISED ON THIS BECAUSE WE GET TO TELL THIS BROADER STORY.
WE GET TO DO WHAT'S IN THIS DOCUMENT.
DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO ORIENT VISITORS OF THE STORIES AND CONTEXT BEFORE THEY EXPERIENCE THE ALAMO COMPOUND.
IT'S IN THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
TO ORIENT SOMEBODY TO THAT HISTORY, TO THE COMPLETE STORY, IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO.
AFTER MUSEUM HOURS, THE PLAZA IS OPEN BUT IT'S ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE.
THERE'S MANY ELEMENTS OF THAT THAT STILL NEED TO BE DESIGNED AND WE'LL WORK METHODICALLY AND THOUGHTFULLY TO GET US THERE.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF TELLING A COMPLETE STORY.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT ASPECT AND IMPORTANT PIECE OF WHAT THE ALAMO IS REALLY ABOUT.
BY THE WAY, IT IS MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO.
THE TWO IMPORTANT ARTIFACTS ON THAT SITE ARE THE HISTORIC CHURCH AND LONG BARRACKS, WHICH WILL BEGIN RESTORATION, I BELIEVE IT'S NEXT MONTH.
WE'RE EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THAT.
AND, OF COURSE, WE HOPE THAT THIS PLAZA GETS TO ADD TO THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE AND ALLOWS
[05:30:03]
PEOPLE TO TRULY SEE HOW EXPANSIVE THE MISSION FOOTPRINT REALLY IS.BECAUSE THE CITY HAS GROWN OVER IT.
WE'VE GOT BUILDINGS FROM THE FEDERAL BUILDING TO THE NORTH TO THE GIBBS HOTEL TO THE CROCKETT BLOCK BUILDINGS.
AND, YES, WE COMPLETELY AGREE THAT TELLING THE LAYERS OF HISTORY, EVEN THE MODERN ONES, ARE IMPORTANT.
THAT LEADS ME TO THESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE MUSEUM PROPOSED.
THE CROCKETT BLOCK BUILDINGS ARE LITERALLY ON TOP OF THE SITE ITSELF RIGHT NOW.
BUT WE ARE NOT PRESCRIBING THE DEMOLITION OF THOSE BUILDINGS.
WE ARE GOING TO WORK DILIGENTLY TO FIND A WAY FORWARD THAT INCORPORATES SOME WAY WITH THE DESIGN, WITH A WORLD-CLASS DESIGN FOR A MUSEUM AND VISITOR CENTER.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE RECEIVED 35 ENTRIES TO SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST QUALIFIED -- SCRATCH THAT.
THE BEST ARCHITECTS IN THE WORLD.
IF ANYBODY CAN SOLVE THIS, THESE GUYS.
AND WE'VE GOT TO PICK ONE, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE HARD.
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE THOUGHTFUL, WE'RE INCLUSIVE, AND WE'RE THOROUGH IN THE PROCESS, LIKE WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN.
WE HAVE NO PRESCRIPTION TO DEMOLISH HISTORY.
IN FACT, WE HAVE A MISSION TO TELL ALL THAT HISTORY.
I ALSO HEARD GIVING IT AWAY, THE LEASE.
HECTOR VALLE, CAN I ASK YOU TO COME UP? I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU, FOR THE RECORD.
YOU WORK FOR THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
>> TREVINO: AND YOU'RE ALSO ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
>> TREVINO: YOU HEARD SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE LEASE AND OVER 100 YEARS THERE'S AN OPTION TO BUY.
>> FIRST OFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING ME UP.
AND THANK YOU TO CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE MAYOR.
THIS CITY IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME.
BECAUSE OF LEADERS LIKE YOU, WE BECAME CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY, SO THANK YOU.
YES, ACCORDING TO THE LEASE, WE HAVE TO COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL AND IT WOULD TAKE CITY COUNCIL ACTION TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE 100 YEARS FROM NOW.
>> TREVINO: IT'S IN THE FORM OF A MUTUAL AGREEMENT THEN?
SO 100 YEARS FROM NOW IT MAY COME BACK AS A MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO ASK YOU IS I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MOTION IS HERE TODAY.
CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THE RAMIFICATIONS, IF ANY, AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED TO TODAY'S MOTION TO APPROVE THE LEASE AGREEMENT TO THIS PLAN.
SO WE STARTED THIS PLAN BACK WHEN HOUSE BILL 2968 WAS PASSED.
AND IT BROUGHT TOGETHER THE STATE AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO WORK ON A PLAN TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK ON A MASTER PLAN.
TO DATE, WE HAVE FOLLOWED THIS LAW TO THE T.
ALL THREE PARTIES SIGNED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND COMMITTED TO THIS TRANSPARENT PROCESS.
WE SIGNED IN NOVEMBER 2015 AND, AGAIN, THIS CITY COUNCIL AGAIN AMENDED IT AND AGREED TO CONTINUE THAT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IN MAY 11, 2017.
THIS PLAN THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY IS A RESULT OF THREE YEARS OF PAINSTAKING NEGOTIATIONS OF TRANSPARENCY.
ONE OF YOUR FELLOW COUNCILMAN SAID THIS PLAN AND THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN INEFFICIENT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO TRANSPARENT.
AND SO HIS INCLUDED CITY AND STAKEHOLDERS AND HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED BY THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AS EVIDENCED BY OUR STATEWIDE SURVEY THAT WE HAVE TAKEN UPON US.
WE HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE HISTORIC AND DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION, AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAVE ALL APPROVED THIS PLAN.
ANY AMENDMENT TODAY OR ANY CHANGE TO THIS PLAN IS A PLAN THAT GOES OUTSIDE THIS PROCESS.
[05:35:02]
THIS COMMITMENT THAT WAS MADE BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND BY THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT BOARD.ANYTHING THAT COMES OUTSIDE OF THIS PROCESS IS NOT A PLAN.
IT IS NOT THE ALAMO MASTER PLAN WHERE THE FUNDS, THE $25 MILLION THAT WAS PASSED IN THE 84TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE OR THE 85TH THAT GAVE US THE $75 MILLION ARE TIED TO THIS ALAMO MASTER PLAN.
AND THIS ALAMO MASTER PLAN HAS COME THROUGH THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND HAS FOLLOWED THIS TRANSPARENT PROCESS.
SO TO CREATE A PLAN OUTSIDE THIS PROCESS VIOLATES THIS HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY, STATE, AND ALAMO ENDOWMENT.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT ENDS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
THE STATE IS UNDER OBLIGATION TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS TO PHIL COLLINS FOR THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF GIFTS THAT HE GAVE US FOR THE COLLECTION.
THE MUSEUM MUST BE IN SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE BY 2021.
AND THIS PLAN ALLOWS US TO STAY ON THIS TIMELINE.
THIS IS THE PLAN THAT THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT BOARD AND PRIVATE FUNDRAISERS HAVE COMMITTED TO.
THIS ONE HAS FOLLOWED THIS PROCESS, THIS TRANSPARENT PROCESS.
PRIVATE DONORS HAVE COMMITTED TO RAISING OVER $200 MILLION FOR THIS PLAN.
NOT ANY OTHER PLAN, BUT THIS PLAN.
>> TREVINO: I WOULD ALSO REFERENCE THAT THERE IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AFTER THE MASTER PLAN WAS ADOPTED, AND I'LL SUBMIT THIS FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE EXTENDED THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT AS IT'S BEING DEVELOPED.
AND THIS IS HELPFUL BECAUSE THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO BE ON THIS PROJECT.
I'LL SUBMIT THAT TO THE CLERK.
AND I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT, HECTOR MENTIONED THE MUSEUM.
AND I WANT TO SUBMIT FOR THE RECORD WE HAVE HAD MANY, MANY SLIDES AND PRESENTATIONS, BUT I SPECIFICALLY PICKED OUT SOME SLIDES PRESENTING SOME OF THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN THAT IS TO BE DONE FOR THE MUSEUM.
THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES HAS DRIVEN THIS PLAN AND IT IS AN INCLUSIVE ONE.
IT IS ONE THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE SEPARATE FACT FROM MYTH.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW ALL THE HISTORY.
AND I'M EXCITED TO LEARN MORE.
IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE WORKED ON THIS PROJECT, MISSION SAN ANTONIO VALERO, THE ALAMO.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I HAD A QUIET DISCUSSION WITH MY UNCLE, WHOM I RESPECT VERY MUCH, ABOUT THE ALAMO.
HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S CONNECTED TO SO MANY WORLD EVENTS.
HOW IT'S CONNECTED TO MANY THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING ON THIS SIDE OF THE HEMISPHERE AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO TELL THE STORY.
IT REALLY TRULY FORTIFIED MY RESOLVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON TELLING A COMPLETE STORY AT THE ALAMO.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN BE VICTIMS TO HISTORY IS IF WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
THIS IS GOING TO HELP US TO UNDERSTAND OUR HISTORY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I WANT TO THANK LORI HOUSTON AS WELL FOR ALL HER HARD WORK AND YOUR STAFF, RAYA.
WE HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE WE SIMPLY -- SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PUTTING OUT CONES SO THAT WE CAN GIVE TOURS.
ANDY SEGOVIA, YOU HAVE REALLY BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS LEASE.
THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROJECT.
HIM AND HIS STAFF ARE VERY ACCOMMODATING AND HAVE MET WITH MANY, MANY PEOPLE.
SOME PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVEN'T MET WITH US.
WE MAY DISAGREE, BUT WE'VE MET.
SO, WITH THAT, FIRST I GOT TO SUBMIT THIS TO THE CITY CLERK.
BUT WITH THAT IT GIVES ME GREAT
[05:40:05]
HONOR TO MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NO. 6 AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 6.
YEAH, I TOO WANT TO COMMEND THE ALAMO ADVISORY COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD, SO DILIGENTLY ON RESTORING AND HONORING THE ALAMO.
AND I ALSO WANT TO, YOU KNOW, COMMEND COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
BECAUSE I KNOW HE'S WORKED VERY HARD CONSTITUENTS AND CITIZENS WHO'VE WRITTEN ME, WHO'VE CALLED ME, WHO'VE E-MAILED ME AND WHO HAVE SPOKEN AT CITIZENS TO BE HEARD EXPRESSING THEIR SINCERE INTEREST, THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THEIR CONCERNS.
I TOO WANT TO RESTORE AND HONOR THE ALAMO.
I REALLY LIKE SOME OF THE FINAL PLAN.
LIKE MANY OTHER SAN ANTONIANS, I HAVE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN.
NO DOUBT THE ALAMO, THE LONG BARRACK AND THE CENOTAPH NEED RENOVATION AND RESTORATION.
AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THOSE ACTIONS.
THEY CERTAINLY ARE LONG PAST DUE.
I'M DELIGHTED THAT THE PLAN INCLUDES A MAJOR MUSEUM TO TELL THE FULL STORY OF THE ALAMO AND THE HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CULTURE AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I APPRECIATE THE CONCEPT OF EXCLUDING OR LIMITING ACTIVITIES AND FEATURES, INCLUDING STREET TRAFFIC AND VENDORS THAT DIMINISH THE REVERENCE AND RESPECT THAT THE ALAMO BATTLE SITE DESERVES.
KEEPING THE PLAZA A WALKABLE PEDESTRIAN PLAZA IS A VERY DESIRABLE IMPROVEMENT.
AS A HISTORY TEACHER FOR OVER 20 YEARS IN SAN ANTONIO, HAVING MADE MANY FIELD TRIPS TO THE ALAMO, I ALSO REALLY APPRECIATE THE PLAN TO HAVE MANY MORE INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS AND REENACTMENTS WITHIN THE PLAZA.
HOWEVER, AS I HAVE SAID, I HAVE SEVERAL SERIOUS CONCERNS PROPOSED IN THE PLAN.
I'M CONCERNED THAT THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PLAZA WILL BE LIMITED.
IT IS NOTED THAT THIS WILL ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE FOR TOURISTS, CERTAINLY.
RATHER THAN ENHANCEMENTS, THE ENCLOSURE PROPOSED WILL CREATE A BARRIER TO THIS CITIZENS' PUBLIC CIVIC SPACE.
ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF THE CENOTAPH.
IN MY VIEW, THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE NEED TO MOVE THE CENOTAPH.
THE PROPOSED PLAN TO CLOSE ALAMO STREET AND THE STREET IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE ALAMO CHAPEL AND THE LONG BARRACK AND THE LOWERING AND LEVELING OF THE ENTIRE PLAZA AND THE REMOVAL OF THE PARK AREA THAT'S ALREADY ELEVATED AND THE BANDSTAND, THOSE CHANGES WILL PROVIDE A HUGE AREA FOR FORMAL PROGRAMMING, ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH, AND EXPANDED HISTORIC REENACTMENTS WITHOUT HAVING TO MOVE THE CENOTAPH.
FINALLY, THE SECTION OF THE PROPOSED PLAN THAT PROVIDES FOR THE GLO TO OUTRIGHT PURCHASE THE ENTIRE ALAMO PLAZA PRESENTS THE POSSIBILITY OF A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL SELLING THE ALAMO PLAZA TO THE STATE.
THIS IS PARTICULARLY WORRISOME TO ME AND TO MANY OTHER SAN ANTONIANS I'VE TALKED TO.
IT WAS STATED BY MS. HOUSTON THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO OWN THE PLAZA.
FOR HOW LONG? I'VE ASKED THE CITY MANAGER HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL CITY FUNDING WILL BE REQUIRED BESIDES THE $38 MILLION NOW ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROJECT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT CLOSING STREETS AND REDIRECTING TRAFFIC AND BUSINESSES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT TURNING LOSOYA STREET FROM A ONE WAY LOADED WITH BUSINESSES ON BOTH SIDES TO A TWO WAY.
AND HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT BUSINESSES AND HOW MUCH WILL THAT COST? WE DON'T KNOW.
I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY KIND OF ESTIMATE.
AND WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO BE ENCOMPASSED BY THESE CHANGES TO THE PLAZA? WE'VE HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE BEING UNDERWHELMED AND DISTRACTED WHEN THEY VISIT THE ALAMO.
SURE, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND RESTORE THE ALAMO.
[05:45:02]
ADDING MORE REENACTMENTS.THESE THINGS WILL RESOLVE THAT FEELING PEOPLE HAVE AND WITHOUT ANY CHANGES TO THE PLAZA.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CITY HAS ORDINANCE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE , REREGULATE, AND LICENSE ANY AND ALL DISTRACTIONS BY OR NEAR THE ALAMO BY ESTABLISHING, FOR EXAMPLE, A SPECIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT CAN RESTORE THE REVERENCE AND RESPECT TO THE BATTLE SITE IT DESERVES WITHOUT SELLING THE PROPERTY OR HANDING THE MANAGEMENT OVER TO THE STATE.
WE HAVE THE POWER OURSELVES TO DO THOSE THINGS.
WE DO NOT NEED TO IMPOSE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS IN THIS PROPOSAL TO DO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
YOU KNOW, SECTION 803 THAT TALKS ABOUT THE CENOTAPH READS GLO ACKNOWLEDGES THE CITY OWNS THE CENOTAPH LOCATED AT ALAMO PLAZA.
GLO AND THE CITY SHALL WORK TOGETHER AND COORDINATE THE RESTORATION AND RELOCATION OF THE CENOTAPH CONSISTENT WITH THE ALAMO PLAN SO THAT THE CENOTAPH RETAINS A PLACE OF PROMINENCE AND HONOR WITHIN ALAMO PLAZA.
THE CITY SHALL MAINTAIN PARK POLICE PRESENCE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF ALAMO PLAZA TO MAINTAIN ITS SAFETY AND PROTECT THE CENOTAPH.
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE WORDS "AND RELOCATION AND CONSISTENT WITH THE ALAMO PLAN" FROM THIS FIRST SENTENCE.
AND IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF FROM THE SECOND SENTENCE.
AND INCLUDE "IF THE CENOTAPH WERE TO BE DAMAGED IN ANY WAY DURING ITS RESTORATION, IT MUST BE RESTORED FULLY TO ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN, LEAVING NO OPTION FOR REIMAGINING, REDESIGNING, OR REINTERPRETING IT TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION." [APPLAUSE]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN, YOU'RE MOVING TO AMEND THE LEASE AGREEMENT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR COUNCILMAN PERRY TO AMEND THE LEASE AGREEMENT AS READ.
WE ARE GOING TO SUSPEND DISCUSSION ON THE MAIN MOTION, TAKE UP THE AMENDMENT NOW.
LET'S CLEAR THE QUEUE IF THERE ARE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE QUEUE IN.
>> GONZALES: NO, MY COMMENTS ARE ABOUT --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ON THE MAIN MOTION?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
I SUPPORT THAT MOTION AND JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CENOTAPH.
WITH THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF THE CENOTAPH TO IN FRONT OF THE MENGER, I THINK IT IS, WHAT KIND OF SITE PREPARATION WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE? I MEAN, ARE THERE TREES EXISTING THERE? ARE THERE ANY TREES GOING TO BE TAKEN OUT BECAUSE OF THE RELOCATION?
>> THAT WILL ALL STILL NEED TO BE DESIGNED AND THAT WILL BE REVIEWED AS PART OF THE RELOCATION EFFORT, THE OHP WILL BE LOOKING AT THE RELOCATION AND REPAIR PLAN.
NOW A ALAMO PLAZA DESIGN WILL ALSO HAVE TO GO BACK TO HDRC FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
SO IT HAS NOT BEEN DESIGNED YET, BUT THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER CONSIDERATION.
>> PERRY: I MEAN, IN THE GENERAL LOCATION, AREN'T THERE SOME REALLY NICE MATURE TREES IN THAT AREA? ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAY THERE OR ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TO COME OUT? BE TAKEN OUT.
WE HAVE NOT DECIDED WHERE THE EXACT LOCATION IS.
IT WILL BE IN THE AREA OF THE BANDSTAND AND THAT WILL BE DESIGNED.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A COMMITMENT THAT THERE WILL BE MORE TREES ON SITE THAN THERE ARE TODAY.
>> PERRY: WELL, BUT THE EXISTING TREES.
>> THE EXISTING TREES, THERE'S ALSO A COMMITMENT THAT ANY TREES WILL EITHER BE RELOCATED OR REPLANTED ON SITE.
WE DON'T KNOW THAT UNTIL WE DO MORE DUE DILIGENCE AND START THE DESIGN EFFORT.
>> PERRY: SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU DON'T KNOW THE EXACT SITE OF THE CENOTAPH.
>> WHAT HDRC APPROVED WAS THEY PROVIDED APPROVAL TO RELOCATE THE CENOTAPH IN THE AREA OF THE BANDSTAND.
THE EXACT LOCATION WILL BE DETERMINED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS WHILE WE'RE WORKING ON THE REPAIR PLAN FOR THE
[05:50:01]
CENOTAPH.I WANT TO STRESS THAT STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE TEXAS HISTORIC COMMISSION AND HDRC -- ACTUALLY THE OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION HAS TO APPROVE THE REPAIR PLAN AND RELOCATION BEFORE ANY WORK COMMENCES.
COUNCILMAN COURAGE, I CERTAINLY SUPPORT YOUR MOTION TO CHANGE THAT IN THE LEASE AGREEMENT.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
LORI, I GOT ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU.
AND THIS IS A PROCEDURAL QUESTION.
AND MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN TREVINO, MAY WANT TO CHIME IN ON THIS.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON OUR LEASE AGREEMENT, HOW FAR WE'VE COME, IF THIS AMENDMENT WERE TO PASS? YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE, COUNCILMAN? I YIELD THE FLOOR.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.
AS YOU HEARD, REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE, HECTOR VALLE MENTIONED THIS PLAN IS PART OF A PLAN THAT CAME OUT OF A PROCESS, VERY LONG PROCESS.
A PROCESS THAT INCLUDED THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THROUGH ARCHITECTS OF RECORD AND SELECTED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO HELP GET US THERE.
AND SO ANY AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PLAN ESSENTIALLY NEGATES THE OVERALL LEASE AGREEMENT.
>> BROCKHOUSE: I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE.
SO AS WE GO THROUGH PROCEDURALLY, ANY AMENDMENT THAT PASSES NEGATES THE ENTIRE MAIN MOTION.
>> BROCKHOUSE: I'M VERY RESPECTFUL OBVIOUSLY OF COUNCILMAN PERRY AND COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
I THINK THIS IS SUCH A CRITICAL MOMENT AND I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL TO THE FOLKS WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE CENOTAPH.
I CAME OUT EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS IN CLEAR OBJECTION OF IT MOVING TO MARKET SQUARE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.
AND I THOUGHT THAT THE MOVEMENT AND THE COMPROMISE THAT DID OCCUR WAS ADMIRABLE.
I MEAN, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR TO THE FOLKS ON THE CENOTAPH, THE FOLKS THAT COME HERE TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.
I RESPECT YOU STANDING UP AND YOU COME HERE AND YOU LAY YOUR THOUGHT DOWN AT THE FRONT AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT'S IN YOUR MIND.
BUT I DO WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I THINK YOU'VE HAD A VICTORY.
AND YOU'VE BROUGHT IT BACK TO WHERE IT'S STAYING IN THE PLAZA.
I MEAN, ORIGINALLY THIS THING WAS GOING TO DISAPPEAR INTO A CORNER AND YOU WEREN'T GOING TO SEE IT, SO YOUR DILIGENCE HAS WORKED TREMENDOUSLY.
I'M VERY, YOU KNOW, HUMBLED TO SEE THE CITIZENS COME UP AND FIGHT CITY HALL IN THAT MANNER.
BUT I HAVE TO -- I DO TAKE SOME REAL CONCERN WITH COUNCILMAN COURAGE'S AMENDMENT.
I THINK IT'S A POISONED PILL AND I OBJECT TO HIS AMENDMENT AT THIS TIME.
I'D LIKE TO CALL THAT WE -- I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY MOVE THAT I OBJECT TO THE AMENDMENT AND CALL FOR A VOTE NOT TO TAKE IT UP.
IF ANY AMENDMENT PASSES I THINK IT DESTROYS THE ENTIRE CONTRACT.
I WOULD LIKE TO CONFER WITH THE ATTORNEY ON PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE IF WE OBJECTED TO CALLING FOR THE AMENDMENT.
IS THERE A METHOD OR METHODOLOGY?
>> COUNCILMAN, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, PROCEDURALLY IT'S NOT THE PROCEDURE THAT WOULD BE THE POISON PILL, SO TO SPEAK.
IT'S PRACTICALLY SPEAKING THE LEASE HAS BEEN HEAVILY NEGOTIATED, A LOT OF GIVE AND TAKE AND IT IS THE POSITION OF THE GLO THAT IF THERE'S ANY SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENTS TO IT WE BASICALLY THEN IT'S A WALK AWAY.
SO IT'S FROM THAT PRACTICAL ASPECT THAT ANY AMENDMENT COULD BE A DEAL KILLER, NOT PROCEDURALLY.
THEREFORE, IF COUNCIL MEMBERS STILL WOULD WANT TO PUT IN AN AMENDMENT, I THINK THE PROPER THING WOULD BE TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.
EVEN THOUGH THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF IT --
>> BROCKHOUSE: I JUST WANTED TO VOICE THAT IT'S ONE THING TO DISAGREE WITH IT, RIGHT? AND I'M WITH YOU.
BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD VOTE DOWN THE ENTIRE PROCESS AT THIS POINT.
I WANT TO PROCEDURALLY GET THROUGH IT.
LOOK, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN AS A WHOLE.
I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL OF THIS SLOPE WE GO DOWN, TO MY COLLEAGUE IN DISTRICT 9 ABOUT PUTTING A VOTE DOWN ON SOMETHING.
I JUST WANTED TO BE VERY CLEAR.
IF THERE'S A WAY FOR US TO -- YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE HONOR OF THE VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION.
[05:55:02]
I GUESS IT'S MORE OF A RECONSIDERATION PIECE.I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM AND YOU WANT TO MAKE THE VOTE, BUT I THINK THE PROCESS HAS BEEN HONORED AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I TALK MY POINTS ON IT AND DISCUSSED IT AND IF YOU WANT TO VOTE IT, THAT'S FINE.
ON THAT RECOMMENDATION -- THOUGH I THINK WE COULD DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON IT, BUT AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, WHILE I'M APPRECIATIVE OF IT, I WON'T BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOU TODAY, JOHN.
I THINK THE MOVEMENT IS WELL WITHIN THE LARGER PLAN AND I THINK IT HONORS EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
AND I'M HAPPY FOR THE SACRIFICE OF THE TEAM AND MY APPOINTEE AND THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE ON IT.
I UNDERSTAND BUT I'M NOT WITH YOU TODAY.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR AMENDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT, WHICH IS THE MAIN MOTION.
CAN WE READ THE AMENDED LANGUAGE, PROPOSED AMENDED LANGUAGE BY COUNCILMAN COURAGE BEFORE WE TAKE THAT UP?
THE PROPOSED AMENDED LANGUAGE IS GLO ACKNOWLEDGES THE CITY OWNS THE CENOTAPH LOCATED ON ALAMO PLAZA.
GLO AND THE CITY SHALL WORK TOGETHER AND COORDINATE THE RESTORATION OF THE CENOTAPH SO THAT THE CENOTAPH RETAINS A PLACE OF PROMINENCE AND HONOR WITHIN ALAMO PLAZA.
THE CITY SHALL MAINTAIN A PARK POLICE PRESENCE IN ALAMO PLAZA TO MAINTAIN ITS SAFETY AND TO PROTECT THE CENOTAPH.
AND JUST BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO COMMENT.
THIS WHOLE PLAN IS BUILT ON PARTNERSHIP.
AND WHILE PROCEDURALLY WE MAY BE WITHIN OUR LEGAL BOUNDS TO MAKE SUCH MOTIONS FROM THE DAIS, THAT HAS NO BEARING ON THE EFFECT OF THE PARTNERSHIP ITSELF.
AND I WOULD NOT WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT AND SEE THE YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVE AS A RESULT.
SO MY RECOMMENDATION AND MY VOTE WILL BE AGAINST THE AMENDMENT.
SO, WITH THAT, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR AN AMENDMENT AS READ BY COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
WE'LL GO BACK NOW TO THE MAIN MOTION.
[APPLAUSE] AND WE'LL BEGIN WITH COUNCILMAN PERRY.
A LOT OF EMOTION IN THIS, AS WELL IT SHOULD BE.
A LOT OF COMMENTS BOTH FOR AND AGAINST.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT IN ALL OF MY MEETINGS IN DISTRICT 10 I DIDN'T HAVE ONE PERSON THAT CAME UP AND SAID, HEY, WOW.
WE WANT TO MOVE THAT CENOTAPH.
WE WANT TO CLOSE OFF THE PLAZA.
SO THAT MAKES ME THINK, YOU KNOW, AM I LISTENING TO MY FOLKS IN DISTRICT 10? WELL, I CAN TELL YOU MY VOTE WILL REFLECT THAT ON THIS LEASE AGREEMENT.
LORI, PROBABLY NEED TO COME ON UP.
DO WE KNOW WHAT KIND OF FENCE OR WALL OR BARRICADE THERE'S GOING TO BE AROUND THIS, AROUND THE PLAZA?
ONCE AGAIN, THAT WILL BE PART OF THE DESIGN EFFORT.
SO WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED IS THAT THERE WILL BE A 42-INCH RAILING.
THE LOOK OF THAT RAILING HAS YET TO BE DESIGNED.
AND THAT WILL GO BACK TO HDRC FOR FINAL APPROVAL PRIOR TO THE RECEIPT OF A BUILDING PERMIT.
>> PERRY: SO IT WILL BE SOMETHING YOU CAN SEE THROUGH?
>> PERRY: SO IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THROUGH.
>> THERE IS A COMMITMENT THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SEE THE CHURCH, AND THAT'S THE 42 INCHES.
BUT THEY DISCUSSED LANDSCAPING.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED SOMETHING CLEAR.
WE DON'T KNOW, AND THAT WILL BE ALL DISCUSSED IN THE DESIGN PROCESS AND VETTED THROUGH THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND BROUGHT TO HDRC FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
AND THEN WHAT KIND OF ENTRANCES OR GATES? SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF FENCE, BUT HAVE Y'ALL EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT GATES?
THOSE ARE STILL A DESIGN ISSUE AND THAT WILL BE DESIGNED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
AND, AS I MENTIONED, WE'LL RETURN TO HDRC BUT VETTED BY THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
>> PERRY: AND DO WE KNOW WHAT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS GOING TO BE TO THE CITY DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ENTIRE PROJECT?
[06:00:01]
I DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT TXP OUT OF AUSTIN DID DO A STUDY, THAT'S JOHN'S FIRM, AND THERE WAS A MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT.
>> WE'LL GET THAT AND RESPOND AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THOSE NUMBERS.
I'M STILL CONFUSED ABOUT THE ONE ENTRANCE DURING THE MUSEUM HOURS.
WHAT'S THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF HAVING THE ONE ENTRANCE AGAIN? WHY DO WE ONLY HAVE ONE ENTRANCE DURING MUSEUM HOURS?
>> THE FOUNDATION OF THIS WHOLE PLAN IS TO BE ABLE TO TELL THE ENTIRE STORY.
SO WE WANT TO TELL A 300 YEARS PLUS STORY THAT OCCURRED ON THIS SITE.
THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO BE ABLE TO ORIENT THE VISITOR.
WE'RE PROPOSING A PRIMARY ENTRY TO BE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE WALL.
THAT WAY WHEN SOMEONE WALKS INTO THE PLAZA THEY IMMEDIATELY KNOW THEY'RE ON THE HISTORIC MISSION PLAZA OR THE BATTLEFIELD.
RIGHT NOW A VISITOR, WHETHER THEY'RE A TOURIST OR A RESIDENT, THEY GO STRAIGHT TO THE CHURCH TO ENTER WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE IS THE ALAMO.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE LOOK AT THE ALAMO AS A PLACE AND NOT A BUILDING, AND THAT PRIMARY ENTRY POINT WILL HELP US DO THAT.
NOW, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HAVING ADDITIONAL ENTRY POINTS WHEN THERE ARE TIMES OF HIGH TRAFFIC FLOW OR WHEN THERE'S NOT PROGRAMMING GOING ON.
ADDITIONALLY, CITY MANAGER SHERYL SCULLEY AND ANDY SEGOVIA HAVE NEGOTIATED ADDITIONAL TIMES WHERE THE GLO HAS COMMITTED TO HAVE THOSE THREE ACCESS POINTS OPEN.
SO WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE TIMES OF HIGH PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY DURING THE ALAMO VALERO BOWL.
WE KNOW DURING FIESTA WE HAVE HIGH PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A CLAUSE IN THERE THAT ANY OTHER TIMES THAT WE DEEM NECESSARY WE'LL WORK WITH THE GLO TO OPEN UP THOSE ADDITIONAL SITES.
BUT THE PURPOSE FOR THE PRIMARY ENTRY POINT IS TO BETTER ORIENT THE VISITOR SO WE CAN TELL ALL 300 YEARS OF HISTORY.
SO WHEN YOU'RE SAYING THAT ARE YOU SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO INTO THE MUSEUM TO BE ORIENTED?
>> THAT HAS NOT BEEN DESIGNED, BUT WHAT THE INTENTION IS THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN ENTRY POINT WHERE THEY CAN GET INTO THE PLAZA.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO CONNECT THE MUSEUM, AND THAT WILL BE UP TO THE MUSEUM ARCHITECT.
BUT, AS I MENTIONED, THERE WILL NEVER BE A CHARGE TO ENTER INTO THE PLAZA AND THERE WILL BE A CHARGE TO ENTER INTO THE CHURCH OR LONG BARRACK.
>> PERRY: YOU MADE AN INTERESTING COMMENT ON, I THINK IT WAS -- I FORGET WHICH SLIDE IT WAS.
BUT WHERE DO THE -- TODAY WHERE DO MOST OF THE PEOPLE COME FROM?
>> MOST PEOPLE WILL BE TRAVELING ON COMMERCE STREET AND MOST LIKELY THEY COME FROM COMMERCE OR MARKET STREET AREA AND TRAVELING SOUTH ON ALAMO STREET.
>> PERRY: SO, IF I UNDERSTAND, SO UP THROUGH COMMERCE STREET BETWEEN THOSE BUILDINGS AND UP ON TO THE ALAMO GROUNDS.
WHERE WAS THE ORIGINAL MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE ALAMO?
>> IT WAS IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF THE GAZEBO AREA.
THAT'S WHAT'S REFERRED TO AS THE SOUTH GATE.
AND THERE IS SOME INTERPRETATION OF THE SOUTH GATE ON THE SITE.
IT'S WHERE THE RAISED PLANT BEDS ARE THAT ARE SOUTH OF -- SORRY, NORTH OF THE BANDSTAND.
>> PERRY: SO I GUESS I'M CONFUSED.
WE'RE TRYING TO REIMAGINE THAT WHOLE PLAZA THE WAY IT WAS BACK THEN, BUT YET WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE THE MAIN ENTRANCE THAT WAS ACTUALLY USED AS THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE PLAZA? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> WE ARE GOING TO INTERPRET THE MAIN ENTRANCE SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT WAS THE PRIMARY ENTRANCE.
BUT THE PUBLIC FEEDBACK THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN BY MAKING THAT THE PRIMARY ENTRANCE YOU'VE CUT THE TRAFFIC FLOW GOING NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE PLAZA.
SO NOW WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE CREATED THE PRIMARY ENTRY POINT OFF OF ALAMO NEAR THE CROCKETT BUILDING, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.
BUT THAT WILL ALLOW TRAFFIC TO CONTINUE NORTH AND SOUTH FROM HOUSTON STREET TO CROCKETT STREET.
SO THAT LOCATION WAS BASED ON PUBLIC INPUT THAT WE HEARD OVER THE PAST YEAR.
THAT -- I GUESS I'M A LITTLE BIT SLOW BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL ABOUT ALLOWING TRAFFIC TO CONTINUE.
BECAUSE, BASICALLY, AGAIN WE'RE CLOSING OFF THE ENTIRE PLAZA EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE ENTRANCE BY THE MUSEUM.
SO WHY AREN'T WE USING THE ORIGINAL ENTRANCE TO THE PLAZA?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN, MAY I SUGGEST A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
[06:05:02]
I THINK AS LORI WAS SAYING, THE SOUTH GATE WILL BE AN INTERPRETATION AND ALL THAT IS STILL BEING DESIGNED AND WORKED OUT AND PART OF A PROCESS.WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT NORTH/SOUTH TRAFFIC, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO GO TO THE MISSION HISTORIC FOOTPRINT WHATSOEVER, THEY'RE SIMPLY TRYING TO CUT THROUGH AND GET TO THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PLAZA OR TO OTHER AREAS OF DOWNTOWN OR VICE VERSA, THERE IS A PATHWAY THERE, A VERY WIDE PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY, WALKWAY THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO DO THAT.
WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED IS CREATING A FORMAL ENTRY POINT, LET'S CALL IT A CONCEPTUAL THRESHOLD OF HOW SOMEBODY ENTERS IN THE FOOTPRINT.
WE WANT TO ORIENT PEOPLE ON TO THE SITE.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL YOU WHAT THAT DESIGN LOOKS LIKE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T EVEN SELECTED THE ARCHITECT THAT'S GOING TO BE DOING THAT.
BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES WHICH WE HAVE TO THIS POINT AND CREATING AN ENTRY POINT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN IT IS A DOORWAY.
THAT MEANS WE'LL DESIGN IT FOR THE CAPACITY NEEDED.
SO IT'S NOT ABOUT A DOORWAY OR A TURNSTILE, IT IS HOW PEOPLE GET ORIENTED ON TO THE SITE AND CAN THEN ENTER THE PLAZA KNOWING THAT THEY'RE ENTERING THE MISSION HISTORIC FOOTPRINT, WHICH THEY DON'T KNOW NOW.
>> PERRY: THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
BUT, AGAIN, IF I'M A VISITOR COMING IN IT WOULD BE GREAT TO NOT INTERPRET BUT ACTUALLY ENTER THROUGH THAT GATE AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT.
>> SCULLEY: MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER, THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD TO WHAT LORI SAID ABOUT ORIENTATION AND WHAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER ADDED.
IRONICALLY, ORIGINALLY WE DID HAVE THE SOUTH GATE AS THE MAIN POINT OF ENTRY WHEN THERE WERE THE GLASS WALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED.
AND THE POINT WAS FOR ORIENTATION OF THE VISITOR.
AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE MUSEUM WILL INCLUDE A VISITOR CENTER, NOT JUST THE MUSEUM.
AND SO ANYONE ENTERING THE GROUNDS WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT FREE OF CHARGE.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH A MUSEUM TO ENTER THE GROUNDS, BUT IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THAT ORIENTATION JUST AS IT DOES FOR MOST OF OUR NATIONAL MONUMENTS.
AND THAT IS REALLY THE CONCEPT BEHIND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AND WE HOPE TO USE THE CROCKETT BUILDING, THAT AREA AS THAT ENTRY POINT INTO THE PLAZA AREA IN FRONT OF THE HISTORIC CHURCH.
THERE IS NO CHARGE AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE MUSEUM TO GET INTO THE PLAZA.
I'M JUST, FROM WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE COMING UP SOUTH ALAMO OFF OF COMMERCE GOING UP TOWARDS THAT PLAZA.
AND, AGAIN, THE SOUTH GATE WAS THE MAIN GATE BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE THAT AS A MAIN ENTRANCE.
WE'RE GOING TO FUNNEL EVERYBODY AROUND TO ANOTHER PORTION OF THE AREA.
AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T USE THE SOUTH GATE AS A MAIN GATE.
WASN'T THERE SOMETHING IN THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES ABOUT CONNECTIVITY?
THAT IS ONE OF THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO MAKE SURE WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO AND FROM THE SITE.
AND SO YOU'LL SEE SOME PASEOS IN THE AREA.
SO THE CITY IS GOING TO CONTROL BUT THE PORTION OF THE STREETS THAT WE'RE CLOSING TO VEHICULAR ACCESS, THOSE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE STREET PASEOS THAT LEAD PEOPLE TO THE ALAMO.
BUT FOR THE ONE THAT TAKES YOU ALONG ALAMO STREET, IF YOU WERE HEADING FROM MARKET TO THE ALAMO, WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED FROM THE ALAMO GOING TO LA VILLITA, FROM THE ALAMO GOING TO HEMISFAIR.
THERE IS A RICH HISTORY THERE AS WELL.
HEMISFAIR WAS THE ORIGINAL FARM FIELDS FOR THE MISSION.
LA VILLITA HAS A HISTORY CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE ALAMO AND ALSO CONNECTING PEOPLE TO MARKET SQUARE.
THIS WILL HELP ENHANCE THAT CONNECTIVITY AND WILL BE A PART OF A WAYFINDING PACKAGE THAT'S YET TO BE DESIGNED.
AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN ENHANCE THE CONNECTIVITY AGAIN WITH ONLY HAVING ONE ENTRANCE INTO THAT PLAZA DURING THE MUSEUM HOURS.
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ENHANCE THAT CONNECTIVITY.
IN FACT, THAT JUST DOES NOT FIT WHAT THAT WHOLE AREA WAS
[06:10:02]
INTENDED TO BE.I MEAN, ANDY, CAN YOU READ THAT AGAIN OFF THE DEED.
I THINK IT WAS READ EARLIER TODAY, BUT CAN YOU READ AGAIN WHAT WAS SAID IN THE DEED?
>> I'M TRYING TO HIT MY BUTTON HERE, COUNCILMAN.
THIS IS FROM THE 1871 DEED TO THAT PARCEL THAT'S WITHIN THE ALAMO PLAZA.
AND IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PROPERTY HEREBY CONVEYED AND IS SO CONVEYED ON CONDITION THAT IT WILL BE DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC USE AS AN OPEN SPACE AND BE MADE A PART OF AND ONE WITH THE PLAZAS ABOVE AND BELOW IT NOW KNOWN AS THE ALAMO PLAZA AND THE PLAZA DE VALERO.
AND I JUST AGAIN -- AND I'M NOT A LAWYER -- BUT THE WAY I LISTEN TO THAT WE ARE NOT HONORING THAT WITH THIS.
WE'RE CLOSING IT DOWN TO ONE ENTRANCE.
SO, TO ME, WE ARE NOT HONORING WHAT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PUT THERE FOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OUR ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE TO WEIGH?
COUNCILMAN, I CAN ASSURE YOU I NEVER SAID ENOUGH [INDISCERNIBLE] FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THE ALAMO PLAN AS CONCEIVED AND WRITTEN IN THE LEASE IS FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THIS REQUIREMENT HERE IN THE DEED.
>> PERRY: AND, AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S A LAWYER'S DEFINITION THERE.
BUT TO ME WE'RE NOT HONORING WHAT THEY WANTED FOR THAT PLAZA TO BE AS AN OPEN SPACE.
A POROUS SPACE IS WHAT WE'RE HAVING WITH ONE ENTRANCE DURING THE MUSEUM HOURS AND ADDITIONAL ENTRANCES AFTER THE MUSEUM HOURS.
YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO MOVE AROUND THE ALAMO PLAZA IN ANY DIRECTION AT ANY POINT IN THE DAY WAS THE INTENT FOR THAT DEED ON GIVING IT TO THE CITY.
IN FACT, MOST OF THE GREAT PLACES AROUND THE WORLD, PARKS AND VISITING SPACES ARE OPEN.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALLOWING FOR PEOPLE TO FREELY GO IN AND OUT.
AND VISITING AND ENJOYING THOSE SPACES.
WE'RE BASICALLY -- AND I'M ASSUMING IF WE'RE GOING TO LIMIT THE ACCESS HERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HAVING LIKE A TSA, IS THAT CORRECT? NOT LITERALLY TSA, BUT ARE WE
THAT WILL STILL BE DESIGNED, BUT THEY WILL BE EQUIPPED TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE SECURITY AND THOSE TYPES OF CLEARANCES.
IS THERE GOING TO BE A CHARGE TO GET IN THE MUSEUM?
>> BUT NOT IN THE PLAZA AND THERE WILL NOT BE A CHARGE TO GET INTO THE CHURCH OR THE LONG BARRACK.
>> PERRY: SO THERE'S A MONEY FACTOR INVOLVED HERE.
THE MUSEUM WILL BE A MONEYMAKER.
>> THE MUSEUM WILL BE SIMILAR TO OTHER MUSEUMS IN THE CITY WHERE YOU PAY A FEE TO ENTER THE MUSEUM.
GOT A FEW MORE QUESTIONS HERE, LORI.
LET'S SEE, PAGE OR SLIDE NUMBER -- I'LL GET TO IT HERE.
>> PERRY: SO THIS IS WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PARADE ROUTE, RELOCATING THE PARADE ROUTE.
AND MISS THIS PROPOSED FENCE OR BARRIER GOING TO BE LOCATED AT BETWEEN THAT FLOAT AND THE CHAPEL?
SO DEPENDING ON WHAT THAT FENCE IS, WHICH YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE MISSING A VITAL ELEMENT HERE ON THAT DRAWING THAT SHOWS SOME KIND OF BARRIER.
HOW ARE THEY GOING TO WALK UP AND DOWN AND PRESENT THE WREATHS AND HOW ARE THEY GOING TO SEE THE CHAPEL FROM THE FLOATS, THESE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE STANDS? YOU SAID WE DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND
[06:15:01]
OF FENCE SO YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH IT.HOW IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN? WE'RE NOT SHOWING ANYTHING ON THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE.
YOU CAN SEE THE BLEACHERS LINED UP.
THERE WOULD BE A FENCE BEHIND WHERE THOSE BLEACHERS ARE, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE CHURCH DURING THIS PARADE, SO WE CAN OPEN UP THAT FENCE OR THAT GATE, BUT IT HAS YET TO BE DESIGNED.
BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THERE IS AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE CHURCH FOR THE ALAMO DURING THE PARADES.
>> PERRY: THE OPEN ACCESS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE TO ME.
AND THERE WAS SOME QUOTES BY COLONEL TRAVIS AND DAVY CROCKETT.
I'LL USE ONE OF THOSE FROM COLONEL TRAVIS.
THAT'S A LINE IN THE SAND FOR ME ON KEEPING THIS PLAZA OPEN AND NOT RESTRICTING IT TO VISITORS OR SAN ANTONIANS.
SO, WITH THAT, YOU KNOW I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WANT THIS SITE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
I WANT IT TO BE SOMETHING GREAT FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND SEE.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO LIMIT ACCESS.
I DON'T AGREE WITH OTHER PARTS OF THIS PLAN.
BUT I WANT IT TO REMAIN OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC 24/7.
PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE FUNNELED INTO THE MUSEUM TO LEARN ABOUT THINGS THAT MAY NOT EVEN INTEREST THEM.
NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, HEY, WE NEED TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THIS OTHER HISTORY.
THAT'S AWESOME TO BRING IN ALL THE UNKNOWNS ABOUT THAT AREA FOR THE PAST 300 YEARS.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO CLOSE OFF THE PLAZA.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WALLS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOWER THAT WHOLE SITE, YOU KNOW, UP TO 30 INCHES.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT TO THAT ENTIRE SITE TO TELL THE STORY OF THE ENTIRE 300 YEARS THERE OF THAT SITE.
YOU KNOW, THIS WOULD BE INTERESTING, YOU KNOW, WE SAY THAT WE GOT A LOT OF INPUT FROM ACROSS THE STATE.
IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW A VOTE WOULD GO.
[APPLAUSE] NOT ONLY FOR THE STATE, BUT FOR SAN ANTONIO.
I MEAN, WHEN I MENTIONED THIS AT THE B SESSION THE OTHER DAY THERE WAS A TELEPHONE POLL TAKEN AND HAD OVER 1200 RESPONDENTS.
DISTRICT 10 WE HAD 565 CONNECTS.
56%, DON'T CLOSE THE STREETS AND CLOSE OFF THE PLAZA.
60% DON'T CLOSE THE STREETS AND PLAZA.
DISTRICT 1, RIGHT DOWNTOWN HERE, 298 CONNECTS.
65%, 65% OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOWN AROUND THIS AREA, DON'T CLOSE THE STREETS AND PLAZA.
SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, ARE WE REALLY LISTENING TO THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE REPRESENTING UP HERE? AND I WOULD CHALLENGE EVERYBODY ON THIS DAIS UP HERE HAVE THEY REALLY REACHED OUT TO THEIR NEIGHBORS AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO GET THEIR INPUT? AGAIN, I HAD NOBODY COME UP TO SAY, YES, LET'S MOVE THAT CENOTAPH.
YES, LET'S CLOSE OFF DOWNTOWN.
THE CENTER OF OUR CITY, CLOSING IT OFF.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, AS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DO AS WELL.
SO IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW AN ACTUAL VOTE WOULD GO.
WITH THAT, SIR, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MY OWN AMENDMENT UNDER SECTION 8.06 ACCESS TO THE PREMISES.
AND THE PROPOSED LEASE SECTION A CITES THE HOLISTIC MISSION SPACE WILL HAVE SIX ACCESS POINTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 24/7 TO THE MUSEUM ENTRIES AS DESCRIBED IN THE ALAMO PLAN .
I MOVE TO AMEND SECTION 8.06A TO
[06:20:03]
READ THE ALAMO PLAN INCLUDES A NEW 2.5-ACRE OUTDOOR SPACE THAT RECAPTURES AND DELINEATES MOST OF THE ORIGINAL HISTORIC MISSION FOOTPRINT.PEDESTRIAN ACCESS SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO FEWER THAN SIX ACCESS POINTS AND SHALL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 24/7 EXCEPT FOR CIRCUMSTANCES LISTED UNDER SECTION 6.02A AND ALSO TO REMOVE SECTIONS 8.06B AND C AS THEY WOULD ESSENTIALLY NO LONGER BE NECESSARY WITH THIS AMENDMENT.
SO THAT'S MY AMENDMENT ON THAT.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HAS WORKED ON THIS.
I STILL THINK WE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.
I DON'T AGREE WITH CLOSING OFF THE PLAZA.
>> PERRY: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
YOU KNOW, IT WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTING.
THERE WAS A MENTION OF IT EARLIER TODAY THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE NEEDS TO BE A PETITION DRIVE ON THIS.
WELL, WE GOT AN ELECTION IN NOVEMBER HERE.
IT WOULD BE AN EASY WAY TO GET PETITIONS SIGNED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN, THERE'S A SECONDARY MOTION ON THE FLOOR, SO CONTAIN YOUR COMMENTS TO THAT MOTION, PLEASE.
I WILL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THAT THERE WAS AGAIN A QUOTE BY DAVY CROCKETT.
I GOT ONE ALSO THAT PERTAINS TO THIS MOTION.
IT SAYS LET YOUR TONGUE SPEAK WHAT YOUR HEART THINKS.
THAT WAS SAID BY DAVY CROCKETT.
AND I'M SPEAKING FROM MY HEART FOR THIS PLAZA AND FOR THE REIMAGINATION OF THAT AREA.
SO, WITH THAT, THAT'S MY MOTION, SIR.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR AN AMENDMENT AS READ BY COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO REMIND THE COUNCIL, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING FROM WHAT THE POSITION ARTICULATED BY THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE, IF THERE'S AN AMENDMENT OF THAT NATURE IT EFFECTIVELY THE ALAMO PLAN WILL NOT GO FORWARD.
SO WE WILL SUSPEND DISCUSSION ON THE MAIN MOTION AND TAKE UP THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN PERRY.
IF THERE ARE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE GO AHEAD ON THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN PERRY.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THE ENDORSEMENT.
AS I SAID EARLIER, I BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT PLAN REALLY CREATES A BARRIER TO THE AVERAGE EVERYDAY SAN ANTONIO CITIZEN THAT AS WELL AS MILITARY PLAZA FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
AND I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT THAT IS THE WRONG DECISION.
IF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WANTS TO DO MORE TO MANAGE THAT PLAZA SO THAT IT HONORS THE HEROES OF THE ALAMO, WE CAN DO SO AS A CITY BY PASSING CITY ORDINANCES WITHOUT GIVING THE CONTROL OF THE PLAZA TO THE GLO AND WITHOUT EXCLUDING ACCESS TO THE AVERAGE EVERYDAY SAN ANTONIO CITIZEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
I GUESS I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OR DIFFERENT ANGLE.
BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD TWO MOTIONS ON THE FLOOR THIS AFTERNOON REGARDING THE LEASE.
AND, ANDY, THIS QUESTION DIALOGUE IS FOR YOU.
WE ARE YOU UNILATERALLY AMENDINE MOTION, THEREFORE WE ARE DENYING THE INDIVIDUAL LEASE.
>> PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, THAT'S CORRECT, COUNCILMAN.
THE REASON WHY I SAY PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, THE AMENDMENT LANGUAGE ON ITS FACE DOESN'T INVALIDATE IT, BUT PRACTICALLY SPEAKING FROM THE POSITION THE GLO HAS TAKEN, AN AMENDMENT EFFECTIVELY --
>> SHAW: BUT EVEN LEGALLY SPEAKING.
I'LL GO BACK TO CONTRACTS 101.
IF YOU GIVE ME AN OFFER AND I WANT TO AMEND THAT OFFER, THEREFORE I'M REJECTING THAT OFFER AND GIVING YOU A COUNTER OFFER.
>> SHAW: WE ARE GIVING THE GLO A COUNTER OFFER AND REJECTING THE ORIGINAL.
>> SHAW: WHY CAN'T WE JUST VOTE ON THE LEASE AS IT IS, UP AND DOWN.
WE CONTINUE WITH ALL THESE MOTIONS AND ALL WE'RE DOING IS REJECTING THE ORIGINAL OFFER TO US BY THE GLO.
WE CANNOT MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THIS LEASE.
[06:25:01]
>> THE REASON IS MY VIEW OF THE PARLIAMENTARIAN RULES IS IF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ON ITS FACE DOESN'T NULLIFY THE MAIN MOTION, THEN FROM A PROCEDURAL STANDPOINT IT CAN GO FORWARD.
>> SHAW: I BELIEVE THESE MOTIONS ARE MADE IN BAD FAITH.
IF THESE MOTIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL THEN IT SHOOTS DOWN THE ENTIRE PROJECT WHICH WE'RE VOTING ON IN THE FIRST PLACE.
INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE AMENDMENTS, LET'S JUST VOTE ON THE CURRENT LEASE.
>> WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS IF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER THE MAIN MOTION NOW, A MOTION CAN BE MADE WHICH WOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE TO END THE DEBATE, BUT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE BY THE COUNCIL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: HAVE YOU YIELDED THE FLOOR, COUNCILMAN SHAW? THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SHAW.
>> BROCKHOUSE: AS OF THIS MOMENT I MOVE TO CALL THE REQUEST AND REQUEST A ROLL CALL VOTE.
CALL THE QUESTION ON THE MAIN MOTION, PLEASE.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, I THINK THE COUNCILMAN, YOU ARE CALLING FOR THE END OF THE DEBATE.
>> BROCKHOUSE: WHAT I'M CALLING FOR IS THE END OF THE DEBATE.
WE MOVE TO CALL THE MAIN MOTION TO THE FLOOR FOR A TWO-THIRDS VOTE.
>> THAT'S NOT A DEBATABLE MOTION BUT FOR A TWO-THIRDS VOTE THEN THE DEBATE WOULD END, WITH THE TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL.
>> BROCKHOUSE: I THINK IT'S TIME WE CALL THE QUESTION.
I MEAN, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO A FLOOR VOTE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET TO THE MAIN MOTION.
SO, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE IS MOTIONING TO END DEBATE AT THIS POINT.
IN WHICH CASE WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO TAKE UP THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR, WHICH IS THE SECONDARY AMENDMENT.
>> WE DO HAVE COUNCILMAN PERRY'S MOTION, BUT A MOTION TO END DEBATE, TO ME, WOULD TAKE PRECEDENT, MAYOR.
AND THAT'S NOT DEBATABLE BUT IT REQUIRES A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL TO END DEBATE.
AND ONCE DEBATE IS ENDED THEN THE COUNCIL VOTES ON THE MAIN MOTION.
BUT THERE'S ALREADY A MOTION MADE IN ORDER ON THE FLOOR, SO IF WE END DEBATE NOW WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO TAKE UP COUNCILMAN PERRY'S MOTION.
SO WE NEED TO KILL HIS MOTION FIRST BEFORE WE CAN END DEBATE.
I WOULD SUGGEST THIS TO MY COLLEAGUES, THIS APPEARS TO BE THE LAST ATTEMPT TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT, SO I WOULD RECOMMEND MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE GO AHEAD AND DENY THE AMENDMENT NOW AND GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, AND OUR COLLEAGUES CAN FINISH UP WITH THEIR COMMENTS ON THEIR SUPPORT OF THE ALAMO PLAN, BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE WORKED A LONG TIME TO GET TO THIS POINT.
SO, AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THE REASONS STATED AND THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO END OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE, AND HECTOR'S VERY CLEAR COMMENTARY ABOUT THAT, I WOULD RECOMMEND MY COLLEAGUES, AS IS MY POSITION ON THE AMENDMENT, THAT WE REJECT THE AMENDMENT AT THIS TIME.
SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR AN AMENDMENT AS READ BY COUNCILMAN PERRY.
NOW WE WILL MOVE BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION WHICH, AGAIN, IS THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE GLO.
AND WE WILL RESUME WITH COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
WE ARE BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION AND THAT'S APPROVAL OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US? RIGHT? OKAY.
SO, YEAH, I HAVE BEEN SPENDING SOME TIME THIS MORNING GOING THROUGH THE MANY AMENDMENTS AND LEASES SO FAR.
SHERYL, I HOPE YOU CAN ANSWER.
HOW MUCH MONEY HAS THE CITY SPENT TO DATE WITH THE MULTIPLE PLANS? IT LOOKS LIKE THEY GO BACK TO 2014 WITH A DIFFERENT GROUP OF FOLKS.
AND I'VE GOT SOME PRINTOUTS HERE BEFORE ME THAT I SUSPECT WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE.
IT TALKS ABOUT THE -- WELL, I HAVE IT RIGHT HERE.
THIS WAS DONE BY FISHER HECK ARCHITECTS DATED JUNE 2017.
SO, COUNCILWOMAN, THE CITY HAS NOT PAID FOR THOSE DESIGNS.
THOSE WERE CONTRACTS THAT WERE ENTERED INTO BY THE GLO AFTER THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SELECTED THE MASTER PLAN TEAM AS WELL AS THE INTERPRETIVE DESIGN TEAM.
SO OF THE $38 MILLION THAT THE VOTERS AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAVE COMMITTED TO
[06:30:05]
THIS WAS DONE BY FISHER HECK ARCHITECTS DATED JUNE 2017.>> YES, SO COUNCILWOMAN, THE CITY HAS NOT PAID FOR THOSE DESIGNS.
THOSE WERE CONTRACTS THAT WERE ENTERED INTO BY THE GLO AFTER THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SELECTED THE MASTER PLAN TEAM AS WELL AS THE INTERPRETIVE DESIGN TEAM.
SO OF THE 38 MILLION THAT THE VOTERS AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAVE COMMITTED TO THE PROJECT, WE HAVE NOT PAID OR USED THAT MONEY YET.
SO THE EXPENSES TO DATE ARE JUST THE STAFF TIME THAT HAS BEEN INVESTED IN DEVELOPING THE PLANS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GLO AS WELL AS THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT.
>> GONZALES: AND SO SOFT COSTS WILL BE DETERMINED AFTER THIS VOTE HAS OCCURRED SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEM TO GIVING THEIR TIME.
AND IT WAS PRESENTED IN AUDIO] A NUMBER OF ITERATIONS OF THE PLAN AND THERE WAS SOME DIALOGUE THAT, YOU KNOW, GREAT COMPROMISES WERE MADE LAPS AND MOST OF THE ITEMS WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT FROM THE BEGINNING ARE THE SAME THAT WERE PRESENTED TODAY.
VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE IN TERMS OF COMPROMISE, VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE, I BELIEVE, IN SOME OF THE CITY'S REQUESTS.
I KNOW I FELT VERY STRONGLY THAT I ALSO HAD SOME NON-GAUCHE NON-NEGOTIATEABLES THAT WAS REMOVING OF THE PLAZA, WANTING TO HAVE THE WHOLE STORY TOLD.
THOSE WERE NONNEGOTIABLEABLES IN MY BOOK.
THERE IS AT LEAST NOW SOME DECISION TO SAVE THE BUILDINGS.
YOU KNOW, I FEEL VERY QUESTIONABLE WHEN IT COMES BEFORE US THAT SOME THINGS ARE STILL TO BE DETERMINED.
I JUST KNOW THAT FROM MOST EXPERIENCE, IF AN ENTITY INTENDS TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THEY HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO WITH THOSE SPACES, THAT IT'S NOT ALL UP FOR INTERPRETATION, BUT WE CAN ONLY GO WITH WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED BEFORE US AND WHAT'S BEEN TOLD ON US BY OUR PARTNERS, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY WILL MAKE A GOOD-FAITH EFFORT TO PRESERVE THE BUILDINGS TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR USES WILL BE, THAT THERE WILL BE A GOOD-FAITH EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRAMMING IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL PARTS OF THE STORY AND THAT THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE LEASE, WHICH I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR.
I KNOW THAT I WAS AT THE -- AT JUST -- EARLIER THIS WEEK ATTEMPTING TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THE LEASE BECAUSE IT WAS OBVIOUS TO US, MANY OF US AT SOME POINT ALONG THE WAY, THAT THE MASTER PLAN WAS FAIRLY WELL ESTABLISHED, THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO MAKE ANY CHANGES, IT HAD TO BE IN THE LEASE.
HOWEVER, THE LEASE, ALTHOUGH MANY, MANY YEARS HAVE GONE INTO THIS EFFORT, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ONLY RECEIVED THE LEASE ON OCTOBER 4, AND THAT WE ONLY GOT A FULL BRIEFING BY THE COUNCIL BY THE TEAM A WEEK AGO ON THIS LAST B SESSION.
AND SO IT DOESN'T GIVE US THAT MUCH TIME TO CREATE ALTERNATIVES, AND I KNOW THAT I WORKED VERY DILIGENTLY WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MY REPRESENTATIVE, GEORGE CISNEROS, WHO WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE WE HAD SOME LEGAL DOCUMENTATION THAT WE NEEDED.
ALSO GOT SOME INFORMATION FROM OTHER ATTORNEYS WHO ADVISED ME ON THE LEASE.
ALSO FROM SOME OF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AND SOME PEOPLE IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY, BUT WE COULDN'T REALLY DO THAT UNTIL WE HAD THE LEASE.
AND SO I'M NOT SUGGESTING THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN RUSHED IN ANY WAY, BUT IT THEN DOESN'T GIVE US TIME TO MAKE THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE REALLY WANTED TO SEE.
AND AS WE WERE MAKING THE AMENDMENTS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT WERE NONNEGOTIABLES.
AND SO THAT'S NOT THE PARTNERSHIP THAT I LIKE TO GO INTO WHEN RIGHT AWAY THEY TELL YOU THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.
USUALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A PARTNERSHIP THERE IS THIS DESIRE TO SEE BOTH SIDES HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY THINGS IN THE PLAN THAT I DO LIKE, AND THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WE ALL FEEL
[06:35:01]
THAT THE ALAMO IS A PLACE OF REVERENCE, THAT WE ALL FEEL THAT THE CHURCH AND THE LONG BARRACKS NEED TO BE RESTORED.I THINK THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS WHY WE MIGHT WANT TO CLOSE THE STREETS AND MAKE THAT SPACE AVAILABLE FOR PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY.
I CAN SEE THE DESIRE FOR A SINGLE ENTRANCE.
I CAN SEE THE DESIRE FOR A MUSEUM EXPERIENCE, ALTHOUGH I DID THINK IT WAS INTERESTING AS I WAS AGAIN ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ALAMO, THAT IT IS THE MOST VISITED SITE IN ALL OF TEXAS, EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS, THE MOST VISITED SITE IN ALL OF TEXAS.
AND IT'S THE WAY THAT IT IS -- I ASKED ALSO ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OTHER AREAS, AND WHILE PEOPLE DO FEEL DISAPPOINTED WHEN THEY COME TO THE SITE, THEY SAY, OH, WOW, IT'S SO SMALL, I MEAN, THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE HEAR THE MOST, THEY JUST WANT TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME AND THEY MOVE ON, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE A VERY UNREALISTIC IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT SPACE, AND WE HOPE THAT THE REST OF THE STORY WILL BE TOLD AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PLAN, BUT I WAS AT CITY HALL SOME YEARS AGO AND APPROACHED BY A TOURIST, AND HE SAID, WHERE IS THE SPANISH GOVERNOR'S PALACE? AND I SAID, THIS IS THE SPANISH GOVERNOR'S PALACE.
AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID, NO, NO, NO, THE PALACE.
WE WALKED -- I SAID, THIS IS THE PALACE.
HE SAID, WELL, I WAS EXPECTING A PALACE.
JUST LIKE THE ALAMO ISN'T THE ONE BATTLE, THE ALAMO IS ACTUALLY AN EXPERIENCE AND IT ACTUALLY HAS EVOLVED OVER MANY YEARS AND IT'S A PUBLIC SPACE AND IT'S GROWN UP AS AN URBAN SPACE, AND THERE ARE MANY AREAS AROUND IT THAT HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND THAT WE WANT TO RESTORE, AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS IN THE PLAN THAT I -- SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I DO WANT TO SUPPORT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT DECISION BECAUSE WHILE I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PLANS, I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT OUR PARTNERS AND THEIR REALLY DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER, EVEN GIVEN THE COMMENTS MADE EARLIER BY THE GENTLEMAN WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO APPROVE THIS THE WAY IT IS, ONE DOESN'T LIKE TO BE FORCED TO APPROVE -- WE WANT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS, AND WE WERE ONLY GIVEN A WEEK TO MAKE THOSE AMENDMENTS.
AND WHILE I'M VERY PROUD OF MY STAFF AND MY NUMEROUS PH.D.S AND MSWS I HEAR EVERYBODY BRAG ABOUT, I DON'T HAVE ANY LAWYERS, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE BUT TO CONSULT OTHERS, AND OF COURSE CONSULT IN-HOUSE WITH OUR OWN LAWYERS ABOUT WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS WE CAN MAKE AND WE WERE ONLY TOLD YESTERDAY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHETHER OR NOT THOSE AMENDMENTS WERE ACCEPTED.
AND SO THEN VERY LITTLE TIME TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD APPROVE THE PLAN THAT'S BEFORE US TODAY AND WHY I HAVE BEEN CONFLICTED ALL DAY AS WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS.
AND I DO -- I WAS LISTENING TO EVERYBODY'S COMMENTS TODAY ABOUT THE STORIES AT THE ALAMO, AND I MENTIONED THIS THE LAST TIME, BUT I FEEL WHEN WE VOTED ON THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES A YEAR-PLUS TIME AGO, AND SO I FEEL IT IMPORTANT TO QUOTE AGAIN A VERY SHORT STORY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ALAMO, AND THAT IS THE FIGHT FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE STARTED UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF BERNARDO GUTIERREZ DE LAURA IN SAN ANTONIO, WHERE A SHORT-LIVED DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS DECLARED ON APRIL 6, 1813.
THIS WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE BATTLE OF MEDINA, THE LARGEST BATTLE EVER FOUGHT ON TEXAS SOIL, JUST 20 MILES SOUTH OF SAN ANTONIO AND ATASCOSA COUNTY WHERE ALMOST A THOUSAND TEJANOS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS DIED AT THE HANDS OF THE ROYALIST ARMY THAT INCLUDED ANTONIO LOPEZ DID HE SANTA ANA.
IT WAS THIS BATTLE THAT SANTA ANA REMEMBERED WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE ALAMO IN 1836.
THIS IS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE WONDER ABOUT PUBLIC STATEMENTS ABOUT THE ALAMO OFTEN INVOKE THE NAMES OF TRAVIS, BUOY AND CROCKETT.
THERE IS SELDOM MENTION OF THE SIX TEJANO ALAMO HOARPS WHO WERE BORN IN TEXAS, JUAN BA RI A, CARLOS, GREGORIO ESPARZA, AND [INDISCERNIBLE] [INDISCERNIBLE].
THESE WERE PART OF THE ARMY WHO FOUGHT VALIANTLY AND SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE.
WHEN HE FORMED THE COMPANIES SEGUIN IS REPORTED TO HAVE DECLARED TEXAS SHALL BE FREE AND MANY OF THESE STORIES MUST BE TOLD AND NOT
[06:40:02]
FORGOTTEN, AND WE HOPE TO DO THAT IN THE MUSEUM, AND THEREFORE IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT AN AMENDMENT BE MADE THAT INCLUDES THAT THOSE STORIES WILL BE TOLD.IT'S PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND ALSO A PART OF -- TO CONTINUE WITH THE COMMISSION IS NOW IN THE LEASE AGREEMENT AS WELL.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO JUAN SEGUIN.
HE WAS FORCED TO FLEE TO MEXICO BECAUSE HE WAS TREATED SO BADLY BY THE PEOPLE WHO THEN TOOK OVER THE ALAMO, AND IT CAUSED JUAN AND NAVARRO TO TELL THE TRUE STORIES IN HIS MEMOIRS WHEN HE WROTE, I AM DOING SO, WRITING MEMOIRS, THAT OUR AMERICAN PUBLIC MAY UNDERSTAND HOW UNWORTHY ARE SOME AMONG OURSELVES WHO WITH CRAFTY AND UNGRATEFUL SCHEMES TEAK TO EXPEL THE LAWFUL OWNERS AND DESCENDANTS FROM THIS CLASSIC SOIL, ATTACKING THOSE FOR WHO A HALF CENTURY HAVE SHED THEIR BLOOD IN DEFENSE OF THE LIBERTY WHICH WE NOW ENJOY.
AND SO WE CANNOT TELL THE TRUE STORY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE ALAMO WITHOUT PRESERVING THE SITE WITH THE WOL WORTH LUNCH COUNTER WAS [INDISCERNIBLE] AFTER YEARS OF SE SEGREGATION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED SO MANY TIMES HERE BEFORE US TODAY AS I HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND THE MAYOR THAT WE DO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP AND THAT WE EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
MANY OF US WILL NOT BE HERE ON THE DAIS WHEN MANY OF THESE THINGS COME TO FRUITION, AND SO WE EXPECT THAT THE LEGACY WILL CONTINUE WITH THE LEASE THAT WE HAVE AND THOSE THAT PROCEED US HERE ON THIS COUNCIL.
WE DON'T WANT THE JOHN WAYNE VERSION OF THE ALAMO TO CONTINUE, AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS BY HAVING A MUSEUM THAT TELLS THE WHOLE STORY THAT WE DO SEE HERE IN THE LEASE.
SO THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR ALLOWING ME TO GIVE MY LONG-WINDED REMARKS ABOUT THE ALAMO, AND THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
LORI, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
WE ARE -- CAN YOU WALK OVER -- I THINK THERE'S 300 MILLION LEFT TO FUND.
IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT? OR IS THAT THE FUNDED PORTION SO FAR?
>> NO, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS $38 MILLION APPROPRIATED FOR THIS PROJECT.
THE STATE OF TEXAS HAVE 106 MILLION, AND THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT IS COMMITTED TO RAISING $200 MILLION OR MORE TO COMPLETE THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT.
>> PELAEZ: HAS THAT -- WHERE ARE WE ON THAT PORTION OF IT?
>> THE 200 MILLION, THEY HAVE NOT STARTED THEIR CAMPAIGN.
THEY'RE WAITING TO -- FOR THE LEASE AGREEMENT TO BE CONSIDERED.
AND THEY CAN START THEIR CAMPAIGN.
>> PELAEZ: AFTER THE LEASE IS EXECUTED, IS THERE A DEADLINE OR SOME KIND OF MILESTONE EXPECTATION THAT THEY HIT?
>> I'M GOING TO REFER TO DOUG MCDONALD TO SPEAK TO THAT, WHO'S THE CEO OF THE ALAMO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
HAVING BEEN A MUSEUM PROFESSIONAL FOR 30 YEARS, DONE LOTS OF PROJECTS AND RAISED LOTS OF MONEY, THIS IS ONE PROJECT WHERE THE REALLY INSPIRATIONAL PROJECT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM RAISING MONEY, AND SO WHILE I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION AND IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO THAT, I THINK THE LEAST OF OUR CONCERNS IS WHETHER OR NOT THIS ENDOWMENT BOARD WILL BE ABLE TO RAISE THIS MONEY.
THIS IS A MARVELOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF YOU.
THE LEASE SECTION 7.03 TALKS ABOUT COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION BY JULY 1, 2021.
CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MEANS? IN OTHER WORDS, IS THAT ONCE DEMOLISHING OF A BUILDING STARTS OR IS THAT ACTUALLY GOING VERTICAL OR A CLEAN SLATE?
>> I BELIEVE THAT'S SPEAKING TO WHEN THE LEASE COMMENCES, ACTUALLY WHEN PARCEL A AND PARCEL B WILL TAKE EFFECT.
AND SO JULY -- JULY 1, 2021, THAT IS THE -- WE ANTICIPATE THE SOUTH ALAMO STREETS PROJECT TO BE COMPLETE, IN 2021.
WE DO NOT WANT TO CLOSE THE STREET UNTIL THAT PROJECT IS COMPLETE.
>> COUNCILMAN, IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, IS THERE A PROVISION IN THE LEASE,IST UNDER 703, WHICH OBLIGATES THE GLO TO START CONSTRUCTION BY JAN JANUARY 12022, AND IF THEY DON'T -- 2022 THEY NEED TO GIVE US A PLAN AS TO WHEN THEY WOULD START CONSTRUCTION AND THEN ABSOLUTE DROP-DEAD DATE OF
[06:45:01]
SEPTEMBER 1, 2022, WHICH IF THEY DON'T START CONSTRUCTION THE CITY HAS THE ABILITY TO TERMINATE THE LEASE.THE -- YOU KNOW, MY KIDS, MAX AND SOPHIA, I TALK ABOUT THEM OFTEN, WE -- WE TALK ABOUT THE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE 11 AND THEY'RE 12 AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE NUANCES AND SO I HAVE TO GO HOME AND EXPLAIN TO THEM, YOU KNOW, WHY WE DID THIS AND WHY WE SAID THAT.
BUT TODAY I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO HOME AND EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT IT MEANS WHEN I SAY SOMETHING I READ RECENTLY, WHICH IS GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY, BUT GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT GROWING UP ISN'T EASY, RIGHT? AND WE HAVE NOW BECOME A GROWN-UP CITY, AND WE ARE NOT THE SAN ANTONIO OF 19 WHENEVER, WHEN THE CENOTAPH WAS PUT UP.
WE ARE NOT THE SAN ANTONIO OF 20 YEARS AGO.
WE'RE NOT THE SAN ANTONIO OF FIVE YEARS AGO.
WE'RE A CITY THAT'S GROWING EXPONENTIALLY.
NUMBER OF TOURISTS THAT VISIT US EVERY DAY INCREASES BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS, AND YET EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE -- EVERY SINGLE TIME I TAKE SOMEBODY FROM SAN ANTONIO WHO'S NEW TO SAN ANTONIO, WHO JUST MOVED HERE, TO GO SEE THE ALAMO FOR THE FIRST TIME OR WHENEVER I GET A VISITOR AND WE GO TO SEE THE ALAMO THE FIRST TIME, I'VE NEVER HAD THE EXPERIENCE WHERE ONE OF THEM TURNS TO ME AND SAYS, WOW! WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING I'M GETTING RIGHT NOW.
ALMOST ALL OF THEM TURN TO ME AND SAY, MAN, THAT'S REALLY KIND OF UNDERWHELMING, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THE MYTH OF THE ALAMO IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN WHAT THAT PLAZA MAKES THEM FEEL, RIGHT? AND SO HERE'S SOME -- HERE'S A WORD THAT MY KIDS AND I ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.
A WORD HARDLY ANYBODY LISTENS TO BUT IT'S A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
SO WHEN THEY SEE A REALLY SIMPLE PROBLEM TO SOLVE THEY COME UP WITH A SIMPLE OPTIMUM SOLUTION, BUT WHEN THERE'S A DIFFICULT PROBLEM WHICH IS MORE REALISTIC IN THE REAL WORLD, THEN THE SOLUTIONS ARE MORE IMPERFECT, AND SO THEY'VE GOT TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM WHO AGREES -- OR WHO'S GOING TO DISAGREE WITH THIS ONE.
THE ALAMO AND THE STORY OF THE ALAMO MERIT REVERENCE.
I THINK EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AGREES WITH THAT.
THIS SIDE OVER HERE, THE FAMILY OF THE GROOM AND THE FAMILY OF THE BRIDE OVER THERE.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK EVERYBODY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AGREE TO THAT.
I ALSO THINK MOST PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE BEING HONEST WITH THEMSELVES WILL ADMIT THAT THE CURRENT ALAMO EXPERIENCE IS UNDERWHELMING AND THAT THE PLAZA IS FULL OF SOME REALLY DISAPPOINTING DISTRACTIONS AND THAT THOSE DISTRACTIONS AND THAT FEELING OF BEING UNDERWHELMED RUINS THE EXPERIENCE FOR A LOT OF VISITORS.
IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THAT I'M NOT SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE VISITING THE SAME ALAMO THAT A LOT OF US ARE.
SO I CAN TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF -- I MEAN, JUST HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF HOURS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS, THE LONG DEBATES, THE DIFFERENT ITERATIONS OF THE PLANS, THE REALLY STRONG EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERNS AND ANXIETIES THAT WE KEEP GETTING AT ALL THESE MEETINGS.
THAT'S EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH SIMPLE PROBLEMS, AND THAT WHAT WE'VE GOT IS A VERY COMPLEX PROBLEM, AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WITH THAT DEFINITION OF SATISFICE, THE ONLY WAY THROUGH IT IS WITH SOME IMPERFECT SOLUTIONS.
AND SO COUNCILMAN TREVINO, YOU'RE GOING TO GET MY SUPPORT AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE ALL BEING HONEST WITH EACH OTHER, AND I THINK YOU AND I BOTH AGREE ON THIS, IT'S NOT A PERFECT PLAN.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S -- I DON'T THINK THE CITY COUNCIL OR ANY CITY COUNCIL BEFORE US OR ANY CITY COUNCIL AFTER US IS EVER GOING TO DEVELOP A PERFECT PLAN.
I DON'T THINK PERFECT PLANS EXIST IN THIS WORLD.
HOWEVER, IF PERFECTION AND IF AGREEMENT AND MAKING EVERYBODY HAPPY IS THE GOAL, WELL, THEN WE'RE GOING TO FAIL EVERY SINGLE TIME.
THANKFULLY THAT'S NOT THE GOAL.
AND THE GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO DEBATE, AND THE GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO COMPROMISE.
AND SO MAX AND SOPHIA TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD COMPROMISE, AND IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE WORDS, CON, RIGHT, WHICH IS TOGETHER, AND PROMISE -- AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW PROMISE ISN'T WHAT YOU THINK IT IS.
IT MEANS AN AGREEMENT TO MOVE FORWARD, AN AGREEMENT TO COME TOGETHER AND MOVE FORWARD.
IT DOESN'T MEAN MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY.
IT DOESN'T MEAN ACCOMPLISH PERFECTION.
IT DOESN'T MEAN MAKE NO MISTAKES.
WHAT IT MEANS IS WE PROMISE TO EACH OTHER THAT WE'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN, WE'RE GOING TO TALK, WE'RE GOING TO LISTEN, WE'RE GOING TO DISAGREE TO DISAGREE SOMETIMES -- AGREE TO DISAGREE SOMETIMES BUT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE SITUATION.
SO AS FAR AS I CAN SEE THIS PROCESS, THE ENTIRE PROCESS, THE HUNDREDS OF MEETING HOURS AND THE HOURS OF MEETINGS AND THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INVOLVED, I THINK
[06:50:02]
WE'VE FULFILLED THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALL OF US TO COMPROMISE AND GET TOGETHER.I THINK THAT WE'VE TALKED, I THINK THAT WE'VE DISAGREED, AND I THINK WE'VE BEEN FAITHFUL TO THAT.
EVERYBODY UP ON THIS DAIS LIKES TO THANK PEOPLE, SO I'LL ECHO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE THANKS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID.
I WON'T GO THROUGH THE LITANY OF FOLKS FOR WHOM I FEEL A LOT OF APPRECIATION.
HOWEVER, I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING THAT I THINK NONE OF YOU EXPECTED ME TO DO.
I'M GOING TO EXTEND MY THANKS TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO COME UP HERE EVERY WEDNESDAY AT CITIZENS TO BE HEARD AND THAT SOME OF -- AT SOME OF THESE OTHER MEETINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO SIT THROUGH, THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO COME AND YELL AT US, WHO DISAGREE VEHEMENTLY WITH THIS PLAN.
YOU KNOW, YOU MADE ME ASK QUESTIONS.
YOU MADE ALL OF US ASK QUESTIONS.
YOU MADE US DOUBT OURSELVES SOMETIMES.
I KNOW YOU FEEL LIKE WE WEREN'T LISTENING TO YOU THIS ENTIRE TIME.
I PROMISE YOU WE HAVE LOTS OF MEETINGS ABOUT THE THINGS YOU SAY TO US, AND WE AGONIZE OVER SOME OF THESE DECISIONS, RIGHT? AND YOU MADE ME DOUBT MYSELF AND YOU MADE ME GO DO RESEARCH AND YOU MADE ME REALLY TAKE A DOUBLE -- A DOUBLE TAKE ON SOME OF THESE THINGS AND TRUST BUT VERIFY IN MANY INSTANCES, RIGHT? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, GUYS.
LORI, THERE IS A -- THERE IS A TINY MINORITY OF PEOPLE WHO CONCERN ME RIGHT NOW, AND THOSE ARE THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE DISPLACED BY THIS PLAN, RIGHT? OUR FRIENDS AT RIPLEY'S AND THE T-SHIRT VENDOR AND ALL THOSE OTHER FOLKS.
I'VE BEEN HEARING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WOW, THOSE PEOPLE DISRESPECT THE TRADITIONS AND THOSE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, DON'T HONOR THE ALAMO.
I REJECT THAT WITH EVERY ATOM IN MY BODY.
THEY'VE MADE LOTS OF SACRIFICES, THEY'VE INVESTED IN THOSE BUSINESSES.
BECAUSE OF THEM MILLIONS OF VISITORS IN SAN ANTONIO -- AND SAN ANTONIANS HAVE GOOD MEMORIES OF SAN ANTONIO.
THOSE PEOPLE'S EFFORTS, THESE BUSINESSES, THEIR EFFORTS MAKE THE SAN ANTONIO EXPERIENCE FANTASTIC, AND SO ANYBODY WHO THROWS THOSE FOLKS UNDER THE BUS, YOU'RE -- THEM'S IS FIGHTING WORDS.
AND SO IF ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE HERE TODAY I ASSURE YOU THAT I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU, AND SO LORI, I'M GOING TO NEED YOUR COMMITMENT ON THIS ONE, WE CAN'T LET THOSE PEOPLE FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.
AND AFTER THIS PLAN, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT THOSE FOLKS FORGOTTEN.
AND SO THEY'VE GOT MY COMMITMENT THAT I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO REMIND LORI THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE PART OF THE EQUATION OF MAKING DOWNTOWN SUCCEED.
LASTLY, I'LL TELL YOU THAT I SOMETIMES SIT DOWN AND I READ THE EMAILS THAT PEOPLE SEND ME, AND I THINK ALL OF YOU HAVE GOTTEN THEM, AND THAT IS, YOU KNOW, WITH QUOTE -- LIKE WEIRD, YOU KNOW, SUGGESTIONS THAT, WELL, TRAVIS WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY UPSET WITH YOU.
HE WOULD TELL YOU, DON'T MOVE THE CENOTAPH OR, YOU KNOW, BONHAM WOULD TELL YOU THIS OR CROCKETT WOULD DEFINITELY WANT YOU TO LEAVE THE STREET OPEN, AND I REJECT THAT TOO.
I THINK IT CHEAPENS THE SACRIFICE THOSE GUYS MADE AND I THINK THAT IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY THEY WOULD PROBABLY TELL YOU, HEY, DIAL IT DOWN A NOTCH, YOU KNOW? PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE REASON I DIED WASN'T FOR A STREET OR AN ICON OR A STONE MONUMENT.
IT WAS FOR LIBERTY AND FOR FREEDOM, AND SO INSTEAD OF SPENDING SO MUCH ENERGY FIGHTING ABOUT AND YELLING AT EACH OTHER ABOUT THOSE THINGS, HOW ABOUT YOU GUYS EXERCISE THAT FREEDOM AND THAT LIBERTY BY GOING AND HELPING YOUR NEIGHBORS, VOLUNTEERING, JOIN THE MILITARY, GO SERVE AT THE FOOD BANK.
AND SO I -- I DO TRY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THOSE GUYS WOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS.
I HAVE A FEELING THAT SOMETIMES THEY WOULD JUST THINK THAT ALL OF THIS CIRCUS IS UNDIGNIFIED, BUT THIS CIRCUS IS WHAT WE ALL SIGNED UP FOR, AND I THINK THAT THE CIRCUS IS -- WE'VE DELIVERED ON THE PROMISE OF LISTENING AND TALKING, AND I'VE TALKED A LOT.
AND SO I'LL BE -- I'LL BE -- I'LL BE FINISHED AND I'LL TELL YOU THAT, MAYOR, ONE DAY JONAH AND MAX AND SOPHIA ARE GOING TO BE AT THE ALAMO WITH THEIR KIDS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, YOU KNOW, YOUR DAD AND MY DAD AND SOON TO BE MR. SALDAÑA'S BABY WILL BE THERE TOO AND THEY'LL SAY OUR DADS SAT DOWN, THEY LISTENED, THEY TALKED, THEY DISAGREED, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY VOTED AND THEY GIFTED YOU THIS BEAUTIFUL PLAZA AND THAT FEELING THAT YOU'RE FEELING RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, THAT THING IN YOUR HEART AND THE GOOSE BUMPS ON YOUR SKIN, THAT'S CALLED AWE, AND IT'S CALLED AWE FOR THE SACRIFICE THAT MEN AND WOMEN MADE FOR SOMETHING CALLED FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, AND NEVER FORGET, ALWAYS REMEMBER, AND YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR KIDS HERE TO FEEL THAT SAME FEELING.
THAT'S WHAT THOSE FELLOWS AND THOSE WOMEN AND THOSE CHILDREN DIED FOR.
YOU GET MY SUPPORT, MR. TREVINO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
[06:55:04]
MAYOR.SO I THINK I'LL JUST LIST POINT BY POINT THE CORE OF WHAT I BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS AND TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS AS QUICK AS I CAN.
IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY FOR EVERYONE.
I'M THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO'S STICKING IT OUT WITH US BUT THIS IS THE CORE OF WHAT I BELIEVE, THAT THIS BELONGS TO ALL OF US AND AT THE END OF THE DAY NO ONE PART OF THIS IS GREATER THAN THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE BEING THE SHRINE AND WHAT THE ALAMO MEANS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS.
IT DOES BELONG TO TEXAS AND THAT'S WHAT MY VOTE IS GOING TO REFLECT TODAY.
IT'S GOING TO REFLECT THAT WE ARE BEST WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER IN THIS CASE WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND OUR ABILITY TO PUT A GENERAL LEADERSHIP VOTE DOWN IN SPITE OF PARTS NOT WORKING FOR EACH ONE OF US AND THAT MEANS ACKNOWLEDGING MY COLLEAGUES IN DISTRICT 9 AND 10, WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK THIS PARTICULAR VOTE, RIGHT, THE OVERALL MOTION, WE CANNOT AND WE SHOULD NOT MISS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT JUST IN MONEY BUT IN THE MOMENT TO REALLY BUILD AND DO SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE UNHEARD OF AND UNBELIEVABLE IN THE FUTURE.
AND I LITERALLY, WHEN I'M THINKING ABOUT THE PROJECT, I JUST THINK ABOUT, MAN, WHAT IS THIS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, NOT THE PICTURES THAT ARE IN THE BINDER THAT COUNCILMAN TREVINO AND THE DESIGN TEAM AND EVERYBODY WORKED ON, BUT WHAT IT'S GOING TO MEAN TO STEP FOOT IN THE PLAZA AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO MEAN TO PUT MY STAMP, MY VOTE ON SOMETHING WHICH I CONSIDER, AND I'LL BE FRANK WITH YOU, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE I'LL MAKE THIS TERM, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO OUTLIVE ME, IT'S GOING TO OUTLIVE ALL OF US, IT'S GOING TO BE EVERYTHING THAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT SAN ANTONIO BUT MOST OF ALL THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WE'VE SEEN THAT COME UP, WHICHEVER SIDE YOU'RE ON.
NOTICE THAT THE ONE THING THAT WE ALL AGREED ON WAS THAT WE ALL LOVE TEXAS IN ONE WAY, SHAPE, FORM OR ANOTHER.
WE JUST DISAGREE ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE AND DO THIS.
BUT I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, AS A LEADER OF MY LITTLE SMALL PORTION OF SAN ANTONIO, GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOSE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FINANCING FOR A LITTLE AMOUNT OF HUMILITY, AND THE LITTLE AMOUNT OF HUMILITY IS TO RECOGNIZE I CAN'T HAVE EVERYONE I WANT IN THE PROCESS, BUT I CAN GIVE ENOUGH TO WHERE WE COME TOGETHER AND WE PUT DOWN A VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS.
SO IT'S NOT THAT I'M FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE CENOTAPH, AND I'M SAD THAT THOSE FOLKS LEFT BECAUSE I'D REITERATE TO THEM AGAIN, THAT THING COULD VERY WELL BE PARKED OFF OF MARKET STREET OR IN A WAREHOUSE SOMEWHERE, BUT THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS WHAT KEPT IT IN THE PLAZA.
I MEAN, THAT IS CITY HALL AT WORK.
SO I SIT UP HERE AND I'M ON THE SHORT SIDE OF TWO TO NINE -- 2-9 VOTES EVERY DAY, EVERY WEEK WE COME UP HERE BUT I MOVE THE DISCUSSION BECAUSE I ENGAGE IT.
JUST BECAUSE THE SCOREBOARD DOESN'T SHOW YOU WERE VICTORIOUS DOESN'T MEAN YOU DIDN'T MOVE OR MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE PROCESS.
SO THE FOLKS THAT CAME UP HERE, AND COUNCILMAN PELAEZ IS EXACTLY RIGHT, THEY ENGAGED IN IT AND I WISHED THEY STUCK IT OUT TILL THE END, I WISH T THEY WERE STILL HERE TO REALIZE THEY KEPT IT ON THE PLAZA, BUT I CANNOT SACRIFICE AN ENTIRE OPPORTUNITY AND TEAR DOWN A CONTRACT, THIS DEAL WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE, OUR MASTER PLAN, OVER MY PERSONAL GOALS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? COUNCILMAN PERRY, YOU LISTED THE DISTRICT 6 COUNT.
YOU'RE RIGHT, I SPEAK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT I SPOKE TO JUST AS MANY THAT SAID, GREG, GO DOWN THERE AND MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT BRING THE HIGHEST AND BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR US AND DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THAT.
AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF MY VOTE IS TO SUPPORT SOMETHING AND EMBRACE EVERYTHING THAT THE ALAMO IS ABOUT.
AND I'M GOING TO HONOR THAT WITH MY VOTE TODAY, AND I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS PROJECT.
COUNCILMAN TREVINO, YOU KNOW, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS THING WE WEREN'T ALWAYS SEEING EYE TO EYE ON IT AND OVER THE COURSE OF TIME WE'VE HAD THE CONVERSATIONS AND YOU, LIKE I SAID EARLIER THIS MORNING ON A UTSA VOTE YOU REALLY WORKED HARD TO EARN MY VOTE AND I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.
YOU CAME TO MY DISTRICT AND TALKED FOR ME AND WE SAT THERE AND TALKED OVER THINGS WE COULD DO BETTER AND IT ALWAYS CAME BACK TO LET'S NOT MESS UP AN OPPORTUNITY AND LET'S SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP ON A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE.
IT ISN'T OPPORTUNISTIC, IT'S TEXAS AND WE CAN HONOR THAT TODAY AND PUSH FORWARD AND SHOW AUSTIN AND THE STATE WHAT IT MEANS TO CREATE A WORLD RENOWNED, A DESTINATION, AND WE TALK ABOUT ACCESS, TO COUNCILMAN PERRY'S POINT, I WANT TO PUSH THEM TO WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.
IF WE DON'T WORK THOSE ANGLES, IF WE DON'T PUT THEM IN FRONT OF THE OPPORTUNITY, THEY'RE GOING TO MISS THE LUNCH COUNTER.
THEY'RE GOING TO MISS INDIGENOUS LOCATIONS.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT BECAUSE THEY'LL BE IN AWE OF A SHRINE.
I'M OKAY WITH LIMITING SOME ACCESS TO GET THEM WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD ABOUT THE ALAMO AND OUR COMMUNITY.
IF SOMEONE IS COMING IN FROM SWEDEN OR WHEREVER THEY'RE VISITING US, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT IT WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT, THE INDIGENOUS PERSONS AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE BEFORE, THE TEJANOS, THE DEFENDERS, ALL OF THEM, THEY ALL GET THEIR STORY TOLD AND THE ONLY WAY WE GET THAT IS WITH THIS MONEY, AND WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WE PUT THAT CASH TO WORK IN TELLING OUR STORY.
IT IS CORE TO ME THAT THE BATTLE REMAIN A MAIN PIECE OF THIS CONVERSATION, AND, YOU KNOW, THE ALAMO TEAM IS HERE AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE, LORI, THAT WE REMEMBER THAT THAT 1836 1836 BALLOTS IS THE
[07:00:02]
FOREFRONT OF WHAT IT MEANS BUT EVERY OTHER STORY IS THE STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD AND THAT'S WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT TOO, WE GET INTO -- PHIL COLLINS' COLLECTION, YEAH, THAT'S GREAT, BUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IS EVERY LITTLE PIECE OF SAN ANTONIO BE TOLD IN THAT.AND I'M OKAY WITH MAKING SURE WE GUIDE PEOPLE TO WHAT IS RIGHT AND BEST ABOUT SAN ANTONIO, BECAUSE ONLY WE CAN TELL THAT STORY, BECAUSE THIS IS US, I GREW UP HERE, THIS IS HOME, AND THIS VOTE WAS EARNED OVER MY 46 YEARS OF LIVING IN SAN ANTONIO, AND IT WILL BE THERE TO COUNCILMAN PERRY'S POINTS, FOR HIS CHILDREN, COWSM PELAEZ'S POINT -- COUNCILMAN PELAEZ'S POINT FOR HIS CHILDREN, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY, ESPECIALLY LEONARD RODRIGUEZ, MY APPOINT, TO THE COMMITTEE, HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY, LEONARD GAVE ME HIS BEST AND TO THE ALAMO ADVISORY COMMITTEE, COUNCILMAN TREVINO, MAYOR NIRENBERG, YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AS WELL, WHEN YOU SIGN THE DOCUMENT WITH COMMISSIONER BUSH YOU STEPPED FORWARD ON IT AND SAID WE CAN DO BETTER FOR TEXAS, DO BETTER FOR SAN ANTONIO.
AND I PROUDLY CAST MY VOTE IN HONOR OF THOSE DEFENDERS OF THE ALAMO AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'LL DO WITH THIS MONEY IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING GREAT THINGS IN THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE ALAMO AND TELLING OUR STORY SO EVERYBODY KNOWS SAN ANTONIO IS THE PLACE TO BE.
WITH THAT I'LL OBVIOUSLY BE IN SUPPORT WITH YOU, DOCTOR TREVINO, IN YOUR MOTION, AND HOPEFULLY THIS DEBATE WILL BE OVER SOON ENOUGH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COWSM BROCKHOUSE.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.
THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING.
I THINK WHEN SOME OF US FIRST CAME TO [INDISCERNIBLE] THE SIX NEW PEOPLE HERE THERE WAS STILL SOME DEBATE ON THE GLASS WALLS, I THINK YOU HAD JUST COME OFF DEBATE ON THE GLASS WALLS, SO WE'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN.
ON MARCH 6 IN FRONT OF THE ALAMO -- YOU KNOW, FOR THE REGULAR CEREMONY, RECOGNIZING -- RECOGNIZING THE EVENTS OF 1836 AND I MET A NUMBER OF STAFF FROM THE -- FROM THE LAND COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE THERE, AND SOMEONE WAS GIVING A SPEECH AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THE ALAMO BELONGED TO TEXAS AND IT DIDN'T BELONG TO SAN ANTONIO.
AND I WAS A LITTLE INDIGNANT ABOUT THAT.
BUT SINCE THEN I'VE -- I'VE LEARNED IT BELONGS TO ALL OF US, OR COME TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT DOES.
BUT I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY MY -- MY BIGGEST FEAR IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS IS AS MUCH AS THE ALAMO REPRESENTS THE BEGINNING OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS, IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE BEGINNING OF SAN ANTONIO, RIGHT, IN TERMS OF THE MISSIONS.
WITHOUT THE MISSIONS THERE WOULD BE NO SAN ANTONIO, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO JUST WALK AWAY FROM THAT, ESPECIALLY AS SOMEONE WHO'S GROWN UP HERE AND IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
I THINK THAT'S -- THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY HARD TO DO.
AND SO I DID NOT WANT US TO LOSE THE RECOGNITION OF SAN ANTONIO IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS OF ACKNOWLEDGING THE ALAMO.
WHAT I'M GLAD TO SEE IN THE PLAN TODAY, LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID, IT'S NOT PERFECT, BUT THE REASON I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE PLAN TODAY IS THAT IT TELLS A BROADER STORY.
IT BRINGS MORE ACCURACY TO SOME OF THE STORIES THAT WE KNOW.
I DON'T THINK JOHN WAYNE SHOULD HAVE THE MONOPOLY ON SAYING WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ALAMO, RIGHT? IT'S REALLY A LOT RICH EARN THAT.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPENED -- RICHER THAN THAT, THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE 1836 AND THINGS THAT HAPPENED SINCE 1836 THAT SHAPED SAN ANTONIO, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TELL THOSE STORIES TOO, AND THAT'S WHY I'M SUPPORTING THIS PLAN.
IT TELLS US STORIES BUT IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THE OTHER PEOPLES THAT WERE PART OF MAKING HISTORY HERE, NOT JUST AT THE ALAMO, BUT AROUND THE ALAMO.
SO THE INDIGENOUS -- INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, THE TEXANS, EVEN THE -- I WAS GOING TO SAY THE MEXIANS, THE CHANCE, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME, AND MS. MORAN, WHEN WE SPOKE IN YOUR KITCHEN I REMEMBER HOW HOSPITABLE YOU WERE, THANK YOU FOR ASKING ME IN AND WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT SAN ANTONIO TRADITIONS AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE OUR CULTURES REPRESENTED IN THEM, AND LEADERSHIP -- IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AMONG SOME OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS, AND I SEE THAT SAME SPIRIT REFLECTED IN THE PROPOSAL OF THE ALAMO.
AND UP UNTIL LAST WEEK I STILL HAD CONSTERNATION ABOUT THE -- THE LIMITS TO ENTRY AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A FENCE.
I'VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE A DIALOGUE ABOUT THOSE, AND I GUESS I'M -- PRETTY MUCH --
[07:05:02]
YOU HAVE MY VOTE, I'M PRETTY MUCH THERE, BUT I DO APPRECIATE YOU DISCUSSING THOSE WITH ME AND GETTING ME SOME OF THE ANSWERS THAT I NEEDED ON THAT.AND I DO WANT TO ECHO COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE'S COMMENTS AND COUNCILMAN PELAEZ'S COMMENTS.
SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE PEOPLE AREN'T LISTENING TO YOU, AND SOMETIMES I FEEL THAT WAY, WHEN PEOPLE DON'T DO EXACTLY WHAT I SAID I WANTED THEM TO DO, I'M LIKE, YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME! BUT THAT'S -- THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM NOT BEING HEARD, AND I THINK WE -- WE WERE HERE, WE LISTENED, AND IT MADE US ASK QUESTIONS.
IT MADE US DIG IN DEEPER AND PUSH FOR CERTAIN THINGS, AND IF THE PUBLIC HADN'T BEEN AS ENGAGED AS THEY WERE, I THINK THIS WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT PLAN.
IT WOULD BE WHAT WE SAW OVER A YEAR AGO WHEN WE CAME INTO -- INTO OFFICE.
SO EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T REFLECT EXACTLY WHAT EVERYONE WANTS, I DO -- I DO SEE IT AS -- AS THE COMPROMISE, AND IT HAS MOVED IN A BETTER DIRECTION, EVEN, THAN IT WAS BEFORE.
BECAUSE I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS MEANT TO MAKE OUR DECISIONS BETTER.
IT'S MEANT TO STRENGTHEN THE PRODUCTS THAT COME OUT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND BY YOUR WORDS THROUGHOUT THIS LONG PROCESS I THINK THAT'S WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE TEAM THAT -- THAT HAS PUT THIS PLAN TOGETHER, FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
AND LORI, THIS IS A HUGE DAY FOR YOU.
I IMAGINE YOU'RE GOING -- I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR EVENING.
CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOUR WORK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> AND HERE WE ARE, I WANT TO THANK OUR CRCC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS, SPECIFICALLY AUDIO] MARTINEZ, RAMON VASQUEZ, THANK YOU FOR THEIR DILIGENCE AND COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND ITS CITIZENS HAD A VOICE AND THEY -- I WAS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH MY REPRESENTATIVE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS, AND AFTER EVERY MEETING THAT YOU ALL HAD, SHE WAS ALWAYS TALKING TO ME.
SO I WAS ALWAYS IN COMMUNICATION: TO LORI, I NEED YOU TO STAND UP, PLEASE, AND TO SHERYL AND ANDY AND LIZ AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED, I HAVE TO THANK YOU -- LORI, DO YOU HAVE TO STAND UP -- I'M SORRY, JUST STAY RIGHT THERE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE THE ISSUES AND THE CONCERNS THAT I HAD LAST WEEK AT B SESSION ABOUT THE SECTION THAT TALKED ABOUT BY BEST EFFORTS, TO HAVE THAT CLARIFICATION OF INTENT WITH THE TEJANOS AND THE TEXIANS AND THE INDIGENOUS AND TO GO TO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES MENTIONED ABOUT HAVING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTENT WITH THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IN THERE FOR CLARIFICATION, THAT REALLY DID HELP WITH MY ASSURANCES THAT I NEEDED IN THIS LEASE AND MOVING FORWARD, SO THANK YOU, AND I HAVE TO THANK THE GLO BECAUSE THEY ALSO MOVED FORWARD WITH THESE.
SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THAT AND HAVING THOSE CLARIFICATIONS.
IN 1986 WHEN I WAS A VERY LITTLE GIRL, ALL OF MY FAMILY, MY DAD'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY, GATHERED AT THE HIGH HYATT REGENCY HOTEL ON LOSOYA STREET FOR THE UNVEILING OF THE SCULPTURE OF ONE OF MY ANCESTORS, JOSE LOSOYA.
THAT WAS ALL OF MY DAD'S PART OF THE FAMILY, WHO'S FROM LOSOYA, TEXAS.
MY TIA, MY COUSINS, THE PRIM OS PRIMOS TALKING TODAY, MY PRIMA WAS TALKING HERE.
SO IT WAS THEN THAT THE FAMILY GATHERED, AND WE KNEW IT WAS BIG, AND IT WAS THE ADOLPH COARSE COMPANY AND THEY COMMISSIONED THE BRONZE SCULPTURE BY WILLIAM EASLEY.
I REMEMBER EVEN MAYOR HENRY SCISNEROS WAS THERE, AND I REMEMBER JUST THE SENSE OF PRIDE THAT WE HAD BEING THERE, BECAUSE FINALLY, FINALLY AFTER ALL OF THESE STORIES AND THESE ORAL HISTORIES THAT WE WOULD SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER, TO -- WITHIN OUR CIRCLE, WE WERE GETTING THE RECOGNITION THAT WE FINALLY DESERVED AND KNEW.
IT WAS AN AFFIRMATION, WHAT WE NEEDED.
WE NEEDED THAT PROMINENCE, THAT STORY TOLD, AND WITH THIS SCULPTURE IT WAS HELPING GET RECOGNIZED AND BRINGING IT TO A PROMINENT ROLE, AND IT WAS ALL WRAPPED UP IN THAT BRONZE STATUE, AND EVERYONE GIVING VALIDITY
[07:10:01]
TO MY FAMILY STORY.AND ACTUALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BRONZE STATUE RIGHT NOW, IT STILL KIND OF LOOKS LIKE MY UNCLE RICHARD, EVEN AS TALL AS HIM, SO THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY.
YOU KNOW, THIS -- THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT ABOUT CAMPAIGNS.
IT IS ABOUT LEGACY AND IT IS ABOUT INCLUSION.
THERE WILL BE 24 ACCESS TO THE MISSION SAN ANTONIO DID HE VALERO, BUT -- DE VALERO BUT IT WILL BE CHANGED, FOR SURE, TO BE A FORMAL ENTRY POINT, A FORMAL ENTRY POINT NOT TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT BUT TO ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE.
IT WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE ARE USED TO, BUT WHAT WE WILL GET I BELIEVE IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH MORE, AND WHAT WE NEED TO GIVE THAT RESPECT TO OUR WORLD HERITAGE SITE THAT TELLS THE STORY OF THE AMERICAS AND THE HEMISPHERIC GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THIS AREA.
AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN TELL THE STORY IS TO BE BOLD IN OUR ACTIONS AND BE UNAFRAID, TO BEING COLLABORATIVE AND COORDINATED HERE.
I AM A NATIVE TEXAN, AND I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TELL THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STORY OF THE AMERICAS, NOT ONLY THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO BUT ALL OF OUR STORIES, THE INDIGENOUS, THE TEXIANS, BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT TIME THEY ARE TOLD.
AND IT IS ONE OF -- I WILL AGREE, THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT VOTES WE WILL ENTER INTO AT COUNCIL AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, AND IT IS ALSO NOT A MOMENT TO BE FEARFUL OF THE UNKNOWN.
I BELIEVE BY SAYING YES AND MOVING FORWARD WE HAVE RECEIVED MORE ASSURANCES I KNOW THAT I NEEDED.
BY VOTING YES WE ARE SAYING YES TO GIVING PROMINENCE AND SAYING THERE IS VALUE TO TELLING THOSE STORIES OF THE TEJANOS, THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY, AND GIVING IT A PLACE OF PROMINENCE WHERE IT'S NEVER BEEN BEFORE.
BY VOTING YES WE WILL BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL FOOTPRINT OF THE MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO.
BY VOTING YES WE WILL BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, AND THAT WAS MADE IN SAN ANTONIO.
A VOTE YES WILL ALSO HELP US ALLOW US TO RECLAIM OUR STORIES AND OUR SPACE.
A NO VOTE I BELIEVE WILL CONTINUE TO SILENCE THE STORIES OF THE TEJANOS AND THE INDIGENOUS, THE PEOPLE OF THE FRONTERA, THE WOMEN AND THE CHILDREN.
BY NOT EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO, I BELIEVE WE ARE DISHONORING AND DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE LEGACY, THOSE THAT CULTIVATED THE LAND, LIVED IN THE AREA, THAT FOUGHT ON THE FOOTPRINT THAT DIED, AND WE HAVE TO TELL THE STORIES OF EVERYONE THAT WAS THERE, ALL OF THEM -- ALL OF THOSE THAT WORKED SO HARD TO SAVE THE ALAMO, THE SHRINE, THE CHAPEL.
BY VOTING YES WE ARE CHANGING THE LAYOUT, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE WE ARE CHANGING IT FOR THE BETTER TO BE INCLUSIVE.
AND I BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE MORE LOCALS COMING DOWNTOWN BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO GIVE A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE, THAT THEY HAVE NEVER KNOWN, AND MISSION DE VALERO WILL STILL BE A GATHERING PLACE FOR ALL OF SAN ANTONIO, JUST LIKE SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL IS A GATHERING PLACE FOR ALL OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE WILL HAVE A LARGER, GRANDER, MORE PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING.
IS IT PERFECT? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I COULDN'T EVEN TELL WHAT YOU PERFECT WOULD LOOK LIKE HERE.
WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER, WE COLLABORATED, WE DEBATED, WE NEGOTIATED, AND NOW WE AS LEADERS NEED TO ACT AND INVEST.
THE VOTE IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME, AND I DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY, AND I HAVE BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS ALL ALONG.
THIS IS MY FAMILY YEAH AND MY CITY -- FAMILIA, CITY, WORLD HERITAGE, AND PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I PLAN TO STAY ENGAGED IN THE STORYTELLING OF THIS AREA AND IN THE MUSEUM, AND THE PROGRAMMING DOES NOT FORGET OR WASH AWAY ANYBODY'S STORIES.
AND FINALLY I HAVE TO SAY, BECAUSE AS A WOMAN OF FAITH I TAKE GREAT OFFENSE TO WHAT MARIA SAID UP HERE WHEN SHE CAME AND SPOKE, AND SHE WAS PUTTING CURSES ON US.
SO I HAVE TO IN THE NAME OF JESUS JUST SAY THAT I DO NOT RECEIVE THOSE, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
YOU KNOW THROUGH THE TURNING OF THE DIRT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THROUGH THE TURNING OF THE DIRT, BUILDING A MUSEUM AND TELLING THE STORIES, THAT MY PRAYER IS THAT GOD WOULD CONTINUE TO BLESS SAN ANTONIO.
[07:15:01]
WOULD BREAK STRONGHOLDS AND BRING FORTH A SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION, USHERING IN A NEW ERA FOR TEXAS THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF THIS THAT IS COMING FORWARD, AND I AM READY FOR THIS NEW ERA FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
[APPLAUSE] AND FIRST -- SO WE'RE GOING TO VOTE NOW.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR PATIENCE, AND I SUPPOSE IT'S -- IT'S WELL-DESERVED AFTER A HUNDRED-PLUS YEARS OF CITIZENS IN OUR CITY TRYING AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE TRYING, WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON THIS, BUT FIRST I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE -- I'M NOT GOING TO CHEAPEN THE AMOUNT OF TEAMWORK AND INDIVIDUAL WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS, BUT I DO WANT TO SINGLE OUT ONE PERSON, THAT'S OUR COLLEAGUE COUNCILMAN TREVINO, WHO HAS JUST DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
[APPLAUSE] REPRESENTING OUR CITY, UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS NEEDS THAT WE ALL HAVE AND A PLAN THAT IS TRULY GOING TO RESPECT OUR HISTORY IN SAN ANTONIO BUT ALSO THE REVERENT NATURE OF THE ALAMO.
MRS. TREVINO, ARE YOU STILL HERE? WILL YOU STAND UP, PLEASE? THIS IS COUNCILMAN TREVINO'S MOM, AND SHE'S BEEN WAITING HERE ALL DAY.
[APPLAUSE] AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW VERY PROUD WE ARE OF YOUR SON, MRS. TREVINO.
TODAY'S VOTE IS THE BIGGEST DECISION THAT MEMBERS OF THIS CITY COUNCIL WILL MAKE IN THEIR TIME AT CITY HALL.
THIS IS A HISTORIC MOMENT AND A TURNING POINT THAT FINALLY GIVES THE ALAMO THE REVERENT TREATMENT THAT IT DESERVES.
FOR TEXAS AND INDEED THIS NATION, THE ALAMO STANDS AS TESTAMENT TO COURAGE AND THE QUEST FOR INDEPENDENCE.
FOR SAN ANTONIO HAS LONG BEEN THE SOURCE OF CIVIC PRIDE AS MUCH AS IT HAS BEEN A SYMBOL OF PROTEST AND INDEED OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
HISTORY OF ALAMO IS COMPLICATED.
WHILE IT'S BEST KNOWN AS THE BATTLEFIELD, IT WAS ALSO A MISSION OF EARLY SPANISH FOUNDERS, AND A PLACE OF WORSHIP.
TODAY IT'S A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, A NATIONAL LANDMARK, A PLACE OF TRADITION, A PLACE OF NEW BEGINNINGS, A PLACE OF CELEBRATION, A PLACE OF CIVIC UNITY AND A PLACE OF HONOR AND A PLACE OF COMMERCE.
THE LAYERED HISTORY OF THIS PLACE HAS CREATED THE PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF ALAMO IT.
THIS MOMENT IS A HUGE TURNING POINT IN BOTH REGARDS.
IN THE PAST THE CELEBRATED HISTORY OF THIS SPACE, THE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE ALAMO, HAD CONFOUNDED EFFORTS TO TELL ITS STORY.
IT'S NOT LOST ON NEITHER VISITORS ARE MORE LIKELY TO TO LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORIC BATTLE OF THE ALAMO AT A MOVIE THEATER RATHER THAN THE ALAMO ITSELF.
WHILE WE MAY DISAGREE ABOUT MANY THINGS IN THE CITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ALAMO WE ALL AGREE WE CAN DO VERY MUCH BETTER.
TO VERY TRULY TELL THE STORY OF THE ALAMO WE MUST TELL THE ENTIRE STORY OF THE ALAMO, FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT 300 YEARS AGO AS A MISSION, TO THE BATTLE ITSELF AND ITS PLACE AS A CIVIC GATHERING, VENUE AND MEMORIAL.
THE COMMERCIAL NATURE OF ALAMO PLAZA HAS MADE THAT DIFFICULT.
OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS THROUGH AN UNPRECEDENTED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE ALAMO ENDOWMENT, WE'VE ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ALAMO.
IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY, AND PROGRESS HAS BEEN SLOW AT TIMES.
BUT LIKE ITS HISTORY, PLANNING THE FUTURE OF THE ALAMO PLAZA HAS ALSO BEEN COMPLICATED.
FIRST, KEY POINTS OF THE AGREEMENT WERE REACHED IN PRINCIPLE.
THESE PLANS WERE LITTLE MORE THAN CONCEPTS, SLOWLY BUT SURELY THIS FOUR-YEAR PLANNING PROCESS HAS PROGRESSED.
IN AUGUST SAN ANTONIO CITIZENS WHO SERVE ON THE ALAMO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVED THE KEY PLANNING CONCEPTS FOR THE ALAMO, WHICH IS THEN APPROVED BY THE ALAMO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
BUSH AND I HAVE BOTH SIGNED OFF ON THE ALAMO PLAN RESOLUTION, AND ALONG WITH TODAY'S VOTE OUR APPROVAL EFFECTIVELY ENDS THE PLANNING PHASE.
NOW BEGINS THE REAL WORK OF DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING AND PROGRAMMING OF A WORLD-CLASS HISTORIC SITE AND A MUSEUM FOR THE ALAMO.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPONSORS EXPECT TO CONTRIBUTE APPROXIMATELY $450 MILLION TO MAKE THIS VISION A REALITY, AND MAY PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS AND MOST TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS IN SSAN ANTONIO'S HISTORY.
I SUPPORT THE ALAMO PLAN WITH AN EARNEST AND HEARTFELT UNDERSTANDING OF THE VIEWPOINTS AND THE STRONG EMOTIONS HELD BY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
IN THE END THE ALAMO PLAN WILL LEAD TO AN OVERDUE REVERENCE AND A CELEBRATION OF HISTORY THAT THE ALAMO DESPERATELY NEEDS.
AND SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN, I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WILL REMAIN ENGAGED AND SUPPORT THIS EFFORT SO THAT THE ALAMO PLAZA REACHES ITS
[07:20:02]
FULL POTENTIAL.I KNOW THIS DAY WAS ONE OF GREAT GRAVITY, AND WE CAN ALL CERTAINLY FEEL THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY AT THIS MOMENT, BUT I FIRST IN CLOSING WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, SHERYL, LORI, ANDY, THE WHOLE TEAM, THE STAFF OF THE GLO, OUR COLLEAGUES, FOR MAKING THIS A SHARP PLAN, A BETTER PLAN, AND I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE TO MY SON THAT TODAY WE FINALLY DID DO JUSTICE AND WE REMEMBERED THE ALAMO.
SO WITH THAT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE UP THE MAIN MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN TREVINO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN VIAGRAN.
>> AT THIS TIME THE COUNCIL IS IN RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I'D LIKE TO ASK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO JOIN US ON THE DAIS.
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
>> VIAGRAN: AT THIS TIME WE'LL BE CONTINUING WITH OUR ZONING MEETING.
I'D LIKE TO ASK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AT THIS TIME IF THEY HAVE ANY ITEMS THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> VIAGRAN: LET ME TELL YOU WHICH ITEMS I ALREADY HAVE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
I HAVE NO. 29, Z-1, P-1 AND Z-2, Z-16 AND Z-17.
>> YES, MA'AM, IF YOU DIDN'T SAY IT, 22.
SO FOR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WE HAVE 29, Z-1, P-1 AND Z-2 TOGETHER.
THOSE WILL BE ITEMS THAT WE HEAR INDIVIDUALLY.
SO I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS ON CONSENT AGENDA, ZONING AGENDA.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WE HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON MULTIPLE ITEMS. JACK FINGER.
>> WELL, MAYOR PRO TEM AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR.
[LAUGHTER] -- OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR FIGHTERS OF THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE ALAMO HERE, AND YOU GUYS WONDER WHY SO MANY PEOPLE SIGNED THAT PETITION LIMITING YOUR POWER.
[LAUGHTER] WELL, LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE.
[07:25:04]
HERE AND COULD THE CITY CLERK PLEASE TURN ON THE TIMER SO I CAN SEE HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE? IT'S BLANK HERE.NO. 29, ALCOHOL VARIANCE, YES.
IN DISTRICT 8, MR. PELAEZ'S DISTRICT.
I'M SORRY MR. COURAGE IS HERE.
I THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE DID LAST TIME, BUT SOME OF THIS IS GOING TO COME BACK TO BITE HIM WHEN HE SAYS IN REGARDS TO GUN CONTROL WE CAN HAVE CONTROLLING OUR GUN SALES IN DIFFERENT AREAS WITH ZONING BECAUSE WE DO IT WITH SCHOOLS.
WELL, LET'S SEE IF HE'S GOING TO BE ABSENT ON THIS ONE HERE.
YES, MR. PELAEZ, 300 FEET WITHIN A SCHOOL -- WHERE SCHOOL KIDS PLAY YOU WANT TO SELL ALCOHOL.
HOW ARE YOU AND EVERYBODY ELSE GOING TO VOTE ON THIS ONE? THE -- MR. TREVINO IS MISSING ON P-1 AND Z-2 THERE, YES.
DOGGONE IT AND HIS USED CAR LOT ON Z-1 TOO AS WELL I SEE.
YES, WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE HERE.
OH, Z -- I'LL JUST GET STRAIGHTENED OUT HERE.
IN -- MR. BROCKHOUSE, ONCE AGAIN, IN YOUR DISTRICT YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL ENCROACHMENT COMING UP HERE, A LOT OF RED FLAGS HERE.
ZONING STAFF SAID NO, THE ZONING COMMISSION SAID NO, AND THE -- YES, WHAT ELSE -- WHO ELSE SAID NO HERE? 20 NOTICES.
THAT'S ABOUT 25% SAID NO, THE WESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SAID NO TO THIS TOO.
THEY DON'T LIKE THE COMMERCIAL ENCROACHMENT, MR. BRE YOU DO SOMETHING RIGHT TODAY AND JUST SAY NO TO Z-16.
THE -- AND ALSO -- OH, GOLLY, THERE IS ANOTHER ONE RIGHT HERE, YEAH.
AND MS. SHIRLEY GONZALES' DISTRICT, MS. GONZALES, YOU'RE GOING TO APPROVE TWO BARS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER.
SHE'S NOT -- SHE'S YAKKING AWAY SOMEWHERE.
YES, TWO BARS, Z-14 AND 15, RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER.
I MEAN, HOW MANY BARS DO YOU HAVE ALONG THAT STREET THERE, MS. GONZALES? YEAH.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE VOTE.
[29. ALCOHOL VARIANCE # AV2018010 (Council District 8): Ordinance waiving the application requirements of City Code 4-6 and granting a variance authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages on the North 120.08 Feet of Lot 3, Block 2, NCB 16600, located at 15710 Chase Hill Boulevard for off-premise consumption within three-hundred (300) feet of Monroe May Elementary School, a public education institution located within the Northside Independent School District. (Continued from October 4, 2018) ]
THANK YOU.>> ITEM 29 IS AN ORDINANCE WAIVING THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS OF CITY CODE 4-6 AND GRANTING A VARIANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE NORTH 120.08 FEET OF LOT 3, BLOCK 2, NCB 16600, LOCATED AT 15710 CHASE HILL BOULEVARD FOR OFF PREMISE CONSUMPTION WITHIN 300 FEET OF MONROE MAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A PUBLIC EDUCATION INSTITUTION LOCATED WITHIN THE NO NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
>> I'D LIKE TO STATE THAT THE APPLICANT AGREES TO THE FOLLOWING AT A CONDITION OF NO ALCOHOL SALES BEFORE 4:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
MOVE TO APPROVE WITH THE CONDITIONS READ.
I JUST WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW, WE DID SPEAK TO NISD AND THEY'RE IN AGREEMENT WITH THESE CONDITIONS.
>> VIAGRAN: IS THERE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM 29.
[Z-1. ZONING CASE # Z2018297 CD (Council District 1): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "C-1 CD AHOD" Light Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for Auto and Small Truck Repair Facility (Sale and Installation Only, No Mechanical Services Permitted) to "C-1 CD AHOD" Light Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for Motor Vehicle Sales on Lot 18, Block 1, NCB 12656, located at 4622 West Avenue. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval, with Conditions.]
MOTION CARRIES.>> ZONING CASE Z2018 297 CLD FROM C-1 CD AHOD, FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SALES AT 4622 WEST AVENUE.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL, A 6-FOOT SOLID SCREEN FENCE, NO TEMPORARY SIGNAGE, A 15 FEET LANDSCAPE BUFFER SHALL BE REQUIRED ALONG THE WEST PROPERTY LINE, DOWNWARD LIGHTING POINTED AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL USES AND NO VEHICLE DISPLAY OR PARKING AT THE CORNER OF WEST AVENUE OR ROYAL VISTA DRIVE.
20 NOTICES MAILED, ZERO OPPOSED AND ZERO IN FAVOR AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS IN SUPPORT.
>> VIAGRAN: COUNCIL MEMBER PELAEZ?
>> THANK YOU, MOVE TO APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS READ.
[07:30:02]
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF Z-1 WITH CONDITIONS AS READ.[P-1. PLAN AMENDMENT CASE # 18078 (Council District 1): Ordinance amending the Tobin Hill Neighborhood Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Master Plan of the City, by changing the future land use from “Low Density Mixed Use” and “Low Density Residential” to “High Density Mixed Use” on 0.5880 acres out of NCB 829, located at 1817 North St. Mary’s Street and 824 East Euclid Street. Staff and Planning Commission recommend Denial, with an Alternate Recommendation. (Associated Zoning Case Z2018250) (Continued from September 20, 2018) Z-2. ZONING CASE # Z2018250 (Council District 1): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "RM-4 UC-4 AHOD" Residential Mixed North Saint Mary's Street Urban Corridor Airport Hazard Overlay District and "C-3R UC-4 AHOD" General Commercial Restrictive Alcoholic Sales North Saint Mary's Street Urban Corridor Airport Hazard Overlay District to "IDZ UC-4 AHOD" Infill Development Zone North Saint Mary's Street Urban Corridor Airport Hazard Overlay District with uses permitted in "MF-65" Multi-Family District and "C-2" Commercial District on 0.588 acres out of NCB 829, located at 1817 North St. Mary's Street and 824 East Euclid Street. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Denial, with an Alternate Recommendation, pending Plan Amendment. (Associated Plan Amendment 18078) (Continued from September 20, 2018)]
MOTION CARRIES.>> PLAN AMENDMENT CASE 108-0778 AND ZONING 2018, 250 AMENDING THE TOBIN HILL NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN FOR LOW MIXED USE TO HIGH DENSITY MIXED USE AND REZONING FROM RM-4 AND C-3R TO IDZ WITH USES PERMITTED IN MF-65 AND C-2, LOCATED AT 1817 NORTH ST. MARY'S STREET AND 824 EAST EUCLID STREET.
STAFF PLANNING AND SOATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND DEM, 23 NOTICES MAILED, ONE IN FAVORITE, TWO OPPOSED.
TOBIN HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS OPPOSED.
AND IT'S TNTD UNTIL NOVEMBER 15.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU, MOTION TO CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 15.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR CONTINUANCE ON P-1 AND Z-2.
[Z-16. ZONING CASE # Z2018256 (Council District 6): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "R-6 AHOD" Residential Single-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District to "C-2NA AHOD" Commercial Nonalcoholic Sales Airport Hazard Overlay District on Lot 15, Block 1, NCB 15586, located at 2311 Westward Drive. Staff recommends Denial, with an Alternate Recommendation. Zoning Commission recommends Denial. (Continued from October 4, 2018)]
VOTE.>> ZONING CASE Z2018 256 REZONING FROM R-6 2311 WESTWARD DRIVE.
STAFF RECOMMENDS DENIAL WITH AN ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATION, ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION DENIAL.
20 NOTICES MAILED, ZERO IN FAVOR, FOUR OPPOSED, AND THE CABLE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS OPPOSED.
AND THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A CONTINUANCE UNTIL NOVEMBER 15.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, STILL WORKING THIS ONE SO I'LL MOVE TO CONTINUE THIS TO NOVEMBER 15.
>> VIAGRAN: WE HAVE A MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE UNTIL NOVEMBER 15.
[Z-17. ZONING CASE # Z2018196 (Council District 7): Ordinance amendingthe Zoning District Boundary from "R-6 AHOD" ResidentialSingle-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District to "MF-18 AHOD"Limited Density Multi-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District on 1.928acres out of NCB 17972, located at 8215 Eckhert Road. Staff andZoning Commission recommend Approval. (Continued fromSeptember 20, 2018)]
MOTION CARRIES.>> ZONING CASE Z2018 196, REZONING FROM R-6 TO MF-18, LOCATED AT 8215 ECKHERT ROAD.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED, ZERO IN FAVOR, THREE OPPOSED.
ECKERD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION DOES NOT OPPOSE, AND THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING AN AMENDMENT FOR ALLOW FOR UP TO AN 8-FOOT PERIMETER FENCE.
>> VIAGRAN: COUNCIL MEMBER SANDOVAL?
>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE WITH THE CONDITIONS AS READ.
>> VIAGRAN: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS AS READ.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS VERY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.