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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. IF YOU COULD PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.
THE TIME IS 9:07 A.M. ON MAY 2, 2024. OUR MEETING IS NOW IN SESSION.
MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?
>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. AND WELCOME BACK FROM FIESTA, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK. WE'RE BACK TO WORK. AND TO GET US STARTED TODAY, IT'S MY HONOR TO WELCOME DR. CHRIS JOHNSON WHO BECAME THE SENIOR PASTOR OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO IN AUGUST OF 2018 AFTER SERVING AS CO-PASTOR FOR ONE YEAR. DR. JOHNSON RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN RELIGION FROM BAYLOR UNIVERSITY IN 2004 AS WELL AS A MASTERS OF FROM TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN BAYLOR . WHILE COMPLETING HIS MASTERS OF DIVINITY, CHRIS SERVED AS THE YOUTH PASTOR FOR FIVE YEARS AND WAS LATER CALLED TO SERVE AS INTERIM PASTOR THERE FOR ONE YEAR IN 2008. DR. JOHNSON CONTINUES TO DEMONSTRATE HIS PASSION FOR DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND EXAMPLE.
CHRIS HAS BEEN MARRIED TO HIS WIFE, AMY, SINCE 2004 AND TOGETHER THEY HAVE THREE
DAUGHTERS. WELCOME, PASTOR CHRIS . >> LET'S PRAY.
OUR FATHER, WHEN WE SEARCH YOUR WORD, WE READ OF TRUTH. LORD, WE READ OF JUSTICE.
WE READ WISDOM. THESE DEEP CHARACTERISTICS OF WHO YOU ARE.
AND, LORD, WE PRAY THAT AS A CITY TOGETHER WE WOULD KNOW THESE.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS. WE PRAY FOR OUR CITY COUNCIL. LORD, THAT THEY WOULD BE INSTRUMENTS OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE AND WISDOM. LORD, WE KNOW THESE COME DIRECTLY FROM YOU. FATHER, WE PRAY THAT IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE YOU WOULD REVEAL THOSE THINGS. LORD, IN ALL THE WAYS THAT WE'RE SHORT SIGHTED, WE'RE BLINDED, INCOMPLETE. LORD, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE COMPLETE AND HOLY.
LORD, WE PRAY THAT TRUTH, WISDOM, AND JUSTICE OF YOUR HAND WOULD BE IN THIS PLACE, IN THESE PEOPLE, IN US AS A CITY, LORD AS WE LEAD AND LIVE.
LORD, WE PRAY THAT BY THOSE CHARACTERISTICS, LORD, WE WOULD BE LED INTO GREAT JOY.
IT'S IN THE NAME OF MY LORD AND RISEN SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST I PRAY, AMEN.
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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, PASTOR CHRIS. ALL RIGHT.
THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA TODAY -- FIRST, FOR THE RECORD, LET ME NOTE THAT ITEM 8 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN, SO ITEM 8 WILL NOT BE HEARD TODAY. FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. WE HAVE SEVERAL IN OUR PACKET.
APRIL 3, APRIL 4, APRIL 10, APRIL 11, APRIL 17, AND APRIL 18.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE MINUTES. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES IN ITEM 3. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE -- I'M NOT GETTING THE VOTES. PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. I WASN'T PLUGGED IN. OKAY.
ITEM NO. 4 NOW IS WE ARE SWEARING IN OUR NEW MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 2 THROUGH AUGUST 7. LET ME INVITE COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE TO APPROACH THE PODIUM.
>> COURAGE: HOPE YOU DON'T MIND, MAYOR, I HAVE A GUEST ALONG WITH ME.
MY NEWLY-RETIRED WIFE. >> CLERK: RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
>> COURAGE: I, JOHN COURAGE, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR PRO TEM, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, FROM MAY 2 THROUGH AUGUST 7, 2024.
FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS AND I WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE, SO HELP ME,
GOD. >> CLERK: CONGRATULATIONS. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE AND TO ZEDA ON YOUR RETIREMENT. CONGRATULATIONS, ZEDA.
AT THIS TIME WE HAVE A FULL CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM 5 WILL BE HEARD ON CONSENT, UNLESS I HEAR OTHERWISE. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY? ITEM 32.
ANY OTHERS? OKAY. IF THERE AREN'T ANY, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 5 AND 32.
AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, 8 IS WITHDRAWN. >> COURAGE: SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. I'LL ASK FOR COUNCIL COMMENTS AS SOON AS I GET ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT. JACK FINGER, ITEM 29.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. ONE ITEM I DO WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION TODAY ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS THE ONE DEALING WITH A LAWSUIT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO APPROVE A SETTLEMENT ON. IT'S ITEM NO. 29.
BASICALLY IT'S ABOUT A -- THE FAMILY OF A CRIMINAL SUSPECT IS SUING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. WHAT HAPPENED? WELL, AN OFFICER THOUGHT A SUSPECT WAS ABOUT TO THROW AN ITEM AT HIM AND/OR SOME OF HIS FELLOW COLLEAGUE OFFICERS.
AND SO THAT'S WHEN THE OFFICER DEFENDED HIMSELF AND THE FAMILY SAYS, WELL, WE WANT SOME COMPENSATION FOR THAT. WELL, MY SUGGESTION TO YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL, IS WHY DON'T YOU TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF THERE WAS A VIDEO CAM SIGHTING, RECORD OF THE
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INCIDENT. TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND SEE IF THE OFFICER WAS, IN FACT, DEFENDING HIMSELF.SUSPECT WHO SHOULDN'T BE GETTING THAT MONEY FROM US. HUH? YEAH, I THINK YOU SHOULD WITHDRAW THIS ONE, TAKE IT BACK TO YOUR EXECUTIVE SESSION, ASK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SHOW YOU MORE EVIDENCE ABOUT THIS SO THAT OTHER OFFICERS WHO ARE DEFENDING THEMSELVES DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE -- DON'T HAVE TO
PUT UP WITH THIS TROUBLE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. I'LL TURN NOW TO CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. I DON'T HAVE A QUEUE. SO IF YOU WOULD SIGNAL ME.
COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO.
37 AND I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM BECAUSE MELODY AND THE DHS TEAM HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CONTINUING THE HEAD START SUMMER INSTITUTE PROGRAM. AND I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO EARLY EDUCATORS. WE HAD A PRESENTATION YESTERDAY BY PRE-K 4 SA AND I EXPRESSED MY SUPPORT FOR ANYTHING TO DO WITH HELPING THE EDUCATORS.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK DR. OCHOA AND THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO FOR OFFERING THE TYPE OF COURSEWORK THAT IS GOING TO HELP TEACHERS, NOT ONLY EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE BUT ALSO THE NEEDS TO CONTINUE HAPPENING. AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S AN UPCOMING LUNCH AND LEARN WITH ADVISERS FROM THE UPGRADE PROGRAM AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM IS UTSA'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FOR THOSE INTERESTED AT THE CITY AND FURTHERING THEIR EDUCATION. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON THIS AND TO OUR HR AND TO ERIK FOR OFFERING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CITY EMPLOYEES SO THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT WE INCREASE THE LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT WITHIN OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL. JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION THIS MORNING. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT MY BOARD APPOINTMENTS. ITEM 25 AND 26.
THIS IS A FORMER COUNCILWOMAN THAT CONTINUES TO SERVE SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
APPOINTING KELLIE ALCOZER. A FORMER STAFF MEMBER OF MINE WHO IS READY TO SERVE AND BALANCE THAT SCHEDULE. AAPPOINTING MARK CASON TO THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
RIGHT UP, SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I HAVE THREE ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT THIS MORNING. ITEM 20 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF $2 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR TWO YEARS FROM AACOG FOR AN OLDER ADULT NUTRITION GRANT. THESE GRANTS WILL ADDRESS THE DIETARY NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS WHO FACE CHALLENGES SUCH AS LIMITED INCOMES AND MOBILITY ISSUES THAT CAN AFFECT THEIR ABILITY TO ACCESS AND AFFORD NUTRITIOUS FOOD.
IT OFFERS BALANCED MEALS AND ASSISTANCE WITH MEAL PLANNING. ITEM 21 IS AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING $410,000 FROM THE SOUTHWEST TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR TRAUMA. THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PAY OVERTIME FOR TWO SAPD MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER POSITIONS FOR 48 HOURS A WEEK THROUGHOUT 2024.
WE TALK A LOT ON THIS COUNCIL C ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND INCREASING SA CORE SO WE'LL BE DISCUSSING ADDING PERSONNEL TO THE SAPD MENTAL HEALTH UNIT INTO THE 2025 BUDGET BUT THIS ORDINANCE IS ABOUT INCREASING STAFF HOURS NOW. EVERY BIT HELPS AND THIS GRANT WILL HELP MAKE SA CORE STRONGER. 28 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RESCUE PARTNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO INCREASE FUNDING FROM $50,000 TO $90,000 AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RESCUES TO 450 ANIMALS FROM ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.
THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WE SHOULD FUND.
THEY ARE ONE ORGANIZATION IN A VERY BIG, VERY ACTIVE FOSTER BET COMMUNITY IN OUR CITY AND I'M HIGHLIGHTING THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT REDUCES THE STRAY POPULATION AND SUPPORTS THE FOSTER COMMUNITY'S COMMITMENT . THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEMS 6,
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7, 9, AND 10. THEY INCLUDE CONTRACTS THAT PROVIDE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO OUR FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CITY AS A WHOLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THE WORK THESE HEROES PUT IN DAY IN AND DAY OUT.AS SUCH THEY DESERVE TOP-NOTCH EQUIPMENT. I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE ORDINANCES AND CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE WE'RE PROVIDING NECESSARY TOOLS FOR THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR LIFE-SAVING WORK.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: A COUPLE OF ITEMS. ITEM 18.
OFTENTIMES WHEN CONSTITUENTS ARE COMMUTING TO OUR FIELD OFFICES, WHETHER IT'S THE LAS PALMAS OR THE COLLINS GARDEN OFFICE, MANY TAKE THE VIA BUS LINE PRIMARILY OFF OF SOUTH ZARZAMORA AND THEY ALWAYS SHARE THE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO CROSS ZARZAMORA STREET OR WHILE WAITING FOR THE BUS. IT CREATES A DIVOT AND WATER ACCUMULATES. I'M GRATEFUL FOR ITEM 18, WHICH IS THE SOUTH ZARZAMORA PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUNDED BY TXDOT AND VIA TO ENSURE THAT WE ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS THAT CONSTITUENTS BRING UP TO US. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 25, THE APPOINTMENT OF FRANCISCO ON THE BOARD OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 5. HE'S A GRADUATE IN MEXICO WHERE HE GOT HIS DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE WHERE HE LATER MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO, WORKING FOR DIFFERENT ARCHITECTURE FIRMS. FRANCISCO IS VERY INVOLVED IN DISTRICT 5 AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE HIM SERVED. HE IS INVOLVED WITH THE HISTORIC WESTSIDE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND DOES A LOT OF TENANT AND HOUSING ORGANIZATION.
WE'RE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR FRANCISCO TAKING ON THE CHARGE TO SERVE DISTRICT 5.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO.
16, WHICH IS THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ROADWAY ASSET SERVICES. THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING A SIDEWALK CONDITION ASSESSMENT THAT STARTS WITH DOWNTOWN. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT WE SEE, ESPECIALLY IN OUR INNER CITY, IS THE CONDITION OF OUR SIDEWALKS AND SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS WORK.
THANK YOU, RAZI AND THE TEAM FOR MOVING THAT FORWARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. IF THERE ARE NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 5, 32, AND 8, WHICH WAS WITHDRAWN. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
OKAY. BEFORE WE GET TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, WE HAVE A FEW CEREMONIALS WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND FOLKS IN OUR AUDIENCE TO HELP US DO THAT.
SO I'M GOING TO FIRST RECOGNIZE OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE TEAM.
IF THEY COULD COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM. AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERY PERSON'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AS ESSENTIAL HUMAN RIGHT. WHEREAS GLOBALLY FOR EVERY ONE DEATH BY SUICIDE, 20 ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. WHEREAS PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPOSED TO UNFAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTS INCLUDING POVERTY, VIOLENCE, AND INEQUALITY ARE AT A HIGHER RISK FOR EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES. WHEREAS WHEN A CHILD EXPERIENCES ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR VIOLENCE THEIR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, ABILITY TO LEARN, AND RELATE TO OTHERS CAN BE IMPACTED. WHEREAS TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE ENHANCES THE RESILIENCE OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND THEIR ABILITIES TO ADAPT, COPE, AND THRIVE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES BY CREATING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS AND TO SUPPORT THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS MADE A COMMITMENT THAT ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS WILL RECEIVE A TRAUMA INFORMED CERTIFICATION. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS A COMPASSIONATE CITY AND JOINS RESIDENTS TO INCLUDE BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS IN SHARING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS, PREVENTION, AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS.
NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY H AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AWARENESS MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND I CALL UPON THE CITIZENS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS, BUSINESSES, AND SCHOOLS TO COMMIT TO INCREASING AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS TO REMOVING THE STIGMA AND SHAME OF SEEKING HELP AND TO INCREASE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR ALL PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION . THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. IF THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE LEAVING THE CHAMBERS, I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR RESPECT AND SILENCE BECAUSE NO ONE DESERVES THAT RESPECT MORE THAN THE TEAM IN FRONT OF US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I JUST GREATLY APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO COME BEFORE YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTIFUL, INCREDIBLE, AND AMAZING WORK THAT OUR COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO DO.
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TODAY JOINING WITH METRO HEALTH WE HAVE PARTNERS FROM THE ALAMO AREA TEEN SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION, THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, BEXAR COUNTY OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT CENTER, COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION, GIRL WITH GRIT, GLOBAL CHAMBER TEXAS, KICK START YOUR LIFE, JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES, MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE. NAMI GREATER SAN ANTONIO, RISE RECOVERY, SAU, SAN ANTONIO COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS, SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT, TRAUMA INFORMED CERTIFIED SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED WAY, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, WONDERS AND WORRIES AND THE YMCA . THESE PARTNERS REPRESENT COLLABORATION ON THE COMPLEX ISSUES SURROUNDING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMA, THE RISING YOUTH SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE RATES, PROVIDING EXCELLENT SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS WHO COULD NOT GET THEM ANYWHERE ELSE. SUPPORTING FAMILIES WHO ARE DEEPLY WORRIED ABOUT A LOVED ONE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND ENSURING THAT ALL RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ARE MET WITH THE COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE. I SPEAK FOR THE METRO HEALTH STAFF IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY AND AS CITY STAFF, REPRESENTING BOTH OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA INFORMED HEALTHCARE EFFORTS, I CANNOT FULLY EXPRESS WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO JOIN WITH THESE PARTNERS AND MANY OTHERS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY TO DO THIS HARD WORK, WHICH IS CERTAINLY WORK WORTH DOING. WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS OF ALL PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND TRAUMA AND CHILDHOOD TRAUMA NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE LIGHT SO THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AND PEOPLE CAN FEEL SAFE AND NOT FEEL ALONE. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO.
JUST TO SHARE A PERSONAL STORY, WE HAD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HERE YESTERDAY AND THEY DID BRING UP MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THEIR POPULATION AND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL. AND WHAT WAS GREAT IS THEY WERE LIKE I WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WHERE I'VE BEEN. I SAID I KNOW THOSE GROUPS ARE HERE, THAT YOU GUYS HAVE COLLECTED THIS PARTNERSHIP AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE SAN ANTONIO CHANGE AND GROW AND LEAD IN THIS AREA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND I TOO WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. YESTERDAY I WAS PARTICIPATING IN A LEADERSHIP SAN ANTONIO DISCUSSION AND MENTAL HEALTH CAME UP.
AND I CHALLENGED EVERYONE IN THE CLASS TO TAKE THE CERTIFICATION FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONDER, WHICH YOU CAN TAKE ONLINE AND THEN YOU CAN DO IT IN A GROUP SETTING. AND I HIGHLY ENCOURAGED IT. THERE WAS ABOUT 60 PEOPLE THERE, LEADERS IN SAN ANTONIO, FUTURE LEADERS. HOPEFULLY THEY TOOK MY CHALLENGE UP AND WE WILL HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL ONES. BUT I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO TALK ABOUT IT AND TALK ABOUT HOW EASY IT IS, RIGHT? AND YOU ALL DO THAT ALREADY IN YOUR ROLES BUT I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME TO GET ENCOURAGED. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND CONTINUING TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEED IT THE MOST. GRACIAS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS IMPORTANT ITEM. WE ALL KNOW THAT AS A CITY THAT IS MADE UP OF A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE OF COLOR, THIS IS SIGNIFICANT. MENTAL HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY STIGMATIZED, ESPECIALLY BY LATINO FAMILIES AND FAMILIES OF COLOR SO IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO HAVE ACCESS TO TRAUMA INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH CARE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR Y'ALL'S CONTINUED WORK, NOT ONLY TODAY BUT EVERY DAY FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. I'M EXTREMELY PROUD THAT SAPD AND METRO HEALTH WERE RECEIVING THE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE CERTIFICATIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR ON PEOPLE THEY INTERACT WITH. I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS CONVERSATION AND HOPEFULLY MORE CITY DEPARTMENTS GET INVOLVED. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BRINGING
ATTENTION TO THIS. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY
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DAY. I SAY A LOT BUT I THINK Y'ALL WOULD AGREE THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS PUBLIC SAFETY. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT ALL OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.I CHAIR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE BUT WE BRING MENTAL HEALTH TO THAT COMMITTEE QUITE OFTEN IN DIFFERENT FORMS BECAUSE SO MUCH OF IT IS THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AND APPRECIATE YOU.
THANK YOU. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU'RE DOING, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUTH POPULATION. YESTERDAY WE WERE AT THE SAISD DISTRICT AND WE HAD STUDENTS WHO WERE LEADING AND THEY STOOD UP AND SAID THE IMPORTANCE AND THE AMOUNT OF EXTRA RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED IN SUPPORT, SPECIFICALLY AROUND MENTAL HEALTH. THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, EVEN WHEN SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING IS CHALLENGED BY THE STATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO AND FOR SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT FOR THIS COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, YOU ARE DOING THE MOST DIFFICULT JOB IN HEALTHCARE AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR IT. SO KEEP AT IT.
WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK. BLESS Y'ALL. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. NOW I'D LIKE TO BRING UP OUR BICYCLE ADVOCATES TO THE PODIUM, AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION. THE SAN ANTONIO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WILL OBSERVE MAY AS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND HOST BIKE TO WORK DAY ON MAY 17, 2024 TO RAISE AWARENESS OF PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE MOBILITY, SAFETY, ACCESS, AND CONVENIENCE. WHEREAS WALKING, RIDING A BIKE, AND TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT ARE HEALTHY MODES OF TRANSPORTATION THAT CAN HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH, AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RECOGNIZES THE USE OF BICYCLES AS A VIABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION SUCH THAT THE CITY HAS LAUNCHED A BIKE NETWORK PLAN TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND PARKING COSTS AND BENEFIT BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS. WHEREAS THROUGH THIS VISION ZERO INITIATIVE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING THE SAFETY OF OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR OUR GROWING COMMUNITY AND TO ELIMINATE TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES. WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S CELEBRATION INCLUDES THE SEVENTH ANNUAL BIKE TO WORK DAY ENERGIZER STATIONS WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN VISIT TO PICK UP BICYCLIST RESOURCES, BREAKFAST ITEMS, AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN PRIZES ON THEIR MORNING COMMUTE. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY E MONTH AND MAY 17, 2024 TO BE BIKE TO WORK DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS . WELCOME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU, CAT. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M CAT HERNANDEZ, I'M THE DIRECTOR FOR OUR CITY'S TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING MAY AS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH. I'M JOINED UP HERE WITH OUR MEMBERS OF OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OTHER PARTNERS AND ADVOCATES IN OUR BIKING COMMUNITY. WE'RE EXCITED TO BE LEADING EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE MULTIPLE MODES OF OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE FURTHER AND FARTHER IN OUR CITY.
OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT AS WE WORK TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE OF BIKING IN SAN ANTONIO INCLUDING WITH OUR ONGOING BIKE NETWORK PLAN. SINCE 2000 OUR CITY HAS MADE STRIDES IN IMPLEMENTING BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE. CURRENTLY WE HAVE OVER 500 MILES OF BIKE FACILITIES ON OUR ROADS. THIS IS PROGRESS AND WE ARE WORKING ON DOING MORE. SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. SERIOUS AND FATAL BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN CRASHES HAVE INCREASED AND SAFE OPTIONS CAN ALLEVIATE THESE ISSUES.
OUR BIKE NETWORK MONTH IS A RESULT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
SO FAR OVER 3,000 RESIDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN OUR SURVEYS AND EVENTS, SHARING THEIR FEEDBACK AND DESIRE FOR MORE SAFER AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT PEOPLE WANT SAFER OPTIONS. SURPRISINGLY MANY OF THOSE WHO DRIVE EVERY DAY DON'T WANT TO. IN FACT, EVERY AGE GROUP ENVISIONS BIKING AS THEIR MOST DESIRED WAY TO GET AROUND IN THE FUTURE SO I URGE ALL SAN ANTONIANS TO ENGAGE WITH OUR BIKE NETWORK PLAN. YOUR FEEDBACK IS CRUCIAL IN CREATING SAFER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR OUR CITY. AGAIN, TAKE OUR SURVEY AND COMMENTS ON OUR DRAFT NETWORK AT SABIKENETWORK.COM. JOIN US AND MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATE IN OUR BIKE TO WORK DAY HELD ON MAY 17. AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A CITY WHERE BIKING IS SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND ENJOYABLE FOR ALL.
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP JOEY POLLACK TO SAY A FEW WORDS AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU, CAT. DEAR MAYOR NIRENBERG AND CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JOEY AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ACTIVATE SA.
NATIONAL BIKE MONTH IS ABOUT SHOWCASING THE MANY BENEFITS OF CYCLING AND ENCOURAGING MORE FOLKS TO GIVE CYCLING A TRY. IF YOU HAVEN'T CYCLED IN A
[00:30:04]
WHILE, WE WOULD LOVE TO RIDE WITH YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE GOOD AND THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO PROCLAIM MAY AS BIKE MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO. IT SHOWS THAT WE AS A CITY VALUE CYCLISTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT SHOWS THAT WE WILL PRIORITIZE CYCLISTS AND ALL VULNERABLE ROAD USERS IN OUR PLANS AND POLICIES.WE THINK SAN ANTONIO DESERVES A BIKE NETWORK THAT NOT ONLY SERVES THE MOST ABLE-BODIED IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT ENCOURAGES ALL PEOPLE OF AGES AND ABILITIES TO BIKE WHEREVER THEY NEED TO GO. OUR CITY'S BIKE NETWORK PLAN IS CLEARLY MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS THAT VISION AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. UPDATES TO OUR VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN BOLSTER A BETTER FUTURE FOR CYCLING IN SAN ANTONIO AND A SAFER FUTURE FOR ALL ROAD USERS. THESE PLANS AND POLICIES ARE THE FIRST STEP IN MAKING OUR CITY MORE BIKE FRIENDLY AND ONCE IT IS COMPLETED IT IS UP TO THIS COUNCIL TO INVEST IN IT, IMPLEMENT IT, AND ENSURE ITS PROPOSALS ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
BY INVESTING IN SUCH A PLAN, THIS WILL HELP US ACHIEVE A DESIRE OF CREATING A NETWORK WITH GREATER PROTECTION AND COMFORT, AN ELEMENT THAT MANY SAN ANTONIANS HAVE SAID WOULD HELP THEM FEEL SAFER. LET'S BUILD A BIKE NETWORK CREATED FOR PEOPLE AFTER ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. THANK YOU, ALL. [APPLAUSE]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, JOEY. AND THANK YOU, CAT.
WE ARE HOPING, CAT, THAT YOU ARE TRULY SUPERWOMAN AND GET US STARTED AND IMPLEMENTING A VIABLE BICYCLE PLAN. THAT IS MY HOPE FOR YOU. AND THIS CITY HAS A HISTORY OF IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN. AND WE FINALLY GET OVER THE HUMP. I THINK YOU ARE THE WOMAN AND THIS IS THE TEAM FOR THE JOB AND I CERTAINLY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A COUNCIL FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE EMBARKING ON TO MAKE THAT, MAKE SAN ANTONIO AN ACTUAL BICYCLE-SAFE TOWN.
I LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN WHAT I CAN DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AS WELL.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WE ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE
THAT YOU ARE SUCCEEDING. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, CAT AND THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION TEAM AND JOEY AS WELL FOR THE CONTINUED ADVOCACY THAT YOU ALL DO. LAST MONTH I WAS REMINDED THAT IT'S MARKED THREE YEARS SINCE I HAVE HAD MY DRIVER'S LICENSE, RIGHT? AND I'M 31, SO THAT'S OVER A DECADE OF TRANSPORTATION ON FOOT, BY BIKE, OR BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. SO I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO AND I DO NEED TO HIGHLIGHT A GRIPE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE ME A WHILE TO GET OVER. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU ALL BUT BY REMOVING THE BUSES FROM GOING THROUGH DOWNTOWN, THAT ADDED 20-PLUS MINUTES TO MY ROUTE, WHETHER IT WAS GETTING TO UTSA AT 1604 OR GETTING TO MY STUDENT-TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS, REMOVING THE TRANSPORTATION THROUGH DOWNTOWN ADDED A COMMUTE, NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT FOLKS GETTING TO THEIR HOSPITALITY JOBS DOWNTOWN. ULTIMATELY HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IN ENSURING THAT FOLKS ARE SAFE.
I WANTED TO ALSO THANK DEREK ON OUR TEAM, WHO IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT WALKABILITY, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTED BIKE LANES. HE DOES A LOT TO ADVISE ME, RIGHT, AND ENSURE THAT I INTEGRATE ALL THESE VERY IMPORTANT PIECES IN MANY OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CONTINUED ADVOCACY AND OF COURSE TO CAT FOR THE WORK AND THE LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, CAT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK.
I SEE WILLIAM BACK THERE AND I THINK THE LAST TIME I WAS ON A BACK WAS WITH HIM FOR FIESTA AND WE RODE THROUGH DISTRICT 3. OF COURSE OUR MAIN PROBLEM WAS THE DOGS. I TOLD HIM THEY WERE THERE TO CHEER HIM ON, SO NOT TO WORRY.
MOST OF THEM WERE BEHIND FENCES. JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS.
I KNOW THAT I AM COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH MY COMMUNITY. I HAD A MEETING WITH A RESIDENT TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND IT'S NOT JUST REMINDING THE CYCLISTS TO BE SAFE, BUT IT'S THE DRIVERS ALSO. AND LATER THIS MORNING WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT DISTRACTED DRIVERS. WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DRINK AND DRIVE AND WHAT RISKS THAT CAUSE TO OUR CYCLISTS. I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET ON THEIR BIKE WITH THEIR HELMET. MY BIKE IS SPECIALIZED SO I CAN'T GET ON IT RIGHT NOW BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO. JUST REMEMBER TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THAT. AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE USING THIS AS THEIR MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THE STORE AND TO GET TO THEIR JOB AND HOW WE CAN HELP THAT ALONG. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.
KNOW THAT I'M A BIG ADVOCATE AND I'M ASKING FOR ANY GROUPS THAT ARE OUT THERE TO GIVE ME THEIR TOP FIVE RIDES, LIKE WHERE THEY'RE USING IN DISTRICT 3.
[00:35:02]
I GUESS THEY HAVE THAT. AND ALSO THEIR TOP FIVE DISTRACTIONS OR DANGERS.SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR BRINGING AWARENESS TO THIS. MANY OF Y'ALL MAY KNOW THAT I LIVED IN CHICAGO FOR A WHILE AND, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO WAS TALKING ABOUT WALKABILITY. CHICAGO IS A GREAT CITY TO MOVE AROUND, TO WALK AROUND, YOU KNOW, TO GET ON YOUR BICYCLE. I MEAN, I DIDN'T OWN A CAR FOR FIVE YEARS AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. AND WE IN SAN ANTONIO DESERVE THE SAME, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR Y'ALL'S CONTINUED ADVOCACY FOR IT.
YOU ALL MAY KNOW THAT I'M A LONG-DISTANCE RUNNER AND RUNNERS AND CYCLISTS FACE A LOT OF THE SAME CHALLENGES TO KNOW THAT WE SHOULD BE PARTNERING IN THIS FIGHT.
I KNOW WILLIAM DOES ALSO KNOW THAT I ONLY LEARNED HOW TO RIDE A BIKE DURING COVID.
I MEAN, WHAT ELSE DID WE ALL DO DURING COVID, OTHER THAN LEARN NEW THINGS.
I LOVE IT. I'M NOT GOOD AT IT. I WAS EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIESTA BIKE PARADE. THAT WAS SO FUN BUT, YOU KNOW, IN MY PART OF TOWN PEOPLE DO RIDE A BIKE FOR LEISURE BUT THEY ALSO RIDE THEIR BIKE OUT OF NECESSITY.
I KNOW WE HAVE GREAT PLANS COMING UP AND I KNOW THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON ME TO CONTINUE BEING A FIRE THAT WE DO NEED TO GET IT DONE YESTERDAY BECAUSE SAN ANTONIANS DESERVE IT. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY AND KNOW THAT I'M A PARTNER IN THE FIGHT WITH YOU ALL. THANK YOU.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE
GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: WELL, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN TO HELPING US WITH A NEW, SAFE BIKE PLAN FOR EVERYBODY AND ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO RIDE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE A WHILE BEFORE IT'S FINISHED.
BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO ARE COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS AVAILABLE FOR ALL CITIZENS THAT WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON IT. I WANT TO INVITE YOU, SINCE YOU INVITED US, TO SAY YOU WOULD RIDE WITH THE COUNCIL OFFICE.
I LIVE OFF OF THOUSAND OAKS AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM YOUR TEAM COME OUT AND RIDE WITH ME DOWN TO MCALLISTER PARK FROM MY HOME. AND LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT'S THE SAFEST WAY WE CAN ALL DO THIS TOGETHER. I'VE GOT AN ELECTRIC BIKE, AN E-BIKE. IF YOU DON'T MIND ME FOLLOWING ALONG IN MY E-BIKE, LET'S TRY AND FIND SOME TIME TO DO THAT TOGETHER AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN LAY OUT GOOD PLANS FOR MY DISTRICT ON HOW PEOPLE CAN GET BACK AND FORTH SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU OUT. I KNOW WILL HAS INVITED ME OUT.
I DON'T HAVE VERY FANCY BIKES. MINE IS AN ORANGE SCHWINN WITH A WICKER BASKET AND STREAMERS.
I DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. OF COURSE, CAT, IF THERE'S ANYBODY IN THIS CITY WHO CAN DO IT, IT'S CAT. WILL AND JOEY AND ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY OVER THE YEARS. NATIONAL BIKE MONTH REMINDS US OF HOW CYCLING HELPS OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
WE TALK ABOUT THAT A LOT HERE AT THE CITY AND MPO AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF MY PRIORITIES AS CHAIR OF MPO. OFTEN FOLKS THINK OF CYCLING AS RECREATION BUT WE DO WELL TO REMEMBER THAT IT'S OUT OF UTILITY AS WELL. I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY MANY TIMES BUT WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE FIRST MARRIED, HE WOULD RIDE HIS BIKE TO THE BUS STOP, PUT HIS BIKE ON THE BUS AND HEAD DOWNTOWN TO UTSA TO GO TO SCHOOL.
THAT WAS HOW WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THINGS AND GO TO SCHOOL AT THE SAME TIME AND RAISE OUR FAMILY. I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND, AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT FUNDING SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THAT TOO.
THANK YOU. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: I JUST WANTED TO SAY THE SAFETY ISSUE YOU BROUGHT UP IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE PUSHING SO HARD FOR SOLUTIONS FOR BIKE LANES SO WE CAN TRY THINGS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK IN A QUICKER WAY. ALSO I COMMIT TO RIDING TO WORK ON MAY 17. I KNOW JEFF WILL PROBABLY BE DOING THE SAME TOO.
WE'LL RIDE WITH YOU. THANKS, Y'ALL. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: I WANT TO SAY THANKS AND AGREE WITH WHATEVER CAT TOUCHES SEEMS TO WORK OUT WELL. I'M EXPECTING THE SAME HERE. YOU KNOW, BRIAN AND I TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BIKING AND ALTERNATE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION DURING THE CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR. AND SO I'M HAPPY THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH THIS AS WELL.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SOME GOOD RESULTS. THANKS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY.
[00:40:03]
I LOVE SEEING YOU ALL COME AND JUST BE OUT AND ABOUT IN THE STREETS.ALSO ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO RIDE. AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BIKE RODEO CHAMPION, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIKE PROPONENT AND WHEN I STARTED MY GIG HERE I ASKED IF I COULD RIDE MY BIKE TO MY FIELD OFFICE, AT LEAST. BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE FURTHER TO GET TO CITY HALL. AT THE TIME I WAS TOLD NO. IT IS NOT SAFE.
WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS AND SO I WOULD LOVE TO INVITE YOU ALL TO COME AND HELP ME FIND A SAFE WAY TO TAKE MY BIKE TO MY FIELD OFFICE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
GOOD LUCK, Y'ALL. WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK AS WELL AND WE ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THAT UPDATED COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
SEE YOU SOON. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. LASTLY, LET ME INVITE UP NOW MELINDA COX AND THE JOHNSON SAFE DRIVING TEAM. WE JUST EXITED THE MONTH OF APRIL AND WE KNOW THAT THE MONTH OF APRIL, CERTAINLY THE END OF IT IS DISTRACTED ENTIRELY BY FIESTA AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE RECOGNIZE THIS WONDERFUL TEAM AND THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING. HERE IN TEXAS NEARLY ONE IN SIX CRASHES WERE A RESULT OF DISTRACTED DRIVING IN 2023, WHICH RESULTED IN 2,793 SERIOUS INJURIES AND 399 DEATHS. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION PUTS IT VERY PLAINLY: IF YOU'RE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IT'S THE ONLY THING YOU SHOULD BE DOING.
NO DISTRACTIONS. TO HONOR THE LIVES LOST AND RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFER ROADS, SAN ANTONIO RECOGNIZES APRIL EVERY YEAR AS WE HAVE SINCE 2014, WITH THE HELP OF THESE JOHNSON STUDENTS AS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH.
MELINDA AND TEAM, WELCOME. AND THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS JACKSON. >> I'M MADISON. >> I'M LOLA.
>> AND I'M ESTHER. >> AND WE'RE JUNIORS AT JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY AND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE CLUB AND THE WORK WE DO. THE JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL PTSA SMART DRIVING CLUB WAS STARTED IN 2012 AND STUDENTS HAVE WORKED TO END THE CULTURE OF DISTRACTED AND IMPAIRED
DRIVING. >> I JOINED THE CLUB BECAUSE I WANTED AN OUTLET TO PROMOTE AND ADVOCATE FOR RESPONSIBLE DRIVING. THROUGH THIS CLUB I HAVE BEEN GIVEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SO. I'VE ALSO HAD THE CHANCE TO ATTEND MANY VOLUNTEER EVENTS WITH OUR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS TO SPREAD THE WORD
ABOUT SAFE DRIVING. >> WHY IS THE WORK WE DO YEAR-ROUND SO IMPORTANT? BECAUSE SO MANY DRIVERS ARE DISTRACTED WHEN THEY ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL.
SO MANY OF US ARE A LOT OF THESE DRIVERS ARE ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 28 AND 38.
TEEN DRIVERS ARE JUST AS MORE LIKELY TO CRASH IF THEY ARE DISTRACTED.
MOST OF US UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF DRIVING DISTRACTED OR IMPAIRED BUT SOME OF US CONTINUE THE DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR. OUR WORK IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR AND MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER.
>> IN 2022, OVER 30,000 CRASHES OCCURRED BECAUSE DRIVERS WERE DISTRACTED.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED THAT YEAR BECAUSE A DRIVER DECIDED THAT BEING ON THEIR CELL PHONE WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. SAN ANTONIO DOES HAVE A NO CELL PHONE USAGE ORDINANCE WHICH MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO USE YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING, EVEN AT THE STOPLIGHT. OUR CLUB WORKS ON CAMPUS AND THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY TO REMIND DRIVERS OF THIS ORDINANCE. WE WORK WITH SAFETY PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS TO ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO MAKE SMART CHOICES BEHIND THE WHEEL. WE ALL DESERVE TO BE SAFE ON THE ROADS, WHETHER WE ARE A DRIVER OR PASSENGER, PEDESTRIAN, OR CYCLIST. SO MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST BECAUSE PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DRIVE DISTRACTED. ACCIDENTS ARE PART OF BEING HUMAN BUT CRASHES ARE PREVENTABLE AND WE CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE SMART CHOICES EACH
TIME WE GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. >> SMART CHOICES BEHIND THE WHEEL WILL SAVE LIVES.
>> HI, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'M MELINDA COX.
I STARTED THE SMART DRIVING CLUB IN 2012 AND THIS IS WHAT WE DO.
MY KIDS WORK ALL THE WAY TO THE STATE LEVEL SO THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SMART CHOICES BEHIND THE WHEEL AND I'M HERE TO ASK A FAVOR THAT ALL OF YOU MAKE A PLEDGE WITHIN YOURSELVES AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO NEVER BE DISTRACTED OR DRIVE IMPAIRED.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
THANK YOU. OH, I'M SORRY. SHOUT OUT TO ESTHER.
[00:45:04]
IT'S HER BIRTHDAY TODAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ESTHER.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL, MELINDA, AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. WE KNOW THIS, FOR THE PARENTS AND FOR THE STUDENTS AT JOHNSON IS A PERSONAL MISSION. WE APPRECIATE THAT YOU DO THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO HELP SAVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. WELL, MELINDA AND TO ALL OF YOU STUDENTS UP THERE, THANK Y'ALL FOR ACCEPTING OUR INVITATION TO BE HERE TODAY. IT'S AMAZING WORK WHAT Y'ALL DO. AS WAS MENTIONED, THE CLUB STARTED IN 2012 AND IT'S REALLY A STUDENT-LED ORGANIZATION TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED AND IMPAIRED DRIVING. YOU KNOW, ALL OF US UP HERE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO. IT'S AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT YOU ALL ARE SPREADING. AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOU IN ANY WAY WE CAN. AND REALLY KEEP IT UP BECAUSE IT'S A VALUABLE MESSAGE THAT YOU'RE SENDING OUT INTO SAN ANTONIO. SO THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR -- I'M
SORRY. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY ON THIS ISSUE. I TEACH AT A COLLEGE.
I TEACH AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY AND EVERY YEAR MY STUDENTS, THEIR PROJECT IS TO WORK ON PROJECT YELLOW LIGHT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH PROJECT YELLOW LIGHT, I SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR IS, BUT FOR ANYONE AGES 15 TO 25 WHO IS A STUDENT, YOU CAN COMPETE BY PUTTING TOGETHER A 30-SECOND RADIO SPOT OR A COMMERCIAL OR VIDEO THAT YOU CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE YOUR AGE TO NOT DRIVE DISTRACTED AND THEN BILLBOARDS. AND THEN THEY AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS. AND SO THEY AWARD THE SCHOLARSHIPS EVERY JUNE SO WE WORK ON IT THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEN YOU GET, IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS, YOU ALSO GET YOUR CLUB TO BE SUPPORTED. AGAIN, ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO HELP YOU ALL WITH CONNECTING WITH THAT BUT I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL PROGRAM AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT IS A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM AND SO YOU ALL ARE DOING INCREDIBLE WORK HERE, LOCALLY, BUT LOVE TO TAKE YOUR MESSAGE AND EXTEND IT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AGAIN. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE PRINCIPAL, THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE PTSA WHO COMBINE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF KEEPING THE STUDENTS AT JOHNSON SAFE. BUT STUDENTS IN EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN THIS COMMUNITY AS SAFE AS THEY CAN BE AS THEY DRIVE.
SO IT'S BEEN REALLY A GOOD JOB OF GETTING THE WORD OUT. MELINDA COX, YOU HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB WORKING WITH THESE STUDENTS YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT AND I KNOW ALL THE PTSA MEMBERS AND THE REST OF THE SCHOOL IS BEHIND YOUR EFFORT.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN COURAGE, YOU BROUGHT THEM LAST YEAR AND HIGHLIGHTED THIS. THAT'S, MS. COX, FOR JUST CONTINUING TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. I THINK -- AND I HEARD SOME OF THE REASONS FOR YOU GUYS JOINING AND BEING PART OF THIS.
YOU ALREADY GET THAT YOU SHARE THE ROAD WITH CYCLISTS AND WALKERS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE A LITTLE OLDER, LIKE MY MOM THAT'S DRIVING AND MAY BE GOING A LITTLE SLOWER.
SO I THINK THAT THIS IS SO GREAT THAT YOU GUYS ARE TELLING PEOPLE EYES ON THE ROAD. DON'T BE DISTRACTED, WHETHER IT'S YOUR PHONE, WHETHER IT'S TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT SONG, THAT YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE SHARING THE ROAD.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU GUYS DO AND HOW YOU CONTINUE TO WORK TO TAKE THIS
MESSAGE TO THE CITY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH, AGAIN, FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE AND GREAT WORK TO THE STUDENTS, THE TEACHERS, AND THE PARENTS.
KEEP IT UP. THANKS, Y'ALL. [APPLAUSE] WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO OUR BUSINESS AGENDA NOW SO LET'S PULL UP ITEM NO. 5.
>> CLERK: ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ETHICS AND
MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.
I GUESS WE'LL GO STRAIGHT INTO THE PRESENTATION? >> BRING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD FORWARD THE ERB HAS GONE THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS OVER THE LAST MORE THAN A YEAR, REVIEWING BOTH THESE CODES TO DEVELOP THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. AS Y'ALL KNOW, THE ERB, THE CHAIR CAME FORTH AT A B SESSION BACK IN JANUARY TO PRESENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
[00:50:05]
THEY DID RECEIVE SOME FEEDBACK. THEY WENT BACK IN MARCH, DISCUSSED THAT FEEDBACK, AND NOW THEY BRING BACK THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS FULL COUNCIL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHAIR OF THE ERB IS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE THIS MORNING, HOWEVER CHRISTY WOODWARD, VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE IS HERE WILLING, READY, AND ABLE TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION. AND THEN WE'LL BE AVAILABLEFOR ANY QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS. CHRISTY. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR.
GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS CHRISTY WOODWARD. NOT LOUD ENOUGH? I'M SUCH A SHORT PERSON. OKAY. I'M NOT IN TEACHER MODE YET.
THAT'S NOT UNTIL 12:55 TODAY. I REPRESENT DISTRICT 9 AND I AM COUNCILMAN COURAGE'S APPOINTEE TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION. I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD FOR BOTH THE CITY'S ETHICS CODE AND THE MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE . BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE TWO MEMBERS FROM OUR BOARD, FRED CAMPBELL IS HERE AND ROXANA VARGAS.
I'M HONORED TO WORK WITH THIS BOARD. IT'S MADE UP OF A DIVERSE GROUP FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THEY REALLY HAVE SERVED WITH THE UTMOST INTEGRITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR DISCUSSION AND THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION THEY'VE PUT FORTH IN THIS PROCESS. ETHICS IS A VITAL PART OF PUBLIC SERVICE AS IT PROVIDES CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND IMPARTIALITY OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IN APRIL 2022 THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD INITIATED A REVIEW OF THE ETHICS AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE CODES AND PRESENTED THE INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU AT THE JANUARY 10 B SESSION MEETING. THAT WAS MY BIRTHDAY.
WE WERE HERE HOPING. WE'RE HERE TODAY TO BRING FORTH FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOTH THE CODES, WHICH HAD CLARITY, AND CODIFY THOSE PRACTICES WHICH WE BELIEVE BEST REFLECT THE CURRENT VALUES OF OUR CITY. THE FIRST SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS IS RELATED TO THE CITY'S ETHICS CODE . AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED, THERE ARE THREE RECOMMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES FOR THE ETHICS CODE.
THE FIRST CHANGE WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND INVOLVES MAKING REFERENCES TO INDIVIDUALS' GENDER NEUTRAL. THE SECOND CHANGE INVOLVES UPDATING ALL REFERENCES TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S CONTRACT PERSONNEL TO REFLECT THAT THEIR CURRENT STATUS AS EMPLOYEES OF COUNCIL AIDES CORPORATION. AND, LASTLY, MOVING ALL DEFINITIONS TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SECTIONS, WHICH HELPS SET THE APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK FOR THE READER. IN ADDITION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES, THE ERB IS RECOMMENDING EIGHT SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES FROM THE ETHICS CODE, WHICH ENHANCE AND CLARIFY EXISTING INTENT. THE FIRST IS TO SECTION 2-41. THERE WE GO.
CLARIFYING THE ETHICS CODE APPLIES TO INDIVIDUALS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, INCLUDING VOLUNTEERS AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. NEXT, UNDER SECTION 2-43, WE ARE RECOMMENDING TWO CHANGES. THE FIRST IS ADDING SPECIFIC LANGUAGE REGARDING RECUSAL RELATED TO SERVICE ON OUTSIDE BOARDS BY EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE INCLUSION OF A RESTRICTION THAT DURING THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF SERVICE AN EMPLOYEE OR OFFICIAL MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE MAKING OR AWARDING OF CONTRACTS TO A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WAS EMPLOYED BY DURING THE PRIOR YEAR. UNDER SECTION 2-45 WE'RE INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS RELATING TO HONORARIUMS THAT FALL UNDER THE TEXAS PENAL CODE 36.07.
UNDER SECTION 2-58 WE'RE RECOMMENDING CLARIFYING RESTRICTED TIME-FRAME IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AWARDING OF THE CONTRACT VERSUS SEEKING OR SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSAL.
UNDER SECTION 2-59, WE'RE RECOMMENDING ADDITIONAL WORDING TO CLARIFY DISCLOSURES SHOULD BE MADE AT THE TIME A REQUEST IS SUBMITTED BUT NO LATER THAN 72 HOURS PRIOR TO
[00:55:10]
ACTION. UNDER SECTION 2-82, THE ERB IS RECOMMENDING AN ENHANCEMENT TO ALLOW THE ERB THE DISCRETION TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE CONSIDERATION OF ANY ALLEGED VIOLATION THAT HAS BEEN RESOLVED PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF AN ETHICS COMPLAINT.FINALLY, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT THE NOTICE TO COMPLY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS NOTED AROUND SECTION 2-92 BE MOVED TO THE BEGINNING OF THE CODE UNDER THE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. THAT CONCLUDES OUR RECOMMENDED CHANGES FOR THE ETHICS CODE.
I'D LIKE TO NOW REVIEW THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES FOR THE MUNICIPAL FINANCE CODE .
THE ERB IS RECOMMENDING THREE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES FOR THE MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE. THE FIRST CHANGE WE'VE RECOMMENDED, AS WITH THE ETHICS CODE, WE'RE RECOMMENDING ALL THE REFERENCES BE UPDATED TO REFLECT GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE. THE SECOND CHANGE, ADDING CLARIFICATION WHEN REQUIREMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO BOTH CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS. AND, THREE, ADDING CLARIFICATION WHETHER A REQUIREMENT APPLIES TO ALL SPECIFIC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES OR ONLY THOSE THAT ARE FORMED TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE A CANDIDATE OR OFFICEHOLDER VERSUS A MUNICIPAL MEASURE. IN ADDITION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES, THE ERB IS RECOMMENDING SIX SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES FOR THE MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE. FOR SECURITY REASONS WE'RE RECOMMENDING REMOVAL OF SECTION 2-306, WHICH CURRENTLY REQUIRES PROVIDING BANK ACCOUNT STATEMENTS TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. SINCE THESE RECORDS MAY CONTAIN SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
UNDER SECTION 2-307, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE REMOVAL OF THE QUARTERLY CAMPAIGN FINANCE FILINGS AND RETURNING TO THE STATE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, WHICH ARE SEMI-ANNUAL AND SPECIFIC PREELECTION REPORTS. UNDER SECTION 2-308, WE RECOMMEND CLARIFYING THAT SPACS MUST FILE ELECTRONIC REPORTS WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
FURTHER, WE RECOMMEND PROVIDING GPACS AN OPTION TO REPORT ONLY MUNICIPAL ACTIVITY WITH THE CITY CLERK'S ACTIVITY VERSUS FULL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT.
UNDER SECTION 2-309, WE RECOMMEND A RESTRICTION TO PROHIBIT CORPORATE PACS ESTABLISHED OR FORMED BY THE ENTITY SEEKING A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT FROM PROVIDING CONTRIBUTIONS DURING THAT BLACKOUT PERIOD. WE ALSO RECOMMEND PROHIBITING ALL COMPANY BOARD MEMBERS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE FOR-PROFIT OR NONPROFIT STATUS, FROM PROVIDING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS DURING HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT BLACKOUT PERIODS. FINALLY, WE ARE RECOMMENDING SOME NEXT STEPS.
SHOULD COUNCIL ACCEPT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE ERB IS PROPOSING A FEW NEXT STEPS.
WE RECOMMEND THE FINAL REVISIONS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF OCTOBER 1, 2024. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR A COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN AND AMPLE TIME FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE CHANGES, ESPECIALLY THOSE CHANGES RELATED TO PROHIBITED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
THE ERB ALSO RECOMMENDS STAFF PREPARE AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON THE CHANGES TO INCLUDE EASY TO READ REFERENCE GUIDES, WHICH PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE ETHICS REQUIREMENTS.
SOME TARGET AUDIENCES FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE CURRENT AND FORMER EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS, CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE, CONTRACTORS, AND LOBBYISTS.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION. AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE ERB WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS PROCESS, AS WELL AS THE STAFF AND DEPARTMENT OFFICES THAT SUPPORTED OUR REVIEW.
I WOULD PARTICULARLY LIKE TO THANK MARIA PEREZ AND KEVIN BARTHOLD.
I KNOW IT'S UNUSUAL TO CALL OUT PARTICULAR MEMBERS OF THE BUREAUCRACY, BUT I THINK THAT THEY DESERVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION BECAUSE THEY WERE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL.
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MS. WOODWARD. WE'LL START WITH PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE HAVE ONE PERSON
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SCHEDULED TO SPEAK AND THAT WOULD BE JACK FINGER. AND THEN FOR OUR COLLEAGUES,IF YOU COULD JUST LET ME KNOW, BECAUSE -- SORRY. >> MADAME MAYOR PRO TEM, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, ONE THING I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY TODAY IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. THERE WILL BE A CEREMONY OUTSIDE THESE CHAMBERS AT
12:00 NOON. >> GARCIA: JUST A REMINDER, MR. FINGER, TO STAY ON TOPIC.
>> YEAH, YOU DEFINITELY NEED IT. THE WORDS MEAN THINGS, MADAME MAYOR PRO TEM. AS THE NOTED 19TH CENTURY HUMORIST AND NOVELIST MARK TWAIN ONCE MENTIONED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT WORD AND THE ALMOST RIGHT WORD IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIGHTNING AND LIGHTNING BUG. YEAH.
PRETTY BIG DIFFERENCE THERE. LOOKING THROUGH THIS PROPOSED REVISIONS HERE, YOU WANT TO MAKE THE HIS/HER PRONOUNS GENDER NEUTRAL. BUT IN DOING SO, YOU CAUSED A MAJOR PROBLEM. YES. MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, FIRST JUST GLANCE ON THE FIRST PAGE THERE. BASICALLY THE CODE OF ETHICS.
TURN THE PAGE TO SEE SOME OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS THERE. IN THE RED LETTERING, WHICH I HAVE CIRCLED, YOU HAVE THE VARIOUS TERMS: HIS/HER TO BE CHANGED TO THEIR.
WELL, I MEAN, LOOK. TEN OF THEM, JUST WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF PARAGRAPHS HERE. NOW, IF "THEIR" WAS JUST MERELY A REPHRASING OF HIS AND HER, THE INDIVIDUAL, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING. THAT WOULD BE OKAY.
BUT "THEIR" IS A TERM THAT MEANS "PLURAL." MORE THAN ONE.
DO YOU REALIZE WHAT CONFUSION YOU ARE CAUSING HERE? AND THIS IS JUST ON ONE PAGE.
THREE OUT OF FOUR PAGES OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS THE SAME ROUTINE, AT LEAST ONE OR TWO EXAMPLES OF SUCH, AND THAT'S JUST ON THAT PAGE. THIS IS THE MUNICIPAL FINANCE.
ONCE AGAIN, HIS/HER CHANGED TO "THEIR." SEVERAL JUST ON THAT PAGE ALONE. OVER HALF THE PAGES IN THIS DOCUMENT HAVE THESE CRAZY CHANGES HERE. NOW, YOU DON'T SEEM TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE CONFUSION FOR EVERYONE WHO READS THIS THING AND NOT KNOWING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTERWARDS. HUH? CHANGE IT.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
ALL RIGHT. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM NO. 5.
OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION. WAS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND, SO WE'LL BEGIN THE DISCUSSION NOW. LET ME START WITH
COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD AND MS. WOODWARD FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I HAD WORKED WITH PATRICK LANG PREVIOUSLY AND ESTHER SERVES AS MY APPOINTEE.
VERY PROUD OF THE WORK YOU ALL DO. IT'S VERY NOBLE.
I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE KEVIN BARTHOLD AND KEVIN IS GOING TO RETIRE SOON.
AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITHOUT YOU, KEVIN.
AND SO BUT I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS.
YOU TAKE A LOT OF TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO RESEARCH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT GO INTO THE RECOMMENDATIONS. SO I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO. ONCE IN A WHILE WE DO MAKE THESE CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY. A LOT OF THEM ARE WHAT WE CONSIDER HOUSE CLEANING ITEMS, THE THINGS THAT JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED. BUT I APPRECIATE THE FOCUS ON THE TRANSPARENCY ASPECT OF THE WORK. AND SO I LOVE THAT YOU PUT UP THE PRINCIPLES RIGHT UP FRONT. AND THEN WE, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HAVE TESTED
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OURSELVES IN ACCOUNTABILITY, IN PARTICULAR, AND IN BEING PROFESSIONAL AND BEING RESPECTFUL. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE WORK THAT THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD DOES ADDS TO THIS. CITY COUNCIL HAS SOME OF THE TIGHTEST RULES, OR THIS CITY COUNCIL, IN CONDUCT AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE. AND WE OWE IT TO OUR RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE THAT, DESPITE THE THRESHOLD THAT OTHER ENTITIES MIGHT BE FOLLOWING.SO I'M PROUD THAT WE HOLD OURSELVES TO A HIGHER STANDARD ON THIS CITY COUNCIL OF SAN ANTONIO AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I KNOW THAT YOU ALL HAVE GONE THROUGH MONTHS AND MONTHS OF REVISING THIS. I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS DOING SOME SPRING CLEANING LAST WEEKEND AND I HAVE TWO FILE CABINETS WORTH OF MY ETHICS REVIEW BOARD WORK.
I HAVE ABOUT SIX BIG BINDERS AND I WAS THINKING I NEED TO BRING THESE TO RECORDS RETENTION, PROBABLY. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD
TO THE NEXT REVISIONS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. ON THE SLIDE 13 FOR THE MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE, I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE IN B SESSION, SECTION 2-309 CONTRIBUTION PROHIBITIONS. PROHIBIT ALL COMPANY BOARD MEMBERS FROM CONTRIBUTING DURING HIGH-PROFILE PERIODS. I AM CONCERNED ON THE NONPROFIT, INCLUDING NONPROFIT IN THIS, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO GET SMALLER NONPROFITS THAT HAVE CAPACITY TO MOVE TOWARDS THIS BIDDING FOR HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS, BUT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE WORKING BOARDS THAT KNOW WHAT ALL IS GOING ON OR KNOW ALL THE RULES OR HAVE THE STAFF THAT KIND OF TEACHES THEM IN TERMS OF THE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ABOUT WHO TO GIVE TO AND WHO NOT TO GIVE TO DURING BLACKOUT PERIODS. SO I DO HAVE CONCERN WITH THIS. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR NONPROFITS. I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON HERE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS MOVED TO PROHIBIT ALL FOR-PROFIT BOARD MEMBERS FROM CONTRIBUTING DURING HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT PROHIBITION PERIODS.
BUT GIVE ME THE THINKING OF WHY WE INCLUDED NONPROFITS? >> THERE'S A COUPLE OF ITEMS AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT CAME BACK TO THE REVIEW BOARD FOR THEIR MEETING BACK IN MARCH. THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION AROUND THIS.
ONE OF THE AREAS IS WHERE THERE'S A NONPROFIT ENTITY COMPETING AGAINST A FOR-PROFIT ENTITY. JUST TO KEEP THE PLAYING FIELD EVEN ON THAT SO THAT ONE WOULD NOT HAVE A PERCEIVED ADVANTAGE IN THAT PROCESS. THE SECOND THING -- AS A SIDE NOTE, JUST REMEMBER THIS ALSO APPLIES ONLY TO HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS.
SO THE CITY ISSUES HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CONTRACTS A YEAR.
HIGH-PROFILE IS GENERALLY IN THE AREA OF 50 TO 60 CONTRACTS PER YEAR SO THIS WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THOSE INSTANCES OF HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS, WHICH FEW NONPROFITS PARTICIPATE IN THOSE. SO THE IMPACT -- YOUR POINT IS CORRECT -- BUT THE IMPACT, I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW BIG THAT WOULD BE. BUT IT WAS A ROBUST DISCUSSION AND EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING UP WAS DISCUSSED BUT THE BOARD CAME BACK TO THIS
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION. >> VIAGRAN: THE OTHER ISSUE IN TERMS OF MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE IS IT'S ONLY APPLICABLE TO ELECTED OFFICIALS DURING THE BLACKOUT PERIOD. IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ELECTED, SO THEY
CAN GIVE YOU DONATIONS. >> IT'S ALSO CANDIDATES, CORRECT.
>> VIAGRAN: NO, IT'S NOT. IT'S NOT CANDIDATES. >> LET'S GET THE LAWYERS.
>> IF YOU BEGIN READING SECTION 2-309A, WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL SEEKS TO OBTAIN A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT, THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SHALL NOT MAKE A POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION TO ANY COUNCILMEMBER OR CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE THAT SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES A COUNCILMEMBER OR CANDIDATE BEGINNING ON THE 10TH BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE SOLICITATION HAS BEEN RELEASED.
IT DOES APPLY TO CANDIDATES AND IT ALSO APPLIES TO PACS AS WELL AS OFFICEHOLDERS.
IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD. >> VIAGRAN: OKAY. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE WERE ADDRESSED.
WITH THIS PRESENTATION. I MEAN, I KNOW SOME OF THEM WERE WITH THE SUBMITTING OF
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THE REPORTING AND REQUIREMENTS, BUT THE PROHIBITIONS -- AND HAS THEREBEEN A PROBLEM WITH NONPROFITS AND FOR-PROFITS IN THIS? >> THIS IS A CODE THAT GOES BACK VERY LONG AS FAR AS THE BOARD MEMBERS AND COMPANIES THAT ARE BIDDING ON HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS. AGAIN, THIS WAS AN AREA OF CONSISTENCY TO MAKE IT CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD FOR NONPROFITS -- ANOTHER NUANCE WITH THE FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES, THE CURRENT CODE ALLOWS PROHIBITIONS ONLY AGAINST OFFICERS OF THE BOARD, NOT ALL BOARD MEMBERS. THIS IS ALSO MAKING THAT CHANGE FOR FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES. AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO THE APPEARANCE AND JUST COMPANIES WHO ARE BIDDING ON CONTRACTS, HAVING THEIR BOARD MEMBERS GIVE CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH WILL BE CONSISTENT ALSO WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES OR THEIR MANAGEMENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND SUCH.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY PROHIBITED FROM GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS AND SO THIS WOULD BRING IT TO THE
BOARD MEMBERS ALSO. >> VIAGRAN: AND I ALWAYS -- I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA THAT THIS SENDS -- THAT CONTRIBUTIONS BY PEOPLE, THAT THE COUNCIL CAN BE BOUGHT WITH
A 500-DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION. >> THAT'S THE UNDERLYING PREMISE OF THIS DISCUSSION.
I AGREE WITH YOU. THIS IS MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN BE BOUGT AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT BUT IT IS ALSO THE APPEARANCE OF AND JUST TRYING TO LOOK FOR THE PERCEPTION. IT'S AN APPEARANCE ISSUE. I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT THE BOARD DID TAKE Y'ALL'S RECOMMENDATION FROM THE B SESSION.
THERE WAS A LONG DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS WHERE THE BOARD LANDED TO CONTINUE
WITH THEIR ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION. >> VIAGRAN: I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I DO THINK IT MORE SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT YOU AGREE WITH JACK FINGER, AND THAT DISTURBS ME. I WILL CHIME BACK IN.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, KEVIN.
THTHANK YOU, CHRISTY, FOR THAT PRESENTATION. ALSO THANK YOU TO OUR DISTRICT 7 APPOINTEE FOR ALL Y'ALL'S WORK ON THIS. I JUST HAD ONE CLARIFYING QUESTION. CAN YOU REFRESH MY MEMORY ON WHAT QUALIFIES AS A
HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT AND WHERE THAT'S DEFINED? >> THE HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT, IT IS NOT DEFINED IN THE ETHICS OR CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE.
IT IS DEFINED BY POLICY AND PROCEDURE WITHIN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT WOULD BE ANYONE THAT HAS A VALUE GREATER THAN $1 MILLION.
COULD BE VERY TECHNICAL IN NATURE OR COMPLEX IN NATURE. OR IT COULD BE PREDICTED THAT IT WOULD HAVE A HIGH PUBLIC INTEREST IN THAT PROCESS. BUT THE DEFINITION AND THE CATEGORIZATION OF HIGH-PROFILE IS SET BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. ONCE IT GETS THAT LABEL, THEN THESE RULES ARE EFFECTIVE.
>> GAVITO: THAT'S HELPFUL. WHAT DID YOU SAY IT WAS AGAIN? IN THE CITY'S FINANCE?
>> EXCUSE ME? >> GAVITO: WHAT DID YOU SAY THAT LANGUAGE IS THOUGH? IT'S IN THE LANGUAGE THAT DEFINES A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT.
>> THE DEFINITION, A MILLION DOLLARS, HIGH PUBLIC INTEREST, OR EXTREME TECHNICAL OR
COMPLEX. >> GAVITO: YOU MENTIONED THAT IT'S IN THE CITY'S
FINANCE DEPARTMENT -- >> PROCUREMENT. IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS,
YES, MA'AM. >> GAVITO: THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
THANK YOU. EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS GOOD TO ME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL Y'ALL'S WORK ON IT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. I DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE IN THE QUEUE SO IS THERE FURTHER
DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: I WANT TO THANK CHRISTY FOR THE WORK THAT SHE DID AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
ONE ISSUE I'D LIKE US TO CONSIDER, AND I THINK IT'S SLIDE 13 OR 14, IT TALKS ABOUT .
IT TALKS ABOUT THE DATE THAT THIS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. I'D LIKE THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER INSTEAD OF MAKING THIS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, THAT WE CONSIDER MAKING IT EFFECTIVE JUNE 30. BECAUSE, AS OF JULY 1, WE ARE INTO THE ACTUAL CAMPAIGN CYCLE FOR THE MAY 2025 ELECTION. AND IT WOULD, I THINK, BE EVEN MORE AWKWARD TO CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT CYCLE, YOU KNOW, THREE MONTHS AFTER WE'RE INTO IT.
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I WOULD MAYBE ASK THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE IF THEY FEEL THERE WOULD BE ANY CHALLENGE FOR THEM TO IMPLEMENT IT BY JUNE 30TH SO THAT JULY 1ST IT WOULD KICK IN.AND, AT THE SAME TIME, SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOT IMPLEMENTING IT UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST, THAT STILL GIVES PLENTY OF TIME TO LET PEOPLE KNOW IN JULY AND AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF THOSE CHANGES. SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, STARTING IT AND BEING CONSISTENT WITH THE ELECTION CYCLE MAKES A LITTLE MORE SENSE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MUNICIPAL FINANCE CODE. SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAYBE PUT THAT OUT FOR A DISCUSSION AND SEE IF WE LIKE, AS A COUNCIL, TO IMPLEMENT IT
SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, COULD YOU STATE THAT AGAIN? IF YOU ARE MAKING A MOTION, JUST STATE IT IN A MOTION.
>> COURAGE: OKAY. I'LL MAKE IT A MOTION. WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND DECIDE WHAT WE WANT TO DO ABOUT IT. I MOVE THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THE MUNICIPAL FINANCE
CODE CHANGES BE JULY 1, 2024 AS OPPOSED TO OCTOBER 1, 2024. >> SEGOVIA: IF I MAY MAKE A QUICK SUGGESTION, MAYOR, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF BOTH CHANGES TO THE ETHICS CODE AND THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME. COUNCILMAN, MY SUGGESTION TO YOU WOULD BE FOR YOUR MOTION TO APPLY TO BOTH. THE ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN
FINANCE CODE. >> COURAGE: I'M WILLING TO MAKE IT THAT MOTION THAT BOTH
OF THOSE BE IMPLEMENTED THEN, IF WE CAN FIND A SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR AMENDING THE MOTION TO MAKE THE CHANGES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024. SO LET'S DISCUSS THAT MOTION.
KEVIN, DID YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING? >> MAY I PLEASE ADDRESS THAT MOTION AND THE REASON FOR THE OCTOBER 1ST IMPLEMENTATION DATE.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THESE CHANGES HAVE TO DEAL WITH PROHIBITIONS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, ADDING PEOPLE. WE FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE THAT AMOUNT OF TIME THROUGH OCTOBER VERSUS JUNE 30, WHICH IS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AWAY NOW, FOR THE EDUCATION PROCESS. WE CAN GET PEOPLE EDUCATED ABOUT THE NEW RESTRICTIONS SO THE BETTER WE CAN EDUCATE THEM AND THE BOARD ASKED FOR MY GROUP TO COME UP WITH A CAMPAIGN, I'LL CALL IT, FOR EDUCATION, AS WELL AS SOME ONE-PAGERS OF WHAT THE NEW RULES ARE. SO I REALLY THINK THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE LONG DATE. THE SECOND THING, REGARDING THE CAMPAIGN CYCLES.
YOU'RE RIGHT. THERE'S A NEW CYCLE JULY 1. THE MAIN THINGS THAT WOULD AFFECT THAT CYCLE PERIOD IS THE DELETION OF THE THREE-MONTH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION REPORTING. WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE SIX-MONTH STATE REQUIREMENT.
STILLGOING TO HAVE TO SUBMIT YOUR JULY 15TH REPORT, WHICH ENDS JUNE 30TH TIME CYCLE.
SO THE IMPACT OF THAT, FROM THE CAMPAIGN CYCLE, I DON'T THINK WOULD REALLY BE SIGNIFICANT GOING FROM OCTOBER TO JULY 3 BECAUSE IT DOESN'T CHANGE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
IF IT DID THAT, WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME. >> COURAGE: I WOULD CONTEND THAT MOST OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD NOT LIKE TO DO AN OCTOBER 15 REPORT ANYMORE
EITHER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
WE'RE DISCUSSING NOW THE AMENDED MOTION, WHICH IS THE CHANGE OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT? COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: ANDY, IS THERE ANY LEGAL IMPLICATIONS TO A CHANGE LIKE THAT?
>> SEGOVIA: COUNCILWOMAN, THERE IS NO LEGAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHANGES.
AS KEVIN POINTED OUT, I THINK IT'S STRICTLY TIED TO GETTING READY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC
AND THE AGENCIES ON THE CHANGES. >> HAVRDA: JOHN, WHAT'S THE
ARGUMENT FOR CHANGING IT TO JULY? >> COURAGE: JUST TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CYCLE. INSTEAD OF CHANGING THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CYCLE, I THINK WE OUGHT TO IMPLEMENT THEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT CAMPAIGN CYCLE.
>> HAVRDA: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. DO WE HAVE A GRAPH OR SOMETHING THAT CAN SHOW WHEN THE REPORTS WOULD BE DUE, IF THE CHANGE IS MADE?
IS THERE A SLIDE FOR THAT? >> WE DO. I DON'T HAVE THAT WITH ME.
I COULD EXPLAIN IT I THINK SIMPLY. RIGHT NOW UNDER THE CURRENT PROCESS, YOUR LAST QUARTERLY CAMPAIGN WAS DUE APRIL 15. NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE DUE JULY 15 AND THEN OCTOBER 15. IF WE MAKE THESE CHANGES, WE'RE ELIMINATING THAT
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THREE-MONTH ONE. STILL GOT TO PRODUCE THE JULY 15 DUE DATE REPORT.BUT THE OCTOBER 15 ONE WOULD GO AWAY. REGARDLESS OF THIS MOTION, THE CHANGE OF DATE, IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THAT. IF WE GO INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 15, WHICH IS WHAT THE STAFF AND BOARD IS RECOMMENDING, YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT OCTOBER 15 QUARTERLY REPORT. THAT WILL BE GONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. SO THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WHETHER OR
NOT THE APRIL 15 REPORT IS GOING TO BE DUE. >>
>> YEAH, SO CHANGING THE DATE IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THE
REPORT. >> THE REPORTING PERIOD. NOW, AGAIN, THAT'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE. NOW YOU HAVE THE ELECTION CYCLE, WHICH JULY 1 THROUGH ELECTION DATE IS THE PRE-ELECTION CYCLE. THAT IS FOCUSED MORE ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS. THERE IS NO RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS. I DON'T THINK WE'LL GET INTO TROUBLE WITH THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE -- AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS -- BUT I THINK THE CONTRIBUTION LIMIT CYCLE BOOKKEEPING NIGHTMARE AND CAUSES A LOT OF GOTCHAS FOR PEOPLE.
THE LIMITS ARE OFFSET FROM THE ACTUAL REPORTING. THEY ARE SET ON A DIFFERENT TIME CYCLE SO YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT POTENTIALLY COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CANDIDATE REGULARLY THAT ARE NOT MATCHING THOSE DEADLINES APPROPRIATELY.
YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION THAT THOSE CONTRIBUTION LIMIT CYCLES MATCH WITH THE REPORTING. EVERY TIME THERE'S A NEW REPORT, THAT'S THE MAXIMUM YOU CAN GIVE DURING ANY PERIOD. WAS THAT DISCUSSED?
THAT OBVIOUSLY WOULD CHANGE THE AMOUNT -- >>
>> STATE REQUIREMENTS, I BELIEVE. >> THE CONTRIBUTION CYCLE IS A CITY-INITIATED CITY-IMPOSED CYCLE. THE REPORTING IS STATE LAW.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YEAH. SO WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF WE'RE MATCHING THE REPORTING CYCLE, SO SHOULD THE CONTRIBUTION LIMITS. THAT WAY WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SPECIFIC CANDIDATE REPORT, YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ANYONE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THAT PERSON IN EACH REPORT. IT WOULD, OBVIOUSLY, IMPACT THE AMOUNT -- SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE AMOUNT THAT CANDIDATES CAN RAISE FOR AN ELECTION. SO THAT'S WORTHY OF CONVERSATION.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE CAN DO THAT ON THE DAIS. BUT FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION.
AS FAR AS THE CHANGE THAT WAS SUGGESTED IN THE AMENDED MOTION, IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE IMMATERIAL. I WOULD ASK, YOU KNOW, THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT CHANGE, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF US, WHAT THE IMPACT ON THE ACTUAL PROCESSING OF ALL THIS WOULD BE. THAT WOULD MOVE MY VOTE.
SO NOT TO PUT THE CLERKS ON THE SPOT, BUT HOW WOULD THIS -- DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH RUNWAY TO DEAL WITH THESE CHANGES IF WE MOVE UP THE DEADLINE?
>> CLERK: THE CHANGING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE TO JULY 1 FOR THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WOULD NOT IMPACT OUR OFFICE. HOWEVER, I THINK WHAT KEVIN WAS BRINGING UP WAS THAT IT WOULD POTENTIALLY BE DIFFICULT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF THE NEW RESTRICTIONS AND THE BLACKOUT PERIOD, PARTICULARLY FOR THE NONPROFITS THAT ARE BEING ADDED AND THEIR BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE BEING ADDED. BY JULY 1, THAT'S A PRETTY QUICK TURNAROUND.
THERE COULD BE PROCUREMENTS ALREADY UNDERWAY THAT COULD BE IMPACTED.
AND A LITTLE BIT MORE LEAD >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IF IT'S JUST A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE FOR US IN TERMS OF REPORTING, I WOULD SAY WE SHOULD PROBABLY MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE BEFORE WE IMPLEMENT THE CHANGE.
THAT WOULD BE MY LET'S GO AHEAD ANNUAL -- COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, LET'S MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS AWARE OF THE NEW TIME LINE AND RULES SO I DON'T THINK I'LL SUPPORT A BUMP-UP IN THE DATE.
NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE ACTUAL SUBJECT MATTER. COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: JUST SO I'M UNDERSTANDING THIS, THE INTENT OF THE POSITION IS MOTION --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ESSENTIALLY ALIGN THE CHANGES WITH THE ACTUAL ELECTION CYCLE SO WE'RE NOT CHANGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CYCLE.
THE IMPACT IS THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON --
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE I THINK HE HAS THE INTENT OF HIS MOTION AND YOU'RE SAYING WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THE OCTOBER 15TH REGARDLESS IF THIS PASSES. OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE AMENDED MOTION? ALL RIGHT. IF THERE AREN'T, THE MOTION
[01:25:03]
ON THE FLOOR AND WE'LL CALL THE VOTE RIGHT NOW IS TO BUMP THE DEADLINE -- OR THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS FROM OCTOBER TO JULY. SO PLEASE VOTE.ALL RIGHT. MOTION FAILS. LET'S GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION WHICH IS ON THE SUBJECT OF THE CHANGES. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: I'M STRUGGLING BECAUSE I LIKE SO MANY OF THE CHANGES IN THE MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CODE. BUT TO MOVE IT TO ALL COMPANY BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDING BOARD MEMBERS OF NON-PROFITS IS -- IS TROUBLESOME. BUT I'LL SUPPORT THIS TODAY BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS MY COUNCILMEMBERS' SUPPORT AND YOUR RECOMMENDATION, KEVIN.
BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GET THAT LIST OF HIGH-PROFILES SPECIALLY AS WE GO INTO THE ELECTION TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AWARE OF THAT.
BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE PART OF IT -- I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO DO AN INFORMATION SESSION, BUT PART OF IT IS GOING TO BE US HELPING BOARD MEMBERS, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL MY SUPPORTERS SIT ON BOARDS. THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
THAT'S AN EXTRA WORK FOR US. SO IF YOU COULD GIVE US ALL THOSE HIGH-PROFILES THAT ARE COMING WHILE WE CAMPAIGN, AND THEN WE CAN HELP THEM ALONG BECAUSE I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEBODY MISS OUT ON A CONTRACT BECAUSE A NEW BOARD MEMBER HAD CONTRIBUTED TO ME UNINTENTIONALLY. SO YEAH, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS
FOR ALL -- >> ONE THING -- I'LL CHECK WITH FINANCE AND TROY ON HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACTS, THE VENDORS, THE BIDDERS, WE KEEP CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL IT GOES TO AUDIT COMMITTEE AND ACTUALLY NOT FOLLOW IT GETS TO CITY COUNCIL SO RELEASING
THAT MAY BE -- I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT. >> VIAGRAN: YOU ARE
CAUSING PROBLEMS. I THINK ABOUT CASA. >> UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT
COMPLETELY. WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION IN COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU.
AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUE'S QUESTION AND I WONDER IF BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW CHANGE WOULD WE BE ABLE TO HAVE THE NONPROFITS ACKNOWLEDGE IF THEY ARE APPLYING FOR SOMETHING, IF THEY HAVE NEW MEMBERS EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS.
I WANTED TO GIVE BACKGROUND TO COLLEAGUES WHO WERE NOT HERE THE LAST TIME THE CODE CHANGED. THE ETHICS BOARD RECOMMENDED FOR THIS.
THAT MORNING ON THE DAIS WE HAD A COUNCILMEMBER THAT MADE AN AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED CHANGE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A CON APPLICANT OF INTEREST BUT I WON'T GET INTO THAT AS TO WHY IT WAS DONE. BUT THEN REALIZED HE COULDN'T MAKE THAT MOTION SO HE CONVINCED ANOTHER COLLEAGUE TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR HIM. I JUST WANTED TO BE COMPLETELY JUST TRANSPARENT IN THAT THIS WAS PROPOSED FIVE YEARS AGO, BUT THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT MADE ON THE DAIS TO WHERE THIS DIDN'T FLY AFTER ALL, RIGHT? SO THE ETHICS BOARD HAD DONE --8 MONTHS OF WORK SAYING THIS WOULD BE A CHANGE THAT WOULD BE RECOMMENDED.
AT THAT TIME THEN, TWO OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS WANTED TO VOTE AGAINST THE WHOLE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD WHICH WERE ABOUT 40 IN TOTAL BECAUSE ONE OF THEIR COLLEAGUES HAD CHANGED LAST MINUTE AFTER 18 MONTHS WORTH OF WORK. IT'S BEEN LONG DISCUSSED I THINK AT THE ETHICS REVIEW BOARD LEVEL NOW MULTIPLE TIMES, MULTIPLE YEARS, AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY COLLEAGUES KNEW AND WERE AWARE OF IT AND MY COLLEAGUES FELT MORE COMFORTABLE KNOWING THE BACKGROUND AS TO WHY IT WAS REVISITED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> TO YOUR POINT AT THE BEGINNING OF ENSURING THE BIDDERS AND NON-PROFITS, THEY ARE AWARE OF RESTRICTIONS.
WHEN FILLING OUT THE WORK FOR A HIGH-PROFILE CONTRACT, THERE ARE SPECIFIC AT TEST STATIONS THEY MAKE AND THAT AWARE OF CONTRIBUTION AS WELL AS COMMUNICATION RESTRICTIONS AS PART OF THIS PROCESS. AND THERE'S OTHER PLACES IT
GOES OUT. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, KEVIN.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. ALWAYS WITH THE RECEIPTS. [LAUGHTER] ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 5. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
[01:30:01]
OKAY. ITEM 32. >> DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS BY INCREASING INCOME THRESHOLD
FROM 125% TO 150% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL
RIGHT. DO WE NEED A PRESENTATION? >> VIAGRAN: NO, I MAKE A
MOTION TO APPROVE. I JUST HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND SO WE'LL GO STRAIGHT TO COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
I ASKED MY TEAM TO REACH OUT AND TO SEE IF WE COULD GET THE HEAT MAPS TO SEE -- AND I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE SOME INFORMATION SO THAT PEOPLE WATCHING AND MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES I THINK ALREADY KNOW ABOUT WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET THIS INCREASE. THERE IT IS. WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET THIS INCREASE AND WHAT -- DO WE HAVE A PERCENTAGE OR A NUMBER OF HOW MANY MORE -- HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ELIGIBLE AND CAN ENROLL IN THIS BARACK PROGRAM?
>> AS YOU WILL SEE ON THIS HEAT MAP, THERE ARE ACTUALLY CUSTOMERS IN EVERY ONE OF YOUR COUNCIL DISTRICTS WHO COULD POTENTIALLY QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, MEANING IF WE MAKE THESE CHANGES, THEIR INCOME WOULD BE AT 150% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL OR LESS. THIS MAP KIND OF SHOWS YOU THE CURRENT 125 QUALIFIER AND ALSO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COULD POTENTIALLY QUALIFY OF 150% OF FPL.
>> VIAGRAN: I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE MOMENT THAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS WHICH IS TO ADDRESSING OUR POVERTY ISSUE IN SAN ANTONIO. I WANT TO THANK CPS BY BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND MY COUNCIL LEAGUES WHO WORKED ON HARD ON THIS.
WE HAVE ON SEEN OUR POVERTY LEVEL TO 20% TO 18% OVER THE YEARS, BUT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN IN A VACUUM. IT HAPPENS BY WORKING TOGETHER.
IT HAPPENS BY HAVING THESE PROGRAMS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS, AND AS WE ADDRESS THE EXTREME WEATHER AND THE HEAT ISLANDS.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THIS FORWARD TODAY, WORKING WITH CPS, AND I THINK THIS SHOULD HELP US COUNCIL AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE DO WITH OUR EXCESS DOLLARS WHEN WE HAVE THAT COMING FROM CPS, IF IT'S A PROGRAM.
AND I DO HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO TO RATE ADVISORY COMMISSION -- TO THE, WHICH I KNOW CONTINUALLY TALKED ABOUT PROGRAMS, CONTINUALLY TALKED ABOUT GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO WILL HELP GET THE MESSAGE OUT.
I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER COLLEAGUES WHO WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO.
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M GLAD TO SEE THESE LONG-AWAITED CHANGES WHICH WILL INCREASE TO 150%. WHEN CONFERRING OUR LAST CPS RIGHT INCREASE, I KNEW PROVIDING RELIEF TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WOULD BE A NECESSITY. I'M PROUD TO PROPOSE THESE CHANGES TO ON THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FAMILIES THAT NEED IT THE MOST.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CPS AND THEIR BOARD FOR THE APPROVAL AND I'M PROUD TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS CHANGE. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.
COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: YES, COULD WE PUT THAT GRAPHIC BACK UP A SECOND? I DID A THUMBNAIL ACCOUNTING AND LOOKED LIKE WE'RE LOOKING AT 115 OR 20,000 FAMILIES THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S DEFINITELY AN AN INCREASE OVER WHAT WE HAD AS FAR AS ELIGIBILITY. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY PLUGGED
INTO THE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT? >> AS OF MARCH 31, WE HAD A
LITTLE EVERYONE -- A LITTLE OVER 70,000. >> COURAGE: IF WE'VE INCREASED THIS FROM WHATEVER THE TOTAL WAS BEFORE, HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO
HELP A LOT MORE FAMILIES. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR AND THANK YOU KJ FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO AND NHSD AND CPS ENERGY AND RUDY
[01:35:04]
GARZA AND HIS TEAM FOR ADJUSTING THE ELIGIBLE CRITERIA.I'M HAPPY THIS ADJUSTMENT WILL NOT BE IMPACTING CURRENT CUSTOMERS AND IT'S LITERALLY JUST A DIFFERENCE IN THE 125 TO 150 FOR THAT TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
I DO, I AM HAPPY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THIS CHANGE COME TO MIND BECAUSE I HAVE A RESIDENT IN MIND. I HAVE A 62-YEAR-OLD FATHER IN D4 OF THREE CHILDREN, 9, 10, AND 4 YEARS OLD. HE WAS A LONG-HAUL TRUCK DRIVER FOR 18 YEARS, HE WAS MAKING A GOOD LIVING, THEN HE LOST HIS WIFE OF 20 YEARS TO COVID.
AND THIS IS -- HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE FOR HIM TO KEEP UP WITH HIS CHILDREN, BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE HIS JOB AND IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD PAYING JOB.
HE HAD TO TAKE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT PAY CUT, HOWEVER, HE STILL HAD A DIFFICULT TIME PAYING HIS UTILITIES AND HE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM BECAUSE HE STILL MADE TOO MUCH MONEY TO QUALIFY. SO OSCAR MEDINA ON THE CREW TEAM, HE HAD ENCOURAGED HIM TO APPLY, BUT AS HE MANEUVERS THROUGH THE NEW GUIDE GUIDELINES, I THINK HE WILL BE ELIGIBLE. THESE ARE THE SUCCESS STORIES WE HEAR EVERY DAY AND I JUST WANTED TO CHANGE YOU FOR YOUR FACT AND SHARE THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE IMMEDIATE IMPACTS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ADJUSTMENT AND TO ALL YOUR TEAM. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANTED TO THANK THE CPS ENERGY TEAM FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH COMMITMENT FOR EXPANDING THE PROGRAM AND EXPRESS THANKS TO COUNCILMAN GAVITO WHO WAS SURE TO ADD ADVOCATE FOR THIS EXPANSION. OUR TEAM HAS FIELD SO MANY CONSTITUENT SERVICES CASES NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH ASSISTANCE, CPS IN PARTICULAR.
GRATEFUL AND ANDREW VEGA FOR BEING AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT 5 EVENTS.
YESTERDAY DURING THE READY TO WORK BRIEFING, I SHARED A STORY ABOUT A CONSTITUENT LOOKING TO PARTICIPATE IN READY TO WORK OR ANY RETRAINING AND IT WAS NOT JUST SHE'S BORED BUT BECAUSE HERE RETIREMENT IS NO LONGER ENOUGH THAT SHE HAS TO BROADEN HER SKILLS AND POTENTIALLY REENTER THE WORKFORCE.
WHILE WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AND I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL, I THINK WHILE WE HAVE OTHER UTILITY RATE INCREASE CONVERSATIONS, KEEPING IN MIND THIS ISN'T A SILVER BULLET WHILE WE ARE GRATEFUL, BUT JUST KEEPING SO MANY OF OUR SENIORS THAT ARE HAVING TO GO BACK TO WORK TO KEEP UP WITH INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES, UTILITIES AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE CPS
TEAM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: IT WOULD BE ABOUT A 20% INCREASE IN DISTRICT 1 SO THAT'S AN IMPORTANT NUMBER I WANTED TO SHARE.
I WANTED TO ASK A SPECIFIC QUESTION. MY FIELD OFFICE TEAM HAS KIND OF SHARED THAT PEOPLE ON PAYMENT PLANS AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE ADP.
IS THAT NOT CORRECT? >> THAT'S NOT CORRECT. >> KAUR: I WANTED TO CLARIFY. HOW DO YOU THINK THE INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION WILL BE? DO YOU THINK WE'LL GET A 25% INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION AS
A RESULT OF THE GROWING OF THE PROGRAM? >> I THINK WE WILL ENROLL AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN QUALIFY. MY TEAM OVER THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ON AVERAGE AT TEN DIFFERENT PLACES EVERY DAY AND WE ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TALKING TO PEOPLE ENROLLING PEOPLE IN OUR PROGRAMS, HELPING THEM FIND OTHER TYPES OF ASSISTANCE. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF REACHING EVERYONE AND GETTING THEM ENROLLED AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU. I KNOW WE PARTNERED AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK
YOU ARE DOING. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS.
VERY HAPPY WE'RE DOING IT. IT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP A LOT OF FOLKS, ESPECIALLY SENIORS, FOLKS ON FIXED INCOME. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THIS PROGRAM CANNOT BE A JUSTIFICATION FOR FUTURE RATE HIKES.
WE'VE NOW RAISED THE PEOPLE'S RATES TWICE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
AND I KNOW CPS HAS TALKED AGAIN ABOUT COMING BACK, YOU KNOW, IN A YEAR AND THEN A
[01:40:02]
COUPLE YEARS AFTER THAT. VERY HAPPY THAT WE'RE DOING THIS PROGRAM, BUT IT'S NOT A JUSTIFICATION TO CONTINUE TO ASK OUR CITIZENS TO PAY MORE.THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? KJ, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK YOU, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR MAKING THIS A POINT FOR ALIGNMENT WITH OUR OTHER SERVICES. THE DISCUSSION WE HAD YESTERDAY AND AGAIN TODAY WAS ABOUT THE READY TO WORK PROGRAM. THIS CITY, OUR COMMUNITY, ANY COMMUNITY WILL NEVER ADDRESS FULLY THE HOUSING CRISIS JUST BY LOOKING AT HOUSING. THE TOTAL COST BURDEN OF HOUSING IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN ADJUST DOWN FOR. WE ALSO HAD TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ADEQUATE WAGES AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY IN THIS CITY. THE POINT ABOUT READY TO WORK WAS APPROPRIATE, I THINK. SO WITH RESPECT TO THAT, WE KNOW THAT FOLKS WHO ARE ON ADP, ENROLLED ON ADP, VERY LIKELY MAY HAVE A MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD WHO WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A JOB REENTRY PROGRAM, A RETRAINING PROGRAM. ARE WE SHARING THAT FOAM WITH OUR READY TO WORK TEAM AND IF NOT CAN WE WORK TO GET THAT DONE? WE ASKED THE SAME FROM -- WHO WAS WITH US YESTERDAY? DHS. PRE-K 4 SA.
SORRY. TIME FLIES. BUT ESSENTIALLY ALL THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUBPOENA MORTGAGE -- SUPPORTIVE -- MAY BE THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO TALK TO ABOUT THE READY TO WORK PROGRAM.
I'M JUST ASKING IF YOU CAN TAKE THAT BACK TO OUR LEADERSHIP AT CPS AND I'M SAYING THIS IN FRONT OF OUR CITY LEADERSHIP AS WELL. LET'S MAKE THAT CONNECTION HAPPEN BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING ENROLLED IN ADP HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET FOLDER AND POTENTIALLY SIGNED UP FOR
READY TO WORK. >> WE DO SHARE INFORMATION WITH OUR CUSTOMERS, BUT THAT
DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T DO MORE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THE DIFFERENCE BEING YESTERDAY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PROACTIVE OUTREACH.
I KNOW THERE'S PRIVACY CONVERSATIONS, BUT TO THE EXTENT WE CAN HAVE OUR READY TO WORK TEAM REACH OUT TO FOLKS ALREADY ENROLLED IN ADP, THAT WOULD BE VERY
HELPFUL TO US. >> YES, SIR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WITH THAT, THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 32.
PLEASE VOTE. >> SORRY, THAT IS MY MISTAKE, JACK. IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PAUSE THE VOTE AND BRING UP JACK FINGER, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES, JACK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MUST OF CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. THIS ITEM ESSENTIALLY IS THE IDEA OF MAKING IT EASIER FOR RATEPAYERS TO GET ON TO RATEPAYER WELFARE. YEAH.
MAKING -- IF THEY CAN'T PAY THEIR BILL, YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER BREAK ON THIS. AND SO MR. WHYTE, YOU MENTIONED THIS GIVES CPS NO EXCUSE TO RAISE OUR RATES IN THE FUTURE. I MUST SAY ON THE CONTRARY IT DOES. WHY? WELL, IT'S OBVIOUS, IF -- CITY PUBLIC SERVICES NOT GETTING THE REVENUE FROM THESE PERSONS WHO ARE GOING ON TO THIS PROGRAM, MORE PEOPLE GOING ON THIS PROGRAM ESSENTIALLY, THAT MEANS CITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT GETTING THAT REVENUE. AND CONSEQUENTLY FROM THAT THERE'S MORE PRESSURE ON CITY PUBLIC SERVICES TO PRO BOWS -- PROPOSE BIGGER RATE HIKES. THAT'S ESSENTIALLY HOW IT WORKS.
HERE'S A NOVEL SUGGESTIONS. WHY NOT JUST GIVE THAT BIG -- WHAT IS IT, 14% WINDFALL THAT WE RECEIVED FROM CITY PUBLIC SERVICE EVERY YEAR, WHY NOT GIVE THAT BACK TO THE RATEPAYERS? I MEAN, OF COURSE,, I MEAN THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER ON THE RATEPAYERS TO PAY THESE BILLS, THEREBY PREVENTING THEM FROM HAVING TO GO ON TO THESE WELFARE PROGRAMS HERE. AND YOU ARE GOING TO SAY, WELL, JACK, IF WE DID THAT, THEY WOULDN'T BE DEPENDENT UPON US, THE CITY COUNCIL ANYMORE.
YEAH. WHY NOT? JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, DO
[01:45:06]
THE RATEPAYERS RIGHT AND SAY, OKAY, WE'LL -- INSTEAD OF MAKING EVERYBODY HAVING TO BE DEPENDENT UPON THE GOVERNMENT, DEPENDENT UPON THE UTILITY, WE'LL MAKE IT EASIER ECONOMICALLY -- SO THE ECONOMICS CAN WORK OUT FOR EVERYBODY.AND, OF COURSE, UNFORTUNATELY THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY ALL THE EXTRA INCOME FOR YOUR PET PROJECTS. YEAH, THAT DOES PUT A CRIMP
IN THINGS, DOESN'T IT? THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. SO WITH THOSE NEW ANALYSES, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 32. PLEASE VOTE.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S THE BALANCE OF OUR AGENDA. IS THERE A CITY MANAGER'S
REPORT? >> WALSH: YES, SIR. THREE ITEMS, MAYOR.
THE FIRST IS I WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS WEEK STAFF SHARED THE RESULTS OF OUR FY 2023 -- 2023 EXTERNAL AUDIT TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
THIS IS AN ANNUAL REQUIRED AUDIT OF OUR FINANCIAL RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS AND COMPLETED BY AN EXTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THIS. I'M PROUD TO SAY FY23 WAS THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW THE CITY AUDITORS HAVE NO FINDINGS TO REPORT TO THE PUBLIC. GIVEN THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THIS ORGANIZATION, THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT AND I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH THE COUNCIL. IT SPEAKS TO THE QUALITY AND COMMITMENT THAT OUR CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE APPEAR OUR BUSINESS PROCESSES. ALL OF THIS IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S TRANSPARENCY PAGE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN REVIEW. BUT THIS ANNUAL EXTERNAL REVIEW IS ALSO USED BY RATING AGENCIES AND GRANTOR AGENCIES.
I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE DEPARTMENT FISCAL ADMINISTRATORS THAT ARE THROUGHOUT EVERY DEPARTMENT. SPECIFICALLY I WANTED TO THANK MELANIE KEATON, ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR, VICKY ROEDER, ELIZABETH, KIMBERLY NUNES, JAY BLACKWELL, GENERAL LEDGER MANAGER TAKE ME MA MILES, AND THE ENTIRE FINANCE TEAM. SUPER PROUD AND THIS IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT AND SOME OF THEM ARE IN THE AUDIENCE AND I'LL ASK THEM TO STAND UP AND BE RECOGNIZED.
[APPLAUSE] AND BY THE WAY, THANK YOU, BEN AND TROY.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IT REALLY IS A FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND I'M SUPER PROUD. THE SECOND ITEM, MAYOR, THE CITY'S PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT JUST COMPLETED THEIR POTHOLE BLITZ CAMPAIGN DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL.
WE HAD A TARGET OF 10,000 POTHOLES, WHICH IS MORE THAN WE WOULD DEAL WITH ON AN AVERAGE MONTHLY BASIS. PUBLIC WORKS KICKED OFF THE CAMPAIGN ON APRIL 3RD AND WE WENT AND FOUND AND REPAIRED 14 COMES 588 POTHOLES DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL. I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO STAY ON TRACK WITH THIS. A HUGE EFFORT AND I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC THAT CALLED IN. POTHOLES AND INTO 311 AND THE COMMUNICATION WE RECEIVED FROM EACH OF Y'ALL'S OFFICES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE QUICKLY ADDRESSING THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES. AND THANK ANTHONY AND RAZI AND THE ENTIRE PUBLIC WORKS CREW BECAUSE THEY BUSTED IT DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL AND WE'LL KEEP UP THAT WORK. THANK YOU, GUYS. [APPLAUSE] LAST THING, MAYOR, LAST WEEK I PRESENTED THE 8TH ANNUAL CITY MANAGER'S EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO EITHER EMPLOYEES OR TEAMS OF EMPLOYEES FOR EXTRAORDINARY COMMITMENT TO
[01:50:05]
THE CITY'S CORE VALUES OF TEAM WORK, INTEGRITY, INNOVATION AND PROFESSIONALISM. WE HAD TWO INDIVIDUALS AND FOUR TEAMS THAT WERE HONORED AT OUR LUNCHEON LAST WEEK. A TOTAL OF 40 INDIVIDUALS. WE'LL SHOW -- THAT WILL BE TODAY'S VIDEO, BUT LET ME READ OUT THE TWO INDIVIDUALS WERE ERIKA HAULER STEVENSON AND HER WORK IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, MELANIE KEATON AGAIN FROM FINANCE.OUR ELECTRONIC THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM WHICH IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. OUR HOME REHAPPEN APPLICATION TEAM WHICH WAS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES AND ITSD. OUR GEAR-UP PROGRAM TEAM WHICH WAS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN H.R., WELLNESS TEAM AND BLUE CROSS HEALTH COACHES.
AND FINALLY OUR LABORATORY SCIENCES TEAM FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
ALL CONTINUE TO DO GREAT WORK FOR THIS ORGANIZATION AND CERTAINLY WAS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THEM AS AWARD WINNERS THIS YEAR. THAT'S THE TOPIC OF TODAY'S VIDEO SO WE'LL ROLL THE VIDEO.
>> RECEIVING THE CITY MANAGER'S EXCELLENCE AWARD WAS A SURPRISE.
MY TEAM WORKS AT TEN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY.
EVERYTHING THE CITY DOES TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT AND IT'S EASY FOR PEOPLE TO ATTACH TO THIS IDEA OF PREVENTING VIOLENCE AND KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE.
>> THERE IS NO AVERAGE DAY. BASICALLY BEING OVER THE ACCOUNTING DIVISION, I HAVE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PAYROLL, FINANCIAL REPORTING. I'M ALSO OVER A LOT OF THE MAJOR GRANTS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS. I THINK THAT THE WORK THAT I'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO EXHIBIT HERE IS JUST TO TRY AND MAKE IT THE BEST FINANCIALLY-RUN
CITY IN THE NATION. >> I OVERSEE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS WHICH ARE INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND FAMILY VIOLENCE INVESTIGATIONS. WHAT FEELS BEST ABOUT THIS AWARD, IT'S A TEAM EFFORT. PEOPLE, BACKGROUND, ALL REACHING ONE COMMON GOAL.
>> WE UNDERSTOOD IT HAD A BROAD EXTERNAL IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY AND HELP PEOPLE
WHO ARE BEING VICTIMIZED IN RELATIONSHIPS OR AT HOME. >> THE FOCUS IS ALWAYS HOW CAN WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOW
TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE. >> WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO ROLL OUT NEW PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES BASED ON THE NEEDS OF OUR EMPLOYEE POPULATION.
AND WE DESIGNED A PROGRAM CALLED GEAR UP, YOUR ROAD TO WELLNESS.
IT WAS A PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR OUR DRIVERS.
WE MIRRORED A LOT OF WHAT THEY DO FOR THOSE CDL ASSESSMENTS AND CREATED A PROGRAM SPECIFIC TO THOSE NEEDS. WE WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE SURE VASES, 98% SATISFACTION. THAT TELLS YOU A LOT THAT
THEY ARE REALLY BENEFITING A LOT IN THE PROGRAM. >> WE SIT DOWN WITH THE DEPARTMENT USERS AND THEY EXPLAIN THE STEPS IN THEIR PROCESSES AND THEN WE TRY TO TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND CREATE A WEB APPLICATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO
MANAGE ALL THAT INFORMATION. >> THIS MILK WAS ABLE TO GO OUT TO A LOT OF SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS AND WE ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE MOST EMOTIONS FOR HOME ASSISTANCE WE'VE EVER
HAD. >> I'M REALLY PROUD FOR THE WORK WE DID FOR THE CITY OF
SAN ANTONIO AND COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT MY TEAM AS WELL. >> FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WE WOULD COME IN HERE, TAKE OUT ALL CONTROLS AND REAGENTS.
BEXAR COUNTY JAIL, MISSION JUVENILE, MEDICAID WAIVER AND OUR STI CLINIC.
>> IN OUR OPERATIONS, TEAM WORK HAS TO OCCUR OR THE MISSION DOESN'T GET
ACCOMPLISHED. >> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TALK TO THE OTHER LAB MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE ROTATING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PERSON COMING BEHIND US KNOWS WHAT WE'RE DOING AND NOT WALKING IN BLIND.
>> WE'RE OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND. BUT OUR CONTRIBUTION, TWO
THINGS IS VAST. >> WE COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD.
[APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: THAT'S IT. MAYOR.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ERIK.
WAIT, THERE'S MORE. WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY AND I THINK IT WAS RECENTLY.
[01:55:05]
JOHN COURAGE TURNED YEARS OLD AND WE'RE GOING TO SING HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEFORE WE ADJOURN.>> COURAGE: THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO MENTION, I DON'T CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS ANYMORE. I CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES AND THIS WAS THE 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF MY 39TH BIRTHDAY. [LAUGHTER]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, JOHN. THERE IS CAKE IN THE BACK.
11:01 A.M. ON THE SECOND DAY OF MAY, 2024, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
2:00 P.M. BACK FOR JOINING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.