Nov 02, 2023 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION.

THE TIME IS 9:09 A.M. ON THE 2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023. WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, CAN YOU READ THE ROLL?

>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL SESSION. TO GET US STARTED THIS MORNING I'LL TURN IT OVER TO

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

REVEREND EDUARDO MORALES OR FATHER EDDIE WAS BORN IN UVALDE, TEXAS.

HE GRADUATED FROM UVALDE HIGH SCHOOL IN 1978 AND OBTAINED HIS BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK FROM OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY. IN 1985 HE OBTAINED HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK FROM OUR LADY OF THE LAKE AS WELL.

AFTER SPENDING TIME ABROAD, FATHER EDDIE WORKED WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS AS A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IN 1996 HE WAS ORDAINED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN ANTONIO. HE HAS SERVED AS PAROCHIAL VICAR IN FREDERICKSBURG.

HE HAS ALSO SERVED AS PASTOR FOR CHURCHES ACROSS TEXAS HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS MY PASTOR AT DIVINE PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SAN ANTONIO. BUT BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO FATHER EDDIE, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM. AND YOU'RE SEEING SOME REALLY AWESOME PICTURES IN THE BACKGROUND. I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HIM FOR RECEIVING A DISTINGUISHED HONOR THIS PAST SEPTEMBER AT THE SONGS FOR HOPE, A CONCERT CELEBRATION OF THE 2023 SURGEON GENERAL'S MEDALLION AWARDEES FOR HEALTH. HE WAS AWARDED THE MEDALLION ALONG WITH FIVE OTHER RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER CONCERT HALL ON SEPTEMBER 18. THE EVENT MARKED THE FIRST TIME A U.S. SURGEON GENERAL AWARDED THE MEDALLION TO MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS IN A CONCERT CELEBRATION.

THIS YEAR'S THEME INCLUDED WAS GRIEF AND LOSS, LOVE AND HEALING, AND HOPE.

AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN COURAGE, WHO ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL. FATHER, YOU DON'T KNOW THIS BUT COUNCILMAN COURAGE ALMOST GOT TACKLED BY SECURITY TRYING TO GET BACKSTAGE TO CONGRATULATE YOU.

SO WE WERE THERE IN SPIRIT. THE SURGEON GENERAL PRESENTED THEM WITH THE HIGHEST HONOR A SURGEON GENERAL CAN BESTOW ON CIVILIANS TO RECOGNIZE EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE HEROIC SERVICE AND SACRIFICE HAVE ADVANCED THE MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. LET ME TELL YOU WHY FATHER EDDIE GOT THIS AWARD. FATHER EDDIE SERVED AS PRIEST AT SACRED HEART CHURCH.

HE LED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE WAKE OF THE DEVASTATING SCHOOL SHOOTING AT ROB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HE HELPED HEAL THE COMMUNITY DURING THIS UNFORESEEN TIME BY OFFERING SAFE SPACES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT, GUIDING THEM THROUGH AN UNTHINKABLY DIFFICULT CHAPTER OF THEIR LIVES. FATHER EDDIE CONTINUES TO DO SO FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HE CALLS HIS FRIENDS. I WANT TO SHARE THE WORDS OF U.S. SURGEON GENERAL DR. MURPHY. SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, THERE HAVE BEEN PRECIOUS FEW

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TOGETHER WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAST, LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE, AND APPLAUD THOSE WHO MODEL KINDNESS, LOVE, AND SERVICE. WE KNOW THAT FATHER EDDIE MODELS KINDNESS, LOVE, AND SERVICE. WE KNOW THE TRAGEDY AT ROB ELEMENTARY WILL BE ETCHED IN OUR MIND AND ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE OF UVALDE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUES AS WELL FOR BEING THERE FOR THE FAMILIES WHO NEEDED SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE DURING THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES IN THEIR LIVES.

AFTER ALL THE REPORTERS UVALDE HAD TO COME TO TERMS WITH AN ENTIRELY NEW REALITY. IN THE MIDST OF THIS DESPAIR AND GRIEF, FATHER EDDIE WAS THERE TO OFFER HIS SUPPORT AND LISTEN TO THOSE WHO WERE IMPACTED. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE HOW IMMENSE THAT SORROW AND PAIN THAT YOU FELT AND YOU WITNESSED FIRSTHAND BY SEEING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SUCH A PAINFUL PERIOD. BUT I KNOW IT WAS YOUR FAITH AND I KNOW IT WAS YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM THAT YOU SHARED WITH THEM THAT REAFFIRMED THEIR FAITH AND THEIR HOPE AS WELL.

NOW IT'S MY HONOR TO WELCOME YOU TO GIVE THE INVOCATION. FATHER EDDIE.

>> LET US PRAY. FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME, THERE AM I IN THE MIDST OF THEM. HEAVENLY FATHER, AS WE COMMENCE THIS MEETING, WE BEGIN WITH HEARTS FULL OF GRATITUDE. WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE GIFTS AND BLESSINGS YOU BESTOW UPON US AND FOR YOUR PRESENCE THAT GUIDES US. HELP US ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION, ALLOW US TO GROW CLOSER AND FILL US WITH YOUR GRACE. CONTINUE TO REMIND US OF ALL THAT WE DO, ALL THAT WE ACCOMPLISH IS FOR YOUR GREATER GLORY AND FOR THE SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE ENTRUSTED US TO LOVE AND CARE FOR. WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOUR NAME, AMEN.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, FATHER EDDIE. ALL RIGHT.

OUR FIRST ITEM FOR BUSINESS TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 12, 18, AND 19. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE.

>> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL -- WHO GOT THE MOTION? ROCHA GARCIA.

ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. TODAY WE HAVE A FULL CONSENT

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE ARE A FEW ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN AND WILL NOT BE HEARD. MA'AMADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THOSE NUMBERS?

>> CLERK: ITEMS 20, 33, AND 34 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOTE ON

CONSENT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

YOU HEARD THE ITEMS THAT ARE WITHDRAWN SO THE REST OF OUR AGENDA NOW IS ON CONSENT.

WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT SO WE'LL GO INTO DISCUSSION NOW. WE DO HAVE FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT AND I'LL TAKE THOSE FOLKS FIRST, IN ORDER OF SIGN UP. WE'LL START WITH ERNEST HERNANDEZ AND BELINDA HERNANDEZ ON ITEM 7. Y'ALL HAVE SIX MINUTES.

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>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BELINDA HERNANDEZ AND LOCATED HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THIS IS ERNEST HERNANDEZ.

HE IS VICE PRESIDENT OF B&E MEDICAL AND I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR COMPANY TO YOU.

B&E MEDICAL IS A SUPPLIER OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT.

WE ACTUALLY PROVIDE MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR EMS, FIRE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. WE ARE A FULL-LINE SUPPLIER OF PHARMACEUTICALS AS WELL.

OUR SERVICE AREAS ARE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND FIVE OTHER STATES WHERE WE CARRY A MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTOR LICENSE. OUR CERTIFICATIONS ARE WE ARE A SMALL WOMAN-OWNED MINORITY BUSINESS CERTIFIED WITH SOUTH AND NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL CERTIFICATION AGENCY . WE ARE PART OF THE SBA8A MINORITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. WE ARE THE NATIONAL MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, GSA, AND PART OF THE HUB . IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT US

OVER TO ERNEST. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL.

SO B&E MEDICAL SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT OPENED IN 2010 IN THE DECO DISTRICT IN DISTRICT 7.

IN 2021 WE RELOCATED TO A LARGER FACILITY TO ACCOMMODATE OUR GROWTH AND NEED FOR LARGER WAREHOUSE SPACE. BELINDA AND I ARE BOTH CERTIFIED PARAMEDICS WITH EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN THE EMS FIELD. WE HAVE A TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF 50 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE AS PUBLIC SERVICE WHICH GAVE US THE FIELD EXPERIENCE IN ALL PRODUCTS AND VARIOUS EMERGENCY SETTINGS. WE ARE CURRENTLY THE DISTRIBUTORS IN CATEGORY D FOR SAN ANTONIO EMS, WHICH IS FIRST AID SUPPLIES.

AND WE'RE ALSO A SUBDISTRIBUTOR WITH A MAJOR MEDICAL SUPPLIER FOR THE PRODUCTS EPINEPHRINE, MANUAL RESUSCITATORS AND CERVICAL COLLARS. WE WANT TO THANK SBEDA FOR GIVING US THE CONFIDENCE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS BID.

WE KNOW THAT SBEDA HAD A LOT TO APPROVE IN THE CITY FOR ALLOWING SMALL BUSINESSES TO COMPETE IN THIS TYPE OF MARKET. IN MARCH, B&E BECAME A DISTRIBUTOR FOR ZOLL MANUFACTURING, ALLOWING US TO PURCHASE DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND BE ABLE TO OFFER BETTER PRICES IN COMPETITIVE BIDDING.

SO WHAT WE ARE HERE ASKING FOR YOU TO CONSIDER ALLOWING OUR COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS UPCOMING ZOLL, MAYBE PUT IT OUT FOR RFQ BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS PARTICULAR FIELD. AND WE FEEL OUR COMPANY IS MORE THAN QUALIFIED IN THE EMS MARKET. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER, WE HAVE USED THESE PRODUCTS OUT IN THE FIELD SO WE HAVE EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE ON ITS FUNCTIONALITIES.

AND I BELIEVE B&E MEDICAL SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS THE ONLY FEMALE PARAMEDIC-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS WILL DO A LOT FOR THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENTS.

SO, AGAIN, WE CONSIDER YOU GUYS TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE. WE'RE IN DISTRICT 7 AND OUR

WEBSITE IS BEMEDSUPPLY.COM. AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. WE'LL GO ON TO THE NEXT PERSON ON OUR LIST IS BENITO BUSTAS.

MR. BUSTAS. CINDY ENTEZ. WE HAVE A GROUP.

JANE GONZALES AND KEITH TONY. MR. TONY, ARE YOU CEDING TIME TO MS. GONZALES?

YOU'RE SIGNED UP AS A GROUP. >> WE SPECIFICALLY ASKED THEM TO SEPARATE US.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES AND, MR. TONY, I'LL CALL YOU UP

AFTER THAT. >> WELL, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS JANE GONZALES AND I AM THE OWNER OF MEDWHEELS, INCORPORATED.

MY BUSINESS IS LOCATED IN D2, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A TIRZ NEIGHBORHOOD AND I AM A

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AND SO I WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S SO HUMBLING FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE OUR COMMUNITY FOR FIVE YEARS. MAYOR, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE CENTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC FORUM, ALONG WITH COUNCILMAN PELAEZ. AND I KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE A HEART TO INCREASE OUR LOCAL PROCUREMENT DOLLARS. AND SO I'M HERE TO SAY THAT THE REASON THAT MY COMPANY HAS DONE SO WELL SUCCEEDING WITH OUR CONTRACT IS BECAUSE WE ARE DIRECT CONTRACTS WITH THE SUPPLIERS OF THE DEFIBRILLATOR SUPPLIES.

SO DURING COVID, ONE OF THE COMPANIES -- WE HAD A FOUR TO FIVE-MONTH LEAD TIME ON THE LINES. THEY WERE VERY POOR DURING COVID.

I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH VERONICA AND ERIK AND I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH STRIKER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THE INVENTORY TO PROVIDE TO THE CITY AND NOT HAVE A MISS.

AND THEN LAST YEAR WE HAD AN ABRUPT -- IT WAS JUST LIKE THIS.

AN ABRUPT SHORTAGE FOR THE SENSORS AND I WAS ABLE TO ALSO, BECAUSE WE ARE A DIRECT-CONTRACTED DISTRIBUTOR WITH THEM, GET THE PRODUCT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS GOING TO BE SAFE. AND I WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF FOR -- IT'S VERY HUMBLING TO DO THIS KIND OF WORK WHEN WE ARE SUPPLYING SUCH CRITICAL EQUIPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

BUT I ALSO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE SBEDA ORDINANCE.

THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BEING GIVEN TO LARGE COMPANIES SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE SMALLER COMPANIES. IF WE ARE GOING TO SAY THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOLE SOURCE TO A LARGE COMPANY, THEN WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE SBEDA ORDINANCE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THOSE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AND KEEP THE DOLLARS LOCAL. AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SEE HAPPEN, COUNCILWOMAN RODRIGUEZ, MY BUSINESS IN YOUR DISTRICT IS ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED, THERE'S HOMELESS. IF MY COMPANY CAN SCALE, I CAN CREATE JOBS AND HELP WITH HOMELESSNESS, CREATE JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR ALL OF US TO WORK TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY TO KEEP OUR DOLLARS LOCAL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S AN HONOR BEING HERE WITH

Y'ALL TODAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. GONZALES.

KEITH TONY. MR. TONY, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY LOUIS GALVAN.

YOU'LL BE RIGHT AFTER MR. TONY. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER. MEDWHEELS, YOU JUST HEARD JANE UP HERE. SHE'S THE PRESIDENT OF MEDWHEELS, THE OWNER.

IS NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN D2 BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S TOTALLY INVESTED IN D2.

AS MOST OF YOU WILL ACKNOWLEDGE, D2 HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN NOT ONLY A FOOD DESERT BUT AN OPPORTUNITY DESERT. AND IT'S STILL THAT WAY TO SOME DEGREE. BUT I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THE DISTRICT DOESN'T LACK FOR TALENT, IT LACKS FOR OPPORTUNITY. AND COMPANIES LIKE MEDWHEELS PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR FOLKS IN D2. THANKS TO JANE AND MEDWHEELS, RESIDENTS ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN, TO LEARN, TO BE HIRED.

AND SHE DOES THAT FROM WITHIN, WITHIN D2. NOT EVERY COUNCIL DISTRICT HERE, THANK GOD, HAS THAT ISSUE OF BEING AN OPPORTUNITY DESERT, A FOOD DESERT.

BUT D2 STILL SUFFERS FROM THOSE THINGS. MEDWHEELS IS AT WAR WITH THAT.

JANE HAS BEEN FIGHTING A WAR OF ATTRITION -- AND OTHER COMPANIES AS WELL -- BUT I FOCUS ON MEDWHEELS. WHETHER AS A CITY COUNCIL COUNCILPERSON OR A CONCERNED CITIZEN, ANY TIME I CALLED ON JANE AND MEDWHEELS TO ASSIST A MEMBER OF DISTRICT 2 WHO NEEDED A CHANCE OR PERHAPS A SECOND CHANCE, TO STAND UP. SHE WAS THERE.

SHE'LL BE THERE. SHE HIRES LOCALLY. SHE TRAINS LOCALLY.

SHE PROMOTES LOCALLY. SHE'S NOT HUGE. SHE'S A SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS

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SHE HAS PROVEN HERSELF TO NOT JUST BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED AND NOT JUST BE SITUATED IN D2, BRICK AND MORTAR, BUT HER HEART IS THERE FOR THE PEOPLE.

SO I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MEDWHEELS. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THEM FOREVER BECAUSE THEY HAVE COME THROUGH. I'VE SEEN IT.

I'VE ASKED HER REPEATEDLY, JANE, PLEASE ASSIST THIS PERSON.

PERHAPS ENGLISH WASN'T THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE IN ONE CASE. SPANISH WAS THE FIRST LANGUAGE. BUT SHE SAID WE CAN DO THAT. WE'LL HELP THEM.

GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GENERATIONAL CHANGE IN THEIR FAMILIES.

GENERATIONAL CHANGE. IF THEY CAN LEARN FROM HER AND LEARN WHAT SHE DOES AND BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, THAT CHANGES OPPORTUNITIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GO SPURS GO! >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. TONY.

LOURDES GALVAN FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS LOURDES GALVAN, FORMER COUNCILWOMAN FOR DISTRICT 5 AND NOW I AM ALSO A NATIONAL COMMISSIONER FOR LULAC WHEN WE COME TO ISSUES FOR WOMEN. AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY, TO SUPPORT -- AND ALSO TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE CONTRACT THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON MEDWHEELS. MS. JANE GONZALES. I SENT YOU ALL A LETTER -- I E-MAILED YOU A LETTER. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU RECEIVED IT OR NOT.

BUT YOU GOT A COPY ON YOUR DESK. AND THAT'S WHEN BACK FOR HER TO RECEIVE A CONTRACT. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU THAT YOU DID, THAT YOU HAVE APPROVED THAT CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR. HOWEVER, A CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR IS REALLY GREAT.

IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BUT WHEN WE COME TO THE DISPARITY STUDIES AND ALL THAT, THIS IS JUST MOVING THE NEEDLE JUST A LITTLE BIT.

SO WHAT I'M ASKING NOW THAT YOU RECONSIDER. NEXT TIME YOU GET READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP, THAT YOU AWARD MULTIPLE YEARS, LIKE WE DO FOR THE BIG BOYS.

WE NEED THE SMALL BUSINESSES TO RISE TO A HIGHER LEVEL AND NOT HAVE TO BE WORRYING ABOUT EVERY YEAR ARE YOU GOING TO GET A CONTRACT OR NOT. IF WE WANT TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, IF WE WANT TO INCREASE OUR PERSONA AS WE ARE BEING VIEWED AS WE'RE LACKING, WE'RE FAILING IN MAKING SURE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AND THAT THEY ARE AWARDED CONTRACTS THAT HAVE A LASTING TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO ASK THAT, AS WE GO INTO THE NEXT YEAR, THAT YOU SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT CONTRACTS THAT ARE COMING OUT. NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT. THERE'S A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE OUT THERE. THEY DON'T HAVE THE COMPUTERS OR MAYBE EVEN DON'T HAVE THE TIME. THEY HAVE TO BE OUT THERE AT WORK.

WE HAVE TO BE SURE WE REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES AND HAVE SMALL BUSINESS QUORUMS IN COMMUNITIES SO THEY KNOW HOW THEY CAN GET INTO BIDDING FOR CONTRACTS FOR THE CITY.

BUT, FOR NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO -- FOR NOW I JUST ASK FOR ONE THING IS THAT YOU GIVE MEDWHEELS, JANE GONZALES, A BETTER CONTRACT THAT HAS MULTIPLE YEARS AND WE DON'T HAVE TO BE HERE EVERY YEAR. AND I DON'T HAVE TO BE HERE WITH A BROKEN ARM TALKING TO YOU ASKING FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.

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

JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

YES, I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A FEW ITEMS ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA.

ITEM 35 IS ABOUT A FORGIVABLE LOAN. I BELIEVE THIS IS IN MS. VIAGRAN'S DISTRICT THERE. YEAH. I'LL READ THE -- AUDIO-VISUAL MAN PUT IT UP THERE. A LITTLE BLURRY THERE. SEE IF YOU CAN READ THAT.

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YES, SEE IF YOU CAN DO THAT ALSO, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN. YEAH.

ADDITIONALLY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 WERE ALSO AWARDED IN SAWS IMPACT AND CITY FEE WAIVERS AS A RESULT OF THE CITY'S INVESTMENTS, RESIDENTS LIVING ON THE PROPERTY MUST INCOME QUALIFY AT NO MORE THAN 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME FOR 40 YEARS.

THAT MEANS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE ANY MORE INCOME PAST THAT POINT FOR 40 YEARS, OTHERWISE THEY WILL GET THROWN OUT. FURTHER ON DOWN, SCROLL DOWN A LITTLE BIT. THE ORDINANCE APPROVES $750,000 FOR THE INNER CITY INCENTIVE FUND ON THE MISSION TRAILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FORGIVABLE LOAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE RIVERSIDE TERRACE. THANK YOU.

RETURN THE CAMERA TO THE PODIUM, IF YOU WOULD THERE. YEAH.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU OR I WERE SEEKING A LOAN FROM A LOAN COMPANY AND WE TOLD THE LOAN OFFICER, YOU KNOW, I WANT THIS -- WELL, $250,000 LOAN BUT I CAN'T REPAY IT.

I WONDER IF THE LOAN OFFICER WOULD STILL GO AHEAD AND SAY NOT A PROBLEM.

IT IS FORGIVEN. GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THAT POSITION, CHECK WITH MS. VIAGRAN AND YOU HAVE A PROJECT IN HER DISTRICT, SEE IF SHE CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT. MAYBE SO.

THIS COMPANY HAS HERE. ALSO, ITEM NO. -- 26 I THINK IT WAS ABOUT THE -- THIS IS 21.

SHOW THE UNDERLINED AREA THERE. ALLOCATIONS OF RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS IN SUPPORT OF FIELD TRIPS AND MORE TO MAGIK THEATRE.

WE'RE GIVING AWAY ALL KINDS OF MONEY IN EACH ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS TO THE FIELD TRIPS TO THE MAGIK THEATRE. YEAH. YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK HERE.

SCROLL DOWN A LITTLE BIT, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN. OH, SO MANY SCANDALS, SO LITTLE

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

MONICA GALINDO. MONICA GALINDO? VICKY WILLOUGHBY.

>> THANK YOU SO KINDLY, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER.

MY NAME IS VICKY WILLOUGHBY. I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN THE D5 AREA.

I'M THE D5 APPOINTEE FOR COUNCILWOMAN TERI CASTILLO. THANK YOU FOR SBAC.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT LINE ITEM NO. 7, MEDWHEELS N HOPES OF RECEIVING THE SAME OPPORTUNITY BY OBTAINING AN EXTENSION . WHY DID THE CITY INVEST IN A DISPARITY STUDY WITH COLETTE? WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE? THE DISPARITY STUDY SHOWS ONGOING DISCRIMINATION IN COMMODITIES AND THIS PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY WE NEED TO DO BETTER FOR OUR SWMBS. HOW CAN WE IMPROVE THIS PROCESS AND INCREASE OUR SWMB CONTRACT DOLLARS? THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT BEST-VALUE OPTIONS. IF THIS IS A TRUE EMERGENCY, I PERSONALLY WORK ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR EMERGENCIES ALL ACROSS THE NATION. THEN IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THIS RIGHT. A TRUE EMERGENCY THEN SHOULD BE USED EQUALLY AS SOLE SOURCE, JUST LIKE ZOLL. THIS WILL HELP NOT ONLY KEEP THE DOLLARS LOCAL, INCREASE ECONOMIC VALUE, PROVIDE JOBS, AND HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES. ALL I'M ASKING FOR AND ALL I'M HOPING FOR IS THAT IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR CITY COUNCIL TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE SBEDA ORDINANCE DUE TO THE RECENT DISPARITY STUDY. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY KINDLY. THAT'S IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. WILLOUGHBY. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO COUNCIL DISCUSSION NOW ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. SO JUST SIGNAL ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT ITEMS. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT TWO ITEMS. THE FIRST IS THE ITEM WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT, WHICH IS ITEM 7.

I WANT TO THANK MY AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS.

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AS A COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, AND WE SPECIFICALLY WILL HAVE ONE IN AUDIT AND WE'LL HAVE AN DI THERE ALSO. THE SECOND I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IS OF COURSE ITEM 35, THE ORDINANCE APPROVING $750,000 FROM THE INNER CITY INCENTIVE FUND TO THE MISSION TRAILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AS A FORGIVABLE LOAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR RIVERSIDE TERRACE MOBILE HOME PARK. THIS IS A HOUSING BOND-FUNDED PROJECT. IT'S ONE OF THE CREATIVE WAYS WE WERE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN USE OUR HOUSING BOND AND BE SUCCESSFUL. THIS IS EXISTING HOUSING.

THESE ARE -- THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THERE. THE COMMUNITY IN AND AROUND THE AREA IS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE CONVERT THIS MOBILE HOME PARK TO A RESIDENT-OWNED COOPERATIVE, THAT WE SET AN EXAMPLE MOVING FORWARD.

BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND WE WANT TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY AS UNIQUE AS IT IS IN DISTRICT 3. SO I WANT TO THANK ROC USA AND THE MEMBERS OF THE RIVERSIDE TERRACE FOR THEIR MEMBERS AND THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS. I LOOK FORWARD TO APPROVING IT

TODAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR.

JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 10, THE ORDINANCE INCREASING WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE JOB ORDER CONTRACTS. DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND AT THESE SMALL BUSINESS FORUMS WE HAVE ATTENDED, WE HAVE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT HOW LONG CONSTRUCTION IS TAKING AROUND THE CITY. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW OUR OFFICE LOOKED AT IS HOW CAN WE SPEED THINGS UP, MAKE THINGS MORE EFFICIENT SO WE CAN GET THESE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UNDERWAY AND GET THEM DONE. BECAUSE LENGTHY CONSTRUCTION HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE CITY. I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE WITH ITEM 10. AND SO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S

SUPPORT ON THAT. THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

HIGHLIGHTING ITEM 13, THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DOG AND OFFICE OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT PROGRAM. THE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR DELIVERY AND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS THROUGH PEER SUPPORT, TRAINING, FAMILY RESOURCES, SUICIDE PREVENTION AND OTHER PRACTICES AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. I HAVE BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH FOR OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY TO INCLUDE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THESE GRANT FUNDS WILL GO TOWARDS MEETING THE NEEDS OF BOTH OF THESE PRIORITIES BECAUSE FIRST RESPONDER MENTAL HEALTH IS ALSO PUBLIC SAFETY.

OUR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS EXPERIENCE STRESS AND TRAUMA AS PART OF THEIR DAILY ROUTINE AND

HEALTH AND SAFETY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: TH THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT 28, FUNDING FOR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO DENTAL TREATMENT. THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY RECOMMENDS PREVENT EXAMINATIONS AND CLEANINGS FOR CHILDREN STARTING AT THE TIME THEIR FIRST TOOTH APPEARS . I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HEARING ON HEALTHCARE AND LET ME TELL YOU I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THE DEBATE THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. OFTENTIMES IT'S JUST YES OR NO OR YOU'RE ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER BUT IT WAS REALLY HOPEFUL TO HEAR INDIVIDUALS FROM BOTH PARTIES ADVOCATING FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, PARTICULARLY FOR MOBILE CLINICS TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE. IF YOU WANT TO TORTURE YOURSELF WHILE YOU'RE ON THE TREADMILL, LISTEN TO SOME FEDERAL COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND I THINK YOU MIGHT WALK AWAY SURPRISED.

[00:35:01]

CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 17 YEARS OLD LIVING WITH FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BELOW 400% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL WERE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE AN ANNUAL DENTAL EXAMINATION OR A CLEANING IN 2020 AND 2019. SO WE KNOW THAT YOUR TEETH CAN IMPACT SO MANY DIFFERENT ORGANS WITHIN YOUR BODY. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A CLASS OVER AT U.T. HEALTH WITH A COUPLE OF R.N. STUDENTS AND THEY WENT INTO THE WEEDS OF HOW DENTAL CARE IMPACTS SO MUCH.

I WALKED AWAY LEARNING A HANDFUL OF THINGS. BUT WHAT I'VE ALSO LEARNED FROM OUR ECONOMIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LEAD, MIKE RAMSEY, IS HOW DENTAL CARE CAN IMPACT ONE'S CONFIDENCE FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES. HOW IT'S ALL INTERTWINED AND CAN IMPACT YOU WAY THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE. JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE

GREAT WORK THAT'S BEING DONE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. FOR THE INFORMATION OF EVERYONE IN THE ROOM, EACH ITEM CAN ONLY BE HIGHLIGHTED ONE TIME WITHOUT IT NEEDING TO BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, SO I'M GOING TO START DOING ROCK, PAPER SCISSORS BECAUSE THESE ARE GREAT ITEMS. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT GWENDOYN BOLDEN TO THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

SHE'S A GENEROUS VOLUNTEER IN THE DISTRICT 2 COMMUNITY. SHE VOLUNTEERS AT THE RED CROSS AND SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL. WE THANK HER FOR HER SERVICE . I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 18, AN ORDINANCE REVISING THE COMPOSITION OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

I THINK IT'S VERY FITTING THAT AS WE CELEBRATE MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK HERE IN TEXAS WE OFFICIALLY LAUNCH THE MUNICIPAL COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH ITS NEWEST MEMBERS.

THE COMMITTEE WILL NOW COMPRISE MY COLLEAGUES FROM DISTRICTS 5, 6, 7, AND 8 AND I APPRECIATE SUPPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO HELP US ARRIVE AT THIS ORDINANCE AND FOR THE MAYOR APPOINTING THE NEW MEMBERS. AS CHAIR I LOOK FORWARD TO A L LIVELY DISCUSSION ON THE JUDICIAL GOVERNMENT, THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AND ITS FOR THE SOUTHERNMOST PORTION OF GOVERNMENT HILL. OUR OFFICE HAS RECEIVED CONCERNS FROM SEVERAL RESIDENTS THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO TO THEIR HOME BECAUSE THEY ARE ZONED INDUSTRIAL. THIS WILL ALLOW THE CITY TO ADJUST THE ZONING TO THE APPROPRIATE USE. THERE WILL BE PUBLIC MEETINGS WHERE THESE CHANGES WILL BE DISCUSSED AND WE'RE EXCITED TO GATHER FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WORK TOGETHER TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT 14 B, WHICH IS APPROVING DANIELLE GARCIA TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN REALLY FOCUSED ON IS TRYING TO BRING MORE WOMEN AND MINORITIES TO OUR COMMISSIONS AND SO WE'RE EXCITED THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE TAKING ON THIS POSITION. THANKS, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW APPOINTMENTS THAT I'LL BE MAKING ON THIS AGENDA. ANITA LEDBETTER, WHO HAS A LONG HISTORY OF SERVICE IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE . THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE.

JOHN BAILEY, WHO CAME TO US DURING THE BLOOMBERG INITIATIVE, WHO WILL CONTINUE HIS SERVICE ON THE STREETS, BRIDGES, AND SIDEWALKS ADVISORY BOARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOHN. OF COURSE MANY OF YOU KNOW JOEY PAWLIK ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD WHO HAS BEEN A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR A NEW COMPLETE STREETS POLICY, WHICH I AM FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF. I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THREE APPOINTMENTS TO THE OFFICE OF URBAN REDEVELOPMENT. SAKIB SHAKE SHAKE, RAOUL BERLANGA AND MARIANNE KESTENBAUM AT THE OFFICE OF URBAN REDEVELOPMENT. APPRECIATE ALL OF THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA . PLEASE VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES. NOW, WE HAVE SEVERAL SPECIAL

[Proclamations  ]

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM TODAY FROM THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS CELEBRATING THEIR 248TH BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNITED STATES

[00:40:03]

IN A FEW MOMENTS YOU'LL HEAR FROM THE LIEUTENANT COLONEL, INSPECTOR INSTRUCTOR OF THE FOURTH RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION. I WANT TO WISH THE NEARLY 285 CITY OF SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE MARINE CORPS VETERANS, RETIREES, OR SERVING AS MARINE CORPS RESERVISTS. APPROXIMATELY 80% OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE MARINE VETERANS SERVE IN EITHER THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT RECOGNIZE ALL 285 EMPLOYEES AT THIS TIME BY NAME, I WILL HIGHLIGHT TWO INDIVIDUALS. FIRST, THE DIRECTOR OF MILITARY AND VETERAN AFFAIRS, JUAN AYALA, WHO RETIRED AS MAJOR GENERAL AFTER SERVING HIS COUNTRY FOR NEARLY 36 YEARS. AND THE DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES, SHANNON SIMS, WHO RETIRED AS A CAPTAIN AFTER SERVING FOR A COMBINED 22 YEARS AS BOTH AN ENLISTED MEMBER AS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER. SINCE THEIR ESTABLISHMENT IN PHILADELPHIA ON THE 10TH OF NOVEMBER, 1775, MARINES HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN WAR AND PEACE AND HAVE EARNED THE REPUTATION AS THE BEST FIGHTING FORCE THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN.

BATTLE-TESTED MARINES SERVE PIVOTAL ROLES IN WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM, AND THE MIDDLE EAST, EARNING THE RESPECT OF ALLIES AND FOES ALIKE.

IN RECENT YEARS MARINES HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR NATION'S HUMANITARIANS RESPONSES AT HOME AND ABROAD FROM JAPAN, HAITI, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, PUERTO RICO, THEY CONTINUE TO STEP FORWARD. TODAY MARINES SERVE AROUND THE WORLD DEPLOYED AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR, ADVISING ALLIED ARMIES, PROTECTING AMERICAN INTERESTS IN OVER 180 EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. THE MARINE CORPS HAS A SMALL BUT POWERFUL FOOTPRINT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. IN ADDITION TO BEING THE HOME OF THE STORIED FOURTH RECONNAISSANCE BATTALIONS, MARINES SERVE IN ROLES AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY TEXAS, K-9 INSTRUCTORS AT LACKLAND AND RECRUITING STATION IN SAN ANTONIO.

OUR RECRUITERS BOAST ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RECRUITING STATIONS IN THE NATION AND ARE THE REASON THE MARINE CORPS HAS NEVER FAILED TO MEET THEIR RECRUITING GOALS.

WHILE THE MARINES HAVE A TOUGH EXTERIOR THEY WILL ALSO BE KNOWN FOR A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TOYS FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY THEM FOR CHRISTMAS.

FOUNDED IN 1947, THE TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM HAS DISTRIBUTED MILLIONS OF TOYS TO DESERVING CHILDREN AROUND THE NATION TO INCLUDE MANY HERE IN OUR CITY. SO NOT ONLY IS IT A PRIVILEGE TO HOST OUR MILITARY BUT IT'S ALSO A UNIQUE PRIVILEGE TO CELEBRATE THE 248TH BIRTHDAY OF OUR UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS HERE IN MILITARY CITY, USA.

TO MARINES EVERYWHERE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND SEMPER FIE. I INVITE THE SENIOR RANKING MARINE CORPS OFFICER IN SAN ANTONIO TO COME FORWARD AND PROVIDE REMARKS.

WELCOME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING US ALL HERE TODAY. COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY CITIZENS OF THE CITY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE. THE MAYOR LAID OUT VERY WELL THE RELATIVELY SMALL BUT DEDICATED NUMBER OF MARINES SERVING HERE BUT THE REAL ADVANTAGE TO SAN ANTONIO ARE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE MEMBERS YOU SEND TO US.

IN ADDITION TO JUST MARINES MARINES FOR WELL OVER 100 YEARS. AND DURING THAT TIME THEY HAVE ALL STARTED THEIR JOURNEY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. ONE OF THE BEST CONTRIBUTIONS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US, AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY TO US IN MODERN TIMES.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN THAT YOU PROVIDE US WITH SOME OF THE BEST MARINES WE HAVE EVER SEEN. I HAVE HAD TEXANS WITH US MORE OFTEN THAN NOT FROM SAN ANTONIO. YOU CAN TELL THEY'RE TEXANS FROM THE BOOTS, BUCKLES, AND THEY WILL TELL YOU SO AND THAT IS THE SORT OF PRIDE WE CAN WORK WITH AS A SERVICE.

IT WOULD NOT BE THE MARINE CORPS WITHOUT TEXANS SERVING WITHIN ITS RANKS.

MR. MAYOR, OF THE MARINES YOU SEE HERE TODAY, HALF OF THEM HAVE ORIGINS IN TEXAS.

OUR JUNIOR MARINE RECENTLY JOINED COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

NEXT, CORPORAL GONZALES STARTED A LIFE OF SERVICE BECAUSE HER FATHER IS WITH THE POLICE

[00:45:04]

SERGEANT MAJOR MICHAEL MURRAY IS THE SENIOR LISTED SERVING MARINE WITH ME AND AFTER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE IN MANY STATES ON BOTH COASTS, OVERSEAS AND IRAQ AND WHILE MAKING NEW MARINES AT THE RECRUIT DEPOT, HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE DECIDED TO COME BACK HERE AND RETIRE IN SAN ANTONIO. A QUARTER CENTURY OF SERVICE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR HIM.

HE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO THE CITY SO DESPITE 23 YEARS OF SERVICE, HE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE HERE STARTING POLICE OFFICER TRAINING LATER THIS SPRING.

MR. MAYOR, SAN ANTONIO IN GENERAL, SO LONG AS YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE US MARINES, I HAVE NO FEAR OR CONCERN THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR MISSION OF BUILDING A FUNCTIONING MARINE CORPS WITH THE QUALITY OF INDIVIDUALS YOU AND THE REST OF THE STATE AND ALL THE COUNTRY ARE SENDING US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. MR. MAYOR, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE JOIN ME UP HERE.

WE'LL PROVIDE YOU WITH OUR USUALLY BIRTHDAY. [APPLAUSE]

>> THE MARINE CORPS' BIRTHDAY CAKE CUTTING CEREMONY IS IMPORTANT TO ALL MARINES AS IT IS AN ANNUAL RENEWAL OF EACH MARINE'S COMMITMENT TO THE CORPS AND THE CORPS' COMMITMENT TO OUR NATION'S QUEST FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM WORLDWIDE. THE BIRTHDAY CAKE IS TRADITIONALLY CUT WITH THE SWORD, AS A REMINDER THAT WE ARE A BAND OF WARRIORS COMMITTED TO CARRYING THE SWORD SO THAT OUR NATION MAY LIVE IN PEACE.

>> AS IS OUR CUSTOM, THE FIRST PIECE OF CAKE WILL BE PRESENTED TO OUR GUEST OF HONOR, MAYOR RON NIRENBERG.

BY TRADITION, THE NEXT PIECE OF CAKE IS PRESENTED TO THE OLDEST MARINE IN ATTENDANCE AS A SIGN OF HONOR AND RESPECT ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCE AND SENIORITY. THIS EVENING OUR OLDEST MARINE IS MAJOR GENERAL JUAN G. AY AYALA. [APPLAUSE] MAJOR GENERAL AYALA COMMISSIONED IN THE MARINE CORPS IN 1979.

A NATIVE OF EL PASO, TEXAS, MAJOR GENERAL AYALA WAS BORN ON AUGUST 26, 1956.

FOR 248 YEARS, OUR EXPERIENCED MARINES HAVE NURTURED AND LED YOUNG MARINES TO FILL OUR RANKS AND RENEW OUR CORPS. THE OLDEST MARINE PASSES THE PIECE OF CAKE TO THE YOUNGEST MARINE. SYMBOLIZING THE PASSING OF WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THOSE WHO WILL CARRY ON OUR MARINE CORPS TRADITIONS IN THE FUTURE. THIS MORNING OUR YOUNGEST MARINE IS PFC RAVEN RUIZ WHO ENLISTED IN THE MARINE CORPS ON DECEMBER 17, 2022 AND REPORTED FOR DUTY ON APRIL 13, 2023 .

[00:50:06]

PFC REEVES IS A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND WAS BORN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2003.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ONE MORE HAND FOR OUR UNITED STATES MARINES.

[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO ASK THE MEMBERS OF OUR MUNICIPAL COURT TEAM, OUR PRESIDING JUDGE TO COME FORWARD.

JUDGE OBLEDO. AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS SAN ANTONIO MUNICIPAL COURT WILL BE DEDICATING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6 THROUGH 9, 2023 AS MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE VITAL ROLES AND SERVICES THAT THE MUNICIPAL COURTS TEAM THAT FAIRLY ADMINISTER JUSTICE AND BALANCE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS WHILE DETERRING FUTURE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. WHEREAS THE MUNICIPAL COURT OPERATES AS THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE CITY, SERVING AS THE COURT OF RECORD AND THE PRIMARY INTERFACE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM, ALMOST ALL COURTS, IT IS THE ONE THAT SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS ENGAGE WITH THE MOST.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL. WHEREAS MUNICIPAL JUDGES AND COURTS SUPPORT PERSONNEL AND UPHOLD STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM WHILE RENDERING EQUAL JUSTICE ALL IN A FAIR, EFFICIENT, AND TIMELY MANNER. WHEREAS IN OBSERVANCE OF MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK WE SALUTE THE MUNICIPAL JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL INCLUDING CLERKS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, PROSECUTORS, JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS, BAILIFFS, AND MORE OFFICERS. THESE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WORK TO ENHANCE COURT OPERATIONS WHILE UPHOLDING JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS AS THE BEDROCK OF OUR MUNICIPAL COURTS. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 6 THROUGH 9 TO BE MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND EXTEND APPRECIATION TO MUNICIPAL COURTS PERSONNEL WHO DEDICATE THEMSELVES EVERY DAY TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND IN DOING SO STRIVE TO IMPROVE AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY . THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND CITY MANAGER FOR THIS RECOGNITION. YOUR MUNICIPAL COURT AND MUNICIPAL COURTS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS PROVIDE CITIZENS WITH A LOCAL FORUM WHERE QUESTIONS OF LAW AND FACT CAN BE RESOLVED REGARDING ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF LAW AND MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE.

AS THE MAYOR SAID, BECAUSE MORE CITIZENS COME INTO CONTACT WITH MUNICIPAL COURTS THAN ANY OTHER COURTS, THE PUBLIC IMPRESSION UPON THE TEXAS JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS LARGELY DEPENDENT UPON THEIR EXPERIENCE THERE. WE TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY HERE AT SAN ANTONIO VERY SERIOUSLY. WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDE PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN ALL OUR DEALINGS WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS. OUR MUNICIPAL JUDGES, CLERKS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, CITY PROSECUTORS, JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS CONTINUALLY STRIVE FOR

[00:55:02]

MUNICIPAL COURTS IN TEXAS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN PRESERVING PUBLIC SAFETY, PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR AREA RESIDENTS, DETERRING FUTURE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, AND IT'S INDEED FITTING TO RECOGNIZE OUR MUNICIPAL JUDGES, COURT PERSONNEL, AND CITY PROSECUTORS FOR THE EXEMPLARY DEDICATION TO OUR SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE 88TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZE THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER AS MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK AND TAKES A SPECIAL NOTE OF THE IMPORTANT WORK PERFORMED BY ALL THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATE'S MUNICIPAL COURT. SO NOW WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE JUDGE OBLEDO, OUR PRESIDING JUDGE, TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME EXCITING THINGS TO HAPPEN WITH

US NEXT WEEK. >> THANK YOU. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE. BEFORE I GET STARTED -- I WILL BE BRIEF.

I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR COURT STAFF THAT WE HAVE WITH US HERE TODAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE COULDN'T BRING THE WHOLE ENTIRE COURT OVER THIS MORNING.

WE ARE STILL CONDUCTING COURT AND OUR JUDGES ARE VERY BUSY THIS MORNING SO THEY COULDN'T BE HERE EITHER. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. WE DO HAVE AN EXCITING WEEK PLANNED. WE HAVE ABOUT 20 FIELD TRIP GROUPS SCHEDULED TO COME FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND LOOKS LIKE. WE SHOULD HAVE ABOUT 500 STUDENTS TOTAL COMING THROUGH MUNICIPAL COURT WITHIN THE THREE DAYS THAT WE WILL BE ACCEPTING VISITORS -- WELL, WE'RE ACCEPTING VISITORS ALL THE TIME BUT THE SCHEDULED STUDENTS WILL BE WITHIN THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF THE WEEK. THE FOURTH DAY WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY. THERE WILL BE SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. WE HAVE -- WE WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF OUR CITY'S MOST PROMINENT PUBLIC SERVANTS THIS YEAR SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR FEMALE PUBLIC SERVANTS AT THE COURT. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE -- WE'RE ALSO VERY GRATEFUL TO HOST KAREN. I KNOW SHE HAS BEEN BEFORE THIS COUNCIL BEFORE AND SHE IS REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY SHARING HER FAMILY'S TRAGIC LOSS AT THE HANDS OF A DISTRACTED DRIVER. SHE WILL BE THERE ON TWO SEPARATE DAYS TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENTS. I IMAGINE THAT HER PRESENTATION WILL HAVE A LASTING EFFECT ON THE STUDENTS. THERE ARE ACTIVITIES PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE JUDGES ARE WORKING ON HAVING MOCK TRIALS WITH THE STUDENTS, WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MASCOT DAY FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT WILL BE THERE ON TUESDAY MORNING.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND THE CITY PROSECUTORS WILL BE ON HAND TO DISCUSS THEIR ROLE IN OUR LOCAL COURT. THE GOAL OF MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK IS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE AND ALSO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO VARIOUS CAREERS IN THE LEGAL FIELD. IT IS ALSO ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ATTRACT STUDENT VOLUNTEERS TO OUR TEEN COURT PROGRAM. WE'RE REALLY LOOKING -- I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY, VERY SPECIAL TO COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, SO WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE OUR TEEN COURT PROGRAM AT THE COURT.

I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN US AND I JUST WANT TO WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND HAPPY MUNICIPAL COURTS WEEK.

I'M SO THANKFUL TO YOU, JUDGE OBLEDO AND THE TEAM FOR THE EFFORT YOU ALL PUT INTO THE ADMINISTRATION OF MUNICIPAL COURT. YOU WORK WITH FOLKS THAT ARE OFTEN IN VERY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. SOMETIMES AT THEIR MOST STRESSED AND FEARFUL. I CAN APPRECIATE HOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM OF JUDGES BALANCE THE ROLE OF SEEKING BOTH JUSTICE FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR CITY WITH COMPASSION AND CARE.

I'M EAGER TO WORK AND BUILD WITH YOU, AS CHAIR OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU'LL DO, ALL THAT YOU DO, ALL THAT YOU WILL BE. I'M EXCITED FOR THIS WEEK TO SERVE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THAT WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN AND THANK

YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE MUNICIPAL COURTS COMMITTEE . TO ALL OF OUR MUNICIPAL COURTS TEAM, JUDGES, THE PERSONNEL, CLERKS, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE EXTRA EFFORT BEING SPENT NOW TO TAKE THE COURT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT EVENTS. I THINK IT'S MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE IN AWARENESS OF THESE CRITICAL ISSUES. CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO TURN NOW TO SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ON THE OTHER

[01:00:01]

WHEREAS THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2023, FAMILY COURT AWARENESS MONTH COMMITTEE, FCAMC WILL OBSERVE FAMILY COURT AWARENESS MONTH TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF A FAMILY COURT SYSTEM THAT PRIORITIZES CHILD SAFETY AND ACTS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF CHILDREN. WHEREAS DURING THIS OBSERVATION, FCAMC HONORS OVER 800 CHILDREN WHOSE LIVES WERE TAKEN WITH BY DANGEROUS PARENT DURING VISITTATION WHEN THE FAMILY WAS INVOLVED IN A DIVORCE, SEPARATION, CUSTODY, OR CHILD SUPPORT SITUATION.

WHEREAS THE MISSION OF THE FCAMC IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF USING EMPIRICALLY-BASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE, INCLUDING EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, AND SEXUAL ABUSE, AS WELL AS CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, COERCIVE CONTROL, AND POST SEPARATION I ABUSE FOR JUDGES AND ALL WORKING ON THIS SYSTEM. THEY ARE DEDICATED TO EDUCATE JUDGES AND OTHER FAMILY COURT PROFESSIONALS ON PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH THAT ILLUSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF USING TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE SCIENTIFICALLY VALID AND EFFECTIVE.

SUCH RESEARCH IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 2023 TO BE FAMILY COURT AWARENESS MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR GUESTS UP AND TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU. WHILE YOU ALL ARE COMING UP HERE, I WANT TO MENTION -- AND I THINK COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA MAY KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS THAN I DO.

I KNOW YOU HAVE PRACTICED YOUR SHARE OF FAMILY LAW. BUT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO BREAK THEIR OWN HEART, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SIT IN ONE OF OUR FAMILY COURTS ACROSS THE STREET FOR JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS AND WATCH FAMILIES MARCHING IN AND OUT DURING THEIR MOST DIFFICULT TIMES OF THEIR LIFE. PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY OUT THERE IS EXPERIENCING A MOMENT OF CRISIS. HOWEVER, IN THE FACE OF THAT CRISIS, WE HAVE COURT STAFF AND JUDGES WHO SHOW UP TO WORK EVERY DAY AND DO SOME REALLY THANKLESS, DIFFICULT MEDIATIONS, COUNSELING. MANY TIMES THEY STEP OFF THE BENCH AND REALLY, ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY EMBRACE PEOPLE WHO ARE -- JUST NEED A HUG. AND THEY'RE THERE MAKING THE MOST DIFFICULT DECISIONS YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. AND SOMETIMES THOSE DECISIONS ARE TO WHOM THEY SHOULD BE AWARDING A CHILD. AND FROM WHOM THEY SHOULD BE TAKING AWAY A CHILD. AND I DO NOT ENVY ANYBODY IN THAT BUILDING.

YOU KNOW, I THINK TOO OFTEN WE FORGET THE MEN AND WOMEN OVER THERE WHO GIVE OF THEMSELVES AND HAVE TO SOMETIMES TAKE THAT HOME WITH THEM. IT'S A REALLY HEAVY BURDEN AND I ADMIRE MANY, MANY OF THE JUDGES AND THE COURT STAFF AND THE LAWYERS OUT THERE WHO DO THAT WORK. BUT THAT WORK CAN'T BE DONE WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING AND TODAY WE'VE GOT TWO GROUPS, ONE OF THEM IS CALLED A MOTHER'S BURDEN.

THE OTHER ONE IS CALLED FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES . THEY'RE BOTH REPRESENTED HERE TODAY. CAN Y'ALL COME UP HERE REAL QUICK TO THE PODIUM? AND THESE GROUPS PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN TRAINING OUR JUDGES AND HELPING TRAIN LAWYERS AND STAFF ABOUT THE REALITIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THESE CRISES THAT I MENTIONED BUT ALSO ABOUT BEST PRACTICES AND HOW TO HELP THESE FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES. AND SO SOME OF YOU MAY RECOGNIZE MY MOM UP HERE, MARTA PELAEZ, WHO IS THE CEO OF FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES.

AND I'LL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, JOHN, SHE'S VERY DISAPPOINTED IN BOTH OF US FOR NOT WEARING NECKTIES TODAY. BUT ASIDE FROM THAT SHE'S GOT A SERIOUS MESSAGE FOR US.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. AND IN SUPPORT OF THE PROCLAMATION, MAYOR, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.

THE DIFFERENT SECTORS HAVE BECOME HYPERSPECIALIZED IN THEIR FIELDS AND SOMETIMES THAT BRINGS LACKING IN KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFIC ISSUES IN OTHER SECTORS.

[01:05:08]

IT IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE THAT A VICTIM EXPRESSES TO US THEY NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE JUDICIARY. THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED THE MOST.

AND IF THE SECTORS ARE NOT PROPERLY TRAINED AND COGNIZANT OF EVERYTHING THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT, IT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A TRAGEDY.

AND I REALLY MEAN A TRAGEDY. SO THAT IS THE INTENT OF THE PROCLAMATION THAT YOU JUST READ, MAYOR. WE TRAIN JUDGES. WE TRAIN ATTORNEYS.

AND THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PASS SOME BILLS RELATED TO MANDATING INCREASED HOURS, NUMBER OF HOURS FOR BOTH SECTORS TO BE TRAINED. BUT I ALSO, IN YEARS PAST I HAVE BEEN BEFORE YOU POINTING OUT THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY. I AM QUICK TO COME HERE AND SAY THANK YOU.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME WONDERFUL INITIATIVES THAT HAVE TAKEN HOLD.

THE LAST ONE IS THE PASSING OF THE STICKER ON PUBLIC RESTROOMS TO COMMUNICATE TO A VICTIM ESSENTIALLY THAT SHE IS NOT ALONE AND THAT SHE CAN HAVE HELP.

THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES THAT EXIST IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS JUST A SIMPLE STICKER THAT MAY SAVE A LIFE. TRULY. IT IS JUST A SIMPLE STICKER THAT MAY RECONQUER THE CHILDHOOD AND THE CHILDREN WHO, BY THE WAY, REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE MAJORITY OF THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE NOT WOMEN, AS SHOCKING AS THAT MAY SOUND.

THEY ARE NOT MEN BUT THEY ARE CHILDREN. SO IT SPEAKS TO THE COMMITMENT OF THIS BODY OF THE COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO STAY ON COURSE.

TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER BUT MAYBE FIVE YEARS AGO YOU ASKED ME, MARTA, WHAT CAN THE CITY DO? IT WAS A MOMENT THAT I NEEDED TO SAY SOMETHING THAT WAS OF IMPORTANCE AND SELECT AMONG THE SO MANY THAT CAME TO MIND THAT WAS NECESSARY. AND I SAID, MAYOR, THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS A SUSTAINED EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. AND I MEAN SUSTAINED BECAUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS ALL ABOUT THE ATTITUDES OF THE PEOPLE AND ATTITUDES PRECEDE ACTIONS.

SO IF WE'RE ABLE TO SHIFT THE ATTITUDES AND PATIENTLY STAND BY THE SIDE OF THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW BUT NEED TO KNOW, THINGS WILL CHANGE AND THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN VERY MUCH. DISTRICT 8 COUNCILMAN, YOU DID VERY RIGHT THIS TIME.

YOU DESERVE A VISIT V TO MCDONALD'S AND MAYBE A VISIT TO THE MUSEUM THIS WEEKEND.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU VERY MUCH ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SOME MEMBERS OF MY TEAM -- I ONLY BRING THE BEST WITH ME.

I HAVE BLANCA WITH EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. RACHEL IS THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES. ALBERT BUSTAMANTE, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES FOR THE ENTIRE AGENCY. CHRISTINA CAMPOS IS DIRECTOR OF COORDINATED, INTEGRATED PROGRAMS AND THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LIAISON. I ONLY TAKE THESE FEW BUT THERE ARE ABOUT 100 VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS, 100-PLUS THAT WIPE THE TEARS, THAT REBUILD LIVES AGAIN. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE INCARNATE WORD IN THE HOUSE. IF YOU ALL CAN COME FORWARD AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION . WHEREAS THE NOVEMBER 2, 2023,

[01:10:04]

WHEREAS THE TRIPLE HAS PROVIDED LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND HOW ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY ENGAGE IN A PROCESS OF LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES TO CREATE OR DISCOVER NEW KNOWLEDGE, TECHNOLOGY, OR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. AND WHEREAS COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP OF THESE ENTITIES STRENGTHEN THE WORKFORCE IN THE COMMUNITIES AND UNLOCKS A PLETHORA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE INDIVIDUALLY.

WHEN WE STRENGTHEN HUMAN CAPITAL WE REDUCE DISPARITIES AND EMPOWER COMMUNITIES.

WHEN COMMUNITIES ARE EMPOWERED THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE ACHIEVE EQUITY AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 2, 2023 TO BE TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

WELCOME AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOUR HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OUR CITY MANAGER.

ROBOTS AND SKILLED WORKFORCE IS NOT JUST A LABOR FORCE, IT'S THE WELLSPRING OF INNOVATION, PRODUCTIVITY, AND PROGRESS. TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS MODEL EMPHASIZES DYNAMIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ACADEMIA, GOVERNMENT, AND INDUSTRY TO FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH. GOVERNMENT, WITH ITS POLICIES AND REGULATIONS, CAN CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT.

IT CAN PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, FOSTERING A SKILLED WORKFORCE. INDUSTRY IN TURN OFFERS REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR INTERNSHIP APPRENTICESHIPS. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS BRING KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH, AND EXPERTISE TO THE TABLE, PRODUCING GRADUATES WELL PREPARED FOR THE WORKFORCE. WHEN THESE THREE SECTORS COLLABORATE, THEY CREATE A POWERFUL ECOSYSTEM. GOVERNMENT POLICIES CAN BE ALIGNED WITH THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY ENSURING THAT EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE RELEVANT AND UP TO DATE.

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS CAN TAILOR THEIR PROGRAMS TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMANDS, PRODUCING GRADUATES WHO ARE JOB READY. INDUSTRY IN RETURN BENEFITS FROM A CONTINUOUS INFLUX OF TALENT, INNOVATIVE IDEAS, AND RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES THEIR COMPETITIVENESS. THIS COLLABORATION IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYONE.

IT RESULTS IN A SKILLED AND ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE THAT CAN THRIVE IN A RAPIDLY-CHANGING JOB MARKET, BOOST THE ECONOMY BY DRIVING INNOVATION AND PRODUCTIVITY AND PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEANINGFUL AND REWARDING CAREERS.

SO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION AMONG GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY, AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR IT IS THE KEY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR US ALL. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. AND I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK THAT WE DO AT THE INCARNATE WORD. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] OKAY. AT THIS POINT I'LL TURN IT OVER

[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE  ]

TO COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN WITH A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE NATURE FEST THAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

TEXAS ARBOR DAY IS A STATEWIDE CELEBRATION WHERE WE CELEBRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES.

WHILE NATIONAL ARBOR DAY TAKES PLACE ON THE LAST FRIDAY IN APRIL, TEXAS ARBOR DAY OCCURS ON THE FIRST FRIDAY IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE IT IS A BETTER TIME TO PLANT TREES IN TEXAS DUE TO THE COOLER TEMPERATURES OF THE FALL. SAN ANTONIO WAS RECENTLY RECOGNIZED AS A TREE CITY OF THE WORLD BY THE UNITED NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION WHICH MAKES IT THE FIRST CITY IN TEXAS TO RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION. SO WE DO LOVE OUR TREES HERE IN TEXAS, IN SAN ANTONIO. IN CELEBRATION OF THE HOLIDAY AND THE GREAT RECOGNITIONS IN SAN ANTONIO, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO CELEBRATE DIA DEL ARBOL FROM

[01:15:09]

HUMAN SERVICES IS PROVIDING A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICES BETWEEN LOCATIONS AND THE NEARBY FOOD FOREST. THIS WILL BE A GREAT EVENT. IT WILL BE GREAT WEATHER AND I HOPE YOU ALL COME OUT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTHSIDE, IT IS A

CITYWIDE EVENT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. ALL RIGHT. WE DO HAVE AN EXEC SESSION TODAY. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER BUSINESS ITEMS EXCEPT FOR OUR CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE WE DO HAVE AN EXEC SESSION THOUGH AND

[City Manager's Report  ]

>> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF ITEMS THIS MORNING.

A LOT OF GOOD NEWS ITEMS THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL.

A FEW WEEKENDS AGO, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, IN COORDINATION WITH A HOUSTON MEGA PET ADOPTION, TRANSPORTED 143 DOGS TO HOUSTON TO BE ADOPTED. 129 OF THEM FOUND LOVING HOMES. WHAT MADE THIS ONE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IS THAT WE HAD OVER 70 EMPLOYEES FROM PROBABLY EIGHT OR NINE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THAT VOLUNTEERED TO FOSTER THESE ANIMALS FOR A FEW WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT. I'VE TOLD SHANNON WE OUGHT TO DO THIS EVERY WEEKEND. BUT I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE EMPLOYEES WHO FOSTERED THE ANIMALS. THEY DID -- I DID GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL TIME OFF FOR VOLUNTEERING TO DO THIS. BUT IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF TRYING TO FIND ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITIES AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AND AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF TEAMWORK TO ACHIEVE A GOAL. THANK YOU TO THE EMPLOYEES THAT HELPED US AND THANK YOU TO ACS. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING AS MANY AS WE CAN.

SECONDLY, OUR CHIEF MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER, ALL OF YOU KNOW HER, JESSIE HIGGINS, WAS RECOGNIZED THIS WEEK AS THE WINNER OF THE 2023 ALL IN FOR KIDS COMMUNITY AWARD THAT WAS PRESENTED TO HER BY COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL. I WANT TO THANK JESSIE FOR HER CONTINUED WORK IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WORKING WITH METRO HEALTH.

THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION -- ALL OF YOU RECALL THAT ANNUALLY WE HAVE OUR SOLID WASTE DRIVERS THAT COMPETE IN OUR INTERNATIONAL RODEOS. WE HAD A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT PLACED AT THE STATE COMPETITION. AND THIS YEAR WE HAD SEVEN OR EIGHT EMPLOYEES THAT QUALIFIED FOR THE NATIONAL COMPETITION THAT WAS HELD IN DENVER, COLORADO. ACTUALLY, SIX EMPLOYEES. TWO OF OUR EMPLOYEES -- I THINK WE'VE GOT PICTURES. ARE WE GOING TO SHOW THE PICTURES? TWO OF OUR EMPLOYEES PLACED. RAUL PEREZ WAS SECOND PLACE IN THE TRACTOR-TRAILER CATEGORY.

AND FELIX RODRIGUEZ WAS FIRST PLACE IN THE MECHANIC CATEGORY.

SO -- AND THIS WAS A NATIONWIDE COMPETITION. IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO THE SOLID WASTE RODEO EVENTS, IT IS A BIG DEAL AND THOSE GUYS CAN MOVE THOSE TRUCKS ON A DIME AND ARE EXPERTS. GREAT HAND-EYE COORDINATION. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THEM AND EVERYBODY WHO QUALIFIED FOR THE NATIONAL COMPETITION. THIRDLY, MAYOR, WE SUBMITTED OUR QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY ON OUR ARPA SPENDING.

WE RECEIVED $326.9 MILLION FROM ARPA AND WE HAVE ALLOCATED -- THE CITY HAS ALLOCATED ALL OF THOSE FUNDS. AND WE HAVE SPENT 58% OF THAT ALLOCATION.

AND THAT WAS IN OUR QUARTERLY REPORT. WE ARE ON TRACK TO SPEND 100% OF ALL THE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIMELINES DICTATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY.

[01:20:03]

IN 2018 WE APPLIED FOR 50 AND GOT 25. AND IN 2020 WE APPLIED FOR 50 AND GOT 25. SO THIS TIME WE APPLIED FOR 50.

WE GOT ALL 50 AND I'LL BE CURIOUS TO SEE HOW OTHER MAJOR CITIES IN THIS COUNTRY DID.

AND AND THEN LASTLY, THIS SUNDAY WILL BE OUR EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EVENT OUT AT THE ZOO. INVITING ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS TO ATTEND. THIS IS A HUGE EVENT. WE WILL CELEBRATE 1900, ROUGHLY 1900 EMPLOYEES THAT ARE CELEBRATING THEIR FIVE-YEAR INCREMENT ANNIVERSARIES WITH THE CITY. WE HAVE ONE 55-YEAR HONORY, AND NO, IT'S NOT BEN GORZELL. BENEFIT IS NOT EVEN HERE. I WASTED THAT.

OH, HE IS HERE. WE HAVE A 40-YEAR EMPLOYEE. WE HAVE A SLEW OF 35-YEAR EMPLOYEES. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEES TO BRING THEIR ENTIRE FAMILIES OUT TO THE ZOO. THE ENTIRE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS THE ZOO FOR THE DAY. IT'S A GREAT EVENT AND IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BY AND SEE THE EMPLOYEES AND THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY DO, I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE IT IS -- IT HAS BECOME A VERY IMPORTANT EVENT FOR US. THAT IS TODAY'S VIDEO.

LET'S ROLL THAT VIDEO.

CITY BECAUSE SAN ANTONIO, I FEEL, IS THE BIGGEST SMALL TOWN IN THE WORLD.

IT'S A HUGE CITY BUT IT'S STILL GOT THAT SMALL-TOWN ATMOSPHERE.

>> I WORK WITH SAPD, I WORK WITH CODE, DHS, WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER, SO IT'S VERY GOOD TO NETWORK AND HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO

HELP PEOPLE. >> ONE THING I CAN SAY I LOVE IS THE ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE CITY ALLOWS YOU TO DO HERE. THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT

OPTIONS, DIFFERENT ROUTES YOU CAN TAKE. >> THE THING I LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING FOR THE SAN ANTONIO IS THE FLEXIBILITY AND THE

BENEFITS. >> WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MY JOB IS I GET TO TRAVEL AROUND AND I INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY, MEET NEW PEOPLE AND INTRODUCE THEM TO

FITNESS. >> WHAT'S THERE NOT TO LOVE ABOUT MY JOB?

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO IT. >> I LOVE BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC, TO EDUCATE AND LET THEM NOW THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED AS WELL AS SAVING

ANY ANIMALS THAT NEED TO BE SAVED. >> COMING TO WORK EVERY DAY AND HELPING PEOPLE OUT. PEOPLE THAT ARE CALLING IN, IF IT'S AN EMERGENCY, JUST

HELPING THEM OUT, GETTING OUR GUYS OUT THERE. >> THE BEST ADVICE I WOULD GIVE IS TO GO FOR IT. DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

IT'S A BLESSING ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE HERE. >> BASICALLY TO NETWORK BECAUSE WE ALL BECOME ONE BIG FAMILY EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, WE

ALL HELP EACH OTHER. >> COME IN OPEN-MINDED AND ASK QUESTIONS.

EVERYBODY IS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP. >> JUST HAVE FUN WITH YOUR POSITION NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. YOU ARE GOING TO BRING OUT

YOUR PERSONALITY AND THAT'S GOING TO CONVEY TO YOUR JOB. >> IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO BUILD FOR. YOU BUILD A FAMILY ONCE YOU WORK WITH PEOPLE AND GET TO

KNOW PEOPLE, IT'S JUST OVERALL A GREAT PLACE. >> I WOULD SAY FOLLOW YOUR HEART. IF YOU FIND A JOB YOU LOVE TO DO, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE

TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. [APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: HOPE TO SEE YOU

[01:25:04]

OUT A THE ZOO ON SUNDAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

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