Mar 07, 2024 Sesión A del Consejo de la Ciudad

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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. IF YOU CAN PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.

WE'LL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. THE TIME IS 9:10 A.M. ON THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH 2024.

WE HAVE MANY FOLKS HERE THAT WE WANT TO SAY WELCOME TO. AND I APOLOGIZE.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SEATS FOR EVERYBODY BUT WE'LL GET MOVING AND I THINK AS FOLKS FILTER OUT, PLEASE FIND A SEAT IF YOU CAN. TO GET US STARTED THIS MORNING, FIRST, MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?

>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE GET STARTED THIS MORNING.

AS YOU SEE, OUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS ARE FILLED. I APOLOGIZE NOT EVERYONE HAS A SEAT. AS FOLKS FILTER OUT, FEEL FREE TO FIND A SEAT.

I WANT TO TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR.

>> GAVITO: I AM HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO INTRODUCE TODAY'S INVOCATOR, PASTOR JOSEPH GARRETT. PASTOR JOSEPH IS THE CREATOR AND COMMUNITY BUILDER WHO HAS SERVED SAN ANTONIO FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HE IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF WOODLAWN POINTE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY WHICH PROVIDES SPACE FOR OVER 30 NONPROFITS, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND CREATIVE GROUPS .

THIS SUNDAY, PASTOR JOSEPH WILL CELEBRATE 14 YEARS AS THE LEAD PASTOR IN THE NEW LIVING SPIRITUAL CENTER, CONFIRMING TRANS DENOMINATIONAL SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY.

HIS CHURCH HAS SERVED AS A SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH THEIR SPIRIT IN A JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING PASTOR JOSEPH GARRETT .

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND MAYOR. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY.

IT'S IMPORTANT IN THIS TIME OF DECISION MAKING OF OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY TO TURN TO GOD -- TO THE GOD OF OUR INDIVIDUAL UNDERSTANDING, THROUGH PRAYER. BUT LET'S ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERYONE'S FAITH TRADITION IS PRAYER. SO IF IT'S NOT IN YOUR FAITH TRADITION, I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO CREATOR OF US ALL, SOURCE OF ALL GOOD IN WHOSE PERFECT LOVE WE LIVE AND MOVE.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE OF SERVICE TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND TO ALL WHO VISIT THIS AMAZING CITY WE CALL HOME. AND WE GIVE THANKS ON THIS NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND EVERY MONTH FOR THE WOMEN WHO BUILT THIS CITY WITH CARING HANDS AND STRONG FAITH FOR THEY TAUGHT US TO SERVE BY LESSON AND BY EXAMPLE.

REMIND US, WE PRAY, THAT OUR HEART'S CALLING IS TO LOVE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF LABELS BUT WITH THE REMEMBRANCE THAT AT THE CORE OF OUR DIVINE BEING WE'RE ONE WITH YOU, ONE WITH EACH OTHER AND THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE PLANET WE LIVE.

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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PASTOR GARRETT. OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS TODAY IS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14TH, 15TH, 21ST, AND 22ND. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AS NOTED IN THE AGENDA. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.

>> VIAGRAN: AYE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: AYE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD YOU REPEAT, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN SO

WE CAN GET A VOICE VOTE. >> VIAGRAN: YES. [ECHO]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE HEARD YOU. MOTION CARRIES.

OKAY. OUR CONSENT AGENDA IS PRETTY FULL.

WE DO HAVE ONE ITEM LISTED FOR INDIVIDUAL BRIEFING. SO I'LL ASK NOW IF THERE'S ANY ITEMS TO PULL OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.

ANY ITEMS TO PULL FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION? ITEM 41? ITEM OTHERS? IF THERE ARE NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4 AND 41. IF YOU CAN QUEUE UP -- ACTUALLY, IF YOU CAN SIGNAL ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. I'M GOING TO BRING UP FOLKS WHO ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ON ITEMS 37 -- EXCUSE ME, 33,

37, AND 39, AND 40, JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. ITEM NO. 37 IS ABOUT YOU HIRING A COMPANY CALLED GREATER SATX FOR VARIOUS, OH, FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ATTRACTIONS THERE.

WHEN I LOOKED AT THE BACK-UP DOCUMENTS ON THIS COMPANY AND GREGREATER SATX SEEMS TO HAVE FAILED WITH A NUMBER OF ITS METRICS THERE. I LOOKED AT THEM.

LOOK AT WHERE THE XS SAY 2023 METRICS TARGETING INDUSTRIES AND JOBS.

ITS GOAL WAS 4800 AND IT ONLY GOT 24-SOME ODD PERCENTAGE OF HIGH WAGE JOBS, 80%.

IT GOT 68%. JOBS ABOVE MEDIAN, 100%, ONLY GOT 91.

DOMESTIC $100 MILLION. WELL, THAT ONE IT GOT OKAY BUT THE NEXT ONE, LOCAL BUSINESS AND RETURN THE CAMERA, PLEASE. YOU WANT TO HIRE THIS COMPANY FOR CONTINUED INVESTMENT PROGRAM ASSISTANCE AND SO FORTH. WHY DON'T YOU JUST PULL ITEM NO. 37 AND ACTUALLY ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ON IT THERE, YOU KNOW? ALSO, ANOTHER ITEM TO NOTICE, ITEM NO. 39 IS ABOUT -- LET ME TAKE A LOOK AT IT HERE. YEAH. IT'S ABOUT, OH, APPROVING AN

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NO, IT'S JUST KGBT TEXAS. IT'S GOING TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH IN OUR CITY.

TURN THE NEXT PAGE, MR. -- YEAH, THERE WE GO. YEAH.

IN THE YELLOW THERE, WHAT DOES IT SHOW IT'S GOING TO PROMOTE HEALTH WITH? SHOW IT IF YOU CAN THERE. CONSULTANT SERVICE SHALL BE CAMPAIGNS THAT PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH WITH WORLD AIDS DAY AND PRIDE MONTH. YEAH.

PRIDE MONTH. PLEASE RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD.

YOU KNOW, WHY ARE WE TRYING TO -- ARE WE TRYING TO PROMOTE HEALTH WITH THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY? ARE WE GOING TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO USE ABSTINENCE OR ARE WE

GOING TO JUST HELP DISTRIBUTE CONDOMS TO THEM ALL THERE? >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. ALL RIGHT. THAT'S EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS REMAINING ON CONSENT SO I'LL MOVE NOW TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

I'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT, PARTICULARLY 30B APPOINTING ARMANDO RIVERA AS WELL AS REBEKAH SOLIS, MARY AYALA SANDOVAL AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO APPOINT MARY ANN VALDEZ HERNANDEZ TO THE SAN ANTONIO PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM. I ALSO WANT TO THANK ANDY AND NORMA FOR THE EXTENSIVE TIME AND THEIR SERVICE TO SERVING ON THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR TIME. ITEM 26, APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A TRUANCY INTERVENTION, I WANTED TO THANK JUDGE OBLEDO. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE SENIOR PUSH THIS PAST FEBRUARY WHERE OVER 300 SENIORS FROM SIX HIGH SCHOOLS WERE ABLE TO GET CONNECTED TO RESOURCES OVER AT MUNICIPAL COURTS. AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO TALK TO TWO DISTRICT 5 SCHOOLS, BRACKENRIDGE AND BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL.

ONE IS MY HOME SCHOOL AND THE OTHER MY SIBLING GRADUATED FROM. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE OUR FAMILIES GETTING CONNECTED TO A WEALTH OF SERVICES. I WANTED TO THANK THE MUNICIPAL COURTS TEAM AND JUDGE OBLEDO FOR ENSURING WE'RE TAKING PROACTIVE MEASURES FOR CONNECTING OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO SERVICES. LASTLY, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE ZARZAMORA ITEM. ITEM 29. AND THANK THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND CAT HERNANDEZ FOR ALL THEIR WORK AND INITIATIVE IN SECURING THIS GRANT .

DISTRICT 5 HAS SOME OF THE LOWEST AMOUNT OF CAR OWNERSHIP IN THE CITY, MEANING THAT MY RESIDENTS ARE WALKING. SO INVESTING IN PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT AT KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAFE. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK CHRIS WHO GAVE A PRESENTATION AT ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION AND THE NEED TO INVEST IN THIS TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO THANK YOU, CAT, THANK YOU TO THE PLANNING TEAM AS WELL. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 14 FIRST.

I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT AND SUPPORT FROM OUR NEIGHBORS IN MONTICELLO PARK. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO RECONSTRUCT THE ALLEYWAY BETWEEN QUINTIN TO PROVIDE QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS TO MANY RESIDENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY STRUGGLED WITH DRAINAGE ISSUES. THIS WILL PREVENT FLOODING AND REDIRECT WATER TO KAMPMANN. THE LAST TIME THE ALLEY SAW IMPROVEMENTS WAS IN 2005 AND THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR MANY YEARS.

I'M PROUD TO APPROVE THIS CONTRACT WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE MONTICELLO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF TO THIS AREA.

I'LL BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM AND I KNOW THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS ARE ANXIOUS FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED. DEBBIE, I HAVE THIS LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE MONTICELLO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. IF WE COULD PLEASE ENTER IT FOR THE RECORD.

I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 27 BECAUSE THIS ITEM IS ABOUT POTENTIALLY RECEIVING A GRANT THAT WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER FOR WOODLAWN LAKE PARK.

IT FEELS LIKE EVERYONE IN THE CITY HAS WONDERFUL MEMORIES MADE AT WOODLAWN LAKE.

THROUGH SEVERAL PUBLIC INPUT MEETINGS WE HAVE GATHERED POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF THIS GRANT APPLICATION. RECEIVING THIS AWARD ALONG WITH THE REALLOCATION OF CITY FUNDS WOULD ALLOW FOR SEVERAL ENHANCEMENTS TO THE PARK THAT ARE LONG OVERDUE. THESE INCLUDE TERRACE SEATING NEAR THE BOAT DOCKS, A SPLASH PAD, THE PLANTING OF NEARLY 500 TREES, WHICH WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR FOR SO LONG.

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I WANT TO THANK THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY FOR DRAFTING A STRONG APPLICATION . AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PARKS AND REC FOR THEIR TIME AND INPUT INTO ORGANIZING THIS PUBLIC MEETINGS. WE'RE DOING A FULL-COURT PRESS ON THIS FEDERAL GRANT APPLICATION, SO WISH US LUCK. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT THIS MORNING. FIRST IS ITEM 30. WE'RE SMSMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMISSION. I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 33, THE REAPPOINTMENT OF A FEW VIA BOARD MEMBERS. WE HAVE LAURA CABANILLA AND JAVIER PAREDES THAT ARE BEING REAPPOINTED TO THAT BOARD. THIS BOARD HAS SO MUCH WORK TO DO IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. WE ARE SUPER GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO PARTNER WITH YOU ALL. I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 37. OUR CITY STAFF IS DOING A GREAT JOB WORKING WITH GREATER SATX TO ACHIEVE THE METRICS WHICH INCLUDES AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF JOBS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PRODUCING FOR THE CITY. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE WORKING ON CHECKING THE RETENTION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS GREATER SATX PARTNERSHIPS SO WE CAN SEE IF WE CAN SUPPORT SOME OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM THE WORK THEY'RE DOING.

WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THAT PARTNERSHIP GROW AND CONTINUE TO HOLD THEM TO HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I TOO WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT AN APPOINTMENT THIS MORNING AND THAT IS FOR APRIL MONTERROSA.

SHE IS GOING TO BE APPOINTED TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

SHE IS AN ENTREPRENEUR WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE. SHE IS THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF LIVE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE AND WE ARE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SAY SHE IS BEING APPOINTED TODAY .

SHE IS THE FIRST WOMAN-OWNED PUBLICATION ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO SO WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HER. ALSO DID WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE VIA APPOINTEES WHO ARE IN THE HOUSE TODAY. I SEE MELANIE TAWILL AND LAURA CABANILLA AND ATHALIE MALONE.

IF I MISSED ANYONE ELSE, I THINK I SAID JAVIER WAS HERE AS WELL. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE THERE. LIKE COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT JUDGE OBLEDO'S EVENT WAS INCREDIBLE. JUDGE, IF YOU'RE IN THE ROOM, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR

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

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

HIGHLIGHTING ITEM 15. IT'S THE ACCEPTANCE OF $1.6 MILLION FROM TXDOT FOR THE PINN ROAD SHARED-USE PATH PROJECT. THIS IS A NEEDED IMPROVEMENT ALONG PINN ROAD AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE FUNDS WILL PROVIDE A SHARED-USE PATH FOR CYCLING, RUNNING, AND WALKING ON A PROTECTED PATH.

MANY OF YOU KNOW THE AREA. I CALL IT THE JOHN AREA. ANY JOHN JAY GRADS OUT THERE? THE AREA HAS LONG NEEDED THIS KIND OF PATH AND THE COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR IT SO I'M GRATEFUL TXDOT WAS ABLE TO HELP US FUND THAT. I ALSO HIGHLIGHT ITEMS 30, IT'S THE APPOINTMENT OF SYDNEY KNOWLES TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COMMISSION ON STRENGTHENING FAMILY WELL-BEING AND MR. LUIS GOMEZ TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

MS. KNOWLES HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO SERVING DISTRICT 6 FOR MANY YEARS.

SHE HAS PARTICIPATED IN AND ORGANIZED ROAD CLEANUP ACTIVITIES, RESTORING CITY PARKS. SHE TUTORS COLLEGE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HER ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM ARE WELL KNOWN IN OUR PART OF THE CITY. MR. GOMEZ IS A VIETNAM VETERAN AND HE PARTICIPATED IN THE LEGENDARY EDGEWOOD STUDENT WALKOUT IN THE '60S.

HE'S A TRUE LEADER AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

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

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. ALTHOUGH ALREADY MENTIONED, I

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ALSO ITEM NO. 33 WAS MENTIONED. THE REAPPOINTMENT OF VIA BOARD MEMBERS.

I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM ALL. LAURA CABANILLA, JAVIER PAREDES, MELANIE TAWILL, AND ATHALIE MALONE, PARTICULARLY MS. MALONE WHO REPRESENTS THE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY AND HAS DONE SUCH AN EXCELLENT JOB. ALL OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE WORKED HARD ON VIA TO MAKE THE ART PROJECT MOVE FORWARD SUCCESSFULLY, WHICH IS GOING TO REALLY CHANGE TRANSPORTATION IN THIS CITY. SO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE

IN THE PAST AND CONTINUED. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS SUCH A HUGE CROWD.

Y'ALL HAVE ME A LITTLE NERVOUS. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 31. I HAVE A FEW WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL APPOINTMENTS TODAY. I'LL START OFF BY HIGHLIGHTING SAMUEL STEVENS.

HE IS AN AWARD-WINNING ARCHITECT AND WE ARE SO HAPPY HE'S CONTINUING HIS SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT 2 COMMUNITY ON THE ZONE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK EVELYN BROWN FOR HER SERVICE. WE KNOW SHE SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME DEDICATED TO THIS WORK AS A FOUNDING MEMBER. AND SO AS SHE STEPS OFF THE BOARD, WE WELCOME A NEW APPOINTEE, GEORGE GRIMES. GEORGE GRIMES IS A MASTER NATURALIST AND A LONGTIME VOLUNTEER WITH THE MAHNCKE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE WELCOMING COMMUNITY.

HE PRACTICED LAW HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND CARES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF BUILDING STRUCTURES.

WE WELCOME HIM AND HIS WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT YVETTE HARDIN WHO IS A VOLUNTEER AT OUR D2 SENIOR CENTER WHERE SHE IS A VOICE COACH FOR THE CHOIR.

SHE'S ALSO A PERFORMANCE ARTIST AND WE WELCOME HER IN HER NEW ROLE AS OUR D2 REPRESENTATIVE ON THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4 AND 41. PLEASE VOTE.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: YEA. YES.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.

WELL, AS COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ SAID, WE HAVE A FEW MORE GUESTS THAN WE NORMALLY HAVE ON ANY GIVEN WEEK AND WE'RE ALL GLAD THAT YOU'RE HERE AND WE WANT TO START RECOGNIZING SOME FOLKS. I'M GOING TO START FIRST BY RECOGNIZING SOMEBODY WHO ISN'T HERE. AND THAT IS DEBORAH AND THE TEAM AT SAAACAM WHO HELPED US WITH BRINGING SOME ARTISTS INTO THE CHAMBERS LAST MONTH DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND I WANT TO THANK DEBORAH FOR HER WORK ON THAT. BUT NOW WE'RE MOVING INTO MARCH, WHICH IS ALSO A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN AND WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

LET ME READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION AND TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES .

WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN ARE PROUD TO OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH ON MARCH 7, 2024 IN RECOGNITION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN IN HISTORY, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY THAT HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN EVERYWHERE. WHEREAS DESPITE MANY CHALLENGING OBSTACLES, AMERICA CAN BOAST A RICH HISTORY OF COURAGEOUS WOMEN WHO HAVE DEFIED THE ODDS AND HAVE SHATTERED BARRIERS AT THE BALLOT BOX AND BEYOND FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE FROM GENDER EQUITY, PAY, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, LEGAL AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION. WHEREAS IN SECURING THEIR OWN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, THESE REMARKABLE WOMEN HAVE ADVANCED OUR NATION AND OUR COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE IN OUR COMMON QUEST TO END SYSTEMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL JUSTICES.

WE PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE REEVALUATING THE STATUS QUO WITH THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT THERE IS STILL MUCH PROGRESS TO BE MADE. TODAY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION ARE THE DRIVING FORCES WITH WIDE-RANGING IMPACTS BOTH LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY.

IN RESPONSE, TODAY'S WOMEN LEADERS EXEMPLIFY THESE VALUES WHERE THEY FORGE A BETTER WORLD.

NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 7, 2024 TO BE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND THE BEGINNING OF WOMEN'S HISTORY

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THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND TO KICK US OFF I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO OUR COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN. THANK YOU, MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS VANESSA MARTINEZ AND I AM THE CURRENT CHAIR ON THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN. ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCILWOMEN AND MEN OF SAN ANTONIO FOR HONORING US AND HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT SAN ANTONIO TODAY. WE ARE PROUD TO LIVE IN A CITY WITH A MAJORITY-FEMALE COUNCIL.

ONLY ONE OF 23 NATIONWIDE. SETTING THE STANDARD FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION.

SINCE 2019, THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN HAS TAKEN HARD LOOKS AT THE DATA IN THE STATUS OF WOMEN OF SAN ANTONIO REPORT. WE HAVE USED THAT REPORT, ALONG WITH THE 2018 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS THAT FOCUSED ON INITIATIVES TO ELIMINATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ADDRESS INEQUITABLE ACCESS TO ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EVENTS THAT HAVE PROVIDED RESOURCES AND INFORMATIONAL SEMINARS TO CITIZENS THAT IDENTIFY AS WOMEN AND THE FAMILIES THEY SUPPORT.

THIS PAST SUMMER ON THE HEELS OF RECEIVING THE STATUS OF GIRLS IN SAN ANTONIO REPORT, MAYOR NIRENBERG TASKED THE COMMISSION TO STRUCTURE AN INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY SUMMIT THAT CENTERS ON THE GAPS IN SYSTEMIC PROCESSES INVITING LEADERS TO DISCUSS THESE GAPS AND IDENTIFYING WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS. THIS EVENT TO BE HELD TOMORROW FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M. WILL ADDRESS THREE MAJOR CONCERNS IMPACTING WOMEN IN SAN ANTONIO TODAY. THE LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILDCARE, THE NEED FOR EARLY EDUCATION AS A METHOD OF PREVENTING DOMESTIC AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, AND THE NEED TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS CARE GIVING IN ALL FORMS. WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING THESE IMPORTANT MATTERS TO THE TABLE AND HOPE TO FIND WAYS TO IMPACT THESE ISSUES SO WOMEN CAN CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN THE CITY THEY REPRESENT SO GRACEFULLY.

I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO NOTE THIS WORK CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY CITY GOVERNMENT ALONE.

EMPLOYERS ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THE SOLUTION AND IN ORDER TO REMAIN PROFITABLE AND RETAIN TALENT THEY MUST COME TO THE TABLE READY TO SUPPORT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AS A PEOPLE OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE, I CAN ATTEST TO EMPLOYERS THAT EMPLOYEES WANT AND NEED STRONG BENEFIT PACKAGES THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY WORK-LIFE BALANCES AND EMPLOYERS THAT FAIL TO OFFER EQUITABLE WAGE AND BENEFIT PACKAGES THAT SUPPORT CRITICAL CARE GIVING NEEDS WILL LOSE TOP TALENT TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT UNDERSTAND THE REWARDS OF PROVIDING THESE INCENTIVES INSTEAD OF OUTWEIGHING THE COSTS. I CAN ALSO STATE THAT WOMEN WHO ARE LARGELY CONSIDERED THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR CARE GIVING IN SOCIETY HAVE BEEN JOINING THE WORKFORCE AT A HIGHER RATE THAN MEN POST-PANDEMIC AND HAVING INTEGRAL IN SECURING ECONOMIC GROWTH. I ASK ALL EMPLOYERS TODAY TO PARTNER WITH THEIR HR AND PEOPLE OPERATION STRATEGIST TO REVIEW THEIR BENEFITS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO EMPLOYEES WHERE POSSIBLE, NOT JUST FOR A BETTER PROFIT MARGIN BUT FOR A BETTER CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I ASK THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO LEAD THE WAY BY EXAMPLE IN THESE BENEFITS. WE HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU TOMORROW AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE TERM. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. NOW FROM THE STRONG WOMEN ON THE COMMISSION, I'LL TURN IT TO MY STRONG WOMEN COLLEAGUES ON THE DAIS. I'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER

ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THAT.

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, EVERYONE! WOO! YEAH. AND I'M SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO KICKOFF THIS. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS IS LIKE MY FAVORITE MONTH AS WELL AS THE FIRST LADY, SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT IT LAST NIGHT. I WISH SHE WAS HERE TO SEE ALL OF THE STRONG WOMEN. BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF GIRLS IN HERE TOO, SO WE'RE CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH BUT WE'RE ALSO CELEBRATING THE FUTURE YOUTH AND ONE DAY YOU WILL BE UP HERE AS WELL. COUNCIL WAS FULL OF SOME INCREDIBLE WOMEN. WE SHAPED THE CITY THROUGH OUR WORK, THROUGH OUR LEADERSHIP AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THROUGH OUR LOVE. AND WE HAVE SOME VERY CRITICAL PEOPLE HERE IN THE CITY THAT RUN THE ORGANIZATION AS WELL THAT AREN'T ON THE COUNCIL BUT I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM. THAT'S MARIA VILLAGOMEZ, LIZ PROVENCIO, DEBBIE, AND CHIEF, WHO ARE REALLY AT THE TOP OF THE CAREER LADDER FOR WOMEN IN WHAT THEY DO.

VERY EXCITED C THEY HAVE BROKEN SOME GLASS CEILINGS. WE HAVE SO MANY HERE TODAY.

ACROSS THE CITY WE HAVE COURAGEOUS WOMEN DEFINE THE STATUS QUO AND DOING THINGS THAT PREVIOUS GENERATIONS COULD ONLY DREAM OF. WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE BROADER

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THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US TO THE TABLE. WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO TACKLE DIVERSITY HEAD ON. AS WOMEN WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.

WHAT UNITES US IS OUR HUMANITY AND WHAT MAKES US STRONGER IS EXPERIENCING THE WORLD AS WOMEN AND ENSURING WE LEAVE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THAN WHEN WE FOUND IT, LIKE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL. I BELIEVE SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT EXISTED JUST A FEW DECADES AGO HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED THANKS TO THE WOMEN WHO ARE JOINING US TODAY IN THE CHAMBERS.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOME JUDGES. WE HAVE A LOT OF FEMALE JUDGES HERE TODAY REPRESENTING OUR GREAT CITY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT IN JUST A LITTLE BIT. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, I WROTE AN OP-ED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPOWERING GIRLS AT AN EARLY AGE TO CREATE THE FUTURE WOMEN LEADERS. THAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND THE GIRLS EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT THAT BEGAN DURING MY FIRST TERM IN OFFICE. I AM PROUD TO SHARE THAT THIS YEAR'S TWO-DAY EVENT IS TAKING PLACE NEXT FRIDAY, MARCH 15, AT THE UTSA SAN PEDRO ONE BUILDING FOLLOWED BY CAMP HERO LIKE HER HOSTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON MARCH 16.

THE FREE EVENT FOR GIRLS AGE 13 THROUGH 18 IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE NON-TRADITIONAL CAREER ROLES FOR WOMEN, ENCOURAGE POSITIVE BODY IMAGE, SELF-CARE, AND SOCIAL MEDIA AWARENESS.

THE THEME THIS YEAR IS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THERE WILL BE SEVERAL BREAKOUT SESSIONS ON CHEMISTRY, AVIATION, WAGE EQUITY, AND MENTAL HEALTH. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED US PLAN THIS YEAR'S EVENT AND EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THIS ANNUAL EVENT.

OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER WILL BE A TEENAGE GIRL WHO GETS CALLS FROM ASTRONAUTS TO CONSULT ON THEIR WORK, BELIEVE IT OR NOT. SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WISDOM SHE'S GOING TO SHARE WITH HER TEENAGE FRIENDS. I BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF GIRLS SINCE A VERY EARLY AGE. PLEASE SHARE THE INFORMATION ON THE GIRLS EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT AS FAR AND WIDE AS YOU CAN. THIS YEAR ALSO MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME . I AM HONORED TO HAVE BEEN A PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT OF THE PROGRAM. [APPLAUSE] AND I WAS ALSO VERY HONORED TO BECOME AN INDUCTEE IN 2022. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING, PROMOTING THE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTUALLY THOSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, MAKING SURE THEY GET TO BE INDUCTEES ONE DAY AND SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR ROLE AND CAREER.

TODAY WE ARE JOINED BY SOME ESTEEMED WOMEN LEADERS, INCLUDING THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN HALL OF FAME DORIS, SAN ANTONIO WOMEN HALL OF FAME FOUNDING MEMBER, LINDA CHAVEZ THOMPSON AND WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY NORMA RODRIGUEZ. I'M GETTING EMOTIONAL ON THIS ONE BECAUSE WE ARE SITTING AT THE NORMA RODRIGUEZ CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER .

NORMA. [APPLAUSE] NORMA SERVED AS A SAN ANTONIO CITY CLERK FOR MANY YEARS AND I AM SO HONORED THAT I GET TO SIT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER THAT IS NAMED AFTER YOU TODAY, NORMA. MS. RODRIGUEZ WAS INDUCTED INTO THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME IN 2001. SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE ORGANIZATION IN 1984, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL WOMEN INDUCTED AND MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 500 MEMBERS.

ONE OF THE INDUCTEES LAST YEAR WAS MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE, MARINA ALDERETE GAVITO.

I AM HONORED TO SIT WITH HER ON THIS DAIS . YES, ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. THIS SATURDAY THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND INDUCTING THE CLASS OF 2024 AT THEIR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING GALA.

AND MY COLLEAGUE, MELISSA CABELLO HAVRDA WILL BE INDUCTED IN THIS YEAR'S CLASS.

PLEASE HELP ME GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] WE ARE HONORED THAT THE PROCEEDS FOR THIS ORGANIZATION HELP SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. AND THEY'RE JOINING US TODAY.

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS WOMEN WHO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION AND THE TIMING SEEMS FITTING AS WE WITNESS THESE IDEAS UNDER ATTACK. I WANT TO THANK THE WOMEN REPRESENTING THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME WHO ARE JOINING US TODAY.

I APPRECIATE THEM FOR LEADING BY EXAMPLE AND SHOWING US HOW WE CAN UPLIFT WOMEN AND BUILD ON

[00:35:01]

THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT YOU HAVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE YOUNG LIVES WHO BENEFIT FROM YOUR SUPPORT. NOW IT IS MY HONOR TO TURN THE MIC OVER TO SAN ANTONIO WOMEN HALL OF FAME PRESIDENT, DORIS LAY BARBER . [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. IF I MAY HAVE SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION JOIN ME AT THE MIC, PLEASE. [APPLAUSE] AS COUNCILWOMAN MENTIONED, I AM DORIS LAY BARBER AND I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME. HAVING BEEN FOUNDED IN 1984, IT IS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THIS ORGANIZATION AT THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY. AS YOU KNOW AND HAS RECENTLY BEEN MENTIONED, WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER HONORED GUESTS WITH US THIS MORNING.

IN ADDITION TO THOSE MENTIONED BY COUNCILWOMAN, WE ALSO HAVE FORMER COUNCILWOMAN MARY ALICE CISNEROS WITH US HERE TODAY . [APPLAUSE] AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE REPRESENTATION BEHIND ME AND WITH ME, I DO NOT DO THIS ALONE AS NO WOMAN HAS EVER DONE.

WE STAND UPON THE SHOULDERS AND FOLLOW IN THE PATH OF THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE US.

THOSE WHO WERE STRONG, THOSE WHO HAD THE BRAVE HEART TO REACH FORWARD AND TO EXTEND THEMSELVES TO ALWAYS HELP OTHERS. WE INDUCT THE WOMEN INTO THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME IN 15 CATEGORIES, AMONG WHICH ARE ATHLETICS AND AGRICULTURE, LAW, MEDICAL, MILITARY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CIVIC LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEERISM, CREATIVE ARTS, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WE ARE SO HONORED TO HAVE COUNCILWOMAN HAVRDA COMING IN IN THE CATEGORY OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THE SYMBOL FOR THE PIN THAT WE WEAR IS THE ICEBERG. AS YOU KNOW AN ICEBERG IS A VERY LARGE OBJECT BUT ONLY A PORTION OF IT IS EVER VISIBLE TO THE EYE. AND THAT IS THE REPRESENTATION OF THE WOMEN IN OUR ORGANIZATION, THE WOMEN WE HAVE HONORED, OVER 500 OF THEM.

IN THE FACT THAT THEIR WORK, THE PART THAT YOU SEE AND THE PART THAT WE RECOGNIZE IS ONLY A TIP THAT IS ABOVE THE SURFACE. BELOW THAT IS THE 90% THAT CONTINUES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS COMMUNITY. YOU ALSO KNOW THAT ONCE INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME OR ONCE RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY OR ANY OTHER ENTITY, THESE WOMEN DO NOT STOP WORKING, THEY KEEP WORKING.

IF I COULD HAVE LINDA THOMAS CHAVEZ. LINDA CHAVEZ THOMAS STEP FORWARD. THERE'S LINDA. SHE ROSE TO THE PART OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AFL-CIO. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, LINDA, WHAT A CHALLENGE THAT WAS. AND YOU -- [LAUGHTER] AND YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE INSPIRATION TO NOT ONLY THOSE OF US WHO KNOW YOU BUT TO THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE STANDING BEHIND ME. THIS MORNING WE HAVE INVITED THE WOMEN OF -- THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TO COME BEFORE YOU BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THOSE WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS CITY, IN OUR STATE, AS WELL AS IN OUR NATION. AND ABOVE ALL, WE WANT TO HAVE THEM LET THE COUNCIL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEIR INSPIRATION IS, NOT ONLY LOCALLY BUT INTERNATIONALLY. EACH YOUNG WOMAN HAS A SHORT, BRIEF OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE INSPIRATION, THE WOMAN WHO INSPIRES HER. SO MAY I START WITH THE YOUNG WOMEN? AND TODAY, COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HAVE THREE SENIORS, TWO JUNIORS, AND ONE SOPHOMORE. SO IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START BEING INSPIRED BY A STRONG

WOMAN. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AVA ROMERO AND I'M A SENIOR AT THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. TODAY WE ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO

[00:40:04]

I WOULD NOT BE THE INDIVIDUAL I AM TODAY WITHOUT THE HELP AND GUIDANCE FROM THE WOMEN AROUND ME AT MY SCHOOL. THERE IS ONE INDIVIDUAL, HOWEVER, THAT I MUST RECOGNIZE FOR BEING A TRUE INSPIRATION AND ROLE MODEL FOR ME AS I HAVE MOVED THROUGH MY EDUCATION AND PERSONAL GROWTH. MY MOTHER, DR. JEANETTE ROMERO IS A FIGURE THAT I WILL ALWAYS KNOW AS MY ROLE MODEL AND INSPIRATION. DR. ROMERO, OR MY MOM, HAS SHOWN ME THAT TRUE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION LOOKS LIKE AND HOW THESE QUALITIES CAN LEAD TO YOUR SUCCESS. RAISING ME AS A SINGLE MOTHER, MY MOM TACKLED WORKING HER JOB IN EDUCATION AND ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL TO PURSUE HER PHD.

I UNDERSTAND THAT RAISING A CHILD IS NOT EASY AND NEITHER IS CONTINUING THE JOURNEY OF ENHANCING YOUR EDUCATION THROUGH GRADUATE PROGRAMS BUT MY MOTHER WAS ABLE TO DEFY ALL CHALLENGES AND GRADUATE WITH HER PHD IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP. SHE IS A REMINDER FOR ME EVERY DAY THAT AS LONG AS YOU'RE FOCUSED ON YOUR JOURNEY, HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF, AND ARE NOT SCARED OF THE CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES IN THIS WORLD AND IN EDUCATION, YOU CAN PURSUE ANY OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE AND TRULY REACH YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS.

I THANK HER FOR ALL THE WORK SHE HAS PUT INTO ENSURING I AM ON THE RIGHT PATH I ONLY WISH TO MAKE HER PROUD AND THE OTHER WOMEN IN MY COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY ARE MY PEERS, ADMINISTRATORS, OR YOUNGER GIRLS WHO LOOK UP TO ME. THROUGH THE DILIGENCE THAT I'VE LEARNED FROM MY MOM AND OTHER WOMEN AROUND ME, I KNOW THAT I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BRING PRIDE TO WOMEN'S HISTORY.

MY NAME IS ZOE AND I'M A SENIOR AT THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

THROUGHOUT MY LIFE THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS WOMEN WHO HAVE SHAPED ME INTO THE STRONG AND EMPOWERED PERSON I AM TODAY BUT ONE STANDS OUT TODAY, MY GRANDMOTHER, MIMI.

SHE'S THE YOUNGEST OF FOUR CHILDREN. THROUGHOUT MY CHILDHOOD SHE WOULD INDULGE MY LOVE OF SWEET TREATS BY CARRYING FRUIT SNACKS BY THE DOZEN.

SHE EMBRACED MY LOVE OF PERFORMANCE BY MAKING ME THE CENTER OF ATTENTION AND SHE ENCOURAGED MY LOVE OF LEARNING, ASKED ME QUESTION AFTER QUESTION ABOUT ANY GIVEN TOPIC THAT I HAD PICKED UP FROM SCHOOL OR BOOKS. WHEN SHE WAS NOT MUCH OLDER THAN I WAS, SHE MADE A DECISION UNLIKE MANY OF HER PEERS AT THE TIME. KNOWING SHE DID NOT WANT TO BE A TEACHER OR A NURSE, THE TWO CAREER PATHS OFFERED TO WOMEN GRADUATING WHEN SHE WAS, MY GRANDMOTHER DECIDED TO TAKE A FEW BUSINESSES CLASSES AT A LOCAL COLLEGE WHICH PREPARED FOR HER FOR A LIFE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP. MY GRANDMOTHER SERVED OVER 20 YEARS AT THE LOCAL SCHOOL AS A COMPUTER LAB SUPERVISOR TO HELP THE NEWEST GENERATION UNDERSTAND MEDIA LITERACY AND SAFETY IN THE RISE OF COMPUTERS. SHE SPONSORED THE GIRL SCOUTS GROUP AT MY MOM'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO EMPOWER YOUNG GIRLS TO USE THEIR VOICE AND BUILD CRITICAL SKILLS AND EVEN AFTER HER RETIREMENT SHE HAS CONTINUED TO SERVE HER COMMUNITY THROUGH HER WORK WITH THE LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP AS AN ADVISER FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

THIS PAST FALL THE FOUNDATION NAMED THE SCHOLARSHIP AFTER HER. SHE HAS CONTINUED HER EDUCATION WELL INTO HER 80S BY TAKING OSHA CLASSES AS WELL AS PARTICIPATING IN HER MONTHLY BOOK CLUB.

SHE IS A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE WHO HAS REMAINED WELL CONNECTED WITHIN HER POLITICAL COMMUNITY, FREQUENTING LUNCHEONS AND DINNERS AS WELL AS ORGANIZING AND ATTENDING MANY PROTESTS.

MY GRANDMOTHER FOUND A WAY TO CREATE HER OWN PATH. SHE HAS TAUGHT ME COUNTLESS LESSONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT HER WISDOM AND SUPPORT.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LILLIAN WILSON AND I AM A SENIOR AT THE YO YOUNG WOMS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. I HAVE HAD FLEETING MOMENTS WHERE I LOOKED UP TO SOMEONE, WHICH IS GENERALLY SOME SORT OF CELEBRITY OR WHAT I WAS READING OR LISTENING TO BUT I ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE ONE PERSON I CONSIDER MY ROLE MODEL FOR LIFE, MY MOTHER. MY MOM IS A THIRD DAUGHTER AND FOURTH CHILD OF MY GRANDPARENTS, ONE OF WHOM WAS AN IMMIGRANT FROM MEXICO. SHE GREW UP IN POVERTY AND WAS THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY TO RECEIVE A COLLEGE EDUCATION. EVERYTHING SHE WORKED FOR WAS TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A FUTURE FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE IMPACT THAT HIGHER EDUCATION CAN HAVE ON SOMEONE'S LIFE. MY MOTHER IS AN EDUCATOR AND HER COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING AND LEADING OTHERS INSPIRES ME TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE BEEN OFFERED BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE HAS THESE SAME OPPORTUNITIES. MY MOTHER AND I ARE CONSTANTLY

[00:45:02]

>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SEE THAT THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO IS STRONG AND THE WOMEN ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE HISTORY IN THIS GREAT CITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

[APPLAUSE] >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT YOU WERE ABOUT TO SAY COUNCILWOMEN. ONE DAY IT WILL BE ALL COUNCILWOMEN UP HERE.

SORRY, Y'ALL. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE BEAUTIFUL WORDS AND I'M SO PROUD THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO SHOWCASE THE LEARNING THAT YOU HAVE AT THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY BUT THAT YOU ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FAMILY AT THE FOREFRONT AND YOU KNOW THAT YOUR MOTHERS AND YOUR FAMILY REALLY MAKES THAT DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY. I WANTED TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SOME REMARKS AT THIS POINT ABOUT THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME.

I'LL START WITH COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WHAT AN EXCITING DAY. I DO WANT TO ECHO ALL THE COMMENTS THAT MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN DR. ROCHA GARCIA MADE THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY MOM, CHRIS ALDERETE, WHO IS HERE THIS MORNING. I LOVE YOU. [APPLAUSE] AND ALSO NORMA RODRIGUEZ. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ACKNOWLEDGING HER.

SHE'S MY GODMOTHER. I APPLAUD ALL OF THE INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR CITY IN ADDITION TO TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEYS, THEIR CAREERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR LIVES. I KNOW FIRSTHAND AS A MOTHER AND WIFE HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO BALANCE ALL OF THE DEMANDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, SO I COMMEND ALL THE EXTRA WORK THAT WE'RE ALL CONSTANTLY DOING FOR OUR CITY. THIS TRULY CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF UNSTOPPABLE, SELFLESS SPIRIT OF WOMANHOOD. SERVING ON CITY'S BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OR THROUGH WONDERFUL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SAN ANTONIO WOMAN HALL OF FAME ARE VOLUNTARY AND YOU ALL HAVE MADE A DECISION TO BE OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN I WAS INDUCTED LAST YEAR IT WAS THAT NIGHT THAT I WAS INDUCTED WAS SO SPECIAL BECAUSE I WAS IN FULL-ON CAMPAIGN MODE AND, YOU KNOW, LINDA, SEEING YOU AND GETTING THAT STRONG HUG FROM YOU, GETTING THOSE LOOKS FROM WOMEN OF LIKE YOU'VE GOT THIS. YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING. I THINK IT WAS LIKE MAYBE TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND YOU'RE TIRED. BUT THOSE LITTLE WAYS THAT WE SHOW EACH OTHER THAT WE'RE THERE FOR EACH OTHER AND SHOW EACH OTHER STRENGTH ARE SO MEANINGFUL AND HELP US KEEP PUSHING ALONG. I ALSO DID WANT TO QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIA FEMALE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE. LAURA CABANILLA, ATHALIE AND MELANIE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO VIA BECAUSE IT'S CONNECTING PEOPLE TO OPPORTUNITIES AND JOBS. ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE EXCITED BECAUSE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS TRULY A GEM OF DISTRICT 7. EVERY TIME I VISIT I'M ALWAYS BLOWN AWAY BY THE LEADERS THEY'RE CREATING THERE AND BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IN ALL HONESTY I HAVE SOME GOALS TO SHARE.

MY DAUGHTER IS NOT FEELING WELL TODAY SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH HER IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE. THESE ARE ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT WE'RE ALL CONSTANTLY DOING TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND TO TAKE CARE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS AND ALSO TO SET EXAMPLES FOR EACH OTHER. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN DR. ROCHA GARCIA FOR HONORING THIS TODAY AND THIS IS TRULY SPECIAL. THANKS SO MUCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. NOW, I DO HAVE A BRIEF PROCLAMATION I'D LIKE TO READ, JUST PORTIONS OF IT FOR THE WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME. I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. WE DO HAVE SOME JUDGES THAT HAVE TO GET BACK TO THEIR BENCH.

WHEREAS THE SAN ANTONIO WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME WILL CELEBRATE ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND HOST ITS GALA AT THE VISTA EVENT CENTER. OUTSTANDING WOMEN LEADERS WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR NUMEROUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY.

WHEREAS THE HONOREES INCLUDE TERESA NINO, ROSA LINDO CHAMPION, TERESA ANN SILVA, NORA MARTINEZ ROGERS, BARBARA TAYLOR, KELLY NASH, JUDGE YOLANDA HUFF, MELISSA CABELLO HAVRDA.

[00:50:12]

>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, OF COURSE. I'M SO HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP. THERE'S SO MANY WOMEN HERE TODAY THAT I'VE LOOKED UP TO MY WHOLE LIFE. NORMA, CHRIS, YALINDA AND MARY ALICE.

I THANK COUNCILWOMAN DR. ROCHA GARCIA FOR BRINGING THIS UP TODAY AND BRINGING REALLY TO LIGHT WHAT YOU DO. SO MUCH MORE. ITS SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INCREDIBLE AND THEY GIVE US A FUTURE BUT WHAT YOU DO AS A GROUP IS REALLY GIVE YOUNG GIRLS OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE. SO I THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

I'M SO HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE A PART OF THE GROUP HERE ON SATURDAY.

I'M NOT GOING TO COUNT IT UNTIL SATURDAY WHEN I WALK THE STAGE. I AM VERY GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AND NOW I INVITE OUR JUDGES, ARE YOU HERE? WE HAVE ONE JUDGE UP HERE.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IF OUR HALL OF FAME LADIES COULD STAY BACK BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME MORE COMMENTS, BUT WE'LL ALLOW OUR JUDGES TO COME FORWARD FIRST. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU, GUYS.

THANK YOU, LADIES FOR BEING HERE TODAY. Y'ALL MIGHT GET THIS.

WHEN I FIRST GOT ON COUNCIL, I KEPT CALLING THE MAYOR JUDGE AND I WOULD CALL JUDGE MAYOR.

I FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT. BUT Y'ALL REPRESENT A LEGACY OF TENACITY, INTELLIGENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND HARD WORK. I ESPECIALLY THANK JUDGE DIAZ. OF COURSE OUR PRESIDING JUDGE OBLEDO . AS WE CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, I ASKED YOU GUYS TO WALK OVER FROM THE COURTHOUSE IN YOUR ROBES TO JOIN US TODAY AT THIS PODIUM.

THE FIRST -- ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I WANT TO SAY IS HOW INSPIRING AND HOW POWERFUL YOU ALL ARE. NOT JUST THIS MORNING BUT EVERY DAY ON THE BENCH.

THIS IS A SPECIAL MOMENT IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR ME, ESPECIALLY, BUT AS WE CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. HERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF WOMEN'S HISTORY IN BEXAR COUNTY. THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED JUDGE IN OUR COUNTY WAS BARBARA HANSON.

IN 1989, SHE BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS A DISTRICT JUDGE IN BEXAR COUNTY .

I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT TIME. THAT'S NOT THAT LONG AGO, I LIKE TO THINK. BUT LOOK HOW FAR, LOOK AT THIS WALL OF WOMEN JUDGES IN THESE BEAUTIFUL ROBES AND LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME IN 35 YEARS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE MOST WOMEN ON THE BENCH IN BEXAR COUNTY. 100% OF CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGES ARE WOMEN AS IS THE ENTIRETY OF THE FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS. JUST A QUICK ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THAT .

THAT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE. [APPLAUSE] SO OF COURSE I'VE KNOWN MANY OF YOU PERSONALLY BEFORE YOU WERE JUDGES. NOW I'M SO GRATEFUL TO SEE YOU IN YOUR PLACE, YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE WITH THESE ROBES ON. AND I'M REMINDED OF THAT QUOTE FROM RBG. HOW MANY WOMEN IS ENOUGH ON THE SUPREME COURT? WHEN THEY'RE ALL WOMEN. THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT OUR BEXAR COUNTY COURTS.

WE'RE GETTING THERE. I DO WANT TO NAME THE JUDGES WHO STAND BEFORE US.

JUSTICE LUCINDA CHAPA. WOULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROBE?

>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE, COUNCILWOMAN. THANK YOU FOR SUCH A STRONG PRESENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S PACKED AND I'M NOT A FREQUENT FLIER HERE BUT THIS IS A GREAT TURNOUT IN RECOGNITION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. IF YOU HEAR MY VOICE QUIVER, IT'S BECAUSE I AM HONORED TO WEAR RETIRED CHIEF JUSTICE LOPEZ'S FIRST JUDICIAL ROBE. SHE WAS MY MENTOR IN LAW SCHOOL AND WE NEVER LET GO OF ONE ANOTHER. AND SHE ROBED ME ALONGSIDE MY BIRTH MOTHER, AT MY INVESTITURE. AND WHAT IS INSPIRING -- WHAT WAS INSPIRING TO ME AT THE TIME WAS CHIEF LOPEZ WAS FIRST APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR ANN RICHARDS IN 1993.

[00:55:02]

SO THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS INCREDIBLY REMARKABLE. I OF COURSE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO SERVE ON THE FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS. WE'RE ALL INDEED WOMEN AND WE ARE HONORED AND HUMBLED TO SERVE AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US AND PAVED THE WAY. SO THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS ROOM, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE FEMINIST-TYPE MEN TO HELP US ALONG THE WAY TOO.

SO I NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE MALE POWER IN THE ROOM AS WELL. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR HAVING US TODAY. THIS IS LIKE -- I'M SHAKING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE POWER

BEHIND ME. >> HAVRDA: AMAZING. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] SO ALSO SHOUT OUT TO JUSTICE RIOS.

CIVIL COURT DISTRICT JUDGES, MONIQUE DIAZ, FLORES, CRIMINAL COURT JUDGES, JUDGE STEPHANIE BOYD , JUDGE CHRISTINA, JUDGE CATHERINE STAHL AND JUDGE JACKIE VALDEZ AND JUDGE ROSE SOSA.

MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES, OUR OWN CARLA OBLEDO, JUDGE CASTILLO, JUDGE GOMEZ, JUDGE GONZALES, JUDGE POOL, JUDGE MARTINEZ, AND JUDGE MENDOZA. I ALSO SEE JUDGE ROSIE HERE.

I'M SORRY. SHOUT OUT YOUR NAMES. ALL THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES.

YEAH. YOU GUYS INTRODUCE YOURSELVES REAL QUICK.

>> MELISSA IBARRA, JUDGE OF COUNTY COURT 15. >> JUDGE AVILOS.

>> JUDGE STOWE, COUNTY COURT OF LAW NO. 1. >> JUDGE HUB, COUNTY COURT NO.

12. >> JUDGE ERICA DOMINGUEZ. >> JUDGE ROSIE GONZALES, COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 13. I CAME BEARING GIFTS. ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE A CHALLENGE COIN TO STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TO JACK FINGER, I PAID FOR THAT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. [LAUGHTER]

>> HAVRDA: I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD PLACE TO STOP. THANK YOU, JUDGES.

THANK YOU ALL LADIES FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR INSPIRING EVERY YOUNG LADY THAT'S GOING TO COME BEHIND YOU AND TAKE YOUR SEATS. ONCE YOU'RE WELL AND DONE WITH THEM. I DO APPRECIATE YOU AND I'LL PASS THE FLOOR OVER TO

COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS A REALLY IMPRESSIVE.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T TIE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY TO INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.

OF COURSE THIS IS A CALL OF ACTION FOR ALL OF US TO CELEBRATE THE STRIDES WE HAVE MADE AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO. AS OUR COUNTRY STRUGGLES FOR BODILY AUTONOMY AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AT THE DOBS DECISION, WE HAVE WITNESSED THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULING THAT EMBRYOS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CHILDREN, PLACING FAMILIES AT RISK FOR CRIMINALIZATION WHEN DIFFICULT FERTILITY CARE FAILS. AND AS WE CROSS FIVE MONTHS INTO THE SIEGE ON GAZA HAD TO TAKE THREE ROUNDS IN THREE YEARS OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION ONLY TO LOSE HER TWINS IN A STRIKE. PREGNANT WOMEN ARE HAVING C-SECTIONS WITHOUT ANESTHETICS.

AS A CITY, WE RECENTLY APPROVED A $500,000 REPRODUCTIVE FUND THAT COULD BE USED FOR MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE NECESSITIES . IN PALESTINE DISPLACED WOMEN ARE HAVING TO USE PIECES OF TENT AND CLOTH AS PRODUCTS WHICH CAN CAUSE INFECTION.

OF THE 1.9 MILLION GAZANS WHO HAVE FLED, ABOUT 1 MILLION ARE GIRLS.

WITH THAT, CELEBRATING WOMEN'S DAY MEANS WE MUST CONTINUE TO DEMAND A CEASE FIRE FOR THE WOMEN AND GIRLS OF GAZA. THANK YOU, MAYOR. [APPLAUSE]

>> HAVRDA: MAYOR, I'M SORRY. I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE BENCHES TO GET BACK TO SO I'M GOING TO INVITE JUDGE OBLEDO AND JUDGE DIAZ TO STAY. ANYBODY WHO NEEDS TO GET BACK

CAN GO. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING US TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND IN THIS ROOM WITH SO MANY AMAZING WOMEN THAT ARE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE

[01:00:07]

YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EXAMPLE ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR YOUNG WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PRESENTATION ON THE BENCH REPRESENTS PROGRESS TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE COURT SYSTEM AND SERVES AS A TESTAMENT TO THE TENACITY OF THE WOMEN WHO CAME BEFORE US. IT ALSO SERVES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO BREAK BARRIERS, INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AND ADVOCATE FOR A SOCIETY WHERE EVERY VOICE IS HEARD AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS CONSIDERED -- IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEMORATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND TO REAFFIRM OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US ALL HERE TODAY AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY DOCKETS TO BE HERE FOR THIS REALLY SPECIAL MOMENT. THANK YOU ESPECIALLY TO COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA FOR INVITING US TODAY AND WELCOMING US IN THIS SPACE TO SHARE IN WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TOGETHER.

IT'S WITH GREAT HONOR AND PRIDE THAT WE STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS MEMBERS OF OUR MAJORITY-FEMALE JUDICIARY. WE ARE NOW 100% FEMALE IN OUR CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS AND OUR FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS. THESE REMARKABLE WOMEN BEHIND ME HAVE GRACED THE BENCH AND MADE PROFOUND CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LEGAL SYSTEM. FROM CREATING TRAUMA-INFORMED SPECIALTY COURTS, PROGRAMS, AND COALITIONS, TO IMPROVING HOW WE COLLECTIVELY ADDRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES AND SO MUCH MORE IN BETWEEN. WE REFLECT ON THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WOMEN IN OUR JUDICIARY. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MULTIFACETED ROLES WE PLAY IN OUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES. BEYOND OUR ROBES AND GAVELS WE ARE MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, CARETAKERS, MENTORS, AND LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THESE WOMEN BALANCE THE INCREDIBLE DEMANDS OF FAMILY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

THROUGHOUT HISTORY WOMEN HAVE FOUGHT TIRELESSLY FOR EQUALITY AND REPRESENTATION IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE, INCLUDING THE JUDICIARY. TODAY WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF TRAIL BLAZERS THAT HAVE HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR ALL OF US TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY.

LIKE JANE BOWLEN, SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR, RUTH BADER GINSBURG AND MORE THAN I CAN NAME TODAY.

EACH FEMALE JUDGE STANDING BEFORE YOU REPRESENTS A TRIUMPH OF COURAGE OVER ADVERSITY, BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS AND SHATTERING GLASS CEILINGS IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE.

HAVING WOMEN JUDGES AS ROLE MODELS ESSENTIAL TO OUR LEGAL SOCIETY.

WE BRING YOUR PERSPECTIVES IN DISCOURSE AND ENSURE THAT JUSTICE IS SERVED EQUITABLY AND BLINDLY. WE FULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRIVILEGE WE HOLD IN HOLDING THESE POSITIONS. EACH DAY WE ARE REMINDED OF THE STARK REALITIES FACED BY WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD WHO CONTINUE TO SUFFER AND LACK BASIC RIGHTS AND AGENCY OVER OUR PATHS, OUR LIVES, AND OUR CAREERS. FOR FAR TOO MANY WOMEN GLOBALLY, ACCESS TO JUSTICE REMAINS ELUSIVE. WOMEN ARE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE EDUCATION, BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, SUBJECTED TO SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION, AND THE RIGHT TO EQUALITY IS BUT A DISTANT DREAM. SO AS WE REFLECT ON OUR INCREDIBLE PROGRESS, WE RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO INSPIRING INCLUSION, ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN EVERYWHERE.

WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR SISTERS WORLDWIDE, RECOGNIZING THAT OUR PRIVILEGE COMES WITH A RESPONSIBILITY TO UPLIFT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED AND MARGINALIZED.

SO TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, I EXTEND AGAIN MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION.

YOUR COURAGE, WISDOM, AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO UPHOLDING THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AND EQUALITY INSPIRE US ALL. MAY YOUR EXAMPLE LIGHT THE WAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME AND MAY WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR A WORLD WHERE EVERY WOMAN IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT, AND EQUALITY. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> HAVRDA: I'M GOING TO RUN DOWN FOR A PICTURE BUT THE NEXT

[01:05:07]

GO AHEAD, COUNCILWOMAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE DIVERSE EXPERIENCES, PERSPECTIVES, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WOMEN FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND WALKS OF LIFE. I'M SO PLEASED THAT EVERYBODY THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP BEFORE AND YOU SHOULD BE SO PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WHAT YOU DO, WOMEN HALL OF FAME, YOUNG WOMEN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, THE JUDGES .

THE STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF WOMEN IN THE PAST ARE NOT LEFT IN THE PAST.

WHILE THEY CAN INSPIRE PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS, BREAK BARRIERS AND STRIVE FOR EQUALITY, THERE ARE STILL STRUGGLES THAT WE HAVE TODAY WHERE WE NEED TO USE OUR VOICE TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AGAIN AND GO BACK TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN WHO SERVE ON THE CITY'S BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

THANK YOU, VANESSA, FOR DOING AN AMAZING JOB, IF YOU'RE STILL IN THE BUILDING.

THANK YOU, ANDY RODRIGUEZ FOR YOUR SERVICE, ALL THE WOMEN WHO ARE SERVING.

YOU'RE SHAPING POLICIES AND DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND.

MY DISTRICT 3 E-NEWSLETTER IS GOING TO TALK THIS MONTH UNTIL WE COVER EVERYBODY, ALL THE WOMEN THAT ARE SERVING IN DISTRICT 3, FOR FREE, ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE REPRESENTED. BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU WHO WE'RE REPRESENTING.

IT'S THE NURSES IN THE HOSPITALS THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF US. IT IS THE CLEANING LADIES AT CITY HALL, THE CLEANING WOMEN. IT IS THOSE THAT ARE IN THE RESTAURANTS MAKING SURE WE'RE TAKEN CARE OF. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THEM. THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY, WHO IS MOVING THIS CITY FORWARD. IF YOU HAVE A POSITION OF LEADERSHIP, IF YOU HAVE A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN CREATE POLICY, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHO YOU'RE DOING IT FOR.

THE YOUTH BUT ALSO THE WOMEN THAT ARE THERE RAISING CHILDREN, WORKING TOWARDS THAT DREAM, AND MAKING SURE THEY WANT A SAFE COMMUNITY. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE AT THIS GRASSROOTS LEVEL.

SO THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CITY HALL. I WISH I COULD SEE ALL YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACES AND CELEBRATING TODAY. BUT LET'S NOT FORGET HOW MUCH MORE WORK WE NEED. AND LET'S NOT FORGET THAT AS MANY MALE ALLIES THAT WE DO HAVE AND WE APPRECIATE, THAT THERE'S STILL PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE GOING TO QUESTION US, POSE QUESTIONS TO US THAT THEY WOULDN'T TO MEN. SO PLEASE ENJOY TODAY.

I'M EXCITED THAT I COULD JOIN YOU VIRTUALLY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING YOU IN PERSON AND SEEING YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACES AGAIN. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

DON'T GO ANYWHERE, JUDGES, HALL OF FAMERS. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR HAS BEEN VERY PATIENT. I HAVE BEEN TELLING HER, NO, YOU'RE NEXT.

YOU'RE NEXT. BUT AS THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN DIRECTED, I HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFUL NOT TO JUMP IN THE WAY BECAUSE I'M SURROUNDED BY WOMEN JUDGES.

AND I KNOW THE DANGER OF DOING THAT. SO, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE CREATED AND SAID BEAUTIFUL WORDS ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. I FEEL SUPER ENERGIZED AND CHARGED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE, SPECIFICALLY FOR ONE OF MY RESIDENTS, JUDGE DIAZ. WHEN I WAS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND IT WAS A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRST ELECTION, I ENDED UP KNOCKING ON HER DOOR AND SHE HAD JUST PUT HER LITTLE BABY TO SLEEP AFTER HAVING COME HOME FROM A DAY AT COURT AND I HARD-CORE FAN GIRLED.

I WAS LIKE, ARE YOU JUDGE DIAZ? AND SHE WAS SO INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE AND GAVE ME ALL OF THE ENERGY THAT I NEEDED TO GET ME THROUGH THE NEXT MONTH OF WORK THAT WE HAD TO PUT IN.

AND SO YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND ALL OF YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. JUDGE ROSIE, FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO FOR OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, IT IS SO IMPORTANT IN THIS MOMENT IN OUR STATE.

TO THE YOUNG WOMEN HERE FROM YWLA, ONE OF MY FIRST JOBS WAS WORKING AT THE SISTER SCHOOL IN HOUSTON SO I GOT A CHANCE TO WORK AT THAT CAMPUS. THEY HAVE TO WEAR PLAID SKIRTS AND BLAZERS EVERY DAY AND THEY DO IT WITH PRIDE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY ARE PREPARING FOR

[01:10:05]

AND THEY HAVE AN AMAZING LEADER AND PRINCIPAL WHO HAS GIVEN HER WHOLE HEART TO THAT CAMPUS.

WE GOT TO READ TO THE YWLA PRIMARY STUDENTS YESTERDAY AND THAT SCHOOL IS GOING TO CHANGE WOMEN'S LIVES IN OUR CITY. SO WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU BROUGHT THEM UP HERE.

I WANT TO JUST SHOUT OUT, IF THE TWO STUDENTS THAT ARE SHADOWING ME TODAY WILL STAND UP BEHIND Y'ALL. WE HAVE TWO STUDENTS THAT CAME TO US TODAY.

[APPLAUSE] ELIZABETH JACKSON FROM REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL AND SADANA VIJAY.

THEY REACHED OUT TO ME TO COME SHADOW AND WANTED TO BE A PART OF THIS AND I'M TELLING Y'ALL, Y'ALL PICKED A GREAT DAY. AND SO WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE AND HOPE YOU GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT AND DECIDE TO BE A LEADER ONE DAY BECAUSE ANYONE THAT WANTS TO PUT IN THE HARD WORK CAN DO IT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.

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

[APPLAUSE] WELL, THIS IS -- I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY AWESOME.

THE POWER AND CREDIBILITY THAT YOU BRING TO THIS ROOM IS JUST REALLY REMARKABLE.

WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ATTORNEYS WHO SIT ON THE DAIS, WHO ARE MEN, WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS

OUR JUDGES. SO COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I'LL EVER BE ABLE TO SIT WHILE YOU'RE STANDING AND ADDRESS YOU.

AND I GOT TO TELL YOU WAY TOO MUCH HAS BEEN SAID THAT I WANTED TO SAY AND SO I'M GOING TO ADJUST ONE SMALL THING. YOU LADIES ARE THE TOUGHEST THAT I'VE EVER COME ACROSS.

WHENEVER I GO TO COURT, I AM TERRIFIED OF YOU BECAUSE I'VE SEEN YOU FLEX THE MUSCLE AND I'M SO PROUD TO SERVE AS A LAWYER IN A CITY WHERE WE'VE GOT MOMS AND DAUGHTERS, YOU KNOW, HANDING OUT JUSTICE. AND I GOT TO TELL YOU I'VE SEEN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IN ACTION BUT ONE IN PARTICULAR, FOR EVERYBODY SITTING IN THE ROOM, IF YOU WANT TO SEE TOUGH, GO TO YOUTUBE AND CHECK OUT JUDGE STEPHANIE BOYD'S YOUTUBE STREAM.

MY DAUGHTER AND I WATCH IT, JUDGE, ALL THE TIME. AND THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE, I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE BUT WE BINGE WATCHED YOUR SHOW.

AND I LIKE HER WATCHING IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING TO RAISE A TOUGH KID AND THIS MORNING I SAID, OKAY, BE TOUGH TODAY. SHE GOES, OKAY.

I, BE TOUGH. HOW TOUGH ARE YOU GOING TO BE? SHE GOES, I'M GOING TO BE STEPHANIE BOYD TOUGH, DAD. [APPLAUSE] I GOT TO TELL YOU SOME OF YOU WENT TO LAW SCHOOL WITH ME. SOME OF YOU CAME RIGHT BEFORE ME, RIGHT AFTER ME.

I AM JUST SO IMPRESSED. YOU KNOW, I'M ONLY HERE FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND I'M GOING TO NEED A JOB. MAYBE I CAN BE AN INTERN OR CLERK .

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

>> WHYTE: MAN, HOW DO YOU FOLLOW THAT? I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AS WELL AND YOU KNOW I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PRACTICING IN FRONT OF MANY OF YOU.

AND THE QUALITY OF JUDICIAL TALENT THAT WE HAVE NOW DOWN AT THE COURTHOUSE IS REALLY SOMETHING SPECTACULAR AND IT'S THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AND BEEN WILLING TO SERVE ON THE BENCH HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY. JUDGE CHAPA, SOME FOLKS KNOW MY WIFE SERVED AS THE -- I GUESS IT WAS THE MANDAMUS ATTORNEY FOR THE FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS WHILE YOU'VE BEEN THERE. AND JUST THE STORIES ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT YOU ALL GO THROUGH AND THE IN-DEPTH COMPLEX LEGAL ANALYSIS THAT YOU ALL ARE WILLING TO UNDERTAKE TO GET TO YOUR DECISIONS IS JUST SO IMPRESSIVE. SHE ALWAYS SPEAKS SO HIGHLY OF HER TIME THERE ON THE COURT. I GOT TWO LITTLE GIRLS, 12 AND 9, AND EVERY FEW MONTHS WE TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP. AND VERY OFTEN IT'S I WANT TO BE A JUDGE, YOU KNOW, FROM MY OLDEST. AND THEY'RE INTERESTED IN THE LAW, THANKS TO THEIR MOM. AND HAVING ROLE MODELS LIKE ALL OF YOU IS GOING TO DO NOTHING BUT MOTIVATE THEM TO CONTINUE TO STUDY HARD AND TO ONE DAY MAYBE BE AS ACCOMPLISHED AS ALL OF YOU. SO I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE HERE TO BEXAR COUNTY. BEING AN ATTORNEY HERE WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE

[01:15:03]

SO BE NICE TO ME NEXT TIME YOU SEE ME DOWN AT THE COURTHOUSE. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

AND TO CLOSE US OUT, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I DO WANT TO THANK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA, FOR HIGHLIGHTING THESE AMAZING WOMEN ON THIS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT DAY. AND ALSO TO JUDGE CARLA OBLEDO AND JUDGE MONIQUE DIAZ FOR HELPING ORGANIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

SORRY, I WAS TAKING SOME PICTURES. IT IS SUCH A POWERFUL VIEW OF LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND IT'S ALSO WONDERFUL TO SEE HOW FAR WE'VE COME IN ADVANCING GENDER EQUITY IN THE CITY. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY FAVORITE JUDGE BALDERES FLORES, WHO IS A CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE -- [APPLAUSE] BECAUSE, AS JUDGE MONIQUE DIAZ WAS SAYING, BEHIND THE ROBES THAT Y'ALL WEAR ARE AMAZING WOMEN.

AND MARRIESSA IS AN AMAZING JUDGE AND MOTHER AND GODMOTHER. I MEAN, THE ROLES THAT Y'ALL PLAY ARE JUST SO MULTIFACETED AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL AND LUCKY TO HAVE Y'ALL IN OUR COMMUNITY.

TOMORROW WILL BE MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AS A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL SO IT FEELS EXTRA SPECIAL THIS YEAR. I CAN'T HELP BUT TO REFLECT ON THE WOMEN WHO CAME BEFORE ME.

TO THE WOMEN WHO SACRIFICED AND FOUGHT AND PUT THEIR LIVES AND THEIR REPUTATIONS ON THE LINES.

THE PERSEVERANCE, DETERMINATION, AND STRENGTH THAT WOMEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE DEMONSTRATED HAS CONTRIBUTED TO EVERY ADVANCEMENT IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND WHILE I AM PROUD ABOUT HOW FAR WE'VE COME AND ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WOMEN HAVE MADE, I ALSO WANT TO ECHO THE COMMENTS OF REMINDING US TO NEVER GET COMPLACENT.

THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO DON'T BELIEVE WOMEN SHOULD HAVE AUTONOMY OVER THEIR BODIES, MUCH LESS SERVE IN INFLUENTIAL ROLES OR HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD IN POWERFUL SPACES.

WE CAN NEVER FORGET THE EFFORTS OF OUR ANCESTORS AND OF ALL THE WOMEN WHO CAME BEFORE US.

WE MUST STAY DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THIS WORK FOR ALL OF OUR DAUGHTERS.

I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE TO DO SO AND I WILL NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE SACRIFICES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE SO I CAN SIT ON THIS DAIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND CELEBRATING WITH US.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. IF WE CAN GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF OUR JUDGES, ALL OF OUR HALL OF FAMERS. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

YOU AGAIN FOR SPENDING SOME TIME WITH US THIS MORNING. ALL RIGHT.

FROM THE BENCH TO I GUESS TO THE OTHER ELEMENT OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ BECAUSE SOME GUESTS DO HAVE TO GET BACK

TO THE COURTROOM AS WELL. >> PELAEZ: WELL, THESE GUESTS ARE JUST DELIGHTED THAT ALL THE JUDGES WERE HERE TODAY BECAUSE IT MEANS THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE THERE EITHER.

IF WE CAN GET DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOE GONZALES AND EMILY IGAN, CHIEF OF INTAKE AND ALL THE PROSECUTORS ARE IN THE ROOM. COME ON UP BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE HARD WORK YOU DO. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I BRING THIS GROUP TO CITY HALL SO THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE AN IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT. SINCE MID-FEBRUARY, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE WALKING UP TO THIS PODIUM ARE -- THESE ARE THE FRONTLINE PROSECUTORS AND THESE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE TACKLED A VERY IMPORTANT AND -- THEY'VE TACKLED A REALLY IMPORTANT AND HEAVY BURDEN AND THAT IS THE BACKLOG OF CASES, FELONY CASES, IN PARTICULAR, THAT BEXAR COUNTY HAD BEEN SEEING FOR WAY TOO LONG. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WONDERING WHY, EVERY COURTHOUSE IN THE NATION WAS CRUSHED BY, YOU KNOW, COVID AND THE INABILITY TO GET JURIES OUT THERE AND IT'S BEEN TOUGH AND IT'S BEEN TOUGH ON THIS OFFICE ALSO.

BUT DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOE GONZALES AND YOU AND YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DECIDING THAT BACKLOG SHOULD ALSO BE IN A REAR-VIEW MIRROR THE WAY THAT COVID IS.

MAYOR, SINCE MID-FEBRUARY, 45 OF THESE PROSECUTORS HAVE WORKED CLOSE TO 1,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTARY OVERTIME TO CLEAR 1,518 BACKLOGGED CASES, ALL FELONIES.

THIS REPRESENTS A VERY SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE BACKLOGS SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2023

[01:20:09]

THE MOST SERIOUS OF THE ASSAULT CASES. AND FELONY WEAPONS CASESINVOLVIR SERIOUS CRIMINAL HISTORIES. JUST AS A WAY OF A REMINDER, THERE WAS A TIME MANY YEARS AGO WHEN STRANGULATION OF A PERSON IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD WASN'T A FELONY.

AND IT TOOK THEN OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE PETE GALLEGO TO CHANGE THE LAW.

PETE IS IN THE BACK ROOM. THAT LAW IN TEXAS IS NOW DIFFERENT.

STRANGULATION OF A PERSON OF ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONES IS A FELONY.

I UNDERSTAND THESE PROSECUTORS ARE HELPING UNCLOG THE BACKLOG OF VERY SERIOUS ASSAULTS AND I THINK IT'S POETIC THAT SO MANY OF YOU ARE WOMEN AND I THINK IT'S POETIC SO MANY OF THESE WOMEN ARE HELPING PUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERPETRATORS ON THE PATH TOWARDS NEVER DOING IT AGAIN BUT ALSO HANDING OUT JUSTICE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, JOE. THANK YOU, EMILY, FOR ALL

THE WORK YOU GUYS DO, AND THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR, GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEN AND WOMEN. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU. I SO APPRECIATE THIS RECOGNITION BECAUSE, AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS IS ANOTHER COMPONENT OF THE BEXAR COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE HEARD FROM THE INCREDIBLE WOMEN THAT WEAR ROBES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, BUT THE MEMBERS THAT YOU SEE BEHIND ME ARE JUST A PART OF OUR 500-MEMBER OFFICE WHO ARE ALL COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY. WE ALL LOVE THE CITY AND COUNTY.

WE CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. WE CARE ABOUT THE JOBS THAT WE DO.

WITH ME TODAY, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ, ARE ABOUT 20 OF THE 45 PROSECUTORS THAT STEPPED UP DURING THE HOLIDAYS WHEN WE ASKED FOR VOLUNTEERS TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

BY THE WAY, HOW THIS WAS BORN WAS AS A RESULT OF A SERIES OF SHOOTINGS THAT HE WITH KNOW ABOUT THAT OCCURRED LAST AUGUST WHERE OFFICERS WERE VICTIMS AND WERE INJURED. WE IDENTIFIED A BACKLOG OF CASES AND SO WE CREATED A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY. PART OF THE COLLABORATION IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN THAT IS NOW BEEN DISSEMINATED. THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS ON THE CITY SIDE THAT ARE HERE, THE MAYOR, THE CHIEF, ERIK WALSH, ANDY SEGOVIA AND OTHERS FROM THE CITY. ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE WANT TO THANK THE CITY FOR COLLABORATING WITH US AND WORKING BECAUSE WE ALL CARE ABOUT OUR CITY. WE ALL CARE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO KEEP VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFF THE STREET, TO MAKE SURE WE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE. I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO CALL OUT THESE INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE AS YOU MENTION, COUNCILMAN, THEY HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AFTER HOURS. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CASELOAD, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CASES TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND GET READY FOR TRIAL, BUT ON THE WEEKENDS AND ON EVENINGS WHEN THEY COULD BE WITH THEIR FAMILY, THEY'VE DECIDED IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO DO THEIR PART TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG AND ENSURE THE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR EVERYONE'S BENEFIT. SO I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION. WE THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY TO ENSURE THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO ON BEHALF OF EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND AGAIN, WE ARE OVER 500 STRONG, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT HARD FOR YOU.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HOLD THOSE THAT COMMIT CRIMES ACCOUNTABLE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, JOE AND TEAM.

THANK YOU. >> IF I CAN TAKE JUST MINUTE TO THE CHIEF TO SAY A FEW

WORDS. >> MY NAME IS EMILY, CHIEF OF INTAKE IN THE GRAND JURY SECTION. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING THESE PROSECUTORS TODAY. THEY HAVE, LIKE JOE SAID, THEY HAVE TAKEN TIME FROM THEIR FAMILIES, THEY HAVE WORKED NIGHTS IN ADDITION TO THEIR LONG DAYS IN ORDER TO REDUCE THIS BACKLOG. AS OF MARCH 5TH, WE'VE SIGNED OUT ABOUT 1500 CASES BECAUSE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS FOR REVIEW AND THEN FOR PROSECUTION.

[01:25:03]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] AND WE APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULTY OF YOUR WORK, BALANCING THE NEED FOR JUSTICE AND SAFETY AND SUCH DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE AMOUNT OF WORK, THE WORKLOAD IS NOT LOST ON ANYONE, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS DO. APPRECIATE IT. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHEN YOU WALKED IN, YOU PROBABLY SAW A LOT OF YELLOW SHIRTS.

I'M GOING TO BRING UP OUR CENTRAL AMBASSADORS AS OUR PROSECUTORS GET BACK TO THEIR VERY DIFFICULT WORK. BUT THE AMBASSADORS IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO ARE PART OF OUR WELCOME TEAM FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE ALSO THE TEAM THAT KEEPS OUR COMMUNITY CLEAN DOWNTOWN AND DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT WORK.

AND LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS SIT AROUND COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

I'M GOING TO ASK THEM TO COME UP AND TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER KAUR COUNCILMEMBER KAUR THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. I JUST AM GOING TO WAIT FOR

THEM TO COME UP BEFORE I START. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: FOR FOLKS FILTERING OUT, IF YOU CAN PLEASE KEEP THE VOLUME DOWN, WE'RE GOING TO

CONTINUE TO MOVE ALONG WITH OUR AGENDA TODAY. >> KAUR: SO SOME OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ARE WONDERING WHY WE GET TO HONOR YOU GUYS TWICE AND IT'S BECAUSE MARCH IS THE MONTH OF THE AMBASSADOR. SO SINCE 1999, CENTRO HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE AND DOING WORK FOR THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO AND HELPING TO REALLY KEEP OUR DOWNTOWN SAFE AND WELCOMING ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT COME TO OUR CITY. THE TEAM HAS GROWN IN THE PAST TEN YEARS FROM 54 TO APPROXIMATELY 129 AMBASSADORS, WHICH IS AMAZING GROWTH. AND GROWTH ONLY HAPPENS WHEN WORK IS GOING SUCCESSFULLY, RIGHT? I WANT TO READ SOME OF THE STATISTICS OF HOW MUCH WORK YOU ALL HAVE DONE JUST IN 2023 IN ONE YEAR ALONE. 44,348,888 SQUARE FEET.

ABATED 770,000 GRAFFITI TAGS. YOU REMOVED 45,000 GUM SPOTS. 526,000 HIGH-TOUCH SURFACES CLEANED.

139,000 TRASH BAGS WERE COLLECTED. 24,000 RECYCLING BAGS WERE COLLECTED, AND 4,228 BUS STOPS HAVE BEEN CLEANED IN ONE YEAR ALONE.

THAT IS AMAZING. [APPLAUSE] WE WANT YOU ALL TO HEAR AND SEE THAT YOUR WORK DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. YOU ARE SUCH AN INTEGRAL PART TO OUR DOWNTOWN AND YOU DO SO WITH SUCH A SMILING FACE AND WARM HEARTS AND PASSION FOR TO WORK THAT YOU DO. AND WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT SO MANY OTHER AREAS OF TOWN HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THE GROWTH OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO TO COME TO THEIR AREAS TO HELP CLEAN IT TOO.

SO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND WE HOPE THAT THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW IN RESPONSE TO THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE MIKE PACHEKO NOW TO SPEAK.

>> THANK YOU. >> HI, MY NAME IS JACQUELINE LUCIO, THE DIRECTOR OF PID OPERATIONS FOR SAN ANTONIO. BESIDE ME THE TRISH DEBARRY. [APPLAUSE] AND, OF COURSE, MY COLLEAGUE, MIKE, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. [APPLAUSE] BEHIND US ARE 45 OF OUR 129

[01:30:11]

ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE AT CENTRO, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR HEART-FELT THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN KAUR, ALL OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS AND, OF COURSE, THE MAYOR FOR YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RECOGNITION OF OUR CENTRO AMBASSADORS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO. AND MIKE, I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU TAKE OVER.

>> THANK YOU. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE AND A PRIVILEGE, AND LIKE THE MAYOR, I WAS LOOKING AT THE CLOCK AND SAYING HEY, WE CAN'T KEEP THESE GUYS IN HER ANY LONGER, THEY'VE GOT TO GET OUT AND DO WHAT THEY DO BEST.

SO AS DR. KAUR MENTIONED, THEY DO MANY THINGS FROM GRAFFITI REMOVAL, TRASH PICKUP, TALKING TO HOMELESS FRIENDS, LANDSCAPING, REMOVING THAT PESKY GRACKEL OUT OF OPPORTUNITY. BUT THERE'S VERY MANY STORES THAT YOU DON'T HEAR AND ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS WHERE I'M WALKING DOWNTOWN AND I'M SEEING AN AMBASSADOR, QUALITY LIFE AMBASSADOR, BLUE SHIRT, FINDING SOMEONE THAT'S IN A HOMELESS STATE THAT'S PROBABLY DEALING WITH ALL KINDS OF ISSUES. AND SHE'S OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. SO I'M WALKING BY, WATCHING ONE OF OUR QUALITY LIFE AMBASSADORS COMING TO THAT AID AND PULLING THEM BACK OFF THE STREET.

CALLING A RESOURCE CENTER AND MAKING THAT CONNECTION TO GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEED. AND THESE ARE THE MOMENTS THAT I FEEL SO PROUD TO BE THE GENERAL MANAGER WHERE OFTEN WHEN I HEAR STORIES LIKE THIS, HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT I DO SHED TEARS SOMETIMES. BUT THEY ARE JUST AMAZING FOR ALL THE WORK THEY DO. DOING EVENTS DURING OUR FIESTA COMING UP, THEY ARE READY. THEY ARE READY AND THE MOTTO IS TO LEAVE IT LIKE A PARTY NEVER HAPPENED. AND

>> THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCIL AND MAYOR, FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, YOU HAVE REALLY GIVEN OUR AMBASSADORS A MOMENT TO BE PROUD OF AND HAVE ASSURED THEM THEIR WORK IS ESSENTIAL AND IT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE HERE IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

I'M GOING TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES NOW TO COME FORWARD.

WE'RE ALL GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE. FRED IS UP THERE SO WE'LL GET EVERYBODY IN THE SHOT. AND JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN.

IF WE CAN GET ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE UNSUNG HEROES OF DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO. [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

[01:35:58]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. AS FOLKS FILTER OUT, IF YOU CAN PLEASE KEEP THE VOLUME DOWN. I'M GOING TO ASK OUR TEEN AMBASSADORS NOW TO COME FORWARD. [APPLAUSE] AS STUDENTS GET READY FOR THE UPCOMING SPRING BREAK, I WANT TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE RELEASE OF THE TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY. THE INFORMATION THAT WE GLEAN FROM THIS SURVEY RESULTS IN THE PAST YEARS HAS HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON HOW THE CITY HAS RESPONDED TO THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON TEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

WORKING WITH STAFF AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND METRO HEALTH, THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND TEAM AMBASSADORS RELEASED THE SURVEY ON MARCH 1SP UNTIL APRIL 30TH ON SA SPEAK UP. SO I'M ENCOURAGING MY COLLEAGUES TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS SURVEY AS WITH YOU WORK IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND ANYONE WHO HAS A 12 TO 19-YEAR-OLD LOVED ONE IN THEIR LIFE ENCOURAGE THEM TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO AMRUTHA, AUDREY AND MEMBERS OF THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND TEAM AMBASSADORS TO TELL US MORE

ABOUT THE SURVEY. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND SAN ANTONIO. I'M DISTRICT 7 REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION'S MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING SUBCOMMITTEE. I'M JOINED TODAY BY JULIA, THE CHAIR OF THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION WHO WAS APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR, HUDSON AND TYLER REPRESENTING DISTRICT 9 AND TRUETT REPRESENTING DISTRICT 10. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY AWARE, THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION IS COMPRISED OF 22 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM SAN ANTONIO AND ARE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. WE DEVELOP POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND ORGANIZE CITYWIDE EVENTS TO THE BENEFIT OF YOUTH IN OUR CITY AND OUR COMMUNITY. AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION HAS PARTNERED WITH PROJECT WORTH TEAM AMBASSADORS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS TO CURE RATE A SURVEY DEVELOPED BY THE YOUTH AND FOR THE YOUTH OPS TO TO EVEN AUDIO] WHEN OUR SURVEY WAS FIRST LAUNCHED, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAD ISSUED A SURVEY SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR TEENS AND CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY SURVEY IN SA SPEAK UP THAT EFFECTIVELY CAPTURES THE YOUTH OPINIONS.

IT PRODUCED RESULTS COMING FROM OVER 1,000 TEENS IN THE SAT AND ILLUSTRATED NUMEROUS NEGATIVE AFFECTS. THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IS A RELEVANT AND GROWING ISSUE TODAY THAT CONTINUES TO PLAGUE THE YOUTH.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT A VARIETY OF DEPRESSIVE TRAITS, 37% OF YOUTH STATED AN IN ABILITY TO PERFORM DAY TO DAY TASKS. 49%, ALMOST HALF, STATED FEELING HOPELESS, HELPLESS, NUMB OR EMPTY. 24% RECORDED SMOKING, VA P ING OR TAKING DRUGS.

JUST LAST YEAR THE YOUTH WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS STILL STRUGGLING. A TOTAL OF 41% OF YOUTH RATED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AS TERRIBLE OR AS HAVING MORE BAD DAYS THAN GOOD DAYS. NOW THESE NUMBERS ARE CLEARLY NOT IDEAL, BUT SAN ANTONIO YOUTH ARE NOT ALONE.

A STUDY PUBLISHED BY MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA IN NOVEMBER 2023 SHOWED THAT MORE THAN ONE IN TEN YOUTH IN THE U.S. ARE EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION.

THIS SEVERELY IMPAIRS THEIR ABILITY TO FUNCTION AT SCHOOL, WORK, HOME AND OVERALL IN THEIR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT. THE STUDY ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THAT ONE IN SIX YOUTH REPORTED SUFFERING FROM AT LEAST ONE MAJOR DEPRESSIVE

[01:40:02]

I'M NOW GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO AUDREY, A PROJECT WORTH TEEN AMBASSADOR, WHO WILL GO OVER THE IMPACT THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND PROJECT WORTH HAS BEEN MAKING IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD MORNING. MAYOR NIRENBERG AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

AS SHE STATED I AM JOINED BY MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT WORTH TEEN AMBASSADORS.

PROJECT WORTH IS A CITY OF SAN ANTONIO MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AMONG SAN ANTONIO YOUTH THROUGH EDUCATION, COLLABORATION AND EMPOWERMENT. TEEN AMBASSADORS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO LEARN ABOUT AND HELP PROMOTE TOPICS AROUND TEEN HEALTH. WE ARE PLEASED TO BRING THE THIRD ANNUAL TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

LAST YEAR SEVERAL INVESTMENTS WERE MADE BY CITY COUNCIL TO ADDRESS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. $15 MILLION IN ARPA DOLLARS WERE INVESTED IN PROGRAMS AIMED AT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION WAS ALLOTTED $100,000 AND THEY PROVIDED MICRO GRANTS TO FUND PROJECTS SUPPORTING TEEN WELL-BEING SUBMITTED BY TEACHERS, COUNSELORS AND STUDENT GROUPS. WE ALSO WORKED WITH THE CENTER OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PROVIDE TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING. THIS TRAINING TAUGHT TEENS HOW TO IDENTIFY, UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE TEEN AMBASSADORS AND THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION ARE HOSTING THE TEEN'S DAY SA EVENT ON APRIL 6 WHICH WILL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND AWARENESS ON HOW TO IMPROVE TEEN MENTAL HEALTH. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE BEEN BUSY.

ON BEHALF OF BOTH OF OUR GROUPS WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND YOUR HELP IN ADDRESSING OUR MENTAL WELL-BEING. WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT THERE'S STILL WORK TO DO. TO BEST SERVE OUR SAN ANTONIO TEENAGERS, WE MUST PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THIS YEAR'S SURVEY AND WE ASK THAT MAYOR NIRENBERG AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HELP US PROMOTE OUR SURVEY WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND IN OUR COMMUNITY. I ALSO WANT TO CALL UPON THE MANY INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS IN THIS ROOM TO HELP US PUSH THE SURVEY SO WE CAN TRULY SUPPORT OUR CITY'S YOUTH. WE'VE BEEN HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY IN GETTING OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS TO ALLOW US. WE HOPE TO INCREASE THE RESPONSES FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR RESOURCES.

SOME IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT OUR SURVEY THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY STATED IS THE SURVEY IS OPEN TO SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 19. IT IS ANONYMOUS AND WE FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO STATE THAT ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.

THE SURVEY IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND OTHER LANGUAGES THROUGH APRIL 30TH. YOUTH CAN ACCESS THE SURVEY BY GOING TO THE COMMUNITY PORTAL SA SPEAK UP.COM OR ON THE HOME PAGE OF I DREAM SA.COM.

WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO SEE YOU JOIN US AT TEENS DAY SA ON APRIL 6TH AT GIRLS, INC. PLEASE HELP US GET THE WORD OUT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING IN TOTING YOUR TIME TO IT. I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE TO GET BACK TO CLASS BUT WE HAVE

SOME COMMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DID WANT TO THANK OUR DISTRICT 7 APPOINTEE.

WE'RE SO DEDICATION TO YOUR DEDICATION TO SERVICE BUT TO ALL THE YOUTH MEMBERS.

I HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR PARTS TO HELP PUSH OUT THAT SURVEY AND WE CAN ALSO WORK WITH OUR SCHOOLS TO MAKE SURE THE SURVEY GOES OUT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US OR MARCHING ORDERS, YOUR DEDICATION.

Y'ALL'S SKY IS THE LIMIT. I'M SO PROUD OF OUR DISTRICT 7 APPOINTEES WHO ARE BOTH LEAD OTHERS THE COMMISSION. THANK YOU, MAYOR. [APPLAUSE]

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

[01:45:04]

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT IN ONE OF YOU ALL'S MEETING AND THIS BODY CAN LEARN THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU ALL FOLLOW ROBERT'S RULES AND IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE AND PROVIDES ME WITH HOPE.

I WANTED TO SHOUT OUT HUDSON, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, YOU HAVE A RISING STAR IN DISTRICT 9, AND I BELIEVE HE'S DEFINITELY SOMEONE WE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING AND UP LIFTING. THANK YOU ALL AND I'M HOPEFUL AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS THAT WE CAN REPLENISH THAT $100,000 FOR THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION SO FOLLOWING COHORTS CAN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU ALL

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

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE WORK AS WELL AND ESPECIALLY TO TRUETT, OUR DISTRICT 10 REPRESENTATIVE. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SERVING ON THIS.

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

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THE HEART IN WHICH YOU ARE DOING THIS WORK.

I THINK IT'S VERY EVIDENT THAT WE DO NOT SPEND ENOUGH TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SO I THINK THIS SURVEY IS AN AMAZING WAY TO COLLECT DATA.

SHOUT OUGHT TO ANA AND EMMA FOR SERVING ON THE COMMISSION.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER

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

AS A FELLOW YOUTH -- I WAS SETTING MYSELF UP TO BE DRAGGED RIGHT THERE.

SOME DAYS LIKE TUESDAY I FEEL LIKE THE FUTURE IS BLEAK.

WE SEE, YOU KNOW, WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS. BUT WHENEVER FOLK LIKE YOU ALL COME AND WHENEVER I SEE YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA INTERACTING WITH OUR PAGES I'M INSPIRED. TO HEY YOU SPEAK AND THE PASSION WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU SHARE I KNOW OUR FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THE TIME, THE DEDICATION YOU PUT INTO THIS.

YOU COULD BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, DOING ANY LIST OF THINGS AND YOU CHOOSE TO DEDICATE YOUR TIME FOR GOOD. SO I'M SO APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY, ONE DAY WE WILL HAVE A MEMBER OF GEN Z ON THIS BODY AND HOPEFULLY THAT COMES IN 2025. BEGIN THINKING, BEGIN RECRUITING.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT YOU DO, AND PLEASE, PLEASE STAY ENGAGED. EVEN WHEN YOU GET OFF THE COMMISSION AND GO DO SOMETHING ELSE, WE NEED YOUR VOICES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE NEED YOUR INSIGHTS. WE NEED YOUR INPUT. MOST OF ALL WE NEED YOUR PASSION FOR MAKING THIS COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> COURAGE: EXCUSE ME, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'M SORRY. ANOTHER FELLOW YOUTH,

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU. I WAS ONCE.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU ALL. YOU KNOW, THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE TEEN AMBASSADORS AND THE YOUTH COMMISSION ON FOCUSING RIGHT NOW ON THE MENTAL HEALTH, WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES MAY BE OUT THERE OR THEY MAY FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE DISTURBING THEM. AND SO THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING IN SURVEYING THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THOSE ISSUES ARE, AND THEN I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO BE SITTING DOWN AND SAYING, NOW WHAT CAN WE DO TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. HOW CAN WE HELP THE YOUTH IN THIS COMMUNITY OVERCOME DIFFERENT KINDS OF OBSTACLES THEY MAY HAVE.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WORK. I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

I THINK MENTAL HEALTH IS A TOP ISSUE OF CONCERN IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO THANK MY TWO MEMBERS SERVING ON THIS COMMITTEE.

HUDSON LOCKE, WHO GOT A SHOUT-OUT FROM COUNCILWOMAN, THANK YOU.

HUDSON IS A REAGAN STUDENT. TYLER IS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS. BOTH OF YOU HAVE REPRESENTED YOUR SCHOOLS WELL AND OUR DISTRICT 9 WELL. ALL OF YOU I'M SURE REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY VERY WELL. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK Y'ALL. THANK YOU.

DON'T BE LATE FOR CLASS. [LAUGHTER] THANKS Y'ALL FOR COMING.

REBECCA FLORES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALSO FOR ORGANIZING THIS.

NOW, WE HAVE GIRL SCOUTS HERE WHO ARE ALSO CELEBRATING AN IMPORTANT OCCASION. [APPLAUSE] BEFORE I TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, I WOULD WELCOME OUR GIRL SCOUTS TO COME UP.

WHEREAS THE GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS WILL CELEBRATE ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY MARKING A CENTURY OF BUILDING GIRLS OF COURAGE, CONFIDENCE AND CHARACTER. AND WHEREAS GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS HAS A RICH

[01:50:01]

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE CORTEZ, CHIEF COMMUNITIES OFFICER FOR GIRL COULD YOU TELL US OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS. SO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD CHAIR AND OUR CEO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION TODAY.

AS WE KICK OFF OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY, WE REALLY WANT TO CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT GIRL SCOUTING HISTORY IS SAN ANTONIO'S HISTORY T10000 GIRLS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE PART OF GIRL SCOUTING TODAY ARE SAN ANTONIO. THEY LIVE IN ALL CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS. THEY REPRESENT THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE CITY THAT MAKE OUR CULTURE SO VIBRANT. WE'VE BEEN A PART OF EVERY MAJOR MILESTONE THIS CITY HAS CELEBRATED. WE'RE GOING TO REALLY CELEBRATE THAT FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US AT SEVERAL OF THE EVENTS. ABOUT OUT THE BEST WAY TO RECOGNIZE THE LEGACY THAT GIRL SCOUTING HAS LEFT HAS BEEN OUR GIRL SCOUT ALUMS. AND THERE'S TOO MANY TO COUNT, BUT I DO WANT TO DO A QUICK -- THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN IN GIRL SCOUTS THE LAST 100 YEARS. HERE IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EVERYONE WHO WAS A GIRL SCOUT, BROWNIE, RAISE YOUR HAND SO WE KNOW HOW MANY ARE HERE TODAY. THERE'S A LOT MORE OF US THAN YOU THINK.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SO MUCH. REALLY OUR ROLE AS LEADERS OF TODAY'S ORGANIZATION IS TO KEEP GIRL SCOUTING VIBRANT FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GREAT COMMENTS FROM YOUTH TODAY AND YOU CAN SEE IF WE PUT OUR FUTURE IN THEIR HANDS, THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE VERY BRIGHT WITH OUR GIRLS. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO HEAR FROM RACHEL SHERMAN, CURRENTLY SERVING AS OUR CHAIR FOR GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS.

>> GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL. I LOVE BEING A GIRL SCOUT BECAUSE GIRL SCOUTS DID A COMMUNITY OF GIRLS WHO ARE LEADERS AND CHANGE-MAKERS.

EVERYBODY IS FREE TO BE THEMSELVES AND SURROUNDED BY GIRLS WHO DO THE SAME THING.

I'VE BEEN IN GIRL SCOUTS MORE THAN TEN YEARS AND ALWAYS FOUND WHETHER THEY ARE SELLING COOKIES, EARNING BADGES OR CAMPING, GIRL SCOUTS ARE KIND, BRAVE AND WILLING TO LEND A HAND AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO BE PART OF GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS CENTENNIAL. I AM SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF A YEAR OF CELEBRATION AND HISTORY FOR OUR COUNCIL AND THANK YOU ALL FOR

CELEBRATING WITH US. [APPLAUSE] >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE CENTENNIAL.

WE HAVE A FEW COLLEAGUES WHO ARE GOING TO ADD A FEW WORDS.

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE FIRST. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.

GIRLS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING OUT TODAY AND REMINDING US ALL OF THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU ALL DO AS INDIVIDUALS AND THE IMPACT THAT YOU HAVE ON A COMMUNITY. I KNOW ALL OF YOU GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. THE LEADERS OF GIRL SCOUTS HAVE BEEN LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

I'M PLEASED TO HAVE THE GIRL SCOUTS MAIN CAMPUS IN DISTRICT 9.

BEEN OUT THERE MANY TIMES AND SEEN ALL THE GREAT ACTIVITIES THAT YOU ALL HAVE OUT THERE. I WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY TO MONDAY AT THE LOCATION JUST NORTH OF THE AIRPORT ON NORTH COKER LOOP.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN ACTIVITY. YOU KNOW, THERE'S GIRL SCOUTS OF ALL AGES. I KNOW THAT WE START OUT WITH BROWNIES AND WE GO THROUGH GIRL SCOUTS, AND FOR YEARS WHILE I WAS TEACHING AT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAD GIRL SCOUTS IN THE GAMMA SIGMA GROUPS WHICH ARE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CONTINUING THE ROLE OF BEING INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH SCOUTING.

SO LADIES, I'M SURE

[01:55:05]

KEEP HAVING FUN. AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE ADULTS WHO MAKE THIS

POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. [APPLAUSE] COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.

>> PELÁEZ: SO THANKS AGAIN. I GOT TO TELL YOU, GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SEASON IS THE FAVORITE SEASON AT MY OFFICE.

AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE, BUT YOU BUY THE COOKIES, BRING THEM TO YOUR CO-WORKERS AND YOUR CO-WORKERS SAY I CAN'T POSSIBLY EAT THE COOKIES AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENS, THEY EAT THE COOKIES.

AT OUR LAW OFFICE, WE BUY HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF BOXES OF COOKIES AND WE SPREAD THEM ALL OVER TOWN. IT JUST BRINGS SMILES TO EVERYBODY'S FACES.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD LATELY, BUT MANNY PELÁEZ LOVES SNACKS.

I'LL BE EATING SNACKS, YOU KNOW, AND THESE ARE MY FAVORITES.

THANKS FOR THESE, THEY ARE THE BEST. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN, WHO IS A GIRL SCOUT ALSO WANTS TO CHIME IN BUT I THINK WE'RE HAVING DIFFICULTIES SO COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO.

>> GAVITO: I WAS A DAISY AND A BROWNIE AND A GIRL SCOUT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND ALSO AS AN EXAMPLE TO ALL YOUR GIRL FRIENDS TO BE STRONG, KIND, SMART AND BRAVE. WE ALL HAVE TO DO THAT EVERY DAY.

EVERY DAY AND ALWAYS WHETHER IT'S JUST WITH OUR FRIENDS OR WITH OUR CLASSES OR BIGGER GROUPS AS Y'ALL ARE GOING TO GROW TO BECOME LEADERS.

ACTUALLY I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ BECAUSE I THINK I AM THE NUMBER ONE COOKIE BUYER. I REALLY LOVE THIN MINTS AND SAMOAS.

WE CAN PROVE IT. THIS IS GOING TO BE A COMPETITION.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ALL ARE DOING AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CELEBRATION.

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

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

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE A BUSINESSWOMAN BECAUSE OF ALL THE COOKIES THAT YOU'VE SOLD. YEAH, I LOVE IT.

THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS IS WE NEED MORE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND YOU LEARN HOW TO SELL AND GET TO HEAR PEOPLE SAY NO TO YOU BECAUSE MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT THEM AND LEARNING THAT IS AN IMPORTANT SKILL. I HOPE YOU GUYS BECOME

REALLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSWOMAN SOME DAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN? ALL RIGHT. AS WE WORK ON HER -- COUNCILMEMBER

WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YEAH, I'M NOT SURE WHAT COUNCILWOMAN KAUR WAS TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE MY GUESS IS YOU ALL DON'T GET TOLD NO VERY OFTEN, RIGHT? AND I KNOW MY 9 YEAR OLD AND I HAVE BEEN WALKING, WALK THE STREETS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SELLING THESE COOKIES. AND SHE'S NOT -- SHE HASN'T BEEN TOLD NO VERY OFTEN EITHER. THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO. IT'S FOR A GREAT CAUSE. IT TEACHES YOU LIFE LESSONS AS WE'VE HEARD AND THOSE WILL SERVE YOU WELL MOVING FORWARD.

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

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. I'M BACK.

I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T MISS THIS. I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU. I'M VERY EXCITED. I WAS A GIRL SCOUT AND I DID DAY CAMP OVER BY MISSION ROAD NEAR MISSION CONCEPCION.

IT WAS JUST A FUN TIME AND SOMETHING THAT REALLY SHAPED ME AND FOR THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER TIE DYE AND I LOVE YOUR THIN MINT COOKIES.

CONGRATULATIONS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU ALL VERY SOON.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. TO THE ENTIRE GIRL SCOUTS TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY SOUTHWEST TEXAS, CONGRATULATIONS YOU ALL.

[APPLAUSE] I DON'T SAY NO, BUT MY WIFE IS ON THE BOARD AND SO OUR PANTRY IS FILLED WITH COOKIES. WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE, BUT APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND GOOD LUCK WITH THE REST OF THE SALES.

[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. NOW I'M GOING TO TURN TO

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. MARCH IS CONTEMPORARY ARTS MONTH AND DISTRICT 5 IS A VERY CULTURAL ARTS-RICH DISTRICT AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE INVITED BILL TO TALK TO US ABOUT A COUPLE OF HIS GALLERIES. AT THE SAME TIME WE KNOW MANY FOLKS ARE FAMILIAR WITH FIRST FRIDAY, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO

[02:00:05]

DURING HIS CAREER HE COMPLETED OVER 30 ART PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES IN SIX COUNTRIES INCLUDING ICELAND, FINLAND YOU CAN GERMANY, SWEDEN AND ENGLAND.

HE WAS ANNOUNCED AS AN OFFICIAL ARTIST DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF THE UPCOMING ART SHOWS THAT YOU WILL BE FEATURING AT DOCK SPACE.

>> CONTEMPORARY ART MONTH STARTED 35 YEARS BY BLUE -- WHICH IS KNOWN AS CONTEMPORARY AT BLUE START. THE CONTEMPORARY WAS STARTED BY A GROUP OF SAN ANTONIO ARTISTS THAT WERE FRUSTRATED BY NOT HAVING ENOUGH VENUES TO SHOW THEIR WORK.

AT THE TIME, BERNARD LIFTSHOOTS DONATED A SPACE AT A TOTALLY VACANT WAREHOUSE COMPLEX ON SOUTH ALAMO STREET. AND THEY GOT 10,000 SQUARE FEET TO MAKE INTO A GALLERY. THE RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY WAS AMAZING.

THEY START A FIRST FRIDAY EVENT EVERY MONTH. THEY HAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMING AND THEY DECIDED TO DO A MONTH-LONG CONTEMPORARY ART MONTH THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO SHOW HOW MANY SAN ANTONIO VISUAL ARTISTS THERE ARE AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK. WELL, THIS ATTRACTED MANY, MANY OTHER ARTISTS THAT ARE STUDIOS IN THE BLUE STAR COMPLEX ALONG WITH GALLERIES, RESTAURANTS AND, OF COURSE, A BREW PUB. AND IT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST ART CENTERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. NOW, IT WAS ALSO THE INSPIRATION FOR SOME ARTISTS TO ACQUIRE SOME VACANT TRIAL WAREHOUSES AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH FLORES AND LONE STAR BOULEVARD. CREATING THE LONE STAR ART DISTRICT IN THE LONE STAR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND WE WANTED TO ALSO HAVE A MONTHLY CELEBRATION, SO IT'S NOW SECOND SATURDAY. WHICH BY THE WAY, IS COMING UP ON MARCH 9TH, THIS WEEKEND. WE -- IN LONE STAR STUDIOS, WE HAVE TWO GALLERIES.

ONE OF WHICH IS THE DOCK SPACE REGULAR GALLERY AND PAULA OWEN, WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART FOR OVER 30 YEARS, SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART IS NOW PART OF UTSA. BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR PAULA, THERE WOULD BE NO SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART. AND SHE IS A VERY GOOD ARTIST AND SHE WILL BE IN THE DOCK SPACE GALLERY EXHIBITION SPACE. AND THE DOCK SPACE ANNEX, WE HAVE THREE VERY GOOD SAN ANTONIO ARTISTS, JOAN FREDERICK, SABRA BOOTH, AND DANIELLA PORTILLO. COUNCILWOMAN TERI IS A SUPER SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS AND WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AND WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A TREMENDOUS SECOND AS A RESULT. WE TYPICALLY HAVE ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE THAT COME TO SECOND SATURDAY, AND ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AT YOUR DESK AND YOU ARE ALL WARMLY WELCOMED TO ATTEND.

THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS COME OUT. THERE'S FOOD VENDORS, OPEN GALLERIES AND OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH THE LONE STAR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. THANK YOU BOTH, THANK YOU,

MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND FINALLY, WE HAVE SOME OF OUR BELOVED SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE. IF I COULD ASK YOU GUYS, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING PAY -- PATIENTLY, SO WHEREAS ON MARCH #, 2024, THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS DIVISION WILL COMMEMORATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND WHEREAS IN 1972 IT'S ESTIMATED 60% OF ALL PATIENTS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BY AMBULANCE DIED FROM THE LACK OF PROPER PRE-HOSPITAL MEDICAL CARE, CAPTAIN MILLER AND THE MEDICAL TASK FORCE

[02:05:03]

THE FIRST CALL WAS ASSIGNED TO EMS 808, ONE OF TEN AMBULANCES STAFFED BY 55 FIREFIGHTERS AND OVERSEEN BY CAPTAIN MILLER WITH A BUDGET OF $1.4 MILLION APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. WHEREAS 50 YEARS LATER THIS INNOVATIVE CONCEPT HAS LED TO ONE OF OUR NATION'S LEADING EMS SYSTEMS. TODAY SAFD EMS DIVISION QUINTS OF 35 FULL-TIME UNITS, EIGHT PEAK TIME AND PARAMEDICS WHO RESPOND TO OVER 130,000 ANNUAL CALLS FOR SERVICE WITH AN OPERATING BUDGET OF OVER 37.3 MILLION. AND WHEREAS TODAY EACH SAFD EMS UNIT IS A ROLLING EMERGENCY ROOM ON WHEELS FULLY EQUIPPED TO RESPOND TO ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT A MOMENTS' NOTICE, TRAINED IN EMERGENCY PRE-HOSPITAL CARE AND EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS.

AND WHEREAS OVER FIVE DECADES THE AFD EMS DIVISION HAS SAVED UNIT LESS LIVES AND CONTINUES TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY RATE FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE ILLNESS OR SUDDEN INJURY. TODAY WE HONOR THE DIVISION FOR UNWAVING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION AS THEY CONTINUE TO EXCEL AND ADVANCE THE LIFE-SAVING WORK FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS AND BEYOND. NOW THEREFORE I MAYOR NIRENBERG DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH #, 2024, TO BE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS DIVISION 50TH ANNIVERSARY DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

CHIEF, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I'M CHRIS, INTERIM FIRE CHIEF. I HAVE COMMAND STAFF WHICH INCLUDES DEPUTY CHIEFS, ASSISTANT CHIEFS, OUR CHIEF OF EMS, OUR RETIRED PARAMEDICS, RETIRED MEDICS SHIFT COMMANDERS. MEDIC OFFICERS, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE, MIH, MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH. SA-CORE TEAM MEMBERS.

AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS BEHIND ME. VERY GLAD TO BE HERE TODAY.

50 YEARS IS DEFINITELY A MILESTONE, BUT FOR US IT'S MORE THAN A BIRTHDAY.

AND SO TOMORROW WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE OUR PEOPLE THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE.

AND SO THE ONES BEHIND ME, THOSE THAT HAVE RETIRED, SINCE THEN WE'RE GETTING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THEM AND TO CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND BUILDING OVER 50 YEARS EMS SERVICE THAT THE CITY CAN BE PROUD OF.

AND SO THE -- YOU KNOW, WE -- WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE OUR PEOPLE AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S PAST AND PRESENT, BUT THERE'S ALSO A FUTURE INVOLVED FOR US.

AND SO THE DEPARTMENT IS INVOLVED IN ON PROCESS OF SELF-ASSESSMENT AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT THAT'S MADE OUR DEPARTMENT, LIKE YOU SAID, MAYOR, TOP NOTCH, ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. WE'RE AWARD WINNING EMS DIVISION, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND NOTE THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR US.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS AND WE HOPE THAT AT THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY, HOPEFULLY SOME OF US CAN MAKE IT TO THAT, BUT AT THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY LOOK AT THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE MADE ENSIGNS THE 50. THANK YOU AGAIN AND WE APPRECIATE THE -- THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO SHOUT OUT THE WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING AND A FELLOW FIREFIGHTER WHO WAS ACTUALLY SITTING AS AN ON VOLUNTEER FOR THE NEXT EMS CLASS WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE MY BEST FRIEND.

SHE WILL BE A PARAMEDIC AFTER THAT CLASS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN THIS WORK. THANK YOU.

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

>> PELÁEZ: IT'S A LONG STORY, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS I DECIDED TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL IS BECAUSE YOU ALL SAVED MY DAD'S LIFE TWICE.

IT WAS FIREFIGHTERS IN THE WHITE SHIRTS WHO SHOWED UP TO MY DAD'S HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, RUSHED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL, AND I AND MY FAMILY OWE ALL OF YOU THE BIGGEST OF DEBTS OF GRATITUDE. I CAN NEVER REPAY WHAT YOU ALL DID FOR US AND ANYTHING YOU NEED, THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS YES.

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

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU,

[02:10:01]

AND I MEAN I DON'T THINK SAYING THANK YOU IS ENOUGH, SO THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YES, SAYING THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY. IT'S AMAZING WORK YOU ALL DO.

YOU KNOW, IN DISTRICT 10, I'M CONSTANTLY BEING TOLD BY OUR CITIZENS HOW GREAT THE WORK IS THAT YOU ALL DO. HOW RESPONSIVE YOU ARE, HOW HELPFUL YOU ARE NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION IS. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.

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

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ALSO WANTED TO EXPRESS MY TANKS FOR MANY OF YOU -- THANKS FOR MANY OF YOU ALL. MANY DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS YOU MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE AND CONNECT THEM TO CARE. AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE'RE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR YOU ALL. THANK YOU.

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

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

I WAS JUST THINKING I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE KEPT RECORDS OF HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED BY THE EMS TEAMS IN THIS CITY OVER THE YEARS. CERTAINLY THOUSANDS, THOUSANDS OF LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED BY THE WORK THAT YOU DO, THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE YOU AND HOPEFULLY THOUSANDS MORE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO COME AFTER YOU. SO IT IS A LOT OF DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT.

SOMETIMES YOU PROBABLY DON'T EVEN GET A THANK YOU FROM SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT YOU'VE SAVED OR THAT YOU'VE SERVED, BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THEY REALLY ARE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU DO JUST LIKE ALL OF US ARE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, KEEP SAVING LIVES AND SERVING SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.

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

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO ECHO WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT YOU ALL BEING LIFE SAVERS. I STARTED OFF ACKNOWLEDGING THE CAMP HERO AND SO MANY FIREFIGHTERS MAKING SURE GIRLS ARE EXCITED ABOUT BEING HERE IN YOUR SPOT ONE DAY. YOU ALL ARE HEROES AND IN D4 EVERYBODY LOVES THEIR FIREFIGHTERS. AND SO I'VE GOTTEN TO HAVE A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS -- ALWAYS SAY WE LOVE WORKING THE SOUTH SIDE BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS SO NICE TO US.

EVERYBODY ALWAYS THANKS US. AND SO IT'S SO REFRESHING TO HEAR THAT AND I REALLY AM IN AWE OF OUT GRATEFUL MY RESIDENTS ARE TO YOU ALL, BUT REALLY IN AWE OF THE WORK YOU DO. YOU ALL TREAT EVERYBODY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALL THINK OF EVERYONE AS A PRECIOUS LIFE AS SOMEONE'S SON OR DAUGHTER. AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD IN MAKING OURSELVES A BETTER DEPARTMENT. CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR YOU'LL REVITAMINESSING IN YOURSELF. WE STARTED WITH WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

CHIEF, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE HERE EARLIER, BUT EMPOWERMENT MONTH, WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND YOU DO A GREAT JOB LEADING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE WOMEN THERE. THE MAYOR EARLIER I ASKED IF I COULD CHIME BACK IN. I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE ALSO THAT WE HAVE CHILDREN IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER TODAY THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY. ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR IS A LITTLE GIRL BY THE NAME OF VICTORIA WHO IS ALWAYS HERE WITH HER MOM GRACE WHO IS ON THE COMMISSION FOR STRENGTHENING FAMILY AND WELL-BEING.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE LITTLE GIRLS ARE LOOKING UP TO YOU AS HEROES AND YOU ALL DON'T WEAR CAPES, BUT YOU ALL ARE OUR HEROES.

AND THEN ALSO SINCE I ACKNOWLEDGED GRACE, RITA FROM THE ACS IS HERE AS WELL, WOMEN IN D4, ELIZABETH, VICTORIA GARCIA, DR. GARZA, KATHY LUNA, DR. PALIDO AND SANCHEZ, GABRIELLE, EVA, JULIA AND APRIL WHO ARE ALL HERE REPRESENTING DISTRICT 4. I KNOW THAT THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU ALL BECAUSE IN THEIR OWN WAY, THEY ARE ALSO SAVING LIVES BY THE COMMITTEES THEY ARE WORKING ON. SO I WANTED TO ANNUAL AND PUT YOU ALL AND GROUP YOU TOGETHER AND SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

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

[02:15:04]

COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU.

OF COURSE, EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID ABOUT YOU ALL ACCURATE AND VERY, VERY THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR BEING LIFE SAVERS AND YOU OUR HEROES AND GO OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

I THINK YOU HAVE BETTER UNIFORMS THAN SOME OF THE SUPER HEROES WE SEE IN CARTOONS. BUT WHAT I THINK SOMETIMES GETS LOST, OF COURSE YOU HAVE PHYSICAL TOUGHNESS, BUT INCREDIBLE MENTAL TOUGHNESS. I'VE WATCHED SOME OF THE GOOD SAMM VIDEOS AND JUST WATCHING THE VIDEO AFTER THE FACT IS TOUGH TO SEE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE AT A COUNCIL AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PUSHY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO PROTECT US.

WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO ECHO THE THANK YOUS AND I KNOW THAT BASED ON THE WORK THAT YOU DO THAT YOU LOVE AND CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU DEMONSTRATE IT EVERY DAY BY THE WORK YOU DO AND THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU MAKE. TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY, MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL HEALTH, ALL OF IT. I HOPE YOU FEEL THAT SAME LOVE FROM NOT JUST US BUT THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN DISTRICT 2.

WE LOVE YOU ALL. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. LASTLY, I KNOW THIS IS ALL A TEAM EFFORT, EVERY ONE OF YOU DESERVES CREDIT FOR THIS AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE BEFORE YOU. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF, PARTICULARLY MARIA AND ERIK BEING PART OF THAT TEAM THAT HAS MADE THE EMS DIVISION AND SANTIAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT AT LARGE PROBABLY THE ENVY OF THE NATION IN TERMS OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO. ALONG THOSE LINES, I WANT TO ECHO SOME OF THE COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ MADE. YOU'VE BEEN EMULATED BY MANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING NOT TOO FAR AWAY IN AUSTIN AND I DO OWE THE AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT GRATITUDE FOR SAVING MY MOTHER'S LIFE. SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY FOR THIS COMMUNITY. AND CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.

AND AS WE GET A PHOTO, I'M GOING TO JUST GIVE A HEADS UP TO OUR STAFF HERE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM 41 FIRST SO WE CAN CLEAR THAT OUT.

ITEM 41. >> CLERK: ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH LUSTROUS PUBLIC RELATIONS TO TURF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENT STATION OF THE SA CLIMB READY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE TORE A THREE YEAR TERM FOR A TOTAL VALUE OF $700,000. FUNDING IS FROM THE RESILIENCY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY SUSTAINABILITY REES FUND FY 2024 ADOPTED BUDGET.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEM 41 I THINK THERE WILL BE A BRIEF DISCUSSION, BUT LET ME ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON ITEM 41 AND THEN WE'LL GET TO OUR DISCUSSION.

>> COURAGE: SO MOVED. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 41. THANK YOU AGAIN, HOW ABOUT ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT.

[APPLAUSE] ITEM 41 HAS NO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. WE WANTED TO PULL THIS ITEM BECAUSE I'LL BE VOTING AGAINST IT. $700,000 FOR WHAT IS REALLY JUST A MARKETING CAMPAIGN RELATED TO THESE CLIMATE INITIATIVES.

AND SO WE ASKED FOR A BRIEFING ON THIS EARLIER THIS WEEK AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION, DOUG, THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ME.

MY PROBLEM HERE IS WE ENTERED ONE OF THESE AGREEMENTS, YOU KNOW, SOME TIME AGO AND WE'RE STILL UNABLE, I THINK, TO PIN DOWN EXACTLY WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THESE MARKETING EFFORTS ARE REALLY RESULTING IN ANY -- IN ANY PROGRESS OR POSITIVE RESULTS FOR US HERE. AND $700,000 IS A -- IS REALLY A GOOD CHUNK OF MONEY. I'M NOT AGAINST THE REES

[02:20:03]

AND THAT'S A CAUSE THAT I REALLY SUPPORT BECAUSE IT'S MONEY GOING DIRECTLY INTO INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AROUND THE CITY AND I APPRECIATE THE COUNCILWOMAN'S LEADERSHIP ON THAT. I ALSO LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE COOL PAVEMENT PROGRAM AND THINGS LIKE THAT I THINK ARE VERY WORTHWHILE BUT $700,000 FOR, AGAIN, FOR THIS MARKET BEING CAMPAIGN WHERE I'M NOT SURE WE'RE REALLY GETTING RETURN ON INVESTMENT. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN THE PAST AND I'M NOT SURE WE WILL IN THE FUTURE. I'LL BE VOTING NO ON THIS

ITEM. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS TODAY. I KNOW THAT IT MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THIS MESSAGE OUT. DOUG DID A WONDERFUL JOB.

THE WHOLE PANEL DID A WONDERFUL JOB AT OUR SYMPOSIUM THAT WE HAD AT THE END OF JANUARY WHERE FORMER MAYOR AND SECRETARY HENRY CISNEROS SPOKE ABOUT HOW HE MOVED THIS FORWARD. AND A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS CAME FROM THAT TO KIND OF LOOKING AT OUR SOIL AND SOIL EROSION, AGAIN LOOKING AT OUR KIND OF -- OUR ASTHMA DAYS OR OUR HIGH CARBON DAYS. AND THEN I THINK IT HELPS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO HELP US GET SUPPORT FOR WHAT COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO HAS IN TERMS OF SHUTTING DOWN SOME OF THESE RECYCLING PLANTS THAT ARE BEING HARMFUL.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THIS FORWARD, TO MAKING SURE THAT WE GET THE MESSAGE OUT IN ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE WE'RE ONLY GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IF WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND IF WE DO GRASS ROOTS AND PEOPLE ARE WORKING. SO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING YES. THANK YOU.

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

>> PELÁEZ: THE REASON I'LL BE VOTING AGAINST THIS IS BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE THE BAND WIDTH IN-HOUSE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO HIRE OUT SIGHT CONSULTANTS TO HELP -- OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS TO DO WHAT WE'RE REALLY GOOD ABOUT GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

I BELIEVE IN OUR IN-HOUSE TEAM AND ANYWAY, THAT'S IT. THANKS.

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

GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THIS IS A SMALL LATINA OWNED LOCAL FIRM. I PRIDE MYSELF ON BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE ONE BEING RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONTRACT. I HEAR THE CONCERNS ON THE COST OF THE CAMPAIGN, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE CAMPAIGNS IN RAISING AWARENESS AND CHANGING& BEHAVIOR AMONGST THE MASSES TOWARDS LARGE SOCIETAL CHANGES. WE'VE ALL FELT THE IMPACT OF WARMING TEMPERATURES BOTH PHYSICALLY AND IN OUR POCKETS AND MITIGATING IT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

APR CAMPAIGN FOR CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY IS NECESSARY.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

>> GARCIA: I TOO WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS ITEM. I WANT TO THANKLESSER TO'S PUBLIC RELATIONS LOCALLY. YOU ALL DO A GREAT JOB IN THE COMMUNITY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGE WITH THE CLIMATE READY ACTION. I THINK WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IN A LONG TIME, THERE'S A PARTICULAR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE FAMILIAR BUT I THINK WE NEED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO OUR EXTENDED COMMUNITY AND I FEEL CONFIDENT YOU ALL WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT. I'M PROUD YOU ALL ARE BASED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO AND DO WORK WITH PALO ALTO COLLEGE AND A HOST OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS SO I FEEL CONFIDENT. IT'S WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT MONTH AND I RECOGNIZE YOU ALL HIRE A LOT OF WOMEN AND SPECIFICALLY WOMEN OF COLOR THAT I AM VERY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT TODAY'S ORDINANCE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I'LL JUST SAY WHEN WE APPROVED THE REES FUND, IT WAS WITH THE EXPLICIT INTENT TO MAKE THE PROGRAMS THAT CAME OUT OF THE REES FUND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THIS IS FULFILLING THAT PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN THE PROCESS OF PROGRAMMING THOSE FUNDS.

SO A FIVE-YEAR COMMITMENT FOR ROUGHLY $10,000 PER YEAR TO DO -- $140,000 A YEAR IS

[02:25:01]

WITH THAT THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 41.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: AYE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MOTION CARRIES. NOW WE'LL GO TO OUR BRIEFING ITEM, ITEM NUMBER 4.

>> CLERK: ITEM 4 UPDATE ON THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER OPERATIONS.

>> OKAY. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

TODAY I WILL BRIEF YOU ALL ON THE CITY'S MIGRANT RESPONSE AND MY PRESENTATION WILL INCLUDE SEVERAL COMPONENTS. THE FIRST IS TO INCLUDE A BACKGROUND OF WHERE WE'VE BEEN. PROVIDE AN OPERATIONS OVERVIEW, LOOK AT OUR FEDERAL FUNDING AND THE REIMBURSEMENTS.

LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE HAD, AND ALSO LOOK AT POTENTIAL FUNDING CONTINGENCIES AND FINALLY I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CHIEF MCMANUS.

THERE WILL BE SEVERAL MUCH US AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS TO CLURE CITY MANAGER ERIK WALSH, MARIA VILLAGÓMEZ, MYSELF AND MELODY WOOLSEY AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DAVILA AND AND TONE KNOW FERNANDEZ FROM CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

SINCE JANUARY OF 2021, THE CITY AND OUR RESPONSE PARTNERS HAVE SERVED OVER 600,000 ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVING A THE THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER AND LEGALLY RELEASED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY TO TRAVEL TO THEIR FINAL DESTINATION, THEIR HOST CITY. AS THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS HAVE INCREASED AND DECREASED, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DIRECTLY FEELS THAT IMPACT.

AND WE COORDINATE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF ARRIVING MIGRANTS. TODAY BETWEEN THE CITY, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, INTERFAITH WELCOME COALITION AND THE FOOD BANK, MIGRANTS RECEIVE EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AS THEY NAVIGATE TRANSITING THROUGH SAN ANTONIO TO THEIR FINAL HOST CITY.

SINCE DECEMBER, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN ARRIVALS, BUT WE ANTICIPATE THOSE NUMBERS TO SPIKE AGAIN BASED ON TRENDS WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. ARRIVING MIGRANTS ARE TRANSPORTED TO SAN ANTONIO FROM BORDER COMMUNITIES. THESE BORDER COMMUNITIES INCLUDE UVALDE, DEL RIO, EAGLE PASS AND LAREDO, PEARSALL, DILLY AND KARNES. THE CITY HAS OPERATED AND GONE PROVIDING THESE TYPES OF SERVICES BASED ON ARRIVALS AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER FROM JULY 7 TO DECEMBER 13, ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE MAINLY FROM VENEZUELA, NICARAGUAN, CUBA AND HAITI. ALTHOUGH NATIONALITIES A LITTLE HAVE CHANGED, THE REASON FOR SEEKING ASYLUM HAVE NOT.

MANY ARE SEEKING ASYLUM BECAUSE OF POLITICAL TURMOIL, HUMAN RIGHTS, VIOLENCE, HYPER INFLATION, FOOD INSECURITY AND MEDICAL SHORTAGES AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL DISASTERS. THE RESPONSE TO THE MIGRANTS HAS VARIED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. AS RECENTLY IN DECEMBER OF 2016, WHICH WAS ONLY ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO, IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOM ENFORCEMENT BEGAN MASS UNANNOUNCED RELEASES IN DOWNTOWN PRIMARILY WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THE MENNONITE CHURCH THEY WERE ABLE TO OPEN AN EMERGENCY SHELTER AND WORKED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SUPPLY VOLUNTEERS, ATTITUDE AND BASIC NEEDS.

THE CITY PROVIDED STAFF ASSISTANCE AND OVERNIGHT FIRE WATCH.

AT THE CHURCH AND SHELTER. IN EARLY 2016, WE STARTED COORDINATING AN AGREEMENT WITH I.C.E. RELATED TO COMMUNICATIONS AND PLANNED DROPOFFS.

WE SAW ANOTHER SURGE IN MARCH OF 2019 AND ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVING AT THE GREYHOUND BECAUSE STATION EXCEEDED OUR NON-PROFIT'S CAPACITY AND DHS OPENED A

[02:30:02]

THE TRAVIS PARK CHURCH PROVIDED SHELTER. THE FOOD BANK PROVIDED MEALS AND THEIR SUPPLIES AND THE INTERFAITH WELCOME COALITION PROVIDED SERVICES AT THE BUS STATION. DHS TYPICALLY RECEIVED ABOUT 100 TO 300 ARRIVALS DAILY AND THEY ARE PRIMARILY WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH HOST FAMILIES.

AND MOST DEPARTED FROM THE GREYHOUND STATION RATHER THAN THE AIRPORT.

UNUSUALLY NO FUNDING WAS ALLOCATED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO THE CITY REDIRECTED SERVICES INCLUDING STAFF, FACILITIES AND VEHICLES TO MANAGE THIS INITIATIVE. CITY STAFF AND DEPARTMENTS ALSO SUPPORTED THE OPERATIONS. EVENTUALLY FEMA FUNDING WAS ALLOCATED TO REIMBURSE BORDER COMMUNITIES FOR THEIR EXPENSES BUT THE SITE CLOSED IN NOVEMBER 2019 DUE TO DECLINE IN ARRIVALS. HOWEVER, IN JANUARY OF 2021, SAN ANTONIO AGAIN BEGAN TO FEEL THE IMPACT OF INCREASED ARRIVALS, PRIMARILY BEING DROPPED OFF AT THE AIRPORT, MANY WITHOUT TICKETS OR MEANS TO PURCHASE THE TICKETS.

TO REDUCE CROWDING AT THE AIRPORT AND TO MANAGE THE SPREAD OF COVID, THE CITY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES BEGAN PROVIDING HOTEL ROOMS, MEALS AND BASIC SERVICES.

AS THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS INCREASED, WITH MIGRANTS SPENDING THE NIGHT IN TRAVIS PARK AND UP TO 500 SEEKING SHELTER AT THE AIRPORT, OUR DECENTRALIZED MODEL BECAME INEFFICIENT AND CREATED CONFUSION BETWEEN THE CITY AND NON-PROFIT PARTNERS, AT THE BUS STATION, AT THE AIRPORT AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTNERSHIP LOCATIONS.

THEREFORE WE OPENED THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. IT OPENED IN JULY 7, 2022.

IT WAS OPENED BY HUMAN SERVICES, THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE OPENED THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER TO PROVIDE A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY FOR CENTRALIZED SERVICES AND LOGISTICS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

THIS ALLOWED US TO MORE EFFICIENTLY OPERATE WITH OUR PARTNERS AND BE ABLE TO HELP GET THE MIGRANTS WHO WERE COMING TO SAN ANTONIO TO TRAVEL THROUGH SAN ANTONIO THE HOST CITY TO GET THEM TO AN AIRPORT OR A BUS STATION TO GET TO THEIR FINAL DESTINATION. AFTER WE ESTABLISHED THE BASIC OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND SECURITY NEEDS, WE WENT FORWARD AND WE TURNED OVER SOME OF THE OPERATIONS TO OUR PARTNER CATHOLIC CHARITIES. NOW, DHS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE LOGISTIC COORDINATION, ANALYSIS OF DATA AND POLICY TRENDS, VENDOR MANAGEMENT IN COORDINATION WITH HOMELAND SECURITY, BORDER PATROL AND OUR BORDER NON-PROFITS. SINCE OPENING IN JULY OF 2022, OVER 280,000 MIGRANTS SEAT BELTING ASYLUM HAVE CENTER. NOW, LATER ON IN MAY OF 2023, THE CITY OPENED THE AIRPORT TRANSFER CENTER IN ANTICIPATION OF TITLE 42 GOING AWAY. IN APRIL 2022, WE BEGAN TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT SPIKE AT THE MRC WHICH LED TO INDIVIDUALS TICKETED FOR ON-BOARD TRAVEL, BEING SENT TO THE AIRPORT UP TO SIX HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THEIR FLIGHT.

THEY ENDED UP OVERNIGHT SLEEPING AT THE AIRPORT, CROWDING THE FACILITIES.

THEY WOULD GET TO THE GATE OR PLACE YOU GET YOUR TICKETING AT 4:30 WHEN THEY OPENED MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR OTHERS COMING THROUGH TO TRAVEL.

AND SO WHAT WE DID IS WE OPENED THE TRANSIT CENTER TO BE A WAITING AREA FOR THE AIRPORT. SO WE MOVED THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE STAYING AT THE AIRPORT TO ANOTHER FACILITY ON AIRPORT PROPERTY, BUT THAT FACILITY WAS NOT A SHELTER. THERE WERE NO BEDS, THERE WERE NO BLANKETS AND THERE WERE NO OTHER SERVICES. IT WAS BASICALLY AN EXTENSION OF THE AIRPORT TO HELP US WITH OUR OPERATIONS. THIS OPENING ALLEVIATED THE CROWDING AT MRC AND AIRPORT WHILE PROVIDING A MORE COMFORTABLE WAITING AREA AND ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR ASYLUM SEEKERS. NOW, INDIVIDUALS WERE ABLE TO SIT, THEY WERE PROVIDED WI-FI, FOOD, OTHER COMMODITIES AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO GET THEM READY FOR TRAVEL. BUT AGAIN, IT WAS NOT A SHELTER.

IT WAS MORE OF AN OPERATIONAL SOLUTION TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM WE HAD IN THE AIRPORT. IT ALSO DID NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS OR IMPACT THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD OR BUSINESSES AND IT HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE AIRPORT AND OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NOW, AS I CONTINUE TO MENTION, THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP, AND ALL THE EFFORTS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED WERE NOT DONE IN A SILO AND DONE IN STRONG COORDINATION WITH NON-PROFIT AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THE CITY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES JOINTLY OPERATE THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. CATHOLIC CHARITIES PROVIDES

[02:35:06]

NOW, THE CITY CONTINUES TO COORDINATE WITH OUR FEDERAL AGENCIES, OUR BOARD OF NON-PROFITS OFTEN OTHERS. WE PROVIDE POLICE PRESENCE AND FIRE WATCH IN THE EVENT IT'S NEEDED. WE CONTINUE TO COORDINATE THE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER AND THE AIRPORT OR THE AIRPORT TRANSFER CENTER.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE OTHER PARTNERS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. AS I MENTIONED, THAT'S THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK WHO PROVIDES MEALS AND COMMODITIES TO THE SITE, UNITED WAY PROVIDES GRANT FACILITIES THESE MIGRANTS. SINCE 2021, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FIRST THROUGH THE FEMA EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM AND NOW THROUGH THE SHELTER AND SERVICES PROGRAM HAVE PROVIDED MORE THAN $121 MILLION TO THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY FOR MIGRANT OPERATIONS. OF THAT AMOUNT, THE CITY HAS RECEIVED $35.6 MILLION FOR OUR EFFORTS. THE REMAINING AMOUNT IS PROVIDED DETECTIVELY TO LOCAL -- DIRECTLY TO LOCAL PARTNERS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, THE FOOD BANK AND CORTISONE SAN ANTONIO. NOW WITH CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS REQUESTED ONGOING FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COSTS. TO DATE, WE HAVE SPENT $25.1 MILLION AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED. THIS $25.1 MILLION REFLECTS 4.436 ALLOCATED TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BUT NOT YET RECEIVED THROUGH THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS. BUT OF THE TOTAL 35 MILLION ALLOCATED TO THE CITY, WE'VE SPENT 25 MILLION AND WE'RE BEING REIMBURSED OR APPROVED FOR REIMBURSEMENTS UP TO 25 MILLION. THE CITY'S DELEGATE AGENCY CONTRACTS GO THROUGH A SEPARATE OPPORTUNITYING PROCESS AND THEY ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND AND NOT BEEN DIRECTED TO PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

THE PRIMARY OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES CONTINUE, THOUGH. WE HAVE PRIMARY CHALLENGES WITH OUR FUNDING. OUT OF THE 14.9 MILLION ALLOCATED IN THIS LAST ROUND, THERE'S ABOUT 10.5 MILLION REMAINING FOR THE CITY.

AT THE CURRENT SPENDING RATE, THE CITY'S ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS WILL RUN OUT BY SEPTEMBER OF 2024. THE FOOD BANK WILL EXHAUST FUNDING FOR MEALS BY AUGUST OF 2024. AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES FUNDING WILL RUN OUT BY DECEMBER OF 2024. THE CITY AND NON-PROFITS ALSO STRUGGLE TO SURGE AND DEMOBILIZE SERVICES BASED ON FLUCTUATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS FROM SAN ANTONIO --O SAN ANTONIO. ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS THE RULES HAVE CHANGED BETWEEN GRANTS. WE WERE RECEIVING GRANTING FROM THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM AND NOW WE RECEIVE GRANTING TO OUR SHELTER AND SERVICES PROGRAM AND THE CAPS ON FUNDING FOR TRAVEL HAS CHANGED. AND THEN THERE'S A 45-DAY RESTRICTION TO SERVICE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS. THAT ALSO LIMITS US.

THESE CHALLENGES HAVE LIMITED OUR ABILITY TO QUICKLY ASSIST MIGRANTS WITH ONWARD TRAVEL LEADING TO LONGER STAYS AT THE MRC AND MORE CHOOSING TO STAY IN SAN ANTONIO WITHOUT WORK OR SPONSORS. NOW, BEGINNING IN 2021, THE CITY AND OUR LOCAL AND BORDER PARTNERS HAVE REPEATEDLY MET WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM HOMELAND SECURITY TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT THE CONCENTRATION OF MIGRANT FLOWS SO SAN ANTONIO DUE TO LIMITED CAPACITY TO PROVIDE A HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE. WE CONTINUE THAT DIALOGUE TO ENSURE WE CAN PROVIDE A SAFE AND WELCOMING EXPERIENCE FOR MIGRANTS TRANSITING SAN~ANTONIO WITHOUT STRAINING LOCAL SERVICES N DECEMBER THE MAYOR SENT A FORMAL REQUEST TO DHS AND

[02:40:03]

CURRENTLY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO OPERATIONAL FUNDING LEFT IS 10.5 MILLION AND OUR CURRENT SPEND IS $1.3 MILLION MONTHLY. NOW, WE HAVE LOOKED AT POTENTIAL FUNDING ALTERNATIVES. TO INCLUDE REDUCING OPERATION COSTS AT THE MRC AND THE AIRPORT TRANSFER CENTER.

WE COULD ALSO CANCEL AND REALLOCATE ARPA FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS TO THIS EFFORT. WE HAVE FUNDING FROM OUR FEMA RESERVE, OR WE USE THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET GENERAL FUND FOR THIS EFFORT.

NEXT I'M GOING TO ASK CHIEF MCMANUS TO SPEAK ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS UNDERWAY AND THEN MYSELF AND SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> CHIEF MCMANUS: GOOD MUSEUM, EVERYBODY. SO SINCE -- GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. SO SINCE THE MRC OPENED, WE'VE HAD AN INCREASED PRESENCE IN THAT AREA NOT ONLY ALONG -- IN THE BACK NEIGHBORHOODS THERE BUT ALONG THOSE STRIP CENTERS, THOSE SHOPPING CENTERS THERE.

WE'VE HAD THAT. WE HAVE HAD NO MAJOR INCIDENTS AT MRC SINCE IT'S OPENED. AND WE'VE HAD NO MAJOR INCIDENTS THERE.

WE'VE HAD SIX ARRESTS INSIDE THE MRC. SOME OF THOSE ARRESTS WERE ACTUALLY SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS THAT SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER GOT THROUGH THE GATE AND THEY WERE ARRESTED INSIDE, BUT THERE'S BEEN NO MAJOR INCIDENTS AND WE'VE INCREASED OUR PRESENCE THERE. SO THE CRIME IN THE TWO DISTRICTS THAT PRIMARILY ENCOMPASS THE MRC, THAT HAS MIRRORED PRETTY MUCH WHAT THE CITY'S PRIME STATS ARE. VIOLENT CRIME THE DOWN CITYWIDE, VIOLENT CRIME IS DOWN AROUND THE MRC AND THOSE TWO PATROL DISTRICTS BY ABOUT 8%.

PROPERTY CRIME IS A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE CITYWIDE AVERAGE, AND OUR CRIMES AGAINST SOCIETY IS JUST UP A PERCENTAGE POINT. SO AS A RESULT OF A MEETING I HAD WITH A RESIDENT BACK IN -- I WANT TO SAY NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CONCERNS THAT THAT PERSON EXPRESSED TO ME AND WE OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION WHICH CONTINUES TODAY ALONG THOSE LINES.

AND WE HAVE HAD 42 ARRESTS. EACH TIME WE HAVE AN ARREST, IF IT'S AN OFFENSE THAT'S NOT A VERY, VERY MINOR OFFENSE, WE WILL ASK HSI FOR A DETAINER AND THUS FAR THEY'VE GRANTED US 34. I'M SORRY, REQUESTED 34 AND 15 HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AROUND THERE. I DID NOT MENTION, THOUGH, THAT WE DO COORDINATE WITH SOLID WASTE AND CODE COMPLIANCE ON ORDER MAINTENANCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES AROUND THE MRC, AND WE WORK WITH THEM TO KEEP THEM AT A MINIMUM.

AND THAT'S THE END OF THE PRESENTATION. >> WALSH: MAYOR, JUST ONE THING. IF WE CAN GO BACK TO SLIDE 13, THAT'S NOT A PD SLIDE, CHIEF. JUST TO REITERATE WHAT LORI SAID, PART OF THIS -- I THINK SEVERAL OF YOU ASKED QUESTIONS AT THE THREE PLUS NINE AND WHAT WE'RE SHOWING IS FUNDING CONTINGENCIES OR A WATER FALL. OBVIOUSLY THE NUMBER ONE NEEDS TO HAPPEN ANY WAY GIVEN NUMBERS ARE LOW AND WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS

[02:45:06]

SO AS WE MOVE DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH FUNDING OR ACTIVITY, ALL OF THOSE WOULD REQUIRE SOME SORT OF COUNCIL ACTION AND PROBABLY A LOT OF DEBATE ON Y'ALL'S PART AS WE KIND OF MANAGE OUR WAY THROUGHTHE ACTIVITY. SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR AND AS A RESULT OF SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE GOT AT THREE

PLUS NINE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERIK AND LORI AND CHIEF FOR THE PRESENTATION. WE DO HAVE -- AGAIN, THIS ITEM IS FOR BRIEFING PURPOSES ONLY. THERE'S NO ACTION REQUESTED OR NEEDED FROM COUNCIL. WE DO HAVE A FEW FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. I'LL CALL THEM IN ORDER, JACK M. FINGER.

WILL YOU BE FOLLOWED BY ROSE MARRY GUEVARRA. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

WHEN I LOOK AT VARIOUS ITEMS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, I TRY TO DO MY RESEARCH, I TRY TO LOOK UP THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS AS THEY ARE CALLED.

AS YOU SAW THIS MORNING, I TRY TO PRESENT TO YOU, MR. MAYOR, EVIDENCE OF THE THINGS, OF THE POINTS I'M TRYING TO PRESENT. THIS MORNING I DID SO WITH ONE OF THE CONTRACTS THAT YOU HAVE HERE. I SHOWED ALL THE BAD THINGS ABOUT IT THERE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, I LOOK AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR EVERY WEEK THERE AND I LOOK AT THE -- AND ON MINE I TRY TO LOOK UP THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS, THE AGENDA MEMORANDUM. IF A PERSON JUST CLICKS ON TO THAT SO-CALLED WORD DOWNLOADING, THAT DOESN'T REALLY MENTION ANYTHING, IT SIMPLY IS A RESTATING OF THE AGENDA ITEM. I CLICK UPON THE BODY OF THE AGENDA ITEM AND IT BRINGS ME ALL KINDS OF THINGS LIKE THE AGENDA MEMORANDUM, THE WORDING OF THE CONTRACT, THE ACTUAL ORDINANCE AND SO FORTH.

AND I TRY TO DO SO FOR THIS ONE, ITEM NUMBER -- TODAY'S ITEM NUMBER 4.

WHAT DOES IT SHOW? UP GREAT ON THE MIGRANT RESOURCE OPERATIONS BY LORI HOUSTON AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. AND MY OWN PRIVATE COMPUTER I TRY CLICKING ON TO THAT BODY OF IT THERE. AND WHAT DID IT COME UP WITH? WELL, THIS RIGHT THERE. THE ITEM 4 MEMORANDUM IS BLANK. NOTHING CAME UP. NO.

NOT A THING. RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD.

LIKE I SAY, YOU CLICK ON THAT WORD DOWNLOAD, THAT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, IT JUST GIVES YOU REPETITION OF THE STATEMENT OF THE AGENDA ITEM.

SO THE QUESTION IS WHY IS THERE NOTHING THERE. WELL, OBVIOUSLY, MR. MAYOR, THERE IS JUST NOTHING TO SEE HERE. NO.

NOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. I MEAN, FORGET THE IDEA THAT THE ILLEGAL ALIENS, AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CALLED AND WHO HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED CRIMES CROSSING THAT BORDER, FORGET THE FACT THAT THEY ARE -- WE ARE FINANCING THEIR STAYS OVER THERE WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. YOU SAY WELL, WE'RE GOING TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT WITH THE FEDS. WHERE ARE THE YEAH, AND YOU SAID THERE'S NO INCREASE IN CRIME? ASK SOME OF THE PEOPLE LIVING AROUND THERE IF THERE'S NO INCREASE IN CRIME. AND ALL THE OTHER ASSOCIATED -- THE FACT THAT WE HAD TO SPEND MONEY ON MAINTENANCE AND CLEANUP AND SO FORTH FOR THEM.

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

ROSEMARY GUEVARA FOLLOWED BY JENNIFER NEIL. >> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. I LIVE TWO HOUSES DOWN FROM THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE EXPERIENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO I'M JUST GOING TO SAY SOME THINGS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED. FIRST OF ALL, I GUESS I FEEL A LACK OF PRIVACY BECAUSE BEING SO CLOSE TO THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER, MANY OF THEM SIT ON THE LOW WALL, THE LOW CEMENT WALL BECAUSE I'M SURE THEY'RE BORED TO DEATH.

BUT THEY JUST SIT THERE AND THEIR FOCUS IS ON MY BACKYARD. IF I WALK OUT MY BACK DOOR,

[02:50:02]

I DIDN'T INTERACT WITH THEM BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT THAT EXPERIENCE OF I'M UNLOADING GROCERIES AND YOU'RE RIGHT THERE IN MY FACE. I GUESS THE OTHER THING IS JUST DRIVING AROUND THERE YOU HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY HAVE ANY AWARENESS OF WHERE TO CROSS OR HOW TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

ESPECIALLY COMING DOWN SAN PEDRO, YOU WAIT FOR THAT TURN SIGNAL AND IT TAKES THREE CYCLES TO GET THERE AND YOU TRY TO TURN AND THE MIGRANTS ARE THERE AND YOU CAN'T EVEN GET IN.

THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE. AND ALSO ON OBLATE STREET AND LIKE IF YOU'RE GOING TO THAT H-E-B , OFTEN THEY'RE CROSSING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THEY MAY HAVE DARK CLOTHES ON, MAY BE ON THEIR CELL PHONES. IT'S A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE. I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT BUT I HAVE LIVED IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND WHEN I LIVED IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY I WAS TOLD YOU RESPECT THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY. SOMETIMES I FEEL THE LAWS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE NOT BEING RESPECTED. SO I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT MOST OF US FEEL IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA IS NOT THE PLACE FOR THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

WE WOULD LIKE FOR ANOTHER PLACE TO BE LOCATED. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. GUEVARA. JENNIFER NEIL FOLLOWED BY LINDA

TAYLOR. >> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FOLKS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I AM JENNIFER NEIL, THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE SHERWOOD HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. I ALSO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION FOR STRENGTHENING FAMILY WELL-BEING AND AS A RECENT TOD TASK FORCE.

THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN DR. SUKH KAUR TO APPOINTING ME TO THOSE POSITIONS.

I'M THRILLED TO BE INVOLVED IN MY CITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD. ON BEHALF OF THE VARIED IDEAS AND BELIEFS AND VALUES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ACROSS THE BOARD, FOLKS WERE BLIND SIDED BY THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER AND WE HAVE VERY COMPASSIONATE NEIGHBORS, SUCH AS R ROSEMARY AD LINDA. THE FOLKS WHO LIVE BEHIND THE DRIVE OF BEACHWOOD, THEY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE MIGRANT CENTER PROBABLY MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE IN OUR CITY.

THEY SEE DAY-TO-DAY FOLKS COMING IN AND OUT. WE'VE GOT, QUITE HONESTLY, SOME ELDERLY FOLKS WHO LIVE THERE. AND IF I WERE AN ELDERLY LADY, I WOULD PROBABLY FEEL A LITTLE UNEASY ABOUT STRANGERS IN MY BACKYARD URINATING, WALKING AROUND.

I'M INCREDIBLY SYMPATHETIC TO THAT. I DO KNOW THE BUSINESSES NEARBY IS KIND OF A MIXED BAG. SOME OF THEM HAVE ENJOYED THE INFLUX OF BUSINESS FROM THE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE COME IN AND OTHERS HAVE FELT A HINDRANCE FOR THAT AS WELL.

I DO BELIEVE MOST OF THOSE BUSINESSES ARE ALSO VERY COMPASSIONATE.

REX'S FORMAL WEAR. I KNOW THEY HAVE DONATED SHOES, WHICH IS WONDERFUL WHEN YOU HAVE WALKED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES TO GET A NEW PAIR OF SHOES THAT'S GREAT.

SO I KNOW IN GENERAL THERE'S ALSO A BIG FEELING, LIKE ROSEMARY MENTIONED, SAFETY IN PARTICULAR ALONG SAN PEDRO IS WILD ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. MY HUSBAND USED TO RIDE HIS BIKE WITH OUR CHILDREN IN A CART AND I WAS LIKE, HEY, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

SAN PEDRO IS NUTS. I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HIT. I DON'T WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GET HURT. AND I FEEL THE SAME WAY WITH THE MIGRANTS OUT THERE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND ADEQUATELY HOW TO CROSS THE STREET AND NAVIGATE OUR DRIVING SKILLS AND SOMETIMES THE LACK THEREOF. I DO WORRY, HONESTLY, FOR THEIR SAFETY.

I WOULD HATE FOR ANYONE OUTSIDE OF A VEHICLE OR INSIDE A VEHICLE TO GET INJURED IN THAT SITUATION. FOR MYSELF, I LIVE TWO BLOCKS SOUTH AND THE FULL BLOCK EAST OF THE MIGRANT CENTER. SO AS THE CROW FLIES, A QUARTER OF A MILE.

AT MY HOME, I CAN SPEAK FOR WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING. WE'VE HAD MAYBE A DOZEN PEOPLE

[02:55:02]

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

MS. NEIL. LINDA TAYLOR. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE AND INVITING US TO SPEAK AND SHARE WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH. JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND. MY HUSBAND AND I AND OUR FAMILY MOVED TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IN JANUARY OF 1989. SO WE'VE BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES. WE OWN A COUPLE OF HOUSES THERE ON BEECHWOOD AND OUR DAUGHTER OWNS A HOUSE ON BEECHWOOD AND MY HUSBAND'S SON OWNS A HOUSE ON MAPLEWOOD .

WE'VE ALL BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS. PEOPLE WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, NOT ON THE SIDEWALKS.

EVEN IF YOU'RE COMING IN YOUR CAR, THEY DON'T MOVE. WE CAN'T GO THROUGH LIKE THE CUT-THROUGH, I GUESS AT CAGE AND SAN PEDRO. THERE'S NOW DUMPSTERS AND POLICE PRESENCE AND PEOPLE LYING ON THE GROUND THERE. SO IT FEELS VERY DANGEROUS.

AND WHEN WE GO INTO THE BUSINESSES TO EAT OR TO, YOU KNOW, GO INTO H-E-B OR WALGREENS, THEY SURROUND YOU. THEY COME UP AND THEY ASK FOR MONEY.

THEY'RE SPEAKING IN SPANISH. THEY SURROUND YOUR CAR WHEN YOU'RE GOING BACK OUT.

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T EVEN GET THROUGH OR WE COME OUT OF EATING AT ONE OF THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND THEY'RE ALL SITTING ON THE SIDEWALKS ALL ALONG AND IN FRONT OF THE BUSINESSES.

AND THEY FOLLOW YOU TO YOUR CAR. THEY JUST SURROUND YOU. SO IT'S STRESSFUL AND INTIMIDATING WHEN YOU GO OUT. AND WE'VE LIVED THERE FOR MANY YEARS.

AND MY DAUGHTER WANTED US TO SHARE. I HAVE FOUR GRANDDAUGHTERS THAT LIVE TWO DOORS DOWN FROM ME. THEY PLAY OUTSIDE WITH 14 CHILDREN IN THAT TWO-BLOCK AREA ON BEECHWOOD AND THESE MIGRANTS ARE COMING UP TO THEM. WE'RE NOT USED TO THAT.

THE KIDS DON'T FEEL SAFE. THEY'RE AGGRESSIVE. THEY COME TO OUR DOOR.

SO IT'S IMPACTED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS WE'RE NOT ADVOCATING YOU MOVE IT TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD, WE'RE ADVOCATING THAT YOU MOVE IT TO A BUSINESS PARK OR SOMEPLACE LIKE WHERE YOU WOULD PUT A HAMPTON INN, NOT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT ACTUALLY HAS BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. I WAS WALKING ON THE SHERNO WALKING PATH AND I HAD A MIGRANT COME UP TO ME SPEAKING IN SPANISH AND WHEN I ASKED SOMEONE ELSE WHAT THEY SAID, HE INVITED ME TO GO WITH HIM TO COMFORT HIM. THAT'S THE NICE WAY THAT THE MAN PUT IT. I MENTIONED IT TO THE POLICE, I WALKED TO THE MIGRANT CENTER AND SPOKE TO THE POLICE OFFICER THERE AND HE SAID REPORT IT TO THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER.

JUST WANTED TO SHARE. THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. TAYLOR. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO DISCUSSION NOW AND QUESTIONS FOR OUR STAFF. FIRST, LET ME JUST THANK THE RESIDENTS WHO CAME OUT AND SHARED YOUR CONCERNS WITH US. WE CERTAINLY DO TAKE THOSE SERIOUSLY AND, YOU KNOW, IN MY PERSPECTIVE WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

BUT I DO WANT TO SHARE MY PERSPECTIVE AND A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT FOR ALL THIS.

FIRST, THIS SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE. IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER. IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO SAN ANTONIO. IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE, AT THIS MOMENT, ROUGHLY 114 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED ALL ACROSS THE WORLD FOR VARIOUS REASONS: WAR, CLIMATE ISSUES, POLITICAL PERSECUTION, YOU NAME IT.

THE MOST PEOPLE DISPLACED IN THE WORLD SINCE WORLD WAR II. I THINK YOU'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE. WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT OUR SITUATION, HOWEVER, IS THE AND, MS. TAYLOR, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SHARED. ACTUALLY, MS. NEIL WHEN YOU MOVED INTO BEECHWOOD. I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD ANY REFORM OF OUR

[03:00:02]

WE DON'T CONTROL WHO COMES TO SAN ANTONIO BUT WE DO CONTROL WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DEAL WITH THE IMPACTS. AND AS YOU SAW FROM THE PHOTOS AND THE SLIDES IN THE PRESENTATION TODAY, WE'VE SEEN SURGES OF MIGRATION ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND BECAUSE WE'RE THE NEAREST MAJOR METRO TO THE BORDER, WE HAVE THOSE IMPACTS.

WE'VE SEEN THEM IN ADMINISTRATIONS PAST AND PRESENT.

IN FACT, THE FIRST MRC THAT WE OPENED UP WAS IN 2019 AS A RESULT OF A INFLUX OF MIGRANTS.

I BELIEVE IT WAS UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN FIRST. IT'S ALMOST A BLUR AT THIS POINT. BUT WE OPENED UP AN MRC AT THE BUS DEPOT BECAUSE AT THE TIME WE HAD NO WAY OF CONCENTRATING THE SERVICES THAT WERE REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH THOSE IMPACTS.

NOW, MY PERSPECTIVE WE HAVE THREE RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR COMMUNITY, KNOWING THAT WE HAVE LIMITED AUTHORITY OVER THE SITUATION. WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IMPACTS IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS PUBLIC SAFETY. WE MAINTAIN SOME ORDER AND WE ALSO DON'T LOSE OURSELVES IN THE PROCESS. BEYOND ALL THAT, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO EACH OTHER TO TREAT EACH OTHER WITH SOME DIGNITY AND COMPASSION.

IN MY ESTIMATION AND WHAT I'VE SEEN WITH THE MRC, OBVIOUSLY WITH SOME EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND WORK WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO DO, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT BECAUSE WE'VE HAD COOPERATION IN THIS COMMUNITY FROM WONDERFUL NONPROFITS LIKE CATHOLIC CHARITIES, OUR FAITH ORGANIZATIONS, THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK, OUR CITY STAFF, AND FRANKLY A COMMUNITY THAT CARES. THAT OPERATION HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD COOPERATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF REIMBURSEMENTS AND NOW GOING FORWARD, FUNDS THAT FUND THIS EFFORT. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HAS BEEN NO STRANGERS TO US WORKING OUT ISSUES. BORDER PATROL AS WELL AS THE WHITE HOUSE. AND THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE. THEY HAVE HELPED US COORDINATE AND THEY'VE HELPED US TO LIVE UP TO THOSE PRIORITIES THAT I MENTIONED.

NOW THE CONCERN IS WE ARE, YOU CAN'T IGNORE IT, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POLITICAL VORTEX IN OUR COUNTRY RIGHT NOW AND THERE SEEMS TO BE FOLKS THAT WOULD RATHER THRIVE IN CHAOS THAN HELP US DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. AND SO WHAT DO WE DO? WE HAVE SOME RESOURCES.

WE HAVE FUNDS AND WE HAVE CERTAINLY A COMMUNITY THAT CARES TO HELP US CONTINUE WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING COUNCIL AND MYSELF AND EVERYONE IN THIS ORGANIZATION, FRANKLY, IS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THOSE PRIORITIES AND DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE IN A COMPASSIONAL, DIGNIFIED WAY WHILE MAINTAINING SAFETY AND ORDER IF THOSE RESOURCES DON'T CONTINUE TO BE SHARED WITH THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHAT THIS BRIEFING IS ABOUT.

WHAT I WOULD ASK EVERYONE TO CONSIDER, HOWEVER, IS IN LIEU OF THOSE RESOURCES, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE IF WE JUST LET IT CONTINUE AND WE HAVE NO ANSWER TO IT. WE HAVE NO OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER THE IMPACTS, WHICH IS WHAT THE MRC WAS INTENDED TO DO. BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY THE FACT THAT FOLKS ARE STILL GOING TO COME AND, FRANKLY, WILL CONTINUE TO COME SO LONG AS THE FOLKS WHO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM DON'T SEEK TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES. SO I APPRECIATE THE CANDOR FROM OUR NEIGHBORS HERE. AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH IN AUDIO]. AND I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS THE FACT THAT I AM PROUD TO BE A SAN ANTONIAN BECAUSE THERE ARE MOMENTS WHERE THE REST OF OUR PEERS MAY BE GRIPPED WITH FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO AND WE CONTINUE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CREATE A MODEL THAT HELPS OUR COMMUNITY AND ALSO PROVIDES AN EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

SO, WITH THAT, I'M OPEN TO OUR CONVERSATION. >> WHYTE: AND OUR GOVERNMENT

[03:05:56]

WE ARE AT THE CENTER OF THIS PROBLEM. AND OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION TODAY THERE IS REALLY ONE BIG QUESTION THAT I'M HOPING EACH COUNCILMEMBER UP HERE WILL ADDRESS. AND BECAUSE I THINK THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO DESERVE TO KNOW WHETHER WE BELIEVE WE SHOULD SPEND SAN ANTONIO TAX DOLLARS, OUR GENERAL FUND MONEY, ON THIS MIGRANT SITUATION. AND THE ANSWER TO THAT, TO ME, IS VERY, VERY CLEAR.

NO, NO, AND NO. [APPLAUSE] SAN ANTONIO DOLLARS NEED TO BE SPENT ON SAN ANTONIANS. WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE OUR CITIZENS.

AND THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHO THESE FOLKS ARE THAT ARE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT 98% OF THE PEOPLE COMING ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN BORDER ARE GOOD FOLKS THAT ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A BETTER LIFE. I DO THINK THERE'S THAT 2% OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE AND THEY'RE UP TO NO GOOD AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN PUT OUR HEAD IN THE SAND AND PRETEND LIKE NOTHING BAD WILL EVER HAPPEN. BUT I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT ASPECT OF IT TODAY BECAUSE, TO ME, TODAY NEEDS TO BE ABOUT OUR BUDGET AND WHETHER WE AS A CITY COUNCIL BELIEVE WE SHOULD SPEND OUR SAN ANTONIANS' TAX DOLLARS ON THIS MIGRANT CRISIS.

JUST LIKE EVERY AMERICAN FAMILY HAS TO BUDGET AND PRIORITIZE THEIR MONEY, WE HAVE TO DO THE SAME. AND HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AT THIS VERY MOMENT IN TIME WE HAVE SO MANY ISSUES. 22%, ALMOST A QUARTER OF OUR STREETS ARE RATED POOR OR FAILING. WE HAVE MORE THAN A THOUSAND MILES OF GAPS IN OUR SIDEWALKS.

WE ARE MORE THAN 200 OFFICERS SHORT OF WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH PATROL CARS TO SERVICE THE OFFICERS THAT WE DO HAVE. AS EVERYBODY'S READ, WE STARTED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS AND WE NEED TO GET THE FIREFIGHTERS A CONTRACT THAT THEY DESERVE. AND WE JUST RAISED RATES ON OUR FELLOW CITIZENS FOR THE SECOND TIME. CPS RATES FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET TO HELP FUND CPS SO THAT WE CAN STOP OR MINIMIZE THESE FUTURE RATE INCREASES ON SAN ANTONIANS. WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO OUR CITIZENS THAT WE WERE GOING TO CLEAN UP HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THEM BEING IDENTIFIED. AND OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE LEARNED THAT WE SIMPLY, IN A LOT OF CASES, AT LEAST, DON'T HAVE THE PERSONNEL OUT ON THE STREETS TO GET THAT DONE.

JUST YESTERDAY LORI WAS BRIEFING US ON DOWNTOWN AND I ASKED HER ABOUT THE PREVIOUS DOWNTOWN PLANS AND WHY SOME OF THE STRATEGIES PUT INTO PLACE YEARS AGO, WHY SOME OF THOSE -- SOME

[03:10:04]

IS THERE NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO WITH OUR RESOURCES TO INCENTIVIZE THESE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES TO FINISH QUICKER FOR THE SAKE OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES? SO MANY AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO BE SPENDING OUR MONEY. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY SAW IT BUT THERE'S BEEN AT LEAST TWO NATIONAL ARTICLES IN THE LAST WEEK ABOUT DENVER, RIGHT? IN DENVER THEY'RE CLOSING DOWN SOME OF THEIR MIGRANT SHELTERS BUT THAT HASN'T EVEN BEEN ENOUGH. THEY'RE HAVING TO REDUCE THEIR DMV HOURS.

THEY'RE HAVING TO CUT $4.5 MILLION FROM THEIR PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET.

THEIR BASIC CITY SERVICES ARE BEING CUT BECAUSE OF THE MIGRANT CRISIS.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT THAT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. AND, IN FACT, THE ARTICLE THAT JUST CAME OUT TODAY WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW DISADVANTAGED AREAS IN DENVER ARE LOSING THEIR REC HOURS AND THERE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THOSE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE DOING IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO AFTER SCHOOL. THERE ARE CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT ARE WAKING UP AND ARE DEALING WITH THIS APPROPRIATELY.

IN AURORA, COLORADO THEY JUST PASSED A RESOLUTION WHERE THEY REAFFIRMED THEIR NON-SANCTUARY CITY STATUS AND SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO FUND NEW SERVICES RELATED TO THIS CRISIS. STAYING IN COLORADO IN COLORADO SPRINGS, THEY JUST PASSED ANAN ORDINANCE, AND IT'S SOMETHING I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT HERE. AN ORDINANCE THAT SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMS REMAINING A NON-SANCTUARY CITY AND ASSERTS IT WILL NOT SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON SERVICES RELATED TO THIS CRISIS. WE NEED TO BE DOING THAT HERE.

YESTERDAY THE MAYOR, HE QUOTED YOGI BERRA. I LOVE BASEBALL MYSELF AND EVERYBODY'S SEEN THE MOVIE FIELD OF DREAMS AND THE QUOTE FROM THAT MOVIE: IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME, RIGHT? THERE WAS A CHART THAT LORI PUT UP REGARDING THE MIGRANTS AND THEIR FLOW INTO SAN ANTONIO OVER THE PAST 30 OR SO MONTHS. AND IF YOU TAKE OUT JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AND MARCH, YOU KNOW, THE LOW SEASON, I GUESS, FOR MIGRANT FLOW, AND YOU JUST LOOK AT THE OTHER 30 MONTHS, BEFORE WE HAD THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER THERE WAS NOT A MONTH THAT WE HAD MORE THAN 20,000 MIGRANTS COMING HERE. AFTER THE MIGRANT CENTER OPENED, 13 OUT OF THE 15 MONTHS WE HAD MORE THAN 20,000. WE, AS A CITY COUNCIL, NEED TO LEAVE ALL THE INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC RELATED TO THIS ISSUE BEHIND.

WE HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES HERE. OUR CITIZENS EXPECT THAT THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE SPENT ON THEM AND THEIR BASIC CITY SERVICES THAT WILL, FRANKLY, WE DO A GREAT JOB OF DELIVERING. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE US IN A SITUATION LIKE DENVER OR SOME OF THESE OTHER CITIES THAT ARE HAVING TO CUT THESE SERVICES BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING TO USE MONEY FROM THEIR GENERAL FUND ON THE MIGRANT SITUATION.

LET'S LEAVE THE RHETORIC BEHIND. LET'S THINK ABOUT OUR BUDGET AND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING TO BE STARTING HERE SOON. UNDER ABSOLUTELY NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD WE BE

[03:15:04]

THANKS, MAYOR. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A PAGE OUT OF COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ'S BOOK AND START WITH A STORY.

AND BUT THIS STORY IS MY OWN. SO I WAS BORN IN A COUNTRY WHERE MY PEOPLE WEREN'T ALLOWED TO BE IN EXISTENCE. THERE WERE RIOTS HAPPENING IN THE CITY I WAS BORN IN.

MY FAMILY HAD TO HIDE IN THE BACK OF OUR NEIGHBOR'S HOME. AND WE HAD THE ABILITY TO FLEE TO THIS COUNTRY. AND THANKFULLY, BECAUSE MY UNCLE LIVED HERE, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SEEK ASYLUM LIKE SO MANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT FLOOD WITH US. WHEN YOU SEEK ASYLUM YOU ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO THE HOME COUNTRY WHERE THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY LIVES.

SO WE THANKFULLY HAD THE ABILITY TO COME LIVE WITH AN UNCLE AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE A WAY FOR OUR OWN. THIS COUNTRY REPRESENTED SAFETY FOR ME, REPRESENTED OPPORTUNITY.

AND I WOULD NOT BE SITTING HERE ON THIS DAIS IF WE DID NOT HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE THIS WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. I GOT TO TALK TO A WOMAN WHO HAD TRAVELED FOR THREE MONTHS TO GET HERE AND DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH. AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE COUNTRY THAT SHE WAS COMING FROM, ENGLISH WASN'T HER FIRST LANGUAGE. BUT JUST BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE OR WORDS MAY BE DIFFERENT DOESN'T MEAN THAT HEART AND LOVE IS DIFFERENT IN ANY LANGUAGE.

AND SHE SPOKE TO ME IN SPANISH AND TOLD ME THAT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER GAVE HER CLOTHES, GAVE HER SHOES AND HELPED HER GET ON HER WAY TO HER FINAL DESTINATION.

WE HAD A CHANCE, MY TEAM AND I, TO GO VISIT THE CENTER BACK IN THE FALL AND THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL WALL OF MESSAGES THAT THE MIGRANTS LEAVE THERE FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH OF HOPE, OF STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE FOR THESE FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIFE AND HELP CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY THE WAY WE WANT THEM TO. AND SO ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, TO CITY STAFF, TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR THE INCREDIBLY HARD WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. THAT IS -- IT'S EMOTIONAL EVERY DAY FOR THEM AND THEY SHOW UP EVERY DAY TO SUPPORT. AND THE FOOD BANK FOR THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING ON A DAILY BASIS. THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRULY DOING INCREDIBLE WORK AND SO WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE CITY AND FOR THEM FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT. TO THE NEIGHBORS THAT CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED, JENNY HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE LEADER FOR THIS COMMUNITY. WE HEAR -- AND TO YOUR POINT, WE HEAR THE CHALLENGES OF THE FOLKS, ESPECIALLY THAT LIVE RIGHT BEHIND.

WE SAT WITH THE NEIGHBORS, WE SAT WITH THE SCHOOL THAT'S RIGHT THERE AND SOME OF THE BUSINESSES IN THE FALL, AND TALKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WAS TRASH.

SO WHAT DID THE CITY DO? THEY STARTED TO DO THREE TIMES A DAY TRASH PICKUP IN THE AREA SO IT DOESN'T FEEL SO DIRTY. BECAUSE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MORE PEOPLE THERE.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO DO MORE PATROL-BYS SO THAT FOLKS COULD SEE THERE ARE POLICE COMING BY AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING SAFE. IN ADDITION, WE EVEN TALKED TO SOME OF THE BUSINESSES AND FIGURED OUT WAYS THAT WE COULD HELP AND SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGES WHERE THERE'S MORE PEOPLE JUST AROUND FOR THEM.

SO WE DON'T NEGATE THAT THIS IS A CHALLENGING SITUATION FOR THE NEIGHBORS AND RESIDENTS.

AND THEN YOU SEE THOSE KIDS THAT YOUR KIDS GET TO PLAY WITH AND YOU THINK WE MUST COME TO HELP WITH A COMPASSIONATE SOLUTION FOR WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THIS CENTER.

I ALSO WANT TO -- WE HAD A COUPLE OF RESIDENTS THAT CALLED IN AND SAID HOW CAN WE HELP THEM CROSS THE STREETS SAFELY? CAN WE CREATE A VOLUNTEER CROSSWALK PROGRAM SO WE CAN COME OUT THERE AND SHOW THEM HOW TO CROSS THE STREETS? WE EVEN HAD RESIDENTS CALL US WHEN IT WAS COLD, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH SHELTER FOR THEM? THERE ARE SO MANY FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT TRULY WANT TO HELP. AND AHEAD OF TODAY'S CONVERSATION I EVEN WANTED TO ASK MY STAFF, THEY WENT OUT AND BLOCK WALKED ALL THE RESIDENTS AROUND THE MRC AND THEY GOT TO GO TO 30 HOMES AND TALK TO SOME OF THE RESIDENTS.

HONESTLY, THE DATA WE COLLECTED, SURVEY DATA THAT SAID HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE MRC? DO YOU WANT IT TO STAY HERE? WHAT CAN WE DO? AND THE DATA WAS MIXED.

A LOT OF THE FOLKS SAID IT IS CHALLENGING THAT IT'S SO CLOSE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WE DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT. AND ECHOING WHAT THE MAYOR'S POINTS IS, WE WANT TO HELP AND WE WANT TO CREATE MORE SOLUTIONS. AND CITY STAFF AND US ARE STILL WORKING ON FIGURING OUT A WAY TO CREATE A RETAINING WALL FOR THOSE FOLKS OR HELP SUPPORT THAT

[03:20:04]

BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A COUPLE OF THE QUOTES THAT MY TEAM WAS ABLE TO GATHER FROM RESIDENTS JUST THIS WEEK WHEN THEY WENT OUT AND BLOCK WALKED.

RESPECTFUL, DON'T LITTER AND SHOW FAMILY VALUES. I HAVE HELPED A FEW BUT THE NUMBERS AY CAPABILITIES. I HOPE THAT CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND CITY CONTINUE TO HELP THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THEY ARE PEOPLE JUST LIKE WE ARE. TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO GET THEIR LIVES TOGETHER. THEY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING WRONG BUT TRYING TO GET THEIR LIFE TOGETHER. THERE'S MORE JUST LIKE THIS BUT I WANTED TO SHARE THAT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT I AM SO PROUD WHEN I HEAR STATEMENTS LIKE THIS, JUST LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, THAT I'M PROUD THAT OUR CITY IS COMING TOGETHER TO COME TO THESE SOLUTIONS.

SO I WANT TO REMIND SOME FOLKS THAT LORI -- SOME OF THE POINTS THAT LORI MENTIONED, JUST TO REMIND IF YOU'RE LISTENING OR IF YOU'RE HERE, WE ARE NOT SPENDING ANY GENERAL FUND DOLLARS ON THIS MRC. THESE DOLLARS ARE BEING REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IF WE CAN PULL UP SLIDE 10 REALLY QUICKLY.

AS IT GETS THERE, WE'VE SPENT $25 MILLION -- OH, SORRY. MY SLIDES ARE DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE SPENT $25 MILLION ON THE MRC AND HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED ALL THE DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN SPENT. SO WE ARE NOT DEBATING TODAY WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE SPENDING GENERAL FUND DOLLARS. WE ARE ALSO -- I THINK WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT FOR US RIGHT NOW IS TO COME TOGETHER AND REINFORCE WHAT'S ALREADY ON OUR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WHICH CALLS UPON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE FUNDING THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER OPERATIONS. I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO CALL UPON CONGRESS TO ADOPT AN IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL THAT IMPROVES THE OUTDATED AND INADEQUATE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE NOW. SO I ENCOURAGE MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES THAT IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU FEEL THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO TOGETHER TO ALLOW OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW WE ARE CALLING UPON -- AND THIS IS THE SLIDE THAT I WAS REFERRING TO WHERE OUR ACTUAL COSTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS ARE EQUAL. THIS IS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING DOWN TO SUPPORT. LIKE THE MAYOR MENTIONED, WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BORDER IS NOT IN OUR CONTROL. BUT WHAT WE DO HAVE IN OUR CONTROL IS HOW WE WORK AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW. BECAUSE WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? AND SO I WANT TO REITERATE TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES THAT IF YOU ALL FEEL COMPELLED WITH US TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO STATE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO HELP SUPPORT US FUND THIS EFFORT SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN FEEL SAFE AND SO THAT WE CAN HELP THESE FOLKS THAT ARE SEEKING ASYLUM GET TO THEIR FINAL HOST CITIES.

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

COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, LORI FOR THE PRESENTATION. THE DISCUSSION IS TIMELY. I BROUGHT THIS UP AT THE SIX PLUS NINE AND REALLY MY MAIN CONCERN HERE IS TO HAVE A PLAN B.

THAT'S WHAT I BROUGHT UP THEN AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT TODAY. I WILL SAY I COMMEND THE -- OF COURSE CITY STAFF AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR THE WORK Y'ALL HAVE DONE IN THE OVER 600,000 ASYLUM SEEKERS. I'LL REITERATE THAT FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE CONFUSED, THAT THESE ARE MIGRANTS THAT ARE COMING TO SAN ANTONIO WITH -- AND THEY'RE LEGAL TRAVELERS.

THEY'RE SEEKING ASYLUM AND THAT'S A LEGAL STATUS. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE THERE. THAT SAID, WITH THE CITY AND CATHOLIC HAVE DONE AT THE MRC IS WHAT WE DO IN SAN ANTONIO. WE'RE COMPASSIONATE. WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

WE ACT WITH GENEROSITY WITHOUT JUDGMENT AND WITH UNDERSTANDING AND ACTION, AS WE'VE DONE HERE.

THE FOOD BANK HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER IN PROVIDING MEALS AND NON-FOOD ITEMS. AND A LOT OF NONPROFITS ARE HELPING AS WELL. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE'RE AT THE MERCY OF FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I THINK SLIDE 13 WAS THE MOST INTERESTING SLIDE. IF YOU CAN PULL THAT UP. THERE COULD BE A CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN. THE FUNDING COULD JUST GET PULLED, THEY DECIDE NOT TO GIVE IT TO US ANYMORE. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MIGRANTS WILL COME THROUGH OUR CITY TOMORROW. WE DON'T KNOW ANY DAY HOW MANY MIGRANTS WE'RE GOING TO GET FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. WE CAN PLAN AND CONTROL OUR RESPONSE AND THAT MEANS THAT OUR COMPASSION HAS TO BE SMART AND SUSTAINABLE.

[03:25:02]

THAT COULD BE AND WHY CAN'T WE REDUCE SOME OF THESE COSTS NOW? >> WALSH: WHILE THEY'RE COMING TO THE PODIUM, WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THAT NOW. THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE DOING THE KIND OF STRETCH THAT $10.5 MILLION BEYOND THAT SEPTEMBER ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW.

>> VILLAGOMEZ: THANK YOU, ERIK. YES, AS THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED, WE HAVE STARTED THAT PROCESS AND THAT IS REDUCING SOME OF THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE AT THE MRC AND THE ATC. WE ANTICIPATE THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE US LIKE ANOTHER THREE MONTHS BEYOND WHAT WE HAD ANTICIPATED. AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT IS IF THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS CONTINUES TO BE AS LOW AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

IF THE NUMBER INCREASES, THEN THE OPPOSITE WOULD RESULT. WE COULD BE SPENDING OUR FUNDS

FASTER. BUT WE'RE REDUCING EXPENSES NOW. >> HAVRDA: SO YOU PROBABLY CAN'T GIVE ME AN AMOUNT. IT DEPENDS ON LIKE HOW MUCH ARE WE SAVING BY REDUCING COSTS?

>> VILLAGOMEZ: ONCE WE COMPLETE THAT EFFORT, COUNCILWOMAN, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT BACK TO THE COUNCIL WITH THE EXACT AMOUNT AND EXACT NUMBER OF MONTHS.

>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MARIA. YOU TALKED TODAY WE SPENT OVER $8 MILLION SINCE 2021 AND IF THAT FEDERAL MONEY WERE TO DRY UP, IS THAT WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE?

IS IT $4 MILLION? HOW MUCH IS IT A YEAR? >> VILLAGOMEZ: COUNCILWOMAN,

IS YOUR QUESTION HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE SPENDING YEAR? >> HAVRDA: YEAH.

I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING. HOW MUCH WOULD WE HAVE TO REPLACE IF FEDERAL FUNDING DRIED

UP IN A YEAR? >> VILLAGOMEZ: SO THE NUMBER VARIES DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS. AT THE HIGHEST POINT WE WERE SPENDING ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS A MONTH.

THE EXPENSE THAT WE WOULD EXPERIENCE. >> HAVRDA: I THINK ALL OF THOSE ARE OPTIONS. I THINK I HAVE A CONCERN, GOD HELP ME I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN WHYTE, KIND OF, BECAUSE I HAVE A REAL CONCERN ABOUT US USING CITY DOLLARS FOR IT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK -- I LIKE TO THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE BETTER THAN ANY OTHER CITY, INCLUDING DENVER, BUT I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THAT. AND SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, STARTING TO SEE SOME REAL NUMBERS, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A PROPOSAL AT SOME POINT TO USE CITY MONEY, I MEAN, I THINK WE HAVE TO REALLY DIG DOWN DEEP. I DON'T THINK TODAY IS THE DAY FOR THAT DISCUSSION BUT I HAVE TO JUST EXPRESS THAT I HAVE A REAL CONCERN ABOUT USING CITY MONEY FOR THIS.

HAVING SAID THAT -- AND I UNDERSTAND WE HAVEN'T SO FAR. IT'S JUST THAT IF THIS MONEY DRIES UP, IT'S GOT TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. HAVING SAID THAT, I DO THINK THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I THINK THAT WHEN WE SAY WE'RE NOT SPENDING -- WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND CITY DOLLARS ON ANYONE OTHER THAN SAN ANTONIANS, I DO BELIEVE THESE CITY DOLLARS ARE ALSO BEING SPENT ON SAN ANTONIANS BY TAKING CARE OF THE MRC.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CHIEF. YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE -- THERE'S BEEN NO MAJOR INCIDENTS.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT BUT WE HEARD TODAY FROM SOME NEIGHBORS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING PANHANDLING AT THE LEAST. IS THE POLICE PRESENCE HELPING WITH THAT?

>> CHIEF: THE ISSUES THAT WE SEE AROUND THE MRC ARE MAINLY QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES AND THE FREQUENCY OF PATROL-BYS THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND UP AND DOWN THOSE STRIP SHOPPING CENTERS IS INTENDED TO DEAL WITH THAT. SURPRISINGLY, TO BE CANDID, WE HAVEN'T HAD A WHOLE LOT OF COMPLAINTS COMING OUT OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND WHAT I HEARD

TODAY IS REALLY THE FIRST I'VE HEARD THAT. >> HAVRDA: OKAY.

THAT SURPRISES ME. IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE IN CONTACT WITH THE COUNCILWOMAN AND THAT THEY'VE BEEN MAKING NON-EMERGENCY CALLS. MAYBE WE CAN LOOK INTO SOME MORE DATA ON HOW MANY CALLS WE'RE GETTING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THERE.

BUT NOW WE DID HEAR IT SO WE SHOULD LOOK TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP.

>> CHIEF: AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE ON ALERT FOR THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES.

>> HAVRDA: THANKS. THANKS, CHIEF. SO GOING BACK TO, AT LEAST SO FAR THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE MENTIONED IMMIGRATION REFORM.

AND I AGREE THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME ASSISTANCE THERE. BUT AT THE ACTUAL BORDER, DO WE

[03:30:06]

ARE WE COMMUNICATING THAT OR DO WE HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE FLOW?

>> VILLAGOMEZ: WE ARE ON A DAILY BASIS. OUR DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, WE HAVE CONTACTS WITH THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AT THE BORDER.

AND WE HAVE CONSTANT COMMUNICATION IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY ARE SEEING OUT THERE AND THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF MIGRANTS THAT ARE COMING IN. SO THERE'S THE CONCEPT COORDINATION. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MORE INDIVIDUALS COMING IN ON THEIR OWN RATHER THAN THROUGH THE NONPROFITS THAT ARE AT THE BORDER.

SO IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH THOSE THAT ARE BEING TRANSPORTED OR COORDINATED THROUGH NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATIONS AND THEN THOSE THAT ARE ARRIVING ON THEIR OWN. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MARIA.

THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS. I, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO MENTION OUR COMPASSION ISN'T LIMITED. IT DOESN'T EXPIRE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO -- WE NEED TO KEEP HELPING THE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH OUR CITY AND FIGURE OUT -- AND EVEN OUR NEIGHBORS TODAY ARE TALKING ABOUT THEIR COMPASSION FOR THE MIGRANTS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH. WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WA. WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO COME UP WITH THESE FUNDS IF THE MONEY DRIES OUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND I HEAR THESE FOUR OPTIONS BUT THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT NEBULOUS.

I DON'T REALLY SEE ANYTHING SUPER CONCRETE SO I MAINTAIN, MAYOR, WE SHOULD KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO FUND THIS.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD DO AWAY WITH IT. I THINK IT WOULD BE WORSE IF WE

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

ERIK, YOU WANTED TO -- >> WALSH: YEAH, CAN WE PULL UP SLIDE 9? JUST IN TERMS OF THE ISSUE AND THE QUESTION THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE CITY ASPECT. AND WE INCLUDED THIS SLIDE IN HERE, SLIDE 9.

THERE WE GEO. IF IT ALL DRIED UP, THE QUESTION THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN IS RAISING IS WHAT WOULD WE DO. BUT WE'RE ONLY A PART OF IT. IF YOU LOOK AT THAT SLIDE, THAT SHOWS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT OVER $121 MILLION IN THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY. CATHOLIC CHARITIES, THE CITY, THE FOOD BANK, UNITED WAY, CORAZON. THE QUESTION THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN RAISES IS REALLY A BROADER QUESTION. IT WOULD BE -- EVEN IF WE FIGURED OUT OUR PIECE, THERE'S A MUCH BIGGER PIECE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE FIGURED OUT AND MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT.

I DIDN'T WANT -- I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNCIL TOOK THE COUNCILWOMAN'S POINT AND LORI MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE PARTNERS. WE'RE NOT DOING IT ALL.

WE'RE JUST DOING A SMALL PART OF IT. IF THAT FEDERAL FUNDING -- IT REALLY AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST UE AND REALLY IS ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ERIK. >> HAVRDA: CAN I RESPOND REAL

QUICK? >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ON THE FOLLOW UP.

>> HAVRDA: I STILL HAD TWO MINUTES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I SAW A RED LIGHT. WAS THAT NOT ACCURATE? COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> HAVRDA: THAT DOES OPEN UP ANOTHER QUESTION. IF WE HAVE OTHER CONTINGENCY FUNDS FOR OTHER FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROGRAMS. I KNOW OTHER STATES HAVE A FEDERAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND WE DON'T, AS A STATE. BUT DO WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE

THAT AS A CITY? >> WALSH: I'M SORRY. BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE, THERE ARE NO STATE FUNDS AVAILABLE.

SO UNLIKE IF WE HAD A HURRICANE, WE WOULD APPLY THROUGH THE STATE UP TO THE FEDS.

THAT DOESN'T EXIST IN THIS CASE. THE ONLY THING THAT THE STATE IS PROVIDING, I BELIEVE -- THE ONLY THING THE STATE IS PROVIDING IS BUSES AND MAYBE SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT NO SHELTERING,

NO SUPPORT AND THAT STUFF. >> HAVRDA: OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A TECHNICAL ISSUE WITH THE CLOCK TO MY BAD.

SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: NO PROBLEM.

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

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE FOLKS WHO CAME OUT TO SPEAK.

WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU TELLING US WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE FEELING AND HOW YOU ARE FEELING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL, LIKE THE MAYOR SAID.

BUT WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEBATES A NATIONAL BUDGET AD NAUSEAM WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY

[03:35:06]

I KNOW IT COMES UP DURING OUR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND WITH THE MAYOR. AND SO IT'S BEEN TOP OF MIND. I DO WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND EVERYONE THERE'S A MIGRANT DASHBOARD THAT THE CITY HAS.

THE TOP FIVE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN WHERE MIGRANTS ARE COMING FROM. AND SO AS WE SIT AND I LISTEN TO SOME RHETORIC AND MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE MY PARENTS AREN'T FROM MEXICO BUT I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY IT'S MEXICO WE HAVE TO WORK WITH. AND IN REALITY WE HAVE TO WORK WITH A WHOLE LOT OF COUNTRIES. AND JUST DO WHAT'S RIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE COMING THROUGH THE MEXICAN BORDER BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM.

I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAS DONE INCREDIBLE WORK AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. AND ALL THE PEOPLE WORKING THERE, THEY MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE, INCLUDING OUR NEIGHBORS AS THEY PASS ON THROUGH THE JOURNEY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT HAVE BEEN CRITICIZING BUT HAVE NEVER REALLY GONE TO THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER AND HAVE NEVER SEEN AND EXPERIENCED AND LISTENED TO SOME OF THE STORIES. I APPRECIATE THAT A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE GONE. THE MIGRANT CENTER -- THEY HAVE LEFT EVERYTHING BEHIND FOR A SAFER ENVIRONMENT AND AS A COMPASSIONATE CITY WE APPRECIATE THAT OUR COUNTRY WAS MADE BY A LOT OF FOLKS SIMILAR LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY AND WHAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE.

SO MY QUESTIONS -- AND TO MY COLLEAGUE'S POINT, DENVER IS SCALING BACK.

HOWEVER, THEY'VE ONLY HAD 40,000 MIGRANTS -- I SAY ONLY. OURS HAVE BEEN PASSING THROUGH, IT'S ABOUT A HALF A MILLION HAVE PASSED THROUGH. DO WE KNOW HOW MANY HAVE STAYED

IN SAN ANTONIO, BY ANY CHANCE? >> HOUSTON: YOU DO HAVE MIGRANTS THAT BYPASS THE MRC AND GO TO MAYBE A FAMILY MEMBER OR OTHER HOST FAMILY.

OF THOSE COMING TO THE MRC, ONLY 1% OF THOSE STAY IN SAN ANTONIO. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, LORI.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF I HAD MISSED THAT. DENVER HAD SET UP SEVEN CITY HOTEL SHELTERS OR PLACES, REALLY, LOCATIONS. AND SO THEY ARE WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO HELP THEM SUBMIT WORK AUTHORIZATION PERMITS. THEY HAD HELPED 600 PEOPLE ALREADY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEY WERE HOPING TO HELP 700 MORE PEOPLE IN TWO WEEKS. AND SO THEY HAD PERMIT CLINICS, WORK PERMIT CLINICS AND I THINK THAT THEY'RE BEING REALLY CREATIVE IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO GIVE THEM ACCESS.

THEY HAD FIVE MORE PLANNED AS OF THE LAST TIME THAT I READ, IT WAS THE COLORADO SUN THIS INFORMATION WAS IN. SO THOSE EFFORTS COMBINED HAVE PREVENTED SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENDED UP HOMELESS OR JUST LIVING IN THE STREETS, FOR INSTANCE.

AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'VE FUNDED MULTIPLE CITY-FUNDED HOTEL ROOMS AS WELL AS IN BUILDINGS AND THAT THEY'RE ALSO FUNDING BUSES TO HAVE THE MIGRANTS TAKE A RIDE ELSEWHERE.

AND SO, HOWEVER, THEIR RESOURCES ARE RUNNING SHORT SO I DO THINK THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO BE CREATIVE. I KNOW COUNCILMAN WHYTE BROUGHT UP DENVER AND SO I APPRECIATE HIM FOR BRINGING IT UP. I DO THINK THEY'RE ALSO BEING CREATIVE SO WE SHOULD PROBABLY WORK TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT IT IS THAT'S WORKING IN OTHER CITIES THAT MAYBE WE HAVEN'T TRIED AS WELL. I ALSO WANTED TO ASK DO WE KNOW IN PARTICULAR IF THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY FACILITY ON SAN PEDRO, ARE WE LOOKING AT OTHER LESS EXPENSIVE

ALTERNATIVES OR MAYBE CITY-OWNED FACILITIES AS A BACKUP? >> WALSH: NO.

BUT AS A BACKUP WE HAVE CONTEMPLATED AND WE HAVEN'T HAD TO DO IT IN THE PAST.

LIKE THIS PAST DECEMBER WHEN IT WAS REALLY COLD AND THERE WERE FOLKS -- ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD GO INTO THE MRC BECAUSE OF THE OCCUPANCY LEVELS. THE ALTERNATIVE WAS A TENT THAT HAS A HEATER AND AIR-CONDITIONING IN IT. WE WERE ABLE TO RESOLVE IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER CITY FACILITY AND WE HAVE MADE NO PLANS NOR HAVE WE SEARCHED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE

[03:40:05]

LOCATION AT THIS POINT. >> GARCIA: I WAS LOOKING AT COST AND SO IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD HELP US? BECAUSE WHILE WE DO NEED A PLAN B, WE ALSO PROBABLY NEED A PLAN C AND D IN THIS CASE. AND SO MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS ALSO NEED TO HAVE PLANS B, C, AND D. I DO HEAR THE CRITICISM ABOUT THE COSA FUNDING AND I APPRECIATE WE'RE BEING TRANSPARENT. MOST OF THE FUNDING, IN MY UNDERSTANDING, HAS GONE TOWARDS TRAVELING SO THAT PEOPLE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY END UP STUCK HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND EVEN THROUGH CATHOLIC CHARITIES. THERE WAS A RESIDENT THAT TURNED HIS AIRBNB PROPERTY INTO A SHELTER. HE WASN'T PROMPTED TO DOING IT.

HE WASN'T ASKED BY ANYONE. HE DID IT OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF HIS HEART.

ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I SUBMITTED A HOUSING CRISIS CCR BACK IN 2022 WAS ALSO TO TRY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, RIGHT? AND SO WHAT RESOURCES DO WE HAVE AVAILABLE? BECAUSE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR TO US THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS LONG TERM. AND THIS IS ALREADY LONG TERM.

AND SO I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT CATHOLIC CHARITIES DOES AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY TRAVELS SAFE. BUT I DO THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER CREATIVE AVENUES AND I'M WONDERING WHAT ARE THOSE CREATIVE AVENUES WE HAVE LOOKED AT AND FAILED OR HAVEN'T BROUGHT TO THE TABLE FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONSIDER.

I GUESS, WHO'S THINKING THESE THINGS UP? WHO'S WORKING ON THIS? IS IT LORI? MEL? WHO IS IT.

>> WALSH: EVERYBODY ON THESE FIRST TWO ROWS AND MARIA AND ME. GO AHEAD, JESSICA.

THERE'S A CONSTANT EFFORT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND HOW WE CAN CONTROL OUR DESTINY

HERE. >> THE MODEL WE'RE USING RIGHT NOW, WE ACTUALLY BUILT ON PRIOR RESPONSE EFFORTS FROM 2016 UP UNTIL 2021. BUT WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH OTHER CITIES. I KNOW DENVER WAS MENTIONED. WE'VE TALKED TO CHICAGO, NEW YORK, AS WELL AS BORDER CITIES TO LOOK AT THEIR PRACTICES AND THEY'RE LEARNING FROM US AS WELL. WE'RE USING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, TWEAK OPERATIONS, AND

LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES WHERE WE CAN. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALSO I KNOW THAT SALLY AND THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM IS HEAVILY INVOLVED.

WERE YOU GOING TO ADD THAT, ERIK? >> WALSH: I WAS GOING TO ADD ANTONIO AND HIS TEAM. IT'S REALLY NOT JUST THE CITY IN TERMS OF THINKING, BUT IN MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE COORDINATING AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS CARING A PRETTY HEAVY BURDEN.

WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM AS WELL. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU.

YES, I LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND I DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. BUT THANK YOU, ANTHONY, FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I KNOW EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE A QUESTION I JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL YOU AND YOU'RE ALWAYS READY TO ANSWER. AND JUST ARE VERY HONEST WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SITUATION, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. WE ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY I THINK HERE TO ENGAGE WITH OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES AND REMIND THEM THAT WE NEED CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FROM THEM TOO. DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEAS.

I WAS IN A MEETING THE OTHER DAY AND SOMEBODY ASKED WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? I SAID, IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS LIKE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY. BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US. OF COURSE ADVOCATING FOR THE ADDITIONAL $58.5 MILLION CONTINUES TO BE CRITICAL. I THINK EVERY TIME ANY ONE OF US SEES ANY OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES, WE ADVOCATE FOR IT AND SO WE ARE NOT ASHAMED TO GO AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

BUT I DO THINK THAT I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT SAPD HAS DONE IN RESPONDING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE TO RESIDENT CONCERNS AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WITH SAPD IF THERE'S ESCALATING CONCERNS. I JUST WANT TO THANK THE NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN SO PATIENT IN THIS AND THEY SEE THAT OUR HANDS ARE TIED AND THEY'RE TRYING THEIR BEST AS WELL BUT IT IS DEFINITELY TIME THAT WE FIGURE OUT AND HAVE A PLAN B, C, AND D FOR US.

THANK YOU, MAYOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO PUT THE WORK INTO THIS PRESENTATION. CHIEF, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BRIEF US. I WANT TO TELL A STORY, COUNCILWOMAN KAUR.

MY PARENTS ARE ALSO IMMIGRANTS AND THEY'RE IMMIGRANTS WHO FLED SOUTH AMERICA IN THE '70S BECAUSE OF THE NARCO WARS AND THE CIVIL WARS AND THE CORRUPTION OF THEIR GOVERNMENTS.

[03:45:03]

AND SO THEY MADE A VERY RATIONAL CHOICE THAT ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM WOULD HAVE ALSO MADE.

AND THAT IS TO GAMBLE ON FINDING A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD RAISE CHILDREN WITHOUT THAT DAILY FEAR OF DEATH AND MURDER. SO AND THEY FOUND THAT PLACE. THEY FOUND IT HERE.

AND SO IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO HEAR A LOT OF THE RHETORIC THAT SOME OF US HAVE MENTIONED.

LORI, REAL SIMPLE QUESTIONS. ARE THESE QUOTE, UNQUOTE ILLEGAL ALIENS OR ARE THEY ASYLUM

SEEKERS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AT THE MRC? >> HOUSTON: THESE INDIVIDUALS

ARE HERE LEGALLY AND THEY'RE SEEKING ASYLUM. >> PELAEZ: WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ASYLEE AND AN UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN WHO IS CROSSING AT UNAUTHORIZED

CROSSING POINTS. >> HOUSTON: THE DIFFERENCE IS THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE HERE LEGALLY. THIS IS A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP AND THAT IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE.

UNDOCUMENTED, THEY DON'T HAVE THE PAPERWORK. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PATHWAY AND THERE IS NO ABILITY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITHIN THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY.

>> PELAEZ: AND WOMEN AND KIDS COMING THROUGH THE MRC, DID THEY BREAK ANY FEDERAL LAWS TO GET

HERE? >> HOUSTON: NO. >> PELAEZ: ANDY, ARE WE A

SANCTUARY CITY? >> SEGOVIA: COUNCILMAN, NO WE ARE NOT.

WE HAVE HAD THAT DEBATE MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE SEEM TO HAVE TO CONTINUE DEBUNKING THAT.

>> SEGOVIA: WE ESTABLISHED, NO, WE'RE NOT. >> PELAEZ: CHIEF MCMANUS, IS THERE ANY REASON, DO YOU HAVE ANY EVIDENCE TO BELIEVE THAT THE MIGRANTS FROM THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER ARE COMING THROUGH AND THEN LEAVING THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER TO BREAK

INTO CARS OR STEAL CARS? >> CHIEF: NO, SIR. >> PELAEZ: DO YOU HAVE ANY EVIDENCE THAT BOLSTERS WHAT I'VE HEARD A LOT, WHICH IS THEY'RE OUT THERE COMMITTING ASSAULTS ON

SAN ANTONIANS. >> CHIEF: NO, SIR. >> PELAEZ: DO YOU HAVE ANY EVIDENCE THAT THEY'RE COMMITTING ROBBERIES OR STEALING PEOPLE'S AMAZON PACKAGES, COMMITTING RAPES OR DRUG FELONIES, ARSONS, OR THE PEOPLE WE FIND AT HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS?

>> CHIEF: NO, SIR. >> PELAEZ: I HAVE TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS AND IT BREAKS MY HEART I HAVE TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH UGLINESS AND MEANNESS AND XENOPHOBIA.

AS THE SON OF AN IMMIGRANT, I CAN TELL YOU IT FEELS EVEN WORSE TO HAVE TO HEAR MY NEIGHBORS UTTER SOME OF THIS UGLINESS. AND IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO BREAK THROUGH THAT NOISE AS POLICYMAKERS UP HERE IN ORDER FOR US TO HAVE A REASONABLE CONVERSATION.

AND SO FAR THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN VERY REASONABLE BUT WE KNOW IT.

THERE'S AGENTS OF CHAOS OUT THERE. MAYOR, YOU USED THAT WORD.

THERE'S AGENTS OF CHAOS OUT THERE WHO MAKE A LIVING FROM STOKING THE FEARS AND THE UGLINESS AND THOSE SENTIMENTS. SO THEY CAN GET THEIR FAVORITE CANDIDATE ELECTED.

THAT'S REALLY THE REASON. AND THEY SAY IT. THEY LITERALLY SAY IT.

I WATCHED A NEWS ARTICLE YESTERDAY WHERE SOME REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN SAID NO, NO, EVEN THOUGH THAT BILL MAY BE A GOOD IDEA, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION A WIN.

THEY SAID THE QUIET PART OUT LOUD. AND THEY WRAP THESE ARGUMENTS, THESE SENTIMENTS ARE IN KEEPING WITH CHRISTIAN VALUES. WE HEARD IT TODAY.

LIKE THEY BRING DISEASE. WE HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE. DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN DR.-- OUR METRO HEALTH DIRECTOR, COLLEEN BRIDGER HAD TO STAND IN FRONT OF CAMERAS AND KISS A BOY FROM HAITI TO REASSURE THE PEOPLE COMING THROUGH SEEKING ASYLUM AREN'T BRINGING EBOLA? WE HAD PEOPLE ON AM RADIO SAYING THEY WERE BRINGING EBOLA. THEY SAY THEY'RE COMING TO RAPE OUR DAUGHTERS, THEY'RE COMING TO STEAL OUR JOBS AND REPLACE WHITE AMERICANS.

WE HEARD IT TODAY. IT'S STRESSFUL AND INTIMIDATING TO BE NEAR PEOPLE WHO SPEAK SPANISH. WHAT? IT'S STRESSFUL, YOU KNOW, TO SEE PEOPLE SITTING ON A CURB THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE ME. I HAVE TO SEE THEM IN MY PARK AND THEY SAY THINGS TO ME IN SPANISH. RIGHT? HERE'S ANOTHER QUOTE. SUFFER ME THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME ON TO ME AND FORBID THEM NOT. UNLESS THEY'RE MIGRANTS, SAID JESUS CHRIST NEVER.

[03:50:01]

IF THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS WOULD COME HERE AND SEE AND LISTEN TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE AND REALIZING THAT THEY'RE PUTTING SAN ANTONIO IN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, HOPEFULLY REASONABLE PEOPLE WOULD SIGN A DOCUMENT SAYING WE'RE FIXING IT. AND ACTUALLY FIX IT BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BECAUSE IT'S MORE INTERESTING, MORE FUN, IT MAKES YOU MORE MONEY, IT GETS YOUR GUY ELECTED IF YOU CAN GET ON THE MORNING SHOWS ON SUNDAY POINT AT EACH OTHER AND CALL EACH OTHER NAMES. AND THERE'S NO INTEREST IN FIXING IT.

THERE'S NONE. BECAUSE THEN THERE'S NOTHING TO FIGHT ABOUT.

SO IT LEAVES US HAVING TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, POOR BATTERED SAN ANTONIO WHO DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO MEET ALL OF OUR NEEDS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH 100% OF OUR EXISTING HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THE VERY, VERY URGENT AND SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE CITY. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO HELP, YOU KNOW, THE COUNCILWOMAN ROCHA GARCIA'S FATHER WITH INSULIN. WE DON'T AND WE SHOULD.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO FEED PEOPLE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, DYING OF HUNGER IN THIS VERY CITY. AND WE'RE BEING ASKED AND BEING WARNED AND THEY'RE TELEGRAPHING IT. GUYS, WE MAY NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO, YOU KNOW, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. YOU SHOULD BE MAD. IF YOU'RE HEARING IT IN MY VOICE, YOU SHOULD BE MAD. IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE YOUR 11 COUNCIL MEMBERS UP THERE CALLING CONGRESS AND SAYING DO SOMETHING. IT SHOULD BE ALL OF YOU.

AND ELECTIONS MATTER. ELECTIONS MATTER. I DO THINK IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY SERIOUS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WE SEE A REALLY BRAVE CONGRESSMAN IN TONY GONZALES SAYING I'M NOT HERE TO PLAY THE BLAME GAME. BOTH PARTIES ARE DOING SOMETHING REALLY HORRIBLE. LET'S FIX THIS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? HE'S GETTING PUNISHED FOR IT. HE'S GETTING PUNISHED FOR IT BECAUSE WHAT RULES THE DAY TODAY IS THE UGLINESS AND THE XENOPHOBIA. THANKFULLY THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAIS. I HATE TO TELL SAN ANTONIANS WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TRIAGE, FEED, HOUSE, SHELTER, MEDICALLY TREAT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING IN FROM THESE VERY VULNERABLE, DESTABILIZED COUNTRIES. DON'T GET ME STARTED ON WHY THEY'RE DESTABILIZED. ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MONROE DOCTRINE AND HOW WE AS A COUNTRY HAVE SPENT 200 YEARS INTENTIONALLY DESTABILIZING THESE COUNTRIES SO WE CAN HAVE CHEAP ADVOCATES, FRUIT, AND CHEAP MANUFACTURED CARS .

DON'T GET ME STARTED. BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS WE HAVE TO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL AS ONE COLLECTIVE VOICE IN THIS CITY TO D.C. THIS IS YOUR FAULT. FIX IT. RIGHT? AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE COULD HAVE THAT DEBATE TODAY, SHOULD WE USE GENERAL FUNDS. SHOULD WE BE CREATIVE, GET MONEY FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I THINK WE WOULD BE PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS OR REARRANGING THE CHAIRS ON THE TITANIC.

AND THAT MONEY IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO COME FROM. I HOPE THAT WE HAVE MORE MEETINGS ABOUT THIS.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT FRUSTRATES ME IS THIS WAS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE. IT'S OKAY. WE DISSOLVED IT BUT WE SHOULD BE HAVING MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF OUR WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA -- SORRY, OUR MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA CONVERSATION.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE'VE HAD A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA CONVERSATION, ERIK.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT CANNOT JUST SIMPLY BE THAT CITY COUNCIL IS BRIEFED ONE TIME ON THIS IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC. WE SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC BY WAY OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AND WE'RE DOING GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BEHIND THE CURTAIN. THAT'S NOT COOL.

ANYWAY, I'M FURIOUS. I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW THE SOLUTION BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT IT'S BROKEN AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT ARE DOING

[03:55:02]

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

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

I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN PELAEZ THAT I'M GLAD WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION PROACTIVELY AND MAKING A PLAN IN CASE WE DO NOT GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING. MY TEAM ALSO VISITED THE MRC LAST DECEMBER AND WAS STATED IN THE PRESENTATION THE WORK IS IMPRESSIVE.

IT IS A CLEAN, SAFE SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO PASS THROUGH OUR CITY. THIS IS DUE TO THE AMAZING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CATHOLIC CHARITIES, THE FOOD BANK, AND OTHERS.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN KAUR FOR SHARING HER OWN STORY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENSURE THAT WE RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING AND THAT AN ISSUE THAT IS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION DOES NOT BECOME A LOCAL ISSUE THAT WE'RE CHARGED WITH ADDRESSING?

I KNOW THAT'S A LOADED QUESTION. >>> WALSH: I THINK IT'S WHAT COUNCILMAN PELAEZ SAID AND I THINK IT'S THE CONTINUED CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY AND AS AN ORGANIZATION, AS AN ELECTED BODY TO IMPRESS UPON THOSE THAT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE LOCAL IMPACTS. AND NOT UNLIKE -- COUNCILWOMAN, I READ A LETTER THAT A SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA SENT TO FEMA AND HOMELAND SECURITY ON BEHALF OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SAN DIEGO. AND YOU COULD HAVE REPLACED SAN DIEGO WITH SAN ANTONIO AND IT'S THE EXACT SAME THING. I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

>> GAVITO: OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT, ERIK. DO WE KNOW HOW MANY MIGRANTS ARE IN OUR FELLOW CITIES, TEXAS CITIES WITH MAJOR AIRPORTS SUCH AS LIKE DALLAS, HOUSTON, AUSTIN?

>> SO THEY DON'T RECEIVE DIRECT MIGRANT ARRIVALS FROM THE BORDER OR FROM NONPROFIT AND IT'S PRIMARILY THE PROXIMITY TO THE BORDER THAT PREVENTS THAT. WE'RE THE CLOSEST, NEAREST MAJOR TRANSPORTATION HUB. I WILL SAY THAT HOUSTON, DALLAS -- HOUSTON AND DALLAS PRIMARILY ARE TOP DESTINATION CITIES SO THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT LEAVE SAN ANTONIO THAT END

UP IN HOUSTON AND DALLAS. >> GAVITO: AUSTIN DOING ANYTHING?

>> THEY'RE NOT RECEIVING THE VOLUME OF ARRIVALS THAT WE SEE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

>> GAVITO: THAT'S INTERESTING. >> WALSH: COUNCILWOMAN, OVERALL AS THE AIRPORT DIRECTORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE MET TO DISCUSS RELATED AVIATION ISSUES, THIS ISSUE IS A TOP ISSUE THAT A

LOT OF AIRPORTS ARE DEALING WITH. >> GAVITO: YEAH.

YEAH, I THINK IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT AUSTIN'S MAJOR AIRPORT BUT THEY'RE NOT DOING TOO MUCH IN THAT REGARD. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF WE DO RUN OUT OF FEDERAL FUNDS IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER AND THAT WE HAVE TO POTENTIALLY TAP INTO CITY FUNDS HOW WE'RE GOING TO PRIORITIZE ALL OF THAT. WE AEB ALL KNOW WE HAVE SO MUCH NEED HERE IN OUR CITY. LAST WEEK THE SAN ANTONIO REPORT PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE THAT 250,000 RESIDENTS STILL LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF NEED IN THE CITY. REGARDING POTENTIAL CONTINGENCY PLANS ON SLIDE 13, I DO NOT LIKE OR SUPPORT THE IDEA OF CANCELING ARPA-FUNDED PROGRAMS AND THE IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON THE PEOPLE OR ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED. TO ME THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.

IT'S NOT FAIR OR ETHICAL FOR US TO BACKTRACK ON FUNDING THAT WE HAVE ALREADY PROMISED.

I AM CURIOUS THOUGH ABOUT THE FEMA RESERVE. HOW MUCH MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO

US FROM THE FEMA RESERVE? >> VILLAGOMEZ: COUNCILWOMAN, THAT RESERVE HAS $14 MILLION AND THAT IS FUNDING THAT WE ARE RESERVING IN THE EVENT THAT FEMA DOESN'T REIMBURSE US FOR EFFORTS

THAT WE DID DURING STORM URI AND OUR RESPONSE TO COVID. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MARIA.

THAT'S HELPFUL. I WANT TO ALSO ECHO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN KAUR SAID.

IF SIGNING A RESOLUTION TO DEMAND FEDERAL FUNDS CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, THEN I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AS WELL. THAT'S ALL THE COMMENTS I HAVE. THANK YOU.

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.

[04:00:02]

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE AND I JUST WANT TO START BY SAYING WE SHOULD REALLY WATCH OUR RHETORIC MOVING FORWARD FROM THIS POINT ON BECAUSE I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE'RE WALKING A LINE WHERE IT'S U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DACA IN SAN ANTONIO. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEKING CITIZENSHIP FROM MEXICO AND I'M JUST -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEING ON VIDEO BUT WHAT I'M HEARING IS IT'S PUSHING A LINE THAT WE NEED TO WATCH. I AGREE WITH ERIK THAT WE CAN DO OUR PART BUT IF WE DON'T GET A COORDINATED EFFORT WITH THOSE PARTNERS AND WITH THOSE COMING FROM THE VALLEY AND THE STATE, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE FOR NOTHING SO WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. WHAT I'M NOT HEARING IS PLAN BS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I THINK WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, ERIK AND CHIEF IS IF WE DID ABANDON THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER, WHICH I THINK IS AN AWFUL IDEA, WHAT WOULD THAT DO IN TERMS OF IMPACTING THE CITY? WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES WOULD THAT BE ON OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH AND CODE.

IF THEY START RENTING OUT PLACES THAT ARE NOT RENTABLE AND ALSO IF WE HAVE MORE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS COMING UP, IF WE DON'T HAVE A MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

I DO APPRECIATE THE NEIGHBORS THAT CAME OUT AND SPOKE. I THINK -- I KNOW DR. KAUR, THE COUNCILWOMAN IS GOING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AND SEE IF WE CAN GET AN ORGANIZATION TO KIND OF, IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE HERE LONG TERM AT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER OR OVER A WEEK OR TWO THAT WE NEED TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THESE ARE THE RULES AND THESE ARE OUR RULES IN SAN ANTONIO AND KIND OF START WITH THAT ACCULTURATION.

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT HERE. WE HAVE CROSSWALKS. WE WAIT IN LINE FOR THE BATHROOM. WE'RE RESPECTFUL OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S PART OF IT. I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WE HAVE BEEN TAKING IN REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. WE ARE COMPASSIONATE.

WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR SOMEONE ASKS CAN -- WE HAD THE KURDISH COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE COMMUNITIES ALL OUT THAT HAVE COME AS REFUGEES AND HAVE BECOME PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THAT THIS IS A CRISIS THAT HAS BEEN POLITICIZED.

THAT THE RHETORIC IS NOT GOING TO STOP, AS MUCH AS PEOPLE WANT TO SAY IT SHOULD.

WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION. BUT AS LONG AS IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE THROUGH THIS. SO I THINK WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT THE CONSEQUENCES IF WE CLOSE DOWN THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER, IF WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT SOME OF THEM -- THAT SOME OF THE ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE GOING TO WANT TO STAY HERE, WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THAT.

OF COURSE NOBODY WANTS TO LOOK AT GENERAL FUNDS AND WE WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO THEIR PART. WE WANT THE STATE TO DO THEIR PART TOO.

BUT WE HAVE TO DO THAT IN A COORDINATED EFFORT AND WORK WITH OUR OTHER CITIES AND OUR BORDER CITIES TO THE SOUTH THAT ARE FEELING THE IMPACT. WE ALSO PROBABLY NEED TO TALK TO CHICAGO AND NEW YORK AND PARTS OF CALIFORNIA THAT ARE HERE STRUGGLING THERE.

WE HAVE TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET THIS DONE.

SO WHAT I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE, ERIK, IS REALLY IF SOME OF THE COUNCIL IS SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER, THAT WE LOOK AT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT ON OUR CITY SERVICES. AND THE OTHER THING IS WE'RE LOOKING FOR OTHER FUNDING -- AND I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE RESERVES BUT ALSO, ANDY, YOU CAN STOP ME IF I NEED TO.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT LEGALLY CHALLENGING THIS -- WE HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO HELP US IF WE NEED TO LEGALLY LOOK TO GET THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. I KNOW WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN BUT I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE TOPIC AT HAND, WHICH IS THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. AND LOOKING AT SOLUTIONS THERE. AND UNDERSTANDING THAT IF WE

[04:05:07]

SO I'M ASKING FOR IF IT'S SHUT DOWN WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES. THEY'RE GOING TO GO BY THE AIRPORT OR THE BUS STATION. THAT'S WHERE THE ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE GOING TO STAY.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. AND THE OTHER IS THE DOLLARS THAT ARE POSSIBLY THERE, HOW CAN WE GET THEM AND IF WE NEED TO GET THEM THROUGH A LAWSUIT. WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION TOO. I JUST HOPE -- I THINK THE NEIGHBORS THAT CAME AND SPOKE FOR THEIR PATIENCE AND I HOPE WE CAN GET A GROUP OUT THERE TO KIND OF EXPLAIN OUR RULES AND OUR ORDINANCES IN SAN ANTONIO SO THAT THEY'RE NOT CROSSING AGAINST THE LIGHT AND THEY'RE NOT APPROACHING YOU AT YOUR HOME. SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR

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

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

I WANT TO AGREE WITH WHAT SEVERAL PEOPLE SAID THIS AFTERNOON AND THAT IS I TOO DO NOT WANT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. THEY ARE THE ONES IN CHARGE OF IMMIGRATION.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY NEED TO GO AHEAD AND SOLVE THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM BUT UNTIL THEY DO THEY NEED TO PAY FOR WHAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON US HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING AND THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO.

I WANTED TO ASK THE CHIEF, IF HE'S STILL HERE, A QUESTION OR TWO.

WE HEARD WHAT I THOUGHT WERE KIND OF CONCERNING FIGURES ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE OF ANY CITY GOVERNMENT.

IT'S OUR JOB TO PROTECT THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I UNDERSTOOD THAT WE'RE 200 OFFICERS SHORT AND THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VEHICLES FOR OUR PATROL AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I'M WONDERING DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE'RE AT RISK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS QUOTED A MINUTE OR TWO AGO.

OR A LITTLE WHILE AGO. >> VILLAGOMEZ: COUNCILMAN, IF YOU'RE OKAY IF I ADDRESS THOSE TWO QUESTIONS WHILE THE CHIEF MAKES HIS WAY BACK TO THE CHAMBERS.

WE DEVELOPED A STUDY OF STAFFING 360 POLICE OFFICERS. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED 100 TO BE ADDED IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET SO THERE'S A BALANCE OF 260 OFFICERS THAT WE HAD DISCUSSIONS TO BE ADDED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THOSE ARE THE OFFICERS THAT WE'RE PLANNING TO ADD. THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING VERY HARD TO FILL THE POSITIONS THAT WE'RE ADDING SO WE FEEL THAT IS ADEQUATE TO ADD THOSE POSITIONS IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS TO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS ACCORDINGLY. IN TERMS OF VEHICLES, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND MYSELF ADDITIONAL VEHICLES THAT WERE NEEDED TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY.

AND WE ADDED ROUGHLY ABOUT 12 TO 15 VEHICLES IN THE 2024 BUDGET TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE.

THOSE VEHICLES ARE ON ORDER. AS YOU KNOW THERE'S A SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE BUT WE HOPE TO BE

ABLE TO GET THOSE VEHICLES SOON. >> COURAGE: LET ME ASK THE CHIEF, SINCE HE'S BACK.

CHIEF, WOULD YOU SAY THAT WITHOUT THOSE EXTRA 260 OFFICERS COMING IN THE PIPELINE OR BECAUSE WE'RE SHORT ON VEHICLES THAT THE PUBLIC IS ANY MORE AT RISK TODAY THAN THEY WERE LAST

YEAR OR WILL BE NEXT YEAR? >> CHIEF: NO, SIR. >> COURAGE: OKAY.

YOU ALSO SAID THAT YOU FOUND THAT CRIME IS DOWN IN SAN ANTONIO, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> CHIEF: VIOLENT CRIME. >> COURAGE: VIOLENT CRIME. YOU SAID THAT YOU DIDN'T HEAR THE ISSUES THAT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE BROUGHT UP ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ON SAFETY AROUND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR THE MRC. IT HASN'T GOTTEN TO YOUR DESK YET, RIGHT?

>> CHIEF: SAY THAT AGAIN. >> COURAGE: WE HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD BUT YOU SAID THAT HADN'T COME ACROSS YOUR DESK

YET. >> CHIEF: NO, SIR. >> COURAGE: AND SO BASICALLY

THE MRC, THE AREA AROUND THERE, IN YOUR OPINION, IS SAFE? >> CHIEF: YES, SIR.

>> COURAGE: I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE I THINK SOMEBODY SAID CAN WE MOVE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPRACTICAL. I DON'T THINK WE CAN MOVE IT.

I THINK IT'S WHERE IT IS AND I THINK IT SHOULD STAY THERE. BUT I THINK, AS I SAID BEFORE YOU STEPPED BACK IN, PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE CONCERN.

AND DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE PUBLIC IS SAFE IN AND AROUND THAT AREA? >> CHIEF: THE ISSUES THAT I

[04:10:07]

>> COURAGE: THANKS, CHIEF. YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S -- THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND AND I WANTED TO REITERATE THAT. WE HEARD SOME WORRISOME STORIES ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN DENVER AND THEY'RE HAVING TO CUT SERVICES OR AURORA PASSED A RESOLUTION AGAINST IMMIGRATION OR COLORADO SPRINGS PASSED AN ORDINANCE SAYING WE WON'T SPEND OUR TAXPAYER MONEY ON IMMIGRATION. WELL, EVERY CITY HAS ITS OWN WAY OF DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION.

WE HAVE OUR WAY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND IT IS WORKING. IT IS WORKING BECAUSE IT'S A PARTNERSHIP. IT'S BECAUSE WE PLANNED IT OUT VERY WELL.

IT'S BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTING ITS RESPONSIBILITY AND A LOT OF GREAT ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS CITY HAVE TAKEN ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE THE MRC IS WORKING AND THAT IT'S SERVING THE COMMUNITY THAT IS COMING THROUGH SAN ANTONIO.

YOU HEARD US SAY ONLY MAYBE 1% OF 600,000 PEOPLE HAVE STAYED IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND SO I THINK THAT IT'S WORKING. IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK.

AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT RHETORIC GOING AROUND, YOU KNOW, RHETORIC, WELL, THAT ALL STARTS WITH EACH OF US. WE DON'T NEED TO BE SAYING A LOT ABOUT THE SITUATION OTHER THAN WHAT ARE OUR ALTERNATIVES TO MAKE SURE IT CONTINUES TO WORK. AND I THINK WE NEED TO REMEMBER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HELPING HUMAN BEINGS. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A BETTER WAY FOR THEIR LIVES. THEY'RE ASKING FOR ASYLUM.

THEY MAY NOT GET IT. THEY MAY BE HERE FOR A WHILE AND THEY MAY HAVE TO LEAVE.

THAT'S ALL ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OUR ROLE IS JUST TO PROVIDE THAT WAY THROUGH TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO. AND I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN OBLIGATED FOR AND THE MONEY THAT WE'VE GOTTEN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW, SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SPEND $75 MILLION A YEAR ON 3,000 HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT WE KEEP COMING UP WITH ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE AND THIS COMMUNITY SPENDS $75 MILLION OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THOSE 3,000. AND WE HAVE NO SOLUTION FOR THAT.

WE KEEP HAVING 3,000 A YEAR EVERY YEAR AND KEEP SPENDING $75 MILLION TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. WITHOUT THE MRC, WHICH HAS HAD OVER 600,000 ASYLUM SEEKERS GOING THROUGH SAN ANTONIO OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WHERE WOULD WE BE? HOW MUCH WOULD IT HAVE COST US IF WE HAD TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WITHOUT AN MRC, WALL ALL OVER OUR CITY TRYING TO FIND A WAY OUT OR TRYING TO FIND A WAY THROUGH? AND IT WAS OUR INGENUITY IN DETERMINING HOW WE COULD DEAL WITH THAT THAT HAS MADE IT SOMETHING THAT IS WORKING. AND, YES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS OUR MAIN PARTNER FINANCIALLY.

BUT IT MAY END UP BEING UP TO US. THE MRC IS ACTUALLY SAVING THE CITY PROBABLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS BECAUSE WE PUT IT UP AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS. BUT IF THE FEDERAL MONEY DRIES UP IT'S UP TO US TO DEAL WITH IT AND THAT MAY VERY WELL MEAN TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

BECAUSE EVEN IF WE CAN'T RUN THE MRC ANYMORE, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE MAYBE 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 PEOPLE COMING THROUGH OUR CITY. AND WITHOUT US TO HELP GUIDE THEM THROUGH, THEY'LL BE WANDERING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IT WILL COST US A HECK OF A LOT MORE MONEY THAN WHAT WE MAY HAVE TO INVEST TO KEEP IT GOING FOR UP TO A MILLION DOLLARS A MONTH.

HEAVEN HELP US WE'LL NEVER HAVE TO DO THAT BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO BE REASONABLE ABOUT CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THIS CENTER AND CONTINUING TO HELP THESE HUMAN BEINGS MOVE ON WITH

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

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. LET ME FIRST SAY THAT MY BRAND OF GOOD IS CHAOS. I BELIEVE CHAOS CAN AND SHOULD BE USED AS AN AGENT OF POSITIVE

[04:15:02]

WHAT WE'RE SEEING ARE STRATEGIC EFFORTS OF HATE, STOKING FEAR AS WELL AS THE DELIBERATE PLACEMENT OF OBSTACLES FOR CITIES LIKE OURS. THERE ARE OF COURSE SEVERAL DIFFERENT AUDIENCES THAT WE'RE SPEAKING TO TODAY AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS THE COMMUNITY WANTS US TO MOVE INTO AND THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO VIEW THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

THERE'S THOSE WHO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED A MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER AND OUR CONCERN THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PLAN FOR WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE THE ASSISTANCE WE NEED AND EXPECT IN ORDER TO KEEP IT RUNNING.

THERE'S THOSE WHO KNOW WE NEED ONE BUT FEEL THAT A NEIGHBORHOOD MAY NOT BE THE BEST PLACE FOR IT, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE CONCERN FOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND THE IMPACTS ON SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. AND THERE'S THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT NO PUBLIC DOLLARS, FEDERAL OR OTHERWISE, SHOULD BE USED TO SUPPORT MIGRANTS OR MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. I'LL START THERE. I HAVE A MESSAGE THAT I HOPE YOU AND ESPECIALLY MY COLLEAGUES RECEIVE WELL AND I HOPE IT ADDS A NEW LENS TO VIEW THE PROBLEM WITH. THERE'S THIS IDEA AMONG SOME FOLK IN THE COMMUNITY, MANY WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING, WHERE MANY RECEIVE THE MESSAGE AND APPLY IT TO THEIR DAILY LIFE AND THE WAY THEY VIEW PROBLEMS BEFORE THEM. SOME MAINTAIN BELIEFS THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THOSE TEACHINGS AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO AFTER WEEK AND WEEK AND WEEK AFTER GOING TO SERVICE. THE IDEA IS SOMEHOW IF SOMEONE IS NOT BORN HERE, IF SOMEONE IS A MIGRANT OR AN IMMIGRANT THEN ANY USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD BE OBJECTED TO.

I HEAR SO MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES EMPHASIZING AND STRESSING THE POINT AND HOPING THAT THE MEDIA MENTIONS IT IN THE STORIES THEY'LL SHARE AND THAT THAT WILL APPEASE PEOPLE WHO DESPISE THE EXISTENCE OF THE CENTER EITHER WAY. THAT ZERO DOLLARS OF YOUR LOCAL TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO SUPPORT MIGRANTS ARRIVING IN OUR CITY. THE BIBLE STATES THAT GOD LOVES THE FOREIGNER RESIDING AMONG YOU. HE DID NOT DESIGNATE ANY HUMAN LEGAL OR ILLEGAL. HE DIRECTS US TO GIVE THEM FOOD AND CLOTHING TO SHOW THEM GOD'S LOVE. IT YOU DO YOU TO LEAVE THE EXCESS FRUITS OF YOUR HARVEST BEHIND FOR THE POOR OR FOREIGN. WHEN A FOREIGNER RESIDES IN YOUR LAND TO TREAT THEM AS YOUR OWN.

IN THIS CASE WE AREN'T BEING ASKED TO GIVE THEM THE CLOTHES OFF OUR BACK OR FOOD OFF OUR PLATE. WE ARE BEING ASKED TO HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN GO, TO HAVE SOME LEVEL OF CERTAINTY THAT THEY WILL BE SAFE. IF WE SAT HERE TWIDDLING OUR THUMBS AS HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, HUMAN BEINGS, ARRIVE AND WE DID NOTHING, THE ISSUE AND PROBLEM WOULD STILL EXIST. PEOPLE WOULD BE HERE, THEY WOULD BE SLEEPING IN THE AIRPORT IN THE COLD AND THE HEAT AND THE QUESTION WOULD BE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.

THE QUESTION YOUR CONSTITUENTS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WOULD BE ASKING IS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? AND THERE IS A COGNITIVE DISSONANCE HERE THAT THREAD BETWEEN THESE ISSUES. WE ARE TOLD TO SPEND LESS MONEY ON HOMELESSNESS BUT TO DO MORE TO RESPOND TO IT. WE ARE TOLD TO HELP SAN ANTONIANS BUT NOT TO INVEST IN SOCIAL PROGRAMS OR DO TOO MUCH FOR THE POOR AND THAT THEY SHOULD PICK THEMSELVES UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS. IT WOULD BE AN ISSUE FOR OUR BODY TO ADDRESS WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS, SHOULD WE HAVE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE FIRST PLACE TO RECEIVE FUNDING. WE HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS TO MAKE RICH DEVELOPERS RICHER. WE HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DEFENDING THE BAD APPLES OF SAPD. WE HAVE SPENT MILLIONS ON STUDY AFTER STUDY SO WE CAN IGNORE BEST PRACTICES. THE REALITY IS THERE NEEDS TO BE A MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

WE DO NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE CENTER OR CEASING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARTNERS HELPING TO PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES AND SERVICES ALONGSIDE US.

WE WOULD BE DROPPING THE BALL IN SUCH AN EGREGIOUS WAY. I HEAR I IMPLORE Y'ALL TO REALIZE THAT IF WE WERE, IT WOULDN'T BE A BAD THING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEEDS, WHETHER IT'S ANIMAL CRISIS, THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THE HOUSING CRISIS, THE INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS, THE CLIMATE CRISIS. WE NEED TO AFFIRM TO OUR COMMUNITIES WHATEVER THE HELL OUR STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS OR IS NOT GOING TO DO TO SUPPORT US ON, THAT WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS IT WITH IF WE NEED TO SPEND GENERAL FUND DOLLARS AND WE DO, 120 YEARS FROM NOW I WILL HAVE BEEN PROUD TO NOT COWER FROM THE ISSUE AND PROUD WE ROSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD WE NOT MET THE MOMENT.

WITH THAT AFFIRMATION, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THE CONCERNS OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO SPOKE TODAY ARE VALID. I JUST SAID WE ARE OBLIGATED TO IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS WITH

[04:20:05]

THINK WE HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT. >> WALSH: SO COUNCILMAN,

WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: SO MY QUESTION IS WHEN CAN WE EXPECT A PUBLIC UPDATE ON THE EXPLORATION OF OTHER FACILITIES, OTHER TYPES OF PARTNERSHIPS AND OUR PLAN TO MAKE THE FACILITY -- OR WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE THE FACILITY AS EFFECTIVE AS THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS IT TO BE AND TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES

THAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE JUST EXPRESSED. >> WALSH: SO WITH WE'RE NOT GOING TO WORK ON THAT UNLESS WE GET DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL, FROM THE ENTIRE

COUNCIL. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: OKAY, SO IF WE ARE RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE PROVIDING US THIS UPDATE AND THE CONVERSATION WE'RE KIND OF HAVING A LITTLE BIT IS WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND GENERAL FUND DOLLARS ON IT, TALKING ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS, LARGELY THE REASON WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IS FOR TRANSPARENCY PURPOSES. WE ARE DOING SO WITHOUT ANY INTENTION -- IT'S OKAY.

I'M SURE WE'LL GET TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AGAIN. >> WALSH: I THINK THE GOOD PART ABOUT THIS, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY HELPFUL CONVERSATION SO OBVIOUSLY FUTURE UPDATES, BUT IN TERMS OF SPENDING LOCAL DOLLARS OR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS OR CITY DOLLARS OR A DIFFERENT FACILITY, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT ANY OTHER SITES. IF THAT'S SOMETHING THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE US TO DO,

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE ENTIRE COUNCIL. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: BECAUSE WE HEAR THAT CONSTANTLY, I THINK ALL OF US HAVE HEARD IT, I AM GOING TO LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU HEARD TODAY FROM EACH OF US AND WHAT YOUR TAKE-AWAY IS. I'M GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTED IN THAT, BUT I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT, ONE -- WE NEED TO KNOW THERE'S THREE OPTIONS. WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF THE FACILITY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE PROVIDING ANY SUPPORT TO IT. WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN THAT FACILITY IN WHICH CASE WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT HAVE PERSISTED FOR THESE PAST FEW YEARS, OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK FOR A NEW FACILITY. IN ORDER FOR US TO ALL GIVE DIRECTION IN THE FUTURE ON THAT WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE

FISCALLY AND RESOURCE-WISE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> WALSH: AGREED.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH COUNCIL. I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE

MY TAKE-AWAYS AT THE CONCLUSION. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: SOUNDS

GOOD. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO THANK CITY STAFF AND ALL THE COSA DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE HELPED MOVE THIS INITIATIVE FORWARD WITH THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

MY TEAM AND I HAD RECEIVED AN INCREASE WALKING US THROUGH AND WHAT WE SAW WAS A WELL STREAMLINED PROCESS OF FOLKS GETTING TO AND FROM POINT A TO POINT B, NOT JUST WITHIN THE MRC BUT TO THEIR DESTINATION CITY. I BELIEVE THE MAYOR POSED AN IMPORTANT QUESTION, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE. WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY AND A FACILITY TO GET FOLKS TO THEIR DESTINATION CITY. THE ALTERNATIVE IS FOLKS ARE WANDERING AROUND WITH NO DIRECTION. WE'VE HAD SOME CONSTITUENTS COME TO OUR OFFICE WITH SOME OF THEIR PAPERWORK AND IT'S ALL IN ENGLISH, SO WE HAD TO

[04:25:03]

AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE LACK IN THAT BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, SO ON AND SO FORTH. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE IMMIGRATION PIECE THAT WE NEED TO HOLD LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABLE FOR, BUT SO MANY OTHER FACETS AND WHERE WE'RE SEEING LAG IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO PARTICULARLY IN HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE. AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO NOT SUPPORT THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. IT'S PIVOTAL ENSURING FOLKS GET TO THEIR DESTINATION CITY. THE QUESTION I HAVE, ERIK, WHAT IS CONVERSATIONS, WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE WITH THE COUNTY? WE KNOW 80% OF THE CITY IS THE COUNTY SO ARE THEY CONTRIBUTING ANYTHING OR WILLING TO HELP SUPPORT BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS IN SUSTAINING THE

MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER? >> WALSH: COUNCILWOMAN, THE COUNTY ENGAGED NOR IS PARTICIPATING IN ANY EFFORTS -- ACTUALLY GOING BACK TO 2016 AND THE EARLIER SLIDE. AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD CERTAINLY ENGAGE THEM ON, BUT THEY'VE NOT BEEN PART OF ANY OF THOSE EFFORTS.

>> CASTILLO: I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ALLOWING AND FACILITATING THE TRANSPORTATION OF FOLKS TO THEIR DESTINATION CITIES. AGAIN, JUST EMPHASIZING THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PUSH AND PULL FACTORS WHEN IT COMES TO REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS AND EVERY OTHER TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL THAT IS PUSHED TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. AND THAT INDEED THOSE INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN ISSUES ARE LOCAL ISSUES BECAUSE AS MUCH AS WE WANT TO PUT OUR HEADS IN THE SAND AND SAY THAT THE MASS DISPLACEMENT OF INDIVIDUALS IS NOT A LOCAL ISSUE, HERE WE ARE TRYING TO FIND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SUPPORT A MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER. SO THEY ARE INTERCONNECTED AND WE CAN'T SEPARATE THE TWO. BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS DONE IN SUSTAINING THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, NOT FUNDING THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER IS NOT AN OPTION.

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

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. BEFORE I START, CHIEF, CAN WE JUST CLARIFY SOMETHING? MARIA SAID THE PLAN IS ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED OFFICERS TO GET IN THE BUDGET OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

DO WE NEED THOSE OFFICERS OR NOT? >> CHIEF MCMANUS: WE DO

NEED THOSE OFFICERS ON PATROL, YES. >> WHYTE: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. JOHN'S QUESTION CLEARLY HAD ME CONFUSED, BUT THANK YOU FOR SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT. ON THAT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE -- FIRST OF ALL, I'M GOING TO START WITH TERI, COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING ALL OF THESE THINGS WORLDWIDE, AND WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS A LOT OF OUR MONEY HERE AT HOME. SO I'M IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH THAT.

AND I'M ALSO IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR STATEMENT REGARDING THE COUNTY.

THIS IS YET ANOTHER AREA, RIGHT, WHERE SOME -- THIS IS YET ANOTHER AREA WHERE SOME WORK WITH THE COUNTY WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO SOLVING ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS. AND SO I DEFINITELY THINK WE SHOULD DO THAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS PER MULTIPLE NATIONAL NEWS REPORTS WAS CONSIDERING STOPPING FOLKS WHO COME ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY FROM CLAIMING ASYLUM. AND I BRING THAT UP TO SAY THAT YES, WE HAVE TO HAVE

[04:30:11]

EVEN HE WAS CONSIDERING STOPPING FOLKS WHO COME ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY FROM CLAIMING ASYLUM. THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM ON OUR HANDS AT THE BORDER. ONE THAT IS GREATLY AFFECTING SAN ANTONIO AND WILL CONTINUE TO. EARLIER COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ ASKED ABOUT IF ANY OF THESE FOLKS IN THE MRC HAD COMMITTED A FEDERAL CRIME. IT IS A FEDERAL CRIME TO COME ACROSS TO BOARDER ILLEGALLY. YOU CAN COME ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY, STILL APPLY FOR ASYLUM AND GET YOUR PAPERS AND BE IN THE COUNTRY LEGALLY, BUT YOU'VE STILL COMMITTED A FEDERAL CRIME IF YOU COME ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY. AND HAVE SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE MADE THEIR WAY TO THE MRC? I THINK THE ANSWER WAS NO, BUT I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ALL LATER ON THAT BECAUSE IF THE ANSWER IS NO, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW AS A CITY WE KNOW THAT. BECAUSE MY GUESS IS THAT THERE'S PLENTY OF FOLKS THAT HAVE COME ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY AND HAVE GOTTEN THEIR ASYLUM PAPERS AND THEN STILL MADE THEIR WAY TO THE MRC. I DO THINK WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ON THAT. WHAT CAN WE DO? WELL, WE HEARD EARLIER THAT HOUSTON AND DALLAS ARE TOP DESTINATION CITIES FOR THESE MIGRANTS THAT ARE COMING HERE. WELL, WHY CAN THE BUSES NOT THEN TAKE A LOT OF THESE FOLKS THROUGH HERE AND ON TO HOUSTON AND DALLAS? RIGHT? IS IT NECESSARY FOR THEM TO STOP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO? I MEAN THIS IS REALLY THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM. AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, RIGHT? AND HOW THE MIGRANT NETWORK IS PRETTY SOPHISTICATED WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNICATIONS.

AND IF THEY GET THE MESSAGE THAT, YOU KNOW, SAN ANTONIO IS NOT GOING TO -- YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO PLACE, NO MRC FOR THEM TO POTENTIALLY GOOD, THAT COULD HELP STOP OR SLOW THE FLOW OF FOLKS COMING HERE. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, BY DOING THAT WE CAN PREVENT OURSELVES FROM HAVING TO USE OUR CITY DOLLARS ON THIS.

AND SO I'M GLAD WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION TODAY. SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS UP HERE I THINK ANSWERED THE QUESTION ON WHETHER THEY THINK WE SHOULD SPEND CITY DOLLARS ON THIS, BUT I THINK WE'VE GOT TO FLESH THIS OUT FURTHER BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO. WE ALL AGREE ON THAT.

BUT WE NEED TO BE REAL CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT FOR THE PUBLIC, TRANSPARENCY IS CRITICAL. IF THIS CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO VOTE TO SPEND OUR CITY TAX DOLLARS OR SPEND OUR CITY TAX DOLLARS ON THIS MIGRANT CRISIS, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW EACH AND EVERY AREA WHERE WE ARE SPENDING THAT MONEY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: I HOPE WE DO NOT

DO THAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANKHA YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR THIS DISCUSSION, FOR ALL THE INSIDES YOU HAVE PROVIDED.

I WANTED TO ECHO COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD. THANK YOU STAFF FOR REVISING THE DASHBOARD TO MAKE IT BETTER. NOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT ARRIVALS THE LAST 30 DAYS IN COMPARISON TO THE LAST YEAR. THERE'S A LOT MORE YOU CAN DO WITH IT, IT'S A LOT FASTER. IF YOU LOOK ON THE DASHBOARD, NOTICE NUMBERS FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY WERE 25% OF OUR NUMBERS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

I WANTED TO SHARE THIS DATA IS HELPFUL FOR RESIDENTS TO SEE THE INFLUX AND AMOUNT OF FOLKS THAT ARE COMING IN AND OUT AND HOW QUICKLY THEY ARE DOING THAT.

DATA IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE DECISIONS SO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO GREAT ABOUT UPDATING IT AND UPDATING THE CAPABILITIES THAT WE HAVE TO USE THIS INFORMATION. I WANTED TO AT LEAST PROVIDE SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I HEARD AND AS FAR AS THE FUNDING GOES, I THINK WHAT -- FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE REQUESTING IS SOME OTHER PLAN OPTIONS. TO COUNCILWOMAN GAFFE VETO'S POINT ABOUT TAKING FUNDS FROM ARPA ALREADY ALLOCATED, I REMEMBER FROM OUR THREE

[04:35:01]

CAN WE GET A LIST? >> WALSH: THAT PROCESS IS UNDERWAY AND IT WAS CONTEMPLATED UNDER THAT RECOMMENDATION REALLOCATING ARPA DOLLARS.

THAT EFFORT IS UNDERWAY TO SEE ARE AGENCIES GOING TO SPEND WHAT THEY SAID THEY

ARE GOING TO SPEND. >> KAUR: THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE HOW MUCH THAT IS. THE COMMENTS YOU MADE ABOUT THE FEMA RESERVE, GETTING I THINK ACTUAL NUMBERS WOULD HELP US HAVE OUR NEXT CONVERSATION.

AND THEN ALSO TO THE POINT THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO.

I THINK WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHETHER IT IS -- WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT IS THAT US PASSING A RESOLUTION, WOULD THAT BE HELPFUL. IF YOU ALL CAN TAKE BACK WHAT YOU HEARD AND COME BACK WITH EITHER OTHER OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THAT HAVE CONCRETE NUMBERS INCLUDING DECREASING IN OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED, ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES, MAYBE COUNTY PARTNERSHIP AND ALSO SEEING IF IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO PASS SOME KIND OF RESOLUTION THAT WOULD HELP OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KNOW WE NEED THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. I BELIEVE THAT'S THE END OF OUR DISCUSSION. BEFORE WE CLOSE, ANDY, I'M VERY PROUD OF THE CITY THE WAY WE'VE HANDLED THIS ISSUE. IT'S DIFFICULT, AND THE AUTHORITIES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO CHANGE THE SITUATION ARE NOT OURS.

BUT WE STILL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR CITIZENS, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR RESIDENTS TO DEAL WITH THE IMPACTS AND THAT'S WHAT THE MRC IS ALL ABOUT.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF RUNWAY DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH OF A SURGE HAPPENS IN TERMS OF COMING UP WITH CONTINGENCIES TO KEEP THE OPERATION GOING.

AND LET ME BE VERY CLEAR WITH FOLKS, AS THE SURGE ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER IN TEXAS HAS INCREASED, IT'S INCREASED EVERYWHERE ELSE. THE SURGE DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE WE HAVE A MRC, IT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. SO -- BUT THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR US TO COME UP FEDERALLY IN CONGRESS WITH COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A POLITICAL FOOTBALL. AND THE CORROSIVE RHETORIC, THE XENOPHOBIC RHETORIC IS UNDERSCORING THIS ACOMPATIBILITY FOR PEOPLE TO --O USE THIS AT POLITICAL PURPOSES. MEANWHILE UNDERMINING OUR COMMUNITY, OUR DEMOCRACY. SO I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR WHEN WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT THE MRC.

THEY HAVE BEEN CALLED ILLEGAL ALIENS, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THAT THEY ARE NOT HERE LEGALLY. THAT IS WRONG. THE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE AT THE MRC ARE ENTITLED TO BE HERE DUE TO THE LAWS THAT CONGRESS REFUSES TO CHANGE.

AND SO I WANTED TO JUST ADDRESS THAT ISSUE, ANDY, ON WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE AT THE 346789RC? ARE THEY LEGALLY ALLOWED TO

BE HERE? >> SEGOVIA: YES, THEY ARE LEGALLY ALLOWED TO BE HERE.

TO UNSCORE YOUR POINT, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU GET INTO THE ASYLUM PROCESS, ONCE YOU ARE INTO THE ASYLUM PROCESS, THEN YOUR STATUS IS YOU ARE HERE LEGALLY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. AND THERE WILL BE DEBATES I'M SURE ABOUT WHO IS ENTITLED TO BE IN THE ASYLUM PROCESS, BUT THAT IS -- THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TODAY TO OPERATE WITH. AND I'M PROUD THAT WE HAVE NOT ONLY AN OPERATION HERE AT THE CITY THAT MAINTAINS ORDER, PROTECTS PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT ALSO DOES WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AND NOT LOSING OURSELVES BY TREATING PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE CONVERSATION. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE UPDATES GOING FORWARD, BUT THAT IS IT FOR OUR A SESSION. ERIK, DO YOU NEED TIME FOR A

MANAGER'S REPORT TODAY? >> WALSH: I DO. I'M GOING TO MAKE IT REAL SHORT BECAUSE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE AUDIENCE.

AND IN THIS WEEK'S VIDEO IS A VIDEO ON OUR -- ON THE CITY'S WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM. IT WAS LAUNCHED IN 2014 WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION AND AS WE CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, IT'S THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM. A NUMBER OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM ARE IN THE AUDIENCE.

EVERYBODY JUST KIND OF WAVE. THERE'S ABOUT -- [APPLAUSE] THERE ARE 342 WOMEN THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS AND I'M ESPECIALLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD WOMEN MOVE UP THROUGH OUR ORGANIZATION INTO EXECUTIVE POSITIONS THAT STARTED IN THIS

[04:40:01]

SHE HAS ACTED AS A MENTOR SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING AND WE'LL RUN THE SHORT VIDEO.

>> VILLAGÓMEZ: THANK YOU, ERIK. AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH COUNCIL, I HAVE BEEN A MENTOR FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.

IT'S BEEN JUST AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE. A LOT OF THE MENTEES ARE PART OF OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM. KRYSTAL JONES, AS WELL ASTHMA LINDA WHO IS OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN PARKS & RECREATION, SO ENJOY THE VIDEO.

>> HAPPY TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO THE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM. I'VE BEEN A PROUD PARTICIPANT FOR ALL TEN YEARS AND AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE WITH EACH OF MY MENTEES. I LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING WHEN THE NEXT

TEN YEARS. >> I THINK IN THE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC SERVICE, I REALLY FEEL THAT WE'RE BLESSED TO BE PART OF ONE OF THE BEST PROFESSIONS AND THAT SHOULD EXTEND ALSO TO SERVING OUR COLLEAGUES AND OUR CO-WORKERS AND HELPING OTHER

WOMEN IN THE FIELD. >> I GOT SO MUCH OUT OF BEING A MENTEE IN THE PROGRAM THE FIRST YEAR THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED. AND THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM IS THE REASON WHY I'VE BEEN WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR ALMOST 14 YEARS.

I HAD THE MOST AMAZING MENTOR, NOW SHE IS THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, ALEX LOPEZ, AND SHE GAVE ME A PERFECT VIEW OF ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES SAN ANTONIO OFFERS FOR EMPLOYEES, WHY IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND I REALLY CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE PROGRAM. I WANTED TO GIVE BACK THE

SAME WAY THAT ALEX GAVE TO ME. >> I HAD ONLY BEEN WITH THE CITY FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN I WAS ACCEPTED TO THE PROGRAM. I KNEW THAT THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IN HELPING ME NAVIGATE THE DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO ME WITHIN THE CITY AS WELL AS NETWORK WITH OTHER WOMEN WITHIN THE

ORGANIZATION. >> IT IS VERY GOOD FOR THEM TO GET A CONNECTION WITH SOMEONE TO HELP, ESPECIALLY IF THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO CREATE A CAREER PLAN OR NAVIGATE THROUGH THOSE OPTIONS, IT'S A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR MOST.

YOU ARE ABLE TO CONNECT AND COORDINATED AND DO GREAT THINGS BY LEARNING FROM

OTHERS SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE. >> I REALLY LOVE BEING A MENTOR, DEVELOPING THESE FRIENDSHIPS WITH THESE TALENTED YOUNG WOMEN THAT WE HAVE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND THAT WE'RE PROUD TO SERVE AS SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEES.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MENTORING PROGRAM ON REACHING ITS TENTH YEAR

MILESTONE. >> CONGRATULATIONS WLMP FOR TEN YEARS AND I HOPE YOU

HAVE MANY MORE. >> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WLMP. >> HAPPY TENTH ANNIVERSARY

AND I HOPE IT GOES TEN MORE AND BEYOND. >> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WOMEN WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED OVER THE YEARS.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR H.R. DEPARTMENT WHO HAS KEPT THIS PROGRAM NOT JUST GOING

BUT GROWING. >> HAPPY TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

IT'S BEEN TEN YEARS OF EXCITEMENT. I'M PROUD OF ALL THE WOMEN THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED, BOTH MENTORS AND MENTEES, IT HAS BEEN EXCITED, I'VE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM ALL THE WOMEN THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY YEARS TO COME. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]

>> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. IF ANYBODY HAS CHECKED THE CLOCK, IT IS 1:53 AND WE HAVE A ZONING MEETING AT 2:00. WE DO HAVE AN EXEC.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN A MOMENT IS I'M GOING TO RECESS THE A SESSION, WE'RE GOING TO START ZONING AT 2:00 SHARP, WHICH IS WHEN IT'S POSTED BEFORE.

WE CAN'T START IT BEFORE THAT. SO IF EVERYBODY IS GOOD WITH THAT, WE'LL HAVE EXEC AFTER ZONING. IN THE MEANTIME, I WAS JUST TOLD THAT JALEN HAD A BIRTHDAY LAST WEEK. LET'S TAKE A LITTLE TIME AND SING JALEN HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: HE'S STILL A YOUNG MAN. ALL RIGHT.

SO 2:00 SHARP ON ZONING. IN EVERYBODY NEEDS TO TAKE A REAL QUICK BREAK, LET'S BE BACK HERE AT 2:00 AND WE'LL START THAT. IT'S A PRETTY SHORT ZONING AGENDA, BUT LET'S RECESS UNTIL 2:00 P.M.

ADJOURNED AT 2:50 AND AT THIS TIME WE'LL BREAK INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[04:45:09]

THE TIME IS 4:01 P.M. ON MARCH 7, 2024. CITY COUNCIL HAS RECONVENED FROM ITS EXECUTIVE SESSION. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN. OUR

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.