[00:00:15]
♪ ITEO, A UNIVERSITY IN MEXICO WHERE HE EARNED HIS MASTER'S IN PSYCHOLOGY.
ARCHBISHOP GUSTAVO GARCIA-SILLER HAS EARNED SEVERAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN HIS RELIGIOUS ORDER. FROM 1999 TO 20003 HE SERVED AS THE MAJOR SUPERIOR IN THE MISSIONARIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, MINISTERING IN AN AREA THAT AT THE TIME INCLUDED THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. HE WAS ELECTED THE PROVINCE IN 2003. HE WAS APPOINTED JANUARY 24, 2003 AND ORDAINED IN MARCH 2003 BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO. ARCHBISHOP GUSTAVO GARCIA-SILLER WAS NAMED THE ARCHBISHOP ON OCTOBER 14, 2010.
INSTALLED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2010 AT ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CHURCH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, HE SUCCEEDED JOSE GOMEZ AS THE SIXTH ARCHBISHOP OF SAN ANTONIO.
HE IS A FRIEND OF ALL OF US. WELCOME, ARCHBISHOP . >> GOOD MORNING.
MAYOR NIRENBERG, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY OFFICIALS.
WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY. WE ARE HERE TO CONTRIBUTE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE. THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF OFFERING THIS INVOCATION. POPE FRANCIS HAS REMINDED CITY OFFICIALS THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN BEAUTY WHERE THERE IS MOST DEGRADATION. IN EDUCATION, WHERE SOCIAL
[00:05:06]
NEEDS REIGN. IN PLACES OF SOCIAL AGGREGATION, WHERE THERE ARE VIOLENT REACTIONS. IN TRAINING FOR LEGALITY WHERE CORRUPTION PREVAILS.KNOWING HOW TO DREAM OF A BETTER CITY AND SHARING THE DREAM WITH THOSE ELECTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND WITH ALL CITIZENS OF GOODWILL IS A MARKER OF SOCIAL CARE.
WITH THAT IN MIND, LET US PRAY. GOD OF ALL WISDOM AND COMPASSION, WE GATHER HERE TODAY WITH HEARTS FULL OF GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.
WE ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE UPON OUR LEADERS WHO WORK HARD FOR THE WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE. WE PRAY THAT THEY MAY GOVERN WITH WISDOM, JUSTICE, AND HUMILITY. HELP THEM TO BALANCE COMPETING INTERESTS WITH TEMPERANCE. ENSURING THAT THE DIGNITY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS UPHELD, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE. MAY THEIR DECISIONS PROMOTE THE COMMON GOOD AND FOSTER SOLIDARITY AMONG ALL PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO.
MAY THEIR ACTIONS ENCOURAGE GREATER ENGAGEMENT ON THE PART OF ALL CITIZENS THROUGH THEIR IRREPLACEABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMON GOOD.
BEGINNING WITH THE DUTY TO CAST AN INFORMED AND RESPONSIBLE VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION. HEAVENLY FATHER, IN MOMENTS OF CHALLENGE AND DIVISION, GRANT ELECTED OFFICIALS THE STRENGTH TO UNITE THIS CITY. TO WORK IN COLLABORATION AND TO LIVE WITH COMPASSION. AND REMIND US ALL THAT LEADERSHIP IS A SACRED DUTY.
A SACRED TRUST. ONE THAT DEMANDS A SPIRIT OF SERVICE, INTEGRITY, AND GENEROSITY. AND BLESS THE FAMILIES OF THESE PUBLIC SERVANTS AS THEY TAKE CARE OF THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PLEASE, O GOD, TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES. AND MAY THEIR WORK BE A BLESSING TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, ENSURING A MORE JUST AND PROSPEROUS CITY FOR ALL. WE OFFER THIS PRAYER IN THE MIDST OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON IN HOPE. WE ARE PEOPLE OF HOPE AND TRUST IN YOUR DIVINE GUIDANCE. WE ASK ALL THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ARCHBISHOP. OUR FIRST ITEM FOR BUSINESS TODAY IS ITEM NO. 3, THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3,.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 3. THOSE MINUTES AS NOTED.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.
[00:10:02]
ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES. ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10 RELATE TO OUR CITY BUDGET, WHICH WILL BE DONE TOGETHER IN THAT DISCUSSION.I'LL HEAR FROM FOLKS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THOSE ITEMS IN JUST A MOMENT. ALL ITEMS AFTER THAT ARE TO BE HEARD ON CONSENT, UNLESS I HEAR OTHERWISE. SO LET ME ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR
ANY INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. >> GARCIA: I NEED TO PULL 37 FOR RECUSAL PURPOSES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEM 37 FOR RECUSAL. ANY OTHERS? OKAY. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS THAT REMAIN ON CONSENT. I'LL CALL YOU NOW. ON ITEM NO. 32 WE HAVE ANTONIO DIAZ.
ANTONIO DIAZ? OKAY. JACK FINGER ON 36, 37, AND 40.
JACK, YOU CAN SPEAK ON ITEM 37. WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH A PROCEDURE AFTER THAT. PLEASE SPEAK ON 36, 37, AND 40.
>> I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE TAKING 37 INDIVIDUALLY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: FOR RECUSAL PURPOSES. YOU'RE WELCOME TO MAKE COMMENTS NOW.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER AND A FEW ITEMS I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION. ITEM NO. 36 IS ABOUT, OH, ESTABLISHING A URBAN FARMING, FARMING PILOT PROGRAM. MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN SKIP DOWN TO THE LAST LINE WHERE IT'S UNDERLINED THERE, IF YOU WOULD.
SOMETHING I NOTICED IN YOUR BACK-UP DOCUMENTS THERE IS THAT THE FPSCA SERVES AS A STAKEHOLDER FORUM TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE, AND JUST -- JUST LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE. RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD.
JUST. WHAT DOES JUSTICE HAVE TO DO WITH URBAN FARMING? HUH? TURN THE PAGE OVER, IF YOU WOULD, AND WE'LL SEE THE REST OF IT. WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT THERE? URBAN FARMING IS THE PRACTICE OF CULTIVATING CROPS, LIVESTOCK, OR TYPES OF FOOD IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT. THANK YOU. RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD. EXCUSE ME. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF SOMETHING CALLED GARDENING? GARDENING. YOU KNOW, WHERE PEOPLE JUST HOE THE GROUND AND HAVE TOMATOES RISE UP. YOU KNOW, AND HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON THIS? OH, WHAT IS THIS? $60,000, WAS IT THERE? YEAH. $60,000. $60,000.
YEAH. RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD.
$60,000. I TELL YOU WHAT, WHY DON'T YOU JUST HIRE A RENOWNED HORTICULTURIST, BOB WEBSTER. HE MAY EVEN DO IT FOR FREE. TEACH CLASSES ON GARDENING AND THOSE WHO WISH TO USE FARMING . FOR FARMING, FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SOMETHING WAY BIGGER THAN JUST A PLOT.
MY GUESS IS PEOPLE WHO ALREADY OWN SUCH LAND HAVE ALREADY THOUGHT ABOUT FARMING AND WOULD HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS. THEY DON'T NEED TAX DOLLARS FOR THAT. WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE HERE? ITEM 40 IS ABOUT FUNDING FOR THE PROGRESS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR ABOUT THE $175,000 FOR WHAT? A SIX-WEEK FALL PROGRAM TO TEACH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HOW TO CREATE AND PROMOTE DIGITAL CONTENT. I THOUGHT THEY WERE TEACHING THESE THINGS IN SCHOOL.
IF NOT, WELL, WHY DON'T Y'ALL LOBBY FOR SCHOOL CHOICE, HUH?
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEMS REMAINING ON CONSENT?
COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK
[00:15:01]
YOU, MAYOR. I REALLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 40.TODAY WE'RE APPROVING A TIRZ AGREEMENT FOR THE FALL AFTER SCHOOL EASTSIDE YOUTH CONTENT CREATOR PROGRAM. A FEW WEEKS AGO I GOT TO GO TO THE SHOWCASE AND I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE TALENT OUR YOUTH POSSESS. WE CREATED THIS IN 2022 TO CONNECT OUR EAST SIDE STUDENTS WITH THE RESOURCES, TOOLS, AND TALENT AVAILABLE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALAMO CITY STUDIOS. AND SINCE THEN THE PROGRAM HAS CONNECTED TALENTED ARTISTS AND INSTRUCTORS FROM AROUND THE NATION RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR CRAFT WITH OUR STUDENTS. AND WHAT STICKS WITH ME ARE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, YOUNG BLACK STUDENTS, SPECIFICALLY, WHO ENTER THE PROGRAM WITH A SENSE OF SKEPTICISM AND GRADUATE WITH A PASSION AND INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT FOR THE ARTS. THEY CAN SEE AND FEEL WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK IN THE FILM INDUSTRY. I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR EVERY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THIS PROGRAM PAST AND PRESENT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF THE
PROGRAM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT, BEGINNING WITH ITEM 31.
THE ACCEPTANCE OF OVER $3 MILLION FROM THE SAN ANTONIO FIRST RESPONDERS COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE CRISIS IN OUTSTANDING CITY. THE PURPOSE IS TO SUPPORT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF KEY COMMUNITY SECTORS ON TRAINING, ADMINISTRATING AND PROVIDING OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATIONS .
I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT 38. IT'S TO SUPPORT THE U.T.
SCHOOL. CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING EXTENSIVE DENTAL NEEDS BE ON THE SCOPE OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES OFFERED BY METRO HEALTH WILL BE REFERRED TO U.T. HEALTH. SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED TO U.T. HEALTH'S PEDIATRIC DENTAL CLINIC AT THE SALINAS HEALTHCARE CENTER LOCATED IN THE PROGRAM PROVIDED ACCESS TO CARE FOR 642 CHILDREN, ENSURING THEY HAVE ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTHCARE.
IT SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS SALINAS SCHOOL WITH THE UPCOMING BUDGET AND PLEASED TO SEE THAT IT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED
BUDGET. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 37, WHICH IS THE ORDINANCE APPROVING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS. COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS IS A WONDERFUL NONPROFIT THAT'S DOING SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING WHICH SO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS NEED. IT'S IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR SA FORWARD PLAN.
I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THEY'RE DOING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THAT. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. HEARING NONE, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS, 11 THROUGH 42, SAVE FOR ITEM 37.
ALL RIGHT. JUST BECAUSE 37 IS FOR RECUSAL PURPOSES, I'LL TAKE
THAT ONE UP NOW. >> CLERK: ITEM 37 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF SAN ANTONIO, AS PART OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN HEALTH DISTRICT'S SA FORWARD PLAN TO CONTINUE SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELING SERVICES FOR YOUTH IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE FOR AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $81,000, INCREASING THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT TO $481,000 AND EXTENDING THE TERM THROUGH JANUARY 15, 2025. FUNDING IS FROM THE GENERAL
FUND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: FOR THE RECORD, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA HAS RECUSED HERSELF. IS THERE A MOTION FOR
APPROVAL? >> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 37. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP OUR BUDGET ITEMS NOW. THAT'S ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10. MADAME CLERK.
>> CLERK: ITEMS NO. 4 IS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FISCAL YEAR 2025 THAT BEGINS OCTOBER 1; APPROVING PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE FY 2025 TO FY 2029 FIVE-YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT PLAN; APPROVING THE FY 2025 TO FY 2030 SIX-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO; APPROVING CERTAIN CONTRACTS; PROVIDING FOR A ONE-TIME
[00:20:01]
ANNUITY INCREASE FOR RETIREES AND THEIR BENEFICIARIES AND A REVISION TO THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION RATE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AUTHORIZING PERSONNEL COMPLEMENTS; APPROPRIATING FUNDS; AND AMENDING RELATED ORDINANCES. ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE ADOPTION OF THE FY2025 BUDGET THAT WILL REQUIRE RAISING MORE REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TAXES THAN IN THE FY2024 BUDGET. ITEM NO. 6 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AT 33.009 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2024 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2024. ITEM NO. 7 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE AD VALOREM CITY TAX RATE TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE FUNDED DEBT OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AT 21.150 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2024. ITEM NO. 8 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FEES AS INCLUDED WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND CERTAIN RESTRICTED FUNDS AND AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS TO REFLECT SUCH CHANGES.ITEM NO. 9 IS AN ORDINANCE CARRYING FORWARD CERTAIN FISCAL YEAR 2024 FUNDS, AMENDING PRIOR APPROPRIATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR REQUIREMENTS IN CITY PROJECTS AND DEPARTMENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
ITEM NO. 10 IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE LOCAL 624 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS FOR A PERIOD TO
COMMENCE OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2027. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MADAME CLERK. WE WILL TAKE UP ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU, ERIK, FOR OUR PRESENTATION. >> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M GOING TO KIND OF WALK THROUGH THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE SENT TO YOU IN THE MEMO LAST NIGHT. YOU HAVE COPIES AT YOUR DESK AS WELL. JUST TO KIND OF RECAP WHERE WE ENDED YESTERDAY, THERE WAS A LITTLE OVER $5 MILLION IN AVAILABLE FUNDS FOR THE AMENDMENTS.
I'LL WALK THROUGH WHAT THEY ARE. NUMBER ONE, ADDING AN LGC POSITION TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN COUNCIL DISTRICTS 3, 4, 6, 8, AND 10 WITH A TWO-YEAR IMPACT OF A LITTLE OVER $1.2 MILLION. SEED FUNDING FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTER FOR HEALTH EQUITY IN SOUTH TEXAS.
$600,000 OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS. HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS ON THE VERGE OF EVICTION OR OTHER FORMS OF HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE, A MILLION DOLLARS.
NUMBER FOUR, INCREASING THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY PROGRAM OR NAMP FROM $550,000 PER DISTRICT TO $650,000 PER DISTRICT FOR A MILLION DOLLARS.
THE U.T. SAN ANTONIO RICARDO SALINAS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY CLINIC, $300,000 OVER TWO YEARS . THE CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH, INCREASING THAT BUDGET FROM $100,000 TO $200,000 IN FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26 FOR A TOTAL COST OF $200,000.
SENIORS IN PLAY INCREASE FROM $100,000 TO $150,000. THAT TWO-YEAR TOTAL IS $100,000. $300,000 FOR THE URBAN TREE CANOPY THAT THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. $180,000 FOR THE EASTSIDE YOUTH CREATIVE CONTENT PROGRAM AND $100,000 FOR THE CRISIS NURSERY FEASIBILITY PROGRAM. THE REMAINING BALANCE OF $29,701 WILL BE DEDICATED TOWARDS THAT PROJECTED DEFICIT IN '26 IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR TWO-YEAR BUDGET PLAN. MAYOR, I'M GOING TO ASK MARIA TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BUT LET ME JUST KIND OF RECAP.
ACTUALLY, I'LL DO IT AFTER MARIA. GO AHEAD, MARIA.
>> VILLAGOMEZ: GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. BEFORE I BEGIN THE PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE CITY'S NEGOTIATING TEAM.
OUR FIRST CITY ATTORNEY, LIZ PROVENCIO, OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, AND DANA WITH OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT AND EFFORT .
ALSO, I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER, ERIK WALSH AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, ANDY SEGOVIA FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE DURING THIS PROCESS.
WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT THE COLLABORATION AND THE WILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND
[00:25:01]
THANK THEM ALSO FOR THEIR EFFORTS. THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, JOE JONES. THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, BILLY HACKER.SO, WITH THAT, LET ME JUST BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT THE CONTRACT THAT IS BEFORE YOU FOR APPROVAL. THE CURRENT CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE WITH THE ASSOCIATION THAT WAS AWARDED THROUGH ARBITRATION EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, 2024.
WE STARTED MEETING WITH THE ASSOCIATION IN FEBRUARY OF 2024 AND WE HELD A TOTAL OF 12 NEGOTIATION SESSIONS BEGINNING IN MARCH 29 OF THIS YEAR AND ENDING WITH A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT IN AUGUST 23. THE FIREFIGHTERS RATIFIED THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16. 76% OF THE MEMBERSHIP VOTED AND THEY ACHIEVED A 97.43% OF THOSE WHO VOTED YES FOR THE CONTRACT.
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THREE YEARS THAT IS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 OF 2024 AND WILL EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 30. IT PROVIDES A 20% BASE WAGE INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS. IT REALLOCATES CERTAIN CERTIFICATION PAY TO BASE WAGES THAT WILL COMPOUND IN FUTURE YEARS.
AND, WITH THIS, THE TOTAL COMPENSATION INCREASES KEEPS OUR FIREFIGHTERS AMONG THE BEST PAID IN TEXAS. IT ALSO PROVIDES MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE CITY'S SICK LEAVE PROCESS. IT OFFERS A MORE ROBUST PARENTAL LEAVE BENEFIT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS. AND IT ALSO PAVES THE WAY FOR DISCUSSIONS REGARDING A MORE EFFICIENT AND MODERN APPLICANT PROCESSING AND ALSO ENHANCING OUR PROMOTION PROCESSES. SO THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON THE WAGES AND HEALTHCARE OF -- THERE'S A 7% PAY INCREASE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 OF '24 FOLLOWED BY AN 8% EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025.
AND A 5% EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. HEALTHCARE MAINTAINS THE ESCALATOR THAT INCREASES PREMIUMS FOR THOSE FIREFIGHTERS THAT PAY A PREMIUM BY 10% EACH YEAR SO THERE WERE NO CHANGES TO THAT SECTION OF THE CONTRACT. IN TERMS OF THE COST OF THE CONTRACT, THE CUMULATIVE INCREMENTAL COST OVER THREE YEARS IS $109.6 MILLION. SO THAT CONCLUDES MY
PRESENTATION AND I TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER. >> WALSH: THANKS, MARIA.
SO JUST -- I KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF COUNCIL CONVERSATION AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK. I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S TIME.
REALLY GOING BACK TO APRIL, GIVING US GUIDANCE AT THE WORK SESSION.
BUT ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST 30 OR 40 DAYS AS WE'VE HAD TOWN HALLS AND BUDGET WORK SESSIONS AND NUMEROUS MEETINGS. THE $3.96 BILLION PROPOSED BUDGET CERTAINLY REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES OF THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK IT UNDERSCORES OUR COMMITMENT TO REMAINING RESPONSIBLE AND RESOURCEFUL AND RESILIENT IN A NORMAL -- I KEEP CALLING IT "NORMAL" REVENUE YEAR.
THAT'S BACK TO OUR PRE-PANDEMIC DAYS IN TERMS OF GROWTH.
OBVIOUSLY, THE COST OF DELIVERING SERVICES IS RISING FASTER.
BUSINESSES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
SO WE HAVE FOUND WAYS TO DELIVER KEY SERVICES IN NEXT YEAR'S BENEFIT MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH NO IMPACT TO SERVICES AND TO RESIDENTS.
YOU KNOW, I WANT TO THANK THE CITY TEAM AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT IN MID-SPRING TO GET PREPARED.
AND I THINK IT RINGS TRUE GOING FORWARD. THE DEPARTMENT'S REALLY DUG IN AND REALIGNED BUDGETS WITH SPENDING AND WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY $36.5 MILLION WORTH OF REDUCED SPENDING OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE BUDGET INVESTS IN THE KEY AREAS THAT WE HEARD DURING THE COUNCIL WORK SESSION BUT ALSO IN THE CITIZEN SURVEY. HOMELESSNESS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY. AND ALL THAT WRAPPED AROUND AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO REMEMBER -- AND ESPECIALLY THE DEPARTMENTS -- THAT RESIDENT FEEDBACK THIS YEAR SHOWED AN ALL-TIME HIGH SATISFACTION RATE FOR THE OVERALL QUALITY OF CITY SERVICES, WHICH WE NEED TO CONTINUE EVERY DAY TO EARN. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU ACHIEVE AND FORGET ABOUT.
[00:30:02]
EVERY DAY, EVERY INTERACTION THAT EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE HAS WITH THE PUBLIC IN DOING THEIR JOB, WE EARN EVERY DAY.WE OWE IT TO THE COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPACTFUL INVESTMENTS WHILE STAYING RESPONSIBLE AND RESOURCEFUL. I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, FOR THE TIME YOU'VE PUT IN, THE CLEAR DIRECTION, THE CONVERSATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS FOR SPEAKING UP AND BEING PART OF OUR PROCESS, WHETHER IT'S THE TOWN HALL OR THE BUDGET SURVEY. AND THAT'S A CRITICAL PART OF THIS PROCESS.
IT IS EVERY YEAR AND IT WILL BE GOING FORWARD. I'LL THANK JUSTINA, FREDDIE, AND THE ENTIRE BUDGET TEAM AND TROY AND THE FINANCE TEAM.
ALL THE DEPARTMENTS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. WE STARTED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THIS YEAR SO THEY HAVE BEEN GRINDING FOR SOMETIME.
I CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, SPECIFICALLY MARIA AND BEN. I WANT TO THANK JOE JONES WITH LOCAL 624 AND THEIR TEAM. AS MARIA MENTIONED, THIS IS -- THIS WAS ABOUT THE WILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING AT THE TABLE AND HAVE THE FIREFIGHTERS VOTE ON A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, WHICH THEY HAD NOT DONE SO SINCE 2009.
AND I THINK IT'S CRITICAL FOR THIS ORGANIZATION AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION, TO ALSO RETURN BACK TO NORMAL.
AND THAT'S BEEN CRITICAL. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU, JOE FOR THAT LEADERSHIP.
I KNOW IT WAS, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, IT TOOK US ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO NEGOTIATE THAT CONTRACT, WHICH IS PROBABLY THE FASTEST THAT THE CITY AND THE FIRE ASSOCIATION HAVE NEGOTIATED A CONTRACT. I THINK WE SET A NEW STANDARD AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE CONVERSATIONS AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASSOCIATION. AND THEN I'LL ECHO WHAT MARIA SAID. I WANT TO THANK LIZ AND RENEE AND DONNA.
REALLY WORKING WITH MARIA AT THE TABLE. THE CITY TEAM WORKED HARD TO FINALIZE THAT AGREEMENT AND I'M PLEASED THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS APPROVED IT WITH A HIGH MAJORITY. I THINK IT'S INDICATIVE AND A GOOD THING TO HAVE IT TODAY AS YOU ADOPT THE BUDGET. SO, MAYOR, I'LL TURN IT OVER
TO YOU AND CERTAINLY WE'RE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10. I'LL CALL PEOPLE IN ORDER OF SIGN UP.
KEEP IN MIND I'M GOING TO CALL THE NAMES AS THEY ARE WRITTEN.
I'LL CALL THE NEXT NAME IN ORDER OF SIGN UP SO PEOPLE CAN BE PREPARED TO COME FORWARD. PLEASE KEEP THE AUDIENCE REACTION DOWN TO A MINIMUM SO PEOPLE CAN HEAR THEIR NAME CALLED. IF YOU CAN'T HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED, I'LL CALL IT AGAIN. AGAIN, I'M GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD.
LET'S MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS HEARD TODAY. FIRST UP IS JEFF WEBSTER.
MR. WEBSTER, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LILY TERAN. >> MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS JEFF WEBSTER.
I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING OUR OVER 1700 MEMBERS. REALLY JUST WANT TO TAKE TIME TO COME DOWN AND SAY THANK YOU. I KNOW HOW HARD STAFF WORKS ON THIS, MR. MANAGER, SO THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF.
ALL THE HOURS THAT GO IN. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR HOLDING SO MANY COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND LISTENING TO SO MANY PEOPLE. I KNOW HOW HARD THESE BUDGETS ARE AND I DO APPRECIATE THE EFFORT PLACED ON THAT.
I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS TO WORK WITH CPS AND CONTINUE FUNDING THAT EFFORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE OVER THERE THAT WE'VE DONE. AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON SUPPORTING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. SAFD DOES AN AMAZING JOB AND BRINGING THAT AGREEMENT TO AN END IS GREAT. I THINK YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT AS YOU HEAD INTO THE FALL. I WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND SAY THANK YOU. I WAS TELLING THE MAYOR THE OTHER DAY THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE HERE EVERY WEEK TO COMMENT ON THE EVERY SINGLE ITEM AS THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER. WE WANT TO BE HERE FOR SIGNIFICANT IT ITEMS AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING TODAY IS SIGNIFICANT AND WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
WE ARE HERE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU ON THESE ITEMS AS OUR CITY MOVES FORWARD.
AS THE STAFF OUTLINED, AND I KNOW THE MAYOR AND I SPOKE THE OTHER DAY, THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES MOVING FORWARD. WE'RE HERE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU ON WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US.
I DID WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THESE ISSUES. AND TO YOU, MR. MANAGER AND YOUR TEAM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. WEBSTER.
[00:35:05]
LILY TERAN. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ALEK PUENTE.>> I'M THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR A SMALL NONPROFIT, EARN A BIKE. WE PROVIDE FREE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO CHILDREN, TYPICALLY IN AREAS WITH HIGH DIABETES RATES. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY I'M HERE AS A RESIDENT MYSELF. I'M HERE AS A CYCLIST, AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF MY COMMUNITY AND IN THE CURRENT STATE THAT SAN ANTONIO, WE DO LACK THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO TAKE OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION BESIDES A VEHICLE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY, WHICH PROVIDES ENGAGEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. THIS IS BENEFICIAL TO ALL RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT MOBILITY AS IT CREATES SPACE WHERE WE CAN BE HEALTHY. IT ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE AND JUST HAVE THAT OPTION TO REACH OUR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH THIS ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION. ALTHOUGH IT CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL STREETS, WE DO NEED TO START SOMEWHERE AND 2011 HAS BEEN QUITE SOMETIME.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION, IT'S ABOUT CREATING A CITY WHERE PARENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO LET THEIR CHILDREN RIDE TO SCHOOL.
AND PEOPLE CAN MOVE FREELY WITHOUT ALWAYS DEPENDING ON VEHICLES.
I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT THIS ISN'T JUST A POLICY BUT
INCLUSIVE SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. TERAN. ALEK PUENTE FOLLOWED BY HILLARY LILY.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ALEK PUENTE AND I WORK AS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION IN TEXAS. I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE THE ASSOCIATION'S SUPPORT FOR UPDATING THE SAFE STREETS ORDINANCE FOR ALL WHO WORK, LIVE, AND PLAY IN THE CITY.
COMPLETE STREETS POLICIES USING A WHEELCHAIR OR TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT. BY STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS, THE ORDINANCE WILL PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES, REDUCE THE RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE HEART DISEASE, DIABETES, AND STROKE AND MAKE THE CITY A SAFER AND MORE LIVABLE PLACE.
ENCOURAGING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH SAFE WALKING AND BIKING PATHS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PREVENTING HEALTH ISSUES. FOR OVER TWO YEARS THE COALITION HAS WORKED TO DEVELOP A POLICY THAT CONSIDERS SAN ANTONIO'S UNIQUE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, EXISTING PROCESSES, AND NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES.
THIS EFFORT HAS GAINED SUPPORT ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF STAKEHOLDERS RECOGNIZING THAT EQUITABLE STREET DESIGN IS ESSENTIAL TO ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY IN SAN ANTONIO. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE COLLABORATION FOR EQUITABLE HEALTH WHICH HAS PARTNERED WITH THE COALITION TO ADVANCE THIS STEP. STREETS SHOULD BE FUNCTIONAL AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS INCLUDING CHILDREN, SENIORS, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
THE UPDATED ORDINANCE WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN THE CITY'S TRAFFIC AND SAFETY AND HELP REDUCE COLLISIONS. ADDITIONALLY, SAFER STREETS ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC GROWTH BY MAKING IT EASIER FOR ALL RESIDENTS TO ACCESS LOCAL BUSINESSES AND SERVICES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING THIS ESSENTIAL POLICY TO MAKE OUR STREETS HEALTHIER, SAFER, AND MORE INCLUSIVE FOR ALL SAN ANTONIANS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO BUILD A STRONGER AND MORE CONNECTED CITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. PUENTE. HILLARY LILY FOLLOWED BY
ANTONIO DIAZ. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. I'M THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY TEXAS CHAPTER. HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 4, SPECIFICALLY THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY UPDATES. ONE OF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S IMPORTANCE OF NATURE FOR PEOPLE, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR CULTURE.
ON TOP OF IMPROVING TRANSIT AND SAFETY, THIS POLICY PRIORITIZES IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND AIR QUALITY, INCREASES ACCESS TO OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES, IMPROVES STORM WATER RUNOFF THROUGH INCORPORATING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ENSURES THAT NATURE IS INCORPORATED FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. WE KNOW EXPOSURE TO GREEN SPACE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIVILEGE BUT A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT. TREES AND WILDLIFE ARE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN IMPROVING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.
THAT'S WHY WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE UPDATES TO THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. LILY.
ANTONIO DIAZ. MR. DIAZ, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY WINSLOW SCHWARTZ.
[00:40:09]
>> I'M GLAD THAT THERE'S MORE FUNDING FOR DISPLACED OR HOMELESS PEOPLE WITHIN THE BUDGET BECAUSE WITHIN THE CITY'S EFFORTS YOU WILL BE CREATING MORE HOMELESS POPULATION. AND, AGAIN, SPEAKING OF INCREASING PROPERTY VALUES DOWNTOWN, THAT WOULD DIMINISH THE ACCESS TO LOWER-INCOME PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO RESIDE DOWNTOWN OR LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT USED TO BE LOCATED DOWNTOWN TO ACTUALLY BE DOWNTOWN. SO IT'S BECOMING A DOWNTOWN -- THE DOWNTOWN AREA IS BECOMING AN AREA FOR THE PRIVILEGED, FOR THOSE WITH MONETARILY WEALTH.
NOT FOR THE ACTUAL LOCAL INHABITANTS, GENERATIONAL LOCAL INHABITANTS OF SAN ANTONIO. PERHAPS THOSE WHO ARE COMING IN FROM OTHER STATES THAT ARE USED TO PAYING HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND EARNING A HIGHER WAGE.
PERHAPS FOR THEM IT IS GOOD. BUT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE AND USED TO EARNING LOW WAGES AND BEING ABLE TO AFFORD LOW RENTAL PROPERTIES, IT IS NOT GOOD.
SO EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE DILIGENT AND WORKING TOWARDS IMPROVING CONDITIONS, AND THAT IS APPRECIATED BY ALL, I AM SURE. BUT AT THE COST OF WHAT? YOU CAN KEEP ON INCREASING PROPERTY VALUES, PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE HERE.
WE HAVE THIS SITUATION NATIONWIDE WHERE GOVERNMENT, EITHER STATE OR MUNICIPAL, CONTINUE TO LOOK AT HOW CAN WE HANDLE THE HIGH PRICES OF OUR AREA.
YOU HAVE THIS IN CALIFORNIA. WE HAVE MANY CALIFORNIANS MOVING TO TEXAS AND ESPECIALLY TO SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PRICES OF THE AREAS THAT THEY RESIDE IN. THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE THERE.
ARE WE GOING DOWN THAT ROAD? ARE WE FOLLOWING THAT PATH? IS ANYONE EVEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT? BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, I DON'T THINK SO.
I THINK EVERYONE WANTS TO CREATE MORE REVENUE FOR THE CITY.
AT WHAT COST? AT THE REMOVAL OF RESIDENTS, HAVING TO PUT A HIGHER BUDGET TOWARDS HOMELESSNESS, ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DILIGENT WORK. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE LOWER-INCOME
RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO ON YOUR MIND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. DIAZ. WINSLOW SCHWARTZ FOLLOWED BY ISHMAEL HERRERA.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU ON BEHALF OF THE SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC, AN ORGANIZATION I BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH LAST YEAR AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONER HELPING THEM NAVIGATE THEIR GROWING PAINS AND ARTICULATE A STRATEGIC PATH FORWARD, WHICH I HAVE TO SAY I'VE WITNESSED THEM DO RATHER BRILLIANTLY AS OF LATE.
WHAT REALLY COMPELLED ME AND WHAT I BECAME REALLY INSPIRED ABOUT, HAVING A BACKGROUND IN THE START-UP WORLD, WAS THE GRIT OF THIS START-UP OF THE PHILHARMONIC, ESTABLISHED BY THE SYMPHONY PLAYERS THEMSELVES TO NOT ONLY BE DEDICATED TO THEIR ART FORM BUT ALSO TO CONTINUE TO ELEVATE THE VIBRANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY, CULTURALLY AND ARTISTICALLY, WHICH THEY'VE DONE ON LEVELS WHERE YOU MAY KNOW SOME OF THE DATA POINTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THROUGH THE YOUNG PEOPLES CONCERTS HAVE REACHED 47,000 ISD STUDENTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
THEY MAY BE OUR LARGEST ARTS AND CULTURE EMPLOYER, EMPLOYING UP TO 120 MUSICIANS. AND MANY OF THEM ARE BENEFITING FROM THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT WAS REACHED THIS WEEK AND IT IS BEING REPORTED ON NOW WHERE THE MUSICIANS' UNION, THE BOARD, AND THE PHILHARMONIC HAVE COME TOGETHER AND CREATED A ROAD MAP FOR BETTER WAGES AND TREATMENT.
I'M NOT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON TO SPEAK ABOUT SYMPHONIC CLASSICAL MUSIC, BUT SOMEBODY ELSE IS AND MY FAVORITE CELLIST WROTE THIS LETTER.
I'M GOING TO SHARE IT WITH YOU AND GIVE YOU ALL A COPY AFTERWARDS.
HE SAYS I LOVE SAN ANTONIO. THE CITY WITH ITS RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ROMANTIC RIVER WALK DESERVES A GREAT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO MATCH.
I AM THRILLED THAT JEFFREY, ONE OF MY FAVORITE MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD, IS NOW ITS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR. I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR AND EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THIS INSPIRED COMBINATION. YO YO MA. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND
[00:45:05]
THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO STOOD UP AND HELPED DEVELOP THE ADDENDUM FOR FUNDING FOR THE PHILHARMONIC BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR PLAYERS AND FOUNDERS.PLEASE STAND FOR JUST A MOMENT. OUR SAN A SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMOC STAFF. [APPLAUSE] THIS COMES FROM THEIR HEART, THEIR SOUL, AND THEIR LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION AND THEY CONTINUE TO ELEVATE AND IMPROVE OUR LIVES WITH THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. SCHWARTZ.
ISHMAEL HERRERA FOLLOWED BY DAVID GARZA. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU FOLKS TODAY. I'M AN ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY FOR AARP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM NO.
4, PARTICULARLY THE UPDATED COMPLETE STREETS POLICY AND THE UPDATED VISION ZERO PLAN. THE ORIGINAL POLICY IN 2011 WAS SUPPORTED BY AARP AND WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORTED THE UPDATED, STRONGER, COMPREHENSIVE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY. AS OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY AGES IT IS CRUCIAL TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 400,000 OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN SAN ANTONIO.
OLDER ADULTS KNOW THAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES LIKE WALKING AND BIKING IMPROVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE WITH ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION IN MIND ALSO CREATES A SAFE SPACE FOR PEDESTRIANS OF ALL AGES.
COMPLETE STREETS CONCEPT ALSO SUPPORTS AGING IN PLACE.
THE AARP SURVEY FOUND MOST ADULTS WANT TO AGE IN PLACE IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE STREETS SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENCE AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES. FOR MANY OLDER ADULTS, WALKING OPENS OPPORTUNITIES TO SOCIALIZE AND TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS, FIGHTING ISOLATION. I WANT TO THANK THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND THE COMPLETE STREETS COALITION AND THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WORKED ON
THIS POLICY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. HERRERA. DAVID GARZA. ALL RIGHT.
JOEY POLLACK. MR. POLLACK, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AIDEN ROBINSON.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG AND MEMBERS OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JOEY POLLACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ACTIVATE SA AND THE LEAD ORGANIZER OF THE COMPLETE STREETS COALITION. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE PASSAGE OF THE NEW AND UPDATED COMPLETE STREETS POLICY AND THE VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN. BOTH IMPORTANT IN THEIR OWN RIGHTS BUT BY PASSING THESE POLICIES SHOWS YOUR COMMITMENT TOWARD A SAFER SAN ANTONIO FOR ALL ROADWAY USERS. WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND THANK THEM FOR THE ROLE IN LEADING THESE EFFORTS.
AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE SAN ANTONIO COMPLETE STREETS COALITION FOR THEIR TIME AND ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. WE ARE A DIVERSE GROUP OF LOCAL LEADERS, A NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ALL UNITED IN OUR SUPPORT FOR AN UPDATED POLICY TO IMPROVE STREET SAFETY AND PROMOTE ACTIVE LIVING FOR ALL SAN ANTONIANS. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SUPPORT PROVIDED TO ACTIVATE SA AND THE COMPLETE STREETS COALITION BRI THE COLLABORATION FOR EQUITABLE HEALTH POWERED BY BANK OF AMERICA WHO SEE THIS UPDATE TO OUR CITY'S COMPLETE STREETS POLICY AS A BIG STEP FORWARD TOWARDS ADVANCING EQUITABLE HEALTH IN SAN ANTONIO. FOR A CITY WHERE PEDESTRIANS, CYCLIST, OR MOTORIST DEATHS ARE FAR TOO OFTEN AN OCCURRENCE IN THE NIGHTLY NEWS, THESE OCCURRENCES ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ENSURE WE CAN FEEL MORE EMPOWERED TO MOVE FREELY THROUGH A CONNECTED, SAFE, RESILIENT, AND EQUITABLE SAN ANTONIO FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
HOWEVER, AS DEMONSTRATED IN THESE DOCUMENTS, WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE A GREATER PRIORITY AND ROLE IN SAFETY AND COMFORT OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE ROAD USERS, PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS. FINALLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FORWARD-THINKING APPROACH FOR SMARTER AND SAFER TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES IN SAN ANTONIO. ESPECIALLY THIS MORNING WITH THE ADOPTION OF THIS NEW
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY AND VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. POLLACK. AIDEN ROBINSON FOLLOWED BY LORI DAY.
[00:50:05]
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, STAFF, AND CITY MANAGER.
I APPRECIATE -- I'M JUST HERE REALLY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK, DUE DILIGENCE, INCLUSION, AND CONNECTION WITH THIS CITY.
IT REALLY HAS MADE THINGS BETTER AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OF COURSE MY FELLOWS AT LOCAL 2021.
WE APPRECIATE YOU HEARING OURSELVES AND THE PUBLIC AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE. THAT'S ALL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, MR. ROBINSON. LORI DAY FOLLOWED BY DIANA. >> MY NAME IS LORI DAY.
I'M THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR DISABILITY SA. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE STREETS POLICY. IT IS DEDICATED TO ENGAGING INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE DISABLED COMMUNITY. WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
THIS POLICY CONSIDERS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS ENHANCING SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ACCESSIBILITY BY INCORPORATING DISABILITY-FRIENDLY LANGUAGE AND STRATEGIES AND AIMS TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS OUR CITY DEVELOPS.
HAVING PARTICIPATED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS, WE RECOGNIZE THE EFFORT THAT WENT INTO CAPTURING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK. THIS POLICY SHOWS THAT WE CAN CREATE MORE INCLUSIVE TRANSIT OPTIONS, FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR ALL USERS, NOT JUST MOTORISTS. MANY RESIDENTS IN SAN ANTONIO, INCLUDING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND ALTERNATIVE MOBILITY OPTIONS. BY ADOPTING THE COMPLETE STREETS PRINCIPLES WE CAN SERVE THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE ADOPTION ALIGNS WITH THE UPDATED VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN. THESE INITIATIVES SHARE THE GOAL OF IMPROVING SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE IN SAN ANTONIO.
TOGETHER THEY WILL CREATE MORE INCLUSIVE TRANSPORTATION THAT HELPS ALL RESIDENTS MOVE AROUND OUR CITY SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY.
THANK YOU TO THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT FOR LEADING THIS POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND THANK YOU TO CITY COUNCIL FOR WORKING TO ADOPT THIS
MUCH-NEEDED POLICY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DION
ARREGAS FOLLOWED BY JIM HARNESS . >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY Y'ALL HAVE THIS MEETING SO EARLY SO A LOT OF THEM CAN COME.
BUT, ANYWAYS, JUST LIKE GUSTAVO SAID, HE SAID WE THE PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF FAITH.
AND Y'ALL ARE BREAKING OUR FAITH BY NOT HELPING THE PEOPLE FROM HERE.
WE PLEDGE TO OUR FLAG RIGHT THERE. ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
Y'ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES FOR NOT HELPING THE PEOPLE FROM HERE.
THE BUDGET IS ABOUT HELPING, FIXING THE CITY, NOT TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM IT.
THE NELSON WOLFF STADIUM COULD HAVE BEEN USED INSTEAD OF REBUILDING.
WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER STADIUM. THEY COULD USE THAT ONE.
HE'S A BILLIONAIRE. WE DON'T NEED OUR MONIES TO BE GOING TO A BILLIONAIRE TO BUILD A STADIUM WHEN HE'S A BILLIONAIRE. HE COULD PAY FOR IT, HIS OWN WAY IF HE WANTS THAT STADIUM FOR REAL. YEAH, WE DON'T MIND IT BUT DON'T TAKE OUR MONEY FROM THE BONDS AND GIVE IT TO HIM, LOAN IT TO HIM.
WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT MONEY BACK.
IF I'M STILL ALIVE TO SEE IT. WE'RE TAXPAYERS, SIR, AND WE DON'T WANT OUR TAXES RAISED BECAUSE OF IT. RAISING UP THE VALUES OF OUR HOMES AND PROPERTIES. PLEASE, SIR, WE VOTED FOR YOU ALL.
[00:55:10]
WE THE CITIZENS FROM SAN ANTONIO VOTED FOR YOU ALL FOR YOU TO DO RIGHT BY US, NOT BREAK OUR FAITH. IT'S JUST LIKE THE SONG OF KING DAVID, RIGHT? YOU WANT TO HEAR IT? OUR PEOPLE NEED HOUSING. OUR PEOPLE NEED DRAINAGE.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. >> PLEASE DO RIGHT BY US.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JIM HARINSURANCE FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK WITH YOU BRIEFLY.
LAST FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT THE SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC OPENED ITS THIRD SEASON. IT WAS A BRILLIANT CONCERT. NANCY JAO PLAYED VIOLIN.
SHE GREW UP IN SAN ANTONIO. BUT SHE'S GONE. THE REST OF THE MUSICIANS, THEY LIVE HERE. THEY RAISE THEIR FAMILIES, PAY TAXES.
THEY PLAY WITH LOCAL CHAMBER GROUPS. THE PHILHARMONIC DOES THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS IN VARIOUS MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THEY PLAY REGULARLY AT CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES.
THEY PLAY WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS. BUT MOST IMPORTANT THEY TEACH AND COACH SAN ANTONIO YOUTH MUSICIANS THROUGH THE ORCHESTRA.
THEY TEACH AT LOCAL SCHOOLS AND GIVE PRIVATE LESSONS. THAT'S THE BEST KIND OF K TEACHING. ONE-ON-ONE, THAT'S THE GREEK MODEL.
SO THEY'RE PART OF THE FABRIC OF SAN ANTONIO AND THEY, LIKE YOU, ARE SERVING SAN ANTONIO. AND I THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THEM IN YOUR BUDGET. AND THEY LIFT OUR SPIRITS, THE MUSICIANS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. JACK FINGER.
>> WELL, MADAME MAYOR PRO TEM AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. I PRESUME YOU WANT ME TO -- I SIGNED UP FOR SEVERAL OF THESE ITEMS, I ASSUME YOU WANT ME TO SPEAK ON ALL OF THEM HERE. EVERY YEAR Y'ALL SAY THAT Y'ALL HAVE KEPT THE TAX RATES LOW. YOU HAVE NOT RAISED TAXES. SO WHY IS OUR TAX BILL ALWAYS UP TO 100 BUCKS MORE, SEVERAL HUNDRED MORE BUCKS EVERY YEAR GOING TO THE CITY? MORE INCOME FOR THIS YEAR. AND STILL YOU CANNOT GIVE US EVEN A MEAGER TAX CUT.
EVEN ACCOUNTING FOR 2.5% INFLATION LIKE THE FEDS SAY IT IS.
2.5%. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT. THAT STILL GETS US ANOTHER 2% OR 3% MORE MONEY. AND STILL YOU SAY YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY ALL OUR CITY'S BILLS. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND MORE WAY TO CUT OR FIND MORE REVENUE SOMEHOW. A CREATIVE SUGGESTION. WHY DON'T YOU TRY TO TRIM THE FAT ON OUR CITY'S BUDGET? YOU KNOW, LIKE CUTTING DOWN THE -- WHAT I CALL THE PLAYGROUNDS THAT WE SPEND OUR MONEY ON SUCH AS THE ARTS AND CULTURAL DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE ARTS AGENCIES THAT OF COURSE
[01:00:01]
PROMOTE -- ALWAYS PROMOTE THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA, LIKE THE ESPERANZA PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER. THE ABORTION AGENDA AS WELL. YEAH.I DON'T EVER SEE Y'ALL CUTTING THOSE DOWN. YOU COULD BE SHIFTING THE MONIES AROUND AND HELPING US POOR GUYS WHO PAY THE FREIGHT.
BUT, NO, YOU SAY YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE OUR FEES IN VARIOUS PLACES HERE. JUST HOW MUCH AND WHAT PLACES? WELL, BLOW IT UP A LITTLE BIT MORE, IF YOU WOULD THERE. INCREASE THE TRANSPORTATION OF DECEASED.
IT USED TO BE ZERO AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE $25. WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO INCREASE? THE NOTARY FROM THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE FROM ZERO TO -- WHAT IS IT $10? ANOTHER INFINITELY MORE PERCENTAGE INCREASE.
FOR A SIGNATURE? I LIKE THAT LAST ONE ON THE BOTTOM.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE IN CASE YOU HAVE TO TAKE AN AMBULANCE WITH THE CITY.
FROM $1,000 TO WHAT? $1500. A 50% INCREASE.
THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. NEXT UP, TONI HARKINS FOLLOWED BY APRIL DIXON.
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAME MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS TONI HARKINS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
I AM A RETIRED PERSON WHO IS LIVING CAR-FREE. I GET AROUND BY BICYCLE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. I'M ONE OF THE PEOPLE MR. HERRERA MENTIONED WHO IS HOPING TO AGE IN PLACE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. RIGHT NOW I GET AROUND PRETTY WELL BY BIKE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA PRETTY MUCH FROM SOUTHTOWN UP TO MONTE VISTA AND ACROSS TO THE MONTICELLO AREA. THAT'S WHERE I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME IN THOSE AREAS. FROM THERE OUTWARDS IN THE CITY MY FEELING OF SAFETY FALLS DOWN SHARPLY COMPLETE STREETS WOULD REALLY HELP TO ALLEVIATE THAT, TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFER AND MORE WELCOME IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY. ONE ITEM FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION POLICY OF THE COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM IS WHAT THEY CALL A QUICK BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES, WHICH IS WHERE YOU GO TO AN INTERSECTION THAT HAS PROBLEMS. YOU CAN USE PAINT, FLOWER PLANTERS, AND OTHER TEMPORARY MEASURES TO REDESIGN THAT INTERSECTION AND ENGAGE THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN EVALUATING HAS THAT MADE IT SAFER? HAS THAT IMPEDED TRANSPORTATION IN ANY WAY? HAS IT IMPROVED THE AREA? THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF CHANGES THAT I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING. SOME DAY I'LL BE CHANGING FROM BICYCLE TO A MOBILITY SCOOTER AND I HOPE TO STILL BE AGING IN PLACE IN SAN
ANTONIO. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, MS. HARKINS. APRIL DIXON. >> HELLO, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY STAFF. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS SUPPORT. I'VE WORKED WITH THEM BEFORE AND I'M VERY EXCITED THAT Y'ALL ARE SUPPORTING THEM. THANK YOU FOR LEVERAGING THE CONTRACT WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION. I APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL.
GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC. I HAVE SUPPORTED AND VOLUNTEERED WITH ORCHESTRAS IN SAN ANTONIO, PHILADELPHIA, HOUSTON, AND SEATTLE AND KNOW THE POWER OF MUSIC. THE POWER THAT IT HAS TO UNIFY AND TO HEAL.
[01:05:01]
AND I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE DIRECTION THAT THE SAN SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC IS GOING IN. IT IS BRINGING DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE REPERTOIRE.PREVIOUSLY MARGINALIZED COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, MUSICIANS.
AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT ITS MOVE TO THE WEST SIDE. IT'S POTENTIALLY HAVING ITS OWN HOME TO GENERATE ITS OWN REVENUE STREAMS. AND ITS IMPACT ON STUDENTS THAT CAN HEAR AND SEE REPRESENTATION OF THEMSELVES FOR ALL OF SAN ANTONIO, NOT JUST CERTAIN ZIP CODES. SO I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND SERVING. I APPRECIATE Y'ALL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. DIXON. ALL RIGHT.
THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP FOR ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10. I'LL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION
FOR ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10. WE'LL BEGIN OUR DISCUSSION. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PROCEED WITH OUR COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET ITEMS. AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE DISCUSSION.
ALL THE ITEMS ARE RELATED TO THE CITY BUDGET. IF YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND QUEUE UP. WE'LL BEGIN. WE'LL START WITH
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
TODAY MARKS THE CULMINATION OF MONTHS OF HARD WORK. AS WE LOOK TO ADOPT A $3.96 BILLION BALANCED BUDGET, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND ESPECIALLY THE DISTRICT 3 RESIDENTS THAT REACHED OUT TO ME, MET WITH ME OR MY STAFF ON THIS ISSUE.
FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HERE IN THE CITY WHO WORKED VERY HARD ON THIS BUDGET. MY UTMOST PRIORITY IS TO ENSURE THAT MY CONSTITUENTS' PRIORITIES ARE MET WHILE STRIVING TO FIND A BALANCE THAT BENEFITS THE OTHER NINE DISTRICTS. I KNEW BACK IN APRIL, WALKING INTO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, THAT IT WOULD BE A CHALLENGING YEAR. JUSTINA, CRAFTING A BUDGET THAT TRULY REFLECTS THE CORE PRIORITIES OF THE CITY TAKES PATIENCE, SKILL, AND A WHOLE LOT OF CREATIVITY. COUNCIL'S OBJECTIVE WAS TO OFFER POLICY DIRECTION.
SOMETIMES THAT WAS COMPLETELY CLEAR. SOMETIMES IT WAS A MUDDY LITTLE MESS. SO THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR BEST AND REALLY WORKING TO GET US HERE TODAY. YOU AND YOUR TEAM WORKED ALL SUMMER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL. SO IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND UP? IS THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT HERE? NO, THEY'RE STILL WORKING. WELL, THANK YOU AND THE DEPARTMENT.
I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. MARIA, I KNOW YOU'RE HERE SOMEWHERE. YOU'VE BEEN A KEY PLAYER TO THIS BUDGET AND ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO BE ABLE TO MEET WITH ME ABOUT CONCERNS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND, ERIK, WE'VE HAD LONG DISCUSSIONS OVER THIS BUDGET AND YOU ALWAYS MADE TIME TO MEET WITH ME AND UNDERSTAND DISTRICT 3 PRIORITIES WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY AND MY DISTRICT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR EFFORT.
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET HAS NO INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY TAX RATE, WHICH MARKS THE 32ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITHOUT CITY TAX RATE INCREASES. THAT IS QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT BUT I DO WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DISCUSSED TODAY. WHAT THIS MORNING DEMONSTRATES IS OUR STRONG COMMITMENT TO INVESTING IN OUR CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO CAME OUT AND TALKED ABOUT COMPLETE STREETS, BECAUSE WE WANT VISION ZERO INITIATIVES AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES TO HAPPEN. PUBLIC WORKS IS ALSO FOCUSING ON SUSTAINABILITY WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING ALLOCATED FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, TREE PLANTING, AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING IN THE COOL PAVEMENT PROGRAM.
THESE INVESTMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS OUR CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN, MAKING SAN ANTONIO MORE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
THIS BUDGET INCLUDES PROJECTS SPECIFIC TO EVERY DISTRICT.
EACH COUNCIL WILL SEE DIRECT INVESTMENTS IN STREET REPAIRS, SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENTS, AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AND IN TERMS OF MUNICIPAL FACILITIES, I WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER AND THE TEAM AND MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THE FATHER RAMON CENTER AS WE SAW A BUILDING, BECAUSE OF POOR SOIL, JUST BECOME UNUSABLE. THE CITY IS MAKING IT A PRIORITY TO MAKE THAT RIGHT. CODE ENFORCEMENT, AGAIN, IS A PRIORITY IN DISTRICT 3.
I WANT TO THANK MY PROACTIVE RESIDENTS LIKE FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER TOMMY ADKISSON
[01:10:03]
IN HIGHLAND HILLS. AND JOY MCGILL WHO MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS PROBLEMATIC LOCATIONS AND BAD ACTORS. MY TEAM ACTUALLY GOES OUT QUARTERLY WITH TOMMY ADKISSON TO FIND THOSE STREETS AND THOSE PROBLEM AREAS. DSD IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR DISTRICT AND EACH BUDGET YEAR MY CONSTITUENTS CONSISTENTLY REQUEST ADDITIONAL OFFICERS.I WAS HAPPY TO SEE MORE COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ARE LOOKING FOR THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, BECAUSE WE ALL WANT TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IN ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY, WE ALL KNOW IT IS IN THE TOP PRIORITY AND AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT INTO THE RECORD SUPPORT FROM SEVEN DISTRICT 3 REGISTERED NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS REGARDING THE $30 MILLION ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET FOR THE 65 ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES.
THIS WAS HIGHLAND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, DR. GEORGE HINOJOSA JR., HIGHLAND PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AARON GALLEGO, HOT WELLS MISSION REACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, BRADY ALEXANDER, PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, JOHNNY MORROW. SHA-RONE REYES AND THE VIA CORONADO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. IF ANYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH DISTRICT 3, Y'ALL KNOW IT IS A FEAT THAT I GOT ALL OF THOSE SEVEN PRESIDENTS TO SEND ME ONE E-MAIL FOR SUPPORT SO I WANT TO THANK YOU, CITY, FOR DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB AND FOR THE SAFFE OFFICERS BEING PRESENT. THAT IS WHAT SPOKE TO THEM. THEN I HAVE TO GIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS WHO WORKED REALLY HARD THIS YEAR WITH THE CITY TO GET US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE HAVE A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WHERE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE NEW FIRE STATION REPLACEMENTS, HOPEFULLY NEW FIRE STATIONS BUILT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, ESPECIALLY THE FIREFIGHTERS AS THEY ADDRESS SO MANY ISSUES AND HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT A LOT OF FANFARE THESE PAST FEW YEARS AFTER COVID. THE THING I ALSO WANT TO DISCUSS WHILE I HAVE TIME IS OUR COSA EMPLOYEES AND OUR FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.
I AM VERY EXCITED THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THE STEP PAY PLAN.
THANK YOU, AFSCME FOR BEING HERE AND WORKING SO HARD THAT WE GOT THE CIVILIAN ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASED TO 3%. I STILL THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR BUDGET WHEN WE DO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THAT 3% TO 4%.
WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD WORK THAT OUR CITY EMPLOYEES DO.
WE NEED TO RETAIN EMPLOYEES. WE DO THAT THROUGH PAY. SO WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT CREATIVE WAYS ON HOW WE SUFFICIENTLY COMPENSATE OUR EMPLOYEES HERE WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO SO WE CAN RETAIN OUR EMPLOYEES HERE AT SAN ANTONIO.
BUT WHAT WE DID THIS BUDGET SESSION WITH THE 3%, I THINK IS A GREAT START AND CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THAT WAGE COMPRESSION ISSUE. NOT FINALLY, BECAUSE THE OTHER IS IACS, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. MIKE SHANNON, YOU'RE IN THE ROOM, I EXPECT YOU TO DO A LOT OF HARD WORK AND I THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH OUR RESIDENTS, EMILY AND GEORGE, AND MAKING SURE THESE VOICES ARE HEARD.
FINALLY, I WANT TO TALK ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE ARE INVESTING $44.2 MILLION INTO HOMELESS SERVICES. WE ARE COMING IN WITH $35.5 MILLION TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE CITY HAS PRIORITIZED HOUSING ISSUES HERE. WE NEED TO STAY ON THAT DIRECTION.
IT IS IMPERATIVE. IT IS IMPORTANT. WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES.
AND IF WHAT THAT BUDGET SAYS, FROM EVERYTHING FROM THE ADDITIONAL NAMP DOLLARS WE'RE GETTING TO THE DELEGATE AGENCIES THAT WE SUPPORT IS WE WANT TO MOVE IN A DIRECTION THAT INCLUDES ALL AND UNDERSTANDS ALL. AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ISSUES THAT SOME ARE SAYING WANT TO MAKE IT BLACK OR WHITE BUT WE ARE LOOKING COMPREHENSIVELY AT HOW WE HAVE AFFORDABILITY CITYWIDE. TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE WORKFORCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND I THINK NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO STAY ON THAT TRACK. SO I WANT TO THANK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
WITH TODAY'S VOTE WE ARE LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR A STRONGER, MORE INCLUSIVE
[01:15:02]
CITY. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET AS IT REPRESENTS OUR VISION FOR A THRIVING SAN ANTONIO AND ENSURES WE MEET THE NEEDS OFALL OUR CONSTITUENTS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. DO WE HAVE OUR BUDGET FOLKS HERE? I KNOW IT'S JUGS STEIN IN A AND -- JUSTINA AND MARIA, BUT DID YOU DUST THEM OFF? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. I SAY THIS AT EVERY BUDGET AND I MEAN IT. AND TODAY THIS BUDGET IS VERY POIGNANT AND IMPORTANT.
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE LAST BUDGET I VOTE ON AS A CITY COUNCIL MAN AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, I'M RALLY PROUD OF YOU GUYS. THE PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING ARE SAN ANTONIANS SERVING SAN ANTONIANS AND THE BUDGET IS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF Y'ALL'S CONSCIENCE, YOUR VALUES AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THE CITY.
AND I THINK THAT'S GLOSSED OVER SOMETIMES. THE PROBLEM WITH BUDGETS IS THAT THEY ARE IMPERFECT DOCUMENTS AND THEY ARE DOCUMENTS THAT CAPTURE AND TELL THE STORY OF A PROBLEM IN THE CITY AND THAT IS THAT THERE IS LIMITLESS NEEDS BUT THERE'S LIMITLESS RESOURCES. AND THE ART OF BUDGETING IS TRYING TO ADDRESS AS MANY AS POSSIBLE WHILE BEING EQUITABLE AND REALIZING YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY. IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO HEAR FOLKS SOMETIMES AFTER THE BUDGET, ENDURING THE BUDGET, YOU KNOW, SAY YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT US, RIGHT? AND NAME YOUR CAUSE. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT CAUSE BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE BUDGET. I'LL TELL ANYBODY WHO BELIEVES THAT AND THINKS WE ON THE DAIS AND THE FOLKS IN THE CI DON'T CARE, YOU ARE WRONG.
THEY DO CARE A LOT AND THEY ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND I'M PROUD OF THEM.
THANK YOU FOR POURING ALL OF THAT HARD WORK ON THIS AND ALL OF YOU DESERVE SUNDAY OFF. JUST SUNDAY BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK.
I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS. THIS BUDGET INCLUDES THE RESULTS OF SOME HARD-KNUCKLE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION AND THE CITY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS. THEY WILL BE A SEPARATE ITEM WHERE WE VOTE ON THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE ONE TO TELL YOU GUYS I'M PROUD OF YOU GUYS TOO. YOU GUYS ARE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT RUN TOWARDS THE ROAR OF FIRES WHILE THE REST OF US RUN AWAY FROM FIRESMENT YOU DESERVE TO BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE SACRIFICE YOU MAKE. I'M IMPRESSED BY HOW CLASSY AND ELEGANT YOU GUYS HANDLED THESE NEGOTIATIONS. I THINK YOU PROVED TODAY THAT THERE'S A MARKED CHANGE IN -- A MARKED CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT WE CONDUCT OURSELVES FROM THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS OF BOTH THE CITY AND THE FIRE UNION, AND I THINK THAT TODAY IS PROOF THAT WE'RE ALL BETTER OFF BECAUSE OF CHANGED PERSONALITIES IN THE ROOM AND CALM, REASONABLE ADULTS AT THE TABLE.
THANKS TO THE FIREFIGHTER TEAM FOR BEING THE CLASSY FOLKS THAT YOU ARE.
I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE IN ADVANCE THE DOZENS OF POLICE OFFICERS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING TO THE FORCE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK YOU ARE GOING TO BE DOING ON BEHALF OF MY NEIGHBORS AND KEEPING THEM SAFE AS WELL.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT NOBODY FORGET SAFETY IS ON THE VERY, VERY TOP OF THE LIST OF OUR OBLIGATIONS, OUR FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS TO THE VOTERS IN THE CITY AND I THINK WE'RE DELIVERING ON THAT TODAY. I ALSO BELIEVE WITH REGARDS TO THE DELEGATE AGENCIES THAT GOT FUNDED AND THROUGH THE AMENDMENT PROCESS, I THINK WE DID RIGHT BY YOU GUYS. EACH OF YOU DESERVES MORE THAN YOU ARE GETTING, BUT, AGAIN, WE ARE HAMSTRUNG BY MATHEMATICS AND THE LIMITED NUMBER OF DOLLARS. I DON'T WANT THIS MOMENT TO PASS -- YESTERDAY WE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT CPS ENERGY AND WHAT TO DO AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE WOULD BE A WINDFALL AND EXTRA MONEY, BUT I THINK THAT'S BEING LOST IN THAT CONVERSATION IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO RUN CPS AND WORK ON THE FRONT LINE IN THE OCEAN OF CUBICLES OVER THERE, THEY ARE SAN ANTONIANS TOO AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE REASON WE GET TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE PRODUCED FROM CPS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE FACT THEY ARE ABLE TO SELL ENERGY TO NON-SAN ANTONIANS OUTSIDE OF THIS MARKET AND REALLY, REALLY LIVE UP TO THE BUSINESS CASE THAT THEY PROMISED US, THE BUSINESS PLAN THAT THEY
[01:20:06]
WOULD BE AN ORGANIZATION THAT DOESN'T JUST PROVIDE ENERGY TO US BUT THAT ALSO IS COMPETITIVE WITH ALL THE UTILITIES IN THE NATION AND THEY'VE DELIVERED ON THAT.THEY ARE THE BEST MUNICIPALLY-OWNED UTILITY IN THE NATION AND RUDY GARZA MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT PASS ON THE THANKS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN IN YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE AND WONDER WHAT IT IS WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING WITH THE REVENUE FROM CPS. ERIK AND I'VE TALKED TO AN END ABOUT THIS JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, I CAME IN HERE TODAY, GOT THE MEMO, I SEE THE LIST OF 11 EXPENDITURE ADJUSTMENTS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE PHILHARMONIC DIDN'T MAKE IT AND I KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION. WHY IS IT OFF OF THE MEMO, THE PHILHARMONIC ITEM? AND I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WHEN COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ ASKED DO WE NEED TO MENTION THESE THINGS TODAY OR DO THEY STAY ON THE MEMO AND THE ANSWER IS THEY STAY ON THE MEMO. I JUST NEED THE ANSWERS BECAUSE I DID HEAR THE PLEAS FROM THE PHILHARMONIC. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS
CHANGED AND IF SOMEBODY CAN GIVE US THE DETAILS. >> WALSH: THANKS, COUNCILMAN. SO THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES -- LET ME GO BACK TO TUESDAY. ON TUESDAY WE PRODUCED THE LIST OF ISSUES THAT WE HEARD DURING THE WORK SESSION, AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES A LITTLE OVER $111,000 IN THE ARTS AND CULTURAL BUDGET FOR THE PHILHARMONIC PENDING THE SUBMISSION OF THEIR 990S IN THE FALL. IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT MADE IT TO WEDNESDAY'S LIST AND THEREFORE NOT ON TODAY'S LIST. WE DID NOT SOLVE FOR IT IN TERMS OF AMENDMENTS, BUT THERE IS MONEY IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE
PHILHARMONIC. >> PELÁEZ: OKAY. AND THEN, ANDY, I SAW YOU LEANING TOWARDS THE MIC, I UNDERSTAND THAT AS OF TODAY THERE IS NOW A LAWSUIT
PENDING. CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT? >> SEGOVIA: IT'S BEEN REPORTED THAT THERE ARE SOME ISSUES BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE PHILHARMONIC, BUT WE DID GET A COPY OF A LAWSUIT. WE CAN DISCUSS THAT, BUT I PREFER TO DISCUSS THAT IN
EXEC IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THAT FURTHER. >> PELÁEZ: I WOULD AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF WE WOULD SET ASIDE SOME MINUTES TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER.
LASTLY, I WILL TELL YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ON CITY COUNCIL HEAR IT ALL THE TIME AND THERE'S FOLKS OUT THERE WHO SAY THE FOLLOWING. CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS. CITY COUNCIL IS ANTI-SMALL BUSINESS.
AND IF YOU CARED ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS, YOU WOULD INVEST IN SMALL BUSINESS.
I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT, WHILE I'VE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL AND WHILE ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL, WE HAVE INVESTED -- I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS GOING TO DISAGREE, WE HAVE INVESTED HISTORIC AMOUNTS IN SMALL BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY ARE IMPORTANT. EVERYBODY CALLS THEM THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY. IT'S TRUE. AGAIN, DESPITE THE FACT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT SENDING US MORE COVID RELIEF FUNDS, AGAIN WE ARE MAKING SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS BY FOCUSING ON THE PILLARS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, ACCESS TO FLEXIBLE CAPITAL, SUSTAINABILITY AND COORDINATION EFFORTS.
THE EFFORTS LIKE THE ZERO PERCENT INTEREST RAM, MY TWO COLLEAGUES, CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION GRANTS, SUPPORTING LAUNCH SA, ALL OF THOSE AIM TO STRENGTHEN SMALL BUSINESS. SO HE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ONE VERY HEAVY CALLY CLEAR. IF ANYBODY GREASE, TELL ME, THIS COUNCIL IS 100% COMMITTED TO SMALL BUSINESS. ANY SAN ANTONIAN TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS MISINFORMED AND THAT'S OKAY, OR THEY ARE TRYING TO MISINFORM YOU. THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO THINK THAT THEY ARE MINING FOR POLITICAL GOLD IN THE HILLS OF MISINFORMATION BY TELLING YOU THAT WE ARE NOT SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS, BUT WE ARE.
WE SPENT A TON OF TIME TALKING ON THIS DAIS ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP SMALL BUSINESS. BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, WE ALL KNOW THAT WE'RE WORSE OFF.
THANK YOU TO ALL MY COUNCILMEMBERS WHO HAVE SHOWN UP APPEAR PARTICIPATED IN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES AND THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO FIGHT
FOR THE MAYOR. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
[01:25:02]
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.>> HAVRDA: THANKS, MAYOR. TODAY IS EXCITING. I KNOW IT'S KIND OF NERDY, BUT BUDGET IS OUR NUMBER ONE JOB SO I GET REALLY EXCITED TODAY.
THERE'S A SENSE OF RELIEF AND ACCOMPLISHMENT WHETHER WE GET TO THIS DAY.
FOR THE STAFF THAT PUT ALL THE SURVEYS TOGETHER, ORGANIZED THE TOWN HALLS IN EVERY DISTRICT, CRUNCHED NUMBERS AND LISTENED TO US ON THE DAIS FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, THIS WAS HARD WORK. THANK YOU.
THANKS TO THE MANY SAN ANTONIANS WHO PARTICIPATED. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF A COUPLE TOWN HALLS AND THEY WERE LIVELY. WE PUT OUT A SURVEY AND THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT SPENDING AREAS WERE INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY AND PARKS, IN THAT ORDER. DO THE DISTRICT 6 COMMUNITY, I'LL SAY THIS BUDGET DELIVERS ON THEIR TOP CONCERNS.
THE BUDGET HAS A TOTAL OF $122 MILLION FOR STREETS AND 21.5 MILLION FOR SIDEWALKS.
WE COMPLETED MORE THAN 11 MILES OF SIDEWALK IN DISTRICT 6 THIS YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADD MORE. THANKS TO LILY AND ALEC FOR COMING TO SPEAK WITH US THIS MORNING. JOEY, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU ARE STILL HERE, BUT YOU GOT TO FEEL GOOD TODAY. YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PLAN FOR A WHILE.
THANKS FOR TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF STREETS AND MULTIMODAL PLANNING.
THIS MAKES OUR CITY BETTER. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION.
I SHOULD GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO SHIRLEY GONZALES. I THINK SHE WOULD BE REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THIS HAPPENING TODAY. OUR POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS IN THE ROOM, WOULD YOU STAND UP? PROBABLY ALREADY STANDING.
YOU NEVER SIT DOWN. THE BUDGET MOVES FORWARD -- [APPLAUSE] THE BUDGET MOVES FORWARD WITH OUR PROACTIVE PATROL PLAN SHOOTING FOR A BALANCE OF 60% PROACTIVE TIME AND 40% ON CALL. WE'RE ADDING 65 OFFICERS TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THE PLAN ALSO INCLUDES 15 NEW FIREFIGHTERS TO STAFF THREE SQUAD UNITS WHICH WILL HELP WITH MEDICAL CALLS. THERE'S 44.2 MILLION FOR HOMELESS SERVICES WHICH WILL COVER PREVENTION, OUTREACH, SHELTERING, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RAPID REHOUSING 5:00 CLEANUP EFFORTS INCLUDING 1300 ENCAMPMENTS. THERE'S A $117 MILLION FOR INVESTMENT IN PARKS.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO MENTION FROM RESTAURANT CHECKS, PASSPORT SERVICES, TRASH PICKUPS. EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES IS COVERED IN THIS BUDGET. FOR ME THE BUDGET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB WE HAVE AND I BELIEVE ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS I WAS ELECTED TO DO.
IT'S KIND OF A TESTAMENT TO TEAM WORK AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THE CITY CAN KEEP RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND TACKLING THE IMPORTANT STUFF. IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY BUT IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE BUDGET INCLUDES A SUCCESSFUL CONTRACT FROM TIME TO TIME WITH OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
I CONGRATULATE MARIA AND HERE TEAM AT THE SAN ANTONIO PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION. THIS CONTRACT, I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH, THIS IS TO IMPORTANT I THINK TO OUR COMMUNITY. INCLUDES A 20% WAGE INCREASE COVERED OVER THREE YEARS, GIVING OUR FAMILIES THE STABILITY THEY NEED TO SEND THEM OFF EVERY DAY. THIS WAS ENDORSED BY 97% OF THE UNION.
THE OVERWHELMING APPROVAL HIGHLIGHTS THE STRONG SUPPORT WITHIN THE RANKS, A TESTAMENT TO THE HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT OF BOTH THE FIREFIGHTERS AND OUR CITY STAFF. IT ENSURES FAIR COMPENSATION AND STRENGTHENS THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THOSE WHO SERVE ON THE FRONT LINES OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO STAFF FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
THANKS TO -- AS WELL TO MY COLLEAGUES AND THEIR STAFFS FOR REACHING OUT TO COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR INTERESTS. WE'RE ALL BETTER FOR IT.
LET'S MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER IN THE COMING YEAR WITH CLEAR FOCUS ON PRIORITIES KNOWING THIS BUDGET IS A PRACTICAL STEP TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE REAL NEEDS OF
OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND I'LL START OFF BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND THANKING EVERYONE ON THE BUDGET TEAM FOR THEIR HARD WORK. IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE THAT YOU ALL PUT TOGETHER SUCH GREAT DOCUMENTS WITH SUCH SHORT TIME.
EVEN WITH THE AMENDMENT PROCESS, THANK YOU -- I KNOW YOU ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO.
THEN ALSO TO MY DISTRICT 4 TEAM FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE ASKING ALL THE RIGHT QUESTIONS FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ET CETERA. I'M HAPPY TO SEE SOME OF THE MUCH NEEDED CHANGES COMING TO DISTRICT 4 SO WE HAVE A CONSTRUCTION OF THREE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT INGRAM MILLION WEST WHICH RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AND WE
[01:30:08]
WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. AT OLD PEER IS A AND MEDINA BASE ROAD, I KNOW THE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO BE EXCITED. A COMPLETE HVAC REPLACEMENT AT THE LIAR BROTHERS AND THAT'S A -- LIBRARIES BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS GO TO THE LIBRARIES. SOME PARKS HAVE THOUGHT THEY'VE BEEN FORGOTTEN AND THE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT WEST ANSLEY BOULEVARD.CAPITAL BUDGET THAT WE HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE. I AM PROUD TO BE THE LIAISON FOR ASIA AND WE HAVE THE ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER THAT HAS RECEIVED FUNDING, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY WHO WORKED HARD ON THAT INCLUDING FORMER COUNCILWOMAN CHAN. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK YOU ALL DID IN ADVOCATING FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO GET WHAT THEY DESERVE. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ALL CAME TO THE TABLE AND WORKED WITH MARIA AND LIZ AND HER TEAM. WE ALSO HAVE $2.9 MILLION FOR FIRE PROTECTION. SOME OF THE MUCH NEEDED LOVE THAT SOME OF THE FIRE STATIONS NEED IS COMING AND SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND THEN WE HAVE $3 MILLION BUDGETED FOR OUR HERITAGE COMMUNITY CENTER AND ALSO WITH THE CRISIS NURSERY.
I SAID THE OTHER DAY THAT A LOT OF BABIES IN MY DISTRICT ARE DYING AND WE NEED HELP WITH PREVENTING THAT NEXT CATASTROPHE FROM HAPPENING. AND SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR HELPING GET THAT CRISIS NURSERY FUNDING STARTED.
AND THEN MY HIGHLIGHT AND THE ONE I'LL FOCUS THE REST OF MY COMMENTS ON IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR HEALTH CARE EQUITY.
AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR THE FUTURE OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 90, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.
BECAUSE HEALTH CARE FOR THE SOUTHEAST AND WEST SIDE MEANS HEALTH CARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP US GOING, THE PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER STOP, THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE JOBS THAT SOMETIMES GET FORGOTTEN ABOUT OR ARE NOT A THE FANCY JOBS BUT ARE THE MUCH NEEDED JOBS THAT KEEP OUR ECONOMY GOING.
AND SO THE DEVELOPMENTAL HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ARE NOT NECESSARILY IN OUR PURVIEW AS THE CITY COUNCIL, HOWEVER, THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS IS. AND TODAY WE ARE APPROVING $600,000 IN SEED FUNDING FOR THAT INITIATIVE. AND SO I WANT TO THANK DR.-SHOW I CAN'T AND JEAN RODRIGUEZ WHO HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO WORKING WITH THIS WITH DR. OCHOA.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR VOICING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE 600,000 IN FUNDING. OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCED THE HARM DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC. IT WAS ESPECIALLY DEVASTATING TO FAMILIES OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS MANY OF WHOM, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, LIVE OUT OF HIGHWAY 6 -- SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 90 AND INCLUDE THE WEST AND EAST SIDES.
I'M SURE EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE WHO LOST A LIFE OR LOVED ONE TO THE PANDEMIC.
ALTHOUGH THOSE LIVES CAN'T BE REPLACED, WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THOSE STILL LIVING WITH A LONG-TERM IMPACT THAT WE CAN LIVE WITH.
MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE AND I ATTENDED A BIOMED USA EVENT.
THEY REMINDED US A BIG HEALTH IMPACT OCCURS EVERY DECADE OR SO.
THINK OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THROUGHOUT THE DECADE THAT COMES UP.
THIS INITIATIVE HELPS US PREPARE FOR WHATEVER IT IS COMES OUT NEXT.
AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY, DR. MCLEGAL LAND WHO HAD BEEN WORKING ON MRNA AND BEEN ADVISED NOT TO WORK SO HARD ON IT WAS AWARDED AND IT WAS HIS RESEARCH THAT HELPED DEVELOP THE VACCINES FOR COVID THAT SAVED SO MANY PEOPLE.
SO WHILE OUR COMMUNITY WAS RECOVERING FROM THAT, THEN WE LEARNED THAT THE HOSPITAL, TEXAS VISTA MEDICAL CENTER, WAS GOING TO BE CLOSED LAST YEAR AND IT WAS THE ONLY HOSPITAL THAT SERVED SOME OF THE RESIDENTS THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE.
REGRETTABLY, AND I'VE MENTIONED THIS AND THIS IS THE THIRD TIME AND I WON'T STOP, NO ONE TOOK UP THE CHALLENGE OF BEING CREATIVE. NOBODY EXPONENTIALLY REVISED PLANS TO KEEP THAT HOSPITAL OPEN IN AN AREA THE RESIDENTS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE
[01:35:04]
RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. BUT UNDERSTANDABLY THE EXPERIENCED HOSPITAL SYSTEMS WERE DEALING WITH -- WERE WARY OF DEALING WITH THE OWNERS OF THE HOSPITAL AT THAT TIME. WHEN WE LEARNED OF THE HOSPITAL CLOSING, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CITY MANAGER'S COOPERATION. HE UNDERSTOOD HOW CRITICAL WAS TO SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES AND BUDGETED ADDITIONAL FUNDING.AND I WANT TO THANK OUR FIREFIGHTERS FOR DO THE WORK THEY DO TO MAKE SURE OUR -- TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE EXTRA 11 MINUTES STILL GET SOMEONE TO THE HOSPITAL IN TIME AND TRY TO SAVE THEIR LIVES ON THE WAY. I'M EXCITED ABOUT A NEW HOSPITAL THAT'S BEING CONSTRUCTED ON THE SOUTH SIDE, BUT OUR RESIDENTS CAN'TING WAITING FOR SO MANY YEARS WITH LESS BEDS. THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT'S GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR HEALTH DISPARITIES. THERE'S DOCUMENTED DISPARITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY DOCUMENTED. ONE OF THE MOST STARTLING FACTS IS A 20-YEAR GAP IN LIFE EXPECTANCY FACING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS. THE FACT 100 OUT OF 500 HOSPITAL BEDS IN BEXAR COUNTY ARE IN THE SOUTH IS ALARMING ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW OUR RESIDENTS TRAVEL TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF OUR DISTRICT AND THEY ARE OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
I WANT TO ALSO THANK MY SOUTHSIDE COLLEAGUE, DISTRICT 3 COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN AND MY SOUTH SIDE COLLEAGUE DISTRICT 5 COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
DR. OCHOA HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS NON-STOP AND BEEN A FIERCE ADVOCATE ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE SEES AMPUTATIONS ON THE RISE. SHE CONVINCED US WITH PROPER EARLY AND TEN USE CARE, MOST DIABETIC AMPUTATIONS ARE PREVENTABLE.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING OVER A YEAR ON THIS MUCH THERE'S PEOPLE WHO HAVE AGREED TO PARTNER WITH THIS NEWLY FORMED NON-PROFIT TO DEVELOP THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO BRIDGE THAT 20-YEAR LIFE SPAN GAP. THE SOUTH SIDE IS FINALLY EXPERIENCING INVESTMENT IN GROWTH BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD THE PROACTIVE STEPS TO ADDRESS THOSE HEALTH DISPARITIES. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO METRO HEALTH PARTICIPATING. I KNOW THEY HAVE THE SA FORWARD PLAN.
DR. JACOB, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TEAM AS WELL. I COMMIT TO MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH THIS NEW INITIATIVE. IT'S ESSENTIALLY A COORDINATED, COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY BRINGING OUR PARTNERS TOGETHER.
IT WILL INCREASE SOUTH SIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES INCLUDING HOSPITAL BEDS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE AREA WHERE THE HOSPITAL WAS ON BARLITE.
IT WILL RAISE LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND BUILD SYSTEMIC PUBLIC HEALTH-GUIDED IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS ACCESS TO HOUSING, STREETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND GREEN AND RECREATIONAL AREAS. AND IT WILL GENERATE A LARGE PIPELINE OF RESIDENTS IN -- ALLIED HEALTH CAREER PROGRAMS AIMED AT SERVICES IN OUR OWN UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES. AND I KNOW IT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE LAST WEEK WHEN OUR TEAM MET WITH THE SOUTH BEXAR SUPERINTENDENTS, THEY EXPRESSED WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT AND THEY ASKED THAT WE WORK WITH THEM TO CREATE A HEALTH CAREERS MAGNATE SCHOOL THAT THEY COULD SEND STUDENTS TO.
WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT AS PART OF THE FIRST INITIATIVES.
I WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BELIEVING IN US. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR INCLUDING IN THIS THIS IN THE BUDGET WHEN WE SAW THERE WAS SOME ADDITIONAL ARPA FUNDING AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MANY MORE YEARS THAT THAT CHEST INITIATIVE IS GOING TO HELP THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. WHENCOUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR.
I WANT TO START BY THANKING STAFF, ERIK, MARIA, JUSTINA, Y'ALL'S WHOLE TEAM, EVERYBODY IN THE BUDGET OFFICE THAT HAS WORKED SO TIRELESSLY OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS. THIS IS A TON OF WORK AND YOU ALL DO A GREAT JOB AND REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM AS WELL, ESPECIALLY RAUL AND REBECCA WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE SURE WE WERE PREPARED FOR ALL OF THE BUDGET BRIEFINGS AND THAT DISTRICT 10'S PRIORITIES WOULD BE REFLECTED IN THIS BUDGET AS I BELIEVE THEY ARE. THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL. WE'VE SAT THROUGH A LOT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS ON THE BUDGET AND I'VE ENJOYED OUR DISCUSSIONS, OUR DEBATE OVER WHAT SHOULD BE IN HERE AND WHAT SHOULDN'T. AND SO I THANK ALL OF YOU AND YOUR TEAMS FOR YOUR WORK AS WELL. IN ADDITION TO THE MAYOR AND YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN GREAT AND SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT.
[01:40:04]
LOOK, THE BUDGET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR AS HAS BEEN SAID TODAY. AND, YOU KNOW, ERIK MENTIONED EARLIER, HE SAID A PHRASE THAT THE BUDGET NEEDS TO REFLECT THE PRIORITIES OF COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY.AND I HEARD THAT LINE AND I THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A SECOND AND, YOU KNOW, TO ME THE PRIORITIES OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEY SHOULDN'T BE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. THERE SHOULD BE NO DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO. AND I BELIEVE AND IT'S BASED ON WHAT I HEARD FROM CITIZENS NOT ONLY IN DISTRICT 10 BUT ALL OVER THE CITY, THAT OUR CITIZENS WANT THEIR MONEY SPENT IN A WAY THAT MOST DIRECTLY AND POSITIVELY IMPACTS THEIR DAY-TO-DAY QUALITY OF LIFE. AND SO WITH THAT SAID, AND WHILE NO PLAN OR ANY BUDGET WILL BE PERFECT, I WANT TO BEGIN TODAY BY SAYING THAT I AM PLEASED THAT THIS BUDGET AS PROPOSED GOES A LONG, LONG WAY TO ADDRESSING THE PRIORITIES OF SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS. THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME ARE REALLY PRETTY EASY.
IT STARTS WITH OUR FIREFIGHTERS. THE NEGOTIATIONS, I GUESS WERE SHORT, AS SAID EARLIER, BUT THEY FELT LONG, I'LL TELL YOU THAT.
AND THEY FELT LONG I THINK FOR SOME OF US BECAUSE WE REALLY BELIEVE -- I KNOW I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
THESE ARE OUR FOLKS THAT RUSH INTO BURNING BUILDINGS EVERY DAY TO SAVE THE LIVES OF SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS. THEY'VE ALWAYS DESERVED TO BE PAID AS THE BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY, AND THIS CONTRACT THAT WE'RE APPROVING TODAY GOES A LONG WAY TO ENSURING THAT. SO THANK YOU, AGAIN, MARIA, YOUR TEAM FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS, TO THE FIRE FOLKS FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. I'M VERY, VERY PLEASED THAT WE'RE GETTING YOU A CONTRACT THAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS SUPPORTIVE OF. NEXT POLICE.
NUMBER ONE ROLE HERE ON CITY COUNCIL IS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE.
LAST YEAR WE ADDED OVER 100 POLICE OFFICERS. THIS YEAR WE'RE ADDING FUNDING FOR OVER 65. GOT TO HAVE MORE POLICE FOLKS OUT THERE ON PATROL.
THAT'S GOING TO HELP DETER CRIME. ADDING FUNDING FOR 65 POLICE OFFICERS IS ANOTHER STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SO EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT WE'RE DOING THAT. INFRASTRUCTURE. AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT RECENTLY TO UP OUR NAMP DOLLARS TO 650,000, TO AGAIN ALLOW THIS COUNCIL TO WORK WITH THE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES, FOR ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT POP UP THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
ALL OF THOSE SMALL PROJECTS WE HEAR ABOUT THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR CITIZENS QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE MORE OF THOSE WITH THESE EXTRA NAMP DOLLARS AND ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY THAT'S COMING INTO THE CITY. HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP. WE COMMITTED LAST YEAR TO ONCE AN ENCAMPMENT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED TO GET IT CLEANED UP WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
I THINK WE CAME CLOSE TO MEETING THAT GOAL AND THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS WE'RE PUTTING IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR ARE GOING TO HELP US MEET AND FOLLOW THROUGH ON OUR PROMISE TO OUR CITIZENS ON THAT. AND THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. AND THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THERE'S OTHERS AND I'LL SAY SPECIFICALLY FOR DISTRICT 10, MONEY IN THIS BUDGET TO FINALLY DO SOME ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND BEGIN THE REDESIGN OF HARRY WURZBACH PARKWAY.
AND IT DESERVES TO LOOK NICE AND APPROPRIATE. AND SO GETTING MONEY TO START THAT PROCESS I'M PLEASED ABOUT. SENIOR CENTERS.
THERE WAS PANIC, I WOULD SAY, IN MANY OF OUR DISTRICTS WHEN WE HEARD THAT PERHAPS THE SENIOR CENTER HOURS WOULD BE CUT BACK FROM 8:00 P.M. BACK TO 4:00 P.M.
AND THE MINUTE I HEARD THAT, I THINK THAT EVENING I CALLED ERIK AND I SAID WE CANNOT -- WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN. AND HE SAID COUNCILMAN,
[01:45:04]
DON'T WORRY, WE WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN AND I'M VERY PLEASED THAT WE HAVE MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO KEEP OUR SENIOR CENTER HOURS TILL 8:00 P.M. BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF OUR SENIORS REALLY UTILIZE THOSE FACILITIES. MORE MONEY FOR PARKS.MONEY NOR THE ASIAN RESOURCE CENTER. CONGRATULATIONS, ALLYSA, KELSEY, IT'S SOMETHING YOU ALL HAVE WORKED A LONG TIME AND SOMETHING THE ASIAN COMMUNITY HAS WANTED AND DESERVES SO I'M HAPPY THAT'S GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. OVERALL AGAIN WHILE NOTHING IS PERFECT AND THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME SPENDING IN HERE THAT I COULD DO WITHOUT, AS MY COLLEAGUES KNOW, OVERALL I'M PLEASED WITH WHERE WE'RE AT AND SO I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET AS PROPOSED. FINALLY, I WILL SAY, AND THIS IS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DISAPPOINT MY COLLEAGUES, THEY KNOW I COULD NOT TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET ON THE FINAL DAY WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT ZERO-BASED BUDGETING. I AM NOTHING SHORT OF EXCITED THAT MOVING FORWARD, AS WAS DISCUSSED ABOUT A MONTH AGO IN GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A NEW HYBRID MODEL OF BUDGETING HERE IN SAN ANTONIO BASED ON ZERO-BASED BUDGETING PRINCIPLES.
AND IT IS NERDY, I'LL GIVE YOU THAT. AND WHILE THIS TODAY IS A GOOD BUDGET AS PROPOSED, WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE STRIVING TO DO BETTER.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR CITIZENS DEMAND OF US. AND THROUGH THIS NEW BUDGETING MODEL, I BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MORE EFFICIENTLY, TRANCE PARAPHERNALIALY AND EFFECTIVELY -- TRANSPARENTLY SPEND OUR CITIZENS' TAX DOLLARS ON THE ISSUES AND PRIORITIES THAT ARE TOP OF MIND FOR THEM.
AND THAT SHOULD BE OUR BIGGEST, BIGGEST GOAL AS CITY COUNCILPEOPLE AND WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL. SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEGINNING THAT PROCESS IN APRIL OF NEXT YEAR. SO THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT ON THE BUDGET. PROUD TO SUPPORT IT. HAPPY WE'RE MOVING OUR CITIZENS' PRIORITIES FORWARD. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE
GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING ERIK, BEN, JUSTINA AND EVERYBODY ON THE TEAMS. I SAW ALL OF YOU ALL'S CARS OVER THE SUMMER AND EARLY MORNINGS AND LATE NIGHTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK MY TEAM.
I OFTEN SAY I HAVE THE BEST TEAM IN THE BUSINESS AND THAT'S BECAUSE I DO.
BUT I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK KYLE BUCKLEY, POLICY DIRECTOR, WHO DID SO MUCH AMAZING WORK ON MAKING SURE I WAS PREPARED TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE RESIDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE BUDGET TOWN HALLS.
I FEEL THE INPUT WE HEARD ESPECIALLY FROM OUR DISTRICT 7 TOWN HALL IS REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET. I'VE SAID BEFORE, I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, THE CITY'S BUDGET NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED ON CORE SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY, ANIMAL CARE, PARKS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, AND I BELIEVE THAT TODAY'S BUDGET DOES DO JUST THAT. THESE SERVICES ARE WHAT KEEPS OUR CITY RUNNING.
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE, I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED ZERO-BASED BUDGETING BECAUSE I'M EXCITED TO SEE OUR BUDGET PROCESS CHANGE WITH ZERO-BASED BUDGETING AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IMPLEMENTING THAT IN FUTURE BUDGET SESSIONS.
I WAS PROUD TO ADVOCATE FOR ADDITIONAL NAMP FUNDING WHICH IS INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS. I THINK THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD BY COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. AS MENTIONED YESTERDAY, WE WILL GLADLY USE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT ARE PROVIDED FOR US. DISTRICT 7 HAS A LOT OF F-RATED STREETS, A LOT OF DRAINAGE ISSUES. WE NEED TO FIX OUR ROADS BECAUSE THIS IMPACTS RESIDENTS' DAILY LIVES. I UNDERSTAND THE MAYOR'S POINT ABOUT NEEDING TO FIX THE NAMP POLICY AND I DON'T DISAGREE, BUT AS COUNCILMEMBERS WE ARE CONSTANTLY TRIAGING THESE PROJECTS BASED ON FUNDING AVAILABLE AND IT LIMITS THE NUMBERS OF REQUESTS WE CAN DO EACH ROUND.
I'M GLAD TO SEE COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA'S CENTER FOR HEALTH EQUITY IN SOUTH SIDE SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. I'M GLAD WE COULD COMPROMISE ON THE SELENAS CLINIC. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE AMENDMENT REGARDING THE URBAN TREE CANOPY, THE EAST SIDE YOUTH CONTENT PROGRAM AND SENIORS AT PLAY.
I WANT TO CLOSE OUT BY SAYING IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS
[01:50:01]
OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO CARRY OVER GENERAL FUND DOLLARS TO DECREASE THE DEFICIT WE'RE EXPECTING IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN IT AT A MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE, BUT I FEEL THAT -- I RESPECT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE DIFFERENT REQUESTS AND PRIORITIES AND OVERALL I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PROPOSAL AS IT STANDS TODAY. NOW FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS CONTRACT, WE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM RESIDENTS THAT THEY VALUE FIREFIGHTERS AND WANT THEM COMPENSATED APPROPRIATELY. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THANKS TO MARIA AND LIZ. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION TEAM AND THE ENTIRE ELECTIVE TEAM FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH THE CITY ON THE AGREEMENT. THIS CONTRACT IS MONUMENTAL. I THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2009 THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS GET TO VOTE ON IT.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY AND THIS CONTRACT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS OUR EFFORT TO RETAIN TOP TALENT FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
I'M PRIESTED WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN THE RIGHT -- PLEASED WE'RE MOVING FORWARD
TO MAKE OUR CITY SAFER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANTED TO THANK THE BUDGET STAFF FOR ASSURING OUR TEAM WAS EQUIPPED WITH ANY DATA WE REQUESTED PROVIDED THROUGH MEMO OR VIA PHONE CALL TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION I HAD REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND PROCESS. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND WANT TO SHOUT OUT JOHN PETEREK AND JUSTINA FOR TAKING ON THE FIRST EVER YOUTH BUDGET TOWN HALL. WHEN WE WERE PRESENTED THE DATA FROM THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY, I NOTICED THERE WAS A GAP.
THEN I JOINED THE YOUTH COMMISSION AND THEY ARE ALREADY GOING TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND ONE WAS TO HAVE A YOUTH TOWN HALL. I'M THANKFUL FOR ENSURING OUR YOUTH HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEIR INPUT. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR OUR DISTRICT 5 TEAM FOR ENSURING I'M WELL BRIEFED AND UP TO DATE AND THAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE WELL CONNECTED TO THE NEEDS OF DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS.
AND, OF COURSE, THE DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS WERE ALWAYS CALLING OUR CONSTITUENT SERVICES OFFICES AS WELL AS COMING TO OPEN OFFICE HOURS AND OPEN HOUSES TO SHARE WHAT THEIR NEEDS AND INVESTMENTS ARE. I'M PLEASED TO SEE MANY OF THOSE NEEDS ARE MET AND KAREN SPEAR, OUR ACS BOARD MEMBER, WHO ATTENDS EVERY SAN ANTONIO BUDGET TOWN HALL AND REPORTS BACK TO US WITH TRENDS SHE IS SEEING THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND THEN ALWAYS SHARING HER ACS UPDATES TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S OCCURRING WITHIN THE ACS BOARD. AND, OF COURSE, MICHAEL SHANNON FOR TAKING ON THE NEW ROLE THAT'S SIMILAR TO DSD, VERY IMPORTANT TO QUALITY OF LIFE FOR DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS. OF COURSE, DISTRICT 5 TOP PRIORITIES FROM THE 311 BUDGET SURVEY RANGED, BUT DEVIATED A BIT GIVEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS ONE OF THE TOP. I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE THE INREESE TO NAMP.
AT THE BUDGET TOWN HALL WE HAD A CONSTITUENT WHO DID THE RESEARCH ON DIFFERENT BUCKETS AND FUNDING MECHANISM TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE.
HE WAS LIKE WHICH BUCKET DO I NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR. JUST EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, BUT HE WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO RESEARCH THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND WE'RE SURE TO HIT ON EACH OF THOSE DURING OUR TOWN HALL.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS OVER 6.3 MILLION RANGING FROM CASTROVILLE ROAD, JOEY AND HIS TEAM LAST CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE WE WORK WITH TXDOT TO HAVE SOME SAFETY MEASURES FOR FOLKS WHO ARE COMMUTING A BIKE OR FOOT. THE SOUTH SAMARRA PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS -- ZAMORA IS EXCITED FOR THAT TOWN HALL LATER THIS MONTH.
ONE THING I ENJOY ABOUT THE BUDGET TOWN HALLS IS OFTENTIMES I SEE THE FRIENDS THAT ARE PRIORITIES FOR THAT YEAR BASED OFF WHICH DIRECTOR STAYS PAST THE BUDGET TOWN HALL. THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS HOMER. HE WAS SURROUNDED BY RESIDENTS WHO HAD QUESTIONS AND PRIORITIES. THEN THE TRENDS OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THIS RECENT BUDGET CONTINUE TO HALL, LUIS STAYED LATE.
SO EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR ANSWERING THAT DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS HAVE THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR PRIORITIES.
OF COURSE, THE INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVER 16.8 MILLION FOR STREET MAINTENANCE, SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, SIDEWALKS, ALLEYWAY
[01:55:04]
MAINTENANCE, DRAINAGE, ALL THESE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS CONTINUE TO CALL AND REQUEST THAT WE INVEST IN. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK OUR CONSTITUENT SERVICES TEAM. THIS PAST WEEK WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A CONSTITUENT WHO WAS A SENIOR, HAS SOME TREE ISSUES AND WE REVISITED THE CONVERSATION AND THE TRENDS OF CONSTITUENTS REACHING OUT AND NEEDING TREE MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE. THEY SHARED THAT OFTENTIMES THEY WORK WITH URBAN TREE CANOPY, BUT RUN INTO THEM BEING OUT OF FUNDS.EXTREMELY GAINFUL GRATEFUL FOR THE -- THE OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I DON'T KNOW IF MIKE RAMSEY REMEMBERS, BUT YOU SHARED WITH SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF READY TO WORK HAD SHARED ABOUT THE NEED TO ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE PARTICULARLY DENTAL CARE AND HOW THAT CAN IMPACT ONE'S CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND IMPACTS THEIR CONFIDENCE AND IF THEY DON'T GET A CALL-BACK IT MAY BE BECAUSE OF LACK OF DENTAL CARE. THIS STARTS WITH OUR YOUTH. SO GREAT TO SEE THIS CONTINUED INVESTMENT. AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE SEEING AND TACKLING HOUSING IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I THINK TO NOT MAKE THE CONNECTION THAT THE INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE DESIRE FOR ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS ARE CONNECTED AND WE WOULD BE FAILING THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO BY NOT INVESTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEN THERE'S A DESIRE TO GET FOLKS OFF THE STREETS WHETHER IT'S FROM A POSITION OF COMPASSION BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE FOLKS SHOULD BE HOUSED OR FROM THE POSITION OF OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND. THE SOLUTION IS A STRUCTURE, A SHELTER AND WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO INVEST IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RELOCATION SERVICES AND THE MAJOR AND MINOR HOME REHAB PROGRAMS. OF COURSE ONE TREND WE HEAR AT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING ARE THE CONCERNS WITH ILLEGAL DUMPING.
EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE SOLID WASTE TEAM FOR ALWAYS BEING AVAILABLE AND QUICK TO RESPOND TO CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE THOSE ILLEGAL DUMPING CONCERNS AS WELL AS TO OUR SAFFE OFFICERS WHO ARE WORKING WITH THE ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT.
PLEASED TO SAY THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED IN THIS UPCOMING BUDGET AND THIS MONDAY I ATTENDED THE BRADY GARDENS ASSOCIATION AND SHE WAS LIKE I WANTED TO BE THERE BECAUSE I NEED TO DO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR OUR SAFFE OFFICERS AND THE NEED FOR US TO CREATE WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN MOVE UP AND THAT WE CAN EXPAND OUR SAFFE OFFICER PROGRAM TO 24/7. I SAID DON'T WORRY, KAREN SPEAR WAS THERE AND JUST WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT NEED. WHILE I UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT IN THIS BUDGET, IT IS SOMETHING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONTINUE TO REQUEST FROM OUR TEAM IS EXPANDED SAFFE OFFICER HOURS AND OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE AND GROW WITHIN THEIR ROLE AND SAFFE. OF COURSE, REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SAN ANTONIO FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL 624 AND FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF JOE JONES FOR ENSURING THAT I'M WELL BRIEFED ON THE PRIORITIES OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP AND FOR MARIA AND LIZ FOR NEGOTIATING THAT CONTRACT AND ULTIMATELY FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS FOR AGREEING AND VOTING IN SUPPORT OF THAT CONTRACT. I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF LATE HOURS.
GOT A VERY LATE TEXT AN AGREEMENT HAD BEEN MADE, BUT I THINK THAT WAS VERY TELLING OF THE WORK LEADING UP TO THAT AGREEMENT. PLEASED TO SEE THERE'S GOING TO BE AN INVESTMENT. WHAT WE HEAR FROM DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS, THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT. YES, THEY RUN INTO BURNING BUILDINGS AND FIRE, BUT THEY ALSO SAVE LIVES FROM FOLKS SUFFERING FROM OVERDOSES.
AND I HEAR FROM THE PARENTS OF MANY OF THOSE FOLKS HOW GRATEFUL THEY ARE SOMEONE RESPONDED AND PROVIDED THEIR CHILD OR GRAND KID WITH ACCESS TO CARE.
ONE THING COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ DID HIT ON IT REGARDING THE SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC AND HOW THAT WAS ON THE PRIORITY LIST; HOWEVER, IT'S NOT REFLECTED THERE. I UNDERSTAND WE WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING THE LAWSUIT. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AFM23 FOR REACHING AN AGREEMENT FOR RATIFYING THEIR TWO-YEAR CBA.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE WEST SIDE TIRZ TO SUPPORT THEIR REQUEST. I UNDERSTAND IT MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT INTO THIS BUDGET, BUT IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITY, IF WE CAN EXPLORE IF WE CAN, IF THEY MAY OR MAY NOT QUALIFY, IF STAFF CAN BRIEF ME TO SEE IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THERE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE'S ROOM TO SUPPORT THEM. ULTIMATELY, GRATEFUL TO SEE SUPPORT -- THERE'S SO MUCH TO BE EXCITED ABOUT. I RAN INTO A FRIEND
[02:00:01]
YESTERDAY AND THEY ARE VERY SURPRISED I WAS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER.LIKE AND, OF COURSE, PLEASED TO BE SUPPORTIVE FOR THE CRISIS NURSERY FEASIBILITY STUDY, VISITED THE WOMEN'S SHELTER AND ASKED WHAT THEY NEEDED SUPPORT FOR BECAUSE MY TEAM WAS TO IMPRESSED WITH HER LEADERSHIP AND THE WORK OF THAT SHELTER.
IT'S NOT WHAT WE ENVISIONED AND SHE SAID I'M GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT FEASIBILITY CENTER. PLEASED TO SEE THAT IN THERE AS WELL.
AS THE COUNCILMAN EXPRESSED, IMPORTANCE OF OUR SENIOR CENTERS AND EXTENDING THOSE HOURS BEYOND 6:00. MANY ARE STILL EXPERIENCING ISOLATION AND RECONNECTING IN THESE SPACES REALLY HELP WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. SO GRATEFUL FOR DHS.
I'M SURE I'M FOR GETTING A LOT OF KEY PIECES, BUT WANTED TO STRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR CITY STAFF FOR TRACKING AND EQUIPPING US WITH INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE WE'RE WELL PREPARED TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> COURAGE:. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY THANKING THE CITY STAFF TOO.
I KNOW HOW HARD THEY WORK ON THIS. I KNOW THEY COME UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM COUNCILMEMBERS WHO WANT TO REFLECT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR DISTRICTS AND DO THE BEST WE CAN FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
I WANT TO JUST COMMEND ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE ME.
I THINK YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF IMPORTANT THINGS THAT IMPACT THE LIVES OF MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY. I THINK YOU REFLECT SOME OF OUR CONCERNS AND SOME OF YOUR INTERESTS AND I THINK MANY OF US SHARE THOSE THINGS. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A BUDGET, YOU KNOW, I THINK THOUGH IT'S MORE THAN HOW WE ALLOCATE RESOURCES. I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE AND I BELIEVE IT SINCERELY, A BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT. IT TELLS THE CITY HOW ITS GOVERNMENT PERCEIVES THE NEEDS AND THE WANTS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE SOME THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN PEOPLE'S COMMENTS, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT THESE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BUDGET. TODAY IN SAN ANTONIO THERE IS STILL 250,000 PEOPLE LIVING AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE. AND THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN THIS CITY WHO ARE RIGHT ON THE EDGE.
IF THEY LOSE A JOB, IF SOMEBODY GETS SICK, IF THEY GET EVICTED, THEY ARE ADDING TO THOSE 250,000 PEOPLE. YOU KNOW, 60,000 FAMILIES RIGHT NOW RELY ON SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK HANDOUTS TO FEED THEIR FAMILY.
60,000 FAMILIES. WE'VE GOT THOUSANDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE FED BY MEALS ON WHEELS AND NUTRITION SITES EVERY DAY. WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS AND THOUSANDS WHO ARE NEAR TO BECOME HOMELESS AND THAT THE CITY FIESTA TO KEEP FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. WE HAVE MORE YOUTH TODAY WITHOUT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE TURNING TO GANGS AND CRIME. WHAT WE READ IN THE PAPER, WHAT WE SEE ON TV ARE 13-YEAR-OLDS, 14-YEAR-OLDS, 15-YEAR-OLDS, 16-YEAR-OLDS BEING ARRESTED BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF GANGS OR CRIMES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. WE NEED TO DO MORE TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT'S KEY. AND THAT'S NOT JUST FOR THE WELL-TO DO OR THE MIDDLE CLASS. WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING FAMILIES WHO ARE ONLY EARNING $10 AN HOUR. AND FOR SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES WHO OVER THE YEARS, TEACHERS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO RETIRED FROM SAISD 10 OR 15 YEARS AGO AND WERE GETTING A $1,500 A MONTH RETIREMENT AND THEY'VE HAD TO LIVE ON THAT WITH VERY LITTLE INCREASES AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO HAVE A HOME TO LIVE IN.
WE NEED TO BRING MORE JOBS AND BETTER PAYING JOBS TO SAN ANTONIO.
WE NEED TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE IN THIS CITY. WE NEED TO DO MORE TO
[02:05:02]
PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR FAMILIES. WE NEED TO DO MORE TO SEE THAT OUR CHILDREN RECEIVE THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE. THE CITY CAN'T DO ALL OF THIS ALONE. WE TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND WE PUT THIS IN THE BUDGET, BUT OUR BUDGET IS LIMITED. WE NEED TO HAVE OTHER PARTNERS STEP UP AND CONTINUE TO DO THIS AND DO MORE OF IT.WE NEED MORE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES TO BECOME BETTER PARTNERS WITH THE CITY.
WE NEED TO SEE MORE OF THE MEGA CHURCHES AND OTHER FAITH-BASED GROUPS BECOME MORE OF A PART -- OR PARTNER WITH THE CITY. WE NEED TO SEE THE STATE BECOME MORE OF A PARTNER WITH THE CITY. TEXAS LEGISLATURE WAS WORKING WITH A $30 BILLION SURPLUS IN THEIR LAST SESSION.
WHAT DO THEY GIVE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION? NOTHING.
SO THAT MEANS THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY NEED TO DO MORE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WHAT DO THEY DO TO HEALTH CARE? DID THEY HELP MEDICARE? NO. MADE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO GET HEALTH CARE THROUGH MEDICARE. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES? WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. THAT THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, YET THE CITY HAS TO GO AHEAD AND PICK UP THAT SLACK.
YOU KNOW, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE ABOUT GUN SAFETY? $30 BILLION AND THEY'VE SAT ON IT INSTEAD OF HELPING THE PEOPLE IN EVERY CITY AND EVERY PART OF THIS STATE.
EVEN OUR ENERGY GRID IS SUFFERING BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T INVESTED ENOUGH MONEY TO HELP TRANSMIT THE ENERGY FROM ONE PART OF THE STATE TO THE OTHER.
SO THE CITY PUTS TOGETHER A BUDGET THAT WE CAN TRY AND MEET AS MANY NEEDS AS THERE ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT FROM MY OBSERVATION, WE FALL SHORT AND WE NEED MORE HELP. THIS COMMUNITY LOCALLY AND OUR STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO DO MORE TO HELP THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO AND THIS STATE.
BUT I WILL SAY I COMMEND OUR CITY STAFF AND THOSE WHO DO STEP FORWARD, INCLUDING A LOT OF NON-PROFITS. AND I HOPE THAT THIS YEAR GOING FORWARD WILL BE A
BETTER YEAR THAN LAST YEAR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU'VE PUT INTO THIS BUDGET.
IT'S A 740-PAGE VERY DENSE DOCUMENT THAT JUSTINA CARRIES AROUND.
THANK FUTURELY IT SITS IN A PDF ON MY COMPUTER. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT LEADS THAT HAVE PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO PUTTING THEIR BUDGETS TOGETHER, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE FOLKS YOU ALL LEAD.
OUR CITY COULD NOT RUN IN THE WAY IT DOES WITHOUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES SO WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU PUT IN DAY IN AND DAY OUT. I'M A TEACHER SO I'M GOING THROUGH OUR BUDGET WITH GROWS. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR, I THINK THERE'S SOME REALLY STRONG OUTCOMES FROM OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT. EXCITED TO SEE THOSE SHADE CONVERSATIONS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS -- COVERINGS HAPPENING.
THE WORK THAT'S PUSHED THERE FROM OUR SOLID WASTE TEAM AND METRO HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL. EXCITED TO SEE THE REPRODUCTIVE FUND MOVE FORWARD. GREAT PROGRESS AND WORK FROM NHSD.
SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MENTIONED, BUT HOUSING IS SUCH AN ISSUE AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO KEEP PEOPLE IN HOMES AND YOU ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE ON THE STREETS PLAN.
THANK YOU FOR THE BENEFIT OF COMING OUT AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR.
THAT DHS, OUR GOALS TOWARDS SUPPORTING FOLKS UNHOUSED IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY.
LAST YEAR WE SET A GOAL, MET IT, SO WE SET AN EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE GOAL THIS YEAR.
THE ASIAN RESOURCE CENTER, WE'RE EXCITED TO SUPPORT THAT.
ALONGSIDE THE MAYOR. AND I KNOW THAT MY IMMIGRANT FAMILY IS IN THE CHAMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY WOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU TO THE DHS TEAM FOR THE ADVISORY GROUP. THEY WERE DEBATING BETWEEN WHERE THE RESTROOMS WOULD GO AT THE CENTER LAST WEEK AT THE MEETING AND I PROMISE YOU THEY WERE REAL EXCITED
[02:10:05]
TO HAVE INPUT ON WHERE THE RESTROOMS WOULD GO BECAUSE IT MATTERS HOW FAR THEY HAVE TO WALK TO GET THERE. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT PARTNERSHIP.PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SETTING REALLY STRONG GOALS. NO F STREETS BY 2030.
GETTING THROUGH ALL OF OUR TRAFFIC CALMING ENGINEERING STUDIES AND MAKING SURE WE'RE CREATING A SIDEWALK INDEX. THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT GOALS THAT I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO WORK TOWARDS. GOING BACK TO OUR BUDGET SURVEY FROM EARLIER THIS 5'S PRIORITIES. DISTRICT 1, NUMBER ONE AND TWO STREETS AND SIDEWALKS. WE'VE HAD ARE A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE DELAYS IN DISTRICT 1 SO IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK WITH OUR UTILITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO EXPEDITE THESE PROCESSES AND KEEP PUTTING MORE FUNDING IN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT. WE ALSO HAVE TO FIGURE HOW TO KEEP OUR LOCAL SMALL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES OPEN. IT BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME I SEE A NEWS ARTICLE OF ANOTHER BUSINESS CLOSING DOWN. SO THE MORE THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON.
WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO INCREASE OUR SPAY AND NEUTERS FOR OUR PET POPULATIONS, LOOSE DOG POPULATIONS AND GET STABLE LEADERSHIP.
AND MIKE, WE LOVE YOU AT ACS, BUT WE MISS YOU, BUT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ACS AND NOT LET OUR SITE MOVE FROM -- SIGHT MOVE FROM PRIORITIZING THAT.
AND CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REALLY PUSH TOWARDS STRONG PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES. NOT JUST OUTPUTS FOR WHAT WE ARE ACCOMPLISH, BUT ACTUAL OUTCOMES FOR WHAT WE WANT TO SEE CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT INCLUDES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, BREAKING DOWN OUTCOMES BY DEPARTMENT INCLUDING PARK POLICE AS WELL. WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS BECAUSE IF WE'RE TRULY GOING TO SUPPORT OUR HOUSELESS POPULATION WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THEY NEED.
AND WE ADVOCATED FOR THIS AND DIDN'T SEE AN INCREASE IN AN AMENDMENT, BUT I WANT NHSD TO KNOW WE'LL CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR THE MAJOR AND MINOR REHAB PROGRAMS. LASTLY, I'LL END WITH WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT OUR CONSTITUENCY LIKE WAS MENTIONED AND NOD TO DO THAT WE -- IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE NEED STRONG COMMUNICATION TOOLS. I'M EXCITED AND GRATEFUL THAT CITY STAFF HAS SAID WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE THE TOOLS THAT C AND E NEEDS SO WE CAN HAVE CHANNELS CLEAR WITH CONSTITUENTS. WE HAD A MAJOR INCIDENT WITH AN INFRASTRUCTURE DELAY AND ALL WE WANTED TO DO WAS SEND AFFECTION TO ALL THE FOLKS -- A TEXT TO ALL THE FOLKS SAYING YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO ACCESS DRIVEWAYS TONIGHT AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO DO THAT. I'M EXCITED CITY STAFF HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO DO SO. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE FIRE NEGOTIATIONS. THANK YOU, MARIA AND LIZ, FOR YOUR WORK ON GETTING THAT EXECUTED AND DONE. I HOPE FIRE THAT'S HERE TODAY SEES THAT YOUR CITY LEADERSHIP, YOUR CITY COMMUNITY VALUES YOU. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
YOU ARE THE ONES SAVING LIVES DAY IN AND DAY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND SO WE NEED YOU ALL TO CONTINUE TO DO YOUR HARD WORK AND WE WILL BE UP HERE CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE FOR WHAT YOU ALL DESERVE IN JUST COMPENSATION.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A HEROES BRAWL NEXT SATURDAY.
I WILL ABSOLUTELY BE ATTENDING AND I KNOW FIRE HAS SOME STRONG WOMEN BOXING OUT THERE NEXT WEEK SO I'LL BE EXCITED TO SUPPORT AND SEE WHO WINS THAT FIGHT.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND I'M EXCITED TO SUPPORT THE
BUDGET TODAY. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ:. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU TO ANY AND EVERY STAFF MEMBER WHO PLAYED A ROLE IN CREATING THIS BUDGET LED BY JUSTINA AND ESPECIALLY THOSE CRUNCHING NUMBERS, WRITING PROGRAM SUMMARIES, CALCULATING METRICS AND ULTIMATELY PRESENTING THIS I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY FRONT-LINE CITY STAFF, FIREFIGHTERS AND AFSCME MAKING SURE OUR VOICES WERE HEARD.
EVERY YEAR THE BUDGET PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY AS COUNCIL TO REESTABLISH AND CONFIRM COMMITMENT TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE TO OUR CITY AND WE HAVE TO VIEW IT THAT WAY. THERE ARE CERTAIN CHALLENGES SUCH AS POVERTY, FOOD, HOUSING INSECURITY, GUN VIOLENCE, CLIMATE CHANGE, ECONOMIC DISSPAY TIRZ FUNDING AND THE LIST GOES ON.
SOLVE. IT'S THE DAILY DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE THAT ARE GOING TO CHIP AWAY AT THESE IN EQUITIES AND CHALLENGES UNTIL ONE DAY THE WORLD IS
[02:15:08]
BRIGHTER AND THE GENERATIONS AFTER US ARE NOT CARRYING THE BURDEN OF OUR FAILURES.BECAUSE OF THE UNDER INVESTMENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN, WE HAVE STUDENTS WALKING TO SCHOOL ON DAMAGED, UNLIT ROADS WITH NO SIDEWALKS.
BUT WITH THE COMMITMENT TO OUR EQUITY LENS AND FOLLOW-THROUGH ON STREET LIGHTING INDEX AND ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING OUR FAILING STREETS, WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO A FUTURE WHERE DISTRICT 2 RESIDENTS WILL WALK, DRIVE AND RIDE THEIR BIKE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT WILL FEEL NO DIFFERENT IN DOING SO IN DISTRICT 9. WE'RE APPROACHING A DAY WHERE EVERY PLAYGROUND IS COVERED ALLOWING CHILDREN TO PLAY OUTSIDE AND WE'LL BE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE WALKING DISTANCE FROM THEIR HOMES.
AND ONE DAY WHEN THEY ARE GROWN, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WALK TO THEIR MAILBOX WITHOUT FEAR THEY WILL BE ATTACKED BY A PACK OF DOGS AND IF THEY SEE A LOOSE DOG THEY WON'T WORRY ABOUT IT BEING EUTHANIZEED. IN OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND THE STOP WILL BE SHADED. AND WE'RE TAKING VERY IMPORTANT STEPS TOWARDS A FUTURE AND I WANT US TO SOAK THAT IN.
BUT AS WE SOAK THAT IN, WE ALSO HAVE TO ANNUAL SOME WAYS THAT WE ARE MISSING THE --S WE ARE MISSING THE MARK. SCARRED BY INEQUITY, WE HAVE PEOPLE, HUMAN BEINGS, LIVING ON THE STREET, UNDER HIGHWAYS AND DRAIN CHANNELS BEING SWEPT AWAY LIKE TRASH ON A DAILY BASIS AND LOSING THE LITTLE THEY HAVE TO EQUIPMENT ABATEMENTS.
MY HOPE IS ONE DAY OUR COMMITMENT TO COME PAMS WILL EXTEND TO THOSE EXPERIENCING THE WORST DAYS OF THEIR LIVES AND PATIENCE LENDS ITSELF TO THOUGHTFUL AND DIFFICULT SOLUTIONS. DAILY WE TO MAKE DECISIONS WHETHER IT'S TO SUBSIDIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR DENY THE ZONING CHANGE FOR AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OR EXPAND UPON THE INEFFECTIVE EQUIPMENT SWEEPS THAT TAKE PLACE DAY TO DAY THAT CAUSE PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR BELONGINGS AND ERODE TRUST.
WE ARE MAKING SO MUCH PROGRESS AND IT WOULD BE A SHAME YEARS DOWN THE ROAD TO LOOK BACK WHEN IT'S MUCH TOO LATE AND RECOGNIZE THE DECISIONS WE MADE CAUSED MORE HARM THAN GOOD. EVEN IF IT MADE A CONSTITUENT FEEL GOOD FOR THE 38 HOURS THAT AN EQUIPMENT BRIEFLY DISAPPEARED.
I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THERE AND OUR MISSION NEEDS TO BE REEVALUATION OF THIS APPROACH. THERE IS, HOWEVER, A LOT TO BE EXCITED ABOUT IN THIS BUDGET INCLUDING SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS SUCH AS THE SEED FUNDING FOR THE CENTER FOR HEALTH EQUITY IN SOUTH TEXAS. THERE IS NO HOSPITAL ON THE EAST SIDE AND WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE HEALTH INEQUITY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ADDITIONAL FOCUS ON THE SOUTHWEST AND EAST SIDES OF TOWN.
WE'RE ALSO SO EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO FUND AND SUPPORT HOUSING ASSISTANCE WHICH CONTINUES TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY AND NEED IN DISTRICT 2.
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY DISTRICT 2 TEAM, DENISE, FRANKIE, JOE LEAN, CHRISTA AND SHAUN. PLEASE STAND UP. CAN YOU ALL SHOW Y'ALL'S OUTFITS? [APPLAUSE] I LOVE YOU ALL SO, SO MUCH.
SORRY, COUNCILWOMAN GOOD VETO TO, HAVE I THE -- BEST TEAM IN THE BUSINESS.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF OUR DISTRICT 2 OFFICE'S BIGGEST WINS.
THE OFFICE OF INTEGRATED COMMUNITY SAFETY WE ADVOCATED FOR IS UP AND RUNNING AND DOING FANTASTIC WORK AND A KEY PLAYER IN COMMUNITY SAFETY THROUGH DATA AND RESEARCH ON FOLLOW-THROUGH ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOLUTIONS BACKED BY FACT. WE'RE FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION GRANTS TO -- WE KNOW WE NEED TO DO MORE, BUT THIS DEFINITELY PAYS -- PLAYS A PIECE IN PROVIDING DIRECT SUPPORT AND I'M HAPPY TO CO-AUTHORED THIS REPORT WITH COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. WE ARE GOING TO BE CLOSING HUNDREDS OF LIGHTING GAPS AND THAT IS GOING TO DETER CRIME, PEAK OUR STREETS MORE WALKABLE AND CONNECT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I'M GOING TO BRING IT UP, HE FINALLY LAUNCHED THE INSULIN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. WE'RE GOING TO BE FULLY STAFFING THE EAST AND WEST SIDE SPAY-NEUTER HUBS THIS YEAR. THE EAST SIDE HUB IS IN DENVER HEIGHTS. I'M ALSO INCREDIBLY EXCITED TO FUND THE PROGRAM FOR THE SPRING AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM OUR OFFICE CREATED BACK IN 2022.
I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE THAT WITH THE TEAM. THEY DID NOT KNOW I WAS
[02:20:03]
ADVOCATING FOR IT. AND I WANT TO SHARE WE HAVE SOME MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE EXTREMELY PASSIONATE AND EXCITED ABOUT THE CEMETERY SO THEY ARE EXCITED TO SEE FUNDING FOR THE MASTER PLAN WHICH WAS A CCR I SUBMITTED BASS YEAR AND IT IS BEING FUNDED THIS YEAR. OUR CEMETERIES ARE A FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT FIGURES AND EAST SIDE HISTORY AND IT'S TIME THEY BE RESPECTED AND INVESTED IN AS SUCH. I KEEP USING THE WORD EXCITED.I DON'T KNOW, THRILLED TO PRE AUTHORIZE SOME ITEMS INCLUDING $150,000 FOR MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL WHICH WILL ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE. ALMOST A $2 MILLION LAND BANK FOR THE LAND BANG. PROPERTY TO MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE EAST SIDE WHICH HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ISSUES. $750,000 FOR FACADE IMPROVEMENT FOR EAST SIDE BUSINESSES. I LOVE FORWARD TO WORKING WITH SAGE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. AND LONG OVERDUE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PARK. I'M GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE HE IT, WE ARE SOON APPROVING $1.8 MILLION FOR THE DESIGN OF A BRAND-NEW STAND-ALONE SENIOR CENTER IN DISTRICT 2 WHICH HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF MINE SINCE 2021. THIS IS A FANTASTIC DAY AND I'M PROUD OF EVERY PERSON WHO PLAYED A ROLE IN GETTING US HERE TODAY ESPECIALLY DISTRICT 2 RESIDENTS WHO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE GROWN TOGETHER, WE'VE LEARNED SO MUCH TOGETHER AND I'M SO EXCITED IN WHAT'S NEXT IN OUR FIGHT FOR A MORE JUST CITY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10? BEFORE WE GET TO OUR PROCEDURE, I WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.
BODY THAT OPERATES THROUGH CONSENSUS AND THERE'S NO BETTER EXAMPLE WHEN WE DO OUR BUDGET. I'M PLEASED TO HEAR MY COLLEAGUES' DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET. I KNOW NOT EVERYONE AGREES ON EVERY SINGLE ASPECT, BUT THIS IS A REPRESENTATION HOW WE CAN BALANCE THE NEEDS AND PRIORITIES OF AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY. TODAY IS MY 12TH AND FINAL CITY BUDGET.
AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK ERIK, MARIA, BEN, JUSTINA AND THE ENTIRE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT TEAMS FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF THE PUBLIC'S TAX DOLLARS. IT HAS HELPED US ARRIVE AT A BUDGET THAT COMPREHENSIVELY AGREES THE NEEDS OF OUR NEEDS WHILE BALANCING POST-COVID REALITIES.
JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS. 65 NEW POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE HIRED IN THE COMING YEAR, SO THANK YOU TO JEFF COIL, SALLY AND OUR FEDERAL ADVOCACY TEAM FOR DELIVERING ONE OF THE LARGEST PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR TO ANY COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES. RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT 500 ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WILL BE HOUSED, HIGHLIGHTING OUR COMMITMENT TO TACKLE THE ISSUE DIRECTLY. UNDER THE COMMITTED LEADERSHIP OF OUR ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, OVER 40,000 SPAY AND NEUTER PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE COMING NEAR DEMONSTRATING COLLECTIVE WORK TO IMPROVE OUR EUTHANASIA RATES AND TACKLE THE ISSUE OF STRAY AND DANGEROUS ANIMALS.
OVER 1600 STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED DESPITE THE FACT OVER $35 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS IN OUR GENERAL FUND WERE EXPERIENCED OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE FUNDED AND THAT NEED TO BE PRIORITIZE,ED, BUT SHOWER CONTINUING TO IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND INCREASING OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT.
WE'RE ALSO INTO OUR THIRD DECADE, AS COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN STATED, WITHOUT INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE. FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW, THIS DOCUMENT IS A BUDGET WHICH APPLIES AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK.
ONE THAT PRIORITIZES UNDER SERVED NEIGHBORHOODS ADDRESSING DECADES OF NEGLECT AND DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES AND ADDRESSING THE FACT WE SHOULD BE BUDGETING THIS COMMUNITY LIKE YOU WOULD YOUR HOUSEHOLD, APPLYING RESOURCES WHERE NEEDED THE MOST. I DO WANT TO ALSO TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT EIGHT YEARS AGO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT OPERATED AT A FRACTION OF WHAT IT DOES TODAY. ALL IN, WE HAVE A $3 BILLION PLAN TO AID, CONSTRUCT OR REHABILITATE 95,000 COST-BURDENED HOUSEHOLDS OVER THE NEXT DECADE AND WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY. WE ARE IMPLEMENTING SAN ANTONIO'S FIRST EVER $150 MILLION AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND.
WE'VE BUILT A WORKFORCE INFRASTRUCTURE, A CRADLE TO CAREER WORKFORCE PIPELINE AT
[02:25:01]
A SCALE PREVIOUSLY UNREALIZED BY ANY OTHER CITY IN THE NATION HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT WE'RE NOT AFRAID TO TAKE CHANCES WHEN IT COMES TO INVESTING IN SAN ANTONIO'S GREATEST ASSETS, ITS PEOPLE. SAN ANTONIO JUST LAUNCHED INSTALLATION OF ONE OF THE LARGEST MUNICIPAL SOLAR PROJECTS IN THE UNITED STATES FURTHERING OUR STATUS AS ONE OF THE MOST SUSTAINABILITY INCLUDING FIRST IN TEXAS. OUR AIRPORT IS FINALLY GETTING THE MAKEOVER IT DESERVES IN AN EMOTION THAT MAKES IT ONE OF THE MOST CONVENIENT AIRFIELDS AROUND.WE'RE ON THE CRISP -- CUSP AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO SAN ANTONIO'S FIRST EVER RAPID TRANSIT LINES. TODAY WE'RE TURNING THE PAGE ON LABOR RELATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, DELIVERING A CONTRACT FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS THAT HONORS THEIR SERVICE AND DULY RECOGNIZES COMMITMENT TO SAFETY FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I'M PROUD ORGANIZED LABOR HAS ENJOYED ONE OF IF NOT THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS WITH A CITY ORGANIZATION SAN ANTONIO MAYOR'S OFFICE. WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK ON EIGHT COSA BUDGETS THAT RESPECTS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. WE'VE ACHIEVED ALL THIS WHILE IMPLEMENTING SAN ANTONIO'S FIRST EVER HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION KEEPING OUR PROPERTY TAX RATE FLAT AND DELIVERING FURTHER TAX RELIEF TO OUR SENIOR AND DISABLED RESIDENTS. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT TEAMS AS WELL AS MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, AND I WANT TO, LIKE MY OTHER COLLEAGUES, THANK MY STAFF IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE WHO HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
THE BETTER PART OF THE PAST DECADE HAS BEEN SPEND BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF -- IF WE STAY ON COURSE WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN IT.
OUR INVESTMENTS HAVE USHERED IN RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THE UNDER SERVED YOU, THOSE EXPERIENCING PROPERTY AND LIFTING UP ALL SAN ANTONIO. I PROMISED WHEN I STARTED MY FIRST BUDGET IN THAT SEAT WE WOULD PUT OUR RESOURCES INTO BUILDING A CITY THAT IS TRULY REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL PEOPLE AND HAS EVERYONE AT THE TABLE AND I'M PROUD WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO MY COLLEAGUES, TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND TO ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROCESS. IT TRULY TAKES MONTHS AND MONTHS TO PUT A BUDGET TOGETHER, BUT I THINK WE ARE DOING RIGHT IN HONORING YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY AS WELL. WITH THAT, I WILL NOW -- WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEMS 4 THROUGH 10. IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED AND AMENDED TODAY AND SAVE EXCEPT SEPARATE VOTES FOR RECUSALS REQUESTED FOR OLDER ADULTS, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS, CESAR CHAVEZ LEGACY IN FOUNDATION, BIOMED, LAS CASAS FOUNDATION, GIRL SCOUTS, HEB, METHODIST HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES, MUSICAL BRIDGES AROUND THE WORLD, PROJECT QUEST AND THE WOODY MUSEUM. ANDY?
>> SEGOVIA: QUICK CLARIFICATION, MAYOR, THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE ITEM 4 WITH THE EXCEPTIONS THAT YOU OUTLINED. THERE WILL BE SEPARATE VOTES
ON THE OTHER -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'M SORRY.
DO WE NEED A NEW MOTION, ANDY? >> SEGOVIA: NO, MAYOR,
WITH THAT CLARIFICATION WE DON'T NEED A NEW MOTION. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON ITEM 4. >> SEGOVIA: ITEM 4, WITH THE EXCEPTIONS YOU READ.
IF YOU WANT TO READ IT AGAIN FOR CLARIFICATION. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND
WHO MADE THE MAIN MOTION? >> A MAIN MOTION. WHO MADE IT? COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
I WANT YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING CONDITION. ET CETERA MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED AND AMENDED TODAY SAVE AND EXCEPT SEPARATE VOTES FOR RECUSALS REQUESTED FOR OLDER ADULTS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, CESAR CHAVEZ LEGACY FOUNDATION, BIOMED SA, MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE, GIRL SCOUTS, HEB, METHODIST CARE
MINISTRIES, PROJECT QUEST AND THE WOODY MUSEUM. >> COURAGE: YES, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET AS AMENDED TODAY AND WRITTEN AND EXPRESSED BY THE
MAYOR. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE'VE GOT THAT CLARIFICATION IN THE MOTION. THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. FOR THOSE OF YOU SITTING OUT THIS, THIS IS WELL
[02:30:02]
CHOREOGRAPHED BECAUSE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF RECUSALS, BUT THIS IS THE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE ALL THE BUDGET IS PROPERLY APPROVED. NOW WE WILL TAKE UP FUNDING INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR WHICH COUNCILMEMBERS WISH TO RECUSE. WE'LL TAKE UP THE NEXT ITEM IS OLDER ADULTS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN WILL BE RECUSEING. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLOHAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE
BUDGET FOR OATS. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE FUNDING FOR OATS.
WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
THE NEXT ITEM FOR RECUSAL IS COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL AND COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA
WILL BE RECUSEING. >> HAVRDA: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. NEXT ITEM IS CESAR CHAVEZ LEGACY AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES, COUNCILMEMBER
PELÁEZ RECUSING. >> GARCIA: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING FOR THE
EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR CESAR CHAVEZ LEGACY IN EDUCATION AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES OUR NEXT ITEM IS BIOMED SA. COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ -- SORRY.
I SHOULDN'T BE READING THAT. >> >> VIAGRAN: THE NEXT ITEM IS BIOMED. MAYOR NIRENBERG AND COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ WILL BE
RECUSING. >> HAVRDA: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE
BUDGET FOR BIOMED SA. >> VIAGRAN: IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE FUNDING FOR BIOMED SA. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
NEXT ITEM FOR RECUSAL ARE LAS CASAS FOUNDATION, MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS, GIRL SCOUTS, MUSICAL BRIDGES AROUND THE WORLD, PROJECT QUEST AND THE WITTE MUSEUM. MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL BE RECUSING.
COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR LAS CASAS, MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS, GIRL SCOUTS, MUSICAL BRIDGES
AROUND THE WORLD AND PROJECT QUEST AND THE WITTE MUSEUM. >> SECOND.
>> VIAGRAN: IT'S BEEN MOVED TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL
RIGHT. ITEM NUMBER 5. >> CLERK: AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE ADOPTION OF THE FY 2025 BUDGET THAT WILL REQUIRE RAISING MORE REVENUE
FROM PROPERTY TAXES THAN IN FY24 BUDGET. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:
COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 5.
>> COURAGE: SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND ON ITEM NUMBER 5. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 6. >> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 6 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AT 33.009 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: I MOVE THAT PROPERTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION TAX RATE OF 33.009 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION,
[02:35:07]
EFFECTIVELY A DECREASE IN THE TAX RATE. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR ITEM 6.
WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 7. >> CLERK: ITEM 7 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE AD VALOREM CITY PROPERTY TAX RATE TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL INTEREST ON THE FUNDING DEBT FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2024, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: I MOVE THAT TAXES BE INCREASED BY ADOPTION OF A DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE OF 21.05 CENTS PER $100 TAXABLE VALUATION WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A DECREASE IN TAX RATE.
>> COURAGE: SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR ITEM 7. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 8. >> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 8 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FEES AS INCLUDED WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, TO
REFLECT SUCH CHANGES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: >> COURAGE: I MOVE TO
APPROVE THE FEE ORDINANCE ITEM NUMBER 8. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 8. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 9.
>> CLERK: ITEM 9, AN ORDINANCE CARRYING FORWARD CERTAIN 2024 FUNDS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:
COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: MOVE TO APPROVE THE CLOSING ORDINANCE, ITEM
9. >> COURAGE: SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 9.
WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE. ITEM NUMBER 10.
>> CLERK: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH LOCAL 624 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS FOR A PERIOD TO
COMMENT OCTOBER 1, 2024, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2027. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:
COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: I ENTHUSIASTICALLY MOVE TO APPROVE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, NUMBER 10.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND. BEFORE I ASK FOR A VOTE,
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO ASKED TO SPEAK. >> GAVITO: I WAS ADVISED I DID NOT NEED TO RECUSE, HOWEVER, I WANT TO ENSURE MY ACTIONS MEET THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS AND OFFER FULL SUPPORT BUT BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL NOT BE
ABSTAINING. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 10. WITHOUT ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. I THINK WE HAVE A BUDGET.
ERIK, DO YOU WANT TO -- [APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE. WE ARE EAGERLY MOVING FORWARD. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED, BUT ON TODAY'S CONSENT AGENDA YOU APPROVED ABOUT $60 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR '25 INFRASTRUCTNFURE SO WE'RE MOVING AHEAD AND LOOK FORWARD TO 2025. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ERIK. LET'S GET OUR CITY STAFF, LED BY ERIK AND MARIA AND JUSTINA, STAND UP AND JUST GIVE YOU A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] DON'T GO ANYWHERE YET, WE'RE
NOT DONE. ANDY, DO WE HAVE EXEC? >> SEGOVIA: VERY SHORT
[02:40:05]
ONE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ERIK, NO REPORT TODAY.
SO BEFORE I ADJOURN US, I'M TOLD THERE ARE GLUTEN-FREE CUPCAKES IN THE BACK BECAUSE WE'RE RECOGNIZING COUNCILMEMBER KAUR'S BIRTHDAY.
[APPLAUSE] TIME IS NOW 11:54 A.M. ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVING CITY EMERGENCY, PREPAREDNESS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ALL PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
TIME IS 12:22 P.M. ON THE 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024.
CITY COUNCIL HAS RECONVENED FROM ITS EXECUTIVE SESSION. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN AND OUR MEETING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.