Apr 04, 2024 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

[00:01:23]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. THE TIME IS 9:10 A.M. ON THE 4TH DAY OF APRIL 2024.

WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, CAN YOU READ THE ROLL?

>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE AND TO GET US STARTED TODAY, I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO

COUNCILMAN COURAGE TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR INVOCATOR TO COME UP, PLEASE. I WANT TO WELCOME REVEREND DR. BRYAN STAMPER OF THE MESSAGE CHURCH. OF THE SAN PEDRO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. HE GREW UP AS THE SON OF A PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR.

FROM 2 TO 5 YEARS OF AGE, PASTOR BRYAN LIVED IN SCOTLAND WITH HIS FATHER WHO HAS EARNED A PHD IN THEOLOGY. THE FAMILY SETTLED IN FLORIDA WHERE BRYAN LOST HIS SCOTTISH BROGUE. PASTOR BRYAN PLAYED SOCCER ON SCHOLARSHIP IN COLLEGE, GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND ATHENS WITH A DEGREE IN FINANCE.

HE EARNED HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN DIVINITY AND HIS DOCTOR IN MINISTRY IN 2015.

MORE IMPORTANTLY TO HIM, PASTOR BRYAN IS A FAMILY MAN WHO MARRIED KERRY, HIS WIFE, IN 2003. HIS WIFE ALSO GREW UP IN A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND THEIR TWO FAMILIES CONNECTED THROUGH A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN STONE MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA.

KERRY EARNED HER MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH. FOUR YEARS LATER THEIR SECOND -- EXCUSE ME, THEN KEPT HER CAREER IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY UNTIL THE BIRTH OF THEIR FIRST SON. FOUR YEARS LATER THEIR SECOND SON ARRIVED DURING A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IN TEXAS. BRYAN SERVES AS THE SENIOR PASTOR AT SAN PEDRO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. PASTOR, WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THAT IS NOT WHAT I SENT YOU. SOMEONE DID SOME DIGGING AND FOUND THAT.

[LAUGHTER] AS I CAME IN TODAY AND LOOKED AT THE DAYS, I RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF UNIQUENESS AND DIVERSITY AND THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT SAN ANTONIO. IT'S A LAID BACK CITY WITH A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS.

ONE THING THAT WE CAN RECOGNIZE AND SO IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO OFFER THIS INVOCATION AND REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE ONE THING NEIGHBORS CAN DO AND CHOOSE TO DO IS TO TREAT EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, EVEN IN OUR DIFFERENCES. CAN I GET AN AMEN? GOD, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING THE PLANS THAT YOU HAVE FOR OUR CITY AND THE WAYS THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED ARE CALLED TO DISCERN WHAT'S BEST, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF DISAGREEMENT AND HARD DECISIONS. WE KNOW THAT WE ARE NEIGHBORS.

IN OUR DIVERSITY WE HAVE SOME COMMONALITY. WE ARE NEIGHBORS.

AND SO AS WE GATHER AS COLLEAGUES, AS WE GATHER AS FRIENDS, WE GATHER FIRST AND FOREMOST AS NEIGHBORS. BLESS THIS MEETING TODAY THAT ALL WOULD TREAT EACH OTHER WITH

[00:05:06]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, PASTOR STAMPER. ALL RIGHT.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 20 AND 21ST, 2024. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE.

THERE WAS A MOTION. WAS THERE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

HEARING NONE -- >> OKAY. ANY OTHERS? IF THERE ARE NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 19.

>> SO MOVE. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS, SAVE FOR 19. WE HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO

SPEAK ON CONSENT, ITEM 18. JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. AND ON THIS ONE ITEM I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA IS ITEM NO. 18. MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, LOOK AT THE YELLOW AREA THERE. ITEM NO. 18. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR A 10-YEAR TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT FOR 90% ABATEMENT OF REAL AND PERSONAL AD VALOREM TAXES AND CHAPTER 380 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,350,000. AND THE CITY AND SAWS FEE WAIVERS NOT TO EXCEED $1.5 MILLION WITH JCB TEXAS, LLC. AND A RESOLUTION NOMINATING JCB TEXAS FOR DESIGNATION ETH, ETH. RETURN THE CAMERA TO THE PODIUM. YEAH.

A TAX ABATEMENT FOR TEN YEARS. I WAS JUST WONDERING CAN WE, THE AVERAGE -- OH, SMALL EMPLOYER, GET SUCH A TAX ABATEMENT FROM YOU THE CITY COUNCIL AS WELL? I DID THE MATH ON THAT TO FIND OUT HOW MANY JOBS IT IS CREATING. MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, FLIP THAT -- THE WHOLE THING THERE. SHOW THAT THERE. I DID THE MATH AND I CALCULATED HOW MANY JOBS AND HOW MUCH WE'RE GETTING. TAX ABATEMENT QUESTION: CAN YOU AND I GET $2,436 FOR EVERY NEW JOB WE CREATE FROM THE CITY, LIKE JCB TEXAS WILL? RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD, TO THE PODIUM. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT YOU WEREN'T JUST PLAYING FAVORITES HERE, YOU KNOW . IN FACT, LOOKING AT THE BACK-UP DOCUMENTS, I DIDN'T SEE ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE PEOPLE THAT THEY HIRE WILL BE AMERICAN CITIZENS. YEAH. NO, I DON'T SEE ANY OF THAT HAPPENING AT ALL. NOPE. SILTED LIKE TO ASK YOU IF Y'ALL WOULD MAYBE JUST HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MERCY ON ALL OF US GUYS WHO PAY THE FREIGHT OVER HERE IN MOST OF THE CITY HERE AND SAY WHY NOT GIVE A TAX ABATEMENT TO EVERYBODY, EVERY EMPLOYER HERE

[00:10:02]

IN SAN ANTONIO? I MEAN -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO COUNCIL DISCUSSION NOW. I DON'T HAVE A QUEUE IN FRONT OF ME SO JUST SIGNAL ME.

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 18. WE ARE ABSOLUTELY THRILLED TO WELCOME JCB TO SAN ANTONIO.

AN HONOR THAT YOU CHOSE DISTRICT 4 AS YOUR HOME. THE IMPACT WILL BE TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, PROVIDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR OUR DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS, A COMMUNITY WITH STRONG TIES ALREADY TO MANUFACTURING. I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE TEAM FROM JCB WHO HAS MOVED DOWN TO START THIS. WE ALSO HAVE JENNA SAUCEDA FROM GREATER SATX HERE AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT OUR TEAM AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS DONE. IN PARTICULAR ALEX LOPEZ AND BRENDA HICKS-SORENSEN, ALSO HERE WITH US TODAY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING JCB BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN D4 AND ACROSS SAN ANTONIO SO WE CAN DRIVE ECONOMIC MOMENTUM ACROSS OUR CITY. WITH THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROGRAM AT PALO ALTO COLLEGE AND WITH THE READY TO WORK PROGRAM, I'M CERTAIN THAT SUPPORTING YOUR WORKFORCE PIPELINE WILL BE AN EXCELLENT ADVANTAGE FOR THE FOLKS THAT YOU HOPE TO HIRE.

MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AS YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE DISTRICT 4 YOUR HOME. I WANT TO QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT DAVID CARVER, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR IS HERE WITH US TODAY, AS WELL AS BEN EMERY, OUR SENIOR MANAGE FOR PROJECTS .

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.

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

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: QUICKLY, I HAVE TWO ITEMS. ONE IS WELCOME JCB. WELCOME TO THE SOUTHSIDE WHERE WE HAVE TOYOTA, NAVISTAR, TJX. YOU'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT AT HOME THERE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE TEAM SAN ANTONIO THAT CAME TOGETHER AND GOT THAT DONE AND OUR TEAM: ALEX, BRENDA, AND THAT ENTIRE TEAM THAT WORKED SO HARD. THANK YOU, GUYS.

AND I DID WANT TO SAY BOARD APPOINTEES ARE IMPORTANT AND I KNOW A FEW WEEKS AGO WE TALKED ABOUT THE VACANCIES. I KNOW ALL OF THE COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ARE TRYING TO WORK ON IT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THREE APPOINTEES COMING FORWARD.

LESLIE PROVENCE TO THE CITY/COUNTY JOINT COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS.

I'M GLAD LESLIE WANTS TO GET BACK INTO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND HAS AGREED TO SERVE THERE. MELANIE RODRIGUEZ, WHO IS AN INTERN IN MY OFFICE, TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD. AND PHILLIP RYAN GARZA TO THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD, WHO ALSO SERVED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT .

I LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR SERVICE AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING MORE BOARD APPOINTEES THIS SESSION.

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE BEEN SO EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM SINCE I WAS ELECTED, WHICH IS ITEM NO. 10. THAT IS DISTRICT 1 IS GETTING A NEW CONSTITUENT FIELD OFFICE. IT IS GOING TO BE ON 8507 MCCOLLOUGH.

IT'S ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM SAN PEDRO SO WE'LL BE RIGHT THERE AS ALL OF THE CONSTRUCTION IS HAPPENING FOR FOLKS THAT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GREEN LINE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A COMMUNITY SPACE BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO MEET AND THEY'RE ALWAYS HUSTLING WITH RESTAURANTS AND PLACES TO FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION.

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT BIG COMMUNITY SPACE IN THE MIDDLE THAT WILL HAVE FLEX SEATING FOR FOLKS TO COME IN, FOR SENIORS TO COME IN AND TALK TO OUR REPS ABOUT CPS/SAWS SUPPORT THEY NEED OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT OUR FIELD OFFICE TEAM CAN PROVIDE.

WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED AND I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE, HUGE SHOUT OUT TO OUR CITY STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY. WE EMPATHIZE WITH ALL OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES LOOKING FOR REAL ESTATE SPACE IN DISTRICT 1. IT IS NOT EASY AND PRICES ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE SO WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE TEAM THAT HAS HELPED US AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL THERE

THIS SUMMER. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU, JCB.

DOZENS OF PLANTS AROUND THE WORLD AND YOU'VE CHOSEN SAN ANTONIO.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BUT YOU DID. IT MEANS A LOT TO US AND AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, THIS IS A BIG TOUCHDOWN AND WE'LL BE DOING VICTORY LAPS FOR YEARS TO COME. WISHING YOU BIG SUCCESS. NOT JUST HERE BUT EVERYWHERE ELSE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING A PLANT FULL OF SAN ANTONIANS BUILDING THE BEST DAMN EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE BUILT IN SAN ANTONIO AND IN TEXAS AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

[00:15:01]

THANKS FOR CHOOSING US, GUYS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM, OUR CITY COUNCIL. WE DO HAVE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND THIS IS PROOF POSITIVE THAT IT WORKS.

AND ALSO THAT THE ASSETS OF THIS COMMUNITY, MAINLY THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO, ARE REALLY WHAT MAKE THE FUTURE OF THIS SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY BRIGHT. MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH JCB.

THE REASON WHY THEY CHOSE TO PUT THEIR FACILITY, THEIR NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND GROW OUT THEIR FOOTPRINT FOR THEIR BUSINESS IS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THE PROMISE OF TALENT, DEVELOPMENT, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE READY TO WORK. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE WITH JCB IN SAN ANTONIO.

WITH THAT, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 19. PLEASE VOTE. THANK YOU ALSO TO GRE GREATER S.

MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE GET TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEM, WE HAVE A LOT OF SPECIAL GUESTS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY AND SO I WANT TO START WITH SOME SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS. YOU MAY KNOW THAT -- IN FACT MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW SOMEONE WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN SAVED BECAUSE OF ORGAN DONATION. AND WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS MONTH. WHEREAS APRIL IS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH AS WAS ESTABLISHED BY DONATE LIFE AMERICA AND ITS PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS IN 2003, EACH YEAR THEY HELP RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DONATIONS AND ENCOURAGE AMERICANS AND TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE SAVED AND HEALED LIVES. WHEREAS IN HONOR OF THE NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SOUTH TEXAS BLOOD AND TISSUE CENTER, TEXAS ORGAN SHARING ALLIANCE, SAN ANTONIO EYE BANK, THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH TRANSPLANTS TO METHODIST TRANSPARENT INSTITUTE WILL HOST VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL RAISE AWARENESS TO THIS CAUSE AND HONORS PAST DONORS THAT HAVE SAVED AND HEALED LIVES. WHEREAS A SINGLE DONOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SAVE UP TO EIGHT LIVES THROUGH ORGAN DONATION, RESTORE SIGHT TO TWO PEOPLE THROUGH CORNEA DONATION, AND HEAL UP TO 75 LIVES THROUGH TISSUE DONATION.

WHEREAS MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR A LIFE-SAVING TRANSPARENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND EVERY EIGHT MINUTES ANOTHER PERSON IS ADDED TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPARENT WAITING LIST.

THESE INDIVIDUALS RELY ON THE GENEROSITY OF EYE AND TISSUE DONORS.

WHEREAS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND MEDICAL HISTORY SHOULD CONSIDER THEMSELVES POTENTIAL DONORS AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER TO HELP PATIENTS IN NEED. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL 2024

TO BE NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. >> MY NAME IS KIMBERLY MUNRO AND IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE TO YOU ALL ALEX AND MICHELLE AND THEY ARE GOING TO TELL YOU A

LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEIR SON, DAVID, WHO WAS A DONOR . >> GOOD MORNING.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR DONOR SUPERHERO AND OUR SON, DAVID.

WHO IS DAVID? DAVID WAS OUR ONLY CHILD, A KIND AND CARING YOUNG MAN, AN ADVOCATE OF THOSE LESS FORTUNATE. THE LIGHT OF OUR LIVES.

AS A YOUNG BOY HE WAS OBSESSED WITH LEGOS AND HOT WHEELS AND HAD A PASSION FOR MUSIC .

HE WAS ACTIVE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY MUSIC PROGRAMS AND WAS A VIOLINIST FOR OVER TEN YEARS. A GRADUATE OF TRINITY UNIVERSITY, HE WAS PURSUING A MASTER'S DEGREE IN CREATIVE WRITING WHEN OUR LIVES WERE CHANGED FOREVER.

IN AUGUST WE LOST OUR SON AT THE AGE OF 2024 IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.

DAVID MADE A DECISION TO REGISTER AS AN ORGAN DONOR WHEN HE RECEIVED HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE AT 16. HE BECAME A DONOR HERO FOR SEVEN ORGAN RECIPIENTS, TWO CORNEA RECIPIENTS, AND NUMEROUS TISSUE RECIPIENTS, ONE OF WHICH WAS HIS OWN UNCLE.

HE IS TESTAMENT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF REGISTERING AS A DONOR.

WITHIN DAYS MY BROTHER WAS IN THE HOSPITAL UNDERGOING A LIVER TRANSPARENT .

OUR FAMILIES HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND WHAT A LIFE-SAVING ORGAN DONATION CAN DO FOR A PERSON WHO IS ILL. IT IS OUR HOPE ONE DAY WE WILL HAVE THE HONOR OF MEETING THE

[00:20:03]

PLEASE, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO REGISTER AS AN ORGAN DONOR.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU TO KIMBERLY AND THE MENCHACA FAMILY. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA

WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW REMARKS. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU TO THE MENCHACA FAMILY FOR MAKING YOUR REMARKS AND FOR YOUR SACRIFICE, DAVID WANTING TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR. I IMPLORE EVERYBODY OUT THERE -- I'M A PROUD ORGAN DONOR.

I THINK WHEN YOU RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, YOU CAN DO IT THEN.

THAT'S A VERY EASY WAY TO DO IT. JUST CHECK A BOX AND SAVE LIVES. AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO MENTION SOUTH TEXAS BLOOD AND TISSUE CENTER. I WAS OUT THERE AND I TOURED THE FACILITY AND ALWAYS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE I TELL YOU THAT I SAW -- FOR LACK OF A COOLER WHERE THEY KEEP THE BLOOD AND STOCKS WERE PRETTY LOW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU

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

COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

I WANT Y'ALL TO KNOW THAT MY SON RECENTLY GOT HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE AND SO DID MY DAUGHTER.

MY DAUGHTER GOT HERS LAST WEEK. I'M TELLING YOU ALL THIS SO YOU TAKE DIFFERENT ROUTES ON THE WAY TO WORK WHEN THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL. BUT THE SECOND REASON I'M TELLING YOU IS THEY ASKED US -- AND WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT DONATING BLOOD AND TISSUE.

THEY WERE PROUD TO CHECK OFF THAT BOX AND PROUD TO TELL EVERYBODY THAT THEY HAD DONE IT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING NEXT MONTH A BIG CONTEST AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THAT COUNCILWOMAN ROCHA GARCIA ALWAYS WINS. AND THIS YEAR I'VE GOT MY CONTESTANTS LINED UP. WE WILL BE DONATING MANY GALLONT GALLONS.

BUT TODAY AND THIS WEEKEND AND ALL THE WEEKENDS GOING FORWARD THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM FROM GOING TO THE BLOOD AND TISSUE CENTER AND ROLLING UP YOUR SLEEVE.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST EASY, CONVENIENT, AND FUN THINGS TO DO AND YOU GET COOKIES OUT OF THE DEAL. THANK YOU TO MY STAFFER, AARON NICHOLS WHO SITS ON THAT BOARD AND WHO HAS DEDICATED A LOT OF HER BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO . AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING HER AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO HER GOOD ADVICE. THANKS.

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

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST REALLY WANTED TO THANK THE MENCHACA FAMILY FOR SHARING YOUR STORY AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THAT DAVID'S LIFE DOES LIVE ON IN OTHERS.

I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY FOR YOU ALL SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE WORK YOU ALL DO ON A DAILY BASIS TO MAKE SURE THAT OTHERS HAVE A CHANCE AT LIFE.

THANKS SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

I'M A PROUD ORGAN DONOR ALSO AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND SHARING.

I WANT TO THANK THE BLOOD AND TISSUE FOR WHAT THEY DO. AND THE OTHER THING IS YOU CAN DONATE ON THE ASPECT OF -- YOU CAN DONATE ALSO AT THE NUMEROUS FIESTA EVENTS.

THEY'LL BE OUT THERE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE MENCHACA FAMILY AND WE APPRECIATE YOU SHARING DAVID'S STORY AND KNOW THAT HIS LEGACY THIS YEAR WILL BE ESPECIALLY ON OUR MINDS AS WE GO THROUGH THIS MONTH. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

STAYING WITH A SIMILAR THEME, THIS IS ALSO NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH MONTH.

IF I MAY SAY, THIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY WOULD AGREE THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE THE BEST PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

SO IF I COULD ASK THEM TO COME ON UP. WHEREAS THE WEEK OF APRIL 1 THROUGH 72024 IS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN 1995 BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AND PROMOTE ACTIVITIES THAT WILL HELP CREATE THE HEALTHIEST NATION IN ONE GENERATION.

WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME IS PROTECTING, CONNECTING, THRIVING.

WE'RE ALL PUBLIC HEALTH. AND REMINDS THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED AND WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE FOCUS ON AREAS CRITICAL TO OUR FUTURE SUCCESS IN CREATING THE HEALTHIEST NATION SUCH AS

[00:25:07]

THEY CONDUCT OVER 90,000 DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS, COLLABORATING WITH 89 PARTNERS TO PROVIDE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION AND AND SO MUCH MORE. CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 1 THROUGH 7, 2024 TO BE DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK IN SAN ANTONIO AND CALL UPON THE COMMUNITY TO OBSERVE THIS TIME BY HELPING OTHERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND TO BE REMINDED THAT PUBLIC HEALTH CARE IS MORE THAN JUST HEALTHCARE. WE ARE ALL PUBLIC HEALTH. THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND CITY COUNCIL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT BRIEFLY ABOUT NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK.

AS YOU HEARD, EACH YEAR DURING APRIL, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION BRINGS TOGETHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO IMPROVING OUR NATION'S HEALTH.

AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED IN THE PROCLAMATION, THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME IS PROTECTING, CONNECTING, THRIVING. WE ARE ALL PUBLIC HEALTH. AGAIN, THIS IS BEING CELEBRATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY APRIL 1 THROUGH APRIL 7 REMINDING SO, AS YOU HEARD, WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ENSURE THAT CONDITIONS FOR ALL CAN BE HEALTHY REGARDLESS OF INCOME OR THE ZIP CODE WHERE ONE MAY LIVE.

SO WITH THAT, OUR DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES THIS WEEK BY HIGHLIGHTING KEY ACHIEVEMENTS FROM OUR SA FORWARD PLAN RELEASED IN APRIL OF 2022. THIS TAKES A COMMUNITY APPROACH BY ADDRESSING PRESSING ISSUES LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH CAPACITY AND THE STATE OF OUR WORKFORCE. SINCE THEN WE HAVE RELEASED OUR METRO HEALTH 2.0 PLAN, A STRATEGIC PLAN WHICH GUIDES OUR EFFORTS IN BUILDING A 21ST CENTURY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND DOVE TAILS WITH OUR PRIORITIES REFLECTED IN OUR SO THIS WEEK IS ALSO A TIME TO BRAG A LITTLE BIT AND RECOGNIZE OUR FANTASTIC STAFF, MANY OF WHOM HAVE JOINED ME HERE. WE WORK ACROSS OVER 50 PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES.

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT THAT HAS BOLSTERED OUR EFFORTS THROUGH THE EXHAUSTING EXPERIENCE OF THE PANDEMIC WE ARE STRONGER AS AN AGENCY AS A RESULT OF OUR IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS WELL UNDERWAY. AGAIN, I CONTINUE TO APPLAUD OUR COLLECTIVE RESILIENCE AS WE ADDRESS THE CONDITIONS THAT IMPACT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL THOSE WHO LIVE, LEARN, WORK, PLAY, OR PRAY IN OUR JURISDICTIONS.

I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF OUR FY '23 ANNUAL REPORT WHICH HIGHLIGHTS OUR VISION OF A HEALTHY PEOPLE THRIVING IN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. OUR EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC HEALTH ECOSYSTEM AND THE ACTIONS WE'RE TAKING TO DECREASE HEALTH DISPARITIES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES . THAT REPORT CAN BE FOUND AT SA.GOV/HEALTH.

I INVITE YOU TO JOIN US LATER TODAY TO OUR HEALTH FEST AT 6030 PADRE DRIVE.

JUST NOTE THAT WE ARE THE ONLY CITY IN TEXAS TO RECEIVE THIS DESIGNATION BASED ON THE LATEST ROUND OF THIS NATIONAL ASSESSMENT. WE'LL ALSO BE RECOGNIZED AS THE 2024 STATE CHAMPIONS FOR THE IT'S TIME TEXAS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE FOR THE NINTH TIME.

CAN WE JUST APPLAUD AND JUST CONGRATULATE THE COMMUNITY FOR THIS? [APPLAUSE] SO WITH THIS, WE ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN US TO LEARN ABOUT OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMS. THERE WILL BE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS, FOOD TASTINGS, AND FIESTA MEDALS. SO, AGAIN, SPECIAL THANKS AND SHOUT OUT TO OUR FANTASTIC STAFF, LOCAL PARTNERS, A NUMBER OF WHOM ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE.

AND, IN PARTICULAR, I DO WANT TO THANK MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FROM HIS TEAM AT CITY HEALTH AND

[00:30:04]

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS AFTERNOON. HAPPY NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH

WEEK . [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. DON'T GO ANYWHERE. WE HAVE SOME COMMENTS FOR YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: YOU WANT TO -- YEAH.

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

IT IS TRULY AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF SO MANY DISTINGUISHED LEADERS, INCLUDING DR. JACOB, MAYOR NIRENBERG, EVERY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER WALSH AND ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE CITY STAFF THAT IS DOING EXCEPTIONAL WORK ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. MY NAME IS KATRINA FOREST AND I AM ONE OF THE CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF CITY HEALTH. I AM PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY MY WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE, CATHERINE PATTERSON. WE ALSO HAVE SOME OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS HERE HERE. HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BEAUMONT FOUNDATION, ONE OF CITY HEALTH'S NATIONAL PARTNERS AND FUNDERS. WE TRULY COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED TO CELEBRATE, HONOR, AND RECOGNIZE A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT.

THE RETURN TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO AN OVERALL GOLD MEDAL.

[APPLAUSE] YES. GIVE YOURSELVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. THIS IS AN ACHIEVEMENT THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REALIZED BUT FOR THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM. AND WE ARE SO PROUD AND HONORED TO CELEBRATE ALL OF YOUR WORK. BEFORE WE TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT SAN ANTONIO'S JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH, I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT WHO WE ARE AT CITY HEALTH AND WHAT WE DO.

CITY HEALTH IS A NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY INITIATIVE. IT IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DEBEAUMONT FOUNDATION AND WE WORK WITH LOCAL LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ADOPT A PACKAGE OF 12 EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH-PROMOTING POLICIES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND HEALTH EQUITY FOR EVERYONE. EACH YEAR WE ASSESS THE LARGEST 75 CITIES AND WE AWARD THEM GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, OR NO MEDAL BASED ON THE NUMBER OF POLICIES THAT THEY HAVE ADOPTED AND THE QUALITY AND STRENGTH OF THOSE POLICIES.

ULTIMATELY, OUR PACKAGE IS REALLY DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT EVERY RESIDENT EVERYWHERE HAS A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. THAT THEY CAN BE HEALTHY IN BODY AND MIND AND THAT WE ARE CULTIVATING THRIVING ENVIRONMENTS. AND I THINK SAN ANTONIO'S GOLD MEDAL IS TRULY A TESTAMENT TO YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THOSE VALUES AND WE TRULY ARE SO EXCITED FOR YOU. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE. I'M GOING TO PASS IT TO

CATHERINE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, KATRINA. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL THIS MORNING. CONGRATULATIONS. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS ITS ROOTS BACK IN 2017 WHEN WE RELEASED OUR FIRST NATIONAL ASSESSMENT.

SAN ANTONIO DID NOT EARN AN OVERALL MEDAL THAT YEAR. BUT UNDER MAYOR NIRENBERG'S LEADERSHIP AND ACTIONS OF THIS COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE STEADFAST SUPPORT FROM THE METRO HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE CITY WAS ABLE TO EARN ITS FIRST OVERALL MEDAL, A SILVER IN 2018.

BUT SAN ANTONIO WASN'T COMFORTABLE RESTING ON ITS LAURELS.

WE KNEW THAT THEY LIKED TO COME OUT ON TOP SO THE CITY WENT ON TO EARN ITS FIRST GOLD MEDAL IN 2019 AND KEPT THAT MEDAL FOR 2020 AND 2021. CITY HEALTH LAUNCHED A NEW PACKAGE IN 2022 WITH A NEW SET OF POLICIES THAT MADE IT MUCH MORE CHALLENGING TO EARN AN OVERALL MEDAL. SAN ANTONIO EARNED A BRONZE THE FIRST YEAR OF THAT ASSESSMENT BUT WE KNEW THAT THE CITY REALLY WANTED TO GET BACK TO GOLD. MAYOR NIRENBERG, DR. JACOB, AND THE TEAM AT METRO HEALTH ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES AND WORKED HARD TO STRENGTHEN THE CITY'S POLICIES SO THAT ALL SAN ANTONIANS COULD ACHIEVE OPTIMAL HEALTH.

WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WITH A 2023 OVERALL GOLD MEDAL.

THE CITY IS ONLY ONE OF SEVEN IN THE COUNTRY TO ACHIEVE THIS DISTINCTION AND THE ONLY GOLD

MEDAL CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: CATHERINE,

COULD YOU SAY THAT ONE PART AGAIN? >> DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY IT ONE MORE TIME? THE ONLY GOLD MEDAL CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND WE ASSESS NINE CITIES IN TEXAS. THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL. THE GOLD MEDAL IS A RESULT OF A TRUE COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY HEALTH. THE OVERALL GOLD WAS ACHIEVED BY EARNING INDIVIDUAL GOLD MEDALS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUSTS, GREEN SPACE, HEALTHY FOOD PURCHASING, HIGH-QUALITY ACCESSIBLE PRE-K, AND SMOKE-FREE INDOOR AIR. THE CITY HAS ALSO EARNED AN INDIVIDUAL BRONZE MEDAL IN ECO-FRIENDLY PURCHASING. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED GET SAN ANTONIO BACK TO GOLD. YOU'VE EARNED THIS AND YOU ARE A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[00:35:02]

I'LL TURN IT BACK TO DR. JACOB. [APPLAUSE] >> JUST, AGAIN, Y'ALL KNOW I TRULY BELIEVE IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY. I CAN'T THANK OUR PARTNERS ENOUGH FROM CITY HEALTH. THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG. THANKS TO THE CITY MANAGER FOR HIS INCREDIBLE SUPPORT. Y'ALL HAVE HELPED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS SO WE CONTINUE TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEK TO CELEBRATE, TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR COLLECTIVE RESILIENCE BUT KEEP MAKING SURE THAT WE ENSURE THE CONDITIONS WHERE ALL CAN BE HEALTHY IN THE CITY. THANK YOU FOR THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT. WITH THAT, MAYOR, I TURN IT BACK TO YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DON'T GO ANYWHERE. WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE OUR METRO HEALTH TEAM AS WELL AS CITY HEALTH HERE. I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF

COMMENTS WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T KNOW, I HAVE HAD SOME HEALTH ISSUES AND IT IS REALLY, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIX, LIKE I WAS, AND HAD TO SPEND TIME IN A HOSPITAL, YOU LEARN A LOT OF THINGS.

BUT THE ONE THING I APPRECIATED -- AND YOU GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK, IS WHAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S METRO HEALTH IS DOING. YOU ARE STANDING IN THE GAP BECAUSE WE KNOW THE NEEDS IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR. WE KNOW WE HAVE ONE HOSPITAL.

THE OTHER ONE SHUT DOWN. OUR RESIDENTS ARE HAVING TO TRAVEL ACROSS TOWN TO GET SERVICES. I'M HAVING TO TRAVEL ACROSS TOWN TO GET SERVICES ON SOME OCCASIONS AND YOU ARE STEPPING IN THE GAP AND WORKING ON THAT PREVENTIVE CARE, DOING THE DIABETES GARAGE AND THE DIABETES CLASSES. AND YOU ARE WORKING IN THE SOUTHSIDE. I AM PROUD YOU ARE BACK IN MY DISTRICT, IN DISTRICT 3, FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH FEST. CITY HEALTH, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, WHICH I'M SURE YOU DID, BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY EXPLAINED, IS THEY ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO LOOK AT A POPULATION IN THE SOUTHEAST AND THE SOUTHWEST, JUST SOUTH, THEIR MORTALITY RATE IS LESS THAN THE NORTH AND THEY'VE BEEN ADDRESSING THAT FOR DECADES. BUT CLAUDE CAME IN AND TOOK THIS TEAM TO A LEVEL THAT WAS, LIKE, WE CAN DO BETTER. AND THEY ARE DOING BETTER. AND I KNEW THEY WERE ALL GOING TO WEAR THEIR MEDALS ALSO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. AND KNOW THAT WE SEE THIS AND WE ESPECIALLY SEE IT ON CHEC COMMITTEE. BUT I GOT TO SEE IT AND I WAS LIKE -- WHEN I SAW THE COMMERCIAL COME UP THAT Y'ALL WERE GOING TO BE AT MISSION COUNTY PARK, OF COURSE THEY ARE! THEY HAD TO GET BIGGER . CONGRATULATIONS.

I WILL SEE YOU OUT THERE THIS AFTERNOON AND JUST BE PREPARED WITH THE OTHER TWO MEDALS TOO BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY POPULAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

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

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU KNOW, I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNIZES THE FIRST AND FOREMOST RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY CITY GOVERNMENT IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND TO ME PUBLIC SAFETY HAS ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN JUST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BUT IT IS VERY MUCH METRO HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY, WE TALK ABOUT WELLNESS, WE TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE TRANSMISSION OF DISEASE OR OTHER ILLNESSES THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND YOU'RE AT THE FOREFRONT OF PREVENTING THOSE KINDS OF OCCURRENCES FROM SWEEPING THROUGH OUR CITY. AND SO PUBLIC HEALTH, NUMBER ONE, IS A MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. I COMMEND ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU, CLAUDE AND ALL OF METRO HEALTH, ALL THE TEAM. THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU DO AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT YOU BRING AND THE WAY THE CITY DEPENDS ON YOU WAS NEVER MORE EVIDENT THAN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. WE REALLY RELIED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE BUT MOSTLY YOUR ENERGY. Y'ALL SEEMED TO BE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK DURING THAT TIME. WE CALLED YOU HEROES THEN. I CONTINUE TO CALL YOU HEROES.

YOU'RE BRINGING HOME THE GOLD. YOU KNOW HOW COMPETITIVE I AM. I LOVE IT.

BUT ALSO FOR THE PARTNERSHIPS YOU FOSTER. I KNOW YOU WORK WITH THE FOOD BANK AND ASSESS FOOD INSECURITY. I THINK YOU EVEN HAVE A PRESENCE THERE AT THE FOOD BANK, SO WE THANK YOU. I'M NOT SURE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE BREADTH OF WHAT YOU DO. WE'RE GLAD TO HONOR YOU HERE TODAY AND A WEEK ISN'T ENOUGH TO HONOR YOU GUYS BUT WE DO SAY THANK YOU. THANKS, MAYOR.

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

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. CONGRATULATIONS, DR. JACOB AND TEAM FOR CONTINUING TO PUT METRO

[00:40:02]

WHILE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAST AND HOW IT'S PERPETUATED INEQUITY, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BY IMPLEMENTING PLANS TO RIGHT SOME OF THOSE WRONGS. I JUST THANK YOU ALL FOR Y'ALL'S WORK AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE A TEAM OF 130 -- ABOUT HOW MANY? IT'S A BIG TEAM.

A SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM. HOW MANY, CLAUDE? >> OVER 650.

>> CASTILLO: WELL, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. THANK YOU.

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

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON EARNING THAT GOLDEN AWARD.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY. PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK IS IMPORTANT.

I'VE BEEN OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES TO THE SOUTHEAST AND SPECIFICALLY TO YOUR CLINIC AND GOT TO DO A TOUR OF THAT. HIGHLY ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO CHECK OUT THE WONDERFUL HOSPITAL THERE. YESTERDAY I WAS AT THE HEALTH FAIR AND YOU ALL WORKED VERY WELL. DR. RUE WAS THERE AND REMINDED ME THIS ISN'T OUR FAIR BUT THEY ARE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER BECAUSE IT'S PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK AND IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND SAY THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO THIS JOB AS WELL. AND I ALSO WANTED TO JUST -- THESE MEDALS ARE INCREDIBLE AND I THINK THIS IS PUBLIC HEALTH PETE AND I THINK HE WAS MODELIND AFTER CHIEF MCMANUS.

THE GUY LOOKS LIKE CHIEF MCMANUS, Y'ALL. AND SO MARIA AND I AGREED ON THAT ONE. AND LENA LYNX LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT THE CLINIC.

I JUST THINK THOSE ARE INCREDIBLE. I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STAFF AND ALL THE HARD WORK YOU DO AND SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

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

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

I WANT TO SHOUT OUT THE EVENT ON FRIDAY FROM 12:00 TO 1:00. THAT'S THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND THE THEATER. Y'ALL WILL BE DOING AN EVENT THERE, A PUBLIC HEALTH EVENT AT SAN PEDRO PLAYHOUSE AND SAN PEDRO SPRINGS PARK.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. I WANT TO COMMEND YOU AND YOUR AMAZING TEAM.

I HAD A CHANCE TO WORK WITH THE DOCTOR ON A DATA PROJECT WE'RE EXPLORING AND YOU HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE HIRING. WE'VE GOT TO KEEP HER.

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

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: JUST -- THANK YOU, MAYOR.

QUICK CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL Y'ALL'S CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT HARD WORK. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EVENT IN DISTRICT 7 AT O.P. SCHNABEL PARK. THANKS SO MUCH AND

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

I'LL JUST SHARE, DR. JACOB, I'VE APPRECIATED GETTING TO KNOW YOU OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AS YOU WERE THROWN INTO THE FIRE AND HERE YOU ARE NOW ENJOYING SOME SUCCESS AND RECOGNITION.

I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALWAYS END WITH WE'RE NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT. I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE CASE, ESPECIALLY IN YOUR DEPARTMENT. BUT THERE'S A LOT OF METRICS THAT WE USE FOR SUCCESS IN THE CITY AND IT'S GOOD TO RECOGNIZE WHEN WE'RE MOVING THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BUT THERE'S PROBABLY NOT A MORE IMPORTANT SET OF METRICS TO GUIDE THE SUCCESS OF PUBLIC POLICY THAN PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES.

SO ALL THAT WE DO, WHETHER THAT'S INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC WORKS, YOU KNOW, PARKS, YOU KNOW, ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DO UP HERE, WHERE WE CAN SEE WE'RE MOVING THE CITY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IS WHEN WE ARE MOVING YOUR DEPARTMENT'S OUTCOMES POSITIVELY.

SO IT IS GRATIFYING TO SEE THIS. WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF GREAT CHALLENGES IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO BUT WHEN WE ARE RECOGNIZED AS DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY AND STANDING OUT AMONG OUR PEERS, THEN IT TELLS US THAT WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

I HAVE SHARED THIS WITH YOUR PREDECESSORS AND WITH YOU. I BELIEVE YOUR JOB IS TO TELL US WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR. AND SO WE CAN ACT ON THAT. AND WE'VE DONE THAT.

[00:45:04]

BUT WHEN WE ARE RECOGNIZED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL AND IT GOES A LONG WAY TO THE REST OF THE WORK WE HAVE TO DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU AGAIN, MAYOR. THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. AGAIN, HAPPY NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND AND GUEST IN THE AUDIENCE, I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM. YOU SHOULD KNOW HIM.

UNFORTUNATELY, HE'S LEFT US AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET HIM BACK. HE'S WORKING AT THE RESEARCH CENTER. HE'S ONE OF THE GREAT VOICES AND MINDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WAS A BIG PART OF OUR CLIMATE WORK. I WANT TO THANK DR. FEMME, WHO IS HERE. FEMME WILL BE BACK HERE AT SOME POINT LEADING SOME ORGANIZATION OR MAYBE EVEN THE CITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

NOW, I'D LIKE TO BRING UP LILY AND THE TEAM TO RECOGNIZE ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH .

WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS PROUD TO JOIN THE ARAB AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN OBSERVING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ARAB AMERICANS TO OUR COMMUNITY. WHEREAS ARAB AMERICANS SHARE A RICH CULTURE AND VALUES THAT ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR TALENTS HAVE INFLUENCED GOVERNMENT TO MILITARY TO BUSINESS TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, MEDICINE, LAW, EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE. WHEREAS ARAB AMERICANS ARE ALSO AND EXPERTISE THAT HELPS MAKE OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER, MORE PROSPEROUS, AND MORE JUST.

WHEREAS WE CELEBRATE OUR FELLOW ARAB AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND PAY TRIBUTE TO ALL THEY HAVE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WE STRIVE TO HONOR OUR FUNDAMENTAL VALUES AND ADVANCE EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE. AFFIRMING ONCE AGAIN THAT DIVERSITY IS ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S GREATEST STRENGTHS. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 2024 TO BE ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS . THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ALL THE GUESTS HERE. THANKS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

I'VE SHARED A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THAT I MOVED FROM OKLAHOMA AND WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO I FELT AT HOME. I FELT IT'S OPEN FOR DIFFERENT CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS.

I FELT THE DIVERSITY AND THE INCLUSION WITHIN THE CITY AND I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT SINCE DAY ONE. AND WITH MY AGENCY NOW, I AM AN ADVOCATE AND I SUPPORT THE ARAB AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN SAN ANTONIO. I'M HONORED, AS AN EGYPTIAN AMERICAN, TO BE RECEIVING THIS PROCLAMATION AND REPRESENTING THE ARAB AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE IN THE CITY. THIS IS NOT JUST TO CELEBRATE ARAB AMERICANS BUT TO SHOW THAT THE CITY VISION TO CELEBRATE ALL OF US WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERENT CULTURES AND THE RICHNESS OF OUR CULTURES AS PART OF THIS SOCIETY. THIS PROCLAMATION SPEAKS TO THE CITY'S SPIRIT OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND IT'S AN INSPIRATION FOR OUR YOUNG GENERATIONS, NOT JUST THE FIRST COMERS BUT EVERYONE FROM OUR BACKGROUND.

I SEE THE PEOPLE STANDING BEHIND ME. THEY'RE NOT JUST ARAB AMERICANS OR HAVE ROOTS FROM THE ARAB AMERICAN COMMUNITY, BUT THEY ALSO REPRESENT DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS WITHIN THE CITY. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THE CHOICE TO GO AN EXTRA STEP, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT OUR ARAB AMERICANS AND WHO WE ARE AND WE ALSO EXTENDED THAT BRIDGE BACK TO THEM AS WELL. I THANK THE CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR, AND EVERYONE IN SAN ANTONIO FOR THIS HONOR AND WE WANT TO KEEP SHARING OUR DIVERSE STORIES THAT STRENGTHEN AND UNITE US. AS WE'RE STANDING TODAY, I PRAY FOR PEACE AND I PRAY FOR HEALING AND I PRAY FOR UNITY. THANK Y'ALL. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LILY. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU

[00:50:03]

I KNOW WE HAVE SOME COMMENTS UP HERE. LET ME START WITH COUNCILMEMBER

PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: YOU AND I MET IN A PARKING LOT AFTER A NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER AND YOU HAD SAID, YOU KNOW, I'M NEW TO TOWN AND I WANT TO GET INVOLVED.

HOLY SMOKES! DID YOU GET INVOLVED. VERY IMPRESSED.

THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TWO THINGS. ONE, ARAB AMERICANS AROUND SAN ANTONIO ARE CONTRIBUTING IN EVERY SECTOR BUT ONE SECTOR THAT I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS IN REGARDS TO OUR HEALTHCARE. WE JUST HEARD FROM A LOT OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND I THINK IT'S WORTH MENTIONING THAT IN SAN ANTONIO, ESPECIALLY IN THE MEDICAL CENTER, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DELIVER A CHILD AND NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ONE OF OUR ARAB AMERICAN PHYSICIANS, OUR NURSES, OUR PHLEBOTOMISTS, X-RAY AND ULTRASOUND TECHS. IT'S DIFFICULT TO GO TO ANY HOSPITAL AND NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH AN ARAB AMERICAN. THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU GUYS ARE MAKING TO KEEP SAN ANTONIO HEALTHY IS SOMETHING THAT FILLS ME WITH GRATITUDE.

ADDITIONALLY, IT'S SMALL BUSINESS, AND THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME IN SAN ANTONIO.

YOU ALL HAVING CHOSEN -- MANY ARAB AMERICANS HAVING CHOSEN WURZBACH PARKWAY IS A BIG DEAL FOR US. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ALONG WITH THE OTHER ASIAN, ARAB, MIDDLE EASTERN, AND NORTH AFRICAN GROUPS HELPING TO CREATE THE CISILK ROAD CORRIDOR.

IT REALLY RELIES ON YOUR PARTICIPATION SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK.

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

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TODAY AND REMINDING US ABOUT THE DIVERSITY WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE MORE DIVERSE CITIES IN THIS COUNTRY OR ANY AS LARGE AS SAN ANTONIO WITH THE DIVERSITY WE HAVE. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER AND TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND THAT WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENCES BUT WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE IN COMMON AND I THINK WE ALL DEMONSTRATE THAT VERY WELL.

YOU DO BY COMING HERE TODAY AND ASKING PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU BRING TO THIS COMMUNITY AS AN ARAB COMMUNITY. BUT I ALSO KNOW YOU'RE AN AMERICAN. WE'RE ALL AMERICANS AND WE'RE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND THOSE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT SHOULD BE BRINGING US TOGETHER. SO I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY RESPECT WHAT YOU DO, WHO YOU ARE, AND HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

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

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. LILY, COME ON BACK.

>> CASTILLO: I WAS GOING TO ADD THAT WITH THIS ARAB AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE RICH CULTURE AND HISTORY AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ARAB AMERICANS, RIGHT? YES, FOLKS ARE DOCTORS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BUT WE'RE INDIVIDUALS WITH FAMILIES. FAMILIES THAT ARE IMPACTED BY FOREIGN POLICY.

WHEN I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW AND I HOPE THAT LEADERSHIP FOLLOWS AND HEARS Y'ALL'S DEMANDS BECAUSE, TO YOUR POINT, EVERYONE DESERVES PEACE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY, FOR BEING RESILIENT,

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HOLD LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABLE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE Y'ALL ON THE PROCLAMATION AND AGAIN COMING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND HOW DIVERSE SAN ANTONIO IS. OF COURSE, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE LIKE IT'S JUST A HISPANIC COMMUNITY. BUT WE'RE NOT.

AND WE CONTINUE TO SHOW THAT THROUGH CELEBRATING DIFFERENT CULTURES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU GUYS GROWING AND HAVING A CELEBRATION AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO COMMUNICATE THAT SAN ANTONIO IS WELCOMING FOR ALL AND THAT WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY THAT COMES INTO OUR CITY. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND WORK. THANK Y'ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE OUT HERE AND TO STAND TOGETHER AND REPRESENT THE ARAB AMERICAN COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

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

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A YOUNG LADY HERE, WHO YOU HAVE HEARD FROM BEFORE, WHO HAS NOW BECOME A GRAND CHAMPION. COME ON UP.

[00:55:10]

CONGRATULATIONS, LILA. [APPLAUSE] .

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. WOW.

WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE HONOR. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I EVER THINK THAT I WOULD DO SOMETHING WORTHY OF THIS KIND OF RECOGNITION, TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ONCE WAS SO INCREDIBLY SPECIAL BUT TO BE HERE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A SHORT TIME SPAN IS EXCITING AND OVERWHELMING.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALL BEEN ROOTING FOR ME. COUNCILMAN WHYTE, I LOVED YOUR CARD FROM LAST TIME I WAS HERE, WISHING I WOULD BRING THE WIN HOME TO SAN ANTONIO.

I'M PROUD THAT I DID NOT DISAPPOINT. THE WAY THE CITY AND BEXAR COUNTY HAS BEEN BEHIND ME IS EXTRAORDINARY. ALONG WITH YOU, THE EXPRESS NEWS, KSAT, KENS 15, JUDGE SAKAI AND THE BE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAVE SHOWN ME LOVE AND GRACE. BEING CHOSEN AS A CONTESTANT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AT THE FOOD NETWORK FOR CREATING A PLATFORM WHERE KIDS LIKE ME WHO LOVE TO BAKE CAN SHINE. TO PARTICIPATE AND WIN IS SURREAL.

IF YOU WATCH THE SHOW, YOU'LL SEE I STRUGGLE IN THE BEGINNING AND MY NAME WAS CALLED IN THE BOTTOM IN EPISODES ONE AND THREE FOR MISTAKES THAT I MADE AND I ALMOST WENT HOME.

I CONTINUED TO PERSEVERE AS THE EPISODES WENT ON AND I WON FOUR OF THE TEN EPISODES INCLUDING THE FINALE. IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL JOURNEY FOR ME FILM THE SHOW BUT MY DAD WOULD SEND ME QUOTES. HE WAS A COACH FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BASKETBALL TEAM WHO ENDED UP WINNING THE 1983 CHAMPIONSHIP . SOME OF THE COACH QUOTES THAT STUCK OUT IN MY MIND AND HEART ARE DON'T GIVE UP, DON'T EVER GIVE UP.

AND EVERY SINGLE DAY AND EVERY WALK OF LIFE ORDINARY PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS.

I AM AN ORDINARY KID BUT I DID DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY. I'M CURRENTLY PARTNERING WITH THE V FOUNDATION, THE COACH'S MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH.

I'M DOING A SWEEPSTAKES WHERE SOMEONE WILL WIN A BAKING EXPERIENCE WITH ME.

WE HAVE RAISED $2500 THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHO THE LUCKY WINNER WILL BE. OVER THE TOP CAKE SUPPLIES HAS DONATED THEIR COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FOR ME TO USE WHEN THE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED ON MAY 18.

ALONG WITH MY BAKING SKILLS BEING BETTER, I WALKED AWAY WITH LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS.

THEY WERE ALL KIND, TALENTED, FUNNY, HARD WORKING AND WE HAVE BONDED LIKE A FAMILY.

IT HAS BEEN AN UNEXPECTED TAKEAWAY I DID NOT COUNT ON. WE'RE STILL IN CONTACT TODAY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EACH OTHER'S PHONE CALLS AND TEXTS. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE. MY MOM IS A VERY HELPFUL SOUS CHEF AS SHE RUNS THE DISHES AND SUPPLIES AND DELIVERIES AND MY DAD IS A GREAT TASTE TESTER AND WORKS HARD FOR OUR FAMILY.

MY LITTLE SISTER, CORA, EVEN HELPS BY GETTING OUT SUPPLIES AND UNLOADING THE DISHWASHER AND HELPING ME PACKAGE ORDERS. I COULD NOT DO THIS BY MYSELF AND I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT. I HAVE HAD SUCH INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES COME OUT OF THIS EXPERIENCE. I HAD SO MUCH FUN LAST WEEK MAKING CUPCAKES WITH COUNCILMAN PELAEZ AND GETTING A PROCLAMATION FROM MY CITY AND COUNTY IS HUMBLING.

I KNOW THIS IS NOT SOMETHING PEOPLE NORMALLY GET RECOGNIZED WITH, ESPECIALLY AT 12 YEARS OLD, BUT PLEASE KNOW I UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS HONOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I DID BRING TREATS TODAY. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANDY, IS THAT OKAY? SHE BROUGHT US SOME TREATS.

[01:00:02]

THAT'S ALL RIGHT? >> SEGOVIA: I SEE NO ISSUES, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELL, LET ME TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE, WHO HELPED

TO ORGANIZE YOUR VISITS HERE. CONGRATULATIONS, LILA. >> WHYTE: WELL, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK, LILA. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. IT WAS FUNNY.

AFTER YOU WERE HERE LAST TIME I THINK THERE WERE A COUPLE OF EPISODES TO GO.

AND SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS SAID TO ME: SHE HAD TO HAVE WON, RIGHT? COME ON, TELL ME. DID SHE WIN? SHE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT TELL ME SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN TOUGH KEEPING THAT SECRET. WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR YOU AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE. I KNOW THERE'S MORE TO COME AND A LOT THAT YOU CAN'T TELL US ABOUT. BUT LET ME TELL YOU YOUR STORY ON THAT SHOW, TO ME, IS REALLY . LIKE YOU SAID, IT STARTED OFF AND THERE WERE SOME STRUGGLES.

BUT YOU PERSEVERED. YOU NEVER GAVE UP AND YOU WORKED HARDER AND HARDER AND EVENTUALLY THAT HARD WORK PAID OFF IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP. AND SO THAT TO ME REALLY SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU AND TO ME, THAT'S REALLY AGAIN A SAN ANTONIO STORY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO THAT WORK SO HARD. THEY DON'T GIVE UP EITHER AND THEY'VE REALLY MADE THIS CITY WHAT IT IS TODAY. AND YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON AND HOPEFULLY BE A -- I HAVE NO DOUBT BE A GREAT MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND CONTINUE TO DO GREAT THINGS. I'M GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED YOUR FAMILY, YOUR MOM, AND YOUR DAD, AND YOUR SISTER. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TO ME FAMILIES ARE WHAT -- THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF A GOOD COMMUNITY. AND I KNOW THEY'VE DONE SO MUCH FOR YOU AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE THEM HERE AS WELL. AND, LOOK, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 10 AND OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND JUST HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL YOUR SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: FIRST OF ALL, MS. SMITHERS, THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING MY TEAM AND I INVADE YOUR HOME LAST WEEK. I HAVE NEVER WALKED INTO A HOUSE THAT SMELLED BETTER THAN THE SMITHERS HOUSE . THE SECOND THING IS YOU ARE A RAY OF SUNSHINE, YOU REALLY ARE. THE TIME I SPENT WITH YOU, I WAS JUST AMAZED AT YOUR ENERGY.

YOU'RE ONE OF THE SMARTEST YOUNG WOMEN I HAVE EVER MET IN MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I AM SURROUNDED BY REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SMART WOMEN BUT THIS YOUNG LADY IS SCARY SMART, Y'ALL.

JUST WATCH HER. SHE'S GOING TO ACCOMPLISH SOME REALLY BIG THINGS IN HER LIFE.

BUT YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO BAKE 40 SECONDS. YOU WILL SEE ME LEARN SOME VERY IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM LILA.

DROUGHT CONDITION CUPCAKE. THIS IS DEDICATED TO OUR FRIENDS AT SAWS.

>> OKAY. >> PELAEZ: NOW THIS ONE RIGHT HERE IS MY ATTEMPT AT THE FLOWER. I'D LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS ONE TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF SAN ANTONIO, RIGHT? AND THEN THIS THIRD ONE RIGHT HERE, I REALLY DID TRY --

>> OKAY. >> PELAEZ: BUT, ANYWAY, I THINK YOU WIN.

>> I MEAN, I WOULD CONSIDER IT A TIE IF IT WERE ME JUDGING. >> PELAEZ: CONGRATULATIONS.

CAN ALL GET BEHIND AND CHEER FOR. CONGRATULATIONS.

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

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE COUNCILMAN WHYTE FOR INTRODUCING YOU TO US. YOU HAVE BEEN SO IMPRESSIVE. I ALSO DID WANT TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF HIS COMMENTS, WHICH WERE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT RESILIENCE. YOU WERE SAYING THAT YOU FUMBLED. WE ALL FAIL, SOME OF US MORE THAN OTHERS, BUT IT'S ABOUT HOW WE GET BACK UP AND DUST OURSELVES OFF. I'M SO GLAD YOU LEARNED THAT LESSON. I ALSO SEE YOUR LITTLE SISTER AND HER EYES LOOKING SO LOVINGLY AT YOU. YOU'RE TEACHING HER AND ALSO MY DAUGHTERS.

WE WATCH THE SHOW AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING AS AN INSPIRATION TO THEM TOO.

WE'RE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU. KEEP GOING. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND CONGRATULATIONS.

FOLLOWING YOUR LAST VISIT WHEN COUNCILMAN WHYTE INVITED YOU, I WENT HOME AND TOLD MY HUSBAND -- WE DON'T HAVE CABLE TV. I SAID WE NEED TO FIND THE FOOD NETWORK SO WE DOWNLOADED HULU SO WE COULD WATCH YOUR SEASON. I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND I ALSO WANTED TO LEARN

WHAT DID Y'ALL NAME THE TWO KITTENS THAT Y'ALL GOT? >> OKAY.

[01:05:04]

HE'S ORANGE. HIS FULL NAME IS DARREN DUFF. AND THE OTHER ONE IS

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> CASTILLO: WOW! THOSE ARE SOME NAMES.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY . THANK YOU.

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

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU FOR COMING AND CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW IT'S A GREAT SCHEDULE.

YOU'RE A WONDERFUL PUBLIC SPEAKER. YOU HAVE A FUTURE IN POLITICS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE. AND THEN YOUR SISTER COULD FOLLOW YOU, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I DID WITH MY SISTER. THAT REMARK WHERE IT WAS A TIE, I WAS LIKE OH, SHE HAS A FUTURE IN POLITICS. BUT CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU ARE A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY.

I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE. BUT JUST REMEMBER WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR GENERATION CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT AND HAVE THE FUTURE THAT THEY WANT.

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. SO GLAD TO BE HERE. THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE OF YOUR FAMILY IS JUST SO COMMENDABLE BECAUSE WE NEED TO SEE MORE OF THAT.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND YOUR SISTER AROUND AND GETTING MORE INVOLVED.

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

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

LILA, CONGRATULATIONS. ALSO VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU. AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THOSE CUPCAKES BECAUSE I'VE BEEN EYEING THEM. I JUST WANTED TO THANK ALSO COUNCILMAN WHYTE FOR BRINGING YOU HERE AND I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M NOT GOOD AT BAKING BUT I'M REALLY GOOD AT EATING BAKED GOODS, SO IF YOU NEED A BAKE-UP TASTE TESTER, I'M

HERE FOR YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU,

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

YOU KNOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING JOY AND HAPPINESS TO SO MANY PEOPLE THROUGH WHAT YOU DO.

YOU KNOW, BEING ON THAT PROGRAM AND WINNING AND REPRESENTING YOURSELF AND OUR COMMUNITY SO WELL MAKES US ALL FEEL PROUD. AND ALSO, THOUGH, YOU'RE STILL A YOUNG WOMAN.

REMEMBER, KEEP LEARNING AND ENJOYING YOUR YOUTH AND TRYING AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO DO SO WELL IN SCHOOL THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE A LOT MORE OUT OF YOUR LIFE AS YOU GO FORWARD.

WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING FROM SOME HIGH SCHOOL KIDS HERE IN A LITTLE BIT WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THIS COMMUNITY. AND HOPEFULLY SOME DAY WE'LL SEE YOU BACK IN FRONT OF THIS CITY COUNCIL WITH MORE COMMITMENTS TO THIS COMMUNITY THAT YOU SEEM TO ENJOY AND LOVE SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. LILA, CONGRATULATIONS. HEARING THE QUOTES, I THINK I'M GOING TO PICK NC STATE IN THE FINAL FOUR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR

NEXT ENDEAVORS AND YOU WILL BE A GREAT STAR IN THIS COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YES, ARE THOSE FOR US? >> YES.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE CUPCAKES AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

NOW, LET ME TURN IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN FOR A RECOGNITION.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS SATURDAY WE CELEBRATE A DECADE OF POETIC INSPIRATION WITH THE TENTH ANNUAL VIVA POESIA AT MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA. VIVA POESIA IS THE KICKOFF TO THE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO AND HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL TRADITION IN OUR CITY.

VIVA POESIA IS PRESENTED BY THE WORLD HERITAGE OFFICE AND FUNDED IN PART BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE. SO IF ANYBODY FROM ARTS AND CULTURE IS HERE -- I KNOW JOHN AND COLLEEN ARE HERE. IF YOU GUYS COULD STAND UP. WE'VE GOT DR. OCTAVIA HERE.

IF YOU GUYS WANT TO COME TO THE FRONT TOO. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS CONFLUENCE OF THE CREATIVE ARTS, INSPIRED BY THE SURREALIST GAME, A WAY TO STIMULATE CREATIVITY THROUGH COLLABORATION. I LOVE WHEN WE USE THE TERM CONFLUENCE BECAUSE I'M LIKE HOW ARE WE GOING TO INTERPRET IT THIS TIME? THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR. WE HAVE, NOT JUST THE POET POET LAUREATES, PAST POET LAUREATES, AND THE CURRENT POET LAUREATE, BUT WE HAVE ANTHONY, PAST POET LAUREATES AN ANDREA VOCAB SANDERSON. WE HAVE SAN ANTONIO CHEF AMBASSADORS AND CRUZ ORTIZ AND

[01:10:07]

THEY JUST GET MORE CREATIVE EVERY YEAR SO I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR.

BUT IF YOU GUYS CAN'T MAKE IT OUT THIS YEAR, THERE ARE GOING TO BE OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY THROUGH NOVEMBER. AND WE HAVE A VIDEO TO SHOW YOU.

AFTER THAT, ONE OF SAN ANTONIO'S PAST POET LAUREATES, DR. OCTAVIA QUINTANILLA IS WITH US TODAY AND HE IS GOING TO TELL US A LITTLE MORE AND SHARE A LITTLE MORE. I KNOW YOU WERE ON KENS 5 LAST

NIGHT FOR ANOTHER ART PIECE. CORRECT? >> I WAS.

I HAVE A [INAUDIBLE] AT THE MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE, SO THEY DID A STORY ABOUT THAT.

>> VIAGRAN: OUR OTHER PAST POET LAUREATES ARE HOSTING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

THERE IS A WEBSITE THAT YOU CAN LEARN MORE BUT I WANT THE VIDEO TO RUN.

AND THEN WE'LL HAVE DR. OCTAVIA QUINTANILLA TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT HOW AWESOME VIVA POESIA IS. CAN WE ROLL THE VIDEO? ♪ TERM AS POET LAUREATE. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO COME AND READ A POEM. I LOOK FORWARD TO READING AT VIVA POESIA.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO READ A POEM.

AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO LIVE IN A CITY WHERE WE TRY TO MAKE POETRY PART OF OUR CIVIC LIFE.

I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. AND POETRY, IT'S NATIONAL POETRY MONTH SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT TOO. YOU KNOW, I HAVE A FEW EVENTS AROUND THE CITY AND THIS MONTH ALWAYS REMINDS ME OF HOW FOR ME POETRY IS AN EXTREME WAY OF LIVING LIFE.

IT'S AN INSPIRED WAY OF ENGAGING WITH THE WORLD. YOU KNOW, LISTENING TO IT AND LISTENING TO THOSE AROUND US. WITH THAT SAID, I'M GOING TO READ A POEM THAT I WAS INVITED TO DO AN EXQUISITE CORPSE-TYPE POEM. I'M HAPPY TO SEE DR. ROCHA GARCIA, COLLEAGUE AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY. EXQUISITE CORPSE, IT'S A SURREALIST EXERCISE AND IT REQUIRES COLLABORATION. LAST NIGHT AT 3:00 A.M. I HAD NO ONE TO COLLABORATE WITH. SO I COLLABORATED WITH MY FINGER.

[01:15:04]

IT HAS NO TITLE BUT I DO WANT TO START WITH A QUOTE BY THE GREAT ARGENTINE POET WHO SAID LA POESIA AND I THINK ALL OF THEM KIND OF WORK ALMOST LIKE HAIKU POEMS, SHORT POEMS, BUT THEY'RE ALL CONNECTED. HERE'S THE FIRST ONE. THE POETS I KNEW AS A BOY CARRIED SWITCHBLADES AND GOT ARRESTED WHEN THEIR LAUGHTER GOT TOO LOUD.

ONE DAY I'LL WAKE UP, LOOK IN THE MIRROR, AND NOT RECOGNIZE MY FACE.

SOMETIMES WHEN WE GET QUIET, MY HEAD ON YOUR CHEST, I HEAR YOUR HEART GALLOP MORE DISTANCE BETWEEN US. WHEN A TREE FEELS LONELY, WHO DOES IT CRY FOR? YOU SCRUB YOUR SKIN AND THE DARK STAYS ON. HOW CAN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE HAVE SUCH HORRIBLE HISTORY? WHAT WILL THE RIVERS SAY ABOUT THOSE WHO DROWNED? YOUR LONELY STICKS OUT OF YOUR FACE LIKE A BRUISED EYE. THINK OF MY LOVE AS AN EMPTY VESSEL THAT YOU CAN FILL WITH EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE WHO HAS DISAPPEARED FROM YOUR LIFE.

FILL IT WITH YOUR FATHER'S TIES OR WITH YOUR MOTHER'S BLACK HAIR.

FILL IT WITH HER CHILDHOOD TOYS AND ALL THE DAYS YOU FELT UNWANTED.

EVEN JUDAS HAD A MOTHER WHO LOVED HIM. I PRETEND I WAS SOMEONE ELSE SO I COULD PRETEND TO BE ME. THE AUTUMN LEAVES CHOREOGRAPH TO A DANCE I ONLY LEARN TOO WELL.

IT'S HARD TO KEEP SECRETS WHEN YOU HAVE A BIG EGO. YOU KNOW YOU'RE GETTING OLD WHEN YOU START NOTICING THE LOVE LETTERS THE YEARS WRITE ON YOUR DAUGHTER'S FACE.

THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I'M UNDERWATER AND I REMEMBER BEING IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB.

NOT EVEN A POEM COULD TELL ME HOW I HELD MY BREATH FOR NINE MONTHS.

WHEN I READ THE WORD "BIRD" IN A POEM, THE SIGNIFIED LANDS ON THE PAGE, BRINGING WITH IT THE SMELL OF WET FEATHERS. I'M THINKING OF THE FUTURE DEAD, THE ONES WHOSE GHOSTS ARE ALREADY LOOKING FOR THEMSELVES. THE ONES KISSING YOUNG MOUTHS AS IF THEY WERE ETERNAL.

I'VE BEEN GOOD WITH MY HANDS MY WHOLE LIFE. SO GOOD I'LL BUILD A CHURCH OUT OF THE BRICK LEFT OVER FROM A GOOD COUNTRY NO ONE WANTS TO LIVE IN.

AND I'LL GIVE LANGUAGE FIRE SO IT CAN BURN WHEN SPOKEN. I AM NEVER HOME WHEN GOD CALLS.

SO COME, COME CLOSER. TELL ME MORE. I'LL LISTEN UNTIL I BECOME THE CHARACTER IN YOUR STORY YOU LOVE THE MOST. THANK YOU.

HAPPY POETRY MONTH. [APPLAUSE] >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU,

[01:20:08]

WHATEVER TIME YOU COME WE'LL GET YOU ON. AND YOU CAN VISIT WITH OUR POET LAUREATE, EDDIE VEGA. REMEMBER, THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH OUR STRUGGLES. THE ARTS AND POETRY. I HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE.

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

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

AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO DR. Q. I ADVISE TO TAKE YOUR POETRY CLASS. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK COLLEEN AND THE GREAT WORK YOU DO. CONGRATULATIONS ON CONTINUING TO INSPIRE POETS.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU AGAIN, DR. QUINTANILLA, OUR POET LAWYER LAUREATE AS WELL.

[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE  ]

I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO I STARTED TALKING ABOUT A ANNULAR ECLIPSE HAPPENING IN OCTOBER AND THEN A SOLAR ECLIPSE THAT WAS GOING GOING TO HAPPEN. I THINK AT THE TIME MY COLLEAGUES WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS TWO YEARS AGO. I WAS FREAKING OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. PEOPLE THOUGHT WE WERE GEARING UP TOO EARLY FOR THESE EVENTS, TODAY I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THOSE FOLKS.

IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO PARTNER WITH THEM. THERE'S SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS. AS I CALL YOU, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP.

SPECIFICALLY THE UTSA DEPARTMENTS OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY.

AND THEN ALSO FROST BANK AND NASA WHO HAS HELPED PLAN A MEMORABLE EVENT FOR STUDENTS FROM SOUTH SAN ANTONIO, WE'RE GOING TO BE BUSING OVER ABOUT 500 KIDS FROM THE SOUTH SIDE TO THE NORTH SIDE ON MONDAY TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE.

I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ, HE WILL BE ADDING SOME WORDS IN A LITTLE BIT FOR BEING SO HOSPITABLE TO US. BUT WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE HAPPENING IN OUR REGION, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDED OUR STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THIS AND SPECIFICALLY CAREERS IN S.T.E.M. WHILE PLANNING FOR THIS, WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER S.T.E.M. ENGAGEMENT OFFICE AND ALSO NASA HEADQUARTERS.

SO STUDENTS FROM COMPASS ROSE, FROM LIGHTHOUSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL ELEMENTARIES WILL BE TRAVELING TO NORTHWEST SAN ANTONIO TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE AT THE FROST PLAZA.

A SHOUT-OUT TO SPURS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT.

THEY'VE BEEN HELPING US WITH THE AV AND ALL OUR NEEDS. IN ADDITION TO SAFELY VIEWING THE TOTAL ECLIPSE, STUDENTS ARE GOING TO TAKE PART IN 15 ACTIVATION STATIONS ON A VARIETY OF S.T.E.M. TOPICS. THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL LEAD THE ACTIVATIONS INCLUDE SAN ANTONIO SCHOOLS, NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER'S OFFICE OF S.T.E.M. ENGAGEMENT, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION'S NATIONAL OPTICAL INFRARED ASTRONOMY RESEARCH LABORATORY, THE ALAMO TRUST AND YOUTH CO GEM. STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT CODING, ROBOTS, CIRCUITS, AND OTHER S.T.E.M.-RELATED TOPICS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE MADE POSSIBLE BY ALL THESE WONDERFUL ORGANIZATIONS. THE U.S. EXTREMELY LARGE TELESCOPE PROGRAM, TECH BLOCK AND THE WAX FOUNDATION. I'M GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO HELPED PLAN THIS EVENT WITH OUR DISTRICT 4 TEAM AND I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO MY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CINDY WHO HAS HELPED LEAD IN THE COORDINATION EFFORTS ALONG WITH CHRISTIE FROM FROST BANK AND ALL WHO HAVE JOINED OUR NOW WEEKLY PLANNING MEETINGS. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR BECAUSE HE POPPED IN ON A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AND ALLOWED ME TO MISS A COUPLE MEETINGS AT B SESSION. I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE YOU ALL AND SO WE HAVE BILL DAY FROM FROST, WE HAVE PROFESSIONAL CHRIS PACK.

[01:25:04]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ALSO THANK YOU VERY MUCH THE MAYOR AND CITY AS A WHOLE.

I'M OFTEN ASKED WHY A TOTAL ECLIPSE IS SO IMPORTANT, SO EXCITING.

A TOTAL ECLIPSE HAPPENS ONCE EVERY APPROXIMATELY 375 YEARS AT ANY PARTICULAR POSITION ON EARTH. THE NEXT ONE IN SAN ANTONIO WILL BE FEBRUARY AUDIO] AND THE SUN IS MORE ACTIVE THAN TYPICAL. WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE SOLAR ATMOSPHERE COULD HAVE MORE PROMINENCES, MORE FLARES AND MORE STRUCTURE THAN USUAL. SO THIS REALLY IS GOING TO BE AN AWESOME ECLIPSE.

THE ECLIPSE GOES OVER A HUGE AMOUNT OF POPULATED AREAS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

WE ARE ONE OF THE FIRST CITIES TO EXPERIENCE TOTALITY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AFTER IT CROSSES THE BORDER FROM MEXICO. WE ARE TRULY IN FOR A TREAT.

IN KERRVILLE THEY EXPERIENCE ABOUT 4:30. WE GET ABOUT TWO AND A HALF IN THE UTSA AREA. REMEMBER, THIS IS A COMMENT TO FOLKS WATCHING AT HOME, TOTALITY IS EVERYTHING. ENSURE YOU GET TO AN AREA WHERE YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF TOTALITY. 99.9% IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. GET TO AN AREA WHERE IT'S A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. IT WILL LOOK MUCH BETTER AND YOU MUST ALWAYS BE USING THE TOTAL ECLIPSE GLASSES. WE'LL HAND YOU SOME IN A FEW MINUTES TO THE FOLKS HERE.

USE THESE AT ALL TIMES. YOU MUST NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITH YOUR EYES, YOU CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE. AT THE TIME OF TOTALITY, YOU CAN TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE UP TO FOUR MINUTES THERE. WHY IS AN ECLIPSE SO IMPORTANT TO THE CITY, TO THE FOLKS HERE IN CITY HALL? WELL, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR TWO MAIN REASONS, I THINK. IT'S REALLY COOL. THAT'S ONE REASON.

THE EARTH, MOON, SUN, OUR OWN SOLAR SYSTEM IS PUTTING ON AN INCREDIBLE DISPLAY OF THE BEAUTY, POWER AND CELESTIAL AWE. TO REALLY UNDERSTAND AN ECLIPSE IS NOT PARTICULARLY HARD BUT IT DOES REQUIRE ISOTOPIC TOUR THE ORBITS OF THE SUN, EARTH AND MOON AND THINK ABOUT THE SYMPHONY OF THESE PLANETS MOVING IN ORBIT AND HOW THESE ALL ALIGN TO PRODUCE THIS INCREDIBLE CELESTIAL PHENOMENON. WE ARE HAVING A LARGE S.T.E.M. EVENT AS THE COUNCILWOMAN MENTIONED. IT'S A ROUGHLY EMBRACE OF ACADEMIA, UTSA, THE CITY HALL AT SAN ANTONIO, PARTICULARLY THROUGH COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA AND LOCAL BUSINESSES EXEMPLIFIED THROUGH FROST BANK.

ALSO WE HAVE NASA, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, EVEN THE SPURS.

THIS IS A GREAT THING WORKING ACROSS THESE GLOBAL TEAMS TO ENSURE THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS THE MOST IT CAN FROM THIS. WE EVEN HAVE A CHOIR SINGING SPECIALLY-ARRANGED PIECES DURING THE TOTALITY. SO WITHIN OF THE REASONS I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS IS NASA AND S.T.E.M. IN GENERAL NEEDS ALL TYPES OF WORK.

WE NEED ALL FOLKS, NOT JUST THE ASTRONOMIESS THAT CAN USE THESE FACILITIES BUT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS, NUTRITIONISTINGS, HUMAN RESOURCES, COMPUTER ENGINEERS, ET CETERA. WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH EVERY DISCIPLINE UNDER THE SUN AND MOON TO GO AFTER AND ADVANCE THE GOALS OF THAT NASA HAS. SOME OF US ARE WORKING ON THE NEXT GENERATION JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE. WE USE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE CAN CREATE USING NASA ADVANCED TOOLS TO KIND OF HIDE THE LIGHTS FROM STARS AND ALLOW US TO SEE PLANETS THAT ARE GOING AROUND IN ORBIT AROUND THEM AND SEARCH FOR PRESENCE OF LIFE IN DISTANT STARS. THIS IS SO EXCITING.

I WANT TO HELP BRING SOME OF THIS EXCITEMENT HERE TO SAN ANTONIO AND PERHAPS SOME OF THE WORK HERE. SO THE ECLIPSE IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

WE HOPE OUR S.T.E.M. EVENT WILL HELP CHANGE MANY LIVES FOR THE BETTER.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY, ESPECIALLY COUNCILWOMAN ROCHA GARCIA IN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS EVENT. PARTNERSHIPS SUCH AS THIS ARE WHAT MAKES SAN ANTONIO A GREAT CITY WITH AN INCREDIBLE FUTURE. ONE WHERE FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE INCREDIBLE FUTURES AND ADVANCE HUMANITY.

LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF OTHER CITIES, SO TO SPEAK. AS NASA SAYS, ONWARDS AND UPWARDS. I HAVE SOME ECLIPSE GLASSES COURTESY OF NASA AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND ALSO A BOOK ABOUT TOTALITY PROVIDED TO ME BY A

[01:30:01]

SKIES BETWEEN 1:00 AND 2:00 P.M. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DONE.

>> HELLO, JENNIFER BECERRA, PROGRAM MANAGER AT JOHNSON SPACE CENTER.

CHANGE YOU FOR INVITING US AND MAYOR NIRENBERG FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

OUR GOAL AT NASA IS TO ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS TO EXPLORE STEM.

MY JOB IS TO WORK WITH NASA INTERNSHIPS ACROSS THE AGENCY AND ALSO S.T.E.M.

ENGAGEMENT. WHEN THE ECLIPSE CAME UP AND NASA SAID WHERE ARE WE GOING, WHAT ARE WE DOING, A LOT SAID GO TO KERRVILLE, I SAID LET'S GO TO SAN ANTONIO. GIVING BACK TO CITY I CALL PEOPLE BEING AN IN CAR NATURE WORD GRADUATE AND ALSO OUR LADY OF THE LAKE GRADUATE, I WANTED TO COME HOME AND MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED WITH THIS ECLIPSE. I TELL STUDENTS NASA IS A COMMUNITY AND IT'S NOT JUST MADE OF ASTRONAUTS, ENGINEERS AND SCIENCES, IT'S PHOTOGRAPHERS, LAWYERS AND DOCTORS AND SECRETARIES. THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE AT NASA AND WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A PLACE FOR THEM THERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS WEEK AND WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE ALL OUR STUDENTS IN SAN ANTONIO TO EXPLORE S.T.E.M. NASA ALSO HAS A CALL OUGHT FOR ASTRONAUTS. SO IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE NEXT EYE PLANT LEAP, APPLY TO BE AN ASTRONAUT. I HAVE BROUGHT A NASA PEN.

THEY PUT IN THE APPLICATION, MIGHT GET YOU THE ACTUAL FLIGHT PLAN.

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU EVERYBODY, BILL DAY WITH FROST BANK. OBVIOUSLY IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY, UTSA, NASA AND THE SPURS. YOU ARE PROBABLY ASKING WHAT IS FROST BANK DOING WITH A BRAINY COMPANY LIKE THIS. WE'RE HOSTING THE EVENT AT THE FROST PLAZA AT THE ROCK AT LA CAN TEAR ARE. FROST ALSO IS THE TITLE SPONSOR OF THE FROST BANK PLAZA, AN OPEN-AIR PLACE WE HAVE CELEBRATIONS LIKE THIS FOR THE COMMUNITY. PROUD TO HAVE THAT SO WE CAN HOST ABOUT 500 STUDENTS TO SEE THE TOTAL ECLIPSE. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AND PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS

COLLABORATION. THANK YOU AGAIN. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EVENTS AND THANK YOU ESPECIALLY FOR THE COLLABORATION, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA, FOR MAKING THIS FOCUSED ON OUR CHILDREN AND WHAT THEY CAN LEARN FROM THIS EVENT.

COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ:

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. I WASN'T GOING TO TALK ON ANY OF THE POINTS, BUT DR., YOU ARE MY PROFESSOR MY SOPHOMORE YEAR SOME YEARS AGO. SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE ECLIPSE.

I HEARD YOUR VOICE START GOING AND I WAS LIKE -- SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP AND WHAT A

WORLD. >> I REMEMBER YOU GETTING STRAIGHT A'S ALL THE TIME.

[LAUGHTER] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.

>> PELÁEZ: YOU HAVE NO IDEA. IT'S REALLY RIDICULOUS AND FOR MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ON THE SOUTH SIDE, WE WILL PROVIDE OXYGEN TANKS SO YOU CAN DRIVE TO THE NORTH SIDE TO ENJOY IT. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS AND MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS FROM AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE. YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE UNIVERSE, THIS IS MOTHER NATURE GIVING US AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BIRTHDAY GIFT. THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RESTAURANT PURCHASES, HOTEL PURCHASES, CAR RENTALS, OUR CONVENIENCE STORES ARE GOING TO DO GREAT UP THERE. AND THAT SHOULDN'T BE LOST ON EVERYBODY AND THAT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHILE STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT AND THAT'S HUGE, SO WILL MOM AND POP SHOPS UP AND DOWN THE TOTALITY'S PATH.

THE OTHER THING I'LL TELL YOU IS THAT MY SISTER FROM ANOTHER MISTER OVER THERE, SHE'S INVITING A TON OF KIDS UP TO THE FROST PLAZA, BUT THAT PLAZA IS HUGE.

THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR EVERYBODY. IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE, LOTS OF PARKING. I HOPE EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM WILL TALK TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AND JUST COME ON UP. IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF

[01:35:04]

APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. WELCOME TO CITY HALL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. SO WHEN WAS THE YEAR THAT THE NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE

AGAIN? >> IT'S FEBRUARY 23, '43. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I LEARNED THAT JUST RECENTLY BECAUSE I THOUGHT I REMEMBER A TOTAL ECLIPSE WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL. AND SO MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIVE TO -- EVEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A TOTAL ECLIPSE. THIS IS REALLY A WONDERFUL PHENOMENON. WE DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO BE SAFE.

IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO THE ROCK, FIND A PLACE, DECEMBER I GO NAYS YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IT, DON'T PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND, OF COURSE, WEAR THE CLASSES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COLLABORATING WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO GET THIS DONE.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. NOW OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR A POINT OF

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> CASTILLO:IZED LIKE TO INVITE DR. CORTEZ AND THE TEAM UP TO THE PODIUM. IT'S ALSO GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK. MANY CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH AND IMPACT THE WAYS IN WHICH WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AROUND US. IT IS THAT PASSION AND DEDICATION THAT ALLOWS OUR SOCIETY TO PURSUE SOLUTIONS TOWARDS VERY REAL PROBLEMS IN OUR SOCIETY. SO TODAY I INVITED ONE OF OUR ACADEMIC COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY, DR. CORTEZ, DIRECTOR OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT SERVICES AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSIT UY, OVERSEEING THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY OF OVER 1,100 GRADUATE STUDENTS. WITH THE FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL WORK, COMMUNICATION SCIENCE, BUSINESS, CYBERSECURITY AND SO MUCH MORE. OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY ENSURES THAT GRADUATE STUDENTS EXCEL IN FIELDS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. IT'S SO NICE TO BE HERE THIS MORNING IN FRONT OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS AND THE MAYOR.

IT'S ALSO NICE THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY MEMBERS REPRESENTED TODAY. WE HAVE DR. ROCHA GARCIA AND DR. QUINTANILLA AS WELL.

AS COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO MENTIONED, MY NAME IS NOEL CORTEZ.

AS WE COMMEMORATE NATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RESILIENCE AND TRIUMPHS OF OUR STUDENTS WHO 23456 GATE CHALLENGES WHILE CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY THROUGH ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES AND PER SUITS.

OLOU AS A CATHOLIC ARTS INSTITUTION AND DESIGNATED HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION TAKES IMMATERIAL PRESENCE PRIDE IN NURTURING THAT TALENT.

I REPRESENT THE ASPIRATIONS OF MANY. ONLY ONE PERCENT OF HISPANICS HOLD DEGREES UNDERSCORING THE IMPORTANCE OF INSTITUTIONS IN EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HISPANIC SCHOLARS.

THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, DR. CORTEZ.

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

CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS. IT DEFINITELY DOES TAKE DRIVE AND COMMITMENT.

I RECEIVED MY MASTER'S FROM DEPAUL. I REMEMBER A PROFESSOR SAID HOW MANY OF YOU ARE GETTING THE MASTER'S AND I WAS THE ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT TAKES A HUGE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND HUSTLE. PEOPLE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO BE THERE AND WANT TO BETTER THEIR FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES.

MANY PROFESSIONAL, GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS ARE WORKING FULL TIME AND/OR

[01:40:04]

OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HER MASTER'S IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. IF YOU'VE SEEN OUR NEWSLETTERS OR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS, YOU KNOW ISABELLA IS WORKING HER TAIL OFF EVERY DAY FOR DISTRICT 7.

GRADUATE SCHOOL ON TOP OF THAT IS A TREMENDOUS FEAT. THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR HONORING THESE FOLKS TODAY, THANK YOU ISABELLA FOR YOUR SERVICE WHILE WORKING HARD ON YOUR OWN PERSONAL GOALS. AND TO ALL THE STUDENTS,

KEEP GOING. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.

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

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO TO HELP SO MANY OF US ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION. ONE THING I HOPE THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS DO AND THE OTHERS WHO WORK WITH YOU IS TO REMIND ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS WHEN THEY GET READY TO GRADUATE, LOOK FOR THE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE THING TO EDUCATE MEN AND WOMEN TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL WE CAN, BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US IN OUR COMMUNITY TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT HERE TO STAY HERE TO LIVE HERE, TO EARN HERE, TO BE SUCCESSFUL HERE. I HOPE YOU WILL ALWAYS HELP

THEM THINK ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OLOU ALSO. COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO.

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TODAY I'M HONORED TO CELEBRATE CHILD SAFE. AND HELP THEM KICK OFF THEIR CARDBOARD KIDS CAMPAIGN.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING RANDY MCGUINEA ANCHORED KNEE JOHN FROM CHILD SAFE.

COME ON UP. APRIL 1ST MARKED THE START OF NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS BUILDING A HOPEFUL FUTURE TOGETHER. I CAN THINK OF NO ORGANIZATION IN SAN ANTONIO THAT EMBODIES THIS YEAR'S THEME BETTER THAN CHILD SAFE.

CHILD SAFE WAS FOUND UNDERSTAND 1992 AND STANDS AS THE ONLY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER IN BEXAR COUNTY. CHILD SAFE HAS WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY FOR OVER 30 YEARS TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE ON THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALING. ONE NOTABLE PIECE ABOUT CHILD SAFE'S EFFORTS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE WHICH ONE NOTABLE PIECE OF CHILD SAFE EFFORTS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO CELEBRATE IS THEIR CARDBOARD KIDS CAMPAIGN.

YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THESE CUTE LITTLE POP-UPS AROUND TOWN EACH APRIL.

THE CARDBOARD KIDS CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED IN 2014 AS A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

THE VISION WAS BY PLACING THE CARDBOARD KIDS ALL AROUND TOWN, THEY WOULD SERVE AS A MEANS TO START THE OFTEN DIFFICULT CONVERSATION ABOUT CHILD ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY. EACH OF THESE 800,000 CARDBOARD KIDS HANDED OUT OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS REPRESENT THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY MONTH EXPERIENCE ABUSE AND NEGLECT AT THE HANDS OF ADULT. EACH IS DIFFERENT AND EACH ONE IS WORTHY OF OUR PROTECTION AND BEING SEEN AND HEARD BY OUR COMMUNITY.

TODAY MARKS THE OFFICIAL REVEAL DAY FOR CHILD SAFE'S 2024 CARDBOARD KIDS CAMPAIGN. NOTICE THERE WERE CARDBOARD KIDS ON EACH OF YOUR SEATS.

THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS AT SHIELD SAFE. JOIN ME IN HELPING KICK OFF THIS CARDBOARD KIDS CAMPAIGN. RANDY, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO

SAY A FEW WORDS, PLEASE DO SO. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR INVITING US HERE TODAY AND BEING YOUR SPECIAL GUEST.

FIRST THING, I'M NOT KIM ABERNATHY. I'M THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BECAUSE I KNOW SHE'S COME BEFORE YOU MANY TIMES. SHE RETIRED IN DECEMBER.

SHE AND I WORKED ON A THREE YEAR SUCCESSION PLAN AND THAT CAME TO FRUITION FOR KIM IN DECEMBER. BUT THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.

TODAY KICKS OFF NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.

APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. TODAY IS THE DAY WE DO OUR BIG REVEAL DAY FOR CARDBOARD KIDS. I'LL TELL YOU A BRIEF STORY, BUT WE STARTED CARDBOARD KIDS TEN YEARS AGO. AND I REMEMBER 11 YEARS AGO, THE YEAR PRIOR TO CARDBOARD KIDS, THERE WERE ABOUT 6500 CONFIRMED VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE IN BEXAR COUNTY. AND LIKE A LOT OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORK WHEN THIS FIELD, WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO RAISE AWARENESS.

SO MYSELF AND A FEW OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND SOME VOLUNTEERS INSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY WENT OUTSIDE OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND WE DRILLED 6500 HOLES IN FRONT

[01:45:01]

AND I THOUGHT, MY GOODNESS, THERE'S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY TO RAISE AWARENESS AROUND THIS BECAUSE EVERY DAY THERE WOULD BE A PINWHEEL KNOCKED OVER.

I THOUGHT THEY REPRESENTED CHILDREN IN MY HEAD. WE WERE LIKE HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS. SO SOME GENIUS PERSON, NOT ME, INSIDE OF OUR AGENCY SAID WHAT IF WE DO THESE TWO AND A HALF-FOOT CUTOUTS OF THESE CARDBOARD KIDS.

KIM WAS LIKE THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK. SURE ENOUGH WHAT WE DID, THE NEXT YEAR I THINK THERE WERE 6700 CONFIRMED VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE PURCHASED THE EXACT NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO WERE CONFIRMED OF CHILD ABUSE AND WE PUT THEM INSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY.

I REMEMBER COMING HERE AND PLACING THEM IN THE CITY COUNCIL SEATS.

AND I REMEMBER ONE OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS THAT WE HAD, THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS ALLOWED US TO PUT 6700 INSIDE THE ARENA SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE ARENA ABOUT THE GAME AND THEY FILMED IT AND BROADCAST IT PRIOR TO THE GAME KICKING OFF.

I REMEMBER LOOKING AND SAYING OH, MY GOSH. AT THE END OF THE WEEK WHEN WE HAD OUR REVEAL DAY, WE KIND OF PATTED OURSELVES ON THE BACK AND WENT WOW, WE DID A REALLY GOOD THING IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

WE GOT 10,000 PHONE CALLS, BY THE END OF THE MONTH 30,000 PHONE CALLS.

PEOPLE WERE CALLING US BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO DO CARDBOARD KIDS.

WE BOUGHT 20,000 THE NEXT YEAR, PATTED OURSELVES ON THE BEING ABOUT, GOT PHONE CALLS. THEN WE DID 50,000, 60,000, WE DID 120,000 THIS YEAR.

THIS YEAR, THIS IS OUR TEN YEARS. MARKS OUR TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. WE'VE GIVEN OUT 850,000 CARDBOARD KIDS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AS THIS PROGRAM HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME IT IS NO LONGER JUST AN AWARENESS PROGRAM, IT'S A PREVENTION PROGRAM.

WE TALK TO ANYBODY WHO WILL COME AND PICK UP A CARDBOARD KID AND SAY THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO SIT WITH A CHILD AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM IN A SAFE SPACE AROUND BODY SAFETY. AND THAT THEY CAN SAY NO.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE A HUG, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE A KISS BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WE TEACH CHILDREN TO DO THAT AND MIND THEIR ADULTS. MANY TIMES IN THESE CASES, 98% OF THE TIME IT'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY THE CHILD KNOWS WHO IS GOING TO PERPETRATE THIS HORRIBLE CRIME AGAINST THIS CHILD. THIS TO ME, I LOVE THIS CAMPAIGN BECAUSE WE WORK IN THE MUCK OF IT. WE SEE THE UGLINESS OF IT EVERY DAY AT OUR AGENCY. BUT WE DON'T EVER GET A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S UPSTREAM, THAT'S POSITIVE, THAT'S GOING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.

THAT'S WHAT CARDBOARD KIDS REPRESENTS FOR US. I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH NOT JUST FOR SUPPORT TODAY, HAVING ME UP HERE, HOLDING UP YOUR CARDBOARD KID TODAY, THE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN CHILD SAFE OVER THE YEARS, THE CURRENT SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE US. OFTENTIMES WHEN WE'RE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WE GET TO STAND UP HERE AND DEFEND OURSELVES AND OUR ASKS OR WHATEVER IT IS AND YOU GUYS ARE PUT IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS OF HAVING TO DETERMINE WHO IS GOING TO GET WHAT MONEY. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF THAT MONEY TO GO AROUND.

I CAN STAND UP HERE TODAY AND TELL YOU THIS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CHILD SAFE. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR INITIATIVES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH YOU GUYS IN THE FUTURE. IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN ANYONE'S DISTRICT YOU ARE DOING TO CURB THIS ISSUE, SIGN US UP. I'LL SPEAK, WE'LL BE WILL FOR YOU GUYS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> GAVITO: SORRY. THANK YOU, RANDY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR Y'ALL'S WORK. DISTRICT 7 DID A TOUR AND YOU ARE IN THE THICK OF IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEALING SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS. ALSO I DO APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS ABOUT HOW THIS IS A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND HOW NOW THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN A SAFE SPACE, THIS IS THE EXACT TIME TO TALK TO OUR TIME TO TALK TO OUR CHILDREN ABOUT THIS.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP KIM AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON A SUCCESSION PLAN. SUCCESSION PLANS ARE KEY AND THE REASON I APPRECIATE RANDY SO MUCH IS BECAUSE HE WILL -- HE WILL SAY THE TERM AND I'M GOING TO SAY, SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN. HE WILL SAY THAT AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE CHILDREN AND THE FACT THAT

[01:50:02]

I'M TRYING TO GET THAT THROUGH TO THE OLDER GENERATION BECAUSE THEY ARE LIKE OH, YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM A HUG, GIVE THEM A HUG.

NO, THEY KNOW WHO THEY WANT TO GIVE A HUG TO AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AND COMING FORWARD AND JUST FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING.

AND I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE PLANS THAT CHILD SAFE HAS TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF SAN ANTONIO. AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME AND THE DISTRICT 3 TEAM BE A PART OF IT BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN WE COME TOGETHER AND WE TALK ABOUT IT AND WE SAY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, WE'RE GOING TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO LISTEN AND TO SAY YES, IT NEEDS TO STOP. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU KIND OF HEARING FROM YOU AGAIN AND I KNOW WE'VE GOT PLANS IN THE WORKS SO I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THAT COMES OUT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THAN

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YEAH, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO FOR BRINGING YOU HERE TODAY AND, YOU KNOW, MAKING MORE FOLKS AWARE OF THE GREAT ORGANIZATION AND ALL THE IMPORTANT WORK.

THANKS SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. OUR THANKS TO THE ENTIRE CHILD SAFE TEAM FOR WHAT YOU

GUYS DO EVERY DAY. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. APPRECIATE IT.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: NOW OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE FOR A POINT OF

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, RANDY.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO. BEEN TO YOUR FACILITY MANY TIMES AND I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO BRING OUT RESIDENTS FROM DISTRICT 9 TO TOUR THE FACILITY AND COME TO UNDERSTAND THE WORK YOU DO.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERY COUNCILMEMBER TO TAKE SOME OF YOUR NEIGHBORS OUT TO SEE THE WORK THAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE. AND I KNOW THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE THROUGH OUR LAST BUDGET FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION AND IT'S WELL DESERVED. YOU DO SO MUCH IMPORTANT WORK.

CHILD SAFE LOOKS AT CHILD ABUSE AND THEY LOOK AT MENTAL ILLNESS AND THEY LOOK AT DRUG ADDICTION AND DEAL WITH ALCOHOLISM AND HOW ALL OF THOSE AFFECT A FAMILY.

SOMETHING HAPPENED IN MY DISTRICT LAST NIGHT. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WHERE A DRUNK DRIVER KILLED A MOTHER AND HER CHILD. VANESSA RAMOS AND HER CHILD.

DRUNK DRIVING IS A CHOICE. AND IN THIS CASE THIS CHOICE LED TO A FAMILY'S TRAGEDY.

YOU KNOW, CHILD SAFE I KNOW IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE CHILDREN, BUT TO ALSO WORKING WITH THE FAMILY. UNFORTUNATELY IT'S TOO LATE FOR THIS CHILD FOR CHILD SAFE TO HELP THEM, BUT PLEASE CONTINUE THE WORK YOU DO FOR THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THANK YOU. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO BRING UP SOME STUDENTS FROM OUR YOUTH COMMISSION. I'D LIKE TO ASK THEM TO COME UP. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME TO THE PODIUM OUR APPOINTEES TO THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION. APRIL IS NATIONAL LIBRARY MONTH WHERE WE RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE SERVICE OF OUR PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES WHICH PROVIDE SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY. RECENTLY OUR COUNTRY HAS SEEN A DRAMATIC RISE IN DISCRIMINATORY BOOK BANNING THAT HARMS OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, I KNOW THE VALUE OF DIVERSE AND HIGH-QUALITY LITERATURE AND THE ADVERSE EFFECT THESE PRACTICES HAVE OR WILL HAVE ON OUR CHILDREN. I WAS A TEACHER FOR 25 YEARS AND WHEN ASKED AS I NEARED MY RETIREMENT WOULD I DO THIS AGAIN, I SAID SURE.

BUT IF I WERE TO COME BACK IN EDUCATION AGAIN, I WOULD WANT TO BE A LIBRARIAN BECAUSE I RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BOOKS, OF CHILDREN LEARNING, OF READING, OF HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZONS THROUGH A LIBRARY.

TO ADDRESS THIS THE YOUTH COMMISSION HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC CALL TO ACTION WHICH

THEY WILL NOW READ. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT INCREDIBLE INTRODUCTION, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. MY NAME IS HUDSON LOCKE. I'M JOINED BY TRUE IT AND JULIA WHO REPRESENTS OUR MAYORAL SEAT. I'M HERE TODAY -- ON MY BEHALF THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC STATEMENT.

WE ARE HERE TO ADDRESS A CRITICAL AND GROWING ISSUE FACING THE TENS OF THOUSANDS

[01:55:02]

THE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN -- LAWMAKERS. MANY ARE ENFORCE TO DO HAVE A PERMISSION SLIP SIGNED TO READ BOOKS THAT WERE ONCE INTEGRAL TO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM LIKE THE GREAT CONGRATULATIONS BYE AND ANIMAL FARM.

OUR ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIAL AS DISAPPEARED HAS OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY SHELVES LAY BEXAR. THE SINGLE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE IS OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT THEM. THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THESE DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES. BOOK BANNING IN ALL FORMS IS HARMFUL BECAUSE TARGETED LITERATURE PRESENTS DIVERSE WAYS OF LIFE.

THESE BOOKS ARE VITAL TO PROTECTION OF ALL INDIVIDUALS' INCLUSION IN OUR OPPORTUNITY. THEY ARE TOOLS TO ENSURE GLOBAL EDUCATION.

IF SIMILAR ACTION CONTINUES TO GO UNCHECKED, WE VIEW THESE BOOKS AS OPPORTNITIES TO BROADEN STUDENTS' WORLD VIEWS AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN AND OUT OF CLASSROOM LEARNING. CELEBRATE AND RESPECT THEM, NOT LIMIT AND REPRESSING THEM. PIECES OF LITERATURE THAT PRESENT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES OR DISCUSS UNDER REPRESENTED HISTORICAL VIEWPOINTS THAT DIFFER FROM THE MAJORITY HAVE BEEN TARGETED AND SINGLED OUT SOLELY TO SUPPRESS AND SILENCE GROUPS.

LEADING TO IGNORANCE WITHIN MULTICULTURAL INTERACTIONS VITAL TO ALL YOUTH.

AFTER ITS ADOPTION INTO THE MAINSTREAM POLITICAL DEBATE AND TO THIS INCREASE BANNING MULTITUDES OF BOOKS APPEARING IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES. THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE HAS TAKEN OVERLY VAGUE ACTION TOWARDS LITERARY SUPPRESSION BY PASSING LEGISLATION LIKE HOUSE BILL 900.

AS A RESULT. STUDENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE SEVERE A SEEN NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON WILLINGNESS TO CONFESS OFTEN CONTENTIOUS PROJECTS.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE VITAL FOR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AS THEY PROVIDE FREE AND CONVENIENT ACCESS TO INFORMATION. IF WE ALLOW THOSE INSTITUTIONS TO BECOME OVERLY SUPPRESSED AND POLITICIZED, THEIR IMPORTANCE AND FUNCTION DETERIORATES. WHILE PUBLIC LIBRARIES CONTINUE TO OFFER BANNED BOOKS TO THE PUBLIC, IT BECOMES MORE CHALLENGING FOR STUDENTS TO ACCESS TO THESE BOOKS IN SCHOOLS. STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LACK INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION METHODS WOULD BECOME RELIANT ON PARENTS TO CHECK OUT BOOKS OR PURCHASE THEM ON THEIR BEHALF. EDUCATION SHOULD BE FREE AND OPEN INTO A TIME-CONSUMING OR OFTEN COSTLY HABIT. BOOK BANNING AIMS NOT TO PROTECT STUDENTS BUT ENSURE THEIR CONFORMITY INTO A RACE AND INDIVIDUALITY.

WHILE VITAL TO UPBRINGING OF STUDENTS, BANNING OF BOOKS UNDERMINES THAT CHOICE AND IF THE POWER RESTS ON A SINGLE PARENT COMPLAINT. ONE PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE SHOULD NEVER HAVE THE ABILITY TO SILENCE THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS IN THE BEST PUBLIC INTEREST FOR INDIVIDUALS NO MATTER THEIR AGE TO HAVE FINAL SAY IN BOOKS THEY READ. IF THE DECISION CONTINUES TO REST ON THE SHOULDERS OF POLITICIANS OR A SINGLE PARENT, THE IMPACT OF LITERATURE AS AN A MEDIUM WILL BE LOST FOREVER. THE CITY HAS ALREADY DONE INCREDIBLE WORK FOR COMBATING THIS. THE INCREDIBLE BANNED BOOK WEEK WHILE INCREASING ACCESS TO BANNED BOOKS. TO QUOTE YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COMBATS CENSORSHIP IN ALL FORMS AND FULLY SUPPORTS COMPLETE ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM. WE STAND WITH YOU IN THAT MESSAGE AND I URGE YOU TO SHARE OUR MESSAGE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES AGAINST BOOK BANNING. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, HUDSON, FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE THAT THE YOUTH COMMISSION WANTS TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IN THIS COMMUNITY HEARS. I WANT TO REITERATE ONE THING YOU SAID TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HEARD IT CLEARLY. EVERY PARENT HAS A RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT THEY THINK THEIR CHILD SHOULD BE LEARNING OR DOING IN SCHOOL. BUT NO PARENT HAS A RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW EVERYONE ELSE'S CHILDREN SHOULD BE LEARNING IN SCHOOL.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD POINT THAT YOU BROUGHT UP TODAY. THANK YOU.

MAYOR, IF ANY OF THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE A QUESTION, AGAIN, WE'RE VERY

[02:00:01]

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

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

HUDSON, JULIA, I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE.

I THINK THE OTHER THING IS WHEN WE START BANNING BOOKS LIKE THE GREAT CONGRATULATIONS BYE AND THE ANIMAL FARM, IT MAKES IT THAT MUCH HARDER FOR US TO GET OTHER BOOKS IN BY PEOPLE OF COLOR, BY PEOPLE REPRESENTING A LESBIAN OR GAY LIFESTYLE. WE KNOW THAT AND WE SEE THAT SO I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO US. I THINK -- AND ANDY IS NOT HERE SO I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN SAY THIS, BUT I THINK FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, YOU GUYS ARE DOING SUCH GOOD WORK AND WE'VE HAD YOU COME AND TALK THAT WE NEED TO SEE WHAT THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DOING AND LOOK AT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD IN SOME OF THE INITIATIVES WE DO AND IF WE WANT TO GIVE TEACHERS TAX BREAKS, IF WE WANT TO DO THIS, HOW WE'RE DOING THAT BECAUSE WE WANT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE BEING INCLUSIVE AND GIVE THEIR STUDENTS ALL POSSIBILITIES. AND THE OTHER THING IS, YOU KNOW, IT PUTS YOU ALL -- IT PUTS OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL YOUTH AT A DISADVANTAGE IF THEY ARE GOING TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND THEY CAN READ WHATEVER THEY WANT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND UNDERSTAND MY OFFICE WILL BE FOLLOWING UP AND MAKING SURE WE GET TO SEE WHAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DOING IN THE

OTHER SECTORS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

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

I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ALL ON YOUR WORK. THE ADVOCACY AND SKILLS YOU ARE LEARNING RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT AS YOU CONTINUE ON YOUR JOURNEY.

I WANT TO SHOUT-OUT TO MY APPOINTEES EMMA AND ANA WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.

GOOD JOB ON GETTING ALL OF YOUR YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERS TO ACTUALLY TELL US WHAT YOU ALL ARE PLANNING FOR TODAY. AND WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AMONGST THE REST OF THE YOUTH IN THE CITY.

YOUR VOICE COLLECTIVELY CAN REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT. THERE'S AN IMPORTANT ELECTION COMING UP IN NORTHEAST ISD SO YOU CAN ADVOCATE TO REALLY HELP SUPPORT CREATE CHANGE BECAUSE LEADERSHIP MATTERS AND WE SEE OURSELVES IN BOOKS THAT WE READ IN SOME OF THESE BOOKS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM SO MANY YOUTH. GOOD JOB AND CONTINUE THE

HARD WORK. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. HUDSON, TRUETT, JULIA, GREAT JOB.

LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. THIS IS A STATEMENT THAT WAS PREPARED BY THE YOUTH COMMISSION. DID THE YOUTH COMMISSION TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE

STATEMENT THAT YOU READ TODAY? >> YES, THIS HAS BEEN FULLY PASSED BY THE YOUTH COMMISSION AND WE HAVE ISSUED IT AS A ISSUED IT AS

A FULL PUBLIC MESSAGE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT JOB.

KEEP IT UP. APPRECIATE YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. WE ARE NOW GOING TO GET TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEM.

WE DO HAVE ITEM 19. >> ITEM 19 IS AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN EXEMPTION

[Miscellaneous  ]

QUALIFIED CHILDCARE FACILITY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

DOES ANYONE REQUIRE A PRESENTATION ON THIS? IF YOU STILL WANT YOUR TIME. KATE FARRIER. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY

JONATHAN GERWITZ. >> GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. NICE TO SEE ALL OF YOU. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 19 AND THE PROPOSED CHILDCARE FACILITY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.

I CURRENTLY WORK AT THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY GRANTED BY THE PUBLIC IN PROPOSITION 2 TO CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF A LOCAL EXEMPTION IN AID OF A CRUCIAL SERVICE IN OUR [INAUDIBLE]. CHILDCARE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY IS IN JEOPARDY. WITH OVER 20% FEWER PROVIDERS SINCE 2020. THE EXPIRATION OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDING AND RISING INFLATION AND LABOR COSTS HAVE CREATED GREATER STRUGGLES FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND LESSENED ACCESS. PROVIDING SOME RELIEF TO PROVIDERS THROUGH A TAX EXEMPTION IS A SMALL PIECE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE.

BECAUSE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE

[02:05:04]

RECOGNIZING THAT THIS IS AN IMPERFECT SOLUTION, WE STILL NEED TO ACCESS ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY RESPOND TO THIS CRISIS.

WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT EARLY STEP IN DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO HELP WORKING FAMILIES AND THE GREATER ECONOMIC POTENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. THE GREATER CHAMBER WELCOMES OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU AND OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. AS A PARENT AS AN EMPLOYER, I WILL CLOSE BY THANKING YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION SO SAN ANTONIO DOES NOT MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ITS RESIDENTS.

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

JONATHAN GERWITZ. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LISA GOMEZ.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JONATHAN GERWITZ, BOARD CHAIR OF THE UNITED WAY IN SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY.

I'M PLEASED TO BE HERE AS PART OF A COALITION OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS HELPING CHILDCARE CENTERS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO ENSURE OUR CHILDREN RECEIVE QUALITY CARE TO HELP THEM THRIVE.

THIS IS A BUSINESS COMMUNITY ISSUE AS WELL AND WE HAVE A LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON WITH BUSINESS LEADERS. WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 86 BUSINESS LEADERS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON TO THAT LETTER. WE BEGAN WORKING ON THIS EFFORT TWO YEARS AGO IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WE GOT -- WE HAD THE JOINT RESOLUTION PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE. IT WENT ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER. TEXAS VOTERS PASSED IT, THE AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION OPTION WITH 65% SUPPORT. BEXAR COUNTY VOTERS PASSED IT ABOUT 68% SUPPORT.

QUALITY CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR VERY YOUNGEST RESIDENTS TO BE HAPPY, HEALTHY AND READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. AND ULTIMATELY FOR LIFE.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, 90% OF A CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPED BY THE AGE OF 5 SO MAKING SURE EVERY FAMILY HAS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE IS CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SEVERAL BARRIERS CHILDCARE CENTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE FACING TODAY.

CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE UNDER FINANCIAL STRAIN AND MANY ARE OPERATING ON THIN MARGINS. THIS IS AN INDUSTRY TRANSIT SYSTEM IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED YET CONTINUES TO FIND WAYS TO CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN. THIS IS AN INDUSTRY THAT SUPPORTS THE WORKFORCE. IT IS THE WORKFORCE OF THE WORKFORCE.

WE LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT THERE ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

CHILDCARE CENTERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

WITHOUT THIS SECTOR, PARENTS OFTEN HAVE TO CHOOSE WHETHER TO WORK, OBTAIN TRAINING OR ADVANCE THEIR EDUCATION OR STAY HOME TO CARE FOR A CHILD.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT WHETHER IT'S IN A TWO-PAINT OR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY, THAT BURDEN DISPROPORTIONATELY FALLS ON WOMEN.

WITHOUT THIS SECTOR, BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY WOULD NOT HAVE THE WORKERS THAT KEEP OUR CITY RUNNING EVERY DAY. AND OUR CHILDREN DEPEND ON THIS SECTOR TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR SCHOOL, FOR LIFE AND EVENTUALLY TO BE MEMBERS OF THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE. AT UNITED WAY WE BELIEVE IN SUPPORTING OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE FOR BRINGING THIS ISSUE FORWARD, TO YOU MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER WALSH FOR PUTTING IT ON THE FAST TRACK. WE ASK THAT TAX RELIEF BE PROVIDED TO CHILDCARE CENTERS AT 100% TO HELP THIS VITAL INDUSTRY THAT IS FACING BARRIERS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY DESPERATELY NEED. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GERWITZ. LISA GOMEZ.

YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER. >> PLEASED TO BE HERE AS PART OF A HOST OF INDIVIDUALS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF CHILDCARE CENTERS TO PROVIDE THE RELIEF THEY NEED TO ENSURE OUR CHILDREN ARE SUCCESSFUL AND READY FOR THEIR FUTURE. IN MY ROLE AND LATER IN LIFE. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION T CRITICAL WORK OF THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY. CHILDCARE CENTERS HAVE LONG BEEN STRUGGLING, YELL THEY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OUR CHILDREN WITH QUALITY CARE

[02:10:03]

IT AFFECTS THE CENTER'S ABILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN QUALITY STAFF AND TO PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO KEEP HIGH MORALE WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR INDUSTRY IS OVERLOOKED AND UNDERFUNDED. YET CHILDCARE DIRECTORS AND TEACHERS CONTINUE TO SHOW UP. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP AN OVERLOOKED INDUSTRY [INAUDIBLE] WHILE PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED RELIEF AT A TIME WHEN OUR COMMUNITY IS AT RISK OF LOSING CENTERS BECAUSE OF CLOSURE MEANING OUR CHILDREN WILL NOT RECEIVE THE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT THEY NEED. WE ASK TAX RELIEF BE PROVIDED TO CHILDCARE CENTERS AT 100% TO ALLOW THE INDUSTRY TO CARE FOR AND EDUCATE OUR CHIN. OUR TEAM IS -- CHILDREN. OUR TEAM IS READY TO SUPPORT AND IS READY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CHILDCARE CENTERS IN SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS FOR TAX EXEMPTION. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THIS TIME.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. JACK FINGER.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. YOUR RESIDENT ASYLUM SEEKER FROM MY CITY COUNCIL OF ORIGIN. YES, AND I MUST COMPLIMENT YOU, YOUR CEREMONIES WERE ONLY TWO HOURS THIS TIME COMPARED TO THREE HOURS LAST TIME. WHAT DO WE HAVE TODAY? MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, BUT UP NUMBER 19. WHAT DOES THIS ORDINANCE SAY HERE? YEAH. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE CITY'S PROPERTY TAX OF 100% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE FOR ALL OR PART OF REAL PROPERTY.

YES, 100% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE FOR ALL OTHER PART. REAL PROPERTY USE AS A QUALIFIED CHILDCARE FACILITY. PLEASE RETURN THE CAMERA TO THE PODIUM. 100%. THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS MORE THAN JUST THE 50% MINIMUM THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE EARLIER.

100%. TAX RELIEF. WELL, OKAY, THAT'S FINE FOR A SELECTED EXEMPT INDUSTRY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT UNDER ANY OBLIGATION JUST TO LIMIT IT TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES. WHY DON'T YOU MAYBE EXTEND IT TO EVERY SINGLE COMPANY, EVERY BUSINESS OUT THERE THAT NEEDS A 100% RELIEF FROM OUR PROPERTY TAXES? LET'S SEE ONE OF YOU MAKE THAT MOTION.

I'D LIKE TO SEE, YEAH, ANYBODY. MR. COURAGE, WHY DON'T YOU -- YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF THESE TAX DEDUCTIONS, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE THE MOTION TO EXTEND IT TO ALL BUSINESSES HERE IN SAN ANTONIO? I MEAN WE COULD CERTAINLY USE SOME TAX RELIEF JUST LIKE THE CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

YOU'RE NOT LIMITED TO WHAT THE STATE IS OFFERING YOU HERE.

WHY NOT? THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. ALL RIGHT. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER 18. MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 18.

COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. OH, I'M SORRY, ITEM 19. AND THAT'S -- YOU NOTE THAT, CLERK. THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 19.

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

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDCARE FACILITY EXEMPTIONS, AND THIS COMES ABOUT BECAUSE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, PROPOSITION 2, WHICH WAS PASSED IN NOVEMBER OF 2023. IT IS NOT A CARPET BLANKET KIND OF EXEMPTION WE CAN GIVE TO ANY BUSINESS. IT IS TARGETED DIRECTLY TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES UNDER SENATE BILL 1145 WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE 2023 LEGISLATURE.

NOW, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCILMEMBERS WHO SIGNED A CCR TO INITIATE THIS MS.,

[02:15:01]

AND WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MOVING THIS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

BUT I WANT TO EVEN GIVE A GREATER COMMENDATION TO OUR CITY MANAGER ERIK WALSH AND THE MAYOR FOR JUMPING ON THIS AND MOVING IT FORWARD MUCH MORE RAPIDLY THAN A CCR MIGHT HAVE. CCRS GO THROUGH THE GOVERNANCE SUBCOMMITTEE, THEN MAYBE ANOTHER COMMITTEE. WE HAD A TIME CONSTRAINT.

THESE CHILDCARE FACILITIES HAD A TIME CONSTRAINT. THEY NEEDED TO APPLY BY I BELIEVE THE DATE IN MAY, AND IF WE WENT THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS, WE MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY. BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE'VE DONE, NOW EVERY ONE OF ABOUT 180-PLUS CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO GO AHEAD AND GET THIS TAX -- TAX EXEMPTION FOR THIS CURRENT TAX YEAR INSTEAD OF HAVING TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR. SO I THINK IT WAS SMART FROM ALL OF US TO MOVE THIS AS QUICKLY AS WE DID. AND, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF OTHER CHILDCARE CENTERS WHO ARE STRIVING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS.

AND SO HOPEFULLY AS MANY AS POSSIBLE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND CONTINUE TO OFFER THE SERVICES OR EXPAND THEIR SERVICES OR GIVE THEIR EMPLOYEES A RAISE OR PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES FOR THE CHILDREN THEY SERVE.

SO THAT'S WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY PROVIDES FOR MANY OF THEM.

ALSO, THOUGH, I WANT TO JUST REMIND THE CITY THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. WE HAVE A CRISIS FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH THE GOAL OF GIVING EARLY LEARNING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR CHILDCARE. I WANT TO COMMEND PRE-K 4 SA AND DR. BERET FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO TRAIN PEOPLE WHO WORK IN MANY OF THESE CENTERS TO MAKE THEM BETTER PREPARED TO WORK WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY. WHAT WE NEED TO DO ALSO, THOUGH, IS TO ADD EXPANDING CHILDCARE SUPPORT TO OUR STATE LETTING LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IN THE NEXT SESSION. THERE'S MORE THAT CAN BE DONE TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE HAVE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF CHILDCARE FACILITIES THAT NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE STATE, FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S AN ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE THAT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK HAVE A WAY OF CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN SAFELY AND PROVIDING A SOUND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION WHILE THEY ARE WORKING. SO I WANT TO THANK ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION ON THIS AND ENCOURAGE US TO SUPPORT IT TODAY.

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

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND I WANTED TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE FOR BRINGING US TOGETHER ON THIS TOPIC AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THE GREATER CHAMBER HAS DONE FOR THE BETTER PART --E BETTER PART OF TWO YEARS AND THANK YOU TO JONATHAN AND LIZA AND MARK LARSON. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.

I KNOW ALL THE INFORMATION YOU ALL GIVE KATY, WHO DOES A GREAT JOB WITH EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ALL OF US.

I DON'T THINK CHILDCARE HAS EVER GOTTEN THIS MUCH ATTENTION AND I BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHT, IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND WE REALIZED THAT WE NEEDED WORKERS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS QUALITY CHILDCARE. WE ARE NOW STARTING TO SEE A BUSINESS CASE FOR CHILDCARE AND FOR THE INVESTMENT AND I APPRECIATE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM A TRAINING AND ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LENS AND IT'S THANKS TO FOLKS LIKE YOU ALL. IT'S IMPORTANT TO LIFT AND ENCOURAGE WOMEN ALSO TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND WOMEN ARE THE WOMEN ARE THE ONES WHO BENEFIT MOST FROM THIS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT PUT OFF THEIR JOBS OR CAREER ADVANCEMENT FOR SOME TIME. SO I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL.

LAST WEEK I MENTIONED AT THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF MAYBE THE GREATER CHAMBER COULD TAKE UP A TASK FORCE OF EMPLOYERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, WILL YOU WILL, STAKEHOLDERS TO COME TOGETHER AND DISCUSS THE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDCARE AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND SEE HOW SAN ANTONIO CONTINUES TO GROW. WE SEE THE GREAT WORK TEXAS 36 IS DOING SHOWCASING THAT A MAJORITY OF FOLKS IN SAN ANTONIO ARE UNDER 30 AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE

[02:20:02]

SO I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO HELP US WITH THAT, RIGHT, AND MAYBE CREATE THAT TASK FORCE. BUT THIS IS ALSO A REMINDER THAT THIS TAX CREDIT ISN'T THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SOLVE THAT GAP IN CHILDCARE CENTERS.

AND SO IT IS A MUCH NEEDED PUSH, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE FOR ALL AND ESPECIALLY IN CHILDCARE DESERTS LIKE THE

ONES ON THE SOUTH SIDE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. YES, THE COST OF CHILDCARE IS HIGH AND IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY TO AFFORD.

THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO FIND CHILDCARE I WAS SHOCKED AT THE PRICE.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY A COST WELL WORTH SPENDING TO ENSURE PEOPLE ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BUT FRANKLY IT'S NOT ATTAINMENT FOR MANY FAMILIES.

LACK OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECTS WOMEN AND IMPACTS WOMEN'S ABILITY IN THE WORKFORCE AND ACHIEVE UPWARD MOBILITY.

I KNOW WE'VE ESTABLISHED THIS TAX BREAK, I KNOW THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED THIS TAX BREAK AND IT IS INTENDED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO RUN CHILDCARE FACILITIES AND I AM TO HELP THEM STAY OPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IF THEY CANNOT KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN, CHILDCARE BECOMES EVEN MORE INACCESSIBLE. I GET THAT AND ON BOARD WITH IT, BUT I EXPRESSED THAT THESE SAVINGS CAN BE PASSED ON TO WORKING FAMILIES. WE MUST CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS MAKING CHILDCARE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR ALL.

I'LL BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS MEASURE. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND CITY STAFF FOR PUSHING THIS FORWARD, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE WORKING TO TIRELESSLY TO PUSH THIS FORWARD AT THE STATE LEVEL. YOU GOT TO GET BACK TO WORK TOMORROW TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT MORE TO BE DONE.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND SHARED A B SESSION, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP INTO HELPING RELIEVE SOME BARRIER OFF THESE CENTERS SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON QUALITY.

THE WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING IS GOING TO HELP SUPPORT THEM.

FOLKS OFTEN THINK AS CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WE DON'T HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD TO SHOW EVERYTHING WE DO HERE EFFECTS OUR KIDS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. WHILE WE MAKE NOT MAKE EDUCATION POLICY DIRECTLY, THERE'S A LOT OF WORK WE CAN DO AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE TO ENSURE OUR FUTURE GENERATION IS SET UP FOR SUCCESS AND CAN READ BY THE TIME THEY GET TO THE THIRD GRADE. HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE TODAY. I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO COOPER KIDS WITH THE DSD DEPARTMENT HELPED GET THEM A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO SERVE 70 KIDS, ON CULEBRA. WE'RE EXCITED TO HELP THEM GET STARTED AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM BE PART OF THIS TAX CREDIT AS WELL.

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

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

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING IT TODAY. I SEE DR. BERET IS IN THE CROWD. IF YOU COME UP, I DO WANT TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS.

AND THIS IS ALSO BECAUSE OF COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. BECAUSE I'M READY TO BUY LIKE A WHOLE STACK OF POSSIBLY BANNED PRE-CONCLUDE BOOKS.

THE CERTIFICATION, ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRING IN THE BOOKS THEY WANT, THE THINGS THEY WANT? WE'RE JUST KIND OF LOOKING AT THE QUALITY THE STATE WANTS IN TERMS OF -- EXPLAIN WHAT THE STATE IS LOOKING FOR.

>> SO PRE-K 4 SA IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ARE A LICENSED CHILDCARE FACILITY.

WE ARE NOT UNDER T.E.A. AND DON'T -- AREN'T SUBJECT TO THE SAME KINDS OF RULES.

>> VIAGRAN: IN THIS WITH THE CHILDCARE FACILITIES, YOU ALL WILL BE PUSHING ALONG IN THIS PROGRAM AS WE LOOK FOR QUALITY CERTIFICATION, THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK THAT CURRICULUM. BECAUSE I KNOW THE ONE WE HAVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE, THEY HAD LIKE TONS OF -- IN THAT OPENING WITH THAT CHILDCARE FACILITY. THEIR STYLE WAS A LITTLE MORE DIFFERENT, A LITTLE MORE NATURE ORIENTED. A LOT OF WOOD, NOT THE BRIGHT COLORS.

EACH CHILDCARE FACILITY IS GOING TO STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO PICK THEIR THEME

IF THAT'S TRUE. >> CHILDCARE FACILITIES ARE EMBEDDED IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S IMPORTANT THEY REFLECT THE UNIQUENESS OF THE COMMUNITY.

[02:25:01]

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

>> WHYTE: BRIEFLY, THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS AND PUSHING IT ALONG. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES WHERE BOTH PARENTS WORK, OF COURSE, IT HELPS DRIVE THE ECONOMY AS WELL SO I'M IN

FULL SUPPORT. THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.

>> PELÁEZ: JUST TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS. I SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE OF SIX WITH COUNCILWOMAN ROCHA GARCIA AND I REMEMBER, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, YOU USED TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE AS WELL AND WE DISCUSSED THIS FREQUENTLY WITH AACOG AND OUR PARTNERS AT WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS, IT'S THE AGENCY THAT WAS SET UP TO HELP NOT JUST BEXAR COUNTY BUT THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES, ATASCOSA, BANDERA, FRIO, KENDALL.

THEIR GOAL, THEIR STATED MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ALAMO REGIONAL ECONOMY BY GROWING AND CONNECTING TALENT PIPELINES TO EMPLOYERS.

THAT SOUNDS EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD WANT THEM TO DO. BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEIR BUDGET OF $192 MILLION, 117 MILLION OUT OF THAT IS DEDICATED TO CHILDCARE.

AND THESE ARE REALLY SMART PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO KNOW THAT IF YOU CAN'T HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOUR KIDS GO DURING THE DAY SO THAT YOU CAN WORK, THEN YOU DON'T WORK. AND NO MATTER HOW MANY GREAT JOBS ARE OUT THERE, IF THERE'S NO ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, THOSE JOBS ARE UNFILLED.

THIS IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SIMPLE MATHEMATICAL EQUATION.

AND THAT THERE'S ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO THINKS THIS IS A BAD IDEA, YOU ARE A MORE RON IF YOU THINK THAT INVESTING IN CHILDCARE IS A BAD THING. SO I'M 100% FOR THIS AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, FOR BRINGING THIS UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. I'M IN FULL SUPPORT AND I WOULD JUST CAUTION FOR THOSE LISTENING WE ARE DIPPING OUR TOE WITH THIS ACTION IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE CHILDCARE ISSUE. THERE'S A LOT OF THE DATA THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING FORWARD OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS TO COUNCIL TO PORE OVER ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONSIDER CHILDCARE IS ONE OF THE KEY BARRIERS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE CHALLENGE.

THIS IS ONE SMALL STEP, BUT AN IMPORTANT STEP. WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT AN ARRAY OF POLICY, POTENTIAL POLICY SOLUTIONS, BUT I'M HAPPY THAT WE'RE TAKING THE FIRST STEP TODAY. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, ERIK, STAFF, DR. BERET, THE WHOLE TEAM, MARC, JONATHAN, LIZA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 19. PLEASE VOTE.

AND TROY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TROY. HE ACTUALLY DID THE WORK.

[LAUGHTER] ALL RIGHT. WE DO HAVE A ZONING AGENDA

[City Manager's Report  ]

>> WALSH: JUST ONE ITEM. I'M SURE EVERYBODY HAS NOTICED THE COLORFUL GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK ROW THAT ARE COMING FORWARD. EARLIER THIS WEEK I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT THE TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE SOLID WASTE ASSOCIATION'S NORTH AMERICAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

AND THAT IS A NATIONAL NON-PROFIT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR SOLID WASTE PROFESSIONALS THAT WORK COLLECTIVELY TO DEAL WITH MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING AND THE LATEST AND GREATEST. THERE WERE A LOT OF PRETTY COOL RECYCLING TRUCKS THAT WERE ADORNED IN THE CONVENTION CENTER THIS WEEK.

[02:30:04]

I WOULD LIKEN IT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHOSE FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS AND BROTHERS HAVE WORKED FOR US WITHIN OUR SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT. YOU KNOW, WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO OVER 375,000 CUSTOMERS EVERY WEEK. LAST YEAR WE HAD -- ALMOST 60 MILLION VISITS TO THOSE 375,000 CUSTOMERS. AND LAST YEAR'S COMMUNITY SURVEY, SOLID WASTE, THE CITIZEN SATISFACTION WITH SOLID WASTE SERVICES WAS TIED WITH THE LIBRARY AT 98%. WE'RE OBVIOUSLY PROUD. THIS GROUP, DAVID NEWMAN AND THE ENTIRE TEAM AND THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE DO A GREAT JOB FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WHEN THEY DO THEIR JOB RIGHT, NOBODY NOTICES. BUT WHEN THEY DON'T, WE ALL NOTICE. AND THESE GUYS ARE TRUE PROFESSIONALS.

I DID WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THE MAYOR DID SIGN A PROCLAMATION THIS WEEK AT THE CONFERENCE RECOGNIZING THIS WEEK AS SAN ANTONIO SANITATION WORKERS WEEK AND WE THANK YOU, MAYOR. THAT WAS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE WERE PROUD TO SHARE WITH THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE. SO GUYS AND GALS, GREAT JOB. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I'M CERTAINLY PROUD OF ALL THE WORK YOU GUYS DO.

[APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: DAVID, DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> FRED TOLD ME I NEEDED TO SAY SOMETHING. I REALLY AM PROUD OF THESE FOLKS BACK HERE. THESE EMPLOYEES. THEY ARE THE BEST EMPLOYEES OF THE BEST DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND I CAN SAY THAT NOW BECAUSE WE JUST HELD THE CONFERENCE HERE AND WE HAD ABOUT, OH, 200 TO 300 MUNICIPALITIES HERE AND THEY WERE ENVIOUS OF WHAT WE DO. YOU GUYS DO A FANTASTIC JOB.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELL, THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH. I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO RIDE-ALONG WITHS YOU, THE FUNNEST YOU WILL EVER HAVE IS WITH THE SOLID WASTE TEAM.

THERE ARE THREE SEASONS AND YOU GUYS MAKE IT LOOK SEAMLESS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

YOU GUYS OTHER THAN THE POLICE AND FIRE, I CAN'T SAY FAVORITES, BUT WE JUST HAD ANOTHER EVENT AND YOU GUYS WERE SO HELPFUL AND Y'ALL BROUGHT THE CRANE OUT THIS TIME BECAUSE YOU ALL NEEDED THE SOUTHSIDE AND YOU KNEW WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO BRING, LOTS OF MATTRESSES. I WAS AMAZED AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS SHOWING UP FOR MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT 3, FOR UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES WE HAVE OUT THERE.

NEXT TIME YOU DO THIS, ERIK, I NEED YOU TO GET YEARS OF SERVICE COMBINED BECAUSE I'M SURE IT'S QUALITY YEARS OF SERVICE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. AND THANK YOU JUST FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE.

I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE MY RESIDENTS, I WON'T ASK YOU TO IDENTIFY RIGHT NOW, BUT THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ANOTHER DOLLAR TRAILER EVENT

SO WE'LL SEE YOU THEN. THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR Y'ALL'S WORK.

YOU ALL'S DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL DEPARTMENTS.

MY TEAM AND I ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND CLEAN.

WHAT'S MOST EXCITING IS WHETHER WE ROUND OURSELVES IN HISTORY, SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENTS WIELD THE POWER FOR ALL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY DEPARTMENTS.

JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT AND THIS WEEKEND I LEARNED AN INTERESTING TIDBIT ABOUT SOLID WASTE HEAR. I WAS AT EDGEWOOD AND EFRAN GUTIERREZ WAS HONORED FOR HIS WORK IN FILM. BUT HE SAID I REMEMBER YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE, STANDING ON THE -- IT WAS AN INTERESTING HISTORY THAT I LEARNED, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE WIDER SCOPE OF SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT CITIES AND THE POWER YOU ALL HOLD, YESTERDAY DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SOMEONE CAME AND SHARED TODAY IS THE DAY MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ASSASSINATED.

BUT A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T KNOW BEFORE THAT DAY HE WAS MEETING WITH THE SOLID WASTE WORKERS OF MEMPHIS. AND I THINK THAT'S SUCH A PIVOTAL PART OF LABOR

[02:35:05]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. WHO DID I MISS? COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

I'M SORRY. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU. I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE PRIDE IN WHAT YOU DO BECAUSE WHAT YOU DO IS A PUBLIC SERVICE.

YOU KNOW, I CAN RECALL WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN A SUBURB OF BOSTON, THERE WAS A STRIKE BY THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, WHICH WAS CALLED THE GARBAGE COLLECTORS AT THE TIME, PARDON ME. AND THEY WENT ON STRIKE IN BOSTON.

AND WE SAW WEEKS OF TRASH PILING UP AND IT GAME A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM AS WELL. SO WHAT YOU DO IS JUST AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU, BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO.

I HOPE WE TREAT YOU WELL AS EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY, AND STAY SAFE OUT THERE.

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

COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

YOU ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHAT YOU DO IS, OF COURSE, PHYSICALLY DEMANDING, BUT ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. I THINK MAYBE THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW YOU GUYS ALWAYS GO CLEAN UP HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS AND THERE'S NEEDLES AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF SO IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS WHAT YOU DO.

BUT I ALSO HAVE TO GIVE YOU A SHOUT-OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL SUPER FRIENDLY AND JUST REALLY WONDERFUL TO THE PUBLIC. I HAVE A 3-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR WHO IS A LITTLE BOY THAT RUNS OUT EVERY TIME, GETS SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE TRUCK AND THE SANITATION WORKER COMES OUT EVERY TIME, WAVES AT HIM.

IT'S A LOVELY THING TO SEE AT LEAST A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. AND LASTLY, YOU ALSO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY VERY PROUD BECAUSE YOU ARE ALWAYS ALSO CALLED UPON WHEN THERE ARE DISASTERS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AND WE ARE FREQUENTLY DEPLOYED.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECOGNITION TODAY. [APPLAUSE]

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