[00:00:41]
WOULD YOU PLEASE BE SEATED? THANK YOU.
WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 21, 2019.
>> MAYOR, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION AGENDA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE THIS MORNING.
I'D LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE TO HELP US OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS WE BEGIN TODAY TO RECOGNIZE A DEAR MEMBER OF OUR CITY FAMILY WHO WAS LOST TRAGICALLY YESTERDAY, OMEGA MCKINNON.
LET'S PLEASE OFFER HER AND HER FAMILY A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
[1. Invocation]
OKAY.TO BEGIN TODAY, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR, REVEREND ERIC VOGT STARTED AS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF TRAVIS PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN JULY 2017.
PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT HE WAS THE FOUNDER PASTOR OF SERVANT CHURCH IN EAST AUSTIN.
HE ALSO SERVED IN CAMPUS MINISTRY AT U.T. AUSTIN IN TEXAS TECH.
ERIC GRADUATED FROM HARVARD COLLEGE AND MET HIS WIFE AT DUKE UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL.
HE SERVES AT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE.
THEY'RE HAVING FUN RAISING TWO BOYS, CALEB, AGE 7 AND JACOB, AGE 3, AND THEY LIVE IN DISTRICT 10.
ERIC LOVES LIVE MUSIC, GOOD COFFEE, AND MEDIATING CONTESTS BETWEEN AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO TACOS.
ERIC ENJOYED HIS FIRST FIESTA LAST YEAR GAINING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SAN SAN ANTONIAN.
I HAVE TO SAY, PASTOR VOGT, YOU ARE A TRUE INSPIRATION TO US AS TO WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY NOT JUST HERE IN SAN ANTONIO BUT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
HOLY AND ALL-LOVING GOD, BEFORE WE BEGIN TODAY'S WORK WE PAUSE TO GIVE YOU THANKS.
YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF HOPE AND PEACE AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE FRESH START AND POSSIBILITY OF THIS NEW DAY.
WITH THE PSALMIST IN PSALM 71 WE ASK YOU WOULD GIVE OUR LEADERS YOUR JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
WE PRAY FOR OUR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE THEM WITH WISDOM AND COURAGE SO THE PEOPLE WOULD KNOW THE PEACE, PROVISION, AND FREEDOM YOU WANT FOR ALL PEOPLE.
WE KNOW THE CHARACTER OF OUR CITY IS THE CUMULATIVE EFFORT AND DECISIONS OF NOT ONLY THESE LEADERS BUT MANY CITY EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY LEADERS, FOLKS SIMPLY LIVING AS GOOD NEIGHBORS ONE DAY AT A TIME.
IN THE PLACES YOU HAVE GIVEN EACH OF US POWER AND INFLUENCE, HELP US TO USE IT ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO ARE HURTING, VULNERABLE, AND IN NEED.
WHERE YOU HAVE GIVEN US VOICE, HELP US TO LISTEN THEN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO ARE RARELY HEARD.
WE PRAY FOR ALL THE COMMUNITIES WE REPRESENT.
I LIFT UP THESE PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES THAT YOU HAVE PUT IN MY HEART AND PATH.
AS WE SEEK TO MAKE THIS A PLACE WE CALL HOME, SAN ANTONIO, AND WHERE ALL PEOPLE CAN FEEL THEY BELONG, WE PRAY FOR NEW RESIDENTS AND MIGRANTS OF ALL KINDS THAT THEY WOULD EXPERIENCE YOUR HOSPITALITY IN OUR CITY.
WE PRAY FOR FOLKS ON THE STREET WITHOUT A PLACE TO SLEEP OR SHOWER OR EVEN USE THE RESTROOM.
THAT YOU WOULD GIVE PEOPLE NOT JUST A ROOF AND A JOB BUT A COMMUNITY OF CARE WHO THEY CAN
[00:05:02]
CALL HOME.WE PRAY FOR OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY LAMENTING THE WAYS THEY HAVE BEEN HURT AND MARGINALIZED EVEN BY MY OWN FAITH COMMUNITY.
WE PRAY FOR REAL REPENTANCE, NOT JUST IN WORDS BUT IN ACTION FOR CHANGE.
AND IN THAT SPIRIT, GOD, WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BREAK CYCLES OF MISTRUST, HATE, AND VIOLENCE, BUILD BRIDGES ACROSS ALL BORDERS OF DIFFERENCE THAT WOULD HAVE US SEPARATE INTO US AND THEM.
WE PRAY FOR SURVIVORS AND ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING, AS WELL AS FOR PERPETRATORS IN THE VIOLENCE.
WE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY THAT WE WOULD CREATE A PLACE WHERE ALL COULD SEEK AND LOVE YOU SAFELY.
AND WE WOULD TURN FROM ALL VIOLENCE THAT PEOPLE FALSELY PERPETUATE IN YOUR NAME.
YOUR WAYS ARE FULL OF FLOURISHING FOR ALL PEOPLE TOGETHER, WE LIFT UP THIS CITY, COUNCIL TO YOU.
IN THAT HOLY AND POWERFUL NAME
[2. Pledge of Allegiance]
WE PRAY, AMEN.[3. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Regular Meetings of February 13 - 14, 2019.]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, REVEREND VOGT.
THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13 AND 14.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 13 AND 14.
[4. Councilmember Art Hall will be sworn-in as Mayor Pro Tem serving the term March 22, 2019 through May 31, 2019 (or until new Mayor Pro-Tem Terms are drawn).]
MOTION CARRIES.NEXT UP, COUNCIL MEMBER ART HALL WILL BE SWORN IN AS MAYOR PRO TEM SERVING THE TERM OF MARCH 22 THROUGH MAY 31.
>> AND IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO SWEAR YOU IN AGAIN, AS I SWORE YOU IN BACK IN 2004.
SO PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> I, ART HALL, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE, SO HELP ME GOD.
[Additional Item]
WELL, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL BUT ALWAYS BEHIND THE SCENES IN OUR CITY FOR THE LAST THREE DECADES.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE OFFICER ALBERT CASTILLO, WHO WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF MARCH.
AFTER A VERY IMPRESSIVE 33-YEAR CAREER.
ALBERT, WHERE ARE YOU? [APPLAUSE] OFFICER CASTILLO GRADUATED FROM THE POLICE ACADEMY IN JANUARY 1986.
HE TRANSFERRED TO HIS CURRENT POSITION OF EXECUTIVE PROTECTION OFFICER TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN APRIL OF 1994 AND AFTER THAT HE WAS RECOMMENDED FOR THE POSITION BY THE RETIRING EXECUTIVE PROTECTION OFFICER MAYOR HENRY CISNEROS.
HE SERVED AS A PROTECTION OFFICER FOR TEN SAN ANTONIO MAYORS.
THAT INCLUDES HENRY CISNEROS, LILA COCKRELL, BILL THORNTON, PHIL HARDBERGER, IVY TAYLOR, AND ME.
WITH THESE MAYORS OFTEN IN A CORNER OR IN THE SHADOWS OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS, ALBERT HAS PROBABLY BEEN SEEN AT MORE GALAS, CIVIC LUNCHEONS AND COUNCIL MEETINGS THAN ANYONE IN SAN ANTONIO.
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST HE IS A DEDICATED FAMILY MAN AND HE AND HIS WIFE, WHO IS HERE TODAY, HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS.
THEY ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF THREE GROWN DAUGHTERS, JAQUELINE, LILLIAN, AND ASHLEY, AND FIVE GRANDCHILDREN.
[00:10:04]
AND HADASA.I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE STAND SO WE CAN ALSO RECOGNIZE YOU AND THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] AND ALSO PART OF THE CITY FAMILY IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE I HEAR.
ALBERT IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF HIS CHURCH, FIRST MEXICAN FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST, AND I BELIEVE THAT HIS PASTOR IS ALSO PRESENT TODAY.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS, PASTOR.
ALBERT SAYS THAT HIS RETIREMENT PLANS ARE TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS WIFE, LONG OVERDUE.
TAKE CARE OF HIS GRANDCHILDREN, TRAVEL, GARDEN, AND TACKLE SOME HOUSE PROJECTS.
ALBERT, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, MYSELF, ALL OF OUR PREDECESSORS, OUR CITY COUNCIL, I WISH YOU A WELL-DESERVED WONDERFUL RETIREMENT.
YOU WILL DEFINITELY BE MISSED.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK MY LORD, JESUS CHRIST, FOR ME BEING ABLE TO BE HERE AND SERVE Y'ALL.
IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR FOR ME TO SERVE EVERYONE ONE OF THESE MAYORS, ESPECIALLY THEM BUT ALSO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW.
CITY MANAGER, AND OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, WHICH IS ERIK.
AND, OF COURSE, OUR POLICE CHIEF.
HE'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE.
ALL OUR POLICE CHIEFS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT I DO HERE.
I THANK EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL FOR THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
IT'S BEEN A GOOD 25 YEARS -- OR 33 YEARS, ACTUALLY, ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S BEEN A GREAT TIME FOR ME.
BUT MOST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK MY WIFE FOR BEING HERE.
SHE'S BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE IN WAITING FOR ME TO RETIRE.
[LAUGHTER] I FEEL FOR HER, BUT SHE'S BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ME ALL THESE YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
AND, OF COURSE, I'VE GOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY DAD.
HIS BIRTHDAY WAS ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
[APPLAUSE] ALSO VERY ACTIVE CHURCH MEMBER.
HE'S ACTUALLY MY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER.
SO, I CAN'T GET AWAY FROM HIM AT ALL.
THANK Y'ALL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
WHO ELSE IS HERE? FRED CISNEROS, MY OTHER PARTNER IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR 13 YEARS.
WE WORKED TOGETHER WITH OTHER MAYORS.
[APPLAUSE] AND, OF COURSE, MY SON-IN-LAWS ARE ALL HERE.
SAMMY -- WHERE'S SAMMY AGUILAR? SAMMY, RUBEN OVER THERE, AND GILBERT TOVAR.
AND WILLIAM COULDN'T MAKE IT, BUT THEY'RE ALL HERE.
EVEN MY NEPHEW, ALL POLICE OFFICERS ON THE DEPARTMENT.
AND MY SISTER, WHO WAS ABLE TO BRING MY DAD OVER THIS MORNING.
>> TREVINO: WE HAVE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.
ALBERT, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU BEFORE BUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW YOU.
IT'S A PROUD MOMENT ANY TIME YOU RETIRE FROM ANY OCCUPATION, BUT ESPECIALLY YOU.
I MEAN, LONG HOURS, LONG DAYS, LONG NIGHTS, YOU KNOW, AND GOING TO ALL THESE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS.
THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF AND THE SUPPORT AND SECURITY THAT YOU PROVIDED ALL THOSE YEARS TO ALL THESE MAYORS.
AND THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOUR DEDICATION AND DUTY TO PERFORM.
AND WHAT AN OUTSTANDING THING.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I SIT ON THE FIRE AND POLICE PENSION FUND AND WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE.
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND, I CAN ALWAYS RED LINE YOU FROM THAT LIST OF RETIREES.
>> PERRY: IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND WORK WITH YOU.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.
AND NOW THE MAYOR'S GOING TO PRESENT.
[00:15:05]
>> TREVINO: ALBERT, HANG ON A SECOND.
ALBERT, YOU ARE A GENTLEMAN AND A SCHOLAR, MY FRIEND.
AMIGO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU INTRODUCE YOUR FATHER BY HIS NAME.
>> SALDANA: MR. CASTILLO, YOU HAVE RAISED A WONDERFUL SON THAT EVERY LEADER OR PERSON THAT CALLS HIMSELF POWERFUL IN THE CITY HAS HAD TO WALK BEHIND, IN FRONT OF.
I KNOW THAT YOUR WIFE IS HERE TOO.
I'M JUST WONDERING WITH AS MUCH EXPERIENCE AS YOU HAVE, THERE'S NO ONE MORE QUALIFIED TO BE RUNNING FOR MAYOR, SO I HOPE YOU'RE PREPARING THAT CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR.
ALBERT'S GOT ABOUT TWO DECADES' WORTH OF TALKING POINTS.
ALBERT, WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU.
YOU'VE BEEN A STAPLE, A MAINSTAY AROUND CITY HALL AND I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO BE ON THE COUNCIL -- A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE YOU RETIRE, BUT HERE WE ARE.
CONGRATULATIONS ON A WELL-SERVED CAREER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU, ALBERT.
YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN INCREDIBLY KIND AND UPBEAT, AND YOU'VE BEED ALSO EVERY CONTENTIOUS MEETING THAT WE'VE HAD.
YOU'RE SOMEBODY THAT WE'RE ALWAYS GLAD TO SEE BECAUSE, AGAIN, YOU REALLY MAKE OUR CITY FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PROTECTING US.
AND, OF COURSE, YOU'RE PROTECTING THE MAYOR.
YOU WERE ALWAYS VERY WELCOMING AND VERY FRIENDLY, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
ONE, FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO YOUR LORD AND YOUR FAMILY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRAYERS OF THE FAMILIES.
BECAUSE EVERY EMERGENCY THAT THE MAYOR OR ANYONE HAD TO BE AT, YOU HAD TO BE THERE TOO.
YOU WERE THERE AND YOU WERE HELPING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SELFLESSNESS AND YOUR SERVICE.
IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT NOT SEEING YOU HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUR BEARINGS WHEN WE DON'T SEE ALBERT IN CERTAIN PLACES, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND I CANNOT WAIT TO READ YOUR BOOK THAT I KNOW YOU WILL WRITE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
ALBERT, AGAIN, THANK YOU AS WELL.
YOU WERE HERE AND YOU WERE HERE LONG BEFORE THAT AS WELL.
I ALWAYS SAY THAT WHOEVER IS A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, WHETHER IT BE OUR STAFF MEMBERS AND SO FORTH, REFLECT US OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
YOU HAVE HAD TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITY AND THE MAYORS FOR TEN DIFFERENT MAYORS.
SO AS EVERYBODY HAS ALREADY SAID, YOU ARE A TREMENDOUS REFLECTION OF NOT JUST THE MAYORS THAT YOU HAVE SERVED, NOT JUST THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BUT ALSO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
SO I COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER MAN TO BE IN THAT POSITION TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITY AS YOU HAVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HALL.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING ME THAT LOOK FOR ALREADY? MAN, I LOVE YOU, BROTHER.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.
EVEN BEFORE I GOT ELECTED, WORKING WITH YOU AND THEN SITTING UP HERE YOU HAVE BEEN A KIND GENTLEMAN.
YOU HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY WIFE, WHO ADORES YOU.
I JUST SENT HER A PICTURE OF YOU SAYING HE'S RETIRING AND SHE'S NOT HAPPY RIGHT NOW.
BUT SHE WANTED TO PASS ON AS WELL CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL DONE TO YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY.
THE LIFE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IS ONE THING, BUT THE FAMILY WHO IS AT HOME TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS WHILE YOU'RE OUT TAKING CARE OF THE CITY IS TREMENDOUS.
SO THANK YOU TO THE FAMILY AND EVERYBODY WHO STOOD WITH YOU ON THAT LINE.
I JUST WANT TO ADD MY THANKS, ALBERT, FOR THE GREAT SERVICE YOU HAVE DONE TO THE CITY.
AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GENTLEMAN.
YOU SERVED THE DEPARTMENT AND YOUR COMMUNITY SO WELL FOR SO MANY YEARS.
I'M SURE YOU KNOW WHERE ALL THE BODIES ARE BURIED.
I HOPE YOU KEEP THAT TO YOURSELF AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
ALBERT, THE REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO RETIRE IS DENIED.
HEY, MAN, YOU KNOW WHAT? THE ONE THING I REALLY ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOU, ALBERT, IS THAT I NEVER SEE YOU NOT SMILING.
[00:20:02]
YOU'RE ONE OF THE MOST GREGARIOUS PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S EVER SAID THIS ABOUT YOU, BUT YOU'RE A RAY OF SUNSHINE, MAN.ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE MOST ABOUT COMING TO WORK IS GETTING TO SEE YOU IN THE MORNINGS.
I'M GOING TO BE SAD TO MISS YOU BUT PETER IS GOING TO HAVE TO START BEING THE RAY OF SUNSHINE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, ALBERT, FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALBERT, I'M GOING TO MISS YOUR FIST BUMP AND THE CONVERSATIONS, BUT WE'RE ALL GOING TO MISS YOUR GREAT SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE OVER THE YEARS.
I'M SURE WE'LL SEE YOU AROUND.
BUT IT WILL BE A MUCH MORE RELAXED ALBERT THAN WE'VE SEEN IN A WHILE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MIGHT BE WONDERING, ALBERT HAS ALREADY DECLARED HE'S NOT GOING TO WRITE A BOOK.
SO IF HE DID, IT WOULD BE THE BEST-SELLING BOOK IN SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE OF THE STORIES YOU COULD TELL.
BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ALBERT.
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY.
BE KIND TO PETER, MY BROTHER PETER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE NOW OUR COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES, FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST REMIND EVERYBODY THAT ON MARCH 30TH WE WILL HAVE THE 23RD ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH.
IT STARTS AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE GUADALUPE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER.
AND THIS YEAR IS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL.
VIA WILL PROVIDE FREE PARKING.
I'M SORRY, FREE PARK AND RIDE SERVICES FROM THE ALAMODOME AND FROM THE UTSA DOWNTOWN CAMPUS FROM 8:00 UNTIL 9:30.
SO MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW OUR AREA VERY WELL.
PARKING IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE AROUND THE GUADALUPE PLAZA AREA.
SO NOW, NO EXCUSES FOR NOT COMING TO THE MARCH.
YOU ALL CAN TAKE VIA FOR FREE.
AND IT WILL BE THE 23RD ANNUAL MARCH AND WE WILL BE MARCHING AT 10:00 AND WE END UP IN THE -- I WANT TO SAY THIS YEAR WE END AT HEMISFAIR.
AND OF COURSE IT'S ALWAYS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK BY BRINGING A CANNED GOOD.
AND SO THE THEME FOR OUR CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH IS ALWAYS YES YOU CAN.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW GOING TO CONTINUE TO MARCH FOR THE WORK THAT CESAR CHAVEZ DID FOR JAIME MARTINEZ AND THE WORK HE DID HERE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
SO WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE 23RD ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH FOR JUSTICE.
VIVA CESAR CHAVEZ! VIVA JAIME MARTINEZ! VIVA! THANK YOU.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY OUT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
DO WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES?
[Consent Agenda]
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS FROM WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ITEM 15 HAS BEEN PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
ANY OTHERS? I HAVE ITEMS 13, 15, 21, 24, AND 34 PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
ARE THERE ANY OTHERS? IF THERE ARE NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND A FEW CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. I'LL CALL THEM NOW BUT FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE REPRESENTATIVE DIEGO BERNAL AS WELL AS GORDON HARTMAN TO SPEAK ON ITEM 33.
[00:25:01]
I'M NOT USED TO BEING ON THIS END OF IT.ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS AN ITEM NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO APPROVE A SIGNIFICANT APPROPRIATION TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING NOT ONLY DON'T HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING BECAUSE THEY'RE OLDER BUILDINGS, BUT THEY WEREN'T PROVIDED AIR-CONDITIONING AS WELL.
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.
SINGLE MOMS WITH KIDS, VETERANS, THE DISABLED.
AND SO WE ENDEAVORED A WHILE BACK TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, AND WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MAYOR, WHO WAS MY FIRST CALL, PETER ZANONI AND THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND SAHA, YOU HAVE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO THIS AND I COULD NOT BE MORE THANKFUL TO YOU FOR THAT.
AS I SAID IN THE COMMITTEE MEETING CHAIRED BY CHAIRWOMAN GONZALES, IT'S NOT VERY OFTEN THAT WE GET TO TAKE VOTES IN THESE KIND OF JOBS WHERE PEOPLE'S QUALITY OF LIFE IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT, AND THIS WILL ABSOLUTELY DO THAT.
I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT IT COULD VERY WELL BE THAT AFTER THIS APPROPRIATION AND AFTER THE WORK IS DONE THAT THERE IS STILL A DELTA THAT HAS TO BE FILLED, AND EVERYONE'S EXPECTATION IS THAT YOU WOULD FILL IT.
I WOULD ALSO BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION GORDON HARTMAN, WHO IS ALSO HERE.
PART OF MOVING THIS ALONG AND GETTING REAL MOMENTUM HERE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH GORDON AND HIS COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE WE SEE THIS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT WE HAVE PUBLIC LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD WHO ARE WILLING TO PUT THIS KIND OF STAKE IN THE GAME.
AND I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS ALL OF YOU KNOW IN YOUR OWN DISTRICTS, YOU ENCOUNTER AN ISSUE AND ONCE YOU HAVE HEARD IT OR SEEN IT YOU CANNOT UNSEE IT.
IT HAUNTS YOU UNTIL YOU SEE IT THROUGH.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S APPROPRIATE, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I JUST WANTED TO COME AND SAY THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL BASICALLY STATED HIS THANKS TO YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
THE REASON THAT I GOT INVOLVED IS I SAW THE FACT THAT THE CITY, ALONG WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING AUTHORITY, ALONG WITH THE HOUSING TRUST WAS WILLING TO WORK AGGRESSIVELY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SHORTFALL.
IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN UNLESS WE COULD GET INVOLVED.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THERE'S SOME 2600 UNITS PLUS OR MINUS THAT DO NOT HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING, WE FELT THAT WAS WRONG AND WE NEEDED TO COME FORWARD TO DO SOMETHING.
WHAT I'M MOST IMPRESSED ABOUT IS HOW QUICKLY THINGS HAVE COME FORWARD ON THIS.
FIRST OF ALL, REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL STARTED THIS PROCESS.
BUT THEN WHEN THE CITY GOT INVOLVED WITH CITY MANAGER ZANONI, ALONG WITH OTHERS, THINGS MOVED VERY QUICKLY.
AND IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE TO SEE HOW MANY PUBLIC ENTITIES ALONG WITH PRIVATE COULD WORK IN AN AGGRESSIVE FASHION TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE SOMETHING.
BECAUSE SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLY ON IN THIS, IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS WE WANTED TO HAVE ALL THESE AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS IN BY THE TIME IT GETS HOT.
AND WE ALL KNOW IN SAN ANTONIO IT GETS HOT.
AND, TO ME, WHEN I STARTED HEARING STATISTICS OF HOW MANY CALLS MANY OF THESE AREAS GET DURING THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF HEAT EXHAUSTION, IT WAS TIME FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE.
SO I BASICALLY WANT TO COMMEND, FIRST OF ALL, REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL, OF COURSE, PETER ZANONI AND EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TOWARDS MOVING THIS FORWARD.
WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT PEOPLE IN A LOT MORE COMFORT.
WE'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ELDERLY, WHO ARE POOR, PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS, CHILDREN, AND IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. HARTMAN.
>> WELL, MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR -- WELL, WHAT I CALL THE VERY BEST CITY
[00:30:02]
COUNCIL THAT MONEY CAN BUY.AND I DON'T SAY THOSE WORDS LIGHTLY.
YOU'LL FIND OUT SOON ENOUGH HERE.
BUT FIRST OF ALL, IN HONOR OF POLICEMAN ALBERT, THE SECURITY PERSON WHO JUST RETIRED, I THINK HE SHOULD WRITE A BOOK.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE TITLED "WHAT I SAW BEHIND THE DAIS." YEP.
ALSO BUT I DO WISH TO OFFER MY SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW CITY MANAGER.
YES, MR. WALSH, IT'S MY HOPE THAT YOUR TENURE WILL BE AN HONORABLE AND FRUITFUL ONE.
SO, WHAT SCANDALS DO WE HAVE HERE TODAY? LET'S SEE.
LOOKING AT THIS WITH THE CITY HEADLINE SAID RIGHT HERE YESTERDAY.
WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? YEAH, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN.
CITY FINDING AID FOR DISPLACED -- SCROLL DOWN SO YOU CAN SEE THE BOTTOM OF THAT COLUMN.
CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE THURSDAY ON A PLAN THAT WOULD AT BEST HELP 200 HOUSEHOLDS STAVE OFF EVICTION OR FORECLOSURE.
SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS ALREADY HAVE BEEN FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES BY RISING -- SCROLL UP TO SEE THE REST.
PROPERTY VALUES REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION OF THE CITY CORE AT TIMES RESULTING FROM CITY INVOLVEMENT.
RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD.
YES, THE IDEA IS THAT YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL, GIVE TAX ABATEMENTS TO DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP HERE IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO.
WHAT HAPPENS? THEY KICK OUT THE FORMER RESIDENTS THAT ARE THERE AND THEN YOU THEN USE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO HELP THE POOR RESIDENTS TO RELOCATE.
ALL BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID TO THEM EARLIER.
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE.
WHAT OTHER SCANDALS DO WE HAVE HERE? WELL, THE ITEM NO. 20 IS ABOUT 24,000 GOING TO AMERICORPS, THAT'S A NATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PLAGUED WITH ALL KINDS OF SCANDALS IN RECENT YEARS.
ITEM 29, ITEM 31 AND 33 ONCE AGAIN GIVING AWAY TAX DOLLARS FOR STUDENT LOANS, WE'RE NOT REALLY SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE BUSINESS FOR THAT.
BUT I THINK THE BEST ONE RIGHT HERE IS THE ITEM NO. 17.
ITEM 17 IS A SALTGRASS COMPANY.
BUT THEIR SHAREHOLDERS GAVE YOU GUYS ALL KINDS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE CONTRIBUTIONS.
MAYOR NIRENBERG, YOU GOT $4,000.
ART, YOU DIDN'T GET A DARN THING.
I GUESS YOU'RE THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK.
I'LL LET YOU VOTE ON ITEM 17 THERE.
IT WILL BE FUN TO SEE IF YOU GUYS DO THE RIGHT THING AND ABSTAIN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COUNCIL COMMENT.
ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 13, 15, 21, 24, AND 34 ARE FOR INDIVIDUAL -- EXCUSE ME, ARE ON CONSENT.
TO REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL AND GORDON HARTMAN FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN THE AIR-CONDITIONING PROGRAM.
SO MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE HOUSING PROJECTS IN SAN ANTONIO WERE BUILT MANY, MANY DECADES AGO.
THE OLDEST HOUSING PROJECT IN THE COUNTRY IS ALAZAN COURTS BUILD IN THE 1940S.
WHEN THEY WERE BUILT THERE OF COURSE WAS NO AIR-CONDITIONING.
AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE WEATHER WE HAVE NOW.
WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, IT WAS ALARMING, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE OVER 100 DAYS IN THE SUMMERTIME OF 100-PLUS DEGREE WEATHER, AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S THE ELDERLY, IN PARTICULAR, WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THIS EXTREME HEAT.
AND BECAUSE WE ALL LIVE HERE AND WE'RE USED TO IT, WE DON'T RECOGNIZE HOW DANGEROUS IN AUDIO] TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE OF OUR CITIZENS IN PUBLIC HOUSING GET A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF IN THE SUMMERTIME.
SO I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
AND, OF COURSE, URGING SAHA TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE OLDEST HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CITY.
AND THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR CITIZENS.
[00:35:02]
STEPPING UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS ARE IN NEED.THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER THINGS ON THE AGENDA.
NO. 33, INCLUDING SOME FUNDING FOR THE HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY.
IS ANYBODY HERE FROM THE HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY, JUST IN CASE I MISSED YOU ALL WHEN YOU CAME IN? COME ON UP.
COME Y'ALL PLEASE COME UP? I DIDN'T SEE YOU.
COULD YOU PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND TALK A LITTLE BIT OF HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU NEED IN YOUR FACILITY AND WHAT YOU DO THERE.
AND PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.
>> MY NAME IS ALYSSA, I'M THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY SERVICE.
>> I'M SANDRA MORALES, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY SERVICE HAS SERVED SAN ANTONIO'S WEST SIDE COMMUNITY NOW FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
WE PROVIDE SERVICES ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN.
WE'RE ONE OF A FEW CENTERS IN THE AREA EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
AND WE ALSO PROVIDE HOLISTIC SUPPORT, SO WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH FAMILIES, PARENTS EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION, AND WORKING TO HELP FAMILIES MEET BASIC NEEDS.
ON THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE SPECTRUM, WE HAVE SENIOR HEALTH PROGRAMS. WE PROMOTE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE LOW-INCOME SENIORS LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS PROJECT, WHICH WE'RE PARTNERING WITH THE CITY ON, WILL ALLOW US TO REHABILITATE OUR HISTORIC FACILITIES AND ALSO EXPAND OUR FACILITIES SO THAT WE CAN SERVE MORE NEIGHBORS AND SERVE THEM IN EVEN MORE IMPACTFUL WAYS.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON THIS PROJECT.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL AS WELL.
THIS FUNDING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS ORGANIZATION.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO, ALSO IN A VERY VULNERABLE COMMUNITY RIGHT AT ZARZAMORA, OR CALAVERAS AND MARTIN IS THE AREA THEY HAVE BEEN FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS NOW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR CITIZENS.
I JUST THINK THAT THIS IS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.
ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS ADDITIONAL CDBG MONEY, INCLUDING $200,000 THAT WILL GO FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN OUR CITY THAT WE THINK ARE PRIORITIES AND HELP ESPECIALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, ESPECIALLY TO REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL AND GORDON HARTMAN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
I JUST WANTED TO OFFER A LITTLE BIT OF A GRATITUDE TO BOTH GORDON HARTMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL ON THE ISSUE.
REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL, AS MANY PEOPLE KNOW, USED TO BE A FORMER COUNCILMAN.
AND I THINK UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S STORIES.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE MENTIONED THIS OR IF IT WAS OVERLOOKED WHEN I WAS LISTENING, BUT THIS DID COME, NOT JUST FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BERNAL, BUT A STORY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL TELLING HIM THAT THEY LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE GOVERNMENT'S FOCUS AND SPENDING ON PROGRAMS SHOULD REALLY BE FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE THE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE OF ME AND MY NEIGHBORS WHO, IN OUR CASE, LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, DON'T HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S COMING IN A FEW MONTHS, TEXAS SUMMER HEAT.
THAT'S WHERE I THINK THE POWERFUL OF THIS PROPOSAL THAT WE'RE VOTING ON COMES FROM.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL.
HE'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY GOOD AT TRANSLATING THOSE STORIES INTO ACTION.
AND JUST TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT AS WELL.
HE'S BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT NOW THAT HE'S AT THE LEGISLATURE.
SO LET ME OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WISHING HIM LUCK AND ENCOURAGEMENT ON HOUSE BILL 3, WHICH IS AN EDUCATIONAL TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FINANCE BILL THAT COMES FROM THE STORIES OF EDUCATORS.
AND I KNOW MANY FOLKS ON THE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN EAGER TO FIND OUT IF WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STEP UP AND FULLY FUND IT PROPERLY.
THIS IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SO WE WISH REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL A TON OF LUCK AT THE LEGISLATURE IN DOING THAT.
WE'RE ALL HOPEFUL THAT THAT GOES THROUGH.
AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE A LAYER OF GRATITUDE FOR THAT WORK HE'S DOING AT THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL.
HE'S SQUARELY IN THE MIX OF ONE VERY GOOD EDUCATIONAL BILL THAT WE'RE ALL TRYING TO PUSH FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS DOWN HERE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I ALSO WANTED TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL.
WHEN YOU TOLD THIS TO ME, THIS WAS A WHILE BACK BEFORE THE RESOLUTION HAD BEEN DEVELOPED, I
[00:40:02]
WAS SHOCKED MYSELF.SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT DISCOVERY AND FOR NOT LETTING IT GO.
I THINK WE WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN THE I SUPPORT COOL SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN WAS GOING ON IN SAISD.
WE DIDN'T HAVE AC EITHER, AND THAT WAS IN THE '80S.
SO I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE WITH HOW MUCH HOTTER IT'S GOTTEN, SO MANY VULNERABLE RESIDENTS IN THAT CONDITION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
I TOO WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL.
REALLY, IN FACT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT IT YESTERDAY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOW THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT.
BUT IN THIS CASE REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL SAW SPECIFICALLY SOMETHING THAT HE GOT LASER-FOCUSED ON AND HOW IT TRULY IMPACTS PEOPLE.
HEAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN OUR CITY.
I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR DOING THIS.
I WANT TO THANK GORDON HARTMAN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK THIS IS A REAL CALL TO ACTION, A REAL WAKE-UP CALL ABOUT THE INCREASING HEAT IN OUR CITY AND HOW WE NEED TO BE VERY AWARE OF OUR RESOURCES AND MORE THINGS WE CAN DO.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER FOLKS THAT NEED THIS KIND OF HELP AND SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW CAN WE ENHANCE AND MITIGATE THE AMOUNT OF HEAT IN OUR CITY IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.
SO THIS IS, TO ME, A REAL CALL TO ACTION.
WE NEED TO PULL TOGETHER ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
I WANT TO THANK PETER ZANONI, VERO AS WELL FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK.
AGAIN, LET'S TRY TO USE THIS AS A GREAT JUMPING OFF POINT TO TACKLE A GREAT, GREAT ISSUE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO.
I WOULD LIKE TO CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE MS. VERDA TEALER.
AND I WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, MS. TEALER.
WE'VE GOT A PARK THAT'S ALREADY NAMED AFTER HER LATE HUSBAND.
AND WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH ITEM 35 IS TO RECOGNIZE YOU AND NAME THAT LAKE AFTER YOU.
AND SO WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE CITY, AND PARTICULARLY THE LAKESIDE COMMUNITY.
IT'S ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR COMMUNITY IS TO NAME SOMETHING AFTER THEM.
YOUR COMMUNITY, LAKESIDE COMMUNITY, THOUGHT IT AN HONOR ENOUGH TO NAME THAT LAKE AFTER YOU.
THAT SIGNIFIES YOU ARE WELL REGARDED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO I AM HONORED TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION ON YOUR BEHALF.
AND THE MAYOR SIGNED A RESOLUTION.
HE'LL BE GIVING THAT TO YOU ONCE IT'S STAMPED AND THIS ITEM 35 IS PASSED.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AGAIN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF ITEMS, VERY EXCITING THAT'S MOVING FORWARD, FOR DISTRICT 3 AND THE CITY.
THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC ACCESS PEDESTRIAN FOOT BRIDGE AS PART OF THE STINSON HIKE AND BIKE PROJECT THAT WILL CROSS THE ACEQUIA ESPADA ON LAND OWNED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
SO WE ARE NOW ENHANCING OUR MISSION REACH AND OUR HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL TO GO FROM THE MISSION REACH STRAIGHT TO THE FRONT DOOR OF STINSON AIRPORT, WHICH IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD.
AND WE'RE HAVING THE RIBBON CUTTING TOMORROW FOR THE NEW STINSON TOWER.
AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THIS IS ONE OF THE AGREEMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS WE'RE DOING WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.
I KNOW WE HAVE MEMBERS FROM HALLIBURTON HERE.
WE WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND TO DISTRICT 3.
GLAD THAT THAT CORNER OF 37 AND 1604 WILL NOW COME INTO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY IN MAKING THIS PARTNERSHIP A REALITY.
AND THEN, FINALLY, ITEM 37 IS OUR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BROOKS DEVELOPMENT, OUR BROOKS TIRZ, AND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR FINANCE PLAN AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OAKEN BPS .
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OAKEN BPS WILL BRING THEIR NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BRINGING JOBS, BRINGING INNOVATION, AND BRINGING AN INVESTMENT OF FINANCING.
AND SO WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH ALL OF THAT COMBINED.
I HAVE TO RECOGNIZE BROOKS, THE
[00:45:05]
BROOKS BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO ARE HERE AND THE BROOKS STAFF WHO ARE ALL HERE.AND THANK YOU, OF COURSE, TO RENE DOMINGUEZ AND DDD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND BRINGING MORE JOBS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THIS PARTNERSHIP HERE.
SO I'M PROUD TO HIGHLIGHT THIS AND I'M PROUD THAT THIS IS MOVING FORWARD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
AND I ALSO WANT TO REITERATE THE THANKS TO GORDON HARTMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE DIEGO BERNAL FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND INSISTENCE UPON BETTER STANDARDS AND IMPORTANT DIGNIFIED STANDARDS AT SAHA AS IT RELATES TO AIR-CONDITIONING AND CLIMATE CONTROL AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN MAKING SURE THAT WE DO THAT.
I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR CONTINUING IN FILLING THAT GAP AND BEING MINDFUL AND VIGILANT OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO NEXT AS IT RELATES TO ALL THE STRATEGIES THAT WE TALK ABOUT WITH THE HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE FRAMEWORK.
I ALSO WANTED TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL, AS COUNCILMAN SALDANA DID, FOR HIS GREAT WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING ALL TEXANS, BUT PARTICULARLY ON THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUE THAT WE FACE IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, WHICH IS HOW TO PROPERLY FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.
HIS WORK ON THAT HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED AND WE WILL BE PUSHING TO ENSURE THAT HB3 OR THE SPIRIT OF WHAT HE IS TRYING TO DO WITH SCHOOL FINANCE MAKES IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS SAVE 13, 15, 21, 24, AND 34.
[21. Resolution supporting applications by the Alamo Colleges Foundation and Goodwill of San Antonio for the 2019 CommunityWINS grant program, sponsored by Wells Fargo and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The selected nonprofit organization will receive up to $300,000 to be used within one year of receipt. [Colleen Bridger, Interim Assistant City Manager; Melody Woosley, Director, Department of Human Services]]
PLEASE VOTE.ITEM 21, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE NOW SIMPLY FOR RECUSAL PURPOSES.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND HEAR ITEM 21 AND MOVE THAT FROM THE DOCKET.
>> FOR THE 2019 COMMUNITY WINS GRANT PROGRAM SPONSORED BY WAGONER AND THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS.
THE SELECTED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WILL RECEIVE UP TO $300,000 TO BE USED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF RECEIPT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 21.
[34. Ordinance approving the Risk Mitigation Policy for the $1 million Risk Mitigation Fund included in the FY 2019 Adopted General Fund Budget establishing guidelines for housing relocation assistance and emergency housing assistance funding as a result of certain conditions. [Peter Zanoni, Deputy City Manager; Verónica R. Soto, Director, Neighborhood and Housing Services]]]
MOTION CARRIES.FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE FOLKS WHO MAY HAVE TO DEPART QUICKLY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEM 34 FIRST.
>> ITEM 34 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE RISK MITIGATION POLICY FOR THE $1 MILLION RISK MITIGATION FUND INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2019 ADOPTED GENERAL FUND BUDGET ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR HOUSING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE FUNDING AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
VERONICA SOTO WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
I HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS ITEM.
FIRST, IF IT COULD BE PUT ON THE SCREEN.
FOR BACKGROUND, Y'ALL ADOPTED THE HOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR THE MAYOR'S HOUSING TASK FORCE WHICH INCLUDED A RECOMMENDATION SPECIFIC TO THIS ITEM.
IT IS PART OF OUR THREE-YEAR BUSINESS PLAN AND SO THAT'S WHY THIS POLICY IS PRESENTED TO YOU FOR ADOPTION AND IT IS ONE OF THE DELIVERABLES, AND IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET A RISK MITIGATION FUND OF $1 MILLION IS INCLUDED.
IN DEVELOPING THE POLICY OF HOW TO UTILIZE THIS FUNDING, HOW TO QUALIFY INDIVIDUALS AND WHAT THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE, OUR DEPARTMENT TOOK THAT SAME COMMUNITY INPUT-DRIVEN APPROACH TO HAVE COMMUNITY INPUT AS TO THE POLICY ITSELF.
SO WE HAD EXTENSIVE PUBLIC OUTREACH AND HEARD A LOT FROM THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST ABOUT HOW TO UTILIZE THIS FUND BUT ABOUT OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE CAUSING DISPLACEMENT.
IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF A LARGER APPROACH TO PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT.
THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS CONDITION NOW WHO CAN USE ASSISTANCE TODAY, BUT WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE KNOW WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TO PROTECT THOSE RESIDENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT CAN HELP KEEP THEM IN THEIR PLACE.
BUT WE STILL HAVE THIS MITIGATION NEEDED FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED ASSISTANCE NOW.
THERE ARE SOME EFFORTS UNDERWAY BY CITY, VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING OUR DEPARTMENT, TO ADDRESS IT.
BUT WE'RE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE, WE ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIAL TAX RELIEF AUDIO] WE'RE MAKING SURE OUR HOUSING SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED AND
[00:50:02]
STRONG AND ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES.OF COURSE, YOU'RE AWARE THAT ABOUT 50% OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUDGET IS DEVOTED FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION, WHICH HELPS US PRESERVE FAMILIES IN THE HOME, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY LIVE IN.
AND WE'RE IN THE PRELIMINARY STAGES OF DESIGNATED POTENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS THAT COULD BE NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONES.
AND QUICKLY, AGAIN, THIS POLICY IS MEANT TO HELP US DETERMINE WHO SHOULD GET ASSISTANCE AND WHAT THAT LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE AND HOW TO DIVVY UP THE MONEY.
SO THE BULK OF THE MONEY IN THE $1 MILLION FUND IS DEVOTED TO RESIDENT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.
THIS IS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY NEED HELP RELOCATING NOW.
AND THE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED, OF COURSE, WE LOOK AT THE INCOME LEVELS AS WELL.
THE SECOND SET OF MONEY IS ALLOCATED FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
AND THIS IS FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHERE A FAMILY FACES A HARDSHIP THAT COULD PUT THEM ON A PATH WHERE THEY COULD LOSE THEIR HOME.
AND THE LAST SMALLEST PORTION IS THE RENTAL INCENTIVE FUND PARTNERSHIP, WHICH IS REALLY ABOUT REMOVING BARRIERS TO HOUSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERED HIGH RISK.
AND THE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES THAT WE'RE UTILIZING DO LOOK AT FAMILIES MAKING UP TO 100% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME, RECOGNIZING THAT THOSE THAT NEED THE MOST ASSISTANCE ARE LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES.
AND SO THE LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE ARE IN FRONT OF YOU.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT MOBILE HOME PARKS ARE VULNERABLE.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT RENTERS ARE VULNERABLE AND WE HAVE THAT LEVEL SPECIFIED.
AND WE HAVE THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA AS WELL SO THAT OUR STAFF CAN HELP THOSE THAT TRULY NEED THE HELP AND ASSIST THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE FOR RELOCATION.
FOR THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, AGAIN, WE'RE SETTING OUT THE POLICIES THAT DICTATE WE'RE ESTIMATION FAMILIES UP TO 100% AMI, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A CAP, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE UP TO AMOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE IS AND DOCUMENT THE EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT REQUIRES ASSISTANCE.
AND THE LAST PORTION IS THE RENTAL INCENTIVE FUND.
AGAIN, SOME LANDLORDS MAY NOT BE WILLING TO RENT VACANT UNITS TO HIGH-RISK TENANTS OR TENANTS THEY CONSIDER HIGH RISK.
AND SO THIS IS PARTNERSHIP WITH SARA AS WELL AS THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE THOSE UNITS AVAILABLE THAT MAY NOT OTHERWISE HOUSE FAMILIES.
ONE IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE IS THAT THE HOUSING COMMISSION THAT WAS RECONSTITUTED EARLIER THIS YEAR DID REVIEW THIS AND HAD EXTENSIVE DIALOGUE.
AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS WERE FOLDED IN.
THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HIGHLIGHTED THAT THIS IS PART OF THAT LARGER FRAMEWORK.
THAT IT IS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE AND COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO HOUSING.
AND THAT IT IS ONLY ONE SMALL PIECE IN THE DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION CONVERSATION.
THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS THE CITY PROVIDES INCENTIVES THERE'S NO DIRECT DISPLACEMENT AND THAT WE LOOK AT THE LARGER QUESTION.
THAT ALREADY IS IN PLACE, SINCE YOU ALREADY ADOPTED POLICIES TO THAT END.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN THAT GUIDES OUR HOUSING BOND PROGRAM, DOES NOT ALLOW US TO USE FUNDING THAT DISPLACES FAMILIES.
AND RECENTLY THE CCHIP POLICY ALSO HAS A CLAUSE THAT NO DIRECT DISPLACEMENT CAN BE PART OF THAT.
SOMEONE CAUSES DIRECT DISPLACEMENT, THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THAT INCENTIVE.
THIS IS A PILOT, IN MANY WAYS, BECAUSE OTHER CITIES DO NOT HAVE THIS AND OTHER CITIES DO NOT HAVE THIS LEVEL OF SUPPORT, THE FUNDING AVAILABLE.
AND SO WE WILL BE, OF COURSE, REVIEWING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE MAKE THE POLICY BETTER AS WE START TO GET CLIENTS.
AND WHEN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH PLAN, SO THOSE FAMILIES WHO MADE NEED THE ASSISTANCE ARE ABLE TO COME AND UTILIZE THE SERVICES FROM OUR STAFF TEAM.
THAT IS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
JUST TO SET SOME CONTEXT, I CREATED THE MAYOR'S HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE BECAUSE ALL SAN ANTONIANS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVEL, DESERVE OPPORTUNITIES TO FIND QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN OUR CITY.
WHILE THE RISK MITIGATION POLICY IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL, IT'S A SAFETY NET AND DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT DISPLACEMENT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SAN ANTONIO HOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK WILL HELP OUR COMMUNITY REALIZE THIS VISION.
WHERE ALL FAMILIES CAN LIVE IN DECENT, SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND STABLE HOUSING AND THE RISK MITIGATION FUND IS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT TOWARDS MITIGATING DISPLACEMENT, PROVIDE STABLE ASSISTANCE TO OUR FAMILIES THAT ARE FORCED TO MOVE FROM THEIR HOMES IMPACTED BY REDEVELOPMENT, REHABILITATION, OR CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
FAMILIES EXPERIENCING A LARGE INCREASE IN RENTAL AND FAMILIES EXPECTING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK THE
[00:55:02]
HOUSING COMMISSION THAT WAS REFORMULATED FOR REVIEWING, ARTICULATING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.AND STAFF FOR WORKING HARD WITH THEM AND WITH YOU AND OUR COLLEAGUES TO ADVANCE THE WORK IN THE COMPREHENSIVE DISPLACEMENT POLICY.
TO THAT END, THE NEW HOUSING COMMISSION SERVES AS A PUBLIC OVERSIGHT BOARD TO GUIDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAYOR'S HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS AND ENGAGE THE PUBLIC.
THEY FIRST MET ON FEBRUARY 7 AND HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK REVIEWING AND STRENGTHENING THE HOUSING POLICIES BEING BROUGHT FORTH TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE RECOMMENDATIONS THEY MADE TO THE POLICY HAVE BEEN AN ATTACHMENT AND I DO WANT TO PLACE IT INTO THE RECORD AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE CITY CLERK TO PUT INTO THE RECORD AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN IMPLEMENTING THE HOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK.
IT'S AN UNDERSCORING TO INCORPORATE THE FEEDBACK.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF AND THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE BEEN SO ENGAGED.
EVEN LAST NIGHT WE HEARD THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING HERE AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE URGENCY IN WHICH THEY HAVE CALLED FOR IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THAT ATTACHMENT INTO THE RECORD WHICH IS THE FOUR ITEMS ARTICULATED AT THE HOUSING COMMISSION FOR ADDITION INTO THE RISK MITIGATION POLICY.
THANK YOU FOR SETTING THAT FRAMEWORK, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE START THE CONVERSATION, OF KNOWING THAT THIS RISK MITIGATION POLICY IS JUST SOMETHING TO SERVE RIGHT NOW.
BUT OUR TRUE WORK IS TO LOOK AT THE DISPLACEMENT AND DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION, EVEN EARLIER ON.
THANK YOU, VERO, FOR THE PRESENTATION.
COULD YOU PLEASE PUT UP SLIDE NUMBER -- I THINK IT'S SLIDE NO.
6, THE RISK MITIGATION OVERVIEW.
AND I WANTED TO BE SURE TO PULL THIS ITEM AND HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THIS BECAUSE, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, VERO, THIS IS SIGNIFICANT.
WE WANT TO BE SURE TO SET A STANDARD AND TO SET A NEW WAY OF DOING THESE POLICY INITIATIVES.
WE WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE ON THAT.
AND WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE BEFORE DISPLACEMENT PRESSURES BECOME TOO GREAT ON PEOPLE.
AND WITH CURRENT HOUSING PRICES OUTPACING WAGE INCREASES, WE NEED TO CONTINUE WHAT WE ARE DOING TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS IN CREATING STRATEGIC PLANS OF ACTION.
AND THIS IS JUST ONE TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX TO BE THAT NET, BUT WE NEED TO MOVE AS FAST AS WE CAN ON THIS DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION THAT WE ARE DOING.
I WANT TO THANK COPS METRO WHO WAS HERE LAST NIGHT, ARCHBISHOP GUSTAVO GARCIA-SILLER IN SHARING THEIR CONCERNS.
AND WE HEARD THEM LOUD AND CLEAR.
BUT WHAT YOU ALSO MENTIONED IS IT'S A COMBINATION OF SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE IN DISTRICT 3 IN THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, WE'RE SEEING WONDERFUL GROWTH AND WE'RE SEEING WONDERFUL INVESTMENTS, INVESTMENTS THAT HAD NOT BEEN HAPPENING IN A VERY LONG TIME.
WE'RE GETTING OUR STREETS FIXED.
WE'RE GETTING OUR SIDEWALKS AND DRAINAGE FIXED.
AND WITH THAT IS COMING OTHER PRESSURES -- AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THE HOUSING VALUATIONS AND THE PROPERTY VALUATIONS.
ALL OF THIS PLAYS A PART TOGETHER.
AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO WORK AT IT AND LOOK AT IT FROM ALL DIFFERENT ANGLES AND ALL DIFFERENT TRAPS, IF YOU CAN.
IT'S COMPLEX, IT'S INTERCONNECTED, AND IT IS -- BUT AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS PEOPLE AND THEIR HOUSING THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
AND I THINK THIS RISK MITIGATION POLICY IS ONE THAT IS THE FUND AND THE POLICY IS GOING TO HELP US MOVING FORWARD.
AND SHOWCASING TO OUR COMMUNITY HOW WE IN SAN ANTONIO WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.
AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT HERE.
I WANT TO -- I HAVE ONE QUESTIOG ABOUT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ASPECTS AND HOW THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS WORKING ON SO MANY DIFFERENT REALMS OF THIS POLICY, OUR HOUSING TRUST, AND OUR COMMISSION.
WHAT WE'RE ALSO DOING -- I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ALSO DOING AT THE STATE LEVEL.
AND I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL WAS JUST HERE.
SO I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS UP ON THE AGENDA OR AT THE -- THERE YOU ARE, JEFF.
MY QUESTION IS FOR JEFF COYLE TRACKING REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL'S HB11-02.
I LIKE TO CALL IT LEGACY NEIGHBORHOODS, HE CALLS IT ANCHOR NEIGHBORHOOD BILL.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE DO NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO PUSH THIS FORWARD TO MAKE SURE IT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY?
JUST A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE BILL.
WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT IF YOU HAVE OWNED A HOMESTEAD, YOUR RESIDENCE, IN A NEIGHBORHOOD FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN PROPERTY VALUES GO UP BY 120%
[01:00:01]
OVER THAT TIME OR GREATER.SO, IN OTHER WORDS, SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, AN ANCHOR FOR A LONG TIME AND SEEING VALUES GO UP AROUND THEM, THAT SCHOOL TAXES WOULD BE FROZEN AT THAT 15TH YEAR.
THERE ARE BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS.
REPRESENTATIVE BERNAL AND SENATOR MENENDEZ HAVE BOTH BEEN REFERRED TO THE PROPERTY TAXING COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE, BY SENATOR BETTENCOURT, IN THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE CHAIRED BY BURROWS.
BOTH HAVE NOT HEARD A HEARING YET .
THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON MORE COMPREHENSIVE, BROADER PROPERTY TAX REFORM.
ONE OF THE ITEMS IN OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM IS TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR YOU AS A COUNCIL TO TARGET RELIEF IN AREAS THAT IT'S REALLY NEEDED.
SO THIS FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THAT.
THE SHORT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION WOULD BE LETTERS AND MEETINGS AND PUSHING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RESPECTIVE COMMITTEES TO HEAR THAT BILL IS THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR US, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT IF YOU WANT TO DO IT.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JEFF, FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION AND FOR SHARING THAT INFORMATION.
AND JUST TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS HAS TO BE DONE IN CONCERT WITH ONE ANOTHER, THAT NOT JUST THE CITY, NOT JUST THE STATE, BUT WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.
VERO, I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
IAN AND MIKE, THANK YOU, PETER, FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO TOO.
THIS IS A HEAVY LIFT AND WE ARE BLAZING NEW TRAILS HERE AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 34.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND SO VERO, JUST A FEW QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE SEEN THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES NOW IN COMMITTEE AND OTHERWISE, SO I THINK THAT IT'S -- I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT AND PREPARED TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
I JUST IN THE PREVIOUS CDBG FUNDING WHERE I MENTIONED THE $200,000 FOR RENTAL -- SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY RENTAL.
IS THAT PART OF THIS OR IS THAT SEPARATE?
IT'S FUNDING AVAILABLE TO HELP FAMILIES IN THOSE SITUATIONS.
AND SO THAT FUNDING IS GOING TO SUPPLEMENT THE RISK MITIGATION.
IT'S SEPARATE FUNDING, BECAUSE THAT'S FEDERAL MONEY, BUT IT ALSO COMING USED TO SERVE FAMILIES SIMILARLY SITUATED.
WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY, HOWEVER, THE LIMITATION IS IT CAN ONLY SERVE FAMILIES UP TO 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
SO THIS RISK MITIGATION FUND GOES BEYOND THAT.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
ALSO YOU HAVE THE MONEY SORT OF DISTRIBUTED HERE BASED ON WHAT WE ANTICIPATE THE NEED TO BE.
BUT CAN THEY BE EASILY MOVED BETWEEN -- I'M SORRY.
I'M TALKING ABOUT SLIDE NO. 6.
SO YOU HAVE IT HERE, YOU KNOW, IN SORT OF SEPARATE BOXES.
BUT IS THE IDEA THAT IT COULD GO EITHER WAY INTO WHATEVER -- SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE $600,000 WAS EXCEEDED OR THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WAS EXCEEDED, COULD MONEY BE MOVED?
>> SO PART OF OUR COMMITMENT WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING ALLOCATED.
WHERE DO WE SEE THE NEED COMING IN? SO BASED ON THE FEEDBACK WITH PROVIDERS WHO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, THIS IS THE ALLOCATION.
BUT IF WE SEE THAT THE NEED IS GREATER IN THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE POCKET WE'LL COME BACK AND MAKE THE APPROPRIATE RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHANGES SO THAT WE CAN SHIFT THAT MONEY AROUND.
SO EVERY MONTH WE'LL PROVIDE REPORTS TO BOTH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSING COMMISSION ADVISING THEM OF WHERE THE ASSISTANCE IS BEING REQUESTED, HOW MUCH MONEY REMAINS IN THE FUND.
AND WE'LL KNOW IF WE DIDN'T ALLOCATE THE RIGHT BALANCE IN THESE.
AND SO WE WILL MAKE THOSE CHANGES THROUGH THOSE COMMITTEES.
AND JUST ANOTHER SORT OF ANECDOTAL THING.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF FIRES IN MY DISTRICT, REALLY TRAGICICALLY.
AND THANKFULLY NOBODY'S BEEN HURT OR KILLED.
BUT IF THE ISSUE THAT A FAMILY NEEDED TO BE RELOCATED IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, AUDIO]
>> THANKFULLY WE DO HAVE OTHER SMALLER POCKETS OF AVAILABLE FUNDS.
NOT JUST IN YOUR DISTRICT, THERE WAS AN ISSUE SIMILAR TO THAT.
AND SO OUR STAFF HAS BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE OTHER POCKETS OF MONEY.
WITH THIS FUNDING NOW BECOMES AVAILABLE AS WELL.
>> GONZALES: AND SO FOR FUTURE PRESENTATION, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS
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IN PCP, THAT WE DO KIND OF GET AN IDEA OF ALL THE FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE.>> GONZALES: IN THE EVENT THAT WE HAVE THE NEED IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT, I THINK, TO RECOGNIZE REALLY THE FULL EXTENT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING TO TRY TO HELP WITH THIS HOUSING ISSUE.
SO IF THERE'S $200,000 BUT IT'S DEDICATED SPECIFICALLY FOR A CERTAIN INCOME, IF WE COULD SHOW THAT IN ADDITION TO WHAT THIS IS, IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE -- FOR EXAMPLE, THE ISSUE IN DISTRICT 10 THAT YOU MENTIONED, HOW MUCH IS AVAILABLE.
BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNCIL TO HAVE A FULL PICTURE, GIVEN THE COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS, WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO VACATE FOR STRUCTURAL REASONS OR IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR IN THE EVENT OF CODE ISSUES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT PRESENTATION.
>> GONZALES: AND I THINK THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
SO MY UNDERSTANDING FROM WHAT WE'VE JUST HEARD IS THERE'S ACTUALLY THIS AND ANOTHER $200,000 THROUGH FEDERAL AGENCIES AVAILABLE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR RISK MITIGATION BESIDES THOSE TWO THAT WE HEARD ABOUT?
SO WE HAVE A COMBINATION OF SOME SMALL POCKETS OF GENERAL FUND MONEY, AS WELL AS FEDERAL GRANT MONEY.
AND SO THERE ARE SMALL POCKETS.
AGAIN, THE LIMITATION ON FEDERAL FUNDS IS THAT IT HAS TO SERVE FAMILIES BELOW 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
THOSE FUNDS GO TO DIRECT SERVICES AS WELL AS TO COVERING SOME OF THE STAFF COSTS IN OUR FAIR HOUSING TEAM.
WE HAVE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT MONEY, WHICH IS HOMELESS PREVENTION MONEY.
AND THEN THERE IS ALSO GENERAL FUND MONEY THAT HELPS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR CODE-RELATED ISSUES, RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AS WELL.
AND OUR STAFF IS ABLE TO UTILIZE THOSE DIFFERENT POCKETS.
BUT IN TOTAL, THERE'S JUST OVER A MILLION THAT COVERS BOTH THE STAFF AS WELL AS THE DIRECT SERVICE.
THIS RISK MITIGATION FUND IS GOING TO TRIPLE THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE FUNDING AVAILABLE.
>> COURAGE: SO IT WOULD BE CLOSER TO A MILLION AND A HALF DIRECT ASSISTANCE?
>> COURAGE: NOW, BY YOUR BEST PROJECTIONS, HOW MANY FAMILIES DO YOU FORECAST THAT COULD ASSIST?
>> WITH THE RISK MITIGATION FUNDING, WE PROJECTED ABOUT 200 FAMILIES.
>> COURAGE: I KNOW THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE ARE OFFERING IN THESE SERVICES.
WHAT ARE WE GETTING AS FAR AS PARTNERSHIPS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY? BECAUSE THIS ISN'T SIMPLY A CITY OF SAN ANTONIO PROBLEM TO RESOLVE.
MANAGING AND MAINTAINING APARTMENTS.
>> EARLIER TODAY YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER OF SUPPORT OF THIS POLICY FROM THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION.
THEY'RE ONE OF THE PARTNERS FOR THAT SMALL RENTAL INCENTIVE FUND, ALONG WITH SARA, WHO SERVES HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS.
SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE AND HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUT HOW THEY TOO CAN PLAY A STRONGER ROLE IN THIS AREA.
>> COURAGE: HAVE THEY COMMITTED FUNDING OF ANY KIND?
BUT WE'RE NEGOTIATING HOW THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PARTNER ON THAT RENTAL INCENTIVE FUND.
ACTUALLY, THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD SEE COME FORWARD AS A SMALL CONTRACT WITH SARA AND THE ROLE OF THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION WOULD BE DETAILED THERE AS WELL.
AND OF COURSE WE WILL ASK FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL.
>> COURAGE: I KNOW A LOT OF OUR CONCERN HAS COME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE AFTER THE FACT SITUATION THAT MANY PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES IN.
THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DISPLACED OR THEY'RE GOING TO BE DISPLACED BECAUSE OF SOME KIND OF ACTION.
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO TO MITIGATE THESE THINGS BEFORE THEY MAY OCCUR? IN OTHER WORDS, FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE DID THE CREEKWAY DOWNTOWN.
AND THE GREAT NEW DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE THERE.
PEOPLE STARTED SAYING, BOY, THIS IS A GREAT PLACE.
SO ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE VERY MODESTLY ARE NOW THREATENED WITH HAVING TO MOVE BECAUSE NOW THE PLACE IS WORTH MORE TO THE DEVELOPERS, THE BUILDERS, THE OWNERS OF PROPERTIES THERE.
AND I THINK IT WAS AN UNINTENDED
[01:10:02]
CONSEQUENCE THAT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAD NOT CONSIDERED.WHAT ARE WE DOING TO THINK AHEAD OF THE GAME THAT THE CITY SUPPORTS SO THAT WE'RE PREPARED IN ADVANCE TO HANDLE THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS INSTEAD OF CATCHING UP AFTERWARDS?
THAT IS PART OF CONTINUING WORK THAT WE WILL BE DOING THIS YEAR.
OUR CITY MANAGER HAS DIRECTED THAT WE MOVE THAT UP AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS PREVENTION ISSUES.
SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING IS BUILDING UP ON THE PREVIOUS WORK, LOOKING AT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, WORKING IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, LOOKING AT THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, LOOKING AT AREAS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT EXTRA INFRASTRUCTURE WORK AND SEE WHAT THE IMPACTS ARE, BUILDING ON THE WORK THAT WE HAVE LOOKING AT PROPERTY VALUATIONS AS WELL.
AND SO IT WILL BUILD ON THOSE THINGS.
AND ALL THE INPUT WE HEARD IN THIS PROCESS AS WELL WHERE SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS AUDIO] TO BUILD ON THAT AND MOVE OUR TIMELINE UP, SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE TARGETED EFFORTS.
>> COURAGE: YEAH, AND I RECOGNIZE WE DO HAVE SOME VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS.
I KNOW WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE GROWTH AT UTSA.
COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLY PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES IN CERTAIN AREAS BECAUSE OF VALUES GOING UP.
ALL OF THOSE CREATE MORE PRESSURE ON A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND I HEARD WHAT WE'RE HEARING ABOUT WHAT THE STATE IS TRYING TO ENACT.
I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO ENACT SOME TAX RELIEF OURSELVES WITH THE LOCAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
SO HOPEFULLY THE CITY CONTINUES TO BE A PARTNER IN TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND IN THEIR APARTMENTS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
LET ME JUST SAY TO VERONICA, THANK YOU FOR A LOT OF THE WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING ON THIS ISSUE.
IF THIS IS MY FIRST COUNCIL MEETING AND I'M HEARING ABOUT HOUSING, I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT ANYBODY SHOULD RECOGNIZE ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS THAT NOBODY HAS A MONOPOLY ON THE BEST IDEA TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR THE CONSEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT'S COMING INTO A COMMUNITY THAT'S INCREASING PROPERTY VALUES.
AND IN MANY WAYS PUSHING SOME FOLKS OUT WHO MAY BE LIVING ON THE MARGINS OF BEING ABLE TO AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO LIVE WHERE THEY HAVE LIVED FOR A LONG TIME.
THIS IS A TOUGH ISSUE, VERONICA, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS ACTION AS IT RELATES TO THE BIG PICTURE.
SO THIS ACTION IS NOT A DISPLACEMENT STRATEGY.
THIS MILLION DOLLAR FUND IS, IF I CAN EXPLAIN IT BEST, SORT OF RECOGNIZING THERE'S A PROBLEM AND THERE'S AN AFTER ACTION THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE.
AND THE MILLION DOLLARS IS TO GO INTO THE CATEGORY OF HELP THAT YOU'VE OUTLINED FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS, CORRECT?
>> SALDANA: BUT TO COUNCILMAN COURAGE'S QUESTION, YOU'RE WORKING ON WHAT WOULD BE A WE TAKE PAST AS A SCRIPT FOR THE FUTURE, THE ISSUE WHERE SAN PEDRO CREEK IS GETTING INVESTMENTS, IT'S GETTING REVITALIZED, IT'S GOING TO BRING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IS THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO OWN THOSE 300, 400 APARTMENT UNITS ARE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY DID.
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD INVESTMENT.
I'M GOING TO UPGRADE THE PROPERTY, UPGRADE THE ROOMS, UPGRADE THE FAUCETS, THE COUNTERS.
THERE'S FOLKS LIVING IN THERE IN THE CURRENT CONDITIONS AND THEY'RE PAYING A CERTAIN RATE.
SO ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH A STRATEGY WHERE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN POTENTIALLY NEXT? UTSA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE WHEN YOU PUMP IN $100 MILLION INTO AN AREA AROUND THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SPECULATION.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PROPERTY OWNERS SAY MY PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE WORTH MORE TOMORROW THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH SOME REQUIREMENTS, SOME STRATEGIES.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO.
NOT WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY.
IT IS LOOKING AT THOSE STRATEGIES THAT ARE MULTIFACETED, BUT MAKING SURE WE ARE AWARE OF WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON.
AND SO YOU CITED GREAT EXAMPLES, AREAS THAT WE ARE AWARE OF AND WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING AT.
AND IT'S MULTIPLE THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.
>> SALDANA: SO WITH THE FUNDING THAT WE'RE GOING TO PASS TODAY, THIS IS ALMOST LIKE TRYING TO PUT OUT SOME FIRES, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- HERE'S THE REQUEST I HAVE.
THIS IS THE POINT, THE QUESTION.
[01:15:04]
FOCUS THAT ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON SOMETHING LIKE THE SOAP WORKS BY SAN PEDRO CREEK AND SAY LET'S STUDY THIS.WE KNOW THERE'S DISPLACEMENT THAT'S HAPPENING.
THERE'S 200 FAMILIES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HELP.
COULD WE USE THAT AS A STRATEGY? ARE YOU SUGGESTING A DIFFERENT, BROADER GEOGRAPHIC APPROACH?
>> THE RESIDENTS AT SOAPWORKS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.
WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT PART OF OUR OUTREACH PLAN IS TO GO BACK TO THAT PARTICULAR APARTMENT COMPLEX AND MAKE SURE THE RESIDENTS ARE AWARE.
BUT WE HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE CITYWIDE.
AND SO THERE COULD BE SOMEONE IN DISTRICT 10, IN DISTRICT 6 THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE AS WELL AND WE DON'T WANT TO TURN THOSE PEOPLE AWAY IF THEY ARE IN THIS CONDITION AS WELL.
BUT PART OF OUR OUTREACH PLAN AND OUR COMMITMENT IS TO GO BACK TO SOAP WORKS.
IN THE PUBLIC MEETING SOME RESIDENTS HAVE COME FORWARD.
EVEN LAST NIGHT I WAS WORKING WITH A LADY TO GET HER IN TOUCH WITH OUR STAFF.
AND SO OUR COMMITMENT IS TO GO BACK TO THAT AREA.
BUT WE KNOW THE NEED IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ONE COUNCIL DISTRICT OR JUST ONE APARTMENT COMPLEX.
BUT WE'LL MAKE SURE ALL THE RESIDENTS AT SOAP WORKS KNOW THAT THIS IS AVAILABLE IF THEY'RE IN THIS CONDITION AND NEED THIS ASSISTANCE NOW.
>> SALDANA: SO LET ME GIVE YOUR OFFICE SOME CREDIT, BECAUSE THE PLAN THAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY HAS CHANGED.
IT'S EVOLVED AS A RESULT OF FEEDBACK THAT YOU'V SO LET ME ASK YOU.
SO YOU WENT IN AND SPOKE WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED, TO LEARN.
AND THEN YOU USED THAT LEARNING TO PUT INTO THIS PLAN.
TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOU LEARNED THAT YOU MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS FOR? I'M THINKING OF A FEW ELEMENTS.
>> ONE SIGNIFICANT ADJUSTMENT IS THE AMI LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE.
WE HAD MIRRORED THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES, BUT WE HEARD THAT EVEN FAMILIES UP TO 100% AMI COULD USE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY TOO COULD HAVE THAT EMERGENCY SITUATION.
SO THAT'S ONE AREA WHERE WE CHANGED OUR APPROACH.
WE HAD CONSIDERED HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LOOKING AT THAT.
BUT THE FOCUS IS REALLY ON FAMILIES THAT ARE NOT ON THAT PATH YET BUT COULD BE.
SO THE PREVENTION BEFORE THEY NEED SERVICES FROM HOMELESS PROVIDERS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS IN A PREVIOUS DRAFT.
WE HAVE GONE TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE AND THEY ASKED US TO HAVE MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HEARD FROM A LOT MORE PEOPLE.
AND EVERY TIME WE HAD THE DRAFT UP, IT WAS CHANGED.
SO WE CHANGED IT THREE TIMES, ONCE WE HAD AN INITIAL DRAFT, TO MAKE SURE IT REFLECTED THAT FEEDBACK.
BUT IT WAS ABOUT BALANCING WHAT WE HEARD.
AND A LOT OF WHAT WE HEARD WAS THE LARGER PREVENTION WORK AS WELL.
BUT THE DRAFT DID CHANGE BASED ON WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY.
FOLKS WHO WORK WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND ADVOCATES AS WELL.
>> SALDANA: LET ME MIRROR BACK WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY AND MIRROR BACK WHAT I HEARD SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES DESCRIBE.
AT FIRST OUR APPROACH WITH THESE DOLLARS WERE TO TARGET -- LET ME GIVE AN EXAMPLE THAT'S CLEAR IN SOMEBODY'S MIND.
A WOMAN WHO MIGHT BE LIVING ALONE ON SOCIAL SECURITY.
SHE'S MAKING $700, $800 A MONTH.
AND A PRICE INCREASE IS A VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE TO HER.
BECAUSE THAT MIGHT PUSH HER OUT OF THAT APARTMENT UNIT OR THAT HOME.
YOU SAID WE'RE NOT JUST LOOKING AT THAT CASE, BECAUSE WE HAVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WE WANT TO HELP.
WE'VE NOW ADJUSTED IT TO 100% AMI BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME FOLKS WHO ARE CLEANING BEDS AT THE MEDICAL CENTER BUT LIVE DOWNTOWN IN ONE OF THESE UNITS.
THEY'RE WORKING POOR THAT HAVE A FIXED INCOME AT 100% AMI, THEY ARE VULNERABLE LIVING ON THE EDGE OF BEING PUSHED OUT AS WELL.
THAT'S THE ADJUSTMENT WE ARE SEEING HERE?
IN SLIDE 7 WE INCORPORATED THE SLIDING SCALE KNOWING THAT FAMILIES IN LOWER INCOMES ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO A RENT INCREASE.
YOU CAN SEE THE FAMILIES AT THAT RATE, A 5% INCREASING THEIR RENT IS WHAT TRIGGERS THEM BEING IN WHAT IS NO LONGER AN AFFORDABLE UNIT.
SOMEONE WITH SLIGHTLY HIGHER INCOMES MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A RENT INCREASE.
THE AVERAGE RENT INCREASE IN SAN ANTONIO IS 3%.
SO THESE NUMBERS ARE BEYOND WHAT THE AVERAGE INCREASE WOULD BE.
AND SO WE'RE RECOGNIZING THAT.
AND THAT IS ONE OTHER THING THAT WE HEARD IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SHOULD SCALE OUR APPROACH SO THAT THOSE THAT NEED THE MOST ASSISTANCE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE ABLE TO TAP INTO THE FUND.
YOU TOLD US A STORY OF WHO WE HELPED AT OUR COMMITTEE MEETING.
[01:20:01]
LOT OF REASONS, BECAUSE YOU HAVE FOLKS LIVING ON THE CUSP.FOR SOMEONE WALKING IN AND MAY NOT CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS MUCH AS I DO, TELL US HOW THIS MONEY IS HELPING.
>> I THINK WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO AN EXAMPLE IN DISTRICT 10 WITH WHISPERING HEIGHTS APARTMENT COMPLEX WHERE THE LANDLORD WAS NOT MAKING THE WITHOUT ANY UTILITY SERVICES.
IN ADDITION TO SOME CODE ISSUES.
AND SO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD -- OUR FAIR HOUSING TEAM WENT OUT, WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CODE ENFORCEMENT AUDIO].
I FORGET THE NAME OF THE COUPLE.
THERE WAS A COUPLE WHO WAS CONSIDERED A HIGH-RISK TENANT BECAUSE THERE WAS A PREVIOUS EVICTION.
AND SO WE HAD TO KEEP THEM IN A HOTEL A LITTLE BIT LONGER.
BUT I REMEMBER SEEING THEM IN OUR OFFICE AND TALKING TO OUR STAFF ABOUT MAKING SURE WE FOUND AN APARTMENT THAT WAS ABLE TO RENT TO WHAT THEY CONSIDERED A HIGH-RISK TENANT.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE COUPLE, BUT I KNOW I SAW THEM LATE ONE NIGHT AS WE WERE WORKING WITH HIS FAMILY TO MAKE SURE WE KEPT HIM IN A HOTEL A LITTLE BIT LONGER SO THAT WE COULD FIND A PLACE.
LAST NIGHT, SONIA WAS TALKING TO ME ABOUT HOW SHE NEEDED HELP NOW, BECAUSE SHE WAS AT SOAP WORKS.
AND SO TODAY OUR STAFF HAS REACHED OUT TO HER THIS MORNING, AND I'LL MAKE SURE I FOLLOW UP AND SEE IF SHE DOES QUALIFY AND SEE IF WE CAN ASSIST HER AS WELL.
I'M SORRY TO TAKE SUCH A LONG TIME WITH THAT ITEM, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THIS BOARD OF POLICYMAKERS BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING TO FOLKS EVERY DAY.
THE EXAMPLE YOU GAVE IS ONE IN WHICH A PERSON DOING EVERYTHING THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO, THEY GOT A JOB, LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME, MAYBE SOCIAL SECURITY.
IN THE CASE YOU DESCRIBED THERE WAS A LANDLORD WHO WAS NOT ACTUALLY PAYING THE UTILITY BILL EVEN THOUGH THE PITCH TO THE FOLKS WHO LIVED THERE WAS YOU PAY ME A CERTAIN BILL, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF UTILITIES.
THAT OTHER LANDLORD WASN'T LIVING UP TO HIS END OF THE DEAL, AND THESE FOLKS DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, END UP HAVING TO BE DISPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LANDLORD.
WE'RE ABLE TO STEP IN WHEN WE CAN TO HELP FOLKS TO CONTINUE LIVING THEIR LIVES WHO HAVE BEEN DOING, YOU KNOW, A DECENT ENOUGH JOB.
AND THAT'S SOMEBODY WHO HAVE BEEN DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT.
WE'RE NOT EVEN CALCULATING THE FACT OF SOMEBODY WHO HAD A MEDICAL ISSUE, SOMEBODY WHO LOST IS JOB, SOMEBODY WHO IS DEALING WITH CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE ABRUPT AND SUDDEN.
AND SO THOSE ARE TRAUMATIC EVENTS.
AND I HOPE WE DO A LOT OF LEARNING IN THE NEXT YEAR WITH THIS MILLION DOLLAR DEPLOYMENT, BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT STUDY THAT'S GOING TO HELP US NOT TO HAVE TO PUT OUT THESE FIRES AND CATCH THEM BEFORE THEY START.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU SPECIFICALLY ON THE WORK AT SOAP WORKS.
WE KNOW THAT IT WAS A BALL OF WIRES OVER THERE THAT WE'RE STILL UNTANGLING.
WE'VE HELD MANY MEETINGS, YOUR STAFF, MY STAFF HAS REALLY GONE ON INDIVIDUALLY AND KNOCKED ON DOORS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS FUND BACK THEN, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE COULD USE THAT MONEY TO HELP THEM RIGHT AWAY.
AND SO, NUMBER ONE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BECAUSE I THINK WE USED THAT AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
STILL TRYING TO FIND SOME STRATEGIES THAT CAN HELP ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I GUESS THE QUESTION I HAD FOR YOU IS HOW OFTEN OR -- HOW ARE THE PEOPLE THERE AT SOAP WORKS AWARE OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THEM ONGOING?
>> LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO WE SENT A LETTER WORKING WITH PROPERTY MANAGER TO MAKE SURE WE COULD HAVE IT IN THE LEASING OFFICE, ADVISING THEM OF OUR ASSISTANCE ON THE FAIR HOUSING FRONT.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE DONE.
AGAIN, OUR COMMITMENT IS TO GO BACK AND SAY THE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE.
BUT WE HAVE CONTINUED CONVERSATION AND OUTREACH, AND WE WILL GO BACK.
WE EVEN HAD SET UP, WHEN THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUND WAS CREATED, A DROP-IN AREA NEXT DOOR TO THAT PARTICULAR BUILDING WHERE WE HAD TWO STAFF FOR TEN HOURS BE AVAILABLE TO HELP.
[01:25:01]
WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND SEE IF WE NEED TO DO THAT AGAIN.AND ONCE THIS PASSES AGAIN, OUR COMMITMENT IS TO GO BACK TO SOAP WORKS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN REACH AS MANY TENANTS AS MAY NEED ASSISTANCE AS WELL.
>> TREVINO: I THINK WE ALSO LEARNED THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE, AS THERE'S IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, THAT WE CAN BE PROACTIVE ABOUT THAT PLANNING TOO.
WE LEARNED BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH SAN PEDRO CREEK, WHILE WE ALL WANT THAT, WE ALSO SEE SOME COLLATERAL EFFECTS THAT OCCUR BECAUSE OF THAT.
AND THAT'S, OBVIOUSLY, A CHOICE WE HAVE TO MAKE AS A GROWING CITY.
WE'RE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
ARE WE EXPLORING HOW YOUR RISK MITIGATION IS SORT OF FOLLOWING THOSE TRENDS AND SEEING WHERE THAT IS? YOU MENTIONED WE'RE GOING CITYWIDE BUT HOW ARE WE BEING PROACTIVE IN TERMS OF PREDICTING SORT OF THE NEXT POTENTIAL ISSUE OUT THERE?
>> SO, AGAIN, WE'RE WORKING ON THE FOUNDATION OF OUR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES ANALYSIS.
MARRYING THAT WITH THE PROPERTY TAX DATA THAT WE HAVE, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE INDICATOR AS WELL.
BUT WE ARE AWARE INVESTMENTS ARE COMING UP, EVEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS WE HAVE RESIDENTS TELL US THEY'RE STARTING TO GET LETTERS SAYING I'LL BUY YOUR HOUSE, OR THOSE SIGNS POP UP.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE INDICATORS WE HAVE.
WE HAVE SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ALREADY WHERE WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DO SPECIFIC OUTREACH, WORKING WITH EITHER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, FIND THE APARTMENTS.
WE ALSO KNOW WHICH APARTMENTS HAVE -- THAT ARE CURRENTLY AFFORDABLE, HAVE COVENANTS WHERE THE AFFORDABILITY PERIOD IS EXPIRING, SO WE'LL REACH OUT GOING TO SHARE WITH HOUSING AND GIVE UPDATES.
AS WE SEE AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE A SPECIFIC VISIT, TARGETED AREAS, OUR STAFF IS GEARING UP TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
>> TREVINO: YEAH, I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
AS YOU MENTIONED, PART OF THE REASON THIS PROGRAM HAS TO BE CITYWIDE IS BECAUSE WE CANNOT NECESSARILY -- WHILE WE WANTED THOSE DOLLARS SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO GO CITYWIDE.
BUT I WOULD ASK YOU TO BE -- OR THE NEXT DEVELOPMENTS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PRODUCE THESE KINDS OF ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.
BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK.
THANK YOU, PETER, FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AS WELL.
LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
>> PERRY: VERO, I JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT WE ACTUALLY -- AND YOU MENTIONED IT, WHISPERING HEIGHTS, WHERE WE HAD A LANDLORD WHO WAS NOT TAKING CARE OF THE FACILITIES.
WASN'T PAYING THE UTILITY BILLS.
AND BASICALLY WE HAD LET HIM OFF THE HOOK BEFORE AFTER HE CAME UP WITH THE MONEY.
AND THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THEN AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO, BASICALLY, LET HIM DO THAT ANYMORE.
SO YOUR STAFF STEPPED IN, ALONG WITH CLIENTS, SAFE OFFICERS, MY OFFICE.
WE ALL WORKED TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND WE CAME THROUGH AND WE DID PLACE SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WHO WERE BEING DISPLACED OUT OF THAT FUNCTION.
BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME A SENSE OF HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE SPEND IN ONE INSTANCE?
>> MIKE IS ONE OF OUR DIRECTORS AT HOUSING, FOR THAT PARTICULAR INSTANCE WE SPENT AROUND $215,000 HELPING THOSE FAMILIES.
MOVING ASSISTANCE, HOTEL STAYS, AND THEN MAKING SURE WE HAD THE DEPOSIT AND TWO MONTHS' RENT AVAILABLE.
AND THAT WAS ABOUT 54 FAMILIES.
>> PERRY: SO OUT OF THAT, WE GOT ABOUT $800,000 LEFT THIS YEAR? AND WHERE DOES THIS MONEY COME FROM?
>> WITH WHISPERING HEIGHTS, WE ACTUALLY UTILIZED SOME OF OUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE MONEY, WHICH WAS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT.
AND SOME MONEY FROM THE DSD GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION THAT THEY HAVE FOR RELOCATION ON CODE-RELATED ISSUES.
THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WE NEEDED ADDITIONAL MONEY IN THE PREVIOUS ITEM, THE CDBG, TO SUPPLEMENT THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUND, AND ADDED $200,000.
[01:30:04]
BUDGETED RIGHT NOW IN OUR GENERAL FUND WAS ABOUT $1 MILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM.WHERE DO YOU SEE THIS BUDGET GOING TO OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? OUR FIVE-YEAR PLAN, OUR FIVE-YEAR BUDGET PLAN, ARE QUESTION GOING TO STAY AT $1 MILLION?
>> FOR NEXT YEAR WE HAD PROJECTED TO STAY AT $1 MILLION, BUT THAT'S WHY TRACKING THE DATA AND WHO WE'RE ASSISTING, HOW QUICKLY THE FUNDS ARE EXPENDED IS SO IMPORTANT.
CARRYING THAT INFORMATION FORWARD, AND SO THAT WILL INFORM THE BUDGET PROCESS.
BUT FOR NEXT YEAR I DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE PROJECTED AT AT LEAST $1 MILLION.
BEYOND THAT, I REALLY CAN'T SPEAK.
BUT THE DATA IS GOING TO HELP US DETERMINE IF THAT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT.
WE ARE MAKING SURE WE TRACK THAT AND IF THE FUNDING STARTS TO GO MORE QUICKLY THAN WE THOUGHT, THAT'S A GOOD INDICATOR OF THE CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.
AND THIS WILL CERTAINLY BE A DATA POINT ON WHISPERING HEIGHTS.
>> PERRY: 55 FAMILIES, A LITTLE OVER $200,000.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
LAST COMMENTS, I THINK WE REALIZE THE CALLS FROM THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND THOSE ARE FIRMLY INTO THIS PLAN NOW. WE WANT TO REITERATE THE APPROACH THAT OUR CITY IS TAKING IN THAT THE ENROLLMENT INTO THE -- BURDEN AM AMONG THE PROPERTY OWNER, THE CITY AS WELL AS THE DISTRESSED FAMILY, SO THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE -- PLAN THAT WILL BEGIN AND BE ROBUST AND PARTICULARLY DIRECTED TOWARDS THE AREAS THAT WE KNOW ARE ALREADY SUFFERING, INCLUDING SOAP WORKS, AND THEN, OF COURSE, EVALUATION OF ALL THOSE ITEMS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO MY COLLEAGUES.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 34.
AND ALSO THERE IS PLACED INTO THE RECORD FROM CONSTITUENT MARY ANN KESTINBAUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MOTION CARRIES.
APOP GUISE TO EVERYONE WHO'S -- APOLOGIZE TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN SITTING PATIENTLY.
WE HAVE ONE GENTLEMAN THAT'S BEEN SPEAKING PATIENTLY AND HE'S THE ONLY ONE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM, I'D ASK FOR YOUR COURTESY
[24. Ordinance approving the submission of a grant application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for funding in the amount of $48.32 million from federal funds for 15 proposed projects and programs in the total estimated amount of $60.4 million with a potential City match of $14.76 million for consideration through the FY 2020-2022 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program and authorizing the acceptance of federal funds if awarded. [Peter Zanoni, Deputy City Manager; Razi Hosseini, Interim Director, Transportation & Capital Improvements]]
TO ALLOW HIM TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM, AND THAT'S ITEM 24, IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND TAKE THAT ONE, AND THEN WE CAN CLEAR OUT AND THEN WE'LL GET RIGHT TO ITEM 15.>> CLERK: ITEM 24 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ALAMO AIR METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION FOR FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $34.32 MILLION FROM FEDERAL FUNDS FOR 15 PROPOSED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS, AND THE TOTAL ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $60.4 MILLION WITH THE POTENTIAL CITY MATCH OF $14.76 MILLION FOR CONSIDERATION FISCAL YEAR 2020 THROUGH 2022, CONGESTION MITIGATION, AIR QUALITY PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS, IF AWARDED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
ART, I THINK YOU'VE GOT A PRESENTATION HERE.
CAN YOU BRING UP THE PRESENTATION, PLEASE.
SO JUST AS SOME BACKGROUND, THIS ITEM HERE, WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS.
WE'VE HAD A COUPLE BRIEFINGS AS RECENTLY AS THIS MONDAY, AS WELL AS MOST OF Y'ALL, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL MEETING ON, SO I'LL GO QUICKLY THROUGH IT SO WE CAN GET TO THE QUESTIONS.
JUST A BIT OF BACKGROUND, SO THIS IS IN RELATION TO THE ALAMO AIR MET TO POLL TAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS A 3.5 COUNTY AREA.
AS YOU ALL KNOW AND JUST HEARD AGAIN YESTERDAY IN B SESSION, BEXAR COUNTY HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR NONATTAINMENT.
AGENCIES WILL BE ABLE TO SUBMIT ON SEVERAL PROJECTS, WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT.
$20 MILLION PER FISCAL YEAR STARTING NEXT YEAR IN 2020.
IT'S FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.
IF IT IS A PROJECT, IT'S A MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION COST OF $1 MILLION.
AND AS WITH THE OTHER CALLS THROUGH THE MPO, IT IS A
[01:35:01]
REIMBURSABLE PROGRAM.THE NEXT COUPLE SLIDES I'LL TALK ABOUT THE ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. IT'S SIMILAR TO SOME OF THE PAST CALLS WITH ONE BIG EXCEPTION, ADDED CAPACITY PROJECTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE, SO THOSE PROJECTS THAT ADD OR REMOVE A TRAVEL LANE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS CALL FOR PROJECTS.
SO IT'S PRIMARILY FOCUSING ON PROJECTS THAT ADD OPERATIONAL CONGESTION REDUCTION, SUCH AS INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS OR FOCUSING ON OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION SUCH AS BIKE FACILITIES, PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, TRANSIT AND FREIGHT.
THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE LISTED HERE, I'LL HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE PROGRAMS SUCH AS FOCUSING ON VAN POOLING OR CAR SHARING, TELECOMMUTING, ET CETERA, ALSO LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE FUELS AND I'LL COVER SOME OF THOSE COMING UP.
THE PROJECT SCORING IS PRIMARILY BASED ON EMISSIONS, ABOUT 50% OF THE SCORE IS BASED ON THE REDUCTION OF EMISSIONS, AND THE MPO, THROUGH THE HTWFA HAS DEVELOPED A TOOL TO CALCULATE THAT.
WE'RE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW.
THE REST OF THE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS ARE BASED ON AGENCY PRIORITIES SUCH AS OVERMATCHING OR PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS, AND OTHER PROJECTS THAT FOCUS ON REDUCTION OF CONGESTION ON HIGHLY CONGESTED CORRIDORS.
SO THE NEXT FEW SLIDES I WILL TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED PROJECTS, BUT THIS IS A BRIEF SUMMARY SHOWING WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.
WE ARE PROPOSING FOR THE CITY A TOTAL OF $60 MILLION OF PROJECTS, AND, AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
WITH THAT, WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR 20% OF THAT AMOUNT.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE THE 14.76.
INCLUDED IN THAT 14.76 MILLION IS AN OVERMATCH, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT COMING UP, BUT WE'RE PROPOSING SOME PARTNERSHIPS WITH VIA.
I'LL GO THROUGH THESE, AND THEN SUMMARIZE THE PRIORITY ORDER IN A FEW SLIDES.
SO THE FIRST PROJECT WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS OUR TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
AND PRY MAYORLY, THAT'S -- PRIMARILY THAT'S FOCUSING ZERO DEVELOPING A PROGRAM FOR THE CITY SUCH AS VAN-POOLING, CARPOOLING, TELECOMMUTING.
WITH THE 2019 BUDGET A POSITION WAS FUNDED AND WE'VE RECENTLY HIRED FOR THAT POSITION.
WE ALSO HAVE -- -- WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK, THERE'S STILL A LOT TO DO, AND SO THE KEY FOCUS OF THE UPDATE REALLY ON THE CONNECTIONS WE NEED TO MAKE AS WELL AS HAVING ROBUST CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF OTHER MODES AND DEVELOPING KIND OF THE NEXT PHASE OF HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT BIKE MASTER PLAN.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH METRO HEALTH AS WELL AS SUSTAINABILITY, THERE IS A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT FOCUSES ON OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.
PRIMARILY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF AIR QUALITY.
THREE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ARE MADE UP IN THIS PROJECT, THE FIRST ONE IS FOCUSING ON ANTI-IDLING AT SCHOOLS.
SUSTAINABILITY HAD PERFORMED A PILOT PROJECT IN 2018 CALLED CLEAN AIR FOR KIDS, AND THIS WOULD TAKE THAT PILOT AND DEVELOP A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM.
REALLY FOCUSING ON PUTTING MORE SIGNAGE AND EDUCATION AROUND SCHOOLS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT IDLING WHILE YOU'RE WAITING TO DROP YOUR CHILDREN OFF.
THE NEXT PROJECT, YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT YESTERDAY IN THE B SESSION BRIEFING, SUSTAINABILITY IS DOING A STUDY RIGHT NOW ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE SOME FUNDING TO HELP WITH THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OF THAT PROGRAM.
AND THEN LASTLY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH METRO HEALTH, PROPOSING A IMAS CAP -- WOULD TEST VEHICLES FOR LEAKY GAS CAPS, FUMES CAN ESCAPE AND CAUSE AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS. IF THEY'RE FOUND TO BE LEAKY, THEY WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.
THE NEXT FOCUS IS ON DISTRICT 6, THESE HAVE BEEN ON BOTH TCI AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT'S RADAR AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY'S RADAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE FUNDING FOR THAT.
THEY'RE PRIMARILY ON -- IN AUDIO] -- IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF TOWN ON WESTOVER HILLS AS WELL AS MILITARY DRIVE.
THIS PROJECT IS A GREEN STREET PROJECT.
IT'S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TH -- THE MEDICAL CENTER.
TCI IS JUST ABOUT TO COMPLETE A CYCLE TRACK ALONG FLOYD CURL, ABOUT A 1.5-MILE SEGMENT, A GREAT NORTH/SOUTH CONNECTOR THROUGH THE MEDICAL CENTER AND THIS WOULD BE KIND OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE OVERALL BUILDOUT, THIS WOULD BE AN EAST/WEST CONNECTION THROUGH THE MEDICAL CENTER.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BUILD OUT THE ROOM FOR OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION IN ONE OF THOSE CENTERS.
THE NEXT -- TALK ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.
AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS LEVERAGING WHAT WE DO ON A DAILY BASIS THROUGH OUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL PROGRAM.
THE FIRST ONE IS OPTIMIZING OUR TOP 100 CORRIDORS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
[01:40:01]
WE'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT DATA COLLECTION AND RETIMING OUR SIGNALS, BUT THIS WOULD GIVE US ADDED RESOURCE TO DO THAT FOR OUR TOP 100 CORRIDORS.THE NEXT PROBABILITY IS LOOKING AT -- PROJECT IS LOOKING AT ITS, INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, WE'RE CONSTANTLY -- TECHNOLOGY DETECTION, VEHICLE DETECTION WHICH IS RADAR BASED AS WELL AS TRAFFIC MONITORING CAMERAS SO THIS WOULD LEVERAGE OUR LOCAL FUNDS INTO A LARGER PROGRAM.
THE NEXT PROJECT IS -- AUDIO] -- ON ABE LINCOLN AND YOU CAN SEE THE RED LINE ON THE SCREEN IS CONNECTING SOME EXISTING BIKE FACILITIES.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROJECT IS IT CONNECTS A FEW NEARBY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS RESIDENTS AND ULTIMATELY GET FOLKS AROUND TO THE LEON CREEK GREENWAY.
THE NEXT PROBABILITY -- PROJECT IS ON DISTRICT 4, IT'S IN FIVE PALMS, A BIKE FACILITY, IT CAN REALLY BE THOUGHT OF A PREVIOUS PROJECT EXTENDING BIKE FACILITIES WHERE THEY END NORTH TO WEST MILITARY, SO IT WOULD PROVIDE -- AN OVERALL CONNECTION IN THAT PART OF THE DISTRICT.
THE NEXT BIKE FACILITY PROBABILITY IS A GAP ESSENTIALLY ALONG LONG HILL SELMA, AND BY PUTTING -- LOCKHILL SELMA.
AND BY PUTTING A FACILITY IN THAT PLACE WHAT IT WILL DO IS ALLOW SOMEONE TO GET FROM NEAR I-10 ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE SALADO CREEK GREENWAY USING A BIKE FACILITY.
THE LAST MAIN PROJECT BEFORE I TALK ABOUT THE OVERMATCHES IS A RAILROAD CROSSING.
IT'S ACTUALLY THE BUSIEST RAIL CROSSING IN THE CITY.
IT CAME UP AS PART OF THE 2017 BOND PROJECT, IT WAS NOT ULTIMATELY SELECTED.
THIS ONE IS NEAR RITTIMAN ROAD, NEAR THE KIRBY RAIL YARD AND THIS WOULD BE AN OVERPASS PROJECT.
YOU CAN THINK SIMILAR OF THE ZARZAMORA PROJECT THAT WAS FUNDED PREVIOUSLY THROUGH THE BOND AS WELL AS THE MPO.
THAT TOOK ABOUT A DECADE TO GET FUNDED, AND SO THIS IS ONE THAT WE WANT TO START WORKING AWAY AT TRYING TO FIND FUNDING SOURCES FOR.
THE TWO OVERMATCHES, THE FIRST ONE HERE IS WITH TXDOT, WHICH WE'VE IDENTIFIED THIS AS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR THE CITY.
THIS IS IN DISTRICT 1 NEAR THE QUARRY.
AS YOU ALL KNOW THE QUARRY SERVES ASSORT OF A REGIONAL RETAIL CENTER.
BASSE ROAD IS ON THE SOUTH SIDE, JONES MALTSBERGER IS ON THE NORTH.
THIS IS A PROJECT TXDOT'S BEEN GOING OVER THE PLANNING STAGES OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO AND WE'RE PROPOSING A 10% OVERMATCH.
THIS HELPS THE SCORING OF THE PROJECTS.
AND LASTLY WITH VIA, WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION ARE AND WE KNOW THE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE HAD PROVIDING THE $10 MILLION THIS YEAR, VIA JUST REPORTED AT A PREVIOUS B SESSION ON THEIR INCREASED RIDERSHIP.
THEY'LL BE SUBMITTING SEVERAL PROGRAMS. WE'VE IDENTIFIED THREE THAT ARE FAVORABLE TO THE CITY FOR AN OVERMATCH OPPORTUNITY.
THE FIRST ONE FOCUSES ON FREQUENCY.
THE IMPROVING TWO DIFFERENT ROUTES, ONE IS THE STONE OAK EXPRESS THAT OPERATES FROM THE PARK AND RIDE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN TO DOWNTOWN.
CURRENTLY IT'S OPERATING AT A 30-MINUTE INTERVAL DURING PEAK PERIODS.
THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD BRING THAT DOWN TO 15 MINUTES, SO THAT WOULD CUT THE FREQUENCY IN HALF, INCREASING THE RIDER SHIP.
ALSO, THERE'S NO OFF-PEEK SERVICE FOR THIS ROUTE, AND BY THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IT WOULD IMPLEMENT A 30 MINUTE OFF-PEAK SERVICE.
THE SECOND IMPROVEMENT WOULD BE WHAT THEY CALL THE LUPER ROUTE.
IT PRIMARILY GOES ALONG 410, IT CUTS ACROSS SOUTHWEST MILITARY.
AND THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD REDUCE THE FREQUENCY FROM 20-MINUTE INTERVALS TO 15.
AND THEN IN THE OFF-PEAK, 30 MINUTES TO 15.
SO IT'S A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT.
VIA'S FORECASTING ABOUT A 15% RIDERSHIP INCREASE WITH THESE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
THE SECOND PROJECT WITH PROPOSED OVERMATCH WITH VIA IS A VANPOOL OVERMATCH.
THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL ALLOW OVER 200 ADDITIONAL VANS TO ADD TO THEIR FLEET WHICH HELPS WITH ALL OF OUR CITIZENS ACROSS SAN ANTONIO.
AND THEN LASTLY, PROPOSED THE NEXT IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR MOBILITY ON DEMAND SERVICE.
SO ON THE NORTHEAST PART OF TOWN RIGHT NOW -- VIA IS -- RIDERSHIP IS LOW, AND THIS WOULD TAKE THE NEXT PHASE OF THAT PROGRAM INTO OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY.
SO THIS IS A SUMMARY OF ALL THE PROJECTS.
THIS IS IN THE PRIORITIZED ORDER THAT WE RECOMMENDED TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.
AS WE GO THROUGH THE SUBMITTAL PROCESS TO THE MPO, WE'LL NEED TO PRIORITIZE AND THIS SUMMARIZES WHAT THOSE ARE.
THE OVERMATCHES AREN'T IN A PRIORITY ORDER, IT'S JUST SIMPLY AN OVERMATCH PROCESS.
THE NEXT STEPS, THE CALL FOR PROJECTS IS DUE APRIL 1ST.
THEN THEY'LL GO THROUGH A SERIES OF SCORING PROCESS WITH THE MPO, INCLUDING SOME PUBLIC OUTREACH IN JUNE TO BE HOSTED BY THE MPO, AND THEN ULTIMATELY IN THE JULY, AUGUST TIME FRAME WE'LL LEARN WHAT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL GLADLY TAKE
[01:45:01]
ANY QUESTIONS.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANKS, ART.
WE HAVE TWO CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
I'M PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO MEDICAL FOUNDATION AND MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS ON THE GREEN STREET.
NOT LONG AGO THE MEDICAL CENTER WAS SOMEWHERE THAT YOU DROVE TO, WENT TO WORK, AND THEN DROVE HOME.
BUT RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE OVER 2,000 APARTMENT LIVING UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED, AND SA TOMORROW SAYS THAT'S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
WE HAVE AROUND 200,000 VEHICLES THAT GO TO OR THROUGH THE MEDICAL CENTER EACH DAY, SO WE'RE DELIGHTED TO SEE ALL THESE APARTMENTS BEING ADDED.
WE -- YOU WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO APPROVE A GREEN STREET ON FLOYD CURL WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS PROBABLY, GIVEN WEATHER.
IT'S A NORTH/SOUTH ROUTE THAT GOES ALL THE WAY FROM THE SOUTH END OF THE MEDICAL CENTER TO THE NORTH END.
THE PROPOSED GREEN STREET IS ON HAMILTON WOLFE, AN EAST/WEST CONNECTION THAT CONNECTS TO THE EXISTING GREEN -- AUDIO] -- THAT ALLOWS FOR BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS TO ROUTE EITHER WAY.
THE MEDICAL CENTER -- ALL OF THIS WOULD BE ON LAND THAT THE FOUNDATION HOLDS, SO WE WOULD BE WILLING TO DONATE $1.5 MILLION WORTH OF RIGHT OF WAY OF THE TOTAL OF THE $6 MILLION, SO THAT'S -- THAT SHOWS YOU HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO US.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE SA TOMORROW TASK FORCE SAYS THAT IS ONE OF THE TWO ITEMS THAT IN OUR MEDICAL CENTER ARE CRITICALLY NEEDED.
ONE IS GREENSPACE, THE OTHER IS CONNECTIVITY.
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE CONNECTIVITY.
I'LL BE GLAD TO TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. REED.
WE HAVE ONE MORE CITIZEN SIGNED UP, AND WE'LL GET TO COUNCIL COMMENT.
MY NAME IS AMANDA MURK, I'M A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, I WORK IN THE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH AT UT HEALTH IN SAN ANTONIO, AND I KIND OF WANTED TO COME AND TALK TODAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BECAUSE THIS SUBMISSION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS MULTIPLE OTHER GOALS IDENTIFIED BY RESIDENTS RELATED TO HEALTH AND POVERTY AND MOBILITY.
WITH THE BIKE LANE PROJECT SPECIFICALLY AND THEN SUPPORTING THE OVERMATCH FOR VIA'S PROJECTS, THESE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE RESIDENTS' PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST RISK FACTORS FOR NUMEROUS DISEASES AND HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT WE SEE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND JUST TO MAKE A REALLY QUICK DISTINCTION FROM EXERCISE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITY, IT'S WALKING, IT'S BIKING.
JUST TO CLARIFY, EXERCISE IS LIKE A SUPPLEMENT.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS WHAT WE NEED EVERY DAY.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS LIKE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY.
EXERCISE IS LOOKED AT AS A SUPPLEMENT.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO INVEST IN PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO WALK AND BIKE TO MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH.
AND ALSO CONSIDERING THE TRANSIT, THE LATEST STUDY CONNECTING TRANSIT TO SOME SOCIAL DETERMINATES OF HEALTH LIKE POVERTY, IN CLEVELAND WITHIN 10 YEARS OF INCREASING TRANSIT IN NEIGHBORHOODS, IT REDUCED POVERTY BY 13%.
SO THAT COULD REALLY HAVE BIG IMPACTS ACROSS THE CITY.
AND SO, YEAH, I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT JUST LOOK AT PROJECTS THAT REDUCE EMISSIONS, EVEN THOUGH THAT IS THE KEY CRITERIA FOR THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT HOW SOME OF THESE PROJECTS CAN ALSO ADDRESS AND MOVE THE NEEDLE ON SOME OF THESE OTHER INDICATORS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MRS. MURK.
ART, I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS HERE FOR YOU.
SO HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN PUTTING IN BIKE PATHS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO?
>> SO BIKE -- WE'VE BEEN PUTTING IN BIKE FACILITIES FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED SINCE ABOUT 2010, REALLY SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE 2011 BIKE MASTER PLAN.
AND HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD YOU SAY
[01:50:01]
THAT WE'VE SPENT TOTAL OP -- ON BIKE PATHS, WHETHER IT'S EXTENDING STREETS, PUTTING IN NEW BIKE PATHS, EXCLUDING THE GREENWAY TRAILS.>> WE HAVE ABOUT 265 MILES OF BIKE FACILITIES ACROSS THE FACILITY, EXCLUDING THE CREEKWAYS.
THAT'S MADE UP OF BIKE LANES, BIKE ROUTES, PATHS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIKE LANES THEMSELVES, THAT'S ABOUT 176 MILES.
NOW, MOST OF THE MILES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT INTO PLACE HAVE BEEN PUT ON WIDE ROADWAYS WHERE WE COULD SIMPLY STRIPE A LINE.
IT WASN'T UNTIL REALLY THE 2007 BOND WHERE WE STARTED WIDENING ROADS TO INCLUDE OTHER WIDENING CAPACITY AS WELL AS WIDENING THE ROAD.
SO ALTOGETHER, WE THINK ABOUT 2E 176 HAVE BEEN AS A RESULT OF WIDENING THE ROAD, WHICH WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, THE 5 FEET OF ASPHALT WIDENING IS ABOUT A HALF A MILLION A MILE.
SO IT COMES OUT TO ABOUT $10 MILLION SPENT WIDENING THE ROAD ACROSS THE CITY, AND THEN AN ADDITIONAL FIVE FOR THE BIKE PATHS.
SO ALTOGETHER, ROUGH ORDER, LESS THAN 20 MILLION ON THE GROUND FOR BIKE FACILITIES.
AND PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S ABOUT 2 MILES OF A COLLECTOR ROADWAY.
SO HELP ME OUT HERE, HOW MANY DOLLARS AND HOW MANY MILES?
>> SO LESS THAN 20 MILLION IN INVESTMENT, BASED ON OUR EXISTING NETWORK OF ABOUT 176 MILES TOTAL.
SO -- AND ARE WE INCLUDING BIKE LANES IN ALL OF OUR STREET PROJECTS NOW?
>> SO GOING BACK TO 2010, COUNCIL ADOPTED A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY, AND SO THAT'S REALLY SAYING THAT FOR EVERY SINGLE PROJECT, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ALL MODES AND WE'RE GOING TO INCORPORATE WHAT WE CAN.
SO ON PAPER, THAT'S WHAT WE START OUT WITH IS WE WANT TO DO IT.
THEN WE HAVE TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT THE CONSTRAINTS ARE.
AND HAVE -- SO JUST IN THIS PLAN RIGHT HERE THAT YOU JUST -- JUST GAVE US, HOW MANY DOLLARS ARE WE PUTTING IN FOR BIKE LANES.
>> SO IT'S ROUGHLY ABOUT 15 MILLION PROPOSED IN THESE PROJECTS.
>> IT'S ROUGHLY ABOUT FOUR OR 5 MILES.
SO WE'RE BASICALLY GOING TO MATCH EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST HOW MANY YEARS THAT YOU SAID WE SPENT ABOUT $20 MILLION FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES THAT WE'RE GOING TO MATCH THAT IN THIS ONE YEAR?
>> THAT'S -- THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE -- UPDATE THE MASTER PLAN TO HELP US PRIORITIZE BETTER, AND WE'VE PUT A LOT OF THE LOW-HANGING FRUIT IN PLACE, AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE WORK IS PRETTY -- INTO THE PROJECTS THAT ARE --
>> PERRY: HAVE YOU GONE BACK AFTER WE'VE PUT IN BIKE LANES TO EVALUATE ARE THOSE BIKE LANES BEING USED? HAVE WE DONE TRAFFIC COUNTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON OUR BIKE LANES TO KIND OF SAY, ALL RIGHT, DID WE SPEND OUR MONEY WISELY? ARE WE GETTING A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT?
>> WE HAVEN'T TYPICALLY GONE IN AND COUNTED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CYCLING AFTER THE FACT.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE NORMALLY DONE, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE THE BULVERDE ROAD PROJECT WANTING TO KNOW HOW OFTEN THAT'S BEING USED, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALSO IMPROVING SAFETY OF ALL OTHERS.
AND WE KNOW -- IN FACT, WE'VE PUT IN BIKE FACILITIES AS A TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURE IN OTHER AREAS AS WELL.
SO WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE DESIGN THE ROADWAY SO IT LOOKS AND FEELS NARROWER, IT'S SAFER FOR ALL MODES.
>> PERRY: WELL, I CERTAINLY WANT TO -- I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN ON -- THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO BIKE LANES.
ARE THEY REALLY BEING USED? I CAN TELL YOU UP IN DISTRICT 10, THEY'RE NOT BEING USED VERY MUCH.
AND WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON BIKE LANES.
SO OTHER THAN THE GREENSPACE, FANTASTIC, PEOPLE LOVE THOSE, BUT DAY-TO-DAY USE, GOING TO WORK, REDUCING CONGESTION, I'M NOT SEEING THAT.
SO I'D REALLY LIKE TO GO BACK AFTER WE HAVE COMPLETED THESE AND DO THAT ANALYSIS TO SEE, ARE WE GETTING A BANG FOR OUR BUCK HERE ON WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR BIKE LANES HERE.
>> WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AS TYPICAL WITH ALL OTHER MODES, YOU KNOW, TRANSIT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
TRANSIT WILL ALWAYS BE SUBJECT -- BECAUSE PEOPLE DO DEPEND ON THAT AND IT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT.
WELL, LET'S -- LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
AND YOU MADE A -- AND I'VE GOT TO GO BACK TO A PROJECT IN DISTRICT 10, HARRY WURZBACH.
THE LARGEST ROAD SUPPORTING OUR LARGEST EMPLOYER IN SAN ANTONIO AT FORT SAM, AND THAT PROJECT WAS PUT IN BACK IN 2011 TO, YOU
[01:55:05]
KNOW, IMPROVE THE ROADS, BUT ALSO PUT IN BIKE LANES AND WHAT HAVE YOU.SO I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS PROJECT AND WHY WE HAVEN'T GONE IN FOR BIKE LANES FOR HARRY WURZBACH, GOING INTO FORT SAM?
A COUPLE THINGS SPECIFICALLY ON HARRY WURZBACH.
OVER -- YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE 2011 STUDY, SO THAT REALLY CALLED FOR ABOUT AN $80 MILLION PROJECT FROM 410 TO FORT SAM.
ACTUALLY, A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
IT'S BEEN OVER THE YEARS SINCE REALLY THE 2007 BOND AND BEYOND WE'VE RECEIVED ABOUT $13 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH THE MPO FOR A COUPLE OF INTERSECTION PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE SPEW WHICH.
THE PROJECT CALL ITSELF OVER THREE YEARS IS $60 MILLION FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
THAT WOULD BE MORE THAN THE ENTIRE CALL FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY, AND KEEP IN MIND THERE'S OTHER AGENCIES SUBMITTING.
AND SPECKEDLY KNOWING YOU WOULD HAVE TO PHASE IT IN -- SECONDLY KNOWING YOU WOULD HAVE TO PHASE IT WE DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD SCORE AS HI.
>> PERRY: WELL, DID WE HAVE TO DO THE COMPLETE STREET OR COULD WE HAVE JUST DONE SIDEWALKS AND BIKE LANES SEPARATE FROM A STREET REPAIR.
>> WE PUT A SIMILAR CALL IN OR SIMILAR PROPOSAL WITH THE LAST MPO CALL FOR HARRY WURZBACH, IT WAS NOT SELECTED, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT AN IMPORTANT PROJECT AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE IT ON OUR RADAR.
THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT UP THERE IN DISTRICT 10.
YOU KNOW, I GUESS -- I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING, AGAIN, WE'RE TAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY HERE AND PUTTING INTO BIKE PATHS.
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST BICYCLES, I THINK THEY'RE GREAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE ARE PUTTING INTO THESE AND TAKING UP LARGE CHUNK OF THIS PARTICULAR LINE ITEM FROM -- YOU KNOW, TO RELIEVE CONGESTION AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS, THAT KIND OF THING.
SO I THINK IT'S WORTH TAKING A LOOK AT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SPENDING OUR MONEY WISELY, OR SPENDING THIS PARTICULAR POT OF MONEY WISELY.
SO I'LL SUPPORT THIS THIS YEAR, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE PLANNING EFFORTS ARE FOR NEXT YEAR.
THIS IS A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM, YOU SAID?
>> THIS CALL IS FOR THREE YEARS.
I'D CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE WHAT YOUR PLAN IS FOR THE REMAINING TWO YEARS ON THIS AND TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THAT.
THANKS FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THE INFORMATION.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THANK YOU COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.
THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION, ART.
I KNOW THIS WENT TO TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME IT WAS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT MORE -- THERE WERE FEWER BIKE PATHS ON IT.
SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMITTEE.
SO AS YOU EXPLAINED, THIS IS WHAT WE CALL CONGESTION -- IT'S FEDERAL FUNDING CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY FUNDING.
IT IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW BENEFITS THAT COMES WITH BEING IN NONATTAINMENT, IS THAT THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL BUCKET OF MONEY AVAILABLE, AND SO IT MAKES SENSE NECESSARILY TO TIE IT TO WAYS THAT WE CAN PROTECT HEALTH FROM AIR POLLUTION, BUT ALSO WAYS THAT WE CAN REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON AIR POLLUTION.
AND IT REALLY CHALLENGES US TO MOVE OUTSIDE OF OUR NORMAL APPROACH TO TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY.
SO I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE THE VARIETY OF PROJECTS THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT FORWARD.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THIS ITEM.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
FIRST, I KNOW THAT OUR -- MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS IN LOOKING FORWARD, AND I KNOW -- THANK YOU, ART REINHARDT FOR THE INFORMATION WHEN IT COMES TO -- I'M SORRY, FOR SIDEWALKS AND BIKE PATHS AND HOW IT DOES HELP WITH EVEN TRAFFIC CALMING IMPACTS, BECAUSE WE HEAR A LOT OF THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS CONGESTION REDUCTION AND TRAFFIC FLOW IMPROVEMENT.
SO I WILL SHARE WITH YOU, AGAIN, AND MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AGAIN, THAT AS MUCH AS I KNOW THAT WE NEED TO REDUCE THE CONGESTION BECAUSE OF THE AIR QUALITY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE, I THINK WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE IN PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
TODAY, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT BROOKS GETTING OAK AND BPS WHICH WILL GET MAYBE UP TO ANOTHER 1,000 PEOPLE WORKING IN THAT
[02:00:01]
AREA, AND, YES, WE HAVE DOLLARS DESIGNATED FOR SOUTH NEW BRAUNFELS TO 410 BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE ALL THE GAP FINANCING FOR THAT, SO WE KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE CONGESTION THERE.WE'RE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND PLAN.
WE KNOW THAT ROOSEVELT AND 410 IS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED, ESPECIALLY FOR WHAT'S COMING OUT WITH TJX AND THE GROWING AREA FOR THE SINGLE FAMILY.
SO MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU-ALL IS TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AND SEE HOW THE POINTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT CONGESTION, BUT IT'S ABOUT PREVENTING THAT CONGESTION IN THE FUTURE.
FOR CLARIFICATION, AND I WAS LOOKING AT THIS WITH MY COLLEAGUE HERE, SLIDE 16 AND 17, THE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITY ON ABE LINCOLN, THE UPGRADES ARE 1.5-MILE BICYCLE ROUTE, AND THAT'S FOR 1.5 MILLION ON ABE LINCOLN.
BUT THEN FOR FIVE PALMS, IT'S TO CLOSE --
>> SIMPLY ON ABE LINCOLN SPECIFICALLY, IT'S A WIDER RIGHT OF WAY, AND WE'RE PRETTY COMFORTABLE THAT WE CAN GO IN AND JUST PUT A MULTIUSE PATH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NOT HAVE TO TOUCH THE ROAD.
ON FIVE PALMS, THE ROAD -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE SOUTHERN PORTION, SOUTH OF MEDINA BASE ROAD, IT'S ABOUT A 40-FOOT WIDE ROAD.
IT WAS WIDENED AND ADDED BIKE FACILITIES.
ON THE NORTH SIDE WHERE THIS PROPOSED PROJECT AUDIO] IS NARROWER, SO WE'LL LIKELY NEED TO WIDEN THE ROAD THERE.
WE'LL BE WIDENING THE ACTUAL ROAD TO ADD THE BIKE LANE.
SO THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN THERE.
>> VIAGRAN: AND YOU JUST SAID IT IN THERE, ART, THAT YOU CANNOT ADD TRAVEL LANES, IT'S JUST TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS.
AND THEN I HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS SLIDE 20, 281 AND JONES MALTSBERGER, 12.8 MILLION.
SO WHAT WOULD BE THE MATCH? THAT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHANGES RIGHT THERE.
SO WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WOULD BE THE MATCH OF THE CITY IF THIS EVEN GETS MOVING FORWARD.
>> THE 12.8, THAT'S A TXDOT COST, THAT'S NOT IN OUR 60 MILLION.
WE'RE ONLY PROPOSING 10% OF THAT, SO 1.28 MILLION.
JUST MOVING FORWARD, AGAIN, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT LEVERAGING WHAT WE CAN WITH OUR BOND DOLLARS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S PART OF THIS AS WELL; IS THAT CORRECT, SOME OF THE PROJECTS?
>> VIAGRAN: POTENTIALLY IF IT GETS MOVING FORWARD.
BUT ALSO JUST TO LET THE MAYOR KNOW AND MY COLLEAGUES THAT THIS WEEK -- WONDERFUL TOWN HALL MEETING WHERE IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY AT THE 'EM EMBASSY SUITES AND TE TWO ISSUES THAT THE RESIDENTS BROUGHT UP WAS THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION OR THE TRAFFIC THAT IS BUILDING UP, AND THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION THAT'S BUILDING UP THERE AND PUBLIC SAFETY AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW OUT THERE, --
>> GONZALES: I THOUGHT WAS A LITTLE MORE RELEVANT FOR AIR QUALITY PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT, AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, YOU KNOW, MANY TIMES, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY IT AGAIN, GIVEN COMPANION -- COUNCILMAN PERRY'S QUESTIONING FOR THE ROI FOR BIKE LANES, BUT WE SHOULD ASK FOR AN ROI IN STREET MAINTENANCE.
I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR A LONG TIME, I HAVE BEEN ON THIS DAIS, IS THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND OUR STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, SO WE KNOW THAT WE SPEND AROUND $20,000 A MILE TO MAINTAIN OUR STREETS.
IT ACTUALLY COSTS AROUND $89,000 A MILE, SO THERE'S ALREADY A HUGE GAP.
AND IT'S GROWING, AND THERE'S LOTS OF NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THOSE ARE GROWING AS WELL, SO I -- I THINK THAT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS, AND WHY I AM SUCH A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR MULTIPURPOSE LANES OR MICROMOBILITY LANES IS BECAUSE IT IS AN EQUALIZER, IT GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL IN A WAY THAT IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM, IS AFFORDABLE TO THEM.
IT COSTS ABOUT $8,000 A YEAR FOR A FAMILY TO MAINTAIN AN AUTOMOBILE, AND IF A PERSON CANNOT MAINTAIN THAT -- OR MAINTAIN THAT $8,000, THEN THEY CAN'T GO PLACES.
SO THEY NEED TO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE.
AND ANOTHER THING THAT I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY ABOUT IS THAT OUR STREETS ARE PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS, AND THEY
[02:05:02]
SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL ROAD USERS, WHETHER YOU WALK, WHETHER YOU BIKE, WHETHER YOU USE A SCOOTER, WHETHER YOU USE PUBLIC TRANSIT.AND IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS.
AND SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE NUMBERS THAT I THINK YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
IT WOULD BE LIKE SAYING THE BUILDING THAT WE'RE BUILDING NEXT DOOR, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY USING WHEELCHAIRS? HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY USING STROLLERS? WELL, THEN IT'S NOT WORTH IT TO INVEST IN RAMPS OR ELEVATORS BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE USING THOSE FACILITIES.
IT COULD BE EQUALLY INPUTTED IN OUR STREETS, SO I JUST -- I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INVESTING OR SPENDING THIS FUNDING THAT CAME TO US AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING IN ATTAINMENT.
AND SO THOSE OF US ON THE COMMITTEE PUSHED BACK TO STAFF AND SAID BRING US SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY GIVES US ALTERNATIVES BEYOND SINGLE OCCUPANCY VEHICLES.
AND THAT'S WHAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAME UP WITH HERE, I THINK, IS BETTER THAN WHAT WAS PRESENTED THE FIRST TIME.
AND I STILL THINK WE COULD DO MORE.
SO I'M -- MORE INVESTMENT IN ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION THAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY.
SO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO UPDATE THE BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN, BUT I WOULD HAVE RATHER SEEN, STILL, MORE INVESTMENT IN PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO THE OTHER THING I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON REGARDING THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES HERE WITH THIS PARTICULAR FUNDING THAT CAME AS A RESULT OF NONATTAINMENT, AND THEN WE HAVE THE WV FUNDING THAT'S COME -- VW FUNDING THAT'S COMING AS A RESULT OF SOMETHING SIMILAR, BUT THEN YESTERDAY WE HAD OUR OZONE -- FUNDING, WE HAVE SOME LACK OF COORDINATING EFFORT IN IMPLEMENTING THE DIFFERENT PLANS.
SO PERHAPS THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WILL DO THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY, I THINK, IN A TIMELY WAY.
IN FACT, ART, THAT COULD BE ONE OF MY QUESTIONS TO YOU, HOW -- WE HAVE TO PRESENT A PLAN, BUT I THINK THERE IS SOME URGENCY IN SPENDING THIS FUNDING AND THEN SOME URGENCY IN THE VW FUNDING THAT'S A SEPARATE POOL.
DOESN'T THIS HAVE TO BE EXPENDED BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME?
>> SO THE CALL HERE IS FOR THREE FISCAL YEARS, SO '20, '21, '22, SO THAT'S OUR FUNDING WINDOW.
AND WAS THERE ANY COORDINATION WITH THE OZONE ACTION PLAN THAT WAS DISCUSSED YESTERDAY AS YOU WERE COMING UP WITH THESE?
>> SO PRIOR TO OUR FIRST TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING WE TALKED SPECIFICALLY WITH METRO HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY ABOUT THE VW SETTLEMENT, BASED ON SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE GOT AT THE FEBRUARY BRIEFING WE HUDDLED BACK UP WITH SUSTAIN NLT -- SUSTAINABILITY AND METRO HEALTH, THE EDUCATION COMPONENT, TALKING ABOUT CLEAN AIR FOR KIDS, THE GAS CAP TESTING AS WELL AS THE EVSA PROGRAM, THAT CAME FROM THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTIVITY PLAN.
YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS HERE AND POLICYMAKERS THAT WE DON'T TAKE ITEMS IN ISOLATION, THAT THEY'RE NOT KIND OF IN A VACUUM, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, FOR -- YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE ROI THAT YOU ANTICIPATE WITH THIS KIND OF FUNDING.
I THINK EVEN IN THE MOST BICYCLE-FRIENDLY CITIES IN THE COUNTRY, I THINK ONLY ABOUT 10% OF PEOPLE COMMUTE BY BICYCLE EXCLUSIVELY.
IN CITIES THAT ARE HEAVILY DENSE AND HEAVILY INVESTED IN PUBLIC TRANSIT LIKE NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO AND THAT, I THINK ONLY ABOUT 50% OF THE PEOPLE COMMUTE WITH OTHER THAN SINGLE-OCCUPANCY VEHICLES.
SO WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO TAKE PEOPLE OFF OUR ROADWAYS OR TAKE SO MANY SINGLE OCCUPANCY VEHICLES OFF OUR ROAD AND MAKE ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS, BUT I THINK AT LEAST IT'S A STEP.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE A MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN ALTERNATIVE FORMS AND CONTINUE WITH SOME OF THE VISION ZERO INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER.
ANOTHER THING THAT YOU MENTIONED WHEN COUNCILMAN PERRY ASKED ABOUT THE ROI IS THAT MULTI -- MICROMOBILITY LANES, I DON'T WANT TO CALL THEM JUST BIKE LANES ANYMORE, BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE DIFFERENT USERS THAT CAN USE THOSE LANES.
>> GONZALES: IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE PERSON WHO WOULD BE USING THEM, BUT IT ALSO CALMS TRAFFIC.
AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS, BUT ONE OF THE
[02:10:01]
NUMBER ONE THINGS I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS ON A DAILY BASIS IS THAT THE TRAFFIC MOVES TOO FAST IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.AND ONE OF THE WAYS YOU SLOW DOWN THE TRAFFIC IS BY INSTALLING BIKE LANES, IMPROVING STREET TREES, ADDING BETTER SIDEWALK, MAKING FOR A MUCH MORE PLEASANT PHYSICAL SPRIERMT, WALKING ENVIRONMENT, ALSO REDUCES THE TRAFFIC AND HOPEFULLY THEN WILL REDUCE THE FATALITY ON YOUR STREET.
SO I THANKING EVERYBODY FOR THE WORK ON THIS, AND I DO HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SEE A VERY COORDINATED EFFORT WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT MOBILITY OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE AND THE OZONE MASTER PLAN AND THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND THE SA TOMORROW PLAN THAT SOMEHOW THEY'RE NOT THOUGHT OF AS INDIVIDUAL PLANS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO AGREE WITH ALL THE COMMENTS COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES JUST MADE ABOUT THIS AND COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK ART REINHARDT FOR ALL THIS HARD WORK ON THESE ITEMS. I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT THIS A LOT, AS WELL AS ROSSI AT TCI.
I MEAN, WE WANT TO BE AS THOUGHTFUL AS WE CAN BE ABOUT WHAT PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALL ABOUT, AND IT'S -- TO FRAME IT AS A RETURN ON INVEST.
-- RETURN ON INVESTMENT, I THINK, IS THE WRONG VIEWPOINT.
I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY, INVESTING IN THOSE THAT MAY NOT SEE WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON, BUT CREATING THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE THAT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THESE THINGS AVAILABLE TO THEM, I THINK, WILL BRING SOME -- SOME INCREDIBLE QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
SO I COMMEND TCI, SPECIFICALLY ART, FOR DOING THIS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 24.
[13. Ordinance approving the acquisition through negotiation or condemnation, of interests in one property sufficient for project purpose (temporary access easement and temporary construction easement) of privately-owned real property located in Council District 9 and declaring the project to be a public use project and a public necessity and which is related to the SAWS 800 Block of N. Loop 1604 – DR1091 Sewer Main Project. [Peter Zanoni, Deputy City Manager; Razi Hosseini, Interim Director, Transportation & Capital Improvements]]
AND WE HAVE ITEM 13, WHICH IS A SIMPLE PASS-THROUGH, AND SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL THAT, AND THEN WE'RE ON TO OUR CONCESSION CONTRACT.ITEM NUMBER 13 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE ACQUISITION THROUGH NEGOTIATION OR CONDEMNATION OF INTEREST IN ONE PROPERTY SUFFICIENT FOR PROJECT PUMP TEMPORARY ACCESS EASEMENT AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT OF PRIVATELY OWNED REAL PROPERTY IN DISTRICT 9 AND DECLARING THE PROJECT TO BE A NUMBERING USE PROJECT AND A NUMBERING NECESSITY WHICH IS RELATED TO THE SAWS 800 BLOCK OF NORTH LOOP 1604D R-1 0914 SEWER MAIN PROJECT.
I MOVE THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE PRIVATELY OWNED REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC USE PROJECT FOR THE SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM PROJECT BY ACQUIRING THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES DESCRIBED BY THE CITY CLERK AND INCORPORATED AS PART OF THIS MOTION.
>> CLERK: THE PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY FOR TEMPORARY EASEMENT INTEREST LOCATED IN BEXAR COUNTY, CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9, ARE OUT OF THE FOLLOWING: NEW CITY BLOCK 17430 SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY.
THESE PROPERTIES ARE DEPICTED IN THE OVERALL PROJECT DRAWING MAP IN EXHIBITS A THROUGH 1.
ATTACHED TO THE ORDINANCE AND INCORPORATED AS PART OF THIS MOTION.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR, I'D JUST LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS FOR A MOMENT.
I WANT PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT TAKE THIS IDEA OF USING EMINENT DOMAIN TO TAKE PROPERTY AS SOMETHING LIGHTLY.
THAT WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.
THAT IT'S NOT THE KIND OF DECISION WE LIKE TO MAKE, BUT THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A REAL IMPORTANT PUBLIC NECESSITY FOR THIS WATER SYSTEM PROJECT.
AND WHAT WE ACTUALLY HOPE IS THAT BECAUSE OF EMPOWERING SAWS TO DO THIS, THEY'LL BE IN A POSITION TO SIT DOWN WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND REACH AN UNDERSTANDING IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY, MAYBE 90 TO 120 DAY PERIOD OF TIME AND PROPERTY GETS RETURNED TO THE OWNERS.
SO WE HOPE THIS WILL BE ACTUALLY WORKED OUT WITHOUT EVEN HAVING TO USE EMINENT DOMAIN, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPOWER SAWS SO THAT THEY HAVE THAT OPTION IF THERE'S NO AGREEMENT THAT CAN BE REACHED WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 13.
[15. Ordinance approving a Food, Beverage and Retail Prime Concession Agreement with Paradies Lagardère @ SAT, LLC for over 10,000 square feet in Terminal A at the San Antonio International Airport with a minimum annual guarantee of $2,165,000.00. The initial term is seven years with three, one-year extensions. [Carlos Contreras, Assistant City Manager; Russell Handy, Director, Aviation]]
[02:15:04]
MOTION CARRIES.>> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 15 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A FOOD/BEVERAGE AND RETAIL PRIME CONCESSION AGREEMENT WITH PARADISE LAGARDY AT SATLLC FOR OVER 10,000 SQUARE FEET IN TERMINAL A AT THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH MINIMUM ANNUAL GUARANTEE OF $2,165,000.
THE INITIAL TERM IS SEVEN YEARS WITH THREE ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS.
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, MAYORS AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS PRIME CONCESSION FOOD, BEVERAGE AND RETAIL.
I'M EXCITED TO BRING THIS EXCITING PROPOSAL TO YOU FORWARD TO RECOMMEND -- AS THE PRIME CONCESSION FOR A PORTION OF TERMINAL A.
I WANT TO BUILD A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF TERMINAL A.
WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF AGREEMENTS IN EXISTENCE, TWO ON THE SECURE SIDE, ONE ON THE NONSECURE SIDE HAVE AN EXPIRATION OF NOVEMBER 2020.
SO YOU'LL BE HEARING MORE ABOUT THOSE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE,E, AND THEN CURRENTLY HMS HOST OPERATES A PRIME CONCESSION THAT SOME OF YOU RECALL, WE BROUGHT FORWARD IN 2012 FOR AWARDES.
AND THAT WILL EXPIRE IN FEBRUARY OF 2021.
AND SO HMS HOSTS OPERATES THAT.
IT'S GOT VERY FAMILIAR NAMES LIKE FRUITERIA, NATALIE'S, BUT THE EXPRESS-NEWS AND OTHERS.
AND SO THOSE WILL REMAIN IN THE AIRPORT, AGAIN, UNTIL 2021 WHEN WE'LL TALK AGAIN ABOUT HOW WE COMPETE THOSE.
SO THE AVAILABLE SPOTS, THE ONES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY END UP BEING 10 LOCATIONS, EIGHT ON THE SECURE SIDE AND TWO ON THE NONSECURE SIDE.
WE'VE ADDED TWO PRESECURITY AS A RESULT OF A LOT OF CUSTOMER FEEDBACK FOR THE NEED FOR MORE FRESH FOOD, COFFEE OPTIONS, BOTH ON THE DEPARTURE LEVEL AND IN BAGGAGE CLAIM, AND SO YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT LATER ON HOW THE RESPONDENTS WOULD RESPOND TO THAT.
THE 10 LOCATIONS, THESE ARE THE EXISTING LOCATIONS, SO THAT IF YOU RECALL AS YOU EXIT THE TSA SECURITY CHECKPOINT, YOU SEE SOME RETAIL LOCATIONS -- IN AUDIO] -- TO SERVE.
NOW, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE TIMELINE HERE IN A MINUTE, BUT AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON AT THE AIRPORT.
ONE OF OUR INITIATIVES IS TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, AND SO THAT AS WE EXAMINED MOVING OUT ON RFP FOR FOOD, BEVERAGE AND RETAIL, WE REALLY TRIED TO INTEGRATE ALL OF THAT AS A RESULT OF A LOT OF CUSTOMER FEEDBACK, BOTH INFORMAL AND THOUSANDS OF FORMAL CUSTOMER FEEDBACK MECHANISMS AS WELL AS FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL ON MANY OCCASIONS AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE NEED MORE OF AT THE AIRPORT.
ONE OF THOSE IS A BETTER REPRESENTATION OF OUR CITY.
WE WANT TO BRAND THE REGION, BRAND SAN ANTONIO IN THE AIRPORT, AND YOU SEE A LOT OF ART, MUSIC, CULTURE THAT'S COMING OUT TO THE AIRPORT SUCH THAT IT'S THE FIRST AND THE LAST PLACE A TRAVELLER SEES AS THEY TRAVEL IN AND OUT OF SAN ANTONIO, WE FEEL IT SHOULD REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WE HAVE SOME OF THAT IN OUR FOOD, BEVERAGE NOW, AND YOU KNOW THOSE I MENTIONED A COUPLE OF THOSE VENUES EARLIER AND WE NEED MORE.
AND SO WE PUT THAT HEAVY EMPHASIS ON THE RFP ON REPRESENTING SAN ANTONIO WITH LOCAL CONCEPTS.
SPECIFIC FOOD CONCEPTS WE TALKED ABOUT, SO WE WANTED CONCEPTS FOR PARTICULAR LOCATIONS, WE WERE -- COFFEE WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO US, WE THOUGHT BARBECUE WAS IMPORTANT, WE THOUGHT HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS BASED ON CUSTOMER FEEDBACK WERE A MUST, WE NEEDED MORE SIT-DOWN TABLE SERVICE, SO LARGER VENUES IN OUR AIRPORT TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE INCREASING CROWDS.
AS YOU KNOW, OUR EMPLOYMENTS ARE GOING UP DRAMATICALLY.
WE ALSO WANTED TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY AND MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT.
FROM A TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE, THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS GOING ON IN THE INDUSTRY WITH REGARD TO BOTH PROCESS INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION, SO HOW TO MOVE, YOU KNOW, AWAY FROM TYPICAL CUEING LIES TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE CROWDS, USE INNOVATIVE WAYS OF ORDERING FOOD, MORE DIGITAL SCREENS AND THE AGILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, SO WE PUT THAT INTO THE RFP AS A HIGH DESIRE.
THAT'S ALSO OF PARTICULAR ADVANTAGE TO A SMALL AIRPORT, AND AS YOU KNOW, TERMINAL A IS A SMALL SPACE, SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WE USE EVERY SQUARE FOOT OF IT IN AN OPTIMAL MANNER.
FINALLY WE STUDIED MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ACROSS THE INDUSTRY AND BASED ON CUSTOMER FEEDBACK ACROSS SAN ANTONIO TO INCLUDE GETTING FEEDBACK AFTER WE BROUGHT MUSIC AIRPORT
[02:20:01]
ENTERPRISE FUND FUNDED LOCAL MUSICIANS INTO THE AIRPORT AND RECEIVED TREMENDOUSLY POSITIVE FACEBOOK.COM AND SO WE INCLUDE -- FEEDBACK AND INCLUDED THAT IN SOMETHING WE WERE LOOKING FOR IN OUR RFP.WE STARTED THIS JOURNEY QUITE A WHILE AGO WITH OUR PRESOLICITATION AUDIT IN 2017.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DISCUSSION RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR PRIME THAT WENT ON BETWEEN THEN AND WHEN WE SOLICITED, SO OUR POST WAS NOT UNTIL FEBRUARY 19TH OF THIS YEAR.
SO WE TOOK THAT AUDIT ON FEBRUARY 19 OF THIS YEAR.
PROPOSAL, WE RELEASED JANUARY OF '18, THEY WERE DUE IN JUNE, WE WANTED TO GIVE THEM PLENTY OF TIME.
THIS IS A BIG, VERY RESOURCE-INTENSIVE PROCESS.
THERE WAS A SCORING ON -- IN SEPTEMBER OF '18 WHERE WE DID SCORING BASED UPON THOSE PROPOSALS.
AGAIN, THEY WERE QUITE IN-DEPTH.
OF THE FOUR PROPOSALS, TWO OF THE PROPOSALS, HMS HOST AND PARADIES LAGARDERE CLEARLY STOOD AMONG THE TOP OF THE FOUR.
THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT WE GO FORWARD FOR INTERVIEWS, IMMEDIATING THE RESPONDENTS, TAKING A LOOK AT THEM WHICH IS WHAT WE DID IN NOVEMBER OF 2018.
ON THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE THAT WE STAFFED TO AUDIT FOR APPROVAL, WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD A GOOD MIX OF REPRESENTATION OF CITY EXPERTISE RUNNING THINGS WITHIN THE CITY, BOTH AT THE AIRPORT AND ACROSS TOWN.
WE BROUGHT DARIUS DUNN, HE UNDERSTANDS A LOT OF VENUES THROUGHOUT TOWN AS WELL.
STEVE MILLBORN IS OUR PROPERTY'S MANAGER WHO WORKS DAY TODAY WITH THESE ACTIVITIES.
VALERIE PEEK IS THE SUPERVISOR OF TRAVEL WITH VALERO SO SHE'S GOT A LARGE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAVELING PUBLIC.
ON THE BOTTOM BLOCK, THE FIRST REPRESENTATIVE SAMANTHA BURGESS FROM THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA WAS ON OUR COMMITTEE AS A VOTING MEMBER FOR THAT FIRST ROUND.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE WERE SOME SCHEDULING ISSUES WITH HER ABILITY TO MAKE THE FIRST 15 TO 20 MINUTES OF THE SECOND ROUND OF VOTING.
SHE SHOWED UP A LITTLE BIT LATE AND SO CARLOS MADE THE WISE DECISION FROM A PROCESS PERSPECTIVE THAT SHE WOULDN'T BE A VOTING MEMBER ON THAT COMMITTEE, BUT SHE COULD STILL SERVE IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY.
SAMANTHA WAS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
FIRST OF ALL, SHE UNDERSTANDS THE CULINARY ARTS AS AN INSTRUCTOR AT CIA, BUT SHE ALSO KNOWS ALL OF THE RESPONDENTS VERY, VERY WELL.
AND UNDERSTANDS THEIR VENUES, UNDERSTANDS THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO HELP US IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY.
WE ALSO EMPLOY A CONSULTING FIRM, ESSENTIALLY AN INTERNATIONAL CONCESSION FIRM THAT WORKS WITH AIRPORTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THEY WERE VERY USEFUL FOR THOSE INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS, BOTH BEFORE WE COMPETED AND AFTER TO HELP UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES ON IN AIRPORTS, WHAT'S SUCCESSFUL AND WHAT MIGHT NOT BE, AND THEY ALSO HELPED US WITH THE DETAILED EVALUATION WITH THE NUMBERS THAT ULTIMATELY OUR FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT TEAM LOOKED AT. AND WE HAVE OUR TYPICAL VARIETY OF CITY EXPERTISE TO HELP US THROUGH ALL OF THE PROCUREMENT AREAS.
THIS IS A SCORE THAT CAME OUT OF THE FINAL ROUND WHEN WE HAD OUR TWO FIRMS, AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT IS OFTEN DISCUSSED ABOUT SCORING AND, YOU KNOW, WHY IS THERE MAYBE A LARGE SPLIT VERSUS A SMALL SPLIT.
I WILL TELL YOU GOING INTO THE -- OUT OF THAT FIRST ROUNDS HMS HOST AND PARADIES LAGARDERE WERE BOTH VERY HIGH.
THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE IS A HOST OF INDIVIDUALS THAT SCORES THING IN THEIR OWN SUBJECTIVE MATTER BUT WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THESE TWO FANTASTIC GLOBAL FIRMS. WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP ONGOING WITH BOTH OF THESE FIRMS, A LARGE ONE WITH HMS HOST, IT BECOMES, YOU KNOW, A GOOD AND BETTER OR A GREAT AND GREATER AS OPPOSED TO A BAD AND A GOOD.
WE DIDN'T SEE A BAD AND A GOOD.
THESE ARE BOTH POWERFUL COMPANIES WITH STRONG PROPOSALS SO WE BROKE DOWN EACH INDIVIDUAL ITEM AS AN INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION COMMITTEE VERY CLOSELY.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE LOOKED AT -- EXAMINED INDIVIDUAL EVALUATORS' SCORES AND THEY WERE VERY CONSISTENT.
THEY WERE ALL VERY, VERY CLOSE AT THE END OF THE DAY.
AND SO THE SCORING CAME OUT IN THIS FASHION.
AND I JUST WANTED TO -- BEFORE I GET INTO THE CONCEPT AND SOME OF THE EXCITING THINGS THAT PARADIES IS PROPOSING, I JUST WANTED TO UP FRONT TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AREAS WHERE THEY STOOD OUT AS WE EVALUATED AS A COMMITTEE BETWEEN THE TWO LEADING PROPOSALS.
FIRST OF ALL, AS I MENTIONED, BOTH POWERFUL, INCREDIBLY COMPETENT GLOBAL FIRMS, BUT WE LOOK AT THE ENTIRE MANAGEMENT TEAM AS WE LOOK AT EXPERIENCE, BACKGROUND, QUALIFICATIONS AND
[02:25:01]
HOW WELL THEY CAN EXECUTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT WE REQUESTED IN THE RFP, AND IN MANY -- MANY LEVELS BOTH OF THEM BROUGHT SOME VERY STRONG MANAGEMENT.I WILL TELL YOU PARADIES LAGARDERE BROUGHT VERY STRONG MANAGEMENT INCLUDING SOME BUSINESSES IN THE AREA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MANAGEMENT WITH GREAT REPUTATIONS THAT WERE VERY WELL KNOWN WITHIN THE COMMUTETY.
THERE WAS AN AREA WITHIN THE HMS HOST PROPOSAL SPECIFICALLY HAD TO DEAL WITH RETAIL THAT UNANIMOUSLY IN THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE THERE WAS SOME CONCERN WITH REGARD TO SOME HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THAT PARTICULAR JOINT PARTNER AND THEIR ABILITY TO MANAGE WHAT WE SEE CURRENTLY IN A BUSINESS AND SOME CONCERN OVER THEIR ABILITY TO HANDLE THE LARGER POSSIBILITIES THAT WERE ARTICULATED.
WE DIDN'T REALLY PICK UP THAT ON THE PROPOSAL BUT IN THE INTERVIEWS IT BECAME QUITE CLEAR AS WE ASKED -- AUDIO] -- YOU'LL SEE IN THE PARADIES PROPOSAL THEY BROUGHT FORTH A STRONG CONCEPT FOR THAT AND HMS HOST DID NOT REALLY BRING THE TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENT THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR, IN FACT, THEY WERE NOT PROPOSING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AT ALL, AND THE COMMITTEE, BASED UPON WHAT WE PUT IN THE RFP HAD AN ISSUE WITH THAT.
CUSTOMER SERVICE INNOVATIONS, BOTH COMPANIES HAD CUSTOMER SERVICE INNOVATIONS ARTICULATED.
THE PARADIES CONCEPT WAS VERY, VERY DETAILED, AND I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH A SEPARATE SLIDE HERE IN A BIT ABOUT HOW THEY PROPOSE TO LOOK AT PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS IN GREAT DETAIL, AND THEY SCORED HIGHER IN THAT CATEGORY BETWEEN THE TWO PROPOSALS.
LOCAL CONCEPTS, INNOVATIVE DESIGN, BOTH VERY, VERY STRONG CONCEPTS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, AND WE LOOKED AT THE -- THE COMMITTEE LOOKED AT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM AND BROKE DOWN THE DESIGN, THE PASSION OF THAT DESIGN WITH RESPECT TO HOW IT REFLECTS IN SAN ANTONIO, THE LAYOUT OF THE CUEING SPACE, YOU KNOW, AND HOW LARGE IT IS FOR PARTICULAR VENUE, AND ALTHOUGH I WILL TELL YOU THAT SPLIT WAS NOT HIGH, PARADIES LAGARDERE REALLY SCORED SLIGHTLY HIGHER IN THAT AREA, TOO.
I THINK I'D BE REMISED NOT TO MENTION THAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP AND AGREED TO UNANIMOUSLY ACROSS THE COMMITTEE AND VALIDATED BY OUR CONSULTANTS THAT THE COMMITTEE FELT UNANIMOUSLY THAT COMPETITION WAS A GOOD THING.
WHEN YOU COMPARE AND CONTRAST ONE SINGLE CONCESSIONAIRE HAVING ALL OF THE COMPETITION, THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE COMPETITION OF TWO LARGE SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES WITHIN THE TERMINAL WOULD ULTIMATELY BUILD A BETTER PRODUCT AND POTENTIALLY BETTER REVENUE TO THE AIRPORT.
FINALLY I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COMPETITION, BECAUSE YOU SAW THE CORES -- SCORES -- I'M SORRY WITH COMPENSATION WITH PARADIES LAGARDERE SCORED THE MAXIMUM OF 20 POINTS AND HOST SCORED 16.2.
JUST TO REITERATE WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW IN THE PROCESS, THE COMMITTEE DOESN'T SEE ACPDE COMPENSATION SCORES BEFORE WE FINALIZE, IT'S ONLY AFTER WE FIRM THAT UP AND HAND OFF THE SCORES AND THEN IT'S INTRODUCED.
IN THE FINAL SCORING BOTH FOR MINIMUM GUARANTEE, MINIMUM ANNUAL GUARANTEED INCOME AND REVENUE PERCENTAGE, PARADIES LAGARDERE SCORED HIGHER FOR THAT PRODUCING -- CONSIDERABLY HIGHER MINIMUM ANNUAL GUARANTEE IN THE MINIMUM OF ABOUT $600,000 A YEAR.
THAT'S SIGNIFICANT AS YOU KNOW, THAT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, BUT REVENUE'S VERY IMPORTANT TO AN AIRPORT AND AIRPORT ENTERPRISE FUND EVERY DOLLAR I GENERATE IN NONAIRLINE REVENUE I CAN CHARGE MY AIRLINE PARTNERS A DOLLAR LESS, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY PASSED ON TO THE CUSTOMER.
SO WE WATCH REVENUE VERY CAREFULLY AND CONCESSIONS ARE A MAJOR PART OF OUR GENERATION, AND THE SECOND HIGHEST GENERATOR BEHIND PARKING IN AN AIRPORT SYSTEM.
SO NOW I'D LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONCEPT, AND I CAN GO THROUGH THIS FAIRLY QUICKLY.
I KNOW MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN THE PICTURES, YOU F OO SEEN THE BRIEF ONLINE, THIS IS A VERY QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE CONCEPTS.
I THINK WHAT YOU'LL FIND AS I WALK THROUGH THESE CONCEPTS THEY ARE SO M VERY, VERY EXCITING LOCAL CONCEPTS MIXED WITH SOME NATIONAL BRANDS THAT DO VERY, VERY WELL IN AIRPORTS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
SO I'LL WALK THROUGH EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALLY AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW THEY WERE PUT TOGETHER, AND WHERE THEY WILL BE IN THE TERMINAL.
IT'S A MIX, AGAIN, OF FOOD, BEVERAGE AND RETAIL.
YOU SEE CHICK-FIL-A ON THE RIGHT SIDE, I DID WANT TO MENTION ONE THING BEFORE I GET INTO THE DETAILED CONCEPTS.
CHICK-FIL-A WAS A CHANGE AFTER THE PROPOSALS WERE OFFERED.
THERE WAS ORIGINALLY A PANDA EXPRESS, AND THAT'S IN THE FOOD COURT AREA WHERE RAISIN' CANES IS RIGHT NOW.
PARADIES LAGARDERE HAD A BIT OF A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT BASED UPON A COUPLE OF THINGS, ONE IS THE TYPES OF FOOD WE GET GREAT FEEDBACK ON, THE CHICKEN VENUE
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IS ACTUALLY VERY, VERY POPULAR, BUT ALSO THAT MIX OF FAST-FOOD AND HEALTHY FOOD.CHICK-FIL-A BEING THE FIRST FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT TO BAN TRANS FATS FROM THEIR MENU SO THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THAT MIX OF FAST-FOOD AND HEALTHY FOOD, AND ULTIMATELY WE AGREED TO GO OUT AND LOOK IF THAT CONCEPT WOULD WORK.
IT WAS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER THAN A TYPICAL CHICK-FIL-A, AND SO THEY HAD TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS IN THE PERCENTAGE RENT, BUT ULTIMATELY IT JEP RATED JUST -- GENERATED JUST SLIGHTLY MORE IN MINIMAL ANNUAL GUARANTEE THAN THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT SO IT WOULD NOT HAVE IMPACTED THE SCORING.
WISEMAN, HIS CONCEPTS ARE LUXURY AND SIP, TONY G'S AND CHELSEA, CHRISTINE SELLO AND HER HUSBAND IS ALSO IN THE PICTURE, BRANDON OF BOSS BAYING -- BAGELS, TWO OF OUR ACDE PARTNERS WHO WILL BE A KEY PART OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM WITH THIS PROPOSAL AND ROBBY GRUBS FROM LOCAL COFFEE, MANY OF YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THAT VENUE.
THESE FOLKS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR THREE ACDB PARTNERS, WHO WILL BE JOINT VENTURE A ACDBE PARTNERS, THE LOCAL VENUES ARE INSPIRED, THE FOOD, THE VENUE, THE TRAINING HAS LICENSE AGREEMENTS AT THE AIRPORT AND BOTH HMS HOST AND PARADIES LAGARDERE PRODUCED A OPERATING ON LICENSING AGREEMENTS AT THE AIRPORT.
BUT YOU WILL SEE THEM OUT THERE AND THOSE VENUES ARE INSPIRED BY AND OPERATED BY THEIR COMPANIES.
AND THIS IS A QUICK SNAPSHOT OF OUR ACDB PARTNERS.
THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROPRIATING THE LOCAL COFFEE.
SIP BREW MARKET OPERATIONS, AND ADELAIDE SERVICES IS SELENA ALMAD'S COMPANY.
SELENA HAS A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCE NOT JUST WITHIN THE CITY BUT EVEN AT THE AIRPORT .
AND SO WE HAVE GREAT POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND KNOWLEDGE OF HER SKILLS.
NOT PICKED BUT WITHIN THE ISTORE, LATREL'S GALLERY IS THE PARTNER THERE.
SO THIS IS WHAT -- ONE MORE PIECE BEFORE I GET INTO THE MAP.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERTAINMENT.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE WANTED AN ELEVATED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE THROUGH INNOVATION AND ENTERTAINMENT AND PARODIES DELIVER.
GRAB IS A CONCEPT ON MOBILE APP THAT ALLOWS YOU TO LET PASSENGERS ORDER FOOD ONLINE.
THEY CAN PICK IT UP WHEN THEIR PLANE LANDS OR GETS THROUGH SECURITY.
TERMINAL LIKE TERMINAL A WHERE YOU WANTED LINE BUSES.
YOU WANT TO HAVE POINTS OF SALE THAT BRINGS THEM AWAY FROM THAT.
THEY ALREADY USE APPLE, ANDROID, AND SAMSUNG AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO USE WE CHAT.
THROUGHOUT THE PROPOSAL THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA AS WELL AS CHARGING STATIONS, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ASKED FOR TO EXAMINE.
THEY HAVE PLENTY OF CHARGING STATIONS SO FOLKS CAN WORK ON THEIR MOBILE DEVICES.
THEN ENTERTAINMENT, AS I SAID, THEY DID PROPOSE ENTERTAINMENT.
SMOKE SNACK IS GOING TO HAVE AN THEY HAVE LIVE MUSIC TO PLAY THERE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A SIMILAR SETUP AND VENUE WHERE THEY WILL HAVE LOCAL LIVE MUSIC AS WELL AS VINTAGE GAMES IN THE LUXURY, INTEGRATED INTO THE CONCEPT.
AND I WILL SORT OF WALK YOU THROUGH THAT VERBALLY AS I PICTURE EACH CONCEPT, I'LL KIND OF SHOW YOU A STORE FRONT AND GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE AND THEN BE GLAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS LATER.
AS YOU WALK OUT OF THE TSA SCREENING CHECKPOINT YOU'LL BE GREETED BY A VERY LARGE AREA OF SMOKE SHACK AND LOCAL COFFEE.
I'LL TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THAT AREA TO BRIGHTEN IT UP AND MAKE IT MUCH LARGER.
YOU'LL HAVE MORE FOOD TO THE LEFT, ADEINA'S MARKET IN THE CORNER.
OUR TWO AREAS IN THE NON-SECURE AREA ARE BOTH SIP CONCEPTS, AND I'LL SHOW YOU A PICTURE OF WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE.
SO, AS THE CUSTOMER EXITS THE SECURITY CHECKPOINT THEY WILL BE GREETED BY A SPACE ENTICED WITH A CONTROLLED AROMA OF BARBECUE COMING OUT OF THE SMOKE SHACK.
[02:35:01]
WE'RE GOING TO COMBINE TWO OF OUR RETAIL LOCATIONS TO MAKE ONE OF THOSE LARGER COMBINED COUNTER SERVE AND TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANTS THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT.AMPLE COUNTER AND COUNTER SERVICE OFFERINGS.
IF YOU LOOK TO THE RIGHT, YOU SEE WINDOWS.
THAT IS A WINDOW TO THE FLIGHTLINE THAT ACTUALLY EXISTS AND SOMETIME YEARS AGO WE PUT A WALL UP THERE AND THERE'S A STOREROOM COVERING THAT BACK UP.
WE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THAT UP AGAIN.
THAT WILL NOT ONLY MAKE THE VENUE LARGER EVEN STILL, BUT ALSO MAKE IT MUCH BRIGHTER, WHICH WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF THAT.
CHRIS CONGER BEGAN OPERATIONS OUT OF A FOOD TRUCK IN 2010 AND HE NEVER SLOWED DOWN.
AN AWARD-WINNING BARBECUE CONCEPT THAT PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED MORE INTRODUCTION.
VERY WELL KNOWN AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT CHRIS CAN DO AT THE AIRPORT.
ANDREW WEISSMAN'S WILL BE THE LUXURY.
IF YOU MAKE A LEFT TURN AND GO DOWN, JUST ADJACENT TO GATE NINE, YOU'LL SEE THIS.
OUR CURRENT GERVIN CONCEPT OPERATES OUT OF IT AND ENLARGES IT.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT A LARGER AREA WITH SIT-DOWN DINING WITH ANDREW WEISSMAN'S UNIQUE AND CREATIVE MENU AND FUN AND QUIRKY ATMOSPHERE.
HE IS A SAN ANTONIAN NATIVE AND HONED HIS SKILLS IN EUROPE TO COME BACK HERE AND OPERATE HIS INCREDIBLE OPERATION OUT AT THE MISSION REACH SINCE 2013.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THAT CONCEPT IN THE AIRPORT AS WELL.
BOSS BAGELS IS A VERY UNIQUE CONCEPT.
BRANNEN AND CHRISTY OPERATE THIS, BAGELS FRESH EVERY DAY.
IT'S FURTHER PAST DOWN THE CONCOURSE.
IF YOU RECALL WHERE BLIMPIE'S USED TO BE.
THEY WILL NOT ONLY FEATURE THESE BAGELS AND TOPPINGS, BUT COFFEE.
THIS WILL BE A PRIMARY COFFEE VENUE, VERY WELL NEEDED DOWN THERE IN THAT AREA.
A SAN ANTONIO FAVORITE FEATURING A WIDE RANGE OF UNIQUE ITEMS. THIS CONCEPT PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED VERY MUCH INTRODUCTIONS.
FOUNDED IN 1946 THEY OPERATE 2200 RESTAURANTS NATIONWIDE.
32 AIRPORT LOCATIONS AT 26 DIFFERENT AIRPORTS.
ONE OF THE MOST, IF NOT THE MOST SQUARE FOOT GENERATOR.
AND HAS TAKEN, SINCE 2008, A LEAP IN HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THAT CONCEPT COMING TO SAN ANTONIO AS WELL.
SO COFFEE IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT TO THE CONSUMER.
AND AS WE PHASE OUR WAY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION OF OUR CONCEPT WE'RE GOING TO ENSURE WHAT WE HAVE COFFEE CONTINUITY.
BUT WE ALSO NEED MORE ROOM FOR COFFEE, NEED MORE ROOM FOR QUEUING SPACE AND OTHER AMENITIES.
LOCAL COFFEE WILL BE TO THE RIGHT AS YOU EXIT SECURITY.
ROBBIE GRUB'S COFFEE VENUE IS A SAN ANTONIO FAVORITE SINCE 2009.
PRIDES ITSELF IN THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS, SO MUCH SO THAT HE HAS HIS OWN ROASTING COMPANY THAT HE SERVES HIS COFFEE BASED UPON THAT.
AND THIS PARTICULAR CONCEPT THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORTH BY ROBBIE'S AND PARADIES LAGARDERE INCORPORATES BAKERY LORRAINE PRODUCTS AND MOTHER CULTURE YOGURT.
SO AS I SAID, WE HAVE BEEN FIELDING CUSTOMER FEEDBACK ABOUT THE NEED AND DESIRE FOR MORE PRESECURITY VENUES.
IF YOU CAN ENVISION COMING IN LEFT OF CENTER OF THE DEPARTURE LEVEL OF TERMINAL A ON THE WAY TO DELTA OR SOUTHWEST, JUST OFF TO YOUR LEFT IS A LARGE SEATING AREA TO THE RIGHT, WHICH IS WELL-USED BUT NOT WELL-USED ENOUGH FOR THAT NUMBER OF SQUARE FOOTAGE.
WE HAVE A PLAN TO RELOCATE THAT SEATING AREA ACROSS TO ANOTHER AREA IN THE CONCOURSE.
AND THEN INSTEAD OF THAT, YOU'LL SEE THAT VENUE TO YOUR RIGHT.
THIS IS AN ANDREW WEISSMAN CONCEPT.
IT WILL OPERATE QUICK, CONVENIENT HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS AS WELL AS QUICK PICK UP OPTIONS AND COFFEE.
WE GET A LARGE MARKET OF PEOPLE WHO WAIT FOR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
IN ADDITION TO TRAVELERS, WHO WANT TO PICK UP SOME COFFEE BEFORE THEY GO, GRAB THEIR TICKET AND TAG THEIR BAG, WE GET QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP EARLY TO WAIT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.
AND THAT SIP VENUE WILL ALSO OPERATE A KIOSK IN THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA.
THIS IS A PARTICULAR FAVORITE DURING OUR PEAK ARRIVAL TIMES.
WE GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK FOR CUSTOMERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS TYPE OF A VENUE, SO IT WILL HAVE NOT ONLY COFFEE BUT ALSO QUICK GRAB AND GO FOODS.
THIS WILL OPERATE VERY CLOSE TO THE MID GROUND BETWEEN TERMINAL A AND TERMINAL B.
SO VERY CONVENIENT TO BOTH TERMINALS.
[02:40:06]
DELIVER A VARIETY OF MERCHANDISE TO OUR TERMINAL A CUSTOMERS AND SO IN HONOR OF ADEINA'S NAME, THIS CONCEPT HONORS HER LEGACY.IT WILL HAVE MEMORABILIA, JEWELRY AND WINES FROM THE HILL COUNTRY, ACCESSORIES AND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS.
THAT WILL OPERATE OUT OF TERMINAL A.
SPURS IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL CONCEPT IN OTHER CITIES.
WHEN THEY TAKE, YOU KNOW, THE ANCHOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM AND DEVELOP A CONCEPT AROUND THAT.
AND SO WE EXPECT THIS TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
IT PROBABLY BEST EMULATES LOCAL INFLUENCE AND NATIONAL CONCEPTS.
IT WILL BE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE FOOD COURT IN TERMINAL A AND OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL SPORTS ATTIRE AND MEMORABILIA, AND NOT ONLY HIGHLIGHT THE SPURS BUT ALL OF OUR TEAMS, FC AND RAMPAGE WILL ALSO BE HIGHLIGHTED.
YOU HAVE SEEN IN MOTION ISTORE, SIMILAR CONCEPTS.
AND THEY ARE IN AIRPORTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
THEY ARE THE BEST-SELLING RETAILER OF ITS TYPE ACROSS AIRPORTS IN THE COUNTRY.
IT'S A JOINT VENTURE WITH ACDBE PARTNER, WHICH IS THE GALLERY THAT WE MENTIONED.
IT WILL OFFER NOT JUST APPLE PRODUCTS BUT PRODUCTS FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS.
AS PART OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO SAN ANTONIO AND PART OF THEIR CULTURE, THE CULINARY PARADIES LAGARDERE SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS $2500 ANNUALLY TO STUDENTS IN SUPPORT OF TUITION AND BOARD EXPENSES.
IN THEIR PROPOSAL, PARADIES LAGARDERE COMMUNICATED A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT THEY DO IN CITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE TO INCLUDE SUPPORTING TROOP INITIATIVES, FIGHTING CHILDHOOD HUNGER AND TOURISM TO INCLUDE THE SAN ANTONIO TOURISM SO ALL IN ALL, THE AIRPORT SYSTEM WOULD RECEIVE A MINIMUM ANNUAL GUARANTEE OF $2.165 MILLION, WHICH WILL BE DEPOSITED IN THE AIRPORT OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE FUND.
WE THINK THIS IS VERY REALISTIC.
LOOKING AT THE PROPOSAL, THE INCREASE IN SQUARE FOOTAGE, RIGHT NOW THE LOWER NUMBER OF THEM MADE OVER $1.9 MILLION, SO WE ARE CONFIDENT IN THAT MINIMAL GUARANTEE.
THEY ARE COMMITTED TO AN AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE TO HAVE ALL CONCEPTS IN PLACE BY 2020.
WE'RE GOING TO ENSURE WE KEEP CONTINUITY FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
WE'LL DO HALF WITH A CONCLUSION IN ABOUT THE NOVEMBER '19 TIME-FRAME.
PARADIES LAGARDERE ALSO HAS A TEMPORARY KIOSK ARRANGEMENT, IN ADDITION TO PHASING IT OUT, TO PROVIDE SOME FOOD CONTINUITY IN THOSE AREAS WHERE WE MIGHT BE DOING CONSTRUCTION.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.
I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, BUT THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION AND WE'RE PROUD TO OFFER THE RECOMMENDATION FOR PARADIES LAGARDERE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RUSS.
WE DO HAVE MANY CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE ITEMS TODAY.
SO I'LL CALL THE FIRST NAME SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
IF YOU CAN BE PREPARED TO COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM.
AND IF YOU'RE SPEAKING IN A GROUP, LET US KNOW NOW AND THAT WAY WE CAN GIVE COMBINED TIME.
THERE WILL BE THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER AND NINE MINUTES PER GROUP OF THREE.
FIRST CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TODAY IS ANTHONY ALESSI FOLLOWED BY YASMINE SHIF.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ANTHONY ALESSI, I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
EXPERIENCE, CAPABILITY AND LOCAL INVOLVEMENT WAS A HEAVY WEIGHT ON THIS PROJECT AND WE BELIEVE OUR TEAM BROUGHT THAT TO THE TABLE IN THIS EVALUATION AND SCORING PROCESS.
HMS HOST IS THE INDUSTRY FOOD AND BEVERAGE LEADER.
WE HAVE $3.3 BILLION IN REVENUE ANNUALLY.
WE HAVE 41,000 ASSOCIATES NATIONWIDE.
AND FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS IN A ROW WE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY OUR INDUSTRY LEADERS, THE AIRPORT LANDLORDS, SO TO SPEAK, AS THE AIRPORT OPERATOR, THE BEST AIRPORT OPERATOR IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
WE ARE FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPERATORS.
IN THOSE 41,000 EMPLOYEES, WE OFFER FULL BENEFITS, HEALTH, EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT.
WE ARE PROUD TO SAY HERE IN THE SAN ANTONIO REGION, THIS TEAM HAS OVER 2500 EMPLOYEES IN AUDIO].
WE ARE ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THAT REGARD AS WELL.
BUT WE ALSO ARE A RESTAURATEUR.
[02:45:01]
REPLACES THE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE.IT ONLY ENHANCES THE SPEED OF SERVICE.
MOBILE ORGANIZED PADS AT THE TABLE, CHECK OUT AT THE TABLE, CARD SWIPES AT THE TABLE.
ALL THAT WAS IN OUR PROPOSAL AND IN OUR PRESENTATION.
WE HAVE 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENT PARTNERSHIP WITH THIS AIRPORT AND THIS CITY.
I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE FOR 25 YEARS WORKING ON THE LANDLORD SIDE.
WHEN YOU HIRED WESTFIELD TO BE YOUR CONSULTANT WITH UNISON AND NOW I HAVE THE OPERATING SIDE AND ABILITY AND PARTNERED WITH JOHNNY HERNANDEZ.
THEY HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING PARTNERS.
THEY HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING PARTNERS IN ACHIEVING THIS VISION THE CITY HAS SET FORTH.
WE HAVE ALWAYS DELIVERED THE COMMITMENT WE HAVE MADE AND WE NEVER COME BACK TO THIS CITY ASKING FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE COMMITMENT WE HAVE MADE.
EVEN WHEN DELTA LEFT TERMINAL A AND FRUITRIA MAKING NO SALES OR LITTLE SALES, WE STUCK WITH THAT AIRPORT BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT AIRPORT WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW.
HERE WE HAVE A UNIQUE RFP THAT THE CITY PUT OUT WHERE IT ASKED FOR ONE OPERATOR TO COME WITH BOTH RETAIL IN OUR INDUSTRY THERE'S REALLY NOT ANYBODY THAT IS IN THAT GAME.
ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO WE SOLD OUR RETAIL DIVISION.
IT WAS THE SECOND LARGEST AT THE TIME, $250 MILLION.
BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BE GREAT FOOD OPERATORS, AND THAT'S OUR FOCUS AND THAT'S OUR CORE.
AS YOU LOOK AT THE TEAM BEHIND ME, I WISH I HAD OUR RENDERINGS AND OUR VISION, BECAUSE PARADIES, OUR RENDERINGS ARE JUST AS EXCITING AS THEIRS.
OUR RENDINGS AND TEAM WILL SHOW YOU THAT THE INVESTMENT, THE LOCAL INVOLVEMENT, THE REAL RESTAURANTS THAT EXIST ON THE STREET ARE BEING BROUGHT TO YOUR AIRPORT WITH THE REAL CHEFS THAT RUN THOSE AIRPORTS WITH EQUITY STAKE INVOLVEMENT.
WHAT YOU DIDN'T SEE IN THE SCORE WE PROPOSED 30.5% ACD VERSUS 20%.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. ALESSI.
YASMINE SHIF FOLLOWED BY JOHNNY HERNANDEZ.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.
MY NAME IS YASMINE SHIF AND I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR STELLA PARTNERS.
STELLA PARTNERS IS A RETAIL COMPANY.
WE CURRENTLY OPERATE 57 RETAIL STORES IN 15 AIRPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ACQUISITION, WHICH IS TO CONCLUDE IN THE NEXT 45 DAYS.
AND OUR BUSINESS WILL BE 99 STORES IN 23 AIRPORTS.
THAT IS THE CORE OF OUR BUSINESS.
WE DON'T DO FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
AND I THINK YOU REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON WHAT THAT MEANS.
IF YOU TRULY WANT THE BEST CONCESSIONS PROGRAM, YOU WANT NOT JUST SIMPLE OPERATORS THAT CAN DO EVERYTHING.
YOU WANT OPERATORS THAT FOCUS ON RETAIL AND OPERATORS THAT FOCUS ON FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
WE STARTED OFF AS A SMALL WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS.
AND YOU HAVE TO REFLECT ON THAT.
THE SUCCESS OF OUR BUSINESS, IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT HAVING MENTORS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AND WHAT WE PROPOSED WITH HMS HOST IS THE JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE WERE GOING TO BRING TO THE TABLE.
WE ARE GOING TO PARTNER WITH MRT VENTURE.
HE WILL HAVE A 25% JOINT VENTURE EQUITY OWNERSHIP PARTNERSHIP.
HE WILL HAVE MANAGEMENT IN THE BUSINESS.
DIRECTORHANDY EARLIER MADE A COT THAT THERE WAS A CONCERN ABOUT THE RETAIL EXPERIENCE .
WELL, WE HAVE SHOWN YOU STELLA'S RETAIL EXPERIENCE.
AND I HAVE ALSO LET YOU KNOW OUR SUCCESS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT MENTORS.
SO PART OF OUR PARTNERSHIP IS BEING A MENTOR TO MR. CANO.
HE CURRENTLY OPERATES AT THE AIRPORT TODAY AND PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES TO YOUR TRAVELING PUBLIC.
SERVICES THAT NOBODY ELSE PROVIDES.
EMERGENCY SERVICES WHETHER, YOU KNOW, IT'S A PARENT LOOKING FOR DIAPERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, PERHAPS A STROLLER, OR EVEN A BUSINESS PERSON WHO NEEDS TO SEND THAT LAST-MINUTE FAX.
HE MAY NOT HAVE THE MOST SOPHISTICATED OPERATION, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
STELLAR 30 YEARS AGO WASN'T SOPHISTICATED EITHER.
SO I REALLY WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE TRUE RETAIL EXPERIENCE THAT WE'RE BRINGING TO THE TABLE AND THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'RE BRINGING.
THE CONCESSIONS PROJECT IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY IS 70% FOOD AND
[02:50:02]
BEVERAGE, 30% RETAIL.IF YOU LOOK AT THE RETAIL CONCEPT PLAN WE HAVE PROPOSED VERSUS PARADIES, IT IS SIMILAR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JOHNNY HERNANDEZ FOLLOWED BY ANNICK.
>> RUDY RODRIGUEZ AND ANDREW REEVES ARE SURRENDERING THEIR TIME TO ME.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
YOU KNOW, I HAD NOT ANTICIPATED COMING UP HERE TO SPEAK OR TO BE PART OF THE CONTESTING THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
BUT AFTER I SAW THE SCORING, YOU KNOW, I FELT OBLIGATED BECAUSE THE TEAM THAT WAS ASSEMBLED WAS HAND-SELECTED BY ME.
I'M THE ONE WHO TOLD HOST, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS WHO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR BRAND, WHO ARE GOING TO BE THERE DAY IN AND DAY OUT MANAGING THEIR BRAND AND PROTECTING THAT.
BECAUSE THIS BID WAS ABOUT GUEST EXPERIENCE, AND THE FOCUS WAS NOT ON THE MAG.
I REMEMBER PROBABLY 20 YEARS AGO THE VERY FIRST CONTRACT THAT I WAS A PART OF IN NEGOTIATIONS -- AND OUR CITY CONTRACTS USED TO BE VERY BOTTOM-LINE DRIVEN AND MONEY DRIVEN.
AND THEN THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY SAID WE WANT MORE LOCAL OWNERS.
AND IT WAS ALL REDRAFTED AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT I UNDERSTOOD, YOU KNOW, THIS RFP.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY SO YOU CAN SEE OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE HERE, WHO ARE EQUITY STAKE OWNERS IN EVERY RESTAURANT.
AND LA GLORIA, OUR RESTAURANT AT THE AIRPORT TODAY, HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY CREATE CUSTOMER LOYALTY.
AND THAT IS A DIFFERENT THING FOR AN AIRPORT CONCESSIONAIR.
WE ARE CUSTOMER SERVICE DRIVEN.
SO OUR PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER WITH HOST WAS A VERY STRONG PARTNERSHIP THAT I BELIEVE HAS DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS AND WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR CITY.
I DON'T WANT TO LOSE TRACK HERE.
THE OTHER REASON I'M HERE IS BECAUSE THE AIRPORT IS OUR FRONT DOOR.
AS THE CHAIR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S SUBMISSION, AS A CITY OF GASTRONOMY, I FEEL IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DRIVE FORWARD WHAT THE CITY WANTED SIX YEARS AGO.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF Y'ALL ON THE COUNCIL THAT ARE HERE WHEN THE CITY WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD LOCAL BRANDS AND OWNERSHIP IN THE AIRPORT.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WHAT WE BROUGHT FORTH IN OUR PROPOSAL.
LOCAL TALENT, LOCAL OWNERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY.
THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN IN THE AIRPORT -- AND WE HAVE 12 RESTAURANTS NOW.
AND WE HAVE SEVERAL GLOBAL PARTNERS.
WE ARE HOSPITALITY-DRIVEN FIRST.
SO ESSENTIALLY THE JOINT VENTURE PIECE AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE IS WHAT WORKS IN OUR AIRPORT.
THE AIRPORT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PLACE TO RUN A RESTAURANT.
YOU CANNOT BE AN ABSENTEE OWNER.
YOU KNOW, AND LIKE ANTHONY SAID, WHEN ALL THE FLIGHTS MOVED TO THE OTHER TERMINAL, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE REFOCUSED AND REORGANIZED AND SAID WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN TO BUILD CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND WE'RE GOING TO START SELLING GREAT MARGARITAS AND GREAT FOOD AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THEM WALK TO THE END OF THE TERMINAL.
OTHER COMPANIES WILL WANT TO RENEGOTIATE CONTRACTS.
THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE SELECTED ARE GOING TO OPERATE THESE RESTAURANTS.
THEY ARE BRAND AMBASSADORS OF OUR CITY, THEY ARE NOT ABSENTEE OWNERS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE AND REALLY EXPLAIN THAT CLEAR DISTINCTION.
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS IN THE AIRPORT I'VE HELPED REORGANIZE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR ALL THE RESTAURANTS THAT I'M IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOST.
THESE LARGE COMPANIES DO NOT KNOW HOW TO RUN CHEF-OWNED RESTAURANTS.
I RAN SEVERAL OF THEM OUT OF MY KITCHEN AND SAID THIS IS MY RESTAURANT.
WE'RE GOING TO RUN IT MY WAY AND WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN TO MAKE CHEF-INSPIRED -- WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN A CHEF-INSPIRED CONCEPT, AND THAT'S WHAT THE CITY WANTED.
THAT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTED.
THAT'S WHAT THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME HAD ASKED.
REY WAS THERE WHEN THIS TRANSITION WAS A REALLY STRONG PUSH.
AND OUR PARTNERSHIPS ARE VERY GENUINE.
OUR PARTNERS AND OUR CHEF CONCEPTS THAT ARE HERE -- AND I JUST CAN'T HELP BUT EMPHASIZE THAT.
OUR COMPANY HAS BEEN CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES TO COME IN AND SAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE
[02:55:01]
OPERATIONS THAT ARE CONTRACTS THAT ARE EXISTING.AND ALSO, I MEAN, WE'RE AT THE AT&T CENTER.
THE GUEST EXPERIENCE, CULINARY DRIVEN.
WHAT'S AMAZING IS THE CONSUMER TODAY IS WILLING TO PAY MORE AND SPEND MORE.
LA GLORIA'S RENT OUTPACES THE MAG BECAUSE WE PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE.
BECAUSE WE CARE AND WE LISTEN TO OUR CUSTOMERS.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE -- THAT IS WHAT I'M VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT IN THE PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE.
THE OTHER THING THAT I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT IS THE JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE, THEY ARE HOSPITALITY-DRIVEN TO THE CORE.
THEY ARE ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE.
THEY ARE ALL ABOUT THEIR BRANDS.
AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO HEAR THEM, AND THEY'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.
AND IT GIVES ME A LOT OF CONFIDENCE KNOWING THAT IF I PUT FORTH A TEAM THAT THEY CAN DELIVER.
AND THAT IS HARD TO QUANTIFY IN A WRITTEN DOCUMENT.
CAN THE CULINARY TEAM DELIVER? ARE THEY GOING TO BE THERE? I WAS THERE CHRISTMAS EVE.
I WAS THERE CHRISTMAS DAY, NEW YEAR'S EVE, AND NEW YEAR'S DAY WITH MY TEAM.
WE HAVE TO OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR, EXCEPT CHICK-FIL-A.
BUT 365 DAYS A YEAR WE HAVE TO OPEN.
SO THAT IS A CRITICAL PIECE THAT IS HARD TO MEASURE.
YOU KNOW, BEFORE I GET TO INTRODUCE MY FRIENDS, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE, TO ME, ROCK STARS IN THE COMMUNITY.
EVERYBODY WHO IS ON OUR TEAM IS A CONTRIBUTING PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW CHEF JASON DADY PUT TOGETHER A FUN EVENT WHERE HE RAISED MONEY FOR YOUTH EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
WE DO THE SAME THING WITH PAELLA CHALLENGE.
CHARLIE, HE IS VERY COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND VERY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I BROUGHT HOST ALONG BECAUSE I AM THEIR PARTNER.
AND THEY ACTUALLY HELP ME WITH THE PAELLA CHALLENGE, WHICH IS AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISER EVERY YEAR WE DO.
THEY ARE VERY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, HOST, AS MY PARTNER, I REQUIRE THAT OF MY PARTNERS.
SO IF YOU THINK OF THE THREE PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, THE CHEF CONCEPTS, BAKERY LORRAINE.
I WANT AN ARTISANAL BAKERY THAT MADE THEIR BREAD EVERY DAY.
THEY HAVE A DYNAMIC COFFEE PROGRAM.
THEY ARE THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST IN SAN ANTONIO.
THEY ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN AS PASTRY CHEFS.
AND CHARLIE HAVE COME TOGETHER -- THEY STARTED AT A FARMER S MARKET.
THEY ARE SUCH A HUGE SUCCESS STORY.
I'M A LITTLE JEALOUS BECAUSE HE'S A IRON CHEF.
BUT CHEF DADY IS ONE OF THE MOST SKILLED OPERATORS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHAT I LOVE ABOUT HIM, HE HAS MENTORED THE CULINARY YOUTH OF NOT ONLY HIS TEAM THAT HE'S SURROUNDED HIMSELF, BUT THE CITY, HE'S VERY INVOLVED WITH OUR YOUTH AND AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.
BUT HE IS A SEASONED OPERATOR.
AND I KNOW THAT HE HAS ONE OF THE FEW FEMALE PIT MASTERS THAT HE WILL QUICKLY GIVE THE STAGE TO.
WHEN THERE'S AN INTERVIEW TO BE DONE, HE GIVES THE STAGE TO LAURA, ONE OF THE ONLY FEMALE PIT MASTERS IN THE COUNTRY.
AND THE CHEF AND OWNER OF SOUTHERLY.
I WANTED A CHEF CONCEPT IN THAT RAISING CANE'S SPOT OUTSIDE OF LA GLORIA.
I SAID WE NEED A CHEF CONCEPT.
CHEF JEFF HAS DEMONSTRATED YEAR OVER YEAR SUCCESS AND A TRUE CULINARY WHO CARES ABOUT THE CUSTOMER.
I CAN'T HELP BUT -- I WANT YOU TO GET TO KNOW THEM AND I KNOW BAKERY LORRAINE IS NEXT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHEF HERNANDEZ.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS A GROUP THIS AFTERNOON.
SO I AM AN ING FROM BAKERY LORRAINE, AND THESE ARE MY PARTNERS, JEREMY AND CHARLIE.
WE STARTED THE BAKERY AT A FARMERS MARKET NINE YEARS AGO
[03:00:01]
AND TODAY WE HAVE FIVE LOCATIONS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.AND ALTOGETHER WE EMPLOY OVER 200 PEOPLE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THE AIRPORT THE FULL EXPERIENCE THAT YOU GET FROM ONE OF OUR LOCATIONS.
AND, YOU KNOW, FROM THE SMELL OF FRESH CROISSANTS AND HOT COFFEE TO THE RAINBOW COLORS OF MACAROONS IN THE PASTRY CASE.
AND THE HIGH-LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE COME TO KNOW US FOR.
OUR PACKAGING IS BEAUTIFUL AND ICONIC.
AND WHAT COULD BE A BETTER SOUVENIR THAN OUR FAMOUS MACAROONS IN A CUSTOM SAN ANTONIO BOX? WE'VE NEVER HAD A FULL BAKERY CONCEPT AT THE AIRPORT.
AND MOST OF THE PASTRIES YOU CAN GET THERE TODAY ARE FROZEN.
BUT WE ARE A TRUE ARTISAN BAKERY.
OUR PASTRIES ARE MADE BY OUR HIGHLY-SKILLED TEAM HERE IN SAN ANTONIO EVERY DAY.
THIS ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS THE PERSONAL TOUCH THAT WE, AS CHEF PARTNERS, BRING TO THE TABLE WITH HMS HOST.
AND EVERY DAY WE WORK HARD AND TIRELESSLY TO PROTECT ITS INTEGRITY.
WE LOVE SAN ANTONIO AND WE WOULD BE SO PROUD TO BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BE FOOD AMBASSADORS FOR OUR CITY AT THE AIRPORT.
AND THE ONLY WAY WE WOULD AGREE TO THIS IS BY HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTIVELY BE INVOLVED IN MANAGING OUR BAKERY THERE.
AND THIS IS WHY OUR JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP WITH HMS HOST IS SO IMPORTANT.
UP NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY DEAR FRIEND AND FELLOW RESTAURATEUR, ALLISON BALLFOUR FROM SOUTHERLY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. ING.
CHARLIE, JEREMY, YOU GUYS ARE YIELDING THE REST OF YOUR TIME?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MS. BALLFOUR.
GOOD MORNING AND GOOD AFTERNOON MR. MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
I'M UP HERE AS A GROUP WITH MY PARTNER, PHILIPPE AND JEFF.
MY NAME IS ALLISON AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE EQUITY PARTNERS WITH HMS HOST IN THE AIRPORT CONCESSION PROPOSAL.
TOGETHER WE OWN SOUTHERLY FINE FOOD AND BREWERY AT THE PEARL.
WE HAVE TWO LOCATIONS IN DISTRICT 3 AT BROOKS AS WELL AS A NEW INVESTMENT IN DISTRICT 8.
OUR TEAM IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE VIBRANT GROWTH THAT THE CITY'S EXPERIENCING, ADDING KEY QUALITY OF LIFE COMPONENTS, INCLUSIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES, PROVIDING 350 JOBS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY IS TO BRING A FRESH CONCEPT AND FRESH PRODUCT OFFERINGS TO THE CITY'S CONSUMERS.
NOT ONLY OUR LEGENDARY FRIED CHICKEN, BUT ALSO SEVERAL HEALTHY OPTIONS AS WELL.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HOST'S DESIGN TEAM OVER THE LAST YEAR TO BRING THE CURRENT RAISING CANE'S LOCATION IN TERMINAL A TO LIFE AND CREATE A DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE FOR TRAVELERS ON THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH SOUTHERLY BIRD AND BISCUIT.
THIS EXPERIENCE FOCUSES ON FRESH AND ARTISAN PRODUCTS, JUST LIKE ALL OF OUR BRANDS DO.
WE ARE EQUITY INVESTOR IN THE JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP WITH HMS HOST THAT ALLOWS US TO BE PRESENT ON SITE AND STANDARDS OF OUR PRODUCT THAT THE CITY HAS COME TO KNOW.
WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP BRINGS A UNIQUE LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OUR LOCAL FLAIR TO THE AIRPORT IN OUR AUTHENTIC WAY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE OTHERWISE.
I BELIEVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
YOU KNOW, AS I THINK ABOUT THIS AND I LISTEN TO MY TEAM, YOU KNOW, SPEAK.
I FEEL BAD FOR THE SIMPLE FACT
[03:05:04]
IS THE AIRPORT DIDN'T WANT GERVIN IN THERE NO MORE.I MEAN, THEIR BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHY IS GERVIN STILL THERE.
DO YOU KNOW WHO GERVIN IS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO? DO YOU KNOW THE IMPACT GEORGE GERVIN HAS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO? I FEEL BAD IN THE RESPECT THAT I'M LETTING MY TEAM DOWN.
I MEAN, I KNOW -- I HAVE BEEN IN THE AIRPORT FOR 20 YEARS.
I KNOW THEY WANTED A NEW LOOK, AND I THOUGHT WE GAVE THEM A NEW LOOK.
JOHNNY WAS GOING TO BE MY CHEF.
WE WAS GOING TO ADD A GOURMET MENU.
I MEAN, WE WAS REALLY GOING TO DO SOME SPECIAL THINGS WITH THE NEW PROJECT.
AND I'M KIND OF SAD THAT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW, AT THIS TIME.
THEY ASKED ME TO BE ON BOTH TEAMS BUT ELECTED TO STAY WITH HOST.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN WITH HOST 20 YEARS.
WHY WOULD I GO SOMEWHERE ELSE? IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
WE DID A TREMENDOUS JOB IN THAT AIRPORT.
I GET EXCITED ABOUT IT, Y'ALL BECAUSE I LOVE SAN ANTONIO.
I STARTED A CHARTER SCHOOL IN 1991.
I BROUGHT IN OVER $210 MILLION TO THIS COMMUNITY OVER THE 28 YEARS THAT I BEEN HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND STARTED THIS PROGRAM.
ALL I'M ASKING, COUNCIL, MAYOR, GIVE US A CHANCE FOR B SESSION.
GIVE US A CHANCE TO PUT US HEAD TO HEAD AND SEE WHO REALLY GOT THE EXPERIENCE.
HOST BEEN IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE 100 YEARS.
HOST IS THE BEST WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
I FEEL IT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M LETTING MY PARTNERS DOWN BECAUSE THEY WANTED A CHANGE AT THE AIRPORT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GERVIN.
>> MAYOR, I WILL BE SPEAKING FOR OUR TEAM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: CRYSTAL AND LAURA.
>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, THAT'S AN IMPOSSIBLE ACT TO FOLLOW.
MR. GERVIN, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR THE CITY.
CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK HOST AND JOHNNY HERNANDEZ FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE EQUITY PARTNERS.
I DO THINK YOU HEAR US SAYING THAT A LOT, BUT IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY.
I THINK IT HAS A LOT OF VALUE AS FAR AS THE ABILITY FOR US TO MANAGE THE PROPERTY THE WAY THAT WE WANT.
WE HEAR A LOT OF TIMES ABOUT BEING A CITY ON THE RISE.
AND I WOULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY OF BEING A RISEN CITY.
I BELIEVE THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
I FEEL THAT WE GAVE YOU THE TEAM THAT YOU ASKED FOR.
YOU CHALLENGED THESE TEAMS TO COME UP WITH THE ABSOLUTE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOCALLY INVOLVED THAT HAVE COMMITMENT TO THEIR CITY, TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND I FEEL LIKE AS A CITY OF GASTRONOMY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST ACCOLADES THIS CITY HAS EVER RECOGNIZED, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION, I FEEL, TO KEEP PUSHING THAT FOOD CULTURE FORWARD.
SO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT TODAY IS A UNIFIED TEAM.
YOU HEAR THE PASSION IN THEIR VOICES.
YOU HEAR THE COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.
I DO BELIEVE THAT MOST OF US, IF NOT ALL OF US, WERE APPROACHED BY MULTIPLE TEAMS TO PARTICIPATE.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TEAMS? AND REALLY THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WAS THAT ABILITY TO HAVE AN EQUITY STAKE.
THAT WE'VE WORKED 18 YEARS IN SAN ANTONIO.
I OPENED OUR FIRST RESTAURANT WITH MY WIFE CRYSTAL AND MY BROTHER JAKE IN 2001 IN CASTLE HILLS.
WE ARE THE E EPITOME OF A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS, EPITOME OF A HARD-WORKING, PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE AND HAVE IT AT STAKE TYPE OF BUSINESS.
OUR VISION FOR THE AIRPORT WAS TO BECOME AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT AN ICONIC
[03:10:06]
RESTAURANT FOOD AIRPORT.WHEN YOU TRAVELED, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE AT THE AIRPORT AND YOU HAD A MEMORABLE MEAL? WHAT IS IT THAT SET IT APART? I CHALLENGED MYSELF THAT.
WHAT WAS THE LAST AIRPORT MEAL THAT I HAD AND WHAT MADE IT DIFFERENT? YOU KNOW, TECHNOLOGY IS BROUGHT UP QUITE A BIT IN EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO, BUT THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IS AT THE ABSOLUTE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, PUN INTENDED, FROM AN APP THAT YOU CAN ORDER FOOD FROM WHEN YOU'RE CHECKING IN YOUR BAGS SO THAT IT'S READY WHEN YOU'RE THERE.
THAT WAS A $43 MILLION INVESTMENT THAT HOST MADE TO MAKE THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT MUCH BETTER.
AS FAR AS THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE IS CONCERNED, IN MY OPINION WE'RE COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES.
WHAT IS ENTERTAINMENT AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU? I KNOW THAT MUSIC WAS SOMETHING.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT MUSIC IS NOT A HUGE PART OF WHAT YOU THINK OF IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND IT'S CERTAINLY NOT COUNTRY MUSIC.
WHEN I THINK OF COUNTRY MUSIC IN AN AIRPORT, I IMMEDIATELY THINK AUSTIN OR NASHVILLE.
WE LOOKED AT THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE AS BEING SOMETHING OF HAVING AN OPEN KITCHEN.
TO HAVING THE ABILITY AS VENTURE PARTNERS THAT HAVE EQUITY IN A BUSINESS THAT LAURA, AS YOU ALL KNOW, ACCORDING TO EATER, SOUTHERN LIVING, TEXAS MONTHLY, IS ONE OF THE TOP FEMALE PIT MASTERS IN THE COUNTRY.
SHE'S STARTED AS A CASHIER AND SHE HAS PASSION AND SHE HAS -- REALLY, I'M EMBARRASSING HER, BUT SHE IS A SAVANT OF BARBECUE.
HER SKILL OF BARBECUE IS FAR MORE THAN THAN I COULD EVER IN A BILLION YEARS FIGURE OUT.
AND I FEEL ENTERTAINMENT WOULD BE HAVING LAURA BACK THERE.
YOU GET TO SEE HER, MEET HER, TALK TO HER.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE DO AT TWO BROTHERS BARBECUE IS GIVE TOURS OF THE PITROOM.
WAS THAT CONSIDERED ENTERTAINMENT? I WOULD SAY THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT.
PEOPLE ARE COMING THERE, THEY WANT TO KNOW IT, THEY WANT TO FEEL IT.
WE ALSO, WHICH WE HAVEN'T BROUGHT UP AS FAR AS OUR COFFEE PROGRAM.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE BAKERY LORRAINE AND THEIR UNBELIEVABLE PASTRIES WHICH ARE EASILY THE BEST IN TEXAS, AND THEY COMPETE NATIONALLY ON EVERY LEVEL.
IF YOU HAVE EATEN THERE, THERE'S ABSOLUTELY ZERO ARGUMENT THERE.
OUR OTHER PORTION OF THE COFFEE IS STARBUCKS.
AS YOU ALL WELL KNOW, THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION IN EVERY SINGLE AIRPORT IS WHERE'S THE STARBUCKS? IT'S THE LONGEST LINE.
IT'S THE LONGEST -- IT IS WHAT IT IS.
WE HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE -- HOST HAS AN EXCLUSIVE WITH THAT.
BUT WHAT WE DID WAS WE PUT THEM AT THE END DOWN WHERE THE BLIMPI'S IS.
THE PEOPLE WHO WANT STARBUCKS CAN GET IT BUT YOU HAVE TO WALK BY THE BEST BAKERY AND COFFEE PROGRAM.
SO YOU'RE SHARING THE WEALTH WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MAY WANT TO GO TO STARBUCKS WITH THE ABILITY TO KEEP IT HERE LOCAL.
THIS MONTH "SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS" NAMED THEIR TOP 50 RESTAURANTS.
IT'S CALLED THE TOP 100, BUT IT'S TOP 50 RESTAURANTS AND THEN OTHER LITTLE SUBCATEGORIES.
SO 10% OF THE BEST OF THE BEST ARE PART OF THIS SPECIFIC GROUP, AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
THE ONLY PERSON IN THE GROUP THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE TOP 50 WAS GEORGE GERVIN.
GEORGE GERVIN IS A TOP 50 PLAYER OF ALL TIME IN THE NBA AND I THINK HE CAN LIVE WITH NOT HAVING THE TOP 50 FOOD PROGRAM.
WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE HIM AND HE'S SUCH AN ICONIC PERSON AND GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
I KNOW WHEN PEOPLE TRAVEL THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY THEY LOOK FORWARD TO GERVIN'S.
THEY LOOK FORWARD TO THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS.
WE HAVE THE SPURS ON OUR TEAM TOO.
WE HAVE IN MOTION ON OUR TEAM TOO.
WE HAVE JAMES AVERY ON OUR TEAM.
ICONIC LOCAL JEWELER HERE FROM SAN ANTONIO WITH CLOSE TO 1500 EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PUTTING IN A RETAIL SPOT TO SELL THEIR JEWELRY FIESTA-BASED ITEMS AND THINGS THAT MATCH UP WITH THE CULTURE OF SAN ANTONIO.
THE ONE THING I DIDN'T HEAR A WHOLE LOT EARLIER WAS THE WORD CULTURE.
THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR THIS CITY.
WE'LL HAVE ONE FOOT IN IT AND MOVING FORWARD.
BUT HAVING CULTURE IN SAN ANTONIO IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
THIS TEAM HAS THE BANDWIDTH AND COMMITMENT TO MAKE IT AN ICONIC RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE THE GUESTS THAT ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY WHEN THEY'RE LEAVING TO GRAB SOMETHING THAT SAYS SAN ANTONIO.
[03:15:01]
SAN ANTONIO.OR, IF YOU'RE FLYING TO SAN ANTONIO HOME, AS US THAT ARE RESIDENTS, WHEN YOU GET OFF THAT PLANE, YOU WALK OUT AND YOU SEE LA GLORIA, YOU SEE TWO BROTHERS BARBECUE, YOU SEE THE SPURS.
AND I THINK THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO, AS GEORGE MENTIONED, REQUEST IF YOU ALL WOULD PLEASE CONSIDER TODAY TAKING THIS BACK TO B SESSION.
BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT BOTH PRESENTATIONS SIDE BY SIDE THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CHEFS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
REGINALD WASHINGTON FOLLOWED BY CORINO CORTEZ.
>> MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME TIME TO PRESENT BEFORE YOU TODAY.
MY NAME IS REGINALD WASHINGTON.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE DINING DIVISION OF PARADIES LAGARDERE, TRAVELWE HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED E FOOD AND BEVERAGE RETAIL PRIME PACKAGE FOR SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
I AM THE FORMER C.E.O. OF LEGACY HBF, WHICH WAS THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANY RECENTLY ACQUIRED BY PARADIES LAGARDERE A FEW MONTHS AGO.
I AM ALSO THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF WORLDWIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPERATIONS FOR WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORT, WHICH INCLUDED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPERATIONS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA, DISNEYLAND HONG KONG, DISNEYLAND TOKYO, DISNEYLAND PARIS, AND DISNEY CRUISE LINES.
I SPENT 12 YEARS IN THAT ORGANIZATION.
I ALSO SERVED AS THE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE ABSOLUTE MANIACS ABOUT HOSPITALITY AND THE GUEST EXPERIENCE.
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS ARE VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE AND THEY ARE TRUE PARTNERS FROM A TO Z.
THEY ARE INVOLVED WITH THE MENU DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN, THE SOURCING OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM.
THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF OUR BEAUTIFUL FACILITIES.
THE PROCUREMENT OF PRODUCTS AND SOURCING OF FOODS.
TRAINING OF OUR EMPLOYEES, EXECUTION OF OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
WE PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE BRAND.
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE PROPOSED TO BRING TO THIS WONDERFUL CITY.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCING THE PASSENGERS' EXPERIENCE AT SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. WASHINGTON.
CORRINO CORTEZ FOLLOWED BY SELENA ALAMAN.
>> THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL, CITY STAFF FOR YOUR TIME.
I AM A MINORITY WOMAN BUSINESS OWNER IN THE JOINT VENTURE PARTNER WITH PARADIES LAGARDERE ALONG WITH SELENA ALAMAN AND TONY GRADNEY.
I THINK WE PUT TOGETHER A SPECTACULAR GROUP OF LOCAL CONCEPTS, AWARD-WINNING CHEFS, RESTAURATEURS AND RETAIL.
MY GRANDFATHER, PEDRO CORTEZ MARKET SQUARE.
AND ON A FOUNDATION OF HARD WORK, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND SERVING OUR SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY AMAZING HOSPITALITY, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GROW THAT TRADITION.
I'M REALLY EXCITED AUDIO] SAYING THAT ONE TEAM IS MORE PASSIONATE THAN THE OTHER.
IF YOU KNEW THE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS THAT WENT INTO EVERY SINGLE RESTAURANT CONCEPT AND JUST HOW DIFFICULT THE HOSPITALITY BUSINESS IS, I THINK YOU KNOW THAT EACH ONE OF OUR BRAND PARTNERS IS HERE.
[03:20:01]
RESTAURANTS, THEY ALL GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.I'M REALLY EXCITED TO EXTEND THE HOSPITALITY THAT WAS TAUGHT TO ME BY MY FAMILY INTO THE SAN SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT.
THROUGH OUR TRAINING AND EMPLOYEES.
AND I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED TO YOU'LL BE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CHEF CORTEZ.
I KNOW YOU CAME IN FROM OUT OF TOWN AND DIDN'T KNOW OUR PROCEDURE, SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND GIVE YOU TIME AFTER SELENA.
I'M FROM SAN ANTONIO, LIFELONG.
GREW UP IN THE FOOD SERVICE BUSINESS.
MY FATHER IS THE PRESIDENT OF SELL GOOD SERVICES, WHICH HAS QUITE A FEW CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY.
AND I WORKED FOR HIM FOR MANY YEARS UNTIL I DECIDED TO START MY OWN BUSINESS, ADELAIDE.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, I AM AT THE AIRPORT.
I AM A SUBCONTRACT TO THE JANITORIAL CONCESSION.
I AM THERE EVERY THURSDAY, MAYBE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TODAY BECAUSE I'M HERE WITH YOU.
BUT I'M THERE EVERY THURSDAY TO MAKE SURE THAT HOW WE'RE RUNNING OUR BUSINESS AND OUR CLEANING IS GOING WELL.
MY DUTY WOULD BE MANAGING THE ADEINA'S MARKET, WHICH COULD INCLUDE BRIGHTON RETAIL STORE WHICH WOULD HAVE PURSES, LEATHER GOODS, JEWELRY, AS WELL AS LOCAL VENDORS AS WELL.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE BOOKS BEING SOLD THERE AS WELL AS WINE FROM FREDERICKSBURG.
AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE AND TALK TO YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORKING WITH YOU AND BEING AT THE AIRPORT ON A BIGGER LEVEL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. ALAMAN.
JOHN CLARK FOLLOWED BY TONY GRADNEY.
>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR ACCOMMODATING ME.
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY DELAY IN GETTING HERE.
I WORK WITH A COMPANY CALLED SSP AMERICA FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANY.
WE WERE ONE OF THE FOUR COMPANIES THAT COMPETED.
ARGUABLY WE'RE THE LARGEST GLOBAL COMPANY IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE FOOD AND CONCESSION BUSINESS IN THE WORLD DOING ABOUT $4.5 BILLION A YEAR GLOBALLY.
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WE'RE ARGUABLY THE FASTEST-GROWING FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANY.
AND I CAN'T SPEAK ILL TO MY COMPETITORS, BUT I CAN SPEAK TO MY CONCERN ON THE PROCESS ITSELF.
AS I WATCHED THE SCORES THAT WERE BEING DELIVERED AND AS IT RELATED TO THE LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL MINORITY-OWNED COMPANIES, I THINK IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE DOCUMENT YOU WILL FIND THAT THE SSP HUDSON GROUP WAS ACTUALLY LARGER IN THAT AREA.
I THINK IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE MATH IN TERMS OF THE RENT PROPOSED, I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT WE WERE HIGHER IN THAT AREA.
EQUALLY SSP IS JUST AS COMPASSIONATE ABOUT BRINGING A COOL EXPERIENCE TASTE OF PLACE INTO THE AIRPORT.
AND IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH OUR COMPANY, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE ARE, IN FACT, THE FASTEST-GROWING FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANY IN NORTH AMERICA.
AND SO I SPEAK TO YOU TODAY ONLY AS A FORMER AIRPORT C.E.O. OF A NUMBER OF AIRPORTS IN THIS COUNTRY.
THIS PROCESS SEEMED A BIT LONG.
AND THEN I NOTED THAT THERE WAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE OUT A BRAND THROUGH THE PROCESS.
SO IT JUST SPEAKS TO ME THAT I'M NOT REALLY SURE HOW THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION.
AND I KNOW SOME OF THESE DECISIONS CAN BE SUBJECTIVE.
BUT I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD AND SAY THAT OUR CONCERN IS THAT THE PROCESS WAS EXTREMELY LONG AND I'M NOT SURE HOW WE DIDN'T QUALIFY IN TERMS OF EXPERIENCE.
AND SO THAT IS WHAT I'D LIKE TO BRING TO YOU TODAY TO JUST GO BACK AND LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE PROPOSALS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. CLARK.
TONY GRADNEY FOLLOWED BY ANDREW WEISSMAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER.
I OWN CHELSEA'S CATERING, TONY G'S SOUL FOOD AND A BLIMPI'S ON THE RIVER WALK.
I AM A VENTURE PARTNER WITH PARADIES LAGARDERE.
I AM EXCITED BECAUSE OF WHAT PARADIES IS BRINGING TO THE TABLE.
I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THIS VENTURE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY INVESTMENT, MY BRAND THAT I'M REPRESENTING GOES VERY WELL AT THE AIRPORT.
I KNOW JOHNNY SAID THIS IS THE GATEWAY TO OUR CITY.
YOU WILL MEET, IN A FEW MINUTES,
[03:25:01]
SOME OF THE BEST OF THE BEST RESTAURATEURS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE PROPOSE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.I HOPE YOU GUYS VOTE OUR WAY TODAY.
WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A B SESSION.
WE WANT TO GET STARTED AND GET THE AIRPORT MOVING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GRADNEY.
ANDREW WEISSMAN FOLLOWED BY CHRIS CONGER.
IT'S NOT REALLY IN MY WHEELHOUSE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS.
I'M USUALLY SEQUESTERED IN THE KITCHEN SOMEWHERE.
BUT WHAT IS IN MY WHEELHOUSE IS MY COMMITMENT TO MY CITY AND COMMUNITY.
I STARTED DOING THIS A LONG TIME AGO, 23 YEARS AGO WITH A RESTAURANT ON A CORNER NOBODY BELIEVED IN IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO ACROSS FROM THE BUS STATION.
SIP, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN IN PLACE FOR 16 AND A HALF YEARS ON HOUSTON STREET.
WHEN THAT PORTFOLIO CAME UP AND PEOPLE WERE ASKING FOR OPERATORS TO COME DOWN THERE, I WAS THE FIRST OPERATOR DOWN THERE.
AFTER THAT I WAS ASKED BY KIT GOLDSBURY TO KICKOFF THE PEARL BREWERY.
I WAS THE FIRST OPERATOR, FIRST TWO OPERATIONS, FULL-SERVICE FOOD OPERATIONS AT THE PEARL BREWERY WERE MINE.
I BELIEVED IN THAT AS MUCH AS I BELIEVED IN WHAT, AT THE TIME, WAS A DARK CORRIDOR LEADING TO DOWNTOWN ON BROADWAY.
WHEN I OPENED THE LUXURY, I'VE SINCE PARTNERED WITH USAA OUT NORTH TO BRING SOME HIGH-QUALITY FOOD OUT THERE.
A PASSION OF MINE IS FOR HEALTHY FOOD.
I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS.
FOR ME, WHEN I GO TO THE AIRPORT AND I TRAVEL QUITE A BIT, I DON'T FIND A LOT OF THINGS THAT I FEEL GOOD ABOUT PUTTING IN MY BODY OR MY CHILDREN'S BODIES.
AND I WANT TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THAT.
I SAT ON THE MAYOR'S COUNCIL FOR HEALTH YEARS AGO AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE PART OF WHO I AM.
AND SEEING THAT ANYBODY SITTING IN BACK OF ME TO BEING THERE ON A DAILY -- ALL I HAVE IN THIS TOWN IS MY NAME.
AND THE ONE THING THAT CONSTANTLY COMES UP WHEN TALKING ABOUT ME IS THAT I MICROMANAGE MY OPERATIONS, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE WITH THE AIRPORT.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND HAVE A NICE DAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CHEF WEISSMAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL.
I OWN, ALONG WITH MY WIFE, WE OWN SMOKE SHACK BARBECUE AND MEAT MARKET.
BEHIND THAT WE ALSO HAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BAR CALLED THE PIG PEN.
THE PIG PEN IS KNOWN FOR ITS SUNDAY BRUNCH AND LIVE MUSIC.
TO RECAP WHERE I COME FROM, I STARTED A FOOD TRUCK IN 2010.
I WAS NUMBER THREE ON THE PERMIT.
SO IT WAS RIGHT WHEN THE WHOLE FOOD TRUCK SCENE STARTED.
PRIOR TO THAT, I HAVE BEEN COOKING IN RESTAURANTS SINCE I STARTED, SINCE I WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI AND STUDIED HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT.
THE FIRST BRISKET I EVER COOKED WAS ON A PIT THAT MY STEPFATHER BUILT ME.
ACTUALLY ON A ROAD TRIP FROM DALLAS TO OXFORD.
WE SMOKED IT THE WHOLE WAY THERE AND THAT IS KIND OF WHAT FUELED THE PASSION OF COOKING FOR ME.
YOU KNOW, TOUCHING ON WHAT CHEF WEISSMAN SAID, YOU KNOW, OUR NAME IS ON THE LINE.
YOU KNOW, WE MAY NOT HAVE EQUITY STAKE IN THIS, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MY NAME IS WORTH A LOT MORE TO ME THAN MONEY IS.
WE WILL BE THERE, AS I AM AT OUR OWN RESTAURANTS RIGHT NOW.
I WORK SIX TO SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
I'VE GOT A GREAT TEAM AND THERE'S NO OTHER COMPANY IN AUDIO] THAN PARADIES LAGARDERE.
TOUCHING ON THE MUSIC SCENE, FOOD AND MUSIC ARE BIG PARTS OF MY LIFE.
WE DID PROPOSE A STAGE IN THE SMOKE SHACK, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
YOU KNOW, CHEF DADY WAS TALKING
[03:30:02]
ABOUT CULTURE.IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO BE COUNTRY MUSIC.
I MEAN, IT'S MARIACHIS, IT'S BLUES, IT'S ROCK.
BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VOLUME IN WHICH THE MUSICIANS ARE PLAYING, AND HAVING THE PIG PEN FOR THREE YEARS AND AN INDOOR STAGE, I KNOW WHICH MUSICIANS, ESPECIALLY LOCAL MUSICIANS, TO CALL ON THAT AREN'T TOO LOUD.
AND IT'S GREAT BACKGROUND MUSIC AND IT SETS THE TONE AND THE ATMOSPHERE FOR REALLY THE WHOLE PLACE.
AND THE FACT THAT IT'S THE FIRST THING THAT YOU SEE AFTER GOING THROUGH SECURITY, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE THE MUSICIANS PLAYING.
YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE SITTING DOWN, HAVING GOOD BARBECUE, THE BEST BARBECUE.
AND IT KEEPS THEM IN THEIR SEATS.
AND PEOPLE THAT STAY IN THEIR SEATS SPEND MORE MONEY.
SO IT'S JUST -- YOU KNOW, I REALLY THINK THAT WHAT WE'VE PROPOSED IS GOING TO BE A REALLY GREAT THING FOR THE AIRPORT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CHEF CONGER.
ROBBIE GRUBS FOLLOWED BY CHRISTY SOLE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M ROBBIE GRUBS.
I WASN'T NERVOUS BUT I HAD TO SIT NEXT TO CHRIS AND HE HAD REALLY SWEATY PALMS AND HIS LEG WAS SHAKING THE WHOLE TIME, SO YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HEAR MY HEART THROUGH THE MICROPHONE.
MY WIFE AND I OPENED IT IN SAN ANTONIO IN 2009.
WE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA LIVING IN AUSTIN LATE 2007-2008.
SOMETHING THAT WE WERE THINKING ABOUT DOING IN AUSTIN.
AND BEING BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO WE CAME DOWN TO VISIT MY MOM WITH MY KIDS ONE EASTER.
I WENT OUT FOR COFFEE IN THE MORNING AND I WAS GONE AND I JUST STARTED DRIVING AROUND THE CITY.
AND I WENT BACK AND I TOLD MY WIFE AND MY KIDS AND MY MOM AND I'M LIKE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO IN SAN ANTONIO.
I MEAN, AUSTIN WE COULD OPEN THE DOORS AND PEOPLE WOULD GET IT FROM DAY ONE.
BUT IN AUSTIN, WHEN YOU OPEN THERE AND A GUY OPENS THREE DOORS DOWN THE STREET, EVERY MIGRATES DOWN THE STREET.
I KNEW, GROWING UP IN SAN ANTONIO, THAT WHEN I OPEN HERE AND WE LAY THE GROUNDWORK IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME, BUT HOW LOYAL THE CITY IS.
I WORKED 14 HOURS A DAY, SIX DAYS A WEEK.
MY WIFE WENT BACK TO WORK AND SHE WOULD COME IN ON SUNDAYS AND GIVE ME A RELIEF.
I HAD BRIGHT RED EYES FROM DRINKING COFFEE ALL DAY, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO EDUCATE A COMMUNITY ABOUT DRINKING SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THEY WERE NORMALLY DRINKING.
WE GAVE THEM SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY WANTED AND THEY KEPT COMING BACK.
I WAS SITTING HERE THINKING TODAY, YOU KNOW, TEN YEARS AGO IT WAS DURING THE RECESSION, MY WIFE AND I PUT EVERYTHING WE HAD INTO THIS COMPANY.
SOLD EVERYTHING WE OWNED AND WE CAME UP A LITTLE SHORT.
AND MY MOM ENDED UP GETTING A SECOND MORTGAGE ON HER HOUSE TO GIVE US THE MONEY WE NEEDED TO OPEN THAT STORE.
AND FROM THAT DAY TEN YEARS AGO TO TODAY TO SIT IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO IN FRONT OF OUR AIRPORT AND SHOWCASE WHAT WE DO IS REALLY SURREAL.
WHEN PARADIES FIRST CAME TO US I WAS LIKE, NO WAY.
I'M NOT GOING TO PUT MY KIDS IN ANYBODY'S HANDS NEGOTIATING THIS DEAL WITH THEM, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAD TO DO EXTENSIVE TRAINING.
IF THEY DON'T MEET OUR QUALITY CONTROL STANDARDS OF OUR LICENSING AGREEMENT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ISSUES.
THEY AGREED TO ALL OF OUR TERMS. THEY'RE BUYING ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT FROM US.
THEY'RE USING THE SAME VENDORS THAT WE USE CURRENTLY.
WE HAVE COME UP WITH A WAY -- OH, IS THAT THE END? OKAY.
WE CAME UP WITH A WAY TO EXECUTE COFFEE, WHICH I KNOW WILL BE FASTER THAN STARBUCKS.
I'M AT THE AIRPORT ALL THE TIME.
WE KNOW HOW TO GET THROUGH A LINE.
OUR MACHINES ARE NOT AUTOMATIC.
WE DO IT WITH PEOPLE AND WE KNOW HOW TO GET THROUGH A LINE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. CONGER.
CHRISTY SOLE FOLLOWED BY RENE DONESCO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN PUBLIC IS LIKE A BIG THING.
SOME PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF HEIGHTS.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BOTH GRADUATES OF THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA.
HE ACTUALLY WAS AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE CULINARY INSTITUTE.
SO UP IN NEW YORK WHEN THEY OFFERED HIM THE TRANSFER, HE WAS
[03:35:04]
DOWN HERE LICKETY-SPLIT.AFTER BEING HERE A MONTH, I SAID THAT'S IT.
SAN ANTONIO IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.
I'VE LIVED AROUND A LOT OF PLACES AND IT'S A SPECIAL PLACE.
SO WE DECIDED TO BRING SOMETHING UNIQUE TO A CITY THAT IS WANTING UNIQUE THINGS.
IT IS A FOOD PLACE, LIKE JOHNNY SAID.
AND WE BROUGHT OUR BOSS BAGELS AND COFFEE TO SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S THE FIRST AND ONLY TYPE OF PLACE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO DO WHAT WE DO.
WE ARE THE ONLY ONES IN TEXAS.
WHAT WE DO IS WE DO OLD WORLD STYLE OF COOKING, WHICH IS WE MAKE FRESH BAGELS EVERY DAY.
WE BOIL THEM IN AGAVE WATER, WHICH BOSS, BY THE WAY, STANDS FOR BAGELS ON SOUTHERN SOIL, SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THEM MORE TEXAS STYLE.
SO THEY ARE BOILED IN AGAVE WATER AND THEN THEY ARE PUT ON WET CEDAR PLANKS AND PUT IN A WOOD OVEN.
OUR OVEN IS IN FRONT OF OUR RESTAURANT SO EVERYONE CAN SEE OUR METHOD AND OUR OLD STYLE OF COOKING, BECAUSE MY HUSBAND, ONCE A TEACHER, ALWAYS A TEACHER.
HE'S NOW TEACHING THE PUBLIC OLD SCHOOL STYLE OF COOKING.
WE SMOKE ALL OF OUR OWN SALMON AND TROUT WHICH THE AIRPORT WILL BE USING.
WE WILL BE MAKING ALL THE PRODUCTS FOR THE AIRPORT, DELIVERING TWICE A DAY, AND MORE IF NEEDED.
WE'RE LOCATED, BY THE WAY, ON NEW BRAUNFELS AND SUNSET RIDGE RIGHT BY THE MCNAY MUSEUM, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T VISITED US YET.
WE'VE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS ALL OUR LIFE.
WE'VE HAD MANY ACCOLADES THROUGHOUT OUR CAREER, AS MUCH AS MOST OF ALL THE CHEFS ON EITHER PANEL ARE VERY QUALIFIED AND VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE.
WE HAVE BEEN IN WINE SPECTATOR.
ANYWAY, BOTTOM LINE IS THIS IS OUR HOME.
THIS IS OUR PLACE THAT WE WANT TO LIVE.
THIS IS OUR ART THAT WE WANT TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY.
AND ANYONE WHO WALKS THROUGH THAT AIRPORT, IT'S OUR REPUTATION.
WE WANT THEM TO COME SEE OUR STORE, SO WE WANT TO SERVE A GOOD PRODUCT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
FIRST I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY ON BEHALF OF PARADIES LAGARDERE AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS HERE TODAY.
I'M VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR PARADIES LAGARDERE.
I AM SUPER PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS PROCESS, ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, AND ABOUT WHAT WE'VE PUT TOGETHER FOR THE AIRPORT.
I STARTED THIS PROJECT PROBABLY ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.
AND IT WASN'T BECAUSE -- AND WE ARE AT THE AIRPORT TODAY WITH A RETAIL STORE.
BUT THAT WAS NOT THE REASON THAT WE DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED.
I MET MY SON'S FATHER ON A SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT GOING FROM HOUSTON TO THE SAN ANTONIO RODEO 30 YEARS.
MY NIECE WENT TO COLLEGE HERE.
MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE LIVES HERE, SO I HAVE A LOT OF ROOTS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I REALLY TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO GO TO THE AIRPORT AND FIND OUT LIKE WHAT'S COMING UP AND WHAT'S IN THE FUTURE.
AND BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE HERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR PARADIES LAGARDERE, FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND FOR THE AIRPORT.
JUST SO WE LAUNCHED OURSELVES INTO THE COMMUNITY.
WE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE AND, AS A RESULT, EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS COMMUNITY -- SAN ANTONIO IS A BIG CITY BUT A SMALL COMMUNITY.
AND THAT BECAME VERY, VERY CLEAR TO US.
BECAUSE WE MET ONE PERSON AND THEN QUICKLY WE MET SOMEBODY ELSE.
AND LITERALLY THAT'S HOW OUR TEAM CAME TOGETHER.
I DIDN'T HEAR EVERYBODY MENTION IT, BUT A LOT OF THESE GUYS AND LADIES WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.
THEY SELL PRODUCTS TO EACH OTHER.
I MEAN, WHEN WE DID OUR PRESENTATION IT WAS JUST AMAZING TO SEE THE CAMARADERIE AND THE COMMUNITY WITH THE PEOPLE ON OUR TEAM.
AND ON OUR TEAM WE HAVE FOUR -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY SAID IT, BUT WE HAVE FOUR CULINARY CIA GRADUATES.
CHRISTY AND HER HUSBAND, KARINA AND ANDREW WEISSMAN, WHO IS A FOUR-TIME JAMES BEARD NOMINEE,
[03:40:03]
WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY HUGE IN THE FOOD WORLD.WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY.
MR. DAN AND MR. JIMMY PARADIES CREATED THE COMPANY IN 1960 AND THEY STARTED OUT WITH A TOY STORE.
THEY WERE BOTH VETERANS, SO THAT GOES DEEP IN OUR ROOTS AND OUR CULTURE.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE JUST STARTED.
WE HAVE A HUGE TREAT OUR TROOPS PROGRAM.
WE DONATE TODAY, OUR CUSTOMERS -- I HEARD A BEEPER.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MEANS I'M OUT OF TIME.
WE HAVE OUR NO KIDS HUNGRY PROGRAM THAT WE DONATE 25% OF EVERY KID'S MEAL TO NO KIDS HUNGRY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WELL, THANK YOU ALL, FIRST, FOR WAITING SO PATIENTLY.
TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OF THE BIDDING TEAMS. THE TEAMS THAT HAVE BEEN WITH US OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS TO PUT TOGETHER A REALLY DYNAMIC AND FANTASTIC GROUP AND COMPETITIVE SELECTION.
THIS IS A VERY, VERY TOUGH PROCESS.
A TOUGH DECISION FOR ME, PERSONALLY, BECAUSE I HAVE FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES.
IN FACT, I THINK I HAVE PATRONIZED ALL OF YOUR RESTAURANTS AND ALL OF THE BRANDS THAT ARE LISTED ON BOTH OF THESE BIDS.
AND NO ONE WILL ARGUE THAT ON BOTH SIDES IT'S A STAR-STUDDED ROSTER OF SOME OF THE LEADING BUSINESS PEOPLE AND CHEFS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN FACT, I THINK MY PERSONAL FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND BRANDS ARE AMONG THE BEST OF THE BEST LISTED HERE.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHERE I THINK MY JOB IS.
AND THAT IS, AS MAYOR, I FEEL IT'S MY JOB TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF A PROFESSIONAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO SEE, OR ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SEE, IS A REPLAY OF THE BARGE CONCESSIONS CONTRACT.
OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RULES ARE FAIR AND THAT THEY ARE ABIDED BY AND WE END UP WITH A RESULT LET ME ASK CARLOS TO COME FORWARD AND ASK A FEW QUESTIONS.
CARLOS, AS AN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, TO CONFIRM, WHAT WAS YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE SELECTION OF THE AIRPORT CONCESSION CONTRACT?
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO BECAUSE THIS IS A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT AND CONCESSION WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MAYBE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
I, AS ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS.
SO MY ROLE THERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ETHICS POLICY, THAT THE COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED WAS FOLLOWED NOT ONLY BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE BUT TO ENSURE THAT THE RESPONDENTS AND THE PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO ABIDING BY THAT.
FOR THAT REASON, WE TOOK GREAT CARE IN THE SELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
WE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT WAS VOTING BASED ON FAVORITES.
BECAUSE AS YOU INDICATED, MAYOR, THESE ARE ALL TREMENDOUS CONCEPTS AND RESTAURANTS AND THEY'RE ALL OUR FAVORITES.
WE'RE FRIENDS WITH MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WANT AIRPORT PROFESSIONALS AND CULINARY PROFESSIONALS THAT WERE DOING THE SCORING.
BASED ON MY OBSERVATION OF HOW THE INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED AND HOW THE SCORING, DISCUSSIONS WAS CONDUCTED, THE PROCESS WAS A GOOD PROCESS.
BOTH SIDES, I'M VERY PROUD TO REPORT, BOTH SIDES HONORED THE BLACKOUT.
AND I MET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH EVERYBODY YOU SEE HERE ON BOTH SIDES.
IN FACT, I HAD COFFEE WITH JOHNNY HERNANDEZ ONE TIME.
AND HE AT NO TIME DID ANYBODY BREACH THE SPIRIT OF -- OR THE LETTER OF THE ETHICS POLICIES.
AS YOU LOOK AT THE SCORES FROM THE FIRST SCORING ROUND TO THE SECOND SCORING ROUND, WHAT YOU SEE IS THE COMMITTEE ACTED AS A WHOLE.
THE SCORES WERE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME, YOU KNOW, AMONG THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WITHIN A FEW POINTS.
THERE WAS NO OUTLIERS, AS SOMETIMES YOU SEE IN SOME COMMITTEE PROCESSES.
SO I FELT VERY CONFIDENT THAT THIS WAS A GOOD PROCESS AND I FEEL I CAN REPRESENT TO THE COUNCIL AND TO OUR CITY MANAGER
[03:45:01]
THAT IT WAS FAIR IN ALL RESPECTS.CAN YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF THAT? WHAT STEPS WERE FOLLOWED, PARTICULARLY THAT THE SOLICITATION FOLLOWED THE CITY POLICY THAT THE REVIEW PROCESS WASN'T BIASED OR SLANTED BY ANYONE ON THE COMMITTEE? AND WE ALSO WORKED THROUGH OUR COUNCIL GUIDELINES TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCING OF THAT PROCESS.
SO AS I INDICATED, FIRST WITH THE COMMITTEE SELECTION, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD BOTH A MIX OF EXTERNAL FOLKS AND INTERNAL FOLKS.
AND WITH RESPECT TO THE EXTERNAL FOLKS, WE WANTED TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO CHOOSE PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T HAVE A CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE LIKELY RESPONDENTS.
SO WE SORT OF HAD A FEW THAT WOULD BE THERE.
WE WANTED THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA TO BE ON THE EVALUATION TEAM.
WE KNEW THAT WOULD BE SOMEBODY WHO KNEW EVERYBODY AND WOULDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE AN ALLEGIANCE WITH ANY ONE PERSON.
WE WANTED A FREQUENT TRAVELER OF THE AIRPORT, A USER OF THE AIRPORT.
WE ENDED UP WITH SOMEONE FROM VALERO, WHO OVERSEES ALL THEIR TRAVEL.
WITH RESPECT TO THE INTERNAL CANDIDATES, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS PEOPLE WHO HAD DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATIONS OR CONCESSIONS.
OBVIOUSLY, RUSS WAS ON THE COMMITTEE.
WE HAD DARIUS FROM THE ALAMODOME WHO OVERSEES CONCESSIONS AT THE DOME, VERY EXPERIENCED WITH CONCESSIONS, HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS IN THE PAST.
AND THEN STEVE, WHO AVER SEES THE CONTRACTS THEMSELVES.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMITTEE THEMSELVES DID THAT .
WITH RESPECT TO THE GROUPS, OF COURSE WE HAD A PANEL.
WE HAD FINANCE AS PART OF THAT, AND THEY HELPED GUIDE THE PROCESS.
AND WE HAVE -- OFTEN WE'LL HAVE A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE IN THE PROCESS.
SO WE MADE SURE THAT WE COVERED THE GROUND RULES.
WE STAYED WITHIN THE RFP PROCESS.
WE TRIED NOT TO -- AND WE ADMONISHED EVERYBODY TO NOT THINK ABOUT THINGS OUTSIDE OF THE RFP PROCESS.
TO JUDGE BASED ON WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF US AND WHAT WE SAW.
SO MUCH SO THAT ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WAS, WHILE SHE WAS THERE FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE SCORING, WHEN IT CAME TO INTERVIEWS, SHE ARRIVED LATE.
AND I DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS PROPER OR APPROPRIATE FOR ANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD SCORE IF THEY DIDN'T HEAR THE GOOD MORNING AND ALL THE WAY TO THE END.
SO I MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE HER OFF OF THE SCORING AND SHE BECAME ADVISORY.
SO THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF STEPS THAT WE TOOK.
AND THEN WE REMINDED EVERYBODY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE ETHICS POLICIES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID NOT TALK TO ANYBODY OUTSIDE OF THE PROCESS.
AND THE STEPS THAT WERE TAKEN ALSO INCLUDED THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEW OF THE RFP?
AS RUSS INDICATED IN HIS SLIDE, WE WENT TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
SO WE WENT ON THE PRESOLICITATION IN OCTOBER OF 2017.
AND THEN, AS WE TYPICALLY DO, AS WE COMPLETED THE PROCESS, MADE OUR RECOMMENDATION SELECTION, NEGOTIATED THE CONTRACT.
WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2019.
SO IT WENT THROUGH TWO COMMITTEE PROCESSES THROUGH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND YOU CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO VIOLATIONS OF THE BLACKOUT PERIOD?
>> CERTAINLY THERE WAS NONE I WAS AWARE OF.
WE WERE VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT.
AS I INDICATED, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM AND THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION.
I'M VERY PROUD OF EVERYBODY WHO PARTICIPATED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND THIS WAS ALSO REVIEWED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE DEPARTMENTS?
>> SO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AS RUSS INDICATED, YOU KNOW, THE PURVIEW OF THE SCORING COMMITTEE IS ON TWO COMPONENTS OF THE SCORING.
IT IS ON THEIR EXPERIENCE, BACKGROUND, QUALIFICATIONS SCORING OR THE COMPENSATION SCORING.
THAT'S LAYERED IN AFTER WE MAKE OUR DECISIONS.
THIS WAS NOT A SBEDA PROCESS BECAUSE IT INVOLVED FEDERAL PROPERTY.
ALL PARTIES SCORED THE MAXIMUM THEY COULD GET.
AND ON THE COMPENSATION PIECE, THAT'S LAYERED IN AFTER THE FACT.
AS IT TURNS OUT, THE PARTY WE HAD SELECTED AS OUR RECOMMENDED PARTY ALSO HAD THE BEST SCORING COMPENSATION AND GIVING THE AIRPORT AND CITY THE BEST VALUE.
RUSS INDICATED IT WAS ABOUT $600,000 MORE THAN THE NUMBER
[03:50:01]
TWO RESPONDENTS.OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD THAT'S ABOUT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND TO THE AIRPORT.
AND THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING ALL THESE QUESTIONS IS TO MAKE SURE WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THE PROCESS THAT WE LAID OUT FROM AN ETHICS STANDPOINT TO A -- JUST A PURE GOVERNING STANDPOINT IS ABOVE REPROACH AND THAT THE OUTCOME WE CAN TRUST HAS ABIDED BY THOSE PRINCIPLES AND THAT IT'S FAIR.
AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS COUNCIL AND MYSELF HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATION TO MAKE THE DECISION ULTIMATELY THAT'S THE RIGHT ONE FOR SAN ANTONIO.
IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, DID THIS PROCESS FOLLOW ALL OF THE POLICIES AND DIRECTION IN THE SOLICITATION?
>> MAYOR, I BELIEVE THAT WE WORKED REAL HARD AND CALLED BALLS AND STRIKES AS WE SAW THEM AND WE FOLLOWED THE PROCESS TO A T.
I FEEL NO HESITATION IN TELLING YOU THAT THE PROCESS WAS A CLEAN PROCESS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND THEN PRIOR TO TODAY YOU WERE ABLE -- WERE YOU ABLE TO -- OR STAFF, BRIEF ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS BEFORE COMING FORWARD?
>> MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE GOT TO EVERYBODY.
WE TRIED VERY DILIGENTLY TO GET TO EVERYBODY.
I GUESS WE DID GET TO EVERYBODY.
I DON'T THINK WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME TIME WITH COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
WE DID HAVE IT ON HIS SCHEDULE BUT THERE WAS A CONFLICT THAT CAME UP ON THAT, BUT WE DID GET A CHANCE TO BRIEF EVERYBODY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: JUST AS A SENSE OF CONTEXT, WE HAVE TWO TERMINALS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF CONCESSION SPACE.
HOW MANY DIFFERENT CONTRACTS FOR CONCESSIONS ARE INVOLVED IN MAKING OUR AIRPORT RUN?
THERE'S STILL A FEW FROM A LEGACY OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS.
THERE'S STILL A FEW IN TERMINAL A, FOR EXAMPLE, EVEN AFTER THIS THERE WILL STILL BE A COUPLE THAT ARE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS.
BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING WE MOVED MANY YEARS AGO TO TRY TO CONSOLIDATE THEM, AS THEY BECAME AVAILABLE, TO GET THEM TOGETHER IN A LARGE ENOUGH PACKAGE WHERE WE COULD ATTRACT THIS QUALITY OF RESPONSE.
AND MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE FOR THEM.
SO IN TERMINAL A, FOR EXAMPLE, HOST HAS A MASTER CONCESSION THAT WILL REMAIN.
AS RUSS INDICATED, THAT REMAINS IN SOME OF THE OTHER CONCEPTS.
AGAIN THERE'S A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUAL ONES.
AND WHOEVER IS SELECTED BY THIS COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE IN TERMINAL A.
LIKELY IN TERMINAL B, HOST ALSO HAS SOME CONCEPTS IN TERMINAL B AND THERE ARE MORE INDIVIDUAL CONCEPTS IN TERMINAL B.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CARLOS, FOR WALKING US THROUGH THAT.
I MENTIONED ONE OF MY CONSIDERATIONS HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS.
AND THAT IT'S CONDUCTED FAIRLY.
AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE, AS YOU INDICATED, THAT IT WAS.
AND THE RESULT THAT COMES OUT OF THAT PROCESS IS ONE THAT LOOKS RIGHT.
THAT MEETS THE STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE AS A COUNCIL TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF LOCAL BRANDS, OF ENSURING THAT THERE'S A GREAT FRONT DOOR FOR VISITORS WHO COME TO OUR AIRPORT AND WHO ARE LEAVING OUR CITY.
AND IT'S DIFFICULT BECAUSE I COULD SEE THAT IF THAT PROCESS YIELDED EITHER TEAM IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT DECISION.
BUT IN THE CASE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROCUREMENT, THERE'S A CLEAR STAFF RECOMMENDATION, AND I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO GO AWAY FROM THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THIS ITEM.
SO I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TODAY.
ECHO AND I JUST APPRECIATE ADDRESSING THAT AND I HAVE TO WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE THAT THE AIRPORT, AND WHILE WE REMAIN FRONT AND HOW HARD WE'VE WORKED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR AIRPORT IS THE GATEWAY TO THE CITY.
WE HAVE WORKED NOT ONLY IN THIS RESPECT, BUT LIKE OUR PUBLIC ART, THE ARCHITECTURE ITSELF, ALL THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.
IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, OUR LOCAL PARTNERS ARE CLEARLY PASSIONATE.
THEY'RE COMMITTED AND CERTAINLY THEY ARE INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THEM FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WHILE I BELIEVE THE PROCESS THAT YIELDED THESE RESULTS -- AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY FEEL THE GROUP OF SAN ANTONIO RESTAURATEURS AND RESTAURANTS WILL REPRESENT OUR CITY IN THE MOST POSITIVE AND AUTHENTIC LIGHT, THE INCLUSION OF CHICK-FIL-A AS A NATURAL BRAND TENANT IS SOMETHING I CANNOT SUPPORT.
THE HEART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS IN DISTRICT 1 AND THE COMMUNITY HAS COME TOGETHER TO VOICE ITS DISAPPROVAL OF THIS COMPANY BECAUSE IT INCLUDES A COMPANY WITH A LEGACY OF ANTI-LGBTQ BEHAVIOR.
THE WORK OUR CITY HAS DONE TO BECOME A CHAMPION OF EQUALITY AND INCLUSION SHOULD NOT BE UNDONE SO EASILY, WHICH IS WHY I
[03:55:02]
CANNOT SUPPORT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TODAY AND PERHAPS THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE VETTING OF ECONOMIC DEALS TO ENSURE THEY ALIGN WITH OUR CORE VALUES AS A CITY.I THEREFORE MOVE TO APPROVE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT.
DIRECTING STAFF TO WORK WITH THE CONCESSIONARY TO ENSURE ANOTHER CONCEPT OTHER THAN CHICK-FIL-A CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RFP WHICH WILL NOT CHANGE THE MAG AND WILL NOT DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE RENT .
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
I'LL SPEAK TO THAT IN A LITTLE WHILE OR ASK SOME MORE QUESTIONS LATER.
CARLOS, CAN YOU PLEASE COME UP, PLEASE? THANK YOU.
FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE TO SAY TO ALL OF THE CHEFS AND RESTAURATEURS WHO ARE HERE RIGHT NOW AT 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE VERY BUSY, BUSY LIVES AND RESTAURANTS TO RUN AND THINGS TO OVERSEE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR ENDURANCE WITH ALL OF US.
THAT'S WHY I'LL BE MAKING MY MOTION LATER.
BUT WHAT I DID WANT TO TALK ABOUT QUICKLY IS ONE OF THE SLIDES ON THE PRESENTATION IS ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY, THE INNOVATION.
BECAUSE THE IMAGE ON HERE THAT HAS INNOVATION, IT HAS ONE OF THOSE IPAD THINGS.
IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING IS TO PUT IPADS ON TOP OF EVERY TABLE?
IT IS A PART OF THE SOLUTION BUT IT'S NOT AT EVERY TABLE.
YOU SEE THAT AT A LOT OF LARGER AIRPORTS AND I THINK YOU MAY SEE A MORE BROAD VERSION OF THAT IN FUTURE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT FOR US.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT TOUGH FOR US TO DO THAT IN SAN SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT, BUT IT DID INVOLVE THAT AS A PIECE OF SOLUTION.
>> VIAGRAN: THAT WOULD BE THE IPADS ON THE TABLES OF THE RESTAURANTS MOVING FORWARD? IT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY?
NEITHER PROPOSAL SPECIFIED ON EVERY TABLE.
>> VIAGRAN: SO I'M JUST WONDERING ABOUT THAT, GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT HOW HEALTHY THAT IS.
I PARTICULARLY -- I THINK THAT'S KIND OF DISTURBING THAT EVERYONE'S TOUCHING THAT THING AT ONCE IN THE AIRPORTS.
THAT'S REALLY CONCERNING FOR ME THAT THAT WOULD BE A TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION WHEN WE WANT TO ALSO, YOU KNOW, TALK TO PEOPLE AS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS.
SECONDLY, DO YOU HAVE A SLIDE OF WHAT THE POINTS WERE BEFORE THE INTERVIEWS? DO YOU HAVE THAT SLIDE AVAILABLE?
SO AS YOU CAN SEE, AS I OUTLINED, THERE WERE CERTAINLY A CLEAR ONE AND TWO AND CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN NUMBER TWO AND NUMBER THREE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS COMING OUT OF THE INITIAL.
BUT YOU SEE, BASED UPON THE INITIAL PROPOSALS, PAPER PROPOSALS PRIOR TO GETTING A CHANCE TO TALK TO AND HEAR FROM THE CONCEPTS AND THE INTERVIEW, HMS HOST AND PARADIES LAGARDERE ARE VERY CLOSE.
IN FACT, HOST BEAT THEM BY ABOUT A POINT.
>> VIAGRAN: AND SO THE INTERVIEWS -- I GUESS WALK ME THROUGH THAT PROPOSAL AFTER THIS YOU COME IN WITH THESE SCORES INTO THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE ONE AND TWO.
WHAT WERE THE ITEMS IN THE INTERVIEWS THAT MADE THE DISTINCTIONS THAT WE SAW THEN LAID OUT ON NUMBER -- ON SLIDE NO. 7.
SO, AS I MENTIONED, YOU CAN LEARN A LOT FROM A PAPER PROPOSAL BUT UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY GET A CHANCE TO HEAR THE CONCEPTS ARTICULATED, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT.
SO ONCE WE REALLY GOT TO THE INTERVIEWS AND STARTED ASKING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT, AS I MENTIONED, SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ROLES BY COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS AND HOW THEY WOULD INTEGRATE INTO THE SOLUTION, HOW THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION WOULD MANIFEST ITSELF AND THE CONCEPT.
AND THEN I MEAN, THERE IS AN INTANGIBLE THERE THAT THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE SPOKE TO BASED ON, IN SOME CASES, HOW THE CONCEPT WAS PRESENTED BY THE INDIVIDUALS, THE PASSION BY WHICH IT WAS PRESENTED TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RFP.
SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU ONLY GET BY INTERACTING AND BEING ABLE TO ASK DIRECT QUESTIONS.
SO WHAT WERE SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS? THE DIRECT QUESTIONS?
>> I'LL BACK UP TO THE INITIAL.
[04:00:02]
ONE OF THEM WAS SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ROLES BY SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS.WE WERE ABLE TO SEE WHO WAS A JOINT VENTURE TO WHO.
>> VIAGRAN: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING TO GO NEXT.
I THINK SOME CLARIFICATION FOR ME, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LOOK AT TONY G AGAIN, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS.
THAT TONY GS IS NOT GOING TO ACTUALLY HAVE A RESTAURANT IN THE AIRPORT BUT YOU ARE A JOINT VENTURE THERE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE EQUITY IN THE MANAGEMENT ROLE.
I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS SAD THAT HE'S NOT HAVING AN ACTUAL RESTAURANT IN THE AIRPORT.
SO PLEASE CLARIFY TO ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHERE KARINA, SELENA, AND TONY ARE HAVING THEIR ROLE, AND THEN THE OTHER PARADIES JVS.
>> THOSE ARE THE JVS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE JV IN THE ISTORE.
AND THERE ARE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOST PROPOSAL AND THE PARADIES.
MOST OF THE ARRANGEMENT IS SIMILAR.
SHOOT AND SCORE WITH A 7% STAKE IN A FEW OF THOSE CONCEPTS.
AND THEN TRUE FLAVORS WITH JOHNNY'S.
MANAGEMENT ROLE, RUNNING THE RESTAURANT, NOT NECESSARILY THEIR CONCEPTS.
WE DO HAVE A 10% JOINT VENTURE FOR TWO BROTHERS, SOUTHERLY, AND BAKERY LORRAINE, WHICH WAS OUTLINED.
THERE'S A PART OF THAT JOINT VENTURE THAT HAS PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THAT RESTAURANT.
BUT FOR THE MOST PART THE GOVERNANCE CONCEPT IS VERY SIMILAR.
THEY ARE LICENSE AGREEMENTS TO OPERATE THOSE RESTAURANTS.
AGAIN, THERE ARE SOME MINOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WHO THE JOINT VENTURE IS.
WE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH THE JOINT VENTURE AND THE MANAGEMENT ROLE THAT THE PARADIES LAGARDERE TEAM BROUGHT FORWARD.
>> VIAGRAN: I GUESS TROY IS HERE.
TROY, CAN YOU COME UP? I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE FINANCE OR THE COMPENSATION.
BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU ALL SEE, CORRECT? DO YOU HAVE THAT SLIDE WITH THE DIFFERENT MAGS? THE MINIMUM ANNUAL GUARANTEES AS WELL, PLEASE? DO Y'ALL HAVE THAT THAT WE CAN SEE? BECAUSE I THINK THAT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE AND I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY A GAME CHANGER FOR EVERYTHING.
>> RUSS AND I MAY HAVE TO TAG TEAM ON THIS.
BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE SCORES, THERE WERE TWO PIECES.
THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 20 POINTS, 10 POINTS FOR THE MAG AND 10 POINTS FOR THE RENTAL PERCENTAGE.
WE ALSO, IN WORKING WITH THE AIRPORT, THEY UTILIZED A CONSULTANT BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THESE TYPE OF CONCESSION ARRANGEMENTS TO ASSIST IN THE SCORING TO MAKE SURE WE WERE EQUITABLE AND HAD A SOUND BASE.
BASED ON THE USE OF THE CONSULTANT AND THE MAG PROPOSED BY THE ACTUAL RESPONDENTS, YOU CAN SEE THE PROPOSALS HERE.
THE MINIMUM ANNUAL GUARANTEE, POINTS AWARDED FOR THE MAG, AS WELL AS A PERCENTAGE AND YOU CAN SEE THE AGGREGATE POINTS FOR TOTAL COMPENSATION THAT WERE IN THE INITIAL SCORING.
AND THAT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.
SO THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE RIGHT THERE.
DID YOU ALL -- HOW DID YOU ALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION OR IF YOU ALL DID, SOMETHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT INTANGIBLES.
AND SO KNOWING THAT WE ARE ONE OF MAYBE TWO UNESCO CITIES OF GASTRONOMY, HOW DID Y'ALL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DOING THESE PROPOSALS?
>> EXCELLENT QUESTION, COUNCILWOMAN.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO ENSURE OF IS THAT WE EXPERIENCED A RESTAURANT CONCEPT WITHIN THE AIRPORT.
YOU COULD ALSO FIND IT IN THE CITY.
AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE INTANGIBLES THAT YOU MENTIONED, USING YOUR WORDS, THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT.
YOU KNOW, CAN YOU FIND THEM THROUGHOUT THE CITY? CAN YOU FIND THE RESTAURANTS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED THROUGHOUT? AND IN EACH OF THE CASES YOU COULD FIND MANY OF THEM.
I THINK THE GERVIN'S IS UNIQUE BECAUSE GERVIN'S EXISTS AT THE AIRPORT AND NOWHERE ELSE.
THOSE WERE SOME OF THE THINGS THEY CONSIDERED.
ARE YOU ABLE TO FIND THEM THROUGHOUT THE CITY? IS IT QUALITY CHEF-DRIVEN.
IN THE INTERVIEW WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRODUCT WAS GOING TO BE SIMILAR IN TASTE AND QUALITY THAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE IN THE CITY.
AND SO A LOT OF THEM ARE HANDLING BY SELLING DIRECTLY THEIR PRODUCT TO THE -- PROVIDING THE PRODUCT TO THE
[04:05:04]
CONCESSIONAIRE.IN THE CASE OF THE BAGELS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE BAKED ON SITE AT THEIR FACILITY AT THE RESTAURANT AND DELIVERED.
SO THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WHATEVER YOU TASTE IN THE RESTAURANT IS THE SAME THING THAT YOU'LL TASTE AT THE AIRPORT.
I THINK THERE'S A TWO TIMES A DAY DELIVERY THERE.
IT'S GOING TO BE PREPARED AT THE RESTAURANT, SMOKED AT THE RESTAURANT AND BROUGHT OUT TO THE AIRPORT AND DELIVERED ON A DAILY BASIS.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE INTANGIBLES WE DID LOOK FOR.
AND I ALSO WAND -- WANTED TO TELL ALL THE CHEFS THAT ARE HERE TODAY , I KNOW SOME OF YOU MENTIONED YOU HAD THREE LOCATIONS, SOME HAVE SIX LOCATIONS IN THE CITY.
I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO COME LOOK IN THE SOUTH SIDE IN DISTRICT 3.
I KNOW SOME RESTAURANTS ARE ALREADY HEADING TO BROOKS, AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO GROW IN THAT AREA.
SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION.
I THINK WHAT WAS ALSO MENTIONED HERE WAS ABOUT BRAND AMBASSADORS AND ABOUT BEING THE CULTURE AND THE BRAND AMBASSADOR OF OUR CITY.
AND I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
BUT I DO HAVE QUESTIONS -- AND THERE IS NO QUESTIONS OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS.
BUT OUR AIRPORT HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN RIDERSHIP OVER THESE PAST TWO YEARS.
AND OUR AIRPORT HAS ALSO BEEN THE FOCUS OF A LOT OF CRITICISM AND A LOT OF SCRUTINY IN THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AS WELL.
THE AIRPORT HAS HAD ALSO NUMEROUS TASK FORCE TO STUDY WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR GROWTH, HOW CAN WE MANAGE? WHAT CAN WE DO STRATEGICALLY, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.
AND THIS PROCESS -- OR THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION.
DID WE GET ANY INPUT FROM OUR AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS AS PART OF THIS?
OUR AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETS FREQUENTLY, AND WE STARTED TALKING TO THEM AT THE VERY ON SET.
NOW, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO SHARE, YOU KNOW, IN THE BLACKOUT PERIOD, ALL OF THE DETAILS ABOUT WHO IS BIDDING, BUT ALL OF THE CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE RFP BEFORE WE EVER EVEN PUT IT IN WRITING.
AND EVERY STEP OF THE WAY BEYOND THAT THEY WERE INVOLVED, YES.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ALSO HAS, YOU KNOW, BEEN BROUGHT UP IS, YOU KNOW, AND THIS IS A LARGE CONTRACT.
AT THE BEGINNING, WE HAD A LABOR PIECE AGREEMENT.
WE TOOK OUT THE LABOR PIECE AGREEMENT AND THEN WE HAD -- THIS WAS A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT TEN YEARS.
THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY TEN YEARS.
ONLY THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO SEE THIS AT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
AND NOW IT CAME STRAIGHT TO AN A SESSION.
AND SO I SAY THAT AS CLARIFICATION ON ALL THIS INTENTION AND SCRUTINY AND INTEREST IN OUR AIRPORT AND THE FACT THAT THIS WAS ALMOST A TWO-YEAR PROCESS FOR THIS RFP AND IT WAS A SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY AT THE VERY BEGINNING MAKES ME WONDER WHY THIS DIDN'T GO TO A B SESSION IN THE BEGINNING.
NOT BECAUSE OF ANY MALINTENTION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR THE PROCESS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE YOUR PROCESS WAS GOOD.
BUT I THINK TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SEEN IT AND UNDERSTOOD IT ALL, NOT JUST ONE MEETING HERE, ONE MEETING THERE, ONE MEETING OVER HERE.
BUT TO SEE IT ALL TOGETHER IN ONE ASPECT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.
AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE POLICIES THAT HAVE CHANGED IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO PAID SICK LEAVE, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR NEW PROCESS ON PUBLIC INPUT AND TRANSPARENCY AND HAVING THAT TRANSPARENCY CONVERSATION.
AND SO THAT'S WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND NOW I THINK IT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE AND WELL THOUGHT OF CHANGE FOR CHANGING OUT THAT MAJOR PARTNER OF CHICK-FIL-A.
I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD RECOMMEND A CONVERSATION OR AT LEAST A LET'S SEE IT ALL IN THE BIG PICTURE OF HOW THIS WORKS AT A B SESSION.
SO, WITH THAT, ON TOP OF THIS MOTION, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, ANDY, HOW THIS ALL PLAYS.
IF THAT DOES FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE AGREEMENT.
BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE A MOTION TO HAVE THIS AT OUR NEXT AVAILABLE B SESSION FOR FURTHER CONVERSATION.
AND ALSO BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT? SEEING ALBERT THIS MORNING AND EVERYBODY WHO KNOWS HIM, SAN
[04:10:01]
ANTONIO IS FAMILY.AND WHY NOT GIVE EVERYONE THAT HEAD TO HEAD -- NOT EVEN HEAD TO HEAD, JUST HEAR EVERYONE OUT.
JUST LET EVERYONE GET HEARD OUT AND SEE THOSE THINGS RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER.
SO I MAKE A MOTION, MAYOR, JUST TO HEAR EVERYONE OUT AT A B SESSION AT THE NEXT POSSIBLE -- TO MOVE THIS TO A B SESSION FOR MORE CONVERSATION.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR A DELAY OF ITEM 15 AND SEND THIS BACK TO B SESSION.
THE MOTION TO DELAY WOULD BE THE PRIMARY MOTION, MAYOR.
BUT, COUNCILWOMAN, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU CAN IDENTIFY A DATE CERTAIN IN TERMS OF HAVING THE COUNCIL RECONSIDER.
AND WE CAN SAY AFTER A B SESSION, BUT NO LATER THAN.
WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A DATE AS TO WHEN THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THIS.
>> VIAGRAN: WHEN IS OUR NEXT DATE FOR A B SESSION? APRIL 3RD? SO I MAKE A MOTION TO GO TO B SESSION ON -- FOR HAVING A B SESSION ON APRIL 3RD.
>> AND THEN TO HAVE THE COUNCIL --
>> VIAGRAN: HAVE THE COUNCIL RECONSIDER NO LATER THAN APRIL 5TH.
THAT'S MY CLARIFICATION TO MY MOTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR A DELAY OF ITEM 15 TO APRIL 3RD WITH COUNCIL VOTE ON APRIL 4TH.
THAT IS A PRIMARY MOTION ON THE TABLE NOW.
SO WE CAN KEEP FOLKS IN THE QUEUE BUT WE NOW WILL TAKE UP THAT MOTION.
ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR? COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANT TO SECOND MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT 3'S POINTS ON THE MATTER.
I THINK THE MATERIAL CHANGE OF THE CHICK-FIL-A ISSUE IS A LOT BIGGER THAN JUST SWAPPING OUT AN ORGANIZATION.
I THINK WHEN YOU MAKE THAT KIND OF MOVE THERE'S NOW REALLY TWO-FOLD PIECES HERE.
ONE IS OUR ABILITY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT VENDOR AND, YOU KNOW, MY VOTE IS NOT A RUBBER STAMP.
IF IT WAS THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR US THEN.
IF WE BELIEVE THE PROCESS IS ALWAYS RIGHT EVERY TIME THE PROCESS HAPPENS, WHAT THE HECK ARE WE HERE FOR? IN MY OPINION THE VOTE COMES TO US, WE MAKE OUR EVALUATION AND MAKE THE CALLS WE SEE FIT AND THE PROCESS HAS TO BE RIGHT.
IT'S OKAY TO EVALUATE THE PROCESS.
WE HAVE TO GET IT AS RIGHT AS POSSIBLE.
BUT MY VOTE ISN'T A RUBBER STAMP.
SO ANY ASSUMPTION THAT YOU COULD SIT THERE AND SAY WAS EVERYTHING GREAT? WELL, YEAH, IT WAS FANTASTIC.
IT'S THE GUY -- NO OFFENSE TO THE GENERAL, HE WAS ON THE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE TELLING ME THAT HIS ASSESSMENT WAS GREAT.
I MEAN, HE'S WITHIN THE PROCESS HIMSELF.
SO HE IS ONE OF THE EVALUATORS.
HE'S NOT GOING TO SIT THERE AND SAY IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE.
AND POINT OF FACT, I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BRIEFED OVER 72 HOURS.
WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO GET IT DONE.
THIS IS A PRETTY LARGE CONTRACT, UP TO TEN YEARS AND THIS KIND OF CASH.
WHEN WE BRING THESE CONTRACTS TO A B SESSION ROUTINELY FOR IT TO COME OUT OF AUDIT WHERE THREE MEMBERS SAW IT I THINK IS A LITTLE LIGHT ON OVERSIGHT FROM THE FULL COUNCIL.
AND THEN THE BRIEFING OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS, TOUGH.
THE OTHER POINT IS -- I'M NOT PUSHING BACK ON COUNCILMAN TREVINO'S CALL BECAUSE OF CHICK-FIL-A AT THIS POINT, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD AT THIS POINT THEN FORCE EVERY ONE OF THESE COMPANIES TO LAY OUT THEIR LGBTQ POSITIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ONE OF THEM.
SO LET'S HAVE THE FAIR DEBATE ON THAT SO AT THE VERY LEAST YOU CAN'T SAY I DON'T WANT CHICK-FIL-A WITHOUT KNOWING 15 OTHER COMPANIES' POSITIONS ON LGBTY RIGHTS.
NOW THAT HAS BECOME A CHANGE, NOT JUST A SMALL CHANGE TO THE CONTRACT.
THIS IS A MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE CITY'S POLICY REGARDING CONTRACTING.
ONCE YOU SAY THAT AN LGBTQ BUSINESS OR ANTI-LGBTQ BUSINESS, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU QUALIFY IT AS, ONCE YOU SAY THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED AND WE'RE MATERIALLY CHANGING IT, YOU HAVE MATERIALLY CHANGED THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CONTRACT OF THE RFP.
JUST LIKE WE DID LABOR PIECE WHEN WE INSERTED IT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND THEN TOOK IT BACK OUT.
THAT WAS A MATERIAL CHANGE TO THE RFP.
SO IF WE HONESTLY PASS COUNCILMAN TREVINO'S ASSESSMENT ON CHICK-FIL-A -- AND I'M NOT HERE.
I'M NOT EVEN QUESTIONING YOUR RIGHT ON THAT.
YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT'S A DISCUSSION WORTH HAVING 100%, IF THAT'S WHO WE'RE GOING TO DO BUSINESS WITH AND WHAT THAT MEANS.
NOW YOU HAVE CHANGED THE EXPECTATION FOR EVERY COMPANY APPLYING FOR THIS.
LET'S GO BACK AND HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION, SHOULD NOW BE PART OF THE BRIEFING.
WHERE DO YOU STAND, LUXURY? WHERE DO YOU STAND?
[04:15:02]
WHERE'S STARBUCKS ON ISSUES WE MAY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH? NOW WE MAY HAVE TO HAVE A SOCIAL FACTOR IN THE RFP PROCESS BECAUSE WE'RE CHANGING IT.TO ME, THAT'S THE LARGER POINT HERE.
IF WE ATTEMPT TO REMOVE CHICK-FIL-A WE HAVE CHANGED MATERIALLY BASED ON A FACTOR THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RFP PROCESS.
THEREFORE WE MUST GO STRAIGHT BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE RFP.
SO GUESS WHAT? THE RIGHT ANSWER FROM A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE IS TO WAIT.
TO BRING IT BACK TO B SESSION AND ASK THESE VERY DIFFICULT BUT TELLING QUESTIONS, WHERE DO YOU STAND ON LGBT RIGHTS? WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS? WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THIS? AND HAVE A FULL BRIEFING ON IT AND VET IT IN THE OPEN.
BECAUSE THAT IS A HUGE CHANGE TO THE CITY'S CONTRACTING POLICY.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE'S MOTION TO AT LEAST TAKE TIME.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE TAKE THE TIME -- IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS.
WE HAVE MADE CHANGES TO THIS CONTRACT.
I THINK IT'S WORTH THE FAIR DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT.
BOTH SIDES HAVE EXCELLENT RIGHT.
I ALWAYS FIND IT ODD WHEN THE LOSING ORGANIZATION WINS THE FIRST ROUND.
LIKE THAT IS ALWAYS A EYE OPENER.
LIKE YOU WON THE FIRST ROUND AGAINST THE COMPANY YOU LOST TO IN THE SECOND.
I DON'T THINK YOU GOT THAT WORSE.
THERE'S QUESTIONS I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THAT.
I'M LOOKING AT THESE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEY WIN THE FIRST ROUND AND LOSE THE SECOND IN AUDIO].
SO THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS I WANT TO DIG INTO THAT AS WELL.
THIS IS ABOUT FOOD AND CULTURE MATTER.
PEOPLE COME INTO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THROUGH THAT AIRPORT.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHAT PERCEPTION WE PUT OUT THERE.
AND I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND SAY COUNCILMAN TREVINO HAS BROUGHT UP SOME VALID POINTS.
THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS FROM SOME MEMBERS ON THE BRIEFING TIME, THE LACK OF A B SESSION, ONLY THREE MEMBERS VIEWING IT.
WITH THAT I THINK WE SHOULD HONOR COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN'S POINT AND TAKE THE TIME TO PAUSE AND SHOW LEADERSHIP.
SOMETIMES THE RIGHT ANSWER IS DOING NOTHING UNTIL YOU FEEL RIGHT ABOUT THE ENTIRE CHOICE BEFORE YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND -- I WAS ENLIGHTENED, I THINK, BY WHAT MY FELLOW COUNCILMAN JUST SAID.
ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THIS A GAME CHANGER AND START LOOKING AT NON-CRITICAL ISSUES THAT GO INTO A CONTRACT AT THIS CASE AND THEN HOW DOES THAT SPILL OVER INTO FUTURE CASES? I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS COUNCIL GO THAT WAY.
JUST TO POINT OUT A FACT ABOUT THE COMMITTEE.
THERE'S ACTUALLY FIVE PEOPLE WHO SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE.
THREE OF THEM ARE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WOULD SAY I WAS A LITTLE TAKEN BACK BY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO WAYS THE CONTRACTS WERE EVALUATED.
AND I WOULD SAY TO OUR CITY STAFF, IN THE FUTURE LET US SEE BOTH PANELS, NOT JUST THE FINAL ONE.
LET US SEE THE FIRST TIME SO THAT'S WE CAN ASK THE QUESTION WHY IS THERE SUCH A HUGE DISPARITY? THAT WOULD LET US UNDERSTAND IT BETTER SO WE CAN EDUCATE OUR FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS BETTER INSTEAD OF LEARNING ABOUT IT AT THE LAST MINUTE IN THIS FORM.
SO I WILL NOT SUPPORT THE EFFORT TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE THIS TO A B SESSION.
I BELIEVE THE PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENT THAT THIS CITY HAS.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT MAYBE THERE'S AN APPARENT LOOK LIKE THERE'S SOME KIND OF DISPARITY.
BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT WAS HANDLED WELL ENOUGH IN COMMITTEE EARLIER.
BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, I WILL NOT SUPPORT A MOVE TO ELIMINATE A PARTICULAR COMPANY BECAUSE OF ITS SOCIAL STANDING FROM AN EXISTING OFFER AS WELL.
SO I'LL BE OPPOSED TO BOTH OF THESE.
I'LL MORE SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S ORIGINAL AND MOVE THAT WE JUST GO FORWARD WITH THE ORIGINAL DECISION RECOMMENDED BY THE STAFF.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I DID JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS MOTION.
I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN WHEN A CONTRACT COMES IN AT THIS LEVEL.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD PROBABLY CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE IS WHAT IS THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT OF A CONTRACT WHEN WE WANT TO TAKE IT TO B SESSION OR WHEN WE WANT TO MAYBE END THE BLACKOUT PERIOD EARLIER SO THERE CAN BE MORE DISCUSSION OR EVEN CHANGE THE FORMAT OF THE PRESENTATION TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, LIKE
[04:20:01]
COUNCILMAN COURAGE SAID.IT'S BEEN A TWO-YEAR PROCESS SO I THINK IT'S HARD TO CHANGE THE PROCESS NOW AND TO EVALUATE IT NOW AT THE END OF IT AND SAY, OH, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.
WE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT AT THE BEGINNING AS LAY OUT WHAT IS THIS PROCESS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DID.
SO I'M GOING TO, I GUESS, ASK STAFF THAT THEY COME BACK, NOT ON THIS MOTION BUT ON THE IDEA OF HOW WE CAN AVOID BEING IN THIS SITUATION IN THE FUTURE.
AND IF YOU HAVE SOME THOUGHTS, PLEASE SHARE THEM, CARLOS.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, WE WILL DO THAT, ABSOLUTELY, AND COME BACK AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ABOUT HOW WE DO THAT AND TAKE YOUR GUIDANCE ON A THRESHOLD LEVEL, AS YOU SUGGEST.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
AND I'LL ALSO REMIND FOLKS THAT WE HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION OVER THE YEARS ABOUT PROCESS FOR HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS, WHICH IS WHY NOW THE PROCESS IS WE SEND HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS THROUGH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
AND A REMINDER WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR REGARDING THE DELAY OF ITEM 15, SO PLEASE CONTAIN YOUR COMMENTS TO THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
>> PERRY: THIS IS JUST ON THE DELAY? OKAY.
YEAH, LOOKING AT THIS THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT FOLKS THAT HAVE HAD INPUT ON THIS.
THE PROCESS THAT WAS LAID OUT I THINK WAS A GREAT PROCESS.
I WOULD JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, CARLOS, WHAT WAS ONE OF MY FIRST QUESTIONS AT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE? SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE HERE.
WHAT WAS ONE OF MY FIRST QUESTIONS?
>> COUNCILMAN, YOUR QUESTION RELATED TO WHY WAS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SCORING BETWEEN THE TWO, YOU KNOW, VERY, VERY TWO CANDIDATES THAT ARE NO DOUBT WELL KNOWN.
YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WERE, BUT WHY WAS THERE SUCH A DISPARITY IN THE SCORES BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.
DID Y'ALL BRING OUT THE FIRST SLIDE THAT SHOWED THE FIRST ROUND OF SCORING?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE WE DID, COUNCILMAN.
>> PERRY: SO THAT WOULD HAVE SPURRED MY CONCERNS EVEN MORE AT THAT POINT.
>> PERRY: YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID HERE.
I TRUST THE PROCESS THAT IT WAS FOLLOWED.
BUT I HAD CONCERNS AT THE VERY BEGINNING, AT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
IN FACT, I HAVE TALKED TO MY STAFF ABOUT PUTTING A CCR TOGETHER ABOUT EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A PROCESS GOING THROUGH AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY SESSION, WE'VE HAD THREE MAJOR CONTRACTS HERE RECENTLY, THE BARGE CONTRACT, THE RADIO CONTRACT, AND NOW THE AIRPORT CONTRACT THAT ARE HIGH, HIGH DOLLAR.
AND TO SPRING THIS ON THE WHOLE COUNCIL WITHIN -- WHEN DID WE MEET ON THE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING?
TO SPRING THAT UP RIGHT NOW WITHOUT HAVING THE REST OF THE COUNCIL BROUGHT IN, OTHER THAN INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS, IS A LITTLE BIT STRETCHING IT, IN MY OPINION ALSO.
I'LL GO ALONG WITH THE DELAY ON THAT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PROCESS BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS OUT THERE.
>> WE'RE PREPARED TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
AND ERIK AND ANDY AND CARLOS, I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE I ASK YOU.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BUFFER TIME, BUT I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN A PROCESS IN WHICH WE TOOK IT BACK TO A B SESSION.
WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION WOULD WE HAVE? WOULD WE HAVE IT WITH JUST THE TOP TWO VENDORS? WHAT WOULD THE BLACKOUT PERIOD LOOK LIKE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN NOW AND THE B SESSION AND WHAT KIND OF PROTOCOLS WOULD EXIST THAT DAY OF.
THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND WHILE I SAY TO THE BIDDERS AND THE CHEFS WHO WERE IN THE ROOM, RESTAURATEURS, I THINK YOU HAVE NOW EARNED YOURSELF AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOUSING AND BIKE LANES AND KNOW THIS IS PART OF THIS SAUSAGE-MAKING BUSINESS THAT IS NOT VERY GOOD WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE THAT WE'VE HAD.
THIS HAS BEEN A TWO-YEAR PROCESS.
I'M GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION, THIS IS ON THE QUESTION OF THE
[04:25:02]
DELAY.BECAUSE, AS WAS SAID, WE ARE THE FINAL DECISION MAKERS.
WE COULD SAY POO POO TO THE IDEA OF THE STAFF EVALUATING THIS.
WE'RE GOING TO CHOOSE OUR OWN GROUP.
AND I THINK WE'VE HAD THE PROCESS BEFORE IN THE PAST GET REALLY MESSY.
THE BARGE INCIDENT WAS ONE IN WHICH I THINK IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR US TO GO AGAINST STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
I DID GO AGAINST STAFF RECOMMENDATION BASED ON WHAT I THOUGHT WERE SOME POLICY OBJECTIVES AND AIMS. AND WHETHER THIS DELAY GOES FORWARD OR NOT, I'LL ASK SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT A POLICY AIM.
BUT I WANT TO JUST KIND OF THINK ABOUT THE PRECEDENT WE MIGHT SET, WHICH WOULD BE A PRECEDENT THAT GOOD OR BAD IT WOULD BE A NEW PRECEDENT.
WE'LL SAY IN THE FUTURE, YOU KNOW, WE COULD GO BACK TO B SESSION WHEN WE AS THE COUNCIL WANT TO EVALUATE IT SIDE BY SIDE.
I THINK IT USED TO BE THE CASE TEN YEARS AGO THAT COUNCILS DID EVALUATE.
STAFF WASN'T MUCH IN THE REALM OF INPUT.
NOW, IF WE DO THE DELAY AND THAT PASSES, TELL ME WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE SO I CAN FEEL AT LEAST COMFORTABLE CONSIDERING THIS AS AN OPTION.
>> COUNCILMAN, FIRST OF ALL THE BLACKOUT PERIOD IS ALREADY OPEN.
EVERYBODY HAS ALREADY SEEN EVERYTHING.
SO FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE I DON'T THINK YOU CAN PUT THE CONE OF SILENCE BACK ON AT THAT POINT.
THE REALITY IS THAT -- AND I'LL USE THE RADIO EXAMPLE -- IF WE DID A B SESSION, MY HIGH RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT THAT WOULD BE A STAFF PRESENTATION TO ALLOW FOR POTENTIALLY FURTHER QUESTIONING OR AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL POINTS, FINER POINTS OF THE PROCESS.
I THINK IT'S, AS YOU MENTIONED, ULTIMATELY THE COUNCIL HAS THE FINAL SAY.
BUT PERSPECTIVELY OR IN THE FUTURE, IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE TO THESE CONTRACTS, IT'S BETTER SUITED DONE ON THE FRONT END AND WELL-THOUGHT-OUT SO THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE PROCESS.
I THINK IF YOU ADJUST IN THE MIDDLE, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT, I THINK THAT IT PROVIDES A LITTLE BIT MORE UNCERTAINTY TO THE PROCESS.
AND FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AND THE STAFF PERSPECTIVE FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE TRIED TO BE AS CONSISTENT AS POSSIBLE, PUT STANDARDS IN PLACE, MAKE CHANGES BASED ON COUNCIL FEEDBACK.
USUALLY AFTER EXPERIENCE WITH CERTAIN CONTRACTS.
AND SO WE ARE CERTAINLY -- THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO SUGGESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT FURTHER REFINEMENT TO THAT PROCESS.
AND YOU LAY THAT OUT IN ADVANCE, AND WHETHER IT'S AN AIRPORT CONTRACT OR A REVENUE CONTRACT AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THOSE THINGS ARE DONE CONSISTENTLY AND DONE ON THE FRONT-END OF THE PROCESS.
ANDY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING.
>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD TO THAT, COUNCILMAN, TO WHATEVER EXTENT, IF THERE'S A B SESSION WELL IN ADVANCE ESTABLISH THE GROUND RULES FOR THAT SO THAT, AGAIN, IT WILL MIRROR IN TERMS OF THE -- FROM A PROCESS STANDPOINT BOTH SIDES WILL HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
OR IF IT'S A STAFF PRESENTATION, THERE WILL BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS DIRECTLY TO THE STAFF AND GET INTO MORE DETAIL.
BUT, AGAIN, IT WILL BE GROUND RULES THAT WILL BE SET AHEAD OF TIME.
>> WALSH: I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT, COUNCILMAN.
I THINK THAT'S A CRITICAL POINT AS WELL.
AT THIS POINT, FROM A FAIRNESS STANDPOINT, EVERYBODY HAS SEEN EVERYBODY ELSE'S STUFF.
AND SO WE WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT.
AND FROM A FAIRNESS STANDPOINT.
AND THAT SETS THE TREND ALSO FOR CONTRACTS THAT ARE IN PROCESS NOW AND THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE.
>> SALDANA: YEAH, IN A WAY I THINK WE'RE A VICTIM OF PAST MISTAKES AS WELL WE HAVE MADE.
I MEAN, WE DID END UP GOING BACK TO THIS SET UP WHERE WE HAD THE TWO PITCH TO THE FULL COUNCIL AND WE ASKED THE QUESTIONS.
AND SO I THINK WE'RE ONLY EVEN CONSIDERING THIS BECAUSE, FRANKLY, WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE IN THE PAST AND NOBODY IS POINTING TO THAT BARGE CONTRACT AND SAYING THAT WAS GOOD.
SO I THINK WE'RE MOVING INTO THAT DIRECTION AGAIN.
BUT HERE'S THE ARGUMENT THAT ONE WOULD MAKE TO SAY WHY THIS ONE PARTICULAR WOULD LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
YOU MIGHT SAY THIS IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT'S A TEN-YEAR CONTRACT.
YOU MIGHT SAY IT'S UNIQUE IN THAT IT HAS ELEMENTS THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE SUBJECTIVE THAN THEY ARE JUST RANK BY SCORE.
BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER THE BIG POINT SPREAD.
I THINK IT'S A TOUGH HILL TO CLIMB.
[04:30:02]
YOU WOULD HAVE TO REALLY SORT OF BE WOWED IN THAT PRESENTATION.BUT MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE FOLKS INTERNALLY SAW THAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM THIS COUNCIL.
WE KIND OF WANT TO SEE WHAT THE HECK WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 20 POINTS IN THAT SCORING.
THE QUESTION YOU SHOULD RIGHTFULLY ASK IS, YOU KNOW, ARE WE CHANGING THE RULES OF THE GAME? BECAUSE THIS IS NOT LIKE THE END OF A BASEBALL GAME WHERE YOU KNOW THE RUNS SCORED AND THERE'S NO ARGUING THE RESULT AT THE END OF THIS.
THIS IS MORE LIKE A TALENT SHOW WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE MORE SUBJECTIVE AND YOU DON'T KNOW HOW ONE'S SCORING BETTER THAN THE OTHER.
I WOULD SAY, LOOK, WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE IN THE PAST.
I'M SOMEWHAT OPEN MINDED TO IT.
THE POINT SPREAD MAKES ME A LITTLE MORE UNCOMFORTABLE IN CONSIDERING THIS.
BACK THEN THEY TALKED ABOUT AN ISSUE IN THE PROCESS.
TO SAY THIS IS A CLEAR ADVANTAGE ONE OF THE FOLKS HAD.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD THAT HERE BUT WE HAVE TO PROTECT OURSELVES AS A COUNCIL IN CONSIDERING THIS IS GOING TO COME UP AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
AND THE DECISION WE MAKE TODAY WILL BE POINTED TO AND SAY, LOOK, YOU DID IT BACK THEN.
ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE? AS FOLKS WHO ARE BIDDING ON CITY BUSINESS, THAT SHOULD MAKE YOU A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT WE KNOW WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE WITH THIS UNIQUE CONTRACT.
I WON'T SAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BUT I'M OPEN MINDED TO THE IDEA.
NEVERTHELESS, THIS PUTS US IN AN AWKWARD POSITION ON POLICY, IF I'M JUST MAKING AN ARGUMENT ON THAT FRONT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
I STRUGGLE WITH THE SAME QUESTIONS AS COUNCILMAN SALDANA JUST ASKED YOU, WHICH IS IF WE WERE TO GO BACK TO A B SESSION, CARLOS, HOW WOULD YOUR PRESENTATION CHANGE?
YOU WOULD SEE THIS PRESENTATION AGAIN.
SO I GUESS THE DIFFERENCE IS YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THE BENEFIT THAT YOU HAD HERE OF THE INDIVIDUALS SPEAKING ON THEIR BEHALF.
BECAUSE THAT'S TYPICALLY A STAFF-DRIVEN DEAL.
I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE ANY CHANGE IN PRESENTATION.
WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SCORE, THE DIFFERENCES AND HOW SCORES CHANGE FROM ONE PANEL TO THE NEXT.
I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR TEN YEARS.
I HAVE SEEN IT MANY TIMES, AND I THINK THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.
I DON'T SEE THAT IT WOULD CHANGE AT ALL.
>> PELAEZ: ON THE ONE HAND I AM SENSITIVE TO THE ARGUMENT THAT WE SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC BY WAY OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASK AT B SESSION, RIGHT? AND THE DEBATES THAT WE HAVE IN B SESSION AMONGST OURSELVES AND WITH STAFF.
RIGHT? AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, TO SAY WE HAVEN'T HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK INTO THIS, IT RINGS A LITTLE HOLLOW.
I MEAN, ANY OF US CAN ATTEND THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
FREQUENTLY MY COLLEAGUES WILL ATTEND OUR INNOVATION AND TECH COMMITTEE TO WEIGH IN.
AND COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL SHOWED UP TO THE IGR MEETING THE OTHER DAY.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CITY COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON DENY ANOTHER COUNCIL PERSON'S OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ROBUST QUESTIONS DURING THOSE MEETINGS.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET BRIEFED INDIVIDUALLY BY YOU, CARLOS.
AND IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS WE COULD EVEN GO AND ASK THEM OF THE PANEL MEMBERS AS WELL.
>> PELAEZ: AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF BEING ABLE TO INTERVIEW THE TWO OR THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT TEAMS, DEPENDING ON WHAT CONTRACT IT IS, FOR THEM TO COME TO OUR OFFICES AND FOR US TO GO SEE THEM AND ASK THEM IN-DEPTH QUESTIONS AND RECEIVE THEIR PITCHES AS WELL.
BUT THE QUESTION STILL REMAINS, AND THAT IS FOR THE LAST TIME WE DID A HUGE CONTRACT LIKE THE RADIOS, WE DID GET A B SESSION.
I'M STILL UNSURE WHY NOT, RIGHT? AND SO IF -- I WANT TO ECHO COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL'S REQUEST THAT WE REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THERE NEEDS TO BE A DOLLAR THRESHOLD SO THAT WE CAN ALL SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC BY WAY OF B SESSION AS WELL.
>> I THINK, COUNCILMAN, ON A GO-FORWARD BASIS EVERYONE CAN RELY ON THAT AND KNOW THAT'S COMING.
THIS IS, OF COURSE, IN BETWEEN -- ERIK CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.
THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS, MAYOR.
>> WALSH: SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT POINT THAT COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL MADE.
AND THE RADIOS WENT TO B SESSION FOR A MUCH DIFFERENT REASON THAN THE BARGE CONTRACT.
AND THAT ONE WENT BECAUSE WE HAA CRITICAL STRUCTURE ISSUE FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT.
IT WAS ALSO UNIQUE BECAUSE WE HAD TWO OTHER PARTNERS, AND SO IT WAS A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED BUSINESS DEAL FROM A GOVERNMENTAL STANDPOINT.
BUT I THINK HAVING STANDARDS IN
[04:35:03]
PLACE THAT MAYBE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION NOT JUST DOLLAR THRESHOLD, BUT MAYBE A TIME THRESHOLD.IF YOU SAW THE TIMELINE THAT RUSS LAID OUT IN THE PRESENTATION, TIME HAD PASSED HERE.
AND SO I THINK MAYBE WE LOOK AT A TIME THRESHOLD, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE WORK THROUGH AND PROVIDE THE COUNCIL, MAYBE THROUGH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, SOME INITIAL
>> PERRY: I'M LOOKING AT WHAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED AND THINKING ABOUT, OKAY, WHAT ELSE WOULD WE SEE IN A B SESSION? RIGHT NOW THE CAN HAS BEEN OPENED.
YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S SEEN THE PROPOSALS.
EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO'S ON WHAT TEAM.
EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED AGAINST THIS CONTRACT.
AND, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS WHAT WE HAVE TODAY, EVERYBODY'S HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH IT.
I KNOW CARLOS AND RUSS, Y'ALL HAVE GONE AROUND AND SPOKEN TO JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY.
AND, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR TODAY.
IS THIS A B SESSION? WELL, NO.
THIS IS AN A SESSION BUT WE CAN DISCUSS AND ASK QUESTIONS AND MAKE DECISIONS TODAY JUST AS WE CAN IN A B SESSION.
I KNOW I SAID WHILE AGO I WOULD BE FOR A DELAY, AND I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE A FLIP-FLOPPER, BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SOLICITATION PROCESS.
AND ALL -- AND WE'VE HEARD IT TODAY.
I LOVE THE TEAMS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER.
AND BASICALLY THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET AT A B SESSION IS THE PASSION PORTION, AGAIN.
BECAUSE THE SCORING HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE.
UNLESS WE START THIS WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN, WHICH I'LL GET TO ON THIS OTHER AMENDMENT, ABOUT DELETING A PART OF THE CONTRACT, SWITCHING THEM OUT AT THIS POINT, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NO.
IT MIGHT NOT BE ILLEGAL, BUT BUSINESS PRACTICES? WHO IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BID FOR THIS CITY? MORE PASSION.
THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD GET AT A B SESSION.
NOT ANY SUBSTANCE FROM THE SCORING.
NONE OF THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE UNLESS WE GO BACK AT GROUND ZERO AGAIN AND START ALL OVER AGAIN.
SO, WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO CHANGE BACK TO I WON'T SUPPORT A DELAY ON THIS BECAUSE WE WON'T GET ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL OUT OF IT FOR A DELAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS VOTE HERE.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE IS MANY OF US HAD A FORMER COLLEAGUE WHO WAS FOND OF SAYING WE'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE.
WE HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE.
NOT JUST ON THIS COUNCIL, BUT COUNCILS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.
WHEN YOU HAVE A PROCESS THAT IS REFINED, THAT'S LIVING UP TO THE STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY THAT THE AUDIO] CHOOSE TO BID IN OUR CITY CAN TRUST, IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MIGHT BE SURPRISED BY OR DISAGREE WITH.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CITY COUNCIL IS NOT A RUBBER STAMP AT ALL.
IT'S OUR CHOICE ON WHICH -- WHETHER OR NOT WE APPROVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
THAT CHOICE IS STILL ONE FOR US TO CONSIDER.
BUT IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS, MAKING SURE THAT BUSINESSES WHO WATCH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE CITY COUNCIL CAN TRUST WHAT WE DO WILL STAY FAIR AND LEVEL AT ALL TIMES IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
AND THAT'S WHY I WON'T BE SUPPORTING A DELAY AT THIS TIME.
SO, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR DELAY OF ITEM NO. 15.
I'M SORRY, WE DID HAVE TO TAKE COUNCIL MEMBERS OFF OF THE QUEUE IN ORDER TO TAKE THAT VOTE.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO TAP BACK IN, IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
I DID RECOGNIZE COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES, THOUGH, WAS NEXT IN QUEUE FOR THE MAIN MOTION.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I DID NOT MEAN TO DELAY -- I THINK THE MOTION FAILED ANYWAY.
[04:40:06]
CONTINUE? SO, THANK YOU.AND SO THERE WAS -- I DIDN'T WANT TO DELAY.
AND I JUST WANT TO ASK STILL A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
RUSS, YOU STARTED YOUR PRESENTATION WITH WE WANTED THIS CONTRACT TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> GONZALES: YET, THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW ANY OF THESE PEOPLE.
CARLOS CONTRERAS, OF COURSE WE KNOW.
BUT YOU'VE BEEN HERE TWO YEARS.E IN AUDIO] WHO IS THE MORE FREQUENT TRAVELER IN THE AIRPORT?
>> SO THAT'S BEEN CHANGING OVER TIME.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THE PAST.
WE HAVE BEEN EVOLVING TOWARDS WHAT YOU SAW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO ABOUT A 60% LEISURE MARKET TO 40% BUSINESS.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING THAT AGAIN.
TO UNDERSTAND THE MENTALITY OF ALL OF THE PASSENGERS.
YOU HAVE LEISURE TRAVELERS WHO TRAVEL INFREQUENTLY WHO ARE LESS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
AND YOU HAVE THE FREQUENT BUSINESS TRAVELER WHO REALLY HAS A DIFFERENT SET OF PRIORITIES.
SO WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE PERSONAS ARE.
IN FACT, IN TERMINAL DESIGN AND SOMETHING WE WILL BE LOOKING AT OVER THE NEXT YEAR, WE'LL BE DOING A DETAILED STUDY OF WHAT THOSE PERSONAS ARE AND ENSURING WE HAVE THE TYPES OF AMENITIES TO SUPPORT ALL OF THOSE.
BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANY OF THEM OUT.
>> GONZALES: PERHAPS MY QUESTION WAS REALLY MORE GEARED TOWARDS THESE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE THAT I SEE ON THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE LEISURE TRAVEL, AND THEN THE CONVENTION AND SPORTS FACILITIES PERSON, AND A MANAGER OF AIRPORT SYSTEMS. AND I DON'T KNOW, MY SENSE IS THAT'S NOT A REALLY GOOD REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE WHO USE THE AIRPORT.
THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE REGARDING YOUR EVALUATION COMMITTEE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN, OUR CITY MANAGER WANTED TO CHIME IN ON THAT ISSUE.
>> WALSH: AND JUST TO GET TO YOUR QUESTION, YOUR INITIAL QUESTION THERE, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, ON THESE HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS, AND MUCH LIKE CARLOS TALKED ABOUT A WHILE AGO.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD RUSS AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE AIRPORT IS REQUIRED UNDER OUR INTERNAL PROCESS TO BE A PART OF THESE EVALUATIONS.
SO WHETHER IT'S A POLICE CONTRACT, IT WILL BE THE POLICE CHIEF.
ANY EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF THAT DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED TO BE HANDS-ON IN THE EVALUATION SO THAT WHEN ITEM BEFORE YOU THEY'RE PART OF THAT PROCESS.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'VE DONE FROM A CONSISTENCY STANDPOINT.
THE OTHER LAYER IS -- AND CARLOS MENTIONED IT EARLIER, ON THESE HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS, THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBER, CARLOS, PETER, MARIA, MYSELF WHEN I WAS A DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, WE'RE REQUIRED TO BE A PART OF THOSE PROCESSES.
ALL THOSE HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS.
AND THAT ALLOWS THAT EXECUTIVE LEVEL ATTENTION TO THESE VERY IMPORTANT CONTRACTS.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT ENSURES CONSISTENCY AS WE GO THROUGH THESE CONTRACTS.
AND TO IT'S CRITICAL TO HAVE RUSS FROM A BUSINESS AND AN OPERATIONS STANDPOINT TO BE A PART OF THAT.
THE OTHER INDIVIDUALS ARE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
AND, IN THIS CASE, WE DID HAVE --
>> GONZALES: YOU'RE SAYING THAT THEY'RE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD, BUT ARE THEY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN WHAT IS A CULTURAL REPRESENTATION OF SAN ANTONIO? YOU STARTED YOUR PRESENTATION WITH THAT LANGUAGE.
YOU SAID WE WANT OUR AIRPORT TO BE REFLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CULTURE OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS BIO THAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE QUALIFIED TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
>> COUNCILWOMAN, YOU SAID THAT TO ME YESTERDAY AND I HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.
[04:45:01]
I JUST WANTED TO ADD AUDIO] THINK WHAT RUSS WAS TRYIG TO ALLUDE TO IN THE DRAFTING OF THE RFP AND WHAT WE WANTED TO FOR.BUT WE DID PRESENT THAT TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IN ADVANCE OF GOING FORWARD.
>> GONZALES: AND I'VE BEEN ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE A NUMBER OF YEARS AND I KNOW WHAT THE COMMITTEE SEES IS COMPANY A, COMPANY B, COMPANY C.
>> IN THE PRESOLICITATION, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
BUT WE LIST WHO THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE.
AND SO THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS SO THAT WE CAN GET A FEEDBACK DO WE NEED TO ADD SOME MORE PEOPLE HERE, MORE DIVERSITY? AND SO THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF DOING SO.
AND WITH A CONTRACT LIKE THIS, IT'S REALLY THE BOTTOM LINE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS AS A COUNCIL TO CONSIDER WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -- IT'S ACTUALLY MORE THAN A TEN-YEAR CONTRACT.
YOU SAID SEVEN PLUS THREE PLUS THREE.
BECAUSE OF THE SORT OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HOW WE WILL EXPAND MAYBE IN THE TERMINAL, WE ADDED ON THREE ONE-YEAR EXPANSIONS FOR A MAXIMUM OF TEN.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
>> DEPENDING WHAT HAPPENS, WE MAY EXTEND IT FOR ONE YEAR AT A TIME.
>> GONZALES: OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO GIVEN WHAT THE SOLICITATION REQUESTED, I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT VARIETY, AND AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, WE FEEL VERY FONDLY ABOUT BOTH OF THE TEAMS. I KNOW THAT I, LIKE MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, ENJOY FREQUENTING THE RESTAURANTS.
I, TOO, WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISPARITY OF THE SCORING.
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME WHY ONE GROUP WOULD BE SCORED SO DIFFERENTLY THAN THE OTHER, GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW OF THEM AND THEIR RESPECT FOR THEIR BUSINESS, RESPECT THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE FACT THAT MANY OF THEM IN BUSINESS FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.
AND ANYBODY THAT'S BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR A LONG TIME KNOWS THAT YOU DON'T BECOME THAT WAY BY BEING A BAD RETAILER.
CUSTOMERS ARE LOYAL, AND THAT'S WHY THEY CONTINUE TO FREQUENT YOUR BUSINESS.
I ALSO WANTED TO JUST, YOU KNOW, EVEN -- IT WAS MENTIONED MANY, MANY TIMES THAT THIS COUNCIL, THAT WE FOLLOWED ALL OF THE RULES, AND NOBODY BROKE ANY LINES OF ETHICS, THAT WE WERE HELD TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD, AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE.
I THINK WE CAN SAY WE NEVER HAD ANY DISCUSSION WITH ANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM IN THESE CONTRACTS RELATED TO THE AIRPORT.
SO MUCH SO THAT WE HAVE NO IDEA THAT THERE'S AN AIRPORT CONTRACT CONCESSION COMING IN A FEW DAYS.
AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE VERY QUICKLY, WE WERE SUMMONED TO HAVE MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE, WHICH I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH BOTH TEAMS, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
AND ALSO, TO YOUR TEAM, AND I DID CHECK TO SEE IF WE HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY YOUR STAFF, AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAD.
AND THE REQUEST IS FOR A MEETING ABOUT THE AIRPORT, WHICH TELLS ME NOTHING.
COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK, AND THEN AS A RESULT, NO RESPONSE FROM MY TEAM, MY CITY STAFF, COUNCIL STAFF.
THOSE WAYS THAT, PERHAPS, WERE NOT COMMUNICATED AS WELL WITH YOU ALL AND EVEN AMONGST OURSELVES.
SO I THINK THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
BUT THE REASON WHY I DO THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO JUST PROCEED IS BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE SHOWS A $600,000-A-YEAR DIFFERENCE.
AS THE MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, I HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER
[04:50:01]
EVERY DAY, LIKE, ARE THE BUSINESSES RESPECTFUL TO OUR COMMUNITY? IS -- EACH TEAM, I BELIEVE, BRINGS A REALLY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO THEIR BUSINESS.AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO PERSONALLY SUPPORT AND ENJOY ALL OF THOSE AND ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO DO SO.
BUT ULTIMATELY, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING GOOD FISCAL STEWARDS OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.
THAT'S WHY I'M WILLING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONTRACT AS PRESENTED.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SEEN THE ENTIRE PICTURE.
UNLIKE COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA, WHILE THE BARGE CONTRACT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE, I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY GOOD.
I REALLY DID ENJOY SEEING A FULL PRESENTATION OF WHAT EACH COMPANY HAD TO OFFER.
AND I WOULD STILL WELCOME THAT, BUT I THINK ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS THAT OF WHAT COMPANIES ARE BEING BROUGHT IN OR NOT, THERE'S A DISCUSSION ABOUT CHICK-FIL-A, AGAIN, THAT WAS A STAFF -- CITY STAFF ASKED THAT COMPANY TO BRING IN CHICK-FIL-A.
BECAUSE YOU ALL DON'T HAVE THE CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC THAT WE DO.
AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT HAPPY WITH CHICK-FIL-AS AND THEIR POLICIES.
IF WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT, WE WOULD HAVE HAD THAT REMOVED BEFOREHAND.
REGARDLESS IF THERE'S A CHICK-FIL-A OR NOT, THEY STILL HAVE TO PRODUCE THAT MAG.
SO I'M SURE THERE'S A WAY FOR THIS BUSINESS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ONE OR NOT, BECAUSE IT'S A GUARANTEE.
SO IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK THEIR BUSINESS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY HAVE THAT GUARANTEE.
SO IT'S REALLY WHY I'M WILLING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.
I DO LOOK FORWARD TO A DIFFERENT PROCESS WHEN THERE ARE HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS THAT ARE MULTI-YEAR, HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR BRAND, THAT THE COUNCIL HAVE A GREATER INFLUENCE ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE MOVING FORWARD.
BUT I AM PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD TODAY WITH THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION OF -- WITH WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN GONZALEZ.
THIS IS DIFFICULT FOR ME ALSO, FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT YOU DESCRIBED, MAYOR, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH OF THE DIFFERENT TEAMS ARE FRIENDS.
AND MANY MEMBERS OF EACH TEAM ARE FRIENDS.
HOWEVER, ONE THING THAT I'D LIKE TO DISPENSE WITH VERY QUICKLY IS ANY OF THE TWO TEAMS, IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THAT TEAM, AND YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR NONDISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE IN YOUR POLICIES, SPECIFICALLY AND EXPLICITLY MAKING SURE THAT MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY ARE NOT HARASSED, PLEASE STAND UP.
LET ME KNOW YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO DO THAT.
I'M SATISFIED THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IS WILLING TO LIVE UP TO THAT.
CARLOS, CAN YOU GET UP HERE AND ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION? I'M WONDERING, DOES THE CONTRACT INCLUDE MENTION OF OUR NDO AND PROTECTION FOR LGBTQ MEMBERS?
>> COUNCILMAN, IT DOES, SPECIFICALLY REQUIRES THE CONTRACT IDENTITY TO FOLLOW OUR NDO.
WE HAVE A CITY ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRES THAT.
I THINK IT'S PRETTY MUCH IN EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT WE ENTERED INTO, WHERE WE REQUIRE THE CONTRACTOR TO FOLLOW THE NDO.
THE CITY ORDINANCE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S NEW.
IT'S PRETTY WELL KNOWN THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS ADOPTED THE NDO.
>> PALAEZ: DID YOU HEAR THE MOTION I SECONDED?
>> PALAEZ: I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND IT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, AND THAT IS A MOTION TO INSTRUCT YOU AND STAFF TO GO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN REPLACE CHICK-FIL-A.
>> WHAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS TO GO AND NEGOTIATE WITH A CONTRACTOR TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR CHICK-FIL-A BUT TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE MAG AND DOES NOT CHANGE THE PERCENTAGE RENT THAT WAS PROJECTED BY THE CONCESSION.
>> PALAEZ: SO LET ME TELL YOU WHY I SECONDED THIS MOTION.
FOR MANY YEARS, CHICK-FIL-A CORPORATE HAS BEEN FUNDING ANTI-LGBTQ ORGANIZATIONS,
[04:55:02]
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE CONVERSION THERAPY FOR YOUNG LGBTQ PEOPLE.THEY'VE ALSO QUITE EXPLICITLY REJECTED EVERY OPPORTUNITY GIVEN THEM TO INCLUDE PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ EMPLOYEES TO BE HARASSED OR DISCRIMINATED IN THE SAME WAY THAT DISABLED EMPLOYEES CAN'T BE HARASSED OR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS CAN'T BE HARASSED, DISCRIMINATED OR FIRED SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY LOVE.
I THINK IN 2019, THAT'S ABHORRENT.
BUT I ALSO THINK IT WOULD BE ABHORRENT AND A VIOLATION OF MY CONSCIENCE AND CERTAINLY A VIOLATION OF THE CITY'S VALUES, IF WE HELP, BY WAY OF BRINGING IN A RESTAURANT LIKE THAT, IF EH WITH HELP THEM FUND THOSE EFFORTS BY MAKING MONEY OFF OF OUR AIRPORT.
AND IF WE'VE GOT A CHOICE BY INDIRECTLY HELPING FUND EFFORTS TO, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE CONVERSION THERAPY OR CONTINUE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE AND REALLY JUST HARMING FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, THEN I WILL ALWAYS CHOOSE ON THE SIDE OF TRYING TO NOT ENABLE THAT.
AND THAT'S ALL THIS DOES IS IT WOULD ENABLE IT.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT I THINK THAT WE FOUGHT REALLY, REALLY HARD AS A CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS NDO POLICY IS A REALITY AND THAT IT'S ENFORCED.
IT'S A MANIFESTATION OF OUR VALUES AND IT SAYS SAN ANTONIO WELCOMES EVERYBODY, REGARDLESS OF WHOM YOU LOVE.
I WANT TO BE SURE WHEN PEOPLE TRAVERSE OUR AIRPORT, THE FIRST THING THEY SEE IS THAT SAN ANTONIO IS WELCOMING AND THEY DON'T SEE A SYMBOL, THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE IS A SYMBOL OF HATE.
I UNDERSTAND THEIR CHICKEN IS DELICIOUS AND THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT SO DO VAPE SHOPS AND LOTTERY MACHINES.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE WOULD WANT A VAPE SHOP IN THE AIRPORT EITHER.
I WANT TO DRIVE THE POINT HOME ALSO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PRODUCE REVENUE, RIGHT? AND AVAILABLE ON SUNDAYS EITHER.
I DON'T CARE WHY IT IS THEY'RE NOT OPEN ON SUNDAYS, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY ONE OF OUR GUESTS GET THE ALL THE ITEMS AVAILABLE TO THEM ON EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, INCLUDING SUNDAYS.
I UNDERSTAND ONE OF THE NEGOTIATING TERMS WAS THAT WE ASK THEM TO REPLACE -- WHAT IS IT? PANDA EXPRESS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
>> PALAEZ: WHICH I APPLAUD SIMPLY BECAUSE I PREFER OTHER PLACES THAN PANDA EXPRESS.
I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE DELICIOUS CHICKEN, CARLOS, THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE AS PROFITABLE AS A CHICK-FIL-A.
>> I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, BUT ON THE ISSUE OF THE NDO, WE DID DISCUSS THAT SPECIFICALLY WITH PARTIES.
THEY WERE IN FULL AGREEMENT TO THAT BEING IN THE CONTRACT.
AND ON THIS ISSUE OF WORKING WITH THE AIRPORT TO FIND A SUITABLE SUBSTITUTE, THEY COMMITTED TO WORK WITH US CAREFULLY TO DO THAT.
AND HMS, I APPRECIATE THAT CONCESSION AND THAT EXPRESSION TO WORK WITH US.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, SOME FOLKS ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, OH, MY GOSH, YOU'RE FIGHTING THE CULTURE WARS, AND HERE YOU ARE TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, SHOVE YOUR VALUES DOWN OTHER PEOPLE'S THROATS.
I'M JUST TRYING TO TAKE THE AIRPORT AND BRING IN PEOPLE WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO SELL DELICIOUS FOOD AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME, ALL PEOPLE.
IF CHICK-FIL-A WANTS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL UNWELCOME, THEY'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO DO THAT, JUST NOT AT MY AIRPORT AND MY CONSTITUENTS' AIRPORT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY.
HOW MANY OF THE CURRENT EXISTING RESTAURANTS THERE RIGHT NOW WILL BE DISPLACED IF PARITIES WINS THIS CONTRACT?
>> WE'LL GET THE LIST UP HERE.
>> SO ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TWO WE'RE ADDING, WHICH DON'T EXIST NOW, ALL OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH LEASE.
I HOPE I BROUGHT UP SLIDE NUMBER TWO, WHICH ESSENTIALLY SHOWS YOU WHAT WE'VE GOT NOW.
NEXT SLIDE REALLY BRINGS IN ALL OF THOSE VENUES.
BLIMPIES IS ALREADY CLOSED, BUT THEY WERE STRUGGLING.
>> PALAEZ: SO THE ONES WITH THE
[05:00:01]
LOGOS ARE THE ONES BEING REPLACED.BROOKSTONE'S AND IN MOTION, IN MOTION.
>> PALAEZ: THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
AND SIMPLY BOOKS AND STARBUCKS AS WELL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PALAEZ.
>> HALL: I'LL ECHO THE SENTIMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SAID.
THAT IS THE TOUGH PART FOR THIS DECISION, AS WE'VE GOT FRIENDS AND WE'RE FANS OF VENDORS AND CONCEPTS ON BOTH SIDES.
THAT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.
REGARDING THE AIRPORT, I'M A BIG FAN OF OUR AIRPORT.
I TRAVEL A LOT, A LOT INTERNATIONALLY.
BUT FOR ITS SIZE, IT'S A GREAT AIRPORT.
AND I THINK WE'RE DOING A LOT WITH OUR AIRPORT.
I LOVE THE NEW RENTAL CAR FACILITY.
AND SO I THINK WE'RE DOING A LOT OF GOOD THINGS WITH OUR AIRPORT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE.
SOMETIMES EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, WE NEED SOMETHING REFRESHING.
WHETHER YOU DO IT WITH AN EXISTING TEAM OR A NEW TEAM, IT'S SOMETIMES GOOD TO HAVE A NEW LOOK, SO I APPLAUD RUSS AND THE TEAM FOR DOING THAT.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE POINTS OR MAYBE QUESTIONS ABOUT PROCESS.
NUMBER ONE -- AND I THINK COUNCILMAN PERRY SAID IT AND OTHERS, AND I AGREE WITH, WHEN YOU SHOW THE SCORES -- I WOULD SHOW BOTH SETS OF SCORES.
WHEN YOU ONLY SHOW THE ONE AND NOT THE OTHER, YOU KNOW, COUNCILMAN PERRY SAID IT WAS A STRETCH.
FOR ME, IT'S ALMOST DISHONEST.
IT SIGNALS TO ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING TO HIDE.
I JUST DON'T LIKE THAT FEELING.
I'M SURE THERE WASN'T ANYTHING TO HIDE.
I TRUST OUR STAFF AND KNOW THEY DO A GOOD THING.
WHEN YOU SHOW THE ONE SLIDE THAT SUPPORTS YOU AND THE OTHER ONE THAT DOESN'T, FOR ME, THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING.
SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE, AS OTHERS HAVE, TO ALWAYS SHOW THE FULL PROCESS, THE FULL SCORING OF THE PROCESS SO EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE, AND THOSE DISCUSSIONS CAN BE HAD.
CARLOS, LET ME ASK THIS AND MAYBE RUSS AS WELL.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT REMOVING PANDA AND ADDING CHICK-FIL-A AND THEN POTENTIALLY REMOVING CHICK-FIL-A NOW.
AND YOU ALL TALKED IN YOUR PRESENTATION ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE MISSING FROM THE HOST PROPOSAL WAS THE ENTERTAINMENT PIECE AND INNOVATION PIECE AND SO FORTH.
SO JUST LIKE WE'RE CHANGING AND ALLOWING A CHANGE OF A CONCEPT OR RESTAURANT ON THE PARITIES SIDE, CAN WE DO THE SAME THING ON THE HOST SIDE? WE DIDN'T SEE THE ENTERTAINMENT PIECE ON THERE.
CAN WE ADD THAT? SAME WITH INNOVATION PIECE? IS THERE OPPORTUNITIES ON BOTH SIDES TO CHANGE THE DEAL?
>> SO I WILL SAY FROM A PROCESS PERSPECTIVE -- AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WOULD REQUIRE US TO GO BACK AND JUST START OVER.
SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE EVALUATION QUESTION.
BUT I'M GOING TO LET THE CITY LEADERSHIP SPEAK TO THAT.
>> HALL: LET ME JUST ASK ON THAT POINT, IF IT MEANS WE HAVE TO START OVER, WHY DOESN'T IT MEAN WE HAVE TO START OVER WITH A CHANGE OF PANDA AND A CHANGE OF CHICK-FIL-A.
>> IT'S YOUR DECISION TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF OUR STAFF OR NOT.
SO YOU COULD MAKE THE DECISION.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE SCORES, NOTWITHSTANDING THE VERY REAL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DOING SO.
THAT'S YOUR DECISION AS A GOVERNING BOARD, SO YOU CAN DO THAT.
THE RFP AUTHORIZES THE CITY TO ACCEPT IN WHOLE OR IN PART THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RESPONDENT.
SO THAT'S THE AUTHORITY UNDER WHICH -- WHEN WE GOT PAST THE SCORING, WE STARTED NEGOTIATING ON POTENTIALLY SWITCHING OUT ONE OF THE CONCEPTS.
THAT'S AUTHORIZED UNDER THE IT'S FULL NOTICE TO EVERYBODY -- I'LL PULL UP THE EXACT LANGUAGE FOR YOU IN A SECOND.
BUT THIS COUNCIL HAS THE POWER TO DO WHATEVER IT CHOOSES TO DO.
>> HALL: AND WE'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHOUT REDOING THE WHOLE RFP?
>> I DON'T KNOW ON THE ENTERTAINMENT PIECE, WE ASKED THAT OF HOSTS BECAUSE WE NOTICED IT WAS ABSENT.
AGAIN, HOST IS A GREAT PARTNER.
[05:05:01]
PASSION TOWARDS THEIR BUSINESS PLAN.BUT YOU HEARD HOST ARTICULATE THAT WAS NOT PART OF THEIR PLAN.
THE ANSWER IS THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER PUTTING ENTERTAINMENT IN.
THAT ANSWER MAY CHANGE, BUT WE DID HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN THE INTERVIEW.
>> IF I COULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMAN, YOU CAN -- WE CAN, IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO SWITCH OUT CONCEPTS UNDER THE SAME THAT DOESN'T FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE EITHER THE CONTRACT ITSELF OR THE SCORING.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR IS GOING BACK AND ASKING FOR A RESCORE, RESUBMITTAL.
IF COUNCIL SAID, HEY, WE WANT TO GO WITH ANOTHER GROUP, BUT THEY WANT YOU ALL IN THAT DECISION TO DO ENTERTAINMENT OR AUDIO], WOULD THAT BE ALLOWED?
>> I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S ALLOWED SHORT OF STARTING FROM GROUND ZERO.
IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, THE REASON COUNCIL WANTS TO SWITCH OUT THE CONCEPT ON THE WINNING PROPOSAL IS FOR POLICY REASONS, NOT QUALITY OF PROPOSAL REASONS.
>> SO WE'RE CALLING THE SWITCH OF CHICK-FIL-A OR EVEN PANDA A POLICY DECISION AND NOT A -- NOT SOMETHING ELSE?
>> AS I'M UNDERSTANDING IT, THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING THE SWITCHING OF CHICK-FIL-A FOR POLICY REASONS.
LET'S TAKE CHICK-FIL-A OFF THE TABLE.
LET'S GO BACK TO THE PANDA THING.
THAT WAS STAFF OR CITY COUNCIL.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM.
THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WAS PANDA.
SOMEBODY SAID LET'S SWITCH THAT OUT FOR CHICK-FIL-A.
WHY WAS THAT ALLOWED AS OPPOSED TO NOT ALLOWING AN INSERTION OF ENTERTAINMENT?
>> AS I UNDERSTAND, THAT WAS DONE DURING THE NEGOTIATION OF THE CONTRACT, AND IT WAS A SWITCH FROM ONE CATEGORY FOR ANOTHER CONCEPT WITHIN THE SAME CATEGORY.
>> HALL: SO ADDING ENTERTAINMENT IS -- COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PART OF NEGOTIATION.
>> IT ABSOLUTELY COULD HAVE, HAD THEY BEEN THE RECOMMENDED ENTITY, NOTWITHSTANDING THEIR RESPONSES VERBALLY TO US, BUT THEY COULD HAVE.
>> AND IF YOU'RE SAYING THEY'RE NOT THE RECOMMENDED ENTITY, WHAT IF THEY BECOME THE RECOMMENDED COMMITTEE BY THE COUNCIL, CAN THAT BE AN ELEMENT OF --
>> AGAIN, I THINK THE COUNCIL COULD REJECT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, COULD SELECT SOMEBODY ELSE, AND IT'S UP TO THEM IF THEY WANT TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION.
YOU'D HAVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM ON THAT.
THE PROCESS FOR MAKING THAT CHANGE, NUMBER ONE, IS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE RP, AND IT WAS IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS.
WE HAVE NOT NEGOTIATED ANYTHING WITH HOST BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE RECOMMENDED ENTITY.
>> YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF CHOICES, ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF, REJECT THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF, AMEND IT AS THE MOTION INDICATES SLIGHTLY TO DO A LIKE-FOR-LIKE SWITCHOUT WITH PARAMETERS ESTABLISHED.
AND REJECT AND PICK SOMEBODY ELSE AND WE'D HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT.
>> HALL: I WANTED TO SEE HOW FAR THE CONCEPT COULD PUSH ON EITHER SIDE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK BOTH TEAMS -- AND MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION -- ONE FOR ANTHONY ALESSI, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE A DIFFERENT QUESTION FOR REGINALD OR RENEE.
SO MY FIRST QUESTION IS STAFF TALKED ABOUT LACKING OF ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR PROPOSAL.
WHY DID YOU REJECT IT THEY ASKED IF YOU'D BE WILLING TO ADD IT?
>> WE WOULD ADD WHAT THEY WANT.
WE BOTH PLAY IN THE SAME FIELD AND PROVIDE THE SAME.
FACT, IF QUEER GOING TO CHANGE THE CONCEPT, I'D ARGUE IT'S A MATERIAL CHANGE IN REVENUE PROJECTIONS.
I'LL RAISE THE RENT AND IN AUDIO] THE MAG.
>> HALL: YOU'RE SAYING, NOW, YEAH, WE'LL ADD ENTERTAINMENT.
IT SOUNDED LIKE STAFF ASKED YOU AND YOU SAID NO.
>> WE WERE NEVER APPROACHED BY STAFF ON ANYTHING.
>> AS I INDICATED, THEY WERE NOT THE RECOMMENDED ENTITY.
WHAT WE DID WAS DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, WE SAID THE RFP HAS A REQUIREMENT OF MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT.
YOUR APPLICATION, BASED ON WHAT WE CAN SEE, DOES NOT CONTAIN THAT.
WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ADD THAT? THE RESPONSE WAS, WE DON'T THINK THAT'S VALUABLE.
[05:10:01]
THEIR DISCUSSION EARLIER THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE THE VALUE TO THAT.IN THE RESPONSE BACK DURING THE INTERVIEWS, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS GIMMICKY, SORT OF AUSTIN-LIKE.
THAT'S NOT BEEN WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM ASK FOR, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SCORED DIFFERENTLY.
IF YOU DO HIT THEM, THAT'S GOING TO ENHANCE YOUR SCORES.
WHAT IS NOT -- YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T TRY TO NEGOTIATE ON THE MAG EITHER.
THERE'S ABOUT A $6,000 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARADIES AND -- THAT WAS ALL PART OF THE SCORE.
ALEX, I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU.
SO IN YOUR PROPOSAL, YOU COULD HAVE PUT ANY MAG NUMBER YOU WANTED.
>> HALL: I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE ALL FOUR UP, BUT YOURS WAS ONE OF THE LOWEST.
OUT OF ALL THE NUMBERS YOU COULD HAVE PUT UP THERE, WHY THAT NUMBER AND WHY NOT SOMETHING HIGHER? AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I'VE SEEN THE REVENUES THAT THE CURRENT PROVIDERS ARE DOING.
AND YOU COULD HAVE PUT A HIGHER NUMBER, BUT YOU DIDN'T, AND SO WHY NOT?
>> PART OF IT WAS THE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS THING.
IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT A MAG IN THERE THAT -- TODAY WE PAY OF THE GOALS IS TO MAKE SURE.
SO WE BID ABOUT AUDIO], IT'S AN INDUSTRY TREND MOST OPERATORS DO.
WHAT WE DON'T SEE IN THE SCORING OPERATION, IS WE COMMITTED $1.2 MILLION MORE IN CAPITAL THAN PARADIES DID TO BUILD OUT THE FACILITIES.
>> HALL: AND THAT'S A ONE-TIME DEAL, RIGHT?
>> UPFRONT DEAL INVESTED IN YOUR AIRPORT.
>> HALL: IT DOESN'T MEET THE 6 MILLION.
>> MY GUESS IS I COULD GIVE YOU THE SAME RENT THAT THEY PROPOSED.
>> HALL: AND THE FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A SIMILAR QUESTION THAT I'LL ASK FOR THE OTHER TEAM.
I HEARD IN YOUR COMMENTS EARLIER -- AND I LIKE THE CONCEPT.
YOU TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE EQUITY PIECE.
AND IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT LOWER, BUT WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR STRUCTURE OF YOUR TEAM VERSUS THEIRS THAT MIGHT DIFFERENTIATE BEYOND THE 35 VERSUS THE 30%?
I THINK THAT COMES DOWN TO THE EXPERIENCE, THE NUMBER ONE FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
A LICENSED AGREEMENT MEANS WE HAVE A CONTRACT.
IRON CLAD, I CAN DO WHAT I WANT TO.
BUT THE PERSON GETS A ROYALTY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE SENT.
J JOHNNY HERNANDEZ CHALLENGED US AND SAID THE CITY WANTS TO THE COMMUNITY TO MEET THIS.
THEY WANT US TO DO THIS WITH THEM.
THAT'S WHEN WE PUT THE EQUITY INVESTMENT.
JOHNNY WAS THE KEY TO BRINGING EVERYBODY TO THE TABLE.
EACH ONE OF THOSE SAID JOHNNY, WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF THIS.
JOHNNY AND I HAVE BEEN REALLY FIGURING OUT A SYSTEM.
WE'RE WELL MOVE OUR MAG AT THE AIRPORT, AND WE'RE PAYING IT AND GROWING WITH THE AIRPORT ALONG THE WAY.
AGAIN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT CAPITAL, THE PROCESS HAS BEEN A LITTLE CONFUSING.
YOU LOOK AT ONLY RENT BUT YOU DON'T LOOK AT THE CAPITAL SPENT.
THAT'S ALL PART OF THE INVESTMENT WE'RE MAKING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
WHETHER IT'S COMING IN RENT IN 583, THE INFRASTRUCTURES, THE PLUMBING, ALL UP TO GRADE.
WE'VE BUILT RESTAURANTS, LA GLORIA BEING THE LAST ONE.
IN THAT CONTRACT WE SPENT, WE SPENT BASICALLY WHAT PARADIES SAYING WE SPENT IN 2013, THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND IN TODAY'S DOLLAR.
THE PERSPECTIVE OF, ARE THEY REALLY INVESTING ENOUGH IN YOUR AIRPORT, OR DID THEY JUST THROW IT AT THE RENT SIDE OF YOUR BUSINESS?
>> HALL: SO AS FAR AS THE STRUCTURE, THE LICENSING PIECE, YOU THINK, IS REALLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR STRUCTURE AND THEIRS?
>> JOHNNY WILL TELL YOU THE STORY, I SENT MY PROCUREMENT GUY TO TALK TO JOHNNY ABOUT CHEESE.
WE DO A LOT OF CHILI'S IN THE AIRPORT.
JOHNNY'S CHEESE COSTS 20 CENTS.
JOHNNY REFERS TO HIM AS CHILI HERNANDEZ, I THINK, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT JOHNNY'S VISION WAS.
COMPANIES LIKE ME WILL STRETCH THAT THROUGH A LICENSING AND A ROLL-TO STRUCTURE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO IT.
[05:15:01]
WE'LL CUT STAFF IF WE DON'T MAKE THE MONEY.AS YOU HEARD FROM JOHNNY, HE HASN'T LET ME DO ANY OF THAT AT THE AIRPORT.
>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAPITAL INVESTMENT HE'S REFERRING TO.
WHAT WE RECEIVED, WE WROTE DOWN ON THAT.
WE DON'T TYPICALLY SCORE THAT.
PARADIES OFFERED $7.8 MILLION ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HOST OFFERED $8 MILLION.
AND SO MY QUESTIONS ON THE STRUCTURE PIECE, WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE HOST TEAM, I LIKED THE STRUCTURE CONCEPT.
AND I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.
HOW DOES YOUR STRUCTURE CONCEPT, THE LICENSING CONCEPT DIFFER FROM THEIRS? SELL ME ON THAT VERSUS THE STRUCTURE THEY HAVE IN PLACE.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THEIR PROPOSAL, BUT I HEARD WHAT RUSS SAID IS THAT BOTH OF US -- IT'S COMMON PRACTICE ACROSS THE U.S. AT AIRPORTS THAT WE LICENSE BRANDS.
THAT'S WHY COMPANIES LIKE US AND LIKE HOST PROPOSE AT AIRPORTS.
WE'RE THE OPERATOR, BUT WE WORK HAND IN HAND WITH OUR BRAND PARTNERS.
YOU HEARD FROM OUR BRAND PARTNERS.
THE REASON THEY WENT WITH IS BECAUSE THEY TRUST US WITH THEIR BRAND.
ANDREW WISEMAN, A FOUR-TIME JAMES BEARD NOMINEE, CIA CHEF, WHO HE'S NEVER DONE THIS WITH ANYBODY ELSE BEFORE HIS ENTIRE CAREER.
SO HE DOESN'T DO THIS LIGHTLY.
NEITHER DO ANY OF THE OTHER BRAND OWNERS.
THEY'RE COMMITTED TO THE AIRPORT.
THEY'RE COMMITTED TO THEIR BRANDS.
THEY'RE COMMITTED TO BEING THERE.
AND WE'RE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYBODY ELSE.
AND I WANT TO LET -- REGINALD IS UP HERE, TOO, BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU A LOOK INTO HOW WE OPERATE WITH SOME OF THESE CHEFS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> WE DON'T ALLOW ANY OF OUR CHEFS TO JUST PUT THEIR NAME ABOVE THE DOOR WITHOUT INVOLVEMENT.
OUR CHEFS ARE INVOLVED FROM THE BEGINNING WITH SOURCING THE FLATWARE AND THE STYLE OF SERVICE AND THE PROCUREMENT OF THE PRODUCT AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU COULD IMAGINE, THE DESIGN OF THE RESTAURANT.
A PERFECT EXAMPLE, WE HAVE CELEBRITY CHEF KAT CORA IN OUR PORT PORTFOLIO, WITH A LICENSED AGREEMENT.
THAT AGREEMENT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH WHAT YOU'VE BEEN JUST HEARING.
HOWEVER, SHE'S INVOLVED WITH EVERYTHING IN OUR RESTAURANT.
SHE VISITS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
SHE CAN GET IN AND OUT OF OUR AIRPORTS.
SHE'S THERE WORKING WITH OUR CULINARY TEAM.
SHE'S THERE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AND INTERACTING WITH OUR GUESTS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN, BUT IT'S NOT JUST PUTTING THE NAME ABOVE THE DOOR AND WALKING AWAY.
WE ARE MANIACS ABOUT EXECUTION.
WE ARE MANIACS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF OUR ENTIRE BUSINESS.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THAT'S NOT WHAT I HEARD.
I HEARD, YEAH, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE SAME SOURCES OF A PRODUCT.
I HEARD MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE SAME EQUIPMENT.
SO A LOT OF THE FRONT-END STUFF, I AGREE.
I HEARD THAT THE VENDORS ARE PART OF THAT.
AFTER ALL THAT FRONT STUFF IS DONE, AFTER THE NAME IS ON THERE, AFTER THE TRAINING THAT THEY'RE REQUIRING YOU ALL TO PROVIDE WHOEVER IS SELLING, HOW ARE THOSE CHEFS INVOLVED IN YEAR TWO?
>> THEY COME BACK, AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO VISIT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
>> IT COULD BE AS OFTEN AS EVERY OTHER MONTH.
IT COULD BE AS OFTEN AS ONCE A QUARTER.
BUT WE HAVE A CULINARY TEAM WHO'S DUPLICATING THEIR EFFORTS, THEIR RECIPES AND SO FORTH AND SO ON, BUT THEY COME BACK AND THEY VISIT US.
AND IN OUR CONTRACTS, WE SAY TO THEM EXACTLY HOW FREQUENTLY WE WANT THEM TO VISIT US.
AND IT VARIES FROM CELEBRITY CHEF TO CELEBRITY CHEF.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD, AND I WANT ANDREW TO TELL A STORY.
I JUST WANT TO ADD, I MEAN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR TEAM IS THEY'RE LICENSED, BUT THEY ARE -- I MEAN, CHRIS, I HAVE HEARD HIM SAY TEN TIMES, I WANT TO BE AT THE AIRPORT EVERY DAY.
[05:20:01]
I'M GOING TO HAVE AUDIO] INVOLVED.AND THEY'RE INVESTED IN THIS PROCESS.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY TAKE LIGHTLY.
IF WE'RE ARE NOT MEET BRAND STANDARDS AND WE'RE GETTING BAD REVIEWS ON YELP, THAT'S BAD FOR US TOO.
>> IN MY CONTRACT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT SAYS IN MY TEAMMATES' CONTRACTS, BUT IN MINE, I STIPULATED THAT I WANTED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND THE REASON FOR THAT -- AND IT'S THE SAME ON THE OTHER TEAM, THESE PROFESSIONALS ON THE OTHER TEAM ARE THE SAME WAY.
WE WALK THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE UNSOLICITED WILL WALK UP IN THE MALL, IN H.E.B. WILL SAY I HAD A TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCE OR A LOUSY EXPERIENCE, WHATEVER THE SITUATION MAY BE.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT THE KIND OF THING WHERE I JUST HAND OVER THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM AND JUST SAY RUN WITH IT.
IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
IN FACT, FIVE YEARS AGO, I WAS APPROACHED TO DO THE AIRPORT.
AFTER SEEING WHAT THEY PROPOSED, I KIND OF AGREED TO IT ORIGINALLY, AND ONCE I READ THE FINE PRINT AND HAD AN ATTORNEY LOOK AT IT, IT WASN'T AT ALL WHAT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, SO I PULLED OUT.
WHEN I VETTED EVERYTHING AND CALLED OTHER CHEFS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH THEM, THEY ARE ADAMANT ABOUT KEEPING BRAND STANDARDS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HALL.
>> COURAGE: FROM WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, WHICH IS REALLY ALMOST RE-EVALUATING BOTH OF THESE CONTRACTS, TO THE POINT THAT WAS BROUGHT UP BY COUN COUNCILMAN TREVINO, HE MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE CHICK-FIL-A UNDER THE CONTRACT THAT'S PENDING.
WE HEARD, I THINK, SOME INTERESTING POINTS BROUGHT UP BY COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE DO THAT IN THIS SITUATION, IT'S WORTHY OF A MORE FORMAL DISCUSSION.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN MANY OTHER NEGOTIATIONS WE MAY ENTER INTO WITH OTHER BUSINESSES AND OTHER ENTITIES IN THE COMMUNITY? AND I THINK THAT'S GOING WAY BEYOND WHAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT AT THIS TIME.
I JUST AM CONCERNED THAT IF WE START PICKING AND CHOOSING BASED ON SOCIAL ISSUES, THEN DOES THAT MEAN WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A CERTAIN HEALTH GROUP GO INTO THE MEDICAL CENTER? OR WE DON'T WANT TO RENT A SPACE TO A BUSINESS ON THE RIVERWALK BECAUSE WHAT THEIR OWNER HAS DONE IN THE PAST? OR ARE WE NOT GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ALLOW A BUILDING TO BE REZONED OR SOMETHING BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE HOUSED BY ATHEISTS OR HUMANISTS OR AGNOSTICS OR WHATEVER? I THINK THAT IS GOING DOWN A VERY WRONG PATH FOR THIS CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE.
SO I'M GOING TO REITERATE MY OPPOSITION TO HIS MOTION.
AND I JUST HOPE THAT THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS WILL GIVE THAT THEIR CONSIDERATION TOO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
I AGREE, I THINK THIS IS THE WRONG THING TO DO AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS.
IF SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, IT'S DETERMINED IT DOESN'T FIT THE NDO, ABSOLUTELY, MAKE THOSE CHANGES.
BUT RIGHT NOW, WE ARE DEALING WITH THE CONTRACT.
AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE AWARDING OR WHETHER IT SHOULD NOT BE.
NOT ABOUT PULLING TEAMS OFF OF THIS AND SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR THE FUTURE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WITHOUT HAVING THAT MUCH LARGER DISCUSSION WHETHER THAT SHOULD BE DONE OR SHOULDN'T BE DONE AT THIS POINT.
SO I WANT TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION AND DISPLEASURE WITH THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME IN THIS RFP PROCESS.
THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THAT.
SO I EQUALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT REFINING THE PROCESS AGAIN.
WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING SURE IF THERE'S A THRESHOLD, THE TIME OF THRESHOLD, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO MANY YEARS, THE DOLLAR AMOUNT AND LOOKING AT A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT, LET'S HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
[05:25:02]
DISCUSSED THIS, SO THAT'S WHY I WAS SURPRISED THIS DIDN'T GO TO A B SESSION.NEXT, I DID HAVE A QUESTION FOR, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD BOTH SIDES COME UP TO THE PODIUM AND SAY, YES, WE WOULD DO THIS, WE WOULD DO THAT, ET CETERA.
AND TALKING ABOUT -- I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, EVEN THE MAKEUP.
AND THAT WAS KIND OF ONE OF THE QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMAN HALL ASKED IT A LOT BETTER THAN I DID ABOUT THE MAKEUP AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE TEAMS. I FIRST WANTED TO BRING UP -- AND IT WAS PRETTY PASSIONATE.
IF I CAN HAVE CHEF JASON COME UP, I DID WANT TO ASK ABOUT -- SO IT'S A STRUCTURING OF NOT JUST LICENSING, BUT IT WOULD BE COMING UP AND TALKING ABOUT YOUR INTERACTION AND YOUR PLAY IN A RESTAURANT.
AGAIN, I THINK WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT WE HAVE FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES.
LISTEN, I'VE BEEN ADMIRING ANDREW WEISMAN FROM THE DAY I MOVED TO THIS TOWN AS A KID WE UNDERSTAND THE DILEMMA.
I THINK FROM THE EQUITY POINT AND MY PERSPECTIVE IS -- AND AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THE PERCENTAGES, BUT I COULD ARBITRARILY SAY MAYBE THEIR LICENSING FEE IS 5%.
THE REST OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO THE MAIN COMPANY OUT OF ATLANTA.
THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR GROUP IS EVERY SINGLE PERSON BACK HERE HAS AT LEAST ARBITRARILY ABOUT A 10% EQUITY.
THAT MONEY STAYS RIGHT HERE IN THIS CITY.
IT GOES RIGHT BACK TO MY STAFF HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, ALLOWS ME TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
ALLOWS JOHNNY TO CONTINUE TO GOW HIS RESTAURANT GROUP.
IT ALLOWS GEORGE TO CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO HIS EAST SIDE ACADEMY.
THE DIFFERENCE IS, WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE COMMITTED, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, YOU'RE FAR MORE INVESTED.
THAT'S NOT THEIR TALENT, THEIR SKILL SET OR THEIR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.
THE DIFFERENCE IS IF IT'S NOT GOING WELL, IF YOU'RE NOT MAKING YOUR MAG, RIGHT? I'M INVESTED IN THIS.
I'M PUTTING IN MY OWN CAPITAL TO BE PART OF THIS EVENT.
I CAN'T SPEAK WHETHER THEY ARE OR NOT, BUT I HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.
I'M GOING TO BE FAR MORE COMMITTED, FAR MORE INTO IT BECAUSE MY MONEY IS ON THE LINE.
NOT SOME BIG CORPORATIONS, ALTHOUGH, YES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT FOR OVERALL CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND THAT TYPE OF THING.
BUT THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE, IN MY OPINION, IS WHEN YOU GET TO THAT 5% OR 10%, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS, THAT MONEY IS STAYING HERE, REINVESTED IN YOUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDING JOBS FOR PEOPLE HERE, AND IT ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE ASPECT THAT'S FAR MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT MONEY STAYING HERE.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WANTED TO BRING UP SELENA AND CARLINO CORTEZ.
I WANTED YOU ALL TO TALK ABOUT YOUR MAKEUP AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP OR YOUR SKIN IN THE GAME, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM HERE IN THIS, PLEASE.
AND AGAIN, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE OTHER TEAM'S PROPOSAL OR WHAT WAS IN WHAT THEY PRESENTED, SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.
BUT NOT ONLY ARE WE HAVING LICENSEE PARTNERS WITH THE RESTAURANTEURS AND THE CHEFS WE PRESENTED EARLIER, BUT WE ARE EQUITY PARTNERS.
WE ARE PUTTING IN MONEY IN AUDIO] THAT ARE ALREADY AT THE AIRPORT WHO ARE FOOD SERVICE PROFESSIONALS WHO DON'T TAKE THESE BRANDS LIGHTLY.
WE DON'T TAKE THEIR REPUTATIONS LIGHTLY.
WE WILL BE THERE ALONGSIDE THEM BECAUSE, LIKE WE MENTIONED, THEY'VE TAKEN BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS TO BUILD THEIR BRANDS.
NOT ONLY ARE THEY PROVIDING PRODUCT TO THESE RESTAURANTS, IT'S NOT PARADIES HERE AND THERE, IT'S DELIVERING BAGELS AND SMOKE SHACK DELIVERING BRISKET.
IT'S THEIR NAME ON IT AND ALSO OUR NAME AS WELL.
>> I CONCUR WITH WHAT SHE SAYS.
BUT ALSO IN REGARDS TO THE PRODUCT THAT'S BEING BROUGHT IN, IT'S THE PRODUCT THAT ANDREW AND CHRIS, IT'S WHAT THEY WANT.
THE EQUIPMENT, IT'S WHAT THEY WANT AS WELL.
THEY HAVE TO APPROVE EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING INTO THESE RESTAURANTS.
AND I HAVE MY SKIN IN THE GAME, AND I'M COMMITTED TO BEING THERE AS WELL.
WE'RE ALL A GREAT TEAM AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS.
>> VIAGRAN: SO I GUESS THAT GOES BACK FOR ME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE RESTAURANT AND WITH OUR PUBLIC AND EVERYBODY AND WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE AIRPORT.
SO IF THINGS ARE NOT GOING THE WAY THEY ARE, IF THEY ARE GOING SOUTH OR IF THEY ARE GOING SIDEWAYS IN SOME WAYS, THE ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE UPON YOU
[05:30:01]
TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE GETTING BACK ON TRACK OR WHAT HAVE YOU.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION, I GUESS -- I DON'T KNOW.
IN THIS, WITH THE MINIMUM, THE MAG, AND IF WE DON'T SEE THEM HITTING THE MAG OF THE 2.1 MILLION -- IS THAT RIGHT? IF WE DON'T SEE THEM HITTING THE MAG, THEN WHAT IS THE RECOURSE ON THE CITY? BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GONE ON SO MANY OTHER CONTRACTS, COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ASKED FOR A CHANGE ON THE MAG BECAUSE SOMETHING HAPPENED HERE AND SOMETHING HAPPENED HERE.
AND IN 2018, IT WAS OUR 300TH ANNIVERSARY.
WE HAD A LOT OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS, WE HAD THE FINAL FOUR.
OUR AIRPORT DID REALLY, REALLY WELL.
MY CONCERN IS THE MAG, IF NOT JUST THE CURRENT PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE, HOST, BUT ALSO THE FUTURE PEOPLE, WHAT IS THE RECOURSE IF OUR MAG IS NOT GETTING HIT?
>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CONTRACT REMEDIES THAT GO ALL THE WAY UP TO TERMINATION, BUT OBVIOUSLY, BEFORE YOU WOULD EXERCISE THAT ONE, YOU WOULD WORK WITH THE VENDOR IN TERMS OF SHOWING THAT THEY ARE NOT REACHING THEIR MAG, THEY'RE IN BREACH OF THE AGREEMENT AND HOPEFULLY WORKING WITH THEM ON A WAY TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE DIFFERENCE AND WORK WITH THEM ON HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN CONSISTENTLY HIT THE MAG.
>> WE ALSO MANDATE A PERFORMANCE BOND AT 50%, A LITTLE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE CAN USE FOR LACK OF COMPLIANCE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PLAY.
WE WANT TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE, IN THE LONG TERM.
THERE'S REALLY ONLY ONE PROVISION IN THE CONTRACT THAT REQUIRES US TO GO BACK AND RENEGOTIATE A MAG, AND THAT'S A 25% REDUCTION AND NEGATIVE PERFORMANCE.
WE CERTAINLY DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT.
BUT WE DID PUT PROVISIONS IN THE CONTRACT WHERE, IF WE SEE A REDUCTION IN REVENUE FOR ANY PARTICULAR VENUE, THAT THAT WILL BRING US BACK TO THE TABLE TO HAVE THAT NEGOTIATION.
AND THERE'S EVEN A NUMBER THAT IF THEY EXCEED THAT MUCH OF A REDUCTION, WE CAN ACTUALLY MANDATE THAT THEY SWAP OUT A CONCEPT.
NEITHER ONE OF THESE BUSINESSES WOULD EVER ALLOW IT TO GET TO THAT POINT BEFORE THEY WOULD EITHER APPROVE OR CONSIDER.
>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT, COUNCILMAN.
WE DO HAVE A CONTRACTUAL PROVISION THAT ADDRESS REVENUE EVEN BEFORE THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE NOT HITTING THE MAG.
SO YOU TALKED ABOUT SWAPPING OUT A CONCEPT, IF NEEDED.
I'M SURE THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS THAT HAVE TO BE HIT BEFORE YOU SWAP OUT A CONCEPT.
BUT HOW IS THE COUNCIL -- OR HOW WOULD WE BE NOTIFIED IF THERE'S A SWAPPING OUT OF CONCEPT THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE? BECAUSE I THINK WE'D WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S FOCUSED ON WHATEVER CATEGORY OR THE LOCAL AUTHENTIC KIND OF FEELING.
I HATE TO LOOK TO YOU, ANDY, BUT THAT IS A PROCESS QUESTION.
IF WE EVER GET TO A POINT WHERE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT SWAPPING OUT A CONCEPT, WE CAN CERTAINLY COME BACK AND ADVISE THE COUNCIL.
>> IT'S REALLY AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING CONTRACT, SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BRING TO YOU.
BUT WE'RE SWAPPING IT OUT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT HITTING THE MAG.
>> OR NOT PERFORMING TO EXPECTATIONS, RIGHT.
>> AND IF I MAY, IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO KNOW ANY TIME THAT WE'RE SWITCHING OUT A CONCEPT, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON, WE CAN DO THAT.
AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN VIAGRAN.
I JUST WANT TO KIND OF REVISIT THE ORIGINAL MOTION AGAIN.
AT THE HEART OF THIS IS SOMETHING -- YOU KNOW, WE WORK THIS OUT WITH STAFF.
WE DON'T FEEL IT'S A MATERIAL CHANGE, AND BOTTOM LINE IS REMOVING DISCRIMINATORY BUSINESSES, REGARDLESS OF WHAT PROTECTED CLASS THEY ARE PREJUDICE AGAINST.
AND I THINK WE'VE FOUND A WAY FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN GET ON WITH THIS CONTRACT AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S EXPECTED OF ALL OF US.
AND WE HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION FROM -- PREVIOUS COUNCILS HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE NDO.
WE KNOW IT'S A TOUGH DISCUSSION, BUT IT'S MOMENTS LIKE THIS THAT WE NEED TO SHOW WE STANDBY IT.
WE WANT TO DEMONSTRATE ALL OF OUR ELEMENTS AS A COMPASSIONATE CITY, THE NDO, THINGS LIKE PRIDE CROSSWALK THAT WE CELEBRATED LAST YEAR, DO MEAN SOMETHING IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO ASK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THIS MOTION.
[05:35:01]
THANK YOU, MAYOR.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN TREVINO.
WE'RE GETTING PRETTY CLOSE TO THE END.
JOHNNY, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS IF YOU'D BE OKAY WITH THAT.
YOU'VE GOT SIX YEARS' EXPERIENCE HERE.
I THINK I WILL BE VERY HONEST, AND I PLAY WITH MY CARDS FACE UP HERE.
IF YOU WANTED MY VOTE OR INFLUENCE ON ANYTHING, YOU WOULD THROW UP JOHNNY HERNANDEZ AND PUT HIM ON A TEAM.
I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE VOTING ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, BUT THAT'S HOW MUCH RESPECT I'VE GOT FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
EVEN GREATER ADDING THE ICE MAN TO THE DEAL.
THIS MAKES IT PRETTY TOUGH FOR ME, BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT.
THAT ASIDE, THE CONNECTION, THE FACT THAT I'M A FAN OF YOUR WORK, THAT ASIDE, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME WHEN YOU AND YOUR TEAM WAS MAKING THE CASE.
I SAID, IF THERE'S AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE ABOUT LOOKING AT THIS DIFFERENTLY, IT'S THIS QUESTION OF LICENSING.
AND SO I THINK THAT YOU COULD SAY WITH VERY COLORFUL RHETORIC AND LANGUAGE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE TAKING ON THE LICENSING ARE GOING TO BE PARTICIPANTS.
BUT I THINK YOU KNOW THAT'S VERY MUCH -- THAT THAT'S NOT TRUE IN MANY CASES AND THAT IF YOU ARE SAYING THAT IT'S TRUE TODAY, THERE IS MUCH MORE YOU HAVE TO DO TO LIVE UP TO THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO RUN INTO RESISTANCE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO RUN INTO A BIG COMPANY, CORPORATION, WHO IS GOING TO TELL YOU, NO, YOU CAN'T DO THOSE THINGS, WHETHER IT'S THE 10 CENTS, 20 CENTS CHEESE DIFFERENCE OR NOT.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE AUTHORITY ON THIS THAN ANYBODY IN THE ROOM.
SIX YEARS AGO, THAT WAS THE COUNCIL DECISION AT THE TIME, RIGHT? WE WANT EQUITY OWNERSHIP TO BE REPRESENTED IN THE BUSINESSES, IN THE AIRPORT, CONSUMER FACING EXPERIENCES THAT WERE LOCAL.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IS IT LEGAL BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THE AIRPORT FUNDING MECHANISM THAT IT IS, BUT THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME SAID THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT.
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT OPERATING THE AIRPORT AND WORKING WITH A $3.5 BILLION COMPANY, THE COUNCIL SAVED ME AND MY BUSINESS REPUTATION BECAUSE THEY INSISTED ON LOCAL -- ON OWNERSHIP, EQUITY OWNERSHIP.
BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT PUTS YOU AT THE TABLE FOR THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE IN OUR INDUSTRY DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
I'VE WORKED FOR -- I HAVE JVS WITH THREE DIFFERENT BILLION-DOLLAR COMPANIES.
I WILL NEVER SELL A LICENSE TO A COMPANY THAT IS PROFIT DRIVE BECAUSE IT BEGINS TO UNRAVEL.
THE AIRPORT IS THE MOST COMPLEX ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO RUN A RESTAURANT.
I'VE WORKED IN VEGAS, INTERNATIONALLY AND LOCALLY.
BUT MY BRAND, I DON'T SHARE THAT AS A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH NO ONE.
I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CHEFS THAT HOST BROUGHT IN WITH RICK BAYLIS, TODD ENGLISH.
IT WAS KAT CORA AND WOLFGANG PUCK.
I AM PROBABLY THE ONLY JV PARTNER THAT HOST HAS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT PROTECTING YOUR BRAND IS ESSENTIALLY -- THAT IS MY CORE PHILOSOPHY.
SO YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT A LICENSE AGREEMENT IS THE SAME AS A JV BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER DONE IT.
AND I'VE BEEN OFFERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR OUR BRAND.
AND I KNOW THE TEAM THAT I ASSEMBLED, THAT'S FUNDAMENTALLY THE CORE OF THEIR BUSINESS, AND THAT'S HOW THEY OPERATE.
AND IT'S JUST -- THOSE ARE TWO WORLDS APART BECAUSE I'VE SEEN BOTH SIDES.
AND THE AIRPORT IS A DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT TO WORK IN.
HARDER THAN THE DOME, HARDER THAN AT&T.
IMPLEMENTATION IS ESSENTIAL AND FUNDAMENTAL.
MY JOB IN THIS PARTNERSHIP IS TO MENTOR THEM.
THEIR BRANDS ARE UP FRONT, AND MY GOAL OR MY JOB IS TO MENTOR THEM.
SO WE HIT -- SO CONSUMER FACING, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T SUFFER THAT GUEST EXPERIENCE THAT THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION IS ABOUT.
YOU KNOW? THAT'S -- YOU CAN'T COMPARE THOSE TWO THINGS BECAUSE I'VE LOOKED MANY TIMES, AND I'VE TURNED IT DOWN MANY TIMES.
>> JOHNNY, THANK YOU FOR THIS INPUT.
AND I'LL JUST THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I WAS WALKING INTO THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS TODAY, COMING UP WITH STRATEGIES IF I WERE GOING TO SUPPORT THE GROUP THAT CAME IN SECOND.
ONE OF MY STRATEGIES GOING INTO
[05:40:01]
HOW I WOULD MAKE THIS CASE WAS EXACTLY THE OUTLINE THAT JOHNNY DESCRIBED.THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER, THE GAME CHANGER IN WHAT IS HAPPENING.
WHAT I THINK JOHNNY IS PROPOSING IN HIS TEAM IS THAT THEY WOULD EACH GO THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING PARTNERS WHO WOULD NOT LOSE THEIR BRAND AND THAT HE WOULD BE THEIR MENTOR COACH AND MAKING SURE THOSE THINGS WOULD HAPPEN AT BAKER IN THE RAIN OR AT TWO BROS OR AT THE SOUTHERLY CONCEPT.
THAT'S WHAT I HAD CONFIDENCE IN.
THE OTHER LINE IS HOW DO I OVERCOME THE 20-POINT DIFFERENCE? THAT'S WHERE I THINK I WAS STRUGGLING TO TRY TO MAKE THE CASE FOR IT IN MY OWN HEAD.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT JOHNNY COME UP HERE AND SPEAK TO THAT AS TESTIMONY TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS PROBABLY -- THIS PROBABLY DOESN'T EXIST IN ANY OTHER AIRPORT WHERE YOU HAVE A PERSON WHO HAS GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HAS SAID, LOOK, HOST OR THIS BIG COMPANY WAS NOT GOING TO ALLOW ME UNLESS I ASKED FOR EQUITY.
IT'S ALMOST A PITCH OF CAUTION.
I WILL TAKE PARADIES AT THEIR WORD, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL BE ENOUGH.
I THINK WE ALL WANT A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AT OUR AIRPORT.
AND IT MIGHT NOT JUST BE A NAME BRAND.
IT HAS TO BE THE QUALITY OF INGREDIENTS AND THE EXECUTION OF THE WORK.
IF YOU WERE MAKING A CASE TO GO AGAINST STAFF RECOMMENDATION, THAT MIGHT BE ONE.
BUT I THINK THE PROCESS PIECE IS ONE THAT'S DIFFICULT TO MAKE HERE.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE I'M LANDING TODAY, BUT A WORD OF CAUTION TO FOLKS WHO SAY THEY WILL BE INDEPENDENT AND THEIR BRAND WILL BE PROTECTED.
THERE ARE FACTS THAT ARE COUNTER TO THE FUTURE OF THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDAÑA.
WE'VE REACHED THE END OF OUR DISCUSSION.
WE'LL TAKE UP THE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYONE'S PATIENCE.
THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR A VERY THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION.
I KNOW BOTH TEAMS, AS WELL AS OUR STAFF, HAD OUR FULL ATTENTION ON SOME OF THE FINER POINTS THAT WERE DISCUSSED.
BUT I WILL SAY THAT AT THE END OF ALL OF THIS, IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THERE REALLY AREN'T ANY LOSERS IN THIS PROCESS.
THE ONLY WAY WE COULD LOSE IS IF WE DIDN'T MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF WHAT WE DID.
AND I BELIEVE EVEN WITH ALL OF THE MEANDERING CONVERSATIONS, WE DID THAT.
SO I'M PLEASED AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL IN THIS REGARD.
SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN TREVINO ON APPROVAL OF ITEM 15 AS STATED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU WANT TO REPEAT THE MOTION?
>> IF I MAY, MAYOR, THE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TREVINO WAS TO REMOVE THE --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHY DON'T WE HAVE HIM RESTATE HIS MOTION?
I MOVE TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT, DIRECTING STAFF TO WORK WITH THE CONCESSIONAIRE TO WORK WITH SOMEONE OTHER THAN CHICK-FIL-A CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RFP WHICH WILL NOT CHANGE THE MAG OR DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE RENT.
JUST AS A REMINDER TO COUNCIL, IF THE MOTION IS DENIED OR STILL MOTION TO APPROVE THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AS RECOMMENDED.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 15 AS STATED BY COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
WELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
I THINK WE HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM.
DO WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT?
COUNCIL WILL NOW RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES AND RE
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
>> SANDOVAL: WE'LL BE BEGINNING THE ZONING PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
ITEMS -- I WANT TO NOTE THAT ITEM Z-10 AND Z-15 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN BY THEIR APPLICANTS.
ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE HAVE ITEMS Z-1, Z-2, Z-3, P-1, P-4, P-2, Z-5, Z-6, Z-7, Z-8, Z-9, Z-13, Z-16.
[05:45:03]
INDIVIDUAL, CORRECT?WE HAVE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION Z-11, 12, 14, 17,.
DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT ITEMS?
>> SANDOVAL: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR CONSENT ITEMS. AND WE HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
MR. FINGER, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> THANK YOU, MADAME MAYOR PRO TEM.
FOR THE RECORD, MY JAIM IS JACK M. FINGER.
JUST A LITTLE ASIDE ON THAT LAST BIG CONVERSATION, Y'ALL ARE STILL REHASHING THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION REGULATION THAT WAS PASSED FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO.
I'M HERE BUT CHICK-FIL-A RECOGNIZED THAT FACT BUT YOU THREW THEM UNDER THE BUS.
AND, YES, CONVERSION THERAPY DOES WORK.
THOUSANDS HAVE LEFT THAT WICKED LIFESTYLE BECAUSE OF IT THERE.
ANYWAY, ON TO TODAY'S -- THIS AFTERNOON'S SCANDALS.
ITEM NUMBER -- I'LL SKIP AROUND HERE.
THIS IS THE IDEA OF A -- WELL, WHAT THE STAFF CALLS ENCROACHMENT.
COMMERCIAL ENCROACHMENT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T LIKE ITEM NO. 14.
STAFF THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA.
THE ZONING COMMISSION THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA.
YET MR. BROCKHOUSE, YOU HAVE KEPT CONTINUING IT NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT YOU HAVE DONE IT ABOUT SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, SIR.
NOW, NORMALLY I CAN UNDERSTAND IF THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE DELIBERATIONS BETWEEN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE PROPOSERS THERE.
BUT QUITE FRANKLY, SIR, DELAYING AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE IS REALLY A FAVORITE TACTIC BY POLITICIANS.
A FAVORITE TACTIC TO JUST WEAR DOWN THE OPPOSITION.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, TO ME, IT STINKS.
I THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE A DECISION TO SAY NO TO THE WHOLE THING RIGHT HERE AND NOW, TODAY.
ELSEWHERE ON THE AGENDA, MS. VIAGRAN, IN YOUR DISTRICT, THERE IS ONE Z-10.
THE COMMISSION THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA MAINLY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT IT THERE EITHER.
I THINK OUT OF 14 NOTICES, OVER 20% SAID IT WAS A BAD IDEA.
I THINK MAYBE IT'S TIME -- WHEN YOU HAVE TWICE AS MUCH AS NORMAL, MAYBE IT'S TIME TO SAY NO TO THAT ONE AS WELL.
AND, ALSO, LIKE WISE IN YOUR DISTRICT, Z-11, ANOTHER USED CAR LOT.
LIKE WE NEED ANOTHER ONE ON FLORES AVENUE THERE.
OH, AND MR. TREVINO, THE BEACON HILL IS A SITE OF THE SIX RESIDENCES BEING SHOE HORNED INTO 621 BLANCO --
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE CONSENT ITEMS. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
[Z-11. ZONING CASE # Z-2018-900044 CD (Council District 3): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from “I-1 MLOD-2 MLR-2 AHOD” General Industrial Lackland Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 2 Airport Hazard Overlay District to “C-2 MLOD-2 MLR-2 AHOD” Commercial Lackland Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 2 Airport Hazard Overlay District on 0.291 acres and "C-2 CD MLOD-2 MLR-2 AHOD” Commercial Lackland Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 2 Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for Motor Vehicle Sales on 0.345 acres out of NCB 7692, located at 6014 South Flores Street. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval, with Conditions.]
THE MOTION CARRIES.ON TO INDIVIDUAL ZONING ITEMS. FIRST ITEM, Z-11.
>> CONDITIONAL USE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LOCATED AT 6014 SOUTH FLORES STREET.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS.
SCREENING OF OUTDOOR STORAGE NEAR RESIDENTIAL AREAS, NO FREE STANDING POLE OR LED SIGNS, NO TEMPORARY SINUS, DOWNWARD FACING NEW LIGHT FIXTURES.
23 NOTICES MAILED, ONE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED AND THE MISSION SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS IN SUPPORT .
I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR WORKING WITH THE APPLICANT TO OBTAINING THESE CONDITIONS.
I ALSO WANTED TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT THAT STATES THAT THEY WILL NOT ALLOW FOR A TIRE SHOP, MOTEL, OR BAR ON THEIR
[05:50:02]
PROPERTY.SO, WITH THAT, I WILL MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE AS C-2 NA CD FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SALES WITH THE CONDITIONS AS STATED.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[Z-12. ZONING CASE # Z-2018-900085 CD (Council District 3): Ordinance AHOD" Light Commercial Lackland Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 2 Airport Hazard Overlay District and "C-3 CD MLOD-2 MLR-2 AHOD" General Commercial Lackland Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 2 Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for a Funeral Home to "C-2 CD MLOD-2 MLR-2 AHOD" Commercial Lackland Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 2 Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for a Funeral Home with Stone Curing-Monument Manufacturing/Storage on Lot 13, NCB 8205, located at 432 Boswell Street. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval, with Conditions.]
MOTION CARRIES.>> Z-12 IS REZONING WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE FOR A FUNERAL HOME SCREENING OF OUTDOOR STORAGE AREAS NEAR RESIDENTIAL USES, NO FREE STANDING POLE OR LED SIGNS, NO TEMPORARY SIGNS, DOWNWARD FACING NEW LIGHT FIXTURES AND NO OUTSIDE NOISE SYSTEMS. 44 NOTICES MAILED, ONE IN FAVOR AND ZERO OPPOSED.
WE DID HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, BUT I BELIEVE SHE HAS LEFT, IS THAT RIGHT, MR. RODRIGUEZ? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? YOU HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE SO PATIENTLY SINCE
>> YEAH, ON BEHALF OF MY MOM, SHE HAD JUST RAISED SOME QUESTIONS OVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT OF THE CONSTRUCTION.
SHE WAS ABLE TO TALK WITH THE ATTORNEYS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND I THINK SHE UNDERSTANDS IT WILL BE OKAY.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LEONARD.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WANT TO THANK THE PROPERTY OWNER FOR WORKING ON THESE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THESE CONDITIONS THAT MY OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR THESE SOME WEEKS NOW.
AND I KNOW THAT THIS DEVELOPMENS BEEN VACANT FOR SOMETIME.
THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS BEEN REFINING THEIR PLANS FOR THIS SITE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS REINVESTMENT HERE OF THE MISSION PARK FUNERAL HOME, ANOTHER SOUTH SIDE LEGACY BUSINESS, AS THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS C-2 NA CD WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE AND -- WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE AND CONDITIONS AS STATED.
>> SANDOVAL: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[Z-14. ZONING CASE # Z2018256 (Council District 6): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "R-6 AHOD" Residential Single-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District to "C-2NA AHOD" Commercial Nonalcoholic Sales Airport Hazard Overlay District on Lot 15, Block 1, NCB 15586, located at 2311 Westward Drive. Staff recommends Denial, with an Alternate Recommendation. Zoning Commission recommends Denial. (Continued from February 21, 2019)]
THE MOTION CARRIES.>> Z-14 IS REZONING FROM R-6 TO C-2 NA.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND DENIAL.
THE CABLE WESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS OPPOSED .
>> SANDOVAL: COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> BROCKHOUSE: I MOTION TO CONTINUE THIS UNTIL APRIL 18TH.
>> SANDOVAL: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[Z-17. ZONING CASE # Z-2018-900029 S (Council District 7): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from “C-2 AHOD” Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District to “C-2 S AHOD” Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District with Specific Authorization for a Carwash on Lot 9, Block 2, NCB 12472, located at 7350 Callaghan Road. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval with Conditions. (Continued from February 21, 2019)]
THE MOTION CARRIES.LOCATED AT 7350 CALLAGHAN ROAD.
NINE NOTICES MAILED, ONE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED.
>> SALDANA: FOR Z-17 -- SORRY.
I'M READING MORE THAN I SHOULD.
I MOVE FOR A CONTINUANCE TO THE APRIL 4TH CITY COUNCIL DATE.
[Z-18. ZONING CASE # Z2018276 ERZD (Council District 9): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "C-3 MLOD-1 ERZD" General Commercial Camp Bullis Military Lighting Overlay Edwards Recharge Zone District to "MF-33 MLOD-1 ERZD" Multi-Family Camp Bullis Military Lighting Overlay Edwards Recharge Zone District on 17.989 acres out of NCB 19219, located in the 21000 block of North US Highway 281. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval.]
THE VOTES.>> REZONING FROM C-3 THE MF-33 LOCATED IN THE 21000 BLOCK OF NORTH U.S. HIGHWAY 281.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
>> SANDOVAL: COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR.
I MOVE THE APPROVAL OF ITEM Z-18 WITH THE STIPULATION THAT THE IMPERVIOUS COVER REMAIN AT ITS CURRENT 65% LEVEL.
MULTI-FAMILY IN THIS AREA, MY DISTRICT, FRONTING 281 AND ADJACENT TO THE NEW VIA PARK AND RIDE FACILITY AS APPROPRIATE.
>> SANDOVAL: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR ZONING AGENDA.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.