Oct 19, 2023 City Council A Session

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[ PROCEDURAL  ]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. THE TIME IS 9:09 A.M. ON THE 19TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2023.

WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER, SO IF YOU CAN PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.

MADAME CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE ROLL?

>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL SESSION, TO OUR SPECIAL GUESTS, WELCOME. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. FIRST I'D LIKE TO CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA TO

WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD MORNING.

OUR INVOCATOR THIS MORNING IS PASTOR O.C. CARR. HE'S A DISTRICT 6 RESIDENT AND A MINISTER AT GRACE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.

O.C. IS A DEDICATED DISTRICT 6 COMMUNITY MEMBER. HE SERVED ON THE DISTRICT 6 VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND HAS SERVED ON OUR CITYWIDE VETERANS COMMISSION .

HE'S ALSO BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE AND ADVISOR IN DISTRICT AND CITYWIDE VETERAN ISSUES. O.C. IS RETIRED FROM THE U.S. NAVY SUBMARINE FORCES WHERE HE SERVED 27 YEARS. HE SPENT ALMOST 20 OF THOSE YEARS DEPLOYED IN A SUBMARINE.

WHEN HE RETIRED FROM THE NAVY IN 2013, HE MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO AND HAS BEEN MY NEIGHBOR FOR SEVERAL YEARS. FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS HE'S WORKED AT LACKLAND.

HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE FOUR DAUGHTERS, TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS, AND ONE GRANDSON.

IF I DIDN'T MENTION ALREADY, HE IS A GREAT, GREAT NEIGHBOR. TAKE IT AWAY, O.C..

>> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO GIVE HONOR TO GOD, WHO IS THE HEAD OF MY LIFE. A TRIUNE GOD. GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE MAYOR FOR INVITING ME, MY COUNCILWOMAN AND NEIGHBOR, MELISSA, AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL HERE. THANK YOU, GUYS FOR HAVING ME THIS MORNING.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THE PRAYER, I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IS THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING THIS MONTH LGBT FAMILY, CZECH HISTORY MONTH. I BELIEVE MELISSA'S HUSBAND AND MIMI, I JUST MET A FEW MINUTES AGO AS WELL IS ALSO CZECH. BUT WE'RE ALSO CELEBRATING FILIPINO HERITAGE MONTH AS WELL. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE SOME TIME OUT . THERE'S MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS GREAT NATION, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND US TAKING TIME OUT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE PEOPLE PUBLICLY IS PROBABLY SOMETHING LONG OVERDUE. THANK YOU.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE ARE IN DESPERATE TIMES. OUR WORLD IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF PRAYER. NOT JUST PRAYER FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT PRAYER FOR EVERYONE COLLECTIVELY AS A WORLD. IN PSALMS 12 AND 6 IT SAYS THE LORD'S PROMISES ARE PURE, LIKE SILVER REFINED SEVEN TIMES OVER .

WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF PURIFYING AS A PEOPLE. SO I GO TO YOU IN PRAYER WITH

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THAT WE OUGHT TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS WE LOVE OURSELVES.

THERE'S NO OTHER COMMANDMENT THAT IS GREATER THAN THAT. SO FATHER GOD RIGHT NOW WE COME TO YOU HUMBLY AS WE KNOW HOW, ASKING AND PRAYING THAT YOU WOULD JUST SHED YOUR LOVE, NOT JUST ON THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, NOT JUST THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT OUR WORLD AND OUR NATION. FATHER GOD, WE JUST ASK RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THIS COUNCIL TODAY. TOUCH EACH AND EVERY MEMBER THAT'S ON HERE.

I PRAY THAT SPECIAL BLESSING BE OVER THE WORK THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE TODAY, THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS THAT WILL BE DONE TODAY, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING PRESENTED WITH PROCLAMATIONS AND DECLARATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT, WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU BLESS THEM.

UNITE, NOT JUST THIS CITY, NOT JUST THIS STATE, NOT JUST THE U.S. BUT THE WORLD.

WE ASK THIS ALL IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS , AMEN.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PASTOR O.C. ALL RIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY MINUTES TO APPROVE TODAY SO ITEM 3 IS LISTED FOR INDIVIDUAL

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM NO. 3.

I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON CONSENT AGENDA FIRST.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA SO WE'LL GO RIGHT INTO DISCUSSION. WE DON'T HAVE A QUEUE YET. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 28, REAPPOINTING JOSEPH DE LA GARZA TO THE SAN ANTONIO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. JOE HAS SERVED ON THIS COMMITTEE FOR QUITE A WHILE AND CONTINUES TO HELP LEAD IN THIS ARENA AND HELP US BRING QUALITY CHILDCARE TO THE SOUTHSIDE.

I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YEAH, JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT. FIRST ITEM 28D, THE REAPPOINTMENT OF JAMES HOLLERBACH TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMISSION. JAMES DID GREAT WORK ON THE COMMISSION AND APPRECIATE HIS EFFORTS. ALSO HIGHLIGHTING ITEM 32, MCALLISTER PARK LITTLE LEAGUE, THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE THERE OF THE LOWER BASEBALL FIELDS. TRULY A GEM IN DISTRICT 10. I WANT TO THANK DISTRICT 9 AS WELL FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING THE LITTLE LEAGUE. AS MANY OF Y'ALL KNOW, SINCE 2009, MCALLISTER PARK HAS HAD THREE TEAMS MAKE THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.

THIS YEAR COMING UP, THERE'S GOING TO BE APPROXIMATELY 1400 PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE, WHICH IS REALLY FANTASTIC. AND RECENTLY THERE'S -- THERE WERE THREE FORMER MCALLISTER PARK LITTLE LEAGUERS THAT WERE DRAFTED INTO MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

REALLY GREAT WORK THAT'S DONE OUT THERE, GETTING KIDS OUTSIDE PLAYING SPORTS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M CERTAINLY PASSIONATE ABOUT AND LOVE WHAT THEY'RE DOING OUT AT MCALLISTER PARK. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT WORK.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU. I THINK THE COUNCILMAN STOLE MY THUNDER.

[LAUGHTER] I WANTED TO ALSO CONGRATULATE THE LITTLE LEAGUERS OUT AT MCALLISTER PARK. THEY HAVE A GREAT OPERATION THERE.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT AREA SUPPORTED A PARTICIPATORY

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THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ITEM 3 OF OUR AGENDA TODAY APPROVES AN AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 15 OF OUR CITY CODE TO REQUIRE --

>>

INDIVIDUALLY. >> PELAEZ: THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM O 30 WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. LISA CORTEZ. WE ARE SO EXCITED YOU'RE GOING TO BE SERVING ON THIS BOARD.

THIS ONE REQUIRES A LOT OF COMPASSION AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE GREAT SERVICE TO THAT BOARD. THANK YOU, DOCTOR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 26. THIS IS MOVING FORWARD ON A LEASE FOR A LOW-BARRIER HOMELESS SHELTER AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE AS A CITY HAVE COMMITTED TO IS A TARGET FOR THE NUMBER OF UNSHELTERED FOLKS WE ARE GOING TO GET SHELTERED. THIS IS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS THAT GOAL AND A REALLY IMPORTANT ONE. SAMMINISTRIES IS GOING TO BE OFFER A LOT OF GREAT SUPPORT TO FOLKS. WE HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT THE OTHER LOW-BARRIER SHELTER IN DISTRICT 1 RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF GREAT WORK.

IT'S A SECURE FACILITY THAT'S PROVIDING RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR FOLKS TO HELP GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS LEASE IS

MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? I DO HAVE ONE I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, ITEM NO. 29. ON TWO FRONTS.

NUMBER ONE, ACKNOWLEDGING THE GREAT WORK AND PROGRESS THAT'S HAPPENING AT HEMISFAIR.

I HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO THE CIVIC PARK ALREADY BUT IT'S AN AMAZING PLACE.

I WANTED TO THANK AND RECOGNIZE DR. GUZMAN WHO IS GOING TO BE JOINING THAT BOARD AND RECOGNIZE HER AND HER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. AS THE IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR OF OPPORTUNITY HOME SHE'S GOING TO BE BRINGING THAT EXPERIENCE TO THE BOARD AND I APPRECIATE HER SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY . WITH THAT, WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM NO. 3. PLEASE VOTE.

[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE  ]

WHEREAS FILIPINO AMERICANS MAKE UP ONE OF THE LARGEST ASIAN ETHNIC GROUPS TODAY AND THE CELEBRATION RECALLS THE EARLIEST ARRIVAL OF FILIPINOS IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE THE FOUNDING OF OUR NATION IN 1776. WHEREAS IN OCTOBER WE COMMEMORATE THE MORE THAN 260,000 FILIPINO AND FILIPINO AMERICANS WHO ANSWER THE CALL TO ACTION AND BRAVELY SERVED AND SACRIFICED UNDER THE AMERICAN FLAG DURING WORLD WAR II. TODAY OVER 25,000 ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HONOR THIS LEGACY, PROUDLY SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES. WHEREAS FOR THE 2023 THEM, THE FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAS CHOSEN 1898, RECOGNIZING 125 YEARS OF FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY, IN RECOGNITION OF THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF PARIS WHICH LED TO THE U.S. ANNEXATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. WHEREAS THE CELEBRATION COMMEMORATES THE LEGACY OF TRAIL BLAZING FILIPINO AMERICANS LIKE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS WHO LED IN HARD-FOUGHT BATTLES FOR THOSE WITHOUT A VOICE, JOINING FORCES WITH CESAR CHAVEZ TO ADVANCE FARM WORKERS' RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR THE FILIPINO FARM

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AND THE CREATION OF THE SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER OF THE FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2023 TO BE FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WELCOME.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

MANY OF THESE AMAZING FILIPINO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY IN HONOR OF FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH , SOMETHING THAT'S SO VIBRAN AND PROUD OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WE'RE SO HONORED TO BE A PART OF THIS WITH YOU. I'M JOINED BY SO MANY GROUPS THAT ARE HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. FIRST AND FOREMOST THE FILIPINO NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE FILIPINO WOMEN OF AMERICAN, BRANDEIS HIGH SCHOOL, A FILIPINO AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL ORGANIZATION, TRINITY UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT ASSOCIATION AND ALSO MALIA CESAR. SHE'S A STUDENT HERE AT TRINITY. I'M HONORED TO HAVE EVERYONE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU AND I NOW

YIELD MY TIME TO MYRA . >> THANK YOU. WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE FILIPINO NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAS THE FIRST TO CELEBRATE IT A YEAR LATER.

WE'RE HERE BECAUSE OF OUR HARD WORK AND YEARS OF LOBBYING AND FILIPINO COMMUNITY FOR FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH . WE CELEBRATE OUR HISTORY BECAUSE OUR HISTORY IS INCLUSIVE OF HERITAGE AND CULTURE BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE WAYS WE HAVE BUILT AND CHANGED THIS NATION. OUR STORIES, POLITICAL STRUGGLES, TRANSFORMATIONS, LABOR, MIGRATION, ACTIVISM, IMPACT OF IMPERIALISM AND WAR, VICTORIES, ET CETERA, WHEREAS HERITAGE IS MORE LIMITED IN TERMS OF WHAT WE PASS DOWN. WE MADE HISTORY.

WE HELPED BUILD THIS NATION. THAT'S WHAT THIS MONTH IS ABOUT.

IN SAN ANTONIO WHILE WE CELEBRATE CESAR CHAVEZ DAY WIDELY, LET US ALSO CELEBRATE LEON DAY. THEY CO-FOUNDED THE UNITED FARM WORKERS.

MY FATHER, WHO STANDS HERE IN FRONT OF US TODAY, IS A RETIRED FILIPINO AMBASSADOR AND ALSO A CAREER DIPLOMAT WHO WAS PART OF THE 0.4% WHO PASSED THE FOREIGN SERVICE EXAM AND HAS DINED WITH ROYALTY IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, YET HE WAS ALSO A SEASONAL FARM WORKER WHO LIVED IN TRAIN CARS WITHOUT AIR-CONDITIONING DURING SUMMER. THESE STORIES AND SO MUCH MORE OF OUR STORIES HERE TODAY AND OUR HISTORY NEEDS TO BE KNOWN BECAUSE WE HELPED BUILD THIS

NATION. [APPLAUSE] >> ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE FILIPINO NURSES ORGANIZATION OF SAN ANTONIO, FILIPINOS OF TEXAS, CENTER FOR FILIPINO AMERICAN HEALTH AND ALL THE OTHERS, I THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF FILIPINOS IN SAN ANTONIO.

WE ARE ALSO THE COMMUNITIES ALIGNING WITH BAGUIO IN SAN ANTONIO THAT HAVE LED THE SIGNING HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE SIGNING OF THE FRIENDSHIP CITY AND SISTER CITY AGREEMENT IN BAGUIO. WE RECOGNIZE THEM AS WELL AND ALL THE OTHER FILIPINO ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED TODAY, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR THIS

RECOGNITION. THANK YOU. >> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I DON'T KNOW IF THE PHILIPPINE WOMEN OF AMERICA ARE HERE, BUT WE'RE CHAMPIONS NOT ONLY OF SAN ANTONIO BUT CHAMPIONS OF THIS GREAT STATE OF TEXAS BECAUSE WE ARE SO MUCH A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY ALONGSIDE ALL OF Y'ALL. THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THE FRIENDS, FAMILY, ALLIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT TO SUPPORT US TODAY.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS TIME. HAPPY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH!

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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE DO HAVE A FEW COMMENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE. ANDY, I WALKED IN, AND THIS IS NO OFFENSE TO THE NAVY, BUT THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY LINED UP WAY FASTER THAN THE NAVY DID LAST WEEK.

[LAUGHTER] >> SEGOVIA: MAYOR, I'M PROUD TO SAY I SERVED WITH MANY FILIPINOS WHILE I WAS ON THE USS BERKELEY. THEY WERE OUTSTANDING

SHIPMATES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU HERE.

I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR BAGUIO CITY RELATIONSHIP, WHICH WAS JUST SIGNED IN JULY.

AND ALONG WITH THAT, ALONG ON THAT DELEGATION WAS COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA, WHO IS THE LIAISON TO THE BAGUIO CITY RELATIONSHIP. I'LL TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO

HER. >> GARCIA: I'M SO PROUD TO BE REPRESENTING YOU ALL FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AS YOUR LIAISON.

I WAS SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH YOU ALL IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.

AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW INCREDIBLE THAT EXPERIENCE WAS.

I FELT WELCOME. I JUST FELT LIKE A PART OF THE FAMILY AND I FELT LIKE IMMEDIATELY ADOPTED. AND SO I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT TODAY I'M WEARING SOMETHING THAT'S MADE BY THE BAGUIO WOMEN AND SO I FELT THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TODAY TO WEAR THAT IN THE HONOR OF YOUR HISTORY. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR GOING ON THAT TRIP. MANY OF YOU WERE ON THERE AND YOU ALL TAUGHT ME ABOUT THE STRONG MILITARY TIES THAT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT. AND SO THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT YOUR CULTURE. THANK YOU ALSO FOR HELPING ME GET A RIDE.

I WILL FOREVER TREASURE THAT. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE MAYOR ON A CERTAIN PART OF THE THAT AND I WAS SO WORRIED HE WAS GOING TO FALL, BUT HE MADE IT THROUGH.

I WANT THE STUDENTS AT BRANDEIS. I WAS ABLE TO TRY YOUR HOLLOW HOLLOWS AND THEY WERE SO GOOD. I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO SARI SARI SUPPER CLUB IN D4. D4 RESTAURANT AND THE MAYOR AND A GROUP OF US WERE JUST THERE ON SUNDAY NIGHT AND YOU ALL JUST DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB OF SHOWCASING A WONDERFUL MIX, I WOULD SAY, WITH CHEF KIRK AS WELL. I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT SAN ANTONIO HAS THESE GREAT RESTAURANTS THAT CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SHOWCASE BOTH CULTURES. AND, AGAIN, JUST.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA

GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: CONGRATULATIONS.

I'M DELIGHTED FOR YOU AND TO WELCOME TO CITY HALL. I WANT TO TELL YOU JUST A LITTLE ANECDOTE. WHEN THE MAYOR AND OUR CITY MANAGER, ERIK WALSH AND I WERE KIDS ON OUR FIRST YEAR OF TRINITY UNIVERSITY, THE TRINITY WOULD CALL YOU AND SAY WE HAVE MATCHED YOU UP WITH A ROOMMATE. THIS IS BEFORE THE INTERNET, BEFORE E-MAIL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. ERIK IS MUCH OLDER THAN US SO IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BY A POSTAL LETTER OR SOMETHING. THEN YOU WOULD GET A CALL FROM YOUR ROOMMATE OR YOU WOULD CALL YOUR ROOMMATE. MY ROOMMATE CALLED ME AND ALLEN SAID YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EXCITED MY FAMILY IS THAT THEY HAVE MATCHED ME UP WITH ANOTHER FILIPINO. I SAID I'M NOT A FILIPINO. HE SAID YOUR NAME IS MANNY PELAEZ. HIS MOM CALLED MY MOM AND SAID WE'RE SO EXCITED THAT THE TWO FILIPINO BOYS WILL BE TOGETHER AND THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

AND SHE WAS LIKE, NO, WE'RE PRETTY SURE WE'RE NOT FILIPINO.

AND THAT'S WHEN WE LEARNED THAT PELAEZ IS A PRETTY POPULAR NAME IN THE PHILIPPINES.

I WAS ADOPTED BY A FILIPINO FAMILY AND SHE TAUGHT ME HOW TO EAT CRISPY PATA AND THE SWEET TREATS THAT EVERYBODY LIKES TO EAT OVER THERE. IN MY NEXT LIFE I THINK I'M COMING BACK AS A FILIPINO AND I'LL BE STANDING UP THERE WITH YOU.

I LOVE THAT YOU GUYS ARE HERE AND YOU BROUGHT THIS ENTHUSIASM.

I'M PROUD OF YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING AND SHARING Y'ALL'S BEAUTIFUL CULTURE WITH US AND SHARING THE IMPORTANT HISTORY AND Y'ALL'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO NOT ONLY OUR CITY AND OUR STATE BUT TO OUR COMMUNITY. I JUST, YOU KNOW, WANTED TO QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF Y'ALL'S EFFORTS. I SEE SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES AMONGST YOU ALL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. NICOLETTE AND I USED TO WORK TOGETHER AT VISIT SAN ANTONIO AND SHE WAS A FIRECRACKER THERE.

I REMEMBER WHEN I GOT ELECTED -- Y'ALL ARE LIKE, SHE STILL IS.

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>> SHE CAME IN AGAIN AND THE CROWD WAS A LITTLE BIGGER AND NOW YOU ALL ARE HERE AND NEXT YEAR I'M ASSUMING THIS WHOLE THING WILL BE FILLED. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT I LEARNED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IS THAT FILIPINO WOMEN WORK. AND I WANT TO THANK THEIR MALE ALLIES THAT ARE STANDING HERE THAT GIVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO GO AND WORK.

SO WHEN NICOLETTE SAYS THAT WE'RE HERE AND WE'RE READY TO WORK FOR YOU, SHE MEANS IT.

AND YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB IN BRINGING AWARENESS AND BRINGING THE CULTURE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND AMPLIFYING YOUR MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THAT AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR AND I'M EVEN MORE EXCITED ABOUT NEXT YEAR.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

HAPPY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. I DON'T GET TO TALK A LOT ABOUT GROWING UP BUT I'M A MILITARY BRAT AND I GREW UP IN HAWAII AND I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL THERE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS BUT THERE'S A VERY, VERY, VERY LARGE FILIPINO AMERICAN POPULATION IN HAWAII. AND SO GOING TO A PREDOMINANTLY ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS SCHOOL I WAS SURROUNDED AND FILLED WITH THE WARMTH AND THE LOVE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY AND GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE AND ESPECIALLY THE FOOD AND THE FUN THAT EXISTS IN YOUR CULTURE.

AND SO WHAT I WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS FOR OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO GET TO EXPERIENCE THAT WARMTH AND THAT LOVE.

AND I WANT TO -- I WANT YOU TO WALK AWAY AS WELL KNOWING THAT US AS A CITY COUNCIL WANT TO CONSISTENTLY FIND WAYS AND COLLABORATE WITH YOU ON WAYS TO EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY, TO GIVE AND TO BE ALL THAT YOU ARE. I THINK THAT'S ALL WE CAN ASK FOR ANYONE.

BUT I WANT TO SAY ONCE AGAIN HAPPY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL TO SEE YOU ALL AND IT FEELS A LITTLE BIT LIKE HOME.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Y'ALL AND, AGAIN, HAPPY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I LOVE TO SEE THE SUPPORT.

SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMUNITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

YOU MENTIONED YOUR FATHER WHO WORKED IN THE FIELDS ALONGSIDE A LOT OF MEXICAN AMERICANS BACK THEN. THE TWO CULTURES ARE VERY INTERTWINED.

I ALSO WANT TO BRING UP A SCREENING THAT'S HAPPENING OCTOBER 29TH, NURSES UNSEEN.

IT'S OUR LADY OF THE LAKE PUT ON WITH THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION, PHILIPPINE WOMEN OF AMERICAN AND THE DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THE HISTORY OF THE UNSUNG FILIPINO NURSES RISKING THEIR LIVES ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE PANDEMIC . I THINK IT'S ALSO UNKNOWN THAT FILIPINO AMERICAN NURSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR U.S. HEALTH INDUSTRY.

WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. THANK YOU.

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

>> ON THE 29TH AT 1030 AT THE CARVER BRANCH LIBRARY, WE'RE DOING A FILM SCREENING.

THAT'S OCTOBER 29TH AT 10:30 AT THE CARVER BRANCH LIBRARY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AWESOME . THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: I WANT TO QUICKLY SAY THAT Y'ALL'S ENERGY IS SO RADIATING TODAY AND I LOVE SEEING THE PASSION AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO, NICOLETTE, FOR THE WHOLE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY. HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THE

REPRESENTATION ON COUNCIL. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I LOVE THE ENERGY. YOU KNOW, Y'ALL'S CULTURE IS PRESENT REALLY ON ALL PARTS OF THE CITY AND IT ADDS SO MUCH TO SAN ANTONIO.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: NICOLETTE HAS RESERVES FOR EVERYBODY ON THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: YES. I TOO WANT TO JUST CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU ON THE CONTRIBUTION YOU MAKE TO THIS CITY AND TO YOUR OWN CULTURE AND THE FELLOW MEMBERS FROM THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY BUT THE ENTIRE ASIAN COMMUNITY.

I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ADD SO MUCH. I HAVE FILIPINO BUSINESSES IN DISTRICT 9. AS YOU HEARD THE COUNCILMAN SAY, YOU'RE ACROSS THE CITY AND I KNOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. SO I JUST WISH YOUOU ALL

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YOU HAVE NEEDS IN THIS CITY. TALK TO YOUR COUNCILMEMBER. WE'LL BE THERE FOR YOU TO SUPPORT YOU, YOUR BUSINESSES, AND YOUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

IT'S ALWAYS REALLY EXCITING WHEN I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO BE HERE.

ESPECIALLY NICOLETTE. YOU'RE AMAZING AND PHENOMENAL AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PUBLIC EDUCATION PIECES, AS COUNCILMAN CABELLO HAVRDA CITED, ENSURING THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO THESE DOCUMENTARIES AND THE STORYTELLING.

IT'S ALWAYS A TREAT WHEN YOU ALL ARE HERE. THANK Y'ALL.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE YOU OUT, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THE ENTIRE FILIPINO COMMUNITY TO CITY HALL TODAY. WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS. PLEASE SAY HI TO THE COLONEL FOR US. HAPPY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, Y'ALL.

>> THANK YOU! [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ALSO OBSERVING TODAY, AND THIS MONTH, NATIONAL LGBTQIA PLUS HISTORY MONTH. AS OUR FILIPINO COMMUNITY DEPARTS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS OF OUR LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY TO READ FORWARD AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS OCTOBER IS OBSERVED AS NATIONAL LGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING THE HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S LONG STANDING COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND WELL-BEING OF ALL OF ITS RESIDENTS. AND WHEREAS DURING THE NATIONAL LGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH WE HONOR OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, TEACHERS, FAITH LEADERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PART OF THE FABRIC OF OUR CITY AND STATE FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS THAT GREATLY ADD TO THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS THE LGBTQIA+ INDIVIDUALS HAVE HISTORICALLY FACED DISCRIMINATION, PREJUDICE, AND UNEQUAL TREATMENT AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE GROWING LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND CONTINUE TO THRIVE THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE JOINT EFFORTS OF LGBTQIA+ AFFIRMING AGENCIES AND PARTNERS. AND WHEREAS ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE BORN FREE AND QUALITY AND LGBTQIA+ INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD AN IMMEASURABLE IMPACT ON THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC AUDIO] INDIVIDUALS ARE NINE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT HATE CRIMES THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS AND THE FBI HAS REPORTED A 70% INCREASE IN HATE CRIMES AGAINST LGBTQIA+ INDIVIDUALS. AND WHEREAS CELEBRATING THE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND STRUGGLES OF THE COMMUNITY HONORS THEIR RESILIENCE AND TRIUMPHS IN FOSTERING A SENSE OF PRIDE AMONG LGBTQIA+ RESIDENTS AND VISITORS AND REAFFIRMS THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VISIBILITY, DIGNITY, AND EQUALITY FOR LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2023 TO BE NATIONAL LGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.

[APPLAUSE] >> MY NAME IS GRACIELA SANCHEZ, RESIDENT OF SAN ANTONIO , LIVE IN DISTRICT 5 AND A ESPERANZA, AS A CENTER, IS A CITYWIDE ORGANIZATION.

IT RESIDES IN DISTRICT 1. HOPE TO CATCH UP WITH YOU SOON.

YEAH. SO IS THIS GOING TO WORK? WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME VIDEO. AND I'M HERE AS THE -- I'LL SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE I'M THE ELDER. WAIT, WAIT. GO BACK.

JUST HOLD IT. SO I WANT TO LET YOU SEE THIS IS ME AT THE FIRST ESPERANZA PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY WHITE HAIR AND I WAS A FEW POUNDS LIGHTER. BUT AND THE SIGN ON THE LEFT SIDE IS MORE ABOUT THE WORK -- I MEAN, THAT'S ACTUALLY A BOOK THAT'S WRITTEN NATIONALLY AND THERE IS A CHAPTER ON THE ESPERANZA CIRCA 1980S AND 1990S. THAT FIRST BUILDING WE WERE AT WE GOT KICKED OUT OF AFTER THE FIFTH ANNUAL LESBIAN GAY ART EXHIBIT.

IT'S THAT SORT OF -- YOU'RE DOING WORK FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY TO GIVE US A SENSE OF PRIDE BECAUSE ALL AROUND US HISTORICALLY WE HAVE BEEN ATTACKED, HURT, AND ESPECIALLY AT THAT TIME EVERYBODY WAS CLOSETED. I DON'T USUALLY PROMOTE AND PUT

[00:35:04]

THEY WERE TEACHERS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS BUT THEY COULDN'T COME OUT FOR THEIR FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOB AND OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK. OKAY.

NOW WE CAN GO A LITTLE BIT FASTER. SO THE ESPERANZA HAS THE VALUES OF OUR ELDERS, OF CULTURE, LOVE, HONESTY, AND RESPECT. AND WE FOLLOW THE WORDS AND THE VALUES AND THE THEORY OF QUEER WOMEN OF COLOR. AND WE ARE ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER, QUEER AND STRAIGHT, AND BEING ALLIES AND DEALING WITH ISSUES OF OPPRESSION.

DOWN A LITTLE BIT. SO IN 1989, THE FIRST AIDS ART EXHIBIT WENT TO THE ESPERANZA BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE IN TOWN WAS WILLING TO PUT TOGETHER THAT EXHIBIT.

SO THE GUADALUPE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER FINALLY SAID TO THE ARTISTS, GO TO THE ESPERANZA.

THEY'LL PROMOTE THIS EVENT. THEY DID AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SHOWED UP.

SIX MONTHS LATER WE HAD THE FIRST ANNUAL LESBIAN GAY ART EXHIBIT.

WE DIDN'T USE THE WORD "TRANS" AT THAT TIME. AND, AGAIN, HUNDREDS SHOWED UP. SO THE IDEA WAS LIKE, WOW! SOMETHING IS REALLY MISSING IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT NO ONE ELSE IS DOING. AND SO WE CONTINUE TO DO NOT JUST THE CULTURAL PROGRAMMING BUT WE ALSO HAD HATE CRIMES. SO WHEN THIS LATINO MAN, HE WAS MURDERED. AND THE GUY THAT KILLED HIM GOT OFF WITH TEN YEARS OF DEFERRED ADJUDICATION AND HE FLEW BACK HOME TO NEW YORK. NOTHING HAPPENED TO HIM.

SO THE FAMILY CAME TO US AND SAID HOW CAN WE DO SOMETHING? SO WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THE GI FORUM, MALDIF AND LULAC TOGETHER TO SAY HATE CRIMES ARE WRONG.

IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE CULTURAL PROGRAMMING BUT IT WAS ABOUT BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND SAYING YOU'RE NOT ALONE. AND SO WE HAD THESE PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TO GIVE POSITIVE AFFIRMATION. THAT WAS A NATIONAL EXHIBIT.

THE LESBIAN GAY FILM FESTIVAL WENT ON FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS BEFORE WE WERE DEFUNDED BY THE CITY. THIS IS AGUILAR, WHO WAS ATTACKED AND A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO HE PASSED AWAY AND EVERYBODY SAID ALL THIS AFFIRMATION BUT HE'S A HOMOPHOBE. AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT AND WE CAN GROW AND CHANGE AND IF I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT, I WOULD BE DEAD ALREADY BECAUSE MY BODY WOULD BE HURT FOR ALL THE HATE THAT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, COME TO US. BUT THIS WOMAN DIED A FEW YEARS AGO AS WELL BUT SHE WAS SHOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN GERMANY AND ITALY AND SPAIN AND THE GETTY MUSEUM HAS HER. AND IN 1997, AFTER WE DID ALL THIS GREAT WORK, WE FOUND THAT CITY COUNCIL WAS FEELING THE ATTACKS BY THE CONSERVATIVE AGENDA AND EVEN OUR CITY MAYOR AT THE TIME, HOWARD PEAK WAS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES SEPTEMBER 12 EXPLAINING WHY THEY DEFUNDED THE ESPERANZA. WE WERE DOING IT TO OURSELVES BECAUSE WE WERE IN YOUR FACE .

EVEN THE EXPRESS NEWS DIDN'T WRITE A STORY. WE WERE HIDING THE SHAME OF DEFUNDING THE ESPERANZA AND WE WERE TOLD BECAUSE IT WAS OUR AGENDA, THAT AGENDA BEING PROMOTION, NOT JUST OF LGBT BUT SOCIAL JUSTICE. SO ARTICLE AFTER ARTICLE WE SUE THE CITY IN 1998. NOT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BUT THE COMMUNITY SAID SUE THE CITY. AND IT WASN'T JUST FOR US, IT WAS FOR THE LARGER COMMUNITY.

AND SO WE COULDN'T GET FUNDING FOR FIVE YEARS BUT ALL THESE ARTISTS STARTED COMING TO THE ESPERANZA AND STARTED OFFERING FREE PROGRAMMING FOR US. AND WE WENT TO THE STREETS AND THEY SAID THE ARTS, PEOPLE DON'T SUPPORT THE ARTS. THEY ONLY SUPPORT THE SYMPHONY BUT THEY DON'T SUPPORT -- SO ALL THE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS LOST FUNDING THAT YEAR IN '98 AND '99. MAJOR CAMPAIGNS, LAWSUIT, GO TO COURT, FEDERAL JUDGE ORLANDO GARCIA HOLDS THAT AND WE WIN THAT LAWSUIT AND HE SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LAWSUITS, IF NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THAT HE PRESENTED AND GAVE OPINION.

[00:40:02]

AND IN 2013, ALONG WITH ALL THE LGBTQ ORGANIZATIONS AND ALLIES, WE PASSED THE NON-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE. THAT TOOK A LONG TIME AND THERE WAS A LOT OF HATE AGAIN IN THE WAY THAT WE SAW IN THE YEARS THAT WE GOT DEFUNDED IN 1997 AND '98 AND THIS COUNCIL CHAMBERS, YOU COULD HEAR FROM OUTSIDE AND BLOCKS AWAY THE HATE.

AND JULIAN CASTRO IS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE THERE BUT IT WAS GOOD THAT FINALLY, AS THE MAYOR AND DIEGO BERNAL AS THE LEAD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HELPED PASS THAT.

WE THANK YOU AS WELL FOR THAT. AND THEN WE'VE ALSO GONE TO HISTORY, JUST SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST CONTEMPORARY FINDING PEOPLE GIVING US, SHARING SOME IMAGES OF THEIR QUEER FAMILIES. AND EVEN THE WOMAN IN THE MIDDLE, WHO WAS QUEER, ALSO WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AT FOX TECH AND SUPPORTING THE TRANS COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN SILENCED. AND THEN NATIONAL CONFERENCES LIKE THIS ONE.

THAT WAS OUR LAST EVENT BEFORE THE COVID. AND THEN SUPPORTING JALEN AND COMPANY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AGAIN, REMEMBER THAT IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. IT'S NOT BEEN EASY. WHEN WE WERE BEING DEFUNDED, THERE WERE RADIO PROGRAMS, TV PROGRAMS, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WENT ON THOSE RADIO PROGRAMS TO DEMONIZE US. WE WERE GETTING DEATH THREATS AND WE WERE HAVING OUR -- THERE WAS A MOMENT THAT BRAS WERE HUNG WITH -- AND THEY HAD FECES ON THEM AND THEY WERE PLACED WHERE WE PARKED OUR CAR. YOU KNOW, BIG STONES WERE THROWN INTO OUR WINDOWS AND BROKEN AND JUST A LOT OF THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. SO THAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE EVEN THE DEFUNDING. SO WE'VE SURVIVED. YOU SAW THAT BLACK HAIR.

LOOK AT HOW MUCH WHITE HAIR THERE IS NOW. THANK YOU TODAY FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION AND I HOPE IT'S NOT JUST THAT PROCLAMATION BUT YOU CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT, AS YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS MOMENT THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE TERRORIZED.

I'LL PASS IT ON TO SOPHIA. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO AND COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ FOR PASSING THIS PROCLAMATION. MY NAME IS SOPHIA AND I AM A PROUD TRANSGENDER LATINA WOMAN WHO KNEW MY TRUTH SINCE I WAS 4 YEARS OLD. THE RHETORIC WE ARE HEARING EVEN TODAY AS WE HEARD OF THE PAST RHETORIC AND THE HATE CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN NOT JUST OUR CITY BUT IN THE STATE AND IN OUR COUNTRY. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL US THAT WE AS CHILDREN DIDN'T KNOW WHO WE WERE, WHEN WE ALWAYS KNEW. SO I THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS PROCLAMATION. I'VE HEARD A LOT ALSO CONSERVATIVES SAYING WHAT HAVE WE AS QUEER PEOPLE DONE TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITY? WELL, A QUEER BLACK MAN WHO LED THE NATIONAL MARCH FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING WHERE HE SAID HIS FAMOUS SPEECH I HAD A DREAM, THAT WAS A GAY MAN THAT LED THAT MARCH.

WE AS QUEER PEOPLE HAVE MADE HISTORY OVER AND OVER AGAIN . JALEN MCKEE, THE FIRST BLACK OUT GAY MAN IN SAN ANTONIO MAKING HISTORY IN WHICH WE NEVER, EVER HAD ELECTED A MAN LIKE JALEN. WE CONTINUE MAKING HISTORY AND WE WILL, WHETHER OUR GOVERNOR WANTS US HERE OR NOT. WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE. WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE AND I THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION.

LIKE GRACIELA SAID, I HOPE IT'S NOT JUST FOR TODAY, IT'S FOR TODAY AND ALWAYS.

[00:45:01]

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING.

IT'S HARD TO FOLLOW TWO GIANTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. MY NAME IS LOUIS VASQUEZ.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TODAY I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS LIKE GRACIELA, JALEN WHO HAS ALSO MADE HISTORY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ACKNOWLEDGING LGBT HISTORY MONTH. WE CELEBRATE HOW FAR WE HAVE COME AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE HISTORY AND WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT IS AHEAD OF US. EARLY THIS YEAR BEXAR COUNTY BECAME THE FIRST COUNTY IN TEXAS TO ADOPT THE LGBT BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATION, GIVING LGBT-OWNED BUSINESSES ACCESS TO EQUITY AND BIDDING FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. WE HOPE THE CITY WILL FOLLOW. AND SO TODAY WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ACKNOWLEDGING LGBT HISTORY MONTH . THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION, TO CELEBRATE LGBT HISTORY MONTH AND TO SHARE YOUR STORIES.

THERE WERE SO MANY GEMS IN THAT PRESENTATION. LAST WEEK I DID NOT DO NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY THE JUSTICE IT WAS DUE, AS NOT JUST THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN ELECTED TO CITY COUNCIL BUT ALSO OPENLY GAY BLACK MAN ELECTED TO ANY SEAT IN TEXAS.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN OUR CITY'S 300-PLUS YEAR HISTORY THAT WE HAVE HAD LGBTQ REPRESENTATION ON OUR COUNCIL.

I'M GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT TO WHY WE CELEBRATE LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH AND I WANT TO HAVE A MOMENT OF VULNERABILITY WITH YOU ALL. EVERY NOW AND THEN MY HUSBAND REACHES OUT TO HOLD MY HAND IN PUBLIC. MOMENT OF VULNERABILITY.

EVERY NOW AND THEN MY HUSBAND REACHES OUT TO HOLD MY HAND IN PUBLIC AND MY FIRST INSTINCT IS TO PUSH IT AWAY. NOT BECAUSE I DON'T LOVE HIM. NOT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HOLD HIS HAND BUT BECAUSE THIS SIMPLE GESTURE OF CONNECTION AND AFFECTION THAT OTHERS TAKE FOR GRANTED HAS LED TO PEOPLE LIKE US BEING VERBALLY AND PHYSICALLY ATTACKED AND AT ITS WORST, KILLED. JUST A FEW MONTHS AUGUST ON JULY 29, SIBLY WAS STABBED TO DEATH BECAUSE HE AND HIS FRIENDS WERE DANCING. HE WAS 28 YEARS OLD, KILLED FOR LIVING LOUDLY AND AUTHENTICALLY. ON APRIL 8 OF THIS YEAR, A GAY COUPLE WAS PHYSICALLY ATTACKED WHILE HOMOPHOBIC SLURS WERE YELLED AT THEM IN NEW YORK CITY WHILE NO ONE DID ANYTHING TO HELP. JUST A FEW YEARS AGO ON JUNE 21, 2018 THE BODY OF ANTHONY, A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY, WAS FOUND BEATEN AND TORTURED BY HIS PARENTS BECAUSE THEY SUSPECTED HE WAS GAY AT 10 YEARS OLD.

IN FEBRUARY OF 2016, TWO YOUNG GAY MEN, 21 AND 23, WERE ABRUPTLY WOKEN UP FROM THEIR SLEEP WHEN ONE OF THEIR MOTHER'S BOYFRIENDS THREW HOT WATER ON THEM.

I WAS SPEAKING OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL AND A MAN BEGAN TO HARASS ME SAYING I WAS GOING TO HELL.

WOMEN ALSO EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE. THERE ARE TOO MANY NAMES AND STORIES TO BEGIN TO LIST AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE INTERSECTIONALITY IS A BEAUTIFUL THING BUT IT ALSO COMPOUNDS THE SOCIETAL ISSUES AND MARGINALIZATION THAT WE FACE WITHIN EACH OF THOSE IDENTITIES. BEING OPENLY GAY OR OPENLY QUEER IS A FRIGHTENING THING AND I KNOW SOME OF US MAKE IT LOOK EASY BUT DEEP IN THE BACK OF MY MIND AND MANY OF OUR MINDS IS THAT AT ANY POINT IN TIME YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO FIGHT, TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND IT IS EXHAUSTING TO CONSTANTLY LIVE IN THAT STATE.

I CAME OUT TO MY FAMILY AFTER I MET MY HUSBAND -- MY NOW-HUSBAND NATHAN.

BUT COMING OUT DOESN'T HAPPEN JUST ONE TIME. IT HAPPENS IN CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH CO-WORKERS AND STRANGERS, RECONNECTING WITH OLD FRIENDS OR DISTANT RELATIVES. WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOUR WIFE'S NAME AND YOU RESPOND NATHAN.

SOMETIMES WE'RE ROBBED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE WHEN AND HOW WE COME OUT AND SOMETIMES IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS AND EVEN DEADLY THING TO DO BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REACT. SOMETIMES WE'RE ACCEPTED, EMBRACED, AND LOVED.

SOMETIMES WE'RE KICKED OUT OF OUR HOMES. SOMETIMES PEOPLE MAKE THE DECISION TO KILL THEMSELVES RATHER THAN FEEL THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING OUT.

I HAVE TO SAY THE CRUELEST PART OF LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH IS MANY OF ITS AUTHORS DIDN'T LIVE TO FINISH THEIR STORY. THOSE THAT DIED OF THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC, PEOPLE WHO CAN'T

[00:50:07]

THOSE THAT WERE KILLED OR COMMITTED SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY WERE, PARTICULARLY OUR YOUTH WHO ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE AT ALARMING RATES.

OR EVEN THOSE THAT NEVER GOT TO COME OUT OR NEVER GOT TO LIVE AUTHENTICALLY SO AS TO ADD THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LGBTQ+ HISTORY BOOK. THERE IS A BLANK PAGE IN OUR HISTORY BOOK THAT WILL NEVER BE FILLED. TODAY I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE EVERY QUEER, TRANS, EVERY PERSON OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, TO MARRY THE PERSON WE LOVE, BUY A HOME, TO EXPRESS OURSELVES BEYOND A BINARY, TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO UNTIL IT BREAKS . THERE ARE BARRIERS BROKEN EVERY DAY BY LGBTQ+ LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEY DESERVE CELEBRATION. THIS LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH I WANT TO TAKE A PAUSE AND REMEMBER THOSE WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS AREN'T LISTED AND WHEN WE TURN THE PAGE I WANT US TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR THE ICONS WHO BLAZED A TRAIL AND THE LEGENDS WHO CARRY THE TORCH. WE CAN FOREVER HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. LGBTQ+ HISTORY IS WRITTEN EVERY DAY. FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU DO NOT GET TO CALL YOURSELF AN ALLY. WE DECIDE THAT BY YOUR ACTIONS.

REFLECT HOW YOU MAY INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY CAUSE HARM SO YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR AND WHEN YOU SEE HARM BEING DONE, AN ALLY INTERVENES TO STOP IT. YOU HAVE TO LIFT UP THE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TO SERVE AS OUR OWN VOICE. YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK OVER US.

LASTLY, TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY YOU OWE IT TO NO ONE TO COME OUT.

YOU ARE VALID. YOU ARE SEEN, YOU ARE LOVED AND THE WORLD IS BETTER WITH YOU IN IT. I LOVE YOU . COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO.

[APPLAUSE] >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.

YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST DAY AFTER A SIX-DAY STREAK OF CRYING THAT YOU ALMOST TESTED IT WITH YOUR TESTIMONY AND VULNERABILITY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US.

THAT'S VERY INTERACTFUL. I DIDN'T KNOW GRACIELA WAS ALSO GOING TO BE HERE AND I WAS REALLY EXCITED. SOPHIA HAD REACHED OUT AND WE'RE LIKE, OF COURSE.

AND SOPHIA IS SUCH A POWERHOUSE THAT I MET THROUGH ORGANIZING WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT FOR THE MEDICARE FOR ALL CAMPAIGN AND THE SICK OF IT TEXAS CAMPAIGN.

SOPHIA WAS THE FIRST TO GIVE ME A LIST TO COLD CALL PEOPLE AND IT WAS JUST SUCH AN AMAZING ORGANIZING EXPERIENCE AND SOPHIA IS A POWERHOUSE AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO THAT WORK WITH EQUALITY TEXAS. ANTI-LEGISLATION HAD INCREASED AND WITH THIS YEAR WE SAW IT EXCEED WHAT WE SAW AT THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WHAT JUDGE GONZALES SHARED WITH US A FEW WEEKS AGO IS WE DON'T NEED ALLIES, WE NEED FOLKS TO STAND TOGETHER AND CHALLENGE THE SYSTEM, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE AND THE MANY WAYS THAT COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ JUST CITED. THANK YOU, SOPHIA FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY. YOU ARE A POWERHOUSE. I LOVE YOU.

GRACIELA, I MET THROUGH THE HISTORIC WEST SIDE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE ESPERANZA AND SHE HAD PETITIONS AND THERE WAS A PETITION THAT I GRABBED.

SO IT'S JUST AMAZING FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT HERE. GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK YOU ALL DO AND I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THE ESPERANZA THAT I DID NOT KNOW THE HISTORY AND HOW YOU ALL CONTINUE TO SHARE THESE STORIES WITH COMMUNITY AND WE'RE VERY BLESSED IN DISTRICT 5 THAT WE HAVE THE ESPERANZA IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE FOLKS MEET MONTHLY, HAVE BARBACOA, SHARE THEIR STORIES AND HISTORY AND COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU ALL AND YOU AS WELL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IN SHINING LIGHT.

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED MARIA SALAZAR, WHO IS OUR APPOINTEE TO THE MAYOR'S LGBTQIA COMMISSION WHO IS A POWERHOUSE AS WELL. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MAYOR FOR HIS ADVOCACY. I OBSERVED, I BELIEVE LAST THURSDAY, HIM SHUT DOWN SOME REALLY BAD COMMENTS THAT WERE ABOUT TO BE MADE AND THAT'S LEADERSHIP AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR HIM. SO THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS

[00:55:02]

THAT MADE ME FEEL REALLY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IT ALSO MADE ME SAD THAT IN SOME PLACES WHERE THEY GO THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THAT SAFETY.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE, WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP. WE HAVE TO ADVOCATE, TO YOUR POINT BEING, ACCOMPLICES. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN IS DOING AN EVENT ON NOVEMBER 9 AT THE DAKOTA ICE HOUSE AND THEY ARE SHARING STORIES FROM THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. I'M GOING TO BE READING AN EXCERPT FROM A BOOK AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT. LOVE IS LOVE AND MAYBE IF WE REALLY FELT THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHARE WHO THEY ARE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> HAVRDA: THREE POWERHOUSES IN THE COMMUNITY SO WE VERY MUCH THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY. WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL LGBTQIA HISTORY MONTH.

IN THE LATE '80S AND '90S, THE HIV CRISIS GALVANIZED THE COMMUNITY AND THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING. TODAY SAN ANTONIO BOASTS A DIVERSE AND GROWING COMMUNITY REFLECTING ITS RESILIENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY'S CULTURAL LANDSCAPE.

I WATCHED THE SLIDE SHOW THAT YOU GAVE IN THE BEGINNING MY FACE WAS DOWN AND CONCERNED AND UPSET. AND THEN AS THE SLIDE SHOW WENT ON, IT CULMINATED IN OUR FIRST OUT BLACK LGBTQIA MEMBER IN THE STATE AND OF COURSE BROUGHT A SMILE TO MY FACE.

I THINK WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN YOUR ADVOCACY BUT WE HAVE SO FAR TO GO.

THERE'S SO MANY ENTITIES, INCLUDING OUR OWN STATE, THAT ARE ATTACKING YOU EVERY DAY.

AND WE DO WHAT WE CAN HERE AT THE CITY LEVEL BUT IT'S YOU REALLY OUT THERE.

YOU'RE FIGHTING. YOU'RE DOING THE WORK AND AS MENTIONED BY COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, WE CANNOT JUST GET BEHIND YOU, GET IN FRONT OF YOU, GET AROUND YOU , GET EVERYWHERE AND BE THERE WITH YOU. WHEN PEOPLE ASK WHA WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY DONE? YOU MENTIONED NOTEWORTHY PEOPLE BUT WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY HERE IN THIS CITY IS EXIST. YOU'RE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND PASSIONS AND YOU DON'T NEED TO PROVE YOURSELF. YOU SHOULDN'T NEED TO PROVE YOURSELF ANY MORE THAN ANY OTHER COMMUNITY. SO I UNDERSTAND FEELING TO DEFEND AND YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DONE, BUT YOU BEING HERE AND THE ADVOCACY THAT YOU'VE DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY IS -- THAT IS NOTEWORTHY.

THAT SHOULD BE WELL KNOWN. I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY, FOR YOUR RICH CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN THE COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ TALKED ABOUT REACHING OUT FOR NATHAN'S HAND, I'VE BEEN WITH HIM OUT AND HE VERY GRACIOUSLY EITHER IGNORES PEOPLE WHEN THEY MAKE LITTLE COMMENTS OR DOESN'T HEAR THEM.

BUT I HEAR THEM AND IT HURTS ME BECAUSE I CARE SO MUCH ABOUT HIM.

AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I EXPERIENCE FOR THAT REASON IN MY LIFE AND TO SEE IT HAPPENING STILL IN THIS TIME, AFTER ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE IS WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE A HISTORY MONTH. NOT JUST TO CELEBRATE OUR HISTORY BUT TO BRING AWARENESS, TO CONTINUE TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE HERE AND YOU'RE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. I WILL SAY THIS. I THINK THAT YOUNG CHILDREN ARE GETTING IT. I THINK THAT THEIR GENERATION UNDERSTANDS.

THEY DON'T RUN PEOPLE OFF. THEY'RE NOT AFRAID OF IT, REALLY.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT'S WHAT IT IS. THEY'RE NOT AFRAID OF IT SO I HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. YOUR TENACITY IN THE FIGHT, AS I MENTIONED, AND STILL FIGHTING, STILL THE WAR STILL BEING WAGED AGAINST YOU IS REAL AND TODAY WE CELEBRATE YOU AND THANK YOU, ESPECIALLY YOU, GRACIELA. THIS HAS BEEN NOT JUST YOUR JOB, YOUR WORK, BUT YOUR LIFE'S WORK, YOUR PASSION. WE SAW A YOUNG GRACIELA UP

THERE DOING THIS BEFORE ANY OF US KNEW HOW TO -- >>

>> HAVRDA: YES, OKAY. SOPHIA AND LOUIS, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

SAN ANTONIO IS BETTER FOR YOU BEING IN IT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO

HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS I'VE HEARD OTHERS TALKING AND I HEARD FROM Y'ALL, IT

[01:00:04]

AND HE WAS 16 AT THE TIME. AND I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS GAY UNTIL I BECAME MORE UNDERSTANDING AND COULD SEE THROUGH HIS LIFE WHAT HE WAS COMMITTED TO HIMSELF AND THE GOODNESS. HE ENDED UP BECOMING A DAUGHTER, PSYCHIATRIST.

HE WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL, HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE. HE RAN CLINICS TO HELP PEOPLE.

AND HE WAS JUST A WONDERFUL MAN. BUT THAT STARTED 52 YEARS AGO.

AND SINCE THEN I'VE OPENED MY EYES AND I'VE SEEN GAY MEN AND LESBIAN WOMEN AND TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, THROUGHOUT THIS COMMUNITY SERVE IN SO MANY WONDERFUL WAYS.

AND THAT'S -- I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WORD I CAN USE THIS THEY WERE JUST WONDERFUL HUMAN BEINGS. AND THAT'S THE PART THAT I ALWAYS EMPHASIZE.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS. WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENCES. WE DON'T LOOK ALIKE.

WE DON'T TALK ALIKE. WE DON'T EVEN BELIEVE ALIKE. BUT BOTTOM LINE IS WE'RE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THAT AND TREAT EACH OTHER THAT WAY.

AND I KNOW THAT'S BEEN PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY. IT'S BEEN PART OF MY BELIEF SYSTEM. I HOPE IT BECOMES PART OF EVERYONE'S BELIEF SYSTEM THAT WE CAN ALL LIVE, WORK TOGETHER, UNDERSTAND AS MUCH AS WE CAN ONE ANOTHER AS HUMAN BEINGS IN THIS COMMUNITY. I COMMEND THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO.

I HOPE YOU CONTINUE AND I FOR ONE WOULD SUPPORT YOU AND I HOPE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY WOULD

TOO. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND ALSO FOR SHARING THAT PRESENTATION.

I KNOW I LEARNED SOME THINGS TODAY AND JUST ABOUT OUR CITY'S HISTORY AND HOW WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE IN THE PAST AND WE HAVEN'T. I'M THANKFUL FOR MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AND THE MAYOR FOR OFFERING OUR CITY SUPPORT IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

I TOOK A COUPLE OF NOTES. GRACIELA, YOU MENTIONED Y'ALL'S CONTINUED COURAGE AND PERSISTENCE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STUCK OUT TO ME WAS WHEN YOU MENTIONED THE CONTINUED BELIEF THAT WE CAN GROW AND CHANGE. AND I THINK THAT'S SO POWERFUL. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE BUT WE WERE AT AN EVENT FOR THE DAY OF THE GIRL CELEBRATION AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW YOUNGER GENERATIONS, RACISM ISN'T A THING ANYMORE. IT'S JUST LIKE, HEY, KIND OF TO COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA'S POINT, WE'RE GROWING, WE'RE EVOLVING AND Y'ALL'S CONTINUED BELIEF THAT WE CAN GROW AND CHANGE I FEEL HAS CARRIED YOU ALL AND SUPPORTED YOU ALL.

I DO AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ'S COMMENT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, AN ALLY IS NOT SOMETHING YOU JUST SAY THAT WE ARE. IT IS THROUGH OUR ACTIONS.

AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR MOMENT OF VULNERABILITY BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE ALL LEARN AND UNDERSTAND AND CAN ALSO BE SUPPORTIVE IN BIG WAYS AND LITTLE WAYS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT. AND COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, I THINK YOU'RE SPOT ON. TEXAS IS HOSTILE RIGHT NOW AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO AS A CITY TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND, AGAIN, NOT JUST BY OUR WORDS BUT BY OUR ACTIONS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN

THIS FIGHT TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. I FEEL LIKE I CAN SAY THAT I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN THIS CITY BECAUSE WE'RE SO WELCOMING AND COMPASSIONATE AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF GROUPS LIKE YOURS, THE ONES THAT YOU ALL BELONG TO, SPECIFICALLY MAKING SURE THAT YOUR STORIES ARE TOLD. THAT YOUR PRESENCE IS KNOWN AND FELT AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I FEEL LIKE YOU ALL MAKE SAN ANTONIO A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US TO GROW.

EVERY TIME THAT I HEAR SOMETHING, I LEARN SOMETHING AS WELL.

COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO, ABSOLUTELY. I HEAR THINGS AND I'M LIKE, WOW! I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION THIS MORNING. I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE UNDER ATTACK.

I CAN'T IMAGINE FEELING UNDER ATTACK EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE. I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT. I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ALL ARE THERE TO OFFER SUPPORT FOR OTHERS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED AND JUST IN GENERAL. JUST GIVING US THE EDUCATION THAT WE NEED SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO SUPPORT YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VULNERABILITY AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA

GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YEAH, I ALSO WANT

[01:05:01]

THERE IS NO PLACE FOR DISCRIMINATION IN OUR SOCIETY AND SO IN THAT REGARD, REALLY

APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND FOR SHARING AND FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY. WHEN YOU USE YOUR VOICE, THE ENTIRE SAN ANTONIO IS STRONGER. I KNOW THAT OUR COUNCIL, THE MAJORITY OF OUR COUNCIL AND ME PERSONALLY ARE LOOKING AT JUST THE TREMENDOUS ATTACKS ON THE COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY TRANSGENDER. WE FACED THAT SO MANY TIMES FROM THIS DAIS IN TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO NAVIGATE. SO WHEN YOU COME AND YOU SHARE, IT EMBOLDENS ME TO WALK OUT WHEN HATE SPEECH IS TALKED. BECAUSE IT'S NOT FREEDOM OF SPEECH. IT'S HATE AND IT'S TOXICITY AND WE NEED TO BE A COUNCIL THAT SAYS NO MORE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING.

CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH US ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP BECAUSE WE NEED TO LIVE AS COMMUNITY AND NOT IN THESE SILOS THAT WE CURRENTLY DO. THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND CELEBRATE. CELEBRATE THIS GREAT MONTH. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: THANKS. I WANT TO NAME THE -- SOME MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE ME A BETTER MAN AND A BETTER FATHER AND A BETTER CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND INCLUDE ESTEBAN LOPEZ, MD, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A GAY LATINO, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE THE SAME AGE, ONE OF MY MENTORS . CURT MAY, CITY COUNCILMEN OVER IN CASTLE HILLS. MARY ANN HUSTLE, ONE OF THE SMARTEST LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS IN TEXAS. CHRIS MCNIGHT, MY ROOMMATE FROM TRINITY UNIVERSITY.

KEVIN OVER AT USAA AND THE TWO GAY MEN WHO WORK ON MY STAFF, WHO REALLY DO INFORM THE WAY THAT I SEE THE WORLD AND HELP ME A LOT. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT DOES NOT REQUIRE THOSE FRIENDS, HOWEVER, TO KNOW THAT THERE'S WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF POWER WHO FAIL THE HUMANITY TEST. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WAKE UP EVERY MORNING AND SAY WHAT MEAN THING CAN I DO TODAY TO PROVE MY STREET CRED TO MY MEAN FRIENDS. AND WHAT THEY COME UP WITH IS LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CONTINUE TO DEMONIZE THE THREE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE IN FRONT OF US BUT EVERYBODY ELSE WHO STANDS BEHIND YOU AND FOR WHOM YOU ARE ADVOCATING TODAY. I AM, HOWEVER, GOING TO POINT OUT ONE THING THAT BROKE MY HEART AND AT THE SAME TIME MADE ME VERY HAPPY.

IT MADE ME VERY HAPPY THAT IN JUNE OF 2020, JUSTICE GORSACH WROTE THE OPINION THAT SAID UNEQUIVOCABLY THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT WHEN IT SAYS NO DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX MEANS -- THERE'S NO DEBATE -- IT MEANS THERE'S NO DISCRIMINATION, OR RETALIATION ON SOMEONE'S LGBTQ STATUS. THAT MADE ME VERY HAPPY. THAT SHOULD HAVE MADE EVERYBODY VERY HAPPY BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS AN AFFIRMATION OF WHAT ALL OF US KNEW.

WHAT BROKE MY HEART WAS IT WAS IN 2020. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN 1964.

SO THE FIGHT CONTINUES. I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH Y'ALL AND I'M PROUD OF BEING A SAN ANTONIAN THAT SHARES THE SAME OXYGEN AS YOU GUYS DO. SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR MAKING SOME VERY CANDID REMARKS. I'LL BE BRIEF. I THINK THAT THE OBSERVANCE OF LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT OBSERVED IS THAT IT IS STILL SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY. WE MAY SAY IT'S NOT BUT WE CAN SEE IT, EXPLICITLY, IN THE CASE OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE. AND WE CAN SEE IT IMPLICITY IN

[01:10:05]

AND IT WAS IN THOSE MONTHS THAT I FORMED MY OWN EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING UP HERE. AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS AND PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT THIS CITY HAS ADOPTED A VALUE OR HAS STATED A VALUE THAT WE ALL UNIVERSALLY SHARE AND EXPECT FROM ONE ANOTHER. AND THAT IS EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY DESERVES DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND IS A VALUED MEMBER OF OUR COMMON HUMAN FAMILY. WHETHER OR NOT WE LIVE UP TO THAT VALUE VARIES FROM DAY-TO-DAY BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE ASPIRE TO. I RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO STRIVE TO BE BETTER. BUT IT'S ON THIS ISSUE THAT I THINK WE FAIL THE MOST. AND SO I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SHARING THEIR REMARKS AGAIN AND THEIR HONESTY. AND I WOULD JUST CHALLENGE US ALL, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR POLITICAL ORIENTATION IS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR RELIGION MAY BE, YOUR CULTURE, THAT ON THIS ISSUE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY IF YOU FAIL TO TREAT SOMEONE WHO IS NOT LIKE YOU WITH THE SAME KIND OF VALUE AND DIGNITY THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR YOURSELF, THEN WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. [APPLAUSE] I'M GOING TO TURN NOW TO COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR SPECIAL GUESTS AS WELL.

>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. OCTOBER IS CZECH HERITAGE MONTH IN TEXAS . IT'S A MONTH IN WHICH WE RECOGNIZE THE MANY COMMUNITIES OF CZECHS WHO HAVE AND CONTINUE TO ENRICH OUR CITY'S AND OUR STATE'S HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE.

CZECHS HAVE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUSINESS, ACADEMIA, MEDICINE, GOVERNMENT, AND THE ARTS. THEY HAVE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN LANDSCAPING -- IN THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF SAN ANTONIO. CZECHS HAVE LEFT A MARK ON THE CITY'S HISTORY. ONE OF THE MOST LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS ARE REGARDED.

THERE'S ALSO AN ARCHITECT RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVERAL STRUCTURES.

OF COURSE THERE'S DR. MICHAEL ANTHONY DIGNOWITY, OF COURSE WE HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD NAMED AFTER HIM. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION MY FATHER-IN-LAW, WHO IS RETIRED CHIEF OF THE TEXAS RANGERS, C.J. HAVRDA. OCTOBER 1, 2021 THE GOVERNOR OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED OCTOBER AS CZECH HERITAGE MONTH TO RECOGNIZE CZECHS WHO HAVE GREATLY ENRICHED OUR STATE'S HISTORY AND VIBRANT CULTURAL LANDSCAPE.

I ALREADY SAID THIS. SORRY. SO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT REPRESENT THE CZECH IMMIGRANTS IN SAN ANTONIO, LEAVING A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES TO THRIVE ALSO INCLUDE MS. DESTINY HOLINGSTON. SHE'S MS. CZECH/SLOVAC U.S.

QUEEN. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MONICA COVA.

I'M NOT CZECH. I'M TRYING. MY HUSBAND'S CZECH.

TO THE COUNCIL AND TO EVERYONE PRESENT THIS MORNING. MONICA IS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BEXAR COUNTY CZECH HERITAGE SOCIETY. MONICA, PLEASE TELL US ABOUT CZECH HERITAGE MONTH AND HOW YOU CELEBRATE CZECH CULTURE IN TEXAS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING. LADIES, GENTLEMEN, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THE ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH A HEART FILLED WITH GRATITUDE AND PRIDE AS WE RECOGNIZE CZECH HERITAGE MONTH IN TEXAS.

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY AND I WANT TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE CITY COUNCIL CABELLO HAVRDA FOR EXTENDING THIS INVITATION TO THIS GROUP.

MY NAME IS MONICA AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE BEXAR COUNTY CZECH HERITAGE SOCIETY.

AS YOU PROBABLY NOTICED, MY ACCENT AND MY HARD TO PRONOUNCE LAST NAME CAN TELL YOU THAT I'M

[01:15:01]

NOT ONLY DID KOLACHES BECOME A BREAKFAST STAPLE IN TEXAS OR POLKA DANCE IS PART OF MANY CELEBRATIONS. CZECHS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO MUSIC, SPORTS, SCIENCE, BUSINESS, POLITICS, EDUCATION, AND MANY MORE AREAS. AS COUNCILWOMAN MELISSA MENTIONED. SO OUR ORGANIZATION, THE CZECH HERITAGE SOCIETY, WAS FOUNDED IN 1982 AND OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE CZECH AND SLOVAC HERITAGE THROUGH GENEALOGY, LANGUAGE, FOOD, MUSIC, AND HISTORY. IN THIS SPECIAL MONTH WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO REFLECT ON THE PAST AND ON OUR HERITAGE BUT ALSO THE LEGACY OF CZECH IMMIGRANTS AND ALSO TO CELEBRATE THE PRESENCE AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.

IT IS A TIME FOR SHARING OUR TRADITIONS, STORIES, EXPERIENCES WITH OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, FOSTERING CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND DEEPENING OUR CONNECTIONS.

IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR COMMITMENT TO CONTINUING CELEBRATION OF THE CZECH HERITAGE. NOT JUST DURING THIS SPECIAL MONTH BUT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO ORGANIZE EVENTS, CULTURE EXCHANGES, AND ALSO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CZECH AND SLOVAC HERITAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING CZECH HERITAGE MONTH.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING DIVERSION AND CONCLUSION IS A TESTAMENT TO THE COMPASSION OF OUR CITY. THIS GESTURE IS NOT ONLY HONORING THOSE OF CZECH DESCENT BUT ALSO STRENGTHENING OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> HAVRDA: ONE MORE THING. I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T MENTION KOLACHES.

I APOLOGIZE FOR MISPRONOUNCING YOUR NAME. IT'S THE STORY OF MY LIFE SINCE I GOT MARRIED BUT I DO VALUE THE BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE AND THE CULTURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO

HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND I GUESS COMMEND ALL OF US TO REMEMBER THE CONTRIBUTION THAT THE CZECH COMMUNITY HAS MADE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE AREAS SURROUNDING SAN ANTONIO. I THINK THE FIRST TIME I CAN RECALL BEING EXPOSED TO THE CZECH COMMUNITY WAS THROUGH THE INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES WHO FOR MANY YEARS WOULD HAVE THEIR TEXAS FOLK LIFE FESTIVAL . WE WOULD SEE PEOPLE FROM THE CZECH COMMUNITY AND EVERY OTHER CULTURE IN AND AROUND SOUTH TEXAS WOULD SHOW UP TO SHARE THE VALUES OF THOSE CULTURES. I MISS THAT. AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ONCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF YOUR CULTURE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

I WOULD SURE LIKE TO SEE THE INSTITUTE OF TEXAS CULTURE CONTINUE TO FLOURISH AND BRING ALL OF THE CULTURES BACK TOGETHER AGAIN TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SAN ANTONIO AND TO SOUTH TEXAS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR BRINGING YOU AND AND FOR CELEBRATING CZECH HERITAGE MONTH. MY COMMITMENT IS THIS TIME NEXT YEAR WHEN YOU COME BACK, I WILL KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH TO FIRST IDENTIFY FOOD THAT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO TRY AND IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF BREAD AND

WHATNOT, IS THAT ACCURATE? THANK YOU. >> PERFECT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AT OUR SPRING AND FALL FESTIVAL. I'LL MAKE SURE TO SEND ALL THE INFORMATION SO YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE CZECH CULTURE FOR YOURSELF.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

[01:20:02]

WE TALK ABOUT OUR GERMAN COMMUNITY AND OUR MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, BUT THE CZECH COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SUCH A VITAL PART OF OUR GROWTH IN SAN ANTONIO.

I'M GLAD YOU ARE HERE AND BRINGING THAT ATTENTION AND SHARING YOUR CULTURE WITH

US. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND HELP US CELEBRATE WHAT IS SAN ANTONIO HERITAGE AS WELL.

COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA AND I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME THROUGH SHERRY AND OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE AMBASSADOR STASIK AND HE IS ALSO RECOGNIZING HOW IMPORTANT CZECH HISTORY IS TO SAN ANTONIO AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO RENEWING THAT ON HIS NEXT TRIP. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR

BEING HERE TODAY. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, COULD I HAVE JUST A BRIEF MOMENT. ROBERT, PRESIDENT OF THE BEXAR COUNTY CZECH HERITAGE SOCIETY. WE THANK YOU FOR YOU ALL WELCOMING US HERE TODAY AND I WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING THAT COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE MENTIONED, ABOUT THE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL. MANY OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL, NO OFFENSE, ARE PROBABLY TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER THE DAYS THAT HEMISFAIR, YOU COULDN'T HARDLY GET INTO THE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL. IT WAS THE EVENT.

PROBABLY EQUAL TO FIESTA AT THAT TIME. AND I'M 74 YEARS OLD.

BUT BACK IN THE '70S AND EARLY '80S, IT WAS THE PLACE TO GO DURING THE SUMMER, NOT FOR ONE DAY, NOT FOR TWO, BUT FOR THREE DAYS. AND IT WAS FULL.

THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR IT NOT BEING THAT WAY ANYMORE.

AT ONE TIME WE WERE SUPPORTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT OUR PREVIOUS HONOREES MENTIONED.

BUT CITY COUNCIL BEGAN TO ASK FOR MORE AND MORE MONIES TO WHERE IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY GROUPS. IT WASN'T JUST THE CZECH, BUT THE BELGIAN, THE GERMAN AND EVEN THE FILIPINOS WHO PRECEDED US TODAY WHO STOPPED ENGAGING IN IT GRADUALLY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT FINANCIALLY -- WE WERE TRYING TO PROMOTE OUR CULTURE, BUT IT WAS NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE. BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH MONEY WAS GOING TO THE CITY FOR OUR RENT AND FOR PAYING FOR THE SECURITY EVEN, BELIEVE IT OR NOT. A LOT OF THOSE MONIES WERE COMING FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND I DON'T WANT TO END ON A BAD NOTE, BUT HOPEFULLY -- YOU MENTIONED THE ITC.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL REMAIN DOWNTOWN AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN REESTABLISH IT TO WHERE IT WAS AT ONE POINT. IT WAS THE PLACE TO GO. SO THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND JUST HAVE TO REMIND FOLKS, THAT IS NOT A CITY VENUE. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL ARCHIVES MONTH FOR THE CITY CLERK.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023, THE CITY OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK MUNICIPAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS DIVISION WILL JOIN ARCHIVAL AND HISTORICAL INSTITUTIONS IN CELEBRATING NATIONAL ARCHIVES MONTH TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PROMOTE THE VALUE AND HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF ARCHIVISTS WORK. WHERE IT IS FITTING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE CITY'S ARCHIVISTS PLAY FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC CONSUMPTION. TODAY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CONTINUES TO REVOLUTIONIZE AND STANDARDIZE PUBLIC ACCESS TO HILLCEST RECORDS BY DIGITIZING, REORGANIZING AND CONTINUALLY ENHANCING ITS DOCUMENTARY COLLECTION ONLINE, MAKE BE PUBLIC RECORDS AVAILABLE IN AN ONLINE PORTAL ACCESSIBLE WORLDWIDE. WHEREAS THE DIVISION RETAINS VITAL BIRTH AND DEATH RECORDS GOING BACK TO THE LATE 1800S AND CAN PROVIDE NEW PARENTS IN BEXAR COUNTY WITH A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR THEIR NEWBORNS.

WHEREAS THOSE CONDUCTING FAMILY GENEOLOGY RESEARCH CAN CONSULT WITH RESEARCHERS AT THE TEXANA CENTER AND CHECK OUT COLLECTIONS FROM THE PREHISTORIC TIMES TO THE SERVICE RECORDS OF THE TEJANOS AND TEXANS WHO FOUGHT.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ARE ENTERED INTO THE PERMANENT RECORD WEEKLY JUST AS THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE 1830S AND THE OFFICE OF SELECTOR MAKES THESE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS UPON REQUEST. WHEREAS NATIONAL ARCHIVES MONTH WE RECOGNIZE THE ARCHIVISTS TO RESERVING OUR RICH HISTORY AND PRESERVING

[01:25:03]

I DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 20L ARCHIVES MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, AND I WELCOME OUR CITY CLERK TO THE PODIUM. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. YOU ALL KNOW ME AS MY WONDERFUL 11 BOSSES THAT I HAVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ARCHIVES MONTH. THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE SO THE HOLDER OF THE HISTORY OF SAN ANTONIO IN OUR ARCHIVES AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT. AND I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE MY WONDERFUL STAFF THAT I HAVE, MARY MARCUS, WHO IS OUR MUNICIPAL RECORDS MANAGER.

AND SHE'S OVER THE ARCHIVES, AND WE JUST RECENTLY HIRED AN ARCHIVIST, MARCUS FLORES.

HE JOINED US A MONTH AGO. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE LIBRARY.

DELL MCNEAL IS HERE REPRESENTING THE LIBRARY BECAUSE THEY ARE A GREAT PARTNER WITH US. THE CITY ARCHIVES IS FOR MUNICIPAL ARCHIVES AND EVERYTHING THAT IS CREATED BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT, BUT THE TEXANA COLLECTION IS FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE. WE WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND THANK ALL

FOR YOUR SUPPORT. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, DEBBIE. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THIS IS REALLY EXCITING. I'M A TRAINED HISTORIAN AND I SPENT MORE HOURS THAN I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO IN ARCHIVES. BUT ALSO LOOKING UP WHICH ARCHIVAL SITE HAS THE DOCS THAT I NEEDED NECESSARY FOR MY RESEARCH.

I THINK THIS IS WHY THIS IS SO EXCITING FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE THERE'S HISTORIANS ALL THROUGHOUT NOT JUST THE UNITED STATES BUT THE WORLD THAT ARE LOOKING TO SAN ANTONIO FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS E TO HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED AND CELEBRATE THERE IS A SPACE -- I KNOW WE'VE BEEN COLLECTING, BUT TO PUT OUT THERE THAT THERE IS ARCHIVAL SPACE IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPACTFUL TO TELLING THE SAN ANTONIO STORY HARD SO THANK YOU AS WELL. WHAT'S REALLY EXCITING IS THERE'S GOING TO BE HOPEFULLY MORE HISTORY BOOKS ON THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I SPENT SOME TIME AT THE PRIDE CENTER ARCHIVES AND HEARING GRACIELA'S STORY TODAY, THERE'S SO MANY STORIES AND I KNOW THERE'S HISTORIANS WITH SO MANY SPECIALTIES THAT HOPEFULLY SOON WE'LL BE TELLING THE STORY OF SAN ANTONIO AND MANY OF ITS FACETS.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.

THERE'S SO MUCH WE CAN SAY IN A CITY THAT'S 300 YEARS OLD ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR OFFICE AND I'M GLAD WE'RE PUTTING OUR FULL EFFORT BEHIND IT, DEBBIE, SO GREAT JOB AND CONTINUE TO GO GET 'EM. I'M GOING TO NOW TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I'M EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THE MLK MARCH. THE 2024 MARCH IS AN EXPERIENCE OF UNITY, LOVE AND CELEBRATION OF DR. KING'S DREAM. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN OUR CITY AND COMMUNITY AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS. ALL EVENTS CAPTURE DR. KING'S VALUE, THE WREATH LAYING CEREMONY, THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT, THE COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM.

THIS YEAR WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE OUR MLK AWARD WINNERS, THANK SPONSORS AND GIVE OUR COMMUNITY A CHANCE TO MEET AT A CELEBRATORY DINNER.

WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO VISIT THE WEBSITE TO SIGN UP TO MARCH, APPLY FOR A VENDOR BOOTH AND VOLUNTEER. CHARITABLE DONATIONS ARE ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE.

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US FUND THE MUCH-NEEDED SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE SHOWCASE OF INITIATIVES THAT CONTINUE DR. KING'S WORK. EVERY DONATION NO MATTER HOW SMALL BRINGS US ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALIZING DR. KINK'S DREAM OF EQUALITY AND JUSTICE. I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THE THEME OF THE MARCH HAS BEEN SELECTED AND IT IS YESTERDAY'S DREAM, TODAY'S VISION, TOMORROW'S REALITY.

FROM HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES, THIS THEME WAS SELECTED TO BEST ENCAPSULATE OUR GOALS FOR THE MARCH. THE WINNER IS HERE WITH US TODAY.

SHE IS PROUD PRODUCT OF THE EAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO AND PERFORMED PROFESSIONALLY SINCE THE AGE OF 7 AT THE CARVER THEATER. DEVON ATTENDED TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP, CHAIRMAN OF THE BLACK LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR TWO YEARS, WORKSHOP PRESENTER ON THE BIG 12 CONFERENCE AND THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE STUDENT FOUNDATION.

SHE IS A PROFESSIONAL ACTOR, OWNER AND LEAD VOCAL LEAD OF DEV SOUL.

[01:30:02]

>> THANK YOU. MY NIGHT IS MRS. DEVIN MATTHEWS AND I AM YOUR 2024 MLK THEME CONTEST WINNER. I'M ALSO THE OWNER AND LEAD VOCALIST AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR WHERE MY PASTOR IS REVEREND GILLESPIE.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MLK COMMISSION AND ALL THE DIG IN DIG IN AERS TO WHO VOTED. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ AS WELL AS MS. DAVID AND THEIR INCREDIBLE TEAM FOR THIS INVITATION, AS WELL AS HIS CONSTANT SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY ENDEAVORS AND VISIBILITY IN THE ARTS. I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT CHRISTMAS IN BLACK VOLUME 2, DECEMBER 7TH. MY THEME, YESTERDAY'S DREAM, TODAY'S VISION, TOMORROW'S REALITY, WHEN I CHOSE THIS THEME, I PONDERED ON HOW WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN FOCUS MORE ON THE DREAM THAT THE LATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HAD FOR AMERICA.

IN RHETORIC, HOW CAN THAT DREAM IN OUR OWN -- AND OUR OWN DREAMS BECOME INSPIRATION FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW, WHICH ARE OUR FUTURES.

THE BIBLE SAYS IN JAMES 2 AND 17, FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT RESULT IN ACTION IS DEAD. RACISM, INJUSTICE AND SPECIALLY AMONG BLACK MEN ARE ALIVE AND WELL. IT WILL MORE THAN DREAMS TO EVOKE POWERFUL CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IT TAKES EQUITABLE ACTION. EQUITABLE ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO BE THE COMMUNITY THAT THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SAN ANTONIO NEED US TO BE. AS WE ATTEMPTING TO BACK TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY POST-PANDEMIC, I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS AND CHURCHES, TO COME BACK AND BE A PART OF THE MLK MARCH ERA.

THE MLK MARCH SUPPORTS THE VALUES AND THE MOVEMENT FOR THE REASON WE COME TOGETHER.

THE MARCH IS THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD FOR A REASON. LET US CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF THE LATE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

I CHARGE YOU, SAN ANTONIO, AND I IMPLORE YOU TO SIGN UP TO SERVE, TO WORK AND TO COME TOGETHER. YESTERDAY'S DREAM, TODAY'S VISION, TOMORROW'S REALITY.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, AGAIN, TO YOU MAYOR, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES HERE TODAY. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU

ALL. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU.

EVERY YEAR SO FAR I'VE BEEN ELECTED WE'VE SET RECORDS FOR THE NUMBER OF THEME SUBMISSIONS. THE ART CONTEST IS OPEN RIGHT NOW, CORRECT? NOT YET. IT WILL BE OPENING SOON. AND WE WANT TO SET A RECORD FOR THAT AS WELL. SO MAKE SURE YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT BEXAR

COUNTY ARE PARTICIPATING. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. AND DEVIN, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AWESOME THEME.

VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVITIES HERE. >> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR NOW TO COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. LUMINARIA IS HERE ONCE AGAIN, IT'S THE QUINCEANERA AT OCTOBER 21 FROM 6:00 TO MIDNIGHT. TO TELL US ABOUT THE ARTISTS AND WHAT IS GOING ON I HAVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LUMINARIA WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE CENTER OF THE ART GALLERY. IF YOU WILL SHARE ABOUT SOME

OF THE ARTISTS AND THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL GO ON. >> THANK YOU SOIF MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. THANK YOU FOR WEARING THE SHIRT AND THE TIARA.

LUMINARIA HAS BEEN PRODUCING THIS FESTIVAL FOR 15 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AROUND FOUNDED BY FORMER MAYOR PHIL HARDBERGER WHO BELIEVED THE ARTS WERE IMPORTANT TO THE FABRIC OF OUR CITY, OF OUR IDENTITY, OF WHO WE ARE AND WHY WE LIVE AND WORK HERE. WHY PEOPLE WANT TO COME. WHY TOURISM IS OUR BIGGEST INDUSTRY THAT SPURS OUR ECONOMY. THAT'S BECAUSE OF OUR ARTISTS. THE MORE WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR ARTISTS, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE AND WORK HERE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE

[01:35:07]

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. SAN ANTONIO, THE SAN ANTONIO DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE IS OUR BIGGEST FUNDER.

THIS YEAR BEXAR COUNTY FUNDS CAME THROUGH AND SO I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

NOW WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM, YOU KNOW, OUR LARGER COMMUNITY.

BUT ALSO THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS. WITHOUT THE TWO-YEAR RESCUE GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PAY ALL OF MY ARTISTS.

I PAY MY ARTISTS STIPENDS ARE AT $50,000 AND THAT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH.

THEY ARE POURING OUT THEIR HEART AND SOUL THIS SATURDAY AT HEMISFAIR AND CONVENTION CENTER. WE ARE USING THE NEW CIVIC PARK AND IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING FROM 6:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT. OUR OPENING CEREMONY IS AT 5:30. I HAVE A REAL-LIFE QUINCEANERA.

WE HAVE THE MARIACHIS, JUST TO KEEP CELEBRATING IN A STYLE AND KEEPING OUR IDENTITY TRUE TO OUR ROOTS. I HAVE OVER 200 INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS.

THERE MAY BE 40 LISTED ON THE MAP YOU JUST RECEIVED, BUT THAT REPRESENTS GROUPS OF 30, GROUPS OF THREE, GROUPS OF TEN. ALL OF THESE ARTISTS THAT ARE MAJORITY 90% ARE LOCAL. I HAVE ARTISTS COMING FROM THE NETHERLANDS, THE PERSON WHO PAYS CONJUNTO MUSIC IS FLYING IN TONIGHT AND FLYING BACK TO 2 NETHERLANDS ON SUNDAY JUST FOR LUMINARIA. I HAVE A DANCE COMPANY FROM NEW YORK CITY.

THEY ARE BEING SPONSORED BY CONSULATE AND SO SHE'S COMING. THEY ARE COMING TO SAN ANTONIO AND RAISING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COME AND JOIN US TO BE HERE WITH OUR LOCAL ARTISTS BECAUSE THEY SEE THAT -- THAT WE VALUE THE ARTS IN SAN ANTONIO.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU HERE PRESENT BECAUSE YOU VOTE FOR US AND YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE. AND BEING ON THE ARTS COMMISSION, I KNOW WE HAD AN INCREASE AND YOU ALSO INCREASED THE BUDGET.

SO WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AND TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF CITY COUNCIL. I WANT TO END ON A VERY PERSONAL NOTE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE ME A MINUTE. MY FATHER PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH. AND HE WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION.

HE WORKED FOR A FAMILY-RUN CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, ALVAREZ CONSTRUCTION.

HE BUILT A LOT OF THE ROADS THAT WE TRAVEL ON. IN '68, HE WAS OUT HERE BUILDING I-90, 281, STORM DRAINS, YOU NAME IT. COMPETING AGAINST ZACHARY, OUR BIG GIANT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. IN THE MIDDLE OF LUMINARIA PLANNING, I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MY FATHER. BUT I HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT TOOK OVER AS WELL AS MY SUPPORT FROM THE CITY, CITY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE. AND TO BRING IT ALL HOME, IF YOU GO TO THE MURALS AT I-90, YOU WILL SEE MY FATHER'S PORTRAIT THERE AND THAT WAS ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO THAT ART PROJECT WAS INAUGURATED. AND VIAGRAN'S FATHER IS THERE TOO. I BROUGHT IT ALL BACK HOME ALL THE HARD PHYSICAL WORK MY DAD PUT INTO THE CITY. AND NOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD NEVER BE SPEAKING TO YOU LIKE THIS, THAT NEVER WENT PAST FIFTH GRADE IS NOW RECOGNIZED ON OUR CITY PUBLIC ART DAIS. AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALL OF YOU.

PLEASE COME OUT ON SATURDAY. WE'RE CELEBRATING. WE'RE CELEBRATING LIFE.

WE'RE CELEBRATING EVERYTHING WE'VE ACHIEVED AND PEOPLE LIKE GRACIELA HAVE INSPIRED ME TO BE AN ADVOCATE. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND ADVOCACY AND ALL OF YOU HERE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND LET'S JUST GO AND HAVE -- BE INSPIRED AND ENJOY THE FACT THAT WE'RE STILL HERE, THAT WE SURVIVED COVID, THAT WE'VE OVERCOME AND ARE STILL THRIVING AND CELEBRATING ALL THE ARTS IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCILWOMAN.

APPRECIATE IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER

VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I JUST HAVE A FEW MORE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN SAN ANTONIO.

I WANT TO THANK PATRICIA FROM VISIT SAN ANTONIO FOR A JOB WELL DONE.

YESTERDAY THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE, MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE WHO SITS ON THE BOARD ALLUDED TO IT. WE DID GET SELECTED TO BE THE HOST CITY FOR SEE NET CONNECT IN 2024, JUNE 10-13. I THINK THERE'S A SLIDE SOMEWHERE.

BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO RESEARCH THIS, RESEARCH THE GROUPS THAT ARE COMING IN.

[01:40:05]

AND I KNOW MANY OF US ARE PART OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND WE CAN GET THEM NOW TO COME DOWN FOR THIS EVENT AND THEN POSSIBLY HOST A MEETING HERE. SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. PATRICIA COULDN'TING HERE BUT I'M EXCITED SHE WAS HERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, IT IS TIME FOR THE SIXTH ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION AT MISSION MARQUEE. IS BLANCH STILL HERE? BLANCH, IF YOU COULD COME ON UP AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS -- WHAT HAPPENS AND WHAT TIME IT BEGINS. WE WILL BE FEATURING THE MOVIE "COCOA." I HAVE COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO AND COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA COME OUT BEFORE SO I INVITE MY NEW COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO COME OUT TO THIS EVENT.

IT IS FREE, IT IS FUN. PLEASE TELL US WHEN IT STARTS AND ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS. THE SIXTH ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, AT MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA.

THE EVENT DOES CELEBRATE THE MISSIONS AND THE -- ACTUALLY IT'S A DESCENDANT MISSIONS OF SAN ANTONIO DESCENDANT MISSIONS. WE'LL HAVE A PRO SITUATION THAT STARTS FROM -- PROCESSION THAT WILL START FROM MISSION SAN JOSE, AND WE CONTINUE THE CELEBRATION AT MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA WITH COMMUNITY ALTARS, MUSIC, DANCE AND IT'S A BIG OLD CELEBRATION THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL ARTS AND CRAFTS VENDORS AS WELL AS FREE TRUCKS. WHAT -- FOOD TRUCKS.

WHAT WE DO HIGHLIGHT IS A REMEMBRANCE SLIDE SHOW. WE HAVE ABOUT 100 -- 90 PHOTOS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND WE DO SHOW THOSE ON THE BIG SCREEN AT MISSION MARQUEE AND IT'S IN REMEMBRANCE OF LOVED ONES. ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO ATTEND.

THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, BLANCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. ALL RIGHT.

[ACTION ITEMS FOR STAFF BRIEFING]

WE'RE GOING TO GET TO OUR ITEM NOW, ITEM NUMBER 3. >> AN ORDINANCE APPROVING -- AMENDING CHAPTER 15 OF THE CITY CODE HEALTH TO REQUIRE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE SIGNS TO BE POSTED WITH INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION TO

INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A PRESENTATION? DR. JACOB.

>> ALL RIGHTY. GOOD MORNING. SUCH A QUIET CROWD.

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> THERE WE GO.

STILL WITH US. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THIS ITEM TO YOU TODAY.

I'M HERE TODAY DURING NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH AND, AGAIN, WE WEAR PURPLE THIS MONTH AS PART OF OUR NATIONAL CAMPAIGN.

WE FEATURE THE PURPLE PORCH CAMPAIGN. TODAY I'M HERE TO PRESENT A PROPOSAL THAT WILL HELP LINK MORE PEOPLE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES.

THIS INITIATIVE WILL ADD TO THE CITY'S PORTFOLIO OF INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. KEY PARTNERSHIPS AMONG THE CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS, COMMENT MEMBERS AND BUSINESSES HELPS US PROVIDE CRITICAL SERVICES FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SO AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY IS BURDENED WITH A HIGH RATE OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.

IN 2022, SAPD FILED OVER 20,000 REPORTS RELATED TO FAMILY VIOLENCE COMPARED TO 16,799 IN 2019. AND THAT SAME NUMBER IN 2020.

IN RESPONSE TO COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST, METRO HEALTH DRAFTED AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION TO DISPLAY SIGNAGE IN THEIR BATHROOMS THAT LIST RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THE ORDINANCE WOULD EXPAND COMMUNICATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES, LINK PEOPLE TO RESOURCES MORE QUICKLY, AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS. JUST A COUPLE SLIDES, JUST A REMINDER, WE'VE BEEN ON THIS JOURNEY FOR A COUPLE YEARS, BUT JUST TO HIGHLIGHT, AND THANKS AGAIN TO COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ WHO AUTHORED THE ORIGINAL CCR BACK IN FALL OF 2021.

[01:45:01]

WITH THAT, EARLIER THIS YEAR WE OBTAINED FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE FROM A COLLABORATIVE COMMISSION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ALSO CALLED CCDV.

THIS GROUP IS CO-CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND THE BEXAR COUNTY JUDGE DIAZ AND HAS A MISSION TO CONVENE MULTIPLE SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE, INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT SYSTEM.

EARLIER THIS SPRING IN APRIL WE MET WITH THE SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER OF THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION TO SOLICIT THEIR FEEDBACK. ALTHOUGH THEY PREFER A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM, THEY ENDORSE THE CONCEPT OF MAKING SURE THESE RESOURCES ARE MADE MORE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENCES AND TO VICTIMS. WE COMPILED THE FEEDBACK FROM THESE ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC SURVEY AND PRESENTED TWO OPTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE COMMITTEE IN LATE APRIL.

THE COMMITTEE APPROVED A MOTION TO BRING THIS ITEM TO THIS A SESSION FOR DISCUSSION AND DISCUSSION BY THE FULL COUNCIL. SO WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IN RESPONSE TO THE ORIGINAL CCR, CREATING A WATER RESISTANT DECAL TO BE POSTED IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION FEATURING COMPASSIONATE LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH WITH A PHONE NUMBER TO THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE AND TEXTING OPTION. A QR CODE WILL LINK TO A WEBSITE CONTAINING HELPFUL, LIFE-SAVING INFORMATION INCLUDING HOW TO IDENTIFY ABUSE, HELPING SOMEONE YOU KNOW, LISTING OF RESOURCES AND A VIDEO LIBRARY WITH VIGNETTES ADDRESSING A NUMBER OF TOPICS. THE HOTLINE LINKS CALLERS TO ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR AREA FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES. THIS IS 24/7 RESOURCE. OUR TEAM AT METRO HEALTH, WE RECOMMEND USING THIS RESOURCE BECAUSE IT WILL HELP AID PEOPLE WHO VISIT OR WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT MAY NOT NECESSARILY LIVE HERE.

SO WE'RE EMPHASIZING PRIMARY PREVENTION. OUR GOAL IS TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND PARTNERSHIP TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE. WE'RE PROPOSING A 12-MONTH PARTNERSHIP TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION AND COMPLIANCE.

AGAIN, THE FEEDBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCIL WAS TO MINIMIZE ADDITIONAL BURDEN FOR THE AREA BUSINESSES SO WE'RE FRONT LOADING BY ROBUST EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WILL --L PRODUCE AND PROVIDE THE REQUIRED SIGNAGE AT NO COST AND EDUCATE ESTABLISHMENTS ABOUT THE ORDINANCE AND THE USE OF THE SIGNAGE. WE PROPOSE A COMPLAINT-BASED MODEL FOR THE ORDINANCE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE A MONETARY PENALTY. THE IDEA IS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND BUILD SUPPORT FOR A JOINT EFFORT TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AFTER THE 12-MONTH EDUCATION AND DISTRIBUTION PERIOD, PEOPLE MAY LODGE A COMPLAINT THROUGH THE 311 SYSTEM IN AN ESTABLISHMENT IS NOT COMPLIANT WITH THE ORDINANCE.

OUR TEAM AT THE DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS, WILL RESPOND TO IT INTO COMPLIANCE. FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, AGAIN AT METRO HEALTH WE WILL ASSESS COMPLIANCE DURING ALL ROUTINE INSPECTIONS AND PROVIDE SIGNAGE AS NEEDED. SO WITH OUR DISTRIBUTION, WE ARE PROPOSING TWO FORMS OF DECAL DISTRIBUTION. OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS WILL DISTRIBUTE THE MATERIALS THROUGH THEIR REGULAR INSPECTIONSEN OUTREACH VISITS. WE ALSO WANT TO ACTIVATE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING CITY LOCATIONS SUCH AS THE ONE-STOP DEVELOPMENT CENTER, LIBRARIES, METRO HEALTH CLINICS, FIELD OFFICES.

WE CLEARLY PLAN TO PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND PLACES FREQUENTED BY OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT OF PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION. WE WILL ALSO POST A LIST ON ON-SITE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS ONLINE. WITH THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE, WE HAVE A BUDGETARY IMPACT ON THE GENERAL FUND.

WE ESTIMATE A COST OF $200,000 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN RELATED TO THE STARTUP AND THE ROLLOUT TO PRODUCE THE SIGNAGE AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS, THE MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS, AND THE ADDED STAFF, JUST A FEW TEMPS OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD TO BLITZ THE AREA WITH THESE MATERIALS.

[01:50:02]

OUR TEAM RECOMMENDS THIS BE IMPLEMENTED AS AN ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM PENALTIES USING A COMPLAINT-BASED MODEL WITH A 12-MONTH PERIOD SO WE CAN RAMP UP AND MAKE SURE WE GET THIS OUT TO THE AREA ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE DIFFERENT PLACES ACROSS THE CITY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OR FANTASTIC TEAM, ERIKA, THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION. JERRY TREVINO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MARJORIE WHITE OVER COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY DIVISION, MARIO MARTINEZ, WHO IS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OVER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND OPERATIONS.

SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO SONIA GONZALES AND KAREN THE OPERATIONS MANAGER WITHIN THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION SECTION. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER MARIA VILLAGÓMEZ, ALONG WITH JUDGE DIAZ AND THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER ERIK WALSH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD YET ANOTHER COMPONENT TO OUR RESOURCES PROVIDED AT METRO HEALTH. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT AND PRESENTATION AND WE CAN FIELD SOME QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BEFORE WE GET INTO COUNCIL DISCUSSION, THERE IS ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

LET ME CALL HIM NOW, JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

IN VIEW OF THE HOUR AND A HALF OF CEREMONIALS TODAY, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE ONE

CELEBRATING STRAIGHT PRIDE MONTH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: STAY

ON TOPIC. >> AN HOUR AND A HALF FOR THAT, THREE MINUTES FOR ME.

THE ITEM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS IN FAVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

YES, BUT I NOTICE THE BACK OF DOCUMENTS THAT -- THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS THAT YOU HAVE FOR THIS, START WITH THE FIRST UNDER LEANED AREA, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? LET'S SEE. REDUCE A LITTLE BIT.

WHEN LOOKING AT THE OVERALL SUPPORT FOR AN ORDINANCE, 79% OF THOSE SURVEYED SUPPORTED STRONG -- STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF A MANDATE.

FURTHER DOWN YOU SEE, SURVEY RESULTS SHOWED THERE IS A MAJORITY OF SUPPORT FOR BOTH MANDATORY AND A VOLUNTARY INITIATIVE. RETURN THE CAMERA FOR THE MOMENT TO THE PODIUM, IF YOU WOULD. YOU KNOW, BOTH MANDATORY AND VOLUNTARY. THAT IS A VERY SCHIZOPHRENIC TAKE ON THIS STUFF.

WHO WANTS WHAT HERE? I MEAN, EITHER YOU HAVE MANDATORY OR YOU HAVE VOLUNTARY. IF IT'S -- I CAN UNDERSTAND VOLUNTARY, BUT MANDATORY, YOU ARE MAKING EVERYBODY, ALL BUSINESSES, ALL PEOPLE WITH PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS TO PUT SIGNS IN THEIR RESTROOMS. SCROLL ON FURTHER ON DOWN.

WHAT DOES IT SAY, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN. THE AUDIENCE WILL USE A COMPLAINT-BASED MODEL -- PULL IT UP THERE IF YOU WOULD.

YEAH. MODEL AND WILL NOT INCLUDE PENALTIES.

WELL, THAT'S INTERESTING. SO A PERSON DOESN'T PUT THE SIGNS UP IN THEIR RESTROOMS AND THEY DON'T GET PENALIZED FOR IT. OKAY.

SO YOU SAY, WELL, YOU THE BUSINESSES, YOU ARE OFF SCOT FREE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AND NOT WORRY ABOUT PENALTIES.

ALL I CAN SAY IS TODAY. WHAT HAPPENS A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW, A YEAR FROM NOW WHEN YOU SAY, OH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HASN'T DECREASED AT ALL.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT MANDATORY. WE'VE GOT TO START PENALIZING PEOPLE FOR NOT PUTTING UP THOSE SIGNS. I THINK THE NEXT POINT HERE IS -- WHAT DOES IT SAY? YES, ONCE THE COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED, METRO HEALTH WILL FOLLOW WITH [INAUDIBLE] TO PROVIDE REEDUCATION CAMPS -- MY MISTAKE, EDUCATION.

I WAS QUOTING OUR FRIEND HILLARY CLINTON REGARDING TRUMP SUPPORTERS.

[01:55:04]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO DISCUSSION NOW. I'LL TURN THE FLOOR FIRST TO COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ WHO

AUTHORED THE CCR. >> PELÁEZ: MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S AND MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM

NUMBER 3. COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: THOSE LAST THREE MINUTES OF FRONT TEAR GIBBERISH NOTWITHSTANDING, TODAY IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE.

THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEAL. SAN ANTONIO HAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEVELS AT EPIDEMIC LEVELS. WHEN ONE IN THREE WOMEN IN SAN ANTONIO HAVE OR WILL HAVE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STORY TO TELL, WE ARE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT'S AN ALL HANDS ON DECK MOMENT AND EVERYBODY IS IMPACTED. SO I WILL REMIND FOLKS THAT YEAH, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME OWNERS OF BATHROOMS OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS WHO OBJECT TO THIS. TO THOSE OWNERS I'LL REMIND YOU THAT ONE-THIRD OF ALL WOMEN CUSTOMERS THAT COME THROUGH YOUR DOORS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

AND ONE-THIRD OF YOUR FEMALE EMPLOYEES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. AND SO WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK IT'S A PROBLEM, ONE-THIRD OF THE FEMALES THAT ARE YOUR STAKEHOLDERS, IT'S A PROBLEM FOR THEM. I'VE HEARD YOUR OBJECTIONS AND YET WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. NEVER WAS THERE AN INTENT TO PENALIZE OR FINE ANYBODY.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. THIS IS ABOUT SPREADING THE MESSAGE. WE'VE POSTED THE SIGN UP HERE FOR YOU.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THAT BIG. IT IS GOING TO BE THIS BIG.

AND IT'S AN UNOBTRUSIVE STICKER. ALL TOO OFTEN WE HEAR WOMEN SAY I NEVER KNEW THAT THERE WERE OPTIONS FOR ME. AND EVEN MORE HEART BREAKINGLY, WE HEAR SURVIVORS, RIGHT, THE FAMILY WHO IS LEFT BEHIND LAMENTING THE DEATH OF THEIR LOVED ONE SAYING WE NEVER KNEW THERE WERE OPTIONS THAT WE COULD TALK TO HER ABOUT. WELL, TODAY WE'RE MAKING SOME SIGNIFICANT HEADWAY IN CHANGING THAT. TO MAKE SURE THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS SAID IN SAN ANTONIO. ADDITIONALLY, I'LL SAY THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO POST THESE IN RESTROOMS. VERY TOO OFTEN WE HEAR FROM VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THE ONLY PLACE THEY EVER FOUND PEACE WAS IN A PUBLIC RESTROOM WHERE THEIR ABUSER COULDN'T FOLLOW THEM. IN THIS INSTANCE, YOU KNOW, IN THAT OASIS OF PEACE, THEY MIGHT SEE THIS SIGN AND THEY JUST MIGHT CALL. AND SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE TOLD US RECENTLY THAT IF YOU CAN PULL ONE GUN OFF THE STREETS AND SAVE ONE LIFE, IT WAS HIS PROJECT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SUCCESS. I THINK IF WE COULD PULL ONE WOMAN OUT OF AN ABUSIVE SITUATION AND MAYBE SAVE HER LIFE, THEN A SIMPLE UNOBTRUSIVE SICKER WAS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. -- STICKER WAS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU, CLAUDE AND YOUR TEAM, IT'S A LONG TIME COMING AND PEOPLE SAYING WHAT'S THE STATUS. THE WHEEL AT CITY HALL GRINDS SLOW BUT GRINDS FINE. IN THIS INSTANCE THE RESULT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I THINK THAT ALL OF US RECOGNIZE THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE GOES ON ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN OUR CITY.

AND I THINK ALL OF US REGRET THAT THAT OCCURS, BUT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT DOES AND IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH THAT THE CITY RECOGNIZE ITS ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PREVENT THIS CONTINUING GROWING IN OUR COMMUNITY. I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ HAS MOVED FORWARD TO US AND I THINK ALL OF US ON THE COUNCIL ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS EFFORT. IT'S A MATTER OF EDUCATING PEOPLE, BUT IT'S ALSO A MATTER IN MANY CASES OF LIFE AND DEATH.

AND SO I'M PLEASED THAT THIS IS COMING TO THE COUNCIL. I KNOW WE'LL APPROVE THIS.

I HOPE THIS WILL HELP PEOPLE, KEEP THEM FROM HARM, SAVE A LIFE, EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT HOW TO BE BETTER -- BETTER PARTNERS IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CLAUDE.

JUST ONE QUESTION, WHEN DOES THE QR CODE BECOME ACTIVE? BECAUSE I JUST TRIED IT

RIGHT NOW AND IT TAKES ME TO >> THIS IS WHY WE NEEDED TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.

AS SOON AS WE GET APPROVAL, WE CAN TAKE THE MATERIALS, PACKAGE IT AND MAKE SURE THIS IS AT LEAST LIVE. THE EFFECTIVE DATE IS A YEAR FROM NOW, BUT WE'RE PLANNING

[02:00:01]

>> VIAGRAN: GREAT. ANY TIME WE CAN GET A QR CODE GOING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO THANK THE CH ECC COMMITTEE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK. FIRST LED BY COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.

WE KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE WE WANTED TO ADDRESS. I THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE IDEAS OF THE COMMITTEE, COMING BACK AGAIN TO US AND YOUR TEAM WORKING ON THIS ISSUE. FOR ME AND MANY OF Y'ALL HAVE HEARD THE STORY, I DID THIS FOR MANY YEARS WHERE I FOLLOWED UP ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES AND THIS IS ABOUT STARTING A CONVERSATION. THAT THEY CAN SEE SOME INFORMATION AND THEY CAN START THAT CONVERSATION. AND TO SAY HEY, DID YOU SEE THE FLIER THERE AND ASK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT'S APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, WHAT'S RED FLAG BEHAVIOR AND THAT YOU CAN GET HELP. AND IT MAY HAVE CHANGED, BUT I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING LIKE SEVEN CRITICAL INCIDENCES BEFORE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WILL SEEK HELP OR ADVICE, AND SOMETIMES WE KNOW HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JUST -- JUST THAT FIRST INCIDENT CAN LEAD TO SEVERE PHYSICAL HARM OR DEATH. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE START TO NORMALIZE THIS CONVERSATION, THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE HAVING IT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PUSHING THIS OUT TO MY VFWS AND TO THE OTHER COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT GATHER PEOPLE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE EFFORTS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT EDUCATION PIECE AND I WANT TO THANK MARIA AND THE COLLABORATION COMMISSION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND GIVING

THEIR INPUT ON THIS TOO. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WAS TOLD WE WOULD BE WEARING PURPLE SO I DID IN RECOGNITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.

I REMEMBER IN MARCH OF 2022 WHEN THE CCR WAS BROUGHT TO THE CHECC COMMITTEE, STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION WAS SIGNAGE BE POSTED IN CITY FACILITIES AND CHECK IN WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I REMEMBER BEING FRUSTRATED AND EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE IT WASN'T THE INTENTION OF THE CCR AS I HAD READ AND INTERPRETED IT. HE WITH ASKED YOU TO COME BACK WITH A DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATION -- WE ASKED. I'M HAPPY WE CAME TO THIS POINT TODAY A YEAR AND SOME CHANGE LATER. I ASKED THIS QUESTION AT THE LAST CHECC MEETING, A MANDATE FOR ALL BUSINESSES, WHAT DOES ENFORCEMENT LOOK LIKE?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT AGAIN? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

SO THE TENOR OF THE COUNCIL, THE COMMITTEE AT THE TIME WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID NOT ADD ANOTHER LAYER OF BURDEN FOR BUSINESSES. WE ARE FRONT-LOADING AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN. WHAT ENFORCEMENT LOOKS LIKE IS A WHAT WE CHARACTERIZE AS A TEACHABLE MOMENT. WE GET THE COMPLAINT, WE DEPLOY OUR STAFF TO GO THROUGH THE BUSINESSES TO AT LEAST WALK THEM THROUGH THE MECHANICS OF THE SIGNAGE, THE PLACEMENT OF THE DECALS. THE ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT HAVE A FINE OR PENALTY BUT AT LEAST ENGAGE THE ESTABLISHMENTS. WE DID THE SURVEYS, WHAT WE HEARD IS THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS MAKES SENSE. SO WE DID NOT WANT TO BE HEAVY-HANDED. THIS WAS THE REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEE TO GO BACK, MAKE SURE WE SURVEYED BUSINESSES BUT NOT LEVY A FINE OR ADDITIONAL BURDEN ESPECIALLY ON SMALL BUSINESSES. IT WILL BE OUR STAFF GOING OUT TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS TO WALK THEM THROUGH IN ORDER TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ORDINANCE.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. AND I WON'T BE OFFERING ANY AMENDMENT TODAY. MY FEELINGS BOTH THEN AND NOW ARE THAT I'M NOT QUITE SURE THAT SEEMS LIKE THE MOST EFFECTIVE FORM OF ENFORCEMENT.

I UNDERSTAND CONCERNS GENERALLY WITH UNFUNDED MANDATES, BUT IF WE ARE FUNDING THE SIGNS AND DELIVERING THEM, IT'S VERY MUCH FUNDED BY THE CITY.

SO I WOULD PERSONALLY HAVE PREFERRED TO SEE SOME FORM OF PENALTY AND HAVE SOMEBODY COME AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY OBJECT TO PROTECTING AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM. I WOULD RATHER US GET TO THAT POINT. IT FEELS LIKE THE SAME -- AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE WE'RE DOING AN ORDINANCE. IT FEELS LIKE THE SAME EXPECTATION COULD BE MADE WITH A RESOLUTION AND I WOULD HATE TO THINK WE'RE DOING SOMETHING JUST TO LOOK GOOD RATHER THAN BE GOOD. WE COULD GO AND DISTRIBUTE THESE TO BUSINESSES FOR FREE AND MAKE IT SEEM LIKE A GIFT AND INVITATION TO SOLVE A PROBLEM AND WE MIGHT GET THE SAME RESULTS WE'RE GOING TO GET WITH AN ORDINANCE.

BUT IF WE WANT GREATER RESULTS, I THINK WE COULD HAVE GONE A LITTLE STRONGER.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT. THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD

TO SUPPORTING THIS ITEM TODAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

>> WHYTE: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND SPECIAL THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ FOR HIS

[02:05:05]

MY ONE QUESTION REVOLVES AROUND THE DISTRIBUTION. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S $140,000 HERE THAT WE'VE ALLOCATED TO -- FOR AGENCY TEMPS IT LOOKS LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE THESE PLACARDS. MY QUESTION IS, NUMBER ONE, WHO IS THE GROUP THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT'S GOING TO BE DOING THIS. AND TWO, IS THIS THE FASTEST AND MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET THESE PLACARDS INTO THESE BUSINESSES?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. SO OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, WE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE AMPLIFIED CAPS OUT THE GROUND TO GET -- CAPACITY OUT ON THE GROUND. OUR DAY TO DAY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. WE'RE ADDING ANOTHER LAYER OF TEMPS.

OVER THE COURSE OF SIX MONTHS WHERE WE WOULD HIRE FOLKS TO HELP US GET THESE MATERIALS OUT THERE, THE COMPLIMENT TO THAT, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS WHO DO ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, THE IN AUDIO]. THINK OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS THAT OUTREACH SKILL SET AND THAT'S WHO WE PLAN TO HIRE FOR AT LEAST A NUMBER OF MONTHS TO GET --

TO ROLL THIS OUT IN THE FIRST YEAR. >> WHYTE: AND SO IN TERMS OF HAVING INDIVIDUALS DELIVER THESE DIRECTLY TO THE BUSINESSES AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW, MAILING THESE THINGS TO ALL THE BUSINESSES TO GET THEM THERE QUICKER AND PRESUMABLY LESS EXPENSIVELY THAN 140,000, WAS THAT AN OPTION?

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE WITH SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES IF YOU JUST MAIL, IT MAY GO TO A CENTRAL OR CORPORATE OFFICE RATHER THAN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT ITSELF.

SO WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE BUSINESSES, BUT THAT WE ALSO USE OUR STAFF WHO ARE ALREADY ON THE GROUND IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, IN THESE FACILITIES SO THEY CAN AT LEAST WALK THE OWNERS THROUGH THE PROCESS OR JUST MAKING SURE THESE DECALS ARE PLACED AND THAT THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH THE ORDINANCE. NOT JUST DEPENDING ON MAILING, BUT MAKING SURE WE

HAND THESE OUT. >> WHYTE: WELL, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THE WORK, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ, AGAIN, REALLY HAPPY YOU BROUGHT THIS TO THE FOREFRONT AND

HAPPY THAT WE'RE DOING IT. THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH ON THIS CHARGE BECAUSE IT IMPACTS SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY. REALLY QUICKLY, WHEN I SEE ON SLIDE NUMBER 7 THERE'S PARTNER LOCATIONS, ACCESSIBLE PARTNER LOCATIONS, WHAT ARE SOME

EXAMPLES OF THOSE PARTNER LOCATIONS? >> PARTNER -- COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. SO OUR WORK DEPENDS ON -- THIS IS NOT 7 -- OH, YES. SO WE HAVE THE FAMILY PREVENTION VIOLENCE -- FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY-BASED AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE -- IT'S ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT WE AMPLIFY WHAT WE CALL THE POWER OF THE TRUSTED SOURCE BY GETTING THIS INFORMATION

POSTED AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE CAMPAIGN. >> GAVITO: WHEN THE CAMPAIGN IS LIVE AND SAY SOMEBODY GOES TO THE QR CODE, WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES

TO GET THEM HELP? >> I'M GOING TO -- JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE APPLYING THESE BEST PRACTICES. THAT 800 NUMBER IS 24/7. IT'S PART OF THE NATIONAL HAT LINE THAT ALLOWS CALLERS TO AT LEAST FIELD THEIR QUERIES IN THEIR LANGUAGE OF CHOICE. THIS ALLOWS RESOURCES LOCALLY TO BE REDIRECTED.

SO JUST IMAGINE THAT SOMEONE IS VISITING FROM ANOTHER STATE, BUT THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR RESOURCES IN THEIR HOME STATE. THIS IS A WAY FOR US TO CONNECT THEM TO THE RESOURCE AND TRIAGE THEM ACCORDINGLY IN REALTIME.

I'M GOING TO ASK ERIKA TO ELABORATE. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. IF YOU CHECK SLIDE 5, THERE IS A PARTIAL LIST OF THE TYPES OF THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT BEING ON THE WEBSITE.

WE'RE DETERMINING THE BEST HOME FOR THE WEBSITE AND DOING THAT DURING THIS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PERIOD. EITHER SOMETHING IN METRO HEALTH OR SOMETHING RELATED TO THE CVB. SO THAT QR CODE WILL TAKE

[02:10:03]

IF YOU NEED HELP GO HERE. AND DEEPER INFORMATION. SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE JUST LOOKING FOR HOW DO I REQUEST CUSTODY OF MY CHILDREN. AND WHERE CAN I GET LEGAL ASSISTANCE, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. WE'RE LOOKING FOR A

COMPREHENSIVE LIBRARY OF INFORMATION. >> GAVITO: AWESOME.

THANKS SO MUCH. I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THAT PROCESS FLOW.

AGAIN, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ, FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH ON THIS.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO.

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS. WITH DISTRICT 1 BEING A LOT OF -- HAVING A LOT OF BUSINESSES, THIS IS AN EXTRA STEP BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WON'T GET ADDRESSED UNLESS WE ALL WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND IT AND GIVING INFORMATION IS ONE OF THE FIRST WAYS TO MAYBE THAT HAPPEN. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE WEBSITE WHEN IT'S READY SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S IN THERE AND ALSO USE IT AS A RESOURCE FOR FOLKS THAT COME TO OUR OFFICES. IF THERE'S ANY OTHER -- IF THERE'S ANY FOLKS IN DISTRICT 1 THAT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ONER HAVE CONCERNS, WE WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE AS AN ADVOCATE, SO THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO

HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I WANT TO JUST WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT EACH WOMAN THAT FLEES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON AVERAGE TAKES THREE KIDS WITH HER.

SO WE'RE AFFECTING TWO OR THREE GENERATIONS OF SAN ANTONIANS AND WHEN THEY WITNESS THAT, THEY LEARN IT'S OKAY. IT'S PERPETUATING THE CYCLE.

I WANT TO THANK WHO IS RUNNING THE PEACE INITIATIVE.

THIS IS HER LIFE'S WORK. TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT OKAY NO MATTER WHAT THEY'VE SEEN AND, OF COURSE, HELPING THOSE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THE WEBSITE. IT'S GOING TO GO LIVE IN A

YEAR OR SO? IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> HAVRDA: OKAY. BUT THESE PLACE CARDS ARE GOING TO GO UP WHEN?

>> SO OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COMING MONTHS, WE WILL BE PLACING THESE DECALS.

THE EFFECTIVE DATE IS FOR ENFORCEMENT, BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE RESOURCES

ARE OUT THERE FOR RESIDENTS. >> HAVRDA: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, IT'S JUST THAT

THE QR CODE ISN'T GOING TO WORK FOR A YEAR, RIGHT? >> LET ME CLARIFY.

THE SECOND THE FIRST DECAL HITS THE GROUND, THE WEBSITE WILL BE LIVE.

WE'LL BE IN DEVELOPMENT UNTIL THAT DECAL HITS THE GROUND.

IT'S A DUMMY QR CODE THAT'S ON THERE NOW FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES, BUT WE'RE GOING TO NEED MONTHS TO GET THIS IN EVERYBODY'S HANDS.

SO WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING -- DEFINITELY NOT LOOKING AT THE NEXT THREE MONTHS FOR IT TO HIT THE GROUND, BUT IN THE SPRING. WE WANT TO GET STUFF AT

LEAST SIX MONTHS OUT INTO PEOPLE'S HANDS. >> HAVRDA: THE WEBSITE

WILL BE -- >> READY TO GO AS SOON AS WE HAND THAT TO SOMEBODY.

>> HAVRDA: SO IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, NOT IN A YEAR.

GOT IT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE, THIS IS GOING TO GO IN ALL

BATHROOMS, NOT JUST WOMEN'S BATHROOMS. >> MEN'S AND WOMEN'S, NOT

JUST PUBLIC BUT EMPLOYEE RESTROOMS. >> HAVRDA: THAT'S WONDERFUL. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IF WE HAVE ACCESS TO MAYBE -- I THINK IT'S REALLY SMART TO POST THEM IN BOLT ENGLISH AND SPANISH, BUT DO WE HAVE ALTERNATIVES FOR DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, ESPECIALLY IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARE

PREDOMINANTLY DIFFERENT CULTURES? >> THE INITIAL REQUEST WAS ENGLISH AND SPANISH. WE HAVE ACCESS ON THE LANGUAGE LINE SO WE CAN

TRIAGE THE FOLKS. >> HAVRDA: ESPECIALLY IN THE WEBSITE.

LASTLY, IS IT POSSIBLE TO ASK VIA TO PUT THESE ON THEIR BUSES AS WELL? I KNOW IT'S NOT SO MUCH PRIVATE SPACE LIKE A RESTROOM, BUT SOMETIMES

PARTNERS WILL TRAVEL TO WORK OR SCHOOL BY THEMSELVES. >> AGAIN, I LOOK --

>> SURE, ABSOLUTELY WE CAN DO THAT. ABSOLUTELY.

>> HAVRDA: OKAY. ALL RIGHTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO

HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU, CLAUDE, AS WELL AS COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ AS WELL.

AND MY PREDECESSOR WHO HELPED INITIATE THE STUDY METRO HEALTH DID AROUND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S COMPREHENSIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PLAN AND THERE'S ALSO A PASSENGER I GO BACK TO THAT STATES MOST FORMS OF VIOLENCE SHARE MONDAY RISKS AT BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS. COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HIGH RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD ABUSE, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE,

[02:15:04]

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY THIS DOCUMENT AND Y'ALL'S WORK IS SO IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SAPD RESPONDED TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL WHERE, YOU KNOW, LUCKILY THEY WERE ABLE TO GET HER AND HER CHILD OUT.

AND THE GOAL IS TO LIVE IN A SAN ANTONIO WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT OCCURRING.

THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING IT AT THE ROOT OF WHAT THE SYSTEMIC CAUSES OF WHY PEOPLE ARE VIOLENT. AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS WORK AND FOR COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ, HE HELPED INITIATE THIS STUDY. AND ON PAGE 36, IT CITES THE COMMUNITY SENTIMENT WHILE YOU WERE CREATING THIS PLAN. SOME OF THE SENTIMENT WAS COMMUNITY FRUSTRATION WITH -- WE'RE DOING ALL THESE STUDIES AGAIN AND AGAIN AND WHAT'S THE RESULT GOING TO BE. WHEN REVIEWING THAT, I WAS REMINDED OF MY FRUSTRATION WITH THE CURRENT HOT SPOT STUDY.

BECAUSE THERE'S A SOLUTION ON THE BOOKS THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS PUT FORTH ON HOW TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME, AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVEN'T MOVED WITH URGENCY. AGAIN, THE DECALS ARE A GREAT START AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY COLLEAGUE PUSHING THIS FORWARD, BUT WE'VE HAD THIS WELL BEFORE I WAS HERE WITH SOLUTIONS ON HOW TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES WILL CONTINUE TO PROPEL THEM FORWARD AND DOLLARS GET SHIFTED TOWARDS THAT WORK. EARLIER HOMER WAS HERE, I THINK HE IS HERE, BUT I WAS ALSO THINKING ABOUT HOW PARKS AND PARKS PROGRAMMING IS A WAY TO HELP CONNECT FAMILIES AND SHIFT THEM AWAY FROM THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PARTNER. I KNOW MANY WOMEN WHO GO TO OUR PARKS BECAUSE IT'S THEIR TIME AWAY. THAT SAFE SPACE, THE -- THE PARKS AND AS COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA HIGHLIGHTED, THREE CHILDREN, THEY GO TO PARKS TO GET AWAY FROM THEIR PARTNER WITH THEIR CHILDREN. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE INTERSECTIONS AND THE GREAT WORK CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS DOING AND HOW I'M HOPEFUL WE'LL SHIFT DOLLARS TOWARDS THESE PROGRAMS AND SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS THAT OUR AMAZING CITY STAFF

HAVE DRAFTED. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:

COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: VERY INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS.

I THINK YOU ARE NOT SURPRISED, CLAUDE, I SERVE WITH PEOPLE WHO TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY. AND COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA IS 100% CORRECT.

WE DO NEED TO CHALLENGE OUR ALLIES OUT THERE AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT TOM MARKS AND JOHN GARY ARE PROBABLY WATCHING THIS MEETING AND IT'S TIME FOR VIA TO STEP UP AND POST THESE SINCE ON THE BUSES. ADDITIONALLY, I THINK BEXAR COUNTY NEEDS TO STEP UP AT THEIR FACILITIES. THEY NEED TO DO THIS. SO DO ALL OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AND, YOU KNOW, UTSA AND A&M AND OUR UNIVERSITIES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE IN ALL YOUR RESTROOMS AS WELL.

AND I'LL BE VISITING WITH ALL OF YOU INCLUDING JBSA AND CALL ON MY COLLEAGUES TO VISIT WITH LARGE EMPLOYERS IN YOUR DISTRICT THE REMIND THEM THIS IS THE NEW RULE IN SAN ANTONIO AND EXPECTING EVERYBODY TO STEP UP. THANKS EVERYBODY FOR VOTING

ON THIS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.

I'LL WRAP UP, CLAUDE, THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR STAFF'S WORK, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ INITIATING THIS THROUGH THE CCR.

WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT, IT WAS INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS OKAY OF A NO-BRAINER, WHAT WAS THE CONTROVERSY HERE. MY ONLY QUESTION, IS THIS ABOUT EDUCATING PROPRIETORS OF BUSINESSES ABOUT HOW BAD OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUE IS ON WHY -- WHAT THE STICKER IS AND HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT?

>> IT'S THE LATTER. MAKING SURE IF THEY NEED SUPPORT, MAKING SURE THEY

POST THE SIGNS IN THE RESTROOMS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOT IT. LET ME MAKE A SUGGESTION. I LEARNED HOW TO PUT A STICKER ON SOMETHING WHEN I WAS LIKE TWO YEARS OLD. I DON'T MEAN TO DEMEAN THE WORK OF THE EDUCATION AND HOW TO COMPLY WITH THIS ORDINANCE.

BUT I THINK WE'RE MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY IF WE DON'T MAKE THAT EDUCATION PIECE OF IT ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE ORDINANCE.

WE JUST NEED TO TELL THEM YOU'VE GOT TO PUT THIS STICKER IN YOUR BATHROOM MIRROR, PERIOD, END OF STORY, IT'S AN ORDINANCE, IT'S THE LAW.

AND THIS IS WHY. AND SPEND THAT TIME EDUCATING FOLKS BECAUSE WHEN

[02:20:02]

>> WALSH: YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, MAYOR. IT HAS GOT TO BE GIVEN WITH CONTEXT. UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT DOESN'T REALIZE HOW BAD IT IS AND HOW WE COMPARE. AND THAT WE GET 30,000 CALLS A YEAR. AND THAT HAS TO BE HEART OF THAT EDUCATION -- TO BE PART OF THAT EDUCATION EFFORT. THE GOAL IS GOING TO BE TO HAVE THE SAME REACTION YOU JUST DISPLAYED WHEN YOU HEARD ABOUT IT, IT'S A NO-BRAINER.

THIS IS A RESOURCE. THAT'S GOT TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER EDUCATION OR ENVIRONMENTAL FOLKS, MAKE SURE THEY ARE ARMED WITH THOSE SPEAKING

POINTS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YEAH, AND THE REAL AH-HAH MOMENT FOR FOLKS IS THE FACT THERE ARE PEOPLE PROBABLY GOING TO FIND REFUGE IN A BATHROOM BECAUSE THEY ARE THAT SCARED OF WHOEVER THEY ARE HAVING DINNER WITH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AGAIN, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ AND ALL OF OUR CITY STAFF, DR. JACOB. WITH THAT, I THINK THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 3. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.

THAT'S THE BALANCE OF OUR AGENDA. WE DO HAVE AN AN EXECUTIVE

[City Manager's Report  ]

>> WALSH: THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN TREE CITY OF THE WORLD BY THE UNITED NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION AND THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION.

WE'RE THE FIRST CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS OF THIS RECOGNITION.

PRIMARILY AS IT RELATES TO FIVE CORE FOR HOW WE MANAGE THOSE RESOURCES. TWO, THAT WE HAVE RULES AND TREE POLICIES, COMPREHENSIVE TREE POLICIES AND REGULATIONS THAT SAFEGUARD OUR URBAN CANOPY. KNOWING WHAT WE HAVE, THAT WE DO THOSE CONSTANT ANALYSIS WITH TEXAS A&M ON MAKING SURE THAT WE KNOW THE INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT.

THAT WE ANNUALLY ALLOCATE RESOURCES AND THE COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROCESS WE GO THROUGH TO HELP SUPPORT TREE PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE THROUGH OUR TREE MITIGATION FUND. AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE OUR ACHIEVEMENTS.

AND SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. TREES AND TREE MITIGATION HAS BEEN A HUGE FOCUS PARTICULARLY OVER THE LAST 15 MONTHS FOR THE COUNCIL.

AND SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DESIGNATION. WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE'LL KEEP OUR NOSE TO THE GRIND STONE. AND THEN LASTLY, MAYOR, THE SPOTLIGHT VIDEO IS OF A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES THAT -- YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY THESE SPOTLIGHT VIDEOS ARE FOR EMPLOYEES THAT WE DON'T ENGAGE WITH AND MAYBE THE COUNCIL DOESN'T ENGAGE WITH, BUT THIS GROUP OF 20 EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYEES IN OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. YOU SEE A LOT OF THEM IN OUR MEETINGS DURING BUDGET. THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE COUNCIL IS THAT YOUR BUDGET PROCESS DOESN'T START IN DECEMBER. THE BAD NEWS FOR THE BUDGET OFFICE IS PREPARING FOR FISCAL YEAR '25 AND THAT PROCESS BEGINS IN ABOUT 65, 70 DAYS. AND SO THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND WORK WELL AS A TEAM.

THEY DO NOT ONLY THE WORK OF THE BUDGET BUT THE QUARTERLY, THE MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY FINANCIAL UPDATES. WORKING WITH DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HITTING PERFORMANCE METRICS. AND FOR THE LAST 39 YEARS, THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD. IN FACT, WE'LL BE SUBMITTING FOR FISCAL YEAR '24 HERE SHORTLY AND WE'LL BE MAKING IT 40 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE TALENT, THE HARD WORK AND THE LONG, LONG HOURS THAT JUSTINA AND FREDDIE AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. LET'S ROLL THAT VIDEO.

>> WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND PREPARING THE ANNUAL BUDGET AS PRESENTED

[02:25:05]

>> THROUGH THE BUDGET OFFICE EXEMPLIFIES TEAM WORK. WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING

WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN BUDGET. >> OUR DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANALYZING DEPARTMENT BUDGETS AND MAKING SURE THE DEPARTMENTS ARE WITHIN THEIR SPENDING AS FAR AS THEIR OPERATING AND PROJECTS.

>> THE MOST GRATIFYING PART ABOUT THIS JOB IS BE ABLE TO SEE HOW OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDING THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR OUR CITIZENS. JUST BEING ABLE TO HELP THOSE DEPARTMENTS GET TO

THAT POINT IS GRATIFYING FOR ME. >> I REALLY ENJOY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. WORKING TOGETHER TO WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING KIND OF COMES TOGETHER AND SEEING THE FINAL PRODUCT WHEN THE BUDGET IS PROPOSED AND THEN LATER ADOPTED.

WORKING WITH THIS TEAM HAS BEEN GREAT. I'VE BEEN HERE FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AND

THE OFFICE. [APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: THAT'S ALL,

MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE LOVE OUR BUDGET TEAM HERE IN

[Executive Session At any time during the meeting, the City Council may recess into executive session in the B Room or the Presidio Conference Room to consult with the City Attorney's Office (Texas Government Code Section 551.071) and deliberate or discuss any of the following:  ]

PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 551 AND DELIBERATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 51.087, PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY PUMP TO SECTION 551.072, AND LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVING

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.