[ PROCEDURAL ]
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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. THE TIME IS 9:07 A.M. ON THE 9TH DAY OF MAY 2024.
MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?
>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME.
TO START US OFF TODAY, I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OFF TO COUNCILMEMBER KAUR TO
WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. IT'S MY HONOR TODAY TO WELCOME NINA GUNDLACH, A MEMBER OF SGI-USA, WHICH IS A BUDDHIST ORGANIZATION IN DISTRICT 1.
NICHIREN BUDDHISM AND THEIR VALUES ARE PEACE, CU CULTURE, AND EDUCATION.
NINA HAS OVER 20 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN SGI-USA AND SHE'S DEMONSTRATED HER ABILITY TO INSPIRE AND SUPPORT OTHERS IN THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH AND THE P PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. THEY AIM AT PROMOTING WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSCORES HER DEDICATION TO MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.
YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE IS ADMIRABLE AND YOUR DEDICATION TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITY A MORE SAFE AND VALUABLE PLACE FOR ALL OF US IS REALLY REMARKABLE.
SO IT'S MY HONOR TO WELCOME YOU HERE TO PRESENT OUR INVOCATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING SGI-USA SAN ANTONIO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE INVOCATION TODAY.
MY NAME IS NINA GUNDLACH AND I RESIDE IN DISTRICT 1. I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF SGI-USA SAN ANTONIO. AS WE GATHER HERE IN UNITY AND COMMUNITY, TAKING THIS TIME TO LEARN, SHARE, AND REFLECT ON THE INSIGHTS, EXPERIENCES, AND WISDOM FROM ONE ANOTHER, LET'S APPRECIATE WORKING AND DEVELOPING TOGETHER AT THIS MOMENT. THE HEART OF SGI'S PEACE MOVEMENT IS FOUND IN A STATEMENT: LIFE IS THE FOREMOST OF ALL TREASURES.
THERE ARE MEMBERS IN 192 MEMBERS WHILE FOLLOWING A COMMON DAILY BUDDHIST PRAPRACTICE . INSPIRED BY THE PHILOSOPHY OF NICHIREN BUDDHISM, THE FOUNDING FATHERS WERE DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR PEOPLE TO LEAD FULFILLING LIVES.
TO EMPOWER PEOPLE SUFFERING IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE W WAR THEY INHERITED THE VISION IN 1960, GOING ON TO DEVELOP THE ORGANIZATION INTO A MULTI-FACETTED MOVEMENT FOR PEACE, CULTURE, AND EDUCATION WITH MEMBERS AROUND THE WORLD.
HE SHARES IN HIS 2004 PEACE PROPOSAL WE CANNOT ENGAGE WITH OTHERS IN AN EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE MANNER IF WE LOOK THE INNER TENSION, THE WILL AND THE SPIRITUAL ENERGY TO GUIDE AND CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS. IT IS BY RECOGNIZING THAT WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM AN EXTERNAL TO OURSELVES, SENSING THE RESISTANCE IT OFFERS THAT WE ARE INSPIRED TO EXERCISE THE SELF-MASTERY THAT BRINGS OUR HUMANITY TO FRUITION. TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE OTHER IS THUS TO UNDERMINE OUR
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FULL EXPERIENCE OF SELF. SUCH HAPPINESS LIVES AND BREATHES ONLY WHEN WE TAKE SUFFERING AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FORGE AND TEMPER OUR INNER LIFE AND COMMIT TO THE HARD YET REWARDING MISSION OF WORKING FOR THE HAPPINESS OF BOTH OURSELVES AND OTHERS. JUST AS THERE CAN BE NO UNHAPPINESS THAT IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO OTHERS, HAPPINESS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HOARD OR KEEP TO OURSELVES.WE ARE FACED WITH A CHALLENGE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO OVERCOME OUR NARROW EGOTISM, TO RECOGNIZE OURSELVES IN OTHERS AS WE SENSE OTHERS WITHIN US.
AND TO EXPERIENCE THE HIGHEST FULFILLMENT AS WE MUTUALLY ILLUMINATE EACH OTHER WITH THE INNER BRILLIANCE OF OUR LIVES. ADDITIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT FROM MY MENTOR. A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP, AS THEY SAY. WE CAN NEVER ACHIEVE VICTORY IN A JOURNEY TOWARD A DISTANT ASPIRATION IF WE DON'T TAKE THAT FIRST STEP. SIMILARLY HUMAN REVOLUTION OR AN INNER TRANSFORMATION IN PEOPLE'S HEARTS, WHICH WE AT THE SGI ESPOUSE AS THE WAY TO LASTING PEACE STARTS WITH SINCERE DIALOGUE WITH A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL.
ENGAGING IN DIALOGUE IS A STRUGGLE TO POSITIVELY TRANSFORM OUR OWN LIVE AS WELL AS THAT OF OTHERS. IT IS THE ACT OF BREAKING OUT OF THE SHELL OF OURSELVES AND CREATING AN EXPANDING POSITIVE CONNECTION WITH OTHERS.
WHEN WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO MEET AND TALK WITH PEOPLE ABOUT OUR IDEALS, WE ARE TAKING THE FIRST AND SUREST STEP IN OUR HUMAN REVOLUTION.
DIALOGUE DOESN'T HAPPEN IF WE SIT AND WAIT FOR IT. WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS AND SPEAK TO THEM. CONNECTIONS CAN BE FORMED THROUGH EVEN THE BRIEFEST ENCOUNTER. NO SOUND IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN A PERSON SPEAKING EARNESTLY OF THEIR CONVICTIONS. TALKING WITH OTHERS OVER THE PHONE IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THE POWER OF ONE'S VOICE.
WHETHER IN OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS OR INTERACTIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND THOSE AROUND US OR IN RELATIONS BETWEEN NATIONS, EVERYTHING STARTS THROUGH MEETING, TALKING, AND GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER.
IT'S A MATTER OF HAVING THE COURAGE TO MEET AND TALK WITH OTHERS.
TO CHOOSE DIALOGUE IS ITSELF A VICTORY FOR PEACE AND A TRIUMPH OF OUR HUMANITY.
WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT MISSIONS TO FULFILL IN LIFE AND DIFFERENT PLACES WHERE WE NEED TO LIVE TO FULFILL THEM. THOSE WHO DECIDE TO PUT DOWN SOLID ROOTS WHERE THEY ARE AND CONTINUE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH PERSEVERANCE AND HOPE WHILE STRUGGLING WITH REALITY WILL BE VICTORS IN LIFE.
I THEREFORE SAY TO YOU DIG BENEATH YOUR FEET. THEREFORE, YOU WILL FIND A SPRING. AND LIVE IN A WAY THAT IS TRUE TO YOURSELF.
IN SHORT, A REAL SENSE OF HAPPINESS AND DEEP SATISFACTION IN LIFE CAN ONLY BE FOUND WITHIN US. TO MAKE THE 21ST CENTURY A CENTURY OF HOPE FOR HUMANITY, WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE BASICS, TO WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HUMAN BEING AND FROM THERE BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN HAPPINESS.
THIS IS OUR BELIEF AND CONVICTION THAT ALL PEOPLE ON EARTH HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS. THAT ALL PEOPLE INHERENTLY POSSESS THE CAPACITY FOR LASTING HAPPINESS. THAT IS THROUGH FULFILLING THEIR UNIQUE AND NOBLE PURPOSE IN LIFE. THAT EACH PERSON MAY REALIZE MAXIMUM HAPPINESS, BOTH FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR OTHERS. AS LONG AS WE ARE ALIVE, WE WILL EXPERIENCE SUFFERING.
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE TO BE UNHAPPY. UNHAPPINESS COMES FROM ALLOWING OURSELVES TO BE CONTROLLED BY LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS, FROM FEELING DEFEATED, FROM LOSING HOPE, LOSING COURAGE, LOSING THE WILL TO ADVANCE.
HUMAN LIFE POSSESSES A POTENTIAL DEEPER THAN THE GREAT WIDE OCEAN AND VASTER THAN THE SKY. WE MAY TEND TO GIVE UP AND RESIGN OURSELVES TO PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES THINKING THERE IS NO WAY. BUT BY BREAKING DOWN THESE BARRIERS IN OUR MINDS WE CAN ENJOY VIBRANT LIVES FILLED WITH POWERFUL LIFE FORCE LIKE THE SUN. THE WORLD NEEDS LEADERS WHO POSSESS THIS KIND OF PHILOSOPHY AND VISION THAT CAN AWAKEN EACH INDIVIDUAL TO THAT UNIQUE MISSION.
THAT CAN BRING FORTH THAT CAPACITY FOR HAPPINESS. AND THAT CAN UNIFY HUMANKIND TOWARD THE NOBLE GOAL OF PEACE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LETTING ME SHARE THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORY AND POWERFUL WORDS AND I WILL END WITH OUR CHANTING THREE TIMES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
[CONSENT AGENDA ]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NINA. ALL RIGHT.
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WE HAVE A FULL CONSENT AGENDA TODAY. NO ITEMS ARE LISTED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION SO TO MY COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO BE PULLED FORINDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION? >> VIAGRAN: 15. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEM 15. ANY OTHERS? ITEMS 13 AND 14 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN AND ARE NOT BEING HEARD TODAY, JUST FOR THE RECORD.
ANY OTHERS? HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS TODAY EXCEPT FOR 13, 14, AND 15.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA SO I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A QUEUE. SIGNAL ME. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT.
I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 20 AS IT FUNDS A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER. THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD A PSYCHOLOGIST ON STAFF FOR EVERY 35 YEARS TO PROVIDE EARLY DETECTION OF SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND ENCOURAGE BETTER HEALTH. THEREBY ALLOWING FIREFIGHTERS REMAIN HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS.
WE CANNOT IMAGINE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TOLL THE JOB TAKES ON OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND I'M GRATEFUL TO THE FIRE ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THIS CITY COUNCIL FOR WORKING TOGETHER IN THE 2024 BUDGET TO EXPAND THIS LIFE-SAVING RESOURCE. FURTHER, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 22.
AS WE KNOW THE OPIOID CRISIS CONTINUES TO TAKE A TOLL ON OUR COMMUNITY ALONG WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. LOCALLY BEXAR COUNTY CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS AND ADDICTION RATES. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK DONE BY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT'S MIH TEAM, OUR METRO HEALTH'S TEAM AND ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS IMPLEMENTING HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES TO KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE AND ALIVE THROUGHOUT THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. LASTLY, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORTING MY CCR LAST YEAR TO CREATE AN OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND SPENDING PLAN ALONG WITH METRO HEALTH'S DEPARTMENT AND CITY STAFF FOR BRINGING THIS PLAN TO FRUITION SO THAT OUR CITY CAN CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS HEAD ON. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU. IT'S A BIG DAY FOR METRO HEALTH.
CLAUDE, I SEE YOU THERE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
ITEM 21 IS AN ITEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PASSING TODAY THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BOLSTER OUR EFFORTS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. NOT ONLY ARE WE INVESTING IN COUNSELING SERVICES TODAY FOR STAND UP SA AND OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF BUT ALSO DON'T FORGET THIS IS THE WEEK THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE ROLLOUT OF OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SIGNAGE IN ALL RESTROOMS AROUND SAN ANTONIO.
THOSE RESTROOMS OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION. THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL, CLAUDE. THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR METRO HEALTH TEAM FOR HELPING US
GET THAT ACROSS THE LINE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEMS 3, 5, 6, 7, AND 20 TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS. THESE ITEMS INCLUDE CONTRACTS THAT PROVIDE EQUIPMENT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THEY HAVE THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO FEEL SUPPORTED BY THE CITY AND FOR THEIR NEEDS TO BE MET.
I'M HAPPY TO SEE THE CITY PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING ANYTHING THAT COULD DISRUPT ESSENTIAL SERVICES THESE DEPARTMENTS PROVIDE.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THESE ORDINANCES AND CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR
FRONTLINE HEROES. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO
HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
ITEMS 5, 6, AND 7 WILL INCREASE THE CAPABILITIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEPARTMENTS. THESE ORDINANCES REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. ITEM 5 IS THE APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT HELICOPTER UNIT. THIS WILL EMPOWER OUR POLICE FORCE TO EXECUTE SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS WITH PRECISION. ITEM 6 IS A CONTRACT FOR SIX HEAVY-DUTY COLUMN LIFTS FOR SAFD. ITEM 7 IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF PLATFORM LADDER AND PUMPER TRUCKS, ALSO FOR THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS UNDERSCORES OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUIPPING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SAFEGUARD OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY.
ITEM 20 IS AN ORDINANCE THAT ADDS MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER FOR THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE DEMANDS OF FIRE FIGHTING CAN TAKE A TOLL ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
THE STRESSES THEY FACE ON THE FRONT LINES AND OFF DUTY CAN HAVE LASTING EFFECTS ON THEIR WELL-BEING.
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STRESS, TRAUMA, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THEY MAY FACE.THIS ORDINANCE REPRESENTS OUR COMMITMENT TO THE HOLISTIC WELL-BEING OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BY INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WE NOT ONLY HONOR THE SACRIFICES OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS BUT ALSO ENSURING THEIR CONTINUED RESILIENCE AND READINESS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE SUSTAINABILITY AND FUNDING FOR SUBSEQUENT YEARS WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THIS COUNCIL AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
THANK YOU. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND A DEEP SENSE OF JOY, NOT JUST FOR MYSELF BUT ALL THE RESIDENTS OF OUR DISTRICT TO ATTEND THE DISTRICT 2 SENIOR CENTER. I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 9.
WILL OUR D2 SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES PLEASE STAND? EVERY MONTH I GET TO VISIT MY SENIOR CENTER AND I GET TO SEE NOT JUST THESE FACES BUT 100 PLUS MORE OF THEM AND IT'S ALWAYS SUCH A GOOD TIME.
ALWAYS SUCH -- THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO IN DISTRICT 2.
TODAY WE ARE TAKING A STEP TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SENIOR CENTER FOR DISTRICT 2 RESIDENTS WHERE PURCHASING LAND WHERE THE NEW DISTRICT 2 SENIOR CENTER WILL BE BUILT. IF YOU HAVE VISITED OUR DISTRICT 2 SENIOR CENTER YOU WILL FIND THESE WONDERFUL RESIDENTS ENJOYING DOMINOES, ZUMBA, CAR KARAOKE AND WILD ACTIVITIES INCLUDING VISITS FROM THE SAN ANTONIO ZOO. THIS IS WHERE YOUR MEET UP WITH YOUR BESTIES TO SHARE A MEAL AND TAKE CLASSES TO BETTER YOUR HEALTH.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE TO BUILD OUR DISTRICT 2 COMMUNITY.
NOW IT'S TIME WE PROVIDE YOU WITH THE FACILITY WORTH OF THE LIFE AND JOY YOU BRING AND HAVE BROUGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND THANKS TO THE SAISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, RAZI, AND THE ENTIRE CITY TEAM WHO HAVE HELPED US REACH THIS MILESTONE. UP NEXT IS THE DESIGN PHASE AND THE FUNDING OF CONSTRUCTION, WHICH Y'ALL KNOW I'M GOING TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON THAT. THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE AND CELEBRATING WITH ME.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. [APPLAUSE] COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 24, WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF GAP FUNDING FOR OUR PROJECT WITH FRANKLIN DEVELOPMENT AND THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST IS GOING TO BE A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO SEE THIS COME ALIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SERVE AS A BEACON.
ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 25 TO DO TRAFFIC AND PARKING STUDY FOR BRACKENRIDGE PARK BECAUSE WE WANT TO SEE THAT PARK BE ACCESSIBLE AT ITS FULL IMPACT. EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE TRAFFIC STUDY SHOWS.
THE LAST THING WAS ITEM NO. 11, WHICH ALLOWS FOR METRO HEALTH TO RECEIVE SOME FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THEIR HEALTHY START INITIATIVE, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR INFANT POPULATION TO ADDRESS OUR HIGH INFANT MORTALITY RATE WE SEE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: YEAH, I JUST WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' SENTIMENTS ON ITEMS 3, 5, 6, AND 7. CITY GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON BASIC CITY SERVICES. THERE'S NONE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, POLICE, FIRE, EMS, ALL THE FOLKS THAT TAKE CARE OF US AND MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY REMAINS A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. SO HAPPY THAT WE'RE PASSING THESE ITEMS TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO
DO THEIR JOBS EFFECTIVELY. THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION -- ACTUALLY, I'M SORRY. I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. ON ITEM 12.
IS MARTI GARZA STILL HERE? MARTI, COULD YOU STAND UP? I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY WELL BUT ALSO REPRESENTING THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY. MARTI IS A MEMBER OF THE CENTRO SOUTH CARPENTERS AND HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS GETTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD WORK, GOOD JOBS, QUALITY JOBS WITH GOOD WAGES AND HE IS JOINING OUR READY TO WORK ADVISORY BOARD. HE IS GOING TO BRING HIS EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE TO BEAR FOR OUR ENTIRE CITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. SO WITH THAT THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE ]
BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEM, I HAVE A FEW CEREMONIALS TO RECOGNIZE FOLKS IN OUR AUDIENCE. THE FIRST IS THIS IS ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER[00:20:09]
HERITAGE AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION TO HONOR THE HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS, VIBRANT CULTURES AND PROFOUND CULTURES THAT NATIVE AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HAVE BESTOWED UPON THE UNITED STATES.WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S THEME SELECTED BY FEDERAL ASIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL IS ADVANCING LEADERS THROUGH INNOVATION, ENCOURAGING LOCAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO PRIORITIZE COLLABORATION, DEVELOPMENT, DIVERSITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND INCLUSION THROUGH INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING OF ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER PEOPLE. WHEREAS CITIZENS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER ANCESTRY HAVE HELPED MAKE AMERICA A VIBRANT AND FREE SOCIETY THROUGH THEIR STRONG VALUES, LOVE OF FAMILY, AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY. ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS BRING CULTURAL TRADITIONS, NATIVE LANGUAGES AND RICH AND UNIQUE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES OF THE DIVERSE ETHNIC GROUPS FROM THE ASIAN CONTINENT AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE VITALITY OF OUR SOCIETY.
HISTORICALLY ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND OUR NATION AND PROTECT THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY AND CONTINUE TO SERVE PROUDLY AS THEY CARRY ON OUR NATION'S NOBLE TRADITION OF ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 2024 TO BE ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND INVITE ALL ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS TO STAND TALL AND PROUD OF YOUR HERITAGE AND REMIND EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT.
TO CLOSE COMMENTS ON THAT I DO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE SUPPORTED A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT NOW TO BUILD AN ASIAN RESOURCE CENTER IN OUR CITY.
I KNOW THOSE EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY. THEY'RE A BIT NASIENT BUT THEY ARE GOING FORWARD. WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE A GREAT CITY CLERK AND CITY CLERK TEAM SO IN RECOGNITION OF THEM AND PROFESSIONAL MUNICIPAL CLERKS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, I'M PROUD TO OFFER THIS PROCLAMATION . WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL OBSERVE THE 55TH ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK MAY 5 THROUGH 11, 2024 TO HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF THE CITY CLERK.
WHEREAS THE OFFICE OF THE PROFESSIONAL MUNICIPAL CLERK ALSO KNOWN AS THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK IS A TIME-HONORED AND FUNDAMENTAL PART OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT PROVIDES A PROFESSIONAL LINK BETWEEN ITS RESIDENTS AND LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES AND AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AT ALL OTHER LEVELS. WHEREAS THE OFFICE OF THE APPROPRIATE MUNICIPAL CLERK IS THE OLDEST AMONG PUBLIC SERVANTS WITH MENTION IN THE BIBLE IN GREEK AND ROMAN HISTORY. WHEREAS SAN ANTONIO CITY CLERKS SERVE OVER 2.4 MILLION RESIDENTS AS THE INFORMATION CENTER ON FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY. WHEREAS THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT INCLUDING CONDUCTING ELECTIONS, CODIFYING LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNING BODY, RECORDING AND PRESERVING RECORDS INCLUDING BIRTH AND DEATH RECORDS AND SERVING AS A PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITY.
WHEREAS THIS WEEK-LONG OBSERVANCE IS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE VITAL ROLES AND SERVICES OF THE PROFESSIONAL CLERK TO THEIR GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AS THEY PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY IN ALL ASPECTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TO PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE WHILE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 5 THROUGH 11, 2024 TO MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND EXTEND APPRECIATION TO THE CITY CLERK, DEBORAH RACCA-SITTRE TO HER STAFF. DEBBIE, THE FLOOR IS YOURS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING
HERE. >> CLERK: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL.
MY 11 GREAT BOSSES THAT I HAVE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK. I WANTED TO BRING SOME OF MY TEAM TO THE MEETING TODAY SO YOU CAN SEE THEM. I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW A LOT OF THEM FROM THE LEGISLATIVE DIVISION. THEY'VE WORKED REALLY HARD ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
OUR VITAL RECORDS TEAM IS WORKING REALLY HARD TODAY SELLING BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES OVER AT THE RECORDS CENTER. SO THEY COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY REPRESENTING, THAT'S OUR LARGEST TEAM, BUT I DO HAVE REPRESENTATION OF OUR RECORDS AND ARCHIVES TEAM HERE TODAY. AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH GETTING THAT STRATEGIC PLAN GOING FOR THE ARCHIVES, THE RECORDS, THE ELECTIONS, THE PASSPORTS, THE VITAL RECORDS, AND OUR LEGISLATIVE TEAM.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE A FIVE-STAR AWARD WINNER IN VITAL RECORDS AGAIN THIS YEAR FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND WE'VE WON AWARDS AGAIN
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FROM THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF THESE FOLKS. THEY HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING SUPPORTIVE OF THEM. THANK YOU.[APPLAUSE] YOU VERY MUCH, DEBBIE AND TEAM. ALWAYS BEHIND THE SCENES BUT DOING THE IMPORTANT WORK FOR THE CITY. APPRECIATE THAT.
OKAY. TODAY WE'RE ALSO OFFICIALLY COMMEMORATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY HEADQUARTERS RIGHT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, HACU IS THE ONLY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS AND SERVES OVER 500 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IF I COULD ASK THE LEADERSHIP TO COME FORWARD AND APPROACH THE PODIUM. THE HACU REPRESENTS 17% OF NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. THEY ACCOUNT FOR TWO-THIRDS OF ALL HISPANIC COLLEGE STUDENTS. WE'RE PRIVILEGED THAT THEIR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WILL HAVE A NEW BRICK AND MORTAR LOCATION IN OUR CITY AND THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE LOCATED IN DISTRICT 7, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR FOR JOINING ME IN RECOGNIZING THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. AND ALSO CELEBRATING THEIR NEW HEADQUARTERS, WHICH WILL BE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DISTRICT 7.
I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE SPECIAL GUESTS HERE TODAY.
PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. DR. FLORES, DR. MENDEZ, SONIA MARTINEZ, CHRIS DEHOYA, AND NORMA FROM HACU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1986 AND IS HEADQUARTERED HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WITH OFFICES IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SACRAMENTO, AND CHICAGO. THE GOAL IS CHAMPION HISPANIC SUCCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD.
HACU HAS 13 MEMBER INSTITUTIONS IN SAN ANTONIO INCLUDING FIVE OF ITS FOUNDING HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS . OVER 120,000 STUDENTS ARE SERVED AT THE SAN ANTONIO MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. HACU OFFERS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN THE WORKFORCE, TEACH LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY, DEVELOP SKILLS FOR ECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND ENTREPRENEUR OPPORTUNITIES AND ENSURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT. THOUSANDS OF YOUNG HISPANICS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THEIR WORK AND I CANNOT THINK OF A MORE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO BE HEADQUARTERED THAN RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR THEIR WORK FOR ALL YOU ALL DO FOR HISPANIC YOUNG PEOPLE. I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU ALL IN DISTRICT 7 AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE NEW BUILDING WHEN IT IS COMPLETE.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. HERE'S A CERTIFICATE FOR YOU ALL.
>> GOOD MORNING. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GAVITO: THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO FOR YOUR VERY KIND WORDS AND FOR INVITING US TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ANTONIO FLORES, I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE HISPANIC AND COLLEGE UNITS WHICH WAS CREATED IN THIS CITY MORE THAN 36 YEARS AGO ON OUR CAMPUS OF OUR LADY OURLADY OF THE LAKE UNIVER. IT HAS GROWN INTO A VERY POWERFUL NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SESSION THAT REPRESENTS MORE THAN 600 HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS THAT COLLECTIVELY SERVE AND EDUCATE 5.5 MILLION STUDENTS NATIONWIDE. AND 67% OF THE HISPANIC COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE NATION, WHICH NOW ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 4 MILLION ALL TOGETHER. SO THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SESSION THAT STARTED IN THIS CITY AND REMAINS IN THIS CITY AND NOW IS AT THE POINT OF BUILDING A NEW FACILITY IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT WHERE WE EXPECT TO PROJECT EVEN FARTHER THAN WE HAVE OVER THE LAST 36 YEARS. THE VERY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO THE COUNTRY AND TO THE WORLD. BECAUSE IN THIS VERY CITY WE HAVE 13 OF THOSE MORE THAN 600 HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
AND THEY INCLUDE COMMUNITY COLLEGES, PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES. THESE 13 UNIVERSITIES IN THE CITY ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN
[00:30:03]
180,000 STUDENTS. AND OF COURSE THEY ALSO HAVE A VERY, VERY GOOD PARTICIPATION OF FACULTY AND STAFF THAT INCLUDES NOT JUST ADMINISTRATORS BUT SUPPORT STAFF IN ALL THE AREAS OF NEED FOR THE UNIVERSITIES. AND COLLECTIVELY THESE INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNT FOR ALSO BETWEEN 20 AND 25% OF THE GDP OF THE CITY.BECAUSE OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE EMPLOYERS, ARE CONSUMERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, AND OF COURSE THE FAMILIES THAT CONNECT WITH THE STUDENTS, THE FAMILIES THAT CONNECT WITH THE FACULTY AND STAFF, ET CETERA ALL ARE PART OF THIS GREAT CITY.
AND THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT ECONOMICALLY THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE TO THE CITY'S PROSPERITY, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAINING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME THE PROFESSIONALS AND SCIENTISTS AND REALLY MAKING UP THE WORKFORCE THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ALUMNI OF THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE HERE.
IN FACT, I TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW YOUR OWN BIOS AND I NOTICED EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS ATTENDED ONE OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS. AND OF COURSE YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN WILL DOT DO THE SAME. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT SAN ANTONIO IS THE HOME OF HACU AND WE INTEND TO, IN THE YEARS AHEAD, DO EVEN MORE OF THE KIND OF WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR MANY YEARS. WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT, AND WITH OTHER COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY IN LATIN AMERICA, THE CARIBBEAN, AND SPAIN.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO INCREASING OUR COLLABORATION IN THE YEARS AHEAD BECAUSE I THINK TOGETHER WE CAN EVEN ACCOMPLISH A LOT MORE AND REALLY MAKE SURE THAT SAN ANTONIO REMAINS AN ECONOMICALLY-PROSPEROUS CITY CITY. WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU THESE BRIEF REMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE UNIVERSITIES AND THE MILLIONS OF STUDENTS IT REPRESENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. FLORES AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. WE ARE VERY PROUD AND WE CONGRATULATE YOU.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE SOME CHAMPIONS AMONG US AGAIN.
WE'RE OFFICIALLY HONORING OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SOFTBALL TEAM.
LADIES, COME ON UP. THEY HAVE HAD AN INCREDIBLE 50-3 SEASON.
HOLD ON. I DON'T THINK YOU HEARD ME. 50-3 SEASON.
[APPLAUSE] THE BEST IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL.
THEIR 45-GAME WIN STREAK WAS ALSO THE BEST IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL AT ANY LEVEL SO WE ARE OFFERING YOU A CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND WE KNOW THE BEST IS YET TO COME. IT'S NOT OVER SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR LADY OF THE LAKE FACULTY MEMBER AND OUR COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA
FOR SOME WORDS. WE'LL TURN THE FLOOR TO YOU. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND SO HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL TODAY.
I TELL EVERYBODY ALL OF MY STUDENTS ARE SAINTS. AND SO I REALLY MEAN IT.
Y'ALL ARE SAINTS. SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ALL REPRESENTED.
I ALSO THINK THAT IT'S DIVINE PROVIDENCE THIS MORNING THAT HACU WAS HERE BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE REMINDED THAT HACU WAS FOUNDED AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE SPORTS HALL OF FAME. AND SO WITH THAT SAID, I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE YOU ALL AND CONGRATULATE YOU ALL. WE ARE JOINED THIS MORNING BY ATHLETES, STUDENTS WHO HAVE INCREDIBLE RESPONSIBILITIES.
A LOT OF MY SOFTBALL STUDENTS ALREADY GRADUATED. I HAVE ONE OF THEM STILL ON THE TEAM, KAYLA, AND I WANTED TO HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS. I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU, THOUGH.
AND SO EVEN THOUGH I MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD YOU IN THE CLASSROOM, I KNOW HOW HARD ONE OF YOUR ATHLETES, FELLOW ATHLETES WORK AND I KNOW YOU ALL WORK JUST AS HARD.
[00:35:01]
THIS SEASON THE TEAM, LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, FINISHED WITH A 45-GAME WINNING STREAK AND SO I LOVE THAT YOU ALL ARE WEARING YOUR SHIRTS BECAUSE IT JUST REMINDS EVERYBODY THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE THIS. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I ALSO WANT TO STATE THAT THE SAINTS HAVE NOT LOST A CONFERENCE GAME SINCE FEBRUARY 28, 2021. THAT IS A HUGE DEAL! AND SO THE SAINTS WERE ALSO CHOSEN TO HOST THE NAIA OPENING ROUND TOURNAMENT MAY 13E WINNER OF THIS TOURNAMENT WILL ADVANCE TO THE WORLD SERIES OF SOFTBALL. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT.LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. AND WE'RE HOPING THAT YOU ALL WIN.
SO FINGERS CROSSED. AND THAT YOU ALL WILL GET A SECOND TRIP TO THE WORLD SERIES. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL AND THE TEAM MASCOT, GUS.
OUR STUDENTS COME FROM ALL PARTS OF TEXAS AND ARIZONA BUT THEY REPRESENT US PROUDLY IN SAN ANTONIO. WITH THAT, COACH, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT MY FAVORITE SUBJECT, WHICH IS THIS GROUP OF ATHLETES BEHIND US. CERTAINLY THE COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO AND DR. GARCIA, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE RECOGNITION AND THE TIME.
THIS GROUP BEHIND ME IS ACTUALLY THE NUMBER ONE-RNKED TEAM IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AT THE NAI LEVEL. WE PROUDLY REPRESENT THE WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO FROM COAST-TO-COAST. WE WEAR THAT LIKE A BADGE OF HONOR ON OUR SLEEVE, AS THE COUNCILWOMAN MENTIONED, ON MONDAY, BORROWING OUR FACILITY AT OUR CLOSE FRIEND ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE LIGHTS AT THEIR FIELD AND WE DO NOT. WE HAVE TWO TEAMS FROM MISSOURI AND A TEAM FROM CALIFORNIA COMING. ONLY ONE OF US WILL MOVE ON AS ONE OF THE TEN MEMBERS OF THE WORLD SERIES. WE WOULD LOVE THE COMMUNITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO COME OUT.
THE GAME INFORMATION IS ON OUR WEBSITE. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME OUT AND SUPPORT THIS GREAT GROUP OF STUDENT ATHLETES BEHIND US.
NOT ALL OF OUR MEMBERS ARE HERE. THEY ARE AT FINALS AND TODAY IS GRADUATION DAY AT OLU, SO WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THOSE THINGS AS WELL.
THANKS AGAIN. WE REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
AND, AGAIN, MAYOR YOU HAVE NEVER LOOKED BETTER WITH THAT SAINTS HAT ON.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. WINGS UP.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SO, COACH, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHOW OUR CITY HOW TO GET THE WINGS UP SO WE CAN ALL BE READY FOR THE REST OF THE POST-SEASON.
THERE YOU HAVE IT. THAT'S HOW YOU GET WINGS UP AND GOOD LUCK, LADIES, ON THE REST OF THE POST-SEASON. WE WILL BE CHEERING YOU ON. CONGRATULATIONS.
OKAY. MARK THAT DOWN. THERE'S ROOM FOR MORE THAN
[Miscellaneous ]
ONE CHAMPION IN THIS CITY. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GO NOW TO ITEM 15.ERIK -- ACTUALLY, MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE CAPTION?
>> CLERK: ITEM NO. 15 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE BY THE CITY OF BALCONES HEIGHTS CULTURAL EDUCATION FACILITIES FINANCE CORPORATION IN A MAXIMUM AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $10 MILLION UNDER SECTION 147F OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. I WANTED TO PULL THIS ITEM TO GET TROY UP HERE TO TALK
[00:40:03]
ABOUT HOW SAN ANTONIO WORKS OUT THESE AGREEMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS AND HOW WE'VEBEEN LEADING THE WAY ON THIS IN THE ALAMO AREA. >> CERTAINLY.
FROM TIME TO TIME YOU'LL SEE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE GOODWILL APPROACH US TO LOOK AT THEIR FACILITIES AND HOW THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX DEBT. WORKING WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDES US AN OPPORTUNITY, WORKING THROUGH Y'ALL'S APPROVAL, THEY SEEK TO APPROVE THESE TYPES OF ISSUANCES WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX SAVINGS OR INTEREST SAVINGS ON THE
ISSUANCE OF THEIR DEBT. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, TROY.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS LEADING IN OUR ALAMO AREA WITH OUR MUNICIPALITIES AND HOW WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP AGENCIES, LIKE GOODWILL, TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC. AND WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GIVING SECOND CHANCES TO THOSE WHO NEED SECOND CHANCES.
WITH THAT, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 15. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. THAT'S THE BALANCE OF OUR
[City Manager's Report ]
CONSENT AGENDA. DO WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT?>> WALSH: YES, SIR, TWO ITEMS. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I THINK ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT TODAY -- SORRY, THIS WEEK IS PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK AND IT'S A SPECIAL WEEK THAT RECOGNIZES -- ANNUAL CELEBRATION THAT RECOGNIZES GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS. LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, AND COUNTY. YOU KNOW, THIS COUNCIL AND I THINK ALL OF US TALK A LOT ABOUT OUR 13,000 EMPLOYEES, KNOWING THAT THEY ALL CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR CORE VALUES OF TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, AND INNOVATION, AND PROFESSIONALISM.
EARLIER THIS WEEK I'VE MADE TIME THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK TO POP IN ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WORK SITES AND TALK TO EMPLOYEES DIRECTLY. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE EMPLOYEES IN PERSON AND WE'LL BE DOING THAT THIS AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW, FOR ALL THE WORK THEY DO. IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE DO THE VIDEOS EVERY WEEK AT COUNCIL DURING THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT TO REALLY EXEMPLIFY THE EXCELLENT WORK AND THE MULTITUDE OF JOBS AND CAREERS WE HAVE AS A CITY AND AS AN ORGANIZATION.
A LOT OF THE HARD JOBS THAT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE. THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE THAT. I KNOW THE COUNCIL IS SUPER SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE AND IT CERTAINLY IS MINDFUL FOR ME.
SO, IN KEEPING IN THAT SPIRIT AND AT THE END OF FIESTA, CERTAINLY THERE ARE -- I'M SURE THE PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR'S FIESTA ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY BUT THIS WEEK'S VIDEO IS ABOUT A SPECIAL COMPONENT THAT ALL OF US KNOW ABOUT AND ALL OF US ARE THANKFUL ABOUT. THE VIDEO IS OF SENIOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR MIKE RAY AND PUBLIC WORKS AND ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO CLEANING SAN ANTONIO AFTER OUR TWO MAJOR PARADES. AND IF ANYBODY HAS SAT THERE AND EVER WATCHED THAT SYMPHONY, IT IS WELL REHEARSED AND WELL PLAYED AND I THINK YOU'LL GET A KICK OUT OF MIKE'S COMMENTS IN THE VIDEO. LET'S ROLL THE VIDEO.
>> THIS IS MY 23RD FIESTA. I LOVE WHAT I DO. CAN'T SEE MYSELF DOING ANYTHING ELSE. AS SOON AS ALL THIS MOVES, THE STREET SWEEPERS LINE UP AND WE FOLLOW BEHIND IT. YOU HAVE LABORERS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATORS.
THERE'S PROBABLY 120 PEOPLE MAX. USUALLY TAKES ABOUT FIVE TO SIX HOURS. I LOVE SAN ANTONIO. GREW UP HERE.
EVER SINCE I WAS SMALL, I WOULD SEE THESE SWEEPERS, GARBAGE TRUCKS PASS BY AND I TOLD MY PARENTS ONE DAY, YOU KNOW, ONE DAY I WANT TO DO THAT.
AND YEARS WENT BY AND SURE ENOUGH, I'M IN. IT'S JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY FOR ME. IT'S ALWAYS FIESTA HERE IN SAN ANTONIO SO, YEAH, IT'S ONE BIG PARTY HERE. I LOVE THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH.
A BUNCH OF GOOD PEOPLE. MY OTHER FAMILY.
[00:45:07]
MAYOR. THAT'S IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERIK. ALL RIGHT.
PLEASE NOTE WE DO HAVE A 1:00 P.M. -- NOT 2:00, 1:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING TODAY. AT 9:59 A.M. ON THE 9TH DAY OF MAY 2024, OUR A SESSION IS NOW ADJOURNED. THANKS, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.