Nov 21, 2024 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

[00:01:23]

>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WOMEN WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. IF YOU CAN TAKE YOUR SEATS, WE'LL GET STARTED AT 9:11 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024. WE'LL CALL OR MEETING TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK.

SESSION. WE'VE GOT A BUSY DAY TODAY. SO APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR ATTENTION. I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATER.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THIS MORNING WE HAVE DR. PETER LAWSON WITH US FROM THE MT. ARARAT BAPTIST CHURCH IN DISTRICT 5. HE'S AN AUTHENTIC ENCOURAGER WHO MOTIVATES OTHERS WITH THE MESSAGE OF HOPE. HIS VICTORIOUS MESSAGE HAS INFORMED THE LIVES OF MANY. PETER LAWSON'S MESSAGE FACILITATES THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE BROKENHEARTED AND BRINGS FREEDOM TO THE CAPTIVE. WALKING IN PURE VICTORY.

IT'S A PROCESS. IT'S A REMINDER OF GOD'S UNWAVERING LOVE AS A PASTOR, HE WALKS IN PURE VICTORY AS HE EMPOWERS OTHERS AND HE PROVIDED THIS BOOK OF HIS SO WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO CHECK THAT OUT AS

WELL. I HAND IT OVER TO YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

LET US PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU TODAY WITH HUMBLE HEARTS, SEEKING YOUR DIVINE GUIDANCE, WISDOM FOR SAN ANTONIO.

WE ASK FOR YOUR PRESENCE TO FEEL THESE CHAMBERS. WE PRAY FOR EACH COUNCILMEMBER BY NAME, GRANT THEM THE CLARITY OF MIND AND PURITY OF INTENTIONS. RESTORE UPON THEM THE WISDOM TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT ALL CITIZENS. FEEL THE HEARTS WITH COMPASSION FOR THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ASK FOR YOUR BLESSINGS ON THE CITY. MAY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CONTINUE TO GROW IN PROSPERITY AND UNITY.

HELP US TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES WITH COURAGE AND INNOVATION.

GUIDE US IN THE PRESERVING OF OUR RICH HERITAGE WHILE EMBRACING NEW AND POSITIVE CHANGES. FATHER, WE PRAY FOR THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED TODAY. MAY SOLUTIONS BE FOUND THAT ARE HONORABLE WITH YOUR PRINCIPLES AND JUSTICE AND MERCY FOR ALL. HELP US HELP OUR LEADERS TODAY TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY, SETTING ASIDE PERSONAL AGENDAS. LET EACH OUTCOME OF THIS MEETING BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ASK YOU TO, IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS, TO FILL THESE CHAMBERS WITH YOUR LOVE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. IN JESUS' PRECIOUS NAME,

[00:05:09]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PASTOR LAWSON. THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA FOR APPROVAL IS ITEM NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 30TH, 31, NOVEMBER 6TH AND 7TH. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER THREE. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE A FULL AGENDA TODAY, AND WE HAVE MULTIPLE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

I JUST WANT TO -- FOR COURTESY OF FOLKS WAITING HERE FOR A LONG TIME, GOING TO TELL YOU HOW THE ORDER OF EVENTS WILL GO TODAY.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING TIME AT 10:30. WE DO HAVE A FEW ITEMS THAT WILL BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY TODAY ON OUR MORNING AGENDA.

I DO KNOW THAT ITEM 14 WILL LIKELY BE PULLED AND SO THAT ITEM WILL PROBABLY NOT BE HEARD IN THIS MORNING PERIOD. I'M GOING TO RECESS OUR A SESSION AT OR AROUND 10:30 SO WE CAN HAVE THAT SPECIAL MEETING.

ANY ITEMS WE DON'T GET TO IN THE MORNING PART, WELCOME BACK TO IMMEDIATELY AFTER OUR 10:30 SESSION WHICH WILL LAST A COUPLE HOURS SO EVERYONE IS CLEAR ON HOW THAT WILL GO. HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE A FULL A SESSION. SO WE HAVE ONE ITEM SO FAR LISTED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. THAT IS ITEM NUMBER 4.

SO LET ME ASK MY COLLEAGUES NOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER ITEMS TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO HEAR INDIVIDUALLY.

>> ITEM 22. ITEM 22. >> 41, 42, AND 43.

ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43. >> 14. ITEM 14.

ANY OTHERS? OKAY. I HAVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS THAT WILL BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY, ITEMS 4, 14, 22, 41, 42, AND 43.

EVERYTHING ELSE -- YES. EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE HEARD ON CONSENT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ORDER IN LISTENING TO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. >> SO IF WE HAVE TIME, 14 IS DONE BEFORE THE

OTHERS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. WELL, WE WON'T HAVE TIME, BUT WE CAN HEAR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

SO WE HAVE ITEMS 4, 14, 22, 41 THROUGH 43. ANY OTHERS BEFORE I ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA? I WOULD TAKE A MOTION ON THE REMINDER OF CONSENT. IF YOU'RE PART OF DISCUSSION, PLEASE HAVE A SEAT. IS THIS A MOTION ON THE

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

CONSENT AGENDA? >> I MAKE A MOTION. >> SECOND.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

>> I BELIEVE THE COUNCILMEMBER WANTED -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IF THERE'S NO OTHER ITEMS TO PULL, I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE FOLKS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. IF THERE'S ANY OTHER ITEMS TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, LET ME KNOW BEFORE WE GO TO VOTE.

>> MAYOR, IF YOU'LL GIVE ME ONE SECOND, THERE IS ANOTHER ONE?

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'M GOING TO CALL CYNTHIA ON ITEM NUMBER SIX.

CYNTHIA CAB ASOS, ARE YOU HERE? OKAY.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 27, JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG,

[00:10:08]

AGENT RISING CONTRACTS WITHIN POWERHOUSE SA, ET CETERA.

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR TERM THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH FOR SERVICE COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING HEALTHCARE NAVIGATION AND REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTHCARE.

WHAT IS THIS? WELL, APPARENTLY IT'S THE SO-CALLED REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND, THE ONE WHERE MANY OF Y'ALL WANTED TO TRANSPORT WOMEN ESSENTIALLY TRANSPORT WOMEN ACROSS STATE LINES TO GET ABORTIONS. YEAH. LET'S SEE.

WHAT ELSE DOES IT DO HERE? MR. AUDIO VISUAL MAN, PUT IT UP THERE AND SEE WHAT IT SAYS THERE. FOLLOWING AGREEMENTS TO PROMOTE ESSENTIALLY HEALTHCARE NAVIGATION AND REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTHCARE. KEEP SCROLLING DOWN. MAYBE IT'S THE NEXT PAGE THERE. YEAH. YEAH.

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IS THE TERM COINED BY -- ENCOMPASSES THE RIGHT NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN. FLIP THE PAGE, IF YOU WOULD.

WHAT ELSE DOES IT SAY? SUPPOSEDLY IT'S GOING TO CLOSE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH GAPS. ONE OF THEM IS ACCESS TO ABORTION.

ACCESS TO ABORTION. IT WAS ABOUT 52,000 AND NOW IT'S DOWN TO 52 LATER ON. FLIP TO THE NEXT PAGE, IF YOU WOULD THERE.

YEAH. EVIDENCE-BASED -- PROVIDES SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE INCLUDING EVIDENCE BASED SEXUAL EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOLS AND WRAP AROUND PRENATAL CARE SERVICES. OKAY.

THOSE OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL MAY WISH TO ASK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS HERE. DOES THIS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM SUPPORT THE TRANSPORTING OF PERSONS TO ABORTIONISTS? WE NEED A DEFINITIVE ANSWER ON THIS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP EARLIER. WE KEPT GETTING CONFLICTING REPORTS THAT NO, IT'S NOT THERE. WELL, WE WANT TO KNOW DEFINITIVELY ONCE AND FOR ALL. HERE'S ANOTHER BIG QUESTION.

DOES THE -- DO THE CONTRACEPTIVES MENTION IT BEING OFFERED? DOES ANY OF THEM INCLUDE THE ABORTION PILL? YEAH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION NOW. ACTUALLY, I'M SORRY. ITEM 40 DOES HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON IT. JEFF EXLER ON ITEM 40.

YOU'RE WAIVING YOUR TIME, SIR? WE'LL GET RIGHT NOW TO COUNSEL DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IF YOU CAN QUEUE UP PLEASE. I DON'T HAVE ANYONE -- ONE SECOND.

YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL 27? OKAY.

SO 27 WILL BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. SO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS NOW ARE ON CONSENT AND I HAVE -- I HAVE CONSENSUS ON PULLING THAT ONE. 14, 22, 27, 41, 42, AND 43. THAT'S ALSO IN ADDITION TO ITEM 4 WHICH WE'LL HEAR IN JUST A MINUTE. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

SO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 23. I'M EXCITED WITH THE AGREEMENT WITH RIVER CITY PRODUCE. I RECENTLY VISITED THE PRODUCE FACILITY AND LEARNED SO MUCH THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT THEY GO THROUGH TO PROVIDE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FROM SAN ANTONIO AND BEYOND. THE WHOLE PROCESS BEFORE IT MAKES ITS WAY TO H-E-B IS FASCINATING. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE PARTNERS ON THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL. THEY GO OUT OF THERE ARE WAY TO PROVIDE FRESH FRUITS AT THE FRUIT MARKET. I FIND IT IMPORTANT TO REMIND FOLKS OF INCORPORATING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INTO OUR DIET AND HOW IT CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE THIS IN DISTRICT 5.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA

[00:15:03]

GARCIA. >> I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK METRO HEALTH AND THE TEAM FROM PALO ALTO COLLEGE FOR WORKING ON A DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE KNOW ORAL HEALTH IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF A PERSON'S OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND I KNOW THAT THIS PROGRAM ACTUALLY BEGAN BEFORE MY COUNCIL TERM.

SO SHOUT OUT TO FORMER COUNCILMEMBER RAY SALDANA.

NOT ONLY IS THE FOCUS OF THIS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE QUALITY DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND SERVE RESIDENTS WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO AFFORD THESE SERVICES. PRESENTING THESE CAREER PATHWAYS IS CRITICAL AS WE BUILD OUT OUR ECOSYSTEM IN SOUTH SAN ANTONIO AND ALIGNING OUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IN UNDER SERVED AREAS CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC AND I WAS AMAZED AND EAGER TO LET RESIDENTS KNOW THIS CLINIC IS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE KNOW THE NEED EXISTS, AND SO, AGAIN, I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF PALO ALTO COLLEGE AND THE ENTIRE TEAM FOR ALL OF THOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES.

HOSTING FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS TO MAKE SURE IT'S MORE WELCOMING TO STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN THE AREA AS WELL. THE TEAM CONTINUES TO ENGAGE WITH RESIDENTS AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS LIKE THE DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC. METRO HEALTH TEAM COLLABORATES VERY WELL.

OUR DISTRICT 14 AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS WHERE IT EXISTS. IT'S CRITICAL. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 16 UNDER THE TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM.

TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL TO ENCOURAGE JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVEST. IN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS. IT OPERATES IN LOUISIANA AND THROUGHOUT TEXAS WHERE THEY MAINTAIN THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN SAN ANTONIO IN DISTRICT 3 AND ARE ACTIVE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING PROJECTS WITH CASA, SCHOLARSHIPS WITH THE UNIVERSITIES. SO HOLT INTENDS TO INVEST $9.75 IN REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TO EXPAND THE HEADQUARTERS CAMPUS WITH THE EXPANSION OF THEIR FACILITIES, THEY WILL RETAIN 879 FULL-TIME JOBS. AS OF THEIR JUNE 2024 REPORT, THEY COUNT OVER 1,000 FULL-TIME JOBS AT THE PROJECT SITE AND INVESTED OVER $43.8 UNTIL IN REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 12A APPROVAL OF LAKE EN HALL. I BELIEVE SHE IS HERE TODAY IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND STANDING. FEEL FREE TO CLAP.

THE ADVISORY BOARD. LAKE EN IS A GRADUATE OF NORTH TEXAS WHO RETURNED TO SAN ANTONIO TO PURSUE HER PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, DIVE INTO HER LOVE OF FILM AND BE SUPPORTIVE OF HER FAMILY WHO SHE LOVES SO MUCH.

WE'RE EXCITED TO JOINED HER TODAY TO ROUND OUT THE COMMITTEE SO SHE CAN SHARE HER VOICE AND PERSPECTIVES ON OUR MOST PRESSING ISSUES AS A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, AGAIN, LAIKEN, AND THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 1.

11. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY EXCITEMENT ABOUT THIS PROJECT. I ADVOCATED FOR A CLINIC AND PARTNERED WITH TERI CASTILLO AND COUNCILMEMBER SACOR. I'M GLAD WE'RE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE AT HAND MAKING PET STERILE ICATION IS A HUGE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AMENDMENT AND ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS CLINIC A REALITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I WANT TO THANK MICHAEL SHANNON FOR ALL THE WORK HE HAS DONE AS INTERIM ACS DIRECTOR IN PUSHING THIS PROJECT FORWARD. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE FINAL RESULT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> ITEM 15, AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR AIRPORT AND THE SERVICES

[00:20:02]

THANKS SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 12B.

DENNIS IS A GREAT MAN, A VETERAN, AND WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD IN DISTRICT 10 THAT HE'S AGREED TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO DENNIS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HIS SERVICE.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE TWO ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT TODAY.

THE FIRST IS ITEM FOR A CONTRACT FOR HVAC AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER ON THE WEST SIDE THAT GETS A LOT OF USE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE THERE HAS A COOL ENVIRONMENT TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT FACILITY. THEN THE SECOND ONE IS ITEM NUMBER 31, WHICH IS A CONTRACT FOR TEXAS RIO GRANDE LEGAL AID. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEM FOR ROBERT E. LEE TENANTS, AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND HOW MUCH THEY TRULY CARE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

EXCITED TO SEE THEM GET THIS CONTRACT. THANKS, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. ALSO WANTED TO JUST TO MENTION TRLA AND THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROGRAM WHICH IS PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS. THIS PARTICULAR AGREEMENT IS THE RESULT OF -- WILL RESULT IN FREE LEGAL AID TO ROUGHLY 330 HOUSEHOLDS AT OR BELOW 30% -- EXCUSE ME -- 80%. THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROGRAM HAS HELPED MORE THAN 4,000 RESIDENTS THROUGH COURT CLINICS, EVICTION PREVENTION RESOURCES AND EDUCATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH FIRMS LIKE TEXAS RURAL LEGAL AID AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PROCESSES. ON AVERAGE, 500 EVICTIONS PER WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WITH THAT, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA EXCEPT FOR THE ONES WE PULLED, AS WELL AS 27. PLEASE VOTE.

[ACTION ITEMS FOR STAFF BRIEFING]

>> ORDINANCE APPROVING BALTAZAR BUDDY VARGAS AS THE CITY INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. BUDDY, COME ON UP.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN WELL SERVED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR, WHICH IS A FUNCTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND A POSITION WHICH ISS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THROUGH OUR CHARTER.

SO WE RECENTLY SAW THE RETIREMENT OF OUR LONG TIME CITY MANAGER -- CITY AUDITOR WHO DID A TREMENDOUS JOB. DID I MAKE ERIK NERVOUS? BUDDY HAS BEEN SELECTED TO BE OUR NEW CITY AUDITOR. SO I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR NOW TO COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN FOR REMARKS AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO SEE OUR NEW CITY AUDITOR GET SWORN IN. WE'LL GIVE YOU THE FLOOR TO ADDRESS

THE COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, BUDDY, FOR PUTTING YOUR NAME OUT THERE AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SERVE THE CITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SO FAR.

I WANT TO THANK MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDED COUNCILMEMBER JOHN COURAGE, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.

I THANK MY COUNCILMEMBERS FOR MAKING THIS CHOICE AS WE

[00:25:02]

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. BEFORE WE GET TO THE ACTION, BUDDY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE THE FLOOR AND MAKE COMMENTS?

>> SURE. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS PROCESS. I LEARNED A LOT. LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ERIK AND HIS TEAM. JUST THANK YOU FOR THE CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE IN MYSELF AND ALSO MY TEAM.

SOME OF MY TEAM ARE HERE TODAY. BUT JUST THANK YOU FOR THAT CONFIDENCE AND, AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION.

THANK YOU.

RIGHT. WELL, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER

4. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 4. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME ABOARD, BUDDY.

WE'LL GET YOU SWORN IN NOW. >> ALL RIGHT.

IN THE NAME. >> IN THE NAME. >> AND BY THE

AUTHORITY. >> AND BY THE AUTHORITY.

>> OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. >> OF THE STATE OF

TEXAS. >> I, STATE YOUR NAME. >> I, BALTAZAR VARGAS.

>> SO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY RESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE

SO HELP ME GOD. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

[Miscellaneous  ]

WE'LL GO NOW TO ITEM NUMBER 14. >> ITEM NUMBER 14 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING CONTRACTS WITH HOST TRUE FLAVORS FOR FOOD AND CONCESSION SERVICES AT SAT 2024LLC FOR RETAIL CONCESSION SERVICES FOR OVER $54 MILLION OVER TEN YEAR TERM. REVENUES GENERATED WILL BE DEPOSITED WITHIN THE AIRPORT OPERATING MAINTENANCE FUND.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. ITEM NUMBER 14 HAS A FEW FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON IT. DO WE HAVE A

PRESENTATION FIRST? WE DO >> WE DO HAVE A PRESENTATION. I CAN GO THROUGH IT FIRST, OR IF WE WANT TO

DISCUSS IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD TO DISCUSSION. WE HAVE FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 14.

THEY ARE ALL SIGNED UP IN A GROUP. SO JOHNNY HERNANDEZ, ELIZABETH JOHNSON, JASON DEITY, ALISON BALFOUR. YOU'LL HAVE NINE

MINUTES, JOHNNY. >> WOW. AMAZING.

I LOVE TO COME HERE AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, MANAGER, JEFF COIL.

I WANT TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF JESUS AND HIS TEAM. AFTER BEING AT THE AIRPORT OVER 12 YEARS, HIS TEAM HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND HE IS DOING SUCH IMPORTANT TRANSFORMATIONAL WORK.

I JUST HOPE WE CAN KEEP HIM HERE A VERY LONG TIME. MANY OF YOU KNOW

[00:30:02]

THEY WOULD CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO BE ON TOP CHEF, TO BE ON MULTIPLE FOOD NETWORK SHOWS, TO BE IN HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES AND MAGAZINES, EVEN INVITATION TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT'S MY CULTURE AND MY FOOD TRADITIONS THAT HAVE LED THE CULINARY TRANSFORMATION OF AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY LIKE THE PEARL, LIKE THE FROST BANK CENTER WITH THE SPURS, AND FINALLY SAT, OUR SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL P AIRPORT. 12 YEARS AGO, WHAT BROUGHT A SMILE TO MY FACE MOST OFTEN IS WHEN I WOULD HEAR A TRAVELER SAY, I JUST HAD THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD AT THE AIRPORT IN SAN ANTONIO.

THAT BROUGHT SO MUCH PRIDE TO ME AND MY TEAM.

THIS TEAM YOU SEE BEHIND ME HAS OVER 200 YEARS OF COMBINED CULINARY OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THEY ARE THE TOP CULINARY INNOVATORS IN SAN ANTONIO, AND TOGETHER WE REPRESENT THE TRUE TASTE OF SAN ANTONIO. THEY ARE NOMINATED, IRON CHEFS.

THEY ARE CULINARY AMBASSADORS, EXPERTS ON NUTRITION, MICHELIN AWARDED AND RECOGNIZED BAD ASS STARS. I CAN'T OPEN SOCIAL MEDIA WITHOUT SEEING THE COLA ON INSTAGRAM. IT GIVES ME SO MUCH PRIDE FOR THE WORK THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN OUR COMMUNITY AS A CITY. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR CULINARY COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS. I'LL ASK IN NICOLA TO COME UP FIRST.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS CHEF NICOLA BLACK. MY RESTAURANT IS LOCATED ON THE FAR WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO NEAR SEA WORLD. OUR RESTAURANT HAS BEEN HONORED AS ONE THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA BY GQ AND EATER. WE WERE FEATURED ON DINERS, DRIVE INS, AND DIVES. WE RECEIVED THE DISTINCTION FROM MICHELIN GUIDE. IN ADDITION TO THE JERK SHACK, I OWN FREIGHT FRIED CHICKEN WHERE RETAIL AND UNTOLD STORY OF FRIED CHICKEN IN AMERICA. MY CULINARY JOURNEY BEGAN AFTER SERVING TEN YEARS ON ACTIVE DUTY AS A LOGISTICS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER COMPLETING FOUR COMBAT TOURS ALONGSIDE MY HUSBAND, A DECORATED WAR HERO AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT. OVER A DECADE AGO, WE RELOCATED TO SAN ANTONIO TO ATTEND THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF INTERSECTION. FROM JAMAICA AND A PROUD AMERICAN, IT HAS NOT ABOUT MY PRIVILEGE TO SHARE MY HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE TAPESTRY OF SAN ANTONIO.

THE CITY HAS BECOME NOT ONLY OUR HOME BUT ALSO THE FOUNDATION OF MY CAREER IN A PLACE WHERE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE MY MARK.

IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO BE PART OF THIS POWERHOUSE TEAM OF CHEFS WHERE TALENT, PASSION, AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY ARE IN MATCH.

JOHNNY HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND SO MUCH OF OUR COLLECTIVE SUCCESS. HE PAVED THE WAY FOR CHEFS LIKE ME TO EMBRACE AND CELEBRATE OUR HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD. HIS EFFORTS TO ELEVATE THE DEPTH AND RICHNESS OF MEXICAN CUISINE HAVE NOT ONLY REDEFINED PERCEPTIONS BUT CREATED SPACE TO THRIVE AND SHARE STORIES.

TODAY THE JERK SHACK HAS GROWN INTO AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BRAND. THAT SUCCESS IS ROOTED IN THE TRAILBLAZING WORK OF PIONEERS LIKE CHEF JOHNNY AND HIS BRAND. CHEF JOHNNY'S VISION HAS PROPELLED SAN ANTONIO ON TO THE GLOBAL STAGE INSPIRING AND ENABLING CHEFS LIKE ME TO CREATE WORLDWIDE BRANDS OF OUR OWN. THE FOUNDATION OF MY JOURNEY BEGAN WITH HIS LEADERSHIP AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE HIS LEGACY DESERVES TO BE EN SHINED HERE AT SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT.

CHEF JOHNNY IS THE MAGIC THAT UNITES US ALL. HIS INFLUENCE EXTENDS FAR BEYOND WHAT MANY WILL EVER REALIZE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. I'M ELIZABETH JOHNSON. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT AND REMIND EVERYONE OF IS THAT SAN ANTONIO IS THE ONLY CITY IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES THAT HAS A WORLD HERITAGE DESIGNATION FOR OUR FIVE MISSIONS AND A CREATIVE CITY'S DESIGNATION FOR OUR CITY OF GASTRONOMY. THAT DESIGNATION CREATES THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO USE FOOD AND CULTURE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AS WELL AS A DRIVER FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THAT

[00:35:05]

I'M SO PROUD THAT OUR TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IS MARKED BY US ENTERING INTO THE SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT AND BEING ABLE TO SERVE VISITORS, AND I'M PART OF THIS AMAZING, AMAZING GROUP OF CHEFS AND PROFESSIONALS AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT CITY OF GASTRONOMY DESIGNATION TO THE AIRPORT SO WHEN OUR VISITORS ENTER EP AND LEAVE, THEY ARE REMINDED OF OUR POWERHOUSE OF CULTURE, FOOD, AND FOOD

OF SAN ANTONIO. HERE WE GO. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. MY NAME IS JEFF BALFOUR.

I JUST WANTED TO START BY THANKING YOU GUYS. I MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO 22 YEARS AGO. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK CHEF JOHNNY.

FROM THAT TIME, I OPENED HOTEL VALENCIA DOWNTOWN, WON MULTIPLE BEST RESTAURANT HOTEL AWARDS AS WELL AS COMPLETING LEADERSHIP SAN ANTONIO.

I WAS ASKED TO OPEN A RESTAURANT. CHEF JOHNNY WAS THERE FOR ME. WE ARCED HARD TOWARDS IT.

TRUE STORY, I HAD ONE -- I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE TOLD YOU THIS, BUT I HAD ONE GOAL AND SAID IF I COULD COME SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO WHAT JOHNNY MAKES, I'LL BE SUCCESSFUL AT PEARL. AFTER YEAR ONE, I ROLLED PAST HIM, SORRY, BROTHER. IT HAD TO BE DONE.

WE HELD ON TO THAT TITLE. WE ARE NOW THE MOST POPULAR RESTAURANT AT PEARL. IT GOES BACK TO THANKING JOHNNY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. HE'S BEEN HERE WITH US 22 YEARS. WE WERE HUMBLED TO WIN AN AWARD.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US AND THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PACKAGE. WE'RE HUMBLED AND HONORED. THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT. AS I WAS SITTING THROUGH THIS PROCESS THIS WEEK, I REALIZED AND IT SOUNDED NAIVE, BUT THIS LITERALLY HAS THE ABILITY TO BE THE BEST RESTAURANT CHEF GROUP IN AN AIRPORT IN THE WORLD, IN THE WORLD, WITH MICHELIN RECOGNITION, JAMES BEARD RECOGNITION. I STARTED THINKING, WHAT AIRPORTS HAVE THAT? I JUST SIMPLY COULDN'T COME UP WITH ONE. .

THINK THAT I PROUD AND HONORABLE FOR US. YOU HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE COMMITTED TO THEIR CRAFT AND CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THEIR BRAND. WE CARE ABOUT WHAT WE DO, WE'RE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE CITY FROM THE NORTH SIDE TO THE SOUTH SIDE TO THE EAST SIDE. THIS GROUP IS A GREAT REPRESENTATION OF SAN ANTONIO. I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SUCCESS ON THAT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CITY COVERAGE AND THE MULTI UNIT ABILITY FOR US THAT WE UNDERSTAND HOW TO OPERATE MULTIPLE UNITS.

I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS RESTAURANT.

JOHNNY, THANK YOU. WE'RE PRIVILEGED TO BE HERE, AND I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW HOW THANKFUL WE'RE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHEFS. WELL-DONE.

RIGHT. THAT'S EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 14. WE'LL BEGIN COUNSEL DISCUSSION NOW.

COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> THANK YOU. I MOVE TO AMEND THE MOTION TO DIRECT AVIATION DEPARTMENT STAFF --

WE'LL NEED TO GET A MAIN MOTION FIRST. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO

APPROVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. >> NOW I MOVE TO --

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. SECONDED BY CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> I MOVE TO AMEND TO DIRECT AVIATION DEPARTMENT STAFF FOR AN AGREEMENT FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE PACKAGE ONE AT SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND RETURN TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL IF AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED. IF AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED, THEN STAFF IS DIRECTED TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION FOR A PRIME CONCESSION AGREEMENT FOR

FOOD AND BEVERAGE PACK ONE. >> SECOND.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND, WHICH AUTHORIZED THE MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, PACKAGE ONE. WE'RE ALSO AWARDING

[00:40:02]

EVERYBODY CLEAR ON THAT? OKAY.

WE'LL CONTINUE DISCUSSION NOW. COUNCILMEMBER HAVRDA.

WE'LL TAKE THIS AS ONE DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT FIRST

BEFORE THE MAIN DISCUSSION. >> I'LL BE BRIEF.

I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER NEGOTIATE ON WHAT CONCEPTS WILL BE AT THE AIRPORT.

CORRECT? >> YES. I'M NOT TRYING TO PLAY ATTORNEY HERE. THE MAIN MOTION IS TO AWARD THE RETAIL PACKAGE, THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE PACK TO HOST, AND THEN TO GIVE AUTHORITY TO THE STAFF, THE AIRPORT STAFF TO GO NEGOTIATE WITH HOST FOR PACKAGE ONE, THE ONE THAT WE WERE NOT BRINGING FORWARD FOR APPROVAL TODAY.

>> THAT'S WITH THE AMENDMENT. >> THAT'S WITH THE

AMENDMENT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ERT WILL.

AGAIN, WE'LL DO ONE DISCUSSION, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE THE AMENDMENT VOTE AND THEN THE MAIN MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA

GARCIA. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO JUST SAY AGAIN HOW PROUD I AM, HOW PROUD I AM OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO REPRESENT SAN ANTONIO. THE CITY OF GASTRONOMY DESIGNATION, I SAID ON THE VISIT SAN ANTONIO BOARD, AND THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT. THEY TALK ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL THE FOOD IS.

A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I WERE RECENTLY IN TAMPA, AND EVERYBODY'S EXCITED ABOUT WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO COME BACK TO SAN ANTONIO AND THE THING THAT KEEPS COMING UP AND IS CONSTANT IS THE FOOD AND THE VARIETY OF FOOD BY THE WAY WAS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES LAST WEEK.

THAT MAKES ME SO PROUD BECAUSE LIKE CHEF JOHNNY TALKED ABOUT, TACOS AND WE TALK ABOUT TACOS, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH MORE. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU BRINGS YOUR UNIQUE CONCEPTS INTO IT, AND I'M SO PROUD THAT YOU ALL CAN WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WORKING TOGETHER, THERE'S ENOUGH ROOM FOR EVERYBODY TO SHINE AND FOR THE CITY TO SHINE.

YOU ALL DON'T COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER. YOU BRING ONE ANOTHER UP. YOU UPLIFT EACH OTHER. YOU EMPOWER EACH OTHER.

LET ME TELL YOU THAT THAT'S JUST SO REFRESHING AND UNCOMMON. SO IN A WORLD WHERE THERE'S SO MUCH COMPETITION AND WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO, AGAIN, JUST PUSH EACH OTHER OUT OF THE WAY, NOT HERE. NOT IN OUR CITY.

YOU ARE SAN ANTONIO, AND, AGAIN, I'M JUST SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU ALL. CHEF JOHNNY, I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE IRON MAN OF THE AVENGERS THAT YOU'VE ASSEMBLED HERE AND ARE LEADING.

I KNOW IT'S IRON CHEF THAT Y'ALL ARE AFTER, BUT I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE IRON MAN OF SAN ANTONIO. SO JUST SO PROUD TO SAY THAT WE LIVE IN A CITY THAT GETS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER. TO YOUR POINT, EARLIER WHEN YOU WERE SAYING, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT. I WAS THINKING WHERE HAVE I TRAVELED THAT I'VE SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS? YEAH. NOWHERE. I COULDN'T THINK OF ANY. I THINK YOU TRAVEL A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN I DO. BUT I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE THE BEST RESTAURANTS AT THE SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT. SO GRATEFUL TO JEFF AND THE TEAM AND EVERYBODY WHO IS HERE IN SUPPORT TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> THANKS, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK JESUS, CITY STAFF, JEFF, ALL OF OUR TEAM FOR ALL THE WORK THEY'VE DONE IN THIS REGARD. IT'S REALLY AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES, I THINK, THAT WE HAVE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IN TERMS OF CULINARY TALENT HE. I THINK WITHOUT QUESTION, WHATEVER THE SPECIFICS ARE ON HOW THIS ENDS UP, OUR AIRPORT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WILL HAVE THE BEST FOOD IN THE COUNTRY.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. IN TERMS OF THE MOTION, I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE COUNCILMEMBER'S MOTION. I BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, ALLOWING OUR CITY TEAM TO NEGOTIATE DIRECTLY ON THIS OTHER PACKAGE AND FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING TO BE BEST TO PUT IN THE AIRPORT IS THE WAY TO GO. SO I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S WORK ON THAT, AND I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE MOTION. THANKS.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'LL BE BRIEF. I DID WANT TO THANK JESUS AND JEFF. I KNOW THIS WAS NO EASY FEAT.

ALSO, I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT COUNCILMEMBER DR. ROCHA GARCIA SAID.

I THINK SEEING THE MAKE-UP OF THE TEAMS IS REALLY INSPIRING HOW WE LINKED ARMS AND FORMED GREAT TEAMS COLLECTIVELY.

I DON'T THINK THAT YOU SEE THAT IN OTHER CITIES.

[00:45:02]

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING THIS FORWARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER SURGERY.

>> COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> I WANT TO COMMEND THE WORK THAT ALL OF THESE GREAT CHEFS HAVE BEEN DOING IN THIS COMMUNITY. I KNOW FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

I THINK THAT THE RESTAURANTS AND THE OPERATIONS THAT YOU RUN REALLY BENEFIT THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY IMMENSELY AND HAVE REALLY GIVEN US NATIONAL RECOGNITION. I THINK, AS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD, MAYBE EVEN FROM INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT AND TALK WITH YOU OVER LUNCH. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS VERY SITUATION. IF THE COUNCIL RECALLS, THERE WAS A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY AIRPORT STAFF THAT WE DON'T AWARD BOTH CONTRACTS AT THE TIME THAT THESE WERE PRESENTED, THAT THEY BE BROUGHT -- THEY BE BROKEN UP INTO TWO CONTRACTS. I SPOKE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE RESTAURANTS DIDN'T SEEM TO MATCH THE EXPECTATION THAT THE FIRST WAS GOING TO GRANT US, PARTICULARLY THE SIZE AND RETURN TO THE CITY.

NOW, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS, AS A COUNCIL DECIDING WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PROCESS WE AGREED TO OR THAT THE CITY STAFF PUT IN PLACE. THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS GROUP AND MAYBE ONE OR TWO OR HOWEVER MANY OTHERS WHO WANTED TO BID ON THE SECOND SET OF SPACES AT THE AIRPORT. IT WAS AGREED THAT THAT WOULD BE HOW WE MOVE FORWARD. I HATE TO THINK THAT THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE INFLUENCED TO CHANGE PROCEDURES IN MIDSTREAM POLITICALLY, THAT -- I ENJOYED THE LUNCH WITH THESE PEOPLE.

THEY'RE GREAT PEOPLE. THEY DO A GREAT OPERATION.

BUT FOR THEM TO COME OR ANYONE TO COME AROUND AND SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS PROCESS, EVEN THOUGH WE AGREED THAT WE WOULD DO THAT. WE CAN CHANGE IT BECAUSE WE LIKE THESE PEOPLE.

I DON'T DISAGREE WE LIKE THEM. I DON'T DISAGREE THEY DO A GOOD JOB. I DO DISAGREE OF CHANGING THE PROCESS.

WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE GOOD OLD BOY KIND OF REASONS.

I CANNOT VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE I THINK WE SHOULD GO THROUGH WITH THE PROCESS WE PUT IN PLACE. I THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE INTEGRITY OF THIS COUNCIL. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> THANKS FOR -- TO EVERYBODY FOR SHOWING UP. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN ALWAYS SAYS I DON'T LIKE AMENDMENTS FROM THE DAIS, BUT TODAY I CELEBRATE THE AMENDMENT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS WATCHING. WE'RE DOING AN AMENDMENT FROM THE DAIS, AND IT'S COMING FROM D3 AND IT'S A GOOD THING. SO WE HAVE -- SO HERE'S WHAT I WANT, AND TELL ME IF THIS IS WHAT I'M GETTING JESUS, IF I SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING AUTHENTICITY, WHEN PEOPLE GET OFF AN AIRPLANE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE WOWED BY SAN ANTONIO SMACKING THEM IN THE FACE.

IT'S AN EXPLOSION ALL OVER THEM AS WE WALK THROUGH THIS AIRPORT BY SEEING THESE FANTASTIC CONCEPTS. RIGHT? THAT DOESN'T CHANGE BY APPROVING THIS AMENDMENT.

RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> BY APPROVING THIS AMENDMENT, WE'RE ALSO MAKING SURE TO GIVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE SO THAT WE DON'T LEAVE ANY MONEY ON THE TABLE.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE GOOD MATH THAT WORKS FOR THE

TAXPAYER. >> THAT'S CORRECT. AS CITY STEWARD WE'RE GOING TO CREATE ADDITIONAL REVENUES FOR OUR AIRPORT ENTERPRISE

FUND. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT BY APPROVING THIS AMENDMENT, WHAT WE'RE DOING -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE MARCHING ORDERS. WE'RE GIVING YOU THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE FOR ALL THE SPOTS, SOME OF THE SPOTS, OR NONE OF THE SPOTS? AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WOULD BE UP TO YOU. RIGHT.

[00:50:03]

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY. AND I THINK THAT'S SMART BECAUSE THE LAST THING THAT I WANT -- AND THIS IS WHY I CELEBRATE THE AMENDMENT -- IS FOR THIS TO DEVELOP INTO A FOOD FIGHT FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM UP HERE ON THE DAIS BETWEEN COUNCILMEMBERS PICKING AND CHOOSING WHERE ELIZABETH TANNER -- CHEF ELIZABETH JOHNSON, WHERE HER CONCEPT WILL BE OR LISA FULLERTON'S CONCEPT WILL BE.

I THINK THIS WE'RE POLICYMAKERS, NOT AIRPORT SPOT PICKERS.

RIGHT? AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS ARE HERE FOR AND SO WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU GET TO PICK ALL, SOME, ONE, OR NONE I'M COOL WITH AND YOU'LL GET MY SUPPORT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

PELAEZ. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'M EXCITED TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM TODAY. WE MENTIONED THIS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN YOU WERE HERE. I'M WITH THE RETAIL PACKAGE EXCITED TO BE SHOPPING AT THE AIRPORT.

WITH THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE PACKAGE, OBVIOUSLY, EXCITING TO BE EATING ALL OF OF THIS AMAZING DELICIOUS FOOD AT THE AIRPORT.

I ACTUALLY DISAGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE THAT THE MOTION THAT IS MADE TODAY IS PART OF A GOOD OLD BOYS GROUP. THINK THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING IS SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. IF YOU FLY UNITED OR TERMINAL B, YOU KNOW THAT FOOD COURT NEEDS A FACE-LIFT FIVE YEARS AGO. SO BY MAKING THIS DECISION TODAY, WE ARE ALLOWING OUR AMAZING AIRPORT TEAM WHO REALL AGREE IS REALLY STRONG TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A PACKAGE FROM A GROUP THAT ALREADY SCORED THE HIGHEST ON THAT PACKAGE. SO IT'S NOT A HANDOUT THAT WAS PROVIDED. ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT APPLIED WERE RANKED FOR THAT PACKAGE, AND THIS GROUP SCORED THE HIGHEST.

SO TO ME, THIS IS A DECISION THAT IS BEING MADE TO GIVE OUR CITY LEADERS THE ABILITY TO MAKE A DECISION IN A MORE EFFICIENT WAY SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO ALLOW FOR REALLY GREAT CONCEPTS AT THE AIRPORT. I HAVE ONE CLARIFYING QUESTION FOR, I GUESS, EITHER FROM THE HOST TEAM OR JESUS IF YOU ALL CAN ANSWER.

DO THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO AMEND THEIR PACKAGE WHEN THEY ARE RESUBMITTING OR YOU WILL NEGOTIATE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO READJUST SINCE I KNOW THERE WAS SOME CHANGES THAT WERE MADE. MAYBE JEFF, IF YOU WANT

TO TAKE THAT. >> COUNCILMEMBER, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THERE'S NOT CURRENTLY A PACKAGE ONE ON THE TABLE.

WHEN WE ASK THEM TO BID, WE ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE A PACKAGE FOR -- A PROPOSAL FOR PACKAGE TWO AND PACKAGE ONE P THERE WAS OVERLAP IN THERE.

YOU'RE RIGHT. WE ASKED FOR ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE WE LOVED CONCEPTS IN ONE THAT WE ULTIMATELY MOVED INTO TWO.

SO WHAT YOU ARE -- THIS MOTION WOULD GIVE JESUS THE ABILITY TO GO NEGOTIATE ON PACKAGE ONE AND OUR EXPECTATION IS IT WOULD BE PARTIALLY A NEW SET OF CONCEPTS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THE OVERLAP.

WE'RE STARTING ESSENTIALLY FRESH WITH NEGOTIATIONS.

>> OKAY. GREAT. AND I THINK WHAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT -- AND I LOVE THAT COUNCI COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN ADDED THIS TO THE AMENDMENT -- IS THAT IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED, THEN WE WILL DO ANOTHER RFP. I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S A BACKSTOP THERE.

SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. AND THE OTHER THING THAT I JUST WANTED TO ADD IS AS YOU ALL ARE THINKING ABOUT CONCEPTS, THE IMPORTANT PART ABOUT THIS GROUP IS THAT EACH CHEF HAS EQUITY IN THIS PACKAGE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT. THAT'S WHAT BRINGS BUY-IN AND THAT WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S THE BEST POSSIBLE PRODUCT, AND I THINK WHAT WAS ALSO MENTIONED AROUND BEING ABLE TO OPERATE MULTIPLE CONCEPTS IS DIFFICULT. I KNOW CHEF JOHNNY ALSO, THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES BE UP THERE AND REALLY -- I HOPE YOU KEEP THAT RECORDING BECAUSE IF YOU EVER NEED TO HEAR IT, IT WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL TO HEAR ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES TOG ABOUT HOW BIG OF AN IMPACT YOU HAVE MADE ON THE FOOD SCENE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. I ECHO THE AMENDMENT AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. THANKS, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. DR. KAUR, I ALMOST FELL OUT OF MY SEAT, TOO, WHEN I HEARD GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB. I WANT TO EXPRESS TYPICALLY A GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB IS A GROUP OF WHITE MEN WHO USE THEIR CONNECTIONS AND INFLUENCE TO BENEFIT EACH OTHER EXCLUDING WOMEN AND MINORITIES. I FIND IT HILARIOUS TO LOOK AT A GROUP THAT IS LARGELY PEOPLE OF COLOR, MANY WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND SAY THAT'S THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB. WHILE THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB HAPPENS, I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT THIS IS. ALL THAT SAID, I AM -- I WANT TO EXPRESS HESITATION IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

I WOULD -- I THINK I WOULD PREFER TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE

[00:55:04]

I WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE -- DO WE HAVE THE OPTION TO, SAY, GIVE TWO WEEKS TO SUBMIT AND COME BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION AT THE

END OF THE YEAR? >> SO, COUNCILMEMBER, WE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT. THEY DID NOT BID ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGREEMENT. IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE RECOMMENDED AT THE B SESSION, AND THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TODAY IS TO GO BACK ON OUR RPF.

I THINK THE MOTION MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WITH DIRECTION, THAT WE WILL GO NEGOTIATE WITH THE COMPANY AND THE GROUP THAT SUBMITTED, WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS, COME TO AGREEABLE TERMS AND COME BACK TO COUNCIL

FOR APPROVAL OR, IF NOT, THEN GO TO RPF. >> I THINK THAT'S ALL I NEEDED TO HEAR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, JESUS AND TEAM. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE MOTION BECAUSE I TRUST YOU ALL TO NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF CITY LEADERSHIP. WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED TO BE SURE THAT I THINK CHEF JOHNNY AND THE TEAM, FROM THE CREATIVITY IN THE KITCHEN AND THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, WE'VE GRATEFUL. THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AS BEING ONE OF THE FEW WORLD HERITAGE SITES AND THAT WE ARE A CITY OF GASTRONOMY. I THINK EACH OF YOU WILL HIGHLIGHT THE DIFFERENT FLAVOR OF SAN ANTONIO IN ONE FANTASTIC PACKAGE.

SO I KNOW THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO TAKES SKILL, PASSION, CREATIVITY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU ALL CONTINUING TO EXPAND THAT GENIUS THAT YOU ALL HAVE. SO JUST THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE MOTION. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TIME TO PULL UP THE SLIDE WHERE IT SHOWS THE HOST TRUE FLAVORS POINTS BETWEEN THEM AND THE OTHER TWO BIDDERS. IF WE CAN PULL THAT UP. I THINK, YOU KNOW -- I THINK WHAT YOU'RE HEARING IS WE CARE ABOUT OUR CITY OF GASTRONOMY DESIGNATION, ABOUT YOU ARE 0 EFFORTS TO LET THE WORLD KNOW WE ARE THE CULINARY CAPITAL OF TEXAS, THAT WE APPRECIATE OUR AIRPORT AND WE'RE CONFIDENT JESUS AND HIS TEAM TO NEGOTIATE.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE HEADQUARTERED HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. WHEN WE GOT THE B SESSION PRESENTATION, FAR AND AWAY, THERE WAS A FRONT-RUNNER. AS MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID, I JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE COULD NOT GIVE OUR AIRPORT TEAM THE OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE BEFORE WE SENT THIS OUT TO RFP.

I AM CONFIDENT IN CHEF JOHNNY AND JASON AND CHEF NICOLA AND ALL OF YOU THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY GREAT. THAT'S OUR CONFIDENCE. IF NOT, AGAIN, WE PUT ON -- WE'LL SEND IT OUT FOR AN RFP. AS OF NOW, I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT MOVE. I THINK IT'S GOING TO SAVE MONEY.

I THINK IT ISN'T GOING TO WASTE TIME BECAUSE YOU DID PUT TOGETHER AN INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT FAR AND AWAY BLEW EVERYBODY OUT OF THE WATER.

I JUST WANT TO GET THIS DONE. JESUS, SPECIFICALLY, THE SOONER THE BETTER BECAUSE WE'RE TRAVELING A LOT AND WE DO NEED MORE FOOD OPTIONS AT THE AIRPORT. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS MOTION PASS, AND I THANK MY COUNCILMEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

>> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, WE SAT IN A B SESSION AND HEARD THIS VERY RECENTLY. AT THE END OF THAT SESSION, IT WAS DETERMINED BY, I THINK, THE CITY STAFF THAT WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AND ALLOW FOR COMPETITIVE BIDS, A NEW REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, FOR ONE OF THE TWO PROPOSALS THAT WAS NOT SELECTED. WE HAD ONE OF THE COMPANIES THERE THAT SAID YES, THEY CAN HAVE THAT PROPOSAL READY WITHIN JUST A FEW WEEKS. SO WHEN WE LEFT THAT MEETING, THAT'S WHAT WE LEFT WITH. INFORM BEGIN WITH, WE SAID WE WEREN'T GOING TO GIVE ONE COMPANY BOTH AWARDS.

THAT'S HOW IT WAS PUBLICIZED AND THAT'S HOW PEOPLE BID.

[01:00:01]

PLACE AT THE AIRPORT? >> I'LL ASK JESUS TO COME UP, OR JEFF.

>> THERE'S A CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE IN THEIR PROPOSAL. THE EARLIEST IS, I BELIEVE, FEBRUARY OF '25, AND IT WOULD UNFOLD OVER THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR. THERE'S A BIG REQUIREMENT IS CAPITAL

CONSTRUCTION IN THOSE SPACES. >> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NO ONE OPENING UP FOR BUSINESS FOR PROBABLY A YEAR AND A HALF FROM NOW OR 16 MONTHS FROM NOW. OBVIOUSLY, IF WE WENT OUT FORBIDS, WHICH WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO, ON THE SECOND PART OF THESE FACILITIES, WE WOULD HAVE PLENTY OF TIME. I THINK WE SAID LIKE A 30-DAY DEADLINE. THERE REALLY ISN'T ANY TIME CERTAIN THAT WE NEED TO GET THESE DECISIONS MADE. BUT WE DID SAY WE WERE GOING TO GIVE OTHER COMPANIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO BID AND NOW WE'RE SAYING NO, WE DON'T NEED TO. YOU KNOW, GOOD OLD BOYS COME IN ALL COLORS AND ALL SHAPES AND ALL STYLES.

SO I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB, BUT I THINK, I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, THE INTEGRITY OF THIS COUNCIL SHOULD CARRY SOME WEIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO STICKING TO WHAT WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO DO.

COURAGE. I'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THIS OUT UNLESS THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION. FIRST, I'M A LITTLE SAD BECAUSE PART OF WHAT'S GETTING LOST IN ALL OF OF THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY ELEVATED RETAIL EXPERIENCE THAT'S COMING TO THE TERMINAL AS WELL. SO I DO WANT TO THANK PARODY'S FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A RETAIL PROPOSAL THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE LOCAL FLAVOR AND BRANDS OF OUR CITY. SOME OF MY WIFE'S FAVORITE STORES ARE GOING TO BE IN THE NEW TERMINAL. SO HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN'T MEAN SHE'S TRAVELING MORE. IT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING TO SEE THOSE SHOPS IN OUR TERMINAL. I DO WANT TO REFLECT A MINUTE ON WHAT THE CHEF SAID WHICH SOUNDED LIKE HYPERBOLE, WHICH I THINK IT'S FACT. THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER TERMINAL IN THE WORLD THAT OFFERS THE FLAVOR, DIVERSITY, AND ELEVATED EXPERIENCE THAT WILL BE IN OUR TERMINAL AS A RESULT OF THIS INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT CAN'T BE DESCRIBED AS ANY OTHER -- ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ALL-STAR CAST OF THE BEST CULINARY TALENT IN TEXAS, IF NOT BEYOND THAT. WITH A FEW MISSING PIECES MAYBE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON AN INCREDIBLE PROPOSAL. I THINK IT SHOWED IN THE SCORES. ALL OF US HAVE VISITED YOUR RESTAURANTS, AND KNOW IF WE CAN BRING THAT EXPERIENCE TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT COME TO OUR CITY, THEY'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH SAN ANTONIO JUST LIKE WE DID.

I SEE THAT WE HAVE SOME FOLKS FROM VSA IN OUR CHAMBERS TODAY, AND WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ON THE DAIS. MY CHARGE IS, BECAUSE WE ARE ESSENTIALLY PUTTING THESE RESTAURANTS ON THE FRONT DOOR FOR EVERY VISITOR TO SEE -- AND IT IS PROBABLY THE BEST EXPERIENCE ANYONE WILL GET FROM A RESTAURANT IN AN AIRPORT -- VSA SHOULD BE USING THIS TO MARKET OUR CITY. THERE'S NOT A BETTER DEMONSTRATION OF THE CITY OF GASTRONOMY THAN WHAT WE WILL HAVE IN THIS TERMINAL BECAUSE OF OF THIS CONTRACT. I AM FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE AMENDMENT.

WHY CAN'T WE MAKE THAT EXPERIENCE BROADER AND ALSO ENSURE THAT IT'S THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERMINAL? YOU GUYS KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THIS IS A REAL EASY VOTE FOR ME TO TAKE. SO WITH THAT, ERIK, DO

YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY FINAL REMARKS? >> ACTUALLY, MAYOR, YOU YSUMMED IT UP PERFECTLY. I WANTED TO REMIND THE COUNCIL OF THE PRESENTATION TWO WEEKS AGO. THIS OVERALL IS AN EXCELLENT PACKAGE. BOTH FROM A FOOD AND BEVERAGE STANDPOINT AND THE RETAIL AND SOMETHING WE'VE IN EVERY HAD BEFORE AT THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. I THOUGHT YOU SUMMED IT UP PERFECTLY.

I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT I THINK WE'RE EXPECTING GREAT

THINGS AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF NEW THINGS HAPPENING AT THE AIRPORT. A NEW TERMINAL BUT A BRAND NEW TERMINAL EXPERIENCE IN THE EXISTING TERMINALS, TOO.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. WITH THAT, THERE'S A MOTION, A SECOND ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS TO AUTHORIZE OUR CITY STAFF TO NEGOTIATE WITH HMS HOST AND TO AWARD PACKAGE TWO TO HMS POST AS WELL AS RETAIL PACKAGE TO PARODY'S.

[01:05:05]

MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED. YEAH. MOTION CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS, CHEFS.

CONGRATULAT IONS PARODY'S. OKAY.

SO WE DO HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO GET THROUGH IN OUR MORNING AGENDA.

WE HAVE A 10:30 SESSION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO START AS CLOSE TO 10:30 AS POSSIBLE. I DO KNOW THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE ON ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43 THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND HEAR FROM SO WE CAN

[Annexation  ]

IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION FROM MY COLLEAGUES, WE'LL OPEN UP ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43 FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN WE'LL GET ON TO OUR SPECIAL SESSION. ANY OBJECTIONS? OKAY.

SO ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43 PLEASE. >> ITEM NUMBER 41 [INDISCERNIBLE].

CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 7TH, 2024. ITEM 42 IS A PLAN AMENDMENT CASE PA2024-11600022. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE IH10 EAST CORRIDOR PLAN A COMPONENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN OF THE CITY BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE CLASSIFICATION FROM URBAN LIVING TO COMMERCIAL ON 35.66 ACRES OUT OF CB5088 AND 182 IT 5 LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 EAST. STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL. ITEM 43 IS A ZONING CASE Z202410700059. ORDINANCE ASSIGNING ZONING TO PROPERTY CURRENTLY OCL OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS. C-2AHO DID.

OVERLAY DISTRICT AND NP10AHOD TO C2 COMMERCIAL AIRPORT HAZARD OVERLAY DISTRICT WITH A CONDITIONAL USE FOR MANUFACTURING HOME ON 35.668 ACRES GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF IH10 EAST. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. ZONING RECOMMENDS DENIAL. ALL OF THESE

WERE CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 7TH, 2024. >> THANK YOU, DEBBIE.

I KNOW WE HAVE A FEW SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

SO WE'LL GO DOWN THE LIST FOR ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43.

FIRST SPEAKER IS JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR PRO TEM, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JACK M FINGER.

ITEMS 41, 42, AND 43 WE'VE DELIBERATED BEFORE ON THIS COUNCIL.

MR. MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, YOU'RE THE SPONSOR FOR THIS ITEM HERE.

BUT THERE'S BEEN SOME BACK AND FORTH ON THIS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COUNCIL REALLY WANTS TO DO. THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION EARLIER AS TO WHETHER THE COMPANY IN QUESTION WAS BEING REPRESENTED PROPERLY BY YOU OR AT LEAST THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY.

NOW, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COME UP AND EXPRESSED THEIR OPPOSITION TO THIS THING, AND QUITE FRANKLY, THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS RECORD.

FOR ONE THING, AS YOU HAVE NOTICED EARLIER AND AS WE HAVE BROUGHT UP

[01:10:05]

YEAH. THAT'S OVER -- THAT'S 20, 25, MAYBE 30% RIGHT THERE.

YOU'RE DOING GOOD IF YOU GET ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10% RESPONSES AND OPPOSITION. YOU HAD AS MANY AS -- OUTSIDE OF 200 FEET, YOU HAD AS MANY AS 77 PEOPLE SAY NO, WE DON'T WANT THIS.

DON'T PUT IT NEAR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO IT. ALSO, AS MANY AT THE ZONING COMMISSION MEETING, YOU HAD AS MANY AS 30 PEOPLE SIGN UP TO SPEAK.

THEY SPOKE EITHER IN PERSON OR BY VOICE MAIL.

YOU'RE DOING GOOD WHEN YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE IN OPPOSITION.

THAT'S HOW BAD THIS THING IS. WHY ARE THEY IN OPPOSITION? BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, YOU WILL HAVE SEEN IT. IT'S HUGGING THAT COMPANY, AND ITS OPERATIONS. YES. THE -- THE NOISE, THE TRAFFIC, WHO WOULD WANT TO LIVE NEXT TO SUCH A THING WITHOUT ANY OF THE PROPER BUFFERS? THERE ARE NONE THERE. THAT'S WHY THIS THING IS SO BAD. IF YOU WANT TO AN AN NEXT IT, DON'T DO IT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE IN OPPOSITION TO IT. LIKE I REPEAT TO YOU, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO IT.

YOU DON'T. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.

KEN BROWN. >> I'M JUST HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF THE COUNCILMEMBER HAS ANY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BROWN. SCOTT HARDWICK MR. HARDWICK, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY VANESSA RODRIGUEZ.

>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

I LIVE IN THE SUBDIVISION WHICH DIRECTLY -- MY HOUSE DIRECTLY BACKS UP TO THIS 35 ACRE PROPERTY THAT YOU ALL ARE DISCUSSING. I FOLLOWED THIS FROM THE PLANNING MEETINGS THROUGH ZONING TO NOW. THIS IS ACTUALLY I THINK THE FOURTH AGENDA -- CITY COUNCIL AGENDA THIS HAS BEEN ON AND IT'S BEEN CONTINUED UNTIL TODAY. I'M IN COMPLETE OPPOSITION FOR THIS FOR ALL THE REASONS THAT HAVE BEEN STATED. THE MAIN REASONS BEING WHICH WERE STATED AT YOUR ZONING COMMISSION MEETING WHICH VOTED 8-1 OR 9-1 IN OPPOSITION TO THIS. IT DOESN'T FIT THE PLAN. Y'ALL HAVE A CORRIDOR PLAN, AND THE ZONING FITS THAT PLAN AND THEN YOU'RE IN THAT SAME SWIPE OF A PIN WANTING TO PUT A PROJECT THAT IS NOT WITHIN THAT ZONING INTO THIS AREA THAT ABUTS THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND DOES NOT PROVIDE A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE THERE AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM TO INTERACT WITH IT. IN FACT, IT WALLS ITSELF OFF FROM IT, FROM EVERYONE THERE. SO FOR THOSE REASONS, I ASK YOU ALL TO BE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ESPECIALLY ITEM 43, WHICH IS THE CONDITIONAL USE. I'M FOR THE ZONING OF COMMERCIAL. THAT'S WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR THERE.

THAT'S WHAT THE APPLICANT'S ASKING FOR. BUT IN THE SAME BREATH, THEY'RE ALSO SAYING, HEY, PUT MY LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT HERE, TOO. THEY ALSO OWN TWO OTHER PIECES OF LAND ALONG THE I-10 CORRIDOR WITHIN A HALF MILE OF THIS PROPERTY.

TO ME, THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER OPTIONS. I APPRECIATE THE TIME.

THANK YOU, MR. HARDWICK. VANESSA RODRIGUEZ.

MS. RODRIGUEZ, I'LL BE FOLLOWED BY. >> I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT. AND I PASS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MS. RODRIGUEZ. >> MINIARI PEW.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT, AND I PASS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I BELIEVE THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43. WE'RE NOT TAKING ACTION ON THIS AT THIS MOMENT.

[01:15:03]

[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE  ]

SO COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA, YOU DIDN'T HAVE ONE?

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

I JUST WANTED TO REMIND THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY THAT THIS COMING SUNDAY WE'LL BE HOSTING OUR SECOND WEAPONS EXCHANGE PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE A LITTLE PRESENTATION I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW.

HERE YOU SEE WEAPONS THAT WE COLLECTED FROM OUR LAST WEAPON EXCHANGE. WE COLLECTED OVER 900 AT THAT EVENT. THIS IS WHERE WE WERE TAKING THEM TO BE DESTROYED. ALL THE WEAPONS THAT WERE COLLECTED AT THAT TIME HAVE BEEN DESTROYED AND WILL NEVER BE USED TO HARM ANYBODY OR TO COMMIT A CRIME. WE HAD MORE PEOPLE SHOW UP -- THIS IS THE ACTUAL PART OF THE DESTRUCTION.

THE WEAPONS WERE LAID ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE SO INDIVIDUALIZED, AND THEN TAKEN THROUGH THE SHREDDER.

WE HAD MORE PEOPLE SHOW UP THAN WE HAD H-E-B GIFT CARDS TO EXCHANGE.

WE HOPE TO HAVE MORE AND MAYBE HAVE AS MANY AS 1,000 PEOPLE BRING WEAPONS THAT THEY NO LONGER WANT TO KEEP IN THEIR HOME.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE, IT'S GOING TO BE THIS SUNDAY FROM NOON TO 5:00 IN THE ALAMODOME PARKING LOTS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS ABOUT AS FAR AS WE CAN TAKE OUR A SESSION THIS MORNING BEFORE OUR SPECIAL SESSION. WE DO HAVE A 10:30 SPECIAL SESSION TO BEGIN IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. WHAT I WILL DO IS RECESS FOR FIVE-MINUTE BREAK FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO STAY FOR OUR 10:30 SPECIAL SESSION TO FILTER OUT. COUNCIL CAN GET A REFRESHER IN THE BACK. WHY DON'T WE RECONVENE AT 10:32.

SO AT 10:3 10:27 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024, THE S ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THE TIME IS 12:45 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024. AND IF ANYBODY IS COUNTING, THIS IS MEETING 7 OF 8 OR 9 FOR THE COUNCIL IN THE LAST 72 HOURS, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENDURANCE THE WE'LL CALL OUR A SESSION BACK TO ORDER. AND SO WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND DO A ROLL, MADAM CLERK.

>> CLERK:

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTIONS I'M GOING TO TAKE UP ITEMS 41-43 BECAUSE WE DO HAVE GUESTS WHO NEED TO DEPART. AND SO IF WE COULD BRING UP THOSE ITEMS. I BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY READ THOSE CAPTIONS.

SO ITEM 41 THROUGH 43, AND I'LL JUST TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. I'LL START WITH A MOTION AND I WILL HAVE SOME COMMENTS BUT AS I PROMISED TO MY NEIGHBORS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE SPIRIT OF SADNESS AND LOST HOPE AS I MAKE

THE MOTION TO APPROVE THESE NASTY LITTLE ITEMS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD YOU

REPEAT THAT, COUNCILMEMBER? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL ITEMS 41-33, WE'RE GOOD THERE? WILL WE NEED TO VOTE SEPARATELY OR VOTE ONCE?

>> YOU WOULD HAVE TO VOTE SEPARATELY, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43. ARE THERE ANY -- IS THERE ANY

DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SO LAST NIGHT I HAD A MEETING WITH MORE THAN 20 RESIDENTS IN MY DISTRICT AND IT WAS THE THIRD MEETING THAT WE HAD IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS TO TRY TO MAKE A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION. MUCH OF THE MEETING WAS COMING TO TERMS WITH THE FACT THAT A A BUTTING NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOW PLACED IN A POSITION THAT MUCH OF MY DISTRICT IS IN.

THEY WILL EXIST IN A FOOD DESERT. THEY WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE RETAIL RESTAURANTS OR MANY OTHER ARC MENNITIES THAT MAKE NEIGHBORHOODS FEEL LIKE HOME.

[01:20:04]

BUT OUR OPTIONS WERE AN 18-WHEELER DEALERSHIP THAT IS ABUTTING 50 HOUSEHOLDS AND STARTING AT THEIR FENCE LINE I HAD MENTIONED EARLIER IN YEARS THAT ARE NOW INDUSTRIAL. AND WHILE I RESPECT THAT SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES APPRECIATE NEW JOBS AS A PRIORITY IN THEIR DECISION-MAKING THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO SHORTAGE OF THESE TYPES OF JOBS IN MY DISTRICT. MY RESIDENTS, YOU KNOW HAVE TO LEAVE THE DISTRICT IN ORDER TO ACCESS THEIR EVERYDAY NEEDS. SO IN MY DECISION-MAKING THERE NTHEIR NEEDS TAKE PRIORITY. AND I WANT TO BE THE BEST REPRESENTATIVE OF MY CONSTITUENTS AS POSSIBLE AND THAT MEANS MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

SO LAST NIGHT IT ENDED WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE PARKING AND STORAGE OF 18-WHEELERS AND IT WASN'T UNANIMOUS BUT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY.

THERE WAS NO EXCITEMENT AND IT WAS VERY SOMBER. AND SINCE THIS CASE STARTED NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY HAS BEEN TO, AGAIN, TO REPRESENT MY CONSTITUENTS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND TO ACHIEVE THE BEST END RESULT POSSIBLE WITH THIS CASE. AND SO WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE RESIDENTS TO GET AS MUCH OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AS POSSIBLE AND EARLIER THIS YEAR AS I WAS LOOKING AT THE CASE AND IT WAS WITHDRAWN AND REVIVED AND INSTALLED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND WE HAVE BUILT TRUST WITH MY RESIDENTS AND I APPRECIATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO ALLOW ME TO NEGOTIATE ON THEIR BEHALF.

DOGGETT AGREED TO NOT ALLOW 18-WHEELERS ON WHITE COVE ROAD AND TO INCREASE BUFFERS FROM 15 FEET ON THE SOUTHEAST AND THE SOUTHWEST LINES TO 15 FEET AND 25 FEET EACH, THAT'S A HUGE CHANGE. THEY AGREED TO BUILD A 10-FOOT MASONRY FENCE, BOARDING APPROVAL, TO REPLACE THE WOODEN FENCES OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND EIGHT FEET MINIMUM TODAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST BUILT TO PROVIDE ANY DISRUPTION DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD FROM GETTING INTO THOSE NEIGHBORING 3R-R79S. PROPERTIES.

AND THEY WILL HAVE OPERATING HOURS 8:00 TO 5:00 ON SATURDAYS AND CLOSED ON SUSPECTEDS.

IT'S 200 FEET AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTS AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO KEEP THE TREES ALONG THE PROPERTY LINE AND TO INCREASE THE TREE CANOPY WITHIN THE BUFFER ZONE BY 50%.

THERE'S NO LIQUID FUEL STORAGE ALLOWED ON THE SITE. WHEN HIRING NEW EMPLOYEES THEY WILL OFFER SUMMER INTERNSHIPS FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUILD A CAREER AS A TECHNICIAN AND DOGGETT WILL HAVE IMPROVEMENT IN THE PALOMA NEIGHBORHOOD. BY ANNEXING THE PROPERTY WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IN WAYS THAT WE WOULD NOT IF THEY REMAINED OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS. I HAVE PROVIDED A SIGN COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CITY CLERK FOR OUR RECORD. I WOULD END BY SAYING THAT EVERY STUN UP TO NOW HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO GET TO THIS POINT TODAY IN BUILDING TRUST, IN BUILDING NEGOTIATING POWER AND IN GETTING US AS FINE A DEAL AS PROPERTY. I NEED A SUPER MAJORITY TO PASS THIS ITEM SO A VOTE IN FAVOR WILL HELP ME TO PREVENT THE PARKING LOT THAT MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE DECIDED IS THE GREATER TERROR. KEN -- I WOULD LIKE A COMMITMENT FROM KEN TODAY THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ME TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO CONTINUE BUILDING TRUST AND GOODWILL WITH MY CONSTITUENTS IN THE PALOMA NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> YES. WE'VE BEEN WORKING, OBVIOUSLY, VERY CLOSELY FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND THIS ISN'T THE END OF IT. WE HAVE A LOT OF PERMITTING IN SIGHT, THINGS TO DO, BUT IT WON'T BE CONSTRUCTED FOR LIKE 18 MONTHS.

SO I THINK WE STILL HAVE TIME TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS ANY FURTHER CONCERNS.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, AND YOU WILL HAVE AN AMENDED SITE PLAN TO REFLECT THESE

CHANGES? >> YEAH, TO REFLECT THE BUFFERS AND THE FENCE AND THE THINGS

THAT YOU HAVE NAMED. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, THAT BEING SAID I ASK FOR MY

COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT TODAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

AND FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEMS 41 THROUGH 43, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

>> WHYTE: A QUICK POINT OF CLARIFICATION. THE FENCE -- IS IT -- YOU SAID

MASONRY? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: YES. >> WHYTE: SO A WALL?

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: UM-HMM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COUNCIL MEMBER COURAGE? >> COURAGE: YEAH, THE LAST TIME THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS -- AND I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS -- AND I SAID AND I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN A NEIGHBORHOOD KIND OF GUY.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEARBY ARE CONCERNED.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHEN THEY BUY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A LOT OF UNDEVELOPED LAND AROUND THEM THEY NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT ALSO THE PERSON NEXT DOOR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT FENCE LINE IS A PROPERTY OWNER AND HAS PROPERTY RIGHTS AS WELL. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE

[01:25:02]

SO I'LL BE VOTING TO SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEMS 41-43? OKAY. HEARING NONE WE WILL TAKE THESE IN ORDER. SO THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM 41.

PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 42.

MOTION AND A SECOND. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. WE HAVE THE MOTIONS AND THE SECONDS ALREADY. OKAY. ITEM 43 -- EXCUSE ME -- 42, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 43.

PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE ITEMS LEFT FROM OUR A SESSION AGENDA SO WE'LL GO BACK TO ITEM NUMBER 22.

>> SECRETARY: A RESOLUTION DECLARING OVERDOSES AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT, WHO PULLED THIS? OKAY.

THIS IS PULLED BY COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER?

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I PULLED ITEM 22 BECAUSE IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT ITEM.

ITEM 22 IS DECLARING OVERDOSES AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. LAST JUNE MY OFFICE HAD FILED A POLICY TO REDUCE DEATHS AND OTHER COMMUNITY HARMS CAUSED BY OPIOID ADDICTION AND STIMULANTS, INCLUDING DECLARING OVERDOSES AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. WITH THIS RESOLUTION, THE LOCAL FIGHT AGAINST OPIOID AND STIMULANT OVERDOSES IS AS STRONG AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.

DRUG OVERDOSES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES WITH OPIOIDS BEING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR ALONG WITH STIMULANTS. THIS CRISIS IS IMPACTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND DESTROYING FAMILIES. FROM 2018-2023, THE UNITED STATES SAW A 57% INCREASE IN DRUG-RELATED DEATHS, INCLUDING 5,688 LIVES LOST IN TEXAS, AND 469 LOST IN BEXAR COUNTY. THIS CRISIS IS CLAIMING THE LIVES AT AN ALARMING RATE, OVER 2,000 DEATHS EACH WEEK NATIONWIDE. THIS RESOLUTION CALLS FOR A UNIFIED COMMUNITY APPROACH TO ADDRESSING OVERDOSE DEATHS, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR PREVENTION, HARM REDUCTION TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS. WITH BILLIONS IN OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST MORE RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES TO COMBAT THIS CRISIS AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE C CITY COUNCIL AND THE COUNY IS DOING. THIS RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES OVERDOSES -- OVERDOSE DEATHS AS PREVENTABLE TRAGEDIES THAT IMPACT ALL OF US.

AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SHARE THAT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS OF THE CCR MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT I LOST A FAMILY FRIEND, WE CALLED HIM CHAMEL, WHO LOST HIS LIFE THROUGH AN OVERDOSE. SO THIS IS EXTREMELY PERSONAL AND NEAR AND DEAR TO NOT JUST ME BUT SO MANY RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THAT'S WHY WE CONTINUE TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS, AND TO PROVIDE CARE AND TO SAVE LIVES.

I WANT TO BE SURE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS THAT HAVE HELPED TO LEAD IN INITIATIVE BEFORE THE CCR WAS FILED. WHICH INCLUDES UT HEALTH, BE WELL TEXAS, ALBERT CAMPBELL, A RESIDENT WHO IS ALWAYS CONNECTING FOLKS TOY ARE VOIRSES AND OF COURSE PASTOR ROBINSON.

BUT WITH THAT I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 22. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY, THERE WAS A MOTION. WAS THERE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 22. I DO WANT TO -- I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM SO I'LL CALL YOU IN JUSTICE A MOMENT.

I WANTED TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY THOUGH TO OUR TEAM AT METRO HEALTH TO COME FORWARD IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE RESOLUTION. AND THEN WE'LL GET TO THE

ACTION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I APPRECIATE YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, FOR BRINGING THIS AND LEADING US IN THIS WAY.

[01:30:01]

AND SO WHAT THIS TELLS US IS THAT WE CAN'T STOP. WE CAN'T TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS IN THIS ISSUE. WE'VE GOT TO KEEP GOING AND NARCAN IS AN AMAZING ANECDOTE THAT CAN REVERSE AN OVERDOSE IF ADMINISTERED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES.

THAT'S AMAZING. AND THAT'S WHY WE SEE THE DECREASE IN OPIOID FATAL OVERDOSES IS BECAUSE THAT HAS BECOME MORE READILY AVAILABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE GETTING PEOPLE TRAINED ON THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IT'S TRULY AMAZING.

BUT WE STILL ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN STIMULANT OR METHAMPHETAMINE RELATED OVERDOSES AND WE CAN'T STOP. SO I APPRECIATE THIS. THIS SAME RESOLUTION IS GOING TO THE COUNTY NEXT MONTH AND IT WILL BE ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SO I WANT TO JUST THANK YOU EACH ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS ISSUE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE DO HAVE SOME FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 22. AND IF YOU ARE STILL HERE, PLEASE COME UP.

NIKKI V VILLANUEVA. NIKKI VILLANUEVA. ANDREA ROCHETTE.

AND SORRY IF I MISPRONOUNCED YOUR NAME AND FOLLOWED BY TARA CONSWRITE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS ANANDRE COCETTE I'M WITH THE BE WELL AT U.T. HEALTH SAN ANTONIO THAT HOUSES BE WELL TEXAS. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I AM HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE BE WELL INSTITUTE TO DECLARE THE OVERDOSES AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

THIS IS A VITAL AND A NECESSARY STEP TOWARD ADDRESSING THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF OVERDOSES ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY. AND BY FORMALLY RECOGNIZING THE URGENCY OF THIS CRISIS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES, THE DECLARATION DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP AND THE COMMITMENT TO SAVING LIVES. AT THE BE WELL INSTITUTE OUR MISSION IS TO ADVANCE RECOVERY, TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE. WE DO THIS THROUGH INITIATIVES THAT OFFER ACCESS TO COMPASSIONATE AND EVIDENCE-BASED CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. OUR WORK INCLUDES TREATMENT AND NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO ENSURE A COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS. U.T. HEALTH SAN ANTONIO'S WELL WELL INSTITUTE LIVES BY THE STANDARD OF MAKING LIVES BETTER. BY KNOWING THAT WE MUST ACT WITH URGENCY AND COORDINATION TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF SUBSTANCE USE, AND ITS TRAGIC OUTCOMES.

THIS PROCLAMATION PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION, THAT INCLUDES PREVENTION, HARM REDUCTION TREATMENT. AND TO REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS AND TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS THIS INITIATIVE ALSO PAVES 2 WAY ENSURING THAT WE RESPOND WITH THE FOCUS AND RESOURCES AND COMPASSION IT DESERVES. WE COMMEND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR PRIORITIZING THIS CRITICAL ISSUE AND STAND READY TO TAKE STEPS TOWARDS SOLUTIONS AS A

PARTNER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU VERY MUCH. TARA KARNESWRIGHT. >> I AM ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT U.T. HEALTH SAN ANTONIO AND ONE OF THE PROJECT DIRECTORS OF NALOXONE, TEXAS, OVERDOSE PREVENTION HIGHLIGHTS THE URGE ETHICS REVIEW NEED FOR ACTION BUT OPENS THE DOOR TO INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES THAT CAN SAVE LIVES SUCH AS INCORPORATION OF NALOXONE MACHINES.

WE STAND AS A REGIONAL PARTNER TO PRIORITIZE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF NALOXONE FOR THOSE MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE AN OVERDOSE. PEOPLE ARE USE SUBSTANCES, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND PEOPLE LEAVING INCARCERATION.

NALOXONE HAS BEEN PROVEN TO REDUCE OVERDOSES EFFECTIVELY.

ACCESS CAN MEAN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. LOCAL AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS ASSURES IT IS READILY AVAILABLE. INCREASING ACCESS IS CRUCIAL IN COMBATING THE STIGMA SURROUNDING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

WE SEND THE MESSAGE ADDICTION IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, NOT A MORAL FAILING.

[01:35:05]

AS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CONSIDERS PROGRAMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WE OFFER OURSELVES AS A RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION AND WELCOME DISCUSSION. IT'S IMPORTANT THE CITY ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS TO TRACK THE USE OF NALOXONE.

THE STATE INFORMS OUR STRATEGIES ALLOWING US TO TARGET EFFORTS WHERE MOST NEEDED AND MEASURE OUR PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THE CRISIS.

SAN ANTONIO TAKES THIS CRITICAL STEP, U.T. HEALTH SAN ANTONIO ANA LOCKS SEASON TEXAS AND BE WELL TEXAS JOINS TO PRIORITIZE THE DISTRIBUTION OF NALOXONE AND SUPREME COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO, I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MELISSA DAY SANTOS.

JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

MS. CASTILLO, BEFORE YOU APPROVE OF A RESOLUTION THAT MAY OR MAY NOT DO THE TRICK HERE, THAT OF ESTABLISHING ANOTHER BUREAUCRACY THAT, LIKE I SAY, I EMPHASIZE MAY NOT CONQUER THIS OPIOID CRISIS, YOU MAY WANT TO -- AND WHY IS THAT HAPPENING? BECAUSE OF THE LACKS ENFORCEMENT OF THE DOCTORING TRAFFICKING AROUND THE -- DRUG TRAFFICKING AROUND THE BORDER. THAT'S WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM. IT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE LACKS ENFORCEMENT OF THE ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

SO INSTEAD OF THIS KIND OF RESOLUTION, YOU MAY WANT TO SCOTCH THIS ONE AND INSTEAD OFFER A DIFFERENT ONE, ONE OF INSISTING THAT YOUR PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, GET REALLY AT LEAST ACT LIKE HE'S GETTING TOUGH ABOUT CONQUERING THIS PROBLEM BY MEANS OF ENFORCING IT, ACTUALLY ENFORCING AT THE BORDER WITH MORE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. YES. AND YOU MAY WANT TO TALK A RESOLUTION INSISTING THAT AND ALSO ENCOURAGING OUR FUTURE PRESIDENT TO DO THE VERY SAME THING. THAT'S WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM.

THAT'S WHY OUR KIDS ARE DYING FROM THIS STUFF. FROM THE OPIOIDS AND FROM THE SYNTHETIC MANUFACTURING, THE FENTANYL. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER FEEL FEEL-GOOD WINDOW DRESSING RESOLUTION. I WISH YOU WOULD -- Y'ALL REALLY GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS AND TACKLE IT WHERE IT SHOULD BE TACKLED.

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

ZACH COMBS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 22. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL GO NOW TO ITEM 27.

[01:40:01]

>> CLERK: ON ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONTRACTS WITH EMPOWER, SAN ANTONIO AIDS FOUNDATION AND YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF SAN ANTONIO FOR A CUMULATIVE AMOUNT UP TO $499,179.24 FOR A TERM UPON APPROVAL THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2025 FOR SERVICES TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING, HEALTH CARE NAVIGATION AND REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH CARE. FUNDING IS FROM THE GENERAL

FUND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.

ITEM 27 WE HAVE A FEW FOLKS WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

JACK FINGER. OH, I'M SORRY, JACK, YOU ALREADY SPOKE IN THE MORNING SESSION. WE HAVE A COUPLE OTHER FOLKS.

BETTY ECKHERT. PATRICK VONN DOLEN. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MIKE

KA NEFKY. >> HOWDY. APPRECIATE YOU HEARING FROM US. AND BETTY ECKHERT SENDS HER REGRETS.

I WISH I HAD THE VIDEO OF THE SPURS WHERE THE LITTLE CHILD WAS BEING HELD UP AS A SPURS FAN. WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS PEOPLE IN AUDIO] WHO ARE YET TO BE BORN, YET TO BE RESIDING, LIVING AND BREATHING THE FREE AIR OUTSIDE THE WOMB LIKE THAT YOUNG BOY WAS. BUT HE TOOK AS WE WERE ONCE IN OUR MOTHER'S WOMB. THE ORIGINAL MARVEL FAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, WAS FAMOUSLY QUOTED BY SAYING THERE IS A GOD AND YOU'RE NOT IT, I'M NOT IT, NONE OF US ARE IT, WE SHOULDN'T BE CHOOSE TO GO LEGALLY MURDER YOUNG BABIES AND WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT. MAYOR NIRENBERG, AT THE CITY COUNCIL B SESSION ON APRIL 10, 2024, YOU SAID THE FOLLOWING. AND I QUOTE.

MY FIRM COMMITMENT IS THAT THESE FUNDS SHOULD BE USED TO HELP WOMEN MAKE CHOICES ABOUT THEIR BODIES, HEALTH AND FUTURE. THAT INCLUDES ACCESS TO OPTIONS THEY CAN ONLY GET OUTSIDE OF TEXAS. TO BE CLEAR, TRAVELING OUT OF THE STATE TO OBTAIN ABORTIONS. BUT THE REPRODUCTIVE FUND IS ABOUT GIVING WOMEN IN TEXAS THE OPTION TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AND NOT HAVE RESTRICTIONS FORCED ON THEM. HOW ARE THE FUNDS IN THE REPRODUCTIVE FUNDS BEING USED TO SUBSIDIZE ABORTIONS? WILL THESE FUNDS BE USED FOR ABORTION TRAVEL? WE DESERVE TO KNOW. MAYOR NIRENBERG, ARE YOU BACKING AWAY FROM THE STATEMENT YOU MADE ON THE CITY -- AT THE CITY B SESSION APRIL 10 WHEN YOU DECLARED IT WAS YOUR FIRM COMMITMENT THAT THE MONEY IN THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND BE USED TO PAY FOR ABORTION TRAVEL. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO AT THE B SESSION ON APRIL 10 YOU SAID THAT THE REPRODUCTIVE FUND WOULD BE USED TO SUPPORT LOCAL BOXER FUNDS -- LOCAL ABORTION FUNDS ON THE FRONT LINES.

PLEASE EXPLAIN WHICH LOCAL ABORTION FUNDS WILL BE RECEIVING MONEY FROM THE FUND. WHY AREN'T ANY TEXAS ABORTION FUNDS RECEIVING THIS MONEY WHEN THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO SAID THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND WAS TO GIVE TAXPAYER MONEY TO ABORTION FUNDS THAT WILL TRANSPORT PREGNANT WOMEN OUT OF THE STATE TO ABORT THEIR UNBORN CHILDREN.

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO, MAYOR, JUST TO BE CLEAR IS THE MONEY GOING TO PAY FOR ABORTION TRAVEL OR NOT? IT'S UNCLEAR IN WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED BY CITY STAFF.

COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ IS IRATE ABOUT IT, SAID WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE FUND. YOU MR. MAYOR SAID WE'LL FIND A WAY ON OCTOBER 16. WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO FIND A WAY? COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE SENT OUT A SURVEY ASKING IF HIS SUPPORTERS WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF USING THE GENERAL FUNDS FOR ABORTION TRAVEL.

IT'S ALL IN THE TALK, IT'S ALL IN YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS.

NOW IT'S ALL DISAPPEARED SOMEHOW. IT'S THE REPRODUCTIVE

JUSTICE FUND WASN'T USED -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.

MIKE KANEFKY. MIKE KANEFKY. >> YEAH, I'M HERE.

[01:45:14]

YOU SEE THIS ISSUE YOU GOT TITLED AS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF REPRODUCING TAKING PLACE, RIGHT? OH, SEE WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY IT OUT LOUD, THIS IS AN ABORTION FUND, NOT A REPRODUCTION FUND. IT'S KIND OF TRAGIC BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH GREAT GOALS YOU GUYS HAVE PUT UP THERE AND YOU ARE SQUASHING IT WITH THIS TWISTED THING CALLED REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND. SO I AGREE WITH JALEN AND THE MAYOR LAST TIME THEY SAID LET'S NOT SUGAR COAT THIS THING, LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

THIS WAS SET UP TO GET ABORTIONS. THIS FUND.

AND EVERYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SUGAR COAT IT AND DO SEX EDUCATION, AND THE COMMENT WAS MADE WE'LL FIGURE SOME OTHER WAY OF DOING IT. ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT -- LIKE THIS I GUESS THE QUESTION ARE THEY GOING TO USE THE MONEY TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER STATE TO ABORT THEIR BABY. THAT'S THE QUESTION. IF YOU ARE BACKING OFF ON THAT, LET US KNOW AND WE'LL CHANGE ACCORDINGLY. BUT RIGHT NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE STILL GOING TO BE TRAFFICKING WOMEN TO ANOTHER STATE TO PROCURE AN ABORTION. SO WHILE THE WHOLE WORLD IS TALKING ABOUT LOW BIRTH RATES, LOW FERTILITY RATES, EVEN OUR OWN METRO HEALTH TALKS ABOUT LOW FERTILITY RATES, YET WE ARE PARTICIPATING WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS, YOUR TAX DOLLARS, EVERYONE'S TAX DOLLARS, JALEN, YOUR TAX DOLLARS, EVERYONE'S TAX DOLLARS TO KILL BABIES. THERE'S TREMENDOUS RESOURCES IN THE GOVERNMENT THAT ARE AGAINST THE WEAK ONE AND THAT'S THE POINT. STRONG GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO KILL THE BABIES. STRONG GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP THE INNOCENT AND THE WEAK. I THINK YOU HAVE IT BACKWARDS.

I THINK YOU HAVE IT UPSIDE DOWN. ABORTIONISTS ARE GOVERNMENT PROTECTED SERIAL KILLERS, THAT'S WHAT IT IS. LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

THEY JUST HAVE A LICENSE TO KILL. WHEN CHILDREN ARE PERCEIVED AS THE ENEMY AND THOSE BABIES INSTEAD OF THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY, HUMANITY HAS NO FUTURE. THAT PROJECT, THAT'S A GREAT PROJECT, IT HAS NO FUTURE.

THERE AREN'T GOING TO BE ANY PEOPLE AROUND. IT'S JUST A BLOB OF TISSUE, RIGHT? IT'S JUST A FEE TUESDAY, RIGHT?

YOU SEE FEE TUESDAY IS LATIN FOR OFF SPRING. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD I GET A MOTION AND SECOND ON ITEM 27? THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 27. WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TODAY THIS ITEM IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD ENSURING SAN ANTONIANS HAVE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICES, PRENATAL CARE AND THESE ARE BASIC RIGHTS. TODAY WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THOSE RIGHTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS FUND IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT FOLKS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO CARE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO CARE RIGHT HERE IN OUR CITY. WHILE THIS PROPOSAL DOESN'T INCLUDE FUNDING FOR TRAVEL TO ACCESS ABORTION CARE AT THIS MOMENT, I WANT TO REASSURE EVERYONE IT'S IN THE WORKS. TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED TODAY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE DARING US, BUT WE ARE ON IT. WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ENSURE NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND WHEN TRYING TO ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE WE ADDRESS THAT NEED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THANKS TO EMPOWER HOUSE, LATCH SUPPORT, SAN ANTONIO AIDS FOUNDATION AND THE YMCA AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL FURTHER THEIR CAUSE. I KNOW IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ALL THE NEED, BUT IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND THEIR FUTURE. WE'RE MOVING CLOSER TO A FUTURE WHERE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IS REALITY FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD. THANKS. THANKS, MAYOR.

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

[01:50:02]

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: CLAUDE, IF YOU COULD COME UP FOR A SECOND BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR, I BELIEVE, FOR THE RECORD.

NONE OF THESE FUNDS REPRESENTED HERE IN ITEM 27 WILL BE USED IN ANY WAY TO SUPPORT OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR ABORTION. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> JACOB: THAT IS CORRECT, SIR. >> WHYTE: THANK YOU.

WITH THAT SAID, THIS IS WHERE I AM ON THIS. I SAID IT A YEAR AGO THAT THIS CONVERSATION IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER YOU ARE FOR OR AGAINST ABORTION.

WHAT THIS CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT TO ME WAS WHETHER OR NOT CITY TAX DOLLARS THAT SHOULD BE USED ON CITY ISSUES, PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE, ET CETERA, THIS WAS ABOUT WHETHER CITY TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE USED TO FUND OUT OF STATE ABORTION TRAVEL. AND I SAID BACK THEN THAT IT SHOULD NOT.

AND WE NOW ARRIVE IN A PLACE TODAY WHERE WHAT WE ARE GOING -- WHAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING SUPPORT OUT OF STATE ACCESS TO ABORTION. SO I'M PLEASED WITH THAT.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE. BUT I BELIEVE THAT FUNDING OUT OF STATE ABORTION THROUGH CITY TAX DOLLARS IS SIMPLY WRONG.

NOW, TODAY YOU SAY, WELL, THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS FUND ANYMORE THAT PROVIDES FOR THAT OUT-OF-STATE ACCESS. BUT I STILL AM NOT GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND AND THE REASON IS THIS.

AND IT WAS STATED EARLIER AND I DO THANK COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ FOR HIS COMMENTS THE OTHER WEEK. THIS FUND WAS SET UP IN THE VERY BEGINNING WITH THE PURPOSE TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING FOR OUT-OF-STATE ABORTION ACCESS.

THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. AND HONESTLY, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS COUNCIL WAS HONEST WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN WE SAT UP HERE A YEAR AGO AND NOBODY ON THIS I DO I CAN'T SAY WANTED TO EVEN USE THE WORD "ABORTION" AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED WAS ABOUT ALL THE OTHER ASPECTS OF FEMALE HEALTH CARE. AGAIN, I STRONGLY SUPPORT FUNDING FOR FEMALE HEALTH CARE, BUT THAT'S NOT WHY THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND WAS SET UP ORIGINALLY.

AND THE PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED IS NOW THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MY DISTRICT, THAT ARE GOING TO BE CONFUSED ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING PASSED TODAY. AND SO IT'S FOR THAT REASON AND BECAUSE THERE IS THAT CONFUSION OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC AS WE JUST HEARD FROM OUR PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY BEING SUPPORTED HERE IN THIS FUND, IT'S FOR THOSE REASONS THAT I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS MEASURE TODAY AND WILL BE ABSTAINING.

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

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

I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT I HAVING HELD A -- ASKED PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT THROUGH A SURVEY WHETHER OR NOT THEY SUPPORTED THE SAN ANTONIO SPENDING ANY OF OUR CITY FUNDS TO TRANSPORT A WOMAN TO HAVE AN ABORTION OUT OF STATE. I SENT IT OUT TO I BELIEVE AROUND 10,000 EMAIL ADDRESSES I HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN DISTRICT 9. I GOT A LITTLE BETTER THAN A 9% RESPONSE. 68% SAID NO. AND 25% SAID YES.

SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. I DID DO THE SURVEY AND THOSE WERE THE RESULTS. EVEN BEFORE I DID THAT SURVEY, I SAID WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS ITEM EARLIER THAT I DID NOT BELIEVE THE CITY SHOULD BE USING CITY TAX DOLLARS OR CITY REVENUE TO SUPPORT A WOMAN'S TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO GET AN

[01:55:01]

HOWEVER, I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE CITY'S ROLE AND THAT WAS MY STAND AT THE BEGINNING. I WANT TO MAKE A CORRECTION THOUGH I THINK MY COUNCIL FRIEND SAID THAT THIS WAS SET UP -- REMEMBER, THIS WAS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST. IN OTHER WORDS, FIVE PEOPLE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER SETTING UP THIS FUND AND ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WANTED WAS TO ENABLE WOMEN TO TRAVEL FOR AN ABORTION ON CITY FUNDING. WE HAVE A LOT OF CONSIDERATIONS IN A ARE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL -- THAT ARE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL AND PROBABLY 90% OF THEM GET CHANGED ALONG THE WAY.

IF THIS PARTICULAR FUND TODAY WAS SAYING THAT MONEY WOULD BE USED TO PAY FOR A WOMAN TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO GET AN ABORTION, I WOULD NOT SUPPORT IT.

I ADVOCATED FOR THIS MONEY TO BE USED TO HELP WOMEN'S HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY BEFORE AND AFTER AND DURING, AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS COMMITTED TO.

AND SO I WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS TODAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

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

I DO APPRECIATE THOSE OF YOU ALL WHO CAME TO SPEAK AND AT LEAST GOT MY NAME RIGHT.

I HAVE TO SAY PLEASE DON'T MISQUOTE ME. I DID NOT SAY WE ARE FUNDING ABORTIONS, I DID NOT SAY THIS FUND WOULD PROVIDE ABORTIONS.

WE WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND ABORTIONS. TRYING TO PIN US DOWN AND TRYING TO GET US TO SAY THINGS WE DIDN'T IS UNNECESSARY AND YOU WILL HAVE TO WIN YOUR LAWSUIT SOME OTHER WAY. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE, YOU DID MISSPEAK AS WELL. I ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS USED THE WORD ABORTION AND SPECIFICALLY IDEA FOR THE FUND TO INCLUDE TRAVEL FOR ABORTIONS.

VOTE NO, DO YOUR DANCE, BUT DON'T MAKE US DO IT WITH YOU.

I'LL MOVE ON TO THE ISSUE. THE INTENTION OF THIS FUND IS IN ITS NAME, TO PROVIDE FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE. REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IS WITH AN IMPORTANT RIGHT TO NOTE AS WE NAVIGATE A CLIMATE THAT CONTINUES TO STRIP THE RIGHT TO BODILY AUTONOMY ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH. WE CITED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION, THE HEALTH RISKS OF FOLK WHO WILL BE EXPECTED TO CARRY NON-VIABLE PREGNANCIES TO TERM.

WE CITED THE MATERNITY DEATH RATE AND SPECIFICALLY THE BLACK MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES. SO IT'S DANGEROUS TO BE PREGNANT RIGHT NOW IN TEXAS AND PEOPLE ARE NEEDING TO TRAVEL ACROSS STATE LINES TO ACCESS CRITICAL AND LIFE-SAVING PROCEDURES INCLUDING ABORTION. I SUPPORTED THIS FUND BECAUSE I WANTED TO PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT WILL MAKE THAT DIFFICULT AND COSTLY JOURNEY A LITTLE EASIER. I UNDERSTAND WHY SMALL AMOUNT OF PROFITS THAT ARE FACING HARASSMENT AND DEATH THREATS MAY NOT HAVE INCLUDED TRAVEL IN THEIR PROPOSALS, BUT THERE IS VALUE IN SUPPORTING THEIR OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SO IT CAN REDUCE FINANCIAL STRAIN AND ALLOW THEM TO USE OTHER FUNDING TO PROVIDE FOR TRAVEL. I UNDERSTAND THE MAYOR WHEN HE SAYS HE WANTS THE WOMEN TO LEAD THIS CHARGE AND I AGREE. BUT I ALSO DON'T EXPECT THE WOMEN ON COUNCIL TO AGREE AND SHARE THE SAME PERSPECTIVE AS THEY ARE EACH DISTINCT WOMEN WITH W DEFERRING VIEWS ON PROCUREMENT, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND CITY RESPONSIBILITY. I DON'T EXPECT THEM TO AGREE ON APPROACH EVEN BUT ALSO DON'T EXPECT THEM TO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY WHEN WE HAVE CRAZY PEOPLE HARASSING PEOPLE ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE.

THE WOMEN ON MY STAFF AND IN ORGANIZATIONS I RESPECT ASKED ME TO FIGHT FOR THIS FUND. THE TRANSAND NON-BINARY PEOPLE WHO CAN ALSO CARRY A PREGNANCY HAVE ASKED ME TO FIGHT FOR THIS FUND. THIS IS A WOMAN'S ISSUE, A LGBTQ+ ISSUE AND A BLACK ISSUE. I'M COMMITTED TO FIGHTING ON THIS IN THE WAYS I'VE BEEN ASKED TO. EACH OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THERE ARE A FEW IN MY DISTRICT, IS A HUGE COMMUNITY ASSET AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THEY WILL DO AMAZING THINGS WITH THIS FUNDING.

STILL, IT CANNOT FOR THE IDEA OF CREATING A SEPARATE FUND FOR TRAVEL ACCESS AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES WHO SUPPORTED THAT AND SUPPORT THIS WORK TO HELP LOCATE THE FUNDS AND

[02:00:05]

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

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. IF I HEARD CORRECTLY, THE THREE INVOLUNTARY CELIBATE MEN ARE DISAPPOINTED THIS ISN'T GOING 100% TOWARDS ABORTION TRAVEL.

WITH THAT I WANT TO THANK ALL THE APPLICANTS OF THIS RFP.

I'M EXCITED TO FUND ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND DOING THE WORK TO ADDRESS REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH CARE GAPS IN OUR CITY.

WE KNOW THE CITY WHERE NEARLY ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE LACK HEALTH ORGANIZATION, LOGS LIKE THIS MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE TO ASSURE THEY ARE NOT LEFT BEHIND.

REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH IS STIGMATIZED AND WHEN ATTACKS ON THE RIGHTS COME THROUGH SOME OF OUR STATE LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THOSE ATTACKS WON'T STOP THERE. THEY CREATE A CHILLING EFFECT ON ALL REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH CARE AND WE SEE THE EFFECTS IN OUR CITY AS STIS ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATES, TEXANS ARE FLEEING TO RECEIVE LIFE-SAVING ABORTIONS WITHOUT FEAR OF CRIMINALIZATION FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR DOCTORS. IT IS BECAUSE OF THAT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF A CONTINUED EFFORT TO FUND MORE PRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH CARE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO SAID ALL OF THE WOMEN WHAT THINKING, WHAT WOULD THE WORLD BE LIKE IF WOMEN COULD MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RIGHTS TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR OWN BODIES.

WHAT IF WOMEN'S RIGHTS WERE JUST DECIDED BY WOMEN. AMAZING TO ME THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS SUCH GREAT OPINIONS ON WHAT WOMEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO WITH THEIR BODIES. WHEN THEY ARE NOT THE ONES GIVING BIRTH, THEY ARE NOT THE ONES GETTING PREGNANT. MY FRIEND LITERALLY HAD A MISCARRIAGE AND HAD TO CARRY THE BABY FOR FOUR WEEKS IN HER BODY BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T GIVE HER MIFEPRISTONE. I BELIEVE ALL OF US WERE FOR COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN'S HEALTH AND THAT INCLUDES WHATEVER IT MEANS FOR A WOMAN EVEN IF THAT IS TRAVEL FOR ABORTION AND WE ALL SAID THAT AND WERE VERY CLEAR. IF THE COMMUNITY IS CONFUSED ABOUT IT, I VOTE FOR US HAVING A DISCUSSION TO ADD MORE MONEY TO ADD TRAVEL FOR ABORTION BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THAT MEANS. COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO HAVE AN ABORTION IF THE WOMAN CHOOSES.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, I'LL END BY SAYING WHAT A WOMAN DOES WITH HER BODY SHOULD BE HER

RIGHT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ COUNCILMEMBER KAUR COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE CLEAR. I WILL TELL YOU I'VE NEVER SEEN THOSE DUDES EVER SHOW UP TO DEFEND WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS. EVER. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THOSE GUYS TO REALLY EXHIBIT THEIR CARE FOR WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BABY AFTER THEY LEAVE THE WOMB. NEVER HAVE THEY BEEN UP HERE TALKING ABOUT DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'M GOING TO MAINTAIN ORDER UP HERE AND I'M GOING TO ASK ALL MY COLLEAGUES TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION FOCUSED ON

THE POLICY TODAY. >> PELÁEZ: AND THEIR SILENCE IS DEAFENING, RIGHT? SO WOMEN DIE WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF REPRODUCTIVETH CARE.

YOU CAN DEBATE IT, BUT IT'S NOT REFUTABLE. GOD FORBID ANY OF THEIR DAUGHTERS ARE EVER FACED OR GRANDDAUGHTERS WITH EVER FACED WITH THE HORRIBLE CHOICE OF HAVING TO DIE OR LIVE BY ACCESSING THIS KIND OF HEALTH CARE.

SO I'M -- I LOVE THAT WE'RE EDUCATING WAKE -- EDUCATING WOMEN AND GIRLS AND GIVING THEM ACCESS TO WHAT CLAUDE LAID OUT. LET THERE BE ABSOLUTELY NO MISTAKE ABOUT WHERE I STAND ON THIS. AND I SPEAK NOT JUST WITH MY WORDS BUT ALSO MY FAMILY AND I DONATE TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WE'VE DONE THAT FOREVER. I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE IN TEXAS IS OBSCENE AND UNFORGIVABLE AND WOMEN ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF WHAT GREG ABBOTT AND KEN PAXTON

[02:05:07]

I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES DISAGREE WITH ME ON THAT AND THERE'S PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DEBATE AND I'M OPEN-MINDED ABOUT AND EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO CHANGE MY MIND. WITH THAT, CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO, AND TO THE OTHER WOMEN ON THIS DAIS, YOU KNOW, FOR PUTTING FORTH THIS CONVERSATION AND ALLOWING US TO GIVE IT OXYGEN BECAUSE IT NEEDS AS MUCH OXYGEN AS POSSIBLE.

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

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE -- ALL THOSE THAT APPLIED FOR CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EMPOWER HOUSE SA, LATCH SUPPORT, INC., SAN ANTONIO AIDS FOUNDATION AND YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF SAN ANTONIO FOR G FORWARD AND PROVIDING SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

I WAS ON A PLANE HEADED ON VACATION WHEN WE STARTED TO DISCUSS THE REVERSAL OF ROE V. WADE. AND AS A WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE THAT HAD LIVED HER ENTIRE LIFE WITH THIS BEING AN OPTION IF NEEDED, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR STEPPING UP AND AUTHORING THIS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE ISSUE. ON THE SOUTH SIDE WE HAVE ONE HOSPITAL THAT HAS WHAT THEY CALL THE NEST FOR -- FOR PREGNANT WOMEN. WE HAVE A PLANNED PARENTHOOD RIGHT NEXT TO A LAUNDROMAT. BUT WE ARE LACKING IN NEEDS IN THAT COMMUNITY.

AND IF YOU KNOW THE WOMEN OF MY DISTRICT, THEY ARE GOING TO PUT THEIR HEALTH ISSUES LAST. THE HEALTH ISSUES THAT GO FIRST ARE THAT OF THE FAMILY. BUT WE KNOW FIRSTHAND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS ABILITY THAT SOME PEOPLE WANT TO SAY IS WRAP OUR WHOLE VALUE UP IN WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH. AND WE HAVE THESE ORGANNINGS AND THIS ABILITY TO DO THAT AND THEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN AGE OR GET TO A CERTAIN POINT AND IT CAN TURN ON YOU WITH CERVICAL CANCER OR OVARIAN CANCER OR UTERINE CANCER OR BREAST CANCER. AND YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF AS AN INDIVIDUAL. WE -- YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT, MEN, TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS, BUT YOU ARE SAYING THAT WE DON'T.

AND THIS HAS BEEN CONSTANT. WE HAVE -- I HAVE WATCHED COUNCIL MEETINGS BEFORE WHERE THIS COUNCIL HAS TRIED TO PROVIDE BIRTH CONTROL FOR WOMEN THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD BABIES THAT NEEDED HELP, AND IT'S THE SAME CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OR HOW THEY CAN'T MAKE THESE OWN DECISIONS. WE CAN MAKE THESE OWN DECISIONS. WE DO. AND IF THIS FUND CAN HELP WHERE WE ARE LACKING IN THIS GAP, WE NEED TO DO THAT. AND IF WE NEED TO SUPPORT TO LOOK BECAUSE THESE LAWS THAT ARE COMING DOWN FROM THE STATE ARE COSTING WOMEN THEIR LIVES AND THEY ARE GOING TO NEED TO GO TO NEW MEXICO TO GET MEDICAL CARE, THEN WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT TOO. BUT THIS ISSUE IS SO MUCH BIGGER BECAUSE IT IS AN ATTACK ON WOMEN, IT IS TRYING TO PUT THEM IN A BOX AND IDENTIFY THEM, AND YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO GET A VASECTOMY AND THEN HAVE IT REVERSED. WHY AREN'T WE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS? SO I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS TODAY. AGAIN, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO THANK YOU BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF THE WOMEN BEFORE WHO DIED TRYING TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY. NOBODY GETS TO TELL YOU WHEN LIFE BEGINS IN YOUR BODY.

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

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM 27? I'LL JUST SAY FOR MY PART I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCILWOMEN ON THIS DAIS OUGHT TO LEAD THIS DISCUSSION WHICH THEY HAVE, AND RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS A SERVICE THAT'S NOT BEING FUNDED THROUGH THESE DOLLARS AND THAT IS TRAVEL

[02:10:03]

MOTION CARRIES. THAT IS THE REMAINDER OF OUR A SESSION AGENDA.

ERIK, IS THERE A MANAGER'S REPORT? I BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE POINT

OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. FOR THOSE UNAWARE, THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO INVITE THE LABOR OF INTERNATIONAL UNION OF AMERICA TO TEACH ABOUT THE LEARN PROGRAM AND THE INCREDIBLE PROGRAM AT SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL IN DISTRICT 2.

THEY ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOLS OUR STUDENTS DESERVE COALITION WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO PUSH SAN ANTONIO ISD TO PURSUE PROGRAMS LIKE THE ONE MATT WILL SHARE WITH US AND WE THINK OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS.

IN DISTRICT 5 WE KNOW APPRENTICESHIPS ARE BETTER IN A UNION AND WORKERS IN A UNION ON AVERAGE EACH EARN 11% MORE THAN THEIR PEERS IN SIMILAR SECTORS.

96% OF WORKERS IN UNIONS HAVE ACCESS TO EMPLOYER SPONSORED HEALTH BENEFITS AND 93% OF UNION WORKERS VIEW ACCESS TO PAID SICK DAYS.

ALL OF THIS CAN START WITH AN APPRENTICESHIP. I'LL HAND IT OVER TO MATT.

>> MATT GONZALES, THE BUSINESS MANAGE IRRELEVANT OF LABORERS LOCAL 1095.

WE REPRESENT OVER 900 MEMBERS IN CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRIES IN SAN ANTONIO. AS WE GET INTO THIS, THE LEARN PROGRAM IS -- IT WAS IMPLEMENTED TWO YEARS AGO AT SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL. THOSE OF YOU ON THE DAIS ARE PROBABLY VERY FAMILIAR WITH THAT COMMUNITY, HISTORICALLY BLACK AND BROWN.

A CAMPUS THAT WAS PLAGUED WITH BEHAVIORAL, ACADEMIC AND ATTENDANCE ISSUES.

AND SO AS WE STARTED CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DISTRICT, WE STRATEGICALLY CHOSE THIS CAMPUS SO THAT WE COULD EFFECT MORE CHANGE. WE WERE FOUNDED IN 1903.

WE HAVE OVER HALF A MILLION MEMBERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BUILDING LANDMARKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HOWEVER DAM, 9/11 MEMORIAL, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS STADIUM AND HERE LOCALLY PROJECTS FROM HOSPITALS TO PARKING GARAGES, TUNNELS FOR SAWS, YOU NAME IT WE HAVE DONE IT. AND SO WHAT IS LEARN.

IT IS A FOUR-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL CTE PROGRAM THAT PREPARES STUDENTS TO COST IN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, IS ALL ABOUT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO ENTER INTO A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION AND THROUGH LIUNA. IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL PATH WAY AND COMBINES TRADE-SEARCH ANDSPECIFIC KNOWLE. FINISHES WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM PROVIDE? SO IT DOES PROVIDE INDUSTRY DEVELOPED DEFINED CTE STANDARDS. SCOPE OF SIGH CONVINCE, GREAT LEVEL OUTCOMES, LESSON PROJECT PLANS AND STUDENT RESOURCE MATERIALS. IT DOES PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HANDS ON TRAINING AND POTENTIAL EQUIPMENT DONATIONS.

I WILL CIRCLE BACK TO THAT ONE MOMENTARILY. IT ALSO SUPPORTS MEETING THE CO-OP GOALS OF THE BOTH THE STATE AND DISTRICT IN ORDER FOR THE DISTRICT TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE REQUIREMENTS. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN LIUNA TRAINING. WE CROSS-WALKED THIS CURRICULUM WITH THE DISTRICT TO ENSURE STATE COMPLIANCE. WE SUPPORT OBTAINING COLLEGE CREDIT TO HELP STUDENTS

[02:15:03]

WE CAN'T SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF THE FOLKS AT MILWAUKEE AND THEY CONTINUE TO IN AUDIO]. A LITTLE BIT OF DATA AS FAR AS LEARN.

SO THERE ARE SEVEN LEARN CAMPUSES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

TWO BEING IN CALIFORNIA WHERE THEY HAVE 180 STUDENTS AND TWO TEACHERS FOR TWO CAMPUSES. THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS ALSO HAS TWO CAMPUSES WITH 80 STUDENTS AND TWO TEACHERS. OHIO, NEW YORK, THEY EACH HAVE ONE CAMPUS. HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE SOUTH TO HAVE A LEARN CAMPUS SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT BEING RIGHT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. WE HAVE 50 STUDENTS IN TOTAL, 30 SOPHOMORE-LEVEL CLASS, AND THEN 20 FRESHMAN-LEVEL CLASS WITH ONE INSTRUCTOR THERE.

POINT OF PRIVILEGE OF OURS, THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THIS CLASS IS A UNION MEMBER, A LIUNA MEMBER WHO COMES OUT OF THE FIELD AS A JOURNEYMAN WHO HAS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS INSTRUCTION. SUCCESS TO BUILD ON.

A COUPLE OF SUCCESS STORIES. THERE WAS A GRADUATE, DANNY, OUT OF MASSACHUSETTS WHO GRADUATED THE LEARN PROGRAM. HE WENT ON TO WORK INTO THE FIELD AS WELL AS HE IS NOW AN INSTRUCTOR AT ONE OF THE TRAINING CENTERS. SO THAT DEMONSTRATES AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO START AT THE GROUND LEVEL AND WORK THEIR WAY UP AND CLIMB THAT LADDER. ENRIQUE IS THE FIRST IN HIS FAMILY TO GRADUATE THE PROGRAM, GET A JOB AND BUY A CAR BREAKING THAT GENERATIONAL CHANGE.

WE'VE DONE SOME VERSE VOLUNTEER WORK WITH THE CAMPUS.

I KNOW THAT'S MY TIME AND I THANK YOU FOR THE ABILITY TO COME SPEAK ON THAT.

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND SHOWING US ALL THE WORK THAT LIUNA HAS TAKEN ON AND CONTINUES TO DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE

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

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

ALL RIGHT, WE DO HAVE AN EXEC SESSION BRIEFLY. FOR THOSE OF YOU HERE FOR THE 2:00 ZONING MEETING, WE'RE GOING TO BE A LITTLE DELAYED BECAUSE WE'RE JUST GETTING THROUGH OUR MORNING SESSION. THE TIME IS 12:45 ON THE 212TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024. CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND COMMISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO TEXAS 551.087.

THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.072. LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVE EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS ALL PURSUANT TO >> THE TIME IS NOW 2:52 ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024, ON THE S SHA CITY COUNCIL WILL NOWE CONVENED. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN.

IN THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'LL NOW CONVENE THE -- THE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.