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>> CLERK: GOOD AFTERNOON, WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL B SESSION OF JANUARY THE NINTH, 2019.
[1. Interview of Applicants and selection of up to 3 Finalists for the District 2 City Council Vacancy. [Leticia M. Vacek, City Clerk]]
>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELCOME, EVERYBODY.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO HERE FROM AN APPLICANT FOR THE VACANT DISTRICT 2 COUNCILMEMBERS.
I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR CITY CLERK TO READ THE AGENDA FOR THE DAY.
>> CLERK: SO THIS IS THE PROCESS FOR APPOINTING A REPLACEMENT FOR CITY COUNCILMEMBER FOR DISTRICT 2, AND -- THERE IT IS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 2010-056-0375 THE PROCESS WAS FOLLOWED.
WE PUBLISHED THE NOTICE OF VACANCY IN THE EXPRESS-NEWS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16.
WE PUBLISHED A NOTICE OF VACANCY ONLINE AND ON THE CITY'S PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS DECEMBER 17, 2018.
ADDITIONALLY, NOTE MYCATION WAS ALSO PLACED IN THE KIOSK LOCATED BOTH IN THE MUNICIPAL PLAZA BUILDING AND ALSO IN THE CULTURAL COMMONS BUILDING.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS PER ORDINANCE 2017-11-30-0920, APPLICANTS COMPLETED AN APPLICATION AND SUBMITTED SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION OF RESIDENCY, LETTERS OF INTEREST, A RESUME, AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORTS, WHICH HAVE ALL BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU IN THAT PACKET.
APPLICANTS ALSO HAD THE OPTION TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION IN PERSON OR ELECTRONICALLY TO OUR OFFICE OR OUR OFFICE E-MAIL ADDRESS.
THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE DISTRICT 2 VACANCY BEGAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018, AND ENDED AT 5:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH, 2019.
DURING THE JANUARY 9TH, WHICH IS TODAY, B SESSION, THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WILL INTERVIEW ALL THE APPLICANTS AND SELECT UP TO THREE TO INTERVIEW ON THURSDAY, WHICH IS TOMORROW.
THE APPOINTEE WILL THEN IMMEDIATELY BE SWORN IN BY MYSELF AND TAKE HIS OR HER SEAT AT THE DAIS.
THE REMAINDER OF THE DISTRICT 2 UNEXPIRED TERM ENDS FRIDAY, MAY 31ST, -- MAYOR AND COUNCIL ON THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, THEIR VISION FOR DISTRICT 2, AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT 2.
EACH COUNCILMEMBER MAY SPEAK OR ASK QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICANT'S QUALIFICATIONS AND MERITS.
THEREAFTER, AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN MINUTES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR QUESTION AND ANSWERS BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
DENISE LUCKY WILL BE TIMING THE THREE MINUTES, FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND THEN THE ADDITIONAL SEVEN MINUTES, FOR A TOTAL OF 10 MINUTES FOR EACH APPLICANT.
AT THAT TIME, AFTER ALL APPLICANTS ARE INTERVIEWED, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WILL RECESS INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THEN THE MAYOR WILL THEN STATE IF THERE'S ANY ACTION TAKEN.
MAYOR, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THAT'S IT.
AND WITH YOUR PERMISSION, WE MAY BEGIN.
SO IF -- WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME UP TO THE PODIUM.
MADAM CLERK, I THINK SO JUST TO CLARIFY, YOU'VE DRAWN THE NAMES IN RANDOM ORDER.
WE'LL ANNOUNCE THE NAMES IN ORDER THAT THEY WILL BE INTERVIEWED, ALL THE OTHER APPLICANTS WILL BE SEATTLEED IN THE C -- SEATED IN THE C ROOM.
LE LE TIS YEAH SAENZ, EVERYONE BUT WALTER PERRY, WOULD YOU PLEASE FOLLOW LETICIA SAENZ.
DENISE WILL BE KEEPING TIME, AND AS SHE NOTEATES THAT YOUR TIME IS UP, PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF
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THAT.SO WOULD MR. WALTER PERRY PLEASE TAKE THE PODIUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AS A REMINDER, ALL OF THE CANDIDATES WILL BE ENTITLED TO 10 MINUTES TOTAL, THREE MINUTES OPENING FOLLOWED BY SEVEN MINUTES BY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
WE'LL KEEP ON TASK AND GET MOVING AND GET THROUGH EFFECTIVELY TODAY.
MY NAME IS WALTER PERRY, I'M JUST GOING TO GET RIGHT TO IT.
THE REASON WHY I WANT TO BE DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCILMAN IS BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY HAS A LANGUAGE THAT'S BEING SPOKEN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S NOT BEING HEARD.
IT HASN'T BEEN -- IT HASN'T BEEN HEARD IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU LOOK AROUND, THERE'S APATHY, THERE'S NOT TRUST, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT BELIEVING IN THEMSELVES.
I COME FROM THE COMMUNITY OF POVERTY, I COME FROM THAT EAST SIDE COMMUNITY WHERE IT WAS DRUGS, IT WAS GANGS, IT WAS PEOPLE WHO JUST DID NOT MEASURE UP TO WHAT THEY REALLY NEEDED TO BE.
I WAS MEANT TO -- ACCORDING TO WHERE I COME FROM, PEOPLE LIKE ME DON'T MAKE IT.
WE GET SHOT, WE GET KILLED, WE GET LIFE SENTENCES, WE STAY ON DRUGS.
BUT FOR SOME REASON, GOD PICKED ME TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO PEOPLE WHO COME FROM WHERE I COME FROM.
AND THE REASON WHY I WANT TO BE COUNCILMAN IS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING ME OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS COME FROM THAT, COME FROM THAT FILTH, COME FROM THAT DOUBT, COME FROM THAT -- THOSE LIVES, COME FROM THAT -- YOU KNOW, THAT APATHY.
AND THEY WORKED WITH ME AND I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS, I LISTENED TO MY ELDERS, BUT I ALSO STAYED YOUNG ENOUGH AND KEPT MY SPIRIT TO LISTEN TO THE YOUTH AND I'VE WORKED WITH THE YOUTH BY BUILDING MY OWN PROGRAM.
SOME OF THE THINGS I WANT TO DO IS WORK WITH THE YOUTH.
WE WANT TO GET THEM JOBS AND TRADE SCHOOLS, SUMMER PROGRAMS, WE WANT TO GET THEM EDUCATED, WE WANT TO WORK WITH ST. PHILLIP'S COLLEGE WITH THE EARLY HIGH SCHOOL -- WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM.
I HAVE THREE KIDS IN THAT RIGHT NOW DOING VERY WELL.
THEY'VE BEEN IN IT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
I ALSO WANT TO GET WITH THE HOMEOWNERS.
I'VE BEEN A HOMEOWNER FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, IT WAS DIFFICULT COMING FROM WHERE I CAME FROM, HAVING A CONVICTION.
PEOPLE WERE DENYING US, BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD, ME AND MY WIFE PULLED THROUGH.
I WAS AT THE MAYOR'S SUMMIT SITTING ON HIS PANEL ACTUALLY SPEAKING ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES AS A HOMEOWNER AND RESIDENT.
SO I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE FIND WAYS TO GET HOMES.
SMALL BUSINESSES, MY EXPERIENCE AT SAGE ALLOWS ME TO WORK WITH THE SMALL BUSINESSES SO I KNOW ALL THE EAST SIDE BUSINESSES.
I WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM AND JUST LEARN AND LISTEN AND FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED.
OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO JUST LISTEN TO THEM.
THEY NEED SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO ANSWER THE PHONE AND CALL THEM BACK WHEN THEY MAKE A COMPLAINT OR SOMETHING.
I DID IT WITHOUT GETTING THE PAYCHECK, I WANT TO CONTINUE DOING IT WITHOUT A PAYCHECK, AND BEFORE I LEAVE, I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT SAGE GAVE ME A SHOT.
THEY JUST GAVE ME A SHOT JUST TO BE SOMEBODY.
SO MUCH SO, I SAT ON SHIRLEY'S INTO WHAT I DID AS A KID.
AND LET ME SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. PERRY.
WE'LL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS NOW FROM THE COUNCIL, AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND START BY ASKING, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, IMPRESSIVE CANDIDATES THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION.IT WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUELY QUALIFIED AMONG THEM?
>> ALTHOUGH YOU ARE RIGHT, THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, THEY MAY HAVE THE EDUCATION, BUT I HAVE THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE.
I HAVE MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT I CAN RELATE TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING RIGHT NOW IN MY COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE MORE RENTERS THAN HOMEOWNERS, AND SO MY EXAMPLE, COMING FROM A LIFELONG RENTER AND SHOWING THEM THE PROCESS AND LEADING THEM TO THAT PROCESS OF OWNING THEIR OWN HOME.
MY COMMUNITY IS SIMPLE: THEY JUST WANT SIMPLE STUFF, SIDEWALKS, DOGS OUT OF THE WAY, CODE COMPLIANCE, SOMEBODY TO ANSWER THE PHONE.
30 YEARS WE HAVEN'T HAD ANYBODY TO CALL PEOPLE BACK.
AND SO I WANT TO -- I WANT TO SHOW MY COMMUNITY THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY WHO -- I'LL GIVE YOU MY PHONE NUMBER NOW.
(210)980-1596, AND THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.
I HAVE TO LISTEN TO MY ELDERS.
SO THAT'S WHY I FEEL LIKE I'M UNIQUELY QUALIFIED BECAUSE I SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. PERRY.
THANK YOU, WALTER, SO MUCH FOR
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YOUR APPLICATION AND FOR YOUR -- ALL OF YOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT YOU HAVE HAD.THERE IS -- IT IS ABSOLUTELY EVIDENT TO ME AND TO MANY OF MY COUNCIL -- WELL, TO ME, THAT THERE IS A PRIDE AND IDENTITY THAT IS STRONG IN DISTRICT 2.
AND I THINK YOU ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CHAMPION THAT? AND PLEASE GIVE EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU INTEND TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IF SELECTED INTO THIS POSITION.
>> AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO MY EXPERIENCE AT SAGE.
JACKIE GORMAN, SHE'S HERE RIGHT NOW.
WHEN I CAME, SHE WAS LIKE, UGH, YOU'RE ROUGH.
BUT I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A SHOT.
AND SHE SHOWED ME -- SHE WAS ALWAYS TELLING ME, LOOK, THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN WHAT'S IN YOUR HEAD, WALTER.
YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE IN ALL AREAS, AND THAT'S WHY SHE ALLOWED ME TO SIT ON YOUR PANEL, THAT'S WHY SHE ALLOWED ME TO BE A PART OF OTHER THINGS LIKE JOB FAIRS, BECAUSE SHE SAW MY PASSION.
SHE SAW THAT I WAS REALLY SINCERE ABOUT THESE PEOPLE, SHE JUST KNEW THAT I NEEDED THE OPPORTUNITY AND A LITTLE TRAINING.
HOW I RELATE TO THESE PEOPLE IS THAT I WENT THROUGH WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH.
AND THESE PEOPLE, THEY TOLD ME, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE LIKE US CAN EVER CHANGE THEIR LIVES UNLESS THEY SEE ME, SOMEBODY WHO WENT THROUGH WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH, MAKE IT.
I GUARANTEE YOU -- I GUARANTEE YOU IF I'M ALLOWED TO SIT ON THAT CITY COUNCIL, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE, BY THE ELDERS, BECAUSE THEY WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY, BUT NOBODY'S REALLY HELPED THEM SEE THEIR THINGS THROUGH.
IT'S GOING TO BE OLD PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY THAT'S GOING TO DIE NOT SEEING THEIR WORK THROUGH.
I HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THEM AND THE YOUTH AND MY FAMILY AND ALL FAMILIES IN MY COMMUNITY, SO THAT'S WHY I FEEL LIKE I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN SOMEBODY GETS SHOT IN THE COMMUNITY, I'M GOING TO BE RIGHT THERE.
WHEN SOMEBODY'S CRYING, SOMEBODY NEEDS LIKE MONEY FOR THEIR LIGHT BILL, WE'RE GOING TO RAISE THE MONEY AND GET IT FOR THEM.
IT'S MORE THAN JUST BEING PRIM AND PROPER, IT'S ABOUT GOING OUT THERE AND DOING THE DIRTY WORK, TOO, AS FAR AS GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY, GOING OUT THERE CRYING, GOING OUT THERE AND JUST SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T KNOW Y'ALL, SOMEBODY SHOW ME.
AND ITS ELDERS RIGHT HERE, IT'S PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH, IT'S PEOPLE RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY I WORK WITH ON EVERY PROJECT, BUT THEY'RE SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW ACTING LIKE I DON'T LOVE THE COMMUNITY.
THEY'RE GOING AFTER SOMEBODY ELSE WHO JUST POPPED UP.
BUT WHEN PEOPLE WAS GETTING POPPED AND SHOT IN MY HOOD, I DIDN'T SEE NONE OF THEM THERE.
THAT'S WHY I NEED TO BE THERE, Y'ALL.
IT'S JUST -- IT'S THE PASSION IN ME.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MR. PERRY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ?
>> PELAEZ: MR. PERRY, USUALLY I'M THE GUIDE WHO IS MOST EXCITED AND WAVING HIS HANDS AND ALL THAT, AND YOU JUST DID IT FOR ME.
AND YOU COME ACROSS AS A VERY SINCERE AND PASSIONATE PERSON, AND I'M ACTUALLY REALLY IMPRESSED.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR THROWING YOUR HAT IN THE RING.
IT'S NOT EASY TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND VOLUNTEER.
BUT THE HARDEST PART IS ACTUALLY THE SHOWING UP AND DOING THE WORK AND ALL THAT, SO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BALANCE THE TIME BETWEEN WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO DURING THE DAY, RIGHT, I IMAGINE YOU'VE GOT A JOB AND ALL THAT.
CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THAT? AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH THIS -- WITH THIS POSITION.
AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER OUTSIDE OBLIGATIONS OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD IMPEDE YOUR ABILITY TO DO THIS JOB COMPLETELY?
>> RIGHT NOW, I'M CURRENTLY A STUDENT AT TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO WHERE I'M A BUSINESS MAIJ OR PURSUING MY DEGREE IN MARKETING, SPECIALIZED IN DIGITAL MARKETING.
THE REASON WHY I GOT INTO BUSINESS -- I ACTUALLY STARTED IN FINANCE.
I GOT TIRED OF PEOPLE COUNTING MY MONEY, I GOT TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS AND NOT GOING.
IT, AGAIN, GOES BACK TO MY KNOWLEDGE AT SAGE.
I GOT A SHOT TO DO THINGS THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE DIDN'T GET TO DO.
AND, YEAH, YOU'RE A FELON, WALTER, BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER, BECAUSE GOD USED THE MOST IMPERFECT PEOPLE AND TURNED THEM INTO LEADERS.
MURDERS, DRUNKARDS, AND IF HE CAN TAKE THEM, I'M PRETTY SURE HE CAN TAKE ME.
AND SO MY TIME AT SCHOOL ACTUALLY IS A PLUS, BECAUSE I WORK WITH A LOT OF THE STUDENTS AT TEXAS A&M-SAN ANTONIO AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES.
SO AS COUNCILMAN, I CAN CONNECT WITH THE STUDENTS AND CONNECT OTHER SCHOOLS SO THAT WAY THEY COULD GET MORE INTO THE
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COMMUNITY.AS FAR AS A JOB, BY GOING INTO SCHOOL, I STARTED A LITTLE -- SMALL LITTLE CONSULTING BIJ TAL MARKET CALLED PAID THINKERS.
THE REASON WHY I STARTED THAT IS BECAUSE SEEING PEOPLE LIKE CHRISTOPHER HERRING, HE TALKS ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICANS DOING BUSINESSES, JACKIE SAY DON'T ALWAYS SOMEBODY ASKING FOR HANDOUTS, LEARN IT.
SO I WENT TO SCHOOL AND I LEARNED IT.
SO THAT WAY WHEN I GO TALK TO THE COMMUNITY, NOBODY DIDN'T GIVE ME THIS.
SO I CAN SHOW YOU -- I CAN TEACH YOU HOW TO FISH.
I LIVE RIGHT OFF F STREET AND LONE OAK.
RIGHT IN THE HOOD AND THE STICKS.
I'M RIGHT IN THE ACTION, BEEN THERE.
SO ANY TIME SOMEBODY'S SHOOTING ON THE HILL, WHO'S RIGHT THERE? WALTER PERRY, NOT THOSE GUYS.
NOT TAKING AWAY WHAT THEY DID, BECAUSE IT'S RESPECTED, BUT IF YOU WANT TO REACH THE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO'S WILLING TO GO IN AND DO THE DIRTY WORK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PERRY.
>> CLERK: NEXT APPLICANT IS [INDISCERNIBLE] SULLIVAN.
SO I'LL BEGIN, I'M JADA SULLIVAN, I'M A LIFELONG DISTRICT 2 RESIDENT.
MY MOTHER REMAINS THERE, MY CHILDREN ARE THERE.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THAT IS DESPERATE FOR CHANGE, WHICH IS WHERE I COME IN.
I BELIEVE IN THE PEOPLE OF OUR DISTRICT.
I BELIEVE THE CHILDREN IN OUR DISTRICT DESERVE A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN.
WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A FACILITY FOR OUR CHILDREN TO GO TO WHERE IF PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD IT, THEY'RE JUST STUCK.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH CHILDREN WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO BE IN A SPORT? WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO GO TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB? THAT'S EVEN COSTING MONEY THAT MOST OF THESE FAMILIES DON'T HAVE.
WE HAVE PARKS THAT ARE NOT BEING USED.
THEY ARE THERE, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING? THERE'S TOO MUCH VIOLENCE, FIRST, TO SEND OUR CHILDREN OUTSIDE.
WE COULD GO OUTSIDE, WE COULD PLAY, NOW WE CAN'T.
OUR CHILDREN ARE NOW LIVING IN A WORLD WHERE EVERYTHING HAS TO BE ISOLATED, AND THAT, FOR ME, IS A PROBLEM.
DISTRICT 2 IS A PRIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
A LOT OF TIMES WHEN I WAS AT SAM HOUSTON, YOU WOULD HEAR THE PRIDE OF THE EAST SIDE.
WHERE'S THAT PRIDE NOW? WHERE ARE THOSE THAT STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT SPEAK? WHERE ARE THOSE THAT FIGHT FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT KNOW? WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE NO ONE IS EDUCATEED AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT CITY COUNCIL TRULY DOES FOR THAT DISTRICT.
WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME IN, HAVE TAKEN, HAVE LEFT, AND WE'RE STILL IN A SITUATION WHERE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS NEXT.
WE NEED TO HAVE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.
WE ARE A DISTRICT WHERE THERE IS HISTORY AND SO MUCH MORE RICH CULTURE THAT NEEDS TO BE CULTIVATED, ADAPTED AND BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT.
I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, BECAUSE MY VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
I MOVE IN MY COMMUNITY, I MOVE IN MY CHURCH, I MOVE IN MY FAMILY, AND I WILL MOVE FOR MY DISTRICT.
I WILL NOT HUMBLE MYSELF TO SAY THAT, NO, OUR DISTRICT DOES NOT NEED IT.
I WILL STEP UP AND I'LL SAY THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, THEY HAVE SAID WHAT THEY'VE SAID, AND THIS IS WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE.
WHY? BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.
WHY NOT LISTEN? WHY NOT MOVE ON WHAT IT IS THAT NEEDS TO BE MOVED ON? YOU SAY A LOT OF TIMES THERE'S VIOLENCE.
BUT WHAT DO WE DO? DO WE SIT BACK AND SAY, OH, WELL, THAT'S THE NEXT PROBLEM, SOMEBODY ELSE CAN DEAL WITH IT.
SOMEBODY ELSE NEEDS TO COME IN AND SAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? NO MORE.
WE HAVE A CHIEF THAT IS THE POLICE FORCE THAT YOU CAN SPEAK TO OPENLY, FREELY.
IT'S TIME TO TAKE BACK OUR STREETS, IT'S TIME TO TAKE BACK OUR CHILDREN, IT'S TIME TO TAKE BACK OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MRS. SULLIVAN.
I'LL START THE QUESTIONS BY JUST ASKING, THERE'S A NUMBER OF VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION TODAY.
WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO SERVE DISTRICT 2.
>> I'M UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO SERVE DISTRICT 2 BECAUSE I HAVE
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AN EDUCATION WITHIN MY DISTRICT.I HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS BEHIND THE NCAACP, BEHIND THE SORROWTY WHICH THRIVES ON COMMUNITY SERVICE, I HAVE THE PUSH OF MANY OF THE CHURCHES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND I STRIVE TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE.
EDUCATION IS NOT JUST THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT YOUR HEART.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MRS. SULLIVAN FOR APPLYING AND FOR STEPPING UP.
AS YOU KNOW, DISTRICT 3 SHARES A LARGE BOUNDARY WITH DISTRICT 2 AS WELL AS MANY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND AS RECENTLY AS DECEMBER, WE'VE HAD TOWN HALLS WHERE MANY RESIDENTS FROM DISTRICT 2 WERE HERE.
SO IT IS ABSOLUTELY EVIDENT TO ME THAT THERE IS A PRIDE AND IDENTITY THAT IS VERY STRONG IN DISTRICT 2 THAT YOU DO ALSO EXEMPLIFY.
SO HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CHAMPION THAT AND PLEASE GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES ON HOW YOU INTEND TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY TO GET THEIR INPUT AND THEIR TRUST INTO YOU?
WE HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT ARE CENTERED IN THE HEART OF DISTRICT 2 THAT ARE VERY ACCESSIBLE TO DISTRICT 3 AND OTHER AREAS.
I PLAN TO HOLD DIFFERENT MEETINGS, DIFFERENT RALLIES.
WE USED TO HAVE COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTIES.
A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2 ARE OF SENIOR AGE, SO THEY DON'T HAVE COMMUNICATION DEVICES, THEY DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, FACEBOOK OR E-MAILS.
YOU HAVE TO GO AND REACH THOSE PEOPLE FACE-TO-FACE, HAND-TO-HAND, FOOT-TO-FOOT, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M ABLE TO DO.
I'M ABLE TO WALK THE STREETS, I'M ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THOSE THAT MANY WON'T SPEAK TO, AND THAT'S WHO NEEDS TO BE TOUCHED THE MOST.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP.
IT'S NOT EASY TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND VOLUNTEER.
IT'S ALSO HARD TO TALK TO A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE AND YOU DO IT VERY WELL.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY I'M ASKING THE CANDIDATES ABOUT TIME MANAGEMENT, RIGHT.
I'LL TELL YOU ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS THAT WE DO HERE IS MANAGE OUR TIME.
SOME OF US RUN BUSINESSES, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE FAMILIES.
HOW DO YOU INTEND TO BALANCE THAT, RIGHT, THE BIG AMOUNT OF WORK THAT COMES WITH THIS JOB AND ALSO TAKING CARE OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF?
>> TIME MANAGEMENT FOR ME, SERVING IN THE MILITARY TAUGHT ME HOW TO ORGANIZE VERY WELL.
TIME MANAGEMENT IS OF THE ESSENCE.
IN THIS DISTRICT, WE REALLY ARE PUSHED FOR OUR TIME.
SO I DO OWN MY OWN BUSINESS, BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT SCHEDULING.
WHEN YOU HAVE A PRESENCE AND YOU HAVE TO BE SEEN, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE TIME YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN AT THE TIME THEY NEED TO HAPPEN, AND THAT'S HOW WE'LL MANAGE THAT TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE?
MA'AM, CAN YOU LIST A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR DISTRICT OR SOLUTIONS THAT YOU WANT TO SEE DEVELOP FOR PROBLEMS IN YOUR DISTRICT?
I WANT TO SEE AN ETIQUETTE PROGRAM PUT IN THE SCHOOL THAT EDUCATES HOW TO REPRESENT YOUR PERSON AND YOUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A PLACE FOR YOUNG GIRLS A SAFE HAVEN TO GET AWAY FROM THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT.
I BELIEVE IF WE HAD A CHEER CENTER ON THE EAST SIDE, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO GO OUT TO 1604.
WE DO NOT HAVE A FREE COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER WHERE CHILDREN CAN GO IN AND PARTICIPATE WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY.
WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A FOOTBALL SYSTEM TO WHERE KIDS THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO BE ON POP WARNER, CAN'T AFFORD TO GET UNIFORMS. A LOT OF THE ARTS ARE BEING CUT OUT OF SCHOOL, SO WE NEED AN ARTS SCHOOL FOR OUR YOUTH ON THE EAST SIDE.
WE HAVE TALENTS THAT ARE UNMATCHED AND THEY'RE NOT BEING TAPPED INTO.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THOSE THINGS DEVELOPED.
WE HAVE OLD BUILDINGS THAT ARE JUST SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ROTTING, BUT IF WE SELL OUT TO CORPORATE CONTRACTORS, WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY? WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE BUILDINGS AND REDEVELOP THEM INTO SOMETHING BROADER.
WE NEED TO BUILD ART SCHOOLS, WE NEED TO BUILD ACADEMIES FOR PARENTS THAT DON'T HAVE A COLLEGE EDUCATION OR HAVE NOT EVEN GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL THAT HAVE REFORMS FOR CRIMINALS THAT ARE COMING OUT BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THEY CAN'T GET A PLACE TO LIVE.
LET'S DEVELOP SOME OF THE OLD APARTMENTS THAT ARE BEING JUST RAVISHED WITH NOTHINGNESS AND TURN THEM INTO BUILDINGS THAT WE CAN USE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
WE HAVE THOSE RESOURCES IN DIBLGHT 2 TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN -- DISTRICT 2 TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, WE JUST HAVEN'T TAPPED INTO THEM FULLY.
[00:25:01]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY?
AND, MA'AM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING TODAY.
I JUST HAD A QUESTION, IF YOU WERE APPOINTED TO THIS POSITION, WOULD YOU LOOK TO RUN FOR THIS POSITION IN MAY?
>> I'M NOT HERE JUST FOR THE SHORT HAUL.
AND HOW DO YOU THINK DISTRICT 2 WOULD VIEW THAT? POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY?
>> THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THAT'S LOOKING TO STAY.
>> THEY'RE NOT LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BUILD A PLATFORM FOR THEMSELVES TO MOVE ON IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.
THEY NEED SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO SAY, PUT DOWN THEIR FOOT AND CONTINUE TO RUN WITH THE MISSION THAT'S BEEN GIVEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MRS. SULLIVAN.
>> CLERK: THE NEXT APPLICANT IS DANIEL MARTINEZ.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELCOME, MR.
YOU HAVE SOME OWD -- OUTSTANDING CANDIDATES AND I DON'T ENVY YOU ALL IN MAKING A DECISION.
WITH ME, IT'S ABOUT ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT 2.
AND THE VALUES THAT I HAVE ARE BASED ON THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOURWAY TESTS.
IT'S -- IS IT TRUE? WILL IT BUILD -- LET'S SEE.
HOW DID IT GO? IS IT THE TRUTH AND WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL -- I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER -- AND A POSITIVE, I GUESS, FRIENDS.
AND THE THIRD IS WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED.
I THINK THAT'S THE FOURTH ONE.
BUT ANYWAY, I VALUE, YOU KNOW, BEING HONEST WITH EVERYONE AND NOT PLAYING GAMES, YOU KNOW.
WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO ENDURE ALL KINDS OF SITUATIONS AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S TYPICAL.
BUT I WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE, NOT DIVIDE PEOPLE.
AND WE NEED A LOT OF THINGS DONE AND WE RELY ON THE CITY AND OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO ACTUALLY GET OUT THERE AND FIGHT FOR US.
SO I'D LIKE TO -- IF I WAS -- IF I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET SELECTED, I WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THREE COMMITTEES OUT OF THE 10.
THE AUDIT, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND THE WALKING QUORUM AND ALL OF THAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED JUST LIKE JOHN COURAGE HAS WITH THE COLLEGE DISTRICT.
IT WAS QUITE AN EDUCATION THERE.
AND BELIEVE ME, ADMINISTRATION SOMETIMES DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING AND -- BUT WE NEED TO BE VERY INVOLVED.
AND WITH REGARD TO STAFFING OF THE DISTRICT 2 INDIVIDUALS, I'M FOR CONTINUING THE CONTINUITY WITH THEM.
WE HAVE FIVE CONSTITUENT SERVICES STAFF MEMBERS ON DISTRICT 2, AND THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.
AND SO, ANYWAY, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MARTINEZ.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU ALLUDED TO THE QUALITY OF APPLICANTS THAT WE HAVE AND THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR THE POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE OR NOT.
I'M 79 YEARS OLD AND I'M IN GOOD HEALTH AND I'VE TRAVELED THE ROAD A LONG WAY.
[00:30:02]
THE DIFFICULTIES WE HAD IN ESTABLISHING THE PALO ALTO COLLEGE.AND I WAS -- HAPPENED TO BE THE SWING VOTE THAT MADE PALO ALTO HAPPEN.
AND SO ANYWAY, BUT LIKE I SAID, I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES.
I'M VERY INVOLVED IN MY DELL CREST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, IN THE EASTERN TRIANGLE.
I FOUNDED THE EASTERN TRIANGLE COMMUNITY PLAN AND WE WORKED WITH THE CITY OFFICIALS, AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING OUR COMMUNITY PLAN ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO THAT'S WHAT WORKING TOGETHER.
AND WE HAD 16 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS THAT CAME TOGETHER, SO WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF WORK WITHIN THE TWO YEARS THAT IT TOOK US BEFORE WE GOT APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. MARTINEZ, FOR APPLYING.
YOUR -- YOU HAVE THIS UNWAIVERRING COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND THAT IS WITHOUT A DOUBT AND THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WITNESS BECAUSE OF THE EASTERN TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION THAT WE SEE EACH OTHER AT OFTEN.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK IS YOU'RE PART OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
>> BUT HOW DO YOU INTEND TO ENGAGE AND GAIN INPUT AND TRUST FROM ALL OF THE OTHER VERY DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN DISTRICT 2?
>> WELL, WE HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS IN THE EASTERN TRIANGLE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND I'M THE REGISTERED AGENT FOR THE EASTERN TRIANGLE.
AND, OF COURSE, THE FORMER CHAIRMAN, AND SO WE OUTREACH TO ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE EASTERN TRIANGLE AREA.
AND IT'S 15 PLUS SQUARE MILE AREA, SO WE, YOU KNOW, HAVE THAT OUTREACH.
AND THEN I ALSO, OF COURSE, SERVE AS CHAIRMAN EMERITUS OF THE SAN ANTONIO CRIME COALITION, AND WE HAVE -- WE STARTED IN DISTRICT 2, BUT WE WENT CITY WIDE ON THAT.
SO -- ONE OF THE STAFFERS FROM DISTRICT 2 IS ON OUR ADVISORY BOARD.
AND SO WE KEEP PEOPLE'S OPINIONS.
AND I'M ALSO -- I GUESS I MIGHT POINT OUT LAST MONTH I RECEIVED THE COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AWARD FROM THE SAN ANTONIO COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS FOR BEING ACTIVE.
AND I WAS PART OF THE TOBACCO 21 PUSH FOR YOU-ALL TO ADOPT.
AND I'M GLAD YOU-ALL DID, BECAUSE IT WAS LONG OVERDUE.
SO I'M VERY INVOLVED CITYWIDE, BUT AT 79, I FEEL GOOD AND I NEED TO STAY BUSY AND IF I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET ON THE COUNCIL, I DON'T WANT YOU-ALL BEATING UP ON ME.
AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MR. MARTINEZ.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THAT NEVER HAPPENS, MR. MARTINEZ.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU, MR. MARTINEZ.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THE NAME OF THE GAME IN THIS BUSINESS IS SHOWING UP AND SHOWING UP OFTEN, AND THERE'S A LOT OF HOURS THAT WE PUT INTO THIS.
>> PELAEZ: DO YOU HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO BE ABLE TO SHOW UP WEEKENDS, NIGHTS AND TO ALL THE MEETINGS? THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 2 DESERVE A PERSON THAT'S GOING TO SHOW UP EVERY TIME.
WHEN I SERVED ON THE ACCD BOARD, I GOT CALLED AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.
THE COPS ORGANIZATION, THEY WERE RELENTLESS WITH ME BEFORE WE PASSED THE PALO ALTO COLLEGE VOTE, AND SO -- BUT, YOU KNOW, IN ALL FAIRNESS, PEOPLE LOOK AT DIFFERENT THINGS, DIFFERENT ISSUES DIFFERENTLY, BUT THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND COMPROMISE.
AND THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME.
YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL ONE WAY OR ALL THE OTHER WAY.
YOU'VE GOT TO GO AHEAD AND BE ABLE TO COMPROMISE AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT'S BENEFICIAL TO EVERYONE.
SO I AM AVAILABLE, LIKE I SAID.
I'M WIDOWED, MY WIFE PASSED AWAY LAST NOVEMBER, AND SO I NEED TO
[00:35:01]
STAY BUSY.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE?
DAN, I HAVE TO SAY, SHOULD YOU GET ELECTED, I'LL HAVE TO GIVE UP THE TITLE OF BEING THE OLDEST PERSON ON CITY COUNCIL.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M READY TO DO THAT, BUT...
I DO NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHALLENGES YOU AND I FACED ON THE ACCD BOARD SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE GREATEST NEED IN DISTRICT 9 YOU WOULD WANT TO ADDRESS -- EXCUSE ME, IN DISTRICT 2.
>> COURAGE: WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT NEED IS AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS IT?
>> WELL, WE NEED A HOSPITAL IN THE UPPER EAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
PEOPLE HAVE TO GO TO THE MEDICAL CENTER OR TO MISSION TRAIL HOSPITAL.
YOU KNOW, WE NEED A FULL-SERVICE HOSPITAL IN DISTRICT 2.
AND I'VE ALREADY TRIED TO CONTACT A PROPERTY OWNER ON SOUTHEAST LOOP 410, AND HE'S GOT ABOUT 50 ACRES THAT HE USES FOR FARMING, AND SO I'M WORKING ON THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO, OF COURSE, HAVE AN INITIATIVE STARTED AND GET A STUDY BY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO ACTUALLY SAY WE DO NEED A HOSPITAL.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF CONGESTION TOWARDS THE MEDICAL CENTER BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO FROM ALL OVER THE CITY OVER TO THE MEDICAL COMPLEX.
THEY MIGHT WORK OVER THERE AS WELL, AND SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE POPULATION ON THE EAST SIDE HAVING TO GO EVERY WHICH WAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MARTINEZ.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> CLERK: MICHELLE [INDISCERNIBLE] IS THE NEXT APPLICANT.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE AND SPEAK WITH YOU.
MY NAME IS MICHELLE BAILEY, AND I'M HERE IN HOPES TO FILL THE DISTRICT 2 VACANCY.
I WENT TO SCHOOL AT MIAMI UNIVERSITY AND GRADUATED WITH MY JOINT DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ANTHROPOLOGY MOST RESPTLY AS OF OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR I GRADUATED FROM THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP.
I'VE SPENT THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE AND CAREER DEDICATING TO THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGING EQUITY THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SECTOR.
WHAT I DO RIGHT NOW, I'M AN EDUCATOR.
I'M A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER -- A SPECIAL EDUCATION AND DYSLEXIA TEACHER FOR KINDER THROUGH SEVENTH GRADE AT DOUGLAS ACADEMY.
I BRING A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO THE COUNCIL.
ON THIS COUNCIL, I HAVE RESEARCHED YOU GUYS HEAVILY.
WE HAVE LAWYERS, WE'VE GOT MOTHERS, WE'VE GOT FATHERS, WE'VE GOT VETERANS WE HAVE AN ARCHITECT, AND I THINK THAT THAT IS BEAUTIFUL THAT YOU GUYS BRING THIS VERY UNIQUE INTERESTING PERSPECTIVES, RIGHT? BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A PERSPECTIVE LIKE MINE.
MY PERSPECTIVE IS THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND EDUCATOR PERSPECTIVE.
THAT PERSON WHO WORKS WITH INNER CITY STUDENTS, THE PERSON WHO IS COMPLETELY PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION, ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, ABOUT OUR PARENTS AND ABOUT OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND OUTSIDE STAKEHOLDERS.
THAT'S WHO I AM, AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BRING TO THIS COUNCIL.
I WOONT -- WANT TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THE NORMAL BUSINESS THINGS, I WANT TO UPKEEP OUR ROADS, I WANT TO IMPROVE AND GIVE RECOGNITION TO OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUT MOST OF ALL, I WANT TO BRING THE BEAUTY THAT IS DISTRICT 2 BACK TO DISTRICT 2.
I OFTEN FEEL LIKE AS A MEMBER, CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT 2, THAT MY VOICE IS NOT HEARD.
I WILL CALL 1,000 TIMES IF I NEED TO.
I WILL GO AND FIGHT FOR OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE I BELIEVE I AM THE RIGHT VOICE FOR THIS POSITION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. BAILEY.
AS YOU'VE SEEN, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> SO LIKE I SAID, I THINK THAT I HAVE AN EXTREMELY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE IN THAT I WORK IN THE EDUCATION FIELD BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT I'M ALSO A FITNESS COACH.
WHILE I SPEND MY DAYS WORKING WITH STUDENTS, REALLY TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO FIND THEIR PASSION, TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO -- I LOVE CALLING THE LIGHTBULB MOMENTS, THE MOMENTS WITH STUDENTS UNDERSTANDS SOMETHING NEW THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW BEFORE.
[00:40:02]
COACHING ADULTS INTO BELIEVING IN THEMSELVES AGAIN, SEEING WHAT THEIR BODY CAN DO.AND SO THOSE TWO PERSPECTIVES, I DON'T THINK WE CURRENTLY HAVE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE THOSE TWO PERSPECTIVES.
SO I WILL BRING FRESH IDEAS, BUT I WILL ALSO BRING THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF THAT EDUCATION AND ALSO THAT FITNESS PERSPECTIVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> SALDAÑA: THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND MRS. BAILEY, I -- YOUR ENTHUSIASM IS SHINING THROUGH, AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING THAT YOU'VE STEPPED UP AND ARE DECIDING TO PUT YOUR NAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THE INTERIM POSITION.
YOUR EDUCATION BACKGROUND IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING AS I LOOKED THROUGH A LOT OF THE RESUMES THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED, BUT I GUESS THE QUESTION IS PRETTY SIMPLE.
YOU'RE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY SAISD.
IF YOU WERE TO BE SELECTED TO THE POSITION, WOULD YOU MAKE COUNCIL YOUR FULL-TIME FOCUS, EFFORTS, AND WOULD THAT BEAR INTO THE WORK THAT YOU DO WITH SAISD IN SPECIAL ED, SPECIALLY? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT'S A TOUGH ISSUE OR TOUGH AREA TO FIND QUALIFIED FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF, AND I'VE SEEN YOUR RESUME, SO I JUST HAD THAT QUESTION FOR YOU.
>> I DO THINK THAT BOTH CAN WORK.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING -- I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN MAKE WORK, TO BE HONEST.
I'VE BEEN IN THE DISTRICT FOR FIVE 'S.
MY KIDS KNOW ME REALLY WELL -- FIVE YEARS.
AND ALSO I DO WANT TO BE AND WILL BE COMMITTED TO THIS POSITION.
I DO THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A CONVERSATION WITH SAISD SAYING I'VE GOT THIS REALLY AMAZING OPPORTUNITY, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS WORK.
RIGHT NOW SAISD HAS THIS THING CALLED A MASTER TEACHER INITIATIVE, SO STUDENTS CAN BE KEPT FOR LONGER SCHOOL DAYS.
LET'S SAY I HAVE TO BE HERE ON THURSDAY AT 9:00 A.M. FOR SESSION A.
I CAN ACTUALLY PERHAPS TAKE ON A ROLE THAT I WORK LONGER DAYS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY.
AND I REALLY DO THINK THAT THAT CAN -- I CAN MAKE THAT WORK, BECAUSE I DO VALUE MY WORK AS AN EDUCATOR, I LOVE MY STUDENTS AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE HAVING TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.
>> SALDAÑA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ANSWER, AND I APPRECIATE THE HONESTY OF WHICH YOU BRING THE PASSION TOWARDS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT IN YOUR ANSWER AS WELL.
YOU'LL, I'M SURE, HAVE TO JUGGLE THE SAME WAY A NUMBER OF COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE HAD TO JUGGLE BETWEEN --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN?
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT IS SUCH A PLESH TUR TO MEET YOU, MRS. BAILEY.
DISTRICT 3 SHARES A LOT OF THE BOUNDARIES WITH DISTRICT 2, AS WELL AS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
WE ALSO SHARE MANY CONCERNS AND ISSUES AS WELL.
AND IT'S EVIDENT TO ME THAT THERE IS A PRIDE IN IDENTITY THAT IS VERY SPECIAL WITH THE DISTRICT 2, AND I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU CARRY THAT ON.
HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CHAMPION THAT? AND CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE DONE THAT IN DISTRICT 2.
>> SO ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK ABOUT IN DISTRICT 2 IS THE AMOUNT OF CULTURE, THE AMOUNT OF HISTORY.
AND REALLY JUST THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN DISTRICT 2.
THAT IS THE FIRST REASON WHY I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A HOME IN DISTRICT 2, AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE STAYED WITH MY SCHOOL BECAUSE I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY.
TO YOUR POINT, WHAT THINGS HAVE I DONE TO KIND OF CHAMPION, TO REALLY CONTINUE THIS ON? A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE INITIATIVES THAT I HAVE COME UP WITH ON MY SCHOOL CAMPUS.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I CREATED WAS SOMETHING CALLED THE BREAKFAST CLUB.
ONE OF THE NEEDS THAT I SAW WAS THAT PARENTS -- THE WAY THAT WE ARE TEACHING OUR STUDENTS, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS MATH, RIGHT, IT'S NOT VERY SIMPLE BECAUSE THE WAY THAT I LEARNED HOW TO DO MULTIPLICATION IS NOT THE WAY THAT OUR PARENTS LEARNED HOW TO DO MULTIPLICATION, SO I CREATED SOMETHING CALLED THE BREAKFAST CLUB.
I ESSENTIALLY SERVE BREAKFAST AND TAUGHT PARENTS AND ALSO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, HOW TO TEACH A SPECIFIC TOPIC, SUCH AS CUBE MULTIPLICATION SO THEY WERE ABLE TO GO HOME AND TEACH THEIR CHILDREN HOW TO DO THAT.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE EXAMPLES OF HOW I GUESS BRIDGED A PARENT NEED, COMMUNITY NEED, WITH SOMETHING THAT I COULD ACTUALLY DO IN MY COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ?
SO FOLLOWING UP ON COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA'S QUESTION, I'LL TELL YOU, I'M VERY IMPRESSED BY YOU.
IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE YOU'VE GOT AN ENORMOUS FRONTAL LOBE AND A LOT OF DRIVE.
>> PELAEZ: BUT THIS JOB, AND I THINK I -- I DON'T THINK ANYBODY AT THIS TABLE'S GOING TO DISAGREE WITH ME, REALLY IS FULL-TIME.
>> PELAEZ: AND SO I WOULD TELL YOU THAT THERE ISN'T ANYBODY HERE WHO'S PUTTING 40 HOURS A WEEK INTO THIS, WE'RE PUTTING 50, 60 HOURS A WEEK, AND NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS, SO I JUST WANT TO
[00:45:02]
MAKE SURE THAT YOU'VE GOT IF RIGHT EXPECTATIONS ABOUT LIKE WHAT REALLY SERVING IN THIS IS.I'LL BE HONEST, A RED FLAG COMES UP WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO BALANCE THOSE.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE ONE THING I WOULD JUST CAUTION YOU TO SORT OF ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
AND LIKE, YOU, I, TOO, AM A FITNESS COACH -- [LAUGHTER]
>> PELAEZ: AND I HAD TO GIVE UP DOING IT IN ORDER TO SERVE ON THIS JOB.
AND SO -- BUT I'VE HAD TO MAKE A LOT OF SACRIFICES AND SO HAS EVERYBODY HERE, AND SO THIS MASTER'S PROGRAM YOU TALKED ABOUT AT SAISD, YOU REALLY THINK FOR YOU WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED FOR YOU FITS WITHIN THAT?
>> SO I BELIEVE THE DISTRICT 2 DOES DESERVE SOMEONE WHO CAN COMMIT TO FULL TIME.
I BELIEVE THAT IF I HAVE A PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND THAT IS MY JOB, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK.
AND THAT'S NOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR WORK WHICH YOU'RE SAYING THIS CAN BE 50, 60, 70, 80, HOURS A WEEK.
AND TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THAT'S HOW MANY HOURS I WORK FOR MY KIDS. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVEN'T NOT DONE BEFORE, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN'T FIT INTO MY SCHEDULE, BECAUSE OUR RESIDENTS DESERVE IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MRS. BAILEY.
>> CLERK: NEXT APPLICANT IS CHRIS DUNCAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND ALL THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT TODAY.
BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE CITY STAFF AND EVERYONE WHO'S REALLY HELPED TO MAKE THIS DAY POSSIBLE.
I WANTED TO HAVE BARBARA TO STAND WITH ME, BECAUSE ONE OF THE -- DORIS, I'M SORRY.
BECAUSE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE SERVED TOGETHER ON THE JOINT COMMISSION FOR THE ELDERLY AFFAIRS.
SO I WANTED HER TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH ME.
SHE'S SUPPORTED ME OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE HER SUPPORT AND I WANT TO THANK HER FOR COMING OUT TO SUPPORT ME.
SO WHO IS CHRIS DAWKINS AND WHY IS HE RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE OR WHY DOES HE WANT TO BE APPOINTED TO THIS OFFICE? LET ME SHARE A LITTLE STORY WITH YOU.
I NEVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY, SO AS A YOUNG MAN, I WANTED TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
AND MY FATHER TAUGHT ME THAT TO SERVE WAS NOBLE.
SO EARLY ON, OUR FAMILY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY, BUT I UNDERSTOOD IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE MONEY, YOU NEEDED TO HAVE PEOPLE.
AND I'VE BEEN THE GUY WHOSE HAD THE PEOPLE.
THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, I'VE PATTERNED MYSELF AFTER MY DAD, WHO WAS FROM A SMALL CARIBBEAN ISLAND CALLED JAMAICA.
GROWING UP, WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY, BUT WHAT I KNEW IS WE HAD THE PEOPLE.
SO I QUICKLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PEOPLE HAD THE POWER.
SO I USED MY TALENT, ORGANIZING PEOPLE AND RESIDENTS WHERE I LIVED IN LAKESIDE.
TOGETHER WE CREATED THELAKESIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND TOGETHER -- DID YOU HEAR ME SAY TOGETHER -- WE WORKED TOGETHER, TO WORK ON VARIOUS CITY AGENCIES -- OR WORK WITH THOSE AGENCIES, TCI, HUMAN SERVICES, PARKS AND RECREATION, TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE IN OUR AREA.
WE DIDN'T JUST TARGET CITY DEPARTMENTS, WE PARTNERED WITH CHURCHES AND BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA AND NEIGHBORHOODS, EVERYONE BENEFITED FROM THAT.
THESE ARE THE TWO AREAS THAT I -- DOING WHAT IS GOOD FOR SAN ANTONIO AND DOING WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE DISTRICT.
I KNOW THAT SAN ANTONIO'S REALLY GROWING UP, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME DWROAING -- GROWING PROBLEMS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
I BELIEVE SAN ANTONIO IS GOING TO BE CHALLENGED WITH A FEW ISSUES, CHOOSING OUR NEW CITY
[00:50:01]
MANAGER, STRUGGLING WITH CREATING AND UNDERSTANDING THE NEW ALAMO PLAZA AND WHAT COMES WITH THAT.I'M SURE YOU COUNCILPEOPLE ALL KNOW ABOUT THAT.
AND THE STRUGGLES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THROUGH MR. DAWKINS.
YOU KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, EXCELLENT CANDIDATES IN THE POOL FOR THIS POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> I BELIEVE I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'LL FIND IS THAT I'M FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I THINK NEIGHBORHOODS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT MAKE UP AN INDIVIDUAL THAT SERVES ON COUNCIL.
IF YOU SERVE ON COUNCIL AND YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SO I'VE SERVED ON NEIGHBORHOODS, I UNDERSTAND NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I THINK I'LL BE THE BEST PERSON TO HELP WITH COUNCIL.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER ISSUES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS TO DEAL WITH, WHICH IS GOVERNING ALL OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEING ABLE TO DO THAT, UNDERSTANDING THOSE BIG ISSUES, WHICH I JUST MENTIONED, I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN SAL DO -- SANDOVAL?
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, MR. DAWKINS FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND FOR YOUR APPLICATION.
WHAT YOU SAID IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ABOUT BALANCING THE NEEDS OF THE CITY AND THOSE OF DISTRICT 2.
WE EACH DO THAT EVERY DAY, BUT I THINK THIS HASN'T BEEN SAID YET, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPLIED THAT THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT DECISION FOR THE COUNCIL.
AND MY SENIOR COUNCILMEMBERS COLLEAGUES HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS ALREADY, BUT I THINK IT'S SO ODD THAT HERE WE ARE MAKING A DECISION THAT THE VOTERS WOULD HAVE MADE THEMSELVES DIRECTLY, SO THERE'S A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY ON US.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.
IT'S NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY, AND I DON'T PRETEND TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT DISTRICT 2 NEEDS, BUT I AM GOING TO TRY MY BEST TO MAKE THAT BEST DECISION.
SO THAT SAID, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON HERE WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES IS ADVANCING HOW WE DO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CITY HALL AND IN CITY PROCESSES.
I THINK WE DO A GREAT JOB, AND THAT THERE'S ALSO ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, THE EXPECTATIONS ARE A LOT HIGHER IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TODAY.
SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW WOULD YOU PLAN TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS ON THE RANGE OF TOPICS THAT WE DEAL WITH HERE AT CITY HALL WHEN IT COMES -- FROM EVERYTHING HAVING TO DO WITH ZONING CHANGES TO POLICY CHANGES? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR APPROACH?
>> I THINK THE ONE THING IS TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE OUR RESIDENTS.
THE ONE THING THAT I FOUND OUT, AND I'M SURE THAT EACH COUNCILPERSON GETS THIS AS WELL, IS THAT WHEN SOMEBODY CALLS YOUR COUNCIL OFFICE, A LOT OF TIMES THEY'LL CALL ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CITY GOVERNMENT.
YOU'LL GET CALLS ABOUT STATE GOVERNMENT, YOU'LL GET CALLS ABOUT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU GET A NUMBER OF CALLS ABOUT THINGS THAT REALLY DON'T DEAL WITH CITY GOVERNMENT.
I THINK THE FIRST TIME THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TRY TO GET OUR CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS CITY GOVERNMENT AND HOW THEY CAN DEAL WITH THAT.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID IN LAKESIDE, WE BEGAN TO LOOK AT THOSE SITUATIONS AND CREATE -- WE WOULD ASK THEM, WHEN YOU COME TO US WITH A PROBLEM, COME TO US WITH ALSO A SOLUTION.
AND THAT METROPOLITAN THEY HAD TO -- MEANT THEY HAD TO UNDERSTAND CITY GOVERNMENT.
I BELIEVE WE GOT A LOT DONE AND I KNOW WE GOT A LOT DONE, BUT WHEN YOU COME WITH A SOLUTION, THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD CITY GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING TO COME FROM OR HOW YOU CAN BE ABLE TO ASK FOR THE MONEY OR BEFORE WE GO TO THE COUNCILPERSON, WE KNOW WHERE THE BUDGET -- IN AUDIO] --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. DAWKINS PHO ALL OF YOUR WORK AND YOUR -- FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND BEING PRESENT AT MANY OF THE EVENTS THAT WE HAVE.
COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH ME -- YOU ARE A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
HOW WOULD YOU ALSO LIKE TO GAIN THE -- HOW DO YOU PLAN ON GAINING THE INPUT AND THE TRUST AND ALL OF THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND ALL OF THE OTHER RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2, IF SELECTED?
>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON SOMETHING THAT'S VERY GOOD QUESTION AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON SOMETHING WE CALL THE COMMUNITY CONGRESS.
THE COMMUNITY CONGRESS IS BEING ABLE TO TAKE ALL OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAVE TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THAT'S A BIG ISSUE THAT WE ARE HAVING, THAT THEY ARE NOT REGISTERED, OR SOME OF THEM ARE
[00:55:01]
NOT REGISTERED WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S THE HOAS AS OPPOSED TO JUST NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO THE FIRST THING WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE REGISTERING WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THE SECOND THING IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE HOAS AND THOSE BUILDERS WHO ARE BUILDING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET REGISTERED.
ONCE THEY'RE REGISTERED, THEN WE CAN BEGIN TO TAKE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, PUT THEM TOGETHER AND FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.
AND I BELIEVE DOING THAT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, BRINGING THEM TOGETHER, WHAT WE CALL THE COMMUNITY CONGRESS AND BEING ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND I REALLY HOPE THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF BRING THAT TO REALIZATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ?
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU, SIR, FOR VOLUNTEERING AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ASKING ALL THE CANDIDATES ABOUT TIME COMMITMENT.
SO THIS IS A LOT OF OUR TIME THAT WE ALL GIVE UP AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES AND OUR OTHER JOBS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
I WAS TELLING THE PREVIOUS CANDIDATE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING THIS WAY MORE THAN 40, 50 HOURS A WEEK.
AND SO DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER OBLIGATIONS OUTSIDE OF, YOU KNOW, THIS, IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE BRING YOU ON?
>> WITH THE HELP OF MY WIFE, I THINK, YES, SHE'LL ALLOW ME TO DO THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE?
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MY COLLEAGUE IN DISTRICT SEVEN ALREADY ALLUDED TO MY QUESTION, BUT I JUST KIND OF WANT TO DIG INTO IT JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER IF YOU COULD CLARIFY.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE.
SO HOW WOULD YOU PLACE AND VALUE THE PEOPLE'S VOICE, THE PEOPLE'S CHOICES IN YOUR DECISION-MAKING?
I THINK THAT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHETHER IT BE ON A LOCAL LEVEL OR WHETHER IT BE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, WE OFTEN FORGET THAT WE REPRESENT PEOPLE.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
YOU'VE GOT TO GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE AND DECIDE WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.
I'M NOT A GAY PERSON, BUT I BELIEVE IF YOU ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU HAVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU REPRESENT THEM AS WELL.
AND IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN'T REPRESENT THEM, THEN YOU STEP DOWN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. DAWKINS.
>> OH, IS THAT A GOODBYE? [LAUGHTER]
>> CLERK: THE NEXT APPLICANT IS CHRISTOPHER GREEN.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE AT THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
MY NAME'S CHRISTOPHER GREEN, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE I'M THE PERSON TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 2.
FIRST, I WANTED TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT EDUCATION HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF LIKE WHY I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU.
EACH DAY I WAKE UP AND REALIZE HOW LUCKY I AM TO BE IN THE PLACES THAT I OCCUPY.
I WAS BORN HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, GREW UP ATTENDING LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WENT OFF TO TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE I STUDIED JOURNALISM.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT I DIDN'T GO INTO RADIO OR TELEVISION BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE MUCH MORE FULFILLING CAREER AS A PUBLIC EDUCATOR, BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THAT IN MY LIFE AND HAVE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT ME.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN SAN ANTONIO ARE ABLE TO REALIZE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER THAT ATTAINING A POSTSECONDARY, YOU KNOW, DEGREE OR CERTIFICATION CAN BRING.
SO I THINK IN ORDER TO REACH OUR FULL POTENTIAL AS A CITY, ESPECIALLY WITH DISTRICT 2 AND WHERE I TEACH ON THE WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, WE MUST INVEST IN OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE, WHICH IS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
GENERATIONAL POVERTY MOST DEEPLY AFFECTS OUR CHILDREN.
MY EXPERIENCE AS A TEACHER, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, SHOWS ME THAT AMAZING THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WHEN WE TARGET OUR EFFORTS AT GREAT AREAS OF NEED.
IF WE, AS A CITY, PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO NEED IT MOST, I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN SEE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DEFY OUR WILDEST EXPECTATIONS ABOUT WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CITY, YOU KNOW, THINKING 10, 20 YEARS FROM NOW, AND FOR SAN ANTONIO TO ATTRACT EMPLOYERS, BRINGING HIGH-PAYING JOBS, IT'S NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POPULOUS IS EDUCATED ENOUGH TO FILL THOSE
[01:00:02]
ROLES.AND WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT WE NEED TO RAISE THE BAR ON EQUITY AND EDUCATION AS A CITY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, AND I THINK THAT I CAN BE AN IMPORTANT PART WITH MY EXPERIENCE AS AN EDUCATOR HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND PART OF CITY COUNCIL IN DISTRICT 2.
SO, YOU KNOW, TO CLOSE OUT, I'LL SAY THIS: THAT DISTRICT 22 DESERVES TO -- DISTRICT 2 DESERVES TO BE REPRESENTED BY SOMEONE WILLING TO BE A VOTE AND A VOICE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FELT IGNORED AND LEFT OUT OF SAN ANTONIO'S GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
I WORK EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT THE STUDENTS IN MY CLASSROOM ARE SUCCESSFUL, AND I'M ASKING YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THAT WORK FOR SAN ANTONIO IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 SPECIFICALLY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU MR. GREEN.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IN THIS POOL FOR ONE POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> I THINK THAT I'M A PERSON, BECAUSE OF MY, YOU KNOW, MULTICULTURAL UPBRINGING WHO IS ABLE TO CONSIDER A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES.
I THINK OF MYSELF AS A BRIDGE BUILDER, A SOLUTION-ORIENTED PERSON.
YOU KNOW, COMING INTO EDUCATION WITHOUT HAVING AN EDUCATION DEGREE, I JUST LEARNED TO BE VERY RESOURCEFUL AND WHATEVER IT TAKES ON ANY GIVEN DAY IS WHATEVER I'M GOING TO DO AND TRY OUT AND FAILURE TO ME IS JUST A PART OF MOVING FORWARD AND BEING SUCCESSFUL EVENTUALLY.
SO I THINK THAT THE VARIED EXPERIENCES THAT I'VE HAD AS AN EDUCATOR AND MY UPBRINGING MAKE ME THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS POSITION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GREEN.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANT THIS JOB TO GO ONIONED THE APPOINTMENT, IS THAT CORRECT, OR ARE YOU LOOKING AT THIS TO BE RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION ON THE DISTRICT 2 COUNCILPERSON?
>> ONE THING IN CONSIDERING EVEN BEING HERE AND APPLYING IS I HAD TO MAKE SURE FOR MYSELF THAT I WAS SERIOUS ABOUT DISTRICT 2 AND ABOUT NOT JUST OCCUPYING THE POSITION UNTIL MAY, BUT LONG-TERM.
LIKE THIS ISN'T ME APPLYING FOR THIS SO I CAN USE IT AS A SPRING BOARD FOR SOMETHING ELSE, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I KNOW SOMETIMES POLITICAL POSITIONS ARE LIKE THAT FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE.
IT'S LIKE, WELL, I'LL JUMP TO THIS AND I KNOW IT CAN GET ME HERE.
I'M THINKING ABOUT IT AS SOMETHING LONG-TERM.
SO IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR APPLYING.
HOW DO YOU INTEND TO ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS FOR INPUT AND GAIN THEIR TRUST?
>> SO ONE THING THAT I KNOW IS IMPORTANT IS -- AS SOMEONE WITH A COMMUNITY ORGANIZING BACKGROUND IS LISTENING TO ALL VOICES, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS.
THE PEOPLE HAVE ASSETS THAT ARE UNTAPPED, IF WE'RE NOT TALKING TO THEM.
AND SO I KNOW THAT I'M NOT AFRAID OF HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE AND LISTENING.
I MEAN, THAT'S ONE THING THE OLDER I GET, THE MORE I JUST TEND TO LISTEN BECAUSE THE MORE I REALIZE -- THE MORE I KNOW, THE MORE I DON'T KNOW.
AND I RELY ON LISTENING AND LEARNING FROM OTHERS TO, YOU KNOW, BRING FORTH SOLUTIONS AND BRING FORTH POSITIVE CHANGE.
AND SO DEFINITELY I THINK WHOEVER REPRESENTS DISTRICT 2 HAS TO BE WILLING TO LEBRON TO ALL PEOPLE, FROM THE OLDEST TO THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
MR. GREEN, HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN DISTRICT 2?
>> SO CURRENTLY, I'VE BEEN THERE FOR JUST OVER TWO YEARS NOW.
I'VE BEEN TEACHING IN SAN ANTONIO FOR FIVE YEARS.
I PLAN ON MAKING DISTRICT 2 MY HOME.
I GREW UP ON THE EAST SIDE, SO IT'S BASICALLY RETURNING HOME.
I DIDN'T NECESSARILY -- I DON'T LIVE NOW WHERE I GREW UP, BUT I'M RETURNING HOME AS FAR AS LIVING IN DISTRICT 2.
I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY RECOGNIZE WHOEVER REPRESENTS THEM REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE DISTRICT.
AND IF YOU GREW UP THERE, EVEN IF YOU HAD TO GO FOR SCHOOL OR WHATEVER, I'M SURE YOU DO.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE AN IMMEDIATE NEED OR CONCERN THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO ADDRESS RIGHT AWAY AS A COUNCILPERSON?
>> I THINK IT'S MAKING SURE THAT
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NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE KNOWN AND THOUGHT OF, AND NOT JUST THE LOUDEST VOICES ARE HEARD, THAT THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY IS ACTIVELY TRYING TO REACH PEOPLE TO, YOU KNOW, FIND OUT WHAT NEEDS ARE AND FIND OUT WHAT'S A SOLUTION.I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES IS NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTACT PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY -- YOU KNOW, FOR INSTANCE, A MEETING LIKE THIS, IT TAKES PLACE DURING THE DAY.
IF YOU HAVE -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE FAMILIES THAT I WORK WITH THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, TWO, THREE JOBS, AND BECAUSE THEY'RE UNABLE TO ATTEND A SCHOOL FUNCTION AT 6:0T DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY DON'T CARE.
THAT MEANS THAT WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF REACHING THEM WHERE THEY ARE.
AND SO I THINK THAT'S A PRIORITY FOR ME IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INVOLVE ALL VOICES IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY CAN COME TO A MEETING LIKE THIS OR NOT.
YOU'VE HEARD SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT THE TIME COMMITMENT, AND IT IS VERY GREAT.
I WAS A TEACHER, I KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I PUT IN AS A TEACHER.
YOU'RE A TEACHER, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TIME YOU PUT IN.
ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE THAT, BECOME A FULL-TIME COUNCILPERSON AT LESS PAY THAT YOU GET AS A TEACHER IN ORDER TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY?
>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS GONE THROUGH MY MIND BECAUSE THE WAY THAT I TEACH REQUIRES NOT 40 HOURS A WEEK, IT REQUIRES 60, 70 HOURS DEDICATED TO THE CRAFT.
SO I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THIS IS THE CHOICE -- IF THIS IS, YOU KNOW -- IF I'M THE DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATE THAT IS SELECTED, THAT THERE -- I'LL HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THE TWO, BECAUSE I CAN'T REALISTICALLY DO BOTH UNLESS I FIGURE OUT A WAY BETWEEN NOW AND THEN TO CLONE MYSELF.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. GREEN, FOR YOUR
>> NEXT APPLICANT IS DERECK HILLYER.
LIFETIME RESIDENT OF THE EAST SIDE DISTRICT 2 SAN ANTONIO.
I'M A PRODUCT OF SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL WHERE I GRADUATED WITH HONORS.
BEEN A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.
I RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP TO TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY WHERE I WAS PART OF A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM ON AN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP.
WE WERE LATER INDUCTED INTO THE COLLEGE HALL OF FAME.
AFTER COLLEGE I RETURNED HOME, MARRIED MY HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART OF 35 YEARS.
SHE TOO IS ALSO A PRODUCT OF SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE'S A GRADUATE OF INCARNATE WORD UNIVERSITY.
OUR TWO SONS, THEY'RE ALSO PRODUCTS OF SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL.
WE'RE MULTIGENERATIONAL, AS YOU CAN SEE.
I DID MANY JOBS TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY ALONG THE WAY UNTIL A REWARDING CAREER WHEN THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED ITSELF.
THIS ALLOWED ME TO DO MANY GREAT THINGS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I MET A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE AND I'VE CONTINUED TO SERVE THEM WELL.
IN THE SCHOOLS WHERE I MENTOR, I SEE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ALL THEY WANT IS A CHANCE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOOD.
COME BACK TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND DO WELL.
MY SONS, THEY'RE STARTING THEIR FAMILIES AND I LOOK AT THEM AND TELL THEM IT'S ALWAYS AN OPPORTUNITY OUT THERE FOR YOU.
AS I WENT TO ST. PHILIPS COLLEGE AND OBTAINED AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE WHILE WORKING AT THE FIREHOUSE, GOING TONIGHT SCHOOL.
I WANTED TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THEM ALWAYS, THAT YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO KEEP LEARNING, KEEP PUTTING INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
AS I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY, SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SOME CONCERNS OR ISSUES ABOUT ME.
I'VE HAD A REWARDING CAREER THAT I ATTAINED MANY SKILLS THAT I FEEL WOULD BE HELPFUL GOING FORWARD.
IN MY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SKILLS WILL SERVE WELL TO SAN ANTONIO, WHO IS A BOLD INNOVATIVE, BUSTLING CITY THAT IS BRACING THEMSELVES FOR AN INFLUX OF MANY NEW RESIDENTS.
I FEEL THESE SKILLS WILL SERVE US WELL.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO CLOSE BY TELLING YOU I'VE ALWAYS HAD THIS CITY FIRST, MY COMMUNITY FIRST, THE HOAS THAT I KNOW, THAT I SERVE.
ALWAYS HAD A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
[01:10:01]
NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH I GREW UP, IT HAD A CALMING EFFECT ON PEOPLE DURING SOME OF THE MOST TRYING TIMES.AND EVEN A COMFORTING EFFECT ON THE WORST DAYS OF THEIR LIVES.
SO I'M STILL IN MY NEIGHBORHOODS.
STILL IN MY COMMUNITY, SERVING.
I HAVE RETIRED FROM THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT BUT I'LL NEVER RETIRE FROM BEING A PUBLIC SERVICE TO MY NEIGHBORS AND MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. HILLYER FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> SAN ANTONIO IS A BOLD ASCENDING CITY.
WE'RE BRACING OURSELVES FOR AN INFLUX OF A LARGE NUMBER OF NEW RESIDENTS.
IT'S NOT WHEN WILL A DISASTER HAPPEN, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN PLACE.
I THINK I HAVE AMASSED A LOT OF SKILLS IN MY PREVIOUS YEAR THAT I CAN LEND TO THE CITY.
DISTRICT 2 IS A MICROCAUSEM OF SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S VERY DIVERSE AND WITH ALL THE GOOD WORKS THAT THE COUNCIL PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY DOING WE CAN BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, SUCH AS COUNCIL PERSON VIAGRAN IN YOUR DISTRICT WHERE WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER, ALL THE WAY THROUGH DISTRICT 10, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
WE CONNECT A CORRIDOR THAT RUNS THROUGH DISTRICT 2.
THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT ALONG THAT CORRIDOR.
WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER AND THAT'S WHAT I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR APPLYING AND FOR STEPPING UP TO SERVE IN THIS PUBLIC SERVICE ROLE AS WELL.
MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE TOP THREE PRIORITIES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE COMING FORWARD, EITHER DISTRICT 2-WISE OR FOR THE CITY? OR IT COULD BE FOR BOTH OF THEM.
I MENTOR SEVERAL SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND WHEN I LOOK IN THE FACES OF THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT OPPORTUNITIES, WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FUTURES IN THE PLANNING AND INCLUDE THEM AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A LIVING FOR THEMSELVES, HOPEFULLY BE GOOD CITIZENS AND RETURN TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ALSO CONTRIBUTE.
THAT'S TRUE SUSTAINABILITY THAT I THINK WOULD HELP SAN ANTONIO GOING FORWARD.
AGAIN, I LIKE TO RELY ON THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE, MY PEOPLE SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS WHEN DEALING WITH ALL THE VARIOUS HOAS, THAT ARE PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT TO HAVE A VOICE.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO REPRESENT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
THANK YOU SIR FOR VOLUNTEERING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY OVER THE PAST -- DURING YOUR CAREER AS A FIREFIGHTER.
I HAVE BEEN ASKING ALL THE CANDIDATES THE SAME QUESTION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE THIS IS FULL-TIME PLUS.
WE DO NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO HANDLE ALL THE HOURS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS JOB, YES?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND YOUR APPLICATION.
COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD PLAN TO ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2 IN YOUR WORK HERE? EVERYTHING RANGING FROM ZONING CASE TO THE POLICY DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE HERE AT COUNCIL.
MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBILITY, COMMUNICATION.
THERE ARE MANY MODES OF COMMUNICATION THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
THE CITY PLANNERS HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB WITH THE WEBSITES IN CONNECTING, GIVING THE CITIZENS A VOICE DIGITALLY AS WELL AS OUTREACH, REGIONAL CENTERS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED, PLACES OF MEETINGS.
THERE ARE MANY MODES OF COMMUNICATION THAT YOU CAN HAVE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILIES.
USING THEM ALL, NOT ONE PIECE OF COMMUNICATION.
YOU HAVE TO USE EVERY POSSIBLE MODE OF COMMUNICATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MR. HILLYER, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
IT TAKES COURAGE TO COME UP HERE AND STAND IN FRONT OF THIS BODY FOR ALL 13.
BUT I THINK WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS IT TAKES A LITTLE EXTRA COURAGE FOR YOU TO COME UP HERE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> BROCKHOUSE: YOUR LOYALTY HAS BEEN CALLED INTO QUESTION AND I'M GOING TO TEE IT RIGHT UP HERE BECAUSE I THINK THE ANSWER IS NEEDED.
AND I DON'T NECESSARILY FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING IT BUT I THINK IT'S THE CONCERN.
AND WHEN THE MAYOR'S CALLED YOU A PUPPET, I WANT YOU TO TELL US AND DESCRIBE AS DIRECTLY AS POSSIBLE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO LEAD AND BE LOYAL TO THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2.
I THINK THE QUESTION SHOULD BE ANSWERED AND I THINK YOU DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND DEFEND YOUR
[01:15:01]
REPUTATION AND YOUR COMMUNITY.AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR ANSWER, SIR.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
YES, SOME THINGS ABOUT ME HAVE BEEN CALLED INTO QUESTION, BUT I'M AN INDEPENDENT THINKER.
I SERVE MANY GREAT PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS.
I'VE SERVED ON THE BOARD OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, SAN ANTONIO FIGHTING BACK.
I MADE A LOT OF CONNECTIONS IN MY COMMUNITY.
SO AS I WAS SAID, HEY, WE STILL NEED YOUR SERVICE.
LIKE I TOLD THEM, I'LL NEVER RETIRE FROM PUBLIC SERVICE.
AND THAT WAS WHAT ENCOURAGED ME TO ALSO RUN.
AS I GO INTO SCHOOLS AND MENTOR I LOOK IN THE FACES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT AN OPPORTUNITY.
WHEN I GREW UP WE HAD SUMMER JOBS, WAYS AND MEANS I COULD HELP MY WHOLE FAMILY, EVEN AS A YOUNGSTER.
I WANT TO TURN THAT LIGHT ON IN THEIR FACES, MAKE THEM A LITTLE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THEY CAN GET TO LOOK FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, BUY YOUR OWN SCHOOL CLOTHES, START THEM OUT EARLY AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP GOING.
I THINK FROM A VISIBLE POSITION AS SUCH IN THE CITY AND BEING PART OF ALL THE PLANNING, THAT ALL OF YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR, THAT SERVES GREATLY IN DISTRICT 2, MY COMMUNITY IN AUDIO] TO THE PEOPLE I SERVE, ALL THE HOAS, ALL THE SCHOOLS THAT I'M IN.
ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILY, NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE URGED ME TO TAKE THIS STEP.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MR. HILLYER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT HERE TODAY.
SO THIS IS NOT JUST A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT TO YOU.
IF YOU GET APPOINTED YOU INTEND TO RUN FOR THIS SEAT?
>> YES, SIR, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
I INTEND TO RUN BECAUSE BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CHECK IN, CHECK OUT ALL.
IF YOU'RE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, YOU'LL BE THERE FOR YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS, YOUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, YOUR HOAS.
THEY'RE TRYING TO HELP AND BE A PART OF THE OVERALL PLAN FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MR. HILLYER.
THE NEXT APPLICANT IS AUBRY LEWIS.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
WILL ALL THE CANDIDATES OR APPLICANTS THAT HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED, PLEASE REPORT BACK INTO THE C ROOM AT THIS TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TWO MINUTES.
SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS WENT TO THE RESTROOM.
MR. LEWIS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TWO MINUTES AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
IF EVERYONE CAN REMAIN SEATED, WE'RE JUST WAITING ON A COUPLE
IF EVERYONE CAN TAKE THEIR SEATS, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND RESUME.
IF WE CAN SHUT THE DOOR, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
ALL RIGHT, MR. LEWIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME BEFORE YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
[01:20:04]
I GRADUATED FROM BRACKENRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL AND FROM THERE I WENT ON TO THE [INDISCERNIBLE] IN SILVER SPRINGS, MARYLAND.AND I ALSO COMPLETED THE COURSE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
I AM CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE [INDISCERNIBLE] HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION.
I HAVE BEEN PRESIDENT SINCE APRIL 2014.
I'M CURRENTLY A BOARD MEMBER FOR THE DAVIS SCOTT YMCA.
JUST BEEN ELECTED TO SECOND VICE PRESIDENT POSITION FOR THE SAN ANTONIO BRANCH OF THE NAACP.
AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE DENVER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, I MAINTAIN A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS.
AND COUNCILMAN SHAW AND I HAVE CONVERSED WEEKLY.
AND I LED HIS LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN FOR 2017.
WORKING CONTINUOUSLY WITH BUSINESS DEVELOPERS THAT COME INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE WANTING TO BRING IN DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.
I WORKED CONTINUOUSLY WITH THEM.
ONE BEING THE TONY G'S RESTAURANT, WHICH PREVIOUSLY WAS LOCATED ON ST. PAUL SQUARE.
WE ENCOURAGED HIM TO MOVE HIS RESTAURANT INTO THE DENVER HEIGHTS AREA, WHICH IS A PART OF THE EAST SIDE COMMUNITY.
AND EVERY -- ONCE A MONTH I VOLUNTEER FOR THE SENIORS THAT ARE LOCATED DOWN AT THE GRENADA SENIOR HOME ON VILLA STREET DOWNTOWN.
I BRING THEM OUT TO THE TONY G'S RESTAURANT TO HAVE BREAKFAST.
IT'S AN OUTING FOR THESE FOLKS.
AND I'VE DONE THAT CONTINUOUSLY.
IN FACT, I JUST FINISHED UP THIS MORNING.
ALSO, WHEN I RETIRED FROM GREYHOUND, I WAS WITH GREYHOUND 28.5 YEARS.
I STARTED OFF AS A DRIVER THERE, TRANSPORTATION, AND MOVED INTO MANAGEMENT THERE.
I WENT ON TO BECOME AUDIO] WHICH WAS A UNION REPRESENTATIVE AT GREYHOUND LINES.
I NEGOTIATED A NUMBER OF CONTRACTS.
WE SETTLED A NUMBER OF DISPUTES.
I'VE ALSO SERVED FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS AS A GREYHOUND TRUSTEE FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TRUST AND FOR THE DISABILITY PENSION TRUST.
AND THEN ALSO WE WORK CONTINUOUSLY IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES THAT HAVE COME IN.
AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS.
THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IN THIS POOL OF APPLICANTS, WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> WELL, I FEEL LIKE I WORK IN THE COMMUNITY CONTINUOUSLY ON A DAILY BASIS.
WE REACH OUT TO THE DIFFERENT CITY OFFICIALS TO BRING THE STAFF IN TO EXPLAIN TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE DIFFERENT BENEFITS OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.
SO MANY OF THEM ARE NOT AWARE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TAX BREAKS THAT THEY GET.
THEY'RE SENIORS WHO HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED SO LONG.
A LOT OF THEM ARE TOTALLY UNAWARE THAT IF THEY'RE HOMESTEAD AND THEY GET THE SENIOR EXEMPTION THEIR TAXES ARE STABLE.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HIT THE PANIC ZONE, ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS, WHEN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT COMES INTO THE AREA.
THEY'VE BEEN TOLD, WELL YOUR TAXES ARE GETTING READY TO GO UP.
AND SO WE TRY TO EDUCATE THEM.
AND I'VE DONE A LOT TO EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE.
AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENTS IN THE CITY.
WE'VE GROWN FROM EIGHT MEMBERS ATTENDING TO OVER 649 ATTENDING THROUGH THE YEARS.
AND THIS IS GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO I REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS.
MR. LEWIS, THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMPANY.
YOU UNDERSTAND THE TIME COMMITMENT HERE, RIGHT? YOU GOT TO SEE MR. CRUZ SHAW PUT IN DAYS AND NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS INTO THIS JOB, AND THAT IS WHAT IS EXPECTED.
>> PELAEZ: SO YOU HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT?
>> PELAEZ: IT OCCURRED TO ME AS I WAS SITTING HERE LOOKING AT
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ALL THE STAFFERS SITTING BEHIND US, COUNCILMAN SHAW PUT TOGETHER AN EXCELLENT TEAM OF STAFFERS WHO'S BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE AND THEY WORK JUST AS HARD AS HE DID IN MANY INSTANCES.HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO WORK WITH THEM AND IS IT YOUR INTENTION TO CONTINUE TO WORKING WITH THEM IF YOU GET THIS POSITION?
>> YES A DISCUSSION, EVALUATE.
AND HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WILL BE ON BOARD, BUT IT'S MY INTENT TO KEEP IT ONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS, FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION.
IT IS NO EASY FEAT TO EVEN GET TO THIS POINT, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE -- YOU HAVE BEEN VERY ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY, BUT HOW DO YOU INTEND TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE DISTRICT, AND IF YOU ARE SELECTED AS COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE? AND HOW DO YOU INTEND TO GAIN THEIR TRUST AND THEN GAIN THEIR INPUT?
>> WELL, MY INTENT TO CONTINUE COUNCILMAN SHAW'S AGENDA, WHICH I FEEL AND I BELIEVE WAS GETTING THE ENTIRE CITY ENGAGED.
SO BY CONTINUING HIS AGENDA I THINK WE WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
WE'LL CONTINUE WITH HIS AGENDA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS, FOR PUTTING YOURSELF FORWARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON GENTRIFICATION, SHORT-TERM RENTALS, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND IN DISTRICT 2?
>> IN TERMS OF GENTRIFICATION, MY CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT WE'VE SEEN DEVELOPMENT COMING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
THIS IS NOTHING THAT'S POPPED UP OVERNIGHT.
AND I THINK WHAT MORE THAN GENTRIFICATION IS LIKE A PREPARATION, NOT WANTING TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT SAN ANTONIO IS GROWING AND IT'S GOING EAST, IT'S GOING WEST.
AND BEING ABLE TO ACCEPT THAT IS THE MAIN THING.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS I'VE HEARD OF IN THE COMMUNITY IS FROM OUR SENIORS.
THEY ARE AFRAID OF BEING MISPLACED AND FORCED OUT.
SO THAT'S ONE PROBLEM WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK ON AS PART OF THIS COUNCIL, I BELIEVE.
>> COURAGE: AND WHAT ABOUT CONTINUE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABLE IN DENVER HEIGHTS AND IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THERE?
I MEAN, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
WITHOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE WHOLE CITY.
>> COURAGE: YOU DON'T THINK THERE'S A CONFLICT WITH GENTRIFICATION AND PROPERTIES BEING TURNED INTO SHORT-TERM RENTALS THAT WILL RAISE THE VALUES OF HOMES IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO WHERE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES THAT MIGHT WANT TO WORK IN IS DISAPPEARING?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> SANDOVAL: MR. LEWIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR APPLYING AND FOR YOUR PRESENTATION HERE TODAY.
I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU AUDIO] THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EQUITY COMMITTEE, WHICH I CHAIR -- MAYOR, IS THAT FINAL OR NOT?
>> SANDOVAL: CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE.
[LAUGHTER] THAT COMMITTEE REVIEWS ITEMS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH HEALTH, ALSO WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, WITH AIR QUALITY, ET CETERA.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WOULD YOU HAVE THE TIME COMMITMENT TO ATTEND THOSE COMMUNITY -- SORRY, THOSE COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS? AND WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE ROLE OF CITY GOVERNMENT IN CARING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH?
I DIDN'T JUST RETIRE YESTERDAY.
I'VE BEEN RETIRED FOR SOME TIME, SO I MADE THAT BIG ADJUSTMENT THERE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING THE TIME WORKING ON THOSE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.
AND WHAT WAS YOUR OTHER QUESTION TO THAT?
>> SANDOVAL: YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PERSPECTIVE -- SORRY.
WHAT WAS MY QUESTION? YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE ROLE OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO CARING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.
BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH.
WELL, I THINK WE'VE GOT TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND KEEP THE DOOR OPEN IN DEALING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE'VE GOT TO LISTEN TO THE CONCERNS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO US.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND I THINK WE'LL BE OKAY.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
[01:30:01]
WE'RE GOING TO APPOINT AS A PLACE HOLDER FOR YOU? OR JUST FOR THE FIVE MONTHS? OR DO YOU SEE YOURSELF RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION IN MAY?>> I SEE MYSELF RUNNING FOR IT IN MAY, SIR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MR. LEWIS.
>> NEXT APPLICANT IS LESTER BRYANT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR NIRENBERG AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS LESTER BRYANT AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS MY QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DISTRICT 2 APPOINTMENT.
EACH OF YOU HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF BOTH MY LETTER OF INTEREST AND MY RESUME.
RATHER THAN REHASH THAT INFORMATION, LET ME SPEND SOME TIME TALKING ABOUT WHAT I THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN THE PERSON SELECTED TO FILL THIS POSITION.
YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM SINCE 2017.
NOW YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO SELECT A NEW MEMBER FOR THE TEAM.
IN ADDITION TO KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES FACING BOTH DISTRICT 2 AND THE CITY, YOU NEED TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN JOIN YOUR TEAM WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DISRUPTION.
YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE CONFLICTING PRIORITIES THAT MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL OFTEN FACE.
SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHO WILL BE CALLED ON TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT NOT ONLY IMPACT THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT 2 BUT ALSO THE CITY.
VARIOUS CAPACITIES AT A VARIETY OF LEVELS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.
THIS SERVICE HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY OF YOU AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF.
MY RECENT SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE GIVE ME BOTH THE HARD AND SOFT SKILLS TO MEANINGFULLY PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS AND DELIBERATIONS ON THE MAJOR ISSUES IMPACTING OUR CITY.
I THINK YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A HISTORY OF RECENT SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF BOTH DISTRICT 2 AND THE CITY.
SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WILL FACE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION AND HAS DEMONSTRATED HISTORY OF COLLABORATIVE SERVICE.
IN SHORT, I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PERSON TO JOIN YOUR HIGH PERFORMING TEAM AND BE AN IMMEDIATE CONTRIBUTOR.
I BELIEVE THAT I AM THAT PERSON.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. BRYANT.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IN THIS POOL OF APPLICANTS FOR ONE POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS POLICYMAKING, SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS GOVERNANCE, SOMEONE THAT'S A CONSENSUS BUILDER AND SOMEONE THAT'S A TEAM PLAYER, AND I HAVE DEMONSTRATED ALL THOSE ABILITIES IN MY ROLE HERE IN THE CITY, DISTRICT 2, AND ALSO NATIONALLY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
WITH YOUR YOUR DISTRICT AND THE CITY, NOW FOCUSING ON DISTRICT 2, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE KEY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD AS THE NEW COUNCIL PERSON FOR DISTRICT 2?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMAN.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING DISTRICT 2 RIGHT NOW ARE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS.
WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION, JOBS, AND EDUCATION.
MY SOLUTIONS TO THOSE PROBLEMS WOULD BE TO MEET WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, THE HOAS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER TO SOLVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, YOU KNOW, AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND THE MAYOR'S TASK FORCE ON HOUSING HAS CREATED A BLUEPRINT TO HELP ADDRESS THE HOUSING CONCERNS.
>> COURAGE: DO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM WITH GENTRIFICATION, SHORT-TERM HOUSING RENTALS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THOSE AREAS?
>> COURAGE: WELL, GENTRIFICATION, PEOPLE BUYING UP HOMES AND UPGRADING THEM.
SHORT-TERM RENTALS, PEOPLE BUYING HOMES IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND TURNING THEM INTO MINI HOTELS AND TRYING TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THOSE SAME COMMUNITIES OVER TIME WITH THESE CHANGES GOING ON.
>> YES, I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING -- I KNOW THE COUNCIL HAS DISCUSSED THE AIRBNB SITUATION.
[01:35:01]
AND GENTRIFICATION, AS WE ALL KNOW, AS NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS WHEN YOU USE THAT WORD.I THINK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT HOW DO WE THE NARRATIVE.
BECAUSE IF YOU OWN A HOME IN THE DISTRICT, I CAN'T TELL YOU NOT TO SELL YOUR HOME.
AND SO WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO, AS STATED IN THE POLICY, LEARN HOW TO USE THAT TO OUR BENEFIT AND ALSO LOOK AT A POTENTIALLY A HEALING PROCESS FOR COMMUNITIES SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE THAT HISTORY FROM THE COMMUNITIES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
THANK YOU, LESTER SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE CITIZENS AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE COUNTY, ACTUALLY.
ONE OF MY QUESTIONS IS WE HAVE -- WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A STRONG IDENTITY AND PRIDE THAT IS EXISTENT WITH DISTRICT 2.
HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CHAMPION THAT AND HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THAT AS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 2?
>> YOU KNOW, GROWING UP ON THE EAST SIDE BACK DURING THE DAYS WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF PRIDE, THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY.
AND THINKING ABOUT THEN VERSUS NOW WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER COLLECTIVELY AND UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST IF YOU LIVE ON THE NEAR EAST SIDE.
JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY LIVE ON THE FAR EAST SIDE THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T SHARE THAT PRIDE OF THE EAST SIDE.
SO INSTEAD OF OPERATING AS THE NEAR EAST SIDE, THE MIDDLE EAST SIDE TO FAR EAST SIDE AUDIO] AS A DISTRICT.
BECAUSE WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT DISTRICT 2 HAS FIVE SECTIONS TO IT.
YOU HAVE THE NEAR EAST SIDE, MIDDLE EAST SIDE, FAR EAST SIDE.
YOU HAVE THE NORTHEAST SIDE, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE BROADWAY CORRIDOR.
SO WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER COLLECTIVELY FOR THE DISTRICT.
AND WE'RE NOT THERE, SO THAT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME HARD WORK.
GOING TO TAKE SOME COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE LISTENING TO EVERYONE'S CONCERNS.
BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY WE CAN CORRECT ANY PROBLEM IS BY LISTENING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE OTHER PERSON'S CHALLENGES ARE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU, SIR, FOR VOLUNTEERING.
AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE OVER THE YEARS.
I ASKED ALL THE CANDIDATES THE SAME QUESTION.
DO YOU HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO BE ABLE TO COMMIT ALL THE TIME NECESSARY TO DO THIS JOB? WE ALL WORK DAYS, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN MY RESUME, I MANAGED A 24/7 ENVIRONMENT, OPERATING IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES FOR YEARS.
SO I'M VERY USED TO THAT 2:00 IN THE MORNING PHONE CALL, BEING OUT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY YOU GET A CALL, HEY, GUYS.
IT'S GREAT BUT I'VE GOT TO GO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
DO YOU SEE THIS AS JUST A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OR ARE YOU CONSIDERING OR WILL YOU BE RUNNING FOR THIS PERMANENTLY IN MAY?
>> AS OF 3:40 TODAY I AM FOCUSED ON THE TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT AND DOING THE WORK OF DISTRICT 2 AND WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL.
I AM GOING TO BE TOTALLY HONEST.
I HAVE NOT COMMITTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN MAY.
I KNOW THAT THE FILING DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15TH SO I KNOW THAT I HAVE A FEW WEEKS, IF I'M APPOINTED, TO BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE NEEDS AND CAMPAIGN.
BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE AS SEASONED AS YOU GUYS TO BE ABLE TO DO YOUR JOBS AND ALSO RUN A CAMPAIGN.
NOT SAYING THAT I CAN'T WALK AND CHEW BUBBLE GUM, BUT YOU GUYS ARE MORE EXPERIENCED IN THAT AREA THAN I AM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, MR. BRYANT, FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO AND FOR APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION.
[01:40:01]
COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT TECHNIQUES YOU'D USE TO ENGAGE YOUR RESIDENTS IN YOUR WORK?FIRST THING IS GETTING WITH, TALKING WITH YOU GUYS.
MY 30-DAY PLAN, IF THAT'S A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT, A 30-DAY PLAN WOULD BE TO WORK WITH CITY STAFF OUT WHAT ARE THE HOT ISSUES RIGHT NOW FOR THE COMMUNITY, CIVIC LEADERS AND THEN ALSO HAVING TOWN HALL MEETINGS.
FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE, HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THOSE ISSUES.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.
AND AS GREAT AS TECHNOLOGY IS TODAY, NOTHING BEATS FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MR. BRYANT.
I AM DENISE GUTIERREZ-HOMER AND I COULD BE THE FIRST LATINA COUNCILWOMAN TO REPRESENT THE EAST SIDE.
WITH A DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FINE ARTS I KNOW IT'S A UNIQUE AND INTERESTING COMBINATION.
BUT MY INTEREST, TALENTS AND ADVOCACY ARE ALL PART OF MY DAILY LIFE ROUTINE.
SOME OF YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE ME.
SINCE I APPEAR BEFORE YOU AT CITY COUNCIL AS A DOWNTOWN RESIDENT.
VOICING CONCERNS FOR MY NEIGHBORS IN MY DISTRICT.
I ADVOCATE FOR MY NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, SENIORS, VETERANS, AND EVEN PETS.
AND I'LL LEAVE THE PETS TO MY HUSBAND.
I LISTEN TO CONCERNS AND RESEARCH AND RESOLVE THE ISSUES WHEN POSSIBLE.
AS A FORMER TEACHER, I UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF DEALING WITH DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.
AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I HAVE DEALT WITH CLIENTS, SUBCONTRACTORS.
I GUIDE MY CLIENTS THROUGH THE PROCESS, HELP THEM MAKE DECISIONS, WORK WITH BUDGETS AND SCHEDULES.
I SEE HUGE POTENTIAL IN DISTRICT 2.
WE NEED INCUBATORS SUCH AS [INDISCERNIBLE] IN DISTRICT 5.
THEY MENTOR BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS ON HOW TO GROW, LEARN TECHNOLOGY, LEARN TO NETWORK, AND LEARN HOW TO HAVE BASIC MANAGEMENT SKILLS.
AS A COUNCILWOMAN, I REALIZE A COMPROMISE IS ESSENTIAL AND SO IS PRINCIPLE.
DISTRICT 2 IS DEALING WITH AMAZING GROWTH.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT SHOULD EXTEND FURTHER INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH LIGHTING, BETTER STREETS, TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY AND CONSIDERED FOR EVERYONE.
FOR OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY WE MUST OFFER RESIDENTS BETTER MOBILITY.
I WILL WORK WITH VIA TO CREATE BETTER SCHEDULES, EXPAND SERVICES FOR UNIVERSITIES, BUSINESSES, AND TOURISTS.
CREATING OPTIONS FOR MORE SHUTTLE SERVICES, REMOTE SURFACE PARKING, LINKING COMMUTER SCHEDULE FOR FLEXIBLE RIDE SHARING.
I HAVE IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS FOR MANY CONCERNS FOR DISTRICT 2 AND SAN ANTONIO.
I'M NOT HERE TO CREATE ISSUES BUT OFFER SOLUTIONS.
I WILL EMULATE THE BEST OF THE DISTRICT WEBSITES.
DISTRICT 8 HAS LINKS ON INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT.
COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN HAS SPAY SA LINKS.
DISTRICT 1 HAS AN INEQUITY PROJECT NOW.
DISTRICT 2 WILL UPDATE AND ADAPT FOR DISTRICT 2 CITIZENS AND I WILL ADD COMMUNITY CALENDARS, DISTRICT EVENT CALENDARS, OPT FOR A PUSH NOTIFICATION.
NOW, I'M TAKING THE TEACHER MODE HERE.
USE A SIMPLE BULLET POINT OF A LETTER C.
C IS FOR CARING, CONSIDERATION, COMMUNICATION, COMPROMISE, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT, CONSTITUENT.
THE CONSTITUENT MUST BE RESPECTED.
SO I'M HERE AS A PROBLEM SOLVER.
I HAVE AN ART STUDIO IN DISTRICT 1.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2, AND MY HUSBAND'S HOSPITAL IS IN DISTRICT 3.
AND I AM THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 2.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. GUTIERREZ.
SO THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IN THE POOL OF APPLICANTS FOR THE DISTRICT 2 POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
I HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE BECAUSE I'M ACTUALLY INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY.
[01:45:01]
I LIKE TO DO MY RESEARCH AND I CAN SEE POSSIBILITIES.SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN UNTAPPED.
SO I WANT TO BRING FRESH IDEAS.
AS A DECORATOR, INTERIOR DESIGNER, RESTORATION EXPERT, I CAN BRING MORE IDEAS TO THE PLATFORM.
I HAVE TO MEET BUDGETS WHEN I HAVE TO DEAL WITH A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR APPLYING AND STEPPING UP HERE.
>> VIAGRAN: AND I KNOW YOU ARE ENGAGED BECAUSE WE DID SEE YOU AT OUR TOWN HALL IN DISTRICT 3, JUST AT THE END OF DECEMBER.
>> VIAGRAN: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN AND BEING OUT THERE WITH THE COMMUNITY.
BUT AS THE COMMUNITY, HOW DO YOU INTEND TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS AND GAIN THEIR TRUST AND GAIN THAT UNITY FOR DISTRICT 2?
>> WELL, I'M PART OF THE DISTRICT.
I'M PART OF THE SAN ANTONIO DOWNTOWN AREA.
LIKE I SAID, I'M INVOLVED IN DISTRICT 1.
I HAVE A BUSINESS IN DISTRICT 3.
THEY SEE ME AROUND THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE A PART OF SAN ANTONIO.
I HAD TO GET INTO THIS SITUATION, BUT I ALSO HAD TO BRING MY HUSBAND INTO THE CONVERSATION.
BECAUSE HE HAS HIS PRACTICE IN THE SOUTH SIDE.
I'LL ACTUALLY HAVE ANOTHER OFFICE AT HIS OFFICE, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO HIM AND SAY I SAW YOUR WIFE.
SO WHAT ACTUALLY IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS I'M GOING TO BE MORE ACTIVE.
BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH SO MANY MORE PEOPLE.
AND THEY KNOW WHERE I'M GOING TO BE.
SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS.
BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN HELP AND GET PEOPLE OUT THERE.
AND I HAVE A HARD TIME TALKING IN PUBLIC, BUT I PREFER THAT ONE-ON-ONE.
AND ONCE THEY KNOW ME, THEY REALIZE THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THIS IS A FULL-TIME GIG.
WEEKENDS, DAYS, NIGHTS, HOLIDAYS.
YOU'VE GOT THE BANDWIDTH TO DO THAT AND YOU'RE READY?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
THANK YOU, MS. GUTIERREZ-HOMER FOR BRINGING FORWARD YOURSELF AS A CANDIDATE.
YOU'VE REPRESENTED YOUR NEIGHBORS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL.
>> COURAGE: YOU'VE COME AND TALKED.
LET ME ASK YOU THIS, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT ARE THE BIGGEST CONCERNS THAT YOU THINK COUNCIL SHOULD BE ADDRESSING?
>> WELL, PART OF MY SPEECH IS THE WORD "RESPECT." I KNOW I FELT A LACK OF RESPECT.
I'M HEARING THAT FROM MY COMMUNITY.
WHEN WE REACHED OUT TO DISTRICT 2, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A RESPONSE.
SO I MET WITH SOME OF THE OTHER COUNCIL AND REACHED OUT TO THEM.
BECAUSE IF WE HAD AN ISSUE, I NEEDED TO GET ANSWERS.
IF I COULDN'T GET THEM IN DISTRICT 2, YES, I DID MY RESEARCH BUT I ALSO EXTENDED MYSELF OUT AND WENT AND KNOCKED ON DOORS TO SEE IF I CAN AT LEAST GET AN EAR, GET SOME IDEAS, AND DO SOME MORE RESEARCH.
SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I KNOW I CAN DO THIS.
AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE ISSUES THAT CAME IN IF FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT WE WORKED TOGETHER.
WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE DEFEATED.
WE DISCUSSED IT AND THAT'S ONE THING I REALLY HOPE I CAN DO.
IT CAN BE IN MY ACTUAL NEIGHBORHOOD OR IT CAN BE THE ENTIRE DISTRICT.
WE'RE ACTUALLY KIND OF IN A SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO CATCH UP TO EVERYBODY ELSE.
AND WE SHOULDN'T, BECAUSE WE HAVE TALENT.
WE'RE A GROWING AREA OF DISTRICT 2.
WE HAVE NEW YOUNG TALENTED PEOPLE.
WE HAVE YOUNG FAMILIES THAT ARE MOVING INTO DISTRICT 2.
SO I KNOW WE CAN TAP INTO THAT.
AND WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY INCORPORATE THAT ENERGY WITH WHAT IS EXISTING RIGHT NOW AND LET THEM UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
>> PERRY: LOOKING AT THIS, IS THIS A PLACEHOLDER UNTIL MAY AND YOU STEP ASIDE? ARE YOU LOOKING AT RUNNING AND FILLING THIS PERMANENTLY?
>> WELL, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I HAD TO GET MY HUSBAND ON BOARD WITH THIS.
HE'S NOT GOING TO RETIRE ANY TIME SOON.
IF HE WAS, IT WOULD BE TEMPORARY.
I'M OFF THE SCAFFOLDING NOW BECAUSE I'M NOT DOING THOSE TYPE OF BIG JOBS ANYMORE.
I'M VERY ARTISTIC AND I HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT I'M INVOLVED IN, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T DO BOTH.
[01:50:01]
I USUALLY HAVE MY CREATIVE TIME IS USUALLY AT THAT TIME LATE AT NIGHT.BUT HAVING HIS SUPPORT AND KNOWING THAT WE ARE INVESTED IN THIS DISTRICT AND HE'S BEEN INVESTED WITH ME FOR OVER 30 YEARS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON, SO WE NEED TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION, PART OF THE SOLUTIONS FOR SAN ANTONIO AND THE DISTRICT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU TIME, MS. GUTIERREZ.
>> NEXT APPLICANT IS ART HALL.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER SCULLEY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE MY QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE THE INTERIM DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL POSITION.
BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, ALLOW ME TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
PARTICULARLY TO COUNCILMAN SHAW, WHO IS NOT HERE.
WHILE IT IS AN HONOR AND GRATIFYING TO SERVE IN ONE'S COMMUNITY IN AN ELECTED POSITION, IT HAS ITS CHALLENGES AND CAN TAKE A TOLL.
99% OF THE CALLS THAT COME IN ARE COMPLAINTS AND RARELY DO PEOPLE CALL TO SAY THANK YOU AND THAT YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB.
BUT I KNOW YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE VALUE YOU ARE PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY FOR NOW AND FOR YEARS TO COME HE, LIKE ME, IS A NON-POLITICIAN.
IN FACT, I ALWAYS PREFER THE TERM STATESMAN.
THE TERM POLITICIAN OFTEN NEGATIVELY [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR PERSONAL AND OTHER AGENDAS.
BUT STATESMAN DENOTES THE NOTION OF ONE FOCUS ALWAYS ON WHAT IS RIGHT AND THE COMMON GOOD.
SOMETIMES GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN.
WHAT MAY BE POPULAR OR A POPULAR POSITION AT THE TIME, OR EVEN GOING AGAINST ONE'S OWN PERSONAL AND THOSE HE OR SHE REPRESENTS IN ORDER TO STAND FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
FOR A NON-POLITICIAN, POLITICS CAN BE FRUSTRATING.
AND SO TO COUNCILMAN SHAW, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR HIS HONESTY, HIS REPUTATION FOR NO GAMES, NO-NONSENSE APPROACH AND FOR HIS SERVICE.
WHEN I WAS RECENTLY ASKED WHY I'M INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE.
DISTRICT 2 DESERVES CONTINUED EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP, PARTICULARLY DURING THIS TIME WITH TRANSITION TO AN ELECTION IN MAY.
AND PARTICULARLY DURING THIS CRITICAL PERIOD IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY WITH THE SELECTION OF A NEW CITY MANAGER UNDERWAY AND IN THE WAKE OF CHARTER PROPOSITIONS AND ANY FINANCIAL AND OTHER IMPACTS THAT MAY FOLLOW, PARTICULARLY AS THE NEW CITY COUNCIL WILL START NEW BUDGET DISCUSSIONS AGAIN IN JUNE AND JULY.
CENTRAL TO MY CANDIDACY IS MY PREVIOUS AND HONORABLE SERVICE AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE PEOPLE, THE PROCESSES, THE BUDGET, AND THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND WILL WORK WELL WITH COUNCILMAN SHAW'S ALREADY EXISTING AND REPUTABLE TEAM.
DURING MY TERM ON CITY COUNCIL, I EITHER CO-LED THE INITIAL TEAM IN THE PROCESS TO SELECT OUR CITY MANAGER, THE SELECTION OF MUNICIPAL COURT PRESIDING JUDGE AND JUDGES, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TWO-YEAR CYCLE AUDIO] BOTH OF WHICH HELPED TO ACHIEVE THE CITY'S AAA BOND RATING, AND THE HURRICANE KATRINA RESPONSE EFFORTS.
AND OUR CITY COUNCIL AT THE TIME SELECTED OUR CURRENT CITY CLERK, PASSED THE SMOKING BAN, RENEWED LEASE CONTRACT AND PAVED THE WAY FOR THE TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO CAMPUS AND THE TOYOTA'S LARGEST NORTH AMERICAN MANUFACTURING PLANT BUILT IN SOUTH SAN ANTONIO.
APART FROM THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, MY RECORD OF COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE SHOW MY LOVE FOR DISTRICT 2 AND OUR LARGER COMMUNITY AND I AIM TO CONTINUE THIS LEVEL OF SERVICE IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. HALL, AND ALSO FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IN THIS POOL OF APPLICANTS FOR ONE POSITION.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> I THINK IT'S AS SIMPLE AS WHAT I JUST MENTIONED.
MY EXPERIENCE ON CITY COUNCIL I THINK IS CRITICAL FOR DISTRICT 2, PARTICULARLY DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.
AND WITH ME THERE WILL BE NO LEARNING CURVE COMING ON TO CITY COUNCIL.
AGAIN, I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE PEOPLE, THE PROCESSES AND WILL LITERALLY BE ABLE TO START FROM WHERE COUNCILMAN SHAW LEFT OFF.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> PELAEZ: YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN SAVING -- I'M GOING TO CHANGE GEARS WITH YOU.
EVERY CANDIDATE UP HERE I ASKED THEM ARE YOU AWARE THAT THIS IS A FULL-TIME JOB AND ALL THAT.
YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE THE JOB SO I KNOW YOU ARE AWARE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, ART HALL WAS ONE OF MY LAW PROFESSORS IN 1998, 1999, AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE ROOM I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GRADING ME.
[01:55:01]
I DID WANT TO ASK YOU, THOUGH, BECAUSE IT'S AN OBVIOUS.IF YOU WERE THE CITY COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT 8 AND NOW YOU'RE APPLYING FOR THE POSITION IN DISTRICT 2.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME PEOPLE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS GOING, IS HE STILL IN DISTRICT 8? IS HE IN DISTRICT 2? CAN YOU HELP ME ANSWER THAT QUESTION NOW?
>> WE HAVE TWO HOUSES AND I SERVED FOR YEARS, AND MY CITY COUNCIL TERM WAS IN DISTRICT 8, AS YOU ARE AWARE.
MAYOR NIRENBERG WAS MY CITY COUNCILMAN AT THE TIME.
BUT WE ALSO INVESTED IN DISTRICT 2 AND OUR OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IS IN DISTRICT 2 ON 502 BLUEBONNET.
WE DID THAT THREE YEARS AGO AND LOVE BEING A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ART, FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND YOUR SERVICE HERE AND IN ALAMO COLLEGES.
ONE OF MY QUESTIONS THAT I'VE BEEN ASKING IS THAT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A -- IT'S EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A GREAT SOURCE OF PRIDE AND IDENTITY IN DISTRICT 2.
HOW DO YOU THEN, EVEN IF IT'S FOR AN INTERIM TERM, HOW WILL YOU BE THEN CHAMPIONING THAT, BE THE CHAMPION OF THAT AS WELL AS GAIN THE TRUST AND ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2?
>> WELL, I'LL FIRST SAY AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN, DISTRICT 2, ALTHOUGH IT'S VERY DIVERSE AND MAY NOT BE A MAJORITY AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION, ANY AFRICAN AMERICAN THAT'S SUCCESSFUL WANTS TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND PART OF THE REASON I TOOK A JOB EARLY ON, SEVEN YEARS AGO FOR ST. PHILIPS COLLEGE, WAS TO BE ABLE TO WORK AND BE IN THE EAST SIDE IN DISTRICT 2.
I HAVE A PASSION FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I HAVE A PASSION FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, GENERALLY.
BUT ALSO ALL POPULATIONS, DIVERSE POPULATIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
SO MY PASSION FOR THE EAST SIDE HAS BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS.
EVEN WHILE I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING DISTRICT 8 I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM DISTRICT 2 TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEEDS AND OBJECTIVES OF DISTRICT 2 WERE TAKEN CARE OF.
AND THAT WILL CONTINUE WHETHER OR NOT I'M APPOINTED TO THIS POSITION.
EVERY SUNDAY I'M THERE ON W.W.
WHITE WORKING WITH KIDS THAT ARE PART OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE DISTRICT 2 COMMUNITY.
SO I WILL CONTINUE TO BE A CHAMPION OF DISTRICT 2 ON THE ISSUE OF GAINING PEOPLE'S TRUST.
FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE NOT FROM SAN ANTONIO THAT ISSUE WILL COME UP AND PARTICULARLY DOES COME UP IN DISTRICT 2.
THE ONLY THING I CAN DO TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IS QUALITY AND GOOD SERVICE.
I THINK I WAS ASKED ONCE EARLY ON IN DISTRICT 8 WHERE I WAS FROM.
AND BEYOND THAT ALL THEY LOOKED AT IS MY QUALITY AS A LEADER AND WHAT I DID FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND AFTER THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
I HOPE TO DO THE EXACT SAME THING FOR DISTRICT 2 AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE WELL REPRESENTED AND WE CAN PAVE THE WAY FOR GOOD AND NEW LEADERSHIP COMING UP.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND SO MANNY'S BEEN ASKING THIS QUESTION BUT HE DIDN'T ASK YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE TIME COMMITMENT THAT THIS COUNCIL REQUIRES.
AND GIVEN THAT YOUR TIME WILL BE SHORT AND THAT YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SERVE, CAN YOU MAKE THE COMMITMENT NECESSARY FOR THE SIX MONTHS OR SO THAT YOU'LL BE SERVING, GIVEN THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR DAY JOB.
ARE THEY WILLING TO GIVE YOU LEAVE? OR HOW CAN YOU MAKE THAT HAPPEN? BECAUSE I SUSPECT THAT IF YOU ARE GIVEN THE COMMUNITY TO SERVE, THAT YOU WILL GIVE 100% OF YOUR TIME.
AND FIRST I'LL MENTION I SERVED DURING THAT TIME WHEN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE PAID $20 A MEETING.
AND DURING THAT TIME PERIOD I WAS MUCH YOUNGER AND WAS JUST STARTING A FAMILY, BUT I STILL MADE THE COMMITMENT AND WAS ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT MY DISTRICT.
I'LL DO THE EXACT SAME THING HERE.
ALAMO COLLEGES IS AN EXCITING ORGANIZATION AND THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING, PARTICULARLY WITH DR. FLORES ON BOARD AND BOB MCKINLEY COMING FROM UTSA, BUT THEY ALSO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY.
I HAVE HAD THE DISCUSSION WITH MY SUPERVISOR ON UP AND THEY ARE WILLING TO FLEX HOURS SO THAT I MAY SERVE THE DISTRICT AND MAKE SURE THAT I ACCOMPLISH MY TASK AT THE ALAMO COLLEGES.
[02:00:02]
SO THERE'S NO ISSUE WITH REGARD TO WORK AND SERVICE.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN REFERENCED THAT SINCE YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR TERMS ON CITY COUNCIL YOU CAN'T RUN FOR THIS POSITION.
WHAT'S A COMMUNITY -- HAVE YOU GOTTEN FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY? ARE THEY IN ACCEPTANCE OF YOU COMING IN JUST AS A PLACEHOLDER UNTIL SOMEBODY ELSE COMES TO RUN FOR THAT POSITION? OR WHAT'S THE FEELING OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY?
>> WELL, FIRST I'LL SAY THAT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S NECESSARILY TRUE THAT I CAN'T RUN FOR THE POSITION.
I THINK THERE MAY BE LEGAL OPINIONS OUT THERE THAT WOULD SAY OTHERWISE.
BUT I'M NOT GOING TO PUSH THAT ISSUE.
MY COMMITMENT AT THIS POINT IS NOT TO RUN FOR THE POSITION, TO ONLY SERVE FOR THE FIVE MONTHS, NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO, I THINK IF YOU TALK TO THE COMMUNITY THERE ARE PERSPECTIVES ON BOTH SIDES.
SOME WANT TO BE ABLE TO SELECT SO THEY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE IN MAY.
OTHERS LIKE THE FACT THAT I DO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO PICK UP WHERE COUNCILMAN SHAW LEFT OFF AND BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER FROM DAY ONE WHEN I WALK IN THE DOOR.
AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT PAVE THE WAY FOR A FAIR ELECTION IN MAY FOR OTHER FOLKS WHO WANT TO RUN FOR THE FULL-TIME POSITION GOING FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MR. HALL.
>> NEXT APPLICANT IS WILLIAM B.
MY NAME IS WILLIAM B. JOHNSON AND I'M HERE -- OF COURSE I'M APPLYING FOR DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL POSITION FOR THE FOUR AND A HALF MONTH PERIOD.
CAME TO SAN ANTONIO IN 1966 WHILE I WAS IN THE AIR FORCE.
AND I'VE ATTENDED COLLEGE HERE, GRADUATED ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY.
CAME HERE AS A MARRIED INDIVIDUAL, TWO CHILDREN.
AND I COMMUTED BACK AND FORTH TO ST. MARY'S.
WHY AM I DOING THIS? WELL, I'VE BEEN ON THE SCENE FOR SOMETIME AND I'VE BEEN SOMEWHAT INVOLVED.
NOT ONLY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, WHICH I'M A CHARTER MEMBER OF, BUT I'M ALSO SOMEONE WHO IS INVOLVED IN VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
I BELIEVE I'M IN SAN ANTONIO BY CHOICE.
FOR ONE THING, I LIKE SAN ANTONIO AND I LIKE TO SEE THE CITY BE ALL THAT IT CAN BE.
MY INVOLVEMENT INCLUDES NOT ONLY BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMITTEES IN VARIOUS OTHER WAYS, BUT I'VE ALSO SERVED ON VARIOUS CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS.
I BELIEVE THAT MY DUTY IN LIFE, REALLY, IS TO TRY TO DO WHAT I CAN TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE LEAST OF THESE.
AND BY THAT I'M TALKING WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE.
SO ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO IMPROVE THEIR LOT, OR IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T OR CHOOSE NOT TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, THEN I'M PREPARED TO DO THAT.
EVEN BY ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE THAT I HAPPEN TO COME ACROSS, WHETHER IT'S AT THE GROCERY STORE OR ANY PLACE ELSE.
IF I CAN ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO BETTER AND TO BELIEVE AND TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES, THAT LIFE CAN BE BETTER.
AND I SEE MYSELF AS AN EXAMPLE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE HERE, BUT I GUESS SOMEONE WILL LET ME KNOW THE TIME.
I MADE A LOT OF CONTACTS IN THIS CITY.
I MEAN, I KNOW A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THIS TOWN.
ONE POSITION THAT I'VE SERVED IN THAT I ENJOYED VERY MUCH WAS THE POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION THAT I HAD A CHANCE TO CHAIR FOR A COUPLE OF TERMS .
IN THAT POSITION I BECAME FAMILIAR NOT ONLY WITH THE POLICE CHIEF.
I THINK HE WAS RELATIVELY NEW IN TOWN WHILE I WAS THERE, 2006 OR SO WHEN HE CAME ON BOARD.
[02:05:02]
BUT I ALSO HAD SOME INTERACTION WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE WAY IN WHICH THIS TOWN RUNS.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.
WE'LL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS NOW.
THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION, WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
I HESITATE TO SAY -- WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD CANDIDATES.
I AGREE WITH THAT, ABSOLUTELY.
I'M NOT HERE TO SAY I HAVE SOMETHING ON THEM, NECESSARILY.
BUT I BELIEVE I HAVE A FEEL FOR THE TOWN AND FOR THE PEOPLE.
SO FOR FOUR MONTHS AND FOUR AND A HALF, FIVE MONTHS OR SO, I KNOW ONE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, DO A WHOLE REVOLUTION OF WHAT'S NEEDED, SO I'M NOT LOOKING AT IT AS A PIE IN THE SKY KIND OF SITUATION.
BUT I THINK I CAN MAINTAIN WHAT HAS BEEN BEGUN BY THE FORMER COUNCILMAN.
I SEE MYSELF, I GUESS, AS A MAINTAINER OF THE STATUS QUO, IN A WAY.
BUT IF SOME ISSUES ARISE HAVING TO DO WITH HIRING PEOPLE OR AN EMERGENCY OF SORT, I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK ENOUGH TIMES TO MAKE A DECENT AND A GOOD DECISION AND I CAN BE PART OF THE POLICYMAKING APPARATUS TO TRY TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION.
I THINK THE BEST DECISION IS MADE WHEN YOU HAVE VARIOUS PEOPLE INVOLVED COMING FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
SO I CAN BE A PARTICIPANT AND I THINK I CAN BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE COUNCIL BASED ON MY LIFE, MY HISTORY, AND MY EXPERIENCES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. JOHNSON, IT'S VERY GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
HOW DO YOU PLAN ON ENGAGING THE RESIDENTS IF SELECTED FOR THIS POSITION? ENGAGING THE RESIDENTS FOR THE ISSUES OF THE CITY AND FOR DISTRICT 2?
>> WELL, I GUESS THE MAIN WAY IT'S DONE THESE DAYS IS VIA THE INTERNET.
BUT I KIND OF LIKE THE OLD FASHIONED APPROACH OF HOLDING MEETINGS IN SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, WHAT HAVE YOU, AS WELL AS A MEETING ONCE IN A WHILE WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, THOSE THAT EXIST.
I KNOW MY COMMUNITY HAS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION.
AND PERHAPS PAMPHLETS AND SUCH.
I THINK THERE'S A PLACE FOR HANDOUTS AND SUCH IF THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE CAN BE BEST LEARNED ABOUT VIA THE HANDOUTS.
SO THE NORMAL APPROACHES I WOULD SAY.
I CAN'T SAY THAT I HAVE A NEW APPROACH TO CONTACTING THE RESIDENTS EXCEPT WHAT'S NORMALLY DONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
JOHNSON AND I GO BACK A FEW YEARS.
WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A LONG TIME AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PLEASED BY HIS HONESTY AND HIS INTEGRITY IN EVERYTHING THAT I KNOW HE'S DONE.
BUT OVER THE YEARS YOU'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THINGS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN DISTRICT 2, I KNOW.
>> COURAGE: AND EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE ONLY ASKING TO SERVE A SHORT TIME TO COMPLETE THIS CURRENT TERM, DO YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON AS THE COUNCIL PERSON OF DISTRICT 2 DURING THAT TIME?
>> YOU KNOW, THE TIME IS REALLY QUITE A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND I CAN'T HONESTLY SAY THAT I HAVE A PROJECT THAT I LIKE TO START DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.
I THINK THERE'S SOME ISSUES THAT WILL COME BEFORE THIS BODY THAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH.
>> WELL, SUCH AS THE NEW CITY MANAGER.
PERHAPS THAT PROCESS HAS BEGUN, I SUSPECT.
AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT I CAN GET INVOLVED IN.
PERHAPS THERE'S A CRIMINAL JUSTICE KIND OF INITIATIVE THAT'S NEEDED.
AND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS AN AREA THAT WE ALL SHOULD FOCUS ON AND DO OUR DARNDEST TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS DEALT WITH CONSTITUTIONALLY IN TERMS OF THAT RIGHT AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
BUT, NO, I REALLY CAN'T SAY I HAVE SOMETHING IN MIND THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND MAY 31ST.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MR. JOHNSON.
>> AND THE LAST APPLICANT IS STEPHEN LUCKE.
[02:10:16]
HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? LET ME SET MY CLOCK REAL QUICK.
WELL, GREETINGS, SALUTATIONS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COUNCILWOMEN AND MEN.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER ME IN THE DISTRICT 2 INTERIM COUNCIL POSITION.
MY NAME IS STEPHEN LUCKE AND I WAS BORN ON 122 TIMBER LANE 29 YEARS AGO LOCATED IN DISTRICT 2.
SIX YEARS AGO I PARTNERED TO ADDRESS HEALTH AND EDUCATION ON THE NEAR EAST SIDE.
THREE YEARS AGO I PARTNERED WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS CRIME AND SYMPTOMS OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY ON THE NEAR EAST SIDE THROUGH CRIME PREVENTION DURING ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN ON ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS IN OUR CITY ON NEW BRAUNFELS.
I SAY THAT JUST TO PREFACE THAT I AM INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY.
I DIDN'T SHOW UP YESTERDAY AND I DON'T PLAN TO LEAVE ANY TIME SOON.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF RUNNING FOR ANY OFFICE IN MAY, WHETHER IT'S DISTRICT OR MAYOR.
MY INTENTIONS ARE TO GIVE MY DISTRICT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT ANY DISTRICT WITH AN INCUMBENT NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION WOULD HAVE.
THERE ARE 12 OR MORE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO ARE SEEKING OFFICE IN OUR DISTRICT.
AND EVERYBODY DESERVES THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT EVERYBODY SITTING HERE HAD TO CAMPAIGN FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.
EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS IT'S NOT EASY.
IT'S A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY THAT GOES INTO THAT.
AND I BELIEVE THAT IF WE APPOINT SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO RUN IN MAY, YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY PAYING THEM TO CAMPAIGN.
ADDITIONALLY, I BELIEVE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RESURGENCE OF YOUTH IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, NOT JUST IN DISTRICT 2 BUT ALL OF SAN ANTONIO, BUT SPECIFIC TO DISTRICT 2.
SO MY GOALS DURING THIS TENURE OF TWO TO THREE MONTHS WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICES ARE RUNNING CORRECTLY.
WE HAVE TWO OFFICES, ONE AT CLAUDE BLACK AND ONE ON RITTIMAN AND I-35, GOING TO COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ADDRESSING OUR CITIZENS' CONCERNS.
THE SECOND PIECE OF THAT IS TO CREATE EVEN MORE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH FORUMS. IN 2017 I WENT THROUGH THE FORUM PROCESS AND I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT NOT EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
AND SO DISTRICT 2 IS A BIG DISTRICT.
IT'S THE NORTHEAST SIDE, IT'S THE SOUTHEAST SIDE AND RIGSBY, IT'S THE FAR EAST SIDE BY SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL.
AND SO THERE NEEDS TO BE AN EFFORT TO UNITE ALL THE LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST A COUPLE OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE LAST PIECE THAT I REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A GOOD STEWARD IN THE POSITION WHO HAS NO VENDETTAS, HAS NO AXES TO GRIND, HAS NO SPECIAL INTEREST CORE HERE TO ADDRESS SOMETHING SPECIAL.
SO I'M HERE TO SERVE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. LUCKE.
THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS IN THE POOL FOR ONE POSITION IN DISTRICT 2, WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE?
>> I BELIEVE MY IMPARTIALITY AND UNBIASNESS THAT I'M GOING TO BRING TO COUNCIL.
I AM GOING TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE AS AN ISSUE.
I HAVE NOBODY THAT I AM TRYING TO GIVE EXTRA ACCOMMODATIONS TO.
I AM HERE TO SIMPLY SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEIR VOICE IS BEING REPRESENTED IN THE CHAMBERS AS WELL AS OUT IN THE DISTRICT FIELD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR STEPPING UP TO SERVE.
I WANTED TO ASK YOU, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A GOOD TURNAROUND TIME, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLAN TO ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS' INPUT AND ISSUES OF THE DISTRICT AND TO GAIN THAT TRUST TOO WITH THE RESIDENTS?
SO I PUT IN MY LETTER OF INTEREST THAT I AM INTERESTED IN STARTING AN EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE FOR AN EAST SIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I THINK THAT THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
THERE IS A STRONG CHURCH PRESENCE.
THERE IS A STRONG BUSINESS PRESENCE, BUT WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS THAT EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SAN ANTONIO FOR GROWTH ON THE EAST SIDE AND WE HAVE THE ALAMO BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THERE IS NO COORDINATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL THAT NEEDS TO OCCUR.
AND SO MY GOAL WOULD BE BRINGING THESE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTIONS TOGETHER POSING THESE DURING FORUMS FOR
[02:15:01]
THE CANDIDATES TO ANSWER SO THAT EVERYBODY, EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC IS BEING REPRESENTED AND IS HAVING THEIR VOICE HEARD.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU FOR APPLYING, SIR, AND FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I KNOW THAT YOU'VE RAISED YOUR HAND A NUMBER OF AUDIO].
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE TIME COMMITMENT HERE? THIS IS A FULL-TIME JOB AND IT INVOLVES NOT JUST DAYS, BUT NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS.
>> PELAEZ: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE WALKING INTO THIS EYES WIDE OPEN.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE ASKING US TO DO?
I AM 29 YEARS OLD AND I MAY NOT HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO STOP MY LIFE FOR THE CITY.
I HAVE A NONPROFIT BUT THE NONPROFIT ISN'T A NONPROFIT THAT CAN'T SLOW DOWN AND PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE.
SO I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO PUT MY PERSONAL LIFE TO THE SIDE AND SERVE MY COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.
AND I THINK THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO DO THAT.
SO I HAVE LOTS OF ENERGY AND I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY HAVE TO WORK LATE NIGHTS AND EARLY MORNINGS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> SANDOVAL: MR. LUCKE, AM I SAYING THAT?
HOW COULD I FORGET? I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M A LITTLE BIT EXCITED AT THE PROSPECT OF HAVING ANOTHER PERSON TRAINED IN SCIENCE ON THE COUNCIL.
I NOTICE YOU HAVE A BIOCHEMISTRY DEGREE.
SORRY, WE DO HAVE AN ENGINEER.
>> LOTS OF S.T.E.M. IN THE HOUSE.
>> SANDOVAL: YOU'VE SPOKEN VERY WELL.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INTEREST AND I AGREE WITH YOUR ARGUMENT, OR I FIND IT COMPELLING, YOUR ARGUMENT ABOUT NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND BEING ABLE TO STOP YOUR LIFE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IF IN A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS COME TO YOU AND SAY, MR. LUCKE, COUNCILMAN, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB.
WE THINK YOU LOOK GREAT UP ON THE DAIS, PLEASE CONSIDER RUNNING.
I GUESS HOW CAN WE BE CONVINCED THAT YOU WOULDN'T DO THAT, IF THAT IS A BASIS ON WHICH WE ARE MAKING OUR DECISION?
YOU KNOW, IN 2015, 2016 THAT OCCURRED WITH OUR DISTRICT COUNCILWOMAN.
I HAVE NO REAL ESTATE, I HAVE NO INVESTORS, I HAVE NO DONORS.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL I HAVE IS MY WORD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
>> COURAGE: MR. LUCKE, DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT OR TWO YOU'D LIKE TO SEE COMPLETED WHILE YOU'RE ON THE COUNCIL? IS THERE SOMETHING PENDING THAT YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO ADDRESS IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME YOU SERVE?
>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT AS A COUNCIL PERSON I CAN'T HAVE A PET PROJECT.
I NEED TO BE IMPARTIAL TO ALL OF THE DISTRICT'S NEEDS, WHETHER IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE, WHETHER IT'S HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S PARKS.
MY PERSONAL BACKGROUND IS IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS SO I WILL BE PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
BUT BESIDES THAT, AGAIN, MAKING SURE THAT THE OFFICE IS RUNNING THE WAY THE OFFICE IS SUPPOSED TO RUN, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.
WE'RE HERE TO ADDRESS OUR CONSTITUENTS' CONCERNS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
AND THANK YOU, MR. LUCKE, FOR YOUR APPLICATION AND FOR YOUR WORK AT EL AUSTIN, IMPORTANT WORK THAT HAPPENS.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT TAKING ON SOMETHING THAT SOMETHING COUNCILMAN SHAW WAS BEGINNING, WHICH WAS WITHIN THE REALM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ON SITE RELEASE.
I WONDER, WHILE YOU'LL HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL WITH A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT COME FROM DISTRICT 2, WE MAY TAKE ON POLICIES THAT YOU'LL GET TO VOTE ON.
DO YOU HAVE AN INTEREST, POSITION, OR WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER THAT WORK, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND/OR SITE RELEASE, ANY ISSUES OR OPINIONS?
I WORK WITH YOUTH EVERY DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S EASY FOR OUR YOUTH TO GET INTO A PARTICULAR SITUATION.
AND THEN THAT RECORD FOLLOWS YOU FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
AND I BELIEVE THAT SITE AND RELEASE AND OTHER LAWS THAT ARE FAVORABLE TO CANNABIS NEED TO OCCUR.
NOW, I UNDERSTAND CITY COUNCIL CANNOT CONTROL A LOT OF THAT.
THAT'S AT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE LEVEL.
BUT IN REGARDS TO ALLOWING SOMEBODY WHO GETS PULLED OVER TO BE ABLE TO GET A TICKET AND GO HOME THAT NEXT DAY TO SEE THEIR FAMILY OR GO TO THEIR JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WE KNOW PEOPLE SIT IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE BAIL, THEY LOSE THEIR JOB, AND THAT WRECKS THEIR LIFE OVER SOMETHING THAT WAS SO SIMPLE THAT COULD
[02:20:03]
HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT A LOWER LEVEL.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MR. LUCKE.
>> CLERK: MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THAT CONCLUDES THE APPLICANTS FOR INTERVIEW.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THE TIME IS NOW 4:30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2,019TH.
THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY AND DELIBERATE OR DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.087, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE OR DEVELOPMENT OF REAL PROPERTY, AND TO DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT EVALUATION AND DUTIES OF THE REPLACEMENT DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.074 PERSONNEL MATTERS AND
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THE TIME IS NOW 5:57 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2019, IN THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE CITY CIF SAN ANTONIO WILL RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN PELAEZ TO MAKE A MOTION ON OUR FINALS.
WE HAD A VERY ROBUST CONVERSATION AND AFTER THAT ROBUST CONVERSATION I MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE BRING BACK AND IP VIET THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES FOR ADDITIONAL TALKS, AND THAT IS MR. ART HALL, MRS. JADA SULLIVAN AND MR. AUBREY LEWIS.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE FINALIST TO BRING BACK ON THURSDAY, TOMORROW, FOR OUR FINAL DISCUSSION ON THE DISTRICT 2 VACANCY.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL AGAIN TO THE CANDIDATES WHO TOOK TIME TO APPLY.
WE HAVE A VERY STRONG APPLICANT POOL, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO STEP UP.
EVEN THOUGH SOME OF YOU AREN'T GOING TO BE COMING BACK FOR THE FINALIST, WE HAVE LOTS OF AREAS OF SERVICE THAT COULD USE YOUR ASSISTANCE, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STEP UP AND SERVE.
WE'LL NOW GO TO OUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITIZENS TO BE HEARD SESSION.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.